COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on April 28, 1997 at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Truitt, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters and Mayor Hutchison. Mr. Leary, Mr. Hare and Mr. Fenimore were absent.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Lambert requested the addition of an item to the Utility Committee agenda to discuss “Property Liens Based on Unpaid Water Bills”. Mr. Salters moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Mr. Merritt was present. Councilmen Leary and Hare and Mr. Schaefer were absent. In the absence of the three committee members, Mr. Salters deputized all members of Council as temporary committee members.

CDBG - Action Plan and Proposed Resolution

A proposed resolution was submitted for approval of the Community Development Block Grant Action Plan which includes the City’s request for its $303,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement. A summary of the spending plan and a copy of the Action Plan was also submitted for the committee’s approval. Contained in the Action Plan is the proposed use for the funds, along with certain required policy statements and certifications. This Action Plan conforms to the priorities set forth in the Consolidated Plan.

The following is a summary of the CDBG Advisory Committee recommendations, as outlined in the 1997 Action Plan:

  Project ID#                Project                        Amount Awarded:                   Amount Awarded:

                                                                         Services/Admin                      Acquisition & Rehab

97-1    Dover Police Dept.                                     $29,810 

            Community Policing

97-2    NCALL Home Ownership                           $ 6,550

            Counseling

97-3     City of Dover Closing Cost/                                                                               $63,020

            Down payment Grant Program

97-4    Program Administration                              $60,600

97-5    City of Dover Housing                                                                                      $30,040

            Rehab. Grant Program

  Project ID#                Project                        Amount Awarded:                   Amount Awarded:

                                                                         Services/Admin                      Acquisition & Rehab

97-6    City of Dover Transitional                                                                                 $ 50,000

            Housing Grant Program

97-7    City of Dover Economic                                                                                    $ 62,980

            Development Loan Program

 

             TOTALS                                            $36,360/$60,600                                 $206,040

            TOTAL CDBG Grant                                                                                    $303,000

Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of the Plan and adoption of proposed resolution, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Councilman Pitts was present. Councilman Fenimore and Mr. Kramedas and Mr. Carey were absent. Councilwoman Malone and Councilmen Truitt and Salters were deputized to serve as temporary committee members.

Property Liens for Unpaid Water Bills

At the request of a citizen, Mr. Lambert requested that the committee review the City’s current policy for property liens on unpaid water bills. Apparently the property owner rented the property to a tenant who failed to pay the water bill and the outstanding bill has been placed as a lien against the property. Mr. O’Connor stated that a duplicate bill can be sent to the property owner at their request.

Mr. Lambert stated that the current practice may encourage a property owner to be more selective in choosing a tenant. Agreeing, Mrs. Malone stated that landlords typically collect a security deposit which should help to offset such types of expenses. There are also other courses of action such as using the court system to assist in collection. She stated her feeling that the City also has a responsibility to our other customers to take every available action to collect an outstanding bill so that our uncollected accounts are kept as low as possible.

Mr. Pitts felt that the current policy not only protects the City, but it also encourages property owners to monitor water usage so that an excessive amount of water is not used.

Mr. Salters stated that a landlord always has the option of paying the water bill and recouping the costs through rent receipts. This practice would give the property owner more control over the possibility of a bill going unpaid for any length of time, thus accumulating until service is ultimately discontinued.

Mr. Pitts moved to recommend no action on this matter, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Mr. Pitts moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:20 P.M.

                                                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                                                              Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                              Council President

RRC/DJB