COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on July 22, 1996 at 7:00 p.m., with Councilman Salters presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Truitt, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Fenimore, Mr. Hare and Mayor Hutchison. Council President Christiansen and Mr. Leary were absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilman Hare, Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Merritt. Councilman Leary was absent. In his absence, Councilman Fenimore was deputized to serve as a member.
Quarterly Write-Off of Uncollectible Electric Bills
Members were provided with a list of uncollectible electric bills, in the amount of $51,090.33. It was noted that the list of bills covers two quarters, covering the period of July 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994. The list includes $4,608.23 from accounts that filed for bankruptcy. Federal law prohibits us from making attempts to collect these outstanding debts. The list consists of those accounts from July 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994 that have shown no collection activity for a period of one year or longer. The list has been screened to insure that no one listed is currently in our utility customer base. City staff recommends endorsement of the write-off of uncollectible electric bills in the amount of $51,090.33.
Mr. Fenimore moved to recommend that Council write-off the list of uncollectible electric bills in the amount of $51, 090.33. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
Mrs. Malone requested an update on the committee's proposal for State income tax returns to be conveyed to the City for any outstanding debts owed by the taxpayer. Mr. O'Connor stated that the Finance Director is pursuing this matter and it should be introduced to the State legislature in their next session.
Mr. Truitt stated his opinion that the term "uncollectible write-off" is confusing since attempts for collection are continued. He suggested that the language be changed to "collectible write-off" until such time as all efforts to collect are exhausted and then it be deemed "uncollectible write-off". Mr. Salters stated that staff can look into this, but he reminded Mr. Truitt even though the debt may be written off for bookkeeping purposes, the City never stops attempts to collect an unpaid debt.
Request for City Property - Capitol Green Housing Corporation
It was requested that a triangular piece of land, owned by the City of Dover, be deeded over to the Capitol Green Housing Corporation. The land is contiguous to property that will house a planned Community Building project. They feel that the City land would be an ideal parcel to be utilized for additional open space and playground equipment.
Mr. O'Connor stated that City staff has no objections to deeding the property to Capitol Green Housing Corporation since it is an unusual and odd shaped parcel that would be difficult for the City to develop. Deeding the property over as requested would save the City the cost of maintaining the parcel. If Council wishes to approve the request, Mr. O'Connor requested that an easement be required for utility purposes.
Mr. Fenimore moved to recommend that the City Manager be authorized to dispose of the property as requested by the Capitol Green Housing Corporation, stipulating that the required utility easements be maintained by the City. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:45 P.M.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory Committee met with Chairman Hare presiding. Members present were Councilmen Truitt and Pitts and Mr. Coleman and Mr. Wolfe.
Traffic Signal - Forest Street - Pedestrian Crossing
On behalf of several residents living near the West Dover Elementary School, Councilman Salters requested consideration of the installation of a control device to allow for pedestrian crossing at the school's traffic signal located on Forest Street. Although there is a crossing guard at this location before and after school, there are activities before and after school when there is no crossing guard available for the children to cross the street safely. It is felt by residents that some type of control device should be installed to allow for pedestrians to control the traffic signal for safe crossing. Since Forest Street is a State maintained roadway, Mr. Salters requested that the Safety Advisory Committee review the matter for endorsement and recommendation to the State of Delaware, Department of Transportation.
Mr. Hare noted that this portion of Forest Street is a very heavily travelled street and stated that it is difficult to cross the street safely without a crossing guard or traffic signal. He suggested that a letter to the Department of Transporation be prepared, for signature by himself and Mr. Christiansen, requesting that they review this suggestion. Mr. Hare noted that representatives of DelDOT plan to attend an August meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee to update the committee on pending issues. Hopefully, they will be able to discuss this issue at the same time.
Mr. Truitt moved to recommend that the City of Dover endorse the proposal for installation of a control device to allow for pedestrian crossing at the traffic signal located on Forest Street in front of the West Dover Elementary School and that a letter be sent to the Department of Transportation conveying this proposal. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Fenimore and Mr. Carey and Mr. Kramedas.
Stoney Creek Development - Update by City Manager
Residents of Stoney Creek Development requested, by petition, the closure of an access roadway between Stoney Creek Development and Dover East Townhomes. Although the City originally requested the access roadway for delivery of City services and for emergency access, the residents feel that the access roadway is not being used for this purpose. It is, instead, being used for access into the Dover East Development and it is becoming an increasing problem for the residents of Stoney Creek. Those that use the access roadway are not residents of Stoney Creek and there is concern for the safety of those that live in Stoney Creek. The petition states that there have been many incidents of speeding, screeching wheels, and excessive honking of horns by vehicles using the access roadway. The access roadway is unlit and the residents feel that it is a potential threat to the area and request that the City close the access roadway immediately.
Mr. O'Connor stated that originally the residents had many concerns and that all but the access roadway issue have been resolved or are close to resolution. Closure of the access roadway is a matter for review by the Committee.
Mr. Chuck Luton of 115 Holmes Street stated that a petition was signed unanimously by the entire development.
Mr. O'Connor requested that the committee defer action on this matter to allow time for him to meet with the City Planner so that a staff recommendation can be submitted at the next committee meeting.
Ms. Lisa Skelley of 105 Margaret Court stated that the development has no stop signs and snow removal is impossible because the streets have not been completed to City standards. She stated that the developer has made no effort to complete the development and the homeowners are at a loss as to what they can do. Mr. O'Connor stated that he has talked with the developer who has promised to complete the streets to the City's satisfaction by the end of the fall of 1996. The developer is aware that if he does not comply, the City may perform the necessary work and assess him to recoup the costs. Mr. O'Connor stated that the City will install the stop signs.
Noting the presence of State Representative Donna Stone, Mr. Lambert expressed appreciation to her for her attention to this matter, noting that she forwarded a letter to the City endorsing the closure of the access roadway as requested by the residents.
Referring to the City Manager's request for a two week delay to allow time for review with the City Planner, Mr. Fenimore assured the residents that City Council has no desire to delay action on their request and will make a definite decision as soon as City staff has made a recommendation.
Mr. Fenimore moved to recommend that Council delay for two weeks a decision on the request to close the access roadway between Stoney Creek Development and Dover East Townhomes, but that in the interim, the roadway be temporarily closed to ensure the safety of the residents of both developments. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
RRC/DJB