SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Special Council Meeting was held on February 22, 1995 at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Leary, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Salters and Mr. Hare. Mr. Pitts was absent.

Council staff members present were Mr. O'Connor and Mrs. Green.

Council President Christiansen explained that the public hearing was scheduled to accept public comments on the proposal for full-time Mayor, as submitted by Mayor Hutchison. He noted that members were provided copies of letters from the following citizens and are available and on file in the City Clerk's Office: 1) Janice A. Donovan; 2) Central Delaware Economic Development Council; and 3) Mr. Irving Levitt.

Council President Christiansen declared the public hearing open.

Mr. Glenn Mahan - 411 Nimitz Road

Mr. Mahan felt that a referendum should be held for the public to decide on the proposal for full-time Mayor. It was his feeling that there would be no advantage of a full-time Mayor when the City's organization includes a City Manager. He also suggested that the City establish term limits for elected officials.

Dr. Ed Goate - 167 Westwood Drive

Dr. Goate relayed his support for a full-time Mayor and provided members a list of considerations for a full-time Mayor (as on file in the City Clerk's Office). He explained that due to the growth and changes of the City, a full-time Mayor is necessary to maintain the quality of life in Dover and ensure continued and orderly growth. Dr. Goate read a letter from the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce indicating that the Board of Directors support the concept of a full-time, paid Mayor for the City of Dover.

Mr. K.C. Sheth - 21 St. Annes Court

Mr. Sheth advised members that according to the University of Delaware, the City of Dover has been experiencing an average of 5% growth each year. It was his feeling that the City owes it to the community to provide the citizens and businesses with a full-time Mayor. Mr. Sheth felt that the current system deprives individuals the opportunity to serve as Mayor due to economic reasons or the ability to take time away from their current employment. He stated that no one should be discriminated against for running for Mayor. Mr. Sheth also felt that it would be economically more viable for the City to have a full-time, paid Mayor position.

Mr. Mike Chapman - 863 Schoolhouse Lane

Mr. Chapman stated that he favors the proposal for a full-time Mayor. He reminded members that the majority of our citizens are not aware of how the City's organization operates and are not privy to all the facts. Mr. Chapman indicated his opposition to a referendum and requested that members of Council make the decision regarding the proposal for a full-time, paid Mayor.

Mr. Javan Davis - 635 Nimitz Road

Mr. Davis advised members that he has observed Dover grow from a town to a city and noted that Dover continues to grow. It was his feeling that the citizens of Dover want an elected official that is available to them at all times. Mr. Davis urged members of Council to support the proposal for a full-time, paid Mayor.

Mr. Bob Berglund - Dover Hardware, Loockerman Street

Mr. Berglund indicated his support for a full-time, paid Mayor. He reminded members of the numerous hours required of the Mayor as a part-time, uncompensated elected official and that the City has been fortunate in having Mayors that were self-employed and financially able to serve in the part-time capacity. He felt that the City is preventing several individuals, that have an interest in serving as Mayor, the opportunity since they could not afford to do so without compensation. Mr. Berglund also felt that the City would recover the costs of a full-time, paid Mayor by giving the Mayor the opportunity to lobby federal and state governments to acquire funds for the City.

Mayor Crawford Carroll (former Mayor of the City of Dover) - 115 Park Drive

Mayor Carroll reminded members that having served 20 years as Mayor and 5 years as a member of Council, he is extremely aware of the demands required of the Mayor. Taking into consideration that the demands of the Mayor require more time each year, it was his feeling that the time has come for a full-time Mayor and that the Mayor should be the executive of the City. He noted that the proposal for full-time Mayor will not change the City Manager form of government and that no power will be taken away from the City Manager. Mayor Carroll noted the several functions that the Mayor attends and explained that his presence is essential in order to represent the City and to understand what the needs are in the community. Although the Delaware League of Local Governments serves as a lobbyist for all cities and towns in the State of Delaware, he explained the importance of having a representative of the City at Legislative Hall when a Bill is being considered that could be detrimental to our City.

Mayor Carroll stated that it is difficult to try to make a living and serve as Mayor. He stated that a salary of $30,000 to $35,000 for a full-time Mayor would be one of the best investments the City could make. Mayor Carroll advised members that the time he spent as Mayor cost him an excessive amount of money and time, which the average citizens would not be able to do. He referred to an article in the Dover Post which provided a table indicating other cities' form of government and payment to their City Manager, Mayor and members of City Council. It was his feeling that the survey was not comparable since the cities listed were not a capital city, did not have a power plant and distribution system or were not providers of water and sewer. Mayor Carroll also reminded members that the cities listed in the survey do not have three colleges, an air force base (with the exception of Annapolis, Maryland, but noted that their Mayor is full-time), amount of land area, or a major race track. He stated that very few cities are experiencing growth like the City of Dover, particularly new industry. It is pertinent that the Mayor personally contact these new industries and potential industries that are considering locating in Dover.

Referring to the suggestion of holding a referendum on the proposal for full-time Mayor, Mayor Carroll felt that the desires of the community can be obtained from the public hearings and that members of Council have the knowledge and should make the decision regarding the proposal. He stressed the importance of having an elected official represent the City and the authority to act as spokesperson, which he felt should be the Mayor. Members of City Council could direct the Mayor to relay the City's opinions as determined by City Council. Mayor Carroll indicated that there are very few individuals that would be capable of taking the time away from a full-time job to perform the duties required of the Mayor. Reiterating his feeling that it is time for a full-time Mayor, he requested that members give the proposal for full-time Mayor sincere and fair consideration.

Council President Christiansen declared the public hearing closed.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:39 P.M.

                                                                       JANICE C. GREEN

                                                                       ASSISTANT CITY CLERK

                                                                       JAMES L. HUTCHISON

                                                                       MAYOR

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