COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on October 25, 1994 with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Hare, Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Leary, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Salters, Mr. Tudor and Mayor Hutchison.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Leary moved to accept the agenda as submitted, seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilmen Weyandt and Leary. Mr. Carey was deputized to serve as a member in the absence of Mr. Schaefer.
FUNDS - PARENTING INSTITUTE ACCOUNT
During his tenure, Mayor Richter initiated the creation of the Dover Parenting Center to address the parenting needs of Dover residents. Mr. Karia, Finance Director, advised members that the City has been maintaining a special account for the Parenting Institute, which has a balance of $1,842. The money was derived from a community event organized approximately three (3) years ago at Sam's Club. Mr. Karia stated that there has been no activity from this account since its creation. He requested that a parenting related activity be located that would utilize the funds so that the special account may be closed.
Noting that the goal of the project was to address the parenting needs of Dover, staff recommended that the $1,842 be designated to the Delaware State Parents Association to be used to organize parenting classes in the downtown target block areas.
Mr. Weyandt moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
INFORMATION SERVICES UPDATE
Mr. Larry Shank, Information Services Director, provided members with an update on the movement of the Computer Center to 5 East Reed Street, which is scheduled for November 11th, and the installation of the new customer service, inventory and financial programs. He stated that the City has been using the new general ledger and accounts payable programs since July 1, 1994 and is in the process of finalizing the new inventory program at the warehouse.
In response to Mr. Leary, Mr. Shank advised members that although the new billing system will ultimately include all customer accounts, the water utility bills will be converted to the new system first. It is anticipated that the December 1994 water bills will be generated from the new system.
Mr. O'Connor stated that staff is in the process of correcting minor problems that have been experienced with the initiation of the accounts payable, general ledger and inventory programs; therefore, he has delayed any further work on the billing system until the new programs are running properly.
Responding to Mayor Hutchison, Mr. Shank assured members that the original master plan for total computerization, which was prepared by SCT, is utilized as a guide; however, he stated that some of the functions and priorities as originally listed in the plan have been altered.
Mr. Weyandt moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:36 P.M.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory Committee met with Chairman Hare presiding. Members present were Councilwoman Malone and Councilman Pitts. Mr. Coleman was absent.
S.R. #1/ROUTE #8 INTERCHANGE
On July 12, 1993, the City went on record as opposing a Route #8 interchange with S.R. #1, other than the emergency access already planned, and that this opposition be made in a letter to DelDOT.
Mayor Hutchison stated that he was elected to serve as the Chairperson of the Dover Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) which was formulated to review Dover's transportation needs in the City. He stated that the Dover MPO is establishing 1995/1996 priorities and requested that members reconsider their opposition to a Route #8 Interchange with S.R. #1. He stated that the Chamber of Commerce has expressed a deep interest and concern with this project.
Mr. Horace Cook of 112 Fox Hall Drive, owner of Shop-N-Cart Thriftway Markets, and Chairman of the Route 13 Bypass Committee, read the following into the minutes:
"The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Bypass Committee was formed in 1985 to assist the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Dover, in protecting the business climate and quality of life for the residents of the City of Dover.
Our Committee has met with Mr. Ray Harbeson, Carol Ann Wicks, Ray Pusey, and other representatives with DelDOT over the years on a regular basis to discuss the impact of S.R. #1 on our community. There were three options to choose from; far west, near west, and near east. The projected percentage of lost business from the far west option was 55-60%, from the near west was 45-50%, and from the near east option was 30-35%, as reported by Dr. Stapleford, University of Delaware. The obvious choice from these options was near east, which this committee recommended and along with other considerations, DelDOT approved the near east corridor.
DelDOT's original design of the near east corridor included interchanges at Garrison Lake, Road 88 near Nichols Shopping Center, and the current exit near Roma's Restaurant. In our discussions with DelDOT, this committee was successful in removing the Garrison's Lake Interchange, and changing the Road 88 interchange to Denny's Road, with an interchange at Rt. #8 to be designed and built during the Phase II of S.R. #1 bypass. In getting all the emergency vehicle interested parties together, they selected Rt. #8 since it was more direct for fire and ambulance services at that time. This did not change the committee's or DelDOT's position on a Route #8 Interchange for an entrance into the City of Dover as Phase II, or on a "need to" basis.
Our committee recently solicited from the City of Dover, and Kent County, letters stating they would not zone commercially any land around this interchange. This has been received and forwarded to the Metropolitan Planning Organization for their recommendations to DelDOT to upgrade the emergency vehicle interchange to a permanent interchange. It is our understanding that this would not be a four way interchange, rather it would have an on ramp to the north and an off ramp to the south and north. The purpose of this recommendation is two fold; the current traffic situation coming from Route #10 to the City and traffic coming north to the City from U.S. 113 congregates at the Dover Air Force Base north gate. Secondly, to support traffic going south to exit at Route #8, going into the City of Dover, alleviating some traffic off Rt. 13 from Denny's Road. This would help the center city business climate, get employees to their jobs quicker, and help improve air quality in the area as emissions are further controlled.
Another factor is that our capital would probably be the only capital with no direct access to the center city in the country if we do not have a direct access."
Mr. Cook stated that the Kent County Association of Realtors and Main Street Dover support a Route #8 Interchange with S.R. #1 and feel that it is necessary in order to solve future traffic problems. He requested the City of Dover's support for a Route #8 interchange with S.R. #1.
Although Mr. Christiansen agreed that there is a need for an interchange closer to the center of the City, he relayed concern with an interchange on Route #8, feeling that it would increase the amount of traffic in a residential area. He asked if consideration has been given to providing an interchange on Route #88. He has received comments from representatives of Dover Downs and the Dover Mall that support an interchange at Route #88, feeling that it would address the need of channeling traffic to the downtown area and is much more conducive to the area needed for an interchange than the Route #8 site.
Mr. Larry Sussman, 417 Nimitz Road, relayed concern with the traffic patterns that will exist if the off ramp is constructed on Route #8. He felt that an interchange on Route #8 would create more traffic through his neighborhood causing concern for the safety of children attending the nearby school.
Concurring, Mr. Carey suggested that an interchange be developed that would relieve the traffic in residential neighborhoods east of Dover.
Mr. Al Hedgecock, Executive Vice President of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber of Commerce is supporting an interchange on Route #8 since it is a wide street and would provide a direct access to downtown Dover, as well as a connector to the S.R. #1. He explained that an interchange at Route #88 would create traffic in a more residential area and that traffic exiting would immediately come to a traffic light on Route #13. Travellers wishing to access downtown would utilize State Street and Governors Avenue, which are very narrow streets and have parking on both sides of the streets. Mr. Hedgecock explained that an interchange at Route #8 would provide a direct east/west access to and from Dover, which is extremely necessary, without the need of new construction. He also felt that an interchange on Route #8 would provide those residents on the west side of Dover a direct access to S.R. #1 via Route #8. Mr. Hedgecock noted that Dover is the only capital with no direct access to its downtown and requested that the City of Dover support an interchange on Route #8.
Former Mayor, Crawford J. Carroll of 115 Park Drive, stated that several years ago, Route #8/Division Street was widened to provide an east/west artery through Dover. Mr. Carroll stated that the current location of the interchanges actually detract from access to Dover since the interchanges are located before and after Dover with no center city interchange. He urged members to support an interchange on Route #8, stating that it is necessary for the future of the City of Dover.
Mr. Mark Olanoff, 53 Greenhill Avenue, reminded members that during previous consideration of a Route #8 interchange, a petition was submitted from residents of the community in opposition to a Route #8 interchange. He advised members that the surrounding neighborhoods currently have excessive traffic and requested members to consider the additional noise and traffic that would be generated.
Mr. Richard Ornaurer, 17 Mifflin Road, noted that the western and northern areas of the City have grown considerably. He felt that the proposed Scarborough Road Connector is the only proposal that would provide an access to S.R. #1 for those residents west and north of Dover and requested that members reject the proposed Route #8 interchange.
Mr. Edward Cox, 798 E. Loockerman Street, relayed concern with the residents on the east side of Dover and suggested that traffic be directed to main arteries to eliminate the flow of traffic through residential neighborhoods.
Responding to Mr. Lambert, Mr. DePrima stated a preliminary plan of the Greater Dover Transportation Study being performed by DelDOT should be complete in the Spring of 1995. He advised members that the plan will include the results of traffic patterns throughout the entire City, including Route #8 and center city Dover. Once the preliminary plan is complete, Mr. DePrima stated that several meetings and public hearings will be held and that a final report is scheduled to be complete by August 1995.
Although they supported the needs of the businesses, several members stated that they are concerned with the effect the interchange on Route #8 would have on the residents. Prior to making a recommendation, they felt that review of the Greater Dover Transportation Study should be accomplished.
Mr. Pitts moved to recommend that the MPO review the Greater Dover Transportation Study to obtain additional information for a report back to the committee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Mrs. Malone moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Hare and Tudor and Mr. Carey.
38 KV CLASS BREAKER FOR MID CITY TIE STATION
The planning and design of the MidCity 69 to 22KV Tie Station requires a second 38KV Class Breaker in order to complete the 22.9KV System Loop through the station for system versatility and stability. Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to WESCO in the amount of $28,025.
Mr. Hare moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CONRAIL
Mr. O'Connor advised members that in order to provide electric service to the new Playtex plant, two railroad crossings are required at Walker Road. Conrail requires that a Resolution be adopted approving railroad crossings and the authorization for the Mayor to execute an Easement Agreement, as prepared by Conrail. Approval of the first railroad crossing agreement was accomplished during the Council Meeting of October 11, 1994. Staff provided members with a Resolution and Easement Agreement for the second crossing.
Mr. Hare moved to recommend approval of the Resolution (Attachment #1) and the Easement Agreement (Attachment #2), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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