COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on October 11, 1994, at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Salters and Mayor Hutchison. Mr. Hare was absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weyandt referred to a memorandum submitted by Mr. Karia, Finance Director, advising members that the City has been maintaining a special account, with a balance of $1,842, for the Parenting Institute. He explained that the money was derived from a community event organized approximately three (3) years ago at Sam's Club, at which time Mayor Richter created the Parenting Institute. Noting that there has been no spending activity from this account, Mr. Karia has requested that Ms. Yvonne Bunch, Community Prevention Coordinator, locate a parenting related activity that the funds may be given to in order to close the special account.
Mr. Weyandt moved to recommend that this matter be referred to the Legislative and Finance Committee for their review, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Mr. Leary moved to accept the agenda as submitted, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
The Parks and Recreation Committee met with Chairman Pitts presiding. Members present were Councilwoman Malone, Councilman Tudor and Mrs. Maxted. Mr. Caballero was absent.
Presentation - Schutte Park Phase I
Staff presented members with a diagram depicting the development plans of Phase I of the Schutte Park. The plans were developed from the Master Plan approved by City Council for the Schutte Park. Phase I will include grading, seeding, and stormwater management for the entire site and the development of soccer and softball fields.
Mr. Zachery Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, advised members that the development of Phase I will be funded by a $300,000 grant from the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund, and matching funds from the Parkland Reserve Fund. It was also noted that staff anticipates providing in-kind services to avoid expending funds from the Parkland Reserve. Staff recommended approval of the development plans of Phase I of the Schutte Park as presented.
Responding to Mrs. Malone, Mr. Carter stated that the grading and seeding of the area is planned for the fall of 1994; however, the necessary storm water permits must been obtained first. He explained that the fields cannot be utilized for approximately 12 to 18 months after the area has been graded and seeded.
Noting that the Schutte Park area was once farmland, members reminded staff that the ground for the parking lot will need a good base prior to placing a permanent blacktop foundation. Members suggested that staff contact blacktop companies in an attempt to obtain milled material for use as the base for the parking lot. Responding, Mr. O'Connor stated that in the bid specifications for resurfacing of city streets, staff could require that the milled material be delivered to the Schutte Park for this purpose.
Mrs. Malone moved to recommend approval of the development plans of Phase I of the Schutte Park as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tudor and unanimously carried.
Closings - Silver Lake (Mr. Leary)
By request of Mr. Leary, staff presented members with a listing indicating the date and hours, from June 28, 1994 through August 25, 1994, that the Silver Lake Swimming area was closed. The closings were necessary due to excessive rainfall or high bacteria count. Noting that the lake was closed 26% of the scheduled days to be open, Mr. Leary requested that the committee authorize the Council President to establish a committee consisting of interested citizens to review recreational swimming and formulate possible alternatives for the City of Dover, to be reported to Council.
Mr. Weyandt reminded members that in 1988, the City received the Phase I Diagnostic-Feasibility Study of Silver Lake which was conducted by F.X Browne Associates. He suggested that the findings of this report be provided to the new committee for their review.
Mr. Don Knox, Community Services Director and a member of the Silver Lake Commission, stated that under the EPA 314 Clean Lakes Program, agricultural best management practices were implemented; however, nutrient, sediment and bacterial loads to Silver Lake is overwhelming. He advised members that the study indicated that the majority of the pollution found in Silver Lake was from farm areas outside of the City limits, of which the City has no control over. Although efforts have been made to reduce the bacteria and nutrients going into Silver Lake, it is a slow process. Mr. Knox stated that even if all clean up efforts were implemented, studies have indicated that they may never correct the problems or situation at Silver Lake.
Mr. Ornauer advised members that there are ten (10) municipal swimming facilities located in New Castle County as well as a multi-million dollar aquatic center currently being constructed. Noting that the municipal swimming facilities and aquatic center was made possible by grant monies, he suggested that the new committee investigate the possibility of obtaining grant monies for the City of Dover.
Mr. Leary suggested that the proposal include the appointment of the Chairman of the Silver Lake Commission or his designee to serve on the new committee. He felt that a representative of the Silver Lake Commission could provide the members of the new committee relevant information regarding the problems at Silver Lake. It was also suggested that the new committee consist of representatives from the City, County, State, Capital School District and Caesar Rodney School District.
Considering Dover's close proximity to water, including the lake, bay and ocean, Mrs. Maxted felt that swimming is a life safety and skills issue and that the new committee should consider providing the citizens of Dover the opportunity to learn to swim.
Mrs. Malone moved to recommend that the Council President be authorized to establish a committee consisting of interested citizens, and representatives from the City, Silver Lake Commission, County, State, Capital School District and Caesar Rodney School District to review recreational swimming and formulate possible alternatives for the City of Dover to be reported to the committee for recommendation to Council. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Maxted and unanimously carried.
Mrs. Malone moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Tudor and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Councilman Tudor was present. Noting the absence of Councilman Hare and Mr. Carey, Councilwoman Malone and Councilman Weyandt were deputized to serve as members.
Middle West Service Company Report
The committee reviewed the Annual Engineering Consultant's Report for the Electric System of the City and related budgets for 1994/95 as submitted by the Middle West Service Company. This report is required under the Bond Resolutions adopted by the City in 1990, 1985, 1965 and 1960.
Mr. O'Connor advised members that the report paraphrases the details of the electric system, insurance program and revenue tests related to the rates. The report indicates that "the electric properties of the City are generally in average to good condition, well maintained and operated efficiently". The condition reflects the age of the generating units, while the comment on maintenance and operation reflects the pro-active management and the need to maintain an effective maintenance program. The report also indicates that the appropriation for operations and maintenance and for the capital items are considered appropriate.
Mr. O'Connor stated that although the report indicates that the City should consider re-establishing the position of Electric Director, at this time, he does not feel that the recommendation should be pursued. He advised members that the operation of the Electric Department and alternatives are currently being reviewed and that once it has been determined how the Electric Department should be operated, he will present a recommendation for approval. Mr. O'Connor stated that this matter was discussed with representatives of the Middle West Service Company; however, they felt obligated to include it in the report. Staff recommended acceptance of the Annual Engineering Consultant's Report for 1994/95 as presented by the Middle West Service Company.
Mrs. Malone moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
McKee Run Units #1 and #2 NOx Reduction
Delaware's regulation implementing the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments require NOx emissions reductions from the McKee Run Generating Units. Staff submitted a NOx reduction plan to DNREC for McKee Run Unit #1 and #2, which optimized capital costs and increased operating costs with NOx reductions by proposing to modify the existing burners to a low-NOx configuration. The plan was accepted by DNREC pending attainment of the proposed NOx reductions.
Mr. O'Connor explained that the NOx reduction plan for Units #1 and #2 included burner air distribution balancing and testing, engineering and procurement of flame stabilizers, engineering and procurement of burner fuel oil atomizers, engineering and procurement of gas spuds, and start-up/optimization testing. The NOx RACT for Units #1 and #2 effectively convert the existing 1961-vintage burners to low-NOx burners. Conversion of the existing burners can be performed for costs estimated to be an order of magnitude lower than the cost of retrofit with new low-NOx burners. Conversion of the existing burners is a more cost effective means of NOx reduction for units of this size (18MW), age (30+ years) and an annual capacity factor (6%).
Mr. O'Connor advised members that there is only one known vendor that performs the work necessary to convert early vintage burners to low-NOx technology. The vendor is RJM Corporation of Ridgefield, Connecticut. RJM has demonstrated experience in similar burner conversion on oil-fueled, wall-fired boilers (the configuration of Units #1 and #2). By the request of staff, RJM submitted a proposal on the scope of work, as prepared by plant staff, at a cost of $204,500. Staff recommended acceptance of RJM's proposal of patented technology for NOx reduction on Units #1 and #2, and that a purchase order be issued in the amount of $204,500.
Mr. Weyandt moved to recommend acceptance of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Easement Agreement - 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. Staff provided members with a Resolution and Easement Agreement for the first crossing. It was noted that the City has been unable to negotiate "blanket" easements for these types of occurrences since it is Conrail's policy to base each easement on the facilities to be installed.
Mr. O'Connor stated that the City will pay Conrail $3,010.00 as reimbursement for the rights granted in the Agreement. The City Solicitor and staff have reviewed the Easement Agreement and Resolution and recommended approval.
Mrs. Malone 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. Tudor and unanimously carried.
September Quarterly Fuel Adjustment Review
The City reviews the Fuel Adjustment Projections at least quarterly and modifies its Fuel Adjustment in December on a levelized basis for the next calendar year. The 1994 fuel adjustment was set at -$0.00255 and revised to the current fuel adjustment -$0.01000 per KWH in May in order to refund a surplus in the fuel adjustment fund.
The current cost for low sulfur oil is $16.28 per barrel ($0.39/gallon). The average price projected for 1994 was $15.73 per barrel ($0.38/gallon). The price of oil has gone from a low of $14.82 per barrel in December 1993 to a high of $20.78 in February, down to the current price of $16.28 on the September 17, 1994. By the end of September 1994, the fuel fund had a balance of $4,751,953.46. Staff recommended no changes in the fuel adjustment rate.
Mr. Weyandt moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Mr. Tudor moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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