REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on September 12, 1994 with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Salters and Mr. Hare.
Council staff members present were Chief Smith, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima, Deputy Fire Chief Carey, Mrs. Boaman and Mr. Rodriguez.
OPEN FORUM
The Open Forum was held at 7:15 p.m., prior to commencement of the Official Council Meeting. Council President Christiansen declared the open forum in session and reminded those present that Council is not in official session and cannot take formal action.
Mr. Ken Edwards requested that Mayor and Council consider some sort of public recognition of Mr. Derek Parra, a Dover resident, who is the world speed skating champion and recently won his second straight overall championship.
Council President Christiansen stated that the City is always eager to recognize its residents and suggested that Mr. Edwards work with Mayor Hutchison on this matter.
The invocation was given by Reverend William Komstedt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Miss Jan Edwards of Caesar Rodney Junior High School.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weyandt moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 22,19,94
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 22, 1994 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Hare, seconded by Mrs. Malone and bore the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 1. 1994
The Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of September 1, 1994 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mrs. Malone and bare the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
PROCLAMATION - CONSTITUTION WEEK
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, it is a privilege and duty of all Americans to commemorate the two hundred seventh anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
WHEREAS, Public Law 915 guarantees the issuance of a proclamation by the President of the United States of America, designating September 17-23, 1994 as Constitution Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER do hereby proclaim the week of September 17-23, 1994 as “Constitution Week” in the City of Dover and urge all citizens to study the Constitution and express gratitude for the privilege of being an American in a Republic which functions under the oldest Constitution still in active use today.
RESOLUTION - MARVIN L. KOHN
By motion of Mr. Hare, seconded by Mr. Leary, Council adopted the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, Kohn's Mens Wear officially opened its doors for business in downtown Dover in 1939; and
WHEREAS, after leaving college, Marvin Kohn joined the family business on Loockerman Street and has been a downtown businessman ever since, having broadened this role by owning, leasing and renting several other properties in downtown Dover; and
WHEREAS, while others were moving to malls and shopping centers, Kohn's Mens Wear remained in downtown Dover and has been an integral factor in the vitality of the downtown business district for many years; and
WHEREAS, after over 55 years of business and 44 years of personal involvement in the business and in downtown Dover, Marvin L. Kohn has chosen to close the doors of Kohn's Mens Wear and to retire.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council extend their appreciation to Marvin L. Kohn for his dedication to downtown Dover and convey their sincere best wishes for good health, happiness and a peaceful retirement
ADOPTED: September 12, 1994
Mayor Hutchison and Main Street Director, Nan Hagen, presented the Resolution to Mr. Marvin Kohn. Mr. Kohn expressed his appreciation to Mayor and Council for the recognition and relayed his pride in the Dover community.
PRESENTATION - CHARLES B, CARTER
Mr. Charles B. Carter served as a member of the Dover Housing Authority for six years and recently requested that he not be reappointed. Mayor Hutchison presented Mr. Carter with a City of Dover plaque in recognition of the appreciation of Mayor and Council for the time Mr. Carter volunteered on behalf of the City of Dover.
Mr. Carter expressed his appreciation to Mayor and Council and conveyed his hope that the City of Dover will continue to work towards providing safe, sanitary housing for all its residents. We have come a long way over the years towards this end, but Mr. Carter stressed that there is still a long way to go. He offered his continued support to the City in the years to come.
FINANCIAL REPORTS - JULY
Review and approval of the July Financial Reports, normally accomplished during the second Council Meeting in August, was delayed at the request of the Finance Director. The reports were submitted for approval.
Mr. Hare moved for approval of the following reports, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried:
General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Mr. Weyandt relayed questions on the Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report. He discussed increased insurance premiums and increased costs associated with fuel generation. Mr. O'Connor stated that insurance premiums have increased as well as the City increasing coverage on the Power Plant. Responding to questions on fuel generation costs, Mr. O'Connor stated that fuel cost projections were based upon the anticipation of a drop in fuel costs. Instead, fuel costs increased during a high consumption month. However, oil costs have stabilized and appear to be decreasing. Mr. Lambert reminded Mr. Weyandt that the Utility Committee will closely monitor fuel costs and will recommend an adjustment if warranted.
There was general discussion on the possibility of Chesapeake Utilities providing access to more gas for the Power Plant. Mr. O'Connor stated that line sizes and costs are the prohibitive factor in this matter, although other concerns include less availability during the winter months than the summer months and the inability of storing gas which requires a fairly accurate forecast of the amount of gas that will be needed. Mr. Lambert offered to discuss the matter in more detail with Chesapeake Utilities.
Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
APPOINTMENT - DOWNTOWN DOVER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Due to the recent resignation of Mrs. Debbie Flayhart, Mayor Hutchison requested the appointment of Ms. Nan Hagen to serve as a member on the Downtown Dover Development Corporation. The appointment would fill the term of Mrs. Flayhart, to expire on April 23, 1996.
Mr. Hare moved for confirmation of the appointment as requested by Mayor Hutchison, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY
Due to vacancies in the fire line offices of Chief and Second Assistant Chief, the Robbins Hose Company will hold a special election on September 22, 1994. They requested the appointment of Mr. Donald Hayes and Mr. Harry Hayes to serve as judges for the election and the appointment of Mr. John McCoy to serve as an alternate judge.
Mr. Hare moved for approval of the appointments as recommended, seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried (with Mr. Christiansen abstaining).
Mr. Hare moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of September 12, 1994, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
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