QUARTERLY OPEN TOWN MEETING
The Quarterly Open Town Meeting was held on May 2, 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. Hutchison, Mr. Salters and Mr. Hare. Mayor Knopf was absent.
Council President Christiansen stated that the main topic of discussion for this meeting is the proposed expansion and renovation of the Police Station and the bond referendum scheduled for May 17, 1994. However, prior to commencement of this discussion, he invited members of the audience to participate in the open forum on any other subject matter.
Mr. Roy Bogus of 229 Frear Drive related to the difficulty encountered by motorists attempting to make left or right turns from Division Street when traveling east and west. He stated that the cross streets (Governors Avenue and State, New and Queen Streets) have left and right turn signals but that Division Street does not. Because of the significant amount of traffic utilizing Division Street, a motorist is forced to sit through several light changes before being able to turn left or right onto the cross streets. He requested that Council request DelDOT to consider installation of turn signals on traffic lights on Division Street, at major cross streets.
Council President Christiansen assured Mr. Bogus that Mr. Hare, Chairman of the Safety Advisory Committee, Mr. O'Connor and Chief Smith will review the matter and if they deem it appropriate, a letter will be sent to DelDOT officials requesting their consideration.
Ms. Ruth Tee of 822 Whiteoak Road related that during the past two years, nine traffic accidents have occurred at the entrance of the old PharMor store. DelDOT has taken no action to eliminate the safety hazards at this intersection. With the new Metro Grocery Store going into the old PharMor building, a tremendous increase in traffic is anticipated. Ms. Tee requested that staff look into the safety hazards of the anticipated traffic. Council President Christiansen assured Ms. Tee that staff will review this matter.
Mr. Charles Weller of 241 Fiddlers Green expressed his appreciation to City staff and the citizens of Dover for all that they did during the last election. He stated that running for public office was a great experience and it allowed him an opportunity to hear many ideas from our citizens and he encouraged the citizens to continue their participation in local issues. He relayed his opinion that although the Mayor's position warrants more authority, he felt that the current ordinances would allow for additional responsibilities for the Mayor. Mr. Weller offered to assist the Mayor, Council and staff in any way possible.
Mr. Ben Bowings of 198 Haman Drive stated that he has requested an absentee ballot for the May 17th bond referendum. The City Clerk, Mrs. Boaman, informed him that she has requested that the City Solicitor review the Charter since the City Charter does not specifically mention provisions of absentee voting for bond referendums. Mr. Bowings stated that the City has an obligation to provide the citizens with an avenue of voting when they are unavoidably out of town on election day.
Mr. Tony Galla of 925 Woodcrest Drive stated his support for the proposed expansion of the police station. He stated that he has toured the police station facility and it is in dire need of expansion.
Council President Christiansen opened the meeting to the topic of the police station expansion and requested that Mr. O'Connor begin the discussion.
Mr. O'Connor announced that the bond referendum will be held on May 17, 1994 at the Elks Lodge on Route #8 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The referendum is based on a funding mechanism to obtain up to $3 million. This is the maximum amount that can be spent on the expansion and renovation of the police station. After the referendum has been held, and assuming its passage, the PSIISC Committee will meet again to assist staff with determining certain aspects of the expansion such as the type of roofing, proper way to deposit weapons when officers enter the secure area, etc. Mr. O'Connor assured Council that the members of the PSIISC will play a very active role in the entire process of expansion.
Mr. O'Connor reviewed the funding plan, outlining that the total tax levied would be spread out over a three year period. A total tax levied would be 3.97 cents per $100 of assessed value. A taxpayer owning a $100,000 home, assessed at 60%, would pay $23.82 per year for the borrowed funds. This is a maximum amount and could possibly be even lower. It is proposed that there would be no tax increase in the 1994/95 tax year; there will be a 2.77 cent tax increase in the 1995/96 tax year; and a 1.2 cent tax increase in the 1996/97 tax year.
Chief Smith stated that years ago, when the station was built, there were approximately 25 employees. There are now 81 police officers, 20 civilians and 8 senior citizen volunteers that work at the station. He explained that not only do they need additional space for their employees, but they have many changes that are needed in order to comply with federal, state and city laws. They have insufficient space to properly house criminals awaiting processing, no way to separate males from females or juveniles from adults and insufficient space for locker rooms for the male and female officers.
A brief overview of the planned expansion of the Station was given by Mr. Tom Becker of BM2OR, the architectural firm selected for the project. Mr. Becker displayed several diagrams of the existing station and the proposed addition to the station. The existing structure totals 11,000 sq. ft., with an additional 18,000 sq. ft. planned, for a total of 39,000 sq. ft., at an estimated cost of $3 million. Details of the proposed expansion were explained to those in attendance. Current code violations will be corrected such as maintaining two exterior exits and handicapped accessibility. It was noted that a great deal of the renovations are required in order to meet federal mandates.
Asked by Mr. Salters if the total project cost included furnishings, Mr. O'Connor stated that very little new furniture will be needed since there is no addition of staff. Also, the Police Department has access to use of surplus property of the federal government. The purchase of necessary furniture will be accomplished as a part of the normal budgetary process and would be spread out over at least two budget years. Mr. O'Connor also relayed that the communications system will have to be upgraded to a higher frequency to comply with State requirements for public safety entities. The cost associated with this upgrade is not included in the total project costs. It is hoped that grants will be available to purchase the communications system.
Mr. Tudor asked Councilman Hutchison, former Chief of Police, if he felt that any grant monies could be obtained to assist with the proposed expansion. Mr. Hutchison stated that the Police Department has investigated possible grants but they have been unable to find anything that could be used for expansion of the building. However, Mr. O'Connor stated that staff will continue to investigate this possibility and informed Council that there is a possibility that federal funds may be available for a portion of the costs associated with handicapped accessibility improvements.
Mr. Richard Ornauer of 17 Mifflin Road referred to an editorial in the Dover Post which indicated pessimism on the possibility of the structure being properly renovated. He suggested that the representatives of the PSIISC and members of Council meet with the editorial staff of the local media to see if they could achieve a positive approach from the media in their editorials.
Mr. Roy Bogus of 229 Frear Drive suggested that while expanding the station, Council should make the facility large enough to last for several years. Referring to the proposed "public area", Mr. Bogus suggested that it be referred to as a "training area" for the officers, feeling that this would be more palatable to the public. Chief Smith stated that the room will be used as a training room and that it will only be used as a public assembly room during the evening hours.
Mr. Bogus suggested better advertising of the referendum, suggesting the use of our local cable company to depict the conditions of the present facility. He asked if there is a possibility of the proposed savings from the decrease in the electric fuel adjustment being used to pay for the expansion of the station. However, Mr. Karia stated that this would probably not be allowed by order of our bond covenants but that he would investigate the proposal.
Mr. Jim Carr, Acting President of FACT, complimented staff for including the PSIISC in the review of the proposal. He forecasted that selling this project to the public is going to be very difficult and stated his opinion that other alternatives should have been considered. Asked by members of Council to elaborate, Mr. Carr stated that substations should have been considered as well as alternative funding sources such as utilizing current budget dollars to pay for the expansion, by deferring other projects until a later time such as deferring street repairs and eliminating some of the flower beds in the City. It was noted by Mr. Leary that the concept of police substations was considered by the PSIISC and by City Council and it was determined that due to our population level, substations would cost more money than expansion of the current facility. Mr. Ornauer stated that alternative funding sources were considered by the PSIISC and that a significant number of changes were made after their review.
Mrs. Rexene Ornauer of 17 Mifflin Road stated her disappointment that the only citizens attending the public meeting are the citizens that already have the necessary information on the project. She relayed that citizens have an obligation to be informed on matters that they intend to vote upon. Mrs. Ornauer reminded Council and the public that if a suit were filed against the Police Department due to code violations or insufficient holding areas for prisoners, the costs associated with the suit could cost considerably more than the cost to expand and renovate the facility. She offered her assistance to the City in any way on this project. She urged members of Council to publicly support this much needed project if they expect the citizens to follow their lead and to vote responsibly.
Mr. Bill Schaeffer, a member of the PSIISC, stated that it is very easy to convince people not to spend money, but it is more difficult to convince them of the need to spend money. He stated that this facility is very much needed by the Police and by the citizens of Dover. He urged members of Council and the public to be as vocal in support of this project as they were when voicing opposition to the previous referendum.
Mr. Charles Weller of 241 Fiddler Green voiced his support of the project and recommended that Council and staff market the project properly. He recommended that Council expend the necessary funds to properly market the project such as television advertising. During his campaign he found that television advertising was actually less expensive than using the newspapers for advertising. He felt that the costs associated with advertising would be money well spent if it convinces citizens to support the referendum.
Mr. Roy Bogus of 229 Frear Drive suggested that City Council campaign for the referendum in the same manner they use for campaigning for their Council positions. He suggested campaign signs supporting the project be placed throughout the City. He also suggested that the City consider partial funding by large corporations such as is done by Kent General Hospital, where specific rooms have plaques reading "Funds for this room donated by ---------". He felt that some of the large corporations in Dover may have an interest in such a program.
Chief Smith stated that staff has planned a media blitz one week prior to the referendum. Police officers are handing out pamphlets on the proposed expansion and the pamphlets are available in many public locations.
Mr. Javan Davis of 635 Nimitz Drive stated his support to the City Police Department. He informed Council that the Police have worked very hard with the residents of his development to deter speeding and they have been successful. He stated that he plans to support the proposed expansion of the Police Station because he feels it is definitely needed. However, he warned members of Council to move forward cautiously because the citizens of Dover will not support future tax increases. He also advised Council to abide by whatever the voters decide on May 17th, stating his opposition to action taken by Council with moving forward with the fire station in West Dover after it had been defeated in a bond referendum.
Mr. Lambert urged members of Council and the citizens to work actively to garner support for this project, stating that it is a very important safety concern that must be addressed. Mr. O'Connor urged the citizens to participate, stating that all ideas are welcome for consideration.
As there was no one else wishing to address Council during the Open Forum, Mr. Salters moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
ROBIN R. CHRISTIANSEN
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
RRC/DJB