COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on February 15, 1994 at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Hutchison (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), Mr. Lambert, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Salters and Mr. Tudor. Councilmen Hare and Leary were absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Lambert requested the addition of agenda item #3 to the Utility Committee, entitled "Storm Comments".
Mrs. Malone moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Salters 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.
Northfield Subdivision - Parkland
The Planning Commission approved a recommendation that City Council accept a parcel of land, consisting of 1.30 +/- acres of land for donation as provided under Article VI Section F-2 of the Subdivision Regulations for the above referenced Subdivision. This represents 5% of the land area of the development, therefore a cash donation in an amount of 5% of the value of the land is required to meet the 10% land area or land value donation. The land is valued at $125,000, therefore a cash donation in the amount of $6,250.00 is necessary to meet the requirements of the Regulations.
In taking this position, the Commission considered that the subject property consists of 25.51+/- acres of land zoned R-8 (Single Family Residence) located on Dennys Road, approximately 1,684 feet west of McKee Road. The plan proposes lots for 55 single family detached homes. The plan reflects that 1.30+/- acres of land on the northwest side of the development would remain for public open space. The Commission and Recreation Department feel this is a suitable location and meets the requirements of the ordinance.
Mr. Lambert questioned the proposal to accept less than the required 10% in land. Mr. DePrima explained that this was all that was available that is not considered wetlands. Also, the Recreation Department felt that the amount of land proposed for parkland will be adequate to meet the needs of children in the proposed development. The remaining cash donation could be used for improvements to the parkland in the future.
Mrs. Malone expressed concern with insufficient parkland, stating that children need ample room to run and play. Mr. O'Connor reminded members that since the developers cannot use the wetlands, it will remain as open space under private ownership.
Mrs. Malone moved to recommend approval of acceptance of 1.30+/- acres of land (representing 5% of the land area of the development), and $6,250.00 (representing the value of 5% of the land area) as parkland for the Northfield Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tudor and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:17 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Tudor and Hutchison (arrived at 7:45 p.m.). Mr. Carey was absent. Since Mr. Carey was absent and Councilman Hutchison arrived after the meeting had begun, all members of Council were deputized as members.
Request for Alley Abandonment - Gregory Griffin
Mr. Gregory Griffin requested abandonment of 140' of a 15' wide alley that runs parallel to Fulton Street and intersects N. Kirkwood Street on the west side. He wishes to make an addition to his home which will require additional land. The alley is unimproved and is closed to vehicular traffic.
The Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval of abandonment of the alley as requested.
It was explained to Mr. Griffin that if Council abandons the alley, it will be abandoned to all adjacent property owners. Mrs. Boaman stated that if the Utility Committee recommends approval of the alley abandonment, a public hearing will be set by Council to afford all adjacent property owners an opportunity to address the matter.
Mr. Salters asked if the abandoned alley, once shared with adjacent property owners, would be enough to meet the needs of Mr. Griffin for the proposed addition. Mr. DePrima assured the committee that his office will work with Mr. Griffin to assure compliance of City Codes.
Mr. Tudor moved to recommend approval of the requested alley abandonment (Attachment #1 - Resolution). The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Request to Abandon Alley - Matthew Smith
Mr. Matthew Smith requested abandonment of 145' of a 20' wide alley that runs parallel to W. Division Street and intersects N. Kirkwood Street on the east side. It is an unimproved alley which is not opened for vehicular use. Mr. Smith wishes to make an addition to his home and the additional land from the abandonment is needed.
The Planning Commission considered the request and recommended approval of the alley abandonment.
Mr. Tudor moved to recommend approval of the requested alley abandonment (Attachment #2 - Resolution), seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Unit #3 Generator Retaining Rings
The City was notified by General Electric of potential stress corrosion cracking of generator retaining rings. Stress corrosion cracking in the retaining rings can lead to ring failure and can result in significant damage to the turbine/generator. The current retaining ring material is a non-magnetic 18Mn-5Cr steel. General Electric has recommended replacement of the current retaining rings with retaining rings of materials that are more resistant to stress corrosion cracking.
Since there has been a number of retaining ring failures at other locations, it is felt by staff that it would be prudent to replace the existing generator retaining rings with the proposed 18Mn-18Cr steel rings during the Fall 1994 turbine/generator overhaul. Since there is a 20 week lead time to procure replacement retaining rings, it was recommended that the procurement process be initiated at this time. The quoted price from General Electric for the retaining rings and installation is $267,529.
Mr. Tudor again questioned the need to replace the rings based solely on the word of General Electric. He asked for the names of other power companies that replaced the same type of rings and agreed after replacement that old rings were damaged and needed replacement. Mr. O'Connor stated that of the rings replaced during the period of 1983 through 1990, 80% of those inspected were defective.
The committee discussed the matter at length. Mr. Lambert felt that sufficient information of probable risk has been made available. He stated that the cost of failure of the rings could be very high not only in costs of equipment, but in the safety to employees.
Although he was not entirely satisfied, Mr. Tudor stated that he will support the replacement but asked that he be able to examine the rings that are replaced. Mr. O'Connor invited all members of Council to observe any portion of the proposed overhaul.
Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of the replacement the McKee Run Unit #3 generator retaining rings with more stress corrosion cracking resistant rings, and that a purchase order be issued for $267,529 to General Electric for procurement of the replacement rings. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Storm Comments
During the recent ice storm, the entire State of Delaware experienced severe weather conditions that caused havoc with electric utilities. Mr. Lambert stated his opinion that the City handled the matter extremely well, but felt that we should use the experience to enhance our procedures for the future.
Asked if the City has a disaster plan, Mr. O'Connor stated that the City has disaster plan procedures, but it is really not designed to handle the type of weather disaster we experienced. Also, there is a disaster coordinator with Kent County who worked with the City during the latter end of the ice storm.
It was generally agreed that better communication, both radio and telephone, is needed for all concerned parties. Mr. O'Connor plans to correct the telephone communications problem.
Mr. Tudor stated that the City may need to be more aggressive in the tree pruning program, regardless of the citizens wishes to preserve all trees. Tree limbs that had grown close to electric lines was the primary problem during the ice storm and steps must be taken to prevent this. He also suggested that old electric poles be tested and replaced as needed.
Other members of Council addressed the need for an informational officer to feed information to the media and the need for a planned work force so that our most experienced employees are not worked too much, too soon.
All members of Council agreed that the City handled the disaster well, but directed staff to continue to look into weak areas for improvement in a disaster or preparedness plan.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:13 P.M.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. All members of Council were deputized to serve as committee members.
Quarterly Write-Off of Uncollectible Electric Bills
City staff submitted the proposed quarterly write-off of electric bills for the period July 1, 1992 through September 30, 1992 that have shown no collection activity for a period of one year or longer. The proposed write-off of $17,628.89 includes $4,902.68 from accounts that filed for bankruptcy. The accounts are currently assigned to our collection agency and will remain there even when they have been written off.
Staff recommended that Council endorse the proposed write-off of Uncollectible Electric Bills in the amount of $17,628.89.
Mr. Christiansen moved to recommend approval of the write-off of $17,628.89 in uncollectible electric bills, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hutchison and unanimously carried.
Draft Annexation Boundary Policy
During the September 1993 Legislative and Finance Committee meeting, Council President Christiansen proposed a resolution that would lock the City's boundaries and require nine votes in favor of an annexation for it to be approved. The proposal was based on the existing growth and development that was occurring in the city and placing a burden on City services.
Based upon the discussion of the committee, the City Planner prepared a draft Annexation Policy that was reviewed by the Council President and City Manager. The proposal was forwarded to Kent County for comment prior to discussing it with City Council. To date, we have not received comment from Kent County.
Mr. DePrima, City Planner, reviewed the proposed Annexation Policy (as on file with the Office of the City Clerk) in detail. Mr. DePrima emphasized that the proposal should serve as an interim plan, stating that ideally an annexation policy should be a part of the Comprehensive Plan. He also noted that major portions of the proposal require a close working relationship with Kent County and we have not yet received comment on the plan from Kent County Levy Court.
Members of Council discussed the proposal at length and agreed that the City and County Planners should work together on the proposal and then a meeting could be set for all City Council members and County officials to discuss and finalize the plan.
Mr. Christiansen moved to recommend that an appropriate resolution be prepared to adopt the proposed Annexation Policy (Attachment #3 - Resolution). The motion was seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
Mr. DePrima relayed that Kent County is planning a workshop, along with the Dover MPO, dealing with Growth Management and Infrastructure. Mr. DePrima plans to attend and will have an opportunity to discuss the City of Dover growth issues.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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