REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on January 24, 1994 with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Salters and Mr. Hare.
Council staff members present were Chief Smith, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima, 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. Richard Ornauer - 17 Mifflin Road
Mr. Richard Ornauer, member of the Public Advisory Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, addressed concerns of traffic in West Dover. He reminded Council that during hearings on the proposed terminus of State Route #1 with U.S. Route #13, City Council unanimously opposed the Puncheon Run Connector, preferring a Western By-Pass. Council stated at that time that it was an alternative that linked the roadways and would help alleviate traffic congestion in areas of West Dover. However, DelDOT opted for the Puncheon Run Connector. When City Council considered construction priorities in the Dover are-a last summer, it recommended completion of the State Route #1 interchange at the Main Gate of Dover Air Force Base and the extension of Scarborough Road over the Puncheon Run Connector. The MPO followed the Council's preferences. The interchange at DAFB was added for FY 1995 and Scarborough Road will be completed at McKee Road in 1996 and the Puncheon Run Connector is marked for completion in 1998, with preliminary work going on now. The MPO has also revived the Greater Dover Area Study, incorporating all of Kent County.
Mr. Ornauer reminded Council that the need to ease traffic problems in West: Dover has not gone away. Construction underway, or planned, for that end of the City indicates it will get increasingly worse. As the Greater Dover Area Study gets started, he felt that the concept of a Western By-Pass should be reintroduced. He requested that City Council write to Mayor Aaron 0. Knopf, MPO Chairman, recommending that the Western By-Pass be made a salient part of that study for the reasons previously adopted by Council and relayed by Councilman Lambert at the DeIDOT hearing and subsequent meetings. (Action was taken by Council during the latter part of the meeting.)
Ruth Tee - 822 Whiteoak Road
Ms. Ruth Tee of 822 Whiteoak Road explained that she requested the City Clerk to distribute information to members of Council relative to the City's form of government. There are portions of the article which she underlined for special emphasis to Council. She requested that Council members call her if they have questions relating to the information.
Arthur Malinoski - Co-Owner of Dover News Stand
Mr. Arthur Malinoski complimented the City Manager on the fine article in the local newspapers relating to the proposal for sale of the City's Power Plant. He suggested that when reviewing the options related to the proposal by DE@,lmarva Power & Light to purchase the City's Power Plant, that Council take into consideration the amount of electric used by the City, as well as all associated uses of the Electric Department and its employees by other City departments.
Mr. Lambert moved that City Council draft the letter to the MPO as requested by Mr. Ornauer. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried. (Council President Christiansen stated that a letter will be drafted and Copies forwarded to City Council for review.)
INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Pastor Myrtle Williams, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Leary requested the addition of item #2A for a presentation by Mayor Knopf. Mr. Salters requested the addition of item #2B for comments relative to the recent snow and ice storms, and Mr. Leary requested the addition of item #4 relative to a rezoning request.
Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 1994
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 10, 1994 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mr. Lambert and bore the written approval of Mayor Knopf.
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, National Afro-American History Month will be observed across America and abroad during February 1994; and
WHEREAS, the National theme of this year's observance will be "Empowering AfroAmerican Organizations: Present and Future”;
WHEREAS, this observance alludes partly to Afro-Americans being endowed with the proper tools and skills to plan and manage their futures independently, thus, enabling empowerment to become a reality; and
WHEREAS, this observance will also provide an opportunity for students and the lay public to study how Afro-Americans can help to eradicate poverty, further educate the community, and become involved in economic advancement. This will lead to the establishment of more Afro-American organizations, whose purpose will be to develop businesses in communities, training schools, labor unions, arts and cultural programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, AARON 0. KNOPF, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim February 1994 as NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH in the City of Dover and urge the citizens of Dover to recognize this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
PRESENTATION - RICHARD SCRAFFORD
Mayor Knopf stated that at a meeting of the Kent Conservation District, the City of Dover received the Governor's Conservation Award for its participation 'In the Bicentennial Village Pond project. Mayor Knopf read into the record the following, and presented the Award to Mr. Richard Scrafford, Public Works Director for the City of Dover:
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to provide for the preservation of the productive power of Delaware land; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to provide for the beneficial conservation, protection, development, and utilization of land, water, and. other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to plan for, construct, improve, operate and maintain structures for the performance of these policies; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to cooperate with and give financial and technical assistance to our citizens in the carrying out of these policies;
BE IT SO NOTED that on the 20th Day of January in the Year 1994, I Governor Thomas R. Carper, do hereby declare:
MR. RICHARD SCRAFFORD, DIRECTOR
CITY OF DOVER'S BICENTENNIAL VILLAGE POND
the Governor's Conservation Award for excellence in the fulfillment of Urban Conservation Activities that are deemed by me to be exemplary in their design and execution and as such beneficial to all the citizens of Delaware.
COMMENTS - COUNCILMAN REUBEN SALTERS
Councilman Salters commended City employees for the fine service provided to the residents of Dover during the recent snow and ice storms. He stated that it was the concerted work of the Police, Fire, Electric and Public Works Departments that made our efforts so successful. He offered appreciation and praise to all employees for a job well done.
MONTHLY REPORTS - DECEMBER
By motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mr. Leary, the following reports for the month of December were unanimously accepted:
Chief of Police Report
Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report City Assessor Report
City Clerk/Alderman Report (Fines)
General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Referring to the City Manager's Report, Mr. Salters brought attention to t he new utility service disconnection policy. He stated that prior to disconnecting utility service, the City will attempt to make contact by knocking on ttie door of the customer to give one last chance for payment prior to disconnecting the service. Statistics indicate that approximately 50% of the customers avoid disconnection due to the new procedure. He congratulated the Administrative Services Department for implementation of the new policy.
Mr. Leary moved for acceptance of the City Manager's Report for the Month of December. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
REZONING REQUEST - PROPERTY NORTH OF MAPLE DALE COUNTRY CLUB
A request was received to rezone property located north of Maple Dale Road and east of Dover Kenton Road, owned by the Maple Dale Country Club, Inc. and the City of Dover. The property is currently zoned RC (Residential and Commercial) and the requested zoning Is R-10 (Single Family Residence).
Prior to amending the zoning ordinances and zoning map of the City of Dover, a public hearing is required.
By motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mr. Hutchison, Council unanimously referred the request to the Planning Commission and set a public hearing for March 14, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. The first reading of the following proposed ordinance was accomplished by title only:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF MAPLE DALE ROAD AND EAST OF DOVER KENTON ROAD.
Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of January 24, 1994, are hereby approved.
AARON O. KNOPF
MAYOR
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