COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on November 10, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Daisey, Mr. Levitt, Mr. Leary, Mr. Salters, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Lambert, and Mayor Knopf. Mr. Hare and Mr. Tudor were absent.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Levitt requested the addition of an executive session for legal and personnel matters.

At the suggestion of Council President Christiansen, Mr. Salters moved that the Legislative and Finance Committee convene after the Safety Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Mr. Salters moved to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Levitt and unanimously carried.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

The Parks and Recreation Committee met with Chairman Pitts presiding. Mrs. Malone was present. Noting the absence of Councilmen Hare and Tudor and Mrs. Dean, Councilman Leary was deputized to serve as a member.

NOTTINGHAM WOODS TREE PLAN

In accordance with Article VI, Section H-1(f) of the Subdivision Regulations, the committee reviewed a proposed tree plan for Nottingham Woods Development. The plan proposes the planting of 63 shade trees by utilizing four (4) different species, landscaping around each unit and a buffer along the road frontage that contains 12 evergreen trees. In addition, there is a significant amount of existing trees to be preserved in 14.45 acres of private open space that is located on the property. Mr. William Cooper, Superintendent of the Grounds Division, and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Nottingham Woods Tree Plan.

Mr. DePrima advised members that this development's application was submitted prior to the adoption of the recent Tree Planting and Preservation Ordinance and will be the last plan to come before the committee for approval.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend approval of the tree plan for Nottingham Woods as recommended by staff and the Planning Commission, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:10 P.M.

SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Safety Advisory Committee met with Councilman Lambert presiding in the absence of Chairman Hare. Councilman Leary was present and Councilman Levitt was deputized to serve as a member.

Mr. Lambert suggested that the request of Mr. Lanagan for the relocation of the fire siren near his home on Hampton Drive be suspended pending the arrival of Mr. Lanagan.

Mr. Levitt moved to suspend consideration of this matter pending the arrival of Mr. Lanagan, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried. The committee reconvened at 7:45 p.m.

REQUEST TO RELOCATE FIRE SIREN - LANCE LANAGAN - 174 HAMPTON DRIVE

The committee considered a letter from Mr. Lance Lanagan, 174 Hampton Drive, relaying concern of a fire siren which is located approximately 50 feet away from his home. He explained that after living in his home for 18 months, his children still become frightened when the siren is activated. Mr. Lanagan questioned if the decibel level emitted by the siren is safe and the possibility of moving the fire siren to a more appropriate area.

On behalf of Fire Chief Baker, Council President Christiansen explained that every attempt is made to limit the use of the fire sirens; however, they are an integral part of the Robbins Hose Company's alerting procedures and will continue to be as long as they remain a volunteer fire department. Council President Christiansen stated that the fire sirens were placed in commercial areas approximately eight (8) years ago, prior to the residential development. He advised members that if one (1) fire siren was moved, it would be necessary to move all seven (7) fire sirens and that the cost to move one siren would be in excess of $7,000. To familiarize the children with the siren, Council President Christiansen suggested that Mr. Lanagan bring his children to visit the fire station.

Responding to Mr. Lanagan, Council President Christiansen stated that a decibel study was performed five (5) years ago and that there is the possibility that the results would be different since homes have been erected.

Mr. Levitt moved to recommend that staff take the necessary steps to measure the decibel level of the fire sirens to ensure that the sounds do not exceed safety standards. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Responding to Mr. Salters' concerns, staff was directed to present the results of decibel level tests to the State Audiologist for a report back to the committee.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:02 P.M.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee met with Chairman Daisey presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Lambert and Mr. Carey.

UNIT #3 AIR PREHEATER PURCHASE

McKee Run Unit #3 incorporates a regenerative air preheater to improve unit efficiency and improve combustion by removing heat from the flue gasses and transferring it to the combustion air. The hot end baskets experience temperatures in excess of 800 degrees F. Replacement of the air preheater baskets is a routine maintenance item. These baskets have not been replaced since 1981. Their condition indicates that it would be prudent to replace them during the current outage. A quoted price of $33,845 has been submitted by Air Preheater Co., with a three week delivery time. Staff recommended that a purchase order be issued to Air Preheater in the amount of $33,845 to obtain the replacement hot end baskets.

Responding to Mr. Lambert, Mr. Clausen stated that Air Preheater Co. is the only manufacturer of the hot end baskets in the area.

Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Mr. Worley requested Council's permission to make this purchase immediately. There was a consensus of those members of Council present to authorize staff to immediately proceed with the purchase of the replacement hot end baskets.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:16 P.M.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Levitt presiding. Members present were Councilmen Salters and Leary and Mr. Hindman.

PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT - REFINANCING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS

In accordance with Section 50 of the City Charter, a referendum is required for the issuance of general obligation bonds to refund outstanding bonds. Therefore, two referendums would be required for the same obligation; one when the original general obligation bonds were issued and another one at the time of refunding.

To avoid duplication of the referendum and to save money, Mr. Mike Karia, Finance Director, presented a proposed Charter amendment, prepared by the City's Bond Counsel, that would exempt the refinancing of bonds from the referendum requirements. In order to guarantee that no additional obligation would be incurred, the total debt service on the refunding bonds should not be more than the debt service on the bonds that are being refinanced. Mr. Karia assured members that the intent of Section 50 of the City Charter has not been altered and that the amendments have been reviewed by the City Solicitor.

Responding to questions of Mr. Levitt, Mr. Karia stated that there would be no effect on the City's bond rating or bond holders.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend that an ordinance be adopted requesting the General Assembly to submit a Bill to amend Section 50 of the City Charter (Attachment #1), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Levitt and unanimously carried.

WORK PLAN - HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

As requested by Council during the February 28-29, 1992 Goals Workshop, staff has continued to nurture the development of the City's Human Resources Department. A work plan for the Human Resources Department for FY 1992-93 was distributed for the committee's review.

Mr. Bruce Andrews, Human Resources Director, explained the work plan and function of the department, noting that there are five divisions: 1) employment; 2) labor relations; 3) compensation and benefits; 4) department development; and 5) safety wellness.

Mr. Salters moved to accept the Human Resources Department work plan as reported, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

DOVER METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT

Resulting from a series of meetings between DelDOT Officials, Kent County Levy Court Commissioners, Mayor Knopf and the City Planner, a proposed Dover Metropolitan Planning Organization Agreement was developed. The Agreement establishes a Metropolitan Planning Organization of the Dover area as prescribed under federal law. The purpose of the Organization is to serve as a local transportation planning group that would have a significant amount of input into the DelDOT's transportation planning process and program development. Staff recommended that Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City of Dover.

Mr. Anthony D. Peer, DelDOT Director of Intergovernmental Coordination, described the program. He advised members that the Agreement would establish a governing council and two advisory committees. One committee would be a technical advisory group and the other would be a citizen's advisory group. Together, these groups would develop short and long term transportation plans that would be incorporated into the DelDOT's State Improvement Program. Mr. Peer stated that funds would be available from the state and federal governments to staff the organization and would be shared between the State, County, and City.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend acceptance of the Dover Metropolitan Planning Organization Agreement (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk), thus authorizing Mayor Knopf to sign the document on behalf of the City of Dover. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.

MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCES

Mr. Tony DePrima, City Planner, presented members with several zoning ordinance amendments for their consideration. He explained that throughout the year, notes have been taken relative to sections of the ordinance that have caused problems. The amendments are recommended to clarify conflicting sections, bring them into conformance with modern practices, or for streamlining purposes. Mr. DePrima explained the details and reasons for each amendment.

Mr. Hindman relayed concern with amendment #10, definition of lot width, and recommended that staff investigate the possibility of including wording that would address those odd shaped lots that have adequate frontage and then reduces in size. He explained that the County has a requirement that any lot can not have a width any less than the frontage of said lot.

Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of amendments #1-#9 and #11 as presented, and that amendment #10 be modified by addressing those lots that have adequate frontage and then reduces in size (Attachments #2). The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Mr. Levitt moved to adjourn into executive session for legal and personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:43 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                                    Council President

RRC/jg

Attachments