QUARTERLY OPEN TOWN MEETING
The Quarterly Open Town Meeting was held on August 3, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Knopf presiding. The meeting was held at the W. Reily Brown Elementary School. Members of Council present were Council President Christiansen, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Salters, Mr. Levitt and Mr. Daisey. Mr. Hare was absent.
Mayor Knopf welcomed those in attendance and invited them to participate in the open forum concept of the Quarterly Open Town Meeting.
Tony Galla - 925 Woodcrest Drive
Mr. Tony Galla of 925 Woodcrest Drive reviewed an article that appeared in the Delaware State News on July 29, 1992 concerning unsafe conditions at the McKee Run Power Plant. Mr. Galla complained of the air pollution created by the Plant.
Mr. Worley and Mr. French assured Mr. Galla that although there is needed maintenance at McKee Run Power Plant, with anticipated revenue over the next couple of years, the maintenance should be completely up to date. Mr. French stated that there is no danger to employees from plant emissions. The chips coming from the stack happen infrequently and are small. The picture in the newspaper was a chunk that had fallen inside the stack. A consultant reviewed the stacks and determined that while the liners had deteriorated, it was nothing so critical as to merit shutting down the plant. Relining of the stack has been scheduled for routine maintenance shutdown in the fall.
Ben Bowings - 198 Haman Drive
Mr. Ben Bowings of 198 Haman Drive objected to the City donating money to the Downtown Dover Development Corporation when the Power Plant is in dire need of expensive maintenance. He felt it a waste to put money into downtown Dover, stating that it will never be revitalized.
Mr. Bowings objected to budget review and approval taking place at the same time as new members of Council are elected to office and suggested that the City's fiscal year begin in October. He stated that City employees should be given adequate raises and that employee raises should be determined before the budget is adopted.
Javan Davis - 635 Nimitz Road
Mr. Javan Davis of 635 Nimitz Road commended City Council on their final actions on the East Loockerman Street problem and on adoption of the tree ordinance. He asked for specific information on employee health care rates. Since rates vary depending upon type of coverage and the specific bargaining units, Mr. Worley asked that Mr. Davis call the City Manager's office for details. Mr. Davis urged members of Council to keep health care rates as low as possible and to give reasonable salary increases so that the City is able to retain good employees.
Referring to City projects, Mr. Davis reminded members of Council that although federal money may be offered for projects, there are usually strings attached that cost the City taxpayers in the end. Mr. Worley explained the funding program for the Schutte Park and the concept of the City's Parkland Reserve Fund. Mr. Leary reminded Mr. Davis that although funds may be shown in the Capital Improvements Plan for Schutte Park, there were no City dollars for the park in the adopted budget. The CIP is a planning document only.
Mr. Davis voiced objections to the recent water and sewer rate increase and to such large sums of money being spent for power plant maintenance. Mr. Worley stated that a large percentage of our water/sewer bill is the Kent County sewer adjustment. Regarding large expenditures for power plant maintenance, Mr. Worley reminded Mr. Davis that the power plant is a $50 million business; maintenance on expensive equipment is always higher than on less valuable equipment.
Concluding, Mr. Davis stated his opinion that spending money to plan for the future is wrong if there is not enough money now. Mr. Worley explained that Dover is rapidly growing and if the City does not plan for its anticipated growth now, it will cost much more later.
Durward Matthews - 359 Mockingbird Avenue
Mr. Durward Matthews of 359 Mockingbird Avenue asked when Mockingbird Avenue and Alder Road would be repaved, stating that the roadways are in deplorable condition. Mr. Worley informed Mr. Matthews that the streets are scheduled for repaving in the 1992 Street Program. Bids for this project will be opened on August 4th. Mr. Matthews also requested that employee health care rates be printed so that citizens have access to all the facts.
Jim Carr - 767 Miller Drive
Mr. Jim Carr of 767 Miller Drive requested detailed information on the funding of the Schutte Park and St. Jones Greenway Project. Mr. Worley stated that $255,000 (from the State's Suburban Street Aid fund) is a special appropriation specifically for the Greenway Project. The State provided another $22,000 (from State Greenway funds) for the Greenway design and planning. It is hoped that additional required funds will come from grant money. Mr. Carr was assured that there are no City operating funds budgeted for the Greenway Project. Noting that the City is contemplating a bond issue for street paving, Mr. Carr felt it unconscionable that the City could use State Suburban Street Aid funds for City parks. He urged members of Council to request the State of Delaware to redesignate these funds for use on City streets.
Responding to Mr. Carr's request for an explanation as to why the City is running electric lines specifically to serve the Little League, Mr. Worley stated that the City is obligated to provide electric services to its customers. Mr. French estimated the costs for this project to be less than $1,000, but true costs cannot be determined until application is made by the Little League.
Eugene Ruane - 122 Shadow Court
Mr. Eugene Ruane of 122 Shadow Court urged members of City Council to be aggressive on their recommendation for a Far West Connector. He related to the significant increase in traffic in the western portion of Dover which impacts all areas within the City and requested the status on the Greater Dover Traffic Study. Mr. DePrima stated that the study is being performed by DelDOT and was planned for completion in August. It appears, however, from discussions with the State that the report may be delayed. Responding to Mr. Ruane's question on the creation of a Metropolitan Plan Organization (MPO), Mr. DePrima stated that a meeting has been held for the initial planning for the organization, but the MPO is under the jurisdiction of DelDOT. He suggested that Mr. Ruane call the City Planner's Office next week for additional details.
Mr. Lambert relayed his disappointment in the outcome of a recent workshop to discuss alignment of the Connector. Although City Council strongly endorsed a Far West Connector and adamantly opposed the Puncheon Run Connector, Mr. Lambert feels that the State has made a preliminary decision to approve a modified Puncheon Run Connector plan. Citizens were urged to relay their recommendations to the State of Delaware legislators and DelDOT officials.
John Bryant - 339 Mimosa Avenue
Mr. John Bryant of 339 Mimosa Avenue concurred with Mr. Lambert's feeling that the State's decision on a modified version of the Puncheon Run Connector is a foregone conclusion. However, he also urged members of Council to keep pushing for consideration of a Far West Connector.
Richard Ornauer - 17 Mifflin Road
Mr. Richard Ornauer of 17 Mifflin Road urged the City of Dover to continue to investigate the possibility of constructing a West Dover Fire Station. He voiced concern with the excessive traffic in the western portion of Dover and the Conrail tracks dividing West Dover from the Fire Station which could result in delayed response to a fire in West Dover. With continued growth expected in West Dover, this problem will be magnified as new homes and more families are added to those already in existence. Council President Christiansen informed those present that Robbins Hose Company has an agreement with Conrail to break the trains upon notification of a need to cross the tracks.
Mayor Knopf stated that he has met with the Fire Chief and is in the middle of determining the needs and costs for a West Dover Fire Station. He hopes citizens will support it once all details are known. In all probability, a referendum will have to be held to determine the public's support. He stated that if a fire station is built, it must be a building that can withstand all types of weather, feeling that a fire station should be a safe haven in times of trouble.
Mr. Tudor stated his feeling that the citizens are not against a West Dover Fire Station, but that they voted negatively in the referendum because of the projected cost of the project. He suggested that potential volunteers assist with the construction of a Fire Station to defer the costs to the taxpayers. He personally designed an adequate fire station for West Dover and offered to share his expertise. Referring to statements that a metal fire station would fall apart, Mr. Tudor reminded Council that all structures must meet the City's building codes.
Dr. Howard Row - 207 Orchard Avenue
Dr. Howard Row of 207 Orchard Avenue commended Council for the recent passage of an ordinance regulating smoking in public places. The ordinance restricts smoking in all public retail establishments, but only limits smoking in restaurants to specific areas. He requested that Council consider an amendment to the ordinance to completely ban smoking in public restaurants.
Ruth Tee - 822 Whiteoak Road
Agreeing with Mr. Tudor, Ms. Ruth Tee of 822 Whiteoak Road stated that most citizens do not object to a West Dover Fire Station, but rather object to the excessive costs projected for its construction. She suggested that Robbins Hose Company institute a bingo night and a ladies auxiliary to help raise funds for the fire company. Council President Christiansen stated that since the Robbins Hose Company has a larger support base than surrounding towns, it was agreed that they would not compete with smaller fire companies for funds by holding fund raising functions.
Rexene Ornauer - 17 Mifflin Road
Mrs. Rexene Ornauer of 17 Mifflin Road stated that the citizens of Dover are very lucky to have a volunteer fire company, relating to the high costs associated with paid fire companies. It was her opinion that with the continued growth in the City, there will be a need for more than one additional fire station. She stated that if the City of Dover wants adequate fire protection, then they must provide it.
Mae Salevan - 18 Upland Avenue
Ms. Mae Salevan of 18 Upland Avenue suggested that the City find more adequate facilities for future Quarterly Open Town Meetings.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
AARON O. KNOPF
MAYOR
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