REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on November 25, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members present were Councilmen Lambert, Daisey, Levitt, Pitts, Salters, Lynn, Weyandt and Hare.
Council staff members present were Chief Hutchison, Mr. Lucas, Ms. Swain, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Boaman and Ms. Reams. Fire Chief Hurley was absent.
The invocation was given by Reverend Kaufman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Lynn requested the addition of item #7A to discuss Police Department staffing. Council President Christiansen requested the addition of item #7B to hear an informational statement from the Planning Department.
Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 12, 1991
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 12, 1991 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Weyandt, seconded by Mr. Lynn and bore the written approval of Mayor Richter.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 1991
The Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of November 18, 1991 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Levitt and bore the written approval of Mayor Richter.
PROCLAMATION - THE 1991 "CHRISTMAS IN DELAWARE" ORNAMENT
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the spirit of giving should continue year round; and
WHEREAS, the Easter Seal Society of Del-Mar provides direct services to people with disabilities on a year-round basis; and
WHEREAS, the Easter Seal Society of Del-Mar is offering to Delawareans the beautiful limited edition 1991 "Christmas in Delaware" collector's ornament which captures the historical settings of the State House and Legislative Hall; and
WHEREAS, all sales benefit people with disabilities who are served by Easter Seals programs; and
WHEREAS, the Society will highlight a different historical site throughout Delaware annually.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. RICHTER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, do hereby proclaim:
THE 1991 "CHRISTMAS IN DELAWARE" ORNAMENT
to be an official City ornament and urge all citizens, young and old, to support this project and to be receptive to this excellent program.
ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY ELECTION RESULTS - NOVEMBER 18, 1991
The following results from the November 18, 1991 Robbins Hose Company Election were read into the record:
Chief - Edwin Baker, Jr.
Deputy Chief - Gary Alderson
First Assistant Chief - William R. Staats, Jr.
Second Assistant Chief - Ray Osika
Third Assistant Chief - Tie Vote
Fire Line Captain - Carleton Carey, Jr.
The City Clerk reported that a Special Election will be held on November 26, 1991 for the position of Third Assistant Chief which resulted in a tie vote.
Mr. Lynn moved for acceptance of the results as reported, seconded by Mr. Daisey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Christiansen not voting).
APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES FOR SPECIAL ELECTION - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY
A Special Election will be held on November 26, 1991 for the position of Third Assistant Chief of the Robbins Hose Company. Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the appointment of Carleton Dill, Donald Hayes, and Ray Osika to serve as judges for the Special Election. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried (Mr. Christiansen not voting).
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on November 13, 1991 with Chairman Weyandt presiding.
Mrs. Marian Harris - Greater Dover Unity Coalition
Mrs. Marian Harris advised that she has been designated spokes person for a newly formed group - The Greater Dover Unity Coalition. The group has planned a "Solidarity Day" on November 16, 1991 and requested Council's support. The group will gather at the Dover Post Office Parking Lot at 12:00 noon and quietly walk down Loockerman Street to generate a message showing unity and deliver a statement to depress bigotry and racism of any kind.
Aerial Ladder Truck - Robbins Hose Company
The committee considered a financing plan for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck for the Robbins Hose Company, at an estimated cost of $600,000. The plan removes the purchase of the ladder truck from the proposed bond referendum. According to the proposed plan, the City will continue to appropriate $70,000 through the Fire Department budget for an additional eight (8) years with the ninth year appropriation being only $21,000. This cost is already absorbed in the City's budget and has become a part of the "baseline". The Fire Department will provide $25,000 toward this plan each year for eight (8) years and will also appropriate $21,000 in the ninth year.
The committee recommended that staff be authorized to proceed with the purchase arrangement for the aerial ladder truck as presented.
Mr. Weyandt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Lynn and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Bond Issue Related Property Tax Report
The committee considered a report on the bond issue related property taxes as prepared by the Finance Director. He explained that the debt service for the first fiscal year (7/92 to 6/93) includes interest only. During this year, the interest is paid for eight (8) months, which is paid off from the interest earnings on the unused amounts for the projects. The debt service for the second fiscal year (7/93 to 6/94) includes the principal and interest for the full 12 months. The interest earnings on the unused amounts are reduced as a majority of the projects will be completed and paid for; therefore, the funds needed from the property taxes are larger as compared with the first fiscal year. Members were presented with two plans related to the property taxes, as follows:
PLAN A PLAN B
Tax Increase Total Increase Total Increase
Effective Date In Cents In Cents
7/1/92 0.35c 5.41c
7/1/93 11.04 5.70
7/1/94 3.07 3.07
Total Tax Increase
in Three Year Period 14.46c 14.18c
====== ======
The committee recommended approval of Plan B.
The Greenway Project ($180,000) has been removed from the bond issue since the date of the committee meeting. Mr. Weyandt requested that no action be taken on this matter since the figures will be altered in accordance with the project deletion.
Mr. Weyandt moved for acceptance of the Legislative and Finance Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utility Committee met on November 13, 1991 with Chairman Levitt presiding.
Storer Cable Communications - Language Amendment
Storer Cable requested that the City of Dover approve the consolidation of several Storer subsidiaries into one entity - Storer Cable Communications of Delmarva, Inc. The request is made in an effort to comply with a directive of the Delaware Public Service Commission. Deputy City Solicitor Pepper prepared a resolution granting consent and approval to changes in General Television, Inc., and assignment of the Cable Television Franchise for Dover.
The committee recommended acceptance of the language amendment and approval of the Resolution.
Mr. Levitt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salters and by a unanimous roll call vote, Council adopted the following Resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, GRANTING CONSENT AND APPROVAL TO CHANGES IN GENERAL TELEVISION, INC., AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE FOR DOVER, DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, General Television, Inc. owns, operates, and maintains a cable television system in the City of Dover, Delaware, pursuant to a Franchise Contract dated November 24, 1975; and
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the Franchise are in full force and effect as of the date of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dover and General Television, Inc., are parties to an Agreement for Joint Use of Electric Utility Poles for Cable Television Service Attachments, dated June 15, 1989 (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Storer Communications, Inc. ("Storer"), indirectly controls General Television, Inc., through Storer's subsidiaries, SCI 10, Inc., SCI 12, Inc. and SCI 13, Inc., which subsidiaries own all the stock of the General Television, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, General Television, Inc., has requested consent to make various changes in the control of General Television, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions described above, one or more intermediate transfers of such stock may occur; and
WHEREAS, General Television, Inc., proposes to liquidate and assign the Franchise and the Agreement to SCI 10, Inc., and thereby SCI 10, Inc. (the corporate name of which will be changed to Storer Cable Communications of Delmarva, Inc.) will become the successor to General Television, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, such transactions are subject to the approval of the City of Dover; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dover has determined that it is in the best interests and the best interests of the residents of its community to approve the transactions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The City of Dover consents to and approves the assignment of the Franchise and the Agreement from General Television, Inc. to SCI 10, Inc., an entity whose corporate name will be changed to Storer Cable Communications of Delmarva, Inc.
2. The Franchise Authority consents to and approves changes in control of General Television, Inc., provided any such change is to an entity, or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof, which prior to such change has a direct or indirect ownership interest in General Television, Inc.
Duly and lawfully PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the governing body of the City of Dover, Delaware this day of , 1991.
Review of County Wastewater Adjustment Rate
The 1991-92 water and wastewater fund budget included a new rate for the wastewater adjustment charge projected to cover all charges from Kent County for the use of their treatment facilities. Effective July 1, 1991, the wastewater adjustment rate was set at $1.24 per 1,000 gallons, based on estimated revenues and expenses of $1,859,000 for the year. Noting that two bills have been received from Kent County this year totalling $1,040,680, Mr. Worley advised members that expenses are projected to be $2,180,680 and that revenues are projected to be $2,031,123 for the year, resulting in a deficit of $149,557.
The increase is due to operating budget increases in the Kent County Quarterly Sewer Operating Expenses, of which the City pays a portion through the quarterly charges. With an estimated 783,201,000 gallons of wastewater being billed from January 1 to June 30, 1992, an increase of 19 cents per 1,000 gallons would be necessary to balance the fund for this year.
The Utility Committee recommended that the Wastewater Adjustment Rate be increased to $1.43 per 1,000 gallons for all bills rendered on or subsequent to January 1, 1992.
Mr. Lambert noted that Kent County is upgrading its treatment plant in order to meet state and federal standards. It is a pass-through increase that is necessary in order to alleviate costly fines that would be rendered if the standards are not met.
Mr. Levitt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) yes, one (1) no (Mr. Christiansen).
RMI Staffing Study Implementation Plan
During their meeting of September 23, 1991, Council accepted the Organization and Management Study of the City of Dover Electric Department, as submitted by Resource Management International (RMI), and authorized staff to prepare an implementation plan and schedule.
Although RMI recommended a net increase of nine (9) employees, the Electric Department recommended an increase of four (4) additional employees at this time. The RMI Study identified customer service, maintenance and project monitoring and scheduling deficiencies in the Electric Department. The four (4) requested positions will meet the highest priority functions recommended by RMI and improve efficiency, reliability and responsiveness to our customers. Staff recommended approval of the following personnel changes, at a total cost increase of $106,518, (salary ranges are in parentheses):
Power Plant
CHANGE 1-Relief Operator (22)TO Supr. of Maintenance (25)
CHANGE Chief Mech. Eng. (32)TO Power Plant Manager (32)
CHANGE Power Plant Supr. (31)TO Mechanical Engineer I (24)
T&D/System Operations
ADD Planner Scheduler (22)
ADD SCADA Technician (20)
Electric Engineering
ADD Substation Designer (23)
CHANGE Temporary Position TO Secretary II (13)
Administration
ADD Administrative Assistant (19)
The cost increase does not include benefits. Taking into consideration that benefits are approximately 35% of an employee's salary, Mr. Weyandt suggested that the motion include "not to exceed $150,000".
The committee recommended authorization of four (4) additional employees and other personnel changes at a not to exceed $150,000 annually.
Mr. Levitt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weyandt for discussion purposes.
Mr. Daisey voiced his opinion that the current economics cannot support the hiring of additional employees at this time. In responding, Mr. Lambert stated that the purpose of the RMI study was to improve the reliability and efficiency of the Power Plant. He felt it was a small investment for a large return. Mr. Hare stated that efficiency must be achieved before it can be determined if additional employees are needed.
After discussing this matter at length, the motion was approved by a roll call vote of seven (7) yes, two (2) no (Mr. Daisey and Mr. Hare).
McKee Run Generating Station Unit #3 - Turbine Blade Replacements
The Unit #3 turbine rotor was inspected and there were cracks in several blades in the last row, which can be replaced for $180,000 complete. These are the largest blades in the turbine. General Electric previously discussed replacement of these blades with a new design which can improve efficiency by 1-2%. This upgrade was placed in the next five-year overhaul in 1994. A lead time of about 40 weeks was necessary and the 1994 cost was $800,000 total. When staff discussed partial replacement with GE, they reported that they have a full set in production for someone who has postponed the order. The City could have a full set and a new design in approximately seven (7) weeks, which will coincide with the scheduled completion of the current outage. The efficiency improvement from the new blades should save approximately $100,000 per year. The costs for the new blades and design are as follows:
Material (General Electric) $638,500
Labor (East Coast Management) 90,000 (not to exceed)
Misc. (tech. service & trans.) 20,000
$748,500
========
Since this project was not budgeted, a budget amendment will be required.
The committee recommended that staff be authorized to complete the blade replacement and to issue the above purchase orders.
Mr. Levitt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Pitts and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Acceptance of Bids - Demolition of Buildings at Sewer Treatment Plant
In conjunction with the 1991-96 Capital Improvements Plans and the 1991-92 Wastewater Improvement and Extension Fund Budget, it was proposed to demolish three (3) buildings at the old Sewer Treatment Plant as part of a cleanup of the site. Bids were solicited for the demolition of the Incinerator/Office Building and the two Digester Tank Buildings. The engineer's estimate was $85,000.
The committee recommended awarding the bid to the low bidder, Design Contracting of Wilmington, Delaware in the amount of $59,890.
In response to Mr. Weyandt's question on the completion date for the project, Ms. Swain stated that this information will be reported to Council at a later date.
Mr. Levitt moved for approval of the committee's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Levitt moved for acceptance of the Utility Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.
APPOINTMENT TO UTILITY COMMITTEE
Council President Christiansen requested the appointment of Carleton Carey, Sr. to the Utility Committee to replace the vacancy created by the resignation of Raymond Harbeson.
Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the appointment of Mr. Carleton Carey, Sr. to the Utility Committee, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING
Police Chief Hutchison has requested permission to hire three (3) additional police officers and one (1) civilian employee. This action would have no financial impact on the City of Dover until July 1, 1992 since increased grant monies will be utilized through June 30, 1991. The job classification of the civilian employee will be determined by the City Manager in accordance with the policy set for City-wide job classifications.
Mr. Lynn moved that effective January 1, 1992, the total authorized strength of the City of Dover Police personnel be increased by three (3) for a total of 77 officers, and that the Police Chief be authorized to add one civilian employee to the current approved work force. It was noted by Mr. Lynn that although this action will have no financial impact on the City of Dover until July 1, 1992 since it will be funded through grant funds, a budget amendment will be necessary to show the increased expenses and grant receipts.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Lambert and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT - PLANNING DEPARTMENT
City Planner DePrima announced that the Planning Department, along with the Police Department, will be holding an informational meeting to discuss the City's new law pertaining to leases (landlord tenant law). The meeting will be held on December 5, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.
MONTHLY REPORTS
By motion of Mr. Hare, seconded by Mr. Lynn, Council unanimously accepted the following monthly reports:
A. Chief of Police Report
B. Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report
C. City Assessor Report
D. City Alderman Report
E. J.P. Court #7 Report
F. City Manager Report
G. General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
H. Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
I. Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
J. Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
K. Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Referring to the City Manager's Report and the preparation of the 1992 budget, Mr. Lynn requested that the City Manager give consideration to a change in process that would require public hearings for departmental presentations for increased budgets.
Mr. Weyandt referred to the Chief of Police Report, requesting that the Chief look into collection procedures that would be more successful than the current 52% collection rate. The Police Chief stated that they are currently reviewing their computer procedures on collections.
CORRESPONDENCE - MAYOR OF DAKAR, SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA
During his recent visit to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, Councilman Salters was presented a letter for Mayor John E. Richter from the Mayor of Dakar. As translated, the letter read as follows:
Mr. Mayor:
It is with real pleasure that I received Councilman Reuben Salters from the City of Dover.
Dakar, Capital of Senegal, of which I have been Mayor for many years, is looking untiringly towards a vast cooperation with other cities of the world. This is the reason we receive, with enthusiasm, your proposition to tie with us in a relationship that is most harmonious, especially in the area of education and formation.
Our disposition in this respect is total and we wish, most rapidly if possible, to concrete these ideas.
Thanking you, I ask you, dear colleague, to accept the assurance of my most respectful consideration.
Mr. Lynn moved for adjournment into Open Forum, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
OPEN FORUM
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.
There was no one present wishing to speak during the Open Forum.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of November 25, 1991, are hereby approved.
JOHN E. RICHTER
MAYOR
/dkh