UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee meeting was held on September 24, 1991, at 7:31 p.m. , with Chairman Levitt presiding. Members present were Councilmen Salters and Daisey. Other members of Council present were Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Lynn, Mr. Pitts, Council President Christiansen and Mayor Richter.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Levitt requested the addition of item *6, the City Manager's Monthly Report.
Mr. Salters moved to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.
REQUEST FOR ABANDONMENT nP DAVIS CIRCLE - JOE BURDEN
Mr. Joe Burden submitted a letter requesting the abandonment of Davis Circle, located in Lincoln Park Development. Members were provided with a plan depicting the undeveloped area consisting of approximately 3873 sq. ft.
Mr. Petit de Mange, Acting City Planner, advised members that there are existing electric lines that run through the area; therefore, it would be necessary for the City to secure an easement. According to the Public Works Department, Mr. Petit de Mange stated that an 11 ft. right-of-way off of the curb must be maintained by the City. He stated that this requirement would reduce the area to be abandoned to 2751 sq. ft. Mr. Petit de Mange advised members that the P-lanning Commission recommended approval of the request for abandonment with the above stipulations.
Mr. Weyandt advised members that according to past policy, the City should be compensated for this property.
City Assessor Lucas advised members that since Mr. Burden currently has sufficient land for his building project, this parcel would have to be treated as extra, or residual land. He stated that residual land in this valuation neighborhood carries a value of $0.13 per sq. ft.
Mr. Salters moved to recommend that a public hearing be held to consider abandonment of the undeveloped portion of Davis Circle (Attachment *1), consisting of approximately 2751 sq. ft. to Mr. Joe Burden, based on compensation at the rate of $0.13 per sq. ft. , and that the City maintain aD easement for electric lines. The motion was seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.
UNIT #3 FALL srHFnTTTTT) MATNTTENANCE OUTAGE
Unit *3 is normally shut down for a period of time in the fall to perform regular maintenance. Mr. French advised members that Unit #3 has been experiencing the inability of holding a steady load. He also stated that Unit #3 was damaged during the severe electrical storm on September 17th, and has not been on line since. Staff felt that the Unit #3 turbine should be opened to make the necessary repairs. Bids were solicited to perform the identified job scope as well as any necessary repairs to the nozzle plate or other miscellaneous repairs. The low bid was received from East Coast Management (ECM), in the amount of $81,000 plus assumed additional repairs of $70,000, totalling $151,000.
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Staff recommended that a purchase order be issued to ECM for the firm cost of $81,000 for the bid scope, with a not-to-exceed $151,000 notation to permit any additional necessary repairs.
Mr. Salters moved to recommend acceptance of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.
WEST LOOCKERMAN STREET BEAUTIFICATION
The City has received $50,000 in State Suburban Street Funds from Representative
Stuart Outten to continue the beautification project on Loockerman Street westward past New Street.
Staff developed a conceptual plan that extends the current streetscape to the west on Loockerman Street from New to Queen Streets and presented members with a diagram. Staff estimated the cost for the implementation of the proposed beautification project, as follows:
Sidewalk replacement & curb work-$25,000
Street lights, traffic lights, &underground wiring-11,863
Landscape (trees, shrubs, groundcover)-9,065
Surveyor (establish property boundaries)
Total $48,428
Staff recommended authorization to proceed with the implementation of the concept pJan as presented. A March 1992 start up date is anticipated.
Mr. Daisey moved to recommend acceptance of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Mr. Daisey felt that a letter of appreciation should be sent to Representative Outten for his contribution to the City of Dover.
BID - NORTH STRPRT WATPP r.TNE
City Council approved the conceptual plan for the renovation of Nortb Street between Federal and State Streets. Part of the conceptual plan is the installation of utility lines in the street. The State of Delaware agreed to pay for the sewer line. In order to properly coordinate the project with the State installation of the sewer line, staff solicited a bid from the State's contractor.
Staff recommended that a purchase order be issued to International Construction Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $30,500, for the water line and a minor extension of the sewer line that does not fall within the State's area of responsibility (water line - $26,383; sewer line - $4,052).
Mr. Salters moved to recommend acceptance of staff's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.
REVIEW
The City reviews its fuel adjustment projects at least quarterly and modifies its fuel adjustment in December on a levelized basis for the next calendar year. The current fuel adjustment is set at $0.00 per KWH.
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Members were reminded that the cost of fuel was projected at $16.00 per barrel. With the current price of $13.35 per barrel, the fuel fund has a balance of $2,650,188.93, as of August 1991. A minimum balance of $1,000,000 is kept in the fund for cash flow purposes, Staff noted that there are a number of uncertainties in the oil market which could result in large swings in the price of oil and recommended that no action be taken at this time.
The committee took no further action.
MANAGER'S MONTHLY REPORT
Mr. Levitt noted that as indicated on page 1.5 of the City Manager's Monthly Report for August 1991, the City has completed all of the necessary preparation to legally provide Little Creek with water if they so desire. Mr. Levitt stated that this will remain a pending item for consideration by the Utility Committee until we receive a response from Little Creek regarding this issue.
Responding, Council President Christiansen advised members that he has heard that a consensus of the residents will be taken.
Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:03 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Irving S. Levitt
Chairman
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