LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on July 23, 1991 at 7:00 P.M. with Chairman Weyandt presiding. Members present were councilmen Lynn and Hare and Mr. Leary. Other members of Council present were Mr. Daisey, Mr. Levitt, Mr. Salters, Mr. VanSant, Mr. Pitts, Council President Christiansen and Mayor Richter.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Council President Christiansen noted that agenda item #4, Plan for General Obligation bond Issue, has been deleted from the agenda.
Mr. Lynn moved to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
LONG RANGE STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLAN
In January 1991, Systems and computer Technology (SCT) began an in-depth study of the City’s current and future information systems requirements. An Information Systems Planning Committee comprised of all city department heads was formed to provide guidance to SCT as the plan was developed.
Immediately prior to commencement of the committee meeting, a Council Workshop was held and members were provided with the Information Systems Plan which recommended a series of strategies that involved enhancements to computer hardware, computer software and staffing levels within the data processing area. These strategies would be employed over a seven (7) year period.
Staff recommended acceptance of the plan and that implementation strategies be developed for the committee’s review.
Mr. Lynn moved to recommend acceptance of the Long Range Strategic Information Systems Plan and that staff be directed to present implementation strategies to the committee for their review. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
REQUEST TO WAIVE SMOKING REGULATIONS - DOVER DOWNS
The committee considered a letter from Mr. Denis McGlynn, President of Dover Downs, requesting that Dover downs be granted an exemption from the smoking regulations. Section 14-15 of the Dover code.
Mr. Daisey reminded members that in accordance with Section 14-15 of the Dover Code, subsection (e) 3 (Violations and Penalties - Appeal to council). Council may consider exemption from the ordinance if peculiar or extraordinary hardships are shown. In Mr. Daisey’s opinion, the restrictions on smoking at Dover Downs would only create an inconvenience for smokers; therefore, he felt that Dover Downs should not be granted an exemption. Mr. Daisey stated that if there was a similar activity adjacent to the borders of Dover, there would be the possibility of losing business. Feeling that there are no adjacent businesses that conduct similar activities, Mr. Daisey did not feel that Dover Downs would be jeopardized in that respect.
Nothing that the patrons of Dover Downs attend events at Harrington Raceway, Delaware Park, Delmarva Downs, Etc., Mr. McGlynn feels that it is irrelevant that these establishments are not on the border of the City of Dover.He also stated that patrons travel many miles to attend car races.
Responding to Mr. Hare, Mr. McGlynn stated that R. J. Reynolds sponsors the entire Nascar circuit and provides funding for capital improvements at Dover Downs. He also stated that there are several other tobacco industries that support the sporting events at Dover Downs set aside a “no smoking” area in their dining room.
Mr. Lynn moved to recommend approval of the request to grant Dover Downs an exemption from Section 14-15, in accordance with subsection (e) 3 of the Dover Code, seconded by Mr. Hare.
Responding to Council President Christiansen, Mr. McGlynn stated that in accordance with the Chamber of Commerce, the last racing event that occurred at Dover Downs produced $11 million per weekend. Mr. McGlynn offered to supply the City with confidential financial information, although he felt it would serve no purpose since the detrimental effect of the smoking ban would not be depicted in this information.
On a call for the question by Mr. Leary, the motion to grant Dover Downs an exemption from the requirements of Section 14-15 of the Dover code was unanimously carried.
REVIEW OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS ORDINANCE - SECTION 18.7-2
As a result of appeals on the U.S. route #113 water main assessment, the committee reviewed the notification procedures to property owners for water and sewer assessments for possible revisions. The committee recommended that Section 18.7-2 of the Dover Code be amended to provide for notification of water or sewer main assessments to each affected property owner after bids are received, including the estimated front foot assessment based on the low bid.
During their Regular Meeting of July 8, 1991, Council tabled action on the proposed amendment to Section 18.7-2 of the Dover Code, feeling that property owners should be advised of the project prior to awarding the contract.
The committee directed staff to revise the proposed amendment to provide for notification to each affected property owner when a project is first being considered and that the amendment be brought back to the committee for their review.
CITY’S INVESTMENT POLICY - SHORT TERM PLAN
Mr. Mike Karia, Finance Director, explained that the City currently invests available funds in U.S. Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposits. He advised members that the banking industry is in turmoil and that the FDIC is stretched. Mr. Karia noted that the spread between the C. D. Rates (6.10%) and the U.S. Treasury Bills (5.80%) is not as large as it used to be.
Staff recommended that Council approved a short term investment plan, authorizing staff to invest new available funds from the tax receipts in Treasury Bills from the Fereral Reserve Bank through its regular auction.
Mr. Lynn moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
PARAMEDIC PROPOSAL
Resulting from negotiations with Kent County concerning the conditions under which the City paramedics will transfer to the County, staff presented a Master Plan for the Integration of the City of Dover Paramedics for the committee’s review. Staff recommended that the City of Dover Paramedics be transferred under the conditions negotiated.
Mr. Hare moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Leary.
Mr. Weyandt relayed Council’s gratitude to City staff for the proposal submitted on behalf of the paramedics.
Mr. Burt Crowder, Dover Paramedic, stated that the work staff has accomplished is appreciated; however, the Paramedics are concerned with the retirement health care benefit as proposed in the Plan. He explained that, according to the Plan, a retirement health care benefit is provided to the paramedic if he retires while an active employee with Kent County. The County will pay retirement health care for the individual only for the number of years worked with the County. After the expiration of these years, if the paramedic has elected to remain with the City health care plan, he will be permitted to continue health coverage provided he pays 100% of the premiums.
Mr. Crowder submitted a letter from Mrs. Donna Lee Harpster Williams, Attorney representing the Dover Paramedics, requesting that the city provide retirement health care benefits to the paramedics after the expiration period during which the County pays the benefit. Under this proposal, when an employee retires from the County, he would receive retirement health care benefits from the Council for the number of years worked with the County; at the expiration of that period. The City would pay retirement health care benefits for the number of years of service to the City.
Responding to Mr. Worley, Mr. Levitt felt that since the State indicated that the retirement health care benefit was inadvertently omitted in considering the Paramedic Program, a legislative route should be taken, He suggested that the prime sponsor of the Paramedic Program, Representative Ennis, be requested to introduce new legislation to correct the oversight.
On a call for question by Mr. Weyandt, the motion recommending approval of the Master Plan for the Integration of City of Dover Paramedics (Attachment #1) was unanimously carried.
REVIEW - CITY MANAGER’S MONTHLY REPORT
The committee reviewed various sections of the City Manager’s Report for the month of June, but took no official action.
Mr. Weyandt moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:14 P.M.
Respectfully submitted
Francis R. Weyandt
Chairman
FWR/jg
Attachment