LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met on June 25, 1991. at 7:00 p.m., with Chairman Weyandt presiding. Members present were Councilman Lynn and Mr. Leary. Noting the absence of Councilman Hare, Councilmen Levitt and Daisey were deputized as members.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Lynn requested the addition of an executive session to discuss legal matters.

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

CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE

The City's fra@chise with Storer Cable expires January 21, 1994. Under federal law, Storer Cable is required to notify the City three (3) years in advance of the expiration date if the company intends to invoke a formal renewal process. Within six (6) months following such notification, the City must declare the details of the formal process.

The City received a letter from Storer Cable dated February 7, 1991, to serve as official notification to initiate the formal process.

Mr. Worley explained that the formal process means that the City mtist seek public input on the request for renewal and that a public hearing would satisfy the requirement. Staff recommended that the City announce their plan to hold a public hearing in January 1992, and request comments on whether the City should renew the Storer Cable franchise.

Mr. Jeff Carlsoii, District General Manager of Storer Cable, stated that the letter was sent to reserve Storer's rights; however, they have no objections to the public hearing process.

Mr. Levitt moved to recommend that a public hearing be held in January 1992 to receive public comments on whether the City should renew the Storer Cable franchise. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

WATER ASSESSMENT APPEALS - ROUTE #113

As a result of appeals on the U.S. Route #113 water main assessment, Council requested that staff review the notification procedures for water and sewer assessments to the property owners for possible revisions similar to the procedures utilized for sidewalk assessments.

Section 28 of the Charter addresses the power of Council to pave streets and sidewalks, and levy assessment for the public improvements. Paragraph A outlines the procedure for sidewalks and requires that property owners be notified and required to complete the work. if they do not, the City can have the work done. Paragraph B outlines the procedure for streets and requires a public hearing to allow the adjacent property owners to comment. After the hearing, City Council must decide whether or not to proceed with the proposed work. Street work shall not proceed if, at or prior to the hearing, a written objection to the work is presented which is signed by a majority of property owners adjacent to the proposed work. No procedures are outlined in the Charter for Water or Sewer main assessments.

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Chapter 18.7 of the Code of Ordinances addresses Special Assessments, relative to the time frame of the assessments and appeals. it does include a section which states that notice of the project occurs by entering the descriptions of all abutting properties and the names of those property owners on the municipal lien docket.

Staff 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. This could be scheduled so that it is discussed either at a Utility Committee meeting with the bids, or done after the contract is awarded.

Mr. Jim Walton, Jims Auto Trim, relayed his concern that all properties are assessed the same front foot charge regardless of the property layout (curbing, blacktop, etc. ) . He feels that the property owners should be assessed the actual cost for their property.

Mr. Levitt suggested that staff devise a plan that would calculate each property owner's individual cost for the Utility Committee's review.

In response to Mr. Walton, Mr. Braun stated that the Dover Air Force Base will be responsible for connecting their niains to the City's main. He also advised members that the DAFB will be assessed for the oversized niaiii. Mr. Braun explained that although a twelve inch (12") niain was installed, the property owners are being assessed for an eight inch (8") main and that the DAFB will be assessed for the additional four inches (4").

Respoiiding to Mr. Walton's concerns of the two parcels owned by the State of Delaware, Mr. Worley stated that the City's attorney and the State's attorney are currently discussing this matter. By request of Mr. Walton, the conimittee directed staff to notify the property owners of the result of the dispute of the State's assessments.

By questions of Mr. Steve Campagnini, Dover Auto Body, Mr. Weyandt explained that in accordance with the City Charter, the City has the authority to install water aiid sewer mains without property owner's consent.

Mr. Weyandt assured those present that the Utility Committee will be reviewing the possibility of monetary relief for the Route #113 water main assessment during their meeting of July 9, 1991. Mr. Weyandt requested that copies of staff's recommendation be forwarded to the appellants of the U.S. Route #113 water main assessment.

Mr. Leary moved to recontmend acceptance of staff's recommendation aiid that Section 18.7-2 of the Code of Ordinance be amended (Attachment *1), seconded by Mr. Daisey atid unanimously carried.

BID - BLANKET PURCHASING FOR ELECTRIC STOCK MATERIAL

Since 1989, the City impleniented blanket purcliasiiig of electric stock materials. It has proven to be very beneficial and cost efficient. Mr. Worley explained that staff estimates the amount of iiidividual stock items that will be utilized by the Electric Department during the year aiid requests bids for a per unit cost. He stated that purchases are made off the contract throughout the year. Staff evaluated the bids and recommended that projected purchases be made with the following vendors for the period of July 1, 1991 - June 30, 1992:

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1Transelosures, wire, cutouts, fuses, fault indicators, etc. to A.J.P. Sales - $99,601.00;

2)Arrester elbows, auto splices, transformer brackets, fuse links, hot sticks, in-line switches, photo controls, clamps, wire, etc. to Dixie Electric - $86,005.24;

3)Wire 4/0 primary, wire 750 MCM primary to Electrical Equipment Company - $213,700.00;

4)Auto splices, cable preparation material, elbows, protective caps, lugs, cojinectors, street light bases, tape, wire (secondary), mounting brackets, etc. to Graybar Electric $90,825.00;

5)Cross arms, cross arm braces, pole top pins, terminal adapters, wire to Rigby Electric Supply - $90,836.28;

6)Arresters, bolts, conduit, transformer connectors, elbows, equipment brackets, fuse links, compression taps, junctions primary pedestals, terminators, wire, etc. to Westinghouse Electric - $262,295.98.

Mr. Worley explained that the amounts are estimated based on projected purchases and that the final totals may be higher or lower than the estimated totals depending on the Electric Department's needs.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend acceptance of staff's reconimendation and approval of the blanket purchases with the listed veiidors for the period July 1, 1991 June 30, 1992. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

1990/91 BUDGET AMENDMENTS

Each year the City amends the Electric Fund department budgets to insure that each budget is balanced. Staff felt that this housekeeping procedure should be followed in the other funds as well and submitted proposed amendments. Staff recomniended approval of the proposed budget amendments to the General and Intergovernmental Fund budgets and noted that no amendments are necessary for any other fund.

Mr. Levitt moved to recommend acceptance of staff's recommendation and approval of the proposed budget amendments (Attachment *2), effective June 30, 1991, Tlle motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

TARGET BLOCK PROGRAM

During their meeting of May 29, 1991, members of the comritittee were provided with a detailed report on the target block program. Staff recommended implementation of the Target Block Program effective in FY 91/92 and that a priority block list for future program years be developed. The committee tabled action pending budget approval.

Upon Council's approval of the Target Block Program, Mr. Worley explained that community meetings will be scheduled to discuss the program with residents and seek their input and support. Upon receiving public comment, the selection of the initial target block will be finalized and further program details will be developed and presented to the committee for their review.

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Mr. Lyiin moved to recommend acceptance of the Target Block Program Report and authorized staff to proceed with the program. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT CONTRACT

Three proposals to provide Basic Life Support Service (ambulance transports) have been received. Staff is currently reviewing the proposals and conducting interviews.

Ms. Swain advised members that staff will submit their recommendation to the committee during their meeting on July 9, 1991.

CITY MANAGER'S MONTHLY REPORT

The committee reviewed various sections of the City Manager's Report for the month of May, but took no official action.

Mr. Leary moved to adjourn into executive sessioii to discuss legal matters, seconded by Mr. Daisey and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Francis R. Weyandt

Chairman

FRW/'jg

Attachments