REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

The Regular Meeting of Council was held on October 26, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Councilmen Richter, Daisey, Legates, Lynn, Christiansen, Levitt and VanSant. Councilman Weyandt was absent.

Staff members present were Fire Chief Willson, Assistant Inspections Director/Planner Cregar, Assistant City Manager Worley, Assessor Lucas, Captain Hutchison, City Clerk Bittner, and Solicitor Rodriguez.

The invocation was given by the Reverend J. H. Williams, Council Chaplain.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mayor Carroll requested that a letter be added to the agenda from Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson relative to property located at 722 Whiteoak Road.

Mr. VanSant moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mrs. Legates and unanimously carried.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 12, 1987

Referring to the last paragraph on page nine of the Council Meeting minutes of October 12, 1987, Mr. VanSant moved that the words "and unanimously carried" be deleted since the motion was made and seconded but was not carried. The next paragraph contains a motion to table the matter, which was approved. The City Clerk concurred with Mr. VanSant's statement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

The minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 12, 1987 were unanimously approved as amended, by motion of Mr. VanSant, seconded by Mrs. Legates and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.

MONTHLY REPORTS - SEPTEMBER

By motion of Mr. VanSant, seconded by Mr. Christiansen, Council approved the following monthly reports for September:

Chief of Police Report

Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report City Alderman Report

City Manager Report

J.P. Court #7 Report

General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report

Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Report

Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Report

Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report

Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report

General, Water/Sewer, Electric Revenue - Receipts & Disbursements Report Parking Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report

UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT

The Utility Committee met on October 14, 1987 with Chairman Richter presiding.

MUNICON Regulatory Consultants - Sale of Cable Television System

MUNICON, Regulatory Consultants, offered their services to the City of Dover during the sale of Storer Cable Communications. MUNICON also offered to analyze, free of charge, the City's franchise agreement with Storer.

The committee recommended that the matter be referred to the City Manager.

Mechanized Refuse Collection System

The Utility Committee analyzed the results of a test program for automated trash collection which was implemented in August 1987. A survey was taken of approximately 600 homes that were involved in the test program. Approximately 88% of the users responding to the survey were in favor of the automated system.

Initially, certain areas of the City will be excluded from the mechanized pickup such as townhouses without alleys (Hamlet, Barrister Place, Hampton Square) and Loockerman Street. It is hoped that a method of implementation will be devised for these areas in the near future.

Committee members spent a considerable amount of time discussing details of the system and its impact on the citizenry. Committee members felt that the strongest citizen objections were related to the type of container utilized. Users of the 300 gallon containers objected to the requirement of sharing one container between three families. The majority of residents seemed to prefer utilization of the individual 90 gallon containers.

Upon Council approval of the mechanized system, it would take approximately six months to implement the system. State revenue funds would be utilized to purchase the required three trucks and as many trash containers as possible. The additional containers would be budgeted in the 1988/89 budget.

It was the recommendation of the Utility Committee that approval be given for the automated refuse collection system, utilizing only 90 (or less) gallon containers, with the exception of non-residential users. It was stipulated that a summary of the bid specifications and a proposed ordinance, containing all details for the requirements of the new system, be presented at the next committee meeting for review.

Mr. Richter moved that the City Manager be authorized to proceed with bidding and preparation of the necessary ordinance for the automated refuse system, using only individual containers and excluding the shared 300 gallon units, with all documents to be reviewed by the Utility Committee prior to final approval. The motion was seconded by Mr. Christiansen.

Responding to questions by Mr. Christiansen regarding families that may need more than one container, Mr. Richter stated that details of this nature will be reviewed by the Utility Committee for a report to Council.

Mr. Levitt explained his support for the motion, feeling that the City has attempted to be sensitive to the needs of the citizens, resulting in the deletion of the shared 300 gallon containers.

On a call for the question by Mr. Lynn, the motion was unanimously approved.

Bid - Street Sweeper

A low bid was received for a four wheel mechanical street sweeper, Model TE-4, from Athey Mobil Sweeper, in the amount of $12,464.

Stemming from strong objections by Councilman Weyandt, committee members discussed staff's opinion that the mechanical sweeper would better fit the needs of the City than an air sweeper. Mr. Weyandt also objected to the purchase of a gasoline powered engine, suggesting that a diesel engine be utilized on the sweeper.

City mechanics have not experienced a great deal of maintenance problems with the present sweeper. Mr. Bartolotta felt that it would be to the City's advantage to purchase a similar sweeper to the one we presently possess since the mechanics are already familiar with its maintenance procedures.

Upon questioning by members of the committee, Mr. Bartolotta stated that information on sweepers was obtained from a literature search and from the Product Information Network, but that a life cycle cost was not performed.

The committee tabled the matter until the City Manager can obtain additional information for committee review.

Clean Air Working Group - Request for Support of Opposition to Proposed Clean Air Bill

The City of Dover was informed by the Clean Air Working Group that Dover was one of a dozen of cities that are in violation of federal clean air standards for carbon monoxide and/or ozone and that the U.S. Senate was currently considering legislation which would impose severe penalties on these cities.

Upon investigation with the DNREC, it was confirmed that Dover was in violation of the standards. DNREC maintains air quality monitoring devices in Dover which detected the problem. The cause of the poor air quality has not yet been determined, but the responsibility for corrective action lies with the DNREC.

The committee recommended that staff monitor the situation, but take no further action.

St. Jones River Watershed Association

Mr. Richter announced that during the November 10th Utility Committee meeting, the St. Jones River Watershed Association will present a detailed proposal for pursuing a fresh water impoundment on the St. Jones River and the City's possible involvement in the proposal.

Minor Revisions to the DEMEC Interchange Agreement

The City of Dover entered into an agreement in 1986 with DEMEC to establish conditions for the sale of energy and capacity from Dover. one of the basic conditions of the agreement has changed. The primary factor under the agreement is cost of fuel for the City. The City experienced an increase in fuel costs from 29.5 cents per gallon in July 1986 to 43.1 cents per gallon today. This increase impacted sales of capacity and energy to DEMEC and in order to continue with the sale, it is necessary to make a revision in the agreement. The proposed change would allow the City to lower the cost of energy and would allow greater flexibility for DEMEC in the scheduling of capacity.

Mr. Richter suggested that revisions to the agreement be incorporated into the formal agreement rather than in the form of a letter.

The committee recommended that Council authorize the amendment of the Power Purchase Agreement between the City and Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation to show the following changes:

(1)       Payment for energy will be based on an 18% surcharge rather than a 20% surcharge.

(2)       DEMEC will be able to schedule capacity on an hourly basis rather than on a monthly basis.

Mr. Richter moved to authorize the City Manager to prepare and incorporate the proposed amendment into the formal agreement for Committee review and final Council action. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

Bids - Transformers

Bids were received for the purchase of transformers. The City's present stock is low and delivery schedules take 16 to 18 weeks.

The committee recommended that the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder, Rigby, (McGraw Edison - Manufacturer) for single phase transformers, as follows:

                   ITEM                     BID PRICE     QUANTITY       TOTAL BID PRICE

            #1, 50 KVA Pads                    $1,058.00         36                              $ 38,088

            #2, 100 KVA Pads                  1,436.00           45                              64,620

            #3, 25 KVA Pads                    884.00              5                                 4,420

            TOTAL                                                                                             $107,128

Mr. Richter moved to award the bid for single phase transformers to Rigby, as recommended by the committee, for a total price of $107,128. The motion was seconded by Mr. Levitt and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Weyandt absent).

Bids - Electric Stock Items

Bids were received by City Warehouse personnel from vendors for seven (7) items required for electric stores, with the lowest bids as follows:

            VENDOR                   ITEM                                    BID PRICE     TOTAL BIDS

            A.J.P. Sales              #1, 1/0 Elbo                              $ 4,625.00

            A.J.P. Sales              #2, P149-5 Pedestal                    17,250.00

            A.J.P. Sales              #3, ND44 Enclosure                   10,637.50

            A.J.P. SALES TOTAL BID                                                                     32,512.50

            Graybar Electric      #4, 4/0 Triplex Wire Urd          $ 24,900.00

            Graybar Electric      #5, #8137620B01M Fault Ind.      5,770.00

            Graybar Electric      #6, #8125605A0IM Fault Ind.    6,687.00

            GRAYBAR ELECTRIC TOTAL BID                                                     37,357.00

            Dover Electric #7, 3-500KCM Copper Wire

                                             600-V XLPE Paralleled           $ 26,900.00

            DOVER ELECTRIC TOTAL BID                                                          26,900.00

            TOTAL BIDS                                                                                         $ 96,769.50

It was the recommendation of the committee that bids be awarded to A. J. P. Sales in the amount of $32,512.50, Graybar Electric in the amount of $37,357, and Dover Electric in the amount of $26,900.

Mr. Richter moved to accept the committee recommendation to award bids to A. J. P. Sales for $32,512.50, Graybar Electric for $37,357, and to Dover Electric for $26,900, for a total expenditure of $96,769.50. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Weyandt absent).

Power 2000 Planning Process

Mr. Lester Blakeman, Executive Assistant to the Electric Director, presented the third series of the Power 2000 Planning Workshops, entitled "The Interconnection Agreement -- In English".

Mayor Carroll stressed the need for the City to look at future sources of fuel and suggested that all members of Council attempt to attend the Workshops.

Mr. Christiansen moved for approval of the Utility Committee Report as submitted, seconded by Mrs. Legates and unanimously carried.

APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY ELECTION - NOVEMBER 16, 1987

Mr. Levitt and Mr. Lynn volunteered to serve as judges for the Robbins Hose Company election, to be held on November 16, 1987 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Mrs. Legates volunteered to serve as an alternate judge.

PROPOSAL FOR STATE REVENUE SHARING EXPENDITURES

A proposal for State revenue sharing expenditures was tabled during the Council Meeting of October 12, 1987.

Mr. Christiansen moved to remove the proposal for State revenue sharing expenditures from the table, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

In a Council Action Form, the City Manager explained that the proposal for State revenue sharing expenditures was tabled by Council pending the final determination on the mechanized refuse collection system. There were also questions raised regarding the condition of an ambulance which is proposed for replacement.

Council action of October 26, 1987, during the report of the Utility Committee, endorsed the concept of mechanized refuse collection. The total system will cost approximately $670,000. The City Manager proposed that $427,049 of State revenue sharing funds be utilized as a funding source for this system. The remaining $243,000 can be budgeted from the 1988/89 Sanitation budget and will be off-set by savings from reduced manpower.

In relation to the ambulance replacement, the City Manager informed Council that the ambulance is in very poor condition. It was scheduled to be replaced in the 1987/88 budget; however, the City Manager deleted the expenditure based upon the uncertainty of a proposed Bill for Statewide Paramedic Service (H.B. #44). The Bill is still pending in the House Committee at the present time. It passed the Senate by a narrow margin, but does not have the support of the Governor. Even if the Bill should pass the House, it would only be unfunded, enabling legislation. If approved, the City would still have to purchase ambulances in order to provide basic life support services. The State would only be contracting with the City for advanced life support services, with transportation still being a City responsibility.

Maintenance records on the ambulance show it to be in very poor condition.

In the absence of Mr. Weyandt, Mr. VanSant stated that he felt that Mr. Weyandt's concern was not the necessity of an ambulance, but that the City of Dover is making the purchase without receiving assistance from the County. Mr. VanSant stated that County residents utilize the paramedic services and he felt that the County should accept some degree of responsible sharing of the cost of providing the service.

Mr. Levitt pointed out that pending legislation encompasses financial assistance for the paramedics, and does not include assistance with the vehicles. The City would still be required to provide basic life support.

Mr. Richter moved to approve the City Manager's proposal to utilize $427,049 of the State revenue sharing funds towards the mechanized refuse collection system, and $57,750 to be utilized to replace the 1978 ambulance, for a total of $484,799. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Weyandt absent).

Mr. Christiansen referred to damages incurred to the ambulances due to their exposure to inclement weather conditions. He suggested that the City give serious consideration to utilization of some sort of enclosure for the ambulances. Mr. Worley stated that this idea has been investigated in the past. Ambulances must be kept at the hospital in order to have immediate access to them in the case of an emergency. The cost of building a structure at the hospital has proven prohibitive in the past. Mr. Christiansen suggested that the City approach hospital officials relative to financially contributing to construction of a shelter to house the ambulances.

Mr. Christiansen moved that an appropriate Resolution be prepared for submission to members of Kent County Levy Court relating the concerns of Mayor and Council relative to the County's responsibility to share the costs incurred to maintain the paramedic service which is utilized by Kent County residents as well as by residents of the City of Dover. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried. The Resolution will be submitted to Council on November 9, 1987 for approval.

CORRESPONDENCE

Department of Transportation - 2020 Forum

An invitation was received from Kermit H. Justice, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, to attend a 2020 Forum on the Future of Transportation into the 21st Century. The forum will be held on November 17, 1987 at 8:30 a.m. in the Carvel Building in Wilmington.

Mr. VanSant moved to acknowledge receipt of the invitation, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

English Village Condominium Council - Retention Pond - Kenton Road

In a letter to Mayor and Council, Leslie Riggin, President of the English Village Council, expressed concerns with the Retention Pond located on Kenton Road and Fieldstone Court, which is adjacent to English Village. It is Ms. Riggin's feeling that the retention pond is a health hazard and safety problem, citing such conditions as stagnate water, poor engineering, and the lack of a fence to keep children from the area.

Mr. Richter moved for referral to the Utility Committee, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

Request for Stop Sign - Nimitz Road and Townsend Boulevard - Patricia Martin

In an attempt to slow down traffic utilizing Nimitz Road, Mrs. Patricia Martin of 890 Townsend Boulevard, requested that a Stop Sign be erected at the intersection of Nimitz Road and Townsend Blvd. Vehicles travel Nimitz Road at excessive speeds and Mrs. Martin requested the sign for the safety of children and pedestrians in this area.

Mr. VanSant moved for referral to the Safety Advisory Committee, seconded by Mr. Lynn and unanimously carried.

David & Wanna Johnson - Property Owners of 722 Whiteoak Road

Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson, owners of property located at 722 Whiteoak Road that was cited as a dangerous building, extended an invitation to Mayor and members of City Council to visit the property to ascertain the condition of the structure. Mayor and Council are invited to view the premises on Thursday, October 29th between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Mr. Christiansen moved to acknowledge receipt of the letter, seconded by Mr. Levitt and unanimously carried.

Mr. VanSant moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr Christiansen and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

                                                                                    DEBRAH J. BITTNER

                                                                                    CITY CLERK

All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of October 26, 1987, are hereby approved.

                                                                                    CRAWFORD CARROLL

                                                                                    MAYOR

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