SPECIAL MEETING
Revenue Sharing Requests
May 21, 1979
A public hearing with Council present was held on May 21, 1979 at 5:00 p.m. with Vice-Mayor Muir presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. McDonough, Hardcastle, Carey, Witt, Carson and Bewick. Mayor Legates and Councilman Weyandt were absent.
In accordance with the Revenue Sharing Act of 1972, as amended in 1976 under subpart A, Section 51.13A, titled Proposed Use Hearings, a public hearing was duly advertised to hear revenue sharing requests from various agencies who have complied by submitting a financial statement outlining intended disbursement of the funds.
Vice-Mayor Muir declared the hearing open.
Capitol Green Day Care Center Inc.
Ms. Emily Morris was present to explain that the request for $20,000 would be utilized to join two buildings into one single facility. She explained that the center offer day care services in order to provide decent living standards for children of parents who must work to meet today’s rising living costs.
Catholic Social Services, Inc.
Mr. Scanlon, President of the Catholic Social Services Advisory Board, was present to answer any questions that might arise on their request for $10,000. He advised Council members that the request will enable the agency to maintain a full-time staff person to provide counseling and some direct aid to Dover residents who encounter threatened utility disconnections, evictions and other crises.
Questioned by Mr. McDonough, Mr. Scanlon stated that if the agency was to be refused a grant from the City of Dover, this would have an adverse effect on requests for funds with other agencies.
Terry Campus - Delaware Technical & Community College
Mr. Wayne Meluney, Department Chairman for Industrial Training at Delaware Technical and Community College, was present to explain a request for $16,400. The funding will aid in purchasing equipment to train qualified individuals in plant equipment maintenance, heating and air conditioning, rough carpenters, finished carpenter’s helpers, building maintenance, etc.
Questioned by Mr. Bewick, Mr. Meluney stated that requested funding from the state has not been honored although the county has been supportive in furnishing CETA workers.
Dover Heritage Trail, Inc.
A request was received from Dover Heritage Trail in the amount of $5,000 to aid in purchasing the McDowell-Collins property located at 408 South State Street.
Ms. Bonnie Baggett, President of the organization, was present stating that funds requested from other agencies have been received and the purchase of the property hinges on the request to the City of Dover.
Geriatric Services of Delaware, Inc.
Mrs. Joan T. McDonough, Kent County Director of Geriatric Services of Delaware, was present to describe the many services to the aged rendered by her agency and explained the possible disbursement of the $10,000 request from revenue sharing.
Geriatric Services subsidizes specialized care to clients who cannot afford professional aid and do not qualify for special state funding.
Mrs. McDonough conveyed the urgency of Council’s approval of her request, citing a typical case where a client would have been institutionalized without the assistance of Geriatric Services.
Greater Dover Clean City Committee
The Greater Dover Clean City Committee submitted a request for $5,700 to further their attempt in changing the littering of the citizens and firms in Greater Dover and subsequently to inspire them to take pride in the Greater Dover area. A fact sheet was submitted by Ms. Anna L. Holliday, Executive Coordinator who outlined the aims of the agency.
Mr. Hardcastle requested salary amounts involved in last year’s program.
Noting that CETA was listed under salaries, with no apparent cost listed and that the remaining budget items totaled the exact amount requested, Mr. Bewick asked why other agencies were not participating in the total budget.
Since there was no one present representing the organization, Vice-Mayor Muir requested that the City obtain this information for members of Council.
Kent-Sussex Industries, Inc.
In a letter from Mr. J.K. Shahan, Director of Kent-Sussex Industries, Inc., a request was submitted for $8,680 in revenue sharing funds.
Mr. Hardcastle noted that last year’s request for $17,500 was cut by approximately 50%. He noted that this year’s request was for the same amount and wondered if the organization was compelled to cut some of their services due to the reduced amount.
Mr. Shahan answered that Kent-Sussex Industries is unique in the fact that it earns two-thirds of its own way by accepting contracts from local industry for services rendered by the organization.
Mr. Shahan added that they agency is facing cuts of approximately $226,000 due to possible lack of funding by the Division of Visually Impaired and Vocational Rehabilitation. This can only be overcome by releasing a certain number of clients who will return to the welfare rolls.
Modern Maturity Center
A request was received from the Modern Maturity Center in the amount of $20,000 to continue their programs in aid to the elderly.
Mr. Robert A. Bonniwell, Executive Director, was present and stated that the Center plans an expansion program which will enable them to serve additional recipients.
Questioned by Mr. Bewick on amounts of funding from other agencies, Mr. Bonniwell stated that he could only guess what these amounts would be since they have not been considered by the funding source.
Robbins Hose Company
A request was received from Mr. Harry Pusey, President of the Robbins Hose Company, in the amount of $250,000 to fund the purchase of a new aerial truck.
Mr. McDonough asked what impact a four year delay for such a purchase would mean to the Robbins Hose Company.
Mr. Pusey answered that this would have a tremendous impact on the efficiency of the department and cause a two year setback.
Mr. Bewick suggested a lease purchasing concept such as the state does for long life heavy equipment. As an example, the state is buying five million dollars worth of heavy equipment on a lease purchasing basis. They will pay one million dollars per year for six years. Mr. Bewick stated that he would be willing to extend the state’s expertise in this field and suggested that the City Manager investigate the possibility of purchasing an aerial truck on the same basis.
Whatcoat Social Service Agency Inc.
A request was received from the Whatcoat Social Service Agency in the amount of $7,800. Mr. Carter was present, stating that the agency had received $38,000 from HUD for purchase and renovation of the property. His request to the City of Dover was to cover operational expenses and convey to the clientele of the agency that the City stands behind their efforts.
Questioned by Mr. Bewick, Mr. Carter stated that other funds are received from the Kent County Levy Court and Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
YMCA of Dover - Kent County - Day Camp Sackarackin
Mr. Ted Ressler, Executive Director of the YMCA, was present to answer questions on the YMCA’s request for $5,000 in revenue sharing funds. Mr. McDonough asked Mr. Ressler what would happen to the program if the YMCA did not receive the funds requested.
Mr. Ressler answered that the program would be limited to children of families in the county other than Dover and supported by Levy Court or private client campers. He added that the YMCA could not afford to contribute scholarships.
Mr. McDonough asked Mr. Ressler what consideration City children would be given in the City did not contribute to the program.
Mr. Ressler stated that the county children would be considered first and if there were still funds available, children of City residents would be included.
Mr. McDonough stated that it appeared that the county was taking care of its own and suggested that this question be pursued with members of Levy Court. Since the City of Dover makes up the greater part of Kent county, it was his opinion that the City should be getting a share of the county funds.
United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Inc.
A letter was received from Ms. Patricia A. Priesen, Kent and Sussex County Director of United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Inc., requesting revenue sharing funds in the amount of $10,000.
Mr. McDonough pointed out that although the letter was postmarked March 14th, it was not received in the City Manager’s office until March 21st. He felt that if the request was considered, a precedent would be set since other agencies have been refused consideration because of the information was received after the deadline of March 15, 1979, as set by Council.
Asked by Mr. Bewick to list other sources of fund, Mrs. Frank Traynor stated that the agency received funding from Kent County Revenue Sharing, Wilmington Flower Mart, the United Way and Sussex County Revenue Sharing.
Mrs. Traynor stated that the funds would be primarily used for gasoline to transport the handicapped children to Camp Lenape. Without the funds children would have to be taken to a central point by parents which Mrs. Traynor stated was a very difficult thing to do with handicapped children.
Delaware Disadvantaged Foundation, Inc.
A letter from Mr. Wallace A. Waite, Executive Director of Delaware Disadvantaged Foundation, Inc., requested revenue sharing funds in the amount of $19,650 to fund a project designated as “CAR”.
Mr. McDonough pointed out that the request was received beyond the deadline date of March 15th and again, a precedent would be set if the request is considered.
Mr. Waite explained that project “CAR” is an ex-offender program designed to assist in stabilization as the offender re-enters the community. He added that the federal government is looking at the program and a possibility of future federal funding might be forthcoming. If this be the case, then future requests to the City would be reduced.
Questioned by Mr. Bewick, Mr. Waite stated that the agency received $2,000 from the County and $35,000 from the State. He added that 58 persons have been placed in jobs and the agency served 396 persons last year. Mr. Waite stated that funds from other sources have been applied for but at the moment he had no assurances of the outcome of the applications.
United Way - Emil Sammak
Mr. Emil Sammak, Chairman of a sub-committee of United Way, was present to speak in behalf of all of the agencies requesting revenue sharing monies. He stated that the City, in the past year, had only contributed approximately 9% of revenue sharing monies to agencies of Kent County. He urged that City Council strongly consider granting a fair share to those who have submitted applications.
Reverend Hammond - Whatcoat United Methodist Church
Reverend Hammond of the Whatcoat Church was present to ask members of Council the amount of funds being requested by the City. He informed Council of a growing concern of the citizenry that the City might request a greater part of revenue sharing funds. He announced that petitions are growing that will urge members of Council to approve a fair share of the funds to social agencies of the community.
Mr. Mogan stated that the City would be requesting $796,600, or the entire amount of revenue sharing funds.
Mr. Charles Carter presented several petitions that urged Council to look favorably upon requests submitted by the various social agencies in the community.
He added his concern for Council’s sensitivity of the needs of underprivileged citizens who derive direct benefit from funding by revenue sharing monies.
Mr. Carter stated that he hoped Council meant what they stated, in giving each application consideration and added that he would work to his last breath to bring forth more petitions expressing the concern of citizens.
Harvest Years Senior Center
Mr. Mercedes Rafter of the Harvest Years Senior Center, presented a request for $5,000 to expand an all-volunteer shopping service for persons 60 years old and over who are physically and mentally disabled and home-bound.
Mr. Muir noted that the request did not appear on the agenda and that it was received after the deadline of March 15th, set by Council.
Questioned by Mr. Bewick, Mr. Rafter stated that without the requested funds other services of the agency would have to be drastically cut.
City of Dover
A letter was received from City Manager John P. Mogan, requesting the amount of unappropriated revenue sharing funds remaining in the local trust fund for fiscal year 1979, in the amount of $2,250 and the total of revenue sharing $796,600 be committed to the City of Dover General Fund.
Vice-Mayor Muir declared the hearing closed.
The revenue sharing public hearing adjourned at 6:15 P.M.
JAMES P. MUIR
VICE-MAYOR
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