SPECIAL MEETING

May 10, 1978

A Special Council Public Hearing was held on May 10, 1978 at 7:30 p.m. with Vice-Mayor Muir presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. McDonough, Weyandt, Hardcastle, Carey and Witt. Mayor Legates, Councilman Carson and Councilman Bewick were absent.

Acting City Manager Hodge announced that this public hearing, to hear revenue sharing requests, is in accordance with the Revenue Sharing Act of 1972 as amended in 1976 under subpart A, Section 51.13A, titled Proposed Use Hearing. No decisions will be made on requests during this hearing. Council will sit on June 12, 1978 for adoption of the budgets at which time a decision will be made for the distribution of Revenue Sharing Funds based on information furnished by the various agencies.

Mr. Hodge informed those present that the City of Dover is applying for the unappropriated revenue sharing funds remaining in the local trust fund for fiscal year 1978 in the amount of $3,949.00. This amount to be committed to the General Fund Public Safety Account for the purchase and installation of three fire sirens that was approved for purchase by Council on May 8, 1978.

Vice-Mayor Muir declared the hearing open and asked if there was anyone present who has not submitted a request to be included on the Agenda at this time.

Mr. Harry O. Vincent of 210 North New Street requested an allotted time for a presentation.

Capitol Green Day Care Center

Mrs. Emily G. Morris, Director of the Capitol Green Day Care Center, addressed Council requesting an amount of $22,500 to aid in the building project planned by the agency.

Mrs. Morris stated that the funds would be utilized in the purchase of playground equipment and furnishings.

Catholic Social Services, Inc.

Ms. Mary A. Cuyjet, Regional Director of Catholic Social Services, Inc., requested $10,000 to supplement the organization’s operational budget deficit which would enable them to maintain the present performance level for the 1978 fiscal year. Ms. Cuyjet stated that the organization contributed approximately 45% of their services to residents of the City of Dover in the past year. She informed Council that the budget submitted for their review included Kent County, Sussex County and Wicomico County, Maryland. Two-thirds of this budget would be expanded in Kent County.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.

Ms. Lawrece Taylor, President of the Board for the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., was present to request an amount of $10,000. She informed Council that the request is based on the fact that local funding has been reduced drastically and expansion of the organization has made it necessary to move into the Priscilla block, where rent and utilities has added to their expenses.

Ms. Andrea Illig, Managing Attorney of the agency, presented Council with statistical data for services provided in the area.

Delaware Disadvantaged Foundation

Vice-Mayor Muir referred to a detailed report submitted by the Delaware Disadvantaged Foundation, requesting $17,370. There was no one present to represent the agency.

Delaware Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.

Mr. Fred Way, Jr., Unit Manager for the Delaware Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc., was present to represent a request for $17,500.

Eight-O-One

Mr. Kenneth Richter, President of Aid in Dover, Inc., an organization that operates Eight-O-One, was present to represent a request for $6,402.

Geriatrics Services of Delaware, Inc.

Mrs. Joan T. McDonough, Kent County Director for Geriatrics Services of Delaware, Inc., was present to represent a request for $10,000. Mrs. McDonough elaborated on the services furnished to citizens of Kent County; more specifically to aged and convalescents.

Kent County Ecumenical Ministries - Emergency Food and Fuel Committee

Mr. Dale R. Pruett, Co-chairperson of the Kent County Ecumenical Ministries, was present to represent a request for $1,500.00. Mr. Pruett stated that there are six food pantries throughout the County, three of which are in the City of Dover. One hundred and ninety-six families in the City of Dover have received aid from the agency in the amount of $3,202.02.

Modern Maturity Center

Mr. Hank Bierbaum, Member of the Board of Directors of the Modern Maturity Center, was present to represent a request for $10,000. Ms. Preison informed Council that all funding will be lost on June 30^th for their daily activities program. An additional program, Camp Lenape, is the only day camp center for handicapped children and young adults in lower Delaware.

Modern Maturity Center - MANNA

Mr. Chester Turley, a member of the Board of Directors of the Modern Maturity Center, was present to represent a request for $10,000. He explained that the MANNA Program of the Modern Maturity Center is a program that furnishes hot, nutritious meals to the older residents of Kent County, totaling 3,286 in the past year.

United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Inc.

Ms. Patricia Preisen, Director of the United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware for Kent and Sussex Counties, was present to represent a request for $10,000. Ms. Preisen informed Council that all funding will be lost on June 30^th for their daily activities program. An additional program, Camp Lenape, is the only day camp center for handicapped children and young adults in lower Delaware.

Whatcoat Social Service Agency

Mrs. Theresa del Tufo, Director of the Whatcoat Social Service Agency, was present to represent a request for $32,580.00. The budget as submitted is a limited funding for the maintenance of the present personnel of the agency, office supplies and operational needs. Questioned by Council, Mrs. del Tufo stated that the request would be an addition to the request for HUD Funds to purchase a building.

Kent Sussex Industries, Inc.

Mr. Joseph Shahan, Director of Kent Sussex Industries, Inc., was present to represent a request for $17,500. Referring to information requested by Mayor Legates, Mr. Shahan stated that 52% of all people now working at Woodside are from the City of Dover. He elaborated on the ability of the agency to increase their annual income. In 1976 25% of the budget was earned and in 1977 49% of the budget was earned. Including wages paid to staff members, Kent Sussex Industries, Inc. contributes approximately $275,000 of wages to the community annually.

YMCA - Day Camp Scholarships - NYPUM - High School Program

Mr. George Wiltshire, Treasurer of the YMCA, representing Mr. Ted Ressler, was present to represent a total request for the Day Camp Scholarships, the NYPUM Program and the High School Program in the amount of $10,000.00. Mr. Wiltshire stated that the $3,000 requested for Day Camp Scholarships supplies camp time for 65 needy children of residents of the City of Dover; in addition, provides County, State, Regional and National participation in school programs.

He particularly emphasized the NYPUM Program which plays a significant role in the area towards the rehabilitation of juveniles. A request was submitted in the amount of $5,000.

An additional request in the amount of $2,000 was submitted for the High School Program.

Referring to a previous request for $1,500 to fund the NYPUM Program, Mr. McDonough recalled Mr. Ressler’s statement that this would be the last request presented to the City of Dover for funding. It was also his understanding at the time that the NYPUM Program was encouraged nationally to be sponsored by local fraternities.

Mr. Wiltshire said that he would convey this to Mr. Ressler and request a reply to Council in the next several days.

Harvest Year Senior Center

Mr. Glen Bennett, President of the Dover Junior Chamber of Commerce, was present to represent a request for Harvest Years Senior Center in the amount of $2,400.

Mr. Bennett informed Council that the membership at the center has increased from 30 members last year to 60 at the present time.

The organization provides services to the hospital at Stokley and serves 300 in the immediate community with volunteer services, clothing and other social service functions.

Robbins Hose Company

Mr. John Hill was present representing Robbins Hose Company to explain a request for $200,000 for the purpose of purchasing an aerial ladder truck. Mr. Hill stated that the present aerial ladder truck is 21 years old and 75% of the time the 85' extension cannot be used due to weight restrictions or stress. A new aerial ladder has been developed that can be extended out to 100' horizontally and support the weight of a man.

In conclusion, he stated that the purpose of the request was to share with the people the restrictions of the present aerial ladder which will have to be replaced in approximately two years.

HAZ Corporation

Hakim Farrakhan, President of HAZ Corporation, was present to represent a request in the amount of $6,980.00 mr. Farrakhan stated that the HAZ Corporation is a non-profit civic organization that is designed to instill and enhance into the community a sense of leadership, loyalty and citizenship. This is obtained through bureaus consisting of leadership, loyalty and citizenship. This is obtained through bureaus consisting lectures, educational workshops on Municipal and State government, awards and scholarships and appreciation of the cultural backgrounds of the various ethnic groups.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Ms. Dorina Miles, First Vice-President of the Central Delaware Branch of the NAACP, was present to represent a request for $17,500. Ms. Miles expressed concern of the organization for the employment percentage rate in the community of 9.1%. The purpose of the request is to establish a budget for an office which will maintain a job data bank. This office would strive to secure work for the employed which would alleviate some adverse conditions caused by idleness, especially among youth.

Progressively Black Women’s Association

Ms. Brenda J. Postley, Secretary to the Progressive Black Women’s Association, was present to represent a total request of $5,150. The organization’s main goal is to assist youth and they are expanding their activities to concentrate on young girls. An additional project is scholarships to the YMCA’s summer program, Camp Sackarackin.

Simon-Circle Day Care Summer Program

Ms. Emily Morris was present to represent a request if the Simon Circle Day Care Summer Program in the amount of $1,800. The program was initiated through the Progressive Black Women’s Association and coordinated by Ms. Elsie Morris. Their main function is to create activities for pre-school and elementary children in the Simon Circle area who would otherwise be on the streets.

Golf Course - Harry Vincent

Prior to allowing Mr. Vincent to speak, Vice-Mayor Muir informed him that the qualifications for Revenue Sharing Funds dictate that requests originate from recognized non-profit organizations.

Mr. Vincent alluded to the fact that the Dover Country Club will close its facility in a short period of time. He added that Dover is the only state capitol lacking a municipal golf course and requested Council’s consideration of this matter.

Vice-Mayor Muir suggested that Mr. Vincent contact the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee for further discussion of his request.

City of Dover Pension Fund Request - Councilman Witt

Councilman Witt related to a report of the Pension Committee, outlining the findings of consultants who suggested annual funding by the City to meet future payments of benefits. A projection of future income versus distribution of benefits by Mr. Witt, concludes that the City Employee Pension Fund will be broke by the year 1984. He requested that Council consider a contribution from Revenue Sharing Funds of $490,438 to the City Employee Fund and $179,264 to the Police Pension Fund.

Quoting from the analysis of the consultants, Mr. Witt stated that if the City continues to fund at the current level, making no provisions for the pre-funding of benefits, this will be a significant burden in the future for contributions not made today. This deficit would be unfairly shifted to taxpayers of the future.

Mr. McDonough disputed the contribution of $490,438, stating that such an amount is based on a long range funding calculation and it would be unfair to consider such an amount in one year, cutting off additional requests from previously heard organizations. His objections centered on the fact that many of the organizations present to request funds depend upon Revenue Sharing Grants to subsidize their budgets. The proposal of diverting these funds in one lump sum to the pension funds in one year would certainly be unfair.

City of Dover General Fund

Acting City Manager Hodge submitted a request in the amount of $98,221 for the purpose of funding the City of Dover Employee Pension Fund and the City Police Department Pension Fund. An additional request in the amount of $700,000 was submitted as funding in the General Fund and to be distributed for public safety, health, recreation, social services and environmental protection for the City of Dover.

Questioned by Mr. Hardcastle, Mr. Hodge stated that this would eliminate any requests from outside organizations.

Delaware Disadvantaged Foundation - Wallace Waite

Mr. Wallace Waite requested permission to speak, stating that other business matters prevented him from being present to speak for his request of $17,370. Mr. Waite thanked the City for their previous considerations and explained that the requested grant was for the purpose of funding the DDF Business School Program.

Vice-Mayor Muir declared the hearing closed.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:47 P.M.

 

                                                                        WILLIAM H. WILLIS 

                                                                        CITY CLERK

                                                                        CHARLES A. LEGATES, JR.

                                                                        MAYOR

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