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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
JUNE 13, 2016 - 7:30 P.M.
REVISED TO REMOVE PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. 2016-07
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
15 LOOCKERMAN PLAZA
DOVER, DELAWARE
OPEN FORUM - 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO OFFICIAL MEETING (7:15 P.M.)
THE “OPEN FORUM” SEGMENT IS PROVIDED TO EXTEND THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
TO SHARE THEIR QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS, AND COMPLAINTS. DISCUSSION OF
ANY ITEM APPEARING ON THE AGENDA AS A PUBLIC HEARING IS PROHIBITED DURING THE OPEN
FORUM AS AN OPPORTUNITY WILL BE PROVIDED DURING CONSIDERATION OF THAT ITEM. CITIZEN
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES. COUNCIL IS PROHIBITED FROM TAKING ACTION
SINCE THEY ARE NOT IN OFFICIAL SESSION; HOWEVER, THEY MAY SCHEDULE SUCH ITEMS AS REGULAR
AGENDA ITEMS AND ACT UPON THEM IN THE FUTURE.
INVOCATION BY REVEREND THEODORE HENDERSON
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLAVIN
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
* CONSENT AGENDA
THOSE ITEMS ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA WHICH ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE AND NON-
CONTROVERSIAL SHALL BE MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) AND WILL BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE
ROLL CALL VOTE OF THE COUNCIL. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS
UNLESS A MEMBER OF COUNCIL SO REQUESTS, IN WHICH EVENT THE MATTER SHALL BE REMOVED
FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED A SEPARATE ITEM.
* 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
A. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016
B. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW OF MAY 24, 25, AND 26, 2016
2. CERTIFICATE OF CONGRATULATIONS - TOWNSEND BROTHERS CHEVROLET - 86 YEARS OF
BUSINESS
3. PRESENTATION - 2015 ANNUAL REPORT - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY (DOVER FIRE
DEPARTMENT)
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COUNCIL AGENDA - JUNE 13, 2016 PAGE 2
4. PUBLIC HEARING/FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-09 WITH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
AMENDMENT #1 (CCW/SA&T #1)
THE FIRST READING OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WAS ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE COUNCIL
MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2016. THE ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS AND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFDOVER.COM UNDER "GOVERNMENT."
A. ORDINANCE #2016-09 WITH CCW/SA&T #1 AMENDING CHAPTER 98 - STREETS,
SIDEWALKS, STORM SEWERS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL,
SECTION 98-10 - SPEED REDUCTION DEVICES; APPENDIX A - SUBDIVISIONS, ARTICLE
VI - SUBDIVISION - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN STANDARDS, SECTION A -
STREETS, PARAGRAPH 1; AND APPENDIX B - ZONING, ARTICLE 10 - PLANNING
COMMISSION, SECTION 2 - SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL, 2.54 - PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT
(PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED AGAINST ADOPTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
#2016-09 AS WRITTEN BUT TO RE-VISIT THE NEED AND THE LANGUAGE IF THERE IS A
THOUGHT THAT THESE ARE A NECESSARY ITEM TO ALLOW)
5. PUBLIC HEARING - ELECTRIC REVENUE FUND BUDGET
6. 60-DAY PROGRESS REPORT - VIOLATION OF THE DANGEROUS BUILDING ORDINANCE -
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1032-1058 SOUTH DUPONT HIGHWAY, OWNED BY BMDR LLC
7. PLANNED NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN: SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING OPTION - THE GRANDE -
90 SAULSBURY ROAD (CLUBHOUSE AND POOL)
(CITY COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS OF SUCH
A DESIGN AND TYPE THAT WARRANTS FURTHER REVIEW BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
STAFF RECOMMENDS FORWARDING THE PLAN TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR REVIEW.)
* 8. BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS REPORT - MAY 23, 2016
A. CENTRAL DELAWARE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
(BOARD RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR EXEMPTIONS)
(1) 67 SOUTH QUEEN STREET
(2) 18 SOUTH QUEEN STREET
(3) 47 SOUTH KIRKWOOD STREET
(4) 27 NORTH NEW STREET
(5) 24 NORTH NEW STREET
(6) 20 NORTH NEW STREET
(7) 101 SOUTH QUEEN STREET
(8) 16 SOUTH QUEEN STREET
(9) 45 SOUTH QUEEN STREET
(10) 19 NORTH NEW STREET
(11) 23 NORTH KIRKWOOD STREET
(12) 53 SOUTH NEW STREET
(13) 223 WEST DIVISION STREET
(14) 50 SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE
B. WHATCOAT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INC. - 992 WHATCOAT VILLAGE DRIVE
(BOARD RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION WITH THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY MANAGER GIVE THE OFFERED PILOT SERIOUS
CONSIDERATION)
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COUNCIL AGENDA - JUNE 13, 2016 PAGE 3
* 9. MONTHLY REPORTS - APRIL 2016
A. CITY ASSESSOR’S REPORT
B. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
C. CITY PLANNER’S REPORT
D. CONTROLLER/TREASURER’S BUDGET REPORT
E. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE REPORT
F. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
G. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT
10. EVALUATION OF BIDS - THE ENERGY AUTHORITY (TEA) CONTRACT RENEWAL
(STAFF RECOMMENDS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL CONTRACT
DOCUMENTS FOR THE 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION AND TASK ORDER #1)
11. DISCHARGING THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION
NO. 2008-11 - ESTABLISHING A YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RESOLUTION
NO. 2010-03 - AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2008-11
* 12. 2016/17 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - COUNCIL PRESIDENT (DEFERRED DURING THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF MAY 9, 2016)
A. CITY CHAPLAINS
B. CIVILIAN PENSION PLAN - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
C. COMPENSATION COMMISSION
(COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLAVIN REQUESTS THAT THE COMPENSATION COMMISSION
APPOINTMENTS BE DEFERRED)
D. CONSTRUCTION CODE APPEALS COMMITTEE
E. LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
F. OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (OPEB) TRUST FUND BOARD
G. PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
H. POLICE PENSION PLAN - RETIREMENT COMMITTEE
I. SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
J. UTILITY COMMITTEE
* 13. 2016/17 MISCELLANEOUS APPOINTMENTS - COUNCIL PRESIDENT (DEFERRED DURING THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF MAY 9, 2016)
A. CENTRAL DELAWARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - LIAISON MEMBERS
B. CITY/COUNTY COMMITTEE (LIAISON TO KENT COUNTY)
C. KENT COUNTY TOURISM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
D. KENT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS
E. PRESIDENT’S COUNSEL ON PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND THE FUTURE OF CITY
HALL, WEYANDT HALL, FORMER DOVER LIBRARY, AND OTHER CITY PROPERTIES
(COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLAVIN REQUESTS THAT THE PRESIDENT’S COUNSEL
APPOINTMENTS BE DEFERRED)
* 14. 2016/17 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - MAYOR (DEFERRED DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF MAY 9, 2016)
A. COMPENSATION COMMISSION
B. DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS
C. ELECTION BOARD
(MAYOR CHRISTIANSEN REQUESTS THAT THESE APPOINTMENTS BE DEFERRED)
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COUNCIL AGENDA - JUNE 13, 2016 PAGE 4
* 15. APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDED BY MAYOR CHRISTIANSEN - DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
ADVISORY COMMISSION - JILL B. STREET - FIVE (5) YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 16, 2021
(TO FILL THE EXPIRED TERM OF DOROTHY SNYDER)
16. FIRST READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-17
THE FIRST READING IS OFFERED ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. FINAL ACTION BY COUNCIL
WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE SECOND READING ON JUNE 27, 2016. THE ORDINANCE IS
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT
WWW.CITYOFDOVER.COM UNDER "GOVERNMENT," OR BY CONTACTING THE CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE AT 736-7008 OR CITYCLERK@DOVER.DE.US.
A. PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-17 - 2016/2017 CITY OF DOVER BUDGET ORDINANCES
17. FINAL READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-10
THE FIRST READING OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WAS ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE COUNCIL
MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016. THE ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OR ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFDOVER.COM UNDER "GOVERNMENT.”
A. PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-10 AMENDING CHAPTER 2 - ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE
IV - OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, DIVISION 8 - DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
18. CITY MANAGER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
19. COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS
20. ADJOURNMENT
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO:
29 DEL. C. §10004(B)(2) - PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS ON SITE ACQUISITIONS FOR ANY PUBLICLY FUNDED CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS, OR SALES OR LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY;
29 DEL. C. §10004(B)(4) - STRATEGY SESSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING LEGAL ADVICE OR OPINION FROM AN
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, WITH RESPECT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, BUT ONLY
WHEN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE BARGAINING OR LITIGATION POSITION OF THE
PUBLIC BODY;
29 DEL. C. §10004(B)(6) - DISCUSSION OF THE CONTENT OF DOCUMENTS, EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF
"PUBLIC RECORD" IN §10002 OF THIS TITLE WHERE SUCH DISCUSSION MAY DISCLOSE THE CONTENTS OF SUCH
DOCUMENTS;
29 DEL. C. §10004(B)(9) - PERSONNEL MATTERS IN WHICH THE NAMES, COMPETENCY AND ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL
EMPLOYEES ARE DISCUSSED, UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE REQUESTS THAT SUCH A MEETING BE OPEN
/TM
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\COUNCIL-AGENDAS\2016\06-13-2016 REVISED 06-10-2016.WPD
THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO 29 DEL. C. §10004(E)(2),
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING.
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on May 23, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Slavin
presiding. Council members present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler, Mr. Neil, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole,
Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison.
Council staff members present were Deputy Police Chief Mailey, Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Koenig,
Mrs. Townshend (departed at 7:34 p.m., and returned at 7:36 p.m.), Fire Chief Carey, City Solicitor
Rodriguez, and Mrs. McDowell. Mayor Christiansen (departed at 7:56 p.m.) was also present.
OPEN FORUM
The Open Forum was held at 7:15 p.m., prior to commencement of the Official Council Meeting.
Council President Slavin declared the Open Forum in session and reminded those present that
Council was not in official session and could not take formal action.
Mr. Ronald Harmon, 1427 New Burton Road, stated that he and his wife own a self-storage business
on New Burton Road. He explained that approximately five (5) years ago, he purchased two (2)
pieces of property on Webbs Lane. The smaller of the two (2) properties had remained on the market
for the past five (5) years and last year a potential buyer contacted him. Mr. Harmon explained that
the potential buyer wanted to extend the property line, so he began that process in November 2015.
He stated that he became frustrated because it is a long process, noting that he received final
approval from the City in March 2016. Mr. Harmon thanked Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director
of Planning and Community Development, for returning his call on Friday, May 20, 2016 and
offering to work directly with the potential buyer regarding the property. He also thanked
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, for returning his call in regard to his concerns pertaining to sewer
impact fees. Mr. Harmon stated that he did not realize that the property had a septic system and was
not connected to City sewer. He explained that there was a small building on the property with one
(1) toilet and one (1) sink and expressed concern regarding his impact fee of $8,400. Mr. Harmon
stated that Mr. Koenig explained the impact fee to him and he did not have any questions regarding
it but questioned whether Council could reduce the taxes for his mini storage for a few years in order
for him to recover the cost.
The invocation was given by Chaplain Wallace Dixon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously
carried.
Mayor Christiansen requested that item #10-A-1 - Reappointments/Appointments - Recommended
by Mayor Christiansen - Planning Commission - Three (3) Year Terms to Expire June 1, 2019 -
Kathleen Welsh - First District (Reappointment) be deferred.
Mr. Anderson requested that item #4-B-7 - Progress Report on the Youth Advisory Committee’s
Reporting of Their Minutes, be removed from the Consent Agenda.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 2
Mr. Lewis requested that item #4-B-4 - Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 Amending Chapter 2 -
Administration, Article IV - Officers and Employees, Division 8 - Deferred Compensation Plan, be
removed from the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Anderson requested that item #4-B-5 - Evaluation of Trial Period for Council Committee of the
Whole Meetings (Council Resolution No. 2015-16), be removed from the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Consent Agenda, as amended, seconded by Mr. Neil and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 9, 2016
The Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting of May 9, 2016 were unanimously approved by
motion of Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Neil and bore the written approval of
Mayor Christiansen.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH
The City Clerk read the following Certificate of Appreciation into the record:
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
presented to
Solid Rock Baptist Church
for opening your facility
to provide space for community meetings
Your generous hospitality has enhanced community engagement in the City of Dover.
May 23, 2016
On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Christiansen and Councilmen Anderson and Sudler
presented the Certificate to Reverend William Grimes and Reverend Ricky Hardy.
Mr. Anderson expressed his thanks to these churches for opening their facilities free of charge to the
community.
Reverend Grimes thanked members of Council for the wonderful award and being able to partner
with the City, noting that it’s team work that makes the dream work.
Reverend Hardy stated that it was an honor to have the neighborhood watch help celebrate the new
community center, noting that they are diligent in their Wednesday and Thursday meetings. He
stated the church was glad to have the neighborhood watch, which is doing good work in
collaboration with the Police and Public Works Departments. Reverend Hardy expressed his thanks
and noted that everyone working together as one City is a good thing.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 3
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - MT. ZION A.M.E. CHURCH
The City Clerk read the following Certificate of Appreciation into the record:
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
presented to
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
for opening your facility
to provide space for community meetings
Your generous hospitality has enhanced community engagement in the City of Dover.
May 23, 2016
On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Christiansen and Councilman Anderson presented the
Certificate to Councilman Sudler on behalf of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church.
On behalf of Pastor Ellis B. Louden, Councilman Sudler expressed appreciation to the City of Dover
for the certificate.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - UNION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
The City Clerk read the following Certificate of Appreciation into the record:
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
presented to
Union Missionary Baptist Church
for opening your facility
to provide space for community meetings
Your generous hospitality has enhanced community engagement in the City of Dover.
May 23, 2016
On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Christiansen and Councilmen Anderson and Sudler
presented the Certificate to Reverend R. G. Moore’s representative, who thanked Mr. Anderson and
Mr. Sudler for being active members of the community.
Mr. Cole moved to suspend the rules. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously
carried.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 4
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - TRACI A. MCDOWELL
Mayor Christiansen read the following Certificate of Recognition into the record:
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
presented to
Traci A. McDowell
in honor of her 10th Anniversary as
City Clerk for the City of Dover
Traci A. McDowell has served as an exemplary City Clerk since May 17, 2006, and her dedication
to public service, selflessness, and talents continue to increase the quality of life for our citizens.
By keeping abreast of laws, regulations, and pertinent professional knowledge she upholds the
integrity of the City of Dover and we are proud of her accomplishment in earning her Master
Municipal Clerk designation through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
May 23, 2016
On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Christiansen and Council President Slavin presented
the Certificate to Mrs. McDowell.
PRESENTATION BY THE URBAN LEAGUE (DR. SHEKELIA HINES)
Dr. Shekelia Hines reviewed a presentation entitled “Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
(MWUL) Dover Committee” (Exhibit #1), explaining that the Dover Committee of the Urban
League was brand new and she was present to spread the word and create awareness, in order to
work together with the local government to fill the needs of the community.
Referring to Page 10 of the presentation, Dr. Hines reviewed the Dover Committee Young
Professional’s (YP’s) accomplishments. She explained that the Dover Committee began in
March 2015 and in April, the Committee held a campaign bootcamp training, which covered the ins
and outs of how to run a campaign, including research, background, marketing, fund-raising,
promotion, and mail media. Dr. Hines stated that in May, the Committee held an education event
and invited high school juniors and seniors to speak with individuals regarding the transition into
college.
Dr. Hines noted that in the upcoming year, the Committee would be looking at working with local
businesses to find out what the needs are, so that they can work with city government to improve
their conditions. She stated that the Committee was also looking at doing a community organizing
training in September.
Dr. Hines informed members that the Urban League is a resource which is known for its research.
She explained that, in the past, the League had done many reports and worked together with local
government. Dr. Hines stated that, for example, Lisa Blunt Rochester had worked for
Governor Ruth Ann Minner and, when she became the Urban League President, she used her skills
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 5
and knowledge from her previous position to form a report for the city in social change and
awareness in education. Similarly, when Mr. James Gilliam, Sr., founder of the Urban League, was
Director of Housing and Urban Development, he developed a report and presented it to government
to use to better the housing situation in Wilmington.
Mr. Hosfelt moved to suspend the rules to allow members of the public in attendance to ask
questions regarding this matter. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously
carried.
Mr. Chevis Anderson noted that he had the opportunity to attend some of the Urban League’s events
and they are a great organization. He commended Dr. Hines for bringing the group to Dover.
Mr. Hutchison welcomed Dr. Hines and the Urban League to Dover, noting that the age group that
the League is reaching out to is in need.
Dr. Hines stated that the Urban League Dover Committee meetings would be held the first
Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at Delaware State University.
Mr. Slavin noted that if Dr. Hines was bringing the work of Mr. James Gilliam, Sr. to the Dover
community, she was doing a great job.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT - MAY 10, 2016
The Council Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on May 10, 2016 at 6:00
p.m. with Council President Slavin presiding (departed at 6:34 p.m., returned at 6:35 p.m.,
departed at 8:02 and returned at 8:04 p.m.). Members of Council present were
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler (departed at 6:34 p.m., returned at 6:39 p.m., and departed at
8:02 p.m.), Mr. Neil, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison
(departed at 8:23 p.m. and returned at 8:25 p.m.). Mayor Christiansen was also present
(departed at 6:37, returned at 7:18 p.m., and departed at 8:30 p.m.). Civilian members present
for their Committee meetings were Mr. Keller and Mr. Shelton (Safety Advisory and
Transportation), Mr. Caldwell and Mrs. Horsey (Parks, Recreation, and Community
Enhancement), and Mr. Shevock and Ms. Maucher (Legislative, Finance, and
Administration).
SPECIAL SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee met with Councilman Hosfelt
presiding.
Review of Position Description/Requirements - City Fire Marshal (Inspector III)
Mr. Hosfelt reminded members that this item was deferred during the Council
Committee of the Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting of
April 26, 2016 due to time constraints.
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development,
stated that the main issue under deliberation was whether or not the person hired for
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 6
the City Fire Marshal (Inspector III) position needed to have certification from the
Council on Police Training (COPT). She explained that in the past 25 years, only
two (2) people in the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) had COPT training, one (1) of
whom was Mr. Timothy Mullaney, the previous Fire Marshal who had transferred to
the Dover Police Department. Mrs. Townshend indicated that Mr. Mullaney was sent
to the Police Academy to take some of the stress off the Police Department. She
noted that the FMO is first and foremost an inspections office with three (3) staff
members. Mrs. Townshend estimated that 90% of the workload is related to
inspections, plan review, and following up on complaints, and approximately 10%
is related to fire investigation. She expressed her concern that if COPT certification
is required, this would likely come at the cost of not having National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) Inspector I certification. Since the nature of the position is
primarily fire inspections, fire plan review, and the prevention of fire,
Mrs. Townshend felt that the City would end up with candidates that do not meet
both of these qualifications; therefore, too much emphasis would be placed on the
police side of the position, which involves the smallest amount of the workload.
Mrs. Townshend informed members that staff had met with the Police Department,
who had agreed to work with the FMO on investigations. She indicated that staff
was also working with the State to see if constable authority could be designated to
the Fire Marshal, which would allow for detaining people when conducting
investigations. Even without police training and certification, Mrs. Townshend
assured members that fire marshals are trained in fire investigation, including arson.
She felt it important to ensure that the City recruits and hires in the best interest of
the City and the office as a whole, rather than for a narrow portion of the job at the
expense of a large portion.
Mr. Jason Osika, Inspector II, explained that the FMO is a small office with two (2)
deputies, himself and Mr. Matthew Brown, Inspector I, who are not COPT certified,
and one (1) vacant position. Mr. Osika reiterated that there had been only two (2)
fire marshals who were COPT certified in the past 25 years. He noted that
Mr. James Melvin attended the Police Academy run by the Dover Police Department
in 1992 and he left the office in 1993. Mr. Osika advised that Mr. Timothy Mullaney
attended the Academy in November 2011 and left the office in April 2016. He stated
that the three (3) FMO staff members share all duties, including plan review,
inspections, and origin and cause investigations, whereas employees in other offices,
such as the State FMO, perform only one (1) of these functions. Mr. Osika stated
that although fire investigations take approximately 10% of their workload, this
variable could change at any time. He informed members that having one (1) COPT
officer would not guarantee this individual’s presence in the office 100% of the time
due to vacations. Mr. Osika noted that he previously handled an arson fire through
the Dover Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit when Mr. Mullaney was
away from the office. He explained that the FMO staff uses the Law Enforcement
Information Sharing System (LEISS) used by the Dover Police Department, entering
and approving their own reports. Mr. Osika indicated that, since Mr. Mullaney’s
transfer, there is a temporary agreement with the Police Department to use the
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 7
Criminal Investigation Unit whenever the FMO has a criminal fire. He advised that
101 fires were investigated in 2015, 13 of which were classified as incendiary and
resulted in four (4) arrests. There were also four (4) incidents involving juveniles and
one (1) involving mental capacity which was declined for prosecution by the
Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Osika advised members that in 2016 there had been
38 fires, seven (7) of which were incendiary with one (1) arrest, and arrest came
under Mr. Osika with the use of the Dover Police Department. He indicated that the
Fire Marshal would use COPT certification a very small percentage of the time.
Mr. Osika explained that losing one (1) individual in the FMO has a huge impact,
noting that staff was now on call 24 hours and off 24 hours coming into the summer.
Mr. Osika felt that if COPT were required, there would be a large chance of constant
turnover due to the salary and benefits, expressing his belief that this was one (1)
reason why Mr. Mullaney was no longer with the FMO. He indicated that the Fire
Marshal position has Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) powers. Mr. Osika
informed members that the Fire Marshal signs off on everything relating to codes,
such as NFPA codes, and this is one (1) of the main responsibilities of the position.
He stated that he had provided staff information on other classes that could be
required for this position. Mr. Osika advised that Mr. David Truax, former City of
Dover Fire Marshal, had served as Fire Marshal for 18 years without COPT and
Mr. Osika believed that the City had one of its largest arson periods under Mr. Truax
in the late 1990's.
Mr. Osika requested that the Committee and Council not require COPT but indicate
that it would be preferred, since COPT use is related to arrests and crimes and the
remaining work involves investigations, NFPA, and plan review. Mr. Osika felt that
the best candidate would be an individual with NFPA, COPT, Fire Inspector I, and
Origin and Cause training from the National Fire Academy; however, he felt there
was a very small chancing of finding such an individual and if COPT was required,
there would be a good chance of losing out on the 90% of other things needed for
day-to-day operations.
Mayor Christiansen stated that the office of Fire Marshal was established in 1959 and
there had been only two (2) COPT certified Fire Marshals over the course of time,
noting that some of the other Fire Marshals had also been past chiefs of Robbins
Hose Company. Mayor Christiansen advised members that he sits on the Council on
Police Training (COPT) and believed that the qualifications for COPT did not
necessarily coincide with the City of Dover Fire Marshal. He felt it would be
wonderful to have a COPT certified individual but that it exceeded the qualifications
needed.
Mrs. Kimberly Hawkins, Human Resources Director, informed members that the
City’s Inspector III position description applied to two (2) positions within the City,
the Fire Marshal and the Code Enforcement Supervisor.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 8
In response to Mr. Sudler, Mrs. Hawkins expressed her belief, based on what
Mr. Osika had explained about the position, that knowledge of the NFPA code would
be a requirement for the Fire Marshal, noting that she had not studied this.
Mrs. Townshend explained that the Code Enforcement Supervisor Inspector III
has certification through the International Property Maintenance Code and
Mr. Timothy Taraila serves in this position.
Mrs. Hawkins noted that the Fire Marshal would have NFPA certification.
Mr. Anderson pointed out that the position description required national certification
in one (1) of the major areas of responsibility, including basic building code,
plumbing code, mechanical systems, fire protection systems, and property
maintenance, and that the Fire Marshal could qualify with plumbing code
certification and not be certified in fire protection systems. He asked if it would
make sense to require a separate description for the Fire Marshal position that
includes at least two (2) certifications, with one (1) being fire protection systems.
Responding, Mrs. Hawkins stated that City job descriptions were created in the past
by the Management Advisory Group, Inc. who reviewed Positional Analysis Factors
(PAF) for City positions and they are very generic. She explained that they are
reviewed and updated to meet the needs of the position by the Human Resources
Department and department heads when recruiting and creating job postings.
Mrs. Hawkins advised that once Council makes a decision regarding the Fire Marshal
position, staff will review and adjust the job descriptions for the Code Enforcement
Supervisor and the Fire Marshal accordingly or create a new job description if it is
desired to change the title to Fire Marshal rather than Inspector III. She stated that
if the Inspector III title is retained, the current job description would be used as a
shell, noting that staff had been inserting language that specifies the requirements for
the position in the FMO.
Mr. Neil reminded members that the Operational and Administrative Analysis -
Dover Fire Department, Dover, Del. - Final Report - March 2016 (Operational and
Administration Analysis) had referenced the Fire Marshal position, and he felt this
report must be taken into consideration in deciding what to do. He questioned if the
citizens of the City would be endangered in any way if this position were left open
and, if so, his inclination was to approve recruiting but to review the position when
the report was considered and make changes for the successor at that time.
Mr. Anderson stated that Council had appointed an Interim Fire Marshal during their
meeting of May 9, 2016; therefore, the position was covered in the interim.
Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that the position was covered but the FMO was still
down a position. Mr. Hosfelt noted that the deputies were on call more often and
there was a lot more stress on the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Mr. Hutchison stated the importance of listening to the City Planner, who works with
the fire marshals and the inspectors and knows the office, noting that she had given
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 9
clear direction on the type of person and guidelines that should be followed. He felt
that members should do what was recommended by staff. Mr. Hutchison indicated
that someone with both fire investigation and fire service background was needed.
Mr. David Truax, 35 Upland Avenue, advised that he served as City of Dover Fire
Marshal from 1996 until May of 2014.
Mr. Sudler questioned if Mr. Truax believed that creating a new job description
specific to the Fire Marshal would be more effective than continuing to use the
Inspector III job description for this office. Responding, Mr. Truax indicated his
preference for a new job description for the Fire Marshal, explaining that this had
been discussed for a long time. Mr. Truax felt that the job description for the Fire
Marshal differs from what the building inspector does, noting that it may be possible
to modify the Inspector III position description.
In response to Mr. Hare, Mr. Truax expressed his opinion that some certifications
should be required for the Fire Marshal.
Mr. Hare suggested that COPT could be a preferred certification, but he felt that there
must be some knowledge and certifications required to be the Fire Marshal.
Mr. Truax concurred with Mr. Hare, explaining that he felt that the City was past the
point where they should require the Fire Marshal to be certified to carry a gun.
Mr. Truax expressed his opinion that if the FMO were to go back to doing things
with the Police Department, the individual who oversees criminal investigations must
make sure that the police detectives work with the Fire Marshal and take the Fire
Marshal’s input seriously. Mr. Truax suggested making COPT training preferred and
stressed the importance of getting someone at the helm of the FMO within a
reasonable amount of time.
Mrs. Townshend stated that she did not believe there should be a delay in posting this
position. She acknowledged that this position was part of the public safety study;
however, she felt recruitment could be done in such a way that implementation of the
study would not be precluded. Mrs. Townshend reiterated that there were two (2)
employees on an on-call rotation of 24 hours on and 24 hours off, and this was
affecting the workload in the office and their personal lives. In regard to the job
description, Mrs. Townshend stated that she, Mrs. Hawkins, and Mr. Scott Koenig,
City Manager, were prepared to create a Fire Marshal position separate from the
Inspector III position. She emphasized that certifications had always been required
when this position had been posted in the past. When Mr. Mullaney took the
position, it was posted as NFPA Inspector I required, COPT certification preferred,
and staff was prepared to post it in this way for the current vacancy. Although the
position description had some flexibility to include information relevant to both the
code enforcement and fire marshal positions, staff had always ensured that the
postings included the specific skill sets needed for each position.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 10
In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mrs. Townshend stated that staff’s recommendation was
to use the same posting they used when Mr. Mullaney was hired as Fire Marshal,
with COPT preferred but not required.
Mr. Koenig requested that the issue be referred to administrative staff to refine the
job description and post accordingly. He stated that the Fire Marshal’s position was
envisioned in the public safety study and he felt that staff could recruit knowing that
those things were under consideration. Mr. Koenig felt it important to get the posting
out and begin the process of recruitment to reduce the impact on the current staff.
Referencing Mr. Hare’s concerns regarding certifications related to this position,
Mr. Sudler questioned what additions Mr. Truax would recommend for the job
description. Responding, Mr. Truax stated that he had not seen the job description
and felt that Human Resources staff, Mrs. Townshend, and the current FMO staff
should be able to determine the requirements. He noted that code enforcement and
fire investigation should be included, or that time be allowed for this training.
The Committee recommended referring this matter to staff to develop an appropriate
job description and post the position accordingly.
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee met with Chairman Hare
presiding.
Transfer of Real Property from Delaware Civic Center Corporation to
Delaware State University
During their meeting of May 9, 2016, City Council approved the Council Committee
of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee’s recommendation
that Delaware State University (DSU) present the Committee with a proposal for City
Council to transfer the property to DSU.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend referring this item directly to City Council without
a recommendation and continuing the deliberation on the Council floor 13 days
hence. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler.
Mr. Anderson questioned if members would hear from the people present at the
meeting in regard to this matter. Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that there would be
a full vetting of the issue at the City Council meeting.
Mr. Sudler called for the question. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hutchison
and carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 11
The Committee recommended referring this item directly to City Council without a
recommendation and continuing the deliberation on the Council floor 13 days hence.
During the Council meeting, Mr. Slavin reminded members that this issue had been before Council
a couple of times and was recently discussed by the Council Committee of the Whole. He stated that
the City Clerk had researched this issue thoroughly, members had debated it for hours, and it was
thoroughly vetted at the Committee level. Mr. Slavin stated that this land is not owned by the City
of Dover, explaining that a vote of a previous Council ceded the land to the Civic Center
Corporation. He informed members that the request now before Council was to simply waive the
City’s right of first refusal back to the land and allow DSU to use the land, for what he thinks is a
very good purpose.
Mr. Slavin explained that this Council is not bound by a previous Council’s decision; however, he
believed that the previous decision was sound at the time. He felt that DSU could now do something
with the land far better than the City could ever have imagined. Mr. Slavin expressed his opinion
that Council should support this request, given the contributions that DSU and their alumni have
made and continue to make in the community.
Mr. Sudler moved that the City of Dover hereby waives, terminates, and renounces any rights it may
have in the property conveyed to the Dover Civic Center Corporation, a Delaware Corporation by
deed, dated December 11, 2001, pending the signing of a memorandum of understanding between
the City of Dover and Delaware State University pertaining to utility easements. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hare.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned why the City is in this position if the City has no right to the land.
Responding, Mr. Slavin stated his understanding that the land is still owned by the Civic Center
Corporation, which is still a legal corporate entity in the State of Delaware.
Mr. David Sheppard, General Counsel for DSU, stated that in response to some of the questions
raised during the Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and Administration
Committee Meeting of April 26, 2016, he prepared a letter dated May 20, 2016, regarding the
prospective relinquishment of the City of Dover’s transfer right in the Delaware Civic Center
Corporation land, which was submitted to Council President Slavin (Exhibit #2).
Mr. Hosfelt, referring to the Delaware State University Convocation Center Final Report that was
presented during the August 24, 2015 Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting,
requested confirmation that DSU planned to hold approximately 170 events per year. Responding,
Mr. Sheppard stated that the range provided was between 144 and 173.
Mr. Hosfelt asked if DSU felt that it should not pay any taxes, noting his assumption that this would
be a money making venture. In response, Mr. Sheppard explained that the intent of developing a
convocation center had various purposes, including a place for DSU to hold sporting events and
graduations. He stated that there certainly should be revenue generated as a consequence of holding
University affiliated events or other events at the facility. Mr. Sheppard expressed his opinion that
the City, as well as DSU, would benefit from these events, whether in terms of jobs, the taxes paid
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 12
by people who are employed full-time, or businesses located in the City that get traffic as a
consequence of the events.
Mr. Hosfelt noted that there was no guarantee that the people who would be employed would live
within the City. Responding, Mr. Sheppard stated that there was no guarantee of anything, as was
the case with the civic center when it was proposed and approved by City Council in 2001.
Mr. Hosfelt stated that his concern was that DSU was going to enter into a venture and hold up to
170 events per year with the hopes of making money and they will have to offset the costs somehow.
He explained that, across the street from DSU, there is a business that pays in excess of $250,000
per year in taxes to hold events and do things that are similar to what DSU wants to do. Mr. Hosfelt
did not believe that it would be fair to do for one (1) entity but not the other. He stated that if DSU
was strictly going to hold DSU events like basketball games and graduations, he might be able to
understand; however, DSU is planning to hold many other events and will make a profit at some
point. Mr. Hosfelt asked how, from DSU’s point of view, this would be fair to the other businesses
in the City who are in the same line of work.
In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Sheppard stated that he did not think it was fair or reasonable to
compare a non-profit higher education institution, whose fundamental focus is on educating the
students that come to the University and does not provide shares of stock to shareholders, to a
for-profit entity who regularly has people come through its doors to gamble. Referring to Dover
Downs Hotel and Casino, Mr. Sheppard noted that they are a for-profit venture, which has events
inside their facility as well as races, concerts, etc. It was his opinion that Dover Downs has a greater
material impact on resources, community members, etc. than DSU. Mr. Sheppard stated that DSU
has the benefit of having educated many people over many years, including some of the people
present, and he did not see DSU in the same vein as a for-profit enterprise.
Mr. Hosfelt noted that the Delaware State University Convocation Center Final Report estimates that
40% of the events will be for the college. He asked if the other 60% of the events would be for
profit. Mr. Sheppard confirmed that they would be. Mr. Hosfelt asked if it would be fair for DSU
to pay taxes on that 60%. Responding, Mr. Sheppard thought that the business that would be drawn
in from the events would be a benefit to the City, noting that the businesses who generate revenue
from those activities will pay taxes.
Mr. Hosfelt explained that the City was still utilizing its resources to support DSU and he was unsure
what the benefit would be for the City. He stated that there may be a benefit to the hotel or
restaurant industry, but to the Fire and Police Departments and the other public safety services within
the City, it would not be a benefit and would continue to tax the City’s resources. Mr. Hosfelt
indicated that DSU had $250M in property that they were not paying taxes on and Council would
be giving away even more property that would be untaxed.
Mr. Cole questioned if underground and above ground easements had been obtained. Responding,
Mr. Koenig explained that he had not read the letter that was referenced but had a conversation in
this regard with Mr. Sheppard.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 13
Mr. Slavin stated that there would likely be a second motion to authorize the City Manager to
negotiate this matter.
Mr. Cole questioned who would assume the environmental liabilities on the land moving forward.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated his understanding that when the land was originally transferred to
the Delaware Civic Center Corporation, they assumed all of the liability related to environmental
conditions on the property. This is why there was concern at the administrative level that any
reversionary clause that would transfer a deed back into the City’s name would potentially transfer
that liability back to the City. Mr. Koenig understood that the City did not have liability associated
with the environmental conditions from the original transfer. He assumed that all of the closure
documents would be maintained and the City would not have liability going forward.
In response to Mr. Cole regarding a plan for the future of solar fields on seven (7) acres of the
property, Mr. Koenig stated that Mr. Harry Maloney, Electric Director, had provided Mr. Sheppard
a copy of the plan with a basic layout of a potential solar field. This would impact approximately
five (5) to seven (7) acres above the area where potential parking was planned. Mr. Koenig indicated
that it would be the City’s intent to pursue an easement and potentially construct a solar field there
to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).
Mr. Cole questioned if there was any type of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program to help
offset any public safety costs. Responding, Mr. Koenig indicated that there had been general
discussion on this when he and Mr. Kirby Hudson, Assistant City Manager, had met with
Mr. Sheppard in February; however, there had been no additional discussion since.
Mr. Sheppard advised that DSU was not prepared to entertain a PILOT program at this time. He
indicated that it was inaccurate to state that there would be no benefit to the City if the transfer were
approved. Mr. Sheppard stated his understanding, from speaking with Mr. Koenig and from
Mr. Koenig’s presentation at the Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative Finance, and
Administration Committee meeting on April 26, 2016, that the City incurs about $5,000 a year, on
average, in maintaining the grounds, doing environmental assessments, and the like, which would
not be borne anymore if the land were transferred. In addition, Mr. Sheppard pointed out that the
environmental liability associated with the land would transfer to DSU and not be the City’s
responsibility.
Mr. Cole suggested that obtaining the easements and realizing the benefits of getting out of the
environmental liabilities might help the proposal move forward.
Mr. Koenig indicated that he had been on the record on several occasions stating, from an
administrative standpoint, that the City was not interested in taking back the environmental liability
associated with this property. For four (4) or five (5) years, staff had been authorizing the inspection
of the landfill cap by Compliance Environmental, asking them to prepare a report that is submitted
to the Department of Environmental Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and
committing to doing grass cutting, mowing, rut filling, and disposal of any type of debris that had
been dumped there to maintain a good standing in the closure documents. He estimated that the out-
of-pocket expenses to pay the consultant and for staff time needed to inspect or assist with inspection
were approximately $3,000 - $5,000 per year.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 14
Mr. Hare stated that there had been discussion in the 1990's on transferring the property; however,
he recalled that the property was not transferred to the Civic Center until 2000 or 2001. At that time,
there was related discussion on charging a 25 cent ticket fee for non-DSU events which the City
would receive. Mr. Hare felt that something like this could be revisited in the future, noting that he
saw no benefit to the City keeping the property. He reminded members that the City had planned
to give the property away back then, and he did not believe anything had changed. Mr. Hare stated
that there was now a different party who was willing to take the property over, assume the liability,
and give the City easements. He questioned why the City would want a property that it had not had
for 15 years when it may be able to obtain something that would be a benefit. Mr. Hare felt the
transfer should move forward.
Mr. Anderson felt the convocation center was a very positive idea which would benefit the City. He
agreed with Mr. Hosfelt that there should not be a blanket assumption of a tax exemption.
Mr. Anderson questioned if the existing tax exemption to DSU included property owned in the future
or if members would have to vote separately in the future on whether to make the property tax
exempt. Responding, Mayor Christiansen believed that a decision on tax exemption would be made
once the property use is known.
Mr. Anderson asked if it would be appropriate to make an amendment in that regard at this time.
Mr. Slavin stated his preference to vote the motion up or down and have an additional vote after that
if necessary.
Mr. Anderson clarified that his question was whether an amendment ensuring that a tax exemption
is brought before Council on the property would be in order. In response, Mayor Christiansen
indicated that this would be in order; however, this would be a separate action that would have to
be taken in the future, depending on the use of the property.
Mr. Sudler questioned if Mr. Koenig’s estimate of $3,000 - $5,000 for staff and consultant time for
the property included the costs of the environmental liability, property tax, and insurance.
Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that, to his knowledge, the property was not listed in the City’s
property inventory, so it is not insured by the City and there was no insurance cost. He explained
that the environmental cost is to engage the consultant to go out with DNREC to do the inspection
and for the inspection report of the landfill, in accordance with the closure documents that the City
agreed to years ago. Mr. Koenig advised that if this property ultimately reverts to DSU, the
University will have to conduct the annual inspection with DNREC staff and make any adjustments
required by the report.
Mr. Sudler asked how much it would cost to insure the property in case someone were to be hurt on
it. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that he did not come prepared to answer that question. He noted
that the property would become part of the City’s overall property inventory.
Mr. Hare felt that Mr. Anderson had made a good point regarding tax exemption for the property;
however, he still felt the property should be transferred to DSU. Once the convocation center is
built, if there were many events held that were not related to the University, this matter could be
considered again. Mr. Hare noted that DSU had a lot of work ahead of them and questioned if they
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 15
were ready to break ground. Responding, Mr. Sheppard indicated that there are a number of steps
involved before the property is shovel ready.
For clarification, Mr. Sheppard reiterated that the City would be waiving its right to the reversionary
interest in the land and could choose never to exercise it. Assuming the corporation is resuscitated,
the City would pay $10 to the corporation, and the land then would be transferred back to the City.
Mr. Sheppard explained that the corporation was operated by the Delaware Economic Development
Office (DEDO), who would have to resuscitate the corporation, and that entity would then have to
decide what to do with the land.
Mr. Hare stated that the land would go to DSU, not back to the City. If DSU decides not to build
something there, they would retain the land, have to maintain it, and do everything the City had been
doing with the property for many years. He indicated that he was not looking for the land to come
back to the City and felt that the City should move forward.
Mr. Neil noted that the City does not technically own the land since it had been turned over to
another corporation and questioned if the motion would bring the property back to the City and allow
the City to give it to DSU. Responding, Mayor Christiansen stated that if the City gives up its right,
this would be the end of the City’s involvement. He indicated that if it became a profit situation, the
City could decide in the future if it qualifies as a charitable purpose. Mayor Christiansen advised
that the City could consider taxation based on the profit made. He felt that the decision did not have
to be made tonight because the property use was not stated at the present time.
Mr. Neil indicated that he was a very vocal supporter of Dover Downs, which had been a great
neighbor and had brought people to the area. He stated that this organization makes a profit but
cannot keep it because it is taken away, noting that Dover Downs would now be competing with
DSU. Mr. Neil indicated that Senators Bushweller and Colin Bonini had shown him the value of
the convocation center project and he would be voting to turn the property over to DSU.
Mr. Lewis asked if there were any outstanding funds owed to the City. In response, Mr. Koenig
indicated that the land was still in the name of the Delaware Civic Center Corporation, and he
believed that there was a small amount on the delinquent tax list. He was unsure if it was related to
this property or the two (2) other properties. Mr. Koenig advised that there were no maintenance
fees. He stated that a tally of annualized costs had not been kept; however, they were estimated at
$3,000 - $5,000, which he considered a sum cost. Mr. Koenig noted that maintaining the report was
a proactive measure so that there was no failure in the closure actions that could be linked back to
the City. He stated the desire not to have to reenact the closure of the landfill if at all possible.
Mr. Hutchison stated his strong support of moving forward with this partnership between the City
and DSU.
Mr. Hutchison called for the question, seconded by Mr. Sudler. The motion to call for the
question carried by a roll call vote of seven (7) yes (Sudler, Neil, Lewis, Cole, Hare, Hutchison,
and Slavin) and two (2) no (Anderson and Hosfelt).
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 16
The motion that the City of Dover hereby waives, terminates, and renounces any rights it may
have in the property conveyed to the Dover Civic Center Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
by deed, dated December 11, 2001, pending the signing of a memorandum of understanding
between the City of Dover and Delaware State University pertaining to utility easements
carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) yes (Anderson, Sudler, Neil, Lewis, Cole, Hare,
Hutchison, and Slavin) and one (1) no (Hosfelt).
Mr. Neil moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a memorandum of
understanding relating to the utility easements on the land previously conveyed to the Dover Civic
Center Corporation with counsel from the Delaware State University. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Sudler.
Mr. Hosfelt noted that when DSU first came to the City around the same time last year, Mr. Koenig
was in favor of a PILOT for this property and asked where he stood on this now. Responding,
Mr. Koenig stated that he favored a discussion of PILOT; however, he does not have a vote. He
discussed this with Mr. Sheppard and advised him, from an administrative standpoint, that Council
had conveyed to him that there was interest in a PILOT. Mr. Koenig advised that when initial
discussions were held about the transfer in January 2015, the City, administratively, was in favor of
it. Mr. Koenig advised that events had occurred since then that had given staff pause, including
transfers from State government to local government, realty transfer taxes, municipal street aid, and
PILOT and law enforcement payments from the State. He indicated that, from an administrative
standpoint, the City is very concerned about revenue streams and being able to maintain them.
Mr. Koenig advised that, over the last year, there had been a number of discussions related to PILOT,
and this sentiment was conveyed to Mr. Sheppard when they last met around the first week of May.
He indicated that he would like to see a PILOT agreement related to either this property or the DSU
property; however, he stated that he did not have an administrative path to bring that forward.
The motion to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a memorandum of
understanding relating to the utility easements on the land previously conveyed to the Dover
Civic Center Corporation with counsel from the Delaware State University was unanimously
carried.
Update - Overgrowth of Bamboo - Rodney Road
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development,
advised members that code enforcement staff met with the Department of
Agriculture’s invasive species staff on Rodney Road and they provided very clear
guidance on how to eradicate the bamboo, which is a very labor intensive process.
Staff determined that it was important to address this correctly and it would be
extremely costly to contract for this service. Mrs. Townshend stated that staff from
the Public Works Department would be working both internally and with the City’s
contractor for vegetation management to develop a time line for cutting and painting
the bamboo with a chemical that will eradicate it over the course of two (2) years, as
estimated by the Department of Agriculture. She stated that this was expected to start
within the next month or so.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 17
In response to Mr. Hare regarding payment for the eradication, Mrs. Townshend
stated that the City would initially pay; however, staff would track all charges and bill
them to the property owner and place them as a lien against the property, as is done
with demolition or grass cutting charges.
Ms. Maucher asked if the City would recoup any of the carrying cost of the expense.
Responding, Mrs. Townshend stated that the carrying cost would not be recouped,
only the out-of-pocket amount.
Downtown Dover Business Improvement District (BID) Budget and Assessment
(Tax) Rates for Fiscal Year 2016-2017
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, reviewed the Business District Improvement (BID)
Assessment (Tax) Rates for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. He indicated that Appendix D -
Downtown Dover Business Improvement District, Article III - Establishment of the
Downtown Dover Business Improvement District, Section 9(f) of the Code requires
that the BID budget be submitted to City Council for approval on or before the first
Council meeting in May each year. Mr. Koenig advised members that the proposed
revenue for the BID for FY 2017 is $48,800, with equal expenses for administration.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the BID Tax Calculation Worksheet, noting that the proposed
% Revenue Raised numbers were prescriptive and were developed based on
discussions with Deputy City Solicitor William Pepper. Mr. Koenig indicated that
the rate change for Zones 1 and 2 was -1%. He explained that, in order for all
numbers to equalize correctly, the Zone 3 rate would increase by 7.8%; however, 41
parcels were associated with this zone. Mr. Koenig stated that this would put the
City in compliance with the Code and allow Staff to develop the draft budget for
presentation to Council.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the Business Improvement Boundary Zones map.
Mr. Hosfelt asked if businesses located in the BID are assessed an additional tax.
Responding, Mr. Koenig confirmed that the businesses are taxed in excess of the
normal property tax, noting that the business owners had attended public hearings in
the past and endorsed the BID.
Mr. Slavin asked whether action taken on this matter would preclude members from
bringing this item up for discussion and making amendments during the budget
hearings. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated his belief that Council had complete
authorization to amend going forward; however, it had been important to introduce
this matter ahead of time so that there would be support to include these numbers in
the budget.
Mr. Slavin noted his longstanding criticism of this concept and advised that he
planned to bring this matter up for a thorough discussion during the budget hearings.
He expressed his opinion that it had been a good start-up issue; however, 25 years
later it was a disincentive.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 18
The Committee recommended approval of the Business Improvement District (BID)
Budget and Assessment (Tax) Rates for Fiscal Year 2016-2017, as recommended by
Staff.
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 Amending Chapter 2 - Administration, Article
IV - Officers and Employees, Division 8 - Deferred Compensation Plan
(Sponsors: Cole and Koenig)
During the Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and
Administration Committee meeting of April 26, 2016, this item was deferred due to
time constraints.
Mr. Koenig reminded members that changes were made to the deferred compensation
plan under the Dover Organization of Employees (DOE) contract, noting that this
contract is the governing document with respect to DOE employees. As previously
discussed, he reiterated that there is language in the Employee Handbook that extends
improvements to the deferred compensation plan to non-bargaining employees.
Mr. Koenig stated that the generic changes to Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 address
this discussion. He advised that the City Manager’s Office was also requesting that
the changes in the Proposed Ordinance and modifications to the deferred
compensation plan be extended to non-bargaining employees. Mr. Koenig reminded
members that there are approximately 41 positions that would be affected by the
proposed changes and the implementation costs would be in the $20,000 to $60,000
range.
Mr. Koenig stated that the most recent consideration by the Committee included a
discussion about capping the percentage of the City’s contribution for employees
who earn more than $100,000. He noted that the impact of a cap was illustrated in
the salary spreadsheet provided. Mr. Koenig advised that, if the cap were set at
$100,000, five (5) employees would be affected. He requested that there not be a cap
for any employees, that the non-bargaining group be treated equally to the DOE
group going forward, and that Council not cap the matching percentage, which would
escalate from 6% to 9% over the next couple of years. Mr. Koenig stated that the
reason for his recommendation was that, at some point, the City would be recruiting
for the positions that were capped and competitiveness could become an issue. In
addition, if these positions were capped, the percentage of payroll required from the
City for employees in the General Employee Pension Plan, as well as police officers
in the State pension plan, would well exceed the amount for the benefits extended to
the capped employees in the deferred compensation plan.
Mr. Koenig reminded members that the General Employee Pension Plan is now
closed; therefore, all new hires, excluding police officers, will be in the deferred
compensation plan, which is a matching plan. The current match is a minimum
contribution of 3% and a maximum of 6%, and this would increase over time to a 6%
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 19
minimum and 9% maximum. Mr. Koenig recommended adoption of Proposed
Ordinance #2016-10 and that no changes be made to the Employee Handbook so that
this benefit is extended to non-bargaining employees covered under the deferred
compensation plan.
Mr. Sudler moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by
Mr. Cole.
Mr. Anderson expressed his belief that there should be a dollar limit based not on
how much an employee is earning but on how much the City is contributing. He
stated that the amount discussed was reasonable and he could not support the
recommendation without this amendment.
Mr. Sudler called for the question, seconded by Mr. Cole. The motion failed by a roll
call vote of six (6) no (Lewis, Neil, Shevock, Cole, Anderson, and Hare) and five (5)
yes (Sudler, Maucher, Hutchison, Slavin, and Hosfelt).
Mr. Hare expressed concern about young employees who start working for the City
of Dover and are told that they must put 6% of their pay into a 401(k). He felt this
could be a lot of money to those who have young families. Mr. Hare suggested that
6% not be mandatory and that this amount be left at perhaps 3% and increased to 6%
possibly after 10 years of employment. He believed that this should be the
employee’s choice. Mr. Hare agreed with Mr. Anderson that there should be a cap,
such as $10,000; however, he was more concerned about the mandatory contribution.
Having been formerly both a city and state employee, Mr. Neil expressed sympathy
for the employees; however, he commented that current interest rates were only 1%
or 1.5% and that many of his constituents were senior citizens. Mr. Neil felt that a
9% match would be a penalty on the City for years to come. He stated that the match
could be changed if there was a sudden glut of money coming into the City; however,
there was not a need to fight with the budget to make things work for the people of
the City. It was Mr. Neil’s opinion that if the City was going to get good people,
they would be attracted by the work conditions. He believed that the additional
money would not make a difference; it would be the character of the people hired.
Mr. Neil felt that those who were wise would take the 9% maximum, and he thought
this was too much because the financial environment was still terrible at this time.
Mr. Cole stated his understanding that the DOE contract had already been signed.
Mr. Koenig confirmed that the contract had been signed and noted that the contract
was prescriptive and the minimums would escalate from 4% to 5% on July 1, 2016
and to 6% one (1) year later.
Responding to Mr. Cole, Mr. Koenig clarified that the issues under discussion were
Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 and whether to extend the same escalation table to
non-bargaining employees.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 20
Mr. Cole stated his understanding that only five (5) positions were being considered
for a cap because the other positions with salaries of $100,000 were police positions.
In response, Mr. Koenig explained that when this matter was last considered there
was a proposed cap, which he opposed because it would be limited to only five (5)
people, himself included. These employees would be able to earn up to a certain
income, and the City would match up to 9% and then cap its contribution at that
point.
Mr. Koenig stated that he had not heard previous discussions about employees who
are lower in the pay scale being unable to meet the 6% minimum. He advised that
the 6% minimum would go into effect on July 1, 2017, so there would be time to
adjust. Mr. Koenig advised that when new employees are hired, staff advises them
of their commitments in their offer letters so they can make informed decisions.
Mr. Koenig advised that there was also an issue of fairness. In his estimation, the
percentage of payroll for police lieutenants and captains would likely exceed the 9%
discussed because the City pays into a State fund. Mr. Koenig stated that, according
to Mrs. Mitchell, the pension fund for police officers is fully funded and has just the
normal cost associated with the benefit.
Mr. Koenig indicated that the deferred plan is the retirement vehicle that the City had
selected going forward for all new hires in the City. He did not feel it fair to exclude
the higher earners from the same percentage being extended to all others because it
would create a different proportional benefit when moving up the scale, and he
requested that it not go forward that way.
Mr. Hare reiterated his concern about younger employees, noting that this would be
a large contribution for a young family. He stated the desire to start with a minimum
contribution of 3% and escalate over time, perhaps by 0.5% per year to reach 6%
within possibly six (6) years. Mr. Hare noted that contributing 6% might be offered
to employees as an option.
In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Koenig stated that what Mr. Hare proposed would not
apply to the DOE union agreement, which had been set, but would instead apply to
the 42 non-bargaining positions that are unrepresented. Mr. Koenig reiterated that he
had not heard discussion about Mr. Hare’s concerns until this meeting.
The Committee recommended adoption of Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 and that
no changes be made to the Employee Handbook so that this benefit is extended to
non-bargaining employees covered under the deferred compensation plan.
During the Council meeting, Mr. Lewis stated that he disagreed with the Committee’s
recommendation.
Mr. Lewis moved to amend Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 to make the contributions optional up to
9%, seconded by Mr. Neil.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 21
Mr. Lewis explained that the amendment would make the contributions optional not mandatory, so
that people are not forced to contribute 9%.
Mr. Koenig stated that the current minimum contribution for non-bargaining employees is 3% and
Staff has outlined a phase-in for the minimum to increase from 3% to 6%. He explained that the
current maximum is 6%, which is proposed to phase in to 9%. Mr. Koenig reminded members that
during the Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Mr. Hare had expressed concern for the lower
income, non-bargaining employees, and Mr. Lewis’ proposal would be to allow the minimum to
remain at 3% and the maximum to escalate over time to 9%. Mr. Koenig explained that this
proposal is slightly different than what was afforded for during the contract negotiations for the
Dover Organization of Employees (DOE) bargaining unit. He stated that Staff had not asked for any
deviation from the DOE Collective Bargaining Agreement; however, if Council wants to leave the
minimum at 3% for non-bargaining and adjust the maximum to 9%, he believed that would be
allowable under the plan document change, although that was not the proposal submitted by Staff.
For clarification, Mr. Slavin explained that Mr. Lewis would need to correct his motion to say that
the minimum would be 3% and the maximum up to 9%.
Mr. Lewis withdrew his motion to amend Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 to make the contributions
optional up to 9%.
Mr. Lewis moved to amend Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 where the contributions are made
optional, from 3% to 9%, not mandatory.
Responding to Mr. Slavin, Mr. Lewis confirmed that this motion would make two (2) changes:
1) change it from a mandatory program to an optional program; and 2) move the floor from 6% to
3%.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil.
Mr. Slavin clarified that the motion was to move this deferred compensation program for
non-bargaining employees from a mandatory program to an optional program, and to set the floor
at 3% rather than 6%.
Mr. Hutchison asked if this motion caused concern for the City Manager, Mr. Koenig.
Mr. Koenig clarified that all new employees, except police officers, are being hired in the deferred
compensation plan, so plan participation is required, not optional. He explained that Mr. Lewis’
motion gives additional latitude for non-bargaining employees, so if they do not wish to adjust their
contribution more than the current minimum of 3%, they do not have to, and, as the maximum
increases over time, per the schedule, they have the ability to contribute as much as 9%. Mr. Koenig
stated that the employee could contribute more than 9%, but the City would only match up to 9%.
Mr. Anderson moved for a division of the question between the mandatory minimum part and the
optional part, noting that they are two (2) distinct issues.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 22
Mr. Anderson explained that, as worded, Mr. Lewis’ motion would make participation optional.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hare clarified that participation is not optional, contribution of
3% to 9% is optional.
Mr. Slavin stated that the request to divide the motion is not debatable.
The motion to divide the question failed by a roll call vote of eight (8) no (Sudler, Neil, Lewis, Cole,
Hosfelt, Hare, Hutchison, and Slavin), and one (1) yes (Anderson).
Mr. Hare stated that his primary concern was that he does not like being told where he has to put his
money, and a young employee coming to work for the City might have someone else in the family
who makes three (3) times more than they do and may want to do something different with their
money. He stated that he was okay with the 3% to 9%, with a 3% minimum and an option for the
employee to increase the contribution when they want to.
Mr. Slavin advised that the motion before members means that one (1) portion of it could go
anywhere from 3% to 9%, but also makes the entire program optional.
The motion to amend Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 where the contributions are made optional,
from 3% to 9%, not mandatory, failed by a roll call vote of seven (7) no (Anderson, Sudler, Cole,
Hosfelt, Hare, Hutchison Slavin), and two (2) yes (Neil, and Lewis).
Mr. Anderson moved to amend the proposal such that 3% is maintained as the minimum, with the
maximum allowable being 9%, and that the increases are at the employee’s option. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hare.
Mr. Koenig requested clarification that the motion only relates to non-bargaining employees and the
collective bargaining agreements would govern the others. Responding, Mr. Anderson confirmed
that the motion only relates to non-bargaining employees because Proposed Ordinance #2016-10
only refers to non-bargaining employees and does not affect collective bargaining.
The motion to amend Proposed Ordinance #2016-10, the proposal for non-bargaining
employees, such that 3% is maintained as the minimum, with the maximum allowable being
9%, and that the increases are at the employee’s option was carried by a unanimous roll call
vote.
Evaluation of Trial Period for Council Committee of the Whole Meetings
(Council Resolution No. 2015-16)
During the Regular City Council meeting of November 23, 2015, members approved
the recommendation of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee to
commence the Committee of the Whole meeting format during the first meetings in
January and try it for a few months, and if members decide to adopt the format as one
(1) of the protocols for the next Council year, that this be done during the annual
meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 23
Mr. Hutchison stated that having all nine (9) members of Council serve as members
of the Committee of the Whole in an open meeting over the last several weeks had
allowed for open discussion and dialogue shared by members of Council and civilian
representatives. He noted that, under this format, Council members serve not only
as members of the Committee but also have a vote, which was unlike the previous
system where only three (3) members of Council were voting members of a
committee. Mr. Hutchison felt that Council was finally moving in the right direction
and urged all members to support this change.
Mr. Lewis stated that, although this change was good for some, it was not good for
all, noting that not everyone is retired or has a nine-to-five job. He advised that he
works for the State of Delaware as an essential employee and working different shifts
prevents him from attending all of the committee meetings. Mr. Lewis advised
members that when Mr. Hutchison brought this idea to his attention, he explained the
position he was in. He stated that as this matter goes forth, he would have to hold a
press conference or write a letter to the editor informing his constituents that he
would be unable to attend all of these committee meetings. Mr. Lewis reminded
members that this change was imposed after the election and was coming into play
now. He stated his belief that it seemed that the majority of people were in support
of it; however, he stated that Mr. Cole had also indicated that he had some job related
conflicts.
Mr. Slavin informed members that when Mr. Hutchison first brought the idea
forward, he did not think it was a good idea but agreed to try it. He now apologized
to Mr. Hutchison, stating that he thought the trial format had resulted in a much
deeper understanding of issues across Council, which had been lacking. Mr. Slavin
thanked Mr. Hutchison for bringing this matter forward, stating that he would move
to extend it when the time came to make a motion.
Mr. Hosfelt stated that there had been deep, thoughtful discussion at the Committee
level, but expressed concern that this discussion does not occur at the Council
meetings since items are placed on the consent agenda. He noted that television
cameras are present at the Council meeting, which is often the only way the public
can hear what Council is doing. Mr. Hosfelt indicated that he would rather have the
cameras present during committee hearings so that the public can hear the thoughtful
discussions rather than moving through the consent agenda and issues very quickly.
He felt that people want to hear what their elected representatives have to say and
their thoughts on the issues. Mr. Hosfelt was unsure if this could be worked out with
Comcast, noting that it may be a matter of having Council Committee of the Whole
meetings on Monday evenings and Council meetings on Tuesdays. Mr. Hosfelt noted
that it might be better to hold the Committee meetings before the Council meets.
Mr. Anderson stated that he liked the trial format, which engages everyone, and that
the idea should continue. He expressed concern about meeting on Tuesday nights
and on two (2) evenings in a particular work week, which causes schedule conflicts
with his job. Mr. Anderson stated that he sets his schedule for Mondays and would
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 24
like to discuss the particular evening in the future. He indicated that he was not
opposed to continuing the concept, noting that it had been a net benefit that he was
willing to keep regardless.
Mr. Sudler stated that he could relate to both sides of the discussion, acknowledging
that the trial format does cut into the job time frames for those who are not retired,
such as himself. He noted that the format gives a more in-depth understanding and
dialogue, which he liked. Mr. Sudler stated that members were aware when they
agreed to serve on Council that it would be a sacrifice, and he felt they were either
willing to make the sacrifice or not. Mr. Sudler noted that there would be
inconveniences, as when executive sessions are held, and he is unable to attend some
meetings due to job responsibilities. He felt that it all boiled down to what was
important to members, stating that perhaps those who cannot handle the time
commitment should not be councilmen. Mr. Sudler stated that dedication, sacrifice,
and determination are what it takes to run the City. He advised that he would support
continuing this format, stating the need to be well informed and engaged to make the
best decisions for his constituents.
Mr. Neil stated that he was sympathetic to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Cole with respect to
their regular jobs; however, Mr. Neil felt the trial format gave him a better view of
everything that is happening within the City. He indicated that he would bring up at
the Council meeting any matter that he disagrees with at the committee level.
Mr. Neil stated that he appreciated being able to get a total feel for what is happening
within the City and to be a part of that process. Mr. Cole stated that he had discussed
this matter with his supervisor, who was very understanding, and that this was
something that he could be on board with going forward.
Mr. Anderson pointed out that when members signed on to serve they signed on to
certain understandings and time commitments and not necessarily these changes.
Council had decided to experiment with these changes, and he did not believe that
was an issue of anyone’s dedication. He believed that there must be discussion about
whether the change is needed. Mr. Anderson noted that Council would be changing
to the same format used by a body that receives four (4) times the pay that Council
receives, and this change was costing some people on Council money without any
changes in compensation. Mr. Anderson stated this was an issue of whether Council
would change the rules after everybody had signed on. He indicated that this could
be done; however, it was something that should be done carefully. Mr. Anderson
stated that the timing should be discussed, whether or not it would be on a separate
evening and, if so, which evening. He indicated that he was not asked if this day of
the week would work when it was picked. Mr. Anderson questioned whether or not
there should be discussion about the best way to execute it. He stated that he was for
the new format but wanted to talk about how and when it would be done and
expressed his hope that this would be done in the near future, although he was unsure
if it needed to be settled at that meeting. Mr. Anderson felt each Council person
should be consulted.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 25
Mr. Sudler recalled that Mr. Hutchison had presented to the Legislative, Finance, and
Administration Committee what may or may not take place, it was voted on, and the
majority agreed. Mr. Sudler disagreed that there had not been discussion on that
matter and felt Mr. Anderson’s comment was unfair.
Mr. Neil expressed interest in hearing from the civilian members of the standing
committees as to whether they had gained value from the change, noting that they are
the unelected people who sacrifice their time to offer their wisdom.
Ms. Maucher stated that she found it very informative to understand how the City
works. She noted that she had been serving a one (1) year term on a committee and
did not have the experience of hearing perspectives from sitting through other
committees, although she typically comes at 6:00 p.m. and observes the committee
before hers. The only issue that Ms. Maucher had was the switch of the nights from
Mondays to Tuesdays. She indicated that the mid-term shift was a little awkward;
however, it worked out well and she was able to commit to Tuesdays for the rest of
the term.
Mr. Shevock fully agreed with the change, noting that the full Council had not
previously been present at committee meetings. He indicated that, previously, when
the committee made a decision on something and it went forward, it seemed to be
completely re-discussed at the next Council meeting. Mr. Shevock agreed with
Mr. Sudler that when members sign on to help an organization, as the civilian
members had done, they must put in their full time and interest.
In reference to Mr. Anderson’s comment that no one had asked him about Tuesday
nights, Mr. Slavin noted that the action form reviewed at the Council meeting of
November 9, 2015 stated that meetings of the Council Committee of the Whole
would be held on Tuesday evenings, which was approved unanimously by Council.
In regard to the attendance issue, Mr. Slavin stated his impression that attendance by
Council, civilian committee members, and the public had been better than the
attendance at separate committee meetings held at different times across the calendar.
He commented that the public now did not need to know where various committee
meetings were held. Referring to Mr. Hosfelt’s concern about consent items on the
Council agenda that were not receiving a full vetting, Mr. Slavin stated that items are
placed on the consent agenda at the discretion of the committee chair during agenda
meetings, and if chairs want to have particular items on the floor, they can simply ask
not to have these items on consent. Mr. Slavin noted that every member of Council
also has the right to pull items off the consent agenda at every meeting before the
consent agenda is approved, which would allow for more complete vetting of issues
while the television cameras are on, and that right had not been taken away from
anyone by this format.
Mr. Lewis did not disagree that members knew what they were getting into when
they signed on; however, he reiterated that the rules had changed, which affects some
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 26
people. When members filed for election, the meetings were on the calendar for the
second and fourth Mondays of each month, and committee meetings were generally
held on Mondays, generally before the Council meetings.
Mr. Hutchison reminded members that under the old system, only three (3) members
of Council served on each of the committees. He attended all of those meetings and,
for the most part, the only members of Council who attended were those who were
members of the committee. Mr. Hutchison understood the issues related to Council
members’ jobs; however, he pointed out that every member of Council was present
for the current committee meeting, allowing for open discussion with representation
for the whole City, and he felt the benefit of this approach far outweighed the other
system. When looking at the issues being faced every day with the City, he felt it
was absolutely critical to receive input from everyone.
Mr. Hare agreed that the trial format was good; however, he indicated that there had
been suggestions about when meetings would be held, noting that meetings could be
held every Monday. He personally liked the current Monday-Tuesday night format,
which allowed for the following week to be free.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend extending the Council Committee of the Whole
format on Tuesday evenings through May 31, 2017, seconded by Mr. Hutchison.
Mr. Anderson asked that Council and committee members be surveyed for the best
night for Council Committee of the Whole meetings and indicated that he would
concur with the motion if it did not specify a night. Mr. Slavin stated that the motion
specified Tuesday night. Mr. Anderson expressed his hope that a survey regarding
the night would be done in the future.
The Committee recommended extending the Council Committee of the Whole
format on Tuesday evenings through May 31, 2017.
Mr. Anderson moved to extend the Council Committee of the Whole format through May 31, 2017,
with the meetings to be held on Monday evenings preceding the Council meetings. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hosfelt.
Mr. Anderson explained that this would be the same time that committee meetings were previously
held and the meeting times would be at the discretion of the Council President.
Mr. Hutchison questioned what time the meetings would be held on Mondays, noting that one (1)
of the reasons why the change was necessary was because so many members of Council are currently
employed, which created a serious problem for their participation in the Committee meetings. He
stated that one (1) of the advantages of having the meetings on Tuesdays is that almost every
member of Council has the opportunity to attend and participate in all of the meetings, which he
believes is absolutely critical.
Página 31
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 27
Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Anderson stated his belief, based on the discussions he has had,
that holding the meetings between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Monday evenings would be more
advantageous to different members of Council who have expressed concerns.
Mr. Hare noted that since switching to the Council Committee of the Whole meeting format, he
could not recall one (1) time when a meeting was less than two (2) hours.
Mr. Hosfelt felt that it made sense to have the Committee meeting before the Council meetings,
noting that members could then communicate to those members of the public that cannot attend,
since the television crew is present on Monday nights. He stated that the public would be able to
witness the discussion that occurs during the Committee meetings, since members of Council do not
always have a full discussion of items at the Council level.
Mr. Sudler asked if it would be a violation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for members
to discuss a matter at the Council Committee of the Whole meeting and then consider the item at the
Council meeting on the same evening. Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that items would not be
considered by Council on the same evening that they are considered by the Council Committee of
the Whole, explaining that there would still be a one (1) meeting delay.
Mr. Slavin advised that having the Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday nights has
cleared Mondays prior to the Council meetings for any executive sessions, noting that it is far easier
to schedule executive sessions on an evening when a meeting is already scheduled. He stated that
he is not opposed to moving the Council Committee of the Whole meetings to Monday nights;
however, it would require Council to start scheduling executive sessions on other evenings.
Mr. Slavin noted that the Council Committee of the Whole meetings have been lasting longer, which
has led to some very healthy discussions. He reminded members that Council always has the option
of recessing a Council Committee of the Whole meeting and reconvening after the Regular Council
meeting is complete; however, he expressed concern that members are not at their freshest in the
second hour of a Council meeting, which would become the fourth hour if the Council Committee
of the Whole meeting is held prior to the Council meeting.
The motion to extend the Council Committee of the Whole format through May 31, 2017, with the
meetings to be held on Monday evenings preceding the Council meetings failed by a roll call vote
of six (6) no (Sudler, Neil, Cole, Hare, Hutchison, and Slavin), and three (3) yes (Anderson, Lewis,
and Hosfelt).
Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation to extend the Council
Committee of the Whole format on Tuesday evenings through May 31, 2017. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Neil and carried with Mr. Lewis voting no, and Resolution No. 2016-05
amending Resolution No. 2015-06 was adopted, as follows:
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2015-16 WHICH TEMPORARILY SET
ASIDE THE STANDING COMMITTEES AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE DOVER CODE
AND ENACTED A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON A TRIAL BASIS
Página 32
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 28
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2015-16, adopted by City Council on December 14, 2015, temporarily
set aside the Standing Committees as provided for in the Dover Code and enacted a Committee of
the Whole on a temporary basis; and
WHEREAS, City Council wishes for members of City Council and the civilian members of the
Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement; Safety Advisory and Transportation; Utility; and
Legislative, Finance, and Administration committees to continue meeting as a Council Committee
of the Whole on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month through May 31, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
THAT the last paragraph of Resolution No. 2015-16 be amended to read as follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council and civilian members of the
Standing Committees will act as a Council Committee of the Whole, meeting on the second and
fourth Tuesdays of the month through May 31, 2017. If Council chooses to adopt this meeting
format, an Ordinance amendment regarding the Standing Committees will be presented for
adoption prior to the Annual Meeting in May.
ADOPTED: MAY 23, 2016
Request of Fire Department - Engine #7 Replacement
Members were advised that, in accordance with the Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) for Fiscal Year 2016/2016, the Robbins Hose Company was requesting the
replacement of Engine #7, a 1997 Pierce Dash Engine. This engine will be 20 years
old in 2017 and was originally on a 15-year replacement program; however, the City
of Dover and previous Fire Chiefs agreed to push back the replacement to assist the
City with funding other projects during the economic fall out. Engine #7 had served
the Robbins Hose Company and the citizens of Dover well; however, due to its age,
there had been extended down times for maintenance due to parts availability, which
reduces fire protection for the Citizens of Dover. Specifications for a new engine
were created based on the current apparatus with a few fire suppression and safety
upgrades. The proposal for the specifications came in at $609,584, which is $7,084
over the City's projected budget (CIP) of $602,500. The financing of this apparatus
over ten years (2017-2026) would translate into a loan payment of approximately
$73,400. The difference of $7,084 would have to be added, increasing the total
amount to $609,584. The replacement of Engine #7 is needed to provide
uninterrupted and continual guarantee of five (5) engines in service to maintain and
meet the Robbins Hose Company’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) requirements,
which sets the insurance ratings for property owners throughout the City of Dover
and allows the Fire Department to respond to multiple emergencies throughout the
City simultaneously. This will also allow the Department to maintain the highest
level of readiness and safety for firefighters and residents of the City of Dover. The
Fire Department has a working relationship with Pierce manufacturing and planned
to deal with them on the purchase.
Página 33
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 29
Fire Chief Carleton Carey, Jr., Dover Fire Department, offered to answer any
questions regarding the request.
In response to Mr. Neil regarding how many miles were on the 18-year-old Pierce
Dash Engine #7, Chief Carey indicated that it had 36,000 miles. Mr. Neil,
referencing the Operational and Administration Analysis, noted that Table 5-5:
Proposed Fire Apparatus Replacement Schedule on page 37 recommended that the
unit remain in service for as long as 23 years if it has less than 120,000 miles on it.
He stated this was one (1) of his principal concerns. Mr. Neil commented that the
report was extremely favorable to the Fire Department and gave them a tremendous
pat on the back. He noted that the report had additional recommendations in terms
of the first response unit being three (3) engines, one (1) ladder truck, and two (2)
command vehicles and in terms of two (2) station houses, and the Fire Department
had enough equipment to cover that. Mr. Neil advised that the report had indicated
that there should be a method of financing the trucks going forward and a formula on
Page 37 describes what has to happen. He stated that members had not looked at this
report as a Council, and budget hearings were coming up. Mr. Neil felt it would be
necessary to look at whether the engine needs to be replaced at this time based on this
report. Referring to a memorandum from Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, dated
May 4, 2016, regarding the replacement of Engine # 7 - Robbins Hose Company,
Mr. Neil stated that the City Manager had requested that this matter be delayed.
Mr. Neil also wished to delay because Mr. Hare had been working on a proposal to
attempt to obtain help from some of the many 501(c)(3) organizations in the City that
the City supports with fire and police protection, which would be a consideration as
far as financing. Mr. Neil felt that this matter should be delayed until Council looks
at the report, which contains a lot of serious recommendations, including moving
dispatchers to Kent County. He stated that his recommendation was not a slap on the
department that does a marvelous job. Mr. Neil felt that the City would not be at risk
if no action was taken on this matter tonight.
Mr. Sudler questioned if Chief Carey had reviewed the section of the report
referenced by Mr. Neil. Responding, Chief Carey stated that he had read the report
twice. Mr. Sudler questioned what he could tell his constituents regarding why
Council should approve the truck replacement three (3) years ahead of the schedule
in the report. Responding, Chief Carey stated that the Fire Department would receive
less money for the truck if it was sold three (3) years later and all of the money
received from the sale of the truck will go toward equipment for the new truck. He
explained that the City buys only the truck and equipping an engine can easily cost
from $75,000 to $100,000. Chief Carey indicated that Robbins Hose Company
would have to put approximately $75,000 toward the new engine, noting that this
purchase would be a little cheaper than the purchase in two (2) years because air
bottles had recently been purchased, which would save $25,000.
In response to Mr. Sudler regarding whether Chief Carey still strongly urged Council
to support the Department’s recommendation after hearing Mr. Neil’s concerns,
Chief Carey stated that he did. He indicated that only the Mayor and one (1) member
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of Council had talked to him about the report. Chief Carey stated that Robbins Hose
Company did not recommend this report but would do whatever needed to be done
and would have their recommendations when the time comes.
Based on research that he had done, Mayor Christiansen advised that NFPA
standards state that the life expectancy of Class A fire apparatus is 15 years. He
noted that it is not based only on mileage but on the engine hours.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen, Chief Carey stated that he did not know the
number of engine hours on Engine #7, noting that there was no monitor on this
engine.
Mayor Christiansen stated that the standards of a 15-year life span for an engine and
17 years for a ladder truck were the norm across the country. He stated that he served
on the committee that put together Engine #7 and Rescue #1 when they were
purchased in 1997, and he was a member of Council and a junior officer in the Dover
Fire Department. Mayor Christiansen advised that the exterior of the truck looks
good; however, after a certain amount of time they become worn and less reliable.
He advised that the report stated that the Fire Department could operate with a certain
number of pieces of equipment, which Mayor Christiansen took to task because he
knew the operation and the responsibility that the Department has for its own fire
district and for others.
Mayor Christiansen questioned if this engine could be put in service for any great
length of time if one (1) of the front line engines were to go down. Responding,
Chief Carey stated that he must do what must be done to run the Department when
help is needed. He explained, for example, that a month ago there was a truck that
would not start at Station No. 2. There was an engine with a flat tire on its rim and
the two (2) pumpers were out of service. Chief Carey advised that, fortunately, there
were no fire calls at that time and an engine from Station No. 1 was taken to Station
No. 2 to support that side of town.
Mayor Christiansen questioned if it was reasonable to say that the need had been
identified above and beyond what the report stated. Chief Carey stated that there had
not been much maintenance on the truck during the last three (3) years. When they
replace this truck, Engine #3 would be sitting in Engine #7's spot. He indicated that
this was almost like a spare, so that when an engine goes down, which happens
frequently, another engine is moved over. For example, they had spent nearly
$38,000 in maintenance on Engine #3 alone in almost two (2) years. Chief Carey
noted that Engine #7 had not been that expensive because it had been sidelined and
they had been fortunate with it. When they do have to run it, it is the first piece.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen regarding six (6) month or annual maintenance
of apparatus, Chief Carey stated that regular maintenance is performed on all
apparatus and is up to date for this year.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 31
Mayor Christiansen questioned if this was in addition to preventive maintenance
performed by the dispatchers and if they document all service on the trucks. In
response, Chief Carey explained that the certified maintenance is not done in-house;
however, the dispatchers check the air bottles, lights, and tire pressure on a daily
basis and make sure that the trucks start and the air pressure is holding so they are
ready to roll out the door. He stated that the dispatchers are the backbone, helping
out so that members of the Department can go home and live their lives.
Mr. Hutchison questioned if the Department had a replacement plan in place for fire
apparatus and a corresponding financial plan. Responding, Chief Carey stated that
there is a plan in place and there was also a plan 20 years ago when he was serving as
Fire Chief. He indicated that he had met with Mr. Koenig and Mrs. Donna Mitchell,
Controller/Treasurer, so that a future plan could be developed.
Mr. Hutchison questioned when the next apparatus would need to be replaced.
Responding, Chief Carey indicated that they should start another replacement next
year after this truck was purchased. He advised that two (2) engines were purchased
in 2003. Chief Carey explained that there had been a set five (5) year plan for engine
replacement so that when one (1) was paid off, the other was ordered and the
payment plan rolled over to the next truck. He stated that this was how it used to
work with the City and the Fire Department. Chief Carey stated that this plan was
no longer in place and he was unsure why, noting that this had changed during the
20 year span since he was last Chief. He had explained to Mr. Koenig and
Mrs. Mitchell that the specialized pieces, the two (2) ladder trucks and rescue truck,
would cost more than $1M.
In response to Mr. Hutchison as to whether the City had a finance plan for the
Robbins Hose Company, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the Fire Department supplied her
with a schedule for when they want to replace trucks and the estimated cost of each
apparatus. Because the City uses loans, Mrs. Mitchell set up an amortization
schedule for each apparatus and laid it out in a spreadsheet. She indicated that there
is a plan in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for five (5) years; however, the truck
payment actually goes out 10 years. Mrs. Mitchell stated that all the trucks that were
coming up were included, noting that there was one (1) next year and another two (2)
years after that. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that she would provide Mr. Hutchison with
a copy of the payment plan.
Mr. Sudler expressed his appreciation for the Fire Department, stating his belief that
if they say they need apparatus, regardless of the report, the City should give it to
them. He commented that the Fire Department’s time frame of one (1) year was very
close to the three (3) years indicated in the report and noted that members of the
Department were waking up in the early morning hours to put out fires for loved ones
and businesses in the City.
Mr. Sudler moved to support the Dover Fire Department’s request. The motion
failed for lack of a second.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 32
Mr. Neil stated that the comprehensive Operational and Administration Analysis was
to act as a guideline, and the Proposed Apparatus Replacement Schedule indicated
first line service for 18 years or 100,000 miles and five (5) years or 120,000 miles for
reserve status. He stated that Engine #7 was in reserve status and was being looked
at for trade-in value. With the budget coming up and the request from the City
Manager for delay, Mr. Neil felt this matter should be delayed until members
consider what this report is, what they would do, and how it fits in with the fiscal
year coming up. He reiterated that the City was also looking at possibly getting help
from another source.
Mr. Hosfelt recalled that there had been discussion relating to Chief Carey returning
to give a briefing on the public safety study and questioned if this had been arranged.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that it had not yet been arranged; however, it could
be discussed at the agenda meeting.
Mr. Slavin stated that the City was still waiting for the draft of the report pertaining
to the police. Mr. Koenig explained that the text of the draft companion police report
had been received, was being reviewed, and comments must be sent back to the
consultant before it can be finalized by the consultant.
In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Koenig stated that the draft police side of the report
had been received by himself and Chief Bernat, who were reviewing it for text issues
or factual mistakes. Their comments will soon be sent back to the consultant to
finalize this portion of the report and submit the final report to Council. Mr. Koenig
advised that the same process was implemented with the fire and EMS study. The
consultant had submitted the final report, which had been posted to the website;
however, no discussion had convened with Council at this point.
Responding to Mr. Hosfelt regarding the timetable for receiving the final report,
Mr. Koenig projected that the police side would be finalized within the next 30 days;
however, members would not be able to hear from the consultant before the budget
discussion. He indicated that, at one point, the discussion had been to potentially
review the reports in early to late June.
Mr. Anderson stated that if the discussion was to replace the engine in year 15 or 16
years of 23 years, he would be in favor of stretching the engine out longer; however,
with the time frame being so close, he tended to agree with Mr. Sudler. He stated
that, traditionally, discussions of this type of capital project are rolled into the budget
discussion and he questioned the proper format to refer this matter to the budget
discussion. In response, Mr. Koenig indicated that this would be part of the FY 17
budget discussion because the purchase of this vehicle was not budgeted in FY 16.
He explained that this equipment takes approximately a year to be fabricated;
however, the FY 17 budget originally had more than $74,000 in debt service
associated with this vehicle. In March or April, staff advised Council that there was
a $1M gap in the General Fund. That proposed purchase had been cut from the draft
budget to close that $1M gap. Mr. Koenig stated his understanding of the Fire
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 33
Department’s request; however, he disagreed from the managerial side because the
Fire Department’s 15-year schedule is not supported by manufacturer documentation
or in the Operational and Administration Analysis that will be discussed in the future.
He indicated that he was not ready to approve a $600,000 purchase since there was
a gap in the budget that needs to be closed.
Mr. Anderson questioned if Mr. Koenig was looking at a delay of another year or so.
Responding, Mr. Koenig felt that this was part of what Council needed to deliberate
as they get into the budget discussions.
In response to Mayor Christiansen regarding the payment and amortization schedule
arrangement with the fire apparatus dealer, Mrs. Mitchell indicated that she had laid
out an amortization schedule for approximately $603,000 with a 10-year payback,
which would be approximately $74,000 per year.
The Committee tabled the discussion of replacing Engine #7 until the budget
discussions.
Mr. Hutchison commented that the Mayor and Council had always been there to
support the volunteer fire service, which is a first-class operation. In fairness, due to
the timing, Mr. Hutchison felt it was critical on the part of the Mayor, Council, City
Manager, and staff to take the time to look at the budget and go through the process.
He thanked Chief Carey for what they do and asked that they bear with the City.
Progress Report on the Youth Advisory Committee’s Reporting of Their
Minutes
Mr. Anderson stated that the Youth Advisory Committee’s (YAC’s) progress was
positive and that it had been a priority of the new chair to make sure that the records
are well kept. The secretary left the Committee and they now have a rotating
secretary. Referring to the memorandum from Chairwoman Rebecca Anderson dated
April 6, 2016, RE: Minutes Action Plan, Mr. Anderson stated that there is a
recommendation for a contract person and a budget request of approximately $1,000
in the next fiscal year’s budget so that there would not be a burden on the City
Clerk’s Office. He felt that the Committee should be treated as every other City
committee, noting that no City committees takes their own minutes. Mr. Anderson
stated that this was a very important legal responsibility and thought it would be a
good idea to have this done by someone who is experienced in that regard.
Mr. Hare questioned if the City Clerk had been receiving the minutes. Responding,
Mrs. Traci McDowell, City Clerk, stated that the Clerk’s Office had received minutes
for the last two (2) meetings but not the outstanding minutes for the previous
meetings.
Noting that Mr. Anderson had requested staffing funds for the YAC,
Mayor Christiansen questioned if the City Clerk’s Office would be capable of
handling this responsibility. Responding, Mrs. McDowell stated that the Clerk’s
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 34
Office currently had a backlog of minutes and a new person had just come on staff.
She advised members that the Clerk’s Office had never done minutes for the YAC,
noting that when former Councilwoman Sophia Russell restarted the YAC in 2008,
the Clerk’s Office had done two (2) sets of minutes until officers were installed.
Mrs. McDowell explained that the YAC selected a member who attended the
meetings, kept records, did the minutes, and submitted them to the adult advisor at
that time. It was Mrs. McDowell’s belief that minutes were supposed to be a learning
experience, noting that there are high school students who are pursuing this kind of
field, and she felt that was the intention to have the youth do their own minutes, since
they function as a youth advisory group for the government.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hare stated that the YAC minutes were subject to
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws.
Mr. Lewis stated his recollection that when he served on the Dover Human Relations
Commission (DHRC), an outside contractor was hired to complete minutes and he
asked if this still applied. Responding, Mrs. McDowell stated that when the DHRC
was recently reconstituted she and then Council President Bonar discussed the
Clerk’s Office staffing the commission. She stated that the Clerk’s Office would
complete the minutes, attend the meetings, and provide guidance so that they would
stay on track. At that time, a proposed ordinance stated that the DHRC would meet
quarterly. Mrs. McDowell advised that before the ordinance was adopted, it was
amended to allow the DHRC to meet whenever they wished. She advised that the
DHRC had met monthly since being reconstituted and had met more often than
monthly. Mrs. McDowell stated that DHRC minutes are extremely long, as are the
minutes for the Council Committee of the Whole. She explained that one (1) hour
of meeting time takes four (4) hours to transcribe; therefore, a three (3) hour meeting
is more than one (1) day’s work.
Mr. Anderson advised that part of the YAC’s proposal would take care of some of
the minutes backlog and explained that the tapes do exist. He stated that the YAC
had also requested training, which would be an essential element if they were to take
their minutes. Mr. Anderson felt that this would be a positive, one (1) time
investment. Mr. Lewis concurred that the youth members should be trained,
specifically if they are bound by FOIA regulations.
Mr. Slavin stated that the YAC is bound by FOIA and right now the City is
knowingly in violation of FOIA repeatedly for this issue. He expressed his opinion
that government grows slowly and $1,000 dollars here and there adds up to real
money. Mr. Slavin advised that youth had been asked to come forward and give their
ideas about how to make the City better and the structure used was one based on how
adults do business, not how youth comes up with ideas. His experience dealing with
youth is that they are a lot brighter and more nimble, and coming to a place like City
Hall on a weeknight evening and having to meet in this format had proven to be a
barrier in getting those ideas. Mr. Slavin felt that the City was tripping over issues
like composition, noting that YAC members cannot meet out their terms or get to the
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meetings, and there are not quorums or minutes, and, in the interim, the City is not
getting the ideas that are wanted. Mr. Slavin stated that he planned during budget
considerations to propose that the City look at a different initiative that would
involve going to key departments where the public interacts with City government,
such as Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and the Dover Public Library and require
those departments to have focus groups with youth through the year and report back
to Council with the ideas they have gathered. Mr. Slavin did not see it as the role of
City government to train youth on how to be in government, stating that this is what
the YMCA Youth in Government program, Boys and Girls State, and civics classes
are for. He felt that the City was duplicating these efforts. In regard to the minutes
training, Mr. Slavin stated his concern that this would not be a one (1) time cost
because there would be new members on the Committee and continuous training
would be involved. He expressed his belief that these are the things that add cost to
government, although this was not a great cost. Mr. Slavin suggested widening the
lens and thinking about the outcome wanted from involving youth with the
government. He felt there was a better way to get to that outcome than to ask them
to behave like adult members.
Mr. Hare advised that he had been to one (1) of the YAC meetings and they had no
one to take notes and no quorum and they still held their meeting. Responding,
Mr. Anderson indicated that this was not true. Mr. Hare stated that members may not
have held the meeting, but they remained in the room for a while.
Mr. Anderson stated that, compared to most City committees, he was quite pleased
with the youth and their commitment. He advised that, of all the regular meetings
they held, there was only one (1) where there was not a quorum. Mr. Anderson noted
that one (1) member kept saying that they were coming and they did not. They
eventually left the YAC.
Mr. Slavin stated that this was not known because there were no minutes of any
meetings. In response, Mr. Anderson advised that there were several sets of minutes
from older meetings, although there was a period where they were missing.
Mr. Anderson indicated that the Chair’s memorandum requested help in transcribing
one (1) particular meeting and the recommendation in the memo was very positive
and should be adopted. He indicated that there had been enormous community
engagement with Restoring Central Dover, Bayhealth Medical Center, the Downtown
Dover Partnership, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Kent County Tourism
during the last several months under the current leadership. Mr. Anderson felt that
going backwards all of a sudden would be a complete waste of time and totally
ridiculous.
Mr. Hare questioned if the YAC had taken on these initiatives and gone to these
entities. Responding, Mr. Anderson indicated that there was partnership with each
of those entities. With Bayhealth there would be a summer program for cardio-
pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), babysitting, and the like for the youth. In response
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 36
to Mr. Hare regarding funding, Mr. Anderson stated that Bayhealth and Restoring
Central Dover’s committee would be picking up the cost.
Mr. Hare stated that this was the first he had heard of this, noting that the YAC was
supposed to make recommendations to Council before they do it. Responding,
Mr. Anderson stated that the YAC were enabled to plan and execute events, noting
that there would be no cost for the taxpayer. Mr. Anderson stated that broader things
that engage the City are brought forward and the YAC was supposed to recommend
advocacy items for the youth.
Mr. Hare stated that he did not want to have 14-to-16-year-old children planning and
making executions on behalf of the City without advising Council.
Mr. Neil stated that he would like to see the minutes, stating his presumption that
they existed and could be produced. Responding, Mr. Anderson stated they were on
the City website.
Mr. Neil stated the desire for minutes so that members could study what the YAC
had done, noting that this would have been helpful for this particular discussion.
Responding, Mr. Anderson stated that these items were mentioned in the annual
report, which passed on consent agenda unanimously.
Mr. Cole questioned why members were trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
He stated that there were youth who wanted to be involved and suggested looking at
how to make this work moving forward. Based on his 18 years of education,
Mr. Cole stated that kids want to do things and it was a matter of how to guide this.
Mr. Lewis concurred with Mr. Cole and stated that the City was being proactive for
the kids and this was a positive thing for today’s society. He stated that he would
hate to see the YAC dissolve; however, he believed that it needed some structure and
guidance.
Mayor Christiansen asked that Mr. Anderson and the YAC memorialize the
partnerships that were mentioned in writing, as well as their meetings and
conversations, so that Council could review them and help the YAC move forward
in the direction needed. Mayor Christiansen stated that he did not want to see
another situation such as the New Year’s Eve celebration issue. He noted that there
is great advantage for the YAC and its potential energy, but stated the need to provide
Council some sense of direction on where they are going so that things would be in
hand if Council needs to approve their decisions.
Mr. Slavin expressed concerns regarding another round of obligations made by the
YAC for the City to be involved in activities with very little knowledge of what the
activities are and their scope. He indicated that he was more concerned that it
appeared that the youth were being taught that the Freedom of Information Act is
optional, noting that it is not and never had been.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 37
The Committee recommended that the Youth Advisory Committee be suspended
until all minutes of the missing meetings are approved by Council and until Council
can discuss the matter thoroughly.
During the Council meeting, Mr. Anderson expressed his opinion that the recommendation of the
Youth Advisory Committee should be accepted, noting that it was a reasonable and amenable
recommendation. He stated that he would like to request that members of the community, many of
whom have been in contact to support the Youth Advisory Committee, volunteer to help with the
back minutes. Mr. Anderson stated that he was very pleased with the current leadership of the
Committee, which has met, basically, every demand that Council has put forward. He requested that
Council support the Youth Advisory Committee in the coming year, to be able to do the things that
it has laid out. Mr. Anderson stated that there has been cooperation set with City staff, which is very
positive, and with the community interests. It was his belief that the Committee had exceeded the
expectations that had been laid out for it. He stated that the Committee is doing a great job and
should be supported.
Mr. Hare, referring to Mr. Anderson’s request that Council support the Youth Advisory Committee
in the coming year, to be able to do the things that it has laid out, stated that nothing had been
presented to Council regarding the Committee’s recommendations and no minutes had been
provided in this regard, so he did not know what the Committee was planning to do or commit the
City to. Mr. Hare stated that he was not ready to let a group of fifteen and sixteen year-old kids
make commitments on the City’s behalf, noting that Resolution No. 2010-03 states that the
Committee shall present their recommendations to City Council. He stated that he could not support
this. Mr. Hare indicated that if there were people willing to help with the minutes, the Committee
could get all of the minutes caught up, submit them to Council for consideration, and Council could
then discuss the matter.
Mr. Anderson stated that the Youth Advisory Committee’s recommendations were provided in the
Committee’s 2016 Annual Plan of Work, which was approved by City Council on April 25, 2016.
Mr. Lewis stated that he did not have a problem assisting this group; however, he thought that
Council needs to give them some direction going forward on where to go and how to take the
minutes. He suggested that maybe the members need to be trained on how to take their minutes and
asked if the City Clerk’s Office was willing to train them. Responding, Mrs. McDowell stated that
the City Clerk’s Office would be able to help them and explained that the Clerk’s Office had sent
them several emails with information regarding the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) and Robert’s Rules of Order. She stated that she did not object to helping them; however,
she reminded members that as turnover happens, the training would be required again, noting that,
currently, the turnover for this group is very high.
Mr. Slavin reminded members that the Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and
Administration Committee had recommended that the Youth Advisory Committee be suspended
until all minutes of the missing meetings are approved by Council and until Council can discuss
the matter thoroughly. He advised that two (2) weeks had passed and no further meeting
minutes had been provided; therefore, he did not think that Council should vacate the
recommendation, since that condition had not been met. Mr. Slavin stated that the Special Council
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 38
Meeting - Budget Review was scheduled to begin the next evening and he believed that this would
be a matter of discussion then.
Mr. Sudler moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation that the Youth Advisory
Committee be suspended until all minutes of the missing meetings are approved by Council
and until Council can discuss the matter thoroughly. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole
and carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
PARKS, RECREATION, AND
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee met with
Councilman Anderson presiding.
Presentation - Tiny Home Village Concept (Sue Harris)
Ms. Sue Harris, 241 Pine Street, reviewed a presentation entitled “Promoting
Independence, Cooperation, and Respect for Each Other and the Environment - Port
Hope Delaware Inc.” Ms. Harris thanked members for welcoming herself and her
co-coordinator, Ms. Cathi Kopera, to present their plans for their vision of a new
affordable housing concept, a tiny house village for the homeless. Ms. Harris advised
members that their desire was to make members aware of the tiny village concept,
noting that the biggest piece of the project would be related to the land. She advised
that there was nothing written that would allow for this type of project; therefore, it
would have to be made to work wherever possible. Ms. Harris advised members that
if such developments are well managed, maintained, and self-governed by a board
of directors, they are an asset rather than a detriment to neighborhoods and she
expressed her hope that this would happen somewhere around Delaware soon.
Mr. Neil questioned if there would be lavatories and food facilities. Responding,
Ms. Harris stated that the plans for their village would include bathrooms and
kitchens in the units. She stated that a lot of villages have a community house
instead.
Mr. Neil stated that, from his experience in vocational rehabilitation, there is a
mental aspect and some of the people can be very resistant to doing anything that
they do not want to do; therefore, there should be a screening process. He stated that
there should also be a neighborhood process since there would be those who would
not want such a project in their neighborhood. Mr. Neil felt that this concept would
be difficult to sell.
Ms. Harris agreed; however, she stated her opinion that it made more sense to do
something rather than nothing, noting the need and the ability to save the towns
money.
Mr. Neil advised that the State had passed a common interest community law which
applies to communities such as condos and co-ops, and that there is an ombudsman.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 39
He indicated that the tiny village would also be a common interest community and
suggested they consider an ombudsman because there are problems that groups
cannot agree upon.
Ms. Harris stated that they would start by talking with all those who would be
involved to learn what they need to do and work through each difficulty one (1) step
at a time. She felt that if this could be done elsewhere, it could be done here.
Mr. Lewis advised that he personally supported this initiative 100%, stating this issue
was close to his heart and he had been volunteering to help the homeless since the
age of 15. He expressed his admiration for Ms. Harris and Ms. Kopera in trying to
help clean up homelessness in the City, noting that the City has a homeless problem.
Ms. Harris commented that some had suggested buying tickets for the homeless and
sending them back to where they came from; however, most of the homeless were
born, grew up, and went to school here, noting that one (1) specific homeless
individual had been a chemist for Dupont.
Mrs. Harris advised members that she serves on a committee that is working on
legislation relating to land banking. She stated that New Castle County benefitted
from land bank legislation recently passed in Delaware and it was her hope that Kent
County and the City of Dover would take a look at this concept. Ms. Harris provided
members with a press release dated April 27, 2015 related to Land Bank legislation,
Senate Bill No. 66, and House Bill 287 and Kent County property information.
Mr. Caldwell stated that he had the opportunity to see a tiny home village in
Madison, Wisconsin, and was highly impressed with that community. He explained
that area residents were somewhat reluctant about the concept, not knowing what was
going to take place. Mr. Caldwell indicated that there was no police presence and
they did not have a single problem. He stated that there was no drinking or loud
music, the area was kept clean, and some of the homeless were able to find jobs,
remarking that the Dover community probably needs a lot of help in that area.
Mr. Caldwell indicated that, based on his observations, a tiny community of homes
can be very impressive. He noted that there would be resistance to the homeless but
expressed a desire to help them, stating that when he sees people with bags walking
the streets of Dover, he knows they have a problem. Mr. Caldwell felt that it would
be very valuable to have an example of a tiny community in Delaware, like the
village in Wisconsin.
In response to Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Harris advised members that they had already been
asked by Sussex County to build a village there.
Mr. Anderson stated that affordable housing is one (1) of the goals of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan as well as Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants. He
expressed his hope that Ms. Harris would work with staff and in the future the City
would be able to adapt a Planned Neighborhood Design to accommodate a tiny home
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village. It was Mr. Anderson’s opinion that this needed to happen because people
had been regulated into homelessness in an effort to manipulate the market. He
stated that the current average wage required for the average rent, using income
guidelines, is approximately $16 per hour; however, the average renter is earning less
than $12 per hour; therefore, the average wage does not meet the average rent.
Mr. Anderson indicated that a serious problem is being created, market-based
solutions must be allowed for, and this concept was one (1) possibility. He expressed
his hope that there would be further discussion of this issue.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Quarterly Update
(January, February, and March)
The Committee recommended acceptance of the report.
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Anderson suggested that members refer any questions to Mrs. Ann Marie
Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, or Mrs. Tracey
Harvey, Planner I.
Mr. Sudler moved for acceptance of the Council Committee of the Whole Report, seconded by
Mr. Neil and carried by a roll call vote of seven (7) yes (Sudler, Neil, Cole, Hosfelt, Hare,
Hutchison, and Slavin) and two (2) no (Anderson and Lewis).
SETTING OF PUBLIC HEARING - ELECTRIC FUND BUDGET
A public hearing on the Electric Revenue Fund Budget is required for compliance with the City of
Dover Electric Revenue Bonds Resolution prior to adoption of the budget. Staff recommended that
the public hearing be set for June 13, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Hare moved to set a public hearing for June 13, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. for the 2016/2017 City
of Dover Electric Fund Budget, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
2016/17 STAFF APPOINTMENTS - CITY COUNCIL (Deferred During the Annual Meeting
of May 9, 2016)
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Staff Appointments for 2016/2017,
seconded by Mr. Neil and, by a unanimous roll call vote, the following appointments were
made:
City Assessor - Cheryl A. Bundek
Building Inspector - Ann Marie Townshend
City Clerk - Traci A. McDowell
Assistant City Clerk - Denise L. Devine
Controller/Treasurer - Donna S. Mitchell
Assistant Controller/Treasurer - Lori Peddicord
Assistant Treasurers - Traci A. McDowell
- Denise L. Devine
Fire Marshal - Deferred
City Solicitor - Nicholas H. Rodriguez
Deputy City Solicitor - William W. Pepper, Sr.
Página 45
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 41
2016/17 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - COUNCIL PRESIDENT (Deferred During the
Annual Meeting of May 9, 2016)
Council President Slavin requested that the 2016/2017 Council President Committee Appointments
be deferred.
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved to defer the 2016/17 Council President Committee
Appointments, seconded by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
2016/17 MISCELLANEOUS APPOINTMENTS - COUNCIL PRESIDENT (Deferred During
the Annual Meeting of May 9, 2016)
Council President Slavin requested that the 2016/2017 Council President Miscellaneous
Appointments be deferred.
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved to defer the 2016/2017 Council President Miscellaneous
Appointments, seconded by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
2016/17 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - MAYOR (Deferred During the Annual Meeting
of May 9, 2016)
Mayor Christiansen submitted the following appointments for approval:
Compensation Commission
Mayor Christiansen requested that this appointment be deferred.
Dover Fourth of July Celebration Committee
Robin R. Christiansen, Chairman (ex-officio)
Greg Patterson, President/Vice Chairman
Andrea Maucher, Vice President
Jennifer Helms, Treasurer/Secretary
Ann Marie Townshend (Staff Liaison)
Susan Betts
Gail Nemcic
Karen Nickerson
Sarah Zimmerman
Dover Public Library Advisory Commission
Scott W. Cole (Council Liaison Member)
Downtown Dover Partnership Board of Directors
City of Dover Government - Appointed by the Mayor and Confirmed by Council
Robin R. Christiansen, Mayor (Ex-Officio Member)
David L. Anderson - Council Representative
William F. Hare - Council Representative
Council Representative - Mayor Christiansen requests that this appointment be deferred.
Scott D. Koenig - City of Dover Representative
Ann Marie Townshend - City of Dover Representative
Página 46
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 42
Downtown Dover Partnership Board of Directors (Continued)
State Government - Appointed by the Mayor and Confirmed by Council
State of Delaware Representative - Mayor Christiansen requests that this appointment be
deferred.
Private Sector - Appointed by the Mayor and Confirmed by Council
Maxine Lewis - Downtown Retailer/Commercial Property Owner Designee
Todd Stonesifer - Resident of Downtown Area
Real Estate Professional Whose Practice Includes Downtown Area/Commercial Property Owner
- Mayor Christiansen requests that this appointment be deferred.
Election Board
Curtis E. Raymond - Third District
Fourth District - Mayor Christiansen requests that this appointment be deferred.
Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals
Charles Martin, Representative Local Real Estate
Adam M. Perza, Representative of Homeowners
Scott D. Koenig, City Manager
Silver Lake Commission
Nicholas Adams
Tricia Arndt
James Burcham
Zachary Carter
Dean Holden
Lyle Allen Jones
Ann Marie Townshend
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the Committee Appointments for
2016/2017, as recommended by Mayor Christiansen. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil
and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
REAPPOINTMENTS/APPOINTMENTS - RECOMMENDED BY MAYOR CHRISTIANSEN
Mayor Christiansen requested the following reappointments/appointments to the Planning
Commission for a three (3) year term to expire June 1, 2019:
John H. Baldwin, Sr. - Fourth District (Reappointment)
Kenneth Roach - Fourth District
Mayor Christiansen requested the appointment Ms. Andrea Maucher to serve on the Planning
Commission, representing the Second District, for a term to expire June 1, 2018 (to fill the unexpired
term of Michael J. Ambruso, Sr.).
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the reappointments/appointments to the
Planning Commission, as recommended by Mayor Christiansen. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Neil and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Página 47
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-06 AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES FOR BANKING SERVICES
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE - CONTROLLER/TREASURER,
ASSISTANT CONTROLLER/TREASURER, AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS
By consent agenda, Mr. Lewis moved for adoption of the proposed resolution, seconded by
Mr. Neil and, by a unanimous roll call vote, Council adopted Resolution No. 2016-06, as
follows:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES FOR BANKING SERVICES ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
WHEREAS, the City of Dover's investment policy includes the investment of funds up to $100,000
per banking institution, investments in the State of Delaware Investment Pool, and the purchase and
sale of investment grade corporate bonds, and U.S. Treasury and agency securities; and
WHEREAS, the banking institutions, brokerage firms, trust companies, and other various financial
institutions require an Authorizing Resolution for the opening of accounts, and for purchasing,
selling, transferring, assigning, and handling securities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover, that
the Controller/Treasurer, Assistant Controller/Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurers are hereby
authorized to open accounts with banking institutions and purchase, sell, transfer, assign, and handle
securities and that they are authorized to sign all related forms;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the transactions in these accounts be carried out with any one
signature; and
That the following are the office holders authorized for these purposes, until further notice:
Donna S. Mitchell - Controller/Treasurer
Lori Peddicord - Assistant Controller/Treasurer
Traci A. McDowell - Assistant Treasurer
Denise L. Devine - Assistant Treasurer
ADOPTED: MAY 23, 2016
FIRST READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-10
Council President Slavin reminded the public that copies of the proposed ordinance are available at
the entrance of the Council Chambers, on the City’s website at www.cityofdover.com under
“Government,” or by contacting the City Clerk’s Office. Final action by Council on the proposed
ordinance will take place during the Council Meeting of June 13, 2016.
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, advised members that Proposed Ordinance #2016-10 was prepared
by several members of City Staff from the City Clerk’s Office, Finance Department, Human
Resources Department, and City Manager’s Office. He explained that the Proposed Ordinance
would create the generic template for the deferred compensation plan, so that the City can have
various plan documents for the deferred compensation plan. Mr. Koenig noted that all new
Página 48
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 44
employees, except police officers, hired after September 28, 2009 are required to join the deferred
compensation plan as defined in subsection 2-324 of the Dover Code.
Mr. Koenig thanked Councilmen Lewis and Hare for granting the additional latitude during the
discussion of the Proposed Ordinance earlier in the meeting. He explained that, as amended earlier
in the evening, the proposal would allow the non-bargaining component of the workforce to
contribute a minimum of 3% and a maximum of 9% on the expansion schedule that was previously
discussed. Mr. Koenig stated that the remaining employees under this plan would be defined under
the various collective bargaining agreements and/or their plan document. He expressed his
appreciation for the time and effort that Staff and Council had put into this revision, noting that,
going forward, this is the retirement plan for new employees, except police officers.
In accordance with Section 1-9 of the Dover Code, Council acknowledged the First Reading of the
proposed Ordinance as read by the City Clerk, by title only, as follows:
< PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-10 AMENDING CHAPTER 2 - ADMINISTRATION,
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, DIVISION 8 - DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN
CITY MANAGER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, thanked the staff who had worked over the past few months to help
draft the FY17 budget that is scheduled for presentation at the Special Council Meeting - Budget
Review beginning tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. He stated that there were a number of people that
provided input, calculations, and advice in preparing the fiscal spending plan for FY17 and he would
like to thank them personally for their efforts, prior to beginning the presentation tomorrow.
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council President Slavin reiterated that the Special Council Meeting - Budget Review would begin
tomorrow evening, Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, noting
that the draft budget for FY 2016/2017 was available on the City’s website.
Mr. Hutchison thanked Staff for the new television screens in the Council Chambers, as well as the
new Council nameplates. He stated that the new television screens were a nice addition.
Mr. Slavin wished Ms. Denise Devine, Assistant City Clerk, a happy birthday.
Mr. Hare announced that a Second Council District community meeting was scheduled for Tuesday,
June 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at Capital Baptist Church. He asked Deputy Police Chief Marvin Mailey
to see if someone would be available to attend from the Police Department, and expressed his hope
that someone would also attend from the Planning Department, noting that there would be discussion
regarding property in that area.
Mr. Anderson announced that Nicholas Dadgostar, a Wounded Warrior from Kent County Delaware,
was a Silver Medalist in the recent Invictus Games. He stated that Mr. Dadgostar represented the
Air Force and was one (1) of the United States service members who participated, noting that it is
Página 49
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2016 PAGE 45
good to see a local individual who overcame adversity doing well. Mr. Anderson extended best
wishes to Mr. Dadgostar and his family.
Mr. Anderson announced that First State Community Action Agency has an office in Dover and is
currently looking for participants who need lead removal, home renovation, or assistance with their
electric bills. He urged people to contact First State Community Action Agency, indicating that
there is more than a million dollars that needs to be spent by November.
Mr. Sudler thanked the entire City of Dover, including members of Council, for attending his
meeting regarding shootings and illegal gang activity in the City of Dover, on Wednesday, May 18,
2016. He also thanked Ms. Ashton Brown from the Delaware State News, and Mr. Jeff Brown from
the Dover Post for covering the meeting. Mr. Sudler indicated that resources were being put together
on the State and local level to combat criminal activity, especially illegal gang formation, in the City
of Dover.
Mr. Neil moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
TRACI A. McDOWELL
CITY CLERK
All ordinances, resolutions, motions, and orders adopted by City Council during their Regular
Meeting of May 23, 2016, are hereby approved.
ROBIN R. CHRISTIANSEN
MAYOR
/TM
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Council-Minutes\2016\05-23-2016.wpd
Exhibits
Exhibit #1 - “Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League (MWUL) Dover Committee” Presentation, provided by
Dr. Shekelia Hines
Exhibit #2 - Correspondence dated May 20, 2016 from Mr. David Sheppard, General Counsel for DSU, regarding the
prospective relinquishment of City of Dover’s transfer right in the Delaware Civic Center Corporation land
Página 50
EXHIBIT #1
Regular City Council Meeting of 05/23/2016
Metropolitan Wilmington
Urban League (MWUL)
Dover Committee
Página 51
Introduction
Shekelia Hines, PT , DPT
Physical Therapist
Chair of MWUL Dover Committee
ShekeliaHines@gmail.com
(302) 300 - 0856
Página 52
Our Movement
Founded in 1910 in New York City, NY
Nonprofit, nonpartisan, community based movement
Professional Staffed
MWUL 115th Affiliate
Pursues the National Urban League 5 point Agenda
Página 53
Five point Empowerment Agenda
1. Education and Youth Empowerment
2. Economic Empowerment
3. Health and Quality of Life Empowerment
4. Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment
5. Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment
Página 54
Founder of MWUL Mr. James H. Gilliam, Sr.
● In 1998, Civil Rights Veteran James H. Gilliam, Sr., a former member of
the National Urban League’s (NUL) Board of Trustees, was prompted
by Mayor James H. Sills to start an Urban League affiliate in Wilmington
Delaware.
● In six months, Mr. Gilliam worked with a small group of colleagues and
a minority-owned consulting firm, [ARISE International], to marshal
funding and partnership commitments that totaled $1 million. He also
assembled a diverse sponsoring committee that included more than 70
community leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
● In June 1999, Mr. Gilliam made a formal presentation for affiliation to
the NUL. One month later, MWUL became the 115th affiliate in the
history of the national organization.
● It remains the fastest start of any Urban League affiliate in the later half
James H. Gilliam, Sr. of the 20th century.
Página 55
Mission statement:
To empower people of color to
achieve economic self-reliance,
parity, and civil rights.
Página 56
Young Professionals
(www.mwulyp.org)
Auxiliary Organization
Fastest growing segment
Made up of members who support the mission
Defined as “Anyone proficient in what they do.”
Various occupations are welcomed
Página 57
MWUL Young Professional Video Introduction
Página 58
Mini Recapture of 2015
(See Annual Report for 2015)
July 2015 October 2015
June 2015
Civic engagement committee
Partnered with Christiana Cultural Economic empowerment committee
held a week long community
Arts Center to assist with the annual held a financial literacy conference at
organizing training. Delaware Technical College
concert series at the Grand Opera
House.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
September 2015
August 2015
March 2015 Organized the Sunday Breakfast Hosted a weekend with Nascar at Delaware
MWUL YP’s Held a Launch week to celebrate the Mission to distribute 3,000 book bags State University for potential career and
revitalization of the young professionals. filled with school and worked with internship opportunities with Bubba Wallace.
complexities of color to distribute an
Worked with Habitat for Humanity in Claymont, DE. additional 1,500 book bags. This is a small sample of all events by the YP’s.
Página 59
Dover Committee YP’s
June
May Business and
April Entrepreneur Training
“What’s In Your Future”
Held Campaign Education workshop
Bootcamp Training.
Página 60
Why now in the Dover
area?
● Young professionals in the
Dover area expressed
interest and a need to
serve their community.
Página 61
EXHIBIT #2
Regular City Council Meeting of 05/23/2016
DELA\VARE STATE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
May 20, 2016
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Tim Slavin
Council President
Dover City Council
P.O. Box 475
Dover, DE 19903-0475
RE: Prospective Relinquishment of City of Dover's Transfer Right in the Delaware Civic
Center Corporation Land
Dear Council President Slavin:
I write in response to the feedback received by Delaware State University ("DSU") from the
members of the Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee ("Committee") at the Committee's
meeting on April 26, 2016 (as part of the meeting ofthe Council Committee of the Whole).
In light of the issues raised during the Committee hearing, I thought it advisable to give the
Council Members some factual background regarding the Delaware Civic Center Corporation ("DCCC") 1
and the land under its control, as well as specifics on the potentia l economic benefit to DSU and the City
of Dover ("City"), if DSU is successful in its efforts to acquire and build a Convocation Center on the land
in question.
Background
Pursuant to a deed entered into between the City and the DCCC on December 11, 2001, the City
transferred 41.5 acres of land ("Land") to the DCCC for consideration in the amount of one dollar ($1)
("Deed"). The Land had formerly operated as a landfill, more commonly known as the "Frazier Pit"
Landfill. Contemporaneously, the DCCC also obtained, from third parties, ownership of two other
parcels adjacent to the Land consisting of 6.34 acres and 1.86 acres, respectively. Collectively, these
approximately 50 acres were intended to be used to facilitate the construction and operation of a civic
center in Dover and, by so doing, achieve the express purpose for which the DCCC was created .
Language within the Deed provided, in pertinent part, that "[i]n the event construction of a civic
center project is not commenced ... within ten (10) years of the recording of this deed" the City could
compel the DCCC to transfer the Land back to the City by the payment of ten dollars ($10) ("Transfer
Right"). However, in 2009, the DCCC was voided by the Secretary of State for failing to file annual
1
The Delaware Civic Center Corporation was created through legislative action by the General Assembly in the FY
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Página 62
reports. Because the DCCC was voided before the ten (10) year period had elapsed and the City could
exercise its Transfer Right, ownership of the Land has remained with the DCCC.
Consequently, in order for the City to regain ownership of the Land, the DCCC would first have
to be resuscitated and the City, thereafter, would have to exercise its Transfer Right through the
mechanism provided for in the Deed. However, were the City to waive its Transfer Right, the DCCC,
upon resuscitation, would be free to transfer the Land to another entity, such as DSU.
Potential Economic Benefits
The following is a high-level assessment of the potential economic benefits to DSU and,
ostensibly, to the City, if DSU is successful in its efforts to build a Convocation Center on the Land:
• The Delaware Convocation Center ("DCC") is estimated to temporarily generate a total of 760
full-time equivalent ("FTE") jobs during its construction. Total permanent jobs would range
between 130 -180 FTE's depending on the level of operations at the venue.
• The DCC is estimated to host between .144 - 176 events annually (60% of which would be non-
DSU events catering to the community-at-large and out-of-town visitors).
• Estimates reflect that the DCC would generate local spending between $5.4 - $7.2MM annually.
• The initial direct spending and subsequent rounds of re-spending would impact the local
economy through a multiplier effect, prospectively bringing the total economic activity (output)
generated by DCC operations to range from $7.0 to $9.4MM annually.
• Over a 30-year period, the net present value of total output generated by the DCC is estimated
to range from $135 to $183MM.
Proposal
Ultimately, DSU seeks to have the City relinquish its Transfer Right to the Land so as to permit
the DCCC, once resuscitated, to transfer the Land to DSU, so that DSU can attempt to accomplish the
very laudable goal that motivated the City to transfer the Land 15 years ago. In an effort to facilitate this
request, DSU is willing to agree to any necessary utility easements on the Land sought by the City.
As always, DSU appreciates your, the Council's and the City's attention to and consideration of
this request, and is happy to discuss this matter further at the Council's convenience.
David K. Sheppard
General Counsel
Página 63
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
BUDGET REVIEW
A Special Council Meeting was held on May 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. with Council President Slavin
presiding. Council members present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler (arrived at 6:06 p.m.), Mr. Neil,
Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison.
Council staff members present were Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Koenig, and Mrs. McDowell.
Mayor Christiansen was also present (arrived at 6:43 p.m.).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Hosfelt and unanimously
carried.
INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION
Council President Slavin stated that completing the budget would involve a lot of work over the next
two (2) weeks. He advised that the format used during budget hearings in the past was to allow staff
the opportunity to present the budget, while remaining open to questions addressing what was said
during their presentations. After the presentations, there would be deeper discussion about the
issues. Mr. Slavin asked that the rules be suspended at the end of each section to allow members of
the public to speak. He indicated that a system was employed last year where a list of potential
motions was kept, and these motions were held until the budget mark-up period so that members
could go through them after having heard the whole budget process. Mr. Slavin reminded members
that they would adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Mr. Slavin stated that, after reviewing the draft budget, he was impressed by the work and heavy lift
that was done by members in passing last year’s budget, which helped to make structural changes
that were needed in regard to revenues and expenses. He noted that this would not dismiss members
from the work in front of them; however, some of the key issues that had been plaguing Council had
been ameliorated along the way. Mr. Slavin commended some of the changes that members had
offered during the year, such as reviewing the preliminary budget earlier than in the past. Noting that
the proposed budget had no property tax or utility rate increases, he expressed his opinion that this
was a great place to start discussions.
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer, provided members with handouts related to the
2016-2017 Draft Annual Operating Budget with 2017-2021 Capital Investment Plans, as follows:
• Outlays and Receipts (Property Taxes in as Public Safety) for Governmental
Activities, replacing page 16 of the Draft Budget, and Outlays and Receipts
(Incl. Property Taxes) for Governmental Activities, replacing page 17 of the
Draft Budget (Exhibit #1);
• Projected Cost Per Capita by Function - Fiscal Year 2015-2016 (Exhibit #2),
which Mrs. Mitchell provided to allow members to compare the projected
costs from FY 16 with those on page 30 for FY 17; and
Página 64
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (BUDGET REVIEW)
MAY 24, 25, AND 26, 2016 PAGE 2
• Kent County Treatment Fees - Trend of Fees Billed and Charges Paid
(Exhibit #3), which was provided in response to a Council member’s
question regarding whether the Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) problem was
decreasing and if treatment fees were covering the issue.
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, referred to a memorandum from him and Mrs. Mitchell dated
May 17, 2016, regarding the Revised FY 16 Budget and FY 17 Proposed Budget (Exhibit #4). He
stated that he would not discuss the revised FY 16 budget unless specific questions were asked
because he wished to focus attention on the FY 17 budget.
Mr. Koenig began the review of the Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 - June
30, 2017. In reviewing his introduction letter dated May 16, 2016, regarding the Fiscal Year 2016-
2017 Proposed Budget (page 3), he stated that staff had done a lot of work since the preliminary
budget discussion in March 2016, noting that they had managed to close a gap of slightly more than
$1M in the General Fund budget since that time. Mr. Koenig advised that the fee increases adopted
by Council had been incorporated in the proposed budget. He believed that a reasonable spending
plan was presented for the General Fund for FY 17 and the proposed budget would provide the level
of services expected. Mr. Koenig noted that the current property tax rate of $0.405 cents was the
result of the heavy lift by Council during the FY 16 budget deliberations, and it was proposed to keep
this rate for FY 17. He explained that the total financial program for FY 17 was proposed at
$138,472,000, including an operating budget of $125,566,900 and a capital investment budget of
$12,905,100. Mr. Koenig indicated that this represented an increase of 0.9% over last year and
included the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract, the Dover Organization of Employees (DOE)
contract, personnel adjustments, and adjustments to the capital plan. He stated that, from a spending
standpoint, staff was happy to be able to come in very close to last year.
In regard to the Water and Sewer Fund budget, Mr. Koenig stated that there had been a debate for
some time about rates. He indicated that staff was able to balance the budget this year leaving the
rates as they are; however, he anticipated requesting a cost of service study in the future with the
expectation of gravitating to inclining block rates. Mr. Koenig noted that Calpine had generated a
substantial increase in revenue; however, was not quite meeting the expected revenue targets. He
advised that Calpine was one (1) year into commercial operation and staff would monitor revenues
and see how the system responds and operates over the next six (6) to 12 months to get a better
operating history of Unit 1. Mr. Koenig stated that expansions of water and sewer systems were
being proposed in the capital plan to meet the demands of both residential and commercial customers
and position the City to attract potential commercial clients and customers to the City as part of
overall economic development efforts.
Mr. Koenig stated that the electric utility was changing very rapidly. The City had benefitted over
the last several years from a number of substantial cost reductions in the electric utility related to
power purchase. Earlier this year, Council executed a long-term power purchase that would be
reflected in revenue forecasting for the electric utility. Mr. Koenig stated that the reductions had
been a benefit in the FY 16 budget and in the development of the FY 17 budget.
Página 65
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (BUDGET REVIEW)
MAY 24, 25, AND 26, 2016 PAGE 3
Mr. Koenig informed members that it was proposed to reduce the total number of full-time positions
in the City from 359 to 357. A net increase of two (2) part-time positions was proposed, partially
due to the need for a larger bank of part-time employees to fill in within the fire dispatch area. The
total number of hours would remain the same, but the number of employees would increase.
Mr. Koenig stated that the total personnel budget across all funds was estimated at $36.044M, which
was slightly less than a 3% increase from last year’s budget. He indicated that all four (4) labor
agreements were signed and in place for FY 17; therefore, labor costs should be predictable.
Mr. Koenig stated that the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) unions would begin
negotiations in FY 17 just after the calendar year begins and adjustments would be implemented for
FY 18.
Mr. Koenig referred to his memorandum dated May 17, 2016 RE: Revised FY 16 Budget and FY 17
Proposed Budget (Exhibit #4). In reference to Attachment #2 to the memorandum, Adjustments to
the Preliminary Budget, Mr. Koenig stated that staff had looked at revenues and expenses in order
to close the $1M gap in the General Fund. He explained that wages and benefits were decreased by
approximately $373,000, a large portion of which was related to the Police Department draft budget.
Mr. Koenig indicated that, as a follow-up to contract negotiations, there was a change in language
that allowed the Police Chief to insert an 84-hour straight time schedule rather than going to
overtime at 80 hours, which would have cost the City an additional $232,000. Mr. Koenig stated
that the value of this compensation had been included in this draft budget.
Mr. Koenig indicated that the total capital budget in the General Fund would be decreased by
$356,000 due to deferring some vehicle purchases and decreasing the Street Program from $1M to
$900,000. Operating expenses would be decreased by approximately $139,200.
Mr. Koenig stated that debt service would be another area of savings. He noted that the tar ditch
project had been included in the preliminary budget as debt service. This General Fund stormwater
project was approaching the end of the design phase and was estimated at $7.6M. In Mr. Koenig’s
opinion, the City of Dover should not be the sole contributor to this project. He indicated that the
project was being readied for bid and legwork was beginning with legislators, interested property
owners, and State agencies to obtain funding partners to reduce the City’s exposure. Mr. Koenig
believed that this debt service would affect the FY 18 budget rather than the FY 17 budget, and it
had been removed from the proposed budget. In addition, debt service was included in the
preliminary budget for the Enterprise Resource Program (ERP); however, staff was trying to fund
this financial program without General Fund debt service.
Mr. Koenig stated that additional savings related to budgeting for retirements were included in the
proposed budget. He explained that the City had been budgeting for retirements by pulling all
requests together, analyzing them, and putting a number into the budget. To help close the gap in
the budget, it had been stated that if there was a retirement involving 150 days of payout, that
department may have to hold that position open to pay the salary from its budget rather than using
the reserve fund. Mr. Koenig advised, for example, if an employee in the Public Works Department
retired and all the positions in that division were filled, they may have to carry that open position
until the retirement is paid out. If there are other openings and funds are available to pay the
Página 66
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (BUDGET REVIEW)
MAY 24, 25, AND 26, 2016 PAGE 4
position’s salary, they will potentially be released to recruit earlier than the payout period.
Mr. Koenig stated that the goal would be to have no net increase in the divisional budget. He noted
that this may affect the Police Department since officers may have to defer attendance at the police
academy due to retirement payouts. Mr. Koenig stated that this retirement payout was used as a
premise in the draft budget.
Mr. Hare questioned whether a department would be unable to hire for seven (7) or eight (8) months
if an employee retired with this amount of accumulated leave. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that
there was the potential for the department to be unable to hire.
Mr. Hare questioned if a position that remained vacant for seven (7) or eight (8) months was needed,
noting that if a position was key, the department could not wait this long to fill it. Responding,
Mr. Koenig stated that the City Manager has the authority to transfer money between budgets;
however, it was being proposed that there would not be a simple right to recruit from the time the
vacancy occurs.
Mr. Slavin advised that this was a very conservative method of making sure that double salary is not
paid for a period of seven (7) to eight (8) months and this process had been used at the State level.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the presentation entitled “City of Dover Fiscal Year 2017 Proposed Budget”
(page 7). In regard to Policy Compliance (pages 10-11), she stated that the budget was within the
policy requirement percentages for budget balances and revenues exceed expenses. No rate increases
were proposed. Mrs. Mitchell stated that there was an increase of $1,176,700 in personnel costs over
the original FY 16 budget.
In reviewing General Fund Revenues, Fines and Police Revenue (page 14), Mrs. Mitchell stated that
$60,000 of the $61,000 increase in revenue was for a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Capital
School District Intensive Learning Center (ILC), noting that the Capital School District had agreed
to pay this amount. She stated that the police head count had not been adjusted for this position and
the Police Chief would be bringing forth a presentation regarding this officer; however, the revenue
had been built into the budget. Mrs. Mitchell explained that the students in the ILC are troubled
teenagers. Mrs. Mitchell stated that the $55,000 increase in Investment Income was a result of
moving bank fees and credit card charges to a fund expense rather than being netted against interest.
In reviewing General Fund Expenditures (page 15), Mrs. Mitchell noted that expenses increased
$1,060,000 or 2.6%. She advised that the decrease in expenditures in the City Manager’s budget was
due to funds for a public safety study not being included in the proposed budget. Mrs. Mitchell
explained that Retiree Health Care Premiums had increased by 7.6%, resulting in an increase of
$144,100 and the decrease in Other Employment Expenses was due to the retirement payouts
referenced previously by Mr. Koenig. She advised that the appropriation to the Police Pension Fund
was increased based on actuarial valuations.
In reference to Computation of Legal Debt Margin - General Obligation Bonds (page 19),
Mrs. Mitchell pointed out that “New Bonds without referendum cannot exceed 1/4 of 1% of taxable
assessed value and shall not cost the total aggregate principal outstanding at any one time to exceed
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1% of total taxable assessment for a general tax at the time of issue or $7,648,000 based on the 2017
Estimate.” She stated that this provision would relate to the discussion of Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) projects and cautioned members that if the City goes to the bond market, this amount
cannot be exceeded in any one (1) year without a referendum.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed Water/Wastewater Fund and Electric Fund (pages 20-21). In regard to the
$712,000 increase in revenues in Customer Sales in the Electric Fund, she stated that the power
supply budget is based on the load forecast from The Energy Authority (TEA). The load was
projected to increase by 0.5% in last year’s budget and by approximately 1% in the forecast for this
year, resulting in a 0.5% increase in sales.
Mrs. Mitchell, referring to Major Rate and Fee Trends (page 22), stated that the only change listed
was the transfer from the Water/Wastewater Fund to the General Fund, which increased by $25,000.
In response to Mr. Hutchison regarding the purpose and use of the Inflow and Infiltration (I & I)
Fund, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the purpose of the I & I surcharge was twofold, to cover treatment
fees that the City pays Kent County and to help pay for I & I capital improvements. She advised that
charging the customer dollar for dollar the amount that Kent County charges would not cover
treatment fees because of I & I. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that currently in the Water/Wastewater
Fund, the City transfers $1M - $1.1M every year to the Improvement and Extension (I & E) Fund
to cover I & I improvements.
Mr. Lewis questioned the number of School Resources Officers for which the City receives funding.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that, according to Deputy Police Chief Marvin Mailey, the City
receives funding for four (4) School Resource Officers, none of which are paid 100%.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that the Capital School District has a Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(DARE) program officer, and there are School Resource Officers at Central Middle School, Dover
High School, and a Resource Officer at the Academy of Dover. She explained that the total cost for
the SROs, not including the ILC officer, would be $333,000 for three-quarters of the year, because
these officers work out of the Police Department during the summertime. Mrs. Mitchell stated that
the Capital School District pays the City $100,000 of the $250,000 cost; therefore, the City
subsidizes $150,000. The proposal for the Academy of Dover would be for an officer for
three-quarters of a year at a cost of approximately $68,000. She noted that these calculations were
done before the FOP contract was complete. The Academy of Dover was offering to pay $60,000,
so the net difference would be $8,000.
Mr. Hare questioned how the amount that the City is reimbursed for SROs compares to amounts
reimbursed to other schools or entities. Responding, Deputy Chief Mailey stated that he did not have
that information but offered to obtain it for the next budget session. Mr. Cole indicated that he
would be in negotiations the following day with the Caesar Rodney School District and could also
obtain this information.
Mr. Lewis asked if the Capital School District was the only school district in the State where City
police officers work, noting that the majority have State troopers. Responding, Deputy Police Chief
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Mailey stated that several school districts have City police officers, noting that the Georgetown
Police Department has a School Resource officer and he believed that the City of Newark does as
well.
Mr. Neil stated that Operational and Administrative Analysis - Dover Fire Department - Final Report
- March 2016 conducted by the Center for Public Safety Management (page 5) recommended that
the City of Dover transfer its fire dispatch duties to the Kent County 911 Communications Center.
He advised that Table 3-1: Comparison of Personnel Costs in this study (page 19) stated a decrease
in personnel costs from $409,800 to $322,904 if this were done. Mr. Neil felt that the report should
be considered within the FY 17 budget and its recommendations should be discussed. He referenced
discussions regarding the purchase of a fire engine during the Council meeting of May 23, 2016,
which Mr. Neil also felt was related to this study. Mr. Neil stated his opinion that if the City was
spending $100,000 for this report on the Police and Fire Departments, the report should be
considered and that the budget would be affected by this report.
Mr. Slavin stated that, in an ideal world, the report would have been thoroughly vetted in time for
the preparation of the budget and the budget review, but the calendar did not line up that way. He
indicated that Council had heard a briefing on the draft report and the consultant had been invited
to provide a presentation before the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee in June. The Fire
Department would have an opportunity in July to advise members regarding what they saw in the
report as beneficial and the things that they may want to explore more, and the matter could be
resolved in August. Mr. Slavin stated that these answers would not be available during the budget
deliberations unless Council wanted to take pre-emptive action without discussion of the report.
Summaries of Fund Revenue and Expenses
Mr. Koenig reviewed the All Funds Summary (page 24), noting that this summary showed the
starting point for all funds and the beginning balances were roughly $63,164,200. The
Revenues/Transfers In for FY 17 were approximately $143M and expenses approximately $138M,
for an expected ending balance of $67,848,400.
In reviewing General Fund - Cash Receipt Summary (page 25), Mr. Koenig stated that total revenues
of approximately $42.261M were expected for the General Fund in FY 17, which was approximately
$934,000 over the FY 16 budget. Mr. Koenig believed that staff had done a good job of predicting
what is expected in taxes after taking out tax exempt property and other exemptions. Staff had also
been doing a good job of conservatively estimating receipts for business licenses. Mr. Koenig
advised that the City’s budget is related in many ways to construction activity in the community. The
transfer of properties, building of new houses, and renovation or construction of commercial
properties are indicators that the City budget is reasonably healthy. Mr. Koenig stated that this
translates into construction permits, mechanical permits, impact fees, transfer taxes, licenses, and,
in the long run, utility revenue. He noted that there were slight increases in revenues over FY 16 in
the General Fund that were not related to the tax increase or new fees.
Referring to Expense Summary (page 26), Mr. Koenig stated that expenditures based on the total
budget balance would increase approximately 3.2% over FY 16; however, he pointed out that there
were increases in expenses in the Dover Public Library, Police Department, and Streets Division.
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The Streets Division increase of $489,000 was related to compliance with the City’s Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Mr. Koenig indicated that the Sanitation budget was
proposed to decrease since staff would be bringing forward a new five (5) year differential disposal
agreement that proposes to reduce the gate charge per ton at the landfill. Although the landfill costs
per ton would decrease, Mr. Koenig noted that if the City grows or the economy improves, there
would be an increase in the amount of trash going to the landfill. He explained that the decrease in
the expense for Facilities Management was related to the retirement of direct employees of the City
and conversion or expansion of private contracting for janitorial services at the Library, Police
Department, Electric Administration, 5 East Reed Street, and the warehouse. Mr. Koenig indicated
that one (1) janitor remains on staff who performs partial delivery of supplies to buildings and is
primarily responsible for services at City Hall.
Mr. Sudler asked if independent contractors assist the City trash pick up and what they charge per
ton. Responding, Mr. Koenig explained that all residential trash is picked up by the City of Dover.
He believed that the landfill rate was approximately $85 per ton, stating that the City pays a per ton
charge at the landfill for residential trash, commercial trash, bulk trash, and any debris that is taken
to the landfill. In addition, Mr. Koenig noted that the City uses a yard waste facility just outside the
City limits if they are open for business and, if not, yard waste is taken to the landfill at their
specified charge. The City uses a recycling contractor who provides a truck and a driver who dumps
the can. Mr. Koenig stated that this waste is transferred to Milford for transport to the market. He
advised that there is no charge for the tonnage delivered to Milford and the City has only a cost for
pick-up. Mr. Sudler questioned if independent contractors are used for any kind of waste.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that an independent contractor is used only for recycling services.
Mr. Hare questioned the cost per pick-up for recycling. Responding, Mr. Koenig estimated the cost
at approximately $1.25 per pick-up, stating that he would have to get the exact number. Mr. Koenig
explained that if the City was picking up twice per month from 100 houses, the cost would be $2.50
times 100.
In response to Mayor Christiansen, Mr. Koenig stated that the current contract for recycling would
end either July 31, 2017 or August 31, 2017. Mr. Koenig indicated that there had been some
discussions with the contractor regarding displeasure with the service. He stated that staff would be
bidding out this contract over the next 12 months and debating whether the City would put in its own
bid for that service versus hiring another contractor. Mr. Koenig believed that the contract had been
in place for approximately seven (7) years, noting that there were no issues during the first five (5)
years; however, during the last year-and-a-half there had been two (2) significant difficulties. He
stated that the company had gone through managerial changes and their service level had greatly
diminished. Mr. Koenig advised that the contractor had been able to rebound the service level both
in and outside the City, noting that this company is also under contract with Kent County.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen regarding whether this company would be considered as a bidder
for recycling services if a Request for Proposals (RFP) were issued, Mr. Koenig stated that,
considering some of the contractors he had dealt with over the years, staff would probably have to
consider this company as a bidder. He reiterated that service delivery had improved over the last few
weeks.
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Mr. Sudler questioned if Coker Concrete and Recycling Services provided services to the City.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that this company was named E Z Mulch and the City takes yard
waste to their facility and is billed based on the number of trucks that deliver.
In regard to Fiscal Year 2016/2017 General Fund Revenue (page 27), Mr. Koenig noted that property
taxes make up slightly under 31% of the General Fund and utility transfers-in make up almost 26%.
He stated that the fact that the City owns and operates its own municipal utilities has been a windfall
to the General Fund over many years.
Referring to Fiscal Year 2016-2017 General Fund Expenditures (page 28), Mayor Christiansen
requested that a breakdown of the percentage of the budget represented by the Police and Fire
Department expenses be provided in such charts in the future.
Referring to Projected Cost per Capita by Function (page 30), Mr. Koenig stated that police and fire
represent a very large expenditure per capita.
In reference to Governmental Capital Projects Fund Summary (page 31), Mr. Koenig noted that this
showed all expenditures proposed per category with significant spending for streets. Many of the
purchases related to vehicles. The $145,700 under Fire related to debt service for existing purchases
that were financed and was not new spending.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the Water/Wastewater Fund Summary (page 32), stating that the total budget
balance and expenses were just under $17M, which is a 0.4% change from FY 16; however,
proposed expenses were just under 6% less than last year. The spending plan was close to last year.
In regard to the Water/Wastewater Fund Expenses (page 34), Mr. Koenig stated that Kent County
treatment fees were the largest expense and were influenced by I & I. He indicated that transfers to
the General Fund help support the tax base and offset costs under General Fund services.
In reference to the Water/Wastewater Improvement and Extension Fund (page 36), Mr. Koenig
stated that the City was expanding some utility components and was in the maintenance mode for
other components. Pipes were being replaced and improved, and new wells were proposed for
construction. He indicated that there would be a debt release for improvements to the Long Point
Road water treatment plant. Mr. Koenig indicated that, over the last few years, staff had done a very
good job of beginning to get the capital plan in a position to mirror the budget and was able to get
projects underway in design in one (1) year and, with small adjustments in budget and scheduling,
move to construction in the next year. He stated that staff was working through a significant amount
of pump station upgrades, well rehabilitations, new well construction, and improvements in the water
plant to ensure that the water and sewer utility can deliver service for years to come.
In regard to the Electric Fund Revenue Summary (page 37), Mr. Koenig stated that the Electric Fund
is very complicated and difficult to anticipate; however, the City of Dover receives a significant
positive impact from efforts dedicated to the electric utility. In Mr. Koenig’s opinion, the City would
be spending a lot more time talking about tax rates and service levels were it not for the electric
utility. He indicated that there are challenges with searching for employees and keeping up with
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current technology and trends in the PJM to understand the changing market. Mr. Koenig felt the
City had done a good job of keeping current with the market to be able to maintain a modern electric
utility. He stated that the balances and expenses were roughly $94.3M, which is approximately 5%
more than last year.
Mr. Neil requested clarification regarding the increase of almost $7M in Line 1 - Beginning Balance
and the large decrease in Line 13 - Power Supply. Responding, Mr. Koenig explained that the City
had been fortunate in keeping expenses under control and revenues coming in, resulting in an
increase in the beginning balance brought forward from FY 16 to FY 17. He stated that, in regard
to power supply costs, there had been a significant decrease in the cost of purchasing energy, both
in the hedging program and when buying power on the spot market. Mr. Koenig noted that things
worked out perfectly for the City in the hedging program in the current fiscal year. He explained,
for example, that if 10 MW of power are needed, 8 MW are purchased ahead of time and 2 MW are
purchased a few hours ahead of the market. Depending on demand, this 80/20 split changes a bit,
but the target is roughly an 80/20 split. Mr. Koenig advised that 20% was being purchased at very
low cost because of low natural gas prices and management and transmission costs associated with
PJM. Over the last year, there had been historically low gas prices. Mr. Koenig stated that some of
the products being offered, such as a 10-year agreement that Council had executed, were not
commonly discussed two (2) to four (4) years ago and had not been brought to the City as
recommended products. He indicated that there was a substantial decrease in power supply costs in
the FY 17 budget and the City had the good fortune of being able to transfer money from the Electric
Fund to the General Fund. Mr. Koenig noted that something to consider would be whether to keep
the rates as they are, which would generate money in excess of what had been laid out for the
spending plan, or to exercise a power cost adjustment to transfer some of the savings in the cost of
power supply back to the customers in all categories to offset the cost of their electric bills. He
stated that, when modeling is addressed, a proposed power cost adjustment versus a rate change
would be discussed. Mr. Koenig explained that it was unknown how long the present conditions will
last, and because of uncertainty about the future, staff would propose a power cost adjustment.
In response to Mr. Neil regarding business customers, Mr. Koenig stated that the proposal in the
budget would be to rebate a certain percentage of all energy for all customers. Residential,
industrial, and commercial customers would all see a credit on their purchase of energy.
Mr. Slavin, noting that Utility Taxes were listed on Line 4 and also under Other Expenses on Line 37
of the Electric Revenue Fund Summary, stated his recollection that this is a 100% passthrough tax
assessed by the City on behalf of the State, and the City does not retain these funds. Mr. Koenig
indicated that he was unsure what the State uses those funds for, and Mr. Slavin felt it would be
useful for staff to research this. Mr. Slavin also questioned if there was an opportunity for the City
to charge off the indirect expenses associated with collecting and transmitting these funds.
Mr. Hare questioned the amount paid to North American Energy Services (NAES) and the revenues
received because the City has its plants available to run. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that this
would be addressed during the discussions of the forecasting models in a subsequent budget session.
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Mr. Hare questioned where the expenses and revenues associated with North American Energy
Services (NAES) were reflected in the Electric Fund. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell stated that this was
included in the capacity credits; however, these amounts would be easier to review in the schedule
in the forecasting models. Mr. Koenig explained that these revenues and expenses were embedded
in the numbers but not broken out as NAES.
Responding to Mr. Hare regarding the NAES expenses and revenues, Mrs. Mitchell, referring to Net
Electric Generation Benefit (page 91), stated that the proposed net income for FY 17 would be
$157,500. She noted that the proposed cost of Plant Operations for FY 17 was $6.2M, Capacity
Credits were $7.3M, PJM Spot Market (Net of Fuel) was a credit of $500,000, and PJM Credits were
$360,000, for a net credit of $2M. Mrs. Mitchell stated that Capital Cost being invested in the plant
was approximately $1,842,000, and the net credit would be $157,500.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen regarding the bond covenant transfer limits for electric,
Mrs. Mitchell stated that the City’s credit limit is predicated on how rating agencies view this
transfer, as well as the risk being taken with the electric utility and bondholders. She indicated that
the City’s last rating agency discussion occurred during the past year with Moody’s. Mrs. Mitchell
advised that it was difficult for her to get a $10M transfer, noting that the City does not include the
debt service ratio as an expense and the rating agency argued that it should be included as an
expense, which lowers the City’s debt coverage. Mrs. Mitchell advised that she had to involve the
City’s bond counsel in this discussion to argue the point that the transfer was not necessarily an
expense, and the City was successful in getting through this process.
Mayor Christiansen asked if the rating agency realized that this was an enterprise fund that was
established to cover excess cost in the City’s budget. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell explained that,
although some think that this is the reason for this fund, municipalities go into public power to
provide low-cost power to their citizens and not necessarily to fund a general fund. Mayor
Christiansen stated that this was not the reason that enterprise funds were established. Mrs. Mitchell
stated that rating agencies look at the reason for having public power. Mr. Slavin stated that the City
got into the electric business to provide electricity to this area.
In response to Mayor Christiansen, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the City’s current bond rating is AA+,
which is the best it had been in a long time.
In regard to Electric Fund Revenue (page 38) and Electric Fund Expense by Function (page 39),
Mr. Koenig stated that this graphic representation showed that almost all revenue is generated from
direct sales to customers and the bulk of the expenses are related to power supply and generation.
He indicated that the time and effort dedicated to the City’s hedging program is important in this
regard. Mr. Koenig explained that, in some cases, the City is subject to the market and must rely on
the market and those advising the City to get the best deals, and the market can change quickly.
Referring to the Electric Improvement and Extension Fund Summary (page 41), Mr. Koenig stated
that staff was working on improvements across the system, including potential substation,
transmission and distribution, and metering improvements, as well as capital improvements
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associated with production of power at McKee Run and the Van Sant generating station. This would
be a comprehensive approach to maintaining the value of the City’s $2M electric system.
Mayor Christiansen noted that there had been an issue with electric services being terminated and
there had been discussion of “smart meters.” He questioned the potential of going to a smart meter
program in the future and the approximate cost. In response, Mr. Koenig advised that replacing the
26 large electric meters would provide the footprint of a smart metering system at a cost of
approximately $150,000. It must be decided what size server should be purchased and whether it
should be used to help expand the system. Mr. Koenig indicated that there would be a systematic
change of meters in the electric system and, at some point, all new meters installed would be smart
meters. He stated that when there are challenging customers who must be cut, staff will likely switch
them to smart meters. Mr. Koenig noted that every meter need not be replaced to have a smart
metering grid, and staff would try to do this frugally. Staff was trying to implement technology that
would also read water meters so that there would not be separate systems running in the field. He
felt that this would be a multi-million dollar project.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen regarding whether there would be administrative savings if the
new system was built, Mr. Koenig stated that savings may not be realized for a long time. He noted,
for example, that one (1) municipality in the State decided to replace all of their architecture at a cost
of approximately $16M to $18M. He felt that savings must be categorized, noting that currently
three (3) employees read and disconnect meters, and there would continue to be a need for staff to
go and troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment. The savings would be related to turning meters on
and off remotely very quickly, but the operational savings would be hard to quantify. Mr. Koenig
felt it was possible an employee would no longer be needed in the same capacity but may be needed
as a customer service representative because phone calls would be coming in all at once. He was
hesitant to say that it would be a cost reduction over the long term, but it would improve efficiency
and enhance services to customers over the long term with gradual implementation.
Mr. Anderson questioned where the Green Utility and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and the
construction of a new solar park that had been discussed were reflected in the Electric Fund. In
response, Mr. Koenig stated that the Electric Revenue Fund Summary (page 37), Line 14, indicated
an expectation to spend approximately $2.3M for solar energy related to the current solar installation.
He recalled that compliance with RPS was estimated at approximately $0.5M. Mr. Koenig indicated
that the City must soon make a decision regarding whether to add solar energy or purchase it from
another entity. He explained that the solar field that was built several years ago is not the current
market or technology, and Mr. Koenig believed that the City could build a more efficient, lower-cost
field; however, he noted that the City still has a commitment to the current field. If a field were built
in 2016 or 2017, he felt that by 2020 this field may be overpriced in the market since solar
technology is changing dramatically. Mr. Koenig stated that a benefit of being part of the Delaware
Electric Municipal Corporation (DEMEC) is that they are buying and evaluating wind projects and
evaluating in-line hydro projects. He noted that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will also look
at battery technology and LED lighting, which is becoming more commonplace, and all these factors
are funneling into the City’s discussions. Mr. Koenig stated that the City realized a load growth of
approximately 1% and was forecasting growth at 0.5%; however, the counter argument to this was
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that customers are buying efficiency to reduce their costs. He felt the City would be challenged by
all these things, and the RPS will provide more restrictions and challenges to controlling those costs.
Noting that he favored a power adjustment credit, Mr. Anderson asked if the City had thought about
using some of the extra money to look at using LEDs in the City streetlights, noting that they would
be brighter, increase safety, and provide long-term lower costs in power outlays. He asked if staff
had looked at encouraging users to conserve and use alternative power in FY 17 to lower the long-
term footprint. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that the City is doing some LED lighting upgrades,
although this would not be in whole sectors and the numbers would be relatively small. He stated
that if Council wished to accelerate conversion to LED lighting, it could be added to the budget.
Mr. Koenig felt that understanding the costs of energy efficiency and promoting it, while budgeting
and planning for it, would be the next iteration of the energy program, noting that things can change
very rapidly. He explained that, in the past, the City could calculate the amount of power needed and
buy a unit that fit that perspective, which was very simple. Now there are many dynamics that must
be added in, including customers who put green energy sources in their homes, the challenges of net
metering and what that does to the system, and how these costs are recovered. Mr. Koenig advised
that the challenges for staff are becoming significant because what used to be more of a one (1) way
street is a two (2) way street with a lot of negotiation in between. He indicated that the risk would
be on the City as the utility because efficiency and a good rate are wanted for customers, but the City
must ensure this is done prudently.
In regard to RPS standards, Mr. Anderson questioned if the City would get credit or be penalized for
encouraging and achieving energy conservation. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that a provider in
the State had expressed frustration because they had made efficiency improvements and were
concerned that they would not be able to take credit for these improvements. He noted that the
timing of change on the City’s part is important from a regulatory standpoint. Mr. Koenig stated that
the City knows it must change on a certain schedule, but if certain things are changed too soon, the
City may not get credit for those things. He indicated that change must be managed in accordance
with the regulations.
In response to Mr. Hare regarding the length of the City’s contract with the Dover Sun Park,
Mr. Koenig stated that this was a 20-year contract that went into effect in 2011 or 2012.
Mr. Hare stated his understanding that the solar park was costing the City approximately $2M per
year. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that the expense to date this year was approximately $750,000
above what would have been spent for normal power for the energy coming from the solar field. He
indicated that this amounted to at least $750,000 per year.
Mr. Hare questioned why the City would want to obtain more of this type of energy. Responding,
Mr. Koenig indicated that the City was required to do so and all municipalities must do this. He
stated that some municipalities work directly through DEMEC and some are developing their own
projects within their municipal boundaries. Mr. Koenig indicated that everyone providing power in
the State of Delaware is subject to the RPS standards that the City had signed off on.
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In response to Mr. Hare regarding the cost if the City did not do this, Mr. Koenig stated his belief
that the City would be penalized.
Mr. Harry Maloney, Electric Director, advised that Delmarva Power and the Delaware Municipal
Energy Corporation (DEMEC) receive SRECs and the City receives energy at a total cost of
approximately $0.175. The City signed an energy agreement in 2010 at a price that was far above
the market. If this agreement had not been signed, the City would be purchasing energy from
someone else at the market rate of approximately $0.04 and $0.05, after removing the price of
SRECs at $0.13. Mr. Maloney indicated that he was unsure of the cost of SRECs in the current
market. He noted that everyone had wanted to have the first solar field in the State of Delaware, and
the City would be paying the price of its agreement for the next 15 years.
Mr. Hare questioned what would happen if the City wished to obtain a buyout of the agreement.
Responding, Mr. Maloney stated that the City would have to pay, noting that power developers have
bonds against this. It had been Mr. Maloney’s past experience that power developers steal revenue
streams and take them to the bond market to see how much they can obtain in bonds. If it costs
$10M to build a facility, they may be able bond $15M and pocket $5M. They base their income on
the maximum they can bond, develop the project, and receive pure profit on Day 1.
Mr. Hare commented that, based on what Mr. Maloney was saying, there was really no benefit to
putting more solar fields in. In response, Mr. Maloney stated that this was the case five (5) years
ago; however, the cost of solar fields in 2010 and earlier was approximately $8 per watt, compared
to less than $4 per watt today. Additionally, he advised that the City would do its own bonding,
which was now down to $3.5%. The City would keep the SRECs and the cheap energy, and the
capital costs would be reduced. Mr. Maloney indicated that a generation plant today is around $0.01
to $0.02 per watt and it is on peak, so the cost was beginning to come down to where it is actually
market based. He noted that the City would also receive capacity credit behind the PJM meter.
Mr. Maloney stated that the City is obligated to have SRECs and must look at the total package that
it would cost to have them, but this would be nowhere near the cost of the City’s 2010-2011
agreement. He felt that if it would be cheaper for the City to put in solar, the City should do so and
would receive side benefits. Mr. Maloney stated that this is part of the Integrated Resource Plan
(IRP) and felt the City should run the numbers. Mr. Maloney indicated that the State had adopted
the IRP process and the City’s requirement for solar RECs slowly creeps up each year. This is not
something that the City wants to do but is told it must do.
Mr. Hutchison questioned what process the City must go through to get additional water towers or
wells as the water demand increases on the system. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that there is a
State permitting process for water towers, and towers are built based upon what the City needs to
run the system from an engineering standpoint. In regard to the actual number, type, or location of
wells, it is also necessary to obtain permits from the State. Mr. Koenig stated that staff is evaluating
drilling a new well in the Cheswold aquifer, which is from the mid-level down, and is working
through the permitting process. He indicated that the Piney Point replacement well was built a
couple of years ago at a cost of approximately $1.1M. In regard to permits, Mr. Koenig explained
that the City has an allocation permit that will expire in 2018 and staff is working on renewals. He
advised that permits used to be issued in 20-year increments, but the timeline may be different now.
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Mr. Koenig stated that allocation permits by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC) and by the Delaware River Basin Commission are driven by need.
The City must prepare detailed reports to show that the resource is being managed, that it is not
being used carelessly, how much water is being pumped and billed, expected loss, and how much
is going through fire protection, etc. Mr. Koenig stated that staff had been having discussions with
the permitting agencies about the fact that Dover is in the growth zone, noting that growth strategies
have indicated that they want growth to occur within the State’s municipalities on public water,
sewer, and electric systems. Mr. Koenig indicated that the City argues that Dover should be given
deference when applying for a permit allocation if it can be shown that the City is in need and if this
is done ahead of time and on a planned schedule, rather than if a permit is suddenly needed because
a customer comes in and needs 500,000 gallons of water. Mr. Koenig expressed the desire to be on
a schedule so that staff could say that the City had been tracking demand and use, doing system
improvements and maintenance, and wants to get ahead of the permitting curve to have a safe
reserve, not just from a technical standpoint, but so that the City can be promoted as being able to
provide utilities to businesses. Mr. Koenig advised, for example, that there had been debate at the
State level about the permitting of Calpine relating to whether they should be allowed to drill their
own well and provide their own water. He indicated that the problem was that Calpine would be a
significant user influencing just the aquifers in the City limits and the City would not receive revenue
from that. Mr. Koenig stated that the City’ argument was that Dover was granted a franchise to
serve, there was a detailed franchise map area on file with the Public Service Commission, and the
City should have the right to say whether or not it wants to serve a customer or tell them to drill a
private well. Mr. Koenig expressed the need to look at the comprehensive impact, stating that the
City was providing potable water, but this is a major driver in the City’s system. The City could
guarantee the quality of the water, the customer was within the City’s franchise, and the City has
afforded for that customer to be part of its growth. He indicated this was not a simple matter of
turning in the paperwork and saying that another 1M gallons is wanted from the aquifer, there is
work to be done to get the permit in place. Mr. Koenig felt that staff had done a commendable job
of doing the homework to get to the point of maintaining and renewing permits.
Mr. Neil moved to recess, seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
The meeting recessed at 7:46 p.m.
Mr. Sudler moved to reconvene, seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried.
The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Anderson questioned if appraisals of the City’s major facilities, particularly Weyandt Hall and
the former Dover library, as well as a property on Ridgely Street, were taken into account, noting that
appraisals were desired by the President’s Counsel on Public/Private Partnerships and the Future of
City Hall, Weyandt Hall, Former Dover Library, and Other City Properties. In response, Mr. Koenig
stated that, in the current budget year, the City was working on appraisals for the former Dover
Public Library and 5 East Reed Street. He noted that several pieces of property were identified
administratively for appraisal and this may happen shortly; however, staff had not engaged in
appraisal of the City warehouse or property associated with it. Mr. Koenig advised that facility
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construction was not identified in the capital plan because he thought it was necessary to go through
a few more steps before indicating that replacing City Hall or some of these major facilities was
favored. From an administrative standpoint, Mr. Koenig encouraged and supported a very detailed
discussion of the potential for a new or renovated City Hall and the potential replacement of the City
warehouse, noting that the City’s land is now tight and there may be some interested purchasers of
City land. Stating that the budget picture seemed to be improving, Mr. Koenig felt that this was a
good opportunity to pivot toward the discussion of replacement with a multi-generational facility.
He stated that when discussing a new City Hall, he envisions a 50-to-100-year building. Mr. Koenig
advised that some of the appraisals had started coming back and a few more were due by the end of
May so that there could be a reasonable discussion of the building values at a meeting of the
President’s Counsel. Costs of replacing City Hall could start to be crystallized and there could be
discussion about how to project a path forward. Mr. Koenig stated that Mrs. Mitchell had indicated
that replacing the City warehouse and garage area or City Hall may require bonding to the level of
a referendum. He advised members that, rather than bogging the budget discussion down with this
debate, staff had set those projects off to the side but was beginning to crystallize their thoughts.
Mr. Koenig felt that this discussion would progress in FY 17 without a lot of associated cost. He
indicated that costs would be identified, at the earliest, in the revisions to the FY 17 budget;
however, he felt it was more realistic to expect this in FY 18.
Mr. Sudler questioned if the Ridgely property appraisal had come back and, if not, when it was
expected. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that he had discussed the Ridgely property with a specific
property owner and a request regarding this property had not been made before the President’s
Counsel. He explained that a property owner/developer had approached him and asked if the City
may be interested in evaluating a vacant property for a new City facility, such as a warehouse. The
property is located on Ridgely Street along the railroad tracks and is potentially for sale. Mr. Koenig
stated that this appraisal had not yet been authorized, but as the other appraisals come back, it may
be authorized shortly.
Personnel Information
Referring to the Personnel Summary (page 57), Mr. Koenig stated that it was proposed to reduce
employees in Customer Services from 14 to 13 by moving one (1) position to the Key Accounts in
the Electric Department. He indicated that this employee will help manage large electric customers
initially and will gravitate toward helping to interact with large electric and water/sewer utility
customers. Mr. Koenig believed this was important because of the desire to understand the needs
of larger customers as they relate to utilities and potential expansion or jobs. For example, he
indicated that it is important to understand the advantages of having Kraft as a customer and this
facility’s demands when looking at their energy profile. In this way, the City can find out how Kraft
can be helped in managing their cost from a supply standpoint, and Kraft can help staff know their
needs from the City as a provider. Mr. Koenig stated that the City had been encouraged through the
Chamber of Commerce to meet with its large customers. When talking to the five (5) largest
customers individually, it was seen that they are very different entities with different needs and
desires related to electric supply and power cost. One (1) of the roles of the Key Accounts person
would be to identify specific needs from a utility demand standpoint and determine how to encourage
these customers. Mr. Koenig advised that this relates to energy efficiency, noting that the City
desires efficiency to improve and receive credit for it in the regulatory and permitting process, but
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also wants to be prepared for the potential impact of that efficiency on revenues, load, time of day,
etc. The Key Accounts employee will help to interface with these customers and, in the long run,
this will also happen with water, sewer, etc.
Mr. Koenig stated that Facilities Management employees would decrease from seven (7) to five (5)
due to the retirement of two (2) long-term employees and the privatization of those jobs. A
contractor was now performing this function, this service would remain a private contract for the
immediate future, and the City could realize the benefits of reduced cost and equal or better service.
Mr. Koenig advised that the total number of personnel in the General Fund would decrease from 277
to 274, the Electric Fund would increase from 47 to 48, and the Water/Wastewater Fund was
proposed to remain flat for full-time equivalents.
In regard to part-time employees, Mr. Koenig pointed out that four (4) part-time employees were
listed under the City Manager’s Office, explaining that they were Comcast employees who are
brought in to videotape meetings. The number of part-time, on-call dispatchers was being increased
due to the need for a larger selection of employees. Mr. Koenig advised that the budget, as prepared,
assumed no changes to the five (5) full-time and three (3) part-time employees in the Fire
Department, noting that there had not been public discussion about potential changes at the Fire
Department. Mr. Koenig reminded members that the Operational and Administrative Analysis -
Dover Fire Department - Final Report - March 2016 recommended a timeline and step-through
process to implement changes. For example, Mr. Koenig indicated that if Council decided to have
discussions related to this report in June or July 2016, some actions could be implemented in FY 17
that may or may not be related to personnel. He indicated that Council could lay out an action plan
to implement suggestions over several budgets. Mr. Koenig believed that the report referenced
changes between six (6) months and three (3) years. He stated that some of the discussion relates
to contractual obligations, such as ambulance service, noting that the City has a current contract for
these services, and when it expires a more detailed national RFP was recommended that would be
beneficial to the City. Mr. Koenig advised that the draft budget also assumes a status quo in the
Police Department, and none of the suggestions or discussions related to the operational evaluation
of the Police Department were included. Mr. Koenig stated that he would meet with the Police Chief
next week to discuss the working draft of the Police Department operational evaluation and would
forward comments to the consultant, who would submit the operational document for future debate.
In the Finance Department, Mr. Koenig noted that there was a reduction of one (1) part-time person.
He explained that in the initial FY 17 budget discussion, it was proposed to hire a part-time person
to help prepare the budget. This position was removed to help close the gap in the budget; however,
from a strategic and succession planning standpoint, Mr. Koenig recommended a full-time staff
budget person be added to the FY 18 budget, noting that the budget was taking a lot of time and
resources from the Finance Department.
Referring to Electric Engineering, Mr. Koenig stated that Mr. Maloney had requested to obtain a co-
op student from a regional college who wants to be a power supply engineer and anticipates having
a career in municipal power supply. He stated that Mr. Maloney’s experience using co-op students
and training them to be power supply engineers on municipal systems had been positive. It was
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hoped that these individuals would return as full-time engineers for less money than they would
make in the private sector because they have an interest in public power or serving their community.
Mr. Koenig indicated that if a co-op student was found that suits the City’s need, they would be
hired; if not, there would be no expense.
In response to Mr. Lewis’s request for clarification regarding the Substance Abuse Grant and the
Police Cadet Grant, Mr. Koenig explained that the Substance Abuse Grant is part of the Parks and
Recreation Budget. In regard to the Police Cadet Grant, he advised that six (6) cadets are associated
with the police cadet program, and three (3) additional cadets are associated with and are funded by
the Dover Public Library budget and provide security there. Mr. Koenig believed that the Police
Department rotates everyone through those positions; however, six (6) positions are covered by a
grant.
Mr. Lewis questioned if the increase in the library budget was because of the three (3) cadets. In
response, Mr. Koenig stated that it was not. Mayor Christiansen advised that there was a cost
savings of approximately $6.00 or $9.00 per hour when the cadets replaced the private security firm
that operated in the library previously.
Mr. Lewis questioned if more than six (6) cadets would be hired through the grant or if this was all
that was presently allowed. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that a total of nine (9) cadets were
funded. As those positions come open, the Police Department actively recruits to try to keep a full
complement. He indicated that six (6) cadets are funded under the grant and the other three (3) are
funded from the library budget.
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, explained that the
Substance Abuse Grant has two (2) programs, an after school program at Towne Point Elementary
School and Camp Small Wonder at Delaware State University. There are 10 employees that perform
after school care at Towne Point and they are grant funded.
Referring to Personnel Budget - Total Budget by Fund (page 58), Mr. Koenig indicated that the
anticipated personnel budget to provide service to the City’s customers would be $36,044,200 based
on input across all departments, grants, and funds.
Mr. Lewis questioned the reason for the amount of overtime listed for Civilian Police. In response,
Mr. Koenig stated that the majority of the overtime was related to 24/7 dispatch and Information
Technology (IT) for system upgrades, etc.
Referring to Overtime Comparison - Fiscal Year 2014 - 2017 (page 59), Mr. Koenig stated that this
document provided details on overtime over the past few years.
Mr. Slavin questioned what kind of variances are allowed in a department’s budgets for overtime,
what kind of warnings are extended in regard to potential overages in overtime, and how the
numbers in the budget are managed. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that this is left to the manager
of the department. The departments typically look at the monthly budget reports and an overtime
report is sent out through the Finance Department. Mr. Koenig indicated that there are flags in the
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monthly reports when looking at some of the department roll-ups. When there are storms, staff looks
at Public Works to see how they are tracking, and he noted that some of the overtime this year was
driven by storms. Mr. Koenig advised that, even with the cost associated with overtime this year as
well as contract implementations, staff had been able to contain total personnel cost close to the
original budget across the board.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that the City's current HTE system allows for being locked down to keep from
going over a budget, but once this is done, it locks everything down without a threshold, so this
feature had not been put in place. She indicated that any line item could go over budget and there
are no controls. It is up to each department to manage to their budget.
Revenue Review
Mr. Slavin suggested the Revenue Review be deferred until the budget review scheduled for
May 25, 2016.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned if the 2.5% pay raise built into the budget for non-bargaining employees was
an average of what Dover Organization of Employees (DOE) and the Fraternal Order of Police
(FOP) received. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that he could prepare a written explanation of how
staff developed this recommendation the following day. He indicated that it was a combination of
looking at the union contracts and reviewing data regarding what other municipalities were offering.
Responding to Mr. Hosfelt regarding whether this 2.5% increase would pertain to the office of the
Mayor, Mr. Koenig stated that it would not because the Mayor's salary is prescribed in Code.
Mr. Hosfelt stated his belief that the Mayor's salary was $50,000 at one point and was then cut to
$45,000. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that the Mayor's salary is $45,000 and there is also a $5,000
expense account. He was unsure if the salary had ever been $50,000. Mr. Hare stated his belief that
the Mayor’s salary had been $45,000 since 1997. In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Koenig advised
that, to his knowledge, the Mayor’s salary had not been increased since 1997.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned if the Fire Department was authorized at five (5) full-time employees or if
this was the number of current employees. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that the budget included
five (5) full-time dispatchers and one (1) part-time Fire Chief’s Assistant, noting that additional
people can be called for dispatch.
Mr. Hosfelt asked if there was a long-range plan in regard to City buildings and property.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated there was a plan dated 2006 - 2016, and no update to that plan had
been authorized by Council. Some of the recommendations and ideas in this plan were being used
as a framework by the President’s Counsel on Public/Private Partnerships and the Future of City
Hall, Weyandt Hall, Former Dover Library, and Other City Properties. Mr. Koenig indicated that
there was currently no long-range facilities plan developed by staff.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned if such a plan would be a staff or Council responsibility. Responding,
Mr. Koenig advised that it would be a combination of both and would be a major undertaking that
would provide foundation documents to make decisions. Mr. Koenig indicated that Council could
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request staff to initiate that process. Mr. Sudler encouraged Council to work with staff to come up
with a comprehensive long-term plan for City facilities.
Mr. Anderson questioned if a new collections firm was being considered in regard to Customer
Service and the electric utility. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that there would be a
recommendation from the Assistant City Manager for a new collection agency at the next Council
Committee of the Whole meeting. He expressed his hope that this would be authorized by Council
so that the new agent could begin after the start of the next fiscal year. Mr. Koenig understood,
according to the RFP, that there would not be a direct charge to the City and the customer would
receive an added fee if collection is successful. He did not believe that the City would have to pay
a retainer fee.
Mr. Anderson asked if there were any changes related to the long-term Silver Lake/Mirror
Lake/St. Jones River reclamation project. Mr. Koenig stated that, in recent years, Mr. Rick Greene,
Engineer, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), had been
working with staff on water quality issues associated with Mirror Lake. All the improvements
related to this project were performed under a grant and the City did not have to contribute
financially. Mr. Koenig advised that Mr. Greene had also worked with staff on the tar ditch project
and the abandonment of old PW2 to help with documentation of potential contaminants in the storm
drain system and the river. He noted that Mr. Greene is one of the advocates at the State level for
the City removing existing piping, making improvements in the area, and creating a wetland that will
help improve the water quality of the St. Jones River south of the dam. In regard to Silver Lake
improvements, Mr. Koenig stated that there were discussions years ago related to alum treatment,
nitrogen loading, etc. for the lake, but those discussions had fallen off and he was not aware of
current discussions. He noted that work was either in progress or being proposed related to the valve
at the Silver Lake dam, and there would also be enhancements to the earth dam there. Mr. Koenig
advised there are a number of projects loosely tied to improvement of the water quality in both the
St. Jones River and Silver Lake. He indicated that at one time there was discussion of having a
limnologist associated with either DNREC or the City, but this discussion had been low key over
recent years and he did not have an update.
Mr. Anderson questioned when people would be able to swim in Silver Lake consistently again.
Mr. Koenig stated that he did not have that answer.
Referring to General Fund - Cash Receipt Summary (page 25), Mr. Lewis noted that some items
were pending approval of the State budget, for example, Municipal Street Aid Transfer Tax. He
questioned what staff’s plan was if this revenue was not received as anticipated. In response,
Mr. Koenig stated that this question had been looming since the last budget. To staff’s knowledge,
in regard to municipal street aid and community transportation, the Delaware Department of
Transportation (DelDOT) was proposing the same level of spending for FY 17 as in FY 16.
Mr. Koenig advised that Mrs. Cheryl Bundek, Tax Assessor, met with Mr. Thomas Cook, Secretary
of Finance, to try to gauge what may happen in regard to Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). The
number from the State to the City was approximately $283,000 and the recommendation was to keep
this figure flat. Mr. Koenig noted that it should not be expected to increase and that there was a very
low chance of it being decreased; therefore, that figure was included in the budget. Mr. Koenig
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explained that staff was most concerned about the realty transfer tax, noting that the tax is currently
split 50/50 with the City receiving 1.5% and the State receiving 1.5%. Mr. Koenig recalled that 3%
was proposed last year, with the State receiving 2% and the City receiving 1%, which would have
been a potential loss of $600,000 for the City. Mr. Koenig stated that, after speaking with legislators,
it did not seem likely that this proposal would be reconsidered.
Mr. Koenig advised that, on May 23, 2016, the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council
(DEFAC) projected an approximate $71M or $72M shortfall for the State in FY 17. He advised that
there were some changes in revenue transfer from the State to local law enforcement, resulting in
$25,000 in radio fees in the police budget, which was included as a City cost. Mr. Koenig stated that
the Police Chief had also indicated that federal forfeiture funds were being consumed by the federal
government. Following discussion in January 2016 regarding this issue, there had been a ruling from
the Attorney General’s Office that these federal forfeiture funds would be reinstated to local law
enforcement based on the previous schedule, after applying and showing need. Mr. Koenig indicated
that, although some of the discussion anticipated that this funding would not be available, it appears
as though it may.
In regard to developing an alternate plan, Mr. Koenig stated that if no Community Transportation
Fund (CTF) money comes to the City, the City would have $900,000 to do street paving. If the
$673,100 for municipal street aid is adjusted, this could potentially reduce the street program or to
street related maintenance. If the realty transfer tax is adjusted by $600,000, Mr. Koenig indicated
that he would have to recommend reducing the street program by $600,000. He advised that every
indication is that the State revenue streams appear to be on track.
Mr. Slavin stated that members were very cognizant of the possibility of last minute changes, noting
that adoption of the FY 17 budget was scheduled for June 27, 2016, which is a few days short of the
end of the legislative session.
Mr. Lewis stated that he would like to know that the City has an alternative plan. Responding,
Mr. Slavin indicated that less money would mean doing less.
Mayor Christiansen advised members that he would be in attendance Legislative Hall and asked
available Council members, as well as the Delaware League of Local Governments, to be attend to
lobby the legislators, particularly those from upstate. He indicated that he had total confidence that
local legislators would fight for every dollar that they could get.
Mr. Slavin invited members of the public to come forward to speak. There was no one wishing to
speak.
Mr. Lewis moved to recess and reconvene at 6:00 p.m. on May 25, 2016. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
The meeting recessed at 8:44 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Special Council Meeting - Budget Review reconvened on May 25, 2016 at 6:01 p.m. with
Council President Slavin presiding. Council members present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler
(arrived at 6:21 p.m.), Mr. Neil, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison.
Council staff members present were Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Koenig, and Mrs. McDowell.
Mayor Christiansen was also present (arrived at 6:05 p.m.).
Mr. Neil moved to reconvene, seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda, as revised. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, reviewed his memorandum dated May 25, 2016, regarding
Non-Bargaining Pay Increase Recommendation - FY 2017 Budget (Exhibit #5). He noted that
Mr. Hosfelt had requested more detailed information on the recommendation for a 2.5% increase in
base pay for non-bargaining employees and explained the internal and external comparisons that
were made.
In response to questions during the previous budget review session regarding costs associated with
recycling and landfill fees, Mr. Koenig advised that the cost of the City’s current contract with Inland
Service Corporation for recycling is $1.21 per can, per pick-up. Assuming two (2) pick-ups per
month at a house with one (1) can, the cost would be $2.42 per month. Mr. Koenig indicated that
the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) gate fee at the Sandtown Landfill is currently $80.50
per ton. He stated that the City uses a company called E Z Mulch for yard waste. Mr. Koenig noted
that E Z Mulch uses a scale; however, because it is not currently operational, the City pays $50 per
load regardless of weight. He noted that it is to the City’s advantage to maximize the trucks within
their operating parameters. Mr. Koenig noted that this number would increase from $50 to $150 at
the City’s next billing because that company re-evaluated their pricing. He stated that even at $150
per load, this would be less expensive than driving the waste to Sandtown due to fuel and operating
costs.
In response to Mr. Hare, Mr. Koenig stated that there was not a fee for recycling with DSWA.
Mr. Neil asked if recycling was based on the number of homes or the actual number of containers
collected, noting that some residents in his community recycle less frequently than twice a month.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that the contract is based on the number of containers so if a
subdivision has 280 houses with 280 cans, the City pays $280 x $1.21 x 2 in a regular month
regardless of the frequency or amount collected at each home.
In response to Mr. Anderson regarding raises granted to retirees over the last 10 years, Mr. Koenig
stated that, to his knowledge, employees in the General Employee Pension Plan had not received any
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or other adjustment to their retirement payout from the City.
He indicated that the City owns the liability for a closed Police Pension Plan that has a built-in 2%
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annual escalator and members of this plan receive an annual 2% increase, stating his belief that this
occurs on January 1st each year.
Mr. Hare noted that, although there is no COLA built into the General Employee Pension Plan,
members have not been charged for increases in retirement health care or Medicare Part B, so he felt
that members were receiving an increase. Mr. Hare believed that if these individuals wanted to
receive a COLA, their cost for health care should be increased as the City’s costs increase.
Mrs. Mitchell reminded members that a question had been raised during the previous session about
what utility taxes were used for and whether an administrative fee could be charged. Mr. Slavin
clarified that this utility tax, which is assessed by the State, is collected by the City from every
customer and the aggregate amount collected is passed back to the State. He noted that he had
questioned if there could be a mark up or if the City could retain some of this tax for its own use.
Mrs. Mitchell advised that she spoke with the State of Delaware Public Advocate, Mr. David Bonar,
who explained that this tax is used to pay for Public Service Commission administrative offices and
the Public Advocate’s office, and the bulk of it goes to support the general fund. He was unable to
advise Mrs. Mitchell if the City could charge an administration fee but provided her a contact in the
Department of Finance. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that she left a message but not heard back yet. She
also advised that the utility cost pertains only to certain commercial customers.
Members were provided the General Fund Expenses by Department/Division - General Fund
Expenses by Major Function (page 1), General Fund Expenses by Major Function (page 2), and
Projected Cost Per Capita by Function (page 3) (Exhibit #6). Mrs. Mitchell reminded members that
Mayor Christiansen had requested a breakdown of the percentage of the budget represented by the
Police Department and Fire Department on Pages 28 and 30 of the draft budget. She explained that
pages 2 and 3 provided this information. Mrs. Mitchell noted that the major functions (pages 28 and
30) had been grouped in accordance with the recommendations of the Government Financial Officers
Association (GFOA) for award submissions. She advised that the GFOA wants categories grouped
by function without the details.
Members were provided Outlays and Receipts for Governmental Activities (Exhibit #7) that listed
City Functions/Programs. Mrs. Mitchell advised that this list was grouped differently from the
GFOA recommendations and correlated with the charts on Pages 16 and 17 of the draft budget,
which are used in the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
Mayor Christiansen stated that he did not intend to question the way this information had been
presented; however, for purposes of showing the value and effect of each department, the revised
graphs provided a better and clearer breakdown for himself and for Council.
Members were provided the City of Dover Electric Revenue Fund - FY 16 - White Oak Solar Park
Incremental Cost report (Exhibit #8). Mrs. Mitchell advised that this was provided in response to
Mr. Hare’s questions regarding the expense of the Dover Sun Park. She noted that budget numbers
from the current year were included in the last column of the report.
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Revenue Review
Members were provided the Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 Quarterly Revenue Report
as of March 31, 2016 (Exhibit #9). Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, stated that this quarterly report
is provided to Council and noted that a new Proposed FY 17 column had been included. He
indicated that the largest revenue stream for the General Fund is property taxes. Mr. Koenig
reiterated that staff does a good job of calculating taxes and expectations and removing exemptions
granted to project the primary driver for the General Fund. He explained that Payment in Lieu of
Taxes (PILOT) relates to a group of properties, with the State’s payment being approximately
$283,000 of the $413,000. Mr. Koenig stated that staff had some concerns with this revenue stream
at the State level but had met with the Secretary of Finance and believed it would maintained at the
$283,000 level for FY 17. He indicated that PILOT also includes payments from the Housing
Authority, Luther Towers, and Milford Housing Development Corporation.
In regard to Transfer from Electric Fund (line 3), Mr. Koenig stated that the $10M transfer from the
Electric Fund to the General Fund represents the second largest source of funding received in the
General Fund. He advised that staff is cautious when projecting Transfer from the Transfer Tax
Fund (line 5), noting that just under $2.1M in revenue was expected in FY 16 and $1.67M was being
earmarked for FY 17. Mr. Koenig noted that staff had reviewed and analyzed large receipts for the
last three (3) years and was being very conservative with this number. Mr. Koenig indicated that this
number had been as high as mid-$3M in past budget discussions and had also been as low as
approximately $1M, which contributed to the City’s budget gap.
Referring to Business Licenses (line 6), Mr. Koenig stated that this number reflected changes made
in this fiscal year in anticipation of licensing revenue of $4.67M for FY 17. He noted that Sanitation
fees (line 8) were projected at $2.5M. In regard to Transfer from Municipal Street Aid (line 10),
Mr. Koenig advised that staff expected the formula for this State transfer to remain the same and the
City would receive approximately $673,000. He explained that the funding formula takes
approximately $5M and distributes it among all municipalities in the State based on population and
road mileage. Mr. Koenig stated that the City’s population had been increasing, noting that street
dedications periodically approved by Council are included in the City’s submissions for funding.
He indicated that Police Extra Duty Fees (line 12) and Transfer from Police Grant Funds (line 13)
were covered in other parts of the budget. With reference to Court of Chancery Fees (line 14),
Mr. Koenig stated that staff had traditionally been conservative with these budget estimates and the
departments are encouraged to stay within the estimated revenues.
In regard to Transfer from Water/Wastewater Fund (line 15), Mr. Koenig stated that there was an
$875,000 transfer from this fund, noting that the internal rate of return from the water and sewer
utility to the General Fund was slowly increasing. He advised that a total of approximately $42.26M
in General Fund Revenues was expected.
In reviewing the Revenues for the Water/Wastewater Fund, Mr. Koenig stated that staff was
monitoring final revenue calculations from Calpine and approximately $15.467M in total revenue
was expected from all revenue streams in the utility. He commented that quite a bit of funding is
received from water tower leases, and staff diligently reviews leases and requests for changes.
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Mr. Koenig hoped that additional cell carriers would express interest in the newly constructed
Garrison water tower over time.
With the regard to the Electric Fund, Mr. Koenig advised that the largest source of revenue was sales
to customers at $78.99M, and the total revenue estimate was $81.259M.
Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Koenig advised that the $283,000 PILOT payment from the State
had remained at that level for some time, with small fluctuations related to the value of construction
submitted to the State for review. He noted that funds are divided between the three (3) county seats:
the City of Wilmington, City of Dover, and City of Georgetown. Mr. Koenig stated that the amount
has fluctuated but remains in the $300,000 range.
Mr. Anderson questioned the reason that interest income had increased in the General Fund and
decreased in the enterprise funds. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell advised that bank fees are no longer
netted against this income. She also explained that the General Fund had benefitted from a higher
investment balance, the Water/Wastewater Fund had the lowest investment balance, and the Electric
Fund balance was increasing. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that the current interest rate is approximately
0.76%. She pointed out that Interest Income for the Water/Wastewater Fund (line 8) reflected a
negative $1,800, which was an accounting error that was corrected in April; however, the report was
dated as of March 31, 2016. In response to Mr. Anderson regarding the true figure for interest
income, Mrs. Mitchell estimated it at $10,000.
Mayor Christiansen advised members that, at the end of the legislative session last year, Senator
Bushweller requested a modification of the PILOT monies that the City was to receive. He stated
that there was an issue with the request because the City of Newark also wanted to be included in
the formula for these funds. Mayor Christiansen indicated that he would keep Council apprised if
the formula changed or if Senator Bushweller’s proposal is passed in the legislature.
Referring to Budget Review - Fiscal Year 2016-2017 (page 202), Mr. Koenig began a review of the
individual department budgets. In regard to What You Need to Know (page 203), Mr. Koenig stated
that percentage changes were calculated based on the original FY 16 budgets and would not match
up with FY 16 revised budgets. He indicated that health insurance rates would increase by
approximately 7.67%. Mr. Koenig stated that Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) rates
decreased due to paying toward OPEB in past budgets and also reviewing pension funds. Pension
rates decreased in the Electric Fund because this pension fund was closer to being fully funded.
Mr. Hare stated that the City had not obtained a cost comparison to see if the City’s health insurance
rates were the best available, noting that he mentioned this during the budget review last year.
Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that a Request for Proposals (RFP) had not been done; however,
staff had obtained additional information from Kent County regarding their most recent health
insurance. He expected to have a handout in this regard at the next budget review session on
May 27, 2016. Mr. Koenig noted that the City was on the State contract for insurance.
In response to Mr. Hare regarding the amount of the education assistance expense, Mr. Koenig stated
that he would have to obtain that number. Mr. Hare questioned if the education must be associated
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with the employee’s job. Mr. Koenig indicated that there must be a logical connection to what the
employee does for the City. He noted that a number of police officers were receiving criminal justice
or managerial education and some employees were pursuing a Master’s Degree in management.
Mr. Koenig advised that a handful of employees in the total organization receive educational
assistance. Once reimbursed for a course, employees who leave within a two (2) year period must
reimburse the City the funds received for course work, so there is an ongoing commitment to
continue employment with the City. He noted that a relatively low number of employees take
advantage of this benefit because going back to school is a large time commitment.
Responding to Mr. Lewis regarding the maximum the City will pay for education assistance,
Mr. Koenig stated that he believed the policy states that the University of Delaware rate is the
maximum amount paid. He indicated that there is also a maximum number of courses that can be
taken over the course of a year and very few can achieve this maximum while maintaining a full-time
job. He estimated that the maximum reimbursement request had been approximately $10,0000 -
$12,000. Mr. Koenig believed that the maximum payment made in a year was less than that.
Mr. Koenig began the review of the General Fund departmental budgets. Referring to City Council
(page 206), he explained that the increase in administrative expenditures related to a request to
budget $25,000 in discretionary funds for Council members, including $5,000 per district and $5,000
for the at-large Council member. There was also a request from the Dover Human Relations
Commission (DHRC) to increase their authorization by $1,000. Mr. Koenig noted that rules had not
yet been written about how members would go about requesting funds.
Council President Slavin advised that he requested that discretionary funds be placed in the budget
in order for Council members to respond more quickly to the needs in their districts. While this was
nominal amount, Mr. Slavin indicated that it could be used for minor capital improvements,
neighborhood associations, speed enforcement signs, or other things that are needed. He had asked
the City Manager to prepare an allocation by district on street repaving and Public Works projects
where Council could have a little more discretion to direct projects into their districts based on what
they know to be critical needs. Mr. Slavin indicated that this would not take away from the needs
determined by Public Works, but Council would be additional eyes and would perhaps know the
districts a little more acutely than others, especially issues needing quick attention.
Mr. Anderson concurred with the idea, noting that a number of local governments have discretionary
items. He stated that issues frequently arise, such as the problem on Buttner Place where the road
was damaging cars and there was flooding. This was a small, inexpensive repair that made a real
difference in people’s lives. Mr. Anderson also referenced a pothole in Lincoln Park off Slaughter
Street and noted that having funds to replace missing speed limit signs or for radar enforcement
made a lot of sense, rather than having to ask State legislators and others for funding.
In response to Mr. Sudler regarding the criteria for these funds, Mr. Slavin stated that Council would
have to decide; however, he hoped that members would prohibit its use for food, travel, and other
expenses so that the funds would go directly to expenses for district improvements.
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Mayor Christiansen asked if Council’s budget included funds to participate in the Delaware League
of Local Governments (DLLG) and National League of Cities (NLC) for training purposes.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated his belief that this was included in the training and travel area and
there may be funds in subscriptions and dues. Mr. Anderson indicated that funds had been budgeted
but not broken out by name. Mayor Christiansen believed it was important for the Mayor and
Council to participate in DLLG as well as NLC.
Mr. Sudler asked City Council last received a raise and in what amount. Responding, Mr. Koenig
stated that the Dover Code states that each member of Council shall receive an annual salary of
$7,416 to be paid monthly. For the period beginning July 27, 2009 and ending July 26, 2010, each
Council member shall receive an annual salary of $6,674.40 to be paid monthly. Mr. Koenig noted
that Council decreased their pay in 2009 when an employee furlough was instituted. He advised that
the Code specified that the Council President shall receive an annual salary of $8,652 to be paid
monthly, and this was adjusted during the furlough time period to $7,786.80. Mr. Koenig stated that
the Code states that Council members shall also receive reimbursement of actual and necessary
expenses incurred when on official business as prescribed by ordinance or policy.
Mr. Slavin recalled that prior to 2003 there was a clause that allowed for Council’s salary to increase
automatically and this escalator was removed. He noted that the Compensation Commission was
later created, and he believed that the procedure is that the Compensation Commission meets,
reviews the market, and makes recommendations on any adjustments necessary; however, there must
be an intervening election between approving and implementing the raise. Mr. Slavin advised that
Council could not vote themselves an increase but must have an election in between so that a new
Council would be seated and receive the benefit.
Mr. Sudler questioned how members could raise their salaries, due to the extensive time and work
they put in as Councilmen. In response, Mr. Slavin indicated that Council would have to ask the
Compensation Commission to look at this issue and make a recommendation to Council. If the
recommendation was to raise the pay, Council would have to take action on that. If accepted, this
would not go into effect until after an election.
In regard to the provision of an intervening election, Mr. Slavin stated that, technically, after each
election a new Council is seated, whether or not all the members remain the same.
Mr. Sudler expressed his understanding that the next regular election would be in 2017 and
questioned if members would have to put a raise into effect prior to this. Responding, Mr. Slavin
indicated that a raise would not got into effect until after this election.
Mrs. McDowell stated that the last time the Compensation Commission made a recommendation
was September 20, 2011, and they recommended no increase for City Council nor the Mayor.
Mr. Sudler questioned whether an explanation was provided. Responding, Mrs. McDowell advised
that the commission’s explanation was that “in reviewing this matter, the Commission found that
current Council salaries are very similar to compensation at the current federal minimum wage level
for a half-time 20 hour per week position and there was no empirical data or overwhelming public
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sentiment that demonstrated that change was indicated. Current levels for City Council remain
unchanged.”
Mr. Sudler questioned how part time was defined. He acknowledged that Council meets part time,
but felt that the amount of time spent addressing concerns varies with each district and asked if there
was a specific time frame for the individual Council districts. Mrs. McDowell stated that a survey
was created for outgoing Council members to evaluate the amount time they spend on activities and
meetings. In response to when the last time the survey was implemented, Ms. McDowell stated that
it was sent to the most recent outgoing Council members.
Ms. Denise Devine, Assistant City Clerk, advised that the survey is included in the orientation packet
provided to new members when they begin serving. New members are advised to be aware of how
much time they are spending because they will be expected to complete the survey after the term.
She indicated that those surveys would be given to the Compensation Commission if they are called.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Ms. Devine confirmed that members would submit this survey at the end
of their four (4) year term. Mrs. McDowell stated that staff could send this form to members as
frequently as they would like, noting that the response rate is not very high. Mr. Sudler indicated
that he spends a tremendous amount of time. Mr. Anderson felt that an annual survey would make
sense.
Mr. Slavin stated that if Mr. Anderson would like the Compensation Commission to consider this
issue, members may want to place it on the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
agenda in July. In response, Mr. Sudler requested that compensation be reviewed.
Mr. Anderson suggested that members take appointments to the Compensation Commission
seriously if this was to be done, noting that he had not made a recommendation for appointment but
should do so. In response, Mr. Slavin indicated that he would ask the City Clerk to send a reminder
to members that recommendations were needed for the Compensation Commission from each
Council member, noting the Councilman Lewis had made a recommendation. Mr. Lewis and
Mr. Neil each stated that the individual they recommended had been appointed to the Commission,
and Mr. Neil indicated that he had spent time studying this issue. Responding to Mr. Sudler
regarding the process for appointing individuals recommended by members, Mr. Slavin stated that
members can make recommendations for individuals that they would like to see appointed from their
districts.
In regard to the Mayor’s salary, Mr. Koenig stated that Code identified the Mayor’s salary at $45,000
annually, noting that it was also decreased to $44,100 during the time frame of the employee
furlough. He advised that the Code states that the Mayor shall receive an expense allotment of up
to $5,000 to be included in the City’s annual budget. Mr. Koenig noted that the salary was set at
$45,000 when the City went to a full-time Mayor in 1994 and has remained at that amount.
Mr. Hosfelt stated his understanding that a change to the Mayor’s salary would be made through a
change to the City’s charter. Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that the Mayor’s salary must be
reviewed by the Compensation Commission as well.
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Mr. Hosfelt questioned if the City could change the charter. Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that the
charter changes must go through the General Assembly. Mr. Anderson stated his belief that Mayor’s
salary was a Code issue, which would be in Council’s purview.
Mr. Lewis questioned if more clarification would be provided regarding the $5,000 discretionary
funds. In response, Mr. Slavin asked members to send their ideas about what these funds should and
should not be used for, which would help to shape the rules, indicating this would be the decision
of Council. He believed that this would become part of the Code or a policy.
Referring to City Manager (page 207), Mr. Koenig stated that the large percentage of increase in
materials and supplies was attributed to the replacement of two (2) computers in the office. He
stated the increase in administrative expenditures was related to an increase of approximately
$19,000 in legal expenses, which was offset by a reduction in contractual services. Mr. Koenig
reminded members that $100,000 had been included in the current year’s budget for a study and next
year approximately $5,000 was anticipated to be spent for LEAN related consulting. There was an
overall reduction of approximately 12% in the City Manager’s budget, which he stated was slightly
distorted because of the study in the current year.
In reference to Procurement and Inventory (page 211), Mr. Koenig indicated personnel costs were
going up slightly and this division was influenced more by union contracts than some other areas.
In regard to Materials and Supplies, Mr. Koenig noted that a number of department heads had
deferred computer purchases in previous budget years to help balance their budgets. He stated that
this involves risk because a number of computers may fail or need to be fixed at the same time.
Mr. Koenig stated that departments had been requested to return to a replacement schedule or
develop a path forward to do so; therefore, additional computer replacements were in the proposed
budget.
Mr. Slavin asked if the number of internal service calls made for older computers correlated with
those that have not been maintained. Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that he was unsure. He
explained that there is a life cycle replacement schedule and some offices have a more critical need
than others, noting that he could wait a day if his computer went down but some offices would not
want to do so. Mr. Koenig stated that replacement of computers is not triggered by the schedule,
explaining that system upgrades and problems caused to the department are considered. Mr. Koenig
stated that there was an overall increase of 4% in operating expenses for this department.
In reviewing Fire (page 212), Mr. Koenig noted that the transfer appropriation to Robbins Hose
Company was increased last year by $50,000 per the request of the Fire Chief. Mr. Koenig advised
that he administratively rolled that back this year to the FY 15 budget level. It was recommended
that the capital expense for Engine 7 replacement not be included in the budget. Mr. Koenig
explained that the capital outlay will remain the same because there would be $145,700 for payments
on existing equipment. The total expenditure for the Fire Department would be decreased by
approximately 3%; however, this would include maintaining the dispatch and administrative
functions at the Fire Department.
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In regard to the personnel costs of $437,700, Mr. Hare questioned if this related to five (5)
employees. In response, Mr. Koenig referred to Fire Department (page 248) - 110-1400-514,
pointing out that all associated employment costs are included in the 10 series line items, resulting
in a total expense of $437,700.
Mr. Anderson questioned the reason for the decrease in contractual services for the Fire Department
compared to the previous year. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that discussion of additional money
had occurred during the previous year between the Fire Chief and the Controller/Treasurer regarding
increased maintenance costs associated with equipment. At that time, Mrs. Mitchell requested the
Fire Chief to submit a request and support documentation. The Fire Department submitted a one (1)
page letter with no documentation, which went through the Council authorization process.
Mr. Koenig explained that no support documentation was submitted this year to warrant continuing
the level of funding from last year. The budget recommendation for FY 17 was the result of an
administrative decision at Mr. Koenig’s level.
Fire Chief Carleton Carey, Jr. stated that he did not have an option, and when they sat down to do
the budget for FY 17, $50,000 was removed. He stated that there was arguing about the engine,
which Chief Carey stated he had asked about in January and went through the process of getting it
done. He indicated that he did not fight this battle because he was losing the battle on other issues.
Chief Carey advised that he did not want to get into this.
Responding to Mr. Sudler as to why he felt he did not have an option, Chief Carey stated that he was
told that he was not able to keep the $50,000 because it was misused the previous year. He advised
that when he investigated further, he found that it was not misused because Council approved the
use of the extra $50,000. Chief Carey indicated that he wanted to keep the $50,000 and would not
ask for any more. He stated that he was going to have a line item for everything that they wanted
to keep the $50,000 for.
Mr. Anderson questioned whether Chief Carey would be able to get this information in 24 hours.
Responding, Chief Carey stated that he could provide the information by Friday, May 27, 2016 or
the beginning of the following week; however, he indicated that he would not ask for anything now,
stating that the Fire Department could survive and operate.
Mr. Anderson asked if Chief Carey believed the current budget would adequately protect the citizens,
and Chief Carey responded that it absolutely would. Chief Carey stated that the City is a big part of
keeping the Department in business and keeping the cost down for everyone in the City. He noted
that the Fire Department is considered a career department and receives the exact same training as
a career department, but they are volunteers. He stated that the Department had an $8M - $10M
membership for zero (0) dollars.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Carey stated that they would prefer to replace an engine rather
than upgrade the ladder, which would be approximately $500,000 cheaper. He advised that they
would not be looking for another ladder truck for at least another five (5) to eight (8) years.
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Chief Carey stated that the Department had a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan that they
were trying to get back in place. He noted that he met with Mrs. Mitchell around the first of the year
to discuss the CIP and he was advised that it would require approval by Mr. Koenig and City
Council. Chief Carey noted that, as a returning Chief, he was starting fresh and moving forward.
Mr. Anderson expressed his understanding that Chief Carey would prefer to have an engine over the
long term. In response, Chief Carey advised that he had to have the $50,000 appropriation for
special equipment.
Mr. Neil stated that members would be discussing the Operational and Administrative Analysis -
Dover Fire Department - Final Report - March 2016 at another time and these questions will be
coming up.
Mayor Christiansen requested an overview of the administrative expenditures. Responding, Chief
Carey believed that the City contributes approximately $1,500 to the pension plan. Mrs. Mitchell
stated her recollection that the amount was $1,560, noting that the amount was $60 per volunteer and
the Fire Department provides staff with a list of active volunteers. Mayor Christiansen asked if
workers’ compensation and insurance were included in these costs. Responding, Mr. Slavin
indicated that they were included in personnel costs. Chief Carey stated that Robbins Hose
Company contributes more than $40,000. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell stated that these funds were
for pension. She indicated that the Fire Department’s insurance cost, maintenance, electricity, and
everything needed to run the station were included in administrative expense.
Mr. Sudler questioned what the morale for the Fire Department was and what they do for the City.
Mr. Slavin asked that this question be deferred. He indicated that budget issues were being
discussed and felt that this may lead to possible personnel issues.
Mr. Lewis asked how many employees were included in the Fire Department and if this included
only dispatchers. Chief Carey advised that employees included strictly dispatchers. He indicated
that there are five (5) positions; however, the Department currently had only three (3) dispatchers.
Chief Carey indicated that they would go through the testing part of the application process on
May 28, 2016. He advised that these are the only employees in the department and they answer
emergency and non-emergency calls, take care of the building, and make sure the trucks are running
at all times. He stated that they function almost like a career department.
Mr. Hare noted that there is also one (1) part-time administrative assistant. Chief Carey confirmed
that this employee works 29 hours per week. Chief Carey advised that, as Chief, he worked 42 hours
during the first week of May in administrative meetings, 29 hours during the second week, and 33
hours during the past week, not including responding to fires. He advised that he would calculate
the total calls and hours at the end of the month to show the hours for Fire Chief.
Mr. Koenig reviewed Human Resources (page 213) noting a total net budget increase of 2%.
Referring to Human Resources (page 250), Mr. Hare noted that approximately $187,000 was being
budgeted for three (3) people and questioned if approximately $84,000 was being contributed to the
pension plan. In response, Mr. Koenig advised that the percent of payroll for General Fund
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employees in the defined benefit pension plan was 57% of payroll and two (2) of the three (3)
employees in the Human Resources were in this plan. Mr. Hare questioned the percentage of
employees in the defined benefit plan versus the deferred plan. Mr. Koenig thought that the number
was roughly 50/50 and that it was quickly shifting to more defined contribution than defined benefit
employees. He advised that this expense is driven by the plan selected by the employee and would
vary by department. Mr. Hare stated that he would like to have a breakdown of this information.
In reviewing Library (page 215), Mr. Koenig stated that personnel costs in the Dover Public Library
were influenced by two (2) labor agreements. He explained that administrative expenditures would
increase due to converting from personnel to a cleaning contract and expanding service for cleaning
at the library due to the amount of usage. Mr. Koenig stated that over the last few years, the City
converted to privatized cleaning at the library and gravitated away from privatized security to the
cadet program.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned why one (1) full-time position was not budgeted for all year in FY 16 in the
library. Mr. Koenig stated that, although some positions had been modified through downgrading
and upgrading, the total head count should not have gone up in the library. Mrs. Mitchel indicated
that she would research this issue.
In reference to Parks and Recreation (page 216), Mr. Koenig explained that capital outlay was
driving this budget, noting that improvements were planned for Schutte Park and Dover Park. These
projects were outlined in the capital plan and were driving a budget increase of approximately 25%.
In regard to the $52,000 increase in administrative expenses for the library due to the new custodial
contract, Mr. Hutchison asked if this would be $52,000 per year. Mr. Koenig stated that it would
be yearly and noted that part of the increase was attributed to the custodial expense being moved
from Facilities Management’s budget to the Library’s budget. Because the cleaning hours are defined
at the library, the cost of that contractual service is charged directly to the library, so some of the
increase was due to an accounting change over time. Mr. Koenig advised that all janitorial services
related to a specific building are being charged to a specific budget. For example, the Electric
Administration building is being charged to the Electric Department budget, the Dover Public
Library to the Library budget, and the Police Department to the Police budget.
In response to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Koenig stated that the three (3) cadets at the Dover Public Library
are a security feature that comes out of a line item in the library budget. Referring to Library
Account 10-13 Temporary Help (page 256), he explained that some temporary help is related to
library staff and some to security, which is all being charged to the Temporary Help line item.
Mr. Hare questioned if the Police Department had been authorized to replace their janitor.
Responding, Mr. Koenig explained that a building craftsperson was assigned janitorial
responsibilities at the police station several years ago. There was a request in FY 15 or early FY 16
to convert janitorial service of the public area in front, including the lobby, bathroom, and possibly
the public assembly room, to a private contractor because it was too much for the building
craftsperson to maintain. Mr. Koenig stated that this was a small contract of approximately $3,000 -
$5,000 per year. That craftsperson had since resigned from the City and the janitorial function of
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that position was replaced with a contractor. Mr. Koenig noted that the entire facility was now being
cleaned by a contractor, and the Police Chief and staff indicated that they were happy with the
contractor. The budget still had the building craftsperson position, which had been rolled back to
the initial starting numbers. Mr. Koenig explained that he had not signed off on a permission to
recruit because the question of whether the Police Department needed a 40 hour per week building
craftsperson in addition to a cleaning service for six (6) or seven (7) days per week remained. He
was considering placing the craftsperson position in Facilities and providing service to the Police
Department on a work order basis. Mr. Koenig advised that the Police Department and the Police
Chief favor the position being in the Police Department because the Chief could then control all the
work that this person does related to the facility. Mr. Koenig stated that a decision must be made
in this regard within the next week.
Mr. Hare questioned if this position could return to being a craftsperson and also perform cleaning.
In response, Mr. Koenig stated that there had been a significant enhancement in service at the Police
Department and expressed the need to be realistic when debating the budget. He indicated that many
things had been done over the past three (3) or four (4) years to expand service at the Police
Department, many of which were low key; however, they were driving the General Fund budget.
Mr. Koenig noted that the Police Chief had provided him a detailed list of what the building
craftsperson does there; however, Mr. Koenig stated that there are just as many needs in other parts
of the organization. The actual cleaning portion of the contract was substantially expanded at a cost.
Mr. Koenig indicated that if he was trying to contain the Police Department budget in the FY 16
costs, they would not have enough money for this service to expand the janitorial contract and hire
the building craftsperson.
Mr. Sudler, referring to Parks & Recreation (page 216), questioned why the contribution to the
African American Festival was decreased by $3,000. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that decreasing
the City’s contribution to the African American Festival was his recommendation, noting that he had
made the recommendation that Council consider eliminating this contribution in previous budgets
from 2012 to 2015. He advised that the African American Festival was not singled out, explaining
that the City had previously contributed to both the Fourth of July Celebration and the African
American Festival. Mr. Koenig stated that the $5,000 formerly contributed to the Fourth of July
Celebration Committee had been decreased to $0 in previous budgets.
Mr. Slavin advised that the Fourth of July Celebration Committee was originally set up as a City
committee, funded by the City, and given the responsibility to create private funding to support it,
and he believed they reached the point of returning funds a few years ago that the City appropriated.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that this had been budgeted and they asked for the City not to pay them because
they did not need it.
Mr. Slavin stated that the Fourth of July Celebration had successfully become a stand-alone event,
which was the exit strategy.
Mr. Sudler questioned how much of the $165,000 increase in capital outlay in the Parks &
Recreation budget was allocated for Dover Park. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that he would
explain this during the review of the Capital Investment Plan.
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Mr. Sudler asked what the justification or merit was for exiting from the African American Festival.
In response, Mr. Koenig stated that this was the City Manager’s recommendation because he did not
consider this a City-sponsored event. He indicated that it is a private event that the City had
recognized and supported, and would continue to support by picking up trash, etc. However, if
another festival came in with similar goals and objectives, Mr. Koenig did not have a way to say
whether or not they should be funded at this level.
In response to Mr. Sudler’s previous question regarding the amount of capital outlay for Dover Park,
Mr. Koenig referred to FY 2017 Capital Investment Plan - FY 2017 thru FY 2021 - Projects by
Department (page 105). Mr. Koenig advised that $165,000 was allocated for Parks and Recreation
capital outlay, with $50,000 labeled for a Dover Park master plan, $100,000 related to land
improvements at Schutte Park, and $15,000 for small park improvements. He explained that the
details of those improvements were identified on pages 106, 107, and 108.
Mr. Sudler noted that there are many City parks in Dover that do not have amenities, only grass and
a sign that says City park, and asked if the small park improvements mentioned in the Capital
Investment Plan consisted of things like edging. He questioned why the City has these parks, such
as in Bicentennial Village, with no amenities, such as swings or seesaws, and if the City was paying
money for nothing.
Mr. Slavin suggested that this question be deferred until Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of
Planning and Community Development, was present. He felt that this may relate to the difference
between active recreation, passive recreation, and pocket parks.
Mrs. Dawn Melson-Williams, Principal Planner, stated that when some subdivisions in the City were
developed, the City took dedication of open space or active recreation areas that were created for
some of those subdivisions and, in some instances, this included grass areas. She advised that this
is typically not how the City deals with active recreation in new subdivisions. Mrs. Melson-
Williams indicated that in some cases there are small areas of grass, and recreation activities can
happen in these areas, but there are no amenities in the form of benches or swings. She noted that
the areas are probably big enough to allow movement and provide a game-type function for the
neighborhood. Mr. Sudler asked how much this was costing the City; however, Mrs. Melson-
Williams did not have that information.
Mr. Anderson asked if the building craftsperson at the Police Department would be a 100% General
Fund expense or if part of the cost would be shared by the other funds. Responding, Mr. Koenig
stated that if it was in the Police Department it would be 100% General Fund; however, if the
position was filled in the manner that he was proposing, it would be in the Facilities Division, which
is an allocated fund.
Mr. Anderson indicated that if the building craftsperson position was in the Facilities Division, it
would serve the City and be shared by all of the funds that generate revenue. Mr. Koenig confirmed
that if the position was located in the Facilities Division, it would be a shared resource dedicated to
all facilities. While the position may primarily be dedicated to the Police Department, it would be
a shared position.
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Mr. Sudler moved to recess, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
The meeting recessed at 7:28 p.m.
Mr. Anderson moved to reconvene the meeting, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously
carried.
The meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m.
In regard to the African American Festival, Mr. Sudler asked if Mr. Koenig had discussed the $3,000
decrease in funding for the Festival with former Councilman Reuben Salters, the organizer of the
event. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that he had not personally talked to Mr. Salters and was
unsure if that was communicated to him through the department. Mr. Sudler strongly urged that
Mr. Koenig advise Mr. Salters to allow him time to prepare for this. Mr. Sudler indicated that he
was not against the decrease but felt that, as a courtesy, Mr. Salters should be informed.
Mr. Slavin did not believe that Mr. Salters knew about the potential decrease, since he had not heard
from him.
Mr. Anderson clarified that the funding for the 2016 African American Festival would not be
affected, so Mr. Salters would have a year to prepare. Mr. Koenig confirmed this, noting that
Mr. Salters had been working on the current Festival which would be held at the end of June and was
included in the City’s FY 2015/2016 budget. He stated that the current discussion pertained to the
2017 Festival.
Mr. Koenig stated that Mrs. Kim Hawkins, Human Resources Director, had advised him that the
current roster of employees includes 106 employees in the defined benefit plan, 123 in the defined
contribution plan, and 101 uniformed officers in the State of Delaware County and Municipal
(Police/Firefighter) pension plan.
In response to Mr. Hare regarding the other 29 employees, Mr. Koenig believed that there were
probably 29 openings across the City. Mr. Hare requested a list of the open positions and how long
each had been open, which Mr. Koenig indicated he would provide.
Referring to Police (page 217), Mr. Koenig stated that personnel costs would increase in this
Department by 7%. He indicated that this would fund 101 police officers, and incorporates the
Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract and proposed raises for non-bargaining employees.
Mr. Koenig explained that one (1) officer resigned in FY 16; however, this officer’s salary would
be carried until the end of FY 16 at the rate of pay at the time of resignation. Mr. Koenig advised
that the City is required to make a payment of $40,000 to the exiting employee, which he believed
would occur in January, and this money had not been set aside. He stated that approximately
$75,000 was budgeted for this position in FY 17, including a salary of approximately $50,000 plus
associated benefits, at the starting wage of an entry-level patrol officer. Of this amount, $40,000
would be used to pay the obligation. Mr. Koenig noted that the potential for another School
Resource Officer (SRO) was mentioned and would increase the revenue from the Capital School
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District from $100,000 to $160,000. If the City goes forward with the SRO and receives this
revenue, there would be $35,000 left over from the $75,000 budgeted salary and benefits, less the
$40,000 payment. Mr. Koenig advised that if $60,000 is added to the $35,000, this would allow
$95,000 for the replacement of an officer, assuming the City moves forward with the SRO contract,
which is how the budget was prepared. He stated that the last SRO contract was with Parkway
Academy. Mr. Koenig indicated that the intent was for the Police Chief to bring back the SRO
contract, stating his assumption that it had not yet been signed so that Council could consider this
matter within the context of the overall budget discussion.
For clarification, Mr. Lewis questioned if the school district would be paying $60,000 toward the
SRO. In response, Mr. Koenig confirmed that if the City executes the contract and designates an
officer, there would be $60,000 of revenue associated with that contract. Mr. Koenig stated that the
City would treat that officer as other SROs are treated, explaining that an officer would be dedicated
to the school during the school year and be eligible for other overtime and extra duty. Mr. Koenig
indicated that this officer would be eligible to be pulled into the other units for duties at the Dover
Police Department at the discretion of the Chief.
In response to Mr. Hare regarding whether the City loses money on extra duty, Mrs. Mitchell stated
that the rates are calculated so that the City does not lose money.
Mr. Hutchison questioned if the contracts for SROs are year to year. Responding, Mr. Koenig
believed that the SRO contract are for multiple years, noting that the Mayor and Police Chief had
described a three (3) year contract to him. Mr. Koenig was unsure if all resource officers have
three (3) year contracts but stated that he would provide this information. It was his belief that the
contract for Parkway Academy was a multi-year contract.
Mr. Hare questioned if the Capital School District pays $60,000 toward each SRO. Responding,
Captain Tim Stump, Dover Police Department, advised that the Capital School District pays
$100,000 toward two (2) SROs, and the agreement signed with Parkway Academy in July 2014
states that the school had agreed to pay $60,000 per year for 900 hours of police service based on
a three (3) year contract.
Mr. Lewis stated his understanding that civilians who were previously police officers were receiving
retirement benefits, such as medical, but were being charged for benefits again as civilian employees.
He questioned if this was true and, if so, what the reasoning was for it. Responding, Mr. Koenig
stated that there are three (3) retired Dover police officers serving in this capacity, two (2) Sex
Offender Registry officers and one (1) crime analyst. He indicated that when these positions were
initially created, they were non-bargaining positions. Mr. Koenig explained that these employees
are receiving pensions from the State fund, retired from their service as police officers, and were
rehired by the City as civilian employees. The offer letters advised these candidates that they could
work for the City with the condition that there was a specified salary and they would purchase health
care as active employees. After these positions were filled, each of these employees was
incorporated in the AFSCME labor union. Mr. Koenig indicated that the City’s position is that these
employees are being paid at their active rate and they will pay for health care in accordance with the
AFSCME contract, which has a different cost-sharing allocation. He stated that this issue is being
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debated while moving through the administrative applications associated with the transfer from non-
bargaining to AFSCME.
Mr. Lewis questioned if these employees were required to pay for health insurance because they fall
under the union. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that this was not the reason; however, when they
were hired as non-bargaining employees, their offer letters included their salary and stated that they
must pay for health insurance as active employees. The conditions at the time were an 85/15 split
for all non-bargaining employees.
Mr. Lewis noted that the City also contributes to the health insurance cost. He questioned whether
the City would save money if these employees continued to receive benefits under their retirement
packages and work without contributing to medical benefits, since the City would not have to
contribute.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Mitchell advised that the unfunded liability for OPEB was the
driving force for this approach when the proposal to rehire retired officers was original submitted.
She explained that the City pays retiree health care whether employees are active or retired.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that when employees retire, the City has to fund the liability of their life span
from their age of retirement, noting that the mortality table may indicate a life span of 80 years. If
they are hired back as active employees, take health care as active employees, and work another 10
years, it would cut 10 years off the City’s unfunded liability. Mrs. Mitchell advised that the State
also uses this approach. She stated that these individuals still see the OPEB benefit on their pay
statements and have difficulty understanding why this occurs when they are active employees.
Mrs. Mitchell explained that this relates to accounting rules for OPEB that require the percentage
of payroll funding the unfunded liability to be reflected across payroll. She explained that this is
socialized, similar to Social Security.
Mr. Koenig reviewed Life Safety (page 223), explaining that it includes the Fire Marshal’s Office
and the City’s ambulance contract.
Responding to Mr. Slavin, Mr. Koenig estimated the cost of the ambulance contract at approximately
$20,000 per month or $240,000 per year. He noted that, during the last two (2) years, approximately
$15,000 had been given to the Cheswold and Camden-Wyoming volunteer companies, with
approximately 50% going to each company. Mr. Koenig indicated that he could obtain exact
numbers if desired.
In response to Mr. Slavin, Mr. Koenig confirmed that the ambulance contractor receives payment
from the City and also from those that they transport. He stated that the City pays a standby fee of
approximately $10,000 per shift and has 24 hour coverage, with two (2) units for 16 of those
24 hours.
Mr. Slavin advised that the service was set up this way to contain the City’s cost and so the City
would not be in the bill collecting business. Mr. Koenig confirmed that the City is not in the bill
collecting business. He noted that when the current ambulance contract ends, there is the potential
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to adjust this cost by performing a national Request for Proposals (RFP) and obtaining a vendor who
will not charge a standby fee and will provide service purely based on billing.
In response to Mr. Slavin regarding whether the City had the ability to know if the vendor is profiting
off the contract in addition to the fee they receive from the City, Mr. Koenig did not believe that a
financial statement was part of the terms of the agreement. He was unsure if the City could obtain
this information but indicated that staff could try.
Mr. Slavin commented that there was only a brief mention of Emergency Medical Services in the
Operational and Administrative Analysis of the Fire Department, noting that he thought the City
would receive more information from this study. He felt this may be an area to explore.
Mr. Sudler asked the date when a competitive analysis of the ambulance service was last done and
when another vendor was considered. Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that an RFP was done
approximately 13-14 months ago. To his recollection, FY 16 was the first year of a three (3) year
contract. Three local (3) vendors responded and the vendor being used by the City at the time was
selected. Mr. Koenig explained that there was a vendor with a no-cost proposal, but this was a new
start-up company that had worked in transport but not Advanced Life Support (ALS)/Basic Life
Support (BLS). The third vendor was a proposed spin-off, start-up service from a local volunteer
ambulance company. Mr. Koenig indicated that the City had elected to use PrimeCare and would
be entering the second year of the contract this year. He stated that it takes approximately one (1)
year to adequately vet an RFP for this type of service. Mr. Koenig noted that the Operational and
Administrative Analysis of the Fire Department indicated that the City was at the size and had the
volume of calls where a national provider may be interested in Dover as the capital City. He felt that
by bringing in a national provider, the City could potentially eliminate the $240,000 standby charge.
Mr. Sudler asked if the award was made based on cost or service. In response, Mr. Koenig indicated
that the lowest cost was not selected. Selection was made based on who staff felt was providing
reasonable service. Mr. Koenig indicated that there had been complaints regarding service, which
were evaluated and staff felt that the current provider had adequately addressed the concerns.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned if the fees for volunteer company providers are paid because PrimeCare
cannot make runs. Responding, Mr. Koenig explained that if the City’s vendor is not available and
the volunteer companies make a transport or dedicate resources to come into the City for transport,
compensation has been offered to them at $25 per run. He stated that in August 2016, staff will
review the last 12 months and the City will donate $25 per run.
In response to Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Koenig stated that PrimeCare is sometimes unable to make runs
because they have not been released from the hospital, noting that if they bring in someone who may
have ingested something, they are not released quickly. In some cases they are responding to
multiple incidents and are not available. Mr. Koenig indicated that in some cases the closest unit
may have been another volunteer unit that had made a run to the hospital and were immediately
available; however, the first call is made to PrimeCare and it does not transfer over to other vendors
unless they decline the call or cannot take it. Mr. Koenig stated that PrimeCare and the other
vendors provide BLS, and ALS is provided by Kent County paramedics.
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Mr. Hare suggested informing PrimeCare that the City intends to look at national providers when
this contract is up to see if PrimeCare wants to negotiate.
Mr. Hutchison advised that when he served as Chair of the Safety Advisory and Transportation
Committee, the Committee reviewed ambulance services with the City Manager and staff. He stated
that a complete analysis was done of the vendors to make sure the City was getting a first-class
response. Mr. Hutchison reiterated that there was a back-up system in place with Cheswold and
Camden-Wyoming, and the City utilizes the paramedics as well. He noted that it had always been
the policy that if there is a complaint pertaining to a 911 ambulance call, staff reviews the details to
find out what happened. Overall, Mr. Hutchison felt that PrimeCare provides good service, noting
that other options could be considered when the contract is finished.
Mr. Koenig explained that there had been a period when there was friction with the volunteer fire
associations who were providing additional service, and this resulted in the donation discussion. To
Mr. Koenig’s knowledge, the donations made by the City to the Camden-Wyoming and Cheswold
fire companies represent their largest single donations from a contributor.
Mayor Christiansen questioned how PrimeCare bills for each individual transported. In response,
Mr. Koenig stated that he did not know and staff would have to get those records.
Mayor Christiansen noted that an ambulance from Hartly recently responded to an incident on
Reed Street and questioned if they would be eligible for the $25 fee. Mr. Koenig stated that Hartly
had not appeared on the manifest. When the records are reviewed, if Hartly appears enough times,
he felt that the City would make an offer to them; however, donations had been made only to
Cheswold and Camden-Wyoming.
Mayor Christiansen asked if there was a record of the number of times the Fire Department had been
called to assist PrimeCare because their personnel on location were not qualified to do the job.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that Ms. Kay Sass, Public Affairs and Emergency Management
Coordinator, may have this information; however, he did not. Mayor Christiansen requested that
these figures be provided to Council.
Mr. Hosfelt stated his concern that PrimeCare knows they can make insurance money if they are in
a position to make a run. He felt that they were taking runs when they should be on standby in the
City to handle its issues. Mr. Hosfelt stated that when PrimeCare takes a run to make insurance
money and the City calls in Camden-Wyoming or Cheswold, the City has to pay them as well. He
had been informed by people in the business and people in the hospital that this was occurring.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that staff could check out this complaint. He noted that there had
been complaints over the years that were unfounded but had to be evaluated; however, if this was
happening, this was not the level of service that the City agreed to.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the Economic Development budget (page 224), noting that the proposed
budget was $237,700.
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In response to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Koenig stated that three (3) employees are assigned to the
Economic Development Office.
Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mayor Christiansen advised that he was unsure how much time
he devotes to economic development but that it is quite a few hours. He stated that he and
Mr. William Neaton, Economic Development Manager, are continuously trying to bring new
businesses to the City and protect jobs that are already in Dover.
In response to Mr. Hutchison regarding how many hours he and Mr. Kirby Hudson, Assistant
City Manager, devote to economic development, Mr. Koenig noted that he, Mr. Hudson, and
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend attend a number of related meetings. Mr. Koenig estimated that 20%
of his time relates to economic development, including phone calls and meetings. He noted that he
is not there specifically to promote economic development but to promote the City in general.
Mr. Koenig stated that time is not broken down by utilities versus economic development. He
estimated that 20% of his office time is spent talking about things such as how to expand the
business and residential base, and utilities.
Mr. Hutchison stated his understanding that when a proposal is getting ready to be presented,
Mr. Koenig’s office and staff would be involved. Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that his office
is involved for large projects and to a lesser extent for average projects. The Planning Office is
involved in every application to a certain level if it involves a building. Mr. Koenig stated that, at
his level, staff had been involved in the Downtown Development District and the applications for
funding for projects; however, they do not account for the hours.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Koenig stated that 100% of his time is dedicated to the development
of the City.
Mayor Christiansen stated that because of the types of projects the City looks at, as soon as there is
interest in the City, Mr. Koenig, Mrs. Townshend, and Mr. Hudson all consult, noting that
Mr. Hudson had brought some people to Dover under the City’s Downtown Development District
program. He noted that staff works as a team so they do not have to go back and consult with each
another. Mayor Christiansen stated that when a major project comes in, such as the development
of the new shopping center in North Dover or the remodeling of the former K-Mart, the team meets
with the developer from the start to consult as a unified group. He pointed out that, due to working
with the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), some of the personnel are split and they focus their
emphasis on downtown projects. Mayor Christiansen stated that he was not excited with the current
configuration of the Economic Development Office and it may need to be reconfigured in the future.
Mr. Hare recalled that the Economic Development Office employees previously came before Council
and mentioned that they spent over 50% of their time with the DDP. The DDP hired an individual
and these employees came back to work for the City; however, the gentleman that the DDP hired left
and now the City was back with the DDP. Mr. Hare questioned what was not being done for the
City, if 50% of employees’ time was being spent with the DDP. He suggested the possibility of
turning economic development of the City over to the DDP.
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Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Koenig if an Economic Development Office was needed for the City.
Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that this decision was made by Council a number of years ago and
economic development is part of the Mayor’s charge. He noted that he was on record as saying that
there are many options available for economic development and the current option is not the option
that he recommended several years ago. Mr. Koenig stated that he stood by his original
recommendation.
Mr. Anderson stated that there had been many reports on this. He indicated that many projects, such
as parking, are handled within economic development under the DDP, but City staff basically does
the work. He cited the farmer’s market, various inventory of buildings that was being compiled,
marketing, filling in real estate agents, etc., and noted that the Economic Development Office deals
not just with downtown but the whole City. He stated that there was a lot of focus on small
businesses, which are very important, noting that job growth in the City is more on the side of
businesses with 50 and under employees. Mr. Anderson stated that the City’s unemployment rate
has fallen much faster than the State unemployment rate, and the State Economic Development
Office had advised that half of the new jobs in the State were created in the Dover area.
Mr. Anderson felt that a case could be made that what is being done is working and when the DDP
tried something different, it lasted only months, and even then they kept asking City staff to help.
He felt that the City was getting more than status quo results with a status quo budget.
Mayor Christiansen indicated that this may not be the most workable formula, but this is what was
in place. He stated that he was open to all suggestions due to the desire for the City to progress.
Mayor Christiansen noted that while the City works closely with the State of Delaware Economic
Development Office and Kent County on a regular basis, the major responsibility of the Mayor and
the Economic Development Office is to find jobs and businesses to come to the City to increase the
tax base.
Mr. Sudler questioned how much time Mayor Christiansen focuses on economic development and
working with the DDP on a daily basis. Responding, Mayor Christiansen stated that he has a very
close relationship with their supervisor and they work together continuously; however, he could not
delineate the number of hours, noting that there are many walk-ins that bring complaints to the City
Manager and the Mayor fields those that the City Manager does not. He indicated that economic
development is his primary job, next to public safety and in addition to handling constituent
complaints, because this would increase the tax base and assist those on the street who need jobs.
Mr. Hosfelt questioned Mr. Koenig’s comment that he had been on the record in regard to the
Economic Development Office. Responding, Mr. Koenig indicated that during a time of budget
contraction, there had been discussion about what services the City needed to provide. At that time,
he favored an agreement to potentially transfer funds to Kent County to hire a municipal economic
development person who would be a subset of the County. Mr. Koenig indicated that he was being
encouraged by Council to improve relationships with Kent County, and he and Mr. Michael Petit de
Mange, Kent County Administrator, had talked about this concept, which was a major deviation
from what the City was doing. Mr. Koenig noted that the concern about this approach was how to
guarantee that a prospect would be directed to Dover if the economic development person was not
vested in the City. He stated that he liked this concept as a cooperative measure with Kent County
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because he has trouble gauging the opinion of Council regarding whether members think the City
is getting value for the dollars being spent on economic development. Mr. Koenig stated that all of
the department heads in the City are contributors to economic development at different points in the
process. He indicated that he is not the point of contact when taking someone through the steps of
constructing a building, but employees in various departments perform that role, and Mr. Neaton was
doing this on a couple of projects. Mr. Koenig advised that ultimately City Council must give must
give him direction as to whether they are happy with the direction of economic development in the
City. Mr. Koenig reiterated that the City had been in a time of contraction when collaboration was
being encouraged, and Council had been open to a number of different ideas; however, the stumbling
blocks were control and the fact that there were people who were already performing economic
development.
Mr. Neil asked Mr. Koenig whether realtors play a major or minor role in economic development,
and if major, what current economic development personnel were doing to bring them in. In
response, Mr. Koenig stated his understanding that commercial realtors are being contacted with the
business leads, and some of these realtors were better than others at bringing contacts in. He
indicated that the City does not go out of the state or region to promote Dover and funds are not
spent to send the Economic Development Director to national or regional conferences to recruit, for
example, a biotech company.
Mr. Koenig advised that many of the contacts the City receives are funneled through the Delaware
Economic Development Office (DEDO), including those who need a specific number of square feet
or have a specific utility need. For example, he stated that a number of companies were searching
all over Kent County in regard to facilities for medical marijuana and these facilities may pop up in
a number of different locations, depending on who obtains a license. Mr. Koenig stated that many
of those applicants came through one (1) real estate firm. In that case, the City was contacted and
he had not previously known that there were people looking for that type of facility. Mr. Koenig
indicated that the economic development market is just as difficult as retail business and noted that
success does not occur every day. He advised that if the City gets one (1) project every year or
two (2) at the Garrison Oak Technology Park, by some standards that is pretty good, although as City
Manager, he would like to see two (2) or three (3) projects every year to achieve a quick return.
Mr. Koenig stated that the City had a number of challenges with respect to geographic location in
the State, employment, technology, and demographics. He noted that a lot of people were coming
to the area to retire and some may want part-time jobs, while others may not want to work at all.
Mr. Koenig indicated that this is a difficult environment to work in and that success must be defined,
because there may be success in one (1) year that is followed by a dry oasis.
In response to Mr. Neil regarding who sold the old K-Mart building to Burlington Coat Factory,
Mayor Christiansen stated that he was the initial contact for the project and he directed them to
Mr. Neaton, who guided them. Mayor Christiansen advised that there would be another entity at this
location and two (2) pad sites because of the salesmanship of the City’s team, including Mr. Koenig
and Mrs. Townshend. He stated that they all worked very diligently to bring Burlington to the City.
Mayor Christiansen stated that realtors had brought projects to the Economic Development Office
and to the City, noting that this was the luck of the draw. He advised that the City continued to work
closely with DEDO and Kent County. Mayor Christiansen felt that DEDO’s priority had always
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been New Castle and Sussex County concerns. He noted that some items had been referred by the
City to Kent County, and the County had done the same for the City. He stated that the first priority
of the Mayor and the Economic Development Office was Dover and bringing jobs to Dover. He
noted that some people were not happy with the current configuration of economic development in
the City; however, he felt the emphasis should be on Dover growing, which was the case before there
was an Economic Development Office and should be in the future.
Mr. Anderson questioned how many economic development directors Kent County had gone through
in a five (5) year period. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that Mr. James Waddington was the only
person he knew who had held this position. Mr. Hare noted that Mr. Waddington had served in this
position since the death of Mr. Dan Wolfensburger, former Director of the Kent Economic
Partnership.
Mr. Anderson indicated there had been discussion with Kent County that diluting Dover with all the
municipalities would be a mistake and would have resulted in the Garrison project still being a field.
He believed that by the time the Garrison project is complete, the City would realize close to a
billion dollars of private investment there. In terms of economic development, Mr. Anderson stated
that the City had something that is moving forward and felt it would be a mistake to go back in a
different direction that was not working in other places. He felt that economic development is a very
competitive market because of the national environment. Mr. Anderson noted that the City’s website
could be marketed more and the City could have something for entrepreneurs and smart money in
places that would be relatively inexpensive. He did not know why the City was not budgeting for
this.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he had the opportunity to serve as Mayor and work with economic
development for 10 years and the City averaged between $2M - $4M in real estate transfer tax per
year during that period. He felt that economic development is one (1) of the most important jobs the
Mayor has. Mr. Hutchison advised that, as Mayor, he had visited the Vice President of Wilmington
University personally to tell him that the City needed Wilmington University, and a couple of years
later he received a call from the Vice President telling him that they were ready to come to Dover.
Mr. Hutchison indicated that he did not like the current economic development organizational
structure and felt everyone should sit down together, reorganize the Economic Development Office,
and make it better. In regard to the City remaining competitive, Mr. Hutchison cautioned that it
cannot be assumed that every job in the City today will be here tomorrow, so the City must work
every day to promote economic development.
Mr. Hare stated that, having worked for a business development company for many years, he had
gone to many conferences and events to stay informed. Mr. Hare questioned why the City was not
going to summits to promote Dover and the industrial park, and why there was no ad in USA today
saying that Dover is open and has land for $1,000 per acre, noting that the State had done this. He
reiterated his concern regarding the City’s economic development staff spending half of their time
with the DDP. He advocated talking to business owners downtown to get feedback about economic
development in Dover.
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Mr. Sudler asked Mr. Hutchison, as a former Mayor who dealt with economic development, if he
suggested that economic development continue under the Mayor’s leadership if restructured.
Responding, Mr. Hutchison stated the importance of looking at the current structure, which he felt
could be redefined and improved. He felt that the Mayor is the point person for the City of Dover
when it comes to economic development, so the Mayor must be involved.
Mr. Slavin felt that a cross team needed to be identified and meet on a regular basis to determine
what the City is doing with economic development in terms of daily activities and strategic goals.
He expressed concern that he had heard repeatedly that the number one concern was bringing new
jobs, which he felt was only half of the job of economic development. Mr. Slavin stated that the
other half is keeping the jobs that the City has and taking care of employers who had been here for
a long time. He stated that he shared Mr. Hare’s concern about downtown businesses and advised
members that he had received open criticism from them about the lack of effect from economic
development on their businesses. Mr. Slavin indicated that he has his own ideas about economic
development and a motion to propose; however, he stated he would wait until after the discussion.
Mayor Christiansen advised that in 1993 when Sunroc was planning to come to Dover, he, as
Council President; Mr. Jim O'Connor, former City Manager; and the City Planner met with
representatives from the company. After closing the deal for Sunroc to move to the Kent County
Aeropark, Sunroc asked when they could talk to the Mayor. Mayor Christiansen agreed with
Mr. Hutchison that the Mayor should be totally involved in economic development as much as
possible as the leader of a team in a new and improved configuration. He felt that it was important
for the Mayor to be involved with businesses that the City wants to keep or move here.
Mayor Christiansen advised members that he touches base and attends meetings regularly with plant
managers to make sure the City is fulfilling its responsibility to them to protect the jobs that are
already here and bring new jobs.
Mr. Slavin noted that the time was 8:45 p.m. and the meeting was scheduled to recess at 9:00 p.m.
He stated that the budgets for several departments had not yet been reviewed and the review of the
Capital Investment Plan, Financial Forecast by Fund, and City Policies and Procedures had not yet
been considered. Mr. Slavin reminded members that they were scheduled to begin discussion and
mark-up of the budget tomorrow evening, recess by 8:00 p.m., and return on June 1, 2016 to
continue discussion and mark-up. He felt that members had made great progress and identified some
of the issues, noting that he had a list of possible motions that he believed would be worthy of
members’ attention. Mr. Slavin suggested that Mr. Koenig and Mrs. Mitchell provide a compressed
review of the CIP, Financial Forecast by Fund, and City policies and procedures, not to exceed
90 minutes. Members could then take a brief break prior to beginning the process of marking up the
budget with motions and questions, not to exceed 90 minutes. Mr. Slavin expressed his hope that
this would allow members to get through this portion of the process tomorrow night. He reminded
members that the budget ordinance would be introduced for First Reading during the Council
meeting of June 13, 2016 and that the Final Reading would take place on June 27, 2016, noting that
these meetings would provide an opportunity for amendments. Mr. Slavin felt that, from the City’s
side, members may by in a position to finish the budget review tomorrow night, and expressed his
hope that by June 27, 2016, members would know what would be happening with the State.
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Mr. Slavin indicated that the Special Council Meeting - Budget Review agenda would be amended
to reflect his suggested changes.
Mr. Koenig advised that Mrs. Mitchell had indicated that Staff could forego the review of City
Policies and Procedures tomorrow night. Responding, Mr. Slavin stated that this could be included
as an item on a Council meeting agenda as an educational item.
Mr. Koenig continued his review of the General Fund division budgets, referring to Public Works
Admin (page 226).
Mr. Koenig, referring to Streets (page 231), reminded members that the budget gap discussion
resulted in a reduction in the street program from $1M to $900,000.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the Water/Wastewater Fund budget (page 277), advising that this was a
balanced fund and no rate increase was proposed. Referring to Water Treatment (page 281), he
explained that the capital expansion at the water treatment plant would be bonded in a bundle of
projects for long-term financing. Mr. Koenig stated that expenses were up in some divisions and
down in others, and the City was still able to deliver a robust capital plan and operating budget
within the current rate structure.
Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Koenig stated that trash fees do not cover 100% of the cost of
operation. He stated that Staff tried to set them at a level where they were covering the majority of
the operating expenses of personnel and the 20-30 series. To his recollection, they did not recover
all of the capital costs associated with vehicles. Mr. Koenig estimated the recovery at 70% to 80%
of expenses.
Mr. Slavin suggested deferring Electric Fund budget until tomorrow evening.
Mr. Anderson asked how the Kent Avenue sinkhole problem affected street priorities. Responding,
Mr. Koenig stated that Council had received notice regarding a failing storm sewer in Division Street
at Kent Avenue. The cost of repair was being evaluated and staff would discuss the matter regarding
who should make the repair with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT).
Mr. Koenig stated, as a worst-case scenario, the City would have to do the repair and potentially
adjust the street program to account for that expense unless staff came to Council for additional
funding authorization. He advised that he and Mrs. Mitchell would discuss this to determine
whether a budget revision would be needed, if they could possibly wait to see if there would be any
funds leftover from this year, or if there would be a windfall before the end of the year. Mr. Koenig
noted that, unless he asks for additional money, the funding would likely come from the street
program.
Mr. Neil moved to recess, seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
The meeting recessed at 8:57 p.m., to be reconvened at 6:00 p.m. on May 26, 2016.
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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Special Council Meeting - Budget Review reconvened on May 26, 2016 at 6:01 p.m. with
Council President Slavin presiding. Council members present were Mr. Anderson (departed at
6:28 p.m., returned at 6:37 p.m.), Mr. Sudler (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole (arrived at 6:36 p.m.),
Mr. Hosfelt, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison. Mr. Neil was absent.
Council staff members present were Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Koenig, and Mrs. McDowell.
Mayor Christiansen was also present (arrived at 6:13 p.m.).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously
carried.
Division Budget Reviews
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, reviewed the Electric Fund budget (page 288), noting that this
budget included janitorial services for the Electric Administration building. Referring to Electric
T & D (page 290), he indicated that capital outlay was increasing due to the addition of the Tar Ditch
interceptor project, noting that electric work must be moved so that the stormwater project could be
done in the future. He advised that the Electric Fund had done well in putting additional funds
toward the unfunded liabilities, resulting in decreased pension costs.
Mr. Koenig indicated that the Electric Department staff had done a good job of getting capital
projects on schedule and progressing through them. Over the last year, the North American Energy
Services (NAES) had been very aggressive in moving through the capital plan, getting projects
underway and completing projects both at Unit 3 and McKee Run, as well as making improvements
to the Van Sant generating station.
Mr. Koenig advised that training and acclimating new employees had been ongoing and the electric
utility looked very good moving into FY 17.
In response to Mr. Hutchison regarding outstanding vacancies in the Electric Department,
Mr. Koenig stated that the Key Accounts Representative position was currently being recruited and
an Assistant Generation Superintendent would soon be recruited. This position would be located
at the power plan to help bridge the operations side with the power supply side. He explained that
Mr. Harry Maloney, Electric Director, was getting ready to recruit for a T & D Coordinator.
Mr. Koenig noted that a staff person was recently promoted internally from the Public Works
Department to a Substation Technician. He stated that at least one (1) Substation Technician
position would be recruited for, and a Grounds Person position had been held open to determine if
adjustments were needed to Mr. Maloney’s staffing level to make sure the right type of person is
hired. Mr. Koenig stated that some long-time employees planned to retire and employees were being
moved around to afford for succession. When this plan is determined, the Grounds Person position
will be advertised. Mr. Koenig stated that it was important to get these positions in place as quickly
as possible. He noted that Mr. Maloney had been very active and thoughtful in considering what the
utility should look like moving forward.
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Review of Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
Mr. Koenig stated that the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) had changed a lot since it was presented
during the Council Committee of the Whole meeting of April 12, 2016. Referring to the FY 2017
Capital Investment Plan, FY 17 thru FY 21, Projects by Department (page 105), he reviewed the
proposed General Fund capital projects. Mr. Koenig stated that, in the Parks and Recreation Budget,
$165,000 in capital investment was proposed, $50,000 of which related to a master plan proposed
for Dover Park, $100,000 to land improvements for Schutte Park, and $15,000 was earmarked for
small park improvements. Mr. Koenig stated that one (1) of the shortcomings of the park system
was that there were many small parks with needs that do not rise to the level of being included in a
separate CIP sheet. For example, he explained that a fence was replaced at the park at the corner of
Division and Kirkwood Streets at a cost of approximately $8,000. Mr. Koenig indicated that this
project was not budgeted for and there are similar small projects throughout the City.
Mr. Koenig advised that the Police Department plans to install a video storage array for in-car video
recordings, which will allow the IT staff at the Police Department to download and manage video
from their cars.
Mr. Lewis asked if the funding for the array could be provided through grants. Responding,
Mr. Koenig stated that the Police Chief had requested this in the General Fund, noting that, when
the budget was initially prepared, it was not thought that federal forfeiture funds could be acquired.
Mr. Koenig indicated that Mrs. Mitchell had asked the Chief to seek grant funding if it is available,
but the budget shows this as a General Fund expense since there was no commitment that grant
funding was available.
Mayor Christiansen stated that the Council on Police Training, of which he is a member, is looking
at putting protocols in place for body cameras, and he asked members to be aware that this may be
an expenditure down the road.
Mr. Lewis felt it would behoove the City to inquire if there was funding for the purchase of body
cameras. Responding, Mayor Christiansen stated that this had been discussed with the Attorney
General’s Office to find out about funding. He noted that body cameras are very expensive, but
expressed the desire to keep up with the latest technology.
Mr. Koenig stated that, between the initial draft budget introduction and the current draft budget
presentation, the street and alley program had been reduced from $1M to $900,000 to help with the
gap in the General Fund. Funds had also been added to the Silver Lake Dam improvement project
to address insurance issues and improvements to the dam. Combined spending for Public Works
under capital projects in the General Fund would be slightly more than $1,026,00 and the total
General Fund CIP for projects would be approximately $1.2M. Mr. Koenig indicated that the
potential for moving forward with the Tar Ditch project had been discussed in recent weeks and the
funding for this project had been moved out one (1) year because the City would be seeking funding
partners. He did not believe that the City should carry the full burden of this public improvement.
Mr. Koenig advised that staff was anticipating fundraising for this project over the next three (3) to
six (6) months and hopefully bidding it out in FY 17. He stated that it would go to construction
either in late FY 17 or could potentially become an FY 18 construction project. Mr. Koenig noted
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that in FY 17 the Electric Department would have to move some things out of the way to get the pipe
in the ground.
Mr. Koenig indicated that Mr. Slavin had suggested rebranding the name of the Tar Ditch project
because people do not understand what it is in a positive manner. He explained that this project is
the abandonment of PW2 and the restoration of the Meetinghouse Branch tributary to the St. Jones
River. He advised that historical mapping reflects Meetinghouse Branch as an open channel stream
that fed the St. Jones River at this location. Mr. Koenig felt that rebranding the title of the project
would help in getting additional interest moving forward.
In response to Mr. Hare regarding the $1M capital improvement in Finance, Mrs. Mitchell explained
that this is for the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution reflected in the Electric Fund.
Mr. Koenig, referring to the FY 2017 Capital Investment Plan, FY 17 thru FY 21, Projects by
Department (page 121), reviewed the proposed Water/Wastewater Fund FY 17 capital projects,
noting that this project summary was almost identical to the information presented on April 12, 2016.
Mr. Koenig advised that a number of design contracts were being rolled together because money
would be borrowed from the State Revolving Fund (SRF). He stated that the Public Works and
Finance Departments had packaged projects to get an interest rate of 2% and a debt schedule that
meets the City’s needs.
In regard to the Water Treatment Plant, Mr. Koenig stated that the current treatment system within
the plant would be scrapped and the City would go to a new system. He indicated that the design
was 95% complete and was being reviewed by the State for finality. Mr. Koenig advised that staff
was trying to arrange to visit a plant with technology similar to that being proposed. He stated that
the new system was expected to go to construction in FY 17 with a total cost of approximately
$2.4M.
Mayor Christiansen asked how many of the Water/Wastewater Fund projects could be done in-
house. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that a third-party contractor is hired to do all pump station
design because this is multi-disciplinary and requires civil, sometimes structural, and mechanical
engineering. The surveying is hired out for some water quality improvement projects because the
City does not have the technology. He advised that City engineers are doing design for some of the
pipe replacement for water quality improvements. Mr. Koenig indicated that some in-house work
had been done for sewer design; however, all surveying work is contracted out to approved
contractors. He stated that he did not have a breakdown on dollars.
Mayor Christiansen asked if competitive bids or Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are solicited. In
response, Mr. Koenig believed that there was a three (3) year schedule for RFPs. He indicated that
there is more than one (1) contractor, noting that Pennoni Associates and AECOM were under
contract right now, so that work can be divided up to different contractors for different things.
Mr. Hutchison questioned, with the completion of the water tower and increased flow on the east
side of the City, whether the City was receiving complaints about brown water. In response,
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Mr. Koenig stated that a few complaints were received; however, the number coming to his
department had significantly reduced and there had not been many claims in quite a while.
In regard to the street program, Mr. Anderson commented that the budget typically included a list
of street projects and questioned what they were. In response, Mr. Koenig advised that the $900,000
is typically dedicated to a series of streets. He explained that staff was currently assessing the entire
road network and was approximately 35% through the system. Mr. Koenig indicated that the survey
includes curb deficiencies, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, the amount of yellow
curb, and an inventory of signs. Staff fills out a condition analysis of a section of pavement which
goes into a computer program and projects how projects will be prioritized based on needs from the
inventory. He noted that if a 200-foot section of street is going to cost $300,000 to repair, in some
cases these funds have been used to repair five (5) other streets. Mr. Koenig explained that there is
a ranking at the staff level which in the past had been sent to legislators who were asked which
projects they may be interested in. Sometimes legislators ask staff where they would like to see the
money spent. In some cases they have asked the City to split the cost or it has been split between
two (2) legislators. Mr. Koenig indicated that the list for FY 17 had not yet been published because
the current street program was being finished. He advised that once the funding level is set, staff will
start to insert streets into that funding level.
Mr. Anderson requested that Mr. Koenig keep members informed when the list of street program
projects is done.
Mr. Koenig, referring to the FY 2017 Capital Investment Plan, FY 17 thru FY 21, Projects by
Department (page 142), reviewed the proposed Electric Fund capital projects. He noted that the
proposed total for FY 17 Electric Engineering projects was $877,500, and these projects would be
assigned to in-house crews. Mr. Koenig indicated that contractors would be used if necessary, noting
that in some cases outside design may be needed.
Referring to the Electric T & D - Public Works Wetlands Project (Tar Ditch), Mr. Koenig stated that
a wire line that feeds Kent General Hospital must be moved out of the way so that the old streambed
can be restored. He advised that Mr. Maloney must do this work approximately six (6) to eight (8)
months ahead of the Public Works project so that any adjustments to his work can be complete prior
to the storm sewer project.
Mr. Koenig, referring to Electric T & D - New Developments, indicated that new developments were
budgeted at approximately $2.5M last year. He indicated that most of the $1.5M included for FY 17
would be passthrough funds. He explained, for example, that if a new service must be installed at
a cost of $100,000, the City may recover $90,000 from the developer and spend $10,000 for a system
improvement. Mr. Koenig stated, for example, if only $600,000 of new development work is
required, the $1.5M listed will not be spent.
Mr. Koenig indicated that the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution is for the replacement
of technology for financial management and control across the City. It would include components
such as the Finance Department, Code Enforcement, work orders, billing, Customer Service, and all
of the software programs that are running to manage the City’s finances and budgets. He indicated
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that he wished the City did not have to do this, but the current system will be 20 years old in 2017
and the City needs to move to the next generation. Mr. Koenig advised that this project would affect
every department across the City, and the hope is that it is robust enough to address all departments’
needs and provide a dashboard of information that can be used to make enhanced managerial
decisions. He stated that the cost would be approximately $2.3M and this would be a major system
upgrade. Mr. Koenig informed members that a number of different packages were running now,
including HTE, ADP, systems at the Dover Public Library and the Police Department, and work
order systems. He felt that, next to a facility replacement, this would be as in-depth and detailed as
one (1) could get for a system replacement. Mr. Koenig advised that there would be a multi-year
implementation schedule.
In regard to the power plant, Mr. Koenig explained that the Unit #3 Fast Start Upgrade was listed
at $200,000 in FY 18, and NAES would be doing legwork to see how quickly that project could get
underway. He stated that the budget may be amended in the future to make sure this project is on
a very short timeline. Mr. Koenig noted that these were system and building improvements to ensure
that the life of Unit #3 can be extended to the maximum investment possible for return. He stated
that plant staff had been working diligently over the last year to get capital projects done and have
the units ready for dispatch when called.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the CIP for scheduled vehicle replacements in the General Fund (page 185).
In regard to Fire/Robbins Hose, he stated that the $145,700 payment was for an existing piece of
equipment that was purchased in 2011. In regard to the Police Department, he stated that the initial
request from the Police Chief was for 13 vehicles and during the internal review of the budget, two
(2) police cruisers and a motorcycle were cut from his request. He stated that the total summary of
vehicles and equipment for the General Fund was estimated at $840,900 for FY 17.
Mr. Lewis asked if the City had investigated whether it would be more cost effective to lease
vehicles rather than purchasing them. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that staff had discussed this
with Enterprise Fleet Management and looked at lease programs. The discussion with Enterprise
was attractive; however, the purpose of this program was to keep the City with vehicles less than
two (2) years old, and the City would pay a premium for that. Mr. Koenig indicated, from a finance
standpoint, staff felt this was not the best deal because vehicles in almost every department last
longer than two (2) years. A number of years ago, a leasing program was considered, and the City
would have made payments for an extra year and owned the vehicles at the end. Mr. Koenig stated
that staff proposed purchase rather than lease. He stated that he could not imagine the amount to
lease a police vehicle with the expected wear and tear. He stated that staff could look at programs
if desired, but he had not seen any articles that focus on police vehicles.
Mr. Lewis asked why the City’s Fleet Maintenance shop is not supervising vehicle repair and this
is being contracted to a private vendor. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that Fleet Maintenance does
maintenance on general government vehicles, including trash trucks. Most electric line trucks are
sent out for private maintenance because anything that has to do with the bucket needs review by a
certified technician, although the shop may tend to small problems. Mr. Koenig stated that if there
is time and room in the shop, staff maintains sedans, although some of them are sent out. He
indicated that there are four (4) or five (5) maintenance positions in the shop. For many years, the
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Police Department had maintained a relationship with Hertrich, who performs maintenance and
keeps records and provides them to the Department, and they are happy with this service.
Mr. Koenig stated that the City’s shop is not large enough to handle all those vehicles and work
schedules would have to be changed to maintain police vehicles. He stated that the police vendor
is a State contract vendor, as are vendors for other services not done in-house.
Mr. Hare questioned what the 1998 Ford F150 in Fleet Maintenance was used for. Responding,
Mr. Koenig stated that Fleet Maintenance uses a vehicle for road service and a vehicle to get parts.
Although some places deliver parts, Mr. Koenig stated that some parts are needed more quickly than
they can be delivered. He stated that staff had requested to replace the 1998 Ford F150 due to age,
mileage, and worn our parts, noting that the mileage was 149,450, as of October 2015.
Mr. Hutchison commented that the Dover Police Department leased vehicles a number of years ago
and, after a couple years, found it to be more costly than purchasing them.
Noting that a 2005 Ford F150 was listed, Mr. Sudler commented that he had a 2004 Ford F150 with
more than 150,000 miles and the worst repair was replacement of the transmission, which cost
approximately $3,000. He also had to replace the engine due to running it while working, so total
repairs were $7,000 and the vehicle was functioning effectively. Mr. Sudler felt it would be cheaper
to repair the vehicle than to purchase a new vehicle.
Mr. Lewis asked how much revenue the City makes from auctioning old vehicles and questioned
why the old vehicles would not be used by other departments that are in dire need of vehicles rather
than purchasing new vehicles. Mr. Koenig stated that he did not know of any department that was
in dire need of a vehicle. He stated that vehicles do not last forever, so the question was at what
point the City would be wasting money by putting it into a vehicle. He stated that a 1998 vehicle
was scheduled for replacement, and other vehicles from 2005 and 2006 were not very good and wore
out faster than expected, noting that in some cases they may not have a lot of miles. Mr. Koenig
advised that the value received from the vehicle is considered. He explained that when vehicles are
replaced, they are cleaned up, radio equipment is stripped off, and the purchasing agent puts them
on GovDeals.com. If the minimum bid is $500 and the City wants to get rid of a vehicle, the City
takes the $500. Mr. Koenig noted that vehicles that are not running are still being insured by the
City. He noted that in some cases the City had spent $2,000 or $3,000 on a vehicle that was
supposed to be taken out of service, only for the vehicle to work for a few months and then develop
a larger problem. Mr. Koenig stated that there must be a reasonable systemic approach to vehicles
coming into and exiting the City. He indicted that the equipment had been evaluated and staff was
requesting that it be replaced.
Mr. Hare asked if there was a reason that the vehicle must be a Ford F150. Responding, Mr. Koenig
stated that this is what the City now had and whatever was on the State contract for that type of
pickup would be bought.
Mr. Hare questioned if a four (4) door pickup was needed by Fleet Maintenance to pick up parts,
noting that $31,000 was a lot of money. Mr. Koenig stated that the vehicle would be set up
according to the needs, such as a toolbox, and explained that the $31,000 was based on the
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specifications that were requested by staff when looking at the State contract. Mr. Hare requested
to see the specifications, stating that he had seen a lot of parts pick-up trucks that were small Ford
F100s.
Mr. Slavin stated that a decision must be made regarding the level of granularity Council would get
into. He indicated that replacement of vehicles could be discussed at this level; however, members
would be there for a longer time than originally scheduled. Mr. Slavin stated that when it comes to
many issues that Council deals with, members trust things that are outside of their immediate scope
of practice, such as electrical issues, etc., and rely on the experts and people that have been hired.
He indicated that vehicles are something that members are all familiar with; however, he cautioned
that if members begin the process of comparing their personal vehicle use to how a vehicle is used
for a 365-day per year operation, they will lose in that comparison. Mr. Slavin noted that there is
a much different demand on cars when they have different drivers and uses, and are used constantly
throughout the year.
Mr. Sudler suggested, based on his personal experience and in trying to save taxpayers dollars, that
the City get an official report from a licensed mechanic to assess the condition, durability, and
performance of the F150. Mr. Sudler stated that there may be surveys that indicate it is time for a
replacement, but felt that a mechanic should assess whether or not the vehicle could perform the
expected duties.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the CIP for scheduled vehicle replacements in the Water/Wastewater Fund,
noting that the request for FY 17 totaled $222,600.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Koenig stated that vehicles are not prioritized on a one (1) to
five (5) scale as capital project purchases are ranked. He explained that a one (1) is the highest
priority when looking at capital projects.
Mr. Koenig reviewed the CIP for scheduled vehicle replacements in the Electric Fund. He indicated
that the total request was for $165,800.
Mr. Sudler questioned the range of the vehicles used for electric meter reading, noting that he had
witnessed staff reading meters and they did not seem to perform any heavy-duty job tasks that would
put a strain on the vehicle. He asked why a replacement was needed for a vehicle that was going
only from point to point to turn meters on and off. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that the meter
reading vehicles were way past the replacement life. He indicated that they were 2017 vehicles
because the vehicles being used now were loaners in some cases. Mr. Koenig indicated that the
meter reading division had not purchased new vehicles for probably a decade, until this year when
one (1) was ordered. He stated that two (2) vehicles were proposed for replacement in FY 17.
Mr. Koenig advised that the majority of a meter reader’s time is spent driving from location to
location doing cuts and reconnects.
Mr. Sudler indicated that his main concern was to save taxpayer dollars and felt that even if a vehicle
had been in use for 10 years, it could still be functional and fulfill its job task. In response,
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Mr. Koenig stated that staff had spent many months reviewing the budget request, and Electric Fund
expenses are recovered through the electric rate to the customers. Servicing the meters and getting
meter readers out to read the meters are some of the top critical functions of the utility. He explained
that without meter readings, staff cannot bill accurately; therefore, people would not be paying their
bills and these funds are needed to do other things.
Mr. Koenig indicated that he had not been expecting a plethora of questions about the replacement
of basic, non-specialized vehicles. He stated that staff is using these pick-up trucks to go from point
to point to restore service. Mr. Koenig noted that if these vehicles break down in the afternoon or
night on the way to restore service, service will not be restored until someone else is called to do it.
He did not feel that these requests were extraordinary, noting that this information had been provided
during the preliminary budget discussions six (6) weeks ago.
Mr. Sudler asked if any vehicles had broken down associated with cutting and turning on electric
service, and if a pick-up was needed or if a basic compact car could be used. Responding,
Mr. Koenig explained that different vehicles had been tried; however, the employees who turn on
electric service are the same employees who use a water key to turn on water and sewer. He
informed members that the water key is seven (7) feet long and would not fit in a small car.
Mr. Koenig advised that staff had requested the appropriate type of vehicle based on the analysis of
what is done. He indicated that sometimes when these employees are out, they may have to pick up
and carry cones and that a pick-up truck can be used for many different things, and a vehicle such
as a Ford Focus cannot be.
Mr. Sudler stated that the back seat of a car could be collapsed to allow additional footage. In
response, Mr. Koenig asked that Council trust that staff were asking for something reasonable,
noting that none of these pieces of equipment were Cadillacs, especially the basic components. He
noted that members would not redesign a police car on the Council floor and expected the same
courtesy when discussing vehicles for service that staff must deliver 24/7 in all weather conditions.
Mayor Christiansen stated that he worked for a company that carried water keys and dealt with
water-related issues and they provided Ford Escort station wagons to save money. In the long run,
money was not saved because they had to call someone with a pick-up truck when other pieces of
equipment were needed. He advised that the Ford Escorts lasted one (1) year, then they went to pick-
up trucks, which were very versatile.
Mayor Christiansen asked if the vehicles being discussed had been used to the maximum of their
ability and wherewithal to do the job that needed to be done. Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that
all of the general government vehicles coming before members are evaluated by the Fleet
Maintenance shop, which has certified mechanics. He stated that they determine if a vehicle is
salvageable and if improvements are to be made to the engine or brakes, etc., because staff does not
want to waste money. Mr. Koenig indicated that the only vehicles that are not evaluated by Fleet
Maintenance are the bucket trucks, which have special requirements, and the police vehicles. He
explained that the Police Department controls their vehicles, since the decision of whether a police
car should come off the road is not up to the Fleet Maintenance mechanic. Mr. Koenig noted that
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police vehicles are used under very different circumstances, and this evaluation is best kept at the
Police Department.
Members were provided an email from Mr. Koenig, dated May 26, 2016, regarding Budget
Questions (Exhibit #10). Referring to the Police section of this email, he pointed out that a couple
of police vehicles were cut from the budget on the Council floor last year, and those vehicles were
simply moved to the next year. Mr. Koenig noted that the Police Department had gotten larger over
time.
Mayor Christiansen questioned if a thorough investigation had been done of all the vehicles that
were requested and if they needed to be replaced, and Mr. Koenig stated this had been done.
Mr. Hare noted that the pick-up truck for the electric meter readers had a cost of $20,900.
Responding, Mr. Koenig advised that Mrs. Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer, believed there was
a labeling error on the vehicles for the Electric Meter Reading. She indicated that the cost of the
vehicle was correct but she believed the vehicles were Ford F150 pick-up trucks rather than Ford
F250 trucks.
Mr. Hare questioned why Fleet Maintenance and Power Plant staff could not use a $20,900 pick-up
truck. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that each department selected the components for their trucks
when the requests were brought forward.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Koenig stated that the evaluations from the Fleet Maintenance shop
could be provided to members of Council. Mr. Sudler indicated that he would like this information
because members would be voting on this matter and would be held accountable to constituents.
Mr. Anderson stated that approximately five (5) years ago the City had a vehicle replacement cycle
which was abandoned, and this is now done based on evaluation of condition by a certified
mechanic. He questioned if this process had resulted in better use of taxpayer money and savings
over the past five (5) years. Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that he thought it had; however, it had
not reduced the number of questions when coming before Council for replacements. He indicated
that not many vehicles were brought forward on a seven (7) or five (5) year schedule, especially in
general government. Mr. Koenig believed the evaluations stood for themselves.
Mr. Lewis stated his opinion that this could be looked at as time moves on. He felt that staff was
trying to be cost effective but suggested being more cost effective because vehicles are not cheap,
noting that a basic Ford Escort costs approximately $14,000.
Mr. Anderson moved to recess, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
The meeting recessed at 7:11 p.m.
Mr. Anderson moved to reconvene the meeting, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously
carried.
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The meeting reconvened at 7:21 p.m.
Mr. Hutchison noted that, in looking at the budget and what had been discussed during the last
seven (7) hours, the biggest discussion had been about a pick-up truck. He expressed faith in the
City Manager. Mr. Hutchison advised that when the budget is brought forth, he looks at things like
personnel, overtime, health care costs, and the Electric and Water Departments. He stated that the
budget is tremendous and he would not waste time worrying about a pick-up truck. Mr. Hutchison
felt that members have a responsibility to pay attention to what the City Manager is saying in
discussing the budget. He stated that the City has a first-class operation and the service department
does its job well.
Mr. Sudler questioned the purpose of having a budget hearing if every component is not scrutinized
and reviewed. Mr. Slavin stated that members would agree to disagree politely and with
statesmanship and move on.
Financial Forecast by Fund
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer, reviewed a presentation entitled, “City of Dover General
Fund Financial Projections 2017 - 2021” (page 62). Referring to Key Assumptions, Projected
Operating Expenses (page 63), she indicated that the retirements listed under other charges had been
pulled out and not included. Mrs. Mitchell advised members that the references to slide #4 and
slide #5 referred to pages 65 and 66, respectively. She explained that, unlike the utility models,
project descriptions were not included in the General Fund forecast model, and there were only
numbers by department.
Mrs. Mitchell, referring to Revenues, Expenditures & Fund Balance (page 64), stated that the 2017
column showed that revenues equaled expenditures, and the fund balance ending was 9.6%, which
was over the 8% minimum by $692,900, which is the minimum fund balance requirement.
Mrs. Mitchell noted that the City would start falling short again in 2018, based on the forecast and
assumptions built into the model.
Mr. Lewis expressed concerns regarding the gap in the out-years, asking how it was intended to pay
the bills. In response, Mrs. Mitchell stated that she had not built in increases to say how this would
be paid for in revenues or where expenses could be reduced at this point. In the past, this had been
done when approaching each year. She indicated that a long-term plan to address things structurally
had not been done at this time.
Mr. Slavin advised that the forecast for the out-years reflected what would happen if members did
not do anything as a Council on the expenditure or revenue side and all revenues continued to grow
at the same, relatively static rate that they are now. He advised that this is a type of wake up call to
members that things need to be adjusted.
In reference Revenue Assumptions (page 65), Mrs. Mitchell stated that property taxes had a growth
assumption of 1.3%. She indicated that assumptions were based on historic trends over the last three
(3) years. Referring to Expenditure Assumptions (page 66), she stated that the assumed 2.5%
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increase in salaries and wages was based on a combination of contracts and the City’s history for the
last three (3) years, noting that attrition and those types of things are built in.
Referring to Capital Projects - Funding Sources (page 67), Mrs. Mitchell explained that the
appropriation from the General Fund was driving the deficit in the operating fund. She stated that
this money comes from the operating fund to pay for capital projects, noting that this transfer
increased from $1.8M to $2.9M. Mrs. Mitchell advised that the bond proceeds were placeholders
for the stormwater and Schutte Park projects, reminding members that Mr. Koenig planned try to
obtain partnerships to fund these projects and the true amount was unknown. She stated that the
City’s tax limit without referendum is $7.6M, and just the stormwater portion of this project would
be $7.6M.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the General Fund Projected Debt Service (page 68), explaining that it
reflected current debt service; however, new debt service for the projects previously discussed would
not be included until staff knows in what direction the projects will go. She explained that the Debt
Financing - Old PW2/Schutte Park Redevelopment (page 70), included information regarding the
what the debt service would be if $11.3M were bonded.
Mr. Anderson asked if there were any areas of potential growth in the forecast for the General Fund.
Responding, Mrs. Mitchell indicated that she had not seen any but had used the current growth rate
for the out-years and kept it static. She had not heard of any major developments. Mrs. Mitchell
indicated that she discusses this with Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and
Community Development, to try to get an idea about land development plans and to get information
about business licenses and permits. Mrs. Mitchell stated that did not see it growing at a faster rate
than today in any out-year.
Referring to the bond issue for Schutte Park buildings, equipment, and grounds, Mr. Anderson asked
if this included park improvements. In response, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the bond issue included
the Public Works Schutte Park improvements as well as the stormwater project, but did not include
fields and the like.
Mr. Anderson asked if this was because of the fund that the bonds come from, and Mrs. Mitchell
stated that it was not. She explained that a need for a bond issue for fields or other such projects had
been programmed.
Mr. Anderson commented that there were 14 acres of empty land but not enough fields for the two
(2) soccer leagues, and there was a demand for running paths, etc. He stated that these things were
planned and questioned why they were not included as part of the bond issue for the park. In
response, Mr. Koenig stated that the Tar Ditch project and the naming of the improvements at
Schutte Park were causing confusion. The improvements to the land relate to the Public Works and
Electric land located at the back of the park that is isolated to the left of the road going in.
Mr. Koenig indicated that staff was going through a design process to move all storage from old
PW2 to Schutte Park, with a rough estimate of approximately $3M to do this. The City had not
signed off on this project because the first thing would be to get the funding commitment for the
stormwater project and begin construction. Mr. Koenig advised that two (2) other discussions would
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affect what is constructed at the back of Schutte Park: 1) the future of City Hall and if another City
Hall would be built and; 2) whether the City was considering a new City warehouse. He indicated
that a new warehouse facility would likely reduce the cost of construction at the back of Schutte Park
but would not eliminate it. He stated that salt storage would be moved into a salt barn at the back
of the park, and other items, like crusher run, coal patch, street sweeping debris, etc. must be
accounted for and stored correctly. Mr. Koenig stated that the City was under pressure from the
State to have stormwater permits and plans for each City-owned facility. He felt that the total project
cost of $11.1M was a subjective cost that distorts the long-range projection because he was trying
to reduce this amount, and the City had not committed to this cost. Mr. Koenig advised that, from
outside engineering and analysis, the City knows the approximate cost and if a bid is obtained at that
level, that component could come out of play. The design for improvements at the back of Schutte
land was approximately 75% on the consultant side. Mr. Koenig stated that staff was not ready to
commit to the cost of the project or what it would look like, noting that it could potentially be done
in stages. The discussion of other facilities would influence what happens with that.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed a presentation entitled, “City of Dover Water and Wastewater Fund
Financial Projections - 2017-2021” (page 72). Referring to FY17 - FY21 Key Assumptions (page
74), she advised that the Wastewater Utility experiences a negative cash position starting in FY18
and the Water Utility in FY19. Unless greater growth occurs or realized costs reductions are
sustained, the rates would need to be increased to maintain positive net income and cash, assuming
all the above assumptions are met. Staff recommended a cost of service study for the
Water/Wastewater Utility to determine appropriate rates and if the current rate structure is equitable
among all users.
Mrs. Mitchell reminded members that Mr. Koenig had spoken of an inclining block during the
Special Council meeting - Budget Review of May 24, 2016. She advised that the wastewater utility
does not have classes of customers, PJM charges, and complexity with demand like the Electric Fund
does. Mrs. Mitchell noted that rates could almost be done from the forecast model. She stated that
when talking about the wear and tear on the system from larger customers, she felt it would behoove
the City, if it was planned to look at this for electric in the future, to do this with a consultant for the
Water/Wastewater at the same time.
Referring to Net Income - Combined Water & Wastewater (page 75), Mrs. Mitchell indicated that
this was prepared on a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis to meet bond
covenants rather than the budgetary basis usually seen in the budget book. She noted that
depreciation and some other items were included that are not normally seen in the budget.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that expenses and revenues are the same, but additional information is provided.
She explained that transfer to the capital project fund should equal depreciation to make sure the
replacement cost of the assets is covered. Mrs. Mitchell stated that this had not quite been achieved
in this fund, although it was closer than it used to be. In FY 16 the Net Positive/(Negative Cash)
reflected a negative $224,900, which was mostly the result of not receiving the sales from Calpine
that were projected. This net amount was projected to be positive in 2017 and 2018 but return to
negative in 2019.
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In reference to Net Income - Water (page 76), Mrs. Mitchell stated that the projected Net
Positive/(Negative Cash) reflected a negative $593,700. This item was projected to be positive in
2017 and 2018, but would return to negative in 2019. She indicated that the debt service calculation
was included in these schedules. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that the Net Income - Wastewater
(page 77) had a similar scenario with the Net Positive/(Negative Cash) being positive in 2016 and
2017, then becoming negative in 2018.
Responding to Mr. Anderson regarding whether Mrs. Mitchell had any recommendations on this,
she indicated that the cost of service study that she mentioned earlier would help to determine how
the City should structure rates and whether an inclining block should be considered for the
Water/Wastewater Fund. She indicated that they had discussed putting an RFP together this fiscal
year to move forward next year.
Mrs. Mitchell advised members that the Capital Improvement Plan - Funding Sources (page 78)
showed the funding sources for the projects previously reviewed by Mr. Koenig.
Referring to Debt Issues (page 80), Mrs. Mitchell stated that when using the State Revolving Fund
loans, they are issued as revenue bonds. She advised that most communities use general obligation
bonds. If revenue bonds are used, the rates must be set to cover bond service payments, and they
also require one (1) year of annual debt service to be put aside as a reserve and this had not played
in yet.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed a presentation entitled, “City of Dover Electric Revenue Fund Financial
Projections, 2017-2021”(page 85). Referring to FY17 - FY21 Key Assumptions (page 87), she
stated that the kWh demand for F17 - FY21 was for approximately 1% annual growth, noting that
0.5% annual growth was projected last year. Mrs. Mitchell stated that the transfer to the capital
project fund in the Electric Fund would mirror the depreciation cost annually and would be adjusted
downward once staff knows more about the decommissioning of Units 1 and 2.
In response to Mr. Hosfelt regarding the annual growth rate, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the City
obtains the growth and load forecast from The Energy Authority (TEA). They project the demand
on the system, what will be used and purchased, and sales are mirrored to grow at the same rate.
Referring Net Income (page 88), Mr. Anderson questioned why there was a large increase in electric
income projected in 2019 which then decreased. Mrs. Mitchell attributed this to the power supply,
which decreased from approximately $50M to $44.8M. She stated that the City had entered into
two (2) long-term contracts at favorable rates this year and these numbers were part of the result of
these contracts.
Referring to Debt Service Coverage (page 88), Mrs. Mitchell stated that the City was meeting its
debt covenants. In regard to Cash Flow Position, Net Positive/(Negative Cash), she indicated that
this amount was $3.5M in Revised 2016, $2M in 2017, and $1.9M for 2018. The amount would
increase to $3.7M in 2019, $2.7M in 2020, and $5.7M in 2021. She stated that a transfer of
$773,000 in 2016 from the Rate Stabilization Reserve was used to help cover part of the costs. In
proposed 2017, two (2) transfers were proposed to reserves, one (1) for land acquisition for the
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Dover Air Force Base Substation and one (1) to the Rate Stabilization Reserve that was being shored
up based on new policy because of potential penalties if there are forced outages. In 2019 and 2020,
money would be transferred to reserves for the potential for a new substation at the Garrison Oak
Technology Park.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed Purchased Power Expense, (page 90), explaining that the City was 88%
hedged in 2019 and 80% in 2020 and that this was the result of the two (2) long-term contracts
approved earlier this year. She indicated that the power supply drops off from 2018 to 2019. In
regard to Net Electric Generation Benefit (page 91), Mrs. Mitchell stated that this information
reflected the net generation cash flow from having the power plants and the amount that would be
netted over a five (5) year period.
Referring to Capital Improvement Plan Funding 2017 - 2021 (page 94), Mrs. Mitchell stated that
$862,500 was projected in FY 2018 related to the ERP system. She indicated that during the
preliminary budget review, the ERP system was included in the General Fund; however, she had
taken it out of the Finance Department because it was distorting interfund allocations when making
projections. Mrs. Mitchell advised that this $1M extrapolates into every year on the inflation rate.
She was having to develop an annual amortization table for bond financing and allocate the debt
based on the use of the Electric Fund, Water/Wastewater Fund, and the General Fund, which was
a complex annual exercise. She felt it would be easier to pay for it through the Electric Fund and
have the Water/Wastewater and the General Funds pay their part to the Electric Fund. Mrs. Mitchell
advised that $400,000 of the $862,500 is related to the General Fund and $462,000 to the
Water/Wastewater Fund. She indicated that she had not yet included payment of this money in the
forecast for the General Fund; however, the transfers in the budget related to the Water/Wastewater
Fund were included in the forecast over the next two (2) years, with a quarter of these monies
included each year for each of the utilities in the Water/Wastewater Fund.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the Projected Debt Service for the Electric Revenue Fund (page 95), noting
that there was currently only one (1) outstanding bond issue and the last payment was made on 2010
bonds in July 2015. Referring to FY17 - FY21 Reserve Account Projections (page 96), she stated
that $7M would be transferred to the Future Capacity Reserve in 2019 and 2020 to prepare for a
potential substation at the Garrison Oak Technology Park. Mrs. Mitchell explained that $750,000
being transferred to the Depreciation Reserve and the Future Capacity Reserve in 2017 would be for
land acquisition for the Dover Air Force Base Substation.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the Alternative Budget & Forecast (page 97), stating that she and the City
Manager would welcome a discussion of the City’s current rate model design to determine if a reset
is necessary before any future rate changes are presented. She explained that this would include the
potential for winter/summer rates and customer charge increases to cover fixed cost, which in turn
would affect energy and demand charges.
Referring to Net Income with PCA Credit (page 98), Mrs. Mitchell stated that Revenue from Power
Cost Adjustments (PCA) would be $1,798,000 in 2017. There would continue to be positive cash
from operations and positive net income. Referring to Debt Service Coverage and Cash Flow
Position (page 99), Mrs. Mitchell indicated that the City would meet its debt covenants. Net
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Positive/(Negative Cash) would be cut close in 2017 and 2018, but would increase in 2019, based
on all the assumptions made.
In regard to the PCA credit, Mr. Hosfelt questioned if this credit would include large commercial
or residential customers. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell advised that it would apply to every class of
customers.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Mitchell advised that she recommended a reset each year based
on how the budget comes out, indicating that she had included the information for five (5) years in
the forecast; however, if the assumptions used do not play through for all five (5) years, it would
have to be adjusted. She stated that rates would not be adjusted and that this would be a power cost
adjustment (PCA) on the bill, separate from the rates.
Mr. Anderson questioned if PCA credits are generally intended to be a temporary, one (1) or two (2)
year item, noting that otherwise there would be a rate change. In response, Mrs. Mitchell stated that
she had recommended resetting the adjustment every year because there had been discussion about
having a rate study and possibly resetting the rate. She felt there should be a philosophical
discussion about how to structure rates, for example, if a winter/summer rate was desired.
Mrs. Mitchell recommending having this discussion and then coming back with a new rate study.
Mr. Anderson questioned if the City would spend another six (6) figures on a rate study.
Responding, Mrs. Mitchell indicated that this was not known and this matter was being discussed.
Referring to Cash Flow Position (page 99), Mr. Anderson questioned why this number was projected
down to a level of $147,500 in Projected 2018. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell explained that she used
the $0.00252 PCA in the analysis because she was trying to ensure that the City came out with a
positive cash amount. Acknowledging that there was still potential for a penalty, etc., Mrs. Mitchell
advised that the reserves had been shored up enough that she felt comfortable with the PCA credit.
She indicated that this could be changed if Council was not comfortable with it. Mr. Anderson
expressed concern, stating that the City sometimes experiences deep winters and is suddenly looking
for cash.
Mrs. Mitchell advised members that, when going through the model, she was troubled by the
question of why rates were increased in FY 16, only to be followed by a PCA credit in FY 17. She
stated that she had looked at the model to see if there was a problem with the modeling or if there
were circumstances that happened throughout the year that were unknown when putting together last
year’s budget. Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the City of Dover Capital Asset Reserve Trend Five Year
Analysis Thru April 2016 (Exhibit #11), explaining that she had completed this analysis by fund to
determine if something was off with the modeling, and she was comfortable that the variation was
due to changes this year. For example, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the OPEB and pension costs
decreased substantially in the Electric Fund, and the related actuary study was not received until after
the beginning of the fiscal year. She advised that when the economic development rate was
discussed, there was a savings in this area. In addition, she noted that in last year’s modeling, debt
service for the 2010 bond was not fully considered. Mrs. Mitchell indicated that the final payment
for the debt service was made on July 1, 2015, and it was included as an expense for the current year.
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She indicated that she had not thought far enough ahead to consider that this expense would be taken
care of by July 1. This expense was no longer in the forecast model for FY 17. Mrs. Mitchell stated
that she had reviewed the modeling for every fund to see if there was a problem with the way that
staff was doing the modeling, stating the desire to send the message to the City’s customers that costs
were understandable.
Responding to Mr. Anderson regarding the extent of the PCA, Mrs. Mitchell stated that it would be
approximately 2%. Mr. Anderson stated his understanding that this would temporarily reverse most
of the rate increase from last year. In response, Mr. Koenig indicated that approximately two-thirds
of the rate increase would be reversed through the PCA.
Members were provided City of Dover Projected Budget Trends (Exhibit #12). Mrs. Mitchell
advised that this included projections for budget trends for revenues and expenses by fund based on
the forecast. She reviewed the percentages of change in the annual receipts and expenditures for the
General Fund over the five (5) year period, indicating that expenditures were trending at a greater
rate of growth than revenues, and advised that this was also true in the Water/Wastewater Fund and
the Electric Fund.
Mr. Slavin stated that this was the conclusion of the formal presentation of the budget. On Council’s
behalf, he extended appreciation to Mr. Koenig, Mrs. Mitchell, staff who helped prepare the budget,
staff who attended the budget review sessions, and the City Clerk’s Office for staffing the budget
meetings. Mr. Slavin advised that it was time for mark-up of the budget, stating that in prior years
there had typically been a gap between revenue and expenses which had to be closed by the end of
the night; however, there was no gap this year. He suggested, if members wished to add items to the
budget, that they suggest an area in which to cut a similar amount so that a gap would not be created.
Mr. Slavin stated that, during the mark-up period, items that have a monetary effect on the budget
could be brought forward for consideration, as well as programmatic recommendations for Staff to
incorporate in the next year’s work plans.
Mr. Lewis referred to Parks & Recreation (page 216), reminding members that Mr. Koenig had
recommended that the City’s contribution to the African American Festival be decreased by $3,000.
Mr. Lewis asked if funds from the proposed $25,000 in discretionary funds for Council members
could be made available to assist with the Festival. He referred to correspondence dated May 25,
2016 that members and the Mayor had received from Mr. Reuben Salters, Founder/Chairman, of the
Inner City Cultural League, Inc. regarding the African American Festival (Exhibit #13). Mr. Lewis
stated that he supported the African American Festival. Responding, Mr. Slavin indicated that if
Mr. Lewis wanted to reduce the overall amount of discretionary funds by $3,000, the specific amount
of $3,000 could be taken from the funds allotted to the At-Large Council Representative. This
would leave the districts’ funds intact. Mr. Slavin stated that, as the At-Large Representative, he
would have less funds to divide up among the four (4) districts and that this would be fine.
Mr. Lewis moved to contribute $3,000 from the At-Large City Council budget discretionary
funds to the African American Festival. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler and
unanimously carried.
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Mr. Anderson moved to adopt the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) credit alternative, as
presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hosfelt and unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin indicated that he had a list of approximately nine (9) items from the last three (3) three
evenings of budget discussions, that took the form of motions. He expressed his desire to work
through some of the issues that had confronted members and needed to be addressed.
Mr. Hosfelt moved that the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee assess the possibility of
a comprehensive review of emergency medical services within the City of Dover. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson stated that Mr. David Truax, former City of Dover Fire Marshal, had made some
interesting points during a previous meeting of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee
that had also come up in the Operational and Administrative Analysis of the Fire Department. He
expressed his hope that Mr. Truax would be invited to participate in this discussion. Mr. Anderson
also asked that the minutes of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting when this
was previously discussed be brought back into this discussion.
The motion that the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee assess the possibility of
a comprehensive review of emergency medical services within the City of Dover was
unanimously carried.
Mr. Sudler moved that the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee initiate the
process whereby the review of the Mayor and Council salaries shall be conducted by the
Compensation Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hosfelt and unanimously
carried.
Mr. Hare moved that the City Manager conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) pertaining to health
insurance coverage for City employees, and that the RFP be issued by no later than December 31,
2016. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson indicated that this matter was about cost savings but also maintaining quality. He
expressed the desire not to spend too much for what might be equal or better in quality and to know
what is in the marketplace. Mr. Anderson assured City employees that this was not an effort to
undermine or lower the quality of health care.
Mr. Hare felt that the RFP should mirror the exact coverage that the City has, stating the desire to
keep the existing level of coverage or improve it.
The motion that the City Manager conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) pertaining to health
insurance coverage for City employees, and that the RFP be issued by no later than December
31, 2016 was unanimously carried.
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Mr. Slavin suggested the possibility of offering a cash incentive to employees who choose not to take
health insurance, since some employees may be in a position where using a cash incentive toward
a spouse’s plan would be better or easier. Responding, Mr. Koenig indicated that if members chose
to make such a motion, it could be evaluated without a major cost, but noted that there could be legal
implications.
Mr. Sudler moved that the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee discuss the
possible inclusion of an incentive program for City employees opting not to be covered by the
City’s health care plan. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin stated that he had been concerned about the safety of Council Chambers for conducting
public meetings and other events.
Mr. Sudler moved that the City Manager conduct an initial assessment of public safety issues related
to holding public meetings in the City Council Chambers and report of his findings to the Safety
Advisory and Transportation Committee by no later than November 1, 2016. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hare.
Mr. Hare suggested that something be considered to prevent those coming into City Hall from
walking down the hallway, noting that there had been some issues.
Mr. Sudler requested that his motion include that when a meeting is held by City Council or when
a Councilperson holds a meeting in the Chambers that at least one (1) Dover police officer be present
for the safety of Council and the community. Mr. Slavin stated that this would be part of the
considerations in the assessment.
Mayor Christiansen stated that when he and Mr. Kirby Hudson, Assistant City Manager, joined the
City, they noticed that there was easy access to the entirety of 5 East Reed Street, where some
modifications had been made, and also to the front entrance of City Hall. They had suggested
placing doors at the hallway near the front entrance of City Hall, as well as providing shielding for
employees in the Inspections Division. Mayor Christiansen hoped that Council would take this into
consideration.
The motion that the City Manager conduct an initial assessment of public safety issues related
to holding public meetings in the City Council Chambers and report of his findings to the
Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee by no later than November 1, 2016 was
unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin stated that he had heard from the discussion that there were a lot of activities and people
involved in economic development. He indicated that most of that activity was coordinated, but
there was a lack of cohesiveness between what the City was doing and what was being done with
the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP). Mr. Slavin stated he did not want to get into performance-
related issues, noting that if members wished to discuss this, it would have to be done in executive
session. Mr. Slavin proposed wiping the slate clean in terms of how economic development was
being done and building a different model in hopes of getting better results. He felt that the primary
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factor was the desire to continuously improve what the City is doing with economic development.
Mr. Slavin proposed a series of five (5) motions, as follows:
1) Create an economic development team within the City co-chaired by the Mayor and the
City Manager. Other members would be the Chair of the Legislative, Finance, and
Administration Committee; a designee of the Downtown Dover Partnership; and the
City Planner, with other staff members being pulled in as needed. Mr. Slavin advised
that this team would provide monthly reports to Council, noting that there had been gaps
in communication.
2) Dissolve the Economic Development Office in its entirety, as well its associated
positions, and give the City Manager authorization to incur the necessary expenses to
do so. This would include expenses to pay out those positions as a reduction in force
for the three (3) full-time employees.
3) Set the Business Improvement District (BID) tax rate, which is a second tax assessed
to all the downtown property owners, at zero (0) for FY 17.
4) Increase the appropriation for the DDP from $70,000 to $150,000, with clear direction
and instructions to hire their staff from these funds. Mr. Slavin stated that there would
no longer be the hybrid approach of City staff performing functions in multiple places,
noting that cleaner lines of delineation were needed.
5) The balance of funds that would be available after these actions would be approximately
$65,000 - $70,000, which would remain an appropriation to the Mayor’s Office for
economic development purposes to be used at his discretion.
Mr. Sudler moved that the Mayor and City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, shall serve as
co-chairs of the economic development team for the City of Dover. Members of the team shall
include the Chair of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee, a designee of the
Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) and the City Planner, and the team will provide a monthly
report to Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole.
Mayor Christiansen stated that he was not happy with the dissolution of the Economic Development
Office; however, since economic development is the major responsibility of the Mayor of the City
of Dover, he felt it would be appropriate for the Mayor to chair the economic development
committee and for the City Manager to serve as a member of the committee if this direction was
adopted. Mayor Christiansen felt it important that the buck stop with the Mayor on economic
development issues. He indicated that it was Council’s prerogative to come up with a different
model that they believe would be more successful, but asked that the motion be amended to make
the Mayor the chair of the committee.
Mr. Slavin stated that having a co-chair that reports to Council was not designed to be a slight to the
Mayor but to avoid potential charter issues where the Mayor may ask for work service from an
employee who does not report to the Mayor.
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Mr. Sudler indicated his understanding of the Mayor’s position; however, because the City has a
Council-City Manager form of government, he felt the motion should remain as it stood.
Mr. Hare advised that in 1997, when the City went to a full-time Mayor, economic development was
a duty of the Mayor. He stated he had no issue with the dissolution of the Economic Development
Office but agreed with Mayor Christiansen that the Mayor should be in charge of economic
development.
Mr. Anderson did not think the approach offered would improve the situation and felt it had the
potential to take the City backwards. He believed that a positive discussion of a 21st century
economic development strategy and the ramifications should be held over the long term with all
stakeholders. Mr. Anderson stated that the proposed series of actions would leave out several
ongoing things, such as entrepreneurial training and arrangements the City has with workforce
development coordination. He also noted that staff was doing a lot with Restoring Central Dover.
Mr. Anderson indicated that the Economic Development Office had planned for the farmer’s market,
maintained ongoing relationships with the largest employers, and aided many small businesses. He
stated that a couple of dozen moving parts would be affected by this type of move and believed that
if something was done, it should be done over time, knowing exactly what would be affected.
Mr. Anderson felt that quite a few people would be hurt by this type of move and he could not
support most of the recommendations, although he indicated that the first motion would be a positive
step.
Mr. Anderson moved to amend the motion to state that the Mayor would serve as chair of the
economic development committee with the members as currently suggested. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Hare.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Slavin indicated that he had proposed the Mayor and City Manager
to be co-chairs. Mr. Slavin did not feel this was an insurmountable problem and he had no issues
with the Mayor serving as chair, reiterating that his proposal was not meant to be a slight.
Mr. Sudler felt there should be a co-chairmanship. He felt that if the City had a strong mayor form
of government, the Mayor should be the focal point; however, since the City has a Council-City
Manager form of government, it should be a co-chairmanship.
Mr. Hare agreed with Mr. Slavin that chairmanship was not a major concern. He advised that in
1997 there was not an official committee, but there was a similar situation with economic
development. The Mayor was in charge, along with the City Manager, and Council members were
also involved. He stated that the Mayor was the economic development person; however, if he
needed something, the City Manager was there to help, and it was a collaborative effort.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he liked the idea of the Mayor and City Manager co-chairing economic
development because the City Manager works for Council and is responsible for the budget.
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Mayor Christiansen stated that Mr. Koenig, Mr. Hudson, and members of City staff work together
well as a team and would continue to do so. He felt that the Mayor should be the point person and
assume the responsibilities that Council gave to the Mayor over the years. Mayor Christiansen
suggested the possibility of making the City Manager vice chair.
Mr. Sudler called for the question. Mr. Koenig advised that Mr. Lewis wished to comment and
Mr. Sudler withdrew the call for the question.
Mr. Lewis felt that whether or not the Mayor chaired the committee was not a major issue, noting
that Council President Slavin chairs City Council meetings but all members are equal and have a
vote. Mr. Lewis had no objection to the Mayor serving as chair since economic development falls
under his auspices.
Mr. Sudler agreed with Mr. Hutchison that the City Manager prepares the budget and has a more in-
depth view of economic development. He reiterated that, based on his research regarding the current
form of government, the City Manager should take lead because he deals more with the budget and
with economic development than the Mayor. Mr. Sudler believed the City Manager and Mayor
should have a joint chairmanship.
Mayor Christiansen stated that he understood Mr. Sudler’s position; however, he explained that he
spends time hunting for people to bring jobs for all citizens to Dover and had been involved in
bringing many entities to the City. Mayor Christiansen believed that the City’s current form of
government was not the best form of government but that everyone works as a team. He saw no
reason why the Mayor should not be the chair of the economic development committee and, referring
to a quote from Harry Truman, indicated that the buck would stop here.
Mr. Anderson felt that the form of government was not really an issue. He noted that the Economic
Development Office reports to the Mayor rather than the City Manager and is the only department
besides the Police Department that does so. Mr. Anderson stated that there were three (3) reasons
why the office of Mayor was made full-time, as follows: 1) so there would be an elected official on
a full-time basis to address the concerns of constituents; 2) to lobby the public relations aspects of
the City and address public safety; and 3) for economic development, which is vital to the future of
the City. Mr. Anderson desired to have someone responsible to address the issues of jobs and that
this function not be divided between the City Planner, City Manager, and Economic Development
Director since a focal point of policy responsibility was needed. Noting that economic development
was part of the reasoning and logic behind the full-time Mayor, Mr. Anderson did not feel the City
should go backwards on this and needed to move more in that direction.
Mr. Slavin requested that members not begin with an assumption that people do not work well
together. He stated that they do work well together, would continue to do so, and if they did not this
would be fixed.
Mr. Cole called for the question, seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried.
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On a call for the question, the amendment to the motion stating that the Mayor would serve
as chair of the economic development committee and the other members remain as suggested
carried by a roll call vote of six (6) yes (Anderson, Lewis, Cole, Hosfelt, Hare, Slavin), and
two (2) no (Sudler and Hutchison).
The motion that the Mayor serve as Chair of the economic development committee for the City
of Dover and that members of the committee shall include the City Manager, or the City
Manager’s designee, the chair of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee, a
designee of the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), and the City Planner, and the committee
will provide a monthly report to Council carried by a roll call vote of six (6) yes (Anderson,
Lewis, Cole, Hosfelt, Hare, Slavin), and two (2) no (Sudler and Hutchison).
Mr. Cole moved to dissolve the Economic Development Office, authorize the City Manager to incur
the necessary expenses to dissolve the Office, and authorize a reduction-in-force of three (3)
full-time employees. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Anderson believed that this was not an issue that should be handled in this format without an
extensive look at where the City was going and what it was doing.
Mr. Anderson moved to refer this matter to Committee. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The motion to dissolve the Economic Development Office, authorize the City Manager to incur
the necessary expenses to dissolve the Office, and authorize a reduction-in-force of three (3)
full-time employees carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
Mr. Hosfelt moved to set the tax rate for the Business Improvement District (BID) for FY 2017 at
zero (0). The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare.
Mr. Slavin indicated that this would not remove the structure of the tax but simply roll the rate down
to zero (0). The structure would be left in place in case it is needed in future years for special
projects.
Mr. Anderson questioned what would be cut in the budget to achieve this. Responding, Mr. Slavin
stated that setting the BID tax rate to zero (0) would be balanced from the funds that were previously
appropriated for the Economic Development Office. He explained that additional funds that were
previously appropriated for the Economic Development Office would be transferred to DDP and the
balance would remain in the Mayor’s Office to use at his discretion. There would a net impact of
$0 to the budget.
Mr. Anderson felt that Council should be very careful about this, noting that the City spends a good
amount money for items specific to downtown for promoting events and marketing. He stated that
instead of having a user fee for the people who are benefitting, this would be a general tax.
Mr. Anderson stated that certain items are associated with the BID tax that provide funding
assurance for the DDP, because once it becomes a general appropriation, there is no longer funding
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certainty. He advised that the DDP has over $2M in loans and it helps to have funding assurance.
Mr. Anderson indicated that he was unsure that this was the right way to go.
Mr. Slavin stated that he would no longer support double taxation on property owners in a specific
area of the City.
The motion to set the tax rate for the Business Improvement District (BID) for FY 2017 at
zero (0) carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
Mr. Hare moved to increase the appropriation to the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP)
from the proposed $70,000 to $150,000 with specific instructions to the DDP that they are
responsible for staffing costs from that appropriation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole
and carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
Mr. Hosfelt moved that the balance of funds available after the dissolution of the Economic
Development Office, the reduction of the Business Improvement District (BID) tax, and the
increased appropriation to the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) will be appropriated to
the Mayor’s Office for economic development purposes. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Cole and carried with Mr. Anderson voting no.
In response to Mayor Christiansen regarding the effective date of the Economic Development Office
dissolution, Mr. Slavin indicated that this matter would be left to the City Manager due to personnel
issues.
Mr. Slavin advised that some economic development activities had been focused on new jobs and
the City had also successfully focused on job retention.
Mr. Cole moved that the newly formed economic development team make recommendations
regarding a job retention initiative for existing large commercial users of utilities in order to
proactively protect the existing job base. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hosfelt and
unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin noted that there had been previous discussion about a youth focus group initiative.
Mr. Sudler moved to establish a youth focus group initiative across City government. The
purpose of the program would be to solicit input on ideas, solutions, and issues from the youth
of the City. The following departments will be required to hold a focus group with the youth
who are residents of the City of Dover: Planning, Parks and Recreation, Dover Public
Library, and Police. The focus group will be held before December 1 of each year and reports
of the various departments will be made to Council no later than February 1 of the following
year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
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Mr. Slavin expressed his intention to introduce a motion at a future Council meeting that would
rescind Resolution No. 2010-03 which established the Youth Advisory Committee and discharge
the members from their current duties. In the spirit of fairness, he preferred to have the formal notice
placed on an agenda rather than considered during the budget meeting.
Mr. Sudler moved to authorize the City Manager to obtain an appraisal for the Ridgely property. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson questioned whether Mr. Koenig would be obtaining the value of the warehouse in the
Pear Street area. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that he was seeking appraisals on several properties
and these properties could be incorporated. Mr. Anderson indicated that, with this understanding,
he would not ask that this property be included in the motion.
Mr. Sudler moved to amend the motion to indicate that the appraisal would be completed within four
(4) months from this evening, and Mr. Anderson concurred with this change.
The motion to authorize the City Manager to obtain an appraisal for the Ridgely property on
or before September 26, 2016 was unanimously carried.
Mr. Hare moved to bring any position that remains open for over six (6) months without being
recruited to the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee for approval. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Sudler.
Mr. Slavin asked that this discussion take place during a future Legislative, Finance, and
Administration Committee meeting. He indicated that one (1) of the discipline measures just
included in the budget was that positions would be not be filled until all buyout time is completed.
Mr. Slavin felt that this was a good disciplinary practice fiscally and he did not want departments
to be told it took too long to fill a position if it was Council’s precept that caused the delay.
Mr. Hare felt this should be reviewed by the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
because if a long-term employee retires from a department and they are unable to fill the position for
eight (8) or nine (9) months, it may not be a key position. In response, Mr. Slavin pointed out that
the reason the position would be kept open that long would be because the City was trying to practice
fiscal discipline, noting that giving up on fiscal discipline would cause higher personnel costs.
Mr. Slavin advised members that the motion before them was to send this matter forward to the
Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee for discussion.
Mr. Anderson asked if this would include temporary positions. For example, he stated that a critical
employee in the Finance Department was deployed for over a year and temporary help was hired to
cover the position. Responding, Mr. Slavin indicated that the motion would encourage this type of
discussion by the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee.
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The motion to have the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee consider whether
any position that remains open for over six (6) months without being recruited should be
brought to the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee for approval carried with
Mr. Anderson voting no.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment.
Mr. Anderson noted that adjourning would end the budget review.
Mr. Lewis questioned if members would meet on June 1, 2016.
Mr. Sudler withdrew the motion to adjourn.
Mr. Slavin stated that if members were finished, there would be no need for an additional budget
meeting.
Mr. Anderson questioned the amount of $50,000 that was allocated to develop a master plan for
Dover Park, noting that this was a lot of money for a master plan. He stated that this would be
ignoring everything that the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee; Mt. Zion
A.M.E. Social Action Committee, and the City of Dover Recreation Needs Assessment had said,
noting that these funds would not be spent on amenities. Responding, Mr. Slavin asked if this matter
could be brought up during the First Reading of the budget ordinance, when Mrs. Ann Marie
Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, would be present. He encouraged
Mr. Anderson to have a conversation with Mrs. Townshend, who may be able to answer his
questions.
Mr. Slavin reminded members that adjournment of this meeting would end Council’s hearings on
the budget. He stated that the First Reading of the budget ordinance would take place during the
Regular Council Meeting of June 13, 2016 and the Final Reading and adoption of the ordinance
would occur during the Regular Council Meeting of June 27, 2016, noting that additional measures
and clarification could take place during those meetings.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
TRACI A. McDOWELL
CITY CLERK
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All ordinances, resolutions, motions, and orders adopted by City Council during their Special
Meeting of May 24, 25, and 26, 2016, are hereby approved.
ROBIN R. CHRISTIANSEN
MAYOR
/TM
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Council-Minutes\2016\05-24_05-25_05-26 Budget Review.wpd
Exhibits
Exhibit #1 - Outlays and Receipts (Property Taxes in as Public Safety) for Governmental Activities and Outlays and
Receipts (Incl. Property Taxes) for Governmental Activities
Exhibit #2 - Projected Cost Per Capita by Function - Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Exhibit #3 - Kent County Treatment Fees - Trend of Fees Billed and Charges Paid
Exhibit #4 - Memorandum from Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. Koenig, dated May 17, 2016, regarding the Revised FY 16
Budget & FY 17 Proposed Budget
Exhibit #5 - Memorandum from Mr. Koenig, dated May 25, 2016, regarding Non-Bargaining Pay Increase
Recommendation - FY 2017 Budget
Exhibit #6 - General Fund Expenses by Department/Division - General Fund Expenses by Major Function (list),
General Fund Expenses by Major Function (graph), and Projected Cost Per Capita by Function
Exhibit #7 - Outlays and Receipts for Governmental Activities
Exhibit #8 - City of Dover Electric Revenue Fund - FY 16 - White Oak Solar Park Incremental Cost Report
Exhibit #9 - Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 Quarterly Revenue Report as of March 31, 2016
Exhibit #10- Email from Mr. Koenig, dated May 26, 2016, regarding Budget Questions
Exhibit #11- City of Dover Capital Asset Reserve Trend Five Year Analysis Thru April 2016
Exhibit #12- City of Dover Projected Budget Trends
Exhibit #13- Correspondence from Mr. Reuben Salters, dated May 25, 2016, regarding the African American Festival
Página 133
EXHIBIT #1
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Página 135
EXHIBIT #2
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Página 136
EXHIBIT #3
2016 Budget Review
City of Dover Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Kent County Treatment Fees
Trend of Fees Billed and Charges Paid
Beginning Ending
Budget Annual Annual Budget
Fiscal Year Ended June 30 Balance Revenues Charges Balance
1997 $ - $ 2,399,975 $ 3,664,852 $ (1,264,877)
1998 $ (1,264,877) $ 2,436,182 $ 2,653,835 $ (1,482,530)
1999 * $ (1,482,530) $ 2,452,087 $ 2,284,788 $ (1,315,232)
2000 $ (1,315,232) $ 2,512,562 $ 2,516,910 $ (1,319,580)
2001 $ (1,319,580) $ 2,686,790 $ 2,603,943 $ (1,236,733)
Rolled into Total Budget Balance $ (1,236,733) $ 1,236,733 $ - $ 0
2002 $ - $ 2,814,587 $ 2,811,939 $ 2,648
2003 $ 2,648 $ 2,778,521 $ 3,442,420 $ (661,251)
2004 $ (661,251) $ 2,743,359 $ 3,829,289 $ (1,747,181)
Rolled into Total Budget Balance $ (1,747,181) $ 1,019,090 $ - $ (728,091)
2005 $ (728,091) $ 2,611,290 $ 3,470,312 $ (1,587,113)
2006 $ (1,587,113) $ 3,865,684 $ 3,628,057 $ (1,349,486)
2007 $ (1,349,486) $ 4,031,540 $ 3,702,815 $ (1,020,761)
2008 $ (1,020,761) $ 4,109,166 $ 3,633,731 $ (545,326)
2009 $ (545,326) $ 3,733,644 $ 3,585,791 $ (397,473)
2010 $ (397,473) $ 3,100,547 $ 4,575,155 $ (1,872,081)
2011 $ (1,872,081) $ 4,230,032 $ 3,601,194 $ (1,243,243)
2012 $ (1,243,243) $ 4,341,095 $ 3,724,238 $ (626,386)
2013 $ (626,386) $ 4,240,649 $ 3,631,516 $ (17,253)
2014 $ (17,253) $ 4,246,542 $ 4,129,646 $ 99,643
2015 $ - $ 4,784,641 $ 4,127,919 $ 656,722
2016 Revised $ - $ 4,963,200 $ 4,130,000 $ 833,200
2017 Proposed $ - $ 5,088,000 $ 4,225,000 $ 863,000
Historical Comments:
In 1999 our credit rating was downgraded due to missing our debt covenant in 1997 and 1998.
The downgrading was largely attributed to two factors (1) Kent County changed their billing from
quarterly to monthly which increased the cost for 1997 and (2) inflow and infiltration associated
with both years due to higher water tables.
Prior to 2005 City billed the rate paid to Kent County for treatment with no markup for Inflow/Infiltration
2005 - County rate = $1.85 per thousand gallons
2005 - City implemented a $.25 sewer rate increase to pay down budget deficit
2006 - County rate = $2.13 per thousand gallons; $.28 increase
2006 - City implemented a $.20 sewer rate increase to pay down budget deficit
2008 - County increased treatment fee rate $.21; New rate $2.34
2011 - City implemented Groundwater Adjustment Charge $1.05 per thousand gallons included above
2015 - City increased Groundwater Adjustment Charge to $1.50 per thousand gallons included above
Página 137
EXHIBIT #4
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
City of Dover
Finance Department
PO Box 475
Dover DE 19903-0475
Phone: (302-736-7018
FAX: (302) 760-4930
E-Mail: dmitchell@dover.de.us
MEMORANDUM
To: Council President Slavin
Members of City Council
From: Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer & Scott Koenig, City Manager
Copy: Mayor Robin Christiansen, Kirby Hudson, Assistant City Manager, Finance & City Clerk's Office
Date: May I 7, 20I6
Subject: Revised FYI6 Budget & FYI 7 Proposed Budget
- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Attached you will find (I) a listing of budget amendments by revenue source or department/division expense
item for Fiscal Year 20 I 6. Along with the FYI 7 Proposed Budget we will be recommending revisions for these
items to the current year budget. These revisions are being recommended to cover the budget variances in
several divisions attributed to the following -
• Program revenues were revised to reflect updated estimates provided by the Departments
• Settlement of FOP and DOE contracts, which were not included in the original budget
• Wage, overtime and temp help variances attributed to vacant positions and attrition
• Adjustments for change in benefits, i.e. employee's transferred between divisions with higher or lower
benefits
• Grounds, Streets, & Sanitation contract services (outsourcing janitors) and temp agency help was
increased by the offset in personnel savings
• All other personnel accounts were trued up and the difference was netted against the Other Employment
Expenses (Fund Expense) that we use for vacation sell back, retirement payouts, and education
assistance. The General Fund balance of this account prior to these changes was $I67,100 and
afterwards it is $52,000. In essence, the personnel savings offset most of the contract negotiations and
the unfavorable personnel variances.
• There were also some significant adjustments needed for demolitions, legal expenses, and the snow
storms this past winter; as well as some unplanned expenses in a few divisions. We combed through all
the budgets for savings to cover as much of these adjustments as possible. The remainder is covered
through additional transfer tax revenues that were included in the Budget Revision approved by City
Council in February.
• There was considerable savings in electricity and gasoline accounts across all funds. Therefore, all
budgets were adjusted down to reflect these savings.
The second attachment (2) is a listing of the items adjusted to close the gap between the FY20I 7 Preliminary
Budget presented in early April and the FY20I 7 Draft Budget that is being presented on Tuesday evening.
We hope you will find these schedules helpful in your review and understanding of the Budget submission.
Please feel free to contact either Mr. Koenig or myself if you have any questions. Thank you.
Página 138
Attachment 1
City of Dover
Fiscal Vear 2015-2016
Personnel Adjustments - 3rd Budget Amendment
Department/ Division Original Budget Revised Budget Variance
City Clerk $ 354,700 $ 354,100 $ 600
City Council 91,000 86,000 5,000
Assessor 207,200 212,200 (5,000)
Fire 409,800 399,800 10,000
Grounds 923,500 812,700 110,800
Library 1,283,500 1,229,500 54,000
Recreation 466,700 476,400 (9,700)
Life Safety 220,100 219,500 600
Code Enforcement 385,500 384,300 1,200
Planning 503,400 502,200 1,200
Building Inspections 462,500 466,500 (4,000)
Economic Development 210,800 212,800 (2,000)
Civilian Police 2,404,700 2,496,500 (91,800)
Law Enforcement 11,620,300 12,265,000 (644,700)
Police Extra Duty 602,400 634,200 (31,800)
Streets 509,300 466,700 42,600
Sanitation 683,700 673,900 9,800
City Manager 496,500 510,500 (14,000)
Information Technology 439,800 356,700 83,100
Finance 798,000 801,200 (3,200)
Public Works Admin 594,000 553,500 40,500
Facilities 531,200 472,800 58,400
Public Works Engineering 175,400 167,400 8,000
Procurement & Inventory 283,900 285,800 (1,900)
Fleet Maintenance 454,800 446,300 8,500
Customer Service 1,052,400 1,007,400 45,000
Human Resources 318,200 325,000 (6,800)
Mayor 56,700 56,700
Grounds - Contractual Services for Mowing 43,500 (43,500)
Streets - Agency Billing for Temp Help 10,000 (10,000)
Sanitation - Agency Billing for Temp Help 27,000 (27,000)
Other Employment Expense 468,100 52,000 416,100
Total General Fund $ 27,008,100 $ 27,008,100 $
1
Página 139
Attachment 1
City of Dover
Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Personnel Adjustments - 3rd Budget Amendment
Department/ Division Original Budget Revised Budget Variance
Engineering $ 453,700 $ 456,700 $ {3,000)
Water 531,500 535,100 (3,600)
Wastewater 643,400 512,400 131,000
Water Treatment 1,014,600 1,016,700 (2,100)
Other Employment Expense 20,000 142,300 (122,300)
Total Water/Wastewater Fund $ 2,663,200 $ 2,663,200 $
T&D $ 3,073,200 $ 2,461,900 $ 611,300
Engineering 1,058,500 849,100 209,400
Administration 370,900 299,700 71,200
Meter Reading 325,400 333,100 (7,700)
System Operators 679,800 601,500 78,300
Budget Balance - 2nd Budget Adj Pension/OPEB 681,100 {681,100)
Other Employment Expense 72,000 353,400 (281,400)
Total Electric Fund $ 5,579,800 $ 5,579,800 $
2
Página 140
Attachment 1
City of Dover
Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Other Line Item Adjustments - 3rd Budget Amendment
Budget
Revenues Adjustment Comments
Property Taxes $ (60,700) YTD Trend
Business Licenses 13,000 YTD Trend
Court of Chancery Fees 25,300 YTD Trend
Sanitation Fees (50,000) YTD Trend
Library Fines (5,000) YTD Trend
Kent County Reciprocal Borrowing Receipts (137,400) Reduction carries into future years
Police Fines (74,200) JP Court, Court of Common Pleas & Dover Code fines
Police Extra Duty (71,500) Based on Extra Duty Expenses
Boat Licenses 1,300 YTD Trend
Interest Earnings (net of Mgment Fees) 34,800 Removed bank & cc fees from net interest earnings
Civil Traffic Penalties 30,000 YTD Trend
Miscellaneous Revenues 34,100 YTD Trend
Franchise Fees 10,000 YTD Trend
Transfer Taxes 104,100 2nd Budget Amendment was +$646,100; Total $750K
Police Grants (Extra Duty related) _ ___9_8;_,3_0_0_Based on Extra Duty Expenses
Subtotal Program Revenues (47,900)
lnterfund Allocations - Water/Wastewater (84,400) Related to interfund Division budget changes
lnterfund Allocations - Electric (190,000) Related to interfund Division budget changes
General Fund Revenue Adjustments $ (322,300)
Budget
Department/ Division Expenses Adjustment Comments
City Council $ 500 Dover Cups
Grounds (10,000) Gasoline
Recreation (16,000) Electricity
Life Safety (1,500) Gasoline
Code Enforcement (2,500) Gasoline
Building Inspections 23,500 Demolitions & Gasoline (net)
Economic Development 5,000 DSU Economic Study & Telephone exp. (net)
Police Administration Adjustments netted to zero
Streets (36,000) Gasoline & Program Expenses
Sanitation (24,000) Gasoline & Program Expenses (net)
City Manager 145,000 Legal Expenses & Contract Services (net)
Information Technology 3,800 EVOGov Vendor - Web Page development
Finance 8,500 Actuary fees related to new GASB Pensions
Public Works Admin (6,000) Subscriptions & Dues
Facilities Management (8,000) Electricity & Building Maintenance
Procurement & Inventory 7,200 Sprinkler System, HVAC Repairs & Electricty (net)
Customer Service (5,000) Office Equip Repairs & Maint
Human Resources (14,000) Personnel Related & Unemployment Expenses
Streets 52,600 Snow Storm Expenses
General Fund Expenditure Adjustments $ 123,100
3
Página 141
Attachment 1
City of Dover
Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Other Line Item Adjustments - 3rd Budget Amendment
Budget
Revenues Adjustment Comments
Water Service Fees (309,400) YTD Trends & Calpine sales
Wastewater Service Fees (120,200) YTD Trends & Calpine sales
Kent County Treatment Fees (110,400) YTD Trends & Calpine sales
Groundwater I & I Surcharge (23,000) YTD Trends & Calpine sales
Sewer Impact Fees (27,600) YTD Trends
Water Impact Fees 3,400 YTD Trends
Miscellaneous Revenues (7,800) YTD Trends
Interest Earnings (net of Mgment Fees)
- - - -7,000
- - YTD Trends
Water/Wastewater Fund Revenue Adjustments (588,000)
Engineering $
Water (12,000) Gasoline
Wastewater (19,000) Gasoline & Electricity
Water Treatment (169,000) Chemicals & Additives, Electricity & Gasoline
Water/Wastewater Fund Expense Adjustments $ (200,000)
Budget
Revenues Adjustment Comments
Customer Sales 214,600 YTD Trends
Utiilty Taxes 28,500 YTD Trends
Transfer from Rate Stabilization Reserve (2,250,000) Reduced as a result of higher sales & lower expenses
Miscellaneous Revenues 314,200 Electric Department service work
Interest Earnings (net of Mgment Fees) (12,900) YTD Trends
Electric Fund Revenue Adjustments (1, 705,600)
T&D $ (20,000) Gasoline
Engineering (6,000) Gasoline
Administration 15,000 HVAC Repairs - Weyandt Hall
Meter Reading (5,000) Gasoline
-----'---~
Total Electric Fund $ (16,000)
4
Página 142
Attachment 2
Fiscal Year 2017 Budget
Adjustments to the Preliminary Budget
Del!artmentJOivlsion or Item line Item# Oescrll!tion of Adjustment Amount 110 412 480 Total
Preliminary Revenues $42,370,300 $42,370,300
Inspections 321-23 Public Occupancy 1,000 1,000 1,000
Court of Chancery Fees 341-01 Current trend adjustment (74,600) (74,600) (74,600)
Recreation 345-01 No growth expected with new County center (9,000) (9,000) (9,000)
Library 347-xx Current trend & reduction in County receipts (67,400) (67,400) (67,400)
Police 351-xx Current trend adjustments less $31,000
Police 351-17 Police Extra Duty - current estimate adjustment (100) (100) (100)
Police 362-71 Police Extra Duty - Grant Receipts (16,400) (16,400) (16,400)
General - Transfer Taxes 362-19 Revised estimate, based on last 3 years 132,500 132,500 132,500
Franchise Fees 369-12 Current trend adjustment 7,700 7,700 7,700
General - Miscellaneous 369-24 Revised estimate, collection of sheriff sale cost 16,300 16,300 16,300
General - Rent Revenue 369-46 Adjustment for escalator - solar park 600 600 600
lnterfund Service Receipts -W/WW 391-01 Adjustments to administrative divisions (19,400) (19,400) (19,400)
lnterfund Service Receipts - Electric 391-02 Adjustments to administrative divisions (60,400) (60,400) (60,400)
Net Revenue Adjustments (109,000) (109,000) (109,000)
Proposed Revenues $42,261,300 $42,261 ,300
Preliminary Expenditures $43,548, 100
City Clerk 10-xx Personnel adjustments 5,700 1,300 1,100 3,300 5,700
City Council 30-35 Community Relations (900) (200) (200) (500) (900)
30-37 Other Expenses - New Item 25,000 5,600 4,600 14,400 25,000
30-92 Human Relations (2,000) (500) (400) (1,100) (2,000)
Tax Assessor 10-xx Personnel adjustments 2,200 2,200 2,200
20-21 Office Supplies (400) (400) (400)
Fire 10-xx Personnel adjustments (7,400) (7,400) (7,400)
40-25 Engine 7 Truck Payment (73,400) (73,400) (73,400)
Grounds Maintenance 10-xx Personnel adjustments (26,700) (26,400) (100) (200) (26,700)
30-24 Heating Oil & Gas (700) (700) (700)
30-62 Gasoline (7,000) (6,900) (100) (7,000)
Library 10-xx Personnel adjustments 3,900 3,900 3,900
40-31 Construction of glass wall for TV room (15,000) (15,000) (15,000)
Recreation 10-xx Personnel adjustments (3,600) (3,600) (3,600)
Life Safety 10-xx Personnel adjustments 1,900 1,900 1,900
Code Enforcement 10-xx Personnel adjustments (20,500) (20,500) (20,500)
Planning 10-xx Personnel adjustments 5,700 5,700 5,700
40-23 Vehicle# 3 - 2003 Ford Station Wagon (16,000) (16,000) (16,000)
Inspections 10-xx Personnel adjustments (6,100) (6,100) (6,100)
30-31 Contractual Services (1,000) (1,000) (1,000)
40-23 Vehicle# 13 - 2005 Ford F150 Pick Up (16,000) (16,000) (16,000)
Economic Development 10-xx Personnel adjustments 2,000 2,000 2,000
Police - Civilian 10-xx Personnel adjustments (27,500) (27,500) (27,500)
Police - Law Enforcement 10-xx Personnel adjustments (232,400) (232,400) (232,400)
30-28 Training (10,000) (10,000) (10,000)
30-62 Gasoline (15,000) (15,000) (15,000)
40-22 Motorcycle #256 (24,400) (24,400) (24,400)
Police - Extra Duty 10-xx Personnel adjustments (16,500) (16,500) (16,500)
Streets 10-xx Personnel adjustments 26,600 26,600 26,600
20-32 Security & Safety - current trend adj (500) (500) (500)
30-31 Contract Services - Ditch & Garrison mowing (20,000) (20,000) (20,000)
30-62 Gasoline (8,000) (6,000) (6,000)
40-23 2001 Intl Dump Truck (132,200) (132,200) (132,200)
40-31 ST1703 Silver Lake Dam Improvements 76,000 76,000 76,000
40-31 Street Program (100,000) (100,000) (100,000)
Sanitation 10-xx Personnel adjustments (9,000) (9,000) (9,000)
1
Página 143
Attachment 2
Fiscal Year 2017 Budget
Adjustments to the Preliminary Budget
Oeeartmenl/Olvision or Item Line Item# Oescrietlon of Adjustmont Amount 110 412 480 Total
30-62 Gasoline (25,000) (25,000) (25,000)
City Manager 10-xx Personnel adjustments (56,300) (22,100) (9,300) (24,900) (56,300)
20-38 Computer Hardware 2,600 1,000 400 1,200 2,600
30-31 Lean Consulting (35,000) (13,800) (5,800) (15,400) (35,000)
Information Technology 10-xx Personnel adjustments (19,800) (4,700) (5,200) (9,900) (19,800)
20-38 Computer Hardware - 10 phones & 2 PC's (10,800) (2 ,600) (2,800) (5,400) (10,800)
Finance 10-xx Personnel adjustments 12,000 5,100 1,800 5,100 12,000
Public Wori<s -Administration 10-xx Personnel adjustments 6,800 2,500 4,300 6,800
Facillties Management 20-46 City Building Main! Supplies (1 ,000) (600) (100) (300) (1,000)
30-23 Electricity (3,000) (1,900) (200) (900) (3,000)
30.62 Gasoline (1,000) (600) (100) (300) (1 ,000)
Public Works - Engineering 10-xx Personnel adjustments 4,300 1,600 2,700 4,300
Procurement & Inventory 10-xx Personnel adjustments 3,000 200 200 2,600 3,000
30-23 Electricity (5,000) (400) (300) (4,300) (5,000)
Fleet Maintenance 10-xx Personnel adjustments 1,900 1,000 300 600 1,900
20-46 City Building Main! Supplies (1,000) (500) (200) (300) (1,000)
Customer Service 10-xx Personnel adjustments (32,400) (5,600) (6,500) (20,300) (32 ,400)
Human Resources 10-xx Personnel adjustments B,300 6,000 900 1,500 8,400
20-21 Furniture & Fixtures (1,000) (700) (100) (200) (1 ,000)
20-28 Medical Supplies & Physicals (1,000) (700) (100) (200) (1 ,000)
20-48 Personnel Related Expense (1,000) (700) (100) (200) (1 ,000)
30-28 Training & Conference (1,500) (1,100) (200) (200) (1 ,500)
Mayor 30-37 Reduction of Mayo~s 300th Yr Expenses (15,000) (7,300) (1,900) (5,800) (15,000)
Debt Service 90-24 Reduction for ERP system & Tar Ditch/PW II (295,100) (295,100) (295,100)
Other Employment Expenses 91-01 Removal of all Retirement Payouts (122,600) (122,600) (122,600)
Transfer to Capital Fund 90-82 Bond Issuance Cost & Interest Earned (55,000) (55,000) (55,000)
Net Expenditure Adjustments (1,286,800) (1 ,207,800) (17,100) (61,800) (1,286,700)
Proposed Expenditures $42,261,300
Excess Revenue (Expenditures) $0
RECAP
Wages & Benefits 10-xx Total personnel adjustments from above $ (373,900)
Transfer to Capital Fund - Projects 90-82 Total capital adjustments from above (356,000)
Operating Expenses 20's & 30's Materials, Supplies, & Administrative expenses (139,200)
Debt Service ERP & Tar Ditch/PW II (295,100)
Other Employment Expenses Vacation Sell Back, retirements, and education p22.soo2
$ (1,286,800)
2
Página 144
EXHIBIT #5
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Página 145
FY 2017 DRAFT OPERATING BUDGET - DOVER, DELAWARE
EXHIBIT #6
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
General Fund - By Department/Division
General Fund Expenses By Major Function
CITY ADMINISTRATION RETIREE PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
City Clerk Approp. Police Pension Fund
Council Approp. Police Pension - State Grant
Economic Development
City Manager
Human Resources OTHER
Mayor Contribution to DDP
Miscellaneous Grant Related Exp
OTher Employment Expenses
LIBRARY & RECREATION Transfer to Inventory Write-Offs
Library
Recreation
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS
Life Safety
Code Enforcement
Planning
Inspections
POLICE & FIRE
Fire
Police
Police Extra Duty
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Tax Assesor
Information Technology
Finance
Procurement & Inventory
Customer Service
Bank & Credit Card Fees
Uncollectibles - Trash and Other
PUBLIC WORKS
Ground Maintenance
Streets
Sanitation
Administration
Facilities Management
Engineering
Fleet Maintenance
1
Página 146
FY 2017 DRAFT OPERATING BUDGET - DOVER, DELAWARE
General Fund Expenses By Major Function
TRANSFER TO CAPITAL PROJECTS CITY ADMINISTRATION
OTHER
4%
INSURANCE 4% 1%
DEBT SERVICE 2% LIBRARY & RECREATION
1% 6%
STREET LIGHTS
2%
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS
RETIREE PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS 5%
3%
RETIREE MEDICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
5%
PUBLIC WORKS
16%
POLICE
40%
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
9%
FIRE
2%
2
Página 147
FY 2017 DRAFT OPERATING BUDGET - DOVER, DELAWARE
PROJECTED COST PER CAPITA BY FUNCTION
Fiscal Year 2016-2017
OTHER $13.24
TRANSFER TO CAPITAL PROJECTS $49.53
INSURANCE $18.65
DEBT SERVICE $18.26
STREET LIGHTS $21.42
RETIREE PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS $31.17
RETIREE MEDICAL CONTRIBUTIONS $54.33
PUBLIC WORKS $177.62
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION $100.23
FIRE $19.22
POLICE $449.53
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS $57.30
LIBRARY & RECREATION $63.48
CITY ADMINISTRATION $51.79
$0.00 $50.00 $100.00 $150.00 $200.00 $250.00 $300.00 $350.00 $400.00 $450.00
Total per capita based on population estimate of 37,540 = $1,125.77
3
Página 148
EXHIBIT #7
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
City of Dover
Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Proposed Budget
Outlays and Receipts for Governmental Activities
(Pages 16 & 17)
Functions/Programs
General Government
City Clerk
Council
Mayor
City Manager
Human Resources
Planning
Tax Assessor
Public Safety
Fire
Life Safety
Code Enforcement
Inspections
Police - Administration
Police - Civilian
Police - Law Enforcement
Police - Extra Duty
Police - Pension Grant
Police - City Pension Appropriation
Public Works
Administration
Engineering
Facility Maintenance
Grounds
Streets
Sanitation
Street Lights
WWW Engineering
Library and Recreation
Library Services
Recreation Services
Community and Economic Development
Economic Development
Contribution to DDP
Central Services
Fleet Maintenance
Warehouse & Purchasing
Inventory Writeoffs
Financial Administration
Information Technology
Finance
Customer Service
Insurance
Uncollectible Write Offs
Página 149
EXHIBIT #8
City of Dover 2016 Budget Review
Electric Revenue Fund Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
FY16 - White Oak Solar Park Incremental Cost
Original
July August September October November December January February March April YTD Budget
Power Supply & Generation
Dover Sun Park - Energy $ 241,720 $ 264,734 $ 204,656 $ 175,542 $ 107,183 $ 74,637 $ 121,058 $ 123,391 $ 203,552 $ 257,359 $ 1,773,833 $ 2,313,861
Dover Sun Park - REC's 43,325 42,602 30,249 26,003 15,920 11,012 17,910 18,308 30,249 - 235,579 363,381
Total Power Supply Cost 285,046 307,336 234,905 201,546 123,103 85,648 138,969 141,699 233,801 257,359 2,009,412 2,677,242
Non-Solar Power Supply Cost (119,924) (123,989) (97,565) (81,616) (48,168) (34,958) (64,920) (56,337) (85,309) (105,218) (818,003) (1,172,049)
Incremental Energy Cost $ 165,122 $ 183,347 $ 137,340 $ 119,929 $ 74,935 $ 50,690 $ 74,049 $ 85,363 $ 148,493 $ 152,141 $ 1,191,408 $ 1,505,193
Revenues
Customer Sales - Electricity (8,419) (8,580) (7,472) (7,473) (7,799) (7,621) (7,766) (7,927) (7,507) (8,447) (79,011) (93,900)
Rent Receipts (15,177) - - (15,177) - - (15,557) - - (15,557) (61,468) (93,700)
Total Revenues (23,596) (8,580) (7,472) (22,650) (7,799) (7,621) (23,323) (7,927) (7,507) (24,004) (140,479) (187,600)
Incremental Sun Park Cost $ 141,526 $ 174,766 $ 129,868 $ 97,279 $ 67,137 $ 43,069 $ 50,725 $ 77,436 $ 140,986 $ 128,137 $ 1,050,929 $ 1,317,593
MWh Purchased/Generated - Solar 2,084.336 2,100.192 1,525.008 1,308.064 798.680 556.160 902.072 919.456 1,516.784 1,917.728 13,628.480 18,159.000
MWh $ Solar Energy $ 115.97 $ 126.05 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 134.20 $ 130.16 $ 127.42
Solar REC's MWh 313.000 315.000 228.000 196.000 120.000 83.000 135.000 138.000 228.000 - 1,756.000
MWh $ Solar REC (one month lag)* 138.42 135.24 132.67 132.67 132.67 132.67 132.67 132.670 132.670 - 134.16
MWh $ Non-Solar Energy $ 57.54 $ 59.04 $ 63.98 $ 62.39 $ 60.31 $ 62.86 $ 71.97 $ 61.27 $ 56.24 $ 54.87
Note: Solar REC's are one month behind due to the time the invoice is received.
Página 150
EXHIBIT #9
2016 Budget Review
CITY OF DOVER Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016 City Council Meeting
May 23, 2016
FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2015 TO JUNE 30, 2016
1 of 2
QUARTERLY REVENUE REPORT
As of March 31, 2016
75.0%
FY16 YTD % BUDGET FY16 FY17 FY15 FY14
GENERAL FUND BUDGET REVENUES RECEIVED PROJ'D Proposed COMMENTS REVENUES REVENUES
1 Property Taxes $ 12,495,500 $ 12,408,600 99.3% $ 12,428,500 $ 12,519,700 $ 10,841,200 $ 10,777,800
2 Payment In Lieu of Taxes 398,700 389,700 97.7% 405,000 413,200 335,500 316,700
3 Transfer from Electric Fund 10,000,000 10,000,000 100.0% 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000
4 Intrafund Service Receipts Electric 3,738,500 2,621,200 70.1% 3,586,200 3,564,900 3,478,800 3,427,300
5 Transfer from Transfer Tax Fund 1,340,000 1,820,900 135.9% 2,090,200 1,672,700 1,713,800 1,544,100
6 Business Licenses 1,425,000 1,466,000 102.9% 1,472,000 1,467,000 1,403,100 1,494,300
7 Intrafund Service Receipts Water/Wastewater 1,492,700 1,010,700 67.7% 1,420,000 1,653,800 1,341,600 1,218,900
8 Sanitation Fees 2,580,000 1,900,300 73.7% 2,530,000 2,538,300 2,578,900 2,595,600
9 Permits & Other Licenses 1,436,300 1,332,300 92.8% 1,436,300 1,662,100 1,490,200 1,597,300
10 Transfer from Municipal Street Aid Fund 564,200 504,900 89.5% 673,100 673,100 664,300 664,900
11 Fines & Police Revenue 702,300 491,800 70.0% 651,400 763,300 666,700 653,600
12 Police Extra Duty Fees 533,000 252,600 47.4% 461,500 525,000 503,000 562,900
13 Transfer from Police Grant Funds 74,400 72,100 96.9% 172,700 258,600 127,100 80,200
14 Court of Chancery Fees 1,065,100 811,000 76.1% 1,090,400 1,100,000 1,118,700 1,034,500
15 Transfer from Water/Wastewater Fund 850,000 637,500 75.0% 850,000 875,000 500,000 500,000
16 Transfer from Contingency - - 0.0% - - 50,000 250,000
17 Transfer from Civil Traffic Penalties Fund 450,000 331,300 73.6% 480,000 496,900 495,200 357,500
18 Library Revenues & County Reciprocal Pymt 522,000 290,500 55.7% 379,600 382,900 480,800 498,600
19 Franchise Fees 672,300 338,900 50.4% 682,300 680,000 683,400 648,300
20 General Fund Grant Receipts 673,500 262,300 38.9% 673,500 623,500 733,900 571,000
21 Recreation Revenue 149,000 120,400 80.8% 149,000 150,000 149,300 151,900
22 Other Miscellaneous Receipts 129,600 146,400 113.0% 163,700 151,300 257,500 175,500
23 Interest Income 35,000 139,100 397.4% 140,000 90,000 35,100 34,500
24 2014 Bond Proceeds (Refinance 2003 Bonds) - - 0.0% - - 475,000 -
TOTALS $ 41,327,100 $ 37,348,500 90.4% $41,935,400 $ 42,261,300 $ 40,123,100 $ 37,155,400
Final Budget $ 39,795,600 $ 37,127,200
Página 151
CITY OF DOVER City Council Meeting
May 23, 2016
FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2015 TO JUNE 30, 2016
2 of 2
QUARTERLY REVENUE REPORT
As of March 31, 2016
75.0%
FY16 YTD % BUDGET FY16 FY17 FY15 FY14
WATER/WASTEWATER FUND BUDGET REVENUES RECEIVED PROJ'D Proposed COMMENTS REVENUES REVENUES
1 Water Fees $ 6,200,000 $ 4,088,200 65.9% $ 5,366,600 $ 5,800,000 $ 4,889,000 $ 4,459,800
2 Wastewater Fees 3,728,000 2,854,900 76.6% 3,823,800 3,800,000 3,735,900 3,562,400
3 Wastewater Adjustment Fees - County Trtmt 3,026,500 2,242,000 74.1% 2,997,600 3,000,000 2,952,900 2,930,300
4 Groundwater Inflow Adjustment 1,864,300 1,434,400 76.9% 1,965,600 1,938,000 1,831,800 1,316,200
5 Water Impact Fees 250,000 164,500 65.8% 253,400 252,000 536,900 252,200
6 Wastewater Impact Fees 250,000 144,800 57.9% 222,400 228,000 482,200 230,200
7 Water Tank Space Leasing 341,900 225,600 66.0% 341,900 366,200 344,800 360,300
8 Interest Income 3,000 (1,800) -60.0% 10,000 20,000 2,300 3,616
9 Other Miscellaneous Revenues 64,000 63,700 99.5% 56,200 63,000 75,000 61,300
TOTALS $ 15,727,700 $ 11,216,300 71.3% $15,037,500 $ 15,467,200 $ 14,850,800 $ 13,176,316
Final Budget $ 14,386,300 $ 13,023,500
75.0%
FY16 YTD % BUDGET FY16 FY17 FY15 FY14
ELECTRIC REVENUE FUND BUDGET REVENUES RECEIVED PROJ'D Proposed COMMENTS REVENUES REVENUES
1 Sales to Customers $ 78,279,200 $ 60,438,100 77.2% $ 78,493,800 $ 78,991,200 $ 77,011,700 $ 76,928,300
3 Utility Tax 1,281,100 1,005,500 78.5% 1,309,600 1,320,900 1,266,900 1,259,000
4 Transfer from Rate Stabilization Reserve 3,000,000 750,000 25.0% 750,000 - 3,000,000 7,000,000
5 Miscellaneous Revenue 927,800 929,800 100.2% 1,242,000 899,600 1,389,400 906,400
6 Interest Income 47,900 31,300 65.3% 35,000 47,900 21,200 10,500
7 Intrafund Service Fees - Water/Wastewater - - 0.0% - - - 130,800
TOTALS $ 83,536,000 $ 63,154,700 75.6% $81,830,400 $ 81,259,600 $ 82,689,200 $ 86,235,000
Final Budget $ 81,766,000 $ 88,283,600
Página 152
EXHIBIT #10
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
From: Koenig, Scott
To: Lewis, Brian E.; City Clerks Office
Cc: McDowell, Traci
Subject: RE: Budget Questions
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 5:34:50 PM
Importance: High
Good Afternoon:
Below are the answers (in red) to your questions. Please call if you have further questions.
THIS EMAIL HAS BEEN BCC’D TO MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR CHRISTIANSEN.
Best Regards,
Scott D. Koenig, P.E.
skoenig@dover.de.us
City Manager
City of Dover
P.O. Box 475
Dover, DE 19903
302-736-7005 (Voice)
302-736-7002 (Fax)
"Engineering isn't about perfect solutions; it's about doing the best you can with limited resources" - Randy Pausch
p. X - Introduction to The Last Lecture.
This email, including attachments, is confidential and intended only for the designated recipient(s). If you are not an
intended recipient, please delete this email. The unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of
this e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful.
From: Brian Lewis [mailto:belewis1966@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 5:29 AM
To: Koenig, Scott; Mitchell, Donna
Subject: RE: Budget Questions
Scott,
To assist in keeping to time constraints during our Budget Hearings, I have listed
some questions I would appreciate you answering beforehand that are related to
individual departmental budgets.
Thank you,
Councilman Lewis
CITY CLERK
1. Specifically, can you explain in detail why there is an increase from $6,100.00
To $9,000.00 in the election related expenses?
Página 153
Answer: Election Related Expenses (30-31) is proposed to increase from $200 in FY-
2016 to $9,200 in FY-2017 for the City Wide Election Expenses. Five (5) council seats
including the At-Large seat are up for election.
2. What computer hardware had to be replaced in the City Clerk’s office that had
a net increase of $4,700.00?
Answer: The proposed computer replacements include two (2) basic recording laptops
(one in Council Chambers and one in the City Hall Large Conference Room), one (1)
basic desktop computers, and two (2) 23” flat panel monitors. Total estimated costs for
this hardware is $4,600.00.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1. There was a $8,400.00 increase in telephone contractual services, office
equipment, repairs/maintenance. Can you explain this further?
Answer: Telephone expenses (30-21) are increasing by $200 for the Cradle Point Wifi,
the device that provides Wifi in the Council Chambers. Under Contractual Services (30-
31) there is an increase of $3,750 for the last payment for the City website refresh. The
increase under Office/Equipment Repairs and Maintenance (30-61) is related to the
upgrade of Fortis to Docuware (Fortis was purchased by Docuware and now an upgrade is
required) for approximately $9,000. These increases were offset by some savings in other
components of the line items for a net increase in the referenced line items of $4,600 over
the FY-2016 budget. I cannot respond to the $8,400.00 reference as the numbers do not
add up to $8,400 as I understand your question.
POLICE
1. The budget request (11) new police vehicles. To be fair how many vehicles can be
utilized for another year within the department? Is it more cost effective to lease or
purchase the vehicles and has anyone ever conducted a cost analysis on how
much it would cost if the city were to ever partner with State Fleet Services?
Answer: I believe the Chiefs original request was thirteen (13), which has now been cut to
eleven (11). If you propose to cut these vehicles, they will simply show up again next
year for replacement. The expected life of a patrol car is typically two (2) to three (3)
years if I recall past discussions correctly. I believe leasing these vehicles would be more
costly than purchasing them; however, this questions has not been specifically answered
by seeking lease proposals. We have also not partnered with Fleet Services. The Police
Department makes all arrangements for the maintenance of these vehicles and they are
serviced by a private vendor rather than the City’s Fleet Maintenance Shop. In all
fairness, your questions should be posed to the Chief of Police to get his opinion on this
question.
Página 154
2. It is my understanding that the Mayor is assigned a complete equipment packaged
police vehicle for his use. If the Mayor was to return the vehicle back to the Polce
department to be utilized on the road by an officer would that save us from
obtaining (11) Vehicles and bring it to (10)?
Answer: I received an email from and also spoke with the Mayor earlier today. He
indicated that since he became Mayor, the Police Department has only provided him a
vehicle on an as-needed basis from their reserve rolling stock. This was only for out of
town city business. Until his recent surgery, he used his own personal vehicle with no
reimbursement expected. The department has recently provided (post-surgery) a high
mileage reserve vehicle for him to use until he has recovered to the point where he can
once again use his personal vehicle. The reserve vehicle is only used for city business.
The gas and repair allotment of $100 under the Mayor’s budget has usually been
transferred to pay for veterans advertisement or for an ad for the firemen's convention on
behalf of the Mayor and Council rather reimbursement under Mayor Christiansen.
TAX ASSESSOR
1. How much was the increase for Training/Travel & Telephone? What kind of
training? And what is the Subscription too under this budget and others???
Answer: The increase in the Telephone expense from $1,100 in FY-2016 to $1,300 in FY-
2017 is related to the reimbursement of cell phone expenses for the Residential
Assessment Technician. The Training/Travel budget increase from $5,000 in FY-2016 to
$7,500 in FY-2017 relates to $2,500 for the Assessor to maintain the AAS designation
and $5,000 for the Residential Assessment Technician to get the required Delaware State
certification. The subscription and dues are for IAAO memberships, DAAO
memberships and Notary renewals.
STREETS
1. You stated that Materials & Supplies have increased to $155,800 in program
expenses related to MS4 Program of $151,900. What is the MS4 Program?
Answer: MS4 is the abbreviation of Municipal Separated Storm Sewer System. Most of
the referenced increase is related to Program Expenses which are proposed to increase
from $35,000 in FY-2016 to $186,900 in FY-2017 (a net proposed increase of $151,900).
This line item includes costs for the following activities: Street sweeping debris disposal
at the landfill, NPDES MS4 Stormwater Protection Plan and Monitoring Plan
Development, NPDES MS4 Public Education/Public Interaction, NPDES MS4 Illicit
Discharge Detection & Elimination Program, NPDES MS4 Post-Construction Stormwater
Controls, NPDES MS4 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping, and the NPDES
MS4 Water Quality Implementation Plan & Performance Monitoring Plan. All of the
proposed costs are considered essential to comply with the MS4 permit conditions.
MAYORS BUDGET
Página 155
1. There is listed Community Relations Exp. $5,500.00. Can you explain what that is
for? Also, what is $100.00 for Auto Repairs/Maintenance?
Answer: The $5,500 under Community Relations Expenses includes $5,000 for the
Mayor’s Annual Reception and $500 for Promotional Items such as Coins, Pins and
Shirts. The $100 under Auto Repairs/Maintenance is a placeholder as this line item has
had previous expenses (FY-2013 - $170; FY-2014 - $120)
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET
1. What is the $11,500.00 Subscription/Dues for?
Answer: The $11,500 includes the League of Local Governments membership ($6,000),
National League of Cities membership ($3,300), DE State Chamber of Commerce
membership ($1,200) and the Central DE Chamber of Commerce membership ($1,000).
2. Community Relations Exp. $3,500.00 ???
Answer: The Community Relations Expense of $3,500 is for Flowers/Donations for
Deaths or Illness, Dover Cups, Misc. Engravings, Plaques, etc.
CITY MANAGER’S BUDGET
1. Where is your $2,000.00 overtime coming from?
Answer: The $2,000 is for overtime expenses related to the Emergency Management
Coordinator/Public Affairs Coordinator duties. If additional hours are required for this
position, the hours are eligible for overtime payment. Actual expenses were $1,737 in
FY-2013, $2,513 in FY-2014 and $517 in FY-2015.
2. What is the $11,500.00 “Temporary” listed for?
Answer: The $11,500 under Temporary Help is to pay the contractual labor for the
Comcast broadcast of the City Council meetings.
Página 156
EXHIBIT #11
2016 Budget Review
CITY OF DOVER Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
CAPITAL ASSET RESERVE TREND
FIVE YEAR ANALYSIS
THRU APRIL 2016
6/30/2011 6/30/2012 6/30/2013 6/30/2014 6/30/2015 4/30/2016
Beginning Balance $ 249,145 $ 253,420 $ 498,467 $ 507,308 $ 520,986 $ 915,129
Increases
Net Interest {less bank fees) 4,275 5,947 8,841 3,055 3,643 14,167
Sale of land proceeds (Garrison Oak) 10,623 92,700
Transfer of Gain on Sale of Assets 39,100
Appropriation to Reserve 200,000
Transfer excess prior year excess budget balance 60,000 229,600
Trf Library Project Balance to Cap Proj Reserve 330,500
253,420 498,467 507,308 520,986 915,129 1,251,596
Decreases
Ending Balance $ 253,420 $ 498,467 $ 507,308 $ 520,986 $ 915, 129 $ 1,251,596
Página 157
EXHIBIT #12
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Página 159
EXHIBIT #13
2016 Budget Review
Special Council Meeting of 05/24/2016
Inner City Cultural League, Inc.
“Educational Advancement through the Arts”
May 25, 2016
The Honorable Robin R. Christensen and Council
City of Dover
PO Box 475
Dover, DE 19903-0475
Dear Mayor Christensen and Dover City Council:
I am writing this letter with great concern about the possible cut in the City Budget of funding that has
been issued for the past 15 years to help finance the African American Festival “Positively Dover.” I am
deeply distressed by this possibility and request that any anticipated cut be delayed indefinitely and
certainly until the Inner City Cultural League, Inc. secures adequate capital through an investment
account to make the difference in what the City donates to the League each year.
The African American Festival has been an institution in Dover for more than 25 years. It is with the help
of the City that this event has had a tremendous moral, economic and cultural effect on all of Dover,
especially the children. This is not a private-local event. The Festival belongs to the City, the State and
the County. The African American Festival belongs especially to the people of Dover. The name
“Positively Dover” was carved into the construction of the festival from the beginning. The support given
by the City of Dover permits the Festival to be the highlight of the Summer experience for many citizens.
It is certainly a “Star studded event” for the minority population of our fine city. Tradition, culture, the
arts are all on display during this sultry Saturday in June of each year. Families plan their reunions around
the African American Festival. It is a time for revitalization, artistic expression, and entertainment for
families. It is a time to meet old friends and make new acquaintances. It is recreation for the youth of the
community. It permits for artistic expression for old and young alike. It is estimated that upwards of
20,000 persons attend this festival each year. There is no entry fee, and artistic presentations are
excellent. The economic impact is measurable as many overnight visitors and business persons visit
Dover to participate in “Positively Dover.”
Without cost, the Inner City Cultural League, Inc. provides many artistic programs to all segments of the
City each year. These venues include the library, various parades, street festivals, community parties and
League sponsored events at the studio. The loss of any funding would hurt our small budget.
The African American Festival is a quality of life event in Dover. The League appreciates the support
received from Dover. Without this support the Festival would find it more difficult to sustain a quality
event. I am afraid that to begin cutting the festival allocation would be the beginning of a downward
spiral to cut all of the funding for the Festival.
Once again, I request that you use your positions as Mayor and Council to keep the allocation to the
African American Festival, “Positively Dover,” at the current level. Do this for the growth of arts and
culture in Dover.
I remain your humble servant in the service of Dover.
Reuben Salters
Reuben Salters
Founder/Chairman
“Sankofa, Positively Dover, MLK Holiday Program”
39 S. West Street Dover, DE 19904 Phone: 302.883 3180 sanicaaf@comcast.net
Página 161
Dover Fire Department
Volunteers Since 1882
2015 Annual Report
Página 162
Mark Hall served as the 2015 Fire Chief. He was
instrumental in the department obtaining two new
Command vehicles, they were both placed into service
during his tenure. He completed five years of dedicated
service to the City of Dover as a line officer and
continues to serve in the capacity of a Past Fire Chief. He
has been an active member for 15 years. He led the
department, along with his Officers, in responding to
over 1,300 calls for service. During his term, he placed
new MSA air packs into service on every piece of
apparatus, as well as replacing outdated 800 MHz radios
within the department. Both were obtained with the
help of the City and 2014 Fire Chief, Matthew Carey.
Chief Hall wants to thank the members of the Dover Fire
Department , residents of the City of Dover and the
personnel in the City that helped him achieve a great
year as the Fire Chief.
Página 163
2015 Deputy Fire
2015 Fire Chief Chief
Mark Hall Carleton Carey Jr.
Página 164
2015 Asst. Chief’s and Captains
1st Asst. Chief 2nd Asst. Chief 3rd Asst. Chief 4th Asst. Chief
David Carey Glenn Whitt Duane Reeder Ben Smetana
1st Fire Line Captain 2nd Fire Line Captain
Michael O’Connor III William Kelly II
Página 165
2015 Statistical Run Data
Alarm Total for 2015: 1,343
General Alarms: 670
Silent Alarms: 407
Crew Calls: 29
Officer Calls: 234
Multiple Alarms: 3
Average Attendance on Calls: 14.65
Página 166
Call Volume by Month
160
148
140
128
119 121
120 114 116
112
106 103
100 93 91 91
80
60
40
20
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2015
Página 167
Alarms Broken Down by Type
SPECIAL EVENT HAZARDOUS
WEATHER
CONDITION
EXPLOSION
FALSE ALARMS
RESCUE/EMS
SERVICE CALL
GOOD INTENT
FIRES
Página 168
2015 was an active, record setting year in call volume for the
Dover Fire Department.
Volunteers responded to over 1,340 calls for service during the year
Members and Officers handled approximately 27 working fires , in which a hand-line was
placed into service and crews either made an interior or exterior attack of the fire building.
In this report you will see some improvements that the membership was able to obtain to
better the service to the citizens of Dover. You will also see some of the major working fire
incidents in which the volunteers of the Dover Fire Department responded to.
There were zero fire fatalities in the City of Dover for the year 2015 and only a few firefighter
injuries, in which a firefighter was transported to Kent General for evaluation. We at the Dover
Fire Department are very proud of this and hope this trend continues.
Página 169
Recruitment and Retention
The Departments membership stood at 205 for 2015
29 new members were taken in, increasing the membership by 14.14%
7 members left the department due to relocations and moves
2 members resigned their membership
Página 170
Training To Hone the Skills
Página 171
68 in-house training sessions
574 training hours
2,266 man-hours
Página 172
Noteworthy Incidents
Página 173
On March 31st, Streamlight Inc. chose
the DFD to take part in a marketing
campaign for Streamlight and MSA. The
department was chosen because we
purchased new equipment the previous
year and that we were the only State
capital with a 100% volunteer fire
service in the Nation. This campaign
went well and Streamlight not only
donated tee shirts, they also gave a
monetary donation, as well as 20 new
Streamlight flashlights. The campaign
was seen Nationally.
Página 174
April 19th, the DFD responded to Grand
View Mobile Home Park for a report of a
trailer on fire. Upon arrival of the
Command Unit and Chief, it was
reported that three trailers were fully
engulfed in flames. Units worked for
approximately three hours to contain
and extinguish the flames.
Página 175
DFD responded on July 7th Silver Lake
Nursing Home , where an unknown
electrical fire caused significant damage
to the main hallway of the building.
Residents were evacuated and
firefighters worked well with staff in
making sure the residents and staff were
safe. Minor injuries were reported,
however no residents were transported.
Página 176
October 7th, the DFD was alerted for a
report of a working fire at Legislative
Hall. Multiple units responded and found
fires from the basement to the roof area.
Capitol Police did an outstanding job
evacuating the entire building. One
Police Officer was transported to KGH
for evaluation for smoke inhalation.
Units were assisted by Camden VFC,
Little Creek VFC, Magnolia VFC and
Bowers VFC. Volunteers remained on
scene for approximately two hours
completing overhaul, helping salvage
historical State property inside the
building.
Página 177
October 24th, the DFD responded to
Luther Towers for an apartment fire on
the 5th floor. Units entered the building
and found most of the fire had already
been extinguished. However, a heavy
smoke condition was found on the 5th
and 6th floors. Due to the layout of the
structure and the residents that reside
there, evacuation was troublesome. A
box alarm was transmitted which
brought, Cheswold VFC for a rescue
truck, Smyrna VFC for a ladder and Little
Creek VFC (full response). All crews
worked for about one hour to bring the
situation under control . No residents
were injured at this fire.
Página 178
The DFD obtained a new 2015 Chevy
Tahoe Command vehicle to be used by
the Fire Chief in order to better serve
the residents of the City of Dover. It is
equipped with a full light package.
Three 800 MHz radios, EMS equipment,
a lockout kit, Command boards for large
incident management, iPad, Command
console for ease of use during
emergencies, and various hand tools.
Página 179
The DFD placed a second 2015 Chevy
Tahoe Command unit into service with
the help of the City of Dover. The vehicle
is equipped with three 800 MHz radios,
various hand tools, full light equipment
with siren, Command console for ease of
use during emergencies, Command
board for incident management, and
EMS equipment.
The Department fully funded one unit
and the City funded the second, utilizing
appropriation money. The total cost of
both units fully equipped was
approximately $90,000.
Página 180
Appreciation Night Banquet Awards
2015 Dispatcher of the Year 2015 Fireman of the Year
Alex Carrow Alan Farling
Página 181
Appreciation Night Banquet Awards
25 Year Service Ring: 2015 Probationary Member:
Paul Eichler (left) Jaquan Dickson
Página 182
Appreciation Night Banquet Awards
2015 Firefighter of the Year 2015 Chief’s Award
and Top Responder Sean Byron
Daniel Godwin
Página 183
Appreciation Night Banquet Awards
2015 Top Ten Responders
Página 184
Past Chief Charles Boyer
represents 57 years of
active service to the
Dover Fire Department.
He was presented with a
plaque commemorating
his year as 2015 President
Página 185
Appreciation Night Banquet Awards
2016 Fire Chief
Carleton Carey Jr.
presents 2015 Fire
Chief Mark Hall a
memento for his
service to the
department
Página 186
Department Social Media
Facebook DFD Website
Over 4,500 followers Over 1,652,587 views
Página 187
Department Dispatchers are
certified in Emergency Fire
Dispatch through the
International Academies of
Emergency Dispatch which is
the national standard
Página 188
Dover Police & Fire
Pipes and Drums
Página 189
The Officers, men and women of the Dover Fire Department remain the
only State capital in the Nation to be protected by a 100% volunteer fire
department. We stand true and steadfast in providing this City with the
finest fire protection in the State. We look forward to a safe and
prosperous year working harmoniously with City officials the Mayor
and Council.
Página 190
PETITION TO AMEND TEXT of
Dover Code of Ordinances, Land Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Ordinance
Report to the
Dover City Council for June 13, 2016 Meeting
Recommendation from Planning Commission with Development Advisory Committee Review
Proposed Changes: Text Amendments to the following:
Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 98 – Street, Sidewalks,
Storm Sewers and Other Public Places, Article I. – In
General, Section 98-10 Speed Reduction Devices
Land Subdivision Regulations: Appendix A – Subdivisions,
Article VI – Subdivision – General Requirements and
Design Standards, Section A – Streets, Paragraph 1
Zoning Ordinance: Appendix B: Zoning, Article 10 –
Planning Commission, Section 2 – Site Development Plan
Approval, 2.54 – Proposed Development
Summary of Amendment: The proposed amendment would permit speed cushions on
privately owned commercial property. It also defines speed bumps,
speed cushions, and speed humps.
Ordinance Number: Proposed Ordinance #2016-09 with Council Committee of the
Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee
Amendment #1 (CCW/SA&T#1)
File Number: MI-16-05
The proposed text amendments were developed by the City Council Committee of the
Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee following several meeting discussions
and research by the Committee on the topic. This discussion was in response to inquiries from
property and business owners regarding the prohibition of speed reduction devices. At its March
29, 2015 Meeting, the Committee recommended approval of the Proposed Ordinance with one
amendment (Ordinance #2016-09 with CCW/SA&T#1).
As text amendments are proposed to the Zoning Ordinance, a Public Hearing and
Recommendation by the Planning Commission is required. City Council will conduct a Public
Hearing and take Final Action on the proposal at their meeting of June 13, 2016.
Página 191
MI-16-05 Text Amendments: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions and Speed Humps
Planning Commission Recommendation Report
Page 2 of 3
Recommendation of the
Planning Commission: Following a public hearing before the Planning Commission where
no members of the public spoke with regard to the proposed
ordinance, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to
recommend denial to City Council for the proposed Ordinance
MI-16-05 Text Amendments: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions and
Speed Humps as written but to re-visit the need and the language if
there is a thought that these are a necessary item to allow.
An Excerpt of the Draft Minutes of the May 16, 2016 Planning
Commission Meeting is attached which reflects their discussion of
the proposed amendments and the action taken.
In making this recommendation the Planning Commission
considered the following reviews and recommendations from the
Development Advisory Committee including: the Planning Office,
the Public Works Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and
DelDOT. See information below and as attached.
Planning Review and Recommendations for MI-16-05:
The Planning Staff has reviewed the proposed Ordinance regarding speed reduction devices and
offers the following revisions to the Ordinance. The recommended revisions aid in clarifying the
requirements and/or limitations proposed regarding speed reduction devices and the concept to
allow speed cushions on privately owned commercial property.
Staff Ordinance Proposed Revision Reason/Notes
Recommendation Lines
A 19 Revise “roadway” to “travel Ordinance would allow speed
way” cushions on private property.
In the Land Subdivision
Regulations, roadway is
defined as a paved street or
alley.
B 24-25 Remove reference to residential Remove to avoid confusion
streets. Reword to note use is on where speed humps are
typically in locations where permitted.
speed limits do not exceed 25
miles per hour.
C 26 Do not delete “private” street Need to make the distinction
from listing. between private street right-
of-ways and private property.
D 29, 57, Clarify the term “privately The terms ‘private’ and
100 owned commercial property” ‘commercial’ should be
clarified.
E 29-32 A procedure for the review of a A procedure for Permit or plan
request for speed cushions must submission would also depend
be developed. on if its existing development
or a new development.
Página 192
MI-16-05 Text Amendments: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions and Speed Humps
Planning Commission Recommendation Report
Page 3 of 3
F 54-59 Statement should refer only to This Code section focuses on
the limitations of speed reduction the design standards for
devices within the right-of-ways “streets” as defined in the
of City streets/alleys and the Land Subdivision
right-of-ways of private streets. Regulations.
Remove references to other
locations on properties and the
installation of speed cushions.
G 97-102 Revise to list topic only: (P) This section of Code focuses
Location of any speed reduction on the items to be depicted
devices. on a Site Plan. It does not
include the requirements or
limitations of the items as
they are located elsewhere in
the Code.
H 97-102 Add the details requirements Article 6 is the section of
and/or limitations to Zoning Code where details of the
Ordinance, Article 6 – Off Street design requirements for
Parking, Driveways and Loading parking lots, drive aisles, etc.
Facilities located on properties are
presented.
I 7-25 Add definitions to Zoning These are specialized terms
Ordinance, Article 12 – not currently defined in the
Definitions. Zoning Ordinance.
Attachments:
DAC Comments: Department of Public Works, Office of the Fire Marshal and DelDOT
Excerpt of Draft Minutes from May 16, 2016 Planning Commission Meeting
Página 193
CITY OF DOVER
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
APPLICATION REVIEW COMMENTARY
STAFF D.A.C. MEETING DATE: APRIL 27, 2016
APPLICATION: TEXT AMENDMENT: SPEED BUMPS, SPEED
CUSHIONS AND SPEED HUMPS
FILE #: MI-16-05
REVIEWING AGENCY: City of Dover Electric and Public Works Departments
CONTACT PERSON: Paul Waddell - Electric
Jason A. Lyon, P.E. – Public Works
CONTACT PHONE #: ELECTRIC - 302-736-7070 PUBLIC WORKS – 302-736-7025
T HE S UBJECT P ROPOSAL HAS BEEN R EVIEWED FOR C ODE C OMPLIANCE , P LAN C ONFORMITY AND C OMPLETENESS IN
A CCORDANCE WITH THIS A GENCY ’ S A UTHORITY AND A REA OF E XPERTISE .
T HE F OLLOWING I TEMS HAVE BEEN I DENTIFIED AS E LEMENTS W HICH N EED TO BE A DDRESSED BY THE A PPLICANT :
CITY AND STATE CODE REQUIREMENTS
ELECTRIC / WATER / WASTEWATER / STORMWATER / SANITATION / STREETS / GROUNDS
1. None.
RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED AS CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL TO MEET CODE OBJECTIVES
ELECTRIC
1. None
WATER / WASTEWATER / STORMWATER / SANITATION / STREETS / GROUNDS
1. The City of Dover Department of Public Works opposes the proposed Ordinance 2016-09 for the following reasons:
Speed bumps, humps and cushions present an operational hazard for our Department, both with respect to
maintenance as well as during emergency snow removal operations.
Allowing speed reduction devices on private property would also be an issue for our Department, our sanitation
division must access private property to collect trash. These devices would put unneeded stress on the vehicles
and operators.
ADVISORY COMMENTS TO THE APPLICANT
ELECTRIC / WATER / WASTEWATER / STORMWATER / SANITATION / STREETS / GROUNDS
1. None.
I F Y OU H AVE A NY Q UESTIONS OR N EED TO D ISCUSS ANY OF THE A BOVE C OMMENTS , P LEASE C ALL THE A BOVE
C ONTACT P ERSON AND THE P LANNING D EPARTMENT AS S OON AS P OSSIBLE .
Página 194
C F
MI-16-05 I I
T R
CITY OF DOVER Y E
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE O M
F A
APPLICATION REVIEW COMMENTARY
R
D.A.C. MEETING DATE: 05/04/16 D S
O H
V A
E L
R
APPLICATION: Text Amendment: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions, and Speed Humps
FILE #: MI-16-05 REVIEWING AGENCY: City of Dover, Office of the Fire Marshal
CONTACT PERSON: Jason Osika, Deputy Fire Marshal PHONE #: (302) 736-4457
THE SUBJECT PROPOSAL HAS BEEN REVIEWED FOR CODE COMPLIANCE, PLAN CONFORMITY, AND
COMPLETENESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGENCY’S AUTHORITY AND AREA OF EXPERTISE.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ELEMENTS WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESS BY THE
APPLICANT:
ADDITIONAL / SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN APPROVAL:
1. This office recommends keeping Fire Lanes clear and unobstructed in any way. This
office would like the code to stay as is in regards to Fire Lanes and not allow any speed
reduction devices.
APPLICABLE CODES LISTED BELOW (NOT LIMITED TO):
2012 NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA; National Fire Protection Association)
2009 IBC (International Building Code)
Latest editions of all other NFPA Codes as defined by the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations
2012 Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations
City of Dover Code of Ordinances
*If you have any questions or need to discuss any of the above comments, please call the above
contact person listed.
Página 195
CITY OF DOVER D
E
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
L
APPLICATION REVIEW COMMENTARY D
O
D.A.C. MEETING DATE: April 27, 2016 T
===============================================================
APPLICATION: Text Amendment: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions, and Speed Humps
FILE#: MI-16-05 REVIEWING AGENCY: DelDOT
CONTACT PERSON: Jonathan T. Moore PHONE#: 760-2145
===============================================================
THE SUBJECT PROPOSAL HAS BEEN REVIEWED FOR CODE COMPLIANCE, PLAN CONFORMITY AND COMPLETENESS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGENCY'S AUTHORITY AND AREA OF EXPERTISE.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ELEMENTS WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT:
CITY & STATE CODE REQUIREMENTS:
DelDOT has no comments regarding city & state code at this time.
RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED AS CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL TO MEET CODE
OBJECTIVES:
DelDOT has no recommendations at this time.
ADVISORY COMMENTS TO THE APPLICANT:
DelDOT has no advisory comments at this time.
If you have any questions or need to discuss any of the above comments, please call the
above contact person and the planning department as soon as possible.
Página 196
CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION
May 16, 2016
Excerpt from Meeting Minutes - Draft
MI-16-05 Text Amendments: Speed Bumps, Speed Cushions, and Speed Humps – Public
Hearing and Review for Recommendation to City Council of Text Amendments to the Dover
Code of Ordinances, Section 98-10 – Speed Reduction Devices; Appendix A: Subdivisions,
Article VI, Section A – Street; and Appendix B – Zoning Ordinance, Article 10, Section 2.54 –
Proposed Development. The proposed Ordinance revisions would create definitions for speed
bumps, speed cushions and speed humps and allow speed cushions to be installed of private
commercial property following review by the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee
and approval by City Council. Speed bumps and speed humps would remain prohibited.
Ordinance #2016-09. Public Hearing and Final Reading before City Council is scheduled on
June 13, 2016.
Representatives: None
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that this is a series of text amendments related to speed bumps,
speed cushions and speed humps. It comes to the Planning Commission via discussions that
transpired at the City Council Committee of the Whole Safety Advisory and Transportation
Committee. That Committee, in response to several inquiries from property owners and business
owners regarding what is currently the prohibition of speed reduction devices in the City Codes
took up the topic over a number of months. Ultimately, they ended up proposing a series of text
amendments. The text amendments themselves touch Chapter 98 of the Dover Code of
Ordinances where street, sidewalks, storm sewers and other public places are discussed. In the
Land Subdivision Regulations, in Article VI of that document, there is a discussion in the streets
description related to this and then the ultimately in the Zoning Ordinance in Article 10 Section 2
they are proposing something and that is the reason why it is here before Planning Commission
because any text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance requires a hearing and recommendation of
the Planning Commission. The document itself was presented to the Commission. It’s about
three pages long and has a variety of amendments to various aspects of the Code. Some of the
key components are actually really defining what a speed bump, speed cushion and speed hump
are. The intent of the remaining amendments to the text are to basically allow for the use of
speed cushions on privately owned commercial property. That would be subject to a review
process with the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee.
This proposed text amendment did go through our Development Advisory Committee process.
Planning Staff did review the Ordinance and they have a series of revisions that they believe aid
in what they call clarifying the requirements and/or limitations of this proposal regarding speed
reduction devices and specifically about speed cushions on privately owned commercial
property. Those are outlined as Staff Recommendations lettered A-I that is part of the DAC
Report. The other members of the Development Advisory Committee had some notes as well.
The Department of Public Works is opposed to the Ordinance. They indicate in their comments
that they present an operation hazard specifically to snow removal operations and also related to
private property trash collection in certain instances. The Fire Marshal’s Office recommends that
fire lanes should be kept clear and unobstructed in any way meaning that they would look to not
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have any of these types of speed reduction devices occur in fire lanes. DelDOT also provided
comments but they had no comments or recommendations regarding the proposed text
amendment.
Mr. Holden stated that he understands that there were some local commercial entities that
requested the opportunity but he is wondering what problem they are looking to resolve and do
we have any sense for the effectiveness of these devices. Responding to Mr. Holden, Mrs.
Melson-Williams stated that she believes that the specific inquiries came from a shopping center.
She believes that their bigger concern was a travelway that was located at the rear of the
shopping center related to traffic speeds in that area. The Committee actually looked at some
research documents about this whole concept of speed humps, bumps and cushions about ways
to actually implement them design wise but the details of that she does not have at this time.
There wasn’t anything forwarded specifically from the Committee in the form of written letters
that they received or anything of that nature in regards to these types of speed reduction devices.
Currently, they are specifically prohibited for use in the City of Dover; any type of speed
reduction device is specifically prohibited.
Mr. Holt stated that there are certain areas and streets where they have problems with cars
driving too fast and they are looking for ways to try to slow the speed down. Are there any other
alternatives to speed bumps, humps or cushions? He can see where there are some areas that
could be dangerous and people could get run over so they are looking for ways to slow traffic
down. Responding to Mr. Holt, Mr. Lyon stated that some of the speed reduction devices that
you will see proposed nowdays include these types of speed cushions or speed humps. The speed
humps are typically installed so that a typical vehicle can’t avoid it but an emergency vehicle that
has a bigger wheelspan can go around it. Odessa, Delaware has them in their roads. Other ideas
are to bring curb lines out so that it makes the travelway seem narrower so as a motorist you
wouldn’t drive as fast. There are also feedback signs that you have seen around the City with
radars that show how fast someone is driving. There is also the potential for putting up more stop
signs. The problem with that is that it could cause a queuing issue with vehicles traveling and
backing up. There are always pros and cons to these situations. Some are cheaper than others and
some are more effective than others. The Department of Public Works sees the speed radar signs
frequently and to be honest he is not sure if they are that effective. It depends on if there is police
presence.
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that the text amendments that are proposed this evening are not to
allow these items on public streets. It is specifically intended as it’s written to allow for speed
cushions, which is one of the types, to only allow them on private commercial properties.
Dr. Jones questioned if there were a significant number of owners who voiced concern?
Responding to Dr. Jones, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that she did not know the exact number
but she could think of at least two locations. One who she believes made the request wanted to
be able to pursue that opportunity and in the other case a private property owner installed a speed
reduction device and the City let them know that it was not permitted by Code and it was
removed. She would say the number is at least two. With the shopping center, it may have been
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more than just the shopping center owner. It may have been multiple businesses within the
shopping center that made the request. That was done at the Committee level.
Ms. Still questioned if the allowance of the speed cushion on privately owned property was after
review by the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee and approval from City Council?
Responding to Ms. Still, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that is how the text amendment is
proposed. There aren’t details beyond that on if it’s a permit or what kind of submission it takes
to get such a request before those two bodies.
Ms. Still further questioned if there was any feedback from the Public Works Department on the
comment that speed reduction devices on private property would be an issue for their
Department? Are they talking about just the speed bumps? Responding to Ms. Still, Mr. Lyon
stated that the issue with those types of devices is when Public Works has sanitation pickup at
private locations it becomes an issue with their trucks maintenancewise. It makes the trucks
really bouncy and it’s very difficult to operate the vehicle that way even if you go very slowly
over it. That is a concern with private property. They don’t plow any private roads so during the
snow season if there’s a speed bump there it’s not demarcated. They aren’t going to flip their
truck over.
Ms. Still questioned if they had any input about the cushion? To her, it seems like it’s a small
device. Responding to Ms. Still, Mr. Lyon stated that at this time they have the same comment
for all three of the proposals.
Colonel Welsh questioned if a better description could be provided for what a speed cushion
was? He asked if there was a photograph available. Responding to Colonel Welsh, Mrs. Melson-
Williams stated that a speed cushion, while it extends across the travelway it’s not a quick bump
in the road. It has an up, a place in the middle and then a down; that is a speed hump. What
makes it a speed cushion is that there are breaks in it meaning that it is not a continuous
mountain extension across the road. There are gaps and those gaps would match the wheel base
of an emergency vehicle. An emergency vehicle would move so that it it’s wheels travel through
the two gaps in the speed cushion.
Colonel Welsh questioned if speed cushions were horizontal or vertical? Do they follow the path
of the road or are they perpendicular to the road? Responding to Colonel Welsh, Mrs. Melson-
Williams stated that the element itself runs perpendicular across the road. The gaps for the
wheels would be parallel with the travelway.
Colonel Welsh stated that they were also lower. Responding to Colonel Welsh, Mrs. Melson-
Williams stated that most of the time the gaps are pavement level. Think of a speed cushion as
three pieces of a hump that goes across the road.
Colonel Welsh stated that it was almost like a rumble strip. Responding to Colonel Welsh, Mr.
Cook stated that having lived somewhere where these were very common. His understanding is
that the design of them is such that you can travel at a constant speed over them unlike a speed
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hump that requires you to slow down. These do require you to slow down but if you maintain the
posted speed you can go over them without having to brake for them.
Mr. Tolbert stated that it would just be a smaller hump. Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Cook
stated that it’s a smoother and longer hump.
Mr. Holt stated that they are somewhat effective though with trying to control your speed even
though it’s not drastic.
Mr. Tolbert questioned if there is anything else that can be done to help deal with the problem
other than cushions and bumps?
Mr. Holt suggested cameras maybe.
Colonel Welsh stated that what they are talking about is private property and private funding. It’s
not no adverse effect between the access of emergency vehicles. Responding to Colonel Welsh,
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that it depends on where they have to travel on a private property.
They may have to cross over and through a speed cushion.
Mr. Tolbert stated that they still have snow removal and emergency vehicles going through.
Colonel Welsh stated that to me he sees snow removal as one of the biggest obstacles. He
doesn’t know how private property owners are going to get snow cleared with even the speed
cushion.
Mr. Holden questioned if the City of Dover Police can police a speed limit or a stop sign
adherence on private property? Responding to Mr. Holden, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that she
did not know.
Mr. Holden stated that he would note that personally he has read that speed bumps, humps or
cushions aren’t necessarily as effective as people would like. People often times drive faster or at
the same speed and potentially cause damage to the vehicles or others. As noted by Public Works
and the Fire Marshal’s comments, there are concerns over heavier vehicles having to travel over
them. He understands that the intent is to cut a swath through the speed bump so those larger
vehicles have a travelway so their wheels don’t go over the rise in elevation. We aren’t always so
lucky that we can travel right where we want to travel. He would also point out that it seems like
lines 26 and 54 remove the prohibition in fire lanes which the Fire Marshal did not want them in
fire lanes. He is struck by the fact that we have two of the City’s agencies saying we don’t want
them and we might have two private entities requesting them. In his view, he thinks there is
some time that needs to be spent on either a further look and maybe cleaning up the Ordinance if
we really think this is a good idea to prohibit them in the fire lanes. Fire lanes are a certain
percentage of the building that has to have access by the Fire Company but doesn’t mean that the
Fire Company is not going to utilize the other travelways. This is the same for an ambulance, a
trash truck or for snow removal. He doesn’t think it’s so easy or so clean. It also seems like this
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allows them by removing the prohibition in fire lanes. It seems to him that there are a lot of
questions left to be addressed for an issue that doesn’t seem like it’s an emergency issue.
Mr. Baldwin stated with the speed bumps and humps, he has seen incidents where people have
damaged their automobiles because the car bottomed out. Sometimes it crushes the muffler or
even cause the muffler to become detached because it caught on the hump when the vehicle
bottomed out. Are the private property owners going to be responsible for those damages?
Responding to Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that she isn’t sure where the liability
lies between the private property owner and the visitor to the site. It’s not something that the City
would be in the mix for.
Mr. Tolbert stated that usually the under carriage of the vehicle is not so low as to come in
contact with the bump or cushion unless something is wrong with the vehicle and it has
something hanging. Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Baldwin stated that is depends on what they
are driving.
Mr. Tolbert opened a public hearing and after seeing no one wishing to speak, he closed the
public hearing.
Mr. Holden moved to recommend denial to City Council for MI-16-05 Text Amendments: Speed
Bumps, Speed Cushions and Speed Humps as written but to re-visit the need and the language if
there is a thought that these are a necessary item to allow, seconded by Ms. Still and the motion
was unanimously carried 7-0 by roll call vote with Mr. Cregar absent. Mr. Holden voting yes,
for the reasons previously stated. Colonel Welsh voting yes, for reasons previously stated. Mr.
Holt voting yes, for the reasons previously stated. Mr. Baldwin voting yes; there are too many
unanswered questions. Dr. Jones voting yes, for reasons previously stated and a need has not
really been established by significant numbers. Ms. Still voting yes, for the reasons previously
stated and she too has unanswered safety issues that don’t seem to have been addressed by the
current language Mr. Tolbert voting yes, even though he does have concerns. It’s one of those
issues that can be difficult to address.
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FINAL READING
CITY OF DOVER PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2016-09
WITH COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/SAFETY ADVISORY AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AMENDMENT #1 (CCW/SA&T#1)
(CCW/SA&T Committee Amendment Indicated in Yellow Highlight)
1 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL
2 MET:
3 That Chapter 98 - Streets, Sidewalks, Storm Sewers and Other Public Places, Article I. - In General, Section
4 98-10 - Speed Reduction Devices of the Dover Code be amended by deleting the text indicated in red
5 strikeout and inserting the bold, blue text, as follows:
6 Sec. 98-10. - Speed reduction devices.
7 (a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the
8 meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
9 meaning:
10 Speed bump shall mean a transverse hump, generally designed as a rounded, raised
11 pavement structure usually from two to six inches high and one to three feet from front to
12 back, set into the surface of a street, parking lot, or driveway to slow the traffic. Their
13 design generally dictates comfortable crossing speeds of five miles per hour or less so they
14 are usually appropriate only for use where vehicle speeds are typically the lowest to begin
15 with such as parking lots, private roads, and on some residential streets.
16 Speed cushion shall mean a speed hump with an unraised path for fire trucks and
17 ambulances through the hump. Speed cushions are devices designed as several small speed
18 humps installed across the width of the road with spaces between them. They are generally
19 installed in a series across a roadway resembling a split speed hump.
20 Speed hump shall mean a raised area in the pavement surface, usually from three to four
21 inches high and 10 to 12 feet from front to back, extending transversely across the travel
22 way. The purpose of the length of a speed hump is to allow the entire vehicle to be on the
23 hump at once before it descends the far side onto the pavement to reduce the likelihood
24 that a vehicle will “bottom out” when going over the speed hump. Speed humps are
25 typically applied to residential streets where speed limits do not exceed 25 miles per hour.
26 (b) Prohibited. Any device used as a means of speed reduction on any city or private street, drive,
27 parking lot, fire lane or any other driveable surface, which causes a change in elevation which may
28 result in emergency equipment having to reduce speed during a time of emergency, is prohibited.
29 (c) Permitted. Speed cushions may be installed on privately owned commercial property, at the
30 owner’s expense, following review by the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee and
31 approval by City Council. Any other type of speed reduction device on private commercial
32 property within the City is prohibited.
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Proposed Ordinance #2016-09 with CCW/SA&T#1- Chapter 98, Appendix A, and Appendix B - Speed Cushions Page 2
33 (d) Installation and Design standards. Installation and design standards for speed cushions shall
34 be in accordance with the Delaware Traffic Calming Design Manual.
35 (Code 1981, § 7-4; Ord. of 5-26-1998)
36 BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED:
37 That Appendix A - Subdivisions, Article VI - Subdivision - General Requirements and Design Standards,
38 Section A - Streets, Paragraph 1 of the Dover Code be amended by deleting the text indicated in red strikeout
39 and inserting the bold, blue text, as follows:
40 A. - Streets.
41 1. The layout, character, extent, width, grade and location of proposed streets shall be established with due
42 regard to:
43 (a) Public convenience and safety.
44 (b) Proposed uses of the land to be served by said streets.
45 (c) Proper relation and connection with, continuation and projection of streets to adjacent areas; whether
46 these streets are existing, or proposed in another subdivision, in a neighborhood plan, in the
47 development plan, or in the official map, as approved or adopted by the commission. Where existing
48 or proposed streets are located on adjacent land, then the planning commission shall require street
49 extensions at points in which the commission determines are suitable for future connections to
50 adjacent developable lands on each side of the development.
51 (d) Topography and other land features.
52 (e) Speed bumps or dips for the purpose of slowing down traffic shall not be permitted on any
53 streets.
54 (e) Speed reduction devices on any city or private street, drive, parking lot, fire lane or any other
55 driveable surface, which causes a change in elevation which may result in emergency
56 equipment having to reduce speed during a time of emergency, is prohibited. Speed cushions
57 may be installed on privately owned commercial property, in accordance with Chapter 98 -
58 Streets, Sidewalks, Storm Sewers and Other Public Places, Article I. - In General, Section
59 98-10 - Speed Reduction Devices.
60 BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED:
61 That Appendix B - Zoning, Article 10 - Planning Commission, Section 2 - Site Development Plan Approval,
62 2.54 - Proposed Development of the Dover Code be amended by deleting the text indicated in red strikeout
63 and inserting the bold, blue text, as follows:
64 2.54 Proposed development.
65 (A) Existing buildings and other structures.
66 (B) Location and width of all proposed streets and rights-of-way. Speed bumps or speed dips for
67 the purpose of slowing down traffic on any street shall not be permitted.
68 (C) Location of all proposed structures, except one-family detached dwellings, and an indication
69 of the total number of dwelling units.
70 (D) Location and dimensions of all lot lines.
71 (E) Building setback lines on all lots.
72 (F) Location of all uses not requiring structures, including parks, playgrounds and other open space
73 areas.
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Proposed Ordinance #2016-09 with CCW/SA&T#1- Chapter 98, Appendix A, and Appendix B - Speed Cushions Page 3
74 (G) Location and plans for any outdoor signs.
75 (H) Location, direction, power and time of use for any proposed outdoor lighting.
76 (I) The location, size and arrangement of proposed sidewalks, driveways, loading areas, off-street
77 parking areas and other paved areas.
78 (J) Indication of the total amount of impervious surfaces and the development coverage.
79 (K) Any proposed changes in elevation of the site and elevations of all streets, parking areas, and
80 building foundations. The datum to which all elevations, including existing contour elevations,
81 refer shall be clearly indicated on the plan.
82 (L) Plans for surface drainage of the site. Such plans shall include stormwater run-off calculations
83 and shall show the proposed method of accommodating the anticipated run-off.
84 (M) Any proposed below-ground or above-ground utilities and any contemplated public
85 improvements, including road improvements, on or adjoining the property. Plans for such
86 utilities and improvements shall indicate whether the developer, the city, or other agency will
87 bear the financial responsibility for the construction, and which improvements are intended to
88 be dedicated to the city.
89 (N) Proposed grading, screening and other landscaping, including types and locations of proposed
90 street trees.
91 (O) Architectural elevation drawings or other graphic representations illustrating exterior building
92 characteristics of proposed buildings and/or building additions that would be visible from the
93 public right-of-way. Elevation drawings shall be drawn to scale and shall reflect major
94 architectural elements such as exterior surface materials, windows, doors, columns, and
95 wall-mounted signage. Elevation plans are intended to provide a general depiction of the
96 physical appearance, massing and scale of the proposed construction.
97 (P) Speed reduction devices on any city or private street, drive, parking lot, fire lane or any
98 other driveable surface, which causes a change in elevation which may result in
99 emergency equipment having to reduce speed during a time of emergency, is prohibited.
100 Speed cushions may be installed on privately owned commercial property, in accordance
101 with Chapter 98 - Streets, Sidewalks, Storm Sewers and Other Public Places, Article I.
102 - In General, Section 98-10 - Speed Reduction Devices.
103 ADOPTED: *
104 S:\ORDINANCES\2016\DRAFT\ORDINANCE #2016-09 CH 98 SPEED REDUCTION DEVICES\Proposed Ordinance #2016-09 w CCW-SA&T#1 - Ch 98, App A, and App B-Final Reading.wpd
105 SYNOPSIS
106 The proposed amendments would permit speed cushions on privately owned commercial property.
107 (SPONSORS: HOSFELT AND COLE)
108 Actions History
109 06/13/2016 - Scheduled for Public Hearing/Final Reading - City Council
110 05/16/2016 - Public Hearing - Planning Commission
111 04/11/2016 - First Reading/Referral - City Council
112 03/29/2016 - Introduction - Council Committee of the Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting
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ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: City Council
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Planning & Inspections DATE SUBMITTED: May 27, 2016
PREPARED BY: Dawn Melson-Williams, Principal Planner and Ann Marie Townshend, Director
SUBJECT: 90 Saulsbury Road Clubhouse & Pool for The Grande: Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior
Citizen Housing Option (PND-SCHO) Concept Plan (General Sketch Plan) MI-16-09
REFERENCE:
RELATED PROJECTS:
MI-03-02 City Council Review of Fountain View PND – SCHO; C-03-08 Planning Commission
Review of Fountain View PND – SCHO; C-06-02 Planning Commission Review of Revised DoveView
(formerly Fountain View) PND – SCHO;
Z-11-03 Rezoning of Lands at 101-405 DoveView Drive from IO to RG-5;
S-11-12 Planning Commission Review of Site Development Plan for The Grande (formerly DoveView);
MI-14-06 City Council Review of The Grande: Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing
Option (PND-SCHO); C-15-04 The Grande, Building 4: Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior
Citizen Housing Option (PND-SCHO)
APPROVALS: N/A
EXHIBITS:
Statement of Compliance with Comprehensive Plan dated May 24, 2016 from Northpoint Engineering
Sketch Plan for 90 Saulsbury Road Clubhouse & Pool for the Grande: Planned Neighborhood Design –
Senior Citizen Housing Option (dated May 24, 2016)
Reference Document: Exhibit Plan of Conditional Use Site Plan C-15-04 The Grande, Building 4: PND-
SCHO
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: N/A AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): N/A
TIMETABLE: The Planned Neighborhood Design option review process consists of at least two review steps
which involve City Council and then the Planning Commission. This is the first of the steps.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City Council shall determine whether or not the proposed project known as 90 Saulsbury Road Clubhouse
& Pool for The Grande: Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Option is of such a
design and type that warrants further review by the Planning Commission. If Council determines that further
review is warranted, the project should be referred to the Planning Commission. Staff recommends that City
Council forward the plan to the Planning Commission for review.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Existing Conditions and Recent Application C-15-04:
The site of The Grande is located northwest of the intersection of Saulsbury Road and Forrest Avenue.
The property consists of 6.7326± acres of land. Currently, there are three 4-story buildings existing on the
site, each with 48 apartment units. These 144 apartment units are managed as a 55+ community. In
December 2015, a Conditional Use Site Plan Application C-15-04 was approved by the Planning
Commission to add The Grande Building 4 at the site and to establish the apartment complex as a Planned
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Neighborhood Design development of Senior Citizen Housing. With the proposed addition of a four story
62,240 SF apartment building of 48 units (Building 4), the complex will consist of a total of 192
apartment units of Senior Housing. The project for Building 4 is in the Check Print Review process
working to finalize the Site Plan and achieve agency approvals as required prior to the commencement of
construction activities.
Previous Applications:
This site has been reviewed under a number of development applications during the last decade. Initially,
the senior citizen apartments were planned as part of a Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen
Housing Option (PND-SCHO) known as Fountain View. City Council reviewed the sketch plan for that
project in February 2003 and forwarded it to the Planning Commission for further review. A Conditional
Use Site Plan (C-03-08) was submitted to the Planning Commission to allow for five (5) buildings with a
total of 240 units of senior citizen apartments. As the plan evolved, it was reduced to 192 units within four
(4) buildings and resubmitted to the Planning Commission for review, still as a PND-SCHO project with
Application C-06-02. This Conditional Use Site Plan C-06-02 was finalized, and Building Permits were
issued for the first two buildings. These buildings were abandoned for several years in a state of partial
completion, and ultimately were acquired by Sun Bank. Sun Bank applied for a rezoning of the property
from IO (Institutional and Office) to RG-5 (General Residence Zone for Mid-Rise Apartments). City
Council approved this rezoning request (Z-11-03) in April 2011. The property was subsequently
transferred to Doveview Investors, LLC and they submitted a Site Development Plan S-11-12 which
allowed for completion of the two partially-complete buildings and construction of a third building
utilizing the RG-5 (General Residence for Mid-Rise Apartments Zone) zoning. Application S-11-12 was
not reviewed as a PND-SCHO and therefore was not required to be age-restricted as part of the City
process.
The three buildings on the site were completed and are occupied on the site. In 2014-2015, the property
owner filed new Applications to continue development of a fourth apartment building utilizing the
Planned Neighborhood Development – Senior Citizen Housing Option. City Council reviewed the sketch
plan for the project in April 2014 and forwarded it to the Planning Commission for further review (MI-14-
06). Continuing the review process, the Conditional Use Site Plan (C-15-04) for the project called The
Grande, Building 4: PND-SCHO was granted conditional approval by the Planning Commission in
December 2015.
CURRENT PROPOSAL:
The applicant is proposing to development the adjacent property at 90 Saulsbury Road to construct a
Clubhouse & Pool to serve The Grande: Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Option.
The subject property with frontage on Saulsbury Road is zoned C-2A (Limited Central Commercial Zone)
and is subject to the COZ-1 (Corridor Overlay Zone).
The use of the property for a clubhouse and pool is not an allowable use in the C-2A; however, the uses
may be considered through a Conditional Use process as specifically associated with a Planned
Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Option. As the proposal was not part of the original
proposal for The Grande PND-SCHO, it is required to restart the application process for the PND-SCHO.
The first step in this process is submission of a General Sketch Plan to City Council. If referred to the
Planning Commission, the applicant will submit a Conditional Use Site Plan for the PND-SCHO project
to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. See attached Sketch Plan for 90 Saulsbury Road and an
Exhibit Plan of The Grande project.
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Planned Neighborhood Design: Senior Citizen Housing Option:
The applicant is seeking approval under the Planned Neighborhood Design Ordinance for the
Senior Citizen Housing Option (see Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Section 24.1 (b)). The
Ordinance sets forth a two or three-step review and approval process. In the first step, the
developer shall meet with the City Council and present a general sketch plan. The City Council
shall determine whether or not the proposed project is of such a design and type that warrants
further review by the Planning Commission.
If City Council determines that further review is warranted, then the project shall proceed to the
second step which is a more detailed Conditional Use Site Plan review and public hearing process
before the Planning Commission. A third review step with the Planning Commission may be
required depending on the type, physical size, and complexity of the project application. For this
proposed plan, there are only two steps required. This submission to City Council represents the
first step in the review process for the 90 Saulsbury Road Clubhouse & Pool for The Grande PND-
SCHO.
The PND: Senior Citizen Housing Option is permitted all zoning classifications (with the
exception of the M, IPM and C-4 zoning classifications) as a conditional use. Article 3 §24.1b
notes that “preference shall be given to those projects which are within close proximity to public
transit services and which are situated within one-quarter (1/4) mile of a grocery store, pharmacy,
restaurant, physician offices, senior center or similar convenience service establishment.” The
PND: Senior Citizen Housing Option is intended to “…encourage the development of high quality
housing opportunities design to accommodate the particular needs of senior citizens” by allowing
the Planned Neighborhood Design Option through the Conditional Use process. The PND must
present a community design that is in accordance with the goals and policies of the
Comprehensive Plan. The Sketch Plan shall reflect general layout of streets, open space, and
housing areas and types.
Comprehensive Plan Recommendations
The City of Dover 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended designates this property at 90 Saulsbury Road
with the land use classification of Commercial as per Map 12-1: Land Development Plan (as amended
thru 3/14/2016). The adjacent property where The Grande apartment complex exists is identified in the
Comprehensive Plan to be utilized for Residential High Density development. As described in the
Comprehensive Plan, High Density involves a development pattern of eight or more dwelling units (page
147-148). The Grande, under Application C-15-04 plan was conditionally approved at a site density of
28.5 dwelling units per acre.
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan also establishes stated goals for various types of land uses within the City
limits. The goals, policies, and recommendation for Commercial Land Uses is described on pages 150-
152 of the Comprehensive Plan. This site is near the Route 8 corridor which is a commercial corridor. The
stated goal for Commercial Land Uses is “to maintain and improve the City’s position as a regional
commercial center, while providing its citizens convenient access to needed goods and services through
well designed and spaces community and neighborhood commercial centers.” The Comprehensive Plan
notes the increasing commercial development pressure along the Route 8 corridor. It also notes the roles
the Corridor Overlay Zone (COZ-1 zoning district) and the Delaware 8 Concept Plan and Operations
Study by the Dover/Kent County MPO play in the design of development along the corridor.
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The stated goal from the Comprehensive Plan for Residential Land Uses is “to develop and maintain an
adequate supply of housing of varying type, size, and densities that are aesthetically pleasing and located
within neighborhoods designed or redesigned to promote convenience, conservation, and access to the
greater community, but which are properly buffered through distance and landscaping from incompatible
land uses.”
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan also acknowledges the fact that the residents aged 65+ is a rapidly
growing segment of the population that will require more specialized services (page 23). This trend was
also identified in previous Comprehensive Plans and in response, a previous Comprehensive Plan
implementation strategy recommended the development of a Zoning Code amendment permitting Senior
Citizen housing developments near the community services and transit routes that senior citizens depend
upon. As a result, the Planned Neighborhood Design: Senior Citizen Housing Option Ordinance was
developed and adopted by City Council on July 14, 1997.
SUMMARY COMMENTS
It is important to keep in mind that this proposal does not involve a rezoning of the land. The Planned
Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Option is plan specific. The land at 90 Saulsbury Road
would remain zoned C-2A (Limited Central Commercial Zone) and subject to the COZ-1 (Corridor
Overlay Zone).
The Planning Staff recommends this Sketch Plan for 90 Saulsbury Road Clubhouse & Pool for The
Grande: PND-SCHO be forwarded to the Planning Commission for further review and consideration
through the Conditional Use process. It is important to note that this report provides a summary of the
project and does not represent Site Plan review commentary. A detailed Site Plan review for code
compliance and design considerations is performed through the Conditional Use Site Plan Review process
for a Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Options.
Advisory Comments to Applicant:
Should City Council choose to forward this proposal on to the Planning Commission for Conditional Use
review, the applicant shall prepare the Conditional Use Site Plan submission in accordance with the
requirements set forth in Article 3, Section 24 and Article 10, Section 1 of the City of Dover Zoning
Ordinance. The act of forwarding a proposal to the Planning Commission for further review is not
intended to represent, nor shall it be construed to mean that the project is approved. The approval
authority over Conditional Use applications rests with the Planning Commission.
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May 24, 2016
90 Saulsbury Road
Compliance with Goals of the Comprehensive Plan
The proposed development of this parcel, construction of a clubhouse and outdoor pool, is
intended to provide the residents of the adjacent The Grande apartment complex with
additional amenities solely for their use, as they have expressed a desire to have their own
pool and clubhouse facility. This site will be annexed to The Grande apartment property.
The proposed facility will not be open to the public, only to the residents of The Grande. A
connecting walkway will provide handicap accessible walking and golf cart access to the site.
The zoning of this parcel is C-2A – Limited central commercial zone. The site will be
developed under the Planned Neighborhood Design – Senior Citizen Housing Option
requirements and the Corridor Overlay requirements.
The development of this site is in accordance with the goals of the current comprehensive
plan as it will provide additional amenities and open space for the residents of The Grande
without increasing traffic to the site by providing an interconnection between the properties
without creating additional traffic on the adjacent roadways.
Site landscaping will provide screening for the clubhouse building and the pool and the
proposed vegetation will help to improve air quality. The green space adjacent to the
proposed impervious areas will also provide filtration of the runoff from the impervious areas
prior to entering the existing biofiltration swale and then the existing storm drain system.
102 Larch Circle, Suite 203 Newport, Delaware 19804 phone: 302-992-9881 fax: 302-658-0618
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Office of City Assessor
June 13, 2016
Página 212
Board of Assessment Appeals
May 23, 2016
The Board of Assessment Appeals was brought to order by Chairman Garfinkel.
Board Members present were: Chairman William Garfinkel, Tom Burns and James Galvin.
Staff present was City Assessor Cheryl A. Bundek and Administrative Assistant Annette Hart.
Exemptions
2.A. Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity
Locations: Exempt Request:
67 S. Queen St. $13,800
18 S. Queen St. $0 (already exempt)
47 S. Kirkwood St. $11,900
27 N. New St. $13,100
24 N. New St. $0 (already exempt)
20 N. New St. $47,600
101 S. Queen St. $13,400
16 S. Queen St. $0 (already exempt)
45 S. Queen St. $11,900
19 N. New St. $75,500
23 N. Kirkwood St. $10,000
53 S. New St. $47,500
223 W. Division St. $0 (already exempt)
50 S. Governors Ave. $102,500
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
An exemption request for the above referenced properties was submitted to the Assessor’s
Office.
These properties are being renovated for low-income families to provide an affordable mortgage.
Once these properties are complete and the ownership is transferred, they will be added back to
the tax rolls. (As a supplemental billing)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Recommend that the request for exemption be approved.
Mr. Gallo, Executive Director, was present for the meeting.
He told the board that Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is seeking tax exemption for some
dilapidated properties the organization purchased, which will be rebuilt and sold to low income
families. He also pointed out that with these projects the city streets will be revitalized, therefore
bringing in more taxes. Mr. Burns asked how long this process usually takes, Mr. Gallo replied
that the process from purchasing to selling usually takes no more than a year.
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Mr. Burns asked how the organization is able to afford all of these projects. Mr. Gallo explained
that they received funds from different organizations.
Mr. Burns asked the Assessor what her opinion was, Mrs. Bundek replied that the organization
had been working with the city for a while now and that the city is aware that the properties will
eventually go back onto the tax roll.
Mr. Galvin made the motion to approve the exempt request for items 1-12 and 14 on the agenda.
Mr. Burns seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Chairman Garfinkle brought everybody’s attention to 223 W. Division Street, which had been
approved for the exempt status by the board a year ago and was to be revisited by the Board of
Assessment Appeal in 2016. He asked Mr. Gallo to tell the board what the current status of that
property is.
Mr. Gallo informed the board members that this building is to be used as an affiliate office for
the organization, which would bring them closer to downtown Dover. He mentioned that he is
waiting to find out if enough funding for this office has been generated. As soon as the funding is
available the building will be converted into office space for Central Habitat for Humanity,
which would allow for a closer contact with the community.
Chairman Garfinkel mentioned an organization that appeared before the board the year prior,
requesting the exempt status for properties that were to be rented and that the Board of
Assessment Appeals denied the request as did City Council at the council meeting at a later
council meeting, due to the fact that these properties were going to be used as income properties.
Mr. Gallo assured that the building would only be used by the Habitat and that none of the
offices would be rented out.
Mr. Burns inquired about NCALL(National Council on Agriculture Live & Labor Research
Fund Inc.), which is another agency similar to the Habitat organization. He asked the Assessor if
properties held by this organization are also exempt from taxes.
After making a call to the office, the Assessor assured that the property held by NCALL is
exempt.
Chairman Garfinkel informed Mr. Gallo that he does not see a problem granting the exemption,
as long as the building is not going to be rented out.
Mr. Gallo assured the Board that the building will only use by his organization. He went on to
explain that if he is not able to convert the building within the next couple of years, he will try to
sell it, which will put the property back on the tax rolls.
Mr. Burns made the motion to accept the exempt request for 223 W. Division Street with the
prevision, that the building will only be used for office space for the organization.
Mr. Galvin seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
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Mrs. Bundek informed the appellant, that the City Council has the final decision and that a
certified letter with the date of the Council Hearing would be mailed.
2.B. Whatcoat Community Development Inc.
Location: Exempt Request:
992 Whatcoat Village Dr. $4,186,800
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
An exemption request was submitted to the Assessor’s Office.
This property has been under this ownership since 1970. They are currently paying property tax
to the City of Dover
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommend that the request for exemption be reviewed.
Present for the meeting were:
Christopher Lamb Esq., attorney for the property owner
Vandana Sareen, VP of the Development for The Michaels Organization
Kara Velez, Community Manager for Whatcoat Village Apartments
Mr. Hill and Mr. Adams, Representing Whatcoat Community Development Inc.
Mr. Lamb started by informing the Board of Assessment Appeals where the property is located.
He went on to let the board know that the current owner is Whatcoat Community Development
Inc. which is a 501(c)(3) organization and had been incorporated in 1970.
Mr. Lamb went to read the purpose of the organization:
“The corporation is hereby organized, exclusively for a charitable and religious purpose, and the
Business and object to be carried on and prompted by it is to provide, on a non-profit basis,
Housing for low and moderate income families and families in need of housing where no
adequate housing exists for groups, pursuant to Section 236 of the National Housing Act.”
The attorney explained that the property consists of 78 rent restricted, family apartment units and
that 57 units are subsidized by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). He also mentioned that
DSHA (Delaware State Housing Authority) and HUD regulate the properties and that tenants are
mostly minorities and very low income and that the property qualifies for the exemption under 9
Del. C. § 102-182.
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Per Mr. Lamb, the property is in need of substantial renovations, costing a lot of money.
Therefore, the property would not be able to carry the full tax load. He also explained that the
owner realizes the burden the property is putting onto the city and is therefore offering to enter
into a $9,000 PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) with the City of Dover. This offer has also been
extended to Kent County for $10,000.
It was also explained that the property, because of its nature, is eligible for tax credits. These
credits are sold to Investors; this money is then used to do this substantial renovation.
Ms. Sareen pointed out that under the low income tax credit all units would be subsidized units,
meaning by law the income of the residence should be 60% below national average, however the
property owner has committed to have the average income at 35% of the median income in Kent
County Delaware, which would mean the yearly income per family would be approximately
between $15,000 to $20,000.
Mr. Burns asked if the property is currently paying taxes and how much those are, since the city
would be losing those taxes for a long time to come.
The Assessor told the board that the current taxes are approximately $16,000.
Mr. Lamb expressed that he is hoping the $9,000 PILOT will be accepted by the city as they do
not want to be a burden.
Mr. Burns asked the Assessor what her recommendations are?
Mrs. Bundek replied that based on the City Solicitors recommendations, the property should be
granted the exemption.
Mr. Burns made the motion to approve the exempt request with the recommendation that the city
manager give the offered PILOT serious consideration.
Mr. Galvin seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Mrs. Bundek informed the appellant that the City Council was the final decision and that a
certified letter with the date of the Council Hearing would be mailed.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:47 A.M.
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Monthly Report
April 2016
Office of City Assessor
Página 217
ASSESSOR’S REPORT
Number of Deeds Stamped for Transfer Tax Dollar Amount for
the Month of April 2015/2016 the Month of April 2015/2016
29 $200
30 $147
Thousands
25 19 20
20 14 15 13
15 $100 $19
5 $27 $37 $16 $2 $1
10 1 2 1 2015 $7 2015
5 $0
0 2016 2016
First Time Buyer for the Month April 2015/2016 Realty
of April 2015/2016 PropertySales in Dollars
19 Received Prior to Recording
20
14 15 $10
13 $10
15 Res. Non‐First
Millions
Time Buyers $5 $2$1 $3 $2
10 $0 $0 $0
2015
Res. First Time $0
5 Buyers 2016
0
2015 2016
Major Updates
February ‐16 March ‐ 16 April ‐ 16
Assessment Change $449,400 ‐$542,400 $1,815,900
Residential Sales Ratio Report
Sales in Study Total Assessed Total Sale Price Ratio PRD
Value
23 $3,278,500 $3,452,925 0.94 1.09
Página 218
ASSESSOR’S REPORT
Ratio – Assessed Value divided by Sale Price.
PRD – Mean – A PRD above 1.03 tends to indicate assessment regressivity – high valued properties are under
appraised relative to low valued properties. A PRD below .98 tends to indicate assessment progressivity – high
valued properties are relatively over appraised.
Points of Interest
Scanning & Filing
‐ All new deeds are being scanned and attached to the CAMA software for easy retrieval.
‐ All appeal documents and correspondence are being scanned and attached to the CAMA software for
easy retrieval.
‐ All old property record cards are being scanned and indexed into Fortis.
Assessor’s Office
Supplemental Billing
‐ April Supplemental bills went out totaling $5,984.49
Appeals
‐ Posted Assessment Register on the web, in City Hall, Dover Library and Assessor’s Office.
‐ Appeals submitted by the April 29, 2016 deadline:
Commercial: 3
Residential: 4
Exemption Request: 14
Página 219
MAY 17, 2016 CITY OF DOVER PAGE: 1
11:55 AM SALES RATIO REPORT CA324
PARID NBHD LUC ADDRESS UNITS STYLE YRBLT STORIES SFLA GRADE CDU TOTAL APPR SALE DT PRICE ASR
ED05-067.14-01-38.00 3 R10 132 BALTUSROL RD 1 5 1973 2 2220 C+ AV 198,800 26-APR-16 220,000 .90
ED05-067.17-04-45.00 3 R10 16 ARBOR DR 1 6 1993 2 2166 B- AV 188,100 11-APR-16 209,850 .90
ED05-067.19-03-18.00 17 R10 735 BICENTENNIAL BLVD 1 3 1987 1 2027 B- AV 204,100 18-APR-16 215,000 .95
ED05-068.10-03-81.00 13 R10 936 MCDOWELL DR 1 16 1967 1 1680 C GD 134,800 15-APR-16 139,900 .96
ED05-068.14-03-13.00 13 R10 1231 HARRISON DR 1 5 1964 2 1524 C+ AV 125,200 26-APR-16 138,600 .90
ED05-068.15-05-15.00 6 R10 209 TEA PARTY TRL 1 13 2011 2 1912 B- AV 151,800 29-APR-16 162,000 .94
ED05-076.03-02-83.00 14 R10 328 TRIBBITT ST 1 13 2014 2 1396 C+ AV 118,200 29-APR-16 145,000 .82
ED05-076.05-07-34.00 3 R10 221 PEBBLE VALLEY DR 1 5 1995 2 2276 B+ AV 208,100 05-APR-16 269,000 .77
ED05-076.06-01-29.00 103 R50 10 CHASE HALL 1 20 1973 1 1730 B GD 101,100 18-APR-16 110,000 .92
ED05-076.06-01-48.00 103 R50 5 ESSEX HALL 1 20 1973 1 794 B GD 56,800 27-APR-16 54,000 1.05
ED05-076.06-03-21.00- 17 R10 254 GREEN BLADE DR 1 13 1983 2 1120 C AV 84,500 22-APR-16 85,000 .99
Página 220
MAY 17, 2016 CITY OF DOVER PAGE: 2
11:55 AM SALES RATIO REPORT CA324
PARID NBHD LUC ADDRESS UNITS STYLE YRBLT STORIES SFLA GRADE CDU TOTAL APPR SALE DT PRICE ASR
001
ED05-076.06-08-36.00 17 R10 137 PERIWINKLE DR 1 13 1994 2 1112 C+ AV 100,100 27-APR-16 121,000 .83
ED05-076.07-02-04.00 17 R10 751 BICENTENNIAL BLVD 1 3 1994 1 1970 B- AV 199,200 19-APR-16 200,000 1
ED05-076.13-04-05.00 14 R10 226 NORTHDOWN DR 1 13 1999 2 1364 C+ AV 118,600 01-APR-16 109,000 1.09
ED05-076.20-02-30.00 12 R10 1128 YEARSLEY DR 1 16 1963 1 1704 C+ AV 143,000 18-APR-16 110,000 1.3
ED05-077.05-02-10.00 8 R10 160 PENNSYLVANIA AVE 1 5 1933 2 2612 B+ AV 219,600 21-APR-16 242,500 .91
ED05-077.07-01-16.00 6 R10 167 HOLMES ST 1 13 2003 2 1440 C AV 118,700 22-APR-16 129,900 .91
ED05-077.09-04-65.00 8 R10 305 S GOVERNORS AVE 1 1 1849 2 3394 C+ AV 195,100 11-APR-16 200,000 .98
ED05-077.11-04-68.00 2 R10 449 BARRISTER PL 1 13 1972 2 1224 D+ FR 48,300 13-APR-16 58,000 .83
ED05-077.17-03-13.00 4 R10 1036 S BRADFORD ST 1 14 196