Este texto se extrajo de el PDF de forma automática y puede contener errores. El PDF es el registro oficial, así que consúltelo antes de confiar en esto.
Página 1
PARKS, RECREATION, AND
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on
August 12, 2013, at 12:02 p.m. with Chairman Dixon presiding. Members present were
Mr. Caldwell and Mrs. Horsey. Mr. Perza and Mrs. Williams were absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Caldwell moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and
unanimously carried.
Amendment to the 2013 Community Development Action Plan
Mrs. Tracey Harvey, Planner I, reminded members that the 2013 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Action Plan was approved with an estimated allocation due to having not received
the actual grant allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
until May 29, 2013. This was after the City’s submission deadline of May 15th for the Action Plan.
She stated that the estimated allocation anticipated a 5% reduction in funding from the prior year,
based on the guidance provided by HUD. The CDBG program was not cut as anticipated; therefore,
the actual allocation exceeded the estimate used to develop the Action Plan. She advised members
that the difference between the estimated HUD allocation and anticipated program income used to
develop the Action Plan ($223,563) and the actual allocation ($244,815) was $21,252. She
explained that the additional funding should be allocated among the funded projects, which would
result in an amendment to the Action Plan.
Staff recommended increasing the funding for Program Administration to 20% of the allocation and
dividing the remainder of the funding among the FY 2013 projects, excluding those projects that
were fully funded, as follows:
CDBG FY2013 Current Recommended Recommended
Funded Projects Funding Level Increase Funding Level
Program Administration $44,713 $ 4,250 $48,963
NCALL Research $ 6,034 $ 2,900 $ 8,934
MHDC Homeowner Rehab $32,658 $ 7,051 $39,709
Elizabeth W. Murphey School $32,658 $ 7,051 $39,709
Total $21,252
Mrs. Horsey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by
Mr. Caldwell and unanimously carried.
Semi-Annual Review - Statistics Regarding Jobs and Businesses Gained and Lost in the City
of Dover Since July 2012
Mr. William Neaton, Economic Development Director, reviewed the semi-annual report of
employment statistics for the 15 largest employers in the Dover area and reminded members that this
information is updated and presented to members on a semi-annual basis. The report provided
statistics regarding jobs and businesses gained and lost in the City of Dover since July 2012.
Página 2
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2013 PAGE 2
Mr. Neaton noted that Bayhealth Medical Center (Kent General and Milford) was the premier
healthcare provider in central Delaware and the second largest healthcare system in Delaware. He
stated that as a result of its continued growth, Bayhealth now had over 3,200 employees. In addition
to hiring additional employees, he advised members that Kent General Hospital created a “fit out”
plan for the shell space on the fourth floor of their new building to increase the number of available
beds. Mr. Neaton indicated that gross patient revenue was expected to be close to $1B and net
patient revenue was expected to be approximately $500M.
As mentioned previously, Mr. Neaton explained that the decrease in the number of permanent
employees of the Hotel and Casino at Dover Downs was the result of competition from surrounding
states that had recently approved legalized gambling.
Mr. Neaton advised members that the increase in employees at Kraft Foods was the result of their
securing Kool-Aid operations in Dover.
Mr. Neaton stated that a few large, future employers would be coming to Dover, noting that Dick’s
Sporting Goods was expected to open in October/November 2013 at the Dover Mall, and the Green
Turtle was currently renovating a building and would add approximately 60-70 new part-time and
full-time jobs, once opened. He also informed members that the final authorization for the sale of
Lot #12 at the Garrison Oak Technical Park (GOTP), for a manufacturing facility, was scheduled for
consideration by City Council at their meeting being held later in the evening.
Mr. Caldwell noted that concerns were relayed during the last report regarding several large
commercial buildings being vacant in the City of Dover. Responding, Mr. Neaton indicated that
there had been no changes in regard to this issue. However, he stated that City Council had
authorized an incentive for vacant buildings which would allow tax abatement over a ten (10) year
period when a certain amount of money is put into a building for improvements. In addition, he
stated that the City had the ability to abate 50% of permitting and impact fees. He stated that he
meets with commercial realtors on a regular basis and assured members that they are working hard
to fill these buildings.
In response to Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Neaton noted that there was an 80% fill rate in the buildings
located in the downtown area. In regard to the approximately 300 jobs starting up within the City
limits that was reported at the last review, Mr. Neaton stated that these were construction jobs for
the Calpine Project and that the minutes of the meeting reflected a $3M to $4M project; however,
he stated that the Calpine Project is actually a $300M project. He indicated that this project was
currently undergoing active construction and that he recently took executives from the DuPont
Company on a tour of the Dover SunPark and to the construction site.
Mr. Caldwell noted that it was previously reported that the ILC Company moved its facilities to
Sussex County and questioned why. Responding, Mr. Neaton indicated that the primary reason was
that relocation reduced the cost of the facility by one-half. He assured members that the move was
not due to tax or utility rates, which he stated were very good in the City of Dover.
Página 3
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2013 PAGE 3
Responding to Mr. Dixon, Mr. Neaton explained that the City of Dover had active code enforcement
for vacant properties. Elaborating, Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and
Community Development, confirmed that a City employee was dedicated to vacant building issues.
She stated that his primary focus was monitoring the buildings, assuring payment of fees, and
registration and management of properties (for example, monitoring grass cutting and building
security).
With regard to concerns about the effect that an additional grocery store would have on Food Lion
in the Gateway West Shopping Center, Mr. Neaton felt confident that there was enough business on
the west side of Dover to accommodate two (2) grocery stores. He noted that Redner’s is a new
grocery store, located at the Greentree Shopping Center.
Mrs. Horsey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Caldwell and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 12:29 p.m.
Wallace R. Dixon
Chairman
WRD/MK/jg/js/dd/tm
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS\Committee-Minutes\2013\08-12-2013 PR&CE.wpd