CCW Minutes

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Council Committee of the Whole Meeting was held by video conference on May 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., with Council President Sudler presiding. Members of the Council present via video were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Neil, Dr. Pillsbury, Mrs. Arndt, Mr. Rocha, and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Hare was absent. Mayor Christiansen was also present via phone. Civilian members present for ethics training and their committee meetings were Chanda Jackson and James Hosfelt, (Safety Advisory and Transportation), and Mr. Contant (Legislative, Finance, and Administration). Michael Lewis (Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement), Dana Shelton and LaVaughn McCutcheon (Utility), and Daniel Shevock (Legislative, Finance, and Administration) were absent. COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Adoption of Agenda Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Arndt and unanimously carried. Ethics Training Ms. Deborah Moreau, Commission Counsel, Delaware Public Integrity Commission, reviewed a presentation entitled "Ethics in Government." LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE The Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee met with Chairman Anderson presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Sudler moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Authorization of the Purchase of a Ladder Truck to Replace Ladder 2 (Chief David Carey, Dover Fire Department) Chief David Carey, Dover Fire Department, reviewed the background and analysis regarding the purchase of an apparatus replacement for Ladder Truck 2. Staff recommended approval of the purchase to replace Ladder 2 for $1,948,312. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Carey stated the demo truck is similar to the needs of the department. Chief Carey explained the demo truck is in the queue to be built and can be modified to meet the needs of the department. Responding to Mr. Contant, Chief Carey stated some modifications to the demo truck would include the compartment sizes and the cross lays for the hose. Chief Carey explained by purchasing the demo truck now the Fire Department will get the truck they need, lock in a price, and payments would not begin until the fiscal year 2024. Responding to Mrs. Arndt, Chief Carey stated upon ordering the demo he could remove any unnecessary features that would possibly lower the price.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF MAY 24, 2022 PAGE 2 Responding to Mr. Boggerty, Chief Carey stated the Fire Department typically sells the old truck to smaller departments that have less call volume. Chief Carey explained the money made from the sale of the truck is used to purchase new equipment such as fans and air packs. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Chief Carey stated the Fire Department has spent approximately $70,000 dollars a year to maintain and keep the truck in service. Mr. Boggerty moved to recommend approval of the purchase to replace Ladder 2 for the amount of $1,948,312 and for the Fire Department to evaluate all options afforded to them. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Report on Police Substation in Downtown Dover (Chief Thomas Johnson, Dover Police Department) Chief Johnson, Dover Police Department, reviewed the background and analysis of the costs associated with adding a police substation in Downtown Dover versus additional staffing. Staff recommended increasing Police staffing to authorized strength to 111 from 106, the cost is $511,149.48 annually. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Boggerty agreed with Chief Johnson’s presentation that an increased police presence is beneficial for downtown in the form of more officers and not a police substation. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mayor Christiansen explained Council authorized five additional officers last fiscal year specifically to be in the community policing unit. Mayor Christiansen stated the mobile unit was on display at the law enforcement night out and other places in the community and is a holistic vehicle that is going to include the police department, behavioral health, Capital School District, and other entities in the community. Mayor Christiansen stated the Police Department is working in earnest with Council’s support. Mayor Christiansen explained police substations are outdated but additional police presence is the answer. He further explained the more eyes you have on the street, not only police, but civilians and people taking interest in what is going on in their community is the answer to the situations the City of Dover has come up against. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Chief Johnson stated he was also concerned with the ongoing confusion about the mission of the mobile mini station. Chief Johnson stated it is primarily assigned to, and the responsibility of, the community policing unit. Chief Johnson explained it is designed to be a community engagement vehicle, and it is not in most instances designed to be a crime-fighting tool. Chief Johnson further explained when the public sees the vehicle coming, the goal is for them to want to be attracted to it because of the services and individuals connected with that vehicle to connect them to needed resources and establish neighborhood relationships with policing them. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Chief Johnson stated the additional officers would be assigned to the downtown area, Loockerman Street Corridor, and adjacent neighborhoods. Chief Johnson explained for consistency, the overlay zone, of the Downtown Development District is the most logical way to assess how well it is functioning. Chief Johnson further explained proactive police work would be constitutionally conscious, still full of options for alternative solutions, but also in the vein of trying to address the street-level criminal behavior and quality of life problems plaguing both homeowners and merchants along the Loockerman Street Corridor. Chief Johnson stated the unit would consist of 5 officers assigned to the area to address

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF MAY 24, 2022 PAGE 3 anything to degrade the downtown area with proactive police behavior. Chief Johnson explained if the situation called for it, the new unit may partner with community policing for a combined approach, if necessary. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Chief Johnson stated the Police Department is prioritizing its projects, for example, they have reassigned the motorcycle unit to downtown. Chief Johnson explained by doing this there are fewer officers patrolling for traffic violations. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Chief Johnson stated if five officers were approved today the Department is in a hiring cycle to go through the summer for the fall academy. Chief Johnson explained the recruits would be sworn officers by January 2023 and would complete field training and be independent by March or April 2023. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Chief Johnson stated as of now police officers can only commit someone if they are a danger to themselves or others. Chief Johnson explained if the behavioral health unit were to respond the clinician could have a side dialogue with the citizen and they could accept a treatment plan or voluntary commitment. Mr. Boggerty suggested moving forward the vehicle should be called the community policing unit and not a mini mobile police substation. Mayor Christiansen stated to hire five new officers would cost $1.75 per hundred dollars of assessment to the entire community across the board. Mayor Christiansen suggested the new unit will be patrolling the downtown development district and Council should consider reinstating the Business Improvement District Assessment Tax. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Chief Johnson stated Dover Police Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Delaware State University to allow closer cooperation. Chief Johnson also stated conversations are also being had with Capital Police Department. Chief Johnson explained extra duty commitments such as Firefly both entities helped. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Johnson stated he has been reviewing legislation and lobbied to comment on several different pieces in recent weeks. Chief Johnson explained one piece is the victims’ services funding it is being cut at a federal level. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Johnson stated he envisions the new unit would be data-driven and focused on the Loockerman Street Corridor. Chief Johnson explained during evening and night the model may look different and branch to neighborhoods to improve quality of life and crime reduction. Responding to Mr. Contant, Chief Johnson stated he is currently looking to hire eight new recruits to fill vacancies. Responding to Mr. Contant, Mr. Hugg stated the budget deficit is roughly 7.5 million dollars. Mr. Hugg contributed the deficit to the general fund budget relying on a 10-million-dollar contribution from the electric fund to support operations. Mr. Hugg explained with the rising costs of energy and whole power costs there

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF MAY 24, 2022 PAGE 4 will only be a 5-million-dollar transfer from the electric fund in the Fiscal Year 23 budget. Mr. Hugg stated he would support Mayor Christiansen’s suggestion of alternative funding sources for the 5 police officers. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hugg stated at the budget hearing meetings next week the City Managers’ Office will propose adjustments to the purchase power cost item. Mr. Hugg explained there will be adjustments to the basic kilowatt charge and will be planning to do a new rate study or interim rate study for next year. Mr. Hugg further explained the wholesale energy cost has risen from 56 million dollars to 90- 95 million dollars. Responding to Mrs. Arndt, Chief Johnson stated a decision did not need to be made right now on the additional officers. Chief Johnson also stated interviews and offers of employment would last through July. Mr. Sudler stated he agreed with Mayor Christiansen and Mrs. Arndt that Council should consider alternate funding for the additional officers. Mr. Neil moved to defer increasing Police staffing to authorized strength to 111 from 106, cost is $511,149.48 annually to the budget hearings scheduled for May 31, 2022 and June 1, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Boggerty and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting, hearing no objection the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Roy Sudler Jr. Council President RS/re S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Committee-Minutes\TEMPLATES\CCW Minutes TEMPLATE.wpd