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CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, Delaware
AGENDA
THIS AGENDA AND PACKET HAVE BEEN REVISED BY ADDING SAFETY, ADVISORY,
AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING ITEM #2 – DISCUSSION – CAPITAL
SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY CONCERNS UPDATE (SEAN CHRISTIANSEN,
CAPITAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION, VICE PRESIDENT)
Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at the appropriate time. When
possible, please notify the City Clerk (302-736-7008 or email at cityclerk@dover.de.us) should you
wish to be recognized.
VIRTUAL MEETING NOTICE
This meeting will be held in City Hall Council Chambers with electronic access via
WebEx. Public participation information is as follows:
Dial: 1-650-479-3208
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2a7r64yv
Event number: 2537 517 4765
Event password: DOVER (if needed)
If you are new to WebEx, get the app now at https://www.webex.com/ to be ready when the meeting
starts.
CALL COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING TO ORDER
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
PRESENTATIONS
1. Citizen Problem Reporter - Council Dashboard Training (Sharon Duca, Assistant City
Manager)
(Committee Action Not Required)
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - November 26, 2024 PAGE 2
SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Discussion - Safety and Relationship Between City of Dover Police Department and
Delaware State University (James Overton, Vice President of Student Affairs and
Delaware State University Police Superintendent)
(Committee Action Not Required)
2. Discussion - Capital School District Community Concerns Update (Sean Christiansen,
Capital School District Board of Education, Vice President)
(Committee Action Not Required)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
MEETING
UTILITY COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Discussion - Stormwater Utility Billing Concerns (Sharon Duca, Assistant City Manager)
(Committee Action Not Required)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Dover Fire Department Volunteer Stipend (Chief David Carey and President Jason
Osika)
(Staff Recommendation: Approval of the volunteer stipend program)
2. Discussion - Amending Bond Council Requirements (Patricia Marney,
Controller/Treasurer)
(Staff Recommendation: Amendment of all city code requirements for public notice to
include modern communication tools)
3. Discussion - Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) (Patricia Marney,
Controller/Treasurer)
(Committee Action Not Required)
4. Proposed Ordinance #2024-32 – Abandoned Shopping Carts (David S. Hugg, III, City
Manager)
(Staff Recommendation: Forward Proposed Ordinance #2024-32 to council)
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - November 26, 2024 PAGE 3
5. "Campground of Hope" for the Unsheltered Population of the City of Dover ( Leandra
Marshall, Vice Chair, City of Dover Unsheltered Working Group)
(Committee Action Not Required)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MEETING
ADJOURNMENT OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
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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Item 1.
City of Dover
City Manager’s Office
PO Box 475
Dover DE 19903-0475
Phone: (302) 736-7005
E-Mail: sduca@dover.de.us
MEMORANDUM
To: Chairman Fred Neil
City Council and Council Committee Members
CC: David S. Hugg, III, City Manager
Patricia M. Marney, Controller / Treasurer
Andria Bennett, City Clerk
Mark Nowak, GISP, Public Works Director
Allison Haines, Interim Customer Service Director
Jason A. Lyon, P.E., Director of Water & Wastewater / Engineering Services
From: Sharon J. Duca, P.E., ICMA-CM, Assistant City Manager
Date: November 26, 2024
Subject: Discussion – Stormwater Utility Billing Concerns
On November 12, 2024, a discussion of Stormwater Utility billing concerns occurred at the Utility Committee
of the Council Committee of the Whole Meeting. During this discussion, Councilman Dr. Sudler moved that
the City Manager and supporting staff review the criteria for submitting a letter of interest for funding through
the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help the capital of Delaware address
the stormwater and sewer infrastructure need and provide the committee an update by the subsequent Utility
Committee meeting. Councilman Lewis seconded the motion.
Councilman Hare amended the motion to add having staff review the Wastewater Revolving Fund and the
electric reserve fund to determine the amount in each. Then, the council can hold a budget review with the
possibility of a budget amendment. Councilman Dr. Sudler and Councilman Lewis were amenable to the
amendment. The motion carried.
Based upon the above, staff conducted research on various aspects related to the Stormwater Utility. These
aspects are provided below.
Alternative Funding Options – Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant
On May 9, 2024, the EPA announced the availability of approximately $41 million in grants through the Sewer
Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) Program. The funding can be used for the planning,
designing and construction to address combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and
stormwater management projects. Grants will be awarded to the states, which will then provide sub-awards to
eligible entities for projects addressing CSOs, SSOs and stormwater management. (The City of Dover does not
have a combined sewer nor projects related to SSOs.) The program also has an added focus on funding projects
in rural and financially distressed communities while eliminating project cost share requirements for those
communities.
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Item 1.
Discussion – Stormwater Utility Billing Concerns
November 26, 2024
Page 2 of 3
In discussing this with representatives of the DNREC Environmental Finance group, City staff was informed
that every year, the State of Delaware is allocated a certain amount of funds from the Federal Government and
that they have not received their funding amount yet for this year. Regarding the OSG Program, the state is not
sure what amount will be provided to Delaware. It will, however, be a very competitive process as numerous
municipalities have already inquired about the status. City staff will continue to monitor this opportunity;
however, it is unclear at this point if any of our capital projects, which primarily address capacity, would qualify,
Alternative Funding Options – Wastewater Revolving Fund (Clean Water State Revolving Fund)
As noted above, the state receives funds from the Federal Government. This funding then goes into the Clean
Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) which focuses on clean water projects, wastewater and stormwater. (It
should be noted that there is not a Wastewater Revolving Fund and the CWSRF addresses wastewater and
stormwater.) After the State receives the money, they will dictate how much can be used for wastewater and
how much will be earmarked for stormwater. These funds will be allocated to be used as a loan, not a grant,
which would still require a revenue source. If there are funds for stormwater projects, they must be used for
green infrastructure improvements. While some of our projects could have a component of green infrastructure,
most of our stormwater projects are quantity based. In addition, funds from the CWSRF cannot be used for
operational expenses.
Alternative Funding Options – Electric Fund Transfers
Attachment A provides the current level of Restricted Reserve Balances for the Electric Fund. Included on this
sheet are the purpose and levels to be maintained for each. The Electric Utility requires sufficient reserves to
maintain and upgrade infrastructure, handle unexpected costs, and ensure reliable service. These levels have
been established based upon the advice of Bond Council (see Attachment B) and the City’s consultant and are
contained within the City of Dover Financial Policies. To deviate from this direction would require a change to
the Financial Policies regarding the reserves as well as transfer limitations. Limiting transfers to the General
Fund help ensure public accountability and transparency to the public regarding the management of the utility
and that electric rates are based upon the costs of supplying those services. A good bond rating also helps the
City to receive the best loan rates. Adjusting our Financial Policies can affect our bond rating and the interest
rate paid on a loan. City staff does not recommend deviating from these policies and if it were to be pursued, a
thorough evaluation by the City’s consultant should be performed which would also include consideration for
the increased costs experienced over the past five (5) years and how they affect current reserve levels.
Expense Reductions – Capital Investment Plan Review
Attachment C provides the Five (5) Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Stormwater as contained within the
FY25 Budget. The final plan made the effort to balance the projects across the period while taking into account
the utilization of Bond Bill funding in FY27. Attachment D provides additional detail on the FY25 CIP.
Looking at projects that require the use of City funds, that are not currently underway, the West Street Flooding
Improvements Project (a drainage issue that has been a cause for concern for many years) and the Vehicle Pole
Barn (a means to protect our stormwater vehicle investments) could be pushed out, resulting in a savings of
$425,000, realizing that when we can address them the prices will increase. In addition, the Meeting House
Branch project’s scope could be truncated to only address the focus of the order received from the State,
however, this would result in the site not being able to be repurposed in the future. All other projects are
currently underway and/or associated with Bond Bill funds, Community Reinvestment Funds, Community
Transportation Funds or grant funding.
Customer Concerns – Billing Improvements
A mock bill has been developed (see Attachment E) for inclusion in the next quarterly bill. This billing example
will help answer some frequently asked questions. Other improvements made based upon customer comment
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Item 1.
Discussion – Stormwater Utility Billing Concerns
November 26, 2024
Page 3 of 3
include: opening the website so a login is no longer required to pay your bill, adding the phone number of the
Department of Public Works to the bill to aide in more direct access to answer questions, adding the physical
address to the bill instead of parcel number for clarification purposes, and changing the description on the bill
to Quarterly Stormwater. In addition, when customers call in with questions, staff has an email prepared to send
to them that includes a link to the slide show presentation on the Stormwater Utility; the original flyer that was
sent out in the July/August utility bill; the Stormwater Utility Credits, Grants, and Appeals Manual; and
instructions on how to pay the bill.
Concerns have also been received regarding receiving the bill separately from the utility bill. Unfortunately, the
City is currently utilizing two financial systems. One is associated with the parcel/property owner information
while the other is associated with the other utilities’ account data. As the Stormwater Utility is associated with
the parcel and not the electric, water or trash account, it must be processed through the system utilizing the
parcel data resulting in a general bill distribution.
Customer Concerns – Additional Considerations
The primary intent of the Stormwater Utility was to provide equitable means to charge parcels based upon their
contributions to the stormwater system. Staff has met and talked with various members of the community
regarding their questions and concerns. As a result, staff is in the process of researching additional stormwater
utility examples for comparison. Items of interest include the consideration of combining contiguous properties
under the same property owner, increasing credit possibilities for parcels that provide stormwater management
and do not discharge to or cross public rights-of-way, and developing a better definition of impervious surface
to align with stormwater design standards. Any proposed changes would need to be brought back to the Utility
Committee and Council for review and possible amendment to the ordinance.
Conclusion
The City of Dover is required to provide various services to remain in compliance with our NPDES/MS4 permit.
It is also necessary for the City to properly maintain existing infrastructure which can become safety concerns
if they fail or capacity is found to be inadequate. Expenses related to these efforts include personnel, operations,
vehicle and capital costs. While these efforts were previously covered in the General Fund, increasing costs on
all fronts and in all Departments continues to strain the General Fund. The Stormwater Utility was created to
provide a dedicated source of funding for these necessary services and in turn reduce the demand to the General
Fund. It also allows for a means for all contributors to assist, rather than taxpayers alone. City staff are dedicated
to looking for solutions and improvements to the Stormwater Utility that will improve aspects of the process
based upon input received.
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Attachment A
Item 1.
Electric & Improvement & Extension Funds
Changes in Reserve Balances
As of 11.14.2024
Restricted
Reserve
Balances
The City will maintain a minimum reserve, in a contingency account, of at least
$750,000 for the Electric Revenue Fund. The City may only use monies in the
contingency accounts to cover emergencies of a non-recurring nature that are
over and above the normal course of operations. Examples are uninsured
Contingency losses, storms or hurricane damages. The Contingency Reserve will not be
Reserve used to balance the operating budget. $ 984,514.98
The City has established by bond covenant an account to cover insurance
deductibles on the electric transmission and distribution system or the
Insurance generating plants. The City shall maintain a minimum balance of $750,000 to
Reserve cover various deductibles. $ 864,176.79
Recognizing price fluctuations in the wholesale power markets the City has
established a rate stabilization reserve. The purpose of using such a reserve is
to level off the fluctuations in the wholesale power supply market and in turn
provide stable rates to our customers. In those instances where the actual cost
of power supply and generation are less/more than the budgeted cost of power
supply and generation, the City will transfer the difference to/from the Rate
Stabilization Reserve. The balance shall be maintained at a minimum of 10%
Rate not to exceed 20% of the purchase power cost in any given year. If the reserve
Stabilization balance exceeds the 20% maximum, a credit will be applied to the power cost
Reserve adjustment over the next three (3) fiscal years. $ 9,533,069.48
The City has established an account to provide for replacement or
procurement of utility system assets, otherwise known as Depreciation
Reserve. Optimally, the amount set aside for future asset replacements should
equal the annual depreciation of the current assets. The City will maintain a
minimum balance of $10,000,000. The primary purpose of this account is to
provide partial or all financing of major capital projects and minimize debt
service payments. The account is also intended to cover unforeseen capital
replacements due to equipment breakdowns, storms or hurricane damages.
Amounts used to finance projects shall be replenished by the operating
Depreciation revenues of the Electric Revenue Fund over the succeeding seven (7) years of
Reserve any project completion $ 21,982,594.08
The City has established an account to provide for capital financing of Future
Capacity or system expansion. The City shall maintain a balance equivalent to
the value of 10% growth in capacity at any given time, or no less than
Future $10,000,000. Amounts used to finance projects shall be replenished by the
Capacity operating revenues of the Electric Revenue Fund over the succeeding seven
Reserve years of any project completion. $ 15,060,159.89
Revenue Upon satisfying all rate covenants the City will provide operating transfers to
Policy - the General Fund. From the Water/Wastewater Utility no greater than
10. Transfers $1,000,000 and from the Electric Utility no greater than $10,000,000.
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Attachment B
Item 1.
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Attachment B
Item 1.
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Attachment C
Item 1.
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Attachment D
Item 1.
FY25 STORMWATER CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN
Name Funding Source Avail. Budget Spent to Date Status
Persimmon Park
Bond Bill $ 1,200,000.00 $ - Council Approval scheduled for 11/25
Place (Con.)
Downtown Design is underway, change order pending for
Bond Bill $ 38,000.00 $ 6,980.17
Upgrades (Design) additional streetscape work
Downtown
Bond Bill $ 245,000.00 $ - Construction Phase
Upgrades (Con.)
Mirror Lake (Con.) Bond Bill / CRF $ 707,700.00 $ 585,472.50 Restoration work underway
Awaiting redesign of Bayhealth, DNREC
Meeting House approval of Feasibility Plan, Work Plan and
Branch Impr. City $ 266,031.64 $ 363,496.99 Joint Permit Processing Approval
(Design) *Note: spent to date amount inclues prior
year expenditures
Water Street
Flooding Impr. City $ 115,000.00 $ 105,800.00 95% complete
(Design)
Misc. Emergency
Storm Water City $ 94,000.00 $ -
Repairs
Meeting House
City $ 1,250,000.00 $ - Awaiting design documents
Branch Impr. (Con.)
West Street RFP opening 13 Nov 24. Staff to review
Flooding Impr. City $ 125,000.00 $ - proposals, Century - $140k, DBF - $118k,
(Design) Verdantas - $129.9k
The Greens of
Dover/Lamplighter
City $ 25,000.00 $ 9,005.45 75% complete
Lane SW Impr.
(Feasibility Study)
Lynnhaven Drive
Flooding Impr. City $ 25,000.00 $ 17,466.75 90% complete
(Feasibility Study)
Vehicle Pole Barn City $ 300,000.00 $ -
White Oak Ditch City $ 45,000.00 $ -
White Oak Ditch CTF $ 40,000.00 $ -
MS4 Inventory &
Grant $ 100,000.00 $ -
Inspections
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Attachment E
Item 1.
*Quarterly Stormwater Utility bill to cover operations, permitting, management cost of our
stormwater system, and to help fund our Stormwater Capital Improvement Projects. For more
information, go to cityofdover.com, click City News and scroll to “Stormwater Utility Bill Questions?”.
CITY OF DOVER
PO BOX 475
DOVER, DE 19903 Invoice Date: 10/08/2024 Customer Number: XXX
CITY OF DOVER
PUBLIC WORKS
PO BOX 475
DOVER, DE 19903
302-736-7025
SADFASDF
XXX
DOE JOHN
PO BOX 475
DOVER, DE 19903 NET DUE 30 DAYS
*Please note the remittance address is not the same as on the utility bill.
*Please include the payment stub with your method of payment.
*When writing a check, please include the Invoice Number and Customer Number
*Bill can be paid at 5 E REED ST, DOVER, DE with cash, check, or money order.
*Credit Card or Check payment can be made at cityofdover.com. Click on View and Pay My Bill -
General Bills
*Customers that use their bank bill pay service need to make sure they have the correct mailing
address, Invoice and Customer number on their remittance. You may pay ahead.
*Neither autopay nor phone payments are available for this bill.
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ACTION FORM
Item 1.
PROCEEDING:
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Fire/Robbins Hose DATE SUBMITTED: November 18, 2024
PREPARED BY: David Carey, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Volunteer Stipend Program
REFERENCE: Grant and Aid Programs
RELATED PROJECT: N/A
REVIEWED BY: City Manager Hugg
EXHIBITS:
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: $1,150,000.00
FINANCING/LEGAL COST ESTIMATED: No current cost to the City of Dover
AMOUNT BUDGETED: 1,150,00.00
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): Grant and Aid transferred to the Fire Department Budget
TIMETABLE: Upon Approval the volunteer stipend program would begin the first quarter of 2025.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Legislative and Finance and City Council Approval
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Senate Bill No. 327, Section 17. Section 1 of this Act makes an appropriation to the Department of Safety and
Homeland Security, Office of the Secretary, Administration (45-01-01), for the Higher Education Public Safety
Fund for municipalities with local law enforcement agencies and fire departments serving higher education
institutions that have on-campus residence halls. Of that amount, $2,000,000 is appropriated to the City of
Newark, and $1,650,000 is appropriated to the City of Dover. Of the amount appropriated to the City of Dover,
$500,000 shall be provided to the City of Dover Police Department.
This is currently within the State of Delaware Grant and Aid for this year; however, Legislators are trying to
ensure that this will be a yearly contribution.
The Fire Department and City staff have discussed this $1,150,000 through meetings and email correspondence.
While several items were discussed, the following was determined to be the best and most needed option for the
Fire Department at this time.
To ensure that the Dover Fire Department remains a volunteer fire department for future years, a stipend
program would be put into place.
The following is from the U.S. Department of Labor FLSA2007-3NA advisory letter: “In enacting the 1985
FLSA Amendments, Congress sought to ensure that true volunteer activities were neither impeded nor
discouraged. Congress was explicit in its 1985 Amendments that a “volunteer” may receive “no compensation,”
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but may be paid “expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee.” 29 U.S.C. § 203(e)(4)(A); see also 29 C.F.R.
Item 1.
§ 553.106(a) (“Volunteers may be paid expenses, reasonable benefits, a nominal fee, or any combination
thereof, for their service without losing their status as volunteers.”); 29 C.F.R. § 553.106(e) (“Individuals do not
lose their volunteer status if they receive a nominal fee from a public agency.”).
Please see the attached draft guideline that the fire department has created in reference to this. This has been
developed in detail over the past 5 months. The fire department has used two attorneys and the State of
Delaware Auditors Office for information, comments, and review to ensure proper accountability of the
guideline.
During the meetings with the fire department and city staff, the following was determined to be requested:
The $1,150,000 would be transferred from the city to the Robbins Hose Company No. 1 Inc. for the purpose of
the stipend program
The money would be placed in a separate account utilized for the stipend program only.
Monthly financial updates regarding this account would be submitted to the City of Dover (as we currently do
with all other accounts) this would be included in the monthly Fire Chiefs Report.
How the volunteer stipend program works
The system is based on a paid-per-call system.
Based on the 20% rule (of a salary of $53,940.94) after proper training a volunteer would be eligible for up to
$899 a month based on the number of calls they attend. If they qualified for the full amount every month, they
would receive $10,788. If 50 members maxed out every year, this would cost $539,400.
We estimate that the $1,150,000 would last a little over 2 operating years based on our calculations
(approximately $500,000 a year). Since this is a new program, we may attract more personnel than we currently
have, which would fluctuate the amount. This would be monitored and reviewed monthly.
*NOTE: Once this program starts, it must continue for the operation of the fire department to be successful.
While we are seeking for this grant and aid to continue, if it does not, the city would need to absorb the cost in
future budget years.
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Item 1.
Guideline:
Date: 11/02/24
Policy Reference: Stipends
Consultations:
D. Barrett Edwards, IV, Esq. the Dover Fire Department attorney was consulted in
reference to stipends (see January 23, 2024, letter).
Lauren E.M. Russell was also consulted (see emails). Russell also provided a U.S.
Department of Labor FLSA2007-3NA advisory letter.
This guideline will be sent to the State of Delaware Auditor for review prior to
implementation.
This guideline will be sent to the City of Dover for approval.
Referenced Material:
The following is from the U.S. Department of Labor FLSA2007-3NA advisory letter:
“In enacting the 1985 FLSA Amendments, Congress sought to ensure that true volunteer
activities were neither impeded nor discouraged. Congress was explicit in its 1985
Amendments that a “volunteer” may receive “no compensation,” but may be paid
“expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee.” 29 U.S.C. § 203(e)(4)(A); see also 29
C.F.R. § 553.106(a) (“Volunteers may be paid expenses, reasonable benefits, a nominal
fee, or any combination thereof, for their service without losing their status as
volunteers.”); 29 C.F.R. § 553.106(e) (“Individuals do not lose their volunteer status if
they receive a nominal fee from a public agency.”). 1 Neither the FLSA nor the Senate
Committee Report to the 1985 Amendments further defines the term “nominal fee.”
Rather, the Committee Report directed the Department to issue regulations providing
guidance in this area. Employees of a public agency are permitted to provide volunteer
services in certain circumstances, and the FLSA regulations governing this issue are
found at 29 C.F.R. §§ 553.100-.106.
103 South Governors Avenue ● Dover, Delaware 19904
Headquarters: (302)736-7168 ● Fire Chief’s Office: (302)736-7167 ● FAX: (302)736-7166 15
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Item 1.
Under section 3(e)(4)(A) of the FLSA and 29 C.F.R. §§ 553.101 and 553.103,
individuals are volunteers, not employees of a public agency, when they meet the
following criteria:
A. They provide their services for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons
without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for the services
rendered, although a volunteer can be paid expenses, reasonable benefits, or a
nominal fee to perform such services” (or any combination thereof);
“B. They offer their services freely and without coercion, direct or implied, from
the employer; and
C. They are not otherwise employed by the same public agency to perform the
same services as those for which they propose to volunteer; in other words,
individuals can qualify as volunteers if they either volunteer for different agencies
or perform services different from those they are otherwise employed to perform.
See 29 C.F.R. §§ 553.100-.106 for a full discussion of the volunteer standards.
As noted in the preamble to the 1987 amendments to 29 C.F.R. Part 553, however, almost
30 percent of all volunteer firefighters were paid a small fee for each fire call to which
they respond, and the rule was not intended to invalidate such payments. See 52 Fed.
Reg. 2012, 2021 (Jan. 16, 1987)
Moreover, consistent with the discussion of factors to be considered (e.g., distance
traveled, time and effort expended, around-the-clock versus limited availability,
throughout the year versus upon request), payment per call or other similar bases may be
acceptable as long as they may fairly be characterized as tied to the volunteer’s sacrifice
rather than productivity-based compensation.
Accordingly, nothing in the statutory language precludes the payment of nominal per-call
or even per-shift fees to volunteer firefighters, and indeed section 553.106(e) specifically
provides that a nominal fee can be paid on a “per call” or similar basis for volunteer
firefighters.
Wage and Hour Opinion Letter FLSA2005-51 contains a discussion of what constitutes a
nominal fee for determining an individual’s volunteer status. That opinion letter discusses
the “economic realities” test in the context of school systems and those volunteering by
assisting with activities, such as coaching sports or sponsoring various clubs.
Specifically, that letter states that when a public agency employee volunteers as a coach
or extracurricular advisor, the Department will presume the fee paid is nominal as long as
it does not exceed 20 percent of what the public agency would otherwise pay to hire a
full-time coach or advisor for the same services. This 20 percent rule is derived from the
FLSA and its implementing regulations. See Wage and Hour Opinion Letter FLSA2005-
51 (The FLSA uses a 20 percent test to assess whether something is insubstantial with
regard to prohibited driving on public roadways by employees who are 17 years of age.).
A willingness to volunteer for 20 percent of the prevailing wage for the job is also a
likely indication of the spirit of volunteerism contemplated by the 1985 amendments to
103 South Governors Avenue ● Dover, Delaware 19904
Headquarters: (302)736-7168 ● Fire Chief’s Office: (302)736-7167 ● FAX: (302)736-7166 16
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Item 1.
the FLSA. This interpretation of “nominal fee” applies equally in the context of
firefighters. See Wage and Hour Opinion Letter FLSA2006-28 (Aug. 7, 2006).
Thus, any driver or firefighter the City has on its payroll would be a good benchmark for
this calculation. Absent such information, the City may look to information from
neighboring jurisdictions, the state, or, ultimately, the nation, including data from the
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. So long as the City’s calculations are
based on an approximation of the prevailing wages of a driver or firefighter within its
area and the fee amount does not exceed 20 percent of that driver or firefighter’s wages
for the same services, the Department would find that such a fee would be nominal within
the meaning of 29 C.F.R. § 553.106.”
Guideline:
This guideline is for Dover Fire Department volunteer firefighters.
The Dover Fire Department volunteer firefighters provide periodic service on a year-
round basis.
This guideline is to ensure that volunteers do not jeopardize their volunteer status under
FLSA.
To ensure that the Dover Fire Department remains a volunteer fire department for future
years, a stipend program is being put into place.
The stipend program helps with ensuring that the apparatus at both fire stations is
properly staffed 24/7 by volunteer firefighter duty crews so that the citizens we serve are
properly protected through a fast response time to fire and rescue emergencies.
When the stations are not staffed, or there is a larger scale fire or rescue emergency, the
stipend program helps with ensuring that volunteer firefighters respond to calls when the
dispatch center alerts them.
To be eligible for stipends, you must have completed a successful year of membership of
the Dover Fire Department and have turnout gear and be cleared to ride fire apparatus.
If you have turnout gear, you are expected to ride fire apparatus.
Stipends will be based on the 20% rule.
Stipends will be based per call. Per call is defined as:
- Attending a fire call (silent, crew, general, or officer call)
- If you respond to or are available for a fire call in a proper time frame and do not
ride fire apparatus due to insufficient staffing, you will still receive credit for
attending that alarm.
- Attending a duty crew shift. A member serving a three (3) hour duty crew shift
will be credited 1 fire call per the Constitution and By Laws.
103 South Governors Avenue ● Dover, Delaware 19904
Headquarters: (302)736-7168 ● Fire Chief’s Office: (302)736-7167 ● FAX: (302)736-7166 17
Página 18
Item 1.
Tracking, Accountability, and Prevention of Manipulation:
- All incident attendance will be certified by the officer in charge of the incident
and the fire dispatcher will then enter the attendance into Red Alert.
- All duty crew hours will be certified weekly by the person assigned to the duty
crew program. Members must clock in and clock out for the purpose of duty
crew attendance.
- The members total alarms will be calculated every month automatically from Red
Alert.
Pay per call will be a flat rate of $30.00 per call regardless of the variables in
29CFR§553.106(e)
No matter how many calls you make, no member can exceed $800.00 in stipends per
month. You can still attend fire calls; but your stipend amount will be maxed out.
The per call stipend is intended to be a nominal fee, cover the volunteers’ costs of
gasoline, wear and tear on their personal vehicles, uniform cleaning and laundering, and
other expenses. This stipend covers all reimbursements, and no additional
reimbursements are authorized.
Members may opt out of receiving stipends if they choose to. This must be put in writing
by the member and given to the Fire Chief and President so that it is on file.
All members receiving a stipend of over $600 in a calendar year will receive 1099 MISC
from the department and the members will need to work with their tax professional to
determine the proper tax treatment for your taxes.
The Board of Directors will develop a policy/procedure for the reimbursement expense.
103 South Governors Avenue ● Dover, Delaware 19904
Headquarters: (302)736-7168 ● Fire Chief’s Office: (302)736-7167 ● FAX: (302)736-7166 18
Página 19
Item 2.
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole – Legislative and Finance Committee
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Finance Department DATE SUBMITTED: 11/14/2024
PREPARED BY: Patricia Marney, Controller / Treasurer
SUBJECT: Amending Bond Council Public Notice Requirements
REFERENCE: Public Notice Requirements
RELATED PROJECT:
REVIEWED BY: Patricia Marney, Interim Controller / Treasurer
EXHIBITS: Exhibit A – Bond Council Public Notice Opinion
Exhibit B – Sample code and policy language currently in existence
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: None AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): N/A
TIMETABLE: Upon approval
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Amendment of all City Codes requirement public notice to include modern
communication tools.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Current provisions of the Dover municipal code (various sections) require public notices to be disseminated
through circulation in newspapers of general circulation published in the City of Dover. With advancements in
communication technology and changes in public engagement preferences, there is a need to update the code
and existing policies to allow for more flexible and accessible public notification options.
For further context, on January 30, 2024, Bond Council recommended public notification for specific action to
be placed on the city website. At that time, it was found that was not possible due to code limitations.
Additionally, due to delays caused by a local newspaper, budget hearings were delayed in 2024. Given the
above circumstances staff requested a formal opinion hereby included as exhibit A.
RECCOMENDATION
Amend City policy and code sections to include alternative methods of public notice. Such as the use of digital
platforms. This would include the use of the City’s official website, social media, digital newsletters, email
distribution lists or other modern communication tools in addition to traditional print media methods.
Allowing for additional public notification platforms has the potential to do the following:
Increase accessibility and outreach to diverse populations.
Reduce costs associated with traditional notification mechanisms.
Enhances timeliness and efficiency of public communication.
The following language is recommended to supplement code sections in which public notice is referenced.
“Public notices required under this section may be disseminated through alternative methods in addition to or
in lieu of traditional methods, including, but not limited to, the municipality’s official website, email
notification, and other electronic communication tools as determined by the City of Dover Clerk’s Office and /
or governing department or committee.”
19
Página 20
Item 2.
Amending Bond Council Public Notice Requirements
Exhibit A
November 18, 2024, Email Confirmation with Bond Council regarding public notice requirements. Email is
attached.
Context – Original opinion received January 30,2024, in preparation for settlement of Robbins Hose Fire
Department lending.
Exhibit B
Dover, DE Code of Ordinance Sample
Section 50 – Debt Limit
(d) Except for bonds issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, all bonds issued under the provisions
of subsection (b) of this section shall first be approved by a referendum vote of the qualified voters (as herein
defined) of the City of Dover. Notice of the holding of such referendum election shall be authorized by
resolution of the mayor and council, published once a week, for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least
one newspaper circulated in the City of Dover. Such notice shall be set out in summary form the amount and
purposes of such bond issue, the date and place of holding the referendum election and the hours the polls will
be open.
Dover, DE Policy
Annual Budget Public Hearing Reference
“At least ten (10) days before the hearing, notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published once
in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Dover, Delaware.”
20
Página 21
Item 2.
Marney, Patricia
From: Himes, Rhonda <HimesR@ballardspahr.com>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 3:58 PM
To: Marney, Patricia
Cc: Ninan, Emilie R.
Subject: RE: EXTERNAL: RE: Public Notice Requirements
Yes for no ces required under the IRS Code.
Rhonda B. Himes
She/Her/Hers
2024 Pro Bono Honor Roll – Gold
Ballard Spahr LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Direct 215.864.8513
Fax 215.864.8999
Mobile 201.968.8839
himesr@ballardspahr.com
www.ballardspahr.com
From: Marney, Patricia <pmarney@dover.de.us>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 3:56 PM
To: Himes, Rhonda <HimesR@ballardspahr.com>
Cc: Ninan, Emilie R. <NinanE@ballardspahr.com>
Subject: RE: EXTERNAL: RE: Public Notice Requirements
EXTERNAL
Thank you. We have had circumstances where the local newspaper has not published requests due to equipment
failure or planned down time. Will posting to the electronic sources maintain our notice requirements in the event
the local newspaper is unable to post the notices?
Trisha
Patricia M. Marney
Controller / Treasurer
City of Dover
5 East Reed Street
Dover, DE 19901
302-736-7042 phone
302-736-7193 fax
From: Himes, Rhonda <HimesR@ballardspahr.com>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 3:54 PM
To: Marney, Patricia <pmarney@dover.de.us>
Cc: Ninan, Emilie R. <NinanE@ballardspahr.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL: RE: Public Notice Requirements
1 21
Página 22
Item 2.
WARNING: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize
the sender and know the content is safe.
Yes for TEFRA no ces as long as you s ll can publish in a newspaper if necessary.
Rhonda B. Himes
She/Her/Hers
2024 Pro Bono Honor Roll – Gold
Ballard Spahr LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Direct 215.864.8513
Fax 215.864.8999
Mobile 201.968.8839
himesr@ballardspahr.com
www.ballardspahr.com
From: Marney, Patricia <pmarney@dover.de.us>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 3:50 PM
To: Himes, Rhonda <HimesR@ballardspahr.com>
Cc: Ninan, Emilie R. <NinanE@ballardspahr.com>
Subject: Public Notice Requirements
Importance: High
EXTERNAL
Hello Rhonda,
I am working on a code amendment for the city’s public notice requirements to add the flexibility of electronic
notifications, website, newsletter, and social media to our code. In January you had mentioned to Lori, while
working on the Fire Department Lending, that it would be acceptable by Bond Council. Would you be able to
confirm this to be the case?
Trisha
Patricia M. Marney
Controller / Treasurer
City of Dover
5 East Reed Street
Dover, DE 19901
302-736-7042 phone
302-736-7193 fax
2 22
Página 23
ACTION FORM
Item 4.
PROCEEDING: Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: City Manager’s Office DATE SUBMITTED: 11/21/2024
PREPARED BY: David S. Hugg III, City Manager
SUBJECT: Abandoned Shopping Carts (Unattended Shopping Carts)
REFERENCE:
RELATED PROJECT: n/a
REVIEWED BY: Nicholas Rodriquez, City Solicitor (in draft)
EXHIBITS: n/a
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: n/a AMOUNT BUDGETED: n/a
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): n/a
TIMETABLE: Before end of year if possible
STAFF RECOMMENDATION :Recommend forwarding to Council
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Abandoned shopping carts have proliferated across the city, being left on sidewalks, parks, other public spaces,
undeveloped properties, street and road ROW’s, and in private neighborhoods, Shopping carts are often associated
with unsheltered people who use them for conveyance and storage of their personal property. Unattended
shopping carts left on private or public property are considered abandoned and are a public nuisance. They
adversely impact the visual appearance of the neighborhood, contributing to reduction in property values, creating
an increased risk of injury, and contributing to undesired activities.
Note: An abandoned shopping cart, as that term is used in the grocery business, is a cart containing food or other
items that are left inside the store. Abandoned carts, as used in many recent ordinances, typically mean unattended
and removed from the premises. This ordinance is based on regulation of unattended carts.
27
Página 24
Item 4.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2024-32
1 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN
2 COUNCIL MET:
3
4 That Chapter 70 – Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions be amended by deleting the text
5 indicated in red strikeout and inserting the bold, blue, italics, and deleting the text indicated in
6 red strikeout as follows:
7
8 Chapter 70 – OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
9
10 Section 70-10 Abandoned Shopping Carts
11
12 (a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall
13 have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly
14 indicates a different meaning.
15 “Abandoned cart” means any shopping cart that has been removed without written
16 permission of the cart owner or on-duty manager from the premises of a business
17 establishment, regardless of whether it has been left on either private or public
18 property.
19
20 “Business establishment” means a location where a business is conducted, goods are
21 made or stored or processed or where services are rendered.
22
23 “Business premises” means the entire area owned and utilized by a business
24 establishment that provides shopping carts for use by customers, including any parking
25 lot or other property provided by the cart owner for customer parking.
26
27 “Cart owner” means any person or entity, who:
28
29 (1) in connection with the conduct of a business establishment owns, leases,
30 possesses, uses, or otherwise makes any shopping cart available to customers
31 or the public; or
32 (2) is the on-site or designated agent of a person or entity described in (1) that
33 provides the shopping carts for use by its customers.
34 “City Manager” means the official appointed to that position by the City Council
35 pursuant to the City Charter.
36
37 “Enforcement official” means a Code Enforcement Officer or other official as
28
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Proposed Ordinance #2024-32 - Shopping Cart Ordinance Page 2
Item 4.
38 designated by the City Manager.
39
40 “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
41 or other legal entity.
42
43 “Public place” means every class of road, sidewalk, parking lot, and other areas
44 publicly owned and operated, or privately owned property open to the public, or a
45 segment thereof, excluding the interior or parking area of any establishment where
46 shopping carts are made available.
47
48 “Shopping cart” means a basket which is mounted on wheels, or a similar device
49 provided by a business establishment for use by a customer for the purpose of
50 transporting goods of any kind, including, but not limited to, grocery store shopping
51 carts.
52
53 (b) Enforcement Authority
54
55 The City Manager, and his or her designee, including designated code enforcement
56 officers, shall have the authority and powers necessary to determine whether a
57 violation of this chapter exists and to take appropriate action to gain compliance with
58 the provisions of this chapter. These powers include the authority to impound
59 shopping carts, issue administrative citations, inspect public and private property,
60 impose civil penalties for any violation of this chapter, or pursue criminal actions.
61
62 (c) Unauthorized Removal Unlawful
63
64 It shall be unlawful for any person, either temporarily or permanently, to remove a
65 shopping cart from business premises or be in possession of a lawfully marked
66 shopping cart that has been removed from a business premises without the written
67 consent of the cart owner authorized by this chapter or for the purpose of repair,
68 maintenance, or disposal.
69
70 (d) Abandonment Prohibited
71
72 It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any shopping cart to be
73 abandoned on or upon any private property or any sidewalk, street, or other public
74 area, other than the business premises of the cart owner.
75
76 (e) Cart Identification Required
77
78 Each shopping cart made available for use by customers shall have an identification
79 sign permanently affixed to it that includes the name of the business establishment.
80
81 (f) Cart Removal Warning Signs
82
83 All cart owners shall display and maintain conspicuous signs on the business premises
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Proposed Ordinance #2024-32 - Shopping Cart Ordinance Page 3
Item 4.
84 near all customer entrances and exits and throughout the premises, including the
85 parking area, warning customers that removal of shopping carts from the premises
86 is prohibited by City law.
87
88 (g) Written Permission Required for Off-premises Use of Cart
89
90 A cart owner may authorize a customer off-premises use of a shopping cart for
91 transportation of purchased items so long as:
92
93 (1) The authorization is in writing.
94 (2) The writing includes the date and time the authorization was given; and
95 (3) The shopping cart is returned to the cart owner’s premises once the purpose
96 of the authorization need has been fulfilled, but in no case more than 30 days
97 of the authorization.
98 (h) Impoundment and Fines
99
100 The city may retrieve and impound any abandoned cart, or any shopping cart
101 observed in a location outside the cart owner’s premises.
102
103 The city may immediately impound any lost, stolen, or abandoned cart on any public
104 property within the City without prior notice to the cart owner; or any shopping cart
105 within the city to which the required identification signage is not affixed.
106
107 For each lost, stolen, or abandoned shopping cart impounded by the city, the city shall
108 issue a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine to the cart owner, unless the cart owner can
109 demonstrate it took adequate procedures to prevent cart abandonment, loss, or theft,
110 as reasonably determined by the City Manager or his or her designee.
111
112 (i) Disposition of Carts
113
114 Where the City has impounded and accumulated more than 5 shopping carts
115 belonging to a single cart owner, the City shall return the impounded shopping carts
116 to the nearest location of the cart owner, at which time the cart owner will be fined
117 for each shopping cart.
118
119 Any shopping cart that does not have the appropriate identification signage shall be
120 held for thirty (30) days after which the City may dispose of the shopping cart.
121
122 Section 70-10 Section 70-11 Violations and Penalties
123
124 (a) The City may enforce the provisions of this Ordinance by any means available to the
125 City under the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dover, Delaware, including but not
126 limited to imposition of fees and fines as set forth in Appendix F, Fees and Fines, or
127 revocation of business and/or rental licenses, or voiding of any other city-issued
128 permit, or as may be available under the controlling provisions of State law.
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Proposed Ordinance #2024-32 - Shopping Cart Ordinance Page 4
Item 4.
129 Section 70-11 Section 70-12 Severability
130
131 (a) If any section, sentence, phrase, word, or portion of this Ordinance is determined to
132 be invalid, unlawful, or unconstitutional, said determination shall not be held to
133 invalidate or impair the validity, force or effect of any other section, sentence, phrase,
134 word, or portion of this Ordinance not otherwise determined to be invalid, unlawful,
135 or unconstitutional.
136
137 Synopsis
138 This proposed amendment to this chapter seeks to address the issue of abandoned shopping carts
139 within the City of Dover. It establishes a comprehensive framework to reduce the nuisance, safety
140 hazards, and negative impact on property values caused by abandoned carts.
141
142 (SPONSORS: NEIL AND HUGG)
143
144
145 ADOPTED: *
146
147 Action History
148 11/26/2024 – Introduction at Council Committee of the Whole – Legislative, Finance, and
149 Administration
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Item 5.
Title: “Campground of Hope” for the Unsheltered Population of the City of Dover Proposal
Total 12-Month
Proposed Budget Amount $103, 246.00
Counties Served by this Proposal: Kent
BIDDER INFORMATION
Bidder Name: Greater Kent County Coalition/DEMCO
Office Address: 365 United Way, Dover, DE 19904
Contact Person for Proposal: Leandra Casson, Vice Chair City of Dover Unsheltered Working Group
Vice President, External Relations, DEMCO
Office Phone #: 304-346-5308 (DEMCO)
Cell Number: 267- 315-7301
E-mail Address: c_leandra@hotmail.com
Chair of City of Dover Unsheltered Working Group-Alex Cropper
CLASSIFICATIONS:
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) X
Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) X
Bidder Tax ID#: 51-0392391 *Delaware Business
License#: Non-profit
1
32
Página 29
Item 5.
“Campground of Hope” for the Unsheltered Population of the City of Dover Proposal
Submitted By:
Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization (DEMCO) Fiscal Sponsor
Greater Kent County Coalition Executive Board
Problem Statement and Background
Despite efforts to address the issue, the unsheltered experience continues to persist and even increase
in many communities. Each year, approximately one percent of the U.S. population, some 2-3 million
individuals, experiences a night of being unsheltered that puts them in contact with an Unsheltered
coordinator, and at least 800,000 people are unsheltered in the United States on any given night.
Moreover, it is estimated that between 300 and 400 adults in the Greater Dover area are homeless,
including those residing in shelters, in tents, sanctuaries, and moving from space in the home of one
friend to another.
The lack of affordable housing, mental health support, and employment opportunities are contributing
factors to the ongoing crisis. Additionally, systemic issues such as discrimination, poverty, and
inadequate resources further exacerbate the problem. There is a need to continue to define the main
effects of the unsheltered experience and build streamline processes to manage standards, policy, and
procedures that meets the needs of each root cause. The Coalition aims to address these challenges by
advocating for policy changes, increasing funding for homeless services, and raising awareness about the
root causes of homelessness. Through coordinated efforts and partnerships, the Coalition seeks to
create streamline sustainable solutions to manage the unsheltered experience, mental health wellbeing,
and the substance abuse issues process and provide support to those in need.
It in this vein, that Greater Kent Coalition seeks funding to operate a project called “Campground of
Hope” where the residents can begin the process of systematically addressing the issues that hinder
them from obtaining sustainable housing.
Overview and Purpose of this Proposal
The purpose of this proposal is to obtain funding to operate a campground for the City of Dover’s
unsheltered population. The Greater Kent County Coalition’s designated members will manage all
aspects of the scope of work in this proposal except for the fiscal responsibilities. The coalition staff will
play a crucial role in coordinating services for all the residents of the campground. The coalition staff
will work with coalition organizations to ensure that residents have access to safe housing, employment
assistance, healthcare resources, and mental health support. By collaborating, the coalitions can help
address causes of homelessness and provide holistic solutions for all residents in the campground.
DEMCO’s Experience/Reputation and Demonstrated Ability Fiscal Sponsor
2
33
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Item 5.
In this project, the Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization (DEMCO) will act as the fiscal sponsor.
DEMCO will allocate the funds for the purposes outlined in this proposal. DEMCO will do all fiscal reports
and manage all budgetary considerations for the duration of the funding period. DEMCO has managed
grants for 27 years.
16 Years of Prevention Services
• Delaware Substance Abuse Block Grant (2021-2026) from the Delaware Department of Health and
Social Services Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: DEMCO currently provides
comprehensive substance abuse prevention services in Kent County.
• Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnership for Success (SPF-PFS): Community Based Substance
Abuse Prevention Services for Youth and Adults - Implementation Grant recipient (2015-2020) from
the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health:
DEMCO provided comprehensive substance abuse prevention services in Kent County and Sussex
County. DEMCO impacted over 11,000 youth and young adults. DEMCO's most recent evaluation by the
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services resulted in the following finding, "Overall, the
contractor (DEMCO) has been an extraordinary example of effective substance abuse prevention
programming."
• DEMCO selected as a FY2016 Coaching for Success: Building Community Capacity to Address
Substance Abuse Prevention Technical Assistance recipient (nominated by the Delaware Division of
Substance Abuse and Mental Health): As part of this initiative, the CAPT (Center for the Application of
Prevention Technologies) provided DEMCO with over 40 hours individualized training and technical
assistance
• Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) contractor since
2011 conducting after school programming for youth and young adults, specifically in 15 the areas of
substance abuse, violence and suicide prevention in Kent County Delaware. DEMCO developed its
program based on the two focus areas of DSCYF, developing specific activities based on each need, and
creating measurable tools to evaluate whether clients and parents are succeeding. The program serves
youth, young adults, parents and community members. The program currently serves over 12,000 youth
and young adults and over 1,200 adult parents per year.
• Substance abuse prevention mini-grants recipient (two awards) by the State of Delaware's
Department of Health and Social Services to conduct substance abuse programming aimed at youth
and young adults ages 12-25 in Kent County. Impacted over 200 youth and 25 adults.
• American Cancer Society grant recipient to conduct tobacco prevention programming in Kent
County Delaware (partnership with the Richard M. Avant Foundation): The project was specifically
designed to decrease the frequency and social acceptability of tobacco use among youth and young
adults residing in the socially and economically depressed neighborhoods in Kent County. The
programming impacted over 750 youth and young adults and 65 parents/guardians.
27 Years of Academic Tutorial Services
For over 27 years DEMCO has been providing academic tutorials to the citizens of Delaware ranging in
age from 4 to 68 years of age. DEMCO is committed to serving as an environment outside the traditional
3
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Item 5.
classroom, which will serve as a community resource, sharing methodologies to approach curriculum
instruction, and assessment. DEMCO utilizes a wide variety of techniques and options to meet the needs
of diverse student populations. DEMCO's After-School programs uniquely integrates qualified academic
educators and community organization partners to successfully deliver academic tutorials (both
remedial and enrichment) that support student achievement in the classroom, and help students meet
proficiencies required by the State of Delaware.
In this effort, the Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization, through its DEMCO Academy, currently
provides programming in eight school schools in Capital School District. It serves approximately 200
students in these programs each week. DEMCO also serves about 55 adults a week in its IC3 digital
literacy program. These numbers do not include our summer programs and events throughout the
year. As a result of its impact, it was named by the readers of the Delaware State News, Nonprofit of the
year(multicultural) and Best Community outreach for four consecutive years and two years respectively.
DEMCO is the reigning champ in both categories!
DEMCO has conducted over 200,000 hours of individual and group tutorials over the past 27 years.
Thus, DEMCO has the proven track record and experience working with state, federal and community
agencies managing grant expectations. Moreover, it is more than capable of managing this project
fiscally. continues to provide most of its programming to Delaware residents from diverse backgrounds
and varying learning styles, free of charge and these course offerings would rival most academic
institutions in rigor, substance and impact.
Overview of the Greater Kent County Coalition
The Coalition is structured to collaborate with the members of the Unsheltered Working Group that was
formulated by the mayor of the city of Dover to address immediate unsheltered concerns voiced by the
community. The situation has increasingly become visible in the form of encampments, unsheltered
members of the community soliciting assistance from the public, and individuals calling or visiting
assistance agencies throughout the county and state. The Coalition is a collaborative effort aimed at
addressing the complex issue of being unsheltered in our community. Our coalition brings together key
stakeholders from government agencies, local shelters, non-profit organizations, businesses, community
organizations and community members to work towards sustainable solutions for managing the
unsheltered experience. By leveraging our collective resources and expertise, the coalition can
implement innovative programs and initiatives that provide shelter, support services, affordable
housing, employment preparedness and opportunities, mental health services, life developmental skills,
substance abuse programs, and pathways to permanent housing for individuals and families. Through
strategic partnerships and advocacy efforts, the coalition seeks to raise awareness, drive policy change,
and secure funding to effectively combat and improve the overall well-being of our community.
Campground of Hope Unsheltered Population Project
The Target Population for Campground Project are the unsheltered population of the City of Dover who
are in the following situations:
Single Parents, divorced, widowed
4
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Item 5.
Single women
Single men
Families
Veterans
Seniors
Youth 16 and older
And any other unsheltered person deemed appropriate by the executive board of the coalition.
Scope of Services
The “Campground of Hope” Project will provide a safe place for the unsheltered population of the City
of Dover to reside. At this campground the residents will receive access to portable toilets, tents,
lockers, picnic benches, camping chairs, sleeping bags, tarp and coolers, bathhouses and security.
The campground staff understands that the barriers to housing include mental health problems, drug
and alcohol addiction, poor credit, previous incarceration, community attitudes, families with youths,
financial burdens, available emergency/temporary housing options, available housing coordinators, and
lack of affordable housing.
Therefore, the coalition staff will systematically address these issues over time by implementing the
following:
The staff will provide a mobile aid unit that will be stocked with essential supplies such as
hygiene kits, water, non-perishable food items, blankets, and first aid kits. The staff will conduct
regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the mobile unit services and make necessary
adjustments to meet the evolving needs of the community.
All campground residents will be offered case management and support services- individualized
support, case management, counseling, and referral services to help them address their specific
needs and access resources.
The staff will develop a schedule for mobile unit deployment to ensure that issues plaguing the
residents get addressed.
Health and mental health services will be offered to all residents of the campground. The staff
will connect with healthcare services, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and
other essential resources to address their holistic well-being.
The campground staff will establish partnerships with local shelters, mental health facilities, and
addiction treatment centers for seamless referrals and collaboration.
The campground staff will provide services for testing, dental, eye care, health care, food carts,
etc.
5
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Item 5.
The campground staff will be trained on crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and
trauma-informed care to effectively support individuals in need.
The campground staff will implement data tracking mechanisms to monitor the impact of
services provided and identify areas for improvement.
Employment and financial assistance will be offered to all campground residents. The
campground staff will connect with coalition partners that can help the residents find
employment opportunities, job training programs, and financial assistance to help them stabilize
their situation and secure sustainable income. Additionally, they will be offered effective
financial education programs that will teach budgeting skills, debt management, and savings
habits. Thus, workshops will be offered by program services facilitators from coalition agencies.
Overall, the Greater Kent County Coalition through this project will play a crucial role in addressing the
unique challenges faced by the unsheltered population of the City of Dover by providing them with the
necessary resources and support to help them regain stability and self-sufficiency.
Budget- See attachment
6
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Item 5.
Greater Kent County Coalition Campground Budget 1 year
(December 1, 2024 to December 1st, 2025)
Organization's Name: Greater Kent County Coalition/DEMCO Fiscal Sponsor
Personnel, including salaries, wages and benefits (Please Justification for each line (e.g., how did you determine Budget or Anticipated cost for 12 Months
include Name, Title and FTE) total amount?) (Original Request)
20 hours per week for 52 weeks (12 months) at $25.00
Campsite Supervisor $26,000.00
per hour
20 hours per week for 52 weeks (12 months) at $15.00
Program Services Facilitators $15,600.00
per hour
Administrative Support(Greater Kent County Coalition) 15 hours per week for 52 weeks at $12 an hour $14,040.00
Subtotal Personnel $55,640.00
Other Direct Costs, including supplies, transportation,
Description Budget or Anticipated cost for 12 Months
subcontracts, etc.
Lease 12/1/24‐12/1/25 Lease $1,000 for 12 months $12,000.00
20 tents @ $100 ($ 2,000.00)
20 Lockers @$80 ($ 1,600.00)
20 Picnic benches @ $75 ($ 1,500.00)
Supplies for Campsite 20 fire rings @$50 ($ 1,000.00) $9,520.00
20 set ups *sleeping bag, tarp, cooler @$75 ($
1,500.00)21 gravel pads @ $50 (1 for office) ($ 1,040.00)
42 Camping Chairs @$21 ($ 880.00)
One time set‐ up fee for each campsite one time per campsite to get set up $475 $9,500.00
portable toilets Portable toilets $400 x 12 ($ 4,800.00) $4,800.00
Mosquito Bug Spray (Monthly in summer) $400 x 6 ($ 2,400.00) $2,400.00
Subtotal Other Direct $38,220.00
Total Direct Costs $93,860.00
Overhead Costs (capped at 10% of Direct Costs)(DEMCO) $9,386.00
Total Budget Request (Direct Costs plus Overhead) $103,246.00
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