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Regular City Council Meeting Agenda
February 24, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.
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 Bishop Thomas L. Holsey
Pledge of Allegiance Led by Councilman Lindell
Adoption of Agenda
* 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 - Regular Council Meeting of February 10, 2020
2. Presentation - 2019 Planning and Community Development Annual Report
* 3. Council Committee of the Whole Report - February 11, 2020
A. Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee
1. Citizen Quality of Life and Community Enhancement Concerns
2. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Semi-Annual Report (September
2019 - February 2020)
3. Proposed Budget Amendments to the 2019 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Action Plan and Carry-Forward Undisbursed Obligations
(Committee recommendation: Approval of the proposed Budget Amendments
totaling $154,209.73 for Fiscal Year 2019)
B. Utility Committee
1. Proposed Utility Rate Changes
2. Presentation - Streetlight Inventory and Photometric Analysis (Citelum)
(Committee recommendation: Directing City staff to work with Citelum to develop
a strategic proposal to include scope and potential financial implications of the
proposed project)
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Council Agenda - February 24, 2020 Page 2
* 3. Council Committee of the Whole Report - February 11, 2020 (Continued)
B. Utility Committee (Continued)
3. Discussion - Wireless Communications Facilities
C. Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
1. Proposed Amendments to Personnel Policy (Employee Handbook) -
Discrimination and Harassment Section
(Committee recommendation: Approval of the proposed amendments to the
Personnel Policy (Employee Handbook) - Discrimination and Harassment Sections)
2. Amendments to Travel Policy
(Committee recommendation: Approval of the proposed amendments to the City of
Dover Travel Policy)
3. Extension of Contract Services for Third Party Payroll Processing provided by
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
(Committee recommendation: Authorize the Controller/Treasurer to extend the ADP
contract through December 31, 2020, unless the ERP implementation results in an
earlier cancellation)
4. Proposed Ordinance #2020-04 - Amending Chapter 22 - Buildings and Building
Regulations, Article I - In General, Section 22-1 - Construction and Property
Maintenance Code Board of Appeals
(Committee recommendation: Referring Proposed Ordinance #2020-04 - Amending
Chapter 22 - Building and Building Regulations, Article I - In General, Section 22-1
- Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals, back to staff to
work on the concerns expressed, and bring it back in March)
* 4. 2020 Staff Appointment - Janella M. Tauchus - Assistant Treasurer
5. City Manager’s Announcements
6. Council Members’ Announcements
7. Adjournment
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S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Council-Agendas\2020\02-24-2020 Council Agenda.wpd
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
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 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on February 10, 2020 at 7:32 p.m. with Council President
Hare presiding. Council members present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler, Mr. Neil, Mr. Slavin,
Mr. Cole (departed at 8:01 p.m. and returned at 8:15 p.m.), Mr. Polce, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Lindell.
Staff members present were Major Stump, Ms. Cruz, Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Hugg, Fire Chief Rhodes,
City Solicitor Rodriguez, and Mrs. McDowell. Mayor Christiansen was also present (departed at
7:41 p.m.).
OPEN FORUM
The Open Forum was held at 7:15 p.m., prior to commencement of the Official Council Meeting.
Council President Hare declared the Open Forum in session and reminded those present that Council
was not in official session and could not take formal action.
Mr. Sambat (Sam) Anderson, Sr., 430 Millchop Lane, Magnolia, Delaware, spoke about issues
involving violations of his constitutional rights by the NSA and the state police stemming from an
incident in 2009. Mayor Christiansen advised that he met with Mr. Anderson and provided him with
the appropriate contact information, noting that this was not a City of Dover matter. He suggested
that Mr. Anderson make an appointment with Senator Carper or Senator Coons.
The invocation was given by Bishop Thomas L. Holsey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Mr. Sudler moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Mr. Anderson requested that item #6-A-2 - Council Committee of the Whole Report/Utility
Committee/Update on Water Main Breaks and item #6-B-4 - Council Committee of the Whole
Report/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee/Discharge of Bicycle and Pedestrian
Subcommittee be removed from the consent agenda.
Mr. Anderson moved for adoption of the consent agenda, as amended, seconded by Mr. Taylor
and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 2020
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 27, 2020 were unanimously approved
by motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Taylor and bore the written approval of Mayor
Christiansen.
TRIBUTE NO. 2020-01 WILLIAM W. PEPPER, SR.
The City Clerk read the following Tribute into the record:
A TRIBUTE EXPRESSING SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES UPON THE PASSING OF
WILLIAM W. PEPPER, SR.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 2
WHEREAS, the Mayor, Council, and employees of the City of Dover are deeply saddened by the
death of William W. Pepper, Sr., Deputy City Solicitor, who passed away on December 27, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pepper was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1985; U.S. District Court, District of
Delaware, in 1986 and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, in 1988. He was appointed Deputy
City Solicitor of the City Dover on December 18, 1989 and served with distinction for 30 years until
his passing. Mr. Pepper also served as a trusted advisor to many other municipalities throughout the
State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pepper was a caring father, husband, brother, and friend and was well respected
among his colleagues for his vast knowledge of the law, his expertise, his direct approach, his wit,
and his willingness to always provide his opinion, both legal and otherwise, and he will be deeply
missed by all whose lives he touched.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor, Council, and employees extend their
deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of William W. Pepper, Sr., and hope
that they will be consoled by the memories of his life and achievements and in knowing that
Mr. Pepper holds a permanent place in the history of the City of Dover.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council direct the City Clerk to place this
Tribute in the permanent records of the City of Dover and that a copy of this Tribute be provided to
the family of William W. Pepper, Sr.
ADOPTED: February 10, 2020
On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Christiansen presented the Tribute, a Dover Cup, and
Mr. Pepper’s nameplate to City Solicitor Nicholas H. Rodriguez. He noted that words cannot express
the value that Mr. Pepper provided to the City of Dover for the 30 years that he was Deputy Solicitor
and asked that Mr. Rodriguez present the items to his family.
Mr. Rodriguez stated that Bill really devoted his life to the City for 30 years, offered good advice,
could provide a humorous reply to the most serious questions, and that he made you feel like he was
devoting everything to you at that particular time. He noted that Mr. Pepper always had the right
answer and that he would always miss him.
Mr. Slavin noted that, in his time as Council President, he relied on Mr. Pepper many, many times
for conversations and most of them were professional, some were personal. Bill and he got to know
each other very well and they could not have existed on any further ends of the political spectrum
ideologically. They had different approaches to politics and to what they believed in but he instilled
in him the adage that it is okay to disagree and it is okay to disagree and be polite about it. It is okay
to disagree and not tell someone their opinion is wrong. And give them the ability to have their
opinion, to try to persuade them and if not, just to inform them on where they are. Mr. Slavin stated
that he will miss him and the style that he brought. It was Mr. Slavin’s hope that sometime later in
his career he will have a similar such relationship with other people and be inspired by Mr. Pepper’s
presence in his life.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 3
Mr. Sudler stated that Mr. Pepper's home going service was warm, welcoming and beautiful. He
advised that he did not know how much he loved just being humorous and his family and he was
glad to have been able to witness that. Mr. Sudler noted that he felt like he knew him more through
the service than from the City and he offered condolences on behalf of the Sudler and Mishoe
families to the Pepper family.
Mr. Slavin moved for adoption of Tribute No. 2020-01, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously
carried.
PUBLIC HEARING/FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2019-19 WITH
STAFF AMENDMENT #1 AND PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDMENT #1
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider approval of a proposed
zoning text amendment to Appendix B - Zoning, Article 3 - District Regulations, Section 9 - General
Residence and Office Zoning (RG-O) that would permit barbershops in the General Residence and
Office (RG-O) zone. The First Reading of the Proposed Ordinance was accomplished during the
Council meeting of December 9, 2019. Council President Hare reminded members of the public that
copies of the proposed ordinance were available at the entrance of the Council Chambers or on the
City’s website at www.cityofdover.com under “Government.”
Mr. Slavin moved that the Final Reading of the proposed ordinance be acknowledged by title
only, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Mr. Dave Hugg, Director of Planning and Community Development, stated that the original RG-O
(General Residence and Office) zone was adopted many years ago and reflected a time when the first
couple of blocks of State Street, between Loockerman Street and the Green, were more
predominantly offices in historic residences and there was a concern about the proliferation of
commercial uses on that street. That section of the street has changed over time, but the zoning
ordinance does not allow for some of the kinds of uses that have been proposed. Mr. Hugg noted that
the ordinance amendment was introduced at the request of a property owner who wished to allow
a barbershop in a portion of the area that is currently zoned RG-O.
Mr. Hugg advised that a public hearing was held before the Planning Commission on
January 21, 2020 and substitute language provided by Staff that would allow personal service
establishments in the RG-O district was recommended for adoption. He noted that the amendment
will apply to any RG-O district in the City, not just on State Street, and the use would still require
Conditional Use approval from the Planning Commission through the normal process and the
Planning Commission could establish any other conditions that it felt were important to preserve the
nature of the neighborhood.
Council President Hare declared the Public Hearing open.
Mr. Joseph Chilcote, owner of Timeless Barbershop, 315 South State Street, Dover, stated that he
was opposed to the amendment because it would still require him to go through the Conditional Use
Permit process and he has been out of employment and has incurred expenses trying to get a shop
opened. He advised that the Conditional Use would put him further in debt. Mr. Chilcote noted that
the other side of the street is zoned for a barbershop.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 4
Council President Hare closed the Public Hearing.
Mr. Anderson moved for adoption of Ordinance #2019-19 as amended by Staff Amendment #1 and
Planning Commission Amendment #1. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler.
Mr. Anderson moved to amend the ordinance by adding a new section B and re-designating the
section thereafter. The following uses shall be permitted uses, antique shops, art galleries, gift and
card shops and personal use establishments. A new section C would strike the uses that were just
named that are in section B.
Responding to Mr. Lindell, Mr. Hugg stated that the amendment would basically waive the
Conditional Use Permit requirement in this situation and make them uses by right or permitted uses.
Mr. Lindell asked if there were any unforeseen consequences of this amendment on other
Conditional Use situations. Mr. Hugg advised that this amendment will apply to any RG-O district
in the City. He noted that section A still maintains that certain kinds of uses, such as cafeterias and
restaurants, will have to go through an additional level of review.
Mr. Polce clarified that the amendment would allow for specialty stores such as antiques, art
galleries, gift and card shops, bookstores, and specialty hobby stores such as models and needle
crafts. Mr. Hugg stated that section 9.14 B only applies in those cases where the RG-O zone also
has the Historic District Overlay. He noted that this particular area is somewhat unique and he did
not believe that the amendment would have a broad impact beyond this area.
Responding to Mr. Sudler regarding the impact of the new proposed amendment, Mr. Hugg stated
that Staff had not looked at every potential RG-O district in the City, noting that there are not very
many of them and they are largely downtown. Mr. Anderson advised that he reviewed the Code and
he could not find any other area where the RG-O and Historic District overlay.
Mr. Anderson stated that restaurants and bakery shops where baking occurs on premises bring other
factors that may need additional review, such as kitchens, safety issues, additional parking and
traffic, etc. are more complicated and it is reasonable for them to have a conditional use. Antique
shops, art galleries, gift and card shops and personal service establishments would be permitted uses.
Mr. Hugg summarized that Section 9 - General Residence and Office Zone (RG-O), Section 9.1 -
Uses Permitted, Section 9.14 would be amended so that antique shops, art galleries, gift and card
shops and personal services establishments would be considered permitted uses. A new section (c)
would be created to indicate that bookstores, specialty hobby stores, bakeries, including bakeries on
premises and restaurants would still be considered a conditional use in that zoning district where
both the Historic District zone and the RG-O zone overlap.
Mr. Anderson moved for adoption of Ordinance #2019-19 as amended by Staff Amendment #1 and
Planning Commission Amendment #1. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler.
The motion for adoption, as amended, was carried by a unanimous roll call vote, and
Ordinance #2019-19 was adopted as follows:
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 5
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN
COUNCIL MET:
That Appendix B - Zoning, Article 3 - District Regulations, Section 9 - General Residence and
Office Zoning (RG-O) of the Dover Code be amended by inserting the bold, blue and green text and
deleting the text indicated in red strikeout as follows:
Section 9. General residence and office zone (RG O).
9.1 Uses permitted. In a general residence and office zone, no building or premises shall
be used, and no building or part of a building shall be erected, which is arranged,
intended, or designed to be used, in whole or in part, for any purpose, except the
following:
9.11 Any use permitted in the general residence zone, except off street parking
accessory to uses in the central commercial zone (C 2).
9.12 Any use permitted in the RM 2 zone.
9.131 Business, professional, or governmental office on suitably landscaped lots.
9.132 In order to stimulate limited commercial activity in this zone where the city's
historic district overlay zone exists and to make this portion of the city's
historic district a greater attraction to tourists and residents, the following list
of preferred uses are permitted:
(a) Antique shops, art galleries, gift and card shops, and personal service
establishments.
9.14 The following uses are permitted, conditional upon the approval of the
planning commission in accordance with the procedures and subject to the
general conditions set forth in section 10.1 and to any specified requirements
set forth below:
(a) After a building complex in this zone has reached a building space
area of 100,000 square feet, then the following uses shall be permitted
as conditional uses, subject to the approval of the planning
commission: cafeterias, restaurants, barbershops, beauty shops, travel
agencies, banks, copy centers, coffee supplies, retail stores,
newsstands and associated laboratory facilities.
(b) In order to stimulate limited commercial activity in this zone where
the city's historic district overlay zone exists and to make this portion
of the city's historic district a greater attraction to tourists and
residents, the following list of preferred uses may be permitted as
conditional uses, subject to the approval of the planning commission:
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 6
I. Book stores, specialty hobby stores (i.e., miniatures, models,
needlecrafts), bakeries (including baking on premises), and
restaurants.
ii. Limitation of entrances from State Street only.
iii. Total floor area of any one use is not to exceed 2,000 square
feet.
iv. Such uses will be subject to historic district requirements and
will therefore require an architectural review certificate.
Architectural review certificates for uses described above
shall not be granted unless it has been demonstrated that the
proposed use will result in either no material change to the
exterior of the structure visible from State Street or will result
in a restoration of the structure to an appearance which can be
documented to more closely reflect the historical appearance
of that structure. Material change would include
modifications to doors, windows and masonry, other than
routine maintenance.
v. No parking shall be required for the use.
vi. If new construction is proposed on State Street between
Loockerman and Water Streets, the proposal must not require
demolition or extensive modifications of any existing
structure which presently contributes to the historic district
because of its age or architectural appearance. In addition, the
RG O zone bulk and parking requirements would be waived
in certain respects. Lot width and depth will be as appropriate
to the site, subject to architectural review and site plan
review. Setbacks will be discouraged. Side yards will reflect
the needs of adjacent structures by providing adequate light
and air to reach existing windows. The height limit of 35 feet
or 22 stories will be retained, as will the 85 percent lot
coverage limit. The floor area ratio limitation will be raised to
1.0. The parking requirements will be waived.
(c) Bed and breakfast inns, subject to the following:
I. A bed and breakfast inn may only be established within a
primary residential structure or in an associated accessory
structure.
ii. The owner of the property shall reside on the premises of the
bed and breakfast inn or in an adjacent premises. However, if
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 7
ownership of the property is in the name of a corporation,
partnership, trust, etc., a full time resident
manager/operator/innkeeper shall reside in the principal
structure on the subject property or adjacent property.
iii. The principal structure shall contain at least one full bathroom
for the exclusive use of the owner or resident manager and
other members of the immediate household. In addition, one
full bathroom shall be provided for each two guestrooms.
Each full bathroom shall contain a minimum of one water
closet (toilet), one lavatory (sink) and one bathtub or shower
stall and shall comply with all applicable building and
plumbing codes.
iv. The number of guestrooms requested shall be set forth in the
application for conditional use. The planning commission
shall expressly establish the maximum number of guestrooms
permitted for any application for which approval is granted.
In no case shall a bed and breakfast inn contain more than ten
guestrooms.
v. Off street parking shall be provided at a minimum of two
spaces, plus one space per guestroom. Off street parking shall
be prohibited in the front yard, except that such parking which
may be customarily accommodated on a single width
driveway may be permitted. Required parking may be
provided on the premises or off the premises, provided that
such off premises parking is located within 150 feet walking
distance of the bed and breakfast property.
vi. Lot coverage for a bed and breakfast inn shall not exceed 60
percent of the lot.
vii. Signage is limited to one sign, not to exceed six square feet in
area. Signs may be illuminated, provided that internally
illuminated signs shall be prohibited.
viii. Meals may be served to residents and overnight guests only.
No cooking appliances or kitchenettes shall be permitted
within the guestrooms, except for small refrigerators and
microwave ovens.
ix. The stay of overnight guests shall be limited to 30 consecutive
days.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 8
x. The owner/operator of a bed and breakfast inn shall maintain
a current City of Dover business license and the establishment
shall be inspected at least semi annually by the City of Dover
Fire Marshal and the City of Dover Health Inspector for
compliance with all applicable life safety and health and
sanitation codes.
9.15 Signs shall meet the regulations found in article 5, section 4, supplementary
sign regulations.
9.2 Performance standards. All uses are subject to performance standards as set
forth in article 5, section 8.1.
9.3 Site development plan approval. Site development plan approval in
accordance with article 10, section 2 hereof shall be required prior to the
issuance of building permits for the erection or enlargement of all structures
and related accessory structures. Such approval shall also be required prior
to the issuance of certificates of occupancy for a change of use.
9.4 Off street parking. No parking lot shall be located within the minimum
required front yard, nor between the street line and the principal building on
the lot. Off street parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions
of article 4 and article 6 of this ordinance.
(Ord. of 2 14 1983; Ord. of 1 9 1989; Ord. of 6 26 1989; Ord. of 2 10 1992; Ord. of 7 12 1993, §14;
Ord. of 4 25 1994; Ord. of 7 10 2000; Ord. of 2 12 2001; Ord. No. 2012 15, 8 13 2012)
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
PUBLIC HEARING/FINAL READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2019-22
REZONING REQUEST FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4 LAKEVIEW DRIVE
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning of property
located at 4 Lakeview Drive, consisting of 0.63+/- acres, owned by William E. Ardito. The property
is currently zoned R-7 (One-family Residence) and the proposed zoning is RG-1 (General
Residence).
(Tax Parcel: ED-05-068.13-01-08.00-000; Planning Reference: Z-20-01; Council District: 3)
Council President Hare reminded members of the public that copies of the proposed ordinance were
available at the entrance of the Council Chambers or on the City’s website at www.cityofdover.com
under “Government.”
Mr. Slavin moved that the Final Reading of Proposed Ordinance #2019-22 be acknowledged
by title only, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. (The First Reading of the Proposed
Ordinance was accomplished during the Council meeting of December 9, 2019.)
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 9
Planner's Review
Mr. Dave Hugg, Director of Planning and Community Development, reviewed the petition to amend
the zoning district and the findings and recommendations of the Planning Commission. He noted
that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request.
Councilman Cole recused himself from consideration of this item due to a conflict of interest.
Public Hearing
Council President Hare declared the public hearing open.
Mr. William Ardito, 4 Lakeview Drive, advised that he was the applicant and property owner and
that he planned to use just one room of his home as a bed and breakfast.
Noting that Ms. Barbara Shepperson and Mr. Richard Kepfer were present during the Open Forum
to speak about something very similar that is scheduled for consideration in two weeks and, due to
the similarity they were advised to speak during the public hearing instead of the Open Forum,
Council President Hare invited them to express their concerns about this type of rezoning.
Ms. Shepperson expressed concern about an Airbnb that opened in her neighborhood, Sherwood IV,
that was being rented as four individual rooms each night. She noted that cars come in every night
at odd times. Ms. Shepperson advised that they contacted the City and the rental of the four
bedrooms was closed down but now they are renting the home two to four nights a week with three
or four cars coming and going, checking in all night, usually after midnight, and setting motion lights
on and off all night long. She also expressed concern for the safety of the young children and the
elderly in the neighborhood, the garbage that is being left out for weeks, and the raccoons that the
garbage is attracting.
Ms. Shepperson asked about taxes, permits, zoning, business licenses, and regulations related to
Airbnb’s and the potential lost revenue to the City. She suggested the elimination of short-term
rentals. Ms. Shepperson advised that approximately eight people were present regarding the Airbnb
in her neighborhood.
Mr. Richard Kepfer, 2659 Hartly Road, Hartly, Delaware, stated that he owns property in
Ms. Shepperson’s neighborhood and his daughter currently resides there. He noted that he spoke
with someone at the City when this problem was brought to his attention in November and he was
told that they were going to try and rectify the situation. Mr. Kepfer stated that the owner has
obtained a rental permit and he was not issued any fines for illegal activity.
There being no one present wishing to speak, Council President Hare declared the hearing closed.
Mr. Neil expressed concern that the rezoning would allow a lease land community if the entire
community was rezoned to medium density. He noted that he owns a home on leased land and
explained the pitfalls of those communities. Mr. Neil stated that he does not believe in second
guessing the professional staff looking to the future of Dover, but the cluster of Lakeview homes that
are zoned R-7 are very rare in Dover and he advised that he would vote against the rezoning.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 10
Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the rezoning request, as recommended by the Planning
Commission. The motion failed for the lack of a second.
PRESENTATION - 2019 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Chief Ronald Rhodes reviewed the 2019 Fire Department Annual Report.
Mr. Polce asked what the collection rate was for insurance claim billing. Chief Rhodes responded
that they continue to request reimbursement from the State anytime they use the jaws of life or
perform extensive extrications on vehicles. He noted that reimbursement is on a first come first
served basis and he estimated that they received $4,000 the previous year.
Mr. Taylor asked how many of the 1300 calls were active fires. Chief Rhodes estimated that 25 were
active fires.
Mr. Taylor asked what the yearly cost to the taxpayer was for training and maintenance of the
vehicles and the firehouse. Responding, Chief Rhodes advised that they receive $360,000 from the
City and everything else either comes from State Grant in Aid or insurance money. He noted that
they send out donation requests every year and they have a 7% return from the citizens.
Chief Rhodes stated that their goal is always $100,000, and it costs them almost 30 to complete the
process.
Responding to Mr. Taylor, Chief Rhodes stated that fire sprinklers were very beneficial, noting that
the smaller the fire is when the Fire Department gets to it, the better.
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, clarified that the City of Dover appropriates $330,000 directly
to Robbins Hose, in addition to covering all of their personnel and their loan payments, for a total
of approximately $1M per year from the City.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Rhodes advised that anyone who was interested in volunteering
could apply through the website at www.doverfiredepartment.org or stop by Station No.1, which is
staffed 24 hours a day.
Mr. Anderson asked if additional training on diversity was planned for the Fire Department.
Chief Rhodes stated that they had no current plans for a workshop since their biggest goal was
recruitment. Mr. Sudler stated that they usually go hand in hand and suggested showing more
diversity on their website to make others feel welcome. Chief Rhodes advised that they have
recruited at Delaware State University, Wesley College, and Dover High School.
Responding to Mr. Slavin, Chief Rhodes reiterated that the 2019 Firefighter of the Year was a
Wesley College student. He noted that two juniors at Wesley College joined when they were
freshman and they completed their two years of probationary membership and moved on to active
membership. Chief Rhodes advised that they both plan on staying in Dover.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Chief Rhodes noted that Deana Simmons, recipient of the Chief’s
Award, is the first female and woman of color to be a line officer.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 11
Mr. Sudler moved for acceptance of the 2019 Annual Report of the Fire Department. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REPORT -
JANUARY 16, 2020
The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) met on January 16, 2020
at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Gaddis presiding. Members present were Mr. Fleming,
Mrs. Herbert, Ms. Paige and Mr. Rocha. Ms. Mullen was absent.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
Revisions to the DHRC Strategic Plan 2019-2021
Mr. Gaddis stated that 2019 is done and that the commissioners need to change the
dates on the strategic plan to 2020 to either 2022 or 2023. He noted that the original
strategic plan went from 2015 - 2018 which amounts to about four years.
Mrs. Herbert asked the Commission if they should make it two or three years. She
asked if there is a possibility the Commission would need to make some kind of
change. Mrs. Herbert noted that it took so long to do this and she would really like
to say 2020 through at least 2023, Mr. Fleming agreed.
Mrs. Herbert moved to recommend revising the years of the DHRC Strategic
Plan to reflect the years 2020 - 2023, seconded by Ms. Paige and unanimously
carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Commission’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Fleming moved to recommend revising to the years listed in the body of the
strategic plan to reflect the years 2020 – 2023, seconded by Mrs. Paige and
unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Commission’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Fleming moved to recommend approval of the revised strategic plan,
seconded by Mr. Rocha, and unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Commission’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Discussion – Intake Form
Mrs. Herbert stated that until the revised DHRC Strategic Plan is approved the
Commission should not develop an intake form, not because they should not develop
one, but because Council may remove it for some reason.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 12
Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mrs. Traci McDowell, City Clerk, stated that the DHRC
Report for January 17, 2020 could be submitted to City Council at their regular
meeting scheduled on February 10, 2020.
Responding to Mr. Fleming, Mrs. Herbert stated she imagined the Commission could
submit both, the intake form and revised strategic plan at the same time, but that if
they spend their time working on an intake form and Council says they do not want
the Commission to use an intake form, or they may have input into the intake form,
they will have to modify.
Mr. Gaddis stated that his personal reaction was to take a look at the intake form and
see what they might need to either modernize or improve it. Mrs. Herbert stated that
City Council might want to know more about the whole process than just the form
itself. Mr. Rocha noted developing a process.
Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Fleming stated that the intake form was made
available through the City. Mr. Fleming noted that people would come in and if they
had a problem they would express that and then the people that were working at the
front counter in City Hall would give them the form. Mr. Fleming noted that those
at the counter would handle the concern or complaint, and then they would give them
a form to complete and to bring it back once completed.
Responding to Mrs. Herbert, Mr. Fleming stated he did not really know if the intake
form was made available online at the time, but that it probably should be if the
Commission moves forward. Mr. Fleming noted that there is not any reason why
people would have to come to City Hall to pick up a form.
Mr. Fleming moved to defer further discussion of the intake form to the Dover
Human Relations Commission Meeting scheduled for February 20, 2020,
seconded by Ms. Paige and unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Commission’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Proposed Revisions to DHRC Brochure - Mission Statement
Members expressed concerns regarding the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Study.
Ms. Paige moved to defer revisions to the DHRC Brochure until the revised
strategic plan is approved by City Council, and it was unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Commission’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Fleming moved for adjournment, seconded by Ms. Paige and unanimously
carried.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 13
Meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for acceptance of the Dover Human Relations
Commission Report, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT - JANUARY 28, 2020
The Council Committee of the Whole met on January 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., with
Council President Hare presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson,
Mr. Sudler (departed at 7:32 p.m.), Mr. Neil, Mr. Slavin (departed at 7:40 p.m.),
Mr. Cole, Mr. Polce (arrived at 6:17 p.m.), Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Lindell. Mayor
Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee
meetings were Mrs. Doyle (Utility) and Mr. Garfinkel (Safety Advisory and
Transportation). Mr. Shelton (Safety Advisory and Transportation) was absent.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Cole presiding.
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Sudler and
unanimously carried.
Dedication of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure - Leander Lakes
Apartment Complex
Mr. Jason Lyon, Deputy Director of Public Works, reviewed background information
regarding the dedication of water and wastewater infrastructure to Leander Lakes
Apartment Complex.
Staff recommended acceptance of water and wastewater infrastructure within the
public utility easement in Leander Lakes Apartment Complex. Dedication is to
include all of the referenced water and wastewater infrastructure.
Mr. Anderson moved to recommend acceptance of Staff's recommendation. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Update on Water Main Breaks
Mr. Jason Lyon, Assistant Director of Public Works, reviewed a presentation titled
"Updated on Water Main Breaks." Mr. Lyon noted that Ms. Sharon Duca, Director
of Public Works, was instrumental in putting the presentation together and wanted
to notice all the hard workers from the City of Dover that deal with the water main
breaks on odd hours of the night, including Christmas Day.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 14
Mr. Anderson moved for adjournment of the Utility Committee meeting,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
During the Council Meeting, at the request of Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Mitchell provided a summary of
the update on the water main breaks.
Mr. Anderson moved for acceptance of the Utility Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Polce
and unanimously carried.
SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee met with Chairman Taylor
presiding.
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Hare and
unanimously carried.
Evaluation of Bids - Fiscal Year 2020 Street and Alley Program
Mr. Jason Lyon, Assistant Director of Public Works, reviewed the background and
analysis regarding the evaluation of bids for the fiscal year 2020 Street and Alley
Program.
Staff recommended awarding a unit price contract, based upon Bid #20-0014PW for
the FY 20 Street & Alley Program to George & Lynch, Inc. based on the unit prices
for each work item submitted. The estimated value of the contract is $1,037,893.90.
Work will be performed in strict accordance to the Bid Specifications.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend awarding a unit price contract, based upon Bid
#20-0014PW for the FY 20 Street & Alley Program to George & Lynch, Inc.
based on the unit prices for each work item submitted, as recommended by
staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation,
seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Reconsideration - Prioritization of City of Dover State Capital Transportation
Program (CTP) Projects
During the Regular Council meeting of December 9, 2019 members approved the
Committee's November 26, 2019 recommendation to reprioritize item #4 -
Loockerman Street/Forest Street Intersection as item #11 and discussing the project
further in January 2020.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 15
Mr. Dave Hugg, Director of Planning and Community Development, reviewed the
history of the Loockerman Street/Forest Street Intersection.
Mr. Drew Boyce, Director of Planning, Delaware Department of Transportation,
reviewed a presentation titled, “How a Federally Funded Roadway Project Happens”.
Mr. Anderson moved to recommend switching item #11 Loockerman
Street/Forest Street Intersection and item #5 Crawford Carroll Avenue
Extension. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
During the Council Meeting, Mr. Taylor, Chair of the Safety Advisory and Transportation
Committee, provided a summary of the Committee’s recommendation and advised that DelDOT has
subsequently requested that the motion be restated for clarification.
Mr. Taylor moved to delete Item #5 Crawford Carroll Avenue Extension as determined by
DelDOT to not be feasible to construct (remove this project from the list completely) and move
Item #11 Loockerman Street/Forest Street Intersection to become Item #5 and instruct
DelDOT to continue project development. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and
unanimously carried.
Quarterly Update - Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
This item was deferred on November 26, 2019 due to the absence of a subcommittee
representative.
Mr. Chris Asay, Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Chair, reviewed the Quarterly
Update for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee.
Discharge of Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
This item was referred to the Committee by City Council during their Regular
Meeting of January 13, 2020.
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, reviewed her memorandum regarding the
Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend that they sunset the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Subcommittee with their appreciation for the work that they have done and that there
should be an informal committee to advise the City Manager to report quarterly to
City Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garfinkel.
Mr. Lindell stated that following Mrs. Mitchell’s memorandum as far as the process
of working with interested individuals who want to improve pedestrian and bike
safety in the community that they follow that as well.
Mr. Taylor stated that regardless of the outcome, he will continue to work with the
cyclist community on a monthly basis to continue the great work that Bicycle and
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 16
Pedestrian Subcommittee members have done. He stated he has no intention of
walking away.
Mr. Polce stated that regarding the City’s status as a bike friendly community, the
only requirement, it does not say formal or informal, it just says to have an active
bicycle advocacy group. He noted the City is a bronze status and they could
matriculate up to silver and the steps to improve upon their current score, is simply
continuing to increase the amount of high quality bicycle parking throughout the
community and improve bike month activities by creating a bike to school event day,
and then has limited bike network, essentially major arteries and creating greater
passageways. He stated the matter of being formal or informal will, in theory, not
impact their bike friendly status.
Mr. Sudler stated that he feels this is a political boycott against this committee.
Mr. Sudler stated that he cannot believe that there are individuals that do not want
to serve on this committee, or they just do not have the man power. He stated that
this was a form of boycotting this committee for whatever reasons. Mr. Sudler noted
that he was not going to vote in favor of it, but is going to take a stand and it will
remain on the record.
Mr. Anderson thanked the members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
because a lot of great work has been done over the past eight years. He stated that the
work that has been done in the trail blazing work has been a tremendous, that it has
made people safer in the community. Mr. Anderson stated that they have a lot of
bicyclers and many of the bicyclers, are people who are bicyclists not by choice, it
is their primary mode of transportation, so he has had an interest in this, an interest
in bicycle safety, whether it is children biking to school or adults biking to work and
people who have got a new start on life, and their first vehicle is a bicycle they
desperately need to get to work. Mr. Anderson noted that it is an important issue, not
a side issue, because a lot of people that they are privileged to serve, it is not about
recreation, it is about a way of life.
Mr. Neil called the question, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried.
The motion to recommend sunsetting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
was carried by a roll call vote of six yes (Neil, Cole, Polce, Lindell, Hare, and
Garfinkel) and three no (Anderson, Sudler, and Taylor).
During the Council Meeting, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Sudler expressed their support for
the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee.
Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the Committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Lindell
and carried by a roll call vote of six (6) yes (Neil, Slavin, Cole, Polce, Lindell, and Hare) and
three (3) no (Anderson, Sudler, and Taylor).
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 17
Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Safety Advisory and Transportation
Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Lindell and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Mr. Anderson moved to accept the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Report.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Mr. Cole moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole
meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Mr. Anderson moved for acceptance of the Council Committee of the Whole Report, seconded
by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS - DECEMBER 2019
By motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Taylor, the following monthly reports were
accepted by consent agenda:
City Assessor's Report
City Council’s Community Enhancement Fund Report
City Manager's Report
City Planner's Report
Controller/Treasurer's Budget Report
Fire Chief's Report
Police Chief's Report
ANNEXATION/REZONING REQUEST/FIRST READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
#2020-02 - PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1448 NORTH LITTLE CREEK ROAD, OWNED BY
HOLLY L. MAYER
A request was received for annexation and rezoning of property located at 1448 North Little Creek
Road, consisting of 0.22+/- acres, owned by Holly L. Mayer. This property is currently zoned RMH
- Residential Manufactured Home (Kent County zoning classification) and the proposed zoning is
R-8 - One Family Residence (City of Dover zoning classification).
(Tax Parcel: ED-00-077.00-01-02 .00-000; Planning Reference: AX-20-0 I; Council District 2)
Staff recommended that the request be referred to the Utility Committee on February 25, 2020; the
Planning Commission on March 16, 2020; and that a Public Hearing be set for April 13, 2020 at
7:30 p.m.
Mr. Neil moved for referral, as recommended, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously
carried.
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:
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 18
ORDINANCE #2020-02 AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE
CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 1448 NORTH LITTLE CREEK ROAD, OWNED BY HOLLY L. MAYER
ANNEXATION/REZONING REQUEST/FIRST READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
#2020-03 - PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1385-1389 MCKEE ROAD, OWNED BY MEB
PROPERTIES, LLC AND CHRISTOPHER CUSTIS. THE EQUITABLE OWNER IS LOUIS
J. CAPANO, III
A request was received for annexation and rezoning of property located at 1385-1389 McKee Road,
consisting of 78.60+/- acres, owned by MEB Properties, LLC and Christopher Custis. The equitable
owner is Louis J. Capano, III. This property is currently zoned RSl - Residential Single Family (Kent
County zoning classification) and the proposed zoning is RG-2 - General Residence for 73.34 acres
and C-2A - Limited Commercial for 5.26 acres with the property frontage along McKee Road subject
to the COZ-1 - Corridor Overlay Zone 1 (City of Dover zoning classifications).
(Tax Parcel: ED-00-077.00-01-02 .00-000; Planning Reference: AX-20-0 I; Council District 2)
Staff recommended that the request be referred to the Utility Committee on February 25, 2020; the
Planning Commission on March 16, 2020; and that a Public Hearing be set for April 13, 2020 at
7:30 p.m.
Mr. Neil moved for referral, as recommended, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously
carried.
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:
ORDINANCE #2020-03 AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE
CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 1385-1389 MCKEE ROAD, OWNED BY MEB PROPERTIES, LLC AND CHRISTOPHER
CUSTIS. THE EQUITABLE OWNER IS LOUIS J. CAPANO, III.
(Tax Parcel: ED-00-067.00-01 -01.00-000; Planning Reference: AX-20-02; Council District 4)
FINAL READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2020-01
The First Reading of the Proposed Ordinance was accomplished during the Council Meeting of
January 27, 2020. Council President Hare reminded members of the public that copies of the
proposed ordinance were available at the entrance of the Council Chambers or on the City’s website
at www.cityofdover.com under “Government.”
Mr. Neil moved that the Final Reading of the proposed ordinance be acknowledged by title
only, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
By motion of Mr. Neil, seconded by Mr. Slavin, Council, by a unanimous roll call vote, adopted
Ordinance #2020-01 (Exhibit #1).
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 19
2020 STAFF APPOINTMENT - ASSISTANT CITY CLERK - JANELLA M. TAUCHUS -
ANNUAL APPOINTMENT TO EXPIRE MAY 11, 2020
By consent agenda, Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the appointment of
Janella M. Tauchus, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
CITY MANAGER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, reminded everybody that the City would be closed on Monday,
February 17, 2020 for President’s Day.
COUNCIL MEMBERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Taylor, noting that Dr. King, Malcolm X, Tuskegee airmen, W.E.B Dubois, Benjamin Banneker,
Harriet Tubman, and Nelson Mandela are often recognized for Black History Month, recognized the
following local heroes: Reuben Salters, John Pitts, Dr. Wilma Mishoe, Cecil Wilson, Mr. Marshall,
Wayne and Sammie's barbershop, and Market Subs.
Mr. Taylor announced that there would be job opportunities with the Census Bureau starting at $17
an hour up to$25 an hour. He advised that anyone 18 years of age and older could apply online or
by texting the number 313131 to census jobs. Mr. Taylor noted that money earned by seniors from
being a census employee does not go against their benefits.
Mr. Taylor congratulated Ms. Janella Tauchus on her promotion to Assistant City Clerk.
Mr. Taylor announced that there would be a follow-up to the Town Hall meeting during the next
Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting.
Council President Hare announced that Mrs. Megan Ramsey started in the Clerk’s Office as the new
FOIA Coordinator and encouraged members to stop by and say hello.
Mr. Anderson announced that the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee
would be discussing items for citizen concerns which deal with building a better environment
downtown during their meeting the following evening. He also noted that the Utility Committee
would be addressing better lighting.
Mr. Slavin moved to adjourn into executive session, seconded by Mr. Polce and unanimously
carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
TRACI A. McDOWELL
CITY CLERK
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 20
All ordinances, resolutions, motions, and orders adopted by City Council during their Regular
Meeting of February 10, 2020 are hereby approved.
ROBIN R. CHRISTIANSEN
MAYOR
/TM
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Council-Minutes\2020\02-10-2020 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES.wpd
Exhibits
Exhibit #1 - Ordinance #2020-01 - Budget Amendments
Paj 23
EXHIBIT #1
Regular Council Meeting of 02/10/2020
CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
2019-2020 BUDGET ORDINANCES
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Fifty Million Seven Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand
Seven Hundred dollars ($50,783,700) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated
from current revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
GENERAL FUND
CASH RECEIPT SUMMARY FOR 2019-2020
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 5,548,900 $ 5,720,000
RECEIPTS
FINES AND POLICE REVENUE 577,400 577,400
LIBRARY REVENUES 109,800 109,800
KENT COUNTY BOOK REIMBURSEMENT 275,000 275,000
BUSINESS LICENSES 1,470,000 1,470,000
PERMITS AND OTHER FEES 1,724,000 1,724,000
MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES 70,000 70,000
POLICE EXTRA DUTY 520,100 520,100
PROPERTY TAXES 14,596,700 14,596,700
RECREATION REVENUE 144,500 144,500
FRANCHISE FEE 645,000 645,000
SANITATION FEES 3,076,600 3,076,600
RENT REVENUE - GARRISON FARM 98,000 98,000
COURT OF CHANCERY FEES 1,475,000 1,475,000
INVESTMENT INCOME 120,000 120,000
RECEIPTS SUBTOTAL 24,902,100 24,902,100
INTERFUND SERVICE RECEIPTS
INTERFUND SERVICE RECEIPTS WATER 1,067,800 1,067,800
INTERFUND SERVICE RECEIPTS WASTEWATER 769,200 769,200
INTERFUND SERVICE RECEIPTS ELECTRIC 3,912,900 3,912,900
INTERFUND SERVICE RECEIPTS SUBTOTAL 5,749,900 5,749,900
GRANTS:
POLICE RELATED/EXTRA DUTY 145,000 145,000
POLICE PENSION GRANT 445,000 445,000
GREEN ENERGY GRANT 98,500 98,500
GRANTS SUBTOTAL 688,500 688,500
TRANSFERS FROM:
TRANSFER TAX 1,525,000 1,525,000
MUNICIPAL STREET AID 665,300 665,300
CIVIL TRAFFIC PENALTIES 532,900 532,900
WATER/WASTEWATER 1,000,000 1,000,000
ELECTRIC 10,000,000 10,000,000
TRANSFERS FROM SUBTOTAL 13,723,200 13,723,200
TOTAL REVENUES 45,063,700 45,063,700
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCE & REVENUE $ 50,612,600 $ 50,783,700
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Paj 24
2019-2020 BUDGET ORDINANCES
GENERAL FUND - EXPENDITURES AND BUDGET BALANCE FOR 2019-2020
2019/20 2019/20
DEPARTMENT EXPENSES BUDGET REVISED
CITY CLERK $ 432,600 $ 432,600
COUNCIL 157,700 157,700
TAX ASSESSOR 398,200 398,200
FIRE 763,700 763,700
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 1,269,500 1,269,500
LIBRARY 1,779,800 1,839,800
RECREATION 1,156,600 1,156,600
LIFE SAFETY 381,500 381,500
CODE ENFORCEMENT 680,200 680,200
PLANNING 570,400 570,400
INSPECTIONS 644,700 644,700
POLICE 17,183,900 17,155,000
POLICE EXTRA DUTY 665,100 665,100
STREETS 810,600 810,600
STORMWATER 859,000 859,000
SANITATION 2,432,400 2,432,400
CITY MANAGER 1,007,900 1,007,900
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 747,000 747,000
FINANCE 935,800 935,800
PUBLIC WORKS - ADMINISTRATION 802,300 802,300
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT 655,700 655,700
PUBLIC WORKS - ENGINEERING 368,800 368,800
PROCUREMENT & INVENTORY 684,400 684,400
FLEET MAINTENANCE 1,051,200 1,051,200
CUSTOMER SERVICE 1,067,500 1,067,500
HUMAN RESOURCES 523,300 573,300
MAYOR 226,900 226,900
DEPARTMENT SUBTOTALS 38,256,700 38,337,800
OTHER EXPENSES
DEBT SERVICE 500,000 500,000
CONTRIBUTION TO DDP 150,000 150,000
INSURANCE 750,000 840,000
RETIREES HEALTH CARE 1,894,900 1,894,900
BANK & CREDIT CARD FEES 20,000 20,000
STREET LIGHTS 815,000 815,000
OTHER EXPENSE SUBTOTAL 4,129,900 4,219,900
TRANSFERS
TRANSFER TO CAPITAL FUND - PROJECTS 3,261,600 3,261,600
APPROP. TO THE POLICE PENSION FUND 519,600 519,600
APPROP. POLICE PENSION - STATE GRANT 445,000 445,000
TRANSFER TO ELECTRIC I & E FUND 250,000 250,000
TRANSFER TO INVENTORY WRITE-OFFS - -
TRANSFERS SUBTOTAL 4,476,200 4,476,200
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 46,862,800 47,033,900
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE 3,749,800 3,749,800
TOTALS $ 50,612,600 $ 50,783,700
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
2
Paj 25
CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
GOVERNMENTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Eight Million Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Four Hundred
dollars ($8,270,400) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current
revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
REVENUES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE - PROJECTS $ 304,300 $ 2,776,300
REVENUES
STATE GRANTS - Other 241,800 241,800
LIBRARY COUNTY GRANT - 125,000
BUDGET BOND/BANK PROCEEDS 1,228,600 1,228,600
TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 3,261,600 3,261,600
TRANSFER FROM PARKLAND RESERVE - 191,800
TRANSFER FROM CAPITAL ASSET RESERVE 172,000 445,300
SUBTOTAL PROJECT RECEIPTS 4,904,000 5,494,100
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES 4,904,000 5,494,100
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCE AND REVENUES $ 5,208,300 $ 8,270,400
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
EXPENDITURES BUDGET REVISED
FIRE $ 281,100 $ 281,100
GROUNDS 128,400 153,400
RECREATION 476,000 1,073,600
LIFE SAFETY 48,900 48,900
CODE ENFORCEMENT 37,200 37,200
INSPECTIONS 18,600 18,600
POLICE 753,900 954,700
STREETS 1,266,500 3,289,400
STORMWATER 365,000 365,000
SANITATION 287,200 287,200
LIBRARY - 125,000
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 45,600 45,600
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT 784,000 874,800
PROCUREMENT & INVENTORY 390,000 390,000
FLEET MAINTENANCE 21,600 21,600
DEPARTMENT SUBTOTAL 4,904,000 7,966,100
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 4,904,000 7,966,100
BUDGET BALANCE 304,300 304,300
TOTAL BUDGET BALANCE & EXPENDITURES $ 5,208,300 $ 8,270,400
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
GOVERNMENTAL CAPITAL ASSET RESERVE
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating One Million Three Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Four Hundred dollars
($1,363,400) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current revenues
and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
CASH RECEIPTS
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 1,075,300 $ 1,348,600
INTEREST EARNINGS 14,800 14,800
TOTALS $ 1,090,100 $ 1,363,400
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
TRANSFER TO GOVERNMENTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $ 172,000 $ 445,300
CARRY FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR 918,100 918,100
TOTALS $ 1,090,100 $ 1,363,400
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
4
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
PARKLAND/RECREATION RESERVE
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Two Hundred Forty-Six Thousand Three Hundred dollars ($246,300)
or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current revenues and other funds
for the use other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
OPERATING REVENUES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 54,000 $ 245,800
INTEREST EARNINGS 500 500
TOTALS $ 54,500 $ 246,300
OPERATING EXPENSES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
TRANSFER TO GOVERNMENTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $ - $ 191,800
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE 54,500 54,500
TOTALS $ 54,500 $ 246,300
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
5
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
WATER IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION FUND
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Eight Million Eight Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand Five
hundred dollars ($8,884,500) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from
current revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Governmentr
for the fiscal year begining July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
CASH RECEIPTS
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE - WATER $ 4,366,100 $ 5,941,700
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCES 4,366,100 5,941,700
REVENUES
STATE LOAN FUND - WATER - 1,401,900
TRANS FR OPERATING FUND - WATER 1,500,000 1,500,000
TRANSFER FR WATER IMPACT FEE 30,900 30,900
INTEREST INCOME 10,000 10,000
TOTAL REVENUES 1,540,900 2,942,800
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCES & REVENUES $ 5,907,000 $ 8,884,500
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
EXPENSES BUDGET REVISED
WATER $ 960,400 $ 1,143,500
WATER TREATMENT PLANT 559,700 3,354,100
TOTAL EXPENSES 1,520,100 4,497,600
BUDGET BALANCE - WATER 4,386,900 4,386,900
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE SUBTOTALS 4,386,900 4,386,900
TOTAL BUDGET BALANCES & EXPENSES $ 5,907,000 $ 8,884,500
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
6
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION FUND
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Three Million Nine Hundred Ten Thousand
dollars ($3,910,000) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from
current revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for
the fiscal year begining July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
CASH RECEIPTS
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE - WASTEWATER $ 1,110,700 $ 1,030,400
REVENUES
STATE LOAN FUND - WASTEWATER 643,000 1,564,700
TRANS FR OPERATING FUND - WW 900,000 900,000
TRANSFER FR WASTEWATER IMPACT FEE 4,800 404,900
INTEREST INCOME 10,000 10,000
TOTAL REVENUES 1,557,800 2,879,600
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCES & REVENUES $ 2,668,500 $ 3,910,000
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
EXPENSES BUDGET REVISED
WASTEWATER $ 2,302,600 $ 3,544,100
TOTAL EXPENSES 2,302,600 3,544,100
BUDGET BALANCE - WASTEWATER 365,900 365,900
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE SUBTOTALS 365,900 365,900
TOTAL BUDGET BALANCES & EXPENSES $ 2,668,500 $ 3,910,000
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
7
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
WASTEWATER IMPACT FEE RESERVE
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Four Million Four Hundred Nine Thousand Seven Hundred
dollars ($4,409,700) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current
revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the fiscal
year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
CASH RECEIPTS
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE - WASTEWATER $ 3,979,400 $ 4,379,500
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCES 3,979,400 4,379,500
RECEIPTS
INTEREST EARNINGS - WASTEWATER 30,200 30,200
TOTAL RECEIPTS 30,200 30,200
TOTALS $ 4,009,600 $ 4,409,700
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
TRANSFER TO I & E FUND FROM WASTEWATER IMPACT FEES $ 4,800 $ 404,900
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE - WASTEWATER 4,004,800 4,004,800
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE SUBTOTALS 4,004,800 4,004,800
TOTALS $ 4,009,600 $ 4,409,700
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
8
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
ELECTRIC REVENUE FUND
REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Ninety-Nine Million Three Hundred Forty-Three Thousand One
Hundred dollars ($99,343,100) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from
current revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 13,548,100 $ 17,248,100
DISTRIBUTION OF EARNINGS - PCA CREDIT (2,873,800) (2,873,800)
BEGINNING BALANCE - ADJUSTED 10,674,300 14,374,300
BASE REVENUE
DIRECT SALES TO CUSTOMER 82,686,400 82,686,400
UTILITY TAX 1,322,000 1,322,000
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 528,000 528,000
RENT REVENUE 110,000 110,000
GREEN ENERGY 127,400 127,400
INTEREST EARNINGS 195,000 195,000
TOTAL REVENUES 84,968,800 84,968,800
TOTAL BEGINNING BALANCE & REVENUES $ 95,643,100 $ 99,343,100
9
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2019-2020 BUDGET ORDINANCES
ELECTRIC REVENUE FUND EXPENSES AND BUDGET BALANCE FOR 2018-2019
2019/20 2019/20
EXPENSES BUDGET REVISED
POWER SUPPLY $ 22,115,400 $ 22,115,400
SOLAR ENERGY 2,703,900 2,703,900
SOLAR RENEWAL ENERGY CREDITS 395,200 395,200
POWER SUPPLY MANAGEMENT 835,000 835,000
REC'S (Renewable Energy Credits) 411,000 411,000
RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Init.) 67,500 67,500
PJM CHARGES - ENERGY 5,678,600 5,678,600
PJM CHARGES - TRANSMISSION & FEES 7,792,400 7,792,400
CAPACITY CHARGES 11,101,900 11,101,900
SUB-TOTAL POWER SUPPLY 51,100,900 51,100,900
PLANT OPERATIONS 5,530,700 5,530,700
GENERATIONS FUELS 956,300 956,300
PJM SPOT MARKET ENERGY (1,163,100) (1,163,100)
PJM CREDITS (516,900) (516,900)
CAPACITY CREDITS (8,422,000) (8,422,000)
GENERATION SUBTOTAL (3,615,000) (3,615,000)
POWER SUPPLY & GENERATION SUBTOTAL 47,485,900 47,485,900
DIRECT EXPENDITURES
TRANSMISSION/DISTRIBUTION 3,802,800 3,802,800
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 1,372,900 1,372,900
ADMINISTRATION 615,500 615,500
METER READING 401,900 401,900
SYSTEMS OPERATIONS 853,100 853,100
DIRECT EXPENDITURE SUBTOTALS 7,046,200 7,046,200
OTHER EXPENSES:
UTILITY TAX 1,322,000 1,322,000
ALLOW FOR UNCOLLECTIBLES 250,000 250,000
CONTRACTUAL SERVICES - RFP'S 200,000 200,000
LEGAL EXPENSES 100,000 100,000
RETIREES HEALTH CARE 721,400 721,400
OTHER EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES - -
GREEN ENERGY PAYMENT TO DEMEC 137,000 137,000
INTERFUND SERVICE FEES 3,912,900 3,912,900
INTEREST ON DEPOSITS 17,500 17,500
BANK & CREDIT CARD FEES 327,000 327,000
DEBT SERVICE 1,379,500 1,379,500
OTHER EXPENSES SUBTOTAL 8,367,300 8,367,300
TRANSFER TO:
IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION 6,816,000 6,816,000
GENERAL FUND 10,000,000 10,000,000
TRANSFER TO DEPRECIATION RESERVE 5,000,000 5,000,000
RATE STABILIZATION RESERVE - 3,700,000
TRANSFER TO SUBTOTAL 21,816,000 25,516,000
TOTAL EXPENSES 84,715,400 88,415,400
BUDGET BALANCE - WORKING CAPITAL 10,927,700 10,927,700
TOTALS $ 95,643,100 $ 99,343,100
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
10
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
ELECTRIC UTILITY IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION FUND
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Twenty Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Seven Hundred dollars
($20,650,700) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current revenues
and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
REVENUES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 12,120,900 $ 12,736,700
REVENUES
TRANSFER FROM ELECTRIC 6,816,000 6,816,000
TRANSFER FROM WATER/WASTEWATER 298,000 298,000
TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 250,000 250,000
GENERAL SERVICE BILLING 400,000 400,000
MISC GRANT REVENUE - -
MISC RECEIPTS
INTEREST EARNINGS 150,000 150,000
TOTAL REVENUES 7,914,000 7,914,000
TOTALS $ 20,034,900 $ 20,650,700
EXPENSE SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
EXPENSES BUDGET REVISED
ELECTRIC ADMINISTRATION $ 1,643,200 $ 1,643,200
ELECTRIC GENERATION 115,000 376,000
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION 1,255,000 1,255,000
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 3,293,000 3,293,000
METER READING 21,800 21,800
ERP SYSTEM 488,000 842,800
TOTAL EXPENSES 6,816,000 7,431,800
BUDGET BALANCE 13,218,900 13,218,900
TOTAL BUDGET BALANCE & EXPENSES $ 20,034,900 $ 20,650,700
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
11
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
ELECTRIC UTILITY RATE STABLIZATION RESERVE
SOURCES AND USE OF FUNDS FOR 2019-2020
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Twenty Million Two Hundred Forty-One Thousand
dollars ($20,241,000) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from
current revenues and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
CASH RECEIPTS
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
BEGINNING BALANCE $ 16,280,500 $ 16,280,500
TRANSFER FROM ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND - $ 3,700,000
INTEREST EARNINGS 260,500 260,500
TOTALS $ 16,541,000 $ 20,241,000
BUDGET SUMMARY
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE $ 16,541,000 $ 20,241,000
TOTALS $ 16,541,000 $ 20,241,000
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
12
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CITY OF DOVER ORDINANCE # 2020-01
COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FUND
CASH RECEIPTS/REVENUES AND BUDGET FOR 2018-2019
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
The amount hereinafter named aggregating Eight Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand dollars
($834,000) or so much thereof as may be necessary are hereby appropriated from current revenues
and other funds for the use by several departments of the Municipal Government for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:
OPERATING REVENUES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
PRIOR YEAR BALANCE $ 70,900 $ 334,000
GRANTS REVENUE 500,000 500,000
TOTALS $ 570,900 $ 834,000
OPERATING EXPENSES
2019/20 2019/20
BUDGET REVISED
PROGRAM EXP. GRANT RELATED $ 500,000 $ 763,100
CURRENT YEAR BALANCE 70,900 70,900
TOTALS $ 570,900 $ 834,000
The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of the City Council, to make
interdepartmental transfers of up to five percent of the amount hereinafter appropriated to any
department with the exception of any transfers prohibited by City Procedure #F306.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 10, 2020
13
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City of Dover, Delaware
Department of Planning,
Inspections & Community Development
2019 Annual Report
Paj 37
I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................3
II. DIVISION REPORTS ...................................................................................................................4-10
Personnel………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Building Inspections……………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Fire Marshals…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Code Enforcement & Property Maintenance………………………………………………………………………..... 7
Licensing and Permitting……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Planning Division……………………...…………………………………………………………………………….… 9
III. Initiatives and Accomplishments……………………………...…………….……………………. 11-13
Downtown Development District / Restoring Central Dover…………………………………………………….……. 11
Special Studies & Projects …………..…………………………………………………………………………………..12
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Activities………..…………………………………………………………………………………………..13
IV. BOARDS and COMMISSIONS…………………………………….……………………………………………. 15-16
Historic District Commission…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Planning Commission..………………………………………………………………………………………….………16
Board of Adjustment………..…………………………………………………………………………………………...16
V. APPLICATION ACTIVITY………………………………………..……………………...17-24
Conditional Uses ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Rezonings……………………………...………………………………………………………………………………...18
Annexations………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….18
Subdivisions………………………………….…………………………………………….………….……………...…19
Unified Signs……………………………………………………………….………..…….……………………………19
Historic District Commission……………………………………………………………….………………………….19
Board of Adjustment………………………………………………………………………….………………………..20
Site Plan Applications…………………………………………………………………………..…………………..….21
Miscellaneous ……………………….………………………………………………………….……………………..24
VI. DOVER BY THE NUMBERS………………………………………………………………………….25-27
Major Projects and Construction Activity……………………………………………………………………………...28
VII. PROGRESS IN PICTURES…………………………………………………………………………….30-36
2
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Planning, Inspections &
Community Development
2019 Annual Report
Introduction
The pace of development activity is not a smooth trend nor is it very predictable, whether in Dover or in our
region. Each year is unique, with ups and downs in numbers and investments, often a function of public con-
fidence, available financing, weather, workforce availability, schedules of competing projects, and other
economic factors well beyond our control. But even with these uncertainties, Dover fared well in 2019. The
Department of Planning, Inspections and Community Development has seen activity across all the areas of
our responsibility. Some are as a result of a strong local economy and new development projects; and some
are as a response to our responsibilities to protect the public health and welfare and strive for an enhanced
quality of life.
Throughout 2019 the Department maintained our commitment to our core mission:
• guide and direct future development;
• provide timely, friendly, helpful and efficient services;
• protect the public health, safety and welfare; and
• strive for a vibrant, balanced and sustainable economy.
As we indicated last year, Dover has been discovered. Our City and regional populations continue to grow,
new facilities of all kinds are being built, Downtown continues its revitalization, and Central Delaware is
attracting new jobs and business investment. The charts and photos that accompany this Report demonstrate
the wide range of building activities in Dover during 2019. They range from single family residences to re-
habilitation medical facilities, from places to grab a bite to professional offices and places to shop. But they
are only part of the story. Major accomplishments include completion of Dover’s Comprehensive Plan, con-
tinued efforts to eliminate blight and improve housing opportunities, a continuing commitment to code en-
forcement, and inspections across building and life safety areas to enhance the quality and safety of the built
environment for our residents.
The 2009 Annual Report that follows documents the activities of a staff of dedicated professionals working
together to make Dover a place where people want to live, work, and play.
Respectfully submitted
David S. Hugg III
Director of Planning, Inspections & Community Development
3
Paj 39
...-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-••-
Personnel Changes
The continued dedication and professionalism of the staff of the Department of Planning,
Inspections and Community Development is a critical element in providing services to
the community. These qualities allow staff to successfully interact with the residents of
our City and support continued community improvement. There were a number of staff-
ing changes within the Department during 2019. The change is as follows:
• On February 19, 2019 Sarah Cahall joined the Licensing Department as an Of-
fice Assistant II.
• In July of 2019 Velvet Bowen was promoted to an Inspector II and Eddie Diaz
was promoted to a Planner II.
• Velvet Bowen received a service award for 5 years of service with the City of
Dover.
• August 2, 2019 was Eddie Diaz’s AICP (Planner II) last day with the City of
Dover. Eddie will be joining Prince Georges County, Maryland Planning Office
working on zoning & development review.
• On December 2, 2019 Samantha Bulkilvish joined the Planning Staff as a Plan-
ner I.
• December 3, 2019 was Sarah Cahall’s last day with the City of Dover.
Welcome to the Department of Planning & Inspections team!
And Thank You to all Staff for their continued dedication to DOVER!
See Staff photo of the Department on the front cover and throughout Report.
Samantha Sarah
4
Paj 40
Building Inspections
Staff: Greg Akers, Chief Building Inspector /Plans Examiner,
Mike McGregor, Building Inspector II; and Chris Scott, Li-
censed Plumbing / HVAC Inspector II.
New Construction, Renovations, Additions and Tenant Fit Outs: Mr. Akers supervises construction inspec-
tors, reviews construction documents and permits, meets with design professionals regarding construction pro-
jects and Dover’s permit process. Mr. McGregor reviews plans and permits, performs inspections of commer-
cial, residential and manufactured buildings. Mr. Scott’s responsibilities include plans review and perfor-
mance of plumbing and HVAC inspections for commercial and residential buildings under construction. The
combined efforts of all staff resulted in the performance of 5,726 building inspections, 7,402 plumbing/
mechanical inspections, and 197 C/O inspections this year. A total of 1,709 permits were issued this past year.
Additional Duties: The Building & Inspections Staff assists in revitalizing existing structures through the
plans and permits process, responds to inquiries related to construction, assists in property damage assessment
after significant damage causing events occur, and enforces licensing of contractors and design professionals.
The team provides guidance, support and proper enforcement of the codes for construction and or repairs reg-
ulated by the Building and Life Safety Codes.
Summary Description: Building and Life Safety Codes address occupancy, structural strength, means of
egress, sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation, accessibility, energy conservation, and life safety in re-
gard to new and existing buildings, facilities and systems. These issues are specific to structures and adjacent
structures as they may relate. Staff continues to look forward to Dover adopting the International Code Coun-
cil’s latest codes of 2018 to replace previous versions.
Qualifications: Dover’s Building Inspectors are qualified via a combination of certifications and licenses. Our
inspectors are required to achieve or exceed 45 hours of training within 3 year time periods in order to main-
tain their certifications. These qualifications combined with years of experience in both private and public sec-
tors places them among the best in the industry. Greg has 20 years of private sector experience, this combined
with 17 years of City service brings 37 years of industry experience to the team. Greg holds certifications in
Building, Commercial, Residential and Housing. Mike is ICC certified in Building, Commercial Building,
Residential and is licensed through the State in Manufactured Home Compliance. Chris over the years has
achieved 10 ICC certifications in several disciplines and is also licensed through the State of Delaware as both
a Plumber and HVAC Mechanic. In addition, Chris has taught the Plumbing trade at Poly-Tech night school
for over 11 years.
Fire Marshal’s Office
Staff: Pictured Left to Right:
Jason Osika , Fire Marshal/Inspector III
Matthew Brown, Deputy Fire Marshal / Inspector II
Maria Quinones, Deputy Fire Marshal / Inspector I
The Fire Marshal’s Office has a staffing level of 3 full
5
Paj 41
time employees. The breakdown is the Fire Marshal/
Inspector III and two Deputy Fire Marshals which
can hold the position of Inspector I or II. Currently
the office has one Inspector II and one Inspector I.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for conduct-
ing annual inspections in various public occupancies
to include auditoriums, churches, club houses, thea-
ters, restaurants that serve alcohol or are 10,000
square feet or greater, bars, schools, mercantile that
is 10,000 square feet or greater, public office build-
ings, hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, lodging
and rooming facilities, industrial, apartments, hotel
and motels, and daycares. The Fire Marshal’s Office
handles a variety of fire related complaints such as
over-crowding, blocked means of egress, fire lanes,
and impaired fire protection. New fire suppression
systems (sprinklers), fire alarm systems, hood sup-
102 South Queen Street
pression systems, and other forms of fire protection
are accepted into service by the Fire Marshal’s Of-
fice. The Fire Marshal’s Office is also part of the
Certificate of Occupancy approval process.
In addition to the inspection related responsibilities,
the Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for the inves-
tigation into origin and cause of fires and explosions
within the City of Dover. All employees of the office
are on an on-call rotation for any after-hours fire or
life safety complaints received. All employees also
work special events such as NASCAR race week-
ends, Firefly (241 hours), and July 4th activities.
For the Calendar Year 2019, the following is a
breakdown of activity for the office:
• Annual Fire/Life Safety Inspections: 176 with
600 deficiencies
• Certificates of Occupancy Inspections /Fire Pro-
tection Acceptances Tests: 118
• Administrative Walk-through Inspections: 209
• Fire/Life Safety Complaints: 417
• Plan Review: 127
• Fire Permits: Issued 94
Total of 50 Fire Investigations with a Total Fire
Loss of $949,852
• Accidental: 24 with a total amount of $493,250
in damage. r
Fire Type r
Number I
Value of Loss
,
• Incendiary: 12 with a total amount of $18,601 in
damage. Arrest in conjunction with Dover Police '
Accidental 24 $493,250
Department Total: 2 ~
• Undetermined: 14 with a total amount of Incendiary 12 $18,601
$438,001 in damage. '
Undetermined 14
-
$438,001
• Subject Injured/Burned Investigations: Total of 2
• Investigation Time: 116 hours
'
TOTAL 50 -
$949,852a
• Fire System Saves: 6 I I I
-
6
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Code Enforcement & Property Maintenance Types of Inspections/Cases Entered
Staff: Tim Taraila, Inspector III/Code Enforcement
Annual Rental Housing Inspections 458
Supervisor; Ron Coburn, Inspector II, Velvet Bowen,
Inspector II, Phillip Lewis, Inspector I. Edward Kopp,
Inspector I. Property Maintenance Exterior/Interior 365
Tall Grass and Weeds 611
The Code Enforcement Officers entered a total of
3,007 cases into the H.T.E. system with regard to vio-
No Valid Business License 169
lations of the Dover Code of Ordinances and Zoning
Ordinance. Based on the data demonstrating the cause
No Valid Rental Permit 60
for the inspections, fifty-nine percent of the cases are
initiated by Staff within the Department of Planning
and Inspections. This includes the Code Enforcement, Unregistered/Abandoned Vehicles 159
Fire Marshal, Planning Director, Licensing, and Plan-
ning staff. Staff conducted a total of 6,352 inspections
Dover City Ordinances (Violations) 377
to achieve code compliance. All cases entered must
have an origination code, such as a citizen complaint
All Others 808
or an officer’s observation. Provided is a breakdown
of the reasons for inspections, the number of inspec-
tions performed by the Code Enforcement Staff, and a Total 3,007
list of the different types of inspections conducted.
The Officers sold Itinerant Merchant Licenses during Causes for Inspections
the two NASCAR Race Operations conducted at the
Dover International Speedway. The Officers also as- Citizen/Tenant complaint 606
sisted the Fire Marshal’s Office with Firefly.
Electric Department Referral 88
Vacant Buildings:
Other Agency Referral 230
The Code Enforcement Officers registered a total of
145 vacant buildings within the City limits of Dover. Staff Initiated 2,083
There was a total of $222,085.32 paid in registration
fees for the year of 2019. Currently, Staff estimates TOTAL 3,007
that there are approximately a little over 200 registered
vacant buildings.
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Demolished by the City
Demolished by the Repaired By Owner 34 S Queen Street
Owner 320 W Division Street 316 W Division Street (completed)
24 S Queen Street
938 Shank Road
33 S Queen Street
210 W Division Street
316 W Division Street
(started)
28 S Queen Street
(garage)
316 W Division Street
938 Shank Road
34 S Queen Street
Dangerous Buildings and Demolitions:
Thirteen (13) buildings or structures were identified as dangerous buildings. Of these, eight (8) structures
were either demolished by the City, came into code compliance, or they were demolished by the owner of the
property.
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Licensing and Permitting
Staff: Kristen Mullaney, Licensing & Permitting Supervisor; Nichole
Arnold, Office Assistant II, and Sarah Cahall, Office Assistant II.
The Permit and Licensing Staff is the first contact most customers have with the Department
of Planning, Inspections and Community Development with the City of Dover.
This Staff is responsible for the receipt and processing of all Permits, Business Licenses, Oc-
cupancy Permits, and Rental Dwelling Permits. These Staff schedule all inspections per-
formed by the Department, assist customers, and answer inquires. They responded directly to
questions regarding all of the above and scheduled appointments and meetings as required.
The charts included in this report are examples of just some of the important work done by
this staff. Their contributions to customer service are immeasurable. While much of their
work cannot be directly quantified, without their efforts, the Department could not function.
They present a high standard of prompt and courteous service.
Planning Office
Staff: Dave Hugg, Director of Planning, Inspections & Community
Development; Dawn Melson-Williams, AICP Principal Planner;
Tracey Harvey, Planner I; Eddie Diaz, AICP Planner II; Julian
Swierczek, Planner I; Samantha Bulkilvish, Planner I; Maretta Sav-
age-Purnell, Secretary II
The Planning Office is focused on zoning and land use administra-
tion, support of three Boards and Commissions, and administration
of various programs. The Planning Office is part of the review pro-
cess for certain types of construction activity permits (Building Per-
mits, Sign Permits, etc.) and Certificate of Occupancy permits. The
review and inspection efforts of the Planning Staff resulted in a 2019 calendar year total of 868 Permits and
Certificates of Occupancy. Staff also reviews new applications for Business Licenses and Rental Dwelling
Permits. The Planning Office coordinates the review and approval of all development applications including
the associated support of the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Historic District Commission
as they review applications. In 2019, the Planning Office processed 63 new applications and continued re-
view on applications from previous years.
Learning activities for Planning Staff included attendance at the APA Delaware 2019 Regional Conference
held November 7, 2019 in Newark, DE. Talks were held discussing important Land Use Cases nationwide
that may have an impact on land use law and practice in Delaware. This was a training opportunity for Plan-
ners especially those with continuing education (Certification Maintenance for AICP) requirements.
In addition to plan and permit review of development applications and ordi-
nance development, we also immersed ourselves into the project to update and
write a new Comprehensive Plan. The 2019 Comprehensive Plan Project be-
gan with a series of public engagements as well as meetings with various in-
terest groups to include their respective inputs in the Comprehensive Plan Up-
date. After several drafts of the text and over 1 ½ years of work, the 2019
Comprehensive Plan finally moved towards Final Review and Adoption in
December of 2019.
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Community Development
The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) expands opportunities and housing choices for
low and moderate income persons living in Dover and protects the public health and welfare of Dover citizens.
It performs the following tasks:
• Provides CDBG grants to sub-recipients that provide services to low/moderate income persons.
• Provides rehabilitation assistance to sub-recipients who service low/moderate income persons.
• Provides housing assistance to emergency shelters for the homeless.
• Provides sub-recipient grants to community non-profit organizations for projects in the City.
The following projects were completed during the program year:
Homeownership Assistance Program—Throughout the year, seven (7) families received a grant from the
City of Dover’s Homeownership Assistance Program and purchased affordable housing in the City.
Dover Interfaith Mission to the Homeless—CDBG funds were utilized to cover the operations costs for
the homeless shelter. A total of 210 homeless men were serviced throughout the program year.
Milford Housing Homeowner Rehabilitation Program— CDBG funds were provided to fully renovate
and improve two (2) owner-occupied homes.
Milford Housing Emergency Repair Program—CDBG funds were provided to complete emergency
home repairs for ten (10) owner occupied homes eliminating health and safety hazards.
Restoring Central Dover (RCD) Initiative— The Restoring Central Dover (RCD) Initiative moved for-
ward with its implementation plan and is in the fifth year of the Wells Fargo Grant. During the year, there
were many events that included community fairs, neighborhood watches, and holiday gatherings. NCALL,
Milford Housing Development Corporation and Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity have collaborated
to construct and renovate existing affordable housing in the RCD designated area that will assist in revital-
izing the area. There were twelve (12) affordable single-family homes constructed and sold during the
program year. Four (4) homes were constructed and sold by NCALL, six (6) homes were constructed and
sold by Habitat, and two (2) homes were constructed and sold by Milford Housing Development Corpora-
tion. Habitat purchased eight (8) lots in the RCD area for future construction of affordable housing (with
three (3) new homes presently under construction) and NCALL purchased four (4) lots in the RCD area for
future construction of affordable housing. The goal of the RCD Initiative is to achieve 75% homeowner-
ship on the blocks of North New Street between Division and Fulton Streets within the next few years.
Analysis of Impediments (Fair Housing Plan) - The City of Dover collaborated with Delaware State
Housing Authority, New Castle County and the City of Wilmington to complete a Fair Housing Plan for
the State of Delaware for a submission to HUD once the final plan is completed. The final draft is under
review by the Fair Housing Consortium and the final plan is expected to be completed in early 2020.
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Downtown Development District/Restoring Central Dover
On January 11, 2015 Dover received designation as a Downtown Development District.
Governor Markell formally announced that the cities of Dover, Seaford and Wilmington
were selected as the first Districts in Delaware with visits to each community. In 2017,
the City of Dover Planning Office dedicated new staff to the administration of the
Downtown Development District Program to help ensure the continued success of the
incentives program to attract new businesses and homeowners to the downtown area.
To accomplish these goals, the Downtown Development District, we have carried on
our programs of Building and Impact Fee waivers for new business and housing, and
Business License Fee waivers for businesses locating in the downtown area.
Over the course of 2019, the City authorized $12,365 in permit fee waivers for 14 properties for the purpose of
new housing or business. This includes ten new homes which have been built within the Downtown Develop-
ment District, including five on North Kirkwood Street (18, 22, 23, 26, and 28 North Kirkwood Street), one on
South Kirkwood Street (45 South Kirkwood Street), three on North New Street (20, 22, and 23 North New
Street), and two on South Governors Avenue (50 and 54 South Governors Avenue).
The City further waived Business License fees in the amount of $591.25 in the aim of incentivizing business
growth in the Downtown District. Business License Fee Waivers may be utilized by an applicant for a period
of no more than three years. Dover saw several Businesses License Fee Waivers expire for 2019, as they were
approved in 2015.
Both incentive types are part of the City’s compliment to the State of Delaware’s incentives through the
Downtown Development District Program. Together, we are seeing increasing evidence of the renaissance be-
ing brought to the City of Dover, particularly housing areas near the Downtown.
Dover being one of the designated Downtown Development Districts in the State of Delaware, eligible inves-
tors may qualify for rebates on a portion of their investment if located within the City of Dover’s DDD.
Through the end of December, 2019 The State has issued $1,040,183 in rebates towards $8,081,760 in seven
large scale projects (over $250,000), and $649,455 in rebates to thirty-one small projects ($25,000-$250,000)
since the start of the program in 2015.
Downtown Development District/Restoring Central Dover
On January 11, 2015 Dover received designation as a Downtown Development District. Governor Markell for-
mally announced that the cities of Dover, Seaford and Wilmington were selected as the first Districts in Dela-
ware with visits to each community. In 2017, the City of Dover Planning Office dedicated new staff to the ad-
ministration of the Downtown Development District Program to help ensure the continued success of the in-
centives program to attract new businesses and homeowners to the downtown area.
To accomplish these goals, the Downtown Development District, we have carried on our programs of Building
and Impact Fee waivers for new business and housing, and Business License Fee waivers for businesses locat-
ing in the downtown area.
Over the course of 2019, the City authorized $12,365 in permit fee waivers for 14 properties for the purpose of
new housing or business. This includes ten new homes which have been built within the Downtown Develop-
ment District, including five on North Kirkwood Street (18, 22, 23, 26, and 28 North Kirkwood Street), one on
South Kirkwood Street (45 South Kirkwood Street), three on North New Street (20, 22, and 23 North New
Street), and two on South Governors Avenue (50 and 54 South Governors Avenue).
The City further waived Business License fees in the amount of $591.25 in the aim of incentivizing business
growth in the Downtown District. Business License Fee Waivers may be utilized by an applicant for a period
of no more than three years. Dover saw several Businesses License Fee Waivers expire for 2019, as they were
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approved in 2015.
Both incentive types are part of the City’s compliment to the State of Delaware’s incentives through the
Downtown Development District Program. Together, we are seeing increasing evidence of the renaissance
being brought to the City of Dover, particularly housing areas near the Downtown.
Dover being one of the designated Downtown Development Districts in the State of Delaware, eligible inves-
tors may qualify for rebates on a portion of their investment if located within the City of Dover’s DDD.
Through the end of December 2019 The State has issued $1,040,183 in rebates towards $8,081,760 in seven
large scale projects (over $250,000), and $649,455 in rebates to thirty-one small projects ($25,000-$250,000)
since the start of the program in 2015.
Special Studies & Projects
Enterprise Resource Planning Project – Various Department Staff continue to participate in the implemen-
tation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system by Tyler Technologies. In 2019, Staff continued to
utilize the new financial system (implemented in December 2018) for invoice & payment processing, grant
project management, and Budget entry. This replaces the current system (Naviline and HTE) and will in later
project phases include implementation of our application, permits, inspections, and case management process-
es.
LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses) - Planning Staff, working with the GIS Division of the Depart-
ment of Public Works, participated in the LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses). This project compared
the City addresses with Census address data in preparation for the 2020 Census. The LUCA information on
address updates citywide was submitted in June 2018 and in 2019 a follow up review was completed.
Floodplain Management - Planning Staff continued to attend Floodplain training workshops over the year to
assist in knowledge of FEMA and/or local floodplain ordinances, understanding their communities flood risk,
and for overall floodplain management. On January 29, 2019 a Letter of Map Revision (#18-03-1850P) be-
came effective, revising the floodplain in the Baytree Neighborhood Area. Planning Staff regularly provides
information on floodplain status in response to inquiries. Outreach also includes a Floodplain Management
webpage at https://www.cityofdover.com/floodplain-management.
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Activities
The Planning Office is responsible for developing ordinances and other activities to implement the City’s
2008 Comprehensive Plan, as amended. In this regard the following projects were priorities of Planning Staff
in 2019.
Comprehensive Plan Amendments
In accordance with the approved procedure for annual amendments to the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, a new
request for consideration was received in December of 2018 and proceeded through the Preliminary Land Use
Services Review (PLUS) and Planning Commission hearing and review for recommendation in early 2019. In
March of 2019 the City Council approved the amendment request to amend Map 12-1: Land Development
Plan regarding the land use classification for a property on Commerce Way (MI-19-02) in anticipation of re-
zoning the property. City Council acted to approve the change in Land Use classification from Residential
Medium Density to Industrial & Public Utilities.
Various Studies and Programs
The Planning Office continues to be involved in the following studies and projects: Restoring Central Dover
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Community Plan implementation. Staff also is the manager of the Dover’s Downtown Development District
program. See other sections of this Report for information on these efforts.
Delaware Population Consortium
Planning Staff attends the Delaware Population Consortium’s meetings to participate in the review of data sets
of statewide and municipal population and demographic projections. In October, Delaware Population Con-
sortium adopted its Annual Population Projections. The DPC estimated the City of Dover total population at
38,349 people (as of July 1, 2019). See DPC webpage for more information: https://
stateplanning.delaware.gov/demography/dpc.shtml
2019 Comprehensive Plan Project
The development of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan was a major goal of the Planning Office (Department of
Planning, Inspections & Community Development) for 2018-2019. This project was completed in-house by
City Staff consisting of the Planning Staff who began meeting in February 2018 to initiate work on the project.
See Project website: https://www.cityofdover.com/2019-comprehensive-plan
As part of the Plan development, Staff involved the City Council, the Economic Development Committee, the
Planning Commission, and the Historic District Commission through discussion, project updates, and presen-
tations at meetings. The following Engagement Activities have occurred in 2019 for the Plan:
• City’s Economic Development Committee at multiple meetings.
• Intergovernmental Meetings with Cheswold, Little Creek, Camden, Wyoming, and Kent County.
• Event: “Historic District Workshop” held on June 20, 2019 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at City Hall with
presentation at 5:00pm. 7 Attendees. Presentation, maps on display for review, and informational
handout sheets.
• Project Update: On September 16, 2019, the Planning Commission, as an initial endorsement, acted by
motion to support Planning Staff’s efforts to make the PLUS Submission of a DRAFT Plan in October
2019.
• Event: Open House Event held on October 23, 2019 from 3:00pm-7:00pm at Dover Public Library
with presentations at 3:30pm and 5:30pm. Presentations given and plan documents and maps on dis-
play for review.
• Event: Visitation Event held on October 24, 2019 from 8:30am-5:00pm at City Hall. Plan documents
and maps on display for review.
• Media: Staff utilized a variety of media to announce public events on the Project including City web-
site, press releases, Facebook posts, Dover TV, announcements at meetings, direct emails to contacts,
etc.
Throughout the year, Planning Staff worked through detailed review and editing of all the sections of the Plan.
The following items were issued for review and comment:
• Preliminary Draft #2A Goals & Recommendations (Released 2/28/2019) Chapters include: Natural
Resources & Environmental Protection; Historic Preservation; Public Utilities & Infrastructure; Com-
munity Services & Facilities; Transportation; Economic Development; and Housing & Community
Development.
• Initial Draft of Chapter 6: Historic Preservation Plan Chapter (Released 6/20/2019)
• STAFF DRAFT #1 (Released 8/14/2019) Released to Planning Staff and City Department Heads for
internal review and comment.
• RELEASE DRAFT 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Released 10.1.2019) submitted for PLUS Review.
• FINAL DRAFT 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Released 12.3.2019) to public, Planning Commission,
and City Council for review.
Preliminary Land Use Services (PLUS) Review
The Comprehensive Plan is subject to the Preliminary Land Use Services (PLUS) Review process per Dela-
ware Code. Planning Staff submitted the Release DRAFT Plan for PLUS Review at the October 1, 2019 filing
deadline. The following are the highlights of this PLUS Review process:
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• Participated in the PLUS Meeting on October 23, 2019. Presentation of Plan by Planning Staff and re-
ceived verbal comments on the document.
• Received PLUS Review Comment Letter on November 8, 2019.
• Completed PLUS Review Response (Chart) dated December 10, 2019. The PLUS Review Response
Chart identifies Certification Items (items to be addressed for certification of the Plan); the PLUS
Comment, Plan Location (where in document or maps); and the City’s Response. The responses
(revisions, information corrections, etc.) were made to the Plan and are reflected in the FINAL Draft
(12.3.2019) Plan and resubmitted to the Office of State Planning Coordination.
• Received PLUS Review Follow-Up Letter (Final Review – Revisions Accepted) on December 19,
2019.
Ordinance Amendments 2019
File Number &
Topic Text Amendment Action Date
Ordinance
MI-19-04 Allows for a broader range of potential Zoning Ordinance, Article Adopted: September
uses in the IPM-2 zone while retaining 4 Section 4.16 - Zoning 9, 2019
Ordinance #2019- the emphasis on technology versus gen- Bulk and Parking Regula-
15 eral manufacturing uses. tions and Article 12 -
Definitions
Formal Review and Adoption Process
The Formal Review Processes involved review of the FINAL DRAFT (12.3.2019) 2019 Comprehensive
Plan which consists of fifteen (15) chapters and a Map Series of thirty-two (32) maps. The Review Process
included Review and Public Hearing with the Planning Commission held on December 16, 2019 and the Re-
view and Public Hearing with the City Council held on January 13, 2020.
In addition, a series of specific Requests were received from the public and others for consideration with the
Plan document and maps. These requests were considered as part of the public hearing process for the plan.
• Request #1: 5.0-acre parcel on north side of Route 8/Forrest Avenue
• Request #2: 1436 New Burton Road
• Request #3: 1.81-acre parcel on north side of White Oak Road
• Request #4: Various properties owned by Mt. Zion AME Church in Downtown Dover
• Request #5: Lands of Dover Motorsports, Inc./Dover International Speedway
• Request #6: Designation of Employment Center in vicinity of Kent County AeroPark
Final Action Taken by Planning Commission and City Council
The Planning Commission completed a review and conducted a Public Hearing on the FINAL DRAFT
(12.3.2019) 2019 Comprehensive Plan at their meeting on Monday, December 16, 2019. Planning Commis-
sion unanimously voted to recommend to City Council the Approval for Adoption of the FINAL DRAFT of
the 2019 Comprehensive Plan along with the specific recommendations for Requests #1-6.
The FINAL DRAFT (12.3.2019) 2019 Comprehensive Plan and supporting materials including information
on Requests #1-6 were forwarded to City Council for consideration. City Council will hold a public hearing
on the Comprehensive Plan and Proposed to Approve Ordinance #2019-21 to Adopt 2019 Comprehensive
Plan on January 13, 2020. In early 2020 Planning Staff will complete the final publication of the Plan as
adopted and submit it for Certification by the Governor.
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Ordinance Amendments: Research and Development
One text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance occurred in 2019. The process of text amendment and ordi-
nance development and adoption involves research by the Planning Staff, consultation with stakeholders on
specific topics, review by City Council Committees, and then formal review and public hearings by the Plan-
ning Commission (for recommendation) and City Council (final action.) See summary table as follows for
2019 activity of Ordinance amendments.
Boards and Commissions
Historic District Commission
The City of Dover, Delaware Historic District Commission consists of five members. The members during
2019 include Eric Czerwinski, Ann Baker Horsey, Joe McDaniel, Jonathan Street, and Mary Terry Mason.
The Commission receives staff support from the Planning Office. During 2019 Joe McDaniel served as
Chairman and Ann Horsey served as Vice-Chairman; they continue to serve following re-election at the
Commission’s Annual Meeting in November 2019.
The Historic District Commission held six meetings in 2019. The Historic District Commission reviewed
four (4) items for consultation on Architectural Review Certificates or as informational items in 2019. This
included the referral of a Fence Permit at 2 Kings Highway NE (HI-19-04) and informational items on a pro-
posed Downtown Mural Project and Information on Small-Cell Wireless Facilities. During the year, the fo-
cus of the Historic District Commission was the review and discussion of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Pro-
ject. They were involved in the review of the Goals & Recommendations and the chapter text to assist Staff
with the development of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Plan (see Grant activity below).
Of the twenty-eight (28) permits in the Historic District in 2019, a total of twenty (20) required Architectural
Review Certification for exterior work activities. For example, exterior renovations for a proposed kitchen
expansion at the Governors’ Café and at several office locations, the placement of accessory structures (a pa-
vilion, bus shelter, shed and ATM unit), site work prep and utility work at 126 W. Loockerman Street (HI-16
-05/S-19-21), and brick repointing projects at Woodburn and Reith Hall were completed. A project of selec-
tive demolition (removal of an exterior wall) for stabilization of the front façade occurred at 304 South State
Street. Several other buildings underwent roof repair and replacement projects. Sign Permits were issued for
new businesses adding signage including retail and office locations.
Certified Local Government Program
The City of Dover was designated a Certified Local Government in 2015. As part of the Certified Local Gov-
ernment Program, grant funding was received in the FFY2018 CLG Grant Application process (HI-18-01)
for project for an Update of the Historic Preservation Chapter of Dover’s Comprehensive Plan. Grant work
allowed for dedicated Staff time on the development of the Historic Preservation Chapter for the 2019 Com-
prehensive Plan Project. As part of these efforts a public outreach Workshop Event on the City’s Historic
District was held on June 20, 2019. The FFY2019 CLG Grant Application (HI-19-02) sought grant funding
to work on an Addendum to the Design Standards & Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone
document focusing on Modern Materials & Technologies. Originally planned to begin in Summer 2019, this
grant project was delayed due to Staff’s focus on the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Project.
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Planning Commission
In 2019, The Planning Commission consisted of Planning Commission Applications
nine members with Fred Tolbert as Chairman. 2019
The position of Vice-Chair had been held by Unified Sign, 0 Annexations, 1
Dean Holden who had left the Planning Com-
Rezoning, 6
mission in January and was replaced as Vice-
Chair by Dr. Jones in February 2019. At their
Annual Meeting in July 2019, Fred Tolbert Site Plans, 14
stepped down as Chairman of the Planning
Commission and was replaced by Dr. Bobby
Jones as the new Chairwoman and Ms. Andrea
Maucher as the new Vice-Chair. In August
2019, Mr. Holt retired after more than 32 years Conditional
Uses, 9
of service on the Planning Commission. Two
new members were appointed to the Planning Subdivisions, 1
Commission: Mr. Nick Adams in February and
Mr. Robert Hartman in August.
The Planning Commission met twelve months in 2019 and reviewed a total of 34 applications. The Site Plans
reviewed by the Planning Commission included a new office facility for NCALL on West Division Street and
a new office building for the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) on Energy Lane. The Conditional Use
applications included a new Duplex on Willis Road and new manufacturing use on Horsepond Road. The
Planning Commission made recommendations to City Council on six rezoning applications including applica-
tions related to the old City Library on North State Street and planned sale of land for industrial/ manufactur-
ing use on Commerce Way. There was one application for Subdivision in 2019 for the site of the Kraft Heinz
Plant. There was also one application for an Annexation of a property intended to be used as a restaurant on
North DuPont Highway. A total of 14 applications were submitted to the Planning Office for Administrative
Review including ten Administrative Site Plans, four Minor Lot Line Adjustment Plans, and one informational
study.
Board of Adjustment Applications
2019
Tabled
Board of Adjustment Variances, 1
The Planning Office received eleven applications to
the Board of Adjustment in 2019. Ten of the applica-
tions were for area variances and one was for a use Denied
Variances, 1
variance. Of the ten applications for area variances
received, eight were approved, one was partially de- Approved
nied, and one was tabled and has yet to return for re- Variances, 9
view. The one Area Variance which was denied was
for a residential structure to expand into the rear yard
setback. The one Area Variance which was tabled
was so that the applicant could revise the design due
to concerns raised during the Board of Adjustment
Meeting.
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CONDITIONAL USES 2019
Bldg Sq Ft
File # Plan Name Location Type DU Action Date
(new)
Lands of Kent Dela- 589 N. DuPont PC Conditional
C-19-01 Apartments 12,900 2 5/20/2019
ware Properties LLC Hwy Approval
PC Conditional 6/17/2019
Lands of 1944 Build- Use/Minor Subdi-
C-19-02 106 Willis Road Duplex 1,576 2
er LLC vision Approval
Final Approval 11/25/2019
PC Conditional
230 N. Gover- 7/15/2019
C-19-03 Lands of TDN LLC Student Home existing 1 Approval
nors Avenue 7/26/2019
Final Approval
Assemblee Chre-
1203 Walker PC Conditional
C-19-04 tienne International Church existing - 7/15/2019
Road Approval
Ministry
PC Conditional
Luther Village Park- Parking Lot Ex- 7/15/2019
C-19-05 101 Babb Drive - - Approval
ing Lot Expansion pansion 10/28/2019
Final Approval
Calvary Baptist 2285 Forrest PC Conditional
C-19-06 Church 40,026 - 7/15/2019
Church Avenue Approval
122 Rosemary Postponed by
C-19-07 Lands MC5 LLC Storage - - 8/27/2019
Road Applicant
Production/ Stor-
Grotto Pizza: Dough 122 Rosemary age/Food Distri- PC Conditional
C-19-08 existing - 10/21/2019
Production/ Storage Road bution/ Ware- Approval
house
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REZONING 2019
File # Applicant Location From To Acres Action Date
Lands of H&M CC First Reading 1/28/2019
North side of Com-
Z-19-01 Properties LLC on RG-2 IPM 22.97 PC Recommended
merce Way Approval 2/19/2019
Commerce Way
CC Approval 3/11/2019
45 S. State Street CC First Reading 1/28/2019
Lands of Wesley
Z-19-02 and Parcel on South RGO & H IO & H 0.81 PC Recommended
College Approval 2/19/2019
American Avenue
CC Approval 3/11/2019
CC First Reading 1/28/2019
Lands of Schrep- 157 Roosevelt Ave-
Z-19-03 R-8 RG-2 1.67 PC Recommended
pler nue Approval 2/19/2019
CC Approval 3/11/2019
CC First Reading 2/25/2019
Lands of Beaure-
Z-19-04 878 S. State Street R-8 C-1 0.22 PC Recommended
gard Approval 3/18/2019
CC Approval 4/8/2019
53 N. West Street CC First Reading 4/22/2019
Lands of Harman
Z-19-05 and 517 W. Division C-1A C-2A 0.55 PC Recommended
Oil Inc Approval 5/20/2019
Street
CC Approval 7/8/2019
CC First Reading 4/22/2019
Lands of AID in 731 and 801 W. Di- C-2A/COZ
Z-19-06 IO/COZ-1 0.45 PC Recommended
Dover, Inc vision Street -1 Approval 5/20/2019
CC Approval 6/10/2019
ANNEXATIONS 2019
County City
File # Applicant Location Acreage Action Date
Zoning Zoning
PC Recommended
Lands of NewWind 2920 N. DuPont 2/19/2019
AX-19-01 BG C-4 0.57 Approval
Properties 2920 LLC Highway 9/23/2019
CC Approval
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SUBDIVISIONS 2019
File # Plan Name Location Type Lots Acreage Action Date
Lands of Kraft 1250 W North Minor Sub- PC Conditional
SB-19-01 2 2.5 5/6/2019
I I
Foods Group Inc Street division I I I
Approval I I
UNIFIED SIGNS 2019
File # Applicant Location Type I Action I Date
No applications received.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 2019
File # Plan Name Location Type Action Date
Information on Down- Painting of
109-113 W. Loock-
HI-19-01 town Dover Mural wall in prep- HDC Denial of ARC 2/21/2019
erman Street
Project aration for
Application for grant for
CLG Grant Application Historic District and Information
HI-19-02 update of Design Stand- 7/11/2019
for FFY2019 Citywide File
ards & Guidelines
Information on Small-
Historic District and Information Informational Presenta-
HI-19-03 Cell Wireless Installa- 8/15/2019
Citywide File tion to HDC
tions
Consultation on ARC for
replacement of wood
Referral of Permit #19
HI-19-04 2 Kings Highway SW Fence Permit picket and chain-link 9/19/2019
-1218
fence with metal picket
fence
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT 2019
File # Plan Name Location Description Type Action Date
545 N. DuPont Add one 35.67 SF sign to North
V-19-01 Panera Bread Area Variance Approved 3/20/2019
Highway Elevation to read PANERA
Decrease minimum lot depth
from 150 feet to 144 ft and
59 Roosevelt
minimum width from 150 feet
Lands of Rich- Avenue and
to 135 feet. Decrease minimum
V-19-02 ard and Patricia 1160 South Area Variance Approved 3/20/2019
lot depth from 150 feet to 90
Arndt DuPont High-
feet and lot width from 150 ft.
way
to 50 ft. and increase in lot cov-
erage from 75% to 87%.
Allow decrease in minimum lot
size from 5,000 SF to 3,750 SF
Lands of How-
V-19-03 106 Willis Road and to allow for a reduction in Area Variance Approved 3/20/2019
ard Joseph
the side yard setback from 10
feet to 5 feet.
Increase maximum permitted
height from 30 feet to 34 feet
Lands of NCALL 223-225 W.
V-19-04 and the maximum allowable Area Variance Approved 4/17/2019
RESEARCH INC Division Street
stories from 2 stories to 3 sto-
ries.
Lands of Wel-
15 S. New Continue use as 2 dwelling
V-19-05 come Home Use Variance Approved 5/15/2019
Street units
Properties LLC
Lands of Har- Approved-
623 Fulton Allow an gravel drive and park-
V-19-06 rington Com- Area Variance 1yr exten- 7/17/2019
Street ing area.
mercial LLC sion
Maximum lot coverage in C-3.
Westside 805 Forest Lot coverage, front, side and
V-19-07 Area Variance Tabled 8/21/2019
Carwash Street rear yard setbacks/landscaping
requirements in COZ-1.
Increase height from 35 feet to
39 feet. Increase maximum
number of stories permitted
Central Dela- from 2 to 3. Reduce landscape
731 and 801 W.
V-19-08 ware Housing buffer required from 12 feet to Area Variance Approved 9/18/2019
Division Street
Collaborative 10 feet. Reduced sidewalk
width from 6 feet to 5 feet.
Allow parking within three feet
of a side lot line.
Allow tower height to be in-
Lands of MJ 1203-1209
V-19-09 creased to 164 feet by the ad- Area Variance Approved 9/18/2019
Stone Inc. Walker Road
dition of a 14 foot antenna.
20
Paj 56
SITE PLANS 2019
Review Bldg Sq Ft
File # Plan Name Location Description DU
Type (new) Action Date
656 N. Tabled 2/19/2019
Tommy Car PC Re-
S-19-01 DuPont High- Car Wash 5,194 - PC Conditional
Wash view
way Approval 3/18/2019
127,129,133,1
Boardwalk PC Re-
S-19-02 35 Roosevelt Apartments 19,824 18
Apartments view PC Conditional
Avenue
Approval 3/18/2019
747 N. PC Conditional
DuPont Hwy Restaurant / Re- PC Re- Approval 3/18/2019
S-19-03 Retail Center 62,260 - PC Informal Re-
and 764 Do- tail view
ver Leipsic Rd view of Revised
Plan 7/15/2019
Adminis-
Destiny Chris- 2161 Forrest
S-19-04 Building Addition trative 2,487 - Administrative
tian Church Avenue
Review Review (filed) 1/16/2019
Dover Interna-
tional Speed- 1131 N. Adminis-
S-19-05 way: Cup Gar- DuPont High- Cup Garage trative 23,540 - Administrative
age Site Reno- way Review Review (filed) 3/12/2019
vations Final Site Plan
Approval 5/3/2019
Schutte Park Storage Bin Pro- Adminis-
Electric Ave-
S-19-06 Storage Bin ject/ Pole Build- trative 676 - Administrative
nue
Project ing Review Review (filed) 1/25/2019
515 S. DuPont PC Re-
S-19-07 Retail Facility Retail 8,050 - PC Conditional
Highway view
Approval 4/15/2019
Dover Interna-
tional Speed-
1229 Persim- Adminis-
way/Firefly Mu- Lot 18 Shower
S-19-08 mon Tree trative 8,460 - Administrative
sic Festival: Lot Building
Lane Review Review (filed) 3/14/2019
18 Shower
Building Final Site Plan
Approval 4/12/2019
Schutte Park Adminis-
10 Electric
S-19-09 New Adminis- Office trative 2,400 -
Avenue Administrative
trative Building Review
Review (filed) 2/8/2019
1035 S. Gov- Tabled 6/17/2019
Dover Commu- Parking Lot Ex- PC Re-
S-19-10 ernors Ave- N/A - PC Conditional
nity Pharmacy pansion view Approval 7/15/2019
nue
Final Site Plan
Approval 12/31/2019
21
Paj 57
Review Bldg Sq Ft
File # Plan Name Location Description DU
Type (new) Action Date
Lion of Judah 951 White Oak PC Re- Tabled 6/17/2019
S-19-11 Church 5,000 -
Ministry Church Road view PC Conditional
Approval 7/15/2019
USPS Dover Re- Applicant Re-
350 S. Queen
S-19-12 tail/Carrier An- Post Office - - - quest to Defer
Street
nex until Further No-
tice 5/21/2019
223 and 225
NCALL - Division PC Re-
S-19-13 W. Division Office Building 7,671 - PC Conditional
Street Office view
Street Approval 7/15/2019
Northgate Cen- 101 Stover Office/ Retail PC Re-
S-19-14 32,000 - PC Conditional
ter Lot#1 Blvd Building view
Approval 11/18/2019
White Oak Road
Property Apart- White Oak Apartments/ PC Re-
S-19-15 55,251 32
ments & Town- Road Townhouses view
houses PC Conditional
Approval 8/19/2019
Chesapeake Util-
Adminis-
ities Dover Cam- 500 Energy Administrative
S-19-16 Training Facility trative 5,596 -
pus Leak City Lane Review (filed) 7/17/2019
Review
Training Facility Final Site Plan
Approval 12/27/2019
Adminis- Administrative
Lands of William 583 N. DuPont Parking Lot Addi-
S-19-17 trative N/A - Review (filed) 7/25/2019
J McPoyle Highway tion
Review Final Site Plan
Approval 9/27/2019
Adminis-
747 N. DuPont Retail and Res-
S-19-18 DuPont Plaza trative 23,221 - Administrative
Highway taurant
Review Review (filed) 8/8/2019
Delaware Solid 601 & 801 En- Administrative PC Re-
S-19-19 23,487 - PC Conditional
Waste Authority ergy Lane Building view
Approval 9/16/2019
Bay Road DSP
Administrative PC Re-
S-19-20 Administrative 560 Bay Road 62,000 - PC Conditional
Building view
Bldg Approval 9/16/2019
2 Mixed-Use Adminis- Administrative
Loockerman 126 W. Loock-
S-19-21 Buildings: Phase 1 trative 49,200 - Review (filed) 7/16/2019
Way Plaza erman Street
and Phase 2 Review Final Site Plan
Approval 9/30/2019
22
Paj 58
Review Bldg Sq Ft
File # Plan Name Location Description DU
Type (new)
Action Date
Tommy Express 20 Carver PC Re-
S-19-22 Carwash 4,504 - PC Conditional
Carwash Road view
Approval 10/21/2019
Central Dela- 731 and 801 Applicant Re-
Emergency Shel- PC Re-
S-19-23 ware Housing W. Division 10,368 12 quest to Defer
ter/Apt. Bldg view
Collaborative Street until Further
Notice 10/10/2019
Adminis- Administrative
325 W. Wind Large Family
S-19-24 Angels of Mine trative existing - Review (filed) 11/4/2019
Drive Home Daycare
Review Final Site Plan
Approval 11/14/2019
Revised Imple-
Phase 2 Area/
mentation Plan:
Residential Clubhouses/ PC Re-
S-19-25 Eden Hill Farm 665
District Apartments Revi- view
TND Residential Tabled 12/16/2019
sions
District PC Conditional
Approval 1/21/2020
23
Paj 59
MISCELLANEOUS 2019
File # Plan Name Location/Topic Type Ordinance Action Date
Eden Hill Farm Senior Living Resi- -
Revised Pattern- TND Residential dential and Town- PC Denied Applica-
MI-19-01 book District house Option tion 1/22/2019
LDP Map Amend-
ment from Resi- CC First Reading 1/28/2019
Comprehensive dential High Densi- PC Recommended
Plan Amendment ty to Industrial and Approval 2/19/2019
MI-19-02 2019 Commerce Way Public Utilities 2019-04 CC Approval 3/11/2019
Downtown Devel- Appointment of an
opment District Council Resolu- administrator for -
MI-19-03 2019 tion No. 2019-05 DDP CC Approval 4/8/2019
Allows for a broad-
er range of poten-
Zoning Ordi- tial uses in the IPM
Text Amend- nance, Article 4 -2 zone while re-
ment: Industrial Section 4.16 - taining the empha-
Park Manufac- Zoning Bulk and sis on technology CC First Reading 6/24/2019
tured Zone- Parking Regula- versus general PC Recommended
Technology Cen- tions and Article manufacturing us- Approval 8/19/2019
MI-19-04 ter IPM-2 12 - Definitions es. 2019-15 CC Approval 9/9/2019
Administrative
Chesapeake Utili- Minor Lot Line Ad- - Review (filed) 7/12/2019
MI-19-05 ties Queen Street justment Plan Final Approval 11/5/2019
Lands of Richard 1160 S. DuPont - Administrative
and Patricia Hwy and 59 Roo- Minor Lot Line Ad- Review (filed) 8/16/2019
MI-19-06 Arndt sevelt Avenue justment Plan Final Approval 10/22/2019
Eden Hill Minor - Administrative
Lot Line Adjust- 300 Banning Minor Lot Line Ad- Review (filed) 9/16/2019
MI-19-07 ment Plat Street justment Final Approval 10/22/2019
Compatible Land -
MI-19-08 Use Study DAFB Vicinity of DAFB Information File Informational File
24
Paj 60
2019: Dover by the Numbers
Certificates of Occupancy, Building, Plumbing and HVAC
• C/0 lnsp. • Building • Plm/HVAC
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Calendar Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Inspections
Plumbing / HVAC 1,840 1,118 4,752 6,234 6,553
Building Inspec- 3,339 5,839 3,991 4,755 4,426
tions
C/O Inspections 100 139 169 197 237
Totals 5,279 7,096 8,912 11,186 11,216
IN ew Home Perm its
2015-2019
200
150
100
50
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
25
Paj 61
Rental Licenses issued 2015-2019
• Rental Dwellings • Public Occupancies • Lodging Houses
57 49
383 52 52 51
451 455 475 494
3436 3230 3211 3158 3249
.,. .
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Rental Licenses 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Rental Dwellings 3,436 3,230 3,211 3,158 3,249
Public Occupancies 383 451 455 475 494
Lodging Houses 57 52 52 51 49
Totals 3,876 3,733 3,718 3,684 3,792
POPULATION OF DOVER AND ITS ECONOMIC REGION
30 Minute Driving Radius
20 Minute Driving Radius
56,417
10 Minute Driving Radius 54"379
51,u09
39,493
City of Dover Limits 38,304
36,047
0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
• 2025 Projection • 2020 Estimate • 2010 Census
Driving time radius is a frequently used criterion to measure the market area of a local economy.
Source: Delaware Population Consortium, 2018; Claritas Pop-Facts
26
Paj 62
Business Licenses Issued (2015-2019)
• Business Licenses • Contractors • Merchants • Manufactured Homes
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Business Licenses 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Business Licenses 2,215 2,275 2,203 2,229 2,116
Contractors 1,257 1,290 1,274 1,276 1,273
Merchants 353 369 381 378 367
Manufactured Homes 402 383 382 355 335
Totals 4,227 4,317 4,240 4,238 4,091
27
Paj 63
Major Projects and Construction Activity
Residential Construction Activity
The build-out of several residential subdivisions continued citywide in 2019 with a mix of one-family de-
tached dwellings, duplexes, and townhomes. There was residential construction activity in Clearview Mead-
ows PND, Village of Westover PND, Patriot Village, Village of Cannon Mill PND, Seskinore, Oak
Shadows and Chestnut Grove Farms. A series of permits for single family dwelling infill projects were is-
sued throughout the year including some within the area of the Downtown Development District.
Cconstruction wrapped up for several multi-family residential projects including the Leander Lakes Apart-
ments and The Arbors at 1051 College Road.
Commercial and Other Construction Activity
Commercial and other construction activity continued to be strong in 2019 with a variety of new projects
starting, renovation activities establishing new tenants, and projects being completed.
New Permits Issued & Projects Underway in 2019:
• Red Robin Restaurant in Capital Station at 40 N. Dupont Highway
• Governor’s Café kitchen addition at 144 Kings Hwy SW (HI-17-04/C-18-01)
• Lidl Grocery Store at Kings Highway\North DuPont Highway (S-18-11)
• Capital Station, Building 3 at 20 N. DuPont Highway (S-17-12)
Renovation Activity & Completion
Building Permits were issued for building rehabilitation/renovation projects and tenant space fit-outs
citywide and number of the projects were completed. The following are a sample from the year.
• Numerous tenant fit-outs in Capital Station
• Renovations to the Brandywine Valley SPCA on Horsepond Road
• Renovations of tenant spaces in the Dover Mall
• Tenant fit-out of 201 W Loockerman Street
• Office building renovations at 801 Silver Lake Boulevard
• Tennant fit-out in the DGKP Office/Warehouse building at 351 West North Street (S-18-01)
• Renovations to 730 Horsepond Road for a contractor’s establishment
• Renovation to WAWA on N. DuPont Highway
• Renovation to WAWA on Court Street
• Renovation for Bayhealth medical offices at 720 S. Queen Street
• Renovations at Bay Court Plaza to the building shell and core as well as a new tenant space at the old
Value City location
28
Paj 64
• Tenant fit-out for manufacturing use at 883 Horsepond Road
• Site work associated with utilities for the Loockerman Way project (S-16-18/S-19-21)
• Renovation of some of the Cedar Chase Apartment buildings
• Renovation to Dover Downs
• Renovation to Days Inn
• Renovation to Crab DuJour Restaurant (Old Shuckers) at 889 N. DuPont Highway
• Tenant fit-out for a Veterinary Office in the Eden Hill Farm TND Neighborhood Commercial Dis-
trict
• Renovation at Bayhealth Medical Center
• Renovation of medical office at 30 Old Rudnick Lane
• Renovation of an office at 967 N. State Street
Completed Projects:
• Post-Acute Medical Rehabilitation Hospital at 1240 McKee Road (S-17-05)
• Dover Wellness Center (a medical office) at 107 Mont Blanc Boulevard (S-17-14)
• Protective Properties, LLC (Advantech) at 151 Garrison Oak Drive (S-16-24)
• Starbucks, the first tenant in Capital Station at 30 N. DuPont Highway, Unit 4 (S-17-12)
• Renovations to Wendy’s at 1710 N DuPont Highway
• Renovations of the WAWA at 2800 N. DuPont Highway
• Renovations of the tasting room at Fordham Brewery
• Supercuts and Village Optical in Capital Station
• Century Engineering’s Office Building at 550 Bay Road (S-17-19/S-17-30)
• A pavilion structure at the YMCA facility on Kenton Road
• The Grande: Clubhouse and Pool PND-SCHO at 90 Saulsbury Road (C-16-04 Revised)
• Renovation project at the DelDOT campus (Building Renovations and Parking Lot Expansion) (S-18-
02)
• Renovation project at Blue Hen Corporate Center
• Replacement NASCAR Cup Garage at Dover International Speedway (S-19-05)
• Commercial renovation projects at Target and in Greentree Shopping Center
• Renovation of Tasty Crab House Restaurant at 705 N. DuPont Highway
• Renovation of Poke Bros. Restaurant in the North Dover Shopping Center
• New Residence Hall at Delaware State University (S-17-33)
• DGKP Office/Warehouse Building at 1351 West North Street (S-18-01)
• Shower Building in Lot 18: Dover International Speedway for Firefly (S-19-08)
29
Paj 65
2019: Welcome to Dover!
Progress in Pictures
Post Acute Medical Center located at 1240 McKee Road
Dover Wellness Center (MRMS American Kidney
Care Suite) located at 107 Mont Blanc Blvd.
• ·..- • . l.l .'!..
Advantech—151 Garrison Oak Drive
30
Paj 66
2019: Welcome to Dover!
Progress in Pictures
Clearview Meadows Clubhouse located at 340 Nob Hill Road
Wendy’s Renovation—1710 N. DuPont Highway
Liberty Court Apartments-Building A– at
1289 Walker Road
12 N. New Street—
Habitat for Humanity
Patriot Village - 140 Revolutionary Blvd.
338 Bluecoat St -
Oak Shadows — 112 Mourning Dove Clearview Meadows
31
Paj 67
2019: Welcome to Dover!
Progress in Pictures
Habitat for Humanity -
317 Bluecoat St — Clearview
138 Cherry St. Meadows
59 Park Drive
~
,,~ lI
.,.
334 Blue Coat Street-Clearview Meadow
376 Northdown Drive
32
Paj 68
Look around your City, Dover is changing…………
Century Engineering Office Building -550 Bay Road
510 Jefferic Blvd
Fordham Brewery (Tasting
Room Renovations –1284
McKee Drive
Victoria’s Secret Expansion -
“PINK” Dover Mall -1365 N.
DuPont Highway
Dover Mall –1365 North DuPont Highway—
Bath & Body Works
33
Paj 69
2019: Welcome to Dover!
Progress in Pictures
822 South State Street
30 N DuPont Hwy-Suite 3 –Capital Station
10 N DuPont Highway –
Aldi at Capital Station
30 N DuPont Hwy-Suite 2
Capital Station
Renovations-2800 N
Tasty Crab Restaurant —- 705 N DuPont DuPont Highway
Highway
34
Paj 70
1200 N DuPont Highway –Delaware State University
New Student Housing
Starbucks-30 S. DuPont
Highway Suite 4, Capital Station
35
Paj 71
YMCA- Pavilion Renovation - 825 Kenton Road
The Arbors at 1051 College Road
1053 N DuPont Highway Suite A2 North Dover Shopping Center
36
Paj 72
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The Council Committee of the Whole met on February 11, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., with Council President Hare
presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler, Mr. Neil, Mr. Slavin (departed at
7:44 p.m.), Mr. Cole (arrived at 6:06 p.m.), Mr. Polce, and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Lindell was absent. Mayor
Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee meetings were Mr. Caldwell
and Col. Dix, Retired, (Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement), Mrs. Doyle (Utility), and
Mr. Contant and Mr. Shevock (Legislative, Finance, and Administration).
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee met with Chairman Anderson presiding.
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried.
Citizen Quality of Life and Community Enhancement Concerns
Ms. Diane Laird, Executive Director, Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), highlighted areas of concern
that were expressed in the last few weeks and noted that the DDP and its volunteers, who are members of
the community, are already working on them. Ms. Laird stated that a lot of the concerns fell under the role
of Community Policing Through Environmental Design (CPTED), so they are not addressing safety directly,
but they are addressing a community that is designed to increase good behavior. She noted that CPTED is
something that they can be trained in and she believes that it is a real area of opportunity to explore through
the DDP.
Ms. Laird stated the DDP is already in conversations with someone doing some planter designs at the bus
station on Loockerman Street and South Bradford and they hope to have it underway in the next couple of
months. She noted that they have a lot of loitering there and thinks the appropriate design of planters and
plants will help in that regard. Ms. Laird stated that another program that they have underway is the
Downtown Dover Ambassador Program. They have nine ambassadors, volunteers, that commit time during
events and they welcome community members and visitors to the community. She noted that it is a program
that they would like to recruit more members of the community for. Ms. Laird stated that they can have bad
behavior as kind of a deficit and they can have good to increase the revenue and so putting more people on
the street and getting more businesses in vacant buildings are ways that they are going to help combat the
behavior.
Ms. Laird stated lastly is just a general cleanup of the area, noting that the Boy Scouts and a Scout Master
are coming this weekend to work on one of the kiosks in the parking lots. She noted that it is looking a little
dilapidated.
Mr. Anderson noted other issues regarding lighting in the Minor Street Alley and a couple of other areas that
have been brought up repeatedly. Mr. Anderson thanked Ms. Laird and the DDP for helping with the Town
Hall meeting. He noted that they had over a hundred citizens participate and that it was very positive.
Mr. Sudler noted that a couple of days after the Town Hall meeting, he spoke with one of the downtown
business owners who said that trash collection or dumpsters were needed downtown, especially near the
Paj 73
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 2
33 West area and within that radius or parameter. He stated that he heard that grease traps or grease waste
mechanisms would be needed for some of the restaurants to dispose of grease, noting that some restaurants
are possibly throwing the grease down the drain, which could mess up some of the pipe system for the City.
Mr. Sudler stated that these were brought to his attention and maybe they can look at how to eradicate the
trash collection issue.
Mr. Sudler stated that 33 West and Irish Mike's have a small trash container and it overflows. He stated he
did not know if the City is supposed to pick the trash up in those trash containers that are not identified as
City, but are stationary within the walkway downtown, which reflects some of the concerns of trash
downtown. He stated that would like for that to be addressed.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Ms. Laird stated she was familiar with the issues with 33 West and insufficient
trash collection. She noted that they use the dumpster in the alley and they are in ongoing conversation with
the City and working through perhaps relocating the dumpster. Ms. Laird stated they have worked with them
to change trash collection times to be a little later in the evening so that those that are working can get home
in time to get their trash cans out, but she noted that they will continue to work with them. Ms. Laird stated
she had not heard of the grease trap problem.
Mr. Sudler stated that the trash cans he is referring to near 33 West are pretty much stationary with brick
veneer and they cannot be picked up to empty; however, he does not think are the City’s.
Mr. Taylor noted that in front of Driftwood Spirits, people were saying that there was a trashcan but it is no
longer there, so a lot of the trash is on the street. He stated they need to concentrate there and toward the
tattoo shop in that area. Mr. Taylor stated they need another trashcan and also going North on Bradford
Street and in the area of the Minor Street alley. He stated that they should be proactive and get some trash
cans out in the community.
Mr. Slavin requested Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, to brief the Committee on how the City deals with
commercial entities and trash removal in the City. Mrs. Mitchell stated that because trash is a service, they
charge user fees for trash as a service. She noted that the dumpsters that are on Minor Street alley are paid
for by the City to serve the downtown business owners. Mrs. Mitchell stated that one of those dumpsters is
for recycling and one is for trash. The recycling one is being misused and trash is going in it instead of just
recycling, so the contractor does not want to service that dumpster as recycling anymore because it has been
contaminated with trash. Mrs. Mitchell stated that she has actually looked at the trash situation herself and
noted that the fixed bins attached to poles are for the people on the street to put trash in as they are walking.
She advised that those bins, along with litter on the street, are collected every day by one of the City’s
grounds laborers.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that Ms. Tina Bradbury, Operations and Program Manager with the Downtown Dover
Partnership (DDP), and Mrs. Sharon Duca, Director of Public Works, have been working on solutions for
the business owners with regard to the trash situation. She noted that she has also talked with
Ms. Kim Adams, Economic Development Committee, about helping configure the Minor Street lot to see
if they cannot enclose those dumpsters and have the grounds laborer open the enclosure for the trash trucks
in the morning as he goes through there. Mrs. Mitchell stated that they were looking for another option
because when they sit open people are getting into the dumpsters.
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 3
Mr. Slavin stated that it is over and above what the City would do for a business that does not exist in the
Downtown. Mrs. Mitchell agreed and noted that it is just for downtown and that other businesses pay for
their own service through private contracting.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Mitchell stated that there have been complaints about lighting,
particularly in the Minor Street Alley. She noted because of the complaints about the Minor Street alley
when they did the LED grant project for the Unlock the Block neighborhood building block program, she
paid separately from the grant for them to put LED lights in that parking lot. Ms. Laird stated it is very bright
and that it was a big change.
Mr. Polce stated that he appreciates the DDP's willingness to explore CPTED as a strategy and he thought
it would be a great initiative if the DDP would step up and spearhead it. He provided an overview of the
CPTED program, noting that it is multi-pronged, as follows:
• Anchored in surveillance which would require greater police enforcement, probably through Community
Policing, which would mean strengthening numbers in that division and allocating those numbers
appropriately.
• Public health strategy from a true systems policy and environmental approach to look at how they can
help individuals downtown and in the community navigate with their nonprofit community and
ultimately receive treatment and services that they might need.
• City Council’s role would be to outline and appropriate and connect the dots by getting not-for-profit
community members to step up and play their role, as well as the faith based community and our local
merchants, to be good stewards of downtown.
Ms. Laird added economic development as a fourth prong of getting businesses into the vacant buildings
and getting the vacant buildings ready.
Mr. Taylor stated that he has heard repeatedly about people urinating all over the streets and requested the
Committee to suggest some strategies to stop it, noting that it is a health hazard. He noted that he spoke to
Mr. Hare about port-a-potties that are aesthetically pleasing and strategically positioned. Ms. Laird noted
that the DDP is aware of the issues that come with getting porta-potties, but at the same time they need a
strategy. Mr. Neil stated that lighting is one of the solutions that are going to help with crime. Col. Dix noted
that the French have a good porta-potty system for males. Mr. Taylor mentioned the possibility of a police
substation downtown.
Mayor Christiansen stated that he pledged money for the planters when Ms. Bradbury first came to him
about them. He asked if the owners of Loockerman Square had offered to contribute toward the planters
as they are part of the problem and could be responsible for paying for the planters. Responding, Ms. Laird
stated it was her understanding that they are not at present but that they were making progress with them.
Mr. Sudler suggested having the downtown area pressure washed to address the urine odor. He stated that
he did not know if the burden of the cost would be with the City, or a partnership with some of the
businesses that it affects. Mr. Slavin stated that Mrs. Mitchell had sent an email out that day talking about
the need to power wash and how that is one of the solutions that the Public Works crew that inspects
downtown had identified.
Paj 75
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 4
Mr. Slavin noted that the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) was originally formulated as a different
corporation and some merging took place. He stated that the focus of the quasi-governmental entity that was
created was to buy, improve and sell properties in the downtown, to take properties that were in need of
repackaging for zoning or improvements to infrastructure or demolition and to get that work done so that
properties did not sit idle and they flipped them back into the economy. Mr. Slavin asked if they are now
out of that business as a partnership because it seems they are talking about things that really are at a much
different level than what this quasi-governmental agency was created to do and created to receive an
appropriation from the City to do.
Responding to Mr. Slavin, Ms. Laird stated that there has been a lot of transition over the last several years
with the DDP. She noted that within the next fiscal year Council is going to see more activity within that
realm of the DDP. Ms. Laird stated that they had more explicit conversations about that recently, noting that
they are eyeing several buildings that they believe they will need to take ownership of if they are going to
make progress in them. Ms. Laird advised that of the current properties that they have underway, there has
been activity in terms of the RFP for the South Governor's Avenue parking garage area and Loockerman
Way Plaza, noting that there are reasons things are not moving ahead there.
Mr. Slavin stated that part of the philosophy was to buy, improve and flip and get back onto rate-able
property and be occupied and then in a bad economy, The Partnership kind of backed into buying, improving
and leasing and became a landlord in the downtown. He stated that from his years on the board that they
understood that in a lean economy they had to take that approach, but the economy is not lean anymore and
things are really firing now in the private sector. Mr. Slavin stated he would ask Mr. Lindell to schedule a
time during the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting for Ms. Laird to brief the
Committee on all of the property holdings and what the strategy is going forward with those property
holdings to get them back into private hands.
Mr. Slavin stated he has long felt that the City does a very adequate job of supporting what is going on
downtown through infrastructure, through programmatic activities, through the appropriation that it gives
to the partnership and the missing piece is private investment. He stated that they are just not seeing that
private investment income and he does not know what that answer is but he is disappointed to hear that some
of the private investments that they had lined up seem to have softened and moved.
Ms. Laird noted that she has heard and agrees with the quest for exploring a police substation at some level,
whether it is fully staffed or manned occasionally with food patrols that just take breaks there. She stated
there could be any level of a presence.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Semi-Annual Report (September 2019 -
February 2020)
Mrs. Tracey Harvey, Planner/Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administrator, reviewed the
CDBG Semi-Annual Report, September 2019 – February 2020.
Responding to Mr. Neil, Mrs. Harvey stated that when a first time home buyer applies, review of the
applicant starts with the housing counselors. She noted that they mainly work with NCALL (National
Council on Agricultural Life & Labor Research Fund, Inc.) and they do all the pre-screening and she also
does a screening to determine eligibility.
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Mr. Polce asked, as they prepare to receive the Consolidated Plan for 2020 – 2024, if they will be looking
at any outcome data from the current participants that are listed and if the City receives annual outcome data
or is it not a requirement of the grant. Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated they do receive annual outcome data
each year that they apply for the grant, even though it is a multi-year grant, they have to apply for allocation
each program year.
Mr. Polce clarified if Connections and Central Delaware Habitat kind of failed to hit their benchmarks or
their key performance indicators, why was the money released for the next fiscal year. Responding,
Mrs. Harvey stated it was a multi-year grant, and they try to work with the subrecipients to get them to spend
the money and then because it was a multi-year grant, there was no other subrecipient to reallocate the funds
to at that time.
Mr. Polce asked what happens if recipients did not spend down to a threshold, did not execute your key
performance indicators that were outlined and in 2017, same thing occurred and 2018, same thing occurred.
Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated that the last year, fiscal year 2019, they were not awarded any grant funds
because they failed to spend their grant funds the previous year, so they were not awarding any additional
funds.
Mr. Polce stated that he would assume that if an organization has outlined any form of innovative
programmatic exploration, and they did not meet their key performance indicators and they did not draw
down the spending, then the program would have the ability to recoup and divert. He noted that they did not
recoup it because they never allocated it, but redivert those funds to another potential organization.
Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated that information is going to be the next agenda item, she noted that she is
proposing to reallocate those funds to another subrecipient.
Col. Dix stated he has no prior knowledge of these block grants, but had the idea that there were operating
expenses that were being paid and that these were being given to organizations. He noted that he was at a
neighborhood meeting about two weeks ago, and most of the people that were there kept reiterating the City
does not have any money to give to the homeless, he noted here they are giving operating expenses money
to these organizations.
Responding to Col. Dix, Mrs. Harvey stated it is heavily advertised, on the website, all the housing providers
are aware of when the grant application process is going to happen every five years, it goes out to all the
housing providers. She noted they do press releases and have public hearings and meetings. She noted that
she is not sure why a lot of the housing providers are not aware.
Col. Dix asked if they do not give out that money to individuals, but give it to these housing providers, but
can they give money in turn to the homeless. Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated no, the way it works is that
the funds are allocated to a nonprofit, an established 501(c)(3), and they provide the services to the homeless
or whoever the grant recipient is. Responding to Col. Dix, Mrs. Harvey stated there is no money given
directly to the homeless.
Mr. Polce stated an important clarification is that the City of Dover is just the administrator of a federal
grant, that is, we are the pass-through vessel. He stated that it is not coming out of a general fund
appropriation from the City of Dover, it is a pass-through grant from the federal government. We simply
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administer the funds. He noted Mrs. Harvey is the gatekeeper, if you will, in charge of the stewardship of
that fund.
Proposed Budget Amendments to the 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action
Plan and Carry-Forward Undisbursed Obligations
Mrs. Tracey Harvey, Planner/Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administrator, reviewed the
Committee Action Form regarding the Proposed Budget Amendments to the 2019 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan and Carry-Forward Undisbursed Obligations.
Staff recommended approval of the proposed Budget Amendments totaling $154,209.73 for Fiscal Year
2019.
Responding to Mr. Neil, Mrs. Harvey stated the money that is going to be reallocated to the women’s shelter
would complete a large portion of their rehabilitation funds they need. She noted that they have other
funding sources as well and they have already put out bids for a couple of projects, so this money will be
spent right away. Mrs. Harvey stated she had an indication that the combination of funds that they are getting
and this money will complete their rehabilitation.
Mayor Christiansen stated that they discovered over the last few years that there is a lack of shelters for
women and families, and that he thought this is a great expenditure of the funds and the homeownership
program, moving monies toward that will allow people to be partakers of the American Dream, and that is
homeownership, where they can take a house and make it into a home.
Mr. Anderson stated that he supports this reallocation. He stated it is regrettable, however, that money was
not spent for homeownership repair because there is a number of people who desperately need this program.
Mr. Anderson noted that it is unfortunate that the connection is not being made between the people who need
them, some of them are actually getting code violations and yet there is no connection being made to them
and actually being able to fix their home. He hopes they can resolve that in the future.
Mayor Christiansen stated he does take umbrage with that, because he knows that some of our code
inspectors have referred and continue to refer people to that home repair program or any redress or relief that
the individual homeowners can find. He stated the thought Mrs. Harvey and the folks in Code Enforcement
Department operate with a little bit of compassion to help people.
Mrs. Harvey stated that the funding that was terminated by Habitat was strictly restricted to restoring the
Central Dover area and they had a lot of turnover within the last few years, and right now, their primary
focus is on new homeownership, building new homes, so she does not think they have the staff capacity to
really focus on rehab. She stated that there is still a need for rehab within the city of Dover. Mr. Anderson
stated unfortunately, they have had problems with that connection somehow being made with two different
vendors, Milford Housing before this and Habitat. He stated he hoped they can find somewhere in the future
where they can accomplish that, because the need is desperate and it is vital to keeping our downtown in
good condition, in habitable condition.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mrs. Harvey stated there is nothing that she is aware of funding that is available
for victims of graffiti tags on their buildings for Downtown Dover.
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Mr. Sudler asked if Mrs. Harvey has seen any grants out there that the City may want to inquire about that
and may be able to ascertain, so that they can bring some financial relief. Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated
she can try contacting NCALL, because they have a greater funding pool than she does, and see if they have
something available because they do have a lot of neighborhood programs, so that might be one thing they
could look at.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation of approval of the proposed
Budget Amendments totaling $154,209.73 for Fiscal Year 2019. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Mr. Hare moved for adjournment of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee
meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Cole presiding.
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried.
Proposed Utility Rate Changes
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, reviewed the presentation titled, “City of Dover Proposed Utility Rate
Changes Sample Customer Analysis Effective July 1, 2020.”
Responding to Mr. Neil, Mrs. Mitchell stated that it is a sliding scale and that the difference between an
inside sewer rate and an outside sewer rate is inside City and outside City. She noted if you live outside the
City and you have City water and sewer, you would get a higher rate. Mrs. Mitchell advised that groundwater
is the City’s inflow/infiltration rate they have to help cover the capital projects for the I&I for the sewer
mains. She noted that everyone is going to be paying that regardless.
Responding to Mr. Hare, Mrs. Mitchell stated the wastewater is not because of the County increasing. She
noted that they have these rate increases going across all of them and that the County did a 10-year increase
as well this last year, but they are projected to start evaluating the rates, so this is anticipation. Mrs. Mitchell
stated if the County does not increase that rate, that rate will not change, but their last conversation was they
are not waiting 10 years, they are going to reevaluate this and do them at least every three years. She noted
that these rates will not be changed if the County does not change their rates, for the point of the
presentation, they all changed.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the part of the reasons for adjusting these rates and
making them more in line with market rates is to provide efficient money for infrastructure to for the upkeep
of our infrastructure. Mrs. Mitchell noted it is the operation of maintenance cost increases as well as to do
more with the infrastructure. It is also to establish sufficient reserves if we have problems, which we do not
have today.
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Mr. Slavin stated we are beginning now to see what we have planned for the last five years, which is the
balance of the way we fund the City, it is tipping toward usage and utilities rather than property tax rates.
He noted that is a response to the large amount of tax-exempt property we carry in the City that uses services
but pays no taxes and then when we went out to the nonprofit community and said, help us address this, we
were just kind of stiff armed by them and were not able to get anywhere with that. This will include also a
storm water utility at some point. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell stated at some point, right now she has not got
that developed, but they will be working on that next.
Mr. Sudler stated that at Delaware State University (DSU) has a voice there, effort and initiative to help the
City of Dover in any way they can as a nonprofit organization. Mrs. Mitchell agreed that DSU have.
Responding to Mayor Christiansen, Ms. Mitchell stated that she did not have what percentages of these
increased fees will go toward contingencies for future repairs in emergencies, it is in the forecast model, but
she can get it.
Presentation - Streetlight Inventory and Photometric Analysis (Citelum)
Mr. Michael Bartoszek, Regional Director, Mr. Sean Popp, Streetlight Manager, and Ms. Madeline Shaffer,
Business Development, Citelum, reviewed a presentation titled, “Dover Lighting History, Street Inventory
and Photometric Analysis.”
Mr. Bartoszek provided three options: keep the lighting system the way it is; work on the lighting system
through the Public Works Department, which is usually an incremental approach because usually Public
Works Departments do not have the manpower to do that; or outsource to a third party who would do a
citywide upgrade. Mr. Bartoszek stated generally whether Citelum or another performance contractor, you
are going to have contractual guarantees for performance and cost as well as timing.
Mr. Bartoszek stated you are going to know exactly what you are going to get when you are going to have
it and the key is reducing the kilowatt hours to obtain energy savings, so a lot of times there is a very, very
significant reduction in number of kilowatt hours consumed by going from traditional high pressure sodium
lighting to LED lighting. He noted that reduction in turn generally can be used to fund the cost of the new
infrastructure amortized over a period of time, so a lot of times it is not even a budgetary issue in terms of
funding the cap ex, it is something that can be funded through the savings generated through the upgrade.
Mr. Polce stated he appreciated Mr. Bartoszek’s recommendations and though Citelum captured the vast
importance of the project such as not only will it save money immediately, but in the future it will make
them a bit better stewards from a financial modeling perspective of forecasting. It is going to absolutely
increase safety standards across the City, especially in the downtown community. He noted it will absolutely
reduce carbon footprint, but one thing he though was missing from the recommendation is the technology
component that could be incorporated. Mr. Polce stated that he thought it is a tremendous opportunity in
the incorporation of technology and modeling good behavior by the City to incorporate, which in turn,
hopefully, will incentivize job creation. He noted he truly sees the City of Dover as a 4G hub with smart cell
technology, with that type of technology fixed on the top of these hard assets, which in turn will bring
innovation and job creation into the future. Mr. Polce stated that is the general direction and if we do not do
it now, then we are going to get outpaced by our competitors, which are other municipalities. As we look
at Wilmington, as we look at Milford, as we look at Middletown, trust me, they are thinking about the same
thing. He noted the City actually has the foundation to make some of this happen.
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Mr. Polce asked Mr. Bartoszek to speak about the technology component to some of the work that could be
done. Responding Mr. Bartoszek stated that the LED lighting industry and the related technologies like solar
or many other industries have benefited from cost reduction over the last several years. He noted the network
technology associated with LED lighting is one of those areas where as a few years ago it might be quite
expensive and cities might consider whether or not it really made sense in their budget to incorporate it as
part of their overall citywide upgrade, now that the costs have come down to the point where it is almost
hard not to include it. Mr. Bartoszek noted that in essence you are creating a network lighting system, so you
are creating nodes on each LED light, which will communicate to a central hub, communicate various data
and make things easier for your Public Works Department to understand the condition of lights when lights
are out or on, and various other things because you are also creating a citywide network, you are also
opening the door to incorporating other technologies down the road. Mr. Bartoszek stated when you create
the network, it is just like creating the WiFi network in your house, you can add environmental sensors or
other technologies down the road, traffic analytics and things that might be beneficial to the City down the
road. So when we see these procurements for lighting upgrades in cities across the U.S., they have really
become combination LED lighting, smart city upgrades, and even 5G. Mr. Bartoszek noted the convergence
between the three is really happening because of 5G technology needing to be closer to the ground and the
co-location of 5G technology on the light poles.
Mr. Polce stated this is the template that all ultimately can pave those discussions and decisions can be made
at that point. He noted that the presentation highlights a few things; one, the City staff has done a
phenomenal job of maintaining the asset. It is not broken. But in this conversation, we must evolve with
technology and moreover we have to evolve with the science, so although the asset is not broken, the
technology switching to LEDs clearly show benefit.
Mr. Bartoszek stated LED lighting and increasing the City’s lighting levels is obviously something that you
can do which is fairly low cost. He noted that obviously is going to have an impact on reducing crime and
increasing the well-being of your citizens.
Mr. Neil expressed concerns regarding if the lights that Citelum already identified as the colonial types of
light can be converted to LED lighting. Responding, Mr. Bartoszek stated, regarding the lighting downtown
and about pulling the shades down, he stated LED lighting is directional, you could put more lighting on the
road or on the sidewalk and you do not necessarily going to impact citizens.
Mr. Bartoszek stated it is proper lighting design, not just simply taking lights out and putting new lights in
is a key to getting it right, that is the lighting design aspect of the process, knowing where you want the light
to go and where you do not want it to go to your other question. Mr. Popp stated that GE, Phillips, works
well with acuity and that they all make a retrofit for the old style, and can do either a retrofit or a whole new
fixture and it is going to be exactly what they see today except LED.
Mr. Polce moved to recommend directing City staff to work with Citelum to develop a strategic
proposal to include scope and potential financial implications of the proposed project. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Anderson, and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Wireless Communications Facilities
Mrs. Dawn Melson-Williams, Principal Planner, reviewed a presentation titled, “Wireless Communications
Facilities - Update on Provisions and Development of Ordinance,” (Attachment #1).
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Ms. Bonnie Mets, Director of State Government Affairs, Verizon, stated they are ready to come in and invest
in the City in small cell infrastructure. She noted that 4G sets the stage, small cell is for 5G and the City will
be well positioned more than some other municipalities in the State where they are not yet moving forward.
She noted they are anxious to get to a final ordinance and also licensed agreements.
Responding to Mr. Polce, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated she was not sure she can answer when Council will
have an ordinance before them. She stated they are hoping to have something by the end of the month, but
was not sure how together it will be. There is a draft currently that is over 20 some pages long that still does
not quite work well with the existing code and processes that they need to sort out. She noted that the
Planning Office is just now really getting into really looking at the ordinance itself since they may be one
of the key administrators of the ordinance.
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that they do have existing procedures in the zoning ordinance that deal with
the placement more on the tower world of this, of wireless facilities. There is a code interpretation memo
that gives the process for dealing with them, whether they are in a residential or nonresidential area and
depending on what they are on height. She noted that it is not like they cannot accept any kind of tower ones.
It is the small cell technology that the City’s code really does not address because it was not thought of, so,
they are in that modern technology issue.
Mr. Polce stated it would be great to have something before Council before the end of March, because, at
the end of the day, every day that ticks by, we lose out on an opportunity for not only implementation of 4G,
but the implementation of 5G and the industry is wanting leaders. And if we, again, can demonstrate
leadership in this role, we can then go to Verizon, to Sprint, to all the carriers and say, look, we are equipped
and we want your business here and to be a leader. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated they are already reaching
out to the city wanting to know how to come here.
Mr. Polce noted Fenwick did this two years ago, their ordinance has been in place two years ago. He noted
that Dover can still be a leader, but there are local jurisdictions who have pieced it together strategically and
thought about it. He stated it would be great if we were an early adopter and demonstrated good faith to the
industries, so in turn, we can ask them for a favor down the road.
Mr. Anderson asked how would this affect private property owners who may get some of the technology on
whether it is buildings, or posts. Responding, Mrs. Melson-William stated some of it depends on what type
of approval process is necessary for the placement of the facility and what type of facility it is. The
placement of a tower or a monopole is obviously very different than attaching something to the roof of a
building. She noted right now, attachments probably to a roof of a building or as simple as a building permit
process. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated the process for a tower is more likely in the world of a site plan that
may be needing to appear in front of the planning commission for a full hearing process. She stated it will
depend on the type of facility that they are looking to add to their property. The zoning ordinance regulates
how you place structures, items on private property and whether limitations on height, location, setbacks
from property lines, potentially, with this ordinance, any kind of appearance issues, whether it is color,
stealth technology type aspects. She noted they certainly want to have the opportunity for private owners to
explore placement of these items on their properties, but they need to have the ordinance in place.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Ms. Mets stated once these ordinances and processes are in place they are
ready to go now. She noted they are looking at locations where they need to deploy from an RF standard,
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where the facilities are needed. So, as soon as the ordinance gets into place, we are ready to file permits and
start building.
Responding to Mr. Anderson, Ms. Mets stated the FCC and both the FDA have looked at the health effects
and low level radiation and studied RF health effects over the last 11 years. The FCC came out in December
with, based on all of the data that they looked at, that they did not make any changes. She noted they
specifically looked at 5G technology as well as part of that. They did not make any changes to the current
levels. The FDA just came out basically saying the same thing. That there were no quantifiable health
effects. So, the experts and the weight of scientific evidence supports that.
Mr. Mike Mullen, right-of-way Manager, noted the threshold that they use are hundreds of times less than
that threshold of the studies.
Responding to Ms. Doyle, Ms. Mets stated they do environmental studies where they are going into maybe
a place where they are required by law to do that under the federal law. Ms. Mets noted that talking about
small cells, generally they would be going in the right of way on an existing pole. That is what they would
prefer to do, so, there really are not any environmental effects from really just changing out one of the poles.
Responding to Mrs. Doyle, Ms. Mets stated she was not aware of anything like the disappearance of birds
in places that put these in place. Ms. Mets stated she can look into it and to get back to her.
Mayor Christiansen stated that this is something that the City really needs to pursue in earnest because, once
again, this proposal and this concept, as many of the other things they have discussed tonight, is an economic
tool toward our economic engine of the City. He noted they really need to take a long, hard look at it and
expedite the process.
Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Utility Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Anderson and
unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee met with Council President Hare presiding, in the
absence of Chairman Lindell.
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Proposed Amendments to Personnel Policy (Employee Handbook) - Discrimination and Harassment
Section
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, reviewed the proposed amendments to Personnel Policy (Employee
Handbook) - Discrimination and Harassment Section.
Staff recommended acceptance of the policy updates as recommended.
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Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mrs. Mitchell stated they were basically following the guidelines that were given
to them by the trainer, so in certain that the employee can go to the supervisor, they do not have to go
directly to the Human Resources Director.
Mr. Sudler asked if there are guidelines whereas, once they do go to the supervisor, how the supervisor is
to proceed, whether they are going to have an informal hearing, or does the supervisor just go directly to HR,
or do they conduct an informal hearing, gather data, and then provide that along with the complaint.
Responding, Mrs. Mitchell stated all that is done in the policy here. She noted the only change they are
making is that change to say the employee can go to the supervisor. Everything else is detailed in the policy,
the process.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend approval of the proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy
(Employee Handbook) - Discrimination and Harassment Sections (Attachment #2), seconded by
Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Amendments to Travel Policy
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, reviewed the proposed amendments to the City of Dover Travel Policy.
Staff recommended approval of the Travel Policy as revised.
Responding to Mr. Hare, Mrs. Mitchell stated the cash advance goes directly into the checking account,
weekly, they are not getting the whole and that when the employee comes back they still have to submit and
justify where all the money went. Mrs. Mitchell noted that is the next change they have. She stated that any
advance for meal incidental and allowances, not accounted for an expense report, will be considered over
payment shall be returned, but they are also requiring receipts.
Mr. Sudler asked why the City does not just go to an ATM card or one of those Visa cards that you can just
put a certain amount on and any and every transaction that they make you should be able to get a printout
or read out. He noted that eliminates the receipts and they will have an itemized list of what or where they
have eaten, or all transaction activities.
Responding Mrs. Mitchell stated they are looking into that with a new ERP system and looking to see if they
can make that work. She noted they have talked to their purchaser as well, the problem is not everybody
travels, it is just certain ones that travel. She noted they can give employees an ATM card or a P-Card or
whatever to pay for their travel, from what she understands is the bank card has to have the employee's name
on it. It cannot be generic that anybody could use, if they have got turnover, you got new employees,
employees leaving that still have cards, you have got to get those cards back. You got to issue one for the
new employee. She noted that it is all got to be logistically worked out and see how we can make it work,
but that is being considered how we do that.
Mr. Sudler suggested a prepaid card, but was not sure if it gives a readout, but thought it would be worth
wild and it could be more cost friendly.
Mr. Sudler moved to recommend approval of the proposed amendments to the City of Dover Travel
Policy (Attachment #3). The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
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Extension of Contract Services for Third Party Payroll Processing provided by Automatic Data
Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Ms. Lori Peddicord, Director of Finance, reviewed the background information regarding the extension of
contract services for Third Party Payroll Processing provided by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).
Staff recommended authorizing the Controller/Treasurer to extend the ADP contract through
December 31, 2020, unless the ERP implementation results in an earlier cancellation.
Responding to Mr. Neil, Ms. Peddicord stated it is a little bit more than has been budgeted and that it might
be $14,000. Ms. Peddicord noted that it is a bridge and was hoping they did not need a bridge.
Mr. Polce stated at some point it would be nice to have Tyler demonstrate why they are so far behind. He
noted that the raw reality is it is impacting the fiscal budget and the timeline, staff capacity, human capital,
but overall, so this is the first request that has come before Council because of lack of performance in the
contract. Mr. Polce stated at some point it would be an interesting conversation if Tyler could come and
provide a more general, holistic update on the implementation of the ERP that City staff has been working
diligently on this merger.
Mrs. Peddicord stated she could probably bring something back to Council in the next few weeks to a month
or so, because they have to revisit the timeline anyway.
Mr. Polce stated he would like someone from Tyler. Mr. Hare agreed and stated there needs to be some
accountability on that part.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation.
Mr. Contant asked what performance metrics were built into the contract, and is there any money that can
be brought back for failure to deliver on time. Responding, Ms. Peddicord stated she had conversations with
Tyler and they have agreed to remove the charges for many of the sessions that they had in building the
Executime System, which is the time and attendance system that they purchased from Tyler. She noted she
has not gotten anything in a formal letter, but Tyler agreed to waive those fees or remove them from our,
because of a letter that she sent to them requesting that Tyler review the account.
Responding to Mr. Contant, Ms. Peddicord stated she has a letter to Tyler and it was a phone conversation
and Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, was there. Ms. Peddicord stated that she does not know that they
have documented it since then, but the other pieces of it was we did purchase time clocks from Tyler and
they also are going to refund that amount back to them.
Mr. Contant stated it is a great idea to have someone, some representative of Tyler come before the
Committee or even the Council and explain where they are, why they are there, why the we are not getting
what we paid for on time.
Responding to Mr. Contant, Ms. Peddicord stated that the systems is not customized.
Mr. Contant recommended that when Ms. Peddicord reaches out to Tyler, ask them to come back or come
here and explain what is going on, that we get something in writing saying what they are going to give back
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to us. He noted that Ms. Peddicord stated that they are working on it, but at the end of the day he would like
to make sure that the City of Dover gets something back when they say it and that they are going to be held
to that.
Mr. Neil moved to recommend authorizing the Controller/Treasurer to extend the ADP contract
through December 31, 2020, unless the ERP implementation results in an earlier cancellation. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Proposed Ordinance #2020-04 - Amending Chapter 22 - Buildings and Building Regulations, Article
I - In General, Section 22-1 - Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals
Mr. Dave Hugg, Director of Planning and Community Enhancement, reviewed the background information
for proposed Ordinance #2020-04.
Staff recommended adoption of the Ordinance #2020-04.
Mr. Sudler stated his major concern is the keywords certified and the mere fact that the groups that they are
illustrating or exhibiting as desirable, is slim picking. He noted there are not too many people to have an
engineer or those types of qualifications that are just out in the community willing to serve. He noted not
every contractor is knowledgeable in regards to plumbing, in regards to how to interpret the code. Mr. Sudler
questioned where they are going to get these pool of people from and how are you going to ensure that they
are certified.
Mr. Hugg stated the provisions basically would allow for a design professional, a builder, a superintendent
of building construction or someone with experience in each of those fields. Mr. Hugg noted it is not as rigid
as the word certified might indicate and does acknowledge that it will be a challenge to make sure that they
can get people with those qualifications willing to serve. He stated that from our experience in working with
folks in these various professions, they are out there, and a number of them that we have talked to are willing
to be involved and to be appointed to the committee, but it will be a challenge.
Mr. Anderson expressed several concerns with this idea. He stated they need more time to discuss this
because. He noted the direction is correct. Mr. Anderson stated number one, the people should always have
a final appeal to their elected officials. In other words, now that once we establish a professional board to
oversee, then they should have, we are talking about some of the people's most important items, their real
property, where they invested their life savings in many times. That their businesses, their homes, that
everything that is most precious to them, they should always have the right to appeal to City Council. He
stated City Council should not delegate to subcommittees. He noted that when say delegate, he means
delegate, they are completely cut out with no right of appeal.
Mr. Anderson stated that he did not like the European model which puts bureaucracy over democracy and
he has several examples. He stated that there should be some citizen members, like from the real estate
community that and maybe from the legal community, like the hearing code, on that committee so that you
have a broader representation. Mr. Anderson stated then those others, there should be a pool, where you are
pulling three from those other fields. He noted one, make it easier to get people to fill it the way it is
designed, you have to have one from each of those professions, which is extraordinarily hard. Number two,
he has a problem with it being recommended by the building inspector, that eliminates checks and balances.
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 15
That puts somebody who basically is beholden to the building inspectors, to be judging the building
inspectors actions. And he stated at the very least looks like a conflict of interest.
Mr. Anderson stated he also has a problem with the idea of a two-thirds majority to overturn the building
inspector, or modify a building inspector’s position. He stated they do not do that anywhere in our formal
government, should be a majority and two-thirds also does not work mathematically with a five member
board. He noted essentially they would be making it a four-fifth majority by accident and he does not think
that is appropriate. Mr. Anderson stated he also has issues with the dangerous buildings. He asked who hears
that, is it the same committee, it did not seem to be clear. He also has an issue with changing from 30 days
to 20. He noted there is hardly enough time for somebody who is out of town to get legal representation or
to consultant an attorney in 20 days.
Mr. Anderson stated he also has a problem with the language of served. He stated he wants a definition of
what it is to be served a notice, to make sure a person actually gets it, because that 20-day clock, when it
comes to your property maybe being destroyed or it being subject to thousands of dollars of fines, should
not be able to sit on somebody's desk for five days or whatever and then be mailed out and they get it, and
they have 10 days now, and they are trying to get an attorney, get advice, and that just does not happen right.
Mr. Anderson stated unfortunately, the International Building Code Committees and bureaucracy that wants
to skew the stuff to their people. He stated it is contrary to the traditions of this City, which has been built
in protecting the rights of private property. Mr. Anderson stated it is one of the reasons why he loves this
City and loves being here. He noted that he has several amendment possibilities with the various different
lines. Mr. Anderson stated that he would like to defer this for about a month and have opportunities to
discuss different things and see what is feasible and what is not.
Mr. Sudler concurred with Mr. Anderson and stated because they are looking at the mailbox rule. When they
receive, when they pick up. We just dealt with that scenario with Ms. Johnson, as an example of what could
go wrong and how it could affect one's financial status.
Mr. Sudler noted that Mr. Anderson brought up a lot of valid points that he thinks they need to consider.
Mr. Sudler noted when talking about people's property, he could see a huge blow back from the community
if they do not get this one right, and how it is going to create a huge problem in the near future if the clarity
is not there.
Responding to Mr. Polce, regarding the urgency, Mr. Hugg stated they have certainly heard in almost every
one of the dangerous building hearings before Council, members say to us that we should not be in this loop.
Mr. Hugg noted that by the time a project gets to this level, it has already had many steps of process through
the building and code enforcement initiative. It just seemed to us, particularly as we are moving forward with
trying to deal with the blighted properties in the City and the desire to get them handled on a regular basis,
that having to depend on meetings of the Council and meetings of this board slows down the process.
Mr. Polce stated Mr. Anderson made some very valid points and noted one that is really important is just
the math. Mr. Hugg stated he just realized that too, that it is actually wording straight out of the international
building code.
Mr. Hugg stated he is perfectly fine with the notion that they take this back and do some additional work
on it. He stated they need to move forward on getting the codes up to date. He Mr. Hugg stated the codes
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 16
are 2009 and or in the case of this particular revision, I think it dates back to somewhere around 2000, so
it is a step they need to be taking. He noted that he would love to see Mr. Anderson’s suggestions and see
how we might address them. Mr. Polce suggested 30 days.
Mr. Hare noted that this is a good idea because they have these meetings. He stated they bring buildings in
here that have been two, three years that need to be torn down and that maybe the staff instead of bringing
it to Council, just send a letter out there that the people have the right to appeal to this committee, if that
committee says they agree, then they have the right to appeal to Council.
Mr. Hare stated like with electric shutoff, it should be sent certified or hand delivered, or take it to the
Sheriff's Department and have them serve them. He stated he thought someone said they were going to be
looking into that. Responding Mr. Hugg stated they do post the building with a sticker.
Mr. Hare stated they can get some revisions to it and then move ahead and within 30 days bring something
back.
Mr. Neil noted that one of the things the Construction Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals
(CPMCBA) members have had is finding the people to be able to get there on time and now just said times
five. He noted that if trying to get those people and do it within a timely fashion is not just another thing and
it is worthy of delay to talk about it.
Mr. Hare noted that the CPMCBA is in the afternoon, maybe these meeting would be an evening meeting.
He stated it might be easier for people to get there.
Responding to Mr. Contant, Mr. Hugg stated he did not have a hard number of the ratio of the appeals that
are upheld versus denied. Mr. Hugg noted that most of the dangerous building requests, probably two thirds
of them are upheld, the staff recommendation is approved. He noted that those that tend not to be upheld,
are upheld typically with some additional consideration given to the property owner, so where the staff may
recommend it be torn down, Council may very well say they will give the owner 60 days to see if they can
bring the building up to code or not, and if not, then the staff recommendation goes forward. He noted on
the vacant building ordinances, it is probably 50-50, that process is pretty much all over the board and it is
probably one of the more inconsistent kind because the matter there is, it gets into hardship, it gets into how
good the argument of the individual coming to the appeal board is, how persuasive they are. He noted there
are a lot of other factors.
Mr. Contant stated he agrees with the intent but also agree with all of Mr. Anderson's recommendations and
looks forward to seeing those actually written down in here.
Mr. Contant noted that it is a good idea to move towards a committee or board of appeal, however, when
you add in the next level of, if they wish to appeal beyond that and they go to Council, which I think they
should, really what they are doing is anybody who does not win is going to appeal. He stated but the reason
he was asking for the numbers, is that is essentially going to save the time of one third to half of the appeals
that you guys probably see.
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 17
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Hugg stated no, they are not the same individuals who have violated sitting
on these committees. Mr. Hugg noted he does not know of anyone on the committee who is considered to
be a conflict of interest.
Mr. Sudler stated his concern is if they have a department head that is the one that is saying, the person is
in violation and we are moving forward with demo, he does not see how individual should sit on the
committee.
Mr. Hugg stated that individual would not sit on the committee. The City Charter gives Mr. Hugg as the
City's code official, ultimately that authority to declare your building to be a dangerous building, but it does
not make him a voting member of the appeals board, either the current one or proposed one. He noted they
are simply staffed to, they make a recommendation to the appeals board and provide the secretarial service
if you will, but no.
Mr. Anderson moved to recommend referring Proposed Ordinance #2020-04 - Amending Chapter 22 -
Building and Building Regulations, Article I - In General, Section 22-1 - Construction and Property
Maintenance Code Board of Appeals, back to staff to work on the concerns expressed, and bring it back in
March, seconded by Mr. Neil.
Mr. Hugg asked for Mr. Anderson to send his comments and notations.
Mr. Hare noted that this might be something to bring to the Council Workshop scheduled for March 13,
2020. Mr. Anderson stated that it does not work for him and that there are so many other things that are more
visionary as opposed to nuts and bolts.
Mr. Hare clarified it would be in addition. He noted that they work it out and talk to it and fight over at the
workshop, and then they can put the final numbers together and bring it to Committee and then go from
there.
Mr. Anderson stated hopefully they will have that all worked out before then, so it will nott be a big issue.
He noted that he would not recommend this being a part of the workshop because it does not really fit in
with the visionary agenda of dealing with the infrastructure and other things.
Mr. Anderson moved to recommend referring Proposed Ordinance #2020-04 - Amending Chapter
22 - Building and Building Regulations, Article I - In General, Section 22-1 - Construction and
Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals, back to staff to work on the concerns expressed, and
bring it back in March. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
meeting, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried.
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PAGE 18
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
William F. Hare
Council President
WFH/TM/jt
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Committee-Minutes\2020\02-11-2020 CCW Minutes.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Presentation titled, “Wireless Communications Facilities - Update on Provisions and
Development of Ordinance”
Attachment #2 - Proposed Amendments to the Personnel Policy (Employee Handbook) - Discrimination
and Harassment Section
Attachment #3 - Proposed Amendments to the City of Dover Travel Policy
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ATTACHMENT #1
Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of 02/11/2020
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
UPDATE ON PROVISIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORDINANCE
FEBRUARY 11, 2020 – COUNCIL OF COMMITTEE OF WHOLE: UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
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PURPOSE
To establish uniform standards for the siting, design, permitting, installation,
maintenance and use of Wireless Communication Facilities in the City of
Dover.
Provisions need to address:
Regulate location, design, appearance
Manage development of WCF subject to Federal and State laws & regulations
Establish procedures (permitting, review of proposals, attachment agreements)
Encourage collocation
Promote health, safety, and welfare
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ITEMS TO ADDRESS
Decisions related to policy, public safety, land-use and right-of-way considerations
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and State of Delaware have established
rules designed to facilitate Small WCF installation. This includes approval timeframes
(Shot Clock) and placement in State right-of-way.
Determination of types of application processes, review procedures, review
timeframe, and fees.
Development of Ordinance for adoption of regulations into Dover Code of Ordinances
(Zoning Ordinance).
Type of WCF Applications: collocations, modifications, new facilities
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TASKS TO DATE
Topic under consideration by Staff of City Manager’s Office, Electric Department, and
Planning Office
City hired Cohen Law; developed a draft Ordinance
Early Drafts of Ordinance did not match Dover’s needs or regulatory structure
Continued work on development of an Ordinance
Work on Agreements for pole attachments and licensing (on City owned poles and rights-of-
way)
Electric Department proposal to implement a Pilot Program working with vendors to gain
real-time experience with WCF; program suspended
Presentation of an Action Plan to CCOW-Utility Committee in October 2018
Presentation to Historic District Commission in August 2019 on Small WCF with examples
of designs
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WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
Small Wireless Communications Facility
Non-Tower WCF
Tower Based WCF
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NEXT STEPS
Development and refinement of Ordinance for Wireless Communication Facilities
Application and Review procedures based on Type of Activity, Location, and Type of
Facility
Fee Schedule
Development and refinement of agreements and licensing associated with attachment
on City owned poles and access to City right-of-way
Consideration of Development of a Small Wireless Communication Facility Design
Manual
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ATTACHMENT #2
Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of 02/11/2020
CITY OF DOVER
PERSONNEL POLICY
ARTICLE VII. ETHICAL CONDUCT
SECTION 6. DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
State and/or Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among others, race, marital status, genetic
information, color, age (40 or older), religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender
identity, national origin, disability, or status as a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.
Harassment (including sexual harassment) often is considered a form of unlawful discrimination. It is the
policy of the City of Dover to prohibit and not tolerate unlawful discrimination or unlawful harassment and
to promote a workplace and work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination or unlawful
harassment or conduct that might reasonably be perceived as constituting such, whether verbal, physical,
or environmental.
Anti Sex Harassment Specifically (Definition):
For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is
made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of a person’s employment; (2) submission to or
rejection of such conduct by a person is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting the person;
or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person’s work performance,
or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: unwanted physical advances; requests for
sexual favors in exchange for favorable treatment or continued employment; unwelcome flirtation,
advances, or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic, verbal commentary about a person’s
body, sexual prowess, or sexual deficiencies; leering, whistling, touching, or pinching; suggestive insulting,
or obscene comments or gestures of a sexual nature; display in the work place of sexually-suggestive objects
or pictures; transmitting or forwarding e-mails containing offensive, suggestive, or lewd attachments,
statements, or jokes; and uploading, downloading, or viewing inappropriate pictures or material onto
organizational information systems. The above list is illustrative of types of conduct that would violate this
policy and, as such, by no means represents an exclusive list of conduct that could lead to disciplinary
action, up to and including termination of employment.
Guidelines:
• All City of Dover employees must comply with this policy, which applies to conduct both within
the work environment and elsewhere when an employee acts in an official capacity as a City of
Dover representative.
• The City of Dover will not tolerate, condone, or allow unlawful discrimination or unlawful
harassment, whether engaged in by fellow employees, supervisors, managers, outside clients, or
other non-employees who conduct business with us.
• While the City of Dover encourages persons who believe they are being unlawfully harassed firmly
and promptly to notify the offender that his or her behavior is unwelcome and must cease
immediately, we also realize that the power and status disparities between the alleged harasser and
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the person allegedly harassed may make such a confrontation unlikely. Especially when direct
communication is either ineffective or impossible, City employees are expected to follow the
procedures stated below.
• All employees must take appropriate measures to ensure that prohibited conduct does not occur.
Members of management in particular must intercede to stop any violating behavior. City of Dover
employees must report all such harassment, regardless of who the offender may be.
• In addition to discipline by the City of Dover as your employer, persons who engage in acts in
violation of this policy may also be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
• The City of Dover will not retaliate in any way against any person who makes a good faith report
of violation of this policy, nor will the City of Dover permit any supervisor, officer, or employee
to do so. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and should be reported immediately.
Procedures:
1) A report of violation of this policy must be made promptly to the City of Dover Human
Resources Director or any supervisor. If reported to a supervisor, the supervisor is to report the
violation immediately to the Human Resources Director. While initial reports may be made
verbally, a written statement of complaint also must be provided.
2) Such alleged violations will be investigated by the City of Dover Human Resources
Department as appropriate under the circumstances. Throughout the investigation process,
confidentiality will be maintained to the extent practical and appropriate under the
circumstances, including to protect the privacy of persons involved. During an investigation,
alleged offenders will generally be made aware of the report and, where deemed appropriate,
will be given an opportunity to respond and propose witnesses. The Department of Human
Resources will keep the complainant informed as to the status of the investigation. Upon
completion of the investigation, the Human Resources Director shall recommend to the City of
Dover Manager the appropriate action to be taken, unless the report alleges violation by the
City Manager, in which case the recommendation shall be made to the City of Dover Council
President.
3) In the event an employee alleges a violation of this policy by the Human Resources Director,
then a report of a violation of this policy may instead be made to the City Manager; and any
investigation will be handled through the City Manager.
4) Employment conditions of the complainant and any witnesses will be in no way adversely
affected through use of this procedure. However, if an investigation clearly reveals that the
complainant knowingly and intentionally made a false accusation of harassment, appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken.
5) If the alleged violation of this policy cannot be substantiated, this finding will be communicated
to the complainant in an appropriately sensitive manner. The complainant is always free to
provide additional evidence for investigation.
6) Persons found to have engaged in misconduct constituting a violation of this policy, will be
disciplined, up to and including termination of employment. Appropriate sanctions also may
include written reprimand and referral to counseling.
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ATTACHMENT #3
Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of 02/11/2020
CITY OF DOVER
TRAINING, CONFERENCE & TRAVEL POLICY
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines under which City of Dover employees, public
officials, and appointees will be reimbursed for authorized travel expenses incurred in the conduct
of business for the City of Dover, hereinafter referred to as “City.” In addition to the guidelines,
specific procedures with regard to incurring and reporting related expenses are provided.
2. Scope
This policy shall apply to employees of the City of Dover, elected officials, boards, commissions
and others, who are engaged in authorized travel and who expend City funds for travel purposes.
The Mayor and Members of City Council are not required to submit a Travel Request & Itinerary
or Travel Expense Report Form but are required to follow the financial and budget requirements
of this policy.
While this policy does not cover every possible situation, it establishes adequate guidelines for
employees and officials to make appropriate and consistent judgments regarding the expenditure
of City funds for reimbursable expenses. The City of Dover will provide flexibility to meet the
special needs and requirements of their employees during travel.
It remains the responsibility of city management to control and approve travel-related
expenditures. The City Manager and Controller/Treasurer may impose more stringent rules when
deemed appropriate or necessary.
The City Manager and Controller/Treasurer will review every three years the implementation of
this Policy and will provide policy interpretations and assistance to ensure effective and efficient
implementation. Any exceptions will be subject to approval by the City Manager and
Controller/Treasurer. The City Manager and Controller/Treasurer may also, on a case-by case
basis, approve reimbursements exceeding the guideline amounts referenced in this policy. In any
such instance, a detailed explanation and substantiation (a receipt) is required. Enforcement of
this policy will be the responsibility of the Controller/Treasurer.
3. Responsibility
a. Employee, Public Official, or Appointee
· Traveler should be made aware of and comply with all provisions of this policy.
· Obtain the necessary approvals in advance for overnight travel and out-of-state
use of City vehicles. Provide a copy of the approval with the travel prepayment
made by direct voucher.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 2 of 16
· All expenses incurred in the course of City business are to be in accordance with
the City’s Administrative Policies and Rules of Ethics and must be paid solely
from appropriated funds.
· Comply with the ten (10) working-day rule.
b. Department Director/City Manager/Council Designee
· Ensure compliance with this policy.
· Review and approve each of their employee’s/official’s travel approval requests
and reimbursable expenses.
· Ensure sufficient funds are available for all anticipated expenses.
c. Signatures on the Travel Expense Report (City of Dover Form 030 Exhibit B) certify that
the expenses were incurred by the employee/official requesting reimbursement for
official City business, are reimbursable in accordance with this policy, and have not been
reimbursed except as indicated on this form.
Required signatures for expenses are:
· Employee
· Department Director or Council Designee
B. TRAINING AND CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES
1. Request for payment of registration fees shall be accompanied by the registration form.
2. City Council, Planning Commission and the Mayor are offered opportunities to attend courses
designed for governmental officials. Any member of Council wanting to take advantage of
these courses offered by the following organizations will submit to the City Clerk’s office
their request for registration.
- Delaware League of Local Governments
- National League of Cities
- US Conference of Mayors
- International City Managers Association
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- American Public Power Association (APPA)
- American Public Works Association (APWA)
- American Planning Association
- Organizations that provide Continuing Education credits for professional license
renewals of applicable staff.
Any courses not offered by these organizations will be submitted to the City Manager and
Controller/Treasurer for concurrence.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 3 of 16
C. TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION
All out-of-state travel that extends beyond one day shall be approved by the City Manager. All
requests shall be made on the "Travel Request and Itinerary Estimate Form” (City of Dover - Form
047 Exhibit A). A copy of the conference or meeting program must be attached to the form. The
form must be submitted to the City Manager at least 30 days prior to travel unless an explanation
is given and approved.
The Department Director or City Manager may impose specific requirements as to the time the
form must be submitted prior to travel. Employees and Officials traveling on official City business
should be aware that the approval is for travel only, and is not a blanket approval of the expenses
incurred.
A travel packet including the Travel Request and Itinerary Estimate form, the meeting
program/itinerary, and the purchase order(s) if over $5,000, for advanced costs must be submitted
to the Accounts Payable Department for audit prior to being keyed by department for
reimbursement. Once the travel audit has been completed, Accounts Payable will scan and email
the authorized packet to the department responsible for processing the travel costs. The department
admin will then process the reimbursement request for payment. The Purchase Orders for the
advanced costs should include the necessary supporting documentation. It does not require the
submission of duplicate information.
Please note: Purchase Orders (if required based on Purchasing Policy) for registration costs must
include the Registration form. Submission for hotel and airfare costs must include documentation
of the individual costs. Cancellation and changes to travel should be done in a timely manner to
avoid loss of City money. If travel cannot be refunded back to City, an explanation is required.
D. TRANSPORTATION: COMMON CARRIER
1. General
All trips requiring the use of common carrier (airline, rail or bus) must be pre-approved by the
appropriate approval authority.
The mode of travel must be justified on the basis of the most economical use of time of the
personnel involved, the cost of optional travel modes, and the requirements of the trip.
All common carrier reservations must be consistent with reasonable business travel planning,
common carrier will be booked at the lowest available fare. If the lowest available fare is turned
down by the traveler, the traveler's explanation for the denial is to be provided with the travel
authorization request.
Travelers should be advised to make travel reservations as far in advance as possible to attain the
lowest fares, including non-refundable tickets. Travelers may not specify particular airlines or
other carriers to accumulate mileage on promotional plans such as frequent flyer programs.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 4 of 16
In order to take advantage of special discount rates (supersaver fares, etc.), reimbursement to an
employee may be made prior to a trip being taken under the following conditions:
a. Documentation of the substantial savings that will accrue to the City (e.g.,
supersaver discounts).
b. Employee's proof of payment on a statement from the airline, other than credit card
receipts.
Most airlines will not give refunds or partial refunds for supersaver airfares.
It is encouraged to examine the advantage of fares requiring early trip departure or delayed return.
However, it is important to consider the additional cost of meals and lodging for the required extra
day(s) stay when comparing cost.
2. Air Travel
a. Accommodations - When commercial airlines are used as a mode of travel,
accommodations shall be coach/economy class unless some other class
accommodations are more economical. Costs of baggage should be considered along
with accommodations to achieve the lowest total cost for travel.
b. Routing of Travel - All travel will be by the most economical and direct routes.
In the event that a person travels by an indirect route for personal convenience, the
extra expense shall be the responsibility of the individual. Reimbursement for
expenses shall be based only on the cost of the most economical and direct route.
c. Conference Airfare Arrangements
When attending a conference, always check conference materials to see if special
airline discounts are offered. When a special airline discount rate is offered and
conferees are instructed to go directly to an airline to obtain the discount fare, the
employee should compare the conference rates through the internet with all other
airline rates available before scheduling airline reservations. The employee should
always book the lowest fare possible. (See Section F.3. for Conference Lodging
Arrangements).
*City will not pay for, nor reimburse priority boarding, preferred seating, or
overweight baggage for personal preference. Detailed explanation and receipt is
required. *
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 5 of 16
3. Rail Travel
a. Accommodations – When it has been determined that rail travel is the most appropriate
mode of transportation, the most economical class accommodations shall be utilized.
E. TRANSPORTATION: PASSENGER VEHICLES
1. City-Owned Vehicles
City-owned vehicles should be utilized for both in-state and out-of-state travel when such use is
the most practical and economical mode of transportation, including the cost of tolls, fuel and
parking.
2. Use of Privately-Owned Vehicles
a. The use of privately owned vehicles for any City travel (both in state and out-of-state)
should only be used when a City Vehicle is not available. The use of a privately owned
vehicle for City travel shall require the prior approval of the City Manager and
Department Director. Reimbursement of private vehicle expenses shall be at the
Council approved rate as indicated on Exhibit B for actual and necessary miles
traveled. Beginning and ending odometer readings are required for the reimbursement
for mileage or a printout from MapQuest, Google Maps or other reputable internet
mapping application showing the quickest or shortest route.
b. In considering approval for use of personal vehicles, the approval authority shall take
into consideration the cost of alternative modes of travel and the cost of meals and
lodging for the additional travel/transit days. Mileage reimbursements shall not
exceed the cost of airfare plus travel to/from the airport.
c. When two or more employees travel in a privately owned vehicle, only one mileage
reimbursement will be allowed at times when one vehicle is sufficient to carry all
passengers.
3. Rental Cars
a. General
The use of a rental car when traveling out of state must be justified as an economical
need and not as a matter of personal convenience. Prior approval by the Department
Director and City Manager is required before arranging for car rental. All rentals
should be at the most economical rate per day including government rates or special
rate agreements. When traveling in groups, sharing of cars, when practical, must be
done to minimize costs. The city will not pay for the use of a rental car to
accommodate family members or non-business associates traveling with the
employee, public official, or appointee.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 6 of 16
b. Vehicle Size
Whenever possible, compact cars shall be rented or reserved. However, if a larger
size vehicle is more economical or more than two city travelers are traveling together
the larger vehicle may be appropriate. Any representative of the City requesting an
upgrade of the size of a rented vehicle shall provide a written explanation of their
reasons to the City Manager. A receipt is always required.
c. Insurance
(1) The optional insurance coverage offered by the car rental agency must be
declined when the traveler charges the rental car. The traveler will
automatically receive primary coverage under the City blanket insurance
policy for travel. When insurance is declined, the policy covers collision
damage, theft, fire and vandalism. Reimbursements for additional or
optional insurance coverage will not be allowed.
(2) Other. Travelers not covered under the blanket insurance policy may be
covered by their personal automobile insurance policy or other personal
credit cards. Travelers should check their automobile policy and credit card
policy for business travel coverage and accept or decline additional
coverage accordingly. Reimbursement for additional or optional insurance
coverage will not be allowed.
d. Refueling Before Return
To avoid a refueling surcharge, all rental cars shall be refueled before returning the
vehicle to the rental company. Any surcharges billed to the employee, public
official, appointee, or City shall be explained in the reimbursement request.
e. Reservations
Approved car rental reservations shall be made in advance whenever possible. The
employee should compare car rental rates and always look to reserve the lowest
rental.
F. PER DIEM EXPENSES
The City uses per diem expenses as set by the U.S. General Services Administration
(GSA) for official travel within the United States. M&IE Rates can be found at:
http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 7 of 16
G. LODGING
1. General
City travelers are expected to seek accommodations that are comfortable, convenient, meet
business and personal needs and offer good value. Employees are expected to compare local
lodging rates in the area prior to reserving lodging.
2. Accommodation
a. Lodging accommodations for reasonably priced single occupancy rooms are
reimbursable when the traveler is away from home overnight due to official travel.
b. Accommodations shared with family members or others not on official City business
are reimbursable at the single occupancy rate only.
c. Accommodations shared with other City travelers should be billed and reimbursed to
one traveler. When required, reimbursements to more than one traveler shall be based
on a pro rata share as reported on each reimbursement request.
3. Conference Lodging Arrangements
When hotel rooms are blocked for a conference, seminar, etc., and a special discounted conference
hotel rate provided, the employee/official should compare conference rates with the rates for other
local hotels within a three (3) block radius of the conference. The employee is urged to reserve
hotel accommodations that offer the best value to the City. This includes conference rate,
government rate or lower rate, for the employee/official. If a lower rate is not available, the
conferees should make their lodging arrangements directly utilizing the conference instructions.
Conference lodging will be considered to accommodate persons with special circumstances.
4. Occupancy/Sales Tax
The City is exempt from the tax on occupancy of hotel, motel and tourist home rooms within
Delaware only. When instate overnight accommodations are necessary, the employee should be
provided with a copy of the Occupancy Tax Exemption Certificate (see Exhibit C) to be presented
to the lodging facility. Tax on occupancy of hotels in other states must be paid. Out of state hotels
shall be asked about their sales tax exemption policies and the traveler shall provide documentation
to avoid applicable sales taxes whenever possible.
H. MEAL ALLOWANCES
1. General
The City will pay for or reimburse an employee/official for the necessary and reasonable cost of
meals and incidental expenses incurred during out of state travel requiring overnight lodging.
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Additional meal costs incurred over and above those provided as part of a conference, lodging, or
airfare fee are not reimbursable, unless justified as a special circumstance and approved by the
City Manager and Controller/Treasurer (e.g. special meeting or diet restrictions). Exceptions are
to be pre-approved by the City Manager and Controller/Treasurer.
There will not be any reimbursement for meals when the meals are provided as part of the
conference/training or by the host organization and when meals are provided as part of the hotel
service and/or airfare.
If an employee is traveling partial days on any calendar day, the City will prorate the applicable
advanced M&IE rate based upon time and location of meal. “Breakfast per diem is paid for travel
extending after midnight until 10 am. Lunch per diem will be paid for travel the extends after 10
am and until 3 pm. Dinner reimbursement is paid for travel extending after 3 pm of the final day
of travel. Travel begins when you leave your home, office or the last location before you proceed
to the travel destination or transportation center (e.g. airport, train station). This applies to both
day of departure and day of return.
When meals are provided at the conference or by the host, the meal allowance will be reduced by
25% for each meal provided. Continental Breakfast provided by the hotel or at the conference is
counted as a meal, unless justified as a special circumstance and approved by the City Manager
and Controller/Treasurer (e.g. special meeting or diet restrictions).
2. Day Trips, In-state Travel and Before or After Hours
The meal allowance for day trips out of the City will be reimbursed at actual cost, as long as it
does not exceed 25% of the normal per diem per the M&IE Allowance. The meal allowance for
working before or after hours as a general rule are not encouraged, but may be approved by the
City Manager and/or Controller/Treasurer on a case-by-case basis. At no time can the amount
exceed the allowances established. A receipt is required.
I. CASH ADVANCES AND ADVANCE PAYMENT
General/Blanket travel advance checks may not be issued to employees, public officials, or
appointees. Employees, public officials, and appointees will be reimbursed for specific travel
related expenses after the trip or event has been completed.
Department Directors should use their City credit card for business travel. Directors may use their
departmental travel credit card when arranging employee travel. Under urgent situations, and with
prior approval, employees and officials can also use a personal credit card and request
reimbursement when they return.
The City will pay specific travel and lodging costs in advance, as long as the request deadlines are
met. Employees, public officials, and appointees shall use a City purchase order (if necessary)
when requesting travel cost advances.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 9 of 16
Please note: The same procedure for Travel Authorization, as identified in Part C (above) will be
required, with the exception that the travel packet must be submitted to the Accounts Payable
Department a minimum of 20 days prior to travel.
The City will pay in advance the following costs:
a) Conference/Training registration fees. Such payment will be made payable directly
to the organization. A copy of the registration form describing the specific event must
be attached to the travel packet.
b) Airfare. Airfare is normally reserved on-line through the internet and paid with a City
credit card after travel approval has been received. (See City Credit Card Policy)
c) Lodging. Upon receipt of the approved Travel Request and Itinerary Estimate Form,
the department may submit a purchase order (if necessary) for lodging. The check
will be made payable to the hotel and will be given to the person for whom the lodging
arrangements are made. The department must provide supporting documentation
including the daily lodging rates and applicable taxes along with the travel packet.
Lodging reservations can be held with the use of a City credit card. (See City Credit
Card Policy)
d) Meal allowance. An advance for the M&IE Allowance, which includes meals, tax and tips
expenses, will be permitted for meals not provided by the conference, lodging or airfare as
indicated in Section H (1) above. Only per diem rates as set by the Federal Government for official
travel will be provided for M&IE Allowance. No purchase order is required for employee travel
advance if the amount is less than $5,000.00. M&IE Rates can be found at:
http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem
J. TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
1. General
Travel Expense Report (City of Dover Form 30) is due to Accounts Payable for final audit
within ten (10) working days after travel or an expense is incurred (Ten working-day rule).
Travel Expense Reports will be scanned and emailed to the remitting department for entry.
Paper copies will remain in Finance.
a. Timely reimbursement can be assured only if an accurate, properly substantiated
Travel Expense Report is received to Accounts Payable ten (10) working days after
completion of the trip.
b. Failure to submit timely Travel Expense Reports after the completion of a trip will
result in administrative action, such as notification to the Department Director and
denial of future travel requests.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 10 of 16
Travel Expense Reports for local travel and related expenses are to be submitted monthly.
Explanation is required if over 30 days and approved by Controller/Treasurer and/or City
Manager. Failure to file for reimbursement for travel/conference/training related expenses
within the 30-day window may result in denial of the reimbursement request.
Note: This section pertains to only those travel expenses paid by the traveler; not to travel expenses
directly billed to/paid by the City.
2. Receipt Requirements and Other Reimbursement Criteria
a. Tickets booked on common carriers (airline, rail or bus) require original copy of the
paid invoice or email confirmation containing total travel costs for arrangements
booked on-line.
b. Hotel/motel bills shall be the original copy of hotel/motel billing marked paid.
c. Ground transportation, including airport shuttle, taxi or public transit requires a
receipt.
d. Car rental reimbursements require paid invoice from the rental company.
e. All meals will require itemized receipts and are not reimbursable above the
maximum daily/partial day per meal allowance. Tax and tips are included in the
M&IE Allowance and will not be reimbursed separately. When more than one
City employee, public official, or appointee’s meals are being reimbursed, each
employee must submit a separate Travel Expense Reimbursement for their
allowance. Any advance M&IE and allowances not accounted for in the expense
report will be considered overpayment and shall be returned to the City.
Reimbursement will be for the actual aggregate eligible expenses for the day of
travel or the maximum per diem per day, whichever is the lesser amount.
f. Hotel/motel related expenses should be documented identifying the date and the cost
for each category with the following requirements:
(1) Out-of-pocket costs for incidental items such as tips, baggage handling and maid
service are not individually reimbursable by the City of Dover. Costs included
under this category are included in the M&IE per diem rate. Only per diem rates
as prescribed by the Federal Government for official travel will be provided for
M&IE allowance.
(2) City-business related telephone calls are reimbursable as incurred and require a
receipt from the telephone service provider or included on the hotel/motel billing
invoice.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 11 of 16
g. Lodging at campgrounds using traveler’s camper or recreational vehicle is
reimbursable at the actual cost, not to exceed the equivalent cost of hotel/motel
lodging. Receipt is required.
h. Other Reimbursement Categories
Reimbursement for the following categories should be submitted on a schedule
identifying the date, the cost and the category. All supporting receipts must be
attached:
1) The City will reimburse employees for hotel and airport self-parking. The City
encourages all employees to seek ‘economy and budget parking’.
2) The City will not reimburse employees for Valet parking, unless prior approval
has been granted by the City Manager and Controller.
3) The City will reimburse employees the cost of tolls for interstates, turnpike,
bridges and/or ferries. All travel expenses require a receipt.
4) The City will reimburse employees for necessary airport baggage fee. A receipt
is required.
i. Gasoline and/or Other Supplies require a receipt.
Need for emergency repairs incidental to using a City-owned vehicle shall require a
Vendor receipt.
j. Department Director pre-approval is required to receive reimbursement for Internet
Access Costs for city business. These costs must be substantiated with receipts.
k. While traveling overnight out-of-state, the City will reimburse employees for the
cost of up to two (2) personal telephone calls not to exceed $8 per trip. A receipt is
required for reimbursement.
l. Reimbursements for travel expenses incurred without required receipts, as outlined,
is strictly prohibited. A "no receipt - no reimbursement" policy applies
* Any advance M&IE and allowances not accounted for in the expense report will
be considered overpayment and shall be returned to the City.
3. Non- Reimbursable Expenses
The City shall not reimburse expenses for the following:
a. Alcoholic beverages.
b. In-room movies or pay television.
c. Theater tickets or nightclub entertainment.
d. Laundry.
e. Babysitting.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 12 of 16
f. Related expenses of spouse, children and other persons accompanying the
authorized employee or official.
g. Pleasure, historic or other tour related expenses. Expenses for business
related tours would be reimbursed.
h. Donations and gifts made while at training, conference, or meeting.
i. Loss or damage of personal items.
j. Meals for other conference attendees.
k. Purchase of personal items.
l. Any parking or moving violation fines.
m. Any personal or pleasure travel while on City business.
K. CHARTER AND CODE OF CONDUCT
All City of Dover policies are subject to the City of Dover Charter Part 1, Subpart A, Article II,
Section 12 “Compensation and expenses - Mayor and Council and other elected or appointed
officials”, whereas, “Members of the council, mayor and other elected or appointed officials shall
receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred when on official business as
prescribed by city ordinance or policy” and; Part
II Code of Ordinances Chapter 2, Article 1, Division 4 “Code of Conduct”, which is “applicable
to all elected and appointed officials and to all employees of the City of Dover.”
L. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE - DEFINITION OF PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Generally, if there is any provision in a public law which authorizes the employment of the
individual, and the individual is hired or elected under this authority, the individual is considered
an employee of the State or political subdivision to which the provision applies.
The following factors indicate that an office is a “public office.”
The office was created by the constitution or through legislation, or by a municipality
or other body with authority conferred by the legislature.
The office was delegated a portion of the powers of the government body.
The powers conferred and the duties to be discharged are defined either directly or
indirectly law or through legislative authority.
The duties are being performed independently and without control of a superior power
other than the law.
The office has some permanency and continuity, and the officer takes an official oath.
Examples of public officers are: the president and vice president, a governor or mayor,
the secretary of state, a member of a legislative body, such as a state legislature, county
commission, city council, school board, a judge, a justice of the peace, and members of
advisory boards and committees.
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 13 of 16
M. REVIEW & REVISION
The City of Dover Travel Policy will be reviewed every three years by the City Manager,
Controller/Treasurer and City Clerk to provide recommended changes to City Council for
approval.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - COD Travel Request and Itinerary Estimate Form (Form 47)
Exhibit B - COD Travel Expense Report Form (Form 30)
Exhibit C - COD Exemption Certificate Form 99A
REVISION RECORD
Revised: November 24, 2003
Revised: February 9, 2004
Revised: July 24, 2006
Revised: March 23, 2009
Revised: January 23, 2012
Revised: February 23, 2015
Revised: February 26, 2018
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 14 of 16
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF DOVER
TRAVEL REQUEST AND ITINERARY ESTIMATE
I I
EMPLOYEE TRAVELING
BUSINESS PURPOSE
1
t
I REQUEST DATE
l
L L L
DEPARTMENT TRAVEL DESTINATION AND DATES
f f f f f
ESTIMATE ITEMIZED EXPENSES AND TRAVEL ADVANCES
-NOTE: ITINERARY AND PROOF FOR ALL TRAVEL ADVANCE REQUESTS BELOW ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO TRAVEL.
* APPROVAL FOR SPECIAL REQUESTS ARE REQUIRED FROM FINANCE-CONTROLLER/TREASURER OR CITY MANAGER PRIOR TO TRIP *
JESTIMATED COST:
REGISTRATION FEE: MEALS PROVIDED BY CONFERENCE MUST BE DEDUCTED FROM M & IE RATE.
I I
MODE OF TRAVEL AND COSTS: t
AIRLINE
- I ONE WAY ROUND TRIP 1 0.00
AIRPORT PARKING I PER DAY TOTAL DAYS 0.00
-TRAIN I ONE WAY ROUND TRIP 0.00
BUS
- I ONE WAY ROUND TRIP 0.00
* RENTAL CAR I I ONE WAY I ROUND TRIP 0.00
* PERSONAL CAR I TOTAL MILEAGE 0.40 PER MILE 0.00
* TOLLS I ONE WAY ROUND TRIP 0.00
~
CITY VEHICLE I I " IS ADVISE TO BE USED INSTEAD OF PERSONAL CAR"
I T T
LODGING EXPENSES: BREAKFAST PROVIDED BY HOTEL MUST BE DEDUCTED FROM M & IE RATE
-HOTEL I PER NIGHT TAXES INUM OF NIGHTS 0.00
* SHUTTLE I PER TRIP TAXES ITOTAL TRIP 0.00
-* TAXI I PER TRIP I TAXES ITOTAL TRIP 0.00
* PARKING I PER DAY TAXES ITOTAL DAYS 0.00
I I I I
M & IE RATE: $64.00 (MEALS & INCIDENTAL EXPENSES) SUBTRACT 25 % FOR EACH MEAL
t
MEALS: PROVIDED. SUBTRACT 75% FOR PARTIAL DAY OF TRAVEL.
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
-DATES:
TOTAL 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
t
EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE
l
t
DATE
l
t
$0.00
TOTAL EXPENSE
DEPARTMENT HEAD APPROVAL DATE
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE APPROVAL
f
DATE
t
f
CITY MANAGER OR COUNCIL DESIGNEE APPROVAL DATE
t I
Form 047 1 1 1
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Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 15 of 16
EXHIBIT B
CITY OF DOVER
TRAVEL EXPENSE REPORT FORM
NAME OF EMPLOYEE DEPARTMENT TRIP TAKEN TO (CITY)
PURPOSE OF TRIP
Please attach receipts for hotels, tolls, transportation, etc., and show all costs on this form.
Please use a separate form for each week.
Please note incidental expenses (tips) are included in M & IE Rate.
EXPENSES MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN TOTAL
DATE
REGISTRATION FEES $ -
TRANSPORTATION - AIR/TRAIN/BUS $ -
PERSONAL AUTO
$ -
Miles @ .40 cents a mile
AUTO RENTAL $ -
PARKING FEES / TOLLS / GAS $ -
TAXI / SHUTTLE / PUBLIC TRANSIT $ -
HOTEL / MOTEL $ -
TELEPHONE $ -
BAGGAGE / MISC. EXPENSES $ -
MEALS (M & IE RATE) $ -
MEAL ALLOWANCE OVERAGE $ -
TOTALS $ - $ - $ - $0.00 $0.00 $ - $ - $ -
EMPLOYEE INCURRING EXPENSE DATE TOTAL EXPENSES INCURRED $ -
LESS AMOUNT PAID BY CITY: $ -
DEPARTMENT HEAD SIGNATURE DATE
(For Certification) REGISTRATION
HOTEL
FINANCE DEPARTMENT - AUDIT DATE
AIRFARE
FINANCE - FINAL ACTION DATE MEALS
MISC:
ACCOUNT NUMBER
REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT DUE EMPLOYEE
AMOUNT DUE CITY
Form 30
Paj 114
Training, Conference & Travel Policy Page 16 of 16
EXHIBIT C
CITY OF DOVER
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
TAX ON OCCUPANCY OF HOTEL AND MOTEL AND TOUR IST HOME ROOMS
In accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 5253(I), no tax shall be imposed under section
4251 upon any payment received for services or facilities furnished to the government of any State,
or any political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia.
This Part to be Completed by the Operator
Name of Hotel, Motel, or Tourist Home Fed. EI or SS number
Address City State Zip Code
This Part to be Completed by the Occupant
This is to certify that I, the undersigned, am a representative of the City of Dover, Delaware; that the
charges for the occupancy at the above establishment on the dates set forth below has been or will
be paid for by the City of Dover, a government unit; and that such charges are incurred in the
performance of my official duties as a representative or employee of the governmental unit.
Name (Please type or print) Signature
City of Dover 51-6000092
Governmental Unit Tax I.D. # Title
P.O. Box 475 Dover DE 19903-0475
Address City State Zip Code
Date(s) of Occupancy
If additional information is needed, please contact the City of Dover Finance Director at (302) 736-
7018.
NOTE: A separate Exemption Certificate is required for each occupancy and for each representative
or employee.
THIS EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE IS TO BE RETAINED BY THE OPERATORS OF
HOTELS, MOTELS, AND TOURIST HOMES AS EVIDENCE OF EXEMPT OCCUPANCY.
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