Economic Development Committee Final Minutes 10-11-2022

Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes October 11, 2022 – 4:00pm The Economic Development Committee Meeting was held in person and by video conference on October 11, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. with Mayor Robin R. Christiansen presiding. Committee Members present in person or via video were Councilman Ralph Taylor, Councilman David Anderson, Kim Adams, City Manager Dave Hugg, and City Planner Mary Ellen Gray. Clayton E. Hammond II and Designee of Downtown Dover Partnership Diane Laird were not present. Guests present were Councilman Fred Neil, Dr. Vilicia Cade with Capital School District, and Pete Bradley with Kent County Tourism. Public present were Dr. Tony DePrima with Capital School District Board, and Bobby Wilson. WELCOME At 4:00pm Mayor Robin R. Christiansen called the Economic Development Meeting to order. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mayor Christiansen called for a motion to adopt the Agenda. Councilman Fred Neil moved for adoption of agenda, seconded by Councilman Taylor, unanimously carried. (Clayton E. Hammond II and Diane Laird absent). ADOPTION OF MINUTES Mayor Christiansen called for a motion to adopt the October 12, 2021 minutes. Councilman Fred Neil moved for adoption of minutes, seconded by Councilman Anderson, unanimously carried. (Clayton E. Hammond II and Diane Laird absent). Mayor Christiansen called for a motion to adopt the September 13, 2022 minutes. Councilman Fred Neil moved for adoption of minutes, seconded by Councilman Anderson, unanimously carried. (Clayton E. Hammond II and Diane Laird absent). CAPITAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – DR. VILICIA CADE, SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Vilicia Cade representing Capital School District. Dr. Cade states good afternoon to the city council and all honorable people here, to my vice president of my board that is present with me today, and my board member Mrs. Duggins. I appreciate this conversation on Economic Development because I believe very firmly that K12 education institutions play a vital role in Economic Development. Here in the City of Dover we have so much synergy, so much movement, so much enthusiasm and momentum that is growing around this topic. I am hopeful

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 2 that my brief presentation will help us spark a conversation and provide some insight on my vision on how to support Economic Development in our city. Dr. Vilicia Cade reviewed the presentation entitled “Capital School District Presentation” Attachment #1. Mayor Christiansen asked are there any questions for Dr. Cade. Councilman Fred Neil stated not so much a question but the loudest applaud that I could possibly give to you. Councilman Fred Neil stated there is no question the irony of that video. The irony is we have people who do not want to work and an industry that states we don’t need you. And yet the very foundation of everything we do depends upon on the continuous of humans being able to work and do the job. I offer my bravos, great keep it up, do what you have, and we will try to support what you have. There is no question in my mind this is something that has to happen, and you are doing the right thing at the right time for these kids to grow up. If you had grew up in a household where you had a second language you would learn that second language. The second language today deals with dots and dashes, it deals with coding, it deals with all of that. I did not grow up with that. The kids today would have to teach me. What do I want to do with my cell phone if I want to do more than call home? What you are doing is on the right track, and all I can say is bravo, bravo, and bravo. Councilman Taylor asked about the Parent Leadership Program. Councilman Taylor ask has Capital School District started working with free adult education either onsite or in the community? Dr. Cade responded we have a very vital partnership with POLYTECH who has the adult education contract for Kent County. So, within the Department of Education there is an adult education branch that is typical. We just had a literacy night and adult education kick off last Monday, which we worked with our ESL parents. As a part of our parent leadership program, you will see more partnerships between us and other districts because what I am very firm on is intentional and receptacle partnerships where we commingle our funds, minimize duplication of efforts, increase capacity, so we can increase impact by working collaboratively. Councilman Ralph Taylor had a second question about assisting seniors. As we know seniors are not capable of some of the technology out here today of basic things. Have you ever considered an alternative or different type of version of Adopt a Grandparent? Which means you would deal directly with the seniors. You would teach them how to use these devices, so they can get the information in real time. I think that would be truly an asset to the community. The long-term things are necessary, but the right now fixes are inundating us and leaving our seniors behind each and every day. Dr. Cade responded. Yes, in my previous position in Ohio, I started an intergenerational partnership with the NAACP, and our school district. I think it is very important that our young people work with our seniors, and elderly in our community to close those generational gaps, and to help them advance their use of technology. So, I think there is great merit in that, I am going into year two, so I haven’t been able to tackle all our issues in the community. I absolutely see this as an opportunity to work with our senior citizens, and to allow our young people to take some leadership. But again, going into my year two and the processes of reconfiguring our entire district I am still building. So, I would take that under advisement. Councilman Ralph Taylor stated great job, we are well pleased with your efforts. We can see your fingerprint on things. I was on Capital School Board for about 4 years; absolutely loved it.

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 3 Being there and seeing things firsthand and you coming in and handling things. Once again, well pleased with your efforts. Thank you Mayor Robin R. Christiansen stated I want to thank Dr. Cade personally for being a part of our workforce development committee, she met in my office with some other folks, and we are gone to have some great things happen. Thank you again Dr. Cade, and the school board members for being here. KENT COUNTY TOURISM UPDATE – PETE BRADLEY, PRESIDENT Pete Bradley stated thank you for having me. I have a PowerPoint presentation, but feel free to ask me any questions. We have a small staff; I am the President. We have a Marketing & Communications Manager, Cathrine Jenkins; Rachel Rohm is our Business Service Manager; and Debbie Eashum part-time Group Sales Manager. I am very blessed for our great staff. Pete Bradley reviewed the presentation “Kent County Tourism Presentation” Attachment #2. Councilman Taylor asks, how do you depict Dover when you start doing your county wide advertisement? I’ve been seeking for a couple years now a sustained advertising program that was showing Dover as safe, clean, welcoming, and exclusive. It must be something that it is sustainable. It cannot be a one-time deal for that will not stick. If you just give a few advertising spots on the television. It must be sustainable. If you can start advertising that to Bally’s, and to all that may come on board, that may give us more traction of what we currently do not have. So, you if you gone to depict us as anything it will be safe, clean, welcoming, and exclusive. We will take care of the rest as time comes. Pete Bradley responded anytime in advertising promotion you must have a constant and relentless message when it starts traction. That is why I am really excited about the master plan. Nothing happens overnight. Councilman Taylor agreed the master plan is a great thing to talk about. However, people are not going to come to an area that isn’t safe. We need to tell them that Dover is not a shooting gallery. Dover is not one of these places, but a beautiful city, and we just don’t get the good out as much as the bad goes out. So, we need to control the narrative. I think we can control it through this means right here. Councilman Neil states news is bad news, and good news is a feature. I think the perception is because you’re seeing it here in our newspaper, you’re hearing the criticism that is not getting out to the public beyond these walls. In truth in 2015 the metamorphosis that took place from the tourism when I was first appointed to the board. Which basically the volunteers did not have the professionalisms that has been brought into the organization. As soon as we brought in the professionals from the outside suddenly, we had on one of the major sites for hotels “come to Dover for a weekend” it was special because of everything that is here. It was a big deal at the time in 2015. Since that time, we have moved on to a different Executive Director. I felt like he brought in a period where he is a native. Having someone who knew Dover basically added another dimension to that. So, sometimes we see the perception because were looking in the mirror, and we say Oh my God I got that blemish. The fact is that blemish is not going beyond that mirror. So, in term of getting the word out for these activities. Which is why Pete, the Mayor and I and Councilman Anderson feels the same way with the DDB coming up. With the river walk coming up, with all these things coming up. When you have the restaurants that are

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 4 downtown as well as the developments downtown along with the new lighting system downtown coming in. So sometimes it is hard to ignore what you see in the mirror. What they see is NASCAR; what they see is FireFly. And if you’re not having problems with FireFly getting the word out to the music world, or NASCAR having a problem with crime here in the sports world, and now with the Gifts of Light; I think that’s marvelous. I think that you have to understand by looking down more globally on it, how does this affect us. We want more. Because you understand what that local problem has been. People out there really don’t understand that they don’t even see it. So, understanding that as we work to correct the problems here locally is extremely important. Councilman Anderson had a couple questions. How will certain things affect marketing? Like if Dover gets a river walk, when we open our state-of-the-art skate park, and dog park. I am not saying people will come, some will come for a skate park, but how would it affect for people to come for other events to have those particular amenities. Will that have a positive affect extending their stay? How will that help or not help? Pete Bradley responded it will help. Some of the things you mention are for local residents. But like you mention when you have a River Walk and some of things you mention will benefit the tourist and get that cross pollination. Very important anything new or unique can be marketed. I always talk about the AMC because that is unique. How are you different from the guy down the block? Or the other region? AMC is just a concrete example. Other regions do not have a phenomenal air museum. But again, they play an important role. I am really excited. I am confident we will have those additional wins. Nothing happens overnight, yet it does build that momentum, and other developers come in see what’s going on. Councilman Anderson questioned if you could have one relative unexpensive easy to achieve things that we are not doing that would help tourism, what would that be? What would you recommend? Pete Bradley’s response was to put yourself in the eyes of the tourist of someone coming into the city for the first time. One of thing is that welcoming, and that first impression is huge. You have different avenues to come into the city, but that is very important. Again, they have a great team. If you are coming into the city for the first time it can be confusing with parking. Where do I park? Especially if there is an event going on. That will be addressed. People want something simple and easy. I know it has been asked of a parking garage. I can tell you it’s not similar, but an analogy is my daughter went to Notre Dame and at first, I did not want to go downtown but my daughter said there is a parking garage. They built this garage and around the garage are these restaurants and shops. So easy to park and would not have to navigate to find a parking spot on the street. I saw firsthand that entire section of economic development was crazy. Councilman Anderson final question is how do you see the new role of Kent County Tourism at Dover Days because we do miss you all? Pete Bradley responded when I first started, the first week we ran Dover Days for the last time. And then the next year we were part of the committee and I told John Doerfler, who was the marketing manager, that I don’t want the impression we are abandoning it. We play an extremely important role, and we have to be very active on the committee and be participates. Unfortunately, it has been cancelled. The committees are starting again. Rachel will be our key player. She lives downtown, right off The Green. She is from the park system, and she loves Dover. Tourism is in her DNA. We play an extremely important role

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 5 with that. It’s a huge event. I was blown away and I only was here for 5 days when I started at Kent County Tourism. The organization did a great job with it. It is a huge event, and we have to play an important role. HEALTH OF MINORITY BUSINESS IN DOVER Councilman Anderson stated we have a couple of subject matter experts on the committee here. This item was actually requested to me by another committee member. Councilman Taylor and I have made some interesting trips. Councilman Anderson asked Councilman Taylor, would you like to start with some things that have happened over the last couple months? Or protentional out reaches? Councilman Taylor stated you start, and I will piggyback right from where you are coming from. Councilman Anderson stated there has been of course with all the businesses in the county there has been impacts recovering from Covid. There are concerns that have been raised in the entire businesses community including the minority business community. And some people have wondered if there is an east / west divide. There have been some recommendations that have come out of the DDP public safety committee for enhancing more west of Governors Avenue when it comes to amenities. Making sure that there are simple things such as adequate trash cans. Sidewalks that are walkable instead of being serious tripping hazards and things of that nature. There have been safety concerns which are, while they are improving thankfully and thank God for that. We are definitely grateful for our police force and definitely has been approvement but now we are moving more from the violent crime type issues to the quality of life. We can actually breathe enough to get to the quality-of-life issues, and in the townhall we referred a number of those concerns now. For people that have raised quality of life concerns that are affecting their businesses. Would you like to take it from there Councilman Taylor? Councilman Taylor stated just listening to the business owners talk about the divide. A night and day difference. I don’t know everything of how to fix it, but I just know we can do a little better. Trash cans the simplicity of things like trash cans. When we cross from east and west side of Governors; the east side was clean, the west side was immediately trashed with needles, drug paraphernalia and all different kinds of things. So, when you have business owners who are relying on foot traffic. Between the tripping hazard, the blight and the nastiness, how can we really say we are trying to do the best thing when we allow that to happen again and again? I am not challenging you Mr. Mayor. Just simply saying now that we know better, we can do better. We need to focus and be very conscious of these things and start fixing them. I know Mosaic is on its way, but Mosaic is not here and there is a lot of life to be lived between now and then. We just have to do a whole lot better. Our business community is very concerned. Donnell came to the DDP safety meeting, and he grew up right here right downtown. He knows a lot of these people, but he is trying to avoid having to go hands on to move people who are addicted, who are under the influence and passing out. He is trying to remove these people who are urinating and defecating in the doorways but that should not be his responsibility as a business owner. He should be able to stand in front of his business and welcome people in but right now that is just not happening on a consistent basis. Where do we go from here? I think it is going to take a little more dialogue, but it is time for us to start moving. It is not a time just to advertise of what we can do. It is time to do what we do best. For me it is law enforcement. I try to stay in my lane with the Police Department and make sure that everyone is making good decisions. I try to flood

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 6 them and you with great ideas to make sure that we can move forward. But again, we have to do something. We got to act, and we got to act now. Mayor Christiansen stated he would have to concur on the fact that there is a certain organization that we will remain nameless at this point in time that has for quite a while has ignored the minority businesses that seem to flourish on the west side of Governors Avenue. I would like to remind everybody that one of things I did after I became Mayor was, and I still do, to walk and I touch base with a lot of the businesspeople there and the people that live in those residents. One of the things I noticed was Christmas stopped at Bayard Pharmacy. So, I took it upon myself and went out and bought $3,500 dollars’ worth of Christmas decorations that match the ones that was on the main part of Loockerman Street. I had them put up and bought a $300 Christmas tree and planted where I thought city property was. Turned out to be Bob Duncan’s property. He wasn’t really happy about it but we got a nice tree out of it. The merchants on that end of the street appreciated that Christmas went from State Street to the railroad. I concur with you that we need to do to a better job. We have an organization we put in place that is funded very well and have received a lot more funds. That maybe they should pay more attention to the people that are trying to develop businesses and properties west of Loockerman St. I am not pointing fingers at anyone. However, it is kind of obvious to me that we have dropped the ball. We have people that go down there every morning. The young man that picks up trash all along Loockerman and all the way to Simaron. So, we do make an effort. It is not an easy job Councilman Taylor as you have already acknowledged. The one thing with the new ordinances we may be able to do something more rather than what were able to do now and moving people along that are undesirable and causing certain properties to be diminished. But let us remember that when we squeeze the toothpaste there, it will go somewhere. So, Mr. Anderson do you have anything else on the subject or Councilman Taylor? Councilman Anderson stated he would like to thank Mr. Hugg for his cooperation and when it comes to making sure that we are more inclusive with our contracting. Councilman Taylor and I went to a conference on our own dime just in case someone wanted to know that and it gave us some excellent information which we are sharing with staff. We hope to have some more positive things come out of that within the next few months when it comes to increasing of supply and diversity. Bringing in more businesses and jobs in the city and building the businesses that we have. We need to make sure that when it comes to supply; number one the taxpayers get their best bang for the buck in the free market. That’s the most important thing. Not a social agenda. Part of that bang for the buck is keeping some of their money local. Making sure that local businesses, including minority businesses, have the opportunity to get city business will have a very positive economic impact. When you look at dollars that remain in the community you look at that a contract is worth about $8 dollars for every dollar you keep in the community. It is actually worth $8 in economic activity. That is an important factor. Local businesses in general and try to make sure minority own businesses and women own businesses are included in a better outreach is vital. Councilman Neil questioned if the gentleman or the businesspeople that you have contacted or work with, are they involved in the activities of the DDP? Because I think this is where the pressure comes from, that we make sure that when we sit in on the executive board meetings that we understand and can bring forth some of the things you are talking about. Because I know

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 7 there is a good relationship between Public Works and DDP. If there is a problem, then I think our people are out there, if they are not already, to assure to make the cleanup gets done and faster. I would like to make sure they have a voice within that organization. Kim Adams, a business owner on both side of Governors Avenue, stated she is on DDP as you know and a lot of other boards that are here as well. Yes, I own properties on Bradford and Loockerman. One of my issues is the trip hazards. I witnessed a mother and 2 children fall into the street one weekend when I was there. I witnessed two elderly people and a special needs grandson fall into the street in the same area. So, I made a call, and the second time something was done that day in front of the building. But a lot of the problems comes from the same people doing the same things day in and day out. There is no change. There is this one guy, I do not know his name, but he has backpack, some black pants hanging off, a burgundy jacket and he is high on the street in front of my store. People are not going to come if they see that type of stuff. He is defecating in my doorways. In the alley they are sleeping in between the buildings. I have cameras up and at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning they are doing drug deals behind the building. These things continue to happen. It is not a secret. I just don’t understand why there isn’t a change. I am investing a lot downtown. It just has to change. There are four new houses on New Street getting ready to come up. Nobody wants to spend that type of money to continue to have these same problems. So, I do not know how it gets solved or what happens. It is the same people. Mayor Christiansen stated that I will credit council with making a continuous effort to enforce the laws that we have on the books. To make sure they are constitutionally vetted. We are believers in the constitution. Just 2 blocks from here we ratified that very living document that we all live and try to run our country by. However, it will be vetted so that it is a constitutional law and will give the police officers a little bit more of power to their punch to take folks off the street. A lot of it is not necessary law enforcement, it is mental health issues and we do have a mental health person with our patrol people on the street. So, between the good efforts and good intent of everyone gathered in this room, and the people that aren’t in this room will try to do better and make downtown and our entire city a better place to live, work, and play. Councilman Anderson requested Bobby Wilson, a minority business owner, to speak. Where to we stand on minority participation on contracts? I know we have talked about revisiting this issue. Mayor Christiansen responded that the City Manager, after being instructed by City Council, was to review our bid awarding process, advertisement process and to piggyback on the State’s list of contractors that are available to do the specific work that we are interested in having done. So, we have made every effort via our Council President and members of Council and unanimously instructed the city staff to do so. Councilman Taylor added that one of the other things we are doing. Right after we awarded the contract to A-Del, I contacted them, and I asked them exactly; how does this work when it comes to minority participation for example of a building being torn down? And A-Del said that they were totally inclusive, they did everything. I then said to them that I don’t understand how that is going to help the minority businesses if you do everything and you do no subcontracting. Because typically the minority businesses are unable to do the whole scope of work, so they have to be subcontracted in. So now that is one of the target areas that we are doing. We are really

Economic Development Meeting of October 11, 2022 PAGE 8 starting to look at that now. How do we break that job down so that we can make sure that the minority businesses that are included on the list already, or maybe even coming in, still get some of the opportunities for that business? It was several minority businesspersons from Maryland that were telling me how to do this and again, I’m trying to take their good works and bring them here. It’s going to take a little time, but we are heading in the right direction. Mr. Wilson commented that he thinks it is taking too much time. This is something that is long overdue, and we are not concentrating on it wholeheartedly to make this happen. A-Del doesn’t deserve a contract if they are bringing everyone from New Castle. They should be required to break it down in some shape, form or fashion and the citizens and businesses of Dover should have an opportunity on the project. There are opportunities to learn about this. Why don’t we have a class about this with all of your procurement officers? So, they can get an educated understanding of how this works. That way everybody can be inclusive. If we need to have a study, we can bring professionals in to sit down from Maryland to help us in this situation. Mrs. Adams commented about the Family Court project. For that project, was there a small business plan to use small businesses? I agree with his question; I’m a small business here in Dover. I can do a lot of that work as well, but I wasn’t given the opportunity to even bid on it. I deal with A- Del and a lot of other businesses, larger businesses, that are around here. With DelDOT, they don’t participate with us either. I do more contracts federally than I do right here locally. My money stays here because I hire people here, my jobs are here, I spend the money here, and I employ people here. But a lot of those other companies, there’s such a thing called a small business plan. How are you using the small businesses here? Where’s your percentage of minority, women and veteran service disabled? Where is that plan? There is something that someone can do. I don’t know how much that project is. I know it is over 100 million. Mayor Christiansen responded that the city had nothing to do with awarding of any of the contracts. That is specifically a State of Delaware project and I think that you might want to speak to the local Representative and the local State Senator and also the Governor’s Office as well because that project came down from higher up. The basic involvement we had is where we wanted it put so that it would be the southern anchor for our downtown revitalization. Mr. Wilson commented in reference to the courthouse we are speaking to the Legislatures. We need a supply diversity goal within our legislation, and I urge everyone here to get with your State Legislature representative and ask him to formulate a bid bill for supply diversity with goal setting. Mayor Christiansen stated that it is Council’s policy to seek out qualified minority contractors to do work for the City of Dover. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT MEETING DATE November 15, 2022 at 4:00 PM ADJOURNMANT Mayor Robin R. Christiansen called the meeting adjourned at 5:30PM. Exhibits Exhibit #1 – Capital School District Presentation Exhibit #2 – Kent County Tourism Presentation