Special Council Minutes

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING A Special Council Meeting was held on May 4, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. with Council President Slavin presiding. Members present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler, Mr. Neil, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Council staff members present were Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. McDowell. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Hutchison moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried. SELECTION OF CHIEF OF POLICE Mayor Christiansen informed members that, over the last few weeks, members of the Police Chief Selection Committee had worked with due diligence, honesty and integrity in an effort to find the best candidate to be the thirteenth Police Chief of the City of Dover. He indicated there had been 34 candidates from across the country, noting that one (1) candidate filed after the deadline; therefore, the Committee was not allowed to accept that application. Mayor Christiansen stated that members triaged the applications and came up with seven (7) applicants to interview. He advised that one (1) applicant chose not to be interviewed; therefore, they worked with six (6) highly qualified candidates who Mayor Christiansen stated would have performed the job of Chief of Police for the City of Dover with fidelity and great expertise. Mayor Christiansen informed members that, as a result of a majority vote of the members of the Committee, Deputy Chief Marvin Charles Mailey was nominated as the next Police Chief for the City of Dover. He stated that the position would have the standard City of Dover benefits and the salary would be $118,352. Mr. Hutchison moved to support the Mayor and the Police Chief Selection Committee and appoint Deputy Chief Marvin Mailey as Chief of the Dover City Police Department. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare. Mr. Sudler thanked the Mayor and members of the Police Chief Selection Committee, stating that this was a challenging task for everyone. He advised that he believed in his heart, and also believed for his district, that this was the best candidate, noting that he did not know the other candidates. He asked for God to bless the City of Dover. Mr. Lewis also thanked the Committee for their due diligence in selecting the appropriate candidate and commended them for their effort and time, stating that this was historic for the City. Mr. Anderson stated that he would be happy to cast his vote to support the recommendation because the candidate selected was highly qualified, had risen through the ranks, had experience with every major department within the City Police Department, and had excessive experience in the anti-drug unit, which is an important issue in the City today. He advised that no one is more qualified to deal with the issues facing our community than the soon-to-be Chief and that this was a wise decision. Mr. Anderson expressed his belief that Deputy Chief Mailey will continue the progress that has been made. He noted that the City’s crime rate had been declining and stated his belief that Deputy Chief Mailey will continue that trend and the City will be safer with appropriate measures in community

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 4, 2017 PAGE 2 policing, continued support of the Police Athletic League (PAL), and a new commitment to the cadet corps. Mr. Neil stated that it was urgent for the public to understand that this was not a selection of political expediency but was done according to the resolutions and procedures that had been set up previously. He indicated that the City was blessed to have Councilman Hutchison, who formerly served as Police Chief, to lead this effort from a professional standpoint. Mr. Neil advised that he expected that the Police Chief would embrace the entire community, as Deputy Chief Mailey had shown previously. He noted that the Committee had made a purely professional decision and that he would commend Deputy Chief Mailey. Mr. Hare stated that he was not sure that he would consider the decision historic, stating that interviews were conducted and, in his opinion, the most qualified professional for the position was picked. He indicated that Deputy Chief Mailey’s record spoke for itself, he had the respect of the employees at the Police Department, and the Committee had made a great choice based on Deputy Chief Mailey’s qualifications, performance, and history with the Police Department. Mr. Hare advised that he supported the choice110%. Mr. Hutchison informed members that he had lived in the City for a lifetime and had been part of or close to the Police Department for the last 50 years, noting that he had started his police career in 1967 at the age of 24. He advised that he had worked with the Department for a total of 25 years, had the privilege and honor of serving as Police Chief for five (5) years, and had also served as Mayor for 10 years. Mr. Hutchison stated that he was very closely connected to the men and women of the Dover Police Department and assured everyone that Dover has one of the finest police departments in the state of Delaware, from bottom to top. He indicated that he was very pleased with the selection process. Mr. Hutchison advised that he had been part of the old system and did not go through a committee when he was appointed Police Chief; therefore, he had seen things that others had not, and there was no question in his mind that Deputy Chief Mailey was the right man at the right time to be Chief of the Dover Police Department. He noted that the officers do a first class job in serving the community. Mr. Hutchison indicated that he liked the fact that there had been an opportunity to observe Deputy Chief Mailey for 20 plus years, that he is known, and that he knows the men and women of the Dover Police Department and his community. He thanked the Mayor for the review process, stating that he liked and embraced it, the change was needed, and when all was said and done, the right person was selected. The motion to support the Mayor and the Police Chief Selection Committee and to appoint Major Marvin Mailey as Police Chief of the Dover City Police Department was unanimously carried. The Special Council Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. TRACI A. McDOWELL CITY CLERK

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 4, 2017 PAGE 3 All ordinances, resolutions, motions, and orders adopted by City Council during their Special Meeting of May 4, 2017 are hereby approved. ROBIN R. CHRISTIANSEN MAYOR /TM S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Council-Minutes\2017\05-04-2017 Special Council Minutes .wpd