CCW Minutes

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Council Committee of the Whole met on June 25, 2019 at 6:01 p.m., with Council President Hare presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sudler, Mr. Neil, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Cole, Mr. Polce, and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Lindell was absent. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee meetings were Mr. Contant and Mr. Shevock (Legislative, Finance, and Administration). Mr. Garfinkel and Mr. Shelton (Safety Advisory and Transportation) were absent. SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee met with Chairman Taylor presiding. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Anderson moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Update - Safety Issues at the Library Mr. Slavin moved to defer the update regarding safety issues at the Library until the Council Committee of the Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting of July 23, 2019, seconded by Mr. Neil. Mr. Anderson stated that he could support the motion to defer this matter, since he thought there had been substantial efforts made by the Library staff and the City Manager to accommodate both availability and safety. Mr. Neil moved to call the question, seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried. The motion to defer the update regarding safety issues at the Library until the Council Committee of the Whole/Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting of July 23, 2019 was unanimously carried. Quarterly Update - Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Mr. Gerry Pennington, Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Chair, and Mr. Chris Asay Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Vice Chair, reviewed the Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Quarterly Update. Mr. Slavin expressed concerns regarding the route of the Senator Bikeway, explaining that there is an existing problem with traffic in the alley near Hazel Road and he thought it would be dangerous to have bicycle traffic in that area as well. He asked staff to encourage the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to look at this issue, noting that he thought closing off the stub of Maryland Avenue between American Avenue and the alley to vehicle traffic would solve the problem. Responding to Mr. Hare, Mrs. Donna Mitchell, City Manager, advised that the City is responsible for the maintenance of all of the delineators that will be installed along the Senator Bikeway. She noted that the Senator Bikeway project was approved by City Council and staff will have to maintain the components that result from the project. Mrs. Mitchell stated that she could provide members with the budget information regarding the maintenance costs, noting that the City is responsible for street maintenance from curb to curb. Mr. Taylor stated that he thought this was the cost of doing business, explaining that if the City wants bicycles on the roadways, then the City has to abide by the mandates set forth by DelDOT.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF JUNE 25, 2019 PAGE 2 In response to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Asay confirmed that no traffic lanes would be lost for the Senator Bikeway. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Asay advised that DelDOT was responsible for the bike lane on Route 13, and noted that there had been a fatality involving a bicyclist at the intersection of Route 13 and College Road. Mr. Pennington explained that Route 13 is considered a high stress bikeway; however, almost the entire route of the Senator Bikeway is along neighborhood streets that have very low traffic volumes, and the intention is to make the bikeway safe enough to allow a 12-year-old child to make the trip alone. Mr. Taylor stated that he is a firm believer that the City should make an investment in and promote bicycle safety within the City limits. He noted that he thought that if the City wants more people to start using these pathways, they needed to promote them as a positive option, and tell people about safety, and greenhouse effect. Mr. Taylor asked if a traffic study had been completed in regard to the Senator Bikeway project. Responding, Mr. Slavin noted that the traffic studies are typically triggered by new developments that bring additional vehicles onto the road; however, if one was done, it would have been completed by DelDOT. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 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 approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried. Mr. Contant introduced himself, noting that he had grown up in the City, currently lives in the Village of Westover, and is excited to take part in City government. Evaluation of Bids - Property Reassessment Mrs. Cheryl Bundek, Tax Assessor, reviewed the background and analysis regarding the evaluation of bids for the property reassessment. Staff recommended awarding the proposal for revaluation services to Tyler Technologies in the amount of $104,550, plus any additional overage fees. Responding to Mr. Neil, Mrs. Bundek explained that the overage fees could be used for litigation or extra appeals that Tyler Technologies may need to be involved in. She also noted that the overage fees may be necessary if additional funds are required for the mailings, explaining that the budget was based on the actual cost five (5) years ago. In response to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Bundek stated that when the fieldwork was completed by the outside vendor 10 years ago it cost approximately $785,000.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF JUNE 25, 2019 PAGE 3 Mr. Slavin moved to recommend awarding the proposal for revaluation services to Tyler Technologies in the amount of $104,550, plus any additional overage fees, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. William F. Hare Council President WFH/TM/dd/jt S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Committee-Minutes\2019\06-25-2019 CCW Minutes.wpd