10-23-19 DDP Board Meeting Packet

BOARD MEETING AGENDA Wednesday October 23, 2019 7:30 a.m. City Hall Conference Room 1. Agenda Additions/Deletions 2. Approval of Minutes – September 2019 3. Police report 4. Executive Session - N/A 5. Executive Committee Report i. DIMH relocation update 6. Committee Reports i. Parking Committee ii. Merchant committee 7. City Manager Update – N/A 8. Planning Department Update - N/A 9. Other Reports i. Kent County Tourism 10. Quarterly updates 11. Public Comment 12. Other business 13. Adjourn Next Meeting Date: December 4, 2019 7:30 a.m. City Hall Conference Room The Downtown Dover Partnership is committed to driving an improved quality of life for the residents and visitors of Dover, Delaware, through collective collaboration, economic development and promotion of downtown Dover’s unique historic properties.

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES September 25, 2019 in City Council Chambers ATTENDANCE: Mayor Robin Christiansen, Senator Trey Paradee, Councilman Tanner Polce, Councilman Fred Neil, Anita Evans, Lucy Findlay, Todd Stonesifer, John VanGorp, Adams, Pete Bradley, Robert Clark, Mike Harrington, Dave Hugg, Maxine Lewis, Donna Mitchell, Kim Jonathan Street, Erin Thwaites STAFF: Tina Bradford, Diane Laird COMMITTEE CHAIRS, PRESENTERS AND OTHER ATTENDEES: Tom Lehman (WBOC) Call to Order: Anita Evans, Chair, opened the meeting 7:31 a.m. Agenda Approved – Motion duly made by FN, seconded by TS and unanimously accepted. Meeting minutes (June 2019 meeting) – Motion duly made by MH, seconded by LF and unanimously accepted. Mayor Christiansen provided an CDPD update focused largely on the additional of uniformed overtime patrols on duty in downtown to address loitering, drinking on the street, to support quality of life issues and in support of businesses. He stated that he values the support of the DDP. Councilman Hare indicated that the city council approved the hire of a state contractor for the library which will free foot patrols formerly stationed at the library to now be deployed to downtown. A merchant expressed concern than downtown issues have been increasing this summer, in number and severity. The DDP commits to continued focus on making downtown as safe and welcoming as possible. Mike Harrington provided an update on the status of relocation of Dover Interfaith Mission Housing (DIMH): DIMH has identified two properties (1151 Walker Road and a property across the street owned by Frank Everett.) They are now contracting with terms contingent upon achieving financing needed to obtain the property(ies). Concern expressed that there may be issues with a daycare located next to one of the properties, but it is unclear whether the daycare (possibly affiliated with the church) is still in operation. Ancillary services coupld be located near the proposed locations, which could help move the homeless population away from the downtown. MH believes this is a smart move. Diane Laird requested that board member agreements be completed and returned by/before the next DDp board meeting. Todd Stonesifer, as Parking Committee chair, gave an update on parking: The committee has met several times with ood participation from property and business owners. Several ideas are under consideration. Per City manager recommendation, an RFP must go our for parking solutions and potential management of downtown Dover parking operations. TS will present formal request to include street parking within an RFP at the Oct. 14 city council meeting. Multiple solutions will be sought through the RFP from interested parties. Due to Loocerkman Way Plaza sale, North Street will no longer accommodate parking. JVG indidated that via the parking study, there is sufficient parking but improved signage has been recommended. COncnern that with more buildings/development, there will be insufficient parking. A meeting is DDP Board Meeting Minutes – September 25, 2019 1

scheduled with DelDOT/City/Public Works to discuss some ideas for traffic flow and short-term solutions for parking. FN – Suggested that Kent County Tourism may be aware of what is needed to increase tourism, make it easy to park.TP suggested that the parking proposal may need to be a RFI (Request For Information) vs. an RFP (Request For Proposal). LF suggested that enforcement is necessary and often merchants are the culprits in parking on the street. Appreciation expressed to Chris Raubacher for his help with the parking working group. Jonathan Street provided an update on the Economic Vitality Committee: Ben Muldrow will present the final draft downtown Dover marketing piece on October 30. Jonathan expressed concerns about safety downtown and at the library. A motion was made by JS, seconded by MH to write a letter to the Mayor/Council expressing support of efforts to provide solutions to increase quality of life and safety in downtown, and generally to express appreciation of all city efforts toward same. Discussion after motion made/seconded: TP indicated that additional officers have been hired 2019, and issue is retention/recruitment by academy. AE indicated that a proactive presence is vital. It was expressed that the homeless and transients are not a “policing” matter but rather a community health worker/social service issue. Vote to the motion made: 10 in favor; 2 not in favor; 4 abstained. A letter related to above motion will be written by DDP to support the city. City Manager Donna Mitchell update: She met with a state representative to discuss Bradford Street streetscape and traffic. Currently, an audit of trash accounts is underway, ensure currency in billing, in an effort to develop a strategy to address trash needs. City currently has a major ad for job openings to fill vacant positions. Police academy is commencing and some cadets are being recruited to CDPD> City Planner Dave Hugg, update: Public health inspections are 90 out from actual inspection, which puts small business out before they open. City unable to expedite. Jonathan Street reported that there was a pre-construction meeting for Loockerman Way Plaza owner and Becker Morgan planned for Sept. 27 for finalization of plans. John Van Gorp provided Bayhealth update: Bayhealth is recruiting new physicians: primary care, orthopedics, surgeons. Completed the transition for Delaware Heart Vascular, which is now Bayhealth Heart. Palliative Care Clinic: After discharge, chronic disease/pain patients are working with caregivers in an outpatient clinic. Bayhealth has acquired old EZ Pass building for Bayhealth finance team and to house graduate medical, clinical, education specialties. Peter Bradley provided Kent County Tourism: update: Oct. 3 NASCA hauler parade Loockerman to State Street. Students/youth travel market: Considering Dover is center of the travel between DC and Philadelphia, is this a possible opportunity to grow? Harriet Tubman Trailway may be an ideal opportunity. Bob Clark provided Wesley College update: Reacting to Unlock the Block video, considering what makes a small town, the absence of Wesley College in the video was disappointing. BC indicated that we DDP Board Meeting Minutes – September 25, 2019 2

should be fully apprised of ROI of local colleges, whether private or public. Consider the key components of graduates remaining in region (DE specifically) and that Wesley has an +/-55% rate of graduates staying in DE compared to other colleges in the state that are +/-30%. Suggested also that local news outlets take previous quotes and often don’t contact Bob for current information then indicate that he was “unavailable for comment.” This is untrue. Creative solutions are making Wesley increasingly valuable: Engineering is particularly strong and growing (with Rowan University partnership). Healthcare and Occupational Therapy: nursing top in the state, top 1/3 in country; 100% certification from first year of graduates in Occupational Therapy. Special thanks to Sen. Paradee and Rep. Lynn who have been fully instrumental in bring Wesley College in to the state level conversations. Senator Paradee responded to BC that Welsey comprises 19 buildings and 50 acres and it is imperative to understand the importance of Welsey to the local economy, property values, qualify of life, etc. There is question on how the state extends funding. The senator commended Bob Clark on his leadership of Welsey. DDP Board Meeting Minutes – September 25, 2019 3