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DDP Board Meeting Packet

Downtown Dover Partnership Board. Sep 23, 2020.

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DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sept. 23, 2020 at 7:30 AM AGENDA ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81807828952 Meeting ID: 818 0782 8952 1. Agenda Additions/Deletions 2. Approval of Minutes – June 2020 3. Police report – Sgt. Christopher Peer, Community Policing Unit 4. Executive Committee Report/Action Items i. Budget FY 2021 ii. Bank accounts iii. Capital on hand iv. Onboarding manual v. Conflict of Interest form vi. Downtown Tour 5. Property Updates Tina i. Property Taxes 2018 ii. EZ Pass and S. Governor’s Ave. refinance iii. Loockerman Way Plaza new land use agreement iv. Property leases Auto Parts/Daycare v. S. Governor’s property marketing for redevelopment 6. Committee Reports i. Merchants ii. Economic Vitality 7. Updates i. Senator ii. Wesley iii. Kent County Tourism iv. Bayhealth 8. City Updates: i. Mayor ii. City Council iii. City Manager iv. Planning 9. Public Comment 10. Adjourn Next DDP board meeting: October 28 via Zoom

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Zoom Instructions Topic: DDP Board meeting Time: Sep 23, 2020 07:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Fourth Wed, until Oct 28, 2020, 2 occurrence(s) Sep 23, 2020 07:30 AM Oct 28, 2020 07:30 AM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUld- 6grDMjH9aNd6kV1MMq28DDAcp4ro08/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppjstEtaduRyFRpwcGoigKPzzplxEgvpcshu zCBYCTy7nZLpmFpN8AIzC Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81807828952 Meeting ID: 818 0782 8952 One tap mobile +19292056099,,81807828952# US (New York) +13017158592,,81807828952# US (Germantown) Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 818 0782 8952 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdmCEevLoc

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DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES June 24, 2020 – Online Zoom Meeting DRAFT ATTENDANCE: Mayor Robin Christiansen, Councilman Ralph Taylor , Councilman Fred Neil, Donna Mitchell, Anita Evans, Lucy Findlay, Todd Stonesifer, John Van Gorp, Dave Hugg, Maxine Lewis, Carla Wilson, Jonathan Street, Mike Harrington, Alan Grinstead, Bill Bush, Councilman David Anderson, Kim Adams STAFF: Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird COMMITTEE CHAIRS, PRESENTERS AND OTHER ATTENDEES: Sgt. Christopher Peer Call to Order: Anita Evans Board President, opened the meeting Agenda and Meeting minutes (May 2020 meeting) – Accepted by Lucy F., Maxine Lewis. All in favor no opposed. Dover PD Update: Sgt. Peer indicated that he is now in charge of the Community Policing Unit (CPU). The cadets are still out and about, but down one as he was possibly exposed to COVID-19. PD is trying to be more proactive now that COVID has slowed down but they still only have two working the CPU as the others are still working on patrols. A certified officer was just hired, however another officer retired as of this past weekend. Hoping to have a full unit up and running by the end of July. Tina spoke regarding the subject that was arrested for destroying the flower pots downtown, and suggested that restitution be part of his charges as well as potential for him to be assigned community service hours directed to the downtown area to hold him accountable for his actions. Tina also asked for confirmation of On-Street Parking enforcement and Sgt. Pierce confirmed and notified that there are two parking enforcement officers. Executive Committee (EC) & Board Update: Anita informed that the EC has continued to hold meetings via zoom each month. Moving forward, as of July 1 the new Board President will be Todd Stonesifer, V.P. John Van Gorp, Secretary Pete Bradley, and Treasurer Jonathan Street. Anita, Lucy, Councilman Tanner Polce, and Erin Thwaites will be coming off of the board at this time with hopes that Erin will join again in the future when her personal schedule will allow. Anita expressed gratitude to the new board members’ willingness to serve. New board members include: Carla Wilson, Bill Bush, and Alan Grinstead. Diane mentioned that Councilman Taylor is on the call as well, and he will replace Tanner on the Board. Diane and Tina have been working hard on the budget and have done a fantastic job. The new budget will be presented in September as we do not meet in July or August. There are a few small amendments that have been made to the Fiscal Year (FY) 21 budget and we are waiting for approval from the city. Anita mentioned that the new manual created by Diane will be a helpful resource and available to all new and existing board members. Tina will hold an information session for the new members as well as any others that

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may wish to join to tour the downtown corridor so that they can familiarize themselves with the area that the DDP services. Property Update: • Loockerman Way Plaza: The DDP now has a new land-use agreement in place in order to continue use of the property until the new owners break ground. We continue to pay taxes and carry insurance on that property while we have use of the property. • Inner-City Cultural League: Tina has received approval from the City of Dover for tax appeal for abatement for the just waiting on Kent County taxes to approves as well. Approval has been received from DNREC that we are free and clear to pass that property on and we will be seeking input from council and gathering information in order to get the deed transferred to the Inner-City Cultural League properly. Anita informed that we have been working with DNREC for 9 years to get the property cleaned up in hopes to pass it along. • Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing (DIMH): DIMH has been working towards the purchase of 630 W. Division Street. They have a development team. Mike Harrington informed that the property is under contract with a deposit of $10,000. Purchase price is $1.5 million; DIMH needs to come up with $750,000 as a down payment. Per the contract, the seller is willing to hold a $750,000 mortgage at 5% for 30 years. In order to make that feasible, grants are being sought for in hopes that the State of Delaware and the City of Dover will help with them, attain the down payment. DIMH may be able to lease a portion of the property to related service providers to help cover building fees, such as Probation & Parole. If this is going to happen, it is going to take a joint effort from all involved. Anita asked if they have funds currently and Mr. Harrington informed that he does not believe that they have any donations as of yet. DIMH is hopeful that the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) will be able to assist with grant money. Councilman Neil asked if anything was initiated in the FY21 state budget to allow for state funding assistance toward this project. Tina will reach out to Senator Paradee. Parking Update: Todd informed that the committee has chosen Colonial Parking Inc. as the vendor to collaborate with the DDP to manage downtown Dover parking. We have asked that the parking authority be handed over to the DDP so that we can get the process started. The City Solicitor is working on a proposal to take to council to get approval. Diane reiterated that this is not the solution but rather this the process to select the vendor. After a Memorandum of Understanding is signed between DDP and the vendor, we will work together with all interested public and private parties towards the actual solution. Committee Updates: No Updates City Update: Sharon Duca provided an update on the Bradford Street project. The contract is a 215-calendar day project. A preconstruction meeting was held, with a start date of June 29th. The company was required to notify building owners of the project. The project also calls for the removal of ten trees and during the walk thru there were two addition trees added and there may be more trees as sidewalks are removed. All the trees will be replaced with new pre-approved

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trees. New LED lights will be installed and are the same as those ordered by the City Manager for other streets. Mr. Harrington addressed that the parking along Bradford is crucial to the businesses in the downtown area and he hopes that they will continue to keep the lots open for those visiting the area. Sharon informed that she would contact the project manager to discuss details regarding the parking and get back to the DDP. Tina informed that she has been contacted by residents and owners that they have not been notified of the construction. Tina also asked if there will be assistance from Dover PD in helping control traffic on Bradford and asked on updates regarding the drainage project. Sharon informed that the drainage project has been postponed. Kim Adams informed that she was not notified about the construction and there will be significant impact on her and her clients. Her basement as well as Mr. Harrington’s properties has had flood damage. They are concerned that the project has been delayed and that flooding may happen again. Anita asked that Tina get with Sharon to discuss details to get them out to the public. Planning Department Update: Dave Hugg reported that he is still working with Diane, Tina and others with the Unlock the Block program. Some new ordinances are being developed, more things are coming to council in July, and he has been working with Delaware Realtors regarding vacant buildings. Legislative Update: Representative Bush informed that Bill 349 allows outside dining until March 31, 2021 and it eliminates the alcohol consumption on site offering the option to take alcohol to go with orders. This session, bills have been limited to those directly related to COVID-19 ,with a few exceptions. The Grant In Aid and Bond Bill have been passed. Councilman Anderson asked if there was any money in the budget for body cameras for the police. Rep. Bush said he will look over all and come up with a summary for all. Other Business: Councilman Anderson invites all to attend the event Back the Red White and Blue from 12-3 p.m. on July 3 on Legislative Mall. Public Comment: Todd acknowledged the outgoing Executive Board Members. Lucy Findlay’s accomplishments with the DDP, D3 and Downtown overall. She has been the unified voice of all the organizations and helping them come together to make events possible in downtown. Anita’s leadership has shaped this organization during her twelve years on the board, helping institute the strategic plan, and refined the monthly board meetings. Both ladies will be missed and are only a phone call away, if needed. Anita & Lucy are excited for the new board members and believe that the “best is yet to come!” Meeting adjourned: 8:29 a.m. All Approved. Respectfully submitted: BV

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