CCW MINUTES

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Council Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on November 9, 2021 at 6:01 p.m., with Council President Sudler presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson (left at 6:52 p.m. and returned at 6:54 p.m.), Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Neil, Mrs. Arndt, Mr. Rocha (left at 7:45 p.m. and returned at 7:46 p.m.), Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Hare. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee meetings were Mr. Lewis (Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement), Mr. Contant, and Mr. Shevock (Legislative, Finance, and Administration). Mr. Jones (Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement) was absent. LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee met with Chairman Anderson presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Rocha and unanimously carried. Discussion - City Council Compensation (Councilman David Anderson) Mr. Taylor reviewed a presentation entitled “Dover City Council Pay Increase”. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Mr. Anderson stated that according to the Charter, pay increases for the Mayor and Council took effect after the next election. He explained that there would need to be a Charter amendment but his thinking was because of the unique situations of minimum wage in the process of doubling because of inflation and because it has been 20 years since the last one-time increase, an exception could be made that in-between elections there could not be any wage increases that were more than what other City employees would be getting on average. Mr. Anderson noted that it would keep up with inflation without them ending up in the same situation again. Responding to Mr. Hare, Mr. Anderson confirmed that there was an election on the following Tuesday but he believed the intent of the Charter was a general election, but that was for the attorney to look at. Mr. Sudler stated that he thought the City Council pay should mirror the Kent County Commissioner’s. Mr. Rocha asked how a Council pay increase would be paid for. Mr. Shevock suggested that no matter how the Committee voted on this item, he thought that compensation for all the other City employees should be taken care of prior to Council raising anything for themselves. Mrs. Arndt stated that the time commitment required to be a Councilperson was much more than she anticipated when she took the job, however, she also wanted to know how a pay increase would be paid for. She noted that she thought this discussion should be had prior to the next budget cycle so everything would be considered in tandem. Mr. Neil stated that he did not believe any of the current Councilpersons ran for office because of the salary but he did feel they were vastly underpaid given the enormous responsibilities they had. He suggested that Council request a Charter change that allowed them to double the current salaries and then tie the increase into the same percentage of increases of non-union employees.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 PAGE 2 Mr. Boggerty stated that he would request a flat rate for Councilpersons to make it easier on City Staff. Mr. Rocha stated that he was in agreement with a pay increase, whatever it may be, but he was disturbed that the Segal Study was mentioned in the presentation because Council had not set aside time to review it yet. He noted that he agreed with Mr. Shevock that they should review the Segal study and see what could be done for the City employees compensation at the same time as they consider their own pay but they would need to figure out where the money was going to come from and how to fix the budget to make it work. Mr. Anderson stated that they would need to figure out the amount to work on a Charter amendment, so they would only be looking for direction that evening, it would be months in the process. He noted that he did advocate that Council finish the work that was started on the Segal study but did want to point out that City employees had received not only step raises but also annual raises for non-bargaining and union employees with an average of almost 3% a year. Responding to Mr. Contant, Mr. Anderson stated that members of Council did not receive benefits, retirement, or healthcare. He noted that they received less than any part-time employee. Responding to Mr. Contant, Mr. Sudler stated that members of Council did get registration paid for by the City for retreats/conferences. Mr. Contant stated that looking at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2001, payment in the amount of $7,500 would currently put members at $11,623. He explained that one of the concerns he had with raising the salary too high was the position becoming a career opportunity, which he would oppose. Mr. Contant noted that he thought that a Charter amendment should be made but that it should include term limits not to allow a one-time increase. He stated that he did not know what an increase should be set at but he felt that mirroring the County was too high. Mr. Contant explained that he felt the increase should be performance- based, meaning how active a Councilperson is at meetings, and should be tied to an index. Mr. Boggerty stated that he had just attended an employee issue the previous week and lent his Human Resources skills to the issue. He explained that had he done that in his professional capacity, not as a Councilman, he would have charged $700-800 plus expenses. Mr. Boggerty noted that these were the types of things many members of Council were doing in addition to the meetings they attended in their official capacity. Former City Councilman Matthew Lindell, 4005 Willow Grove Road, requested that regardless of what Council decided to do with their own pay, they look out for the City employees because they were priority one. Mayor Christiansen stated that the Mayor and Council should be compensated for the compassion, ability, and dedication that they bring to the City of Dover and he was opposed to term limits which he felt allowed people to be lazy and hobbled democracy. Mr. Anderson stated that his recommendation would be to look at a proposal to be referred to staff to work out the budgetary considerations because there was a supplemental budget coming up and also for staff to draft the proper Charter amendments. He explained they could then come back in December and pass the

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 PAGE 3 proper charter amendment and decide on the path forward. Mr. Anderson noted they could also just pass the framework and have staff work it out, but it would be a process. Mr. Sudler moved to recommend mirroring the criteria and pay of the Kent County Levy Court Commissioners. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hare. Mr. Rocha asked where this left the Segal study, noting that he wanted to establish a review of the Segal study for employee compensation regarding the supplemental budget in the motion. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Dave Hugg, Interim City Manager, stated that he had looked at the Segal study and would be able to bring it back before the Committee or Council for discussion in December. Mr. Neil stated that he was opposed to the motion on the floor, which he felt would look like a money grab. He explained that he would support doubling the current pay or an increase to $18,000 but would not accept a significant jump like the $33,000 proposed. Mrs. Arndt stated that she thought they should look at the Segal study and reevaluate the competitiveness of the employee’s salaries along with their own salary increase, should they decide to go that route, but she would not be comfortable voting for anything until they saw how it looked in the budget and if the money was available to support it. She noted that she did not want to make any decisions at the present time. Mr. Contant asked where the money would come from, noting that $33,000 would be a $160,000 increase. Mr. Hare and Mr. Rocha both stated that they thought $18,000 was fair but if it was voted to increase to $33,000 they would be donating money to organizations or attending more events within the community with the added funds. Responding to Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Sudler stated that he would not withdraw his motion. He explained that he believed his work was worth what he had proposed. The motion to recommend mirroring the criteria and pay of the Kent County Levy Court Commissioners. failed with six (6) no (Anderson, Neil, Arndt, Rocha, Contant, and Shevock), three (3) yes (Sudler, Hare, and Taylor), and one (1) abstention (Boggerty). Mr. Hare moved to recommend acceptance of propos al thre e (3) totaling $18,000 a year for Councilperson salary and to refer to staff for consideration of the Charter change along with the Segal study. The motion was seconded by Mr. Boggerty and carried with eight (8) yes (Anderson, Boggerty, Neil, Hare, Arndt, Rocha, Taylor, Shevock) and two (2) no (Sudler and Contant). Request for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds to be Used for Rental Assistance, Utility Bills, and Hotel Vouchers (Mayor Robin Christiansen) Ms. Tracey Harvey, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Administrator, reviewed the background and analysis regarding the request for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be used for rental assistance, utility bills, and hotel vouchers. Staff recommended approval of the proposed budget totaling $500,000.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 PAGE 4 Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mayor Christiansen stated that the funds requested would come from the City’s allocation. He noted that it was possible that if the requested funds were used for emergency funds, the State would reimburse the City at a later date, but they felt that they needed to have the funds in the breach and ready to go as cold weather approached. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Ms. Harvey stated that Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing (DIMH) already had grant money and CDBG funds to build their shelter so this was something separate. She explained that this was strictly for motel vouchers if someone went to DIMH and they did not have housing available, they would be given a voucher so they would not be on the street. Responding to Mr. Neil, Ms. Harvey stated that the DIMH did have other properties but they were already occupied. Responding to Mr. Hare, Mr. Anderson stated that DIMH had to move because their current location was sold for economic development purposes. Mr. Boggerty moved to recommend approval of the budget totaling $500,000 with the stipulation that to receive a voucher, the person’s last known address had to be a City of Dover address. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Hare and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee met with Chairman Boggerty presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Arndt and unanimously carried. Silver Lake Dam - Annual Inspection Review (Sharon Duca, Assistant City Manager) Mrs. Sharon Duca, Public Works Director, reviewed the background and analysis for the Silver Lake Dam - Annual Inspection Review. Responding to Mr. Neil, Mrs. Duca stated that the recommendations scheduled to be done by November 21, 2021 would be performed by the Grounds Division in Parks and Recreation and they were currently on schedule. Responding to Mrs. Arndt, Mrs. Duca stated that one of the concerns previously discussed with the Silver Lake Commission was that Lewis Mill Drive going into the park was in disrepair and that item was on the Engineering Division’s sights to work on and hopefully get Community Transportation Funds (CTF) to deal with that roadway.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 PAGE 5 Mr. Hare moved to accept the 2021 Silver Lake Dam: Dam Safety Inspection Report and the Fiscal Year 2021 Silver Lake Dam Inspection Update Memorandum, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried. Mayor and Council Reports - August 2021 Council President Council President Sudler reported that he and Mr. Boggerty facilitated a transformational mediation settlement agreement to help resolve a workplace dispute. He had also narrowed down a timeframe for ethics training which would be after the Special Election on November 16, 2021. Mr. Sudler noted that he was working closely with the Interim City Manager, Mr. Dave Hugg, to help orchestrate a job analysis/description for a new Human Resources Director and possibly an Assistant Human Resources Director. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sudler stated that he would work on getting Robert’s Rules training scheduled for members of City Council. First District Mr. Rocha, First District Councilman, reported that he needed an update on what was happening with Mifflin Road. The committee had previously promised to get a traffic study, which he believed the State would be asked to do, and he wanted to know what the outcome was or if a study had already been done. Mr. Rocha noted that there was an individual that emailed him with concerns about speeding and trucks passing through that area. Second District Mr. Taylor, Second District Councilman, reported that he had been contacted by Ms. Bonnie Blades at 23 Woodburn Circle and asked that a member of City staff get in touch with her regarding the erosion of her backyard and the advice she received to take her fence down. Third District Mr. Neil, Third District Councilman, reported that there was a lot of debris on Acorn Lane and Old White Oak Road, which he had reported to City staff and the Police Department. He noted that there were apparently parties being held around 1:00-2:00 a.m. in the morning. Mr. Neil also reported that Dover Speedway had been sold and he had requested that the new owners meet with the Economic Development Committee and the Mayor in December of 2021. Mrs. Arndt, Third District Councilwoman, reported that a constituent had contacted her about the Bayhealth parking lot expansion project with concerns regarding the loss of trees lining the street, the proposed design, and increase in impervious surface. She noted that he was looking for an opportunity to provide input and perhaps help to improve the design, as well as an update on the project. Fourth District Mr. Anderson, Fourth District Councilman, reported that he had just come from a neighborhood watch meeting and things were looking good with very low crime statistics over the last month. He noted that the neighbors wanted people to look for things that the homeless population could do during the day so they could have positive alternatives and not negative ones.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 PAGE 6 Mr. Sudler, Fourth District Councilman, reported that he had been working with Kari Tollinger, a constituent in the Woodcrest community to draft a petition to help Tony DePrima, School Board Member, to get funding to redesign the perceived swamp area at the front of Dover High School. He noted there were also constituents on Slaughter Street as well as Ann Avenue that would like to have the digital speed sign indicator repaired. At-Large Mr. Boggerty, At-Large Councilman, reported that Mr. Robin Eaton, Parks and Recreation Director, had been working with the Maple Glen Homeowner’s Association to build a playground but they had decided to withdraw their request. Mr. Hare moved for adjournment of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Mrs. Arndt moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Roy Sudler Jr. Council President RS/MR/re/tm S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Committee-Minutes\2021\11-09-2021 CCW MINUTES - MR-RE-TM.wpd