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CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, Delaware
AGENDA
Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at the appropriate time. When possible,
please notify the City Clerk (302-736-7008 or email at cityclerk@dover.de.us) should you wish to be
recognized.
VIRTUAL MEETING NOTICE
This meeting will be held in City Hall Council Chambers with electronic access via WebEx. Public
participation information is as follows:
Dial: 1-650-479-3208
Link: https://rb.gy/5vw90u
Event number: 2535 648 0145
Event password: DOVER (if needed)
If you are new to WebEx, get the app now at https://www.webex.com/ to be ready when the meeting
starts.
CALL COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING TO ORDER
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
UTILITY COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Evaluation of Bids - Emergency Generator (Kate Mills, Water Production Manager)
(Staff Recommendation: Award contract to Blue Point Contracting, LLC for the Emergency
Generator, request for quote 2025-001DWW, for the amount of $103,100.)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - April 29, 2025 PAGE 2
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Request for Sole Source Vendor - Upgrade of the Interview Room (Captain Robert E.
Roswell, Administration Division Commander, and Chief Johnson)
(Staff Recommendation: Approve the request to Sole Source Axon as indicated.)
2. Marijuana Taxation Proposal Discussion (Council President Anderson)
(Committee Action Not Required)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MEETING
ADJOURNMENT OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO
29 DEL. C. §10004(e)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION
OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE
TIME OF THE MEETING
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Item 1.
CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole (Utility)
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Water & Wastewater SUBMITTED ON: April 17, 2025
PREPARED BY: Kate L. Mills, P.E., Water Production Manager
REVIEWED BY: David S. Hugg, III City Manager and Patricia M. Marney, Controller / Treasurer
SUBJECT: Evaluation of Bids – Emergency Generator
TIMETABLE: Notice of award to be issued within seven (7) days of Council approval. Project
anticipated to be completed within 280 calendar days.
RELATED PROJECT: X
REFERENCE: X
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: $103,100
AMOUNT BUDGETED: $70,000
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): Department of Water & Wastewater- Water
Management, CIP Project #WD2509, CIP
Project Name: Emergency Generator Account
No.: 401-40-68-99-000-54025. Remainder of
costs to be supplemented by the surplus of funds
from CIP Project #WD2502, Well 6 VFD,
Account No.: 401-40-68-99-000-54031
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Award contract to Blue Point Contracting, LLC for the Emergency Generator, request for quote 2025-
001DWW, for the amount of $103,100.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
This capital investments calls for a new emergency generator. This specific generator will be housed at a well house
in the city with necessary site improvements. This generator will increase the reliability to produce drinking water
during a power failure. This project will include a transfer switch to allow the generator to work automatically.
This project was advertised as a request for quotes, in accordance with the City’s purchasing policy by quote
2025-001DWW. Quotes were opened on March 24, 2025. The City of Dover received one (1) quote and solicited
from nine (9) qualified firms.
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Item 1.
CONTRACTOR LOCATION TOTAL COST
BLUE POINT CONTRACTING, BEL AIR, MD $103,100
LLC
The shortfall will be covered by the following breakdown:
Funding Description Current Spent / Savings / Requested Proposed
Source Budget Encumbered Remaining Change Budget
Remaining
Water CIP WD2509 – $70,000 $0 $70,000 $33,100 $103,100
Emergency
Generator
Water CIP WD2502 – $57,000 $0 $57,000 ($33,100) $23,900
Well 6 VFD
City staff reviewed the submissions and found that the Blue Point Contracting, LLC met all requirements for the
qualifications of the project. It should be advised that $3,500 of the total cost is for an additional three (3) year
warranty. The staff recommends awarding the contract to Blue Point Contracting, LLC in the amount of $103,100
for the Emergency Generator.
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Item 1.
CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole (Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee)
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Police SUBMITTED ON: April 2, 2025
PREPARED BY: Captain Robert E. Roswell, Administrative Division Commander
REVIEWED BY: David S. Hugg, III, City Manager and Patricia Marney, Controller/Treasurer
SUBJECT: Request for Sole Source Vendor - Upgrade of the Interview Room
TIMETABLE: Contract will be awarded within 1 month of Sole Source Approval.
RELATED PROJECT: N/A
REFERENCE: ARPA Grant
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: $120,000.00
AMOUNT BUDGETED: $120,000.00
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): Approved Revised ARPA Budget
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the request for Sole Source Axon as indicated.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
The Dover Police Department (DPD) seeks approval for a sole source procurement of Axon in the amount
of $120,000.00 for the upgrade of our interview room infrastructure. This upgrade will enhance our
capabilities in video recording, evidence management, and overall operational efficiency. The department
has been utilizing various Axon products—body-worn cameras, Tasers, Signal Sidearm, Fleet, and
Evidence.com—for several years. Given the existing integration between these technologies and our
departmental systems, Axon is uniquely positioned to provide the necessary upgrade for the interview
rooms.
Sole Vendor Justification:
1. Existing Technology Integration: The DPD already uses Axon body-worn cameras, Tasers, Signal
Sidearm, Fleet, and Evidence.com, which are deeply integrated into our current operations. The proposed
interview room upgrade will need to be compatible with the existing Axon infrastructure, ensuring
seamless integration for both video recording and evidence management. Utilizing Axon ensures full
compatibility with these existing systems, allowing for more efficient data management, streamlined
workflows, and faster access to critical evidence.
2. Proven Track Record and Reliability: Axon has established itself as a reliable partner for law
enforcement agencies, providing high-quality, durable, and secure technology solutions. Given our
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Item 1.
department’s experience with Axon products and the performance history, we have full confidence that
Axon can provide a superior and reliable solution for the interview room upgrade.
3. No Alternative Vendor Offers Full System Compatibility: As the current provider of our body-worn
cameras, Tasers, and evidence management software, Axon is the only vendor capable of delivering an
upgrade solution that integrates fully with our existing systems. While other vendors may offer individual
components, none can provide the seamless integration with Evidence.com and other Axon services,
which is critical for ensuring that all evidence gathered in interview rooms is handled appropriately,
securely, and in compliance with established protocols.
4. Efficiency and Cost Savings: Continuing with Axon eliminates the potential costs and inefficiencies
associated with implementing a new vendor solution. Any other vendor would require new training,
system integration efforts, and possible hardware upgrades that could incur additional unbudgeted costs.
By leveraging our existing relationship with Axon, we ensure a cost-effective, faster deployment process
and maintain a unified ecosystem for our department.
5. Technical Support and Service: Axon’s dedicated support and service teams are already familiar with
our systems, providing tailored, ongoing support. Axon’s customer service is consistently rated highly for
responsiveness and reliability, ensuring that our department can rely on timely assistance should any
issues arise during the interview room upgrade.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Council Committee approval of the Sole Sourcing of Axon for the Interview Room Upgrade
BUDGET
Revised Budget -SLFRP0139
Description Approved Budget Approved Revised Budget
Personnel $138,576.00 $264,549.00
GVI Crime Analyst 128,342.01 244,269.92
Fringe @ 7.974% 10,233.99 20,279.08
Contract Services $1,100,000.00 $ 974,027.00
Infrastructure work at
203,100.00 $ 186,600.00
Headquarters
Current system component
493,168.00 $ 470,037.00
upgrades
Fiber infrastructure 99,450.00 $ 131,450.00
Expansion of the existing network 304,282.00 $ 65,940.00
Interview Room Upgrade 0.00 $ 120,000.00
Totals $1,238,576.00 $ 1,238,576.00
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Item 2.
Prime Sponsor(s): Mr. Caneco, Ms. Kilpatrick
Date of introduction: April 22, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25-070
URGING THE DELAWARE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO AUTHORIZE NEW CASTLE
COUNTY TO LEVY A LOCAL TAX ON RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS
1 WHEREAS, in April 2023, Delaware enacted The Delaware Marijuana Control Act
2 (Delaware Code Title 4, Chapter 13) (the “Act”) legalizing the sale of recreational
3 marijuana; and
4
5 WHEREAS, the Act established a 15% State tax on retail sales of marijuana
6 products; and
7
8 WHEREAS, New Castle County seeks finetuning of the Act to enable counties
9 with over 500,000 residents to levy a local tax of up to 5% on the sale of retail marijuana
10 products (this would not affect medical marijuana); and
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12 WHEREAS, precedential support for New Castle County’s request is
13 overwhelming… 21 States presently tax recreational marijuana products; in addition, at
14 least 15 of these States (including Massachusetts and Oregon) also allow local
15 governments to add a local tax (typically 2-5%) in addition to the State tax; and
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17 WHEREAS, the proposed local tax by the County of up to 5% of the retail sales
18 price builds on the State’s sales tax, which could bring the total sales tax up to 20%,
19 aligning with numerous other States like Montana (20%) and supporting revenue goals
20 without exceeding higher rates found in other States, like Washington (at 37%
21 combined); and
22
23 WHEREAS, no less than 50% of the revenue from the local tax would be used
24 to pay for costs the County will inevitably incur related to public safety as a result of the
25 sale of marijuana products, mirroring how States like New Jersey and New York use
26 marijuana tax revenues to address community needs and fund programs to support
27 economic and workforce development especially in communities disproportionally
28 harmed by prior drug laws and enforcement, while the balance would fund other County
29 needs and services; and
30
31 WHEREAS, importantly, authorization of a local tax on retail marijuana sales
32 mirrors the local taxing power granted by the General Assembly to the County that
33 provided for a local lodging tax; and
34
35 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by and for the County Council of New
36 Castle County that County Council hereby urges the Delaware General Assembly to
37 finetune The Delaware Marijuana Control Act (Delaware Code Title 4, Chapter 13) to
38 authorize New Castle County to levy a local tax on retail sales of marijuana products of
39 up to 5% of the retail sales price of the marijuana product, with no less than 50% of the
40 revenue from this local tax will be allocated in equal parts toward (1) related public safety
41 functions and associated costs and (2) programs that support economic and workforce
42 development in disproportionally harmed communities in the county.
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Item 2.
Adopted by County Council
of New Castle County on: 4/22/25
Monique Williams-Johns
President of County Council
of New Castle County
SYNOPSIS: This Resolution urges the Delaware General Assembly to finetune The
Delaware Marijuana Control Act (Delaware Code Title 4, Chapter 13) to authorize each
county with a population greater than 500,000 to levy, by duly enacted ordinance, a local
marijuana tax of up to 5% of the retail sales price of the marijuana product. No less than
50% of the revenue from this local tax will be allocated in equal parts toward (1) related
public safety functions and associated costs and (2) programs that support economic and
workforce development in disproportionally harmed communities in the county.
Moreover, this proposed tax is supported by overwhelming precedent. Among various
examples, this local tax is similar to other local taxing powers granted by the General
Assembly to the counties, such as the local lodging tax. Furthermore, this local tax is
consistent with local taxes on marijuana retail products as established by at least 15 other
States thus far.
FISCAL NOTE: This local tax will provide revenue for New Castle County.
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Item 2.
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