Tuesday, November 25, 2025, City Hall, City of Dover, Delaware
AI summary
The Council Committee of the Whole met to address several infrastructure and policy matters across the Safety Advisory and Transportation, Utility, and Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committees. Highlights included a presentation by the Dover/Kent County MPO and approval of Dover's CTP prioritization. The Utility Committee approved contracts for water treatment plant security fencing and Pump Station #7 upgrades, while directing staff to review procurement policies regarding small/minority subcontractors. The LF&A Committee awarded the FY2026 street program contract, voted to refer street evaluation methodologies to the Utility Committee, and deferred a controversial reclassification and salary increase for a Police Department IT position. Extensive debate also occurred regarding Proposed Ordinance 2025-21 addressing pedestrian safety, medians, and panhandling.
Motion to approve staff recommendation on the Prioritization of the City of Dover State Capital Transportation Program.
Passed. 8 yes, 1 abstain
Play from 1:12:42Motion to accept staff recommendation to award the contract for the FY2026 Street and Alley Program to Grassbusters Landscaping in the amount of $874,256.
Passed. 7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain
Play from 1:59:35Motion to approve the Council Committee of the Whole agenda.
Passed 7 yes, 2 absent. Absent: Brian E. Lewis, Donyale M. Hall.
Play from 00:26Motion to adopt the agenda for the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee.
Passed 8 yes, 1 absent. Absent: Brian E. Lewis.
Play from 10:00Motion to adopt the agenda for the Utility Committee.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 1:14:37Motion to have the procurement department brief Council within 60 days on the procurement process and mandatory pre-bid meetings to support small contractor participation.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 1:33:08Motion to award the contract for Security Fence Replacement for the Water Treatment Plant to Pierce Fence Company in the amount of $216,650.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 1:33:58Motion to accept staff recommendation to award the contract to A-Del Construction for the Pump Station #7 upgrades project in the amount of $636,000.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 1:44:12Motion to adopt the agenda for the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 1:45:46Motion to refer the street evaluation software and process used for selecting street repairs to the Utility Committee for review.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 2:01:18Motion to defer consideration of the reclassification/regrading of the Senior LAN Analyst position for 30 to 60 days, with the HR Director keeping Council abreast of developments.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 3:54:03Motion to recommend approval of Proposed Ordinance 2025-17 amending Chapter 38 (Streets, Sidewalks, Storm Sewers) and Chapter 98 regarding stormwater and sump pump regulations.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 4:01:411. Council Reports
Council members gave updates on district concerns, community events, infrastructure requests, and neighborhood meetings.
Play from 00:462. Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee - Dover/Kent County MPO Briefing
Executive Director Marilyn Smith provided an update on transportation studies, safety action plans, high injury networks along US 13, and regional projects.
Play from 10:133. Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee - Prioritization of City of Dover State Capital Transportation Program (CTP)
City Manager Dave Hugg presented the city's annual transportation project priorities submitted to DelDOT and the MPO.
Play from 58:384. Utility Committee - Evaluation of Bids: Security Fence Replacement for Water Treatment Plant
Review of bids for upgraded security fencing at the water treatment plant; discussion included subcontractor inclusion and procurement rules.
Play from 1:15:015. Utility Committee - Evaluation of Bids: Pump Station #7 Upgrades
Award of contract to upgrade capacity, wet well lining, and bypass operations at Pump Station #7 on Route 13.
Play from 1:34:146. Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee - Evaluation of Bids: FY2026 Street and Alley Program
Review of eight bids for city street rehabilitation; discussion on road scoring methodology and prioritization.
Play from 1:47:017. Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee - Consideration of Reclassification/Regrading of Senior LAN Analyst Position
Debate regarding reclassifying a Dover Police Department IT position and an requested substantial salary increase, weighing retention against citywide equity policies.
Play from 2:02:038. Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee - Proposed Ordinance 2025-17 (Stormwater and Sump Pump Regulations)
Proposed amendments to Chapter 38 and related chapters to comply with MS4 NPDES permits and regulate non-stormwater and sump pump discharges.
Play from 3:55:069. Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee - Staff Substitute Proposed Ordinance 2025-21 (Pedestrian Safety / Median Strip Occupancy)
Proposed ordinance addressing pedestrian safety by regulating stopping, standing, or walking on roadway medians; extensive debate on panhandling, constitutionality, and enforcement.
Play from 4:02:268 in person, 2 remote.