Transcript: Regular Council Meeting

Fred A. Neil

We have before us here this evening's agenda. I will entertain a motion for its adoption.

Tricia K. Arndt

I move to adopt the agenda.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Rocha seconds.

Fred A. Neil

Have been seconded. Any questions? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye.

Council Members

Aye.

Fred A. Neil

Any opposed, please say no. It passes unanimously. I'll entertain a motion uh motion to approve the agenda. Um, okay. Next,

Fred A. Neil

we have the consent agenda. We have before us the consent agenda. Those items on the council agenda which are considered routine, non-controversial, and will be acted upon by a single roll-call vote by the council. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of council so request. In which event, the matter shall be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item. What is the pleasure of council?

Tricia K. Arndt

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Rocha seconds.

Fred A. Neil

It has been moved and seconded. Any questions? Okay, we need a uh roll-call vote.

City Clerk

Ms. Hall?

Donyale M. Hall

Yes.

City Clerk

Mr. Boggerty?

Andre M. Boggerty

Yes.

City Clerk

Mr. Anderson?

David L. Anderson

Yes.

City Clerk

Dr. Pillsbury?

Julia M. Pillsbury

Yes.

City Clerk

Ms. Arndt?

Tricia K. Arndt

Yes.

City Clerk

Mr. Rocha?

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Yes.

City Clerk

Dr. Sudler?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes.

City Clerk

Mr. Lewis? Council President Neil?

Fred A. Neil

Yes.

City Clerk

Carries 8-0.

Fred A. Neil

And it passes unanimously. Uh presentations: tribute 2026-01 for William F. Hare. I invite the family of Mr. Hare: Julia, Lisa, Emma, KSAS, and Representative Sean Lynn, if you're here, uh to uh to the podium. And I request that the city clerk read the tribute into the record.

City Clerk

All right. I'll read while Mr. Neil walks down.

City Clerk

A tribute expressing sympathy and condolences upon the passing of William "Bill" F. Hare. Whereas, the Council of the City of Dover are saddened by the passing of William "Bill" F. Hare, a longtime resident of Dover, Delaware, on January 1st, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service, leadership, and community commitment; and Whereas, William F. Hare faithfully served the residents of the City of Dover as councilman for the Second District for more than 20 years, first from 1991 to 1997, and again from 2011 until February 2025. During his tenure, he served with distinction as council president and vice mayor from 2019 to 2021, and again from 2023 to 2024, providing steady leadership and guidance to the city council; and Whereas, William F. Hare contributed extensively through his service on numerous committees and boards, including serving as chairman of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee, chair of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee, and as a member of various other city committees, helping to shape policy and strengthen city operations; and Whereas, he further demonstrated his commitment to public service beyond city council through his leadership and inv-

City Clerk

involvement in numerous organizations, including as founder of the Delaware Military Support Organization, chair of the Kent County Heart Ball, and service with Kent County Kent Sussex Industries and the Delaware Industrial Accident Board. And whereas, a proud veteran of the United States military, William F. Hare carried a lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and community, impacting countless individuals throughout Dover and beyond. Above all, William F. Hare was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend, whose kindness, integrity, and passion for helping others will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the council extends their deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of William "Bill" F. Hare, and honors his life and legacy for many years of dedicated service. Be it further resolved that the council direct the city clerk to place this tribute in permanent records of the city of Dover, and that a copy of this tribute be provided to the family of William "Bill" F. Hare.

Fred A. Neil

As a someone who shared this position and as a member of this council when I first came here, Bill Hare set a tremendous precedent in terms of what he did and how he did. And, the seat that I held now have is held by, Councilman Sean Lynn, who is now a member of the House. So, we know him well. And I thought that maybe Kay Sass, who worked with him so closely on the with the with the military aspect of his life that perhaps a lot of people just don't know, that was really significant for people who people of the armed services who were desperately in need of help and funds to do something that they couldn't get elsewhere. Kay, I don't know if you want to add a word or two?

Kay Sass

Now, Bill was just I will, I said no, then I will. Mr. Hare was very dedicated to everything that he did. And he was dedicated to you guys as a dad, and as a grandpa, Poppy, right? And he was very proud of all of you for everything that you guys have accomplished yourselves. And I hope you remember that. I'll always remember him very fondly myself. We could butt heads like you would not believe. You probably did your share as well. But, you know, when it came down to it, everything we did was always for the greater good. And particularly, all of the work we did with the military, that was something he took such great pride in. And every year when we did the big fundraiser, it was a lot of hours, it was a lot of fun, it was a lot of work. But that was your dad. So thank you for sharing him with us for so many years.

Fred A. Neil

And Representative Lynn, since we shared the seat, now we share the dais.

Sean Lynn

Thank you. So I have a tribute for the family from the House of Representatives. Um, as as the girls know, I knew him initially as Mr. Hare because I went to high school with Julie and Lisa. Um, and got to know him from, you know, the time that I was a a kid. I then later got to serve on council with him, um, and had a lot of fond memories of Bill. I don't think we ever agreed on anything.

State Representative

he made me laugh and and we had a we had a good friendship, and I will miss him. And I know and I can see on your face how much you loved your dad.

State Representative

So I know it doesn't make anything easier for your family, but I did just want to present this tribute from the State of Delaware in recognition of your dad's long career of public service. I know that we very much appreciated him and everything that he did here in the city of Dover, all the sacrifices that he made for all of us. And I think he deserves to be recognized.

Audience Member

Thank you, I appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Fred A. Neil

This is the traditional key to the city. You will not find a lock in anywhere in the city that it will open, but it's a tribute to him and to you.

Audience Member

Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

It has been very traditional for this cup. It is a pewter cup and it has been given to everybody who has served in capacity as a remembrance of the joys and what they brought to us. It holds a lot of memories, and that we present to you as well.

Audience Member

Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

And this—

Audience Member

It's like Christmas.

Fred A. Neil

the symbol of the fact was he didn't drop the one. But this is the symbol of the fact that he was president of this body, and we present that to you.

Audience Member

Thank you. Thank you so much, appreciate that.

Council Member

Do you want to say anything?

Audience Member

No.

Council Member

Okay.

Audience Member

Thank you, guys.

Audience Member

Thank you so much.

Fred A. Neil

You're welcome.

Fred A. Neil

Next we have the annual report from the Robbins Hose Company Fire Department, and we invite Chief David Carey to proceed with the presentation.

David Carey

Good evening. I'll try to lift the spirits a little bit and we'll make it as quick as we can, but we'll share some information with you about the fire department. David Carey, I'm the fire chief in Dover. Of course we have a mission statement that we're committed to delivering the highest standard of fire rescue services to the City of Dover and surrounding communities that we service through professionalism, dedication, and the pride of its members to provide life safety and property conservation to everyone.

David Carey

On the screen, you'll see these are the 2025 line officers. They're I believe they're the same as 2024. Deputy Chief Peschista, Assistant Chief Bach, Assistant Chief Jim Iannucci, who is my deputy chief this year. And I can't see the other one. Better get my glasses adjusted.

David Carey

Assistant Chief Brian Cullen, which also was a city employee that recently retired and is in his process of moving. Assistant Chief Jim Iannucci, which I already stated, and Assistant Chief Chris Ryall, Captain Drew Cuntz, and Captain Nick Seney. Some of the accomplishments of the Dover Fire Department over the past year in 2024...

Fire Official

25 of, we've continued to maintain the state-of-the-art facilities and fire apparatus to, uh, protect our citizens and provide to our members. Uh, recruitment, we've continued our recruit recruitment process, uh, that we've initiated, um, through marketing on our, uh, Instagram, our Facebook, our website, um, and through our community outreach and incentives. Uh, our duty crew program, as you guys are well aware of, um, staffing the fire stations, uh, around the clock. Uh, approximately 95% of the time was our goal to staff a fire engine within the city, um, and we'll go into further detail in that here in a few minutes of where we actually are. Um, and of course the stipend program, um, we got a well-designed program. We're always looking to make improvements to that to, uh, entice people to volunteer and come in and ride fire apparatus and staff throughout the day and the evening to protect our citizens. We have a live-in program that we've, uh, increased from four live-ins to eight live-ins. Um, this provides staffing at both stations as of right now. Um, there's four at each station. However, we just lost two. When I wrote this, we had eight. Um, we just lost two, uh, one decided to move out and, um, look at other endeavors, he's moving in with his girlfriend, and another one is, uh, the other one is move- is getting ready to go overseas, he's in the military. Next.

Fire Official

So like I was saying, uh, as far as staffing the fire stations, 95% of the time we were we wanted to staff at least one unit. Um, what does this do for us? It de- decreases response times, um, and you'll see those numbers shortly, uh, reduces the loss of life and property throughout the city and the areas we serve. Um, in 2025, we, uh, logged 30,934 hours, and this is up nine hours from tw- 9,000 hours from 2024. So we have quite a few staffing the fire stations throughout the day, in the evening hours, uh, to provide our service. Next.

Fire Official

So, our fire department response, um, we're currently staffing one engine or an engine and a ladder 95% of the time. So our goal was to staff one engine, we're now staffing the engine and the ladder 95% of the time. Um, our numbers have increased in responses by 1% over the past year, um, re- representing 42 additional calls compared to 2024. Um, in 2025, we ran 1,781 calls for service. 1,251 of them were silent alarms, which means there was staffing in the fire station that went out and provided the service. Um, 427 of them were general alarms, which means they were more, uh, in-depth incidents such as a, uh, building fire, house fire, car accident with subjects trapped, where we would blow the siren, have people come in from home to staff additional apparatus to help provide service. And then, 78 were officers' calls, which are calls such as, um, you get the cat caught stuck in a tree every once in a while, wires down, um, a water problem in

Presenter

in the house. That's where just the fire officer goes out and handles in the Tahoe. And then 27 were crew calls where we only needed additional staffing at one station or another. Next.

Presenter

So, fire department response times. So with duty crews, like I said, we've decreased our response times. So we have an average response time of 1 minute and 43 seconds. So that's from the time that we take the call to the time the truck hits the street. Our goal is to be down within the 90-second mark, which is the national average, which we are very close. Um, our average on-scene time is 5 minutes and 19 seconds. And our average time on a call is 19 minutes and 22 seconds.

Presenter

Uh, this is call volume by month. It shows you some of our busier months. Um, June was a very busy month for us, uh but you as you can see, it it uh it's up and down throughout the year.

Presenter

Call volume by the day of the week. Um, Monday and Wednesday are our high days, uh with I think it says 235 calls over the course of a year on those days. So uh, they were the days we uh kind of focus on making sure we have two rigs staffed, even though um we don't really focus on that, we're always looking to staff two rigs at this point. Um, but they are our busy days of the week.

Presenter

So call volume by hour of the day. Um, our call volumes, you know, normally pick up around 8:00 AM and proceed through until about 9:00 AM 9:00 PM in the evening, um and then they kind of drop off overnight.

Presenter

And this is a new chart that we did this year thanks to Steve. He he was my handyman on this. Um, this shows you the number of hours that our members put in each month for each category: meetings, training, duty crew hours, the incidences that they've responded to over the courses course of those uh months, and then the total number of hours as well. And then at the bottom you can see the average out for each day.

Presenter

Recruitment. So all of you have heard my speech about recruitment for the past couple years. Uh, we've done a great job of recruiting new members. Um, our department is more diverse now than it's ever been before. Um, and it it's it's created an evolving extension of our community. Um, of course, we're always committed to providing excellent service to those we serve and build a strong team atmosphere uh within our organization. Um, in 2025, we took in 35 new members, and our retention rate was 66%.

Presenter

So Robbins Fire Department needs, uh of course we we always need the city's continued support, um our members, and of course the community, um through recruitment of volunteers. Continued increase operational costs is uh our main need for the fire department. Apparatus maintenance, um so as you we walk through this, you're going to see Ladder 1 is due for replacement here real soon. Um, the last number I heard or was given was uh we spent $70,000 on it in 2025 to keep it in service. Um, that's like 1/3 of our maintenance budget for the year. Training of firefighters, uh firefighter training costs has went up, uh

Fire Chief

Um, the cost of turnout gear has went up that the firefighters wear. And firefighter physicals, um, that has been a great addition to our budgetary needs. Um, we've had 42 members go through the physical program and we have, um, found some medical issues with some of our members that have, um, went elsewhere to get additional help to to fix their problem. Um, so it's it's really helped out so far. Next.

Fire Chief

Just picture of some guys training.

Fire Chief

Uh so training. So new members, uh they go through a 14-hour orientation. We've been running academy weekends through 2025 where we would bring our new members in after they're voted into the company. And you can see them outside on Saturday and Sunday, uh once a month, doing evolutions, wrapping hydrants, pulling hose, throwing ladders, um doing all the basics we need them to do to start riding the fire truck. Uh so we've had several do that. Uh we've once they complete that, they're enrolled in the uh 176-hour Delaware State Fire School Academy, um which is $1,800 a person as of right now. And when they complete that and graduate, they graduate with their National Pro Board Firefighter 2, Hazmat Awareness Ops, and Vehicle Rescue Technician.

Fire Chief

So the Delaware State Fire Commission has mandated training for the fire officers, um which went into effect January 1st of this year. Uh Fire Officer 1, which is a 40-hour course, and they have to do a prerequisite of Fire Instructor 1. A Fire Officer 1 individual can ride the front seat of a piece of fire apparatus once they're they're qualified. And a Fire Officer 2 is needed to be the incident commander of of an incident. Um as you can see, we've broken that down to uh what we call a Firefighter 3 in Dover, um which is specific training to our needs, including the state regulations, and also the Dover fire officer, which also includes the state regulations, but also additional training for our needs here in the city.

Fire Chief

Goals for 2026, uh continue working with staffing at both stations. Um, we're gearing to look into staffing a little bit differently. Um, both stations it's it's kind of tough on the weekends. Uh we have pretty good staffing during the week, but we have to look at some avenues for on the weekends. Um, improve on volunteer our volunteer incentive program, um which involves a stipend to uh entice people to to come in and ride on the weekends. Um, and of course, our goal is to staff an engine and ladder around the clock, 24/7.

Fire Chief

And last but not least on this page is uh rebuild the membership at Fire Station 2. Uh the the road construction on the west side of town has really hurt that firehouse, very hard to get to with the road closures, um, and it's kind of steered people not so much to come into it because they just can't get there. Next.

Fire Chief

So as you, the other thing, uh recently we talked about installing the fence around Fire Station 1. Um, we

David Carey

had a pre-bid meeting for that and it's out the bit right now so that's coming soon.

David Carey

Continue with recruitment and retention of new members. Create avenues to retain experienced members.

David Carey

And then, last but not least on this page, is condensing while improving our fire department response information for fire hydrants, Knox Boxes, and sprinkler systems.

David Carey

Basically what what we're trying to do there is take we have several different applications that we use, condense them down to one or two, so it's less cumbersome and more dialed into what the firefighter needs riding in that front seat to spot a fire hydrant, or a Knox-Box, or a sprinkler system.

David Carey

A look into the future, so probably in the next few months you're going to probably hear me come back to you in reference to replacing ladder one.

David Carey

Ladder one is currently 15 years old. Delivery time as of today is about 48 months. So we're looking at 2029, 2030.

David Carey

So that would put ladder one at about 19 to 20 years old when it's replaced.

David Carey

It's probably going to be around 2.5 million to do that.

David Carey

The goal is to have the tower paid off by the time this comes in. So basically the payment would just roll over into the next ladder truck.

David Carey

Some of the other things that we we're looking into, of course, is the delivery time, which will give us an idea of when we're going to come to you and and say, "Hey, it's it's it's time to make that purchase." Any cost savings that we could have.

David Carey

And of course this would put us back in the 15-year replacement program for the aerial apparatus when this is replaced.

David Carey

Incident type by by chart, different fires, hazardous conditions, fire alarms that we get into.

David Carey

Fires broken down by type, whether they're buildings, mobile homes, out buildings, vehicles, cooking fires.

David Carey

Total personnel hours. So, as you can see, it gives you some 24 2024 numbers compared to what you just saw previously.

David Carey

Next.

David Carey

And of course, fire prevention.

David Carey

So for fire prevention this this year, they reached 9,700 children through the our community outreach, whether it be 5,000 in fire prevention, 4,700 in public outreach, or other public events that we attend.

David Carey

We're always out and about, of course you know Fire Prevention Week is a very busy week for us and it only takes us about two weeks to do it because we have so many elementary schools and and some of the daycares we have through town.

David Carey

And then the other public outreach things that we do with the school district, the hospital, Holy Cross.

David Carey

Our social media, we have a Facebook, Instagram, and a website. The website that has been recently updated. It's getting ready to go through some more changes here real soon.

David Carey

And of course, as always, we're always here, prepared, ready to go to provide the finest fire protection to the city of Dover and our surrounding communities. And we look forward to a safe and productive year working with all of you, and moving the fire department forward, as well as the city, into the future. Any questions?

Fred A. Neil

Questions? Councilman Lewis.

Brian E. Lewis

Thank you for your report, Chief Carey. I just have a couple questions with respect to You said we need a ladder truck, am I correct? Not an engine, right?

David Carey

Yes, sir.

Brian E. Lewis

Ladder truck. Um, would it behoove us to jump on that right away to specifically lock in an interest rate? Because I know when we purchased the previous apparatus, we wanted to, um, kind of expedite it so we could get locked into that specific lower rate. What is your opinion on that?

Fire Chief

So, it's not about the interest rate. We're looking at the total cost of the vehicle. Yes, it would behoove us to move forward quickly. And I say that because every year there's a price increase on fire apparatus. If we lock in soon, we're going to pay today's price four years from now. In four years, you're looking at probably another—I'm going to ballpark it right now—20 to 25% increase between now and then. Normally, it's anywhere from 3 to 7% a year. Um, so yes, we would save money like we did when we bought the engine and the squad. Thanks to Mr. Mr. Hare. Um, we did save quite a bit of money by doing that. If I remember correctly, it was $300,000 we saved by ordering both of them at the same time.

Brian E. Lewis

So, when do you anticipate we need to get this done? Because I would recommend you collaborate with Ms. Mawhinney, our finance director, to bring it to the next council meeting if if if not the following.

Fire Chief

I'm not that quite ready yet. Um, but I will work with Ms. Mawhinney, and I will look into price increases when they occur and and get this moving forward as soon as we can.

Brian E. Lewis

Okay. Excellent. And when you purchase the new apparatus, um, do you use the bells and whistles from the previous one to be cost-effective, or is that going to be, um, an addition to what we're paying for the ladder truck?

Fire Chief

So what we normally do is, uh, when we sell the piece of fire apparatus that's getting replaced, so when we sell Ladder 1, the funding that comes from that sale would purchase the equipment for the new truck. So we have things that expire: air packs, hose, um, if the truck carried airbags, they expire over a 15-year period of time. Um, so those things we have to replace, but there's other things that we can move over to the to the new piece of apparatus.

Brian E. Lewis

So when you auction off or sell the old piece, you utilize that funding to purchase the extracurricular—and that's how I'm going to identify it—

Fire Chief

Yes.

Brian E. Lewis

uh, hoses, siren, uh, strobe lights, etc., correct?

Fire Chief

It's used to purchase the equipment that's carried in the compartments. So all your hand tools, your fans, your hose, your air packs, radios, flashlights, things that need to be replaced, like those type of items, that's what that money is used for: the equipment that's carried on the truck.

Fire Chief

So when we purchase a fire truck, a ladder truck, a fire engine, a squad, you get the truck itself: the body, the tank, the hose dividers, and

Sean Christiansen

then you have to put everything inside of it, and that's what those those funds are used for.

Brian E. Lewis

Okay. I I was talking about like, you know, the bells and whistles that comes with it.

Sean Christiansen

That comes Oh, okay.

Brian E. Lewis

Okay, so we don't have to pay for that. [laughter] Because I thought we talked about this once before and he says, well, these trucks come pretty much stripped. They're basic. We got to put everything else into them.

Sean Christiansen

Yeah, you have to put all the equip-

Brian E. Lewis

Okay, I just want to make sure. Um, and my last and final question is, um tonight, um we we had a crowd come out from the neighborhood where Robbins Hose Company is located pertaining to various issues with homeless individuals. And, you know, I would just like for you to elaborate, you know, on the record because you know, I, and you know, I think all of us here in this chamber supports the fire department. You know, it's volunteer. You guys put your lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of this city. What are you currently experiencing over there, as of this date, with individuals congregating in the neighborhood? Because I know you and I spoke about this, but I'd like you to put it on the record if you don't mind.

Sean Christiansen

So when I brought the CAF to the City Council for the fence, you know, we've we've had sexual activities happening behind the fire station, like right up against the building, um which I ran off myself when I found out about it. Uh walking out in front of us in traffic, not and this is just the general neighborhood downtown. Governors Avenue, they'll walk right out in front of you as you're going to a call. Lights and sirens can be on. They don't care. They'll walk right out in front of you like you're not even there. Um the other night during a tornado warning, of course, my phone goes off. I jump up. I go to the firehouse, right? Most people go and hide. I'm driving down the street. So I'm pulling up to the fire station and three individuals come across the street to our side of the street walking right down the middle. I'm driving right towards them. They have no ambition to get to the sidewalk. You know, if if the trucks were pulling out where they were, which was right in front of the engine bays, somebody pulls out of the fire station and they don't see them, they're going to hit them. And when you have a 78,000 lb ladder truck hit somebody, it's not going to fare well for them. You know, so it's a safety concern for us. Um actually, my dashcam got it all the other night when I was pulling up to the station. All of our apparatus now are equipped with dashcams. Helps us with insurance ratings, helps us with our insurance payments, um and also it protects us. So if we hit somebody or somebody hits us, you know, we have it on film. Um Of course, the issues of people walking through the parking lot, trying car doors after people have responded into calls, or just the duty crew staying there at night trying cars. You know, we've had computers stolen, guns stolen, all those things have happened. Now, I will say, Cameron was here this evening, um which is across the street from us. The past couple of weeks, there's been a lot of police activity. Um, corner of Reed and Governors, a lot going on there. Things have things have slowed down a little bit. Um

Roy Sudler, Jr.

The United Church was out there the day of the St. Patty's Day parade? Um, I'm not sure if it was them or if people from The People's Church, but there was individuals out walking the street picking up trash, which we have a lot of trash in the street. Bradford Street's full of Reed Street's full of trash. Um, and they were taking pictures, you know, in front of the firehouse picking up trash, um, which is great. So that's helped clean up the neighborhood a little bit, but there's a lot of work needs to be done. And, uh, that whole Bradford Street, Reed Street, Governors Avenue is a mess. I I It's it's quite obvious you can see it. But there has been a lot of police activity at that corner and I think that's kind of helped deter some of it. Okay, also, uh, thank you for your due diligence and, um, uh, the men and women in the fire department that I'm not only on the wall, I think I'm speaking for everybody else if they don't mind, appreciate everything that they do and their service. And that's all I have. Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Councilman Anderson.

David L. Anderson

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Chief, for the presentation.

Fire Chief

Absolutely.

David L. Anderson

Want to thank, uh, the the men and women of the fire department for the great work they do all year along. Yep. I had a question regarding the the slide you had up, and that is the false alarms. The false alarm uh hour is number was almost equal to fire number, which is a little bit disturbing. But But maybe I I don't know what a false alarm is. Is that just something that somebody had a suspicion of and didn't pan out, included in that, or or are those, um um, or are those, um, false calls, or, I mean what what what do you consider a false alarm, and, and where where do those come from? Are they Are they prim- primarily different sources or are they, um, just spread out generally?

Fire Chief

So there's a couple different ways. And And I'll use a pull station activation for example, like the pull station on your wall here in the chambers. So, we go to a lot of pull station activations where someone has went and pulled the fire alarm, whether they did it on purpose or if it was accidental. We We don't know that unless someone tells us that we they saw someone pull the alarm, so it's classified as a false alarm. Um, if we go somewhere and the smoke detector is activated in the building, but there's no cause, it could be classified as a false alarm or an a alarm malfunction. Um, so this is this information's pulled from our computer-aided dispatch system, um, and it's they classify them as false alarms in there. So we do go to several of those a year, as you can tell. Um, the City Fire Marshal's Office works very hard on helping curtail that by going out and fining the occupants of the buildings to get their fire alarms fixed, um, and through their inspections that they do. So between the fire department and City Fire Marshal's Office, we work hand-in-hand on that. Whenever we go to a fire alarm activation, the fire dispatcher fills out a fire alarm activation report that gets immediately sent to the fire marshal's...

Fire Department Representative

marshal's office. So every morning when they come in, they go they go through them, and then they disperse out, and I guess at that point they would handle handle them in their office.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Thank you. Are Are there any um are there any types of buildings that are more susceptible to false alarms, or...

Fire Department Representative

Well, we spend a lot of time at Del State. Um, I believe it's probably, if I remember correctly, like 135, 145 times last year that we were up there. I would have to, uh, go and confirm that number, though. It's well over a hundred, I can tell you that. Um, so we spend a lot of time there, mainly on the main campus, not downtown. Um, that's our that's our big one. That's our big one.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

So it so that's a, um, reasonable That's a lot of hours and the like. That's a reasonable justification as well for the, um the the fire grant moneys and the like because you don't get uh compensated for that if that

Fire Department Representative

Yeah. And and you know, we're running an engine, a ladder up there, and a duty officer, and sometimes two engines. Um, a lot of it is, uh, things that people shouldn't be doing in the rooms. Um, we'll leave it at that. And, uh, it activates the fire alarm, and then we show up. Now, we have worked with the fire marshal's office on, uh, changing their, uh, smoke detectors out to being a dual-action system, which means two detectors have to go off before we would make a response and before the alarm would even activate the building. So, um, that has helped us as well. That's helped to reduce some of that.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Uh-huh. Yeah, thank you. And, uh, we're also grateful for, uh, particularly the state grant, as well. So thank you very much.

Fred A. Neil

Any additional questions? Seeing no additional questions, um Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you for recognizing me, Council President, uh, Neil.

Fred A. Neil

Now I can see you!

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you. Okay. In regards to, um Let me take the hand down since you did. Chief, thank you for your presentation. Uh, in regards to, um, Delaware State University, have you also spoke with them in regards to possibly having individual smoke detectors, one with a battery? Uh, I think that would help to reduce, like somewhat like we have in apartments where where you have like an individual for the room, and then you also have one for, you know, the building itself. I think that will help to, uh, decrease the amount of times you could that you're actually coming out there because they do have, um, residence advisers, student advisers, and they also have dorm managers. I's been a dorm manager there myself. So, I was thinking that, you know, if you would encourage them to have individual smoke detectors, the dorm managers that work there at night, they will hear the smoke detector go off, and then they can walk, uh, and and, you know, see what's going on, and then that would keep you from having to make so many calls. Um, but I do appreciate you and your whole team and all you do for the city of Dover, but I do think that that would help out tremendously. Somewhat like what we have at, you know, our apartments at Mansion Grove, where it we have a individual, uh, mechanism, uh, to them and and

Roy Sudler, Jr.

the apartment, and then we also have our general area out in the hallway, which sets off our main alarm. So I think a system like that would help tremendously. But I'm also- not worried, but also interested in knowing what, separate from Delaware State University, what are your next two, the other two big contributors to false alarms other than Delaware State University, if- if you don't mind sharing that with me.

David Carey

Honestly, I would have to go and look. Um, I would have to pull those numbers and- and be able to- I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. Because I- I noticed that throughout the years, Delaware State University has been- has been brought to our attention quite often. Um, so I- I was just sort of interested, is there any other agency that happen to have a high call volume for false alarm? And- and my last question is, um, what do you attribute your high retention rate to? What are you doing that's- that's really working out for you that's allowing or sort of contributing to your fire- employees for the fire department to to want to stay and- and have such a high retention rate? Can you share that with us quickly- quickly elaborate on that for us, please?

David Carey

So, I'm going to- I'm going to give you a two-part question. So, in- in regards to the fire alarm system, all that's handled by the fire marshal's office. I don't know what the code says and how that's supposed to be handled for a dormitory. That would- that would be something that we would need to talk to Fire Marshal Jason Osika about.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay.

David Carey

Um, but I do know like in the newer dormitories, I'm not sure if they moved into the older ones or not, but the newer ones, it's a dual-action system where if the room detector goes off, it takes another one to go off before the fire alarm in the whole building goes off. Um,

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Good.

David Carey

He- he would be able to explain that better than I can, because he's into that code every day. Um, but he could- he could give us an answer on- on your question on that. Um, and as far as retention, um, so it has its ups and downs. 2025, it- by numbers, it looked really well. Um, you know, and- and I've said this before, you know, it's- it's all what you put into it. You know, if- if you're eager, you want to be there, you want to put the time in, um, you want to learn, great things happen. Um,

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right.

David Carey

and- and then you have individuals that that that get there, and it's just not for them. Um, you know, some of the things that we have worked on and we need to continue work on- working on is making people feel welcome. So, you know, the firehouse is just like any other place of employment, when you walk in your first day, everybody's like, 'Oh, who's that?' You know? Um, instead of going up and shaking a hand, say, 'Hey, how are you? My name's David Carey.' There- there- some people are just stand-offish, which makes people not feel maybe as wanted as they should be. But that's- that's in every profession, right? Um,

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right.

David Carey

So I think we're- we have a very good group of new people or younger members, um, that want to do things differently than they've been done in the past and want to move the place forward. Um, and some of that I think is them reaching out to these new members as they come in and helping train them and and, uh, getting them out on the street and and and doing the job that we do.

David Carey

Um, but like I said, we have ups and downs with that, you know, uh it could be good this month, and not so good next month. It could vary week to week. But uh, I think that's what a lot of it has to do with, is uh the the there's a transition right now of um the younger guys feeling a certain way and wanting to do certain things, and and they're making loose moves to hopefully keep people there and and bring more in as as we move forward.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Well, thank you. I commend you for how high um boosting and and uh morale in in your um division. Thank you very much for all you do. I yield, Council President. That concludes my questions. I yield.

Off Fred A Neil

Thank you, Dr. Sudler. Any other questions? Hearing none, we will go to uh City Manager announcements and is this it?

City Clerk

Okay. We need a motion to approve the report.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you. And now we accept a motion to receive the report.

David L. Anderson

Mr. President.

Fred A. Neil

Yes, Councilman Anderson.

David L. Anderson

Thank you. I move to accept the uh Dover Fire Department report.

Julia M. Pillsbury

Pillsbury seconds.

Fred A. Neil

We have a motion and a second. Do we have any further discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Council Members

Aye.

Off Fred A Neil

Any opposed? Passed unanimously. Thank you, uh Chief Da- uh Chief David, uh Carey. Now we go to City Manager's Report. Now we'll go to Acting City Manager Sharon Duca.

Sharon Duca

Good evening. Thank you for recognizing me, Council President. Um, I have a couple of announcements. First is a reminder that spring cleanup is scheduled for April 6th to April 17th. If you have any questions regarding this service or your trash and recycling services in general, please contact the Department of Public Works at 302-736-7025. Also we have our water distribution system flushing is scheduled for April 12th to May 1st. Any questions can be directed to the Department of Water & Wastewater also at 302-736-7025. Uh two project announcements: the railing release railing replacement along Silver Lake Boulevard, which was previously scheduled to start today, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 25th due to the weather. And the Persimmon Park Place drainage project has experienced delays due to weather throughout the winter and is approx- approximately 60% complete. That's all I have.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you. Any council announcements? Yes, uh Councilman Boggerty.

Andre M. Boggerty

Thank you. Um, there's a couple things. The prowl Easter egg hunt is this uh Saturday at May Park. Um, also I wish I hope this gets out, um, and um hope this gets out, but there's a there's a the Delaware Laborers Local 199 is hosting a workforce recruitment open house. It's March 30th at 9:00 a.m. to 11:30. The church that will be hosting it is The Well Church at 1406 uh Forrest Avenue.

Andre M. Boggerty

Suite D, Dover, Delaware. Um, if you're not familiar, it's kind of like behind the Dairy Queen. Um, they're going to be hiring and looking for apprentice in the fields of concrete, masonry, scaffold scaffold building, and uh excavation and grading. Um, I- before I hosted, before my church agreed to host it, before The Well Church agreed to host this event, I wanted to make sure that this was an opportunity for individuals who are second- on a second chance, and it is. So if you're on a second chance and, you know, and you're looking for employment and opportunity, one of the ways to change the narrative about your life is economic development and jobs. So um, this is an opportunity. If permitted, I'll pass this along to the city clerk's office to post. Um, again, and out of pure transparency, uh, the church is volunteering its space. There's no income being made. I did not charge. Typically what we would charge, everything was waived. Uh, so I don't want anybody to think that I have done anything um other than want to help give back to the community by helping people become employed. I yield.

Fred A. Neil

Any other announcements? Yes, Councilman Lewis.

Brian E. Lewis

Two things. Uh, this Wednesday, March 25th, there will be a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at Bally's Casino, uh, at the uh, uh, the Kooler Lounge, and on Saturday the 28th, there is a Easter egg extravaganza at the Murphy School from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. That's going to be sponsored by Tracy Palmer Ministries. That's all I have.

Fred A. Neil

Is that the police site chief? Councilwoman Hall.

Donyale M. Hall

Thank you for recognizing me, Council President. Um, on the 26th, uh, Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day at DSU, um, is taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Just wanted to put that in there. Also, we will be recognizing our Vietnam, uh, veteran, um, memorial, here in Dover at the- at the park. Um, so I just want to invite people to come out to those things. Thank you. I yield.

Fred A. Neil

Any other announcements?

Andre M. Boggerty

Uh, last point, uh, Council President. There- there's a- just so there's no confusion, there's a- there's that Easter egg hunt, which is always great. Um, donate to that, but there's also a second Easter egg hunt as well. Um, on what time is- details on the website. The PAL, PAL is hosting one at May Park. So you have an opportunity to fill your kids' sugar levels at both- both times and at both places. Uh, yeah, thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Yeah, Councilman Anderson.

David L. Anderson

Just to uh interject, there's there's multiple, I believe, Easter egg events, so. But I'll I'll be at the Tracy Palmer one. I was invited and sponsoring, but thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Councilman Anderson.

David L. Anderson

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to, uh, thank the people who have been, uh, been expressing views on both sides, uh, regarding the, uh, some of the issues that we have...

David L. Anderson

of uh downtown. A lot of uh as we all know there has been a lot of good things happening, but there's also some real challenges. Uh and obviously, uh people have a right to be to feel safe in their own property, and people have a uh and it's a good thing to get people uh off the streets and to get the the help they need. Uh I just want to uh be committed to finding a solution that works for all sides so that we can have a stronger community where people are helped and people are aided, and where also people uh can live a high quality of life in our city. And I want to call upon uh the various community organizations to uh wh- when the winter comes to restore the original uh vision that had happened with uh Code Purple, cuz one neighborhood should not bear the burden alone. You have fewer problems when things are rotated to different places, uh and and I really hope that uh people will start considering that uh now for the the winter season. Thank you. I yield, Mr. President.

Fred A. Neil

I see you, Dr. Sudler. Do you have some comment?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

No, thank you, Councilman Council President

Fred A. Neil

Thank you.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Neil for recognizing me. Uh I just wanted to, you know, echo whatever else is saying, a happy uh Easter, and we all need to continue to work together to resolve some of the social plagues uh that you know affect and impact our community uh collectively. And I uh concur with Councilman Anderson that not one agency should take the bulk of the burden, that it all should be shared, and I think that working together we will eventually come up with a mutual solution that will benefit us all. I yield, and thank you for recognizing me.

Fred A. Neil

And with that, I wish everybody a happy Passover or a happy Easter, and we will see you back after those holidays. Thank you very much, this meeting is adjourned.