SPECIAL

PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT

A Special Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on May 27, 2008, at 12:00 noon with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. Lewis.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Boys and Girls Club - Status of Proposed Schutte Park Facility Location

During the committee meeting of December 11, 2007, members recommended approval of the Wyoming Mill Road location for the magnet site for the Boys & Girls club, as presented, and requested that specific information be provided regarding the loss of space, what that loss would mean for the City of Dover and its commitment to outdoor recreation, specifically to the soccer and field hockey associations, and a plan of action to remedy the loss. Noting that these facilities are to serve regional population and not just the citizens of Dover, the committee felt a need to involve Kent County and suggested dialogue between the Boys & Girls Club, Kent County, and the City to work out the ideas for a dedication of space for outdoor recreation to supplement the loss of outdoor recreation space for the City.

In considering the committee’s recommendation during their Regular Meeting of January 14, 2008, members of City Council were advised that the committee was not provided the schematic of the proposal submitted by the Boys & Girls Club when they forwarded their recommendation for approval of the Wyoming Mill Road location. It was noted that the recommendation referred to their desire that the proposal would not cause the loss of space; therefore, it was suggested that members agree to offer space at Schutte Park to allow for the magnet club for the Boys & Girls Club without identifying the specific location, that there be a stipulation that the fields currently assigned to CDSA remain, and that every effort be made for the final proposal to depict the use of the 14 acres of land west of Schutte Park that is proposed to be dedicated to the City by Stover Builders. As a result, City Council approved Schutte Park to be used as the location for the magnet site for the Boys & Girls Club, without being specific to its location at Schutte Park, and the stipulation that its use will not cause any current loss in field space for the CDSA.

Mr. Tingle, Executive Director of the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club, advised members that upon Council’s approval, the Task Force met with the Corporate Board Management Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. The Task Force has been granted approval to move forward with schematic floor plans and development of projected costs. Once this phase is completed, the Task Force will present the information to the Corporate Board Management Committee for approval to move forward with the capital campaign and begin the process.

Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Tingle stated that he anticipates that it will be approximately three (3) years following the final approval by the City for the completion of the facility.

In response to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Tingle indicated that the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware will conduct the capital campaign, to include obtaining funding from foundations and others, pledging to raise 70%-80% of the funds necessary for the project.

Mrs. Russell requested that security and lighting issues be seriously considered in the planning process to ensure safety.

Mr. DePrima noted that the exact location of the facility remains to be determined and suggested that staff of the Planning Department, as well as the Parks and Recreation Director, meet with the Task Force to make this final determination.

Mrs. Russell requested that members be provided a detailed update on this project every three (3) months and suggested that members also be provided material regarding the activities of the Boys and Girls Club.

Cost Benefit Analysis - Animal Control Officer (ACO)

As directed during the committee meeting of February 12, 2008, Mr. DePrima, City Manager, submitted an Animal Control Cost Benefit Analysis, which he explained depicts approximately a $14,000 yearly savings by utilizing the SPCA for Animal Control and noted that there are other advantages. Mr. DePrima advised members that he would also recommend the elimination of the “Lock Jock” service provided by the City’s Police Department which he inadvertently omitted from the recommendations. He reviewed staff’s recommendations, items #1 through #5, and requested the addition of item #6 to be for the Police Department to consider the elimination of providing lock jock services.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation item #1, as follows: At a minimum the FY08/09 contract should be amended so that the SPCA is given ACO coverage responsibilities when the Dover ACO is off duty such as nights and weekends. This is a service that would be provided at no charge. It would free up Dover Police hours for other needs. It also would allow the Dover Police Department time to evaluate the strength of the program and its ability to work with the SPCA. The SPCA has also offered to work out some transport services that will relieve our ACO and Police the time and effort to travel to Camden. This should be explored. The approval is with the understanding that the cost savings inherent in that be utilized for the purpose of acquiring modern technology tranquilizer guns. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation item #2, as follows: The City of Dover is not in a position to pay for a seven day a week, 12 hour per day contract as proposed. The City should ask for a price and scope of work on a five day a week, eight hour day extra service contract. This should be requested in March in 2009 and priced for FY09/10. It would allow the Dover Police Department to evaluate the strength of the SPCA program and their ability to work closer with the SPCA. This will allow the City Council to re-evaluate the SPCA contract proposal with better information. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.

Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima concurred that recommendation item #3, “If Dover pursues an extra services contract and eliminates the Dover ACO position it should seek to have the current Dover ACO absorbed in the SPCA staff” would be further considered in conjunction with recommendation item #2.

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation item #4, as follows: Change the Animal Control Ordinance so that the hold period for dogs is aligned with the state standard. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried. (City Clerk’s Office Note: Upon further review of the State Code, it has been determined that the City Code is in alignment with the State Code with respect to the holding period for dogs; therefore an amendment will not be necessary.)

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend that staff’s recommendation item #5 (The police procedure regarding use of a tranquilizer gun should be reexamined), be reworded as follows: That the ACO be authorized to use tranquilizer and/or Taser© guns and be provided any necessary training. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend that staff’s recommendation item #6 (The police department consider the elimination of providing lock jock services) be reworded as follows: That the ACO not be responsible for lock jock services. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.

2008 Comprehensive Plan Review

During their meeting of May 13, 2008, members began their review of the update on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.

Mrs. Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, provided members with additional Chapters to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, as follows: Chapter 4 - Citizen Participation; and Chapter 8 - Community Service and Facilities Plan, as well as the schedule for the public workshops to be held in June 2008. She also distributed Chapter 10 - Economic Development, for members review.

At the request of Mr. Ruane and there being no objections, members deferred consideration of Chapter 10 - Economic Development.

Regarding the policy of discouraging development of land east of Route 1 as listed under the Land Use and Development, Mr. Ruane felt that the paragraph indicates that the respondents would encourage the development as long as the adequate infrastructure was in place. Mrs. Townshend assured members that staff would review the question asked for further clarification. In response to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Townshend concurred that the 2^nd paragraph should be split to create two (2) paragraphs by separating the issue regarding the development east of Route 1 from the criteria for new development. In reviewing the questionnaire provided to participants, Mr. Ruane urged staff to utilize the same wording in the paragraphs to explain the responses.

Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:08 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sophia R. Russell

Chairwoman

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