PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT

The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on June 12, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Lewis (arrived at 12:08 p.m.), and Mr. McGlumphy. Mrs. Horsey was absent.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mrs. Russell requested that new Item # 2, Introduction - New Library Director, be added to the agenda.

Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, as amended, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.

Report Examining the Cost Differential Between a Geothermal System and a Traditional Air-conditioning System - John W. Pitts Recreation Center

During their meeting of November 28, 2006, members reviewed bids with and without air-conditioning for the construction of the John W. Pitts Recreation Center. They then recommended that staff present a report examining the cost differential between a geothermal system and a traditional air-conditioning system.

Mr. Zachery Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed the cost differential between a geothermal system and a traditional air-conditioning system for only the gymnasium area of the John W. Pitts Recreation Center. Responding to Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Carter stated that the cost to install a geothermal system for the entire building would be approximately $760,000. Mr. Tony DePrima, City Manager, stated that he would provide Mrs. Russell with the payback savings information regarding utilizing a geothermal system for the entire building. He also noted that this project should qualify for funding from the State of Delaware Green Energy Program and approximately $100,000 had been reserved. Mr. Ruane suggested that Mr. DePrima and Mr. Carter explore the funding or cost sharing possibility available with the State of Delaware and provide a report back to members for review. Mrs. Russell noted that, during their meeting of June 29, 2007, Mr. DePrima stated that, to his knowledge, there are no state moneys that can be used by the City of Dover for this purpose. Mr. Ruane also suggested that a report be provided regarding the one hundred wells supporting a potential addition to the John W. Pitts Recreation Center.

Responding to Mrs. Russell, Mr. Carter indicated that the boxed statement by Alderson Engineering, Inc. on the geothermal project cost estimate sheet is standard on all projects of this size.

Mr. Ruane moved to accept the report examining the cost differential between a geothermal system and a traditional air-conditioning system for the John W. Pitts Recreation Center with the understanding that the concerns expressed by members will be addressed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Introduction - New Library Director 

Mr. DePrima introduced Mr. Richard Thau, new Director of the Dover Public Library.

Mr. Thau stated that he has been in the library field for approximately 25 years. He indicated that he has experience as a corporate, academic, and public librarian, most recently as the Library Director of the Pennsauken New Jersey Library. Mr. Thau noted that he also was an owner/operator of a commercial radio station. Mr. Thau is looking forward to bringing the City of Dover Library into the next phase of evolution and supports the concept of the library being a community/social center for all demographic groups.

Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Thau indicated that he and the public library community are supportive of an alternative revenue enhancement, such as a $45.00 per household fee for a library card, as has been charged for those outside the municipality. He indicated that the fee is based on the size of the community, library, and the services that are offered.

Update - Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update

Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, stated that the next Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team meeting will be held June 27, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Caucus Room.

Mr. DePrima noted that an application to remove the riprap from the Puncheon Run stream bed had been submitted to DNREC. Once the required 30-day public notice indicating the work to be done is complete, the application will receive final approval. The notice, which begins this week, will be done by DNREC. He stated that the work, which will be done by City staff, should start by August or September of this year.

Update - John W. Pitts Recreation Center

Mr. Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, advised members that a progress meeting was held earlier this morning and that the John W. Pitts Recreation Center Project is on schedule. The foundation should be completed, weather permitting, by the end of the week and the steel for the building has been ordered, with delivery in July. He stated that the last installment of the $100,000 contribution made by Dover Downs had been received.

Mr. McGlumphy suggested that an update on the funding for the John W. Pitts Recreation Center be provided during their next meeting.

Update - Planning and Funding for New Library

Mr. Carter advised members that Staff is providing information to the Kent County Administration regarding the reciprocal borrowing agreement. Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Carter indicated that Delaware Code has been research with regards to the possibility of the Library charging a fee to those located outside the municipality.

Mr. Carter stated that the vacancy notice for recruiting a project coordinator for the planning and funding efforts for a new library has been placed in the local newspaper and on the Website, with the vacancy being advertised to remain open until the position is filled.

Mr. DePrima reminded members that during the regular City Council meeting of February 12, 2007, Council approved staff’s recommendations to develop a new Library Committee to assist in the development of a comprehensive building program, the solicitation and hiring of a project coordinator, and authorizing the allocation of funding in the amount of $180,000.

Update - CDBG Program

Members reviewed the status report provided on the FY 2005 and FY 2006 Program Funds Spent for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which included no changes since the June 29, 2007 meeting. Mrs. Townshend indicated that the original CDBG allocation, in the amount of $298,798, not including the program income, had been approved by the Federal Government.

Mrs. Russell requested that a training session on the guidelines for the CDBG program be given to members.

Discussion - Revisions to Animal Control Ordinance

During their meeting of May 29, 2007, members further reviewed Chapter 18 - Animals, of the Dover Code and recommended that a Draft Version #4 be presented for review by the committee (Attachment #1).

Mr. Ruane stated that there should be future discussion regarding the City of Dover receiving funds from the State of Delaware to be used for animal control enforcement within the city limits.

Sgt. Daniel McKeown, Dover Police Department, provided members with a copy of Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws (Attachment #2). He indicated that the City of Wilmington spends approximately $300,000 to hire the SPCA on a yearly basis to handle the animal control issues within the city limits and that the Humane Society is only utilized for the storing of animals. Sgt. McKeown stated that the Department of Health does not keep a computer database of the animals that have received a rabies vaccination and advised members that approximately 16,000 registrations were sold last year. Mr. Thomas Postell, Division of Public Health Rabies Division stated that, beginning September 1, 2007, registration information is forwarded to the Department of Agriculture - Spay and Neuter Program to be entered into an accessible database program on a monthly basis. This program is funded by a $3.00 surcharge per rabies vaccination required by Law. Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Postell noted that dog licenses are available online through DNREC and are quite frequently issued to commercial enterprises such as the SPCA, Concord Pet Centers, Wal-Mart, and Pet Smart Stores. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required in order to obtain a dog license. He stated that the City of Wilmington requires all dogs to be issued with a City of Wilmington license, not a State license, and all breeds that are identified as one of the dangerous breeds are required to be registered separately as such. Mr. Ruane expressed a concern regarding what City of Dover Department would handle the issuing of dog licenses for the City of Dover.

Officer Mark Moore, Animal Control Officer, stated that Mary Moore of the Kent County SPCA is interested in handling and receiving the revenue for the licensing of dogs for the City. Mr. Ruane suggested that he, Mrs. Russell, and Sgt. McKeown meet with the Kent County SPCA to discuss the licensing of dogs and possible split of revenue from the licensing of dogs and an update will be provided during the next committee meeting.

Members reviewed the City Solicitor’s opinion regarding an amendment to the City of Dover Code, Chapter 18 - Animals, Section 18-9 - Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally, prohibiting convicted felons or citizens charged with a misdemeanor involving drugs from owning a dangerous dog, as listed on the dangerous breed list.

Responding to Mr. McGlumphy, Sgt. McKeown stated that Officer Moore has the tools to enforce that provision of the Code. He also suggested that the term “misdemeanor” be stricken from Section 18-9 Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally.

Mr. McGlumphy indicated that it is easy to plea bargain to reduce a charge from a felony to a misdemeanor in the court system. Sgt. McKeown suggested that the term “drug” be stricken from Section 18-9 Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally.

Sgt. McKeown suggested that the wording “person convicted of a felony crime of violence and/or a felony drug conviction” be used in Section 18-9 Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally.

Mr. Ruane moved to accept Section 18-9, Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally, as recommended by the City Solicitor, as amended to include the term “by person convicted of felony crime of violence and/or a felony drug conviction”, for inclusion in the draft version of Chapter 18 - Animals (Attachment #3). The motion was seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 1:19 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Sophia R. Russell

                                                                                    Chairwoman

SRR/jcr

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20076-12-2007 PR&CE.wpd

Attachment to Original Minutes and File Copy:

Attachment #1 - Draft Version #4 of Chapter 18 - Animals

Attachment #2 - Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws

Attachment #3 - Revised Section 18-9 Vicious Dogs and Animals - Generally