SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL,

LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE,

PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE,

SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND

UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING

Members of City Council, the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee, the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee, and the Utility Committee met on April 12, 2007 at 5:30 p.m., with Vice President Salters (also Chairman of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee) presiding in the absence of Council President Williams. Council members present were Mr. Carey (also Chairman of the Utility Committee and a member of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee), Mrs. Russell and Mr. McGlumphy (also members of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee), Mr. Slavin (also a member of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration and Utility Committees), Mr. McGiffin (also a member of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee), Mr. Hogan (Chairman of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee and member of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee), and Mr. Ruane (Chairman of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee and member of the Utility Committee). Civilian committee members present were Mr. Cregar, Mr. Lakeman (departed at 6:15 p.m.), Mr. Shevock, and Mr. Snaman. Council staff members present were Mr. DePrima and Mrs. McDowell.

The invocation was given by Vice President Salters.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mrs. Russell moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.

DELAWARE CIVIC CENTER MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA PRESENTATION BY CAROLYN COURTNEY, DELAWARE CIVIC CENTER ADMINISTRATOR

Ms. Carolyn Courtney, Delaware Civic Center Administrator, and Mr. D. Wayne Holden, Vice President of the Delaware Civic Center Corporation, presented a promotional video of the proposed Delaware Civic Center Multi-Purpose Arena. They noted that the arena would be approximately 200,000 gross square feet with concert seating for 9,100, and ice hockey seating for 7,400. Suites, premium seating, and general seating would also be available. Potential uses include ECHL East Coast Hockey League, ice shows, concerts, entertainers, trade shows, fire conventions, technology events, and boat, marine, and auto expo's, Delaware State University Basketball (Men’s and Women’s), athletic tournaments, conference events, wrestling, convocations and graduations for Delaware schools (grades K-12 and Delaware Colleges). The building is expected to have no less 145 events annually.

Mr. Holden advised members that the project cost is approximately $60M. He noted that the State Legislature has passed a Resolution authorizing Kent County to issue $20M in bonds. Mr. Holden also noted that Kent County has contributed $5M, the State will contribute between $7 and $9M next year, and Delaware State University is contemplating a small equity contribution to the project. He advised members that they are exploring additional options for gap closure – such as Local and County level governmental cash funding, private investors, grants, and options as determined by Corporation members and consultants.

Mr. DePrima, City Manager and member of the Delaware Civic Center Corporation, explained that the City of Dover could contribute by creating a special taxing district to benefit that district, similar to the Business Improvement District (BID) tax area downtown. He noted that a 10% tax could produce $3.53M annually and a 15% tax would produce approximately $5M annually. The Corporation could then borrow economic development funds. Mr. DePrima noted that this idea is only being considered and has not been discussed with the business owners along Route 13. Members reviewed a cash flow worksheet for the project (Exhibit #1). He advised members that the project would be considered by the State Bond Bill Committee on May 2, 2007 and the Delaware Civic Center Corporation would like to have the City’s support for the project.

Mr. Carey moved to request the City Clerk to prepare a Resolution for the Delaware Civic Center, similar to the one adopted by Kent County, for consideration by City Council at their next meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hogan.

Responding to Mr. Slavin, Mr. Carey stated that the Kent County Resolution does not address funding; only support for the project.

Mr. Slavin moved to amend the motion to refer the proposed Resolution to the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee for consideration at their next meeting, seconded by Mr. Ruane and carried with Mr. Hogan voting no.

The motion to request the City Clerk to prepare a Resolution for the Delaware Civic Center, similar to the one adopted by Kent County, for consideration by the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee at their next meeting was unanimously carried.

Mr. Slavin moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:34 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Reuben Salters

Council Vice President

RS/tm

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCouncil-Minutes20074-12-2007 Joint Council-Committees.wpd

Exhibits Attached to Original Minutes and File Copy

Exhibit #1 - Cash Flow Worksheet