SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

A Special Council Meeting was held on September 8, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. with Council President Williams presiding. Council members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Ruane. Mr. Pitts was absent.

Council staff members present were Police Chief Horvath, Mrs. Mitchell, Deputy Fire Chief Osika, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Green, and Mayor Speed.

The invocation was given by Mr. Hogan, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

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

DISCUSSION - RELIEF FOR HURRICANE AFFECTED STATES

Council President Williams stated that the Special Council Meeting had been called to allow Council, as well as the public, to be informed of the National, State, and Local efforts in providing hurricane Katrina relief. It was her hope to avoid another level of bureaucracy and, if necessary, assist in determining how the City can coordinate their efforts.

Council President advised members that the Governor is preparing a Declaration of Emergency which will enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to send evacuees to Delaware. She noted that the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is expecting 100 evacuees to arrive at Dover Air Force Base on September 16, 2005. Partnerships are already being formed with the American Red Cross, the Delaware National Guard, Delaware State and Individual Housing Authorities, and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to provide the platform for services.

Council President Williams advised members that any private citizen or organization wishing to make a donation or volunteer services or housing needs should e-mail Mr. Matt Heckles from the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) in Wilmington at KatrinaRelief@dsha.state.de.us. She noted that, as Executive Director of Aid in Dover, she has notified Mr. Heckles that 14 to 16 shelter and transitional living beds are available. Ms. Ami Sebastion-Hauer, Dover Housing Authority, has advised her that 20 beds would be made available in public housing or Section 8. Council President Williams also noted that the United States Department of Health and Social Services Administration for Children and Families is currently collecting data on orphans and displaced children. When the data is collected, those children will be placed throughout the nation.

Chief Horvath advised members that the Dover Police Department is unable to send any officer to Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama at this time due to the NASCAR races being held September 23^rd through the 25^th. He noted that all City officers and numerous officers from throughout Delaware are utilized to manage the 200,000 additional people in the City for race weekend.

Chief Horvath noted that Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is the conduit for all official requests for resources for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. They are currently requesting that States refrain from sending officers at this time; however, Delaware will compile a group of officers to respond sometime in October. Officers who volunteer will be put on a 14 day rotation with travel days at both ends of the rotation. Chief Horvath stated that he has officers interested in volunteering and he will offer assistance to other departments wishing to send officers to the hurricane affected states.

Mr. Steve Sax, Electric Director, stated that the City has a long-term transformer contract with a company in Lowell, Mississippi and he has released 200 transformers being held in stock for the City of Dover for use by the storm victims. He advised members that Delaware Electric Coop sent 30 men, approximately half of their crew, to Mississippi and he has offered to be a backup for them while their crews are gone. Mr. Sax stated that, due to the size of the Electric Department, they could not send a crew to help; however, he has asked DEMEC to coordinate with the City and other municipalities to organize crews to volunteer when it is appropriate. Mr. Sax noted that any expenses related to helping would be reimbursed by FEMA up to approximately 95%.

Deputy Fire Chief Osika advised members that, in coordination with DEMA and the National Association of Fire Chief’s, the Fire Department is coordinating any personnel, supplies, turn-out gear, hose, and fire fighting tools to send to volunteer fire departments in need of equipment. He noted that they will send crews of two (2) volunteers once DEMA determines where there is a need. Additionally, the Robbins Hose Company plans to hold a “fill the boot” campaign during the upcoming race weekend to raise funds for the National Volunteer Fire Council to help volunteer fire departments in need.

Mr. Salters advised members that Reverend Gloria Cherry will have 18-20 dormitory units available in December. He also called Mr. Joe Burden, a local landlord, who indicated he had four (4) or five (5) units available; however, he may expect to be paid. Mr. Salters stated that he would be happy to help with the coordination of efforts.

Mr. Salters suggested that Council members could donate one (1) months pay to the hurricane victims. Mr. Hogan stated that he would be willing to donate one (1) month’s salary. Mr. Slavin stated that he felt charity was a very personal thing and members should agree in principal that they will do what they can. He noted that these people would need help in finding jobs and would need friends and mentors. Mr. Slavin suggested reaching out and adopting one of the families in the community. Council President Williams also noted that grief counseling would probably be necessary for the children.

Mr. Ruane felt that the best way to help would be to assist any evacuees that relocate to Dover, either by providing mental health counseling, clothing, City services, etc. He suggested setting aside the vehicles slated for the City’s upcoming public auction and making them available to hurricane victims relocating to Dover.

Mr. Ruane moved to hold the vehicles slated for the auction and make them available to evacuees in the county. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ritter and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Pitts absent).

Mr. Hogan suggested that the contact information provided to members should be posted on the website for those interested in donating or volunteering. Mr. Slavin suggested making that information available to the Library and Police Department since they have longer operating hours and may get calls after regular City hours.

Mr. Ruane stated that he would like to have a briefing by the Emergency Management Coordinator scheduled in the near future. He indicated that he was deeply concerned that the City’s evacuation plan may not provide for citizens without transportation and he suggested that the City may want to coordinate with the Capital School District to use their buses in the case of an emergency evacuation. Mr. Hogan stated that he would schedule a presentation for the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee. Mr. DePrima advised members that the City would rely heavily on DEMA in catastrophic situations.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 6:43 P.M.

                                                                       JANICE C. GREEN

                                                                       CITY CLERK

All orders, ordinances, and resolutions adopted by City Council during their Special Meeting of September 8, 2005, are hereby approved.

                                                                       STEPHEN R. SPEED

                                                                       MAYOR

/JG

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