COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on September 11, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller and Mayor Hutchison.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

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

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilmen Carey and Gorman, Mr. Merritt, and Mrs. Street.

Request for Tax Abatement - Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

During the Regular Council Meeting of July 10, 2000, members considered a legal opinion regarding the request of Lowe’s Companies for tax abatement. In accordance with an opinion submitted by City Solicitor Rodriguez, Section 19.5-34(b) of the Dover Code clearly refers to a certificate of occupancy as opposed to a temporary certificate of occupancy and since Lowe’s was only issued a temporary certificate of occupancy, their application for tax abatement was timely. As a result, Council authorized the City Assessor to submit a letter to Lowe’s Companies advising them of the legal opinion and providing a 30-day notice, indicating that they must reapply for tax abatement prior to August 12, 2000 in order to qualify.

City Assessor Cooper submitted a request, dated July 27, 2000, from Lowe’s Companies for a phased in 10 year tax abatement on their new store located on North DuPont Highway. He indicated that the request meets the spending and hiring requirements of Article IV of the Dover Code.

Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of the request from Lowe’s Companies for tax abatement, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.

One Year Review - E-Mail Policy

In August 1999, City Council adopted the E-Mail Policy with the stipulation that the policy be reviewed after one year. Based on the successful usage and growth of the e-mail system under this policy, staff recommended that the E-Mail Policy continue to remain in effect in its current form.

Mr. Salters moved to recommend re-affirmation of the E-Mail Policy as recommended by staff, seconded by Mr. Gorman.

For informational purposes, Mr. O’Connor advised members that progress is being made with the City’s Website. He stated that individuals can complete a job application and apply for a position with the City through the Website. A listing of job vacancies, along with their descriptions and requirements, has been made available on the Website.

Responding to concerns of Mrs. Malone regarding updating the Website, Mr. O’Connor felt that the issue has been resolved; however, he assured members that staff will review the concerns and, if necessary, submit a recommendation for consideration.

On a call for the question by Mr. Carey, the motion recommending re-affirmation of the E-Mail Policy was unanimously carried.

Discussion - Council Compensation

Members considered a proposal submitted by Mr. Gorman for a compensation increase for members of City Council. He suggested the possibility of a sub-committee being formed to evaluate the job, compensation, etc., and that a recommendation be presented within 30 days of being appointed. Mr. Gorman offered the following option for consideration:

►Increase compensation to $600.00 per month, with an annual increase equal to the city employee’s pool for raises.

►The President of Council would keep the same percent difference he has currently.

►Any new member of Council, in succeeding years, would start at $600.00 per month.

Mr. Gorman reminded members that for the past few years, Council has been running for office unopposed. Citizens either feel that current members are doing a wonderful job or there is a lot of apathy in the community. In order to move forward, Mr. Gorman felt that the City needs to cultivate a larger interest by increasing the civic awareness of the many talented citizens in the community. A random survey indicated that individuals simply feel that the time and money are not worth the giving of their time civically to serve as a member of City Council. Mr. Gorman stated that he is proud of the work done by members of Council, and that it is time to provide a remuneration system to members that befits their contributions to this City.

Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of the compensation increase for members of City Council and Council President, as submitted, to become effective immediately. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gorman.

Mrs. Malone relayed concern regarding new members receiving a salary less than any other member of Council. It was her feeling that whether you are a new member or have been a member for several years, as a member of Council, each have the same responsibility and should be provided a salary accordingly.

Responding, Mr. Salters felt that longevity and seniority are relevant and noted that accrual is used by many organizations. He stated that on many occasions new members are not given the same privileges as those that have served for a longer period of time, such as colleges, sports, private businesses, etc.

Although he agrees in principle regarding the comments of longevity, Council President Christiansen concurred with those comments of Mrs. Malone. It was his feeling that as elected officials, there are no freshmen. When elected as a member of the United States Senate or House of Representative, State of Delaware Legislature, or Kent County Levy Court, the rate of remuneration is the same whether it is the member’s first term in office or a succeeding term. Council President Christiansen cautioned members on adopting a formula for remuneration that would deviate from the one that is commonly used by all levels of government.

After discussing this matter at length, the maker of the motion (and seconder) agreed to amend the motion by eliminating the following: “any new member of Council, in succeeding years, would start at $600.00 per month”.

On a call for the question by Mr. Salters, the motion recommending approval of an increase in Council compensation to $600.00 per month, with an annual increase equal to the city employee’s pool for raises, and the Council President to keep the same percent difference he has currently, to become effective immediately (Attachment #1), was carried with Mr. Carey voting no.

Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:40 P.M.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee met with Chairman Weller presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Truitt, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Nichols.

Covington Subdivision - Street Waiver Request

Subdivision Regulations, Appendix A of the City Code, Article VI, Section A, specify a street pavement width of 38' within a 60' right-of-way with no consideration given to whether or not on-street parking is controlled. A petition for a waiver from the 38' paved width, to permit a paved width of 32', was received for the Covington Subdivision located on the southwest corner of McKee and Denny’s Roads.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the street waiver request. In making this recommendation, they considered that reducing the pavement width of streets as proposed would provide several benefits including a reduction of impervious cover, less stormwater runoff, reduction in design speed and resultant travel speeds, increased pedestrian safety, and a reduction in construction costs. It was noted that the project is in the Silver Lake Watershed.

Mr. Truitt moved to recommend approval of the requested street waiver for Covington Subdivision, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nichols and unanimously carried.

Bid - Electric Stock Materials

The Electric Department uses many items for maintenance and extensions. Staff prepared a list of frequently used items, totaling 672, and solicited bids. The City has been purchasing electric stock material through a blanket bid process for several years. It has proven to be very cost effective as vendors will guarantee their bid price for materials during the entire year.

Upon evaluation, staff recommended awarding the bids as follows:

                           Dixie Electric                               -                $126,278.20

                           Indusco Supply                             -                      6,984.00

National Transformer- 8,650.00

                           Rigby Electric Supply                  -                    30,047.54

                           Tecot Electric                               -                    14,668.39

                           Tristate Electrical                         -                    30,513.92

                           United Electric                             -                      6,973.98

                           Vanyo Supply                               -                  396,289.80

                           Wesco                                           -                  808,546.50

Funding is available in the Electric Transmission/Distribution and Engineering Departments’ budgets. Material quantities are estimated on projected usage and only needed materials will be ordered and paid for accordingly. Mr. O’Connor stated that the bids are based on an estimated maximum amount of purchases to be made from that vendor based on historical purchases. It was noted that, due to time constraints, staff requested that this matter be considered during the Council Meeting later this evening for final approval.

Mr. Nichols moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation for the purchase of electric stock materials from vendors as indicated and that this matter be presented to Council this evening for action. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.

Mr. Truitt moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Nichols and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:57 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                                    Council President

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