City of Dover
Delaware
Delaware
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on March 8, 1999, at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Weller and Mayor Hutchison. Mr. Salters was absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Truitt requested the addition of item #2, Proposed Base Wage Adjustment - Civilian Pension, to the Legislative and Finance Committee agenda.
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Councilman Leary presiding in the absence of Councilman Salters. Members present were Councilwoman Malone, Mr. Gorman and Mr. Merritt. Councilman Carey was deputized to serve as a member.
Purchase of 12” Disc Style Brush Chipper
An amount of $25,500 was budgeted this year in the Electric Fund for the purchase of a new “Chipper”, to replace a 1978 Asplundh Chipper, for the Electric Tree Trimming Division. Bids were solicited and received for a 12” Disc Style Brush Chipper, as follows:
Company Chipper Trade-In Net Price
Chesapeake Supply & Equipment $26,615 $5,892 $20,723
Vermeer Sales & Service, Inc. $24,863 $3,873 $20,990
Staff recommended awarding the bid to Chesapeake Supply & Equipment for $20,723 with the trade-in of the 1978 Asplundh Chipper.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Proposed Base Wage Adjustment - Civilian Pension
The Civilian Pension Board periodically reviews the level of retiree pension amounts paid by the City. During the Civilian Pension Board meeting on February 24, 1999, members considered the possibility of giving retirees a cost of living adjustment. Members reviewed the level of retiree pension amounts, the length of time since the last increase was provided for retirees, and such factors as the rate of inflation and retirement formula in use at the time of retirement.
Mr. O’Connor reminded members that the last increase provided to retirees was effective January 1, 1996. Due to the limited funds for such an increase at that time, this base wage adjustment was provided only to those that retired on or before June 30, 1991, retired with unreduced benefits or because of disability or job elimination, and were receiving $750 or less per month. Prior to that, effective July 1, 1993, retirees were provided a single, lump sum distribution, which did not raise base wages. The most recent increase that provided all retiree’s an increase (2%) in their base wage was made effective July 1, 1989.
Effective January 1, 1995, the formula for calculating an individual’s retirement income was increased from 1/60th to 1/50th of the average monthly income multiplied by years of continuous service (Section 2-185 of the Dover Code). The increase in the retirement formula was made more affordable as employees increased their contribution to 3½% of their salary. This change in formula produced an increase in the average retirement income for those individuals that retired after January 1, 1995. There are 89 retirees whose retirement income is based on the 1/60th formula and 34 retirees whose retirement income is based on the 1/50th formula.
The Civilian Pension Board recommended that a base wage adjustment be provided to retirees effective April 1, 1999, as follows:
A)For the retiree or survivor who retired prior to January 1, 1995 on the 1/60th formula, to increase their current retirement salary by 2% each.
B)For the retiree or survivor who retired on or after January 1, 1995 on the 1/50th formula, to increase their current retirement salary by 1% each.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of the base wage adjustment for retirees as recommended by the Civilian Pension Board. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried. 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.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:42 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Carey and Weller and Mr. Farling and Mr. Kramedas.
Proposed Amendments to the Electric Service Handbook - Division III, Section 3-26, Meter Testing and Adjustments
The City of Dover “Electric Service Handbook” requires the Electric Metering Department to test meters based on the following schedules:
➢ Single Phase Meters every eight (8) years;
➢ Three Phase Meters every three (3) years; and
➢ Primary and Transmission accounts every year.
Due to the improvements in the accuracy of electronic metering, staff recommended that the above meter testing schedule be revised to read as follows:
3-26. Meter Testing and Adjustments
a) Testing, Required.
The City of Dover is required to test meters based on the following schedule:
➢ Single Phase and Network Meters every eight (8) years.
➢ Three Phase Self-contained Meters every five (5) years.
➢ Single Phase and Three Phase Current Transformer rated meters every three (3) years.
➢ Primary and Transmission Meters every year.
Mr. O’Connor assured members that it is technically adequate to increase the testing cycle from three (3) to five (5) years for three phase, self-contained meters. The additional man hours that will become available will be used for new meter installations and for other metering functions, which are increasing due to continuous growth. Adding the single phase and three phase current transformer rated meters to this section will place all meters on a testing procedure schedule.
Mr. Weller moved to recommend approval of the amendments to the Electric Service Handbook, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Farling and unanimously carried.
Mr. Weller moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss legal matters, pursuant to 29 Del. C. §10004(b)(2). The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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