City of Dover
Delaware
Delaware
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on August 10, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mr. Salters and Mr. Weller. Mrs. Malone was absent.
Council staff members present were Major Hirt, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima, Deputy Chief Hutchison, Mrs. Green and Mr. Rodriguez.
The invocation was given by Reverend R.G. Moore, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Salters moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 27, 1998
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 27, 1998 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Weller, seconded by Mr. Salters and bore the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on July 27, 1998 with Councilman Leary presiding in the absence of Chairman Salters.
Refurbish Electric Tree Trimming Bucket Truck
The 1992 International Bucket Truck utilized by the Electric Tree Trimmers is scheduled for refurbishment. Refurbishment is done to extend the life of the truck and chassis which will delay the need to purchase a new bucket truck for approximately five (5) years. The truck was taken to Morse Manufacturing, Inc. in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the manufacturers of this truck, for a complete evaluation. An estimate for repairs and painting of the bucket truck, to include a 20,000 pound capacity front bumper assembly winch, was submitted in the amount of $26,403.30. A new bucket truck would cost approximately $110,000.
Funding for this refurbishment is available in the Electric Department’s budget. The amount budgeted for this item is $34,035, which includes rental of a replacement bucket truck as needed. Staff recommended awarding the refurbishment of the 1992 International Bucket Truck to Morse Manufacturing, Inc., in the amount of $26,403.30.
During the committee meeting, Mr. O’Connor explained that the total overhaul of the hydraulic system meets the National Electrical Code for safety standards and that the truck would be certified for work around power lines.
The committee recommended approval of staff’s recommendation.
Mr. Leary moved to award the refurbishment of the 1992 International Bucket Truck to Morse Manufacturing, Inc., in the amount of $26,403.30, as recommended by the committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mrs. Malone absent).
Mr. Leary moved for acceptance of the Legislative and Finance Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utility Committee met on July 27, 1998 with Chairman Lambert presiding.
Evaluation of Bids - Fiber Optic Pilot Wire Relay
The planning and design construction of the first phase of the City’s fiber optic communication line requires a fiber optic “backbone” (trunk line) to be installed. Installation will originate at the Electric Administration Building and go to North Street with tap loops provided at key locations, including a smaller line to the North Street Substation. This will allow the protective pilot wire relaying to be re-commissioned for both 69KV lines from McKee Run to the North Street Substation.
Staff solicited bids from six (6) vendors. Wesco was the only vendor to submit a bid, therefore, staff recommended that a purchase order be issued to Wesco in the amount of $49,240. Funding for this project was provided in the City’s 1997-98 Improvement and Extension Fund. The relays were budgeted as part of the fiber optic line budget ($180,000) and the funds are available in the beginning balance.
During the committee meeting, Mr. O’Connor stated the $180,000 figure was an estimate for connecting City Hall, Weyandt Hall, the Electric Administration building and the SCADA system. Eventually they would like to tie in the Parks and Recreation building.
The committee recommended that a purchase order be issued to Wesco in the amount of $49,240, as recommended by staff.
Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Pitts and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mrs. Malone absent).
Evaluation of Bids - Kent Acres Development Revamp (Phases I, II, III and IV)
In an effort to improve electric service, the entire electrical system for Kent Acres Development is being revamped. The upgrade of the City’s distribution circuit to our current construction standard will substantially increase service reliability. Currently, the existing wires, poles and equipment are in need of constant repair and maintenance, especially during severe storms. The proposed upgrade will utilize tree wire and related components to reduce outages. In addition, greater wire clearances will be established for operating safety. These utilities are in the rear of properties and not easily accessible for expedient repair.
This project will be performed by outside contractors using City materials. Bids were solicited from four (4) vendors with three (3) “labor only” bids received as follows:
Phase I Phase II Phase III Phase IV Total
Fry Electric $28,040 $22,800 $25,950 $14,700 $91,490
EMT Const.Corp. $46,500 $53,900 $49,000 $38,500 $187,900
Emory Line Const. $25,500 $24,400 $33,475 $17,500 $100,875
The cost of material is estimated at $40,500 and will be handled through the City Warehouse. Funding for this upgrade is available through the Improvement and Extension Fund.
Fry Electric was the low bidder on three (3) of the four (4) phases. For continuity of construction, staff recommended that a purchase order be issued to Fry Electric for all four (4) phases in the amount of $91,490.
Mr. O’Connor stated that the system will consist of overhead lines, as opposed to underground, to avoid additional costs to customers. He advised members that a heavier gauge “tree wire” will be used, which can sustain falling tree limbs.
During the committee meeting, Mr. Carey questioned whether Kent Acre residents were contacted regarding the installation of underground service. It was his feeling that underground lines would be a better long-range plan for the City. Responding, Mr. O’Connor stated that the City did not receive any requests for underground service nor did the City contact customers regarding this matter. He advised members that maintaining overhead lines has proven to be more cost effective than the installation of underground lines.
The committee recommended that a purchase order be issued to Fry Electric for all four (4) phases in the amount of $91,490.
Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Weller and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mrs. Malone absent).
Mr. Lambert moved for acceptance of the Utility Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
FINAL READINGS - PROPOSED ORDINANCES
The First Readings of the following proposed ordinances were accomplished during the Council Meeting of July 27, 1998.
Mr. Lambert moved that the final readings of the proposed ordinances be acknowledged by title only, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Article III, Realty Transfer Tax - Section 19.5-19, Definitions
Mr. Truitt moved for adoption of the following ordinance, seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mrs. Malone absent):
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
That the Dover Code be amended by adding subsection (9) to Section 19.5-19 to read as follows:
(9) ‘First time home buyer’ is exempt from the transfer tax as provided herein. A ‘first time home buyer’ means a natural person who has at no time held an interest in residential real estate, wherever located and which has been occupied as their principal residence, and who intends to occupy the property being conveyed as his or her principal residence within ninety (90) days following recordation.
ADOPTED: August 10, 1998
Article III, Realty Transfer Tax - Section 19.5-20, Levy of Tax; Exemption
Mr. Truitt moved for adoption of the following ordinance, seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mrs. Malone absent):
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
That the Dover Code be amended by deleting subsections (b) and (e) of Section 19.5-20 and inserting in their place the following:
(b) On July 1, 1989, the one-half (½) of one percent tax detailed in subsection (a) will increase to one percent of the property value represented by such document, and when the change in the transfer tax adopted by the General Assembly as a result of House Bill 757, 139th General Assembly becomes effective, the tax will increase to one and one-half percent of the property value represented by such document.
(e) In accordance with the amendment to Title 22 Delaware Code Chapter 16 which added a new Section 1601 and when the new transfer tax rate becomes effective in accordance with the provisions of House Bill 757, 139th General Assembly, the rate of tax imposed by this Article III, and other provisions or language to the contrary notwithstanding, shall be one and one-half percent of the property value represented by such documents as referred to herein and funds realized pursuant to this Article shall be segregated from the general fund and be expended solely for capital and operating costs of public safety services and for other programs and services, all in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of Title 22 Delaware Code Chapter 16.
ADOPTED: August 10, 1998
Mr. Leary moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
JANICE C. GREEN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of August 10, 1998, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
/JG