QUARTERLY OPEN TOWN MEETING

The Quarterly Open Town Meeting was held on September 29, 1997 with Mayor Hutchison presiding. Council members present were Council President Christiansen, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Weller, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters and Mr. Truitt. Staff members present were Chief Faulkner, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima and Mrs. Hill.

Mayor Hutchison requested a moment of silence in remembrance of Councilman Philip R. Fenimore.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Due to the illness of Dr. James Hammond, Superintendent of the Capital School District, Mayor Hutchison requested that Item #1A be removed from the agenda. Mrs. Malone moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE - COL. FELIX M. GRIEDER, WING COMMANDER - 436TH AIRLIFT WING

Colonel Felix M. Grieder, Wing Commander for the 436th Airlift Wing, gave a brief overview of the changes that are taking place at Dover Air Force Base (DAFB). He indicated that an increase in personnel will come from the addition of crews to the Strategic Brigade Air-drop Program. By the year 2002, the Base will have 22 air-drop qualified crews compared to the four the base currently has today. He indicated that out-sourcing and privatization, which was initiated by the Quadrennial Defense Review Committee, seeks to lower government costs, while maintaining their current capability. He stated that in fiscal year 1996, DAFB had 35 cutbacks and in fiscal year 1997, there were 32 cutbacks. These cutbacks are primarily affecting their service areas, because they are not cutting back on force structure, the number of air crew members or aerial port members to achieve those cuts, but are cutting back on some of the services provided.

Col. Grieder indicated that a new air passenger terminal is opening October 10, 1997. This structure is to replace the old 15,000 sq. ft. terminal, which was built in the late 1950's as a Base Operations building. The new terminal is 35,000 sq. ft. and was designed to handle 100,000 passengers per year. He stated that it will greatly enhance their capability to process and deploy troops and passengers. The new facility will house not only the air passenger terminal, but their traffic management office and USO Delaware offices.

A new club is being constructed and expected to open in January 1998 that will accommodate officers, NCO’s and airmen in the same facility; however, they will have separate dining and lounge areas. In conjunction with the SR1 project, which will provide better access to and from the beaches, Col. Grieder indicated that an overpass is being built between military family housing and the base. Once the overpass is completed, which is expected to be in April 1998, the main gate of the DAFB will re-open. He announced that the third and final stages of the dormitory construction and renovations have been completed and will open in October. The new dormitories will allow all airmen to have their own room, which has been a long-time goal for the DAFB.

Col. Grieder indicated his pride in the relationship that DAFB has with the community, stating that there were 60,000 hours of base personnel time that went towards volunteer services.

Mr. Lambert relayed his appreciation for the support of DAFB and their excellent working relationship with the City of Dover. Mr. Lambert questioned the likelihood of additional cut-backs at the base. Responding, Colonel Grieder stated that although no further cut-backs are expected, the DAFB hospital has recently transferred their OB-GYN services to Kent General Hospital. He explained that DAFB continues to staff OB-GYN physicians; however, they are performing the delivery of babies at Kent General Hospital. He stated that the renovations and asbestos removal at the hospital is costing DAFB $12 million and that this project is expected to continue for the next two years. Many of the areas of the hospital have been moved to temporary locations while the hospital undergoes these renovations and asbestos removal.

DOVER MALL EXPANSION PROJECT - MS. JAN HYATT, MARKETING DIRECTOR

Ms. Jan Hyatt, Marketing Director for the Dover Mall, gave a brief presentation to members of Council on the construction of the Dover Mall. She announced that the Dover Mall will have a larger, more upscale shopping area in time for the holiday season. A new Strawbridges, expansion at Boscovs and renovations to Sears will all be complete by Thanksgiving. She stated that the Dover Mall opened in 1982 and by 1983, Sears, Boscovs and Leggetts department stores were open for business and by the late 1980's, the Dover Mall was 80% leased. The Dover Mall is currently owned by Cadillac Fairview Limited and was originally opened by Hallmark Development Company. She stated that the Dover Mall has been very successful over the past fifteen years and has been considered a “Star” model mall.

Ms. Hyatt stated that in the early 1990's, the Dover Mall was managed by the Urban Development Company and in November of 1996, management was taken over by General Growth Management, Inc., which owns and operates approximately 130 shopping centers across the United States. In 1992, the Dover Mall had over $1 million in renovations with the opening of J.C. Penney. In March of 1997, Leggetts announced that it would be closing. The new Strawbridges will open at the mall on November 21, 1997 and will bring a new image of moderate to upscale merchandise. Boscovs is expanding and upgrading some of their departments within the store, while maintaining their current selection. Sears is renovating their store with new lighting, displays and expanded departments in men’s and women’s apparel and home appliances. Although no contracts have been signed, the Mall is targeting merchants like Gymboree and Casual Corner. Ms. Hyatt indicated that currently, the Dover Mall employs approximately 1,000 people. With Strawbridges opening, the Director of Public Relations estimates an additional 200 employees.

Ms. Hyatt announced that the Dover Mall, in July, introduced a program called “Cash Back for School”. Invitations were sent out inviting schools in Kent and Sussex Counties to participate in the program. There are 18 schools participating in the program, which represent approximately 10,000 students, including their friends and families. The Dover Mall organized a rally to kick-off this program. Between now and May, any dollars that are spent at the Dover Mall can be turned into points and contributed to the local area schools. She explained that each dollar that is spent in the Dover Mall is worth 5 points. In January, they will be conducting a mid-way rally where each school participating in the program will have a chance to win between $250 and $3,000 per school, with the top school receiving $3,000. In May, all the schools that are still participating in the program, will have a chance to receive between $250 and $5,000 per school, with the top school receiving $5,000. She stated that all 18 schools will have a chance to win money. Students can also earn points for their school by volunteering their time serving the community.

Ms. Hyatt stated that the Dover Mall has introduced their new national financial product, called the Mall VIP Visa Card. The Dover Mall is one of 500 shopping centers that is a member of an alliance where there are seven (7) major developers that have decided to move forward with this financial project. There is a “cash back” incentive for individuals who use the card at participating malls across the country.

Mr. Leary stated that he has noticed several stores moving out of the Dover Mall and asked if that was part of a conscientious marketing decision. Responding, Ms. Hyatt stated that with either an Urban Management Company or a Growth Management Company, there is usually a marketing/leasing philosophy. If there were any weaknesses that Dover has had over the last few years, it would be its inability to attract and maintain merchants, especially merchants that serve professional women’s apparel and children’s clothing. The Mall is now approaching 15 years old, and several leases were written for 15, 20 and 30 years; therefore, during those years, you will start to notice these types of changes.

Responding to Mr. Pitts, Ms. Hyatt stated that although a future pad site has been approved, there are no plans to further expand the current Dover Mall building.

Mr. Truitt asked if there is the possibility of an entrance/exit from and to the mall from SR1. Ms. Hyatt stated that there are on-going discussions; however, she does not know of any future plans at this time.

Mr. O’Connor thanked Ms. Hyatt, on behalf of the City of Dover, for allowing the City to hold public power at the Dover Mall by displaying exhibits and having the opportunity to promote Public Power Week, of which the City is very proud.

WESLEY COLLEGE - DR. SCOTT D. MILLER, PRESIDENT

Dr. Scott D. Miller, President of Wesley College, informed members that less than two months ago he became the new President of Wesley College and that the college has a new administrative team, Dr. James Spiegel, Vice President and Dean of Wesley College and Dr. Earl Brooks, Vice President and Dean of Institutional Advancement. Next year marks the 125th anniversary of Wesley College. He stated there were 1,252 students enrolled for the fall semester, which included 660 full-time and 287 new students. He indicated that this count included five (5) additional students compared to last year’s enrollment. Dr. Miller indicated that academically, their goal is for Wesley College to become involved in economic development of the area, serve as a cultural center for the area and be recognized as an educational leader. In order to accomplish these goals, Wesley College will have to re-establish the reputation of the school as an outstanding Liberal Arts Institute and be recognized as a leader among colleges in the eastern United States, while re-affirming its relationship with the Methodist Church. He stated that he would also like to see Wesley College explore growth opportunities in their graduate program and non-credit programs, as well as their Life Long Learning Program. He stated that as a part of this growth process, there will be changes to other facilities on campus.

Dr. Miller indicated that in the next six (6) to eight (8) months they plan to receive $4 million in funds for campus improvements and renovations. He stated that in order to be responsive to student needs in the 21st Century, facilities on campus would have to be modernized to include renovating the old Baptist Church, which is currently called Wesley Chapel, into a Convocation Center and classroom facility; renovating the house at 22 N. State Street, owned by Wesley College, for seminar classroom and faculty office space; perform additional renovations to Academic Hall for additional office space; construct new tennis courts on campus for all students; re-arrange parking for greater efficiency and space use; and expand their technology for audio/visual services as well as science instrumentation.

Dr. Miller announced that Wesley College recently completed an institutional review of the campus. He stated that a firm from Baltimore was hired to review the structure of the campus to assist in creating a vision of the institution for the future. Dr. Miller stated that Wesley College recently received $50,000 from the Aramark Corporation to perform renovations to the cafeteria and $35,000 in memorial gifts (in memory of Robert Reed) to upgrade their baseball complex. Wesley College has also received approval from the State of Delaware to start a charter school in 1998, which will be located in Bradford Hall. The current education program at Bradford Hall will have to be relocated to accommodate the new charter school. The scholarship program has been expanded to attract a more diverse, academic and talented student population. Dr. Miller stated that they recently joined the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and that they are looking forward to affiliating with that institution next year. Wesley College will be announcing next week that they will be joining the new Mid-Coast Conference in Football. He stated that the Wesley College Football team climbed to fourth in the NCAA Division III National rankings and that the College is very proud of the recognition the team has received.

Dr. Miller expressed his gratitude for the hospitality that has been extended to him, Dr. Spiegal, Dr. Brooks and their families. He appreciates the involvement that the City of Dover has had with Wesley College and is looking forward to working with the City in the future.

Responding to Mr. Salters, Dr. Miller stated that the Boys and Girls Club Program is in full operation with the support of the DuPont Foundation who provided summer activities for 80 children. Dr. Miller stated that the Boys and Girls Club Program is an affiliate of the Division of Education in Psychology at Wesley College and that the program is housed on the Wesley College campus to provide the opportunity for Elementary Education Majors to obtain some experience in working with children. He stated that they are looking into expanding the program in the near future.

Responding to Mr. Pitts, Dr. Miller stated that Wesley College owns four (4) of the six (6) houses along Governors Avenue and that at this time, there are no future plans to develop a use for those properties. He stated that they are revisiting their master plan to see if this area might be appropriate for a student recreation area, indicating that Wesley College is lacking open space areas for recreational, outdoor activities.

Mr. Leary stated that in the past, City Council was presented with some plans for the expansion of Wesley College from past development directors, and asked what the status was on that issue.

Responding, Dr. Miller stated that they are looking at the plans in a more practical way, considering what is affordable for an institution of this size. Dr. Miller stated that the goals that he addressed and the funds that they are intending to raise for campus improvements will be to service an on-campus, full-time student population of 850.

Mr. Christiansen moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:43 P.M.

                                                             NICOLE M. HILL

                                                             SECRETARY, CITY CLERK’S OFFICE

                                                             JAMES L. HUTCHISON

                                                             MAYOR

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