COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on February 24, 1997, at 6:30 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Fenimore, Mr. Salters, Mr. Hare and Mayor Hutchison.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilmen Leary and Hare and Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Merritt.

Wide Area Networking

Computers in each City office building cannot connect to computers in other buildings and people must rely on telephone, fax, and mail services to share information. There are only a few people outside of the 5 East Reed Street building who can access the AS/400 computer.

Bids were solicited for the electronics, installation, and annual services to electronically connect six City buildings (5 East Reed Street will be the main communications hub), as follows:

            - City Hall will link to 5 East Reed Street via underground fiber optic cabling

            - City Warehouse will link to 5 East Reed Street via an ISDN digital phone line

            - Electric Administration will link to 5 East Reed Street via an ISDN digital phone line

            - Parks and Recreation will link to 5 East Reed Street via an ISDN digital phone line

            - Police Station will link to 5 East Reed Street via an ISDN digital phone line

Three contractors submitted bids with the low bid submitted by Bell Atlantic Network Integration, Inc. with a Year One cost of $73,478.57 and an annual maintenance cost of $6,972.84. Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to Bell Atlantic Network Integration, Inc. since they offer:

            1.   Use of our existing network equipment

            2.   The lowest initial cost

            3.   The lowest five year cost

            4.   A proven quality solution

            5.   A 1994 contract with the State of Delaware, Office of Information Systems, which has been renewed twice

Mr. Hare moved to recommend that the contract be awarded to Bell Atlantic Network Integration, Inc. for the electronics, installation, and annual services to electronically connect the six City buildings, at a Year One cost of $73,478.57 and an annual maintenance cost of $6,972.84. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Quarterly Write-Off - Electric Bills

Members were provided with a list of uncollected electric bills, in the amount of $24,939.55. The list consists of those accounts from July 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995 that have shown no collection activity for a period of one year or longer. The list includes $3,146.66 from accounts that filed for bankruptcy. Federal law prohibits the City from making attempts to collect these outstanding debts. The list has been screened to insure that no one listed is currently in our utility customer base.

Mr. Christiansen suggested that the City Treasurer and City Manager look into the concept of this procedure being handled by City staff, since this is more of a bookkeeping procedure than an official action by Council. Mr. O’Connor stated that this matter will be reviewed and a recommendation brought to the Legislative and Finance Committee for action.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend that Council endorse the write-off of electric bills in the amount of $24,939.55. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schaefer and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:45 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                                    Council President

RRC/DJB