City of Dover
Delaware
Delaware
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
A Council Workshop Session was held on September 9, 1993, at 7:00 p.m., for review of the City of Dover Charter. Members present were Council President Christiansen, and Councilmen Lambert, Tudor, Leary, Pitts, Hutchison, Salters and Malone. Councilman Hare was absent.
Chairman of the Legislative and Finance Committee, Councilman Salters, stated that members of Council will be functioning as a Committee of the Whole during the workshop which will be limited to two (2) hours.
Form of Government
Council President Christiansen stated that the purpose of this workshop is to finalize those discussions that began during Council's Goals Workshops held on February 19th and 20th. During the Goals Workshop, Council agreed to formally consider changing the chain of command so that the City Manager would report directly to the Mayor. During their Regular Meeting of March 22, 1993, Council tabled action on the matter since the City was in the process of hiring a new City Manager. Mr. O'Connor, City Manager, has been with the City since July 1993; therefore, Council President Christiansen suggested that this matter be finalized.
Feeling that the Mayor is no longer a part of the system, Mayor Knopf encouraged Council to allow the Mayor to play a part in the City's government. It was his feeling that more than a part-time position is necessary to manage a Police Department with approximately 100 officers and a $5 million budget. Mayor Knopf suggested that the City's form of government consist of the Mayor as the chief executive officer; Council as the policy makers; the City Manager reporting to the Mayor; and the Mayor reporting to Council, with Council having the authority to hire/fire the City Manager.
Council President Christiansen felt that the City already has guidelines to accommodate Mayor Knopf's suggestions, explaining that the City Charter, which is subject to individual interpretation, denotes the Mayor as Chief Executive Officer. It was his feeling that the Mayor should function as the chief executive and should be the immediate supervisor for the City Manager. Although Council President Christiansen felt that the Mayor should not be a part of the legislative body, he indicated that the Mayor's input would be welcomed, since the Mayor serves as an ex-officio member of all City Committees. The Mayor has the power of veto which provides an important check and balance within the system. If the Mayor is a part of the legislative process, then the Mayor would lose the ability of having veto power, which is vital to the citizens of the City of Dover. Council President Christiansen also felt that Council, by having a true chief executive, would be given the opportunity to place their full attention to being a legislative and policy making body. It was his feeling that the City Manager should be in charge of all City departments with the exception of the City Clerk's Office, City Treasurer's Office and the City Solicitor.
Mr. Tudor urged members to maintain the current system, feeling that the Mayor currently has a tremendous amount of power. Mr. Pitts concurred with Mr. Tudor and suggested that if the Mayor would exercise his current powers, he would obtain what he has been seeking.
Mr. Lambert stated that he is not concerned with the day to day operations of the City. He stated his support for a full-time Mayor and felt that the Mayor should become more involved in the policy making process.
Mrs. Malone felt that there is a lack of communication between the Mayor and City Council. She suggested that the Mayor become more involved and welcomed the opportunity to have the Mayor share in the responsibilities of Council, stating that communication is the key to success.
Mr. Hutchison stated that individuals do not realize the role and responsibilities of the Mayor and his representation of the City. It was his feeling that the City of Dover needs representation in the General Assembly and throughout the State of Delaware, which should be accomplished by the Mayor. Mr. Hutchison stated that it is a true commitment to represent this City which can demand 50-60 hours a week. Mayor Knopf noted that by lobbying on behalf of the Police Department, the previous Chief of Police was able to acquire more than $1 million of grant money for the City. He also advised members that during his first ten (10) months in office, he accomplished more than 1,000 hours of service.
As an alternative, Mr. Tudor suggested that Council revert to previous procedures by eliminating the at-large Council seat and bringing the Mayor back into Council meetings. Responding, Council President Christiansen advised members that the original intent of the ninth (9th) Council Member was derived from the Charter Review Committee as found in their report of 1986. He stated that if the Mayor returned to the Council Meetings, the power of veto would be lost.
Discussion relative to a full-time Mayor continued with no definitive action taken. Mr. Salters suggested that Council take action on this matter or agree to defer action indefinitely.
Council President Christiansen moved to recommend that the City Manager be in charge of all City departments with the exception of the City Solicitor, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary.
Responding to Mr. Lambert, Council President Christiansen felt that this change would result in a net dollar savings to the City of Dover taxpayers and increase the efficiency of the day to day services to the community.
In response to several members' concern with transferring the Police Department from the Mayor to the City Manager, Council President Christiansen clarified his motion by indicating that the Police Department would continue to report to the Mayor.
On a call for the question by Mr. Hutchison, the motion recommending that the City Manager become in charge of all departments with the exception of the City Solicitor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Police Department, failed by a vote of four (4) yes (Mr. Leary, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Hutchison and Council President Christiansen) and four (4) no (Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Salters).
Council President Christiansen moved to recommend that the structure be changed for the Mayor to become a part-time chief executive officer, with the City Manager reporting directly to the Mayor. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary.
Mr. Tudor relayed concern with giving the Mayor the authority to hire and fire a City Manager and felt that the current system should be maintained.
Mr. Leary explained that the change would allow the Mayor to become involved in the City budget process, which in effect influences approval of all City projects. He also felt that the citizens want a strong and effective leader that is in charge of their government that they can contact on a daily basis.
On a call for the question by Council President Christiansen, the motion recommending that the City pursue having the Mayor become a part-time chief executive officer, with the City Manager reporting directly to the Mayor, failed by a vote of three (3) yes (Mr. Leary, Mr. Hutchison and Council President Christiansen) and five (5) no (Mr. Lambert, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone and Mr. Salters).
Council President Christiansen moved to recommend that no further action be taken to change the form of government at this time. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Responding to Mrs. Rexene Ornauer of 17 Mifflin Road, Mr. Salters stated that these items will be placed on the Legislative and Finance Committee agenda for September 28, 1993, and that the public will be given an opportunity to address members at that time.
Council President Christiansen moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
RRC/jg