SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

A Special Meeting of the Legislative and Finance Committee was held on January 3, 1991 at 7:00 p.m., with Chairman Weyandt presiding. Members present were Councilmen Hall and Lynn and Mr. Leary. Other members of Council present were Mr. Levitt. Mr. Salters. Mr. Daisey and Mr. Christiansen.

Agenda additions/Deletions

Mr. Worley requested the addition of an executive session to discuss legal matters. Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Hall and unanimously carried.

Selection of Polling Location -Municipal Elections

The Election Board has performed site inspections at several locations seeking a facility that would be suitable to hold the 1991 municipal election. Mrs. Boaman, a liaison member of the board, explained the following criteria utilized by the board in the selection process:

            Space

                        Physical Building

                        Door Sizes (for ease in moving voting machines)

                        Square Footage

            Lighting

                        Inside and Outside

            Accessibility

                        Handicapped Accessible

                        Physical Location

                        Parking/Circulation

                        Circulation within the Structure

                        Emergency Exits

            Pedestrian Safety

            Availability

After careful evaluation, the Election Board unanimously recommended utilization of the Elks Lodge. Mr. William H. Willis, Chairman of Election Board, explained that although the Elks Lodge is not located in Central Dover, it was felt that the Route #8 location provides easier access than would be afforded by a center-city site. For those persons that would normally walk to Grace Fellowship Hall to vote, the Board recommended that a busing service be offered, from the City Hall parking lot to the Elks Lodge, during polling hours. In offering this recommendation, the Board felt that the Elks Lodge meets the necessary criteria for selection. The Elks House Committee has agreed to rent their facility (three rooms) at a fee of $300. They maintain insurance coverage for on-site functions as does the City of Dover for its employees and officials.

Mr. Weyandt suggested that the board investigate utilization of the Central Delaware Transit system as well as our Senior Surrey busses for transportation to and from the polling location during election hours.

Mrs. Boaman informed the committee that each registered voter will be mailed a voter card informing them of their City district and the new polling location. Mr. Levitt stated that an added benefit of the voter cards is that they will notify citizens of their eligibility to vote in municipal elections, feeling that many registered voters of the state do not realize they are also eligible to vote in City of Dover elections.

Mr. Lynn moved to recommend acceptance of the Election Board’s recommendation to utilize the Elks Lodge on Route #8 as the polling location for City of Dover municipal elections. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hall and unanimously carried.

Recommendation on Consultant Selection - Route #8 - Mckee/Saulsbury Road Corridor Study

Stemming from the tremendous residential growth in the northwest portion of the City, city Council authorized an expenditure for a Route #8 - McKee/Saulsbury Road Corridor Study. This study should provide the City with a tool to promote commercial/mixed-use development which would be complimentary to the existing development and act to stimulate development in a functional and aesthetic way.

Proposals were received from eight (8) firms, although two (2) were found to be unresponsive to the Scope of Work and were rejected. A review committee evaluated the proposals of the six (6) firms and recommended endorsement of the selection of Land Design/Research Inc. For professional services to provide the Route #8 - McKee/Saulsbury Road Corridor Study. In his report to the committee Mr. Cregar outlined several points that were critical in their selection of LDR. The firm has agreed to perform the study for $33,000. This cost is complete and includes aerial photography of the Route #8 - McKee/Saulsbury Road corridors which will prove very beneficial to the City in the future. Mr. Cregar further recommended that a letter of intent be sent, to allow LDR to begin the mobilization process for a project start-up sometime within the last two weeks of January 1991. In the interim, City staff and the City Solicitor will finalize a professional service contract for signatures.

The LDR study is projected to take 24 weeks, although staff is attempting to pare the time frame down to 20 weeks. Mr. Cregar explained that some of the proposed time involves additional time for City Planning Commission and City Council action.

Mr. Cregar also pointed out that Mr. Weyandt has requested that portions of the Kenton road be included in the study since this road is very much affected by the development of route #8 and Saulsbury/McKee Roads. LDR and staff will look into inclusion of the Kenton Road Area in the scope of Work for the project.

Mr. Lynn moved to recommend endorsement of the selection of Land Design/Research Inc. For professional services to provide the Route #8 - McKee/Saulsbury Road Corridor Study, at a cost not to exceed $33,000, with a completion date not to exceed June 15, 1991. He further moved that a letter of intent be sent to allow LDR to begin the mobilization process for a project start-up within the last two weeks of January 1991. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Mr. Lynn moved for adjournment into executive session to discuss legal matters, seconded by Mr. Hall and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:30 P. M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted

                                                                                    Francis R. Weyandt

                                                                                    Chairman

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