REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
November 5, 2007
7:00 P.M. meeting
called to order in the Council Chambers, Mayor Larry Gum presiding. Present
were Vice-Mayor Robert Bryan, Secretary Tim Hodges, Treasurer Michelle
Truitt, Councilperson John (Jack) Wilkins, John Thoroughgood, Irene Keenan,
Town Manager Faye Lingo, Town Solicitor Tempe B.Steen, Development
Coordinator Linda Johnson, Finance Director William Sauer. Guests see
attached.
PUBLIC HEARING - Mayor Larry Gum continued the public hearing from
last month to hear comments on the possible annexation of an area designated
as Patriots Landing. This hearing was left opened from last month awaiting
the state and county comments. The committee report presented to Council
last month stated that they are in favor in allowing this annexation at this
time under a medium density residential zoning designation. The property is
described as Patriots Landing LLC consists of five parcels of property being
157 acres more or less, located contiguous to the existing corporate limits
on the west side of Millsboro Pond and the east side of US Route 113 Tax Map
No. 1-33-11.00 parcel 14.00; 1-33-11.00 parcel 15.00 and 1-33-16.00 parcel
5.00, 12.00 and 6.00. As there were no objections from either the state or
county Bryan motioned, Thoroughgood second to approve the annexation of the
area designated as Patriots Landing as described in the resolution and to
include said territory in the Medium Density Residential (MR) District.
Motion carried.
SECRETARY'S REPORT - Secretary Tim Hodges presented the minutes from
the October 1, 2007 council meeting for Council's approval. Wilkins
motioned, Bryan second to approve the minutes from the October 1, 2007
council meeting as written. Motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Michelle Truitt presented the bills
and bank balances to Council for approval. Bryan motioned, Thoroughgood
second to pay the bills from the designated accounts as presented. Motion
carried.
Delinquent Accounts: Several accounts which have been delinquent since 2000
were brought up for discussion. It was council's decision to leave these
accounts on the books and to try and get payment at the time that the
properties are sold.
Transfer Tax: A suggestion has been made to possibly move the town's
Transfer Tax accounts from Citizens Bank to a bank with less fees and a
better interest rate earning. It was also discussed that the town could save
the 2% handling charge that we now pay Citizens if we have another agency
handle the stamping of the deeds for transfer, either with Sussex County,
who would charge a fee, or in town hall. After some discussion Bryan
motioned, Keenan second to have the Transfer Tax accounts moved to a bank
with less fees and a better interest rate earning and to have the stamping
of the deeds for transfer done in house. Motion carried. The bank which the
transfer taxes are to be moved to is to be decided by Financial Director,
William Sauer and Town Manager Faye Lingo.
Insured Accounts: Council was informed that Financial Director,
William Sauer, has done research and has a plan to make sure our account
balances are insured.
MILLSBORO FIRE COMPANY - Ray Burton, President Millsboro Fire
Company, presented the monthly report to the Council. September they
responded to 131 alarms with 11 of those being in town. The EMS answered 154
calls and transported 112 patients to hospitals. The fire siren is back up
and operational. President Burton informed Council that a new fire truck has
been ordered. The approximate cost is $400,000.00 with an estimated delivery
date sometime in April 2008. The quarterly check from fees collected on
building permits to cover emergency fire services was presented to President
Burton in the amount of $48, 761.54.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Director Fran Bruce reported that the Christmas
parade, to be held on December l" at 10:00 P.M., is filling up and looks to
be a good time for all attending. She also asked Council if they would once
again lead the parade as in years past. Ms. Bruce requested that the Civic
Center overseer fees be increased to $10.00/hr. Right now an overseer gets
paid $50.00 for the first six hours and $8.50 an hour for anything over six
hours. Mayor Gum appointed a committee to discuss fees structure for the
rental hall. Committee members are John Thoroughgood, Robert Bryan and
Michelle Truitt.
POLICE REPORT - Sgt. Calloway, Cpl. Lowe and Cpl. Wheatley attended
supervisory training offered by Penn State at Ocean View P.D.
- The sidewalk repair
and repaving on Main Street has been completed. Several areas need to be
striped, but the majority of the work has been completed.
- The department had a
DUI Checkpoint Saturday 27th, from 10:00 P.M. until 2:00 A.M... 644
vehicles passed through the checkpoint. We made one DUI arrest, two
arrests for underage consumption and one other traffic arrest. We also had
one vehicle assigned to a roving patrol. He made 1 DUI arrest and 4 other
traffic arrests. There were no issues associated with Halloween trick or
treating.
- The department will
have another checkpoint scheduled for Saturday, November 24th from 10:00
P.M. until 2:00 A.M... Our final checkpoint will be on New Years Eve also
from 10:00 P.M. until 2:00 A.M.
- The personnel
committee has conducted interviews for Police Clerk and is recommending
hiring Dawn Otwell. Bryan motioned, Wilkins second to hire Dawn Otwell as
Police Clerk. Motion carried.
- Chief Murphy is
requesting two officer promotions be approved by Council. He has met with
the personnel committee regarding these promotions. He is recommending
that Sgt. Brian Calloway be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and that
Cpl/1 Roy Lowe be promoted to the rank of sergeant. Each of these officers
is eligible for promotion by departmental policy. Bryan motioned, Wilkins
second that Officers Calloway and R. Lowe should be promoted to the ranks
recommended by Chief Murphy. Motion carried.
- Chief Murphy informed
Council that the department currently has two open positions that should
be filled. The Delaware State Police Academy will be running a recruit
class in March 2008. He would like to advertise for two recruits plus an
alternate for the March class. Thoroughgood motioned, Wilkins second to
give Chief Murphy permission to proceed with the preparation of two
recruits and an alternate for the March 2008 Delaware State Police Academy
and the advertisement needed for recruitment. Motion carried.
STREET REPORT -
Council person Truitt brought up for discussion the traffic pattern at the
intersection of Route 113 and Route 24. The Chief of Police and Town Manager
are to do letters requesting DELDOT examine the traffic pattern there.
A request has been made to have bicycle racks placed at different points in
town. This was brought to the Council's attention by Councilman Thoroughgood.
It was suggested that prices of bicycle racks be brought back before Council
before a decision is made.
A committee report was presented to Council on the quitclaim of an alley
along US 113 in front of property described as Sussex County Map number
1-33-17.17 parcel 61.00, Bakers Hardware. The committee unanimously agreed
to grant the request for a quit claim and give the town a 15 ft. utility
easement with all cost paid by the requester, Bakers Hardware. Thoroughgood
motioned, Wilkins second to accept the committee report and to set a public
hearing for this request for December 3, 2007, 7:00 P.M. Motion carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION - The proposed stage area in Cupola Park was
discussed. Delmarva Power owns 75 ft. with a right-of-way in the area where
it had been previously planned to build a permanent stage area. They do not
what anything permanent built over that parcel. A question was asked as to
whether the town should now build a portable stage or possibly move the
proposed stage area. Council's decision, after some discussion, was to go
forward with a permanent stage area, moving it to a new location south of
the entrance to Cupola Park.
WATER/SEWER REPORT - The Wastewater Treatment Plant Contract D bids
were opened on November 1, 2007. Bids received were from Bearing
Construction from Sudlersville, MD for $4,645,000.00; Howard Robeson, Inc.
from Landisville, PA, $5,243,000.00 and JJID Inc, from Bear, DE for
$5,780,000.00. Mark Downes, from CABE Associates, was present to advise
Council that CABE Assoc. recommends the town accept the low bid of Bearing
Construction for the project in the amount of $4,645,000.00 and award the
project to them upon approval of regulatory agencies and completion of the
aforementioned milestones. Bryan motioned, Thoroughgood second to award the
WWTP Contract D to Bearing Construction for $4,645,000.00 upon approval of
regulatory agencies and completion of the aforementioned milestones as
recommended by CABE Associates, Inc. Motion carried
The town has received three proposals for interim financing for the $10
million bank loan. The three proposals received were from PNC Bank, M&T Bank
and Delaware National Bank. After reviewing the proposals and receiving
council from Town Solicitor Tempe Steen Bryan motioned, Wilkins second to
enter into interim financing with PNC Bank and authorize the Mayor and Town
Manager to negotiate final details for closing; and to authorize the Mayor,
Vice-Mayor, Secretary and Treasurer to sign the final agreement. Motion
carried.
MAYOR'S REPORT - No report
Thoroughgood motioned,
Wilkins second to recess the Regular Council meeting at 7:50 P.M. and to
enter into an Executive Session at 8:00 P.M. to discuss legal and personnel
issues.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim P. Hodges Secretary
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