REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 1, 2010
7:00 P.M. meeting called to order in the Council Chambers, Vice-Mayor Robert
Bryan presiding. Present were Secretary Tim Hodges, Treasurer Michelle
Truitt, Council Persons John Thoroughgood, Irene Keenan, Greg Hastings, Town
Manager Faye Lingo, Town Solicitor Tempe B Steen, Development Coordinator
Linda Johnson, Finance Director William Sauer, Town Clerk Tammy Phillips.
Absent Mayor Larry Gum. Guests see attached.
DEL POINTE - Preston Schell representing Chesapeake Tract, LLC, and
reported legislation regarding casinos is stalled. Legislators may accept
RFP's for possible sites. He believes there will be two new casinos in the
State of Delaware. He also believes that legislators will come back and ask
how quickly will you be able to deliver revenue to us? Zach Crouch from
Davis, Bowen and Friedel presented the preliminary site plans of Del Pointe.
They are considering the purchase of a temporary structure tent, if it is
fiscally possible and approved by The Town of Millsboro. If they could build
a permanent structure faster than about 12 months it makes no sense to build
the temporary structure, but if it takes 16 to 18 months to build a
permanent structure, then it makes sense to do the temporary structure.
Temporary structures can be durable for at least 25 - 30 years. Zach also
stated that the plans were reviewed by the Development Coordinator Linda
Johnson and the Building Inspector Kenny Niblett back in December. Davis,
Bowen and Friedel received the letter of comments on January 28, 2010 and
they have addressed all issues. The whole purpose of the plan is for a
temporary structure as well as Race Track and relocation of Bethesda Road
and Ave of Honor. Ave of Honor and Bethesda Road exist today are the two
roads that will be relocated. The relocation of theses two roads has been
approved by DELDOT. Before those two roads are abandoned DELDOT has to
inspect the roads and take full responsibility and also coordinate with the
school on the Bethesda Road. The plans show how the temporary facilities can
be constructed in Phase 1, as well as the storm water management facility
for the track and the road and the track itself. State Fire Marshall had a
few issues that needed to be addressed and they have been. They stated that
they have received State Fire Marshall approved for the site plan on
February 1, 2010. Developer agreement is being reviewed by the property
owner once they receive the agreement back they will submit to the town.
When they submit for building permit for the structure itself additional
information will be provided for water treatment facility and storage tank.
Until the utilities are available to them there will be 2 or 3 holding
tanks. When the permanent infrastructure has been installed well and holding
tanks will be abandoned. Town Solicitor Tempe Steen mentioned that no
application for a subdivision has been filed with The Town of Millsboro
which is required before a Public Hearing can be scheduled for March 2010.
The Developer is requesting provisional approval of both the master plan and
preliminary approval for Phase 1, including the racetrack, parking and
casino building. Town Solicitor Tempe Steen, suggested combining all
applications, and further noted that necessary zoning for the conditional
uses and accessory uses is not in place as the land only has contingent PCD
zoning. The Code requires notice be sent to residents within 250ft. advising
that an application has been filed with proof of such notice to the town. If
The Town of Millsboro receives all applications: Zoning, Subdivision,
Conditional Use, Temporary Structure all incorporated and proof of notice to
residents 250ft. from property, the Council will be able to consider the
requests. Once the Town of Millsboro receives all application and Developer
meets all requirements, the advertising for a Public Hearing might be able
to be done April Stn
SECRETARY'S REPORT - Secretary Tim Hodges presented the minutes from
the January 4, 2010 council meeting for Council's approval. Thoroughgood
moved, Keenan seconded to approve the minutes from the January 4, 2010
council meeting as written. Motion approved unanimously with Mayor Larry Gum
absent.
TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Michelle Truitt presented the bills
and bank balances to Council for approval. Hodges moved, Thoroughgood
seconded to pay the bills from the designated accounts as presented. Motion
approved unanimously with Mayor Larry Gum absent.
GREATER MILLSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - No report.
MILLSBORO FIRE COMPANY - President Ron O'Neal, reported that, the
final numbers have been tabulated for the calendar year 2009. Fire calls
totaled 414, a drop of 15% from the 488 calls in 2008. Unfortunately, EMS
calls rose almost 3.5% from 1900 in 2008 to 1962 last year.
Four of our Fire Line Officers attended the Chief's Retreat Breakfast held
at the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday, January 31. This is a
yearly event sponsored by Station 80, giving opportunity for Chief Officers
from surrounding fire companies to discuss situations facing their
organizations.
Representatives from Millsboro attended the review of the proposed Delaware
Standards for Emergency, held at the Emergency Operations Center in
Georgetown on Monday, January 18. These guidelines pertain to the training
requirements for all Firefighters, Fire Officers, Fire Police and
Administrator positions within the volunteer fire service, and is an effort
to standardize the courses and knowledge necessary to hold elected or
nominated positions within the 59 volunteer fire companies throughout the
State. Millsboro Fire Company currently complies with these proposed
standards for all levels of membership except Administration positions,
which are now being offered by the State Fire School.
Eight volunteers from Millsboro were on standby at Station 77 in Georgetown
on Saturday, January 23, allowing members of Georgetown Fire Company to
attend their annual banquet, which was held the Millsboro Fire Company
Banquet Hall. Also, a number of our members spent the night at the Millsboro
firehouse on Saturday, January 30 during the recent snowstorm. This enabled
us to maintain a Fire/EMS crew at the station in order to respond to
emergencies regardless of the road conditions.
POLICE REPORT - Lt. Calloway gave a CALEA update. He reported to
Council on the annual report which describes what the department does as a
whole. He also informed Council that this report is on the police website.
Vice-Mayor Bryan said the report was informative and professional:
councilman Thoroughgood commented that it looked like a lot of work and was
informative.
Chief Murphy informed Council about the Grant for State Aid to Local Law
Enforcement balance of $6,291.84. He requested these funds be used to
purchase 3 new desktop computers and mark refurbished police vehicles.
Emergency Illegal Drug Enforcement grant funds total $18,020.28. He
requested theses funds be used to purchase 7 vests for the Tactical Team and
for an advanced tactical training class. The ARRA grant totaling $26,527.00
is being used to refurbish two patrol vehicles. The vendor replaces key
components of the drive train and offers a 3 year 75K mile warranty through
Ford. The cost to do this to two vehicles will be approximately the cost of
one new vehicle. The Department will be replacing two vehicles that it has
in excess of 90k miles. These vehicles will be "moth balled" and the Chief
will have "U" titles assigned to them and the insurance will be cancelled.
The Department will consider refurbishing them in the future and they will
be a viable alternative if the department ever needs to replace a vehicle
due to an accident. It may be more cost effective to refurbish a vehicle to
avoid filing an insurance claim. John Thoroughgood moved for grant approval,
seconded by Hodges. Motion approved unanimously with Mayor Larry Gum absent.
Pfc. Doughty asked for reimbursement for college classes that he has
completed and for approval to take additional classes. Hastings moved,
Truitt seconded to approve to take additional classes. Motion approved
unanimously with Mayor Larry Gum absent.
PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT - No Report STREETS REPORT - No Report
WATER AND SEWER REPORT - Impact Fees are automatically adjusted
annually to reflect changes in the CPI unless council waives the adjustment.
The CPI increased 3% this year and last year it went down .4%. Action was
not taken last year to, not reduce the fees, so if Council does decide to
modify the impact fees, the increase would be a net 2.60% increase. Council
decided to take no action with the effect that the impact fees by 2.60 %.
Sewer adjustment due to water leak, 3 Marie Court, Hub Court Mobile Park:
Faye has made the adjustment as ordinance allows.
MAYOR'S REPORT - Board of Adjustment member, David Shugard resigned
due to schedule conflicts with new job responsibilities. If anyone is
interested they must submit a letter to the Town Manager, Faye Lingo, will
be discussed at next council meeting.
Sign Ordinance - Council needs to review and discuss sign ordinance. A
meeting will be set.
Truitt moved, Keenan seconded to recess the Regular Council meeting at 8:15
PM and to enter into an Executive Session at 8:25 pm to discuss legal and
personnel issues.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim P. Hodges,
Secretary
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For additional information call the
Millsboro Town Hall at 302-934-8171.
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