REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 4, 2011
7:00 P.M. meeting called to order in the Council Chambers at 322 Wilson
Highway, Millsboro, Mayor Larry Gum presiding. Present were Vice-Mayor
Robert Bryan, Secretary Greg Hastings, Treasurer Michelle Truitt, Council
Persons, John Thoroughgood, Tim Hodges, Irene Keenan, Town Manager Faye
Lingo, Assistant Town Manager Matt Schifano, Town Solicitor Mary Schrider-Fox,
Development Coordinator Linda Johnson, and Town Clerk Tammy Phillips. Guest-
see attached list.
BRANDING - Presenter Ben from Arnett Muldrew Associates presented to
the council information about Branding. Their company will visit Millsboro
for three days and in that 3 days will meet with business and stakeholders.
What they do for the town is creating an economic foundation. They design
graphics, system destination, and organization, stationary, letterhead,
volunteers, signage, banner, extending events, advertising, website, and
service etc. Lingo asked, can you explain what you do in those three days?
Public would be invited via newsletter, newspaper, etc., in addition to a
variety of key stakeholders (anyone public/private who has shown interest in
the betterment and future of the downtown). We will have a very heavy “front
in” public participation process first thing in morning and meet with
different stakeholders. The participants would be invited to attend a
“reveal” meeting on the final evening of the visit, when the new brand would
be unveiled. The second day, we spend gathering resources taking photos
going in and talking to business owners actually having our feet to the
ground. The third thing is a Public meeting to have business and individuals
give opinions. Lingo asked what the schedule for this meeting is. It will be
mid of this month April. Schifano asked is it a large team that comes? No
normally one (1) or two (2) people that is part of the beauty of it.
Hastings asked is there a minimum size of town, can, or have to work with?
We have worked with communities of 250 in Mississippi and over 6500.
Hastings asked at the end result, what will we benefit? Helps you and local
organization resource residents and businesses. Bryan asked Jessica Wiggins
from Blue Water Grill, is this what you have been involved with? Jessica
stated, yes. Hal Alpiar from 10082 Iron Pointe Dr Ext, Wharton’s Bluff asked
to address council; he has worked in branding for over 35 years with
communities and schools. He would not accept a destination from Town of
Millsboro to do this type of job because he doesn’t believe it could work.
He believes it could cost a great deal of money in order to make it;
infrastructure has to be in place to accommodate increased traffic that it
would produce. These programs are just not logos and words. They turn into
monsters and talk you into spending a great deal of money. It means widen
roads, off street parking, increase police, fire, electric and water.
Sometimes what’s good for the downtown retailers is not necessarily the best
thing for taxpayers. He thinks it needs a little more investigation and $
1000 if you read carefully written commitment except other things. Mayor Gum
stated this program has been talked about for years since he has been on
council and there has never been any progress made; there was no
consolidation. The road issue you talked about we have fought with DELDOT
and they will not make a commitment and they say it’s down the road in the
future. We have had people from up state come down to help us with downtown
development they don’t want to do it because state has not committed with
roads. We need to move forward $ 1,000 is nothing small to me, but we are
moving in right direction. Hastings asked, what is the plan? We need to know
if you give your blessing, because you have to incorporate three (3) things
within six (6) months which could include letterhead, logo, and business
cards, etc. It gives the Millsboro Development Partnership something to get
them started with the work that they are planning on doing. Hodges asked
what if the town doesn’t like the logo that they come up with. Our goal is
to give you something that you are happy with. Hastings asked how recent was
it since you worked with Milford? One year ago. Hastings asked Lingo if
anyone has talked to Milford. Lingo stated No, I believe Jessica from Blue
Water Grill went to their meetings. Milford has had five (5) new businesses
open and financial commitments from city council to increase funding to
their downtown director. Federal funding has increased. Hodges stated what
did it cost the town of Milford? Milford has roughly $8,000 to $ 10,000
grant money for roughly 500 banners. Everything has been done collected thru
the business community and organization and grant $ 1,300 for signage.
Hodges stated what do you think it would cost Town of Millsboro. $1,000 from
investment or funding or in kind donations. Lingo stated Delaware Economic
Development has agreed to pay for the company to visit Millsboro. Hastings
stated can you give clarification of this downtown organization. Lingo
stated Millsboro Development Partnership has been working with Rick Ferrell
and Delaware Economic Development. Delaware Economic Development Office has
been paying for Mr. Rick Ferrell to visit and help the committee to get
organized. Bryan moved Hodges seconded to accept branding offer from
Delaware Economic Development. Motion approved unanimously.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – Secretary Hastings presented the minutes from
the March 4, 2011 council meeting for Council’s approval. Secretary Hastings
asked for clarification of opening day for the Millsboro Little League. The
minute’s states April 16, 2011 and it is now April 30, 2011. Faye explained
their application was for the 16th so the minutes are correct. The Millsboro
Little League has asked to change the date, however to April 30, 2011.
Thoroughgood moved Bryan seconded to approve the minutes from the March 4,
2011 council meeting as written. Motion approved unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Truitt presented the bills and bank
balances to Council for approval. Bryan moved Hodges seconded to pay the
bills from the designated accounts as presented. Motion approved
unanimously.
PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT – NONE
MILLSBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT – Ron O’Neal President stated Chief Matt
Warrington and Ron O’Neal will be attending the Congressional Fire Services
Institute (CFSI) annual dinner in Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 7. The
CFSI is designed to educate members of Congress concerning the needs and
challenges of the nation’s fire and emergency services so the federal
government can provide the types of training and funding required by first
responders. With Millsboro receiving a federal grant earlier this year, it
is important for our organization to show our support of CFSI. Mr. Lou
Amabili of Delaware (first director of the Delaware State Fire School) sits
on the Board of Directors of the Institute with Delaware Senator Tom Carper
as a Co-Chair of the CFSI Caucus; newly elected Senator Chris Coons serves
as a member as well. Gear grant status: Most of the hoods, gloves, boots and
helmets have already been received, with the remainder of the bunker gear
(coats and pants) scheduled to arrive early this week. It will be placed
into service as soon as it can be distributed to all members. The new gear
storage racks have already been received and are ready to be rolled into
place. Renovations at the firehouse continue with the painting of the
apparatus bay ceiling to be completed by Wednesday of this week, with the
refinishing of the floor to follow. The cosmetic interior metal wall and
updated high efficiency lighting are already in place. Response statistics
have been reported for the 1st quarter as: Fire Calls 95, EMS calls 457.
Baskin-Robbins will again this year donate $100 k to the National Fallen
Firefighter Foundation to support the efforts of that organization. In
coordination of that donation, Baskin-Robbins in Millsboro will once again
have its “31 cent Scoop Night” on Wednesday April 27, 2011. Members of the
fire company will provide apparatus displays and five prevention
information, as well as work behind the counter dipping ice cream favorites
to the public. We would appreciate all of Millsboro and its surrounding
community coming out to support this very worthwhile event.
GREATER MILLSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Amy Simmons Chamber
Coordinator, stated Spelling Bee April 8 @ 7:00 at the Millsboro Civic
Center have three (3) teams signed up. All proceeds go toward Scholarship
with students in the zip code at 19966 and 19939. There is still time for
student to apply for the $1,000 scholarship. Chamber of Commerce office will
be closed April 11 – 14, 2011. Easter Egg Hunt to be held April 23, 2011 at
the Cupola Park @ 11:00 a.m. for children who are ten (10) and under.
Chamber Membership breakfast being held April 21, 2011 at Georgia House
Restaurant. There will be yard sale and car wash on May 21, 2011 here at the
Millsboro Civic Center.
POLICE REPORT –Chief Murphy stated training for the month of March
3rd Chief Murphy, PFC Lyons, and PFC Moyer attended monthly firearms
training at the range. March 11th Lt Calloway attended E-Crash training at
the DSPTA. March 23rd Sergeant Legates attended Handling Confidential
Informant training at the DSPTA. Homeland Security the threat level remains
at yellow, with no issues to report. Calea Update no issues to report. Chief
Murphy stated that he has received resignation from Sergeant Lowe, who has
been offered to moving on to Delaware State Police. Chief is requesting for
conditional hire due to already being down two (2) officers and Sergeant
Lowe would be number three (3). Chief has narrow down to three (3)
candidates and would like to have the personnel committee to authorize to
proceed with the selection and the hiring before next council meeting due to
academy starts April 18, 2011. The committee will report their selection at
the May 2, 2011 council meeting. Hodges moved Keenan second to authorize the
personnel committee to hire one (1) officer prior to May 2, 2011 council
meeting due to academy schedule which starts April 18, 2011. Motion approved
unanimously.
STREET DEPARTMENT – Pedestrian crosswalks downtown, cross walks have
been discussed for Main Street but we also have a request from a business on
Washington Street to have a designated cross over. Bryan moved Truitt
seconded to proceed to contact DELDOT and have them begin investigation for
cross walks on Washington Street and Main Street. Motion approved
unanimously.
WATER AND SEWER REPORT - 201 Washington Street, sewer adjustment due
to leak per ordinance, no council action.
Award of contract for beneficial reuse contract F, The scope of work has
been amended and a request to the Clean Water Advisory Council to cover the
additional work (funding). The Clean Water Advisory Council stated to throw
out the bids and have it rebidded. Hastings questioned, “Has the IRSD been
notified?” Lingo stated, not yet.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Building Code amendment, before council agrees to
remove the section requiring sprinkler system in single family residential
units, Kenny Niblett would also like to have the code amended to include a
building component with a one hour resistance rating garages, ceilings, and
roof assemblies in lieu of the sprinkler system. Building Code amendment has
been tabled until next meeting to get clarification from Kenny Niblett
before making decision.
Sign ordinance, the final ordinance is in your packet and you may take
action tonight to approve it if you are ready. Thoroughgood moved Hodges
second to approve the final ordinance of the signs, which it’s not perfect;
it’s a good starting point. Motion approved unanimously.
Conditional use for a model town house in Plantation lakes, someone from
Morris, Ritchie, and Associates is here to explain their request. The
temporary construction of two (2) model town home units on existing single
family lots in proposed model park, parcel 1-33-16.00-504.00 &
1-33-16.00-505.00 lots 323 and 324. the plan depicts the ultimate project
conditions except that the temporary town home structure will be removed
once the sales center ceases to be used and the temporary parking lot will
be removed. The sidewalk shown on the plan will be constructed according to
the Town Code once the use of the lots are converted from a sales center to
individual single family residences. Refer to model homes court landscape
plan, for temporary landscape features associated with the proposed
temporary sales center prepared by Land Design. Bryan moved Thoroughgood
seconded to allow (one) 1 year April 4, 2012 on the conditional use for a
model town house. Motion approved unanimously.
Tax Assessment list – the changes to the assessment list are ready for
acceptance by council. The notices have been sent to the property owners
advising them of their changes. Hastings moved Thoroughgood seconded to
approve the public appeal night will be held at the regular council meeting
in May 2, 2011. The tax assessment list is posted and notices of any
assessments changes are ready. The public hearing to hear any appeals will
be at the regular council meeting, May 2, 2011. Motion approved unanimously.
Election Slate, the notice for candidates will appear in the local paper and
be posted through out town as well as on Millsboro’s web site. The slate
will be posted April 18, 2011 thru May 23, 2011 and the election will be
held the second Saturday in June 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at
town hall. There is one seat from “District 2” Mayor Gum, one seat from
“District 3” Truitt and one seat “At Large” Hastings.
Hispanic Festival, requested to use W.B. Atkins Park on Sunday August 21,
2011 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. council action may be taken. They have used
the park for several years with a lease agreement and a deposit paid should
there be any problems. Hastings moved Hodges seconded to approve to have
Hispanic Festival held August 21, 2011 at the W.B. Atkins Park. Motion
approved unanimously.
Bryan moved Thoroughgood seconded to recess the Regular Council meeting at
8:10 p.m. and to enter into an Executive Session at 8:20 pm to discuss legal
and personnel issues. Motion approved unanimously.
Regular Session
Reconvene @ 8:55 pm
No discussion or action taken.
Bryan moved, Keenan second to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Hastings
Secretary
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For additional information call the
Millsboro Town Hall at 302-934-8171.
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