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CITY COUNCIL OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF NEW CASTLE Present: Council President William Blest Others Present: Mayor John Klingmeyer, City Treasurer Janet Carlin, City Administrator Cathryn Thomas, Officer Torre, City Solicitor James Harker, Building Official Jeff Bergstrom APPROVAL OF MINUTES BY DATE A Motion was presented by Councilperson Churchill to accept the Minutes of April 10, 16 and 24, 2007. The Motion to accept the Minutes was seconded by Councilperson Reese. The Minutes were accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT City Treasurer Janet Carlin reported that there was $400.00 in Total Petty Cash on Hand, $168,318.13 in Total Monthly Deposits, Total cash in the Wilmington Trust Accounts equaled $551,512.84, $984,685.23 in the Certificates of Deposit and De. Government Investment Pool and $1,536,198.07 Total Cash on Hand. A Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented was brought by Councilperson Reese. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Churchill. Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented. REPORT FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR Ms. Thomas stated that her report was in Council’s packet, however she additionally gave a brief overview of where the City is with the Western Gateway Project. Ms. Thomas also reported that the City will have some interruption of computer service between May 11 and 12 while new hardware is installed, during which time e-mail and Internet will not be available to City employees outside the Public Safety Dept. Ms. Thomas reported on a meeting with DelDOT and Deemers Landing concerning sidewalks to be installed. Finally, Ms. Thomas introduced the City’s Summer Intern from the University of Delaware, Mr. Victor Santos, who is in charge of organizing and running the City’s Summer Recreation program. APPROVAL OF STAFF REPORTS Jeff Bergstrom stated that he had nothing to offer other than his report was in Council’s packet as did Officer Torre. GRANT REVIEW Western Gateway–$1,679.15 paid to LAS Services, the landscape designer. Buttonwood Drainage–$2,036.30 paid to New Castle Conservation District. Homeland Security–$25,483.00 paid to Godwin Pumps for the emergency generator and a request for reimbursement has been sent. Separation Day–$398.42 has been paid for office supplies. Drug Grant (Public Safety)–$648.49 for staff time reimbursement and $1,383.67 for supplies reimbursed. SALLE Grant–$1,383.67 reimbursement for Chief McDerby to attend the IACP Conference. COMMUNICATIONS President Blest received a letter from the Planning Commission with their recommendations regarding the request of the Trustees to rezone five properties. Councilperson Reese received a complaint from a resident on 6th St. and stated that Council is looking into the matter. Councilperson Gaworski attended the Delaware Safety Council meeting and stated that a new lane on the north and south bound of I-95 will be added which may impact the traffic situation in the City. Councilperson Petty stated that she was in Dover for lobbying issues and met with George Wright and requested more money for street repairs. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR Mr. Gene Petty asked that Council table Resolution 2007-2, rescinding Resolution 2006-24, because the Citizens Committee of Buttonwood has contacted the Attorney General’s Office and asked them to review this matter. David Bird stated that the Planning Commission has approved Items 3 and 4, two separate rezoning requests. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Motion, discussion and vote and Resolution 2007-02. After discussion, this matter was tabled so that Council can meet with the Goodwill Fire Co., Chief McDerby, DelDOT, Rep. Mike Mulrooney and residents who have an interest in the issue, so all parties have input. 2. Motion, discussion and vote and Resolution 2006-27, to install a handicap parking space in front of Wilmington Trust. The Resolution will be amended to specify that WTC will be responsible for the curb cut out and that they will make the front door to the bank handicap accessible. Councilperson Reese made a Motion that the Resolution be accepted. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously. 3. Third Reading, motion, discussion and vote on Ordinance 452, request of the Trustees to rezone five properties. After a reading of the Ordinance and the Planning Commission’s recommendations, a Motion was made by Councilperson Churchill to accept the Ordinance. Councilperson Reese seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously with Council’s general consensus that this would bring the properties in question in line with the surrounding properties/businesses. 4. Third Reading, motion, discussion and vote on Ordinance 453, a request for rezoning within the Twin Spans industrial development. After a reading of the Ordinance and the Planning Commission’s recommendations, a Motion was made by Councilperson Reese to accept the Ordinance. Councilperson Churchill seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion concerning the annual insurance renewal. Bob Briggs was present at the meeting and suggested that Council renew with Zurich as their rates are in line with other companies and Zurich has offered New Castle a 3% decrease in rates if they do renew. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion that the City stay with Bob Briggs as the City’s Broker/Agent for insurance, and that the City renew for one year with Zurich as its insurance carrier. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously. 2. Motion and vote to approve a vendor license requested from Clifton Dunning. After a brief discussion it was decided that Council would approve the license with restrictions and the City had to be named as an additionally insured. 3. Motion on Resolution No. 2007-19, Discussion and Vote approving a check for $25,483.00 to Godwin Pumps for the emergency generator. Councilperson Reese made a Motion that the Bank Resolution be accepted. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously. 4. Motion on Resolution No. 2007-20, Discussion and Vote to approve a minor subdivision for two lots on Cherry Lane. Mark Ziegler gave a brief presentation regarding this request. Councilperson Reese made a Motion that the Resolution be accepted. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously. 5. Motion on Resolution No. 2007-14, Discussion and Vote to approve the continued encroachment of improvements at 219 E. 2nd St. into the right-of-way of 2nd St. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion that the Resolution be accepted. Councilperson Reese seconded the Motion and it was passed unanimously. 6. Motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a purchase contract for a new computer server for the City Administration. Councilperson Churchill stated that the costs for this project will be approximately $13,388.00. It was a unanimous decision to authorize the Mayor to sign the purchase contract. COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR Mike Hayman discussed campaign finance and his thoughts on how it should be regulated. A Motion was made by Councilperson Churchill that the meeting be adjourned. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jill F. DiAngelo, |
