City Council of the City of New Castle

City Council of the City of New Castle

January 8, 2008

Regular Council Meeting

7:00 p.m.

Present:

President of Council William Blest

Councilperson Donald Reese

Councilperson Janet Churchill

Councilperson Teel Petty

Councilperson John Gaworski, Jr.

Also Present:

City Treasurer Janet Carlin, City Solicitor Roger Aiken, Finance/HR Director Marian Delaney, Police Chief Kevin McDerby

Approval of Minutes by Date

A motion was made by Councilperson Churchill to accept the Minutes of December 11, for a Public Hearing (as corrected) and a Regular Meeting (as presented), and was seconded by Councilperson Petty. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Treasurers Report

City Treasurer Janet Carlin reported that there was $400 in petty cash, $486,464.06 in the Wilmington Trust Accounts, $1,831,190.30 in the Certificates of Deposit and Delaware Government Investment Pool and $2,317,654.36 total cash on hand. A motion was made by to accept the report by Councilperson Reese and seconded by Councilperson Churchill. The motion passed unanimously.

Report from City Administrator

Mrs. Thomas was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in the family.

Approval of Staff Reports

Chief McDerby stated that his report was in Council's packet. Matthew Christopher was unable to attend the meeting.

Grant Review

Councilperson Churchill reported that the following bills were paid for the Bellanca Air Hanger:

a. $63.50 to Akin & Herron

b. $65,565.00 to Wilkinson Roofing.

Other payments included:

Municipal Street Aid Funds for the 2007 Road and Street Repair Projects:

a. $15,550.00 and $11,319.62 to Kercher Engineering

b. $47,817.15 to Stripe-A-Lot

For the Police Department:

Salle S-09-07

a. $301.36 for payroll

Communications

Council President Blest summarized a letter from the New Castle Public Library Capital Campaign thanking Council for their commitment to the Library fund.

Council President Blest also informed the audience about a new complaint form that Matt Christopher has developed and that John Lloyd has written up a list of properties which have graffiti.

Comments from the Floor

Richard Stack spoke of his disagreement with Resolution 2008-03. Mr. Stack felt it was unfair, for example, to withhold police services for some properties and not other properties unless the property owner is willing to pay more money for the services that are already supplied to the rest of the City.

Mrs. Clark spoke about her concerns about levying a tax against people who rent properties. Council President Blest explained to Mrs. Clark that the Ordinance was already passed and what the City's intention was in passing it.

Chief McDerby stated that his department was given a $17,000 grant to buy a video surveillance system which should help with the City's graffiti problem.

Business from Council President

Council President Blest introduced two young men in the audience who were in attendance to observe Council. The young men are members of the Boy Scouts and are working towards their badges.

Unfinished Business

1. Third Reading, Motion, Discussion and Vote on Ordinance No. 456, approving a major subdivision in the vicinity of 9th and School Sts. Councilperson Gaworski read the Ordinance. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion to approve the Ordinance. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously. Council also stated their individual reasons for approving the Ordinance.

2. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution 2008-03, requesting the Delaware General Assembly to approve a Charter change to allow the City to levy special assessments on properties which utilize an inordinate level of City services or which maybe in need of major capital improvements where specific properties would be the main beneficiaries of said improvements. Council President Blest read the Resolution in its entirety. Councilperson Reese made a Motion to accept the Resolution and it was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and it passed unanimously. (Gaworski-yes, Petty-yes, Churchill-yes, Reese-yes, Blest-yes) Council President Blest directed Mr. Akin to forward a copy of the Resolution to the General Assembly.

New Business

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Bank Resolution to pay Joshi Construction $103,075.46 for building restoration on the Bellanca Air Hanger Improvement Project, Contract No. 3, Certificate No. 2. Councilperson Churchill read the Resolution. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion to accept the Resolution. It was seconded by Councilperson Gaworski and passed unanimously.

2. Resolution No. 2008-01, Motion to Award the Bid for a One Ton Pick Up Truck with 4 Door Crew Cab. Councilperson Gaworski read the Resolution. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion that the Resolution be accepted. It was seconded by Councilperson Petty and passed unanimously.

3. Resolution No. 2008-02, Motion to Award the Bid for Stake Body Truck with Dump Bed/Standard Cab. Councilperson Gaworski read the Resolution. Councilperson Churchill made a Motion that the Resolution be accepted. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously.

4. Comments from the Floor. Dee Duszak from 9th St. commented on problems with a neighbor on 9th St. who allows his dog to defecate on the park property. Mr. Lloyd, the City's Code Officer has been contacted about the problem but presumably it only occurs on nights/weekends when Mr. Lloyd is off duty. Council President Blest suggested that the neighbors continue to work with Mr. Lloyd to resolve the problem.

The meeting adjourned at 8: 10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jill DiAngelo,

City Clerk