City Council of the City of New Castle

February 12, 2008

Regular Council Meeting

7:00 p.m.

Present:

Council President William Blest

Councilperson Donald Reese

Councilperson Teel Petty

Councilperson John Gaworski, Jr.

Also Present:

Mayor John Klingmeyer, City Treasurer Janet Carlin, City Solicitor Roger Akin, City Administrator Cathryn Thomas, Police Chief Kevin McDerby, Building Official Jeff Bergstrom

Approval of Minutes to Date

A motion was made by Councilperson Gaworski to accept the Minutes of the January 8 Regular Meeting; January 22 Special Meeting and Workshop; and the January 22 Executive Session, as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report

Janet Carlin reported that there was $400.00 in petty cash, $293,692.09 total deposits for the month, $489,963.07 in the Wilmington Trust Accounts, $1,585,114.84 in the Certificates of Deposit and Delaware Government Investment Pool and $2,075,077.91 total cash on hand. A motion was made by Councilperson Reese to accept the report as presented and it was seconded by Councilperson Gaworski.

Report from City Administrator

Mrs. Thomas stated that her reports were in Council’s packets.

Approval of Staff Reports

Chief McDerby stated that his report was in Council's packet as did Mr. Bergstrom. Chief McDerby also stated that the graffiti artists who defaced the Sailing Club building have been identified and the police are pursuing prosecution.

Grant Review

Councilperson Churchill was unavailable for the meeting but the Grant Review was in Council’s packets and available at the City Administration Building.

Communications—Item from WILMAPCO

Council President Blest stated that WILMAPCO has scheduled a workshop for February 25, 2008.

Comments from the Floor

Mike Alfree commented on Item 5, placing STOP signs at 2nd and Harmony Streets. Mr. Alfree is opposed to it because he doesn’t feel that drivers will stop at them anyway.

Business from Mayor

Council President Blest read a letter from Mayor Klingmeyer regarding his appointment of Beverly Ross to the Planning Commission. Ms. Ross has declined the appointment, stating that she felt someone more experienced should have the appointment. Therefore, Mayor Klingmeyer has appointed Mrs. Dorsey Fiske.

Council President Blest read a letter from Mayor Klingmeyer regarding the Charter Change requested by the Municipal Services Commission (MSC). The Mayor is requesting that a committee be formed to review MSC’s charter change since the City of New Castle is one, if not the only, municipality in Delaware that does not control the rates charged by the City utility companies.

Unfinished Business

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2008-04, approving a contract with URS Corp. for services to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Councilperson Gaworski read the Resolution. Councilperson Reese made a Motion to approve the Resolution. It was seconded by Councilperson Gaworski and it was passed unanimously.

New Business

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution 2008-06, commemorating the 125th anniversary of Bridgewater Jewelers. Councilperson Reese read the Resolution and it was accepted by Ms. Mary Frances Lenhoff on behalf of the Bridgewater Family. Councilperson Reese made a motion that the Resolution be accepted and it was seconded by Councilperson Gaworksi and passed unanimously.

2. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution 2008-05, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the New Castle Presbyterian Church. Councilperson Reese read the Resolution and presented it to the Rev. Nancy Rowland on behalf of the Congregation of the New Castle Presbyterian Church. Councilperson Reese made a motion that the Resolution be accepted and it was seconded by Councilperson Petty and passed unanimously.

3. Discussion to schedule a Public Hearing to consider an Ordinance for the protection of wellheads and source water supplies. A Public Hearing will be scheduled after the proposal goes to the Planning Commission. Council President Blest made a motion that the Ordinance be sent to the Planning Commission. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously.

4. Discussion to schedule a Public Hearing to consider placing two STOP signs on 2nd Street where it intersects with Harmony Street. Chief McDerby stated that he was not opposed to the signs as a traffic calming remedy, but that additional STOP signs are not necessary. Council President Blest felt that it should not be pursued until the resident requesting the signs comes before Council and explain his feelings for the need for more STOP signs. Council agreed with Council President Blest and the matter was not considered further by the Council members.

5. Comments from the Floor. There were no comments from the floor.

6. Executive Session to discuss two personnel matters, an item of pending litigation and an item related to collective bargaining. Councilperson Reese made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session and it was passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jill DiAngelo,

City Clerk