CITY COUNCIL OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF NEW CASTLE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
7:00 P.M.

Present:
Council President William Blest
Councilperson John Gaworski
Councilperson Teel Petty
Councilperson Donald Reese

Absent:
Councilperson Janet Churchill

Others Present:
Mayor John Klingmeyer, City Treasurer Janet Carlin, City Administrator Cathryn Thomas, Police Chief Kevin McDerby, Interim Director of Public Services Frank DiSabatino, City Solicitor Roger Akin, Building Official Jeff Bergstrom

Council President Blest led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Council President Blest also asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of events which occurred on September 11, 2001.

Approval of Minutes by Date
            Councilperson Gaworski made a motion that the minutes, dated August 14, 2007, covering both a public hearing and the regular City Council meeting, be accepted as presented. Councilperson Reese seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report

            Treasurer Carlin  stated that there was $400 in petty cash on hand, $642,427.91 total cash in the Wilmington Trust accounts, $1,548,281.84 in the Delaware Government Investment Pool and $2,190,709.75 total cash on hand. Councilperson Reese made a motion that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as presented. Councilperson Gaworski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Report from the City Administrator

            City Administrator’s report was in Council’s packet for their review and Mrs. Thomas noted that the street repairs for the City will begin very soon.

Approval of Staff Reports

            Chief McDerby stated that the Police Department’s reports were in Council’s packets and advised Council that the FOP will not pursue altering the department’s schedules.

Grant Review

            None

Communications

            Councilperson Petty was contacted by Lynn Sheridan asking when the two park benches she purchased would be installed. Mr. DiSabatino stated that the area where Ms. Sheridan wants the benches placed is Trustee property and the Trustees do not want the benches installed there.

Business from the Mayor

            None

Business from the Council President

            None

Business from the Floor (concerning agenda items only)

            Kristen Almquist stated that she felt the City employees should be given a raise and that the money that is being spent on hiring a new Public Services Director would be better used in giving the employees raises.

            Quite a few members of the audience spoke about the proposal to change the block of 7th St. between Tremont and Delaware to one way eastbound.   Most, if not all of the audience members, were against this proposal.  Councilperson Reese stated that he put this item on the agenda to get feedback from the residents as a way of trying to resolve some  City traffic issues.

Unfinished Business

1. Third Reading, Motion, Discussion and Vote on Ordinance No. 451 governing vacant buildings. The Ordinance was amended to include a retroactive provision, which, in turn, meant that there was a major change to the Ordinance and that a second Public Hearing would be set for 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 9, to be followed by a Fourth Reading and possible adoption.
2. Discussion to develop a process for performance evaluation for the City Administrator. The original performance evaluation forms could not be located so a workshop was scheduled for

6 p.m. on September 26 to develop a new performance evaluation form.

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote to Approve Ron Bright as an Ice Cream Vendor to operate with the City of New Castle. The vendor did not appear in person and no further action will be taken by City Council.

New Business:

1. Discussion to set a Public Hearing for a STOP Sign proposed to be located on 7th Street at its intersection with Clayton Street. Chief McDerby stated that the stop sign is not necessary as a matter of public safety. A Public Hearing will be set for 6:30 p.m. on October 9 to discuss the matter further.
2. Discussion of forwarding to the Police Department a proposal to change the block of 7th Street between Tremont and Delaware Streets to one-way for traffic to only travel eastbound. After hearing from the audience members against this proposal, the proposal for this change was withdrawn.
3. Discussion to set a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 454 governing items related to graffiti.  Councilperson Reese requested that a public hearing be held to discuss this matter. Therefore, a hearing was set for 7 p.m. on September 26.
4. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2007-30, approving an employment agreement for a new hire to fill the vacant position of Public Services Director. Mayor Klingmeyer was opposed to hiring the Public Services Director and felt that this matter should be discussed in Executive Session. Council’s decision was to approve the appointment of Matthew Christopher as Public Services Director provided Mr. Christopher passes the background checks.
5. Comments from the floor: None.
6. Executive Session concerning a matter of pending litigation and a personnel matter. Councilperson Reese made a motion that the meeting be adjourned and Council retire to Executive Session. Councilperson Petty seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting ended at 8:59 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jill DiAngelo,
City Clerk