Present:

Council President William Blest
Councilperson Donald Reese
Councilperson Janet Churchill
Councilperson John Gaworski, Jr.
Councilperson Teel Petty

Also Present:

Mayor John Klingmeyer, City Administrator Cathryn Thomas

Consideration of the following two requests:

A) For placement of a STOP Sign at the intersection of 3^rd and South Street;

The few residents that attended the public hearing were in favor of placing another Stop Sign on 3^rd Street.

B) To make 7^th Street One-Way, in an effort to curtail traffic generated by non-City residents cutting through the City to avoid traffic on major highways located just outside the City limits.

Councilperson Reese read a flyer that someone distributed to the residents on 6^th St. stating that the meeting would begin at 6:30 p.m. which was incorrect. Councilperson Reese also presented pictures taken by Mr. DiAlessandro showing 7^th Street between Delaware and Tremont Streets.

Councilperson Reese’s plan would allow traffic to go from South Street to Delaware Street on 7^th Street. Traffic going from Delaware Street to South Street on 7^th Street would not be able to do so. That traffic would have to go down 6^th Street, make a right onto Tremont Street, then make a left off of Tremont Street onto 7^th Street

Mr. Earl Carpenter spoke regarding this matter. Mr. Carpenter feels that this attempt may help the residents on 7^th Street, but that will only make the traffic and/or parking problem on 6^th Street worse.

Mr. Erv Thatcher also spoke on this matter. Mr. Thatcher feels that 7^th St. is not wide enough for parking and two-way traffic.

Mr. James Kirk, who resides on 7^th Street, stated that he was in favor of the proposal but would prefer that 7^th Street was one way the length of the street. Mr. Dan Plumley stated that he is appreciative of the new Stop Signs on 7^th Street and is in favor of Councilperson Reese’s plan.

Mr. Mike Alfree said he felt that this solution will only make the problem worse on 6^th Street. Mr. Alfree suggested possibly restricting drivers’ turning ability at certain times of the day.

Mayor Klingmeyer suggested turning this matter over to the Planning Commission so they could review this matter with City Planners to see what suggestions they had. Ms. Beverly Ross would like for Council to form a committee of residents who are affected by this to see how they would like to proceed. David Bird of the Planning Commission stated that the Planning Commission is working on this.

The hearing was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Present:

Council President William Blest
Councilperson Donald Reese
Councilperson Janet Churchill
Councilperson John Gaworski, Jr.
Councilperson Teel Petty

Also Present:

Mayor John Klingmeyer, City Administrator Cathryn Thomas

Consideration of a request for Rezoning a portion of 300 W. 7^th Street, Parcel No. 21-014.00-396, from IN Industrial to R-3 Residential; and to Amend the Comprehensive Plan concerning the area of the parcel requested for rezoning.

Council President Blest reiterated to the audience the substance of this rezoning request. The request was forwarded to the Planning Commission. Apparently, this request is not in conformance with the current Comprehensive Plan and so in order to allow this request, the Comprehensive Plan would have to be amended. Ms. Thomas stated that another step in this process includes involvement of the Office of State Planning Coordination and that the applicant must complete that step prior to City Council approval. Mr. DeAscanis spoke on this matter as he is the representative of the party requesting the rezoning.

The hearing was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Present:

Council President William Blest
Councilperson Donald Reese
Councilperson Janet Churchill
Councilperson John Gaworski, Jr.
Councilperson Teel Petty

Also Present:

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

Approval of Minutes to Date

A motion was made by Councilperson Churchill to accept the Minutes of August 27, September 9, and September 22 as presented. Councilperson Petty noted a minor correction. Councilperson Churchill made another motion to accept the Minutes as corrected. It was seconded by Councilperson Gaworski and passed unanimously.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report

Ms. Thomas reported that there was $400.00 in petty cash, $638,870.11 total deposits for the month, $370,922.42 in the Wilmington Trust Accounts, $2,230.300.42 in the Certificates of Deposit and Delaware Government Investment Pool and $2,601,222.84 total cash on hand. A motion was made by Councilperson Reese to accept the report as presented. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously.

Approval of City Administrator’s Report

Ms. Thomas stated that her report to Council was in their packets.

Approval of Staff Reports

Chief McDerby stated that the Police report was in Council’s package. Jeff Bergstrom also stated that his report was in Council’s packet.

Councilperson Reese informed the audience that Chief McDerby organized a trip for World War II Veterans to go to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Monument Memorial. Councilperson Reese noted that since Chief McDerby is not one to speak about his accomplishments, Councilperson Reese wanted the audience to know what type of person Chief McDerby was and thanked him for organizing the trip, which was one among other community activities that the Chief has organized.

Grant Review

Councilperson Churchill gave the grant information for the month of September. Monies received were $2,808 for the Police Accreditation Grant and $37,760 for the Security System for the Trolley Barn and Administration Building. Expenditures for the month were $4,358 for the EZ Child ID Mobile System and $700 to Kercher Engineering for paving.

Communications

None.

Business from the Floor (concerning agenda items only)

Mr. John Bloxom, an attorney, spoke on behalf of Almars, a boat motor business located within the City, where a request is being made for a waiver from the City Ordinance governing Temporary Storage Units. Mr. Bloxom stated that Almars was given permits from the City in 1999 for the storage units to be located on their property.

Mr. Lew Indellini asked about the agenda item regarding the request of St. Anthony’s Club of a quitclaim deed. Mr. Indellini questioned whether issuing a quitclaim deed for that parcel of property, would the result be creating a land-locked parcel of another property? Mr. Indellini also spoke concerning other parcels which St. Anthony’s Club has had use of, however are not deeded to the Club.

Mr. David Bird spoke on Item No. 1 under New Business on the agenda, regarding the City participating in the State Commercial District Affiliate program, and that the Historic New Castle Alliance group favors the City Council adopting this resolution.

Mr. Binney Beale spoke on the issue of the trash can that was moved from Harmony Street. He would like the trash can replaced.

Mr. John Cochran also spoke on this issue. Mr. Cochran questioned why the residents cannot take the dog waste home with them and throw it away in their own trash cans. Mr. Cochran also stated that he did not remove the trash can in question, that the City removed it. Ms. Dorsey Fiske spoke in favor of replacing the trash can where it had been on City property adjacent to Mr. Cochran’s property.

Several residents spoke in opposition to the barricade on Howell Drive being removed, as the residents do not want traffic entering Buttonwood Avenue from Howell Drive and the Collins Park Subdivision. Those residents included Mr. Eugene Petty, Ms. Victoria Garrett, Ms. Ginger Evans, Ms. Paula Peastock and Mr. Elliott Tatem.

State Representative Mike Mulrooney spoke regarding the Howell Drive barricade. He stated that public safety is the number one concern. Rep. Mulrooney stated that DelDOT did not find that the amount of traffic warranted the closure and that trains running behind the developments carry chemicals, which could be hazard and hamper emergency vehicles needing access to the area.

Business from the Mayor

None.

Business from the Council President

None.

Unfinished Business

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2008-30, approving placement of a STOP Sign at the intersection 3^rd Street and South Street. The Resolution was read by Councilperson Reese. A motion was made by Councilperson Reese to adopt the Resolution. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously.

   
   

2. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2008-31, approving a new configuration for a portion of 7^th Street to be One-Way. The Resolution was read by Councilperson Reese. Councilperson Churchill requested an amendment to the Resolution that a 60 day trial period be added to the Resolution, including that traffic counts be conducted on 6^th and 7^th Streets before the change and during the trial period. A motion was made by Councilperson Churchill to adopt the Resolution. It was seconded by Councilperson Gaworski.(Churchill-yes, Petty-yes, Gaworski-yes, Reese-abstaining, Blest-abstaining).

   
   

3. Discussion of a Petition presented to the City Council concerning the location of a Trash Can at the end of Harmony Street. Council President Blest stated that he felt that the decision regarding placement of the can should be left up to the Public Services Department.

   
   

4. Discussion of scheduling a public hearing for the City Council and public to review DelDOT proposals for traffic calming on Buttonwood Avenue, where the optimum configuration would be chosen for installation, after which time the barricade on Howell Drive is proposed to be removed. Councilperson Gaworski requested that the matter be tabled for at least a month. Councilperson Reese spoke regarding this subject. He is upset with DelDOT for not responding to any of Council’s requests and as far as he is concerned, he wants the barriers to stay up. Councilperson Gaworski said he felt the same way. Councilperson Petty spoke on her feelings regarding the matter, as she wants the barriers to stay. Councilperson Gaworski made a motion to table this item. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously.

New Business

1. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2008-32, for the City of New Castle to be designated as a Commercial District Affiliate, in order to participate in certain training and activities through the State Department of Economic Development Office, with the goal of revitalization of the New Castle City downtown commercial district. The Resolution was read by Council President Blest. A Motion was made by Councilperson Gaworski. It was seconded by Councilperson Reese and passed unanimously.

   
   

2. Consideration of two requests to grant waivers to the City Ordinance governing Temporary Storage Units, as follows:

   
   A) by St. Peter the Apostle Parish, for a unit located at 521 Harmony Street;
   
   B) by Almars Outboard, Inc., for several units located at 701 Washington Street.

3. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2008-33, approving the execution by the City of New Castle of a Quitclaim Deed provided to St. Anthony’s Club, involving a Paper Street, known as Young Street. The Resolution was read by Council President Blest. Council agrees to give St. Anthony’s Club the quitclaim deed, with the condition that, prior to the deed being given, the items/structures which are not located on St. Anthony’s property be removed, and in cases where they are relocated onto St. Anthony’s property, that proper permits are obtained from the City.

4. Discussion of Appointments for the New Castle City Board of Elections. Council hopes to make their appointments by next Council meeting.

   
   

5. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Bank Resolution to pay $34,918.19 to the AmeriHealth Company, for workers’ compensation premiums through the DeLea Founders Insurance Trust. Councilperson Reese made a motion to adopt the Resolution. It was seconded by Councilperson Churchill and passed unanimously.

   
   

6. Discussion concerning a review and possible revision of processes and procedures relating to the Historic Area Commission as a joint venture with the New Castle Historical Society. Council members concurred with the review and Council President Blest will send a letter to the parties so that they may set a time to meet.

   
   

7. Comments from the floor.

   
   

8. Executive Session to discuss matters of pending litigation and personnel. A motion was made by Councilperson Reese and seconded by Councilperson Churchill. It passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jill DiAngelo,
City Clerk