Present:
Council President William Blest
Councilman Donald Reese
Councilwoman Churchill
Councilwoman Teel Petty
Council John DiMondi
Others Present:
Janet Carlin, City Treasurer
John Klingmeyer, Mayor
Council President Blest brought the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES TO DATE
A Motion was presented by Councilwoman Churchill to accept the Minutes
to Date. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Reese. Minutes to Date
were accepted as presented.
APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT
City Treasurer Janet Carlin stated that there was a total of $270.00
in the Petty Cash on Hand, $261,039.60 total cash in the Wilmington
Trust Accounts, a total of $379,437.25 in the Certificates of Deposit
and De. Government Investment Pool and $640,476.85 Total Cash on Hand.
A Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented was brought
by Councilman Reese. The Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Churchill.
Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.
APPROVAL OF DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Marian Delaney was unavailable to attend the Council Meeting and no
further action was taken on the Director’s Report. Councilman
DiMondi stated that the Wilmington Trust Account was not used.
APPROVAL OF CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
Chief McDerby was not able to make the meeting and no further action
was taken on the Chief of Police’s Report.
GRANT REVIEW
Council reviewed the following grants:
Tree Survey Grant–The City has received $20,000.00 from DNREC
to conduct GPS os street and City park trees. There is approximately
$5,000.00 left from the grant and the left over money will be used
to purchase GPS software.
Western Gateway Grant--Councilman DiMondi stated even though the City
has an agreement with DelDot to fund up to $140,000.00 for this project,
the money is currently unavailable because that the state highway
department has cut its budget by 30%.
State of DE. Community Redevelopment Fund–The City has requested
reimbursement of project costs regarding this matter and Councilman
DiMondi was unhappy that a project like the Western Gateway is on
a state road and did not feel that the City should have to pay for
projects that are on stated owned property. Council President Blest
stated that he felt Council needed to schedule a meeting regarding
the Gateway Project.
COMMUNICATIONS
Council President Blest received a report from Gary Watson of the
New Castle Flower Beautification Committee regarding the last meeting.
Councilman DiMondi stated that Council approved a permit for the Kids’
Fest requested by the Jaycees to be held in Battery Park.
Council President Blest received a letter from Donna Ramage of Del
Tech confirming that nursing students from DelTech would be going
throughout the City performing community assessments on August 29th,
August 30th and September 6th.
Adam Brams from the Police Department arrived and gave a synopsis
of the Police Department activities for the previous month.
Council President Blest received a letter from Mary Ann D’Amato
of the DE. Humane Society requesting to start a pilot program with
the City for animal control, wellness of pets, rabies/vaccine shots
and offered a spay/neuter day. The program would be designed specifically
to the City’s needs. It was agreed by Council that Ms. D’Amato
should be contacted to meet with Council regarding this program. Councilperson
Churchill volunteered to arrange a meeting.
Council President Blest received a letter from Barbara Temple, RN
of Christiana Hospital to consider helping to establish a community
health course.
Council President Blest received a letter from Tom Koch regarding
the Planning Commission meeting of 7/5/05 re; 219 2nd St. Subdivision.
Mr. Koch addressed some of the neighbors’ concerns and some
suggestions that Council might adopt when reviewing and voting on
this matter.
Council President Blest received a letter from Chip Patterson on behalf
of the New Castle Tree Commission asking if the Commission has the
right, and if so, on what authority, to take ownership and control
over trees in a public right of way if a property owner may have a
deed that says their property extends to the center of the street
or the curb. It was requested by the Commission that council address
this question with the City Solicitor.
Council President Blest received a letter from Thomas Koch informing
Council of a new group called “ACCORD” (Allied Citizens
for Commitment to Responsible Development) in light of the 2nd Street
Subdivision. Basically, ACCORD is seeking responsible development,
finding better ways to meet the challenges of new development, and,
especially, that anyone wishing to develop property has to notify
the residents in the general vicinity of a project that a proposal
is being considered and the date and time of the hearing, etc. ACCORD
would also like for Council to form a committee of various City residents
with professional experience in land use to review and vote on new
development requests.
BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Ned Hutchinson questioned when the zoning codes were last changed
and when was the City Charter last updated and why are issues like
this not addressed more frequently since both seem to be out of date.
Dorsey Fiske spoke as a member of ACCORD and stated that their group
would be meeting Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and asked that Council and
the citizens of New Castle join their meetings.
Eugene Petty asked when the flooding/drainage issues in Buttonwood
would be addressed and corrected.
Luther Twyman of Buttonwood reiterated Mr. Petty’s comments
on Buttonwood and requested that something be done soon regarding
the flooding and drainage problems.
Charlotte Houben also asked when the same problems experienced in
Washington Park were going to be addressed.
Paula Maddox of Buttonwood addressed the issue of cars speeding through
the neighborhood and there is no place for children to play. Councilwoman
Churchill stated that playground equipment had been purchased for
Buttonwood and as soon as all of the equipment arrived it would be
assembled in the Buttonwood Park.
Michael Heyman stated that he thought there should be some residents
from Buttonwood on the sub-committee that Council was considering
to work with the Planning Commission to address land use issues.
Dr. Padmalingam stated that he is still concerned about the shape
of Battery Park and that more upkeep and maintenance needs to be done.
Fred Welch commented on Battery Park also and stated that trash is
a problem and benches are falling apart. Maintenance and upkeep are
needed.
Ned Hutchinson questioned who owned the park. Council stated that
the City owns the property but that the New Castle Trustees were responsible
for maintaining the parkland. Questions and concerns regarding maintenance
and upkeep for the park should be directed to the Trustees.
Councilwoman Petty stated that the Public Works Department is currently
three employees short and when they become fully staffed the maintenance
and upkeep will be much better.
Erv Thatcher of the Public Works Department addressed the above issues
and stated all of the projects and work that the department does do.
State representative James Johnson spoke on the drainage issues in
Buttonwood and stated that he, Margaret Rose Henry and Bill Bell have
all appropriated money to address these concerns. Erv Thatcher stated
that even though the money has been appropriated, the money has not
come from Dover as of yet.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Council President Blest brought up the topic of obtaining a new City
Solicitor. Council voted, and it was decided that Gerald Kavanagh
would become the new City Solicitor. (Blest, Reese, Churchill, yes,
Petty and DiMondi, no vote).
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2005-17–George E. O’Neal. Council presented
and passed a Resolution noting George O’Neal’s 30 years
of service to the City.
Bank Resolution–Council passed a Resolution to access the General
Fund Checking Account in the amount of $28,600.00 for payment to Hoobers,
Inc. for a 430SSL Skid-Steer with 2005 Ambusher Engine.
Bank Resolution–Council passed a Resolution to access the General
Fund Checking Account in the amount of $49,424.00 for payment to Richards
Paving, Inc. for the Ninth Street Improvements.
In response to filling vacancies on several committees, Council decided
to keep the current architect who works closely with the HAC. As to
other vacancies, Council tabled this matter until the Mayor has made
his selections.
Sub-committee to work with Planning Commission–Council President
Blest asked for a Motion to name Tom Koch of ACCORD to the committee
and each council member and the Mayor would get one appointment for
this new committee. The committee would answer to Council and Council
would present the committee’s recommendation to the Planning
Commission. The Motion was presented and seconded and passed.
Resolution 2005-18–Request Input on Future Development from
New Castle Council.
Councilman Reese brought a Motion to pass the Resolution. Motion was
seconded by Councilwoman Churchill and was passed.
Resolution 2005-19–Evaluate the Preservation of the Remaining
Open Space Held by “The Trust” Situated in the City of
New Castle. Councilman Reese brought a Motion to pass the Resolution.
Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Churchill and was passed. (Councilwoman
Petty–a no vote).
A family member of a former New Castle resident who was a New Castle
Police Officer and is now deceased requested that Station Park located
in “Shawtown” be named in honor of his father. Councilwoman
Churchill offered that perhaps benches with name plaques would be
more appropriate as to not offend other deceased residents who have
done so much for the City. A motion to rename Station Park did not
receive a second.
A Motion was presented that the City retains Belfint Lyons & Shuman
to perform the City’s audits. Councilman DiMondi brought the
Motion and it was seconded by Councilman Reese and was passed.
Eugene Petty stated that a family in Buttonwood gave property they
owned in Buttonwood to the Buttonwood Civic Association in lieu of
back taxes. Mr. Petty was under the impression that the City now had
ownership of the property and asked how that happened and requested
that ownership of the property be returned to the Buttonwood Civic
Association. Council stated that they would research the matter.
Council President Blest requested that the meeting be adjourned and
Council to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matter.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill F. DiAngelo,
City Clerk
