PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on May 3, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. with Chairman Sadusky presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Russell, Mr. Truitt, and Mr. Long. Mayor Speed was also present (arrived at 2:25 p.m.).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ruane moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Recommendation of Library Site Search Committee
In 2004, a Library Facilities Plan was conducted for the City of Dover by Robert H. Rohlf Associates. In order to address the issues raised in the report, an Intergovernmental Site Committee was formed to identify potential locations for the construction of a new library.
Mr. Zach Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the recommendations of the Site Committee (Attachment #1). He noted that the site boundaries were Walker Road, Route 13, Wyoming Avenue, and Saulsbury Road. The committee began with 29 locations and narrowed the list to three (3) preferred sites; City Hall Parking Lot and Dover Post Office, Eden Hill, and Treadway Towers. Mr. Carter presented the benefits and challenges associated with each site.
Mr. Carter stated that there was the possibility of the post office maintaining its retail service operation in the downtown area, with shipping and other operations moving to another location. Mr. DePrima noted that the City has had several conversations with the Post Office regarding the current lease agreement and both parties are willing to work together when the current lease expires in 14 years. The City also met with the owners of Treadway Towers and they may be interested in selling the property, which would include the purchase of long-term leases. Mr. DePrima noted that the only site that could accommodate a multi-level parking facility is the City Hall parking lot, which is being evaluated for a parking facility in a separate project. He advised members that the Blue Hen Mall was recently added to the list of sites and the mall's management would be contacted regarding cost and availability.
The Library Site Search Committee recommended approval of the City Hall Parking Lot and Dover Post Office, Eden Hill, and Treadway Towers as the three (3) preferred sites and endorsement of the following steps: (1) Select one of the three (3) options as the preferred site, (2) Select an alternate site, (3) Adopt a City funding plan by creating a Library Reserve Fund, designating Pay in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) as income for the library, approval of a carry forward fund balance for the library, develop a bond issue plan, and designating the sale of excess city real estate for library reserve, (4) Develop a model for governance with Kent County, and (5) Negotiate with current owners of potential sites.
Mr. Ruane stated that he was delighted to see the project moving forward and noted that the report shows all of the hard work, research, and consideration of the Site Selection Committee. He felt the partnership and cost sharing with the State, City, and County was the most important element in this process, since the library meets most of the criteria for an anchor library and at least half of the current users are County residents. Mr. Ruane suggested that the State contribute 50%, the County 25%, and the City 25% to build the library. Mr. DePrima noted the importance of making the presentation to City Council, City Council Committees, Kent County Levy Court, and the community.
Mr. Ruane moved to amend step #4, Develop a model for governance with Kent County, to read “Continue dialogue with the State and County on cost and space sharing and governance”. The motion was seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the Site Selection Committee Report, to endorse the recommended next steps, as amended, and that the City Manager be directed to incorporate into the current budget review the proposed funding plan. The motion was seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane advised members that the 2005 Charter Review Committee recently reviewed the debt limit section of the Charter and it was his hope that they would recommend increasing the bond limit in order for the City to obtain the necessary funding to complete the project.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the Site Selection Committee’s preferred site of the City Hall Parking Lot/Post Office, without excluding the other sites. The motion was seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Levy Court Commissioner Allan Angel advised members that the County was willing to work with the City regarding the governance issue.
Noting that this was Mr. Sadusky’s last meeting, Mr. Ruane thanked him for all of his hard work and leadership as the Committee’s Chairman.
Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Sadusky
Chairman
RMS/hf
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20065-03-2006 PR&CE.wpd
Attachments to Original Minutes and File Copy:
Attachment #1 - Dover Public Library Presentation