REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on October 26, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members present were Councilmen Lambert, Tudor, Leary, Pitts, Salters, Levitt, Daisey and Hare.
Council staff members present were Chief Hutchison, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Worley, Mr. DePrima, Fire Chief Baker, Mrs. Boaman and Mr. Pepper.
In the absence of Reverend Doreina Miles, the invocation was given by her daughter, Tina Miles, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hare requested the addition of an executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Council President Christiansen requested the addition of a Proclamation. By motion of Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Leary, the agenda was accepted, as amended.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 1992
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 13, 1992 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Leary, seconded by Mr. Daisey and bore the written approval of Mayor Knopf.
RESOLUTION - ED MILLER
By motion of Mr. Levitt, seconded by Mr. Hare, Council unanimously approved the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, Ed Miller began his career with the WDOV Radio Station in 1958 and has become a familiar voice in homes throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, his interest in the community earned him the title of Dover's "Morning Mayor" while hosting his morning radio show; and
WHEREAS, Ed has been an involved and caring citizen, having volunteered his services to community organizations, charities, churches of all denominations, and all types of social groups and acting as Master of Ceremonies on many occasions for numerous organizations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council convey their very best wishes to Ed Miller for giving so much to his community and expecting nothing in return.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council express their sincere appreciation to Ed Miller for his extraordinary contribution to our community and our citizens.
ADOPTED: October 26, 1992
Mr. Ed Miller conveyed his appreciation to Mayor and Council for the Resolution.
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Bible has proven to be a source of guidance, both morally and spiritually, for peoples and nations throughout the centuries; and
WHEREAS, our nation has been profoundly influenced by the Bible as evidenced in our art, literature, music, laws and sense of charity; and
WHEREAS, this time of financial recession, with its attendant plights of joblessness and homelessness, tests our working people and their families and challenges their beliefs; and
WHEREAS, our children are confronted with difficult decisions and bewildering choices everyday in an increasingly complex society; and
WHEREAS, it becomes necessary to educate all of the American people, but especially our youth, to the values that distinguish a humane and caring society; and
WHEREAS, for fifty-two years business and professional people, men and women of all faiths, have banded together in the Laymen's National Bible Association to sponsor National Bible Week as a time to remind all Americans, whatever their personal faith, of the bible's unique place in American history; and
WHEREAS, this annual emphasis has helped to strengthen spiritual awareness in the past throughout America by encouraging personal reading and study of the Bible.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, AARON O. KNOPF, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER do hereby proclaim November 22 - 29, 1992 as NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK in the City of Dover and urge all my fellow citizens to participate in its observance by reading the Bible and discovering its importance in the life and culture of our nation.
PROCLAMATION - PORNOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK - WHITE RIBBONS AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that obscenity is not protected speech under the First Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the sanctity of American homes has been invaded by dial-a-porn, cable porn, video porn, satellite to dish, radio porn, computer porn, and rock music porn; and
WHEREAS, pornography inflicts tremendous suffering and damage to individuals, families, children, business districts, communities, and our nation; and
WHEREAS, in this era of escalating violence, pornography features and promotes sadomasochism, rape and incest; and
WHEREAS, children are increasingly sexually molesting other children in imitation of what they have seen; and
WHEREAS, there are state and federal anti-obscenity laws on the books to protect public safety, public morality and public health; and
WHEREAS, the obscenity laws are uniquely grounded in community standards; and
WHEREAS, millions of Americans throughout this great nation will be participating in the fifth national white ribbon against pornography campaign and will be displaying white ribbons as symbols of decent community standards to be protected by enforcement of the obscenity laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, AARON O. KNOPF, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, do hereby proclaim the week of October 25, 1992 through November 1, 1992, as PORNOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK in the City of Dover and urge citizens to display white ribbons to symbolize decent community standards.
Ms. Bobbi Pahlavan accepted the Proclamation, expressing her appreciation for the support of Mayor and Council for a very worthy cause.
CITY MANAGER'S SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTION - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY
The City Code requires that the City Manager inspect the Robbins Hose Company during the months of October and April of each year. Mr. Worley has completed the inspection and submitted a written report on his findings. Overall, all findings were positive but special emphasis was placed on the improvement in the Recruitment Program, with 19 new recruits for the year which is just one shy of their goal of 20 new recruits. Mr. Lambert reported on a recent visit to the fire station. He stated that he was impressed with the manner in which the building and equipment are being maintained.
By motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mr. Lambert, the City Manager's Report on the semi-annual inspection of the Robbins Hose Company was unanimously accepted.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Safety Advisory Committee met on October 26, 1992 at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Hare presiding.
Report on West Dover Fire Station - Public Safety Issues Implementation Study Committee (PSIISC)
The Public Safety Issues Implementation Study Committee submitted its recommendation to the Safety Advisory Committee, as outlined in their Committee Meeting Minutes of September 30, 1992. Mayor Knopf outlined the following recommendations:
West Dover Fire Station
Need - The committee unanimously agreed that there is an immediate need for a fire station in West Dover.
Location - The committee unanimously agreed that the northeast corner property currently owned by the City of Dover at Walker Road and Kenton Road is the best possible location.
Police Station
Need - The committee unanimously agreed that renovations and expansion of the existing facility are needed immediately.
Location - The committee unanimously agreed that the necessary space for the Police Department should be in the form of expansion at their current site.
East Dover Fire Station - An East Dover Fire Station was not discussed. This will be revisited in the near future.
Financing - The committee could not recommend a financing vehicle until architectural drawings and specifications are done and the drawings and specifications submitted for bids. Since they had no hard cost estimates, a decision could not be made.
The PSIISC committee unanimously recommended that Council provide the necessary funds to obtain architectural drawings and specifications for the two projects so that proposed costs can be determined and reviewed by the committee.
The Safety Advisory Committee recommended acceptance of the report as submitted and that the request by the PSIISC for funding of the architectural drawings and mechanicals be referred to the Legislative and Finance Committee.
Mr. Hare moved for approval of the committee's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Mr. Hare moved for acceptance of the Safety Advisory Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS - SEPTEMBER
By motion of Mr. Leary, seconded by Mr. Hare, Council accepted the following monthly reports:
Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report
City Assessor Report
City Alderman Report
J.P. Court #7 Report
City Managers Report
General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Reports
Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Reports
Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Reports
Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Reports
Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Reports
While discussing the Chief of Police Report, Mr. Salters commended the Police Department for their increased efforts in traffic arrests, as outlined very clearly in a detailed chart. Mr. Salters asked the Chief to include, in future reports, a similar chart for the number of drug arrests. Mr. Hare conveyed his appreciation for the inclusion of information relating to the number of traffic fines that have been paid.
By motion of Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Leary, the Chief of Police Report for the month of September was unanimously accepted.
APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY ELECTION - NOVEMBER 16, 1992
Mr. Hare moved that the following individuals be appointed to serve as judges for the Robbins Hose Company election on November 16, 1992:
Carleton Dill
Donald Hayes
John McCoy (Alternate)
The motion was seconded by Mr. Daisey and carried with Mr. Christiansen not voting.
Mr. Hare moved to adjourn into Open Forum and then into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
OPEN FORUM
Council President Christiansen declared the open forum in session and reminded those present that Council is not in official session and cannot take formal action.
T. Magoo Dorcy - 1131 S. Bay Road
Mr. T. Magoo Dorcy of 1131 S. Bay Road suggested that the City Police consider implementation of a program for Halloween where police officers could provide safe treats. A civilian could ride along in a marked police car and hand out treats to Halloween participants.
Mr. Dorcy also suggested that, through the Police Athletic League, trading cards be made up of local athletes. These athletic trading cards could be handed out by Police officers as an illustration of positive role models to combat crime.
The Open Forum Adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of October 26, 1992, are hereby approved.
AARON O. KNOPF
MAYOR
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