QUARTERLY OPEN TOWN MEETING
The Quarterly Open Town Meeting was held on August 3, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. with Vice-Mayor Richter presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Daisey, Mrs. Legates, Mr. Lynn, Mr. Christiansen, Mr. Levitt, Mr. Weyandt and Mr. VanSant. Mayor Carroll was absent.
Staff members present were Mr. Roe, Mr. Bartolotta, Mr. Lucas, Chief Klenoski, Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Bittner.
Durward Matthews - Street Resurfacing
Mr. Durward Matthews, President of the Mayfair/Crossgates/Wedgewood Civic Association, addressed Council concerning the City’s street resurfacing program. Mr. Matthews feels that the criteria for resurfacing priorities are inequitable. He stated that the streets in his area are much older than many of the streets that are scheduled for resurfacing in the very near future. Mr. Matthews distributed photographs of Fiddlers Green, depicting grass and weeds growing in the cracks of the pavement on Fiddlers Green and Winterberry Drive.
Due to sewer problems on Mockingbird Avenue, patches have been made several times and the patches continue to settle below the normal street level.
Mr. Matthews suggested that the City designate money to be utilized for street resurfacing in each development for equal distribution throughout the City. He also suggested that the City use weed killer on the grass growing in the cracked streets.
Mr. Bartolotta stated that City crews are presently attempting to spray for weeds and Mr. Matthew’s area will be covered as soon as possible.
Concerning the new concept of mechanized trash collection, Mr. Matthews stated that although he is not totally in favor of the new system he is willing to give it a fair trial. Concerning a question by Mr. Matthews on funding of the test for mechanized trash collection, Mr. Weyandt stated that these monies were derived from the Trash Department budget and in no way were funds taken from streets repairs to fund the test.
Mr. Weyandt stated that the City has recognized that many streets in the City need repair, but it would be necessary to raise taxes in order to make all the repairs at one time.
Mr. VanSant commended Mr. Matthews for speaking and requested that he continue to present the views of his neighbors when possible.
Mr. Bartolotta stated that street priorities are based strictly on the merits of the street condition. Age of the street has no bearing on its schedule for resurfacing. The City is planning to resurface 18 streets during the next two months; two of the streets are located in Mr. Matthews’ neighborhood (Post Blvd. and Haman Drive). The priority list has been updated and will continue to be updated as monies become available for street resurfacing. If monies become available through bond issues and receives Council approval, Fiddlers Green and Dogwood Avenue would be resurfaced in the summer of 1988; Mimosa Avenue, Mockingbird Avenue, and Kesselring Avenue would be resurfaced in 1989.
Mr. Richter informed Mr. Matthews that his concerns will be referred to the Utility Committee for further review.
Mr. VanSant reminded Mr. Matthews that the priority list was updated due to the fact that some streets from the original survey deteriorated much faster than was anticipated and some streets did not deteriorate as quickly as expected. There was a compression and an adjustment at the same time, which is why some of the streets in the Mayfair/Crossgates/Wedgewood area were adjusted on the schedule. Mr. Bartolotta reminded Council that the priority list will be updated this winter.
Street Sweeping - Reginald Kennedy
Mr. Reginald Kennedy of 30 N. Governors Avenue questioned the City’s present street sweeping policy. He stated that the area of concern is on Governors Avenue, north of Division Street and south of Fulton Street. Surrounding streets have been swept and he questioned why the street near his home has not been swept. Mr. Kennedy submitted a petition from other residents in his area requesting the sweeping of their street.
Mr. Bartolotta stated that the street should be swept at least every two weeks and assured Mr. Kennedy that he would look into the problem.
Mr. Christiansen questioned the need for City residents to move their vehicles for street sweeping if the City is not sweeping the streets on a regular basis. Mr. Bartolotta informed those present that Council recently approved funds for a new street sweeper and an additional employee to increase the regularity of street sweeping.
Children Playing on City Lot
Mr. Tom Runyon of 206 MacArthur Drive, Mr. Joe Petrucci of 1261 Harrison Drive and Mr. Jack Feathers of 1268 Harrison Drive addressed Council concerning a City owned lot which is located across the street from Mr. Runyon’s house. Mr. Runyon stated that small neighborhood children have always played on the vacant lot. Upon receiving a complaint from a resident of Whiteoak Farms, Mr. Bartolotta informed the children that they could no longer play on the lot. Mr. Bartolotta advised parents that the children could not participate in any form of organized sports.
Mr. Runyon stated that these children are young and the games they play are not organized in any way. The children play sandlot baseball and football. It is simply an area where the young children can gather to play together. The lot is very close to the homes of the young children and parents are able to supervise their activities from home. No objections have been made by any of the neighbors in the immediate vicinity of the lot. The resident that made the complaint does not live in close proximity to the City lot.
Referring to Williams Park, the parents stated that they prefer that their small children play closer to home since they must have adult supervision with them at all times at Williams Park. They are not requesting that the lot be made into a park, but that the children be permitted to continue playing on the lot. The parents are willing to accept responsibility for their children and are able to keep a constant watch on them when they are playing close to home.
Mr. Bartolotta stated that the parcel is a utility lot, housing a pumping station and a well. He voiced no objections to a small number of children playing on the lot, but he objected to organized sports such as baseball or football, feeling that City parks should be utilized.
The parents assured Council that the children are not participating in any form of organized sports and that children have been playing on this property for many years. They urged Council to allow their children to continue their play activities on the lot.
Mr. Richter stated that Council does not take official action during open town meetings but suggested that the matter be referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee. He also suggested that parents continue discussions with the City Manager.
Mr. VanSant commended the parents for their desire to supervise the activities of their children.
Ruth Tee - Problems in Edgehill Area
Ms. Tee referred to her letter to Council of February 19, 1987. Ms. Tee presented many neighborhood problems in her letter. She received a letter from the City Clerk stating that her concerns were referred to staff for review. She received no replies from members of City staff. Ms. Tee felt that Council should be more aware of checks and balances concerning citizen complaints.
Ms. Tee presented photographs depicting the areas of her concerns and reviewed the items outlined in her letter. She stated that the property known as Cottage Courts has had the grass cut, and the large limbs and tree stumps have been removed. Responding to a question by Ms. Tee concerning the allowable length for a parked motor-home within the City limits, Mr. Roe stated that motor-homes can be no longer than 31'.
The alley between Greenhill Avenue and Upland Avenue is overgrown with weeds and bushes. She has reported this matter to the Inspections Department many times but to date no action has been taken. She informed Council that on occasion, Slaughter’s Used Cars blocks the alley behind their building.
Ms. Tee informed Council that Mr. William Hurley has had a disabled vehicle in his yard for many years and the City has not made his remove the vehicle.
Very little progress has been made on the property located at the corner of Whiteoak Road and Edgehill Avenue. Ms. Tee reiterated has previous concerns that this problem is an eyesore. The City has allowed Mr. Johnson time for renovations but renovations are not taking place. She noted that Mr. Johnson’s time limit will expire on September 19, 1987. Ms. Tee feared that Mr. Johnson would sell the property and the City would give the new owners an extended time limit for repairs. She felt that it is unfair of the City to allow this type of situation to continue.
Mr. Richter promised Ms. Tee that she would receive a response to her concerns.
Mrs. Grace Matthews - 350 Mockingbird Avenue - Mechanized Trash Collection
Mrs. Grace Matthews of 350 Mockingbird Avenue voiced her objections to the new mechanized trash collection system. She objected to being expected to clean the 90 gallon containers and expressed concern for persons that are unable to clean them and for persons that are physically unable to handle the containers. She distributed pictures of herself standing next to the 90 gallon container in an attempt to show how bulky the containers are to handle. Mrs. Matthews also objected to the City placing something on her private property without her permission and objected to being held responsible for the container.
Mrs. Matthews resented the fact that her street was chosen to be a part of the test program, feeling that her husband’s presidency of the civic association was the reason for Mockingbird Avenue being included.
Mr. VanSant concurred with Mrs. Matthews’ thoughts, stating that the City attempted to choose areas for the test program where civic minded citizens reside. It was the City’s hope that individuals involved in the program would come forward at the end of the test to express their feelings.
Mr. Bartolotta explained to Mrs. Matthews that if she presently does not need to wash her trash containers because of the use of plastic bags, she will not need to wash the new 90 gallon container. If plastic bags are not used, then the containers would need periodic cleaning. Mr. Bartolotta stated that if the program is approved, identification will be permitted on the trash containers. If the container is stolen, the City would require that the Police Department be notified and the City will replace the container as long as no negligence is involved. Bulky trash pickup will remain as it presently exists although it is Mr. Bartolotta’s hope that bulky pickup will be improved.
Ben Bowings - Mechanized Trash Collection
Mr. Ben Bowings of 198 Haman Drive addressed the issue of mechanized trash collection, stating that he is willing to give the test a fair trial, but he objected to the brochure distributed on the new system, feeling that it was misleading. The brochure stated that the new containers were attractive which he strongly objected to. He wondered why the containers could not be green in color to blend in with landscaping rather than the present color of black.
Mr. Bowings questioned the City Manager on what residents are to do if they have more trash than the container can hold. Mr. Bartolotta stated that in every city that has tested the program, there is increased waste during the first two months. After the first couple of months, the waste has proven to return to its normal level. Additional containers would be available for purchase if necessary. Mr. Bartolotta stated that the City would work with any resident who has problems with insufficient container space.
The color of the container is determined by the guarantee offered. Green containers are guaranteed for five years and the black containers are guaranteed for 10 years. The City felt it more advantageous to utilize the containers with the longer guarantee.
Mr. Phillip Baynard - Parking Authority Study
The Dover Parking Authority study recently prepared by Norman Day Associates, proposed a parking lot for property owned by Mr. Phillip Baynard and his mother, Mrs. Alfred Biggs. The property is located on State Street across from the Court House. Mr. Baynard questioned Council on the authority of the Parking Authority to take his property for parking facilities.
Mr. Richter explained that the proposal is only a recommendation in a parking study. The Parking Authority is a long way from making any decisions on the proposals outlined in the consultant’s report.
Mr. VanSant questioned if the Parking Authority has the right of condemnation or eminent domain.
Mr. Baynard stated that during a fall workshop of the Authority he was led to believe that the Parking Authority had the power to condemn.
Mr. Richter requested that the City Solicitor research the powers of the Parking Authority relative to condemnation.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BITTNER
CITY CLERK
JOHN E. RICHTER
VICE-MAYOR
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