Transcript: Regular Council Meeting
Monday, October 26, 2026
Machine transcript. Speaker names are machine-identified and can be wrong. Check the recording.
Showing 192 of 192 statements
Fred A. Neil
You have before you this evening's agenda, and I'll entertain a motion for its adoption.
Play from 00:00Fred A. Neil
Moved by Councilwoman Arndt and seconded by Councilwoman Pillsbury. Any discussion?
Play from 00:05Fred A. Neil
The consent agenda: we have before you in the consent agenda those items that our council considered routine, non-controversial, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the council. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of council so request, in which the matter shall be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item. What is the pleasure of the council?
Play from 00:12Fred A. Neil
Councilman Anderson has requested that item 10 be withdrawn in the allocation of the CDBG funds for the People's Community Center renovation project.
Play from 01:10Fred A. Neil
It's been moved and seconded. Councilman, uh, item number 10 has been removed. Uh, now we need a roll call vote for the remainder of the consent agenda.
Play from 01:21David L. Anderson
Can for item 10, mine—it's, I know it's supposed to be, I thought it was 10. Is it, um, item—
Play from 01:31City Clerk
Well, we were waiting for Mr. Anderson to pull it off, but we could just do the consent.
Play from 02:39Fred A. Neil
And if you remember, like in the action earlier, the consideration number 10, and the withdrawal of the reallocation of the CDBG funds for the People's Community Center renovation project.
Play from 02:42David L. Anderson
Thank you, um, being that I have a, uh, statement from, uh, People's Community Center in regards to the withdrawal. The year one CDBG 2024 renovation project formal withdrawal: "The undersigned, the authorized representatives of the People's Hope Center for the People's Community Center, confirms that the PCC formally withdraws the request for the $40,000 community development block grant, CDBG, application allocation for fiscal year 2024-2025 community renovation project. PCC further acknowledges for its account to the city of Dover, and we will also request reimbursement for any other reimbursable CDBG funds that the city owes, and PCC acknowledges for any future endeavors, for community protection through the proposed partnership. PCC acknowledges that CDBG- CDBG agreement associated with this project expired on June 30th, 2026, and acknowledges that PCC is not seeking to reinstate, extend, or otherwise continue the agreement for the associated CDBG allocation. By signing below, the authorized representative confirms that this withdrawal is made on behalf of PCC and that PCC has no further claim against the city for reimbursement for expenses associated with CDBG allocation. This is not an acknowledgment of anything except the withdrawal of it. That is all. And on behalf of the People's, both for the withdrawal on June 24th, 2026, and I am here by motion to accept, uh, this withdrawal."
Play from 03:19Fred A. Neil
Now the question is, when we have the total agenda, will be—Mr. Brian, we talked about discussing it at all? No. No, not that. Okay. Thank you. Councilman Sudler.
Play from 05:43Roy Sudler, Jr.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just curious as to why they chose to withdraw. And then the next question would be, in regards to what happens in the future if a resident wants to withdraw as well?
Play from 05:55David L. Anderson
In relation to this, uh, quite simply they've waited um 2 years now for the application like anyone else. They, uh, put in bids and uh, quite frankly, one of the they did—it's quite frankly, $40,000 isn't worth uh, the hassle. It's not worth the date because, uh, they have, um, contracts of and they're getting and they'll continue doing this. Not worth it, and then they'll whether the, uh, situation to find valuable for them.
Play from 06:08City Clerk
Oh, no. We still need to do a with- I need to do a roll call on the consent agenda as amended. Roll call on the consent agenda as amended.
Play from 07:52City Clerk
It's it's actually item 12 because it it it's because it was flipped in during last week's during the meeting that we changed the the, um, agendas. That's why it's it's funky the way it Anyway.
Play from 08:12City Clerk
And we already have a motion for item 12, the Anderson motion to accept the withdrawal of People's Community Center, which we'll do that next.
Play from 08:52City Clerk
Now do we want to do a separate roll call on the withdrawal or are you going to wait till we get to that? I mean, that's going to be the first line item. Okay. Okay. So, now I'll do another roll call for the acceptance of the withdrawal. Sound good? Okay.
Play from 09:28Fred A. Neil
Okay, now we have, uh, okay, number 19, reallocations of 18, 18, I'm sorry. Uh, next we have on the Kent County, uh, Hazard Mitigation Plan, and we'll request, uh, Kay Sass to brief us on this item.
Play from 10:22Kay Sass
Good evening, Mayor and Council. Under 44 CFR 201.6, we are required to adopt a Hazard Mitigation Plan every 5 years. It's a regulation that has to be updated. We've worked with Kent County, so I started working with them back in 2024 with other stakeholders to do our part in order to be classified in the Kent County's plan. It went through DEMA and was approved. It's been through FEMA and was approved. And on October 13th, Kent County approved it. So, now it is to part where that we are able to adopt it to be part of our Hazard Mitigation Plan as well. If we don't have one in place, we are not eligible for federal funds.
Play from 10:35Roy Sudler, Jr.
Thank you, Council President. Move to accept staff recommendation. Over to you, second.
Play from 11:34Fred A. Neil
It's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor, please say aye.
Play from 11:37Fred A. Neil
Okay. Thank you. Next we have reallocation reallocation of budgeted personnel resources, and we'll request, uh, Ms. Duca, City Manager, to brief members on this item.
Play from 12:20Sharon Duca
Mr. President, Members of Council, Mayor, and to the community at large, um, tonight's, uh, recommendation is regarding the, uh, reallocation of budgeted personnel resources. It involves two departments: the Electric Department and the Police Department. Starting with the Electric Department, in the fiscal year '27 budget, uh, there was a groundworker position frozen. Since that time, we've had, uh, linemen that have resigned from the city. We have also lost two electrical engineers, and we have received the, uh, paperwork for the retirement of the Electric Director. We evaluated the budgetary implications of these personnel charges and the resulting needs of the department. It's been determined that these four positions leaving the city could result in formal savings. We then looked at the replacement of these positions, which will come uh, but some of them will take some time depending on the offered roles. And in light of these, we are requesting to unfreeze the groundworker position as well as commence the Electric Director position to allow for overlap and succession, um, training with the current director. These estimates for these adjustments have been calculated at $271,000. Due to these projections, the proposal will stay within the approved budget levels for the Electric Department. The second request is in relation to the Police Department. They have also had, uh, varying, uh, vacancies within the department. Um, one position of particular concern for the police is, um, they've been notified about the intent for the Accreditation Manager to retire. As a result, um, they're looking for an overlap to allow for us to hire a manager sooner so that they can train for a few months before the other one leaves. Uh, we have analyzed with the staff the Police Department the savings within the department due to vacancies. Uh, we've also included estimates related to overtime and the additional costs that are associated there, uh, resulting in overtime as a result of the vacancies. Um, is currently see a differential of $700,000, uh, while staff the Police Department is actively trying to replace vacancies, we did do an estimate on savings and found the overlap will cost $50,000, uh, which will be covered by available funds at this time within the budget. It should be noted that, uh, any overlap for either position, uh, either department will not occur until official documentation is received of their retirement. As a result, staff recommendation is to authorize the City Manager to unfreeze and hire the groundworker position in the Electric Department, as well start the hiring process for the Electric Director and Accreditation Manager positions upon receipt of required resignation/retirement paperwork. Thank you.
Play from 12:30Roy Sudler, Jr.
Council President, thank you. Um, Ms. Duca, thank you for your update. In regards to several hundred thousand dollars, um, can you elaborate a little bit on that and how it coordinates with the retirement? Because what I'm hearing is, um, that I pause and that potential, um, gap of employment, and then we also have some money available to where we could maybe fill that over from one job domain to cover for uh, the Police Department what they need. It's Uh, can you help me out a little bit with that?
Play from 16:53Roy Sudler, Jr.
Uh, both. Yeah, the police, yeah, the Police Department side of it, and uh, I think it is, uh, dues in fact that we have like three, I would say three major positions. Yes, that three major positions that are that need to be filled. Does sound like uh I don't know what the what the total amount is available to do positions, that you have that the positions of free of that $300,000. Would that $300,000 be used to assist uh the Police Department in getting uh that funding now to cover that transition of uh needs whether that position to transfer the knowledge, how to transfer the knowledge and still feed it to fill that whole public safety perspective, and how would that impact, um, how would that impact the other side of the department, the other department the Electric Department? From that, the need What's our primary needs? Something from public safety primary needs right now for that transition, and will we have the money freed up that money freed up right now three jobs, and how being could uh you know, what what can we do?
Play from 17:50Sharon Duca
Um, in terms of the proposal here, um, I guess it should first be noted the Electric Department is funded out of the Electric Fund, the Police is General Fund, so neither of these proposals are crossing the gutters' lines, so to speak. Um, so for the Electric Department side, uh, we looked at how much, uh, the positions would that before they were vacated, how much we would have had to spend on them.
Play from 19:10Sharon Duca
Um, we projected the time period that it would that we've already been short those positions this fiscal year, uh, to look at those savings,
Play from 19:33Sharon Duca
I just wanted to state that um we have savings so far of $245,000 on the civilian side.
Play from 19:39Brian E. Lewis
I just have two questions. Um, the first question is, uh for the record, uh we are within budget restraints, and the funds are available, correct?
Play from 19:52Sharon Duca
That's correct. Due to the the vacancies and the staffing shortages that we've experienced, we've come in under budget, so we would have the ability to pre-hire these positions as well as have overlap on the electric department positions.
Play from 20:01Brian E. Lewis
Um thank you. You had indicated that um there's two positions if I'm not mistaken where uh you're going to retain the individuals after retirement for a period of time, and so to bring in a new hire training. Um my question is, um will these people both of them be making the same salary? How is that going to affect the city?
Play from 20:12Sharon Duca
Um, well, I guess first of all, in terms of the positions that are retiring, we're not keeping them longer. They're going to leave when they intend to leave. The goal is to try to get somebody in here 2 or 3 months before they retire so that they can train with them. More than likely a new employee would be making less than a tenured employee leaving.
Play from 20:51Brian E. Lewis
Yes, because I just want to I want to make sure that we're not, you know, exceeding our budget restraints.
Play from 21:09Sharon Duca
No, we'd be staying in with within budget restraints due to the savings from current vacancies.
Play from 21:14Fred A. Neil
Any other questions? What is the pleasure of council? I'll accept a motion. Councilman uh Sudler?
Play from 21:44Fred A. Neil
Councilwoman Pills- Pillsbury has seconded. All in fav- uh we have a have to have a roll call vote.
Play from 21:52Fred A. Neil
Now we have a first reading of proposed ordinance uh 20 23-15 amending Chapter 42 Environment by adding Section 42-3 lightning- lighting. A final action of the council will take place at the second reading on November 9th, 2023. The proposed ordinance 2023-15 is available at the entrance of the council chambers or at the city clerk's website, www.cityofdover.com under government, or by contacting the city clerk's office at 302- 736- 7008, or clerk- cityclerk@dover.de .gov. Um, request uh Jason, Mr. Kopp, to brief us on this item.
Play from 22:10Jason Kopp
Good evening. This ordinance before you tonight, 2023-15, uh the proposed ordinance establishes standard for exterior lighting within the city of Dover, addressing matters such as unreasonable lighting, glare, and illuminate- illumination and light trespass. The ordinance requires exterior lighting to be installed, maintained, and operated in a manner that minimizes its impact on adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. These amendments provide a specific regulatory framework for addressing lighting-related complaints and violation, while standardizing consistent intent to prevent excessive lighting, glare, and light trespass from adversely affecting neighboring property. This ordinance before you is uh a result of several complaints regarding nuisance lighting, uh in particular lights flashing into neighboring properties.
Play from 23:14Roy Sudler, Jr.
Thank you for recognizing me, and thank you, Jason, for bringing this uh to your attention, and I know that uh the individuals that brought it to my attention witnessed uh excessive light over there off of um uh Pan- Panera Bread, what's that development over there?
Play from 24:17Roy Sudler, Jr.
So, they had been experiencing excessive light, too, and one individual that I'm speaking of has a child that's special needs and has challenges, and the excessive light keeps keeping that individual from being able to sleep. And so I know that I'll be happy to tell them, that family, that, you know, we have something in place now that'll be for you. If you don't have anything in place, I want to thank you for taking the time to orchestrate something and and address this issue that I think that what uh code enforcement uh should be doing, and and I appreciate uh your efforts and both departments' efforts on this. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Councilman.
Play from 25:03Brian E. Lewis
Uh since you last spoke and gave your presentation, uh Mr. Kopp, I uh received an email from a constituent, a resident that owns a business over by Peoples Church on Bradford. Their concern was that they have a floodlight, but for safety concerns, uh because, you know, people congregate out in that area, and they basically, uh saying that um it somehow will affect um, you know, business's spotlight shining out there, you know, to deter uh vagrants or, you know, trespassers from going on their property. Um, how will this affect that, if it does?
Play from 25:55Jason Kopp
So, this specific ordinance uh would not address a business. There is current legislation or just current uh a current ordinance in the zoning code that would prevent a business from doing this very thing. It's very specific to businesses. Um, unfortunately, the zoning code does not cover residential, which is why this ordinance comes to light. This is This ordinance would cover residential-to-residential, but for that particular situation for commercial, that would be in the zoning code.
Play from 26:47Brian E. Lewis
Okay. So, it will cover that. Uh a business saying that would be a violation?
Play from 27:07Jason Kopp
It could It could be a violation. Um the the parameters of that ordinance are very particular. It's So, um I don't have it in front of me to to quote, but it is uh very particular uh in that ordinance. So, even without this, that could potentially be a violation depending on how it's positioned and...
Play from 27:10Brian E. Lewis
Okay, so I'll uh refer that uh particular ordinance uh to the business owner. Um, so the other concern is um, again, has to do with safety with uh, you know, residential areas with spotlight, well, a lot of people, you know, uh put these lights up, even uh sensor lights, to protect their homes. So, the concern that um they had in the feedback I got from a lot of my constituents in the Second District, again, has to do with uh, you know, keeping people off their property. I know like the sensor-activated lights, they only stay on for a certain amount of time. Uh, is that going to be a violation or affect uh somebody with this new ordinance?
Play from 27:47Jason Kopp
Yeah, and very good question. So, there uh In this ordinance, it talks about shielding and you know, light glare. So, if you have spotlights in the yard, if you adjust them to a way where it's not beaming into your neighbor's house, there won't be a problem. There Yes, there might be some residual light that shines into the window, but this is more particularly a spotlight glaring into a window. Uh, that's the complaint we're getting. And uh, not investigating in the capacity of code enforcement, but I've seen exactly what they're talking about, where a light is shining directly into this, into someone's bedroom. It's caused issues. I um I personally have, I don't know, maybe a dozen spotlights around my property. They're aimed in a way where it's not affecting neighbors in any way, but so it illuminates every square inch of uh both my front and back yard to prevent uh any kind of intruders. So, it is possible to use these lights effectively without uh hindering your neighbors.
Play from 28:15Brian E. Lewis
I got one more for you. Over on Bradford Street, uh you're aware of the spotlight that was put up by the city. Uh, one of the residents has had a complaint that that glare goes into their window. The city's spotlights. So, how do we address that? Is that covered in this ordinance?
Play from 29:16Jason Kopp
Um, that's something we could easily, either reach out with Dover Electric to make them aware of that and see if there's anything they can do to adjust it. Uh, that's usually how we handle situations like that, where somebody's complaining about a spotlight. Uh, we reach out to see if there's anything that can be adjusted in any way to prevent that from that. Since it is a city-maintained property.
Play from 29:53Fred A. Neil
Mr. Kopp, is it fair to say that this is going to be complaint-driven as opposed to city workers going around and saying, "Aha, aha, aha"?
Play from 30:08Jason Kopp
100%, yes. Uh this will be complaint-driven, and one of the ways we intend to tie this, we work after-hours to attend uh different meetings, various meetings. We'll try to incorporate as much of that day-to-day market we can during that time, to make sure we're not uh adding extra payroll to. But we're not going to be out routinely looking for uh spotlights, it would have to be a complaint.
Play from 30:15Donyale M. Hall
Thank you for recognizing me. Um, the one that uh Councilman Lewis was speaking on, uh that was only supposed to be a temporary uh type of light fixture. It was put there because we didn't have anything other than that. Have we since received the proper light fixture that should be in that space?
Play from 30:57Jason Kopp
I don't want to speak on behalf of the electric department, but I can uh follow up and see what I can get out from that and uh let you know.
Play from 31:10Roy Sudler, Jr.
Uh thank you for my final remarks. So, I'm thinking, so, um when you have, when it comes to enforcing, it comes to enforcing this ordinance once after, um, how will you, uh what would be the criteria? What mechanism would you use to assess that excessive lighting? And are you going to, and how are you going to uh investigate? Are you going to, is code enforcement going to come out at night now, and are you going to do, do you need to hire another person, or is that a duty that someone's going to be get extra, like a overtime or something? How will we make sure that it won't be flooded with code appeals hearings, like with every person's manners?
Play from 31:18Jason Kopp
This would be a case-by-case basis, uh although not a very common thing we're we're contracting, uh and as we get a complaint, we'll assess. Can we pair it up with a meeting? We go to a lot of evening meetings that are at night, uh that would be the ideal time to assess it. And then, if like anything else, if somebody disagrees with our interpretation, there is the appeal board. Uh, but we are going to try to do our due diligence. Just like any complaint we receive, some a complaint may not be justified, and it may not be as serious as somebody thinks it is. Um, the goal here is to be able to educate, reach out to people, discuss, hey, if you adjust your light here or there, it's like anything else we do. It won't persist into um Sometimes it may just be um somebody doesn't realize it's caused that impact on a neighbor. With this ordinance, we can at least get a letter out, and once people often hear, "Hey, this is impacting", more may, you know, adjust it.
Play from 32:12Roy Sudler, Jr.
Thank you for the comment. What I'm thinking about is just like in construction, we have mechanisms that go over the wall and reads how bold, the decibels, sound, right? So, I'm hoping I'm only concerned about uh a tangible mechanism that can be put up there, and then also, you know, we have situations like homeowner association meetings that are at night, they actually could be in a way they go back. If we do have a complaint, that'd be best in that manner. So, these are finite things that you can work out, whether or not it's been brought on it. And, again, I support this ordinance, and I know the suite 18 great job, I yield.
Play from 33:21Donyale M. Hall
Thank you for recognizing me. Um, Councilman Sudler, one of the things that uh we did have a lot of discussion around, huge discussions around, was the lumens, and um we decided that that was not going to be like a a good um uh measurement and that for the purpose of this particular ordinance, it was more so just not having the light directed in a way that it's offensive. So, I think that um being able to determine like a a measurement um was a little bit um difficult to manage. So, the the language that we talked about was just to not have it facing a person's window or property.
Play from 34:22David L. Anderson
Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, through the president to Mr. Kopp, please, uh thank you. Is is this um based upon what already exists in Kent County?
Play from 35:17Jason Kopp
Yes. So, this is fairly similar language to Kent County, just tailored to the city of Dover. Uh, had, I believe, used a lot of language and just tweaked it a little bit to make it uh be feasible here.
Play from 35:26Fred A. Neil
If there are no other questions, I'll ask uh I prefer Madam Clerk to introduce the ordinance in accordance with section 1-9 of the Dover Code. Madam Clerk.
Play from 36:00City Clerk
There is no action at this time. Ordinance 2023-15 amending Chapter 42 Environment by adding Section 42-3 Lighting. This constitutes the first reading. The final reading is scheduled to take place on November 27th, 2023.
Play from 36:08Sharon Duca
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of Council, I have a few updates for you tonight. Um, one, regarding the water main replacement project, they're all open on Ross Street. Uh, there was also milling done today on South Queen Street, and paving will occur on North Queen Street um the current areas heading to completion. I also wanted to note the the DelDOT mobility summit, which DelDOT oversees, and we have not been informed of any operational issues or any customer complaints to this operation. Thank you.
Play from 36:20Robin R. Christiansen
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd just like to uh remind everyone that there's going to be a Veterans Parade on November 7th at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Dover, and on November the 11th there will be the Veterans Memorial Service at memorial service at the at the Vietnam Veterans uh monument at the uh county uh over by the county administration, and that's sponsored by Vietnam Veterans Chapter 850. Thank you, Mr. President.
Play from 37:18Roy Sudler, Jr.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, city manager, uh for the prompt action on the paving, North and South Queen Street paving. I know that uh Mount Zion AME Church, they appreciate it, and also the other Calvary Baptist Church also uh made that and had concerns, and they've been very appreciative as well. Everyone is done a very great job uh that's the kind of assistant uh we need, and and you provided it. Thank you.
Play from 38:03David L. Anderson
Thank you, Mr. President. And uh, we uh had Trunk or Treat so that the children will have somewhere safe. We want to thank them and hands on the community, all the community partners who participated in the city, both Dover Police and uh, you know, Dover and that whole school district. And uh, that that is looking, you know, forward all the officers and uh we hope to see uh doctor published it.
Play from 38:22David L. Anderson
And uh, I'd just like to uh, give a big shout-out, a big hand. I'm so grateful for that, um, that uh, Silver Lake uh, cleanup uh, that did its job. Didn't get out there in the water, but um, that that uh, it saved, or at least, um, all the way through the woods, thankful that I can swim, and see all the way across the other side. That wasn't possible. And and this kind of thing, it's regarding the late things, trash all up, and particularly, um, thank uh, the uh, City Police Department, the uh, also uh, Sanitation men, for the tough job that they have, uh, and and uh, people that have been, uh, all the time, uh, they throw their trash out whatever's been there, and uh, everything's blocked off, and to get out, and solve the problem. Also, uh, responsible and very very positive, and careful with the neighbors. Uh, they want to clean it up, and uh, we'll see. Look forward to, of course thank you, to the enforcement, decisions that have been made to hopefully, uh, we can get a hold of the owner, and tell them that this impacts our neighborhood, and hopefully that that will be taken care of. Um, and tomorrow, uh, meeting, in regard to, uh, the winter shelter, the, the emergency shelter, uh, is tomorrow at 16 E. Loockerman, and, um, to see, we're here for those who need uh, assistance, for the, uh, warming center, at the, at 16 E. Loockerman. Thank you, I yield the floor.
Play from 39:19Roy Sudler, Jr.
Yeah, Mr. President. Joining in with we we did want to wish we could be happy to be here. We hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thinking that everyone had a nice time. You know, that's the end of my remarks, except to say Dr. Reba Hollingsworth had turned 97. Oh, and, um, and a great gala, and I wanted to give her a uh recognition, announcement where the Mayor was there as well. Showed me how great that event was. Thank you.
Play from 42:37Fred A. Neil
Seeing no other announcements by members of council, this meeting is adjourned.
Play from 43:24