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M-17-112 MINUTES OF THE KENT COUNTY LEVY COURT REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING KENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX 555 BAY ROAD, DOVER, DE LEVY COURT CHAMBER, ROOM 203 TUESDAY, JUNE 13,2017 Call to Order The Regular Business meeting of the Kent County Levy Court was called to order at 7:00p.m. by President Banta. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance The Invocation was led by Mr. Howell and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Angel. Moment of Silence for our Troops A moment of silence was observed for our Troops and led by Mr. Sweeney. Roll call and Determination of Quorum Allan F. Angel Eric L. Buckson James E. Hosfelt, Jr. Glen M. Howell Terry L. Pepper George W. Sweeney, Sr. P. Brooks Banta Commissioner Commissioner - Absent Commissioner - Absent Commissioner Vice President Commissioner President There are five (5) Commissioners and two (2) absent at Roll Call. Adoption of Agenda Motion was made by Mr. Sweeney; seconded by Mr. Pepper and Mr. Howell; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent to adopt the Agenda.

MINUTES OF THE KENT COUNTY LEVY COURT ...2017/06/13  · North Magnolia, Northeast (NESSD), Smyrna/Clayton, South Central, Tidbury. Public Hearing Open on Resolution 3651 In Favor-None

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Page 1: MINUTES OF THE KENT COUNTY LEVY COURT ...2017/06/13  · North Magnolia, Northeast (NESSD), Smyrna/Clayton, South Central, Tidbury. Public Hearing Open on Resolution 3651 In Favor-None

M-17-112

MINUTES OF THE KENT COUNTY LEVY COURT REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

KENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX 555 BAY ROAD, DOVER, DE

LEVY COURT CHAMBER, ROOM 203 TUESDAY, JUNE 13,2017

Call to Order

The Regular Business meeting of the Kent County Levy Court was called to order at 7:00p.m. by President Banta.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Invocation was led by Mr. Howell and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Angel.

Moment of Silence for our Troops

A moment of silence was observed for our Troops and led by Mr. Sweeney.

Roll call and Determination of Quorum

Allan F. Angel Eric L. Buckson James E. Hosfelt, Jr. Glen M. Howell Terry L. Pepper George W. Sweeney, Sr. P. Brooks Banta

Commissioner Commissioner - Absent Commissioner - Absent Commissioner Vice President Commissioner President

There are five (5) Commissioners and two (2) absent at Roll Call.

Adoption of Agenda

Motion was made by Mr. Sweeney; seconded by Mr. Pepper and Mr. Howell; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent to adopt the Agenda.

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Consent Agenda 17-09

Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Levy Court. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner so requests, in which event the item( s) shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. • Levy Court Business Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, May 23, 2017 • Committee Meeting Reports ofTuesday, June 6, 2017 (Community Services

and Public Works Committees) Items from June 6, 2017 Committee Meetings:

• Cisco SmartNet Maintenance • Commercial Trash Collection Services Contract- Change Order No. 1

Additional Services • Clarifier Improvement - Equipment Purchase of Sludge Blanket Detectors

Motion by Mr. Angel to approve Consent Agenda 17 -09; seconded by Mr. Pepper and Mr. Howell; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent.

PRESENTATIONS

Paramedic Recognition By the Law Family

Assistant Director of Public Safety, Cindy Grygo began by introducing Paramedic Tim Wyatt and Paramedic Rick Schlauch. She was joined at the podium by Mike O'Connor, EMS Supervisor from Felton Community Fire Company who introduced Fire Chief Kevin Sipple, EMT Jennifer DeCarlo, EMT Kevin Hovis (not present) and volunteer at the time Kevin Galyean, who is now a career guy up North in Christiana. Ms. Law, accompanied by her son Ron then came to the podium and expressed her heartfelt thanks to each of the first responders' present and tearfully stated how grateful she is to finally thank them in person. She stated that thanks to them she still has her son, "He means a lot to me and riow you do, too." Her son then added his personal thank you. Ms. Law and her son personally hugged and thanked each and presented them with a token of her gratitude. Photos were taken and then Assistant Chief Grygo expressed her thanks to Ms. Law on behalf of Kent County stating that she knows it means a lot to them, adding that a moment of appreciation and a thank you really goes a long way. She thanked them very much for coming out.

Commissioner Banta: For this Government, I have been on here for 21 years, and I will tell you this is the first time that we've had people actually come in the building and thank our people for what they do. Our Paramedics, as you already know are the best in the nation, they get worldwide recognition because of their swiftness, their proficiency at saving lives, and they do it with no questions asked, night or day they are there. You found that out. A lot of people do thank us, they never take the time out of their life to come in here and say thank you for the job

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that you do. So, on behalf of Levy Court, I want to thank you for coming in and making your presence known and sharing with us the emotional aspect of your life and we are happy that you have your son. Things worked out pretty well.

Commissioner Pepper: Thank you very much for taking time to come in. You are fortunate because you met the class of the County, the Kent County Paramedics and the EMTs. Felton has very, very highly skilled EMTs, and we are proud of them as we are proud of our own paramedics. You are fortunate, Ron you are fortunate you were under great care, good hands. Best of luck to you and on behalf of myself, thank you to our paramedics, thank you for being there, thank you to the EMTs and thank you to the Felton Fire Company we certainly do appreciate all the efforts. This is living proof right here.

Ms. Law closed with a final thank you to all.

INTRODUCTIONS

Allan Kujala announced there were three new employees scheduled for introduction; Andrew Jakubowitch, Public Works Director and Sarah Keifer, Director of Planning Services would be doing the honors.

Andrew Jakubowitch read the following into the record:

Elaine A. Monforte was hired May 26, 2017 as a Custodian in the Facilities Management Division. She most recently worked as a Commercial Custodian for Goodwill Industries at the Kent County Courthouse and prior to that worked at Fairfield Inn & Suites and for Merry Maids. Elaine has extensive experience in providing efficient housekeeping duties and facilities inspections, as well as maintaining and troubleshooting cleaning equipment. Elaine resides in Commissioners Hosfelt's and Pepper's districts.

Elaine expressed how truly grateful she is to have this job opportunity with Kent County. She stated she had hoped to find a positive and stable work environment and she has actually found much, much more. "I've found warm and friendly people. I look forward to staying a long, long time. I am very, very grateful. Thank you."

Commissioner Banta: Elaine, we are happy to have you on board.

Commissioner Pepper: Welcome, to Kent County Levy Court family. As you can see the custodians and the people that work here strive to keep the facilities top-notch for the citizens of Kent County. Whatever the facility is, whether it be this one or the Paramedic Station in Smyrna or the facility down in Frederica, everything is kept spotless, so you've got a job ahead of you. I am happy to have you here. Welcome!

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Elaine: I look forward to it, my pleasure. Thank you.

Mr. Jakubowitch continued with the following introduction:

Jacqueline M. Peterson was hired June 5, 2017 as Custodian in the Wastewater Facilities Division. She most recently worked for United Health Care Services in Housekeeping and prior to that for Peterson Commercial Floor Cleaning as Owner/Operator. She brings with her over 11 years ofknowledge and skill in facilities maintenance. I've already heard some good things about the work that she's doing at the Resource Recovery Facility. Jacqueline resides in Commissioners Hosfelt' s and Pepper's districts.

Jacqueline: Good evening. I am honored to be hired to work for you all. I love my job. You will continue to hear nothing but good things about me. I am a hard worker and I do a good job. They love me down there already.

Commissioner Banta: We are happy to have you on board. We appreciate your time and service.

Commissioner Pepper: Jacqueline, I just want to say ditto to what I said about Elaine and keep up the good work. You must be bringing food in or something if they love you so well. Keep up the good work and keep up the positive attitude. We appreciate that.

Sarah Keifer: I am here tonight to introduce Brian Ezell. He joined us June 5th as a Building Inspector in Planning Services Division. He actually comes to us with more than 20 years of experience in construction as well as home inspection. We are incredibly pleased to have him on board. He resides in Commissioners' Banta's and Pepper's districts.

Brian: Good evening. I'd first say I am very grateful to have a job. I was laid off in October of last year, so it has been many months since I have had a steady paycheck. I found that working in the building industry has its ups and downs. So, to expect that you would be immune from those swings in the economy is foolish. I hope that I can enjoy a very long career here. I am grateful for the tax-payers money. I am grateful to be a taxpayer again because that hasn't always happened. Thank you Commissioners, thank you to the folks in Planning and Inspections and Enforcement.

Commissioner Banta: Brian, we appreciate you coming on board. We are confident that you will do an outstanding job.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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Mr. Howell: 1. Resolution 3652, A Resolution to Extend Various Individual Garbage

Collection Districts

Andrew Jakubowitch: Over time we have administratively extended Garbage Districts based on need and requests by homeowners. Tonight we have a total of, I believe 34 new properties that will be added to various trash districts, the majority of them being through Long Acre Village and the other ones will be added administratively through other trash districts. The black areas are where we have added customers to the various trash districts and they are already receiving service. This is administrative completion of what we need to do to official add them to the various trash districts.

Public Hearing Open on Resolution 3652

In Favor - None

In Opposition- None

Public Hearing Closed on Resolution 3652

Mr. Howell: I Move that we approve Resolution 3652, a Resolution to Extend Various Individual Garbage Collection Districts; seconded by Mr. Sweeney.

Roll Call:

Mr. Angel: Yes, no opposition.

Mr. Howell: Yes, no opposition.

Mr. Pepper: Yes.

Mr. Sweeney: Yes, for all reasons stated.

Mr. Banta: Yes, for all reasons stated.

Roll Call reveals five (5) yeas; two (2) absent. Resolution 3652 has been approved.

Mr. Pepper: 1. Resolution 3651,2017 Sewer Assessment Rolls for Kent County Sewage

Disposal District No. 1 (KCSDD No. 1) as listed: Bakers Choice, Bowers, Burtonwood Village, Capitol Park, Carlisle Village, Cheswold, Colony West, Dover Air Force Base, Dykes Branch, East Dover, Felton, Frederica, Garrisons Lake I, Garrisons Lake II, Garrisons Lake IV, Garrisons Lake V, Generals Greene, Greater Houston-Breeders Crown

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Farm, Greater Houston-Southfield, Hartly, Hilltop, Isaacs, Kenton, Kitts Hummock, Little Creek, Little Heaven, Magnolia, Milford Neck Area, North Magnolia, Northeast (NESSD), Smyrna/Clayton, South Central, Tidbury.

Public Hearing Open on Resolution 3651

In Favor- None

In Opposition- None

Public Hearing Closed on Resolution 3651

M-17-0115 Mr. Pepper: I make a Motion to approve Resolution 3651,2017 Sewer Assessment Rolls for Kent County Sewage Disposal District No. 1 and all the aforementioned locations; seconded by Mr. Sweeney.

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Roll Call:

Mr. Angel: Yes, for all reasons stated.

Mr. Howell: Yes, no opposition.

Mr. Pepper: Yes.

Mr. Sweeney: Yes, for all reasons stated.

Mr. Banta: Yes, for all reasons stated.

Roll Call reveals five (5) yeas; two (2) absent. Resolution 3651 has been approved.

PUBLIC HEARINGS CLOSED

Old Business- None

New Business

Mr. Angel: 1. Community Projects Contribution Fund Request, Little Creek Dog

Park

I Move that the Town of Little Creek receive $35,000.00 for a Dog Park, Community Center and, because Levy Court has a check and balance system and Little Creek is the first Town to receive this type of community fund, I

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would like to request a complete itemized list of the monies that they are utilizing for this and any money not spent be returned; seconded by Mr. Pepper.

Mr. Petit de Mange: Just for the record, Commissioner Angel, I think it may be important to state the source of the funding as the Community Projects Assistants Fund, Policy 30.

Mr. Angel: Thank you, sir, you just did for me.

Mr. Banta: So are you adding that to your motion?

Mr. Angel: As per Mr. Petit de Mange's request, yes.

Mr. Banta wanted to place the following on the record prior to placing his vote: I had a couple of calls today and maybe one over the weekend in regard and maybe not in total agreement to do this. But what they didn't understand was that the funds for this project and for projects like this come from things like our RTT Funds as well as fees that we charge people for permits and so forth. These funds do not come out of your tax bill, so if you get a tax bill and it is $300.00, none of that money is appropriated for these kinds of projects. So it is important to people to know that tax-payer's dollars are not involved in this and the volunteer fire companies, paramedics, ambulance service .... all those issues don't come into play. With that being said, my vote's yes.

Carried by roll call vote four (4) yeas; one (1) nay (Mr. Sweeney); two (2) absent.

2. Pension & OPEB Benchmarking/Cost Containment Study

Allan Kujala: Last week you reviewed a proposal to conduct a Cost Containment and Benchmarking Study for your Pension and OPEB Programs. The proposal from the actuary was estimated to cost up to $30,000.00. Based on many of the comments that were made I did reach out to the actuary to ensure that they could and intended to do the project in phases and that they would start with the Benchmarking component. If you would like we could certainly bring back each section of the study as its being completed to determine whether you want to proceed any further.

Mr. Angel: This money is appropriated in our budget we just passed, right?

Mr. Kujala: The funding for this kind of study would come out of your pension and OPEB Programs. If you recall from your valuations there was a component of that annual contribution that's applied to studies and pension calculations and the like.

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Mr. Banta: The comment that I made at the committee meeting was pretty clear. I think that sometimes we do these studies and I'm not sure that we get the results that we're really looking for. I have a problem in expending $30,000.00 to do a study and at the end of the day I think the Benchmark that we're look for could be found by looking at other communities or municipalities within the specific area, the same as these folks would do in doing their study. I probably will be voting no, but I am only one vote, but that's my position.

Mr. Angel: I Move to authorize the Pension & OPEB Benchmarking/Cost Containment Study as recommended and approve the Plan Design Analysis Fee Proposal submitted by the Nyhart Company not to exceed $30,000.00.

Mr. Banta: Mr. Angel, you have made a motion, I commend you on that, but it did not receive a second, so it's going nowhere.

3. Dependent Cost Share Adjustment Proposal

Mr. Kujala: Last week the Commissioners reviewed a proposal to adjust the cost share for dependents paid by employees. Last year previously the Commissioners approved 70 percent/30 percent cost share; where the employee pays 30 percent of the dependent premium and the County pays 70 percent. This proposal would adjust that down to an 80/20 cost share. As you recall for the current budget the Commissioners had previously approved as part of the budget maintaining the contribution at the rates that we enjoy in FY17.

Mr. Sweeney: Some part of the discussion during committee meetings was when this would start, have we set a date of September 1st as when this would begin?

Mr. Kujala: Yes, as part of the motion we did include September 1st for a number of reasons. As the Commissioners may remember, employees pay their premiums one month in advance, the fact that we are in June employees are technically paying the premium for July. And, as you know in July is when the fiscal year starts, we have to enter all the pay rates and to allow us to adjust those rates in August so that they are effective September 1st, that's why we recommended the September 1st date. The question was about open enrollment and whether there's a requirement that we hold it again; there is no requirement from what I understand from our insurance consultant.

Mr. Sweeney: By changing the date that this starts in no way effects the period of our healthcare from year to year? With us changing in the middle of the plan, for what the employee contribution is?

Mr. Kujala: The health plan remains the same. This is just adjusting the premium the employees will pay for dependent care.

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Mr. Sweeney: We still continue to move forward in case there's an opportunity to adjust that in January with a new health provider?

Mr. Kujala: Just as soon as the new plan year gets under way we will begin that in earnest.

Mr. Sweeney: Thank you very much.

Mr. Pepper: What's the adjustment to the budget this year:

Mr. Kujala: This would increase the cost about $125,000.00; the overall cost increase for the health insurance program was, before you add this, $412,000.00, from FY17 to FY18. This would add another $125,000.00 for a total of $531,000.00 estimate.

Mr. Pepper: What would this likely do to next year's budget?

Mr. Kujala: The $125,000.00 would obviously more likely than not, unless the Commissioners wanted to change the cost share again, be a permanent cost of that program.

Mr. Pepper: Dollars and cents?

Mr. Kujala: The Staff hasn't recommended Levy Court approve this mostly because you've already gone through the process of adopting a budget which incorporated the current rates and to change it now doesn't seem to make sense, largely because of what the State may end up doing to you as part of their budget and those costs in addition to impacting the budget currently and future budgets, it even has an impact potentially on your OPEB costs so it's much bigger than just $125,000.00 for the next fiscal year.

Mr. Howell: Now, this is for one year, right?

Mr. Kujala: What your motion would do is set the cost share at 80/20, so that is what we would present to you as part of the budget next year unless you wanted to change it again.

Mr. Howell: So, we could change it next year if things got tight?

Mr. Kujala: You could, yes sir.

Mr. Sweeney: For the last five or six months we have lived under the sickle of whether or not the State was going to affect our budget and I really got to the point where I don't want to continue to manage Levy Court's government based on what could happen at the State level and if they don't hit us this year they're going to hit us next year, so we just have to go forward, that's why I am in favor

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of this. Knowing that next year, regardless of whether the patient protection affordable healthcare act is in place or the American healthcare act is in place we know that insurance rates are going to go up next year and it's going effect our employees one way or another, this is just a way to start looking at ways we can cost share that with them as well, that's why I'm in favor of it.

Mr. Angel: Let me jump in here too. Having had some time to think about this and look back, we just passed our budget just a short period of time ago. All employees should have a fair policy. I believe it was said that this would help with this year but next year what's going to happen, it could be worse. We all knew healthcare was going up and so is everything else and a percentage for everybody would probably work the best, this is what I'm thinking of. Everybody pay a percentage. I think it was to us about that before we even passed our budget. I am not in support of this either tonight because of that and the third reason is I'm hoping that politics is not coming in to play for the next portion of our leg here. We haven't prevailed in playing politics and I hope that's not in the future, we've always taken what we've done to help everybody and our constituents up front. That's what I'm a little afraid of right now. So, I will not be voting or making a motion to approve this.

Mr. Pepper: I am thinking along the same lines you are, Commissioner Angel. We've already approved the budget. I am fearful what this might lead to next fiscal year so I can't support it either, nor will I be making a motion to support it.

Mr. Sweeney: I am prepared to make a motion and let it fly. I Move to adjust the dependent health insurance cost share rate to 80% paid by the County and 20% by the employee in advance as presented for FY2018 effective September 1, 2017 (deduction adjustment begins with August 2017 payrolls).

Mr. Banta: I am listening for a second Mr. Sweeney but I don't seem to hear one. I appreciate your effort. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Kujala for your time.

Mr. Pepper: Motion to approve Resolution 3651, Command to the Director of Finance pertaining to the FY20 17 Sewer Assessment Roll for Kent County Sewage Disposal District No. (KCSDD No. 1) as listed; seconded by Mr. Angel; carried by roll call five (5) yeas; two (2) absent.

Mr. Banta: You all have in your packets my recommendation; she is the current Librarian at the Town of Smyrna, does an outstanding job and therefore Beverly Hirt is my Appointment to the Library Advisory Committee; seconded by Mr. Pepper and Mr. Sweeney; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent.

FY18 Shift Differential

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Mr. Kujala: During the budget process, the Commissioners may recall there was some discussion about making an adjustment to the shift differential. It's probably been 15 plus years since it has been changed. So tonight we have a proposal to make that adjustment which would increase it from .35 to .45 for the p.m. shift and also increase it from .50 to .60 for the third shift; a new category for our 12- and 14- hour employees which would set it at .70. Currently in those 12-and 14-hour shifts they actually earn different rates based on whenever the clock turns so we think this will be a bit more efficient and easier manage with this new language.

Mr. Pepper: I Move to adjust the shift differential rate to $0.45 for the second shift and $0.60 for the third shift and establish a $.070 rate for 12- or 14-hour employees effective July 1, 2017; seconded by Mr. Angel; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent.

Mr. Angel: 1. Introduction of Ordinance LC 1 7-15, An Ordinance to amend the

Comprehensive Plan Map Designation and the Official Zoning Map of Kent County, Delaware pursuant to the provisions of Kent County Code, Vol. II, Chapter 205 Zoning, Article III, Section 205-8 and Section 205-9, and Article XXVIII (changes and amendments) effective December 01, 2000, as amended for Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

Mr. Sweeney: I believe with this appointment the Library Advisory Committee will be back up to full membership again. I Move to approve Lisa M. Whiteman as the Commissioner Appointment for Mr. Jim Hosfelt in the 2nd Levy Court District to tlie Library Advisory Committee; seconded by Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Pepper; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent.

Other Business

Mr. Pepper Moved to go into Executive Session immediately following the Committee Meetings on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 for preliminary discussion on site acquisition for a publicly funded capital improvement; legal strategy session regarding collective bargaining or pending or potential litigation; and personnel matters pursuant to 29 Del. C. 1 0004(b) (2), ( 4), and (9); seconded by Mr. Sweeney; carried by roll call vote five ( 5) yeas, two (2) absent.

Informational Items

Mr. Sweeney: If you have an American Flag at home that deserves an honorary discharge the Ruritan will be doing that and if you want I can take it off your hands and take care of that; we are doing tt next Wednesday night.

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Mr. Petit de Mange: A follow-up on Commissioner Sweeney, just a reminder that tomorrow is Flag Day in the United States. Secondly, I wanted to remind the Commissioners that are part of the City ofDover Liaison Team, specifically Commissioner Angel and Commissioner Pepper that we meet this Thursday evening with the City of Dover at 6:00p.m. at the usual place.

Mr. Angel: As I had mentioned before, I sit on the Tourism Board, they are restructuring and I need to get kind of an idea on what you feel because we are going to be meeting at 8:00pm Thursday. As you know, the board is big, we are allowed to appoint one person and I brought up we don't need to appoint one person. I serve on there, we need maybe two more people from here because if we decide that a Commissioner wants to serve, you get four people serving we have to then go through the laws and all that good stuff. So, I made the recommendation at that meeting that we appoint up to three, don't go to four or bigger than that because that's just another body, there was some questions on whether or not that would be a financial thing to go with that. ... so that would eliminate that also. I need to get a feeling on how you feel for this, if you want to appoint somebody to represent us or be on the board, I need to know so I can take it back to them.

Mr. Banta: I wasn't aware that the question would be posed this evening.

Mr. Sweeney: It really should be an item for a committee hearing.

Mr. Banta: Either that or I was going to ask the County Administrator for his advice as to what direction he might choose for us to take.

Mr. Petit de Mange: I think the best thing to do, Commissioner Angel would be to have the proposal drafted up from whoever's preparing it from Tourism and present it for review by Leadership and we'll begin there. We can process it through our normal channels, committee meeting and see that the Commissioners ....

Commissioner Angel: Can we go ahead and get it on the Committee Meeting for the next one, ifl can get it from Thursday to you all? Because it's a work in progress, I did bring this up last month this was moving forth so I did kind of pre­warn everybody that this was happening.

Mr. Petit de Mange: We haven't seen anything, but if we get it by Thursday we can bring it forward on a Committee next week.

Public Comments - None

Commissioner Comments

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Mr. Sweeney: Saturday was our 2017 Annual Safe Summer Day, the first one I've missed in quite a few years but I had a good reason. My wife had her 40th Class Reunion and I promised to take her and there was no way I was going to tell her no. So, how did it go Michael?

Mr. Petit de Mange: It was excellent, the weather was perfect and we had a really good turn-out. All the display folks were there, there was a very nice Patriotic Ceremony at 12 noon. I think it was a good time had by everyone that was there. The State Police provided a number of really interesting demonstrations and the staff of our Parks and Recreation Department were on scene and doing a great job, along with our paramedics. John Witzke of our paramedic team was the Chairperson this year for the first time and I think he did a great job pulling it off. Also, Lowe's of Camden was present and they had a very nice presentation to the community which I'll share with Leadership and I'd like to suggest at a future date we recognize them for what they've done.

Mr. Sweeney: Second item, yesterday at the end of the year Smyrna School District Luncheon President Banta and I presented to Mrs. Debbie Wicks a tribute from Levy Court for her 19 years of service as a Superintendent, four years of service as an employee of and teacher/educator within Smyrna School District. You tack on the 13 or so years she was in the district she is a part of the Smyrna fabric that is not going to go away for a long time. As she is my boss, thank you for signing the tribute that we passed on to her. She was very appreciative of it.

Mr. Banta: We also were fortunate to have a Key to the County to present to her in honor of her years of service. It was inscribed with yesterday's date and she was overwhelmed both with the key and with the tribute. There were probably mostly teachers and administrators and other parts of the faculty there but I would guess there were probably 300 people there, or more, maybe 500 or more. It was a great day for Debbie and certainly wish her well in any new endeavors she may have. Her husband George got up and spoke about his 97th, 98th surgery, so he's been through 98 surgeries and she's been with him on every one of them, going over to Hopkins. It was a great event, very emotional.

Mr. Sweeney: Really quick story. We were invited to an event at her house and my wife and I went and when we went in the front door Mr. Wicks was greeting. I went up to George and said, "Hey George, how are you doing? You're up to 97, aren't you?" and he said, "Yeah, 97." And my wife went, "He's 97 years old?" I had to explain to her that he's had that many surgeries on his brain to remove tumors that continue to come back.

Mr. Angel: Yesterday I was able to attend the 10 year anniversary ofthe Veteran's Home in Milford. I spent time with the Governor, Lt. Governor, Senators, Representatives; in fact the governor moved the meeting up by a half hour so he could start the budget process only to find out everybody that was in

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the budget process was down there. The nice thing about it was my father's there so it made it doubly special for me. It was nice representing Levy Court.

Motion to Adjourn was made by Mr. Sweeney; seconded by Mr. Angel; carried by roll call vote five (5) yeas; two (2) absent. 7:56p.m.

Trish Brown Deputy Clerk of the Peace Kent County

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