City Council of the Mayor and Council of New Castle
Regular Council Meeting at Town Hall – 201 Delaware Street – New Castle
Tuesday – March 13, 2012 – 7 p.m.

Agenda – Summary
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes by Date: February 14, 2012 – Approved
Approval of Treasurer’s Report – Approved
Report from the City Administrator
Approval of Staff Reports – Approved
Grant Review
Communications
Business from the Floor(concerning agenda items only)
Business from the Mayor
Business from the Council President

Presentation to Charter Committee Members – Presentation Made

Unfinished Business   

1. Discussion of a new public hearing to be held concerning creation of the new Downtown Gateway (DG) zoning district, which includes proposed changes to the original proposal. (Council President Barthel – posted 2/28/12) – DG proposal is being revised and will go back to Planning Commission for review and recommendation to City Council, and then before City Council will have a public hearing and three readings (at least two subsequent meetings)

New Business

1. First and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 486 concerning proposed changes to the New Castle City Code covering the issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy. (Council President Barthel – posted 2/15/12) – First and Second reading performed

2. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2012-5, approving the placement of STOP Signs at the intersection of Baldt Avenue and 11th Street, creating a three-way STOP. (Councilperson Megginson – posted: 2/29/12) – Approved

3. Discussion of Board of Health meeting held concerning skunks. (Councilperson Megginson – posted 2/28/12) – City will seek expert advice on alternative ways to address the issues

4. Discussion of a request from Toby Hagerott of Bayberry Farms to perform vending of fresh produce, from a truck on Market Street. (Council President Barthel – posted 3/5/12) – Mr. Hagerott did not appear, and therefore this application was not considered

5. Discussion of a request from Mr. and Mrs. Gambacorta for widening Williams Street. (Councilperson Megginson – posted: 2/21/12) – The City does not have funding available at this time to act on this request

6. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution 2012-6, consenting that the City shall apply for funding under the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) Infrastructure Fund Grant for design, permitting and construction of a pier to be located at the end of Delaware Street. (Council President Barthel – posted: 2/28/12) – Held; awaiting direction from DEDO

7. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2012-7, consenting that the City shall apply for funding in the Bond Bill for the Delaware State Budget Fiscal Year 2012-13 for engineering design and permitting of a pier to be located at the end of Delaware Street. (Council President Barthel – posted: 2/28/12) – Approved

8. Discussion of a request for permission for the State to conduct an archeological survey and possible dig in the area where Ft. Casimir had been located (mostly on property owned by the Trustees, and some on property owned by the City). (Council President Barthel – posted 3/1/12) – Approved (concurrence of Council members, no formal resolution)

9. Discussion and review of the new rates for water and electric services from the Municipal Services Commission. (Councilperson Cochran – posted: 3/6/12) – Held

10. Motion, Discussion and Vote on a Resolution, consenting to the following persons being appointed to the Board of Health: Dr. Joanne Viola and Ms. Faythe Waterloo. (Councilperson Megginson – posted: 2/28/12) – Approved

11. Motion, Discussion and Vote on a Resolution confirming reappointment of Vera Worthy to the Planning Commission. (Councilperson Megginson – posted: 2/28/12) – Approved

12. Motion, Discussion and Vote on a Resolution approving a new City policy for removal of dead wood from the Battery Park beach and River coastline. (Councilperson Petty – posted: 2/15/12) – Approved (concurrence of Council members, no formal resolution, form and permit approved)

13. Discussion to set a date for a public hearing to consider a City Code amendment relative to firearms. (Councilperson Megginson – posted: 2/28/12) – Approved, hearing to be held at 6:30 on April 10

14. Motion, Discussion and Vote on Resolution No. 2012-8, approving $7,192 to be expended from the General Fund Contingency Budget Line Item as a partial payment for a new vehicle for the Police Department, which funds are needed to replace a vehicle destroyed in an accident for which the insurance claim payment of $10,800 only partially covers the vehicle replacement costs. (Councilperson Gaworski – posted: 3/1/12) – Approved

15. Comments from the floor.

16. Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining. – Not held

Next Regular Meeting Date: April 10, 2012

Note: This agenda as listed may not be considered in sequence and is subject to addition and deletion of items, including executive sessions.

Posted: 3/6/2012