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December 2009  
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Town Council 12/14/09

Town of Wyoming
Council Workshop
Wyoming Town Annex
December 14 2009
7:00 P.M.
                                               

TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP

CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Marasco called the Meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – led by Chief Chuck Manuszak

INVOCATION – led by Councilman Spruill

Council attending:  Mayor Mike Marasco, Secretary Georgette Williams, Councilman Bill Spruill, Councilman Terry Witt

Council absent:  Vice-Mayor Harold ‘Butch’ Arnold due to illness

Staff attending:  Finance Clerk Nicole Armour, Police Chief Chuck Manuszak

Audience attending:  John Fifer, Jack Fairfull, Paula King

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

  • Mayor Marasco stated that he would like to add letter B. to the agenda for Miscellaneous Town Business.  Ms. Williams motioned to accept the agenda with addition.  Mr. Witt seconded the motion.  All in favor.  None, Opposed.

DISCUSSION OF TOWN ISSUES

MISCELLANEOUS TOWN BUSINESS

  • Mr. Spruill stated that he was approached by Mr. John Fifer reference the entrance road to the ballpark.  Ms. Williams stated that she received an email and phone call from Commissioner Sweeney stating that he also received a complaint from Mr. Fifer which was passed out to all of council and is attached to these minutes.  The complaint being heard is that the plans show a 30 ft. road; however, the road is actually 20 ft.  A discussion ensued on which is correct, and Ms. Williams stated that she would verify the measurements with the county the following day.
  • Mr. Spruill stated that the flooding on South Layton Avenue is becoming a serious issue.  The road is flooding from just south of Southern Blvd. to Appletree Lane.  Mayor Marasco stated that he spoke to Soheil Gharebaghi the day it had flooded and that he (Soheil) called Harold Scott to have a truck sent down to pump the storm drain; however, when they arrived the water had receded.  Mayor Marasco continued by saying that the Town of Wyoming should address a letter to CWSWA stating the issue and asking for their assistance in solving the issue.  When received Harold Scott will then address a letter to the town stating what services the CWSWA could provide to the town and the cost. They could possibly run a camera and flush the drain.  We also need a break in the rain long enough to do so.  Mr. Spruill stated that Lew had dug out as far as his arm could reach today and pulled out debris varying from bricks to soda bottles.  Mr. Spruill continued by saying Lew would like to get a Roto Rooter, but Mayor Marasco and the council felt we should wait and see what the CWSWA could do for us. 
  • Mr. Spruill stated that the Street Sweeper has been repaired but it has not been picked up and brought back into town yet and that he had no idea what the cost of the repairs would be.  Mr. Witt asked who repaired the sweeper and Mr. Spruill stated that his name was Mr. Edwards and that hydraulics were his specialty. 
  • Ms. Armour updated the council on the status of the new server.  Mayor Marasco stated that if the Town Hall needs to be shut down for a business day then he would have no problem with that so as to not have the office staff needing to stay late or come in on the weekend.
  • Mayor Marasco stated that we have received a family to adopt and it was put in the newsletter.  So far the town has received approximately $150 as well as several pairs of socks for the girls.  Mayor Marasco stated that he had talked to Ms. Haddick and she stated that we should look to spend at least $100 per child and the council agreed that the town would cover anything not raised in donations up to $400.  Ms. Armour asked who is responsible for the shopping and Mayor Marasco stated that she and Ms. Haddick could take care of it.
  • Mayor Marasco stated that there would be a DLLG meeting next month.  Chief Manuszak asked what the topic was and Mayor Marasco stated that the subject was the economic crunch on municipalities and the election of new officers.  Ms. Williams asked if a letter regarding the lack of MSA funding has been sent to all Kent County Legislators from the town.  Mayor Marasco stated that he had not but he will look into getting something together. 
  • Mayor Marasco brought up the discussion of the Town Holiday Party and gifts for the employees.  A discussion ensued with several ideas.  It was decided that the employees would receive $25 gift certificates to Witt Bros. Market and that the Holiday Party would be scheduled on January 22, 2010 from 5 – 7 PM.
  • Mr. Witt asked if we knew the status of the 2 story townhouses in the Greens at Wyoming.  Mayor Marasco stated that he saw them installing the roof and Chief Manuszak stated that he saw them boarding up windows.  Ms. Armour stated that is was discussed that they would need to have a certificate that the building was free of all mold and mildew before it was closed up.  Ms. Williams stated that the request for such should be in writing.  Ms. Armour stated that she would have a letter sent out the next day and she would also contact Mr. Hollis as to the status of the townhouses.  Chief Manuszak stated that he was told by some landlords out at the Greens at Wyoming that they may start renting out to Section 8 residents and was wondering if there was anything that the town could do to stop it.  Ms. Williams stated that there wasn’t any approvals that needed to be done through the town so if the state approved it there was nothing we could do.  Chief Manuszak stated that if the approval does go through then it will be a lot of headaches for the police department.
  • Mr. Fairfull presented an email from Mr. Pommell to the council and submitted it for the minutes as well.  The council read the email and a short discussion ensued about the intersection change with the new parking lot at W. B. Simpson Elementary School, North Caesar Rodney Avenue, and Old North Road.  It was agreed that if it were to become a four-way intersection that a four-way stop should be installed.  Ms. Williams stated that with the new intersection and the increase in parking for the Administrative Building employees that the curb in front of the building should be painted yellow as to increase visibility at the intersection.  Council agreed with Ms. Williams.
  • Mr. Fairfull asked the Chief of Police if there was anything he could do about the dog that barks all day and night next door to him.  Chief Manuszak stated that he would talk to the owner of the dog. 
  • Mrs. King asked Mayor Marasco if there had been any development with the Wingate Homeowner’s Association.  Mayor Marasco stated that he was waiting for a letter from Jaywork.  Mrs. King stated that Wyoming Mills Homeowner’s Association is interested in what can be done and asked if she could have a copy of the letter.  Mayor Marasco stated that he would have the letter to her at next month’s workshop.  Mrs. King also asked if there was an answer on the bonding question.  Mayor Marasco stated that he had contacted Mr. Lank but had not received a response and asked Ms. Armour if she would check on that.

BUDGET

  • Chief Manuszak started the budget portion of the workshop by saying that it was a bad time for all towns and that the economy has put a strain on everyone.  He stated that he went over the Police Department’s portion of the budget and had a few things in mind if he would need to move money around later. 
      • He stated that he felt that the $2650 in line 1004 (Misc. Income) should be moved to line 4004 (Misc. Police Income) since it was from the sale of the Intrepid which was a police vehicle.  Mayor Marasco stated that the council had decided that, that money would be allotted for the new server and so it should stay in line 1004.
      • Chief Manuszak explained that the $350 in line 5602 (Police Equipment) was for a TASER that was purchased with CJC money and that any other equipment would also most likely to come from grants as well.  That being said he stated that if needed he could move that $3000 into the 5311 (Repairs and Maintenance/Police Vehicles) which is already over budget.  He also stated that since they are not purchasing many uniforms this year they could also move some money from 5460 (Police Uniform Expense) into line 5311 to cover any additional cost in repairs for the police vehicles.

Mayor Marasco stated that this meeting wasn’t to move money around it was to strictly take a look at the budget.  Chief Manuszak stated that he understood that and that he just wanted to bring to the council’s attention that he was aware of the changes that needed to be made and that he would make them if necessary.

  • .Chief Manuszak stated that last year the department burned a lot of overtime and then they had to switch to comp time and have continued to use that policy into this budget year which has led the officers into a situation where not only do they need to burn an excessive amount of comp time but vacation time as well before their anniversary date.  Chief Manuszak asked if he and his officers could get an extension to December 2010 to burn off all comp and vacation time.  Chief Manuszak went on to explain the causes of the accrued comp time and stated that the only overtime that has been accrued this year was for coverage of the Peach Festival.  A discussion ensued about comp time, vacation time, and flexing the schedule so the officers would not have to accrue comp when covering for another officer.  Chief Manuszak stated that he would present a 2010 calendar to the department for them to fill out vacation time and that he would schedule around it.  He went on to say that he would have a preliminary schedule for council by the next Council Meeting. 
  • Ms. Williams stated that she looked over the budget and that she feels we will make it but it will be tight.
  • Mayor Marasco stated the same as Ms. Williams and went on to say that the employees have been doing their best at keeping the costs of operations to a minimum.  Mayor Marasco went over a few lines that were close to or had already have gone over.  He stated that Administrative and Office Supplies was running close to being over budget.  Ms. Armour stated that was because usage on the copier has gone up, and Ms. Williams stated that she thinks that she included usage and rental in the same line and that Ms. Armour should check into that.  Mayor Marasco stated that the Chief has already touched on the Repairs and Maintenance to Police Vehicles line, and Chief Manuszak stated that they will be returning to Melvin’s for minor things like oil changes and light bulb replacements; however, rotating and balancing tires and more serious stuff would be referred to Winner Ford.  Mayor Marasco stated that the Repairs and Maintenance for Uniforms is also running close.  Ms. Armour stated that it was the dry cleaning and that there is nothing that we can do about it.  Mayor Marasco pointed out the General Advertising line.  Ms. Armour stated that the newsletter comes out of the line every month as well as any advertising needed for the town.  Mayor Marasco stated that he felt the trash was going to go over.  Ms. Armour asked Ms. Williams if she had based that on the contract pricing.  Ms. Williams stated that she had but that was before they added on the additional 18 (ish) properties. 
  • Ms. Armour stated that she is having an issue with CWSWA paying their portion of the insurance bills.  A discussion ensued on how to handle the issue.  Ms. Armour stated that she would send an email out and Mayor Marasco stated that he would speak with Mr. Scott pertaining to this as well. 
  • The Council decided that they would decide on a workshop date at the council meeting.

 

Ms. Williams motion to adjourn.  Mr. Spruill seconded the motion.  All in favor.  None Opposed.

The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p. m.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Nicole Armour
Finance Clerk