DOVER — Some Dover city officials haven’t been very happy with the results they have seen recently when it comes to the recruitment and selection process for city boards and committees.
So, Councilman Brian Lewis offered up some recommendations that he believes will improve the process.
Dover’s City Council approved all but one of the measures he outlined and will discuss the remaining item at tonight’s Council Committee Meeting of the Whole at City Hall.
Councilman Lewis was pleased that council approved most of his proposals when it comes to seeking qualified people to serve the city.
“This will make sure we don’t just appoint anybody and that we just appoint qualified people,” he said. “I think it’s important that the people of the community get involved.
“I implore members of the community to go out there and apply because it’s important to get involved and see what goes on and be a part of the city process.”
Councilman Lewis outlined several steps that he believes will improve the recruitment process for city boards and committees, including:
• Advertising vacancies through local newspapers, the city’s website and through social media, including information as to how interested individuals may apply and define the duties of the particular board/commission.
• When applications of interest are received by the city, it should provide city council members copies of all applications and resumes to personally review before placing on council agenda for appointment.
• Members currently serving on city boards/committees/commissions wishing to be reappointed and continuing to serve must submit a new application and resume to the City Clerk’s office.
The one item that the Council Committee of the Whole will discuss at its meeting at City Hall tonight is Councilman Lewis’s proposal that all new board/committee/commission appointments must agree to go for sponsored training provided by the Delaware League of Local Governments.
Councilman David Anderson thinks the proposals make sense.
“I’m already getting calls and we’re getting people to apply,” he said. “It’s a good thing. It’s working and when we implement the full plan I believe it’s going to work even better.”
In other city council business on Monday night:
• Members of the city’s homeless population spoke during the Open Forum for the third-consecutive council meeting, calling for a solution to Dover’s homeless problem.
“We’re back. And we’re going to keep coming back,” Alexis Simms said. “I know you might be getting tired of seeing us but we’re going to be back here every other Monday.”
Six members and supporters of the homeless community spoke in front of council.
• The Friends of Old Dover were presented with a certificate for contributing their labor, time and energy to clear weeds and debris from Constitution Park on Sept. 24 and for their continued efforts to restore the appeal of the landmark.
• Delaware State University was awarded a certificate of congratulations for its 125th anniversary. The university began as the “State College for Colored Students on May 15, 1891 with a dozen students and five courses of study. It now a university with more than 4,500 students and offers more than 51 baccalaureate, 25 master’s and five doctoral degree programs through 21 academic departments and five district colleges.
• Mayor Robin Christiansen proclaimed October as “National Community Planning Month.”
• Mayor Christiansen also presented the 2016 Mayor’s Art Awards to: Jack and Jeffrey Kidner, Michael Kosior, the Inner City Cultural League, Dr. James Wilson and the English Country Dancers.
• Reverend Rita Mishoe Paige’s recommended appointment by Council President Tim Slavin to fill the unexpired term of Jane Hicks representing the Fourth District on Dover’s Human Relations Commission was approved. Rev. Paige’s term will expire in February 2017.
• Council approved purchasing the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Master Hardware and Software from the sole source vendor Siemens Energy Inc. for $114, 370.
• Council approved a contract to Aztech Contracting Inc. for the city of Dover New Street Water Main Replacement Project for the amount of $246,593.37. The project will help improve the quality of water in the area.
• Council also approved awarded a unit price contract for the Fiscal Year 2017 Street and Alley Program to George Lynch Inc. using the non-prevailing wage unit prices for each work item submitted. The current value of the contract is for $1,037,600 based on current available funding. Actual quantities and locations will be adjusted to match the funding.