In the recent Seaford Mayor and Council Meeting, the Mayor’s Right Choice Award was presented to Delmarva Christian High School graduating senior Mattie Krieg for making the right choices, being a positive role model and a community leader, and living a drug free lifestyle. Krieg was presented with a plaque and $500 by Mayor David Genshaw.
Correspondence submitted by CJ Sparrow was read by City Manager Charles Anderson on his gratitude for the efforts of City Council as he is building his business after purchasing and renovating the Allen Building. The project is moving forward and many of the contractors hired are within the city of Seaford.
RIGHT CHOICE- Mayor David Genshaw presents the Mayor’s Right Choice Award to Mattie Krieg. After graduating Delmarva Christian High School, Mattie plans to pursue a career in business management. Photo courtesy of the City of Seaford
The FY 2022 proposed budget was presented by Anderson. Some of the highlights mentioned is no tax rate user rate fee increases for electric (34/$100), sewer ($44.99), or water ($22.61/EDU). The draft included revenues from Lowes, Dulaney, and Spruce Water tower attachment leases and also from the full operation of the Unified Sewer District, the three percent lodging tax, and rental license program fees.
Anderson pointed out that electric is the largest revenue maker with $14,367,218. Also, of the $29,907,676 FY22 revenues along with internal transfers ($33,700,506), the budget is growing and taking on new projects.
“Transfer from electric funds are slightly down and residential consumption is up. Tax collections are up five percent and returns $2,469,408 for the FY22 which is attributed to growth of the city,” said Anderson.
The city transferred $559,764 from the reserves to balance the budget for FY 22. Anderson informed the City Council that debt is projected to reduce and the city is currently paying off long term debt
The Seaford Police Department currently employs 29 officers. The department would like to increase from two to four Patrol Sergeants, which will be promotions from within the department.
There will also be retirements in the electric department and an open position for a Construction Leader as well as in the electric department.
The budget includes an added camera to the council room, design and engineering for Phase II of WSBC, signs for downtown, infrastructure to the server for network data and storage, demolitions with three slated for FY22, cameras on High Street, a playground structure in Nutter Park (grant will pay half), security lighting in Nutter Park/Collins Ave, Oyster House Park pier and decking replacement (50 percent grant), renew electric infrastructure in Martin Farms, mainline sewer camera, Seaford Village lift station that needs upgrading, and sewer main smoke testing. The FY2022 budget was unanimously approved by the City Council, 5-0.
Trisha Newcomer presented a request for a reduction of impact and tap fees for the development of two residential single family homes. The request by RMAB, LLC is because the original estimates for sewer connection increased over $40,000 and the total estimate of the fee reduction is $5,350, which will sunset in 18 months. The request was unanimously approved by the Council.
The city received two bids for four decommissioned police cruisers. The highest bid of $16,828 was awarded to Chicago Motors. The four vehicles are no longer reliable for patrol. The monies received will go toward the leasing of newer vehicles.
The 2021 Planning and Zoning Commission appointments were approved by the City Council. The members are Stacie Spicer, chairperson, along with Al Temple, Mark Grassett, Rick Peterson, Scott Pickinpaugh, Lawrence Purnell, and Mike Bailey. Further appointments were for Records Officer Tracy Torbert and Authorized Agents Trisha Newcomer, Charles Anderson, and June Merritt.
Councilman Jose Santos’ report included a note of Seaford School District concerns regarding the Virginia Avenue track facility. There are concerns with trespassing, damage, and vandalism. The track will not be closed to the public but the district would like to prevent further damage to the facility. Councilman Dan Henderson reported on the Seaford Fire Department and noted that engine 87-2 is out of service for water pump issues and is the oldest engine in service.
Seaford Fire Department Chief John Wilson notified the City Council that as of June 8, the Seaford dive and rescue and rescue recovery team was out of service. Although the Dive 87 program is an enormous benefit to the people of Seaford, the program is short on new personnel, upgraded equipment and maintenance. The Seaford Dive 87 Team was in service 63 years. The team was a certified dive team that served many areas including upstate and Maryland.
