Seaford City Council receives award from the Delaware Department of Insurance

Seaford City Council received an award for being a 20-year participant in the Workplace Health and Safety Incentive Program by the Delaware Insurance Department. The program provides the city with discounts on the insurance premiums which is helpful to the employees. The award was presented by Seaford Director of Economic Development Trisha Newcomer who told the council the work is credited to Gary Andrews, who is chair of the safety committee. She told council that Andrews takes this on as additional duties and because of him and his efforts, the city received this award.

In other business, Heather Contant, director of government and community relations of Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC), appeared to invite Mayor Matt MacCoy, council members, and city administrators to the annual dinner event. This year, there will be a panel discussion, speakers, and discussions on how the region is impacted by capacity costs and generation resources. Contant noted that the state legislature lobbyist for DEMEC, Lincoln Willis, will also be present to report on the current legislation which has seen 28 pieces of state energy legislation this year. The event is on Sept. 17 in Dover.

The Seaford City Council received an award for being a 20-year participant in the Workplace Health and Safety Incentive Program by the Delaware Insurance Department. Shown are Councilman Mike Bradley, Councilman Orlando Holland, Councilwoman Dr. Stephanie Grassett, Vice-Mayor Dan Henderson, Mayor Matt MacCoy, Gary Andrews, Councilman Alan Quillen, and City Manager Charles Anderson.

The FY2024 audit and draft financial statements were presented by Tobi Hollander, CPA of SB & Company. This audit is a requirement for federal funding received by the city. The firm also provides assistance with the preparation of the financial statements and year round advice and consultation.

The audit included several areas of reviews that focus on risk, controls, and account misstatement. The goals would be to identify errors, fraud, business failure along with business improvement opportunities, and client expectations. The audit looks at cash management and reconciliations, allowances, financial statements, the reporting process, the closing of books at year end, revenue processing, billing and collection, revenue cut-off, and payroll to name but a few of the many parts of the audit. Hollander noted there were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses nor did they discover any fraud during their audit. Hollander thanked the city for their easy access to all required information, and cooperation from the Director of Finance and Human Resources, June Merritt.

The council approved the request of Police Chief Marshall Craft to revise the Police Chief’s Advisory Board (PCAB) by-laws in order to add two members from the town of Blades. The board is a requirement by the state of Delaware, and this would bring Blades in to compliance.

Craft told council that Blades and Seaford work closely together on transient type activities and the PCAB voted in favor of the update. The board would change to a regional board, and members would have to be approved by the Seaford mayor. Additionally, new language to Section 18, duties of police that more clearly identifies the duties and responsibilities of the chief of police were approved and will now go to the state for approval.

Newcomer returned to present a recommendation of the Economic Development Committee to waive equipment and half labor fees for a total reduction of $4,940. The request by BCDE Investment Group is for assistance with electrical distribution to the development of five properties on Porter Street. The investment by BCDE is approximately $800,000 and paid permit and impact fees of about $38,000. The rental homes will be ready in September.

Newcomer also presented for approval the plans to place park benches along the walking trail around Hooper’s Landing Golf Course. The idea came from social media post and Katie Hickey, superintendent of Parks and Recreation, worked with a company to develop options. The council approved a six foot bench with a center railing. The two locations for installation are Locust Street, east of Nanticoke Senior Center, and Duck Pond on Sussex Avenue which will require some configuration of the fence. Both locations provide ample security lighting, and the Duck Pond area has a dog waste container. The funding comes from the golf course reserve funds.

A first reading for changes to the municipal code which would further the definition of Significant Industrial User (SIU) which will include language allowing certain SIU’s to be classified as Non-Significant Industrial Users. The changes will return for a second reading before council before approved. Brian Tiff made the presentation and said the changes pertain to our industrial pretreatment ordinance. It will reclassify certain industrial users that are significant industrial users by default to non-significant. The changes will give the department lead way to write permits that will allow for compliant discharges by industrial users with small flows and small impacts.

The Hooper’s Landing Lounge and Pro Shop building received funding to replace the roof after a leak was discovered. The budget allowed for the replacement of the cart barn roof at $26,000 but will now include the other roof with an additional cost of $8,400 paid through the golf course reserve funds and awarded to Callaway Roofing.