ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

APRIL 2007 ACTIVITY

This reports is a summary of all administrative and public works’ activities within the Town and gives the status of major Town projects. 

Major Projects

Ø      Annexations

• There has been no petition for a referendum on the recently approved annexation; therefore, the recent annexation was effective on April 7, 2007.         

Ø      DPW Building.    

• The DPW Building Committee plans to meet at 1 p.m. on May 14^th in the Town Hall. 

Ø      Drainage

• The Town received several complaints from homeowners in the West View community about street and drainage concerns and mosquito infestation due to standing water in the community.  The Town Administrative Official is working to address these concerns. 

Ø      Election

• A Candidates’ Night was held on April 9^th.
• Bill Wichmann retained his seat as Councilman from District 2, and Richard Nippes was elected as Councilman from District 1.  Both Councilmen were sworn in at the April 17^th Reorganization Meeting/Work Session.

Ø      Financial

• The new Finance Director, Lee Brubaker, started on April 23rd. 
• The annual operating budget and the 5-year Capital Improvements Program were approved at the April 3^rd Town Council meeting. 
• The Town renewed three short-term CD’s totaling over $700,000 with Sherry Huovinen of Delaware National Bank.
• Business and rental license renewal forms were mailed, and many renewals have been received.
• The forms for the new gross receipts/rental tax were mailed, and many people have called about this program. 
• Town employees will soon receive training on the new tax program from a representative of Edmunds & Associates, and the tax bills will go out in the very near future.
• Based upon the Town Solicitor’s opinion, the Wedgefield-Avon Park HOA was granted a real estate (property) tax exemption for their common areas.
• The interim financing for the water system is in place, and bills have been paid with these funds. 
• The Emergency Reserve and the Capital Replacement Trust Funds were established.  
• The Town is looking into the possibility of using an automatic deposit plan. 
• The Finance Director and I are exploring the possibility of establishing a 457-B Supplementary Retirement Plan for the Town’s employees. 

Ø      John West Park

• The DPW staff continues to work on the park to ensure that it is always in tip-top condition for the many visitors who visit as soon as the weather gets warm. 

Ø      Police Facility

• Mayor Meredith, Councilman Wichmann, and I continue to attend the bi-monthly construction progress meetings on a regular basis.  At present, the project is on schedule and within the approved budget.

Ø      Town Hall

• Walkways were created in the front and side of the Town Hall.  They are very attractive, and many people have made favorable comments about them.    
• Mailboxes will be installed at the Town Hall and the Ocean View Police Department in an effort to increase efficiency and save money.  

Ø      Water System

• A monthly progress meeting was held with Town Administrative Official McMullen, Town Water Engineer Chuck Hauser, DBF staff members, USDA representatives, A.P. Croll representatives, and me.
• Work on obtaining the necessary easements continues.
• A Water Update will be given later in the meeting.   

Miscellaneous

¨      The Finance Director, Town Administrative Official, Police Chief, and I

       continue to meet weekly to discuss Town issues. 

¨      The Town is interviewing IT professionals in order to replace Jim Kelly as

       its IT consultant. 

¨      The Town of Ocean View hosted the April SCAT meeting.  Mayor and

       Mrs. Meredith, Councilmen Wichmann and Amendt, Accounts Payable

       Clerk Betty Jane Keen, Receptionist Melanie Breech, Town Clerk Marie

       Thomas, and I attended this meeting. 

¨      Mayor Meredith and I attended the SCAT Steering Committee meeting.

¨      Mayor Meredith, Councilmen Wichmann and Amendt and I attended the

      Delaware League dinner meeting. 

¨      Mayor Meredith and I attended a presentation on wind power held by

      Bluewater Wind Power.

¨      Town Administrative Official McMullen and I met with DEMA

       representatives to discuss homeland security grant funds for FY 2008.

¨      I completed a two-day emergency preparedness training session

      (IS 300 FEMA course).   

¨      The Town selected Alan Kercher as the Town’s Engineer.

¨      I met with Linda Collins, Town Manager of Millville, to discuss issues

      related to both municipalities.    

Administrative Department

¨      The Town Clerk and I prepared material for and attended the Regular

       Town Council Meeting and the Town Council Reorganization Work

        Session.   

¨      The Town Administrative Official and Town Clerk prepared material for

      and attended the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of

      Adjustment meetings.   

¨      The Town Administrative Official issued several building permits and

      Certificates of Compliance.

¨      The Town Administrative Official continues his frequent meetings with

      surveyors, engineers, developers, contractors, applicants, and attorneys in

      an effort to discuss and clarify Code requirements as they pertain to Board

      of  Adjustment and Planning and Zoning applications, building and sign

       permit applications, and other matters of importance to the Town.  

¨      The Town Administrative Official made many site visits throughout the

       Town to inspect road and drainage conditions and violations of the Town

       Code.        

¨      The Town Administrative Official sent violation letters to property owners

       who did not comply with Town regulations. 

¨      The Town Administrative Official continues to develop policies,

       procedures, and forms to streamline operations within his department. 

¨      The Town Administrative Official drafted several ordinances dealing with

       fees, definitions, and other issues of importance to the Town.     

Department of Public Works  

¨      The DPW staff has started to larvicide throughout the Town.      

¨      DPW staff members continue to resolve verbal and written complaints and

       requests for service that have been forwarded from the administrative

       staff. 

                                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                                        Conway Gregory  

                                Town Manager

April 30, 2007