Can County Levy Court business meeting is called to order at seven PM on Tuesday, March twenty-fourth, twenty twenty six.

We're located at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware, Levy Court Chamber two oh three.

With that, I will turn it over to our county administrator, Kevin Sippel.

Thank you, Madam President.

This meeting is being held in person at five five five Bay Road, Dover, Delaware, and Levy Court Chambers.

We're also making it available through the internet through WebEx.

Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting.

There will be opportunities for public comment for those attending in person or online.

When the president opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized.

If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand.

Our operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting.

Pressing star six will mute and unmute and unmute your line.

If you're online, you will see a hand and microphone icon at the bottom of your screen.

Please use those at appropriate times.

We ask guests to begin public comments by stating your name and address for the record.

We ask that public comments relate to the subjects announced by the president.

In addition to public hearings, there are two public comment periods.

One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments.

This meeting is being recorded and will follow the rules and procedures adopted by Levy Court as well as the Mason rules of order.

Back to you, Madam President.

Thank you.

I would ask the invocation by Commissioner Pepper.

Pledge allegiance led by Commissioner Hertz.

Moment of silence for our troops and first responders.

Commissioner Sweeney.

All rise.

Present.

Mr.

Hertz?

Here.

Mr.

Pepper?

Here.

Mr.

Scott?

Here.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Here.

Mrs.

Maston?

Here.

Madam President.

Roll call and reveal seven present.

Let the record show seven commissioners present.

Next on the agenda is a motion to approve the agenda.

So move, Madam President.

Second.

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper.

Any questions?

Roll call?

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President Roll Call reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years for the adoption of the of the agenda.

At this point, we open up the agenda to public comment for anything that's not covered under a public hearing.

For our guests to join us online, if you would like to make public comments at this time, please indicate by raising electronic end or pressing star three if you join us by phone.

I see no hands raised online, Madam President.

Thank you.

Motion for the consent agenda 2605.

So move.

Second.

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Pepper.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President Roll Call reveals seven years.

Let the record show seven years for the consent agenda 2605.

We'll now go to presentations.

Sam, I think you have resolution 4155.

Good evening, Commissioners.

I will be reading in for the record resolution 4155, the retirement of Diana T.

Gold.

Whereas the retirement of Diana T.

Gold, an employee of Kent County, State of Delaware, from her duties as County Engineer in the Department of Public Works Engineering Division presents a suitable opportunity for expressing the esteem in which we hold Diana T.

Gold as a good and faithful public servant.

Therefore, be it resolved that the County of Kent expresses its warmest appreciation and thanks to Diana T.

Gold for the able and loyal manner in which she performed her public duties.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be her evidence of a right to the pension provided by the Kent County Employees Retirement Program, and that this resolution be and hereby is incorporated into the official minutes of the March 24th, 2026 meeting of the Kent County Levy Court.

Need a resolution for resolution or need a motion for resolution 4155?

Second.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call, reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years for resolution 4155.

Ms.

Horsey, Employee of the Month for April 2026.

I am excited to present Mrs.

Sharon Stats as the April 2026 Employee of the Month, and I am going to ask Deputy Clerk of the Peace, Trish Brown, to come up and read her memo.

Good evening, Commissioners.

It is my honor to read this into the record for this evening's meeting.

Kent County Department Heads have selected Sharon stats from the Clerk of the Peace Office as the April 2026 employee of the month.

Sharon currently serves as a licensed specialist too in the King County Clerk of the Peace Office, having joined the Kent County, excuse me, become a member of Kent County in March 2023.

She began her career with the county as a licensed specialist one and was quickly promoted to license specialist two in May 2023.

Sharon has been a seamless addition to the team, consistently demonstrating in an eagerness to learn and a genuine commitment to serve the Kent County community.

In our current role, Sharon issues marriage license and certified copies, coordinates the submission of documents in the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and ensures compliance with all state required marriage and civil union provisions in accordance with the Delaware Code.

She also assists attorneys and members of the public with questions and concerns while supporting a variety of essential office operations.

This was particularly important to me.

Sharon played a key role in addressing long overdue efficient late fines, some dating back many years, and continues to diligently manage and monitor this process.

Her attention to detail and strong sense of accountability have significantly improved office efficiency and compliance.

In addition, she is has a strong work ethic, a calm demeanor, and an easygoing personality.

She has a very confident approach and makes a value becomes a valuable member of the team.

She consistently greets everyone who enters the clerk of the peace office with a warmth and a professionalism, treating each individual with a kindness and a respect.

According to Brenda Wooten, our clerk of the peace, Sharon's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by her achievement of perfect attendance for the second consecutive year.

Her reliability, positive attitude, and dedication make her a true deserving member of our team for this recognition.

Congratulations to Sharon on a job well done.

She resides in Commissioner Maston's and Commissioner Pepper's districts.

And now for the record.

Kent County Levy Court, April 2026, employee of the month, Sharon Statz.

On this 24th day of November 2026, the Levy Court of Kent County, State of Delaware, does hereby recognize Sharon L.

Statts, licensed specialist to Kent County Clerk of the Peace Office for her exceptional initiative, dedication, and conscientiousness in the dis excuse me, the delivery of services to the citizenry of the county.

And it's signed by all the commissioners, President Joanne Maston and Vice President Scott.

Sharon.

Commissioners, could you join me down front?

Okay.

Okay.

I'm gonna get my camera off.

Sharon, I feel so privileged to be up here with you.

I've known you for so very long.

But uh to be an employee for only three years here and to achieve this position and been promoted, serves uh to show us just how dedicated you are to the county.

Um anytime I walk into that clerk of the peace's office, you always have a big smile on your face, ready to greet the public.

Plus, you probably have a fun that fun job most days.

So congratulations on your achievement.

I'm really, really happy for you.

And again, congratulations.

Uh, from what I understand, you do a great job.

Uh you're one of our front uh facing people that sees the public when they come in.

And your attitude and your demeanor uh just helps us all.

So thank you very much.

Yeah, congratulations.

Uh, you're always the first office I come into because you guys got the best candy.

And I really appreciate that when I come in there, you allow me to give marital advice to the newlyweds.

But congratulations.

Congratulations, thanks for all you do for the county.

Sounds like you do a fantastic job, and please keep it up.

Congratulations on behalf of all the employees here at the county, definitely does uh deserving of this recognition.

And I didn't realize I've known your husband for a very long time.

I never put that together, so now we have a lot more to talk about.

Thank you.

You want to go first?

Well, Sharon, uh, I just wanted everybody to know that um when we hired her, uh I had she became highly recommended by several people.

And it has been an absolute privilege and honor to have her.

She makes our office look good.

We have a great team.

There's only three of us in her office, so we have to get along.

And we definitely do, and it's been the best decision that we've ever made in our office.

Trish and I are so pleased with you.

Uh you have been a wonderful employee.

Very um never late, never uh, you know, always always on time, and you're two time or you know, you've been no uh what do you call it, sickness.

You're attending her perfect attendance, and you ever she greets everybody with a smile.

She is just the most wonderful employee that I've ever had to hire.

So congratulations on a job well done, sweetheart.

Yes, congratulations.

Sorry I can't stand next to you, but I'll have you know your angels behind you.

Having said that, having said that, uh what a what a the way the world is today, thank you for being who you are and what you do, because you know, that pleasant voice that that way you set that tone when you walk in the office, and it means a lot, not just to the people that come here, but to us too, because you know you're our first line of defense too and offense for when you're doing your job.

But thank you very much for what you do.

I we really appreciate it.

Sharon, congratulations, very well deserved.

Uh every time I come by, you always got the big smile.

That's as everyone said already.

I was just in there the other day, and the thing is when you walk in that office, you can almost feel the positivity in there just as soon as you hit the door, and a lot of it that comes from you with the with the big smile, because Trish can be a little mean sometimes.

Um you really have earned it.

Um thank you for everything that you're doing for that office, and thank you for everything you're doing for the county.

Thank you.

Shannon, congratulations.

I don't think people heard everything that Trish just read about you.

You hit the trifecta.

You deal with the public, you deal with attorneys, and you deal with other state agencies.

That's that's a tough job to do, and then tack on to that.

That you know how you follow Delaware code.

It's amazing that you're able to do the job as well as you do.

So congratulations.

You're trying.

I would thank this opportunity for the commissioners.

Thank you very much.

I really do enjoy my job, and especially my co-workers.

When we come into the office, we always say it's a happy place, and that's what we are, and it's a pleasure coming to work with everybody.

Three, two, one.

Three, two, one.

Congratulations.

Justin.

Justin.

You don't have a shy bone.

You can come up here.

I don't wait.

Would you want to speak?

I'm good.

Oh, I forgot to thank my husband.

That's okay.

Hey.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Sam, would you like to speak on this one?

I apologize.

No problem, Madam President.

Um I'm just going to give you a brief staff report.

So the engineering division received a request for county sanitary sewer service from the legal owners of the Aquila Farm Subdivision, which is located within the boundaries of the Kent County primary growth zone in the Teswalt area.

The proposal is for a 1,078 unit subdivision and one existing single family home.

The property is located on both sides of Morton Road.

Based on the technical feasibility study, the proposed sanitary seal requires gravity mains, a new pump station, fourth mains, connecting to the existing manhole located in the Lakeshore Village Subdivision.

In addition, an aid in construction fee in the amount of 140,000 will be paid to the county for future pump and control improvements at existing pump station 12.

The applicant of the proposed subdivision accepted the study and will be responsible for the design, permitting construction and all the and all of the sewer system improvements.

The developer of the property is responsible for the payment of the residential sewer permits and impact fees for their project.

The department and the sewer advisory board recommend the extension of the Kent County Sewage Disposal District No.

To include the subdivision.

Staff recommends leverage court to open the public hearing and collect any testimonies to decide whether or not to extend the sewage disposal district to the subdivision.

Thank you.

Any questions for Sam?

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4147?

Please come to the podium.

If there's anyone joining us online who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4147, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

I see no hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition of resolution 4147?

Please come forward.

Similarly, for our guests online, if you would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4147, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Any motion to accept resolution 4147?

Madam President, make a motion resolution 4147, resolution upon proposal to extend Kent County Sewage Disposal District No.

Pursuant to Section 4606, Chapter 46, Title 9 of Delaware Code, as amended Aquila Farm Cheswell Area.

Second.

Motion by Vice President Scott, second by Commissioner Angel.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel.

Yes and no opposition.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz.

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston.

Yes.

Madam President.

Roll call reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven years for approval of resolution 4147.

Commissioner Pepper.

Thank you.

I have one item this evening.

It's ordinance LC 26-05, fiscal year 26 budget amendment.

It's an ordinance to amend ordinance 25-11, fiscal year 26 annual operating budget of Kent County, Delaware for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025, to incorporate projected expenditure revenues not included in the originally adopted budget.

If you recall late in the fiscal year, we've added to the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Medical Services Division, six additional paramedics, making total approved positions for emergency medical services to be 66, which was previously 60.

And as you know, that's already paying off in dividends.

That's all our paramedic stations are now two men stations, uh 247.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC 2605?

For our guests joining us online, if you would like to speak in favor of ordinance LC 2605, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

I see no hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to ordinance LC 2605?

Similarly, if you are online and you would like to speak in opposition to LC 2605, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Back to you, Commissioner Pepper.

Uh thank you.

With that being said, uh public hearing closed.

I make a motion to approve ordinance LC 26-05, which is the fiscal year 26 budget amendment.

Second.

Motion by Commissioner Pepper, second by Vice President Scott.

Any questions on the motion?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz.

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President.

Roll call reveal seven years.

Let the record show seven YAs for ordinance LC 2605.

Back to you, Vice President Scott.

Resolution 4148.

Thank you, Madam President.

Resolution 4148, a resolution establishing Cartmer's Bridge crossing streetlight district number 154.

Sam?

Yes, good evening.

Commissioners, Madam President.

This resolution establishes a street light district named Carpenter's Bridge Crossing Street Light District number 154.

This district has 193 residential lots.

The resolution includes only properties within the described district and authorizes the county to contract with the appropriate utility company to install and maintain the street lights.

It also authorizes the county to establish a street light tax to be levied against all properties within the described district to recover all costs of installation and maintenance.

Staff recommends the court to open public hearing and collect any testimonies to decide whether or not to form the street light district.

Thank you.

Any commissioner comments for Sam?

Thank you.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of resolution 4148?

Please come forward.

For our guests joining us online, if you would like to speak in favor of resolution 4148, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

No hands raised online, Madam President.

Is there anyone here who would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4148?

Similarly, if you're online and would like to speak in opposition to resolution 4148, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

Still no hands raised online, Madam President.

Back to you, Vice President Scott.

Thank you, Madam President.

With no opposition, I will make a motion for resolution 4148 of resolution establishing Carpenter Bridge crossing Streetlight District No.

Second.

Motion by Vice President Scott.

Second by Commissioner Angel.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz?

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper?

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveal seven years.

That the record shows seven yes for resolution 4148.

At this point, uh the public hearings are closed.

Do we have any old business?

Under new business, Commissioner Hertz for introduction of resolution 4149.

Yeah, I'd like to introduce resolution 4149, a resolution to extend Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District pursuant to Chapter 52, Title IX of the Delaware Code and Section 90-correction point for E 10, Chapter 187 under Kent County Code.

Any other new business?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Commissioner Hertz, number two.

And number two is the pipeline conditioning assessment, rescind state funding.

Sam, you want to speak on that, please?

Yes, thank you, Commissioner Hertz.

So mainly this uh this item is uh some house cleaning in terms of our loans.

Uh so on um July 30th, 2024 levy court accepted the state funding um offers for the two pipeline condition assessment projects and authorizes the levy court president to sign the binding commitment letters.

Um these commitment letters were for these two loans.

One was uh in the amount of three million one hundred thousand dollars for uh pipeline condition assessment investigation for uh pipelines that were less than twelve inches in diameter, and the other one was for uh 2.3 million dollars for another pipeline condition assessment or condition condition investigation for um pipelines that were greater than or equal to 12 inches in diameter.

The counties no longer need the above uh loans and the um pipeline condition investigation for less than twelve-inch diameter projects was funded by ARPA funds and is uh scheduled to be complete towards the end of late fall.

And uh the pipeline condition investigation for 12-inch diameter or uh greater than or equal to 12-inch diameter projects is no longer being pursued.

The county is seeking a new loan for countywide gravity pipeline condition repair um throughout the county and uh the and staff has prepared a notice of intent um to Denwork.

Therefore, staff recommends rescinding the two um binding commitment commitment offers for the projects.

With that, I can answer any of our questions.

Any questions for Sam?

Thank you.

I don't believe we have an executive session this evening.

Commissioner Hurst, will you read the uh the recommendation at the bottom of the staff report?

No, we just got to make a motion now.

As long as nobody has any questions.

Motion Commissioner Hertz.

I moved to rescend the binding commitment offers from Delaware Water Pollution Control revolving fund for the pipeline uh conditioning investigation of greater than twelve-inch diameter and pipeline conditioning investigation of less than twelve-inch diameter project, and number two move to authorize the levy court president to sign a letter rescinding the associated loan documents related to the projects.

Second motion.

I have a motion by Commissioner Hertz, second by Vice President Scott.

Any questions?

Roll call.

Mr.

Angel?

Yes.

Mr.

Hall?

Yes.

Mr.

Hertz.

Yes.

Mr.

Pepper.

Yes.

Mr.

Scott?

Yes.

Mr.

Sweeney?

Yes.

Mrs.

Maston?

Yes.

Madam President, roll call reveals seven years.

But the record shows seven years.

Um any information items.

Commissioner Angel.

Thank you, Madam President.

A couple things.

First of all, uh we had our uh EMS building at uh Harrington this past week that we all were so happy to see it up and running.

And what a great spot that's been.

First of all.

And then uh also we have our uh Delaware Association of County meetings on April 16th at the Rome of Restaurant.

And then also when I was president of DAC last year, I put together a uh uh a board for the fire study.

We're gonna be reporting out next week, having a hopefully a virtual, and we'll have something to hope we we bring bring back for that too.

So just want to give everybody a heads up what's going on.

Thank you.

Any other information items?

Any public comments.

For our guests to join us online, if you would like to make public comments at this time, please indicate by raising electronic hand.

See no hands raised online, Madam President.

Any commissioner comments.

No executive session this evening.

Motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Meetings adjourned.