A meeting of the Town & Gown Committee took place on Monday, February 24, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Joan Odell. Members attending were: Carl Anastasia, Gerald Conway, Hal Godwin, Carl Luft, Dillon Moore (DUSC), James Neal, Hal Prettyman, Marilyn Prime, Ron Smith, and Larry Thornton.

Guests included: Council Member David Athey, several Newark residents, UD students, and a representative from The Review.

1. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 17, 2003 MINUTES

There being no additions or corrections to the minutes, they were approved as received.

2. NEWARK POLICE REPORT – CONWAY

Chief Conway reported on crime statistics for the year-end of 2003. Robberies were up 8% and have received a lot of publicity. Part I reported crimes were down 5%, burglaries were down 30%, rapes were down 33%, auto thefts were down 13% and thefts were up 1%.

Part II crimes (referred to as quality of life offenses) were down 6%. They include offenses such as alcohol, drugs, disorderly conduct/premises, etc. As a result of the new alcohol unit, there was a 39% increase in investigations of alcohol offenses. Criminal mischief and disorderly conduct offenses decreased 15%, and noise and disorderly premises offenses increased 1%.

The city has a robbery task force that has been working with UD since the beginning of February. Two arrests involving robberies were made. There was a discussion regarding the reported robbery that took place on the new James Hall Trail which turned out to be a bogus report.

Copies of crime maps produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and UD were distributed by Chief Conway. The maps showed “hot spots” for alcohol crimes and reflected a high number of violations in the vicinity of apartment complexes. Ivy Hall apartments was reflected as a “hot spot” and the addition to that complex that was recently approved by City Council was discussed. Other areas with similar problems included the Newark Shopping Center, the University Courtyard Apartments, the Main Street Courtyard, and Chapel Street. The question was asked as to whether the police could distinguish between a student and a college student when an arrest was made. The current software program could not make that distinction. However, when there was a conviction in the Alderman’s Court, the disposition sheets were given to UD. Any arrests/convictions that occur at an apartment complex resulted in a notification to the landlord. Chief Conway explained that the arrest had to occur within an apartment for the landlord to be notified. For example, if the arrest occurred in the courtyard of a complex, the landlord was not notified. Some apartment managers take it upon themselves to review the police press book on a weekly basis.

Mr. Neal suggested when “hot spots” become apparent, that the apartment complexes become proactive, that they automatically receive the information, and they be encouraged to include certain things in their leases and provide extra security as required by the Ivy Hall apartments. It was noted that leases were kept on file in the Building Department and there were many clauses required by the city, especially as they relate to property maintenance.

The effectiveness and purpose of security officers at apartment complexes was discussed briefly. It has been found that their visible presence was very valuable and they report potential problems to the Newark police before a situation got out of hand. The students were more receptive to the less aggressive security officers.

A UD student suggested more under 21 establishments where they could enjoy music and dancing. The student advised that those kinds of establishments were popular in large cities and would keep the students off the streets and from partying in the neighborhoods. Mr. Smith thought the RWJ effort has driven the problem off campus. Chief Conway advised that the special alcohol unit did patrol neighborhoods when activities were slow on Main Street.

Hal Prettyman advised that several months ago UD invited apartment managers/owners to a presentation where they discussed what they thought was successful at their apartment units. He was the only apartment owner to attend the meeting and thought it was important to have the owners attend along with their managers. He found it very helpful and thought the Newark Police Department gave a great presentation. He believed the apartment owners and managers were doing a lot of good things and this type of forum provided a great opportunity to share them with each other.

3. UNIVERSITY POLICE REPORT – THORNTON

Mr. Thornton reported that Part I crimes were down. They had one robbery since his last report and that resulted in an arrest. Thefts were down 22%. One reported sexual assault (acquaintance) was reported. Alcohol and drug incidents on campus have decreased. The UD’s escort service increased 500% in the last semester. Overall, Mr. Thornton thought their winter session went very well.

4. REPORT ON TOWN MEETING PROJECT - SMITH

Mr. Smith stated that he would meet with April Veness next Friday at which time he would have the opportunity to review the videotapes of the town meeting her students held last year. Mr. Smith was considering monthly town meetings but it was the general consensus that monthly meetings would not work. It was also suggested that they target October/November for the first town meeting. More information will be available at the next meeting.

5. OLD BUSINESS

Al Matlack, a local resident who previously suggested that UD and the city work together to solve the ?moving out ?problem? of discarded useable items by students, gave a brief update on this project. He spoke to Carol Houck in the City Manager’s office about his ideas. Ms. Houck was agreeable to trying to salvage items and advertise any sales that might be held on campus. To date, Mr. Matlack has not been able to contact the students who were working with him on this project. He did, however, get a response from those who run the ?National Dump & Run? program and they were willing to provide guidance for a percentage of the proceeds if there were any sales. Mr. Matlack would prefer that revenue go to the sellers and not to a third party. He was hopeful that he would have more to report at the next meeting. .

6. NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Godwin discussed an idea he had about having a UD student represented at all Council meetings much like Rick Armitage represented the UD at Council meetings. That would provide an opportunity to bring the students’ opinion to the Council meetings, and the student would be available to ask and answer questions. Mr. Godwin thought the Office of Urban Affairs might suggest someone to fit this role.

It was noted that committee member Dillon Moore, who represents DUSC, attended Council meetings and reported back to DUSC. There was some discussion about students from Urban Affairs who focus on one particular discipline and therefore may not have the pulse of the students, particularly if he/she was a graduate student. A DUSC representative would be a true representation of the student population.

Mr. Godwin would like to see more communication between the city government and the student government and believed his suggestion would be a great benefit to both. He also encouraged that a representative from The Review be at every City Council meeting. His intent focused on the fact that there should be a spirit of student opinion included in what the city was doing. He also noted that the format of Council’s agenda was approved each year at the their organization meeting at which time he would recommend a report from a UD student be included. That item would follow the report given by Rick Armitage.

Ms. Prime was confident that DUSC would be willing to participate and she could help make that happen. DUSC has six officers that would enjoy the opportunity to meet and get to know the Mayor. A meeting will be arranged with Mr. Godwin and he will report on it at the next Town & Gown meeting.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

- David Athey asked if UD’s Board of Trustees or Department of Public Affairs would consider appointing a Council Member, the City Manager or a local resident to sit in on their Board meetings to give their input on issues much like the UD student would do at Council meetings. Ms. Odell explained that the committee meetings were not open meetings; however the main Board of Trustees meeting was a public meeting. Mr. Athey understood that there was no public comment at the Board meeting, and Ms. Odell advised that it was a very formal meeting. Ms. Odell further explained the process and used Rick Armitage as an example. Mr. Armitage was responsible for governmental affairs and community affairs and worked with the legislature and the city and reports to the Board. Mr. Neal added that the actual meeting of each committee was not a working meeting and the work was done off committee.

- Mr. Athey said he liked the suggestion raised earlier about nightclubs for 18-20 year olds. Chief Conway said that the Ground Floor had certain nights for that age group. With good management and proper security he thought that could work. However, there have been problems at the Ground Floor. State law allows restaurants not to allow anyone under 21 in after 9:00 p.m. A business with just a tavern license is not allowed to let anyone under 21 into their establishment. The Stone Balloon has held similar events, but because they have a tavern license, all liquor must be locked up during those special events. Mr. Godwin thought that the old Colorado Ski building would be an ideal place to have a pizza shop with music, dancing, non-alcoholic beer and soda. Mr. Thornton reiterated that it was done at the Ground Floor and worked well the first few times but eventually problems occurred when people who were already intoxicated started attending and causing problems.

Mr. Luft pointed out that in the larger cities, such as New York City, nobody cared whether the kids were drinking and the upside was that they probably weren’t driving. The difference in Newark was that people really care about the community and when someone walked out of a bar and stumbled, they were in the middle of a neighborhood.

- Ms. Odell noted that Marianne Green from UD who assists with the Volunteer Awards Ceremony, suggested that the ceremony include a Nikki Woolf Award. Ms. Woolf was a UD student who was killed ten years ago. Her father, Dennis Woolf, initiated the award in her memory to honor a student each year who exemplified the spirit of volunteerism in the community. This award had been presented with the leadership awards through the Student Activities office, but was now deemed “inappropriate” for that assembly. Ms. Green thought the award would fit nicely into the city’s awards program because it was not a formal UD award but rather a tribute to a student who has made a difference in the community. The committee thought it was a good idea to include the award at this year’s program.

The committee selected Monday, May 3 for the awards ceremony.

8. SETTING DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on April 19, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

9. Meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.




Patricia M. Fogg, CMC
Secretary
/pmf


CITY OF NEWARK, DELAWARE
Town & Gown Meeting Agenda

Monday, April 19, 2004 – 7:30 P.M.
City Manager’s Conference Room

1. Approval of February 24, 2004 Minutes

2. Newark Police Report – Conway

3. University Police Report – Thornton

4. Update on Awards Ceremony – Marianne Green

5. New Business

6. Old Business.
- Update on Town Meeting Project – Ron Smith
- Update on DUSC Meeting – Hal Godwin

7. Public Comment

8. Setting Date for Next Meeting

If you cannot attend this meeting, please contact Pat Fogg in the City Secretary’s Office at 366-7070.