April 21, 2003

A meeting of the Town & Gown Committee was scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room. There was no quorum and those present had an informal discussion. No action was taken and minutes are not required. The following represents a brief summary of the discussion. Members present included Chairperson Joan Odell, Carl Anastasia, Carl Luft, Jim Neal, and Marilyn Prime. Captain John Potts represented Chief Conway and Larry Walker represented the Commuter & Off-Campus Organization.

Council Member-Elect David Athey, resident Albert Porach, University officials Marianne Green, Tracy Bachman and April Veness, and several other Newark residents were in attendance.

• The minutes were not approved or accepted because no quorum was present. They will be approved at the next meeting.

• Ms. Green provided an update on the volunteer recognition program which will be held on Monday, May 5, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtyard, weather permitted, or in the Council Chamber. Approximately 15 to 20 students will be recognized. It was suggested that a letter from the Chair be sent to the parents of the students receiving recognition to explain and invite them to the program.

• Captain Potts provided statistics that covered the period of January, 2003 to present. He noted that 45% of the alcohol-related arrests involved University of Delaware students.

* There was no police report provided by the University due to Chief Thornton’s absence.

• April Veness gave a brief update of the experimental course on Newark she has planned for this fall. There will be about 50 students in the class and six projects running simultaneously. Ms. Veness is looking for ideas and will put the course together once projects are identified. Anybody with ideas were encouraged to contact Ms. Veness.

• Albert Porach, a Newark resident, provided the committee with a copy of a vehicle count done by NPD in September of 2002 in the unit block of 100 East Park Place. This was discussed at the September Traffic Committee meeting and they recommended painting a centerline on East Park Place sometime in the near future. Other suggestions reviewed at the Traffic Committee including selective enforcement in the late night hours and the use of the speed trailer. Another traffic speed study will be done in the spring. Mr. Porach supported traffic calming in his neighborhood and encouraged the city to look into the installation of speed cameras on his street. He would like the University to establish a policy on traffic calming. Mr. Luft advised that all recommendations regarding traffic come from the Traffic Committee and were based on safety.

• Ms. Odell advised that DelDOT will install traffic lights on S. College Avenue at Amstel Avenue and Kent Way sometime in the summer. She understood that some funding was available to educate the students about the change.

• Newark resident David Robertson would like the locations of violations made public and reported at each meeting by the Newark Police Department. He would also like to see the city and University work together on their mortgage assistance programs, which he thought, would get more owner occupancy in particular neighborhoods. The question came up as to whether a homeowner could apply and receive both mortgage programs; a homeowner can benefit from both programs.

• Mr. Robertson suggested when new students come to town that they receive information on the history of Newark, its growth, and any other information that would welcome them to the city. Such material could be supplied to the student along with the materials provided to them by the University. It was noted that Mayor Godwin sends a letter to welcome all freshmen to Newark. Ms. Prime explained the special session done for students living off campus at which time they receive numerous brochures about the University and the city. Also noted was that students living off campus who go to City Hall to set up their utilities receive a package from the city that includes information on noise regulations, trash pick up, etc.

• Tracy Bachman, University of Delaware, advised that the recent released 2002 Harvard School Public Health College Alcohol study data of university students look promising. It showed that more students perceive that there is a greater likelihood of getting caught for underage drinking on campus (dorm, fraternity party, off-campus party, neighborhood party, and sporting events). The students seem to be more educated about alcohol, how to get help, the long-term effects of high risk drinking, etc. However, 85% of the students underage claim it is very easy to get alcohol. Also, their perception of the risk of getting caught drinking at an off campus bar or restaurant has decreased. She felt with the new focus on alcohol selling establishments by the new alcohol unit, that number should change.

• The next meeting will be held on Monday, September 15, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.

Patricia M. Fogg
Secretary

Town & Gown Meeting Agenda

September 15, 2003
City Manager's Conference Room

1. Approval of February 11, 2003 Minutes

2. Introduction of Members

3. Newark Police Report – Conway

4. University Police Report – Thornton

5. Old Business

6. New Business

7. Election of Chairperson

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