REGULAR MEETING
February 24, 1975
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held on Monday, February 24, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs. Cullen, Legates, Muir, Hardcastle, Perman, Witt, Harris and McDonough.
The invocation was given by Reverend J. H. Williams, Council Chaplain.
MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council held on February 10, 1975, were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Chief of Police Report for the month of January was accepted.
Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report for the month of January was accepted.
City Planner Report for the month of January was accepted.
City Alderman Report for the month of January was accepted.
Cash Receipts, General Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for the month of December was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
Budget Report, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
City Manager’s Report for the month of January were accepted.
CITY MANAGER’S WRITTEN REPORT
Mr. James reported that Unit #2 was returned to service on January 21 after being off the line to meet the five year maintenance requirements and minor repairs.
Installation of temporary piping for the blow down of Unit #3 is in progress. This is now scheduled for the week of February 24th.
BIDS - WATER LINE - SOUTH LITTLE CREEK ROAD - PROJECT #64
Bids for the extension of water lines on South Little Creek Road, known as Project #64, were submitted as follows:
Teal Construction Company $58,507.30
W. B. Mitten & Son, Inc. 64,831.84
Warren Brothers Company 68,043.00
George & Lynch, Inc. 68,554.70
Burger Construction, Inc. 76,254.90
Webb Construction, Inc. 93,552.00
The City Engineer estimate for this project was $64,000.00. The City Manager recommended that Project #64, South Little Creek Road, be awarded to Teal Construction, Inc. for the sum of $58,507.30. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by unanimous roll call vote awarded the bid to Teal Construction, Inc.
PIPE COSTS - FOX HALL PLANTATION DITCH
The City Manager received the price of 290 linear feet of 36" aluminum pipe from Dr. James McClements to be installed in a portion of the ditch in Fox Hall Plantation. The City is to furnish the pipe only for this project. The total price of the pipe as presented by Dr. McClements is $2,975.74.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Perman, Council by a unanimous roll call vote agreed to purchase the pipe in the amount of $2,975.74, as submitted.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council accepted the City Manager’s Written Report as submitted.
PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Carroll submitted the names of Sarah Hastings, Gilbert Shank and A. Barratt Cullen to serve a three year term each on the City of Dover Planning Commission. The above three, whose terms expire February 28, 1975, would be succeeding themselves.
On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by a vote of seven (7) yes and one (1) no, Mr. Perman, accepted the above names as submitted by Mayor Carroll.
PENSION BOARD APPOINTMENTS - POLICE DEPARTMENT
A letter from Chief William L. Spence advised Mayor Carroll that an election was held by the Police Department on February 21, 1975 and the names of Lt. William H. Knotts and Corporal Jerry B. Sheppard were selected to serve on the City of Dover Pension Board for the year of 1975.
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by unanimous roll call vote accepted the above names as submitted.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE - REPEAL CAPITATION TAX
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on February 17, 1975 at 2:00 P.M. with Chairman Legates, Mr. McDonough and Tax Assessor Mr. Hayes. Matters of taxation were discussed. After deliberation, the Committee voted to recommend to Council that the City Solicitor be directed to draw an ordinance repealing the City of Dover Capitation Tax, effective May 1, 1975.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council approved the above recommendation of the Legislative and Finance Committee by a unanimous roll call vote.
J. P. COURT #7 REPORT - JANUARY 1975
The City Clerk submitted a report for the month of January. A check in the amount of $5,092.90 was received with deferred payments as of January 31, 1975 being $31,797.62.
On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Legates, Council accepted the report as submitted.
PARKING LOT REQUEST - MARCH OF DIMES
A letter from Sara Thomas, Chairman of the Annual Super-Walk to fight birth defects, asked permission to use the City parking lot on April 13, 1975. Electrical facilities were requested with that organization being responsible for the consumption cost.
Council instructed the City Manager to contact Sara Thomas for more information on the type of electrical facilities needed. The City Manager’s decision on this matter will be final.
LEVY COURT - INVITATION TO MEET WITH COUNCIL
Mr. John McKenna, for William Paskey, Jr., President of the Kent County Levy Court, extended an invitation to Council to attend a joint meeting at 2:00 P.M. on February 26th to discuss transportation and other matters of mutual concern. A show of hands indicated five councilman attending. On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter.
SOFTBALL - KENT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
A letter from Mr. John Crossley, Director of the Kent County Parks and Recreation Commission, requested conceptual support from Council to obtain 12.739 acres of land. The land is east of Route 13, adjacent to the once proposed River Road Extension. This site would be used as a four ballfield site by the Kent County Softball League which is expanding beyond its present facilities.
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. McDonough, Council referred this matter to the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee for their recommendations to the Planning Commission.
REQUEST - MODERN MATURITY CENTER - PURCHASE EMANUELS
In a letter to Mayor and Council, Mr. Robert Bonniwell, Executive Director of the Modern Maturity Center, submitted a proposal to purchase Emanuels Store at 116 Loockerman Street. Mr. Bonniwell sited the convenience of this location and outlined several methods of assistance involving the city to purchase the property.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council referred this proposal to the Committee of Committees.
Y.M.C.A. FULLTIME RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR
Mr. Ted Ressler, Executive Director of the Y.M.C.A., in a letter to Council requested an opportunity for input into any decision the City might consider in hiring a full-time recreational director. He also outlined the pros and cons of the Y.M.C.A. actually running the City Recreation Program, receiving any allocation of funds for this purpose.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council acknowledged receipt of the correspondence and referred the proposals to the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee.
REQUEST FOR PARKING SPACES - JESSE COOPER BUILDING
Mr. Thomas Murray, Jr., Director of the Division of Maintenance and Communications, State of Delaware Administrative Services, in correspondence to Mayor and Council requested eight thirty minute parking spaces along the north side of the Jessie Cooper Building.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter and referred the contents to the Safety Advisory Committee.
WESLEY COLLEGE - ECOLOGICAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Terrance L. Higgins, Advisor to the Logology Society of Wesley College, expressed a desire by that organization to participate in a recycling center, on campus, accepting materials from the surrounding community. Further suggestions included brushing out small nature trails and cleaning up the banks of the St. Jones River by volunteer students. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Witt, Council referred this matter to the City Manager.
REQUEST - PARKING LOT - DOVER PARKING AUTHORITY
David H. L. King, President of the Dover Parking Authority, requested that Council consider erecting directional signs for their downtown parking lot within a three or four block radius of that facility. Lines on the street, with arrows pointing to the lot, was also suggested. On motion of Mr. Perman, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council referred the above to the City Manager’s Office for his consideration.
LETTER - CHIEF SPENCE TO MS. JEAN HITCHENS - RESOLUTION ON RAPE INTERROGATION
A letter by Chief William L. Spence to Ms. Jean Hitchens, Secretary of the American Associates of University Women, referred to a resolution passed by that organization questioning the method and certain tactics used in interrogating a rape victim.
Mr. Perman asked Chief Spence if his department was abreast of any changes that might improve the method and procedures of interrogating rape victims and suggested contacting other city police departments. Chief Spence replied that this was normal procedure within his department but he would go further and contact larger cities if this was the wish of Council.
KENT COUNTY BOARD OF RELATORS
A letter from Nathan L. Cohen, President of the Kent County Board of Realtors, informed Mayor Carroll of that body’s action to oppose a one per cent City Transfer Tax on real estate.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council voted to inform the above organization that a transfer tax on real estate within the City had never been proposed by Council.
SUNRISE SERVICE - SILVER LAKE - ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH
Mr. Witt informed Council that he had been contacted by the St. Jones Lutheran Church for permission to hold a sunrise service at the Silver Lake Recreational Facility on March 30, 1975, at 6:30 A.M. It was suggested that Mr. Witt have the church inform Mr. James by letter of this function and proper arrangements would be made for the availability of this area.
COMMITTEE TO STUDY LIBRARY LAW
A letter to Mayor Carroll from Harry F. Camper, President of the Board of Education, stated that it was decided that a committee be formed consisting of one person representing each of the following:
City of Dover Kent County Levy Court
Dover Library Board Board of Education
The purpose of the committee would be to study the law affecting libraries, which is effective July 1, 1975 and what ramifications it will have on the Dover Library.
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council designated Mr. Legates as the representative from the City of Dover and referred this matter to the Legislative and Finance Committee. Mr. Legates will contact Mr. Keishaw to formulate plans for a meeting.
GENERAL INFORMATION - ANNUAL AUDIT - NINE MILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS
Mr. Perman questioned a nine million dollar figure in the annual audit which was discussed by the Committee of Concerned Citizens and interpreted as a surplus in the Electric Revenue Fund. He asked Mr. James if he would like to comment. Mr. James stated that this figure represented the equity in the electric system or the amount of the bonded indebtedness which has been reduced, definitely does not reflect a cash balance.
MR. McDONOUGH - HOME RULE
Mr. McDonough moved that Council refer the question of home rule for the City of Dover to the Legislative and Finance Committee for their consideration and formal proposal to Council. This is to be done no longer than three months from the date of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hardcastle and carried.
ZONING MAP HEARING REQUEST
Mr. Roe informed Council that Kling Planning has completed the new zoning map with a scale of fifty feet and one hundred feet to the inch. This map reflects the present zoning as adopted in 1961 and any zoning amendments from that period forward that Council has approved.
The purpose of a public hearing is to adopt this as the official zoning map of the City of Dover, effective March 24, 1975. The map will be on display in the Planning Office for anyone to review and question. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Witt, Council set March 24, 1975 at 8:00 P.M. as the time for the public hearing.
COUNCIL TOUR OF CITY FACILITIES
Mr. Witt expressed his appreciation to City Staff members who accompanied the Mayor and Council members on an eight hour tour of the City’s facilities on February 22th.
Due to a malfunction of the recording system, this Council Meeting was not taped.
Council adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS, CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council at their meeting of February 24, 1975, are hereby approved.
CRAWFORD J. CARROLL, MAYOR
27 February 1975