REGULAR MEETING
September 23, 1974
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held on Monday, September 23, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs. Biggs, Legates, Walls, Holpp, Hardcastle, Muir, Harris and Cullen.
The Reverend J. H. Williams addressed Council thanking them for the many cards during his recent illness in the hospital.
The invocation was given by Reverend J. H. Williams, Council Chaplain.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of City Council held on September 9, 1974, were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Chief of Police Report for month of July was accepted.
Building Inspector and Fire Marshal Report for month of August was accepted.
City Planner Report for month of August was accepted.
City Alderman Report for month of August was accepted with fines in the amount of $705.00 remitted.
Cash Receipts, General Fund, for month of August was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for month of July was accepted.
Mr. Harris questioned the expenditures under the County Sewer disbursements stating they appeared to be thirty percent (30%) of the budget. Mr. Hodge explained that the figure appearing on the report represented a three month period. The increased electric rates are reflected in the expenditure causing it to be in excess of what was originally projected.
Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for month of August was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for month of August was accepted.
City Manager’s Report for month of August were accepted.
Mr. Hodge pointed out the Bicentennial Flag on display in the Council Chambers presented to Mayor Carroll as a result of the City being recognized as a Bicentennial Community.
As a result of the pending retirement of City Engineer, Alfred Joseph, Mr. Francis J. O’Neil, Jr. has been retained to fill the vacancy. Mr. O’Neil resides in Smyrna and has fifteen years with private industry in this area.
AWARD OF CONTRACT OF DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSMISSION LINE
Mr. Robert Lyons, of Larrimore, Douglass and Popham, was present to report the results of bids resubmitted by four companies for the construction of a transmission line from McKee Run Plant to North Street. As a result of the bid opening of September 18, 1974, Mr. Lyons reported bids from L. E. Myers - $466,130, Day and Zimmerman - $477,201.40, Hinkle and McCoy - $588,380 and C. W. Wright - $444,956. All bids were in order and according to specifications. It was the recommendation of L.D.P. that the bids be awarded to C. W. Wright for the sum of $444,956.00.
On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous roll call vote awarded the bid to C. W. Wright for the sum of $444,956.00.
J. P. COURT #7 REPORT
A report for the month of August from J. P. Court #7 was presented. A check in the amount of $7,333.40 was received with deferred payments as of August 31, 1974 being $32,231.41. On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council accepted the report as submitted.
CHIEF SPENCE - REQUEST FOR CROSSING GUARDS
Mayor Carroll received a letter from Chief Spence explaining that the Capitol School District has discontinued bussing children to the Central Middle School. In a letter to Chief Spence, the school district requested crossing guards at several new locations based on a survey report of the Hazards Committee. Chief Spence pointed out that the City spends $18,000 to $20,000 a year presently for guards not including City Police who fill in due to illness, etc.
Mayor Carroll stated that the $20,000 expenditure for crossing guards was being paid by the Citizens of Dover without any assistance from the Capitol School District, the County or the State. He, therefore, recommended to Council that the Safety Advisory Committee meet with the Hazards Committee, after they have made a second study, and discuss this matter. The Committee would then report the results of the meeting and recommend to Council a method of meeting this obligation both financially and manpower wise.
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council approved the Mayor’s recommendation.
BICYCLE REGISTRATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT
A letter to Mayor Carroll from Chief Spence requested that the fee of twenty-five cents for bicycle registration be dropped for one day, October 19, 1974. The Delaware National Guard and the Police Department will hold a special registration on this date in an effort to curtail rising bicycle thefts as well as aiding in the identification of owners. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by unanimous roll call vote waived the twenty-five cents bicycle registration fee on October 19, 1974, for that date only.
ALDER ROAD - KESSELRING AVENUE - STUDENT CROSSING HAZARD
A letter was received from Mrs. Elaine Siegel siting the hazard of school children crossing the intersection of Alder Road and Kesselring Avenue. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council referred this matter to the Safety Advisor Committee.
PAY PHONE - CITY HALL
A letter from Mr. Robert Hatfield, Public Telephone Representative of Diamond State, recommended that an outside phone booth be installed in one of two recommended locations designated on an illustration drawing to Mr. James. Mr. James approved the idea and recommended to Council that a booth be installed on location two as shown on the illustration. On a motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council approved the recommendation of the City Manager.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
A letter was received from Mr. John B. Wallace, Director of Transportation for the State Highway Department, asking that Council appoint a member to serve on a review committee to work with his department and hired consultant to establish a local transportation authority. Mayor Carroll recommended that Councilman Douglas Harris be appointed to this committee. On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council approved the recommendation of Mayor Carroll.
ALLEY - MR. DONUT TO QUICK CAR WASH
Pursuant to a request by the Council of the City Solicitor to investigate the proper owners of that portion of alley behind and adjacent to the property of Mr. Donut, from Kings Highway Northeast north to the property of Biter and Cullen, Inc., Mr. Rodriguez in a letter to Council stated that it was his opinion that the alley was never abandoned and therefore was the property of the City of Dover. Mayor Carroll, on the basis of these findings, recommended that the matter be referred to the Office of the Building Inspector and Fire Marshal for his investigation and action. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council approved the above recommendation.
PRESENTATION OF PIN TO MR. HARDCASTLE
Mayor Carroll presented a lapel pin of the City of Dover to Councilman Hardcastle.
PUBLIC HEARING - AMSTEL CORPORATION - RICHARDSON TRACT
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning of property, known as the Richardson Tract, located on Walker Road from R-20 to R-8 and RG-3, equitable owner being Amstel Corporation. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. Mr. George Records was present to address Council representing the owner and Amstel Corporation. Mr. David Perman, Mr. John Fisher and Mr. Terry Sparks were present to speak against the rezoning. The Planning Commission had tabled action on the rezoning and there was no correspondence. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by a roll call vote of seven (7) yes and one (1) no, Mr. Legates, tabled action on the rezoning.
KIRK FETTERMAN - REGISTRATION - ELECTION DAY CHANGE
Mr. Kirk Fetterman was present to address Council and suggested that a consideration be given to implement plans for registration out of a mobile van in various locations of the City. He further suggested that Council consider changing election day to a date in late spring.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED 8:25 P.M.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council at their meeting of September 23, 1974, are hereby approved.
CRAWFORD J. CARROLL
MAYOR
September 27, 1974