REGULAR MEETING

September 9, 1974

The Regular Meeting of City Council was held on Monday, September 9, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs. Biggs, Legates, Walls, Holpp, Hardcastle, Muir and Cullen. Councilman Harris was absent.

The invocation was given by Vice-Mayor Holpp in the absence of the Council Chaplain, Reverend J. H. Williams.

MINUTES

The minutes of the regular meeting of City Council held on August 26, 1974, were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

A written report of the Utility Committee was submitted by Chairman Holpp. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council accepted the report of the August 27, 1974 meeting as submitted.

DELAWARE TELE-SERVICE

Mr. James presented the Utility Committee with a copy of the proposed franchise with Delaware Tele-Service for their study and action at the next Council meeting.

DELAWARE HOME BUILDERS

It was recommended by the Utility Committee that a request to join the Delaware Home Builders be denied. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council voted for the recommendation of the Committee and denied the request.

ANDREA BARROS - ELECTRIC PROPOSALS

Two proposals, submitted in a letter from Mrs. Andrea Barros, concerning elected representatives from areas outside the City limits and budget billing to residential users were considered by the Committee. The Committee directed the City Manager to contact the bonding company to get their feelings on the proposals and report back.

PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND TREES COMMITTEE

A written report of the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee was submitted by Chairman Walls. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council accepted the report of the September 4, 1974 meeting as submitted.

SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A written report of the Safety Advisory Committee was submitted by Chairman Walls. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council accepted the report of the Sept. 4, 1974 meeting as submitted.

TRAFFIC PROBLEM - SALISBURY AND WALKER ROAD

At the request of Mr. Hardcastle, Capt. Donovan reported that as a result of contacting the State, he was told that the Highway Department had plans to widen Salisbury Road which would began on June 30, 1974. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council confirmed Mayor Carroll’s appointment of Bernard W. Ettenger to serve a five year term on the Dover Parking Authority.

APPOINTMENT - PARKING AUTHORITY

Mayor Carroll presented the name of Mr. Bernard Ettenger for Council’s acceptance to fill a vacancy on the Dover Parking Authority. Mr. Ettenger would serve a five year term which began on June 30, 1974. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council confirmed Mayor Carroll’s appointment of Bernard W. Ettenger to serve a five year term on the Dover Parking Authority.

CENTRAL DOVER BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

A letter was received from the Central Dover Business Association requesting that parking meters and light poles be colorfully painted. Mr. Legates stated that he supported the idea and had asked Mr. James to investigate the possibility of using colors versus the green and chrome being used. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council referred the matter to the Safety Advisory Committee and asked that the City Manager investigate the above and report his findings to the Committee’s next meeting. Mr. Walls requested that a member of the Central Dover Business Association be present at the meeting of October 7, 1974.

POLITICAL RALLY REQUEST - SUSSEX AVENUE AND RIVER ROAD

A request to hold a political rally for Reverend James Hill on September 20, 1974, was received from Dr. Edward S. Dennis. The location would be Sussex Avenue and River Road, Capitol Green. Mr. James stated that the lot where the rally would be held was not City property but was being used as a playground. Past investigations to find the lawful owner has not been successful. Mr. Legates requested that the City Solicitor research the title of this property and report back at a later date. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council granted the request with the stipulation that all activities be coordinated with the Police Department, the City Manager and the Fire Marshal.

PARADE REQUEST - DOVER KIWANIS CLUB

A request was received from Mr. George Nemith, Chairman of Halloween Parade Committee for the Kiwanis Club, for permission to hold their annual Childrens Halloween Parade on October 26, 1974 at 2:30 P.M. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council voted for approval of the request.

RITTER AND CULLEN - ALLEY BACK OF MR. DONUT

A letter was received from Edward D. Biter, Jr. informing Council that the alley behind Mr. Donut, on the corner of US 13 and Kings Highway East, is being utilized for private parking by that business. A storage shed is also located in the alley right of way. Mr. James informed Council that when this area was initially developed, there appeared to be an alley dedicated by plot, to the City of Dover. However, when Mr. Donut bought the property their deed, according to the meets and bounds, takes in a portion of the alley. This portion they are presently utilizing. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council requested that this matter be analyzed by the City Solicitor and his findings be reported at the next Council meeting.

WESLEY COLLEGE - ROMANIA TOUR CHORUS

A letter of thanks was received from Mrs. Ona Weimer, Director of the Wesley Chorus, for the financial aid which helped make their trip to Romania possible. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter.

GOVERNOR SHERMAN TRIBBITT - BICENTENNIAL DESIGNATION

A letter was received from Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt to Mayor Council congratulating the City on being named a Bicentennial Community. The official designation and the Bicentennial Flag will be presented by the Governor on Thursday, September 19, at 10:00 A.M. in Legislative Hall. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter.

DOVER HOUSING AUTHORITY

A letter was received from Mrs. Iva Tazelaar of the Dover Housing Authority thanking the Council for adopting Section 23: Leased Housing. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter.

MR. JAMES - BIDS ON NORTH STREET TRANSMISSION LINE

Mr. James asked Council to reject all bids on the McKee Run to North Street transmission line. He explained that the specifications on the foundations for the standards were not clear resulting in various interpretations by four bidding contractors. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by a vote of seven (7) yes and one (1) absent, Mr. Harris, rejected all bids on the above transmission line and requested that his project be put out for bids.

Mr. James reported that the recent application by Delmarva Power and Light to increase their rate for electric power to municipalities was rejected by the Federal Power Commission due to improper filing.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS - QUEEN AND DIVISION - QUEEN AND LOOCKERMAN

Mr. James reported on the stats of the traffic light controller for the Police Station and the possible installation of traffic signals at Queen and Division and Queen and Loockerman Streets. The controllers along for these locations would cost approximately $10,000, not including wiring and conduit. In checking with the Highway Department, there was no record of permission granted to install lights at these location.

The controller which was returned to the manufacturer for repairs will be returned and installed within two weeks according to the President of the Company, Mr. James reported.

Mayor Carroll suggested that a request be made to the Highway Department for a traffic flow study at the intersections of Loockerman and Division Street on Queen to determine if traffic signals were feasible. On motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council voted approval of the above.

PUBLIC HEARING - NLS CORPORATION - PINE GROVE FARM

A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning of land located on the southerly side of Walker Road and north of Route 8, known as the Pine Grove Farm, owned by NLS Corporation. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. There was no one present to speak for or against the rezoning and no correspondence. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by a vote of seven (7) yes and one (1) absent, Mr. Harris, approved the rezoning and adopted the following ordinance.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF THE LAND LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF WALKER ROAD AND NORTH OF ROUTE 8, KNOWN AS THE PINE GROVE FARM, FROM RG-2 TO RG-3.

WHEREAS, the City of Dover has enacted a zoning ordinance regulating the use of property within the limits of the City of Dover, and

WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of zoning and planning to change the permitted use of the property described below from RG-2 to RG-3.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:

1. That from and after the passage and approval of this ordinance the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover has been amended by changing the zoning designation from RG-2 to RG-3 on that property located on the southerly side of Walker Road and north of Route 8, known as the Pine Grove Farm, owned by NLS Corporation.

ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 9, 1974

MR. JAMES - REPORT ON TRAILER REQUEST FOR VONDAWAY DRIVE

Mr. James report talking to Mr. Strong concerning his request to install a trailer on Vondaway Drive. This land owned by Mr. Roger Davis, which was discussed by the Utility Committee in the past. The streets do not meet City specifications and there are no utilities available. Property owners on Vondaway Drive own to the center line of the street. It would be necessary for them to deed twenty-five feet of the street to the City which a majority do not favor. Additional utilities would result in approximately a $50.00 front foot assessment. As a result of Mr. James briefing, Mr. Strong withdrew his request.

HAMLET DITCH AND PARK AREA

Mr. James informed Council that work started on the clearing of underbrush on each side of the ditch at the Hamlet. A drag line which was being used to widen the ditch has ceased work due to a dispute with a property owner who claims to own a portion of same. Work will resume when this problem is resolved.

COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.

 

                                                                        WILLIAM H. WILLIS

                                                                        CITY CLERK

All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council at their meeting of September 9, 1974, are hereby approved.

                                                                        CRAWFORD J. CARROLL

                                                                        MAYOR

September 11, 1974