REGULAR MEETING
May 14, 1973
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, May 14, 1973 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holmes, Legates, Muir and Walls. Councilman Holpp was absent.
INVOCATION
In absence of the invocation, a letter was read that was received from the Dover Ministers Association expressing their regret at having to relinquish the duties they have performed in the past, that of offering the invocation prior to the commencement of the Council meetings. The stated that numerous other community functions have caused a heavy workload on their organizations and felt that this service provided to Council must be discontinued. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council acknowledged receipt of the letter and requested that Mayor Carroll respond to the Dover Ministers Association. Mr. Legates made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Muir, that the Councilmen would take turns offering the invocation prior to the Council meetings.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 23, 1973 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Chief of Police report for the month of April was accepted.
Building Inspector & Fire Marshal report for month of April was accepted.
City Planner report for the month of April was accepted.
Alderman report for April was accepted, fines in amount of $1,128 were remitted.
Cash Receipts, General Fund, for month of April were accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for month of March was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for month of April were accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for month of April were accepted.
City Manager report for month of April was accepted.
J. P. COURT #7 MONTHLY REPORT
The monthly report of the J. P. Court #7 for the month of April was presented to Council attached to a check in the amount of $10,561.59. Deferred payments due the City of Dover as of April 30, 1973 are $29,825.50. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council accepted the report as presented.
ELECTRIC BUDGET HEARING
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote directed that a public hearing be held on Monday, June 11, 1973 at 8:00 P.M. as per the bond resolutions, on the Budget for the Electric Department for the fiscal year of 1973-1974. This hearing will be duly advertised.
NORTH STREET SWITCHING STATION
Bids were received on April 12, 1973 on the North Street Switching Station. The engineers original estimate was $270,000, but was later revised to $375,000. Three bids were received with the low bid being $568,000 and the high bid being $620,000. The Engineering Consultants, Laramore, Douglass and Popham, have recommended that all bids be rejected, and that the City act as the General Contractor and subcontract the electrical installation, their estimate on the total job being $425,000 a savings of approximately $143,000. After some discussion by Council, a motion was made by Mr. Muir and seconded by Mr. Biggs, and by a roll call vote of 6 ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hayes, and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Holpp, Council approved the recommendation of Laramore, Douglass & Popham, rejecting all bids and approving the recommendation that the City assume the position of general contractor for the abovementioned job.
CHESAPEAKE SUPPLY & EQUIPMENT
A letter was received from the Chesapeake Supply & Equipment Company located at Forest Street and the Railroad, requesting permission to install a office trailer on their property located there. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council referred this request to the Safety Advisory Committee for their study and recommendation.
DELAWARE STATE FIRE SCHOOL
Delaware State Fire School has requested permission to hold a water rescue school on Silver Lake just west of the State Street Bridge on Sunday, June 24, 1973. The school would last approximately 3-4 hours. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council granted permission to the Fire School on their request.
TURNER REZONING - 15 MAPLE LANE
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning of the property located at 15 Maple Lane. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. Mr. Ron Stevens, 20 Maple Lane, was present and spoke against the rezoning. Mrs. Mary Louise Tilgjman also was present and spoke against it. A letter was then read from Mr. Andrew Couhig, Agent for the owner, requesting that the petition for rezoning be withdrawn. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council accepted the letter and withdrew the petition.
LEVY COURT - BUFFER ZONE AGREEMENT
A letter was read from the Kent County Levy Court requesting the Council consider the modification of the Buffer Zone Agreement now in existence between the City and the County. A rough draft of a letter that Mayor Carroll proposes to send to Mr. Josh Twilley, president of the Levy Court, was then read to Council outlining the problems that he feels still exist and his reasons for not wanting at this time to release the Buffer Zone Agreement. He then asked Council for their comments and whether they were in agreement with the contents of this proposed letter. Mr. Harris stated that he was in agreement with the letter in principle, but he felt that the Buffer Zone problem would end up in court and that the courts might not uphold the agreement as outlined. On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved the rough draft of the letter proposed by Mayor Carroll and recommended that it be presented to the Kent County Levy Court.
CHAPEL BUILDERS REZONING
A request was received from Chapel Builders to rezone land they own located on Bacon Avenue. A public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council adopted the following resolution and referred the request to the Planning Commission.
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND DIRECTING THAT NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain property located on Bacon Avenue is presently zoned for RG-2 use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That a public hearing be held in City Hall Annex on June 25, 1973 at 8:00 PM on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover that would rezone from RG-2 to RG-3 that property located on Bacon Avenue, owned by Chapel Builders, Inc., and containing approximately 3.6 acres.
2. That notice of this public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
ADOPTED MAY 14, 1973
FRIENDS OF OLD DOVER RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote of those present adopted the following resolution.
WHEREAS, the City of Dover annually celebrates Old Dover Days on the first weekend in May, and
WHEREAS, this celebration is organized and conducted through the cooperation of the Friends of Old Dover, and
WHEREAS, the Friends of Old Dover are a long standing organization in the City of Dover.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That the Mayor and Council wish to extend their appreciation to the Friends of Old Dover for the excellent job that has been done this year and every year in the past on the program and observance of Old Dover Days, held this year on May 5 and 6, 1973.
ADOPTED MAY 14, 1973
MRS. JEAN KELLY RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote of those present adopted the following resolution.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jean Kelly was Chairwoman of the Old Dover Days activities for the Friends of Old Dover, and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Jean Kelly is an active member of the Friends of Old Dover and other civic organizations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
That the Mayor and Council wish to commend Mrs. Jean Kelly for the excellent job done by both she and the Friends of Old Dover in presenting Dover to its many visitors and celebrates during the most recent Old Dover Days held on May 5 and 6, 1973.
ADOPTED MAY 14, 1973
SILVER LAKE CONCESSION BIDS
Bids were received on May 10, 1973 for the operation of the concession stand at the Silver Lake swimming area. Only one bid was received, that being from Mayer & O’Brien Enterprises for the bid price of $75. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council authorized the City to enter into such an agreement with Mayer & O’Brien Enterprises for the operation of the concession stand at Silver Lake for the summer season of 1973.
PUBLIC DITCH - HEUBNER FARM
A request was received from John H. Dowell asking the support of the City of Dover for the creation of a public ditch adjacent to the Heubner Farm, which is owned by the City of Dover, along Route 352. After much discussion by Council they agreed in principle with the concept of the ditch and stated that an endorsement should be made on behalf of the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council endorsed in principle the ditch as outlined with final plan approval to be made by the City Manager and City Engineer.
SHORT’S TAXI PARKING
A request had been forwarded to the Safety Advisory Committee for their consideration to reserve four (4) parking places on South Governors Avenue for the exclusive use of Short’s Taxi Company. The committee has recommended that no change be made in the parking patterns in this area. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council accepted the recommendation of the Safety Advisory Committee thereby denying the request of Short’s Taxi Company.
WESLEY CHURCH VACATION SCHOOL
The request of Wesley Church for additional parking spaces along the south side of The Plaza, during the last two weeks of June was considered by the Safety Advisory Committee. The Chief of Police recommended that they be given two spaces in front of the Church Educational Building for loading and unloading purposes only. The Committee so concurs. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council approved the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the Safety Advisory Committee. The Church will be so notified by letter.
TENNIS COURTS
Councilman Legates stated that he had been contacted on numerous occasions in the near past about the possibility of the City lighting a couple of the tennis courts in the City. Also some work will possibly need be done to refurbish the surfaces of some of the local tennis courts. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council referred this request to the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee for their study and recommendation.
OLD WAREHOUSE DEMOLITION
The Building Inspector, Mr. Roe, has requested of Council permission to have the old warehouse located at the foot of Williams Street demolished. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council directed that bids be obtained demolish the structure and put the ground in usable condition.
ALLEY RODNEY ROAD
Complaints have been received from the neighbors on Rodney Road about the use of the alley on the south side of Rodney Road by persons with motorcycles, which is causing a disturbance. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council referred this request to the Safety Advisory Committee for their study and recommendation.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
A letter was read to Council which was a reply from Mayor Carroll to Mrs. Ann Spence, President of the League of Women Voters, in regard to her inquiry on the proposed use of Dover’s revenue sharing monies. Mayor Carroll stated that committees had been formed to study the proposed spending and that any group or individual citizen of Dover that felt a need to submit a proposed use could do so by either contacting one of the already created committees for this purpose or by direct contact with Council.
WILBERT COOPER - NAACP
Mr. Wilbert Cooper, local president of the NAACP, was present and addressed Council concerning the spending of the revenue sharing money. He stated that he had several suggestions and requests that might be considered. Mayor Carroll stated that the Council would be only too glad to consider his requests if he would put them in writing and submit them to Council.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 9:00 PM
JAY R. DOUGHERTY
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 14, 1973 are hereby approved.
CRAWFORD J. CARROLL
MAYOR
May 15, 1973