REGULAR MEETING
November 8, 1971
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, November 8, 1971 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs Biggs, Coyle, Hayes, Holmes, Holpp, Legates, Muir and Walls.
The invocation was said by the Rev. L.T. Blackshear of the Church of God in Christ.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular Council meeting of October 25, 1971 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
The Chief of Police report for the month of October was accepted.
The Building Inspector & Fire Marshal report for the month of October was accepted.
The City Planner report for the month of October was accepted.
City Alderman report for the month of October was accepted, fines in the amount of $304 were remitted.
Cash Receipts, General Fund, for the month of October were accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for the month of September was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of October were accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of October were accepted.
City Manager report for the month of October was accepted.
CHURCH OF GOD - MOBILE CHAPEL
Rev. Delmar Hayes, Pastor of the Church of God located on Sprucance Road, was present and addressed Council concerning a request to locate a Mobil Chapel on property located on Sprucance Road owned by the Church of God. This would be a temporary installation until the Church could be built. Rev. Hayes was speaking about a year’s time before the completion of the Church. He had requested permission from the Building Inspector, who denied his request under the Zoning Code. Council requested that a plot plan and layout of this mobile chapel be presented to Council for their consideration prior to their taking any action on this request. Rev. Hayes stated that he would have this information to Mr. Roe next week, so it may be presented to Council at its next regular meeting.
ONE YEAR OLD REZONING
Under the present Zoning Ordinance, a property that has ben rezoned and not been put to use under the new zoning within one year from the date of rezoning, Council may request that a public hearing be set to revert this zoning back to the original zoning. City Planner Brown stated that he has been working on a list of such cases that will be presented to the Planning Commission for their consideration and recommendations. This list has been presented on a monthly basis, and is at this time being updates for the Planning Commission, covering the last two years. A copy of this report will be available to the Council along with comments by the City Planner.
DANIEL DURHAM REZONING
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning from R-20 to C-3 that property located on the southside of Denney’s Road, owned by Daniel Durham. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one was present to speak for or against the rezoning. The Planning Commission has recommended that this request be denied. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council by unanimous roll call vote approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and denied the rezoning request of Daniel Durham.
WALSTON JONES REZONING
A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and place to consider the rezoning from R-20 to C-4 that property located on U.S. Route 113, owned by Walston Jones. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. Mrs. Walston Jones was present and addressed Council stating that they had planned to expand this building for commercial use, it’s present use, and needed a rezoning to do so. The Planning Commission has recommended that this request be denied. It was stated during the discussion that followed that this was highway frontage and that its most logical use would be C-4. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holmes, Council by unanimous roll call vote 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 PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EASTSIDE OF U.S. ROUTE 113, OWNED BY WALSTON JONES, FROM R-20 TO C-4 USE.
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 from R-20 to C-4 on that land described below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED 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 Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover shall be amended by changing the zoning designation of the property located on the eastside of U.S. Route 113, owned by Walston Jones, from R-20 to C-4, and containing approximately 0.50 acres.
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 8, 1971
LOOCKERMAN STREET LIGHTS
A light-level test of the street lights along Loockerman Street and the adjacent streets was taken around the first of November by Mr. Robert Schucker. These tests revealed that the light-level is in accordance with the National Standards, but is below that of local shopping areas, which were also tested at the same time. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, these tests results were referred to the Utility Committee for their study and recommendation.
FRIENDS OF OLD DOVER
Mrs. Mary Jones and Mr. Frank Kinnamon, representing the Friends of Old Dover, were present and presented to the City of Dover a check in the amount of $350 to be used for the purchase of trees that will be grown in the City nursery, and later transplanted to areas around town. Mayor Carroll accepted this check on behalf of the City, and thanked the Friends of Old Dover for the excellent work and cooperation they have given the City in the past.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & TREES COMMITTEE
A written report of the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee meeting held on November 1, 1971 was presented by Chairman Walls. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council accepted the report as presented.
HARMONY VILLAGE RECREATION AREA
The recreational area to be set aside in the construction of Harmony Village was approved by the Parks Committee as required under the Subdivision Regulations. In conjunction with this, a question was raised as to who would be required to furnish the equipment for this playground. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Holmes, Council directed that the Housing Authority request that the builder be required to furnish the necessary playground equipment for the area to be constructed in Harmony Village.
VOLUNTEER FIREMENS MEMORIAL PARK
The Parks Committee has recommended that the Delaware Volunteer Firemens Association be permitted to move the memorial located on the Plaza to a plot approximately 50' x 50' in the area adjacent to Mirror Pond, the area to be designated by the City Manager. Council felt that an overall development plan of this Park area should be submitted prior moving this Memorial. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holmes, Council directed that the Volunteer Firemens Association be advised that their request has been approved, pending development of an overall plan for this park area. The development of this area was then referred to the Parks Committee for their study and recommendation.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
A written report of the Utility Committee meeting held on November 4, 1971 was presented by Chairman Holpp. On motion of Mr. Coyle, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council accepted the report as presented.
ANNEXATION REQUESTS
The request of residents located on the southside of the Hartly Road for annexation to the City limits, was discussed and recommended by the Utility Committee that a referendum be held for these residents. This would be a spot annexation of several properties located on the southside of the Hartly Road, east of the Mifflin Road. Mr. Hayes, asked of a map of the area was available to be shown to Council. There being no map available at this time, Mr. Hayes made a motion, that was seconded by Mr. Coyle, that action on this request be deferred until the next regular meeting, and that a map of the area outlining these properties be made available.
ARTHUR J. POOLE, CONSULTANT
The Utility Committee has recommended that Arthur J. Poole, Consultant, be retained at a rate of $150 per day, plus expenses, to set up a training program for personnel at the McKee Run Generating Station to familiarize all personnel in the operation procedures of units 1 and 2 at McKee Run once they have been converted to oil firing. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Coyle, seconded by Mr. Coyle, Council by unanimous vote directed that Mr. Poole be retained to conduct the above mentioned training program.
COAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRS
Due to the problems that might arise in the procurement of oil for units 1 and 2, a recommendation has been made by the Utility Committee that repairs be made to the pulverizers and bunkers and a section of railroad track be replaced that was removed for the installation of new equipment for Unit #3. This would enable the units 1 and 2 to still have the coal burning capacity, and in good working order. The cost estimate of these repairs would be approximately $30,000. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holmes, Council authorized the above work to be done as soon as parts can be received.
ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM STUDY
It has been recommended by the Utility Committee that a study be made of the Electric Transmission System be Laramore, Douglass & Popham, in conjunction with the installation of Unit #3, that would enable the City to have stored in a computer, information that would be necessary in the future growth of the Dover area, and its effect on the transmission system. The cost of this study has been estimated at approximately $15,000 to $20,000, and would take approximately four to five months to complete. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with Laramore, Douglass & Popham to make the abovementioned study.
CARLISLE LANDS, INC. REZONING
A request has been received from Carlisle Lands, Inc. to rezone from RG-3 to RG-2 land they own located on the northside of Walker Road. A public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Coyle, 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 the northside of Walker Road is presently zoned for RG-3 use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the Zoning Map and Ordinance.
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 on December 13, 1971 at 8:00 P.M. on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map that would rezone from RG-3 to RG-2 that property located on the northside of Walker Road, owned by Carlisle Lands, Inc., and containing approximately 2 acres.
2. That notice of this public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 8, 1971
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DECORATION PROGRAM
The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dover has requested a donation of $250 to be used for awards in the annual Christmas Decoration program. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the above donation of $250 to the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce.
ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY FIRE CHIEFS
A letter was received from the Robbins Hose Company #1 announcing the nominations for Fire Chiefs for the year of 1972. No contests have developed, so no election will be necessary. The following is a list of the nominations:
FIRE CHIEF: William Rhodes
DEPUTY CHIEF: C. Donald Hodge
1st ASST. CHIEF John W. Raughley
2nd ASST. CHIEF Donald M. Carey
3rd ASST. CHIEF Kline G. Kemp, Jr.
W. REILLY BROWN SCHOOL SIDEWALKS
A letter was received from Mr. Fred Vetter, Secretary, Department of Public Safety, stating that Mr. Robert C. Durkee, Director of School Planning, Department of Public Instruction, has been given the responsibility to determine on a State-wide basis the need for sidewalks in the area of the public schools. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Legates, Council directed that the Asst. City Manager make a personal contact with Mr. Durkee to keep abreast of the situation at the W. Reilly Brown Elementary School, and any decision that might be forthcoming.
EAST-WEST CONNECTOR
A discussion was held at Council concerning the recent public hearing on the proposed East-West Connector. Mr. Coyle asked whether the City of Dover should at this time take a stand on a proposal at the public hearing. On motion of Mr. Coyle, seconded by Mr. Legates, Council requested the City Planner make a study on the proposed East-West Connector and make a recommendation to Council. Council delayed any recommendation to the State Highway Department pending their findings of the public hearing and the study by the City Planner.
SERVICE DISTRICT STUDY
A proposal has been received from Albright & Friel, Inc. on the study they will make concerning the possible establishment of service districts for sewer and water facilities outside the City limits. They propose to complete this study within sixteen (16) weeks at a cost of approximately $17,200. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the Asst. City Manager to enter into a contract for the above mentioned study with Albright & Friel, Inc., the cost and time aforementioned.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 9:40 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council at its meeting of November 8, 1971 are hereby approved.
NOVEMBER 9, 1971 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor