REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 1970
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, February 9, 1970 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Jackson, Legates and Walls. Councilman Hughes was absent.
The invocation was said by the Rev. U.N. Freeman of the Trinty Wesleyan Church.
The Honorable William J. Storey, Resident Associate Judge of the Superior Court administered the oath of office to the following Councilmen and Mayor, elected for two year terms.
MAYOR Crawford J. Carroll
SECOND DISTRICT Joseph J. Coyle
THIRD DISTRICT Turner B. Hastings
FOURTH DISTRICT William A. Hayes
The oath of office was not administered to Councilman Randolph Hughes, First District, due to his absence, but will be done by Judge Storey prior to next Council meeting.
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Carroll delivered his State of The City Message expressing his appreciation for the progress the City has made in the past year and at the same time outlined some plans that he hopes to see accomplished in the year to come. He thanked the Council, the Planning Commission, the Robbins Hose Company, and all City departments and employees for past accomplishments and asked their continued efforts for the year to come,
Following the address a short recess was held and Council reconvened at 8:00 P.M.
REVEREND WILLIAM HEMPHILL, JR.
Mayor Carroll presented at this time an Honorary Citizenship to Rev. William Hemphill, Jr., former Minister of Wesley Church. Rev. Hemphill has recently left Dover and is now in charge of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Mayor Carroll thanked Rev. Hemphill for this cooperation and dedication on behalf of the City and wished him much success at his new Church.
HARRY R. JACKSON RESOLUTION
Mayor Carroll presented to Mr. Harry R. Jackson a plague commemorating his service as a Councilman of the City of Dover, and on motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Legates, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
WHEREAS, Harry R. Jackson served as a member of Council of the City of Dover from February 13, 1966 to February 9, 1970; and
WHEREAS, Councilman Jackson has chosen not to seek re-election for his Council seat; and
WHEREAS, Councilman Jackson has been an outstanding member of Council for the past six years in that he has shown great interest in all of the matters coming before Council; and he has attacked all of the problems of the City with vigor and intelligence; and his decisions have shown thought and wisdom;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover, on heir own behalf, and on behalf of all of the officials, department heads, and employees of the City; and on behalf of all the citizens of the City wish to express their appreciation to Harry R. Jackson for his contribution to Council and the City herein recited over the past four years as a member of Council; and
IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of Council shall make this Resolution part of the Record of this City as a reminder of admiration and respect for Councilman Harry R. Jackson.
Adopted February 9, 1970
CHARLES L. TERRY, JR. RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Coyle, Council adopted the following resolution grieving the death of Former Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Members of Council of the City of Dover were deeply grieved to learn of the death of Charles L. Terry, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Charles L. Terry, Jr. was one of the most eminent outstanding residents in the history of our City. He had devoted about the entire part of his adult life to the service of his State. He has attained, in his lifetime, the highest judicial position in the State of Delaware- -that of Chief Justice of our Supreme Court; and the highest executive position- -that of Governor of the State of Delaware. His attainments in this respect are unsurpassed in the history of our State. Judge Terry as he was fondly known by all of us, was a longtime Judge of our Superior Court and he later served as President Judge of this Court. His wisdom and judicial temperament will long be remembered. But most of all, we will remember Governor Terry as a neighbor and true friend who always had a smile; a warm handshake; and a kind word;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
That our deepest sympathy is hereby extended unto Mrs. Jessica Terry and the members of the immediate family of Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr.; and
That the Clerk is hereby directed to make this Resolution a part of the records of the City of Dover as a living memorial of our appreciation to Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr.
Adopted February 9, 1970
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Walls, Councilman William A. Hayes was reelected Vice-Mayor.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Mr. Jay R. Dougherty was reelected City Clerk and City Treasurer.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Mr. William T. James was reelected City Alderman.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Mr. Nicholas H. Rodriguez was reelected City Solicitor.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting held on January 26, 1970 were accepted by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
By unanimous vote of Council, the following Committee Appointments were approved as recommended by Mayor Carroll.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Councilman Hastings, Chairman, and Councilmen Coyle and Legates.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND TREES COMMITTEE: Councilman Hastings, Chairman, Councilmen Coyle and Legates, Mr. James C. Hardcastle and Mr. Pat Knight.
UTILITY COMMITTEE: Councilman Holpp, Chairman, and Mayor Carroll and Councilmen Biggs and Walls.
LEGISLATIVE & FINANCE, WAGES & HOURS COMMITTEE: Councilman Hayes, Chairman, and Councilmen Biggs and Hughes.
CITY OF DOVER EMPLOYEE’S PENSION FUND, BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Councilman Hastings
REPORTS
The Chief of Police report for the month of January and the annual report of the year of 1969 were accepted.
The Building Inspector & Fire Marshal report for the month of January and annual report for the year of 1969 were accepted.
The alderman report for the month of January was accepted. Fines in the amount of $291.90 were remitted.
The J. P. Court #7 report for the month of January was accepted. A check in the amount of $4,181 was remitted to the City of Dover.
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 Revenue Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of January was accepted.
City Manager report for the month of January was accepted.
ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT
On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council accepted the annual report of the Robbins Hose Company as presented by Fire Chief, William T. James.
TAX ASSESSOR ANNUAL REPORT
On motion of Mr. Coyle, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council accepted the annual report of the Tax Assessor as presented by the Tax Assessor, William T. James.
ELECTRIC REVENUE FUND CASH BALANCE
The Electric Revenue Fund has been maintaining quite a large cash balance for some time. City Manager Neylan stated that there is a possibility that some of this cash could be invested in time deposits and earn as much as 7 ½% interest. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the City Manager to invest as much as might be invested without jeopardizing the monthly operations of the Electric Revenue Fund.
SALE OF CITY OWNED LAND
The City of Dover owns a parcel of land located on the northeast corner of Monroe Terrace and Wyoming Avenue, measuring approximately 15' x 150', and another parcel of land located on the south side of Water Street between Governors Avenue and New Street, measuring approximately 20' x 30'. These two parcels are of no apparent value tot eh City due to their size and inquiries have been made on both asking the City of Dover to sell these parcels. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate the sale of the aforementioned parcels of land.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A written report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee meeting held on February 2, 1970 was presented by Acting Chairman Legates. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council accepted the report as presented.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & TREES COMMITTEE
A written report of Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee meeting held on February 2, 1970 was presented by Acting Chairman Legates. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council accepted the report as presented.
SENIOR LITTLE LEAGUE
A letter was received from the Dover Pony League announcing the disbanding of the Pony League. At the same time the Pony Little League has announced that they are forming a Senior Little League and wish to use the facilities located at New and Dover Streets, formerly used by the Pony League. Some minor changes will be necessary to the field, but these will be done at the expense of the Senior Little League. They also requested use of the concession stand located on the property, this being a large source of revenue and vital to their operation. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council granted permission to the Senior Little League to use the ball park located as New and Dover Streets, and an exclusive use of the concession stand for the upcoming 1970 baseball season.
SIGNATURE WRITER - PAYROLL CHECKS
A request has been made by the City Clerk to purchase a Signature Writer from Burroughs Corporation to be used for signing Payroll Checks. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the purchase of the above mentioned Signature Writer.
EDGELL REZONING
A request has been received from Mr. Louis Edgell to rezone a piece of property he owns located on the South Side of Walker Road. A public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, 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 MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain property located on the south side of Walker Road is presently zoned for M, Io, and C-1A use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the zoning ordinance and map.
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 at City Hal on March 23, 1970 at 8:00 P.M. on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and map of the City of Dover which would rezone from M. Io, and C-1A to C-1A, M, and I0 that property located on the south side of Walker Road, between the Penn Central Railroad and the Fairview Elementary School, owned by Mr. Louis Edgell and containing approximately 750 square feet.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted February 9, 1970.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 8:40 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council at its meeting of February 9, 1970 are hereby approved.
February 10, 1970 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor