REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, November 24, 1969 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Jackson, Legates and Walls.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of City Council of November 10, 1969 were approved and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
ANNUAL AUDIT
Mr. William Manter, of the auditing firm of Manter & Richardson, was present and gave a report on the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969. Mr. Manter explained the highlights of the audit and the areas of increase in the City operation. Upon completion of the report by Mr. Manter, Council accepted the audits of the General and Electric Revenue Funds as submitted by the firm of Manter & Richardson, Inc.
WATER WELL BIDS
Bids were recently received for the drilling of two wells, one to be located at the Waste Treatment plant and the other in Rodney Village. The two bids on each well were as follows:
WELL #12 WELL #13
Layne New York Company - $41,103 - $47,055
Delmarva Drilling Company - $34,875 - $36,685
Delmarva Drilling Company of Denton, Maryland was the low bidder on both wells, and the recommendation from the City Manager was the award of the contracts to the low bidder. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council directed that award of the contracts for the drilling of the two abovementioned wells be given to Delmarva Drilling Company, the low bidder.
DOLL HOUSE NURSERY
A request has been received from the Doll House Nursery located at 1339 South Governors Avenue for connection onto the City of Dover sewer and waste facilities. This property is not located within the City Limits. Council directed that the City Manager notify the Doll House Nursery of the present policy of the City of Dover, that being that sewer and waste utilities are not extended beyond the limits of the City of Dover.
MOBILE HOME PARKS
A request has been received through the Planning Commission to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover that would establish Mobile Home Park Zones. A public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council adopted the following resolution and referred the request to the Planning Commission.
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, a certain amendment in the form of a proposed ordinance establishing Mobile Home Park Zones has been requested for the City of Dover Zoning Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the zoning 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 at City Hall on January 12, 1970 at 8:00 P.M. on a proposed amendment to the City of Dover Zoning Ordinance which would establish a zone classification for Mobile Home Parks. A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the Clerk of Council.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted November 24, 1969
BOND REFERENDUM
City Manager Neylan has requested permission of Council to retain Bond Council for a Bond Referendum that has been recommended by the Capital Improvement Committee, for improvements and expansion of various City facilities. Mr. Neylan stated that Bond Council would draw up the necessary resolutions, that would be presented to Council for their adoption. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council directed the City Manager to retain the firm of Reed, Hoyt, Washburn & McCarthy of New York as Bond Council for an upcoming Bond Referendum.
WEST DOVER BY-PASS
An invitation has been extended to the Legislators of Kent County to be present at this Council meeting to sit in the discussion of a By-Pass that has been proposed around Dover by the State Highway Department. Present were Senators Cook, Foltz and Robbins, and Representatives Sebrell, Quillen, Moerschel, Rawlins and Zimmerman. City Manager Neylan outlined on a map the proposed route that the State Highway Department has designed and various other routes that have been proposed by different organizations in the Dover area. City Planner McCann then addressed Council and the Legislators and spoke of the need for a By-pass and the effect the different proposals would have on the Dover area, both good and bad. Mr. McCann has based his facts on the studies that were made in conjunction with the Comprehensive Plan, including studies on transportation, population, housing and future land use patterns of the City of Dover and the surrounding area. Following this, a resolution endorsing the West Dover By-Pass was presented to Council. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by a vote of 8 ‘yes’ and 0 ‘no’, adopted the following resolution
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE PROPOSED WEST DOVER BY-PASS
WHEREAS, the daily volumes of interstate, intercounty and local traffic on U.S. Route 13 and 113 within the City of Dover have increased over the past several years to the extent of creating a hazard to the health and safety of the residents of the City and to the traveling public, and
WHEREAS, the increase of daily volumes of traffic is having an adverse effect on the orderly development of the City, and
WHEREAS, the construction of a new highway facility to relieve the existing volumes of through traffic should be designed as an integral part of a street and highway system to relieve the pressures of present local traffic demands within the City, and assist in the orderly development of the City in the future, and
WHEREAS, it is the finding of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover that on the basis of studies conducted by the City on transportation, population, housing and economic projections and the future land use patterns of the City of Dover, as well as the studies of the State Highway Department as to alternative alignments for a new highway facility to serve as a by-pass for the Dover area, that it is in the best interests of the City of Dover that the future transportation system of the City include the proposed West Dover By-Pass.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That the State Highway Department is urged to take immediate action to alleviate the hazardous condition that presently exists in U.S. Route 13 and 113 by the approval of the proposed West Dover By-Pass, and
2. That the State Highway Department is urged to proceed with the construction of the proposed West Dover By-Pass at the earliest date, and
3. That copies of the Resolution be forwarded by the Clerk to the Honorable Russell W. Peterson, Governor of the State of Delaware, to all members of the General Assembly and to the Chairman and members of the State Highway Commission, and
4. That a copy of this Resolution be entered into the formal record of the public hearing on the Dover By-Pass on Tuesday, November 25, 1969, as an expression of endorsement of the proposed West Dover By-Pass.
Adopted November 24, 1969
ELIZABETH McGINNIS REZONING
A public hearing was duly advertised for the time and place for the purpose of rezoning the property located at 975 Forest Street, owned by Elizabeth S. McGinnis. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one was present to speak for or against the rezoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this request. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous 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 AT 975 FOREST STREET, FROM RG-1 TO C-2A 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 RG-1 to C-2A on that land described below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover shall be amended by changing the zoning designation from RG-1 to C-2A on that land located at 975 Forest Street, owned by Elizabeth S. McGinnis, and containing approximately 0.25 acres.
Adopted November 24, 1969
FIRE CHIEF ELECTION RESULTS
On motion of Mr. Jackson, Council accepted the results of the election of the Fire Chiefs held on November 17, 1969 and certified by the election officials, as follows:
CHIEF - William T. James - 37 Votes
DEPUTY CHIEF - Wilson R. Comegys, Jr. - 14 Votes
- Leroy Dear, Sr. - 25 Votes
FIRST ASSISTANT CHIEF - William H. Rhodes - 37 Votes
SECOND ASSISTANT CHIEF - C. Donald Hodge - 23 Votes
- James W. Hurley, Jr. - 15 Votes
THIRD ASSISTANT CHIEF - John W. Raughley - 36 Votes
DOVER JAYCEES-HIGH SCHOOL BAND REQUEST
A request was received from the Dover Jaycees stating the Dover High School Band has been selected to represent Dover and the Delaware Jaycees at the National Convention of the U.S. Jaycees to be held in St. Louis in June, 1970. The approximate cost of the trip for the Dover High School Band will be $10,000. The Dover Jaycees are asking the City for a contribution of $1,500 to help them in meeting these expenses. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Walls, The Council authorized the City of Dover to make a contribution of $1,500 to the Jaycees and Dover High School Band to help defray cost of the abovementioned trip to St. Louis in June, 1970.
SENATOR FOLTZ LETTER
Senator Foltz addressed a letter to Council stating that he had recently participated in “Forum 400" a the Dover High School with Lieutenant Lyle Dabson of the Dover Police Department. Senator Foltz was deeply impressed with the hard work, interest and attitude of Lt. Dabson and at this time wished to congratulate the City of Dover and Lt. Dabson for their fine work in the Community concerning the many Social Problems.
JEFFERIC ENTERPRISES CHECK
A check was presented to Mayor Carroll and the City of Dover on Wednesday, November 1, 1969 from Jefferic Enterprises Inc. for $3,000 to be used for the development of a park area in the Towne Point-Whiteoak area. Councilman Walls stated at this time that he attended a meeting in this area last week of the Towne Point Civic Association, at their request, as was confronted with the problem these people face in so far as the traffic control in this area, as some of these streets have not yet been dedicated to the City and these people are of the opinion that the City of Dover has no control of the traffic and streets until they are dedicated. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council referred this problem to the Safety Advisory Committee for their study and recommendation.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
A letter was received from the League of Women Voters requesting that the City appropriate funds to promote voter information by radio and newspaper advertisements, concerning voter registration and elections. On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the City Manager prepare advertisements for both the radio stations and the newspaper concerning the registration of voters, prepare a letter to be sent to all service clubs in the City of Dover soliciting their help in getting people to register, and also make a sign for the counter in City Hall designating the place of registration of voters in City Hall.
BUSH-KONSCHAK SIDEWALKS
City Solicitor Rodriquez informed Council that the appeal of Mrs. Ida Bush and Mr. Gustav Konschak from the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware. The Chancery Court had handed down the opinion that the City of Dover had the power to have sidewalks installed on the properties of Bush & Konschak and assess the cost thereof to them. This decision was then appealed to the Supreme Court, who in turn dismissed both cases against the City. Mr. Rodriquez stated that the City may now proceed with the installation of sidewalks on both the Bush and Konschak properties, and assess the cost thereof to both property owners.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 9:05 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council at its meeting of November 24, 1969 are hereby approved.
November 25, 1969 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor