REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, May 13, 1968 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Jackson and Smith.
The invocation was said by the Rev. J. H. Williams of the Union Baptist Church.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of April 22, 1968 were approved by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
The minutes of the special meeting of April 30, 1968 were approved by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Chief of Police report for the month of April was accepted.
Report of the Building Inspector & Fire Marshall for the month of April was accepted.
Report of the Acting Alderman for the month of April was accepted. Fines in the amount of $295.70 were remitted to the City of Dover.
Report of the J. P. Court #7 for the month of April was accepted. A check in the amount of $1,520 was remitted to the City of Dover.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, for the month of April was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for the month of March was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of April was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of April was accepted.
Report of City Manager, for the month of April was accepted.
CONDEMNED BUILDINGS - GSA PROPERTY
Building Inspector Jack Roe reported that the following buildings had been posted as dangerous and no response has been received from the owners, The General Service Administration Branch of the Federal Government:
306 South New Street 320 South New Street 302 West North Street
308 South New Street 324 South New Street 306 West North Street
310 South New Street 326 South New Street 310 West North Street
312 South New Street 328 South New Street 324 West North Street
314 South New Street
The ordinance of the City of Dover requires that notice be sent tot he owners of such posted buildings to appear at a public hearing to show cause why the buildings should not be repaired, vacated, or demolished. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council by a vote of 6 ‘yes’ and 2 ‘absent at time of voting’, Messrs Holpp and Hughes, directed that such public hearing be held on Monday, June 10, 1068 at 8:00 P.M. and that the owners be notified in accordance with the ordinance.
LETTER - J. CALEB BOGGS
A letter was received from Senator J. Caleb Boggs concerning the construction and design of the proposed Federal Office Building to be built in Dover. Senator Boggs was making reference to the stand taken by the City Council on the design of the proposed building. He has contacted Mr. Karel H. Yasko, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Public Building Service, who along with the Architect, Mr. W. Ellis Preston, will be in Dover on Monday, May 20, 1968 to meet with Council and discuss the design and answer any questions that might arise. Mayor Carroll then stated that he had been in contact with Mr. Yasko, and has arranged a meeting for 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 20, 1968.
STREET LIGHTS - STATE COMPLEX
City Manager Neylan reported that the State Custodian has asked the City to take over and operate the street lighting system around the Legislative Hall. It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City do this providing the State of Delaware first rewires its system to conform to the street lighting system of the City, and secondly that they agree to furnish the whole or any part of the special street light standards which may need replacing in the future. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hayes, approved the recommendation of the City Manager.
STREET LIGHTS - DOVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
A request has been received from the Dover Housing Authority to install street lights in their Housing Project on North Street. These lights were to have been installed as part of the original project at the expense of the Authority. Funds are lacking to cover this expense. The City Manager has recommended that he City install these light, at a cost of approximately $4,000, which is available in the Bond Fund. Mr. Hastings made a motion, seconded by Mr. Holpp, that the City of Dover install the lights at its convenience, at which time the Dover Housing Authority will be billed for the lights and standards installed, at which time reimbursement will be made to the City. The vote of this motion was 4 ‘yes’, Messrs Hastings, Holpp, Harris, and Hughes and 4 ‘no’, Messrs Biggs, Jackson, Smith and Hayes thereby creating a tie. Mayor Carroll voting ‘YES’, breaking the tie and thereby carrying the motion of Mr. Hastings.
DELAWARE SAFETY COUNCIL
City Manager Neylan requested permission of the Council to enroll the City of Dover in the Delaware Safety Council. The cost is $1 per year per employee, or approximately $175 per year for the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council approved this request.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
A request has been received from the Bethuel Seventh Day Adventist Church of 25 North Queen Street to hold Gospel Tent meetings on the corner of Kirkwood and Fulton Streets from July 1, 1968 through August 31, 1968. Chief Spence stated that he felt there would be no parking or traffic problem if this request were granted. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by unanimous vote granted this request.
WAGES & HOURS, LEGISLATIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
A written report of the meeting of the Wages & Hours, Legislative & Finance Committee held on Tuesday, May 7, 1968 was presented by Chairman William Hayes. On motion of Mr. Holpp, Council accepted the report as presented.
SALARY AND WAGE SCALE
The L & F, W & H Committee has recommended the adoption of a salary and wage scale for all City Employees to become effective July 1, 1968. Increases will be provided on an annual basis, effective July 1, 1968, or on the annual anniversary date of beginning employment of anyone employed thereafter. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council adopted the salary and wage scale as proposed.
VACATION POLICY
The W & H, L & F Committee has recommended a change in the group insurance benefits provided to the City Employees, for which the City pays half of the cost and the employee pays the other half. This is strictly a voluntary program. The present policy is based on the earnings of the employee, those under $100 per week, and those over $100 per week. The life insurance is $2000 and $5000, and the sick and accident benefits and $25 and $50. The proposed change would increase the life insurance benefit to that being the annual salary would be the amount of life insurance coverage. The sick and accident benefit would be increased from $25 to $50 for all of those making less than $100 per week, and $50 to $75 for all of those making more than $100 per week. Also the amount of coverage would be extended from 26 weeks to 52 weeks. Life insurance would be reduced one-half at the age of 65. The cost of one half to the City and one half tot eh employee would remain the same. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council adopted the above recommendation of the W & H, L & F Committee.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
A written report of the meetings of the Utility Committee held on April 30, 1968 and May 6, 1968 was presented by Chairman Victor Holpp. On motion of Mr. Jackson, Council accepted the report as it was presented.
U.S. ROUTE 13 WATER LINE
The construction of the water line on the east side of U.S. Route 13 from Towne Point Development north has been completed and the cost has been ascertained by the City. The assessment of this cost against the property owners involved can now be made. The Utility Committee recommends that the property owners be assessed on the basis of the cost of installation of a 6" water main, plus the actual cost of tape made to service each property, the tapping fee paid at the time that the line is actually tapped by the property owner. The recommended charge is $3.00 per front foot. The Committee recommends that a public hearing be held prior to levying the above charges. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council approved the recommendation of the Utility Committee in setting the front foot charge at $3.00 for all abutting property owners to the newly constructed water line.
ORDINANCE FOR LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS AGAINST PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE INSTALLATION OF WATER MAINS ON THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. ROUTE 13.
WHEREAS, The Council is authorized to install water mains in the City and, by ordinance, to provide for the levy and collection of assessments against property owners whose land adjoins said installation, and
WHEREAS, The Council has caused to be installed water mains on the east side of U.S. Route 13, commencing approximately 600 feet north of the entrance into the Towne Point Development and terminating at the southerly boundary of the Smith Farm, and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the Charter of the City of Dover, Section 28 (C) to levy and collect the assessment against property owners whose land adjoins said installation to cover the cost thereof.
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. An assessment shall be, and hereby is, levied against all property owners whose property adjoins the installation of said water mains at the rate of $3.00 per front foot adjoining said mains.
2. This assessment shall be a lien against said properties and shall forthwith be entered in the Municipal Lien Docket.
3. The assessment shall be paid within a five-year period from the date of enactment of the assessment and levy including interest which shall be at the rate of 4% per annum on the unpaid balance of each assessment. The assessment plus accrued interest to the date of payment may be paid in full at any time during this five-year period. Of the assessment is paid in full within one year from the date of enactment of the assessment and levy then all interest charges shall be waived and only the original amount of each assessment shall be paid.
4. The cost of tapping to said water mains shall be in addition to the assessment heretofore stated and such tapping charges shall be due and payable once the tap is completed.
5. A public hearing on said assessment and levy shall be held on June 10, 1968 at 8:15 P.M., EDST in City Hall, Council Chambers, at which time any appeals from the same may be heard. Notice of said public hearing shall be given by publication in the Delaware State News once a week for each of the two weeks preceeding the date of the hearing.
Adopted May 13, 1968.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & TREES COMMITTEE
A written report of the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee meeting held on May 6, 1968 was presented by Chairman Earl Smith. On motion of Mr. Hayes, Council accepted the report as presented.
PLAYGROUND - DIVISION & KIRKWOOD STREETS
Mr. James Hardcastle and Dr. Edward Dennis own a lot on the corner of Kirkwook and Division Streets that they would like to lease to the City of Dover for the use as a playground. There is considerable grading to be done to this lot and a fence would have to be put around it, all at the expense of the City. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the City Manager to contact Mr. Hardcastle and Dr. Dennis and obtain an agreement for lease at $1 per year with an option to renew such lease, and any other arrangements that might be necessary prior to signing a lease for this lot. The City Manager to obtain this agreement and return to Council for its approval prior to signing a lease.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A written report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held on May 6, 1968 was presented by Chairman Earl Smith. On motion of Mr. Harris, Council accepted the report as presented.
WATER STREET PARKING
Chief Spence has received a complaint about parked cars on Water Street blocking the view when coming out of Kerbin Street. Chief Spence has looked into this problem and felt that the elimination of a couple of parking places at this intersection as well as many other intersections in town would help alleviate the vision problem, but would create a problem of where to park the cars of the spaces that would be eliminated. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by a vote of 5 ‘yes’ and 3 ‘no’, Messrs, Harris, Hastings and Hayes, voted to table this request.
A & P ENTRANCE ON COURT STREET
The Police Department has noticed a traffic hazard at the entrance to the A & P Store off of Court Street. The problem has been created since this roadway has been used for two-way traffic. The original agreement between the owner and the State Highway Department called for a one-way entrance of 16' or a two-way street of 36'. There is only 16' of land available for this road way, but at present it is being used as two way street. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the City Solicitor to check the original agreement and if it so stated as indicated above to contact the owner of the land as such, and revert this road way to a one-way road, an entrance off of Court Street.
ELECTRIC BUDGET HEARING
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council directed that a public hearing be held on the proposed electric department budget for the 1968-1969 fiscal year as required by the Resolution authorizing the issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds, dated July 26, 1965. This public hearing was set for June 10, 1968 at 8:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, City Hall.
TRUCK PARKING
Mayor Carroll and other Council members has received numerous complaints about the parking of trucks on the streets of Dover for considerable periods of time, mostly on week-ends and late hours of the night. City Solicitor Rodriguez was asked of the present ordinances on the books can be enforced to eliminate this problem. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he felt that in order to force these trucks not to park for these lengthy periods in these residential areas, signs would have to be posted on all the streets involved in order to uphold the ordinance. Mayor Carroll asked if it were possible to post signs about no truck parking, the same as the signs were posted for the trucks routes through town. These signs are posted on the main intersections and the main entrances to the City of Dover. Mr. Rodriguez stated he would look into this possibility and any other that might be applicable and report back to Council at its next meeting.
KONSCHAK SIDEWALKS
Mr. Gustav Konschak appeared before Council and requested that the sidewalk program that the City is about to undertake in the South end of Dover, including the land of Mr. Konschak, be excluded from the land that he now owns on which he is presently farming. This land is located on Wyoming Avenue and Westview Terrace, both of these streets being in the sidewalk program. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Jackson, denied this request.
Council adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 13, 1968 are hereby approved.
May 14, 1968 Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor