REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 8, 1968 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Jackson. Councilman Smith was absent.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Higgins.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of December 11, 1967 and the special meeting of December 14, 1967 were approved by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
The Chief of Police report for the month of December was accepted.
The report of the Building Inspector and Fire Marshall for the month of December was accepted.
The report of the Acting Alderman for the month of December was accepted. Fines in the amount of $546.00 were remitted to the City.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, for the month of December was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for the month of November was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of December was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of December was accepted.
Report of the City Manager for the month of December was accepted.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Holpp presented a report of the meeting of the Utility Committee held on January 8, 1968 at 10:30 A.M. The Committee discussed the problem of providing water and sewer to Dover Downs by March 1, 1968, the date they hope to commence operations. Plans call for construction of a water line along the right-of-way of the East side of Route 13, and construction of a sewer line to cross Route 13, the State College lands, Silver Lake, land of the Special School District and connect to a pumping station in the vicinity of Pear Street and Walker Road. The pumping station would be a package that would be bought and installed within a short time. Dover Downs would construct a temporary force main from the pumping station south across the Gruwell farm to an existing sewer in Towne Point to serve them until the permanent force main is constructed. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by a vote of 6 ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Harris, and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Smith, Council authorized the City Manager to prepare the agreements for the necessary easements for construction of the sewer lines, make preparations for the construction of the water lines, and the purchase and installation of the sewage pumping station, all in connection with the request to serve the Dover Downs area.
STATE AID ON SEWER CONSTRUCTION
Application has been made through the State WAR Commission for Federal Aid in the construction of sewage pumping stations and force mains to serve the Dover Downs area, and the Danner Farm. Aid could possibly be forthcoming up to the amount of 40% of the construction cost through the State of Delaware. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the City Manager to make application with the State for aid that might be available under this construction.
WAREHOUSE FACILITIES
A letter has been received from the Latex Corporation expressing an interest in part or all of land at the foot of Williams Street that houses the City of Dover Warehouse facilities. City Manager Neylan reported that a study was being made to determine if it might be feasible to relocate the warehousing of the City, and possibly place the present facilities on the market for sale. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council directed the City Manager to acknowledge receipt of the letter from Latex Corporation, and state the City’s position as far as the possibility for relocation of the present warehouse and the possible sale of the present property.
ELECTION
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council appointed Mr. Biggs, and Mr. Holpp as the Election officials and Mr. Harris and Mr. Smith as the Alternates. Mr. James, City Alderman was appointed as the Election Judge.
On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the printing of sample ballots, the hiring of election clerks, and the use of Grace Fellowship Hall of Wesley Church as the polling place for the municipal election.
ANNEXATION REFERENDUM RESULTS
The election officials who conducted the referendum election on December 16, 1967 on the request for annexation to the City of Dover of an area bounded by Fulton Street, Saulsbury Road, Walker Road and the Pennsylvania Railroad, certified the results to be as follows:
FOR ANNEXATION to the City of Dover 535 Votes
AGAINST ANNEXATION to the City of Dover 38 Votes
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council accepted the report of the election officials.
ANNEXATION RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by a vote of 6 ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Harris, and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Smith, adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE CITY LIMITS AND WEST OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD BETWEEN WALKER ROAD AND FULTON STREET WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS, Amendment to the Charter of the City of Dover authorized the Council to extend the boundaries of the said City after a special election of the qualified voters and real estate owners of the territory proposed to be annexed and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover deemed it in the best interest of the City of Dover to include the area adjacent to and west of the City Limits as hereinafter more particularly described within the limits of the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, an election as above mentioned was held on the 16h day of December A.D., 1967 for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the following described area to the persons entitled to vote thereon, and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Amendment to the Charter of the City of Dover provides that if a majority of the votes cast in an election held in a territory proposed to be annexed shall be in favor of inclusion of that territory and including same within the limits of the City of Dover.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the following described area situate in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware as more particularly bounded and described herein shall be annexed to and included within the limits of the City of Dover:
ALL certain pieces, parcels or tracts of land lying and being contiguous to the present easterly limits of the City of Dover in East Dover Hundred, Kent County and State of Delaware and being more particularly described as follows, to wit:
BOUNDED on the east by the easterly right of way line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, on the south by the southerly right of way line of Fulton Street, on the west by the easterly right of way line of Saulsbury Road, on the north by the northerly right of way line of Walker Road, be the contents what they may.
2. That a certified copy of this Resolution of Annexation together with a plot of the area annexed shall be forthwith filed for record with the Recorder of Deeds of Kent County.
3. That the above described area so annexed and included within the limits of the City of Dover shall for all purposes beginning with the effective date of this resolution be a part of the City of Dover.
4. That the effective date of this resolution shall be the 9th day of January, 1968 at 12:01 A.M. O’Clock.
Adopted January 8, 1968
HOSPITAL REZONING
A request has been received from Kent General Hospital to rezone a portion of their property now zoned R-10 to I0, for the purpose of future development. A public hearing is required prior to any change in the zoning ordinance and zoning map. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, 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 land located on South State Street, owned by Kent General Hospital, Inc. is presently zoned for R-10 use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the zoning ordinance and zoning 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 Hall at 8:00 P.M. on February 26, 1968 on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-10 to I0 that land located on South State Street and Hope Street owned by Kent General Hospital, Inc.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted January 8, 1968
McKEE REZONING
A request has been received from H. Baxter & Mary E. McKee to rezone a portion of their property now zoned R-20 to I0. This property is located at the Southeast intersection of Saulsbury Road and State College Road. A public hearing is required prior to any change in the zoning ordinance and zoning map. On motion of Mr. Harris, 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 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 land at the southeast corner of Saulsbury Road and State College Road is presently zoned for R-20 use, and
WHEREAS, necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the zoning ordinance and zoning 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 Hall at 8:00 P.M. on February 12, 1968 on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would rezone form R-20 to I0 that land located at the southeast corner of Saulsbury Road and State College Road, containing approximately 8.25 acres.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted January 8, 1968
VOTER REGISTRATION
The eight days of voter registration, as set by Council, have been completed and a total of 2533 people have registered, and are eligible to vote in the upcoming Municipal Election.
DUPONT STREET ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Smith, adopted the following ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING DUPONT STREET AS A ONE-WAY STREET WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER, AND RESTRICTING PARKING ONLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAID STREET
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover are vested with the responsibility of providing for the safety and well-being of the residents of the City of Dover; and
WHEREAS, the Mayo and Council of the City of Dover vest in the Police Department of the City of Dover the responsibility of providing for said health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Dover.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. From and after the passage of this Ordinance, Dupont Street shall be considered for all purposes as a one-way street and traffic shall be permitted to travel over and upon Dupont Street only in the direction of West to East;
2. From and after the passage of this Ordinance it shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle to be parked on the North side of Dupont Street within the limits of the City of Dover;
3. The Police Department, pursuant to regulations of the State of Delaware, is hereby authorized and empowered to install any signs or symbols necessary and proper in connection with regulating the one-way traffics as provided in Section (1) above, and for restricting parking on the North side of said Dupont Street.
4. Any person violating the provisions of this Ordinance, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than Two Dollars ($2.00) nor more than Ten Dollars ($10.00), and in lieu of the payment of said fine shall be imprisoned for a period of time not to exceed five (5) days.
Adopted January 8, 1968
NIMLO - CODIFICATION OF ORDINANCES
A letter has been received from NIMLO by the City Solicitor in reference to the codification of the City of Dover Ordinances. Originally NIMLO stated to the City that the cost of this job would not exceed $10,000. The Ford Foundation has agreed to match the cost of codifying these ordinances with NIMLO. In order for NIMLO to receive this aid from the Ford Foundation they must have a signed contract from the City of Dover. Payment of the $10,000 is to be made in two payments, the first not later than 30 days after enactment of this contract, this amount to be $5,000. The remaining $5,000 will be paid upon the completion of the codification of the ordinances. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the City of Dover to enter into such an agreement with NIMLO.
CAESAR RODNEY SCHOOL REQUEST
A letter was received from the Caesar Rodney Special School District stating that they are planning to construct a new elementary school on the south side of Webb’s Lane on the Kesselring Farm, construction pending approval of a referendum to the voters. Their main concern is whether or not the City of Dover could provide sewer and water facilities to this school. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the City Manager to send the School District a letter stating that the policy of the City of Dover is not to extend utility services beyond the limits of the City of Dover. Councilmen Hughes and Jackson voted ‘NO’ on the above motion.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by a vote of ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Harris, and 1 ‘absent’, further stated that in the above letter The School District should be made aware of the fact that if they were within the limits of the City of Dover, services could be extended to them, and if they desired to petition for annexation, this would be considered by the Council upon such request.
SINGER SEWING MACHINE COMPANY
Mr. George Rogers of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, located at 31 Loockerman Street, was present to file a complaint to Council about the excessive amount of unpaid parking and meter tickets due on the trucks owned and operated by the Singer Company. These tickets date back four months. Mr. Rogers felt that the Police Department at times were picking on the Singer Company, and due to the fact that they have no space for off-street parking or loading, they most do their business from the front door located on Loockerman Street, they must at times park their trucks at these meters in front of the store. Chief Spence then stated that he knew of no time that anyone was ticketed for overtime parking in a meter when the meter had not yet expired, as claimed by Mr. Rogers. The Police Department also ran a check on the Singer trucks on December 20, 1967 and two of the trucks sat at the curb in front of the store from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. that day without being moved. The Police Department and the City Alderman, Mr. James, had given the Singer Company until January 9, 1968 to Mayor Carroll then stated that these tickets were justly received and payment should be made as stated by the City Alderman, or legal action would be taken by the City of Dover.
Council adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 8, 1968 are hereby approved.
January 9, 1968 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor