REGULAR MEETING
August 14, 1967
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, August 14, 1967 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Jackson and Smith. Councilman Hughes was absent.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Oliver Spence of the Whatcoat Methodist Church.
MINUTES
The minutes of the Meeting of July 24, 1967 were approved by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for the month of July was accepted.
Report of the J. P. Court #7 for the months of June and July were accepted. Checks in the amounts of $2570.00 (June) and $2625.00 (July) were remitted to the City.
Report of the Acting Alderman for the month of July was accepted. Fines in the amount of $415.20 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for the month of July was accepted.
Report of the Cash Receipts, General Fund, for the month of July was accepted.
Report of the Budget, General Fund, for the month of June was accepted.
Report of the Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of July was accepted.
Report of the Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of July was accepted.
Report of the City Manager for the month of July was accepted.
PARKS, PLAYGROUND & TREES COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the meeting of the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee held on Monday, August 7, 1967. On motion of Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote accepted the report as presented.
LINCOLN PARK PLAYGROUND
The Parks, Playground and Tree Committee has been presented with a letter from Reverend William of the Union Baptist Church regarding the use by the City of a piece of land on Lincoln Street for a playground. The Church would lease this land to the City, who in turn would make it into a playground to serve the Lincoln Park area. The Committee recommends that the City enter into a lease on a year to year basis with the Union Baptist Church. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote authorized the City Manager to negotiate a lease with the Union Baptist Church for the use of this land for a playground.
MAPLE DALE COUNTRY CLUB
The possibility of the City of Dover submitting a bid for the purchase of the Maple Dale Country Club was brought up for the discussion of the Council at this time. Councilman Harris, stated that he felt if the funds were available it would be a good investment by the City. City Manager Neylan stated that if the City were able to negotiate for the property, funds might be available from the Federal and State governments for up to 75% of the purchase price. These funds would not be available on a purchase by a sealed bid. It would take approximately four to six months to determine if the funds were available to the City. Councilman Harris stated that the City should express, in writing, its desire to negotiate on the basis of the information that has been gathered by the City Manager. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by a vote of 4 ‘yes’, Messrs Harris, Hastings, Holpp, and Smith, 2 ‘no’, Messrs Biggs and Hayes, 1 ‘not voting”, Mr. Jackson, and 1 ‘absent’ Mr. Hughes, authorized the City Manager to express in writing to the Maple Dale Country Club the City’s desire to negotiate for the purchase of the golf club providing the funds from the Federal and State governments were available. Any negotiations would be with the Maple Dale Country only.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held on Monday, August 7, 1967. On motion of Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote accepted the report as presented.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The letter from Mr. Torbert concerning the discontinuance of the ambulance service in the City of Dover was discussed at the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee. It has been suggested by this committee that the problem of Ambulance Service be presented to the Levy Court of Kent County at its next meeting to see if any help could be gotten from them to solve this problem. It was at this time that a letter from the Medical Staff of Kent General Hospital was read, expressing the concern of the Medical Staff, and offering any help or assistance in the planning and implementing of the community ambulance service. Mayor Carroll stated that he felt that a report from Torbert covering the last couple of years was necessary as to the number of call and types of calls that were answered by the Ambulance Service to determine the percentage of calls that involved the City of Dover. The report would determine who might be best able to help solve this problem. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by unanimous vote directed the City Manager to contact the Levy Court concerning this problem and report back to Council on his findings.
WYOMING AND GOVERNORS AVENUES
The State Highway Department proposes to repave portions of South Governors Avenue to improve the traffic pattern. It has been suggested that the right and thru lanes on South Governors Avenue as it approaches Wyoming Avenue be lengthened to help in the flow of traffic at this point. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance to eliminate parking in front of about four or five house on the west side of Governors Avenue so that these lanes may be lengthened.
DRAWING OF ORDINANCES
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council directed the City Solicitor to draw up ordinances to cover the following;
1. Eliminate parking on one side of the street in Capital Green. This would apply to all the streets except Water Street and River Road in Capital Green.
2. Prohibit removing, tampering with or destroying City property.
3. Eliminate parking on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue from the vicinity of Martin Berglund’s driveway west to State Street.
4. Eliminate parking on the west side of Kerbin Street and eliminate two parking spaces on both Elm Terrace and State Street.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp presented a report on the meeting of the Utility Committee held on Monday, August 7, 1967. On motion of Mr. Hastings, Council accepted the report as presented.
ALBRIGHT & FRIEL STUDY
The Utility Committee considered a proposal received by the City Manager from Albright & Friel for conducting a study of the sewage treatment plant expansion and upgrading. The study would be made at a cost not to exceed $3500 and would be completed in ten to twelve weeks. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council authorized the City Clerk and Mayor to sign a contract for the preparation of this study.
ELECTRIC GENERATING STUDY
Proposals have been received from the firms of Black & Veatch, Burns & Roe, Middle West Service Company, and Laramore, Douglass and Popham on making a study of electric generating requirements, cost of construction, and estimated production costs per KWH after construction. In order that the Council might study the proposals presented to them, further action on this matter was tabled until the next meeting.
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
A letter was received from Kent County Levy Court requesting the Mayor and Council make two appointments to the Regional Planning Commission as provided by the Home Rule Bill for Kent County. These two appointments would consist of the City Engineer, a non-voting member, and a voting member appointed by the Mayor and Council, for a five-year term. The Mayor stated that he was not ready at this time to appoint a voting member, as he had not had the opportunity to discuss this with the Council and would make an appointment at the next Council meeting.
DELMARVA POULTRY INDUSTRY,
Mayor Carroll received a letter expressing appreciation and gratitude for all of the cooperation afforded by the City of Dover and its employees to the Delmarva Chicken Festival held recently in Dover. The Delmarva Poultry Industry wishes to thank each and everyone responsible for the many favors done.
LAYTON AND COMPANY, INC.
A letter was received from the Layton and Co. in reference to a change in assessment on their warehouse that was destroyed by fire and May 28, 1967. On May 23, 1967 they paid their current tax bill on the assessment as of May 1, 1967. On July 13, 1967, Tax Assessor James notified them that their assessment was lowered to the amount of $19,600. They felt that a tax refund was due them as they are under the impression that the tax is paid in advance. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote denied this request.
Council adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of August 14, 1967 are hereby approved.
August 15, 1967 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor