REGULAR MEETING
May 22, 1967
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 22, 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 Dr. Parker of Wesley College.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of April 24, 1967 were approved by Council, and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for April was accepted.
Report of the Fire Marshall and Building Inspector for April was accepted.
Report of the Acting Alderman for the month of April was accepted. Fines in the amount of $406.50 were remitted to the City during the month of April.
Report of the J. P. Court #7 for the month of April was accepted. A check in the amount of $2,753.00 was remitted to the City of Dover.
Report of the Cash Receipts, General Fund, for April was accepted.
Report of the Budget, General Fund, for March was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Revenue Fund, for April was accepted.
Cash Receipts, Electric Improvement Fund, for April was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
PROJECTS 32, 32 A & 33
Bids were received by the City of Dover on May 8, 1967 on Projects 32, 32 A & 33. Project 32 covers the construction of curbs and gutters for which hearings were recently held, Project 32 A covers the installation of sidewalks on City-owned property throughout the City. On Project 32 there were three bids, the low bid being $49,000 by Edgell Construction Company. On Project 32 A there were three bids, the low bid being $34,180 by George & Lynch, Inc. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council authorized the award of the Contract on Project 32 to the low bidder, Edgell Construction Company, and the award of the contract on Project 32 A to the low bidder George & Lynch, Inc.
Project 33 covers the installation of storm sewer and water connection to the Blue Hen Mall within the right of way of the dual highway. The work will be supervised by the City, but the cost will be paid by the developers of the Blue Hen Mall. Five bids were received, the low bid being $22,820 by W. B. Mitten & Sons, Inc. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder, W. B. Mitten & Sons, Inc.
WAGES & HOURS, LEGISLATIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councilman Hayes presented a written report of the Wages & Hours, Legislative & Finance Committee meetings held on May 1, 1967 and May 15, 1967, which were accepted by Council.
JOB RECLASSIFICATIONS
The Wages & Hours, Legislative & Finance Committee recommended to Council the reclassification of the following grades: Clerk Typist “B”, Water Department from Grade IV to V, Accounts Payable Clerk from Grade V to IV, and Credit Clerk from Grade V to IX. The Committee also recommended the establishment of a Job Description and Specifications for an Electrical Engineer in Grade XV. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council accepted the recommendations of the Committee as outlined above.
PENSION PLAN
Revisions to the present Pension Plan of the City of Dover were presented to Council by the Wages & Hours, Legislative & Finance Committee. Also recommended was the establishment of a Pension Fund, including a separate Police Pension Fund. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance to revise the Pension Plan, to include the recommended provisions and the establishment of a Pension Fund, including the separate Fund for the Police.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & TREES COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the meeting of the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee which was held on May 1, 1967. The report was accepted by Council.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee meeting held on May 1, 1967 which was accepted by Council.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp presented a written report of the Utility Committee meetings held on May 1, 1967 and May 17, 1967 which was accepted by Council.
DP&L CONTRACT
A proposed new contact with DP&L, which would combine the present three contracts the City has with DP&L was discussed. After much discussion as to the present and future requirements for electrical power needed by the City of Dover, it was felt the prior to signing the contract with DP&L, the Council would have an opportunity to review such a contract and make any corrections or additions that were felt necessary. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that General Smith, the Middle West Service Company, Engineering Consultants, and a representative of the Federal Power Commission review such a contract for any recommendations on their part prior to any action being taken by Council.
ST. JONES PLANT
The equipment that is located at the St. Jones Power Plant was discussed. The Utility Committee recommended that the equipment be advertised in trade journals, specializing in such equipment, offering it for sale. Councilman Hayes questioned as to whether this plant might be rehabilitated, since there is an urgent need for the City to purchase power in addition to that already being generated at the McKee Run plant. City Manager Neylan stated that the feeling was that the cost of rehabilitating the plant was too great in lieu of the limited amount of use that would be needed of the plant. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council authorized the City Manager to advertise in the necessary trade journals for the disposition of the equipment and make available to the Council any proposals that might be received on such.
PUBLIC LIGHTING SERVICE RATE
A public service lighting rate has been recommended by the Utility Committee. The would be applicable to public highway or area lighting where the City owns, operates, and maintains the entire system. T his is a duck to dawn service. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the following Public Lighting Service was adopted by Council:
RATE Nominal Lamp Rating Monthly Charge
Mounted on Distribution Pole
Mercury Vapor- 175 Watt Mercury $4.50
- 250 Watt Mercury $6.00
- 400 Watt Mercury $7.50
The equipment supplied will be the types of fixtures currently being furnished by the City at the time of installation. Lighting units will be billed at the above rates on 4-6 foot metal brackets. Additional monthly charges for lighting units will be added for the following forms of mounting:
$.20 for 8 - 14 foot brackets
$.30 for 15 - 18 foot brackets
POLE CHARGE PER MONTH
For each 35 foot pole required exclusively for the support of lighting fixtures or lighting circuits under this service classification $1.00
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
1. Bills for service shall be rendered monthly.
2. The City will furnish, install, own and maintain the complete lighting system installed under this classification.
3. Lamps shall be lighted from dusk to dawn each and every night.
4. The City shall have the privilege at any time during the term of any contract to use either series or multiple lamps having the approximate lumen rating as designated by the lamp manufacturers or to change the style and type of the lighting fixture to a more improved pattern provided the said change is approved by the Customer.
5. In no case shall the City be required to make an investment in excess of that required for lamps and fixtures spaced 300 feet apart and connected by overhead wires. The City may require that the Customer pay any cost in excess of this specification.
6. The City may require payment by the Customer of requested changes in pole or fixture location.
7. Additional standard lighting fixtures on distribution poles will be installed by the City at the Customer’s request.
8. When requested by the Customer, City normally will make routine replacements and/or changes to a higher lumen output within the above standard types of fixtures mounted on distribution poles.
McDANIEL-BRYSON ANNEXATION REQUEST
William McDaniel and John Bryson have requested annexation to the City of a plot of approximately 24 acres of land located adjacent to and south of Puncheon Run. The Utility Committee and Planning Commission both recommended that this request be denied. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr.Harris, Council adopted the recommendation to deny the request for annexation.
BUDGET HEARING
On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that a public hearing be held on the proposed electric department budget for 1967-68 as required by the Resolution authorizing the issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds, dated July 26, 1965. This public hearing was set for June 12, 1967 at 8:00 P.M. in City Hall.
JOHN G. TOWNSEND BUILDING
Preliminary plans have been received for the John G. Townsend Building to be built by the State of Delaware on the property owned by the State adjacent to Loockerman and Federal Streets. These plans showed the tentative layout of the buildings to be eventually constructed in this area. Also included was the architects sketch of a cooling tower that would be used to cool the water used in the air conditioning of the Townsend Building and the idea was brought up to approach the State Buildings & Grounds Department with the idea of constructing a large pond in the middle of this complex to replace the cooling tower. This pond would serve the same purpose and would add quite a bit of beauty to the area. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council directed that the City Manager, along with the City Planner, write a letter to the State Buildings and Grounds Department expressing the desire of the City of Dover to have the cooling tower replaced with a pond to serve the same purpose.
CURB INSTALLATIONS
The City plans to improve certain streets and to install concrete curb and gutter, the cost of which will be charged to abutting property owners who now lack curb. A public hearing is required before proceeding with such projects and assessing the cost thereof.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TOME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURB AND GUTTER ON BOTH SIDES OF COWGILL STREET BETWEEN U.S. ROUTE 13 AND COURT STREET.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dover is considering the installation of concrete curb and gutter on both sides of Cowgill Street between U.S. Route 13 and Court Street and charging the cost thereof to property owners, and
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Dover requires that a public hearing be held prior to such action, at which the property owners concerned and other residents of the City of Dover may be heard, and that notice of such hearing be published,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. The Council of the City of Dover will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 P.M., June 26, 1967 on the question of installing concrete curb and gutter on both sides of Cowgill Street between Court Street and U.S. Route 13 ad assessing the cost thereof to property owners.
2. The following-named persons are the owners or the purported owners of the properties in front of which the concrete curb and gutter will be installed:
Turner B. & Sarah G. Hastings
Jack & Fred C. Lord
The Hut, Inc.
The State of Delaware
3. At the said meeting the Council will hear the aforesaid owners of property and other residents of the City in accordance with the Charter of the City of Dover.
Adopted May 22, 1967.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
A letter was received from the Walter L. Fox Post #2, American Legion, inviting the City of Dover to participate in the Memorial Day Services to take place on May 30, 1967 at 11:00 A.M. on the Dover Green. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the purchase of a floral spray to be presented by a City Official on behalf of the City of Dover at the exercises on Memorial Day.
PARKING ON WATER AND KERBIN STREETS
A couple of letters were received from residents of Elm Terrace complaining about the parking of automobiles at the intersection of Water & Kerbin Streets. They claim that the cars park so close to the intersection that it is impossible to get a clear view of oncoming traffic on Water Street when one is trying to pull out onto Water Street from Kerbin Street. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council referred these letters of complaint to the Safety Advisory Committee, requesting they investigate this situation and report back to Council at a later date.
P&B BUILDERS PUBLIC HEARING
A letter was received from Nate Cohen Realty Company, representative of P&B Builders, withdrawing their request for a public hearing on a zoning change that had been advertised for this evening.
LEON TARBURTON ANNEXATION
A request was received from Mr. Leon Tarburton asking consideration of the Council concerning annexation of a piece of property in the vicinity of White Oak Farms. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by a vote of 6 ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Harris, and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Hughes, adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID AREA
WHEREAS, a recent 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 deem it in the best interest of the City of Dover to include an area located in the vicinity of White Oak Farms as hereinafter more particularly described within the Limits of the City of Dover
NOW THEREFORE BY IT RESOLVED:
1. That the following described areas situated in East Hundred, Kent County Delaware, as more particularly bounded and described herein be annexed tot eh City of Dover:
(a) ALL that certain piece, parcel or tract of land now situated in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, State of Delaware, adjoining the present corporate limits of the City of Dover, lying on the south side of White Oak Road which leads from Dover to Cowgills Corner, being bounded on the north by White Oak Road, on the east by lands now or late of Custer Farms, Inc., by lands now or late of A.M. Brassch, and by certain roadways laid out in the Oscar Reed Development, on the south side by lands of the Oscar Reed Estate, by lands of G. H. Kahl, and by lands pf Harold Haines, and on the westerly boundary also being the present Corporate Limits of the City of Dover, and being more particularly described as follows to wit:
(b) BEGINNING at a point in the east lin of Nimitz Road at a corner for this parcel and for lands of Harold Haines, said point of beginning being North 25 Deg. 13 min. West of and 180 ft. from the intersection of the east line of Nimitz Road with the north line of North Little Creek Road; thence running from said point of beginning with the east line of Nimitz Road and with the present Corporate Limits of the City of Dover North 25 deg. 13 min. West 30 ft. to a point in the east line of Nimitz Road at a corner for this parcel and for lands of Kendall Gibbs; thence running with lands of Gibbs and with the present Corporate Limits of the City of Dover on the five following courses, (1) North 64 deg. 47 min. 200 ft; thence (2) North 25 deg. 13 min. West 1274.82 ft; thence (3) North 64 deg. 47 min East 304.30 ft; thence (4) North 20 deg. 23 min. West 248.79 ft.; thence (5) North 25 deg. 17 min. West 568.0 ft to a corner for this parcel and for said Gibbs lands in the south line of White Oak Road; thence running with the south line of White Oak Road North 61 deg. 43 min. East 50 ft. to a point in the southline of White Oak Road at a corner for this parcel and for lands now or late of Custer Farms, Inc.; thence running with lands now or late of lands now or late of Custer Farms, Inc. on the two following courses, (1) South 48 deg. East 964 ft.; thence (2) North 60 deg. 33 min. East 166.27 ft to a corner for this parcel and for lands now or late of A.M. Braasch; thence running with lands now or late of A.M. Braasch on the two following courses, (1) South 14 deg. 52 min. East 563.13 ft.; thence (2) North 85 deg. 48 min. East 17.8 ft. to a point in line of lands now or late of Braasch and in the west line of a roadway laid out in the Oscar Reed Development; thence running with the west line of said roadway South 8 deg. 25 min. East 330.1 ft. to the north line of a second roadway laid out in said Oscar Reed Development; thence running with the north line of said second roadway South 81 deg. 35 min. West 202.9 ft. to the west line of a third roadway laid out in said Oscar Reed Development; thence running with the west line of a third roadway South 8 deg. 25 min. East 100 ft. to a point in the west line of said third roadway at a corner for this parcel and for lands of the Oscar Reed Estate; thence running with lands of the Oscar Reed Estate on the two following courses, (1) South 81 deg. 35 min. West 276.69 ft.; thence (2) South 20 deg. 30 min. East 424.87 ft to a corner for this parcel and for lands of G. H. Kahl; thence running with lands of G. H. Kahl and with lands of Harold Haines South 64 deg. 47 min. West 422.2 ft to the place of beginning, and containing 24.23 acres of land be the same more or less.
2. That an election be held on the 22nd day of June A.D. 1967 commencing at the hour of 1:00 P.M. at City Hall on the Plaza in the City of Dover, Delaware, for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the above area to the persons entitled to vote thereon.
3. That the election be held and conducted pursuant to te provisions of the Charter of the City of Dover as amended.
4. That this Resolution be published in at least two issues of a newspaper published in the City of Dover at least two weeks prior to the date of said election.
Adopted May 22, 1967
Council adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 22, 1967 are hereby approved.
May 23, 1967 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor