REGULAR MEETING

January 23, 1967

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 23, 1967 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 Rev. Howard Gordy, Chaplain of Wesley College.

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of January 9, 1967 were approved by Council and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.

ELECTION RESULTS

The officials appointed to conduct the Municipal Election held Monday, January 16, 1967 between 1 P.M. and 7 P.M. at Grace Fellowship Hall, certified the result to City Council as follows: 1130 votes were cast:

FOR COUNCILMEN:

            First District:              Alfred S. Biggs                       749 votes

 

            Second District:          Douglas L. Harris                   718 votes

 

            Third District:             Earl D. Smith, Sr.                   468 votes

                                                John T. McKenna                   412 votes

            Fourth District:           Victor E. Holpp                      680 votes

                                                Benjamin E. Freeman             428 votes

On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the certification was accepted.

J.P. COURT #7

Report of the J.P. Court #7 for the month of December was accepted. A check in the amount of $2,155.00 was remitted to the City.

FIRE MARSHALL - BUILDING INSPECTOR ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report of the Fire Marshall and Building Inspector was accepted by Council.

STATE BUILDING COMMISSION

A letter was received from the State Building Commission, State of Delaware requesting the City of Dover consider the closing of North and Court Streets, between Federal and Legislative Avenues, and the opening of an extension of ‘E’ Street between Federal and Legislative Avenues in conjunction with the building of a new office building in the area. A public hearing must be held prior to abandonment of a street or alley. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:

A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATING AND ABANDONMENT OF NORTH STREET AND COURT STREET BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LEGISLATIVE AVENUES, AND THE EXTENSION OF ‘E’ STREET FROM LEGISLATIVE AVENUE TO FEDERAL STREET.

1. The Council of the City of Dover is considering the vacating and abandonment of North Street and Court Street between Federal Street and Legislative Avenue and the extension of ‘E’ Street from Federal Street to Legislative Avenue.

2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit on Monday, February 27, 1967 at 8:00 P.M. at the City Hall to hear the objections of such residents of the City or owners of the property affected as shall attend, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Charter of the City of Dover (Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware.)

3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to post copies of this resolution in five or more public places in the City of Dover and to publish the same in a newspaper published in the said City.

Adopted January 23, 1967

DOVER BUILDERS

The City Manager requested Council to authorize the settlement of a suit pending between The City of Dover and Dover Builders, Inc. over a water line constructed by Dover Builders in the area of Kent Acres and Rodney Village. The original suit against the City was for approximately $30,000, but a settlement has now been reached between the two parties for the City of Dover to pay Dover Builders $12,000 plus ½ of an Escrow ($3008) Account which had been set up for the Lincoln park area. The $1500 left in the Escrow Account would more than cover any additional curbing or street work that has to be done in Lincoln Park. On motion of Mr. Harris seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote authorized the City Manager to sign a General Release and issue the check to cover the settlement with Dover Builders, Inc.

KENT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT

The Kent County Agricultural Agent presently occupies office space in the old Post Office Building, which will soon become the property of the City of Dover. They wish to continue using this facility until the new Federal Office Building is built in the area of New and North Streets. They have been promised space in this new complex. The City Manager has proposed that the City offer them a one year lease, with the furnishing all heat and utilities. The City will furnish no janitorial service as long and the City Dover does not occupy part of the building. The rent would be $250 per month. In the event that the City would occupy part of the building and would supply janitorial service the rent would be increased to $350 per month. The City would have access to the entire area now used by the Agricultural Agent in the event that any alternations were to be done in that area. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote authorized the City Manager to prepare a lease to be presented to the Kent County Agricultural Agent upon the receipt of the building from the GSA. Upon preparation of this lease, Council authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign same.

LEWIS PROPERTY

The City of Dover has been asked if they would consider purchasing the Lewis property on Kings Highway adjacent to the Silver Lake Park area now owned by the City. The cost of purchase os $10,000. An application can be made to the State through the Levy Court of Kent County to obtain 75% of the cost of the property. These funds have been set aside by the State of Delaware to aid municipalities in the development of park lands. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote authorized the purchase of the Lewis property for $10,000 and to make application to the State of Delaware through the Kent County Levy Court for the 75% to be paid by the State for the park lands.

COMPREHENSIVE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Planning Commission has recommended to the Council that an effort be made through the State Planning Office to obtain available funds for the updating of the Comprehensive and Development Plan of the City of Dover. This would be in conjunction with the original plan that was brought before Council some months ago, prior to the hiring of the City Planner. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State Planning Office to obtain these funds for the updating of this plan.

ANNUAL REPORT FIRE CHIEF

Mr. James, Robbins Hose Fire Chief, presented the annual reported of the Fire Chief, which was accepted by City Council.

DR. WILLIAMSON’S LETTER

A letter addressed to and received by Mayor Crawford J. Carroll was read to the City Council at this time. This was in reference to a complaint to the Mayor by Dr. J. R. Williamson.

SIDEWALKS & DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS

Councilman Harry R. Jackson brought before the Council the question on the status of the sidewalk survey recently started by the City Manager and City Planner, and the condition of the delinquent accounts owed to the City. The City Manager stated that he would have a report on them in his next written report to be presented to Council at its next meeting.

Council adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Jay R. Dougherty

City Clerk

All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 23, 1967 are hereby approved.

                                                                                                                                                            

January 24, 1967                                                                                 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor