REGULAR MEETING
December 12, 1966
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, December 12, 1966 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 Doctor Douglas of Wesley College
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of November 28, 1966 were approved by Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hughes, and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted.
Report of the Alderman James was accepted. Fines in the amount of $427.90 were remitted to the City in the Month of November.
Report of the Magistrates Court No. 7 was accepted, for the month of November. A check in the amount of $2,465.00 was remitted to the City of Dover.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp presented a report of the Utility Committee meeting held on Monday, December 5, 1966. Included in the report was a Front Foot Charge for sewer line construction, a study of construction of a 69KV line, and a recommendation of a special electric rate.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hayes, authorized a front foot charge for sewer line construction of $5.00 per front foot, based on post office address frontage, for the areas of Northwest Dover Heights, Roosevelt Avenue east and west of the dual highway, and the Martin-Cowgill Street area.
On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote authorized the City Manager to proceed with the construction of a 69KV line, including authority to obtain the necessary right of way by purchase or easement that might be needed in the area of proposed construction of this line.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A RATE SCHEDULE FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE FURNISHED AT PRIMARY VOLTAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE CITY OF DOVER SERVICE AREA.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
Section 1. Effective January 1, 1967, the following rate is hereby established for customers in The City of Dover service area who qualify as hereinafter set forth in the electric rate schedule designated as “City of Dover Municipal Electric Rate Schedule for Primary Electric Service”.
Effective Date - This schedule shall become effective on and after January 1, 1967 for Customers in the Electric Service area of The City of Dover.
Availability - This rate applies throughout the City of Dover Electric Service area to commercial and industrial customers desiring service at one point of delivery through one meter.
Character of Service - Alternating Current, Three Phase, Sixty (60) Cycle, Primary Voltage as available. Energy will be metered and demand measured on the high tension side of transforming and protective apparatus which shall be furnished, owned and maintained by the Customer.
Monthly Rates - The Customer’s monthly bill shall be the sum of the Demand and Energy Charges.
Demand Charge - First 100 kilowatts of billing demand - $750.00
Next 200 kilowatts of billing demand @ $1.80 per kilowatt
All over 300 kilowatts of billing demand @ $1.25 per kilowatt
Energy Charge - First 100 hours use per month of billing demand @ $1.5¢ per kilowatt hour
Next 200 hours use per month of billing demand @ 1.0¢ per kilowatt hour
All over sum of first two blocks of energy @ 0.8¢ per kilowatt hour
Determination of Demand - The highest kilowatt demand determined either by a fifteen (15) minute integrated demand meter, or a lagged thermal demand meter, occurring during the month, taken to the nearest whole kilowatt shall be the billing demand for that month, except that the billing demand shall not be less than sixty (60%) per cent of the highest billing demand determined during the twelve (12) month period ending with the current billing month.
In the case of fluctuating loads, such as welders, X-ray machines, elevators, etc., the demand of which cannot readily be measured, the billing demand may be established from manufacturer’s rating or determined by other suitable methods.
Where the power factor is found to be less than 90%, Dover reserves the right to base the demand on 90% of the kilowatt amperes instead of on the kilowatts.
Minimum Monthly Bill - The minimum monthly bill shall be an amount equal to seventy-five (75%) per cent of the highest billing demand charge which occurred in any one of the immediately preceding eleven (11) months.
Term of Contract - Not less than one year. Where special investment is made to serve a customer, a contract for more than one year may be required.
Rules and Regulations - The General Rules and Regulations of the City of Dover shall apply to the supply of service under this Service Classification.
Passed December 12, 1966
By unanimous vote Council accepted the report of the Utility Committee as presented by Mr. Holpp.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND TREES COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee meeting held on Monday, December 5, 1966. Mr. Smith reported that nothing has been heard on the dredging of Mirror Pond up til the time of this Committee Meeting. Since that time, a contract has been received by the City of Dover for the dredging work to commence on January 3, 1967. Council by unanimous vote accepted the report of the Committee as presented by Mr. Smith.
MIRROR POND
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a contract with the Rehobeth Bay Dredging Company, with work to commence on January 3, 1967. The minimum cost to the City of Dover for this work would be $6,000.00. The total cost for this project is not to exceed $25,000 as authorized by Council at an earlier date.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councilman Smith presented a report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held on Monday, December 5, 1966. Included in the report was a traffic count taken at the corner of Loockerman and State Streets, relative to the flow of traffic at certain hours of the day. The channelization of traffic turning from State Street onto Loockerman Street was discussed at the committee meeting, and also at this Council Meeting. The Committee did not deem it necessary as the congestion is only temporary and only occasionally occurs. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hastings, approved the recommendation of the Committee to not channelize traffic at the intersection of State and Loockerman Streets.
With the opening of the new elementary school on Pear Street and Walker Road, Crossing Guards are needed in the area of this school. The Committee felt that the cost of these Crossing Guards should be borne by the Board of Education. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote authorized the Mayor to write a letter to the Board of Education, stating the Council’s feeling that the cost of the Crossing Guards needed for this area should be assumed by the Board of Education.
A recommendation on Stop and Yield Signs for certain streets in the City of Dover was also presented with this report.
Council by unanimous vote accepted the report of the Committee as presented by Mr. Smith.
STOP AND YIELD SIGNS
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ERECTION OF STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS ON VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS, Title 21, Delaware Code, Section 502, vests in the local authorities the right to install signs notifying drivers of motor vehicles to come to a full stop and to yield the right of way; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover have deemed it necessary and advisable to install such signs at the intersections of certain hereinafter named streets; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover have vested in The Police Department of The City of Dover authority to install such signs.
Now, Therefore, be it ordained by the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover Met:
1. That no vehicle shall enter onto any of the following described streets without first coming to a full stop, nor shall any individual operate a vehicle so as to enter onto any of the following named streets without first coming to a full stop:
On Edgemont Street before entering Maple Parkway.
On Edgemont Street before entering Spring Garden Street.
On Spring Garden Street before entering U.S. 13.
2. No vehicle shall enter onto the following named street without yielding the right-of-way, nor shall any individual operate a vehicle so as to enter onto the following named street without first yielding the right-of-way:
On Miller Street yield before entering Cowgill Street.
3. That The Police Department of the City of Dover pursuant to Title 21, Delaware Code, Section 505, is hereby authorized are empowered to install the necessary signs and/or symbols at the locations and intersections mentioned above.
4. Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall result in prosecution under the laws of Delaware, and any fines and/or imprisonment shall be provided in the applicable provisions of the Delaware Code.
Passed December 12, 1966
FIRE CHIEFS
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council elected the following Fire Chiefs of the Robbins Hose Company for the year of 1967.
Chief William T. James
Deputy Chief Robert Quillen
1st Asst. Chief Wilson Comegys
2nd Asst. Chief William Rhodes
3rd Asst. Chief Leroy Dear, Sr.
CITY ASSESSOR
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote appointed William T. James as City Assessor for the year 1967.
BUILDING INSPECTOR & FIRE MARSHALL
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by unanimous vote appointed Jack T. Roe as Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for the year 1967.
SIDEWALKS
Mr. Neylan, City Manager, presented a map showing where sidewalks now exist and do not exist within the city limits of Dover. This map was prepared in conjunction with a further study to be made by the City Planner and City Manager as to areas which do not now have sidewalks, and it is felt that sidewalks should be installed. The school routes are the areas that are felt sidewalks are needed first. Further study on this project will be made and presented to Council at a later date.
KENBRIT CORPORATION
The letter received at the last Council meeting regarding sidewalks at the new professional building being constructed at the corner of South Governors and Gooden Avenues was deferred until this meeting. A second letter from Kenbrit Corporation, owners of the building, was received this date further stating their desire not to install sidewalks at this time. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by vote of 6 ‘yes’ and 2 ‘no’, Mr. Harris and Mr. Hughes, denied the request of Kenbrit Corporation.
DOVER LIBRARY COMMISSION
A letter was received from the Dover Public Library requesting that the remainder of the land int eh library block including the carriage house, which is now owned by the City of Dover, be turned over to the Dover Library to be used in their future expansion. Mr. George Ehinger and Mrs. Paton of the Dover Library were present to present their views to the Council. They stated that the ever increasing use of the library will necessitate expansion in the future and they would like to acquire this land from the City if possible.
On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by a vote of 5 ‘yes’ and 3 ‘no’, Messrs. Biggs, Hughes, and Holpp, requested further study be made before turning over the aforementioned property to the Dover Library Commission.
N.L.C. CONVENTION
Mayor Carroll gave a brief report on his attendance of the National League of Cities Convention held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada. He expressed his appreciation at having been able to attend and felt that it was very educational. He had the privilege of serving on 2 committees at this convention. Next year the convention is in Boston, Mass. and the Mayor expressed a hope that some of the Councilmen could attend the convention at that time.
CHRIST CHURCH SIGN
A letter was received from the Vestry of Christ Church (Episcopal) of Dover requesting permission to erect a sign near the intersection of Court Street and the south bound land of Route 13. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no’, Mr. Holpp, denied the request for the erection of this sign.
SIDEWALK REQUEST - LOCK EMMERT
A letter was received from Mr. Lock Emmert, proprietor of the Dinner Bell Inn, requesting that the City of Dover look into the installation of sidewalks on Kings Highway between Loockerman Street and Budd Street. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council acknowledged receipt of this letter, and referred it to the City Manager to be included in his study of sidewalks within the City Limits.
CENTENNIAL BUILDING
A letter was received from Mr. Karl Thompson of Seaford, Delaware, in reference to turning this building over to some organization who might put this building to good use as it is not being used now. The building in question is believed to be the old State Police Building just north of the City Limits on North Dupont Highway, which is not in the City. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the City Manager to answer this letter acknowledging receipt and stating that the City of Dover has no jurisdiction over this building.
COUNCIL MEETING, DECEMBER 26, 1966
On motion of Mr. Holpp, Council unanimously authorized a request by Mayor Carroll to dispense with the regularly scheduled meeting of December 26, 1966 in observance of the Christmas Holiday.
250TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote authorized $5,000.00 to be used by the 250th Anniversary Committee for the purchase of supplies, printing, etc. The amount is up to and not exceeding $5,000.00. This money will be reimbursed to the City of Dover upon completion of the Celebration.
Council adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of December 12, 1966 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
December 14, 1966