REGULAR MEETING
May 23, 1966
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 23, 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 the Rev. Robert McKim of the Presbyterian Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 9, 1966 and the Special Meeting of May 11, 1966 were approved and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
MAGISTRATE REPORT
Report of the Justice of the Peace Court No. 7 for April, 1966 was accepted. A check in the amount of $2055.00 was remitted to the City.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
A letter from the American Legion stated that Memorial Day ceremonies will be held this year at the Post Home on the Bay Road. Council authorized the presentation of a wreath from the City. City Manager Ward offered to make the presentation.
The Gold Star mothers asked permission to place their wreath on the Memorial Plot in Dover. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council granted permission to the Gold Star mothers, and others who so desired, to place wreaths on the Memorial Plot.
DIVISION STREET
Property owners and others on Division Street presented a petition to Council objecting to the proposed channelization of Division Street at New Street. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, the petition was referred to the Safety Advisory committee.
ORDINANCES
On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ERECTION OF STOP SIGNS ON VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER
WHEREAS, Title 21, Delaware Code, Section 505, vests in the local authorities the right to install signs notifying the drivers of motor vehicles to come to a full stop; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department of the City of Dover has deemed it necessary and advisable to install such stop signs at the intersections of certain hereinafter named streets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN COUNCIL MET THAT:
1. No vehicle shall enter into Yearsley Drive from Holly Drive without first coming to a full stop, nor shall any individual operate a motor vehicle so as to enter into Yearsley Drive without first coming to a full stop from Holly Drive.
2. That the Police Department of the City of Dover, pursuant to Title 21, Delaware Code, Section 505, is hereby authorized and empowered to install the necessary stop signs at the locations and intersections mentioned in Paragraph “1" above.
3. Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall result in prosecution under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and any fines and/or imprisonment shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the Delaware Code.
Passed May 23, 1966.
On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF FEDERAL STREET ADJACENT TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE STATE PARKING LOT.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover are vested with the responsibility of maintaining safe traffic conditions within the limits of the City of Dover; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department of the City of Dover is authorized and empowered to enforce said regulations; and
WHEREAS, it is considered to be a hazard to allow parking on a portion of the west side of Federal Street adjacent to the entrance to the State Parking lot.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET THAT:
1. From and after the passage of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to park or allow to remain parked any motor vehicle on that portion of the westerly side of Federal Street from a point measured sixty-two (62) feet south of the southerly line of North Street for a distance of thirty-five (35) feet to the northerly entrance of the parking lot, and further that no parking shall be allowed for a distance of thirty-five (35) feet south of the southerly entrance to the parking lot on the westerly side of Federal Street.
2. Any person, firm, association or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance, upon conviction shall be fined not less than $2.00 nor more than $5.00 and each day that such offense continues shall be a separate offense, for which the above penalty shall be imposed, and in lieu of the payment of said fine a sentence of (5) days imprisonment shall be imposed.
Passed May 23, 1966.
DINER FOODS
City Solicitor Buckson reported that Diner Foods Corporation had appealed the decision of the Court of Chancery in their suit against the City of Dover to the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware. The suit had been dismissed by the Court of Chancery.
GRASS ORDINANCES
Building Inspector Roe pointed out that under the present grass cutting ordinance, owners of vacant lots looked to the City to cut their grass and send them a bill. He thought the ordinance should be changed to place the responsibility for grass cutting more firmly on the property owner and to provide a penalty for his failure to act. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council directed the Building Inspector and City Solicitor to prepare a new grass cutting ordinance.
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 costs thereof.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURB AND GUTTER ON BOTH SIDES OF WYOMING AVENUE BETWEEN GOVERNORS AVENUE AND NEW BURTON ROAD.
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Dover is considering the installation of concrete curb and gutter on both sides of Wyoming Avenue between Governors Avenue and New Burton Road 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 motion, at which the property owners concerned and other residents of the City 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:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 8:15 P.M., June 13, 1966 on the question of installing concrete curb and gutters on both sides of Wyoming Avenue between Governors Avenue and New Burton Road and assessing the cost thereof to property owners.
Section 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:
J. Irving Calhoun William C. Holden
Wallace C. Ougheltree Herbert P. Brackman
Caleb L. Burchenal Howard C. Turner
Mrs. Glorence S. Brown Elsie Kimmell Owen
Ruth A. Hodgson John W. Comegys
David R. Lovejoy Phil D. Mackes
Edwin G. Meredith Clarence F. Schwartz
Mrs. Virginia H. Maag Ernest A. DeMarais
Ronald Labonte Peter K. Schaefer
Clements R. Horvath Eugene P. Werner
James G. Maloney Robert B. Newell
Gustav Konschak Wm. L. Orange
Richard L. Griffin Richard H. Smith
Mel E. Loomis John J. McGuire
Julian Azorlosa Olga Konschak
William Konschak
Section 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 23, 1966
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURB AND GUTTER ON BOTH SIDES OF SLAUGHTER STREET BETWEEN NORTH STREET AND LOOCKERMAN STREET.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dover is considering the installation of concrete curb and gutter on both sides of Slaughter Street between North Street and Loockerman 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 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:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 8:20 P.M., June 13, 1966 on the question of installing concrete curb and gutters on both sides of Slaughter Street between North Street and Loockerman Street and assessing the cost thereof to property owners.
Section 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:
Norwood Neal Glennia Marshall
Whatcoat Church Janette Turner
Whatcoat Church Parsonage Rev. J.H. Williams
Mary & John Kellum,
c/o Esther B. Paterson
Section 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 23, 1966.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURB AND GUTTER ON BOTH SIDES OF LINCOLN STREET BETWEEN FOREST STREET AND GIBBS DRIVE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dover is considering the installation of concrete curb and gutter on both sides of Lincoln Street between Forest Street and Gibbs Drive 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 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 8:25 P.M., June 13, 1966 on the question of installing concrete curb and gutters on both sides of Lincoln Street between Forrest Street and Gibbs Drive and assessing the cost thereof to property owners.
Section 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:
Daisy Hartnett Mary Morrow
Walter Bolan Dover Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Robert Clemmons Ernest V. Keith
Maren F. McDowell Arthur L. Mills
Salvatore J. Lobaccaro William Wilson
Hiram Carter Jr. Floyd Robertson
Robert D. Kersey Marian D. Hann
Vera Davis Gentry H. Mills
Leonard W. Scott George T. Hackett
Cecil Blockson W. J. Laws
Silad Pendleton Sina Swiggett
S. Marcellus Blackburn Erma S. Reese
Section 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 23, 1966
PLANNING
City Manager Ward introduced John Bivens, State Planner, who spoke to City Council on the subject of planning. He outlined the functions of his office, its relations with other municipalities, and its especial interest in City of Dover planning because of its close association with the State complex. He gave his opinion that Dover should hire a planner, update its master plan, and review its zoning and subdivision regulations. He thought the planner could act as a coordinator among City departments, and between the City and other Government agencies. He could act in the filed of public relations and publicity because a great deal of opposition to any activity comes from lack of knowledge. He stated that the demand for planners was greater than the supply and whether to hire a man of more or less experience was for the City to decide. He offered the assistance of his office, stating he was not actively seeking additional work. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State Planner (1) to set up the office of City Planner; (2) to update the City Master Plan; (3) to review the Zoning Ordinance; and (4) to review the Land Subdivision Regulations. Mr. Hayes voted ‘No’. Cost to the city could be a per diem charge by the State Planning Office.
Council adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 23, 1966 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
May 25, 1966