REGULAR MEETING
March 28, 1966
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, March 28, 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. Howard Stewart, of the First Baptist Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the regular meeting of March 14, 1966 and of the special meeting of March 21, 1966 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
Representatives of Albright & Friel, Consulting Engineers on the construction of additions to the sewage disposal plant, appeared before City Council to discuss problems which exist now that the plant is constructed, the most obvious of which is an offensive odor which originates at the plant. Messrs. Estrada, Weist and Neesom were present, with Mr. Estrada speaking on behalf of the engineers. He stated that this plant was the only one of which they are aware in this country which is treating rice waste. Changes have been made in the plant operation which will decrease the frequency of odors. Data is being collected and studies being made to determine the best treatment for the waste, the best method of plant operation, and whether or not additions will be required to the plant to eliminate problems. He stated that the design of the plant was the best known in the light of available knowledge on the treatment of rice waste. He stated that based on load data supplied by General Foods engineers, the bulk of load on the sewage treatment plant originated at the General Foods plant. He stated that sufficient information was not yet available to determine whether the treatment plant was loaded to capacity. He was confident that the plant would do the job for which it was designed and that the results of studies being made should be available within a month.
250TH ANNIVERSARY
Councilman Holpp reported on his investigation of the possibility of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the City of Dover in 1967. He had met with Mr. Cling, of Rogers and Company, who specialize in such celebrations and with Mr. Leon deValinger and Mr. William Frank. Mr. Holpp recommended that a two-months observance be held, beginning with Old Dover Days in May and ending in June with the Delmarva Chicken Festival. Pageants with historical themes would be held during the period. He suggested that the Chicken Festival be invited to hold its 1967 affair in Dover, and that a committee of citizens be appointed to plan the overall observance of the 250th anniversary. He also suggested that Messrs. deValinger and Frank be asked to write a history of Dover to be used in conjunction with the observance. Council accepted the report.
Mayor Carroll asked Mr. Holpp to recommend names of individuals to be appointed to the permanent committee.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council authorized extending an invitation to the Delmarva Poultry Industry to hold its 1967 Chicken Festival in Dover.
WAGES & HOURS
Councilman Hayes submitted a written report of a meeting of the committee on Wages and Hours, Legislative & Finance, held March 21, 1966. The report was accepted. Mr. William Manter will submit for consideration of the committee and Council his recommendation as to the scope of the annual audit of City finances, and his fee.
The committee recommended that the ordinance pertaining to the City Manager which states ‘there shall be no authority vested in any person to sell or give away any property, article or thing belonging to the City except upon special authorization of the Council’ be amended to substitute the words ‘City Manager’ for the words ‘The Council’. Council discussed whether or not the change was desirable without limitation and noted that the entire ordinance was in need of revision. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Jackson, the recommendation was tabled until the entire ordinance is revised. Mr. Hughes voted ‘No’.
TRAILERS
The committee, with Mr. Hayes dissenting, recommended that the provisions of the zoning ordinance relating to trailers in residential sections be enforced, but that the ordinance be amended to permit the Zoning Board of Adjustment to add an additional two years to the time required for moving individual trailers where unusual hardship was found to exist. The Zoning Ordinance now requires that individual trailers be removed from residence zones within three years of the effective date of the ordinance and permits the Zoning Board of Adjustment to extend the period for an additional 18 months under certain circumstances. Mr. Hayes was of the opinion that trailer owners were informed prior to annexation of certain areas to the City that their trailers would not have to be moved. He objected to their being required to move. Other Councilmen noted that such a concession could not be made without amending the Zoning Ordinance. The number of trailers involved was discussed. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council directed that they be furnished with the locations of the trailers in question before a decision is made.
DINER FOODS
City Solicitor Buckson reported to Council that the suit brought in the Court of Chancery by Diner Foods Corporation against the City of Dover for recapture of the cost of a water line installed by Diner Foods had been dismissed by the Court because Diner Foods Corporation no longer had an interest in the claim having sold out to another corporation.
TOWNE POINT
Two years ago Manor Park Company had advanced certain monies through the Farmers Bank for construction of sewer and water lines from White Oak Road through a development of P & B known as White Oak Farms to the development of Manor Park known as Towne Point. The money was to be repaid by the City from payments of pro-rated costs to be made by P & B, Manor Park and the City of Dover. The promise of the City to repay had been assigned to the Farmers Bank to secure the loan made to Manor Park to pay for the construction. The City of Dover had tendered the Farmers Bank a check in the amount of $27,025.57, which represents the amount loaned by the bank, $31,724.73, less the amount due from Manor Park, $4699.16. P&B paid their pro-rated cost on March 14, 1966. Manor Park has encountered financial difficulties and is being operated by a group of creditors. The Farmers Bank is looking to the City for full payment of the loan. The Creditors operating Manor Park are to meet the $4699.16. Council directed the City Manager to ask the Bank to hold off any action until after the meeting of the creditors of Manor Park who will be asked to approve payment of the bill.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The appointments of Charles C. Brown, Henry McDonnell and Mrs. H.V. Holloway expired February 28, 1966. Mr. Brown does not wish reappointment because of business. Mayor Carroll announced his choices to be A. Barrett Cullen, Mr. McDonnell and Mrs. Holloway. Mr. Hayes noted that Mr. McDonnell no longer lives within the City and expressed his opinion that all members of the Commission should be citizens of Dover. Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hughes moved for approval of the appointment of Mr. Cullen and Mrs. Holloway; the motion was approved. Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Jackson, moved for approval of the appointment of Mr. McDonnell. The motion was approved by vote of 5 to 3, Messrs Hayes, Hughes and Smith voting ‘No’.
Mayor Carroll announced that Edgar W. Buchanan had resigned as a member of the Planning Commission because of ill health. His term expires in February, 1968. Mayor Carroll stated he would like to appoint Councilman Harry Jackson to the unexpired term because no member of Council now served on the Commission. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the appointment of Henry Jackson was approved.
CIVIL DEFENSE
Mayor Carroll noted that since the death of Thomas E. Baker the post of Director of Civil Defense was vacant. He stated his desire to appoint Jack Roe to the post. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Mr. Roe was appointed Director of Civil Defense.
INVENTORY
City Manager Ward reported than an inventory of all materials in the City Warehouse had been taken on December 31, 1965 and the value of all totaled slightly over $174,000.
Council adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of March 28, 1966 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
March 29, 1966