REGULAR MEETING
November 8, 1965
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, November 8, 1965 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Elmo Bean.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of October 25, 1965 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $886.00, $130.00 and $179.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted. A check in the amount of $921.20 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal & Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, was accepted.
Report of General Fund Budget was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund, was accepted.
Progress Report on 1965 Bond Fund was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
REZONING TOWNE POINT
A public hearing has been duly advertised for this date on a request by Delaware Home Builders Corporation to rezone from R-8 to RG-2 a parcel of approximately 5 acres located in Section 2A of Towne Point Development. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. Edward Richardson, of Richardson Associates, engineers, spoke for the developer. He pointed out the area in question and the distance by which it was separated from homes now built. He noted that streets would be planned to accommodate traffic generated and answered the statement that the proposed apartments would depreciate value of existing single family homes by declaring the developer’s intention of constructing in the area single homes of higher price. Captain Codey and other property owners in Towne Point objected to the rezoning and stated that their reasons had not changed since their appearance on the same request at the October 11, 1965 public hearing. They exhibited drawings which showed that the area had been planned for single family homes by the original developer. Mr. Richardson noted that the Planning Commission had given approval to a tentative plan showing use of the area for apartments but that final approval could not be given until Council rezoned the area for such use. Dr. James McClements, member of the Dover School Board, appeared to give Board’s position. The School District has purchased a plot, adjoining the proposed apartment zone, on which an elementary school will be constructed. They took no position for or against the proposed zoning. They needed a building permit for the new school and one could not be obtained until a plan for development of the entire Section 2A is accepted and approved by the Planning Commission. They were hoping for prompt action because of the necessity to begin construction before December 15 to prevent possible loss of State funds in aid of construction. The deed to the school land provided for access and escrow of a portion of the purchase price to provide for certain improvements. All who wished were given the opportunity to speak and the matter was discussed at length. Council questioned all parties. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed.
Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, moved that the request to rezone the area from R-8 to RG-2 be denied. On roll call, the motion was carried by vote of 7 to 1, Mr. Biggs, voting ‘No’.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Councilman Massey submitted a written report of a meeting of the Parks and Playgrounds Committee held Monday, November 1, which was accepted by Council.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Councilman Massey submitted a written report of a meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held Monday, November 1, which was accepted by Council.
PARKING METER ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEASING AND INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS: PROVIDING FOR AND REGULATING THE PARKING ON CERTAIN STREETS: AUTHORIZING THE USE OF PARKING METERS THEREFOR: AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET: that from and after the passage of this amendment;
(1) Section 3 of said ordinance shall be
Passed November 8, 1965
MARY STREET ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council by vote of 7 to 1 passed the following ordinance, Mr. Hughes voting ‘No’.
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MARY STREET FROM PEAR STREET TO WEST STREET.
WHEREAS, the parking of motor vehicles on certain portions of Mary Street within the limits of the City of Dover constitutes a hazard to the free flow of traffic on the aforesaid street; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council deem it in the best interests of the residents of the City of Dover and in the best interest of those individuals operating motor vehicles on the above-referred to streets to prohibit parking on certain portions of said street; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department is authorized and empowered to regulate parking by the direction of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET, that from and after the passage of this ordinance,
(1) 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 North side of Mary Street, beginning at the intersection of the northerly line of Mary Street and the easterly line of Pear Street for a distance of 375 feet, measured easterly from the beginning point along the northerly side of Mary Street.
(2) The Mayor and Council authorize and empower the Police Department of the City of Dover to enforce the provisions of this ordinance and to install any and all signs or symbols necessary for the enforcement of the aforesaid provisions of this ordinance.
(3) Any person, firm, association or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than Two Dollars ($2.00) nor more than Five Dollars ($5.00), and each day that a vehicle remains parked on the aforesaid street shall constitute a separate offense for which an additional fine shall be imposed, and in lieu of the payments of the fine or penalty as prescribed in this section shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed seven (7) days.
Passed November 8, 1965
ORDINANCE WILLIAM STREET
On motion of Mr. Massey, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ERECTION OF STOP SIGNS ON WILLIAM STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF PEAR STREET.
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 of the City of Dover in Council Met:
1. No vehicle shall enter onto Pear Street or proceed through the intersection of William Street and Pear Street without coming first to a complete stop, nor shall any individual operate a motor vehicle so as to enter onto Pear Street or proceed through the intersection of William Street and Pear Street without coming to a full stop.
2. 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 on William Street at the intersection of Pear Street as provided for 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 November 8, 1965
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp submitted a written report of a meeting of the Utility Committee held November 5, which was accepted by City Council.
ENGINEERING STUDY
The Utility Committee recommended that Dover retain the services of L. G. Smith of Baltimore, Maryland to make a study of the Electric System. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Harris, the recommendation was approved and the employment of L. G. Smith authorized.
REA LINES
The Utility Committee recommended that the City Solicitor be directed to further study and possibly negotiate the purchase of REA electric lines located within the limits of the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Massey, seconded by Mr. Walls, the recommendation was approved.
DAFB
The Utility Committee recommended that the City staff be authorized to negotiate a new contract with DAFB for sale of electric energy and to report its recommendations for approval of City Council. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith the recommendation was approved.
PLUMBING APPEALS
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Mr. William James was appointed a member of the Plumbing Appeals committee to succeed Thomas Baker, deceased.
FIRE CHIEFS
The Secretary of the Robbins Hose Company reported the following nominations to fill the positions of Fire Chiefs, with no opposition that would require an election:
Chief - William James
Deputy Chief - Robert Quillen
First Asst. Chief - Wilson Comegys
Second Asst. Chief - William Rhodes
Third Asst. Chief - Leroy Dear Sr.
DOVER SCHOOL
A letter from Dustin W. Wilson, Jr. Supt. of Dover Schools, asked Council to take over the operation and maintenance of a portion of the road leading from Walker Road to the new high school, and to operate and maintain the lighting system which will be installed on the road and around the school grounds. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walls, the request was referred to the Utility Committee for study and recommendation to Council.
STATE SEWERAGE GRANT
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council authorized filing an application for State grant for Sewerage project covering construction of sewerage facilities the cost of which the City has or will pay, and for which the City will provide proper and efficient operation and maintenance.
FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING
Mayor Carroll reported on a meeting with officials of the General Services Administration of the Federal government at which he learned their requirements of a parcel of land of at least 65,000 feet on which they proposed to construct an office building of 32,000 square feet. They desired a location within walking distance of the State complex and would talk with State and City officials separately on the exchange of such a location for the old Post Office building. Council approved a committee of Mayor Carroll, Councilman Smith, and City Manager Ward to carry on negotiations.
REASSESSMENT
Councilman Hayes pointed out the need for a general reassessment of properties within the City, last made in 1955 at a cost of $15,000. The J. M. Cleminshaw Company has recently completed a reappraisal of all properties within the County and have offered a complete reappraisal of property within the City at a cost of $11,600. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council authorized employment of the J. M. Cleminshaw Company to make a complete reappraisal of properties within the City limits at a cost of $11,600 to be completed before March 1, 1966.
Council adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of November 8, 1965 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
November 10, 1965