REGULAR MEETING
September 27, 1965
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, September 27, 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 Chaplain Miller of Dover Air Force Base.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 1965 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councilman Hayes submitted to Council a written report of a meeting of the Legislative & Finance, Wages and Hours Committee held September 20. The report was accepted.
OVERTIME POLICY
The Wages & Hours Committee had considered the present overtime policy of the City which provides that all hourly employees are paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked over 40 during any work week. The Committee recommended that the policy be amended to read ‘hours worked or earned over 40 during any work week.’ On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council approved the recommended change in policy.
PLUMBING CODE COMMITTEE
Councilman Hughes submitted to Council a written report of a meeting of the Building, Housing and Plumbing Code Committee held September 20 which met to consider revision of sections of the Plumbing Code which differed from requirements of the State Board of Health. The committee would like to meet with Mr. Harmeson of the State Board of Health before recommending changes. The report was accepted.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Councilman Walls submitted a written report of a meeting of the Safety Advisory and Parks, Playgrounds and Tree Committee held September 20. The report was accepted.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Councilman Walls discussed the need for traffic lights at the intersection of Kings Highway and U.S. Route #13. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council directed the Chief of Police to write Mr. Pusey of the State Highway Department requesting that a traffic count be made at the intersection as a preliminary to installation of traffic lights by the State.
ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING ON CERTAIN STREETS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER
WHEREAS, the parking of motor vehicles on certain portions of Forest Street, Delaware Avenue, Buck Drive, Boggs Drive, Carvel Drive and McDowell Drive, constitutes a hazard to the free flow of traffic on the streets mentioned above; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council deem it in the best interests of the residents of the City of Dover and in the best interests of those individuals operating motor vehicles on the above referred to streets to prohibit parking on certain portions of said streets.
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 those portions of the hereinafter described streets within the limits of the City of Dover:
(a) On that portion of the north side of Forest Street, beginning at the intersection of the northerly line of West Division Street and the northerly line of Forest Street to a point in the northerly line of Forest Street to a point in the northerly line of Forest Street twenty-five (25) feet west of the westerly line of Bertrand Drive;
(b) On the north side of West Division Street from a point at the intersection of the north side of West Division Street and the westerly line of Weston Drive to a point where the northerly line of West Division Street intersects the northerly line of Forest Street;
(c) On the northerly side of Delaware Avenue from a point opposite the easterly line of Maple Lane to a point where the northerly line of Delaware Avenue intersects the easterly line of Pennsylvania Avenue;
(d) On the southerly side of McDowell Drive from a point where the southwesterly side of McDowell Drive intersects with the southerly line of Carvel Drive to a point where the southerly line of McDowell Drive intersects the westerly line of Nimitz Road;
(e) On the southeasterly side of Carvel Drive from a point in the westerly line of Buckson Drive to a point in the westerly line of Nimitz Road;
(f) On the southeasterly side of Boggs Drive from a point at the intersection of the southerly side of Boggs Drive and the easterly side of Buckson Drive to a point where the northerly line of Buck Drive intersects with the northwesterly line of Boggs Drive.
(g) On the northerly side of Buck Drive from a point where the northwesterly line of Buck Drive intersects with the northerly line of Boggs Drive to a point where the northerly line of Buck Drive intersects with the northwesterly line of Boggs Drive.
The Mayor and Council authorizes and empowers 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.
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 aforementioned streets shall constitute a separate offense for which an additional fine shall be imposed, and in lieu of the payment of the fine or penalty as prescribed in this section shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed seven (7) days.
Passed September 27, 1965.
SILVER LAKE
Council discussed the draining of Silver Lake, the cleanup of the beaches and the lake bottom, and the problem of the fish, primarily the unwanted carp. Robert Graham of the State Game & Fish Commission described the effect of the great numbers of carp on the lake and the method by which they could be killed by the use of rotenone. Many tons of fish in the lake proper have been killed and disposed of, but as many more have moved into the headquarters. The Game & Fish Commission would supply the chemicals to kill the fish, but the City would have to clean up the lake and dispose of the fish. Council weighed the current nuisance of the drained lake and dead fish against possible future benefits. Council decided to go ahead with the cleanup of the lake, but within a limited period. Mr. Smith moved that the lake be refilled by November 1. Mr. Hughes moved to amend the motion and set the date for December 1, 1965, and was seconded by Mr. Massey. Council approved the amended motion.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
A letter from Morris Simon, Chairman of the Dover Housing Authority thanked Council for its cooperation. Council directed that the letter be acknowledged.
LAMIA
A letter from Edna A. Bice and Catharine S. Baxter described their experiences on a visit to Lamia, Greece and was accompanied by a letter from Apostolos Kounoupis, Mayor of Lamia.
BAKER RESOLUTION
Thomas E. Baker, City Assessor, died suddenly on September 17, 1965. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, the late Thomas E. Baker served the City of Dover in various responsible positions beginning in the year 1941 until his untimely death on the 17th day of September 1965; and
WHEREAS, the growth and progress of the City of Dover during the term of his services created many problems and difficulties which is knowledge and devotion helped solve; and
WHEREAS, during the past years Thomas E. Baker served in every office, including Chief of the Robbins Hose Company, which through the dedication of persons like Thomas E. Baker has served this Community so well;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover, on behalf of the officials, employees and residents of the City of Dover, extend to Mrs. Thomas E. Baker the deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover do hereby order and direct the City Clerk to make this Resolution part of the record of this City, to serve as an eternal reminder of the great admiration and respect which all who known Thomas E. Baker shared for him.
Adopted September 27, 1965.
The Mayor and Council stood in a moment of silent prayer in memory of Thomas E. Baker.
WATER AND SEWER BILLINGS
City Manager Ward sent to each member of Council a copy of a letter which will be sent to each water and sewer customer of the City telling of changes to be made in billing dates for sewer and water beginning with the present quarterly billing. One-third of the customers will be billed each month for what will be a three-months usage, rather than the past practice of billing all customers for three-months usage in one month, thus leveling off the work load.
GIBBS ZONING
Herman C. Brown, attorney for Kendall Gibbs, requested that portions of the Gibbs lands, recently annexed, be rezoned from R-20 to C-2 and RG-2 use. A public hearing is required prior to changing the zoning ordinance or zoning map. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution and referred the request to the Planning Commission for their recommendation.
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain lands of I. Kendall Gibbs containing approximately 15 acres are presently zoned for R-20 use, and
WHEREAS, a request has been received to change the zone designation from R-20 to C-2 and RG-2 use, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map of the City of Dover,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
That a public hearing be held at City Hall at 8:00 P.M. on October 25, 1965 on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would change from R-20 to C-2 use those lands of I. Kendall Gibbs located 60' east of lands of Roland P. Trader with a frontage of 270' on the White Oak Road and having a depth southward from the White Oak Road of 270'; and which would change the balance of approximately 15 acres of lands of I. Kendall Gibbs south of the White Oak Road, called Parcel No. 1, from R-20 to RG-2 use, these lands being immediately east of lands of Roland P. Trader, John Pleasanton and east of Nimitz Road.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted September 27, 1965.
HEALTH INSPECTOR
Councilman Hayes noted that the death of Thomas E. Baker left the office of Executive Officer of the Board of Health vacant. He recommended that the duties be assigned to Jack Roe. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council named Jack Roe to succeed Thomas E. Baker as Executive Officer of the Board of Health.
CITY ASSESSOR
Councilman Hayes discussed the need to fill without delay the office of City Assessor new vacant because of the death of Thomas E. Baker. Council referred the matter the Wages & Hours Committee to receive recommendations, review them, and report to Council at its next meeting.
Council adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of September 27, 1965 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
September 28, 1965