REGULAR MEETING
May 18, 1964
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 18, 1964 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Massey, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of April 27, 1964 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of the Alderman Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $1493.20 and $202.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $570.10 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal & Building Inspector was accepted as read.
Report of the Board of Health was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, was accepted as read.
Budget Report General Fund was accepted as read.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund, was accepted as read.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund was accepted as read.
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
Council discussed the employment of engineering consultants in compliance with the electric revenue bond resolution to replace the W.C. Gilman Company. City Manager Ward reported that the bond underwriters and the Trustee had been notified of a contemplated change and approval in writing had been received from the Trustee.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER APPOINTING GILBERT ASSOCIATES, INC. AS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS FOR THE ELECTRIC REVENUE PLANT.
WHEREAS, Section 705 of a Resolution of the City of Dover, Delaware, adopted May 9, 1960, authorizing and securing electric revenue bonds, requires the City to employ an independent engineering firm for the purpose of performing and carrying out the duties imposed on the engineering consultants by the aforesaid Resolution, and
WHEREAS, Gilbert Associates, Inc., Engineers and Consultants, 200 Park Avenue, New York, has submitted a proposal to act as engineering consultants pursuant to the terms of the said Resolution and the terms and conditions of the said proposal being more particularly set forth in letter dated May 4, 1964, addressed to the Mayor and the City Council, City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, Section 705 of the said Resolution required the City to secure written approval of the Trustee before employing any engineering consultants, which said written approval has been secured, and
WHEREAS, the City is required to mail notice of proposed employment of engineering consultants to the principal underwriters at least ten (10) days before such employment which said notice has been duly mailed;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the firm of Gilbert Associates, Inc. be and is hereby employed as engineering consultants for the Electric Revenue Plant of the City of Dover pursuant to Section 705 of a Resolution adopted May 9, 1960, authorizing and securing electric revenue bonds, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the employment of Gilbert Associates, Inc. is subject to the terms and conditions of the proposal as set forth in letter dated May 4, 1964, addressed to the Mayor and City Council, City of Dover, Delaware, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the services of W.C. Gilman & Co. formerly employed as engineering consultants for the Electric Revenue Plant of the City of Dover be and is hereby terminated.
Adopted May 18, 1964
DAFB CONTRACT
City Manager Ward reported on negotiations being held with Dover Air Force Base on a new contract for furnishing electric service. They have been offered the rate applying to customers with demands of 5500 KW or greater and have indicated a desire for a lower rate. The present contract expires in September and a new permanent contract should be negotiated by then. In the meantime they will accept, effective June 1, the rate offered as an amendment to the present contract. To make the offer possible, the City must enter into a new agreement with DP&L and it appears that the conditions attached to the offer of Schedule 7 by that company for Air Base use, would make that rate less desirable to the City than the resale schedule No. 1. City Manager Ward proposes to make the temporary agreement with power being purchased by Dover under the resale schedule. Before completing a permanent agreement Mr. Ward proposes to seek advice and information by consulting with APPA and similar sources. Council agreed with the proposals.
EDGEHILL ZONING CHANGE
Gerald Mayan, Manager of Edgehill Pharmacy, requested Council to change the zoning designation on the property at 641 E. Division Street from R-8 to RG-2 in order to permit conversion of the property for use as an office for doctors and dentists. A public hearing will be required prior to making any change.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF 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, a certain area located at the northwest intersection of E. Division Street and Edgehill Avenue in the City of Dover is presently zoned for residential use, R-8, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-8 to RG-2, General Residence Zone, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall, at 8:00 P.M., on June 22, 1964 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-8 to RG-2 use that property located at 641 E. Division Street with a plot measuring approximately 140' x 170'.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted May 18, 1964.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Holpp submitted a written report of a meeting of the Utility Committee held May 5, 1964. Council accepted the report.
Council Holpp submitted a written report of a meeting of the Committee considering the revision of subdivision regulations which report contained recommendation from John Cahalan, Assistant Engineer of New Castle County. The Committee will meet again before a final report is made.
HOLDEN DEVELOPMENT
William Holden, through his attorney, James Hughes, requested Council to consider the extension of sewer and water to his development in west Dover under some other requirements than those in the Land Subdivision Regulations. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was referred to the Utility Committee.
PARKING AUTHORITY
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote approved the Mayor’s appointment of Ralph Lord as a member of the Dover Parking Authority to succeed Lester W. Novinger for a term which expires June 30, 1968.
SOLICITOR REPORT
City Solicitor Buckson reported that the hearing on the Scull condemnation would be held June 9, 1964.
Mr. Buckson also reported that all briefs have been filed in the Ross Street case and a decision of the Court is being awaited.
Councilman Hayes requested the Solicitor to determine whether any law exists which prohibits Sunday work, citing recent instances where construction and painting of buildings were carried on in downtown Dover during church hours.
TIMES AD
Mayor Carroll reported that Governor Carvel had called him and asked whether the City of Dover would participate in a State promotional program in the New York Times by taking an advertisement in a special edition. Costs range up to $35,000 for a full page. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council decided not to participate.
PLANNING CONFERENCE
A planning conference will be held in Rehobeth Beach on May 22 and 23 and City officials are invited to attend. Members of Council who wish to attend will notify the City Clerk.
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
The American Legion will hold Memorial Day ceremonies at the Memorial Plot on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 A.M. Council authorized City participation and sending a wreath. Mayor Carroll will represent the City.
SILVER LAKE USE
The 12th garde Sunday School Class of Wesley Methodist Church requested permission to use the Silver Lake recreation area on Sunday, May 24, from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. to cook breakfast and hold class. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was approved.
PLUMBING CODE
A proposed plumbing code has been circulated to members of Council and will be considered for adoption at a later meeting.
CONDEMNATION
Building Inspector Roe has a list of houses which he proposes to post as substandard and unfit for human habitation. City Solicitor Buckson advised against such action and suggested the building inspector begin with vacant houses listing substandard conditions and prohibiting occupancy until repairs are made. Councilman Hayes suggested that the provisions of the Housing Code of the City might be used rather than provisions of the ordinance declaring housing unfit because of fire hazard, safety or health reasons.
Council discussed the cutting of grass and weeds with Health Inspector Baker.
Council adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 18, 1964 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
May 20, 1964