REGULAR MEETING
February 10, 1964
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 10, 1964 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. He announced that this was the time for the annual organizational meeting at which the new Mayor and Council were sworn in. Holdover members of Council present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Holpp and Smith.
The invocation was said by Rev. William Hemphill.
William J. Storey, Associate Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware swore into office for two year terms the following:
Crawford J. Carroll, Mayor
Randolph Hughes, Councilman, First District
Julian Massey, Councilman, Second District
Carleton Walls, Councilman, Third District
William A. Hayes, Councilman, Fourth District
Mayor Carroll addressed the Council and the audience on past accomplishments and his hopes for the future of Dover. Following his talk, Mayor Carroll presented enameled plaques of the City of Dover seal to the four former Mayors of Dover in appreciation for their services to the community. Acceptances were made by Mrs. Evelyn Woodford on behalf of former Mayor Wallace W. Woodford, and by former Mayors J. Osborne Willis, William J. Storey and W. Edward Haman.
Following the presentations a recess was called during which refreshments were served.
When called to order, Council again recessed for a caucus, following which the Council again were called to order to conduct business.
ORGANIZATION
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Smith, Councilman Hayes was elected Vice Mayor for the coming year.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Massey, Francis Neylan was elected City Clerk and City Treasurer.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, William J. Cavanaugh was elected City Alderman.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, election of a Deputy Alderman was deferred.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walls, David P. Buckson was elected City Solicitor.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, election of a Deputy Solicitor was deferred.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of January 27, 1964 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council approved the number of members of the Police Department as are presently authorized, and their salaries as provided in the approved salary schedule.
COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
With the approval of City Council, Mayor Carroll made the following appointments:
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND TREE COMMITTEE: Councilman Walls, chairman, Councilmen Smith and Massey, James C. Hardcastle, and Mrs. Sara Hastings.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Councilman Walls, chairman and Councilmen Smith and Massey
WAGES, HOURS, LEGISLATIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE: Councilman Hayes, Chairman, Councilmen Biggs and Hughes.
BUILDING, HOUSING AND PLUMBING CODE COMMITTEE: Councilman Hughes, Chairman, Councilmen Biggs and Hayes.
UTILITY COMMITTEE: Councilman Holpp, Chairman, Councilmen Harris & Biggs, and Mayor Carroll.
ZONING COMMISSION: Ralph Tischer, to fill the unexpired term of Alvin L. Leisey
PLANNING COMMISSION: Francis Turner, Albert Holmes and Judge William J. Storey reappointed for three year terms expiring February 28, 1967.
DOVER PARKING AUTHORITY: Appointment to fill the unexpired term of Lester W. Novinger was deferred.
REPORTS
Annual report of the Chief of Police and report for January, 1964 was accepted as read.
Report of the Alderman Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $46.50, $942.00 and $287.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $888.85 and $28.50 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of the Board of Health was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts General Fund was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp submitted a written report of a Utility Committee meeting held February 4. Following discussion the report was accepted.
ZONING HEARING
A public hearing was duly advertised for this date on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Map which would rezone a plot on the White Oak Road from R-9 to C-1. The proposal had also been referred to the Planning Commission for their recommendation. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. The Planning Commission recommend that the C-1 zoning be accepted subject to the acquisition of right of way for the extension of Spruance Street through the area. A letter from the Chairman of the Planning Commission further recommended that an effort be made to secure 20 feet of right of way for the possible future widening of White Oak Road. A petition was presented to Council signed by some property owners and other residents objecting to rezoning the plot. I. Kendall Gibbs spoke for the petitioners. They objected to the uses which would be permitted int eh proposed zoning, the extra traffic it would generate and pointed out that an area to the west was already zoned for commercial use. Mr. Nate Cohen spoke for Mid Del Realty Co. who requested the rezoning. He pointed out that many of the petitioners were neither property owners in the immediate vicinity, nor residents of the City. The City line adjoins the area proposed for rezoning. He also noted that the proposed rezoning would result in an upgrading of the area and would serve as a buffer between existing low grade housing and a higher grade residential development which was under construction to the north of the White Oak Road. City officials checked the signers of the petition and determined that the names of a minimum of 20% of adjoining property owners did not appear.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council deferred action on the proposed amending to the zoning map until members of Council could personally view the area. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Harris, the request for an additional 20 feet of right of way on White Oak Road was referred back to the Planning Commission.
CONTRACT 15
Bids were received on February 3 on Contract 15, Construction of Secondary Treatment facilities at the Sewage Disposal Plant. Low bid was received from James Julian, $1,335,152, with the next lower bid being received from Ross Construction Co., $1,345,700. A claim was received from Ross Construction Co. that a defect existed in the bid of Julian. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, action on the award was deferred until more information was received on the matter.
MAYOR’S RECEPTION
Mayor Carroll announced that members of Council and their wives were invited to participate in the Mayor’s Reception to be held at 1:30 P.M., May 3, 1964 in the rotunda of the Old State House as a part of Old Dover Days.
IMPACT FUNDS
Information has been received that the City of Dover is eligible for an additional grant of Federal funds toward the cost of the approved project of sewage treatment improvements. The grant would be based on the number of military or civilian personnel connected with the Dover Air Force Base who are served by Dover’s sewer system, and is part of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The sum would be in addition to a maximum Federal HEW grant of $600,000 already approved, and is the result of the State Water Pollution Commission having Federal funds allocated which were not obligated during the last fiscal year for approved projects. To obtain such funds as are available Dover must submit a formal request.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING OF A REQUEST WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, FOR AN ADDITIONAL GRANT UNDER THE FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT (33 U.S.C. 466, et seq., as amended) BECAUSE OF FEDERAL IMPACT.
WHEREAS, under the terms of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C., 466 et seq., as amended) the United States of America has authorized the making of additional grants to applicants to assist in the construction of projects, the need for which is due in part to Federal institutions or Federal construction activity:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That Crawford J. Carroll, Mayor, be and he is hereby authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of The City of Dover, Delaware with the Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, for an additional grant to aid in the construction of project WPC-Del-19.
2. That Crawford J. Carroll, Mayor, be and he is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the Public Health Service may reasonably request in connection with the application which is herein authorized to be filed, and sign all necessary documents.
Adopted February 10, 1964
HEART BANNER
Mary B. Reed, Dover Chairman of the Delaware Heart Fund, requested permission to erect a banner across Loockerman Street. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the request was approved provided she secures approval from the owners of buildings to which it will be attached.
MANOR PARK & P&B AGREEMENTS
Agreements were presented to council between Manor Park, developers of Towne Point, and the City of Dover under which the developer would advance money to the City to pay the cost of sewer and water mains constructed to that development from White Oak Road through the White Oak Farms development of P&B Builders, and between Manor Park, P&B Builders and the City of Dover under which the developers would pay the City up a maximum of $100 for each lot served by a sewage pumping station which the City of building. The money advanced by Manor Park will be without interest and is to be repaid within two years. Most of the amount to be repaid will come from P&B Builders with whom another agreement had been prepared but which was not available at this meeting. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council authorized completion by the City of both agreements presented.
Council adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 10, 1964 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
February 12, 1964