REGULAR MEETING
January 13, 1964
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 13, 1964 at 7:30 P.M. with Vice Mayor Hayes presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meetings of December 23, 1963 and January 8, 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 as read. Checks in the amounts of $1437.00, $220.00 and $135.50 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $705.20 was remitted to the City.
Annual report of the Fire Marshal, Building Inspector and Fire Chief 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 Reports, Electric Revenue and Electric Improvement Funds were accepted as read.
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The Municipal Election to fill the offices of Mayor and four members of Council will be held on Monday, January 20, 1964. Alderman Cavanaugh and Councilmen Biggs and Holpp were appointed election officials, with Councilmen Harris and Smith as alternates.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council authorized the employment of such election clerks as are needed.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council authorized the use of the Bank of Delaware building, formerly a book shop, as the place of the election.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council authorized the printing of 2000 sample ballots. Mr. Hill voted ‘No’.
On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution providing for the use of voting machines:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED THE USE OF VOTING MACHINES IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 20th DAY OF JANUARY 1964 AND FO REACH REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION THEREAFTER.
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Delaware enacted appropriate legislation authorizing the City of Dover to utilize the voting machines now in the custody of the Kent County Board of Election, and
WHEREAS, The City of Dover deems it advisable and in the best interest of the City of Dover to utilize the County voting machines for purposes of the regular municipal elections to be held in the City of Dover:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover hereby authorize the use of voting machines pursuant to appropriate legislation of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, and further that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and empowered by the Mayor and Council to take any and all necessary steps to procure the said voting machines and to locate same in such places as are required by the Charter of the City of Dover for municipal elections.
2. That in connection with the use of the said machines the City of Dover hereby resolves to assume cost necessary for utilizing the said voting machines.
Adopted January 13, 1964.
ZONING REQUEST AND HEARING
The Mid Del Realty Company requested Council to rezone a plot of approximately 1.5 acres on the Whiteoak Road from its present residential zone to Neighborhood Commercial, C-1. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution providing for a public hearing on the request.
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 containing approximately 1.5 acres, located south of Whiteoak Road and east of Mitscher Road is presently zoned for residential use, R-8, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-8 to Neighborhood Commercial, C-1, 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 IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall, at 9:00 P.M. on February 10, 1964 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-8 to C-1 use the following described area in the City of Dover:
All that area beginning at a corner for the east right of way line of Mitscher Road and the south right of way line of White Oak Road, thence eastward a distance of 447.7' with the south right of way line of White Oak Road to lands of I. Kendall Gibbs, thence south with lands of Gibbs a distance of 150' to a corner for lands of John Pleasanton, thence west and north with lands of John Pleasanton to the east right of way line of Mitscher Road, thence with said east right of way line of Mitscher Road north to the place of beginning, containing approximately 1.5 acres and being the lands of Mid Del Realty Company.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted January 13, 1964
Mayor Carroll appeared at the meeting and assumed the Chair.
SEWER AND WATER AGREEMENTS
City Solicitor Buckson reported that agreements were ready for signing between P&B Builders and the City of Dover relating to sharing the cost of a sewage pumping station to be built on the White Oak Farm development; and between Manor Park, developers of Towne Point development, and the City under which that develop will advance to the City the sums needed to construct sewer and water lines through White Oak Farm development to Towne Point development with the City promising to repay at no interest within two years. The agreement under which P&B would reimburse the City the greater portion of the latter costs was not yet prepared. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, approval of signing any of the agreements was postponed until all agreements are prepared and known. The Council wanted assurance that the City’s interests were protected.
SOCKUM REQUEST
Mrs. Lillian Sockum asked Council to curb and pave an extension of Slaughter Street which passes her property, that a street or area be named Sockum in recognition of her contributions to Dover, and that the sewer system in North Street be improved. Council considered holding a pubic hearing on installation of curb and paving of streets with costs to be assessed to property owners but postponed the action until more information is obtained. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hill, the City Engineer was requested to prepare preliminary plans for improvement of the area together with estimate of cost.
USO
A letter from Mr. William M. Gourlay, Regional Executive of the USO discussed the need for finding a new location in Dover for that establishment in Dover and the probable need for funds. He suggested the appointment of a special committee, with the assistance of Miss Prescott, their local director, to assist in solving the problem. Mayor Carroll appointed Councilman Harris as representative of the City on the committee.
POWER CONTRACT
Mayor Carroll and City Manager Ward reported to Council on the results of the trip to Washington made by them today to obtain approval from the Federal Power Commission of the proposed contract for emergency power between the City and DP&L. Representatives of the power company were present for the same purpose. Representatives of the City and the Company were told that the agreement would be studied, with no action taken for at least two weeks, but that in the meantime the physical facilities for the emergency tie could be put in place so that the service would be available if needed.
GREEK DINNER
Mayor Carroll stated that a Greek dinner would be served at the Rendezvous Restaurant in Rodney Village on Sunday, January 19, to which the Council were invited by the local offices of the sister city program, which ties Dover and Lamia, Greece. He will have Councilmen notified of the time during this week.
SOLICITOR
City Solicitor Buckson informed Council that the Scull condemnation trial had been rescheduled for hearing February 5 and 6, and that the time for filing briefs on the Ross Street case had been extended for two weeks.
Council adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 13, 1964 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
January 14, 1964