REGULAR MEETING
April 8, 1963
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 8, 1963 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of March 25, 1963 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Mrs. Shockley submitted the final report of the former Alderman Shockley. Parking fines in the amount of $166 were collected. Report of Magistrate Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $512.50 and $21.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted. A check in the amount of $861.10 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted as read.
Report of the Board of Health was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts was accepted as read.
Budget Report, General Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund, was accepted.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read, including a report of delinquent electric, water and sewer accounts. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the water in houses formerly owned by Collins Realty in Capital Green be disconnected until delinquent water and sewer accounts are paid.
CONTRACT #5
Bids have been received for the construction of a pumping station and force main in the General Foods area in Hazlettville Road. The apparent low bidder is Wm. B. Mitten and Sons for a total price of $65,419.50. This item is part of a project for which a grant had been received from the U.S. Public Health Service and for which application had been made for an Accelerated Public Works grant. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized award of the contract to the lowest bidder approved by the U.S. Public Health Service.
TEMPORARY ROAD
Bids have been obtained for construction of a temporary road between the Hartly Road and the Hazlettville Road across properties of William Holden, the Dover Housing Authority, and Walker Mifflin. The City Solicitor has completed agreements with the property owners. The low bidder on the road is Edgell Construction Co. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized award of the contract for construction of the temporary road to Edgell Construction Co. on their bid of $8003. For use of the land a nominal fee of $1 will be paid to William Holden and the Dover Housing Authority, and $1500 to Walker Mifflin.
STREET SWEEPER
City Manager Ward reported that prices had been obtained from three firms for rental of a new street sweeper for a two year period. The low price was obtained from Thruway Equipment Co. who will rent an Elgin sweeper for a period of two years for a monthly rental of $310. They will be responsible for repairs and maintenance, with the exception of brooms, shoes, gasoline and oil, and will replace the machine with a new one at the end of the two years if the City desires to continue the agreement. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council authorized rental of the sweeper from Thruway of their price of $310 per month for a two year period. Mr. Hughes voted ‘No’.
HOSPITAL CURB
The Kent General Hospital requested permission of City Council to remove 40 feet of curb on Hope Street to provide entrance to a parking lot on the hospital grounds. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hill, Council authorized the curb depression on Hope Street, subject to approval of the parking lot by the Planning Commission.
COOPER CURB
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council approved the application of Charles Cooper for a 16 foot curb depression for a driveway at 627 W. Division Street.
DIVISION STREET SUBSTATION
City Manager Ward submitted to City Council a written report in a substation construction at Division and Kirkwood Streets.
TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Councilman Hill reported that the committee on tax assessment appeals would make their recommendations at the next meeting of City Council.
Mayor Carroll declared the meeting open to anyone present who wished to appeal a tax assessment. City Assessor Baker reported he had received a letter from Thomas W. Reed Jr. requesting a reduction in the $11,600 assessment of his property at 728 N. Governors Avenue.
No other appeals were made.
Action on the appeals was deferred by Council until its next meeting.
TAX RATE
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council set the tax rate for the year 1963 at 90¢ per $100 of assessment.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
Councilman Holpp submitted to Council a written report of the Utility Committee meeting held on April 1. Councilman Hughes questioned the right of the Utility Committee to authorize the employment of A. L. Penniman Jr. to make ceratin studies and recommendations on the operation of the power plant, without approval of the Council. He stated it appeared that the committee was composed of members who favored the operation of the power plant and who withheld from the full Council, whose duty it was to operate it, information concerning the plant. He stated he opposed construction of the plant before it was built, but now that it was built was concerned only with its efficient operation. He pointed to the Harvey Colgin affair as an example of lack of information, objected to the City Manager informing Colgin that Council had accepted his resignation when Council had not and had been advised that only the City Manager could do so, and pointed to a recent memorandum from the City Manager which seemed to indicate that everyone was aware of certain shortcomings of Colgin, except Council. He stated he would take part in no more closed or secret meetings, including the pre-meeting caucuses which he had originally proposed with the idea of speeding up Council meetings, since business other than that on the agenda was sometimes handled there without being made public. He stated he would resign if he could not carry out his duties as a Councilman should. Councilman Holpp stated that the Utility Committee had kept the Council informed and did not withhold information concerning the power plant, or Harvey Colgin. Councilman Harris stated he agreed with much of what Mr. Hughes said, but did not agree with his opinion of members of the Utility Committee, on which he served. Councilman Hill pointed out that the Council controlled only the four or five positions authorized by the City Charter, and that Council was aware that only the City Manager could hire, fire or accept resignations of all other City employees such as Mr. Colgin.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hill, the report of the Utility Committee was accepted. Mr. Hughes voted ‘No’.
ORDINANCES
Councilman Hill reported that an ordinance to control parking for the purpose of sweeping streets in the Edgehill section was not needed, as most sweeping would be done in daytime when there us very little parking on the streets.
Consideration of an ordinance to limit parking in Edgehill and Edgehill Acres to the north and east sides of streets was deferred until the ordinance is redrafted to name specific streets.
Copies of a proposed towing ordinance requested by the Chief of Police will be mailed to members of Council by the Solicitor for their consideration.
DAYLIGHT SAVING
On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council directed that Daylight Saving time be observed in the City of Dover from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
SCULL PROPERTY
City Solicitor Buckson reported he had contacted Mrs. Scull and her attorney, Max Terry, regarding the land required by the City for extension of its disposal facilities. He was informed this evening that Mrs. Scull did not desire to negotiate the sale, saying the plant would be too close to her home. The Solicitor had been authorized to proceed to secure the land by whatever action was necessary, including condemnation. Mrs. Scull is aware of this. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Biggs, the Solicitor was authorized to deposit with the court in condemnation proceedings, the appraised value of the land, $50 per acre.
DIVISION STREET ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING ON PARTS OF DIVISION STREET AND QUEEN STREET
WHEREAS, certain areas of Division and Queen Streets are causing congestion in the traffic pattern due to the parking of motor vehicles on sections of the said streets, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council deem it in the best interests of the residents of the City of Dover to prohibit parking on these portions of Division Street and Queen Street.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council 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 be parked, any motor vehicle for a period of more than two hours between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. daily except Sundays and holidays on either side of Division Street between Bradford Street and Queen Street and on either side of Queen Street between Loockerman Street and North Street.
2. The Police Department of the City of Dover shall have the full responsibility of enforcing the provisions of this ordinance.
3. Any person, firm, association or corporation violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be fined less than Two ($2.00) Dollars nor more than Five ($5.00) Dollars and each day a motor vehicle remains parked on the said streets it shall constitute a separate offense for which an additional fine shall be imposed.
Passed April 8, 1963.
CHARTERS AMENDMENTS
City Solicitor Buckson reported that the proposed Charter amendments approved by City Council have been prepared as legislation to be submitted to the State Legislature.
SEWER AND WATER HEARINGS
Council considered the matter of setting dates for public hearings on the question of installing sewer and water lines in areas recently annexed to the City, Eastover Hills, Edgehill, and Edgehill Acres. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council directed that a public hearing be held to determine whether property owners in the areas oppose the installation of sewer and water lines, at the Council meeting of April 22, 1963, and that notice of the hearing be given.
NOTICES
The Dover Public Library is being given an award of $1500 by the Book of the Month Club, Sunday, April 21, 1963 at 3 P.M. The Mayor and members of Council are invited to attend the ceremony.
Mrs. Clara Farrow of the Friends of Old Dover reminded the Mayor and Council of the reception in connection with old Dover Days to be held in the Old State House, Sunday May 5, at 1:30 P.M. The Mayor and members of Council are asked to inform the City Manager’s secretary of who will attend.
JAY CEES
The Dover Hay Cees requested permission of Council to negotiate for the use of the former Hinkle building, owned by the City. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Hayes, The Jay Cees were requested to confer with Messrs Roe & Wood, who will report back to Council their findings.
AIR CONDITIONING
Councilman Hill moved that the City Manager secure prices for installation of window air conditioning in the Council room. There was no second. Councilman Hayes pointed out that the City Manager was authorized to secure prices for air conditioning the entire building about a year ago.
TANK DAMAGE
Pictures were shown to Council of curbs and streets damaged by tanks of the National Guard and were read a letter which the Mayor proposes to send to a State official of ask that the condition be corrected. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that a letter be send to the Adjutant General asking that the condition be corrected.
PARKING AUTHORITY
The Dover Parking Authority desires to meet with City Council to discuss its future plans. The Council will meet with the Authority on Friday, April 19, at 8:00 P.M.
LOTUS STREET ALLEY
Councilman Harris asked about opening a dedicated alley which is south of Lotus Street and east of Orchard Avenue. On the advise of the City Solicitor, the City Engineer will check to determine how the alley was acquired so that it can be decided whether a public hearing will be required to open the alley. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the City Engineer was requested to determine the cost to the City of opening the alley.
Council adjourned at 11:35 P.M.
F. P. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of April 8, 1963 are hereby approved.
April 10, 1963 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor