REGULAR MEETING
April 23, 1962
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 23, 1962 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Mowlds, Turner, Walls and Zartman.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Leroy L. Hamilton.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of April 9, 1962 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Mowlds, Council directed that City offices be opened one hour earlier and closed one hour earlier between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October, thus putting Eastern Daylight Time into effect for that period.
PRELIMINARY ELECTRIC BUDGET
A preliminary budget for the operation of the Electric Department was presented for the consideration of City Council and for the purpose of setting a date for a public hearing on the matter, in accordance with Section 505 of the Resolution dated May 9, 1960 authorizing and securing the issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council directed that a public hearing be held at 8 P.M. on Monday, June 11, 1960.
REVISED BUDGET
A revised budget for operations of the Electric Department during the current fiscal year was submitted for consideration of City Council. The revised budget had the approval of W. C. Gilman, Engineering Consultants appointed under the bond resolution of May 9, 1960.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote approved the following revised Electric Department Budget:
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The revised amounts hereinafter named, aggregating two million, four hundred nineteen thousand, five hundred ninety-eight dollars and ninety-six cents ($2,419,598.96), or so much thereof as may be necessary, are hereby appropriated from current revenues of the Electric Department, now estimated to be two million, five hundred sixty-six thousand dollars ($2,566,000.00), for the use of the several divisions of the Electric Department, and for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1961 and ending June 30, 1962 as follows:
Operation:
Production $1,412,000.00
Labor $160,000.00
Materials and Supplies 310,000.00
Purchased Power 942,000.00
Distribution 50,000.00
Labor 25,000.00
Materials and Supplies 25,000.00
Administration 125,000.00
Salaries and Wages 57,000.00
Materials and Supplies 42,000.00
Social Security and Group Insurance 8,000.00
Deposit Refunds 18,000.00
Total Operating Budget 1,587,000.00
Interest on 1960 Revenue Bonds 119,562.54
Debt Reserve on 1960 Revenue Bonds 23,912.67
Electric Improvement Fund 175,000.00
Principal & Interest on General Obligations Bonds 64,123.75
City of Dover General Fund 450,000.00
Total Appropriation $2,419,598.96
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized, without further approval of City Council, to make interdivisional transfers up to 10% of the amount herein appropriated to any division, except that the amounts herein appropriated for interest and debt reserve on 1960 Revenue Bonds and for the Electric Improvement Fund may not be decreased.
Passed April 23, 1962
SIDEWALKS
The City Manager presented to City Council drawings outlining two area within the City of Dover in which it is proposed that sidewalks be installed. The projects are numbered 17A in South Dover and 17B in north Dover. Under the Charter, Council may determine that the installation or repair of sidewalks is required and then direct property owners to proceed to install or repair sidewalks. On Council’s order, the City Manager would give at least fifteen days notice in writing to the property owners. The Building Inspector, some months ago, completed a survey of the City to determine where sidewalks are lacking, or are in need of repair. Copies of this survey were again given to members of Council. It was decided to postpone action on the sidewalks until the survey could be studied.
AMBACH BILL
Max Ambach appeared before City Council to discuss a bill rendered to him by the City in the amount of approximately $1000 for relocation of an electric line at the Rodney Village Shopping Center. The account is several years old. City Solicitor Buckson explained to Council that legal motion had been taken in the name of the City and a judgement given in its favor some time ago. City Manager Ward explained that the bill covered the cost to the City of removing an electric line built in a right-of-way established by Dover Builders in the Rodney Village area where they proposed to erect houses. Mr. Ambach purchased the plot after the line was built where the original line was built. A line to serve the center was built in the rear of the center buildings. No charge was made for this construction. Mr. Ambach said he did not believe the amount of the bill was just. He felt that in view of the amount of business the City derived from the shopping center for electricity, it should bear the expense of relocating the line. Council tabled the discussion until more information could be obtained.
AMBACH SEWER AND WATER
Max Ambach asked the City to extend sewer and water to an apartment house which he proposes to build at south Governors Avenue and Webbs Lane. Council determined from the City Manager that sewer and water facilities were available and adequate. On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council authorized extension of City sewer and water to Mr. Ambach’s proposed apartment house at current City tapping rates and requirements. Twenty-five apartment units are included in the proposed project.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utility Committee reported it had held a joint meeting with the Legislative & Finance Committee on Friday, April 20. The committees discussed the preliminary report of Albright & Friel on their study of annexation of the area east of Dover. The committees recommended a further meeting with a representative of the East Dover group and a representative of Albright & Friel. They also suggested a study if a possible sewer service charge to tax exempt sewer users within the City.
The Utility Committee recommended that electric lines on Minor Street be placed underground.
The Utility Committee recommended that Townsend Brothers be permitted to tap City water on U.S. 13 for the purpose of installing a sprinkler system in its new building, providing Dover Builders waives its tapping fee.
On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the report and recommendations of the committee were accepted and approved.
TOWNSEND WATER
On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized Townsend Brothers to tap City water for its house service in accordance with City rates and specifications.
TOW-AWAY ORDINANCE
Council discussed the provisions to be contained in a proposed tow-away ordinance and the Chief of Police explained their necessity. The City Solicitor will prepare the ordinance to contain the provisions discussed.
Parking Meters
Chief Turner reported to Council that parking meters in truck loading zones confused parkers. He recommended the meters be removed. On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council approved the recommendation.
Council adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of April 23, 1962 are hereby approved.
April 25, 1962 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor
City Council, sitting as the LPA for Urban Renewal, then went into session with all members present and Mayor Carroll presiding.
A resolution was considered authorizing the filing of an application for Federal Loan and Grant for the Dover Green-West Project, Del-R-2. City Solicitor Buckson stated his opinion that passage of the Resolution would not bind the Council of the City of Dover to proceed with the project. It was explained that this Part I of the Dover Green-West Plan submitted with the resolution is subject to Federal approval, which is primarily concerned with whether the plan meets the requirements of Federal regulations. Following this approval, submission of Part II of the project is required, and a public hearing held by City Council, acting as the governing body of the City, prior to approval or disapproval of the project by the Council. Several Councilmen stated that they had been asked questions by individual citizens which they were unable to answer. Uncertainty of business investment was discussed. They believed a public hearing should be held before the resolution is submitted, whether or not the resolution bound the City.
Councilman Hill, seconded by Mr. Holpp, moved for adoption of the Resolution with the understanding that it did not finally commit the Council to the project, and with the further provision that a public information meeting of Urban Renewal be held in the auditorium of the high school as soon as possible with all available data, including the report that Council will be required to hold another public hearing before they finally approve or disapprove the project. Councilmen Hill, Holpp and Turner voted ‘Yes’, Councilmen Hayes, Hughes, Mowlds, Walls and Zartman voted ‘No’. The motion was defeated.
Mayor Carroll expressed his disappointment and asked Council to set an early date for a public information meeting. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Mowlds, Council as the LPA directed that a public information meeting be arranged in the auditorium of the public high school for the evening of May 2, 1962.
Council as the LPA adjourned at 11:35 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk