REGULAR MEETING

February 12, 1962

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 12, 1962 and was opened by Mayor Haman. Holdover Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Holpp, Turner and Zartman.

The invocation was given by Rev. John Trader of Wesley Church.

Mayor Haman spoke briefly of his experience as Mayor during the past ten years and thanked City officials members of Council, the Robbins Hose Company and members of the press for their cooperation.

Judge William J. Storey administered the oath of office for two-year terms to the following Councilmen: First District, Randolph Hughes; Second District, Carleton Walls; Third District, George D. Hill Jr.; Fourth District, William A. Hayes.

Mayor Haman presented to Harry C. MCSherry a letter and a gift from the Mayor and Council in appreciation of his long service to the community as a member of the press.

Crawford J. Carroll submitted to the Council a letter in which he resigned his office as Councilman from the First District.

Judge William J. Storey administered the oath of office for a two year term as Mayor to Crawford J. Carroll.

Mayor Haman turned over the gavel of presiding officer to Mayor Carroll.

Mayor Carroll presented to Mayor Haman on behalf of the City a gavel inscribed with the term of service of Mayor Haman.

Mayor Carroll spoke briefly of his hope for future accomplishment in City affairs including the goal of improved employee relations.

Mayor Carroll announced the first order of business to be the election of a Councilman to fill the vacancy resulting from his resignation.

Councilman Hayes, seconded by Councilman Zartman, nominated W. Lyle Mowlds for the office of Councilman from the First District to fill the unexpired term of one year. No other nominations being received, the motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Walls, the nominations were closed. On the question of electing W. Lyle Mowlds as Councilman for the first District, the roll was called and all present voted ‘Yes’. Mayor Carroll declared W. Lyle Mowlds elected to the office.

The meeting was recessed.

Mayor Carroll again called the meeting to order.

W. Lyle Mowlds appeared in the Council Chambers, and Judge William J. Storey administered the oath of office as Councilman for the First District.

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of January 22, 1962 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Council elected the following officers for a one year term:

            Vice Mayor                -          Paul E. Zartman, unanimously

            City Clerk                   -          F. P. Neylan, unanimously

            City Treasurer             -          F. P. Neylan, unanimously

            City Alderman            -          George K. Shockley, Councilman Hughes voted ‘No’.

            City Solicitor              -          David P. Buckson, unanimously

POLICE DEPARTMENT

On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council fixed the number of police at that now authorized and their salaries as presently scheduled.

REPORTS

Report of Alderman Shockley for January was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $55.50 and $174.00 were remitted to the City. The annual report of Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. Report of Magistrate Ralph D. Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $310.20 was remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate William J. Cavanaugh was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $976.10 was remitted to the City.

On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed that the proper State officials be contacted to determine whether the City Alderman can be appointed a Justice of the Peace with the understanding that only City cases would be brought before him for trial. Councilman Hughes voted ‘No’.

Report of the Chief of Police for January and for the year 1961 was accepted as read.

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 for January was accepted as read.

Report of General Fund Budget for December was accepted as read.

Report of Electric Revenue Fund and Electric Improvement Cash receipts and expenditures for January was accepted as read.

Report of Electric Department Operations was accepted as read.

Report of the Park & Playground Committee was accepted as read.

URBAN RENEWAL

Myron Lamb, Redevelopment Director, reported that he was ready to negotiate with Raymond & May and Hanby, Patterson & Schwartz for additional work on the urban renewal project which would require modifications of their contracts. Estimated additional costs are $3500 to Raymond & May and $750 to Hanby. The Federal Government had given tentative approval but details are to be negotiated prior to Council approval of a resolution modifying the contracts. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized Mr. Lamb to proceed with negotiations.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.

CITY HALL RENOVATION

City Manager Ward discussed renovation of the second floor of City Hall. He gave estimates of $1000 for plaster and paint, and $1500 for repairs to the floor. He presented a sketch of suggested alterations and requested comments of Council. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved appointment of a committee consisting of the City Manager and two Councilmen to study and recommend alterations to be made. Mayor Carroll appointed Councilmen Zartman and Hill to the committee.

PAINTING WATER TOWER

City Manager Ward reported bids had been obtained for painting the Bayard Avenue water tower as follows: I. K. Stoltzfus, $3875; George Elliot, $4150. Mr. Ward recommended acceptance of the low bid. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council approved award of the contract to I. K. Stoltzfus.

ALBRIGHT & FRIEL

A proposal has been received from the engineering firm of Albright & Friel under which they propose an engineering study of sewer and water requirements in areas which might be designated for annexation. The study would be done on a per diem basis with the basic proposal estimated to cost $3500. A more extended study which would include among other things an estimate of property tax revenue would cost an estimated total of $6000. Council discussed the proposal in detail. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council accepted the proposal including all items at the estimated cost of $6000. Estimated time of completing the study is six months.

ZONING AMENDMENT HEARING

A proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was duly advertised for hearing this date in accordance with Article XI of the Zoning Ordinance passed November 27, 1961. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. No one was present to speak for or against the proposed amendment.

On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote passed the following amendment to the Zoning Ordinance:

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance of The City of Dover adopted November 27, 1961, provided that those lands and premises owned by the Masonic Temple, the Kent General Hospital and Dr. Robert Fox, located east of Governors Avenue, bounded on the north by South Street and bounded on the south by Hope Street, were zoned as C-3 designated as a service commercial zone, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section XI of the Zoning Ordinance of The City of Dover petition was made to the Planning Commission on January 9, 1962, requesting that the area referred to above zoned as C-3 be changed so as to be rezoned I-0, being designated as an installation and office zone, and

WHEREAS, the City Council at its meeting held in City Hall, Dover, Delaware, on February 12, 1962, held a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance in regard to the lands and premises referred to above, and

WHEREAS, no opposition was heard at the said meeting of the Mayor and Council held on February 12, 1962,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover in Council met that the Zoning Ordinance be amended by rezoning those lands and premises described above as I-0, and that the official zoning map of The City of Dover be revised so as to show in detail the action taken to rezone the aforesaid lands and premises as I-0.

Passed February 12, 1962.

SALARY FIRE MARSHAL AND BUILDING INSPECTOR

Councilman Hayes, Chairman, reported that the Wages & Hours Committee of Council recommended that the salary 0of Jack Roe, Fire Marshal and Building Inspector, be increased by the amount of $20 per week. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Turner, the recommendation of the Wages & Hours Committee was approved.

VOTING MACHINES

Councilman Hayes requested the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary legislation to permit use of voting machines at the next City election.

Council adjourned at 11:55 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk

All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 12, 1962 are hereby approved.

                                                                                                                                                            

February 14, 1962                                                                               Crawford J. Carroll Mayor