REGULAR MEETING
January 8, 1962
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 8, 1962 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of December 11, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman with the exception of the action on fluoridation, which the Mayor vetoed.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for December was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley for December was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $163.00 and $59.50 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Cavanaugh was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $285.50 was remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $153.00 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for December was accepted as read.
The annual report of the Fire Marshal, Building Inspector and Fire Chief for 1961 was accepted as read. The Fire Marshal was complimented on the excellence of the report.
Report of the Board of Health for December was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts for December was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Budget for November was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts and Expenditures for Electric Revenue and Improvement Funds were accepted as read.
Electric Operating Report for November was accepted as read.
FIRE HOSE
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized replacement of 800 feet of 2½” fire hose at the rate of 200 feet per quarter.
ALBRIGHT & FRIEL
Messrs Estrada and Clements, representatives of Albright & Friel, Consulting Engineers, appeared before council to explain what services they might perform in connection with studies of sewer and water requirements in area considered for annexation. They stated they could inventory present facilities, estimate cost of required improvements and suggest means of financing at a cost of $3500, approximately. Other services, if required, could be provided at additional cost. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council requested that their proposal b submitted in writing.
ELECTION BOARD
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Alderman Shockley and Councilmen Holpp and Zartman were appointed as the Board to conduct the municipal election on Monday, January 15, 1962. Councilman Turner was named as an alternate member.
BALLOTS AND CLERKS
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, the City Clerk was authorized to have printed 2500 official ballots and 1000 sample ballots and to employ the necessary election clerks.
LIBRARY PARKING
The Library Commission requested that restricted parking be put in effect on the north side of Budd Street, with some spaces marked for one-half hour parking. Council felt that the restriction should be uniform. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare and ordinance restricting parking on the north side of Budd Street to one-half hour.
LAYTON PARKING
Dr. Robert R. Layton requested a reserved parking space in front of his office at 146 S. State Street. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the request was granted. The reserved parking space granted at this former office on S. Bradford St. will be returned to public use.
URBAN RENEWAL
Myron Lamb, Urban Renewal Director, reported that the 18 month period of renewal planning had expired and that extension until May 1 should be requested. Council approved the extension of time. Councilman Fromm urged the submission of Part 1 of the Renewal Plan for approval by the Federal Renewal Agency. It was pointed out that at a meeting on Urban Renewal some questions of Council had not been resolved and it was felt that this should be done before any part of the plan is submitted, or a public hearing held.
SCHOOL SITE
Councilman Fromm reported he had received a letter from Supt. David Green of the Dover School District saying that a site being considered for location of a new high school was the Spence farm near Dover’s proposed Urban Renewal project. He asked whether it would be possible for the School Board to acquire lands on Water Street which are included in the proposed urban renewal project and lands on Dover Street owned by the City. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed the Clerk to write Mr. Green stating that Council was interested in locating the school within the City limits and would cooperate wherever possible. However, the renewal project is still in the planning stage and Council can make no firm commitments in relation to the area, and a part of the City-owned land is occupied by a Pony League park for which a new location would have to be found. Mr. Fromm will verbally convey the sentiments of Council.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager for December was accepted as read.
POWER PLANT EMPLOYEES
City Manager Ward reported he had received a letter dated December 8, 1961, from George Van Kirk, International Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers stating that his union represented the employees of the generation division of the City’s electrical department. The letter requested recognition of the union as the employees’ collective bargaining agent. Mr. Ward replied that the letter would be presented to Council at its meeting of January 8, 1962, as it was impossible to present it at Council’s meeting of December 11 and no other meeting was scheduled until January. Mr. Van Kirk and employees of the power plant called on Mr. Ward on December 19 and asked for consideration of their demand that day. Mr. Ward replied that as only Council could consider the question he would inform the Mayor of the question. Mr. Van Kirk intimated that the men would walk off the job at midnight if no action was taken. Mayor Haman wrote Mr. Van Kirk that day asking that Mr. Van Kirk out the matter in writing and state why the scheduled Council meeting of January 8 was not a satisfactory date for considering the questions. No reply was received and the men walked out of the power plant at midnight. Supervisory personnel and others kept the plant going. A picket line at the new power plant caused construction operations there to stop. City Solicitor Buckson arranged a meeting with Mr. Van Kirk on December 20. Mr. Buckson explained the State and federal law which prevented Delaware municipalities from recognizing a bargaining agent for its employees and provisions of law under which he was operating. None were given. Mr. Buckson was prepared to obtain a court order to stop the strike and halt the picketing. However, the City was not adamant. If the employees voluntarily returned to work Dover would procure a mediator to consider the grievances of the employees and make recommendations to City Council. The men returned to work that day. Thomas A. Knowlton was procured to study the matter and has since met with representatives of the City and with Mr. Van Kirk. Because a municipal election will be held on January 15, all parties seem to agree that the matter is one for the new Council to consider.
KULJIAN REPORT
City Manager Ward reported that the November report of the Kuljian Corporation on the new power plant available in his office for those who desire to see it.
GASOLINE BIDS
Mr. Ward reported he had obtained proposals for furnishing gasoline requirements of Dover for the next two years and that Pure Oil Company made low proposal. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council approved procurement of gasoline requirements from Pure Oil Company.
PROFESSIONAL BUILDING
A letter from the Chairman of the Zoning Commission stated that thru error the map which accompanied the Zoning Ordinance showed an area adjoining the Kent General Hospital on S. Governors Avenue and occupied by a professional building as R-10 Residential Zone, whereas the map should have indicated a C-3 zone. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that the error be corrected on the zoning map.
ANNEXATION STUDY
Councilman Fromm remarked on the proposal of the Planning Commission relating to a complete study of problems of annexation. Employment of the firm of Albright & Friel on sewer and water studied would conform with part of the proposal, but other expert assistance will be required to supply all the answers desired. He suggested that a Municipal Administration Consultant be employed. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Fromm, Council decided that action in this respect be left to the new Mayor and Council.
LAMB EMPLOYMENT
Councilman Fromm discussed the employment of Myron Lamb in the Urban Renewal Project, by the Dover Housing Authority, and on Planning activities. He recommended that his salary be pro-rated among the different activities. The Housing Authority has agreed to pay 30% of his salary. Mr. Fromm recommended that the Planning Commission pay 10%, and Urban Renewal the balance. Mr. Hayes asked what amounts were involved, and whether a salary increase was being considered. Mr. Fromm insisted the division of cost and activity has no relation to salary. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the matter was referred to the Wages and Hours Committee.
PROFESSIONAL BUILDING
City Solicitor Buckson pointed out that correction of the zoning map would not permit the enlargement of the Professional Building on S. Governors avenue unless the Zoning ordinance was amended to change the zone from C-3 to I0. A proposed amendment would require submission to the Planning Commission and public hearing by Council. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Thomoson, Council directed that the Planning Commission be informed of the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance changing the designated area from C-3 to I0 zone.
Council adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 8, 1962 are hereby approved.
January 12, 1962 W. Edward Haman
Mayor