REGULAR MEETING
October 23, 1961
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, October 23, 1961 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of October 9, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REUBEN F. BROWN
Reuben F. Brown, an employee of the City of Dover since July, 1954, died October 10, 1961 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on the job unavoidable by him.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER ON THE DEATH OF REUBEN F. BROWN.
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, did see fit to call Reuben F. Brown from this life on the 10th day of October, 1961, and
WHEREAS, he was a respected, revered, and honored citizen of his community and State, and
WHEREAS, he served faithfully, loyally and with allegiance to duty as the Landscaper of the City from July, 1954, to October, 1961 as a trusted official of The City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, it is with deepest sorrow, remorse and regret that the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover learn of his untimely passing;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By The Mayor and Council Of The City of Dover that the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover on behalf of the citizens and employees of The City of Dover do hereby extend their deepest and most profound sympathy unto the widow and the surviving members of the family of the late Reuben F. Brown for the great loss they have sustained upon his death; and we do pray that our Heavenly Father may comfort and strengthen them in their hour of bereavement as well as in the days and years to come; and that the Clerk of the City is directed to forward a copy of this resolution tot he widow of the late Reuben F. Brown and make same a part of the minutes of this meeting.
Adopted October 23, 1961.
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the widow of Reuben Brown be paid in a lump sum the salary of Mr. Brown thru December 31, 1961 and that in addition she be paid his weekly salary thru the period covered by his accrued, unused sick leave.
JAY CEES
A committee of the Junior Chamber of Commerce asked permission to appear before City Council at its meeting of December 11 to discuss the subject of fluoridation of City water. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the request was approved.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce also asked permission to construct a model fall out shelter on three spaces of the parking lot adjoining City Hall and facing Loockerman Street, with the City furnishing electricity. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the project to approval of construction, period of display and demolition, by the City Manager.
FOOKS APARTMENT HEARING
Georgia R. Fooks and Thomas Fooks, her son, requested permission to erect apartment buildings on a plot of land south of William Street, between Governors Avenue and New Street. The request was advertised for hearing this date. Thomas Fooks and Joshua Twilley, attorney, appeared for the applicant. They explained the proposal to build 29 apartment units on the plot, 90,000 sq. ft. in area. The units would contain about 1200 sq. ft. of living space, be privately financed, and rent monthly for roughly, $140. Joseph Bernergger, Governors Avenue and William Street, presented a petition signed by 41 property owners in the area opposing the project. Al Leisey, William Boyer Jr. and Henry Roscoe, members of the Dover Zoning Committee, pointed out the proposed zoning ordinance designated the area for R-8 use, single family dwellings, and expressed their opposition to any change in the proposed owners William and Sarah Behen, and presented a petition opposing the project which was signed by four of six property owners within the block in question. City Solicitor Buckson explained to Council the provisions of the City ordinance which required Council to reject the request because a majority of property owners within the block in question objected to the proposed project. These facts were pointed out to Thomas Fooks and his attorney, together with the information that nothing would prohibit a second request to build apartment houses in the area was denied. Councilman Hayes and Zartman voted ‘No’.
MIFFLIN ANNEXATION
Council was shown a sketch of the Walker L. Mifflin farm which he has requested be annexed to the City. Discussion followed as to whether additional areas should be included in an annexation referendum. Councilman Thompson thought that the annexation committee of Council should consider the matter, and that the committee should take the initiative in an annexation program. Councilman Fromm stated that the committee, which is the Planning Commission, has worked on the question for several meetings but that their objective is to propose solutions to problems that annexation of any particular area. The question of zoning for annexed area was discussed and it was decided that in this instance the Zoning Commission would be asked to recommend how the area would be zoned, prior to holding the referendum election. Council decided to consider only the Mifflin farm at this time.
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID AREA.
WHEREAS a recent Amendment to the Charter of The City of Dover authorized the Council to extend the boundaries of the said City after a special election of the qualified voters and real estate owners of the territory proposed to be annexed, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover deem it in the best interest of the City if Dover to include an area known as the Mifflin lands as hereinafter more particularly described within the limits of the City of Dover,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the following area situate in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, as more particularly bounded and described herein, be annexed to The City of Dover:
(a) ALL that certain piece, parcel or tract of land now situated in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, State of Delaware, bounded in the east by the City limits of The City of Dover, on the south by North Street extended, on the west by Mifflin Road and lands of others, and on the north by lands of Anna Reed and others, and all this tract being lands now owned by Walker L. Mifflin.
2. That an election be held on the 25th day of November, A.D. 1961, between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., E.S.T., at the City Hall on The Plaza in the City of Dover, Delaware, for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the above area to the persons entitled to vote thereon.
3. That the election be held and conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of The City of Dover as amended.
4. That this Resolution be published in at least two issues of a newspaper published in The City of Dover at least two weeks prior to the date of said election.
Adopted October 23, 1961.
ZONING
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the Zoning Commission was requested to study and recommend to Council by November 13, 1961, their recommendation for zoning classification of the are of Mifflin farm proposed for annexation.
HEARINGS
Announcement was made that the public hearing of Council of the proposed zoning ordinance would be held Wednesday, October 25, 1961, in the Audion of the Central School at 7:30 P.M., and that the public hearing on proposed subdivision regulations would be held at the same place and hour on Monday, October 30, 1961.
URBAN RENEWAL
Myron Lamb. Redevelopment Director, reported on the progress of Urban Renewal planning.
AUDIT
William Manter, CPA, reviewed the audits of City accounts through June 30, 1961 and answered questions on City Council.
RODNEY VILLAGE ESCROW
Council asked the City Manager to report at its next meeting on the status of the Dover Builders escrow account to be established for sewer installations in Rodney Village.
GASOLINE BIDS
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed that every 24 months bids me obtained for furnishing City requirements for gasoline, oil and anti-freeze.
PARKING AUTHORITY AUDIT
An audit report of Dover Parking Authority accounts for a three year period ending June 30, 1961, made by Harold Remley, CPA, was submitted to City Council. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, the report was accepted.
PARKING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENT
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council confirmed appointment of Karl Dorzback Jr. as a member of the Dover Parking Authority for a term which expires June 30, 1965.
SOLICITOR REPORT
City Solicitor Buckson reported he had heard nothing from Voshell Brothers or neighbors who had complained about operation of their welding shop. Word was received that they were working out their own problem. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Zartman, the proposed ordinance regulating such operations was tabled.
No word had been received from the Chamber of Commerce on regulation of Sunday business.
A written agreement was prepared between Eastern Shore Natural Gas Co. and the City for signature by the Mayor.
SEWAGE PLANT STUDY
The Utility Committee reported that Albright & Friel were engaged to complete a preliminary study of secondary sewage treatment requirements, and that they were also completing their study on sewer rental rates.
EMMERT BUILDING
Lockwood Emmert proposes to remodel the former Steele property on S. State Street for office and/or apartment use. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Fromm, the proposal was referred to the Building Inspector and Planning Commission.
Council adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of October 23, 1961 are hereby approved.
October 25, 1961 W. Edward Haman
Mayor