REGULAR MEETING
August 14, 1961
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, August 14, 1961 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
Invocation was said by Rev. Best of the Lutheran Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of July 10, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for July was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley for February was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $159.00, $12.00 and $311.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Ralph D. Knotts was accepted as read. Check in the amount of $513.10 was remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate W. J. Cavanaugh was accepted as read. Check in the amount of $116.80 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for July was accepted as read.
Ambulance Report for July was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts was accepted as read.
Budget Report for June 30 was accepted as read.
Electric Revenue Fund cash receipts and expenditures report for July was accepted as read.
Electric Improvement Fund cash receipts and expenditures report for July was accepted as read.
Electric Department Operating Report for June was accepted as read.
C & W HEARING
C & W Auto Parts Co. Inc. has requested permission to erect a warehouse in the rear of its business at 119-121 W. Division Street. It would be located in a residential section. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council directed that the applicant be informed of the building ordinance requirements, and that the request be advertised for hearing at its next meeting.
BROWN BUILDING APPLICATION
Herman Brown applied for a building permit to make an addition to the office building he occupies on The Green. The building is located in the designated ‘Historic District’ of Dover and building permits require approval of City Council. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, the request of Mr. Brown was approved by Council, subject to approval of the building specifications by the City Manager and Building Inspector.
INVEST SURPLUS FUNDS
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the City Treasurer was authorized to invest any City funds which are temporarily surplus to the needs of the City.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager for July was accepted as read.
PARKING METERS
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance authorizing installation of two parking meters in front of Hallett’s Rug Cleaning and Upholstery Store at 422 S. Governors Avenue. Mr. Zartman vote ‘No’.
ANNEXED AREA IMPROVEMENTS
City Manager Ward reported he had held a meeting with property owners in the newly annexed area of southwest Dover to explain the provisions of the City ordinance governing installation of improvements.
KULJIAN REPORT
City Manager Ward reported that the report of The Kuljian Corporation on progress at the new power plant during the month of July and had just been received.
DISPOSAL PLANT
City Manager Ward and Jack Woods reported to Council on difficulties encountered by City forces in cleaning out a digestor tank at the sewage disposal plant.
AIR CONDITIONING
City Manager Ward reported he is obtaining prices on the installation of window air conditioning units at City Hall.
AGNER DEATH
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council directed that a resolution be sent to the widow of O. B. Agner, former City Manager, expressing the regrets of the Mayor and Council at his death.
ZARTMAN ON PLANNING
Councilman Paul Zartman read a prepared statement to Council in which he expressed his concern over the powers of Council being relinquished to the Planning Commission and members of Council being on the Commission. Councilman Thompson also expressed his disfavor over members of Council being on the Commission. Copies of the statement will be made by the City Manager and distributed ti members of Council and the City Solicitor.
STOP SIGNS
The Chief of Police and City Manager recommended to City Council that stop signs be installed at the following intersections:
On Westview Terrace; at New Burton Road
at Waples Avenue, north and south
at Wyoming Avenue
On Sunset Terrace: at Dover Street
at Wyoming Avenue
On Monroe Terrace: at Waples Avenue, north and south
at Wyoming Avenue
On Dover Street: at Westview Terrace
at Monroe Terrace, east and west
at Governors Avenue
On Waples Avenue: at New Burton Road
at Sunset Terrace, east and west
at Governors Avenue
On Janeka Lane: at Waples Avenue, north and south
On Shank Road: at Waples Avenue
On Sherwood Court: at Westview Terrace
On alley from Sherwood Court at New Burton Road
On all alleys at intersection with Dover Street, Waples Avenue, Westview Terrace, Wyoming Avenue, Sunset Terrace, Monroe Terrace, Sherwood Court, and Governors Avenue
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the recommendations of the Chief of Police and City Manager were approved by Council, and the stop signs ordered installed.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Councilman Fromm stated that he had no formal report from the Planning Commission at this time but stated their hope that the master plan, zoning ordinance, and proposed subdivision regulations would be ready for submission to Council after the next meeting of the Planning Commission.
LIQUOR TO MINORS
A letter from the Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Commission requested Council to adopt an ordinance forbidding purchase and possession of alcoholic liquors by minors, which state law does not control. Action on the request was tabled.
CITY MANAGER RESIGNATION
Councilman Fromm reported that the committee appointed to locate and interview applicants for the position of City Manager had the following recommendations to make:
1. That the resignation of Mr. Ward be accepted.
2. That Mr. Ward be offered the position of Project Manager on the New Power Plant.
3. That Asa N. Green, Mountain Brook, Alabama be employed as City Manager.
City Solicitor Buckson pointed out that action on the recommendations should be taken separately. He further pointed out that appointments of a project manager reporting directly to City Council would conflict with provisions of the Charter and the Bond Resolution which delegated certain authority and duties to the City Manager. Rejection of Mr. Ward’s resignation would make other action unnecessary. On questioning, Mr. Ward stated generally he would do as Council desired, but felt employment of a project manager should be left to the City Manager.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, that the resignation of Mr. Ward be accepted, Messrs Davis, Fromm and Thompson vote ‘Yes’, Messrs Hayes, Holpp, Turner and Zartman vote ‘No’. Mayor Haman declared the motion defeated and although his vote was not required asked to be recorded as voting ‘No’.
Council adjourned at 11:40 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of August 14, 1961 are hereby approved.
August 15, 1961 W. Edward Haman
Mayor