REGULAR MEETING
June 12, 1961
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, June 12, 1961 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 May 22, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for May was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley for May was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $291.00 and $191.75 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Ralph D. Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $737.00 was remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate William J. Cavanaugh was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $374.00 was remitted to the City.
Ambulance report for the month of May was accepted as read.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for the month of May was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures was accepted as read.
Report of Electric Revenue Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures was accepted as read.
Report of Electric Improvement Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures was accepted as read.
Electric Department Operating Report for April was accepted as read.
TORBERT OFFICE
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Turner, the request of William C. Torbert to convert a building on Reed Street into an office building was referred to the Planning Commission. Mr. Torbert was requested to furnish that Commission with a complete set of plans.
CURB DEPRESSIONS
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Wild’s Building Corporation was granted permission to depress the curb for a distance of 30' on Dover Street to provide an entrance for off-street parking at a newly-constructed drug store.
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Davis, Norman L. Ward was granted permission to depress the curb for a distance of 16 feet on Pine Street for a driveway entrance to a new home at State & Pine Streets.
SIMON’S MARQUEE
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council granted permission to Simon’s Department Store to erect a marquee on its Loockerman Street store front.
HARTNETT FENCE
M. A. Hartnett Inc. requested a 30-day extension of time for compliance with an order of the Fire Marshal to complete erection of a fence around its lumber yard on Forest Street. The letter from M. A. Harnett III, Attorney making the request, did not clearly express the reason for asking an extension of time. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council granted a 30-day extension providing the City Solicitor by personal contact with Mr. Hartnett is assured that he does not question the legality of the order of the Fire Marshal and is seeking only a temporary delay before complying with the order. Mr. Zartman voted ‘No’.
SIDEWALK REPORT
The Building Inspector submitted to Council a completed survey of sidewalks within the City of Dover which showed those in need of repair and properties which lacked them. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council directed that estimates be obtained from at least three bidders on the cost of installing sidewalk where it is lacking within the City and that a report be made at the next meeting of City Council.
BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL SECTION
Dr. William M. Reed requested permission to open a dental office at 450 N. State Street, a residential section. The request was duly advertised for hearing this date. A petition was received, signed by a majority of property owners in the block, objecting to the request. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was denied.
M. A. Hartnett Inc. requested permission to erect two sample houses on the northeast corner of Lotus Street and the Dual Highway, a residential section. The request was duly advertised for hearing this date. The Planning Commission had reviewed the request and recommended it not be approved. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Fromm, the request was denied.
SIDEWALK ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance requiring the installation of sidewalks when any new house is erected, if such a requirement is not already contained in an ordinance or proposed ordinance.
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT BUDGET HEARING
A resolution authorizing and securing Electric Revenue Bonds adopted May 9, 1960 requires a public hearing before June 15 of each year on a proposed electric department budget. A hearing to be held this date was duly advertised as required by the Resolution. No persons appeared to question the budget.
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That the amounts hereinafter named, aggregating two million, three hundred eighty thousand, five hundred ninety-eight dollars and ninety-six cents ($2,380,580.96), or so much thereof as may be necessary, are hereby appropriated from current revenues of the Electric Department, estimated to be two million, five hundred thirty thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,530,500.00), 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 $1,355,000.00
Labor $ 120,000.00
Materials, Supplies, etc. 325,000.00
Purchased Power 910,000.00
Distribution & Metering 50,000.00
Labor 25,000.00
Materials, Supplies, etc. 25,000.00
Administration 118,000.00
Salaries & Wages 55,000.00
Materials, Supplies, etc. 42,000.00
Social Security & Group Ins. 7,000.00
Deposit Refunds 14,000.00
Total Operating Budget $1,523,000.00
Interest on 1960 Revenue Bonds 119,562.54
Debt Reserve, 1960 Revenue Bonds 23,912.67
Electric Improvement Fund 105,000.00
Principal & Interest on G. O. Bonds 64,123.75
City of Dover General Fund 500,000.00
Total Appropriation $ 2,380,598.96
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 June 12, 1961
CURB RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council by unanimous vote passed the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURBS ON THE FOLLOWING STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER:
Between Pear Street Alley and The Railroad in William Street
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Dover has considered the installation of curbs on portions of certain streets within the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, in order to comply with the provisions of the Charter, it is necessary to hold a public meeting at a time and place to be duly published, and
WHEREAS, it is the decision of City Council to hold such public hearing and publish notice of such hearing in accordance with the Charter,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover will meet on Monday, June 26, 1961 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time at the City Hall to consider the installation of concrete curbs on both sides of specified portions of the following named street in the City of Dover in front of the properties of the following named persons and of assessing the cost thereof against the said owners. The specified portions of the streets within the City of Dover upon which the concrete curbs are to be installed are as follows:
Between Pear Street Alley and The Railroad on William Street
The following named persons are the owners or purported owners of the properties situate along the portions of the streets where the concrete curbs and gutters are to be installed:
Delmarva Warehouses, Incorporated
Russell A. Hayman
City of Dover
Section 2. At the said meeting the Council will hear the aforesaid owners of property and other residents of the City in accordance with Section 28 of the Charter of the City of Dover, as amended by Chapter 152, Volume 37, Laws of Delaware.
Passed June 12, 1961
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote passed the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURBS ON THE FOLLOWING STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER:
Between Clara Street and Mary Street on Queen Street
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Dover has considered the installation of curbs on portions of certain streets within the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, in order to comply with the provisions of the Charter, it is necessary to hold a public meeting at a time and place to be duly published, and
WHEREAS, it is the decision of City Council to hold such public hearing and publish notice of such hearing in accordance with the Charter,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover will meet on Monday, June 26, 1961 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time at the City Hall to consider the installation of concrete curbs on both sides of specified portions of the following named street in the City of Dover in front of the properties of the following named persons and of assessing the cost thereof against the said owners. The specified portions of the streets within the City of Dover upon which the concrete curbs are to be installed are as follows:
Between Clara Street and Mary Street on Queen Street
The following named persons are the owners or purported owners of the properties situate along the portions of the streets where the concrete curbs and gutters are to be installed:
United States Government (U.S. Army Reserve)
Elizabeth Clark
Margaret Tomlinson
Section 2. At the said meeting the Council will hear the aforesaid owners of property and other residents of the City in accordance with Section 28 of the Charter of the City of Dover, as amended by Chapter 152, Volume 37, Laws of Delaware.
Passed June 12, 1961
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council by unanimous vote passed the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF CURBS ON THE FOLLOWING STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER:
Between Dover Street and Water Street on New Street
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Dover has considered the installation of curbs on portions of certain streets within the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, in order to comply with the provisions of the Charter, it is necessary to hold a public meeting at a time and place to be duly published, and
WHEREAS, it is the decision of City Council to hold such public hearing and publish notice of such hearing in accordance with the Charter,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover will meet on Monday, June 26, 1961 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time at the City Hall to consider the installation of concrete curbs on both sides of specified portions of the following named street in the City of Dover in front of the properties of the following named persons and of assessing the cost thereof against the said owners. The specified portions of the streets within the City of Dover upon which the concrete curbs are to be installed are as follows:
Between Dover Street and Water Street on New Street
The following named persons are the owners or purported owners of the properties situate along the portions of the streets where the concrete curbs and gutters are to be installed:
City of Dover
State of Delaware (Kent County Correctional Institution)
Harry Spence Heirs
Benjamin Haywood
E. W. Buchanan
Matthews Motor Co.
Robert L. Chamberlain
Victor Holpp
Section 2. At the said meeting the Council will hear the aforesaid owners of property and other residents of the City in accordance with Section 28 of the Charter of the City of Dover, as amended by Chapter 152, Volume 37, Laws of Delaware.
Passed June 12, 1961
ORDINANCES
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE PARKING OF VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION OF WATER STREET AND GOVERNORS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF DOVER
BE IT ORDAINED By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle at any time on Water Street or Governors Avenue within one hundred (100) feet of the intersection of Water Street and Governors Avenue.
Section 2. Any person convicted of a violation of this ordinance shall be fined not less than One ($1.00) Dollar or more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars, and/or upon failure to pay such fine as may be imposed shall be imprisoned not less than one (1) day or more than five (5) days, plus costs.
Adopted June 12, 1961
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE PARKING OF VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION OF WATER STREET AND STATE STREET IN THE CITY OF DOVER
BE IT ORDAINED By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle at any time on Water Street or State Street within one hundred (100) feet of the intersection of Water Street and State Street.
Section 2. Any person convicted of a violation of this ordinance shall be fined not less than One ($1.00) Dollar or more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars, and/or upon failure to pay such fine as may be imposed shall be imprisoned not less than one (1) day or more than five (5) days, plus costs.
Adopted June 12, 1961
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEASING AND INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS; PROVIDING FOR AND REGULATING THE PARKING ON CERTAIN STREETS; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF PARKING METERS THEREFORE; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF”
BE IT ORDAINED, By Th Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That Section 8 of an Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Providing For The Leasing and Installation of Parking Meters; Providing for and Regulating the Parking on Certain Streets; Authorizing the Use of Parking Meters Therefore; and Providing penalties for the Violation thereof”, passed November 10, 1947, as amended August 11, 1952, be and the same is hereby amended by striking out all of said Section 8 and inserting un lieu thereof the following:
Section 8. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this ordinance or aiding, abetting, or assisting in the violation of said provisions, shall upon conviction before the proper officials of the City of Dover by sentenced to pay a fine not less than One ($1.00) Dollar and not more than Fifty ($50.00) Dollars and costs of prosecution for each offense or imprisonment of not more than five days (5), provided, however, that any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this Ordinance pertaining to the length of time which parking is permitted in the area covered by said Ordinance may pay at the Dover Police Station the sum of ten (10¢) cents for each violation within one hour from the time that the summons giving notice of the violation is issued. After the expiration of one hour from the issuance, the violator may pay the sum of One ($1.00) Dollar for each violation at the Dover Police Station if payment is made voluntarily prior to the time and date set forth violation as aforesaid within any thirty day period may pay One ($1.00) Dollar for each violation within one hour from the time that the summons giving notice of the violation is issued. After the expiration of one hour from the issuance, the violator may pay the sum of Two ($2.00) Dollars for each violation at the Dover Police Station if payment is made voluntarily prior to the time and date set forth in the summons. Any person, firm or corporation, committing more than four violations as aforesaid within any thirty day period may pay Five ($5.00) Dollars for each violation if paid voluntarily prior to the time and date set forth in the summons. No costs will be assessed of payment of the penalty as hereinbefore imposed is voluntarily paid and without the necessity of a hearing before the proper officials of the City of Dover.
Adopted June 12, 1961.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET
An ordinance providing for a general fund budget for the fiscal year 1961-1962 was presented for the consideration of Council.
ORDINANCES
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance providing for stop signs in certain sections of Dover.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, the City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance providing for parking meters in the 400 block S. Governors Avenue. Mr. Zartman voted ‘No’.
DOVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Dover Housing Authority officially notified City Council that the estimated annual payment in lieu of taxes from the Housing Project Np. DEL-2-1 would be $1344, and that the estimated annual amount of taxes which would be levied if the property were privately owned is $4495.
A letter from the Dover Housing Authority asked Council whether it would agree to have Redevelopment Director Myron U. Lamb employed by that agency as Executive Director of the Dover Housing Authority. On the motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized the City Manager, Mr. Lamb, and the Dover Housing Authority to confer on a schedule of time and salary for Mr. Lamb should he serve as Redevelopment Director, Planning Assistant, and Executive Director of the Dover Housing Authority, and report recommendations back to City Council.
POWER PLANT DEDICATION
A letter from Harvey L. Colgin of the Kuljian Corporation asked Council to consider a date and ceremonies to take place at the cornerstone laying of the McKee Run Generating Station. It was suggested that the grand lodge of the Masons conduct the ceremony and that it take place on Saturday to lessen interference with construction. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, the City Manager was authorized to work out the details of a cornerstone laying ceremony.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
Councilman Holpp reported that the Utility Committee had authorized billing Dover Builders the sum of $50 for each of 496 units constructed at Rodney Village. The sum is intended for an escrow account to be used for any needed sewage plant expansion.
The sewer rental policy is still under study by Albright & Friel.
A request for water a sewer to a property owner on S. Governors Avenue extended was referred to the City Manager for quotation on costs and approval of plans.
A letter from Tri-County Construction Co. requested permission to meet with Council to discuss sewer and water facilities for a proposed development northeast of Dover. The Utility Committee will meet with representatives of the form on Tuesday, June 20.
DOVER, ENGLAND
Harvey Colgin of The Kuljian Corporation presented to the Council a framed statement sent by the Mayor of Dover, England. It was accepted by Mayor Haman who will reply.
PARK COMMISSION
Councilman Holpp reported on the last meeting of the Dover Park Commission and its budget request of approximately $40,000.
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Councilman Fromm spoke to Council on a proposed ordinance authorizing the Planning Commission to administer subdivision regulations in the City of Dover. The ordinance will be considered at the next meeting of Council. The Clerk will send copies of the ordinance to each Councilman.
NEW PLANT
Frank Shaw reported on construction progress being made at the McKee Run generating plant. As of May 31 the project is approximately 39% complete.
Council adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of June 12, 1961 are hereby approved.
June 14, 1961 W. Edward Haman
Mayor