REGULAR MEETING
May 8, 1961
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 8, 1961 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of April 24, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley for April was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $151.00 and $14.50 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for February was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts for April was accepted as read.
Report of General Fund Budget for March was accepted as read.
Report of Electric Revenue Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures for April was accepted as read. Report of Electric Improvement Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures for April was accepted as read.
Electric Department Operating Report for March was accepted as read.
HARTNETT FENCE
M. A. Hartnett Inc. has been directed by the City to complete erection of a fence around their lumber yard by May 12. A letter from Maurice A. Hartnett, III, representing the firm, requested an extension of time to comply with the order or appeal to the Council or the courts. There is a possibility that difficulties relating to location of the property line may soon be resolved. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Davis, a 30 day extension of time was granted by Council.
HARDCASTLE CONDEMNATION
Following a public hearing Council had directed that the property of David Hardcastle at 30 S. Kirkwood Street be repaired or demolished by May 4, 1961. The property has since been sold to William B. Mitten. Mr. Mitten requests an extension of time to demolish the building. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Mr. Mitten was granted until July 1, 1961 to demolish the building.
FIRE MARSHAL LEGISLATION
Senate Bill No. 140 has been introduced in the State Legislature prohibiting municipalities in Kent and Sussex Counties having a Fire Marshal so that the bill is intended primarily to restrict the powers of the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that a letter be sent to each member of the State Legislature expressing the opposition of the City of Dover to this bill or any similar legislation.
PRELIMINARY ELECTRIC BUDGET
A preliminary electric system budget for the fiscal year 1961-1962 was presented to City Council in accordance with Section 505, Article V, of the Resolution adopted May 9, 1960 authorizing and securing Electric Revenue Bonds. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that a public hearing on the budget be held at its meeting of June 12, 1961, and that notice of such hearing be given as provided in the above-mentioned resolution.
TORBERT BUSINESS
A letter from William C. Torbert requested permission to convert a building on the north side of Reed Street, between Bradford and State Streets, a residential section, into an office building for his use and for rentals. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed that the request be advertised for hearing on May 22, 1961.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council authorized presenting a wreath in the name of the City at Memorial Day services to be held in the triangle on May 30 at 10:30 A.M. Mr. Davis will represent the City.
TAXICABS
A letter from Marvel O. Watson, 10 Pennsylvania Avenue, protested the use of a Division Street property by George Baker to park and repair taxicabs. Permission was granted to build the garage for use of residents’ cars only. The Building Inspector will again warn Mr. Baker to comply with residential restriction.
POST OFFICE
Letters were received from Congressman Harris B. McDowell and U.S. Senator John J. Williams telling of their continues interest in the construction of new post office facilities in Dover.
DAVIS INSURANCE
A letter from John G. Davis informed Council that he had purchased the Alda Price Insurance Agency and requested that he be permitted to participate in the City’s insurance business. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council directed that the broker of record include the name of John G. Davis in the distribution of insurance proceeds.
HEVALOW CONDEMNATION
Charles Rodriquez informed Council that he was attorney for the Ella Hevalow Estate, owner of a property at 32 S. Kirkwood Street which had been condemned and ordered repaired or demolished by May 4. There are some 32 heirs to the estate, some of which cannot be located. Permission must be obtained from the Orphans Court to dispose of the property before any action can be taken. He asked Council to grant an extension of time before any action can be taken. He asked Council to grant an extension of time so that the matter may be taken before the court. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council granted a 60-day extension of time to comply with its order to repair or demolish the building.
STEIGERWALD EASEMENT
City Solicitor Buckson reported that Attorney Henry Ridgley had contacted him about a utility easement of the City of Dover on property of Joseph G. and Jean Steigerwald, at 945 Shank Road. As easement was granted on a plot plan approved by the City but the engineers of the developer had failed to record it. Solicitor Buckson stated his belief that the City had every right to continue use of the easement, although the property owner claims the use is unlawful.
CITY CHARTER
Solicitor Buckson reported he had received prices on printing the City Charter as follows: Simmons printing Co., $9.00 per page, Dover Litho-printing, $8.00 per page, The State Sentinel, $11.98 per page, or $862.10 for 1000 copies. The printing will probably run to 100 pages or less. On motion of mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized granting the printing job to Dover Litho-Printing Co. on its price of $8.00 per page.
LUCAS ASSESSMENT
James D. & Dorothy Lucas requested that the assessment on their property at 301 N. State St. be reduced. City Assessor Baker reported that their assessment included a garage which had been torn down by the former owner, the First Baptist Church. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized reduction of the current assessment from $12,000 to $11,700.
FALL-OUT SHELTER
The Junior Chamber of Commerce requested permission to erect a model fall-out shelter on the Plaza on June 17 to remain for a week or ten days to stimulate interest in Civil Defense. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was granted.
DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Myron Lamb. Redevelopment Director, reported that the Workable Program had been recertified by the FHA. He also reported that the Planning Commission desired to hold a joint meeting with Council at the next scheduled meeting of the Commission May 23. All Councilmen could not be present on that date and suggested that the meeting be held May 24.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Mr. Lamb reported that cooperation agreements had been approved by the Levy Court and School Board with the Dover Housing Authority and that funds had been approved for 35 double housing units by the Public Housing Administration. He also stated that the PHA requested the City to approve master metering for water and electric utilities in place of metering individual housing units. Council replied that such procedure is contrary to City policy.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager for April was accepted as read.
STREET RESURFACING
Bids have been received from four contractors on Project 13, resurfacing City street; Delaware Roads, Edgell Construction Co., George & Lynch and Shore Construction. Delaware Roads submitted the low bid of $16,372. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder, Delaware Roads, Inc.
TOWNSEND SEWER & WATER
The Utility Committee reported it had given tentative approval to John Townsend to tap City sewer and water lines on South Governors Avenue below Puncheon Run to serve a proposed shopping center. The lines must be installed to City specifications and City fees paid.
CAESAR RODNEY SEWER
City Manager Ward reported that a letter had been received from Dr. Simpson of the Caesar Rodney School asking whether Dover sewer facilities would be available, and under what conditions, to serve their 725-pupil elementary school, and/or their complete installation including 2000 additional pupils. More information will be sought by the City Manager.
LOOCKERMAN STREET PARKING
Ralph & Jack Lord, operators of the Bayard Hotel, appeared before Council to protest the ordinance prohibiting all parking on Loockerman Street between 1 A.M. and 6 A.M. They stated that the restriction causes them to lose hotel patrons who have difficulty finding parking facilities. They asked that the City limit the parking ban to two nights per week. Council agreed that a hardship was imposed and directed the Solicitor to prepare an amendment to the ordinance permitting parking in one block on all but two nights per week.
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING ON LOOCKERMAN STREET BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1:00 A.M. AND 6:00 A.M.
BE IT ORDAINED By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That the Ordinance passed February 27, 1961 prohibiting parking on Loockerman Street between the hours of 1:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M. be and is hereby amended to permit parking on the north and south sides of Loockerman Street between Governors Avenue and New Street, except on Wednesday and Saturday between 1:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M., on which days and during which hours parking shall be prohibited.
Passed May 8, 1961.
Council adjourned at 11:35 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 8, 1961 are hereby approved.
May 10, 1961 W. Edward Haman
Mayor