REGULAR MEETING
February 13, 1961
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 13, 1961 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
The invocation was said by Rev. Robert Duke of People’s Church.
Judge William J. Storey administered the oath for a two year term for the following Councilmen: Crawford J. Carroll, First District; Paul E. Zartman, Second District; Francis L. Turner, Third District; Victor E. Holpp, Fourth District.
Mayor Haman thanked the members of Council and the City Manager for their services to the City.
MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting of January 23, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Council unanimously elected the following officers for a one year term:
Vice Mayor W. G. Davis
City Clerk Francis P. Neylan
City Treasurer Francis P. Neylan
City Alderman George K. Shockley
City Solicitor David P. Buckson
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council fixed the number of police as that now authorized and their salaries as presently scheduled. Councilman Thompson remarked on the need for additional policemen occasioned partly by the reduction of the work week to forty hours. Chief turner stated that at least three additional patrolmen were needed. It was recommended that the matter be referred to the Wages and Hours Committee for study and report back to Council.
Committee Assignments
With the approval of Council, Mayor Haman announced the following committee and commission appointments:
Legislative & Finance: Councilmen Turner, Fromm and Zartman, City Manager Ward, City Clerk Neylan, City Solicitor Buckson
Tree Commission: Councilmen Carroll, Davis and Hayes, Myron U. Lamb
Planning Commission: Councilmen Turner and Carroll and Judge William J. Storey, all for three year terms
Zoning Commission: William C. Boyer, Jr., 6 year term
Wages & Hours: Councilmen Hayes, Holpp and Fromm
Fire Dept., Liaison: Councilmen Turner, Carroll and Zartman
Housing Code: Councilmen Zartman, Davis, Hayes, Jack T, Roe, Thomas E. Baker
Parks & Playgrounds: Councilmen Holpp, Thompson, Mrs. Kenneth Tuller, Douglas Harris, James Hardcastle
Board of Health: Dr. George R. Spong, Dr. Eugene R. McNinch, Donald K. Harmeson, Leon Davidson
Research Committee: Councilmen Fromm and Holpp
Building Committee: Councilmen Davis and Zartman, City Manager Ward, Building Inspector Jack T. Roe, Fire Chief Paul Kertiles, Police Chief James E. Turner
Utility Committee: Councilmen Holpp, Carroll and Thompson
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for January, 1961 and the year 1960 were accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley for January was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $26.00 and $1064.25 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted as read. A copy of the National Building Code proposed for adoption was given to each Councilman for study.
Report of General Fund Cash Receipts for January was accepted as read.
Report of Electric Revenue Fund Cash Receipts and Expenditures for January was accepted as read. Report of Electric Improvement Fund for January was accepted as read.
Electric Department Operating Report for December was accepted as read.
HOUSING CODE
Councilman Zartman presented to each Councilman for study a copy of a proposed housing code. Final consideration will be given at the next meeting of City Council.
BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL SECTION
Louis J. Parker Jr. requested that a property at 42 S. State Street now used as an office building be rezoned for use as a day nursery.
Midget Market Grocery Store requested that a property on the N. E. corner of Mary and Bradford Streets, now used as a reducing salon, be rezoned for use as a grocery.
Council directed that the above requests for advertised for hearing at the Council meeting of February 27, 1961.
STORM SEWER PROJECT 6
Bids have been received from four contractors for installation of a storm sewer between Reed and Bradford Streets and American Avenue and Division Street. Low bidder is Edgell Construction Co., $27,389.00. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder on Project 6, Edgell Construction Co. on their bid of $27,389.00.
STREET DEPARTMENT TRUCKS
Bids have been received from four contractors for installation of a storm sewer between Reed and Bradford Streets and American Avenue and Division Street. Low bidder is Edgell Construction Co., $27,389.00. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder on Project 6, Edgell Construction Co. on their bid of $27,389.00.
ELECTRIC STATION WAGON
Bids were received from Bolan Motors, S&S Motors, Townsend Brothers and Holden & Mundy on the purchase of one 1961 four door station wagon with trade-in of one 1956 four door Chevrolet station wagon. Low bid was received from Holden & Mundy at the net price of $1482.19. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized purchase of a 1961 station wagon from Holden & Mundy on their net price of $1782.19.
FIRE TRUCK
The Robbins Hose Company is considered the purchase of a Mack pumper at a price of $27,545. The City holds title to a Seagraves pumper more than 20 year old for which the Hose Company can get a $3,000 credit on the new truck. Council was asked to transfer title to the Seagraves to the Robbins Hose Company. Council discussed the practicability by other City use for the Seagraves. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized transfer of title to the Robbins Hose Co.
URBAN RENEWAL
Myron U. Lamb, Redevelopment Director, reported to Council on the progress of the Urban Renewal planning program. He stated that the workable program must be recertified to the HHFA. He has prepared a proposed draft for the approval of that agency. It is a resume of past activities and future plans. One requirement of the program is a plumbing code which he hopes Council will adopt. Copies of the draft will be prepared for Council study. The Building Commission will study the requirements of a Plumbing Code and make recommendations for Council action. Recertification of a workable program is required on or about March 1.
SOLICITOR REPORT
City Solicitor Buckson presented two ordinances, one banning parking on certain streets after one hour of snowfall designed to permit clearing snow from streets, the second banning parking on alternate sides of streets on certain nights, designed to replace the street cleaning ordinance without the assumption of any particular activity by the City. The ordinances will be redrafted and copies furnished Council for further study.
City Solicitor Buckson reported that he had received a letter from Ernest Keith acknowledging that certain portions of his building extended over City property on the Plaza. Mr. Buckson will get a further acknowledgment covering the steps.
Mr. Buckson reported that the Gas Company insurance suit will be tried Wednesday, the McClements preliminary argument will be at 2 P.M. Friday, and will be followed the same day by the annexation argument.
The revised Charter us ready for printing and the method of binding will be discussed with the printer and submitted for Council approval prior to the actual order.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
ROBINO AND WOODBROOK PLOT PLANS
The Robino Plot Plan for the William Konschak property was submitted to Council. Street layout and lot sizes were discussed. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the plot plan was referred to the Planning Commission for approval.
The plot plan of the second section of Woodbrook was submitted to Council. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Davis, the plot plan of Woodbrook was referred to the Planning Commission for approval.
FARMERS BANK DESIGN
A sketch of a proposed exterior of the Farmers Bank addition facing South Street was shown to Council. It did not yet meet the required colonial design. Mr. Ward will discuss the matter further with the architect.
KENT GENERAL HOSPITAL
A letter from Kent General Hospital thanked City Council for its recent donation of $1000.
POST OFFICE
Mayor Haman read two letters from Senator J. Caleb Boggs, one acknowledging receipt of Mayor’s letter asking his assistance in urging the Post Office Department to speed the erection of a new post office, plans for which are already approved, the second a copy of Senator’ Boggs’ letter tot he Postmaster General urging action.
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANT
City Manager Ward presented to Council an application for a Federal grant sewage treatment works and a proposed resolution authorizing completion of the application.
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DOVER, herein called the “Applicant”, after thorough consideration of the various aspects of the problem and study of available data, has hereby determined that the construction of certain works required for the treatment of sewage, generally described as Assitions to Sewage Treatment Works, herein called the “Project” is described and in the public interest, and to that end it is necessary that action preliminary to the construction of said Project be taken immediately; and
WHEREAS, under Section 466e, Title 33 of the United States Code, the United States of America has authorized the making of grants to aid in financing the cost of construction of necessary treatment works to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage or other waste into any waters and for the purpose of reports, plans, and specifications in connection therewith; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has examined and duly considered said section of the United Stated Code, and related sections and the Applicant deems it to be in the public interest and to the public benefit to file an application under said section of the United States Code and to authorize other action in connection therewith;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover, the governing body of said Applicant, as follows:
1. That the construction of said Project is essential to and is in the best interests of the Applicant, and to the end that said project may be constructed as promptly as practicable it is desirable that action preliminary to the construction thereof be undertaken immediately;
2. That the Mayor of the City of Dover be hereby authorized to file in behalf of the Applicant an application (in the form required by the United States and in conformity with 33 U.S.C. 466e) for a grant to be made by the United States to the applicant to aid in defraying the cost of construction of the sewage treatment works described above;
3. That if such grant be made, the Applicant agrees to pay all the remaining cost of the approved Project, over and above the amount of the grant;
4. That if such grant be made, the Applicant agrees to make provision satisfactory to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service for assuring proper and efficient operation and maintenance of the treatment works after completion of the construction thereof;
5. That the said Mayor of the City of Dover is hereby authorized to furnish such information and to take such other action as may be necessary to enable the Applicant to qualify for the grant;
6. That the said Mayor of the City of Dover is hereby designated as the authorized representative of the Applicant for the purpose of furnishing to the United States such information, date, and documents pertaining tot he application for a grant as may be required; and otherwise to act as the authorized representative of the Applicant in connection with this application;
Council adjourned at 11:55 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 13, 1961 are hereby approved.
February 14, 1961 W. Edward Haman
Mayor