REGULAR MEETING
November 28, 1960
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, November 28, 1960 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Fromm, Turner and Zartman.
The invocation was said by Mr. Stewart, pastor of the First Baptist Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of November 14, 1960 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
FIRE CHIEF ELECTION
The judges appointed to conduct the election held November 21, 1960 to nominate Fire Chiefs of the Robbins Hose Company certified the results to City Council as follows:
Fire Chief: Paul N. Kertiles 42 votes
Deputy Fire Chief: Jack T. Roe 42 votes
Asst. Fire Chief: James B. Bice, III, 42 votes
Asst. Fire Chief: Robert Quillen 41 votes
Leroy Dear Sr. 10 votes
Asst. Fire Chief: Harry Pusey 29 votes
Wilson Comegys 22 votes
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council elected the Fire Chiefs of the Robbins Hose Company for 1961 as follows:
Fire Chief: Paul N. Kertiles
Deputy Fire Chief: Jack T. Roe
Asst. Fire Chiefs: James B. Bice, III
Robert Quillen
Harry Pusey
MANTER SURVEY
Councilman Turner reported on the survey of accounting needs of the City of Dover made by William R. Manter, CPA. The Legislative and Finance Committee approved the recommendations contained in the survey and the employment of William R. Manter to design the system at a total cost of $14,000 with credit for $2000 already paid for the survey. The cost includes no mechanization. The extent of mechanization will be determined after the desires and needs of the City have been decided. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council approved the recommendations of the committee and the employment of William R. Manter to design the system as recommended in his survey.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Councilman Fromm reported on the progress of the Planning Commission. The first draft of the Master Plan should be in the hands of the Planning Commission in December and the final draft in printed form available about March 1. The first draft of a zoning ordinance, necessary to implement a master plan, should be available by the middle of January. The Planning Commission is recommending the appointment of a Citizens Advisory Committee on planning and zoning and will suggest the names of members for appointment within a month.
URBAN RENEWAL
Councilman Fromm reported on the progress of the Urban Renewal Project. Three surveys are required, marketability, now being completed by Philip Kniskern, appraisal of present value of each individual parcel or property, and appraisal of value and use after redevelopment. The Planning Commission recommended employment of Hanby, Patterson and Schwartz for appraisal of present value. The J. M. Cleminshaw firm does not perform such work and no local firms have been found which qualify. The cost of the survey is an amount budgeted by HHFA, who would probably employ the Hanby form to check the work of any other firm employed. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council approved employment of the firm of Hanby, Patterson & Schwartz to make the second required appraisal in accordance with their proposal.
Final approval of an Urban Renewal plan requires activity on the part of the Dover Housing Authority, which hopes to have ready by Thursday of this week all papers required for Federal certification of housing needs. All property in the renewal area would be sold after redevelopment and must be paid for whether purchased by public or private agencies. The Parking Authority has been contacted to determine whether they would plan for public parking facilities in the renewal area. A housing Code must be adopted and Mr. Zartman reported that his committee has been working on that problem. Raymond & May have recommended that the City attempt to obtain some degree of subdivision control within and without the limits of the City thru action of the State Legislature and the City Solicitor was requested to work on this problem.
CITY MANAGER COMMITTEE
Councilman Fromm reported that he and Mr. Holpp, the committee appointed for the purpose, had received 40 applications for the position of City Manager and would attempt to narrow the list to 8 for final interview. They would attempt to interview the applicants on Monday evenings and other members of Council were invited to be present.
UTILITY ENGINEER
Mr. Holpp reported that the Utility Committee had interviewed applicants for manager of the Electric Department and had narrowed the list to Mr. Lester N. Scharnberg and a Mr. Cannon. The committee recommended the employment of Mr. Scharnberg and were supported by Mr. Harvey Colgin of the Kuljian Corporation. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council approved the employment of Lester N. Scharnberg as manager of the Electric Department, effective December 4, 1960, at a salary of $12,000 per annum.
POLICE CAR
Bids have been obtained from three local dealers on the purchase of a new police car and the trade-in of another. Low bidder was Bolan Motors, Inc. at a net price of $1233. A proposal was also received from Dover Leasing Co. to lease a car to the City for 24 months at the rate of $115 per month. The proposal included all maintenance and repair, excluding only insurance, gasoline, oil and washing. Council decided not to lease a car at this time. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council authorized purchase of a car from the low bidder, Bolan Motors, Inc. at the net price of $1233.
LEFT TURNS
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance prohibiting all left turns at State and Loockerman Streets.
NEW POWER PLANT
City Manager Ward reported that arrangements have been made with the broker of record, Chas. W. Hardesty Agency, to obtain blanket performance bond coverage on contracts exceeding $5000 at the new power plant. The average rate quoted was more than 50% less than some individual rates. An attempt is being made to obtain rates on insurance covering financial loss which might result from failure from any cause to complete and put into operation the new power plant on the date of expiration of the purchased power contract.
Three copies of a complete progress report from the Kuljian Corporation will be available in the City Manager’s office after Wednesday of this week.
NEW STREET
Council discussed the need for establishing the final grade of New Street between Water and South Streets. Buchanan has purchased most of the block to the east and would like to install curb on the east side of New Street at the proper grade. Council approved cutting New Street to final grade.
WATER STREET CENTER
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council approved use of a portion of the building at the Water Street Recreation Center by the Kent County Theater Guild during times when not needed for recreation purposes. The agreement will provide a 30-day notice to vacate.
NATIVITY SCENE
A letter from the Dover Ministerial Association reported that they had obtained permission to erect a nativity scene at the former hotel Richardson site and asked Council to provide lighting. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thompson, Council authorized the City Manager to provide lighting with the cost to be paid by the City.
TREES
City Manager Ward outlined a list of trees which the City desired to purchase or replenish nursery stock. Total cost would be $1325. Council decided that additional prices should be secured.
Council adjourned at 10:45 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of November 28, 1960 are hereby approved.
November 30, 1960 W. Edward Haman
Mayor