SPECIAL MEETING

April 25, 1960

The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 25, 1960, 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 April 18, 1960 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.

BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL SECTION

Virginia McTyer desires to open a beauty shop at 858 Forest Street, a residential section. The request was duly advertised for hearing this date. No petitions have been received for or against the request. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Virginia McTyer was given permission to open a beauty shop at 858 Forest Street.

Dr. William W. Flanagan Jr. desires to open professional offices at the northeast corner of Waples Avenue and South Governors Avenue, a residential section. The request was duly advertised for hearing this date. No petitions have been received for or against the request. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Dr. William W. Flanagan Jr. was granted permission to open professional offices at the northeast corner of Waples Avenue and South Governors Avenue.

W. E. Fleetwood requests permission to open an antique furniture business at 34 N. Governors Avenue, a residential section. Council directed that the request be advertised for hearing on May 9, 1960.

HARRY J. DIXON

Harry J. Dixon dies April 22, 1960 of injuries sustained April 19, 1960 while in the employ of the City of Dover. He was engaged in routine maintenance of the street lighting system when he fell from an elevated ladder on the electric line truck near the Court Street bridge. Council directed that a Resolution expressing its sympathy be prepared, inscribed in the minutes, and presented to the widow.

REVENUE BONDS

Mr. Neylan reported on the New York trip of Mr. Ward, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Buckson and himself to confer with Bond Counsel, investment consultants and engineers on the provisions of the resolution providing for the issue of $9,000,000 of electric revenue bonds. A revised draft of the resolution will soon be available to City Council for further consideration prior to its adoption. Thirty days public notice prior to sale of the bonds will be given of adoption of the Resolution. It was suggested by Bond Counsel that this meeting be recessed and reconvened when City Council is ready to consider adoption of the Resolution.

URBAN RENEWAL

A proposed contract between the City of Dover and Raymond & May Associates to act as consultants on Dover’s Urban Renewal project has just been received. Approval of the contract was deferred to May 9 so that City Council may have time to consider its contents.

Mr. Fromm explained the first step in planning the project which would be a survey of the residents and property owners of the area. A proposed letter to residents of the area explaining the scope of the survey and its purpose was read to Council. The letter would be sent in the name of the Mayor and City Council and would be followed by newspaper and radio publicity prior to beginning te survey. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, City Council authorized sending a letter in the name of the Mayor and Council to residents and property owners in the urban renewal area explaining the scope and purpose of a survey to be made, and following the letter with newspaper and radio publicity.

RICHARDSON PROPERTY

Members of the Dover Library Commission asked whether they or the City would dispose of the building on the Richardson property, proposed sire of the new Library. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council declared that the building was the property of the Sover Library Commission to dispose of as they saw fit.

FIRE DEPARTMENT ORDINANCE

On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:

ORDINANCE amending an Ordinance for revising, amending and arranging the Ordinances of the City of Dover by amending Chapter V thereof entitled “Fire Department”.

Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:

Section 1. That Section 1 thereof be and the same is hereby amended by striking out all of said Section 1 and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

            Section 1. That from and after the passage of this Ordinance the Fire Department of the City of Dover shall consist of One Fire Chief of the Fire Department, One Deputy Fire Chief and Three Assistant Fire Chiefs, and such Engine, Hose, Hook and Ladder Companies as are now or may hereafter be organized by the City Council.

Section 2. That from and after the passage of this Ordinance, wherever the words “Chief Engineer” appear in any Section or Section of the Ordinance hereby amended, the words “Fire Chief” shall be inserted in lieu thereof, and wherever the words “First Assistant Engineer” appear, the words “Deputy Fire Chief” shall be inserted in lieu thereof, and wherever the words “Second Assistant Engineer” appear, the words “Assistant Fire Chiefs” shall be inserted in lieu thereof.

Section 3. That from and after the passage of the is Ordinance, each and every qualification, duty and responsibility imposed upon the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department shall hereafter be imposed upon the Fire Chief, and each and every qualification, duty and responsibility imposed upon the First Assistant Engineer shall hereafter be imposed upon the Deputy Fire Chief, and each and every qualification, duty and responsibility imposed upon the Second Assistant Chief shall hereafter be imposed upon the Assistant Fire Chiefs.

Section 4. This Ordinance shall not effect the titles or terms of the present office holders of the Fire Department of the City of Dover. The effective date of this Ordinance shall be the date of the next nomination of officers of the Fire Department of the City of Dover.

Passed April 25, 1960

DUMPING ORDINANCE

On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:

ORDINANCE Regulating the Dumping and Depositing of Refuse of any nature whatsoever excluding top soil and fill dirt within the limits of the City of Dover.

Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:

Section 1. That from and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or association to dump or deposit any refuse of any nature whatsoever, or create or maintain a dump or area for deposit of refuse of any nature, except top soil and fill dirt, within the limits of the City of Dover, without written permission of the City Manager of the City of Dover, said permit to set forth the location, area, duration and nature of refuse, in addition to such other terms and conditions as the City Manager may deem necessary.

Section 2. Whoever is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be fined not less than Ten ($10.00) Dollars or more than One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars, and upon failure to pay such fine and the costs of prosecution shall be imprisoned not more than ten (10) days.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall not apply to areas designated and posted by the City of Dover as areas for the dumping and depositing of refuse.

Passed April 25, 1960

PLAZA PROPERTY

City Solicitor Buckson reported that he had written to Ernest V. Keith and Wesley Church stating that a recently completed survey confirmed the fact that portions of improvements constructed by them were located on City-owned property. A letter in reply from Mr. Keith stated that because he had no survey made he could not acknowledge the line as determined by the City. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, the City Solicitor was directed to reply to Mr. Keith requesting that he cause a survey to be made to satisfy himself of the location of City-owned land.

TRUCK BIDS

Bids were received from Bolan Motors, Townsend Brothers, Kent County Motor Co., and Holden & Mundy on a truck chassis for the Street Department and trade-in of a 1955 truck chassis. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved purchase of a turck chassis from the low bidder, Bolan Motors Inc., on their low net price of $2200.00.

RECESS

On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council recessed at 10:15 P.M. to be reconvened at the call of the Mayor.

RECONVENE

The meeting of City Council recessed on April 25, 1960 was reconvened on the call on Mayor Haman at City Hall, at 7:30 P.M., May 2, 1960. The meeting was called to order with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.

POWER PLANT INFORMATION

City Manager Ward reported that he has available for inspection of such Councilmen as desired to do so bidding documents used in obtaining bids for the major requirements f the new power plant, a revised report of the entire project prepared by The Kuljian Corporation dated April 1, 1960, and a feasibility report prepared by the Engineering Consultants, W. C. Gilman Co.

ELECTRIC SUBSTATIONS

Mr. Ward reported that he is in the process of completing an agreement with the Dover Air Force Base for the installation of a 3750 KVA substation at Lebanon in addition tot eh 2500 KVA now installed there. He outlined to council the general plan of the City calling for distribution voltage of 4160 volts within the City limits and 7200/12460 volts outside the City. The linework on this plan is about complete, but additional substation capacity will be needed in the area south of Dover. Land for a substation site is now being sought. He asked Council to consider the possibility of locating two 3750 transformers at the Lebanon site and moving the 2500 KVA unit to a site to be located south of Dover. Purchase of identical units would firm up the Lebanon substation and still make available adequate capacity for the area south of Dover. Firm prices will be obtained this week so that Council can be informed of the cost by next Monday.

ANNEXED AREA UTILITIES

Council discussed the recently annexed Woodbrook area and the need of obtaining right-of-way for extension of utilities. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the City Solicitor was directed to confer with Mr. Robert Pippin, together with other City officials, on the matter of obtaining right-of-way for electricity, sewer and other utilities.

MATTHEWS CONDEMNATION

City Solicitor Buckson reported that the hearing on the Matthews condemnation was set for May 10 and the commissioners appointed were Charles Petch, Ebe Townsend and R. Harry Wilson. Mrs. Matthews is willing to accept $3200 for the land in question. This offer Council rejected. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the City Solicitor to offer Mrs. Matthews $1000 in cash, but no other allowances, in place of a former offer made by the City.

ORDINANCE - MEETING

On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by unanimous vote of those present, passed the following ordinance, Councilmen Fromm and Davis being absent.

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF 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, regular meetings of the Mayor and Council pf the City of Dover shall be held on the second and fourth Monday of each month, at such time and place as may be designated by the Mayor. Notice to members of Council of regular meetings shall not be required except when such regular meetings are to be held at a place other than the City Hall of the City of Dover.

Section 2. Special meetings of the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover may be called by the Mayor at such time and place as designated by the Mayor upon verbal or written notice at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of such special meeting. The notice herein provided for may by waived by individual members of the Council.

Section 3. Any or all matters deemed necessary by the Mayor and Council may be discussed and acted upon at any regular or special meetings of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover except as may be regulated by other Ordinances or provisions of the charter of the City of Dover specifically regulating same.

Section 4. Any meeting of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover provided for herein may be canceled by unanimous consent of the Mayor and members of the Council, excepting herefrom one meeting per month as required by the Charter of the City of Dover.

Passed May 2, 1960.

URBAN RENEWAL RESOLUTION

A resolution accepting an offer of the United States to make an advance of Federal Funds to the City of Dover to aid in financing the cost of certain surveys and plans for urban renewal project No. Del R-2 was introduced by City Manager Ward. The Resolution and the offer of the United States described therein was then read in full and explained by City Solicitor Buckson, following which it was discussed and considered by City Council.

On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council by unanimous roll call vote of those present, 6, Councilmen Davis and Fromm being absent, adopted the following resolution:

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AN OFFER OF THE UNITED STATED TO MAKE AN ADVANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO THE CITY OF DOVER TO AID IN FINANCING THE COST OF CERTAIN SURVEYS AND PLANS FOR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT NO. DEL. R-2

WHEREAS, under Title I of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended and supplemented, the United States of America (herein called the “Government”) has tendered to The City of Dover (herein called the “Local Public Agency”) an offer, hereinafter mentioned, to make an Advance of Federal funds to the Local Public Agency to aid in financing certain surveys and plans for an urban renewal project, designated Project No. Del. R-2, in the urban renewal area described therein; and

WHEREAS, the Local Public Agency has given due consideration to said offer.

BE IT RESOLVED BY the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The offer of the Government to the Local Public Agency, dated April 1, 1960, designated “Contract for Planning Advance”, Contract No. Del. R-2 (A), consisting of Parts I and II, under and subject to the provisions, terms, and conditions of which the Government would make am advance of Federal funds to the Local Public Agency to aid in financing the cost of certain surveys and plans for an urban renewal project, designated Project No. Del. R-2, situated in The City of Dover, Delaware, is hereby in all respects accepted.

Section 2. The Local Public Agency agrees to abide by all of the provisions, terms, and conditions of said offer.

Section 3. The Clerk of Council of the Local Public Agency is hereby authorized and directed forthwith to send to the Housing and Home Finance Agency two certified copied of the proceedings of the Local Public Agency in connection with the adoption of this Resolution, together with two certified copies of this resolution, and such further documents or proofs in connection with the acceptance of said offer as may be requested by the Government.

Section 4. The City Manager is hereby authorized to file requisitions, together with necessary supporting documents, with the Government, from time to time as Advance funds are required, requesting payments to be made to the Local Public Agency on account of the Advance provided for in said offer, and to do and performed in order to obtain such payments.

Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Adopted May 2, 1960.

Council adjourned at 10:20 P.M.

F. P. Neylan

City Clerk

All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of April 25, 1960 and May 2, 1960 are hereby approved.

                                                                                                                                                            

May 4, 1960                                                                                    W. Edward Haman,

                                                                                                                            Mayor