REGULAR MEETING
August 10, 1959
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, August 10, 1959 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meetings of City Council held on July 27 and August 3, 1959 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of Alderman Dempsey for July was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $81.00, $205.50, and $1159.90 were remitted to the City. Report of Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $244.00 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts for July was accepted as read.
Report of Budget Expenditures for June was accepted as read.
WILLIAMSON BUSINESS
Dr. Jessie R. Williamson requested permission to open a dental office and practice at 24 N. Queen Street, a residential section. The request was duly advertised for hearing at 7:30 P.M., August 10, 1959. No petitions were received for or against the request. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized Dr. Jessie R. Williamson to open a dental office and practice at 24 N. Queen Street.
PARK COMMISSION
John Charlton, Douglas Harris and Nathan Cohen appeared before City Council as a committee representing the Dover Coordinating Council to request that Dover establish a park commission or authority to plan a park system for the City. The committee represents a group with a potential membership of 60 service organizations in the community and expressed the opinion that their organization would assist physically and financially in establishing a park system. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, the matter was referred to the Planning Commission which will meet the Coordinating Council and attempt to prepare a resolution for adoption by City Council which will set up a park commission or authority.
CURBS AND STREETS
A delegation from North Kirkwood Street appeared before City Council to request that their street be curbed and paved. During the past winter storm sewer was installed in the area and as a result the streets are in poor shape. Hearings have already been held for installation of curb on Kirkwood Street from Division to Mary and on Queen Street from Division to Fulton, with Council ordering the cost of installation of curb to be assessed to adjoining property owners. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed that resolutions be prepared so that hearings may be held for assessing the cost of curb installation on the following streets:
Fulton Street - from New to West
Cecil Street - from New to West
Mary Street - from New to Pear
Queen Street - from Fulton to Mary
Clara Street - from New to Queen
Bradford Street - from the Boulevard to Walker Road
ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE PARKING OF VEHICLES ON A PORTION OF THE EAST SIDE OF SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE NORTH OF MINOR STREET.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. From and after the passage and approval of the ordinance it shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on the east side of Governors Avenue within a distance of twenty (20) feet from the intersection of the north side of Minor Street and east side of South Governors Avenue.
Section 2. Any person convicted of a violation of this Ordinance shall be fined not less than One ($1.00) Dollar nor more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars or upon failure to pay such fine as may be imposed shall be imprisoned not more than five (5) days.
Passed August 10, 1959.
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING RIGHT TURNS BY TRACTOR TRAILERS FROM SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE ON TO MINOR STREET.
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 operating a tractor trailer on South Governors Avenue to make a right turn from South Governors Avenue to Minor Street.
Section 2. Any person convicted of a violation of this Ordinance shall be fined not less than One ($1.00) Dollar nor more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars or upon failure to pay such fine as may be imposed shall be imprisoned not more than five (5) days.
Passed August 10, 1959.
HARRIMAN RIPLEY AGREEMENT
City Solicitor Buckson reported he had prepared for signature the agreement as amended between the City of Dover and Harriman, Ripley, Inc., for the completion of the necessary studies and the negotiated sale of an initial issue of revenue bonds to that investment firm.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
HARRINGTON WATER TAP
Charles Harrington requested permission to tap a 2" water line now serving Capitol City Motel to provide water to properties owned by him. Extending eater lines of inadequate size is contrary to the policy of Dover. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was denied.
PRYOR STREET
Pryor Street is a street one block in length between Division Street and Kings Highway. A continuation of the street north of Division Street is called American Avenue. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that the name of Pryor Street be changed to American Avenue, south.
LATEX REQUEST FOR RIVER WATER
International Latex Corporation requested permission of the City of Dover to pump water from the St. Jones River to cool its electric generators and return the same water to the stream. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council approved the request subject to the installation meeting the requirements of the City Manager.
LIBRARY LETTER
A letter from Dr. Shilling of the Dover Library Commission thanked Dover for its annual contribution of $250 and stated that before long the Commission hoped to move into new quarters. The City Manager will acknowledge receipt of the letter.
URBAN RENEWAL
The City Planning Commission had considered a report of housing conditions and recommendations of methods to redevelop and improve conditions which exist in the City of Dover which had been prepared by the Planning Consultants, Raymond & May. As a result of its deliberations adopted which would find that slums and blighted areas exist in the City and the redevelopment of such areas is in the public interest; which would create a Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority; and which would authorize the preparation of an application for a workable program by Raymond & May at a cost of not to exceed $1500. It was recommended that the program be set up under the provisions of Federal legislation dealing with Urban Renewal and Related housing programs. Mr. Fromm present the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and Mr. May and Mr. Bogen exhibited to Council plans and maps which had been prepared for similar programs in other cities and explained the operation and requirements of the Federal Program. Council discussed the program in detail and pointed out some difficulties that might be encountered. The areas discussed were bounded generally by Mary Street, South Street, Governors Avenue and the Railroad, and west of the Railroad between Lincoln Street and the Hazlettville Road.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council adopted the following resolution by a vote of 6 to 1, Mr. Hayes voting No.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING URBAN RENEWAL.
WHEREAS, Chapter 45 of Title 31 of the Delaware Code Annotated provides for slum clearance and urban redevelopment programs within the corporate limits of any City or Town in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, there are within the City of Dover one or more slum or blighted areas as defined in the above mentioned act; and
WHEREAS, the redevelopment of such areas is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare of the residents of the City of Dover,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That a survey and planning application to the Housing and Home Insurance Agency for an Urban Renewal Project be prepared for the area bounded generally by Loockerman Street, the Pennsylvania Railroad, South Street and Governors Avenue by Raymond and May Associates, Planning and Urban Renewal Consultants of Pleasantivlle, New York, and the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars is hereby appropriated to cover the cost of the preparation of such application.
2. That the City Council of the City of Dover is hereby vested with all the powers, functions and duties of such Slum Clearance and Development Authorities as set forth under the provisions of the above-mentioned Act of the State of Delaware.
Passed August 10, 1959.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT
A letter of the Kent County Board of Assessment outlined the provisions of a recently enacted law which requires building permits for the erection or alternation of any building in Kent County at a cost of $1000 or more. The Board of Assessment requested the Cooperation of the City of Dover in requiring applicants for Dover building permits to obtain County building permits also.
CITY HOUSING
City Manager Ward reported he had received a bid of $1501 for the three remaining units of City Housing located on Mary Street. He also reported that the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club had requested that a unit be reserved for its Boy Scout Troop until a site could be located and the amount of funds available for its purchase could be determined. Bids were received as a result of public advertisement. Council questioned the suitability of any of the units for Bot Scout use. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized the City Manager to sell the units for the high bid of $1501.
KEITH BUILDING PERMIT
Ernest V. Keith requested a building permit for alternations to the rear of his property at Loockerman Street and The Plaza. Council tabled the request for more information and further study.
DIAMOND ICE COMPANY WELL
The Utility Committee reported it had studied the request of the Diamond Ice & Coal Company to drill a well within the City limits to a depth of approximately 200 feet, the strata which is the source of Dover’s water supply. An ordinance prohibits the drilling of such wells without express permission of City Council. The Utility Committee recommended that the request be denied. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis, the request was denied.
Council adjourned at 12:00 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of August 10, 1959 are hereby approved.
August 12, 1959 W. Edward Haman
Mayor