SPECIAL MEETING
May 25, 1959
The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 25, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
The invocation was said by the Reverend Best of the Lutheran Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of May 1 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
CAR BIDS
Bids have been received on the purchase of a car for the electric meter department with a trade-in of a station wagon. The low bidder was Delaware Auto Sales at a net price of $1191.00. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized purchase of a car from Delaware Auto Sales, low bidder, and trade-in of a Chevrolet Station wagon.
USO BUS STOP
Dover Air Force Base requested two parking spaces on the east side of Kings Highway near the USO be set aside for bus loading and unloading. Council approved the request and on motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Turner, directed the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary ordinance.
Mr. Holpp, remarked on the frequency of requests for limited parking space and his concern on the reduction of parking spaces available to the general public.
FERGUSON & HAYES PARKING
Ferguson & Hayes requested that two spaces be allotted for use of the funeral home on S. State Street with parking banned for other use. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, the request was denied.
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council granted permission to Ferguson & Hayes to use temporary no parking signs, furnished at their own expense, during funerals which are to be removed when services are finished.
POLICE SCHOOLS
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council authorized sending Sgt. Jack Roe to Traffic school at the University of Maryland from July 20 to July 31.
On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Fromm, Council authorized sending Lt. Frank Montague to Police school at Glassboro, N.J. during the week of June 8, at a cost not to exceed $50.00.
ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE PARKING OF VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH AND NEW STREETS.
Section 1. No person, firm or corporation shall park, allow or cause to be parked any vehicle, whether motor driven or otherwise of any kind, nature or description whatsoever, upon that section of North Street within a distance of forty (40) feet of a point where the curb of North Street intersects the curb of New Streets, and upon that section of New Street within a distance of forty (40) feet of appoint where the curb of New Street intersects the curb of North Street.
Section 2. Whoever shall violate the provisions of Section 1 above shall be fined not more than Ten Dollars ($10.00) and/or be imprisoned for not more than ten (10) days, or both.
Passed May 25, 1959
ORDINANCE
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF DOVER TO PROHIBIT PARKING IN ANY PUBLIC AREA OR STREET WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND TO AUTHORIZE PLACING OF “NO PARKING” SIGNS.
Section 1. Upon the request of any person, firm or corporation, or upon his own initiative, the Chief of Police of the Police Department of the City of Dover may prohibit for a period not in excess of twenty-four hours the parking of vehicles of any nature whatsoever in any public area or street within the City limits by placing or authorizing the placing of “No Parking” signs in the area which parking is to be prohibited.
Section 2. Whoever shall violate the provisions of Section 1 above shall be fined not more than Ten Dollars ($10.00) and/or be imprisoned for not more than ten (10) days, or both.
Passed May 25, 1959.
SEWER & WATER EXTENSIONS
Council was asked to consider the extension of sewer facilities to Richter & Meyers Shopping Center on the East Boulevard, and of water facilities to the Willey Development. The sewer extension had been approved by Council in August, 1958 but was never carried to completion by the applicants although Council has never specifically rescinded its action granting approval. The water extension had been denied pending annexation of the Willey Tract to the City. The intent of Council in the latter case was not to limit the requirement to the Wiley tract but to require annexation as a provision for extension of sewer and/or water to any area now outside City limits. Council discussed at length the Richter & Meyers request because of the circumstance of prior approval but decided to table the matter pending the outcome of annexation legislation now before the State Assembly. Charles Brown appeared on behalf of Mrs. Willey and expressed the willingness of the landowners to be annexed to Dover and to pay for utility extensions before or after the area is brought into the City. The present need is for water. As the area is contiguous to the present City limits it was suggested that a bill introduced in the Legislature providing for direct annexation and supported by all landowners involved probably would be approved without question and would meet the requirement of City Council. Mr. Brown felt that with the approval of Mrs. Willey’s attorney, such a bill could be introduced of the question of when and at who’s expense utilities and streets could be installed were settled. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Fromm, Council stated it would give approval to a bill providing for direct annexation of the Willey tract, and authorized the City Manager to work out terms of extension of utilities with the property owners or their representative.
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
Council authorized placing a wreath in the name of the City of Dover at the Memorial Day exercises. Mayor Haman will name a representative of the City to attend.
BANK OF DELAWARE PROPERTY
J. E. Leo Scanlon, Asst. Vice President of the Bank of Delaware asked Council whether Dover would be interested in the purchase of a property at Mary & Pear Streets owned by the Bank. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that Dover has no present interest in the property.
ADVERTISING
The Delaware State News submitted a proposal for an advertising project by the City of Dover. Council adhered to its former statement against such advertising.
WAGES AND HOURS
The Wages and Hours Committee reported on its recent meetings and recommended that Dover adopt the 40 hour week as its base work week effective July 1, 1959 with a wage scale for City employees which will be prepared and recommended before that date. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the 40-hour bade work week was authorized by City Council for all but the Police Department, effective July 1, 1959.
The committee reported that a survey of Saturday morning customers revealed that more than 95% preferred that City Hall remain open Friday evening rather than Saturday morning. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed the City Hall remain open until 9 P.M. Friday evening and close Saturday morning during June, July and August, that the change be fully publicized, and that a report be made to Council in August as to whether it should be approved on a permanent basis.
REVIEWING STAND
Councilman Davis reported that the estimated cost of erecting a reviewing stand for the Chicken Festival parade would be $600. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council authorized erection of the reviewing stand.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Mr. Ward and Mr. Neylan reported on the contents of substitute No. 1 to Senate Bill #180 authorizing the City of Dover to issue revenue bonds for water, electric and sewer utilities. The changes were made on the recommendation of an attorney for an investment firm which is interested in the purchase of such securities.
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Fromm, the City Solicitor was authorized to inform Mr. Lester Washburn of the status of the revenue bond legislation and to request him to render a bill for services performed by him to date in its preparation.
Council adjourned at 10:40 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 25, 1959 are hereby approved.
May 27, 1959 W. Edward Haman
Mayor