SPECIAL MEETING

June 23, 1958

The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, June 23, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Kellogg.

MINUTES

The minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read and had been approved in writing by Mayor Haman.

RECREATION REPORT

City Clerk submitted a report of recreation expenditures for the twelve month period beginning May 1, 1957, and ending April 30, 1958. Total expenditures were $8,751.49.

NORTH BRADFORD STREET - STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CONTRACT

Council discussed submitting a request to the State Highway Department that it accept jurisdiction over that portion of Bradford Street in the City of Dover which extends from Governors Avenue Boulevard to Walker Road, for the purpose of construction and maintenance of the street. The purpose of this action is because of the fact that left turns have been prohibited from State Street into Walker Road and as a result all traffic has been diverted by way of this portion of Bradford Street making it an artery of Walker Road, a State controlled highway. On motion of Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman Zartman, Acting City Manager Neylan was directed to submit a request to the State Highway Department.

BUILDING COMMISSION REPORT - MINDLIN DEVELOPMENT

Councilman Davis reported that the Building Commission had inspected the Mindlin Development site using the plan of 1955. He pointed out that several objections had been voiced by residents in the area of the development, those objections being in particular the size of the lots and type of houses to be constructed. Mr. Konschak was consulted and agreed to deed right-of-ways to the City but expressed the desire to continue to till the property until such time as the development is accepted by Council. Sewers already installed would meet the necessary requirements have been given to Mr. Hughes, attorney for Mr. Mindlin.

SILVER LAKE

Councilman Munsy reported that objections to the present Boating, Swimming and Skiing Ordinance has been received with reference to the stunt skiing area of Silver Lake as outlined in the ordinance. It has been noted that stumps are present in the area west of the bridge now designated as a stunt skiing area and represent a hazard. Chief of Police Turner reported that stunt skiing could be changed to the east side of the bridge without interfering with or danger to swimmers and without traffic hazard.

City Solicitor Buckson was asked to prepare an amendment to the ordinance permitting stunt skiing at a spot designated by Chief of Police Turner.

Chief Turner also requested that the fine for violations be changed to read $1.00 to $50.00 instead of $50.00 as provided in the ordinance, it was so directed, and is to be included with ordinance amendment.

STREET LINES - DIVISION STREET

Mr. Neylan reported that the contract for installation of conduit and cross walks for Division Street street lights had been awarded to Tudor Electric at $23,400.00. The contract has been let to Grayber Electric Company and purchase order issued for underground materials at $13,500.00. Further, a bid for overhead materials had been received form Westinghouse Electric at $24,358.08. On motion of Councilman Fromm, seconded by Councilman Carroll, Acting City Manager Neylan was authorized to issue purchase order to Westinghouse Electric in that amount.

SOUTH STREET CONDEMNATION

City Solicitor Buckson reported that a letter had been received from Mr. Twilley, attorney for Mr. Buchanan, setting forth objections to plans of the City for an alley between South Street and Water Street and between South Governors Avenue and South New Street. The present planned site of the alley would so divide the property as to render it useless for the purpose for which it was purchased. The property is commonly known as the John’s property and was recently purchased by Mr. Buchanan as a business location. Mr. Neylan was directed to proceed with a thorough study of the project and prepare a report of his findings at the next meeting of Council.

ORDINANCE - BUILDING LINES

City Solicitor Buckson reported that an ordinance setting building lines in business and commercial area could not be prepared as Council had requested. He stated that property owners would have to be notified prior to such action in accordance with existing ordinance. On motion of Councilman Fromm, seconded by Councilman Davis, it was established as a matter of policy of Council that all building lines in commercial and business area shall be thirty-three (33) feet from center line on all sixty (60) foot streets and twenty-five (25) feet from center line on all fifty (50) foot streets. Motion was carried by a vote of six to one. Councilman Hayes voted nay.

Clerk of Council was directed to notify the owner of the property known as the Richardson Hotel site, owner of records being cities Service Co., and owner of the property immediately adjacent to that property located in the triangular clock of Loockerman Street between State and King Streets, what action had been taken by Council at the June 9, 1958, meeting and advise them they can be heard at next meeting of Council to state any objections they might have to said action.

BUDGET PROPOSAL

Acting City Manager Neylan submitted budget proposal for the fiscal year 1958-1959, for discussion and study.

LINCOLN PARK DEVELOPMENT

Upon motion made by Councilman Davis, Seconded by Councilman Zartman, Council unanimously adopted the following Resolution:

WHEREAS certain property owners, to-wit: Dover Builders, Inc., Vera G. Davis, Rebecca Gibbs, Erma G. Reese and Perry A. Reese have executed deeds conveying the streets in the development known as Lincoln Park, except for Lincoln Street which is already a public street, to the City of Dover, and

WHEREAS it is deemed in the best interest if the City of Dover to accept the conveyances by the said property owners of said streets,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the formal dedication of the streets in the development known as Lincoln Park, except for Lincoln Street which is already a public street, is hereby accepted by the City of Dover.

Passed June 23, 1958.

Approved:

                  Clerk of Council                                                     Mayor W. Edward Haman

BROOKS REPORT

Acting City Manager Neylan reported that George Brooks, formerly a meterman for the City of Dover, had collected delinquent accounts in the name of the City of Dover amounting to $248.00 from various customers and had not surrendered such funds to the City. Mr. Brooks was immediately discharged and a claim filed with the insurance company for further legal action. No report has yet been received from bonding company.

PLOT PLAN - BUSH PROPERTY

Mr. Neylan presented to Council a plot plan of the property known as the Bush land at the request of Mr. George Records. On motion of Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman Mundy, the plot plan was accepted with the following restrictions: All houses must conform with the present building line of the houses to the south; that the City of Dover will not pave or otherwise improve the street known as West Street or sometimes designated as Westview Terrace until the necessary right of way is acquired in order to make the street an acceptable width. At the present time it is not known how, when or by whom such right-of-way will be acquired.

Clerk of Council was directed to notify Mr. Records of this action, and that at the next regular meeting of the City Council, the Council will take final action concerning the establishment of the building line. Failure of the owner (or owners) to appear will be considered to be an indication of their approval of the proposed line.

WESLEY COLLEGE

Mr. Thomas Baker, Building Inspector, presented plans on behalf of Wesley College to make temporary changes and relocation of certain buildings located on Cecil and Bradford Streets and Fulton and Bradford Streets. He stated that the buildings would be so places as to have a part of the buildings facing on an alley as a temporary measure until permanent dormitories can be erected. Mayor Haman directed Mr. Baker to obtain additional information from Wesley College outlining the complete proposal including a definite explanation as to time limit and meaning of term “temporary”.

WATER AND ELECTRIC METER - BAPTIST CHURCH

Councilman Davis requested the Baptist Church be allowed to use only one electric meter and one water meter for the double house now be remodeled. On motion made by Mr. Zartman, seconded by Councilman Turner, it was so ordered.

MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY PERMIT

Mr. Thomas Baker, Building Inspector, requested that Council authorized an extension of time for installation of fire escapes on multiple occupancy buildings due to the unavailability of carpenters to make such installations. Mayor Haman directed Mr. Baker to make a complete study and prepare a report to be presented at the next meeting of Council.

KENT COUNTY HEALTH UNIT

A report of the Kent County health Unit was read by Mr. Baker stating the results of three samples taken June 9, 1958, at Silver Lake were satisfactory.

Council adjourned 11:00 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk

All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of June 23, 1958, are hereby approved.

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                            W. Edward Haman,

                                                                                                                       Mayor