SPECIAL MEETING
August 22, 1955
The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, August 22, 1955, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the last regular meeting of August 8th were read by the City Manager in the absence of City Clerk Neylan. Mr. Holpp moved that the minutes be accepted as read; Mr. Petty seconded. Carried unanimously.
REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR MONTH OF JULY
Each Councilman received a copy of the Report of the Expenditures for the month of July, as well as a copy of the Ambulance Report for July. Mr. Tischer moved that Capital Equipment be listed as such and not included under Materials Supplies. Mr. Davis seconded. All were in favor.
On the Ambulance report for July-the question came up on the Gasoline and Oil item, since there wasn’t any charge listed. Mr. Petty motioned that the report not be accepted until it is clarified. Mr. Zartman seconded. All were in favor.
RESULTS OF BIDS RECEIVED
Mr. Ward read the results of Bids received for construction of foundation of 250,000 gallon Baird Avenue Water Tank. Only two contractors submitted bids. They were: George and Lynch $6,758.00, and Burger Builders $5,686.00. Burger Builders were the low bidders by $1,072.00. Mr. Petty moved Burger Builders be awarded the Contract. Mr. Holpp seconded. Carried unanimously.
Mr. Ward also read the results of Bids received for construction of Legislative Grounds of Water Line. Again, we only received two bids, George and Lynch $9,435.00 and Burger Builders $9,243.10. Mr. Tischer moved that Burger Builders be awarded the Contract as the low bidder. Mr. Mundy seconded. All were in favor.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO MEET WITH WESTINGHOUSE REGARDING TURBINE SETTLEMENT
Council heard the reports of the Committee that met with Westinghouse in August 15, 1955. Some of the recommendations made by the Committee to Westinghouse was that they would pay the $52,142.00 immediately upon receipt of the Generator, (2) that Westinghouse would wave all storage charges and interest charges that may have accrued for any reason, and (3) that Dover be granted a period of 90 days after receipt of Generator for erection of equipment, and that all contractural warranties be upheld by Westinghouse and reckoned from date of test and acceptance. Mr. Tischer moved that the City borrow the money from the Improvement Fund and pay back tot eh General Fund at 2 1/4% interest against 4% that they would have to pay if they borrowed from a bank. Mr. Helm seconded. All were in favor.
HOTEL PROPOSITION AND COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. James Hughes III, City Solicitor, was present to read the Hotel Proposition. Mr. Hughes said that he and Mr. Keith went over the whole thing and have agreed on it. One of the major things is that the Site must be used as a Hotel only for 15 years, if during that time, the site is used for anything else, the ground and buildings on it would revert back to the City. He also stated that the Hotel would be charged “ground rent”, which would be $1,000.00 a year for 15 years. Mr. Davis moved that the Report and the Option agreed upon be accepted. Mr. Tischer seconded. Mr. Helm objected. Mr. Tischer moved that the proper authorities sign and execute this agreement. Mr. Zartman seconded. All were in favor.
OLD HOTEL RICHARDSON SITE
The question came up about the appearance of the Old Hotel Richardson property. Mr. Hughes said that he had talked to Mr. Bright of Philadelphia, who is the realtor for Cities Service, about the possibility of fixing up their property. Mr. Hughes stated that neither he, nor Mr. Bright, were in a position to come to a definite decision as to what would be done until they knew what the Council’s ideas were. Council decided to have Tom Baker look over the situation and work with the City Manager in regard to seeing what should be done to make the property a desirable looking location.
ORDINANCE
Mr. Hughes, City Solicitor, had this ordinance drawn up and proposed it to the Council:
ORDINANCE PROHIBITING TRESPASS UPON LANDS OF ANOTHER AND TRESPASS WITH THE INTENT TO PEEP OR PEER AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
Be It Ordained By The Council of The City of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. Whoever willfully enters into or upon or trespasses upon the ways, lands or premises of another in the City of Dover shall for each offense be fined not less than Five ($5.00) Dollars nor more than Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars or upon failure to pay such fine as shall be imposed imprisoned not more than ten (10) days.
Section 2. Whoever willfully trespasses in or upon the property or premises of another utilized as a dwelling in the City of Dover with the intent to peer or peep into the window or door of such dwelling shall be fined not less than Ten ($10.00) Dollars nor more than One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars or upon failure to pay such fine as shall be imposed imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days.
Passed August 22, 1955.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
Roll call was made by Mr. Ward and all Councilmen present agreed to adopt this Ordinance unanimously.
INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION PROPOSAL FOR STAND-BY STEAM TIE WITH CITY
Mr. Dobberstein, Vice President in charge of Production, of International Latex Corporation, and Mr. Godshall, Plant Engineer, were present to present Latex’s proposal for 15,000 lbs. of stand-by steam, produced by a tie in with the City of Dover. The steam would be placed on a meter type basis, and would probably be used about two–one week intervals a year. The entire cost of the tie-in would be absorbed by Latex. The same meter would also be used by Latex to furnish the City with the same amount of steam in case of emergency. Mr. Ward pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of the tie-in. The question came up about what the cost would be for the metering on both sides. Council decided that Mr. Ward should go over the whole thing again, get our Consulting Engineers down to decide on what the price should be, talk it over and compare with Latex on their decision, and then put Mr. Ward’s findings, and recommendations down in a letter to be sent out to each of the Councilmen for them to vote on and send their decision back to Mr. Ward as soon as possible.
PERMITS
The motion was made by Mr. Tischer, and seconded by Mr. Holpp that the Delaware State Museum be granted permission to erect signs advertising the Museum to Tourists, with the request that they use the existing posts whenever possible and that they limit the size of the sign so they will not interfere with traffic signs. All were in favor.
Mr. Ward read a letter from Dr. John A. Kreiger, requesting that the Satterfield property, 223 N. State Street be employed by him as both home and office. Mr. Petty moved that he request be granted and Mr. Mundy seconded. All were in favor.
Mr. Ward brought up the problem of the trees in front of Ned Scott’s property at the corner of State and Washington Street, that needed topping. Bartlett said they would do a complete job of topping them for $275.00, and a cost of $120.00 to feed the trees afterward. Mr. Davis moved that they be topped and Mr. Mundy seconded. All were in favor.
Mr. Ward also brought to the attention of Council that Cliff Morris wanted sewer and water facilities extended from the first lot (which is occupied by the Pure Oil Gas Station) to the second lot on Dual Highway #13 near Evergreen Drive. Mr. Ward recommended that Mr. Morris extend his sewer and water facilities all across his lots located there since in all probability they will eventually become commercial. This can be done by tapping the extremity of the southeast Dover Interceptor, which is now nearing completion. Me. Holpp moved that the proposal by Mr. Morris be denied. Mr. Tischer seconded. All were in favor.
REPORT ON SLUM CLEARANCE
A report was read by Thomas Baker about the disposition of the houses that were recently vacated on South Governors Avenue. Council decided to have Mr. Baker send a copy of the option to Miss McGonigal telling her that if these properties are not raised within thirty (30) days the City would do it and the charges would be leined against her property.
ELECTRICITY RATES
The subject of electricity rates came up and the Utility Committee consisting of Messrs. Petty, Mundy, and Helm planned to meet Friday night August 26th.
Council adjourned at 11:20 P.M.
Anne M. Campbell