REGULAR MEETING
May 11, 1953
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 11, 1953, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Smith and Tischer.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular and special meetings were accepted as read, with the exception that on the assessment appeal of James F. Allee Jr., the recommendation of the assessment committee was corrected to read $10,000 in place of $12,000.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for April 1953 was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Magistrate Dempsey was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $640.15 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Robbins Hose Fire Company fire recorder was accepted as read.
ALLEE ASSESSMENT
On motion of Mr. Petty, Council directed that the assessment on the El Eheurah apartments, owned by James F. Allee Jr., be reduced from $18,000 to $15,000. Councilmen Helm, Mundy and Smith voted No.
PICKERING BEACH ELECTRIC
The City Manager was authorized to extend electric service to Pickering Beach and to fix the rate at a figure that would amortize line construction costs over a period of ten years, or less.
The City Manager was also authorized to make some equitable adjustment with the Hass Brothers for that portion of the line for which they are charged $974.00.
KITTS HUMMOCK STREET LIGHTS
The City Manager was authorized to make an agreement with the Kitts Hummock improvement Association for installation of street lights and the rate to be charged for energy used.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
Council authorized the American Legion to hold services on the Triangle, Memorial Day, may 30, 1953. Council further authorized the purchase and presentation by the City of a wreath for the occasion.
PEOPLE’S CHURCH STREET LIGHTS
Council directed that the lighting standards in front of People’s Church and Holy Cross Church be rewired and placed in service and that the overhead street lights on the east side of Bradford Street between Reed and Division Streets be removed.
STOP SIGN ORDINANCE
By unanimous vote, Council passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER IX OF THE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO DESIGNATE THROUGH STREETS IN THE CITY OF DOVER AND REGULATING THE OPERATION OF VEHICLES AT INTERSECTIONS OF SUCH THROUGH STREETS WITH OTHER STREETS.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
That Chapter IX of the ordinances of The City of Dover is hereby amended by striking out Sections 2, 3, and 4 of said Chapter and inserting in lieu thereof the following sections:
Section 2. The Chief of Police of The City of Dover is authorized and empowered to designate main traveled or through streets in The City of Dover by erecting at the entrances thereto from intersecting streets signs notifying drivers of vehicles to come to a full stop before entering or crossing such designated through streets. All such signs shall be illuminated at night or shall be so placed as to be illuminated by the headlights of an approaching vehicle or by street lights.
Section 3. (a) Whenever a stop sign notifying drivers to come to a full stop sign has been erected by the Chief of Police as provided in Section 2 of this Chapter, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto.
(b) The operator of any vehicle who has come to a full stop as provided in subsection (a) of this Section shall not enter into, upon, or across the through street until such movement can be made in safety.
Section 4. The provisions of Section 2 and Section 3 of this Chapter shall not be applicable at any intersection where a traffic control signal is in operation, but at any such intersection traffic shall be governed by said traffic control signal. A traffic control signal is hereby defined as any device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is directed alternately to stop or proceed.
Passed May 11, 1953.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
TRAILER ORDINANCE
By vote of 7 to 1, Mr. Biddle voting No, Council passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO TRAILERS.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover On Council Met:
Section 1. That the Ordinance relating to trailers adopted December 13, 1948, and amended November 17, 1952, is hereby further amended by striking out Section 1 of said ordinance and inserting is lieu thereof the following:
Section 1 (a) Occupancy by human beings of trailers or portable structures as dwellings or places of business is hereby declared to be a nuisance, detrimental tot eh sanitation of The City of Dover, and dangerous to the health and safety of the citizens thereof.
(b) No person, firm, association, or corporation being the owner of, tenant of, or in possession of any trailer, bus, motor vehicle, or portable structure or vehicle of any kind designed or adapted for occupancy, either as a dwelling or as a place of business, and with or without wheels, shall park, place, set or install the same upon any land within the limits if the City of Dover without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Council of the City of Dover.
(c) The City Manager may issue a permit in writing to any person to park or keep a trailer within the City of Dover for a period of time not exceeding thirty (30) days for purposes of loading and unloading or of constructing, repairing, or renovating such trailer.
(Hand Written “Added to Ord.”)
Passed May 11, 1953.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
TAXI*CAB ORDINANCE
Council directed the Chief of Police, City Manager and City Solicitor to revise the ordinance controlling taxi cabs within the City of Dover and to include in the revision provisions placing responsibility for the driver upon the owner, and such other requirements as are deemed desirable.
INQUIRY - SALE OF BASEBALL PARK
Maurice A. Hartnett Jr. asked Council whether the land on which the baseball park is located is available for sale. He is a member of a committee seeking a location for the erection of a parochial school. Council did not know whether it had the right to offer the land for sale.
RECREATION
Council directed that the Dover School Board be contacted to determine whether the School Athletic Field is available for public use, especially in view of the fact that the City had donated the lighting fixtures and bleachers. The City Manager will contact the Board to determine whether the softball diamond will be available for YMCA league games. Members of Council will attend the meeting of the School Board this Wednesday.
JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - ‘WRECK’
Members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce asked permission of Council to locate a wrecked car on The Plaza to emphasize a safe-driving campaign they wish to conduct. Council approved locating a wreck on the southwest corner of the parking lot next to City Hall.
COLLEGE SQUARE
Wesley Junior College requested that Council designate the streets surrounding the College, State Street, Cecil Street, Governors Avenue and Fulton Street, ad East College Square, respectively. Council approved the request, but directed that the College Square designations be in addition to, but not in place of, the present street names.
PARKING ON THE GREEN
At the request of the Kent County Levy Court, Council directed that an ordinance be prepared designating tree parking spaces in front of the Kent County Court House as fifteen minute parking on the rest of the Green to two hours, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 4 P.M.
HEARING COMMITTEE
Mayor Haman appointed Councilmen Davis, Holpp and Smith to the Hearing Committee for the months of June, July, and August.
HUMPHREY PARKING SPACE
Council directed that the no parking space in front of the Earl Humphrey Store be painted out and a parking meter be installed in the space.
WATER STREET RECREATION CENTER
Harold Kocher, YMCA director, requested the City to install lights on the softball diamond at the Recreation Center, repair and extend the back stop, fence the well, install guide wires along the foul lines and grade the field before the league opening May 18. The City Manager was authorized to put the field in shape, but to withhold action on the lights until it could be determined whether the school diamond was available for use.
Council adjourned at 12:00 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk