REGULAR MEETING
April 13, 1953
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 13, 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.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for March 1953 was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Magistrate Dempsey for March 1953 was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $565.25 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Robbins Hose Company fire recorder was accepted as read.
FOREST STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT
Dr. Kaplovsky appeared before the Hearing Committee to complain about the traffic light arrangement at Division and Forest Streets. Council directed the City Manager to survey the cost of moving the light farther west from the intersection to a point approximately at the entrance of Booker T. Washington School and to determine the attitude of property owners across from the school on the installation of sidewalks. Council decided that the matter of the traffic violation charged to Dr. Kaplovsky will be left to the decision of the magistrate hearing the case.
TENANT IN CITY-OWNED HOUSING
Complaints have been received about disturbances caused by Mrs. William Woodall, a tenant in the City-owned housing. Council directed that Mrs. Woodall be ordered to move within thirty-days.
BUSINESS LICENSES
john Blanchfield, S. Governors Avenue complained of a used car dealer parking cars on the street in front of his house so that the parking space was never available for him. Council knew of no present remedy, but discussed the licensing of businesses as a means of control. Council directed that a committee be appointed to study the licensing of business within the City of Dover and make recommendations to Council. Mayor Haman appointed as the committee Councilmen Petty, Davis and Mundy.
DIAMOND ICE & COAL STORM SEWER
Mr. Norman Ward stated the desire of the Diamond Ice & Coal Company to have installed approximately 200' of concrete storm sewer in that portion of Tar Ditch which crossed its land west of the Railroad. He stated that the Company would install 100' and requested the City to install the balance. The Council and Mayor stated that the City lacked funds for such a project. Mr. Ward stated that the Company desired to install 100' of sewer anyway, and asked the help of the City. Upon motion of Mr. Davis, Council authorized the use of the City crane in assisting in the installation of the pipe. The extra footage of sewer will be considered at some later date.
ASSESSMENT APPEALS
James F. Allee Jr. requested that the assessment on the El Eeurah apartments be reduced from $18,000 to $10,000. The committee recommended a reduction to $12,000. Council directed that the assessment remain at $18,000.
Katerine D. Ingram requested the assessment on six houses at 225-227-231-233-235 and 235 Railroad Avenue be reduced from $5,000. Council directed that the assessment remain at $5,000.
W.D. Clemenct requested that the assessment on his store at Governors Avenue and Division St. be reduced from $4500. Council directed that the assessment be set at $3500.
TAX RATE
Following consideration of a tentative budget for the coming year, Council set the tax rate for 1953 at $1.25.
LOOCKERMAN STREET
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, U.S. Route 13 has been moved to the dual State Highway east of Dover, and
WHEREAS, traffic from the dual State Highway known as U.S. Routes 13 and 113, east of Dover, is traveling over Loockerman Street through the City of Dover to reach State Route 8, west of Dover, and
WHEREAS, the State Highway Department of the State of Delaware now maintains said Loockerman Street from its junction with the dual State Highway know as U.S. Routes 13 and 113 west to Legislative Avenue and also maintains Forrest Street in the City of Dover form its intersection with Loockerman Street to its intersection with State Route 8, and
WHEREAS, as a result of the relocation of Route 13 together with increased traffic on Route 113, the connecting traffic with State Route 8 traveling over said Loockerman Street has greatly increased,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of The City of Dover in Council met, that The State Highway Department of the State of Delaware be and it hereby is requested to take over that portion of Loockerman Street from Legislative Avenue west to Forrest Street in the City of Dover and convert said portion of Loockerman Street into a State Highway.
Adopted by City Council of the City of Dover, Delaware this 13th day of April, A.D. 1953.
Approved:
City Clerk Mayor
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
City Solicitor Hughes explained to City Council the legislation which had been drafted for presentation to the State Legislature. The limits of the City on the north will be an extension of the south line of Walker Road, on the south Puncheon Run and an extension of the south boundary of the Willey property east of St. Jones River, on the east the line will be the east boundary of Edgehill extended north and south.
MEETING
Mayor Haman called a special meeting Monday, April 20, 1953 at 7:30 P.M.
Council adjourned at 12:30 A.M.
F.Neylan
City Clerk
CORRECTION
The following item of business was completed prior to discussion of business licenses above.
RENT ON CITY-OWNED HOUSING
Council approved payment of $75.00 per month ground rent to Noble Warren for City-owned housing on King’s Highway, in lieu of the present rental of $42.50 per month, and directed that the unused portion of Mr. Warren’s land be returned to him in accordance with a previous order of Council.
F. Neylan
City Clerk