REGULAR MEETING
February 12, 1951
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 12, 1951, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Councilmen Carroll, Culver, Mikell, and Wilson. Newly elected Councilmen Raymond F. Book, Kenneth O. Smith, Stanley Petty and victor Holpp were sworn as members of Council by City Alderman John H. Conrad.
Mayor Storey welcomed the new members of Council and summarized he activities of the past year and plans for the future.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
By unanimous vote, Mr. Carroll was nominated and elected Vice Mayor.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Neylan was nominated and elected City Clerk.
By unanimous vote, Mrs. Isabel Syphers was nominated and elected City Treasurer.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Conrad was nominated and elected City Alderman.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Hughes was nominated and elected City Solicitor.
BUILDING COMMISSION
City Manager Agner and Councilmen Petty and Wilson were appointed to act as the Building Commission.
TREE COMMISSION
Councilmen Carroll, Culver and Mikell were appointed members of the Tree Commission. The friends of Old Dover will be requested to name two members to the Commission.
POLICE FORCE
Council fixed the Police Department at the number now serving, and their salaries as at present scheduled.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Joseph McDaniel, M.D. Benjamin F. Burton, M.D., Donald K. Harmeson, Walter T. Massey and W. Charles Boyer were appointed members of the Board of Health for the City of Dover.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Mayor Storey and Councilmen Smith and Book were appointed members of the Planning Commission. The friends of Old Dover will be requested to name two members of the Commission.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular and special meeting were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for January 1951 was accepted as read. Monthly and annual reports of the Chief of Police were accepted as read.
Monthly and annual reports of the City Alderman were accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $534.20 and $20.00 were remitted to the City. Annual report of the City Solicitor was accepted as read. Annual report of the Fire Chief will be presented as a later meeting.
FLUORIDATION OF CITY WATER
Messrs Peter DeMarie and James Gentry, representing the Junior Chamber of Commerce, requested City Council to consider fluoridation of City water as a means of preventing dental decay. A report was submitted to Council, together with endorsements from local doctors, dentists and health officials.
PURCHASE OF SALVAGE TRUCK
The Robbins Hose Company requested City Council to purchase a new salvage truck at a cost of approximately $9000. The Company proposed to borrow the required amount if the City would repay the loan plus interest. Council agreed to assume the liability and directed the City Solicitor to draw up the necessary resolution.
BULK STORAGE PLANTS
Council directed the City Solicitor to notify the Harmon oil Company and other oil companies within the City limits whose bulk storage plants do not comply with requirements of City ordinances to appear at a hearing before City Council Monday, February 26,1950, at 7:30 P.M. to show cause, if any, for noncompliance.
LIBRARY
Council directed that the Library Commission be requested to make a report of progress on the location of new quarters for the library.
HOSPITAL LIGHT AND WATER
City Manager Agner and Councilmen Holpp and Carroll were appointed members of the committee considering water and light furnished the Kent General Hospital.
Council directed that beginning March 1, 1951, Kent General Hospital be billed at cost for electric current consumed. The actual cost of current shall be determined at the end of each three month period and differences found shall be corrected by adjusting the Hospital billing.
Council directed that beginning March 1, 1951, Kent general Hospital be billed at the regular commercial rate for water consumed.
ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
Councilmen smith, Petty, Carroll and Holpp were appointed as members of the committee to reassess real estate within the City of Dover.
RESOLUTION
By unanimous vote Council adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION URGING RESTRAINT AND MODERATION IN PROPERTY RENTALS IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS large numbers of men will probably be stationed at the Dover Air Force base during the present national emergency; and
WHEREAS the consequent demand for housing may easily lead to general rise in rents throughout the City of Dover and nearby parts of Kent County, Delaware; and
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Dover believes that it is essential to keep rentals at a fair level not only in fairness to the men who may be stationed at the Air Force Base but also to avoid an early reimposition of rent controls in Kent County;
NOW THEREFORE Be It Resolved By the council Of The City of Dover:
That the landlords in the City of Dover and the surrounding area are hereby called upon to take no advantage of the overcrowded housing conditions which may arise upon reactivation of the Dover Air Force Base and are strongly urged to maintain house, apartment and room rentals at the lowest possible level consistent with present day prices.
ORDINANCES
No action was taken on a proposed ordinance prohibiting obstruction of public and private alleys pending further study.
BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL AREA
Council approved establishment of a print shop by Benjamin F. Simmons at 426 S. State Street.
NO PARKING REQUEST AT STATE MUSEUM
The Delaware State Museum requested that an area to be used for loading and unloading only be designated at 316 S. Governors Avenue. The request was referred to the Chief of Police for his recommendation.
BILL FOR SERVICES OF SOLICITOR
Council approved payment to the City Solicitor of $600 for his services during the year 1950.
METERS ON CITY PARKING LOTS
The Chief of Police and Councilmen Smith and Petty were appointed a committee to study the installation of parking meters on parking lots adjacent to City Hall and at New Street between North Street and Bank Lane.
AMBULANCE
Council rejected proposal for the purchase of a new ambulance for the City. Council proposed that title to the present City ambulance be given to Kent General Hospital and tha tht eHospital pay all maintenance costs.
Council adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk