REGULAR MEETING
May 8, 1950
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, May 8, 1950 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Behen, Carroll, Culver, Mikell, Petty, Smith and Wilson.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for April was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police for April was accepted as read.
Reports of the City Alderman for April was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $507.40 was remitted to the City.
CHICKEN FESTIVAL DECORATIONS
A committee consisting of William Mitten, Ralph Tischer and Karl Dorzback Jr. requested City Council to bear the cost of City Decorations for the Chicken Festival to be held June 13-15, 1950. Council approved the expenditure of not to exceed $600.00, provided the committee make the necessary arrangements and submit bills approved by the chairman, Mr. Mitten, for payment.
WATER LINE - NORTHWEST DOVER HEIGHTS
Mr. Harley Taylor and Mr. Samuel C. Warwick appeared before Council to discuss the extension of a water main to the development known as Northwest Dover Heights. The size of the proposed main was discussed. Mr. Warwick proposed to pay the entire cost of the main, provided the initial investment was repaid over a period of years from water rents collected from attachments to the main. Council authorized construction of a water main to the development following advertisement for bids, the entire cost of construction to be borne by the developers, who will be repaid over a period of years at a rate of from 50% to 75% of collections for water rents derived from the line until complete repayment of the investment is made, at which time the City will have complete ownership of the main, to and thru the development. All water taps in the development will be metered. The minimum charge to each user in the development will be $18.00 per year.
NO PARKING AREAS - LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONES
Council denied the requests of the Peninsula Electric Company and Outten Brothers Furniture Store on S. New Street for no-parking spaces to be used as loading and unloading zones. The City Manager, Chief of Police Turner and Councilman Behen were appointed a committee to survey the business district and make recommendations to the next regular meeting of Council for loading and unloading zones on side streets.
REMOVAL OF TREE
Dr. John A. Trader requested the removal of a tree in front of Wesley Church on S. State Street. The matter was referred to the Tree Commission.
SEWER AT DOVER HIGH SCHOOL
City Manager Brown reported he had received a letter from Dr. Halderman regarding the school bearing one-half the cost of installing a sewer line along Delaware Avenue from Maple Lane to Kent Avenue. The School Board has not yet made a decision.
SIDEWALKS ON LOTUS STREET
Council directed that property owners on both sides of Lotus Street from Orchard Avenue to State Street be notified to install 5' sidewalks within six months. Present sidewalks less than 5' in width must be extended to the required width within the same period by addition of a strip of walk.
SIDEWALK SURVEY
The City Manager was directed to make a survey of all sidewalks and recommend to Council those to be repaired.
POWER REQUIREMENTS SURVEY
City Manager Brown reported that he had contacted three engineering firms regarding a power survey in Dover and was awaiting their estimates of cost.
STREET LIGHTS
Council approved the purchase of open type stainless steel receptacles for residential section street lighting from Line Material Company at a cost of $16.40 each. Council directed that all sample lights now installed be returned with the exception of the stainless steel type.
MOSQUITO CONTROL SPRAYER
City Manager Brown and Councilmen Carroll and Wilson were appointed as a committee to view various sprayers and to approve the purchase of one at a price not to exceed $1500.00.
FOOD SALES AT CHICKEN FESTIVAL
Council approved the erection of a temporary booth on the Plaza by the Julia Jones Circle of the Kings Daughters for the sale of cooked chicken on June 15. No other group will be permitted to use the Plaza for this purpose. Profits will benefit the Palmer Home.
Council approved the erection of a temporary booth by the Dover Memorial Post, VFW, for the sale of cooked chicken during the chicken festival June 13-15. The location of the booth is subject to the approval of the City Manager.
CONDEMNATION OF BUILDINGS
Council condemned as a health hazard a building at 517 Cecil Street owned by Helen Owen, 2043 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
Council condemned as a fire hazard a building at 112 Water Street owned by the Henry Patton Estate.
The City Clerk was directed to notify the owners to correct existing conditions or tear down the buildings within 30 days. The City Clerk was directed to send similar notices to owners of other structures condemned by Council which have not yet been torn down.
PARKING METERS
Council directed that when parking meters are replaced on S. Governors Avenue between Loockerman and North Streets, they be so spaced that the first metered zone begin 10 feet north of the gasoline filling station operated by Dozzie Robertson.
ORDINANCES
Council tabled a proposed ordinance making Bank Lane a one way street west, but directed that signs be erected and that the present ordinance prohibiting parking on Bank Lane between The Green and Governors Avenue be enforced.
Council tabled a proposed ordinance prohibiting the distribution of handbills in Dover, but directed that an amendment to the present ordinance be prepared. The amendment will prohibit the distribution of handbills and circulars in or an automobiles.
Council tabled an ordinance relating to peddling on the streets of Dover.
Council tabled for further consideration an ordinance forbidding malicious throwing or depositing of objects on the streets of Dover.
CITY OWNED HOUSING
Mr. Noble Warren asked that Council reconsider his request for an increase in the price of rental of his land on which is located City owned housing. Councilmen Carroll and Petty and Mr. Baker were appointed a committee to consider release to Mr. Warren of the unused portion of his land, increase in rental charged occupants, and increase of rent to Mr. Warren and to make its recommendations to City Council.
RESOLUTION
By unanimous vote of all members of City Council, the following resolution was adopted:
A RESOLUTION PROPOSED THE VACATING OF A CERTAIN FIFTEEN FOOT ALLEY RUNNING IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION FROM LOTUS STREET IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover favors the vacating and abandoning of a certain fifteen foot alley in the City of Dover running parallel to South State Street and extending in a southerly direction from the southerly line of Lotus Street and more particularly described as follows, i.e.:
Beginning at a point in the south line of Lotus Street and the west line of said alley, said point being south 78½ degrees east 170 feet from the east line of State Street; thence running south 11½ degrees west 176.8 feet with the west line of said alley to a point in the north line of a fifteen foot alley running parallel with and south of Lotus Street; thence running north 82½ degrees east 15.9 feet to a corner in the east line of said alley; thence running north 11½ degrees east 171.6 feet with the east line of said alley to a point in the south line of Lotus Street; thence running north 78½ degrees west 15 fete with the south line of Lotus Street to the place of beginning, and containing 2,613 square feet of land more or less.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit at the City Hall to hear objections to vacating the said alley and to award just and reasonable compensation to anyone who will be deprived of property hereby on the 12th day of June, A.D. 1950, at 7:30 P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving Time/
Adopted May 8, 1950.
Clerk of Council
Approved:
Mayor
Council adjourned at 11:02 P.M.
City Clerk