REGULAR MEETING
April 10, 1950
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, April 10, 1950 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Behen, Carroll, Culver, Lofland, Mikell, Petty, Smith and Wilson.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for March was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police for March was accepted as read.
Report of the City Alderman for March was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $776.55 was remitted to the city.
JAY CEES CARNIVAL
Council granted permission to the Junior Chamber of Commerce to hold a carnival from May 6 to May 15, 1950 at the Water Street Recreation Center.
LOAD AND UNLOAD ZONE
The Peninsula Electric Company requested a two-car loading and unloading zone along the east curb of New Street, adjacent to their store. The matter was referred to the City Manager and Chief of Police to investigate and report back.
ONE WAY STREET
Chief of Police Turner reported favorably on a request to make Bank Lane a one-way street west from The Green to Governors Avenue, and to allow parking on the north side of Bank Lane only.
NORTHWEST DOVER DEVELOPMENT
Harley F. Taylor, President of the Northwest Dover Heights Settlement Company, requested the City to furnish sewer and water to the development outside the City limits where the company proposed to construct from 150 to 300 dwelling units. Council rejected the request to furnish sewer facilities and appointed City Manager Brown and Thomas E. Baker to investigate the possibilities of furnishing water.
CITY MANAGER
Council approved the employment of O.B. Agner as City Manager of the City of Dover beginning June 1, 1950 at a salary of $6000.00 per year.
TAX APPEALS
Council approved reduction in assessment of Mr. & Mrs. Norman Willis, 910 S. State St. from $5100 to $5000.
Council disapproved the request of Southern States Dover Service for a reduction in assessment from $40,000 to $30,000.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
In accordance with a former referendum, Council directed that City offices open and close an hour earlier beginning April 30, 1950, and ending the last Sunday in September 1950.
TREE COMMITTEE
The Tree Committee will arrange a meeting with a similar committee of Friends of Old Dover in the home of Mrs. Neva Richardson.
LOADING ZONE - PEOPLES CHURCH
People’s Church was granted a loading and unloading zone from 9 to 12 A.M. each Sunday in front of the Church, which will furnish all signs.
TRAFFIC SURVEY
M. Allan Wilson, Chief Engineer, State Highway Department, replied to the City’s request for a traffic survey that, in view of the construction in the near future of a by-pass around Dover, a traffic survey would be of little value at present. The City Manager was directed to send a copy of Mr. Wilson’s letter to the Chamber of Commerce, which requested the survey.
PARKING LOT
A letter was received from the State Archives Commission regarding the establishment by the City of Dover of a parking lot on property acquired by the Commission from the Dover Gas Company. Several exceptions to the City proposal were noted, including the cost of removing tar from a pit and the installation of fence. The City Manager was directed to get an estimate of the total cost of completing the lot, with and without the fence, and whether the Archives Commission would agree to the installation of the fence at a later date.
Sewer Line
Council authorized the extension of City sewer lines about 60 feet to the property of William Hurley on Bank Lane between Governors Avenue and New Street.
LOTUS STREET ALLEY
Council directed the City Manager and City Solicitor to proceed with action required to abandon a north-south alley on Lotus Street in exchange for an east-west extension of the alley on property owned by Cook & Smith.
BASEBALL PARK
Council appointed a committee consisting of the City Manager and Councilmen Mikell and Culver to direct the operation of the baseball park this season.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Council directed the City Manager to obtain bids on spray equipment to be used for mosquito and fly control in the City of Dover.
FIRE HAZARDS
Council declared the house at 119 North Street a fire hazard and directed that the owner, Emanuel Barros, be notified, in accordance with City ordinances, to tear it down.
Council directed that Sears Roebuck & Co. be notified to clean up a lot on North Street, and that the Dover Meat Market be directed to clean up the rubbish behind that shop on Governors Avenue.
PARKING COMMITTEE
Chief of Police Turner reported that the committee appointed to investigate the practicability of two hour parking on street adjacent to the business district recommended against such a limitation. He further gave his observation that State Street between Loockerman and The Green was too narrow to safely allow parking on both sides of the street.
ALDERMAN’S RENT
Council directed that rent charged the City Alderman for space in the Police Station be reduced from $20.00 to $5.00 per month effective April 1, 1950.
WATER MAIN
A recommendation by Thomas E. Baker that a large water main be installed on Governors Avenue between Minor and Division Streets was referred to the City Manager for investigation as to cost, delivery of materials, and permission from the State Highway to open the street.
TAX RATE
Council set the tax rate for the year 1950 at $1.25 per $100 of assessed valuation.
STREET LIGHTS
Council directed the City Manager to proceed with the street lighting program, estimated cost $50,000.00.
ORDINANCE
Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance prohibiting the circulation of handbills and circulars within the City of Dover.
REFERENDUM
Council deferred consideration of a referendum for a proposed bond issue of $500,000.00.
SOFTBALL
Council authorized the expenditure of $50.00 for the City softball team.
Council adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
City Clerk