SPECIAL MEETING

March 6, 1950

A Special Meeting of City Council was held on Monday, March 6, 1950 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Behen, Carroll, Culver, Lofland, Mikell, Petty, Smith and Wilson.

CITY-OWNED HOUSING

Noble S. Warren, owner of the land on which is located the housing project recently acquired by the City from the Federal Government, requested City Council to remove the buildings or consider a new lease more in keeping with the value of the land. Council directed the City Manager to report at the next meeting the terms of the present lease.

BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL AREA

The building commission reported that a hearing held on Mr. Irving Garton’s request to open a business at Fairview and Columbia Avenues, a residential section, was inconclusive. The Commission recommended that City Council define an area around the site in which the property owners can be canvassed by a City official. Council could base its decision upon the result of the survey. Council directed the City Manager to cause a canvass to be made in the area bounded by William Street, Lakewood Place, Ross Street, and the lands of James H. Hughes.

BUS TERMINAL

A committee of citizens represented by Messrs. Karl Dorzbach, J. Henry Hazel and W. Edward Haman petitioned City Council not to sell the lot east of City Hall but to retain it for future municipal development. The petition was drawn up following a meeting of citizens held earlier in the day. Mr. Haman stated that the sole purpose of the meeting was to discuss retention of the land by the City for the erection of municipal or government buildings in the future which would conform to the general plan for the area. Mr. Hazel outlined the original purpose in acquiring the area in question. Mayor and Council individually stated that if an amicable settlement could be reached with Messrs. Turner and Wheatley, who have met all conditions required by Council to purchase the lot, they as members of Council would agree to cancellation of the sale. Conditions to be considered in a settlement were withdrawal of a suit in the court of Chancery restraining sale of the land on various allegations and reimbursement of costs incurred by Messrs. Turner and Wheatley in exercising the option granted by Council.

City Council by unanimous vote adopted the Resolution attached hereto providing for the advertisement of a request for bids for the purchase of a parcel of land of the City of Dover east of City Hall on the same Terms and conditions contained in the agreement of sale of the said lands to James E. Turner.

Council approved the form of the request for bids to be published in newspapers for three successive weeks, sealed bids to be received for opening at 12 o’clock noon, March 31, 1950.

Council authorized Mayor Storey to publish or not to publish, at his discretion, the request for bids, it being agreed that the decision not to publish the request would be based on settlement of the conditions for cancellation of the sale outlined to the committee of citizens above. In the event the sale is cancelled, Council authorized reimbursement to Mr. Turner of costs incurred for dirt and fill on the City-owned lot.

CUSTODIANS - FIRE HOUSE

Council authorized a salary increase for Fire House Custodians from $42.50 to $45.00 per week, effective April 1, 1950. Council directed that the minimum wage for Fire House Custodians be $37.50 per week and the maximum wage $50.00 per week.

ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT

Council declined the offer of the Delaware Power & Light Company to furnish all power needs of the City of Dover for a period of one month.

REFERENDUM

Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare preliminary plans for holding a referendum prior to offering for sale bonds for improvement of City of Dover Electric Light and Water Plant.

GASOLINE TANK

Council authorized installation by the Dover Gas Company of a 1000 gallon gasoline tank at its new plant along the railroad.

REPAIRS TO LIBRARY

Council authorized repairs to the plaster in the Library on the second floor of City Hall.

Council adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

City Clerk