REGULAR MEETING
April 11, 1949
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, April 11, 1949 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.
City Manager’s Report
Report of the City Manger was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Report of the Chief of Police for March 1949 was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Report of City Alderman Conrad for March 1949 was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $455.20 was remitted to the City.
Ordinance
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEASING AND INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS: PROVIDING FOR AND REGULATING THE PARKING ON CERTAIN STREETS: AUTHORIZING THE USE OF PARKING METERS THEREFOR, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dover in Council met:
That Section 8 of the aforesaid Ordinance shall be amended to read as follows:
SECTION 8. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this ordinance, or aiding, abetting, or assisting in the violation of said provisions, shall, upon conviction before the proper officials of the City of Dover be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than One Dollar ($1.00) and no more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and costs of prosecution for each offense or imprisonment of not more than five days, provided any such violator shall have the opportunity of appearing before the proper officials of the City of Dover within one hour from the time of said violation and pay a ten cent fine in lieu thereof.
Passed April 11, 1949 by unanimous vote.
________________________
Clerk
Approved: ________________________
Mayor
Dover Army Air Base
The City Solicitor reported that nothing had been found upon the minutes of meetings of City Council authorizing transfer of lands owned by the City of Dover at the Air Base to the U.S. Government for a nominal fee. Council authorized the City Solicitor to enter into negotiations with proper authorities for sale of that part of Air Base lands owned by the City of Dover.
Garden Court Apartments
Garden Court Apartments, Inc. is now considering erecting apartments outside City limits east of Legislative Hall. Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate a contract for the extension of City sewer and water liens to the construction site.
Tax Assessment Appeals
Council authorized reduction of assessment on the property of Thomas Maull, S. State Street, from $5250 to $5000.
Council rejected the appeal of the Delaware State News from its assessment of $18,000 on the grounds that this sum was set during a general assessment year and that this year Council’s authority was limited to altering or changing only scrap assessments.
Carnivals
Council granted permission to the Robbins Hose Company to use the parking lot as a site for its carnival from May 20 to 31, 1949, and to the American Legion to use the lot for a carnival from August 10 to 20, 1949. Electric current will be billed at one-half rate.
Tax Rate
Following discussion of the financial condition and needs of the City, Council set the tax rate for the year 1949 at $1.25 per $100 of assessment, by a vote of 6 to 2. Councilmen Behen and Mikell voted against the rate increase.
Wage Increase
Council authorized an increase of the salaries paid Custodians at the Fire House from $37.50 to $42.50 per week. Action on other wage and salary increases was deferred.
Business in Residential Section
Paul C. Cook is now conducting an unauthorized garage business in the alley in the rear of 925 S. Bradford Street, a residential section. The City Solicitor was directed to take such action as would be required to cause this business to immediately cease its operations.
Ordinance
Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance forbidding parking at nay time on the south side of Division Street from State Street to King’s Highway.
Daylight Saving Time
Council unanimously adopted daylight saving time for the City of Dover beginning the last Sunday in April.
Condemnation of Property for Health and Other Hazards
Reports were received from Thomas E. Baker on unsafe and unsanitary conditions existing in the City of Dover. The City Solicitor was directed to determine what action the City could take to enforce an order to tear down unsafe or unsanitary structures and to recommend changes or additions to existing ordinances.
Board of Health
Council appointed the following citizens as members of the Board of Health: Dr. Joseph McDaniel, Dr. Stanley Worden, Daniel McKee, Walter T. Massey and W. Charles Boyer.
Water Main Extension
The City Manager was directed to take such action as is necessary to obtain and obligate funds allotted by the State to partially cover the cost of extending City water mains to The Gren and Legislative Hall.
Miscellaneous
The matter of removing rotted trees on E. Water Street was referred to the Tree Committee.
The City Manager was directed to check the painting of curbs at street intersections within the City.
The matter of improper parking, on sidewalks, etc., was referred to the City Solicitor for his recommendations.
Ordinance
By unanimous vote, Council passed the following ordinance:
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dover in Council Met:
Section 7, Chapter IX, of Ordinances of the City of Dover is amended to add:
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on the West side of Governors Avenue from Reed Street south, a distance of 135 feet. The penalty for violation of this ordinance shall be as prescribed for other violations of this Section.
Passed April 11, 1949
___________________
Clerk
Approved: ___________________
Mayor
Planning Commission
Council appointed the following planning commission for the City of Dover: Mayor Storey, Councilmen Carroll and Wilson and Harry K. Heite and William C. Boyer Jr.
Council adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
City Clerk