REGULAR MEETING
May 10, 1948
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, May 10, 1948 at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Willis. Members present were Mrs. Frear and Messrs. Carson, Carroll, Culver, Mikell, Wilson and Wright.
Minutes
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read.
City Manager’s Report
The City Manager’s Report was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Report of the Chief of Police for April 1948 was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
The Aldermans’ report was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $510.40 covering collections for April 1948 was remitted to the City.
Petition of Colored Ministers
A delegation representing colored ministers of Dover appeared before Council. Their request for information about a curfew law for children was referred to the City Solicitor for report at the next regular meeting of Council.
In reply to their request for an additional colored policeman, Mayor Willis stated that when a policeman is added to the force he will be stationed in the colored section.
The Mayor and Chief of Police will confer with the delegation regarding measures to combat juvenile delinquency.
Petition of Dover Tea Room
Howard E. Lynch, Jr., representing the Dover Tea Room, appeared before Council and statedthat the business of his client had been cut in half since new parking regulations had been instituted on State Street between Loockerman and The Green. He requested that Council give consideration to the matter.
Addition to YMCA Water Street Center
Rev. William F. Edge and Mr. Kenneth Simpson outlined to Council the limitations of the present Youth Center on Water Street and their proposed plan for its expansion. Approximately $6000 is required to carry out the plan. Funds can be borrowed but as the City owns the Water Street Center, the YMCA has no security to offer for a loan. Rev. Edge and Mr. Simpson requested that the City secure the loan which the YMCA will endeavor to repay. Council approved such action as the Mayor and City Solicitor may find necessary to secure the loan of $6000.
Adjustments in Property Assessments
The Committee appointed to report on adjustments in property assessments made the following recommendations:
1. That a bill be prepared by the City Solicitor to be presented at the next session of Legislature changing Section 47 of the City Charter to allow the City of Dover to make a general assessment in any calendar year in general accord with the Kent County assessment.
2. That the City Assessor prepare a comparative list of properties in Dover showing present County assessment, present City assessment and proposed new City assessment, properties to be broken down into residential, commercial, industrial, etc., and that City Council or a committee thereof approve or disapprove any proposed changes in assessed valuation.
Property Assessments, Cont’d.
Council approved the Committ4ee’s recommendations and directed they be carried out.
Adjustments in Electric Light and Power Rates
The committee appointed to study adjustment of electric rates reported to Council. The following adjustments in rates, to become effective July 1, 1948, were approved by Council.
1. All rates except the hot water heater rate and the P-2 schedule are increased a flat 10%.
2. Hot water heater off-peak rates are increased from 1.0¢ to 1.25¢ per KWH.
3. Rates on the P-2 schedule are increased 10% or sufficiently increased to net the City 10% profit per KWH produced and sold under this schedule. The City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance covering this change in schedule.
4. Special rates now granted to thirty-one consumers are eliminated. These consumers shall be billed in their proper category, i.e., commercial rates, industrial rates, etc.
5. In lieu of the half rate now granted, City Employees are limited to a maximum credit of $3.25 in any one month’s electric billing.
6. That the Mayor and Members of Council be continued exempt from electric billing.
7. No billing shall be made to the Water Street Recreation Center or the Kent General Hospital for electric service.
8. No billing shall be made to the Nurses Homes of the Kent General Hospital until further report is made by the City Manager.
9. No billing for electric service shall be made to the Robbins Hose Company.
10. The City Manager will report at next regular meeting of Council on electric service billing to the American Legion Building.
Establishment of Tea Room
Council rejected the request of Ralph J. Williams to establish a team room in his home at 227 N. Governors Avenue.
Establishment of Beauty Shop
Council rejected the request of Lillian A. Rogers to establish a beauty shop in her home at 18 S. State Street.
Junior Chamber of Commerce Carnival
Council granted permission to the Junior Chamber of Commerce to hold a carnival July 11 to 24, 1948 on the City parking lot and adjacent section of the Plaza.
Claim Against Surety Company
Council directed the City Solicitor to take such steps as are necessary to collect the full amount of the City’s claim against the National Surety Company for loss incurred by the City due to negligence of a City employee bonded by that Company.
Street Repair Program
Council approved a program of street repairs, on streets listed below at a cost of approximately $6200.00
Queen Street – from William Street to Walker Road
William Street – from New Street to Queen Street
Kirkwood Street – from Cecil Street to Mary Street
Queen Street – from Cecil Street to Mary Street
Queen Street – from Division Street to Cecil Street
Water Street – from State Street to the Railroad
William Street – from Governors Avenue to New Street
Mary Street – from Pear Street to Kirkwood Street
Ross Street – from Queen Street to Bradford Street
Committee on Street Program
Council authorized the Mayor to appoint a committee to plan a comprehensive street program.
The following committee was appointed: Mr. Carson, Chairman, Messrs. Wright and Culver.
A petition received from Mr. John Burger to cut through Ross Street from State Street o Bradford Street was referred to the committee to include in its considerations.
Salary of Alden Cooper
Council approved a salary increase to Alden Cooper from $30.00 to $35.00 per week.
Bill from City Assessor
Thomas E. Baker presented to Council a bill in the amount of $100.00 for overtime work as City Assessor. Council requested the City Manager to make his recommendation on the matter at the next regular meeting of Council.
Capacity of City Employee
Council ruled that the services rendered the City in any official capacity by Thomas E. Baker are under the complete jurisdiction of the City Manager.
Council adjourned at 10 P.M.
City Clerk