REGULAR MEETING
November 10, 1947
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, November 10, 1947. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. with Vice-Mayor Keith presiding. Members present were: Mrs. Frear, Messrs. Burton, Hartnett, Wright, Mikell, Carson and Vane.
Minutes
Reading of the minutes of the last regular meeting was dispensed with.
City Manager’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager’s report was accepted as read.
Chief of Police’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, the Chief of Police’s report was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Alderman’s report was accepted as read. Collections for the month of October remitted to the City totaled $284.80. A check in that amount was turned over to the City Manager.
Salary for Heylyne Rodbell
Mr. Wright requested a salary raise for Miss Rodbell. Mr. Collins of the Police Department told of her duties and hours of work. Action was deferred until later in the meeting.
Ordinance (Parking Meters)
An ordinance entitled “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 THEREFORE; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF” was explained by the City Manager.
This Ordinance was passed upon the following vote:
Mrs. Freat – Yes
Mr. hartnett – Yes
Mr. Mikell – Yes
Mr. Vane – Yes
Mr. Burton – Yes
Mr. Wright – Yes
Mr. Carson – Yes
“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 THEREFORE; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
SECTION 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract for the leasing and installation of Parking Meters, said contract to be made subject to the conditions and in the manner provided by law, the payment of such meters and the installation thereof to be provided for solely from the receipts, funds and revenues obtained by the City of Dover from the operation of said Parking Meters, without in any manner obligating the City of Dover to pay for same from any other source.
SECTION 2. After the installation of said Parking meters, it shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any motor or other vehicle to park such vehicle between the hours of 8 A.M. and 6 o’clock P. M. on any day, except Sundays and Legal Holidays and from 8 A.M. and 6 o’clock P.M. on Saturdays, for more than two hours at any one time upon positions of the streets herein described and designated as Parking Meter Zones:
Both sides of Loockerman Street from State Street to Queen Street.
Until meters are actually installed in the parking zones here in before described, the parking of cars in said zones, or that part of the zone in which parking meters are not installed, shall be limited to such parking time as has been fixed by other ordinances of the City of Dover.
SECTION 3. On streets so designated the City Manager shall cause parking spaces, on the curb or pavements, or by other appropriate means, and in each space so marked shall erect or cause to be erected a parking meter, which upon the deposit of a coin or combination of coins of the United States indicated on the parking meter which will entitle the party parking his car for a limited time as is indicated on the parking meter, and, the time when such period has elapsed.
SECTION 4. In order that the police officers may properly compute the time during which a vehicle is parked, the owner or operator of said vehicle shall, upon entering such parking space, during the time of limited parking, immediately deposit a coin or combination of coins of the United States in the Parking Meter situated at the side of said parking space, and operate same according to instructions thereon. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of this ordinance. Upon the deposit of such one-cent or five-cent coin, and placing the meter in operation, the parking space may be lawfully occupied by such vehicle during the period of parking time, which has been prescribed for the particular amount deposited. The parking meters, when installed and properly operated, shall be so adjusted so that one-cent coins and five-cent coins may be deposited at any time throughout the two hour range of the meters, each one-cent coin permitting the vehicle to be parked for a period of twelve minutes, and each five-cent coin permitting the vehicle to be parked or a period of sixty minutes. If such vehicle shall remain parked in any such parking space for such length of time that the meter shall indicate by a proper signal that the lawful parking period has expired, such vehicle shall be considered as parking overtime, and the parking of a vehicle overtime shall be a violation of this ordinance.
SECTION 5. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle across any line or marking designating a parking space, or to park said vehicle in any way that the same shall not be wholly within a parking space as designated by said lines or markings.
SECTION 6. It shall be unlawful to deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter a slug, device or metallic substitute for a coin of the United States.
SECTION 7. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, tamper with, damage, open or wilfully break, destroy or impair the usefulness of any parking meter installed under the terms of this ordinance.
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 not more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and cost of prosecution for each offense or imprisonment of not more than five days.
SECTION 9. If any section or provision, or part thereof, of this ordinance, shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such adjudication shall not effect the validity of the ordinance as a whole, or of any section, provision or part thereof, not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Passed November 10, 1947”
Free Parking on Loockerman Street
Mr. Brown introduced the subject of parking space reserved on Loockerman Street and the policy to be followed after installation of parking meters. Council instructed the City Manager to install meters in present reserved areas and left to his discretion the matter of providing free parking during certain hours of the day in such areas.
Request for No Parking Space
Requests were received from Pat’s Taxi and Art’s Taxi for no parking space at 319 and 321 Loockerman Street. Council denied this request, but authorized the City Manager to grant no parking space to either or both on New or Queen Streets.
Traffic Survey
The City Manager was authorized to request the State Highway Department to make a traffic survey on King’s Highway from State to Division, on Division from King to State Street, on State from Division to Loockerman, on motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Burton.
Request for No Parking Signs
The Delaware State News requested that signs be erected or painted at the entrance to their private driveway forbidding parking in its private parking area. Council pointed out that it was the prerogative of the news to limit or restrict parking on its own property.
Request for Removal of Signboard
Mr. William Behen requested that City Council order the removal of a sign advertising the Bayard Hotel from a lot owned by Mr. H. H. Williams which mars the appearance o Mr. Behen’s home. Mr. Behen exhibited pictures of the site. Council referred the matter to the City Manager for action, by contacting the parties concerned.
Request for Extension of Water Line
Mrs. Lilliam Sockom requested that the City extend its water line to two lots owned by her on the extreme border f the City on Hazlettville Road. Erection of buildings will begin on HTE lots within the next few days. The project would require extension of the water line approximately 250 feet. Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Burton, Council authorized extension of the water line to include the property of Mrs. Lillian Sockom on Hazlettville Road.
Fire Siren
Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mr. Wright, purchase of the fire siren now in use in the southern section of the City was approved, said siren to be installed at site approved b the Fire Company (on property of Cliff Morris on Lotus Street).
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the Council approved installation of the repaired Sterling Fire Siren at Kirkwood and Division Streets, replacing the Federal Fire Siren, which is to be installed on the roof of the City Warehouse.
Installation of Water Main
Mr. Brown introduced the matter of installation of water mains, formerly approved by City Council, to provide a greater measure of safety in the event of fire in areas of the City now lacking such facilities or where the supply of water is inadequate. Since Council approved the measure, the estimated cost of installation of the mains has increased. The State Legislature has appropriated funds to cover their share of the project at the increased estimated cost. The City is to provide supervision of the project, as well as its share of the cost.
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Vane, the City Manager was authorized to prepare specifications and secure bids on installation of water mains from Minor Street to Th Green and from The Green to Legislative Building.
Housing Project
A resolution from Walter L. Fox Post #1, American Legion, was read. The resolution called for the meeting of City and American Legion housing committees, and the formation of committees of building suppliers and merchants to outline a plan for the construction of additional housing units in Dover. Mr. Dewey Quillen of the City Housing Committee reported on new construction in the Dover area during 1946 and 1947. He stated that approximately 150 new units were constructed in the Dover area in 1946, about 70 in 1947 to date. The resolution was tabled until next meeting of Council.
Request for 3-Phase Power Line
A request was received from the Maple Dale Country Club for installation of a 3-phase power line. The request was tabled.
Installation of gasoline tanks
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, Council voted that gasoline tanks shall not be installed closer than 10 feet to the street or alley line, nor less than 25 feet from any building, unless entirely within a concrete or fireproof enclosure. The City Fire Marshal shall be charged with enforcement of the above ruling.
Purchase of Automotive Equipment
Upon motion of Mr. Hartnett, seconded by Mr. Carson, the City Manager was authorized to obtain bids for the disposal of four trucks and one automobile, and the purchase of tow trucks and one pickup or panel truck, and report on prices obtained at the next regular meeting.
City Vehicles
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, Council directed that all City vehicles, with the exception of the City Manager’s car, be parked in the City Garage upon completion of the working day; and further directed that all City vehicles, including Police Department vehicles, be so stenciled that their identity is readily apparent.
Condemnation of Property
Mr. Baker, City Fire Marshal, reported that an old house located on Hurley Avenue, south of West Water Street, owned by Douglas Griffin, now committed to the Smyrna Welfare Home, and an old barn located in the rear of 53 South New Street, owned by Prettyman Willey, were fire hazards and menaced public health and safety. He recommended that they be condemned and removed.
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Burton, Council directed that the owners be notified to remove said structures and that the City Fire Marshal insure that removal is carried out.
Wage Adjustments
Mr. Brown, City Manager, recommended that the following wage adjustments be made:
Wayman Ryder $28 to $30 Herbert Whitney $38 to $40
Eugene Harris $28 to $30 Helyne Rodbell $30 to $35
William Groves $30 to $32 C. Burton Sypherd $30 to $35
Andrew Price $28 to $30 Anthony Hammond $35 to $37.50
Lemuel Harris $28 to $30 Thomas Tucker $35 to $37.50
Guy Dinges $28 to $30 Oliver Cooper $28 to $30
Robert Price $28 to $30 Edward Stumm $60 to $65
Tolbert Deputy $30 to $32 Arlington Gibbs $28 to $30
Noah Downes $30 to $32 Nathaniel Young $28 to $30
Earl Pleasanton $60 to $65 Lillian Breeding $28 to $30
Howard Hoover $1.10 to $1.15
Upon motion of Mr. Hartnett, seconded by Mr. Carson, Council approved wage adjustments recommended by the City Manager.
Council directed that the City Manager submit at the next regular meeting his recommendations for any wage adjustments in the salaries of the following City employees:
Ruth Hall Charles Legates
Thomas Baker George Dutton
Paul Keith
City Employee Al Holland
City Manager Brown reported to Council that Al Holland is now under treatment for tuberculosis at Brandywine Sanatorium and that his condition is grave. He asked Council’s direction in the matte of sick pay and payment for special medicine prescribed by Dr. Mercer for the patient.
Council directed that the pay of Al Holland be continued for sixty days while he is absent sick and that the matter again be referred to Council at the expiration of that period. The City Manager was instructed to write the Sanatorium to determine whether that institution prescribed the special drug.
Pension Plan
Details of various pension plans were discussed, including a participating plan of which most city employees approved.
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Frear, Council approved the appointment of a committee of two to work out a pension plan with the City Manager.
Traffic Survey
Mr. Brown read the report of a traffic survey made by the State Highway Department on North Street from the railroad to the Legislative Hall and on State Street from Loockerman Street to The Green, together with recommendations made; viz, that two way traffic be permitted on North Street from Governors Avenue to the railroad, that North Street be restricted to one way traffic, east, from Governor’s Avenue to Federal Street, that parking on North Street between Governor’s Avenue and State Street be restricted to the north side of said street, that eastbound traffic on North Street be directed to make only right hand turns into State Street, that parking on State Street between Loockerman Street and The Green be restricted to the east side of said street.
Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Vane, Council ordered that recommendations made as the result of a traffic survey of North and State Streets be carried out.
Council adjourned at 10:55 P.M.
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City Clerk