REGULAR MEETING
November 9, 1981
The Regular Meeting of Council was held on November 9, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor McDonough presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Tudor, Boaman, Hardcastle, Carey, Witt, Carson and Richter. Councilman Bewick was absent.
The invocation was given by the Reverend J.H. Williams, Council Chaplain.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Witt requested an additional agenda item to approach the subject of tax delinquent properties.
Mr. Richter requested an additional agenda item to discuss the Burns & McDonnell feasibility study.
Mayor McDonough requested an additional agenda item to discuss deleting the reading and acceptance of each individual monthly report.
TENTATIVE DATES FOR INSTALLATION OF WATER LINES - WHITEOAK ROAD
Mr. Hodge informed Council that design drawings for the Whiteoak Road water main will be complete by the end of November. It will be necessary to advertise for bids to be received from the contractors by the third week of December.
Tentative plans call for the bids to be awarded by Council the last meeting in December or the first meeting in January 1982. He added that it will be necessary to notify property owners since it is their responsibility to install laterals in preparation for a tap at the main.
PROCLAMATION - GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT
By motion of Mr. Hardcastle, seconded by Mr. Carey, Council unanimously adopted the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Great American Smokeout is a light hearted effort to encourage cigarette smokers to give up their habit for 24 hours on Thursday, November 19th, and
WHEREAS, many smokers have indicated a willingness to participate in this event, and
WHEREAS, the health benefits of not smoking are substantiated and well known, and
WHEREAS, there are additional civic benefits such as a reduction of the risks of accidental fire.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH M. MCDONOUGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 19, 1981, as the day of the Great American Smokeout in Dover, and in so doing urge all cigarette smokers in the community to demonstrate to themselves and their friends that they can to so if they wish.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 26, 1981
By motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Carey, the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting of October 26, 1981 were unanimously approved and bore the written approval of Mayor McDonough.
SENIOR SURREY - RIDERSHIP FEE - MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULE
In a letter to Mayor and Council, dated November 6th, Mr. Hodge outlined a recommendation cutting the hours of operation for the Senior Surrey from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and also establishing a per-trip fee of 25¢.
A study of ridership between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. indicates that an average day involves only nine and one-half persons ride the Surrey in the first one and one-half hours and only 12 and one-half persons ride the Surrey during the last one-half hour.
Mr. Hardcastle expressed concern for those riders involved in the foster grandparent program of the school system who are required to be at work by 8:00 a.m.
Mr. Hodge stated that his plans would modify the schedule and initiate a fee, effective January 1, 1982, giving adequate time for riders to arrange other transportation.
Speaking to the need for cutting costs in the City, Mr. Tudor did not feel that five to seven riders should jeopardize the future of the Senior Surrey service.
Mr. Boaman moved to change the hours of operation of the Senior Surrey from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., effective the first working day of January 1982. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tudor.
Questioned by Mayor McDonough, Mr. Hodge stated that the new Surrey schedule would not entirely eradicate over-time due to normal work absences such as sickness, vacation, etc.
Mr. Boaman’s motion to modify the Senior Surrey schedule was unanimously approved, with Mr. Bewick absent.
Mr. Boaman suggested that the Senior Surrey schedule be advertised in the Towne Crier.
Mr. Boaman moved that the City initiate a fee of 25¢ per trip for the Senior Surrey, effective February 1, 1982. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tudor.
Mr. Hodge stated that tentative plans are to print cards in denominations of $2.50, $5.00 and $10.00, that will be punched for each trip on the Surrey. The cards will be made available at the cashier’s window in City Hall.
Mr. Boaman suggested the possibility of furnishing cards for sale at various senior centers.
Mr. Richter felt that a representative of the City should visit senior centers to explain the method of collection for the ridership fee.
By a vote of six (6) yes, one (1) no (Mr. Carey), with Mr. Bewick absent, a fee of 25¢ per trip was established for the Senior Surrey.
FUNDS IN-LIEU-OF PARKLAND - STATUS REPORT
Mr. Hodge referred to a request to close a bank account containing $2,200 derived from money in-lieu-of parkland. The funds were received from the subdivision of Pine Grove South and, therefore, it was suggested that the funds be earmarked for an areas encompassing the fourth Council district.
Council generally agreed that this would be a satisfactory arrangement.
STATUS REPORT - 18 NORTH KIRKWOOD STREET - CONDEMNATION - COLEMAN & ELAINE MOSLEY
Mr. Roe reported that the property located at 18 North Kirkwood Street, owned by Coleman and Elaine Mosley, considered by Council for condemnation has been sold for $3,500. The new owner has obtained a building permit and construction has started for renovation. He advised Council that he will update progress on the structure once a month.
BURNES & MCDONNEL FEASIBILITY STUDY - SURVEY OF OTHER UTILITIES
Mr. Richter moved to authorize the expenditure of $1,000 to enable Burns & McDonnell Consultants to conduct a survey of utilities in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey area. The motion was seconded by Mr. Witt and unanimously carried.
Mr. Richter noted that the expenditure of $1,000 would bring the total fee to Burns and McDonnell to $51,000.
SLAUGHTER AND CHERRY STREETS - CITY OWNED LAND ABANDONMENT
By motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Carey, Council by unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Bewick absent) adopted the following resolution.
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATING AND ABANDONMENT OF A CERTAIN PARCEL F LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
Be It Resolved By The Council of The City of Dover:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover favors the vacating and abandonment of the following parcel of land laid out upon a plat of “The Accretio”, dated 1868, recorded in Kent County Deed Record G-5-336, further described as follows:
All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land in the City of Dover lying on the north side of Slaughter Street as laid out on a plat of “The Accretio”, dated 1868, recorded in Kent County Deed Record G-5-336, being comprised of portions of lots #67, 68 and 69 of said plat, having been acquired by the City of Dover for the purpose of extending the right-of-way of Cherry Street, 25' wide; having a total frontage on Slaughter Street of 80', extending back by diverging lines a distance of 190.15' along its easterly side, and 204.51' along its westerly side, to the line of lands formerly of Dr. R.S. Stephens; excluding the roadway of Cherry Street Extended, and right-of-way of a width to be determined.
The whole parcel contains 0.384 acres, more or less.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit on Monday, November 23, 1981 at 7:45 p.m. at City Hall to hear the objections of such residents of the City or owners of the property affected as shall attend, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Charter of the City of Dover (Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware).
Section 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to post copies of this resolution in five or more public places in the City of Dover and to publish the same in a newspaper published int eh said City.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 9, 1981
SHERWOOD IV - OAK DRIVE AND YEARSLEY DRIVE - CITY OWNED PROPERTY ABANDONMENT
By motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Carey, Council by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Bewick absent) adopted the following resolution.
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATING AND ABANDONMENT OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover favors the vacating and abandonment of the following parcel of land laid out upon a plat of “Sherwood of Dover No. 4", dated April 14, 1961, recorded in Kent County Plat Book 5, page 71, further described as follows:
All that certain triangular-shaped lot, piece or parcel of land in the City of Dover lying on the westerly side of Oak Drive, as laid out on a plat of “Sherwood of Dover No. 4", dated April 14, 1961, recorded in Kent County Plat Book 5, page 71, and designated on said plat as “Dedicated Open Space”; having a total frontage on Oak Drive of 152.75', a frontage on a 20' wide alley, to the south, of 87.07', and abutting lots 43 and 44 of said Sherwood plat by a line having a distance of 174.70'.
Containing 0.16 acres, more or less.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit on Monday, November 23, 1981 at 7:45 p.m. at City Hall to hear the objections of such residents of the City or owners of the property affected as shall attend, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Charter of the City of Dover (Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware).
Section 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to post copies of this resolution in five or more public places in the City of Dover and to publish the same in a newspaper published in the said City.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 9, 1981
SOUTH QUEEN AND NORTH STREETS - CITY OWNED PROPERTY ABANDONMENT
By motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Carey, Council by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Bewick absent) adopted the following resolution.
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATING AND ABANDONMENT OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Dover favors the vacating and abandonment of the following parcel of land lying at the southwest corner of the intersection of North Street with Queen Street, further described as follows:
All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land in the City of Dover lying at the southwest corner of the intersection of North Street with Queen Street, being the residue of a parcel acquired by The City of Dover for the purpose of extending the right-of-way of Queen Street; having a frontage on North Street of 24.57', a frontage on Queen Street of 104.25', its southerly line having a distance of 24.4', and its westerly line having a distance of 103.6'.
Containing 0.058 acres, more or less.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit on Monday, November 23, 1981 at 7:45 p.m. at City Hall to hear the objections of such residents of the City or owners of the property affected as shall attend, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Charter of the City of Dover (Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware).
Section 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to post copies of this resolution in five or more public places in the City of Dover and to publish the same in a newspaper published in the said City.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 9, 1981
TAX SALE - DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES
Mr. Witt informed Council that Acting Assessor McDowell has prepared a list of properties delinquent in taxes for a period of three years and will proceed to initiate advertisement of the sale of same.
EMPLOYEE REPLACEMENT - FINANCE, ELECTRIC AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS
Mr. Hodge informed Council that a vacancy exists in the Finance Department, with the title Accounting Supervisor III. In addition, there are openings for two Linemen in the Electric Department; one Operator I, classified as a G-4 in the Building and Grounds Department; one Lead Laborer, classified as a G-9; and one Laborer, classified as a G-3 in the Water and Sewer Department. He requested authorization to replace the aforementioned personnel.
Mr. Witt moved to authorize the City Manager to replace an Accounting Supervisor III, two Linemen and one Lead Laborer in the Water and Sewer Department, classified as a G-9. The motion was seconded by Mr. Richter.
Mr. Carey objected to the motion in that it reduced the Building and Grounds personnel of a G-4 Laborer and the Water and Sewer Department of a G-3 Laborer, feeling that the reduction in personnel would affect City services.
Mr. Hardcastle also thought the reduction was unnecessary, stating that the jobs are important to the labor class of citizen.
By a vote of five (5) yes, two (2) no (Mr. Hardcastle and Mr. Carey) with Mr. Bewick absent, Mr. Witt’s motion was approved as presented.
PROPOSAL TO DELETE THE READING OF MONTHLY REPORTS
Mayor McDonough suggested that Council consider deleting reading and separate action on monthly financial and departmental reports. The monthly reports will be submitted as usual but could be accepted by one motion.
Mr. Richter moved that Council dispense with the reading of individual line item reports, stating that the reports could be approved with one motion unless specific questions are incurred on any of the reports submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Boaman and unanimously carried.
Mayor McDonough stated that the monthly reports will be shown as one item on the November 23rd agenda.
PETITION FOR SEWER SERVICE - LAFFERTY LANE
A petition with five signers was received from residents from Lafferty Lane, requesting Council’s consideration of installing a sewer main.
Mr. Richter advised Council that this item has been submitted to the Utility Committee for future consideration.
Mr. Witt moved that Council adjourn into executive session to discuss bargaining units and personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:23 P.M.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of November 9, 1981, are hereby approved.
JOSEPH M. MCDONOUGH
MAYOR
November 17, 1981
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