REGULAR MEETING
September 8, 1975
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held on September 8, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Members present were Messrs. Cullen, Legates, Muir, Hardcastle, Perman, Witt and McDonough. Councilman Harris was absent.
In the absence of Reverend J. H. Williams, Council Chaplain, Vice Mayor Legates gave the invocation.
MINUTES
Mr. Perman took exception to a portion of the minutes in which Mayor Carroll stated that it was improper for Mr. Perman to second a motion which authorized a payment for consulting fees by Middle West Service Company, incurred by Councilman Perman, citing the Charter provisions relating to conflict of interest. He stated that this was not fact but an opinion of Mayor Carroll and not the opinion of the City Solicitor. Further, Mr. Perman did not feel that it was a conflict of interest in that he was not monetarily involved in the incident and therefore he would not be liable.
Mayor Carroll stated that the minutes reflecting his opinion regarding a conflict of interest was backed up by an opinion from the City Solicitor.
Mr. Perman moved tat the statement by Mayor Carroll relating to a conflict of interest in the minutes of August 25, 1975 also reflect that it is the opinion of the Mayor and not that of the Solicitor. In addition, he did not feel that it was a conflict of interest since he was not monetarily involved and therefore not liable. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDonough. On a voice call vote, the motion was defeated.
*
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on August 28, 1975 to discuss the proposed take-over of the Dover Public Library. Mrs. Frances Ambrose, President of the Dover Library Commission, and Mr. Thomas Jackson were in attendance.
The Committee recommended that Councilman McDonough be designated as their representative to sit in on Commission Meetings for input and up to date information on Commission action. A motion to appoint Mr. McDonough to the Library Commission was seconded by Mr. Muir and carried.
On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Hardcastle, Council accepted the report of the Legislative and Finance Committee as presented.
Mr. James reported that the lease for the Library and a deed for the Carriage House property had been received from the School District and is in the hands of the Solicitor for legal processing.
* On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council accepted the minutes of the August 25, 1975 Regular Council Meeting as submitted.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND TREES COMMITTEE
Mr. James introduced Mr. Donald Knox as the City of Dover’s first Parks and Recreation Director.
BICENTENNIAL DECORATIONS DOWNTOWN
The Greater Dover Downtown Merchants requested that the City participate in the decoration of Loockerman Street in keeping with the Bicentennial kickoff date of September 20, 1975.
Mr. James presented various drawings of flags and buntings that could be used to decorate light standards with related prices. It was proposed that (50%) fifty percent of the cost for decorating the downtown area would be payed by the Merchants and (50%) fifty percent of the cost for decorating The Green would be payed by the Bicentennial Committee. In each case, the City would finance the remaining amount. Downtown decorations would remain for one year and decorations of The Green would be removed after the kickoff on September 20, 1975.
Mr. McDonough moved that decorations for the downtown area be purchased in the amount of $1,173.00 and for The Green in the amount of $85.00. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hardcastle and carried.
RULES AND REGULATIONS - PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
As requested by the Committee, Mr. Knox will edit the rules and regulations of the Maryland Parks and Recreation Department to conform with the needs of the City of Dover for presentation to the Committee for further recommendation.
SILVER LAKE BOAT ORDINANCE
Specific recommendations on the Silver Lake Boat Ordinance were presented to Council. The Committee recommended that these proposed ordinance changes be submitted to the City Solicitor to prepare in legal form for review by the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee in conjunction with the rules and regulations for the Parks and Recreation Department.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Cullen, Council approved the above recommendation.
FEASIBILITY STUDY - MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL
The Committee considered obtaining a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a municipal ice rink and swimming pool. After much deliberation it was their recommendation that the ice rink be deferred at present. It was also recommended that Mr. James be authorized to obtain prices on a feasibility study for the construction of a municipal swimming pool.
Mr. James submitted approximate figures for a feasibility study on a swimming pool of $9,400.00. This was based on a study conducted in 1973. A study cost of $7,500.00 was submitted by Kling Associates on both the pool and ice rink. When asked by Mr. Muir if money was available for the study, Mr. James answered negative and added that if construction of either of the above became a reality it would be through a referendum and a general obligation bond issue.
Mr. Witt expressed his objections on spending $7,500.00 for such a study pointing out that taxes and sewer and water rates have recently been raised, and additionally the City’s recent procurement of the Dover Public Library. He added that the citizens could only be asked to do so much and moved that action to authorize a feasibility study on a municipal ice rink or swimming pool be deferred. The motion was seconded by Mr. Muir.
Mr. Perman spoke in favor of the study stating that although every municipality is crushed for money presently, Council has a general obligation to the citizens of the City to provide certain services and Dover is lacking recreational facilities for both winter and summer.
Mr. McDonough stated that he was in favor of a study but wished to defer action until receipt of a playback from the citizens on a questionnaire to be published in the Towne Crier relative to the above question.
On a call for the question on Mr. Witt’s motion, Council deferred action on the feasibility study with Mr. Perman voting no.
CITY MANAGER’S AUTHORITY ON USES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION AREAS
The Committee recommended that the City Manager and the Parks and Recreation Director be granted the authority to decide proper uses of the park and recreation facilities until such time that rules and regulations are adopted.
On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Cullen, Council granted the above.
On motion of Mr. Muir, seconded by Mr. Witt, Council accepted the Parks, Playgrounds and Trees Committee report as presented.
RESOLUTION - JAMES EDWARD REED
On motion by Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council adopted the following resolution commending James Edward Reed for his faithful service as a crossing guard.
WHEREAS, James Edward Reed, better known as Jim Ed Reed, has chosen to retire from the service of the City of Dover at the age of 87 years, and
WHEREAS, James Edward Reed has served the City faithfully as a crossing guard from January 1962 to the present time at the corner of Delaware Avenue and State Street, and
WHEREAS, his presence at this corner for these thirteen years has made him a familiar sight not only to the school children who crossed at that location but also to the passing motorists, and
WHEREAS, he has served during his tenure of employment with the City of Dover attached to the Police Department in a fashion that was not only a credit to himself, but also to the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN COUNCIL MET THAT:
1. The Mayor and Council of the City of Dover wish to express their deep appreciation to James Edward Reed not only in their own behalf, but in behalf of all the citizens of the City of Dover for his years of devoted service.
2. The Mayor and Council of the City of Dover wish to convey their heartfelt wishes to Mr. Reed for a continued life of health and prosperity after his retirement.
3. A copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. James Edward Reed upon his retirement and that the City Clerk is hereby directed to make this Resolution a part of the official Minutes of the City Council.
ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 8, 1975
SPEED BUMPS - SIMON CIRCLE AREA
Mrs. Iva Tazelaar requested in a letter to Mr. James, that speed bumps be installed on Simon Circle to deter speeding and drag racing. The letter was attached to a petition signed by local residents. When asked by Mr. Harris if speed bumps are an accepted method of controlling speed Mr. Cullen stated that according to recent research, speed bumps are a hazard.
Chief Spence has met with Mrs. Tazelaar and informed her that the Department would attempt to solve the problem with radar or other means available.
Mr. Witt moved for acknowledgment of Chief Spence’s letter to Mrs. Tazelaar and also to support the Chief’s suggestion to deter or prevent future speeding. Motion carried.
DR. HAROLD HALPERN - NO PARKING SIGN - 129 SOUTH BRADFORD STREET
A letter from Dr. Harold Halpern requested a “no parking” sign or a yellow line in front of his office at the above address for patrons of his office to utilize for parking.
Chief Spence stated that a sign or yellow line wold not help the situation as the restriction would also apply to the office patrons.
On motion by Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council denied the request and directed that Chief Spence contact Dr. Halpern for more information.
RODEO - CALVARY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
A letter from Reverend Wayne L. Musatics of the Calvary Church of the Nazarene requested permission to hold a rodeo event on a vacant lot across from W. Reily Brown School on September 28, 1975.
Since no problems are anticipated to accommodate the spectators or animals involved, Mr. Witt moved that permission be granted for the above stipulating that all activities be coordinated with the offices of the City Manager, Building Inspector and Chief of Police. The motion was seconded by Mr. Muir and carried.
WATER TAP - E.V. INGRAM - COOPER ROAD
Mr. & Mrs. E.V. Ingram in a letter to Mayor Carroll asked permission to tap a six inch water main on their land fronting on Cooper Road.
On motion by Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Muir, Council acknowledged receipt of the request and referred same to the Utility Committee.
VACANT AND DETERIORATING DWELLINGS
Mr. Witt, noting many vacant and deteriorating properties in the City, explained a plan used in other cities where 100% assessed value is used for taxation when a building is left vacant and unattended for a certain period of time. Mr. Witt moved that the above plan be referred to the Legislative and Finance Committee for their study and recommendations. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perman and carried.
GENERAL INFORMATION - MR. JAMES
Barring any objections, Mr. James announced that he would be on vacation from October 6, to October 21.
RICHARDSON TRACT DRAINAGE
Mr. James stated that the deed to convey land to the City for a drainage ditch is now in his hands and the Department of Highways is now working on that project.
MCKEE RUN PLANT - PJM POWER POOL MEMBER
The McKee Run Power Plant as of 12:00 midnight, September 1, 1975, became a member of the PJM Swimming Pool and has been selling power to the pool since that time. Mr. James reported everything operating normal except for some minor adjustments and hopefully a date for the formal dedication can be set soon.
PLUMBING CODE APPEAL - KIRK FETTERMAN - J.W. WORTHINGTON COMPANY
In May of 1975, Mr. James said that an appeal was entered with the Plumbing Code Committee by Mr. Kirk Fetterman and J.W. Worthington Company. The appeal asked that plastic pipe be permitted in certain applications on new construction.
After hearing testimony of those involved, the Appeals Committee rendered a decision that plastic pipe could be used for certain installations in the City of Dover and that the Plumbing Code be amended to reflect those changes.
Mr. James recommended that the Utility Committee take over the amendments to the Code for their review and recommendations to Council.
On motion of Mr. Legates, seconded by Mr. Witt, Council approved the recommendation as stated by Mr. James.
BICENTENNIAL KICKOFF
Copies of the schedule of events for the Bicentennial Kickoff of September 20, 1975 was furnished Council. Mr. James reported various requests from organizations relative to planned activity. A crowd of approximately 35,000 is expected to attend the festivities.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council in their meeting of September 8, 1975, are hereby approved.
CRAWFORD J. CARROLL
MAYOR
September 16, 1975
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