REGULAR MEETING
September 12, 1966
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, September 12, 1966 at 7:30 P.M. with Vice Mayor Hayes presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Holpp, Hughes and Jackson. Mayor Carroll and Councilman Smith were absent. The Mayor is in Washington on official business, Councilman Smith is ill.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of August 22, 1966 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted.
Report of Alderman Neylan was accepted. Fines in the amount of $390.00 were remitted to the City in August.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
LATEX SEWER
City Manager Ward reported that International Latex Corporation has requested permission to run an 8" force sewer main through the City of Dover in the course of constructing such a main from its Cheswold plant to the St. Jones River at some point below Silver Lake. Latex plans a new process at Cheswold which will result in a sewage discharge considered harmful to Silver Lake. The force main would by-pass the Lake. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Biggs, the request was referred to the Utility Committee for study and recommendation.
PARK DEED
City Manager Ward reported that Frank Robino has deeded to the City the park area between Crossgates and Mayfair. Acceptance of the deed was deferred by Council until Councilman Smith, Chairman of the Parks Committee can be present.
SOUTHERN STATES
Southern States Petroleum Cooperative requested permission of Council to replace a 12,000 gallon fuel oil storage tank, above ground, with a 20,000 gallon tank. Ordinances of the City of Dover forbid above ground storage of fuel oil within the City. The existing tank was in use prior to enactment of the ordinances. The Building Inspector Jack Roe, has denied permission to replace the tank with a larger one. On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council denied the request of Southern States to install a larger fuel tank.
MONROE STREET
A request had been received by Council to change the name of Monroe Street to Pennsylvania Avenue because the name conflicts with Monroe Terrace. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the requested change. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized changing the name of Monroe Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.
WILLEY REZONING
A request has been received from Harold Schmittinger, attorney for Agnes E. Willey, to rezone lands of Mrs. Willey from R-20 to R-15, R-10, RG-2 and C-4. The request has been referred to the Planning Commission and their recommendations received. A public hearing is required prior to any change in the zoning ordinance or zoning map. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain lands of Mrs. Agnes E. Willey and of a development known as “The Beeches” located between U.S. Route #13 and the Bay Road are presently zoned for R-20 use, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-20 to R-15, R-10, RG-2 and C-4 use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the zoning ordinance and zoning map,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall at 8:00 P.M. on October 10, 1966, on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-20 use to R-15 use the development known as ‘The Beeches’ and would rezone adjacent lands of Agnes G. Willey from R-20 to R-10; from R-20 to RG-2; and from R-20 to C-4. A map of the proposed changes is on file in the office of the City Clerk at City Hall.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted September 12, 1966.
COUNCIL recessed for 15 minutes and then reconvened.
POLICE BUILDING
Bids were opened on August 30 for construction of a new Dover Police building at Bank Land and Queen Street. Base bids were obtained with alternate deductions for replacing slate roof with asphalt shingle and the elimination of a covered parking area. The following bids were received: Field Construction Company, Base, $397,400; Alternate 1: $5,000; Alternate 2: $6,600, W. B. Mitten & Sons, Inc., Base, $388,700; Alternate 1: $5,000; Alternate 2: $8,781, J. Roland Dashiell & Sons, Inc., Base, $388,700; Alternate 1: $5,000; Alternate 2: $14,100. Pope, Kruse & McCune, Architects, recommended the acceptance of Dashiell’s low bid, less the deduction for the two alternates. Council discussed the proposals and favored the retention of the slate roof. Council noted that available bond funds are sufficient to meet the cost of building, land and architect’s fees, but not to completely equip the building. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Jackson, Council authorized award of the contract for construction of a Police Building to the low bidder, J. Roland Dashiell & Sons, Inc. at their base bid less Alternate No. 2, $376,600.
CROSSING GUARD
Mrs. John W. Pitts and other residents of the area west of Governors Avenue whose children attend the middle elementary school asked Council to provide a crossing guard at Governors Avenue and Fulton Street. Provisions for such a guard were not included in the Police Department budget. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council authorized the inclusion of an additional $600 in the Police Department budget to provide for a crossing guard at Governors Avenue and Fulton Street.
FIRE COMPANY CURB
The Robbins Hose Company requested permission to depress the curb at 109 S. Governors Avenue, a property acquired by them adjoining the present fire house. On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Jackson, the request was approved.
FREAR SEWER
J. Allen Frear Jr. requested extension of City sewer to the Frear Machine Co., 1277 S. Governors Avenue, and outside City limits. He believed, without verification, that the City had agreed to such a tap some years ago. Present City policy prohibits sewer extension outside City limits. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hastings, the request of Mr. Frear was denied.
KONSCHAK CURB
A letter from N. Maxson Terry Jr., attorney for Gustav Konschak, stated that Mr. Konschak does not consider himself legally obligated to pay a curbing assessment for his property at 527 Wyoming Avenue, since his property is a farm. Mr. Terry wrote that a curbing assessment is a City tax within the meaning of the City Charter excluding farmland from City taxes. The letter was referred to City Solicitor Buckson.
ART SHOW
The Central Dover Business Association requested permission to use Loockerman Street sidewalks to hold a ‘Sidewalk Art Show’ sometime in October. They propose to hang pictures in some fashion for sale or exhibit. The request was tabled until the next meeting of Council so that more details could be presented.
DOVER LEASING
Dover Leasing Company requested that five parking spaces on the south side of Clara Street near Pear Street be marked for no parking to provide room for their long trucks to turn into their property on the north side of the street. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Jackson, the Solicitor was directed to prepare the necessary ordinance prohibiting parking in the space.
CITY MANAGER RESIGNATION
City Manager Ward submitted to City Council his written resignation from that position to be effective September 14, 1966. After expressing his regrets, Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Harris, moved that the resignation be accepted effective September 28, 1966. Council approved the motion by unanimous vote.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the Wages & Hours Committee to report by the September 26 meeting its recommendation on severance pay, pension and other benefits which may have accrued and be due Mr. Ward on his resignation.
STOP SIGNS
On motion of Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ERECTION OF STOP SIGNS AT VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. From and after the passage of this ordinance, no vehicle shall enter onto any of the following described streets without first coming to a full stop, nor shall any individual operate a motor vehicle so as to enter onto any of the following streets without first coming to a full stop:
Stop on Queen Street before entering North Street from the south
Stop on Queen Street before entering Water Street from the north
Stop on Bank Lane before entering Queen Street from the west
Stop on Bank Lane before entering Queen Street from the west
2. That the Police Department of the City of Dover, pursuant to Title 21, Delaware Code, Section 505, is hereby authorized and empowered to install the necessary signs and/or symbols at the locations and intersections mentioned above.
3. Any violations of the provisions of this Ordinance shall result in prosecution under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and any fines and/or imprisonment shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the Delaware Code.
Passed September 12, 1966.
Council adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of September 12, 1966 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
September 14, 1966