REGULAR MEETING
February 8, 1965
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 8, 1965 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls. This meeting is the annual organizational meeting of City Council as provided by the City Charter.
The invocation was said by the Rev. William Hemphill.
William J. Storey, Associate Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware administered the oath of office to the following Councilmen, re-elected for two year terms:
First District Alfred S. Biggs
Second District Douglas L. Harris
Third District Earl D. Smith Sr.
Fourth District Victor E. Holpp
Mayor Carroll delivered an address to the Council and the public on the affairs of the City of Dover. He noted the accelerated growth of the City since 1960, with the area tripling and the population doubling, and the consequent increase in the demand for City services and utilities. He pointed out the influence of the Dover Air Force Base, International Latex Corporation, and General Foods Corporation on this growth and the efforts of the City to meet demands upon it. He predicted continued growth and urged cooperation of all agencies, State, County and City, in providing proper planning and direction. The increased work load of the City and the need for additional personnel and revised wage scales was noted. He urged an urban renewal program, through public or private agencies, to remove and prevent blighted areas in the City and to revitalize the central business district. He thanked the Council, the Housing Authority, the Parking Commission, the Planning Commission, and all City departments and employees for past accomplishments and asked their continued efforts on behalf of the City.
Following the address a short recess was held during which refreshments were served.
The meeting reconvened at 8:30 P.M.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Walls, Councilman Hayes was elected Vice Mayor.
On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Mr. Neylan was reelected City Clerk and City Treasurer.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walls, William J. Cavanaugh was elected City Alderman.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, David P. Buckson was elected City Solicitor.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved the number of members of the Police Department and their salaries and provided for in the current budget.
MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting of January 25, 1965 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
COMMITTEES
Council, by unanimous vote, approved the following Committee assignments:
Parks, Playgrounds and Tree Committee: Councilman Walls, Chairman, Councilmen Smith and Massey, James C. Hardcastle, Mrs. Sara Hastings
Safety Advisory Committee: Councilman Walls, Chairman, Councilmen Smith and Massey.
Legislative & Finance, Wages & Hours Committee: Councilman Hughes, Chairman, Councilmen Biggs and Hughes.
Building, Housing & Plumbing Code Committee: Councilman Hughes, Chairman, Councilman Biggs and Hayes.
Utility Committee: Councilman Holpp, Chairman, Councilmen Biggs and Harris, Mayor Carroll.
Appointment of members of the Planning Commission and Zoning Commission was tabled until the next meeting of Council.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $208.00, $99.00 and $1389.10 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted. A check in the amount of $802.50 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of the Board of Health 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.
WATER & SEWER BILLINGS
Council discussed the policy of the City which holds a property owner responsible for water and sewer billings even when the owner holds a renter responsible. The matter was referred to the Utility Committee.
OSIKA ZONING
A public hearing was duly advertised for this date on a request to rezone from R-8 to RG0 use a plot of land on the southeast corner of Governors Avenue and Waples Avenue. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. Mr. Osika, land owner was present to answer questions. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request. No one appeared to oppose the rezoning. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed.
On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF AN AREA AT GOVERNORS AND WAPLES AVENUE.
WHEREAS, the City of Dover has enacted a zoning ordinance regulating the use of property within the limits of The City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of zoning and planning to change the permitted use from R-8 to RG0 in an area at Governors and Waples Avenue,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, the Zoning Map and Zoning ordinance of the City of Dover shall be amended by changing the zoning designation from R-8 to RG0 that area bounded on the west by Governors Avenue, on the north by Waples Avenue, on the south by lands of Capital Grange, an don the east by lands of Mrs. John French and other lands of Leo J. Osika and G. Brundage, and having a frontage on South Governors Avenue of approximately 231' and a depth of approximately 135'.
Passed February 8, 1965.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Councilman Holpp submitted a written report of a meeting of the Utility Committee held February 1, 1965. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the report was accepted.
ELECTRIC SYSTEM STUDY
The Utility Committee recommended the adoption of a resolution authorizing the investigation of terms and conditions under which a joint feasibility study could be undertaken with Marvadel Electric Co-operative, Inc. of certain improvements to Dover’s Electric Plant. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Utility Committee be and the same is hereby authorized to investigate and report upon what terms and conditions Marvadel Electric Co-operative, Inc. would undertake a Joint Feasibility Study:
1. To determine the practicability of Marvadel’s leasing sufficient space in Dover’s new generating plant or at the site thereof to enable Marvadel to build sufficient generating capacity to supply Dover’s requirements for resale by Dover to Dover Air Force Base and other rural customers of Dover, whether wholesale or retail, and whether present or future, said project to be finance with an ERA loan bearing interest at the customary 2% rate and having the customary 35 year payback period.
2. To determine the practicability of Marvadel’s expanding its said generating plant to its optimum efficient design capacity, such expansion to be finance with Rural Electrification Administration funds bearing interest at the rate of 2% per annum.
3. To determine the practicability of Marvadel’s interconnecting its said generating plant at Dover with the proposed Delmarva Electric Co-op. Inc. generating and transmission project outlined in Federal Power Commission Docket No. E-7114 et al, by witness Treadway, testifying on behalf of Choptank Electric Co-op., Inc. (Maryland), Delaware Electric Co-op., Inc. (Delaware) and Accomac-Northampton Co-op., Inc. (Virginia), if and when the same is constructed, said interconnection to be financed with Rural Electrification Administration funds bearing interest at 2% per annum.
4. To determine the practicability of Marvadel’s interconnecting its said generating plant at Dover with other existing or future municipally owned, Federally owned or privately owned generating plants, both conventional and atomic, such interconnections to be finance with Rural Electrification Administration funds bearing interest at 2% per annum.
5. To determine in said joint feasibility study the practicability of interconnecting its said generating plant at Dover with the systems of purchasers from the D.P. & L. System, like St. Michaels and Stockton, which purchase under “all requirements” contracts and have the unlimited right to sell to others for resale, such interconnection to be financed with an REA loan, bearing the customary 2% interest and having the customary 35 year payback.
Adopted February 8, 1965.
WELL REQUEST
The Utility Committee had considered a request from a group planning to erect a department store on the Leipsic Road near U.S. Route #13 for permission to drill * that might exceed 150 feet in depth. The well would supply a large water storage tank backing up a fire sprinkler system required to be installed in the store. The area is not now contiguous to the City and is several thousand feet distant from existing water mains. The Utility Committee made no recommendation on the request, extending water outside City limits is not desirable and permitting wells which tap the City water supply is not desirable. However, the City cannot deny both. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Harris, the City Manager was directed to determine the possibility of annexing the area to the City, together with intervening areas which would make it contiguous to the present limits.
* a well
PARKS COMMITTEE
Councilman Walls submitted a written report of a meeting of the Parks, Playgrounds and Tree Committee held February 2, 1965. The report was accepted.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Councilman Walls submitted a written report of a meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held February 2, 1965. The report was accepted.
PLAZA REVISION
The Safety Committee submitted to Council a plan for revising The Plaza and the Parking lot east of City Hall which included recommended traffic flow. Council discussed the estimated cost and the traffic pattern that would be created. Cost is estimated at $3500. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council directed that the necessary ordinances be drawn to put the plan into effect. Mr. Hayes voted ‘No’. Council noted that the plan could be revised and that the ordinances could be changed or rejected.
BISHOFF PARKING
Dr. Rhoslyn Bishoff has moved his office from South State Street. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council rescinded the ordinance or resolution which authorized a ‘No Parking’ space at the South State Street location.
PROJECT 26
Bids were received today on Project 26, installation of water lines from the Pine Street area on U.S. Route 13 northward towards Court Street and through ‘The Beeches’ and River Road to the new well site on the former Danner Farm. Low bidder was Edgell Construction Co., $74,250.00. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder, Edgell Construction Company on their bid of $74,250.00.
MAYOR’S RECEPTION
Mayor Carroll announced that the Mayor’s Reception in conjunction with Old Dover Days would be held in the old State House on Sunday, May 2 at 1:30 P.M. Councilmen and their wives are invited to be present and were asked to inform the City Clerk if they would attend. Councilman Holpp asked whether City Hall could be the place for the reception, and was named by the Mayor to ask the Old Dover group whether City Hall could be put on the visiting list.
MORRIS CURB
Vance Morris requested permission to depress the curb for a distance of about 20' to provide a driveway entrance to his property on South State Street. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, the request was referred to the Safety Committee.
ANNEXATION RESOLUTION
Requests were submitted to Council from the present owners of the Roe farm and the former Tarburton farm adjacent to the East Dover Elementary School for annexation of the areas to the City. Council felt that the annexation referendum should be held and that certain lands on the South Little Creek Road should be included to prevent islands and to square the proposed boundary.
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO E HELD IN SAID AREA
WHEREAS, The Charter of the City of Dover authorizes the Council to extend the boundaries of the said City after a special election of the qualified voters and real estate owners of the territory proposed to be annexed, and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and Council of the City of Dover deem it in the best interest of the City of Dover to include an area as hereinafter more particularly described within the limits of the City of Dover:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the following territory situate in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, State of Delaware, as more particularly bounded and described by detailed description, be annexed to the City of Dover, to-wit:
BEGINNING at a corner in the south right of way line of South Little Creek Road and being the easterly corner of lands of Neil E. and Mary Jane Clark; thence with the said right of way line of South Little Creek Road in a westerly direction to the easterly line of the East Dover Elementary School; thence with the said school lands in a southerly direction to a corner for the said school lands and lands now or formerly of John Roe; thence with the division line between the said school lands in part and the said Roe lands in a westerly direction to the westerly right of way line of U.S. Route 113; thence with the said westerly right of way line of U.S. Route 113 in a southerly direction to a point opposite the division lines between the lands now or formerly of John Roe and lands of William Richter; thence crossing U.S. Route 113 and with the said division lines between lands of John Roe and William Richter in part and Puella & Baldini and William Richter in part to the easterly property line of lands of Puella & Baldini; thence with these said easterly property lines of lands of Puella & Baldini in part in a northerly direction and with the easterly property line of Neil E. and Mary Jane Clark in part home to the place of beginning be the contents what they may.
2. That an election be held on the 13th day of March 1965 between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. at City Hall on the Plaza in Dover, Kent County, Delaware for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the above area to the persons entitled to vote thereon.
3. That the election be held and conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of the City of Dover as amended, and the Laws of the State of Delaware.
4. That this resolution be published in at least two issues of a newspaper published in the City of Dover at least two weeks prior to the date of said election.
Adopted February 8, 1965.
Council adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 8, 1965 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
February 10, 1965