REGULAR MEETING
February 24, 1964
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 24, 1964 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of February 10, 1964 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
PARKS COMMITTEE
LEGISLATIVE & FINANCE
Chairman Hayes of the Legislative & Finance Committee submitted to Council a written report of that committee’s meeting held February 17. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Smith, the report was accepted.
USO
A USO request for a donation from the City of Dover had been considered by the Legislative & Finance Committee who were of the opinion that City tax money should not be used for such a purpose, but who suggested that the Hinkle building, owned by the City, be offered for the use of the USO, who must find new quarters. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council directed the City Manager to write the USO offering them the use of the Hinkle building for five years, rent free, with the provision that any necessary repairs or alterations be made by the USO at their own expense.
CREDIT UNION
City Clerk Neylan asked permission of Council to make payroll deductions from members in the event employees of the City of Dover form a credit union. If formed, the organization would operate under a Federal charter and would consist of employees who voluntarily purchased shares. Shareholders would be eligible to borrow from the credit union. The members would elect their own officers. The City would bear no responsibility or expense. There has not yet been any general effort made to establish a credit union among employees of the City. Council took no action on the question of authorizing payroll deductions.
DELINQUENT TAXES
The Finance Committee recommended that Council authorize the City Manager to take the necessary legal steps to collect delinquent taxes, including filing of liens and sale of property. Councilman Hayes pointed out that the Charter already gave such authority. However, the City Manager wanted to proceed with the knowledge and support of the Council. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Harris, The City Manager was authorized to proceed to collect delinquent taxes under the powers granted by the City Charter.
CITY SOLICITOR
The Legislative & Finance Committee recommended that the salary of the City Solicitor be established at $5000 per annum to be paid quarterly in advance. The salary would cover all services of the Solicitor except those involving court cases. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Walls, the Solicitor was directed to prepare a resolution providing for pay of the City Solicitor as recommended.
BUILDING CODE COMMITTEE
Chairman Hughes submitted to Council a written report of a meeting of the Building, Housing and Plumbing Code Committee held February 17. The Committee began work on the revision and establishment of City building and plumbing codes. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Harris, the report was accepted.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Mayor Carroll submitted the name of Francis L. Turner for reappointment as a member of the Dover Housing Authority for a term which expires August 15, 1969. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the appointment was approved.
EDGELL HEARING
Louis Edgell of Edgell Construction Company request Council to change the zoning designation of a tract of land owned by him and now used as an equipment yard in the vicinity of Mary and Pear Streets from Residential R-8 to Manufacturing use. A public hearing is required prior to any amendment to the zoning ordinance or zoning map. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A 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, a certain area located between Mary and Clara Streets and between Pear Street and Kirkwood Street, extended, is presently zoned for residential use, R-8, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-8 to Manufacturing, 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 IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall, at 8:00 P.M., on March 23, 1964, on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-8 to Manufacturing use the following described area in the City of Dover:
Beginning at a point in the northerly right of way line of Mary Street said point being a corner for these lands and lands of the Tomlinson heirs. Thence with the said Tomlinson Heirs’ land in a northerly direction to lands of International Latex Corporation, thence with the lands of the International Latex Corporation first in a westerly direction and thence in a northerly direction to the southerly right of way line of Clara Street; thence with the said right of way line of Clara Street in a westerly direction to the easterly right of way line of Pear Street; thence with the said easterly right of way line of Pear Street in a southerly direction to the equipment storage yard of the Edgell Construction Co., Inc. (now zoned manufacturing) thence with the said yard first in an easterly direction and thence in a southerly direction to the northerly right of way line of Mary Street; thence with the said northerly right of way line of Mary Street home to the place of beginning.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted February 24, 1964.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the request was also referred to the Planning Commission for their recommendation.
MID DEL ZONING
Mayor Carroll declared the hearing reopened on the question of rezoning a plot of land on the White Oak Road owned by Mid Del Realty Company, from R-8 to C-1. Nate Cohen, representing the owners, stated they will dedicate a 60' strip of land through the tract for the future extension of Spruance Road, and a 20' strip along their northern boundary for the future widening of the White Oak Road. Mr. I. Kendall Gibbs stated that he still objected to the rezoning because another commercial zone was not needed in the area.
Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, moved that the rezoning request be denied. On the motion, Messrs. Hayes, Holpp, Massey and Smith voted ‘Yes’, Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hughes and Walls voted ‘No’. Mayor Carroll was required to vote because of the tie. His vote was ‘No’, thus defeating the motion.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council by vote of 6 to 2 adopted the following amendment to the zoning map and zoning ordinance, with the stipulation that the right of ways as promised be dedicated. Messrs. Hayes and Smith voted ‘No’.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF A PLOT ON WHITE OAK ROAD FROM R-8 to C-1.
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 uses from R-8 to C-1 in a plot located on the south side of White Oak Road in the City of Dover,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
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 of the following described area from R-8 to C-1.
All that area beginning at a corner for the east right of way line of Mitscher Road and the south right of way line of White Oak Road, thence eastward a distance of 447.7' with the south right of way line of White Oak Road to lands of I. Kendall Gibbs, thence south with lands of Gibbs a distance of 150' to a corner for lands of John Pleasanton, thence west and north with lands of John Pleasanton to the east right of way line of Mitscher Road, thence with said east right of way line of Mitscher Road north to the place of beginning, containing approximately 1.5 acres and being the lands of Mid Del Realty Company.
Passed February 24, 1964.
CONTRACT NO. 15
Bids were received on February 3 on Contract 15, Construction of Secondary Treatment facilities at the Sewage Disposal Plant. Low bid was received from James Julian, $1,335,152, with the next lower bid being received from Ross Construction Co., $1,345,700. Ross claimed that the bid of Julian should not be considered because it did not contain a list of subcontractors as required by State law for bids on public buildings. Julian claimed that the bid was on a public works, not public buildings. City Solicitor Buckson advised that the best interests of the City would be served by rejecting all bids and readvertising for new bids. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council, by vote of 6 to 2, rejected all bids and directed that the project be readvertised for bids. Councilmen Holpp and Hughes voted ‘No’.
RODNEY VILLAGE
George Cripps, President of the Rodney Village Civic Association, requested permission to speak to Council on the matter of utilities in that area. The request was referred to the Utility Committee.
Council adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 24, 1964 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
February 26, 1964