REGULAR MEETING
June 13, 1960
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, June 13, 1960, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meetings of June 1, 1960 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of Alderman Dempsey was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $792.75 was remitted to the City. Report of Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $813.00 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts for May was accepted as read.
Report of Budget Expenditures thru April was accepted as read.
Report of the Fire Marshal was accepted as read.
DOVER SCHOOL
Messrs Yocum and Lynch, Electrical Inspectors of the Middle Department of Fire Underwriters appeared before Council to discuss the electrical conditions found in the Dover Central School. They described their function as an inspection and reporting service only. They had no recommendation on the action City Council should take to force correction of conditions reported at the Dover school. They believed the Dover School Board was the body responsible for action. It was also their belief that the certificate of insurance would be recalled within a few days.
There is a bill in the State Board for needed repairs. Recall of the insurance certificate could be the spur required for its passage.
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that when the insurance certificate is recalled from the Dover Central School, the Fire Marshal should order the Dover School Board to make needed corrections to the electrical wiring within thirty days under penalty of discontinuing electrical service.
HEALTH REPORT
Thomas Baker submitted a report on the Board of Health activities. He listed 45 properties within the City which are not connected to City sewer facilities. Some properties listed are now vacant and he has ordered them not to be reoccupied. Of those properties in use, most are occupied by families of low income and suitable low cost housing is not available.
On motion of Mt. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed Mr. Baker to give the Building Commission a copy of his report for their action to cause the demolition or repair of the vacant buildings, and a copy to the Housing Authority for their use in considering the justification for low cost housing.
Mr. Baker will submit a similar report, revised and up-dated, at the end of six months. A copy of the present report is attached hereto.
TAXES
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed that a report of delinquent taxes be submitted at its next meeting.
CURB AND GUTTER HEARING
A resolution adopted May 23, 1960 provided for a public hearing at this meeting of City Council to consider the installation of curb and gutter and assessing the cost thereof against the property owners on the following streets: West Street, between Division and Mary; Mary Street, between New and Pear; Pear Street, between Mary and Clara; Pear Street, between Columbia Avenue and Walker Road. The resolution was duly published.
Mayor Haman declared the hearing open. No interested property owners or residents appeared to object, nor were any written objections received.
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution: Seven voted ‘Yes’, Mr. Thompson excused himself from voting as an interested party.
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CURBS AND GUTTERS ON THE SPECIFIES PORTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING NAMED STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER AND FIXING THE COST THEREOF TO BE BORNE BY ADJOINING OWNERS.
1. Between Division Street and Mary Street on West Street
2. Between New Street and Pear Street on Mary Street
3. Between Mary Street and Clara Street on Pear Street
4. Between Columbia Avenue and Walker Road on Pear Street
WHEREAS the Council of The City of Dover has held a meeting on Monday, June 13, 1960, at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time at the City Hall, in accordance with the Charter; and
WHEREAS all interested property owners and other residents of the City have been heard, and a written objection signed by a majority of the property owners affected has not been presented;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of The City of Dover:
Section 1. Concrete curbs and gutters shall be installed along both sides of specified portions of the following named streets in the City of Dover in front of the properties of the owners named in the published resolution of May 23, 1960:
Between Division Street and Mary Street on West Street
Between New Street and Pear Street on Mary Street
Between Mary Street and Clara Street on Pear Street
Between Columbia Avenue and Walker Road on Pear Street
Section 2. The full cost of the said concrete curbs and gutters shall be borne by the owners of real property in front on which the same shall be installed in proportion to the lineal frontage of their properties, and the said cost shall be ascertained and collected in accordance with the provisions of Section 28 (b) of the Charter of The City of Dover.
Adopted June 13, 1960.
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Haman reported that City Manager Ward in New York City on business relating to the proposed electric revenue bond issue. A purchase offer for the $9,000,000 issue will be received from the underwriters on Wednesday, June 22, 1960. For this purpose, Mayor Haman informed the Council, all members being present, a Special Meeting of the Council will be held 11:00 A. M. on Wednesday, June 22, 1960.
TORBERT AMBULANCE
William C. Torbert Jr., who operates an ambulance service within the City of Dover, appeared before City Council to answer questions relating to the operation. He has one ambulance and drivers available for 24 hour service. His ambulance is often called to make long trips and during such times ambulances in nearby communities are called upon to service the Diver area. He has increased the service charge but expenses still exceed revenues. He proposed that the City lease to him the ambulance owned by Dover and, in addition, provide a cash subsidy to enable him to operate two ambulances. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the Mayor was authorized to name a committee to study the situation and recommend action to Council. Mayor Haman named to the committee Councilmen Zartman and Davis, City Manager Ward and Chief of Police Turner.
CURB DEPRESSION
William R. Anderson, 535 Fairview Avenue, requested permission of City Council to depress the curb at that address so that he could construct a driveway for off street parking. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council granted permission to depress the curb. Councilman Thompson voted ‘No’.
URBAN RENEWAL
Mr. Fromm reported that the Planning Commission had considered the application of real estate consultants interested in making the studies required by the Green-West Urban Renewal Project. He stated that there will be three real estate studies required, marketability, acquisition and re-use.
A marketability study will be the first required and the Planning Commission recommended the firm of Philip W. Kniskern of Philadelphia. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council requested the firm of Philip W. Kniskern, Philadelphia, Pa., to submit a proposed contract for the marketability study for approval by the Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Dover.
Mr. Fromm reported that the Planning Commission was considering applications for the position of Urban Renewal Project Administrator, but had no recommendation to make as yet.
VFW CONVENTION
A letter from Allen J. Wentz, RD 1, Laurel, asked whether the City of Dover would welcome the 1961 two-day convention of the Department of Delaware, Veterans of Foreign Wars. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized a reply welcoming the 1961 convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
TELEPHONE COMPANY AGREEMENT
City Solicitor Buckson presented for the consideration of City Council an agreement with the Diamond State Telephone Company which reduced to writing the terms and conditions under which the Company and the City of Dover jointly occupy pole lines within the area served electricity by the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council by unanimous vote approved the agreement.
PARKING METERS
Chief Turner submitted a plan to Council which would alter parking meter locations and parking spaces on Loockerman Street in a way to make parking easier and cut down traffic delays caused by parkers. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, the City Solicitor was directed to amend the parking meter ordinance to provide for the change.
LAYTON PARKING SPACE
Dr. Robert R. Layton Jr. requested a reserved parking space at 129 S. Bradford Street where he will live until about July 1, 1961. He is subject to emergency calls and needs ready access to his car. Ib motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council approved a reserved parking space on the temporary basis.
POLICE SCHOOL
Chief Turner requested permission to send a policeman to a two-week police school at the University of Maryland. On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Zartman, the request was approved.
BEACH POLICE
Chief Turner requested permission to employ a policeman for duty at the Silver Lake beaches. Councilmen asked whether the life guards could not be appointed auxiliary police. Chief Turner questioned whether they would be effective because their youth and the requirements of their own job. He will report back on the hours of work and the salary a policeman will require.
MOSQUITOES
Councilman Fromm spoke on the need for concentrated effort within City limits to eliminate conditions favorable to breeding of mosquitoes. Public Works Superintendent Jack Woods told of the program now under way.
Council adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of June 13, 1960 are hereby approved.
June 13, 1960 W. Edward Haman
Mayor