SPECIAL MEETING
January 25, 1960
The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 25, 1960 with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Donald Ming.
MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting of January 20, 1960 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
ELECTION CERTIFICATION
The Election Board certified the results of the Municipal Election held Monday, January 18, 1960 to be as follows:
Total Votes cast: 1091
For Mayor: W. Edward Haman 791
Randolph Hughes 267
For Councilmen:
First District: William Lyle Mowlds 358
Lester H. Thompson 685
Second District: W. G. Davis 728
George M. Records 307
Third District: Clifton P. Anderson 213
H. Gordon Fromm 830
Fourth District: William A. Hayes 1039
ANNEXATION POLICY OTHER THAN DEVELOPMENTS
The Utility Committee recommended the adoption of the following policy to apply to newly annexed areas and to undeveloped areas within the City previously unassessed and untaxed.
All property to be reassessed on the same basis as property now within the City limits.
Taxes to be levied in the succeeding tax year, i.e., 1961 for 1060 annexation, 1962 for 1961 annexation, etc.
Garbage and trash collections, police protection, etc., to begin as soon as possible.
Area to be added to City election district which it adjoins.
Area to be zoned by Zoning Board.
Area to be included in City Master Plan and laid out in streets, alleys, etc., according to plot plan approved by Planning Commission.
Electric Rates to be reduced to City rate schedule.
City water rates will apply. No sewer rent will be charged until it applies to all City users.
Street lights to be installed at City Electric Department expense when funds are available and of design approved by City.
Curbs and gutters will be charged to the property owner. The bids for such work to be secured bu the City, the installation being done under City supervision.
The City may require installation of streets and curbs and gutters only after public hearing at which a majority of property owners concerned do not object. Policy would require property owners to pay full cost of curb and gutter, now approximately $2.00 per front foot, and one-half cost of street filling, paving and drainage, now estimated at $5.50 per front foot. Cost of paving corner lots would be charged to corner property owner on basis of footage on both streets, less a credit of 50% of cost of paving side street, frontage to be determined by Post Office address.
Sewer and water would be installed when requested by 5-% or more of property owners concerned. Charges would be based on 8" sewer lines (Approximately $2.80 per front foot( and 6" water lines (approximately $1.85 per front foot). City would bear cost of fire hydrant installation.
FINANCING: If the present area being considered for annexation were the only one to be considered there is no doubt that the City of Dover could program improvements over a three or four year period and install streets, sewer, water, etc., without any charge at all to the property owners. If developments such as Capitol Green, Morris Estates and Rodney Village were included, they, too, would present no problem as they already have such improvements with the exception of street lighting. Tax collections would almost cover additional operating and maintenance costs and the lost of electric, sewer and water revenues.
However, a policy must be set up in the present area which would apply to Eastover Hills, Edgehill, Edgehill Acres, Kent Acres, Northwest Dover Heights, and to undeveloped areas around the City. The basic policy can be modified at the time improvements are being considered for specific areas. The degree of modification would depend upon the extent of annexation and out financial position at the time improvements are being considered.
It is assumed that the City of Dover would continue its present policy where street paving is concerned and a street is already dedicated and paved. For example, Lynnhaven Drive, in the area now being considered, is paved. If the street were to be repaved, Dover would acquire such additional right-of-way as might be needed and repave the street without assessing that cost to the property owners. However, the property owners would be required to pay the cost of installing curb and gutters where such do not exist.
The estimated cost at present for installation of City facilities per front foot on each side of a street is as follows:
Curb and Gutter $ 2.00
Streets 5.50
Sanitary Sewer, 8-inch 2.80
Water Lines, 6-inch 1.85
$12.15
If the above costs were spread over a 20-year period with interest added the cost per front foot per year would be approximately as follows:
Curb and gutter $ .15
Streets .41
Sanitary Sewer .21
Water Lines .14
Property owners taking the service would also be required to pay the cost of individual sewer and water taps at rates effective within the City limits.
The undertaking of any capital improvement program would be contingent on the ability of the City to raise the funds needed to finance the project. In some cases modification of the revenue bind authorization might be required, in others a referendum election of the entire City would be required.
It is further recommended that sewer rents be charged within the City limits and the tax rate be reduced correspondingly.
On the advice of the City Solicitor, the recommendations should be adopted as an ordinance, stating that the charges in connection with various improvements resulting from annexation are to be established by the Utility Committee, approved by City Council, filed with the City Clerk and published in a local newspaper as in effect as of a certain date. Such charges are to be a lien against the property and collectible the same as taxes. Charges are to be reviewed and revised, if necessary, prior to the preparation of the annual budget.
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the recommendations of the Utility Committee were accepted and the City Solicitor was directed to incorporate them in an ordinance. Council will meet at 5:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 27, 1959 to consider and adopt the ordinance. A public meeting to discuss annexation will be held Thursday, January 28, 1960 at 7:30 P.M. at a place to be determined.
LAWN IRRIGATION
The Utility Committee is considering rates to be charged for water used for lawn irrigation and whether sewer rents should apply. The matter was tabled until a later date.
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT
A provision of the Dover City Charter permits City Council to exempt manufacturing enterprises for a period of ten years from charges levied for taxes, water rents and electricity. Our bond counsel recommended that the provisions permitting exemption for water rents and electricity be stricken from the Charter before Dover issues any revenue bonds. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, the City Solicitor was directed to prepare legislation striking those provisions from the City Charter.
ENGINEERS
A communication from Morgan Glover of the investment firm of Harriman & Ripley Inc., asked whether Council would bear the expense of employing a disinterested engineering firm to check and render an opinion on the figures of the Kuljian Corporation prior to offering bonds for expansion of Dover’s electric plant. Council requested the City Manager to determine the approximate cost prior to rendering its decision.
McCLEMENTS CASE
A letter from James H. Hughes III and Joshua Twilley attorneys for James McClements requested City Council to authorize the Chief of Police to release to them a copy of his report in a case in which James McClements was injured while being arrested by a Dover policeman. They also requested permission to examine City of Dover insurance policies. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Davis the request was referred to the City Solicitor.
KENT ACRES ELECTRIC
A complaint of Kent Acres residents against City of Dover electric rates will be investigated by the City Manager.
NEWPORT BILL
Council again considered a request for reimbursement of expenses submitted on behalf of certain individuals and organizations who worked for Municipal street aid legislation. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council requested an itemized bill which lists the expenses incurred and the individuals and organizations seeking reimbursement.
AIR CONDITIONING
Council discussed air conditioning City Hall. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Turner, the City Manager was directed to obtain estimates of costs of installing unit Air Conditioners and of a plan which would include new heating with air conditioning.
OFFICE HOURS
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council directed that the City Hall office be closed at 6 P.M. on Friday evenings instead of 9 P.M., beginning after February 1, 1960.
PARKING SPACE
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance prohibiting parking during school hours at 105 Cecil Street. The building us used for schooling of retarded children and the ordinance would provide loading and unloading space.
TELEVISION
A letter received from Mr. Rollins who is interested in location Television Channel 12 in Wilmington asked whether the City of Dover would support a program on Municipal Government to be held at 7:30 P.M. each Monday on that Channel. Council expressed itself as being interested in any public service the television station would provide.
Council adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 25, 1960 are hereby approved.
January 27, 1960 W. Edward Haman
Mayor