SPECIAL MEETING
April 28, 1958
The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 28, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read.
BUDGET REPORT
Report of Budget Expenditures for March was accepted as read.
WATER METERS AND RATES
Council discussed the program of water meter installations and the disposition to be made with customers who had not complied with the requirement of installing meters. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that a survey be made of all customers to determine the metered and unmetered and to record all water consumption at the rate of $10 per sold water outlet per year, effective July 1, 1958.
SMITH STREET RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council is unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE VACATING AND ABANDONING OF A PORTION OF A STREET KNOWN AS SMITH STREET IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. Council of the City of Dover favors the vacating and abandoning of a portion of Smith Street in the City of Dover, said portion of Smith Street to be vacated and abandoned beginning at a point approximately two hundred fifty-eight (258) feet east of the intersection of said Smith Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and running eastward to St. Jones River.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Dover will sit at the City Hall on the 12th day of May, A.D. 1958, at 8:00 o’clock in the afternoon, Eastern Daylight Saving Time, to hear objections of such residents of the City of Dover or owners of the properties affected as shall attend in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Charter of The City of Dover (Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware).
Section 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to post copies of this resolution in five (5) or more public places in the City of Dover, and to publish same in a newspaper published in said City.
Passed April 28, 1958.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
DIVISION STREET SEWER AND WATER
City Manager Ward discussed with Council the installation and changes in sewer and water lines to be made in the vicinity of the Division Street bridge, on King’s Highway to the City line and on Division Street under the State Highway contract #1094. The quotation was higher than the estimate of our consulting engineers but a compromise price of $37,000 had been reached. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council authorized the award of a contract for sewer and water installations in the areas concerned to Henry C. Eastburn and Son at the price of $37,000.
HUGHES BUSINESS
Chief of Police Turner reported to Council the result of his investigation of the business of Harold Hughes on Lotus Street and exhibited pictures illustrating building materials stored there. Mr. Hughes stated that in 1946 he had received permission to have an office there, but apologized for the building debris and stated he would have it cleaned up entirely within a few says. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, the matter was tabled with a directive to Chief Turner that he report back to Council at its next meeting on the cleanup of the area.
ERDLE SIDEWALK
Chief Turner reported in his investigation of the Erdle request to replace the sidewalk in the State Street alley and place some advertising in the first block off Loockerman Street. He saw no objection and thought the sidewalk would improve conditions in the alley. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council approved the request of Erdle to replace the sidewalk, provided the same is done in accordance with City specifications.
POLICE SCHOOL
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized the sum of $100 to cover expenses of one policeman attending a school of human relations in Michigan.
STREET LIGHTS DIVISION STREET
Council discussed the type of street lighting to be installed on Division Street preparations for which are being made while the street is under construction. The merits of incandescent versus mercury vapor lighting were discussed. The present plan is to install lights on the north side of the street from the bridge to the railroad with conduit being placed for future lighting on the south side. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that incandescent lights be installed on the north side but that provisions be made for converting to mercury vapor, of such lighting is later desired.
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Fire Chief Hill appeared before Council to discuss the problem of volunteers responding to the problem because of the closing of Division Street. The Robbins Hose Company at their regular meeting tonight, expressed itself as “supporting the plans of the Dover Police Department to expedite the movement of traffic during the period of construction work on Division Street; as this Fire Company feels the plans of the Police Department are best for the protection of life and property in the Dover area.” Council discussed the problem and heard from the firemen, the Chief of Police, and representatives of the Dover merchants, who recommended that additional policemen be employed. It was pointed out that the powers of the police to regulate traffic and parking were limited to enforcement of specific ordinances at present. Council felt that during the construction of Division Street the Police Department should be given broad powers to cope with such emergency conditions as must be met. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Turner, the City Solicitor was directed to immediately prepare such an ordinance.
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING TRAFFIC AND PARKING WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIVISION STREET.
WHEREAS an emergency exists created by the reconstruction of Division Street within the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS said emergency involves danger to life and property by fire resulting from traffic congestion, NOW
Be It resolved, that the Chief of Police is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to adopt and enforce such parking and traffic regulations within the City of Dover as he deems proper, including hiring additional personnel.
This authorization shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by City Council when it has determined that the emergency no longer exists.
Passed April 28, 1958.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
The City Manager stated that the excavation of Loockerman Street for installation of traffic light conduit will be postponed during the construction of Division Street because of traffic conditions.
BUSH PROPERTY
A realtor is interested in acquiring the Bush property in southwest Dover for a housing development. The City is presently engaged in condemnation proceedings to acquire right of way for extension of New Street through the Bush property. Mr. Bush has offered to give the right of way for New Street and Sunset Terrace extended, to the City if the City will install curb and gutter and pave the streets without charge to him. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council reaffirmed its policy of assessing property owners for the cost of installing curb and gutter, and of assessing property owners one-third te cost of streets in newly developed areas.
D P & L LETTERS
Council discussed again the letters received from Mr. Harvey Plank, of Delaware Power & Light Co. which contained a statement that that company would pay one-half the cost of a survey to determine whether Dover would be better off to generate its own power, or purchase power from that Company. Council pointed to the fact of the obvious greater profits derived from electric sales since the new 5000 KW turbine was put into operation. Because of the fact that the local newspaper received and published Mr. Plank’s offer before Council could consider it, the apparent design of Mr. Plank was not to determine the policy more beneficial to Dover as much as it was to stir public controversy. City Solicitor Buckson stated to Council that in his opinion the letters merited no reply. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that in view of the above facts no reply should be sent to Mr. Plank.
TAYLOR PROPERTY
Council noted that a tract of approximately 25 acres of land owned by Harley Taylor would be auctioned at a Sherrif’s sale on May 2. The tract is located near Silver Lake, north of Walker Road and east of the railroad. The site would be suitable for City use as a power plant location. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council directed that a committee of three be appointed with power to buy or bid in the tract at such a figure as they determine to be proper. They will work with the City Manager and City Solicitor on the matter. Mayor Haman appointed to the committee Councilmen Holpp, Zartman, and Fromm.
Council adjourned at 11:50 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk