REGULAR MEETING
May 14, 1956
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 14, 1956, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Petty and Tischer.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last meeting of Council were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of the Alderman Dempsey for June was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $1366.75 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $55.40 was remitted to the City.
Report of Fire Recorder, Robbins Hose Company, was accepted as read.
Budget Report, Report of Cash Receipts and Ambulance Report for April, 1956 were accepted as read.
AIR BASE TRAINING
Dover Air Force Base requested permission to place a raft simulating a downed aircraft on Silver Lake to be used in their training of air crews in ditching downed aircraft. The program will cover a 60 day period during the summer. On the recommendation of the Hearing Committee, Council granted permission to anchor a raft in Silver Lake, provided it is properly located and lighted.
WATER STREET RECREATION CENTER
A delegation of United Church Women of Delaware appeared before the Hearing Committee requesting that repairs be made to the Water Street Recreation Center. City Manager Ward reported to Council on his inspection of the buildings, and on information obtained about quonset huts. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the buildings be demolished and removed, with the exception of the building most recently acquired, and authorized the purchase and erection of one quonset hut addition if it is found to be needed.
HUGHES SIGN
Harold Hughes requested permission to allow the Stuckey Candy & nut Company to erect a sign on a lot owned by him on the north side of Lotus Street extended, east of the dual highway. Council rejected the request because an ordinance of the City specifically prohibits the erection of such signs.
DINER TAXES
Howard Dubois, owner of the Diner on S. State Street, requested an abatement of the 1956 property tax. The Diner, located on ground leased from the American Legion, must be moved by June 30, 1956. On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council authorized the abatement of a portion (10 months) of the 1956 property tax, and directed that no permit be granted to move the building until all back taxes are paid.
REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
NORTHWEST DOVER STREETS
A delegation of residents of Northwest Dover appeared before Council to ask when the paving of streets would begin. They were informed that the contract had been let and the contractor was being urged to start work. There was a possibility that work might begin Tuesday, May 15.
PARKING AUTHORITY REPORT
Lester Novinger and Karl Dorzbach reported to Council on the progress of the Parking Authority. Work was being pushed on the New Street lot and the contract was about to be let on the City Hall lot.
SILVER LAKE PARK
Richard Winchell, President of the Dover Junior Chamber of Commerce, appeared before City Council with a sketch of a proposed park layout of the Silver Lake Area. The park is a long term project sponsored by the Jay Cees. A portion of the funds to be realized from a 4th of July fireworks display and a carnival will be allotted to the project.
FIRE SIGN
A traffic hazard exists at Bradford and Reed Streets when volunteer firemen traveling on Reed Street respond to alarms. Chief of Police Turner discussed the need of a warning light to stop thru traffic on Bradford Street when firemen are moving on Reed Street. On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr Tischer, Council authorized the installation of a warning stop light to be operated from the Fire House during fire alarms. The type of light will be as approved by the Chief of Police and Chief of the Fire Department. The later will determine whether the State Highway Department will pay the cost of the light.
POST OFFICE DROP BOX
Council discussed the location of the Post Office drop box. Mr. Davis will discuss the matter with the Postmaster.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Tischer, Council directed that traffic lights, synchronized with other signals of possible, be installed at the intersections of North Street and State Street and North Street and Governors Avenue.
TRAFFIC CONVENTION
Chief Turner reported on his trip to the traffic safety meeting at Atlantic City. He reported he was impressed with the results obtained by a Citizens Committee on Traffic Safety at Saratoga Springs, New York and expressed the desire, with Council’s approval, to form a similar committee in Dover with the end in view of educating the public in traffic safety.
NEW STREET
City Solicitor Hughes reported on the progress of the New Street right-of-ways. He read a letter received from Arlee B. Magee Jr., Attorney for Charles Matthews, quoting a price of $5000 for a piece of land required for the right-of-way. Council directed the City Solicitor to proceed with condemnation of the right-of-way as previously authorized.
YMCA
On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Holpp, authorized a donation to the Dover Recreation Fund of $6000 to be paid at the rate of $500 per month during the year 1956.
DIAMOND STATE DAIRY
Council, on motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Holpp, authorized granting a building permit to Diamond State Dairy to make alterations and additions to its present building on S. State Street, providing City building specifications are complied with.
RESOLUTION - BUS FRANCHISE
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION GRANTING TO CURTIS W. BORROR AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TO OPERATE A LOCAL MOTOR BUS SERVICE OVER THE STREETS OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND FIXING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF.
WHEREAS, the franchise of J. Clements to operate a local motor bus service granted to him by resolution adopted April 14, 1952, has been revoked for failure to provide reasonable and adequate service, in accordance with a letter from Mr. Bowdle requesting such action; and in accordance with a letter from Mr. Bowdle requesting such action; and
WHEREAS Curtis W. Borror has requested that such franchise be granted to him for the purpose of beginning a local motor bus service as soon as he can acquire the necessary equipment and complete the organization of the said enterprise; Now Therefore
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The term “local motor bud service” is hereby defined for the purposes of this resolution as the transportation of passengers for valuable consideration by motor buses from any place within the limits of The City of Dover to any other place within the limits of The City of Dover, provided that the said term shall not be deemed to mean the operation of school buses within the limits of The City of Dover.
Section 2. (a) The exclusive franchise to operate a local motor bus service over the streets of The City of Dover is hereby granted to Curtis W. Borror for the period of 25 years from the date of the adoption of this resolution.
(b) Said local motor bus service shall be commenced as soon as the said Curtis W. Borror shall be able to acquire the necessary equipment and complete the organization of said enterprise and in any event not later than 30 das after the adoption of this resolution.
Section 3. The said Curtis W. Borror shall forthwith file with the City Manager a schedule of the routes of the said motor bus service within The City of Dover, the times of operation of said buses, and the rates or fares charged therefor; upon any change of said schedules of routes, times, and fares a revised schedule shall immediately be filed with the City Manager; the said schedules of routes, times, and fares shall be given reasonable publicity by means of newspaper advertisements, posted signs, or otherwise to the end that the people of The City of Dover shall be fully informed thereof and able to make maximum use of the said motor bus service.
Section 4. (a) The said Curtis W. Borror shall maintain and keep in effect at all times insurance with a reputable insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Delaware to provide for payment of nay final judgement recovered against him for bodily injury to or death of any person or loss of or damage to property of others resulting from the operation of said motor buses in amounts not less than the following:
1. For bodily injuries to or death of one person, not less than $10,000.00;
2. For bodily injuries to or death of all persons injured or killed on any one accident, a sum not less than the passenger capacity of each motor bus so insured multiplied by $10,000.00;
3. For loss of or damage to property of others in any one accident, not less than $5,000.00.
(b) A certificate of the insurer showing that liability insurance of not less than the aforesaid amounts is in effect shall forthwith be filed with the City Manager, and said certificate or a renewal or renewals thereof shall at all times be kept on file with the said City Manager.
Section 5. The motor buses operated under the authority of this franchise shall receive or discharge passengers on streets in The City of Dover only at street intersections and shall stop for that pupose at said intersections as near as possible to the right hand curb line.
Section 6. The motor buses used by the said Curtis W. Borror in providing the aforesaid local motor bus service shall at all times be maintained in safe operating condition and shall be kept clean and sanitary.
Section 7. The drivers of the motor buses shall be subject to the regulations provided for operators of taxicabs in The City of Dover by the ordinance adopted in Jul, 1953, and all such motor bus drivers shall register with the City Manager and obtain a permit as provided in said ordinance.
Section 8. This franchise is not transferable or assignable without the express consent of the Council of The City of Dover
Section 9. The requirements of Section 2 to 8 inclusive of this resolution are hereby expressly declared to be conditions upon which this franchise to operate a local motor bus service over the streets of The City of Dover is granted; upon a determination after a public hearing that the said Curtis W. Borror has failed to comply with any of the conditions set forth in Sections 2 to 8 inclusive of this resolution or that he has failed to provide reasonable and adequate motor bus service within The City of Dover, this franchise may be revoked or suspended; otherwise the said franchise shall remain in full force and affect for the aforesaid period of 25years from the date of the adoption of this resolution.
Adopted May 14, 1956.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
Council adjourned at 12:15 A.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk