SPECIAL MEETING
November 28, 1955
A special meeting of City Council was held Monday, November 28, 1955, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last special meeting were accepted as read, except that the date of three installment payments to be made to the J. M. Cleminshaw Company were charged to read July 15, August 15 and September 15, 1956.
TRUCK PURCHASE
The matter of purchase of a new truck for the street department to replace an older one to be transferred to Incinerator use was tabled for a further study of finances.
CITY SOLICITOR REPORT
City Solicitor Hughes reported he had not yet obtained form the surveyors the description of the New Street right-of-way.
Mr. Hughes reported that action was continuing for collection of delinquent taxes.
He also reported that the Garden Court Apartment suit had been filed and the summons served.
ORDINANCE
By unanimous vote, Council passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE OBSTRUCTION OF INTERSECTIONS
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. (a) The operator of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection in The City of Dover unless there is a clear way reasonably apparent to such operator for his vehicle to pass through the intersection.
(b) The operator of a vehicle shall not stop his vehicle in an intersection in The City of Dover in such a position that the flow if traffic through the intersection is blocked or obstructed.
Section 2. Any person convicted of a violation of this ordinance shall be fined not less than Five ($5.00) Dollars nor more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars or, in default of payment of such fine as shall be imposed, imprisoned not more than ten (10) days.
Passed November 28 , 1955.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
RESOLUTION
A recent ruling of the Kent County Jail requires that no prisoner be admitted to the Jail without a commitment signed by a Magistrate or Alderman. To comply with this regulation, the City Alderman or Acting Alderman must be available twenty-four hours of the day. Following discussion with the City Solicitor and Chief of Police, Council considered a resolution for the purpose of commitment of prisoners to the Kent County Jail.
On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Tischer, Council adopted the following Resolution by unanimous vote:
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CERTAIN ACTING ALDERMAN FOR THE CITY OF DOVER AND DEFINING THEIR POWERS.
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover:
Section 1. The appointment of George K. Shockley as Acting Alderman for The City of Dover is hereby confirmed, and the said George K. Shockley shall continue to have, during any period of temporary inability of the Alderman to perform his duties by reason of sickness or absence or otherwise, all the powers, duties and jurisdiction of the Alderman.
Section 2. (a) The Council hereby also appoints as Acting Alderman for The City f Dover the following persons, each of whom shall have, during the period of any temporary inability of Alderman Dempsey and Acting Alderman Shockley to perform their duties by reason of sickness, absence or otherwise, the power to commit to prison, for not more than twenty-four (24) hours following his arrest, Sundays and holidays excluded, any person charged with the commission of an offense within The City of Dover:
Frederick B. Clemence;
Paul Edward Ford;
Jack T. Roe;
J. Frank Montague
(b) Any person committed by any of the Acting Alderman appointed in Subsection (a) shall be brought before Alderman Dempsey or Acting Alderman Shockley as soon as wither of them shall be available and able to perform his duties.
Passed November 28, 1955.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
ACME MARKET
The problem of controlling traffic entering and leaving the Acme Market parking lot on S. Governors Avenue was referred to the Chief of Police for study.
CITIES SERVICE LOT
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council directed that Cities Service Corporation be notified to repair the sidewalk and curb at the former Richardson Hotel site and be requested to cover up the unsightly brickbats and debris on the lot. Mr. Hughes will write the letter.
J. M. CLEMINSHAW CONTRACT
City Manager Ward presented the contract with J. M. Cleminshaw Company for property reassessment within the City. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract.
WATER STREET
Mr. Ward informed Council he had contacted Mr. Bradford about obtaining a strip of land for street right-of-way on E. Water Street and is awaiting Mr. Bradford’s decision.
CITY HALL
Mr. Ward showed Council architect’s sketches for remodeling City Hall basement for use by the Police Department. He will obtain an estimate of the cost. Mr. Ward will also contact the Library Commission about their plans for the Library now housed in City Hall.
POLICE PENSION
Chief of Police Turner outlined to City Council the provisions of a recent act of Legislature which would provide funds for pensions to the various police departments in Delaware who would qualify for participation by establishing separate police retirement plans. Chief Turner will report later to Council on details of a plan and its estimated cost.
CIVIL DEFENSE UNITS
Council discussed with Chief Turner and City Manager Ward the availability of Civil Defense funds for purchase of radio and emergency power units. Mr. Ward explained how useful and time-saving radio communication would be in the operation of the City.
SALARY
Council, by unanimous vote, granted a salary increase to City Manager Ward in the amount of $1000 per year, effective at once.
Council adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk