REGULAR MEETING
June 12, 1950
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, June 12, 1950 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Behen, Carroll, Culver, Lofland, Mikell, Petty and Wilson.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular and special meetings were accepted as read.
NEW AMERICAN STORE AND CAPITAL CLEANERS
Mr. Stuart Outten, proprietor of Capital Cleaners, 140 S. Governors Avenue, protested the erection of a parapet on the adjoining new American Store, claiming the parapet would block ventilation of his establishment without greatly aiding fire protection. Mr. Baker stated that the parapet was required by the City Building Code. Council deferred action until its next special meeting.
INCINERATOR CHIMNEY REPAIR
Council authorized repair of the incinerator chimney by the Hazard Chimney Company at a price of $6850.00. Mr. J.R. Bell and Mr. W.H. Evans of the Company explained to Council their belief that damage to the chimney was caused by excessive temperatures at which the incinerator now operates, and outlined what repairs must be made.
BATHING BEACH
Council authorized the expenditure of up to $350.00 for repairs to bathing facilities at the Lake and the employment of one white lifeguard at $45.00 per week and one colored lifeguard at $20.00 per week.
CITY DUMP
A delegation of citizens residing on or near Elm Terrace requested City Council to relocate the City Dump and to cause the present dump to be covered with dirt. Mayor Storey informed the delegation that such a program had already been directed by City Council. Councilmen Mikell and Petty and Mr. Hancock were appointed a committee to work with the City Manager in locating a new site for a City Dump.
NO PARKING AREAS - LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONES
The committee appointed to survey the business district fir sites for loading and unloading recommended to Council that no curb space be set aside for loading and unloading areas because the committee believed such areas would create additional problems without relieving present traffic conditions.
STREET SWEEPER
Mr. Morris, a representative of the Elgin Sweeper Company, explained to City Council two plans under which the purchase of a sweeper could be financed. Both plans included interest and finance charges which were not approved by Council. Financing of the purchase was deferred. The sweeper will be ordered on a 30 day cash basis.
AUDITORS
Council approved the hire of Mack & Company to audit City books at a cost not to exceed $450.00, or the cost of last year’s audit.
REPAIR TO SIDEWALK
The City Manager was directed to have the sidewalk repaired in front of the First National Bank.
ELECTRIC CUT OFFS
Council directed that cut off notices for non-payment of electric bills be sent by registered mail with return receipts requested and that the cost of mailing be added to the electric bill.
CITY HALL
Mayor Storey stated he had contacted the Chamber of Commerce and the Library Commission about the need of the City for the space occupied by those organizations in City Hall. The Chamber of Commerce had considered moving to a new location at its last meeting. The Library was considering moving to a new location at its last meeting. The Library was considering the acquisition of a new building. Councilmen Behen, Carroll and Wilson were appointed as a committee to work with the Library Commission in locating new quarters.
INVESTMENT OF $25,000 RESERVE FUND
No action was taken to invest $25,000 set aside in the 1949-50 Budget for a reserve fund. The money will be kept liquid for possible emergency use.
POWER PLANT SURVEY
Three quotations have been received on a power plant survey. The City Manager was directed to obtain bids from two additional firms.
ORDINANCE
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO THE DOVER GAS LIGHT COMPANY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE COMPANY, THE PERPETUAL RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE OF CARRYING ON IN THE CITY OF DOVER THE BUSINESS OF PRODUCING, OTHERWISE ACQUIRING, DISTRIBUTING, AND SELLING GAS FOR LIGHT, HEAT, POWER AND OTHER PURPOSES.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. The perpetual right, privilege and franchise is hereby granted to The Dover Gas Light Company, its successors and assigns, to carry on in the City of Dover the business of manufacturing or otherwise acquiring, distributing and selling gas for light, heat, power and other purposes. The right, privilege and franchise hereby granted shall be deemed to include the right to construct, operate and maintain in, along and upon the streets, alleys, bridges, public highways and other public places, in the City of Dover, Delaware, gas mains, valves, manholes, meters and service connections for the purpose of operating gas for light, heat, power and other purposes to the said City of Dover and the inhabitants thereof.
Section II. The Company is to protect and save the City of Dover harmless and indemnified against all claims for injury and damages of any nature arising directly or indirectly by reason of any act of negligence or omission to act to of the Company, its agents or employees, in connection with the operation or use of Streets, alleys, bridges, public highways or public places under the franchise hereby granted, including all Court costs and expenses incidental to any suit therefrom.
Section III. Before any street, alley, bridge, public highway or other public place be opened, obstructed or in any manner interfered with for the purpose of altering, installing or making additions to any of the gas mains, valves, manholes, meters or service connection for any other purpose, written application to the City Manager of the City of Dover shall be made setting forth in general terms the nature, location and extent of openings or obstructions desired and a permit from said City Manager shall be obtained and all specifications set forth in said permit as to the minimum or maximum area or depth or both, for openings or other matters, shall be strictly observed by the Company. The repairing and restoring of all openings and obstructions to the condition of the adjacent road bed should be done only by the City of Dover or by the person or firm employed by it to make such repairs and restorations and the Company shall immediately upon the completion of the work, pay the City of Dover all costs of repairing and restoring said streets, provided however, that the said City Manager may authorize the company to make such repairs and restorations at the expense of the Company.
Passed June 12, 1950.
Clerk of Council
Approved:
Mayor
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager for April was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police for May, 1950 was accepted as read.
Reports of the City Alderman for May, 1950 was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $938.40 was remitted to the City.
BOOTH ON GREEN
Council granted permission to the Junior Board of Kent General Hospital to erect a booth on the west side of The Green, for sale of soft drinks, etc. from 4 to 8 P.M. on Thursday, June 15, provided soft drinks were served only from paper cups. Council further directed that other organizations granted permission to operate booths be notified that drinks be served only in paper cups.
INSURANCE
Council authorized increase in insurance coverage for Fire Department vehicles to $25,000 to $50,000 for public liability and $10,000 for property damage.
FIRE SCHOOL
Council authorized payment of expenses for three firemen who will attend fire school at the University of Delaware during the month of August.
TRAFFIC - LOOCKERMAN STREET AND GOVERNORS AVENUE
A letter from the Division Engineer of the State Highway Department requested City Council to consider elimination of left turns at the intersection of Loockerman and Governors Avenue, at least until completion of the Dover By-pass. Council tabled the request and directed that Mr. Haber be notified that Council does not consider the elimination of left turns advisable.
MINUTES OF TREE COMMITTEE MEETING
Council directed that receipt of the minutes of the meeting of the Tree Committee of the Friends of Old Dover be acknowledged.
TRIMMING OF TREES
Council directed that dead limbs be trimmed from a tree in front of Wesley Methodist Church and from a tree on North New Street between Division Street and Fulton Street, near the home of Howard Abbott.
PETITION TO OPEN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
A petition received from residents of Rodney Road and Pennsylvania Avenue extended requested that Pennsylvania Avenue be opened from Hazel Road to Rodney Road. The petition was tabled.
LOTUS STREET ALLEY
No objections were received to the abandonment of an alley running south from Lotus Street. Council directed that a deed be drawn up and transferred in exchange for a deed for a strip of land which will extend an alley paralleling Lotus Street to State Street.
WATER LINE TO NORTHWEST DOVER HEIGHTS
An agreement for extension and construction of a water line to Northwest Dover Heights was referred to the City Solicitor for approval.
NOBLE WARREN HOUSING
A committee appointed to study revision of rentals for City-owned housing on land leased from Mr. Noble Warren reported its recommendations. Council directed that the rate paid Mr. Warren be continued at the present scale and that such portion of his land as is now unused and unneeded for the housing project be excluded from the lease and returned to his use.
ORDINANCE
Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance prohibiting parking along the curb on the west side of State Street in front of the State Highway Inspection Lane and buildings.
BUDGET
A proposed budget for the fiscal year 1950-51 was submitted by the City Manager for consideration by Council, together with a list of proposed and authorized capital expenditures. A budget will be adopted at the regular meeting of Council in July.
Council adjourned at 11:59 P.M.
City Clerk