REGULAR MEETING
June 13, 1949
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, June 13, 1949 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Behen, Carroll, Lofland, Petty and Wilson.
Airport Waiting Room
Mr. McKennan of All American Air Lines requested that the City furnish a waiting room in the building occupied by the Air Line at the Dover Air Base. Cost was estimated at from $230 to $298. Council tabled the matter for further consideration.
Donation – Robbins Hose Company
A delegation from the Robbins Hose Company requested that the yearly donation from the City to the Robbins Hose Company be increased from $600 to $2000. Council directed that the Robbins Hose Company be paid $2000 per year at the rate of $500 per quarter, in advance.
Traffic on Forest Street
Mr. Bennie R. Stafford, Forest Street, Dover, requested that a stop sign be installed at Forest and Loockerman Streets an that bicycle riders be prohibited from using the sidewalk in that area. He was informed that Council was considering the control of traffic at that point, and that the matter of bicycle riders would be referred to the Police.
Minutes
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read.
City Manager’s Report
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Report of the Chief of Police for May 1949 was accepted as read.
Reports of Alderman and Deputy Alderman
Reports of the Alderman for the months of April and May, 1949 and of the Deputy Alderman for the month of May, 1949 were accepted as read. Checks from the Alderman in the amounts of $281.00 and $49.25, and from the Deputy Alderman in the amount of $763.45 were remitted to the City.
Water Line Extension – Roosevelt Avenue
Mr. Wilmer Patterson requested that the City extend its water line down Roosevelt Avenue, outside the corporate limits of the City of Dover. Council approved the extension of the water line, providing the cost of the extension is paid by property owners concerned.
Enclosing Ditch
Council considered the matter of enclosing a ditch running between the properties of Mr. Bennie R. Stafford and John W. Conley. The matter was tabled.
Parking Lot for Carnival
Council granted the Junior Chamber of Commerce permission to use the parking lot east of City Hall for a carnival for one week beginning September 5.
Investment of Reserve Funds
Council directed that $25,000 reserved in the budget for the year ending June 30, 1949 be invested as follows: $20,000 for the purchase of Government bonds; $5,000 in a savings account.
Audit of City Accounts
Council approved hiring the firm of Mack & Company to audit the accounts of the City of Dover for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1949.
Painting City Hall
Council approved the project for painting City Hall.
Old Accounts
Council directed that the following past due accounts be turned over to Charles F. hirsch for collection on a 50% basis, the collector to pay all costs of collection:
Electric Accounts dated 1946 and before, in the amount of $461.49
Head taxes for the years 1945, 1946, and 1947.
Council directed that unpaid head taxes for the year 1948 be turned over to Charles F. Hirsch for collection, 66-2/3% to be remitted to the City, 33-1/3% to the collector, the collector to pay all costs of collection.
Unpaid Checks
Council directed that payment be stopped on the following checks, and the checks voided.
Date Check
Issued Number Payee Amount
7-19-43 6647 Penyon Bearings Co. $1.89
6-18-43 6552 Lally Fire Appliance 51.40
6-18-43 7171 Wesley’s Print Shop 2.00
1-11-44 7614 C. J. Rainear & Co., Inc. 2.12
5-1-44 8810 Lt. R. G. deWitt .06
4-23-46 9828 Lt. Charles Rede 1.40
10-15-46 10267 Mrs. Warren Murray .55
11-20-46 10385 A.C. White 1.12
4-21-47 10818 Water Works Engineering 4.00
10-29-47 11274 L.K. Smith .50
11-10-47 11340 Ethel Ringgold .50
6-19-47 9462 James Collins 48.00
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1948 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1949.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dover in Council met:
Section 1. Section 1 of an ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1948 and ending June 30, 1949 is amended to add, “except that the sums appropriated for the various departments may be transferred among the departments at the discretion of the City Manager.”
Approved June 13, 1949 by unanimous vote of Council.
_________________
Clerk
Approved: _________________
Mayor
Assessment
A letter from the Southern States Cooperative, Inc. protested the assessment of $40,000 on its real estate within the City. Council approved the assessment and directed that a reply be made to that effect.
Condemnation of Buildings
Upon recommendation of the City Building Inspector, Council condemned a warehouse on North Street occupied by the Downes Plumbing and Supply Company and owned by Mrs. Henry Ridgely, and directed that the owners be notified to tear it down within ninety days or made safe and secure within the same period.
Upon recommendation of the Executive Officer, City Board of Health, Council condemned as a health hazard a shack at the rear of 14 N. Queen Street owned by Rev. Joseph Ravy and directd that the owner be notified to tear it down within ninety days.
Bids on Water Main
Bids on the installation of a water main to the Green and to Legislative Hall will be opened June 20, 1949. Council authorized the City Manager to award the contract, subject to approval of City Council, providing the cost to the City does not exceed $10,000.
Budget
City Manager Brown submitted to City Council the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1949.
Police Department
Council approved rental of the Harbison property owned by M. Hayes Wilson on King’s Highway to be used as police Headquarters. Council approved a one year lease, with the option of renewal, at a rental of $100 per month.
The Mayor and City Manager were authorized to adjust salaries of members of the Police department, and of other City employees, provided the aggregate budget appropriations, when approved are not exceeded.
Council approved employment of the present part time policeman for a period of three days weekly, in place of the present two days.
The following committee was appointed to investigate and report to Council on the radio requirement of the Police Department: City Manager Brown, Chief James Turner, and Councilmen Petty, Behen and Lofland.
The City Manager was authorized to alter the present Police offices for use as a jail.
Committee on Real Estate
The following committee was appointed to study and recommend to council what disposition should be made of real estate owned by the City: City Manager Brown, Councilmen Wilson, Carroll, Behen and City Assessor Baker.
New Laundry on Governors Avenue
Council discussed the building code requirements for the new laundry being opened on Governors Avenue, north of Minor Street.
Building Inspector
Council appointed Thomas E.Baker, as City Building Inspector, retroactive to January 1, 1949.
Deputy Alderman
Council appointed Charles F. Hirsch Deputy City Alderman, to act in the absence of the regular City Alderman.
Ordinance
Council unanimously approved an ordinance providing three parking spaces for taxi cabs on Kirkwood Street, near Reed Street, effective June 13, 1949. Council directed the City Manager to determine the locations and the City Solicitor to prepare the ordinance.
Sidewalk on Lotus Street
Council deferred action on the installation of sidewalks on Lotus St.
Council adjourned at 10:45 P.M.
City Clerk