REGULAR MEETING

November 13, 1961

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, November 13, 1961 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Thompson, Turner and Zartman.

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of October 23, 1961 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.

REPORTS

Report of the Chief of Police for October was accepted as read. Council requested a report of dogs destroyed during the past 12 months and a report of parking meter violations since the revised penalties were put into effect.

Report of Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $215.00 and $221.25 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Wm. J. Cavanaugh was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $96.50 and $4.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Ralph D. Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $584.50 was remitted to the City.

Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted as read.

Report of the Executive Officer of the Board of Health was accepted as read.

Report of General Fund Cash Receipts for October was accepted as read.

Report of General Fund Budget for September was accepted as read.

Report of Electric Revenue Fund and Electric Improvement Fund for October were accepted as read.

Electric Operating Report for September was accepted as read.

FOOKS APARTMENT

City Solicitor Buckson reported that the request of Georgia R. Fooks to erect an apartment house in a plot located on William Street between Governors Avenue and New Street should not have been considered under the ordinance governing establishment of businesses in residential sections. The apartment house in question would not have been a business. He stated that he had notified all concerned, including the attorney for the petitioner, of this fact and advised the attorney that the request could be resubmitted.

WESLEY COLLEGE

Building Inspector Roe showed to Council plans of Wesley College for erection of a dining hall and kitchen on College Square which is a continuation of their expansion plan, approved by City Council in 1957.

EMMERT OFFICE BUILDING

Loockwood Emmert presented a sketch of an office building he plans to erect on S. State Street on the site of the Steele building which he proposes to demolish. The site plan was given tentative approval by the Planning Commission. City Solicitor Buckson gave his opinion that the request should be considered under the present zoning ordinance which declares the area a residential section and requires a public hearing by Council before a permit can be granted for erection of a business after a former business site is demolished. Mr. Buckson have his opinion that existing ordinances govern until proposed superseding ordinances are enacted into law. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council directed that the request of Mr. Emmert be advertised for hearing at the Council meeting of November 27.

FIRE COMPANY NOMINATIONS

A letter from the Secretary of Robbins Hose Company No. 1 informed Council of the following nominations for Fire Chiefs:

                        Fire Chief                               Paul Kertiles

                        Deputy Fire Chief       -          Jack T. Roe

                        1^st Asst Chief             -          James B. Bice, III

                        2^nd Asst. Chief           -          Norris B. Garrison jr.

                        3^rd Asst. Chief            -          Wilson Comegys & Walter Stewart

Their being more than one nomination for 3^rd assistant chief, an election will be required. Councilmen Davis, Zartman and Carroll were named to conduct the nominating election of the Robbins Hose Company at the Fire House on Monday, November 20, 1961 between 7 and 9 P.M.

ZONING ORDINANCE

The required public hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance was held by City Council on Wednesday, October 25, 1961, in the Audion of the Central School. Transcript of the hearing was presented to Council. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the proposed Zoning Ordinance be considered by Council at its meeting of November 27, 1961 and that members of the Zoning Commission be asked to attend.

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

The required public hearing on proposed subdivision regulations was held by City Council on Monday, October 30, 1961, in the Audion of the Central School. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that the proposed subdivision regulations be considered by Council at its meeting of November 27, 1961 and that members of the Planning Commission be asked to attend. Mr. Zartman voted ‘No’.

MIFFLIN FARM ZONING

Councilman Thompson suggested that an ordinance be prepared to provide for interim zoning in any areas annexed to the City. General discussion followed on the problems of annexation, zoning and planning. Councilman Fromm reported that the Planning Commission was prepared to submit details of its approach to the question of annexation, and further pointed out that this commission had no authorization as yet to plan for any areas outside present City limits. Expert assistance will be required for such planning. He will report at the next meeting.

URBAN RENEWAL

Myron Lamb reported on the progress of planning for urban renewal. The scale model of the redevelopment area is on display in the lobby of City Hall. Councilmen noted that the model differed in certain details from those approved by Council. Mr. Lamb stated that the Federal agency recommended that the Bayard Hotel not be included in the area as it would cause the project to exceed estimated cost, and recommended that Maag’s store be included so that Governors Avenue could be widened to conform with the Master Plan. These recommendations are reflected in the model. Council ordered that this procedure not be repeated. Mr. Lamb stated that a public hearing on the proposed redevelopment plan is required and that public notice must be given in which a time element is involved. He hoped for a hearing early in December. Following discussion it was decided that Council should be more fully informed on the plan before a public hearing is scheduled. Mr. Lamb will get the information to Council as soon as it becomes available.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Report of the City Manager for October was accepted as read.

SEWAGE PLANT

City Manager Ward reported that the preliminary report on cost of secondary sewage treatment had been submitted by Albright & Friel. The estimated cost is $318,000 which with additions already approved by Council would total $396,500. Federal grant would pay for 30% of the cost. He reported he had visited Albright & Friel last week and gone with a representative of that firm to discuss with Harriman & Ripley, in New York, the possibility of financing the project. He declared that more comprehensive engineering information is required on facilities required to serve particular areas outside the City. The Utility Committee recommended that areas to be annexed be described topographically; that proper engineering be retained to survey area for cost involved; and that sewer system layouts for each particular area be engineered so as to arrive at proper rate structure. It was pointed out than this study was tied in with the Planning Commission’s approach tot he problems of annexation. Council will hear a report on this at its next meeting.

GASOLINE BIDS

City Manager Ward reported that bids were being obtained for gasoline requirements of the City and that he was investigating whether a saving would be realized if the City installed its own pumping equipment.

RODNEY VILLAGE ESCROW

City Manager Ward reported that $10,300 had been received from Dover Builders for sewer attachments in Rodney Village and a letter from that form pledging payment of $4400 for sewer attachments in the shopping center on which their original plan called for homes to be built. The latter payment is expected to be made about January 1.

LIBRARY

Mr. Ward reported that the Library expects to move from the second floor of City Hall this month. Edgell Construction Company plans to use a crane to move the books out of a second floor window.

Council adjourned at 12:10 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk

All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of November 13, 1961 are hereby approved.

November 15, 1961                                                                             W. Edward Haman

                                                                                                                            Mayor