SPECIAL MEETING

August 1, 1956

A special meeting of City Council was held Wednesday, August 1, 1956, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.

SOLICITOR REPORT

City Solicitor Hughes reported on the action in the Court of Chancery brought against the City by the Ehrlich Realty Company and on the decision rendered which enjoins the City from collecting from that Company taxes based on the 1956 assessment. The decision was based on the point that the City failed to post with the assessment books notice of the time tax appeals would be heard by Council, as required by the City Charter. Mr. Hughes reviewed the decision with the assistance of Edmund N, Carpenter 2d, Wilmington attorney. He advised Council to repeat the action required by the City Charter for hanging the assessment lists and hearing tax appeals. Council discussed the matter and accepted the recommendations.

TAX APPEALS

On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that the tax assessment be hung in two public places in the City on Thursday, August 2, 1956, to remain for a space of at least ten days for public information; that with the assessment, and of the day, hour and place when the Council will sit as a Board of Revision and Appeal shall be published in at least one issue of the newspapers published in Dover, and where possible in two issues; that Council will sit as a Board of Revision and Appeal to correct and revise the assessment, and to hear appeals concerning the same, at the Council Chambers in City Hall at 8:00 P.M., E.D. S.T., on Monday, August 13, 1956.

The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

INSURANCE PROGRAM

Charles Hardesty reviewed with Council various phases of Dover’s insurance coverage including public liability, fleet coverage, and fire and extended coverage. He recommended that the general liability coverage be made all inclusive in place of the present limited coverage and that the limits be increased to 100,000/300,000. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that liability coverage as recommended be procured immediately with limits of 100,000/300,000. Council discussed the fire insurance coverage on the sewage plant, and on the power plant, the latter now being covered by a binder for $1,500,000. Council discussed boiler and machinery coverage and could not determine the extent of coverage at the power plant provided by the boiler insurance. The City Manager will investigate and report to Council on power plant coverage by boiler explosion insurance.

BIDS

On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized the procurement of bids on a station wagon or car and two pickup trucks, with the trade-in of two other vehicles, and without such trade-in.

DEDICATION COMMITTEE

Council discussed a dedication program at the power plant when the new turbine and accessories have been completely installed. On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized the appointment of a committee to work on such a program. Mayor Hman appointed Mr. Tischer and Mr. Petty to the committee.

ORDINANCES

On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Biddle, Council directed the City Clerk to assemble for review all ordinances passed by City Council since the last revision of the City Charter and Ordinances in 1936.

WAGES

The City Manager presented proposed wage and salary increases for City employees to Council. The proposal was referred to the Wage and Hour Committee.

Council adjourned at 11:20 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk