OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Meeting - April 14, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 44:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

I need to run out of the math just in case they have the other.

0:33

This meeting is being transcribed and summarized.

2:05

Seven fourteen PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, calling the Kent County Levy Court business meeting to order.

2:13

Five five five Bay Road, Dover Delaware, or in the Levy Court Chambers.

2:17

And I will turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Sippel.

2:22

Thank you, Madam President.

2:23

This meeting is being held in person in five five five Bay Road Dover Delaware and the Levy Court Chambers.

2:28

We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx.

2:30

Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting.

2:33

There will be opportunities for public comments for those attending in person or online.

2:38

When the President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized.

2:44

If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand.

2:58

Please use those at the appropriate times.

3:17

One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments.

3:34

Commissioner Hall.

3:35

Moment of silence for our troops and first responders.

3:38

Commissioner Sweeney.

3:51

Make important decisions for your land.

3:53

Please guide us to make the right decisions that are pleasing to you and to our constituents.

4:16

Liberty justice raw.

4:45

Detective Randy Hopper from the Tulane County Sheriff's Office in California.

4:49

Deputy Sheriff Landon Faulkner from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee.

4:54

Agent Eddie Santiago Renta from the Puerto Rico Police Department.

5:00

Also, tonight, we're very sad that we have lost one of our best friends to Kent County Levy Court this past week, Loretta Wooten, the ex-clerk of the peace and longtime county employee passed away.

5:13

So please keep Brenda and Donna and their families in your thoughts and prayers as well.

5:25

Thank you.

5:40

Ms.

5:40

Tanako, roll call.

5:43

Mr.

5:44

Angel.

5:55

Mr.

5:55

Angel.

5:59

Mr.

5:59

Angel is online.

6:00

I think he he just uh logged off, so he's probably just trying to get his uh equipment set up if you can come back to him.

6:07

Mr.

6:08

Hall?

6:09

Here.

6:10

Mr.

6:11

Hertz?

6:11

Here.

6:12

Mr.

6:13

Pepper?

6:13

Here.

6:14

Mr.

6:15

Scott?

6:15

Here.

6:16

Mr.

6:16

Sweeney?

6:17

Here.

6:19

Mrs.

6:20

Maston?

6:20

Here.

6:23

Mr.

6:24

Angel.

6:26

Madam President.

6:27

Roll call reveals six.

6:30

Present.

6:32

Thank you.

6:32

We do have a quorum.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████████28%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Agriculture██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Environmental Protection███3%
Personnel Matters███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court held a business meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7:14 PM in the Levy Court Chambers at 555 Bay Road, Dover, Delaware. The meeting was also available via WebEx. The court addressed several routine items, recognized two honorees, introduced an ordinance, approved a new engineering position, and awarded multiple contracts. Seven commissioners were present, with Commissioner Angel experiencing technical difficulties but eventually participating.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda (item 2606) was approved unanimously (7-0) after a brief technical delay with Commissioner Angel's audio.

Presentations & Recognitions

  • Resolution 4153 – Kent Conservation District Stewardship Week 2026: Approved unanimously (7-0). The resolution recognizes April 26 through May 3, 2026, as Stewardship Week in Kent County, with the theme "Soil, Where It All Begins." The resolution was presented to Paul Cartanza Jr., a board member of the Kent Conservation District. Multiple commissioners expressed strong support for agriculture and conservation.
  • Tribute to Robert Scott: The court honored Commissioner (and Vice President) Robert Scott with a formal tribute for receiving the Houston Fire Company's President's Award. Scott has served 35 years with the Houston Fire Company in various leadership roles. He expressed surprise and gratitude.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made either in person or online at the beginning of the meeting or during the general public comment period.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance Introduction – Water Supply Facilities (LC 26 TAC 03): Commissioner Hall introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 187 (Subdivision and Land Development) to require central water service with fire protection for all major subdivisions with 11 or more lots. The public hearing is set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
  • Engineering Project Manager II Position: The county engineer has retired, and an acting replacement will become permanent June 1, 2026. Staff recommended recruiting for an Engineering Project Manager II instead of a higher-level PM III, citing a larger candidate pool and succession planning. The position is not funded for FY2026 remainder, but funding is available in the Public Works salary budget line.
  • Contract User Agreement – Little Creek Wildlife Area: Approved for the State of Delaware's Division of Fish and Wildlife to receive county sanitary sewer service at 1318 Bayside Drive. The Sewer Advisory Board approved the proposal in July 2025. The city of Dover indicated minimal impact on their system. The applicant (state) will pay for pump station improvements. Commissioner Hertz abstained.
  • Biosolids Capacity Expansion – Change Order #4: Approved (7-0) for M2 Construction. The change order includes $120,817 for additional storm drainage and grading, offset by a $63,300 credit for changing exterior walls from brick/cement block to colored split face architectural block, resulting in a net cost of $57,517.
  • Residential Trash Collection Services Contract (FY26-FY29): Awarded to Casella (waste industries) and Republic Services (BFI waste) for a three-year contract (June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2029) with two one-year renewal options. The contract includes up to 44 weeks of yard waste collection (mid-March to mid-December plus one pickup in January and one in February). Commissioners discussed adding more winter pickups; Commissioner Hall noted constituent demand for monthly or biweekly service. Commissioner Angel suggested coordinating yard waste pickup with recycling days.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 4153 (Stewardship Week) passed 7-0.
  • Ordinance LC 26 TAC 03 introduced; public hearing scheduled for May 26, 2026.
  • Engineering Project Manager II recruitment authorized; funding from Public Works salary budget line.
  • Contract User Agreement with State of Delaware/Division of Fish and Wildlife approved, with Commissioner Hertz abstaining (6-1).
  • Biosolids expansion change order #4 approved 7-0 ($57,517).
  • Trash collection contract awarded to Casella and Republic Services 7-0.
  • Meeting adjourned without an executive session.

Meeting Transcript

I need to run out of the math just in case they have the other. This meeting is being transcribed and summarized. Seven fourteen PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, calling the Kent County Levy Court business meeting to order. Five five five Bay Road, Dover Delaware, or in the Levy Court Chambers. And I will turn it over to County Administrator Kevin Sippel. Thank you, Madam President. This meeting is being held in person in five five five Bay Road Dover Delaware and the Levy Court Chambers. We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx. Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting. There will be opportunities for public comments for those attending in person or online. When the President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized. If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand. Please use those at the appropriate times. One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments. Commissioner Hall. Moment of silence for our troops and first responders. Commissioner Sweeney. Make important decisions for your land. Please guide us to make the right decisions that are pleasing to you and to our constituents. Liberty justice raw. Detective Randy Hopper from the Tulane County Sheriff's Office in California. Deputy Sheriff Landon Faulkner from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee. Agent Eddie Santiago Renta from the Puerto Rico Police Department. Also, tonight, we're very sad that we have lost one of our best friends to Kent County Levy Court this past week, Loretta Wooten, the ex-clerk of the peace and longtime county employee passed away. So please keep Brenda and Donna and their families in your thoughts and prayers as well. Thank you. Ms. Tanako, roll call. Mr. Angel. Mr. Angel. Mr. Angel is online. I think he he just uh logged off, so he's probably just trying to get his uh equipment set up if you can come back to him. Mr. Hall? Here. Mr. Hertz? Here. Mr. Pepper? Here. Mr. Scott? Here. Mr. Sweeney? Here.

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