New Castle County Boards and Commission Subcommittee Meeting – September 16, 2025

The Boards and Commission Subcommittee met on September 16, 2025 to consider numerous nominations and reappointments to various county boards and commissions, and to discuss the policy on dual appointments. No votes were taken; all nominations will be voted on at the next regular council meeting scheduled for September 23, 2025.

Call to Order and Minutes Approval

• The meeting was called to order by the Chair. The minutes from the June 17, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously via motion and second.

Nominations for Boards and Commissions

The subcommittee heard from the following nominees (or their sponsors) regarding their backgrounds and interest in serving:

• Bishop George Gibson (nominated by Councilman Toole for the Housing Advisory Board) – spoke about 45 years in ministry, concerns about housing for Black and Brown communities, redlining, and mortgage challenges. Councilman Hollins welcomed him and highlighted the county’s inclusionary zoning program requiring 85% AMI and 65% AMI affordability, and the housing trust fund.

• Laura Lee Rappalai (nominated by Councilman Smiley for the Historic Review Board) – described 50+ years of experience in assessing project impacts, archaeology, and historic preservation. Expressed civic responsibility to give back.

• Melissa Rufo (nominated by Councilwoman Kilpatrick for the Hockessin Design Review Advisory Committee) – has lived in Hockessin 30+ years, wants to contribute to the committee.

• Marilyn Reed (Hockessin DRAC) – previously served on Historic Review Board, wants to balance reasonableness with progress.

• Lynn Paxson (Hockessin DRAC) – grew up in Hockessin, lives there, has small business, wants to maintain village feel while allowing growth.

• Anna Ogunaike (Hockessin DRAC) – 30-year resident, retired educator, wants to maintain community beauty.

• Margaret Castorani (Hockessin DRAC) – not present; described by Councilwoman Kilpatrick as a business owner and previous DRAC member.

• Eugene Ripinski (Hockessin DRAC) – lives in Hockessin, wants to balance progress with small-town aesthetic.

• John Naylor (Hockessin DRAC) – 25-year resident, small business owner, wants to ensure proper growth.

• Dion Daisy Willford (Hockessin DRAC) – 14-year resident, background in affordable housing development, wants to balance community needs with environmental preservation.

• Karen Felix (nominated for Financial Advisory Council) – has 30+ years financial experience, managed budgets up to $60 billion at Dell, passionate about local service. A dispute arose over sponsorship: Council President Williams Johns requested to be prime sponsor, but Councilman Kaneko (in whose district she resides) was the original sponsor. After debate, the Chair indicated both could be co-primes, but President insisted on being prime. The matter was not fully resolved; the nomination will proceed.

• Connor Munzer (née Graham) (nominated by Councilman Toole for Historic Review Board) – senior archivist at Longwood Gardens, former head of archival collections at Delaware State Archives, passionate about Delaware history.

• Robert Ott (nominated by Councilman Carter for Planning Board) – professional engineer with 15+ years experience, background in water/wastewater and hazard mitigation, wants to improve community resilience.

Reappointments

The subcommittee considered the following reappointments without objection:

• Ruth Visvardis to Planning Board (Councilman Kaneko)
• Geraldine Crollin Taylor to Library Advisory Board (Councilwoman Kilpatrick)
• Jonathan Cochran to Planning Board (resides in District 2)
• Robert Snowden to Planning Board (District 2)
• Matt Sarver to Open Space Advisory Board (District 2)

Discussion on Dual Appointments

Council members discussed whether individuals should serve on more than one board simultaneously. Councilman Carter suggested if meeting times don’t conflict and the person is qualified, it is acceptable. Councilman Toole raised the issue of limiting opportunity now that members receive a stipend. Councilman Kaneko supported limiting to two boards. Councilwoman Kilpatrick supported using qualified people but preferred prioritizing new candidates first. Council President Williams Johns suggested exhausting all qualified candidates before allowing dual appointments. No formal action was taken; the discussion will inform future decisions.

Key Outcomes

• All nominations and reappointments will be voted on at the regular council meeting on September 23, 2025.
• The minutes from June 17, 2025 were approved.
• The subcommittee acknowledged current vacancies: two seats on the Audit Committee and two seats on the Open Space Advisory Committee.
• No policy changes were adopted regarding dual appointments; further discussion may occur.