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Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting Summary – August 21, 2025

Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council — Thursday, August 21, 2025
BodyWilmington, Delaware
SessionRegular Meeting of Wilmington City Council
DateThursday, August 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:49

Original source
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6:58

Good evening, everyone.

6:59

Today is Thursday, August 21st.

7:02

I am Trippy Congo, President of Wilmington City Council.

7:06

On behalf of all of my colleagues here on Council, we want to thank you for joining us, everyone who is with us virtually, and everyone who is online.

7:15

We are going to begin with an opening prayer by Marilina Rivera.

7:23

Heavenly Father, we have assembled to handle the affairs of our city.

7:27

As we do so, we ask for your guidance and understanding.

7:30

We pray that our city reaches a place of peace and safety.

7:34

Keep us out of harm's way and bless those who are in authority.

7:38

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

8:05

Amen.

8:08

We would like to have a movement of silence for former Governor Michael and Castle, who passed away last week.

9:03

Councilman Owens.

9:06

Councilwoman Darby.

9:07

Councilwoman Oliver.

9:09

Councilwoman Harley.

9:11

President.

9:11

Councilwoman Willower.

9:13

Present.

9:13

Councilwoman McCoy.

9:15

Here.

9:15

Councilman Johnson.

9:16

Here.

9:17

Councilman Field.

9:18

Councilwoman Bracey.

9:20

Here.

9:22

Councilwoman Cabrera.

9:24

Councilman Hackett.

9:26

Here.

9:26

Councilman Spadola.

9:37

Eight present and five absent.

9:41

Thank you.

9:42

Council members field Darby and Oliver did ask to be excused this evening.

9:48

Also for anyone who is in Council Chambers who wants to give public comment, there is still time to sign up.

9:54

And for those of you who are joining online, there's a Google form.

9:57

There's a sign-up link in the chat.

10:00

We're gonna have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

10:04

July 10th, 2025.

10:06

City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 31 p.m.

10:12

Councilmember Harley called the meeting to order as president.

10:15

I move that the minutes be accepted as written.

10:17

Second second.

10:19

It's been properly moved and seconded.

10:21

The minutes be accepted as written.

10:25

Final question.

10:28

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

10:30

Aye.

10:33

Any opposed?

10:35

Motion carried.

10:37

We'll have our city treasurer's report.

10:40

August 21st, 2025.

10:42

Total investments 517 million 19,993 and 45 cents.

10:49

Total cash on hand, 16 million two hundred and thirteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-three dollars and thirteen cents.

10:55

Grand total five hundred and thirty-three million two hundred and thirty-three thousand nine hundred and sixty-six dollars and fifty-eight cents.

11:03

Submitted City Treasurer Dwayne Sims.

11:05

I move that the report be received, recorded, and filed.

11:08

Second.

11:08

Okay.

11:09

It's been properly moved and second the report be received, recorded, and filed on the question.

11:16

All in favor, signify by saying aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Civic Engagement████████████████████20%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Affordable Housing█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Education Policy███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – August 21, 2025

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. with 8 members present and 5 excused. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, acceptance of the city treasurer's report, recognition of summer interns and community leaders, public comments, introduction of multiple bond ordinances for infrastructure projects, and announcements of upcoming community events.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of the July 10, 2025 meeting were approved as written by voice vote (all in favor).
  • The city treasurer's report for August 21, 2025 was received, recorded, and filed. Total investments: $517,019,993.45; cash on hand: $16,213,973.13; grand total: $533,233,966.58. Approved by voice vote.

Recognitions & Proclamations

  • Summer 2025 Interns: Councilmember McCoy presented a resolution honoring interns Kennedy Garner, Saniah Gay, Soraya Hawkins, and Maribella Troncosco for their service to the 109th Council session. Several interns spoke, expressing gratitude and sharing their experiences.
  • Bishop William Bryant Wilmore Jr. : Councilmember Cabrera sponsored a resolution recognizing Bishop Wilmore for his achievements in journalism, acting, ministry, and community service. Bishop Wilmore spoke, reminiscing about covering council meetings for WDEL and jokingly announcing his candidacy for City Council President. Councilmembers offered congratulations.
  • Jane Vincent: Councilmember Spadola recognized Jane Vincent for her service as chairperson of the Wilmington Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, highlighting her 40+ year career in housing and public service, including as HUD Regional Administrator under President Obama. Ms. Vincent expressed gratitude and noted the importance of WHA's work beyond housing.
  • Additional Recognitions: Councilmembers noted proclamations for Namores Children's Hospital (Breastfeeding Awareness Month), Judy Johnson Negro League Night, One Village Alliance 15th anniversary, and numerous sympathy resolutions for deceased community members.

Public Comments

  • Deacon Earl Tate: Spoke about the upcoming school year, urging the council to ensure children receive proper education both in school and at home. He criticized elected officials who do not speak up for their constituents.
  • Tony Dunn (President, 2500 Civic Association, 2nd District): Thanked the council for beautification of Beachers Triangle Park and praised Councilwoman Cabrera for her support. He expressed displeasure at being called a "troublemaker" by an unnamed council member, stating he seeks solutions and will address constituent complaints if not resolved by their representative.
  • Jason Swolecky: Spoke virtually (content not detailed in transcript).

Discussion Items

  • Introduction of Bond Ordinances (6 items): Councilmember Harley presented six ordinances authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects at the city's wastewater treatment plant and water system. All were given first and second readings and referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
    1. Ordinance 25-038: Substation #3 replacement (series A 2025 WPCRF)
    2. Ordinance 25-039: Digester #4 rehabilitation (series B 2025 WPCRF)
    3. Ordinance 25-040: Primary clarifier #1 rehabilitation (series C 2025 WPCRF)
    4. Ordinance 25-041: PFAS removal phase 3 (series D 2025 DWSRF)
    5. Ordinance 25-042: Lead removal phase 3 (series A 2025 DWSRF) – replacement of 4-5 miles of cast iron water main
    6. Ordinance 25-043: General obligation bonds for FY2024 and FY2026 capital projects and refunding of bond anticipation note and outstanding bonds.
  • Tenant Rights Ordinance: Councilmember McCoy introduced Ordinance 25-044 to amend Chapter 34 of the city code to require landlords to provide written notice of tenants' rights in leases. Given first and second readings and referred to the Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved (voice vote).
  • Treasurer's report accepted (voice vote).
  • Six bond ordinances introduced and referred to committee.
  • Tenant rights ordinance introduced and referred to committee.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not given]. Next regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Note: The meeting started with 8 members present, 5 excused. No final votes were taken on the ordinances; they were only introduced and referred.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Today is Thursday, August 21st. I am Trippy Congo, President of Wilmington City Council. On behalf of all of my colleagues here on Council, we want to thank you for joining us, everyone who is with us virtually, and everyone who is online. We are going to begin with an opening prayer by Marilina Rivera. Heavenly Father, we have assembled to handle the affairs of our city. As we do so, we ask for your guidance and understanding. We pray that our city reaches a place of peace and safety. Keep us out of harm's way and bless those who are in authority. Let respect be key in all our endeavors. Amen. We would like to have a movement of silence for former Governor Michael and Castle, who passed away last week. Councilman Owens. Councilwoman Darby. Councilwoman Oliver. Councilwoman Harley. President. Councilwoman Willower. Present. Councilwoman McCoy. Here. Councilman Johnson. Here. Councilman Field. Councilwoman Bracey. Here. Councilwoman Cabrera. Councilman Hackett. Here. Councilman Spadola. Eight present and five absent. Thank you. Council members field Darby and Oliver did ask to be excused this evening. Also for anyone who is in Council Chambers who wants to give public comment, there is still time to sign up. And for those of you who are joining online, there's a Google form. There's a sign-up link in the chat. We're gonna have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting. July 10th, 2025. City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 31 p.m. Councilmember Harley called the meeting to order as president. I move that the minutes be accepted as written. Second second. It's been properly moved and seconded. The minutes be accepted as written. Final question. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. We'll have our city treasurer's report.

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