The meeting will please come to order.

Good evening, everyone.

Today is Thursday, August the 28th.

My name is Trippy Congo, President of Wilmington City Council.

And as always, on behalf of all of my colleagues, we want to thank all of you for joining us this evening.

Everyone who is here in Council Chambers and also we want to thank everyone who was with us online.

We are going to begin with an opening prayer by Mary Alina Ribera.

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.

The following legislation is going to be withdrawn by the sponsor, uh, Councilwoman Willower, a resolution in support of the Newcastle County resolution number 25-150 entitled Providing a Review of the Recent Reassessment of Newcastle County.

At this time, we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilman Owens.

Councilwoman Darby.

Present.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Present.

Councilwoman Harley.

Councilwoman Willower.

Present.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Here.

Councilman Johnson.

Here.

Councilman Field.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Councilman Hackett.

Here.

Councilman Spadola.

Present.

President Congo.

Here.

Nine present and one four absent.

Thank you.

Council members field, Harley, and Cavera did it did ask to be excused this evening.

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

August 21st, 2025.

City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 33 p.m.

President Ernest M.

Conga, the second presiding.

The opening prayer was done by Mary Alina Rivera.

President move that the minutes be accepted as written.

So I give it a second.

It's been properly moved and second.

The minutes be accepted as written on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

This time we'll have our city treasures report.

Treasurer's report, August 28th, 2025.

Total investments, 521,401,006.

Sorry.

Grand total 538 million two hundred and five thousand four hundred and fifty-eight dollars and ninety-nine cents.

Submitted city treasurer Dwayne Sims.

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

Second.

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

All in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

I will accept the motion to move to accept all non-legislative business.

It's been properly moved in second to accept all non-legislative business on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed motion carried.

Do we have any in-person recognitions this evening?

No.

All right, thank you.

I do want to acknowledge our resolutions of recognition from council member Oliver, the 211th August quarterly festival celebration.

And also she would like to recognize Katherine Parcells and from Council Member Spadola.

I would like to recognize Greg Starr.

Opening the driven authentic branding solutions.

And for sympathy resolutions from all of council, a 7th resolution for Michael and Castle from Councilmember Kabara.

Sympathy resolution for Miles Shacobi Sanders and Sarah Ann McGee and from Councilmember Oliver, a sympathy resolution for Dominique Hebron Bates.

As a friendly reminder, you do have three minutes for public comment.

Once you have around 30 seconds left, I will give you a friendly reminder to please start to uh wrap up your comment.

When you come forward, please watch your step.

Make sure that you introduce yourself.

And if you do want to mention the district that you live in, you may do so, but you don't have to.

First, we have Deacon Earl Tate.

Thank you for joining us, Deacon Tate.

Greetings.

Tate, who's never late, because he don't want to lose his parole and skate.

And and I like to I like to say that the summer is ending.

But uh the kids, the kids are getting ready for school and everything.

But the parents, we we got we got we got we got to learn how to teach our kids to uh to to love and to obey the the self and and and the parents also gotta teach them discipline because if we don't teach them discipline at home, they're not gonna learn it nowhere else out on the street or nowhere, but we gotta teach them how to how to love and respect itself as well as others, and plus the parent cannot cannot be the child's pet, could cannot be the child's parent and the child's friend also.

The parent must be the parent with love and care and understanding and and and and and the reaching out to others as we want them to reach out for us, just like the teachers, the teachers did when we was in school.

Our teach our teachers taught us through the the way to go and everything, but now but nowadays uh most of the teachers uh just look at the child and want to put him in this place in that place, but but but not but not taking care of him, not taking care of him and teaching them the things that he should he should know and he should learn.

Because if we don't who will and plus and plus, see like we we got we got to let we got to let them know.

Let them know that we love them and care for them.

And I'm gonna say have have a nice holiday, everybody.

And I'll see you all next next week.

Did you uh recently have a birthday?

When's your birthday?

Uh 27th.

Yesterday.

It was the 27th of August 27th.

27th of July.

Oh yeah.

Still celebrating.

Oh, you're still celebrating.

Okay.

All right.

So we just we also wanted to celebrate you.

Councilmember McCoy brought this to our attention.

So we have a birthday card for you from everyone on council and some of the staff.

We really appreciate you.

You are definitely our most dedicated constituent in the entire city.

I think that you have been to more city council meetings than all of us.

So again, we just want to say uh thank you.

We just have a I think Councilmember McCoy said she wanted to sing happy birthday to you.

Uh Councilmember McCormick, did you want to start it off?

Well, wait a minute.

Um are we doing the Stevie Wonder?

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

No, you can say I saw that on Facebook today that it was today.

So I just wanted to make sure that we all said happy birthday to you.

And we are so glad that you are such a committed resident to the city of Womington.

Thank you.

I'm celebrating it all year through.

All year through because you know one day is not enough.

Celebrate the birthday, celebrate the birthday every day.

Like the song say, I just want to celebrate.

Yeah, yeah.

There you go deep.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Next we have uh Sandra Barshaw.

Thank you for joining us, and please remember to introduce yourself.

Please watch your step once you reach the podium.

Hi, my name is Sandra Barcha.

I live at the Devon.

And this is my first city council meeting.

Uh the Devon no longer allows the battery for my mobility device on the property.

After I did some research, I discovered that there is no law or ordinance that in regard to mobility devices or electric wheelchairs.

I was hoping to meet my councilman of the 8th district this evening, uh Councilman Fields, but I guess he's not here tonight.

Uh I would like to propose that somebody look into legislation for this because it's it's it's an important issue for everybody, not just me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We do have your contact information, so we'll we will make sure that council member feel receives it.

We also have two at-large council members here this evening that can that can assist you.

All right, I'm having trouble.

I have hearing aids, but they're not great.

We have the contact information, so we'll make sure that council member field did this.

Okay.

We have two at large.

I did send an email last week.

Okay.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

And we next we have Victor Kushman.

Is Victor.

Okay.

Thank you for joining us, and please remember to introduce yourself.

Thank you, Local.

It's an important thing.

Uh my name is Victor Cushman.

I'm from the 8th district.

First off, congratulations to Councilman Field on the birth of his daughter last Friday.

I'm sure he would love to speak with you.

He is incredibly responsive if you send him an email.

He even contacted me the day after his daughter was born, and I told him to get off the phone and get off an email.

I've been a resident of the city of Wilmington for 38 years, and a resident of Henry Clay Village for 33 years.

Although I did see emails that indicated it would be removed.

We do support the R1 zoning.

Both in legislative and legal expense as well as future improvements to the infrastructure.

The developer has not met with any members of the community or attempted to do so since acquiring the property in November of 2024.

Nine months.

Small business people and people who've been residents for 30 plus years down to the last couple of years.

We have teachers, uh, we have people who do regular work.

And that's what Henry Clay Village has been composed of since its founding in 1861.

We're really asking for all of the council members as we reach out to you individually from all of the members in our community to spend some time with us.

We would like to follow up with all of you at your convenience.

Explain the issues in more depth.

For Nathan and coming and visiting with our community and doing a walkthrough of the issues.

Thank you.

That does conclude public comment.

We do not have anyone who signed up virtually.

So at this time we are going to move on to legislative business.

Councilmember Darby.

Yes.

Um, Mr.

President, I have an ordinance, or I may I have a resolution.

No, it is an ordinary ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-045, agenda number 0098.

An ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses for new corner properties within the city pending completion of an equity impact assessment.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses for new corner properties within the city pending completion of an equity impact assessment.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Second.

It's been properly moved and second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the community development and urban planning committee.

Mr.

President, may I be excused?

Yes, you may be excused.

Thank you.

Councilmember Oliver.

Yes, Mr.

President.

I have the orders to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-046, agenda number 0099.

An ordinance authorize and approve a three-year extension of a professional services agreement between the city of Wilmington and ITRON Inc.

for mobile automated meter reading operations and system maintenance.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to authorize and approve a three-year extension of a professional services agreement between the city of Wilmington and I tron Inc.

for mobile automated meter reading operations and system maintenance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I move this to be known for the first and second reading of the ordinance to refer to the finance and economic development committee.

Second.

It's been properly moved and second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the finance and economic development committee.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Excuse.

Give me one second, please.

Hold on one moment, please.

We have to make sure we have quorum.

We're good.

We're good.

Okay, yes, she may be excused.

Thank you.

Thanks a lot.

I don't know where.

Okay.

Thank you.

She's just referring to the feet.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes, Mr.

President.

I have an ordinance to present on behalf of Councilman Fields.

Uh to call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance 25-047, agenda number 0101.

An ordinance to rezone the parcels of land located at 1934 and 1934 A rising sun lane from an A zoning classification of R1, one family detached dwellings to an A zoning classification of R2, one family detached dwellings and one family semi-detached dwellings.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Second.

That be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the community development and urban planning committee.

Okay.

Mr.

President, I do have another ordinance for to present.

I'm sorry, this uh ordinance is on behalf of Councilwoman Cabrera.

Have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-048, agenda number 0102, an ordinance to amend chapter 48 of the city code to permit commercial recreation and public assembly as matter of right uses in the M1 Light Manufacturing Zoning District.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to amend chapter 48 of the city code to permit commercial recreation and public assembly as matter of right uses in the M1 Light Manufacturing Zoning District.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Yes.

Um again, I would just like to remind everyone that senior line dancing um goes on at 10 a.m.

to 12 on Tuesdays at the POW and senior day, senior morning mingle is 9 a.m.

to 11 a.m.

on Thursdays.

On Tuesdays and Saturday, come to the POW to work out with Coach Barry on Tuesdays at 6 30 p.m.

to 7 30 p.m.

on uh Saturdays it is 9 to 10 a.m.

Um every third Monday is fresh food day at one village alliance, and that goes from 9 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Um and then lastly every Thursday um in Haynes Park, um starting at 4 p.m.

to 7 p.m.

is the north side food and culture market.

Um please feel free to stop out to many any of these events going on in the first district.

Thank you, Councilwoman Oliver, Councilwoman Willower.

Nothing tonight, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilwoman McCoy.

Um have any information.

I'm sorry, I just wanted to uh tell everyone um happy labor day.

I do believe that there may be a parade coming uh that we will be taking part in on Monday.

I don't have the information in front of me.

I apologize.

I hope that someone else can follow up in uh and to uh to give that information.

All right, thank you, Councilman Johnson.

I have no matter tonight, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilwoman Hackett.

Um nothing tonight.

Council Member Willower.

I already went, Mr.

President.

I saw you looking at Council Council Councilman Spadola.

Nothing tonight, Council President.

All right, thank you.

Uh so again, I just want to thank everyone for joining us this evening.

Definitely want to send a congratulations to our colleague, fellow council member uh Nathan Field and his uh his um wife on their newborn baby girl or they have a boy, Councilman Spadola.

I think daughter.

Daughter.

All right, congratulations.

Thank you, everyone, for joining us.

If we can ever be of any assistance, please call us at 302-576-2140.

Again, our number is 302-576-2140.

With that, I will accept the motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed motion carried.

Thank you, everyone.