The meeting will please come to order.

Good evening, everyone.

Today is Thursday.

November the sixth.

I am Trippy Congo, president of Wilmington City Council, and on behalf of all of my colleagues, those who are here and also those who are virtual, we would like to thank you and welcome you to our meeting.

We're going to have an opening prayer by Mary Alina Rivera.

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

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

Councilwoman Oliver.

Present.

Councilwoman Harley.

Present.

Councilwoman Willower.

Present.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Councilman Johnson.

Councilman Field.

Present.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Present.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Councilman Hackett.

Councilman Spadola.

Present.

President Congo.

Here.

Twelve present in one absent.

And now we will have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

October 16th, 2025, City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 34 p.m.

President Ernest M.

Congo the second presiding.

The opening prayer was done by Mary Elena Rivera.

Second.

It's been properly moved and second.

That the minutes be accepted as written on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

And now we will have our committee reports.

October 9th, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-035 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require city council to approve the appointed board members of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Conservancy Land Bank Corporation.

Have given this or ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the community development urban planning committee.

Those members present, Councilwoman Cabrera, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Field, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilman Hackett.

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

Second.

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.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

October 9th, 2025.

We your community development urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-059 entitled an ordinance to approve the Anchorage Overlook Major Subdivision Plan.

And authorize the city to remove a segment of Anchorage Street from the official city map.

Improve a segment of Anchorage Street and name it Anchorage Street Extended.

Create a new street named Levi Lane and accept the dedication of Anchorage Street extended and Levi Lane as public rights of way and add them to the official city map.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the community development and urban planning committee, those members present, Councilwoman Cabrera, Councilwoman Bracie, Councilman Fields, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, and absent with leave, Councilman Hackett.

Move the committee 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.

October 13th, 2025.

We your public safety committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred.

Ordinance number 25-034 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter 36 of the city code to prohibit resisting, impeding, or interfering with a city employee's official job duties.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meet meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the public safety committee.

Those members present, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Spadola, Councilwoman Bracey, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Oliver, and President Congo.

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

Second.

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.

Madam Clerk, just one second, please.

If anyone wants to give public comment, if you haven't had an opportunity to sign up, you still have time to do so.

About another five minutes if you want to sign up for a public comment, either virtually or for those who are in council chambers.

Thank you.

October 13th, 2025.

We, your public safety committee, met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred.

Substitute number one to ordinance number 25-051 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to rename the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board, the Wilmington Citizens Review Board, expand board eligibility, and increase compensation for board members.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the public safety committee.

Those members present, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Spadola, Councilwoman Bracie, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Oliver, and President Congo.

I made the committee report be received, recorded, and filed.

Second.

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.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

October 13, 2025.

We your public safety committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-052.

Entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve two one-year extensions of contract 26008 PD police clothing between the City of Wilmington and McDonald Uniforms Company Inc.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the public safety committee, those members present, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Spadola, Councilwoman Bracy, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Oliver, President Congo.

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

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

The report be received, recorded, and filed on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

October 13th, 2025.

We your public safety committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred.

Entitled an ordinance to amend chapter 37 of the city code to prohibit the parking of tow trucks on city streets.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the public safety committee.

Those members present, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Spadola, Councilwoman Bracie, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Oliver, and President Congo.

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

Second.

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

October 20th, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we your public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-056 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 42 of the city code regarding the paving of privately controlled non-dedicated alleys.

Have given this order ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the public works and transportation committee.

Those members present, Councilwoman Oliver, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilman Fields, and Councilman Johnson.

I move this committee report, maybe see, 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.

October 22nd, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we your health environmental aging and disabilities committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-062 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to repeal the defunct Wilmington Advisory Commission on Youth and Their Families and to establish the Wilmington Youth Advisory Council under the auspices of City Council.

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

Respectfully submitted those members of the Health Environmental Aging and Disabilities Committee.

Those members present, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, Councilwoman Cabrera, Councilman Fields, Councilman Hackett, President, President Congo.

Sorry, absent with leave, Councilman Hackett.

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

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

The report be received, recorded, and filed on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

At this time, we will have our city treasurer's report.

November 6th, 2025, total investments, 533 million five hundred five hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred and forty dollars and three cents.

Total cash on hand, 16 million four hundred and thirty-five thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars and eighty-six cents.

Grant total five hundred and forty-nine million nine hundred and ninety-seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven dollars and eighty-nine cents.

Submitted city treasurer Dwayne Sims.

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

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded the treasure's 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.

So motion.

Second.

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

Again, just a quick reminder for anyone who wants to give public comment virtually.

There is a Google form sign-up link in the chat.

All public comment will take place after non-legislative business.

We will give you an extra few minutes to sign up if you haven't yet.

All right, we're going to move on to our resolutions of recognition.

Councilmember Bracey.

We are here.

This is a resolution from all of council.

Whereas it is the sense of city council to honor individuals, organizations, and milestones that demonstrate out change outstanding achievement and deserving of recognition and acknowledgement.

Council recognizes Charlotte B.

Barnes, Director of Human Resources for the City of Wilmington on her retirement.

And whereas Charlotte is a proud native of Newcastle, Delaware, and a resident of Wilmington since 1989, she has devoted her professional life to the service of the citizens of Wilmington through an extraordinary career with the city spanning over three and a half decades.

And whereas Ms.

Barnes began her career with the city in 1988 and through dedication, professionalism, and exemplary leadership, rose through a series of progressively responsible positions, ultimately serving as director of human resources.

She has since worked for five mayors, been named to two six, six, sorry, six mayors, been named to two mayoral appointments, and served as chief of staff for two city council presidents.

She began her tenure working closely alongside the honorable Theodore Bunt, who became a mentor and a father figure for her.

Among staff, Charlotte always helped welcome the holiday season with her fresh bake cookies.

And whereas director as director of human resources, Ms.

Barnes skillfully managed the full spectrum of human resource operations for more than 11 other city employees.

She has navigated numerous challenges over her tenure, including playing a pivotal role in supporting the men and women who keep our city operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

And whereas Director Barnes commitment to continuous growth and service extended beyond city government.

She has served as a board member and a secretary of the National Public Employers Labor's Union Labor Relations Association and as a past president and board member of the Delaware Public Employers Labor Relations Association.

She was named 2018 HR Person of the Year for Large Employers for the by the Delaware chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the profession.

And whereas she has held leadership roles in numerous community organizations, including the Macaulay Court Civic Association, the downtown YMCA, and the Delta Outreach and Education Center, as well as serving as an ordained elder, treasurer, and finance chair of the community Presbyterian Church.

As past president of the Wilmington, Delaware Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she earned the chapter recognition as Eastern Region Chapter of the Year, and she continues to serve with distinction as a Delaware State Coordinator for the Eastern Region of the Sorority.

And where, as Charlotte is the proud mother of one daughter, Brittany, who is carrying on her mother's legacy of public service as a sergeant with the Wilmington Police Department, currently assigned to the Office of Professional Standards.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Wilmington that this council is pleased to recognize Charlotte B.

Barnes for more than three decades of steadfast service to the city of Wilmington.

Job well done.

Congratulations, Charlotte.

Good evening, Mr.

President, honorable members of council, and all others assembled.

Thank you for this recognition and for acknowledging my retirement.

Let me begin by saying to God be the glory for the things he has done.

As I stand here this evening, closing out 37 years of service to this city, I am filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for the journey, the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens.

Though not a native Womintonian, it has truly been the honor of my life to serve this community.

Over the course of my career, I have worked during six different mayoral administrations.

I have had the esteemed privilege of working in the executive branch and holding executive leadership roles in both the executive and legislative branches, which has allowed me to support the dedicated people who keep our city moving forward every day.

I am especially humbled to have been appointed by three mayors, Mayor Williams Prozicki and Carney, to serve as the director of human resources, and have had have had the trust of two council presidents, Ted Blunt and Norman Griffiths, to serve as their chief of staff for this legislative body.

Those opportunities were not simply job titles, they were responsibilities that I carried with pride and respect.

You should know that public service is not something I stumbled into.

I am a third generation public servant.

It is in my blood, it is in my values, and is it a part of who I am.

My grandmother, who is no longer with us, but is the individual who has had the most profound impact on my life, was a public servant.

She retired from the Delaware Psychiatric Center, having worked for the late Jane Mitchell, the first African American nurse in the state of Delaware.

I might also add that she was the union president, which is ironic considering my current role.

My mother, seated to my left, retired after a distinguished career with the division of health and social services as a social worker.

My stepmother, who's on my right, retired as a retired educator and a reading specialist from the Red Clay School District and the Department of Education for the state of Delaware.

Three of my four sisters are public servants.

Although my sisters who are twins recently left the public sector employment, my other sister has recently joined the public sector after a career in the telecommunities industry.

In my family, service is not what we do, service is who we are.

I take great pride in knowing that the tradition continues through my daughter, who serves as a sergeant in the Office of Professional Standards of the Wilmington Police Department.

To see her step forward in her own commitment to service is a source of pride and has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

But played a pivotal role in me even working for the city of Wilmington.

You see, it was the summer of 1988, and I had just graduated from Delaware State University.

Go Hornets.

I might add that when I walked in tonight, I did not expect to see him here.

But Gary Fullman is here.

And he said I brought you in.

So I had to see you lead.

Gary Fullman told him about two positions in the finance department.

One that required experience and one did not.

I applied for the position that did not.

When I was extended the job offer, my father said, Look, I opened the door, but you have to do the work.

Don't embarrass me.

Who knew that 37 years later I would still be doing the work?

Well, Dad, I hope I did not embarrass you, but I also hope I made you proud.

During my 37 years with the city, I've had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of professionals.

Some who became mentors, some who became friends, and all who taught me something.

I am grateful for each of them.

Some who have had long dedicated careers to public service, and others who were newer to the city, bringing with them fresh perspectives and energy.

Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and remain steadfast in our shared commitment to improving the lives of the residents we serve.

While I'm retiring from my role, I am not retiring from caring about this city or believing in its potential.

I leave with the much respect for those who continue the work, and I have no doubt that the seeds planted over these many years will continue to grow.

I will carry these memories and relationships with me always.

It has indeed been my honor to serve.

Again, thank you for this recognition.

There will be some comments from some council members.

But I think that Brittany wanted to say something because she mentioned earlier that she wants to say a few words.

Brittany, did you want to say a few words?

Oh my gosh, look at that picture.

You agree.

Okay.

Brittany did say a few words earlier.

I think as I mentioned when I was in the mayor's office, she's the boss.

I used to be the boss, but she's the boss.

But she had words earlier.

Um I'm just incredibly proud of her.

Incredibly proud that she will continue the legacy of service to the city of Wilmington.

Incredibly proud that my son-in-law, son-in-love will be doing the same.

They're both police officers.

Um I'm sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that.

Everybody knows already I just said that.

But um they didn't know he was.

I told you she's the boss, right?

Thank you so much.

I really appreciate it.

The city will always have a special place in my heart.

Thank you.

Hold on one second, Charlotte.

Councilmember Oliver.

Oh, sure.

Um, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I would like to congratulate Charlotte on her 37 years.

Um my sorority sister, she's my sister.

Um, we went to college together, we graduated together, we pledged together.

She's always been a mentor to me and a very good friend.

And she's always been honest when I trying to tell her stuff.

And look, you gotta hear that.

No, I'm right.

She's like, no, you're wrong.

So I really appreciate your friendship and your honesty.

I love you, and congratulations on your retirement.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hackett.

Well, well, well, well, I just want to say congratulations.

You know, when I first got elected, you were the first department head to welcome me and say, hey, listen, let's get coffee.

And you know, we had a great conversation, and I've been bugging you ever since.

Uh, you know, I want to thank you so much, even on things outside of council.

You've been trying to help to make sure that you know I thrive as a young person in the city of Wilmington, and you've been pouring into me and your family as well.

You know, your daughter's the first person to call and say, Hey, listen, I got a couch for you, come get it so that we could give it back to the our community members and continue to do the work.

So, you know, I've asked you several times what is next, and I can only imagine that you're gonna do some wonderful things.

So I'm just happy that I was able to be a part of your journey, and hopefully I continue to be.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Harley.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to say congratulations, first of all, to Director Barnes on her retirement.

I want to thank you, Charlotte, for always demonstrating professionalism, your strong government business acumen, and for your strong leadership.

I always always knew that when you came forth with uh information that it never had to be questioned for the most part, and I'm definitely gonna miss that professionalism that you always always demonstrated.

And I'm definitely going to miss that professionalism that you always always demonstrated.

And again, congratulations, all the best, and please enjoy your retirement.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Owens.

Yes.

Hi, Miss Charlotte.

How are you?

Um I just want to say congratulations and happy retirement.

Um when I first met you, I was five years old, 25 years ago.

Um I was used to be back in the green room back there.

Um, but you've had an amazing career.

You've let will have a lasting impact on this city.

Um, and this city should always be grateful for the work that you did both on your city council side and on your mayor's side.

So again, I just want to say happy retirement.

I know this probably ain't the end of anything.

I know you're gonna go on do some more volunteering and everything.

But I again thank you for your service for this city um and just giving back and pouring your heart into the city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Thank you.

Miss Charlotte, um, I just want to say thank you so much for the patience that you've shown me.

Uh I am one who asked a lot of questions, and you always made certain that you had an answer for me, and you gave me all the the care that I needed to make certain that whatever needed to get done, got done.

And also, every time I seen you outside of the office, you were still the same shining bright person that I saw in the office.

So thank you for always being here.

I said congratulations.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate that.

All right, Charlotte.

I also want to uh congratulate you and thank you for being one of my mentors ever since I since I got on council.

Um it was just amazing the knowledge that you have of the city of Wilmington um governing bodies.

Um no disrespect to anyone else, but I don't think there's another person who knows the city of Wilmington the way that you do.

And we're just fortunate to have you.

We're fortunate that so many city council presidents and and mayors uh just kept you with us.

Um it's it's been it's been a great ride.

And it's amazing because every time you would do a presentation, every time I would have a question, like you always knew all the answers.

You never had to go back and do your research.

I was I I remember just sitting there listening to you in meetings and just being like in amazement of the the like the body of knowledge that you that you possess.

So I'm not sure what you're doing next, but I know that you just need to enjoy yourself, uh enjoy your your family, your new son-in-love that Brittany doesn't want us to talk about.

But um you know we're definitely going to miss you, but um, kudos to you and everything that you have done for our city.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Okay, yes.

I think my mom wants to say something.

All right.

All right, mom.

Yeah, I felt that I would be remiss if at least a family member didn't say something about her.

Because you see one side, and we've seen another side.

And we struggle as who the boss is.

But ultimately it's me.

Ultimately, it's me.

And they all came from me, so it's me.

But um, Charlotte has always been one that struggled to be successful, to be a leader.

I'm talking about even when she's the third child, she wanted to be the first child.

So she was always fighting to be their leader and a voice of reason.

And I'm so proud of her now.

Because I see what she's accomplished, and I see what I've accomplished as a single parent.

So I have um three generations here, and everybody's working, everybody's doing great.

So I'm proud of her, but I'm also proud of my other girls also.

Thank you.

Right.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'd like to have um Kathleen Purcell come up from Calamar Nickel.

And if any, if it's anybody else from Calamar Nickel like to come up with her, feel free.

Melissa, Melissa, you sure?

Come on up.

I'd like to say a few words about Kathleen before I read this resolution.

Calamore Nichols in the third district, and I was very good friends with Pig Todd, who's no longer here.

And she also always talked about Calamar Nickel and Kathleen and all the work they did over there for the youth underserved in the city of Wilmington and Kathleen Kathleen Calf Kathleen.

So one day she invited me over for lunch.

Miss Parcel was there, and that's the end of the story.

I tell you, um, I was able to help them out tremendously, and it was an honor for me to bring some kids from earnest served community who had never been on a ship, who had never experienced the Calamar Nickel and all the resources they had over there with the Underground Railroad and so many other things.

So a lot of people uh be lunching or not paying attention to the Calamar Nickel, and they have a lot to offer.

So with that being said, I'd like to have Miss Um Ms.

Parcel.

I'm here.

Thank you.

So this resolutions from Councilwoman Xantha Albert is the Census City Council to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and deserving of recognition, and acknowledgement.

Catherine Percell is one of such councilwoman Xantha Alva extends uh special uh appreciation to Catherine Purcell for her leadership commitment and her service to Calamore Nikko Foundation, KNF in the city of Wilmington as she concludes her tenure as executive director.

Whereas Catherine also has known as Kathy, um took the him at KF in 2010 after previously serving as a board trustee and facilitating and coordinating the inauguration of the Tall Ship Festival in 1999 as well as the event in 2020.

As executive director, she has been a key figure in carrying out the mission of safe guarding the culture and maritime heritage in Delaware, of Delaware and the Delaware Valley of the Education and Enrichment for All.

Whereas in addition to the crew and staff, Kathy has successfully guided more than 300 volunteers who kept the history of Calamore Nickro alive during the departure from the 11 ports they serve under Kathy's direction.

K and F has always often overcome challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and visitors.

The assets experienced of the tall ship providing, and whereas outside of her professional work, Kathy has contributed her time and skills in numerous community skills organizations, ranging from supporting the annual fund campaign of the Home and School Association of Wilmington Friends School, co-developing the marketing plan for the Wilmington Resident Resistance Corporation to the carrying of the Christchurch Green Show and serving as a Girl Scouts leader.

I'm not surprised.

Now, whereas it be resolved from the council in the city of Wilmington that the council is pleased to recognize Miss Katherine's Percell for her style service and dedication to the city of Wilmington.

We wish you all the best in this new chapter, job well done.

President Congo and Councilwoman Oliver, thank you very, very much for this honor.

I'm really uh humbled by your um by this recognition.

So thank you very much and grateful.

I'm grateful to all of you and to and to you for your support uh and for your support and leadership for for uh coming and learning about the organization and then supporting it so um so completely.

Uh the we do a lot for the city of Wilmington and for our state and for our region, and uh and I I really stand here representing a tremendous board of trustees, uh, represented tonight also by John Morton, who has served as our board chair and also our treasurer, and Melissa Kenney, who has been on our board for many years as well, and our staff uh represented by Jan Ross, who is our our director of marketing and public relations, uh Mary Ball Morton, who serve has served on many of our volunteer committees, including our major fundraiser of the year, or gala, and then of course my husband Mark Parcells, who um who has been the greatest supporter of all.

So um, but I thank you all very, very much for your support.

You've you've helped us with our community programs that we deliver every year.

Um that we uh we have been able to do for free for um for the city residents and and children and families, and also our education programs with through support, we've been able to uh provide them, provide uh public school children the opportunity to come and participate in our programs for free as well.

So um without your support, we couldn't have done it.

And so we're like we have um great things uh ahead in the future um for things we're gonna be doing on the Seventh Street Peninsula.

Uh and we invite all everybody, even though I won't be there.

My successor, Sarah Kirspell and the staff invite you and the board, invite you to come and and check out uh all that's that's happening and will be happening.

I think you'll be really impressed and pleased.

So anyway, thank you um for this really tremendous honor and uh thank you for taking the time to to do this tonight.

No, I other than I'm just very proud of my wife and uh it's great honor for her and for the organization and thanks to the city of Wilmington for all you do for the cowmer nickel and for um all of us.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Additionally, in the way of other uh resolutions of recognition from all of council, we would like to recognize Salays Anum School on their Brotherhood Day, seventy seventy-fifth anniversary of desegregation.

Councilwoman Kobert would like to recognize the housing opportunities of Northern Delaware Incorporated for their 41st annual fair housing awards luncheon.

Councilwoman Harley would like to recognize Bishop Dr.

Andrew Williams, coming from Councilwoman Oliver.

She would also like to recognize the Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1965 on their 60 year anniversary.

Clifford Brown, Clifford Benjamin Brown on his 95th birthday, and the Walnut Street YMCA on the 85th anniversary celebration, Gala.

In the way of Sympathy Resolutions coming from Councilmember McCoy.

A sympathy resolution for Arvon Jackson and coming from Councilwoman Oliver Sympathy Resolutions for Charles A.

Hill Jr., Joseph L.

Crumpler Jr., Anthony Vincent McCurdy Sr.

Kermit Manhart, Jerome A.

Brown Sr.

And L.

Smile Wharton.

Coming from Council Woman Councilman Owens, Sympathy Resolutions for Kendra Marie Smallwood and Marie Catherine Foreman.

At this time we will go into public comment.

We do have around 30 public comment speakers this evening, so we're going to have to keep everyone on the strict three-minute time frame.

Once you have about 30 seconds left, I will give you a friendly reminder.

But again, just to be fair to everyone who has signed up for public comment, please keep your public comments to three minutes.

And again, I will give you a 30-second friendly reminder.

And also in the way of fairness, we're going to alternate between between those who are in council chambers and those who who will be speaking virtually.

First, we have Deacon Earl E.

Tate.

And also before you make your public comment, if you do live within the city of Wilmington, if you'd like to say which district you live in, you're more than welcome to, but is it is not a requirement.

But please introduce yourselves once you before you begin public comment.

Thank you for joining us, Deacon Tate.

Good morning.

I mean good evening.

Good evening.

My name is Degan Earl E.

Tate, who's never late because he don't want to lose his paranormal skates.

And I and I like to thank uh I thank the senior the mayor, senior, senior ball.

It was it was dynamite all the way.

And I like to say may it continue on.

Continue on through next year.

But but but now but now we're getting down to the Brad's text.

We need much more than the stop signs on Second and Lincoln and on other areas because the people are still are still coming through coming through like they're in such a hurry to get nowhere.

We had to show them, hey, there's plenty of peep plenty of plenty of people and kids around here that want to live to see another day.

So slow down and take it easy because we all want to live, want to live the life.

Don't you?

And also I like to thank you.

Thank you, everybody.

But but but now it's time to get down to the brass text.

The election is over, and it's time to join forces, come together, working as one, working as one, Congress, Senate, representatives, local, local politicians, members, and all.

It's time for us to come together and work together as one to stop uh to put a stop to the man that is trying to destroy what what America really is.

We we we have we because we want to have a future, a future for our kids as well as for ourselves.

But but it's time to it's time to take action and take action now.

Because if we don't uh uh the United States is gonna be it's gonna be ruined.

So like instead of have it ruined, save save the United States and bring it up the bar.

Not back, but bring it up the par.

And I like to say uh have a happy veterans day to all to all the veterans in here.

Thank you.

At this time I will accept a motion to extend public comment.

So move.

Second.

It's been probably moved and second to extend public comment past 730.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Motion carry.

Thank you.

Uh Elaine Swift, are you in council chambers or are you virtual?

Okay, Miss Smith, may come forward.

Thank you for joining us.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

Please be careful once you reach the podium.

Watch your step.

I am Elaine Swift, a city resident who is here to support council member Darby's resolution that urges the administration to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement and deportation operations.

I agree with council member Darby that America is going down the wrong path, and that it's up to us as a united people to take action and protect our neighbors and friends when the federal government threatens our liberties.

As you know, businesses such as Avalow Airlines are making money from the illegal detention of citizens and immigrants alike.

Thank you.

Next, virtually we have Adam Whitney.

Are you here?

Okay, you're on counsel.

Thank you for joining us.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

Hello.

Um I just want to thank some.

Please introduce yourself.

Oh yeah.

I'm Adam Whitney.

I want to uh thank those who uh co-sponsored uh this resolution uh yesterday.

And you know we've been seeing um really atrocious stuff, you know, uh going all over the news right now, just like uh uh teacher pulled out from a kindergarten, you know, some really heinous stuff.

want to thank you please please introduce yourself oh yeah I'm Madame Whitney I want to uh thank those who uh co-sponsored uh this resolution uh yesterday and you know we've been seeing um really atrocious stuff you know uh going all over the news right now just like uh uh teacher pulled out from a kindergarten you know some really heinous stuff and I think uh right now what we need to do is uh and what we're doing here is uh showing each other that we're gonna look after one another when um people think they can do whatever they want ignore any laws they want so I just want to uh hope that the rest of you all will support this resolution and uh thank those of you again who already uh co-sponsored thank you Maria Perez Monzon I believe she is with us virtually Maria Perez Monzon um yes Maria Perez Monzon if you're still with us virtually please raise your hand so that we we can unmute your microphone my hand is raised yes we can hear you thank you for yes we can hear you thank you for joining us my name is Maria Perez Monzon and I'm a resident of Wilmington thank you for allowing me to give testimony tonight I do want to thank Shine Dharby sponsor and Trippy Congo co-sponsor for this resolution to prohibit the city contracts with the vello airline our state benefits from immigrant businesses from their labors in construction agriculture food meat processing restaurant lawn care and child and elder care just to name a few is it illegal for mass men without identification to grab men women and children while in the safety of their homes doing a routine court appointment while worshipping at church or in their workplaces without due process and then be transported by a vellow airlines it should be illegal and for many of us it is illegal I don't want the city to see contracts with a corporation with a corporate organization that participates in what I would name human trafficking I personally will not fly a vello airlines we and the city need to stand in solidarity with our immigrant community please vote yes to prohibit city contracts with a veloc airlines thank you thank you next virtually we have Shauritoyek please forgive me if I mispronounce your name thank you for joining us please remember to introduce yourself thank you I am Charito Calvaci Mateiko and I'm here to support the resolution proposed by Janet Derby because uh it's the proper thing to do in a climate of injustice nationwide an administration promoting illegal detention of human beings that contribute to this nation let alone Delaware so this injustice affect real people the stories of children trembling like leaps that a person was telling me when their mom was taken well you know what this man had to do he never was the father of the children but he had to protect them and he is feeding them and taking care of them but the other aspect is when they grow up I know that their mother would take in a in a bellow fly you know we are always instructed that in case of emergency a yellow mass will come down and you grab it their hands are tied this is the type of aircraft that you you know we here in Delaware I'm allowing our taxes to be paid and make profit that's unjust you hold the power of the city each one of you and I'm here to ask you to please do the right thing and stop this that I call predatory capitalism that makes money out of the suffering of innocent people creating so much habit I see a lot of of you are African descendants this is plantation capitalism it's a capitalism that doesn't bring freedom

And I'm here to ask you to please do the right thing.

And stop this that I call predatory capitalism that makes money out of the suffering of innocent people.

Creating so much habit.

I see a lot of you are African descendants.

This is plantation capitalism.

It's a capitalism that doesn't bring freedom.

This resolution is the opportunity that all of you have to stop it.

And reflect our decide that's side of the people to do the just thing.

No and justice.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Maria Averis.

Are you with us virtually or you're in Council Chambers?

Hi, um, I'm here.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

Thank you for joining us.

Hi, thank you.

Um, my name is Maria Alvarez.

I'm with No Borders Delaware.

Um, I'm here to voice support for the resolution.

Councilmember Darby is sponsoring on behalf of the Delaware Stop A Velo Coalition.

I'm also here as a Mexican American to stand against these illegal detainments and here to bring hope to the communities of immigrants who live in Delaware.

Um, let me start by saying it is the Wilmington City Council's duty to refuse business with companies actively facilitating unlawful detention.

Human beings are being kidnapped off our streets, they're being stripped of their rights to do the process and being trafficked with the help of companies such as a vello.

It's up to the elected officials in our city to protect their most vulnerable and do their part.

My indigenous and immigrant background makes me personally extremely concerned of what it would mean for the city council to turn a blind eye on what a vello is assisting in.

So I'm I'm respectfully asking you guys to do the right thing and support this resolution to show that injustice will not be tolerated by the city council.

Thank you again, councilwoman Darby and Trippy Congo for being on the right side of history and standing with us during these difficult times.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have, please forgive me if I mispronounce your name, Mimi Sabilis.

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

Please watch a step once you reach the podium.

Hi, I'm Mimi.

I live in Wilmington.

And we need to stop pretending that we don't know what's happening.

Let's pretend that we are fully aware.

Let's not pretend.

We are fully aware.

This is not business as usual.

When someone is snatched in broad daylight, crying out for help, begging for their loved ones while people are standing by watching powerless.

Someone's making money off that pain.

And that someone is a vellow.

They're the only commercial airline in the country with an ice deportation contract.

They're not innocent bystanders, they're partners in cruelty.

They're the ones flying the deportation planes where people are shackled to their sh seats.

Flights that are tearing families apart while executives are cashing checks soaked in human suffering.

And you know what a vello said when they were asked about it?

Contract.

Their 150 million dollar federal contract was too good to pass up.

Too good to pass up.

As if the suffering of mothers, fathers, and children is just another line item on a balance sheet.

That's who you're choosing to do business with.

Every ticket, every ad, every contract signed in this city with them tells us one thing.

Yeah, we looked at the cruelty.

We looked at the suffering, the illegal kidnapping, but we decided it was profitable.

This resolution from Councilwoman Darty is not complicated.

It's about accountability, it's about transparency.

It simply says no more, no city contracts, no taxpayer funds, no public funds at all for companies that collaborate with ice or any deportation operations.

Not one cent, not one partnership, not one advertisement.

We've heard excuses before from politicians, from various authorities, from agencies that say their hands are tied.

It's not up to them.

It's just business, it's not personal.

Well, it is personal.

It's personal for every child who watches their parent be snatched away, wondering if they're ever gonna come home again.

It's personal for every neighbor who sees an ICE group pull up to their building, scared, wondering if they're gonna be next.

It's personal for the people who are too scared to answer their doors right now because they don't know who's on the other side.

And it's personal for people like me who have friends and family who I don't want to see targeted because of their names or their accents, and frankly, the color of their skin.

Because it's happening.

How you act tonight tells us everything.

If you choose to ignore this, if you keep flying a vello, if you contract with them, if you advertise for them, you're saying that Wilmington's values are for sale.

That a little convenient.

It's worth more than a clear conscience.

But you could choose differently.

You could say not here, not in Wilmington Wilmington, not with our money.

Stand with the people instead of the profiteers.

Those cold, cash-drunk cowards who are trading in human misery and calling it business.

Be brave.

Do what's right when it costs something, something irreplaceable.

Integrity is irreplaceable, transparency is irreplaceable, and a clear conscience is irreplaceable.

You want to rebuild public trust to restore the credibility of the city and the council?

Well, credibility is not built on half-cocked promises.

It is built with action.

Add your name tonight on the side of credibility and show us that you even have a trace of it.

Please pass this resolution.

Prove to us that Wilmington's heart cannot be bought.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, virtually we have Reed Fallers.

Read fallers virtually.

Hello.

You can barely hear.

Read fallers.

He's on, but you can barely hear him.

WITN.

Can you are you able to turn up Reed Fallers microphone?

Read falls.

If you can hear me, can you please turn up your microphone?

Uh yeah, sorry.

We can hear you, but it's it's really hard to hear you.

You still there.

You still there, Reed Fallers?

Yeah, is this better?

Yes, that's much better.

Thank you.

Thank you for joining us.

Please introduce yourself.

Um my name is Reed Fowlers.

I'm in Newcastle, and I'm here to support um Councilwoman Darby's resolution that urged the administration to not contract with Avelo Airlines or any company that contracts with ICE.

ICE has been terrorizing local immigrant black and brown communities, disrupting their way of life.

And it is the duty of the Wilmington City Council to protect these communities and not cooperate with businesses that are choosing to assist ICE.

And as a Delaware resident, I do not want my tax dollars assisting Avello and terrorizing my friends and my family.

This resolution would show that Wilmington stands with these communities.

And I would hope it would encourage other cities in Delaware and across the um country to do the same thing.

After learning about Avell's cooperation with ice, I def decided to boycott them, and I encourage others as well.

Um I asked Wilmington Count City Council to sponsor councilwoman Darby's resolution to fight against the immoral and unlawful arrest and deportation of local communities.

And shout out to Noah Velo.

Um you can find them at Defend and Recruit.org.

Um, they're great.

Join them.

Uh that's it.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Next in Councilor Chambers, we have John Mateco.

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

Thank you.

Thank you for this opportunity.

My name is John Mateco.

I'm a resident of Newcastle County.

I've come here tonight.

I'm a business person, I'm an architect.

This association of this airline, which is a welcome addition to the city's general area around us and the county, but it has turned into really a very unfortunate and unwelcome publicity for the city, for the county, certainly for the airline and the airport.

But if you just anyone looking at the election results of two nights ago, you see where this has already gotten us in just nine months, and we have a few years ahead of us.

It is very, very damaging to this whole area for businesses, for people who want to live here.

It is appalling.

It's internationally become something outrageous.

Just last week a woman who is nursing an infant had the infant separated from her.

Just think of that.

This is an appalling situation.

It is not favorable as a business situation or morally.

But much has been said of that tonight.

And what you may be able to do by this resolution.

We have to look at the contract.

But you may be able to provide a force mayor escape clause.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Next virtually we have Ari Latin.

Okay, you're with us in Council Chambers.

Thank you for joining us.

And please remember to introduce yourself.

You have three minutes.

Thank you.

I'm here to support Councilmember Darby's resolution, which urges the administration to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement and deportation operations.

I've heard stories from friends and acquaintances about their loved ones being aggressively snatched off the streets and transported to different states or different countries with no contact, no letter, no phone call, and no update on their situation.

Some have been fortunate enough to be able to track them, but most of them nothing.

If I was put in that situation, I could not imagine what what I would do if my wife or my family or my friends got abducted, and I could not contact or locate them.

It is unconscionable for any person, government, or business to not only facilitate, but financially gain from the unlawful and abhorrent detainment, deportation, and suffering of individuals simply targeted because of the color of their skin.

We need to send an example to the people of Wilmington and Delaware that we will not tolerate and welcome this type of behavior.

Governor Meyer has already signed bill four bills, such as HB1 to A2, preventing law enforcement from entering into agreements with the DHS.

He's also stated that he would personally boycott a villa.

I'm here today with fellow Momingtonians to ask that you support and pass this resolution so that we can stop this collaboration in its checks.

Thank you.

And please all council members vote yes to this resolution.

Thank you.

Next in Council Chambers, we have Marisol Cutieres.

Sure.

My number is Marisol Gutierrez.

Shane Derby.

My name is Marisol Gutierrez.

I come here to support that you all approve the resolution proposed for Councilwoman Jeanette Darby, because any corporation should make money out of the suffering of Latinx people detained illegally.

Thank you.

Gracias.

Thank you.

Next virtually we have Carly.

Um collaborating with ICE.

We've seen uh much in the news about how ICE is illegal, illegally snatching hard working mothers and fathers off the streets, separating them from their families, and tearing communities apart.

Um and they're doing all of this without a warrant, without due process, without even just cause.

Um blatantly violating human rights and our constitution.

So facilitating ICE's actions or collaborating with them or in any way, or even providing funding puts all of us at risk because when we let them prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, and when we let them tear apart our communities in this way, uh we are all at risk.

Um refusing to enter into any contracts with entities that collaborate with ICE would be would protect our community and show that we will not there's no place for human rights violations in the great city of Wilmington.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Thank you.

Next in Council Chambers, we have Charito.

I'm very welcome.

Okay, all right, thank you.

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

Hello, my name is Jean Kambara.

I'm an educator, a child of immigrants, and I'm also a member of No Borders Delaware.

Um I am here in support of Councilmember Darby's resolution.

I'd like to thank Councilmember Darby and all co-sponsors.

Um I know everyone here is tired.

Um, but you know, we'll stop showing up.

So many of us with our long speeches uh once we uh trust y'all to do the right thing.

So America was supposed to learn many times over that humans are not illegal for existing.

Inhuman incarceration is a shameful repeat of Japanese incarceration camps, who are once the farming force of this country.

We are repeating a very tired narrative.

As I said in my opening, I'm an educator, and I'm here to tell you our students are very scared, and some have already had their visas come under attack.

Conversations are being had on campus about what to do and also what is being done.

We all know this issue will be ongoing for years.

It's not a simple fix that's gonna go away.

This resolution would be a good start.

It would show that Delaware is a safe place to learn and grow.

And so I ask you all to pass this resolution and to act with integrity so that I can tell my students that Delaware is a safe place for them to learn and it is safe for immigrants.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right.

Next, virtually we have, I believe you may have already uh spoken Jean Miyateko.

Okay.

Thank you.

Dr.

Robert Bonson, virtually Yes.

Um hello and good afternoon, everybody.

My name is Dr.

Rob Bonson.

I'm a psychiatrist.

I work in Wilmington.

I am voicing my support for the resolution regarding Avello Airlines, and I recognize the bravery of every council person willing to vote yes.

Delaware is a state of neighbors.

We lift each other up and we take care of our own.

This includes our vibrant immigrant community.

The immigrant community in Delaware comprises 15.1% of Delaware's labor force.

There are 6,915 entrepreneurs in our immigrant community and 54,655 eligible voters.

Delaware's immigrant communities contribute to the vibrancy of Wilmington, and it is necessary that we stand together to protect them.

No Delawarean should live in fear of being kidnapped, ripped away from their family, and flown on an unsafe airplane in handcuffs to an undisclosed location with no due process or legal counsel.

We should never allow our taxpayer money to benefit a business that would facilitate such a barbaric act.

I urge the council to vote yes on this resolution.

Send a strong message that cooperation with ICE is incompatible with the Delaware way.

Make it so others think twice before taking blood money to destroy the lives of our neighbors and have us all living in fear.

Anything less is either wanton disregard for human decency or intentional acceptance of the coming darkness of authoritarianism and fascism.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Next in Council Chambers, we have Jane McNicholas.

Yes, thank you.

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

Good evening.

My name is Jane McNicholas.

I appreciate having the uh opportunity to address the chamber here.

Um I'm here to support council member Darby's resolution, which urges the administration to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement and deportation.

Um I'm asking that we protect our neighbors by steering clear of companies that are helping carry out unlawful acts against people in our city.

I'm asking that we protect our city employees from the potential chaos of being in proximity of federal immigration actions.

I ask that we protect our law enforcement officers from getting caught up in the conflicts that are sure to arise from association with the unlawful deportations.

I visited Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania a few months back.

This is the home of the of Mount Shannon, the largest ice holding facility in Pennsylvania.

I spent a few days there, and it came to my attention that many of the residents in that area are not even aware that that very large detainment facility is there.

They don't know it's in their own town.

That is how secretive much of what is going on, how it's carried out.

It's very secretive.

And if the city of Wilmington gets tied into this kind of secretivity, it's is going to be very problematic on a lot of levels.

A lot of levels.

We have 30 seconds.

Please vote yes to prohibit city contracts with companies involved in immigration deportations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you.

I'm virtually we have last name Remedio.

Yes.

Yes, thank you for we can hear you.

Thank you for joining us, and please introduce yourself.

Okay.

Um my name is Jean Remedio.

My husband and I have been residents and homeowners in the second district for 50 years now, which just amazes me.

Um the other speakers have been so eloquent, uh, it seems like further comment is hardly needed, but I will just concentrate on some additional areas uh that haven't been directly addressed yet.

Um at the beginning, ICE was supposed to be rounding up those who were in the country illegally, who were portrayed as violent criminals, uh drug dealers, the worst of the worst.

There was a whole lot of fear that was generated about the possibility of lack of uh dangers coming from immigrants.

And while everyone would would prefer not to have violent criminals in their midst.

This is was not typical of most immigrants.

It was a blatant lie used to uh demonize all immigrants.

Um ICE has been has shown that they have no regard for due process for civil civil liberties or even basic human decency.

Their masks, they grab people indiscriminately off the street, uh non-citizens and citizens alike, and then proceed to detain them under terrible conditions.

Um is really not acceptable.

The current administration is getting ever more uh written about their embrace of fascist and Nazi ideology.

Um so we need to take every every chance we can to resist that.

Um this resolution would be a good step towards that.

In addition, everyone should be able to speak to their friends, their neighbors, their co-workers, to let them know what's going on because it's in this uh attention economy, it's it's hard to get people's attention, and sometimes hard to get people to recognize things that are as ugly as this current situation.

Uh, but we all need to participate.

Also, I would say that beyond urging our governmental leaders not to reward uh people or companies like the vello from prospering on the blood money of transporting prisoners.

Um we also need to be aware of consumers.

Um after people ditch their Disney Plus subscription, gimmicks and will sit back in the air.

You need to hit them where it hurts in their pockets because they have no hearts.

So please be aware as consumers, do as much as you can to resist.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, and Councillor Chambers.

Again, please forgive me if I if I mispronounce your name.

Uh Agumbo, Agumbo.

Last name is maybe O C M P O.

Oh, sorry.

No podemos ser participes ni cómplices de esta atrocidad que destruye familias y vidas de seres humanos.

Good evening.

I am Ingrid Ocampo.

I respectfully request from all of you to approve the resolution that will not allow that the city will have contract with companies that are participating in this deadly actions of ICE.

Because it's terrible, the suffering that the people experience day to day.

And it's affecting our communities of immigrants.

We cannot be participants.

We cannot be accomplices of this atrocity that is destroying families and lives of human beings.

We also need to consider that immigrants, they realize an important contribution at the economy in Wilmington in all the state of Delaware, because they actively participate in the labor force.

They paid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes.

They generate power, economic power.

And they also not only with consumption, but also they create enterprises.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next virtually we have Brandon Fletcher.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Brennan.

And I want to thank Councilmember Congo, Chine Darby, Owens, and Willower for co-sponsoring this resolution.

Public funds should never support cruelty or the separation of families.

And these deportation fights violate basic human rights and I think go against the city's values of fairness, dignity, and inclusion for all.

It was confirmed today that a federal immigrant agent injured someone in Sussex County.

And these incidents highlight the real immediate impact of immigration enforcement in our community.

Passing this resolution and taking steps towards sanctuary status shows that Wilmington stands for justice, compassion and safety for all residents.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next virtually we have Lorez Rivera.

Yes.

Hello?

Can you hear me good?

Yes, we can hear you.

Thank you.

Yes, good evening, President Everyone in Cancer.

My name is Lourdes Rivera.

I live on the 50 Street.

I'm briefly have many concerns tonight, in which that's why I supported Derby and all of those that sponsor this resolution on immigration.

To me, they have the same right as me, as long as they do not commit any wrongdoing or any crime.

I believe on justice for all.

And I guess injustice separating family from their family and causes so much pain.

And I urge that you tonight consider to pass this resolution.

Secondly, and very briefly, that's not in the agenda, but I'm bringing it up.

Second, I have another concern.

Right now I'm in have some trouble in communicating with 311.

The lack of communication we have to reach some of the department when you court, yes, they do anything, but unfortunately you get transferred to the death voice mayor and not being able to reach them at all.

The excuse is that I'm sorry I didn't get your message.

When you place a complaint for backend houses, landlords do not come to take care of these property, and their backyard is a mess.

I just would like that someone would look into this matter.

Now they're gonna give the excuse that winners around the corner.

So always that's an excuse.

I feel like that they like it that way.

They like 311 this way.

So they don't have to deal with any concern we may have as a community.

Please, fifth 311 and their full excuse voice mayor.

Thank you for your time and have a good evening.

Gracias.

Next, we have Cormina Taylor.

Cormina Taylor.

All right, thank you.

Thank you for joining us.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

So good even good evening.

I really apologize.

Um, I've been trying to come here for months, and this is the first time my name is Carmina Taylor.

For the last five years, well, I want to apologize because all of the issues that you brought up today are so relevant, but this is something that I've been doing in the community for years, and it's not about immigration.

So I apologize, and I don't want to be disrespectful.

But I have I've come here tonight because I know that there are new city council members that are young.

And I want to share with you, and the ones that you guys have seen me before, you have a crisis with your young people in Wilmington.

There is a serious normalization of cannabis use, marijuana use.

And I came tonight because um I was a part of a SAMHSA webinar in September, and I want to share some national statistics and I want to share some anecdotal experiences that I've had with your youth in Wilmington.

Um bottom line, um, there is now a serious crisis in our country where um young people are engaging in high potency THC, which creates a cannabis-infused psychosis, which leads to cannabis use disorder.

Um, when this webinar was going on in September, the month before, there were 44 million Americans, 12 years old and up, that used marijuana in the past month.

Uh, cannabis hospitalizations across all ages have exceeded opioid use.

Your young people in Wilmington are smoking, ingesting, eating um 60 times the legal limit that Canada uses for recreational use.

And I think that we just need to, when I think about what you're happening with Avello, but I'm thinking about what you can do to help um your residents of the city of Wilmington is we have to educate adults, we have to educate parents about what these young people are doing because it is changing the trajectory of their mind, their spirit, and um we have to do something about it.

So I do want to end on a positive note that you have some community organizations and you have groups of fathers and men in the community that are really trying to help these young people, and I just would hope that um the city council, and I think I've asked twice now, that we have a community conversation that we have uh that you guys host with me and some other community leaders um a conversation about the realization of what high potency THC is doing.

I know that you recently uh legalized regulation use in the state, but I want to share one thing that I learned when I went to Colorado about high potency THC.

After 13 years of legalization of cannabis in Colorado, the number one cause of death in teens and young adults is suicide by cannabis-infused psychosis.

And for every dollar of profit that is gained, two dollars is spent on treatment.

And so when we look at small wins and what we can do, we can help our young people and educate adults.

So I thank you for your time tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have Amber Patty virtually.

Good evening.

Hello, yes, we can hear you.

Thank you for joining us.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Amber Patty, and I'm here as a member of the Delaware Stop Avello.

I'm here to support and thank you, uh, Representative Darby for the resolution which urges uh the administration to prohibit municipal contracts with companies like Avello that support and the deportation operate operations.

I am here because I choose to believe that everyone in this room and I can feel it even virtually that we're here because we care.

We care about the communities and our own humanity.

As a mental health therapist, I often sit with clients as young as 11 who are already struggling with so much more to now be wrestling with the fear of family, friends, neighbors, community members being unlawfully detained and deported.

They already have too much on their minds.

How are they expected to learn to grow to heal?

All of us, children included, have seen the cruel and inhumane treatment and abuse of our immigrant communities.

You cannot CBT these thoughts and fears away or erase the damage being done.

This impact will be generational, and we know what generational trauma does to communities.

These community members are more than what they can do for us and what they can provide.

They deserve respect, dignity, and due process, the bare minimum.

In supporting this resolution, we are showing our immigrant communities that we will stand beside them, that we value justice, human rights rather than convenience and profits over people.

Doing nothing, remaining silent will breed complicity.

It strengthened those committing these heinous acts.

And I want to ask which side will we be on?

The profiteers or the people.

History will remember this.

So I respectfully urge you to support this resolution to show that injustice will not be selected and that will we we will not be complicit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sorry, thank you.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

Thank you.

Thank you for joining us.

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, Council members.

My name is Jasmine Wood, and I am a resident of Claymont, Delaware.

I'm speaking today in favor of Councilmember Darby's resolution to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement and deportation services.

Governor Meyer has signed several bills keeping our law enforcement from contracting with DHS.

This is a point of pride for Delawareans who stand for the fair treatment of all people, including our most vulnerable community members who have been targeted and harassed by ICE.

I'm heartbroken by the lawlessness and the cruelty we have seen from ICE, including the testimony of their inhumane treatment during transportation and detainment.

Today I speak in favor of the resolution to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement and deportation operations, including Avelo Airlines.

I stand with my community members who have been out on the streets protesting Avelo Airlines for the past several months.

As a Delaware, I would like to see the council represent our state's values of fairness and justice for all and refusing to do business with those who also do uh business with ICE.

I urge the council to pass this resolution and set an example of integrity and community over profit.

I do not want our money going towards businesses who are profiting from brilliant pruning in human trafficking.

Let us keep our money where our values are.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

All right, that does conclude our public comment.

We want to thank everyone uh for your comments.

As always, you are definitely welcome to join us every council meeting and also at our committee meetings for public comment and to give us your feedback and opinion.

So gracias por sus comentarios.

This time we're going to move to legislative business.

Councilmember Owens.

Uh Mr.

President, I have a resolution to present.

Resolution 25-057, agenda number 0129.

Whereas the 2022-2025 Wilmington City Council strategic plan prioritizes a healthy woman.

I move this resolution be received, recorded, and filed and adopted by a Yay Nay vote.

Sarah seconded.

Second.

It's been properly moved and second the resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Year and A vote on the question.

Yes, Mr.

President.

So uh this is um a continuation of uh ongoing issue we have here in the city of Wilmington.

Um and that is coming up with a strategic plan on how to morally deal with our unhoused community.

Um this would create a subcommittee under um the health environmental aging and disabilities committee.

And again, this is all about making sure that we understand that homelessness isn't just a housing issue, it's a public health issue, it's a safety issue, but it's definitely a moral issue, and we have to leave with empathy, equity, and urgency here in the city of Wilmington.

So this subcommittee will bring together nine individuals who are diverse voices from community advocates, service providers, city, um, us, city council members, um, and residents who live here as well, too, and those who have been impacted by being unhoused as well to develop policies and recommendations for the city council um to go forth a part of our strategic plan.

Um I am open to answer any questions councilmember Willower.

Councilman Owens, I really appreciate you um putting this resolution together and forming the subcommittee.

Um, I think it's a chance to build on the work that has been done, but there's so much more to be done, and I really appreciate how you've created this um committee that's gonna bring new voices to the table and um come up with recommendations that we can move on.

So I want to thank you again.

And I think I already asked to be added as a co-sponsor, but I'm hoping that I can be added tonight.

All right, thank you, Council Councilmember Oliver.

I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor, Councilmember Darby.

Yes, I would like to be added as a co-sponsor, and I think this subcommittee will be um key and important.

And I think a lot of times we give rec we have uh you know, a task force who gives recommendations and then after that they disperse.

This allows for the conversation in the implementation process um to have a group um along that along that process to be able to provide feedback and that um have the community a part of it.

So I'm definitely in support.

Thank you.

See no other hands raised, returned to the sponsor.

Nothing else, Mr.

President.

Thank you, clerk.

Please call for the role.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby.

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver?

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley?

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilman Hackett?

Yes.

Councilman Spadola.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

12 YAs and one absent.

Declare it adopted.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-055.

Agenda number 0114.

An ordinance to amend chapter 37 of the city code to prohibit the parking of tow trucks on city streets.

Mr.

President, I moved that this be known as the acting clause of the ordinance and call for the yay and nay vote.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and called for a yay and nay vote on the question.

Yes, Mr.

President.

So again, um, this ordinance comes after many community conversations over the past um few months with families who've been impacted by you know a family member running into a tow truck or residents in civic associations who've just been concerned about the tow trucks who have been parking overnight on the street.

We already have um something on the books to deal with commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles being parked long term um on the side of the street, but nothing to deal with tow trucks.

So again, this ordinance would add tow trucks in um to that range.

Again, it's um a classification over 11,000 pounds um or 20 feet.

Um again, we've seen um individuals park on the side of the street, especially on the North Market Street, where the edge of the truck is sticking out into the lane, it creates a safety hazard.

Someone could crash into it.

So again, my attention with this is again for the long-term parking um to address that issue.

And I could take any questions.

All right, thank you.

Seeing no hands raised.

Clerk, please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

Yes, Councilwoman Darby, yes, councilwoman Oliver, yes, councilwoman Harley, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field, yes, Councilwoman Bracie.

Yes, Councilman Hackett, yes, councilman Spidola, yes, President Congo, yes, 12 yings and one absent.

Declare adopted council member Darby.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-051, agenda number zero one zero five, an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to expand the qualifications of members of the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board and increase compensation for board members.

Mr.

President, I have a substitute to present in lieu of that.

Well, I'll do the amendment first.

Yeah, I'm gonna uh I present I have a substitute to present in lieu of that ordinance.

Substitute number one to ordinance number 25-051 agenda revision one to agenda number zero one zero five, an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to rename the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board, the Wilmington Citizens Review Board, expand board eligibility and increase compensation for board members.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the acting clause of the substitute ordinance to call for a yay and a vote.

Second it's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the enacting clause of the excuse the ordinance and call for yay and a vote on the question.

Yes.

Um so this piece of legislation does three things.

Um of the first things it talks about um the chair and vice chair for attendance for meetings being compensated a little bit more than other members due to the increase in volume of work for them.

Um and it also expands the eligibility to who um can be on the board um where people could either reside or work in the city.

Oh yeah.

Um let's I have a four amendment to present um the floor member of the four this floor amendment um amends um substitute one to ordinance number 250520 to remove any reference to a name change of the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board.

Mr.

President, I would like to make a motion for a floor amendment at this time in the title, delete the title in its entirety and replace with the following title an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city to code to expand Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board, member eligibility and increase compensation for board members on page one fifth and six whereas clauses strike both in their entirety on page two delete the phrase division eighteen wilmington citizens review board on page three synopsis delete the first two sentences of the synopsis in their entirety and insert the following language.

This ordinance amends chapter two of the city code to expand Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board Member Eligibility, the third sentence shall remain second, all right.

It's been um first and second for the for the floor amendment.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed amendment passed on a question still, yeah.

So um this piece of legislative well that amendment um was basically um changing the name back to Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board.

We had a meeting with the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board members, um, and um the decision was for them to keep the name um to keep the name um that they had um at that time, um, but this also expands um the board member eligibility to where you don't just have to reside here, but you can also work here, but the majority of the board must be people who reside within the city of Wilmington limits, and then it also allows for the vice president and the um president to get compensated more.

All right, thank you.

Any questions from any council members?

Council Councilmember Johnson.

Uh this amendment uh I believe is uh definitely in line with our our intent um to uh to essentially talk about what it's what is done or what the board is doing and planning to do.

Citizen Review Board was the old prior name.

Um I think this is more captivates what it does now.

So um I appreciate the board uh for reaching out to us, me and Councilmember Darby on this, and and uh we look forward to these other changes um being made as well.

Thank you.

Councilmember McCoy.

Thank you.

Um thank you very much for uh changing the name back because I did hear uh a few um people who are had concerns, but I just wanted to be clear.

You stated that there is uh the majority of voting members from the board will be residents, so will the majority be just the four the majority will be residents, residents.

Okay, and it's added seven.

I guess the majority would be four.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Any other comments from any council members?

Turn to the sponsor.

Any comments?

No comments.

Clerk, please call for the roll.

Councilwoman, I mean councilman Owens.

I'm sorry.

Yes, Councilwoman Darby.

Yes, Councilwoman Oliver, yes, Councilwoman Harley.

Yes, Councilwoman Willower.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Brace.

Yes.

Councilman Hackett.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

12 years and one absent.

Declared adopted.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance 25-056, agenda number 0115, an ordinance amending chapter 42 of the city code regarding the PVing of privately controlled non-dedicated alleys.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and call for a yay and a vote.

Second.

It's been probably moved and second that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and call for yay and they vote on the question.

Yeah.

So this ordinance has been this piece of legislation I've been working on for my first term and going into this term.

In my first term, I every budget hearing I requested that a program is developed to pay for alleyways to be repaved.

Currently, right now on our books, we have a very our existing program requires that property owners pay at least 60% of the estimated cost of the pavement project with the city contributing the remaining cost.

And I know that for a fact the majority of City of Wilmington blocks and neighbors and property owners are not able to come up with 60% of the cost to get an alleyway fixed.

So this has called this financial requirement has been a barrier for like low-income residents to be able to get their alleyway fixed.

And I know that I recognize that there is definitely a financial assistance need for property owners in low income areas and historically underinvested for the paving of private alleyways.

So I'm so I'm glad to hear and have been able to work with the administration on launching a current alleyway pilot program from one of my budget requests this past budget hearing, um, and being able to make sure that that launches, but we also know that that this old law on the books does not allow for especially our low-income neighbors um long term to be able to get their alleyways fixed.

And I know um for a lot of places alleyways bring crime, they bring um people who are battling with substance use and mental health.

Um, so this piece of legislation is looking to hopefully allow for our alleyways to be addressed throughout our city.

All right, thank you.

Like to recognize Councilwoman Cabrera, Councilman Johnson.

Um I definitely have some questions about this.

Uh I'm supportive of the pilot program.

Um, but I think this uh I don't know the fiscal impact.

And um I think this is more appropriate again.

I certainly support the effort, but more appropriate in our budget discussion for the full program because the problem is if it's um you know, it has to be funded and giving the lack of federal funds we have coming in.

I I really, at least me being the uh past finance chair, I I definitely have some concerns.

I don't know about the current finance chair, um, but it's definitely concerning the unfunded program because I can tell you right now there's a list of a lot of other programs we need, including um enhancing our partners for care mental health program.

That's what I'm getting time and time again that we need more money for that.

So, you know, there's only a certain amount of money to move around.

So uh I I would um definitely hope this can get us at least pause.

Let's do the pilot and then have the finance chair weigh in, and we can implement this in next year's budget.

I certainly will support it.

Thank you, Councilmember Harley.

Yes, uh, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I I do want to sort of piggybank off of council member Johnson um regarding this legislation.

First of all, I do agree and do support um support those uh neighborhoods that are considered quality census tracts um getting the support.

However, we do have a pilot program that we are implementing that we have already met and discussed how QCTs are automatically going to be included in the pilot.

So since this is already in motion and in the pipeline, I would be um more apt to say let's move forward with the pilot, and hopefully some of the neighborhoods that are in mind uh for this work will be included.

So I won't be supporting this legislation for that reason because it's all it's like duplicating efforts, and this particular legislation does not have uh a fiscal impact.

So I want to be fiscally uh responsible by at least allowing us to um implement the pilot first.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Field.

Yes, I would just say so for one, the commissioner of public works.

I asked the commissioner of public works for some feedback because this issue has come up once or twice in the 8th district over the last couple of years.

And the commissioner sent some reasonable feedback pointed to the pilot project, and that feedback was distributed to council.

I I would like to see, you know, to request a pause on this ordinance tonight.

It to me, it doesn't seem like it has to be decisively settled tonight.

I would I think we can get to shared end goals with some additional high quality discussions between council members and the administration.

And yeah, that's my that's my comment.

All right, thank you.

Councilmember Carrera.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I to celebrate the spirit of the legislation as I get calls about alleyways all the time, and you know, to say that it's a private space and that the residents have to pay for it.

Not every community can do that, not any community can afford to do that.

Um, and even in my own neighborhood where there may be more affluency, there is still a challenge in neighbors coming together to fix those alleyways.

Um, this concern has been brought up to the previous administration, the current administration.

I'm glad that there's a pilot program.

I'm glad that they're doing something about it, and it's something they do want to implement.

Um, we have to look at the fiscal impact of things as we move forward.

Um, so I commend council member uh Darby for bringing this forward, and I too echo the sentiments of my previous three council members that spoke, uh including um council member field and asking if we could, you know, hold this and and go forward with the pilot program.

Um, because it's not that we don't support the resolution and the ordinance and what we want to do with this, it's that there is a process, and you know, at the same time, we have to be fiscally responsible.

I believe that this will go forward and we can make an impact in all our communities.

So I'm definitely in support of that, but I too would like to wait um, you know, to see if the sponsor would hold this so we can have further discussion, see how the pilot goes, and all of us be unanimously supportive of it.

Thank you.

All right, thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I too um uh support the spirit of this legislation.

We've been talking about this for several years.

Chris, I mean some other ones in leadership.

Um, but however, I will hope that councilman um Darby would just hold it since we do have a pilot program.

Um, as they stated, so we're not duplicating nothing, and we probably can get more for a buck.

And the we haven't, we've been talking about this for some years now, but the administration is trying to work with um council members by even adding this into the um the budget, and they've never added it before.

So I'm I see us, you know, trying to collaborate and work um a win-win situation and work together.

So I would hope that um councilman Darby will hold it.

So after the pilot program, I think it's um after a couple months we can come back because um I I work in the the district I support I work for we need the alleyways done more than anybody, and I've been trying to get an alley um private alleyway done over um over uh 11th Street Bridge for like five years.

So I definitely support the legislation, but I don't want to step on nobody's toes after they you know they're willing to work with us.

So I just hope you were holding to add the little pilot program.

I think it's what six to eight months, and so we can come back and revisit it, and you had the support for it.

All right, thank you.

See no other hands raised, we turn to the sponsor.

Yes, no, thank you all for your comment and the being in support of the spirit of the legislation.

Um, so I have been in conversation with the administration um in regards to the pilot program and the alleyway repair stuff.

Um, so I'm I'm willing to hold it and continue those conversations.

All right, thank you.

Let me continue Mr.

President.

I have a resolution to present resolution 25-058, agenda number 0130.

Whereas the city count the council of the city of Wilmington is dedicated to a transparent and well represented Wilmington, ensuring that all its residents are treated with safety, dignity, and respect for their human rights, and recognizes that move this resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yay and they vote second.

Second, it's been properly moved and seconded the resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yay or Navy vote on the question.

Yeah, so this piece of resolution is really urging the administration, city council, the entire city to really look at our contracts and specifically in regards to Avelo Airlines.

Um, but also not limited to just a Velo Airlines, but with any um company that collaborates with immigration and customs enforcement, ICE, or profits from the deportation related activities for us not to enter into any contracts with them.

So I did speak to the administration specifically about Avelo and the two other um the two other publicly facing airlines that do um that partner with ICE to see if we partner with them.

I was told that there's no current um contracts that the administration has set up with with the velo.

Um and then another concern I wanted to bring up that someone had asked is like if we do this targeting Avelo or these companies, then why not all airlines, all airlines do deportation?

Well, um, based off of research, only a uh only not all airlines have ICE contracts, only a few that sell public tickets do Avelo, Global X, and Eastern.

The rest are private or charter only companies.

And but what makes Avelo stand out is that one is down the street, um, and they um choose to take the con they chose to take the contract pup publicly, even though they market themselves as a community airline.

And people are really boycotting them because boycotting them because of how they brand themselves as this local and family friendly airline.

So I think it's important that this local airline that we have, Avelo that's right down the street, Wilmington, Newcastle, um, that we do the right thing as a city to make sure that we're not using public dollars to support um what is happening with ICE, and we had all the comments out, so I don't really need to repeat what's happening in our country right now, how people are feeling.

Um, so that I hope that tonight I can have the support of my council colleagues to make sure that our legislative body and that also the rest of the city will not enter into contracts with um anyone or any entity, but especially Avelo Airlines.

All right, Councilmember Johnson, followed by Councilmember Spadola.

Uh first I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Um, and and second, I was just for the public's good.

I wanted to give some historical context.

Um, the city has had a partnership with Avelo.

Um, I had to go even back in my memory bank.

Uh, as I I have a pretty good memory, I had to think and I checked my emails.

They did have a partnership arrangement uh back in fall of 2023 under the last administration.

It was with the human resources department.

It was essentially, I think, supporting our wellness project, um, the fall wellness initiative, um, where I guess it uh it was a raffle essentially, uh giving city employees like a vellow flight.

So again, I um you know I think we would urge the partnerships not to continue in the future.

I think that was a one-time thing, but again, um it's my understanding they do not have contracts, and I would say it should include contracts and partnerships.

Um, but I commend uh council member um Darby for bringing this to attention because I think not only do we look at uh ICE but cooperation from corporations and law firms uh both locally and nationally with what's going on.

So um I appreciate it.

And in the next fight, uh, you know, we can continue to go on.

Thank you, Councilmember Spadola, followed by Councilmember Hartley.

Thank you, Council President.

Please add me as a co-sponsor.

Thank you, Councilmember Harley, followed by Councilmember Kabara.

Yes, I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

And I just wanted to say that this was a no-brainer for me because I don't support supporting legal U.S.

immigrants and um actually um a vilo making a profit um by deporting people back to their countries, and what I what ICE is doing, um, I think is awful.

So again, this was a no-brainer for me.

And um, unfortunately, um, the CEO of the airlines, uh, you know, when they asked, you know, why was he continuing to uh be in these particular um negotiations?

It it is just merely about profits and money.

So um thanks for presenting this um resolution on councilmember Darby.

That's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilmember Kabara, followed by Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I too would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Um, and I do want to add that while I was um driving and I couldn't, you know, I didn't get on the meeting during that time.

I was able to listen to the public comments.

So thank you to those who came to speak.

Muchas gracias a todos los que vinieron hablar de San Oche sobre este tema de los a ustedes, la comunidad.

Um I'm thankful that the city does not have a current contract with a vello and hope that we do not get into one.

But as was just mentioned, it should not just be a vello, it should be any company that supports the illegal way that they're doing this, violating people's human rights, separating families without due process.

You know, it is not for us to solve the immigration problem.

This is something that should have been handled by the federal government in a fair and just way.

We're not going to see that happen.

But what is happening in our country right now is shameful, it's embarrassing.

It makes me question the pride of being an American when we're supposed to be the greatest country, and what we're currently doing to fellow human beings.

Today, while I was doing an enrollment, I met a young woman.

She showed me the video of her journey as she came here from Venezuela.

She does have her documentation and has a protective asylum.

She came with her two-year-old child and her boyfriend.

And as I watched the video, she said we were on the Mexico train.

Then she showed me the the bullskid, the woods when they crossed the river and how they were out there camping out.

I mean, I just wanted to cry, but her valor, her strength, and these are beautiful people, and she's here working at a packing company.

These are hardworking people, and many of them come here to this country for relief of the persecutions, and our laws allow for that.

So to be illegally doing what they're doing without due process is a horrible thing.

Thank you, Councilmember Darby, for bringing this forth, and I'm very much supportive of this.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

No, I just like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Just add me as a co-sponsor as well.

Thank you.

So you know the hands raised from any council members.

Return back to the sponsor.

Yes, no, thank you.

I'm so happy to hear that I had um the majority of support from council people on this piece of legislation.

It's important for our community, it's important for people to feel heard.

Um, so thank you guys.

Thank you, Clerk.

Please call for the role.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby.

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson?

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Hackett.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola?

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

13 years.

Mr.

President.

May I be excused?

Yes, she may be excused.

Councilmember Hackett.

Thank you.

Councilmember Oliver.

Yes.

Um Mr.

President, I have an ordinance present and call for a third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-034.

Agenda number 0074.

An ordinance to amend chapter 36 of the city code to prohibit resisting impeding or interfering with the city employees' official job duties.

The president, I'm president move this to be known enacting clause and ordinance.

Oh my microphone sorry.

Second.

It's been properly moved in the second.

That be known as the first, as the enacting clause or the ordinance.

And call for a year and they vote on the question.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Um this ordinance is being presented by city council for review approval to ordinance combines section 36-194 and 36-um 195 to reinforce that any impending city employees perform performing their official duties constitute a misdemeanor offense on section 36-1946.

And Mr.

President, this came about due to a lot of our city employees, maybe the reading water meter, the prios, etc.

Um, it has been um brought to my attention that a lot of the our city workers are being threatened, even punched in the face, um, throw um water in their face for doing their job duties, and it's not fair.

Um so some of their um department heads asked me to put in this legislation.

I think it's a good piece.

People just come to work to do their job, not to be um push spit on, bullied, perched out, um, you know, disabused on their job.

So I think it's a good piece of legislation to at least put some standards uh for individuals who are just carrying on because they get a parking ticket and want to you know chase somebody down the street with a gun or just throw bricks at them.

It's just been an ongoing um a lot of violence with individuals who's doing their work.

So I just like that I get some support for this piece of legislation.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cabera, followed by Councilmember Spadola.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

I thank Councilmember Oliver because our city workers are public servants, as are we, and they have a hard job to do, and they're out there doing their job as we expect them to do their job.

Otherwise, in that they would be fired.

So in the course of doing their job, they should have to tolerate someone who is disgruntled or upset because they're out there doing your job, their job.

That's not fair, and people need to know that there's consequences for their actions.

Thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

I'm in full support of this, and I would like to be a sponsor.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Spadola, followed by Councilmember Johnson.

Thank you, Council President Congo.

The incidents that council member Oliver were that was referring to getting spit on, getting a brick thrown out of you, that's already illegal.

Um there's no it's not like it's not illegal if you're a city employee before this resolution, before this ordinance.

But more importantly, from the committee meeting, a lot of people, and I myself took issue with how it seemed to be targeting language, uh very undefined language, and uh specifically in uh if you look at the letter B, it talks about abusive, indecent, profane or vulgar language, which to me would be a first amendment issue.

And I thought she was gonna take that out.

Oh, I thought it was gonna be amended.

So if we get some clarity on that, I would appreciate that.

All right, thank you.

Did you want to spot respond to that now, Councilmember, or at the end?

Um I wait to the end.

Okay, council member Johnson.

Followed by council member Darby.

Yes, uh, I'm a co-spons on this piece, and uh yes, it uh my understanding was the intent to strike uh the subsection B it would be line four to uh take out the profane and or vulgar language.

So um we can entertain a a a floor amendment um at this time or I I guess it would be the sponsor, actually, the primary sponsor.

But if it if it's not out of order, council president this time, I would like to make a floor amendment um to replace uh ordinance 25 um 034 with the amended floor amendment of ordinance 25-034.

Um it would take subsection uh B on page one line four and strike the clauses of profane or vulgar language and the rest would be left intact.

Um at this time I would I would like to make such a motion.

Second it's been first and second to make the floor amendment.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Amendment amendment carried, remember passed.

Councilmember Darby?

Um yeah, I was gonna ask questions about that piece too, but we took it out.

Um my second my other question still is if this happens to a city employee now, don't can't they just call the cops and they would won't the other person get in in trouble, or is that not happening, or the police not responding when they're being physically attacked?

Councilmember Oliver, do you want to address that now?

Sure.

Um, in the past, um the officer, um, no officers came, the individual had to go down to the police station, and uh um they went to court, no one from the law department, whatever didn't show up.

So they had to um go out on a six-week leave.

It's been a lot.

So now to my understanding, law department is showing up, persons back to work, um, but they had to use their whole sick leave, and now um I think it's a certain code or whatever the police should be coming.

But I thought it was sad to hear that the police didn't come in a right away for another city employee when I thought that should have been an emergency like any other thing, but they're back to work now.

Can I follow up?

Yes.

Yeah, so when we pass this, what's what's different in the process?

Would they don't call the cops now?

Like what who's enforced like no, it's it's still the cops, right?

Mr.

President, response.

No, because of um what happened in the past to several of our our employees now the cops are responding um as if they shouldn't have been from the beginning.

So I don't know if it was it and to my understanding they was tied up with a shooting that day or whatever, but now they're taking priority to respond because they just responded the other day to an incident.

Got it.

So this legislation, so currently, right now, if I'm a city employee and someone is mad at me and they smack me and I call the cops, the cops are supposed to come, but this legislation is gonna make cops come now.

They were already Mr.

President, I'm sorry.

No, they were already um supposed to come.

Like I said, to my understanding, uh, don't quote me, I wasn't there.

It must have been a big incident that day that no officer came that day.

But now this is enforcing regardless, somebody is to show up or leave the incident or whatever, and make sure they come and take care of one of our own city employees.

Okay.

Yeah, I I'm okay.

All right, thank you.

Councilmember Johnson for your second round.

Councilmember Spadola for your second round.

Just to clarify a few points um from my understanding of how this works is so there's already so uh this is essentially making city employees a protected class.

Similar to um state of Delaware, I believe it was four years ago, uh added nurses and health care employees.

So nurses, health care employees are now added.

So you know, people who are working in Wilmington Hospital or St.

Francis, they're protected.

Same thing with police officers have always been protected.

So what it is, it's another um layer of protection, making them a special class.

Is this not um because actually in those other contexts, those employees most likely would be uh I believe felony, possibly for like a law enforcement officer.

So um it does not right now that yes, offensive touching, harassment, my understanding would cover um the uh these employees as any other employee, but I believe it's just adding a protective layer.

So this was at the behest of HR.

Um essentially, I guess this would permit someone to be charged with say offensive touching, and then also for you know attacking a city official.

So that's all it's just to discourage the behavior that we're seeing by them knowing, hey, this is a more protective class.

Um, because certainly I don't want to overpenalize, but I think if this is a problem, just like nurses and um um law enforcement officers, we should address it.

So that's the point.

Correct.

Councilmember Spadola.

That was those comments were clarified.

I appreciate that.

Councilmember Johnson.

Yeah, I mean, I just want to to council member Oliver's point.

If a police officer, if somebody's assaulted and a police officer doesn't show up, that's an internal affairs issue in terms of why didn't the cops show up.

Um but I I understand what council member Johnson's saying, and I will support it upon that now that we got the uh first amendment issue taken care of.

Councilmember Owens.

Yeah.

Um I'm cool with the city employee official duties um part of this.

I do have a just a quick, I guess, clarifying question about um impeding an officer.

So if an officer is making an arrest, right?

Um, and I think that officer is not making a right arrest, and I decide I want to film that officer, and I'm told by that officer that I cannot film them.

Um I can't record that what's going on.

Um, even though they have body cameras and everything now, would this constitute me getting a thousand dollar fine for not listening to that command?

Since it says resisting or impeding or attempting to resist or impede um their duties, Mr.

President.

No, this is this, and remember we're talking about city um city employees perform performing their official jobs.

So the answer to that would be no.

I hear what you're saying, but no, number once.

I think this also includes officers, though.

Right.

Right.

So again, if they're making a arrest of someone and under my first amendment rights, I have the right to record them.

Would me not listening to them saying stop record them, would that result in me getting a thousand dollar fine?

No.

Okay.

As I talk to the police about it, they shouldn't be telling people not to be court them anyway.

That's our constitutional right.

Thank you.

Strike that language, councilmember Bracey, uh Councilwoman Oliver or Councilman Johnson.

Um, should should we strike that language?

Um, because it was stricken on if you look at subsection three three three six-one nine five, the resisting police officers or employees of the department of public works is was stricken.

So uh should we under section A and Section B on the first page, just remove and intimidate or impede officers and just make it employees.

Would that make a make it clearer?

Because it's in here it says officers, so we don't want to codify something that could be problematic for our police officers later.

Mr.

Ums President, I'd like to call for um sign to have clarity on this place.

I'm not sure I'm prepared to answer any questions about it.

I will though say that currently interfering with a enforcement officer in the enforcement of their duties is punishable by a fine.

I it was my understanding that this clarified any distinction between um 195 and 196.

However, I I haven't read the full ordinance um to answer the councilman Owens questions.

Um I'd have to do a double check.

Um to clarify another question, physically assaulting an officer, of course, would be punishable by under the Delaware State Code, Title 11, you know, assault generally.

Um it was my understanding that this more specifically addressed some of the threatening behavior that some of our enforcement officers license and enforcement license and inspections and our parking enforcement officers do um receive in the you know carrying out of their up their duties.

Um I will say that we are currently there is currently a prosecution of a of a single founded assault against a parking enforcement officer.

That was a verbal assault.

Um there was a verbal threat made against the parking enforcement officer.

Um that individual has been cited, and that is proceeding to trial.

I don't have a trial date on that one yet.

Um but when founded when police have responded and they have responded when necessary, but when the complaints have been founded, charges have been abroad appropriately.

Thank you.

That clarifies it for the call.

Thank you.

Any other comments, questions from any council members?

If not, I will return it back to the sponsor.

Please call the room.

Please call for the roll.

Yes, sir.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby.

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracie.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

12 yes and one absent.

Declare it adopted.

Thank you.

Um, Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Second.

Ordinance 25-035, agenda number 0075.

An ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require city council approval of appointed board members of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank Corporation.

Mr.

President, uh be known for the enacting clause and the ordinance and call for yay and nay vote.

Okay.

Is there a floor floor amendment?

Uh council member.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I have a floor amend amendment to ordinance 20 number 25-035 agenda number 0075.

An ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require the city council's approval of appointing board members of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservative Land Bank.

Description of the floor amendment.

The floor amendment amends ordinance number 25-35 to clarify the appointing authority for local community and community groups.

Mr.

President, I would like to make a motion for a floor amendment at this time as such.

On page three number seven, strike the phrase designated by the board of directors, replaced the language with appointed by the mayor.

The phrase will now read appointed by the mayor and approved by resolution of city council.

On page three number eight, strike the phrase approved by resolution of city council.

The phrase will now read the individual designated by the Wilmington Neighborhood Planning Council Leadership Committee.

And that is because we're going to let the community be the community on in that section.

So council will not oversee that.

Where it's going to be on page three B2, line four, insert the word work.

After the word either.

The phrase will now read must either work or live in the city in Wilmington.

On page five, synopsis.

Now the phrase will now read requiring city council to approve by resolution of appointed board members of the land bank board of directors and the local community and community groups are appointed by the mayor.

Second.

All right, we're going to take a vote on the floor amendment.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Floor amendment passed.

Has been adopted, so it's improper to move and second that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and called for a yay or nay vote on the questions.

Yes, Mr.

President.

I'm so glad that my colleagues approved the amendments.

I think this is a great piece of legislation to show the community and the land bank that we would like some community engagement.

That's all this piece of legislation states.

And we can agree to disagree, but you know, I didn't like that.

And you're no longer a council person, and you shouldn't be you shouldn't be doing that.

Um we as a body, a city council, we have put money into the land bank, and I think they do a very good job.

But we as council members have the right to put in legislation to include the community, and that's all this was doing.

Thank you so much.

I had to get that off my chest.

Thank you.

I'd like to um thank Nathan for constantly calling me, staying in touch with me regarding this piece of legislation also.

So with that council member Johnson, followed by council member Harley.

I will I would like to be added as a co-sponsor as well.

And for me, as someone who has served in a land bank, um, this is a much needed reform.

Um there's other issues I'm not gonna go into today that need to continue to be worked on, but this is a great first step and uh allowing the community to be more engaged because it is a group for the community.

And this is not unheard of.

I mean, just as I saw in the news last week, the the mayor in Philadelphia and city council, they made significant changes to their land bank.

So this is not unheard of.

Um these entities aren't static, you know, they're not something that just always remains.

It's always meant to be dynamic and responsive to the community.

So I appreciate the sponsor and looking forward to more reforms uh in this uh venture.

All right, thank you.

Councilmember Harley, followed by Councilmember Owens.

Oh, thank you, uh, Mr.

President.

Um I did a little bit of research on this, and most land bank boards um have seats confirmed by city council, and so I don't see a risk with this at all.

And um I do think that there's an opportunity for um individuals from the community to be confirmed by city council.

So again, I don't see a risk.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Owens, followed by Councilmember Willower.

Yes.

Uh first off, uh, thank you, Councilwoman Oliver, for bringing this forward.

I know we've been talking about the land bank for a very long time.

It seems like my entire 11 months on this city council, we've talked about the land bank.

Um, I'm happy to see um something moving forward.

I think this is a good first step on how it should operate um to add another layer of transparency and accountability there.

So um I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Thank you, Councilmember Willower, followed by Councilmember Field.

Thank you, Council President.

I wanted to thank uh councilwoman Oliver for bringing this forward.

It restores um oversight by city council for the appointments that was in the original legislation when council created the land bank, it had this um oversight, and at some point it was changed.

So I'm really happy to see you putting it back.

And um I wanted to ask if I could be added as a co-sponsor.

Thank you, Councilmember Field.

Yes, after careful study, I am supportive of this ordinance because I believe it will improve the long-term performance of the land bank.

And four points I want to make.

Number one, I think it's important for creating and maintaining long-term healthy equilibrium between the legislative branch and the executive branch.

Number two, it brings Wilmington closer to a regional norm when it comes to appointment authority of a legislative branch.

I did a couple of hours of research and was looking at land banks across the country.

This is very consistent.

One I one website that was very interesting is land banks in Pennsylvania, and there's 40 or 50 of them.

There's a lot of information on it.

And I read the founding ordinances of probably two dozen.

And this norm, this this ordinance is simply bringing Wilmington closer to that norm.

Number three, it's only four seats.

It's not saying that city council gets to dictate the seats.

It's simply saying that city council gets to confirm, and which means there is a back and forth between the legislative branch and the executive branch.

And I I do not see anything wrong with that.

That being said, number four, city council members also have to do their job.

And council members who are on the board by virtue of their position as head of a certain committee should be attending every meeting or find a replacement, and that has not been happening in the past.

And so it's true, everybody has to be doing their job to improve the long-term performance of the land bank, and maybe that point specifically.

If you can't attend the meeting or you don't want to attend the meetings, then you should be able to find somebody else on council to take your spot.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Darby, followed by council member Harley.

Yes, I'm not sure if I was added as a co-sponsor, but I'm definitely in support of this.

Um, early um this year, and when I started doing my research around the land bank, this is one of the things I talked about at several of the meetings and best practices that we're not in line with with other people in our region in regards to how they operate their land bank.

Um, I had did extensive research back in the beginning of the year and talked to many of the land banks and local council people in regards to how they operate.

So this is like step one to really looking at reforming our land bank.

There will be more in the future.

So I'm happy that council member Oliver was able to take the lead on this and to get this done.

So I'm fully in support.

Add me as a co-sponsor.

And I think I like the idea of if someone can't attend, being able to appoint someone, but that's not in this piece of legislation.

So I don't know if that's something we need to add later that the person who sits on the board can also appoint a dozen E or someone in replace of them so that we are able to uh make sure our city council seats are filled on the um uh filled on the land bank.

Um and I also attended the last land bank um meeting, which was 12 o'clock in the middle of the day.

Um barely promoted um for anyone to attend, and they before this passed, um, they did appoint people to their board.

Um so they got ahead of you, but um in the future we'll be able to uh make sure um that we have more say um and authority and confirming and approving who is on the land bank.

So thank you.

Councilmember Harley, followed by council member Johnson.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

I just wanted to remind everyone that um it is a public meeting that anyone can attend.

Um the only difference with the finance chair, the president and the chairperson seat up is that we're voting members, but I just wanted to remind everyone that they can attend and hear the same information that we're hearing, and I have been showing up and being vocal since um I've been um on the land bank board, and I just wanted to share that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Johnson.

I just wanted to speak and probably on behalf of council president.

Um we've demanded for years that they change the times.

I don't know how simpler I can do it.

12 o'clock news, 12 o'clock noon for working people, and me and President Congo run businesses.

That's impossible.

And some points they did make it 8 30 in the morning, which is still very difficult for someone who's going to a business and traveling and even everyday public to be there.

So we've demanded that it be in the evening.

They still won't comply.

So this is a serious problem.

I think we can address later on council.

But they say, oh, the morning.

Who can attend the morning?

People working two, three jobs, they can't attend in the morning at 8 30 in the morning.

The public can't be engaged.

So I think that's part of the problem.

I know back when I was on it, even now, it's still the same thing.

12 o'clock noon, or they do 8 30 in the morning.

Nobody's attending.

If we did city council meetings at the time, nobody would attend.

So it's just uh it's a shame that this happening and we can take further action.

But that is I just wanted to clear the record that we've demanded both in writing and verbally that they change the times.

They will not change it to the evening so that the public can come.

And virtual options.

Yeah, thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Uh, thank you.

Um, I would like to be added as a co-sponsor, and I just want to state that um I'm very glad that we're beginning to reform.

Um, this is something that I definitely was behind rather than the this uh the dissolvement of the land bank, the reformation.

So this is first step one, and um, it looks like it's gonna be a good one, and I look forward to seeing what comes next between my other c my colleagues.

Thank you, Councilmember Krebor.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I do want to clarify the comment that was made by council member Johnson.

And I completely understand where you're coming from in terms of availability.

But when you have a board with the majority of the people and you take a vote on what time is the most convenient, that's the time that was come up with.

But then when we heard your concerns and the council president and the times were changed to make them in the morning, and even if it wasn't the best time of the morning, that is when most of the people on that board felt that it was comfortable before they started their day.

Neither you nor President Congo showed up to those morning meetings either.

So they were changed back to at noon.

Now I'm happy as a board member and council member Harley to bring up alternative times, maybe switching and alternating a morning meeting, an afternoon meeting, an evening meeting so that we can get more participation from the public.

I understand if, for example, when I was working out of town, it is hard to attend a middle of the day meeting.

I understand where you're coming from.

Um so we're willing to work with you and with council and others and the public, but I don't think it's fair to state that you're gonna demand that these meetings be changed and they were changed, and then the demands, the people that demanded it didn't show up.

So, in all fairness, let's be clear and let's tell the whole story.

And we do have a majority of those people there who are either chairs or directors of boards, and they card that lunch time because those meetings really don't last more than an hour, and they use their lunch time to come to the meeting that's convenient for them.

I just wanted to state that for the record.

Thank you.

Let's just vote.

Let's just vote.

Councilmember.

I thought I saw another hand up.

I just thought I need to chime in now because my my concern wasn't even really about me, it's about the public.

That's right.

Who never really had an opportunity to to go to a meeting in the afternoon or in the morning?

Like council member Johnson said it was it's not about us, it's about the public.

We want to have more input.

And having a meeting at 8:30 when most people are already on their way to work kind of defeats the purpose.

Um council member councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I I think um somebody said put in a piece of legislation.

I totally agree.

Most of the people um that's on the board, they're retired, so they can come lunchtime.

Um, so I didn't think that was nothing to really address if y'all requested it, you requested it.

It is about the public, and you know, maybe putting a piece of legislation that you know, five o'clock maybe won't hurt when people get off of work because I've heard it from other people who've been on the board that at that time it's a bad time because people that run businesses and have to go to work, and so I just wanted to make that statement.

I um disagree with uh my colleague um um what she just said, but with that being said, I like to call for the vote clerk.

Please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens, yes, councilwoman Darby, yes, councilwoman Oliver, yes, Councilwoman Harley, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field, yes Councilwoman Bracey, yes, Councilwoman Cabrera, yes Councilman Spadola, yes, President Congo, yes, 12 years and one absence.

Declared adopted.

Thank you.

Um have a resolution to present I'm so sorry, Mr.

President.

Uh may I be excused?

Yes, you may be excused sorry.

Resolution 25-059, agenda number zero one three one.

Whereas the Wilmington City Council 2022 to 2025 strategic plan prioritizes a stabilized Wilmington, the city's east side neighborhood has undergone extensive revitalizations in the past five years.

And whereas there is an excess of 1,700 properties in the east side neighborhood, I'm this resolution be received, recorded, and finally adopted by Yay NAVO.

Second, okay.

Um probably moved and seconded that the resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yay and A vote on the question.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, this resolution um request um is additional parking space uh and pest control from the 934 North Lumber Street, a demolition site, um uh old church on the east side, and with the new homes that were um put up on Lumber Street, the 900 block of Lumber Street, and then the past administration.

Um, I'm not gonna get into the whole story, but they swapped some there with Mr.

Reverend Keighley, and um the church was supposed to be one thing they presented to the community and it was something else.

So now the community um and the seniors and residents in that area have new homes out there um on that block, which really look good.

They did a great job, but it is so condensed and it's tight, it's no parking out there.

So Tom Ogden had went down with me the previous ministration and assured me that that church it would provide some parking because um the swap they did, they didn't bring it to the community, they did it internally, and um a lot of residents was very upset on the east side.

So he said he didn't see a problem with it.

So I just wanted to put it on record that the residents that live in that area between Lumbert, East Ninth Street, and 10th Street, or whoever's over there because of the new homes.

Now you have new homes there, and they have two cars each house, and you should see that people just walk in and don't have anywhere to park.

Um so that's what this is about, just to ensure that that becomes a parking lot for the residents on over the east side.

Thank you.

See no hands raised, clerk please call for the roll.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson?

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola?

Yes.

President Congo.

Councilmember Darby is with us virtually.

Oh.

Councilwoman Darby.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

12 years and one absent.

Thank you.

Declared adopted.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-064.

Agenda number zero one three two.

An ordinance to authorize and approve a network as a service agreement between the city of Wilmington and Del Marva Power and Light Company.

I move this be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to public works and transportation committee.

Second.

Excuse me.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to authorize and approve a network as a service agreement between the city of Wilmington and Double Ever Power and Light Company.

Second reading of the ordinance.

That be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance.

And call for the first and second meeting.

Ordinance number 25-065, agenda number 0133, an ordinance to amend chapter 37 of the city code to establish rules for the usage of low speed motorized scooters and electric bicycles in the city of Wilmington.

First 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 referred to the public works and transportation committee.

Thank you, Councilmember Harley.

Oh, yes, Mr.

President.

Um, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-066, agenda number zero one three four, an ordinance to amend chapter 44 of the city code to provide a property tax exemption for low to moderate income long-term homeowners following a 100% or more property tax increase on their primary residence.

First reading of the ordinance, an ordinance to amend chapter 44 of the city code to provide a property tax exemption for low to moderate income long-term homeowners following a 100% or more property tax increase on their primary residence.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Second.

That's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-052, agenda number 0106, an ordinance to authorize and approve two one-year extensions of contract 26008 PD police clothing between the city of Wilmington and McDonald's Uniforms Company Inc.

Mr.

President move that that be known as the enacting clause and ordinance and call for a yay and they vote.

It's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and called for a yay or naval on the question.

Okay, I'm sorry.

I said this ordinance authorizes the city to exercise two one-year extension options for contract 2600 8 PD for police clothing with McDonald's uniform.

So there's uh the fiscal impact of this ordinance is the two one year contract extensions as an estimated price of 11,749 and 40 cents per extension.

See no hands raised.

Clerk, please call for the rule.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby.

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola.

Yes.

And President Congo.

I have a question.

For the parliamentarian.

Councilman Bracie cast our vote, but she wasn't in her.

See if she is she's in council chambers.

Does that count?

She's in council chambers.

It counts.

Okay.

All right.

Excuse her.

Okay.

All right.

Just wanted to make sure.

Yes.

Okay.

All right.

My vote is also yes.

12 years and one absent.

Declared adopted.

What do you think?

All right.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-059.

Agenda number 0119.

An ordinance to approve the Anchorage Overlook Major Subdivision Plan and authorize the city to remove a segment of Anchorage Street from the official city map.

Improve a segment of Anchorage Street and name it Anchorage Street extended.

Create a new street named Levi Lane and accept the dedication of Anchorage Street Extended and Levi Lane as public rights of way and add them to the official city map.

Mr.

President, I move that this be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and call for a yay and a vote.

It's been probably moved and second.

That'd be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and call it for a yay or they vote on the question.

Yes.

So I'm actually pleased to finally start getting movement on this.

This ordinance approves the anchorage overlook, which is a major subdivision plan and authorized the city to remove a portion of Anchor Street from the official city map.

Uh to, I'm sorry, improve a portion of Anchor Street and name it the anchor tree anchorage street extension.

So what is actually going on?

This um this area is in Browntown.

It is where the old VFW was.

Uh this is a um a plan in order to develop that space for I think it's about 38 homes.

And we have been delayed for a bit, but it looks like we're finally getting movement again.

So I'm very pleased to be able to start making progress by just getting the street names.

Councilmember Oliver.

Yes, I am um happy to see Councilman McCoy finally getting this done.

She's been talking about this for quite some time.

And um glad that individuals are here to finally see this um come to tuition.

And I guess little Levi is not here tonight, but this is really good.

Thank you.

I mean, congratulations, kudos to you.

God, it's been ongoing for a while, right?

Yes, yeah.

See no other hands raised, sponsored.

Okay, uh, yes, I do want to make certain because I just said VFW.

I want to make certain that people understand that this is not the NVF, which is another project I'm working on as well.

Uh so yeah, and they both been they've both been in development for quite some time, but I just wanted to make certain that we had clarity.

Councilman Owens, yes, councilwoman Darby, yes, councilwoman Oliver, yes, councilwoman Harley, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, councilwoman McCoy, yes, councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field, yes, councilman councilwoman Bracey, Councilwoman Cabrera, yes, Councilman Spadola, yes, President Congo, yes, 11 years and two absent you want to adopt it.

We could adopt it.

I think we all need a map now.

This is President I have an ordinance for Zen call for the first and second reading.

Everything yours is new again.

Ordinance number 25-067, agenda number 0135.

An ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement between the city of Wilmington and Leeds EADS Online LLC for an integrated ballistic identification system.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

I move that this be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the public safety committee.

Second.

It's been properly moved and second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the public safety committee.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 25-068, agenda number 0139.

In ordinance to amend chapter 34 of the Wilmington City Code to authorize a voluntary rent escrow program.

First meeting of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

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

That's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilmember Johnson.

Mr.

President, I have a resolution to present.

Resolution 25-060.

Yes, 060.

Agenda number 0120.

Whereas the 109th session of Wilmington City Council.

I moved that the resolution, your receipt recorded, and filed and adopted by Ana Vote.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded the resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yeon A vote.

On the question.

It seemed to be the practice was voting items out of committee.

That was the practice of council, at least I know, since I've been on council.

So it's just really squaring this with that so that you know things are ready to go to the floor that you voted out of committee.

And uh can answer any uh questions, but this is uh again clarifying things because I believe there was a committee meeting uh about two months ago where this became a uh question.

So I want to also with the committee chairs make sure there's clarity on their part as well uh as things move to the floor.

Councilmember Owens.

Yes, you mentioned a committee meeting two months ago.

Um and I believe that um meeting if this was in place, that resolution or ordinance, whatever it was, would not have gotten to the four full body to discuss, correct?

Um I'm not exactly sure that particular piece.

Uh I don't recall the vote count.

I think it was a card vote, so it wouldn't have come to the the floor.

Is there an issue with having um legislation debated by the full council?

No, I think the point is it needs to be voted on by the full council.

Um just really clarifying getting it.

It's been my custom that 99% of things get to the floor.

So um, I don't know why it would be a problem with something not getting to the floor.

Councilmember Owens, you good council member Bracy, followed by Councilmember Darby.

Thank you.

So um I can see both sides of this, but from my perspective, um it takes away so the way it's always been is something goes to a committee and it's voted out of committee.

If there is no if there if we're not voting it out of committee, it takes away the whole purpose of the committees.

The committees is where you vet the legislation and before it gets to the floor, and if uh for whatever reason um it's voted down, then it doesn't leave committee.

But that's the purpose, that's the legislative process, and it's always been that way.

The rules were written as the rules stand right now in one spot in our rules, it says voted out, and in another spot it says in May.

So this is simply fixing what should have never been in the first place when we voted on the rules in January.

Um I am so I support this because I think that's that's part of the purpose of the committees is to vet legislation.

So that's where you hold it.

If it's if it's not gonna be voted out of committee, that's the time you hold it and work on it and keep it going until you're ready for it to come to the floor.

So by the time it gets to the floor, you've gone through all of your due diligence and it's been vetted.

And if, you know, that I mean, I'm I have been here when things have I think I've only I think since I've been here I've maybe once or maybe twice where something died in committee.

Um but I think that's the purpose of the committees, and it takes away the the whole purpose of having committee meetings.

It's not just to sit around and have a conversation, it's really for us to to do the due diligence, and that's that's the strength of the committees and this the committee process.

Thank you, council member councilmember McCoy.

Okay.

Uh yes, I just wanted to pick back off of what councilwoman Darby.

I'm sorry, Councilman Bracey stated.

Uh, as a committee chair, you want to make certain that you do have, you know, um say about how things are actually going within the committee.

And because of the fact that, all right, let's say, let's take, for instance, my last committee meeting.

Luckily, my uh my colleague decided that she was gonna hold her piece of legislation until she got it correct.

We actually went over that piece of legislation that we just talked about when it came to protecting the uh employees of the city woman.

We went over that several times, but because of the fact that you took took enough care and you gave you allowed someone to tell you maybe you should hold it and get it put back together.

I had no command over that as the committee chair.

I couldn't say you need to hold this until you get it figured out.

It was up to her to make that decision.

So basically, we could have got some frazzled thing actually come to the floor and it would have just stood as it was.

So I just felt that you know, by putting it back the way that it was, I I definitely would um support it.

All right, I'll I'll um I get my opinion.

This was actually one of my um rules that I that I wanted to be implemented during this session because I uh I've been a part of um sessions where there was so much jockeying on who was going to be on certain committees, just in order to control the legislation.

I just thought it was extremely unfair that the full body of council sometimes would not have opportunities to to vote on legislation.

So I just thought that it was our it was our responsibility to talk about it to vet it for the community to come to the community to the committee meetings and and have we could have their input, like we just said, if there is there's a problem, we would have to we would have to have faith in that sponsor to hold the legislation.

But it was just it was I just saw so many instances where committees were um like strategically um implemented in order to control and hold or put forward um mainly the control uh legislation, and I just thought it was it did a disservice to the rest of us on council.

And we're here to vote on legislation.

We want to get it right, of course.

And I think it's up to the to that sponsor to make sure it's fight before it does move forward.

But I just I just think that it it in the past it did a real disservice to a lot of us on on council who weren't on those committees and had no ability to vote or to make sure that the that the public saw how we how we um you know what our opinion was on that on that piece of legislation.

So I mean we'll go we'll go with the rule of council.

Um I just hope that moving forward that we're fair and that we don't try to um control legislation that really needs to be in front of all of council councilmember Johnson.

Um I appreciate this the sentiments uh council president again.

I I share in your same vision.

Uh I know we've met on this.

Um we were on previous councils.

Uh there was a lot of stuff that happened on previous councils.

Uh and people with personal attacks and stuff, we would find on the floor.

We have some wild nights.

Um even attacking the council president.

Um that's happened before.

Um, but I would say 109, and we really got it right, and I commend you, council president.

Um you you made the committees very fair, uh, even you have old, you have young.

Um I believe it's fair and balanced.

So I don't see that committee stacking as being for 109 something that would be present.

Um, and you know, I do again encourage my colleagues that this is a process, we have fair committees, and it's a credit to you know the the strength of the committee chairs, you know, to run a good meeting to make sure stuff is legally sound when it goes there.

Uh I I did the same when I was chair, uh, like council um member McCoy said, help your colleagues out.

I never um I know when I chair committees, I never had a bad piece go forward.

I always reach out to the sponsor.

So I appreciate everyone's sentiments.

I'm gonna uh encourage your support for this.

Thank you.

Councilmember Harley.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

President, I I want to say that I I can see both sides.

Um starting with you, um, and what you had to share.

I I share the same sentiments in terms of the previous council.

I do think a lot of that what you mentioned was going on.

However, um, with this 109, I do believe that um one of the benefits of this is to force the sponsors of legislation to really vet their legislation and get it to where it should be because a lot of legislation um gets on the floor that I really think that if it was handled in the in a committee properly, that by the time a lot of this legislation get on the floor, that it will be well put together, vetted properly, um, and have all the information in it that is needed so we can just vote on it and keep going instead of some of it getting held and not being vetted properly.

So again, I do see your side of what you share, but I also haven't seen as much of what was going on in the previous um sessions in the 109.

So that's why I'm going to support it.

Thank you.

And seeing no other hands raised.

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you.

Mr.

President, I'm gonna echo what um my council member said.

But um, what I've noticed um is what councilman Hardy said.

So we have all this stuff that comes on the floor, but it's not being vented out properly at the at the committee meeting because a lot of people are just saying what it's gonna go through, and then we end up having a committee meeting at the council meeting, and just as you said, I think in 109 we should do, you know, think we do better.

But I see both sides, but then if it all just comes here, I see the conversation just going on, and I'm saying to myself, well, this should have been in a committee meeting.

So for that, I will be um, you know, supporting this, and hopefully we will do as a president of the state, you know, let's do the committee meetings, say what we had to say, vent it out in there and move on.

But to have a council meeting where this is the chambers, and we haven't repeating committee meetings.

I mean, I don't mind, I don't have too much going on, but I just look at some of the staff sometime and say, wow, I think we could do a little better.

So for that reason, I'd be supporting this piece of legislation.

Councilmember Owens.

Yeah.

Um I just want to take us back to a few, maybe like 10 pieces of legislation ago at this point.

Um, when we talked about the land bank and about them having their public meetings to allow the public to be engaged.

Um, in my mind, that is where the committees come into play, right?

It gives the opportunity for the community to have input on what is going on, what we're going to be voting on as their city.

Um, and again, my my next comment.

Y'all know I love each and every one of y'all, so hopefully y'all don't take offense to this.

Because I'm also included in this.

We're all very long-winded.

Like we talk way too much.

Um, I say that with love, y'all.

Um, but that is one of the things that I think makes these meetings so much longer because we have to comment, even though we know we're voting yes, you still got to use your five minutes.

That's what makes these meetings long, not the fact that we have to vote on so many pieces of things.

We can move this legislation very fast.

I think the committee process is still an opportunity for the community to engage.

But for this piece of legislation here, um, I will not be supporting it.

Again, it's nothing against anyone.

I just think that you know, all legislation should get a fair shot to be debated by the whole council.

Um, and this is the setting in which we debate things.

It's the committee in which we can bring in the community, bring in the experts, um, the expert witnesses to testify as well too in depth about why a certain policies being introduced or something.

So that's my comments.

Um, and I guess this is a point of I don't know, clarity.

Um to the parliamentarian.

Uh, since this is a council rule change, does this need nine votes?

Yes, you may.

So per rule 23.

Uh the rules are effective immediately.

Um the rules may not be altered or amended unless a motion to do so is presented in a resolution formed passed by two-thirds majority of the members of council present at an official meeting of the city council.

Uh by my count, there's currently 12 members present.

Uh that means the vote requires eight people.

So eight affirmative votes.

A vote of present is essentially a no.

Thank you.

Councilmember Darby.

Hello, yes.

Um, I would like to um just make a quick comment.

Um, I don't want to repeat anything that um anyone said, but I won't be supporting it either.

I know for a fact that um like my rent stabilization legislation and other things that I had would have never gone forward.

Um slightly one because of just politics, and I know there's people who just don't like me, who don't vote for my stuff just because they don't like me.

Um so I won't be supporting it because then it'll be it wouldn't be good for my um what I need to do in regards to the legislation because some of y'all won't just let my stuff through because y'all don't like me.

So and I'm fine with that.

I really don't care.

But um, so I won't be supporting it.

All right, thank you.

Uh sponsor, any final comments?

Um, this is this uh again to reiterate.

Um this is needs to be squared up because if this does not pass, we still have a very great legal area.

So I think that's the issue and why working with the law department.

We we we have to add clarity because right now it says sh uh a May section and then it says will.

So it they the two don't square up as my uh colleague, councilmember Bracie said.

Um, so again, this is uh I think trusting in all of us, and you know, we've had a year to to essentially see how we all work together.

And I would say, you know, the report card looks pretty good.

Um we're getting a lot of work done, and and credit to all of us for being civil and working through.

And the point is, you know, council uh committee meetings need to have order, and so um I think they need to be vetted, things need to hit the floor when they're ready.

So with that, I'll ask for a roll call.

Clerk, please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens, no, councilwoman Darby.

No, councilwoman Oliver, yes.

Councilwoman Harley, yes.

Councilwoman Willower?

No.

Councilwoman McCoy?

Yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field.

Yes, Councilwoman Bracey, yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera, yes, Councilman Spadola?

No, President Congo, no seven yes, five nays and one absent.

Declared defeated.

All right, and uh Ms.

President, I have a resolution to present resolution 25-061, agenda number zero one two one.

Whereas committee of the home meetings are useful in having city council meet to discuss issues, and whereas attending monthly uh at this time, Ms.

President, I moved the resolution be received, recorded and filed and put off it by a yay-name vote.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded the resolution be received, recorded, filed and adopted by yay and a vote on the question.

Uh this is essentially uh again another housekeeping matter.

Um trying to uh really uh narrow um in the amount of meetings we have.

There has been a committee whole monthly, um, but with the amount of committees, subcommittees we have, and in addition to the intergovernmental committee, um the idea was that you know committee to hold meetings would be on a quarterly basis and not a monthly basis.

Again, um this is just adding to the order.

Uh we just created another subdivision subcommittee tonight.

And to be fair, both to the public and honestly the staff.

Um, you know, this is a uh we want meetings well attended, and we want council members to even be there, and we have to be mindful of that.

Um yes, it's full-time hours, but you know, you know, most of us aren't retired.

Um, so you know, when you have uh 10 different committee meetings during a month, 12, um it's just an extra meeting.

I know committee or the whole meetings have not even had a quorum a lot of time.

So I'm just being realistic.

Um to you know, us making it quarterly and not monthly.

I may get pushbacks.

Some members not might not like it, but you know, these meetings aren't even getting quorum.

So I'm just keeping the facts, the facts, and I think making quarterly, I think we'd be better.

Now that we'll vet everything, uh, I think that's the process we should have going forward.

Councilmember Darby, followed by Councilmember Spadola.

Hello, yes.

So I am not in support of this piece of legislation.

I support committee of the whole meetings happen and um sorry, monthly.

I think it provides um a space for things that don't fit or conversations that we can't have on other committees to happen on the committee of the whole.

There have been some great conversations over this um city council this term in our first year that happened at the committee of the whole meeting.

Um city council members can attend in person and virtual.

So you have two different options to hop on um to the meeting to be able to listen to the discussion, and every single council person, all 13 of us can take advantage of the committee of the whole, and you can put whatever topic that you want on there that doesn't fit onto the other committees, or let's say your committee passed and the committee of the whole is coming, you're able to say, okay, I want to have a discussion about this particular topic.

So I think that we as a council haven't been creative and thoughtful enough to how we want to use the committee of the whole meeting in regards to being able to have engagement.

The community loves the committee of the whole meetings.

So when the comment was made about the community is unfair, they love to come to the committee of the whole meetings and talk about the different conversations they have and being able to have a space outside of city council where they can engage with us um around different topics and different issues.

So I am not in support of this piece of legislation on making it quarterly.

Quarterly is too spaced out.

We already are off in um already December.

We're about to have a break, and we feel like we just came back from summer, and then after that, we have the budget here and the budget hearings.

We really don't have committee meetings.

So I don't I'm not in support of it.

Thank you, Councilmember Spadola.

Thank you, Council President.

I agree with council member Johnson's sentiments uh entirely on this one.

And if you look at the last session, our committee of the whole meetings were done very sparingly.

They were big, weighty, important topics.

Well they they were a big personnel hire, or we were filling a vacancy.

Now it's just run of the mill, like council member Darby said, whatever you want to talk about.

Um and there is a there's a cost of staff time.

I think they're confusing to the public in the sense that you know, we've had we've had committee of the whole meetings that has had stuff on the agenda, and it's also been on committee agenda.

So I mean, these committee of the whole meetings are the definition of talk, no action.

Uh, and I think we have to be cognizant that we can't we can't just overwhelm the public with meetings, meetings, meetings.

Let's make it worth their time and have stuff to talk about and act on it, not just talk about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember McCoy.

Uh thank you.

Um, I actually I do agree.

I do believe that we need to make certain that we're not here, we're not uh basically dragging the public through a meeting that frequently.

Besides our regular meetings that we have to have council and all of the different committees, and then everything that we have to do outside of the um uh uh with all of the different meetings with uh communities, MPC and all those different things, adding another meeting, and if it's not for anything pertinent, like really something that we have to make a decision on, just a conversation.

Honestly, when I talked about when I made mention to our staff that I really wanted to start seeing committee to holds, it was more so just to have something more like a caucus, just to you know, occasionally have that conversation that we may know that we may need to be able to have that space that more than three of us can sit down and just have a conversation, but it never it never was my intention to be doing this on a monthly basis.

So it was more so to be allowed to freely sit and you know be in a space, even if we were at a round table talking to one another and allow people to have the you know come in, but it never was supposed to be in that whole committee form forum that we have pretty much how many times six almost seven times a month.

And then we add it again, so it's like no, I I do I do think that it's a bit much, and um I will be supporting this uh this resolution.

Council member Councilmember Willower followed by Councilmember Owens.

Thank you, Council President.

Um I I like the idea of round table, uh committee of the whole meetings.

I think there are things that we need to talk about, and it's very difficult.

Just by the way, the um, you know, we are kind of kept on a we're not supposed to meet more than two people are not supposed to talk about anything without um having it be a public meeting.

So my vision for the committee of the whole meetings is to have it be more of a round table discussion um where we can talk about things as a group.

And I don't think that this legislation is necessary because it doesn't require us to meet all the time, it just says that we can.

And this just said this legislation limits the flexibility.

So I just feel if we if we don't like to have the meetings, we shouldn't schedule them.

But we should have more opportunities to talk together as a group.

And we shouldn't lose that by voting uh down committees of the whole.

So I'm gonna not be supporting this legislation.

Thank you, council member Owens.

Yes.

Um again, I attend most of the committee meetings, even the ones I'm not on.

Um I know for committee of the whole, it's only uh three council members uh constitute a quorum.

Um only issue with this is that the language makes it very strict that we can only do these every three months.

If something was to come up in between, would there be would you be open to amending it to allow us to that flexibility to call a a committee of the whole meeting?

I think all the president can call it.

Is that for me?

Is that for me, Councilmember Owens?

Yeah.

Uh yes, definitely.

Um you finished?

Yeah.

All right, I I'll chime in uh quickly.

I I won't be supporting this uh legislation because again, like council member Willower just mentioned, like we don't have the ability to to talk.

We can't caucus without inviting the public.

If we'll you know Dover can, but we can't.

So if you want to discuss anything that's that the community is concerned about that we're concerned about, we and if there's not a committee meeting to address it, like that's the the committee of the whole meeting is the opportunity to to address it.

And it only happens maybe 10 times a year.

I just think the more that we can talk about things and it's not a requirement for for anyone to be here.

So it if if you can't make it, we understand, but I I wouldn't want to limit our ability to talk to each other and involve the community.

Um I don't think the community, I don't think that we're dragging the community here.

I think that we invite them and they show up because they're interested in what we want to talk about.

Um I don't think that we should limit that.

So I I can't support this.

I do I do hear what you what you're where you're coming from, Councilmember Johnson, but I just don't think that we should limit our ability to talk to each other because we can't do it like we would want to without um breaking it, breaking any laws.

So I won't be supporting it.

Councilmember Spadola.

Thank you.

Just uh a question, and I at any time, regardless of this passes or not, any seven members can call a special meeting.

Yes, that's correct.

So there's no limitation, even if this passes.

Councilmember uh Darby.

I'm sorry.

Well you are you finished, Councilmember?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Councilmember Darby.

And I also want to confirm that if it doesn't pass, and this was never presented, if we don't want to have a committee or the whole, we just don't have a committee or the whole.

Yes, that that's very true.

It's not mandatory, right?

Right.

If there's nothing for us to talk about, we just don't have a meeting.

But if there is something that a council member wants to talk about, this that gives us the ability to talk about it.

Councilmember McCoy.

Yes, I would like to be able to find out exactly what qualifies as something that is a mandate that we need to have a committee of the whole meeting.

Not just not a piece of legislation.

Like is there a topics like it seems though there have been times that it seems though the things that we are discussing are not something that has to be talked about at the that very last, whatever I think it's like last Wednesday or something of the month or whatever, whatever they were putting it on.

Explain to me how does something deem it necessary to have a committee of the whole meeting that on a monthly basis.

What is that?

I I think that's up to each individual council member if they feel that it's something that the community wants to talk about, or they feel that's something that we need we need to talk about as a as a council, that's when it would there would be an agenda item on the on the committee of the whole meeting.

But if not, we just wouldn't, you know, we wouldn't have it.

Yes, council member Bracey.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So my only concern is that um I I agree with the the the concept that we need to have opportunities to talk, and whether this passes or not, we still will have them because we have the chance to as long as seven come together, the president can call a meeting anytime he wants based on our rules.

So we still will have plenty of opportunities to talk.

My concern is the current attendance at these committee of the whole meetings is what three council members, maybe four.

It like so it's we're not the the intended uh outcome isn't happening because council members aren't showing up.

And so if the idea is for us to be able to get together to talk, if we're not coming, then it's and it's the same three or four that are coming, then we're still not doing what what is intended.

So I am in favor of the the more robust when we call a committee a whole, that should be there's there's something that we're come, we're coming together for a reason, and it's usually something major that we need to discuss.

But these these meetings where it's like three or four council members, that's defeating the purpose of you know, if we're gonna do it, let's do it.

But if we're you know, if it's the same two or three showing up, you don't need three to to have the meeting, and then you've got five staff members and WITN here for three council members, like that's something we could do upstairs on the ninth floor in the conference room and put and do Zoom.

Um so I just I just think that you know we need to really think about this.

Like if we're gonna do it, um, then we need to be committing to actually being participants because otherwise there's 13 of us, and if it's just three people using this, um then is that really are we really getting the the result that we're looking for?

All right, thank you.

Any other comments, questions from any council members?

If not, council member Johnson.

Uh yes, I appreciate all my colleagues chiming in and to suffice it to say I think we all have different viewpoints of this.

Um, but you know, my my the intent working with my colleagues who support this is to just again let's focus our attention.

Um at the end of the day, we're in the cease to get results.

Not in seats to talk in committee meetings, we're not in the seats to just talk, talk, talk, talk.

We talk all the time.

That's a lot of talking, but we need actually to put legislation in action.

So I do agree the quorum problem or the the not be on a caucus is a big problem.

We still gotta address that.

I know council member owens is working on that as well.

That's something we can address in the General Assembly, but I don't think we should just throw in extra meetings to do it.

I think intergovernmental, as we just saw the other night, that well-attended uh meeting and kudos to chair uh uh chairwoman uh Darby on addressing a serious issue.

So I actually see intergovernmental really as that kind of um miscellaneous committee.

Um and with that, I will uh request a roll call vote.

All right, thank you, clerk.

Please call for the roll councilman Owens?

No.

Councilwoman Darby.

No.

Councilwoman Oliver?

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower?

No.

Councilwoman McCoy?

Yes.

Councilman Johnson?

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera?

Yes.

Councilman Spadola?

Yes.

President Congo.

No, excuse me, no.

Eight years, four nays and one absent.

Declared adopted.

Councilmember Bracie.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Yep.

Ordinance number 25-069.

Agenda number 0138.

An ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require that all legislation include a fiscal impact statement prepared by the Office of Management and Budget.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require that all legislation include a fiscal impact statement prepared by the Office of Management and Budget.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I move that that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance.

And referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-062, agenda number 0127, an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to repeal the defunct Wilmington Advisory Commission on Youth and Their Families and to establish the Wilmington Youth Advisory Council under the auspices of City Council.

Mr.

President, I move that that be known as the act enacting clause of the ordinance and call for the A vote.

Okay.

It's been properly moved and second that be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance and called for a yay and a vote on the question.

Mr Mr.

President I have a floor amendment.

Should I make that now?

Mr President I would like to make a motion for a floor amendment at this time as such.

This is strictly to uh correct a couple of things.

In the title strike the phase phrase to repeal the defunct Wilmington advisory commission on youth and their families and then on page two six whereas clause strike the phrase to repeal Wilmington Youth Leadership Commission as it is defunct and add in the phrase under the auspices of city council after the phrase Wilmington Youth Advisory Council.

On pages two delete section one in its entirety and on page four rename section two as section one on page five rename section three as section two and on page six the synopsis delete the last sentence the ordinate also eliminates the Wilmington youth leadership commission under the Department of Parks and Recreation as this commission has been defunct since 2019.

After talking to the administration um we agreed that um and they actually came to the committee meeting we agreed that we would like to keep the Wilmington youth leadership commission codified just in case in the future we want to bring it back thank you.

All right before just like to excuse council member Darby so we're going to take a um a vote on the amendment all in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye aye any opposed amendment passed thank you.

So back on the the ordinance so um in the um in our strategic plan uh in Wilmington City Council strategic plan for probably at least the last I want to say two sessions there has been a section um to create a youth master plan um and no action was ever taken on that under a previous uh council president the uh Wilmington um we get the title right under the previous pro the former city council president the Wilmington advisory commission on youth and their families was created um and it operated under parks and recreation for a time and then um at post COVID it was never revived so um what councilman owens and I have been working on for pretty much the majority of this year um as been to explore what it would look like to one create that youth master plan um and to create a youth leadership uh council that would work with city council to kind of guide that plan so instead of us coming up what we think um the youth care about or are interested in it would be us working it over a six month period with youth throughout every district in the city um to come up with our strategic plan to present to both city council and the administration at the end of June 2026 these kids would meet um no more than six times and we would pay them for those meetings um so that is kind of what and I'll and I will defer to councilman owens for for other comments but the the idea is once we have the an actual plan um in working with um our youth and parks and rec and having council members come out and engage with the youth then we're able to put something in writing to say here's what city council is going to do for the city's youth here's what we think the park the department of parks and rec and the administration can should be doing um and the kids have been very vocal we we met with about 20 um youth that are working with uh parks and rec now on their their um youth leadership um program over the summer and within I want to say a half an hour we had like a list of 20 things that the kids said they wanted to see and it wasn't just about having more fun it was about the parks aren't clean I can't walk to school because there's drug addicts I can't you know my street is dirty I we want to do community service but we don't know how so a lot of the kids they have ideas and so this would be an opportunity for us as a council to to communicate with them and to really hear from the kids and then have you know a big event at the end where we have presented a plan based on what they're they're providing to us so hopefully I can get all of your support thank you.

All right, thank you.

Councilmember Field also asked to be excused.

Councilmember Oliver.

Yes.

Um, what is the fiscal impact on this?

I mean, that and the reason I mean it just kind of I mean, um I mean it sounds good, but I know um the team warehouse does it and other organizations, but they have a board behind them that has a whole lot of money.

So I'm wondering what is the fiscal impact that expected on this.

Do you have any it's fifteen thousand dollars?

That's fifteen thousand dollars per session or whatever.

The entire for the entire six month program, it's fifteen thousand dollars.

So each child, each child will be paid fifty dollars for attending the entirety, and so that's uh it won't exceed more than six hundred dollars per for student that participates with us.

Okay, council member any of the I just wanted to council member McCoy.

Uh yes, can I please be added as a co-sponsor?

Councilmember Owens.

Um, first off, councilwoman Bracie, thank you for allowing me to work with you on this.

It's been a pleasure.

Um, Councilwoman Bracey covered most of the stuff that we've gone through here.

Again, I think this is going to be key going forward for city council, um, especially with up the point in here of them collaborating um with the Office of Educational Advocacy as well, too.

They know what they need in their classrooms as well, too.

So again, um, I look forward to this being established.

We worked very hard on this, and again, we wanted to make sure everyone um had at least two seats from each district um represented on this.

So again, hopefully everyone can support this.

Thank you, Councilmember Caberta.

Yes, I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Um, we I was on the session when the youth leadership council began, and I had an opportunity to interact with the youth, and those relationships that were created were meaningful.

Um I had shared at the committee meeting that one of those youth council participants had stayed in touch with me throughout the years.

I've helped her with her health insurance.

I was quite surprised and quite honored um and humbled when she invited me to her wedding most recently.

And permanent order.

Um, so I think that this is um a great a great initiative, and we should definitely support it and keep it moving forward.

Good job, both of you.

Thank you.

Also like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Any other comments from any council members?

If not, return back to the sponsor, please.

Oh, you call for the vote.

Thank you, Mr.

Please call for the rule.

Councilman Owens.

Yes, Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes, uh, I mean if I I think I said one that says going to be added as a co-sponsor, but my co-worker was stopped.

All right, yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes, Councilwoman Willower.

Yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, councilwoman Bracey, yes, councilwoman Cabrera, yes, Councilman Spadola, yes, President Congo, yes, ten years and three absent.

Declared adopted councilmember, Mr.

President.

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

First reading of the ordinance, an ordinance to authorize and approve four one-year extensions of a professional services agreement between the city of Wilmington and Northeast and Bucks Company and longary and associates in.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance to refer to the community development and urban planning committee.

Second, it's been properly moved and second that being known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the community development and urban planning committee.

Councilmember Spadola.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present.

I call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance 25-071, agenda number 0137.

An ordinance to amend chapter 48 of the city code to require the zoning board of adjustment to notify at-large council members of pending hearings.

Second.

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

This time we will move to petitions and communications.

Nothing tonight, Mr.

President.

Council President.

Request to be excused.

Yes, you may be excused, Councilmember.

Mr.

President may be excused.

No.

We almost dare y'all.

Yes, you may be excused, Councilmember.

Councilmember Harley.

Nothing.

Councilmember What hour?

Nothing tonight, Mr.

President.

I move to suspend.

Councilmember McCoy.

Councilmember Johnson.

No items tonight, Mr.

President.

Councilmember Bracey.

I'll move to suspend.

Second.

Second.

So moved.

Aye.

Like to um accept the motion to adjourn.

So the second, second, second.

It's been properly moved.

And second to adjourn.

All in favor signify by saying I.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Yelling aye.

Yo, you didn't ask me for my petitions for communication.

Okay.

If we move, we'll cut it off.

Motion carry meeting adjourned.

Thank you, everyone.