Wilmington City Council Meeting – November 6, 2025

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:34 p.m., with President Trippy Congo presiding. Twelve members were present and one absent. The meeting included prayer, approval of minutes from October 16, 2025, committee reports, a treasurer’s report, resolutions of recognition, approximately 30 public comments, and extensive legislative business. Key actions included the adoption of a resolution urging the administration to prohibit municipal contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement (such as Avello Airlines), the creation of a subcommittee on homelessness, and several ordinance amendments. A rule change requiring legislation to be voted out of committee before reaching the full council was defeated, while a resolution to reduce committee-of-the-whole meetings from monthly to quarterly was adopted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the October 16, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Committee reports were received and filed: Community Development and Urban Planning (ordinances 25‑035 and 25‑059), Public Safety (ordinances 25‑034, Substitute 1 to 25‑051, 25‑052, and 25‑053), Public Works and Transportation (25‑056), and Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities (25‑062).
• City Treasurer’s report was received: total investments $533,562,340.03, cash on hand $16,435,457.86, grand total $549,997,797.89.
• Non-legislative business was accepted.
• Resolutions of recognition were read for: Charlotte B. Barnes (retiring Human Resources Director), Kathleen Purcell (outgoing Executive Director of Kalmar Nyckel Foundation), Salesianum School (75th anniversary of desegregation), Housing Opportunities of Northern Delaware (fair housing awards), Bishop Dr. Andrew Williams, Medicare and Medicaid Act 60th anniversary, Clifford Brown (95th birthday), Walnut Street YMCA (85th anniversary). Sympathy resolutions were also read for numerous individuals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Approximately 30 speakers addressed the council, the vast majority supporting Councilmember Darby’s resolution (25‑058) to prohibit city contracts with companies that collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or profit from deportation operations. Speakers described ICE actions as illegal, inhumane, and terrorizing immigrant communities, and called on the council to take a stand. Several speakers noted that Avello Airlines holds a $150 million federal deportation contract and urged the city to refuse any business with the company. A few speakers also raised concerns about 311 response times, vacant property maintenance, and the need for a community conversation about high-potency THC use among youth.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 25‑057 (Supportive Housing Subcommittee): Councilmember Owens presented a resolution to create a subcommittee under the Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities Committee to develop policies on homelessness. The subcommittee will include nine diverse members. Adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑055 (Tow Truck Parking): Prohibits parking of tow trucks over 11,000 pounds or 20 feet on city streets. Adopted (12‑0).
• Substitute 1 to Ordinance 25‑051 (Police Accountability Board): Renamed the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board to the Wilmington Citizens Review Board, expanded eligibility to those who work or reside in the city, and increased compensation for chair and vice‑chair. A floor amendment removed the name change, retaining the original name. Adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑056 (Alley Paving): Would have shifted paving costs from property owners to the city. After debate about fiscal impact and an existing pilot program, the sponsor agreed to hold the ordinance for further discussion. No vote taken.
• Resolution 25‑058 (Avello/ICE Contracts): Urges the administration to prohibit city contracts with companies involved in immigration enforcement or deportation operations. Passed unanimously (13‑0). Multiple council members added as co‑sponsors.
• Ordinance 25‑034 (Protecting City Employees): Makes it a misdemeanor to resist, impede, or interfere with city employees performing official duties. A floor amendment removed language about “profane or vulgar language” to address First Amendment concerns. Adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑035 (Land Bank Board Appointments): Requires City Council approval of appointed board members of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank Corporation. A floor amendment clarified that local community groups are appointed by the mayor. Adopted (12‑0).
• Resolution 25‑059 (Parking at 934 N. Lumber Street): Requests additional parking and pest control at a demolition site on the east side to serve residents of new homes. Adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑064 (Network as a Service Agreement): First and second reading, referred to Public Works and Transportation Committee.
• Ordinance 25‑065 (Electric Bicycles and Scooters): First and second reading, referred to Public Works and Transportation Committee.
• Ordinance 25‑066 (Property Tax Exemption): First and second reading, referred to Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.
• Ordinance 25‑052 (Police Clothing Contracts): Authorizes two one‑year extensions with McDonald Uniforms Company Inc. at $11,749.40 per extension. Adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑059 (Anchorage Overlook Subdivision): Approves a major subdivision plan and street naming. Adopted (11‑0, two absent).
• Ordinance 25‑067 (Ballistic Identification System): First and second reading, referred to Public Safety Committee.
• Ordinance 25‑068 (Voluntary Rent Escrow Program): First and second reading, referred to Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.
• Resolution 25‑060 (Committee Vote Requirement): Would have required that legislation be voted out of committee before reaching the full council. After debate, the resolution failed (7 yes, 5 no, 1 absent – needed 8 yes).
• Resolution 25‑061 (Committee of the Whole Frequency): Reduces committee-of-the-whole meetings from monthly to quarterly. Adopted (8 yes, 4 no, 1 absent).
• Ordinance 25‑069 (Fiscal Impact Statements): First and second reading, referred to Finance and Economic Development Committee.
• Ordinance 25‑062 (Youth Advisory Council): Repeals the defunct Wilmington Advisory Commission on Youth and creates a Wilmington Youth Advisory Council. A floor amendment retained the Wilmington Youth Leadership Commission in code. Adopted (10‑0, three absent).
• Ordinance 25‑071 (ZBA Notification): First and second reading, referred to City Planning Commission and Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25‑058 (Avello/ICE contracts) passed unanimously (13‑0).
• Resolution 25‑057 (Supportive Housing Subcommittee) adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑055 (Tow truck parking) adopted (12‑0).
• Substitute 1 to Ordinance 25‑051 (Police Accountability Board) adopted (12‑0) after floor amendment removing name change.
• Ordinance 25‑056 (Alley paving) held by sponsor for further discussions.
• Ordinance 25‑034 (Protecting city employees) adopted (12‑0) after floor amendment removing profane language.
• Ordinance 25‑035 (Land Bank board appointments) adopted (12‑0) after floor amendment.
• Resolution 25‑059 (East side parking) adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑052 (Police uniform contract) adopted (12‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑059 (Anchorage Overlook) adopted (11‑0).
• Resolution 25‑060 (Committee vote requirement) defeated (7‑5).
• Resolution 25‑061 (Committee of the whole quarterly) adopted (8‑4).
• Ordinance 25‑062 (Youth Advisory Council) adopted (10‑0).
• First readings of ordinances 25‑064, 25‑065, 25‑066, 25‑067, 25‑068, 25‑069, 25‑071 were introduced and referred to appropriate committees.