OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - November 20, 2025

Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council — Thursday, November 20, 2025
BodyWilmington, Delaware
SessionRegular Meeting of Wilmington City Council
DateThursday, November 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:49

Transcript — Verbatim
2:20

The meeting will please come to order.

2:22

Good evening, everyone.

2:24

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

2:28

And on behalf of all of my fellow council members, we just want to thank everyone who has joined us this evening in Council Chambers.

2:35

Also a special thanks to everyone who is with us virtually.

2:38

Today is Thursday, November the twentieth.

2:41

We are going to begin with our opening prayer by Marilena Rivera.

2:49

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

2:54

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

2:57

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

3:01

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

3:04

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

4:01

Councilman Owens.

4:11

Councilwoman Harley.

4:13

Councilwoman Willower.

4:15

Present.

4:15

Councilwoman McCoy.

4:17

Councilman Johnson.

4:20

Councilman Field.

4:22

Present.

4:23

Councilwoman Bracey.

4:24

Present.

4:25

Councilwoman Cabrera.

4:27

Councilman Hackett.

4:28

Councilman Spadola.

4:30

President Congo.

4:31

Here.

4:32

Council members.

4:34

Hackett Spadola and that's it.

4:46

There are nine present and four absent.

4:50

For anyone who was in Council Chambers, if you do want to make public comment, and if you haven't already signed up, there is still time to do so.

4:56

You have about another ten minutes to sign up.

5:00

Uh the sign-up order is just directly in front of you, just before the double doors.

5:03

Also, there is a Google form sign up link in the chat for anyone who is virtual and you would like to make public comment.

5:11

The following legislation is going to be held this evening from Councilmember Spadola, a resolution urging the administration to explore all available fiscal measures before proposing any increase to water or sewer rates.

5:30

At this time, we're gonna have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

5:36

November 6, 2025, City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date on at 6 33 p.m.

5:44

President Ernest M.

5:45

Second Congo the second presiding.

5:48

The opening president, I move that the minutes be accepted as written.

5:51

Second.

5:51

It's been properly moved and seconded.

5:53

The minutes be accepted as written on the question.

5:57

All in favor signify by saying aye.

5:59

Aye.

6:00

Any opposed?

6:02

Motion carried.

6:04

At this time we will have our committee reports.

6:08

November 10th, 2025.

6:10

Ladies and gentlemen, we your public safety committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-067 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement between the city of Wilmington and Leeds Online LLC for an integrated ballistic identification system.

6:28

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

6:34

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

6:48

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

6:51

Second.

6:51

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

6:56

All in favor signify by saying aye.

6:59

Aye.

7:00

Any opposed?

7:01

Motion carried.

7:03

November 10th, 2025.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Public Health Awareness███████7%
Arts And Culture███████7%
Cannabis Regulation███████7%
Civic Engagement█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - November 20, 2025

On Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Wilmington City Council held a regular meeting with 9 members present and 4 absent. The meeting began with an opening prayer, roll call, and approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The council received committee reports, the city treasurer's report, and adopted several pieces of legislation. The meeting also featured multiple recognition resolutions, public comments on community concerns, and votes on three ordinances and two resolutions.

Consent Calendar

  • Reading of Minutes (November 6, 2025): Approved as written.
  • Committee Reports: Approved reports from the Public Safety Committee recommending ordinances 25-067 and 25-061 for council votes.
  • City Treasurer's Report: Total investments $546,817,671.12; cash on hand $17,273,302.72; grand total $564,090,973.84. Accepted and filed.
  • Non-Legislative Business: Accepted as a block.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Deacon Earl E. Tate: Expressed concerns about street racing near 26th and Market Streets, urging better enforcement of stop signs. Also advocated for using trailers on vacant land to house homeless individuals instead of allowing them to sleep in parks, to keep parks clean.
  • Tony Dunn (Second District, 2500 Civic Association): Raised issues about the homeless population displaced into parks, opposed the removal of the Plummer Center (a reentry facility), and noted bus route changes affecting Parkview residents on 1800 Broom Street (DART Route #2 no longer serving ShopRite and Burlington Coat Factory).
  • Dora Williams: Highlighted bus route changes impacting low-income and senior residents at Parkview apartments. Also announced a funeral for injustice on November 21, walking from Sam's to the City County Building.

Recognition Resolutions

  • Councilmember McCoy – Wilmington Fire Department EMS Transition: Recognized the fire department for successfully taking over emergency medical services after Trinity Health's departure. Chief John Looney and councilmembers praised the seamless transition, noting over 9,330 incidents handled since April 17, 2025, with about 450 per week. No lapse in service.
  • Councilmember Owens – HIV/AIDS Awareness Month: Recognized AIDS Delaware for over 40 years of service. The organization's representative emphasized continued need for testing, prevention, and stigma reduction. Several councilmembers shared personal stories of loss and testing.
  • Councilmember Darby – Troy PC Beats Thomas: Recognized the Grammy-winning musician for contributions to hip hop and community work through the Laboratory Studios Foundation, which provides youth with music production opportunities.
  • Councilmember Oliver – President Joe Biden's 83rd Birthday: Recognized the former president's lifelong ties to Wilmington and service.
  • Additional Resolutions: Recognitions for the National Association for Black Veterans (12th annual gala) and the first T Legacy of Impact Gala; sympathy resolutions for former State Representative John Adam Kowaco Jr., Linda Harrison, and Eugene Costin.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 25-067 – Integrated Ballistic Identification System: Authorized a three-year agreement with Leeds Online LLC. Fiscal impact: $26,118 first year, $26,902 subsequent years. The system uses digital imaging to automate shell casing comparison. Passed 9-0-4 (9 yes, 4 absent).
  • Ordinance 25-061 – Retired Police Officers on Pension Board: Amended city code to allow retired Wilmington police officers to fill vacancies on the police pension board, similar to an existing firefighter provision. No fiscal impact. Councilmember Oliver expressed hope for diverse representation. Passed 9-0-4.
  • Resolution 25-072 – Thanksgiving Turkey Drive: Allocated funds to Duffy Hope to provide turkeys for residents. Councilmembers supported the initiative, noting the longstanding tradition previously run by others. Council President Congo called for volunteers and donations. Passed 8-0-5 (8 yes, 5 absent).
  • Resolution 25-073 – Annexation Code Change: Requested the Delaware General Assembly to remove burdensome annexation requirements unique to Wilmington. Councilmember Darby argued it would give the city a tool for growth and revenue. Councilmember Johnson noted the need for a lobbyist to advance the bill. Passed 7-0-6.
  • Resolution 25-074 – Liquor Store Regulation: Requested state legislation to allow large cities (50k+ population) to pass more restrictive ordinances on liquor store placement. Councilmember Darby cited over-saturation in black and brown communities, nuisance, and crime. Multiple councilmembers co-sponsored and expressed support. Passed 7-0-6.
  • Ordinance 25-072 (First & Second Reading) – Loitering Definition: Introduced to amend Chapter 36 to clarify the city's loitering definition. Referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • Held Legislation:
    • Resolution urging the administration to explore fiscal measures before raising water/sewer rates (Councilmember Spadola).
    • Ordinance to require virtual participation options for public meetings (Councilmember Spadola).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes & Adoptions:
    • Ordinance 25-067 (ballistic identification system): Adopted (9-0-4).
    • Ordinance 25-061 (retired police officers on pension board): Adopted (9-0-4).
    • Resolution 25-072 (turkey drive funding): Adopted (8-0-5).
    • Resolution 25-073 (annexation reform): Adopted (7-0-6).
    • Resolution 25-074 (liquor store regulation): Adopted (7-0-6).
  • Referrals: Ordinance 25-072 (loitering) referred to Public Safety Committee.
  • Next Steps: The turkey drive will occur on Monday, November 24, 2025. The annexation and liquor store resolutions will be forwarded to the city's lobbyists for advocacy at the Delaware General Assembly.

Announcements

  • Councilmember Owens: Northwest Civic Association cleanup, Crestview high-rise holiday party, turkey distribution (call 302-576-2140), POW senior bowl on November 22.
  • Councilmember Johnson: 61st annual Wilmington JC's parade on November 29.
  • Councilmember Bracey: Congratulated Delaware State University Hornets football team for conference championship appearance.

Meeting adjourned after motions.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will please come to order. Good evening, everyone. My name is Trippy Congo, President of Wilmington City Council. And on behalf of all of my fellow council members, we just want to thank everyone who has joined us this evening in Council Chambers. Also a special thanks to everyone who is with us virtually. Today is Thursday, November the twentieth. We are going to begin with our opening prayer by Marilena Rivera. Heavenly Father, we have assembled to handle the affairs of our city. As we do so, we ask for your guidance and understanding. We pray that our city reaches a place of peace and safety. Keep us out of harm's way and bless those who are in authority. Let respect be key in all our endeavors. Councilman Owens. Councilwoman Harley. Councilwoman Willower. Present. Councilwoman McCoy. Councilman Johnson. Councilman Field. Present. Councilwoman Bracey. Present. Councilwoman Cabrera. Councilman Hackett. Councilman Spadola. President Congo. Here. Council members. Hackett Spadola and that's it. There are nine present and four absent. For anyone who was in Council Chambers, if you do want to make public comment, and if you haven't already signed up, there is still time to do so. You have about another ten minutes to sign up. Uh the sign-up order is just directly in front of you, just before the double doors. Also, there is a Google form sign up link in the chat for anyone who is virtual and you would like to make public comment. The following legislation is going to be held this evening from Councilmember Spadola, a resolution urging the administration to explore all available fiscal measures before proposing any increase to water or sewer rates. At this time, we're gonna have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting. November 6, 2025, City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date on at 6 33 p.m. President Ernest M. Second Congo the second presiding. The opening president, I move that the minutes be accepted as written. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. The minutes be accepted as written on the question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. At this time we will have our committee reports. November 10th, 2025. Ladies and gentlemen, we your public safety committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-067 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement between the city of Wilmington and Leeds Online LLC for an integrated ballistic identification system.

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