The meeting please come to order.

For public uh comments, there is a Google form sign up link in the chat for the comments will take place after the non-legislative business.

So good evening, everyone.

This is December fourth, twenty twenty-five, and we are starting our council meeting.

Can I have the 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.

At this time we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilman Owens.

Present.

Councilwoman Darby.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Present.

Councilwoman Harley.

Council.

Councilwoman Willower.

Here.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Here.

Councilman Johnson.

Here.

Councilman Field.

Present.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Councilman Hackett.

Councilman Spadola.

Present.

President Congo.

Here.

Nine present and five absent.

Four absent, sorry.

Okay.

I'd like to make an announcement.

The following uh legislation is sponsored by Councilmember Bracey.

Uh 0149, the ordinance amendment chapter 40 of the city code regarding parental leave and uh combined leave.

Not so says Bracey, not Harley, just so you if you're looking at your agenda, and then also on the agenda 0144 will be held tonight by the sponsor.

Okay.

Now if we can have the reading of the minutes.

November 20th, 2025, City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 34 p.m.

I move that the minutes be um filed and recorded and voted by a yay-nay vote.

Second oh, I'm sorry.

All right, uh, they've been properly moved and seconded.

The meetings will be are accepted as written on the question.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed motion carried okay.

All right.

Um can I get the uh the reading of the uh committee reports November 3rd, 2025, President and members of city council, ladies and gentlemen, we are finance and economic development committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-060 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement between the city of Wilmington and Ring Central Inc.

for our communications platform have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting, respectfully submitted those members of the finance and economic development committee, those members present, Councilwoman Harley, Councilwoman Bracie, Councilwoman Darby, Councilwoman Oliver, Councilman Spadola, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilman Hackett.

I move the committee for a BBC recorded and filed.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

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

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

Okay.

I'd like to recognize Councilwoman uh Cabrera is in attendance.

Thank you, madam.

Chair.

All right.

And the uh any more committee reports?

November 3, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are finance and economic development committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 25-063 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require all legislative and administrative bodies of the city to provide members of the public a way to participate in public meetings virtually.

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

Those members present, Councilwoman Harley, Councilwoman Bracie, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Oliver, Councilman Spadola, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilman Hackett.

I'm the committee for PVC, recorded and filed.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

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

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Motion carried.

November 13, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we your community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-068 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter 34 of the Wilmington City Code to authorize a voluntary rent escrow program.

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

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

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

Second.

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

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

November 13th, 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 25-070 entitled 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, trading as Mullen and Lawner, Lawnergan Associates Inc.

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

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

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

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

The meetings, the minutes be uh accepted.

I'm sorry.

Properly moved and seconded.

The report be received, recorded and filed.

Question.

All those in favor, sign by by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

November 17th, 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 25-065 entitled 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.

Have given this 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 Field, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, and President Congo.

I move this committee report, BBC, recorded, and filed.

Second.

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

On the question.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Are you opposed?

Motion carried.

Recognize okay.

I'd like to recognize Councilman Bracie in attendance.

Thank you.

Any more reports?

Okay.

All right.

Can we get the treasurer's report, please?

December 4th, 2025.

Total investments 534, 114,4745 cents.

Total cash on hand, 15 million five hundred and thirty-one thousand one hundred and eighty-five dollars and fifty-three cents.

Grant total 549,645,592 and 98 cents.

Submitted City Treasurer Dwayne Sims.

Sorry.

I moved that to Treasurer report be recorded and filed and voted on by Yay Nay vote.

Second.

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

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

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

Second.

Okay.

It has been properly moved and seconded to assel all non-legislative business on the questions.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

So we do have a recognition resolution.

All right.

Um councilman Oliver.

Thank you, Madam Terry.

I would like to invite Mr.

Fritz Cedars the second and his family to please come up.

While they're coming up here, I'd like to acknowledge that Mr.

Fred Sears has been a mentor and a friend of mine and my family for many many years.

Um he does a lot of work with Urban Promise, uh, which is one of them are in the third district, is many urban promises, but he has raised a lot of money throughout the years for urban promise and to visit that organization to see the work that has been done is phenomenal.

Also, uh just thought it was a fitting to give Mr.

Sears a recognition for his body to work throughout the city of Wilmington for years.

And I would like to acknowledge he's one of my mentors that I call and speak to on a regular basis.

I think it's important as council members.

I know a lot of people don't think it's important, but it's important as council members to talk to individuals who've been in this space for many, many years.

So that's the way you learn, and that's how you step up.

Um this is not a job that you can do by yourself.

I know many people think you can, but um that's not the case.

Um one thing that Mr.

Sears um has always encouraged me to do is to work with your constituents, work on legislation, and work with the full body.

You cannot do this job by yourself.

It's uh a body of work, it's not one individual, and if you try it, you will see you will fail.

Um sponsors, councilwoman Xanthea Oliver, whereas it's the Census City Council to honor individuals and organizations who had demonstrated outstanding achievement and deserving of recognition and acknowledge Fred Sears, the second Mary such distinction.

Whereas Fred is a sixth generation Woman, he is a proud alumnus of Wilmington Friends School in 1960.

He's earned his bachelor of science in business and a master in business administration from the University of Delaware and was awarded the honorary doctor in business from Golden Beagle College.

Whereas, after serving six years in Delaware Air National Guards, Fred went on to pursue a 38 years career and Wilmington Financial Institute industry.

He was instrumental in bringing Commerce Bank to Delaware and to the state and took a role on as a regional president until he retired in 2003.

And whereas Fred's Roots and service to the city of Wilmington run deep from 1974 to 1976.

He held uh the chair position of finance director and later economic development director for the city of Wilmington.

He went to serve two terms at large, member at large, this distinguished council.

Under this distinguished council.

As the council member, he worked along future mayor Dan Daniel Farley and James Baker, and past state representative Joseph DePinto, confronting some of Wilmington's most pressing concerns, including property assessment, um, school bus plans, um, um domain conversations, condominiums.

I'm sorry, I had marked it off.

I'm sorry, condominium conversations and countless other issues.

Whereas following his time on council, Fred continued to devote his time to public service, chair of Downtown Wilmington Improvement Commission, um, spareheaded WECO Womington Economic Development Corp, and uh Wilmington Economic Financial Advisory Council.

For more than two decades, Fred Trans trans transition from banking to accept the position as Chief Exit Executive Officer of Statewide Delaware Community Foundation.

And that role he has directed, and that role he has directed a yearly average of $13 million in grants and scholarship funds to variety of worthy individuals and causes.

Whereas Fred has dedicated his time more than dedicated time to more than 55 nonprofit boards in Delaware and assists numerous transitional teams for elected officials.

He has left an enduring legacy and physical social landscape in the city of Wilmington.

And I must say that um I'm I'm in the third district and undefeated because of Fred Sears helping me with my campaign.

Now, therefore, be a reside by the city council and the city of Wilmington that council is pleased to recognize Fred Sears for his years of outstanding service to people of the city of Wilmington.

Job well done.

Oh my God.

This is so strange, folks.

Thank you for the few of you that are here and the others on uh Zoom.

Never had Zoom meetings when I was they didn't know what the word was.

Uh Zoom was I'm leaving town, Zoom.

We met every Thursday in those days.

She was right over there.

I found myself sitting here uh answering I when you called.

You know, uh that's just a natural instinct when you're in this building, or at least for me it was.

Uh but it's an honor to be here with my family.

I got uh Ella here in uh fourth grade at Brandy Wine Springs and Charlie is in seventh grade at Sanford.

My granddaughter-in-law Jenny and Jason, who was uh born in my first term.

City City Council, 1968, right?

70, 78, I mean 78.

Yeah, yeah.

So 60 years, I was still in college.

No, seventy-eight.

But uh uh I just I looked up a lot of history, and that's unfortunately for uh older folks like myself.

Uh I think we're good for two things basically now.

It's uh history and advice whether you want it or not.

That's pretty much what we what we hand out.

But I did look up and found out that uh that when they finally changed to the in 1969 to the uh current situation with uh uh nine city council people and three at large uh plus the president.

Uh that only happened in 1969.

I was the third group of at-large people to ever be elected.

Uh but uh way back in uh 1890, they actually had uh uh two representatives for all 12 districts.

He had 24 city councilmen.

I don't know how the payroll handled that, but 24 city councilmen in our small city.

Interesting, they did that because the city went from 1880 of 40,000 employed 40,000 citizens to 60,000 citizens in nineteen in 1890.

A 50 percent increase in in growth.

I don't think um no we've never seen that since uh since the day.

And it was 61,000 residents, and I think we're probably still around a 70, 75,000 uh area members.

So that's that's been a challenge.

But it was an honor to serve, and I I just hope that most city council members understand the reason uh that they're they're serving.

I just talked to Christian about it earlier.

I said, you're really being elected to serve the people in your community.

And uh if you really believe in that, it doesn't go away.

And so even after you're no longer on city council, there are many opportunities to serve your community, whether it's with other elected officials or whoever.

But it's a very uh it just sticks with you.

If it's in your heart, the why you're and and here comes Mr.

Spadola, holy cow.

Um I should have mentioned Jim, uh uh actually once it changed there for a while.

The Republicans were in complete charge from uh 1890 to 1957.

The work the best the Democrats did was nine to with getting three out of twelve, and I don't know how many they got out of twenty-two, but it wasn't many more, and sometimes it was ten to two.

Uh the Democrats, I don't know what happened in 1957, took over, and they even have had before they got to the at-large vote, they had a 12-0.

Uh Republicans just weren't accepted in Wilmington.

So I don't know why.

Uh, but uh I'm glad to see you, Jim, that's for sure.

Just and just ending up.

I really believe that if you honestly know what you're doing in the city of Wilmington, we're all here, certainly in city council's elected officials and and in the community to make it a better place for everybody to live and work and raise a family.

And that's that's the key to life.

That's the key to everything.

And I'm so happy to be here, and thank you so much.

Councilman Fields.

Yes, Mike.

Councilman.

Um Fred, I want to thank you for all of your service and um thank you for the history lesson.

And one of the things that that I the kind of rewarding things about being on council is that it is a constant almost no issue that we're dealing with is new.

Right.

And one of the fun things that I like doing helpful is just whenever there's a tough issue, it comes up.

What okay, how do we deal with this before?

And I've I've really enjoyed um being able, especially in the first or second year of the last term.

And I also I saw Joe DePinto's name mentioned.

I would just pick up speed dial.

How did Fred Sears handle this?

How did Joe De Pinto handle this?

And it was the the kind of information that you gave was super valuable.

And for any any new council member, I highly recommend and and you've you've always been welcoming with your time to give advice on on these issues, and so it has been helpful and and rewarding and interesting to just to hear these lessons over time.

So thank you for all that you've done for the city and all that you continue to do, and and um any new council members ever looking to figure out how this or that issue was addressed in 1982 or 85, give Fred a call.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Phone is up.

It is interesting when you mentioned the numbers of treasurer too.

Uh I happened to look up our budget that we had.

The budget was 33 million dollars.

So you got 500 million.

Well, wait a second.

What what happened here?

What how did how did that go on?

And the trade and the uh the uh bottom line also uh the first year Mayor McLaughlin, who had been finance chair, and then I took his seat when I came in, he became the mayor.

He hit us with a 10% tax increase.

That was his first year, his second year, knowing he's only running for two terms in 1981.

He hit us with a 20 percent tax increase.

And as finance chair, as you know, it's my job, it was my job to sell that to city council.

Mr.

Sears, uh Councilman Spidola had a few words.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy, Mr.

Sears, great to see you.

Um, you know, it's every now and then, every few months, somebody comes in and you get a really odd group of council members all singing their praises.

It's a nice one of those nights for you.

You got me, Nathan, Zanti, I see Kobe raising his hand, some odd bed fellows, as you as you might imagine, but it's because of the the person you are.

Uh, you've always made yourself available to me in terms of you know, for political reasons, nonprofit purposes.

Um, so you've just been, you know, definitely a mentor, and you've been mentoring uh other, you know, other people as well.

So it's uh it's great to have you here and good to see you.

Great recognition.

Thank you, Jim.

And you're sitting at my desk, so be careful.

There might be something in that drawer.

I don't know.

Is there any other words?

Uh Councilman uh Owens.

Yes.

Uh first off, Fred, congratulations on this resolution.

Um, I first met you when I was in high school through Sam Beard and Michelle Finance and all of them.

Um I just want to say the work that you've done for this community has been so important.

Um I've been following your work for a very long time.

I know we've talked quite often.

Um I just want to say thank you for everything you've poured into the city over the years, and I know you're gonna continue to pour into the city.

Um, and everyone's grateful for the work that you've done for us.

Thank you, Kobe.

You're a good man.

Appreciate it.

Okay, Councilwoman Willower.

Mr.

Sears, I just want to say a lot of the same things that everybody else has, but I think I hope that you um, you know, take away from all the comments that all of us make and how it's uh each one of us has a personal connection to you, just how many people you've touched, how many lives you've touched.

And I um when I started uh with the land bank when we were launching the land bank and and you were on the board and you know, working out all the details.

Um you were just somebody who brought so much understanding and experience and and were we're willing to share it and just made that organization so much stronger.

So I just appreciate everything that you've done to build up institutions across the city and along the way, just impact so many people developing as leaders.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilman Bracey.

Chiming in as well.

Um I think everything that that needs to be said has been said.

I just wanted to say thank you for always being an example of leadership and always willing to talk to any of us from uh my days back working for Chris Coons and Tom Carper and all of them, and then working in the nonprofit world when you were at the community foundation.

You've always been, and then campaigning and working with uh, you know, you've always been uh someone that has you know great advice, great knowledge, great wisdom, and uh have never been selfish enough to keep it to yourself.

You always are willing to share what you know or give don't do this, do that, or maybe you should think about that, or you know, so you've always been that example of leadership, and so uh thank you for all and clearly you've impacted a lot of us, you know.

Appreciate it.

Okay.

50 years uh next year will be the when I first ran.

So we actually have um some of our my colleagues on Zoom, Councilman uh Harley.

Yes, Councilmember uh McCoy.

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you, yeah.

Okay, first of all, I want to uh thank Councilmember Oliver for recognizing Mr.

Sears, and I want to say congratulations to you, Mr.

Sears, doing your work and your outstanding public service.

Now, I must admit I've heard a lot of great things about you and your great work in the community and how you have mentioned so many, but tonight was my first time hearing that you were the finance chair when you were going to be council.

So I consider myself a life learner.

So, Mr.

Sears, I will definitely be reaching out to you to just get some some gems and jewels from you, because if you do this job right as the finance chair, it is a lot of hard work, but it's rewarded work, and I will definitely be reaching out to you.

And again, congratulations to you, and thank you again, council member Oliver, for recognizing Mr.

Sears.

Thank you, thank you.

I hope they're paying you extra for that job.

When uh when I was a councilman, our pay was 8,000 a year, but I got 1,500 extra for that.

So uh wow, and thank you for that tip.

Right.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Well, Fred, what can I say?

We have been friends for what it seems like a lifetime.

I met you at an early age when I was working with Mayor Sills.

You have been um a source of inspiration, a guide, a mentor, uh, including with me helping me make decisions with my own son's education.

Um, you said some words today that are very important uh for all of us to remember that why we are here, the why.

Um, you said some words today that are very important uh for all of us to remember that why we are here, the why, and whether we're in elected office or not, it's about community service, it's about giving back to the community.

But as trusted leaders of our community, we have to remember why we're here and why we do this job because it is a thankless jobs on the on most days, a lot of challenges and times have definitely have gotten harder, but you've seen a lot of those times back in the day.

Um, so I want to thank you for your continued guidance.

And council member Oliver, I just can't believe we haven't had Fred uh recognized before this.

So thank you for uh thinking of him, bringing him forth.

Uh he's a very humble man.

I remember him from before his grandchildren were born.

Um, but it's certainly very deserving, and he too is one of my mentors, and I will definitely be calling on you uh shortly.

But I thank you for your friendship, and I thank you for your service to our city and your continued service with your profound advice and wisdom.

Um, know that I love you, your wife, and your family from the bottom of my heart.

This is well deserved.

Happy holidays to you and the family.

Thank you, Maria.

You're a long time good friend.

Right.

We have one last president Congo.

Oh yes, thank you, madam chair.

Sorry I couldn't be there today, Fred.

Uh, but congratulations.

There's probably not a week that goes by when my dad doesn't mention your name.

Um, and just everything that about just talking about everything that you've done for the city and done for different boards.

He always says that you've been on at least 40 boards, and so I have to give him the update that is 55 boards that you have served on.

But again, man, just congratulations.

This is definitely something that you deserve.

Uh happy holidays and happy related birthday.

Thank you, Trippy.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Yep.

Take care.

Yes, sir.

All right.

Uh well, thank you so much, Mr.

Sears.

I don't know if I can put anything on that.

All I can state is I just looked up your terms.

I see from 76 to 84.

So you were smack dabbing in the middle of that reassessment.

No, that's reassessment.

And busting and bussing.

I can see a poor lady here with her little child saying, My child is going to be bust to newark.

We still had the school district then, woman to school there.

My child's gonna be busted to Newark, hour and a half at least each way by the time they pick people up.

And for a five-year-old, that is not fair.

And we're sitting here saying we have no control, but we're happy to hear your hear your voice.

It's it's tough.

Last thing I didn't mention, which somehow I think it was heredity to this.

My great-grandfather, which I didn't know till after I left City Council, was on City Council from 1911 to 1913.

They were two-year terms.

James Frank Wright White.

He was uh replaced.

He had the Market Street District, District 6 at the time.

He was replaced by a John Hopkins, who owned a Hopkins movie theater for a long time.

John Hopkins won, they were two year terms, won 16 terms in a row.

Not many.

He ought to be honored somewhere.

Nobody can run every two years and win 16 times.

Thank you so much for thank you.

Okay.

Okay.

So we're just gonna look at the rest of the uh recognitions.

Um from all council, we recognize uh Chris Matton's retirement.

Councilwoman Oliver recognizing the commemorating the Social Security Act and 90-year anniversary of the signing.

And Councilman Owens, we recognize Lakia Allen, one year anniversary of the selfie restaurant.

As for sympathy resolutions, Councilman Spadola has a sympathy resolution for Mr.

John P.

Del Gas Gasio, Garcia.

Okay.

So we're gonna move to our public comment.

As a friendly reminder, please watch uh please watch your step when you come up to the podium.

We have two speakers coming up.

Uh we have Deacon Earl Tate.

Now remember that there is a form, the form sign up is on the chat.

The time limit is three minutes.

Please keep your comments to general matters pertaining to Woman's councilman and the districts of city council, and please address the president directly or myself the chair.

Please be mindful and try to refrain from any use of profanity or vulgar remarks as this meeting is being live streamed to the public.

How are you doing, Deacon?

All right, and I will give you a reminder once you reach 30 seconds.

Greetings.

And I'd say thank you.

And I'm gonna, and I'm gonna say this is the time, a season for all for all people to be happy and to be rejoicing for those of us that are here, for those of us that that are coming together and have each other and have each other so near and dear to us so close.

But but but just remember this is the season that we shouldn't take lightly.

Don't be in a hurry to get to get nowhere in the cars because you still gotta remember there's people uh on the street, little ones as well as big ones, and and and they got a life too.

So before so before you take off, take off the go where you have to go, be sure you leave the house on time or ahead of time, so you won't have to hurry down the street and and get in an accident or so forth.

And plus out on these streets, uh uh we still need still need some type some type of speed bumps or stop signs and so forth to slow the people down because uh because some of the people still are driving like as they say about hell.

Uh uh, we don't want to drive that way.

We we want we want we want to take the time to drive like we got some sense, like we got some sense in our head, and and also and also remember that every life you save could be the life of your own.

And and and also and also this year is coming to an end.

So let's let us take this year out with with a celebration of happiness and joyfulness to each other.

And and also and and also this year, this year, this year, let it let us remember that the life of the young ones got got to take off, got to take over from where we left off.

So, like, so like so like remember that and and hug them and say them that you love them and care for them and show them that you care for them.

Because if you don't, someone else surely will.

And I'm gonna say have a happy holiday to you all.

30 seconds.

Thank you.

Watch that.

Oh, oh, I forgot to say, I forgot to say this.

On 26th Street, what where they had to fix the street up, uh I I uh the street is the street is beginning to make a big hole, make a big hole on 26th and jets up.

I had somebody to go down there to check on because we don't want we don't want we don't want no fatal accident to happen down there.

Thank you.

All right, we can go to our virtual sign-ups next.

Um we'll go we'll switch between the two.

Uh we have Tanya Williamson.

Is she on the line?

Yes, I am.

Uh I'm not sure if I I opened up the public comment, but I believe that um first I I give respect to all the council persons, president cancel trippy congo.

Um we're just signing in for the the disposition, but we're in Atlanta, Georgia, so I wasn't sure what our proper protocol was.

So we're just hearing if there's any questions.

Okay, thank you.

Uh this is just your time to be able to make a comment.

If that is it, then we'll move on to the next.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um inside the chambers, we have Katrina Rothwell.

Uh good evening to City Council and everyone present.

Um council president um Trippy Congo.

It's a pleasure to be here with everyone this evening.

Um so my name is Katrina Rothwell.

I'm the president of the East Lawn Civic Association.

Um, starting here in this year of 2025 and progressing forward into future years.

Um I'm really want to display my strong opposition to the closing of this plumber center.

I'm sure we're all aware of what's happening right there, but specifically focusing on the impact and decision that the people have made with regard to this plumber center closing with no viable option to replace the services.

My major concern is the things with regards to the reasons they're closing it, what they plan to do does not speak to the volumes of what they will do or what they are doing.

And the concerns I have with the meeting that I attended recently, is we have individuals who rely on their families being close to them.

Is we have individuals who rely on their families being close to them.

We rely on the safety of our community and the safety of our children and our families and the people who deserve the second chances that they are offered the opportunity with the plumber center.

And you cannot expect people to what I heard from the commissioner's standpoint was they're going to take people from Wilmington when Wilmington and the city of Wilmington's all they didn't know.

The families are right here in our backyards, but you're going to bust them, transport them two hours away to a different county where they don't know anybody, where they don't have any family, no support systems, no things to keep them safe, secure, and out of trouble.

We talk about all the things that make our communities unsafe.

And it reminds me of someone coming into your home, taking things out of your home without your permission.

They didn't reach out to communities, they didn't reach out to people that matter.

They didn't ask for people's information and what they thought about it before they made this decision to close the plumber center.

And as a president that represents communities and represents my my constituents and the people that's in my neighborhood, I speak on behalf of them who have families that had support from the plumber center.

30 seconds.

I have the stuff to get together here.

Yeah, uh-huh.

I'm just wondering so I get my stuff here.

Okay.

I have a resolution.

Um Madam President, I have a resolution present.

Resolution 25-062, agenda number 0145.

Whereas pursuant to Wilmington City Charter 1-101, the city may acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of property on such terms as it deems proper for any municipal purpose.

And whereas Wilmington code I move this resolution be received, recorded and filed.

Adopted.

Yes, Madam President, this resolution approves a family uh families thriving LLC bid for one of the parts shoes.

Um partial real estate located 1331 Vanderburg Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware, 19801.

Um partiel number 26-037, 10-01 as a bid of the best bidder authorized um the mayor and city clerk and their perspective designated to execute any documents necessary uh to dispose of this property.

Um, Madam President, um I'm very familiar, it's just an empty lot.

Um, this company, um, this couple, they have invested um in various areas of the city of Wilmington.

They work closely with the housing authority to help place some of the individuals over Riverside who are looking for affordable housing.

So they met with um Bob Weir and Um Tom Ford for over a year working on this project as I stated is some it's an empty lot, and they're gonna just build a how to rent to affordable housing.

Okay, anyone else have any questions?

Okay, all right, clerk call for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

My hand is up, um my apologies.

Councilman Harley.

Oh, thank you.

No problem.

I just wanted to say that um I am in support um of this decision disposition.

I reached out to Director Weir to fully understand this position because I know it's been a while since we've had one to come before council, and um I really appreciate him explaining how um there is a difference in terms of uh properties that can be dispositioned versus going to the land bank and one of the um uh differences is that if there are federal dollars um that are um given for these particular properties, they have a requirement as it relates to how they can be transferred.

So I just wanted it to be on record that I did um reach out to director where I also want to say that the um company the business that is uh receiving this position has done for excellent work and they are out in the community doing great work.

Um, and I just think that this is another way uh for us to stabilize our communities by partnering with great other businesses, such as the business that's going to acquire this particular property.

So I just wanted to share that to be on record, and I would like to be a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

All right, okay, anyone else.

All right, clerk call for the roll councilman Owens, yes, councilwoman Oliver, yes, Councilman 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, 11 yes and two absent.

Declare adopted.

Thank you, madam president.

And president, I have a resolution to present resolution 25-063, agenda number 0146.

Whereas pursuant to Wilmington Charter Section 8-205, the city may sell or exchange real estate.

I move this resolution.

I move this resolution be received, recorded, and file, adopted by year and they vote.

Second.

Yes, madam president.

Um all this was discussed in the committee meeting, but this is a resolution um authorizing um the department of public works um to grant Delmar Power and Light Company to a utility um I know what I'm saying.

My mind for installing operational maintenance of a pad mounted transformer over across the East 16th Street.

Um Delmar Power, they did send a representative.

This is just an on um ongoing project that they've been working on um and back of um Obra and Wineville assessment is easy.

I'm sorry.

Any other questions?

Okay.

No, I just wanted to mention it's the pumping station.

Okay.

Clerk, call for the roll.

Councilman Owens?

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver?

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley 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.

11 y's and two absent.

Declared adopted.

Thank you, madam president.

I have a resolution, another resolution to present.

Resolution 25-064, agenda number 0147, whereas section 3-802 of the city charter provides the that the Wilmington parking authority shall continue as constituted by the provisions of Title 22, Delaware Code, Chapter 5, until otherwise changed by law.

And whereas Oh, I'm sorry, he's talking about resolution BBC recorded and file adopted by Yay and they vote.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded the resolution we received, recorded, and filed.

And Doctor by vote on the question.

Yes, Madam President.

This resolution confirms um Mayor John Carney's appointments.

Um reappointment of Jeff Lynn, Larry Carson to the board of directors of Wilmington Park and Authority to serve as members as a board for term to be expired on June to 20 on June the 30th, 2026, June the 3rd of 2027, June the 3rd, 2028, June 3rd, 2029, June the 30th, 2030, respectfully.

Councilman Johnson.

Um as mentioned during the committee meeting, uh, I have a conflict of interest due to the executive director being my father-in-law, although be that aside, you know, I know all these individuals and they're great uh individuals.

I believe to serve in the Wilmington Parking Authority, and as someone who frequents Philadelphia, New York, other big cities, DC for business.

Um you can't get better than the rates we have here.

I mean, you can park at least for a full day, like for eight dollars.

So whereas other cities, it's like you know, 40 dollars.

So uh hats off the Wilmington Parking Authority working with the city.

Any other one?

Councilman Owens.

Yes, I know these are recommendations from the mayor, uh, this current mayor.

Um, I do have concerns with one individual on here.

Um I just again I just hope that the board keeps prices affordable for individuals who are in the city of Wilmington, um, and not we not see a skyrocket of prices.

That's it.

Any other questions?

Okay, clerk call for the role.

Councilman Owens, yes, Councilwoman Oliver, yes, Councilwoman Harley.

Councilwoman Harley.

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower?

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy?

Yes.

Councilman Johnson?

Present.

Councilman Field?

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey?

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola?

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

10 years, one present and two absent.

Thank you, Madam Congress.

Declared adopted.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Um, Madam President, I have a resolution to present resolution 25-065, agenda number 0148.

Whereas pursuant to section 2-363 of the city code, city council should be seen, recorded, and fine, adopted by you and they vote.

Second.

Okay.

It's been properly moved and seconded.

The resolution be received, recorded and file, and adopted by you and a vote on the question.

Yes, madam president.

I put a um a piece of uh updated article on most individuals' um deaths.

Um this resolution um authorized the public the department of public work, they received a grant um from DHSS um emerging contamination of small or disadvantaged communities, grant and amount of and not to exceed 1,983,000 sixty one dollars.

Um such um such amount DHSS awarded um is posed a grant that would be used as port support completely designed for the first phase of construction to incorporate um most um infection effective means to remove in PFS basically is contaminated water from the city source at the porter at the porter and the brandy wine plants is no matts and funding, and I would like to say um this um give give um give kudos to our federal delegation.

Um this was pushed from our federal delegation and um DHSS um was awarded this um this grant and it's overdue.

Um and this is a prime example to show how Wilmington we are really um on top of our game throughout the state, but really in Wilmington when it comes to clear clean water, and this is uh one of many grants to show how we stay on clean water, and I just wanted to mention that okay, councilman Owens.

Yes, can I be added as a co-sponsor again?

Anything to deal with getting rid of forever chemicals in our waterway is is extremely important as a city.

So hopefully there will be more opportunities for us to go after federal funds and state funds um to do this.

And for those who don't know, PFOS has tremendous health risks for a lot of people.

Um it can cause cancer, organ damage, immune um disruption, and other health problems as well, too.

So again, this is uh very uh good.

Uh and I hope we we're awarded more um grants to remove PFOS from our water waste.

Yes, Councilman Willower.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'd also like to be added as a co-sponsor, and I think it's uh really great to see all levels of government working together to bring these kinds of resources to invest in safe water in Wilmington.

Anyone else?

Councilman Harley.

Yes, thank you, madam chair.

I uh want to dinner the comments of council member Owens.

I believe it was last year that myself, you, and a number of us uh went to Washington DC, and we learned a lot about what was coming down the pike in terms of municipalities um cleaning up our water and making sure that it was safe.

So um I'm glad to see that this is happening for Wilmington, and I too would like to be added as co-sponsor.

Thank you.

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

Um I just like to add that I'm glad that the funding got here when it did.

Uh from what I'm looking at when it comes to the news.

I don't think that is a priority right now uh with the new administration, but I'm glad that the former may certainly was able to get through to us.

Clerk, please call for the room.

Excuse me.

Oh councilman Johnson.

I wanted to add be added as a co-sponsor as well.

As I I was in that briefing in the White House with uh many of you, and uh this is urgent.

So yeah, glad to join in.

Madam Um President, no, um, I would like to make a final statement that um, you know, a lot of us also um and I got Christian was with my group, you know, being at um the public chair.

Um I try to make it my business to go down to the branding wine pump station on a regular, and it's one up 202.

We have um a lot of um right down the brandy wine, but to go in there and see um a lot of them ow pipes and everything.

So this funding is really going to be to um as you said, just to keep things clean, keep our water clean and a lot of them owe steel pipes from 20, I mean 1920 and 18.

So I'm just looking forward to getting some new updated equipment also.

That's it.

Councilman Guerrera.

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

I also was part of that field trip, and I'm glad that we did get the funding because this is really crucial.

Um, and these are very dangerous particles that we're ingesting.

All of our bodies have PFAs in them right now, but if we can limit it, it would certainly help the next generation.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Okay.

You're good.

Yeah.

Okay.

Now I always gotta make sure to go back to the to the end.

All right, clerk, please go for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes.

Councilwoman Harley.

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.

11 years and two absent.

Declare adopted.

Um second.

I'm looking for a piece of paper here, just right here.

Okay.

Last but not least, um, Madam President, I have a final ordinance that I would like to have an ordinance present and call for the third and final reading.

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.

Madam President, I move this be known for the enacting clause and call for a A vote.

It's been properly been properly moved and seconded.

On the question, yes, um, Madam President.

Um this is merely um ordinance um closely mirroring the state legislation to keep local rules um aligned with consistence.

Um this is from House Billte, sponsored by um Cindy, Representative Cindy Romo and Senator Dave Sakola.

And what it was, it's no legislation on the books for the city of Wilmington.

And you know, I know the e-bikes and the scooters are for recreation, but they can be very dangerous.

And reading up on them, I mean a guy almost ran into me one day by the why, and it wasn't nowhere for me to turn was a bus and a car, so I just stopped.

And you just see them going up and down the street all over, and they're very dangerous.

And when you read up on them, um several people have been killed.

60-year-old man and uh Merlin, um kids in Dover, uh Newark, and various throughout the state and the country.

So I thought it was um imperative to put something on the books here in Wilmington and make it also educational piece, not to for the police to be chasing down um or the authorities to kill somebody on the bike, but for them to um become more knowledgeable about the rules and regulations.

Um I put on everybody's desk as you can see um when we get to the key difference from the state law.

Um, so it's nothing like saying it physically.

You see, Class A, um, class two e-bikes, maximum 20 miles an hour, ages seven to twelve must be supervised by parental guidance guidance, and ages 13 may ride alone, and when you get to class three e-bikes, um the maximum 28 miles an hour and mirrors the state law riders must be 16 plus.

Then you get to low speed motorized scooters, maximum 15, 15 miles an hour, uh mirrors the state law.

Um recently permitted state law under 11 House Bill 1114, the ordinance incorporates the same um authorization, and when you get to the helmets, um requires one or two helmets recommended, requires riders under 18.

Class three helmets require all riders, um scooters, helmet recommend recommended require riders over 18.

And the basic thing for the traffic, we made up the cards right here, the e-cards for scooter and safety, and we took them and had a press conference down to the urban bike um on 16th Street with Laura and that is the urban only bike um facility we have in the city of Wilmington right now.

So Laura gave us a lot of ideas, and we've been working on this for quite a while.

So um these are the cards that we gave out down there.

We went to Howard, we went to Bancroft, and they were um the police were there and they were giving them, they said they were gonna take them and give them out.

And um they took, like I said, it's an informational thing.

Now when it gets to the fines, um, we just ask some people to be safe, um, use your arm, use your horn, put these cards in the in your wallet, put your name and information on it, and it's uh cue card for the urban bike project.

Um if you like to go down there, they have um they launched a seek uh friendly um bike helmet donation.

Um so it's a lot of things going on with the urban bike that we just wanted to work with them as it relates to this um legislation, and someone asked about the penalties, the penalties imposed by the state title uh 21 chapter 41, reference to state riders, um, helmet violation 1818 can carry up to 25 dollar fine to a 50 dollar fine.

It depends on the um how many offensive you have.

In addition, um, for penalties, unsafe and unlawful operations um can be from 25 to 115 fines for the first offense.

So all it is right here is already and um far as the fines is already laid out with the state law.

We were just putting something on the books for the city of Wilmington, as I stated.

This could be is to me, it reminds you when scooters came out and people had to get used to scooters.

Um, and this is pretty much the same thing, but people need to know that you should be driving in the right direction and not riding towards me, and use your arms for signaling and not just cutting in and out because it could be dangerous.

So, this is what this is all about.

Thank you.

Councilman Spadova.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Uh, good piece tonight, uh, Councilmember Oliver.

Uh appreciate it.

Um, yeah, I think we've I as far as I can recall, I think we've avoided any serious bike incidents in Wilmington, a bike versus pedestrian.

I know you know other municipalities in Delaware have not been as lucky as we have, but I think the educational component that comes with this legislation, the publicity view, just in terms of educating the drivers of these scooters and e-bikes that if you're going fast and you're not careful, you're pretty darn close to being a weapon on wheels if you're driving by people thinking that they're um you know aware of you or if they got little kids running around.

Um so hopefully this legislation not only does it put some you know gets us in line with state law, but it also pushes the importance of uh responsible driving.

And please add me as a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Councilman Johnson.

Uh I wish to be at as a co-sponsor as well.

Uh hats off as I mentioned during the committee meeting.

This is great work because it's not just a piece of legislation, it's the PR piece that goes around to it.

So uh just please let us know how we can help.

Um, because I believe you know, Urban Bike Project, um, what they do is not only important for the e-bikes, but also for what they do bike lanes.

Um, because Wilmington still, unlike other cities, we don't have a lot of um protections for bikers, whereas other cities that have um barriers and other things we don't.

So I hear from the biking community all the time about that issue.

So um we can hopefully work with them to improve our roads to make it safer for regular bike bikers and then also scooter riders.

Okay, councilwoman Harley.

Yes, thank you, madam chair.

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

Thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

This is a great piece of legislation.

I say see this as a public safety uh measure in terms of helping um the community uh to even be safer establishing uh this policy, and I am just hoping that we will uh put forth um all efforts to make sure that it gets enforced.

Thank you.

Councilman Owen, yes, thank you, um Madam President.

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

Please add me as a co-sponsor.

And also I just wanted to piggyback off of what Councilman Johnson said is important for us to continue to look at how we could connect the city in a safe way for individuals who are not only on the electric e-bikes and scooters, but on bikes and and other um I know we've started to do that in certain areas, especially over my way.

Um, but making sure that you can get from the north side all the way over to the west side to Union Street safely on a bike or something like that.

So thank you for bringing this forward.

Councilwoman Willower.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and again, Councilwoman Oliver, I think this is a great piece of legislation, and I really appreciate how you've had a chance to work with um the urban bike project and just the resources in the community.

There's a lot of young people who are using these, um, they're having fun, but you know, residents do talk about the dangers that that come with that.

So I I feel like this is very balanced, and this just sets rules around something that's brand new.

So I want to thank you for being innovative and for being on top of this issue.

And I think I said please add me as a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Yeah, anyone else?

Yeah.

So, madam president, I appreciate everybody for coming on as a co-sponsor, because um everybody should have some you know boundaries and be careful.

It's the holidays coming, and a lot of my friends are talking about buying the kids these little scooters, and I've been trying to inform them to give them information.

But I do um one last thing, seeking a gentle gent gently use bike helmet donation.

They are having at the urban bike league.

If anybody has a old helmet that's you know you want to give pass on, please feel free to drop them off down to the urban bike um Monday through Friday from they have various hours, so you can go on a cue card and find out.

And that'll be all thank you.

All right, thank you.

Please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

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, 11 years and two absent.

That do we go amend president?

That do we go amend present?

Thank you.

Thank you.

So the next ordinance is going to looks like it's Bracie rather than Harley.

No, Councilman Harlan.

It's hard.

It is Harley.

Oh, that's one.

Yes, right.

Hello.

Okay.

All right.

Councilman Harley.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.

I have an ordinance to present agenda item number zero one to four.

Um and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 25-060, agenda number 0124.

An ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement between the city of Wilmington and Ring Central Inc.

for communications platform.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that it be known as the enacting clause and ordinance and call for the Yay and A vote on the question.

Yes.

I'm in for a communication to transform that basically unifies and brings together to doing video messaging and contact center services.

Also with an option to extend the agreement for a one additional year.

The fiscal impact is basically a total estimated dollar amount of 163,008 and 88 cents for five years with the option for one additional year at the same estimated annual price.

And um in the back of each of the council members package, they will see the exhibit A, which actually has the initial order form attached.

And it also has attachment A there to show and share the services that Link Central will be providing for the city of Wilmington.

Okay.

Any other questions?

All right.

So do we did you have any other uh did you want to close, Councilwoman?

Yes.

Yes.

If there's no no uh comments on the question, yeah.

Okay, all right, clerk.

Please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens, 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, 11 yes and two absent declare adopted.

That's all I have, Adam uh Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um Councilman Owens, yes, on behalf of Councilmember McCoy.

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

Ordinance number 25-068, agenda number 0139, an ordinance to amend chapter 34 of the Wilmington City Code to authorize a voluntary rent escrow program.

Madam Pro Temp, I move that this be known as the enacting clause or in acting clause of the ordinance and call for the yay and they vote.

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

Yes, this is um a ordinance that establishes a rent escrow program.

Um and before I get into it, I just want to give you your kudos for the hard work that you've done with this over the years.

Um, I know it's been about two, three years of you working on this.

Um, and it's been vetoed twice.

Um, and you have not given up.

So thank you for your dedication and your passion for this.

But again, this um establishes a um rent um escrow program here in the city of Wilmington.

It has two different fiscal notes to give flexibility to the administration.

This was a part of the administration's um reasoning of what they wanted to see changed in this.

Um, so I I did want to read that real quick.

So option one um would be implementation of a city administered volunteer rent escrow program, which would cost the city about 206,000.

Um again, that is to create a position at about 74,000.

Um and someone in sales for or uh required software in Salesforce at 75,000 as well, too.

Option two.

Um option two is a third-party contractor, um, which would cost the city about a hundred and four thousand dollars to operate.

Um and again, this would um be able to go out um a hundred thousand dollars for a third party operation fees, um, and about four thousand um two hundred dollars to kind of promote the program.

If there's any questions, sorry.

All right.

Um councilman Johnson.

Uh I would like to be out as a co-sponsor as I uh I think the history of this is really interesting.

I think you should write a book about the history of this.

Uh since I've been on council, it's very few legislators who are as dogged as you.

So I again hats off just to you working with administrations, every administration and on getting this through.

Um, and and definitely I like the flexibility of having the options.

Um and I think this will hopefully spar change in Delaware law, because if you go other jurisdictions, they don't even have to do this through a third party, they can just do it through their own bank.

Um, like Pennsylvania, for instance.

They can do it through their own bank.

I don't know why Delaware requires this, but they do.

So I think this is a good uh way to solve this issue and look forward to promoting this program through throughout the city with you.

Okay.

Councilman Spinola.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

Uh, congrats on your your work on this.

Uh, my original concern when I was the sole no vote uh before the veto, I was concerned that it wasn't aligned with state law that the the type of complaint a tenant could bring to the city to potentially go into the escrow program was undefined, potentially exposing the city to liability and getting involved with um tenant disputes, landlord tenant disputes, and also harming the tenant in the sense that they're not paying rent uh and against state law and still thinking they're doing the right thing but still leading themselves to get evicted.

I was also concerned about the city themselves running this at such a steep fiscal note.

And I was tickled pink when I read the updated version, and both of those concerns were taken into account.

So I am I'm happy to support it tonight uh for my conversation with the administration.

It sounds like you will be going uh the third party route, which makes a lot of sense.

It's a lot cheaper.

I think it'll be done uh way more efficiently than the city could.

Um and also I do want to compliment you as well.

Um, you know, I put out a statement right after I'm sure I wasn't your favorite person uh for a bit, but uh you know, I saw you you had a response at no point did we attack each other's character, did we impugn each other's motives?

We stuck to the issue at hand, uh, and I think we got better policy um for it as well.

And I also commend you for not going through the spectacle of the veto override, which as you know wouldn't have um wouldn't have passed.

Um so again, I commend you for working on this for years, and I think we got a good product here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Field.

Yeah, I want to I was impressed with the process that you followed.

And I think you set an example for other council members of what to do when at first you put something forward and there's opposition or within the council or from the mayor's office rather than have a temper tantrum.

You just kept plugging away and just you know figured out you handled it in a very mature way diplomatically and found a way to make it work for all the the people involved, and you got it over the finish line.

And so let this be an example of for other council members of how to deal with opposition in a mature and sophisticated way.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um councilman Oliver.

No, I like to echo everything my um council members stated tonight, and um especially when you come against opposition and not to be um working with your colleagues and they said you you accepted it and you still work with the administration.

I'd like to give kudos to the administration.

Um you know, you you didn't feed into the negativity where somebody's trying to take your legislation and all that because that's what Fred was talking about tonight.

We work together just because you don't see eye to eye on a piece of legislation, that don't mean you go and take somebody's legislation and start a whole bunch of unnecessary um noise about nothing.

Um so uh appreciate you taking a stand and being mature about the whole situation and say, oh, you know what?

Let's go back to the drawing board and let's try to figure this out.

And for that, I honor you and I appreciate you and I appreciate being your colleague tonight.

Not like always, but I'm proud of you.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Bracey.

I'm just gonna chime in with everybody else, right?

Giving you your flowers.

I don't know how many times we've we talked about this.

Yes.

And you were just like, I'm not giving up.

All of the emotional roller coaster of trying to figure out what to do, what the administration wanted.

But through it all, you you stayed steadfast, and to your credit, like you stayed professional, and you were like, well, let me find out why this got vetoed, and let me really understand.

And you know, you went back to the drawing board with them and said, No, y'all are gonna sit in this room with me, and we're gonna figure this out.

And that's exactly what you did.

And now you have a really good piece of legislation.

And you knew how I felt about the the first one.

So I so, you know, congratulations for for staying the course and actually working, um, putting your head down and quietly working.

And just, you know, let me just block out the noise and go across the hall and find out what we need to do to get this done.

And that's what you did.

So congratulations.

Thank you.

Councilman Harley.

Yes, thank you, madam chair.

I just did all the comments um as it relates to the rest of the council members.

I would like to be added as co-sponsor.

We've had many conversations about this legislation as well.

Um, I um hoping that we um, if at all possible, we can get the third party to manage this process because of course I think it would be a perfect um uh batch with the housing or nonprofit um type organization.

But I also want to say um this uh whole situation definitely was a very good example of how respect, civility, professionalism, and uh working in a compromising fashion, how the community wins, because at the end of the day, it's about getting the legislation over the fence, and that's how the community wins is getting the legislation over the fence.

So I want to say congratulations to you, and I just hope that uh the community once this gets in place that they will take advantage of it.

So again, I would like to be at it as a co-sponsor and congratulations.

That's all I have.

Okay.

Thank you.

Uh Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes, thank you.

Of course, everything that has been mentioned, I will echo uh the same sentiments.

Uh what stood out for me was your constant communication and asking for feedback, and I appreciate being included in the process, as I had mentioned to you from the get-go that you had my support and you found a way to, you know, go meet the administration halfway to what needed to be done.

Again, true example is council member Field mentioned of the process.

The process works if we sit down and rationally look at the pros and the cons and compromise respectfully.

That's what you did through this process, and you didn't give up, you didn't take no for an answer.

Um, and I did support you throughout the whole process, and I thank you for including me.

Um, and congratulations.

Um we'll be voting yes.

Thank you.

President Conga.

Yes, we'll have to be added to the co-sponsoring, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

So um I do have some uh words to add.

I just want to say thank you so much to all of my colleagues who have been part of the process.

Don't think that it was just me.

I came out here stating like this is what I want, and I basically was all in Daniel's face, like this is what I want.

But um, I ended up with a piece of legislation that was maybe not as balanced as I would have liked.

The fact that you guys were patient and y'all still waited to see if it can be better.

I do appreciate you.

I'm like, I'm glad that we finally came together and have actually have something that's really worth getting over the finish line.

I thank so much to the administration for making certain that they still wanted to work with me, that they allowed me to still see my vision and be able to stay what will be, I guess, fair, so that the city would not be harmed in the uh in the product.

So I said, I do thank you.

I said this was definitely a collaboration, and I'm so glad that everybody was um able to uh to uh feel like they they got what they need.

And this is gonna be a tool for the tenants for the city of Wilmington.

The thing is is that um it has not changed.

What it is is that this is just the escrow account.

Rem withholding is still part of the state law, it's just that we wanted to make certain we we gave our the residents of Wilmington another opportunity and those who may.

This is what I used to battle back and forth with uh councilman Bracie on those who may need a little bit more discipline in a space to place their funds.

I wanted to make certain that we offered them that tool.

So I said thank you all.

I didn't know whether or not you got a chance to say about uh co-sponsor, but okay, yes, uh can I be a co-sponsor?

Yes, all right, right as it I wanted to make certain that you got a chance to be on because you always kept on saying I want to make certain I'm a co-sponsor, so all right, Madam President.

I don't remember saying I wanted to be a co-sponsor.

I'm sorry.

All right, thank you.

That'll be awesome.

So that's all that I have to say.

So I thank you.

I thank you all so much.

Um is there any do you have anything else, Councilman Owens?

No, again, thank you for your work on this, and we can call the roll.

Okay, clerk, call for the roll, councilman Owens, 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, 11 yes and two absent.

Declare adopted okay, uh and councilwoman Bracey, do you have some legislation?

Madam Pro Tim, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading ordinance number 25-073, agenda number 0149, and ordinance to amend chapter 40 of the city code regarding parental leave and combined leave.

First second of the order, I'm sorry, first reading of the ordinance, an ordinance to amend chapter 40 of the city code regarding parental leave and combined leave.

Second reading of the ordinance, Madam Pro Tem.

I move that this 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 it be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the finance and economic development committee.

Madam Pro Tim, I have a resolution to present.

Resolution 25-066, agenda number 0150.

Whereas pursuant to section 2-363 of the city code, city council deemed it necessary and proper to specify the requirements for review and approval of city sponsored grant applications.

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

Second.

Um for funds used for the renovations to uh East Lake Park.

Uh so this total will be 190,000.

Um, and like I said, this will be um used for East Lake Park, and there is a local match.

There is a match of 47,500.

Um, but those funds were already budgeted into Parks and Rec's budget, so there's no impact, no additional impact to um our fiscal um standing okay.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Um, the district that this park is in second district, my district is literally right across the street.

Um, so I would like to be added as a co-sponsor on this and just thank Councilwoman Bracey for helping get this across the finish line so that the park can finish its renovations.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes, um, I remember being in this conversation two years ago.

I think it was with um the senator and state rep.

So um I think it was an overdue project project, and I'm glad to see that you know the state was able to um make this happen.

Um, and kudos to councilwoman Bracey for getting it over to finish line.

Anyone else?

Okay, did you have anything else?

No, that's it.

Yes, Councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field, Councilwoman Bracey, yes, Councilwoman Cabrera, yes, Councilman Spadola, yes, President Congo.

Yes, 10 yes and three absent.

Declare adopted.

Madam Chair, can you ask somebody to mute there?

Uh someone uh can we get uh have all of our people in virtual to mute okay next all right uh next is councilman councilwoman Cabrera Yes Madam Pro Tem.

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

Ordinance number 25-070, agenda number 0136, 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 trading as Mullen and Lonargan Associates Inc.

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

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

Uh Madam uh Rotem, uh this is just the housekeeping to extend um to do this for one year contracts extensions for these professional services agreements with this company.

Um so they're really they're they're helping prepare the city's five-year consolidated plan, which includes uh administration of the city CDBG, the home and the ESG, and the Hopwa programs.

Okay, does anyone else have any questions?

Um I have a question.

All right, Councilman Oliver.

Yes.

Is this um did um councilmember Cabra say this was an ongoing contract?

I don't know whether now she can hear you, but yes, it is a five, hold on, it's a four one year extension.

Okay, okay.

Councilwoman Cabrera, did you have did you have any closing remarks?

No, I do not, thank you.

Okay.

Councilman Owens.

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.

11 yes and two absent.

Declare adopted.

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

A resolution, Councilwoman Cabrera.

I'm sorry, I have a resolution to present and call for the third and final reading.

Resolution 25-067, agenda number 0151, whereas pursuant to section 2-363 of the city code, city council deemed it necessary and proper to specify the requirements for review review and approval of city-sponsored grant applications and proposals, including authorization for expedited grant applications when necessary prior to council's approval by resolution.

And whereas the Department of Land Use and Planning submitted a grant application to the Delaware Department of State Division and Historical and Cultural Affairs for a federal fiscal year 2024, city fiscal year 2025, passed through grant from the US Department of the Interior in the amount of $15,7 to support the city's historic preservation planning program, which has been in existence for over 35 years.

And whereas as it has historically, the department intends to use the grant funds.

Go ahead.

Oh, I'm sorry, I missed my script here.

Oh the enacting clause of the resolution and call for a yay-nee vote.

Can I get a second?

Second.

Okay.

All right, it's been properly moved and seconded that the resolution will be received, recorded, and filed and adopted by ANA vote.

Thank you.

Yeah, I have a question.

Okay.

No, I have I'd like to make a statement.

I think this is a great resolution.

You always see money coming in from different organizations, but um I'm honored to see that it's uh grant uh approval for uh the historical city's historical preservation planning program.

Um, because the planning department, you know, used to be on the floor a lot, and it seems like it's been a little lax.

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

This is really good stuff.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Cabrera, did you have any words?

No, I do not.

Okay, Councilman Johnson.

Uh oh, well, I would like to add it as a co-sponsor.

I think this is important as we enter our 250th to look at our history.

Um, that is one thing that uh I don't know why I had this thought this early this year, but I don't know why there's not many historical buildings in Wilmington that date back to the 1700s.

You look at the redevelopment in the city, a lot of our history is gone.

The cobblestone is gone.

There's a lot of um stuff with you know dating back to slavery that is gone.

So I think we should uh continue to invest in this historical planning committee and work with the planning department to preserve what history we do have left.

Thank you.

Anyone else had any remarks?

Exactly.

Same same with me.

Exactly.

All right, so there's no one else.

Have any other remarks?

Clerk, please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

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, 11 yes and two absent declare adopted yes Madam Madam President, I have a resolution to present and call for the third and final reading.

Resolution 25-068, agenda number 0152, whereas pursuant to section 2-363 of the city code, city council deemed it necessary and proper to specify the requirements for review and approval of city sponsored grant applications and proposals, including authorization for expedited grant applications when necessary prior to council's approval by resolution.

And whereas the Department of Land Use and Planning intends to submit a grant application to the Delaware Department of State.

Madam Pro Ten.

I have a resolution.

Um I move the resolution be received, recorded, and filed, and adopted by a yay and nay vote.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that the resolution be received, recorded, and filed, and adopted by a yay and a vote on the question.

So madam um president, this resolution is uh presented by the administration, and it authorizes the Department of Land Use and Planning uh to grant an application to the Delaware Department Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and the amount of $15,707 or other amount that the DHCA awards.

The funds will be used to support the city's historic preservation planning program, which has been in existence for 35 years.

Are there any other councilman owens?

Councilman Owens.

How's this one different?

How's this one different from the last one?

The amount.

The amount.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

It does seem to be duplicated.

Yeah, this is for this goes to the one before that was 2024-2025, and this is for 2025-2026.

Okay.

Okay.

Did you still have a question, Councilman Oliver?

No.

Um, I just wanted to say again, I normally see a lot of um the grants for the police station or you know, other organizations, but just to see if for finally for the city historical preservation is really good.

I like to be at it as a co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Okay.

Did you have any other remarks, Councilwoman Cabrera?

No, I do not.

Okay.

Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Clerk, please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens.

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.

11 yes and two absent.

Declare adopted.

Okay.

Thank you, Councilman Cabrera.

Um, Councilman Spadola, we are holding your piece of legislation.

The one piece, the water legislation, but I have the online access piece.

Okay.

So then please.

Thank you.

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

Ordinance 25-063, agenda number 0128, an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to require all legislative and administrative bodies of the city to provide members of the public a way to participate in public meetings virtually.

Madam President, I move that be known as the enactment clause of the ordinance and call for the Yay Nay vote.

Second.

Okay.

It's been probably moved and seconded that it'd be known as the enacting clause of the ordinance.

And call for Yay Nav on the question.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I have a floor amendment I'm going to introduce in a second.

But this what came about, I just assumed all the city meetings and commissions were being held online, and then there was a ZBA meeting that I know somebody tried to pop online for, and uh there was no online access available.

Um and I I saw that that it was not the first time.

So I think members of the public nowadays have the expectation that they can participate virtually.

And I I believe the administration has been trying to do that as much as possible without this, but I I wanted um to put this on the books uh to mandate online access uh for all commissions, ZBA hearings, uh all the all that stuff um going forward.

Um and I did take into account some understandable feedback from the administration specifically to if the city has a official meeting off site, they might not be able to get it online understandable.

So with that, um I would like to make a motion for a floor amendment at this time.

Okay on page two, section one.

Everybody has this page, I believe.

Madam President Point, I didn't hear the he said motion, but I didn't hear anybody.

I heard him say he was trying to.

Oh no, go ahead.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, so he's basically I thought he was asking for somebody to second something.

I misunderstood.

I'm sorry.

He's gonna go ahead and tell us what his amendment is.

On page two, section one, insert the following uh letter D, all reasonable steps shall be taken to ensure that virtual access is functional and available prior to the start of each meeting.

Technical limitations shall not be used as a routine or avoidable justification for failing to provide virtual access.

In any instance where virtual access is not provided or is interrupted due to technical limitations, the chair or their designee shall notify the city council chief of staff by email within five business days describing one the nature of the technical issue, two, the steps taken to attempt to restore or provide access, and three, whether any corrective actions are planned to prevent recurrence.

Uh letter E.

Virtual access shall not be required when one such access is not reasonably feasible despite reasonable effort due to technical limitations, or two, the meeting is held in a non-city owned facility, including but not limited to schools, libraries, houses of worship, community centers, which lack the capacity to support virtual participation on page two, section two, insert the following letter D, all reasonable steps shall be taken to ensure that virtual access is functional and available prior to the start of each meeting.

Technical limitations shall not be used as a routine or avoidable justification for failing to provide virtual access.

Letter E.

Virtual access shall not be required when one such access is not reasonably feasible despite reasonable effort due to technical limitations, or two, the meeting is held in a non-city owned facility, including but not limited to schools, libraries, houses of worship, or community centers, which lack the capacity to support virtual participation.

Can I get a second?

Second.

Okay.

All right.

So we need to get a vote on the floor amendment.

So move to that debate on the floor amendment.

On the question.

But limit it to only off-site.

I mean, what does this really do?

Because for instance, the problem is like the land bank, for instance, organization, it does not do virtual.

And now this won't address that.

Um so uh you know, not saying I'm against it, I just don't I believe it it kind of waters it down.

Um the intent of it, but you know, that's up to the sponsor.

I'm not saying I'm not supportive of it, but it's just more like what are we really getting at?

If it was a problem with the ZBA, I feel like it could have been addressed with the ZBA.

The real problem is the land bank, the entity that we know we can't participate in publicly with um virtual.

Thank you, madam president.

I like to um echo that was you know, that's what my thoughts was, you know.

So, you know, you know it's not really clear to me myself either.

I just thought it was a hiccup that day with the ZBA because I'm always able to get on there and you know, sometime things happen.

But you know, if this should be in place for that, we should have the land bank on here also because they don't even I've never heard nobody be mentioned that they don't even do virtual, and then we're trying to put something in to say is mandatory for the city of Wilmington, and that's never came up.

Um, and the land bank's been on this um on this floor and in this body for I don't know how long, but we didn't include that in there.

So why are we you know just you know singling out the city of Wilmington ZBA?

So I mean, I was you know, I'm glad you mentioned that, um, Councilman Um Johnson.

So for that reason, I won't be voting for this because why would we do it for one and not do it for everybody?

It's not fair.

Councilman Bracey.

So um I just have two things.

First, the land bank isn't a city department.

This is for all city departments, if I'm understanding this correct uh sponsor, I'm not sure how the land bank would fit, right?

Because they're not a city department.

Yeah, my intent was for the ZBA to bring us closer to being more transparent.

I'd be happy to work on an additional piece of legislation with anybody for the land bank, but it's like we can't get everything we want, so we don't we don't want to improve transparency.

I I think that's misguided, Councilmember Oliver.

Yeah, so so the only reason I ask that is because I can give one example.

Uh Councilman Owens and I served on the homelessness task force, and those meetings weren't all held here.

What's because we started here and the feedback from the community was that you're having the meetings in the sterile city council council office instead of being out in the community.

One the reason we were having them here is because that gave everyone virtual access.

Once we started going out into the community, the ministry hearing and other places, um, there was the virtual access was lost.

So I can see how sometimes there's an you know, and and we even one of the administration's um staffers even tried to do like a zoom on her laptop, which sort of worked, but not really.

So I could see where in some instances when we're outside of this building, there is no there is no no Zoom access, or you know, but so I just wanted to use that as an example of when it could happen.

Um, because it did happen for us a couple of times.

I get it.

Thanks.

Okay.

Does anyone else have any remarks?

Okay, Councilman Harley, did you still need to make a remark?

No, thank you, um, madam chair.

Okay.

So actually, um, I do have a question.

Um, because this was uh it was a lot.

Just wanted to make certain that I understand.

So now this is basically are we talking about every board or commission or committee here within the city or just departments?

And the reason why I I do understand why they try to make certain that make certain that there was some type of um, you know, differentiation, whatever between the two is because you say we can't always be outside.

There's some times where we've actually had meetings in spaces where we have to make certain that we do a seven-day uh notice, it has to be agenda, but there's no camera anywhere around.

I'm like, but we still have to make certain that there's ability for the public to join us, but that doesn't mean that we're always gonna have a camera nearby.

So I just wanted to wanted just to find out whether or not is uh is this just if we are having anything that's here with inside the building?

Is that it?

That was basically my intent.

Okay, so if anything that's actually here, we have a meeting here within the building, they want to make certain that they have access to a uh virtual portion of it.

Okay, correct.

All right, so if there's nothing else, I'm like, we are basically voting on the floor amendment.

So oh, did you have getting ready to vote?

Ah, you took in some air.

I was like, uh, so I need to know.

Um, can we get a am I just doing the floor vote?

Okay.

Voice vote.

Okay.

Voice vote.

Okay, so I just need to know all those in favor for the floor amendment.

All right.

Okay.

Any opposed.

Okay.

All right.

So now we can get back to so the four amendment is passed, has been adopted, and now we can get back to the actual ordinance.

Thank you, madam chair.

So yes, with this, basically there's a spectrum of accessibility that we provide the public.

Right now we're here.

If the goal is here, this legislation moves us slightly this way.

It might not be perfect, it might not include every non-city entity that you want, but it still gets us closer to being a more inclusive uh public body.

So with that, I ask for your support.

Thank you.

And I'm happy to work on uh expanding it uh even more so afterwards, madam president okay, madam um councilman Oliver.

Yeah, may I ask the sponsor a question?

Okay, are we on the questions?

Did we go to the question for the ordinary?

Yeah, okay, yes.

Um councilman Spadola, are you presenting this as a Democrat or Republican?

I'd like to get this on the record.

What?

I said, are you presenting this as a Democrat or Republican?

I never heard you say it publicly.

So Democrat.

You're a Democrat, you present this as a Democrat.

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Are there any other questions?

All right, Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Um I do have a quick question.

So throughout this, it says participate virtually.

Is this in regards to public comment, or are you asking for all these meetings to be screened through WITN on channel 22?

Good page.

No, WITN is not a component of this.

But it is specifically to allow for public comment.

Yeah.

For Zoom.

Okay.

Yes.

Okay.

Do we have an all right, Councilman Johnson?

That is a great question, actually, by Councilman Owens, because uh I think we'd still look at the implementation.

We we can pass this, but uh I think ideally this would be WITN as they produce all of our city streaming, but that's gonna have a fiscal impact on WITN.

And you know, we know that's a moving target with WITN.

So I think we should look at how this gets implemented.

Um I think the issue with Zoom is even how do we implement we have to have production because to have that question answered, there needs to be a producer on the other end.

Like you can't just sit with a laptop.

So this does beg in a question if we pass this.

Really, we there should be another fiscal amendment when we do this budget to increase WITN's budget.

So again, that's just the throwing out there, but we gotta have that with this so it can be produced the right way.

Okay, are there any other questions?

Any other remarks?

Okay, councilman Harley.

Yes, thank you, madam chair.

I just want to be clear on um the genesis of this this uh legislation.

Is it because of the one time there was a well uh there was an access to Zoom when our uh former um solicitor left who for my understanding in committee, they basically explained that there was a hiccup and it has been addressed.

So I thought that was the main reason why it the the resident wasn't able to access Zoom, but this discussion is sounding like it's above and beyond that, and I'm just trying to make sure that I'm clear on what's happening.

Uh what we're talking about.

I mean, it just sounds like it's going way beyond that one incident.

So I guess my question is to the sponsor.

One is this just to uh address that one hiccup, yes, and or that and beyond passing this legislation will prevent ideally prevent any hiccups in the uh in the future.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Uh so I actually had one um remark.

This is basically what uh councilman Johnson just stated about a um, you know, having some type of fiscal impact looking at WITN.

If it's happening here within the chambers, I would imagine that it'll be WITM, but I do know from experience, the ZBA meeting was basically run where someone had a laptop on this desk and they were trying to run the meeting and facilitate the meeting, also while on Zoom, basically.

That's what that was.

So if it but if you're actually here within chambers, chambers should be able to, you know, um, we should be able to find out whether or not that has any type of uh fiscal impact if there's gonna cost anything else more just to be able to have what do we have two ZBA meetings a month?

Like that's a yeah, so I didn't know whether or not I don't have a uh I don't have any uh issue with wanting to make certain we have transparency and then also making certain that we are able to provide virtual when it is possible.

But anything that's actually happened in this building within this chambers or the committee, if we probably should have to be, we should be making certain that WITN is informed.

Yes.

I I want to add second round of comment for this.

Okay.

So I just wanna say I believe that WITN should be informed, and that's something that should we may need to look at.

Councilman Johnson.

That is my uh that is my concern, and I'm not the finance chair, but it is I think we have to look at that because I don't like to put burden on people and not include the resources.

If we're gonna ask WIT10 to do more work in the building, there should be a fiscal note attached to it.

Um so I would plead to the sponsor we need to look at that and um consider do we up there uh you know their budget uh or do we have some contingent budget um because we don't want an unfunded mandate?

Yes, to be clear, we're not asking WITN to do this.

Okay, I agree though.

I think best practices there would be a serious fiscal note though if WITN was streaming all city commissions, all different boards and whatnot, but that is not related to this.

And if I might if I may ask, then how would we be doing the virtual if it is not through our station?

It will be as unpretty as you mentioned earlier, somebody up there with a laptop or a phone.

Okay, but at least this gives the public the opportunity to comment.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

All right, so there's no other questions.

Is there another question?

Okay.

All right.

So are we ready for to call for the role?

Yes.

All right, Clerk, please call for the role.

Councilman Owens.

No.

No.

Councilwoman Oliver?

No.

Councilwoman Harley.

Present.

Councilwoman Willower?

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

No.

Councilman Field?

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Yes.

Councilman Spadola?

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

Seven yes, one present, and three nays and two absent.

Okay.

Declare adopted.

Okay.

All right.

That's Madam President.

That is could I get that vote again?

I'm sorry.

I'm saying I didn't hear the vote because I thought members present.

How many members are present?

It's an ordinance.

I know that's what I'm asking.

The question seven yes.

Okay.

Three nays, one present and two absent.

As long as he has the seven.

Yeah, I just would I I just was asking a question because I know it's how many present, even if it's seven, I'm just fine now.

I hope I hope I can ask a question.

Okay.

Thank you.

Madam President.

Request to be excused.

Yeah, she may be excused.

Thank you.

So that actually finishes our um.

I finished our legislation.

We can move to our petition communications.

I actually had someone who also asked to be excused.

Councilwoman Harley, you may be excused as well.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

All right.

So councilman.

Yeah, the uh petition communication.

Hold up, where am I at?

Okay, so petition communications.

Councilman Owens.

Nothing tonight, Madam President.

Okay.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Yes.

Um Madam President, I would like to thank um all city council members who um participated in the Turkey Drive.

Um, I received a lot of calls, a lot of seniors were happy, a lot of community members, people throughout the city of Wilmington.

Um so it was really good this year for, you know, a lot of people did different things, but long story short, as long as we fed some of the individuals who really was in need.

I thought it was um, I thought it was a good thing.

Um hopefully next year we could do things a little differently, but long story short, the seniors were happy.

Everybody's talking good things about the turkey drive.

So I thought it really went um well.

Um next, I would like to um thank um uh Ian L barbecue and this barbecue for contributing dinners to um Hare Manor.

I'd like to thank everybody who you know did their part helping all the high risers, period.

Next, I'd like to thank um uh East Side Civic Association for um putting baskets together and working um with um the neighborhood house um CDC, giving out baskets throughout um the east side and um South Bridge.

So this year just felt like it was a collaboration, one way or another, different sides of towns, people was doing a lot of things, but the momentum was there, everybody was happy.

Um and I'd like to thank um Urban Bike League, um Laura for really stepping up helping with the legislation.

I'd like to like thank Kendra and our fellow who really put a lot of time in to this, and Chris Madden, who will be missed um for helping out with um the um e-bike legislation, and it was something else, but I didn't write it down.

Um right now, and that would be it.

And may I be excused, madam president?

Yes, you may be excused.

Okay, good.

Okay, Councilwoman Willower.

Excuse me.

Um thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

I just wanted to invite everybody to the Hicks 2025 holiday brunch, which is taking place on December 20th from 11 to 2 p.m.

at the Wilmington Hicks Anderson Community Center.

It's uh sponsored by the Department of Parks and Rec.

And um, it's just gonna be a really fun event for families with free toy giveaway, family activities, make your own ornaments, blanket giveaway.

Everybody's welcome.

That's all I have, Madam Pro Tem.

Okay.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Johnson.

I have no banners tonight.

Councilman Phil?

Nothing tonight, Madam President.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Nothing tonight.

Council uh she's still on Councilwoman Cabrera.

Nothing this evening.

Okay.

All right.

Well, before I get to you, uh, President Congo, I would just like to say um thank you.

Uh for thank you to Councilman Owens for uh inviting me to be to take part of the Turkey.

What was it?

We did something for the firefighters.

So that was great.

And station six, where I was able to go back to the firefighters and and visit that group.

And um, I hadn't seen them in a little bit and be able to give them a uh Thanksgiving.

Also, I'd like to thank uh Vanity Constance, uh a friend of mine who actually invited me to uh serve dinners and put together dinners for and to be able to hand them out to those within the community.

So Thanksgiving actually it uh was a lot going on that day.

So I do thank all those who thought of me and said, you know what, Yolanda needs to help.

So I do thank them for uh for allowing me to do so.

Um I think that may be all.

Um, also I would like to thank Francisco Iacono who and um Bishop uh Doris Redding.

So we have a project that is happening.

Our MPC is actually doing a project within the sixth district.

And the beginning of that project, it is the uh children's garden, the uh Nikki D'Angelo Children's Garden, and the first step to that project was a mural.

So the mural's been completed.

I thank the artists, Francisco Iacono, and so now that the mural is completed, we can begin with the redesign.

So I just want to thank the uh Sixth District MBC, the president is Bishop Doris Redding.

And this is like this is what she does.

I'm so glad that she's in within our neighborhood and her and her board are putting together great projects to try to beautify the sixth district.

So I say thank you.

All right, and President Congo.

Yes, thank you.

Uh I want to thank you first of all for presiding over tonight's meeting, did a great job.

Um that's really it.

Just want to encourage everybody to keep coming to our council meetings and participating virtually or live in council chambers.

And if any of us can help you in any way, please call us at 302 576 2140.

37302576 2140.

All right, thank you, everyone.

Thank you.

Okay, and then uh can I accept the motion to adjourn?

Second.

All right, it's been properly moved and seconded to adjourn.

All those in favor uh signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Motion carry.

Have a great evening, everyone.