Wilmington City Council Meeting - December 11, 2025

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:32 p.m. with President Trippi Congo presiding. The meeting included recognition resolutions, public comments, and legislative action on several items. Key topics included the proposed closure of the Plumber Community Correction Center, property tax relief for long-term homeowners, paid parental leave, and improvements to the city's 311 system. All legislative items were approved, with a unanimous vote of 9-0-4 on each.

Consent Calendar

• Reading and approval of minutes from December 4, 2025, were accepted as written.
• Committee report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee regarding Ordinance 25-073 (parental leave) was received, recorded, and filed.
• City Treasurer's report was presented and accepted: total investments $534,800,665.48, cash on hand $14,405,144.86, grand total $549,205,810.34.
• Non-legislative business was accepted in a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deacon Earl Tate urged the council to install speed bumps and increase crossing guards after a child was struck by a vehicle while walking to school.
• Roberta (resident of 715 North Monroe Street) reported multiple overdoses on her property and near a church, and called for more effective action on homelessness and open drug use.
• State Senator Ray Siegfried expressed strong support for keeping the Plumber Community Correction Center in Wilmington, arguing that closing it would harm re-entry and cost the state more in the long run. He committed to introducing legislation if needed.
• Dutch Hopkins (Delaware Department of Correction employee, 18 years at Plumber) argued that the facility is not a single old building but a campus of buildings built in the 1980s, and that relocating inmates to Sussex County would disrupt jobs and support systems.
• Holland Ralston Jr. (former Plumber inmate) shared his positive experience and called the center a cornerstone of the community, warning that transportation to Sussex would be impractical.
• Dr. Deborah Mason (oversees community public safety initiative) argued that closing Plumber would increase recidivism and public safety risk, citing research on trauma-induced recidivism.
• Tony Dunn (2500 Civic Association, former level-four inmate) demanded the center remain open, stated that the closure decision was made without community input, and urged council to fight for it.
• Carmen Silva (long-term homeowner in 5th district) urged immediate implementation of the homeowner tax abatement program and also supported keeping the Plumber Center open, noting her nephew is incarcerated and would be affected.
• A final speaker offered a prayer and encouraged council to lead well.

Recognition Resolutions

• Council Interns (Fall 2025) – Recognized interns Corey Gordon, Nadia Komotho, Olivia Moncrieve, and Ashley Woods for their service. Interns spoke about their experiences.
• T. Warren (BVD Barbers Salon) – Recognized for organizing volunteers to distribute 2,500 turkeys before Thanksgiving and for ongoing community work with youth.
• Ebony and Jet Magazines – Recognized the 80th anniversary of Ebony and 74th of Jet. Former Council President Hanifa Shabazz spoke on the importance of preserving black history.
• Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Recognized the 60th anniversary. Former Mayor James Baker, former Council President Harman Carey, and others spoke about the ongoing fight for civil rights and the need to preserve African American history.

Discussion Items

• Plumber Community Correction Center (Resolution 25-069) – Councilmember Darby presented a resolution urging Governor Matt Meyer to pause the planned March 2026 closure. She criticized the lack of community engagement and argued that relocating inmates to Sussex County would harm re-entry. Many council members co-sponsored and spoke in favor, citing stories of successful reintegration and the role of the facility in the community. A floor amendment was not needed; the resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Property Tax Abatement for Long-Term Homeowners (Resolution 25-070) – Councilmember Willower presented a resolution urging the city to implement a program (passed in a prior ordinance) that freezes taxes for low- and moderate-income homeowners who received a 50% or more increase after reassessment. Several council members noted that the program should have been implemented already and pressed for immediate action. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Paid Parental Leave (Ordinance 25-073) – Councilmember Bracey presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 40 of the city code to comply with the Healthy Delaware Families Act, increasing paid parental leave from 20 days to 12 weeks for eligible employees, adding six to eight weeks of birthing parent medical leave, and clarifying holidays. A floor amendment by Councilmember Oliver removed provisions that would have reduced combined leave caps. The amended ordinance passed unanimously.
• Gender Identity as a Protected Class (Ordinance 25-074) – Councilmember Oliver introduced an ordinance to add gender identity to the city code's protected classes. It passed first and second reading and was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
• 311 System Improvements (Resolution 25-071) – Councilmember Spadola presented a resolution calling for improvements to the city's 311 system, including better status updates, callback options, and a mobile app. The resolution included a 60-day reporting requirement. It passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-069 (Plumber Center closure) – Adopted 9-0-4 (9 yes, 4 absent). Urges Governor Matt Meyer to pause closure and engage the community.
• Resolution 25-070 (Homeowner tax abatement) – Adopted 9-0-4. Calls on city administration to implement the program immediately.
• Ordinance 25-073 (Paid parental leave) – Adopted 9-0-4 after a floor amendment. Expands parental leave to 12 weeks and adds birthing parent medical leave.
• Ordinance 25-074 (Gender identity protection) – Given first and second reading; referred to Finance and Economic Development Committee.
• Resolution 25-071 (311 system improvements) – Adopted 9-0-4. Directs administration to work with vendor and report back within 60 days.
• Recognition resolutions – All four were adopted by acclamation.
• Sympathy resolutions – Read for Cornelia Madri, Reverend James Thomas Kirk Jr., Theola Smith Moore, Catherine Butler, and Patrick Francis Little.