The meeting will please come to order.

Good evening, everyone.

Today is Thursday, January the fifteenth.

We would like to thank you for joining us this evening.

Those of you who are in chambers, and also those of you who are virtual.

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

Councilman Owens.

President.

Councilwoman Darby.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Present.

Councilwoman Harley.

President.

Councilwoman Willower.

President.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Councilman Johnson.

Here.

Councilman Field.

Present.

Councilwoman Bracie.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Present.

Councilman Hackett.

Councilman Spadola.

President Congo.

Here.

Ten yeah ten present and three absent.

I thank you.

Councilmember Darby did ask to be excused.

And Spadola.

And Spadola.

Thank you.

All of Councilwoman Darby's legislation is going to be held on tonight by at her request.

This time we will have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

President Ernest M.

Congo the second presiding.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded the minutes to be accepted as written on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

I'd like to recognize Councilmember Bracey.

This time we'll have our committee report.

January 5th, 2026.

President, members of Council.

Ladies and gentlemen, we your finance and economic development committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-074 entitled An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 35 of the City Code to Include Gender Identity as a protected class.

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 Bracey, Councilman Oliver, Councilman Spadola, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilwoman Darby, and Councilman Hackett.

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

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

Our city treasure's report, please.

January 15, 2026.

Total investments 579 million seven hundred and ten thousand six hundred and thirty-five dollars and fourteen cents.

Total cash on hand, sixteen million four hundred and forty-seven thousand three hundred and nine dollars and fifty-five cents.

Grant total five hundred and ninety-six million one hundred and fifty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty-four dollars and sixty-nine cents.

Submitted City Treasurer Dwayne Sims.

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

Second.

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

I'll accept the motion to move to accept all non-legislative business.

So move.

So moved.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded to accept all non-legislative business on the question.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

There is a Google form sign-up link in the chat for anyone who'd like to give public comment.

If anyone is in Council Chamber and you haven't signed up for public comment, you still have a few minutes to do so.

Are there any recognition resolutions?

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I'd like to call Mr.

Evans up.

Um, Harman Carey, Jim Baker, and the two in the back.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, I have another one.

Another recognition.

I know I see y'all looking at me.

Here she goes.

Okay.

Sponsored by Councilwoman Xantha Oliver, and whereas it's the Census City Council to honor individuals on occasions and significant milestones that demonstrate outstanding achievement and deserving the recognition and acknowledgement.

This sentimental anniversary of Lewis L.

Redding entering Harvard Law School merits such distinction.

Whereas Lewis Redding was sent, Lewis Redding spent his childhood in Wilmington on the East Side neighborhood, graduating from the historical Howard High School in 1919.

In 1925, he began his legal education at Harvard Law School, embarking on a path that will ultimately ultimately transfer the legal land landscape of Delaware and advance the cause of justice and equity for generations.

And whereas Mr.

Reddit was the only African American in 1928, 1928's graduating class, one year later he was to become the first African American attorney who gained admission to Delaware to the Delaware Bar.

And whereas throughout his 57 years' career, Lewis L.

Redding courageously courageously challenged the racial segregation and discrimination.

He is best known for his roles.

Preserving an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, equity, protection, and human dignity.

Now there be resolved by the city council.

The council pleased to honor the legacy of Lewis L.

Redding.

And we have some individuals here who Mr.

Evans worked with me, Harmon Carey, Norman Persley, and Jim Baker.

So I'm gonna let Mr.

Evans say a few words.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Good evening.

I had the distinct opportunity to work with um uh Mr.

Ev uh Mr.

Redding uh having um made that remarkable journey to uh be admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1973.

Um as reflected um uh Mr.

Redding was admitted to the bar in 1929, um generating an action and actual revolution uh in terms of the practice of law.

Um he served for some 25 years um as the only black uh um uh practitioner until uh we began to see some admission uh into the uh practice uh coming uh then in uh 1954 with Judge Clark.

Um and then we saw uh Mr.

Nicks uh in 1956, and then Judge Williams uh in 1959.

Um prior to that time um uh coming into the bar, there was no admission um of persons of color from 1959 until 1973.

Um and at that time um I was admitted, and so was Jim Gilliam, uh, who was admitted to practice.

Uh we um had great success uh then uh in 1975, uh, where there were three admissions.

So when I became a member of the bar, there were only three uh practitioners uh in the state of Delaware who were persons of color, uh Mr.

Nix, uh Judge Williams, um, and of course, uh Mr.

Redding.

And it was through uh his work um actually in terms of the Parker case that um allowed and the admission of Judge Williams into the University of Delaware.

Uh the Parker case was decided in 1950, um, and Judge Williams then was uh along with other persons of color um uh able uh then to matriculate at the University of Delaware.

Uh we're aware of those significant cases um here in Delaware, um the uh segregation case uh that uh Mr.

Redding brought in terms of the Claymont High School as well as the Hulkatson um high school.

Um both of these cases went up to the Supreme Court uh in 1954 where because of a change in the court, uh Chief Justice Earl Warren, um, then we saw uh that the court found that uh the decision in Plessy versus um Ferguson was uh a set of circumstances uh that could no longer stand uh with the Brown v.

Board of Education.

What did I find uh in terms of this practitioner?

Uh even in as late as 1973, um, very polished, uh very sharp, um, and who took all of his work um uh to a great degree degree of seriousness.

Um I had the um opportunity to practice um uh in opposition uh to Mr.

Redding um in a family court case, um, and he showed that great skill, polish, and diplomacy that convinced the uh judge uh that uh his party uh should be the prevailing one in that particular case.

I also had the opportunity to preside over a case or two.

I was appointed as a master uh in the family court um and uh Mr.

Redding uh entered that court um with um his client in a particular case and his uh continual art of persuasion uh was uh very uh effective.

Uh I had the um pleasure um in terms of his uh retirement um to acquire uh his case books.

Um I submit to you that there are those little bookmarkers that are made, all of his case books had a stamp um on it that reflected um his uh name and address.

But in the um in one of these particular cases, I was trying uh defending a uh robbery case by jury trial.

Um and in this particular case, there was a uh book uh marked with a little slip of paper that was on point in my particular case.

Uh this was a uh three-day case that went to uh trial um and at the conclusion, of course, the uh jury found um that my client was not guilty uh of the crime of uh burglary, uh a young 17-year-old male uh because he was wearing a white skull cap that one of the witnesses identified or at least testified that one of these persons uh who was engaged in this robbery um had a white skull cap.

Um that uh that was a significant victory, no doubt, uh for the uh for the client.

Um but all along uh in his journey um we stand on the shoulders of this practitioner who opened numerous doors and continue to do so even uh during the course of his um retirement.

We uh consulted uh with Mr.

Redding uh as we formed the uh barristers, um the Delaware Barristers Association, uh which is made up in terms of um lawyers who look at the unique issues involving black uh practitioners, and of course, uh this matter that we would consider and hold very um closely at least that there would be uh justice um for all persons that come before the court, uh particularly dealing with the issues that uh we have found to be uh uniquely a problem for us, uh such as um getting a a jury um uh that we would need in cases uh that would be unbiased and able to um make decisions based upon uh what the evidence is and what the law.

Uh if I might just say one other uh point in terms of where we are today.

One is uh involving um education that he was uh so significantly uh involved in.

Uh one of the um uh reasons that I held fast to serving on the Christina board for some 37 uh and a half years.

Um his um his interests in terms of the opportunity uh to advance, we would find, of course, um in education.

Um and the other one, of course, uh was that of uh getting a fair trial.

Um within the last year, um, I would think that uh Mr.

Redding would form an opinion that we have so far fallen on what we would anticipate uh as being the uh progress of justice uh in this country.

Uh we're looking at circumstances where the federal government is reinstituting uh policies somewhat like the Japanese during the course of World War II in terms of concentration camps and the other piece, of course, um racial profiling um and attacking people based upon their their heritage, based upon uh who they are, um, and that we have sort of lost our way, and we need to address that and stay vigorous in terms of addressing those issues.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Harman Carey, and I promised uh Xanthia would take no more than three minutes.

And I know that if I go long, it she'll snatch me off.

So I want to mention two things to you.

Um our organization, the Afro-American Historical Society, initiated an effort for Lewis Redding and Jay Sunt and uh who's the judge from the street?

No, the judge that worked with them.

The judge who worked with you.

No, no, the court, the judge.

That I work with that was Lenny Reims.

No.

It will come to me, friends.

I felt that they deserved this country's highest honor, the presidential medal of freedom.

J.

Collins Sites, okay.

He was not selected for that award, posthumously.

He was selected for the United States City Citizens Award, which is the second highest honor.

Now I continue to feel he deserved the top honor.

And uh with every breath in me, I'm gonna work toward when when we get Trump out of office to try to get him that presidential medal of freedom, and I hope the council will support that.

I wanted to tell you a little story, and it will only take the other two minutes.

When the built this building was named after Mr.

Redding, you might like this.

He um Hicks Anderson was heading up a group and trying to get put some pressure on counsel to name the building after Mr.

Ridding.

I attended one of the meetings, and they decided that they were going to come in to the next meeting and make that recommendation.

I asked a very simple question.

Have you consulted with Mr.

Redding?

Does he know it?

And they said, No.

I said, I really think you should contact him before you submit his name.

They designated me to talk to Mr.

Redding.

I'll never forget the conversation, Harman.

What is it that they want to do?

And I said they want to name the City County building after you.

Well, Harman, uh, do you think there will be any controversy about it?

Because you know I don't stomach, can't deal with controversy.

And I said, no, Mr.

Redding, I don't think there'll be any controversy about it.

And I'm taking you at your word, Harmon.

And um I will give you permission to tell the group that they can go ahead.

Well, they went ahead, and now this is the Lord L.

Redding building.

Thank you.

In the way of sympathy resolutions from Council Woman Harley, a sympathy resolution for David Nocho from Council Woman Oliver, sympathy resolutions for Harvey and Turner Jr.

and Mary E.

Jones and from Councilman Spadola, a sympathy resolution for Carl Leon Lenarducci.

At this time we're going to go to public comment.

I just says a friendly reminder, you do have three minutes to give your comment.

Once you have 30 seconds remaining, I will give you a friendly reminder to please wrap up your comment.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

If you like, you can state what district you are representing, but you don't you do not have to.

We do have public comment from the people who are here in chambers and a couple of people who are on Zoom.

So we we are going to alternate.

Starting in Council Chambers, we have Deacon Earl E.

Tate.

Thank you for joining us.

Readings.

Now it has been, it has been said that uh said that uh the homeless people in in some in some states, they they had uh they had they have got they have got trailers, trailers out, uh, and and and got and got a piece of land that to put it in, to put it in, and and and and and they fix it up like a studio, like a studio for home for for the homeless.

So the homeless wouldn't be out on the streets in the parks under the bridge.

They're there now.

They're there now.

And that's what that's what I suggest for us to do.

The Congress, the Senate, the representatives, the council people, get get a piece of land, get a piece of land, and and and get uh get uh get some of these empty trailers and put them put them down in the land and and fix them up, fix them up and had the homeless, had the homeless to move in there.

So to keep our parks, keep our parks in uh looking looking nice and neat, but also but but all but also that that's just one of the things, one of the things that we can do.

The other thing, the other thing is it's still it's still on getting still and getting speed bumps in in certain areas, in certain areas to slow down this traffic because this traffic is driving it's drive driving mad, driving crazy, and and if we don't slow them down, that it's gonna be there's gonna be more people not not only in the hospital, but but in the graves, but in the graves that that shouldn't be there.

So it's up to us to stand up for the rights of this of the people of the city of Wilmington and do and do what's right because we we gotta look out for our future, and our future is now and also and and uh and also it's time now for us to stand up, take a stand, and and get the uh get the knitwit out of out of the White House.

Yeah, 30 seconds because because if we don't, because if we don't, he's gonna he's gonna he's gonna ruin ruin what what what we have here in America.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we will go to our virtual speakers.

Uh first we have Roberta Tapman.

Um Roberta Tapman, please unmute yourself.

Hello, everyone.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Thank you for joining us.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Roberta Tapman and I represent the Fifth District.

Um the last meeting we have, I really didn't get to touch on the topic because of the time we're allowed, but I want to go into this real quick because I have been doing some research.

But um the law in Delaware prohibits, and I'm talking about the open use of drugs.

The law in Delaware prohibits um the use of drugs in public is covered under Title 11, Chapter 5, 1315 of the Delaware Code for public intoxication and title.

The public consumption of controlled substances, including marijuana, and that's getting ready to change, possibly, specifically the law regarding general public intoxication for marijuana products.

Public use is currently a criminal offense, currently under um Delaware chapter 4764, classified as an unclassified misdemeanor and can result in a fine imprisonment or both, and that may be changing.

Public intoxication, um a person is guilty of public intoxication if they appear in public places under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other non-prescribed drugs to a degree that they may endanger themselves or others or annoy persons in the vicinity, which happens where out of that quite often.

Public consumption of marijuana normally or intentionally using a personal use quantity or marijuana in an area accessible to the public in a moving vehicle or a criminal is a criminal offense.

Now I'm gonna skip down some.

However, as of late 25, 2026, and you are now the legislation House Bill 252 has been introduced to reclassify the public use, the personal use of marijuana, and I pray that doesn't happen.

Now I'm gonna go jump jump over a lot.

Um I see this all the time, shooting up.

I can't needles in our stomach.

I've had to call 911 several times.

I remember years ago, we were getting ready for church, and and my daughter's best friend was here, and she came in the front.

She said, Mom, and this was when my neighbors who used to live downstairs were getting using marijuana.

I got a contact, and I said, Me too, and that's why I'm going downstairs.

I actually had to have a drug test some years ago for it for a job, and they felt marijuana in my system, and I don't smoke it.

And I told them it clicked me immediately.

God reminded me what was going on.

You have 30 seconds.

Drug use, I just want people to tolerate this in their neighborhoods.

They wouldn't, it wouldn't happen.

It wouldn't be going on, and it's very hurtful, and I feel like we don't matter because they don't do anything about it.

But it's a fact, it wouldn't go on in certain neighborhoods where some of you did that.

It just would not happen.

And it's very hurtful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next in Council Chambers, we have Rob Volock.

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

Yes, hello.

My name is Rob Bullock, and uh, I'd like to wish everybody happy New Year's and hopefully a prosperous um New Year's and good luck with your ordinance and so forth.

But um, I was thinking about you know Martin Luther King Day coming up on Monday.

And actually, this is this birthday is really the day, isn't it?

I believe.

And um, so they have the Martin Luther King Day of Service.

And I thought about I thought it was just Martin Luther King Day when it first started, you know.

Now it became a Martin Martin Luther King Day of Service.

So you know, some of y'all have an event, you know, around around the um Martin Luther King Day, but I was thinking that this Martin Luther King Day soon will have to incorporate organization for our children and anybody, but specifically African Americans.

You know, not only do you have to have a day of service, but you have to have a day of organization.

Martin Luther King was organized, he will help organize us uh FCLC.

And um and the churches have to organize and come together because uh what the what was going on in in Minnesota could very well happen here, and I think it is on the Trump's radar.

And um, excuse me for this.

But um you have to remain they don't have um uh that's a good one.

We have to remain peaceful and protest.

This is what the mayor in Minnesota is saying that you have to we have to teach our children in this Martin Luther King Day that uh we have to remain peaceful when we protest.

I mean uh because we don't want Trump to turn this into a martial law and start going door to door locking us all up, just busting into people's houses and snatching you out of there.

We're gonna have to take it up another notch.

As far as education, uh, I believe our children hasn't made a connection with the past, therefore, they won't know what the fuss is all about.

Because they're having I am a product of the civil rights movement when they passed the 13, 14th, and 15th amendment.

And Trump is trying, and is in his uh administration is trying to roll it back, remove history from schools and stuff.

Yeah, 30 seconds.

We have to I hope that y'all can come up with some ordinance ordinances that will protect us and protect teaching our children about our history, because it's been a big gap in between, you know, the uh the civil rights movement and the benefits that they have.

They think it's just the benefits they have is just what it is, but no, people have died and suffered and bled so that I can have what I have today.

So I remember the sayings to be forewarned is to be for armed.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, virtually we have Tena Shia Brown.

Okay, thank you.

Antenna Shea Brown.

If you are still with us virtually, please raise your hand.

All right, well, okay, thank you.

We'll go to Danielle Covington.

Danielle Coving Team, if you're still with us virtually, please raise your hand.

Hello.

Yes, thank you for joining us.

Please remember.

Hi, good evening, Council President, uh, members of the council, and all who are in chambers tonight.

My name is Danielle Covington, uh, Wilmington resident and first district, civic president and former Womanson City Council at large candidate and the 2024 primary for the Democratic Party.

Uh tonight I am seeking clarification on the city charter that requires uh for my understanding, no more than three of the four at large council seats to go to one political party.

And now that the council member who held the minority seat recently changed uh party affiliation, all four members now belong to the same Democratic Party.

And I would like to know how the city council interprets the situation, um, and what the plans are regarding any unwritten rules superseding the written guidelines of the charter and how you plan to satisfy the integrity of those who ran a clean race.

In addition, uh if this is treated as an additional or fourth democratic seat, I would like clarification on whether candidates who received votes in that category, such as myself, uh who received the fourth highest number of votes for that democratic seats, uh, will be be considered.

That's all.

Thank you all for listening.

I appreciate your time.

Okay, thank you.

Next in council chambers, we have Dora Williams.

And thank you for joining us.

And please remember to introduce yourself.

Good evening, my name is Dora Williams, and I have I live in Rose Hill Gardens long route nine.

I've been there for about 50 years.

But when I came to Wilmington, I first lived on Seventh and Church.

And I don't know how that escaped me all this time, but that's where my that's where I began here in Wilmington.

So I wanted to say I I just couldn't let the season go by without saying um happy new year to the council and also to the people who are attending.

And um, I thank um Councilwoman Oliver for all the historical memories that she has brought forth.

And um I think that the memories that she has, the people that she has brought forth, has brought back the idea that no matter how bad injustice is, is that we have a duty to combat this injustice.

And I just wanted to say that on that journey, the journey of today, right now, we have homelessness, we have rent stabilization, we have energy bills, we have the tax reassessment, water quality, the data center, the dismantling of health care, the dismantling of food, dismantling of the Department of Education, decrease in veteran services, sickness and disease from the food we eat and environment we live in, and chicken feces in the homes of our brothers and sisters.

Also gun violence, ice.

It's just, and if I've left anything out, you can add to the plethora of things that lie before us and that lie before the council.

And I think that one of the things that I'd like that I think the people would like is to add to the prayer that was prayed in the beginning of the council meeting for God to reside while the business of the city is being handled, and the business of the city that's being handled, is everything that has been listed, and we hope, I guess, and we the people pray that council will take what history has brought to our attention today, and other times, is that no matter what injustice is, is that we combat it.

So thank you so much.

And um, we do entrust this to God.

Right?

Amen.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Next, we have Sophia Block.

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

Good evening.

Um, my name is Sophia Block, and I am the community engagement manager at Innocence Project Delaware.

Innocence Project Delaware was established in 2018, and we are the only nonprofit legal organization in Delaware focused exclusively on addressing and preventing wrongful convictions.

Our mission is to secure justice for individuals wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit here in the first state.

We provide pro bono legal and investigative services and represent wrongfully convicted Delawareans as they prove their innocence in court.

Today I'm speaking in support of the City Council's resolutions in favor of Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 57, as well as Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 58.

Senate Bill 57 would provide much needed updates to Delaware's post-conviction DNA testing statute.

It's an injustice when any innocent person is wrongfully convicted for a crime they did not commit.

At Innocence Project Delaware, we often rely on DNA testing as well as forensic evidence to help prove our clients' innocence.

We have a number of clients and applicants, including some cases that date back to the 1980s before DNA testing was even available, who would benefit from testing but are currently denied because of how restrictive the current Delaware law is.

Delaware is among a handful of states that's not up to standard when it comes to our post-conviction DNA testing statute.

Senate Bill 57, pending in the General Assembly would remove the time bar and the plea bar and change the standard of review so it's in line with the vast majority of states across the United States.

These changes would allow us to access DNA testing on behalf of our clients and not only prove their innocence in court, but in some cases help identify the actual perpetrator of the crime, bringing justice and closure to victims as well as survivors.

As the City Council recognizes with its resolution in support of Senate Substitute One for Senate Bill 58, misapplied forensic science is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

Unfortunately, in Delaware, wrongfully convicted individuals have no avenue to return to court to prove their innocence.

The bill pending in the General Assembly provides a legal mechanism for individuals to return to court if new forensic evidence emerges, or if existing forensic evidence has been discredited, something that a growing number of states across the country are implementing.

I'd like to thank the city council for considering the resolution in support of Senate Bill 58, which would simply allow an individual to file a petition and be heard.

We believe that those convicted based on flawed forensic analysis should have access to justice, and that when science evolves, our legal system must be willing to learn, correct injustices, and uphold integrity in our courts.

I'd like to thank the sponsors of these resolutions and the city council for their attention to these important issues.

And I strongly urge the committee to support both resolutions in favor of Senate Bill 57 and Senate Bill 58.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have Luther Bunting.

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

Thank you.

My name is Luther Bunting Jr.

Um.

My roots, they uh stretch uh from the Delaware indigenous tribes that signed the original Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

Um the reason why I wanted to come and talk is about homelessness in Wilmington.

Last week I I've been coming to a few uh city council meetings.

I just like to ingratiate myself and get a better understanding of what's going on.

Um, anywhere that I I've ever lived, I like to understand what's going on.

Um, last week we, you know, I I overheard, you know, an understanding about fiscal impact.

Um fiscal impact statement analyzes proposals, financial effects on government, business, or organization.

It's kind of just kind of basic.

For a fraternity, my fraternity, I was a board member.

We did we had 120,000 to a 150,000 hour budget.

I was Miss Black and Gold Pageant Coordinator.

So I had to understand the physical fiscal impact before I actually made a proposal to the fraternity.

I had to make sure that I proposed that and had that all understood before I made that proposal.

Um as a miss as the ACLU Michigan uh legislative director, I was her intern for the state of Michigan.

Uh so with that legislation when it came through, I had to get give her analysis of the fiscal impact of that legislation.

That was kind of basic for being able to understand what I was doing as being an intern.

As a board member of my law journal.

Um I was the annual conference uh, you know, person that had to had to had to pretty much run that every year.

So I had to give out deep analysis of the fiscal impact of our budget.

I say all this to say I I find the understanding of and research and basically writing of the fiscal impact to be essential for bare minimum of effective and required leadership.

Back to homelessness regarding homelessness.

I came to city council and told them about a homelessness inhibitment that was in front of my house.

Before and after my window got smashed open while my daughter, my one-year-old daughter, was there and she was crying and affected by that.

This is all I've ever gotten from that.

This is it.

So as far as the organizations that are here to help homelessness in Wilmington, I've gone to every single one of them.

Before I came to City Council, I wanted to make sure I went to every single one of them from the House of Joseph to the Mission Caring to the Housing Alliance to uh the housing authority.

I called every single one of them and I went through every single step that they say you need to do just to understand if it's really effective.

Now, this is somebody who has the level of complication that I do.

When I was graduating law school, I actually worked for the United States Census Commission.

So I actually saw the biggest drug sensing guideline done in 2014.

That's why Kontaji Brown Jackson was still there.

I was there.

I was actually the only law student that was actually able to see it from beginning to end.

So I understand actually how to make things work.

And I've actually worked and seen everything as far as what's going on, and I think it goes back to fiscal impact statement.

As far as ministry and housing alliance and housing authority and places like that, I find it ineffective.

I find it extremely ineffective.

I find the process to fixing homelessness ineffective.

I find the people that are affected by homelessness.

No one really cares.

It's almost like things are happening over here, things are happening over there.

If it's not affecting you, you really don't care until it affects you.

Until that's you, that's your son, until that's your family member until it's you.

It doesn't really matter matter.

And sometimes I love it, you know, to come from a family that has these roots.

So I seen that side of you know the uppity.

And I've also seen what it looks like to come from and live next to a crack house because my mom and dad divorced.

So I couldn't be Jack and Jill, like some people might have been.

Not just throw legislation out there, but note the fiscal impact and make sure it's actually affecting people and making the change that you say you want to make.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That does conclude public comment for this evening.

I do want to thank everyone who participated.

Uh, please note that you're always welcome to give public comment either virtually or in council chambers.

Now we're gonna move to legislative business.

Councilmember Oliver.

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

Ordinance number 24-074, agenda number 0154.

An ordinance to amend chapter 35 of the city code to include gender identity as a protected class.

Mr.

President, I moved this be known for the enacting clause.

Well for the A vote.

Second.

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

Yes, Mr.

President.

This amendment aligns with the city code with Delaware Gender Identity Non-Description Act, um, discrimination act.

I'm sorry.

Uh, we are uh updating our city code to align with the state code to include gender identity as a protected class.

Um we have had conversations with people, civic associations, and at this time when the nation's dialogue um is targeting people who are in Wilmington.

Um we just want Wilmington to know we stand up for them.

This is simple, a simple ordinance to underscore the importance of protecting women to residents.

Councilmember Owens.

Um, first off, I want to say thank you to Councilwoman Oliver for bringing this up.

Um and I'll keep my remarks um quick.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor, and again, this is I'm extremely needed here in the city of Wilmington.

Thank you.

Councilmember Willower.

I just echo what council member Owen said, and I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Thank you very much, Councilwoman Oliver.

Thank you, Councilmember Hackett.

Yeah, me as a co-sponsor.

Councilmember Bracie.

Co-sponsor.

Let me turn back to the sponsor for any final comment.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, just one last comment.

I don't think because of a person's gender that they should be like committing suicide or you know, being targeted.

With that being said, um, I'd like to call for uh the vote.

Clerk, please call everyone 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 Hackett?

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

11 years and two absent.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

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

Ordinance number 26-001, agenda number 0164.

An ordinance to amend chapter 45 of the city code to establish a charge for inspections made pursuant to the city of Wilmington cross-connection control program.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to amend chapter 45 of the city code to establish a charge for inspections made pursuant to the city of Wilmington cross-connection control program.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Yes, Mr.

President.

It's been properly moved and second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance.

And we refer to the public works and transportation committee.

Yes, Mr.

President, I have another ordinance or saying call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 26-002, an ordinance to amend, I mean, agenda number, I'm sorry, 0165.

An ordinance to amend chapter 45 of the city code to empower the commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to issue civil penalties or take other enforcement action against cable telecommunication and other utility providers for failing to remediate utility wires.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Yes, Mr.

President.

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

Second.

It's been properly moved, then second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the public works and transportation committee.

Yes, Mr.

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

Ordinance number 26-003, agenda number 0166, an ordinance to authorize and approve the first amendment to a professional services agreement between the City of Wilmington and Itron Inc.

for mobile automated meter reading operations and system maintenance to transition from automated meter reading to advanced metering infrastructure.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Yes, Mr.

President, I move this be known for the first and second reading of the ordinance and referring this to public works and transportation.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the public works and transportation committee.

That'll be all.

Thank you, Councilmember Harley.

Oh, yes, Mr.

President.

I have a resolution to present.

Resolution 26-001, agenda number 0167.

Whereas section 2-369 of the city code requires grants awarded by the mayor, city council, or the city treasurer in the amount of 5,000 or more within a fiscal year to be approved by resolution of city council.

And whereas a heart for the city DE has previously received more than $5,000 in community support slash discretionary funds from City Council President Ernest Shibicongo, the second, and Council members Kobe J.

Owens, Michelle Harley, Nathan Field, Letitia Bracey, Maria D.

Cabrera, Alexander D.

Hackett, and James Badola in fiscal year 2026, as well as additional support from Council Special.

I move this resolution BBC recorded and filed and adopted by yeah and a vote.

Second.

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

Oh, yes, Mr.

President.

Um, as we know, there are uh quite a few nonprofits um in our city that are doing a great job in terms of impact and um a heart for the city um is one of those nonprofits.

So this resolution is basically approving a grant uh fund for a heart for the city Delaware from our council community support funds for app operational needs, including the expansion of the IVIS dining hall to offer an additional hot meal uh weekly to those in need.

And I just want to say that I want to commend um a heart for the city for the great work that they're doing down on Third and Walnut.

Um the Ministry of Caring has been servicing those in that area, the unhoused, the hungry, and those that just wanted a hot meal for over 40 years.

They um moved on, and uh for the city decided to take on that responsibility by um garnering support, um, donors, contributors, and so they needed some extra help as it related to getting the kitchen um up to par per the public um health department to make sure that they could continue to serve the community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hackett.

Yeah, I just want to uh thank uh councilwoman uh Harley for bringing me along on this and uh you know any way I possibly can support support my colleague uh to help any nonprofit in the city of Wilmington to continue to do the good work uh for our people.

So once again, thank you so much, Councilwoman Harley.

Councilmember Johnson.

Um question for Councilmember Hardy Harley, obviously being the finance chair.

Is this something long term that we're looking at maybe um some kind of partnership with uh the county and the state in terms of providing you know the city's own version of DHSS, DHSS essentially, because you know, not only this grant, but we're getting into a lot of issues we're having with the unhoused and um the city simply doesn't have enough money, um which I think is an issue we're gonna run into um anytime the nonprofits come to us.

So I think that's a conversation we can hopefully have soon.

Is that you know if they're not gonna do it, then we can get the funding and make our own department.

But it's something that again, you know, maybe we could talk out as we're talking in budget time because we're providing services.

I believe the the county and the state um should be paying more this year.

That's all.

Thank you.

Should I turn back to the sponsor?

Any closing comments?

Oh, yes.

So, first of all, I want to thank um Mr.

President.

May I respond to Councilmember Johnson's question?

Sure.

Also, give you any closing comments.

Oh, um I was just gonna respond and then take the vote.

All right.

Okay, well, first of all, I want to thank council member Johnson um for the question.

Uh first of all, this is basically um a one and done.

Uh this um the the owners came to um a council committee meeting and pretty much shared uh what the need was that they are facing, and this basically is to upgrade the kitchen to be in compliance.

So this is a one and done.

And um individual council members, as you heard in the legislation, um they made a decision that they wanted to help out.

That's number one.

And like I said, it's a one and done to make sure that the kitchen is compliant, and that they are already working with DHSS regarding wraparound services, and they are working with other um nonprofits to get donations for the food.

So at this point in time, we can have a conversation offline, but this pretty much is a one and done right now.

And that's all I have, Mr.

President, and we can take the vote.

All right, thank you.

Clerk, please call the room.

Councilwoman 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 Hackett?

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

11 years and two absent.

Declared adopted.

That's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilmember Johnson.

Mr.

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

Ordinance number 26-004, agenda number 0168.

An ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on smoke shops within the city of Wilmington.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on smoke shops within the city of Wilmington.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I moved that benefits of first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the public safety committee.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the public safety committee.

This time we will move to petitions and communications.

Council.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Thank you, Council President.

Today is the birthday of MLK Jr.

Um and as we celebrate him on Monday.

That's it.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'd like to um thank the YMCA and um the team warehouse for uh and Ken Livingston for reaching out and asking me to um partner with them for MLK Day, you know, clean up the east side.

So we have 10 kids from the Bai, and I think 10 or 15 from the warehouse.

And um I'm just excited that um they were able to talk to the youth.

Oh, and um sorry, and um Reverend Um Bernadette's search uh and her and her husband.

Um I'm just glad they were able to reach out.

So it's supposed to be 30 kids, I'm sorry, um, and say that the youth were interested in doing a MAMLK cleanup, and I'm glad they they chose the third district.

So I'm looking forward to working with the kids.

Um we're gonna meet up on at the corner of the YMCA.

Um, but also I'm just congratulate anybody who's participating in MLK Day because I think it is a day to give back to the community.

And I want to say um Sunday, January the 18th, the International Ministry Action Council will be having the event at New Destiny Fellowship Church at 6 p.m.

And I know it's a lot of other things going on.

So whoever is participating, congratulations.

Thank you.

That'll be all the thank you, Councilwoman Harley.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh first of all, I want to thank the uh mayor and the administration for identifying in the friendship house as the nonprofit to help to manage and monitor the temporary Christina Park encampment.

Um in addition to the porta potties, and I know that um some more resources are coming.

I just wanted to make sure that it's on record that I stand um with the taxpayers that want their park back after this temporary period is over.

I am aware that there is a need for housing for the unhoused and other services, and they deserve it, and I'm gonna do my best to work and support um our council and any other branch of government to do what is needed for the unhoused, but I do stand with the community that want their park back, the taxpayers that have family events in that park.

There are um annual events that take place in that park.

There are um two communities, the East Side community and the Southridge community, they really love being in that park and those that fish and do other um fun activities in that park, and they no longer have access to the park to do those things.

So again, I want to thank the friendship house and the mayor for this temporary solution, but we want to make sure that that there is a long-term goal and to be on record that I do stand with the community that want their park back, and that I will do what I can to work with whomever to make sure that we help those that are unhoused.

And in my closing, I want to share that for those that want to donate any food or any clothes of that nature, that Kim, who is the chief executive officer.

I had a nice long talk with her yesterday, and she's asking that they be delivered um directly to 1603, Jessup Street, Wilmington, Delaware, Unit 3 from 8 30 until 2 30 and some Saturdays.

And they do have a website which is www.friendshiphouse DE.org.

So again, we just want to make sure that it's on record and that we will be doing our best to help move this along.

That's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Willauer.

Yes, I um also uh want to echo what um some of the other council members have said um just in terms of uh recognizing the legacy of Dr.

Martin Luther King of organizing for um justice for all.

And I want to thank the people who came and spoke today at public comment to remind us of uh the work that's been done and uh just urge people to um reflect on that service and organizing, I think you know, go hand in hand.

And we don't have to look any further than the work that needs to be done um to address the issue of homelessness.

And I I want to thank Councilwoman Harley for giving that update and um you know, just personally commit to both the service of helping people immediately with their needs, but also we need working together with council and all levels of government on the long-term solutions to homelessness, which I think is housing and including permanent supportive housing and um for people who are transitioning out of homelessness.

So um that's all I have, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Councilwoman McCoy.

Thank you.

Um I would like to say uh thank you to uh the leadership of the uh Hedgeville community, which is Yvonne Almurra, and all of the surrounding um people that uh are block captains.

There was a zoning board meeting that was held um on the 12th, and we are basically trying to um we're trying to limit the amount of retailers that are opening at the moment.

We are having issues with retailers opening, stating that they're gonna do one thing and then changing to do uh another.

So this uh it was unfortunate for them, but fortunate for us that that did not happen this week.

Uh that we are supporting the retailers who've actually been who are working well with the community and making certain that they're following the rules that we've act that the city is actually put in front of them and that you know who wanna make certain that they are uh good neighbors to the residents within the Hedgeville community.

So I thank them all for responding to the zoning board um notice and also to myself as I made certain that they were aware and that they uh that they made certain emails cut went out if they were unable to attend the excuse me, attend the meeting.

Um I would like to state that I did receive a letter from the zoning board uh about the meeting, and I did not see any information from that first letter about um online because I know that that was something that was uh actually you know talked about previously.

So I just want to make certain that people who are aware of any type of variance changes or anything that's going on with the zoning board, that they make certain that they send an email out to the person who that letter is being um who's uh actually holding that meeting or come to the meeting directly.

Your voices need to be heard.

That's one.

Uh the other thing I wanted to make certain is that I reiterate MLK day of service.

Um yes, it has been a day of service.

Um I I don't recall when it never was it what or it wasn't a day of service, but ever since I've been uh you know going out to volunteer on MLK Day, where we are either, you know, we're handing out food, we're cleaning up.

I've actually had um volunteers paying, I think we painted one time at the PAL.

That was so long ago.

So I'm like, I said we've always made certain that we put our hands to something and we were there to volunteer.

So I do ask everyone to come on now on Monday.

We are gonna be at 1009 Sycamore Street at the MSK Community Center.

The uh the cleanup will start at 1030 a.m.

We do this pretty much every uh every year.

This is the third year is gonna be in my district.

Cleanup starts at 1030 a.m.

till 12 p.m.

Then there'll be a peace march right after it.

Excuse me.

And then we will have the community celebration.

This is the 14th year of the um MLK Day of Service.

The funny part about it is it's great to see the two West Side Grows and Um MSK coming together for their MLK Day because both were doing them individually and now for the past three years they've been doing them together.

So I look forward to seeing everyone out there.

As um uh councilman Johnson stated, this is actually uh a big event, and we always have like lots of people come out.

All right, thank you.

I'd like to go back to Councilwoman Harley for a few more comments.

Oh, I just wanted to make sure that I thank my former DuPont colleagues for coming together at the Pencater site to uh collect coats um for the Christina Park encampment and dropping those codes off today.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilwoman Johnson.

Um I want to first uh remind everyone in the community that there's a Southwest Civic Association meeting on Wednesday 21st at 6 p.m.

at Cav Callaway.

So please all come out.

Um we've been growing our attendance and really getting the information out there to community.

So um please come out for updates on uh what we're doing out out west.

Um also like to turn the the whole city's attention to the uh Wilmington Police's uh police department's year-in report uh is published.

Um and actually it is uh the best one I know I've seen uh is apparently it uh you have to see the numbers yourself, but it's amazing work.

Uh apparently it uh you have to see the numbers yourself, but it's amazing work, so hats off to both uh the chief campus and his leadership and also there are men and women in blue.

Um crime is at its lowest it's been since 2003.

Again, crime is at its lowest it's been.

So we have 21 percent reduction in violent crime, um 31 percent reduction in property crime, um, looking through the stats, the programming we're doing is working because we're not only focused as we've done on supporting our our our police department, but also working on CPSI with Dr.

Devin Mason and partners in care, really hitting everything from all ends.

So it's nice to see uh on council the effort and work we've put in.

Uh again, thanks to President Congo, Councilwoman McCoy, uh, Councilwoman Oliver, um, that trip we took to Newark, New Jersey many years ago and putting everything together.

It's nice to see it come to fruition and we got to continue the the the good work and and keeping uh our city safe.

So thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Councilman Field.

Thank you, Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

Um on Monday, uh Councilman Owens and uh myself, along with uh members of the education committee, uh Councilwoman Oliver, Harley McCoy, um announced the that the applications were open for City Um City Council's Wilmington Youth Advisory Council.

So we are looking for students from eighth to twelfth grade to participate in our youth advisory council.

Um this is a leadership opportunity where you will be meeting uh once a month here in city council chambers, meeting with the departments of the uh the city departments, city council members, learning about what we do, but more importantly, guiding what will become our youth master plan.

So we're looking for students again, eighth through twelfth grade um to be part of our leadership uh uh council, our youth advisory council.

Um the applications are up on our our website.

They're on all of our social medias.

And if you have any other questions, you can call uh city council's office.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, and Mr.

President, yes, uh Councilwoman Oliver uh said she needed some of my time.

Sure, Councilwoman Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I forgot to um make a quick statement.

Um I would like to apologize to the uh police unions throughout the state and the chiefs, especially Chief Cambos, um, who always does a good job in the third district, constantly returns my calls for um just this whole unfortunate situation.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Uh Councilwoman Carrera.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Just want to wish everyone uh a good Martin Luther King Day of Service.

Get out there.

I remember the many marches, all the events that we've done.

And uh today for Delaware, it is the last day of annual enrollment.

It's your last opportunity to get a health care plan.

So you can still go on the marketplace and do that, healthcare.gov.

Uh, and certainly you can reach out to uh people who can help you, but the deadline is today, so that's what I've been busy doing.

So I hope that uh everyone gets insurance and have a happy January.

Stay warm.

Thank you.

Councilman Hackett.

Yeah, I wasn't gonna have anything until I heard uh Councilman Owens talk about uh Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

And I want to say happy birthday.

Um, but I also want to give a shout to my colleagues to know that like you know we're approaching uh budget season.

And uh just like Martin Luther King Jr.

had a dream.

Uh we need to have a dream when we're looking at this budget to make sure that it reflects the people that we serve every day.

So you know, I just want us to look at that as much as we possibly can uh because we talked about how our people are struggling today.

And I think we have the tools to make sure that we help them.

So that's all I got for tonight.

All right, thank you.

Again, I would like to thank everyone who joined us this evening, everyone who gave public comment.

Please know that you're always welcome to join us here in council chambers.

You can always uh join the meeting virtually.

We have council meetings, official council meetings every first and third Thursday.

We also have committee meetings throughout the month.

And if any of us here at City Council can help you in any way, please reach out to us at 302-576-2140.

I get our number is 302-576-2140.

With that, I will accept the motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion uh meeting adjourned, everyone.

Thank you.