Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting - March 5, 2026
Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting - March 5, 2026
The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:32 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, committee reports, the city treasurer's report, three recognition resolutions, public comments, and legislative business involving multiple ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included the passage of a budget amendment, adoption of a resolution urging the reopening of the SEPTA ticket office, approval of contracts for utility wire enforcement and meter reading infrastructure, and a failed attempt to grant council emergency appropriation authority.
Consent Calendar
- There was no consent calendar; all items were considered individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Anthony Fairley (District 5) complained about disrespectful city employees, alleged mishandling of property taxes and a disputed alley/driveway, and requested an investigation. He stated he is a homeowner of 40 years and feels abused by a neighborhood society and a council member.
- Deacon Earl Tate urged residents to vote, criticized the current administration, and emphasized education and civic engagement for the future of children.
- Victor Cushman (virtual) urged council to reject two bills: the Delmarva Power network-as-a-service agreement and the agreement with iTron Inc. for advanced metering infrastructure. He argued the contracts impose fixed incremental costs of $5.4 million over five years without quantified benefits, raise data privacy concerns, and lack cost-benefit analysis. He suggested sending the items back to the Public Works committee.
Recognition Resolutions
- Ramadan 2026 (Councilmember Darby): Recognized the holy month of Ramadan, observed from February 17 to March 19, 2026. Students from Darul Amaanah Academy recited Quranic verses and spoke about the meaning of Ramadan.
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (Councilmember McCoy): Recognized March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Representatives from Christiana Care, including a colorectal cancer survivor, urged screening starting at age 45 and highlighted the Screening for Life program.
- Women's History Month & Attorney General Kathy Jennings (Councilmember McCoy): Recognized March as Women's History Month and honored Attorney General Jennings for her leadership in public safety, consumer protection, and civil rights. A representative accepted on her behalf.
- Parks and Recreation Employees for Emergency Shelter (Councilmember Willower): Recognized Parks and Recreation staff for activating the William Hicks Anderson Community Center as an emergency shelter during Winter Storm Fern (January 24-27) and a February 23-24 snow event. Staff sheltered up to 150 individuals in January and 79 in February, working in partnership with Wilmington Police and Friendship House.
- Additional recognition resolutions were noted for Marcel Brown, the Residential Recovery House, Paul Mahooney, Les Belle Fonts, Chelsea Tavern, Wanda Jenkins, and sympathy resolutions for Marcia Starks, John Jay Viola, George Howard Bunting Jr., James Borley, Teresa Johnson Webster, Carmen Henry, and Patricia S. Rothermel.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26-021 (SEPTA Ticket Office) – Councilmember Cabrera presented a resolution urging the reopening of the SEPTA ticket office at Wilmington's Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station, closed December 31, 2025, with only nine days' notice. The closure forces riders to pay $11 per ride instead of $9 and disadvantages seniors, persons with disabilities, and non-tech-savvy riders. Multiple council members expressed support and were added as co-sponsors. Discussion noted the need for state-level advocacy and cooperation with Pennsylvania and Delaware governors. The resolution was adopted unanimously (10-0-3).
- Resolution 26-022 (Charter Change – Grant Appropriation in Annual Budget) – Councilmember Owens presented a resolution to require city council to appropriate grant funds through the normal annual operating budget process. This was paired with two other resolutions. Passed 10-0-3.
- Resolution 26-023 (Charter Change – Approval of New Funds During Fiscal Year) – This resolution would require council approval of new revenues, grant funds, or special funds that become available mid-year. An amendment struck the word “revenues” from the text. After debate, passed 10-0-3.
- Resolution 26-024 (Charter Change – Emergency Appropriations) – This resolution would require council approval for emergency appropriations of grant or special funds. An amendment struck “revenues” from the text. After debate, the resolution failed 3-7-3 (3 in favor, 7 opposed, 3 absent).
- Ordinances Introduced (First and Second Readings):
- 26-017: Create a rental assistance program (referred to Community Development Committee).
- 26-018: Establish an Office of Community Safety (referred to Public Safety Committee).
- 26-019: Establish an affordable housing trust and community advisory board (referred to Community Development Committee).
- 26-020: Authorize electricity procurement contract for FY2027 (referred to Public Works Committee).
- 26-021: Allow employees to donate unequal amounts of sick/vacation leave (referred to Finance Committee).
- Ordinance 26-001 (Cross Connection Control Inspections) – Third reading. Establishes charges for inspections under the city's cross connection control program. Passed 9-0-4.
- Ordinance 26-002 (Utility Wire Penalties) – Third reading. Substitute ordinance empowers the Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections to issue civil penalties against cable, telecom, and utility providers for failing to remediate unsafe utility wires in public rights-of-way (e.g., wires less than 18 feet above the roadway, not secured on both ends). Sets a 15-day compliance period after certified notice. Passed 9-0-4.
- Ordinance 26-003 (iTron Inc. Agreement Amendment) – Third reading. Authorizes the first amendment to the professional services agreement with iTron Inc. to transition from automated meter reading (AMR) to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for water meters. Provides real-time leak detection and billing accuracy improvements. Fiscal impact: $250,000/year for debt service plus $100,000/year for network service. Passed 9-0-4.
- Ordinance 26-014 (Water/Sewer Service Line Protection Program) – Third reading. Authorizes a five-year renewal of the agreement with American Water Resources LLC for water and sewer line warranty protection service for homeowners at $12.99/month. Passed 9-0-4.
- Ordinance 26-015 (Budget Amendment – FY2026) – Third reading with a floor amendment. The floor amendment, moved by Councilmember Harley, increased the Department of Information Technologies appropriation by $20,000 for a mapping/graphics technician, authorized up to $425,000 from the tax stabilization reserve to balance the budget, and updated fiscal impact statements. The amendment was adopted. The ordinance includes $1.65 million for Winter Storm Fern costs, $800,000 for Wilmington 250th celebration, fire position changes, a Director of Community Safety, a treasury communications manager, and a temporary employee for graphic design (9:00 AM–12:00 PM). Passed 9-0-4.
- Ordinance 26-013 (Vacant Property Services Contract Extension) – Third reading. Authorizes a one-year extension of contract with RNA Contractors LLC for vacant property services (boarding, securing). Passed 9-0-4.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes from February 19, 2026 – Approved.
- Committee Reports – All received, recorded, and filed.
- City Treasurer’s Report – Total investments $576,400,367.36; cash on hand $17,422,682.73; total $593,823,050.09 – received, recorded, and filed.
- Resolution 26-021 (SEPTA Ticket Office) – Adopted unanimously (10-0-3).
- Resolution 26-022 (Charter Change for Grant Appropriation in Annual Budget) – Adopted (10-0-3).
- Resolution 26-023 (Charter Change for Mid-Year Funds Approval) – Adopted (10-0-3).
- Resolution 26-024 (Charter Change for Emergency Appropriations) – Defeated (3-7-3).
- Ordinance 26-001 (Cross Connection Inspections) – Adopted (9-0-4).
- Ordinance 26-002 (Utility Wire Penalties) – Adopted (9-0-4).
- Ordinance 26-003 (iTron AMI Agreement) – Adopted (9-0-4).
- Ordinance 26-014 (Water/Sewer Line Protection) – Adopted (9-0-4).
- Ordinance 26-015 (FY2026 Budget Amendment) – Adopted (9-0-4) after floor amendment.
- Ordinance 26-013 (Vacant Property Services Contract Extension) – Adopted (9-0-4).
- Next Meeting: Committee of the Whole on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers; regular council meetings continue first and third Thursdays.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. My name is Trippy Congo, president of Wilmington City Council. At this time we will begin the meeting. Good evening again. Today is Thursday, March the fifth. I'd like to to welcome everyone who has joined us here in Council Chambers, as well as everyone who is with us virtually. Anyone who is with us virtually, there is a Google form sign up link in the chat. us virtually there is a Google form sign up link in the chat public comment will take place at the non-legislative business and now we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance Clerk please call the roll councilman Owens present councilwoman Darby Present Councilwoman Oliver Councilwoman Harley Present Councilwoman Willower present councilwoman McCoy here councilman johnson here councilman field councilwoman Bracey Councilwoman Cabrera here councilman hackett councilman spidola president congo here eight present and five absent thank you council members um bracey and field did ask to be excused this evening councilmember spidola said he will be here but he's running late at this time we'll have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting February 19 2025 city council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6 32 p.m president ernest m congo the second presiding the opening prayer was done by Mary Elena Rivera President I move that the minutes be received as written second it's been properly moved and second that the minutes be accepted as written on the question all in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed motion carried and now we will have our committee reports February 18 2026 ladies and gentlemen we are community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 26-013 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve a one year extension of contract two six zero one l i vacant property services between the city of wilmington and RNA contractors LLC Mr President given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting respectfully submitted those members of the community development and urban planning committee mr president I move the committee report be received recorded and filed okay it's been properly moved and second the report be received recorded and filed on the question all in favor signify by saying aye aye aye any opposed motion carried March 2nd 2026 ladies and gentlemen we your finance and economic development committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 26-015 entitled an ordinance constituting amendment number two to the fiscal year 2026 annual operating budget being an ordinance to amend substitute number one to ordinance number 25-009 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 councilwoman darby councilman hackett councilwoman oliver councilman spidola and president congo i move the committee report be we see recorded and filed second it's been properly moved and second that the report be received recorded and filed on the question all in favor signify by saying aye aye aye any opposed motion carried march third 2026 ladies and gentlemen we are public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 25-064 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve a network as a service agreement between the city of Wilmington and Delmarva Power and Light Company have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting those members present councilwoman oliver councilman field councilman owens councilwoman willower president congo and absent with leave councilman johnson I move the committee report BBC recorded and filed second it's been properly moved and second the report be received recorded and filed on the question all in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed motion carried March 6 2026 ladies and gentlemen we your public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 26-001 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter 45 of the city code to establish charges for inspections made pursuant to the city of wilmington cross control program have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting those members present councilwoman oliver councilman field councilman owens councilwoman willauer president congo absent with leave councilman johnson I move the committee report bbc recorded and filed second it's been properly moved and second the report be received recorded and filed on the question all in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed motion carried march third twenty twenty six ladies and gentlemen we are public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 26-003 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve the first amendment to a provided I move the committee report BBC recorded and filed. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded the report B received recorded and filed. On the question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. March 3rd, 2026, ladies and gentlemen, we are public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 26-003 entitled an ordinance to authorize and approve the first amendment to a professional services agreement between the city of Wilmington and I tron Inc. for mobile automated meter reading operations and system maintenance to transition from automated meter reading to advanced metering infrastructure. 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 Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, and absent with leave, Councilman Johnson. I move the committee report be received recorded and filed. So 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. Motion carried. March 3rd, 2026. Ladies and gentlemen, when your public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remove participation to who is referred ordinance number 26-014 entitled and ordinance to authorize and approve the first amendment to an agreement for water and sewer service line protection programs between the city of Wilmington and American Water Resources LLC. 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 Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, and absent with leave, Councilman Johnson. I move the committee report be received, recorded, and filed. It's been properly moved and second the report be received, recorded, and filed on the question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. March 3rd, 2026. Will your public works and transportation committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred substitute number one to ordinance number 26-002 entitled 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 to telecommunication and other utility providers for failing to remediate utility wires. 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 Fields, Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Willower, President Congo, absent with leave, Councilman Johnson. A move the committee 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. Aye.
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