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.
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.