The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM (approximate start). The meeting included roll call (9 present, 4 absent), approval of minutes, committee reports, the city treasurer's report, recognition resolutions, public comments, and legislative business. Key topics included a moratorium on new convenience stores, establishment of an African American History Commission, resolutions on charter amendments, grant writing, constituent services, school dress codes, and civility. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a proposed charter amendment to prohibit at-large council members from switching political parties, which passed despite extensive debate.
(Approximately 13 speakers; all but the first and last addressed the Spadola party switch issue.)
Ordinances and Resolutions Taken Up (in order):
Ordinance 25-045 (Substitute) – Temporary moratorium on new business licenses for convenience stores pending equity impact assessment. Passed 11-0 (2 absent). (Councilmember Darby sponsor; many co-sponsors added; debate on fiscal note of $250K; Councilmember Hackett questioned need for report.)
Ordinance 26-007 – Establish African American History and Cultural Preservation Commission. Passed 11-0 (2 absent). (Councilmember Darby sponsor; noted defunct prior committee.)
Resolution 26-025 – Requesting a grant writer in council budget ($60K). Defeated 5-6 (2 absent). (Councilmember Darby sponsor; Councilmember Oliver and Harley raised concerns about process and budget timing.)
Resolution 26-026 – Requesting a social worker/community navigator position ($80K). Defeated 4-8 (1 absent, Councilmember Cabrera voted no). (Councilmember Darby sponsor; Councilmember Spadola noted 311 upgrades in mayor's budget; many preferred internal discussions.)
Ordinance 26-020 – Electricity procurement contract (multi-year). Passed 11-0 (2 absent). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor; Deputy Director Vincent explained three contract types.)
Resolution 26-027 – Encouraging diversity in law department hiring. Passed 12-0 (1 absent). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor; Councilmember Johnson noted broader state bar issues.)
Resolution 26-028 – Encouraging school districts to enforce dress codes prohibiting pajamas. Passed 8-4 (1 absent, 1 present). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor; debate on whether it's punitive; some spoke against.)
Resolution 26-029 – Encouraging cursive handwriting instruction in schools. Defeated 2-7 (3 present, 1 absent). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor; already state law; some questioned need.)
Ordinance 26-027 (Annexation) – First and second reading: annex 4.1 acres (7 parcels) and rezone to M1 Light Manufacturing; referred to committee. (Councilmember Harley sponsor.)
Resolution 26-030 – Civility resolution affirming respectful conduct. Passed 11-0 (2 absent). (Councilmember Harley and Cabrera sponsors; noted national conferences.)
Ordinance 26-010 (Supplemental) – Adam Street Green Infrastructure bond ($808,242). Passed 11-0 (2 absent). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor.)
Ordinance 26-011 – Lead Removal Phase 4 bond ($13 million). Passed 12-0 (1 absent). (Councilmember Oliver sponsor.)
Ordinance 26-012 – Multi-year contract for external auditor (Belfant Lyons, $198K/year). Defeated 6-5 (1 present, 1 absent) after roll call Initially close; some members changed votes after debate on diversity. (Councilmember Oliver sponsor; Councilmember Johnson objected to lack of diversity plan.)
Resolution 26-031 – Urging PSC to reject Delmarva rate increase. Passed 12-0 (1 absent). (Councilmember Willower sponsor; many co-sponsors added.)
Resolution 26-032 – Police equipment grant ($36,900 for forklift and saws). Passed 10-1 (2 absent). (Councilmember McCoy sponsor.)
Resolution 26-033 – Charter amendment to prohibit at-large council members from switching to majority party during term; if switched, seat vacated. Passed 9-1 (1 present, 2 absent). (Councilmember Hackett sponsor; extensive debate; Councilmember Spadola opposed; many co-sponsors; vote tally: 9 yes, 1 no (Spadola), 1 present (Bracey).)
Meeting will please come to order. Good evening, everyone. Today is Thursday, April the second. My name is Trippy Congo, president of Wilmington City Council. And on behalf of all of my colleagues here on Council, we want to thank everyone who has joined us today in Council Chambers. And also thank you to those who are with us virtually. Padre Celestial. Amen. Indivisible Liberty and Justice Roll. Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman Owens. Here. Councilwoman Darby. Present. Councilwoman Oliver. Present. Councilwoman Harley. Present. Councilwoman Willower. Present. Councilwoman McCoy. Councilman Johnson. Here. Councilman Field. Councilwoman Bracey. Councilwoman Cabrera. Councilman Hackett. Here. Councilman Spadola. Present. President Congo. Here. Nine present and four absent. At this time we have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting. March 19th, 2026. City Council met in regular session with remote participation. To who was referred. I move that the minutes be uh received, recorded, and filed and adopted by Gay Nabo. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. The minutes be accepted as written on the question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. This time we'll have our committee reports. March 4th, 2026. Ladies and gentlemen, we, your intergovernmental committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance number 26-007 entitled An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 2 of the City Code to Create an African American History and Cultural Preservation Commission. Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting. Respectfully submitted those members of the intergovernmental committee.