Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:36 p.m. (start of minutes reading) in regular session with remote participation. The meeting included recognition ceremonies for the Lenape people, the Partners in Care program, and the St. Elizabeth High School girls' basketball state champions. Council approved a major annexation of 4.1 acres in South Wilmington, established a new Office of Community Safety, and passed a resolution opposing a proposed 17.2% county tax increase. A resolution to redistribute council travel funds was defeated.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The minutes from the April 2, 2026 meeting were approved as written (motion carried).
• Committee Reports: The report of the Public Safety Committee on Substitute No. 1 to Ordinance 26-018 (establishing an Office of Community Safety) was received, recorded, and filed.
• Treasury Report: City Treasurer Dwayne Sims reported total investments of $562,568,339.71, cash on hand of $19,602,075.34, and a grand total of $582,170,415.05. The report was accepted.
• Non-Legislative Business: All non-legislative business was accepted in a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deacon Earl Tate urged the council to address street safety by installing speed bumps on Second and Union streets, called for youth engagement, and expressed opposition to current national leadership.
• Stacey Henry (President and Founder, Delaware First Resilience Hub) invited the council to the first annual Extreme Heat Preparedness Symposium on April 29, 2026, at the Route 9 Library, co-sponsored with the state's inaugural Heat Awareness Week (May 18-22, 2026). She noted that the city has been running cooling centers and needs more resources for extreme heat events.
• A resident from the Third District (name not provided) complained about open drug activity, loud vehicles, and lack of police presence in the Sherman Street area. She requested a meeting with Councilwoman Oliver and asked for more protection for residents.
• Madeline Bolden Johnson (born and raised in Wilmington) echoed concerns about the 500 block of Sherman Street, citing ex-convicts selling drugs and public housing dumping. She urged the council to take action and noted that police used to park on the corner but no longer do.

Recognition Resolutions

• Lenape People Resolution: Councilmember Darby presented a resolution honoring the Lenape people of Delaware, their history, and their presence. Ruth Ann Purchase, a Lenape language student and Montessori teacher, spoke about her dream of creating a Lenape Forest Garden and story circle in Wilmington. She emphasized restoring original foods and teaching good citizenry through Lenape eyes.
• Partners in Care Resolution: Councilmember Johnson presented a resolution recognizing the Partners in Care program, which pairs clinicians with police officers. Since its inception, the team has served 839 individuals (880 as of the meeting week). In the first quarter of 2026 alone, they treated 162 individuals (96 new, 66 returning). Lieutenant Bozeman noted the team has achieved these numbers in 25 months without placing handcuffs on anyone they served. Council members praised the program and called for increased funding.
• St. Elizabeth High School Girls' Basketball Team Resolution: Councilmembers McCoy and Hackett presented a resolution recognizing the Lady Vikings for winning the DIAA state championship on March 14, 2026, defeating Sanford 40-34. The team finished with a 20-5 record. Head Coach Ty Taylor was celebrated for his mentorship; the team's GPA is 3.65. Council members offered scholarships and congratulations.
• Other Recognitions: Council also approved recognition for Housing Opportunities of Northern Delaware Inc. (42nd annual Prepare Housing), Sammy Congo (88th birthday), Fred Comages (DSBA award), the Worldwide Blood Drive, Faith Green (79th birthday), Adam Landis (transitioning from Downtown Visions board), and a sympathy resolution for Curtis K. Jackson Jr.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-027 – Annexation of Seven Parcels in South Wilmington: Senior Planner Abdur Rashid Daudu presented a proposal to annex approximately 4.1 acres (seven parcels) along South Walnut Street and Garches Lane into the city, rezone from New Castle County H-1 (heavy industrial) to Wilmington M-1 (light manufacturing), amend the city code for the Fourth Councilmanic District, and update city maps. The parcels are contiguous to the city boundary. The proposal supports the city's South Wilmington development strategy and could accommodate a community-serving indoor track facility (94,000 sq. ft., 2,000 seats), subject to separate zoning board approval. No major infrastructure upgrades are required. The city's fiscal benefit includes property taxes ($1.54 million assessed land value) and wage tax (1.25%). The Planning Commission recommended approval, and the Community Development & Urban Planning Committee held a public hearing with no objections. Councilwoman Harley and Cabrera expressed strong support, noting the need for annexation to increase revenue and benefit youth. The ordinance passed 12-0-1 (one absent). Subsequently, Resolution 26-034 (amending the comprehensive plan to reflect the annexation) also passed 12-0-1.
• Ordinance 26-018 (Substitute No. 1) – Office of Community Safety: Councilmember Darby presented a substitute ordinance to establish an Office of Community Safety within the mayor's office, treating violence as a public health concern. The office will focus on violence intervention and addressing root causes. It will start with a director and a grant writer (budget $183,000). Councilmember Darby emphasized that permanent codification ensures continuity regardless of administration. Council members expressed strong support, noting the need for more funding for community-based organizations doing on-the-ground work. The ordinance passed 12-0-1.
• Resolution 26-035 – Support for HB 96: Councilmember Owens presented a resolution supporting HB 96, which requires state agencies to track and report federal immigration enforcement requests. Council members described it as a transparency and accountability bill. All 12 present members co-sponsored and voted yes (one absent). Passed 12-0-1.
• Ordinance 26-028, 26-029, 26-030 – Housing-related Ordinances: Councilmember Willower presented three ordinances on first and second readings: 26-028 allowing the Department of Real Estate and Housing to spend neighborhood stabilization funds and grant funds to assist in settling eviction proceedings; 26-029 creating a homeowner repair program; and 26-030 creating a vacant property rehabilitation assistance program. All were referred to the Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.
• Resolution 26-036 – Opposition to New Castle County Tax Increase: Councilmember Johnson introduced a resolution opposing a proposed 17.2% property tax increase by New Castle County. He argued it would be a crushing burden on residents, especially combined with ongoing assessment issues. Council members expressed support (10 yes, 1 present - Councilwoman McCoy recused as a county employee, 2 absent). The resolution passed, with several members emphasizing that their support was not a reflection on County Executive Marcus Henry, who inherited the fiscal situation.
• Resolution 26-037 – Reallocation of Council Travel Fund: Councilmember Spadola proposed dividing the $25,000 council travel fund equally among all 13 council members (approx. $1,923 each), allowing those who cannot travel to use the funds for community support or scholarships. The resolution sparked debate: Councilwoman Bracey and others objected to bypassing the established budget process, while Councilmember Owens argued for flexibility. The vote was 4 yes, 8 no, 1 absent; the resolution was defeated.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-027 (Annexation): Approved 12-0-1 (one absent). The seven parcels will be annexed, rezoned to M-1, and added to the Fourth District. Resolution 26-034 (comprehensive plan amendment) also approved 12-0-1.
• Ordinance 26-018 Substitute (Office of Community Safety): Approved 12-0-1.
• Resolution 26-035 (HB 96 support): Approved 12-0-1.
• Resolution 26-036 (County tax increase opposition): Approved 10-1-2 (McCoy present; two absent).
• Resolution 26-037 (Travel fund redistribution): Defeated 4-8-1.
• First and second readings of housing ordinances 26-028, 26-029, 26-030 were referred to committee.
• Reconsideration motion on the annexation ordinance was passed before the final vote (procedural).
• Next steps: The citywide community cleanup is scheduled for April 23, and multiple district events were announced for April 25.