The meeting will please come to order.

Good evening, everyone.

Today is Thursday, June the fourth.

I am Trippy Congo, president of Wimming City Council.

And along with all of my colleagues here on Council, we want to thank everyone who has joined us in chambers, and also to everyone who is with us virtually.

There is a Google form sign-up link in the chat for anyone who is virtual.

And there is also a sign-up sheet just before the double doors.

If you want to sign up if you're in chambers.

Also, we're going to ask everyone to please silence your phones.

And we will begin with an opening prayer by Mary Alina Rivera.

Heavenly Father, we have assembled to handle the affairs of our city.

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

We pray that our city reaches a place of peace and safety.

Keep us out of harm's way and bless those who are in authority.

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

Padre Celestian, nosemos reunido para manejar los asuntos de nuestra ciudad.

A la celo le pedimos su orientación y comprensión.

Oramos para que nuestra sida alcance un lugar de paz y seguridad.

And now we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you.

Lady.

Clerk, please call.

Please call the roll.

Going to ask everyone to please try to keep your conversations to a minimum.

Thank you.

Councilman Owens.

Present.

Councilwoman Darby.

Councilwoman Oliver.

Present.

Councilwoman Harley.

Councilwoman Willower.

President.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Here.

Councilman Johnson.

Here.

Councilman Field.

Here.

Councilwoman Brace.

Councilwoman Cabrera.

Councilman Hackett.

Councilman Spadola.

President Congo.

Here.

Seven present and six absent.

We're going to have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

Can you recognize Bracey?

She just popped on.

Okay.

Also like to recognize Councilwoman Bracie, who is with us virtually.

Thank you.

May 21st, 2026.

City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date at 6:34 p.m.

President Ernest M.

Congo, the second presiding.

Mr.

President, I move the minutes to be accepted as written.

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 will have our committee reports.

May 14th, 2026.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who was referred ordinance substitute number one to ordinance number 26-008 entitled and ordinance to amend chapters 5 and 34 of the city code to create an online rental property registry.

Have 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.

Those members present, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Hackett, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Owens absent with leave, Councilwoman Cabrera, Councilman Fields, Councilwoman Willower, and President Congo.

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

Second.

I can 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.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

May 14, 2026.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote participation to who is referred substitute number two to ordinance number 26-019 entitled an ordinance to amend chapter 8 of the city code to establish a housing trust.

Have 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.

Those members present, Councilwoman Darby, Councilman Hackett, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilman Owens, absent with leave, councilwoman Cabrera, Councilman Field, Councilwoman Willower, and President Congo.

I move that the committee report be received, 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.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

And now we will have our city treasurer's report.

June 4th, 2026, total investments 563 million six hundred and thirty-six thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars and eighty-three cents.

Total cash on hand, 20,417,330.96 cents.

Grant total 584, 54,321.79 cents.

Submitted City Treasurer Dwayne Sims.

Mr.

President, I move to accept.

I'm sorry.

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

Second.

Second.

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

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

So motion back out.

Second.

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

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carried.

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

I would like to call up Delaware State University.

And anybody that's here that is supporting Delaware State University.

All Faculty and Staff from Delaware State University, please come up.

You have anybody in here that's supporting Delaware State University, please stand up.

It's an honor to um to acknowledge Delaware State University 134th year anniversary, especially while we are celebrating.

See why we're celebrating the commencement of the 250th celebration of the United States.

I think Trippie can attest to that.

Also, my aunt graduated from there.

She was a teacher for years.

My uncle graduated from there, Norman Hollis, Alice Hollis.

So I have several of my cousins.

I mean, back in the day.

So I have some history with Delaware State, which is a really good thing.

Okay.

This is from Xanthea Oliver along with all city council.

It's the Census City Council to honor individuals and organizations in significant milestones that demonstrate outstanding achievement and are deserving of recognition and acknowledgments.

Councilman Xanthia Oliver and her colleagues commend Delaware State University DSU, formerly known as Delaware State College on 135 years of academic community service.

And whereas Delaware State College for Colored Students was established by Delaware General Assembly on May the 15th, 1891, becoming one of the nation's first land grant and educational institutions in Delaware's only HBC or historical black college or university.

The college opened its doors in 1892 with courses of study and agriculture, chemistry, classic, classical studies, engineering science, reflecting its commitment to excellence and practice educational.

And whereas, after more than a century of educational leadership and achievement, the institution adopted its current name, Delaware State University DSU, to better reflect its expanding mission, academic, academics, statewide impact throughout its history.

DSU has contributed immensely to the culture, economic of the state of Delaware.

DSU constantly ranks among the top 10 DSUs in America with the prestigious, what's that Carnegie, Research 2 or two, designation and status of the top producers of pilots of colors in the country.

Under the leadership of Dr.

Tony Allen, along with the support of the Board of Trustees, Faculty Senate, and dedicated alumni network, DSU has always set the ambitional goals of increasing its athletic profile.

With the opening, whereas with the opening of downtown Wilmington campus in 2022, the university's impact on Delaware's largest city has expanded significantly from improving assets to educational programs, services, and residential residence and innovative partnerships that have improved the quality of life for all Wilmingtonians.

As we commence the 250th anniversary of the nation and council of the city of Wilmington, commend DSU on more than a century of dedicated service.

Now they'll be a resign resolved by the council of the city of Wilmington.

The City Council is pleased to recognize Delaware State University on their 135 years of service to the city of Wilmington, the state of Delaware, and the nation.

Job well done.

Councilwoman Oliver.

And thank you to my dear friend and uh council president, uh Trippy Count's go and so many members of uh Wilmington City Council.

First thing I want to say, it's glad to be home.

I spent uh 20 years of my professional career here, right in the city of Wilmington, and my wife and I are proud to call ourselves Wilmingtonians uh by day and Doverites by night.

Um the 135th anniversary of Delaware State University uh is special, not because of Tony Allen or Tara Allen, but because of the 50,000 alums that have come to Delaware State University in its 135 years.

Most excited about is we're just beginning.

We are our fastest trajectory of growth in the history of Delaware State University right now.

And it has a lot to do uh with the fact that we are paying attention to our students throughout Delaware and specifically in the city of Wilmington.

Mr.

President, if you would indulge me for just one second, I'd like all the young people to stand just for a moment.

All the young people in the audience, would you stand?

Remain standing, remain standing.

Standing.

I want you all to remember this.

The Inspire Scholarship.

The Inspire Scholarship is available to each and every one of you if you graduate from a Delaware high school with a 2.75 and a commitment to public service.

And make sure, make sure you tell your parents that if you get the Inspire Scholarship, that you will pay nothing in tuition to attend the greatest HBCU in the country, Delaware State University.

So remember what I said, young people inspire, and thank you.

Certainly my beautiful wife and the first lady of Delaware State University, Miss Tara Allen, my high school sweetheart.

Um Patty Gilliam, who's one of the great legendary families in Wilmington and the Gilliam family.

She was the founding dean of our uh college of graduate adult and continuing studies right here in the city of Wilmington when we came back in 2022, and is now our provost.

Uh Kinesha Ringold, who is our chief enterprise risk officer and is a woman Tony and herself.

And I would bet that there are all kinds of alumni and parents in the audience here that believe in Delaware State University.

Just know that your university is very much Wilmington.

Um, our presence on the riverfront is just the beginning.

We will be opening up in the community education building because of the investment the city of Wilmington made in us.

Our vision is to be the most diverse contemporary, unapologetic HBCU in the country, and with your help, that will help.

That will happen.

God bless you.

Thank you, Delaware State.

I will be to the homecoming.

Next, we'd like to have the Raptors come up along with Coach Paul and Charles.

Like all that trophy up here.

Bring that trophy up here, sitting right up front.

We like the whole team to come up and line up.

All right, all right.

Let me just have the lineup.

Like the team just to line up front so you don't have to redo it.

Just come in, line up the tall ones in the back.

Coach, can you help me out?

Can y'all bring up line them up right front?

Thanks.

Tall in the back, short in the front.

Hey.

Take your time.

Put it right in the front.

We like the tall in the back.

Thank you.

You got the tall in the back and the short in the front, so we can get this picture.

These guys have won two AAUs.

Amateur athletic unions.

Spring season champions.

Working with little or nothing.

And have really succeeded.

Take that belt up front.

Look at all of this talent.

Okay, we got another Jim Hine up here with us.

You're sitting there, can you get everybody?

I want to get up there.

Coaches, can you get oh no?

There we go.

All right.

Let us know if you let us know if you can get a good picture.

This is really good stuff to see our kids.

It's a lot of kids doing positive stuff.

How about that?

President Condo.

You gotta stand up.

One, two, three.

Geez.

Wait, guys, let me get that.

Okay, you young men can stay right there.

I just need the coaches up here.

Young men can stay right there.

Okay.

Councilman Xanthia Oliver.

I like to thank the Charles and Paul and all the other coaches and the parents here.

Um I've seen y'all working hard throughout the community.

We've been trying to get this fun for maybe about six months now, but it's never too late.

And it's good to see y'all.

If y'all have your 501, please feel free to put in your paperwork so a lot of council members can make a donation.

And I like to say, because a lot of people don't see my council members here tonight.

It was um, you know, it's been funerals a day, and other people have a lot of family issues going on, so a lot of them um just want me to tell everybody they would be here if they could, but it's a lot going on.

Okay, sponsor councilman Xanthe Alvin.

Whereas it's the Census City Council to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and deserving of recognition and acknowledgments.

Councilman Xanthia Oliver recognizes Wimmonton City, Wilmington City rappers national football championship winners as one such organization.

And whereas Wimmerton rappers have established themselves as primary youth football organizations serving boys and girls between the ages of eight and fourteen.

The team welcomes youth from diverse backgrounds and provide opportunities for participation, for participation, regardless of prior football experience, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Whereas the Womitan Rappers Football Team League was founded within the vision of empowering and enriching the lives of young people through athletics, mentorship, and community engagement through dedication, coaching, mentorship, educational support, and staff, use of transformation power, support to teach discipline, teamwork, leadership, preservation, accountability, and sportsmanship.

Whereas during the first five years of the organization, the Womanton rappers have achieved remarkable success on the field, winning two AAU amateur athlete unions, spring season championship, seven AAU fall season championships, and one national championship, bringing the pride of recognition to the city of Wilmington.

Now they're being resolved by the city council and the city of Wimmington that the council is pleased to recognize the Woman City Rappers for their national football championship victory and wishes them continuous success on and off the field.

Job well done.

Yeah, let's stand up.

Let's stand up.

Let's stand up.

Okay.

Um thing I like to say, you can tell these guys are disciplined.

They haven't been talking, they're not making much noise.

You know what?

You guys are going very far in life.

I can tell you that now.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Uh, my name is Coach Pig.

First, I want to give honor of God because without him, none of this would be possible.

We stand here tonight, not just as champions, but as a family.

A nonprofit driven by dedicated coaches, parents, young athletes striving to be national champions again.

To keep giving these kids a chance to win on the field and in life, we need your help.

Right now, our program is facing real difficult challenges.

Um, we're being charged a hundred dollars an hour for police presence at home games.

We have no permanent home field.

Our equipment needs updating, and we need sponsorships to span and sustain our program.

It takes a village to raise a child.

Without a community support, there is no village.

The children behind me, or right now that are standing in front of me, deserve opportunities, guidance, and resources that help them grow athletically, academically, and personally.

Raising costs have made traveling difficult.

Many parents can't afford gas, so families, carpool just to get our kids to away games and keep them competing.

We also been offered a tremendous opportunity.

The Tri-State Area League has asked us to host the championship games in our city.

Hosting will bring revenue and attention to our community and help raise funds our program desperately needs.

We fundraise ourselves and we pour everything we have into these kids.

But we need more support and we to make this season successful and to keep creating opportunities.

This season two of our kids experienced the loss of the fathers.

We're standing with them every step of the way.

We are all in for these kids.

Now the question is are you all in too?

Right.

Thank thank you for this.

Uh thank you for your time and honoring my 11 youth national champions.

I will be speaking on behalf of Miss Curlin Peak.

Good evening, City Council President and Council members.

My name is Carlin Peake, and I am the and I am new to the team Wilmington City Raptors.

Since joining, I have witnessed firsthand the compassion, the dedication, and guidance that coaches provide to the young people they serve.

This team recently won a national championship in Florida this past December.

And achieved achievement that reflects the hard work and commitment of both the players and coaches to help make that success possible.

The coaches often pay expenses out of their own pockets and even providing housing and meals during a week-long trip.

Their willingness to make these personal sacrifices is truly commendable.

Every day, they are not only teaching the game, but also helping to build character, discipline, and confidence in our youth.

Today, we are asking for your support.

In addition to the many other expenses required to keep the uh program operating successfully, we are also requesting a stable home field where the team can regularly regularly play and practice, constantly traveling to away game, creates challenges for both the players and their parents.

Your assistance will be a meaningful difference in the lives of these young men, athletes, and the community they represent.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Okay.

With that being said, Kobe.

Thank you.

Um, I just want to say congratulations to the champions up here.

I see y'all got nice rings on as well.

Um, but as someone who won a high school championship here in Delaware, I know how hard it is um to get over the finish line, but also to the coaches for showing up and being dedicated to the team to coaching them.

Um, and I also want to give a special shout out to all the defensive players there.

I was a nose guard, so let's go to D line.

Um, but keep up the amazing work.

Good luck next year, and I know council will be able to help a little.

I would also like to congratulate the team, um coaches, and especially the the young the young men who are there on the on the field grinding.

Congratulations to you all, and thanks to the parents and the the family that you that uh that supports the team and just makes this a reality.

And on behalf of all of City Council, I I do appreciate that you gave us this uh these uh this letter that says the different sponsors sponsorship opportunities.

I don't I want to say right now that council will commit to be a platinum sponsor.

Council member Wellower.

Yes, I just want to say congratulations um on the victory and also um congratulate you on all the hard work that it took to get there.

So um thank you to the coaches and the parents, and I just want to say to all the young athletes uh, you know, that work pays off.

That's all, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy.

I didn't even have my hand up, but you know what?

I just want to congratulate these gentlemen.

I do understand about community football and all that it takes in order to keep everybody galvanizing uh cementing together.

You guys did you know you guys did a great job.

Y'all won a championship.

I like my team, our team didn't win the championship.

So y'all doing way better than we were.

But I just want to say congratulations and um whatever council can do for you guys.

We want to make sure we can.

Okay.

Okay, let's go in the hallway and take our picture and and DSU is still here.

We go in the hallway and take our picture.

Thank you so much.

So exciting, yeah, yeah.

Definitely with good support.

Council member McCoy.

Congratulations.

Definitely, and I want to work with you on that.

I want to work with you on that hundred dollars.

So I'm gonna follow up.

Yeah, yeah, definitely.

Okay, all right.

I see we are trying to let everyone disperse, but I would like to invite Senior Corporal Lavette Williams to the podium.

Corporal Williams.

Okay, Corporal Williams.

This is actually a resolution from our President Congo.

I want to present to you.

Okay, from Corporal Williams, whereas it is a sense of city council to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and deserving of recognition and acknowledgement.

Senior Corporal Levette Williams merits such distinction.

Whereas Senior Corporal Williams is a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Her childhood is this in this vibrant close-knit community, instills her with a deep commitment to service, leadership, and helping others.

She went on to attend Virginia State University, where she earned a bachelor of science in biology with a minor in pre-medicine.

Whereas for the past eight years, Senior Corporal Williams has faithfully served as a sworn officer to the Wilmington Police Department.

She has consistently exhibited professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting and serving the residents of Wilmington in a variety of capacities.

Whereas Senior Corporal Williams found her passion as a K9 handler, becoming the first black female in the state of Delaware to operate in this role.

She quickly established a strong bond with Tyson, her K9 partner, and committed herself to mastering the responsibility of her new assignment.

Whereas, in addition to her duties as a K9 handler, Senior Corporal Williams is a member of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which is a UAV drone team and the honor guard with specialized training in crisis intervention as well as critical incident and stress management.

She supports both her colleagues and the community as a member of the wellness team.

Now, therefore, be resolved by the council of the city of Wilmington that this council is pleased to commend Senior Corporal Levet Williams for breaking barriers in the K9 unit.

We wish her continued success in her law enforcement career.

Job well done.

Good evening, everyone.

Good evening.

First, I would like to thank Council President Congo for this amazing recognition.

I also want to thank Chief Campos and Sergeant Conine for selecting me to be a member of the best unit in the department.

I would like to thank my mother for being here to witness a great milestone in my life.

Thank you for your unconditional love and support always.

Thank you.

Any people who know me have heard me say countless times how much I wanted to become a canine handler.

Receiving this opportunity is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful and thankful.

One thing I have always emphasized before, during, and after the academy, and even today, is my desire to make a big difference in a small city.

And being from Brooklyn, there's nothing small about that.

I want to be an example that with determination, hard work, and perseverance, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

I especially want to show young people and particularly young women who look like me that no matter the obstacles you face, you are worthy, capable, and able to achieve anything you strive for.

Thank you again for this recognition.

I will forever be humbled, grateful, and honored.

Thank you.

But then back then I didn't realize that you were from New York and probably a Knicks fan.

Yes.

I don't like what y'all do to my sixers.

So if I would have known that, I don't know if I if you'd be up here tonight, but seriously, congratulations, and I just love the fact that you understand uh who you are and your responsibility to to the next generation.

So I'm really looking forward to you being an awesome part of our of this police department.

Congratulations.

Okay.

Uh, this actually is not on the agenda, but we we cannot forget National Violence Awareness Month and Community Violence Now.

Those members of that program, if you wouldn't mind coming up to the podium.

I know this is I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Mom's demand action.

Okay.

Yeah, like a little different on the envelope.

My apologies, ladies.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

I know this is a little unexpected, but you know, while you were here, we had to make certain that we recognize you.

Right.

This is actually from all council.

And it is to mom's demand action.

We're for those who didn't get a chance to put on orange, we're wearing our orange ribbons.

Whereas the first Friday in June marks National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

The Wilmington City Council wishes to remember lives lost to gun violence, honor survivors of gun-related traumas, and raise awareness about this public health crisis.

Whereas every day, about 120 Americans are killed by gun violence, and more than 230 are injured.

And an average year, more than 40,000 die, and another 84,000 are wounded by guns nationally.

Nearly eight in ten murders and more than half of deaths by suicide in the United States involve a firearm.

And whereas Delaware has the 25th highest rate of gun-related fatalities.

I'm sorry, 1700.

Wait a minute.

Wow, that is a lot.

714 million dollars annually.

I had to get that number right.

1,714 million dollars annually.

In 2025, Wilmington has 64 shootings, a 21% decrease from the year before.

However, there's still much work to be done.

Whereas firearms are involved in the majority of homicides nationwide and account for more than half of all suicides in the United States, underscoring the need for continued prevention, intervention, education, and community-based solutions.

Protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens work in concert with keeping guns away from the people who should not have them.

Whereas in January 2013, Heidea Pendleton, a 15-year-old African American girl from Chicago Chicago, Illinois, was shot and killed in the park just one week after performing at then President Barack H.

Obama's second inauguration.

Heidea's friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, a color that hunters wear to be visible and prevent shooting accidents in the wood.

Orange is also a color that symbolizes the value of human life.

Gun violence awareness day commemorates her birthday and is a tribute to the many other victims of gun violence and their loved ones.

On gun violence awareness day, people are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness and to reflect on the victims and survivors of firearms.

Now therefore be resolved by the council of the city of Wilmington, and that this legislative body recognizes June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month and encourages all citizens of Wilmington to wear orange and support their communities' efforts to bring awareness to the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor the lives we've lost.

Thank you, ladies.

Hi there, good evening, everyone.

My name is Ann McWalter, and I'm the state lead for Mom's Demand Action.

And as um Yolanda.

So we work across the state to help people and to help communities be safe from gun violence.

We have four local groups across the state, and uh we work at the grassroots level.

And so we're very excited to be here today and thankful to council members for the uh proclamation or resolution.

So this is our 12th year of uh Wear Orange, and it's celebrated across the country.

Um, and it is typically National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

It's the first Friday in June, and it marks the beginning of Where Orange.

Where Orange honors the lives of people in the United States affected by gun violence and elevates advocates across the country who are desperately and demanding an end to gun violence by taking action.

This year we're encouraging awareness as well as the many actionable steps that we can all take to protect our families and communities from parents to community partners to law enforcement to responsible gun owners who securely store their guns and to keep our communities safe.

This effort takes all of us.

Making a difference starts with small steps.

And as we um celebrate Wear Orange, we recognize that we have the power to act.

Community members across the US will focus on concrete steps that they can take to recommit to a culture of responsibility, safety, and power, things like securely storing your weapons at home and in your cars, and spreading the message to community members on how to store their weapons safely, having conversations about gun safety with friends and neighbors, and building partnerships with local leaders, businesses, and organizations.

Thank you, everyone, and I hope that you take time to join in any Wear Orange events and activities that you see locally.

Go to WearOrange.org and see the events that are taking place.

Thank you very much, and thank you again.

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

Excuse me, I'd just like to congratulate y'all.

Excuse me.

I just like to congratulate you guys on the outstanding work you do throughout the city of Wilmington.

I've been to several of your events.

I've walked with y'all on shirts, and you know, it's a plague uh that doesn't have any color.

And I know it's other organizations doing similar things, but y'all really do a good job.

So kudos to y'all.

Thank you.

Councilmember Owens.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, kind of echoing what councilwoman Oliver just said, thank you for all the work that you do throughout the city, not just when it comes to gun violence, but showing up for our neighborhoods as well, too.

I know um Moms Demand Action has shown up time and time again for community cleanups and all different types of events um over um the north side.

So again, just thank you for your dedication to the community and what y'all adore.

Thank you.

We're honored to be able to help the community.

Thank you.

That resolution of recognition will be added to the to the uh agenda results.

Councilmember Owens.

Can I have my county councilman Penrose Hollins join me up here, please?

And can his family join them as well, too?

This resolution is being presented on behalf of council president Trippie Congo.

Um, and before I get started with the resolution, I just want to say thank you, uh, Councilman Hollis.

I know this is your last year on County Council, um, but you have been a true champion um for the city of Wilmington on County Council and a true champion for housing, which is so critical for so many in our community.

So I I I do want to say thank you before I read this.

Whereas it's a sense of uh this city council to honor individuals, organizations, and significant milestones that demonstrate outstanding achievement and are deserving of recognition and acknowledgement.

Council President Ernest Trippi Congo commends Newcastle County Councilmember Penrose Hollands, recipient of the Order of the First State, which is the highest order in which a citizen uh uh civilian can be awarded here in Delaware for his steadfast dedication to the people of the city of Wilmington.

Whereas Mr.

Hollins has devoted more than three decades of his life to public service, community advocacy, and civic leadership.

In 1997, he made history as the first African American president pro temp of Newcastle County Council, breaking barriers and local government and creating the opportunities for future generations of leaders.

Councilmember Hollins is the longest tenured member of the Newcastle County Council, and we're and we're proudly represents the fourth councilmatic district.

He is known as a strong advocate for neighborhoods, public safety, economic development, youth engagement, and community empowerment.

As a distinguished alumni of Delaware Tech in community college, Mr.

Hollins serves his he served his community honorably in the United States Army, including two hardship tours in Southeast Asia.

His portrait can be found on the Teblunk commemory wall among the honorable council members of the Wilmington of the City of Wilmington, among many of his accomplishments representing the first councilmatic district, the best district.

He made a resounding statement on international human rights by becoming the second elected official in the Continental United States of America to sponsor legislation requiring governmental divestment from companies conducting business in a part time South Africa.

His commitment to public service extends beyond elected office through mentorship, volunteership, active support of numerous community initiatives and community organizations, such as the Police Athletic League of Wilmington, Kingswood Community Center, the Jones Art and Senior Center.

Mr.

Hollins is a founding member in a former Goodwill Ambassador of Canaan Baptist Church, in addition to previous roles as an ambassador for the YWYMCA, board member of the Diamond State Sports and Learning Center, Chair of the First District Democratic Committee, member of the River Riverfront Advisory Committee, member of Mother Africa Union Church August Quarterly Advisory Committee.

He does a lot.

Whereas Mr.

Hollins has received numerous awards and recognition for his long-standing commitment for civil rights and ethical leadership, including his induction as a life member of the Wilmington branch of the NAACP, the Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Award, the Outstanding Achievements and Human and Civil Rights Award, the Legislative Award for Affordable Housing, and on March March 16th, 2026, Mr.

Hollins received the award for of the order of the first state, Delaware's highest civilian honor bestowed upon individuals who accomplish whose accomplishments have brought distinction and honor to the state.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by resolution by this council of the city of Wilmington that this council is pleased to recognize the honorable Newcastle County Councilman from the 4th District, my county councilman, Penrose Hollins, for his steadfast leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the community and community empowerment, embodying the highest ideas of public service and civic engagement.

Job well done.

Thank you very much.

Come a long way since I was there.

But good evening, everyone.

President Congo, members of council.

It is a point of personal privilege for me to join all of you here this evening.

I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the loss of our former mayor, Mike Prezicki.

And I continue to mourn with the citizens of Wilmington.

Mike was a member of County Council when I arrived, County Council 35 years ago.

Mike helped me to navigate the complexity of land use in Newcastle County.

I was brand new.

Someone's a novelty in that respect.

But the fact of the matter is, I could not have done it without the colleagues that I had working with me.

And Mike was one of those colleagues.

Later on, I joined Mike as a member of the Hope Commission.

And during the next council member, I will introduce an ordinance to NX County Nan.

And to the city of Wilmington for the expansion of his 76th field house.

And I would imagine Mike will look down on that event when I do it next week and give us the Mike Wink.

I also want to mention the fact that I began my career right here in the City Council.

I came to City Council.

I was the first black member to represent the first district in Wilmington.

But obviously, the best news, I wasn't the last.

DuPont had investment in South Africa.

They didn't fire me.

I kept the job.

But it was good for me to do it because it expanded me beyond the city of Wilmington.

They started calling me the International Council member.

They kicked me out.

Some of my friends at DuPont said I needed more space.

Why don't you try county council?

I tried county council.

I got the county council.

And I'm still there.

I'm retiring as Kobe said at the end of the year.

I want someone to recognize the people that's with me here tonight.

My son-in-law Isaac.

We're also joined by my partner in crime, Carrie Casey, who's the general manager of community services, tenor for Newcastle County.

Carrie and I have worked steadfastly together, with me being the chair of community services, which means that housing is one of our primary responsibilities in the county.

Also libraries, some youth programs, senior programs, libraries, all that's community services.

So Carrie wanted me to mention a couple of things that we're doing in Wilmington because Wilmington is certainly not forgotten.

We're working diligently for housing in Wilmington, affordable housing.

Just recently, we transferred a grant from another project in Wilmington over to South Bridge for the Albert Palmer School that's closed down, will become townhouses now.

Oliver's way working very hard with Willow and Trustees.

Villa Maria, Ministry of Caring on Market Street, the village of St.

John at Market in Concord, Christiana Village on the west side of Wilmington.

I was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for two and a half terms.

Community outside of Wilmington decided they did not want to have habitat homes in the neighborhood, right on Route 9.

I convinced the family that habitat was the best opportunity because of the type of homes they built and the families that they served.

Once that family agreed, the community agreed, they invited me to join Habitat.

So I served Habitat and Affordable Housing has been foundational to my political career.

The central wife for us was a special program.

We renovated rooms for single occupancy, Solomon's Court, and we also did led remediation and health of homes here in Wilmington.

138 homes were part of our Healthy Homes project and led remediation.

So we are working in Wilmington.

As long as I'm gonna be there, we're gonna continue to work in Wilmington.

My cohort for Wilmington is Councilman J Street.

I have a part of Wilmington, primarily from Southbridge.

I go up to Brandon Mine Hundred.

Our district is about 50,000 people.

Only pray that my replacement is going to be someone from Wilmington who cares for all the people of Wilmington.

So I want to thank you all very much for this honor tonight.

Glad to be able to join you.

Kobe.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Trippy, thank you very much.

Thank you, all of counsel.

Thank you all very much.

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um disappeared a sweet moment for me.

Um you helping me through the years, and I just like to say congratulations.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Councilmember Willower.

Yeah, Mr.

Hollins, I just want to say uh congratulations.

Thank you for your long service.

And also thank you for sharing your knowledge and understanding over many years.

And I uh have learned so much about housing working with you, and I appreciate the fact that you you know were always open to sitting down and having a conversation and sharing what you know.

So I really want to continue to work on housing, and I thank you for everything you've done.

Thank you so much, Christian.

Why don't you tell me when we met?

I first met Christian at Harvard University at a conference.

Ah, okay.

Well, we went as a conference, we went to the conference together for the city of Wilmington to focus on uh vacant property, bringing vacant properties back into use.

Right.

But Paul Calisha on the trip.

Paul got us lost, got me lost in Boston at Harvard University.

Thanks, Christian.

Thank you all very much.

Appreciate it.

Councilmember McCoy.

Yeah.

Thank you so much, County Council Person.

Um, Highlands, I just want to state that thank you for also reminding the people of Wilmington about how much we collaborate together, how the county is actually is helping us when it comes to a lot of the things that we're doing.

I thank you for um just listening to that bio of all the things that you know uh councilman Owen shared, and then the things that you made us aware of is phenomenal, and we are definitely gonna miss you and the experience that you bring.

Thank you so much, Councilman.

I appreciate that.

Councilmember Darby.

Yes, I definitely want to say thank you for always having an open door.

Um, tonight I have the housing trust legislation.

That was because of you sitting down, and you're like, y'all need a housing trust and inclusion area zoning before I taught do anything for women.

So that was it sparked something, and it took a few years, but we are here um tonight to do that.

So thank you.

Like you were the catalyst for that, and always being a person of wisdom.

So thank you.

Well, thank you so much, and I appreciate that.

Good luck with all that.

Also want to uh thank you and congratulate you.

You know, I felt special because I thought I was one of the only ones who you kind of mentored here on council.

It seemed like you mentored all of us.

But you're tripping.

You are you mentored me when I was first when I first came on council, and it's just it's it's it's great to hear that you are just still the same person who you were back then, still mentoring, still making sure that people know.

People know your knowledge, and you're just passing it to the next generation.

And I think that will probably be your greatest accomplishment that everything that you have fought for that you have believed in that you're sharing with us so that we can make our city better.

So thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

And I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how much your family supported me, how much I appreciate them as well.

Please pass it on.

Thank you.

I will thank you.

Good night, everybody.

And in the way of other uh resolutions of recognition coming from Councilmember Willower, she would like to recognize the Mother African Union Church.

Coming from Councilmember Oliver, she would like to recognize Shalim from the transition from City Council Fellowship coming from all of council.

We would like to recognize the National Caribbean American Heritage Month and recognize the National Gunner Gun Violence Awareness Month, 2026, and from Councilmember Bracey.

She would like to recognize Africa Day 2026 for sympathy resolutions coming from all of council.

Sympathy resolutions for former mayor Mike Prezikie.

Sympathy resolution for Charlotte Miller Lacey coming from Councilmember Oliver.

Sympathy resolutions for Lewis and Harris and James Knight and from Councilmember Spadola, a sympathy resolution for Raymond Manza.

At this time I would like to take a vote to extend public comment.

So move.

So move.

Second.

Hold on one second, please.

We just have to get more council members so we can have quorum.

Nathan is on there.

Nathan is on here.

All right, thank you for your patience.

We just have to wait a few minutes until Councilmember Owens or McCoy comes back in council chambers.

And I want to talk to you, right?

Okay.

This is a honest.

Again, I would like to uh take a um vote to extend public comment.

So move.

Second.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Motion carried.

Thank you.

First for public comment, we do have Deacon Earl Tate.

Just want to remind everyone who has signed up for public comment.

Those of you who are in chambers and with us virtually that you do have a time, a three-minute time frame.

And please remember to introduce yourselves.

If you do want to let us know that if you live in the city of Wilmington and which district you're representing, you're welcome to do so, but not required.

Good evening.

My name is Deacon Earl E.

Tate, who's never late because he don't want to lose his parolet skates.

And I'm up here speaking, speaking for the behalf of the people.

We gotta get up off our seat and gotta get out here and let our voices be heard.

Let our voices be known because our forefathers didn't get up and fight so hard for us to have the right to vote for us to sit back on it and not do anything.

They got out here and they fought that part, fought that fight for us that we may have the right to stand up for ourselves.

So you so you have to stand up and you have to and you have to make your voices be heard.

So people, I'm telling you, get up off your seat and vote because we got because we got a president in there now that don't care about nobody but herself.

We gotta let him know that hey, we we put you there to care for us, not us to care for you.

So you got so you got to do the right thing and help the people.

And if you don't, you're no good to us.

Plus, plus I like to say this too about about the homeless people.

The homeless people don't have to be the homeless because there's many, there's many a fields of land that is open, acres and acres of land that is open in in the Newcastle districts that that uh that could be used, that could be used with with plenty of these trailers that these trailers that they bring over here that that that is not being used, that is not being used.

Take these trailers and put them up in these acres of land and fix them up, pick them up so that people could have it to live in, the live instead of living in the parks and everything are parked on me for us to go in to enjoy, to enjoy.

Not to sit around and look at look at other people, but but to enjoy.

But we got to we got to make our voices known.

Yeah, 30 seconds.

And that, and as I and as I say in my poem, think he who thinketh negatively had defeated himself even before he begun.

But he who thinketh positively with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding can claim the victory by faith.

And it's all setting forth new goals and climbing higher heights that life holds no limit for you.

So remember, you gotta not only think, but you got to do what what you what you what you're supposed to do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, virtually we have Jacqueline.

Last name begins with the B.

W-I-T-N.

Jack Welin, maybe Brick.

Okay, Kim online, Kim Vallejo.

Okay.

I'm here, sir.

Yes, thank you for joining us.

Please introduce yourself greeting.

Uh greetings to all council, Mr.

President, all honorees.

My name is Kim Vileo.

I am uh a former resident of Wilmington, and my family still lives here.

I come up often to uh to see them, and I've also admired their participation in the helping uh the homeless citizens of the city in the Christina Park.

I am appealing to council's better angels, and I am feeling that they stop the sweep and this eviction coming up on June 15th.

If these people cannot sleep outside or sleep in the park, then where are they gonna go?

We have to look at these people as what they are.

They are not furniture to be moved once it becomes out of style or old or broken.

These could be us.

We ourselves in this world are one or two paychecks away from being with these people in their lot.

I really um not going to take all my time, but I wish to say that to give dignity to these people is above all things.

And in closing, I wish to say, Matthew 2540.

Whatever you do to the least of my brethren and sisters, you have done it to me.

Thank you for my time and thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have Joe Connor.

Right, Joe.

Let's go, Joe.

After Mr.

Connor, it is going to be Philly Simmons.

I'm right here.

All right, thank you.

Thank you for joining us, Mr.

Connor, and please remember to introduce yourself.

Good evening, everybody.

I'm Joe Connor.

I'm fortunate enough to live in the eighth councilmatic district.

I apologize in advance.

I haven't been feeling well with my voice is kind of shot.

And about half of you on council had the opportunity to hear what I'm about to say last night at the committee meeting, and nothing's really changed, so you know I'm just gonna say what I got to say, which is I don't know what to say.

There's a choice to be made.

There's a deadline coming up, an artificial deadline that somehow magically folks that are have nowhere to go are gonna have somewhere to go, and this it's a whole thing is just gonna go away.

And that's not how we deal with the unhoused.

Not on a certain date, and certainly not in the ping pong way that this has been dealt with in the last couple of months.

Tents, no tents, here, there, you know that there's there's no there's no continuity to it, there's no logic to it, and it's coming to a place where our brothers and sisters are gonna get hurt, and it's gonna be I don't know what it's gonna be, but what I'd like to do on January on June 15th is walk out of my house and walk down to the river, go over the swinging bridge, go up to the Angelos and have some breakfast.

I don't want to be in Christina Park.

I don't.

And you all have the opportunity to help us not do that.

Could you please pass the resolution tonight?

Thank you.

Philly Simmons.

The next virtually is going to be Connor Brofe.

Oh, I'm in Chambers.

Okay, all right, thank you.

Thank you for joining us.

Going to ask you to please remember to introduce yourself.

And we do have over 30 people who have signed up for public comment.

I just want to um remind everyone to please stay within your three minute time frame.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm from Christiana Park.

I've been there when it was five tents.

Now it's over 50 something tents.

And you guys give two shits about it.

Let's just keep it real.

You guys give you speaking to the mic?

You guys give two shits about it.

It's 50 something tents.

I have four people for safety.

We're walking around protecting these tents with our life with no lights at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 o'clock in the morning.

All right, I'm from the streets of North Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and I am scared.

Walking through all these tents that y'all put up in the city.

And ain't none of y'all been there to walk through or help us.

But you won't take them away from the people and y'all put them out there.

That is not ABC's in one, two, threes.

That is despicable to do to your city of Delaware.

Yes, it is.

And trust me, dead or live, you will know what y'all did if you don't help these people.

All these abandoned houses around here.

And you guys are gonna spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to put people in tents in a park instead of give them an opportunity like y'all got so when you go to sleep tonight.

I hope you ask God, whatever God you serve to help y'all make the right decision.

Because you're gonna endanger your lives if you don't help these homeless people because y'all have been hurting them for a lot of years in the state of Delaware.

You got people sleeping outside in front of a Sunday breakfast mission on the ground.

Women, and I know some of y'all know because y'all drive right by it while y'all go home.

I'm gonna be nice today because I haven't slept.

My best friend got hit in the head by a female.

He's in hospital.

He's one of the safety out there.

All right, another friend of mine got staples in his head that's out there.

So excuse me if I don't want to really spend time with y'all.

But may God be with y'all.

Uh Carmina Taylor.

Excuse me, one second, Mr.

Brofi.

Karmina Taylor.

When is she to come up next, and then Mr.

Brofee.

Good evening.

Um for the last I'm Carmina Taylor.

I am not a resident, but I'm this has become my second home.

Um, Delaware.

So I just want to say to um President Congo and all the council members, I've had the privilege of of being able to do drug and alcohol prevention to the Wilmington Raptors for five years.

And I have become part of their family because the coaches have embraced me.

And um, when I initially started working with them, I kept hounding them about all this information about drug and alcohol prevention, and they were listening.

But one day I got a call and they got what I was saying because one of their um players had uh an experience.

And I came here tonight with such glee and elation, uh, because this is the fruit that I was talking about.

Their championships.

Um, over the last five years, so so proud of them.

Beyond all the things that were said today by the councilwoman, they've had numerous.

Um my goodness, I lost it.

But the bottom line is these men have um poured their own resources to make sure that these kids have whatever they need.

And after five years, I think with winning this championship, we should be one we should be pouring more into them as a community in Wilmington working with me for drug and alcohol prevention.

And I can honestly tell you that none of the players from when I first started till now have misused any substances.

At the same token, in Wilmington, I go out into all the schools and do drug and alcohol education through the kids' department, and I want to tell you the statistics show that 39% of the middle school and high school kids in Wilmington are misusing um marijuana, high potency edibles, and vaping.

And so I've come here, I think for the last three years imploring to work together, and I'm coming back to ask you to do some groundbreaking work with me and the football team for your community.

We have to educate parents, we have to educate the community about what's on the street and what is accessible.

And um, I think again, the whole pleasure of being here in this moment, uh, President Congo, knowing that they have produced results through their mentoring, through their education.

And one of the things that you know, I did a brain architect game with them.

They talked, they talked about support systems for for young people.

They are the support system when anything falls in their lives, all the good things and all the bad things.

And I think they should be your standard bearer of community education, outreach, and mentoring.

They've kept them off the streets, they embrace everything that I bring them each year, and um, I just wanted this to be on record that this is uh my fourth time being here, and they came back with all these wins, and that's because of the work that they've done hands-on with no money.

Thank you.

Thank you, Connor Brofe, and then WITN.

Our next virtual speaker would be Amber Patty.

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

Hi everybody, I'm Connor Brofe.

I live 10 minutes away from Christina Park.

I'll tell you how close I am and how much time I spent here.

Um, first of all, say you'll have to forgive me.

I know I'm looking and feeling pretty disheveled because I spent the last 24 hours helping park residents try to do things the right way.

And over the last four hours, just watching someone's heartbreak as they had to choose uh uh you know, a roof over their head tonight rather than being able to keep their pet.

We all know how you know close our pets are.

They're they're family, so at the top, I'll say, you know, support this resolution, and I'm not beyond begging.

We've seen this city fail every person in that park since its inception and long before that.

When we see Killer Carney and Clown Cade lie to our faces about who's out in that park, what they're doing, and who's actually showing up to talk to them.

I am one of hundreds, if not thousands of people who are out there weekly, if not daily.

And to point the finger at all of your city who are helping the most underserved population, and to demonize them and say they're others, say they're outside agitators.

Where we heard that before.

To sit here and pretend like they didn't just have more than half the city council vote with their purse rather than their heart at the last meeting.

There's no public benefit to voting against this resolution to stop the eviction on June 15th.

It's going to create a public health hazard.

It's going to scatter people across the city.

You're going to pretend like your resources will be more effective, or they're not going to cost the city twice as much when everyone is scattered and being chased by police every day and every night.

So they're again taking more money out of your pockets to tell you that they're doing good.

And it really is just cruelty for cruelty's sake.

So when you look at the Kearney administration, you look at Claire Dematias, who sabotage the homelessness task force by putting every person who's creating the problem in this city in one place and inviting a hand handful of people who are actually trying to do a goddamn thing.

What would be expecting to get?

It was just squabbling and half measures.

And it's cruelty for cruelty's sake.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Um, she's with us.

Amber Patty.

Then Mimi is Mimi with us.

I'm gonna ask you to come up.

To my left, please.

You'll be next.

Um I'm here to speak on behalf of Amber Patty, who couldn't be here today.

Um, but she is in support of Darby's resolution number zero two four zero supporting a humane transition and calling on the administration to provide real humane housing solutions in addition to support sub-2 of ordinance twenty zero nineteen, an ordinance to amend uh chapter eight of the city code to establish an affordability housing trust and community advisory board.

So again, speaking on behalf of Amber Powdy.

Dear City Council, my name is Amber Patty.

And I feel I have to emphasize that I am not a New York socialist transplant, but a Delawarean resident who happens to be a socialist.

I'm here to voice my support for this resolution.

Unaffordable housing, rising cost of living, poor access to health care, lack of prison reform, and more have contributed to the increase in homelessness.

So Kearney's solution was Christina Park, after spending tens of thousands to support them alongside the pityance given to Friendship House, only to then evict them after one month of finally providing what was agreed upon five months ago because we demanded accountability and embarrassed him.

This is a temper tantrum.

And we don't give in when someone has their tantrum.

That will simply condone their behavior and give them permission to decide things on a petty whim.

The language in discourse used throughout the last five months has continued to horrify me as our community members, especially those in power, have treated the unhoused residents with contempt by using power and privilege to control them and remove their agency.

I have heard the many assumptions they chose to quote unquote camp.

And they are all addicts and that they choose to not work, that they have mental health issues, that they are unwilling to change, etc.

etc.

When we know that this is way more complicated than that.

When we know that homelessness is often because of social and economic reasons and not a moral failing, the pretense of a plan that Siran Cade and the mayor's office alluded to in their letter shared today, yesterday, is laughable.

There are not enough services to support the poor or the inhouse, or any of us to be honest, should we end up in their same position.

To claim otherwise, or that there is while you continue to threaten eviction and arrest with in 11 days.

30 seconds.

Show us the specifics of what the support supposed plan really is, and that there are low barriers for them to accept assistance to get them out of the park within that time frame.

At some point, the illusion of care has failed, and we are seeing these actions for what they are.

Intentional harm to remove them from visibility and to escape accountability for the city and the mayor Kearney's poor choices.

The housing residents are exposed to it to are expected to be accountable for their choices if they decline to leave by the deadline.

But no one is permitted to question Mayor Carney's without Carney without receiving vitriol.

The hypocrisy.

Thank you.

Mimi.

Thank you for joining us next virtually.

WIT is going to be Coritas Kirby.

Hi, I'm Mimi District One.

Um, I borrowed a friend's glasses because I forgot mine, but I still can't see.

So I'm not gonna read but I prepared.

And you all know what I'm gonna say anyway.

Um, or uh resolution 0240 uh will stop these cruel evictions.

It's a necessity.

These people have nowhere to go.

I don't care what the mayor's office says, or you know, what letters they bring in the middle of a committee meeting, those numbers are not accurate.

There's people being dropped off.

We're seeing new faces there all the time.

Um, I spoke to some of the outreach people, and they even said there's not enough beds for them.

So I don't know where these numbers are coming from.

All we're asking for is some proof and accountability.

If these numbers are true, you should be able to show your work.

And also, just like Amber, I am not an implant from New York.

This is my Delaware driver's license, my big fat walrus potato head right here, Delaware 19802.

Okay.

I don't know where they're getting this from.

Socialists, yes.

Thank you for noticing.

From New York.

No.

Now, I want to address the people watching at home or who are gonna watch this at home.

A lot of you are for rent stabilization and things that would help protect housing.

A lot of us are one paycheck away from losing where we live.

And that is great.

Keep supporting that.

But remember, if Carney won't support that and he won't support the homeless, take a look at your your partner, your child.

Where are you guys gonna live if you lose your home and the park is gone, or anywhere to go is gone, or there is not enough beds.

Talk to your mayor, ask him why he's doing this, why he's being so cruel.

Why?

There's absolutely no reason for it.

It's aesthetics, he doesn't like the way it looks.

Poor people are an eye sore to him.

He made all these promises on his progress page.

Oh, they've received tents already.

No, they didn't get their tents till April.

Oh, bathrooms and showers.

No, we had to bother him for those bathrooms.

And then he finally gives them tents on crappy waterlogged pallets with nails sticking out of them, and clutches his fake pearls with his fake disgust and fake shock that we have a problem with it.

So once again, where are you gonna go if this happens to you?

Because Carney does not care about you.

He only cares about himself.

Thank you.

Thank you.

WITN is Coritas Kirby with us.

All right, thank you for joining us, and please introduce yourself.

Good evening.

Uh, my name is Caritas Kirby.

I'm here from Ellsmell, Ellsmere, Delaware.

Um, and I uh wanted to just start off by reassuring Mayor Carney and Mr.

Cade that um, though I was born in California, I was raised in Delaware Public School system.

I'm a graduate of Brandywine High School, uh Burnett Middle School, uh, actually intermediate school before it was demolished, Springer Middle School, and um uh I went to grade school at Brandy Wood elementary school.

And then before that, I went to Concordia Preschool, which is up in um like Brandywine Hundred on Silverside Road.

I'm not a transplant from New York.

I am a socialist, um, and I'm also a proud social worker.

I got my degree from Temple University uh in 2011.

Um I was really impressed by the um Raptors football team earlier today, because I could tell that they had accomplished all they had accomplished because of their community, uh, which is really what socialism is all about.

So I'm here tonight to say that I agree with uh Councilmember Shine Darby's statement last night in committee that there's nothing wrong with being a socialist.

A lot of us benefit from socialist programs, and all we're asking is that you say, yeah, I support other people.

I support my residents, I support my neighbors by either co-sponsoring Darby's resolution 0240 to support support a humane transition from Christina Park.

Uh that's really all you're saying.

The resolution is just telling Carney that you believe there is a better way.

That you believe that the folks that are asking for help do deserve the help that they're asking for.

And I disagree with a point that Mr.

Cade wrote in his letter that was read in in committee last night.

Um that the resolution doesn't give the mayor's office enough credit.

If they want to, you know, add on the uh the good things that happened, the the folks who have transitioned already, which in my opinion are far too few and doesn't address the greater problem that many people experience, the barriers that people experience to getting into transitional housing.

It's a it's a very low number that was quoted in that letter.

I I just want to remind um Mr.

Cade and the administration that supporting this resolution just kind of shows that you do care.

You have 20 seconds, and um that's really all I wanted to say to just urge council, you know, to show us that you do care for these folks at Christina Park, support resolution 0240, and consider supporting um uh uh substitution two for ordinance 2019 to amend chapter eight of the city code.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next virtual, we have Adam.

It's just the first name W I T N Adam.

Hello, can you hear me already?

Yes, we can.

Thank you for joining us.

Wonderful, wonderful.

Oh, I see.

Um the city council chambers isn't too packed anymore.

Um, I'm calling in, of course, to speak in support of the uh resolution to bring about a uh humane transition for Christina Park.

I think it's uh very common sense um resolution, and like the previous person said it doesn't cost you anything.

No, we've seen from the victors in chief, like Fields and uh Harley and uh Cabrera.

You guys will choose to harm others and yourselves and do the wrong thing, um, even if it doesn't cost you anything to do the right thing.

Um I saw in this room uh you really had the place packed like a pork house here, um, getting all the cops really excited to uh evict the camp.

Um, and one thing I wanted them and you guys to know is that you know, we the people, you know, a lot of times people say like what you're doing is violence, you're creating victims.

I have no intention of being a victim.

We make you suffer just as much as you make us suffer.

Okay.

So I want you to understand that there's gonna be consequences to your actions.

So take a light step and say to a bunch of people from nothing.

I know shift it.

The uh goon of Carnival or whatever has experienced the worst uh uh Islam franchisement and homelessness, and um I truly hope that uh you guys learn what karma is okay.

Thank you.

Next in council chambers is I think the first name is Say.

I say why call me I'm sorry, would you please check if there's another bill um in the in the people that are gonna speak because I'm not I would like to yield my thoughts to Mr.

Man.

Come on, I can't hear you.

I'm sorry.

Is there another person named um Philly in the role of people?

Simmons.

Oh Simmons.

He already spoke.

No.

Another one.

No.

They're gonna hear from me again.

All right, thank you.

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

Hello, my name is Andre James Taylor Simmons, and I'm a resident at Christiano Park.

No, yes, you don't.

I've been up for three days looking after the park.

Because to be honest, it's not safe there.

And Clowney really don't give a fuck about how it is down there.

And yes, it is a heeing us in that park is an eyesore for him.

But at the same time, he has to realize that we have nowhere to go, nowhere to sleep, nowhere to eat.

I have to.

How can I explain it?

Every morning I go to St.

Patrick's.

Like they're my family.

And to be honest, Carney, Carney's in Carney's in office just for the money and not for the people.

That's how I feel.

And to be honest, he's gonna get his own.

Tread lightly.

Thank you.

And Mr.

Simmons, his name, his name was on air.

I thought you said there was another Philly.

So Miss Say, you can still come forward if you want.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

I'm saying I I'm not gonna tell you who I am again, because most of you already know.

I'm not here for me.

I have no stake in the game.

But I want to tell you that recently I found out that a silly rule that you guys have is that everyone here is up for re-election in 2028.

And I want you to know that even though you see the same faces come up here every day, that we can have a chance to appeal to you for every one of us.

There are hundreds of us that can't show up because they don't have a sitter, because they don't have a significant other, because they have kids, because they have two jobs, three jobs.

Hundreds of us.

We are getting ready to act.

The last thing you want is to have to arrest all of these citizens because we are doing the right thing defending the people at this park.

It is cruel.

She was just outside talking to some worker.

Instead of being here, listening to us.

She doesn't care.

That's exactly what we all know.

It's sad.

I don't know what it is.

I don't know how much we have to pay or how much we have to appeal to you.

But we are not going to let these people get evicted from that park.

You are going to have to take all of us.

If there is a representative from the mayor's office, I think it may be the gentleman in the green shirt.

You yes, you, sir.

Is that you?

Are you representing the mayor?

No.

Anyone here from the mayor's office?

No.

Maybe he will have someone listen.

Or maybe one of you will call him.

To protect your own citizens, because we are not going to let go of them.

They are human beings.

And just like we those mothers protect others from getting shot, it doesn't matter if you die by because you got shot.

If if you die because a natural hurricane came through, it just it's uh it's avoidable.

This is something that you can avoid.

Please, we are trying our very best to do the right thing.

We need your help.

I yield back.

Thank you.

Next, virtually we have Emma Leeshak.

Hello.

Um my name is Emma.

Um I am calling, I'm speaking today to support the resolution to um for a sustainable transition to stop the sweep on uh the 15th.

Um I've been going to the I've been a lifelong Delaware resident, and I've been going to the park for the past few years.

And um what I wanted to say is despite what um the mayor's office would have you believe, um the people at the park are not um a regional burden, they're human beings who have stories, who have loved ones, who have pets, um who are trying their best to utilize the resources the city is giving them and are unable to for many reasons.

Um if like care, just like uh giving people housing, giving people um showers and stuff should be given like consensually, it should be respecting people's individual needs.

So if people can't go to the hope center because and get turned away because they have a pet, um that's cruel if people um are struggling to get to and from the hope center because they're disabled and can't make it there in time um and have all their belongings thrown away.

That is cruel and it's unacceptable.

Um so the the alternatives that they talk about in this letter are not serving people's needs.

Um it's messed up to suggest that people are just simply not making use of the abundant resources that the city is giving them because of some like um flaw in them.

It's a way to shift the blame from the city to the people who are being harmed in this situation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next in chambers, we have first name Lip Bentley, and then virtually it's going to be B.

Miller.

Good evening, Mr.

President.

Uh, members of the city council and members of the public.

My name is Lip Bettley, and uh, outside of seven years that I lived in Newark, Delaware, I am an almost lifelong resident of the sixth district.

I was raised there.

I live there now.

Um, and for whatever uh Carney administration wants to say, the people that are here to support uh the most vulnerable people in our community in our city are either from Wilmington or they're from the general Delaware area.

Um I was raised Catholic, I I don't practice Catholicism now, but I was raised Catholic, and I bring that up because John Carney was also raised Catholic.

And I know someone uh mentioned a a verse from Matthew earlier.

Um, but in general, uh what I learned from my Catholic upbringing was how to take care of my community, especially the most vulnerable among us.

And the most vulnerable among us are those residents in Christiana Park and throughout the city, you know, homeless people, the mayor's made being homeless illegal, or rather camping throughout the city illegal, and that's why everyone has been told to live in Christiana Park.

And frankly, when he excuse me, when he was governor, there was certain decisions that he made where he's fell back on his faith for vetoing certain decisions, whether that was medical aid for for death, um, or for those who are chronically, I forget the exact thing that is called.

But he vetoed those decisions and he fell back on his faith.

I don't see anything that Carney has done in general, except when he does not want to do something um like that, where he's actually practicing the faith that he you know says that he believes.

It is extremely cruel to treat the most vulnerable in our community the way that John Carney has treated them.

I am asking the city council to please support uh councilmember Darby's resolution 0240.

And I want to thank Councilmember Darby for putting that forward.

What is going on at Christina Park and just how we are treating the homeless in our city in general?

It is morally reprehensible and it is a stain on us as a whole city, on all of us residents, and especially for those of y'all who are here in power in city council.

You have the power to do something.

Please find it, reach down deep into your heart and do what is right for the people.

Do what is right for all of us because John Carney's administration, we cannot trust John Carney to do right thing.

He's acting like a dictator, acting like an authoritarian.

People of the city elected him to be mayor, and he won't even speak to y'all about what is going on with that situation.

It is disgusting.

And again, please vote to support this resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, yes, can you hear me all right?

Yes, we can hear you.

Thank you for joining us.

All right.

Um, my name is B, and I want to start off by saying that I am a Delawarean, and I am a socialist.

Uh, and I've been here in Delaware, I've been a resident for over five years now.

I went to school here, I worked here, my spouse works here.

Um, so there's my credentials.

And we like it here in Delaware and we love our neighbors.

And to that point, I want to say it's completely embarrassing and shameful that Mayor Carney thinks that us Delawareans apparently don't care about our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and that he thinks that apparently only people from other states would care to come here and help.

And instead that all Delawareans are just as cruel and callous as he is with the way that he has been treating these people.

And that logic just doesn't make any sense.

It's completely out of touch with reality when the people that have been at that park day after day, month after month, are people that are here, and those who have been helping them are born and raised here in Delaware, have made Delaware their home, and they're just trying to help their neighbors.

And if he actually talked to any of them, he would know that.

But he's just trying to deflect from this criticism and pressure he's receiving because that's all he wants is to feel good about himself.

So I'm just gonna keep this straightforward.

I am a Delawarean.

We are Delawareans, those people in Christina Park are Delawareans, they're your neighbors, and you, City Council members, you are all Delawareans too.

And so don't you want to cultivate a community of support and care for your neighbors?

So please just a couple easy steps to do that.

Number one, support Shine Darby's resolution, number 0240, support a humane transition and find real housing solutions.

And step number two, support substitute number two to ordinance two six-zero one nine to establish an affordable housing trust and community advisory board.

It is that easy.

Your neighbors in Christiana Park are telling you what they need, and they are telling you that they have no place to go, and that if they get evicted, the consequences could genuinely be deadly.

Yeah, 30 seconds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alex.

Palermo.

Yes, Palermo.

Thank you.

And the next is going to be in this.

Thank you for joining us.

My name is Alex.

I'm here to urge the council to condemn the clowning administration's decision to close the city's only sanctioned encampment, and to call for a transition plan for the residents of Christina Park before its closure.

This administration is threatening to take what little stability these residents have and leaving them with no place to go.

Sanctioning the park last year was a first step to getting the unhouse connected to the support they need.

It was a start to building trust and goodwill.

In a matter of two months, what little trust and goodwill has little trust and goodwill has been built is being stripped away.

You cannot solve homelessness by sweeping them out of sight.

You solve homelessness by giving people homes.

This is the simplest, smallest commitment any of you can make.

Anyone with the conscience should vote yes to Councilwoman's Darby to councilwoman Darby's resolution.

This vote should be unanimous.

Well, voting yes to Councilmember Darby's resolution is the easiest thing the council could do.

The best thing you can do, and what I urge all of you to do is to find every possible avenue to use the power you have to compel the administration to stop the eviction.

Thank you for your attention.

Thank you.

WITN is uh Lelak still with us virtually.

Lilak, if you're still with us virtually, please raise your hand.

Okay.

Thank you.

You'll be next.

Ms.

Ann, you'll be next at the virtual.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yes, I'm here.

All right.

Thank you for joining us.

Please remember to introduce yourself.

Hi.

Um, I know I put lilac, but my real name is Katie, and I'm also a Delaware and a socialist.

Counsel, I implore you to vote yes on Darby's resolution number zero two four zero tonight.

I have been there at Christina Park every Saturday.

These people are some of the nicest and most precious people I have ever met.

Most of you would not know how amazing they are since you refuse to visit the park or even see them as human beings.

I look forward to my Saturdays.

But if you evict these wonderful people on June 15th, I may never get to see these people and their smiling faces again.

Okay, thank you.

Hi, good evening.

My name is Anna Villess, and I'm in the 8th District.

Um, I'm here to also um support the ordinance and ask that uh council support the ordinance as well.

I want to recognize that homelessness is a year-round occurrence, and the fact that this eviction has a deadline fails to recognize how housing is something people lose every single day, unfortunately, and it happens throughout the year.

And so, as many people have already talked about what happens after June 15th when someone loses housing, where will they go?

We already know that structurally there are not enough beds for the people that need them.

We know that the wait list for housing for um public housing is years long.

Um, this situation is unjust, and the city needs to move toward treating housing as a human right and less as a commodity.

A lot of this is about money.

There's research on better approaches to homeless sweeps.

So I'm gonna pull from the National Council on health and homelessness.

As communities respond to unsheltered homelessness, it may be tempting to forcibly sweep encampments because they are troubling reminders of nationwide systemic policy failures.

Homelessness itself is upsetting, most especially to those that experience it directly.

Sweeps do not end homelessness, instead, they create more problems, they damage connections to care, they compromise safety and community, civic trust, and they undermine paths to independence and create unnecessary costs for local communities.

Instead, communities should consider the perspectives of those directly impacted by the sweeps, as we've heard from folks from the encampment and healthcare and other providers who work with them.

Halting sweeps in favor of providing permanent housing, limiting police involvement, and facilitating access to low barrier services will have a greater, more productive result than forcible displacement of vulnerable people.

So for those of you who may be the appeal to your morality doesn't work.

Let's shift to science and look at the research, and you will find that homeless sweeps do more damage and do more harm.

Thank you.

And again, homelessness is a year-round occurrence.

What will happen after June 15th if any of us were in a situation where we lose our housing?

There is nothing right now in place.

And from what we have seen, there is no real long-term permanent comprehensive solution being proposed by this administration.

Instead, the focus is arrest and harm.

And I hope that council will vote against doing more harm to people who are already vulnerable.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have Anna Shields.

And then Tony Sir Zega.

Thank you.

And Mr.

Mr.

Dunna, I say your name, but I see it's crossed out.

Are you fine?

Okay.

Hi, um, good afternoon.

My name is Anna Shields.

I live in Councilwoman Harley's district.

Um I live right on Adams Street.

Um I've been there for six years.

I'm a lifelong Delawarean.

Um, and I love my homeless neighbors, um, many of whom are suffering from addiction, even though we tend to dismiss that element and talk about the other race people become homeless.

But I digress.

Um I'm a member of the city's um council subcommittee on homelessness, um, and we sent a letter on May 22nd to uh Mayor Kearney.

We have yet to receive a response.

Um, but I am here with for the subcommittee to um read part of our of our letter to the mayor.

Um so on March 20th, uh 2025, you signed executive order, an executive order to establish the task force on homelessness.

At its first meeting, the task force members unanimously agreed to focus on five areas.

The first being potentially establishing a location in a city-owned park for a safe site for homeless individuals.

And this recommendation was included in the final report.

Um, U.S.

City Council formed a subcommittee and we to engage with the task force recommendations.

We met for the first time on April 30th, where we were joined by residents of the park.

Members of subcommittee then went to the park the following week to meet with additional residents.

Um, given how recently tents were delivered to the park, we are surprised to hear that residents were abruptly served with eviction notices.

We agree with advocates and park residents that living in tents in the park is not a sustainable long-term solution to Wilmington's homelessness crisis.

However, given the lack of progress that has been made so far to secure suitable alternative housing, we are incredibly concerned about the feasibility of finding housing for all residents of the park.

As members of the homelessness subcommittee, we unanimously oppose your intent to evict residents from Christina Park scheduled for June 15th due to the lack of a clear plan for individuals in the park.

In light of this looming deadline, we were further perplexed to hear about the continued delivery of tents to the park after the eviction.

Um, of additional concern is that there is no long-term plan for housing for park residents, nor any indication of repercussions for individuals if they are not able to obtain housing by the deadline.

Moreover, we have received no information regarding a repeal of the citywide prohibition on camping anywhere in the city, aside from Christina Park.

Does eviction from the park constitute a de facto prohibition on being homeless within the city?

The approach taken by your administration in addressing homelessness, including this most recent decision to abruptly evict residents, appears both arbitrary and cruel.

As part of our duty and responsibility as subcommittee members, we will coordinate with the city council to have a representative from your office meet with us.

We haven't received response in the mayor's office.

You have 30 seconds.

Homelessness is not a crime.

In solidarity with the residents of Christina Park, homelessness subcommittee.

So I would ask the members of council, both as the committee and personally to please support Councilwalm Darby's ordinance.

As also a lifelong Catholic and a um, you know, alma mater at CMARTS along with the mayor.

Um this is important to me.

Thank you.

After Tony, we will have Eden L.

Aidan L, if you're still with us, please come forward.

Good evening.

Uh my name's Tony uh Cerzega.

I am a uh very lucky to be a resident of the uh eighth district.

Um I was uh picked to serve as the chair of the homelessness subcommittee, and I want to start by thanking each of you for uh forming that subcommittee and giving us the opportunity to work together.

Um at our fair very first meeting, um, we connected with folks at uh the park, and I was immediately moved by their sense of community um and their courage to meet with us, share their stories, talk to us, you know, trust us to work with them.

Um as you heard from the letter that Anna shared that we wrote to the mayor.

Um we didn't receive a risk official response.

Um the first response that I saw um was in a uh WHYY article um in which Mayor Carney is quoted as saying that those who call the decision to close the park cruel don't understand the issue.

Um now I my day job, I represent tenants who you know owe their landlords money and their landlords are angry and they're usually angry at me, and I don't take things personally, but you all should take that quote personally.

You picked us, you made the subcommittee, you you put us there.

Um to say that this group doesn't understand the issue is you know confusing, hurtful.

Um but it really just demonstrates that Mayor Carney doesn't understand the issue.

Um I've heard the word cruel used a bunch of times.

Um we used it in our letter.

Um, the other word that I think is just as important is arbitrary.

Why June 15th without a real plan, without you know, an individualized plan for every single person who they gave a tent to say this is you can stay here without a plan for each of those people, June 15th is just arbitrary.

Um we read the mayor's response.

You know, the it talks about all the good things that they have done and all the help they've done.

Keep up that momentum, if true.

If we were gonna take it at face value, keep it up.

Let's extend this past June 15th.

Let's actually serve people because we know what that letter says is not true.

That is why they're sticking with this June 15th date.

Um the understanding that the mayor lacks is that we this is just a choice here.

He could choose, we all together, you all together can choose to help the people at the park.

Yeah, 30 seconds.

Instead of calling out the socialists from New York, um, and placing the duty to help on everyone else, not the city, not his office itself.

Um he's choosing to not help those folks who need it the most.

Um, the the line that I live by uh is uh from Rabbi Abraham Heschel uh is pray with your feet.

Okay.

10 seconds.

Right now, prayers, wishes that that's not gonna solve homelessness in Wilmington.

We have to use our feet right now.

Councilwoman Darby's resolution that that's us using our feet.

So I please encourage you to vote in support of her resolution, and I thank her for her work, and I thank all of you for your work.

Thank you.

Aidan L, followed by Tony Dunn.

Hello, I'm Eden Lore, and I'm a lifelong Delaware resident and a district six resident.

Um I'm speaking to support ordinance zero two four zero and ask that you all support as well.

Um, this is an issue that's not going to go away just with sweeping people out.

It's going to displace people.

Um, forcing them to leave without a real plan for where they can go is cruel.

It's arbitrary.

There are thousands of people experiencing homelessness in Wilmington.

Seniors and children as well, and there aren't enough shelter beds.

The Wilmington needs more low-barrier shelters, supportive housing, and wraparound supports, not displacement arrests and fines.

The city of Wilmington has a responsibility to address homelessness.

Please work with the state nonprofits and faith community to create a long-term plan using the housing first model.

We urge you to cancel the June 15th eviction and work on a long-term plan to address homelessness across the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

After Mr.

Dunn, the next speaker will be Curio.

Rofi.

Okay.

It would be and oh shall I spoke.

It'll be Cheyenne Miller.

Thank you, Council.

All the council members here.

My name is Tony Dunn.

I'm a member of the second district.

I'm an activist in the city of Wilmington, born and raised.

I met with the mayor.

I met with activists, clergymen, councilmen, and sit at a table with them.

They would we were told to write a strategic proposal.

We did it.

Now people less fortunate had somebody at the table representing them, which is rare.

Council setting with the administrating office is rare.

So now we had that done.

I'm asking everybody in council to support councilwoman Darby's bill to try to get the mayor to change his mind.

Now, the majority of people down there are salt or pepper, rather.

But the salt is representing them.

What's gonna happen with the pepper?

They need to represent what's down there in that park.

Gentlemans came here.

I spoke to them personally, and they came, they showed up representing people at the park.

Council can do their job.

All they need to do is stand on the powers that this community and the people, their constituents have given them and go to the mayor.

We're not gonna pass nothing unless you do what we need for our people.

It's that easy.

Y'all have the power to do that as council members.

And the majority of y'all are pepper.

It's your people down there suffering.

If salt can help them, why can't why can't Pepper help them?

Now, I mean, what I'm saying, I'm trying to say it in a polite way.

We need y'all on this one.

Do not move those people out of there.

What's down there right now, you have it contained.

And by it being contained, you can use and the mayor can use his executive authority and open up buildings that have been abandoned by the state that are in the city of Wilmington and house these people.

Yeah, 30 seconds.

And we know you can house them.

It's about money.

That's all we heard at that table.

Money.

They gotta sit aside money because they've been given money to the fire department, the police department.

Poor people need the money now.

Support this bill.

Thank you.

Cheyenne Miller.

Next, after Cheyenne will be McKee Booker, he's not still with us, right?

Reverend Dr.

Lyle.

Reverend Lyle still with us.

Okay.

Hi, my name is Cheyenne Miller.

I live in the 7th District.

Um, and uh I'm here to ask you to support the resolution that is before you to oppose the closure of Christina Park and create a long-term plan for homelessness for the city of Wilmington.

Um, while individuals at Christina Park are overrepresented in these meetings.

Um, there are more than 600 people that were identified through the point in time count that are not at Christina Park that you have all neglected in your last budget that you have refused to pass money for to ensure that those individuals actually have a place to live.

It's disappointing that you are neglecting your your role.

And while we understand that this resolution that is before you tonight is non-binding, you could pass this, and the mayor may not listen to you.

He could decide not to do anything.

It would really demonstrate for the people that you guys actually do care.

It would really restore faith for a lot of people for you guys to say, hey, we do want to do a long-term plan.

We do want to make sure that homelessness is addressed in the city.

And 1.3 million of the dollars in the CDBG grants is actually going to get used for street improvements on Kirkwood Street and sidewalk reconstruction at the corner of Ninth and Spruce.

1.3 million dollars a lot of money.

And I actually think that if you guys really wanted to help out, you could move that cost over to some of the capital budget.

That's usually where we see a lot of those those dollars come when it comes to street improvements, and put this money towards homelessness because it is the community development block grant.

Um not trying to do your job for you.

Uh, but I really highly suggest that you consider and think about this.

Um, it's super important that we start to be serious about solving homelessness because I promise you we will be serious in 2028.

And I also promise you that we will be serious on June 15th.

People are not playing about ensuring that that park is not swept.

Nobody wants people living at Christina Park, like at all.

Part of our talking points, part of the things they're being asked for is that you all actually focus on a long-term plan for homelessness.

We're not asking for people to stay at Christina Park, because we believe that people deserve housing, and the people at Christina Park want housing too.

But what's happening right now is that they are being put into 30-day rehab, 30-day stays at emergency shelters, six-month stays at the Hope Center, and they're gonna be put right back out in the street at the end of that.

30 seconds.

This cycle is not going to help us solve the problem long term.

Wilmington does have a responsibility to solve homelessness.

Please put that 1.3 million dollars into homelessness.

Thank you.

Thank you.

After Reverend Dr.

Lai will be Jean Messik.

Is Jean Messick still with us?

Okay.

President Congo, members of council.

I am Reverend Dr.

Lyle Dykstra, and I worship regularly at First and Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 North Market Street.

We at First and Central have a strong ministry to the homeless population, and have gotten acquainted with them, and know obviously they are fellow human beings, and we all intellectually know that.

Many of the members at First and Central feel that emotionally because they look at these people eye to eye week after week throughout the winter and in the summer.

So please support council member Darby's resolution regarding the unhoused now living in Christina Park.

Do not force them out without providing them a place to be.

So please do what is what is the right thing to do is my word, personal word for it.

But please do all that this resolution states, and remember that when you do that, you will be fulfilling the call of all five major religions on the face of the earth, and in order of their numbers as of the turn of the 21st century, that is Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.

And their call to all humanity, all in those huge religious groups in this earth is to love your neighbor.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you.

God bless you.

After Jean Messick will be Jean Camber.

Is Jean Camborough still with us?

Thank you for joining us.

Good evening, President Congo.

Good evening, City Council.

My name is Gene Messick.

And I work with the unhoused in District 4.

Um, Saron Cade wants to tell y'all to disregard us, not listen to public commenters saying that we're outsiders coming in from New York.

Just to speak for my part.

I was born in Christiana Hospital.

I've lived on this peninsula for 30 years.

I pay Delaware state taxes.

And I love the people of Wilmington.

People might ask, you know, why why we go out there to feed and clothe people on Christina Park.

Everybody's got a reason.

I got a reason.

In August 2024, my uncle, a Vietnam veteran, died of heat exhaustion on the streets.

And he was found by a single mother and her two and a half year old child.

Just weeks prior.

Services have reached out to him to try and help him out.

And when he needed the most, they turned him away.

Hours later, he's dead.

That's the kind of system we have here in Delaware.

The people out there at Christina Park need you to show up.

They need you to bring services.

They need you to fix this system.

So there's a number of ordinances on the docket tonight that I want to speak to.

You know, housing comes up every year on the budget.

You're giving millions of dollars to the land bank or millions of dollars of Rob Bucini, whatever, trying to solve this problem.

I get it.

This is an ongoing issue.

Homelessness, as Annavila said, is a year-long issue.

So please pass the housing trust, pass the homelessness subcommittee.

We need to keep this conversation going in per in perpetuity.

Please pass eviction protection, the vacant lot repair program, and the renters repair program as well.

All these are great programs.

You're doing you're doing good ideas.

You're getting good ideas out there.

But most of all, please do everything in your power to stop this sweep on June 15th.

The people out there do not have enough time to secure actual solutions.

As Cheyenne said, many of them are just being forced into temporary housing.

30 seconds.

And a lot of them in the scramble to get their belongings together have already lost vital documents that now render them ineligible for any program that would take them.

There will be people in Christina Park on June 15th.

And there will be people on the streets on June 16th.

Get something for them.

And please come out on June 15th and stand up for your residence against John Carney.

After Gene will be Gavin Ferris.

Is Gavin Ferris still with us?

Alright, thank you.

You can come over this way, please.

Um, hello, my name is uh Jeanne Kambara.

I've been volunteering in Christina Park on and off here and there.

Um I really don't know what else there is left to say.

I think I imagine the people who are gonna be supportive of our cause are in support of our cause, and I really don't know if there's anything that those of you who aren't can be swayed by.

Um I also want to say that I am here in support of Darby's resolution number 0240.

Um I know that a lot of the policy and you know the the sweep around the encampment is because of you know complaints from people in the city saying that they want the park back, that it's an eyesore, etc.

etc.

We can't treat people like trash.

We can't treat them like they're not human beings.

Um they have value more than you know, quote unquote loss of taxpayer dollars.

And we also know that oftentimes doing things like sweeps or spending wasting our money on tents is more costly in the long run than just investing in long-term solid housing that will cut this problem in the butt early and prevent the loss of taxpayer money in the long term.

And I know that you know, city council members, I'm sure you all get complaints from people complaining about how they want the park back, etc.

etc.

And um anyone who's complaining about that and sending those emails is honestly a pretty heartless human who can't um empathize with their fellow humans, and I encourage you to respond back to them and let them know that you do have a heart and you care about people and that the residents of this park matter just as much to you as council members as citizens who are complaining and sending those emails to you.

Um that's really all I have to say.

Um I hope you all make the right choice and um tell Carney to stop the sweeps on June 15th.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Gavin Ferris, and like Delaware's favorite son, Joe Biden, I was born and raised in Pennsylvania before I chose to make Delaware my home and raise my family here.

So if uh DC native Saren Cade wants to call me a socialist, I will take that as a compliment.

But I'll be damned if I let them call me a New Yorker.

Now Mayor Carney and his office have said those of us who support the resolution to prevent the or to advise against the evacuation of the encampment on the 15th.

Uh what did you say?

Do you say that you don't know the whole story?

Was those were those his words?

Yeah, well, he uh I may not know the whole story, but I do know how to jerry rig a tent that collapsed in the rain on the first night.

I know how to hang a tarp so that the wind doesn't blow a tent over.

I know which residents do and don't like onions on their egg sandwiches.

I know what they like to read, I know their names, and I would be very surprised if Mayor Carney could name a resident of that encampment if his life depended on it.

So I would I would suggest considering who knows how much of the story and who knows what when you decide how you want to proceed on this issue.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That does conclude public comment for this evening.

We're going to move into legislation.

Councilmember Darby.

Mr.

President, I have a resolution to present.

Resolution 26-045 agenda number 0240.

Whereas the city of Woman.

I move this resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yeon Avocado.

Second.

It's been probably moved and second.

The resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yeon A vote on the question.

Um, yeah, so this resolution um is speaking to the June 15th eviction of the residents at um the park.

And it also talks about long-term homelessness coordination within the city of Wilmington.

This resolution 1X is that we do not put this um eviction um, that we don't sustain this eviction on June 15th, that we allow the residents who are living there to stay there.

And of course, I don't want them to stay there forever, but I believe that we have to have a plan in place that is comprehensive, humane, and adequate in their transition to housing or transition to services or whatever that looks like for each individual.

So I'm asking for that to stop on June 15th, um, for us to look at how do we look um work with community-based providers in our community in a collaborative effort to be able to provide services, case management, whatnot, support services, transitional permanent, supportive housing assistance, employment and stabilization services down there.

I'm also asking that the administration ensures that the Spring Board Project or any replacement transitional house initiative is fully funded, staff, operational, and capable of safely receiving residents prior to any closure or forced displacement at Christina Park.

Um, so um in Georgetown, another city in Delaware.

Um, the Spring Board Project started a pallet home down there for their unhoused population, of course.

I know Springboard has been in conversations with the city of Wilmington and Council and the administration on figuring out a location and being able to implement that service.

And this is something that has to happen this year because it's it's coming from ARPA Dollar.

So it might seem far away.

But it's definitely something that could happen potentially before the end of the year.

So it's not that too, it's not too far off.

But we are waiting for funding from the state to be able to support the operations of it.

I'm asking for the mayor's office to create a homelessness response coordinator position within the office of the mayor.

Um and I'm asking for this.

Why?

Because I believe there has to be coordination.

We have to do um outreach, manage relationships, look at the data, the outcomes, um, pursue any funding opportunities and to really develop this long-term plan.

They did have a homelessness task force.

That was great, but there has to be someone who's willing to really look at that plan, implement it, and I believe that should be housing the um mayor's office since it's their plan that they came up with.

Um I also think this position is important because they're trying to um put the job description of a homelessness coordinator into our director of Office of Community Safety, which is our violence prevention office.

Uh a director of community safety should not be doing homelessness coordination.

And I also know that the person in the mayor administration when asked said that you know it was just too much, they didn't want to do it anymore.

Um, so create a position.

And um this is oh, the last other request is that there's a written transition timeline that is shared with us in the community.

This transition and this eviction that happened on June 15th, we found out at the same time the community found out.

Council was not involved in that decision.

There should have been a plan that we all, the community council and the administration knew about.

We June 15th came out of nowhere.

Right.

So when I got the call that um from people who live at the who are residents at the park that this was happening, then five minutes later I get an email from the administration.

I found out from the community before I found out from the administration that there was an eviction notice sent down there.

I don't agree with them being at the park.

I think the park should be for the community, right?

Um the fact that, and I'm gonna be frank, that a white mayor in a predominantly black city chose a park in a predominantly black neighborhood to then say that he's gonna create this concentration of homelessness in there.

He would have never did that in the 8th district or other areas in the city in their parks, but he did it to our park.

So but now that we're here and he created this, I think it's just inhumane to say you have to leave in the next four to six weeks, 30 days, whatever the time frame was, you have to leave.

It's just inhumane.

I I if city council has the power, we have a voice collectively, we can tell the administration we do not want this to happen.

We can use our powers to say this cannot happen.

We're not weaklands just sitting here at the whim of the mayor's administration.

We have the power.

We vote on things.

Like I say, I'm not voting on anything else for you.

And if you do this, I I I would do it.

But I know as Sam Guy told me when I ran for office.

Remember, Darby, politics is a team sport.

Um, so I'm really asking for this plan to come in place.

I don't think that um honestly the administration cares to do this plan, but I needed to be on record.

I needed to be on record that city council took a stance.

I needed to be on record that this is inhumane, it's inadequate, it's unprofessional, and it should not happen on Ju Fenty.

So thank you.

Thank you.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor and seeing no hands raised.

Councilmember McCoy.

Uh, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, actually, I don't have a question.

I do I would like to make a comment.

Um, as a person, I know I'm fairly quiet.

A lot of people don't even know that I'm a council person when I go outside.

But um I've been on this council since 2017.

2018, at the end of 2018, we lost 65 beds at the Rick Van Story.

And I told my president what's going on.

Less than 12 months later, um, the YMCA had stopped doing um grants for the chronically I'm homeless at that point in 2019.

Um I'm like, we've lost a hundred beds in less than a year.

Please tell me what's happening.

What are y'all gonna do?

This was a president and my mayor, I made them aware what is happening.

So I don't know whether or not the only other two people that's been on council at the same time that I was was actually just the two.

Uh uh President Congo and Councilman Osborne.

I don't know whether or not you guys were uh paying attention to this.

This is something I've always kept an eye on because I've had a homeless background.

Um I joined the housing alliance in Delaware for two years on a board that did not really give fruit, and so I left.

What I'm saying is that this mayor, I don't know who the advisor was, but Mayor Carney took the advice and basically collected the homeless, thinking that that was going to be a good thing.

And it what it did was it brought a target, it brought eyes to a situation we were already in.

Nobody was looking until they were all in one space.

So to say, like, oh, it's his fault or whatever, I don't think that that's the case, but we definitely need to.

I am gonna support this because we definitely need to address it.

It's something that's been happening for a long time.

Matter of fact, even then we get to 2024 when um Michael Kambach in his uh area actually closed down.

It's been targeted for a long time.

And as Ms.

Villez, I believe that's her name, when she came up here and spoke and stated that homelessness is ongoing, it doesn't stop, it is not just something seasonal, it happens all through the year.

She was she was very right.

It's like waves on the beach, they keep coming.

So they are they've targeted, they felt as though they could target 50 and be done with 50.

Well, they said that they housed 32.

I have not confirmed that amount, but that's not enough because if people are still coming, it is what it is.

So I'm supporting it because we do need a plan.

We gotta figure this out.

So I just want to make certain that I put that out there that this is not something that happened overnight.

I've been on council, this is my third term, and as I was bringing the bell to my leadership, I realized this is something that have gotten beyond me.

And when I went to the policymakers, when I went to housing alliance in Delaware, it really didn't get me anywhere.

Like I said, it was fruit, that was uh a fruitless endeavor being on that board at that moment.

So I just wanted to make certain I put that out there that will be supporting us, and um that people need to have understanding that the reason why um, you know, people are here and they are trying to, you know, represent those who are their voices are not being heard.

I'm glad that they're here.

But it's the reason why you can see it now is because it's a group.

When they were just here and there sporadically, nobody wasn't paying attention.

But I knew that we were losing beds.

So that was it.

Thank you, Councilmember Owens.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, this has been an issue that has been near and dear to my heart long before I got on this council as caring for those who are in a tough situation because we're all one paycheck away.

At least I know I am one paycheck away from being right out there at Christina Park or anywhere in the city.

I just want to say uh Christina Park isn't the only place in which homelessness um exists in the city of Wilmington.

It's in all our districts.

Um it is a consequence of bad housing policies, uh, decades of divestment into our communities.

Um when you look at what truly needs to be done, um, it is not just the city of Wilmington, it's the county, it's the state, it's the federal government needs to put funds together for permanent supportive housing um for long-term support for people.

No one's going to be able to get back on their feet um and be uh a full-on active citizen in 30 days in 60 days.

That's insane to think that is going to work.

Um, since I've been on council and long before, I've been a huge advocate for sojourners please, which is located in my district.

And their model was literally they were founded over 35 years ago on the model that that 30-day, 60-day, 90-day model is not for the community.

They have a model where most of their residents stay for six to eight months and get the support that they need to get back on their feet.

But the number one barrier right now for a lot of the residents who have completed their programming and trying to get to the next step is the fact we don't have housing that they can afford still.

So I think while we still look at what are some of the barriers people are facing, we have to also say that yes, development is good.

Yes, we have to build more affordable housing.

But we also need more shelter.

We need more permanent supportive housing throughout the city of Wilmington.

And it's going to take a partnership.

It takes all of us working together, intergovernmental, all of us coming together and put out funds for this.

I'm supporting this resolution tonight, but I think we have to do a lot more.

We have to do a lot more as a city, and I know we just passed a budget, but there's places that have available land where they can build.

We just have to make sure that we can get them the resources they need to be able to do that.

And so Jordan's place is one of those places.

Thank you.

This is uh uh and it's the vice chair of the intergovernmental committee.

I work on councilwoman Darby.

I try to look at this as a 360 view.

Uh I know a lot of anger goes at the mayor, and certainly uh I do believe it was, you know, once you take a problem on, you take it on.

And so I think they have to do the right thing.

So that's why I'm supporting this resolution.

But the big picture is that the city does not have a social service agency, and this is the problem that we have.

Unlike LA, Philadelphia, uh, New York, we don't have a social service agency.

I wish the state would just give us money and we know how to put it to work through a community.

But Delaware is one of the few kind of just this uh, you know, uh big brother type um um setup where we don't control those those those resources.

I'm sure me, Councilwoman Darby, Councilwoman Owens, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilwoman Oliver, Councilwoman uh Willow, we all could figure out how to spend the money in community.

But the problem is we don't.

So I think the problem is either we need to advocate for complete, like we have our own social service agency, or we need to advocate at the state for those who can do it.

And the problem is, and truth, truthfully, in Delaware, you go to L General Assembly, I spend a lot of time down there.

Um, you know, all they're concerned about is not raising taxes, not looking at raising taxes.

But at the end of the day, this stuff costs money to house our brother and sisters costs money.

And so, you know, look at the rest of our jurisdictions, uh, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.

Um, for me, I've represented a uh homeless, those who are coming from prison.

And I can tell you they prefer to be in those other states and Maryland, especially because they have social services, they have 30-day treatment beds, they have uh intermediate treatment beds, 60 to 90 days.

We don't have that here because we don't put the money in it.

We don't put the money at the state level, and that is why we have the results we have.

So, you know, what I do want to do is this our intergovernmental committee and um, you know, take this and put it in a plan of action because our state officials who represent the city, they have to represent all who are in the city, and it really is it's time to stop.

We have to put resources into human capital in Delaware.

And so if it takes raising taxes, look, you gotta do it.

And I'm someone that does pretty well for myself, and I'm willing to pay more taxes because it needs to be paid.

We have to all do our part, and that's the thing.

It's um it's gonna start by put investing in our people.

So um, you can add me as a co-sponsor.

I'm certainly in supportive of long-term plan, but we gotta fix this problem in Delaware, and it starts in Dover.

Councilmember Willower.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I just want to thank everybody who who has spoken on this issue.

Um it's not easy to come and tell your personal story, and I want to thank um everybody from Christina Park who's come out and and and told spoke up for yourselves and spoke up for the community.

I think that um a lot of us have, if not direct experience of homelessness, people in our family who have uh been homeless or face the same issues that people are facing in the camp at and facing at Christina Park.

It's not uh it's not just them, you know.

This is a problem that we have to take on as our problem.

So I don't think that uh Christina Park is a solution we need.

Um the encampment is in Christina Park is a solution we need, but I also think that making everybody move out without having anywhere to go is gonna destabilize people's lives and also destabilize our neighborhoods.

So I think we can do better.

I think we have a responsibility to city residents to do better.

So I do support this resolution.

I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor, and I just want to add that some of the comments that have been made that the state can do more.

And I think the state can do more, but we the city, we have to ask them to do more.

And the administration, I'm I would like to ask the administration to work with council on that plan to uh get the state to do more to define what it is that we need here in the city and engage the state in what um needs to be done.

And I don't I don't see our administration doing enough in that department.

You know, we do have resources.

We just passed a budget where we're talking about putting um you know millions of dollars in housing, and not I don't think any of that was for how homelessness.

Like we need to focus on homelessness, not just um you know, new units, but units that are gonna be places where people who are homeless can move into.

And again, people there are people in Christina Park who are homeless, but there are also people in every one of our districts who are homeless or near homelessness, and they are calling me, I'm sure they're calling every council member.

And so, you know, we really need to prioritize like housing that is um places where people who are facing homelessness can or who are homeless or facing homelessness can move into.

Um I don't think the state is, I'm not sure the city is asking the state enough to help us address homelessness because I don't see it.

You know, for example, the city had this not, I think nine million dollar request to the state for bond funding.

And every year the bond bill, the state puts together a bond bill, which you know could be a source of resources for us to address these issues.

And the city um, you know, asked for nine million dollars of that one million was for to fix the sand traps at Porky Oliver and Rock Minor Golf Course.

And it didn't ask anything to address homelessness.

I think that we should be asking for funding to expand housing options for people who are homeless in that bond ask.

So, you know, I definitely am supporting this resolution.

I think that we need to focus on solutions that are real, and we should not be um moving, asking people making people move out of Christina Park until we have put in place some of those real solutions.

Councilmember Oliver.

Thank you, um, Mr.

President.

Um, I work with the re-entry program for umpteen years.

I worked with Joe Connor back in the day for for a long, long time.

Most of the issues, as Councilman McCoy stated, um, was with the reentry was housing.

Um, as all my colleagues have stated, this is not a new issue, this has been ongoing.

Um I think that if anybody it's only going to get worse.

If anybody's been watching the news, our president um has stated DHSS may be dissolved by December 26th or January.

General assistance and food stamps will be getting cut off.

Um so I think um that this homeless issue is not going to go away tomorrow to be realistic.

Um I do think that it's some areas in the city of Wilmington that should be looked at if they want to use Springboard, but not in both this uh uh underserved communities.

That was my issue to put it in zip code 19801 and 19802, where we already have major issues.

Um I just thought um that I just know that it's um you know it's more properties.

Um downstate they have a lot of farmland, they take in, you know, build these tiny houses, and I think we have some property uh throughout Newcastle County where we can do it.

I think it just needs to be looked into to find the right location.

Again, take your time and plan it and not just jump into um spontaneously like they just did before.

So I think it's some areas, but not in one night 801 or two and in between two to serve communities.

That's what my argument was about.

Um, my um that's what I was disappointed about.

Um, but other than that, uh I will be supporting this resolution because something needs to be done.

All right, thank you.

Um good at some point, I think um as a council, we have to understand that it is nice to want us to work together with the county, the state, with the administration, but at some point we also have to realize that it's probably not gonna happen until we become a unit until we become more disruptive.

Um I think a way of becoming more disruptive is putting a stop to legislation to let them know because they already told us they're not gonna do it.

So this resolution, while it sounds good and it feels good, they already told us they're not gonna do it.

So, what are we gonna do to tell them how serious we are?

And at some point we have to understand that we just have to be disruptive.

And I'm not saying I'm saying be disruptive politically.

So we have things in our agenda every other week, every first and third council meeting that we if if we're really serious about where we're talking about and what everybody said in the comments, like we have to stop and just say, okay, nothing is passing until you take us seriously because they don't, because they know that as soon as the next council meeting comes up, we're gonna pass everything they want.

So at some point, you have to understand our power.

We talk about it, but we never exercise it.

And it's very, very frustrating that we talk about it and we wish and we want, and we we just don't we don't exercise it.

So let's this is gonna pass and it's gonna people are gonna clap and it's gonna feel good, but on the 15th, it's gonna be very it's gonna be a stain on the city of Wilmington, and it's very unfortunate.

But I think that if we as a council take a stand and let the administration know that they just cannot move the way that they move without us being disruptive, I think it would be uh a great plus for not only us as a council, but for the residents who show up and ask for our assistance and but for and if and especially for the people who don't show up and can't show up and don't even know how to show up.

So with that, uh council member Darby, you can give closing comments and then we will take a vote.

Yeah, part of my closing comments was that you know, like you it's gonna feel good, but I'm hoping that after today we send a letter to the mayor, letting him know that we want him to do these things, that we demand a meeting for state plan at several meetings between council and ourselves.

He cannot make this plan by himself, and that we will not vote on anything else they send to us until that happens.

We have the power to do it, like council member council president said we have never exercised it.

And I just want to make a few more points.

Is that um I said we're blaming Carney?

Um, we're not blaming Carm Carney for unhoused issues existing.

We know that it has been existed.

I know firsthand it existed.

I was homeless and pregnant at 18, 19 years old.

So I know firsthand that it's not a new issue.

Um, but we have to hold him accountable for a piss poor response to the issue today.

So he has to be held accountable for his actions and what he did.

And then I find it funny that a mayor who was previously a governor keeps saying this is a state issue, but he was governor for 12 years.

Did nothing.

Make it make sense.

So he's just talking fluff.

So to keep saying we're gonna collaborate, we're gonna work, we're gonna they're gonna do the right thing.

They're not city council.

We have to take a stance, and it's so frustrating because I only been here for six, seven years, and it's just so frustrating because we don't take stances.

We do not stand up to the administration.

We do not do it, it has never happened.

So I'm really asking for that.

And I also want to end off with we know homelessness exists in the entire district.

The city of Wilmington residents care about this issue.

Delaware's care about this issue.

I sat in meetings and they said, Oh, um, it's it's people from New York who are socialists.

And I was just appalled because I was just like, what are you talking about?

Like I know these people, they're not New York people who are well socialists, but they're not socialists from New York, right?

Um so I just think the mayor is just so disconnected, and we can just vote on this um and get it passed.

But I hope after tonight y'all really take a stance.

So Clerk, please call for the rule.

Councilman Owens.

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby?

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver, yes.

Councilwoman Willower, yes.

Councilwoman McCoy?

Yes.

Councilman Johnson?

Yes.

Councilman Field?

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

Nine years and four absent.

Declared adopted.

Mr.

Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading.

Ordinance number 26-019 and ordinance to amend chapter 8 of the city code to establish an affordable housing trust and community advisory board.

Mr.

President, I have a substitute to present in lieu of that ordinance.

Substitute number two to ordinance number 26-019, an ordinance to amend chapter 8 of the city code to establish an affordable housing trust and a community advisory board.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the enacting clause of the substitute ordinance and no call for yay and they vote.

Second.

On a question.

Is there a second?

Second.

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

Yes.

Um so I am gonna make a quick amendment to just clear up some words in the ordinance in a second, but I I do want to say that this actually started with um council penrose, council member Penrose Hollins.

I'm at sat down with him and I was talking about investment um and housing in the district.

I reached out to uh um and he said, You need a housing trust in inclusionary zoning.

And I was like, okay, what is that?

So he took me down this pipeline of just learning about different housing trusts, what inclusionary zoning was, the benefits that it will have for the city.

Um so this has been years of just talking to different um uh mentors, talking to different council members, community members to get a housing trust established.

And this housing trust, um, a few components of it is that um this housing trust is governed by a community-centered community advisory board.

So in the piece of legislation, it took it documents who serves who's on this community advisory board.

Most of the appointments will come from the mayor administration, and it will be housed in the real estate and housing department.

So money will be allocated in here.

How do you fund the housing trust, right?

So you can put money in it from your from your general budget from your tax stabilization fund reserves, right?

You can also, once you implement inclusionary zoning, you can have developers contribute to it.

You can apply to grants.

There's different ways of funding a housing trust, and we do it right here in Newcastle County already, right?

So there's several ways of funding it.

So one of the first ways we can fund this is infusing it with money from our budget grants and then pass an inclusionary zoning, hopefully soon.

Um, so we have a community advisory board, we have the mayor who's appointing the majority of it.

So it allows for the administration community, and then it also allows for city council to finally have a voice and say in how we implement and talk about affordable housing in the city.

So once there's a recommendation from the community advisory board about how they want to spend the money in the housing trust, a resolution comes to city council, so we are notified that they want to create a vacant property program.

I don't know, something, whatever, a rental property program, a home, another homeowner program, whatever that program or project is, it comes to city council, and we are a part of that conversation.

I've been here for six, seven years, and we are net once we vote for the money to come in.

We are not a part of those conversations as a collective.

Certain people get selected to be a part of it, and if the mayor likes you, he'll include you.

If he doesn't, you're not included in it.

So that has happened over the years where we get money or we approve something in the budget, and then the mayor co-opts it and makes it his program and establishes it a way that he wants to set it up, and we're like, hey, we advocated for that.

This community, this housing trust allows for the mayor administration to have a say, because that's still important, right?

We want to be balanced, it allows for community to be a part of this, and it allows finally for city council to have a voice in how and for and housing affordability.

I want to pause for a second because when we just had the budget, when there was a at the budget address, the mayor proposed a housing affordability plan.

We weren't included in that process.

He developed it without consulting us, and not saying like he has to go everything through us, but you want us to vote on it.

Why wouldn't you at least come to us to have this conversation to say, hey, this is what I want to present.

What do you think?

There was no buy-in.

Um, so that's why there was a lot of pushback, and they just put push stuff on you and act like they know all the answers and they don't.

So this housing trust is really to look at looking at um addressing affordability as a long-term solution and establishing this housing trust so all three entities have a say in how we address affordable housing in the in the city of Wilmington.

Thank you.

Oh, I need to do the floor amendment real quick.

Um Mr.

President, I would like to make a motion for a floor amendment at this time as such.

Oh, okay.

So on page two and section two and section eight one four-six, I'm going to strike the word borrowers and insert the words household.

On page two and section two and section eight-1571, I'm gonna strike the sentence.

It will also include include support services, including on page three and section two and section eight-158a, strike in sentence one, strike the word 11 and insert the word 13 on page three in section two and section eight-158 uh F strike the word resolution and insert the word ordinance.

So those were just some cleanup things that the legislation needed.

So okay.

Second.

I will take a vote on the floor amendment.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed amendment passed.

Yeah, so we can open it up for any comment.

Now we'll go to vote.

Councilmember McCoy.

Oh no, I'm sorry, this is not on the amendment.

This was we just talking about the actual ordinance now.

Yes.

Okay, good.

Um, so the only question that I had, because I wanted to find out about what I think the only question we had back and forth, I definitely want to support anything that made certain that uh it was an arm to create affordable housing part of the land bank.

I've stated many times, and I want to make certain I'm consistent.

As a lot of people talked about the land bank, and I said that I don't believe that the land bank was actually truly formed for affordable housing.

It was formed to deal with vacants, and we needed this to deal with that.

So I'm I want to make certain that that is clear, and I want to support this.

I think my issue is that I think we've been back and forth now about how this is getting funded.

And uh it was you know, a million, then 10.

Now all of that is looks I looked over this and I think I might actually missed it.

I'm trying to figure out how is this getting funded.

Are we not doing the portion of the 15 per 1,000?

Is that in is that still in here?

Did you want to address that now?

I oh or I can address it at their other questions.

Okay, okay.

Councilmember Johnson.

Uh I I I share the same sentiment as my colleague.

Um, you know, in having you know, done many city budgets.

The part of the problem is gonna be the funding mechanism.

I understand that it is not only they are very complicated, but it's a worthwhile endeavor that many cities have.

You know, cities such as Baltimore and DC have them and it makes sense we have to set up the right way because the city again, we don't have the money um to fully fund this.

So it's private developers.

I think a lot of states look at transfer tax and how that actually plays into um adding uh a dedicated source.

We may have to do actual amendments at the state level to get some more state funds through transfer reality taxes.

So it's very complicated.

Um, and honestly, I I have to defer to the housing advocates and those who who are experienced in this field.

Um, I'm certainly supportive of establishing this, but we have to make sure it's funded.

So um that's gonna be the next step.

Councilmember Willower.

Thank you, uh Mr.

President.

I I just want to thank Councilmember Oliver who brought uh council member Hollands here today because he um set up uh one of these trust trust funds in Newcastle County, and it's been like super important for Newcastle County's efforts to um do affordable housing, and that one is funded by um developer fees, like when you develop a bunch of new homes in the county, some of the money goes into the uh affordable housing trust.

I had the chance, but it can be funded anyway.

I mean, it could be funded through um like a like what just happened with the budget, you know, moving money from the tax stabilization fund into this fund.

It could be funded by asking for state bond funding to go into this fund.

It's just a fund that has this benefit of having some community oversight from the community advisory board plus the chance for council to have a say and you know the approval of the projects.

And I I had the chance to serve on the housing advisory board for Newcastle County for a number of years, and it was it brought together um you know the affordable housing people who work in affordable housing or sometimes complain they're not involved in discussions around housing in the city.

This would be a place to bring them in.

I know councilwoman Oliver is creating that task force, but this could be another place where people could those just to get more people part of talking about what Wilmington's housing issues are and identifying the solutions and putting the partnerships in place, and then this is a way to make sure that um you know the funding follows.

So I think it's a really great idea.

I know councilwoman Darby's worked on this for a long time.

So if I'm if I or haven't already asked to be a co-sponsor, I want to ask ask to be added as a co-sponsor.

All right.

See no other hands raised.

Councilmember.

Councilmember Owens.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I would like to say I'm happy to see this coming to the council again.

We had um the legendary county councilman, uh, Penrose Hollins, who helped establish the Newcastle County Housing Trust.

Um, during my time as chair of the reparations task force, during our recommendations on housing, we recommended doing a housing um trust and fund.

Um, and one of the funding mechanisms that we identified is potentially using 50% of the vacant property fees to help fund a mechanism like this.

So again, I know this is kind of just establishing it, but going forward, that could be a source of revenue.

Um getting those vacant properties back in the hands of affordable housing um for our citizens, I think would be a very unique way of doing that.

Um, but I will be supporting this and can I be added as a co-sponsor.

Councilmember a court.

Uh yes, thank you.

Um actually I, as I stated, I support what the housing trust is, but because of the funding mechanism to me not really being clarified, I would love to be able to see whether or not the sponsor would consider turning it back to its original intent until we figured out the funding mechanism, which was I think how Penrose Hollins House has his yes, yes.

So that was my that's my um question.

Until we figure out what the funding mechanism we don't want it to stall out, we want to make certain that it still has some funds going in there until we figure out how it will be funded.

Thank you, Councilmember Darby.

Yes.

So actually, when Councilmember Penrose Hollins um started the housing trust, all of the fee, all of the money wasn't there.

So they then decided to have inclusionary zoning, and then the developer fee started funding it.

And then in their next few budgets, they started voting for money to go into the housing trust.

Um so it's not going to be something that is funded from like day one, like we have oh two million dollars in it, right?

It's gonna be a place where we can then pass later on legislation and say we want the um fees call um council member Owens was talking about to then go into that fund.

So it's really about establishing it first, and then we go back and say um, but honestly, it's gonna be the administration go back to the administration and say this has to be funded through this way.

All of the money the administration was establishing through their affordable housing plan could have went through a housing trust.

Like that money could have, if we had one established already, but since we didn't have one established, they just created their own plan and didn't include us in it, and um is doing what they want um with their with the money that they um put aside for their housing plan.

So the housing trust was in the future um uh make sure something like that doesn't happen again when we're talking about affordable housing, it would have to go through this trust.

So it's also I think is a barrier to protect us from what happened in this budget, and also I think it's a future conversation about because I have inclusionary zoning legislation coming up, um, and I have some other things coming up that will fund this, but I wanted to separate it out because it was too complex.

So it's coming.

It is complex.

All right, thank you.

That's it.

Any other closing comments?

No other closing comments.

All right, please call the roll.

Councilman Owens.

Yes, Councilwoman Darby, yes, councilwoman Oliver, no councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field.

Yes, Councilwoman Bracey.

No President Congo, yes, seven yes, two nays, and four absent.

They said adopted Mr.

President, I have an ordinance to present and call for the third and final reading ordinance number 26-088, agenda number 0173, an ordinance to amend chapters five and thirty-four of the city code to create an online rental property registry.

Mr.

President, I have a substitute to present in lieu of that ordinance.

Substitute number one to ordinance number 26-008 revision one to agenda number 0173.

An ordinance to amend chapters 5 and 34 of the city code to create an online rental property registry.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the enacting clause of the substitute ordinance and call for a yay and a vote.

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

Yes.

So this legislation is simply to create an online rental property registry.

So this idea came from in my first term.

We applied to the National League of Cities to be a part of with other cities of this program called the Landlord Engagement Lab.

So they worked with us, provided us with technical assistance to develop a committee or a working group in the city of Wilmington that included small large landlords, renters, community activists, advocates around housing.

Anyone we had different people who served on this working group.

In that working group, we talked about how do we build a better relationship with landlords, specifically small landlords in the city of Wilmington, who's at the heart of um of managing our rental properties here, and how do we um look at provide um promoting safe and healthy housing for city residents who rent, right?

So that was the conversation.

We have renters on the working group too.

And I ask all council members who are virtual to please mute your phones.

I think I believe so.

W I W I T N are you able to mute?

Thank you.

Yes.

Um, yeah, I don't think he's muted, but um, so this would create an online rental property registry.

So this um most landlords have to come in this building to register their property.

Um, and that can be um a feat of its own of coming down to the city building to register all of your properties, um, to manage it.

So this just simply creates an online process, right?

This updates us with what other cities are doing where landlords can log on, go online and say, I'm renting out this building, I want to register it, I want to get my business license, I'm renting out this apartment, and then they're able to apply to then get that online, right?

So they'll be able to register.

So this simply just sets it up, and then it will um is asking for the departments to start coordinating um and looking at um how to operationally do this.

I did have several meetings with all of the departments who will be involved in this.

There's been conversations back if last year about um integrating systems, what systems are communicating.

So it is in the process, um, and in that meeting, they were supportive of it.

Um, and it will just reduce administrative um burdens on the department of L and I too.

So instead of having people come in, they have an online system that they can use.

So I think it's like a win-win for each department for our landlords and for our tenants, president councilmember Willower.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I think this is a fantastic idea.

I'd like to be out as a co-sponsor.

Councilmember Oliver.

I'd like to be added as co-sponsor.

Councilmember Johnson.

Just uh just quick question and councilwoman Darby is really regarding the funding, broken over the uh fiscal impact.

It seems to have been would have needed to be accounted for in last year's budget we just passed.

So I'm definitely uh supportive of it.

I just um hopefully the funding is there, or we would have to do a mid-year amendment because it seems like with the substitute you're talking about, I guess six hundred thousand dollars.

Um, and I guess these software costs, and then um there would be additional uh well, actually it says staffing would not be increased cost, but the software costs.

So I hope it's accounted for in this year's budget.

If not, then we'll need to do a mid-year.

Yes, we can talk about we're gonna do that.

Councilmember Horns.

Can I be out as a co-sponsor?

See no other hands raised, Councilmember Darby.

Any final no comments nothing, please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens, yes, councilwoman Darby.

Yes, Councilman Oliver, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, councilwoman McCoy, yes, councilman Johnson, yes, councilman field councilman field councilwoman Brace.

Yes, and President Congo.

Yes.

Just real quick.

Uh WITN muted Nathan.

So I don't know if they have to unmute them.

Yes.

Yeah, he would be able to unmute himself.

Thank you.

Eight YA's, five nays.

Five news.

Declared.

I mean five absent.

I'm sorry.

Five absent.

Declared adopted.

Mr.

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

Ordinance number.

Sorry.

Oh my goodness.

Ordinance number 26-037.

Agenda number zero four zero two four one.

An ordinance to amend chapter eight of the city code to create a rental dwelling improvement program.

First reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to amend chapter eight of the city code to create a rental dwelling improvement program.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I move that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer it to the community development and urban planning committee.

Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the community development and urban planning committee.

Councilmember Oliver.

Yes, Mr.

President.

Mr.

President, um, I have a resolution to present.

One second resolution 26-046, agenda number 0242.

Whereas the city of Wilmington is committed to fostering stable thriving neighborhoods, maintaining and revitalizing the city's housing stock requires deliberate study of local conditions, resources, limitations.

I move this resolution to be received, recorded, and final adopted as a year and a vote.

Second.

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

Yeah, Mr.

President, this resolution authorizes the establishment.

Establishment of a housing subcommittee as a subcommittee of the uh Wilmington City Council Community Development Urban Plan and Stand Committee.

The subcommittee shall provide um reports within 180 days of his first meeting to the community development uh urban planning committee outlining key areas focused on preliminary recommendations with the final report to be issued within a year of proposing legislation, regulations, funding strategies, and address womanton housing challenges.

See no hands raised clerk, please call for the roll.

Yes, councilwoman Darby, yes, councilwoman Oliver, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, Councilman Johnson, yes, Councilman Field, Councilwoman Bracey, Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes, and President Congo.

Yes, eight years and five absent.

Declared adopted.

Mr.

President, on behalf of Councilman Harley, I have an ordinance to present and call for the first and second reading.

Sorry, one second.

Thank you, Toss.

Okay, ordinance 26-038, agenda number 0243.

An ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement for physician medical practitioner services, contract 26037, HRPS between the city of Wilmington and Innovative Work Health Solutions LLC.

Mr.

President, I'm a first reading of the ordinance.

An ordinance to authorize and approve an agreement for physician medical practitioner services, contract 26037, HRPS between the City of Wilmington and Innovative Work Health Solutions LLC.

Second reading of the ordinance.

So I think it's been properly moved then second that be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the finance and economic development committee.

On behalf of Councilman Harley, I have an ordinance present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 26-039, agenda number 0244, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the city's general obligation bond, PFAS phase four project, Series B of 2026 DWSRF, in order to provide the funds necessary for the installation and construction of PFAS equipment at the city's Porter Plant, providing for the sale of the 2026 B bond to the Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and authorizing other necessary action.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Mr.

President, I move this be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance referred to the finance and economic development committee.

Okay.

It's been properly moved and second.

That be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the finance and economic development committee.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

On behalf of Councilman Harley, I have an ordinance present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 26-040, agenda number 0245.

An ordinance to amend chapter 44 of the city code to extend the duration of the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement Improvement District.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

That be known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the finance and economic development committee.

This is the last ordinance.

Mr.

President, on behalf of Councilman Harley, I have an ordinance present and call for the first and second reading.

Ordinance number 26-041, agenda number 0246.

An ordinance to amend chapter 40 of the city code regarding paid parental leave.

First reading of the ordinance.

Second reading of the ordinance.

Thank you, Councilmember Bracey.

Resolution 26-047.

Whereas Wilmington City Council enacted the provisions set forth in chapter 2.

Resolution be received, recorded, and filed and adopted by Yay or Nay vote.

So I agree.

It's been properly moved, then second.

The resolution be received, recorded, filed, and adopted by Yeah or NA vote on the question.

Mr.

President, this resolution is being presented by the administration to appoint three new members of the ethics commission, Michael Riley, Kathy Scott Holloway, and Greg Luna.

And they will each uh serve a four-year term beginning on the date of passage of this resolution.

Councilmember Darby.

Yeah, no, I'm just um Yeah, no, I'm sorry.

That's distracted me.

But no, I um I just want to I'm voting no, and I'm just saying while I'm voting no.

Um I'm gonna be honest, I just don't trust anybody.

Mayor Carney is appointed.

And um, so I'll be I'll be a no.

It has nothing to do with the people, um, but I just don't trust them.

So I'm a that's why I'm a no.

So I don't want the people to think like I have a beef with them or something.

So all right, thank you.

So you don't have the hands raised clerk, please call for the uh for the vote for the rule.

Councilman Owens, yes, councilwoman Darby, no councilman Oliver, yes, councilwoman Willower, yes, councilwoman McCoy, yes, councilman Johnson, Councilman Field, yes, councilwoman Bracey, yes, and President Congo, yes, eight years, one nay, and four absent.

Yeah.

Council Member Record.

Miss President Congo have a resolution present on uh Councilmember Cabrera's behalf.

Resolution 26-047 agenda number no, sorry.

Resolution 26-048, agenda number 0248.

Whereas the city of Wilmington is an entitlement community for purposes of the community development block grant program, the home investment partnerships program, the emergency solutions grant program, and the housing opportunities for persons with AIDS program.

And where this I move this resolution be received, recorded, and filed and adopted by vote.

Second.

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

I'm so sorry.

Yes, so this is the back.

My apologies.

Okay.

So this resolution um authorizes the mayor uh or his does need to file a second substantial amendment to the federal fiscal year 2025, fiscal year 2026 annual action plan with the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development that allocates unused CDBG funds totaling 1.8 million in anticipated CDBG program income estimated to be about approximately 1 million to activities to best utilize available resources, including 468,767 for rental rehabilitation projects, 250,000 for the Newcastle County led uh hazard control rehabilitation, 110 for substantial rehabilitation for homeownership, and 60,000 for improvements to the sidewalk at 9th and Spruce Streets.

1,271,000 for street improvements on Kirkworth Street and 600,000 for rehabilitation for a day shelter of the unhoused population at 600 East Fourth Street and 20,000 for park improvements at Christina Park.

Excuse me, seeing no hands raised.

I have a question.

Oh sorry, Councilmember Darby.

Yes, so 1.2 million dollars for street improvements on Kirkwood Street.

Are you are you able to speak to what that means or what they're doing?

Um okay, no, actually, I did not I did not look further into this to find out exactly what the 1.2 million was exactly for.

Um I'm not aware of that of how long Kirkwish Street is.

I do know that um when I had street improvements, not only is the street being done milled and repaved, but you're also doing all the corners for 88, um 88 accessible ramps.

That's kind of all I know about you know improvements in streets.

I don't know exactly what they're doing for this.

Okay, all right.

Council member Willower.

You want to keep going?

I I just had a one more follow-up from that.

Um so the administration just so I can understand, so I can follow.

So they made an amendment.

There was some unused money, and this is what they decided they wanted to do with the money, and they didn't think to come to us before we voted on it to explain to us what some of this is.

Did I miss it?

Did they explain it at another meeting I missed?

They talked about Kirkwood Street, was it at a committee meeting?

I wasn't at I was making sure I've been I miss some of them.

My kids be kidding.

I've got other jobs, maybe I missed the presentation they did.

Council member Oliver.

Yes, um, this is no different than um doing downtown Market Street.

Um, this is funding that we've been waiting for uh at least five years.

I think CR Adams used to always talk about when they're gonna spend the money.

This is funding that it wasn't this ain't no hit money.

This is money that um Vince has been over in the first district, it's streets is streets uh paving all over the city, so the money won't be returned back to the federal government who's trying to take the money back.

So in the underserved community that we've been waiting for probably eight years to get some sidewalks done.

Um they're doing walk work, they did some work all around um St.

Francis Hospital, um, going up all the way up ninth street.

You can ride around town, they're doing work all around town on streets, and this is no different than funding um that they're doing on other areas.

And if I would have known that question, I can pull up something tomorrow.

You can Google it.

They're doing work all over town.

As a matter of fact, I just came off of Washington Street.

They're repaving Washington Street and they already had the bike lanes out there.

Now they're repaving it and covering up the bike lanes.

If you go from Concord and Washington to Lee, go past the um past the L House past uh all the way down, all the way through.

I just was over there where they had the bike lanes.

Um now the bike lanes are covered up, it's repaved over, and I said today, wow, they're gonna do this street again and repave it with the bike lanes.

So this is no different than what they're doing all over town.

Councilmember Willower.

So I uh thank you, Mr.

President.

So yeah, it is no different from what they're doing all over town, but it's a different funding source.

So the funding source for CDBG is money that could be used for housing, you know, housing needs, and the money for street improvements, like we have a capital budget for that.

Like we have the sidewalk, we have millions of dollars for street improvements in the city of Wilmington, millions of dollars for sidewalk improvements, like all those improvements that are being done all over town are done out of like the the city city budget.

I bet you 100 dollars that's not true, but go ahead.

So I I guess my my question is just why couldn't we use the city budget, like the city capital budget to do street improvements because we're we are doing that like in these different places.

Councilmember Bracey.

Yes, um, I do believe Councilwoman E uh Will Lauer sent an email to the administration, and the administration explained exactly what that money was being used for, and the fact that capital money could not be used because the capital budget has already been allocated.

And so if we were to do this, we would have to go to the bond.

It's a year, it's a it's a lengthy process.

And this is also going to evate some lead typing that is under the street, so the street has to be torn up.

So I do believe that councilwoman Willower can forward the email that she got from the mayor's office to Councilwoman Darby, so now she can understand what's going on, and maybe we should send it to the rest of council if everybody wasn't BCC, because I'm looking at the email right now.

Thank you, Council.

Councilmember Willower.

Yeah, thank you very much, uh, Councilwoman Bracey.

I have been asking about this for ever since the committee hearing.

Because they presented it in the committee hearing, and just like just to be clear, I don't have any problem with the improvements being done.

Like they should absolutely be done.

I'm just saying that I think that we should be using a different source to do those projects because the lead work, like the city has a lead grant that provides funding for it, and the city has the capital budget, which you know, they choose those streets and those sidewalks, like they don't choose them all at once at the beginning.

They choose them over time.

So I'm just saying I think we should have been, we should be using the city's capital budget to make these improvements and use the CDBG.

But I just want to say, I just got I got this email at like 449.

I mean, I got it right before I came into this meeting.

449 today.

Yeah, and I've been asking for this like ever since the committee meeting.

So it's not like I've been hiding this, and like, oh, they're telling me everything.

Like they sent I bear I this showed up on my desk when I showed up at this meeting.

So I really do think the and I I asked for this like two, three weeks ago when the committee meeting happened.

So I I do think that the it makes sense to ask questions about this, and I think that's our job.

Thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

Yeah, um, well, you was at the I think Councilman Darby X was a committee meeting.

I wasn't in town, you was there.

You could at least admit it that you was at the committee meeting, and you have a Harvard degree, and you just Councilmember Oliver.

No, well, I mean, I'm I'm not saying I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I'm just saying away.

I'm just saying if it was on your desk, you could have said, well, I did have this from the administration, that's all I'm trying to say, instead of leaving the blind side.

But on top of that, I think it's I don't think it's fair for if if they're doing work in any other district, which they have been.

I didn't say anything when they redid the reservoir, and you didn't even know about Adams Ford, which is your district, I had to tell you what's closed.

I don't think it's a member Oliver.

Stop.

I mean, I don't think it's fair for her to just like because they're finally doing some work in the underserved community that you know she's coming at me like that.

That's not fair.

No, she's not coming at you.

Well, I'm just saying, okay.

Well, go ahead and let it go.

Go ahead.

It's crazy.

How do you care?

I'm done.

Councilmember Owens.

Thank you, Council President.

Um I've seen the emails back and forth.

I've heard a lot of discussion on this.

Um, tonight I will be supporting um this um for a few reasons.

One, um, many of you know I work closely with a lot of housing um advocates, especially those um who are trying to find funding for those with HIV.

Um this amendment um is going to give eight hundred seventy-two thousand dollars um to provide uh rental assistance and housing for individuals who are living with HIV and AIDS, something that we see on the federal level um funds be cut back.

Um the executive director of Delaware HIV consortium came here a few weeks ago and asked for additional funding.

Um, and this is um what has come out of it.

Also, there's funding being put up for homeless services, uh no, at least in my district, but also um with the YMCA and some of the other organizations that we've been in conversations with over the last uh few weeks.

So um I will be supporting this tonight.

I think um there is more room for discussion um when these uh these type of amendments come up.

I agree with that.

That's why I go to every committee.

Um, but I I really want to hone in on the fact that um while streets um are important to get done, it is a very costly thing, um, but there is um almost 1.

Um million dollars in this as well to um going to homeless services uh shelters uh to take in Wilmington residents um and individuals with um living with HIV and AIDS thank you back to the sponsor I had a question oh council member Darby Yeah no um so the next resolution um I'm making sure I'm I'm on the right one because the next one is about HIV AIDS housing the one that we're on now doesn't say that I just want to make sure the next one is is about the housing grant for so if you go to the council member yeah if you go to the program um breakdown they have listed out the different projects is what uh Bob Weir was talking about during the last seat up meeting councilmember Darby Okay yeah now I see that in this one listed out not in the one we're on but it's the next one that's in the next one so I just want to be clear we're on the right thing.

The next one talks about HIV aid housing are we all are we on this one?

Oh you're correct anybody okay that's why I was just making sure because I'm like I I don't see that just make sure but yeah no I'm I definitely am in support of both of these, but I also think we should be able to say um and question where not if things are being funded but how they are funded.

And so I think that is an important conversation, but I'm in support of both, but I also wanted to say that this is not as an this one doesn't have anything to do with HIV aid housing all right back to the sponsor okay um yeah so um I'm glad that we had this great conversation um unfortunately I was not I did not have very much to offer all I do know is that it does take some time in order to get the funds to actually do a street of any type of real length.

Um took me three years begging and pleading to get them to do broom streets, so I do realize that, and I know the things that they actually take care of when they are really doing the street, so that's all I have.

So um we can um call for the vote.

Clerk, please call for the role.

Councilman Owens.

Yes, councilwoman Darby, yeah, councilwoman Oliver, yes, Councilwoman Willower, yes, Councilwoman McCoy, yes, councilman Johnson, yes, councilman Field, yes, Councilwoman Bracey, yes, President Congo, yes, nine years and four absent.

Okay, Mr.

President, I have another resolution to present on um councilman cabrera's behalf.

Resolution number 26-049, agenda number 0249.

Whereas the city of Wilmington is an entitlement community for purposes of the community development block grant program, the home investment.

Can this resolution be received, recorded and filed and adopted by Yay Nav?

Second, it's been properly moved and seconded the resolution to be received, recorded, filed and adopted by Yay and A vote on the question.

Yes.

Uh, this resolution authorized the mayor or his design to file with the U.S.

Department of Housing Development, uh how housing and urban development, the city's federal fiscal year 2026, city fiscal year 2027 annual action plan, which includes funding for the community development block grant program, home investment partnerships program, emergency solutions grants program, and housing opportunities for persons with AIDS program.

See no hands raised clerk please call for the roll.

Councilman Owens?

Yes.

Councilwoman Darby?

Yes.

Councilwoman Oliver?

Yes.

Councilwoman Willower.

Yes.

Councilwoman McCoy.

Yes.

Councilman Johnson.

Yes.

Councilman Field.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bracey.

Yes.

President Congo.

Yes.

Nine years and four absent.

Declared adopted.

That's all.

Petitions and communications.

Councilmember Owens.

Yes.

That's Saturday, June the 13th, the Northwest Civic Association will be hosting their annual community yard sale.

Between Market Street and Washington Street, 33rd Street and 42nd Street.

Come on out.

It's from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Also starting um at the end of this end of June, the 26th, the PAL of Wilmington is going to be hosting a summer series.

So every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there will be food trucks, live music, fun activities for the kids to come out and participate and again that's every Friday, Saturday, Sunday until September 27th.

That's it.

Thank you, Councilmember Darby.

Nothing for tonight.

Thank you, Councilmember Oliver.

I'd like to give my condolence to the um family Nicole Laughlin, very good friend of mine, uh my hairdresser off annoying, but anyway I just like to give uh condolence to the Brown and Laughlin family.

Thank you, Councilmember Willower.

Nothing because I was present council member McCoy.

Yes.

Actually after our last meeting um we suffered a loss in the 6th district well through the for the city of Wilmington.

Mrs.

Charlotte Miller passed away uh who is the executive director of the MSK Community Center and I would like the uh for to take a time to have a moment of silence if I be at it yes we may um thank you and um for the my council colleagues I just wanted to state that um on the uh calendar if you are going to attend they do have information about uh the services that are going to be tomorrow at the center okay thank you council member johnson uh the only announcement uh council president this evening is that uh on tuesday june ninth at six p.m at joseph johnson school um i am hosting a uh uh neighborhood town hall um specifically uh regarding uh improvements to the corridor and also um rezoning process um so please stay tuned um reach out to me uh if there's any questions but i look forward to seeing everyone there thank you thank you is that is that regarding the proposed um rezoning yes yes council president for the for the for the condo condo yes okay all right thank you council member bracy nothing tonight thank you council member field nothing tonight thank you with that i would like to thank everyone who joined us this evening either virtually or also uh in council chambers if we can help you in any way on city council please give us a call at 302576 2140 again our number is three zero two five seven six twenty one forty with that I will accept the motion to adjourn to adjourn it's been properly moved and second to adjourn all in favor of signified by saying aye aye any opposed motion carried thank you everyone meeting adjourned