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Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - July 9, 2026: Water Shutoff Protections, Affordable Housing Legislation, and Recognition of Dr. Darrell Green

Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council — Thursday, July 9, 2026
BodyWilmington, Delaware
SessionRegular Meeting of Wilmington City Council
DateThursday, July 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:32:31

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
5:12

The meeting will please come to order.

5:15

Good evening, everyone.

5:16

My name is Trippie Congo, President of Wilmington City Council.

5:20

On behalf of all my colleagues here on council, we'd like to thank everyone for joining us this evening.

5:25

To those of you who are in Council Chambers and also to everyone who is with us virtually.

5:29

Today is Thursday, July the 11th, and we are going to begin with our opening prayer by Mary Alina Rivera.

5:40

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

5:44

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

5:47

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

5:51

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

5:54

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

6:23

Amen.

6:25

Now move your site.

6:38

Underground individual limiting justice.

6:52

Present.

6:52

Councilwoman Darby.

6:55

Councilwoman Oliver.

6:57

Present.

6:57

Councilwoman Harley.

6:59

President.

7:00

Councilwoman Will Hour.

7:01

Present.

7:02

Councilwoman McCoy.

7:03

Councilman Johnson.

7:05

Here.

7:06

Councilman Field.

7:08

Present.

7:08

Councilwoman Bracie.

7:09

Present.

7:10

Councilwoman Cabrera.

7:13

Councilman Hackett?

7:14

Here.

7:14

Councilman Spadola.

7:16

Here.

7:17

President Congo.

7:18

Here.

7:19

Ten present and three absent.

7:21

Thank you, Councilmember McCoy did ask to be excused this evening.

7:26

And also for public comment, there is a Google form.

7:30

Sign up link in the chat.

7:32

And public comment will take place after nine legislative business.

7:36

If there's anyone here in council who would like to get public comment, please make sure that you sign the signing sheet before 645.

7:44

At this time, we'll have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

8:06

Second.

8:50

Respectfully submitted those members of the community development and urban planning committee.

8:54

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

9:06

Move the committee report be received, recorded, and filed.

9:09

Second.

9:10

It's been probably moved and seconded the report be received, recorded and filed on the question.

9:17

All in favor signify by saying aye.

9:20

Aye.

9:20

Any opposed?

9:22

Motion carried.

9:23

May 14th, 2026.

9:25

Ladies and gentlemen, we are community development and urban planning committee met by anchor location and remote remote participation to who is referred ordinance number 26-029 entitled An Ordnance to Amend Chapter 8 of the City Code to create a homeowner repair program.

9:40

Have given this ordinance careful review and recommend council vote on it at an upcoming council meeting.

9:45

Those members present.

10:00

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

10:02

Second.

10:02

It's been properly moved and seconded the report BBC recorded and filed on the question.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████25%
Affordable Housing████████████████████████24%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Procedural████████8%
Youth Programs████████8%
Energy Regulation███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Energy Management███3%
Fiscal Sustainability██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - July 9, 2026

Note: The official meeting date provided is July 9, 2026, though the transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Thursday, July 11, 2026. This summary uses the provided date.

The Wilmington City Council convened on July 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM with President Trippie Congo presiding. Ten members were present, three were absent (Councilmember McCoy excused). The meeting included recognition of Dr. Darrell Green, public comments on water shutoffs and housing, and votes on several legislative items including a contentious water disconnection protection ordinance and three housing-related bills.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from Community Development and Urban Planning Committee (May 14, 2026): Reports on ordinances 26-029 (homeowner repair program) and 26-030 (vacant property rehabilitation assistance program) recommended for council vote.
  • Minutes from Finance and Economic Development Committee (June 8, 2026): Report on substitute number two to ordinance 25-017 (water disconnection exemption) recommended for council vote.
  • City Treasurer's Report (July 9, 2026): Total investments $567,663,775.43; cash on hand $18,677,656.81; grand total $586,341,432.24. Accepted.
  • All non-legislative business accepted unanimously.

Recognition Resolutions

  • Dr. Darrell Green: Recognized for over 25 years in public education, including as superintendent of Red Clay Consolidated School District and 2026 Delaware Superintendent of the Year, upon his departure to become superintendent of Norristown Area School District. Multiple council members praised his leadership and mentorship.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • April Collins (District 7): Community health nurse, expressed support for water disconnection exemptions, citing public health risks. "Access to clean water is a basic human right."
  • Emily Van Vleck (District 8): Supported water protections for vulnerable populations, emphasizing sanitation and dignity.
  • Gene Messick: Worked with unhoused populations, supported water exemptions and highlighted delinquency rate increases after water rate hikes. Encouraged council to address commercial accounts and pass ordinances 26-28 through 26-30.
  • Christina Kelly: Invited council to a peaceful gathering July 12 at Rodney Square to demand release of body camera footage in the Kadir Skinner shooting. Urged passage of water shutoff protections.
  • Betley (virtual): Supported water resolution, renewable energy resolution, eviction prevention funding, homeowner repair program, and vacant property program. Expressed disappointment in council members who opposed the housing trust.
  • Gillian Hulk (District 1): Supported water ordinance, noted difficulty obtaining data through FOIA requests, emphasized protecting vulnerable residents.
  • Sarah Ryan (Deputy Director, Community Legal Aid): Supported eviction prevention resolution, citing 10,495 evictions filed statewide in past year (7,141 in Wilmington). Described success of financial stabilization: 76% of households negotiated to stay in housing with average assistance of $1,214.
  • Speaker from 10th District (New Castle County): Expressed confusion over housing trust failure and urged council to act on water, homelessness, and police reform.
  • Jamila Davy (District 5): Disappointed by housing trust failure, supported eviction prevention and water protections. Noted that unexpected water bills often cause arrears.
  • Cheyenne Miller (District 7): Supported water legislation, emphasized collaborative changes (income threshold added). Criticized past failures, urged passage of all affordability measures.
  • Anne Aviles (District 8): Supported transparency in Kadir Skinner shooting, supported water shutoff protections, eviction prevention, and homeowner repair programs.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 25-017 (Substitute 2): Water Disconnection Exemption — Sponsor Councilmember Darby presented the ordinance to exempt households with seniors, persons with disabilities, or children under 5 from water shutoffs for non-payment, with income cap at 350% of federal poverty level. She emphasized it does not forgive debt but protects against shutoffs. Debate included:
    • Supporters (Councilmembers Johnson, Hackett, Owens, Willower): Argued it is a human right; highlighted that 80% default rate on payment plans shows current system fails; noted commercial accounts are treated differently; pointed to 10,000+ residential customers owing $12 million; cited data that water moratorium during COVID did not bankrupt the city.
    • Opponents (Councilmembers Cabrera, Spadola, Harley, Bracey): Stated that no shutoffs occurred in 2026 due to new billing system and administrative efforts; argued the program would harm city finances and force rate increases; raised concerns about unintended consequences; noted $350,000 annually is already budgeted for water assistance.
  • Resolution 26-058: Del Marva Power Costs — Sponsor Councilmember Willower introduced a resolution urging the Governor and General Assembly to address rising electricity costs. Co-sponsors added. Councilmembers discussed state-level advocacy, petition drives, and recent legislation passed by General Assembly on July 1.
  • Ordinance 26-028: Eviction Prevention Program — Authorized use of neighborhood stabilization funds to help settle eviction proceedings. Floor amendments adopted (including income threshold of 200% FPL, required annual report). Unanimous support.
  • Ordinance 26-029: Homeowner Repair Program — Transformed existing lottery-based program into an application-based program with a waitlist. Floor amendment added. Unanimous support.
  • Ordinance 26-030: Vacant Property Rehabilitation Assistance Program — Created program to assist owners of vacant properties with rehabilitation, using neighborhood stabilization and other funds. Floor amendments added (including annual reporting, vacant property registry verification). Unanimous support.
  • Resolution 26-059: Office of Emergency Management Matching Grant — $200,000 grant with 50% local match for emergency management. Unanimous support.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 25-017 (Water Shutoff Exemption): Passed 7-6. (Yes: Darby, Johnson, Willower, Oliver, Owens, Hackett, Congo; No: Spadola, Cabrera, Bracey, Field, Harley; one absent).
  • Resolution 26-058 (Del Marva Power): Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 26-028 (Eviction Prevention): Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 26-029 (Homeowner Repair): Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 26-030 (Vacant Property Rehabilitation): Passed 12-0.
  • Resolution 26-059 (Emergency Management Grant): Passed 12-0.
  • Next Meeting: Council will recess until a series of meetings August 20, 27, and September 3, 2026.

Announcements

  • Councilmember Owens: Youth night out to Philadelphia Union game on July 22; noted flooding in District 1.
  • Councilmember Oliver: Annual fishing trip for youth from across Wilmington on Saturday.
  • Councilmember Harley: Play Streets at Neighborhood House on B Street (Tuesday); East Side Stop the Violence Festival (July 18, 12-6 at Kirkwood Street Park).
  • Councilmember Bracey: Summer block parties schedule through August, culminating in a grand finale at Rodney Square.
  • Councilmember Cabrera: Reminded residents to check on seniors during heat, avoid leaving children/pets in cars; highlighted upcoming events: Jazz Festival (August), Millie Cannon concert, August Quarterly at Mother Church, Urban Artists Exchange (Wednesdays).

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will please come to order. Good evening, everyone. My name is Trippie Congo, President of Wilmington City Council. On behalf of all my colleagues here on council, we'd like to thank everyone for joining us this evening. To those of you who are in Council Chambers and also to everyone who is with us virtually. Today is Thursday, July the 11th, and we are going to begin with our 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. Amen. Now move your site. Underground individual limiting justice. Present. Councilwoman Darby. Councilwoman Oliver. Present. Councilwoman Harley. President. Councilwoman Will Hour. Present. Councilwoman McCoy. Councilman Johnson. Here. Councilman Field. Present. Councilwoman Bracie. Present. Councilwoman Cabrera. Councilman Hackett? Here. Councilman Spadola. Here. President Congo. Here. Ten present and three absent. Thank you, Councilmember McCoy did ask to be excused this evening. And also for public comment, there is a Google form. Sign up link in the chat. And public comment will take place after nine legislative business. If there's anyone here in council who would like to get public comment, please make sure that you sign the signing sheet before 645. At this time, we'll have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting. Second. 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. Move the committee report be received, recorded, and filed. Second. It's been probably moved and seconded the report be received, recorded and filed on the question. All in favor signify by saying aye.

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