Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – August 20, 2026

The Wilmington City Council convened on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 6:05 p.m. in Council Chambers with remote participation. President Ernest M. Conga II (Trippy Congo) presided. The meeting opened with a prayer, approval of minutes from the August 6, 2026 session, and a treasury report showing total cash on hand of $21,243,893.01 and a grand total of $597,564,672.87. The council adopted consent items, recognized interns and community organizations, heard public testimony on multiple issues, and debated and voted on a zoning ordinance amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the August 6, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• The treasury report was received, recorded, and filed.
• All non-legislative business was accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deacon Earl E. Tate (virtual) urged residents to vote and emphasized the importance of education, housing, transportation, and jobs for children. He called for people to “stand up and be heard.”
• Christina Kelly (virtual) raised concerns about public notice for Ordinance 25-048, stating that the required two-week consecutive notice period was not met (only one publication on August 5, 2026). She warned that proceeding could create legal vulnerability and asked the council to postpone the vote. She also argued the zoning change could allow future industrial uses without adequate public evaluation.
• Dr. Dre Bland (in person), pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, addressed the killing of 19-year-old Khadir Skinner, calling for an independent investigation, transparency, accountability, and police reform. He criticized the culture within the Wilmington Police Department and urged a multiracial interfaith coalition for justice.
• Lip Bentley (virtual), a 6th District resident, echoed calls for justice for Khadir Skinner and an independent audit of WPD. She also supported Christina Kelly’s request for a delay on Ordinance 25-048 and criticized council members who were absent during the vote on a water bill relief ordinance, especially those who could have attended remotely.
• Darrell Dowler (in person), Khadir Skinner’s father, expressed frustration with the lack of transparency and communication from the city council and police, saying “the hear ain’t right, the body won’t function.”
• Mrs. Piles (in person), an electrical engineer with advanced degrees, described her repeated homelessness due to landlord scrutiny, rodent infestation, black mold, and eviction threats. She asked whether black people in Wilmington are allowed education, housing, and equal opportunity.
• Abdul Hay (late addition, in person), founder of Voices Still Speaking, commended the council for their work and service to the community.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 25-048 – Zoning Code Amendment for M1 Light Manufacturing District
  • The ordinance proposes to add “commercial recreation” and “public assembly” as use-by-right in the M1 zoning district, removing the need for a use variance. Definitions were provided: public assembly includes community centers, places of worship, event venues; commercial recreation includes fitness centers, bowling alleys, arcades, etc.
  • Planning Manager Gwyneth Kaminsky presented the rationale, noting the current code (from the 1960s) is outdated and that development trends (e.g., Chase Field House) show viability. The proposal applies existing M1 parking ratios (1 space per 3,000 sq ft of gross floor area) and includes buffer and noise controls.
  • Councilmembers raised concerns about parking spillover into residential neighborhoods, the lack of a requirement for developer-community engagement, and the timing of the vote relative to a comprehensive plan update. Councilmember Owens noted that M1 districts in his area are adjacent to residential zones. Councilmember Willower questioned why the change is not part of a broader zoning update. Councilmember Cabrera, the sponsor, argued the change is needed to attract investment and revenue, and that parking issues can be addressed later.
  • Public commenters (Kelly, Bentley) had already raised notice concerns. The planning department confirmed that notice requirements were met, including publication in the News Journal on August 5, 2026, and a public hearing before the planning commission.
  • After debate, the council voted on the ordinance. Vote: 11 yes (Owens, Oliver, Harley, McCoy, Johnson, Field, Bracey, Cabrera, Hackett, Spadola, President Congo), 1 present (Willower), 1 absent (Darby). Declared adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 25-048 adopted (11-0-1 with one absent): Amends Chapter 48 of the City Code to permit commercial recreation and public assembly as matter-of-right uses in the M1 Light Manufacturing Zoning District, with formal definitions and existing parking requirements. The council noted that additional parking regulations and community engagement requirements could be added through future amendments.
• Recognition Resolutions Approved:
  • Interns of the 109th session (Autumn Brooks, Pablo Cherez, Summer Edwards, Clarice Nag Nedangum, Kellen Kellyn Williams) were honored.
  • Mother African Union Church (founded 1813, first independent African American denomination) was recognized for its 212-year history, community service, and resilience after a fire. Council members presented a community support fund check.
  • Various other recognitions and sympathy resolutions were adopted (see agenda for full list).
• Upcoming Events Announced:
  • Quarterly community cleanup (Aug 22, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 3707 N. Market St.)
  • Millie Cannon concert at Pisces Park (Aug 22, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
  • End of summer block party (Aug 25, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Rodney Square) with movie night
  • Afro Foodie Festival (Aug 22, Rodney Square)
• Water bill assistance reminder: Councilmember Harley reminded residents that $350,000 in budget funds are available for seniors, disabled, and residents in need; call 311 for assistance.
• Public safety concerns: Multiple speakers called for transparency and reform in the Wilmington Police Department following the killing of Khadir Skinner. The council took no formal action but acknowledged the comments.