OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting – August 27, 2026

Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council — Thursday, August 27, 2026
BodyWilmington, Delaware
SessionRegular Meeting of Wilmington City Council
DateThursday, August 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 42:39

Transcript — Verbatim
9:39

Everyone today is Thursday, August 27th.

9:42

My name is Trippy Congress, President of Warmington City Council, and I'm with my colleagues.

10:05

We have assembled to handle the affairs of our city.

10:08

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

10:12

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.

10:19

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

10:21

Amen.

10:23

Amen.

10:25

And now we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

10:30

Pledge of allegiance to the United States of America.

10:38

Under God, liberty, and justice for all.

10:52

Councilmember Owens.

10:53

Present.

10:54

Councilmember Darby.

10:56

Councilmember Oliver.

11:00

Present.

11:02

Councilmember Willower.

11:04

Councilmember McCoy.

11:06

Here.

11:06

Councilmember Johnson.

11:08

Here.

11:09

Councilmember Field.

11:11

Councilmember Bracey.

11:13

Councilmember Cabaretta.

11:16

Councilmember Hackett.

11:18

Councilmember Spadola.

11:22

Present.

11:23

President Congo.

11:25

Here.

11:34

Seven present, six absent.

11:38

Thank you.

11:38

Council members Willauer and Bracie did ask to be excused.

11:42

I'm not sure if any other council members asked, but I will also ask to be excused.

11:48

Thank you.

11:50

And also just for the record, Councilmember Johnson will be holding his legislation this evening, which was uh an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to establish a code of conduct conduct within Wilmington Council Chambers for the first and second reading.

12:07

Now we will have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

12:12

City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date, August 20th, 2026.

12:20

President Ernest M.

12:21

Congo, the second presiding.

12:23

The opening prayer was done by Mary Lennon.

12:25

President the minutes to be accepted as written.

12:27

Second it's been properly moved and seconded the minutes to be accepted as written on the question.

12:34

All in favor signify by saying aye.

12:37

Aye.

12:37

Any opposed?

12:39

Motion carried.

12:40

There are no committee reports this evening.

12:43

At this time, we will have the city treasurer's report.

12:46

Treasurer's report, August 27th, 2026.

12:51

Total investments 574 million, 2028 and two cents.

12:59

Total cash on hand, 18 million six hundred and twelve thousand one hundred and eighty-nine dollars and fifteen cents.

13:06

Grand total 592 million eight hundred and forty fourteen thousand four hundred and seventeen dollars and seventeen cents.

13:14

Submitted city treasure Dwayne Sims.

13:17

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

13:20

Second.

13:21

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

13:27

All in favor signify by saying aye.

13:30

Aye.

13:30

Aye.

13:32

Any opposed?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Community Events██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting – August 27, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM with President Ernest M. Congo (Trippy Congress) presiding. Seven council members were present and six were absent, with Councilmembers Willauer and Bracie excused. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine approvals, recognition of a youth track champion, introduction of two ordinance amendments, adoption of a cybersecurity grant resolution, and announcements about upcoming community events and a senior housing forum.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes from the August 20, 2026 meeting were accepted as written.
  • Treasurer’s Report: The city treasurer reported total investments of $574,000,028.02, cash on hand of $18,612,189.15, and a grand total of $592,614,417.17. The report was received, recorded, and filed.
  • Non-Legislative Business: All non-legislative business was accepted via a single motion.

Recognition and Resolutions

  • Emory Cotton, AAU Junior Olympic Champion: The council recognized 8‑year‑old Emory Cotton for her record‑breaking performance at the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. She won national championships in the 8‑and‑under 100m (13.67 seconds, breaking the previous record of 13.85), 200m (27.36 seconds, beating her own 2025 record of 27.99), and 400m (setting another AAU Junior Olympic record). Her father spoke about keeping her humble and allowing her to enjoy being a child. Council members praised her achievements and the support of her family.
  • Other Recognitions: Councilmember Cabaretta recognized August Musy from Angelo’s Lunchinette; Councilmember Hackett recognized JuxtaMod for its grand opening; Councilmember Oliver recognized Parks and Rec for local park services; President Congo recognized Domingo Velez on his 100th birthday.
  • Sympathy Resolutions: The council offered sympathy resolutions for Stephanie Joe Stallings Collins, Edith Purgeon, Dr. Mark Rainey Sr., and Carolyn Kent Dollard.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 26‑044 (Blocking Parking Spaces): Councilmember Owens, on behalf of Councilwoman Oliver, presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 37 to increase the minimum fine for a first offense of blocking parking spaces. The ordinance was read for the first and second reading and referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • Ordinance 26‑045 (Public Alcohol Consumption): Councilmember Owens, on behalf of Councilwoman Oliver, presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 36 to increase the minimum fine for consuming alcohol in certain public spaces. It was also read for the first and second reading and referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • Resolution 26‑060 (Cybersecurity Grant): Councilmember Harley introduced a resolution authorizing the Department of Information Technology to apply for a pass‑through grant from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) under the State Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for $196,000. The funds will reimburse the city for cybersecurity improvements. The resolution was adopted by a roll‑call vote of 7 yes, 6 absent.

Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • Councilmember Owens announced the grand opening of the NOMA Library on Saturday, August 29, 2026 (NOMA Day) at 10 AM, a new $27 million state‑of‑the‑art library on the north side.
  • Councilmember Harley reminded residents about water bill utility assistance available through the city budget and an alley‑cleaning program for homeowners.
  • Councilmember McCoy thanked MSK and Brown Town for back‑to‑school events and announced a training for community groups to become 501(c)(3) nonprofits, hosted by the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement on September 12, 2026.
  • President Congo announced a senior high‑rise forum on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM in council chambers to discuss living conditions. Buses will be provided, and volunteers are needed to assist virtual participation.
  • The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes, treasurer’s report, and non‑legislative business approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 26‑044 and 26‑045 introduced and referred to the Public Safety Committee (first and second reading).
  • Resolution 26‑060 adopted (7 yes, 6 absent).
  • The council adjourned at the conclusion of business.

Meeting Transcript

Everyone today is Thursday, August 27th. My name is Trippy Congress, President of Warmington City Council, and I'm with my colleagues. 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. Amen. And now we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the United States of America. Under God, liberty, and justice for all. Councilmember Owens. Present. Councilmember Darby. Councilmember Oliver. Present. Councilmember Willower. Councilmember McCoy. Here. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Field. Councilmember Bracey. Councilmember Cabaretta. Councilmember Hackett. Councilmember Spadola. Present. President Congo. Here. Seven present, six absent. Thank you. Council members Willauer and Bracie did ask to be excused. I'm not sure if any other council members asked, but I will also ask to be excused. Thank you. And also just for the record, Councilmember Johnson will be holding his legislation this evening, which was uh an ordinance to amend chapter two of the city code to establish a code of conduct conduct within Wilmington Council Chambers for the first and second reading. Now we will have the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting. City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date, August 20th, 2026. President Ernest M. Congo, the second presiding. The opening prayer was done by Mary Lennon. President the minutes to be accepted as written. Second it's been properly moved and seconded the minutes to be accepted as written on the question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. There are no committee reports this evening. At this time, we will have the city treasurer's report. Treasurer's report, August 27th, 2026. Total investments 574 million, 2028 and two cents.

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