OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - September 3, 2026

Regular Meeting of Wilmington City Council — Thursday, September 3, 2026
BodyWilmington, Delaware
SessionRegular Meeting of Wilmington City Council
DateThursday, September 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 50:26

Transcript — Verbatim
1:19

The meeting will please come to order.

1:25

Okay.

1:26

So good evening, everyone.

1:27

This is the uh council.

1:29

This is the uh September 3rd council meeting.

1:33

Give you a public note, announce that all the public comments that are on Google forms.

1:37

Please sign up.

1:38

The sign up link in the chat.

1:40

Public comments will take place after the non-legislative business.

1:44

Also, would like to announce that the following legislation is being held by the sponsor.

1:49

Uh Councilman Johnson 0272, which is an ordinance to rezone a parcel of land located at 2140 West 11th Street from a zoning classification of C1 neighborhood shopping to a zoning classification of R-5-B, apartment housing, medium density, and a parcel of land located at 1010 North Bancroft Parkway from a zoning classification of C1 neighborhood shopping to a split zoning classification of R-5-B, apartment houses, medium density, and C2 secondary business centers.

2:26

Okay.

2:26

Thank goodness.

2:27

That was a that was a mouthful.

2:29

Okay.

2:30

All right.

2:31

So we will now have the opening prayer by Marilena Rivera.

2:38

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

2:41

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

2:45

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.

2:51

Let respect be key in all our endeavors.

3:48

Councilman Owens.

3:49

Present.

3:50

Councilwoman Darby.

3:51

Councilwoman Oliver.

3:53

Councilwoman Harley.

3:56

Present.

3:58

Here.

3:58

Councilman Johnson.

4:00

Here.

4:01

Councilman Field.

4:02

Present.

4:03

Councilwoman Bracey.

4:04

Councilwoman Cabrera.

4:06

Councilman Hackett.

4:09

Councilman Spadola.

4:12

President Congo.

4:19

Eight present and five absent.

4:23

Okay.

4:25

Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

4:34

August 27th, 2026.

4:36

City Council met in regular session with remote participation.

4:39

Move that the minutes be recorded, filed and voted on.

4:44

Second.

4:47

The meeting minutes be accepted as written on the question.

4:51

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

4:57

Motion carried.

5:00

Okay, committee reports.

5:01

Oh, none this evening.

5:02

Okay.

5:02

All right, City Treasury Report.

5:06

September 3rd, 2026, total investments 577,381,812 and 66 cents.

5:15

Total cash on hand, 17,694,304 and 95 cents.

5:20

Grand total 595,076.

5:24

595,076,117.61 cents.

5:29

Submitted City Treasurer Dwayne Sims.

5:32

Our motion to approve the treasurer's report.

5:34

Second.

5:36

It's been properly moved and seconded.

5:37

The report be received, recorded, and filed.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████████████40%
Community Events███████████████████19%
Public Engagement████████8%
Voter Engagement████████8%
Zoning And Land Use███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Education Policy████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Meeting - September 3, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on September 3, 2026, with eight members present and five absent. The meeting opened with a prayer, roll call, approval of minutes from August 27, 2026, and the treasurer's report. Several recognition resolutions were announced, and public comment included statements on voting and strong opposition to a proposed rezoning. The council voted on multiple grant resolutions and introduced two ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of August 27, 2026 – Approved as written.
  • City Treasury Report – Total investments: $577,381,812.66; cash on hand: $17,694,304.95; grand total: $595,076,117.61. Report received and filed.
  • Non-legislative business – Approved en bloc.

Recognition

  • Bob King – Honored with a resolution (presented by Councilwoman Cabrera) for his athletic achievements at Howard High School and Morgan State University, coaching career, and community service. The track at Abicinio Stadium bears his name. Mr. King accepted the resolution.
  • Additional recognition and sympathy resolutions were read for various individuals and organizations.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Deacon Earl Tate – Urged citizens to vote, engage in the election, and support the younger generation. He called for action to address world confusion.
  • Kathleen Dinsmore (Highland Place, 7th District) – Representing neighbors and local associations, she stated overwhelming opposition to the Bancroft rezoning ordinance (held by Councilman Johnson). She noted the city planning commission voted 4-1 against the rezoning and argued it is not in accordance with the comprehensive plan or Delaware law. She expressed willingness to work with the developer on redevelopment within existing zoning and criticized the suggestion of a commercial parking garage as a hypothetical alternative. She thanked council for their attention and indicated they would speak further if the rezoning returns.
  • Other individuals signed up for public comment but passed without speaking.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 26-061 (Agenda #0267) – Grant funds for Astral Raices (Hispanic Festival) totaling $14,250 from multiple council members. Councilwoman Cabrera expressed disappointment that the festival may leave Wilmington and called for greater city support. Councilman Hackett suggested addressing this in the upcoming budget. Adopted 9-0.
  • Ordinance 26-046 (Agenda #0268) – First and second reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 4 of the city code regarding insect and rodent control for self-service storage facilities. Referred to the Community Development and Urban Planning Committee.
  • Resolution 26-062 (Agenda #0269) – $19,000 in community support funds for City Fest for the Millie Cannon summer concert. Councilman Spadola voted present, citing concerns about the event having already occurred and requesting a process review. Others clarified the funds are a reimbursement. Adopted 8-1 (Spadola present).
  • Resolution 26-063 (Agenda #0270) – Grant application to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services for $2,525,000 to upgrade the water distribution system in the Dunleith neighborhood. Several council members added as co-sponsors. Adopted 9-0.
  • Ordinance 26-047 (Agenda #0271) – First and second reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 5 relating to public nuisances. Referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • Resolution 26-064 (Agenda #0273) – $3,500 grant for the Roberto Clemente League for park improvements. Adopted 9-0.
  • Resolution 26-065 (Agenda #0274) – $5,999 (corrected total) for the Neighborhood House in Southbridge. Adopted 9-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All legislative items were adopted except one present vote (Resolution 26-062).
  • The Bancroft rezoning ordinance (Agenda #0272) was held by Councilman Johnson and did not come to a vote; public opposition was voiced.
  • Upcoming events announced: Hispanic Festival (Music Art and Culture Festival on Sept. 12, parade and celebration on Sept. 13), Brandywine Arts Festival (Sept. 12-13), and a workshop on transitioning civic associations to nonprofits on Sept. 12.
  • Council encouraged early voting and reminded residents to call 311 for housing maintenance issues.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will please come to order. Okay. So good evening, everyone. This is the uh council. This is the uh September 3rd council meeting. Give you a public note, announce that all the public comments that are on Google forms. Please sign up. The sign up link in the chat. Public comments will take place after the non-legislative business. Also, would like to announce that the following legislation is being held by the sponsor. Uh Councilman Johnson 0272, which is an ordinance to rezone a parcel of land located at 2140 West 11th Street from a zoning classification of C1 neighborhood shopping to a zoning classification of R-5-B, apartment housing, medium density, and a parcel of land located at 1010 North Bancroft Parkway from a zoning classification of C1 neighborhood shopping to a split zoning classification of R-5-B, apartment houses, medium density, and C2 secondary business centers. Okay. Thank goodness. That was a that was a mouthful. Okay. All right. So we will now have the opening prayer by Marilena 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. Councilman Owens. Present. Councilwoman Darby. Councilwoman Oliver. Councilwoman Harley. Present. Here. Councilman Johnson. Here. Councilman Field. Present. Councilwoman Bracey. Councilwoman Cabrera. Councilman Hackett. Councilman Spadola. President Congo. Eight present and five absent. Okay. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. August 27th, 2026. City Council met in regular session with remote participation. Move that the minutes be recorded, filed and voted on. Second. The meeting minutes be accepted as written on the question. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Motion carried. Okay, committee reports. Oh, none this evening. Okay.

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