[0:43] Everyone today is Thursday, August 27th. My name is Triple Congo, President of

[0:49] Momentan City Council. I'm almost my colleagues. I want to welcome everyone who's with us virtually

[0:53] and also those who are with us in Councillor Chambers. We're going to begin with our opening prayer

[1:01] by

[1:04] Alicia.

[1:09] Heavenly Father, we have assembled to handle the affairs of our city.

[1:16] As we do

[1:18] the place of peace and safety, keep us out of harm's way, and bless those who are in authority.

[1:24] That respect be key in all our endeavors. Amen. Amen.

[1:30] Now we will recite the Pleasure of Allegiance

[1:35] to the United States of America.

[1:39] Do you think about that for what was it, Dan? One, eight, ten, under that.

[1:44] Do you think this is what we're living in? That's as far off.

[1:55] I think he's called the role.

[1:56] Councilmember Owens.

[1:57] Councilmember Garby, Councilmember Oliver, Councilmember Harley, Councilmember Wilower, Councilmember McCoy, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Field, Councilmember Bracee, Councilmember Cabreda, Councilmember Hackett, Councilmember Spadola,

[2:27] President. President Congo. Here.

[2:39] Seven President, six absent.

[2:42] Thank you. Council members will hour and

[2:45] Bracy did ask the big excuse,

[2:47] I'm not sure if any other council members ask,

[2:50] but I will feel to also ask the big excuse.

[2:53] Thank you. And also just for the record,

[2:56] Council member Johnson will be holding his legislation this evening,

[3:01] which was an onus to mention after two of the city

[3:03] code to establish a code of conduct,

[3:06] conduct within the Womitin Council chambers for the first and second reading.

[3:12] Now we're at the reading of the minutes from our previous meeting.

[3:17] City Council met in regular session with remote participation on the above date,

[3:22] August 20, 2026.

[3:25] President Ernest Amcago, the second presiding,

[3:28] the opening prior was done by Mayor Lennon.

[3:30] The minute the minute the minute the minute the minute the minute to be accepted is written on the question

[3:39] All in favor of signify by saying aye any opposed a motion carried

[3:45] There are no committee reports this evening at this time we will have the city treasures report

[3:51] treasures report August 27, 2026

[3:55] Total investment $574 million, $228 in two cents, total cash on hand, $18 million, $612,189

[4:09] in 15 cents, grand total, $592,804,414,417 dollars and 17 cents, submitted C treasurer

[4:21] Wayne Sims. I'm moving the treasure report. We receive a quarter in a file. Second.

[4:26] It's from probably moved and second the report. We receive a quarter in a file on the question.

[4:32] All in favor of signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye.

[4:36] And you're proved motion care. I would accept the motion to move to accept all non legislative business.

[4:43] So motion. Second. It's from probably moving second to accept all non legislative business on the question.

[4:50] I'll not be riskifying by saying aye.

[4:54] Can you oppose motion carry?

[4:57] I would also like to recognize Mayor Michael Bernagis, the mayor of Sene and his major

[5:02] maker for his official visit.

[5:04] This week, he and Wemington, but unfortunately his schedule did not permit him to join us

[5:09] tonight, but we just wanted to give him a warm welcome to our city as he partakes and

[5:14] many festivities over the weekend.

[5:18] And in the way of resolutions of recognition, Councilmember Hackett.

[5:45] Right here,

[5:58] I'm going

[6:05] to go first and then I'm going to bring you up, okay?

[6:15] Perfect.

[6:17] All right.

[6:17] This is a resolution sponsored by our council president and it's a trippy kind of a second and council member's anti-alvar

[6:24] Whereas it is sense of city council to honor individuals organizations

[6:29] Incidentative milestones that demonstrate outstanding achievement and a deserving of recognition and an announcement

[6:35] Emery kind a record break break in national and amateur athletic union junior Olympic champion

[6:42] Whoo! Let's give it a round of applause for that.

[6:49] Whereas Emery is an extraordinary young Delaware athlete,

[6:52] AAU, Jell Farrow, outstanding performance, Memorial Award winner,

[6:57] whose remarkable talent, dedication, and determination

[7:01] have bought national attention and pride to our region.

[7:05] At just eight years old, Emery delivered a record-breaking performance

[7:08] at the 226 AU, Junior Olympics game in Des Moys, Iowa,

[7:13] one of the nation's most prestigious youth athletic competitions.

[7:18] Whereas Emory captured national championship in the A and Under

[7:22] 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter event. Show me the rings, put the rings up.

[7:30] Now, competing a three event champion suite, and the 100 meter event, Emory Randi, 13.67 second, and the

[7:38] Flamere round, breaking the previous national and a U.J. Olympic Games record, 13.85 seconds. Let's

[7:48] make some noise for that.

[7:52] And the 200 meter event, she beat her 2025 record of 27.99 seconds with

[7:58] a semi-final time of 27.36 seconds, and everybody concluded the competition by winning

[8:05] a 400 meter race, and yet another national anti-AAU junior Olympic gain record.

[8:12] Emery is an inspiration to young athletes throughout the city of Womitsin and the state of

[8:16] Delaware.

[8:17] Touch the success reflects the value of hard work discipline, perseverance.

[8:22] We commend her, along with her parents, mentors, and community members who have supported

[8:26] her, got her throughout her athletic journey, and demonstrated the profound impact of positive

[8:32] investment on the lives of a young person in our city.

[8:37] Now therefore be it resolved by the council of the city of Wilmerton that this council

[8:42] was pleased to recognize Emery Cotton for how outstanding accomplishments in youth track

[8:46] and field.

[8:47] We wish our much success as she continues to meet and exceed the high standards she has set

[8:53] source of job well done you

[8:59] know I always tell people a lot that you know our young people

[9:02] can't do anything unless our families and our community and everybody invest in them so

[9:07] we know we got that here mom and family here I just want you to come up and say a good

[9:11] word real quick on behalf of your door all right good evening everybody my name is Samuel

[9:19] Cotton I'm the father of Emory Cotton and just to keep it real short and speed I just want to thank

[9:24] the most high for a lot of my daughter to be able to do the things that she's done because obviously

[9:29] without him, none of this would be possible so I just want to thank him. I want to thank

[9:33] my father and my mother because again without them, none of this is possible and I just want

[9:38] to just stay humble and just pray that my daughter can just continue the success that she

[9:43] you know is doing right now and just yeah I'm just pretty much happy about it.

[9:53] I

[9:56] don't know what

[9:59] Hi, my name is Amber Wise and I'm Marie's mother and this was a thank you for just recognizing her and what she's done

[10:06] She's very proud of herself

[10:09] Thank you for her friends and extended family for being here as well

[10:13] So I hope that you just continue to watch her on her journey because it's something that she really enjoys doing

[10:19] So just support her best way to you can if you couldn't come watch me come watch

[10:24] Anyway, you can support this supporter. We appreciate it

[10:36] Every

[10:58] What I like about track is running

[11:08] and having fun, and what they tell me what to do on the meet.

[11:19] Yeah, it's a go out there and have fun and break records.

[11:26] And that's what you do.

[11:29] And do you want to thank anybody?

[11:34] Yeah.

[11:36] Oh, thank you, my followers, my fans.

[11:43] And what about the people behind?

[11:44] What about them?

[11:48] All righty.

[11:49] Thank you so much.

[11:51] Before you go anywhere, usually we have some of our council members that might want to say a few words.

[11:55] Okay, all right, I start with our president.

[11:57] Council member Johnson.

[11:59] I just wanted to say, hats off to the cotton family.

[12:02] So I have a connection to you.

[12:04] I was a college, a track and field athlete as well at UD.

[12:08] She had a ended up in Delaware.

[12:10] So I always say it's the best sport

[12:14] because not only the investing yourself,

[12:15] you know, try to get your PRs,

[12:17] but you have a team to be accountable for too.

[12:20] So it's like the ultimate, like best of both worlds.

[12:23] So hats off to all the hard work.

[12:24] and I know the parents, I know what my parents did,

[12:27] going to the meat or the long thing,

[12:28] it's not like going to basketball game or football game.

[12:31] You dare all day, you get there at nine,

[12:33] you don't leave till three or four,

[12:35] so the dedication to the whole family, grandma, cotton,

[12:39] you know, I know you're out there.

[12:41] Track is not a easy sport to watch,

[12:42] but it's a great sport to support.

[12:44] And whatever I can help do,

[12:46] I come from families to untracket.

[12:48] High levels as well, it's the best path and I'm so proud of her.

[12:52] No, I think at first time I saw, I heard about her was in B.C.

[12:57] Philadelphia did a story on her.

[12:59] So again, this is not just local, this is national news and we're so proud of you.

[13:04] So let us know what we can do when I cancel to help out, not only you, but your whole team.

[13:08] It makes sure they can go to nationals or whatever you need to.

[13:10] Thank you.

[13:14] Councilman Bowens.

[13:16] Yes, I just want to say congratulations.

[13:18] I know you showed your three rings, but you also have a few medals around your neck as well,

[13:23] shows those off to the public, but I just want to say congratulations for the hard work that you

[13:28] pitted on that grandparents, all family and friends who are building that foundation for a strong

[13:35] athlete to be able to succeed. Thank you for pouring back into someone who's making

[13:39] Delaware very proudly and I look forward to reading about the more records that you're going to be

[13:44] break it. Thank you. You're welcome. I also like to just say congratulations, Emily. I think that

[13:53] thing that made me the happiest when you guys were talking is that you mentioned on dad that

[14:00] she just likes she loves it and she's fun for I think that's the most important a lot of times when

[14:05] we see what we think might be a prodigy we make it so it's not even fun for more but for her just

[14:11] there's still be having fun you guys learn her just be herself and going out there just crushing it

[14:16] I think that just makes a huge difference I want to get our autograph I'm not sure if that's okay or not

[14:22] Oh, before you leave like every I want you to sign a piece of paper for me. All right

[14:28] Before you start charging form

[14:31] But what school do you go to Emmer?

[14:35] Okay, what grade are you in?

[14:37] Third grade. All right, and when should that one's next meet?

[14:42] Endore.

[14:43] Endore.

[14:45] Come up to the mic.

[14:47] Endore training in December.

[14:48] And I believe our first track will be somewhere between the beginning of January,

[14:55] So as our mother said, we'll definitely keep you guys posted on the schedule.

[14:59] Okay.

[14:59] I always do.

[15:00] We're supposed to schedule a social media, make a Facebook.

[15:03] So we just appreciate everybody.

[15:05] And we like to keep everybody in touch with everything.

[15:08] And to piggyback off what you said, a lot of people do put a lot of pressure on young athletes,

[15:14] coming up. So my job is a father's not to put that much pressure on my daughter.

[15:18] Because that day I still wanted to be a kid.

[15:20] And you know, you put a lot of pressure on people, they could burn out.

[15:24] And I don't want that for my daughter.

[15:26] I don't want to have her at a high expectation where people expect to hurt her.

[15:29] be, you know, the next Chicago richest center or whatever, and then she don't make it

[15:33] and everybody want to say what happened to her.

[15:35] So it's just, you know, if you always hear me talk, we just try to stay humble and take it

[15:39] one day at a time and we don't, we don't overwork her or anything like we don't even talk

[15:43] about track right now.

[15:45] That's all.

[15:45] I only because I'm talking about track right now because you ask, but we don't even talk

[15:48] about track right now because we've got her just be a kid and she's about to go back to school,

[15:52] whatever, you know, friends and stuff and just, you know, be who Emory is.

[15:57] So that's how we want to keep it.

[15:58] and she don't even know what's going on

[16:00] and I always say it is everybody says

[16:01] my faith in the Spanish line.

[16:03] She'll break her record and you can ask her,

[16:05] what's the first thing you want to do after you're done running?

[16:08] Go.

[16:09] Go where?

[16:10] Go to the poor eat.

[16:12] Eat.

[16:12] She won't even know that she broke her record.

[16:14] We won't even make a big deal about it.

[16:16] We'll just let her go.

[16:17] But we know at heart the accomplishment

[16:19] that she's doing, how amazing it is.

[16:22] But for her, we don't even let her know anything like that.

[16:24] We just say, hey, you did a good job.

[16:26] I'm about to take you swimming or go get some ice cream.

[16:29] That's how we want to do that.

[16:30] That's awesome.

[16:31] Keep up the great work.

[16:32] Thank you.

[16:33] She told us to move.

[16:34] She got some more to say.

[16:35] Come on back up, Amber.

[16:45] So I do the 400 and I don't like it.

[16:49] My dad and Indoor put me in the A-hunter.

[16:58] Well, father knows best.

[16:59] Well, we want to take up too much of your time.

[17:02] We so happy, hopefully she remembers this.

[17:04] Once again, it's keen for our president.

[17:06] He likes to always announce people that are doing great work

[17:08] in our communities.

[17:10] So, and this is our token of appreciation for you guys

[17:13] to be able to always make so much.

[17:16] And we're going to go out and take some pictures together as well.

[17:25] There's you need to elaborate on that.

[17:28] I have to add.

[17:29] Well, I have to do the pictures right here,

[17:31] because if you leave, you won't, well,

[17:32] we'll be out of on corn.

[17:38] Oh yes, I do, y'all thought I'll be fine.

[17:48] Yeah.

[17:49] Yeah, how friends were here to support a come on up?

[17:53] Yeah, we all know about it.

[17:58] All of our friends who have seen it even come up to come be a part of the picture, please.

[18:18] I'm going to get in. I'm a crazy guy. I'm going to get my hand.

[18:21] What

[18:30] did

[18:42] you realize that you had something special?

[18:48] Let's see what's special.

[18:59] There.

[19:00] Let's take a look.

[19:06] There.

[19:08] That is awesome.

[19:10] Oh, I don't feel hungry though.

[19:12] Thank you.

[19:17] That's right.

[19:18] I got a picture there.

[19:25] All

[19:29] right. Thank you.

[19:30] Thank you.

[19:32] All right. Thank you, family.

[19:51] Yeah, that's rare.

[20:09] All right, we're turning back to

[20:15] Our other resolutions of recognition, we'll give them a few more, we'll give them a few more

[20:24] moments just to actually change them,

[20:44] all right, in a way of other recognitions, our resolutions

[20:48] from Council Member Caberra, she would like to recognize August Musi, from Angela luncheonette,

[20:57] from Councilmember Hackett he would like to recognize

[21:02] juxtemite, juxtemite on the great opening, Councilmember Oliver

[21:06] would like to recognize Parks and Rec, for the local park services

[21:13] I would also like to recognize the Mingo Villas on his 100th birthday

[21:18] in the way of sympathy resolutions from all Council

[21:24] A Symmity Resolution for Stephanie Joe Stollings Collins and a Symmity Resolution for Edith

[21:31] Prugin.

[21:32] I would also like to recognize a Symmity Resolution for Dr. Mark Mayney Sr. and Council Member

[21:39] Oliver has a Symmity Resolution for Kerlin Kent Dollar.

[21:44] At this time there, no one has signed up for public comment, so we are going to move right

[21:51] to legislative business, Councilmember Owens.

[21:56] Mr. President, I have on behalf of Councilwoman Oliver, I have an ordinance to present

[22:00] and call for the First and Second Reading.

[22:03] Audence number 26-044, agenda number 0263, an ordinance to amend chapter 37 to increase the

[22:13] minimum fine for a first offense for blocking parking spaces.

[22:19] The first meeting of the ordinance.

[22:23] An ordinance to amend Chapter 37 to increase the minimum fine for a first offense for blocking parking spaces.

[22:30] Second reading of the ordinance. Mr. President, I move that this being known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the public safety committee.

[22:36] Second.

[22:37] It's been properly moved and seconded that being known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and refer to the public safety committee.

[22:45] Thank you. Mr. President, on behalf of the Councilwoman Oliver, I have an ordinance to present in call for the first and second reading.

[22:52] Ordinance number 26-045 agenda number 0264 and ordinance to amend chapter 36 to increase the minimum fine for consuming alcohol in certain public spaces.

[23:06] First reading of the ordinance.

[23:09] And ordinance to amend chapter 36 to increase the minimum fine for consuming alcohol in certain public spaces.

[23:17] Second reading of the ordinance.

[23:18] Mr. President, I moved that that being known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the public safety committee.

[23:24] Second.

[23:26] It's been probably moved and second that being known as the first and second reading of the ordinance and referred to the public safety committee.

[23:34] Councillor member Hartley.

[23:35] Yes, Mr. President, I have a resolution to present.

[23:40] Resolution number 26-060.

[23:43] agenda number 0265, whereas pursuant to section 2-363 of the City Code City Council deemed

[23:52] it necessary and proper to specify the requirements for review and approval of City Sponsored

[23:58] Grant Applications and Proposals, including all of our special issues we receive recorded

[24:03] and filed and adopted by a EANA vote.

[24:07] It's been properly moved, and second, that the resolution we received recorded found and

[24:11] by you and a vote on the question.

[24:15] Yes, Mr. President, this resolution authorizes the Department of Information Technology Department

[24:23] to grant application to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency or deem a rather for

[24:32] a pass-through grant from the federal government, pursuant to the state local cybersecurity

[24:38] really grant program in the amount of $196,000, or such other amount that Dima awards.

[24:48] The funds are going to be used to reimburse the city, which is a great thing.

[24:53] For the IT departments initiative to strengthen the city's cybersecurity capabilities

[24:59] by purchasing a hardware and outsourcing security operations center services, which are necessary

[25:06] to provide enhanced continuous monitoring threat detection and response across the city's

[25:14] technology environment and no local matching funds are required. So this is basically

[25:22] to give them permission to receive the grant, which is definitely needed in the climate that

[25:28] in as it relates to City Council again with our revenues. That's all I have.

[25:37] All right, thank you. I'm seeing no hands raised.

[25:42] Clerk, he's called for the role.

[25:44] Councilmember Owens? Yes.

[25:46] Councilmember Darby? Councilmember Oliver? Councilmember Harley? Yes.

[25:55] Councilmember Willower? Councilmember McCoy? Yes. Councilmember Johnson? Yes.

[26:02] Councilmember Refield, Councilmember Bracey, Councilmember Cabrera, Councilmember Hackett.

[26:10] Councilmember Spodola?

[26:11] Yes.

[26:13] President Congo.

[26:17] Seven years, six absent.

[26:22] You cleared it up.

[26:23] That's all I have.

[26:24] All right, thank you.

[26:25] This time we're going to move to petitions and communication Councilmember Oins.

[26:30] Yes, Mr. President, first I want to start off saying thank you to everyone who joined the

[26:34] side community clean up, not work connect north west civic association, our local faith leaders

[26:42] who also join this as well too. Next I want to invite everyone to the grand opening of

[26:49] the Noma Library this Saturday. It has been a long time coming. We're super excited about it. We

[26:56] are making Saturday officially Noma Day in the city of Womitin. I'm out have a good time with us. It's

[27:02] amazing new state of art, $27 million library over the north side.

[27:08] So all about it starts at 10 a.m. and they'll have activities there till 5 p.m.

[27:15] That's it.

[27:15] All right. Thank you. Council member Holly.

[27:18] Oh, yes.

[27:19] I wanted to just remind our constituents that to avoid water bill.

[27:24] A shut off or water shut off that is that we have water bill utility assistance in our budget

[27:31] and also for those homeowners that have foliage and trash in their alleyways, we also have a program

[27:41] where they can submit a request to have their alleyways cleaned out. The city of Wilmington

[27:50] has partnered with a third party contractor to do this work and these applications and more

[28:01] website and also by calling 3-1-1. That's all I have, Mr. President.

[28:07] Okay, thank you. Council member McCoy.

[28:10] I thank you. I actually only have one. Well, I would like to say thank you to MSK.

[28:15] I believe that they had their active school activity a little earlier today.

[28:20] I'm pretty always a little good here. And I hope that it was truly a success.

[28:24] They've been doing a lot of things with the community and they just keep me informed.

[28:28] Not only that, the Brown town had one as well the previous day, so there's a lot of activity

[28:33] having in the sixth edition, as I'm glad to be able to be sharing that information on my social

[28:38] media, so please try to keep up because I barely can.

[28:43] I would like to inform everyone that we will be having a training, it's from civic associations

[28:50] to non-profit.

[28:51] This is something I have been working on pretty much since last year, wanting to have the

[28:56] The Delaware Alliance for non-profit advancement.

[29:00] We had to make some changes when it comes to how we distribute funds from City Council

[29:06] to the different grassroots community organizations and groups here within the city.

[29:12] And I wanted to see whether anyone was prepared to make that leap to either go from being a community group

[29:18] to civic association to be in a five or one seat through your non-profit.

[29:21] So if you are prepared, please register it because this class will be coming up on September 12th and it looks like once we actually published it and put out a press release

[29:31] We've actually gotten about I think maybe about four or five more people have signed up. So I'm looking forward to seeing how many of our groups are able to not only receive funds straight from Council but also start looking at funds and grants from other different entities.

[29:46] help we need these groups we need these communities to help us get things together

[29:51] here within the city so I ask for everyone to everyone who can sign up please

[29:55] do so thank you council member Johnson

[30:00] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you council member Hackett. Thank you, council member Spadula.

[30:30] and see you all there.

[30:34] Thank you.

[30:37] So next Wednesday, I just had one announcement.

[30:39] Next Wednesday, here in Council of Chambers,

[30:41] we are going to have a discussion around the state

[30:46] of the high rises that accommodate seniors.

[30:51] It's going to start again at 5.30.

[30:53] You're welcome to be here with us.

[30:56] If you can't be here with us,

[30:57] you can also watch on YouTube.

[31:00] You can watch on channel 22.

[31:02] welcome to give public comment either here or virtually and we're just going to talk

[31:06] about here if we're inviting all seniors if you know someone who is a senior if you

[31:12] are a senior living in a high rise and you have some concerns about your living spaces

[31:16] any concerns that you may have were asking you to come out to council to the city council

[31:21] building next Wednesday at 530-800 North French Street. I want to thank Parks and

[31:27] But because they did, they're going to give transportation to provide buses for the seniors.

[31:35] So if you're a senior, and you're right here to give your public comment and person,

[31:40] please call us at City Council 302-576-2140, 302-576-2140.

[31:49] Also want to thank women to increase the apartment and the apartment of licensed and inspection.

[31:55] They have both agreed to be here to hear firsthand.

[31:59] From the seniors who are living or the family members who might be speaking on their behalf.

[32:03] Just talking about the living conditions and the high-rises about the city.

[32:08] Also want to thank WHA who manages a lot of the senior high-rises on buildings.

[32:14] for being here wanting to be a part of the conversation and more importantly wanting to be a part of the solution.

[32:21] I hope that this meeting can be really solution driven and solution oriented because I think that we have to be with best for seniors.

[32:30] We're also asking for volunteers.

[32:32] So for seniors who aren't comfortable coming here, we just can't make it for some reason.

[32:36] If you're more comfortable being in your lobby and your building,

[32:40] I'm asking for volunteers who have access to a laptop or have a laptop to go there to their

[32:46] lobby.

[32:47] Just calls again at City Council so we can make sure that everything is coordinated so that

[32:52] those seniors will be able to give testimony virtually.

[32:57] So if you are able to spare a couple of hours next Wednesday at 530, if you can volunteer

[33:03] to go to a senior high rise, if you have access to a laptop, please give us a card here at City

[33:09] Council of five, seven, six, 21, 40 so that the seniors will be able to watch virtually and

[33:15] contact make public comment virtually and that is the world going to be right back here

[33:21] again next Thursday for our council meeting at six thirty so please join us for that and

[33:28] with that I will accept the motion towards your motion to adjourn.

[33:34] It's been probably moving in second to adjourn all in favor of signify by saying aye.

[33:39] And you're posed. Motion carried. Thank you, everyone.

WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING | August 27, 2026

Transcript