Here is my opponent's voting record. Nothing fancy, just the facts. If you don't like what you see, please vote for me. Thank you!
October 2019
Resolution No. 19-052 Voted to recommend that the state ban e cigarettes and raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21.
Ordinance No. 19-044 (Agenda #4710) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE CONSTITUTING AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2O2O OPERATING BUDGET
(BEING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SUBSTITUTE
NO. 1 TO ORDINANCE NO. 19-013)
FISCAL IMPACT: The total fiscal impact and budget appropriate increase to the FY
2020 General Fund Budget for the Police Department body camera program is $739,483
and will be funded by utilizing the Tax Stabilization Reserve.
Ordinance No. 19-045 (Agenda #4711) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE
A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON
AND AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR BODY CAMERAS
AND RELATED SERVICES
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: The fiscal impact of this Ordinance is a contract for
the period of five (5) years commencing on the date of its execution at a total estimated
price of One Million, Nine Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Thirty-Six
Dollars ($ 1,954,83 6.00).
Resolution No. 19-053 (Agenda #4714)
as follows:
WHEREAS, on September 29,2016, the City of Wilmington (the "City")
and Wilmington Housing Partnership Corporation, a Delaware non-profit corporation (the
"Corporation"), entered into a Loan Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit "A" (the 'ol.oan
Agreement") wherein the Corporation covenanted to pay to the City principal of, and
interest on, a certain promissory note issued under the Loan Agreement (the "Note") to
secure proceeds from the City in an amount of $3,378,371.67
Council Member Johnson presented Resolution No. 19-058
Charging Carney to appoint a person of color to the state supreme court.
Council Member Johnson presented Resolution No. 19-060
Using city money to demolish a building on private property.
Resolution No. 19-062
the Ordinance proposes amendments to Chapter 48 of the
City Code to provide penalty and enforcement provisions relating to Neighborhood
Conservation Districts
Resolution No. 19-063
the City has requested $40,000 from the State of Delaware
and $40,000 from New Castle County; and
WHEREAS, the Council deems it necessary and appropriate to authorize
the City to accept the funds, if awarded, an to facilitate the implementation of the
recommendations of the CDC in furtherance of the City's objectives to enhance public
safety and the quality of life in Wilmington.
November 2019 voted to restrict a persons 3 minutes of public comment time to items only on the agenda.
Voted to move forward with the comprehensive plan,
Ordinance No. 19-048 (Agenda #4736) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON
AND REHRIG FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE
LEASE OF, AND OPTION TO PURCHASE, MI-]NICIPAL
SOLID WASTE CONTAINTERS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: The fiscal impact of this Ordinance is a contract for
the period of five (5) years commencing on the date of its execution at an estimated
annual price of Three Hundred Thirty Thousand, Eight Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and
Seventy-Six Cents ($330,839.76) and an estimated total price of One Million, Six
Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand, One Hundred Ninety-Eight Dollars and Eighty Cents
($ 1,654,198.80)
Ordinance No.
19-051 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND SAINT FRANCIS
HOSPITAL, INC. FOR EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE
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Have given this Ordinance careful study and recommend Council vote on
it accordingly
Respectfully submitted, Members of
Public Safety Committee
/s/Christofer C. Johnson, Vice Chair
/s/Ciro Adams
/s/Charles M. Freel
/s/Hanifa Shabazz, Ex-Offi c io Member
Upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Member
McCoy, the Report was received, recorded and filed. Motion prevailed.
*Note: At this time, Council Member Johnson was recognized and reflected in the
minutes herein (Roll Call).
Council Member Turner presented Resolution No. 19-076 (Agenda
#4746) as follows:
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WHEREAS, public and private educational institutions have been
profiting off collegiate level athletes for decades, yet the National Collegiate Athletic
Association O{CAA) prohibits said athletes from receiving financial compensation from
the use of their name, image, and likeness; and
WHEREAS, collegiate level athletes - Student Athletes - are also
prohibited from signing licensing contracts, brand endorsement deals, and from hiring
agents; and
WHEREAS, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 206-
Fair Pay to Play Act- into law which allows for collegiate level athletes to hire agents and
financially benefit from endorsements; and
WHEREAS' Pennsylvania legislators have recently proposed House Bill
1909 which will institute a Fair Play to Pay Act in Pennsylvania's college institutions;
and
WHEREAS, other states in the nation such as New Jersey, Florida, and
Illinois are also expressing interest in similar legislation, including New York which
currently has a similar bill in their Senate; and
WHEREAS, five out of the eight higher educational institutions in the
state of Delaware are members of the NCAA: Delaware State University, Goldey-
Beacom College, University of Delaware, Wesley College, and Wilmington University.
In addition, Delaware Technical Community College is a member of the National Junior
College Athletic Association; and
WHEREAS, athletics are an important part of the collegiate experience
and in 2018 brought in a nationwide revenue of $14 billion, which is up from $3 billion
in 2003. However, $1.2 billion of that revenue was spent on coach salaries and the
remaining $936 million was spent on athlete student aid; and
WHEREAS, each of Delaware's NCAA accredited institutions have
championship competing and winning teams playing basketball, cross country, football,
golf, soccer, softball, track and field, tennis, and volleyball; and
WHEREAS, teams and athletes from each institution have been
nationally recognized in other ways. Wilmington University's cheerleading team was
named the Universal Cheerleading Association's national champions for five consecutive
years between 2012 and 2017; 5 athletes at Goldey-Beacom College have been
recognized as Academic All-American Athletes; and several professional MVPS and
record holders first played at Delaware State University; and
WHEREAS, since the year 2000, almost 100 Delaware collegiate athletes
have been inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, including: eight-time baseball
league all-star and three-time MVP Wilbert "Bunny" Miller; softball outfielder and
Delaware Technical Community College alumnus Dionna Harris who played on the only
Olympic softball team to ever win a gold medal; Ann Marie (Annie) Igo Rizzo who
played on the first women's sports teams at the University of Delaware; football player
Mike Brown who lead the Blue Hens into an undefeated season; and football lineman
Frank Burton Sr. whose son now plays football for the University of Delaware; and
WHEREAS' The numerous athletes in the Hall of Fame, or who have
competed on championship winning teams, or who currently play on professional teams
would have all benefited greatly from Fair Pay to Play policies during their college yearsparticularly
those student athletes who were from low-to-moderate income families that
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experienced economic hardships prior to and during their son or daughter being selected
into a collegiate athletic program; and
WHEREAS, collegiate athletes in the nation, including those in the State
of Delaware, receive little to no recompense despite the great amount of benefits they
bring to their educational institution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON that the City Council strongly supports California's
Senate Bill 206, Pennsylvania's House Bill 1909, and both states' efforts to support their
large population of collegiate athletes. In addition, the City Council urges the State of
Delaware to begin the process of drafting similar legislation to show our support for the
collegiate athletes attending institutions in our state of Delaware.
Upon a motion of Council Member Turner, seconded by Council Member
McCoy, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Turner spoke on the puryose of the Resolution. Council Member
Adams made comments. Council Member Johnson made comments.
President Pro Tempore Congo: Are there any comments from the public?
If so, please come up to my left please.
Public Comment Speakers:
o D. Marque Hall
o Earl E. Tate
Council Member Adams made additional comments. Council Member
Guy made comments. Council Member Turner made comments.
President Pro Tempore Congo: Clerk call the roll please.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon and Guy, and
President Pro Tempore Congo. Total, nine. Nays, none. Absent, Council Members Gray,
Oliver and Walsh, and Council PresidentShabazz. Total, four.
Dec 2019
Council Member Freel presented and called for the first and second
reading Ordinance No. 19-055 (Agenda #4754) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE A MULTI-YEAR
AMENDMENT OF CONTRACT 15055DFPS (PARKING
CITATION PROCESSING AND COLLECTION SERVICES)
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND CONDUENT
STATE AND LOCAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of this Ordinance is a contract for the period of
two (2) years and two (2) months commencing on the date of execution of the
Amendment at an estimated price of one hundred thousand, two hundred six dollars
($100,206.00) per month (which will increase by two-and-a-half percent (2.5%) every
twelve (12) months after execution of the Amendment) plus thirty percent (30%) of net
revenue from collection efforts, with the possibility of two (2) additional extensions of
one (1) year thereafter at the same price.
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The above-referenced Ordinance was given two separate readings by title
only and upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Members Dixon
and McCoy, the Ordinance was referred to the Finance & Economic Development
Committee.
Council Member Freel presented Resolution 19-084 (Agenda #4755) as
follows:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Wilm. C. (Charter) $ 1-101, the City may
acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of property on such terms as it deems proper for any
municipal purpose; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. S 2-621(a) authorizes the Department of Real
Estate and Housing to conduct disposition proceedings of real property owned by the
City; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. 5 2-622(1) provides that the Council shall by
resolution declare a property to be approved for disposition and authorize the conduct of
disposition proceedings by the Department of Real Estate and Housing; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. 5 2-622(2) provides that the Department of Real
Estate and Housing shall cause public notice of the request for proposals for the
disposition of a property to be given by publication in a newspaper having general
circulation in the City and make available all pertinent information to persons interested
in submitting a bid on the property that has been approved for disposition; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. S 2-622(5) provides that the bids for a property,
together with the recommendations of certain City departments, including the
Department of Real Estate and Housing, shall be submitted to Council which, by
resolution, shall approve the bid of the best bidder; and
WHEREAS, the City cunently owns the parcel of real estate located at
1814 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware 19806, being New Castle County Tax Parcel
ID No. 26-013.10-205 (the o'Property"); and
WHEREAS, the Council, upon the recommendation of the Department of
Real Estate and Housing, wishes to: (i) declare the Property to be surplus; (ii) approve the
Property for disposition; and (iii) authorize the conduct of disposition proceedings by the
Department of Real Estate and Housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON that Council hereby declares the Property to be surplus
and approved for disposition and authorizes the Department of Real Estate and Housing
to conduct disposition proceedings.
Upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Member
Johnson, the above-referenced Resolution was before the Council for its consideration.
Motion prevailed. Council Member Freel spoke on the purpose of the Resolution.
Council Member Guy made comments. Council Member Oliver made comments.
Council Member Gray made comments. Council Member Turner made comments.
Council Member Johnson. Council Member Turner made additional comments. Council
Member Oliver made additional comments. Council Member Harlee made comments.
Council Member Adams made comments. Council Member Dixon made comments.
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Council Member Harlee made additional comments. Council Member Guy made
additional comments. Council Member Gray made additional comments raised a
question. President Shabazzresponded. Council Member Adams made additional
comments. Council Member McCoy made comments. Council Member Johnson made
additional comments. Council Member Freel made comments.
President Shabazz: Are there any comments from the public? For
clarification to members of Council, the public is not held on the same FOIA regulations
as members of Council are. So, their - their comments can be a little bit more liberal.
Continue sir.
Public Comment Speakers:
o Devon Marque Hall
o Jacob Morente
o Donald Farrell
President Shabazz: I think everyone has spoken twice except for Council
Members Dixon and McCoy.
Council Member Guy: Point of order. Can you have the parliamentarian
check the rules because it has two par1s...
Council Member Turner: Yeah
Council Member Guy: ...and we each get a second five minutes after the
public speaks.
President Shabazz: Councilman Guy, speak.
Council Member Guy: Oh, ok.
Council Member Guy made additional comments. Council Member
Harlee made additional comments and raised a question and President Shabazz
responded. Council Member Harlee raised another question and President Shabazz
responded. Council Member Freel made additional comments.
President Shabazz: Clerk call the roll
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Oliver, Harlee, Johnson, Freel and Adams, and Council President
Shabazz. Total, six. Nays, Council Members Gray, Tutnet, McCoy, Dixon and Guy.
Total, five.
President Shabazz: Declare it defeated.
Jan 2020
Council Member Harlee presented and called for the first and second
reading Ordinance No. 20-002 (Agenda #4757) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE AN
EXTENSION OF CONTRACT 20012WD BETWEEN THE
CITY OF WILMINGTON AND BRANDYWINE
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. FOR WATER
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: The fiscal impact of this Ordinance is four (4) oneyear
extension options, at an estimated price of Two Thousand, Nine Hundred SeventySeven
Dollars ($2,977.00) per day not to exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00),
plus an increase of up to two percent (2%) for each extension period.
The above-referenced Ordinance was given two separate readings by title
only and upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Members Freel
and Walsh, the Ordinance was received, recorded and referred to the Public Works &
Transportation Committee. Motion prevailed.
this evening?
Council Member Harlee: That's all I have for tonight.
President Shabazz: Thank you. Council Member Turner, any legislation
Council Member Turner: No legislation tonight Madam President.
President Shabazz: Council Member McCoy, legislation?
Council Member McCoy: Nothing tonight Madam President.
President Shabazz: Council Member Johnson.
Council Member Johnson: Yes, Madam President, I have a Resolution to
present.
On behalf of Council Member Walsh, Council Member Johnson presented
Resolution 19-075 (Agenda #4742) as follows:
WHEREAS, City Council enacted City Code Section 2-232 establishing
procedures for the Chief of the Wilmington Police Department to call for the
commencement of an academy class if the manpower of the Police Department falls
below ninety-five (95) percent of the number of police officers set forth in the position
allocation list attached to the annual operating budget ordinance for the applicable fiscal
year; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2019, the Council approved the annual operating
budget ordinance for fiscal year 2020 (the "Budget Ordinance"); and
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WHEREAS, the Chief of the Police Department has represented that it is
anticipated, based upon normal attrition, that the manpower of the Police Department will
fall below ninety-five percent of the number of police officers set forth in the position
allocation list attached to Budget Ordinance by the end of2019; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code Section 2-232(b), the Chief of the
Police Department has drafted a resolution calling for the commencement of an academy
class for the Police Department once manpower falls below the requisite threshold and
presented it to Council for its review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON that the Council hereby recognizes that the Chief of
the Police Department has represented that it is anticipated that the manpower of the
Police Department will fall below ninety-five percent of the number of police officers set
forth in the position allocation list attached to the Budget Ordinance by the end of 2019
and has drafted a resolution calling for the commencement of academy class for the
Police Department once manpower falls below the requisite threshold.
Upon a motion of Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council
Members Freel and Walsh, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration.
Motion prevailed. Council Member Johnson spoke on the purpose of the Resolution and
made comments. Council Member Turner made comments. Council Member Congo
made comments. Council Member Walsh made comments. Council Member Oliver made
comments. Council Member Gray made comments. Council Member Guy made
comments. Council Member Oliver made additional comments. Council Member
Johnson made additional comments.
Feb 2020
Ordinance No. 20-009 (Agenda #4773) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO NAME THE SOUTH WILMINGTON
WETLANDS PARK PROJE,CT THE "SOUTHBRIDGE
WILMINGTON WETLANDS PARK"
FISCAL IMPACT STATBMENT: There is no fiscal impact on the City as a result of
this Ordinance.
The above-referenced Ordinance was given two separate readings by title
only and upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Member Freel,
the Ordinance was received, recorded and referred to the Public Works & Transportation
Committee. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Harlee: Thank you that's all I have
President Shabazz: Councilwoman Walsh.
Council Member Walsh: I have a Resolution to pass or to introduce on
your behalf
Council Member Walsh presented Resolution No. 20-013 (Agenda #4780)
as follows:
WHEREAS, a Confidence & Puberty Survey done by Always, a wellknown
brand of feminine hygiene products, found that almost I in 4 teenage girls in the
United States have not attended school because they didn't have feminine products, and 1
in 5 teenage girls in the United States do not have the means to consistently afford
feminine products; and
37
WHEREAS' the Free the Tampons Foundation found thatS60/o of women
who menstruate will have their periods start unexpectedly in public without the necessary
feminine products on hand. While 48o/o of these women will attempt to use tampon or pad
dispensers in public restrooms, only 8% say that those dispensers worked or were
stocked; and
WHEREAS, Delaware Senate Bill 166, which provides feminine products
for free for those in custody at facilities operated by the Department of Corrections, and
facilities operated by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families,
was passed and signed by the Governor on September 13, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Delaware does not have a sales tax, therefore feminine
products don't have additional taxes when purchased. However, feminine products are
not covered by the government Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
50o/o of Wilmington households with children under 18 years old receive SNAP benefits,
therefore a significant population of girls in our city may not have reliable access to
feminine products in their homes; and
WHEREAS, Illinois, New Hampshire, California, and New York schools
with students from 6th grade to l2rt'grade are now required to provide free feminine
products in the restrooms themselves due to recent state legislation; and
WIIEREAS, House Bill 285 sponsored by Representative Valerie
Longhurst, and co-sponsored by Representative Dorsey-Walker, Senator Darius Brown,
and Senator Elizabeth Lockman, who all represent Wilmington was passed by the House
of Representatives on January 30,2020. House Bill 285 requires schools with students
"grades 6-12 to provide free feminine hygiene products in 50o/o of the bathrooms used by
students who can have a menstrual cycle"; and
WHEREAS' feminine products are bathroom necessities just as much as
toilet paper, paper towels, soap, and water. The over 4,000 girls in Wilmington middle
Schools and high Schools need to have reliable and affordable access to feminine
products as this will remove baniers for them to receive the quality education they
deserve.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON that the City Council strongly supports House Bill285
pertaining to providing free menstrual products in Delaware public and private middle
and high schools. In addition, the City Council strongly encourages the Honorable
Senators of the Delaware General Assembly to vote in favor of House Bill 285 as it
provides positive support for our students.
Upon a motion of Council Member Walsh, seconded by Council Members
Freel and Dixon, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion
prevailed. Council Member Walsh spoke on the purpose of the Resolution and made
comments. Council Member Johnson made comments and requested to be added as a cosponsor.
Council Member McCoy made a comment for clarity and Council Member
Walsh responded.
President Shabazz: Seeing no more comments from members of Council,
is there any comments from the public? Seeing no comments from the public, is there
any comments from Council? Seeing none, roll call.
38
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Tutner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams,
Dixon and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, twelve. Nays, none. Absent,
Council Member Guy. Total, one.
March 2020
On behalf of President Shabazz, Council Member Harlee presented
Resolution No. 20-015 (Agenda #4782) as follows:
WHEREAS, Council is requesting for a review of the City's Parking
issues, which will take place by establishing a Council City-Wide Parking Taskforce
Commission, who will study/research and recommend solutions to City Parking issues
through legislative action; and
WHBREAS, the Legislative Branch of Wilmington City Government is
aware of 1) the overarching and wide-ranging issues related to Parking within City
Limits, 2) the individual impacts Parking has on the economy of our City, and 3), quality
of life and public image problems caused by a number of Parking issues; and
WHEREAS, the last concerled and successful efforts of the 2007 Parking
Srrmmif nrodrrced manv resrrlts in 1he ensuinp decade or more: however. several new "'-"'J - Q
issues relevant to Parking in all areas of our City now require examination and legislative
solutions; and
WHEREAS, in order to address and recommend solutions to current
pressing Parking issues that are occurring throughout the City of Wilmington, the
Legislative Branch of Wihnington City Government has made outreach to and has heard
from a diverse and representative group of concerned citizens on parking issues
throughout all areas of our City of Wilmington: and
WHEREAS, several Wilmington City Council Members, a representative
group of concerned citizens including corporate leaders, small business owners, leaders
and representatives of Neighborhood Planning Councils and civic organizations,
representatives of merchant associations, DART Transit Authority representatives, City
Officials, and managers/owners of parking facilities throughout the City have
volunteered to identify current parking issues and engage in research to assist in the
development of solutions to those issues; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Parking Taskforce members would focus their
work in three (3) subgroups populated by their interests and areas of expertise to address
parking issues in 3 Focus Areas; and
WFIEREAS, the 3 Focus Areas of the Council City-Wide Parking
Taskforce Commission are 1) Signage in Residential, Downtown and Riverfront areas of
the City relevant to confusing, inadequate, or outdated signage; 2) Administrative
Parking Operations and Collection of Data such as the Parking Appeals Process, Cost of
Parking Tickets, PREO Enforcement Schedules, Optimal uses of Parkmobile services,
Handicap Parking Rules and lJtrhzation, and the Process for Keeping Signage updated;
and, 3) Neighborhood, Business, and College Parking issues such as learning from the
Neighborhood Planning Councils and Civics the specific parking issues being
7
experienced in each Neighborhood; learning from Businesses/Merchants the parking
"on..rn,
for their customers throughout the City; and learning Parking Garage use and
trends; and
WHEREAS, the 3 Sub-Groups will engage in their research and report to
the full Commission their findings and recommendations in a timeframe beginning
March 18,2020 through the end of June 2020 culminating in proposed Legislation and a
report to the Full Council sharing the findings of the Parking Taskforce Commission and
next steps.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVBD BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, that the Council City-Wide Parking Taskforce
Commission is hereby established, comprised of members as determined by the President
of City Council, including Members of City Council, residents representing corporate and
small bgsinesses, resident leaders from the Neighborhood Planning Councils and Civic
associations who are not holding or seeking elected public office, City Officials, area
transit authority representatives, managers/owners of parking facilities, Wilmington
Parking Authority, and colleges in the City.
FURTHBR RESOLVBD, that the findings and recommendations made
by the Council City-Wide Parking Taskforce Commission should be subsequently
discussed and considered among the full body of City Council, and the adoption of all or
part of the findings and legislative recommendations, if approved, shall take place no
Iqror rhqn rhe ccnnnd cnhedrrled meetino of Citv Corrncil in .lrrlv 2020. rqlvr lrrurr J
Upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Member
Freel, the Resolution was befole the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Harlee spoke on the purpose of the Resolution. Members of Council
made comments. Council Member Johnson requested to be added as a co-sponsor.
Council Member Oliver requested to be added as a co-sponsor. Based on discussion and
state of emergency, President Shabazz accepted a friendly amendment.
On behalf of President Shabazz, Council Member Harlee presented
Resolution No.20-016 (Agenda #4783) as follows
WHEREAS, The National League of Cities has developed the 2020
Leading Together Cities Agenda, representing the knowledge and insights of elected
leaders of America's cities, towns and villages, who serve the more than 200 million
people across all party lines of Republicans, Democrats and Independents; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of members of the National League of Cities
are united in the belief that our nation is stronger when all levels of government work
together to protect and advance the priorities of America's communities and their
residents; and
WIIEIIEAS, locally elected officials know what Americans,
Wilminstonians and Dela-wareans want from their elected officials because we are the
level of government closest to the people and recognize that the Leading Together Cities
Agenda reflects an understanding of Americans' top priorities and concerns; and
WHEREAS, Wilmington City Council agrees with and supporls the 4
Shared Values of Respect, Partnership, Inclusion and Accountability in the Leading
Together Cities Agenda that calls for local, state and national governments to utilize and
adhere to in their relationships with each other; and
WHEREAS, Wilmington City Council agrees with the 4 policy and
legislative priorities identified in the 2020 Leading Together Cities Agenda calling for the
next President of the United States to adopt the following 4 priorities in the First 100
Days of the new administration including how to achieve these priorities: 1) Building
Sustainable Infrastructure, 2) Creating A Skilled Workforce, 3) Ending Housing
Instability and Homelessness, and 4) Reducing Gun Violence; and
WHEREAS, Wilmington City Council agrees with making a commitment
to Lead Together nationally and throughout our state of Delaware in order to support and
deliver common-sense solutions for growing the economy, promoting public safety and
investing in the 21't century infrastructure that will support all of America and all
Delawareans to thrive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON that this legislative body support the National League
of Cities non-partisan '(Leading Together Cities Agenda" to be used as a legislative
road map in our City of Wilmington and with other levels of local government
throughout the state of Delaware.
9
Upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Member
Dixon, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Harlee spoke on the purpose of the Resolution. President Shabazz made
comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comment
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams,
Dixon and Guy, and Council PresidentShabazz. Total, twelve. Nays, none. Absent,
Council Member Walsh. Total, one.
Council Member McCoy presented and called for the first and second
reading Ordinance No. 20-011 (Agenda #4184) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO ENACT A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM
ON THE MONITION OF OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTIES FOR
DELINQUENT WATER UTILITY CHARGES
The above-referenced Ordinance was given two separate readings by title
only and upon a motion of Council Member McCoy, seconded by Council Members
Dixon and Freel, the Ordinance was received, recorded and referred to the Finance &
Economic Development Committee. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Johnson did not have any legislation this evening
Council Member Freel stated that he would be holding agenda #4785
Council Member Freel presented and called for the third and final reading
Ordinance No. 20-008 (Agenda #4774) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE AND
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR
THE MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION,
AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WILMINGTON WASTEWATER
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TREATMENT PLANT, RE,NEWALBE ENERGY AND BIOSOLIDS
FACILITY, MAIN PUMP STATIONS, STORAGE, AND CONTROL
STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE,
CONTROL OF COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS (INCLUDING
GLOBAL OPTIMAL REAL TIME CONTROL SYSTEM), AND
AS SOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: The fiscal impact of this Ordinance is a
professional services agreement for twenty (20) years with two (2) two-year extensions
options with an estimated year one cost of Nineteen Million, Nine Hundred Sixty-Two
Thousand, Forly-Eight Dollars ($I9,962,048.00). The cost of the agreement will increase
annually at a minimum rate of one and one-quarter percent (1.25%) and a maximum rate
of three and three-quafiers percent (3.75%) as determined by the indices incorporated in
the agreement; provided, however, in the event that the actual rate of increase as
calculated by the indices equals or exceeds six percent (6%) for two consecutive years,
then the parties shall negotiate an appropriate adjustment to address such inflationary
conditions.
Upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Member
Dixon, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Cnrrnnil l\zlenrhr-r F-reel snnl(e on the rn r-r'r-nr o- se of the Ordinance. Members of Council made
comments.
Upon a motion of Council Member Guy, seconded by Council Member
Congo, to refer Ordinance No. 20-008 to Public Works & Transportation Committee and
President Shabazzdeclared the motion Defeated by raise of hands of the members of
Council as follows: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Congo, Turner, McCoy, Johnson and
Guy. Total, six. Nays, Council Members Oliver, Harlee, Freel, Adams and Dixon, and
Council President Shabazz. Total, six.
April 2020
On behalf of President Shabazz, Council Member Johnson presented
Resolution No. 20-022 (Agenda #4799) as follows:
WHEREAS, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
provides $2,2 trillion to address the COVID-19 emergency, with $150 billion going directly to
states, territories, tribes and localities to combat the public health and economic effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic;and
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware is fortunate to have fierce advocates in
Congress who fought to ensure that small states like ours were not overlooked in comparison to
their larger neighbors and were awarded significant funding. However, like many states,
Delaware is facing a looming budget shortfall that already is unprecedented in our state's history.
The full economic impact of this crisis might not be realized for several months; and
WHEREAS, The CARES Act provides vital funding, but it restricts the money
to unbudgeted expenses related to COVID-I9. This is far too restrictive for states like Delaware
to effectively apply the federal funds to these very special circumstances. Being able to use these
dollars to shore-up Delaware's operating budget is critical to maintaining services and recovering
from this unprecedented crisis; and
WHEREAS, according to a survey by the United States Conference of Mayors
and the National League of Cities, as this pandemic brings the nation's economy to a standstill,
nearly nine in 10 cities expect a budget shortfall due to the impact of the outbreak. An even larger
share of cities - 98%- with populations between 50,000 and 500,000 expect a shortfall because
of the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City of Wilmington is among those smaller-than-500,000
population municipalities that will be directly and adversely impacted in our efforts to both
address the pandemic, while compensating for the shortfalls, layoffs and service gaps that have
been created due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, The City of Wilmington is not only the largest city in the State of
Delaware, but a City with over 50o/o of its permanent residents self-identiffing as Black, Hispanic
and low- to moderate income households. The shortfalls we will experience due to predicated by
virtue that 43% of the City's revenues are generated from Wage Taxes,25o/o of the City's
revenues are generated from Property Taxes and 65oh of the City's operating budgetary expenses
are for core City services such as First Responders for Police and Fire, Sanitation, Streets, Water
Sewer System, and Code Enforcement.
COVID-l9 will have real, and possibly long-lasting effects on our City, and the flexibility
provided by H.R. 6467 will be key to our efforts to address public health emergencies caused by
COVID-I9;and
WHERBAS, by raising our voices, Members of the lOTtL Session of the City
Council of the City of Wilmington, Delaware raise our voices, along with leaders of small
municipalities across the country. We ask that you support H.R, 6467 and that you encourage
your colleagues in Washington to do the same.
NOW, THBREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WILMINGTON we ask that you to support Congressional efforts to amend the
CARES Act - H.R. 6467 - to provide small municipalities, such as Wilmington, Delaware, the
flexibility to use the funds to compensate for unprecedented revenue losses. Flexible federal
funds for state revenue shortfalls will help states continue to provide vital citizen services,
prevent further shutdown of vital sectors of the state economy, and hasten the recovery once
social distancing measures are relaxed.
7
Upon a motion of Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council
Members Freel and Walsh, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration.
Motion prevailed. Council Member Johnson spoke on the purpose of the Resolution.
Comments were made by Members of Council and Council President. Council Member
McCoy requested to be added as a co-sponsor. A o'point of order" was made to stay on
the subject matter at hand. Council Member Oliver requested to be added as a co-sponsor
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comment
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazzrequested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was adopted as read and directed to be
recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council
Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Tutner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Dixon, Guy and
Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, twelve. Nays, Council Member Adams.
Total, one.
President Shabazz declared the Resolution adopted.
Council Member Freel presented and called for the third and final reading
Ordinance No. 20-018 (Agenda #4795) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES OF CITI
COI.INCIL MEMBERS FOR THE 1O8TH SESSION TO BE
EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 5,2021
May 2020
Council Member Freel presented and called for the third and final reading
Ordinance No. 20-012 (Agenda #4787) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A RATE OF
TAXATION ON REAL PROPERTY AND THE
TAXABLE PROPERTY OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY I,2O2O THROUGH
JI-rNE 30,2021
Upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Freel spoke on the purpose of the Ordinance.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comment
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Ordinance was read for the third and final time and
was adopted by title and section recurring to the Enacting Clause and was passed by the
following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver,
Harlee, Tumer, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon, Guy and Walsh, and Council
President Shabazz. Total, thirteen. Nays, none.
Council Member Freel presented and called for the third and final reading
Ordinance No. 20-014 (Agenda #4789) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A CAPITAL BUDGET
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Upon a motion of Council Member Freel, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Freel spoke on the purpose of the Ordinance.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comment
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Ordinance was read for the third and final time and
was adopted by title and section recuruing to the Enacting Clause and was passed by the
following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver,
Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon, Guy and Walsh, and Council
President Shabazz. Total, thirteen. Nays, none.
President Shabazz declared the Ordinance adopted.
June 2020
Council Member Johnson presented and called for the first and second
reading Ordinance No. 20-031 (Agenda #4816) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO ENACT CERTAIN TRAFFIC/
PARKING REGULATIONS
The above-referenced Ordinance was given two separate readings by title
only and upon a motion of Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was received, recorded and referred to the Public Works &
Transportation Committee meeting. Motion prevailed.
4
On behalf of President Shabazz, Council Member Johnson presented
Resolution No. 20-029 (Agenda #4817) as follows:
WHEREAS, the .liquitable l)ata C'ollection and Disclosure on COVID-I9
Act, sponsorecl by U:nited States llepresentative llobin L. Kelly ofl lllinois, require tlre
Centers ftir Disease Control ancl Prevention to collect aud report ceftain data conceming
COVID-l9; and
WHEREAS' as stated in tlie llill, the World llealth Orgirnization (WHO)
declared COVII) - 19 a "Public Heaith Emergency ol' Intemational Concern" on Januzrry
30,2020.In the United States, cases of CIOVID*19 have quickly surpassed those across
the world, and as of April 12, 2A20, over 500,000 cases and 20,000 deaths have been
reported in the tlnited States alone; and
WHEREAS' the bLrrden of morbidity and rnot'tality in the lJnited States
has historically fallen disproportionately on malgiualizecl communities. That is to say that
historically, structures and systems. such as racism, ableism and class oppression, have
renderecl afll:ctecl inclividuals more vulnerable to inequitios and have preventecl people
from achieving their optimal health even wheu there is not a crisis of' pandemic
proportions; and
WlInRnAS, cornmnnities of color experience higher rates of chronic
clisease and disabilities, such as diabetes, lryper:tensicln" and asthma, than non-llispanic
White communities, whioh predisposes them to greater risk ol' oornplications and.
morlality should they contract COVID--19; ancl
WHEREAS, communities of color are more likely to generally suffer as a
result of lack of access to adequate healthcare, these communities are experiencing
alarmingly higher incidences of COVID-l9, nationwide and in the State of Delaware,
than the majority population; and
WHEREAS, to illustrate this point, in the State of Delaware, according to
the State website, https://myhealthycofnmunity.dhss.delaware.gov/locations/state, while
Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic/Black Delawareans constitute but a small fraction of
the state population, however, the incidence of positive incidents within those
communities far surpasses those incidents among Non-Hispanic/White Delawareans; and
WHEREAS, the Hquit.rble Data Collection ancl Disclosure on COVD-I9
Act emphasizes that, withou:t olear understanding o{ how COVII)"19 irnpacts
marginalized racial and ethnic comnrunities, tlrere will lre exacefbated risk of
endangering tlre most histurically vulnerable of clur Nation, and for that reason,
Emergenoy Funding ltrr Federal Data Collection on the Racial, Ethnic, and Other
Dernographic Disparities or COVID-19, has been recommendecl and should be
considered by thc Llnited States Congress; and
WHIlIltilAS, suclr lJmergency Funding rvould nrake it possible for state
and local agencies to concluct or support data collection cxr the racial, ethnic, and other
dernographic irnplications of CIOVI|)-I9 in the Llnited States ancl its teritories, including
suptrrortto assist in the capacity lruilding for State and local public health deparlrnents to
collect and transmit racial, ethnic, and other demographic data to the relevant Depaftment
of Health and Humau Services agencies; and
WHEREAS, The City of Wilmington, Delaware is not only the largest
city in the State of Delaware, but a City with over 50o/o of its permanent residents self-
5
identifuing as Black, Hispanic and as low-to-moderate income households. The
operational shortfalls we will experience by virlue COVID-l9 will have real, and
possibly long-lasting effects on our City, and the resources afforded to our State agencies
to do thorough data collection will be key to our efforts to address public health
emergencies caused by COVID-I9; and
WHEREAS, by raising our voices, Members of the 107th Session of the
City Council of the City of Wilmington, Delaware raise our voices, along with leaders of
municipalities across the country. We ask that you support H.R. 6585 and that you
encourage your colleagues in Washington to do the same.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILMINGTON we ask that the United States Congress vote to pass
the EQUITABLE DATA COLLECTION AND DISCLOSURE ON COVID-l9 ACT,
which requires that data collection on racial, ethnic and other demographic implications
of COVID-19 in the United States, including support to assist in the capacity building for
state and local public health departments to collect and transmit racial, ethnic and other
demographic data to the relevant department of health and human services agencies.
Upon a motion of Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council
Members Dixon and Walsh, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration.
Council Member Johnson spoke on the purpose of the Resolution and made comments.
Council Member Walsh made comments. Council Member Oliver requested to be added
as a co-sponsor.
At this time, President Shabazzopened up the floor for public comments
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Turnero McCoy, Johnson, Adams, Dixon
and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, eleven. Nays, none. Absent, Council
Members Freel and Guy. Total, two.
Ordinance No. 20-023 (Agenda #4803) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A
ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CONTRACT 2OO14PW
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND KEMIRA
WATER SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF
FERzuC CHLORIDE
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to the City of the Amendment in Fiscal Year 2021will be four
hundred thirty-two thousand six hundred dollars ($432,600.00).
Upon a motion of Council Member Oliver, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Oliver spoke on the purpose of the Ordinance.
At this time, President Shabazz openedup the floor for public comments and
nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazzrequested the Clerk to call the roll
The above-referenced Ordinance was read for the third and final time and was
adopted by title and section recurring to the Enacting Clause and was passed by the following
Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Oliver, Harlee, McCoy,
Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, ten. Nays,
Council Members Congo, Turner and Guy. Total, three.
Council Member Oliver presented and called for the third and final reading
Ordinance No. 20-025 (Agenda #4805) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A
ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CONTRACT 2OO13WD
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND
BUCKMAN'S INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF SODIUM
HYPOCHLORITE
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to the City of the Amendment in Fiscal Year 202I will be one
hundred ninety-nine thousand one hundred eighty-five dollars ($199,185.00).
Upon a motion of Council Member Oliver, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Oliver spoke on the purpose of the Ordinance.
T4
At this time, President Shabazz openedup the floor for public comments and
nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
Council Member Turner made comments.
President Shabazzrequested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Ordinance was read for the third and final time and was
adopted by title and section recurring to the Enacting Clause and was passed by the following
Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Oliver, Harlee, McCoy,
Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, ten. Nays,
Council Members Congo, Turner and Guy. Total, three.
No. 20-026 (Agenda #4806) entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A
ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CONTRACT 2OO17PW
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND JUDGE
MOBILE WASH FOR THE PROVISION OF MOBILE
TRUCK WASHING SERVICES
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to the City of the Amendment in Fiscal Year 2021will be
sixty-four thousand three hundred ninety dollars ($64,390.00).
Upon a motion of Council Member Oliver, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Ordinance was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Oliver spoke on the purpose of the Ordinance. Council Member Turner
made comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments and
nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazzrequested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Ordinance was read for the third and final time and was
adopted by title and section recurring to the Enacting Clause and was passed by the following
Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council Members Gray, Oliver, Harlee, McCoy,
Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, ten. Nays,
Council Members Congo, Turner and Guy. Total, three.
Council Member Harlee presented Resolution No. 20-039 (Agenda #4827) as
follows:
WHEREAS, pursuant to 1 Wilm. C. (Charter) $ 1-101, the City may acquire,
hold, manage, and dispose of property on such terms as it deems proper for any municipal
purpose; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. $ 2-621(a) authorizes the Department of Real Estate
and Housing to conduct disposition proceedings of real property owned by the City; and
WHEREAS, Wilm. C. $ 2-62I(c) provides that governmental agencies,
governmental authorities organized pursuant to Title 22 of the Delaware Code, and nonprofit
organizations are exempt from the City's bid procedures and that upon the declaration
-of
u ptop"rty as approved for disposition by resolution of City Council, the Department of
Real Estate and Housing may negotiate an agreement of sale, lease, exchange, or other
transfer of such properly owned by the City to any such governmental agency, governmental
authority, or non-profit organization; and
WHEREAS, the City currently owns real property located at 601West Eighth
Street, Wilmington, Delaware, being New Castle County Tax Parcel ID No. 26-035.10-083
(the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, Cinnaire Solutions is a non-profit organization that focuses on
historic adaptive reuse, acquisition and rehabilitation, mixed-use, technical consultation, low
income housing tax credits, and market rate developments serving target populations; and
WHEREAS, a vacant liquor store is currently located on the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Council, upon the recommendation of the Department of
Real Estate and Housing, wishes to declare the Property surplus; and
WHEREAS, the Council further wishes to approve the disposition of the
Property to Cinnaire Solutions for demolition of the vacant liquor store and construction of
two new homes.
NOWO THEREFORE' BE IT RESOLVED BY TI-IE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WILMINGTON, that Council hereby declares the Property to be surplus and
approves the Property for disposition to Cinnaire Solutions.
BE IT FURTHER RBSOLVED that Council hereby authorizes the Mayor or
his designee to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate disposition
pr.oceedings for the Property, including any and all further undertakings and assurances that
may be appropriate.
Upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Members
Walsh and Freel, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion
prevailed. Council Member Harlee spoke on the purpose of the Resolution and made
comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments and
nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
Council Member Turner made comments and requested to be added as a cosponsor.
Council Member Adams made comments. Council Member Harlee made closing
comments.
27
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and directed
to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council
Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon, Guy
and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, thirteen. Nays, none.
Council Member Johnson presented Resolution No. 20-042 (Agenda #4830)
as follows:
WHEREAS, the killing of Minnesota resident George Floyd onMay 25,
2020 was not an isolated incidence, but highlighted a legacy of Black death caused by racism
in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, racism is defined as race-based prejudice, discrimination,
antagonism, and the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities
specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish one race as inferior or superior to another
race or races; and
WHEREAS' White racism in the form of the belief that Black humans were
inferior, unintelligent, and exclusively suited to manual labor resulted in the taking of
Africans for the purpose of perpetuating enslaved labor in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1619, the Americas, and subsequently, the newly
formed United States of America relied on Black slave labor to build the foundations of this
country and earn capital for White Americans until the ratification of the 13th Amendment in
1865; and
WHEREAS' in the Reconstruction Era and well into the 20th century, Jim
Crow Laws were established by state and local jurisdictions in order to enforce segregation in
the Southern United States, disenfranchise Black Americans afler the 1870 ratification of the
15th Amendment, and prevent political and economic gains within Black communities; and
WHEREAS, in the 1930s, President Roosevelt's New Deal helped build a
solid middle class through sweeping social programs, including Social Security and the
30
minimum wage, yet because the majority of Black people were agricultural laborers or
domestic *orkers, those occupations were ineligible for those benefits; and
WHEREAS' research by Trymaine Lee in 2019 found that: (1) White
Americans have seven times the wealth of black Americans on average, (2) Black people
make up nearly 13 percent of the United States population yet hold less than 3 percent of the
nation's total wealih, (3) the median family wealth for White people is $171,000, compared
with just $17,600 for Black people, and (4) according to the Economic Policy Institute, 19
prr..rrt of Black households have zero or negative net worth, while only 9 percent of White
families are that poor; and
WHEREAS, discriminatory housing practices such as segregation, redlining,
racial covenants, the discriminatory application of the G. I. Bill, the Federal Housing
Administration guaranteeing bank loans only to developers who wouldn't sell to Black
people, the building of inter-state highways through historic minority neighborhoods have
caured Black families to often be displaced from their homes even in their segregated
neighborhoods, be continuously denied opportunities to own, invest in, and accumulate
property, credit, and capital wealth; and
WHEREAS, housing has been accredited as a social determinant of health
because where housing is located, the resources around it, the quality of the housing, the
stability of that housing, including how much it costs, and the environmental quality of the
air, water and soil oi th. neighborhood the housing is located, are all important in
determining how housing affects health; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
commissioned a report through Margaret Heckler on Black and Minority Health, which
found disparate treatttr outcomes for Black Americans, concluding that health disparities
accounted for 60,000 excess deaths each year and that six causes ofdeath accounted for more
than 80 percent of mortality among Blacks and other minority populations; and
WHEREAS, research on discrimination and racial disparities in health
reveals that: "pathogenic factors linked to race continue to affect health even when
socioeconomic itatus-(SEs) criteria are in some cases nearly the same,'o and that, ooeven after
adjustment for income, education, gender and age, blacks had higher scores on blood
prlrrur., inflammation, and total risk... blacks maintained a higher risk profile even after
adjusting for health behaviors (smoking, poor diet, physical activity and access to care)"
(2008); and
WHEREAS, stunning research in the field of epigenetics, or the study of how
"the external environment's effects upon genes can influence disease," and how some of
these effects are inherited in humans, reveals that the health experiences of slaves, such as
nutrition - - findings suggest that diet can cause changes to genes that are passed clown
through generations by tlie nrales in a family, as well as, physical security, and mental
anguish can impact Black Americans today; and
WHEREAS, during the cunent COVID-l9 pandemic, on May 30,2020, NPR
broadcast a report by Maria Godoy, o'What do Coronavirus Racial Disparities Look Like
State By Statei" based on an analysis of demographic data from the COVID Racial Tracker,
a joint project of the Antiracist Research Policy Center and the COVID Tracing Project,
comparing each racial or ethnic groups' share of infestations or deaths where race and
ethnicity is known with their share of the population from 49 States, plus Washington, DC,
where at least some data with race or ethnicity was known for around half of all cases and 90
31
percent of deaths, even with gaps, Communities of color are being hit disproportionately hard
by COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, NPR's analysis found that in 32 states plus Washington, D.C.
blacks are dying at rates higher than their proportion of the population including in 4 states,
where the rate is three or more times greater, race and ethnicity is known for around half of
all cases, and 90 percent ofdeaths; and
WHEREAS, NPR's analysis found that in 42 states plus Washington, D.C.
Hispanics/Latinos make up a greater share of confirmed cases than their share of the
population. In 8 states, the rate is more than four times greater. The rates are 2 times higher
in 30 states, and over 4 times higher in 8 states; and
WHEREAS, on Thursday, June 4, 2020, the Trump administration, under
pressure from Congress, announced new requirements for states to collect data on race,
ithtri.ity, age and gender of COVID-I9 test results, hospitalizations, and deaths by local
governmentpublic health departments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for
that data to be collected and published; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Women's Law Center datain2077,
despite making up less than half (47 percent) of all workers women are nearly six in ten (58
percent) of the more than 26 million workers in low-wage occupations that typically pay less
ihan $11 per hour/ and, Black women and Latinas are overepresented in the low-wage
workforce with Latinas making up 15 percent of women in the overall workforce but 24
percent of women in the low-wage workforce and,20 percent of women in the lowest-wage
jobs are Black women making up 13 percent of women in the overall workforce but 18
percent of women in the low-wage workforce and 16 percent of women in the lowest wage
jobs, the majority of which have been identified as essential during the COVID-l9 pandemic;
and
WHEREAS, aggregated health conditions and systemic poverty have resulted
in the disproportionate focus on Black Americans as perpetrators of crime in the United
States, whereby I in 10 Black men in their thirties are incarcerated at any given time,57Yo of
people in state prisons for drug offenses are people of color even though whites comprise
bvei two-thirds of drug users, and judges are more likely to give longer sentences to people
of color (The
Sentencing Project, 2015); and
WHEREAS, nearly 60 percent of all hate crimes in the United States are
caused by racism; and
WHEREAS, racism has inhibited Black Americans from performing simple,
daily tasks such as shopping, walking, jogging, or driving without the awareness that, at any
moment, law enforcement may be called by a white person to prevent their exercising of
daily freedoms; and
WHEREAS, data from the Prison Policy Initiative indicates that Delaware
has an incarceration rate of 756 per 100,000, meaning it has a higher rate of incarceration
than the United States as a whole and any other country in the world, and in 2015 Black
Americans comprised 60Yo of the incarcerated population in the State; and
WHEREAS, according to the research group, Mapping Police Violence,
police killed more than 1 ,000 people in 2019, almost a quarter of them of African-American
descent who are 3 times more likely to be killed by police than their white counterparts and
twice as likely to be unarmed when shot by police; and
32
WHEREAS, the City of Wilmington, Delaware is 57.2o/o Black, and the
Council of the City of Wilmington is committed to addressing injustices, inequality, and
discrimination in the form of racism impacting more than half of the population of its
citizens.
THEREF'ORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WILMINGTON that this Council declares racism to be a public health crisis in the City
of Wilmington and is committed to enacting equity in all policies in the City. Following the
foundationi laid by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus in Council Bill 0095X-2020, the
Council of the City of Wilmington is committed to the standards identified and sponsored by
Priscilla Tyson, ElizabethBrown, Mitchell Brown, Rob Dorans, Shayla Favor, Emmanuel V.
Remy, and Shannon G. Hardin of:
1. Reviewing all City policy with a focus on its effects on minority communities
including disadvantaged business enterprises.
Conducting all human fesources, vendor selections, and grant management
activities in the City of Wilmington government with special attention to
policies and practices such as hiring, promotions, leadership appointments,
contracts assigned, and funding awarded to private small, DBEs and large
businesses and mainstream and community-based Non-Profit Organizations
engaged in housing development and services, workforce development and
employment, youth development, the arts, cultural programming, and health
access and education.
Encouraging community partners and leaders in education, employment,
housing, criminal justice and safety arenas, health care and the environment to
recognize racism as a public health crisis.
Securing adequate fesources to successfully accomplish the activities
described in this resolution.
Upon a motion of Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council Members
Walsh and Freel, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion
prevailed. Council Member Johnson spoke on the purpose of the Resolution and made
iomments. Several members of Council made comments. Council Members Johnson and
Guy made point of order during comments made and Presidentshabazzresponded. Several
members of Council made additional comments. Council Members Johnson, Guy and Turner
made point of orders during the comments made.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments.
Public Comment Speakers:
o Erin Goldner (experienced technical difficulties)
o Coby Owens
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Council Member Harlee and PresidentShabazzmade comments and Council
Member Guy made a point of order. Several members of Council made comments and
Council Member Oliver requested to be added as a co-sponsor. Council Members Guy,
Dixon and Turner made comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor once again to provide the
opportunity to Ms. Erin Goldner to speak as she previously experienced technical difficulties
during public comments. Council Member Johnson made closing comments.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and directed
to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas, Council
Members Oliver, Harlee, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams, Dixon and Walsh, and Council
President Shabazz. Total, nine. Nays, Council Members Gray, Congo, Turner and Guy.
July 2020
Council Member Dixon presented Resolution No. 20-046 (Agenda #4836)
as follows:
WHEREAS, the first enslaved Africans were brought to America as
captives to what is now the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1619; and
WHEREAS, Black people were bought and sold as slave labor for nearly
250 years and suffered unspeakable acts of violence, including: assault, rape, mutilation,
and murder at the hands of their captors; and
WHEREAS, even at the founding of Wilmington, Delaware, and by no
accident, many Africans were brought to the Swedish colony as enslaved skilled workets,
because very few artisans were willing to make the trip from Sweden. Still, no records
show that Africans had social status in the Swedish colony, because none were included
by name in any documents, except fot one, "Black Anthony." Historical documents
record Anthony as the first Black in Delaware tenitory, who was captured by the skipper
of the Fogel Grip in 1638. In 1639, "Black Anthony" was delivered to Fort Christina and
nine years later, he served as special assistant to Governot Pintz; and
WHEREAS, in what has been called the Red Summer of 1919, here in the
City of Wilmington, Delaware, on November 13, I9l9 there was a violent racial riot
between White and Black residents, when a robbery lead to the shooting of one police
officer and the death of another. In retaliation, a mob of 300 Whites went rampaging
thlough the Black part of town, when they encountered four Black men. The two parties
shot an one another, and African American Bannel Fields was wounded with a shot to the
head; and
WHEREAS, in April of 1968, yet another race riot occurred in the City of
Wilmington, following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The riot ensued
after peaceful protest in the City's Rodney Square, transgressed to looting. No fatalities
occurred, however significant injuries and anests were recorded and many of the City's
iconic buildings and businesses burned. The calamitous events culminated in then-
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Governor Terry ordering the National Guard to patrol the streets of the city for the
remaining nine months of that year - reportedly the longest occupation of an American
city by armed forces since the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, on May 30, 2020 thousands gathered, in Wilmington's
Rodney Square to join Americans - White and Black, across the country - who decried
the treatment and ultimate death of George Floyd, an African American man who was
killed as a result of police brutality in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This well-planned,
peaceful gathering devolved into looting and extensive property damage, not only to
Downtown Wilmington, its businesses and residents, but then spread across northern
Delaware; and
WHEREAS, just one week later, on June 5, 2020 a peaceful rally was
held at the City's beloved Tubman-Garrett Park. Protestors marched up North I(ng Street
to the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center. At the event's culmination, despite heavy
rain, heated verbal discourse between ralliers and the police, ended peacefirlly, when
Police Chief Tracey and fellow Wilmington police officers agreed to leave their positions
and walk with the group for eight minutes - which is about the length of time that the
Minnesota police officer had his kneed on George Floyd's neck, ultimately leading to his
death; and
WHEREAS, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendrnents to the
Constitution were enacted following the end of this country's Civil War, which resulted
in the abolishment of the practice of slavery and the extension of civil and legal
protections to Black people who were formerly enslaved; and
WHEREAS, Jim Crow laws perpetuated the racist legal and social system
existing prior to the Civil War and resulted in Black people being treated as second-class
citizens; and
WHEREAS, as articulated in peaceful gatherings, this country's ugly
history of state-sanctioned violence against Black people persists despite the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments and the adoption of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964
and 1968; and
WHERtrAS, even in our city, Black people, still generally, are unfairly
targeted and profiled by law enforcement throughout this country at rates beyond what
can be reasonably explained; and
WHARAAS, racial profiling of tslack people by law enforcement and
general citizenry results in disproportionate rates of arrest, incarceration, and overall
exposure to the crirninal legal system for Black people; and
WHEREAS, Black people continue experience inequalities across many
aspects of daily living, including, but not limited to, housing, education, employment, and
health as a result of this country's aforementioned history, laws, and law enforcement
practices, which erodes the quality of life fbr Black people; and
WHEREAS, Black people are justifiably outraged by this country's
devaluation of Black life and humanity; and
WHEREAS, approximately fifty-five percent (55%) of the residents of
the City of Wilmington identify as Black or African American; and
WHER[AS, these residents deserve to be treated fairly, with dignity, and
to have their humanity, existence, and contributions valued; and
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WHRRIIAS, it is indisputatrle that lllack lives matter.
NOW' THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City
of Wilmington, Delaware will cornmit to enacting and supporting policies that
unequivocally defend Black life and aim to undo the effects of systemic racism affecting
Black people in the City of Wilmington.
Upon a motion of Council Member Dixon, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Dixon spoke on the purpose of the Resolution. Council Members Gray,
Johnson, Harlee and Guy made comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams,
Dixon, Guy and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, thirteen. Nays, none.
Council Member Oliver presented Resolution No. 20-047 (Agenda #4838)
as follows:
WHEREAS' the Delaware Council on Police Training has outlined 801
Rules and Regulations relating to the qualifications and admission into the Police
Academy of Police Officers and potential officers in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, requirements and regulations include being acitizenof the
United States of America, a high school graduate, and declared psychologically sound by
a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, and applicants with felonies or any criminal
history are rejected. In addition, applicants are disqualified if they have been
dishonorably discharged from military service; and
WHEREAS, applicants need only pass competency exams related to
general law enforcement knowledge after acceptance and training at7}o/o to qualify; and
WHEREAS, these regulations also require the hiring department to
complete a thorough background and character investigation of any applicant; however,
there are no details regarding the extent of this character investigation, ot the criteria
utilized to determine eligibility; and
WHEREAS, social media is a strong determinant of character, and should
be investigated thoroughly in the case of individuals applying to protect and serve a
diverse community in order to identify persons with any affiliations or memberships with
hate groups, such as Alt-Right, Neo-Nazis, KKK, or gang affiliations with drug related
criminal activities symbolized through various skin tattoos, or hyper visible hate symbols
or gang signs posted on social media pages ; and
WHEREAS, the Wilmington Police Department is not required to engage
in implicit bias or sensitivity trainings to improve the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes
of its members in community understanding, interaction, and policing; and
yHEREAS, a study by the Harvard Business Review in July 2019
revealed that diversity and sensitivity trainings helped employees "acknowledge their
own racial biases, provide informal mentorship to racial minorities, and recognize the
excellent work of their peers who were racial minorities;" and
WHEREAS, unconscious, or implicit, bias can be defined as "prejudice
or unsupported judgments in favor of or against one thing, person, or group as compared
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to another, in a way that is usually considered unfait" from research conducted by
Vanderbilt University; and
WHEREAS, given the increasing diversity of our country evident in
nearly every City, Town, County, and State, Police officers need ongoing, cutting-edge
training in 6oth identi$'ing and managing unconscious and implicit biases they may bring
with them to the police force; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to rid public servants of such biases in order
to improve their interactions with, and ensure they serve equally, all those in their
communities they take an oath to protect; and
WHEREAS, training in racial literacy and cultural sensitivity would
allow officers to better understand and value the diversity of American lifestyles,
situations, and communication styles; and
WHEREAS, such diversity in the U.S. is present across all ages, races,
genders, abilities, and nations of origin; and
WHEREAS, individuals unable to eliminate such biases should not be
incorporated into the police force; and
WHEREAS, Forbes reports that, for unconscious bias and sensitivity
training to be effective, it must be ongoing and long-term; and
WHEREAS' the Wilmington City Council is committed to a transparent
and well-represented Wilmington, as well as a safe and secure Wilmington.
BEITTHEREFORERESOLVEDBYTHECOUNCILoFTHE
CITY OF WILMINGTON that we encourage the Wilmington Police Department to
immediately and permanently incorporate Unconscious Bias and Sensitivity trainings into
their workplace curriculums and standards, beginning with trainings at the Police
Academy.ln addition, the Council strongly recommends that the Wilmington Police
Department identi$ racist or gang related tattoos as immediate grounds for
disqualification of potential applicants, and thoroughly investigate all applicant's social
-.diu channels forhyper visible hate symbols as major disqualifying elements of an
applicant' s character background checks.
Upon a motion of Council Member Oliver, seconded by Council Member
Walsh, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion prevailed.
Council Member Oliver spoke on the purpose of the Resolution. Council Member Gray
made comments. Council Member Johnson made comments and requested to be added
as a co-sponsor. Council Member Harlee made comments. President Shabazz made
.o--"nir and noted as co-sponsor as well. Council Member Gray made additional
comments. Council Member Oliver made a point of order and Council Member Gray
re sponded. Pre sident Shabazz made additional comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
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Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Tutner, McCoy, Johnson, Freel, Adams,
Dixon, Guy and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, thirteen. Nays, none'
On behalf of President Shabazz, Council Member Harlee presented
Resolution No. 20-049 (Agenda #4841) as follows:
WHEREAS, the teaching of history and social studies in the United States
is a fundamental path toward understanding the intricacies of culture, lived experiences,
and our path forward as a nation; and
WHEREAS, scholars have consistently shown that history helps us
understand ourselves, other people, how the society we live in came to be, contributes to
moral understanding, and provides identity and self-worth relevant to where each of us
fits into the story of the country we live in and have helped to develoPl and
WHEREAS, the mis-teaching of such important subjects can have farreaching,
deleterious effects on students' understanding of society, themselves, and each
other; and
WHEREAS, Euro-Centrism and Anglo-American Exceptionalism have
seeped into public school curriculums, evident in the oversizing of the United States and
Europe in world maps, standards requiring enslaved African and African-American
persons be referred to as workers, African nations depicted as primitive, and embargoes
on the discussion of Japanese internment and American wal crimes; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the Southern Poverty Law Center conducted online
surveys of 1,000 American high-school seniors, more than 1,700 social studies teachers,
10 commonly used U.S. History textbooks, and 15 sets of state standards to assess what
students know, what educators teach, what publishers include, and what standards exist
regarding the teaching of American slavery; and
WHEREAS, this study revealed that Among 12th-graders, only 8% could
identi$r slavery as the cause of the Civil War; only 32o/o correctly named the 13th
Amendment as the constitutional amendment that ended slavery in the United States; and
fewer than 50Yo could identiff the "Middle Passage" as the transport of enslaved Africans
across the Atlantic Ocean from various unnamed African nations to North America; and
WHEREAS, the experiences of Indigenous and other People of Color
were found to be severely misrepresented when covered at all; and
WHEREAS, history textbook analyses since 1934 (Reddick), notably
those conducted in 1969 and20l5, evidence a lack of attention and accuracy given to
Black History pre- and- post the enslavement of Africans and the centuries of third-class
citizenship of African-Americans in U.S. society legally, educationally, economically and
civically; and
WHEREAS, numerous educational organizations, including but not
limited to the American Association of School Librarians, the Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the National Council for the Social
Studies are committed to critically engaging in discourse about curriculums.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WILMINGTON that the Council strongly recommends the establishment of a
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Commission dedicated to supporting scholarly and accurate histories of African
Americans, Native Indigenous and other Persons of Color in the United States within the
textbooks used in Delaware public schools in social studies and history courses, in grades
K through 12.The Commission shall:
1, Determine what textbooks are currently being used in grades K through 12
in social studies and history courses in Delaware public schools that
present the histories of these people of color in the United States.
2. Determine the accuracy of scholarly representation of the historical
narratives representing the cultures, contributions to society, and struggles
of African-Americans, and other people of color such as Native
Indigenous, and First Nation peoples, Latino and Hispanic Americans, and
Asian Americans in textbooks currently used in grades K through 12 in
Delaware Public schools.
3. Determine where cunent textbooks are insufftcient in the scholarly and
accurate portrayal of the histories, cultures, contributions and struggles of
these people of color to be recognized fully as human beings, American
U.S. citizens and contributing members of U.S. society in medicine, law,
fields of science, the economy, scholarship, arts and culture.
4. Make such determinations by consulting with andlor reviewing the
recommendations of curricula professional associations that advise and
provide research to public school districts serving grades K through 12 on
iextbooks that present accurate, scholarly, historic and social narratives
about these diverse groups of American people of color.
5. Recommend replacing textbooks currently being used in any or all K
through 12 social studies and history courses and classes taught in
Delaware public schools found to be insufficient and/or inaccurate
regarding American people of color with textbooks recommended from
the curricula professional associations that meet the criterion sought of
presenting and teaching accurate and scholarly historic and social
narratives of African-Americans and all People of Color in U.S. American
society.
Upon a motion of Council Member Harlee, seconded by Council Members
Walsh and Freel, the Resolution was before the Council for its consideration. Motion
prevailed. Council Member Harlee requested to be added as a co-sponsor and spoke on
th. p,ttpor. of the Resolution. President Shabazz made comments. Council Member
Oliver iequested to be added as a co-sponsor and made comments. President Shabazz
made additional comments. Council Member Gray made comments and President
Shabazzmade additional comments. Council Member Dixon raised a question and
President Shabazzresponded. Council Member Turner made comments and raised a
question, and Presidentshabazzresponded. Additional comments made by President
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Shabazzand Council Member Turner. Council Member Harlee made comments and
raised a question, and Council Member Turner responded. President Shabazz made
additional comments.
At this time, President Shabazz opened up the floor for public comments
and nobody desired the privilege of the floor.
President Shabazz requested the Clerk to call the roll.
The above-referenced Resolution was received, adopted as read and
directed to be recorded and filed by the following Yea and Nay Roll Call Vote: Yeas,
Council Members Gray, Congo, Oliver, Harlee, Turner, McCoy, Johnson' Freel' Adams,
Dixon and Walsh, and Council President Shabazz. Total, twelve. Nays, none' Absent,
Council Member Guy. Total, one.