Transcript: Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting

Chair

So, so it's 6:00, and we'd like to we we can go ahead and start our um 10-minute public forum. And we have uh guests in our audience this evening. Um, and and we have some guests for the public forum, and then we have some um who I would like to speak with during like the uh community and school committee time.

Chair

So, um, the public forum, if if you have any comments that you just want to put out to the public, you can come up, the microphone is open, um and we'll start that now.

Chair

Usually uh we have a sign-in sheet out at the front. Um if you are going to speak, just make sure you sign the sheet uh either before, or before you before you speak, or after. It's it's okay with me as long as you sign. Okay?

Chair

Matter of fact, we can put the sign-in sheet up on the podium, and as you come up you can sign your name, and and tell us you know state your name for the record, and um and then make your comments. All right? Yeah.

Chair

Okay.

Chair

So, um, we're on number two?

Speaker 1

I think number three.

Chair

Number three? Number two was Where would number three? I I'm aware of who number one,

Chair

the first person that signed in, but I'm asking for them to hold off first until I call them up. Okay.

Speaker 2

First First one would be uh

Chair

Number two. Where's number two?

Speaker 2

Number two is looks like, could be, Reginald Daniel II?

Chair

Yes, sir.

Reginald Daniel II

That'd be me. My apologies.

Chair

No, not a problem. We're going to consider you number one.

Reginald Daniel II

Five or two minutes?

Chair

Uh no, you you can take as long as you need.

Reginald Daniel II

All right, good evening. My name is Reginald Daniel. I live at Townsend, Delaware. Uh first and foremost, I want to say that it is good to be here again. Um I did attend the last City Council meeting where you gave your annual report. Uh we appreciate the concise uh data that you had regarding the situations that we are currently dealing with here in Dover.

Reginald Daniel II

And one of the things that I think is so important is how can we, as residents, those who live here and those who invest in here, continue to help and contribute in the mission of the Human Relations Commission? Uh one thing that um Restoring Central Dover has going on is that this Saturday from

Mr. Daniel

9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. we will be doing a training in Mental Health First Aid certifications. So for those of you who may work with people who are struggling with addiction, just want to have an increased skill set in meeting the needs of those who are struggling with crisis, or just want to have a better understanding of what a mental illness is, how addiction impacts our communities, and what we can do to better serve the most underserved of us in Dover, I think it would be a very worthwhile program to be involved with.

Mr. Daniel

To that end, we also are continuing to work with our Unity Garden programs. We have three that are actively running: one at Mt. Zion, one at the House of Hope on South New, and the DSU downtown Unity Garden that is on North Governors. We are continuing to do that work and working on building out a food stall at the garden at North Governors so it's more easily accessible all of our fresh fruits, produce, and herbs and spices for the community to be able to grab absolutely free of charge.

Mr. Daniel

We want to continue to do good work here in Dover, so however we can continue to assist, be it through our civic action, be it through working in public health, with youth care, and serving those of us who need it the most, please let us know, and thank you very much.

Chair

Thank you, Mr. Daniel. Appreciate it. I saw people were really listening. Some good information there. Okay. Do we have, um... Yes.

Belinda Mane

Good evening, City of Dover. Um, this is my first time actually attending this type of meeting so I don't know exactly, you know, where to start. Um, besides we all agree that, uh, we need we need people in council to actually take action. Um, What is that? Belinda Mane? Yes. That's okay. Um, but um, like I said, that um I'm still like I said my concern is, you know, these small little developments and the speeding, things that are supposed to be like the top notch for um council to be concerned about. The the crimes that's happening in these small little communities don't seem to be something that is on any agenda, um, that, you know, hopefully we can enforce them to push more things that the communities actually have concerns about besides with just council has. Um, so I'm not sure if that's something that we can do as this committee, and go, "Look, we need to, you know, stop talking about, you know, pedestrians and and getting money off the street and all that stuff. We have better things to do like stop crimes, stop, you know, violence towards each other, stop, you know,

1 (Public Comment)

places on towards each other in the communities, you know, gather together and formulate a city that's actually supported by its residents and its constituents, and not only them, but also the renters that that are here in our community that, you know, they don't have a say in anything because they don't own the property. But yet they should have a say because they lived there for 10-12 years. They should have some type of say. Um and that that's pretty much my concerns is is our concerns that aren't being met by council, that we need to, you know, formulate another way to get them to see exactly what's going on. Um and that's mostly my concerns is is the constituents aren't getting what they need. Thank you.

Andre M. Boggerty

Thank you. We still have 3 minutes left if uh we have any more comments from the public.

Brian E. Lewis

I believe we have a young lady that's signed up for the uh stand the floor.

Andre M. Boggerty

She's surely addressing us um during that one of our uh community or the school committee meeting.

Andre M. Boggerty

Going once.

Andre M. Boggerty

Going twice.

Bonnie

Come on.

Andre M. Boggerty

There we go.

Bonnie

I have nothing to say because everything It's

Bonnie

Hi, my name is Bonnie. It's more or less, I really don't have much to say because I'm just frustrated and aggravated with the city. The more you come in here then talk to people, the more you're talking to one here and it's going right through the other. And nothing's getting done. I listen to half of these meetings where you've got senior citizens saying they can't come out of their home because they're scared to come out of the home. Okay, first of all, you need to find out why you're scared of coming out of your home. Look, when I first moved in this city, I moved back here in 2005. I live on North Kirkwood Street. Okay, and that was the worst street you could live on in this city at the time. And I was I'm not going to lie, I was scared back then. Fridays and Saturday nights, only thing I could tell you was kiss the floor and hope you don't die. But then I woke up one morning and said, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, I bought this house, I'm paying on this house. I'm not going to let no one come in here and take over my property." And that's where you got to look at. Why are these senior citizens scared to come out of their home? Why are they scared to call the police department? Because I'm going to tell you why: the police are not there for us. They've never been there. I can't even get them to come on North Kirkwood Street. The problem in Dover is they're focusing on one side of the area. They're always focusing on the south side, and there's also people on the north side that are starting to complain. They can't get no help. They can't- I'm not I'm not here. I come here and I talk just like everybody else.

Speaker 1

stops. You you listen to my opinion, you do, you don't, you don't. The bottom line is we need to focus on who is the representative on that side and start with them. Cuz I'm going to tell y'all something right now:

Speaker 1

if it wasn't for Roy Sudler, that that FRP lodge would have never got shut down.

Speaker 1

That man busted his tail. I busted my tail. He's had his life threatened, I've had my life threatened. And but I still stuck to my grounds. I'm not with this, "Oh, this person gets more than this person." Boom! We're all getting treated the same way. And technically, I get tired of hearing it.

Speaker 1

I was the only one on Kirkwood Street that would stand up for my property, and I'm going to stand up for it today. Cuz I'm going to tell y'all this: Y'all could shoot me, but I'm going to haunt y'all behind. You know when you're sleeping and you feel somebody touching your feet? It's going to be me.

Speaker 1

I'm tired of it. It's ridiculous. And you shouldn't have to come here every week and hear these senior citizens say, "I'm scared to come out of my home. I'm scared to open up the window. I can't call 911 because you call them it takes..." And why in the world does it take 45 minutes to get across town?

Speaker 1

I'm 5 minutes from the police department!

Speaker 1

But you can see them police sitting over there where the old college used to be, in that open area, or you can see them back there sitting and hiding in the water area I guess that's where they do the trash you know, where they do the trash recycling or whatever, back there in that corner behind the school. They're probably hanging back there asleep, cuz you sure ain't coming on my street to get a Dunkin' Donut, cuz there ain't none on here.

Speaker 1

It's ridiculous. When I called the cops one day, they told me 45 minutes. I said, "45 minutes? Where are you coming from?" I said, "You're not even 10 minutes across town."

Speaker 1

And they they were like, "Well, we'll be there in..." "No, if I call you, you should be there. What, are you waiting until I'm dead?"

Speaker 1

It's ridiculous. It's it's it's just getting old. And and look at this room. Look at this room. When I first came back here in 2005, this room was packed. Now you could set a hun- you could set 30 people in this room.

Speaker 1

This is ridiculous. You know why people don't come to these meetings? Cuz they're getting tired of Dover. They're getting tired of the lies. They're getting tired of having to fear for their life when they walk out the door. Or they're getting tired of fighting over something that don't belong to them. Do I blame these homeowners or renters for not fighting? No. Why should I put my life on the line if it ain't my property?

Speaker 1

It's these landlords' it's responsibility to make sure they have a safe place to live.

Speaker 1

It's you know, I'd be glad to come out to Hey, but the number one thing is we need to get together, and we all need to figure out why this pie is going this way instead of staying this way. That's just the bottom line. I I I'm not going to sit here and sugarcoat nothing.

Bonnie

I see everything that goes on in Dover. People call me, people come to me, complain... What am I going to do? I'm not the popo. I'm not the city mayor. I'm not on the councilman. You got two people in the district. You got Roy Sudler and you have Anderson. Call one of them. I mean, that's why people don't come here no more cuz it's the same thing we hear all the time. Oh, there's nothing we can do, we're doing the best we can. Well, if you're tired of the cops saying that, then it's time for the community to stand up and start fighting for themselves and stop hiding. If you want to keep your area and keep it the capital, put your heads together and let's roll. They can't take all of us. And that's all I got to say.

Chair

Thank you, Ms. Bonnie.

Bonnie

See, I knew I would... Couldn't leave me alone, could you?

Chair

When you got to get it out, then you get to get it out.

Bonnie

Well, there's nothing to get out. I'm just telling the truth.

Chair

Absolutely.

Bonnie

And the truth is people's getting tired of calling the police department and they're not there. What are we paying you for?

Bonnie

And I know people saying the cops are doing their job, well, might be doing for some people, but it ain't doing for the others.

Bonnie

And if you want to do, you do for all, don't do for none.

Bonnie

Who put dove on here? Somebody done spelled Dover.

Chair

So we're at, um, 6:15 and we're going to, um, get ready to move on with our agenda.

Chair

Um, I do need a motion to adopt the agenda for the evening.

Commissioner 1

I'll make the motion to adopt the agenda for tonight's meeting.

Commissioner 2

I second.

Chair

It's been properly moved and seconded that we adopt this the agenda for the evening. Um, all those in favor... I mean, uh, any question on the motion? I'm sorry. Any question on the motion? Any question on the motion? All those in favor?

Commissioner 2

Aye.

Commissioner 1

Aye.

Chair

All those opposed have the same right. Motion carried.

Chair

K. Uh, we're going to go ahead and start on a little bit with our committee reports and updates.

Chair

Um, before we get into that, we need, has everybody had a chance to review the minutes?

Chair

Remember our minutes is from March 17th. Welcome back.

Chair

Minutes from March 17th. We need to...

Commissioner 1

A motion to approve the minutes from March 17th, 2022?

Chair

K.

Commissioner 2

Second.

Chair

K, it's been properly moved and seconded that we...

Chair

um approve the minutes of March 17th, 2026? Any question on the motion?

Chair

Any question on the motion?

Chair

Question on the motion.

Chair

All those in favor?

Jordan Spencer

Aye.

Wanda Mullen

Aye.

Chair

All those opposed have the same right.

Chair

Motion carried.

Chair

Okay.

Chair

Before we get into committee reports, I just want to welcome everybody back, and welcome our new commissioner, Mr. Jordan Spencer. He's our new commissioner at-large.

Chair

Mr. Jordan Spencer, everybody else.

Jordan Spencer

Good evening, everybody. Glad to be here.

Chair

Good evening.

Chair

Um, Commissioner Mullen, Commissioner Brinkley, and myself, we are um the commissioners for the assessment uh the Assessment Committee. And we'd like to go ahead and uh open that up, um Commissioner Mullen?

Wanda Mullen

I just wanted to know what is the update on the um survey tool that I had submitted?

Chair

Um, Ms. Womack?

Chair

So the survey tool that was submitted by Commissioner Mullen, were we able to have um the City Council and and and anyone just to be a question for our liaison um look over it and and give us a possible uh critique? Okay.

Chair

If we if we do, um can we possibly send it uh send it to uh Commissioner Mullen, Commissioner Brinkley, myself? Um and we want to really be able to move forward on on a couple of things, and if we need to make some corrections um according to the recommendations of of our higher-up, our authority, uh we would need to we would need to know those recommendations. Um because after we receive the recommendation and we make the changes, we'll be ready to have that um have that particular document solidified and make it a part of our our reports that we when we start to review and hand in. Okay. Thank you.

Chair

Anything, Commissioner Mullen?

Wanda Mullen

I'll wait.

Wanda Mullen

Wait to see what the outcomes are.

Chair

Okay. Do you have anything anything else you want to bring to us regarding the uh the assessment?

Wanda Mullen

Not at this time.

Chair

Okay. Commissioner Brinkley?

Rita Brinkley

No, I'm good. I'm good.

Chair

You sure? Okay.

Chair

For myself, um, of course, um, I do have close contact

Chair

with the, uh, councilpersons in the 4th District, and they're pretty much aware of, um, the, uh, this assessment documents that we are trying to, um, bring forward. Uh, so when when they're created, and we have some things to actually go into and make recommendations and make the changes, um, then we'll want to, um, be able to make some other things based off of that first document. So, I'm sure, uh, I'm sure we'll be in touch. Uh, I I attended one of, uh, Commissioner Mullins, um, one of her community meetings, uh, and and I'm sure the assessments can be used especially in the meetings that you host. Okay.

Chair

Um, when it comes to the relevancy of the Dover Human Relations Commission, we also need to make sure we have an assessment ready to go. That would that would probably be our second document. Uh, the assessment ready to go for the public, um, so that we can find out some relevancy, and we can find out what the public, um, what they think as far as what the Dover Human Relations Commission is for, and then we can begin to address, um, some of the the thoughts of the public, um, what they think we're here for and what we can do. Um, well, of course, we have out there our strategic plan and some of our other documents. But, um, I think when we send out when we when we get it together, we'll send out, um, an assessment. And and really, I think, um, Ms. Willis, we'll want to, um, have maybe a mailing list, um, a lit- a a, you know, a mailing list that is that is approved by the city that we can send out our our assessment. Maybe it'll probably be in the form of of almost like a postcard-size, something real quick and easy, um, where we can collect, uh, some good data and and begin to formulate a particular direction, answering the concerns of the constituents regarding what we're here for and what we can do and and what we have done. Okay. That's for us.

Mullins

And I know that's something that we have pondered and talked about in previous sessions, but, um, I think that's very important as to how we're going to get the information out to the public, um, with consideration of all different populations, um, because you know a lot of people don't do social media. A lot of the older, you know, population is not savvy to a lot of computer. So, what would be the best remedy to get this information out there so that we can collect the data that we're trying to collect to make the changes that need to be made? I mean, I've heard the comments that was made today. They're valid. So, how do we like what's the best form, I guess, that we can get this information out to the public?

Chair

Well, um, Ms. Willis, are we able to create—

Chair

Um, like a electronic document, uh, for the City of Dover and, and maybe have it added to the webpage?

Chair

Um, or something we can maybe even have them, uh, interact with it like a little QR code when they go to the City website and they go to Dover Human Relations Commission. Um, maybe we can have something in our particular area, uh, that addresses, uh, how we're going to collect that information. Meaning

Chair

if they can - excuse me, if they could like if we could have a link involved, um, and the same form that we want to mail out will be the same form that the link, uh, directs them to.

Chair

So maybe that form that we create will be an electronic form, um, as well as, uh, mailing. And then we need to have something when we have our meetings that, uh, folks can pick up and put in their hand right then and there too when they come. Okay?

Chair

And I like when we have hands in the public ready to spread their ideas. Make sure you keep them, because we are gonna let we gonna let you spread your ideas. Commissioner Mullen?

Wanda Mullen

I'm done. Thank you.

Chair

Commissioner Brinkley?

Commissioner Brinkley

Nothing at all. Thank you.

Commissioner

I just have a suggestion. Um, you made the mail order. Why couldn't we see if the city, at the clerk's office, if there is a form, for someone who wants to come pick it up, they grab the form and there's like a little mailbox where it doesn't - they fill it out and they just drop it in the slot

Chair

that uh - We have like a DHRC drop box or something like that?

Commissioner

Drop box for that form.

Chair

Okay. Okay. We'll look into that. Commissioner Fleming?

Paul Fleming

Yes sir, Chairman.

Chair

Do you have any questions?

Paul Fleming

Um, yes. Um, listening to Bonnie was, um, disquieting, uh, and I was wondering if Bonnie knows about an intake form to get started meeting with the Dover Human Relations Commission? There's a form that you would need to complete, which is then comes into the city, the, uh, attorney reviews it, and then if they're substantiated, they, um, would come to us. But, uh, it really bothered me, uh, to hear Bonnie describe her life on Kirkwood Street. Uh, I wouldn't have expected that. Um, so, Bonnie, are you aware of the intake form that we-

Male Speaker

Yeah. Okay, I didn't think you were.

Public Commenter

When I first moved in Delaware, I came in-

Male Speaker

Use the microphone.

Public Commenter

Oh, I'm sorry.

Male Speaker

Sorry, no need to apologize.

Public Commenter

When I came to Dover and I got a house in Dover, I got my house through Habitat for Humanity. People don't understand that Habitat Humanity is a good organization, but they build houses without like reviewing the neighborhood, like checking out to see what kind of consequences and stuff like that that goes on in these neighborhoods. The problem is you're bringing in all these people that's coming in from New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and I've seen a lot of these new house people come in and they want to try to take over what's already been built here. Okay? All these senior citizens that's been here for years are not going to walk in and say, 'Hey, you can have my home.' Okay, let me explain something to you. When I moved on Kirkwood Street, I knew nobody. Okay, I came into this area that I had no idea what I was moving into. And it was it's a good area now. But when I first moved there, I have seen horrible, horrible things on this street that happened that I should not have had to seen. And I witnessed it, and you know, getting the street straightened up, not only having your life threatened and worry about if someone's going to come in and actually take you out. Mr. Sudler, Roy Sudler was the number one who had his life threatened. And what has been said to him was all uncalled for. And if Sudler was standing here today, I would tell him to his face or I would tell him behind his back: I appreciate Sudler for everything that he's went through and done to get this done. Not that I only fought it, but he did most of the work. He did all the digging, cuz listen, I never do a computer. I'm not a computer genius. When I was coming up, I was allowed outside to 2:00, 3:00 in the morning. I was playing outside. I wasn't allowed to sit here and fancy dancy on a computer. But the thing of it is people are not going to come to no one and tell them their life history or tell them what's going on in their neighborhood because they're scared. So the best way to get this area If you want the Capital back, you need to find out why they're so scared. You need to find out why these kids are targeting these these seniors or whoever they're targeting. You know, I had kids on my street the other day start getting a little lippy with me until I got lippy back. And then they're like, 'Oh no, no, we're okay. It's okay.' You know, if you go out there and you approach these kids with a nasty attitude, you're going to get it back. Everybody's got to understand this generation today is not the same generation like it was when you and I grew up or whoever in this room grew up. You've got to be willing to take your foot and put in their shoes to see why they're always so angry or always wanting to do something they shouldn't do. First of all, there's nothing for these

Barney

these kids in Dover to do.

Barney

They took out these parks. They took out everything. Only thing in Dover to do is a casino. Who in the world wants to go to a casino?

Barney

I know I don't. They need to find something for these children to do to occupy their mind. With all this peer pressure dealing with the drugs and the alcohol and the gangs, you can't just blame that person that started it. You've got to blame yourself because first of all, have you ever heard of the old saying, "Be a leader, not a follower"?

Barney

And that's what this community needs. They need someone who's going to be willing to get out there and help these young kids. You don't know what these kids has been through. You don't know what's going on in their household. You don't know who they were raised up whether they were raised up with. You have no ideal. So for you to judge all these young kids, maybe you should ask them or sit down with them and say, "Hey, what's actually going on?"

Barney

There's some of us that's been through what some of these kids has been through now, but they just don't talk about it because they're scared. You have to open up to these kids to make them see, "Hey, we're not here to hurt you. We're going to help you. Let's figure out what we could do." That's the problem in the city of Dover. They don't help nobody. They judge everybody.

Barney

You get in trouble one time, and you're on the record for the rest of your life without giving them a chance to grow up and learn their life and to live their life, you judge them. Throwing them behind bars is not going to satisfy anything. It's just going to make it worse because now they really feel, "Hey, I have nobody now." All you want to do is pick up their hands and, yes, I'm not saying there ain't no bad kids out here. Heck, I was bad when I was growing up,

Barney

but I lived and learned, and the only way these kids are going to live and learn is if they have somebody there to help them instead of shoving them away. And that's what these kids are going through today. They're being shoved around like schools. They're not teaching these kids. They're shoving them through just to get them out. That's not what these kids needs.

Barney

I was in the Dollar Store the other day, and I gave a woman a $20 bill, she couldn't even give me my change. I had to count the change to her. These kids are not being taught the way we were taught. Teach these kids the right way. Get them educated to go to college. Get them educated to get a good- they're not going to get a good crew when they don't have no back up. And this is the problem with Dover. They don't want to back you up. They want to judge you. And nobody- nobody in this audience and in these, this room, should judge anybody.

Chair

Ms. Barney.

Barney

Wait, no, uh-uh, I'm not leaving.

Chair

Uh-uh, we passed the 10 minutes. We're into a whole another section. Hold on.

Chair

Um, Commissioner Flemming asked you about the intake form.

Barney

No. I don't know nothing about no intake form.

Chair

Ms. Williams, do we have a a form right here? An intake form? I thought we had a stack right there on that wall.

Male Speaker 1

Because what I want I want you to see it, and, um... Okay. I want you to have one before you leave here today so we can get this ball rolling. And I need you to mention some things that you mentioned on, um, at the podium to this evening. I need you to mention the response time concern that you have with our, um, our city police, um,

Female Speaker 1

Okay, I will.

Male Speaker 1

not saying the lack of response, but the, you know, the time that it is taking, you know, because, um, you're not the only person in that district that, uh, I received the same concern about. And, not just coming from you as an individual, I received it from businesses. People who are in business, um, within that district. And they had, you know, called police and and things, it it's taking a little bit too long. Uh, when I made my, um, presentation at the City Council, uh, meeting last week, I did mention the response time, but I also mentioned that we need to have more police on our streets.

Male Speaker 1

So, the charge for me was to, uh, City Council to please find, um, the way and the means to be able to, um, you know, hire more police officers and and put them on our streets in in places that we need them. Like you said, they don't need to be sitting, uh, in a particular parking lot getting rest,

Male Speaker 1

because I mentioned that they needed to have mandatory rest time. Not just say, 'Okay, you have the option to take off today.' No, you have to take off today to get rest.

Male Speaker 1

I also mentioned, um, um, psychological evaluations, stress tests, things like that. When you put out police officers out to the neighborhood and they're already under stress, what's that going to transfer to? What are those actions going to look like? So,

Female Speaker 1

Listen, I want one light in my neighborhood because the other day before I came to the meeting, I had a lady knock on my door cuz she had no money. Luckily, I had extra asthma medicine, and asthma's the same, you can't change it, cuz she couldn't breathe.

Male Speaker 1

So when you, when we get that form, those are the things I need you to put down there. What you...

Male Speaker 2

I believe I have one, but I'm not sure if it's current. You want to look at it?

Male Speaker 1

Matter of fact, yeah. If you can go ahead and get that for her, so she...

Male Speaker 2

Let's see. Well, it's one it's one piece.

Male Speaker 1

Check that real fast.

Male Speaker 2

Yeah.

Male Speaker 1

It's good? Let Commissioner White see that. Commissioner White.

Male Speaker 1

Let Commissioner White...

Faye White

I just want to ask the question.

Male Speaker 1

It's on the website. But I I need this I need Commissioner White to...

Faye White

Ask the question.

Male Speaker 1

Also, Commissioner White, right right to your right-hand side, coming down the steps, was Willa. Are they the same?

Alan Gaddis

Okay. So, the one that you have right now, Ms. Boney, that's off the website from uh, Miss Weller. Okay.

Ms. Boney

Okay.

Alan Gaddis

So, if you take a look at it, and at the bottom um, of course, it it talks about discriminatory um, actions and and things that you have experienced. I'm not asking you to write down any type of like discriminatory actions that you have experienced from the City of Dover. What I'm asking you to do is write down your concerns

Ms. Boney

Yeah, I know. I know what you want.

Alan Gaddis

regarding um, the experience that you're having knowing that um, the north side is a little different from the south side.

Ms. Boney

Mm-hmm.

Alan Gaddis

Okay?

Ms. Boney

I I did put my of my gender down, but I refuse to put my age.

Alan Gaddis

No problem. I got you. I got you.

Alan Gaddis

It's all right.

Ms. Boney

That's how it is.

Alan Gaddis

It's all right, it's no problem.

Ms. Boney

I have no problem helping out like I said before. I have no problem, but when I call somebody to be there, I don't just call. Listen, I don't like cops in the first place, so I'm the last one to call popo. I'm DTA with them. I've always been DTA with the popo, and I've seen stuff that happens and goes on that's just very disrespectful and rude. When I call you, and you come out, and you get nasty with me? Do you think I'm going to stand there and not get nasty back? Hello. No.

Alan Gaddis

Right.

Alan Gaddis

So those are And And make sure you, you know, highlight those things in your in your concerns.

Ms. Boney

Right.

Alan Gaddis

And I'm the I'm the I'm I'm I'm partly home in your district as the commissioner, and you know, uh we have Councilman Sudler and Councilman Anderson, and we'll get together, and we'll get together, and we'll take care of it.

Alan Gaddis

And we're working on it.

Ms. Boney

Yeah.

Alan Gaddis

Cuz we're we, as the village, are going to clean our own home.

Ms. Boney

Okay. My thing is is, okay, they're focusing on the south side to take the basketball hoops down, am I correct?

Ms. Boney

Okay, so if you're going to focus on one side, you need to focus on the other.

Alan Gaddis

Right.

Ms. Boney

You can't just hit one and then say, "Oh, I'm going to leave and sweep the other one underneath the rug," because that's not the way life is.

Alan Gaddis

So make sure make sure you

Ms. Boney

I'll get it filled out.

Alan Gaddis

Don't worry, and we'll fight. We'll fight it.

Ms. Boney

All right. No, I moved.

Alan Gaddis

Thank you, Ms. Boney.

Ms. Boney

Thank you.

Alan Gaddis

Can we move on to President, we have a question Commissioner Rocha.

Commissioner Rocha

We've been discussing this form for years, and it still appear that citizen is not familiar with it.

Commissioner Rocha

Uh, now, I I can't say with the other word on every street, there is a person that everybody know, and uh perhaps we should try and get the forms in the hands of

Speaker 1

individuals that lives on various streets and and allow them or trust them to get the form to uh individuals who are are encountering problems what regard as to who they having a problem with. So, they can't come here and pick the form up, then there's somebody in every community

Speaker 2

Mm-hm. Mm-hm.

Speaker 1

that people relate to. So, I think we should put forth an effort to get those forms in those individuals' hands,

Speaker 2

Right.

Speaker 1

and then the individuals that is in those neighborhood would know that that is their contact person. They can go to that person to get the form. Uh, before, we had a problem with people not really feeling comfortable with filling them out. But if you have the forms in the hands of individuals that people in the community are familiar with, then uh they can also assist them with uh properly filling it out. So, uh, now, when I hear when I hear this senior citizen afraid to come out then whatever street they're living on, I think that there's someone on that street that can actually address that. Uh, my my main concern is that when there's a problem, and people call and they say they don't get the help that is needed, but accountability starts with the individuals that lives in every neighborhood. And so there has to be a way that you hold people accountable for behavior that actually exists in that neighborhood. I don't think that is uh it comes to the police it should be at a time when everything else has failed. Now I'm saying that from experience.

Speaker 2

Mm-hm.

Speaker 1

Uh, is something everybody know New Street's supposed to be the worst street in Dover, but it's not like that anymore even though uh it's still carries, I guess, that stigma or that a reputation, but the culture of that of that neighborhood change. But it changed by causing people to be accountable. And people in the neighborhood had to hold other individuals in the neighborhood accountable. And so I I believe that we're supposed to police ourselves before we call the police in. Because most times police don't have a good idea as to exactly what's going on, but everybody in every neighborhood knows exactly what is going on and who it's going on with. And so I think if we put the form in the hands of individual that uh is well known uh in the street. One of the things downtown is uh everybody know who you can go to on Governors. Everybody know who you can go to on Kirkwood. Everybody know who you can go to on Queen. There's always an individual that you can actually go to that everybody in in that street or neighborhood can relate to.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

...cost criteria of getting the form in the hands of the resident of of individual that other people in the neighborhood can relate to.

Commissioner

Um, great comment, Councilman Rocha. And um, I'm in agreement with what you're saying. And and I think that, um, in our district, District 4, the best district in Dover. Now let me stop. Let me stop, because you know I'm about to bring in the at-large person too. But um, like Mrs. Bonnie, she's in our district. She would be a great person to probably hold some forums, um, and and be a person who'd be able to tell what her experience is like, you know, coming to the meeting and being able to express some things, and what's to go on the form and things like that. Um it's going to start with us as as commissioners, um going out and making our districts aware. Uh There are folks in our district who are aware, but they probably don't want to go out. They may not- they may want to go out, but don't have the energy. The time might not allow them to go out, things like that. So, um, I've spoken with um some folks from the, um is it the Restoring Central Dover um neighborhood neighborhood uh partners? Um and and being able to use their building and uh use their support as well, um in order to help get some of the word out of what we do. We we're trying to plan, um a a awareness workshop, um and and want to do it in series, making our our district aware. And other commissioners, I mean you can do the same, and I and I invite you to do the same in your districts: host some particular um evenings or, you know, afternoons or evenings, whatever might be best. You might have to do more than one, uh to give, you know, opportunity for those who can't make one at one time to make another time. Uh but you might want to start hosting some something awareness evenings, uh so you can get these forms out and allow folks to uh express some concerns and learn how to fill out the form and what goes on there, uh what we can do with the form, and as far as uh how far our arm is, where we can reach and what we can do at that particular time. So it might start slow, but the word will get around, and and they'll start to understand what we actually can do. Now we're also- that's being proactive on that particular um

Roy Sudler, Jr.

on that particular operation. However, uh there's some other things we can be a little bit more proactive with as well and and as we go through the committees, uh we'll we'll talk about those particular things. We don't have to do it all at once so, um as you know as you look at your agenda, you can go ahead and jot down what you think might be good um for your for your district when we go through that particular uh

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. Give me a second here.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All right. So, that's for the that's the Assessment Committee. Okay. Let's go to the next one.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Community Programs: uh Mr. Faust, Mr. Fleming, and myself. Um I'll start Mr. Faust. Commissioner Faust.

Michael Faust

Good evening, everybody. Um, one thing Dr. uh Sudler and I have been doing we've been uh the group of our commission is handing out 2-1-1 cards. If anyone doesn't is not aware what they are, one side is English, one side is Spanish, and it gives resources for finance, housing, drug addiction. It's through United Way. If anybody wants a busi- a 2-1-1 card, please let me know, I'll hand it out. Um, the other issue is it's not an issue, but a comment. If you want the commissioners to come out to a grassroot uh organization, if you call the commissioner or call City Clerk's office, we'll try to make arrangements to get out there. Uh Dr. Sudler and I've gone to different meetings like the ACLU, uh meetings, uh yeah, it could be anything. I've gone down Walk Dover for one of the uh organizations to try to make in Dover better. And the last thing I went to, I think it was two weekends ago, was uh the Dunkin' Donuts is uh at the state building. They had like the uh barbecue, so I made an appearance there. So, uh

Michael Faust

we do try to get out to the community, so if you want us to come out for a special function, please let us know. Dr. Sudler and I will be getting together and brainstorming after this meeting because it's the first time we've met in a long time. If any of the public wants to get a hold of us, we do have business cards. I will be glad to issue my business hand you a business card so you can reach out to me

Michael Faust

at your convenience uh by email or anything like that. So, if you have any questions, please ask.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Mr. Fleming. Commissioner Fleming.

Paul Fleming

All right. I have nothing to add to

Commissioner Roach

You know, each committee, um, all of us have good intentions. Um, but there are some common things I think that can work. We've, I've worked with House of Pride, and I've I've found that, uh, there are some things you can do, maybe not on a large scale, but small scale, but you're consistent with them, uh, it has the tendency to get people to know people. And, uh, I've found, I realized that when people know people, real good communication and dialogue can take place. But it but it has to be someone that is that is consistent with making some making, uh, something available for people to gravitate to. Uh, of course, uh, we have individuals that does things, whether it's cooking or whatever. One of the ladies on this road, she does something, uh, every fourth Saturday for community. And what it give her an opportunity to do, it learn the names of people. Uh, she before they can get anything to to eat or anything, she she makes sure that they know they're going to be prayed for first. But it it establishes good rapport with people where you can communicate with them and you can learn more, uh, about what's going on. And I think when we're when we're doing community events that if, I know we're doing them as often as we can, but if we come out of the community event with one organization doing something consistent, that it will, uh, that will produce, or could could, you you'll be able to accomplish more, but it has to be something that is consistent. Instead of doing a community event every four months or somebody, you know, does it, but if it's something that you can just tap into and connect to, and it's something that can happen every month, then, uh, you know, you'll get to know people, and once you know people, you can make some progress. And, yeah, so I was just thinking that when we do community events, let's just try to come out of those events with at least one organization point of contact that can be consistent with something each month.

Chair

Thank you, Commissioner Roach. Appreciate it. Commissioner Mullen?

Wanda Mullen

I just wanted to share with the committee, program committee, that I did, I I ran into a a program that is it's new. It's she's going to be addressing the, uh, adolescents. Um, the name of her program is called Empowering, Mentoring, and Strengthening, Transform, Inc. Um, she wanted to get on the agenda for tonight, but it was a little too late. I called you yesterday, but you didn't answer, so. Um,

Wanda Mullen

Um, but, um, I definitely invited her to come and share what her organization is about, her mission, and her vision, and the population that she's targeting. And so, um, this would definitely be a powerful community program because she is addressing the at-risk adolescents, um, as a whole. So that's just something to consider for the community programs.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

What's the name of the, um-

Wanda Mullen

It's EMST, Inc. And the EMST stands for Empowering, Mentoring, and Strengthening, Transforming, Inc.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Empowering, Mentoring-

Wanda Mullen

Strengthening, and Transforming, yes.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay.

Commissioner

Commissioner Mullen, who, um, is the point of contact for that?

Wanda Mullen

Her name is Nike. I have her information. I can share that with you.

Commissioner

Thank you.

Commissioner

And, and can you give that information to, um, Ms. Weller, and she can put it in our minutes?

Wanda Mullen

Yes.

Commissioner

Thank you. Yes.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you.

Wanda Mullen

Our next meeting is in three months, right?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

When is your next, um-

Wanda Mullen

Uh, next month. August. Can you enlighten us on that, please?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Will that just be the, the White Oak Association?

Wanda Mullen

The White Oak Townhomes Civic Association. So I'm going to also invite her to come and share that information at that meeting as well, um, because it will definitely be impactful and definitely a resource that people that has adolescents or have children can definitely tap into. It's a resource to help. Um, so, yeah.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Past, um, I'm sorry, Commissioner Rocha, when, when, uh, Commissioner Mullen's, um, brings that forth to us, we want to take what she has and be able to distribute that as well, and we want to use that resource and, and host her in our district as well. I'm just putting that out there for District 4. I don't know about District 1, 2, or 3. I'll let them speak for, and Commissioner White?

Faye White

Uh, can I go back to the, um, I, I was trying to get your attention, uh, on the intake form, and I, and you never acknowledged me. So, is it possible that you could do that now?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

My, my, my apologies, uh, Commissioner White.

Faye White

I accept your apology, but it's-

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes, ma'am. The floor is yours.

Faye White

Thank you very much. On the intake form, um, when they are, when the form is filled out, and then it-

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes.

Faye White

Right. When it goes to the city clerk's office, um, the length of time that it takes for an individual, a constituent, to get an answer, okay, they come with an urgent situation, or problem, or issue. Okay. Then we have City Council, and we also have the Dover Human Relation, and we have open forum and everything. When they come, they come to seek. And, anyway, let me get this together. Where, um... When the, um-

Female Speaker

And all the When they come, the young lady Would I be correct in calling the young lady's name, Miss Bonnie? Is it Bonnie?

Male Speaker

Yes. Bonnie.

Female Speaker

Okay. With all these organizations in each and every community, you have two City Council people. You have two Dover Human Relations people. When they come and they voice their opinion at the podium here, also I'm looking at this intake form.

Female Speaker

When this intake form is filled out, it goes to the City Clerk's office. Would I be correct with that?

Female Speaker

The time that they put in their they're putting in their requests or issues or whatever it is, they're not looking for two or three months to for someone to get back with them. That's why they come out into the community, would I be correct?

Female Speaker

They're looking for answers and looking for answers. And I'm hearing where they have, um, uh--

Female Speaker

Uh, no disrespect, but all these organizations, there is no way that in the community that we should have all these problems or issues. It has to be It has a beginning and it has an end. We are parents in the community. It's our children. It's our issues. Therefore, when they're searching to please, like this, um Here I go again.

Male Speaker

Bonnie.

Female Speaker

Bonnie. I hear your crying and your call and all those issues that you have addressed. I've been here and I've heard them for years in the City Council, ever since ever since 2000. And with that said, I have not seen anything, any results. I have not seen any success stories. And, uh, and with that said,

Female Speaker

Roy Councilman Roy Sudler at that time has been an instrument in the community when he served as city the Dover Human Relations, the chair then. I sat in David Anderson's seat for four years while he went to Afghanistan. We worked very hard. We went into the community, and in doing that, they wanted to demolish, if I'm saying that word right, demolish the, uh, organization.

Female Speaker

So here I sit again, which will be my fifth year. I have not seen any success. And to coming to the chambers here each and every time and opportunity that's given, and I hear about all the organizations, and I hear the crying and the call of the families. And you mention a lot of the intake, uh, if I be correct, Habitat. You mention people coming from the North, South, East, and West, from different cities and states. They have a right to come here, but it when I'm, no, let me let me, uh I apologize. I may have stumbled a little bit. But we I come from another state also, but I came to to help. I came to advocate, and I've been doing that ever since I've been here. I don't work for anyone, and I'm not looking for a position.

Faye White

Right. And so I've seen a lot of crime here since 2000. I've seen the hangings, I've seen the, um, rehab and people here. Roy Sudler, here we go again. Commissioner Roy Sudler, at that particular time we went out to the community. We couldn't meet here in the chambers here, and we went out. And we addressed the issues because they was fearful and afraid to come here into the chambers for being arrested.

Faye White

We not only have to hold the judicial system accountable, and not only the City Council, and at present, as I sit here as community relations, but we also have to hold the parents in the community, they are our children. It's our community. So before we go out to seek help, I believe truly that we have to look at ourselves first in our community.

Faye White

And the only way that I can say, as I say when I was committee person before that here, I can only be as good as you use me. If you don't use me, you I I I mean, you know, I work on behalf of the people. I advocate on behalf of the people. And each and every time now they are trying to uh would I be correct in this, uh Chairman, um, Sudler, to take away the time and opportunity that we can give to you all constructive. We don't get paid. And the thing is that we advocate on behalf of you all.

Faye White

So, in looking at this form, I'm going I guess you see I'm skipping a whole lot of stuff, but I'm going to this form here. If I was in your position and I had to fill this form out in its entirety, then it goes to city clerk. It has nothing to do with us until like until the city clerk, would I be correct in that, and making a decision?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

That's right.

Faye White

Okay. So, in making that decision, uh we're getting a lot of flak and being held accountable for not interacting, uh sooner than soon with issues and problems. So, I don't want you to feel at any particular time that Dover Human Relations are not trying. And no, no, no, I I'm not I'm not trying to do the best that we can. And then, again, too, uh

Faye White

uh you need to know, um like in and looking over the form, knowing the uh actions of the commission's action, okay, it may be a possibility that your issue or your problem situation may be addressed. But then you wouldn't know that, neither would we. So, you can't hold us accountable as Dover Human Relations. So, what do we do? Everybody, like I I think you said, if I'm correct, don't know how to fill out

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Commissioner White.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

So, um what would be good is for Ms. Boney to have the opportunity to sit with you and go over that form and if possible please make sure that her concerns are addressed on the form correctly and um in in a way that, um, you know, her concerns are expressed to the city. But, the thing is,

Chair

I'm trying to make sure that we get a copy of what is filled out, regardless if it comes to us as where the authority to take care of or not, we still need to know who is trying to reach out to us and what concerns they're trying to bring to us because that speaks to the Assessment Committee, the relevancy of the DHRC.

Faye White

When have we gotten an answer to that? When have we gotten answers to an assessment?

Chair

Well, we we get answers. We get answers.

Faye White

Okay, but do the public do the public do the public get it? Do they know that?

Chair

We get answers, and if we want to talk about a specific one, we will bring that up at another time, but we do get answers.

Faye White

So we're not talking about a specific one. We're talking about a success story. These I I

Chair

Commissioner, we're not we're not here tonight to talk about success stories. We need to take care of the business right now.

Faye White

Actually, Commissioner—

Chair

Ms. White, that's fine.

Faye White

I thank you very much, I'm through.

Chair

Okay.

Ms. Bonnie

Can I comment? Yes. First of all, I want to thank—

Chair

Huh? Ms. Bonnie and Commissioner White, I would like for you all to get together when you when you can. We are at the 7:05 time and and we have a special announcement during our community uh community program.

Ms. Bonnie

I'm going to go talk to her.

Chair

Yes, but she's a part of she's a part of this, so it's going to have to be after we adjourn. Okay?

Ms. Bonnie

Don't get me in no trouble now, cause I've been looking at—

Chair

That's all right, I'm going to make sure y'all don't get in trouble. Ms. Bonnie, you can sit there. She'll see you as soon as we adjourn. Ms. Bonnie, don't let her get away. And Commissioner White, I'm not going to let you leave without seeing Ms. Bonnie. Okay?

Faye White

Thank you very much, and I do apologize for taking up the time.

Chair

Not a problem. Uh uh we're okay. Commissioner Brinkley?

Commissioner Brinkley

Just real quick, I know everyone's saying, but what Commissioner White is saying is very valid. There are a lot of organizations, youth organizations, and I'm just going to say that I think that before the end of the summer goes uh comes to a completion that maybe we should try to get all these community youth organizations together and try to gather all these, and I'll I'll spearhead it, I don't just to try to get them together so that we can put something out there for our youth and our parents so that our parents the parents can have, you know, some place for their children to go. That's all.

Chair

Our At-Large Commissioner?

At-Large Commissioner

For the sake of the agenda, I'm going to be brief

Roy Sudler, Jr.

I appreciate all the commissioners here this evening.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

I would like to bring forward, um, some good news, some success story, because, although we might not meet in here like we want to, the work still continues.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Fox Mallak in the house? Miss Fox Mallak in the house?

Tashiba Mallak

Helena-Rose Mallak.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you. I appreciate the correction. I stand corrected.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Helena-Rose. Helena-Rose Mallak.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes, make sure she can, there you go.

Helena-Rose Mallak

Can I start?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Sure can.

Helena-Rose Mallak

Hi, I'm Helena-Rose Mallak. I'm 10 years old, and I'm a fifth grader at Towne Point Elementary, and I am here to tell you about Lemonade Day. So me and my mother are trying to bring this thing called Lemonade Day to Dover, and we have been working for the past year. And me and, we are doing a workshop at, on July 30th at the Inner City Cultural League, and after that, we are doing a lemonade stand day, and it would be really, it would be very nice if you could help.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Can you give us that date again?

Helena-Rose Mallak

Which one?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

In your, in your announcement, you speak on some dates.

Helena-Rose Mallak

So, we're doing a workshop on July 30th, and I'm trying to find that one.

Tashiba Mallak

August 15th.

Helena-Rose Mallak

And we're doing the lemonade stand on August 15th.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. August 15th is Lemonade Stand, and we're going to talk about that right now. Thank you.

Tashiba Mallak

Stay here.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Don't go nowhere.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

So she mentioned July 30th workshop regarding Lemonade Day.

Tashiba Mallak

Yes.

Tashiba Mallak

So I'll fill in a few details, um, for everyone. Um, Helena-Rose presented to the City Council back in September of 2025,

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right.

Tashiba Mallak

um, after attending a Lemonade Day event in Wilmington. Helena-Rose has had a lemonade stand, um, at our home here in Dover for the last 4 years. She started when she was six. Um, and we attended in 2025 a Lemonade Day event in Wilmington.

Public Commenter

frequently for support to bring that event to Dover. I'm happy to say today while it was not what we envisioned when we started, we ended up partnering with the Inner City Cultural League and on Thursday, July 30th, Helena Rose will be delivering a lemonade stand workshop to the 15 summer camp participants at the Sankofa summer camp, and as a follow-up Councilman Roy Sudler has lobbied for us to have a Lemonade Stand Day for the city of Dover on Saturday, August 15th, and we hope the third Saturday of each of August moving forward each year. We want to give particular thanks while we are here on the record to Councilman David Anderson and Councilwoman Donyale Hall for their generous contributions. All of the participants, all 15 participants of the July 30th workshop will receive workbooks, backpacks, and lemonade stand starter kits. We've also partnered with businesses and homeowners in the area, including Paris Nail Lounge on Governors, Janade's Salon, and a variety of other homeowners to mentor the young entrepreneurs from the workshop and allow them to set up their lemonade stands on their property. And that does highlight this doesn't end here in August. We hope this is the beginning of a tradition for the city of Dover to support youth entrepreneurship and civic engagement. Through the workshop curriculum, all of the participants are encouraged to not only make money, but save it. The workshop includes a financial literacy component. Del-One is one of our partners, and they will be coming to deliver a financial literacy mini-workshop to the participants. And they're also encouraged to give. Each year Helena Rose selects a nonprofit or a cause to give a portion of her earnings from each summer to. So we're hoping that the city will support us in making this a tradition each year for the youth in the city of Dover.

Commissioner

Thank you.

Helena Rose

Thank you.

Public Commenter

Um, and I did share with you, um, Commissioner, um, a flyer for the Lemonade Stand Day.

Commissioner

I will, I'll send it to, um, Ms. Whittler.

Helena Rose

May I hand it to them?

Public Commenter

Yes, you can. And we have a few, I don't know if I have enough for everyone, um...

Commissioner

I will, we'll make a copy.

Commissioner

Can, can you give, can you make sure Ms. Whittler has one?

Public Commenter

These are, um, a flyer for the lemonade stand workshop.

Helena Rose

Does each person get two or give them each different?

Public Commenter

Um, you can give them each two.

Helena Rose

Are they the same one?

Public Commenter

No, they're both different, sweetie.

Helena Rose

Oh, yeah, they are.

Public Commenter

Um, and one gives you some information on Helena Rose's Lemonade Stand, um, and her ongoing fundraising efforts to support this workshop and the work moving...

Female Speaker

moving forward in the future.

DHRC Commissioner

Thank you. Thank you. And thank you.

DHRC Commissioner

So, the lemonade uh day, she said is on the 15th. The 15th of August is the third Saturday in August. We were trying to build upon the lemonade day weekend being um even though it's it's the 15th, that's not the permanent date. We have a permanent day. It just so happens that the 15th falls on the third Saturday in August. That third weekend in August is the weekend, the ideal weekend that we would like to try and implement our community relations weekend. So, with having the lemonade stand day as part of that weekend, that's really like the kick start. That the lemonade stand would most likely be throughout the city of Dover at particular residences, and we would be helping to announce and promote the lemonade event. Lemonade Day event. So, um just for your all's uh for informational purposes only, we talked about having uh bringing the community the the commission bringing the community relations weekend where we can have our constituents in the city of Dover have a a a weekend to um engage with each other and things like that. These are one of the events that helps with that promotion. It helps with that engagement. Helps bring the that's the youth portion, that's some of the youth portion that we're talking about, and we know it starts as they're young. So, um

Public Commenter

Commissioner, could I just add a couple of--

DHRC Commissioner

Yes.

Public Commenter

--things? So just a couple of things I wanted to make sure we added. Um one, you can get more information, um Helena-Rose's Lemonade Stand is on Facebook, and we're regularly updating the page. Um and you can contact us directly if you have any questions at helenaroseslemonadestand, all together, um @gmail.com.

Public Commenter

Um also, we are continuing to ask for support and advocacy. Delaware law does protect children who want to have lemonade stands, um I think it's HB 331. Um there are some caveats, it has to be on public property, I mean, private property with the owner's permission. They have to be temporary. They can't be alcoholic beverages or um like prepared foods. However, um that legislation actually does exclude a number of young people in our community. Children who live in apartment complexes um may have difficulty, their families may have difficulty contacting an owner um to get direct permission. And we did confirm this year that at least under Dover Housing Authority, lemonade stands are prohibited.

Helena Rose-Malak

prohibited. Um, so we are seeking advocacy to allow all children to be able to explore um their entrepreneurial spirit. That is actually why we've engaged local businesses and homeowners to give children who may not have a safe or welcoming place to set up their stands um to be able to have one. We didn't want anyone to not be able to have a stand simply because of where they lived. Um, also there are very clear outcomes. One of our other partners is National Lemonade Day. Um, and when children engage in entrepreneurship and civic action, there are evidenced increases in um school performance, uh reading scores, math scores, and overall self-confidence and self-esteem. So there is real value to supporting um entrepreneurship for our kids in the city. Thank you.

Chair

Thank you. Appreciate it.

Chair

Thank you for your excellent presentation,

Helena Rose-Malak

You're welcome.

Chair

Ms. Helena Rose-Malak.

Chair

Okay, uh we we want to scoot right along. Um, the School Programs Committee, um, Commissioner Maule, Commissioner White, Commissioner Fleming, and myself. Um, for me, I do not have any um announcements regarding the school programs. However, I I do want to let you know that I have been talking to Delaware State University um regarding their community uh their community day that they have once each semester. So it's two times a year, one in the fall semester, one in the spring semester. I'm talking with them to be able to partnership with um The first school is Campus Community School, and then uh also in the Caesar Rodney District uh partnered with um David E. Robinson Elementary School um to also to see when they start uh they were very interested in being involved with that as well. So, um, if we can branch out and and and make sure all of our community is involved and included. And and, you know, we have different areas in Dover. Dover does include some of the Caesar Rodney school children, and we know how those lines are kind of blurred and you might have a Dover address, but have to attend a Caesar Rodney School District institution. So, um, you know, we are partnering with with local schools in both districts. Okay? Um, Commissioner Maule?

Commissioner Maule

Nothing at this time.

Chair

Commissioner Fleming?

Commissioner Fleming

I have nothing at this point.

Chair

Commissioner White?

Chair

Okay. Thank you. We move to the Bylaws uh Committee. Commissioner White, do you have anything you want to suggest for our bylaws?

Commissioner White

Not at this time, but I

Faye White

Call for 78. Um Can we get back Can we get back the next meeting if it's easier and before we decide. Yes. Okay.

Unknown male speaker

No problem. Thank you Commissioner White. Um Commissioner Bunting?

Commissioner Bunting

The same here. I'm going to wait until the next meeting because I still would like to update the bylaws. Um, they're very old um, and they need to incorporate things that are happening today.

Unknown male speaker

So can you um when you return and and we'll talk about when we going to return, when we return for our next meeting. Now, the City Council, of course, everybody is aware that they we were moved to quarterly meetings. We went from 12 a year to 4. Now, we're back right now to 6. Had meeting when I did the presentation for the City Council,

Unknown male speaker

they went ahead and and uh voted to allow us um you know, at least six. We meet every other month. However, we still have the um opportunity and and we can meet in between those uh months if we need to. Okay?

Unknown male speaker

So, the thing is, we have a meeting tonight, which is July. We do not have a scheduled meeting in August. However, I believe we still should have a meeting in August. Would we like to schedule one right now?

Commissioner Jordan

Who seconded? I made the second.

Unknown male speaker

Our at-large commissioner, Commissioner Jordan. Spencer.

Faye White

Make the motion.

Commissioner Jordan

Second.

Unknown male speaker

Okay. It's been properly moved and seconded that we have a meeting in August. Um We're going to stick with the same schedule. Are we under that assumption? We usually meet on that third Tuesday, right?

Unknown male speaker

Okay. That date uh that third Tuesday, what date is that? Is that the 23rd? 23rd or the 22nd?

Unknown male speaker 2

Doctor, someone will have to check cuz uh, doesn't council go on vacation? There's two cases I think, the last two weeks of August they're closed or they don't meet, so I wanted to see if the chamber would be available.

Unknown female speaker

The 22nd.

Unknown male speaker

22nd, I thought so. That's August 22nd. That third Tuesday is August 22nd.

Unknown female speaker

And we want to stick with that, correct?

Unknown male speaker

Okay. So we're going to we want to we want to shoot for August 22nd.

Unknown male speaker

Yes, it will be available. The chamber should be available.

Unknown male speaker

Okay. Okay.

Unknown male speaker

So um it has been properly moved and seconded that we will have our meeting

Chair

Is that that's supposed to be a Wednesday? Or is that a is that a Saturday?

Commissioner

Saturday. It's the 18th.

Chair

18th? Okay.

Commissioner

I was looking at the...

Chair

Tuesday the 18th.

Commissioner

6:00.

Chair

Okay, 6:00.

Chair

And that would be three days after our Lemonade Day. So we would like to, if we can, have a nice little update on how it you know, how things turned out for that Lemonade Day. Mr. and Mrs. Walls, we would like for you to give us an update when it comes time. You'll have a Thank you. Okay.

Chair

Commissioner Spencer, any comments?

Jordan Spencer

No comments.

Chair

Okay.

Chair

So of course, everybody everybody, you do know our our new commissioner, Jordan Spencer. This is his first time being on the commission, but he he has a familiar face in the community.

Commissioner

Yeah, I I thought that he was here before. Didn't you give a presentation one time to City Council, years ago, so many years ago?

Jordan Spencer

Actually you're right. I think so through Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, we were here, and we were able to connect with Mayor Christiansen, and we did speak, so yes.

Commissioner

It's good seeing you again, and congratulations, and thank you for...

Jordan Spencer

Thank you.

Commissioner

...interacting with us.

Chair

Together. All right.

Jordan Spencer

Did you want me to take the time to do a quick introduction for those that don't know, or want to wait until open discussion?

Chair

I'm gonna bring you in under old business.

Jordan Spencer

Thank you for reminding me. All right.

Chair

Old business, cuz it ain't new.

Chair

Okay, um the Finance Committee. Commissioner Brinkley?

Brinkley

Just an update. Um, finances remain the same. The only purchases was business cards for myself and a polo shirt, but future expenditures would be business card for Commissioner Spencer and a polo shirt for Commissioner Spencer as well.

Chair

Okay.

Chair

Um, I just want to report that it was it was mentioned to me on Monday, last Monday, that we only used $91 or $92 out of our budget. I just want to commend you all for for not overspending and having a nice little surplus. Where's the pizza party? No. I'm just playing, for the record.

Chair

Okay. Um, I call it old business. We want to bring in our new commissioner, Mr. Jordan Spencer.

Female Speaker

Please, my apologies for that. But the moneys that are left over from the budget, where does that go?

Male Speaker

Um, it's been rolled over because we're in a we're in a new fiscal year.

Female Speaker

Okay. Because we're not nonprofit, so it does roll over. We don't have to carry that?

Male Speaker

No, we we didn't take over with us, so we don't have 3,000 plus where we left.

Female Speaker

Thank you for that.

Male Speaker

Not a problem. We're back at I believe we're back at our our normal line, which is 3,000. And in the anticipation of um spending funds for our new commissioner, his his business cards as well as his um shirt for the commission.

Female Speaker

Okay. All right. So when when you mention in your uh, can I can I say something? Okay, when you mentioned in your um last um report on Monday, and that we could go out, that we maybe could go out with the young lady with the lemonade stand. Okay, can we um take some of that money and use use that uh for-

Male Speaker

Not not that particular. Okay.

Female Speaker

So if she has a Let me I I apologize. If we If she has a stand, okay, and we have funds that we can interact with-

Male Speaker

We just have to look at the interaction type. That's all. We'll just look at what's going on and how we want to involve ourselves. Because sometimes, for us to be involved, we might have to pay a fee.

Female Speaker

Well, that's what I was saying.

Male Speaker

So, such as like vending. Um there's a There's a event coming up in August and we've been asked to come and vend at the August event. Um and and I believe the cost might be $200. Okay. So, so when we come back in August on our next meeting, we're going to make the decision if we want to vend at that event at that particular time. And the I'll have the actual date, but that event will also be It It will probably be the last Saturday in August.

Female Speaker

When we have the When we have the event, can we have another um um organization uh accompany us or it just has to be Dover Human Relations?

Male Speaker

Well, they asked for Dover Human Relations. I can find out if another-

Female Speaker

If we can party with lemonade.

Male Speaker

I'm sure they wouldn't turn any money around, any money that they-

Female Speaker

They were trying to get funds for that.

Male Speaker

I understand, yes. So we'll we'll we'll we'll be able to We'll figure out some good support for our for our um Lemonade Day. Okay.

Female Speaker

Okay.

Male Speaker

All right. All right. Um back to old business.

Female Speaker

Yes, sir.

Male Speaker

Commissioner.

Jordan Spencer

So again, Jordan Spencer, uh at-large commissioner. I am a homeowner here in Dover, Delaware. Uh again, I went to Delaware State University, got my undergraduate degree in forensic biology and I got my master's degree in public administration. Little bit about myself. Uh after I graduated, I did work at Delaware State University, so I was in the the alumni-

Commissioner Spencer

nomination's office, then from there I helped to get uh then Congresswoman uh Blunt Rochester elected to the US Senate. And then now currently I am with the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce as the senior manager of community engagement. Uh I would say I'm a jack of all trades, if you will. Um I've been in the community for a while now, uh as an undergraduate student and now as a full-time adult. I'm also involved with the Zeta Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. I'm the ambassador for the Racial Equity Consortium which is uh signed into law through the uh 100 151st General Assembly House Bill 375, so we advocate for black and brown and all communities in the state of Delaware and we are funded through the General Assembly each fiscal year. So, with all of that being said, as I mentioned earlier, I am big on collaboration. Uh as a 25-year-old, I again I see the value in what the capital can be, what Delaware can be. So, as a point guard, I don't know who plays sports, basketball, football, so point guard, quarterback, whatever I can do to assist or to connect uh individuals in the community to help you guys out, I am open, I I'm here to help, and I'm here to stay. So, thank you for the time and I look forward to continuing to work with everybody.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you, Commissioner Spencer. Um, do we have any other uh comments regarding old business? Old business.

Commissioner

Chair Sudler, you can find the annual report online, and I call it old business cuz it's old now.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Any new business? Any new business? Anybody want to bring anything forward for new business? Our next meeting date again will be August 18th, and then after August 18th, we will meet again in September. Okay? September is our regular schedule. All right. Okay. Commissioner Spencer.

Commissioner Spencer

And I will have some new business. I have some pending projects uh that is greatly going to assist the city of Dover, so I would be happy to share that. Hopefully, they will be into fruition by August, so stay tuned.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. And we will have um, please do not forget, so our comments from our public comments, don't let us leave without us seeing you. We're going to adjourn this meeting, but we'll still be here for you.

Public Commenter

Right.

Commissioner

Mm-mm, Miss Bonnie, we know where to find you.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All right, I'll make a motion to ad- I mean, I'll I'll I'll entertain a motion for us to adjourn.

Commissioner

I make a motion for adjournment.

Female Commissioner

Second.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Can you tell me who seconded that?

Commissioner

Excuse me, Dr. Sudler, we got a quick question from the gallery, someone had her hands up.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Young lady?

Public Commenter

Don't...

Roy Sudler, Jr.

And don't forget, um make sure you make sure you take care of that when we adjourn.

Unknown Speaker

Yes.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Don't let us leave without taking care of your comment.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All right. So um it's been properly moved and seconded that we adjourn at this time, which is 7:33:59 seconds, 7:34. Question on the motion?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

You sure? You want no question on the motion?

Meeting Participant

Not at this point in time, Dr. Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All right, all those in favor?

Meeting Participant

Aye. Aye.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All those opposed have the same right. Motion carries. We are adjourned.