Tuesday, August 11, 2026, City Hall, City of Dover, Delaware
AI summary
The Dover Council Committee of the Whole met on August 11, 2026, to consider several key municipal matters across its standing committees. Under the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee, members recommended advancing a framework to revise active recreation requirements for residential developments under the State's SJR 8 Land Use Reform pilot program, aiming to reduce regulatory barriers to affordable housing and clarify cash-in-lieu fees. The Utility Committee recommended the abandonment of a segment of Liberty Street right-of-way to facilitate the State's Legislative Hall expansion project. In the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee, members debated Proposed Ordinance #2025-19 to adopt the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) codes, focusing heavily on residential fire sprinkler requirements and the 50% renovation threshold; the committee voted to advance the ordinance to City Council, with an amendment supported to explore exempting existing residential structures from full sprinkler retrofits during renovations. The committee also accepted the FY 2026 Audit Program and heard presentations on the city's quarterly investment portfolio and the Delaware Opioid Settlement funding distribution.
Accept the staff recommendation and forward Proposed Ordinance #2025-19 to council for approval
Passed. 6 yes, 1 no, 2 absent
Propose an amendment to exempt existing residential structures from the sprinkler requirement
Passed. 6 yes, 1 abstain, 2 absent
Adoption of the Council Committee of the Whole agenda
Passed 7 yes, 2 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, Gerald L. Rocha, Sr..
Recommend acceptance of the staff recommendation to forward a recommendation on how to proceed with the proposed framework for active recreation requirements to City Council, with the recommendation to draft ordinances for review according to the proposed timeline
Passed 7 yes, 2 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, Gerald L. Rocha, Sr..
Recommend acceptance of the staff recommendation for the abandonment of Liberty Street as recommended by Public Works and the Planning Commission
Passed 7 yes, 2 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, Gerald L. Rocha, Sr..
Recommend acceptance of the staff recommendation for the acceptance of the 2026 Audit Program
Passed 7 yes, 2 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, Gerald L. Rocha, Sr..
1. Adoption of Agenda and Council Reports - July 2026
Council Committee of the Whole agenda adoption and monthly reports from council members and Council President.
2. Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement: Potential Changes to Active Recreation Requirements for Residential Development
Review and discussion of proposed framework to revise active recreation and cash-in-lieu requirements under the SJR 8 Land Use Reform pilot program to remove barriers to housing development.
3. Utility Committee: Request for Alley Abandonment [Improved] – Liberty Street
Request to abandon approximately 19,000 square feet of improved right-of-way on Liberty Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd North and South for the State Legislative Hall expansion project.
4. Legislative, Finance, and Administration: Proposed Ordinance #2025-19 – Adoption of 2024 ICC Codes
Review of proposed ordinance updating Dover's building, residential, existing building, pool, fire, and property maintenance codes from the 2009 to the 2024 ICC editions, including residential sprinkler mandates.
5. Legislative, Finance, and Administration: Investment Portfolio Presentation
Presentation by PFM Asset Management on Dover's quarterly investment performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
6. Legislative, Finance, and Administration: Discussion – Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Program
Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Program presented by the Finance Department.
7. Legislative, Finance, and Administration: Delaware Opioid Settlement Commission Funding Disbursement
Discussion and public input regarding recommendations and disbursement procedures for opioid settlement funding allocations.
5 in person, 3 remote, 2 absent.