Monday, November 10, 2025, City Hall, City of Dover, Delaware
AI summary
At the November 10, 2025 Dover City Council meeting, the council addressed intense community pushback regarding proposed Ordinance 2025-21 concerning pedestrian safety and restrictions on standing in roadway medians, which the public and council discussed primarily as an issue impacting panhandling and the unhoused. Council voted 8-1 (with Councilman Lewis voting nay) to refer the pedestrian safety ordinance back to committee and staff for revisions after removing it from the consent agenda and hearing extensive public comment. Additionally, council approved the rezoning of 600 South State Street (Lands of Bayhealth Medical Center) from RG-O to I-O (8-0, Lewis abstaining) and conducted first readings of ordinances regarding vehicle billable rates (Ordinance 2025-18) and strictly enforced speed limits in residential areas (Ordinance 2025-20).
Move to remove Item #14 (Proposed Ordinance #2025-21) from the consent agenda for discussion.
Passed. 7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain
Play from 20:36Move to approve proposed Ordinance #2025-15 rezoning 600 South State Street from RG-O to I-O.
Passed. 8 yes, 1 abstain
Play from 53:30Move to refer proposed Ordinance #2025-21 back to committee and staff for edits.
Passed. 8 yes, 1 no
Play from 1:56:09Move to adopt the agenda.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 18:29Move to approve the consent agenda as amended.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 27:36Move to consider final reading of proposed Ordinance #2025-15 by title only.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 34:03Move to open the discussion to the public and suspend the current rules to hear from the community now.
Passed 9 yes.
Play from 2:05:171. Adoption of Agenda
Council voted to adopt the meeting agenda.
Play from 18:2614. Motion to Remove Proposed Ordinance #2025-21 from Consent Agenda
Council voted on a motion by Councilman Lewis to remove Proposed Ordinance #2025-21 (Pedestrian Safety/median standing) from the consent agenda for discussion.
Play from 18:4811. Removal of People's Community Center Economic Development Fund Application Review from Consent Agenda
Council agreed to remove Item 11 from the consent agenda to allow discussion.
Play from 26:24Consent. Approval of Consent Agenda as Amended
Approval of the consent agenda minus items 11 and 14.
Play from 27:05Proclamation. GIS Day and Geography Awareness Week Proclamation
Presentation of proclamation to GIS Manager Mike Walker.
Play from 28:08Public Hearing. Public Hearing and Final Reading - Proposed Ordinance #2025-15 (Rezoning of 600 South State Street - Lands of Bayhealth Medical Center)
Public hearing and rezoning approval of 1.0035 acres from RG-O to I-O, subject to the SWPOZ overlay.
Play from 32:4011. Review of the People's Community Center Economic Development Fund Application
Presentation by Dr. Derek Hodge on behalf of People's Community Center regarding their workforce development program and funding request.
Play from 54:2514. Discussion and Referral of Proposed Ordinance #2025-21 (Pedestrian Safety)
Discussion on median pedestrian safety, panhandling, enforcement, and referral back to committee and staff for edits.
Play from 1:14:45Public Forum. Reopened Open Forum / Public Comment
Suspension of rules to take public comments regarding homelessness, housing, and the proposed pedestrian safety ordinance.
Play from 2:05:00First Reading 1. First Reading - Proposed Ordinance #2025-18 (Vehicle Billable Rates)
Amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article V, Finance by adding Section 2-427 New Vehicle Billable Rates to match FEMA reimbursement rates.
Play from 3:01:53First Reading 2. First Reading - Proposed Ordinance #2025-20 (Strictly Enforced Traffic in Residential Districts)
Amending Chapter 106, Traffic and Vehicles, Article I, In General, by adding Section 106-18 Strictly Enforced.
Play from 3:04:1010 in person.