Transcript: Regular Council Meeting
Monday, March 9, 2026
Machine transcript. Speaker names are machine-identified and can be wrong. Check the recording.
Showing 594 of 594 statements
Fred A. Neil
We have before you the evening agenda and I'll entertain a motion for its adoption. Councilwoman Arndt?
Play from 00:00Tricia K. Arndt
Thank you for recognizing me. I have an amendment, a proposed amendment to the agenda. If we could move item 22, the lemon housing ordinance, up to item 8. We have members of staff and members of the real estate committee or community that are here to speak on that ordinance, I thought we could get them out a little sooner.
Play from 00:04Fred A. Neil
It's been seconded. Any discussion? All in favor of the change and the amendment and the motion, please say aye.
Play from 00:16Fred A. Neil
Any opposed? Hearing none, the amendment and the agenda has been adopted.
Play from 00:22Fred A. Neil
We now have before you the consent agenda. These are items on the consent agenda which are considered routine and non-controversial and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the council. There'll be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the council so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item. What is the pleasure of council?
Play from 00:25Fred A. Neil
It's uh eight to one with one absent. It has passed. Now we have proclamations. The Irish uh History Month, and I'll ask uh Councilwoman Arndt to please stand with uh anyone here from... You're going to be receiving the the uh proclamation.
Play from 01:25Fred A. Neil
Yes, you are. We do have people here: Sandy Jenkins, Marge Felty, and Roberta Faircloth. Please come forward.
Play from 01:36Fred A. Neil
And the president. Please please come forward, folks. And we have Mr. Claycomb and uh bring Ed McNamara up as well, if we have everybody there. Please read the proclamation into the record.
Play from 02:10Tricia K. Arndt
Whereas, the city of Dover proudly joins communities across the nation in recognizing March 2024 as Irish History Month, a time to celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and enduring contributions of Irish Americans. And whereas, Irish immigrants began arriving in America in significant numbers in the 18th and 19th centuries, bringing with them resilience, faith, and a strong work ethic that helped shape our nation's growth and prosperity. And whereas, Irish Americans have played a vital role in the founding and development of the United States, including three signers of the Declaration of Independence, George Read, Thomas McKean, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, each of Irish descent. And whereas, throughout American history, Irish Americans have served with distinction in government, public safety, education, business, military service,
Play from 02:18City Clerk
labor, arts, and civic life, strengthening communities large and small. And whereas the traditions of Ireland, including music, dance, literature, and celebration, continue to enrich our cultural landscape, especially as we commemorate the legacy of St. Patrick each March. And whereas, in the city of Dover, residents of Irish heritage and all those who embrace Irish culture have contributed meaningfully to civic, economic, and social fabric of our community. Now, therefore, I, Robin R. Christiansen, Mayor of the city of Dover, Delaware, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as Irish History Month in the city of Dover and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the achievements, history, and lasting contributions of Irish Americans and to reflect on the values of perseverance, community, and service that continue to inspire our nation.
Play from 03:16Fred A. Neil
Take a picture, but also we'll give you the opportunity, Mr. Clendaniel, to talk about it. And I want to let you know that officially from now until the end of the parade, I'm Fred O'Neil. And I can talk like an Irishman if I have to.
Play from 04:13Public Speaker
And will we see everybody on March 14th? Yes, for the parade. Thank you.
Play from 05:07Fred A. Neil
For the record, I will be participating with you folks in the parade, but I'm not going to have a float like you will.
Play from 05:23Fred A. Neil
Okay, American Red Cross Month. I ask Councilwoman Pillsbury to step to the podium and invite, uh do we have someone here for uh, for Red Cross? No. You will be accepting. Oh, we do have someone. That's right, she's here. And we called her earlier. And Madam Clerk, please read the uh, Red Cross Month proclamation into the record.
Play from 05:31City Clerk
Whereas, for 145 years, the American Red Cross has provided relief, comfort, and hope to those in need, inspired by its founder, Clara Barton, who first brought humanitarian relief efforts to communities across our nation. And whereas, the American Red Cross Delmarva Chapter faithfully responds to disasters of all sizes, whether it is delivering shelter, food, and comfort after disasters, providing safe, lifesaving blood supply for patients facing conditions like cancer treatments, childbirth complications, and traumatic injuries, assisting military members, veterans, and their families with 24/7 global support, or empowering individuals with skills like first aid and CPR that save lives. And whereas, these collective efforts are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to one another. And whereas, March is nationally recognized as American Red Cross Month, a time to honor the everyday heroes who give their time, donate blood, contribute resources, and answer the call to serve neighbors in times of crisis. Now, therefore, I, Robin R. Christiansen, Mayor of the city of Dover, Delaware, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as American Red Cross Month in the city of Dover and urge all residents to recognize the vital contributions of the American Red Cross
Play from 05:56Speaker
Delmarva Chapter, and to support its humanitarian mission through volunteerism, blood donation, financial support, and community engagement.
Play from 06:33Robin R. Christiansen
Time for a little bit picture taking and comments from both of our ladies.
Play from 06:41Speaker
There you go. Thank you very much. Um the American Red Cross does an amazing job, and I would like to, on behalf of everyone here, thank you for the service that you provide, not only when we have disaster or an emergency, but with the blood drive, with all of the services that you provide us. It's a great resource. Thank you. And you get to say a few words too.
Play from 06:48Red Cross Representative
Well, thank you very much, and I'm honored to be here. And actually the piece of the Red Cross that actually I work in and most of you wouldn't even be aware of is something called Red Cross Clubs, where we have, in the state of Delaware, many high schools that participate on the same level as adults. They do blood drives, they actually do fundraising. So I welcome the opportunity to be more involved with those high schools here in the state of Delaware. So thank you again for all of your support and your earnest volunteering. We totally appreciate it. We wouldn't be able to do this work without you. Thank you.
Play from 07:16Robin R. Christiansen
Thank you. We now have a certificate of recognition for Kay Sass, and I'm going to ask Mr. Lewis uh to bring Ms. Sass up to the podium. And I would suggest, by the very basis of what this certificate is, any member of council who wishes to join them in salute to Kay Sass, please feel free to come up and join them.
Play from 08:37Brian E. Lewis
During our last city council meeting, I commended Ms. Duca and her staff to include um the code enforcement division uh with the chief, Eddie Kopp, for their professionalism, commitment, and um service during the recent two snowstorms that we had. Ms. Sass wasn't available at that meeting, so I felt it appropriate to give her this certificate of recognition because Ms. Sass plays an important role in our city. She is our emergency coordinator, our emergency management coordinator, and uh not only does she deal with keeping the city safe on a daily basis, uh she also keeps us, in particular with these last two horrific snowstorms, abreast of weather conditions along with the public. Uh she also uh receives phone calls uh that are for us, city council members and staff, and deals with various complaints and such. So, I personally feel that uh she is deserving of this, so I had this certificate of recognition made up for her, which I will read into the record. Presented to Kay Sass, in sincere appreciation and recognition of your exceptional leadership, diligence, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents of the City of Dover during the two most recent snowstorms. Your proac-
Play from 09:02Robin R. Christiansen
active planning, careful coordination, and steadfast attention to critical safety concerns ensured that the city operations continued effectively and efficiently during challenging weather conditions. Your consistent communication and timely updates to City Council and the public provided clarity, reassurance, and transparency throughout each event. The City of Dover extends its deepest gratitude for your professionalism, dedication to public service, and tireless effort to keep our community informed, prepared, and safe. And this goes to you, Ms. Sass.
Play from 09:49Robin R. Christiansen
And after Ms. Sass speaks, if she would like to, um, any council members are welcome up here.
Play from 10:17Kay Sass
I want to say thank you first of all. I'm really blessed to work with a great team, because I couldn't do what I do without everyone else. So I do want to name a few more people if I may: from Public Works, Mark Nowak, Antonio Bray, Mark Hurd, and their crews; Parks and Rec Grounds Division, Roger Ridgeway, Nate Farrow, and their crews; Central Services Fleet Division, Mike Hamlett, Bryan Ennis, and crew; Electric Department, Paul Waddell, Sean Briguet, Chris Vinson, Jamie Sack, and their crews; and our Water and Wastewater Division, Jason Lyon, Tate Nells, John Sisson, Sean Ridgeway, and crew; our first responders, who too have no choice but to be out during that weather: our police, fire, and EMS.
Play from 10:22Kay Sass
Special thanks to our fire department for allowing us to stage our EMS resources again at Station 1 and Station 2; and uh arranging with, you know we work with Kent County, DEMA, uh this time around we had the shelter open, so it was Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, and of course the Red Cross. And somebody that often doesn't get recognized for something she does either is Sharon Duca. Every single phone call and bridge call that I'm on throughout the entire storm, and sometimes as early as 5:00 a.m., Sharon has been on with me for the last at least 15 years. So, you know, that's kind of a a great godsend for me as well, that I have her support whenever I do everything. So thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Play from 11:11Robin R. Christiansen
Annual report, Downtown Dover Partnership, and I invite Ms. Diane Laird to join us at the pres- podium for the presentation.
Play from 12:06Diane Laird
Good evening. I'm Diane Laird with the Downtown Dover Partnership, and pleased to be with you this evening. The annual report gives us a terrific opportunity to review the year behind us and the year ahead. We have some outstanding news to share,
Play from 12:13Diane Laird
and I'll just say that it's uh it's always enlightening for me to just take this snapshot of time to look at the uh look at the things that have happened over the year and the things to come with a cadre of leaders in the city, outside of the city, at the state, at the federal level, at the at the grassroots level. Uh just as as uh Kay mentioned, you you don't do this work without a huge group, a community truly of volunteers and professionals and people simply interested in what
Play from 12:22Diane Laird
we're trying to achieve. I do want to mention this is a draft annual report. Our uh board of directors has not yet approved it, but I find it always interesting to come to the City Council first. Uh we may make some adjustments or clarifications just to ensure that it's clear and it's uh concise and also comprehensive. It's fairly hard to take uh just a few pages and try to bring to uh sort of an abbreviated fashion uh the the level of of detail and complexity that we deal with as well as the breadth of things that we deal with. So I'm going to start by highlighting a few of our accomplishments of 2025. I will end with some uh forecasting of what is in the year that we are currently in, 2026, and in the in the in the middle, I'll tell you about some of the highlights of those activities. Uh one of the most exciting uh uh uh achievements of the year was the groundbreaking for the Mobility Center. This is a very large-scale project, the first redevelopment priority project that we have undertaken, been working on for the last 3 years. Our master plan, as a reminder, did come to fruition and delivery in 2023, January of 2023. So we've been working on that for 3 years, and I'm happy to say that we did have the groundbreaking. We anticipate parking cars by December. And um I wanted to come tonight with a really uh great signed paper. I don't have it quite yet, but we're preparing to sign a lease for uh a retention measure in the city of about 85 employees uh and hope to announce that by the end of the week. But that will be the first floor, the first uh a half of the space of the first floor of the Mobility Center. And uh as I said, hopefully you'll hear about that by the end of this week or early next week. That's significant, and I can't wait to tell you more about it. But it is it is something that we didn't envision for the Mobility Center. When the opportunity came to us, uh we quickly jumped on it, and we shifted plans for the structure itself. And of course the prices went up some, the time expanded, but we are going to be parking cars by the end of this year, and we will have the new tenant in place uh next year, uh probably by spring. I want to mention a great partnership, uh well always a great partnership with the City. We have it very all levels, all uh departments, uh great relationships and work together. But one of the uh exciting uh opportunities that is underway in planning stages, and implementation will be next year, is for the downtown Dover pathways and Loockerman Street uh traffic calming uh measures that will go in concert with the water and wastewater improvements for Loockerman Street. I want to mention Marilyn uh from Dover Kent MPO, Marilyn Smith here, who was integral to bringing the conceptuals and bringing the community together, coming up with the concept for the improvements, and then moving ahead to uh actual implementation with the City in terms of the planning, and then implementation of the project next year. Uh I'm excited to say our other primary uh let's say one of the top two priority projects
Play from 13:06Diane Laird
projects is 120 South Governors Avenue, known as The Governor, mixed-use 120 mixed-income apartments, and that will also have a small-scale, but full-scale grocery, a cafe, several micro-retail shops, a daycare with an open outdoor play area that will be open to the public, and a wellness center. So we're anticipating final approvals, and well, we've got all the approvals, but we're anticipating the final capital stack of $53 million or so dollars to be put together so that we can break ground within a year.
Play from 16:23Diane Laird
We're very excited to have learned that our developer, Mosaic Development Partners in Philadelphia, has received a $1.5 million grant from Federal Home Loan Bank recently, and that bodes well for New Markets Tax Credits. We also have a LIHTC application in, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and these are all necessary sources of funding to ensure some affordable housing along with market-rate housing. So more to come on that, but the plans are going well. The money is being raised.
Play from 16:49Diane Laird
And all this to say that private investment is occurring, we believe largely and maybe overwhelmingly, as a result of the plans to transform downtown Dover. Putting putting ideas onto paper and developing a roadmap brings people to a place of wanting to get in on the good news. And so, mentioning First Capital Center, we have the Halperns here, Ryan and Joel Halpern, who've made quite an investment in renovating that building, making some terrific improvements on that. Also, the old post, of course owned by the city, in the hands of now a developer that's creating approximately 42 market-rate apartments and other commercial amenities. And also the Loockerman Way Plaza is well on its on its way for some terrific development. And two of these projects include restaurants, and restaurants are critical to a revitalized, thriving downtown. So we're very excited that that is underway.
Play from 17:42Diane Laird
And I don't have it specifically in here, I do actually at the end, but our Critical Improvements Program is still underway. This year was not as much of an outcome or success as we had hoped to to be. We were working with quite a few more challenged business owners and property owners, and even despite quite a bit of hand-holding, their projects could not get off the ground. And so we are we've gone back to the application stage. We're opening a third round, and we're including restaurants and commercial kitchens even in as a redevelopment project because they are critical for downtown. So that's an exciting advance on that program coming coming into 2026.
Play from 18:57Diane Laird
To go into some of our committee work, we're on we're have volunteer committees of of of grassroots population as well as professionals. And just to name a few things, these aren't all the projects within the committees, but just to name a few, we have a Downtown Dover Dollars program,
Play from 19:26Diane Laird
program, it's called our Yiftee program. And we invest this year we invested almost $5,000 into that program as a BOGO. So, another 5,000 was invested. You may have participated. I got a $75 free for purchasing $75. I get haircuts with that, that what what I put in and the BOGO. But this is money that must go into downtown Dover. It can't go out to another town, it can't go out on Route 13. So, we had 11 businesses benefited from that. And that's really very exciting.
Play from 19:39Diane Laird
Uh we've assisted quite a number of businesses here and I think it's really important to note that through our uh contractor uh workshops uh for work locally, we had over 60 local contractors participate, uh some minority, some not, most very local or at least within the region, and they are being filtered through uh the the processes at EDiS Construction and Builders to find out if there are logical matches for work that's going to happen here at the Mobility Center.
Play from 20:01Diane Laird
Um the design committee worked on a very exciting project this uh this year, and you can see right there in the center. That's actually a metal um uh artistic way to uh keep people from being on, loitering, and sitting, and doing other things on those steps there in front of the old Sears building outside of 32 West. Uh 32 West uh restaurant became sort of the uh audience for what happened across the street, and it wasn't usually very promising. There's a bus stop there and a crosswalk. And there was a uh terrific uh compilation of partners, the Division of Arts, Keep Delaware Beautiful, the DDP, and the property owner, to come together with the funding to create a beautiful way to sort of keep people from being on that area. So, we feel that was a real win both in developing partnerships for a great outcome, and it was a successful, what is known as CPTED uh uh outcome, crime prevention through environmental design. So, we're very excited about that.
Play from 20:49Diane Laird
Events and activities: our 7th annual Paint Dover took place. We had over 20 artists, 27 artists participating in that. And the also the big win with that is that uh we do that in partnership with the Biggs Museum. And the Biggs Museum is an accredited, high- high-quality museum. They're working on a master plan as well uh, as well as Bayhealth and DSU. And this is exciting to know that we're all kind of entering new territory to partner and engage and enlarge our each of our audiences uh to make something big and better.
Play from 21:57Diane Laird
A new activity last year was the Fire and Ice Festival. The purpose of that event is to bring people in the community down to see what is going on with the plan. We opened up The Hive, we had lots of uh pictures and posters of the of uh what's going on with the master plan, the buildings, the the things that have happened in the year, the things to come. We need to keep our community engaged and motivated about what we're doing. We had over 500 people in there on Friday night and throughout Saturday uh last January. We ran it again this year uh under the name Winterfest Downtown Dover, changed that name. We had a train there. That was
Play from 22:18Diane Laird
pretty exciting, thanks to the Mayor and City uh City of Dover. Uh, but we will continue that um as long as we believe there is value in it. We believe there's great value in allowing people to come out in the middle of winter and see what's happening uh in the year ahead and to look at a full exhibition of beautiful ice sculptures. And so hopefully we will do that again next year.
Play from 22:56Diane Laird
Uh, we do knit quite a number of strategic partnerships. I failed to note Dover Kent MPO and the KEP, both of whom are terrific partners of ours. Uh, we don't work day to day, but we do significant work uh behind the scenes in support of one another.
Play from 23:10Diane Laird
The merchants committee taking a little bit of a break latter part of this year, uh but they do uh uh increase camaraderie, have mixed uh sort of um uh merchant mixers where they can get together. We host merchant uh window decorating contests to ensure that downtown Dover is getting good marketing about their uh windows and the beauty of downtown. Even as we we're struggling. I mean, downtowns is moving slowly in terms of revitalization. We're doing a lot, but revitalization takes a long time. So, some of these interim uh beautification efforts help us to be motivated as we develop these larger projects.
Play from 23:19Diane Laird
Um, we started electronic sales of uh parking permits, and that's exciting because this is a transition to a paid parking system uh through the Mobility Center and Colonial Management, who will be maintaining and managing that parking garage, which will will be owned by, you can see the logo just below, the Capital City Transformation Alliance. This is a new entity that was formed, a 501(c)(3) entity, and uh what will happen is that entity will own the garage. Funding that goes into uh parking will after maintenance and management of the facility will go right back into downtown revitalization. And that is through the city's forward-thinking um uh gift, really, to downtown through the DDP. Uh, they have given us the responsibility to manage parking assets, and the funding does not go back into the city operating fund as it does in most cities throughout the country, but that funding will come back into revitalizing downtown. So, more to come on that in the years to come.
Play from 24:10Diane Laird
Uh, we've got a lot a lot of volunteer hours valued at about $90,000, and I would say that's a conservative estimate, but nearly $100,000 value of volunteer time is pretty significant. Uh, grant sponsorships, etc., were over $5 million this year, largely through the uh state bond uh funds, but the remaining $282,200 does not go unnoticed because a small project like the metal art uh there at at the old Sears building is just as important as some of these other bigger projects. So, we do want to count for all the funding that comes in is is uh uh used toward betterment of downtown.
Play from 25:15Diane Laird
So, the Mobility Center here, you see the two views, and I've already talked about the grand opening, parking cars in the in the uh year to come. And well, at the end of this year and in the year to come. So, very exciting.
Play from 26:04Diane Laird
Um, and then as we look on the horizon at 2026, uh we've talked about the mobility center, I've mentioned the wastewater and water improvements as well as ground-level improvements and enhancements to support uh vehicular calming and to increase pedest pedestrian activity, widened sidewalks to allow for seating on um on the on the sidewalk for restaurant seating, uh and more activation, more eyes on the street, another CPTED measure to ensure uh more eyes on the street to reduce crime. Um, The Governor, we talked about slightly, but the priority mixed-use redevelopment project, I've already mentioned uh what's going in there and what kind of funding we are looking at. I will just say that uh we're looking at right the end of the year or early next year. By this time next year, I anticipate that we'll have had a grand opening. We anticipate a 30-month build, and uh that project is on track. So, uh as I uh kind of wrap up, I want to um just mention that the uh capacity and restructuring of the DDP, I I brought this last year. We had some staffing changes, and we had some restructuring. We have not hired other than several contractors to uh complete specific subject matter uh work for us, uh such as uh working with the critical improvements program and ensuring that we have a good technical assistance for the people that want to make improvements to their buildings. We've had marketing assistance. We'll be launching a new website by the end of this week, and um we also have uh Ken Anderson, our our property uh direct real uh realm director. Did I say that right?
Play from 26:12Diane Laird
It's a long title. But he's a big guy, so he can handle a big title. Anyway, that's an annual contract. We've been very careful not to incur more expenses than we can than we can uh hold up uh on in our in our budget. While we have quite a few funds coming in for projects and capital expenses, we do not have an overwhelming uh amount of operational funding, and so we've appreciated the $150,000 a year that the um City Council, and mayor, uh and uh manager uh have allotted us. I do have a letter to give to the city clerk tonight. Uh, we are requesting 175,000, a modest increase from the typical 150,000. We've been operating with uh in-house staff of 1.5 full-time people, so we have 1 and 1/2 people operating in-house, and we've been running strong. We've not compromised in quality or breadth of what we're doing, but we do need to hire. We've also hired uh the accounting firm. Uh, the city has provided for 30 years our accounting for our accounting needs, uh and we have uh contracted with Faw Casson this year. That's come at a cost of a minimum of $60,000, and we will have to have an audit, uh which is not something we've done previously, so we're we're hovering at $85,000 this year in this transition. And so, uh we do we do ask that you uh take seriously consideration on our request for $175,000. Uh, it is largely for
Play from 28:33Diane Laird
staff salary, but also for some of these required expenses that have not been, uh, to heretofore, part of DDP's operations. Um, I do want to mention just a couple of other things. Uh, let's see, state state bond funds. I didn't talk about that. 5 million state funds this year. We're seeking again, funding. We've got a little over 30 million. We've got big projects, one hovering at 23 million, another at 54 million. And so, we're, uh, you know, still still seeking funds, but we're, uh, well on our way. Uh, we also just learned of a $500,000, uh, federal appropriation that we've been awarded this year. We asked for 5 million. We got 500,000. And somebody reminded me, it's, you know, it's kind of an interesting day when we're a little disappointed in $500,000. So, that's still a really good a number. But we will continue to seek funding for project-specific elements
Play from 29:29Diane Laird
or entire projects, and, uh, we're we're, um, we're very excited about that. The And I will emphasize again, private investment is occurring as a result of DDP taking the lead with the city and others to create a plan and start to implement it, because that builds confidence in in others to make investments, and we're seeing it happen. So, it is it it is a slow process, but it's happening. Uh, that kind of wraps up my points. If I can turn around and ask my colleagues if they have anything, Todd Stonesifer, board president, or Ken Anderson? Won't say it a long title again. Any comments? Todd, I know you have comments. See, you're, no, not saying anything. Ken, do you have any comments?
Play from 31:09Diane Laird
All right. Will you come on up? My colleague Ken Anderson, Property Development Director, or he may he may say, Property Implementation Director, I'm not sure. I'll let you say it.
Play from 31:51the Redevelopment Implementation
Hi, Ken Anderson. I'm the Redevelopment Implementation Director. I was the Property Development Director for the last year and a half. I just want to encourage everybody, um, Diane mentioned about an impending, um, lease as a part of the mobility center. You know, a lot of a lot of uh cities build infrastructure similar to the mobility center. They build hotels, and one of the most difficult things for them to, um, accomplish is to get a tenant.
Play from 32:00the Redevelopment Implementation
Well, we can be encouraged that people outside this room are so encouraged by what they see happening in the city of Dover, with all our other challenges, that they were willing, and is not a done deal, it's like 99.9%, willing to pursue a process with us to sign up for a tenant space in a building that isn't even built yet. 85 employees. I think that bodes well for the perception of the city of Dover by people who work in the city of Dover, who may not necessarily live in Dover. I think we can all be encouraged by that.
Play from 32:31Todd Stonesifer
Well, thanks Diane. Todd Stonesifer. It's been an honor to be the president uh of the board of directors of the Downtown Dover Partnership. We have been making leaps and bounds of progress and I can't wait until the end of this year because you're going to actually be able to see something for the uh fruits of our efforts. And we wouldn't be able to do any of this work without Diane Laird. She works about 100 hours a week and uh and she is the backbone of this organization. So, great work, Diane. Great presentation. I'm sure you guys have questions and so if you do, we're here to answer them. Uh thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for your support.
Play from 32:45Diane Laird
Thank you Ken, and Todd, Todd's our our volunteer board president, and as I've said before, there's always one person in a city or town, a volunteer, that leads the effort, and without whom, uh, the efforts wouldn't be wouldn't be nearly where they are.
Play from 32:46Fred A. Neil
I'm going to open it up with one question. You're not looking for $175,000 tonight, are you?
Play from 33:23Fred A. Neil
Okay, because we have a budget process. Some people don't understand that we have started a budget process which is a continual process, and that the give and take between the different departments and requests that are coming in. And periodically we will have another meeting uh for the the council uh in terms of where we are on the budget and then we'll continue on. So this is an ongoing thing from January 30th on down to to the time that we will actually have a final budget, but uh you're looking to have it included. So.
Play from 33:33Tricia K. Arndt
Not not a question, but just a statement. Um, I just want to— you know, change is hard and it's very hard for people to to process change. Um, and I just want to thank you for showing us what's possible, cuz I think that that is the hardest part um for so many. Um, they see downtown and they don't see what it could be. So I just want to thank you for bringing the vision and not just bringing the vision, but working so hard to make that vision happen. Um, you and Ken and Morgan and and Todd, um I'm just amazed by the work that you've put forward, and I'm really looking forward to what's to come. So thank you.
Play from 34:53Brian E. Lewis
Uh good evening. Uh I think you answered uh two of my questions. Uh one was um when will be your next audit? And you had indicated uh it would be next year, uh this year?
Play from 35:28Brian E. Lewis
Okay. Um, the other question I had was who does your financials now, and you had indicated that you uh have an accounting firm that does that.
Play from 35:49Diane Laird
work and their own accounting is in order, their tax returns and all, then they can, you know, move along pretty successfully, and very successfully, using those other incentives, city incentives, etc. We're We're offering consulting through Ann Marie Townshend. We've hired her to work with each of the critical improvements um appli- applicants to ensure that they understand what is required of them in terms of permitting, what's allowed and required in terms of sprinklering, or any number or anything having to do with with the uh with the building that they want to make improvements on. Um, and, as I said, this time we're looking at it to en- enlarge it because we've been three years now working on Loockerman Street. We've had over 20 applicants at the time, we've had probably eight finalize their projects, but we need to kind of broaden what we're considering critical, and that's why we're looking at restaurants, and even new construction as a possibility. But uh we've had to disallocate or unallocate, deallocate funding because the projects weren't moving ahead and we want to see change, and we want to be responsible with the funding.
Play from 36:02Todd Stonesifer
And it's important to note that this funding came from uh the State of Delaware through a bond program, and it has partic- partic- specific strings attached to it. So, what we can
Play from 37:14Brian E. Lewis
Uh my next question, or final question is, we all want to see downtown Dover flourish, but we have a public safety and crime issue. Um, is there any funding available to assist with public safety on your part?
Play from 37:29Todd Stonesifer
It's important to note that these funds come from the State of Delaware, and they are earmarked for specific projects. So no, this funding does not, is not able to be redirected or redeployed towards crime prevention. However, with all of that said, the work that we will do will put 120 sets, minimum, of eyes on the street. And those sets of eyes on the street have, part of the plan is that those sets of eyes will have a deterrent effect on the crime. It will also put a brand new building in a location in which there is uh what I would consider a vacuum right now, which is a location that is dark, no lights, and uh allows for an open-air drug market and and makes it mischief. So, we believe, while it's not direct directly spent on crime prevention, it will have an effect on crime prevention.
Play from 37:47Brian E. Lewis
I beg I'd beg to differ, but I figured I would ask you about uh the money as far as being allocated to assist with public safety, but I understand, you know, since it's coming from the state, um you have to follow the guidelines, etc. But I figured I would ask because the money is coming in.
Play from 38:44Diane Laird
Yeah, and I I think it's really more a matter of us at the DDP staying in our lane, which is economic development, and doing more moderate uh crime prevention kinds of tactics like uh at the old Sears building and that beautiful art
Play from 39:00Diane Laird
metal rail that is a crime prevention, it's a deterrent to crime. It would be irresponsible for us to go out of our lane and try to do safety or try to do legal or try to do social services. While those are all the pillars of of the revitalization, uh the chief here has the expertise and the the mandate to address safety. If there are ways we can partner, we've done it before and we'll do it again. And if there are opportunities that you see that we we may be able to initiate that, we're happy to to take that on.
Play from 39:19Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Good evening. Uh thank you, Council President, for recognizing me, and thank you for this presentation. Um it's it's a uh uh to me an exciting venture to see things transpire. I was I attended the groundbreaking for the mobility station, the parking garage, and uh I'm excited about that. And I I commend you for your your work, you you and your team and and of course the board of directors who who are guiding us through this process. Um so, you know, uh I do a lot of traveling around lately to different municipalities, and I'm taking looks to see if revitalization happening in other areas of Maryland and stuff like that. And I I think I was in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and I saw how and I'm wondering if we have it in our plans, when we block off the street, um instead of using the orange um—
Play from 39:59Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
They look like barrels or whatever, yeah. Instead of using those, they have these removable posts—
Play from 40:56Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Right. Mhm. Do Are we planning on doing something like that, or is that something that could I mean, it's real clean because once the event is over, you can just remove those, and then that—
Play from 41:05Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
once they're in, you know, the barrels sometimes get shifted off to the side and cars go through it. You wouldn't be able to do that. It would create a safe space for a lot of people to walk around during some of the events that we have. So I was wondering if that's something that you had thought about or anything?
Play from 41:12Diane Laird
Uh not necessarily thought about. I've seen them. They are a very clean way to uh and does it it doesn't feel as um much like a barrier, but it is proves to be a good barrier. So it's something we can can explore with the city and and with the police department uh as we as we move forward into having outdoor events that more often.
Play from 41:31Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Great, great. I think when I when I saw that, I was pulling in during the end of it, and it was pretty easy to to get them out of the way, and, yeah, to pop them up and and and move them. So I you know, it just seemed like something that we could add to uh, you know, our downtown Loockerman Street. Thank you. I yield.
Play from 41:52Fred A. Neil
Any other questions? Seeing none, I will accept a motion to accept the annual report without the 100- Everybody's heard me. Do I have a motion?
Play from 42:09Fred A. Neil
Okay, it has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.
Play from 42:21Fred A. Neil
Go to um item 26, and that is the adoption of 2024 ordinance uh amending chapter 22.
Play from 42:35Fred A. Neil
Oh, it'll be after. Okay. Next will be public hearings. Number five? Yep. Number five, annexation, rezoning, property located at 7 Nixon Lane. And I'll request Ms. Dawn Melson-Williams, the principal planner, to brief the council on this item.
Play from 42:50Dawn Melson-Williams
Uh, thank you, Council President. Dawn Melson-Williams, the principal planner with the City's Planning Office. Um, this evening, the first uh annexation request that we bring to you is um application number AX-26-01. It is for the property at 7 Nixon Lane. We can We're going to bring up a location map for you. Um, this is a request um of a property that's uh just under an acre in size. It is currently uh in Kent County zoned RS-1, which is a residential single-family zone. Uh, they're requesting annexation into the city um and the zoning classification of R-8, which is a one-family residence zone. Um, in our comprehensive plan, this is in the category one high priority annexation area. Uh, it's an area enclave uh that's uh that that is generally surrounded by lands already in the city. Uh, the comprehensive plan land use category is read residential medium density, um and as part of our report, we reflect uh which land use uh with that land use category the different zoning districts that would comply with that, um and their their request for R-8 does so. Currently, the property has on it a single-family detached dwelling, um however, there is uh some vacant land to the north of that building and it is anticipated that there would be a future uh subdivision of that vacant area land into multiple lots. Um, that is a separate application process and not being considered this evening. Um, with all annexations, there is a plan of services um that must be completed, and as part of that, this visited the utility committee. Uh, the property at 7 Nixon Lane is currently served by City of Dover electric. Uh, it is not currently served by city water and sanitary sewer, but there is an opportunity uh to do so at that location. Uh, with the annexation, it was subject to a public hearing with the City's Planning Commission back on February 17th. Uh, the Planning Commission did recommend approval of the request to annex this property into the city and the recommended um zoning district of the R-8 one-family residence zone. I would note that um we included a full report that outlines the details of the comprehensive plan in regard
Play from 43:09Dawn Melson-Williams
to this area. It includes a description of the, um, code provisions for R-8. The details of the consideration by Planning Commission and their recommendation. Uh, there are three criteria that the Planning Commission must consider when looking at a rezoning, um, part of the step. Uh, they have to look at whether the uses permitted by the proposed change would be compatible with existing uses and zones in the area, uh, whether adequate, uh, public services and infrastructure exist or can be created for, uh, the location, and whether the change is in accordance with the city's comprehensive plan. Um, the Planning Commission found all of these, uh, these criteria to be, um, in place. Uh, as part of, uh, your packet this evening, there is a draft of the Planning Commission meeting minutes from that evening back in February. Uh, there were, um, at that public hearing there were no members of the public that spoke in regards to the application. Uh, the applicant, uh, was represented, um, by a, uh, realtor and the property owner at the Planning Commission meeting. Uh, they were here earlier this evening, and you heard the property representative, uh, Mr. Don, uh, McNeil, um, speak during the, uh, open forum session, um, that you had at the start of the meeting. Uh, I don't believe they have stuck around for the balance of the meeting this evening. Uh, so, council, um, what is before you is a request for an annexation. Um, that is considered through a first through a reso- resolution process, and then there is a separate ordinance in order to set the city's zoning, um, classification for the property. Uh, this action is first, uh, subject to a public hearing, uh, to be conducted, um, before the City Council.
Play from 45:52Fred A. Neil
we'll have the public hearing for the rezoning of the property located at 7 Nixon Lane. I declare the public hearing open. Is there anyone here who would care to speak
Play from 48:20Fred A. Neil
Anybody here who would like to speak against the proposed amendments? Seeing none.
Play from 48:30Fred A. Neil
If there's no one wishing to speak during the public hearing, I declare the public hearing closed.
Play from 48:33Fred A. Neil
Next, I'll entertain a motion for the adoption of the annexation resolution 2026-3, and it will be by a voice vote.
Play from 48:38Fred A. Neil
The vote has been unanimous for those who were present. We now have the final reading and adoption of the uh zoning ordinance 2025-23. The first reading was accomplished during the council meeting of December 8th, 2025. The ordinance is available at the entrance of council chambers and the city's website at www.cityofdover.gov under government. First I'll entertain a motion to consider the final reading by title only, which is simply to allow the waiving of the reading. A separate motion will be necessary for adoption. I will entertain a motion.
Play from 49:16Fred A. Neil
It's been moved and seconded. Any question? All in favor, please say aye.
Play from 49:57Fred A. Neil
Any opposed? No opposition. An ordinance amending the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover by changing the zoning designation of property located at 7 Nixon Lane. What is the pleasure of Council? Uh there is uh we need a motion and we need the vote.
Play from 50:03Fred A. Neil
The vote is unanimous for those who are attending. That annexation now it passes. And now we have annexation rezoning of property located at 1624 North Little Creek Road. Uh Ms. Dawn Melson-Williams, the Principal Planner, please brief the Council on this item.
Play from 51:27Dawn Melson-Williams
Thank you, Council President. This is Dawn um with the Planning Office. Uh this is annexation request AX-26-02. It is for lands owned by United Worldwide Express LLC. Uh the main property address is 1624 North Little Creek Road, and then it also encompasses uh two parcels to the south of that. We'll we'll bring up the image of their location um on the screen. These properties are located on the south side of uh North Little Creek Road, and to the east is the uh State Route 1 corridor. Uh currently in Kent County, these properties are zoned IL, which is a Limited Industrial zone, and the RMH, Residential Manufactured Home zone. Uh currently there's only a storage warehouse building um and on the property, and then the other two southern properties are vacant lots. Uh they are making a request to annex into the City of Dover, um and with that are requesting the following zoning classification: uh that is IPM, the Industrial Park Manufacturing zone, with the property being subject to the
Play from 51:47Dawn Melson-Williams
AEOZ, which is the Airport Environs Overlay Zone, specifically the Accident Potential Zone 2. The AEOZ is related to flight activities at Dover Air Force Base.
Play from 52:25Dawn Melson-Williams
The comprehensive plan for this project area, property area of three parcels, again, is in Category 1, the high-priority annexation area, and carries with it a land use category of Office and Office Park. The IPM zoning district is one of the compatible zones for that land use category.
Play from 52:39Dawn Melson-Williams
As noted, there is currently a warehouse building on the northern part of the parcel, and the other areas are vacant land which are wooded and includes some wetland areas.
Play from 53:02Dawn Melson-Williams
The the applicant has made some indication of future redevelopment of the property, potentially for mini-storage buildings.
Play from 53:17Dawn Melson-Williams
As noted, with an annexation, it goes through a plan of services review process, which we have submitted to the state, and also appears before the city's utility committee.
Play from 53:28Dawn Melson-Williams
The property at 1624 is currently served by City of Dover Electric, and the two unaddressed parcels have no electric service needs at the present time.
Play from 53:39Dawn Melson-Williams
When it comes to water, the location at 1624 North Little Creek Road is currently served by City of Dover water. The other two parcels are not as they are undeveloped.
Play from 53:50Dawn Melson-Williams
When it is when it comes to sanitary sewer, the property at 1624 is not currently served by the City of Dover. It has what we believe is an on-site septic system. The Department of Water Wastewater has noted that sanitary sewer service is not immediately available to this series of three lots and that the Kent County Public Works has potential sanitary sewer capability in the area and that the applicant should pursue with that purveyor should they need services.
Play from 54:07Dawn Melson-Williams
The planning commission conducted a public hearing in consideration of this annexation request back in February 17th. There was a representative of the engineering firm that was there on behalf of the property owner, and one member of the public spoke in regards to the annexation request.
Play from 54:50Dawn Melson-Williams
We included a detailed report of the planning commission's, what they reviewed, and their recommendations. I will note with this, they likewise considered the three criteria related to uses in the area, the adequacy of public services and infrastructure, and compliance with the city's comprehensive plan. The planning commission, in making their...
Play from 55:24Dawn Melson-Williams
recommendation for approval did identify those in addition to acknowledging that the applicant had been made aware of some potential for future infrastructure development when it comes to the transportation system in this area. This is at the partial interchange of Route 8 and State Route 1. There are a number of studies, and those are identified in the report, that have looked at potentially making infrastructure improvements to enlarge and change that intersection, that interchange with State Route 1. So the applicant has been made aware of those, should they be interested in learning more about them. There are links to several freight studies in this area and freight plans to make improvements to the transportation infrastructure in the eastern part of the city. There is no current plan in place to have that development occur, but it has been recommended by a number of studies. The packet this evening includes that report, the comments from a number of agencies, the Planning Commission meeting minutes, and a couple of location maps for the property. Again, tonight City Council will conduct a public hearing, followed by consideration of an annexation resolution and an ordinance to adopt the City of Dover zoning classification for the property.
Play from 55:42Tricia K. Arndt
I'm going to recuse myself from the discussion and the vote given my role at DelDOT.
Play from 58:06Fred A. Neil
Um, I will uh invite the applicant to speak on their application if they'd like, and please identify yourself when you come up.
Play from 58:10Greg Scott
Good evening, Council members and staff. Thank you. My name is Greg Scott with Scott Engineering, Inc. and we're here tonight to represent our client, United Worldwide Express. So we're in receipt of the comments and recommendations from the Development Advisory Committee as well as the Planning Commission, and we have no issues with those. I did want to address briefly, though, the comments that were received from the Dover Kent MPO regarding the potential project in that area at the intersection that Dawn mentioned, more specifically, the southbound on-ramp onto Delaware Route 1. At this point, this is the first time we became aware of that at the DAC meeting. Our client hasn't been approached by DelDOT or anybody at that point to discuss the matter, but it is a project that a study has been done for. The latest study was finished in July of 2021, recommending a potential on-ramp there. It's my understanding that the project has not yet received any funding or any prioritization as far as when it'll happen, and it takes probably about two to three years before it even reaches a corridor transportation plan, the CTP. Following that, it has to work its way up the list in priorities before it even becomes a planning...
Play from 58:19Mr. Scott
study to be reintroduced, and following that, it would take probably a year to two before any land would be acquired, and then following that, it would take probably 3 to 5 years for engineering design completed. So you're looking 8 to 12 years out before we even see a project. We don't know what the impact's going to be on our property as I've not seen any detailed plans at this point in time, but we're not here to ask for $175,000 tonight. But would like to request your approval to be able to annex this property into the city of Dover so they can develop it. As Dawn mentioned, their plan is to put single-story mini storage buildings on this property.
Play from 58:58Fred A. Neil
Well, thank you, sir. Anybody have any questions? We have Marilyn Smith of the MPO here in case she cares to make any sort of a comment alongside of you. Marilyn, do you? Yes, thank you.
Play from 59:39Marilyn Smith
Marilyn Smith, Dover/Kent MPO. And you know, I bought a map. There's the map. And I also, if I may, Mr. Chair, I brought a handout so you have this in front of you. May I?
Play from 59:50Marilyn Smith
So first of all, thank you to Mr. Scott, who did his homework about how projects get in the CTP. I'm going to start off and say I'm going to follow Diane's lead, and say I'm going to stay in my lane, which is the MPO is transportation planning. So I'm not here to support or oppose the annexation request or the rezoning request. I just want to give you some more information to help inform your conversation. So the first page in this handout is really short. So the first page reminds you that we did complete the East-West Freight Routes Phase 2 study, and that was completed and approved by the council, the MPO Council, in July of this year. And aside from talking about Persimmon Tree, every time I come, we talk about freight, we talk about truck parking, we talk about east-west freight movement. Those are the things we talk about. And so this study, as you may recall, was to talk about east-west freight, and particularly in the city of Dover, figuring out ways for that to be efficient, reliable, safely moving freight across Dover. So on the second page, and like I said, I'm going to go fast through this, so on the second page, this is a couple of snapshots out of that study. There were multiple recommendations for east-west freight in the county, and obviously I'm going to focus on this one. This is, as is indicated, Dawn's map right there, and here, the map right here. This is the SR-1 Dover interchange, which is the most relevant to your conversation. And you can see on the picture the yellow, the yellow are existing roads. So you can see Route 1, you can see those two that are on the north side of Route 1, yellow roads, but there are no yellow roads, excuse me, on the north side
Play from 1:00:52Speaker
of North Little Creek Road, but there are no roads on this outside, right? So, if you come to the recommendations specifically out of the study, which is on page three, this is about how do we get freight movement to go north, how do we get... There are existing southbound off-ramp and a northbound on-ramp, but there is not an existing southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp. And that's what this study was all about is to build out that whole interchange so that you would have free movement of commercial vehicles to get on and off going north and south.
Play from 1:02:15Speaker
So, um, I'm here to just talk about transportation studies, right? I'm not here to to talk about zoning, and I'm not here to talk about annexation. Um, what I want you to think about is that proposed improvements to to build out this interchange serve to enhance economic development, safety, efficiency, and reliability specifically when it comes to freight movement, which is something we've talked a lot about.
Play from 1:03:00Speaker
Now, maybe these uses can exist. Maybe we can have mini storage, maybe we can fit the road in, um, that's what that's what this tells you. If you look at this, there's the there Here's your parcel that you're talking about, um, here would be the new road, the white. And can you squeeze it in there? Can you squeeze it in there between existing development that's already been approved, um, wetland, uh, the development that you're going to consider in the future? Maybe. Maybe you can squeeze it in. Um, but I just want you to be aware of of what is or is not a a part of your conversation.
Play from 1:04:08Speaker
Um, what I do know is that access to Route 1 is important for industrial development at Garrison Oak and at the CEDAC and all of those, um, Lafferty Lane, all of those those potential, um, development areas on the eastern side. And if that access isn't preserved, then future opportunities could be lost. The city has prioritized this location to support economic development, and transportation infrastructure must be available to support that priority. Um, now, true, there is not an existing project in the CTP, and the reason is that this study was completed in July of 2023. The CTP happens every two years, which means we submitted CTP project requests in May, which was before this study was even done. So what happens now is that this study gets amended into the long-range plan of the MPO, and then the next round of CTP submissions are when we have an opportunity to get it in. But that's not going to happen for another year because the CTP is a two-year process. So while it is true that it's not in the CTP now, it didn't have the opportunity to be in the CTP because it wasn't a recommendation yet. Um, so like I said, I I'm not going to take too much of
Play from 1:04:54Marilyn Smith
of your time. I'm certainly available to answer questions if you have questions about the study and what the study entailed. Thank you.
Play from 1:05:31Fred A. Neil
Any questions from staff? Yes, Councilman... was it Councilman Boggerty? No, no, I was... Oh. Oh. All right, I guess Councilman Rocha.
Play from 1:05:37Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Yes, thank you Marilyn for bringing this to our attention. If we approve the the annexation and the rezoning tonight, is there a way to work with the with their developer and you know, because obviously it would depend on where the storage units are being placed, you know, that could interfere with with adding the off-ramp or on-ramp. I guess it's the on-ramp on that side, right?
Play from 1:05:43Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Right. So is there a way for the developer to kind of plan for the on-ramp as they're going forward? Or or you know, is there a way that they could we could do both?
Play from 1:06:05Marilyn Smith
So, again, I'm not going to venture too far out of my lane, because what you're considering, and and Dawn and Sharon can jump in if I go too far afield, okay? So you're considering an annexation and a rezone. You're not looking at a site plan. You're not looking at a site plan that say you may ask for consideration of right-of-way to put in a road. That's not what you're talking about tonight, isn't that fair? Is that correct? So you can annex and you can rezone, but that doesn't that's not part of the conversation of can we do both of these things on this parcel. And I'm going to stop there, because I don't want to step on the toes of your staff...
Play from 1:06:39Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
And I'll and I'll pivot to to our staff, cuz I know that this is early conversation, but then we don't want to affect som- we don't want to, you know, approve something that could potentially interfere, if that makes any sense. But obviously what the MPO is recommending to DelDOT is probably going to be coming on their future plans for the the development of the on-ramp. Is there a way going through the the process that the developer of the property is aware of the potential of an on-ramp, and do you think that, you know, it's going to be doable or workable to work together to to to accomplish both?
Play from 1:07:06Marilyn Smith
I'm not sure which staff member you'd address that to, so I guess it I guess it's me.
Play from 1:07:59Dawn Melson-Williams
Um, so Dawn with the uh the planning office. Um, as noted, tonight we're looking at whether or not these properties should become part of the city. Um, so in the city or in the county, um, any future road development project could move forward. Um, certainly if a property is in the city, uh you need to set a city zoning classification. That is the beginning to what could potentially happen on the property, cuz zoning um will dictate uh allowable uses
Play from 1:08:03Dawn Melson-Williams
use on the property. Your action tonight does not design the future uses on that property, nor does it design the road to look like what's on the study, or call it the study version of a potential alignment. There's a lot that goes into that. So this evening, it may be in the better interest of the city to consider annexation because then it places this landmass within the city of Dover. And then you have more of an opportunity to push for projects and have them be based on your regulations for development of uses on those as well. I think the applicant has certainly been made aware of these the series of studies that may or may not in some time frame affect his the land that he currently owns.
Play from 1:08:48David L. Anderson
Understood. Thank you. Thank you for that. And thank you, ma'am. I yield.
Play from 1:09:44Andre M. Boggerty
Thank you, Chair, for recognizing me. So with that, what, you know, recent statement, Ms. um um Melson-Williams, thank you so much. With that, um if approved now with some future in mind, uh with business, if we have it in the city, would that potentially increase some tax base, some real estate sales, which would it how would it impact us from a fiscal standpoint, if at all?
Play from 1:09:50Dawn Melson-Williams
Uh so this is Dawn with the planning office. Um the question about how it would impact the city from a tax base, certainly if you're adding um property into the city uh that is uh property that can be assessed uh property taxes, uh that's certainly going to add some level of tax being paid each year. Uh that tax and the amount, of course, is based on what is on the property or not on the property. So um it certainly uh broadens your your tax base.
Play from 1:10:18Fred A. Neil
Well, uh my view basically is uh this is a a program that's going to happen. The road is going to happen, and it becomes when the owner of the property decides how he's going to use that property. Uh I think if you're dealing with trucks and moving things, that you would like to have greater access to wherever you're going. But that's my view. Now I'm going to declare a public hearing. Thank you, ma'am. All those who are in favor of this uh project...
Play from 1:10:55Andre M. Boggerty
It looks like someone was trying to get your attention. I apologize. Let me stay in my place. Go ahead.
Play from 1:11:31Fred A. Neil
Yeah, well in favor, or your comments, are very welcome. Of all people!
Play from 1:11:45Fred A. Neil
Please announce who you are so the rest of the people know who you are.
Play from 1:11:52Linda Parkowski
I will tell you. So my name is Linda Parkowski. I'm executive director of the Kent Economic Partnership, and I thank you for the opportunity
Play from 1:11:56Public Commenter
to be back in front of you again tonight. So I'm here to testify about the your file number AX-26-02, which is this annexation and rezoning of the three parcels along North Little Creek Road in Dover, with one of the parcels being located at 1624 North Little Creek Road, Dover, and the other parcels are unaddressed.
Play from 1:12:05Public Commenter
The reason I'm here tonight is to ensure that council is aware, and now you are, that there are, were three studies which directly relate to this area. This area is extremely important to economic development and to your own industrial park. The Kent Economic Partnership, in addition to the MPO, in cooperation with the city of Dover, have spent considerable amount of money, time, and expertise to ensure that these studies were completed. The city has been a partner with this all along the way with these studies because they wanted, as Marilyn said, to understand the freight movement here within the city.
Play from 1:12:29Public Commenter
The studies are as follows: the Dover Air Cargo Freight Access Study, the East-West Freight Route Phase 2 Study, that's Marilyn's map, and then the Dover Freight Plan.
Play from 1:13:15Public Commenter
Each of the studies identified transportation access to Route 1 as highly needed, and the East-West Freight Study specifically identified the parcels being considered tonight as the location for a south entrance to Route 1 off of North Little Creek Road.
Play from 1:13:27Public Commenter
One of the main concerns we hear all the time from the owners of Garrison Oak lots, your own industrial park, is that they need a connector road to get them to Route 1. And they also wanted a south entrance onto Route 1, which we don't have right now.
Play from 1:13:46Public Commenter
As you can see, I'm going to hand out this handout. It's going to show you about the connector road once I hand it out. The property owned by Worldwide Freight is identified as the area for this exchange.
Play from 1:14:07Public Commenter
Because transportation is so important to economic development, the city has advocated for a connector road from Garrison Oak to North Little Creek in order to get to this exchange area. The city actually put it as its highest priority for many, many years. The city, the KEP, we all advocated to get that connector road into the corridor transportation plan.
Play from 1:14:19Public Commenter
So I'm asking the city tonight to please take a look at what you're doing. This annexation, this could be like stopping the connector road that you've advocated for for many, many years.
Play from 1:14:48Public Commenter
All right. And even in the city's 2019 comp plan, yes, did it say this was high priority? But that's 2019. The market has changed. We are in 2026, and in 2025, this study identified we need a south and
Play from 1:15:02Public Commenter
Okay. So, the city purchased Garrison Oak to create jobs, and it's noted in your own comp plan under Chapter 9, Transportation, page 116. Quote: "The city-developed Garrison Oak Business Park, which was after the completion of Route 1, lacks the nearby on- or off-ramps despite being next to it."
Play from 1:15:21Public Commenter
So I'm telling you, the city has been invested in transportation. They knew and realized they needed a ramp. This study gives you the opportunity to get a ramp, and I don't want the city to squander that opportunity, okay?
Play from 1:15:44Public Commenter
This is the reason the connector road was submitted over and over and over again as the city's highest transportation priority, as noted again in the 2019 comp plan. Over and over, that transportation chapter says the lack of- of connector to Route 1 is noted.
Play from 1:15:56Public Commenter
This is true today in discussion with any any owners or businesses. This study interviewed all kinds of business owners and it kept coming up that there needed to be a ramp to get to the south, Route 1. As the MPO will attest, transportation costs money, and it costs businesses money. And the more time it takes a truck spending on back roads, the less attractive it is for that business to locate in our community.
Play from 1:16:47Public Commenter
Chapter 15 of the comp plan noted studies that were needed for the connector. They noted the future studies they wanted done and they wanted a connector road studied right in your own comp plan. So what you're saying in your comp plan, I want you to please look at for tonight.
Play from 1:17:11Public Commenter
Let's see: Did we know that the southbound ramp would be a reality? No. Do we know that it... in the CTP? No, it's not in there yet. But let me tell you, when the city, the KEP, and the MPO wanted the connector road in there, we got it into the CTP plan. So I don't think that that is far out of reach, and it's not going to take 12 years to get it in there.
Play from 1:17:28Public Commenter
Dover/Kent MPO can submit it a year from now. You know, likelihood we can make this high priority if we- if this is something that you want. And this will benefit businesses, residents. Near all the commercial activity on on Route 13, this is bigger than the annexation of three parcels into the city.
Play from 1:17:48Public Commenter
So let's not make the same mistake we made when we did... You know, I talk a lot about the rail study. Well, along the rail study we have a beautiful rail line, but for 20 years we approved housing projects all along that rail line. Okay, that was our zoning decisions we were making then. I want us to take a pause and not make those same zoning decisions tonight where we have an opportunity to get a southbound ramp onto Route 1.
Play from 1:18:07Public Commenter
So all I'm asking is that take a pause, and to to your question, probably not. Your question was: Can they...
Play from 1:18:29Female Speaker
DelDOT would probably purchase the whole property and there would be an easement to it.
Play from 1:18:41Female Speaker
So it's probably not something that you could say, "Okay, let's annex in and then let them build their storage and then let DelDOT deal with that." It's that's probably not the way it would happen. I'm not a transportation planner, so I can't tell you that for sure.
Play from 1:18:47Female Speaker
But I do um want to hand out this to show you the connector road and show you how it interplays, the connector road that this city asked for for many many years and how it interplays into this road.
Play from 1:19:04Female Speaker
All right. So I'm happy to answer any questions that anybody may have.
Play from 1:19:17Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
my question is now is is um if the council approves the annexation and the rezoning, how does that impact DelDOT with negotiating with the property owner if they need the land for the for the ramp?
Play from 1:19:27Female Speaker
Well, I and I I don't want to answer for DelDOT. I don't think I should answer for DelDOT at all, you know. So that's that's not a question that I'm prepared to to answer.
Play from 1:20:26Female Speaker
And we have had discussions with the owners' rep rep, made them aware of this project in these studies, and that um you know they could always on their own negotiate with DelDOT.
Play from 1:20:37Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
So I I don't know who's going to answer the question, but our action tonight, how does that impact the potential of a ramp? I I just, you know, I need the clarity on that.
Play from 1:20:51Female Speaker
So my suggestion is we take a pause. Get answers that you need, and take a pause, because what you're going to decide tonight and in the future with this property is going to have a lasting impact to the city and your transportation needs.
Play from 1:21:03Fred A. Neil
Any other questions? I'm going to declare this public hearing now open. And since we are already heard from before, anybody else would like to testify for this annexation? Hearing none, anybody would like to hear uh hear against this annexation? Hearing none, this public hearing is closed. I want to make this comment, if I think it's moot on our part not to bring it in as annexation. Whatever negotiations are going to go between the owner of this property and DelDOT or anybody else is separate from the the what what is going to occur when you create this connection uh to to one. That's the only thing that is really our concern. Our concern is with every piece of property that would be able to use that moving down. The negotiations between the state and a private owner of property is really not our concern at this point. We we can't protect that property owner by by turning this down. So I would say let's move on
Play from 1:21:21Fred A. Neil
That's with the process. And, uh, and, uh, entertain a motion for the adoption of the annexation, uh, resolution 2026-04.
Play from 1:21:54David L. Anderson
I'll make a motion that we adopt, uh, annexation resolution 2026-04. Is there a second?
Play from 1:22:07Andre M. Boggerty
Um, charge it to somewhat my naivety. Um, we got a lot real fast regarding, I, I know well, this is not rezoning, this is annexation, so it's different. So taking into consideration everything we got, what's, what with its future impact, and the hopeful, you know, the pros and cons of it. Potentially new, um, income generations, you know, with new companies behind it, the impact to current, um, current, um, development and, and opportunities as well. I, I, I would, this, well, this is could work, well, not going to help me. This is, can we, a Safety Advisory Transportation, can we, can we get a, a, a moment to really dissect more of this? Um, this was a lot. I'm not a transportation person, I'm a people person. I know how to fix organizations and all of that, but this stuff was a, this is kind of a lot, and I don't want to jeopardize the growth and impact of our city, nor do I want to hurt a potential owner from, um, you know, doing business. I just want to be fair and informed in my decision, and I'm not certain if I'm comfortable with how much I know. Is there a, I don't, I, I guess I'm asking...
Play from 1:22:24Fred A. Neil
Yeah. Councilman Boggerty, I, thought I heard Mr. Scott, who's the engineer, say he wants this to happen. Would you like to hear him say, "Yes, I want this to happen" or "I don't want this to happen"? Because that's exactly what he said for his company that he owns this. This is what, what his business is. And that's what I heard. If I'm wrong, Mr. Scott can come back up and say, "Yes, we want to be annexed in."
Play from 1:23:52Fred A. Neil
Understanding all of, all of what he did not know, but he still said, "I want that in." So, I think basically it rests with him. Do they want it in, or they don't want it in?
Play from 1:24:19Andre M. Boggerty
Um, I, I respect both sides. All right? I respect Mr. Scott, and, and thank you for coming and explaining, but I also respect what I heard from the MPO. All right? And, and I just, I just want to know deep more of its future impact. Um, I never try to abstain from anything, but I think this is, I'm in a disadvantage. And I, and I'm, I'm strong where I'm strong, and there's opportunities where I, I would like to know more so I can be fair to both sides, both parties, and with our city in mind as
Play from 1:24:29Andre M. Boggerty
Well, so I I hear you saying, and I always respect your decisions and your forthrightness, but I, you know, Andre Boggerty, Councilman Boggerty has to think.
Play from 1:25:11Fred A. Neil
All right, let's invite Mr. Scott back up and say does he want to still be under oath and whatever he's heard. I might. He's the one He's the one representing the owner of the property.
Play from 1:25:17Andre M. Boggerty
Yeah, but I also heard what what the MPO said about its future impacts. But I I I I yield my position in the event of other council members having more questions. I think I heard Councilman Anderson have a comment as well, so thank you.
Play from 1:25:24David L. Anderson
Thank you. I have a I I have some concerns that I personally need more time, um, and I I want to I'm going to go with uh with Linda Gukaski and uh just delay this so we can find more information uh, particularly with the um because I think the zoning for storage, if we do IPM-1, is by right, is that May I request permission to ask uh Dawn Melson-Williams if that's correct?
Play from 1:25:40Dawn Melson-Williams
Um, yes. This is This is Dawn with the Planning Office. Um, Councilman Anderson was asking if the um mini-storage facility is a by-right use in the IPM zone. Um, it is a uh use that is permitted in the um IPM zone for mini-storage facilities. We would also have to confirm um the ability in the airport environs overlay zone. Uh, development uh likely depending on the size of the facility would require a site plan review process. Um, so it is not just where they could walk in the door and get a permit um for for that activity uh at the location. Uh, so a site development plan review process would be necessary, but a mini-storage facility is one of the permitted uses. Um, there are other permitted uses in the IPM zone. Uh, any rezoning to that does not lock them into that one particular use.
Play from 1:26:30David L. Anderson
Thank you. It's uh, that's really, I mean, I uh, I am uh, going to make a motion for we Because I want to be fair to both sides, and I just don't feel I have enough information for that late tonight, so I make a motion that we uh, defer um, this
Play from 1:27:35Fred A. Neil
Okay, we have a second motion on the floor. One is for approval, one is to delay it for 30 days. Um, we have a first and we have a second. Is there any discussion? Okay, all in favor to defer, please
Play from 1:28:18Fred A. Neil
All right. Before I vote, I think you just don't understand what what you're voting on. But since I'm going to lose, I'm going to vote no, because I've lost. So uh it they gave voting uh it has deferred for 30 days and we'll come back and do it again. And at that time I hope Mr. Scott after he's conferred with his his uh villagers as to what they wish to do, and with that, uh this is basically it's over and done. It's been deferred for 30 days.
Play from 1:28:40Fred A. Neil
Well, the annexation Well, the annexation motion basically is that's what this is about. And if you defer it, you've deferred that annexation. There is no annexation tonight. You have 30 days before it comes back for discussion for annexation, because that's what you just voted for. Okay, with that, and we'll move to uh...
Play from 1:29:30Fred A. Neil
...our cluster. We don't need a public hearing now, right? Before we get into 2026- we don't need this at this time.
Play from 1:29:44Andre M. Boggerty
Um with that said, is there opportunity for, within these next 30 days, to get both sides a more in-depth understanding? I think Council President, you said it correct, I I didn't fully grasp the whole concept of the pros and cons um in this moment. Um I heard them both, um but is there an opportunity for us somewhere to, um be it Safety Advisory Transportation, be it I don't want to call a special meeting for this, but um is there some uh time and place that we can hear both sides sit uh exclusively so we can make sure that we're making the right decision?
Play from 1:29:52City Clerk
Yeah, because you could still rezone even if you didn't annex, so you should still address that portion of it.
Play from 1:30:47Fred A. Neil
Okay, we uh still have a motion alive, and that is a motion to um annex is is involved.
Play from 1:30:50City Clerk
What you could still you would have that opportunity to rezone even though you didn't...
Play from 1:31:07Fred A. Neil
Okay, we can still rezone. We now have the final uh reading, adoption of rezoning Ordinance 2025-24. The first reading was accomplished during the council meeting of December 8th, 2025. The ordinance is a...
Play from 1:31:34Fred A. Neil
available at the entrance of the City Council Chambers and on the city website under www.cityofdover.com under government. First I will entertain a motion to consider the final reading by title only, which is simply to allow the waiving of the reading, and a separate motion will be necessary for adoption. Do I hear a motion?
Play from 1:31:44Fred A. Neil
It's been moved and seconded. Any questions? We need to have a roll call vote. What is the pleasure of council?
Play from 1:32:13Nicholas Rodriguez
Wait a minute. You have to annex it first and then rezone it. If you if you haven't annexed it, yeah.
Play from 1:32:31Fred A. Neil
We haven't annexed it yet. So because we haven't annexed it, we cannot have that motion.
Play from 1:32:36Roy Sudler, Jr.
Can I go back Could you Could we go back to my question, Council President?
Play from 1:33:53Roy Sudler, Jr.
Yeah, I want to know if we can go back to the question of a time for those who need it, as others may not need it, but is there a time that you can do it via Zoom or somewhere that you we can get a more in-depth understanding of the pros and cons of annexation of this said property?
Play from 1:33:59Fred A. Neil
Would you want to have a separate It has to be a public meeting, I believe.
Play from 1:34:18Roy Sudler, Jr.
Okay, yes. Could you put it on Safety Advisory? Thank you. Austin Conley, I ask could it go on Safety Advisory and Transportation? Could it go on Safety Advisory and Transportation? I would appreciate it.
Play from 1:34:43Roy Sudler, Jr.
The chairman will agree, I think the chairman will agree, especially since you...
Play from 1:34:54Fred A. Neil
Right, but that final reading, according to the city solicitor, is is is moot.
Play from 1:35:07Fred A. Neil
Because it basically it it's an annexation. And until you annex, you're not going to have that. Okay.
Play from 1:35:13Fred A. Neil
Okay. The next one is a public hearing on proposed Ordinance 2026-07. The first reading of the proposed ordinance was accomplished during the council meeting of January 28th, 2026. The ordinance is at the entrance of the City Council Chambers, on the city website at www.cityofdover.com under government. I'll first entertain a motion
Play from 1:35:22Fred A. Neil
to consider the final reading by title only, which is simply to allow the waiving of the reading. A separate motion will be necessary for adoption. What is the pleasure of the council?
Play from 1:35:42Fred A. Neil
It's been seconded. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Okay.
Play from 1:36:31Fred A. Neil
Ordinance 2026-07, lands of United Worldwide Express LLC at 1600 North Little Creek Road and adjacent parcel at 0.509 ac North Little Creek Road. Request Dawn Melson-Williams, the Principal Planner, to brief the council on this item.
Play from 1:36:36Tricia K. Arndt
Is it in the same location adjacent to the other two parcels? With the same issues? Okay, then I will have to recuse myself from the discussion and the vote from this one for this one as well.
Play from 1:37:03David L. Anderson
Council President, I would be interested in seeing how this differs, Ms. Melson-Williams.
Play from 1:37:11Dawn Melson-Williams
Uh so what is before you with uh proposed Ordinance 2026-01, uh the lands of United Worldwide Express LLC at 1600 North Little Creek Road and the adjacent parcel to its east. Uh these two parcels of land as shown on the screen in yellow are already within the city of Dover. Um they have a city of Dover zoning classification of CPO, which is Commercial Professional Office zone, and are subject
Play from 1:37:50Dawn Melson-Williams
Industrial Park Manufacturing um would be compliant with that land use category. Uh the reason for their request is potential redevelopment of the um the two parcels. Uh one parcel previously included a building, which has now been um demolished, and the other one is vacant. Uh this was considered by the Planning Commission as application Z-26-01. It was subject to public hearing before the Planning Commission on February uh 17th of 2026, where one member of the public spoke. Um we have included in your packet a copy of the um draft Planning Commission meeting minutes um from that evening. Uh the Planning Commission did recommend approval of the rezoning of these two parcels from CPO and AEOZ to the IPM, Industrial Park Manufacturing zone, remaining subject to the Airport Environs Overlay zone. Included in your packet was the detailed um report from the Development Advisory Committee, which includes information from the city's comprehensive plan, um the listing of the code requirements of the IPM zone, uh the planning staff um city planner report, our recommendation for approval of the annexation, as well as the Planning Commission's action and their reasons for um recommending approval of the rezoning, again looking at uses permitted in the area, the adequacy of public infrastructure, um and the compliance with the city's comprehensive plan. Uh this project, our rezoning location is um here on the south side of North Little Creek Road in the same general vicinity um as the Route 8 um State Route 1 interchange. As part of the application review process, the MPO and others um did advise the applicant of the series of freight and transportation-related studies that have identified um future opportunities for improvements to this interchange in this area. Uh so, um with with that, the Planning Commission as well as Planning staff is recommending approval of the uh rezoning of these two parcels of land uh to IPM and subject to the Airport Environs Overlay zone. Uh this does not approve any development of those parcels as that would be subject to a future site development plan uh review process.
Play from 1:38:17Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Yes, uh President, thanks for recognizing me. I I move that we defer um uh this this request for annexation uh 20-26-07 to the uh Safety and Transportation uh Committee.
Play from 1:41:07Dawn Melson-Williams
This is Dawn with the Planning Office. These two parcels of land are—
Play from 1:41:31City Staff
already within the boundaries of the City of Dover. It within our corporate limits.
Play from 1:41:34Greg Scott
Yes, good evening. Again, my name is Greg Scott with Scott Engineering, here to represent the applicant, United Worldwide Express in this. I won't go through all the comments that I had on the previous application. They pretty much stand the same, and refer to those. I would like to add to this, though, is that the intent of our client was to take all these parcels under consideration tonight—some of them in the city, some of them in the county—and bring them all into the city and rezone them to the same zoning so that he could develop it with his intended purpose, which what we have indicated is mini-storage. So, whether or not they both come into the city or get annexed the same, they still have the ability to develop a portion of the property, the larger portion, under the county's zoning regulations. He desires to be in the city, and he would like to do that.
Play from 1:41:42Greg Scott
I would also like to mention that the southerly approximately 3.15 acres of the previous property is in wetlands. I contend the reason there wasn't a ramp put here to begin with was because of the severe amount of wetlands on that rear in the property. In fact, there's also a stormwater pond that DelDOT constructed as part of Route 1. Putting a ramp through these properties and up onto Route 1 in a southerly direction is going to have to impact all those wetlands, as well as DelDOT's existing pond, which would probably have to be relocated.
Play from 1:42:45Greg Scott
I'm not saying this project could or could not happen. I'm not saying that our client would be opposed to working with them, but at some point in time, whether we develop this under the intended purpose or it's not developed, DelDOT's going to have to come to the table and negotiate with our client if they want to purchase the property to put that ramp in there.
Play from 1:43:08Greg Scott
Meantime, he's sitting idle having invested money into a property that he can not do anything with because of a possible project. And right now we don't even know if that will happen, and yes, I really believe it'll take 8 to 10 to 12 years for that project to come to fruition, if it ever does. It takes that long just to go through all that process and to get construction drawings and start construction. So we're still looking to get this piece rezoned to what he requested. Um, but I tell you, by itself, it'll pretty much kill the project.
Play from 1:43:22Fred A. Neil
Do you think your client will still be anxious to be uh that section of land to be uh to be annexed into the city at when we again meet?
Play from 1:44:13Greg Scott
Um, I'm sure my client would still be interested and anxious to have both properties in the city and both of them zoned IPM.
Play from 1:44:21Greg Scott
I don't know what else we're going to be able to present to you at a later date that's going to be any different or change your mind at this point.
Play from 1:44:27Fred A. Neil
Um, does anybody have any questions? Hearing none. Yes, Councilman Rocha.
Play from 1:44:33Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Yeah, I just wanted to address uh what you were saying. Now we're I don't think any of us are are against what is being proposed. It's just that we we should be, you know, able to uh gather more information considering what we heard tonight. It's it's not that we're opposed. We want to know what what what are the pros and cons
Play from 1:44:36Roy Sudler, Jr.
situation and we couldn't get that answer from anybody here, so we have to do some more investigation. That's all. We we just need a little bit more time.
Play from 1:44:51Public Commenter
I I'm not sure that we can ourselves give you any more pros or cons than what I've expressed.
Play from 1:44:58Roy Sudler, Jr.
Not you, not you. But we we have to talk to DelDOT, we have to find out some information uh before we make this this decision.
Play from 1:45:03Julia M. Pillsbury
How how does this piece - I'd like to have both pieces on the same page, but how how does the other parcel intersect with this parcel?
Play from 1:45:25Dawn Melson-Williams
Council President, um planning staff can probably assist in answering that question.
Play from 1:45:45Dawn Melson-Williams
So if we can if we can go to the next image and zoom out... Yeah. Oh heck, zoom out. Yeah. So the two... and we may need to scroll down a little bit... There we go. Okay.
Play from 1:46:40Dawn Melson-Williams
So the image that's on the screen actually shows um the properties involved in both of these applications. So what is shaded in the upper left corner of this um this plan sheet is the two parcels of land, 1600 North Little Creek Road and it's adjacent property to the east. That is the subject of the rezoning request that is now under consideration by City Council.
Play from 1:46:59Dawn Melson-Williams
To the right, um where you see kind of the driveway and a building, and then two parcels below it, those are the three parcels involved in the annexation request uh that you were considering earlier. Um and then the next thing is State Route - the right-of-way for State Route 1.
Play from 1:47:27Dawn Melson-Williams
So basically uh in total, there's there's five parcels in this area between um where Roesian Meadows is being developed and State Route 1. Uh the two that you're considering for rezoning at the present time are in the upper left corner.
Play from 1:47:49Tricia K. Arndt
in yet, and the other piece of the parcel that's attached to it is asking to come into the city, is that correct?
Play from 1:48:07Mr. Scott
Well, there's five separate parcels right now. Two of them are already in the city, but need to be rezoned to IPM. Three of them are out of the city, but need to be brought in and rezoned IPM so we can make it all one contiguous parcel.
Play from 1:48:14Tricia K. Arndt
So, I'm not sure what the issue is, because I think we did this in the reverse order. I think if we had done these two parcels first, we would have had less discussion about the remaining three parcels, because it doesn't make sense to me to defer those three parcels when the other two are already in the city and they just are being rezoned. Am I missing something?
Play from 1:48:27Tricia K. Arndt
I understand that, but can't we—I mean, it just doesn't make sense to me to discuss it further when we already have the other two parcels in the city. I just think if we had done these two parcels first, we might not have had to defer the other three.
Play from 1:48:54Fred A. Neil
Well, in any case, that's where we stand at this particular point, and, uh, again, unless somebody has any objection, we'll keep on with the meeting, uh, to, uh, let Mr. Scott have a seat again. As much exercise as we can, sir. Anybody, uh, in favor?
Play from 1:49:43Tricia K. Arndt
I make a motion that we approve the changes in zoning for the two parcels.
Play from 1:49:57Linda Parkowski
Thank you. Linda Parkowski, Executive Director of the Kent Economic Partnership. Um, my comment is I think if you're going to defer the other annexation, defer these two parcels also to gather as much information as you possibly This is one large project, and this is all going to be worked together if it ends up being a southbound ramp for Route 1. So, my suggestion and request is that you defer this one also. Thank you.
Play from 1:50:08Fred A. Neil
Anyone else against? Okay, what is the, uh, pleasure of Let's declare the public hearing as closed.
Play from 1:51:09Marilyn Smith
Sorry, Marilyn Smith again from the MPO. Um, if you look at this map, you can see all the parcels in question. You can see the storm water retention pond you can that, um, Mr. Scott is talking about. You can see the wetland. You can see the previously approved development, and you can see on this, um, in the east-west study document that this road, the concept for this road that the Century Engineering team squeezed this road in between, to the best of their ability, in a concept plan.
Play from 1:51:24Public Commenter
And and I want to make sure that everybody heard that. To the best of their ability in a concept plan, they squeezed the road in between wetland, stormwater pond, and all of these red, all the red that you can see there, those are plotted but not developed yet parcels. So, I don't disagree with anything um that's being said, but I'm saying that all of those things were indeed considered when the Century Engineering Group put together this proposal to address the east-west movement relative to this interchange. Thank you.
Play from 1:51:24Fred A. Neil
Any further against? Now the public hearing is closed. Uh what is the pleasure of council?
Play from 1:51:51Fred A. Neil
Any discussion? My understanding that this will then be part of the general discussion that will come under uh the agenda for Safety and Transportation. And we have Councilman Anderson?
Play from 1:52:03Donyale M. Hall
Thank you for welcoming, recognizing me, Council President. Um my my uh ears heard that whatever um the developer is interested in is kind of hanging in the balance here. There's a there is a um a patience to wait for the other three, but at least it would give the development opportunity with the two that are at hand. And I personally don't want to see us jeopardize um that piece of it, um especially when it offers um some opportunity for growth and economic development and an infusion
Play from 1:52:43Donyale M. Hall
of revenue into the city. So, um those parcels are already um in the city, and they're just looking to be rezoned. And so for that reason, I am in favor of us approving um this to rezone those uh parcels um in question that are already a part of the city so that we don't further jeopardize the opportunity that exists by waiting these three 30 days to get the rest of the of the uh understanding that we may be lacking because they can still move forward with their project, if I heard it correctly, under um the pieces that are already a part of the city. I yield.
Play from 1:53:09David L. Anderson
Thank you. I I favor the deferment because, one, uh these would all move together, so um separating them, um yeah, isn't the right idea.
Play from 1:54:06David L. Anderson
Uh second, I'd like to remind everyone that this transportation project with the off-ramp, for very good reason, was is our one of our highest priorities, uh and we need to let the there to be an opportunity for the submission that we request
Play from 1:54:15Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
need to work through. Um let's let's take a look at this, see how it would impact this. Uh we're not asking a lot. We're I I think the motion to defer would if to is intended to be the same timeframe as the other one. Uh we should continue to work these together. Uh let's defer it as requested by our Economic Development Partnership. It is um you know they're they're our experts and I I think that 30 days for this case to be made uh isn't too much to ask for. I yield.
Play from 1:54:40Fred A. Neil
Any other questions? If not, I want to call for Yes. Yes, Councilman Boggerty.
Play from 1:55:05Andre M. Boggerty
Thank you. I do have a question for the planner and or solicitor. In times past, we do have to bifurcate the annexation and rezoning. In times past, I think we had to be mindful if we're making rezoning based on designated use or if proper. Right now, based on from what I am hearing, at least in the rezoning portion, we are deferring based on on use instead of or use in, in some cases, not use, um, instead of, "Is it right and proper to to rezone this parcel of land?" Are we in any way held liable from a legal standpoint from our decisions into rezoning just to defer it defer it? Okay. Oh. Yeah, correct. I just want to make sure that even then, although it'd be deferred, that we can't take use under consider- consideration for rezoning.
Play from 1:55:10Nicholas Rodriguez
Sure. A a decision to defer uh a um a decision on this um will not prejudice the city. The city will have all the uh abilities at a future hearing that it does at this hearing.
Play from 1:56:19Fred A. Neil
Now, I'm going to call for a roll call vote to defer to this time that we're discussing the uh annexation. Uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
Play from 1:56:54Fred A. Neil
The uh motion has been basically to defer, and I'm going to call a 5-minute recess. It's after 9:00 now. In 5 minutes, we will resume.
Play from 1:57:18Fred A. Neil
Dover City Council for March 9th, 2026 is now resumed. We now have um based on the amended um agenda uh Ordinance number 2025-14, amending Chapter 22, Building, Buildings and Building Regulations by inserting Article 13, Women Housing. Uh Councilman Rocha and I have uh have sponsored this, and I would like to take the lead on
Play from 1:57:25Fred A. Neil
Uh, realtors have created a very high standard for professional conduct, but when a bump in the road does occur, the cost to the buyer who has bought a money pit of a house has has no real recourse. In Delaware, it's very hard to find an attorney to represent an unhappy buyer who discovered that they had acquired a mortgage, that they now own a lemon house and need a great deal of repairs and what- because what has not been disclosed.
Play from 1:58:00Fred A. Neil
If you sue and lose, you not only have to pay for the house, but you also have to pay for your attorney's fees and those of who you sued.
Play from 1:58:18Fred A. Neil
This ordinance is a result of referral from former Dover City Councilman Ralph Taylor. Uh, that stated- It, that started a journey down a rabbit hole for me and my co-sponsor, Councilman Gerald Rocha. Our guide was Deborah Butcher, who you heard momentarily, uh, briefly, in the opening remarks tonight.
Play from 1:58:24Fred A. Neil
She's a former federal investigator with a disability and two young children. As an investigator, she- you would think that she would have a mountain of evidence of wrongdoing, and she does: documents, photographs, repair bills, uh, correspondence with an alphabet of agencies such as DSHA, FHA, HUD, DOJ, plus elected officials, and Dover and State Police.
Play from 1:59:02Fred A. Neil
There's evidence of fraud, but, alas, the police and the DOJ consider this a civil and not a criminal matter. Even DSHA, that made the loan possible, has no interest in the outcome. It's a gotcha.
Play from 1:59:18Fred A. Neil
Unfortunately, there's no restitution in this ordinance. What it does is make certain that the prospective buyer is allowed, is aware of the defects in the house prior to signing the mortgage papers and the financial hell that follows if the house is a money pit.
Play from 1:59:26Fred A. Neil
In the process, it uses documents that realtors already use and automatically changes when when and if the industry changes the standards. Here's how this ordinance changes the dynamic of purchasing a house in Dover. It requires a whole house, in-depth inspection with a licensed state inspector, and must- not a walk-through inspection. Well, this adds the closing- adds to the closing costs, it can save a fortune in costly, unexpected repairs.
Play from 1:59:36Fred A. Neil
It clearly identifies a house flipper. The industry requires the seller to reveal known problems with the house. The flipper, who has never lived in the house, can truthfully say they do not know of any problems. As in the Butcher house, repairs can be cosmetic. The buyer buys trouble.
Play from 2:00:07Fred A. Neil
Every item that the licensed housing inspector lists must be acknowledged and initialed by the prospective buyer, showing that they know that the expense of the repair will be their responsibility, or they can demand that it be fixed before they buy, or renegotiate the sale price of the house, or walk away.
Play from 2:00:31Fred A. Neil
Please note, in addition to the whole house inspection, there's an FHA appraiser--
Play from 2:01:11Fred A. Neil
where problems in certain areas are noted and must be fixed before the loan is signed. That didn't happen in Miss Butcher's uh state. Uh how can you miss that there's no smoke alarms when you say there are? It took and uh and required an individual to go back to school. Actually got a slap on the wrist by the governor agency uh dealing with appraisers. It didn't make Miss Miss Butcher financially whole or improve the condition of the house.
Play from 2:01:14Fred A. Neil
Penalties are strictly complaint-driven to the city manager. There's no additional burden on code inspectors or building inspectors to inspect every home. An appeal to of the city manager's decision goes to the Construction Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals. A licensed professional can lose their license to do business in Dover and could be fined $1,000.
Play from 2:01:43Fred A. Neil
On behalf of uh I wish to thank uh Coun- Councilman Rocha and myself, I want to thank realtor icons To- Todd Stonesifer and Phil McGinnis, Chief Code Inspector Eddie Kopp, City Planner Dawn Melson-Williams, and Director Dover Budget for their help in crafting this ordinance. And I'd like to ask uh Councilman Rocha for any comments that he might have.
Play from 2:02:05Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Yeah, so I I thank you, Council President, and uh thank you for a thorough uh uh analysis of this this ordinance. Um and uh the only thing that I will add is that I would hope that um when the buyers come into the city to buy property that they feel as though that, you know, through transparency and what we're proposing in this ordinance um that they would be able to enjoy a home that they uh are looking forward to out of excitement, but also educate them along the way as far as the processes that takes place in the purchase of the property, make it known, and uh and then uh above all, the in- the home inspection, which is the core uh of of this, um is is done uh, you know, with with the all the t's and and I uh crossed and the i's dotted in this situation. So um I've met several times myself with Ms. Butcher, and um, you know, we tried to get something like this done on the state level, but it has been passed down to us, and I feel like within our city boundaries, we can actually do something to hopefully uh prevent uh what Ms. Butcher had had went through uh with her experience. So with that, I yield.
Play from 2:02:28Ms. Butcher
Good evening. I'd like to start by thanking um both President Neil and Councilman Rocha for their assistance. My story has been a three-year ordeal, and it hasn't stopped. Um I will begin with the 2- in 2022, I contacted the state-supported program, Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye, for
Play from 2:04:04Public Commenter
assistance in purchasing a home. The I followed the housing counselor's instruction. I trusted every professional involved, believing the people were guiding me were bound by ethics, laws, and human decency. I trusted the lender from their list, who introduced me to his father, a licensed realtor, to help me purchase a safe home for my children and I.
Play from 2:04:30Public Commenter
At the time, I didn't know that the agency didn't vet its lenders. As a result, my trusted realtor steered me, a disabled person on a fixed income, into a severely dilapidated and dangerous property through discriminatory steering and housing fraud, and an alleged profit-for-sale scheme.
Play from 2:04:56Public Commenter
From this day, from the first day that I moved in, my horrific nightmare began. The basement was fluttered- flooded with about 5 to 8 in of water. It continues to flood to date, even when there's no rain or inclement weather.
Play from 2:05:19Public Commenter
At one point in the beginning, because I was on a fixed salary, I was running out of money. So my two 8-year-old children and I, with health conditions, carried over 40 buckets of water outside with the fear of the there was going to be a lot of mold in the basement area. Little did I know, at the time, that there was already mold in that house. It was covered up and concealed.
Play from 2:05:36Public Commenter
The home's complete- Within the first week, the home's complete plumbing system collapsed. Branches were found in the plumbing. My realtor, my trusted realtor, had ordered an inspection, but not the inspection I requested. What he ordered was a standard inspection that would not detect those problems in that house. So he sort of circumvented the safeguards that would have prevented from this sale from going through by ordering the standard inspection.
Play from 2:06:03Public Commenter
As a result, the water was a dirty brown. Um, at that time, I wasn't sure what was causing it, um, until I started calling contractors. The contractors, after the collapse of the plumbing, advised me that the plumbing was hooked up to dirty, corroded copper piping, which basically exposed us to copper poisoning.
Play from 2:06:34Public Commenter
At that time, I had to get filters for everything. I had to buy cases and cases of bottled water. That was the only way we could drink, cook, and bathe until I got that fixed. That in itself, after purchasing a home on a fixed income, cost me close to $40,000.
Play from 2:07:00Public Commenter
But that wasn't the end of it. The repairs were Every week there was something so dramatic, and it was thousands of dollars, thousands of so much money that I I could hardly live. It got to the point where I found out that the house couldn't be heated. There were huge holes from the roof all the way down to the basement area. So, the first winter in the home, we had space heaters to keep us warm
Play from 2:07:19Public Commenter
even had my thermostat at 95, which, of course, compounded with the heating bills running anywhere from 4 to $500 a month. My son's room had the smell of mold. It was later discovered through contractors that the windows in this house, there are approximately 15 windows, had no seals to keep inclement weather out. It also had dry-rotted wood around all the windows. The windows could not be shut or secure. The same with the doors. The doors, the entryways and the doors are dry-rotted to where the house cannot be secure or keep inclement weather out. So, I had to put weatherstripping tape around the windows and the doors to keep the house warm, as well as keep inclement, the rain, out of the out of the housing. We also had an issue with rodents, insects, water intrusion, and mold. It was later discovered, approximately 8 months later, that there was a gas leak with the heater. The contractor advised that the plumbing was non-compliant and that it could have started a fire or caused death. So, immediately, the whole thing was straight duress because I've already spent over $90,000 into this home, and it still isn't where it should be. I'm still dealing with issues pretty much on a weekly basis. The basement floods because it was discovered by two different contractors that the house sits on a bed of water. So, you have water coming up from, when it rains, you have water coming out through the physical cement in the basement and flooding the basement. You have a sump pump that had to be replaced four times because the amount of water flowing through the basement is like a flowing river. You have the Bilco doors that are bent and have no seals, and there's cracks in between the the cement. So, water flows in through that area that is supposed to have a vent for the water to go, but there is none. You have a hole on the roof that was supposed to be fixed prior to closing, but was fixed by the seller with Flex Seal. With this being said, I paid close to $300,000 for this house. This was no simple mistake. This was clearly housing fraud. The home was sold was unsafe, structurally compromised through severe water damage, and unfit for human habitation. It wasn't an accident. It was not a misunderstanding. It was clear fraud concealed through cosmetic coverups, colluding realtors, sellers, and lenders. When the appraiser did her appraisal, she had a specific line at the bottom. It said, "This house does not meet FHA or HUD requirement," yet the FHA loan was approved by the lender. The problem is, when I sought help, all forms of the system failed again and again for me. Each agency dismissed me or did not want to hold anyone in the real estate chain ac-
Play from 2:07:47Public Commenter
accountable for the alleged crime or fraud, unethical acts, or harm done to me and my family. I was only re-victimized over and over again by a system that silenced the victim. I was told by an attorney, no one in the state of Delaware will go against a realtor, a seller, a lender, an appraiser, or closing agent. These bad actors have a legal license to commit fraud and harm the disabled, the elderly, the first-time buyer, and families, and walk away with a commission check without accountability for their unethical and alleged criminal acts.
Play from 2:11:03Public Commenter
The problem, without a police report, nothing moves forward. The FBI, which handles mortgage fraud, can't act without a police report. The Attorney General's office criminal division won't act without a police report. Dover Police Department dismissed my evidence twice as a civil matter and refused to review any documents outlining a possible crime. When law enforcement deprioritizes housing fraud crimes, it enables a system of discrimination in which perpetrators act with impunity, knowing there will be no accountability.
Play from 2:11:48Public Commenter
Consumer Protection declined to act, citing, "We don't do these type of cases," even though there are existing c- consumer protection laws that specifically address misrepresentations by a realtor. Professional Regulations refused to act against a realtor or broker. I received a letter stating that the DPR investigator stated insufficient evidence from the investigator because the final decision was made by a realtor, an advisor to the agency in the same profession, protecting their colleagues.
Play from 2:12:25Public Commenter
In 2025, after 3 years of constant duress, stress, financial ruin, and instability, I was diagnosed with heart failure, which occurred 3 years ago when I purchased this home. My health decline is directly linked to this dilapidated home. This is a public health issue, a consumer protection issue, and a civil rights issue. Yet, there is no one in the state of Delaware, not the Dover Police Department, not state agencies, criminal or compliance, that will go against a realtor, a broker, a lender, a seller, or closing agent. No attorney will help me and others like me in this situation to hold these individuals accountable for the harm done to me and my young children.
Play from 2:12:59Public Commenter
Only two councilmen, which are the two that were mentioned earlier, were the only people that did not turn me away. As a disabled woman, I have the right to a safe home. As a mother, I have the right to protect my children from harm in the purchase of a home. As a consumer, I have the right to honesty and transparency. As a citizen, I have the right for justice. I am here to tell you, my life matters, my children's lives matter, our voices matter, and our stor-
Play from 2:13:49Public Commenter
it calls us to demand accountability and justice and not be dismissed. I am here because the system meant to protect us did not simply fail, it collapsed. And I am here because policy change is not optional. It's urgent. Delaware lacks mandatory verification of disclosure form information, enforcement of false information of or housing case fraud cases, tracking of home repairs and permits, accountability for fraudulent appraisals, legal remedies for victims, law enforcement engagement and transparency in real estate transactions. The reason a buyer cannot sue and win is because the everyone in the real estate chain holds all the cards. The buyer is the one left in the dark and has to trust 100% that the realtor is acting on their best interest, best interests. In my case, my realtor was acting in his best interests. Silence is not an option, nor is complicity, and justice should not be a request, it should be a demand. I am asking you, not as politicians, not as chairmen, not as council members, but as human beings to ensure that no other family endures what my two children and I have suffered for over 3 years. I am told that everybody knows everybody in Delaware, so I'm asking for those who are here this evening to help us with finding a solution to fix these homes and finding an attorney to make this right with the victims who are suffering over 3 years at the hands of unethical realtors we entrusted to find a home but committed an alleged crime of fraud while violating our civil rights under the Fair Housing Act in an alleged self for-profit scheme. We need justice for the physical harm and the alleged criminal acts done against us for purchasing a home to fulfill wanting the American dream of homeownership for our families. When each of you go home tonight, you go home to a home to a safe and and secure. When I go home, my family and I live with the threat of illness, the threat of gas leaks due to illegal, non-compliant piping, the threat of our homes may collapse due to severe financial, I'm sorry, foundational, structural, water, and termite damage. I live in fear daily of not having enough money for repairs, food, medicine, of being able to pay the next unforeseen, devastating repair. We live every day, every hour, and every moment in fear all because we purchased a home from a realtor we trusted. The question before you is not whether the system is broken, the question is how deeply it has been allowed to crack and whether you will be the ones to start repairing it and help victims like me get justice. My house, my home has financially destroyed me, causing severe
Play from 2:14:20Public Commenter
mental hardship and immense emotional duress, which is directly linked to my tangible health decline due to the financial instability caused by my realtors and other co-conspirators in my housing purchase. This house is physically killing me and causing harm to my children. We need an attorney who is not going to re-victimize us by charging $400 an hour and telling the victim that they have to do all the work. We need individuals who can seek justice for the wrong done to my family and two other families in the same predicament in this area. We need help getting out of these compromised unsafe homes. This is why the Lemon Law was created. I'd like to thank all of you for your time and your attention and listening to my story.
Play from 2:17:37Tricia K. Arndt
Thank you for recognizing me. So in in reading the the proposed ordinance, I did have some questions. Um, specific to the $1,000 fine-
Play from 2:18:54Tricia K. Arndt
Uh, the $1,000 fine, who would pay that? Is that the the realtor would pay that fine? And my question is what if a realtor's not involved? What if there's a direct sale between two parties?
Play from 2:19:05Fred A. Neil
If, on direct sales, I think that what's going to happen is, uh, I believe you diff- differ. Uh, and my sense that uh, what to do really quick, uh, in this uh, document, and is his uh, proposal, it's my understanding, which means that if if a house is being bought uh, in, let's say, uh, uh, a repossessed, re- repossess a house, uh, or or any other circumstances where it has to be fixed up, uh, then
Play from 2:19:13Fred A. Neil
uh, the person who was who's responsible is going to be one of the realtors who basically does not get the rest of the check-off. And he has to have Whoever's handling the sale would be the one who says, "Okay, here is a You have to have a whole house uh, examination, and the person and the uh, buyer has got to uh, sign off on anything that's found that is not correct." So there's no question about it, it would be that individual. And it would be that individual who would lose her license to work within the city.
Play from 2:19:37Tricia K. Arndt
So for circumstances where um, a home inspection doesn't make sense or is is is not an option, foreclosures, or if there's a purchase of the property and it's understood the property's going to be demolished or rehabbed, um, so the buyer would not be interested, would not need uh, a home inspection. So I would propose an amendment to this that there is an option uh, for the buyer to choose to waive this requirement for a home inspection. So I'll propose that as as an amendment.
Play from 2:20:20Fred A. Neil
And I'll second that. So basically if somebody is uh, going to uh, pick up the property because it's been repossessed by uh, a a bank or any other circumstances where that
Play from 2:20:44Fred A. Neil
person is not going to be living in that house, but is going to be selling that house, then they don't need they don't need the inspection. And it'll be that their option to sell it uh buy that house as is, and then uh go on. Only when the person is when the house is fixed up, that's when the inspection has to take place under under your amendment.
Play from 2:20:53Tricia K. Arndt
And then, in circumstances where um the buyer is not made aware of a home inspection option, at what point is the buyer then reporting that to the city that a violation has occurred for the city to then act on the realtor who did not offer the inspection?
Play from 2:21:16Fred A. Neil
We're we're going to have to uh basically educate uh the realtors that this is required in the city. And then at that point that whatever uh information that's provided would indicate if you do have a a complaint about this, it would go to the city manager first. And then whatever we decide, whatever the city manager decide, it can be appealed to the Code of Appeals.
Play from 2:21:39Tricia K. Arndt
Okay, thank you for that. I would also ask that um should this ordinance pass um that the Division of Professional Regulation be notified that we've made a change to home sales within within the city, and also that the Delaware Association of REALTORS be made aware that we've made a change to how homes are purchased in the city.
Play from 2:22:45Fred A. Neil
Yes, and we do have Rajat Stone-Seufer here who was very helpful in working out uh or helping to create this ordinance uh to make sure that we that what we do will be the right thing to do.
Play from 2:23:07David L. Anderson
Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh I am definitely going to uh vote in favor of this ordinance. I I hate to see anything that adds um burdensome cost, but uh I always feel that a home inspection is um just like having an attorney. It is something that you really need to protect yourself and and your family. Uh I would like to, I don't know about if uh the the lady would be eligible, but I would recommend um that she checks out uh the home repair fund that exists through the the city, which is um uh administered by Milford Housing Development Corporation. She looks looks up Milford Housing and and calls to see, because uh some of the types of repairs that are mentioned are are made to order for that if she qualifies. Um and a lot of people do that don't think they would.
Play from 2:24:10Roy Sudler, Jr.
So I, I would, uh, just highly recommend that, uh. Uh, and and that in that part, I'd yield, Mr. President.
Play from 2:24:10Fred A. Neil
Uh, I do have firsthand information. She has tried that, and she's not considered eligible for it, unfortunately. Anyone else? If not, uh, I call the question. Please call a roll call vote.
Play from 2:24:20Eddie Kopp
Good evening, City Council. My name is Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Dover. I just want to express a couple concerns I have with the ordinance. Um, Councilwoman Arndt brought up the transfer of sale. Um, one of the concerns with that is a sheriff's sale, or say we have a building declared dangerous in the city, and a prospective buyer wants to come buy it. The need for a housing inspection report from someone who's, one, if they're going to tear the building down, could hinder that sale or process. Uh, the other thing I have concerns, especially listening what I heard tonight, was that property, the way it was described, is a condemnation. That's beyond, um, livable based off of what was described. As a public servant, and I'm charged with the welfare and safety of the City of Dover citizens, that concerns me. And hearing that, I'm I'm very well concerned. That property should be condemned. She should not be in it, based on what I've heard. Part of my duties and my job is to find these properties, to correct these properties, and to protect the welfare and safety of the citizens. Um, in this ordinance, what I see is the the home inspection, it it calls out that we need the inspection, but doesn't quote code, or doesn't quote codes, it doesn't quote law. It just says it needs an inspection. To whose standards? To the home inspector's standards? It doesn't have the standard in here. I point this out because as I've drafted many ordinances, um, I've tried to get as much teeth in them. That way when we go to a court of law, it's going to stand its ground. With this, it doesn't really specify and that's one of the concerns. Um, it talks about the facts. It talks about operational and safety standards, but doesn't quote or state what safety standards. One of the things I try putting in my ordinance is the adopted City of Dover code codes and ordinances, that way we're covered. Whatever's covered under building code or ordinance would be covered. Um, the other concern I had was record keeping. Um, everything we do, we capture, we record, we document. Uh, everything that's done in the city is subject to FOIA request. One of my concerns would be there's nothing in here about document retention or how we're even going to obtain them records. Um, whenever it comes down to enforcement, we have to be able to justify why we enforce that. If this this ordinance does not give the buyer the opportunity to decline from what I've seen, and I saw something in here about licenses, um, I missed that in
Play from 2:24:48City Staff
reviewing this a few times, I have, but there is a, when it comes down to business licenses and rental licenses, there's a provisional order process that has to be followed through before we revoke somebody's license or suspend somebody's license. My recommendation at this time is and and this is just my recommendation is this be deferred while I can do some research and present a stronger ordinance. I do agree that this ordinance needs to happen, but I think there are some things in here that could be changed to spruce it up, make it strong, make it enforceable, and maybe take some of the responsibility off the city manager. One of the big concerns with that is that's a level of appeal. So, the first thing that I do when somebody challenges my question before we go to the Dover Board of Appeals or City Council or the court of law is I review it as a supervisor. What did my staff do? Let me review it. Let me see if they interpreted the code correctly. Then we have another step. It would go to a director, which is now vacant. But then it would go to the city manager. So, there's several approving authorities to look over that to make sure we interpreted that code correctly. Going straight to the city manager takes out all them extra eyes. I can't tell you how many appeals that have gone to the city clerk's office to where I caught and I'm like, we we quoted the wrong code, we took a picture of the wrong house, or something's not right.
Play from 2:27:26City Staff
Let's take a look at this. Let's reassess this. I do that with every appeal that comes in. That would be my concern is I don't want to waste time, don't want to waste the city manager's time, the council's time, or the court's time going through things that we could have caught at the staff level at the staff level. So, although I do understand the ordinance, I think there's some changes that could be made in here to make it stronger. Maybe have staff sit down and consider what we can do to strengthen this and make this more enforceable. The last thing I want to see, and as we see it all too often, we write the ordinance, then we're coming back a couple months later because we missed so much in it and we have to spruce it back up. I'd rather do it right the first time and just get all this stuff hammered out and fixed. That way, we're using the most efficient time and resources as possible. I'll take any question if anybody has any questions for me.
Play from 2:29:11Fred A. Neil
As a sponsor, I don't really have a problem with that. Councilman Rocha?
Play from 2:30:06Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
Yeah. No, I I don't either. I thought I thought that we had sent it to you. Didn't you make recommendations on that before?
Play from 2:30:11City Staff
I made some recommendations, but unfortunately they did not end up on this final draft.
Play from 2:30:16Fred A. Neil
Because the problem that we also have, the the scenario that we can add into that, uh to at the same time, so if a person is buying really an as-is house, wants to sell an as-is house, the end product, it doesn't hurt the end product. To that to the person who is going to live in that house, that this this ordinance really, that's where this ordinance takes effect, would have it. And we did have the city solicitor take a look at it, so that has been done. Yes, sir.
Play from 2:30:21Roy Sudler, Jr.
to the council president. How how long do you think it would take, yeah, for you to do the research and and uh back it up with uh any any other code that would go along with it?
Play from 2:30:43Eddie Kopp
I can I can put some staff recommendations in here and and try to have it within by the next council meeting if that's amenable to you.
Play from 2:30:56Donyale M. Hall
My my question um or my concern, actually, is is kind of moot right now because we're going to have to bring it back. I am a licensed realtor, and I missed my opportunity to recuse myself from this. I didn't want my um input to geg the vote. So um I I just um wanted to interject that.
Play from 2:31:06Fred A. Neil
Yeah. to the other member of council. Uh so we we do have an amendment on the floor. Do we adopt that amendment and then then then recess and bring this back with your comments?
Play from 2:31:18Eddie Kopp
If if I may, I uh Councilwoman Arndt's amendments is something that I plan to include in here just for clarity and and to ensure that was something that I had drafted up in my original um comments, so that would be included in there.
Play from 2:31:56Fred A. Neil
Yeah. Uh let's vote on that, and then we we know that the amendment is in there and then basically uh return it to staff. Um can we uh do we need a voice vote? May we have a voice vote on the amendment? All in favor?
Play from 2:32:06Fred A. Neil
Any opposed? None opposed. Now, Mr. Neil, a motion to uh to defer to return, yes.
Play from 2:32:19Roy Sudler, Jr.
Uh I was just going to make a motion that we uh defer this to the uh next city council meeting with the uh uh amendments uh proposed by uh Chief Code Enforcement Officer Eddie Kopp.
Play from 2:32:49Fred A. Neil
It's been uh made, motion made and seconded. All in favor, please say aye.
Play from 2:32:58Fred A. Neil
Any opposed? It's passed unanimously. And it is delayed until the next council session. Thank you.
Play from 2:33:02Fred A. Neil
Uh setting a property uh assessment appeals. Staff recommendation is that 2000 uh 20 26 property assessment appeals to be scheduled for June 1, 2026, through June 5, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in one evening if needed. Uh hearing times are subject to change. Anyone have any questions?
Play from 2:33:14Fred A. Neil
Hearing no questions, I'll entertain the motion for the property assessment appeals as
Play from 2:33:54Tricia K. Arndt
I move to accept staff recommendation for the setting of the property assessment appeals.
Play from 2:34:01Fred A. Neil
Second by Arndt, probably made by Arndt, seconded by uh Rocha. Any questions? All in favor, please say by uh say aye.
Play from 2:34:04Fred A. Neil
None opposed, it passes. Uh now, the last item on the agenda uh was from February 25th, 2026, the Consent Agenda uh number 14, Animal Control Officer Briefing, uh and uh on that uh it was pulled from the record uh because of uh clarification need for clarification. Tonight, I shall permit it to go forward with the comment that the miscommunications have been resolved, and vote uh to pass it. Uh all in favor?
Play from 2:34:12Tricia K. Arndt
I make a motion to uh move this uh forward. I guess, uh, back to the Consent Agenda from from last month.
Play from 2:34:33Sharon Duca
Uh thank you, Council President. I just have a couple things. Uh one, I wanted to remind people to report an emergency with your water and sewer service, an electric outage or street light outage, please call electric system operations at 302-736-7086 and select option three. I would also like to note that uh starting last week, we've been collecting up uh bulk yard waste from the post-winter storm. Um that is going to be running through March 13th. If you were unable to make these dates, um please know that you'll need to follow regular size limitations uh until spring clean-up, which is scheduled to start April 6th to April 17th. And again, there will be no size limitations on the piles. Thank you.
Play from 2:35:20Fred A. Neil
Okay. Now we have council member's announcements. Yes, Councilman Boggerty.
Play from 2:36:18Andre M. Boggerty
I want to congratulate, thank you, Council President, uh the Dover basketball boys unified team. I was able to go to that game today a little bit, and it looks like they're on their way to the Bob too to play for another championship. And um also the the boys uh Dover boys team will have moved on to the Bob and advanced in the playoffs. So, while we have a lot of challenges, there are still some good um good kids doing some good things and and something to cheer about. So, way to go Dover.
Play from 2:36:22Fred A. Neil
Any other announcements? Hearing no other announcements, now the meeting is adjourned.
Play from 2:37:07