News
Wilmington City Council Approves the City’s FY2023 Budget
Thursday, May 19, 2022 Wilmington City Council Approves the City’s FY2023 Budget The approved budget includes a 6.0% Property Tax increase and a 5% Water Sewer rate increase for City residents Mayor Mike Purzycki presented the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget to Council on March 17, 2022, which included a 7.5% Property Tax rate increase and a 5% Water Sewer […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter May 10, 2022
Upcoming Council Meetings Join us for our upcoming City Council and Committee meetings in May 2022. You can participate in several ways: on our Facebook page here, on WITN22 YouTube page here, online at WITN22.org, on TV by tuning in to Comcast Channel 22, or via Zoom. Citizens wishing to be heard on issues are encouraged to voice their […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter April 8, 2022
FY 2023 City Council Budget Hearings Continue Wilmington City Council’s 2023 fiscal year budget hearings are well into this year’s virtual hearings on Mayor Mike Purzycki’s proposed budget. To date, eight department hearings have been conducted to examine the mayor’s plans for the coming fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2022. Next week, on April 13, 2022, […]
Delaware Press Association announces eleven awards for Wilmington City Council Members, Council Staff, and WITN-22 Staff
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Wilmington City Council Members, Council Staff, and WITN-22 Staff win Top Honors from Delaware Press Association Delaware Press Association announces eleven awards for Wilmington City Council Members, Council Staff, and WITN-22 Staff. Delaware Press Association (DPA) recently announced that several staff members of Wilmington City Council and WITN-22, the City’s government television station, […]
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Address and Budget Hearings Newsletter
Mayor Mike Purzycki to propose a Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget and Water/Sewer Budget during the Annual State of the City Address Mayor Mike Purzycki will deliver the FY 2023 Budget proposal and present the Annual State of the City Address to Wilmington City Council on March 17, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. during City Council’s next virtual regular […]
Wilmington’s 2nd District receives DART Bus Stop Improvements
Monday, March 7, 2022 Wilmington’s 2nd District receives DART Bus Stop Improvements Councilwoman Shané Darby works with DART to install new bus shelters. Wilmington City Councilwoman Shané Darby of the 2nd District initiated a comprehensive effort to update and improve bus stops in Wilmington’s 2nd District in order to encourage bus ridership and use of public transportation. […]
Wilmington City Council Swears in At-Large Council Member Albert Mills
Thursday, March 3, 2022 Wilmington City Council Swears in At-Large Council Member Albert MillsAlbert Mills replaces former Councilwoman Rysheema Dixon. WILMINGTON – Albert Mills, a native of Wilmington and lifelong resident of the city, is the new At-Large Council Member of the City of Wilmington. By a vote of 10-yes (President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, 2nd District Council […]
Wilmington City Council approves a Down-payment and Settlement Assistance Program
Thursday, February 17, 2022 Wilmington City Council approves Substitute No.1 to Ordinance 21-056 to Create a Down-payment and Settlement Assistance Program The Wilmington First Start Home Ownership Down Payment and Settlement Assistance Program, a municipal loan program that will provide eligible homebuyers with loans of up to $15,000 to assist with down payment or settlement […]
3rd District Council Member Zanthia Oliver sponsors “Local Minority Contractors Meeting”
Press Alert Monday, February 14, 2022 3rd District Council Member Zanthia Oliver sponsors “Local Minority Contractors Meeting” in Partnership with DelDOT and several City Departments On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Council Member Zanthia Oliver (3rd District), in partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and City departments that include Licenses and Inspections, Real Estate […]
City Council Announces Names of At-Large Qualified Candidates
Thursday, February 10, 2022 City Council Announces Names of At-Large Qualified Candidates Nineteen (19) candidates have qualified to fill the seat as verified by the Department of Elections. Wilmington – On January 6, 2022, City Council Member At-Large Rysheema Dixon announced her resignation from Wilmington City Council, and pursuant to the City Charter, the current City Council was […]
From the Desk of City Council President Ernest Trippi Congo
Wilmington City Council President seeks transparent practices and accountability from Wilmington Police Chief Robert J. Tracy The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) Chief Robert J. Tracy has demonstrated resistance and a pattern of failure to provide information when requested, including any ideas to increase communication, transparency, diversity and police reform. Wilmington City Council President Congo is requesting transparency practices that support public […]
Wilmington City Council Recap | January 20, 2022
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 City Council Recap: Wilmington City Council approves a Resolution of No Confidence in Chief Robert J. Tracy and the Wilmington Police Department Practices Wilmington – During their regular city council meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2022, council members presented their opinions on various matters connected to a vote of ‘No Confidence’ in […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter January 7, 2022
Council Approves Redistricting Ordinance 21-060 to Amend Chapter 2 of the City Code Wilmington City Council approved an ordnance that amends Chapter 2 of the City Code to Redistrict the Councilmanic Districts of the City of Wilmington. This process included redrawing the lines of districts from which public officials are elected to accommodate population changes from the previous […]
At-Large City Council Member Rysheema Dixon Announces Resignation
At-Large City Council Member Rysheema Dixon Announces Resignation Council to fill Vacancy in early 2022 Rysheema Dixon served as Council Member At-Large from January 2017 to January 2022. Photo Courtesy of Saquan Stimpson, WITN22. Wilmington, DE – City Councilmember At-Large Rysheema Dixon publicly announced her resignation from Wilmington City Council during the body’s regular meeting on Thursday, January […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter December 17, 2021
Redistricting Ordinance 21-060 gets voted out of Committee On Thursday, December 16, 2021, City Council’s Redistricting Committee voted the Report (Redistricting Ordinance to Amend Chapter 2 of the City Code to Redistrict the Councilmanic Districts of the City of Wilmington Pursuant to Section 2-102 of the Wilmington City Charter) out of committee which can be read here and the […]
Wilmington City Council Recap | December 9, 2021
PRESS RELEASE Thursday, December 9, 2021 City Council Recap: Wilmington City Council Introduces an Ordinance to Redistrict the Councilmanic Districts and approves American Rescue Plan Act Funds Wilmington – Tonight, during Wilmington City Council’s last regular meeting of the year, council members presented their opinions on various matters connected to redistricting the city’s eight councilmanic districts and […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter December 3, 2021
Upcoming Redistricting Committee Meeting will include a Draft Ordinance On Monday, December 6, 2021, City Council’s Redistricting Committee will meet for an official map proposal and public hearing to discuss new legislative district maps that reflect how local populations have changed over the past 10 years, based on U.S. Census data. For the first time, prisoners […]
New Law Counts Incarcerated Persons at their last known Home Addresses for Redistricting
Wilmington City Council approved a new ordnance that amends Chapter 2 of the City Code to require City Council and its Redistricting Committee to count incarcerated individuals in the City of Wilmington as residents of their last known addresses when new legislative district lines are drawn for redistricting purposes. Council voted 11-0 (2 absent) to […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter November 5, 2021
Wilmington City Council is accepting Redistricting Maps/Proposals from the Public for consideration Did you know that drawing new boundaries for Wilmington’s eight districts is not a process only reserved for City Council’s Redistricting Committee? You can be a part of the process too. Wilmington City Council is encouraging members of the public to provide any […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter November 1, 2021
Wilmington City Council holds Third Redistricting Committee/Public Hearing meeting The Wilmington City Council Redistricting Committee met for the third time on Thursday, October 28, 2021, to discuss the Committee’s Progress, to review and consider maps and redistricting proposals, to hear public comments, to request a motion for recommendation of Redistricting Committee to Council, and to discuss legislative […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter October 1, 2021
Council Members join Sister Theresa Marie Elitz in building dedication The Family Counseling Center of St. Paul’s celebrated and dedicated their new Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center building at 301 N. Van Buren Street in Wilmington, DE, to Sister Theresa Marie Elitz with a ceremony on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The ceremony highlighted speeches from City Council […]
Wilmington City Council President’s call for transparency and urgency has gone unanswered from Wilmington’s Police Department
News and Information From the Wilmington City Council Press Alert Friday, October 1, 2021 Wilmington City Council President’s call for transparency and urgency has gone unanswered from Wilmington’s Police Department Transparency goes a long way in building trust between communities and our police officials. Now it is more important than ever. Wilmington, DE – On […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter September 24, 2021
#OneCouncil team joins AIDS Walk Delaware Wilmington City Council had their second “One Council” community event on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Brandywine Park during this year’s 35th annual AIDS Walk Delaware. The event raised over $115,000 to support case management services, free HIV testing, HIV-specific mental health counseling, education and prevention programs, housing services and so […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter September 17, 2021
City Council Proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month The Latin American Community Center (LACC) President & CEO Maria Matos, Board of Directors, and staff members joined Wilmington City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, 5thDistrict Council Member Bregetta Fields, Council Members At-Large Maria Cabrera and James Spadola, and other elected officials and community members at the 300 block […]
Press Release | Council Member Zanthia Oliver’s 3rd District Light Up The Eastside
News and Information From the Wilmington City Council Press Alert Tuesday, September 14, 2021 3rd District Council Member Zanthia Oliver sponsors “Light Up the Eastside” Event in Partnership with East Side Civic Association and The HELP Initiative, Inc. Over 300 Energy Efficient LED Lights to be installed to Reduce Criminal Activity and Energy Consumption […]
Daniel Walker Honored As Part Of Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40
Daniel Walker honored as part of Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 Wilmington City Council Members and staff would like to congratulate our City Council Chief of Staff, Daniel Walker, for being honored as part of this year’s Delaware Business Times (DBT) class of 40 under 40. The DBT40 Awards pays tribute to ambitious professionals […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter September 4, 2021
Hurricane Ida Resources Updates Mayor Purzycki, in partnership with the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), issued updated information last night for residents and businesses affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Wilmington residents in need of assistance or help with social services this weekend can call the Social Services […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter August 27, 2021
Wilmington City Council holds First Redistricting Committee/Public Hearing meeting The Wilmington City Council Redistricting Committee met for the first time on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, which can be viewed here. The Committee is tasked with preparing a report that contains a recommended plan for adjusting the councilmanic district boundaries of districts one through eight. To […]
Wilmington Begins The Process Of Redistricting
Tuesday, August 22, 2021 Wilmington City Council begins the process of Redistricting the city’s eight Councilmanic Districts Link to Wilmington City Council’s redistricting process: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/redistricting (Wilmington, DE) – The City of Wilmington will begin the process of redistricting its councilmanic districts on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 5pm. Per City Code/Charter, Sec. 2-32, the process, which […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter August 13, 2021
Wilmington City Council is Back in Session Wilmington City Council will be back in session next week. For the first time in 18 months, since Covid-19 pushed all council meetings to virtual, City Council will be opening the doors to Council Chambers, located in the Louis L. Redding City/County Building at 800 N. French Street […]
The process of redistricting Wilmington is set to begin
(Wilmington, DE) – The City of Wilmington will begin the process of redistricting its councilmanic districts the week of August 23, 2021. Per City Code/Charter, Sec. 2-32, the process, which happens every 10 years, sets forth the mandatory duty of the city council to redistrict the city into eight councilmanic districts within six months after […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter August 6, 2021
The Warehouse Grand Opening Day Third District Council Member Zanthia Oliver, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, The WRK Group Chief Executive Officer Logan Herring, and Wilmington City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo joined other local and state officials, community leaders, and local teens for The Warehouse grand opening day on August 5, 2021 at 1121 Thatcher Street […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter July 28, 2021
Wilmington Announces One-week Limited Parking Ticket Amnesty Mayor Mike Purzycki announced that parking tickets issued to residents this week for failure to move a vehicle for street cleaning and for failure to obtain a residential parking permit will be converted to warnings. Anyone who has already paid their ticket will receive a refund. The City will issue […]
Wilmington City Council Newsletter July 15, 2021
City Council’s Legislative Break (WILMINGTON, DE) – On July 8, 2021, Wilmington’s City Council held its last meeting before going on the annual legislative break. You can view the meeting on WITN’s YouTube channel here. While Council is in recess, we urge you to use this opportunity to catch up on all the meetings and legislation Wilmington City Council […]
Virtual Community Conversation Event offered to Wilmington Community Members to discuss the American Rescue Plan Act Funds
(Wilmington, DE) – Wilmington City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo held a virtual community conversation event for Wilmington community members on July 6, 2021 to discuss the roughly $55 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds Wilmington will receive. The ARPA was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on March 11, […]
Council President to host virtual town-hall discussion at 6:00PM on July 6 re: American Rescue Plan Act funds
Please join us tonight as City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, II will host a virtual community conversation to receive feedback from the community on how Wilmington’s $55 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds should be spent. Below are the links to tonight’s virtual conversation, which begins at 6:00pm. The conversation can be accessed […]
Salesianum School Announces $12 Million Gift from Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos (’63)
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Mayor Purzycki Shares Announcement from Salesianum School About $12 Million Gift from Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos (’63) The historic gift will create 24 scholarships, with preference given to qualified applicants living in the City of Wilmington Mayor Purzycki is pleased to share the following announcement from Salesianum School regarding a $12 […]
Wilmington City Council President Congo and Council Members Condemn Gun Violence and Announce Support to Grassroots Organizations
Wilmington – Today, May 13 at 11:30am, City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, II was joined by Council Member Zanthia Oliver (3rd District), Council Member Michelle Harlee (4th District), Council Member Bregetta Fields (5th District), Council Member Nathan Field (8th District), Council Member Rysheema Dixon (At-Large), Pastor Sandra Ben of Safe United Neighborhoods and Rev. H. Ward Greer of Churches Take A Corner […]
Kuumba Academy Students Meet With Council & Mayor
Wilmington – Today, May 7th at 10:00am students from Kuumba Academy, supported by teacher Salimata Linguer, peacefully marched from their school on 12th and N. French Streets to the Louis L. Redding City County Building to deliver letters they had written to elected officials on challenges facing our community. Credit: Saquan Stimpson, WITN Saliamata Linguer, a teacher […]
Mayor Purzycki Announces Wilmington Police Body-Worn Camera Program to Launch
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Police Chief Robert Tracy today announced continued progress toward accountability and transparency in City policing and community engagement through the implementation of a Body-Worn Camera program for the Wilmington Police Department (WPD). Chief Tracy said today that groups of officers will begin training for the camera program next week and […]
Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo and Wilmington City Council Offer Response to Mayor’s 2022 Budget Address
Wilmington – It has been one year since the pandemic closed schools and businesses and forced our community to shelter in place. The mandatory isolation of households combined with the rising medical crisis sent our economy into dramatic free fall that has caused irreparable harm to adults and children alike. Living through this once-in-a-century challenge […]
Council Members Fields and Spadola join Pastor Ben at Food and Clothing Giveaway in Wilmington’s S.U.N. Park
WILMINGTON – New Council Members Bregetta Fields (5th District) and James Spadola (At-Large) celebrated the significant contributions of Pastor Sandra Ben and the Safe United Neighborhoods (S.U.N.) organization on February 13th in Wilmington’s S.U.N. Park on 22nd & Lamotte Streets. On this cold Saturday, Pastor Ben, Safe United Neighborhoods (S.U.N.), and the NorthEast Civic Association […]
Wilmington City Council Passes Housing Ordinance in a 10-3 vote
Wilmington – Last night, Wilmington City Council passed Substitute No. 1 to Ordinance No. 21-006, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 34 of the City Code to revise certain provisions of the civil fines for owners of rental properties. A majority of Council believes that now, more than, ever our city needs every landlord to take […]
Councilwoman Oliver Joined by State Sen. Brown to Celebrate New Townhomes at Historic Walt’s Way
WILMINGTON – Saturday, February 13th, Third District Wilmington City Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver joined along with Senator Darius Brown and Mrs. Sheppard, the wife of Harry Sheppard officially cut the ribbon on Walt’s Way Townhomes. The housing complex was announced in 2016 to honor the memory of the late Harry Sheppard, the former owner of Walt’s […]
Wilmington City Council officials react to the passage of Senate Bill 31 and Senate Bill 32
WILMINGTON – Yesterday, Delaware’s General Assembly passed Senate Bill 31 (an equal rights amendment to Delaware’s constitution) and the Senate passed Senate Bill 32 (The CROWN Act), two initiatives supported by the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus. Councilwoman Michelle Harlee from Wilmington’s Fourth District says, “there is nothing more important than updating Delaware’s constitution to show […]
108th Session of City Council Assumes Office – Approves Staff and New Committee Assignments
WILMINGTON – Last night, during the 108th Session of City Council’s operational meeting, City Treasurer DeWayne Sims, Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, and the members of Wilmington City Council were sworn in. Mayor Purzycki addressed City Council and the City of Wilmington and City Council adopted its governing rules and committee structure and confirmed the […]
CITY COUNCIL TO SWEAR IN SHANE’ DARBY AS 2ND DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER
On Tuesday November 10th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., Wilmington City Council will swear in Shane’ Darby as Wilmington’s 2nd District Councilmember. Pursuant to Section 2-101 of the City Charter, if there is a vacant seat, the newly elected Councilmember must take office the first Tuesday following the general election to complete the remainder of the current term. […]
Governor Carney Announces this week’s COVID 19 Testing Sites
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), announced a substantial list of community testing sites this week. Testing locations include pop-up and Curative trailer sites. “Testing for COVID-19 is the best way to track the spread of the virus and respond […]
Mayor Purzycki Shares News from Delmarva Power to Customers Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Delmarva Power Urges Customers to Act Now to Establish Payment Arrangements, Secure Energy Assistance More can be done for customers who call now to discuss past due balances NEWARK, Del. (September 1, 2020) – Delmarva Power is urging customers who may have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to contact the company now to […]
Mayor Purzycki Announces Details of Wilmington’s 4th Annual HBCU Week & College Fair; Due to COVID, All Events Are Virtual Since 2017, participating HBCUs have granted over 2,000 admission opportunities to local students and have awarded more than $5.5 million in scholarships.
Mayor Mike Purzycki and Wilmington’s HBCU Ambassador, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, today announced details of Wilmington’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week [hbcuweek.org] activities, which includes the HBCU College Fair, expanded to two days. HBCU Week opens today and will continue through Saturday, September 26. The presenting sponsors of the 2020 HBCU Week are […]