News
VIRTUAL COUNCIL MEETING -THURSDAY 3/26/20 6:00PM
Our next virtual City Council meeting will be held Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 6:00 pm in which the Mayor will give his Budget Address. The Council meeting will be conducted using virtual video/teleconferencing technology that will permit the public and members of Council to hear the meeting and so that the members of the […]
COVID-19 UPDATE from Council President Shabazz 3/24/20
Hello Wilmington, Here are the most recent COVID-19 Updates: Governor Carney Declares Public Health Emergency (PHE) Governor Carney Closes Delaware Schools Through May 15 DNREC campgrounds and playgrounds to close March 24 Division museums closed; special programs postponed Food Bank Mobile Pantry sites Information on Unemployment Benefits State of Delaware’s COVID-19 daily updates Governor Carney […]
Updates from Council President 3/23/20
Hello Wilmington, On Sunday, March 22nd, 2020, Governor Carney issued a Stay at Home Order for Delawareans. All non-essential businesses are to close effective Tuesday March 24 at 8:00 AM. You can view Governor Carney’s video briefing here. To read the Governor’s Declaration or to view the list of essential and non-essential businesses you may […]
Message from President Shabazz- 3/20/20
Hello Wilmington, These are certainly unusual times, but we are all in this together. As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, I can not stress enough the importance of everyone taking the necessary precautions to stay safe and well. In my capacity as your City Council President, I and the members of Council want to […]
CITY COUNCIL INVITES PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN MARCH 19, 2020 VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WILMINGTON –Today, City Council President Hanifa Shabazz along with members of Council announced final plans for hosting Thursday’s scheduled meeting. “I can not stress enough the importance of maintaining the health and safety of every resident in the City of Wilmington,” said President Shabazz. “Following the Governor’s amended State of Emergency order authorizing local governments […]
The Delaware Guide to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Delaware Division of Public Health Opens Coronavirus Call Center For any questions or concerns regarding COVOD -19 Please call the Delaware Division of Public Health’s call center at 1-866-408-1899, TTY at 1-800-232-5460 or email dphcall@delaware.gov Anyone who has returned from a country with a level 2 or higher travel alert – China, Italy, Iran, Japan, […]
Wilmington City Council Welcomes Nigerian Delegation
WILMINGTON – On Monday morning, members of Wilmington City Council welcomed a delegation of Nigerian leaders, University of Delaware professors and Chairman “Wale” Adelagunja of the Delaware African Caribbean Affairs Commission. City Council President Hanifa Shabazz along with Councilwomen Michelle Harlee and Yolanda McCoy welcomed Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission […]
Councilwoman Oliver and Lt. Governor Hall-Long to distribute Narcan in the 3rd District
WILMINGTON – On Wednesday, February 12th at 3:00 p.m., Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver will join Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to distribute opioid overdose kits in the third district. They will meet at Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, 2713 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19805. “People are dying from this epidemic and we all have role to play […]
January 15, 2020: Solutions to Building Safer Neighborhoods Discussion
Community Discussion: Solutions to Building Safer Neighborhoods * MEDIA ADVISORY * WHAT: In an effort to address the increasing issue of gun violence in our communities, 4th District Wilmington City Councilwoman Michelle Harlee along with Corie Priest from the Attorney General’s office will facilitate a public discussion with the goal of identifying solutions to address […]
City Council Votes to Authorize New Police Academy Class
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2020 WILMINGTON – At Thursday’s Wilmington City Council meeting, Council voted to pass a resolution calling for the commencement of an academy class for the Police Department. The vote had been previously delayed amid concerns from several Councilmembers regarding the lack of diversity on the police force. Councilman Christofer Johnson […]
11/22/19 City Council Approves Code Change to increase penalties regarding commercial property maintenence
WILMINGTON – On Thursday November 21, 2019, Wilmington City Council approved a bill presented by Councilmember Zanthia Oliver that amends Chapter 13 of the City Code regarding commercial property maintenance. The vote was passed with 10 votes in the affirmative with 3 members absent. Chapter 13, section 13-4 of the City Code requires all owners […]
9/27/19 City Council’s Community Development & Urban Planning Committee Announces formation of Sub-Committee to Promote Healthy Communities
WILMINGTON – Today, City Council’s Community Development and Urban Planning Committee (CD&UP) announced the names of the “Healthy Communities” Sub-Committee. Healthy Communities is a sub-committee of the CD&UP and will be focusing on examining best practices and solutions to address housing issues and community revitalization. The first meeting was held on September 18th. The creation […]
9/5/19 Christofer Johnson Sworn in as 7th District Councilmember
SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 WILMINGTON – Today, Wilmington City Council has sworn in Christofer C. Johnson as Wilmington’s 7th District Councilman. He is filling the seat that was vacated when Councilman Robert Williams stepped down in July. “Council approved a new process for replacing members that step down and I am pleased to say that it […]
Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for Monday August 26, 2019 4:30 PM
WILMINGTON – Last week, Wilmington City Council announced the names of the qualified candidates for the City’s 7th Councilmanic District vacancy for the seat vacated by Councilman Robert Williams in July. Today, City Council President Hanifa Shabazz announced that the Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held Monday August 26th at 4:30 PM in […]
Council Announces Names of 7th District Candidates
WILMINGTON – Today, Wilmington City Council announced the names of the qualified candidates for the City’s 7th Councilmanic District vacancy for the seat vacated by Councilman Robert Williams in July. Pursuant to the City Charter, to qualify to fill the vacancy, an applicant must be twenty-five (25) years of age or older, affiliated with the […]
Reminder – City Council now accepting letters of interest for filling District 7 vacancy
WILMINGTON – – The Wilmington City Council is now soliciting letters of interest from residents affiliated with the Democratic Party of the City’s 7th District to consider filling the seat that has been vacated by Councilman Robert A. Williams. Pursuant to the City Charter, to qualify to fill the vacancy, an applicant must be twenty-five (25) years of age […]
Williams resigns, Council search for successor begins
WILMINGTON – – Today, Robert A. Williams today resigned his post as Councilman of Wilmington’s 7th District. “It has been a pleasure to serve the residents of the 7th District and the City of Wilmington as a whole,” wrote Williams in his resignation letter addressed to Council President Hanifa Shabazz. “Likewise, it has been a pleasurable experience working with this […]
Fogging Spraying Mosquitoes – Southbridge Community /Alert
The Delaware Mosquito Control Section will conduct mosquito spraying to reduce adult mosquito populations in the Southbridge area of Wilmington on Friday, June 14, 2019. Weather permitting, the spraying will occur between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Application of the insecticide Sumithrin will be applied via a pickup truck. The insecticide, dose and […]
Sub#1 to Ord# 19-026 – Councilman Freel plans to hold legislation at the June 6th Council Meeting
“I will be holding Sub#1 to Ordinance # 19-026 an Ordinance to Amend Chapters 4, 5 and 34 of the City Code to Increase the Rental Dwelling Unit Business License Fee; Provide for Civil Fines for Owners of Rental Properties and Vacant Properties; and Increase Vacant Registration Fees.” “This item is on the Council […]
Council Approved the City’s FY2020 Operating Budget
News and Information From the Wilmington City Council City Council Approved the City’s FY2020 Budget The approved budget includes no property tax increase and 3.8% water/sewer/stormwater rate increase for City customers, zero for County customers City Council reconvened for a second meeting, and now has approved the FY2020 Operating and Water/Sewer Budget tonight by a vote of 8 […]
Community Conversations – Media Advisory
Wilmington City Council President, Hanifa Shabazz, will host the fourth “Community Conversations” today, Tuesday May 21st at 6:00 p.m. at Highlands Elementary School, 2100 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, DE. The public series of meetings is focused on updating and informing the community about work that the 107th Session of City Council has accomplished thus far in their […]
City’s FY2020 Operating Budget Failed Approval by Council
The operating budget tonight was defeated, 6 yea votes, 2 present votes,1 absent, 4 nay votes, which an ordinance requires 7 votes to pass. Per City Charter, the Council is required to pass a balanced budget 30 days prior to the end of the fiscal year. More information to follow for details of scheduling another meeting of Council […]
Community Conversations – Save the Date
SAVE THE DATE Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz Presents Upcoming Community Conversations May 17, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m. P.S duPont Middle School, 701 W. 34th Street May 21, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m. Highlands Elementary School, 2100 Gilpin Avenue
Cancellation of the previously scheduled public hearings (June 6, 2019, 700 Lea Blvd)
The previously scheduled hearings (June 6, 2019) has been cancelled on the following: Proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Development Plan for the Northwest Analysis Area and Ordinance No. 19-018, which proposes to rezone 700 Lea Boulevard from R-2 (One Family Detached Dwellings and One-Family Semi-Detached Dwellings) to R-5-A-1 (Low-Medium Density Apartment Houses) Zoning […]
Community Conversations – News Media Alert
Council President Hosts Second of Four “Community Conversations” Wilmington City Council President, Hanifa Shabazz, will host the second of four “Community Conversations” this evening, Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at H. Fletcher Brown Boys and Girls Club located at 1601 North Spruce Street, on the City’s North Eastside. […]
Community Conversations Hosted by Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, President Wilmington City Council
Community Conversations – Save the Date SAVE THE DATE Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz Presents Community Conversations April 25, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m. Peoples Settlement Association, 408 E. 8th Street April 30, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m. H. Fletcher Brown Boys & Girls Club, 1601 N. Spruce Street May 17, 2019, 6 […]
City Council confirms Robert M. Goff Jr., Esq. as next City Solicitor
WILMINGTON– City Councilmembers this evening confirmed the appointment of Robert M. Goff Jr., Esq. as the next Wilmington City Solicitor. Councilmembers unanimously approved a resolution that formally names Goff as City Solicitor representing the Mayor, City Council and all City departments, boards, and commissions. Goff was nominated for the position by Mayor Michael S. […]
City Council approves CVT Commission’s recommendation to name DETV as next Public Access/Leased Access station operator
WILMINGTON– The Wilmington City Council has voted to accept the Cable, Video & Telecommunications Commission’s recommendation to select DETV as the next manager of its Public Access/Leased Access (PALA) television station. By a vote of 7 to 4 Council Members endorsed the recommendation to select DETV to take over the broadcast operation of Channel 28. […]
DelDOT to hold public workshop on rehabilitation of I-95 from I-495 to North of Brandywine River Bridge
WILMINGTON – The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) would like to invite residents from in and around Wilmington and all other interested parties to a Public Workshop to discuss the proposed rehabilitation of I-95 Viaduct Corridor Project from I-495 to North of Brandywine River Bridge. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Chase […]
Community Court seeks input from the Wilmington community through online survey
WILMINGTON– Community Court organizers are asking the Wilmington community to assist them, as they prepare to launch a Wilmington Community Court, by completing a short online “Needs Assessment” survey. The assessment is a multiple-choice 15-question survey that can be accessed on the Community Court’s webpage here https://courts.delaware.gov/aoc/communitycourt.aspx The Wilmington Community Court initiative is an innovative […]
FY 2020 City Council Budget Hearing schedule released
FY 2020 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE WILMINGTON – The Wilmington City Council is scheduled to begin hearing proposals from the heads of the various departments throughout city government outlining plans to fund their respective operations over the course of the 2020 fiscal year. The following are the dates and departments scheduled for the hearings inside […]
Delaware Transit Corporation to hold a public workshop to discuss proposed changes to DART Statewide Bus Services
WILMINGTON – The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is hosting Public Hearing Workshops to provide input and comments on proposed changes to DART Statewide Bus Services to become effective May 19, 2019. Wilmington Public Library, The Commons, 10 East 10th St., Wilmington, 19801 Tuesday, March 5, 2019 11 AM to 1 PM 5 PM to 7 […]
Wilmington City Council Swears in 1st District Councilwoman Linda Gray
WILMINGTON– Linda Gray, a former parole officer, and magistrate judge is the new 1stDistrict Council Member of the City of Wilmington. By a vote of 8 to 4, the full body of the Wilmington City Council voted this evening to select Gray, who was sworn in and immediately took her seat. “My overall vision is […]
Stormin’ Norman Reunion Classic basketball tournament tips off this weekend
WILMINGTON – An effort that started as a way to get young people off the streets of Southbridge will serve as a reminder of its success in changing lives nearly 40 years later. The Stormin’ Norman Reunion Classic 2019 Basketball Tournament will reunite the players and coaches from the Wilmington youth league that ran from […]
WITN-22 again awarded top honors from Delaware Press Association
WILMINGTON– For the second time in as many years WITN-22 has taken away first-place awards in the 2019 Delaware Press Association Communications Contest. The awards are as follows: 1st Place: On-the-scene report (news) – Television: Yesenia Taveras for her solo news package on a YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program 1st Place: Talk Show (Television): WITN-22 staff, which includes […]
Wilmington City Council office closes early due to worsening weather conditions
WILMINGTON – Due to worsening weather conditions, President Hanifa Shabazz has closed the office of the Wilmington City Council for the remainder of the day. Wilmington City Councilmembers are available to constituents and can be contacted through the City Council web site at www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com. Citizens should contact the City’s Public Works Call Center at 302-576-3878 with […]
Tomorrow’s City Council meeting rescheduled to Thursday, February 28th
WILMINGTON– At the request of numerous members of City Council and due to their unexpected professional conflicts to attend tomorrow’s regularly scheduled meeting, President Hanifa Shabazz has agreed to reschedule the Wilmington City Council meeting to February 28. “Several items on the agenda are the culmination of weeks and months of work, debates and […]
Committee of the Whole makes recommendation to fill 1st District seat, full Council to vote to accept or reject
WILMINGTON – The Wilmington City Council Committee of the Whole has selected Linda M. Gray as its recommended candidate to fill the 1st District vacancy and will next present it to the full body of Council for a vote on February 21st. “We got this out of this committee with a majority vote, which is a good sign […]
Council Members ‘looking forward to’ Committee of the Whole meeting to recommend candidate to fill long vacant 1st District seat
WILMINGTON– On Friday at 4:30 p.m. the entire body of the Wilmington City Council will convene as a Committee of the Whole to participate in the selection process for filling the vacancy in the 1st District. “This seat has been open since November, so I’m glad we came up with a resolution to pick someone to […]
City Auditor cites “good feeling” about Council community support funding process after completing review requested by President
WILMINGTON– While a recently completed review of Community Service grants distributed between 2014 and the start of the current session of the Wilmington City Council turned up some instances that question compliance, measures to address such issues have been in place for nearly a year. “After reviewing the City Council grants of over $5,000 I […]
CVT Commission selects DETV to manage Leased Access station, recommendation goes to full Council for vote
WILMINGTON– The Cable, Video & Telecommunications Commission today selected DETV as its recommendation to be the next Third Party Operator (TPO) of Channel 28, the city’s Public Access/Leased Access (PALA) television station. An ordinance for first and second reading will be presented at the February 21st Wilmington City Council Meeting. The current agreement with the […]
Committee of the Whole will convene to review process for filling 1st District vacancy
WILMINGTON– On Friday, Feb, 15 at 4:30 p.m., the Wilmington City Council is convening a Committee of the Whole to review the process for filling the 1st District vacancy. The vacancy on the Council came as the result of former Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha being elected to the Delaware General Assembly in November. The Committee of the […]
Ordinance to include all Council Members in 1st District vacancy selection passes, public to be included in process
WILMINGTON – The City is one step closer to filling the vacancy on the Wilmington City Council designated for a representative of the 1stDistrict. By a vote of 7 to 3, Councilmembers tonight approved an ordinance that would allow all members of Council to be part of the committee that selects and recommends to Council […]
Wilmington City Council Meeting will take place tonight as scheduled, news of cancelation reported in error
WILMINGTON– The regularly scheduled meeting of the Wilmington City Council has not been canceled and will be held at 6 p.m. this evening inside Council Chambers at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building located at 800 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. There was a miscommunication about the status of tonight’s regularly scheduled Council meeting. While […]
State Senator to introduce legislation updating sex ed standards after Council sends resolution to General Assembly urging it
WILMINGTON– Legislation compelling teachers to update sex education standards to include sexual assault and consent could be introduced in the State Senate after a letter from City Councilmember Rysheema Dixon was sent to the Delaware General Assembly urging the action. According to a report published by Delaware Public Media, Sen. Nicole Poore (D-New Castle) said […]
Councilman Freel honored by Westside Neighborhood Coalition
WILMINGTON – Council Member Bud Freel was honored last month by the Westside Neighborhood Coalition for his “willingness to always work with us.” “We decided to honor Councilman Freel by presenting him with an award because he has always been there for us to give us a helping hand,” said Mardell Coates, president of the […]
11th St. will be closed Saturday for removal of sign
Wilmington – The Delaware Department of Transportation announced the removal of a sign by a crane at the Capital One Building will require the closure of West 11th Street between Washington Street and West Street, Saturday, Jan. 12 from 6:30 am until 6:30 pm. A detour will be set up and direct motorists to make a […]