Council Leadership to Address Outdated Provisions, Language, and References in the City Code
Wilmington, Del. – Today, two of Wilmington City Council’s highest ranking members announced the first in a series of Ordinances designed to clean up the City Code. President Hanifa Shabazz and President Pro Tempore Loretta Walsh will introduce the first of such legislation at the December 7th Council meeting to amend sections of the Code in an effort to bring the City Code up to date.
“The current Code has provisions that are no longer necessary or appropriate, as well as sections that may require clarification,” said President Shabazz. “We owe our residents, employees, and businesses clarity and efficiency in government. In my more than 12 years on Council, I have seen firsthand how much our code is in need of updating, and I am pleased that we are commencing this comprehensive review process.”
The City has embarked upon a comprehensive review of the Code to identify sections requiring revision and to propose amendments through legislation that will address archaic provisions, language and references in an effort to modernize the City Code. To this end, on December 7th, President Shabazz and President Pro Tempore Loretta Walsh will sponsor legislation to amend Chapter 36 of the City Code by repealing section 36-9 regarding itinerant performers. This section, and others like it in the Code, references a process and entity that are no longer relevant and are more appropriately addressed by other established Delaware and City laws.
“We shouldn’t have laws on our books that may be counterproductive or that are difficult to enforce,” said Walsh “Periodic review of Ordinances and regulations is simply good governance.”
Wilmington City Council will continue to review the Code to identify sections and provisions requiring updating. Residents, employees, and businesses are encouraged to contact Wilmington City Council if they are aware of sections of the City Code that require revisions or clarification. Visit www.WilmingtonCityCouncil.com or call 302.576.2140 to share your thoughts and feedback with Council.
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