Agenda for Regular Meeting

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by City Council for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution approves grant funding from the Community Support/Discretionary Funds of Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, II and Council Member Michelle Harlee in the amount of $3,500 to I Am My Sister’s Keeper (IAMMSK).

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by City Council for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution formally recommends and requests that the Wilmington Pension Commission examine, evaluate, and formulate recommendations regarding an ongoing, actuarially sound Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for City of Wilmington pension beneficiaries. Building upon Resolution No. 24-026 and recognizing the temporary relief afforded by the one-time retiree stipend in Ordinance No. 26-034, this Resolution affirms that municipal retirees have not received a permanent, baseline pension adjustment since July 2008. Highlighting that over 1,000 retired municipal workers and nearly 1,300 total beneficiaries across the City’s police, fire, and civilian systems are impacted, this Resolution establishes that providing a sustainable COLA to protect the fixed incomes of retired municipal employees against cumulative inflationary pressures should be designated among the City’s top financial and budgetary priorities for Fiscal Year 2028 and requests an informational report on structural models and funding options for City Council’s Finance & Economic Development Committee.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by City Council for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution approves grant funding from Wilmington City Council to the Peter Spencer Family Life Foundation, Inc. in the total amount of $11,650 ($10,650 from City Council Community Support/Discretionary Funds and $1,000 from external Special Funds) to support the rebuilding of Mother African Union Church, a critical hub of community enrichment, youth literacy, leadership, and cultural heritage initiatives that serve residents throughout the City of Wilmington.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by the Administration for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution authorizes the Wilmington Police Department’s grant application to the State of Delaware Emergency Illegal Drug Enforcement (EIDE) program in the amount of $32,228.92, or such other amount that the EIDE program awards.  The grant funds will be used to support specialized drug investigations through covering overtime costs.  No local matching funds are required.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by the Administration for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution authorizes the Wilmington Police Department’s grant application to the State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security Fund to Combat Violent Crimes in the amount of $368,085.01, or such other amount that the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security awards.  The grant funds will be used to cover overtime costs as part of overall violent crime reduction efforts.  No local matching funds are required.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by the Administration for Council’s review and approval.  This Resolution authorizes the Wilmington Police Department’s grant application to the State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security for funding from the State Aid to Local Law Enforcement (SALLE) grant program in the amount of $58,858.54, or such other amount that the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security awards.  The grant funding will be used to cover the cost of advanced and specialized training for police officers.  No local matching funds are required.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by the Administration for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution authorizes the Wilmington Police Department’s grant application to the State of Delaware Special Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (SLEAF) in the amount of $117,000, or such other amount that the SLEAF awards.  The grant funds will be used to purchase (i) a digital x-ray system that can scan suspicious packages as part of Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit investigations, (ii) a CarbonFire Tactical Pan Kit and adapter system that can remotely disable explosive devices, and (iii) new duty handgun holsters for all police officers to replace equipment that is reaching the end of its service life.  No local matching funds are required.

Synopsis:         This Resolution is being presented by the Administration for Council’s review and approval. This Resolution authorizes the Department of Parks and Recreation’s grant application to the State of Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) in the amount of $525,000, or such other amount that the DDOE awards.  The grant funds will be used to reimburse the City for meals provided in the City’s 2026- 2027 Child and Adult Care Food Program, which will provide dinners and snacks during the months of October 2026 through mid-June 2027 and September 2027 to children and adults via local community centers, camps, and other organizations.  No local matching funds are required.