PRESS RELEASE: Wilmington City Council Passes Amended Virtual Participation Ordinance, Expanding Public Access to All Government Meetings
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Wilmington City Council Passes Amended Virtual Participation Ordinance, Expanding Public Access to All Government Meetings
The passage of Ordinance 25-063, is sponsored by Council Member At-Large James Spadola.
Wilmington, DE – Wilmington City Council proudly announces the passage of Ordinance 25-063, sponsored by Council Member At-Large James Spadola, which requires all legislative and administrative bodies of the City to provide a virtual option for the public to participate in government meetings. The amended ordinance was approved on Thursday, December 4, 2025, following the successful adoption of a floor amendment designed to strengthen accountability and ensure consistent, reliable access for residents across Wilmington.
The ordinance, which updates Chapter 2 of the City Code, ensures that all public bodies subject to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provide electronic access for residents to monitor and participate in regularly scheduled public meetings. This measure reinforces Wilmington’s commitment to transparency, equity, and community engagement by breaking down longstanding barriers to participation such as work schedules, health concerns, transportation challenges, disability, and family-care responsibilities.
“This law brings City Hall to the people,” said Council Member Spadola. “Elderly residents, people with different abilities, busy parents, and people working 3rd shift: Everyone should be able to take part in their government. In this day and age, people expect to be able to participate virtually in government meetings, and this will now be the law in Wilmington upon the Mayor’s signature.”
Floor Amendment Enhances Accountability and Accessibility
On December 4, 2025, a floor amendment was introduced and passed to further clarify the responsibility of City public bodies in implementing virtual access. The amendment ensures that:
- All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure virtual access is functional and available prior to the start of each meeting. Technical limitations may not be used as a routine or avoidable justification for failing to provide virtual participation.
- If virtual access fails or cannot be provided, the chair or their designee must notify the City Council Chief of Staff within five (5) business days, detailing:
1. The nature of the technical issue;
2. Steps taken to attempt to restore access;
3. Any planned corrective actions to prevent recurrence. - Virtual access is not required when:
1. It is not reasonably feasible to provide access despite reasonable effort due to technical limitations; or
2. The meeting occurs in a non–City-owned facility (such as schools, libraries, houses of worship, or community centers) that lacks the capacity to support virtual participation.
By codifying virtual accessibility for City Council, its committees, subcommittees, taskforces, and all administrative boards and commissions, Wilmington positions itself as a leader in inclusive civic participation. The ordinance also strengthens FOIA compliance by ensuring residents can meaningfully observe and engage in government decision-making, whether from their homes, workplaces, or mobile devices.
A Commitment to Modern, Open Government
Virtual participation has become a trusted and effective tool in public governance. Wilmington now joins cities across the country that have modernized their public meeting processes to reflect the realities of daily life and the promise of technology.
Council Member Spadola’s ordinance ensures this access is no longer optional or temporary, it is now City law. Ordinance 25-063 becomes effective immediately upon approval by the Mayor.
What’s Next: The approved ordinance now heads to Mayor John Carney for his signature, who has 10 days to either sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or take no action. If vetoed, the bill returns to Council, where a veto may be overridden with a 2/3 vote. If the Mayor takes no action within 10 days, the bill becomes law.
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MEDIA CONTACT:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications, Wilmington City CouncilOffice: (302)576-2585
Mobile: (302)757-5748Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com