Wilmington council hires outside legal counsel after public calls for independent review

Wilmington City Council voted unanimously on a resolution authorizing council to hire additional legal counsel after residents urged an outside review of allegations involving city administration and the mayor.

The vote came after more than a dozen residents used the meeting's public-comment period to describe concerns about transparency, personnel actions and alleged improper targeting of local businesses and nonprofits. Council passed Resolution 25-25, moved by Councilman Wells and seconded by Councilman Osborne, by roll call; all seven members present voted yes.

The evening's public commenters included Elaine Silverstrom, who called for "some form of independent review board" and suggested the mayor could consider administrative leave; Jason Stoops described ongoing disputes between his business and city administration and urged review by a neutral outside agency; and Kelsey Swindler asked council to take the claims seriously and to "support further investigation into these claims." Chuck Watts and other residents also urged due process and compassion for all involved.

Mayor Patrick Haley addressed the chamber after public comment, saying several investigations already had taken place and offering to provide documentation. Haley said, "I've never operated that way. I don't operate that way," and that he was "willing to bring the documentation forward with full explanations." He also told council he would not want to violate confidentiality where applicable.

Council debated the agenda and then advanced a motion to authorize hiring outside counsel specifically for city council. The resolution was taken up under "additional legislation" and passed as Resolution 25-25; Councilman Wells moved the resolution and Councilman Osborne seconded it. The record shows the measure passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Council President Josh Slabaugh noted the council will report back at the next meeting in early June.

Discussion versus decision: residents and several council members repeatedly requested an independent or neutral review; the formal decision taken by the body was to authorize council to retain additional legal counsel. No ordinance or personnel action removing or suspending the mayor was adopted at the meeting.

Council recorded no amendments to Resolution 25-25 in the meeting minutes and provided no timetable in the chamber for selecting counsel or for when any review findings would be presented to the public. Council President Slabaugh said the council's next meeting is in early June, and he expected updates then.