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Council debates charter change, caucus status and lobbyist funding as lawmakers plan to seek state approval
Summary
Council members discussed a package of procedural items: a resolution asking the General Assembly to let the city exclude August and December from the charter’s twice‑monthly meeting requirement, a proposal to add Wilmington to the list of legislative bodies eligible to caucus under state statute, and city council plans to fund its own lobbyist.
Council members debated several procedural and intergovernmental measures during the Committee of the Whole on March 24, including a proposed charter amendment to exclude August and December from a twice‑monthly meeting mandate, draft legislation to permit the city to caucus under state statute, and plans to fund a council lobbyist.
Charter amendment to exclude August and December
Councilmember Michelle Harley introduced a resolution asking the General Assembly to amend City Charter section 2‑204 to exclude August and December from the twice‑monthly meeting requirement except when the mayor, council president, or a majority of council calls a meeting. Harley said the change would reduce unnecessary convenings during traditional recess months and save administrative costs, while preserving exceptions for urgent business. Several council members asked about prior attempts to carry the bill to Dover; Harley attributed earlier delays to the sponsor’s inexperience and inconsistent legislative timing and urged colleagues to contact state legislators when the bill goes into circulation.
Caucus authority at state level
Councilman Owens introduced draft legislation to add Wilmington’s legislative body to a state statute allowing formal caucusing among elected legislators. Owens and other members said city caucusing would permit private internal discussions among council members to coordinate positions without triggering FOIA concerns that currently limit informal group discussions. Several council members agreed to cosponsor the measure and said they would seek a sponsor in Dover.
Lobbyist funding and intergovernmental representation
Councilmembers raised a separate but related topic: whether council should fund its own lobbyist and how that lobbyist would interact with any lobbyist retained by the mayor’s office. Chief of Staff Elijah said a line item for a council lobbyist is in the council budget and staff would begin discussions about candidates; he also said he would confirm whether the mayor’s office has an executed lobbyist contract. Multiple council members said having a dedicated council lobbyist is important to pressing the council’s priorities in Dover and to improving the city’s state‑level advocacy.
Committee assignments
The committee also received a short procedural resolution updating standing committee personnel: Councilmember Xanthia Oliver and Councilman Johnson would be added to the intergovernmental standing committee, with Johnson named vice chair; Leticia Bracey would be removed from that committee at her request. The changes were presented without objection.
Next steps
Sponsors said they will circulate the charter amendment and caucus draft to state legislators and asked colleagues to sign on as cosponsors. Staff said they would follow up to confirm the mayor’s lobbying arrangements and bring recommendations for council’s lobbying position and candidate selection from the budgeted line item.
