County council members say they will keep separate from Wilmington's proposed building security rules

During the Executive Committee meeting, Councilman Koneko raised a concern about a draft Wilmington City Council ordinance that would increase security measures and restrict signs in the shared City-County building. Koneko said he has informed "council to council" staff that New Castle County intends to keep its rules separate from any city action and to continue to allow public expression in county spaces.

"Whatever the Wilmington City Council wants to do, that's fine. But we're gonna hopefully try to keep our body separate," Koneko said, adding that the county intends to "allow folks to express their First Amendment rights in this building, as we always have." Several council members agreed that the two entities are distinct governments that can set their own procedures for their chambers; Councilman Smiley said the county "has the right to establish ours."

Members also discussed practical security concerns for people who work in and use the building daily. One councilmember said they would contact city officials about security and noted occasions when they enter the parking garage and want assurances staff and members are safe. Council members who represent offices in the shared building said they have a county representative responsible for maintenance and building issues and that any operational problems should be raised with that representative.

Several councilors referenced recent protests and heightened tensions in Wilmington and said the issue is likely to remain active; council members said they would monitor developments and take county-level action if city measures spill over into county operations. The comments were discussion-only; no formal action or resolution was taken by the committee on this topic.