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Finance Committee hears apology resolution as members debate scope and wording
Summary
Councilwoman Kilpatrick introduced Resolution R26-019 apologizing to the public and calling for renewed adherence to procedural rules; members debated removing a specific date and broadening the apology to cover all council meetings. Several members asked to be co-sponsors; no formal committee vote was recorded.
Councilwoman Kilpatrick introduced Resolution R26-019 at the Jan. 27, 2026 New Castle County Council Finance Committee meeting, saying the council should apologize to the public and recommit to following procedural rules and decorum. Kilpatrick cited a perceived decline in civility nationwide and said the council’s conduct affects public trust: "When we as a legislative body allow our sense of order to deteriorate, we allow our meetings to become chaotic and we break trust," she said.
The resolution framed the problem as a failure to maintain orderly meetings and referenced rules dating back to the creation of Robert’s Rules of Order. Several members pushed to change the draft’s language. Councilman Carter objected to singling out a specific meeting in the text and proposed striking the date, arguing the measure should be a general apology and a collective commitment to follow rules. "Just take the date out," Carter said, urging the committee to apologize without naming a single session.
Members discussed whether to remove a reference to the personnel committee or expand the resolution’s reach to all council meetings. Councilman Toole, Councilwoman Durham and Councilman Cartier asked to be added as co-sponsors after the language discussion. Councilman Kaneko, who said he had seen repeated interruptions and social-media circulation of council clips, described the council floor as a "toxic work environment" at times and supported stronger chair authority.
There was no public comment on the resolution during the meeting. The committee did not record a formal vote on R26-019 at this session; members indicated they would work on floor amendments and move the matter forward for further consideration.
