2026-10-12 - Regular City Council

00:00God.

00:02In the beginning, you created the

00:04heavens

00:05and the earth.

00:09And then in the fullness of time,

00:12you created out of one blood

00:15all of humankind

00:18that dwell upon the face of the earth.

00:22We thank you

00:24for the human family

00:26and all of its diversity.

00:32With that came a responsibility

00:35to be stewards of the planet

00:40and to care

00:42for one another

00:44in creating families

00:48in developing communities

00:51in establishing society.

00:55In so many ways, oh God, we confess

00:59that we failed.

01:02We confess

01:04that we have not always lived up to the

01:08best

01:10that we could do in our stewardship of

01:12the planet

01:14and our stewardship of one another.

01:18So, oh God,

01:20as we continue to deal with all of the

01:22issues before us,

01:25help us to celebrate the diversity of

01:29humankind.

01:31Through the many

01:33events and

01:35the many opportunities to learn about

01:38various cultures and histories

01:42and backgrounds.

01:45Differences that make our

01:48earth

01:50such a rich place.

01:54But help us always to remember

01:57that whether we're rich or poor,

02:00wherever we live, in the city of Dover

02:04or in the expanse of the world,

02:08each person

02:11is created in your image.

02:14Is created with the stamp of the divine.

02:19So, help us, oh God,

02:21to provide ways

02:24in which we could help one another.

02:28And so that we will not be an insane

02:31society,

02:34but a saved society.

02:40Bless this council, this mayor,

02:43leaders of this community, those who

02:45gather in these chambers,

02:48that we might live so together and work

02:52together,

02:54that every issue that faces us

02:57may help to enhance

03:00the lives of every man, woman, boy, and

03:04girl.

03:06Bless us,

03:09and Lord,

03:10make us a blessing.

03:13For we ask it in thy name's sake.

03:16Amen.

03:17>> Amen.

03:18>> The pledge to the nation's flag will be

03:20led this evening by Councilman Brian

03:22Lewis.

03:24>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

03:27United States of America, and to the

03:29republic for which it stands, one nation

03:33under God, indivisible, with liberty and

03:36justice for all.

03:44>> You have before you this evening's

03:46agenda, and I will entertain a motion

03:48for its adoption.

03:49>> Move to approve the agenda.

03:51>> Pillsbury second.

03:53>> It's a good moved and seconded. Uh any

03:56discussion?

03:57All in favor, please say I.

03:59>> I.

04:00>> I.

04:00>> Any opposed?

04:02Hearing none,

04:04the motion passes.

04:08The consent agenda. You have before us

04:10the evening's consent agenda. All

04:13consent agenda items are considered

04:15routine and non-controversial

04:17and will be acted upon by a single roll

04:20call vote of the council. There will be

04:22no separate discussion of these items

04:24unless a member of council so requests,

04:27at which event the matter shall be

04:29removed from the consent agenda and

04:31considered as a separate item.

04:34What is the pleasure of council?

04:38>> Move to approve the consent agenda.

04:40>> It is

04:41>> Pillsbury second.

04:42>> Moved and seconded for the consent

04:44agenda.

04:46Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

04:49>> Ms. Hall.

04:50>> Yes.

04:51>> Mr. Bogart.

04:52>> Yes.

04:53>> Mr. Anderson.

04:55>> Yes.

04:56>> Dr. Pillsbury.

04:57>> Yes.

04:57>> Mrs. Arndt.

04:58>> Yes.

04:59>> Mr. Rocha.

05:00>> Yes.

05:00>> Mr. Lewis.

05:01>> Yes.

05:02>> Council President Neil.

05:04>> Yes.

05:05>> Uh the motion passes.

05:07And we now have proclamations introduce

05:10People's Day and invite Mayor

05:12Christensen and members of the Lenape uh

05:15tribe to the podium for the

05:17presentation. And request City Clerk to

05:20read the proclamation into the record.

05:47>> Madam Mayor, don't be shy.

05:49Madam Clark, Mr. President.

05:54>> Proclamation. Whereas, the city of Dover

05:57acknowledges that the land on which we

05:59live and work is part of the ancestral

06:02homeland of the Lenni Lenape people who

06:05have stewarded these lands for thousands

06:07of years. And whereas, the Lenni Lenape,

06:10also known as the Delaware people, are

06:13the indigenous inhabitants of Delaware

06:16and the surrounding region.

06:18And their enduring presence, traditions,

06:20and cultural contributions remain vital

06:22to our shared history.

06:24And whereas, indigenous peoples continue

06:27to enrich our community through

06:29leadership, service, scholarship, art,

06:32and

06:32ad- advocacy, sorry, carrying forward

06:35the resilience and spirit of their

06:37ancestors. And whereas, Indigenous

06:40Peoples Day is an opportunity to honor

06:42the Lenni Lenape and all indigenous

06:45nations, past, present, and future,

06:47while recognizing the their sovereignty,

06:50wisdom, and deep connection to the land.

06:53And whereas, the city of Dover is

06:55committed to fostering understanding,

06:58respect, and reconciliation by

07:00acknowledging the original inhabitants

07:02of this land and celebrating the

07:05diversity of indigenous cultures.

07:08And now therefore, I, Robin R.

07:10Christiansen, Mayor of the city of

07:11Dover, Delaware, do hereby proclaim

07:14October 12th, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples

07:18Day in the city of Dover, and encourage

07:20all residents to recognize and celebrate

07:23the Lenni Lenape and all indigenous

07:25peoples for their invaluable

07:27contributions to our history and

07:29community.

07:31>> Thank you, Madam Clark. Thank you, Mr.

07:33President.

07:34Chief Douglas, on behalf of myself,

07:36members of the Dover City Council, and

07:39the citizens of Dover that we all serve,

07:41it's an honor to present you with this

07:44proclamation. And if

07:46if you know the tradition,

07:48when you get a puffy cover, somebody

07:50gets to speak. So, Mr. Roche will take a

07:52picture, then we'll have some more.

07:55So, you want to step in?

08:10Anyone care to speak? Chief?

08:12>> I guess I will speak.

08:14Yes, good evening. Good evening,

08:16everyone.

08:18Um we once again are here to accept this

08:25proclamation. And we are in celebration

08:27not only of

08:29of today being

08:31Indigenous Peoples Day, but we're in

08:33celebration of

08:36Bill 365 that was passed by the state of

08:38Delaware,

08:40uh given

08:41creating in the steps to create an

08:44Indigenous Peoples

08:46Commission,

08:47uh which gives us a voice in in in our

08:50government, uh in our state. And it is

08:54um such an honor that we're being able

08:56to make steps toward being recognized

08:59once again.

09:00And being, you know, getting some of the

09:02things that um

09:06we have

09:08strived for and dreamed of. We look

09:11forward to more, and we have, you know,

09:13other things in plans that we will be

09:16even recognized in a higher fashion.

09:20Thank you.

09:24I also need to recognize my chief here,

09:26which is Robin Christiansen. I don't

09:28want to forget forget him.

09:31>> [clears throat]

09:32>> I only want to say one thing.

09:35Thank you

09:36for this proclamation.

09:38We are the first people of the first

09:41state.

09:55>> Thank you, folks.

10:03>> [clears throat]

10:04>> Halloween trick-or-treat. I invite the

10:06fun mayor of Dover,

10:09Robin Christiansen, to the podium for

10:11the presentation and I request the city

10:13clerk to read the proclamation into the

10:16record.

10:17>> By the way, Mr. President, this is my

10:20costume.

10:22>> [laughter]

10:23>> Madam Clerk, Mr. President.

10:29>> Proclamation. Whereas the children of

10:32the city of Dover enjoy the fun and

10:34festivities associated with the

10:36observance of the Halloween

10:38trick-or-treat custom, emerging from

10:40their homes as ghosts, witches,

10:42princesses, cartoon characters, caped

10:44crusaders, or action heroes, and

10:46traveling with friends and family

10:48door-to-door throughout the neighborhood

10:50to gather treats. And whereas children

10:53ages 12 and under may participate in

10:55trick-or-treating in small groups. Ages

10:58will be strictly enforced.

11:00Parents must accompany their children

11:02throughout their journeys in celebrating

11:03Halloween trick-or-treat. Motorists are

11:06urged to drive with extra caution and to

11:09be ever watchful for our youngsters

11:11making their rounds. And whereas it is

11:14requested the residents indicate their

11:16willingness to welcome children by

11:18keeping their porch or exterior lights

11:20on, and that youngsters call only on the

11:23homes that are lit.

11:25Now, therefore, I, Robin R.

11:26Christiansen, mayor of the city of

11:28Dover, Delaware, do here hereby proclaim

11:31that the Halloween trick-or-treat

11:32observance to be held on Saturday, the

11:3531st day of October, 2026,

11:38between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00

11:40p.m. in the city of Dover, and urge all

11:43residents, both young and old, to make

11:45this a happy and safe occasion for our

11:48children.

11:48>> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Mr.

11:50President. And on behalf of myself, the

11:52members of the City Council, and the

11:54citizens that we all serve, I present

11:57myself with this proclamation because I

12:00am the fun mayor.

12:01>> [laughter]

12:01>> And here is one last caveat to this

12:04proclamation.

12:06Please buy expensive candy, chocolate

12:09candy.

12:11Thank you.

12:13>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

12:15Final reading of proposed ordinances.

12:17The first reading of the proposed

12:19ordinances was accomplished during the

12:21City Council meeting of September 28th,

12:242026.

12:25The ordinances are available at the

12:27entrance of the City Council Chambers,

12:29or on the city website at

12:32www.cityofdover.com

12:36under government. First, I'll entertain

12:38a motion to consider the final readings

12:40by title only. A separate motion will be

12:43necessary for each adoption. What is the

12:46pleasure of Council?

12:49>> I move to consider the ordinances by

12:51title only.

12:52>> I already seconds.

12:53>> It has been moved and seconded. Any

12:55discussion? Hearing none, all in favor,

12:58say I.

12:59>> I.

13:00>> And any opposed? It's passed.

13:03Uh the

13:05ordinance 2025-19,

13:10adoption of the 2024

13:12ICC codes.

13:15Uh request David Naples,

13:17uh the ICC certified master code

13:20professional, to brief the members on

13:22this ordinance.

13:25>> Jason just said he that he didn't come.

13:27>> Uh

13:28it looks like you

13:29>> he say?

13:30>> [laughter]

13:30>> Jason, you are you up on this one?

13:33>> I am.

13:34>> Okay.

13:35>> Uh, Dave is here for any assistance.

13:37Jason is the C Deputy Director of

13:38Emergency Management and the Fire

13:39Marshal.

13:40Uh, Mayor and Council, thank you uh,

13:42this evening. Matt Brown's worked hard

13:44on this. Um,

13:46special thanks to Matt. He's not

13:47available tonight. He's on uh, needed

13:49vacation.

13:51Um, just let just for some insight ahead

13:54of time.

13:55My time here, this is the third time

13:57we've proposed a new code and it's the

13:59first time it's made it to the floor.

14:01Um, so a lot of work went into that.

14:04Um,

14:07in short, uh, this replaces the city's

14:092009 building code with the 2024

14:12editions of the International Building

14:14Code, Residential Code, Existing

14:16Building Code, Property Maintenance

14:18Code, Fire Code, and Swimming Pool and

14:20Spa Code.

14:21The energy, mechanical, plumbing, and

14:23fuel and gas work stay under the

14:26statewide codes that the city's already

14:28enforcing.

14:29The old ICC Performance Code is

14:31repealed.

14:33Projects already under active design may

14:35finish under the prior code if the owner

14:37elects the path and can document the

14:39same.

14:41Um, there were two items that uh, Matt

14:44wanted to be clear and and staff as a

14:46whole. Uh, the first is the tiny houses.

14:49The ordinance adopts the residential

14:51code appendix that sets construction

14:53standards for tiny houses.

14:55This is a building standard only. It

14:58does not create the right to place a

14:59tiny house or an accessory dwelling unit

15:01anywhere

15:03zoning does not already allow it.

15:06Use, density, lot size, parking still

15:08have to meet the Denver's zoning

15:10requirements under the uh, zoning

15:12ordinance.

15:15Residential sprinklers, uh, there's a

15:16little bit discussion last time when it

15:18went to committee.

15:20The 2024 residential code sprinkler

15:22section is adopted as published. And it

15:25applies to newly constructed one and two

15:27family dwellings and townhouses.

15:29An existing house is not required to be

15:31retrofitted with sprinklers just because

15:33the city is adopting this code.

15:35Um, due to the last meeting there is a

15:38possible amendment within the packet.

15:41Uh, a motion was made for a possible

15:43amendment that would not require an

15:44existing residence to retrofit with

15:46sprinklers if the 50% rule was met.

15:50Any new addition would have to have

15:51sprinklers installed.

15:53However, there would be no requirement

15:55to add them in the existing structure.

15:58Other local items stay in place and are

16:00tightened.

16:01Flood floors at base level elevation

16:03plus 18 inches, a child daycare path for

16:06up to 12 children in one family

16:08dwellings when state licensing and

16:10zoning are met and clear permit extra

16:13expiration rules.

16:15That's

16:16everything in a nutshell. Um, we really

16:19wanted to point out those

16:20Um, so I'll be happy to answer any

16:22questions if anyone has any.

16:23>> Questions, Councilman Lewis.

16:28Good evening, Jason.

16:29Um, the only issue I have is with the

16:31residential sprinklers.

16:33Um,

16:36the question I have is when you say

16:38addition. So, if I put or someone puts

16:40an addition on their house, a new

16:42addition, they're going to be required

16:44to put those sprinklers in that new

16:45addition like uh an added room?

16:50>> So,

16:51if we adopt the 2024 as we propose it,

16:54the only way you would have to add

16:56sprinklers is if you went over 50%

16:59renovations.

17:00The amendment that was added if you

17:02choose to take that tonight was

17:05if you're at 50%, the only area that

17:07would be needed is that addition, not

17:09the entire residence. That was based on

17:11the Council Committee of the Whole.

17:12>> So, so even one room? So, if I added one

17:16room, what do you

17:17The apartment is 50%.

17:18>> So, 50% if you have a 1,000 sq ft house

17:21and went to 1,500, then you're hitting

17:23the 50% rule.

17:26>> I got issue with that. Can't support it.

17:28Um the other concern I have has to do

17:31with the cost because this is all going

17:33to trickle down on the buyer because

17:35you're going to be requiring the

17:37builders now to put these sprinklers in

17:39these new homes. And I understand it has

17:40to do with material, but you know, why

17:43don't we enforce the uh

17:46the material, you know, and require the

17:49builders to have, you know, better

17:52fireproof material uh instead of like

17:55the being allowed to put the cheap

17:56material in and have these sprinklers

17:59now

18:00uh because again, it's going to fall

18:02down on the buyer and it's going to

18:05increase the cost of the home. And I got

18:08a couple of phone calls, you know, after

18:10this was first introduced uh with people

18:12that are furious over that.

18:14So,

18:15that's where I stand on the residential

18:18sprinkler port.

18:19>> So, um

18:21the code council as a whole, uh keep in

18:23mind everything's a package. Everything

18:26comes together when it comes to codes.

18:28Um and what we're dealing with now is

18:29the lightweight construction. So, that

18:32obviously is less of a cost

18:34that code takes into consideration. The

18:36reason they're allowing that is cuz

18:37residential sprinklers are required. So,

18:40when you take the sprinkler component

18:41away,

18:43you you're and you can't trade up for

18:46higher construction. Um it's cuz they're

18:48already letting them do the lightweight,

18:49which brought the cost down. So, it's

18:51there it's a balance factor there for

18:53the code and the cost.

18:55Um but I I understand your concerns.

18:58>> Thank you. That's all I have.

19:00>> Any other Yes, Councilman uh Bogan.

19:03>> Yes, I have two questions. Thank you for

19:05acknowledging me, too. Hypothetically,

19:07if I'm planning to refinish my basement,

19:10which would add

19:13some

19:14feet

19:14>> [laughter]

19:15>> to my home.

19:17If if I refinish my basement, does this

19:19impact me?

19:21If I if I turn my basement into livable

19:23space.

19:24>> If it was over the 50% it would.

19:30So, based on your square footage, if

19:32it's a 2,000 square foot house and

19:33you're adding a thousand livable area,

19:36then yes, it would that would play a

19:37factor.

19:38>> have to put sprinklers in my home in my

19:40basement.

19:41>> For the code for the amendment, yes.

19:45>> Okay.

19:47When does this go into effect?

19:50Better get this done ASAP. But, um

19:53second, there's then there's this

19:56um

19:57and and I

19:59I'm

20:00I'm trying to stay

20:02I want to stay above board. For example,

20:04hypothetically, if I'm doing something

20:07and I need to bring sprinklers

20:10and from my current experience,

20:13the water system underground, I now have

20:17to pay for to increase the width.

20:20What if my house is in one of those

20:23areas where

20:24I have to pay

20:27to tear up the ground to increase the

20:29width to accommodate for the water

20:31sprinklers, does that cost fall on me,

20:33too?

20:34>> So, it would, but I think you're

20:35thinking more of commercial projects.

20:37So, um commercial projects basically

20:40bring in an 8-in water line with a Y.

20:432-in goes to your domestic 6-in goes to

20:45your sprinkler.

20:46Um with residential, um

20:49the code's already taken into account

20:51the cost factor. So, you can run off a

20:53residential line as well. It's it

20:55wouldn't be

20:56>> So, I don't have to do I don't have to

20:58do what my experience hypothetically I'm

21:01experiencing in another place.

21:03>> Correct.

21:04Just like the sprinkler lines, um you'll

21:06see steel in commercial structures where

21:09you can use CPVC in residential

21:11structures. They they've come a long way

21:12on

21:13making it affordable.

21:15>> So, if

21:18So, if someone gets a permit

21:21to redo their basement,

21:26um,

21:27that the person pulling the permit will

21:30have to account for the square footage

21:31and then an additional cost

21:34for a sprinkler to go into the just just

21:36the basement part. It won't even be the

21:38whole house, correct?

21:39>> If it is over 50% in renovations. If

21:42it's under that, the answer is no.

21:44>> It will be under that. All right, thank

21:46you.

21:47I yield.

21:48>> Any other questions?

21:51Hearing none, what is the Yes, uh,

21:54Councilman Anderson?

21:55>> I thought you had your hand up.

21:58>> Councilman Anderson.

21:59>> Uh, you're you're good, Mr. President.

22:00I'm just going to

22:02make the motion for the

22:04>> Please do.

22:05>> Uh, thank you.

22:06>> question.

22:07>> [laughter]

22:08>> Thank you, Mr. President. I

22:10I move, uh,

22:12for the adoption of the committee

22:14amendment which would protect, uh,

22:16people who are making renovations to

22:20existing houses from having to,

22:23uh, retrofit the entire

22:26old structure which, particularly with

22:28our older buildings, is could be

22:30impossible.

22:32Um, so I I move the we adopt the

22:34committee amendment.

22:35>> Is there a second to the adoption?

22:39>> You have a second to discuss the

22:40adoption.

22:41Any discussion?

22:44Hearing none,

22:45>> discussion.

22:47>> Yes, Councilman Anderson.

22:48>> Thank you. Thank you. So, just just to

22:50be clear, you're saying we're

22:53we're going to, uh, potentially adopt

22:57the 2024 ICC codes but amending that

23:01portion so that

23:03residents don't have to incur the cost

23:05of

23:06adding

23:08uh sprinkler system

23:10to the entire house.

23:12>> Permission to

23:14dialogue?

23:14>> Yes, Councilman.

23:15>> Thank you. Uh yes.

23:17>> Okay.

23:17>> It basically what the

23:20uh as we did discuss in committee, what

23:22the idea is if the

23:25it is triggered with the new

23:28construction,

23:29but trying to retrofit

23:32um like for instance a home like mine

23:35>> Right.

23:36>> 125 years old, uh plaster walls and the

23:40like, you you just aren't going to be

23:43able to

23:45retrofit it. It it's just not possible

23:48unless you just tear down

23:51the other three walls and just rebuild

23:53the whole thing. I mean, it it would

23:55make make it uh cost prohibitive to

23:57improve homes.

24:00>> Okay, thank you for the clarification. I

24:01I yield.

24:02>> Uh Councilman Lewis.

24:04>> So, uh permission to dialect with

24:06Anderson. So, are you insinuating that

24:09that

24:10be completely and totally waived

24:13where um it will not be required to put

24:16a sprinkler system in an addition

24:19uh to a new room or uh renovation of a

24:22basement? Is that what you're

24:24insinuating?

24:25>> Uh thank you um

24:27Mr. President, thank you, Councilman,

24:28for asking that. The answer is no. You

24:31would still be required

24:34to if you build something new,

24:37it has to be to the new code.

24:40However, it just would not trigger

24:44changing your existing

24:47your your existing residence shell

24:50structure.

24:51Um you know, what you're building new,

24:53if it only and by the way, this only

24:56triggers if it's above the 50%

24:58threshold,

24:59by the way. But if it's um but it if it

25:03once you cross that 50% threshold, you

25:06have to

25:07have the new code.

25:09But the problem but but the problem with

25:12the way it's currently written,

25:15um

25:16you it would trigger it for the whole

25:19building,

25:20which would mean

25:22um like you so you're doing the basement

25:26and you have a one-story house with a

25:30basement, so that finished basement

25:32increases it by 50%. It would trigger it

25:35for the whole house.

25:36Um and that's what we're This amendment

25:39prevents is is a protection for

25:42it's a protection for the people um

25:45who are

25:46who are trying to actually improve and

25:48update their property.

25:51>> I I mean, personally, I don't think if

25:53you own a 20-25-year-old house and you

25:56put an addition on, I don't think you

25:58should be required to put in a new

25:59sprinkler system on your addition or

26:01renovation or your basement, attic,

26:02whatever the case may be, but that's how

26:05I feel and that's why I'm not supporting

26:06it.

26:08>> Okay.

26:10Well, yes, uh Councilman Rocha.

26:14>> Can you even just add

26:17like let's say it's an additional room

26:19or whatever,

26:21is it even possible to put a sprinkler

26:24system in just one section

26:27without doing the whole house?

26:29>> Yes.

26:31Okay.

26:32>> I yield.

26:33>> Mr. Mayor.

26:36>> Yes, uh Jason, you're familiar with uh

26:38some sprinkler heads that have been uh

26:41sweated into domestic water to cover

26:43areas that needed to be covered, right?

26:46>> Correct.

26:47>> And but it is not a costly

26:49uh uh costly proposition, but there is a

26:52mechanism to sweat into domestic water

26:56uh sprinkler heads to do what needs to

26:59be done if it's required.

27:05>> Any additional questions?

27:08Okay. Uh what is the

27:11I I call for the vote at this time. Oh,

27:14this is on the amendment.

27:17This is changes it so that it is not a

27:19whole house,

27:21but only if the the new addition is 50%

27:25of the whole of of the rest of the

27:27building. Okay.

27:29All in favor. Uh do we have to have a

27:31roll call vote?

27:32Do not have to have a roll call vote. We

27:34do not have to have a roll call vote.

27:36All in favor, please say I.

27:38>> I.

27:39>> Any opposed?

27:40>> Opposed for reasons stated.

27:42>> Uh one opposed and one absent.

27:45Therefore, it passes. Now we come to the

27:49uh

27:52the the ordinance uh

27:5420 25-19.

27:57What is the pleasure of council on the

27:59amended version?

28:01>> I move for the adoption of proposed

28:03ordinance 2025-19.

28:05>> Pillsbury seconds it.

28:07>> And it's been moved and seconded. Any

28:09discussion?

28:11Yes, Councilman Henderson.

28:12>> Uh thank you, Mr. President.

28:15I I want to congratulate the staff on

28:19this uh some of the previous

28:22codes not because of the staff, because

28:24of the way they were written,

28:26um were not satisfactory to us. They had

28:29flaws in them. I think the ICC did a

28:32good job improving on 2024.

28:35And um

28:37I I think that it's an important change

28:40that will help our city address many new

28:43issues, including um if we do assess

28:46three dwellings and the changes that

28:48we're looking at for affordable housing,

28:51we have the codes in place

28:53to achieve them.

28:55Uh, the the sprinkler issue, I

28:58have a lot of agreement with Councilman

29:00Lewis on that. Um,

29:04but uh it is a it's really tough issue

29:07to me because I

29:09I know and see both sides um

29:13on that one. Because we're we're talking

29:15about affordable housing on one side,

29:18but then we have something that raises

29:20the cost of housing on the other.

29:23But we also have life and safety and

29:25with the new materials that are coming

29:29in, you the the time for fires what

29:33would take in 5 minutes is now taking 2

29:36minutes

29:37to combust. And I and

29:41I you know, and I I think of people

29:45um

29:46who have passed away in in fires.

29:50>> [clears throat]

29:50>> Um, and

29:53and they and the major element that they

29:56had was time.

29:58And this could affect that

30:01that time. I I don't

30:04I don't like it.

30:06And but I also um

30:09see the problem with the other way and

30:11and with uh with the amendment

30:15um I will support

30:18I will support this because um while

30:21I've have heard concerns, I haven't um

30:24been approached with an amendment um by

30:28the people who expressed the concerns. I

30:30I don't have a a viable amendment to

30:33review. And because I do not, I will um

30:37err on the side of safety and support

30:39this uh ordinance as amended. Thank you.

30:42I yield, Mr. President.

30:43>> need a

30:44roll call vote on the motion.

30:47Madam Clerk.

30:49>> Miss Hall.

30:50>> Yes.

30:51>> Mr. Bogerdy.

30:54>> I guess this is going to be 49%

30:56of my but yeah,

30:5849.5.

31:02>> Was that a yes?

31:04>> Yes, but it's going to be 49.

31:06>> What I heard was 49.5.

31:08Mr. Anderson.

31:09>> Yes.

31:10>> Dr. Pillsbury.

31:11>> Yes.

31:12>> Mrs. Arnt.

31:13>> Yes.

31:13>> Mr. Rocha.

31:14>> Yes.

31:15>> Mr. Lewis.

31:16>> Uh no for the reasons

31:19so stated with an addition that fire

31:22sprinklers are not 100%. I mean, we've

31:25been down this

31:26road before

31:27when we were discussing the uh new

31:30townhouse development over on Cecil

31:33Street

31:34and

31:35uh it was determined that they are not

31:36100%. They are prone to failure as

31:40everything else in this world and I

31:42leave it at that.

31:44>> Council President Neil.

31:45>> Yes.

31:46Uh the motion passes.

31:49The ordinance is adopted. Thank you.

31:51Now, we come to city managers'

31:53announcements and that's uh

31:55>> There's another ordinance. There should

31:56be a second one.

31:57>> Oh, what? Wait a minute. Yeah,

31:59absolutely.

32:01Sorry, Miss Councilwoman Hall.

32:03Yes. This is the This is the biggie.

32:06>> [laughter]

32:06>> The number 18 ordinance number 20 26-14,

32:11data center moratorium.

32:14I request Councilwoman Hall to brief

32:16members on this ordinance. Didn't mean

32:18to cut you off.

32:19>> Thank you, Council President, for

32:22recognizing me and the ordinance.

32:25Mayor and fellow members of Council,

32:27proposed ordinance number 2026-14

32:31establishes an immediate moratorium on

32:34the acceptance, processing, and approval

32:37of applications for new large energy use

32:39facilities and data centers.

32:42For clarity, the only change made since

32:44the first reading is the addition of a

32:46specific definition of data center. No

32:49other substantive provisions of the

32:51ordinance have been changed. The

32:53ordinance is intended to give the city

32:55sufficient time to develop comprehensive

32:57regulations addressing the location and

32:59construction of these facilities, their

33:02demands on city's electrical and public

33:04infrastructure, their effect on utility

33:07rate payers, and their broader impact on

33:09public welfare.

33:11During the moratorium, the city would

33:13not issue permits, approve site plans,

33:16re-zonings, conditional uses, or

33:18subdivisions, enter into utility service

33:21agreements, or other

33:24or issue certificates of occupancy for

33:26newly covered facilities. Pending

33:29applications deemed complete before the

33:31ordinance takes effect would be stayed

33:33subject to limited exceptions requiring

33:36council approval.

33:38The ordinance exempts government

33:40facilities, hospitals, universities,

33:42public safety facilities, certain

33:45limited expansions by existing

33:47industrial users, routine maintenance,

33:49existing telecommunication facilities,

33:52qualifying clean hydrogen facilities,

33:54and public utility infrastructure.

33:57Most importantly, this ordinance

33:58provides the city with an opportunity to

34:01study electrical capacity, transmission

34:04and substations, system reliability,

34:07infrastructure needs, cost allocation,

34:10demand charges, standby power, and

34:13protection against stranded costs being

34:16passed on to existing rate payers. This

34:19is a temporary and responsible measure

34:21designed to protect Dover's residences,

34:25businesses, utility customers,

34:27infrastructure, and future economic

34:29development opportunities while the city

34:32establishes clear and comprehensive

34:34standards. I respectfully ask that the

34:36council support proposed ordinance

34:38number 2026-14.

34:41Thank you. I yield.

34:43>> Okay, questions from members of the

34:45council.

34:47Yes, Councilman Lewis.

34:49>> I don't have a question. I just have a

34:50statement.

34:51Uh

34:52I'm going to support your moratorium,

34:54Ms. Hall, as I indicated before, but um

34:57let the record reflect that I do not

34:59support data centers coming into the

35:01city of Dover. Some may think that oh,

35:04it'll be great because they'll bring in

35:05jobs and stuff, but uh I think

35:08otherwise, and the statistics and the

35:09facts are out there. Um to me, the

35:13environment, people's health, uh our

35:16infrastructure is more important than

35:17jobs in the city. Uh and that's all I

35:20have at this point. Thank you.

35:23>> Any other questions?

35:26Seeing no uh hands, then we'll have uh

35:28request uh

35:30the pleasure of council

35:32to adopt this Yes, Councilman Anderson.

35:35>> Thank you.

35:36Unless the councilwoman wishes to make

35:39the motion,

35:41>> I'd be honored.

35:42>> I I will yield to Councilwoman Hall.

35:46>> Councilwoman Hall.

35:48>> I move that we accept the proposed

35:51ordinance 202016.

35:53I'm sorry, 2026-14

35:55as um

35:58as read in the record.

35:59>> Second.

36:00>> And it has been seconded. Any other

36:02questions? If not, uh Madam Clerk,

36:05please call the roll.

36:07>> Ms. Hall.

36:08>> Yes.

36:10>> Mr. Bogerdy.

36:11>> Yes.

36:12>> Mr. Anderson.

36:13>> Yes.

36:14>> Dr. Pillsbury.

36:15>> Yes.

36:16>> Mrs. Arndt.

36:17>> Yes.

36:18>> Mr. Rocha.

36:19>> Yes.

36:20>> Mr. Lewis.

36:21>> Yes.

36:23>> Council President Neil.

36:24>> Yes.

36:25>> And now,

36:27City Manager Duca announcements.

36:33>> Good evening and thank you for

36:34recognizing me, Council President. I do

36:37have a a few announcements.

36:40First of all,

36:41the water main replacement projects are

36:44wrapping up on Queen Street and Fairview

36:46alleys. The contractor is anticipating

36:49to begin street restoration late

36:51October.

36:52Our water system flushing operation is

36:55still progressing on schedule. Maps will

36:57continue to be posted on the city's

36:59website and Facebook page.

37:02Uh EDIS, the general contractor for the

37:05Dover Mobility Center, will be setting

37:07up the crane for precast concrete

37:09deliveries on

37:11October 14th,

37:13which deliveries will are expected to

37:15start on October 15th.

37:19The delivery route includes areas uh

37:22extending from Division Street to

37:24Bradford,

37:26turning onto Bradford with loading and

37:28unloading off of

37:30Bradford Street at the Mobility Center,

37:33and then they will be departing exiting

37:36Bradford Street onto Lockerman Street.

37:40This will continue from uh the October

37:43on through the end of November.

37:45Deliveries will occur from 7:00 a.m. to

37:473:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

37:51Staff is also working with contractors

37:54to seek solutions to repair the sluice

37:56sluice gate at Silver Lake Dam.

37:59This will not cause any particular

38:00flooding any flooding concerns at all.

38:03Uh flyers were hand-delivered to

38:05impacted residents about the delay of

38:08lowering the water level Silver Lake to

38:10allow for maintenance.

38:14On October 14th, we are also having a

38:17workshop on planning housing in Dover.

38:20It will be held at the Dover Public

38:22Library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

38:26And as a reminder, leaf collection will

38:28be starting on October 19th. Thank you.

38:32>> Thank you. Mr. Mayor, announcements.

38:35>> Mr. President, thank you. Uh

38:37I'm just going to remind uh

38:40the the members of council and the

38:42citizens uh

38:44that there is a planned

38:47uh Veterans Day parade uh on November

38:507th to honor uh our veterans uh here in

38:54the community. So, be on the lookout for

38:56the information for that. Thank you. Mr.

38:59President.

39:01>> I thank you. You council member

39:03announcements.

39:05Any hands?

39:09Councilman Anderson.

39:11>> Thank you, Mr. President.

39:12We have um

39:14I want to thank uh members of the fourth

39:17district for coming to uh the pizza and

39:21conversation uh Dr. Sutler and I had. We

39:24had a very good discussion and and I

39:28want to thank uh Councilman Bergeddy cuz

39:31he would have been there, but he was

39:32covering uh another meeting. So,

39:35uh we have to sometimes uh

39:38do that, you know, because there's some

39:41so much going on in the city. And uh

39:44those uh concerns, I want to thank the

39:46the staff for uh address any of those

39:50concerns so very quickly. And uh when

39:53And so, thank you very much for that.

39:56The there there's been positive feedback

39:58for residents, and it's nice that we can

40:01get the least the easy stuff done, and

40:04sometimes the harder things take longer,

40:07but we do what we can when we can.

40:10And and uh I just And also um if

40:15anyone's [clears throat]

40:16interested on uh October 27th, I know

40:20there's been concerns about the

40:22uh

40:24winter shelter. We're going to have that

40:27discussion, legal review, and understand

40:31where we can go and how we can

40:33accommodate properly. And and do what

40:36needs to be done and do it legally. And

40:39uh

40:40and we'll look forward to that

40:42discussion as well. I yield, Mr.

40:43President.

40:44>> Any other

40:46questions?

40:46Uh I would like make one announcement

40:49that uh

40:50uh the work that's going to be done

40:53on the new garage is going to be

40:55disrupting uh traffic in the downtown

40:58area. Uh the DDP has sent out an

41:01announcement, and I've requested that it

41:03be be put on the city website. Anybody's

41:06concerned about what's happening, that

41:08will appear on the website. And with

41:10that,

41:11this meeting is now adjourned.

41:17>> What do you want to say? There you go.

41:19That's exactly