CITY COUNCIL

Wilmington City Code ch. 2, art. II

in effect

Wilmington City Code § 2-31 Number and boundaries of councilmanic districts.

Sec. 2-31. - Number and boundaries of councilmanic districts. There shall be eight councilmanic districts, each encompassing as nearly as possible a contiguous area in which is included as nearly as practicable an equal population distribution in accordance with the requirements of the City Charter § 2-102. For purposes of this section, all boundaries (as illustrated on maps that are on file in the city council's office) shall be considered as passing along the centerlines of the streets. The boundaries of the eight councilmanic districts shall be as follows: (1) First councilmanic district. The first councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 2, blocks 1000 through 1021, 2000 through 2031, 3000 through 3018, 4000 through 4012, 5000 through 5018 and 6000 through 6020. In the Census Tract 5, blocks 1000 through 1012. In the Census Tract 6.01, blocks 1000 through 1018, 1020 and 1021, 2000 through 2004, 2006 through 2008 and 2011 through 2013. In the Census Tract 6.02, blocks 1000 through 1006 and 1011. (2) Second councilmanic district. The second councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 3, blocks 1000 through 1010, 2000 through 2015, 3000 through 3024. In the Census Track 4, blocks 1000 through 1018, 2000 through 2019, and 3000 through 3030. In the Census Track 5, blocks 2000 through 2012, 3000 through 3011 and 4000 through 4012. (3) Third councilmanic district. The third councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 6.01, blocks 1019, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2014, 3000 through 3016. In the Census Tract 6.02, blocks 1007 through 1010, 1012 through 1019, 2000 through 2022, and 3000 through 3016. In the Census Tract 9, blocks 1000 through 1015, 2000 through 2008, and 3000 through 3019. In the Census Tract 28, blocks 1038, 1039, 1041, 1044, and 1058 through 1067. In the Census Tract 29, blocks 1000 through 1003, 1006 through 1008, 1021, 4000, 4002 and 4003. In the Census Tract 30.02, blocks 1000 through 1038, and 2000 through 2032. In the Census Track 0100, 1000 through 1015 and 0007. (4) Fourth councilmanic district. The fourth councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 16, blocks 1000 through 1015. In the Census Tract 19.02, blocks 1000 through 1044, and 2000 through 2027. In the Census Tract 21, blocks 2023 through 2026. In the Census Tract 27, blocks 1000 through 1013, 1016, 1017, 1024, 1025, 1032 through 1041, 1043 and 1045 through 1049. In the Census Tract 28, blocks 1005 through 1008, 1015 through 1037, 1040, 1042, 1043, 1045 through 1052, 1054 through 1057, 1068 through 1071, 2000 through 2006, and 2009 through 2047. In the Census Tract 29, blocks 1004 and 1005, 1009 through 1020, 1022 and 1023, 2000 through 2013, 3000 through 3009, 4001, and 4004 through 4011. In the Census Tract 0100, block 0009. (5) Fifth councilmanic district. The fifth councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 14, blocks 1008 and 1009, 1013 through 1017, 1019 through 1021, 2000 and 2001. In the Census Tract 15, blocks 1005 through 1007, 1010, 1011, and 2000 through 2016. In the Census Tract 16, blocks 1016 and 1017, 2000 through 2013, and 3000 through 3013. In the Census Tract 21, blocks 1000 through 1016, and 2000 through 2022. In the Census Tract 22, blocks 1000 through 1015, 2000 through 2009, and 3000 through 3007. In the Census Tract 28, blocks 1053, 2007 and 2008. (6) Sixth councilmanic district. The sixth councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 25, blocks 1000 through 1020, 2000 through 2013, and 3000 through 3017. In the Census Tract 26, blocks 1000 through 1008, 2000 through 2021, 3000 through 3014, and 4000 through 4011. In the Census Tract 27, blocks 1014 and 1015, 1018 through 1023, 1026 through 1031, 1042, 1044, and 2000 through 2020. (7) Seventh councilmanic district. The seventh councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 13, blocks 3003 through 3006, 3008, 3012 through 3016, 3020 and 3021 and 3027. In the Census Tract 14, blocks 1000 through 1007, 1010 through 1012, 1018, and 2002 through 2023. In the Census Tract 23, blocks 1000 through 1010, 2000 through 2010, and 3000 through 3017. In the Census Tract 24, blocks 1000 through 1018, 2000 through 2024, 3000 through 3037 and 4000 through 4022. (8) Eighth councilmanic district. The eighth councilmanic district shall consist of that portion of the City of Wilmington contained in the following Census Blocks in the Census Tract 11, blocks 1000 through 1014, 2000 through 2010, and 3000 through 3014. In the Census Tract 12, blocks 1000 through 1017, and 2000 through 2024. In the Census Tract 13, blocks 1000 through 1032, 2000 through 2025, 3000 through 3002, 3007, 3009 through 3011, 3017 through 3019, 3022 through 3026, and 4000 through 4029. In the Census Tract 15, blocks 1000 through 1004, 1008 and 1009. In the Census Tract 28, blocks 1000 through 1004, and 1009 through 1014. This section establishes the councilmanic districts for the 2024 election of City Council, pursuant to City Charter sections 2-100 and 2-101, and thereafter. (Ord. No. 91-055(sub 1), § 1(19-11), 8-15-91; Ord. No. 97-108, § 2, 2-19-98; Ord. No. 01-063(sub 1), § 1, 8-23-01; Ord. No. 05-024, § 3, 6-2-05; Ord. No. 11-035, § 1, 9-1-11; Ord. No. 21-060, § 1, 1-6-22)

Wilmington City Code § 2-32 Redistricting after census; committee procedures; implementation.

Sec. 2-32. - Redistricting after census; committee procedures; implementation. (a) This section is enacted in order to establish procedures to fulfill the requirements of section 2-102 of the city charter, which sets forth the mandatory duty of the city council to redistrict the city into eight councilmanic districts within six months after the date of publication by the United States Census Bureau of the population of the city at each decennial census, so that each of the council districts shall contain as nearly as practicable a population derived by dividing the population of the city by a factor of eight. In formulating the redistricting plan, the city council's redistricting committee, comprised of the president of council and six members appointed by the president of council, shall convene, on or before July 1 following the official reporting of the 1990 Federal Decennial Census by the U.S. Census Bureau to the state, and on or before July 1, in every tenth year thereafter, in order to commence the redistricting process. The committee thereafter shall prepare and file with the city clerk a report containing a recommended plan for adjusting the councilmanic district boundaries of districts one through eight to comply with the following specifications: (1) Each district shall contain contiguous territories; and (2) Each district shall contain as nearly as possible the same number of persons with no aggregate diversion in population more than ten percent from the average population for all districts, the average to be obtained by dividing the number eight into the total population of the city according to that federal decennial census so published. (b) The report of the committee, which may include a report of a minority of its members, shall include a map and a description of each of the councilmanic districts as recommended in a plan and shall be in the form of a proposed ordinance. As filed with the city clerk, the report in ordinance form may be introduced by any council member at the next immediate meeting of the council. The committee shall conduct at least one public hearing, to be duly advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, about the report following the filing of the report and prior to enactment of a redistricting ordinance. Any such ordinance shall comply with the requirements of and be subject to the provisions of section 2-201 of the city charter. The redistricting ordinance shall be enacted on or before the end of the six-month period following the date of publication of the census, as provided in section 2-102 of the city charter. (c) The committee shall designate staff to be responsible for obtaining necessary statistical information and to coordinate the redistricting process. In doing so, staff shall coordinate such efforts with the planning department and the city solicitor's office for statistical and legal assistance. (1) The committee may engage such consultants as it deems necessary for technical or legal assistance in the redistricting process to the extent feasible and appropriate. (2) The committee shall maintain complete records of the redistricting process. Its meetings and hearings shall be recorded and, if practicable, transcribed. All written reports, correspondence, exhibits, and work papers shall be carefully labeled, filed, and retained for reference when, as and if necessary. (d) The committee shall obtain accurate maps of the city, the city council districts and census tracts as necessary. If deemed necessary, the committee shall obtain maps from the United States Bureau of Census depicting the bureau's geographic areas for the county and city political subdivisions. (e) The committee shall obtain United States Bureau of Census Population Tabulations as provided for the census bureau geographic areas. (f) The committee may prepare or cause to be prepared, graphic depictions of existing city council district boundaries on census bureau maps in order to determine the census geographic areas within each councilmember's district. If the population tabulations are available by election district, such graphic depiction of existing council districts may be done on a map of election districts instead of census geographic areas. Maps of the city council districts shall be used in conjunction with census maps to ensure accuracy in locating the boundaries of existing council districts. (g) The committee shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, the tabulations of population statistics for the existing city council districts in order to determine the degree of disparity, if any, in population among the existing council districts and the racial and ethnic composition of each council district. The committee shall count incarcerated individuals for redistricting purposes in accordance with section 2-32.1 of this article. (h) The committee shall review the results of the tabulations pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and, in its consideration of those tabulations in light of state and federal requirements concerning equality in population of districts, make a determination and recommendation whether redistricting is required. If redistricting is deemed necessary and is recommended, city council shall redistrict the city in accordance with state and federal law as applicable, and the requirements of the city charter. (i) The committee shall schedule a public comment period of not less than seven calendar days, but not more than 15 calendar days during which the committee, in its determinations, may receive from citizens or nonprofit organizations such plans, reports and recommendations as they may wish to make available to the council. In reviewing such plans, the council may conduct hearings, make findings, and recommendations. In its consideration of any alternative plans, the council may reject such plans that are not prepared in accordance with the requirements of law regarding maps and appropriate statistical information. (j) The committee may adopt such rules as it deems necessary for the conduct of its deliberations. (k) The city council shall adopt a redistricting ordinance after the report of the redistricting committee has been filed with the city clerk, provided that, even if there has been more than one report prepared and more than one ordinance introduced, the council shall enact one redistricting ordinance prior to the expiration of six months from the date of publication of the decennial census. The redistricting ordinance shall then include the boundaries of districts one through eight until the next redistricting in accordance with the provisions of this section and the city charter. (Ord. No. 91-040(sub 1), § 1(19-11.1), 6-20-91; Ord. No. 93-023, § 1, 5-13-93; Ord. No. 21-050, § 1, 11-18-21)

Wilmington City Code § 2-32.1 Criteria for counting incarcerated individuals for redistricting purposes.

Sec. 2-32.1. - Criteria for counting incarcerated individuals for redistricting purposes. (a) Definition. For purposes of this section, "incarcerated individual" shall mean an individual incarcerated in a State of Delaware or federal correctional facility, as determined by the federal decennial census. (b) Criteria. In determining the redistricting for the city as provided in section 2-102 of the city charter and section 2-32 of this article, city council shall count, as part of the population in a given councilmanic district boundary, an incarcerated individual at the individual's last known address before incarceration, if the individual was a resident of the city before incarceration. (c) Applicability. The requirement contained in subsection (b) shall apply beginning with the redistricting that occurs as a result of the federal decennial census of 2020 and shall apply to each redistricting thereafter. (Ord. No. 21-050, § 3, 11-18-21)

Wilmington City Code § 2-33 Storage of videos of council meetings.

Sec. 2-33. - Storage of videos of council meetings. The videos of all regular city council meetings, and of standing committee meetings and any special meetings of city council, which are prepared in connection with the telecast of council meetings live and for re-telecast, shall be collected, maintained and stored in suitable locations, with appropriate safeguards for their preservation to be taken by the office of cable and communications in accordance with the records retention schedule approved by the state archives under applicable state law. The collection and storage of such videos is for historical purposes, for use in orientation and training of new city council members, and for educational purposes in connection with local high school and university student programs. The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all videos of city council meetings that are extant as of September 19, 1991 as well as prospectively after October 4, 1991. (Ord. No. 91-066, § 1(20-5.9), 10-3-91; Ord. No. 18-023, § 1, 6-7-18)

Wilmington City Code § 2-34 Procedures to fill city council vacancies.

Sec. 2-34. - Procedures to fill city council vacancies. The city council hereby establishes the following procedures by which a person is appointed by resolution to fill a city council vacancy: The committee of the whole of city council, chaired by the president of city council, shall be charged with selecting a candidate to fill the vacancy in accordance with the requirements outlined in the City Charter section 2-101. (1) The committee of the whole shall: a. Accept recommendations from members of council in accordance with the requirements of subsection (1)b of this section; b. Accept resumes and letters of intent, during a specified time period, from persons who are qualified pursuant to the City Charter; c. Interview each qualified person: i. Each member of the committee of the whole shall identify up to three candidates to fill the vacancy. The candidates shall be identified using an identifier, other than the candidate's name, which will be assigned to each candidate during executive session; d. Recommend a person by majority vote of the members of the committee of the whole; and e. Follow the requirements for appointment of a person to fill a council vacancy, pursuant to the City Charter. (2) The vacancy shall be certified by resolution. (3) The committee of the whole shall propose by resolution its recommendation of a person to fill the vacancy for vote by the full of city council. The resolution must be approved by a majority vote of all the members of city council. (4) If the resolution fails to be approved, the committee of the whole shall reconvene and propose by resolution another recommendation of a person who it previously interviewed to fill the vacancy for a vote by the full of city council. The resolution must be approved by a majority vote of all members of city council. The committee of the whole shall repeat this procedure until the vacancy is filled. (5) While the procedures set forth in this section are taking place, if the city council vacancy is for a councilmanic district, the at-large council member living in or closest to the district in which there is a vacancy will respond to and assist residents in that district until the vacancy is filled. (Ord. No. 06-066, § 1, 10-19-06; Ord. No. 19-001(sub 1), § 1, 1-31-19)

Wilmington City Code § 2-35 Law department reports to city council and certain city officials.

Sec. 2-35. - Law department reports to city council and certain city officials. (a) Written report to be furnished. The city law department shall provide a written report to the president and members of city council, the city clerk, the city auditor, and the city treasurer on a bi-monthly basis. This report shall be due by the 15 th day of every other month, beginning on July 15, 2017. (b) Contents of the written report, applicability. Each written report shall include an overview of the non-confidential, non-privileged nature and status of all pending litigation involving the city as a named party, in which the city could either be exposed to a judgment in excess of $50,000.00 as a defendant, or obtain a judgment in excess of $50,000.00 as a plaintiff. (c) Public access. Each report shall be made available to the general public upon a proper Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the law department, provided that such release does not include any privileged or confidential information, or information that is otherwise exempt from public disclosure under the provisions of FOIA. (Ord. No. 17-025, § 1, 7-6-17)

Wilmington City Code § 2-36 Office of educational advocacy.

Sec. 2-36. - Office of educational advocacy. (a) Established. There is hereby established as a division within city council an office to be known as the office of educational advocacy ("office"). The annual operating budget for the office shall be part of the annual operating budget for city council and shall be funded by the general fund. (b) The chief administrative official of the office shall be known as the "director of educational advocacy." The director shall have general supervisory authority over the operations of the office and shall report to the city council chief of staff. (c) The key policies and objectives of the office shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Identify resources, challenges, and opportunities for improving the educational experience of city students by working closely with families, schools, community organizations, and other educational advocacy groups. (2) Adopt a "whole-child" approach focusing on economic stability, affordable housing, and safe communities so that city youth are prepared for the world. (3) Advocate for the educational needs and rights of all students residing in the city and their families. (4) Provide guidance to council on developing legislative solutions to effectuate change at the state and local levels. (5) Create a consistent, unified voice for all students residing in the city and their families to ensure their needs and concerns are represented at the state and local levels. (6) Develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including those from private and charter schools, and sustainable activities for ongoing support of city students in the educational process. (7) Avoid duplication of services provided by other local educational advocacy groups. (d) The director of educational advocacy shall prepare an annual report summarizing the office's accomplishments of the prior fiscal year and the goals and strategies for attaining those goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The director shall present a progress no less than every other month to the education youth and families committee. The annual report shall be submitted to city council no later than March 1 of each year and shall be made available on the website for city council. The city council chief of staff shall meet periodically with the director to monitor the progress in achieving the policies and objectives of the office and attaining the goals stated in the annual report. (Ord. No. 25-014, § 1, 6-18-25)

Wilmington City Code § 2-37 Wilmington Youth Advisory Council.

Sec. 2-37. - Wilmington Youth Advisory Council. (a) Establishment. There is hereby established a Wilmington Youth Advisory Council, which shall be overseen by the city council. The membership shall consist of 20 youth members, comprised of residents of the city and appointed by the president of city council. The membership shall consist of students in grades eight through 12, with no more than five students in their senior year of high school. The members shall serve for one-year terms for up to three consecutive years, but they must reapply to serve annually. The Youth Advisory Council shall fall under the auspices of the city council. (b) Purpose and Responsibilities. The Wilmington Youth Advisory Council shall: (1) Assist the city council in preparing a youth master plan, which offers a vision of the future for city youth and which is comprised of the following: an assessment of the current resources and needs of the city youth; proposed strategies to advance the safety, well-being, and healthy development of children and youth in the city; methods to engage the local community along with governmental, institutional, and citizen organizations to aid in the successful implementation of the youth master plan; methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the youth master plan; and measures to ensure accountability and sustainability of the youth master plan over time. (2) Participate in the review and updating of the youth master plan that is to take place every three years. (3) Collaborate with the office of educational advocacy as needed. (c) Rules. The youth advisory council may adopt rules to govern its meetings. If none are adopted, the meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. (d) Compensation. Each member shall be paid $50.00 for attending the entirety of each youth advisory council meeting; provided, however, the total amount paid to any member shall not exceed $600.00 in any one calendar year. (e) Funding. Each year, city council shall appropriate the necessary funds for the youth advisory council. The appropriation shall be a line item in the city council's operating budget. (Ord. No. 25-062, § 1, 11-6-25)

Source: City of Wilmington, Delaware, City Code, City Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/de/wilmington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIWICO_CH2AD_ARTIICICOFetched: 11/6/2026