EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION PROGRAM

Wilmington City Code ch. 2, art. IV, div. 3

in effect

Wilmington City Code § 2-201 Definitions.

Sec. 2-201. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Suggestion means a proposal to improve some aspect of city operations. Such suggestion must be submitted on a form to be developed by and provided by the city. A suggestion must be limited to a single idea which is clearly expressed in writing and should include charts or drawings as necessary. There shall be no limit to the number of suggestions permitted an individual suggestor. In submitting a suggestion, the suggestor shall sign a waiver of claim on such forms as shall be developed by the department of personnel and approved by the board. All suggestions shall become the property of the city upon their receipt. (Code 1968, § 20-73)

Wilmington City Code § 2-202 Establishment.

Sec. 2-202. - Establishment. There is hereby established an employee suggestion program to become effective immediately upon approval by the mayor of the ordinance from which this section derives in order to stimulate and reward the making of suggestions by city employees which will benefit the city. (Code 1968, § 20-70)

Wilmington City Code § 2-203 Purpose.

Sec. 2-203. - Purpose. The employee suggestion program of the city will provide a formal channel of communication by which city employees may express ideas to improve some aspect of city operations and to receive appropriate recognition for such ideas which are implemented. Such suggestions may be designed to provide savings for the city in cost, space, materials, equipment or labor; operational or procedural improvements; or improved safety measures, working conditions or city public relations. (Code 1968, § 20-71)

Wilmington City Code § 2-204 Administration.

Sec. 2-204. - Administration. (a) Program administrator. The chief responsibility for the program shall rest with the mayor who shall perform the following functions: (1) Appointment of employee suggestion board members and a program secretary. (2) Approval of all program rules and regulations. (3) Final approval of all adoption and award recommendations. (4) Direction of program administration and publicity. (5) Review of program operations and periodic presentation to city council of program reports. (b) Program secretary. The program secretary shall execute all suggestion posting, recording and filing activities as well as acknowledgment of receipt of suggestions. In addition, the secretary shall prepare the board agenda and record board actions. The program secretary shall be the director of personnel. (c) The board. The employee suggestion board shall consist of the members of the administrative board, namely: The mayor, the director of personnel, the chairman of the finance committee of the council, the finance director, the president of city council, the administrative assistant to the mayor, and the city solicitor. The duties of the board shall include: (1) Adoption of procedural rules. (2) Recommendation for action on each of the evaluated suggestions received by the board. (Code 1968, § 20-72)

Wilmington City Code § 2-205 Procedures.

Sec. 2-205. - Procedures. The following procedures shall be applicable to the program and administered by the employee suggestion board: (1) The suggestor shall submit, on a form provided by the city, the suggestion to the program secretary, the director of personnel. (2) When the program secretary receives the form filed by a suggestor, the secretary shall record such form and acknowledge its receipt. A copy of this acknowledgment shall then be sent to the suggestor. (3) The suggestion shall be forwarded to the city department functionally responsible for the municipal activity involved. A department or division head shall complete a departmental evaluation section of a report of evaluation and return it, along with the suggestion, to the program secretary within ten working days. (4) The program secretary shall then forward the comments of the departmental representative to the administrative assistant to the mayor who shall then also complete the report of evaluation. (5) The suggestion and its report shall then be entered on the agenda of the board by the program secretary. The agenda items shall be reviewed by the board at its regular meetings. (6) The board shall form a recommendation with respect to each suggestion and then implement the suggestion as recommended. a. Should a suggestion be unacceptable, an explanation of the board's reasons shall be forwarded by the program secretary to the suggestor. b. If immediate benefit can be derived from the suggestion, the board shall make an immediate determination of award. In all cases, the action of the board shall be made known to the suggestor within ten days of the board's receipt of the suggestion. (7) The board shall meet at regular monthly intervals and at such additional meetings as warranted by the backlog of suggestions. For purposes of forming a recommendation, a majority vote of all members of the board shall be necessary for a suggestion disposition. No suggestion presented to the board shall be necessary for a suggestion disposition. No suggestion presented to the board shall bear the identity of the suggestor and no suggestion may be considered without a report of evaluation. (8) All awards shall be made from the appropriations of the department benefiting from the improvement resulting from the suggestion. If two or more departments are so affected, the award shall be made from the appropriations of each department on a pro rata basis to be determined by the board. (Code 1968, § 20-74)

Wilmington City Code § 2-206 Awards.

Sec. 2-206. - Awards. The employee suggestion program shall have two types of awards: (1) Intangible improvements. A suggestion may produce intangible improvements, nonmonetary in nature, and may include improvements in employee morale, working conditions, public relations, etc. The minimum award for a suggestion resulting in intangible improvements shall be not less than $15.00 but shall not exceed $50.00. (2) Tangible improvements. Suggestions may result in monetary savings to the city. The minimum award for a suggestion resulting in tangible improvements shall be not less than $10.00 plus ten percent of the demonstrated first year annual savings that are realized as a result of the suggestion. Such percentage awards may be deferred by the board up to six months after implementation so that an accurate savings estimate may be determined. In no case, however, shall the total award exceed $1,000.00. (Code 1968, § 20-75)

Wilmington City Code § 2-207 Eligibility.

Sec. 2-207. - Eligibility. All employees, including parttime and temporary employees, of the city shall be eligible for participation in the employee suggestion program with the following exceptions: (1) Department directors, deputy directors and mayor's office staff. (2) Members of city council. (3) Employees who, in the normal scope of their duties, are responsible for submitting suggested improvements and economies relating to city services. These employees are, however, eligible for an award for a suggestion outside the scope of their normal duties. The employee suggestion board shall have full authority to determine eligibility if controversy arises involving this provision. (Code 1968, § 20-76)

Wilmington City Code § 2-208 Adopt-A-City Street Program.

Sec. 2-208. - Adopt-A-City Street Program. (a) The Adopt-A-City Street Program is hereby established and is designed to encourage litter clean up by offering for Adopt-A-City Street one city block to local community organizations or individuals 18 years of age or older. If there are group members under the age of 15, then at least one member of the participating group must be over the age of 18. (b) Each individual or group participating in the program shall commit to Adopt-a-City Street for a two-year period. During the two-year adoption period, litter clean up must take place at least once per month. (c) The department of public works shall identify city streets that are eligible for adoption and establish street adoption guidelines and procedures. (d) The department of public works shall install a sign at a designated location identifying the program and the participants along the city street adopted. (e) A report on the number of participants, identifying the group and the street location shall be given to city council annually. (Ord. No. 05-055(sub 1), § 1, 10-20-05)

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_ARTIVOFEM_DIV3EMSUPRFetched: 11/6/2026