CCW Minutes and Attachments

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Council Committee of the Whole met on October 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. with Council President Sudler presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson, Ms. Arndt, Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Hare, Mr. Neil, Mr. Taylor, and Dr. Pillsbury. Mr. Rocha was absent. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee meetings were Mr. Shelton (Utility), Mr. Contant (via WebEx), and Mr. Shevock (via WebEx) (Legislative, Finance, and Administration.) Dr. Jackson, Mr. Hosfelt (Safety, Advisory, and Transportation), and Mr. McCutcheon (Utility) were absent. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Boggerty moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil, and unanimously carried. SAFETY, ADVISORY, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The Safety, Advisory, and Transportation Committee met with Chairman Taylor presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Boggerty, and unanimously carried. Debriefing/Post-Mortem on Firefly Music Festival (Presentations by the Department of Planning and Inspections and the Dover Police Department) Mr. Jason Osika, Fire Marshall, reviewed the 2022-FMO After Action Report Summary presentation. Mr. Sudler stated that he noticed that although Firefly was a major activity and very successful with a lot of great teamwork, it almost felt like they were not there, because of the way the traffic and the way everything was coordinated so well. Mr. Sudler continued to state that he almost forgot that Firefly was happening that weekend, other than hearing the music, so he wanted to commend all the City of Dover staff that partake in making this event a success. Mr. Sudler thanked the staff for representing the City of Dover. Mr. Sudler asked who took the pictures because they should be a professional photographer. Mr. Sudler suggested that the photos should be used on the website for the City of Dover, as an activity that they host as part of representing the City of Dover. Mr. Neil stated that he wanted to give a report from someone who is most directly affected and that he received phone calls about Firefly. Mr. Neil noted that it is a great event for the city, simply because people are coming in from all over, not just in the immediate area, not just in Delaware, but that they are coming from all over. Mr. Neil explained that it puts the City of Dover on the map, a specific music map, just as NASCAR does for a sports map, and that is what they hope the Gift of Light will be, which is from Thanksgiving thru New Year's and pay some electric bills with that. Mr. Neil stated that it is moving very well inside because of what they have learned, however, people are walking up and down Persimmon Tree Lane, still blocking traffic. Mr. Neil explained that he has asked the festival people to create a map to show an internal area and to not let people back in at the

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 2 gates off Persimmon Tree. Mr. Neil continued to explain, that it would let the traffic flow through the compound but not out and that it would be easier for emergency vehicles coming in and out. Mr. Neil stated that the second thing is the music mostly on Thursday and Friday nights, where the music was exceeding the city's requirements for sound. Mr. Neil noted that usually, their sound engineers are very good at making sure that the music goes out so that President Sudler can hear it and up north can hear it, but those in that immediate area are the ones that are deluged. Mr. Neil explained that by Saturday, it was much better, and though some people complained about Sunday, basically the explanation was simply, it was allowed to go an additional hour, they could have had two hours, to put on that performance due to the weather. Mr. Neil stated that the other thing is there was a shift, and that may be why traffic was not as noticeable because they went from the summer to the fall. Mr. Neil stated that he thought what may happen is they are going to look at the crowds and maybe move it back towards a summer date that fits into a schedule because the producer of this event produces many festivals of this type. Mr. Neil explained that the more attractions, the better attractions, the heavier the attendance will be. They held approximately 50,000, but it does affect our lives, simply because of the detours that it is causing and the effect that it has. Mr. Neil noted that the City of Dover handles the event well, but they also have State Police involved, who may forget that we must come up and down Persimmon Tree Lane, going down to Route 9 and then working around to White Oak or going up north further to get just one and a half miles going in one direction suddenly now becomes 13 miles in it by doing the route out. Mr. Neil stated that he is excited about the Gift of Light, the light show that is coming. Mr. Neil stated that he thought it is going to be a terrific event for the city. Responding to Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Osika stated that he can tell a difference in attendance, just by the camping lots. Mr. Osika stated that he does not know how many more came in because he was not on the one side of, what they call the day trippers, that come in with daily tickets. Mr. Osika stated that he does not have the exact number of attendees, but they usually do not let the city know. Mr. Osika noted the biggest difference that he has seen from June to September is probably the Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Osika stated that he believes incidents are down because when you are in the June months, you have people not hydrating and drinking other beverages and it is hot out, which creates other issues, whereas now, it is cooler out, so that eliminates that issue. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Osika stated that the 331 hours the Fire Marshal’s Office worked is a city expense and that it has never been recaptured from AEG or the Speedway. Mr. Osika noted that he is not sure why that is. Mr. Osika explained that staff recently had a meeting about this not long ago about if they want to go in a different direction or not, and that they are going to maybe investigate that. Mr. Osika noted that, he keeps track of most of his staff and that he can give Council all the breakdowns of each person and what the costs are. Mr. Osika continued to note that most of them take it as comp time, which is still a cost because they are taking off. Mr. Osika stated that their hours are 100% paid for by the city. Chief Thomas Johnson, Dover Police Department stated that June is going to generate more heat casualties than a September event, regardless of your attendance. Chief Johnson agreed with Mr. Osika that hydration is a big issue and people with chronic conditions do not hold up as well in June, usually,

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 3 in the climate that you would experience during that time. Chief Johnson explained that from a health standpoint, he thought the first aid stations did better and that EMS was not incredibly overtaxed at this year's event, than perhaps when the event happens in warmer weather. Chief Johnson stated that regarding traffic, he wanted to give compliments to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), which is a very big player in making sure that traffic flows smoothly through the city. Chief Johnson explained that they bring major gear to this event and will take over programmed traffic lights and intersections. Chief Johnson noted that while they are doing real-time monitoring of traffic flow, they will make real-time adjustments to signaling and how the city handles getting in and getting out. Chief Johnson stated that from a policing standpoint, there was not too much activity to note, he was able to print on a page and a half all the recorded events, whether it was logged on the Persimmon Tree side or the DuPont Highway side of the event. Chief Johnson explained some were just run-of- the-mill events that you might get a call for through the 911 system that just happens to occur in that zone, and they squared those away. Chief Johnson stated that they had a couple of medical events which they took some action upon. Chief Johnson stated there were no real major serious criminal events, as far as anybody being injured by assault. Chief Johnson noted there was one report of an aggravated robbery that, ultimately, after quite an extensive search, proved to be unfounded. Chief Johnson stated that they were unsure if the aggravated robbery victim was exaggerating because they could never locate him, or whether it was a distraction call to take the attention away from something else because sometimes that will occur. Chief Johnson noted that there were a couple of significant drug arrests that were handled away from the crowd. Chief Johnson explained that when you get that many people together with closed containers, not necessarily inside of the venue where clear plastic is the order of the day, but on the periphery of the event. Chief Johnson stated that there were entrepreneurs that are now out of business thanks to some of the City’s plain clothes and undercover officers doing what they do. Chief Johnson stated that the motorcycle unit was heavily involved in escort duty, sometimes as far away as southern New Castle County, depending on where the VIP, the talent, was coming from, to come to and from the event to perform, that went off flawlessly. Chief Johnson stated that he was proud to report that there were no major incidents that Council would be concerned with about the crime. Chief Johnson noted that he thought the biggest, besides a drug-related event, the biggest criminal event was a couple of other industrious young people that were taking stuff out of parked cars. Chief Johnson complimented the venue, the host organization, Mr. Hosfelt, and the system that is in place there. Chief Johnson explained that it was easy to catch them when they could watch them on television and then they knew exactly where to send the resources, down to exactly what they are wearing. Chief Johnson stated that this is a multi-jurisdictional event, as far as the police plan goes and that meetings start in the months leading up to the event. Chief Johnson noted that the Fire Police get involved also to help with traffic and that it is a collaborative effort. Chief Johnson stated the evacuation was also something that took them a little bit by surprise. Chief Johnson stated that they had only five to seven minutes' notice that it was going to occur. Chief Johnson continued to state that the Meteorologist had to decide, and he was trying hard not to recommend that. Chief Johnson explained that there is a National Weather Service Meteorologist that is onsite in the

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 4 Command Post, where they have a portable 911 center, and they made a very difficult call. Chief Johnson noted the evacuation was very orderly, with no injuries, and no problems about that. Chief Johnson stated that every night, he watched Mr. Bundek, the EMS supervisor go from bathroom to bathroom to make sure that there was nobody passed out, or in a bad way. Chief Johnson noted that he is an EMS leader, but he gets in there and from the teamwork side of things, it is just awesome to see. Mr. Neil stated that when Sir Paul McCartney was here, the ex-Beatle, there were 90,000 people, and that, for our city, our size, was remarkable. Mr. Neil noted that even with the dates this year and last year, because of COVID-19, the attendance numbers were at the 50,000 level. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Chief Johnson stated the Police Department's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program is in suspended animation, they are not active because DelDOT, has a lot of capacity and capability. Chief Johnson stated that their drone resources are so readily available, so far more advanced than the equipment that the City currently possess that they rely upon DelDOT. Chief Johnson explained that they would have to get permission to operate in this airspace, with the Air Force base being present, and that it is too much of a burden for the Police Department to keep up with that. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Mr. Osika stated that the Police Department had drones at one time. Mr. Osika noted that one of the biggest issues from talking to DelDOT is they have a life expectancy of about three to five years and then it is outdated. Mr. Osika stated that his team asked if they could get training on it, which he allowed, he supports any type of training that they want to do. Mr. Osika explained the last time they used a UAV was from Fire School, they have drone programs, and at the Loockerman Street fire, drones came in handy. Mr. Osika stated that they are looking more toward a UAV for aerial photos for the City’s case file. Update on Kenton Road Project (Sharon Duca, Assistant City Manager) Ms. Sharon Duca, Assistant City Manager reviewed the background and analysis regarding the update. Ms. Duca also discussed the speed reduction on Kenton Road between Forrest Avenue and Chestnut Grove Road. Staff recommended that City Council support the proposed speed reduction to 35 MPH for Kenton Road between Forrest Avenue (SR8/K51) and Chestnut Grove Road (K158). Mr. John Gaines, Group Engineer, DelDOT, stated this project was recommended by the Dover Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization (Dover Kent MPO) many years ago. Mr. Gaines noted DelDOT has been working on it since about 2015 and are nearing the end of the right-of-way acquisition phase. Mr. Gaines noted that they are planning on beginning construction in the spring of 2023 and wrapping up late summer of 2024. Mr. Gaines explained that the project is fully funded through construction. Mr. Gaines further explained that the project was put on the back burner for a while, but they were able to move some funding from some other projects to make this one goes on that schedule. Ms. Laura Haxton, Senior Transportation Engineer, Century Engineering stated that the project is improving Kenton Road from Route 8 to Maple Dale Road. Ms. Haxton stated that they will be adding pedestrian and bicycle facilities and that there will be a 10-foot shared-use path along one side of Kenton Road, from Route 8 to College Road. Ms. Haxton explained then it will cross the street and

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 5 then go to the entrance of Fox Hall. Ms. Haxton further explained that it will be called a low-stress network for your everyday bicycle rider and pedestrian. Ms. Haxton stated that everywhere else there will be a five-foot sidewalk, except for the five homes across the street from the Fire House and that was due to right-of-way complications. Ms. Haxton noted that there will be 11-foot travel lanes, right and left turn lanes installed at all the subdivisions and roadways, and curbing. Ms. Haxton explained that they will be improving drainage and lighting. Ms. Haxton stated that two brand new stormwater management ponds are going in and a roundabout at the Chestnut Grove Road intersection, a single-lane roundabout that will mimic the roundabout at Route 10 and Route 15 in Camden. Ms. Haxton stated there will be a signal light at Greentree, the intersection of Greentree Drive and Kenton Road and that this improvement is underway right now. Ms. Haxton also stated, some utility poles will be moved back starting this week and that the signal light should be up within the next couple of months. Ms. Haxton stated that the project will be divided into two major phases. Ms. Haxton explained that in the first phase they will be building from Route 8 to College Road. Ms. Haxton stated that this part of the roadway will be done under lane closure which will include flaggers, drums, and barriers. Ms. Haxton noted they will build one side of the road, flip it over, and build the other side of the road. Ms. Haxton stated that there will be detours in there, like Greenway Lane and College Road, and they will have to shut down for a little bit. Ms. Haxton stated that the second phase will be Turnberry to Chestnut Grove Road which will be done under a full closure lasting 39 days due to no shoulder and not being able to shift vehicles. Ms. Haxton stated that the second full closure will be from College Rd to Turnberry for 30 days to build that section. Ms. Haxton stated that this is a safety-related project and that they have a speed resolution that they would like as an early action item to put into place now or as soon as possible. Ms. Haxton stated that this includes all side roads from Route 8 to West Denney’s Road. Ms. Haxton explained that due to driver expectations and safety reasons, they are suggesting that they want to reduce the speed limit to 35 miles an hour. Ms. Haxton noted that they have concurrence from the City of Dover Police, and once they get the approval tonight, DelDOT can get those signs out there and get that speed reduced before construction comes through just to improve safety. Responding to Dr. Pillsbury, Ms. Haxton stated that to enter Fox Hall West, they will be able to enter from Carnoustie Road and Burning Tree. Ms. Haxton noted that they will not be closed at the same time. Responding to Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Gaines stated that they are going to send out night surveys to say, "Hey, if we can work at night, we can get this done a lot quicker." Mr. Gaines noted that if enough people are opposed to night work, the way they have it shown now is all daytime. Mr. Gaines stated that if they get approval to do night work, they can greatly expedite this project. Mr. Gaines noted that it will be a noisy project. Responding to Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Gaines stated they will contact the Department of Education and they plan on holding an informational meeting a few months before they start construction just to say, "Hey, this is coming, and these are going to be the impacts." Mr. Gaines stated that anytime they have a detour up, it will be well signed for the detour route. Mr. Gaines contained to state that each time

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 6 they change phases, they put out signs on the side of the road. Mr. Gaines noted that they are thinking of having a group that will run the public outreach. Mr. Gaines stated that if someone has an issue, they can contact the correct person and they can come to meet with them right away; they will be on staff every day for the project. Mayor Christiansen stated that as Chairman of Dover Kent MPO, he wanted to let everyone know that it took a little bit for them to get this project moved up. Mayor Christiansen noted that Mr. Shelton is also a member of the Dover Kent County MPO. Mayor Christiansen stated that they both wanted to share what they trying to do next because they feel that while the improvements are going to be terrific for Dover Kenton Road, they are overlooking another road that is heavily traveled and that needs some attention. Mayor Christiansen stated that their efforts are going to be put into getting College Road improved as well because why improve Dover Kenton and then dump a lot more traffic on College Road? Mr. Dana Shelton, 133 Red Oak Drive, Dover Hidden Oaks right next to Woodlands of Fox Hall. Mr. Shelton stated that the road, between Scarborough or McKee and Dover Kenton Road on College Road near the old Square Club, is a hazard. Mr. Shelton stated that he drove down that road earlier today and that an elderly lady was walking with a cane right on the side that did not have sidewalks and the cars had to move over so that they could go around her because she was walking on the line. Mr. Shelton stated that if they are going to do work on Kenton Road, then that is another road that they want to take care of because it is a hazard, and someone is going to get hurt. Mr. Shelton explained that you cannot ride bicycles down there or walk down that street. Mr. Shelton stated that he jogged down there but had to jog on the other side because he was afraid that he was going to get hit by a car and that he had to try to face the cars when the traffic came. Responding to Mr. Shelton, Mr. Gaines stated that a new project just started on College Road from McKee Road to Kenton Road. Mr. Gaines stated that Ms. Haxton’s team will be working on this project as well and has just started the field survey. Mr. Gaines explained that regardless of what the roadway looks like there will be an off-road multi-use path. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Gaines stated that for the new College Road Project, they have a six- year CTP funding that was not available until July 1, 2022. Responding to Mr. Gaines, Mr. Sudler stated that he would help and give his support when it comes time to talk to property owners. Mr. Boggerty invited Ms. Haxton and Mr. Gaines to attend the West Dover Community Town Hall on November 3, 2022, at Maple Dale Country Club from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Ms. Duca called the committee’s attention to the Committee Action Form in the packet the proposal for speed reduction on Kenton Road. Mr. Hare moved to recommend that City Council support the proposed speed reduction to 35 MPH for Kenton Road between Forrest Avenue (SR8/K51) and Chestnut Grove Road (K158), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sudler and unanimously carried.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 7 Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Gaines stated that for College Road, they are going to do a large public outreach to come up with alternatives, present them to the public and choose a preferred alternative. Mr. Gaines stated that a shovel will not go into the ground for three years or better depending on public outreach. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Gaines stated that they will be one hundred percent responsible for managing all stormwater for any additional roadway they add. Mr. Sudler stated that they are already on four years, and it sounds like it is going to be another three to four before the College Road project is started. Mr. Sudler stated that hearing the grave concerns, and the enormous amount of traffic that is going to be picking up. Mr. Sudler noted that he would like to see College Road bumped up as number one or number two because of the safety issue. Mr. Sudler also stated that he would like to see how it was prioritized and if the safety issue is in more demand than the other area. Mr. Sudler stated that on College Road they have students, seniors at Westminster, fire apparatuses coming down there at high speed when necessary, and even officers and that there is no room to even walk on the other side of the road. Mr. Sudler explained that he knew that on Kenton Road there is some sidewalk available and there is some sidewalk available on Route 8 on the right, but absolutely none is available pretty much on College Road, particularly on the right side where the Grand Lodge is located. Mayor Christiansen stated that a list of projects that the Council sent was prioritized for them last year or early in the spring. Mayor Christiansen stated that the list was sent to and approved by the Dover Kent MPO that were accepted projects. Mayor Christiansen noted that he believes that College Road was one of the top priorities. Mayor Christiansen explained that they moved a couple of the other projects down. Mayor Christiansen noted that MPO and DelDOT are aware of the project moving up, and the urgency to get it done. Mr. Taylor requested that the Mayor and Chief Johnson, send a copy of the procedural notice when it comes to information being sent to council, whether it be a loss of life incident, a fire, or whatever the case may be. Mr. Taylor explained that too many times are finding out information on Facebook, by constituents or by a reporter calling, and then they are not prepared. Mr. Taylor stated that the current system, that they have right now is broken. Mr. Taylor stated that there was a loss of life, he found out about it on Facebook, and he is the Chair of Safety. Responding to Mr. Taylor, Chief Johnson stated that he can go to the Dover Police Website and sign up for notifications, which is open for any member of the public to sign up. Mayor Christiansen stated that they will certainly take that under advisement. Mayor Christiansen stated that Mr. Taylor with his prior experience as a police officer would understand that there is some information that can be released immediately and not that they do not have confidence in the council to keep information that should be kept under wraps. Mayor Christiansen stated that it is no sign of disrespect to any member of Council and that they certainly will review our policies. Mayor Christiansen noted that in the past, most of the discretion of the dissemination of information is the prerogative of the Chief to triage what they need to get out and what they do not. Responding to Chief Johnson, Mr. Neil requested that all members of Council be put on the notification list for public information.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 8 Mr. Taylor moved for the adjournment of the Safety, Advisory, and Transportation Committee meeting, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. UTILITY COMMITTEE The Utility Committee met with Council President Sudler presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Neil moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Ms. Arndt, and unanimously carried. Community Resources - Delaware 211 and Stand By Me (Donna Snyder-White, United Way) Ms. Donna Snyder-White reviewed the presentation entitled Strengthening Families Financial Empowerment Data, Driven Impact. Responding to Mayor Christiansen, Ms. Snyder-White stated that of the 8,300 people who refused a follow-up call most of them felt that they could just make the call on their own or they did not need any additional assistance. Mr. Neil stated that they know that the problem with housing is stability. Mr. Neil stated that the figures show that a person needs over $45,000 or works 95 hours a week at a minimum wage of $9.25 to get rental housing. Mr. Neil noted that the problem with rental housing is, and that is all housing, corporations are coming in and scooping up housing that has gone into receivership. Mr. Neil stated that they have bought apartment houses and they bought leased land communities. Mr. Neil explained that as soon as that happened, even if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac money or any other money that was designed for it to be affordable housing, it is no longer affordable. Mr. Neil stated that he believes a landlord should be paid, they should be paid for the cost of the operation and maintenance because a lot of the things that these corporations are buying are not maintained. Mr. Neil stated that corporations do not have to because there is nothing in the law that says you must maintain it, you must go after them and there are code inspectors who go in and enforce codes for these rentals. Mr. Neil explained that his paradigm is to have a public service commission for all rentals simply because they will do exactly what we do for utilities. Mr. Neil noted that utilities are important, they are private, and these guys do not want to do that. Mr. Neil stated that when he goes to the state legislature, he is going to need help because of an article that appeared last Friday in the Delaware State News. Mr. Neil noted that that article’s headline is, "Here is how to fix Delaware's lack of housing." Mr. Neil stated that unless they do something different, they are going to have the same problem, no matter how much money they put into affordable housing, it will not be affordable any longer. Mr. Neil noted that as soon as you go to buy out, as soon as that buyout is there, you are in the same boat. Mr. Neil explained that they need that housing because every single person must have someplace to go and come back to make all this work. Mr. Neil further explained that the money that is being taken out of this state does not come back in taxes, it is going out to major corporations. Mr. Neil shared a headline, "I do not have any faith in the system. Soaring housing costs have renters mulling how they will vote in the midterms." Mr. Neil explained that the heart of this went to every single candidate that is running, whether they were incumbents, newbies in open markets, or whether

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 9 they were challengers. Mr. Neil stated that a few members of the state legislature have said "Yeah, we need to go in that direction”, however not enough, they need them on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Neil stated that this article was directed to the voters, anticipating that the article from USA Today said, come on, ask them and we need to get the changes in the state legislature to make it happen. Mr. Neil asked, “why should we continue to compound increases year after year, after year?” Mr. Neil expressed that unless United Way will stand by him when he goes to fight for this, it is not going to happen. Mr. Neil noted that United Way, Housing Alliance, and Neighborhood Good Partners have a reputation. Mr. Neil explained that the President of this Council is not a problem. Mr. Neil further explained that Mr. Sudler has housing, he is local, and basically, his money is coming through on just this principle. Mr. Neil further explained that the principle of this is what it is costing him to run and have it. Mr. Neil stated that if he sells, whatever he sells for, he could sell for a fortune that is when we lose the affordable housing. Responding to Mr. Neil, Ms. Snyder-White stated that she will stand with Mr. Neil and thanked him for expressing his passion around this issue. Ms. Snyder-White stated that housing and the lack of affordable housing are very complex and that there is not one single solution, and we know that, right? Ms. Snyder-White explained that they have been dealing with it for a long time in this state. Ms. Snyder-White stated that she is very happy to supply any Council Member with information about the constituents that have reached out to Stand By Me or 211 for help. Ms. Snyder-White stated that she is happy to have some of the actual clients say exactly what they have been going through with where they are at in their life if they want to share that. Ms. Snyder-White explained that some of them have, and she thinks it is more than the data, it is people sharing their stories and being available to you to support that. Ms. Snyder-White agreed with Mr. Neil that there are businesses that are coming in, scooping up the properties and then they sell them at a higher price. Landlords are putting people out of their units or homes, renters, because they want a higher value that other people can afford. Responding to Ms. Snyder-White, Mr. Neil stated City Council passed an Ordinance last night for lease land communities where the owner, any community owner who has purchased a community or someone who could not pay the rent and they have the house, now must have a certificate of occupancy so that house is safe. Mr. Neil noted companies are selling houses that do not have floors, toilets, or cabinets, they sell them and then turn them over. Mr. Neil noted that now they cannot do that anymore. Mr. Neil stated that they are selling houses they do not have titles to, they are not allowed to sell that, but they are. Mr. Neil noted that they are getting away with it because the person who buys a house does not have a title, they cannot sell it and we now must report that to the Department of Justice. Mr. Neil shared that we had a situation where a family of four, parents were disabled, and children were disabled. Mr. Neil continued to share that when the Code Inspector went into that house, she said, "You have to leave immediately." She condemned it. Why? Mr. Neil stated that the house had dangerous electrical problems, but they did not have a doorknob, they opened a door with a knife. Mr. Neil explained they wound up with their mother in a mobile home in Maryland because Delaware had nothing. Mr. Neil noted that the paradigm must change to keep affordable housing affordable. Mr. Neil stated that it is essential that they must do everything they can to open and have places for people to live. Mr. Neil suggested that the Neighborhood Good Partners may now be able to come in and take

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 10 over a property, would be great because they are professionals, and we know they are going to do the job. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Ms. Snyder-White stated that the Stand By Me Minority Small Business Program is a 12-month program, they assigned individual financial and business coaches, that looked at their personal finance as well as the business finance, and leaned in to understand, build a relationship. Ms. Snyder-White explained that first, they build trust but also lean in to understand what each business was struggling with, what the identified barriers could be validated, and to put in strategies to help them overcome those barriers. Ms. Snyder-White further explained that this meant partnering with several resources that are not just in a United Way but in the community to help strategize how to either accelerate their business, write a business plan, customer retention strategy, whatever the need was that we helped them to solve that problem. Ms. Snyder White stated that they partnered with Barclays Bank, which afforded them engagement funding, a client benefit fund as well as a barrier fund. Ms. Snyder-White continued to state that United Way assisted them with getting grants that were available in the community. Ms. Snyder-White noted that Barclays with the barrier fund was able to help give them the money to buy the bigger piece of equipment that helps them get more yield and production out of what they were doing. Ms. Snyder- White stated that with a combination of learning and understanding what the barriers are, what is impeding the business growth, and working with partners to develop strategies to help them overcome the barriers, how we got there. Mr. Anderson requested Ms. Snyder-White to provide a list of some of the unmet needs she sees that are within our community. Annexation Request - Consideration of Utility Services for 1107 S. Bradford Street owned by Ditko Properties LLC (AX-22-02) (Mary Ellen Gray, Director of Planning, and Inspections) Staff recommended upon consideration of utility services, it is found that electric, water, and sanitary sewer services are provided and/or available to the property at 1107 S. Bradford Street. The Electric Department and Department of Water and Wastewater have no objection to its annexation. Mr. Hare moved to recommend upon consideration of utility services, it is found that electric, water, and sanitary sewer services are provided and/or available to the property at 1107 S. Bradford Street. The Electric Department and Department of Water and Wastewater have no objection to its annexation, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried. Evaluation of Bids – College Road Pump Station Replacement (Jason Lyon, Director of Water and Wastewater) Mr. Jason Lyon, Director of Water and Wastewater, reviewed the background and analysis regarding the Evaluation of Bids for the College Road Pump Station Replacement. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Teal Construction for the College Road Pump Station Replacement, RFP #23-0001WW, for $580,580.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 11 Mr. Hare moved to recommend awarding the contract to Teal Construction for the College Road Pump Station Replacement, RFP #23-0001WW, for $580,580, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously carried. Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment of the Utility Committee meeting, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee met with Chairman Anderson presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Sudler moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Dr. Pillsbury, and unanimously carried. Update from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) on Membership Priorities (Tim Mullaney, FOP President) Tim Mullaney, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 15 President, stated that he sent a letter on October 7, 2022, to the entire Council. Mr. Mullaney explained that the recent Council action to accept a wage scale instead of some things that they gave up such as some different procedures for retirement dates. Mr. Mullaney stated that he has been told that he is aggressively pushing this, that it is eventually going to come, and that he should just let it come. Mr. Mullaney explained that the issue arises for him, that when he presented this to the FOP for their agreeance in what we were negotiating with the city, it was under the impression that obviously that there was no money to do what we needed in the scale to have that enacted at that point. Mr. Mullaney stated that he continues to have to explain to the membership of the FOP that they see money being spent in other areas throughout the city when they gave certain things up that could greatly affect how they proceed throughout the rest of their career. Mr. Mullaney stated that he thinks it is great what the city is doing with the wage equity study. Mr. Mullaney explained what sparked this letter was a meeting in September where he sat down with the City Manager, Human Resources Director, and the other union heads in the same room to discuss where they were currently at with the wage equity study. Mr. Mullaney noted that he did the wage equity study for the Police Department, and he knows they were compared with who they were being compared with. Mr. Mullaney stated that he expresses that their mark with equity with this new wage scale is there but that there is another piece of the matter that he must explain to his membership that they are going to continue to watch the city negotiate with other unions. Mr. Mullaney explained that other unions are going to receive raises, possibly receive raises based on this wage equity study before the implementation of this wage scale that they negotiated well before they had any thought or any understanding that this is the action that the city was taking. Mr. Mullaney noted that he thinks this is a great course of action that the city is taking. Mr. Mullaney stated that it still does not help him explain to the membership when, lack of better terms, he sold to them the financial stability of where the city was when they agreed to this wage scale. Mr. Mullaney continued to state that there were items they gave up because it was not able to be in the budget and was not something they could afford. The city, meaning the FOP, watched $550,000 go towards bonuses throughout the city.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 12 Mr. Mullaney stated that money that was not in the budget, was money that was found, that was money that was moved around, and that was money that freed up to do something that he thinks was for a great cause. Mr. Mullaney stated that it still shows that if the city wants to do something, they find the money to do it. Mr. Mullaney explained that he has been with the city long enough that he sees that the city has things that they have to do and are costly. Mr. Mullaney further explained that this is what provoked him to send this letter and that he cannot continue to explain to his membership that money is going to continue to go out when they were told that there was no money. Mr. Mullaney stated that is why he put within the letter, that he would ask for the wage scale to get moved up to January 1st of this year and that they voluntarily remove themselves from the wage equity study. Mr. Mullaney noted that for lack of better terms, that study does not matter to them and that it is not going to affect them because they already know where they are in comparison. Mr. Mullaney suggested that they would be able to revisit any type of wage discussions during their normal negotiations in two years. Mr. Mullaney stated that as the FOP president, he must be their voice and stand before the council and ask because he cannot continue to explain to them when they see money going out because the question is to him, where was that money when we agreed? Mr. Mullaney explained that they made it under the understanding in working with the City Manager, Mayor, and Police Chief that they could not afford it. Responding to Mr. Mullaney, Mr. Anderson stated that he would like to offer some information that may help your membership be a little more comfortable with some things. Mr. Anderson explained that the City received some money due to a property sale and then they were able to help all the employees. Mr. Anderson stated that they were expecting more, but some sales have not gone through and that he is sure they will piece by piece. Mr. Anderson asked for a little patience, and they do believe that this is one of the great priorities in keeping our city safe and making sure they keep the experienced people that they have. Mr. Anderson thanked Mr. Mullaney. Mayor Christiansen thanked Mr. Mullaney for his presentation. Mayor Christiansen assured Mr. Mullaney that he, the City Manager, and the Chief, their word is their bond and council has given them the go-ahead to facilitate the request that the FOP made sooner than later. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Hugg stated that the police have been very limited in their ability to replace vehicles now for two years as a function of the supply chain problems and the manufacturing difficulties that they have encountered. Mr. Hugg stated that the police are scheduled for 15 vehicles that they are currently on the manufacturer's list to have built and supplied. Mr. Hugg noted that they are in the budget; they are carryovers from the prior year because they were not replaced last year. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Hugg stated that there were a couple of vehicles that were approved for replacement in this budget year. Mr. Hugg explained that they struck all the vehicles except a couple that was way past their prime and needed to be replaced. Mr. Hugg noted that they are going to be very far behind on the vehicle fleet by next year. Responding to Mr. Hugg, Mr. Sudler offered his observation on their previous budget process and that they deferred a lot of line items that the council highlighted that we put off. Mr. Sudler stated that he believes a lot of those items need to be visited while they are visiting the pay increase and the FOP request because he is very concerned about those line items. Mr. Sudler stated that now that we have a little lead way, we need to get back to those top priorities, and line items in conjunction with the FOP's request.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 13 Mr. Hugg stated they have two departments, Planning and Inspections and Parks and Recreation to go through but they are wrapping up a first-quarter budget review with all the departments. Mr. Hugg stated that most of them, fortunately, are close to what was expected and their budgeted amounts. Mr. Hugg explained that the idea was that each quarter they would, take a very hard look at the budget and the revenues. Mr. Hugg further explained that he hopes that by mid-year he will be able to come back to Council and maybe make some budget adjustments. Mr. Hugg noted that perhaps they can do something with the purchase power adjustment clause, but they just need to let that workout. Mr. Hugg stated that when the FOP came to us back in April, they had a seven-and-a-half million- dollar deficit. Mr. Hugg continued to state that they quite honestly had to say to them then that they did not have money. Mr. Hugg noted that they were worried about being able to close the year without going into debt. Mr. Hugg stated when he came to council in late June, they gave council a budget that raised utility rates, raised electric rates, raised property taxes, and had severe cuts in it. Mr. Hugg stated that led him to suggest the opportunity to do something for all our employees because there was nothing else left in the budget quite frankly. Mr. Hugg noted that as the Mayor indicated, the agreement is still on their desk and that they are going to honor it as soon as they can. Mr. Hugg stated that they have got to also work their way through some of these wage questions so that they are treating all the employees fairly. Mr. Sudler stated that if they could bring down the electric rate just a little bit as Councilman Boggerty has so eloquently echoed as well as other council persons. Mr. Sudler stated that he thinks that they need to look at our constituents first and foremost because if they are not satisfied, if they cannot pay the bill, then we are all out of a job. Mr. Hugg noted that they need the Police Department, they need the Fire Department, but we need our constituents first and foremost and that they need to get them relief. Mr. Sudler stated that as Councilman Neil has been so passionate about tonight, they need to get relief to our constituents who pay us, we work for them, they do not work for us, and they are starting to feel like they work for us. Councilman Neil noted that we should take care of our constituents and they will take care of us. Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mr. Hugg stated that there is a property sale that has not been settled yet, there are factors that they are addressing, and he hopes that it will make our financial situation a lot more comfortable as we get into midyear. Mr. Hugg explained that he and Mr. Anderson have been tracking natural energy, and natural gas prices and they broke $5 downward the other day. Mr. Hugg noted he has not seen them at $5 in a year. Mr. Hugg stated that if they stay there that should start to reflect in some of our energy costs. Mr. Hugg explained that the last two hedge purchases that we have undertaken for energy have been at prices a little bit better than we expected them to be. Mr. Hugg noted that means that they have been more favorable to us than we expected them to be. Mr. Hugg stated that he committed when we did this budget that they were going to track it as closely as they can, and he commended all the departments who are being mindful of their budgets. Mr. Sudler requested a breakdown from Mr. Hugg sooner rather than later because constituents contact them almost daily. Mr. Sudler stated that they do want to make sure our employees have a high job satisfaction rate and are treated fairly across the board. Mr. Sudler thanked Team Dover.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2022 PAGE 14 Proposed Ordinance #2022-14 - Amending Chapter 22- Buildings and Building Regulations, Article X.- Rental Dwellings and Appendix F - Fees and Fines (Mary Ellen Gray, Director of Planning, and Inspections) Ms. Mary Ellen Gray reviewed the background and analysis of the Proposed Ordinance #2022-14 – Amending Chapter 22 - Buildings and Building Regulations, Article X. – Rental Dwellings and Appendix F – Fees and Fines. Staff recommended approving the Ordinance for First Reading at the November 14, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Neil stated that he was satisfied with the changes that were made and is appreciative of the efforts that have been made by staff. Mr. Neil moved to remove Proposed Ordinance #2022-14 - Amending Chapter 22- Buildings and Building Regulations, Article X.- Rental Dwellings and Appendix F - Fees and Fines (Mary Ellen Gray, Director of Planning, and Inspections) off the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. Boggerty and unanimously carried. Mr. Hare moved to recommend approving the Ordinance for the First Reading on November 14, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Neil and unanimously carried. Mr. Anderson announced that tonight was the first time that they have heard a little from the employees’ unions. Mr. Anderson stated that they will hear over the next few sessions from each of the employees’ unions by the end of the year to give the council a broader perspective so they can understand what is going on from their perspective in the city. Mr. Anderson moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Roy Sudler, Jr. Council President RS/re S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS\Committee-Minutes\TEMPLATES\COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TEMPLATE.docx Attachments Attachment #1 - Article Attachment #2 - Article

ATTACHMENT #1 Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of 10/25/2022 BAY TO BAY NEWS (/) Select a Publication Main menu Guest Commentary: Here's how to fix Delaware's lack of affordable housing Posted Friday, October 21, 2022 5 :00 am Fred Neil represents the 3rd District on Dover City Council. By Councilman Fred Neil Any tenant living in any house, apartment or in a leased-land community has a huge stake in the outcome of the Delaware state legislature election in November. The amount of annual rent increases taken from low- and middle-income families, seniors and retired military is astronomical. In addition to the financial peril these excessive increases place on Delaware citizens who can ill afford it, that money is lost to the state business economy. https://baytobaynews.com/stories/guest-commentary-heres-how-to-fix-delawares-lack-of-affordable-housing,92098 1/8

11/10/22,3:01 PM Guest Commentary: Here's how to fix Delaware's lack of affordable housing I Bay to Bay News Any change to keep affordable housing affordable must be spurred by the tenants asking the incumbents seeking reelection and the challengers how they are going to fix the lack of affordable housing in Delaware. Housing is one of the cornerstones of our economy. Small landlords are not so much of the problem, but rental domiciles, apartments and leased -land residences owned by corporations are out of control. As a Dover city councilman, I am representing "grassroots" constituents on a daily basis. Over 50% of Dover homes are investment properties. I hear the anguish from apartment dwellers. I see my senior leased-land-home neighbors moving in with grown children because they can't afford the excessive annual rent increases. Those compounded rent increases can't be spent in local businesses if the money is in corporate pockets. More and more of those pockets are out of state. I have never been able to find one elected official who knows how much rent money is returned to Delaware in taxes. I have a library of media stories of the outrageous rent increases due to the lack of affordable housing across our nation. Do out-of-state, passive investors pay Delaware taxes? Of course not! The public interest requires a totally different approach - create a Public Service Commission for Rent for the same reason we have one for utilities. I have sent a version of this document to every single 2022 candidate with an email address, asking, "If elected, will you pledge to request a Joint Resolution calling for a review of the Tenant-Landlord code to create a stakeholder PSC?" The purpose is to provide a profit for the corporate money, so it's spent in operating and maintaining their rental property but not for compounding annual rent increases for doing nothing to the property. hltps:llbaytobaynews.com/stories/guest-commentary-heres-how-to-fix-delawares-lack-of-affordable-housing,92098 2/8

11/10/22,3:01 PM Guest Commentary: Here's how to fix Delaware's lack of affordable housing I Bay to Bay News The tenants will have to pay $50-$100 each year for the commission's operation, less than the compounded annual rent increases they are paying now. This approach should discourage slumlords and encourage good landlords to maintain their properties. It may also discourage the price-bidding that drives up the sale of rental properties, which tenants pay in higher annual rent increases. Opposition will come from the landlords, who proclaim their business is private (just as utilities are private). I admit to being an unabashed capitalist. Capitalism works with competition, but there is no competition for affordable housing. Ergo, the need for a Public Service Commission. Even if we throw money at building new housing, it may help in five to 10 years from now. Unless we make a fundamental change, that affordable housing will disappear. Here is why: Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are better at creating and sustaining millionaires than they are in creating and sustaining affordable housing: These chartered, federally authorized agencies loan discounted money for affordable housing. Once the developer decides to take the profit and run, the "affordability" is gone. Since the only string attached by these agencies is to follow state law, why not add a state tag that requires that the sale of the property goes to a nonprofit corporation or a professional managed co-op? https:llbaylobaynews.com/slories/guesl-commenlary-heres-how-Io-fix-delawares-lack-of-affordable-housing,92098 3/8

11/10/22,3:01 PM Guest Commentary: Here's how to fix Delaware's lack of affordable housing I Bay to Bay News Campaign contributions create smoke that obscures the desperate need for affordable housing for Delaware. A Rent Public Service Commission clears the air and will be another first for the First State! As voters, you need to ask and drive the message home to candidates. The ball is in your court. Members and subscribers make this story possible. You can help support non-partisan, community journalism. (https://dsnoffers.com/) OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU Guest Commentary: Let's restore best parts of 'Delaware Way' (/stories/guest- commentary-Iets- restore-best -parts-of -delaware-way, 938 70) Guest Commentary: Confederate flag leads to support for Return Day carriage boycott (/stories/guest -commentary-confederate- flag-Ieads- to-support -for- return -day-carriage- boycott,93789) Guest Commentary: What to do if your vote is challenged on Election Day (/stories/guest- commentary-what-to-do-if-your-vote-is-challenged-on-election-day,93715) Question of the Day: What influenced your vote? (/stories/question-of-the-day-what- influenced-your-vote,93867) THE LATEST NEWS DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR INBOX (https:/!baytobaynews.com/newsletters/index.html? Stay informed with daily and weekly newsletters from BayToBayNews.com . ... . SIGN UP NOW - -- - - - - - -- - - --- - utm_source=ini&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=latest_news) htlps:llbaytobaynews.com/stories/guest-commentary-heres-how-to-fix-delawares-lack-of-affordable-housing,92098 4/8

ATTACHMENT # 2 = Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of 10/25/2022 tD l> r r 0 -I J YES NO 1111111111111111111111111111111 !: :- .. � • � II I II ■ VOTING & THE ECONOMY 'I don't have any faith in the systetn': Soaring housing costs have renters Inulling how they'll vote in the A tnidtertns https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/10/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/8180864001/ 1/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? e USATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In ILLUSTRATION: ANDREA BRUNTY. USA TODAY NETWORK; AND GETTY IMAGES s hacoma Wilton-Waddell always thought she'd be a homeowner by now. Instead, the 41-year-old clinician at a domestic abuse shelter in Tucson, Arizona, was forced to downgrade from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom rental apartment last month. "It has been a nightmare. I have moved multiple times. I'm seeing some of the same units in the same properties rent for double the price, and nothing has changed as far as the aesthetic," she said. "It's not like they're adding amenities and upgrading the units. They're literally just changing the price according to what's happening in the market." For Wilton-Waddell and millions of other renters across America, soaring housing costs have them not only reassessing their housing situation but also their political allegiance just weeks before the Nov. 8 midterm election that will determine which party controls Congress and governor's mansions across the nation. Politicians could have helped, she said, by pushing for caps on rental increases when corporations began buying up and renting apartment complexes and increasing rents so drastically that tenants had to move out because they could no longer afford it. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 2/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = eUSATODAY - NEWS Subscribe Sign In Shacoma Wilton-Waddell in her Tucson, Ariz. apartment. DAVID SANDERS, FOR USA TODAY As inflation remains high, Wilton -Waddell, who is a registered Democrat, says she is disillusioned with politicians of both parties. "At this point, I don't even care about voting. I don't feel like it makes a difference how I vote," she told USA TODAY. "I could vote for a paper bag and I'm gonna have the same results. I don't have any faith in the system." " At this point, I don't even care about voting. I don't feel like it makes a difference how I vote. I could vote for a paper bag and I'm gonna have the same results. I don't have any faith in the system. Shacoma Wilton-Waddell TWEET FACEBOOK f SHARE https:llwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 3/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In monthly jump since 1991. In Tucson, where Wilton-Waddell lives, rents have risen by 39% since March 2020, the third fastest metro-level rent growth in the country, according to data from Apartment List. In fact, 15 metro areas nationwide have experienced average rent increases of more than 30% since the start of the pandemic - and renters are struggling. Advertisement 'An underrepresented population' that could swing an election Not paying attention to renters' concerns could be costly for politicians during the midterm elections, especially in battleground states. Four of the top 10 metro areas experiencing rent hikes are in Florida, two are in Arizona. Half of respondents (54%) to a recent Bip'artisan Policy'Center/Morning Consult p'oll said they have experienced an increase in their rent, mortgage, or utility payments over the past 12 months - with urban respondents (60%) and renters (65%) more likely to report an increase in their housing expenses. Historically, voter turnout among renters has been significantly lower than homeow participation in elections. https:/ Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 1/ 4/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = eUSATODAY - NEWS Subscribe Sign In on data from the American National Election Studies. Mobilizing renter vote nationally could have crucial implications for the midterm elections, says Chris Salviati, a senior housing economist for Apartment List, especially because the rising housing costs have had a significantly divergent impact on homeowners and renters. While the past couple of years have been a crisis in terms of housing costs for renters, homeowners have seen their net worth balloon. "Renters are definitely an underrepresented population," he said. "I think there is some potential for candidates to speak to this issue and offer potential solutions that could stimulate turnout among renters." In March 2020, Wilton-Waddell was paying $995 per month for a two-bedroom apartment in Tucson. The property was soon bought up by an investment company which let the complex fall into disrepair by paying no attention to maintenance. When her lease was up for renewal, she was told her rent would be bumped up by $200 per month. She refused to sign it. Shacoma Wilton-Waddell in her Tucson, Ariz. apartment. f)l>.\lIf) C:l>.Nf)I=RC: I=nR 11C:l>.Tnf)l>.V https:llwww.usatoday.com/i n-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 5/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In uedroom in the area now rents for $1,700 without utilities. Wilton-Waddell who works as a clinician at a domestic abuse shelter, said her mental health has suffered, and she constantly lives with a fear of becoming "houseless." "I was extremely stressed, and I was having issues depression and anxiety," she said. Georgia: crucial swing state races but will renters show up to vote? In battleground Georgia, where highly competitive races for governor (between GOP Incumbent Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams) and Senate (between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and GOP challenger Herschel Walker) have gripped the nation's attention, many of the renters who spoke with USA TODAY were despondent. Some said skyrocketing rent costs have given them a new political perspective as the election approaches. Aubrey McInnis, of Athens, says she hasn't decided whom she'll support in the 2022 midterms, but that she is looking for candidates at the state and federal level who support policies that protect tenants and the homeless. "It's totally different for me now, especially when I see that there's nothing to support us," she says. (_ SOURCE Apartmentlist.com McInnis, 46, said a Florida-based firm, called Prosperity Capital Partners, purchased th A apartment building she had lived at for 13 years. hUps :/Iwww.usatoday.com/i n-depth/news/politics/2022/1 0/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 6/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In As a result, McInnis said, she was homeless for about a week until she moved in with her son a few weeks ago. She and other tenants were outraged, and joined social justice organizers in demonstrating against the increases and lobbying local leaders for policy changes. Lower-income Georgians should be mindful about the lack of tenant protections against enormous hikes when heading to the polls this November, she said. "Never in a million years would I imagine I would be homeless from this type of situation," McInnis says. But other Georgians hunting for an affordable place to stay or struggling to keep up with current housing prices say they could care less about who wins in November. " What am I going to vote for? They going to do what they want to do, and I still got to figure out how I'm going to survive out here. Donna Wright TWEET FACEBOOK f SHARE "What am I going to vote for? They going to do what they want to do, and I still got to figure out how I'm going to survive out here," says Donna Wright, 57, of Atlanta, a former forklift driver who now works at McDonald's. "I don't give a damn who wins just like they don't give a damn about me," she added. "Because if I vote and, let's say I vote for Stacey (Abrams), that don't mean she going to put me in somewhere to live," she said. "I still got to figure this stuff out by myself. " Wright said her rent started at $500 and jumped to $1,500 in January. Wright says she would have to work an additional 2-3 jobs to afford that and she's 10 'ng to get out. Rents are rising sharply in Georgia's largest city, where the average monthly rent for https:llwww.usatoday.com/i n-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 7/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In Donna Kent, of Athens, said when she called her landlord in August to pay her rent and was told it was going from $1,200 to $2,300. She said as a mother of three children and a full- time student she felt like a failure when faced with a 95% rent hike. "We've had to deal with rats, infestation of roaches and rotted windows," says Kent. "So the rent is going up, but the properties are not worth what we're paying." As far as the upcoming midterms are concerned, facing homelessness with three children means her mind isn't on the election. She said state and federal leaders could have capped rent hikes to protect the poorest Georgians. Advertisement Most renters lean Democratic Renters represent almost one in three potential voters, or 30.2% of the eligible voting population, according to a 2018 analy'sis by'Ap'artment List's Salviati. But they often don't show up at the polls: Less than a third - 29% - of those casting ballots in 2016 lived in renter-occupied housing cast ballots compared to 52% of those living in owner- occupied housing, the analysis found. There are several reasons: a larger share of the renter population is ineligible to vote. Nearly four of five homeowners are voting-age citizens compared to three of every five tenants. And renters are simply less politically engaged: an estimated 67% of eligible homeowners voted in 2016, compared to ju~t 49% of eligible renter::;. Search voting rights by state and check your voter registration status Learn more https:llwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 0/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 8/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In additional incentive to vote that is not present for renters," the analysis concluded. "Although this incentive for voting comes from the local level, its impact ripples through to national politics." Low turnout on Nov. 8 is probably bad news for Democrats given that renters tend to be disproportionately people of color and those with lower incomes, demographic groups that generally support the left. And they lean more Democratic compared to homeowners, the study confirmed. Voting rights in the United States: A state-by-state analysis Explore In 2016, Republican Donald Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by a margin of 6 percentage points among homeowners, but Clinton won the renter vote bY_3Q.p'oints"the Apartment List analysis found. For good reason. Democrats have generally pushed policies aimed at helping renters more than Republicans have. Eviction moratorium: SURreme Court blocks Biden's COVID-19 eviction moratorium in a blow to renters Personal connection: 'I know what it feels like': For ReR. Cori Bush, fighting to extend the eviction moratorium is Rersonal Biden's roughly $1.75 trillion Build Back Better package the Democratic-led House almroved in November on a largely party-line vote included $25 billion in housing choice vouchers to help renters afford their housing option. A https:/ Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 9/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In In 2020, during the pandemic, however, the Trump administration imposed an eviction moratorium aimed at helping renters. After extending it once, the Biden administration sought to do it again, before the SUp'reme Court blocked a second extension last y'ear. 'Nothing's going to change in our favor' For many North Carolinians, rent is among the most important issues on the ballot in the upcoming election, including for Reginia Mays, a former Democrat turned independent living in Durham. Mays, 43, was evicted from her home in 2016 when she was unable a afford a $400 hike in her rent. She turned to subsidized housing - something she qualified for only after becoming homeless, a fate she's seen many other Carolinians face. https :/Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 0/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 10/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In L.1elandlord raising the rent from $6,500 per month to $20,000 per month. ALEX BOERNER FOR USA TODAY Having worked as a housing community activist with nonprofits since 2017, she says housing is a key voting issue for her and wants to vote for candidates based on platform regardless of party. But people in her community are often conflicted about voting, she says. "It's like this sense ofloss and hope, and I hear it throughout my community so much," she says. "They say our voice matters but it don't and nothing's going to change in our favor." " It's like this sense of loss and hope, and I hear it throughout my community so much. They say our voice matters but it don't and nothing's going to change in our favor. Regina Mays TWEET FACEBOOK f SHARE Encouraging others to vote, especially the 18- to 24-year-old range, is a priority for her, she says. "Because some of the things that get voted on today will not show the effects until they hit their 30S and 40s,"she says. Jordan Madnick, 33, a Florida independent from the Miami metro area who currently lives with his father, says he's attempted to buy a home or rent one for several years. "A one-bedroom should be no more than a $1,400 (per month) but you can't find anything for under $2,000 unless it's in a neighborhood where you'd be robbed," he says. "It's a scam. Corporate investors keep buying up the properties and jacking up the rates. There is rent control here." https:/ Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 0/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 11/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? e USATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In https:/Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 12/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = - eUSATODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In "It's a scam. Corporate investors keep buying up the properties and jacking up the rates. There is no rent control here. Jordan Madnick TWEET FACEBOOK f SHARE Madnick, who works as a technician at the Palm Beach County School district and makes about $50,000 in income says he's disenchanted with politics and is unsure if he'll even vote this year. "There's no government here anymore," he says. "They're supposed to stop this. It basically like what Amazon did, they (corporate investors) bought all their competition and put 'em outta business." A rental market in Phoenix that jumps from $700 to $1,800 Rising home prices in Phoenix have prompted many landlords to sell their properties in the past two years, forcing longtime tenants to find new rentals, says Neil Brooks, a real estate agent in the area. "The tenants are getting booted out and all of a sudden they can't find another property that's affordable," he says. "Because they were paying $700 a month, then they find out that they can't get in anything for under $1,800 a month." Brooks, a navy veteran who works with many former service members, has seen this pen to many of them. https:/lwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 13/41

1I'2UIsnoq pazlPIsqns lno aln2y Ol AMBSlaulalul aql aABql,UOPpUB SM3Ne AVaO.1VSn V\ld 170:£ 'GG/O~M

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? = eUSATODAY - NEWS Subscribe Sign In " The tenants are getting booted out and all of a sudden they can't find another property that's affordable. Because they were paying $700 a month, then they find out that they can't get in anything for under $1,800 a month. Neil Brooks, a real estate agent TWEET FACEBOOK f SHARE Even if state policies have a larger role to play when it comes to affordable housing, Brooks says he doesn't see many veterans blaming the Republican-controlled state government. "They blame Joe Biden for the inflation," he says. One of the most outrageous aspects of being a renter in the past two years has been paying hefty application fees each time you're interested in a property, says Wilton-Waddell of Tucson. For her most recent apartment, she paid a $50 application fee and $200 administrative fee. But the competition leaves no choice. "As soon as they come on the market, people are not even scheduling viewings, they're immediately applying. So it is kind oflike, dogs fighting for a scrap of food," she says. "So a lot of places are taking advantage of renters who are desperate because they'll post their property and allow it to sit on there, even though they have multiple applications bec they're taking tenants application fees." https :/Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 0/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 15/41

11/10/22,3:04 PM Renters are struggling. How will that affect the midterm elections? == • - USA TODAY NEWS Subscribe Sign In Reverting back to a one-bedroom has been especially hard. "As someone in their forties, it made me feel good to have at least an extra bedroom if I wanted have a guest and not feel embarrassed because you feel like, 'Oh, you know, you should have a house by the time you're in your forties'," she says. "But now, I can't even afford a spare bedroom." Published 5:00 AM EDT Oct. 15, 2022 I Updated 9:08 AM EDT Nov. 3, 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Voting rights in the United States: A state- by-state analysis Staff USA TODAY NETWORK 12:00 AM EDT, Aug. 23, 2022 I Updated: 1:58 PM EDT, Oct. 11, 2022 Not since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has the U.S. seen such intense debate over elections and how states conduct them. In the wake of the 2020 election and unfounded claims of voter fraud by former President Donald Trump, many Republican-controlled states have made election integrity a priority, passing strict new measures on mail-in ballots, voting hours and more. Some of these same states were early adopters of measures to make voting easier, such as early, in-person voting. Meanwhile, many Democratic-led states have worked to make measures introduced during the pandemic permanent, making voting easier and more accessible. They include easy mail-in and early voting and same-day voter registration.There are two bills currently before Congress that have stalled: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. As we inch closer to the 2022 midterm elections, the USA TODAYNetwork provides an in-depth breakdown and analysis of the varying voting rights in each state. More to this story • America's fierce debate over voting access intensifies as midterm elections loom https :/Iwww.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2022/1 O/15/renters-vote-midterm-elections/818086400 11 16/41