CCW

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Council Committee of the Whole met on April 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. with Acting Council President Arndt presiding. Members of Council present were Council President Anderson (via Webex), Mr. Lewis, Mr. Neil, Mr. Rocha, and Dr. Sudler (via Webex). Mr. Boggerty and Dr. Pillsbury were absent. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Civilian members present for their Committee meetings were Mr. Iriowen and Mr. Wilson (Utility), Mr. Shevock and Mr. Garfinkel (Legislative, Finance, and Administration). ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Rocha moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Neil, and unanimously carried. UTILITY COMMITTEE The Utility Committee met with Chairman Neil presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Rocha moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis, and unanimously carried. Evaluation of Bids – Emergency Generator (Kate Mills, Water Production Manager) Ms. Kate Mills, Water Production Manager, reviewed the background and analysis of the evaluation of bids for the emergency generator. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Blue Point Contracting, LLC for the Emergency Generator, request for quote 2025- 001DWW, for the amount of $103,000. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Ms. Mills stated that they are budgeted for the project. She explained that they have $70,000 from the current fiscal year, and that they were also able to remove funds from a VFD project that was completed, and they were able to use those funds. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Ms. Mills stated that they sent a request for quotes to eight different contractors and received one quote in return. Ms. Mills explained that the contractor met the qualifications for the quote and was the only one to do so. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Ms. Mills stated that Blue Point Contracting is not located within the State of Delaware. She explained that they had solicited the Office of Supplier Diversity, but none of the contractors submitted a quote back. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Ms. Mills stated that the generator would run one of the production wells for emergency purposes to fill one of the tanks. She stated that she would have to get back to him on exactly how long it would be able to provide the power necessary, but she could confirm it could handle one full day.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 2 Responding to Mr. Rocha, Ms. Mills stated that the generator would run on diesel fuel. Responding to Mr. Iriowen, Ms. Mills stated that the location of the contractor is usually not a factor in delays. Lead time for similar equipment has been very long since COVID-19; for the proposed generator, the lead time is 36 weeks. The project will be taking place in the upcoming fiscal year, but because of the lead time, they need to request it now. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Ms. Mills stated that the project will be a carry forward of funds; they do not want to pay for the services before receiving the item. Mr. Rocha moved to recommend accepting the staff recommendation to award the contract to Blue Point Contracting, LLC, for the emergency generator. The motion was seconded by Mr. Iriowen and unanimously carried. Mr. Neil moved for adjournment of the Utility Committee meeting, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m. LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee met with Chairman Rocha presiding. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Garfinkel moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Shevock, and unanimously carried. Request for Sole Source Vendor – Upgrade of the Interview Room (Captain Robert E. Roswell, Administration Division Commander, and Chief Johnson) Chief Johnson reviewed the background and analysis regarding the sole-source vendor request for the upgrade to the interview room. Staff recommended approving the request to sole-source Axon as indicated. Responding to Mr. Neil, Chief Johnson stated that the federal funds that are coming through the state will still be available. He explained that he has been in contact with state-level officials, and the money has already been released. He stated that there are other programs that they are connected to through the Criminal Justice Council, where that might not be the case. He explained that they are not sure what is in and what is out for Delaware, but as of now, these funds are still accessible. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are not the same funds that the city received. They are the funds that were sent to Governor Carney, which he then chose to distribute some of his ARPA funds to Dover, Wilmington, and Seaford. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the funds are approved for the requested project. He explained that they went through the office that manages the money for the State of Delaware and received their permission and authorization before proceeding.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 3 Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the cost will include five years’ worth of support and upkeep after the installation. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the project will include the audio, digital video, devices in the interview rooms, the connecting hardware, and the technology necessary to put it onto the cloud-based system for everyone's access. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the purchase is not to expand the room. The purchase is to change out the existing hardware, software, and technology that is from another vendor in all of the interview rooms on every floor. He explained that there are interview rooms on the second floor that the detectives primarily use, and there are interview rooms on the first floor that the uniformed officers primarily use. All of those rooms must be covered by upgraded technology for legal purposes and the credibility of testimony. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that in a couple of the most recent serious cases, while detectives were interviewing violent felons, there are often times when a Deputy Attorney General supervises the more nuanced parts of case preparation, and while they were watching remotely from a big screen, they saw things in the video feed that were migrating over to the digital file. He explained that you could see and understand what was going on, but it became concerning that it was not functioning at a high level of accuracy anymore. This could lead to accusations that things were being missed, which could have an impact on a jury’s deliberation. He stated that they had received feedback approximately a year and a half ago to please try to upgrade the interview room cameras and equipment. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that he was correct, and it was a concern of the Attorney General's office and the case detectives as well. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that he was correct, and it was a matter of protection and integrity because if a jury was watching a video or listening to an interrogation, and there was a pause in the system, it could be questionable. He emphasized that nothing has happened yet, but it is a growing concern. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Chief Johnson stated that the graph was included to reference the interview room upgrade line. However, the project has been a multi-year grant with several components, both personal and contractual services. He explained that they have been updating the existing camera network within the city from an analog style to the new 360 style. In addition, one of the issues that they faced was chronic network issues due to the placement of the cameras. They were not able to get the cameras high enough, and the trees and leaves were interrupting wireless communication. They have been working on getting fiber up the poles to resolve that issue. He stated that as they find more resources, they will look to expand the network across the city, and that is reflected in the chart. Regarding the personnel, the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) is a state collaborative program between law enforcement, corrections, and academia including John Jay College, working to provide wraparound services at the same time of holding violent offenders accountable. The goal is to change their behavior through law enforcement and address what is pushing them towards a life of crime, and for that, there needs to be a good analysis of what is occurring. Wilmington has a GVI analyst, the City of Dover has an analyst, and there is

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 4 one more in the network. The GVI analyst is not a full-time employee, they are contract employees. The chart shows two years’ worth of a 36-hour-a-week position and includes the salary and overhead costs. The state is covering all of those expenses through the ARPA funds. Responding to Mr. Lewis, Chief Johnson stated that the grant that was offered to them has specific terms, as it is not money that could be used in any way. He explained that if they were going to do group violence intervention, they had to address what would be most effective in addressing gun crimes. The video evidence of violent crimes takes the highest priority. He stated that the state asked that the analyst be included in the allotment because they would like to see connectivity up and down the state between crimes across jurisdictional lines that involved firearms. He further stated that the project cannot be compared to all the other organizational needs because the money can only be used for a narrow scope. Mr. Neil moved to recommend the approval of the sole source vendor for the upgrade to the interview room. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried. Marijuana Taxation Proposal Discussion (Council President Anderson) Council President Anderson reviewed the proposal for the Marijuana Taxation with the legislators and lobbyists. This item was informational, and committee action was not required. Mr. Garfinkel stated that he feels it should be done in a Resolution. Mr. Neil stated that there may be a need for a Resolution to send a letter so that they see that it is coming from all of council rather than a single Resolution. He explained that the request for taxation may be lower or higher than someone else's. He suggested lower because it is not a money maker, and that is not the intent. He stated that he believes the state legislators would be afraid that the city is going to be looking to get a lot of money from taxation. In closing, he stated that he agrees with the letter but that they would need a Resolution to formulate the letter. Responding to Dr. Sudler, Mayor Christiansen stated that unless it had changed, the exact amount had not been determined, nor where the money would go once collected by the municipalities of the City of Wilmington and New Castle County. Responding to Dr. Sudler, Mayor Christiansen stated that, as mentioned before, he believes a letter from the Mayor and Council would be appropriate. However, if it is the intent of council to get the legislature’s attention and some local sponsors to back it, then council needs to pass a Resolution to show their intent and commitment to having the matter resolved not only for the City of Wilmington, but New Castle, and the City of Dover as well. Dr. Sudler suggested mirroring what New Castle County and the City of Wilmington are planning to do to show a uniform approach. Mayor Christiansen recommended working with the City of Wilmington and New Castle County to have a uniform tax across the board so as not to compete with the other municipalities. He

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 5 explained that if there is a need to tax, then it should be uniform for the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, the City of Dover, and any other municipality that feels that the tax revenues should be generated. He stated that any tax revenues that are generated from any tax on marijuana in the City of Dover should go to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police department because they have certainly seen the extra burden the legalization has placed on them. Council President Anderson stated that although there are a couple of different resolutions, with differing amounts, he believes that the lobbyist could resolve the issue and create a uniform bill. Wilmington had asked for up to three percent, and New Castle County had asked for two to five percent. He explained that he does not think a specific amount is needed at this time, but he would like to see a resolution asking for state action. Mayor Christiansen reiterated that any taxes that are granted in municipalities, counties, and the State of Delaware should be uniform across the board. He explained that he would prefer to see a five percent uniformity from Wilmington to Delmar. Mr. Rocha stated that the City of Wilmington had already submitted their Resolution, and the same went for New Castle County. He explained that it may be a little late to band together with them, but maybe they could open their request to two to five percent, so that it may align as much as possible. Mr. Lewis stated that he agreed with Mayor Christiansen that the tax rate should be across the board. Mayor Christiansen stated that if council felt inclined to approve a Resolution, he would meet with Mayor Carney and Ms. Williams-Johns, the New Castle County Council President, to see if they would support unified action across the board for the amount. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Mayor Christiansen stated that his suggestion would be to adopt a Resolution supporting taxation and allow him to negotiate with Council President Williams-Johns and Mayor Carney. They could have the Delaware League of Local Governments lobbyists negotiate the three to five percent for everyone, with five percent being his preference. Then all three entities and anyone else wanting to join can present as a uniform front when it goes before the legislature. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Council President Anderson stated that they could make a motion to draft a Resolution if that is what the members of the committee would like. He agreed with Mayor Christiansen and then, once they have decided on a Resolution, they do not have to put in the amount so that they may negotiate with other entities and submit a bill through the Delaware League of Local Governments. Dr. Sudler stated that Mayor Christiansen made a good point and that a Resolution to authorize him to advocate for the three to five percent as a uniform approach would be appropriate.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 6 Dr. Sudler moved to recommend that they authorize Mayor Christiansen to talk to Council President Williams-Johns and Mayor Carney to advocate for a three to five percent uniform tax approach. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis. Mr. Neil emphasized that he strongly supports the mayor's suggestion that the money collected be dedicated to the problems that the city may face by going to the people who aid the police department in providing resources, or the EMS personnel. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Mr. Neil stated that he believes it should be in the Resolution since they are doing the preliminary work. He stated that when council acts, they should include where the funds will be dedicated because it will strengthen the position when going to the legislature to say where the money will be allocated. Mr. Neil moved to recommend adding to the Resolution that the money from the taxes collected will go to the police department and the EMS. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis. Mayor Christiansen recommended that instead of saying the police department, they could say the behavioral clinicians who ride with the police department. Mr. Neil was amenable to Mayor Christiansen's amendment, as well as Mr. Lewis as the seconder. Ms. Arndt stated that she agreed with most of what was said, however, she believed that one of the whereas clauses could indicate that the City of Dover is willing to work with the other municipalities and counties to come to an agreement. She explained that deciding where and how to spend the money might be a bit premature. She suggested keeping the Resolution as open as possible and using emergency services or support services. She explained that first and foremost, they have to move forward to attempt to get the tax before getting too specific on how to spend the money. Dr. Sudler stated that he agreed with Ms. Arndt, and the specifics should be considered at a later date. He also agreed that it should be emergency services rather than specifically mentioning the police department, fire department, or EMS. He explained that he feels they should move forward with the Resolution and gather more information to assess exactly where the money should go and how much. Council President Anderson stated that he had some concerns with the amendment and agreed with Ms. Arndt and Dr. Sudler in that they do not want to restrict the Resolution too much while trying to build a statewide coalition. He reminded the committee that in four to five years, when the grants run out, there may be large bills due to Axio for the body-worn cameras, street cameras, and interrogation cameras, which will need a stream of revenue. He stated that for those reasons, he would like to not see the motion too specific, as others may not agree with the Behavioral Health Unit or may not have one. Mayor Christiansen stated that his intent was not to derail the Resolution; he was intending to plant the seed in their mind for down the road. If the tax is approved by the legislature, he would like to consider the entities mentioned because they are going to be the people who have to deal with the

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 7 impact of the issues that are already being addressed. He stated that he hopes that the committee will adopt the original motion to get the Resolution into the queue to the legislators, and the friends at Legislative Hall, the House, and the Senate, to show that the City of Dover would like to run in concurrence with the City of Wilmington and New Castle County. He also asked that it allow him to work with those individuals to come up with a percentage that would be acceptable to the needs of all the entities involved. Mr. Neil withdrew his motion amending the original motion. Mr. Lewis agreed as the seconder. Ms. Arielle Rivera, Assistant City Clerk, stated that the original motion was to authorize Mayor Christiansen to engage with Council President Williams-Johns and Mayor Carney to advocate for a three to five percent tax percentage. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Ms. Arndt recommended amending the motion to make it more open for Mayor Christiansen to have discussions with local elected officials. She also stated that they would need a second motion to authorize a Resolution because the current motion is specifically for the conversations. Responding to Ms. Arndt, Mr. Rocha stated that Council President Anderson stated that they do not need a motion to draft a Resolution, but to authorize the mayor to act on the council's behalf, they needed a motion. Council President Anderson clarified that the mayor has every right to have discussions with anyone for the good of the city. He stated that they are endorsing the fact that he is speaking on behalf of council in the current case. Therefore, he is not just speaking for himself but with the full weight of the City of Dover Council and Mayor. He stated that he would not have a problem making the motion more open-ended and authorizing the mayor to speak on the council’s behalf with other municipalities, counties, and the Delaware League of Local Government. Mayor Christiansen stated that he would like a Resolution to cover his back, that he is authorized not as a freelancer, but with the authority of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover, to make the request to the legislature and to work in consort with the sister communities throughout the State of Delaware. He explained that it is important because he can walk across the street and say he is speaking on behalf of the Mayor and Council, but if he does not have that authorization, it oversteps his boundaries. He agreed that he can speak to whom he would like, but if he is going to be representing the opinions of the members of council who are duly elected by the citizens, such as himself, then they need to walk in consort together. Dr. Sudler stated that the motion covers all of the bases. He explained that it specifically names two individuals who represent municipalities, but it does not limit the mayor to only those two individuals. Through the motion, the mayor would be allowed to go beyond the scope of the two individuals who represent the two municipalities, and that should not need another motion. He believed that the mayor could make that kind of decision or speak on behalf of council with the spirit of what they were voting on.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 8 Responding to Mr. Rocha, Dr. Sudler stated that he did not think they needed a motion to eliminate the two names, but he would rescind his original motion. Dr. Sudler moved to recommend authorizing Mayor Christiansen to speak to any and all municipalities and representatives to form a uniform approach to gathering a percentage of what the city would be charging moving forward. The motion was seconded by Council President Anderson. Mr. Lewis called for the question. Mayor Christiansen stated that there are roughly two months left of the legislative session, and he would ask that the council get a Resolution in the queue as quickly as possible so that the City of Dover is not left behind on June 30th. Dr. Sudler stated that he withdrew his initial motion, and, in the spirit of the council and committee members, he made the following motion. Dr. Sudler moved to recommend authorizing Mayor Christiansen to approach any municipality or individual that would be part of the uniform approach to assessing a percentage of what the city would be charging in tax percentage in unison with other municipalities. He explained that it would give the mayor, council's blessing and he can speak to whomever he feels he needs to speak to advocate for a uniform approach to finding a percentage for the marijuana taxes. Dr. Sudler moved to recommend authorizing Mayor Christiansen to speak to any and all municipalities and individuals in regard to a uniform tax percentage approach. The motion was seconded by Council President Anderson. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Ms. Rivera stated that the motion was to authorize Mayor Christiansen to speak to any and all municipalities and individuals to assess a percentage of taxation in unison with other municipalities for a uniform approach. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Dr. Sudler stated that the League of Cities would be covered under any and all individuals. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Mayor Christiansen stated that the motion would be sufficient in that council would have authorized him. He emphasized the importance of having a Resolution in hand to send to the legislature that the City of Dover is interested in being part of the consideration. He further encouraged the Delaware League of Local Governments to get on board, as well as members of the executive committee, as well as the rest of the communities that could be affected by the taxation throughout the state. Responding to Mr. Garfinkel, Mayor Christiansen stated that there would need to be another Resolution to let the legislators know what the city would like to do with the money collected. Dr. Sudler moved to recommend authorizing Mayor Christiansen to speak to any and all municipalities and individuals to assess a percentage of taxation in unison with other

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING APRIL 29, 2025 PAGE 9 municipalities for a uniform approach. The motion was seconded by Council President Anderson and unanimously carried. Mr. Rocha moved for adjournment of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting, hearing no objection the meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Acting Council President Arndt moved for adjournment of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting, hearing no objection the meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Tricia K. Arndt Acting Council President