Regular Council Meeting

Monday, January 12, 2026, City Hall, City of Dover, Delaware

What happened

AI summary

The Dover City Council met in regular session on January 12, 2026. During the open forum, several residents addressed public safety, recent violent incidents, and homelessness, particularly expressing concerns regarding restrictions on panhandling and pedestrian activities in medians under Proposed Ordinance #2025-21, as well as advocating for shelters in vacant buildings. Council struck a proclamation from the agenda and unanimously adopted the amended agenda and consent agenda. Key consent actions included awarding a $2,110,312 contract to Richard E. Pierson Construction Company, Inc. for water quality improvements, approving the revised active recreation plan for The Old Post at 55 Loockerman Plaza, and referring safety concerns on East Loockerman Street to staff and DelDOT for a traffic calming study and temporary emergency access measures. The quarterly budget review noted significant legal expenses from Board of Adjustment litigation and water billing adjustments impacting revenues. Council also conducted the first reading of Proposed Ordinance #2025-25 concerning fire prevention fees and fines.

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Votes

3 routine votes, all passed

Show 3 routine votes

Move to strike Item #1 (Proclamation - Just Serve, Commitment to Volunteerism) from the agenda.
Passed 8 yes, 1 absent. Absent: Roy Sudler, Jr..
Move for adoption of the agenda, as amended.
Passed 8 yes, 1 absent. Absent: Roy Sudler, Jr..
Move for adoption of the consent agenda.
Passed 8 yes, 1 absent. Absent: Roy Sudler, Jr..

Recording

No transcript is available for this recording yet.

Agenda

Show 8 agenda items

1. Proclamations - JUST SERVE, Commitment to Volunteerism
Proclamation honoring volunteerism, removed from the agenda prior to adoption.
2. Adoption of Minutes - Regular Council Meeting of December 8, 2025
Approval of the minutes of the regular council meeting held on December 8, 2025.
10. Review of Revised Active Recreation Plan – The Old Post (55 Loockerman Plaza)
Site Plan/Architectural Review Certification S-25-07 Revised active recreation area plan for The Old Post project.
11. Update of Safety Concerns on East Loockerman Street
Review of traffic hazards and consideration of traffic calming measures, striping, and temporary emergency access only on East Loockerman Street.
12. Evaluation of Bids - Water Quality Improvements
Award of contract to Richard E. Pierson Construction Company, Inc. for ITB #26-0005WW in the amount of $2,110,312.
14. Quarterly Budget Review
Presentation and discussion of the FY 2026 quarterly budget status, legal expenses from pending litigation, and wastewater billing adjustments.
20. First Reading - Proposed Ordinance #2025-25: Amending Appendix F - Fees and Fines, Chapter 46 - Fire Prevention and Protection
First reading of ordinance amending fire prevention and protection fees and fines, scheduled for final action on January 26, 2026.
21. Final Reading - Proposed Ordinance #2025-17: Stormwater Ordinance Amendments
Proposed changes and additions to Chapter 98 and Appendix F to strengthen the current stormwater ordinance.

Documents

Attendance

8 in person, 1 remote, 1 absent.

Show 10 people

Robin R. Christiansen (Mayor; delivered the invocation.)In person
Andre M. BoggertyIn person
Brian E. LewisIn person
David L. AndersonIn person
Fred A. Neil (Council President presiding.)In person
Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.In person
Julia M. PillsburyIn person
Tricia K. ArndtIn person
Donyale M. Hall (Attended remotely via WebEx.)Remote
Roy Sudler, Jr.Absent