Statements by Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
552 statements from meeting recordings, newest meeting first.
Machine transcript. Statements are matched to this official by machine and can be wrong. Check the recording.
Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I I move to accept staff recommendation for the repo- the approval of the grant by uh Legislative Finance and Administration Committee in the amount of $50,000.
Play from 2:00:04Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yes.
Play from 2:05:11Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Uh I'm going to make a motion to accept staff recommendation, but I do want to comment in a and a an appreciation for bringing that forward. Uh and it's you know, it's unfortunate that we we get to see this at at this stage, you know what I mean? But I do appreciate, you know, identifying the grant. And I'm pretty sure this is not the you know, the only the only type of maintenance or whatever that needs to be done to the dam, so that's definitely going to enhance and and be a benefit to our city. So I appreciate you doing that. But in the meantime, understanding that the work needs to be done, I am going to make a motion to accept staff uh recommendation uh considering the fact that if we wait any longer, the prices may still go up, uh to award the contract to Mor-Allen Concrete Products uh for the uh services and repairs of the Silver Lake dam.
Play from 2:12:53Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, uh, Council President Neil. Yeah, so, uh, with, uh, Ms. Butcher and she outlined, uh, the process, uh, you know, it it it just, um, and she said she's not the only one, even though some of them might may not be, um, in the city of Dover. Uh, I initially reached out to the legislators to see if they would upgrade what's on the books on the state level, which they did not, which is one of the reasons why I'm I'm a sponsor with Mr. Neil on on this, uh, because, um, the state only requires a as a minimum home inspection, uh, a walkthrough, which is basically to make sure that there's running water and no identifiable leaks, and, you know, it's really not as comprehensive as it needs to be.
Play from 2:32:49Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
And even if it is a walkthrough, the buyer needs to be explained to what different levels of a home inspection is, so that the the buyer, potential buyer has the knowledge or the make can make an informed decision on which home inspection they're willing to accept. And I think that this this legis- this ordinance does that, um, at least makes the buyer or the potential buyer uh gives them a level of understanding by initialing each area, uh, in a checklist that, uh, will give them the you know, the thought process to to make an informed decision on which inspection they want to take. But, you know, obviously, the the the the more the ins- the more, um, level the different levels of in- the inspection can cost more money, that would be a choice for the buyer to say, 'Okay, I'll pay for the walkthrough, and that's it,' but at least giving them the idea that the the walkthrough is not the only type of inspection to thoroughly look at the house. And that's what I think we're trying to do, and, um, you know, uh if it was me, I would say it would be comprehensive all across the board, but you know, some some individuals maybe that might be too much money, but at least giving them the awareness of it before they make the investment and then find out later that the they have to spend more money because they didn't know, um, based on the uh selection of the uh inspection that they they uh uh uh that they were they accepted. So with that said, you know, I yield uh back to uh Council President, and, um, I look forward to hearing uh other remarks.
Play from 2:33:50Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I'll start.
Play from 2:37:14Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So, generally, this would this would affect the uh or inform the buyer. The buyer would almost like when I bought my house, right, um, I was fortunate with the realtor that I had, and they didn't order a walkthrough for me. I had a full-on inspection of my house that I was able to make an informed decision on whether or not I wanted to buy based on what the inspector found. Um, and I don't know if it's specific to DSHA or or or anything like that, but in her case, whoever the realtor was ordered the walkthrough, maybe making an assumption that she couldn't afford anything else.
Play from 2:37:16Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
What we're trying to do, if and correct me if I'm wrong, um, Council President Neil, is open open up the to the the potential buyer that these are the different inspections and that they can almost choose which one they want based on, because you know, you pay for that up front before you even go into closing. So, if you can't afford it, you decide you're going to take it with a walkthrough inspection and, but at least you're at least you're informed on what inspection you're choosing versus you didn't know and you signed off and bought the house. If this is your if you're a first-time homebuyer, you may not have a clue. This This kind of gives you a clue with this ordinance.
Play from 2:38:05Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Rocha seconds.
Play from 2:50:40Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Aye.
Play from 2:51:14Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um so I'm just trying to follow the sequence. The the application was submitted?
Play from 06:09Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
And at that point, because you didn't have basically a drawing of where the deck was going to go, then it was sent back to the person who submitted the application?
Play from 07:03Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
Um, so was the deck built—
Play from 07:11Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
And then then the application was resubmitted and you noticed that it was it looked like it was going to be too close to the lot line, right?
Play from 07:16Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
On the lot line, sir. And this is not a corner lot, this is directly behind the uh unit?
Play from 07:30Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
Um, that's just that kind of I'm a little clear. Yeah, I'll I'll I'll yield for right now.
Play from 07:36Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
Okay.
Play from 07:39Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
The the lot line is all go-
Play from 07:45Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
So, just quick question. How did we get here? You guys didn't write her up or anything, did you?
Play from 19:53Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
Yeah, but it Okay. All right. But it says code violation appeal, so I don't I'm trying to figure out where the violation came from.
Play from 20:02Jan 7, 2026, Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals Meeting
Right.
Play from 20:13Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Rocha seconds.
Play from 00:14Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Council President. Yeah, so I'm catching up with uh November. I um attended a joint pension board meeting, uh also um which I think you had even mentioned, uh Council President, the Habitat for Humanity Charity Ball, um also a meeting with the Thunder hockey team with their leaders about potential discussion about the arena. Still working on that. Uh went to the DMAC end-of-year dinner and also attended the Capital Holiday Christmas tree lighting. Uh as you know, I was out there providing the sound for all the choirs out there, and I'm thankful that it was a lot warmer than it was last year, less windy, too. I yield. Thank you.
Play from 01:23Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
of the, um, uh, sorority, um, that was at the Modern Maturity Center. Um, and, other than that, uh, can't feel it's been a lot of people out with, uh, answering, um, constituent concerns in my district, and that's all I have.
Play from 03:16Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
is, and then, of course, there were there's way too many events to be uh to take your time on. Um, but one uh of note, it happened to be the uh Hive on the the Small Business Saturday. That was something that was uh uh very positive that I hope they continue with the uh with the crafts and the small businesses. Uh, I yield, Mr. President.
Play from 06:33Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So moved.
Play from 12:49Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I move to uh accept uh staff recommendation to approve the revised active recreation area plan for this project.
Play from 22:21Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Actually, I you
Play from 41:00Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay, but I in '92, I I literally just got stationed here in February. Yeah, yeah.
Play from 41:04Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah, I got stationed here in February of '92.
Play from 41:10Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
And I do feel we we have the same feeling, trust me. So, but I I have to—
Play from 41:26Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Mr. Suders, I don't want you to have to say that on the record. I understand. I don't think you would do that.
Play from 41:40Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yes, sir, Mr. Suders.
Play from 41:52Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I hear you, Mr. Suders. Thank you, and again, if you want to get that to me, and I and I and I definitely respect—
Play from 42:10Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um so I know that the emergency response has been brought up and and everything, but has anybody, you know, did a study or measured how much time it would take to get from Governors Avenue down Division Street and into East Loockerman
Play from 52:25Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
you know, uh I thought they didn't allow the traffic to come from Route- well, not Route 1, but uh Route 13, going in.
Play from 55:42Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah. Um, okay. Uh at this time, I yield. I want to hear what- what the Mayor has to say.
Play from 55:53Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Just that- just that area when you turn-
Play from 56:47Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Council President. I don't I don't see any I know we had Dr. Asousa online, we lost him, and we don't have any committee members, so I now call the Utility Committee to order, and I will entertain a motion to adopt the agenda for this evening.
Play from 1:28:48Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
It's been properly moved and seconded to adopt the agenda. Any questions or discussion on the motion? Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor, please state by saying aye.
Play from 1:29:13