Statements by Roy Sudler, Jr.
1,283 statements from meeting recordings, newest meeting first.
Machine transcript. Statements are matched to this official by machine and can be wrong. Check the recording.
Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
How we sort of advocated for College Road to be um, expedited in the process, but I believe Councilman Hosfelt at that time, um, his daughter had got to a really bad accident, and it wasn't just because of his daughter getting accident, but it sort of, um, helped us to to to see the need even further than what we than what we saw, you know, and so um, I think that's been some time, right? Councilman Rocha, um, and I think were you, I think you were on the board then, too, on Council then, too, and Anderson. So, um, I do believe that College Road needs to get the, uh, attention. And so please continue to advocate for College Road, especially with, you know, the students and the mobile, um, units that they use, transportation units that they use, becoming more trendy. So, uh, that's all I have. But thank you very much for your your report and update. I yield. Thank you.
Play from 19:39Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Mr. Chair. I move for to accept staff recommendations for the approval of the 2027 transportation uh priorities for the city of Dover.
Play from 22:36Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
All right, thank you for recognizing me, Chairman Boggerty. Um, I must say also thank, we've had to thank, uh, Mayor Robin R. Christiansen, who also was part of the discussion in regards to possibly using the family court as a daytime hub. So, I definitely want to give him, um, some recognition, um, in regards to that matter. But I think that anything that we can come up with, uh, for a solution, uh, as an alternative would be, um, a great opportunity for us to show and demonstrate that we do, um, support our unsheltered constituents. Um, I also want to state for the record, uh, that it is not just the local, um, government that is responsible, uh, for the unsheltered constituents. Um, all public servant representatives from the County Commission to the state legislators, um, we all have a stake, have are stakeholders as, um, public servants. So, you know, I disagree with anyone who believes that this is just a City of Dover thing just because, um, you know, downtown Dover is dealing with a lot of it. So, all of us need to be on board and be included in this effort. I want to thank you and Team Dover Team Dover 4, um, working on this. It's very important. Uh, I do believe that I don't just speak for myself. I think all council persons here or public servants would agree that, you know, we are concerned about the unsheltered and that we do, uh, want to make sure that they are okay. It's never okay to have a vulnerable population that, um, is, you know, unsheltered or not receiving the resources. However, I believe that those individuals who are unsheltered, if you need mental health resources, you should take advantage of mental health resources, or if you need housing or any resources that you need, I do believe that you should take advantage of that because I also believe that if you do not take advantage of that, then there's a fine line between, you know, mental health, um, concerns, unhoused concerns, and just criminal trespassing. And so, as well as, uh, compassion intervention, I believe we need to have compassion intervention on the front side, but on the back side, there still needs to be criminal intervention if they're not going to comply and continue to not get the services and, um, sort of, you know, um, encroach upon people's, uh, rights and their property and their enjoyment of their premises. Um, everyone has circumstances that, you know, is unfortunate, but if you have to be willing to seek the help that you need. And so, I just want to say that for the record. That's where I stand, and thank you for the work that you're doing for our unsheltered and mental health, um, a challenged constituents. I yield.
Play from 32:38Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you. Um the chair recognizes Councilman Lewis and then Councilman Rocha in that order. Councilman Lewis.
Play from 48:11Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Uh thank you, Mayor, for uh yielding and thank you um Chairman for recognizing me. Um I've done some extensive research uh in regards to both facilities. Um from and I could be wrong, um from my research it sounds like uh the the uh Morris Community Corrections Center is structurally sound. Um with holding 150 beds, um residential asset currently maintained by the state. Yes, um the recent infrastructure investment, okay. So, it sounds like also when it comes to the zoning, uh located on West uh Water Street, uh it fits into a governmental industrial buffer zone away from downtown commercial storefronts and residential front porches, completely neutralizing downtown zoning friction. I would like to ask um my question to you is, I would like to ask if the facility is not um suitable or if the infrastructure is not sound, in other words, who do does does our city code enforcement, do we go in and do our fire marshals go in and assess that this building is not habitable?
Play from 1:03:45Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Yes, usable, I call it At this point, I would say habitable because I do know that um the Morris Community Corrections Center, in my view, if it had 150 beds, you know, it was sort of for housing um you know, those individuals, I think level four, you know, those who are seeking uh some type of mental health or just coming from, you know, jail, that transition home. But yes, in in other words, do we have a a pulse on whether or not the actual facility is usable? When I say usable, meaning does it have asbestos, you know, asbestos, so it can't we can't be in there? Um Is there mold and mildew? Because the lights are on every night um and taxpayers are paying for that facility uh with their tax dollars. And we can help our unsheltered. I believe that it would be in our best interest to do so. That's 150 beds. If there's something minor that we can take care of uh to fill in the gap of the Sheraton not being open uh within whatever weeks or months, I think it would be in our best interest to do so because um I think that we can we need to invest in something uh right now uh for our unsheltered than than try to In my view, uh we have a whole bunch of excuses why we can't do something. I'm trying to look at why we can. How How can we do this? You know, um so what is preventing the Morris Community Corrections Center that we know factually right now, structurally or environmentally? Is there Is there any, you know, environmental hazards in there uh that is causing the for us the homeless not to be able to temporarily use that or the unsheltered to temporarily use that? And And also in regards to the um the courthouse, the courthouse is also, in my view, from my um research, is also um healthy when it comes to the zoning. They can use that as a daytime hub where people can come in for they can be out the cold during the daytime, and they can deal with caseworkers or deal with uh individuals that want to provide them with some type of, you know, um sources or resources to help them through the day and give them a shelter away from um areas that other individuals have deemed um them to be undesirable, like in front of businesses, sleeping in front of Lockerman, you know, um the businesses on Lockerman Street at night, or even City Hall. There's there's individuals that's sleeping at night right here in City Hall. So, we have to put them somewhere um where they'll be safe, right, and where it's where it's more suitable uh, in my view, and safe. Um What is What What is restricting us from, separate from getting the okay from those who own those facilities, or the state who owns that facility, separate from the okay, what is structurally keeping us from using the Family Court as a daytime hub for resources and then using Morris at night for for beds? Because they have a cafeteria, they have showers. Their infrastructure is ready to go for day one, December 1st, from my research, I could be wrong, um but it's ready to go. Morris, that is ready to go day one. And the daytime hub could be the Family Court, ready to go day one. So, and and I'm wondering what is what is the big um elephant in the room? What's keeping us from making this happen separate from state legislators um or Kent Kent County legislators or local legislators, us, pushing for this to happen uh now? That, you know, as as if there is no contingency plan. It's It's structurally sound, because if it wasn't, then it would be torn down, right? If it was If it was a dangerous building, it should be on the dangerous building list for the city of Dover or for Kent County or for the state, and I don't see it on the dangerous building list. So, um what's keeping us from utilizing it? Uh I'm sure it doesn't have to be a five-star hotel. Uh we're talking about people who are sleeping outside. Uh so, you know, I'm I'm not um blaming anyone or frustrated at anyone particularly, but I'm compassionate about the the the circumstances and and all these, you know, in my view, um examples of excuses of why we can't do what needs to be done. Um so, it's not towards you or anyone particular, it's just it's blaming on on on my heart for the unsheltered. I yield.
Play from 1:10:12Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
And thank you. I didn't I didn't, like I said, it wasn't directly towards anyone in particular. I just feel like I've heard a lot of excuses from other um public servants of why we can't do what whatever we are trying to to help bring relief to our constituents in whatever way. And I guess it's a spilling over of that, you know, it's it's time for the excuses to stop and if you're going to be a public servant, let's serve and let's help our constituents. So, please don't uh not for you, Kay, or It's It's It's just, I guess, you know, spilling over, so just getting a little frustrated with with the excuses in general. I yield.
Play from 1:10:49Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Uh thank you for recognizing me, uh Chairman Anderson. So, um in other words, the the infrastructure proposal or the RFP for um an assessment of our overall infrastructure and the cost and what we're actually providing as a service, that could also be used for the the data center as well? That's, can you elaborate on that pretty much how, I mean I know, but for those who who um have not been involved in the in-depth and countless hours of conversations that we've had, um just if you could just elaborate on just a little bit more so so so they can understand that we have to do our our study anyway for the um data center to see whether or not our infrastructure can absorb something like that uh in conjunction with utilizing that portion or some of those portion of the total um assessment for CAMSA as well. So can you just just not too much, but just if I haven't if I haven't if I missed something, but I feel like I'm accurate.
Play from 1:40:54Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
And and my final comment um is we did also discuss uh with our meeting with uh Utilities Chairman Councilman Rocha about our some vulnerabilities of of our infrastructure and and for example like pavers, you know, that we are responsible for some of these pavers uh such as near Grey Grey Fox and and um some on Loockerman Street uh and that we don't have the the money for the pavers. I think that was that's what had led into our vulnerability as well. Can you speak just a little bit in regards to the vulnerabilities of our infrastructure for those who are listening?
Play from 1:43:23Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
And in final, um Representative Lynn did uh unofficially um state that, you know, he would be able to pay for the infrastructure assessment uh in regards to um like the RFP uh for that study, the infrastructure study, he would be willing to help pay for it. I don't know if he can still the total cost. It sounded like he said the total cost, but I don't want to make a commitment on his behalf. We did have extensive discussion on that, but he did state that um in 2027 if he's reelected that he would be able to assist us in in getting our infrastructure proposal cost covered, so uh that would help absorb any of the costs that we may accrue um getting this uh assessment. I yield. Thank you, chair, for recognizing me.
Play from 1:46:11Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you. Um not in regards to um the population size comparable to our city, but Seattle, Washington, um I could pull it up, but there's like four other municipalities, and I can get that to you, but it actually is in the proposal. Um it's in the proposal that I did a comparison analysis. Okay. Um but yeah.
Play from 1:50:58Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
In regards to our our our population population is sort of unique. We're we're like we're not huge, but, you know, we're small so it's relatively
Play from 1:51:17Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Oh, I didn't go I didn't go in depth like, you know, I sort of left that to the team, and that's what the engineer would what it says.
Play from 1:51:26Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I wish I could have the time to do that. That's all right. My apologies, but I yield.
Play from 1:51:33Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Uh thanks for recognizing me, and thank you uh Councilwoman Arndt for your feedback and and your thoughts. Um you know, CAMPSA and how we get to the actual uh cost uh would be a technical engineering uh mathematical um process. And that's why we would need RFP for the engineer to do a total assessment of our infrastructure costs, which not only benefits CAMPSA, but it also benefits the data center. So you're going to have to do uh a infrastructure assessment, period, for the data center, which I do believe that we had sort of mentioned in our previous meeting uh when we talked about the 18-month moratorium. We talked about getting um information how it would uh impact our our infrastructure and how our constituents would absorb the cost. Um and we took the actual tax-exempt out of the equation and moved it to all um entities, and this is not a um this is not a tax. This is an infrastructure fee very similar to our public safety fee. So it's it's not a tax. A lot of people, you know, think, "Oh, it's a disguised tax." No, it's not a disguised tax because it's only viewed, and it's and this case law, it's in the packet, um case law has demonstrated that it's only viewed as a disguised tax if you take the money that's supposed to be for an infrastructure fee, and you put it in a general funds, and you use it outside the restricted um infrastructure um guidelines. So that's when it becomes like uh a tax. You know, people perceive it as a tax, a disguised tax. But this is like an infrastructure fee, uh which is very similar to the public safety fee. Uh with the public safety fee, we didn't have to have a charter change, we had the home rule. Uh we have our own governance. If we can validate that the the cost of the infrastructure, uh the ongoing regulatory cost is justifiable, and we're putting it into an account specifically to to address our needs and our demands for infrastructure, then it's untouchable. And there's case law, not only in the packet, but there's other case law outside of the packet I've provided. And and I showed both, the pros and the cons. If you don't use the money specifically for uh restricted infrastructure fee, then you will be dinged, and it will be looked and, you know, there's Supreme Court, there's rulings on that right now. Um but New Castle is New Castle is doing it right now. Um also uh Seattle, Washington is doing it right now with the gross square footage. And all this is all this is inside the packet. Um so and when I spoke with the the solicitor yesterday, and I expressed to him, I said, "I understand that there's concerns, uh legality concerns. However, there are case laws that sustains, that substantiates that what we want to do or what CAMPSA is proposing uh is legal as long as you don't go outside the scope of the restrictions." Which is: if you get money, whatever money you get, you don't put it in the general fund, you don't use it for anything other than what it's supposed to be. It's in like a lockbox account specifically for infrastructure. Um so that that's what addresses that matter. Um this is not by far um ready to be implemented tomorrow, and I do agree with that. This isn't this is uh this is to stimulate the discussion, to generate um some feedback, and we, like you say, we need more of the stakeholders, and I think we have some stakeholders here tonight. Um but it is our duty to, uh actually it's policy number one in our budget, to find and develop diversified ways of generating income for the city of Dover, the capital. And and right now um our biggest concern, like, is is infrastructure, you know? And how are we going to pay for infrastructure? We can't continue to allow our constituents um to absorb the cost for mega footprint institutions who are growing, growing, growing, uh...
Play from 2:05:21Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Yes.
Play from 2:08:36Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Um, you know, so, yeah, that might be, yeah.
Play from 2:08:44Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
So, um you know, it's it's it's as long as we as long as we use it what the purpose is and and within the guidelines, then we're we won't be in legal harm's way. It's a it's a source of revenue, and the city of Dover is growing, and we cannot, our taxpayers cannot, our constituents cannot afford to keep going up utility and tax hikes because, you know, we have responsibilities for infrastructure. So I have more to say, but I will I will yield.
Play from 2:08:52Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Can I speak to that?
Play from 2:10:10Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Okay. Thank you. And thank you for bringing that up. So actually it wouldn't be like actually giving the individual money back. What it would do is when we have an increase or surplus, that means we don't have to keep going up, that saves them money each year. So in other words, we're not going to physically reallocate and give them money, it's going to indirectly save them money, which is going to give them money back in their pocket. We're not going to cut them a check, but the fact that we don't have to go up and take any more hikes is going to save them money. Yes.
Play from 2:10:12Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you again, I appreciate that.
Play from 2:10:49Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Just thank you for recognizing me. Thank you for recognizing me. So um so in in other words, um basically holding only any conversation, any uh motion staying to possibly have a motion to do an RFP for information for um uh infrastructure data. So basically, this would say we wouldn't be able to do any of that until after the election in which is November 2nd.
Play from 2:19:38Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Or or till we speak to until we speak to um state representatives, which which is on their time.
Play from 2:20:14Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Right. And and-
Play from 2:20:39Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Right. And and so my my major concern about that is if their schedule does not permit or if they choose to do use this as a delay tactic to not even have the conversation, then we will never even be able to move forward. And I don't agree with that because the simple fact that the that we have home rule. We can we If anything, we need to make the assessment which I believe we have the home rule to, based on the public public safety fee. Right? We didn't have to have a charter change, nor did we wait to to hear from state legislators in that manner. And it did, in fact, it did impact uh tax-exempt Delaware State University was also impacted by that. Right? So it did impact tax-exempt entities, and we did not have to wait and and and hear from state legislators on that public safety fee. Uh this is an infrastructure fee. So I I don't understand why we have to wait for the state when this is local municipalities. This is within our domain, our governance. Now, whether they support CAMSA or not, that's that remains to be discovered and seen. But I don't think moving forward with the discussion, or gathering or moving to vote to gather data, which we have to get anyway from for the data center, should be contingent upon that whether the state wants to meet with us or not, or who's going to be, you know, the next representative on the state level or not. I I think that's I don't think that's good business. They represent They don't wait for us when they make decisions. They don't wait for local uh government to assess how our constituents feel, and we are on the front line. Local government is on the front line. So, no. I'm not waiting on nobody.
Play from 2:20:53Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. And I And I thank you. I thank you. I thank Neil. I thank everyone. And I do believe we need to have a workshop, and uh through um opposition and comes critical thinking. Critical thinking becomes, you know, new, innovative ways of resolving complex problems. And that's where I think the spirit where we need to be. I concur with Councilman Lewis.
Play from 2:29:36Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Um no one has any political agenda other than to serve, um and I don't think anyone should be ostracized if they do have a political agenda that is to serve the public in the best interest of the public. Um for the record, I've I've always served. I have 22 years with the city of Dover, 22 years, 11 as council person and 11 on council committees. I started young. I've been serving. I'm still serving, and I will always serve with or without a title cuz that's who I am. I yield.
Play from 2:29:58Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
No.
Play from 2:36:52Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I move that we um authorize the city manager to continue to orchestrate or put together or continue her work and her team's work, the city manager and assistant city manager and her team and the treasurer, to continue to do the work of the public to put together the criteria needed to zoom in and focus on the infrastructure um assessment criteria for the for the Capital of Delaware in which the engineer would use uh for both projects, the data center and CAMSA.
Play from 2:37:11Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I will rescind my motion.
Play from 2:37:17Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
In sum, in sum I just want to say thank you. Thank everyone, even thank the Council President for his opposition, um, because it forces critical thinking and know that my only intention and- and I'm sure all of our only intentions is to help serve the city better, um, regardless of how we do it or how it's viewed. I- I think all of us here to help serve city better. So, thank you for coming out. And hopefully, um, Councilman Anderson, um, if we could think about doing a workshop for the stakeholders as, um, the director of Biggs Museum, Hassan, has- has- has brought forth where it be unlimited time to- to voice their concerns and their opinion as well as the constituents. I think that's very important and imperative in- in serving the public. And so, um- I'm- you know, if we can work on that...
Play from 2:37:29Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I think that'd be great. And sooner than later.
Play from 2:38:33Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Right.
Play from 2:38:58Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
And- and- and also I want to say that, um, when we do have that meeting, I will provide food for that evening. And you know everything's gourm- yeah, I'm cooking. All right, so for real. All right.
Play from 2:39:40Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
No, I'm- I'm- I'm- I'ma step it up. I'm going to give you all some ribs, you know, and...
Play from 2:39:52Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I know the Council President likes the ribs, so you know, I'll do the ribs for him.
Play from 2:39:56Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Whatever- whatever you want. It'll be a buffet style, Sudler buffet style.
Play from 2:40:03Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Second, Council President.
Play from 01:20Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Motion second.
Play from 05:37Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Thank you, Mr. President. Just curious as to why they chose to withdraw. And then the next question would be, in regards to what happens in the future if a resident wants to withdraw as well?
Play from 05:55