Statements by Roy Sudler, Jr.
1,283 statements from meeting recordings, newest meeting first.
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Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay. Because I'm uh I'm very concerned about that, um because city council has been depicted, as well as the mayor, as being lazy thinkers, if I'm if I can quote it right, "lazy thinkers." That's that's the word. Referred to as lazy thinkers. And you know, at at some point, I was saying to myself, are we lazy thinkers? Or you know, you know, what's But then I'm hearing all this, and I'm like, wow. You know, is is this something that is because one person don't hold himself accountable for their lack of? And so, I'm very surprised to hear that, although we're referred to as lazy thinkers and not making an educated decision, um I don't know the other side is. We're going to hear, I'm sure we're going to hear from Pastor Hodge, um but it doesn't sound like um should that sounds like we should definitely approve a staff recommendation. Um So, my final statement, or the final um comments, um how was, or what was the criteria used to determine the merit of the lack of sustainability? And has that been vetted or analyzed by legal opinion by our solicitor?
Play from 1:32:16Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah, so when you you said that um in your in your view that they could not sustain, it was based on all that you already have mentioned that, you know, they could not sustain, you know, there was a lack of sustainability um plan, in my view, it may not be in their opinion. But my question is what was the criteria, was all this the criteria, was there an additional criteria that you used to assess that they could not sustain or continue to do this um program? And was it and was it vetted through our city solicitor to make sure that, you know, um the justifications had legal merit?
Play from 1:34:02Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay. So, go to meetings. Okay. So, thank you very much, and I know that throughout the year, you do a great job, um, first starting with with the clerk's office, your work has always been impeccable, so I don't question your your work through my questions. I just want to make sure that we dot all our I's, cross all our T's, and not have demonstrated being a lazy thinker, because I don't appreciate being called a lazy thinker.
Play from 1:35:05Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
It came from Pastor Hodge, like a CEO video um down to the sassiness, which which, you know, I waited to address that, so I'm addressing it now in my city council capacity. None of us up here are lazy thinkers. I yield.
Play from 1:35:19Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Now, now we will, uh, first hear from the applicant. Uh, Councilwoman, thank you.
Play from 1:38:30Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
What's that? Councilwoman. Councilwoman, do you have another question?
Play from 1:38:42Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
You You are correct. Um, we do have technically a quorum, but we do not have a quorum to pass the vote, which requires six. Um, you are absolutely correct. Um, but the, um, let's hear from the applicant, cuz we want to get their response on the record, and then, uh, we will recognize that it's a, uh, it's a quorum call and, uh, adjourn it.
Play from 1:38:55Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Uh, questions? Uh, Councilman Boggerty and Councilwoman Arndt.
Play from 1:49:27Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
All right. Thank you, uh, Councilwoman Arndt.
Play from 1:56:26Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. I'd like to point your attention to the recollection of a city employee allegedly stating that you did not need basically to be in compliance with the three quotes. When you heard or discovered that that was not the case, did you submit anything in writing to the city manager of your grievance and your point of interest, uh, to substantiate, uh, your claim?
Play from 1:58:09Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay, thank you. I'd like to refer, um, I'd like to hear from staff, Ms. Savini, if you have any knowledge or any recollection of that, um, for the record, I'd like to have that stated on record.
Play from 1:59:57Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Council President, acting Council President Anderson, I'd like to interject here. Sounds like the due diligence lack is on your part, so, uh, I know how I'm going to vote. Thank you.
Play from 2:02:09Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Can you, for the record, and so that our constituents who are here will understand why we don't have a quorum, can you, can you explain that?
Play from 2:06:49Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you for, uh, bringing that to our attention and explaining that to our constituents and everyone. Thank you.
Play from 2:07:52Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Chairman Boggerty. That's exactly where I was headed. Um I think that you should put a camera there and I think that maybe you should put two signs that says do not enter, one on both sides, and then a camera there. The camera helps enforce it. We're already moving towards um cameras in different locations of the city, and that could be used as like a a pilot program to see whether or not uh the camera being there will A, deter, and B, um generate revenue if they want if they want to, you know, not adhere. And then I would put a hefty fine, like, you know, I wouldn't put no $100. I would make it sort of a um make them think about it. If I saw something that says a $500 fine if you, you know, surpass this, and it not a fire apparatus. I would put only emergency apparatuses and a camera there. Every car that goes by there that's $500, that must that $500 spend, we'll take it. That's how I look at it. Um you have to have they want to take the, you know, they want you know, we have to have some type of hefty penalty to deter. $25, $50, $100, that's nothing. $500, $1,000, and make progressive. The first account, your first offense, $500. The second, a thousand. You know, and and that's how I would do it, and put a camera there and and it'll read the tag and then put a sign there, only emergency apparatuses can go beyond this point. Done. Get that money.
Play from 2:19:13Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
All right. And thank you. Um yeah, okay, being that City Council is the legislative body that governs this city, what would be the restriction for us to raise a a hefty fine on our road? As you may, I mean I'm not challenging you, I'm just saying like to your knowledge, what would restrict us from putting a 50 $500 fine um if they go, so I get how how, you know, how does Delaware regulate? So yeah, I refer to the attorney, safety, maybe Chief you have any option, you have a domain? Absolutely.
Play from 2:22:11Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Uh, just for I see I got you. I appreciate it.
Play from 2:23:11Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Um can you please look into that?
Play from 2:24:33Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
And that's all right. I know you don't have it tonight and that's okay. Um but if you can provide that to us, I think it'd be helpful in how we assess um how we want to continue to govern um, you know, safety, traffic safety and and address these matters here, because to my knowledge and the years I've been on council and committees, this is a city council city-manager form of government and we drive the legislative component and and cities have their own home rule um authorization. And if they feel as though that is the best um course of action, all we have to do is an ordinance and and make sure it's within the confinement of of of state, federal statutes. Uh but we have home rule, we you know, just like when we do um fees and and um you know, just like we're talking about infrastructure fee, I believe we have home rule and I haven't seen anything different, so if you can definitely just take a look at that and um maybe do an email or maybe on the chair, if you can provide it to the committee as a whole through the through the chair uh Chairman Boggerty, uh and disseminate it to you know, upon his approval, disseminate it to the rest of us. I think I I know I would like to know moving forward. Thank you. I yield.
Play from 2:24:41Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Chairman Boggerty. Um with regards to the gate, I was thinking maybe we have something like uh what they have with the rail railroad system and maybe where it's maybe like the uh the police or the police or the fire department has like a little signal or something where they can just almost like a a garage opener and it you know, and it opens and then it shuts. But that's a permanent barrier where no no car's really going to ride through that and then they sort of are they know not to do that, they have like you know, what they do at railroad system, once they see that thing down, they're like, okay, I'm not going that way even though they try to drive through it, might damage the vehicle. But I think something of that magnitude will be a great um happy medium because you still have the barrier, right? You still can it still can extend up so someone can go through and then having access, you know, the uh the emergency um you know, emergency apparatuses can have those have that access, so that's I think that's a great thought of a a mobile, but still's uh gate system. All right, thank you, Chairman Boggerty.
Play from 2:33:38Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I could yield to the mayor, Mayor? And then you can go ahead.
Play from 2:37:28Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. And I also wanted to reiterate to our constituents that the Capital Area Municipality Sustainability Act, which we will be further addressing and reviewing at the end of October, is dealing with infrastructure, right? Gaining money for infrastructure to basically fund some of these new innovative ways, right, to keep our community safe through road systems. So that would be something that would be able to assist us in conjunction with the state funding from Trey Paradee, our 17th District Senator, we can reach out to him, and in addition to reaching out to our 31st District House of Representative Sean Lynn for their Community Transportation Fund. They have millions. I know they have a lot of hundred thousands, close to a million, if not millions. But I know they have hundreds of thousands because I've talked with them in regards to some other matters on College Road. So the money is there. I think that, you know, I think we also need to look at seeing how we can partner with Kent County. I hate to say this, but, you know, Kent County is getting our taxes and I don't - well, I'm calling them out, I don't see how much, I'm not saying they're not doing anything, but I don't see in my daily operations as councilman and just as a taxpayer, I don't see how much Kent County is contributing to a lot of our road system infrastructure, storm water. I know they do some, but the daily things that affect our constituents, because they're getting our tax dollars too. That double taxation that our constituents are paying, city tax and county tax.
Play from 2:38:21Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So I think we need to lean a little bit more in on the county and ask them to give us some funding, you know. When I was council president, unfortunately, I was trying to connect, but the ball got dropped. It wasn't on my end, it was on their end, and I think it's because there's been a history of a disconnect between the county and the city. I think as you being a newly assistant city manager and also city manager, our new team in Team Dover, I think that'd be a great opportunity to sort of try to strengthen that, which would benefit our constituents as a whole. So let's lean in on some of our state funds and also let's tap into our county so we can stay out of our constituents' pockets and give them some relief. So I yield. Thank you.
Play from 2:39:51Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Faye, are you ready? Ms. Chisholm-Mayne, can you begin to come up so you can be in click?
Play from 3:16:36Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Ms. Mayne. We appreciate you. Um, your comments are noted. Um, to Chair, I'm not, so I'm not jumping in.
Play from 3:22:06Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay, then I'm going to have to ask you to to table that for open discussion, because if it's not within the scope, we have to stay within the scope of our of our topic what's on the agenda. It's not an agenda item then.
Play from 3:22:17Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
The well, we have uh open forum or depending, yeah. Well, open forum yesterday, so it's two Mondays from now. Open forum, or you can submit your your concern to the city clerk, city clerk's office via email, and respond in or we address it at the next open forum. No, nobody
Play from 3:22:32Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I appreciate, thank you for being a caring citizen. Now that there is no other issue, um we have um what's called um before us, we have our staff recommendations, which kind of allows for a painting. Um if anyone of my colleagues with the committee members would like to make you have a question?
Play from 3:23:36Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
It's been properly moved and seconded by um the members of the committee. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Play from 3:26:42Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
All right, opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Um Discussion? Discussion?
Play from 3:26:51Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay. Okay. Discussion. I didn't I didn't see you.
Play from 3:27:01Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I think that was part of the uh motion as well.
Play from 3:27:27Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? All right. So, it's been properly moved and seconded. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Play from 3:27:35Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
All right, opposed? Motion carries. Uh, we move to agenda item number 2. Um, depending on where you're from, Lockerman or close is Loockerman Plaza Pedestrian Improvement Update, uh Paul Moser, DelDOT, and Jason Lyon, Assistant City Manager.
Play from 3:28:25Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah.
Play from 3:29:08Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah, go ahead. Hold on, hold on. For the record, the chair recognizes Councilman Sudler. Thank thank you, Chair.
Play from 3:33:51Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Chairman Anderson, for recognizing me. Very well-orchestrated. I I think, um, you definitely did exhibit a a robust background in the gap in services that's needed for the youth. Um, I love the fact that you acknowledged that we do have a deficit and you worked around that in your uh, persuasive approach. Um, I also like the fact that you are trying to generate capital for the capital of Delaware. Uh, in addition to that, uh, your youth engagement, uh, it sounds like it goes beyond basketball, uh, also dealing with social and emotional challenges and providing, uh, the youth with psychological defense mechanisms, uh, to cope with those challenges. Uh, I just have one question. Where's my New Balances? No, I'm just joking.
Play from 4:09:54Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Now, we appreciate you, brother. But, on the on the on the real, um, very, very well, very well put together. I want to give you a round of applause. Everyone, come on. I want to offer to you, um, to please, uh, come to, uh, the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Opioid Use Disorder task force meeting on October 7th here in City Hall chambers on the 6th. Since you are dealing with, uh, psychological challenges, social and emotional challenges dealing with youth, I believe that, um, your framework that you have here can fit into our OUD, um, youth real cost campaign, and I believe that, uh, you should come and do a presentation or a quick synopsis to our committee
Play from 4:11:01Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
and see how we can help you, uh, with the $50,000, uh, amount. Now, I can't say I can't speak for the entire body, but as the chairperson, I can say that does this does fit within the scope of the exhibit E, uh, guidelines for, you know, OUD, uh, usage, remediation, and abatement usage.
Play from 4:12:01Sep 29, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So I know I'm just trying to provide you another avenue to to gain, uh, income in regards to this matter for your assessment, because it's dealing with youth. We are dealing with youth right now in our campaign, and I believe that, um, that seemed where you make your your framework make fit in. And at the very least, if it doesn't fit in, well, I'm sure it fits in our framework, but if if it's too late or if for some reason we can't assist you or partner with you, we can also, uh, forward your information to the state Opioid Use Disorder, uh, Committee. And they have a lot more money than we have, okay? And a lot more resources. And, um, I'm sure with our recommendation, or at least with I won't say recommendation, but more so with our eye, uh, in one, you know, your framework, um, that they'll also consider that inside of their framework as well, because, you know, they're also looking for organizations such as yours that's put together, recognizes the gap in services, uh, that relates or correlates with the Opioid Use Disorder, uh, challenges and aims.
Play from 4:12:17