Statements by Tricia K. Arndt
340 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
Move to adopt the agenda.
Play from 00:21Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Move to adopt the agenda.
Play from 1:31:04Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Aye.
Play from 1:31:16Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
I'll I'll second, but I do have discussion.
Play from 1:58:54Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you for recognizing me. So I I didn't write an essay, so this is going to be disjointed, and I'm just throwing some thoughts out there. Um I wanted to hear how the proposal had changed um after reading the the legal opinion. I do agree that I think it's it's premature to look to an RFP to start quantifying those impacts. The legal opinion laid out multiple issues, and and one was just just the the nexus and proportionality piece of it, which would be addressed through this analysis of of what the impacts would be from certain types of tax-exempt properties. So the issue was that you couldn't just say of a certain square footage would equal this cost um to the city. You had to look at the the use and get more specific um so that what the property was paying for was was what they were actually impacting the city, the cost of the city. So I think the RFP looking at that would would get to a more specific cost, which might address that issue. Although I do wonder if, like before we even before we even get to that, the other legal concerns would have to be addressed: um whether or not we have the authority to do it's a tax on tax-exempt properties, there's those issues are are outlined in the solicitor's letter. Um whether needing a charter change and then having legislators supportive of that, I think that would certainly be a a first step to see if we can move it forward. And then I was thinking if this were ultimately to be successful, and we were able to to implement and then get revenue from these tax-exempt properties, then all municipalities within the state would also pursue the same avenue to do the same, and so nonprofits throughout the state would be subject to fees wherever they're located. And the burden that would put on those nonprofits that are providing services, uh not only here in Dover, but but statewide. So those are just some of my thoughts and concerns related to the proposal. Um I think there's more work that would need to be done, and I think having that conversation with the legislators to determine if they would even support a charter change, and my gut feeling is that they would not um based on those reasons and the impact to the nonprofits, and to state properties. Of course, let's not forget that. Um it's almost as if they would be voting against their own um self-interest. Um so anyway, those are my thoughts. I yield.
Play from 2:00:09Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you. So just to to follow up on that. Um so one of the the pieces within your proposal I thought was providing money back to um constituents on their electric bill. So that to me does not seem like that would be a permissible way to use the funds based on the solicitor's opinion.
Play from 2:09:45Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Could Madam Clerk please uh restate the motion?
Play from 2:19:14Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Thank you. I I would just say that I don't see the harm in determining if an action is is legal and feasible before spending the money to collect data on how to implement it. So in my mind as a planner, you know, can you implement it before you determine how to implement it? Um and in terms of this particular action seeking an RFP, there's no way you're go- going to get an RFP out before um the elections and the elections are certified. Just the timeline that it would take to establish and develop an RFP and issue it. So it it it could be a moot point, but I do like the idea of gate engaging legislators and stakeholders sooner rather than later.
Play from 2:22:50Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Just one one last point. And to clarify that the question about whether or not we would need a a charter change, it's in the solicitor's letter that there would need to be an amendment to Section 49A of the charter, so that that's where that's coming from. Um so just to let you know. Um And we get questioned a lot on lawsuits and and how we get in trouble. And I think when you have advice from your solicitor, we should follow it. Um so I'm just going based off my concerns were largely driven by the analysis from the solicitor. No disrespect to you. Thank you for putting forward an idea. I just want to make sure that all the questions are asked. I don't think it's shooting an idea down to ask the questions that need to be asked. And when our solicitor frames those questions for us, then I'm going to ask them. I yield.
Play from 2:27:43Oct 27, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole
Aye.
Play from 2:36:50Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Yes.
Play from 09:14Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Yes.
Play from 10:13Oct 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Yes.
Play from 22:04Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. I have a few complaints to note. I had several constituents uh raise concerns for trash in the neighborhood, trash and overgrowth. Had someone concerned about sweet peas planted upon request for planting of trees in regard or close to roads, uh and also pretty close to trees are maintained with the power line. Had meetings with constituent services, uh, and have spoken to several constituents about um and concerned about issues with that. But, um, to be optimistic and, um, that pretty much is my report.
Play from 03:13Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So are we having the Parks and Rec end items after?
Play from 10:42Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay.
Play from 11:09Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Like into Parks since...
Play from 11:33Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. So you mentioned lumens specifically, and that that was my my question. It just it seems, uh, you know, unusually bright lighting, but like, say, if there was some criteria to define what that would be, and I know I don't see lumens in there, but that would be a criterion, I would think, for what enters or crosses to someone's...
Play from 15:18Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
If you could take a look, maybe other municipalities that have already incorporated a residential light, uh, ordinance component and see how that compares, because unusually bright, it's just it's tough to interpret and subjective, because it's not an issue with light or darkness, it might be an issue for someone else. But I would like some sort of criteria in there. Thank you. I yield.
Play from 16:18Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Uh, and again, obviously, shining light directly into windows, we would uh But my concern is if you cancel out, you know, a situation where you can have that which would be a space that can get quite or you open your home, you're going to have open company over on the parcel and be like a sport different situations because other than situations like that spotlight directly pointed at, say, the windows, like, shining into windows there, but that's the only type of light. I understand that's part. It's kind of, it's solved, you know, when I'm looking at it, and if it's well, nuisance lights, people's windows inside the house, that, of course, can't be helped, you know, if that's light, um, when when I walk my dog, see something is somebody going to complain and the window, uh, child sleeping. Is it going to be a nuisance? if we're talking about, you know, lights down, but when we get into these...
Play from 20:10Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I'll second.
Play from 29:12Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Mr. Chair. A quick question just about the public meeting and the survey that you spoke of. Do you have a timeline? Um, and how we plan to get that out to the public, advertise it, and bring forth the opportunity to get feedback?
Play from 56:51Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um, I just want to say I understand the intent of exploring this this action, and I appreciate the work that the ad hoc committee has been doing and will continue to do. I don't pretend to see how it's coming together yet. I will withhold judgement until I have all the information. Um, so my question is more to process and timeline. So you have the ad hoc committee, I'd like to know as far as meeting schedule, how much longer do you think they'll be focused on this ad hoc committee and gathering information and will there be a feasible report that will come in to council, um, and looking to a possible budget for start up costs that may need to be included. So when when do you anticipate hearing from an ad hoc committee to have something for council and the public to react to?
Play from 1:09:29Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
No, I just appreciate the clarification because I know the idea has been to people green stick for someone else to say and then legislative changes, charter changes would have to happen in this for or one, two years. It's a significant amount of options, steps forward. So thank you for that. I yield.
Play from 1:10:35Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I'd like to provide the opportunity for public comment on the issue, even though we did discuss it at great length at the prior meeting, but there's additional information that we should be hearing.
Play from 1:28:54Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you for your presentation Ms. Aris. Um we'll turn it around to councilwoman Arndt. Thank you uh
Play from 1:50:41Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Ms. Aris. Um, I just want to clarify a few things. I think there's been a lot of misunderstanding on both sides and uh I think we can do a better job of learning from past mistakes and making sure that we have those open lines of communication. Um,
Play from 1:50:52Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
in March, when we reviewed a proposal for 30 $36,000 for the workforce development program, um as you know, we we denied that application, there was a lot of angst and anger and uh press coverage that I thought was erroneous. Um when I voted in the negative to to deny that application, it was based on the merits of the application. I did not feel that the workforce development program demonstrated sustainability over time, um the way it was uh proposed, most of the funding seemed to be coming from the city. It wasn't demonstrated where the other funds were coming, um
Play from 1:51:14Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
typically with issuance of a grant, I'm not comfortable with issuing seed money for a program without understanding how the program's going to to you know uh I'm more comfortable with issuing money for a capital improvement, um that you can see those receipts and and and moves forward. So just to clarify, um my decision on that was based on the grant application,
Play from 1:52:01Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
not in any way, shape, or form on the performance, or the the issues, or concerns about about the homeless shelter. I have not wanted to see the shelter closed. I think that the services they provide, and the form is is necessary.
Play from 1:52:21Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Um I understand the community's complaints. Um certainly, we would like to see the shelter operate in a way that it is peacefully within the neighborhood, and the the operations are cohesive, and the neighbors are happy. I'm surprised to hear you say that
Play from 1:52:36Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
you do not want to operate the shelter, and that you were okay with not pursuing the conditional use to continue to open the shelter. Could you because last night, we took a lot of heat from the public um that, you know, the city had, you know, done bad, terrible things to shut the shelter down. And it sounds like the shelter does not want to continue operating.
Play from 1:52:56Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
And you had the opportunity to do the conditional use to continue those operations within that part of the process, but you chose not to. Can you expand on that?
Play from 1:53:16Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank thank you for Thank you for that information. I appreciate that. I hope moving forward we can change the narrative that the city is trying to shut down the shelter, that the city doesn't care, working together to find a better solution.
Play from 2:00:02Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Like I said, I think there's been misunderstandings and misinformation on both sides. I think moving forward making sure that we can correct those misconceptions and work together. I I am leaning towards giving grace and allowing this funding to move forward. I know that's probably not where my colleagues are are going, but the work has already been done and I think moving forward, should you apply for any other funding from the city, unless it's settled and should funds be granted for any grant in the future, then I think you would be well aware of what those requirements are and to make sure that every I is dotted and every T is crossed.
Play from 2:01:13Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
So that's my thoughts, that's where I'm leaning. I lean.
Play from 2:02:11Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. I just I was remiss. I I would like to clarify - Ms. O'Brien, thank you so much for your presentation, the information that you put together. We, council, are the ones who want to hear from you how it's spent and how the money will be distributed, and I think there's absolutely no question that you've got your eyes on the needle that needs to be threaded with your program and how it should be spent. So I just wanted to tell you that you did your due diligence.
Play from 2:05:16Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Please state your name for the record.
Play from 2:18:29Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Ms. Bonnie.
Play from 2:21:41Oct 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Are there any other discussions?
Play from 2:21:52