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.
Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Can we talk about the the reserve policy? Um I mean, since you brought that up as, you know, 8% is the goal. And as I recall, we had talked about that in the past and that was necessary to maintain our bond rating, so I wasn't aware that there was some wiggle room there.
Play from 3:49:22Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
So the the 8%, I mean that goes beyond changing our City of Dover policy, that involves renegotiating bond criteria.
Play from 3:49:52Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Which isn't impossible, but...
Play from 3:51:12Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
So to uh is it okay if I speak freely? Uh the financial policies do go through Leg & Fin, am I correct in that? And they will they if we make any changes to the financial policies, they then get the final approval through Council. So if we
Play from 3:52:45Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
if we choose to make any amendments, it would it would have to go through the legislative process.
Play from 3:53:00Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Um, so the stormwater utility, like my thought was that we were still moving forward with that. The premise is sound. We just needed to re-evaluate the methodology for calculating the payments. So, I thought that was coming back. Is that not coming back as an option for revenue?
Play from 3:56:52Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
They have a consultant working on that, right?
Play from 3:57:26Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
So there should be a timeline?
Play from 3:57:28Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Just a a comment. I think moving forward, um making sure that we have information ready for the public. I think there needs to be quite a bit of public education that needs to happen for folks to understand what we're tasked with and what is beyond our scope. And I think if we start that process now, we'd be in a better situation um from the public perspective when it comes time to make these decisions on the budget. Um so, just being able to be at the ready to explain, put it in social media, um op-eds, what have you, um just to kind of build that information base so that folks are better educated when it comes time to make these tough decisions on the budget.
Play from 4:00:23Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
We need more positivity in general.
Play from 4:05:02Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
I think we need more, like you said, more positivity in general. I mean, the news cycle is always reactive. Everything about Dover is typically negative. I think we need to do a better job of, like you said, promoting what we're doing well and driving the news cycle rather than reacting to it.
Play from 4:05:28Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Do we have anyone who notifies the media when we do get awards and so forth, when we get recognized?
Play from 4:06:01Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Well we should at least ask each department chair if their department gets an award, or is recognized for doing something really well, that they do a media release, because if we're not communicating it, there's no way for the for the public to know.
Play from 4:06:39Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
I was thinking, you mentioned the first week in May, right? Because that's what, that's why I said. Because usually it's the last week in May or the first week in June, and you're talking about a month earlier, so I thought maybe May, just
Play from 4:07:50Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Because you have to have the, it's an agenda item to set the hearing in June and then it has to happen. So it's two separate, and then if there's a public hearing with it, too.
Play from 4:08:14Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Is the meeting adjourned?
Play from 4:08:50Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Just a couple quick questions. I love the concept, workforce development, cleaning up the community. Is this, I assume it's a long-term endeavor, but I'm looking at your your budget. It's only for 4 months with with the 50,000 that you're asking, that would get you through 4 months. What is the plan for after that? Are you a 501(c)(3)? Are you seeking other funding sources? What what's your long-term plan?
Play from 26:11Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. I yield.
Play from 28:05Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Council President. The Parks and Rec and Community Enhancement Subcommittee will come to order. You have an agenda before you. Is there a motion?
Play from 1:20:54Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?
Play from 1:21:27Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Ms. Melson-Williams, and I appreciate the reminder to the committee of what we're tasked with with uh providing our recommendations on. Questions from the committee? Councilman Lewis?
Play from 1:26:22Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Any other questions from the committee?
Play from 1:27:49Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Dr. Sudler.
Play from 1:27:52Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Any other questions? What is the pleasure of the committee?
Play from 1:28:56Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Got a motion for approval and a second. Any discussion? All in favor?
Play from 1:29:26Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Ms. Melson-Williams. With no further business, the Parks and Rec and Community Enhancement Subcommittee is adjourned. Thank you to our citizen appointees.
Play from 1:29:30Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Mr. Chair, if I could make a comment?
Play from 1:34:11Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. So, I'm I'm pleased to sponsor this application uh for Mr. Leggins to improve uh his business. I just want to note that he has invested substantial capital in an area that most would not. Uh he has turned a distressed area into not only a place of business, but a place of community. Uh for those of you that are familiar with Rail Haus, uh the events and the community space that he provides um for yoga classes and food trucks and vendor fairs, which support local businesses and support local artists, um he was a recipient of the Delaware American American Planning Association Planning Award for uh 2024. Uh he's been recognized as just a phenomenal business owner um and really just elevating Dover. Um I've met people there that came from Wilmington, from New Castle County, from Philadelphia. Uh he's been featured in, you know, blogs and and uh different press events. Um so it's it's definitely a draw for the city, uh, and I'm certainly uh supportive of him expanding and providing that that um improved outdoor space for future events. And with that, I'll yield.
Play from 1:34:23Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yes, I yield.
Play from 1:39:25Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yes.
Play from 2:05:27Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Um, so I appreciate the intent, I'm just trying to understand, um, is this an issue that is specific to DSHA-sponsored housing assistance and mortgages, or is this an issue generally? Um, I don't have a lot of real estate experience, but, um, I do know that there's the seller's disclosure, and you can have your own, um, inspection, uh, if you want to go beyond the seller's disclosure. So, I I don't understand how this is outside of that process. It it sounds like the resident in question should have had a better inspection. Is that Is that Okay. Um, and and this would change that how?
Play from 2:36:10Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Sorry, I'm I'm just I'm struggling with this one. Um I For me, I'm I'm I'm a facts and data person and and I I don't understand this issue well enough to make an informed decision on on this ordinance. Um so I'm I'm going to be abstaining from this vote um just because I I don't feel like I'm ready to to make a decision. I yield.
Play from 2:50:16Jan 13, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
One abstention.
Play from 2:51:19Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Council President. I gave the Mr. Lewis is online. Mr. Lewis.
Play from 02:44Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Third District. Hold on. Now you're trying to forget me.
Play from 03:43Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I'm in your district.
Play from 03:53Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you, Council President. The Parks and Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee will come to order. You have the agenda before you. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?
Play from 12:41Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Any discussion? All in favor?
Play from 12:51Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Any questions from the committee?
Play from 20:42Dec 9, 2025, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Mr. Neil.
Play from 20:47