Working for Wilmington? City council approves 5-year residency requirement for new hires
Wilmington council members settled a weeks-long debate Thursday after approving a five-year residency law for new hires.
The full council vote ended the back-and-forth over Wilmington’s employee residency requirement, which came under scrutiny in October after Mayor Mike Purzycki’s administration informed the legislative body that the city no longer believed the residency law was on the books.
The ordinance, proposed by council member Shane Darby, maintains a five-year residency requirement for new employees, gives preference to hiring city residents, gives new hires a year to move into Wilmington, and establishes a residency assistance fund to help new hires afford housing.
Dozens of residents once again filled council chambers to voice their support of a residency requirement, as well as speak on other pieces of legislation on the agenda Thursday evening.
Despite the strong showing of Wilmington residents, only five of the 13 council members were present in chambers Thursday, most others tuning into the meeting virtually.
BACKGROUND: This decadeslong debate still divides Wilmington leaders, residents. Can it be solved?
The ordinance affirming the residency law was approved in an 8-4 vote, with councilmember Maria Cabrera absent. Councilmembers Bregetta Fields, Nathan Field and James Spadola voted "present" and Councilmember Al Mills voted against the measure.
What happened to the other proposals?
Darby’s ordinance was passed out of the joint Intergovernmental and Finance Committee meeting Nov. 6 after members spent hours debating a proposal by council member Latisha Bracy to expand the city’s residency boundaries to encompass all of New Castle County. A limited 3-mile radius outside the city also was proposed by council member Michelle Harlee.
BRACY'S PROPOSAL: Wilmington bill expands residency to New Castle County, shifting new hire dialogue
Despite heated debate among council members, the committee ultimately defeated Bracy’s proposal in a 4-3 vote, with Finance Committee chairman Chris Johnson casting the deciding vote.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Fiery, 4-hour council debate ends with Wilmington keeping 5-year residency law
The issue has been constantly evolving since an amendment was proposed by Councilperson Al Mills in October to eliminate the residency law altogether, and even the alternative proposals pitched by Darby and others have changed daily.
What was approved?
Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo and council members Harlee, Zanthia Oliver and Vincent White are cosponsors of Darby’s ordinance.
Not only does the proposal maintain the residency law, but it also creates a residency assistance fund to help new hires with security deposits, down payments, signing bonuses and relocation fees.
The assistance fund will be available to new hires. Additional requirements for participation could be established by the Department of Human Resources, according to the legislation. It would be funded through the city’s annual budget negotiations.
RELATED: Why Wilmington is looking to remove residency requirements for new employees
The ordinance also establishes a task force to find ways for residents to fill vacancies; ease the financial burdens to move within the city; and create incentives to move into Wilmington.
It outlines that the task force will include nine members: three appointed by the mayor and six by the council president. The makeup of the group will include one member from the Department of Human Resources, one from the administration, and “at least three” from the public who live within the city's boundaries.
The group has until July 1, 2024, to produce a report on its efforts to the City Council.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington City Council approves residency requirement for new hires
