Why Wilmington council needs a former mayor to advise them

Nearing a fourth month without a chief of staff, Wilmington City Council has brought former Mayor James Baker on to help fill the void and guide councilmembers on policy development and legislation.

Baker signed a $40,020 contract with City Council on April 13 to hold regular office hours for the legislative branch, provide guidance to council members on strategy and policy development, legislation, strategic plans and land development/condemnation/eminent domain, according to the contract obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request.

READ THE FULL CONTRACT AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.

The former mayor also will “serve as a conduit” for state legislators to connect with council as well as a reference on various policy and legislative matters to key employees, including the senior legislative aide and chief financial officer and chief of staff, the latter of which has been vacant since Daniel Walker left the position in February.

Baker, the city’s only three-term mayor who spent four decades in public service, confirmed in late March he was approached by council members to help guide them through the 2023 budget process and provide his knowledge on city operations and governing.

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Later, Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo said members were planning on bringing Baker back as a consultant.

During the 107th session of the City Council, then-council President Hanifa Shabazz quietly hired Baker as a consultant to “provide historical context and advice on legislative issues.” Baker’s hiring was never announced publicly, only via email to staff on June 27, 2019, the day after a one-year contract was signed.

Baker was hired June 26, 2019, to provide strategy and policy development assistance to the council president and members, offer legislative ideas and help the president build relationships with council colleagues. The contract lasted through May 31, 2020, at a total cost of $12,000. It was renewed for another six months in 2020, from June 25 to Dec. 31, at a total cost of $6,000, according to contract records.

But the latest contract’s scope of services is far more extensive, with Baker assuming duties typically handled by the council’s chief of staff, such as serving as the main contact with state legislators, overseeing council operations and staff members and providing regular office hours.

The search for chief of staff

Earlier this year, City Council received applications for a new chief of staff, but members disagreed on who would be the best fit.

A group of councilmembers pushed for one candidate, who members say had extensive experience and was white, but others wanted to hire a Black candidate to fill the role, said Councilwoman Shané Darby.

The councilwoman said she was approached by council members who wanted her to support bringing Baker on as chief of staff.

“They believe (because we are a) majority Black council, we should have a Black chief of staff,” she said, adding that she wasn’t going to support Baker or the other candidate without the hiring going through a proper process. “He wasn’t even in the pool of people, he didn’t apply. I’m not going to unite in Black power. I don’t want to start this narrative now when we have never been unified.”

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The council president said Baker was never being considered for the full-time chief of staff position.

“He was always going to be a consultant. I’m not sure if some councilmembers may have misunderstood,” Congo said of Baker’s role with City Council. “There are several candidates who had favor from different councilmembers, but no one has really stood out, so that’s why we reopened the process to make sure we are getting the right person.”

The legislative body has received 11 applications for the position and will now go through the applicants to determine the most qualified individuals to invite in for interviews, Congo said.

He said Council hopes to hold interviews in executive session on May 23.

As for the best person to fill the chief of staff position, Congo said council members are going to have to accept they won’t be able to find another Daniel (Walker).

“I think that’s the frustration for a lot of people. He is irreplaceable,” he said. “We were really fortunate to have him the short time we did.”

Finding someone who is unbiased and fair to all 13 council members while bringing knowledge and connections with state and local elected officials to the chief of staff position will be key, Congo said.

“Someone who is impartial, connected with local officials and leaders on every level. Someone who is well-versed and a decent writer, and that’s it,” he said. “I don’t think this person is going to make or break council, but we want someone who is going to represent us well.”

Baker Contract 2022 by Mandy on Scribd

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling 302-598-5507. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries.

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Why Wilmington council needs a former mayor to advise them

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