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Record of Proceedings

Milford City Council Meeting: April 27, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 27, 2026
BodyMilford, Delaware
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:23

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:02

All right,

Speaker 1

0:02

we're gonna go ahead and get the meeting started as we do with each council meeting.

0:06

We have a 15 minute public comment period, three minutes per person.

0:09

Do we have anybody signed up?

0:11

Nobody is signed up in the council chambers.

0:13

Do we have anybody online?

Unassigned speaker

0:16

Is

Speaker 2

0:16

there anybody on that line that wishes to make a public comment?

0:19

Please come forward.

0:20

We have one hand raised.

Speaker 1

0:24

All

Speaker 2

0:24

right.

0:25

Go

Speaker 1

0:25

ahead.

0:26

Introduce yourself, your name, your address.

Speaker 3

0:29

Julie Morris, 21142 Cedar Beecher.

0:32

Um, I wanted to speak about the public accountability council.

0:38

I am curious as to know

Unassigned speaker

0:43

how

Speaker 3

0:44

those people were appointed.

0:46

Were they appointed by the council?

0:49

Um,

Unassigned speaker

0:50

how

Speaker 3

0:50

come the meetings aren't following FOIA rules?

Unassigned speaker

0:56

Um,

Speaker 3

0:56

the meetings aren't published.

0:58

There's one agenda that I could find on the police website that references an old agenda that was accepted, but I can't find that agenda.

1:05

And then I was also told there's a meeting this Thursday, but I can't find that published anywhere.

1:09

The police calendar says the next one is July.

1:13

Um, the meetings being recorded and available to the public like um

Unassigned speaker

1:21

like

Speaker 3

1:22

they should

Unassigned speaker

1:22

be.

Speaker 3

1:23

Um that's all.

1:26

Thank

Unassigned speaker

1:26

you.

Unassigned speaker

1:28

All

Speaker 1

1:28

right, thank

Unassigned speaker

1:29

you.

Speaker 1

1:32

All right.

1:33

Um else

Speaker 2

1:38

nobody else coming forward, Mr.

1:40

Mayor.

Speaker 1

1:40

All

Speaker 2

1:40

right.

Unassigned speaker

1:41

Go

Speaker 1

1:41

ahead, close the public comment period.

1:43

If everybody could please stand

Speaker 4

1:56

your heads, please.

1:58

Dear Heavenly Father, we are honored to be here one more time doing what you have elected us to do and allowed us to do, Lord, and we just ask you to be in the midst of this meeting that the information would come forth and we will be able to receive it properly, and each of our listeners will be able to receive it, Lord.

2:23

And if there's any questions, Lord, let them come forth at the appropriate time.

2:29

And if they don't come forth today, let them come forth and contact the people that they have elected to represent them.

2:36

Lord, and we would do our very best.

2:39

I ask you to be with our families and grant us traveling mercies to and from this is my prayer.

2:45

Amen.

Speaker 5

2:46

Amen.

Speaker 1

3:03

Please be seated.

3:07

I'll take an approval of the agenda if you have any questions.

Unassigned speaker

3:13

May

Speaker 5

3:14

I move that the agenda is approved as presented.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████12%
Transportation Safety███████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Public Engagement████████8%
Miscellaneous███████7%
Capital Improvements███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Active Transportation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Milford City Council Meeting: April 27, 2026

The Milford City Council met on April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered a range of business including two public hearings for a commercial rezoning application, a presentation on the Airport Road Corridor Study, discussion of the five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), several routine authorization votes, and a discussion on utilizing state opioid settlement funds to expand the Police Department's behavioral health unit. The unofficial results of the Ward 2 city council election were announced.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Julie Morris spoke during the initial public comment period regarding the Public Accountability Council, questioning the appointment process, adherence to FOIA rules, and the transparency of its meetings. She also spoke online during the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-04, expressing concerns about traffic on the corridor and the lack of a specific plan from the applicant.

Proclamations

  • Mayor F. Todd Calada proclaimed May 9, 2026, as "Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day" in Milford, recognizing the 34th anniversary of the national food drive and noting that over 1.94 billion pounds of food have been collected since 1991.

Public Hearings & Zoning Approvals

  • Ordinance 2026-04 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment): The council held a public hearing on a request to change the future land use designation of a 0.859-acre property at 908 North Church Street from Low Density Residential to Commercial. Planning Director Rob Pierce reviewed the application, noting the Planning Commission recommended approval by a 5-2 vote, with the dissenting votes citing existing traffic concerns on 10th and Walnut Streets. Applicant David Miller stated the property is owned alongside adjacent commercial land and the change is intended to bring it into conformity for potential future redevelopment. Council members questioned traffic impacts, and Director Pierce confirmed future site plan reviews would address them. The public comment period included Julie Morris online reiterating traffic concerns. The ordinance was approved on a 7-0 roll call vote (one council member absent).
  • Ordinance 2026-05 (Rezoning): Following the comp plan amendment, the council held a second hearing to rezone the property from R2 to C3 Highway Commercial. Director Pierce noted a variance for lot area had already been approved by the Board of Adjustment. No members of the public spoke for or against the application. The council approved the rezoning on a 7-0 roll call vote.

Communications & Announcements

  • Election Results: The unofficial results for the Ward 2 council seat were announced. Maria Nina Pletcher received 72 votes, defeating Kimberly Wills (31 votes) and Desiree Anderson (19 votes), out of 122 total votes cast. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
  • Special Election: A special election to fill the vacant Ward 3 council seat will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Candidate applications are being accepted.
  • Traffic Update: A council member reported significant traffic delays on Airport Road during peak hours due to construction related to the Route 15 and 14 closures. Director Pierce confirmed a section of the road was expected to reopen that week.
  • Upcoming Events: The SCAT Dinner in Bridgeville (May 6) and the DMEC Biannual Joint Council Briefing (June 2) were announced.

Presentations & Reports

  • Airport Road Corridor Study: Savannah Edwards (Rossi Group) and Malcolm Jacob (Dover Kent MPO) presented the draft final study for the Airport Road corridor. The study identified safety and capacity issues based on crash data (2020-2025) and traffic counts. Key recommendations include a roundabout at Delaware Veterans Boulevard, phased improvements (turn lanes or a roundabout) at Bowman Road, restriping for turn lanes near medical offices, enhanced crosswalks at the Walmart entrance, and relocating the Air Park Plaza entrance. A network of 10-foot-wide multi-use paths is proposed to connect existing sidewalks. Implementation relies on grant funding and coordination with DelDOT and private development. The study requires final approval from the MPO Council on May 6th.
  • Capital Improvements Plan (CIP): Staff presented the five-year CIP, noting a new $50,000 feasibility study for a community center added for FY 2027. It was clarified that approval of the plan is a policy guide and does not constitute appropriation for the FY27 capital budget, which will be considered separately. Council tabled the CIP to allow the newly elected Ward 2 council member to review the document.

Key Authorizations and Votes

  • Police Poll Building Renovation: Council authorized awarding the renovation contract to Shore Builders for $93,867 plus a $4,133 contingency (total $98,000), fully funded by a state bond bill grant. (Unanimous).
  • Milford Pond Street Acceptance (Resolution 2026-04): Council granted final acceptance for phases 1.7 and 1.8 of the Milford Pond subdivision, covering 89 homes and over a mile of road, and authorized bond release. (Unanimous). Note: The numbering of this resolution overlapped with the zoning ordinance (2026-04), which the council confirmed with the city solicitor before proceeding.
  • Milford Corporate Center (KCI Amendment): Council authorized a $39,624 contract amendment with KCI Technologies for extended construction administration services due to a four-month extension on the George & Lynch construction contract. (Unanimous).
  • Milford Corporate Center (Change Order #3): Council approved a $101,530 change order with George & Lynch for additional stormwater quantities, the third change order for the project. A council member expressed concern over cumulative cost increases on the project. (Unanimous).
  • Executive Session and Resolution 2023-16: The council moved into executive session. Upon returning to public session, council voted to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support for Resolution 2023-16. (Unanimous).

Discussion & Policy Direction

  • Delaware Opioid Settlement Funding: Chief Cecilia Ash presented a plan for Milford's estimated Year 1 allocation of $197,000 from the state's opioid settlement. She recommended funding one full-time behavioral health clinician (~$147,000 for salary and benefits) and retaining the remainder for part-time hours, as the current federal grant for the program expires in July. Chief Ash reported significant program success: zero fatal overdoses year-to-date in 2026, a 55% reduction in fatal overdoses from 2025 to 2024, and a 21% reduction in total suspected overdoses. Council members expressed unanimous support for the plan and advocated for the funds to be used as a floor to ultimately transition this resource into the city's long-term operating budget for sustainability.
  • Municipal Electric Rate Modification: An introduction was heard for a modification to Appendix B (Service Classification and Schedules) regarding Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers. No action was taken.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we're gonna go ahead and get the meeting started as we do with each council meeting. We have a 15 minute public comment period, three minutes per person. Do we have anybody signed up? Nobody is signed up in the council chambers. Do we have anybody online? Is there anybody on that line that wishes to make a public comment? Please come forward. We have one hand raised. All right. Go ahead. Introduce yourself, your name, your address. Julie Morris, 21142 Cedar Beecher. Um, I wanted to speak about the public accountability council. I am curious as to know how those people were appointed. Were they appointed by the council? Um, how come the meetings aren't following FOIA rules? Um, the meetings aren't published. There's one agenda that I could find on the police website that references an old agenda that was accepted, but I can't find that agenda. And then I was also told there's a meeting this Thursday, but I can't find that published anywhere. The police calendar says the next one is July. Um, the meetings being recorded and available to the public like um like they should be. Um that's all. Thank you. All right, thank you. All right. Um else nobody else coming forward, Mr. Mayor. All right. Go ahead, close the public comment period. If everybody could please stand your heads, please. Dear Heavenly Father, we are honored to be here one more time doing what you have elected us to do and allowed us to do, Lord, and we just ask you to be in the midst of this meeting that the information would come forth and we will be able to receive it properly, and each of our listeners will be able to receive it, Lord.

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