Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Milford City Council held a regular meeting on July 13, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a public comment period, a public hearing on a conditional use application for an electronic message center sign at a daycare, staff reports from multiple departments, a fire company update, and approval of a fiscal year 2026 budget adjustment. Key actions included approval of the conditional use application (5-1), acceptance of several department reports, and authorization of $400,000 in retroactive water and sewer fund transfers to support the general fund.
Um we would prepare for a meeting, but um before we do, um, we will have our city solicitor explain our 15 minute public comment period um requirements. Thank you. Um now's the time set aside for the public comment. Um it's set up for 15 minutes. Each person may speak for three minutes. If you come up to the podium, please identify yourself where you reside and what topic you are wishing to talk about. If it's for a matter that's on for a public hearing, uh you'll be able to speak to that later. Um, let me check the list real fast. I see one person who signed up. It looks like a Mr. Wilson. Um, if you could come up again, identify yourself where you reside. Good afternoon. My name is DeAndre Wilson, and I live at 706 um True Avenue, Milford, Delaware. I've also brought with me the majority of the equipment operators, and I also have a signature sheet of 11 of the 14 possible that support the message that I'm here to to deliver deliver today. Um their presence reflects that the concerns that I'm bringing today are not mine alone and are shared by the employees I'm here to represent. Before I deliver my message, I want to make sure I want to make one thing perfectly clear. This is not an anti-union campaign. Many of us believe in the value of the unions and the important role that they play and protecting workers when their services are needed. What we are here today is to express our frustration with the representation we've received. I have an extensive background in organized labor. I began as an apprentice, moved myself up to a journeyman, served as a shop steward, and worked as a union organizer throughout the laborers union in Alaska. Throughout those years, I learned that a union strength comes from the members. A union exists to amplify the collective voice of the workers, not the opinions, agenda, and a vision of a single individual. Unfortunately, that's not what we ever experienced. Over the past several months, we have watched individuals who are complete strangers to many of us come before council claiming to speak on our behalf. We have watched those same individuals go to the press on our behalf. If we have watched them receive social media platform, um we have received or they receive support from social media platforms while presenting a narrative that we don't ref or that does not reflect the people. All of the all of this has occurred without ever having a chance to talk to us or or understanding our perspectives. In fact, many of the equipment operators that you guys see here today are still confused on how we became represented without ever casting a vote. That confusion has only added to the frustration that you guys see here today. And that makes honest communication and genuine representation even more important. Despite those concerns and differing opinions amongst the employees, the city has remained professional and has not allowed the situation to create division in its workplace. From what we have experienced, personnel decisions have been made on fostering a workplace culture built on responsibility, trust, and most importantly, accountability. Those are the values that that we support and strive to uphold ourselves because we believe that every employee needs to be held accountable for their actions rather than fueling division. Today we are simply asking for something that every union member deserve. Honest representation, open communication, transparency, and a genuine voice in our decisions that are being made on our behalf. Our goal is not to create conflict, but to ensure that voices of the employees are being heard. We believe that when representation reflects the membership, everyone, including the employees union in the city are better served. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Uh, I do not see anyone else who is signed up. Is there anyone online? There's one hand raised.