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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Milford City Council Meeting Summary - August 10, 2026

City Council — Monday, August 10, 2026

BodyMilford, Delaware

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, August 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:42:33

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

We will now start our proceedings.

0:04

Um, before we get started with the open opening up the meeting, we will have our 15-minute public comment period.

0:10

Um, we will ask the solicitor to give the um rules for

Unassigned speaker

0:14

that.

Unassigned speaker

0:16

Uh

Speaker 2

0:16

this is the time set aside for the public comment uh for tonight's council meeting.

0:22

Um I'll look at the list to see who signed up.

0:26

Um essentially, we ask that you identify yourself, name, address, and then you're permitted uh three minutes uh with your statements.

Unassigned speaker

0:35

Um

Speaker 2

0:35

with that said, I have the comment uh sign up sheet in front of me, and I see one name on the list, and that is Scott Lynch.

Unassigned speaker

0:46

And

Speaker 2

0:46

again, just identify yourself and your address.

Scott Lynch · Speaker 3Inferred

0:49

Sure.

0:50

Hi everyone.

0:50

Uh my name is Scott Lynch.

0:52

I'm the vice president of asset development for the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation.

0:56

Um, our address is 22 Artisan Drive in Smyrna, Delaware.

1:00

So a little ways away from you in Milford, but I hope you'll indulge me just for a few moments.

1:05

Uh I'm here this evening as uh representative DMAC to formally invite you to our annual dinner at Bally's in Dover on Wednesday, September 9th from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

1:19

It's a great opportunity as local decision makers to network with some of your colleagues in our other member territories, and it also a great educational opportunity to hear about the latest updates about our regional electric grid and the impact of data centers, which is a hot topic right now, uh, from PJM's senior vice president Assam Hawk.

1:40

He'll be in town to give a presentation, especially on data centers.

1:44

One thing we did want to share with you is that in this past legislative session, DMAC tracked 44 pieces of energy and municipal electric utility legislation.

1:57

To give you a frame of reference, last year we tracked 22 pieces of legislation.

2:03

Prior to that, it was eight.

2:05

So there has been a dramatic increase over time.

2:09

Um we don't know.

2:10

Uh we we we just respond.

2:13

So we're seeing quite a bit of uh of legislative activity related to this, and we will have at that time.

2:19

Uh in addition to that, we've had uh several actions at the federal and regional level that's uh also are impacting energy resource planning and costs.

2:28

So we do invite you to be at this session to learn about what we've been doing and what we've been tracking on your behalf.

2:35

Uh our president CEO will also be there to answer any questions on you know local or regional uh information as well, um electrical uh issues as well.

2:44

We'll also have our annual awards and recognition at the event.

2:47

We'll highlight a lot of the outstanding service of different DMEC members and their uh staff.

2:53

So with that, we uh paper invitations were also handed out to you tonight.

2:58

Um we look forward to having you.

3:00

So thank you very much for your

Unassigned speaker

3:02

time.

Scott Lynch · Speaker 3Inferred

3:03

Thank you, Scott.

Speaker 2

3:04

Thank you.

3:04

Uh I don't there was no other names on our list.

3:07

There's or anyone online.

Speaker 4

3:12

Anyone online wish to make a comment, please come forward.

Unassigned speaker

3:17

Uh

Speaker 2

3:18

there's nobody coming forward.

3:20

Vice Mayor, you can close out the public comment section.

Speaker 1

3:24

The public comment session is now closed.

3:26

We will now um call the meeting to order.

3:28

Um we

Unassigned speaker

3:30

the

Speaker 1

3:30

Mayor Collada is out to today.

3:33

Um I will be conducting a meeting on his behalf.

3:36

Um, we do have six of the seven elected um council members present.

3:40

Um councilwoman Khisa Um is um absent tonight.

3:45

Um we will have the invocation.

3:47

After invocation, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaker 5

3:56

Bow your heads, please.

3:58

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us another opportunity just to say thank you.

4:06

Laura, we ask you to go before this meeting, God, allow the information to come uh forward in a clear matter so the residents can understand that we are doing our due diligence uh by trying to report what's being done and to be in transparent on everything that we that we do and the decision making that we have to make.

4:33

Laura, we just ask you to be with the families that are here and uh those families that they represent.

4:40

Lord, continue to be with the staff and uh of the staff and all of

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████19%

Public Safety███████████████████19%

Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%

Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Community Engagement██████6%

Parks and Recreation██████6%

Personnel Matters███3%

Economic Development███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Milford City CouncilMeeting Summary - August10,2026

The meeting was held on August10,2026 at 6:00 PM, with Vice Mayor presiding in the Mayor's absence and six council members present. The meeting covered public comments, departmental reports, approvals of purchases and policies, ordinance introductions, and discussions on flooding, public safety, and development.

Consent Calendar

Approval of agenda and previous minutes.
Reports from Police, City Clerk, City Manager, Public Works, Planning & Zoning, Parks & Rec, Human Resources, Economic Development, IT, and Finance were all accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

Scott Lynch, Vice President of Asset Development for Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DMEC), invited council to DMEC's annual dinner on September9,2026 at Bally's in Dover. He noted DMEC tracked 44 pieces of energy legislation in the past session, up from22 last year and8 prior.

Discussion Items

Police Report: Sgt. Tim Maloney reported that the pole barn renovation is nearly complete, and new maintenance facilities are slated for October. A Group Violence Intervention (GVI) calling event was successful. Milford reached 365 days without a shooting incident. Council praised the efforts.
City Clerk's Report: Upcoming events including Riverwalk Farmers Market, Hippie Fest (August15), Grand Venta da Comida (August29), and Touch a Truck (August15). Ward3 special election set for September26; filing deadline September3.
City Manager's Report: Met with DEMA, attended DMAC board retreat, met with Representative Shup regarding city matters, discussed misutility improvements, and attended Milford Museum project meeting. Attended DMAC ribbon cutting in Middletown.
Public Works Report: Fleet performed49 work orders, street division painted hydrants and exercised valves, water/sewer department involved in well redevelopment, road rehabiliation project near completion. Discussion on Northeast Front Street flooding – councilman expressed concern about danger and frequency. Director Schaefer noted historic issues and ongoing study with consultant.
Planning & Zoning Report: 159 new dwelling permits issued through July (72 apartments,24 condominiums,6 townhouses,57 single-family). Five applications under review by planning commission, three by Board of Adjustment.
Parks & Rec (via City Manager): Storm debris removal for six weather events, cleanup for July3 and bicentennial events, and31st annual Take It to the Streets Basketball Tournament successfully held.
Code Enforcement: Councilwoman inquired about grace period for citation delivery if landlord delays. Director responded violations are with property owner, tenant should contact code office.
Human Resources: Personal budgeting workshops for staff begin next week. Touch a Truck event scheduled for August15 from10 AM to2 PM on South Walnut Street.
Economic Development: Attended legislative luncheon, met with Division of Small Business (new Office of Small Business Access), monthly meeting with Emory Hill on corporate center. Emory Hill to present at September28 meeting. EDGE grant opens August11. New Delaware Commercial Corridor initiative launching this fall. Community Parade theme: comic books come to life with America's250th tribute.
IT: Emergency operations plan updated with centralized surveillance; cameras installed at public works and electric facilities. Government AI ethics working group grown substantially; data visualization dashboards being developed.
Finance (Director Vitola): FY27 priorities include FY25 audit, annual tax billing, system improvements, cost of service studies, USDA loan for police facility, and financing for Northwest water project. Tax collection graph changed to include all interim billings for transparency. Current uncollected property taxes total $632,000 (mostly current year); prior year stale receipts at $247,000. Councilman Marabella asked about breakdown by escrow vs. direct payment.
Monthly Finance Reports (May/June): May cash consumption high due to season and corporate center payments, operations strong. June cash consumption $777,000 due to projects; general fund surplus estimated at $430,000, strongest estimate to date. Utilities finished strong vs budget but dipped vs prior year due to higher power costs. FY26 expected to be 13th consecutive year of net position increase.
Communications: Councilwoman reported flooding concern at6 NW4th Street; resident requests update. Director Schaefer said Banneker pond study complete, basketball court stays, downstream project in FY25 budget, staff will meet with resident. Councilman questioned boat and vehicle violations; Director explained parking on grass is violation, no limit on vehicle count if parked legally, and impervious surface restrictions apply.
Councilman Marabella: Expressed concern about missed meetings and need for workshops, citing development of nearly400 units that needs discussion.

Key Outcomes

BMX Facility Improvements: Clarified motion from previous meeting – council voted to authorize improvements to the BMX facility (start gate structure) as discussed.
Public Works Vehicle Purchases: Approved purchase of five vehicles: (1)2027 Freightliner refuse truck($333,000 from equipment replacement reserves), (2)2027 Freightliner dump truck($325,000 from equipment replacement reserves), (3)2027 Ford F-350($96,430 from utility/general fund), (4)2027 Leaf Vac($175,574.10 from equipment replacement reserves), (5)2027 Ford Transit F-250 cargo EV van($56,000 from utility/general fund). Total $986,004.04.
Police Canine Retirement Sale: Authorized sale of canine Mason to handler Miles Kozarowski for $1 with mandatory retirement clause, releasing city from future liability.
Motorola Radios: Approved purchase of20 Motorola handheld radios for $139,810.08 ($139,413 from FY27 CIP, $397.08 from police O&M). Vice Mayor authorized to sign agreement.
Ordinance Introductions: Four ordinances introduced for first reading:
- Ordinance2026-13: Planned unit development for Milford Marina property (344 townhouses,78 apartments,19,998 sq ft commercial).
- Ordinance2026-14: Preliminary major subdivision for phase1 of that PUD (344 townhouses). o - Ordinance2026-15: Phase4 preliminary major subdivision for Cypress Hall (64 single-family detached,30 single-family sem-i-detached). o - Ordinance2026-12: Conditional use for short-term rental at116 N Washington Street. All ordinances to be reviewed by planning commission on August18 and set for public hearing on August24.
Executive Session: Motion passed to enter executive session, followed by adjournment.

Meeting Transcript

We will now start our proceedings. Um, before we get started with the open opening up the meeting, we will have our 15-minute public comment period. Um, we will ask the solicitor to give the um rules for that. Uh this is the time set aside for the public comment uh for tonight's council meeting. Um I'll look at the list to see who signed up. Um essentially, we ask that you identify yourself, name, address, and then you're permitted uh three minutes uh with your statements. Um with that said, I have the comment uh sign up sheet in front of me, and I see one name on the list, and that is Scott Lynch. And again, just identify yourself and your address. Sure. Hi everyone. Uh my name is Scott Lynch. I'm the vice president of asset development for the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation. Um, our address is 22 Artisan Drive in Smyrna, Delaware. So a little ways away from you in Milford, but I hope you'll indulge me just for a few moments. Uh I'm here this evening as uh representative DMAC to formally invite you to our annual dinner at Bally's in Dover on Wednesday, September 9th from 4:30 to 8 p.m. It's a great opportunity as local decision makers to network with some of your colleagues in our other member territories, and it also a great educational opportunity to hear about the latest updates about our regional electric grid and the impact of data centers, which is a hot topic right now, uh, from PJM's senior vice president Assam Hawk. He'll be in town to give a presentation, especially on data centers. One thing we did want to share with you is that in this past legislative session, DMAC tracked 44 pieces of energy and municipal electric utility legislation. To give you a frame of reference, last year we tracked 22 pieces of legislation. Prior to that, it was eight. So there has been a dramatic increase over time. Um we don't know. Uh we we we just respond. So we're seeing quite a bit of uh of legislative activity related to this, and we will have at that time. Uh in addition to that, we've had uh several actions at the federal and regional level that's uh also are impacting energy resource planning and costs. So we do invite you to be at this session to learn about what we've been doing and what we've been tracking on your behalf. Uh our president CEO will also be there to answer any questions on you know local or regional uh information as well, um electrical uh issues as well. We'll also have our annual awards and recognition at the event. We'll highlight a lot of the outstanding service of different DMEC members and their uh staff. So with that, we uh paper invitations were also handed out to you tonight. Um we look forward to having you. So thank you very much for your time. Thank you, Scott. Thank you. Uh I don't there was no other names on our list. There's or anyone online. Anyone online wish to make a comment, please come forward. Uh there's nobody coming forward. Vice Mayor, you can close out the public comment section. The public comment session is now closed. We will now um call the meeting to order. Um we the Mayor Collada is out to today.

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