Public Meetings - Milford, Delaware

The Milford City Council held the first of three budget workshops for Fiscal Year 2027 on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The workshop focused on reviewing departmental budgets, personnel requests, and operational forecasts driven by city growth. The public comment period yielded no participants. Public Comments & Testimony - The 15-minute public comment period was opened. No members of the public were present or signed up to speak. The period was promptly closed. Discussion Items - Budget Overview: City Manager Chris Coleman introduced the draft balanced budget, characterizing it as a "pie" facing growth pressures. Finance Director Lou Vitola explained the budget is a work in progress (Draft 1), with Draft 2 incorporating open enrollment changes and council feedback. - Finance Department (Kevin Gaborio, Acting Finance Director; Lou Vitola): Requested one new full-time accounting FTE, representing an $137k increase in personnel costs (18%). Kevin argued the position is critical to complete timely audits, implement the Tyler ERP system, strengthen internal controls, and shift from reactive to proactive operations. Councilman Perez commended the department's efficiency. Councilwoman Calusias questioned the dichotomy of high software costs with requests for more staff, while Councilman Maravella supported the move towards proactive operations and robust internal controls. The position was discussed as overlapping temporarily with an existing temp contractor (costing $75k-$85k/year). Council requested clearer separation of existing staff cost increases versus new position costs. - Customer Service (Kevin & Susanna): Requested a Senior Cash Ops Clerk. Over five years, customer accounts grew 12-13% while headcount remained static at 10. The position is needed to manage the growing volume of transactions, support the utility billing software implementation, and provide enhanced coverage for leave. Susanna noted the city will eventually save on assessment services once county tax data is fully integrated into the new software. - Information Technology (Bill): Budget presented as relatively flat. Bill highlighted the city's low cybersecurity vulnerability. Council questioned high software maintenance costs. Bill explained the costs reflect running the legacy Navaline system in parallel with the new Tyler system, a temporary overlap expected to resolve as Tyler modules are implemented, eventually eliminating $150k in Navaline expenses. - Police Department (Chief): Presented a request for staffing augmentation to address gaps between authorized strength (40 officers) and the daily operational needs driven by growth, homelessness, and seasonal traffic. The Chief emphasized the request is a structural restoration, not an expansion, funded in part by grants (approaching $1M). The General Municipal and Police Enhancement Fund ($1M balance) was discussed, with a consensus that withdrawals require formal council approval. - Electric Department (Tony Chipotle): Requested two part-time positions: a warehouse assistant and an engineering intern (totaling less than one FTE). The overall O&M budget is minus 0.8% excluding power supply. Councilwoman Nina Pletcher suggested a local food bank logistics program as a recruitment pool. - Tech Services (Tony): Proposed a 6% O&M increase primarily to cover the rising and unpredictable rate of water meter failures across the growing service area. - Public Works (Willis Schaffer): Requested a dedicated building maintenance staff member for the city's 100,000 sq. ft. of buildings. Willis argued the current practice of pulling staff from other divisions leads to expensive reactive repairs and suboptimal efficiency. Other flat budgets were presented for streets, water, sewer, solid waste, and the garage. Councilman Perez inquired about outsourcing possibilities. - City Hall/Facilities (Lou Vitola): Presented a minor FTE increase allocated across funds related to the building maintenance request, representing the initial step toward formalizing a comprehensive facilities management fund. Key Outcomes & Next Steps - Items Deferred to Next Workshop: No formal votes were taken. All personnel requests, revenue and RTT slides, enhancement funds, and vehicle/equipment reserve discussions were deferred to the following workshop on May 14. - Budget Revisions: A second draft of the FY27 budget will be published after the third workshop, incorporating open enrollment changes, council feedback, and adjustments to revenue projections. - Council Directives: Council directed staff to provide detailed breakdowns separating salary increases for existing staff from the costs of proposed new positions to support informed decision-making. - Policy Consensus: Council confirmed that any future draws from the General Municipal and Police Enhancement Fund must come before the full council for approval.

On May 12, 2026, the Milford City Council held a budget workshop to review and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget. The meeting featured presentations from City Manager Chris Coleman and Finance Director Lou Vitola, followed by departmental budget requests from the City Clerk, Planning and Code Enforcement, and Parks and Recreation. No public comments were received. Consent Calendar - None. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak; the public comment period was closed after a brief check for online participants. Discussion Items - Budget Overview (City Manager & Finance Director): - City Manager Chris Coleman introduced the draft FY27 budget as balanced but subject to change, with discussions scheduled for May 12, 13, and 14. - Finance Director Lou Vitola presented the revenue picture: no rate changes for water/sewer (anticipating a "breather" after recent increases), minor increases for solid waste (4-4.2%), stable electric rates, and a proposed 2.5-cent property tax increase (approximately $300,000) to help balance the general fund. - The general fund faces a structural deficit (millions of dollars) without utility transfers, primarily due to personnel costs making up 72% of O&M expenses. - Revenue growth from assessed value (AV) estimated at 3.2%, contributing over $400,000. - Utility transfers and one-time reserves are used to balance the budget, but the strategic plan calls for a structurally balanced budget. - City Administration Budget (Chris Coleman): - Total expense increase of 12% vs. projection (2.3% vs. FY26 budget). No staffing changes. Focus on emergency preparedness and policy review. - Councilman James noted that comparison to projection is more meaningful than to budget. - City Clerk Budget (Katrina): - Requested one additional full-time FTE due to increased workload from growth in FOIA requests (98 in 2021 to 144 in 2025, more complex), special events (27 to 42), and citywide committee meetings. - Personnel costs up 34%, but overall budget is small; percent increase appears large due to low base. - Discussion included use of part-time workers (budget $9,094 in FY27), potential for interns, and technology (DocuWare) for digitizing historical records. - Council members expressed support for the need but also asked about efficiency and restructuring. - City Council Budget (Lou Vitola presentation): - Includes council payroll, expenses (conferences, registrations), and community support for organizations (Downtown Milford Inc., library, Carlisle Fire, etc.). - Recommendations to limit increases to inflation (under 3%). For Carlisle Fire, the initial request was $350,000; city manager recommended restoring that figure for transparency. - Discussion on fire enhancement fund: proposed increase from 0.25% to 0.75% of construction value to help fund personnel costs, not just capital. - Council comments on cutting community support if needed, and on council members paying for dinners they miss. - Planning and Code Enforcement Budget (Rob Pierce): - 5% increase over projection, 4.5% decrease from FY26 budget. No new staff. - Increase in contract services for scanning old documents. - Discussion on rental inspection program: Councilman James questioned the need for four-year cycles; others defended it for maintaining standards. Director noted that moving to two-year cycles would require additional staff and fee adjustments. - No new code enforcement position proposed this year. - Parks and Recreation Budget (Brad Denahee): - Request for a part-time recreation coordinator (20-25 hours/week, no benefits) to support two full-time recreation staff. - O&M increase of 2.7% for new bathroom cleaning contract. - Priority on feasibility study for a recreation/community center. - Discussion on arborist position: Director recommended contract tree work instead of hiring a full-time arborist, citing past difficulties recruiting. - Councilman Perez supported the community center study. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the workshop was part of a multi-day process. - The draft FY27 budget remains a starting point; further workshops are scheduled for May 13 and May 14, 2026. - City Manager directed that the Carlisle Fire request be listed at $350,000 in the budget document as originally presented. - Finance Department will produce a Q&A document from questions raised and circulate it before the May 14 workshop. - Council members indicated that they will evaluate budget requests based on comparison to FY26 projections, not the prior budget. - The rental inspection program frequency (every four years) will remain unchanged for now, but future staffing needs may be revisited as the city grows.

The Milford City Council met on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a public comment period, multiple proclamations, a public hearing on net metering, a presentation from the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DMEC), staff reports, monthly financial updates, a report from the Carlisle Fire Company, approval of contracts for water infrastructure, and introduction of new ordinances. Public Comments & Testimony - M. Craig Holmes (500 A Moyer Circle East, Milford) spoke during the three-minute public comment period. He reported ongoing harassment by women in his neighborhood who file false complaints with the Milford Police Department, leading to his arrest twice and detention seven times. He stated he was found not guilty in court on April 15, 2026, after video evidence proved his innocence, but police did not review available footage. He described a recent incident where a woman falsely accused him of damaging a car with his wheelchair, which his body camera disproved. Holmes expressed frustration that no charges were filed against the false accusers and that he has been unable to reach the mayor for three months. He said he does not want to sue but asked the city to take action. - No other public comments were made in person or online. Proclamations and Recognitions - Municipal Clerks Week (May 3–9, 2026) was proclaimed, honoring Master Municipal Clerk Katrina White and Deputy Clerk Milani Velasquez. - National Safe Boating Week (May 16–22, 2026) was proclaimed, emphasizing life jacket use and safe boating practices. - National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026) was proclaimed, recognizing public works professionals. - National Hospital Week (May 10–16, 2026) was proclaimed, honoring Bay Health Hospital, Sussex Campus, and Pam Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Sussex Campus. Vice Mayor James was acknowledged for his 38 years of service at Bay Health. - Elton Cherry was introduced as a new solid waste department employee, starting April 6, 2026. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance 2026-06 (Net Metering) - Tony Chipotle, Electric Director, presented the ordinance amending Appendix B, Section 24-12 of the Milford City Code to comply with Senate Bill 175. Key changes: residential and farm customers may now carry over excess kilowatt-hour credits indefinitely; non-residential customers will not carry over credits to prevent system oversizing and fiscal impact. The ordinance simplifies compliance by incorporating Delaware Code definitions by reference. - No members of the public spoke in favor, opposition, or with general comments. - Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-06. DMEC Presentation - Heather Content, Director of Government and Community Relations for the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DMEC), presented an overview of DMEC’s services. Highlights: - DMEC represents nine public power utilities in Delaware, serving 28% of the state’s electric load. - 93% of DMEC’s power supply is low- or no-emissions; 3 MW of floating solar are being added in Middletown. - Benefits include economies of scale, training programs (66% cost savings for member utilities), mutual aid (e.g., Light Up Navajo, Hurricane Milton response), and community outreach. - Invitation to the Joint Council Briefing on June 2, 2026, and the annual dinner in September. - In response to council questions, Content confirmed the Smyrna training yard (operational since 2023) is available at no additional cost to members. Staff Reports - Police Department: Chief reported 1,502 calls in April. Notable items: ground broken for a new evidence storage building; 11 community engagements; Behavioral Health Unit highlights. National Police Week recognized 109 officers killed in 2025, including Delaware’s Corporal Ty Snook. Council suggested a future proclamation for Police Week. - City Clerk: Finalized April 25, 2026 election; voter turnout was low. Special election for Ward 3 scheduled for June 13, 2026 (filing deadline May 22, voter registration deadline June 3). Milford High School senior crews on May 26; Roaming the Riverwalk on May 30. - City Manager: Participated in emergency management training, safety committee, 50th anniversary of Parks and Recreation planning, volunteer cleanup, Bud and Bug Festival, and DLLG meeting. Thanked staff for election support. - Public Works: Updated streets section of website; curb work at Lakeview and North Washington; engineering performed 445 utility locates. - Electric Department: Tyler Sewell and Matthew Patterson participated in Light Up Navajo; Bug and Bud Festival outreach (350-400 informational bags); fiber installation for security cameras and redundant IT connections between public works and city hall. - Planning & Zoning: Issued 126 new residential permits in 2026 (72 apartments, 24 condos, 6 townhouses, 24 single-family). Planning Commission docket includes five applications. Comprehensive plan workshop scheduled for May 21 (4-7 PM at public works facility). Board of Adjustment will not meet in May. - Parks and Recreation: 85 volunteers collected 1,060 lbs of trash during community cleanup. Parks and Rec department celebrating 50th anniversary (1976-2026). - Human Resources: Continuing HR/payroll conversion to Tyler Munis; closing three remaining vacancies. - Economic Development & Community Engagement: Coordinated community cleanup; highlighted ribbon cutting at Belford Senior Center and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity home dedication. Promoted comp plan workshop. Reported that Governor visited Milford on May 7 to sign executive orders at Living Well Nutrition and Stone Nation; Bayside Gymnastics owner Jen McIntyre named Delaware Small Business Person of the Year. Ollie’s opened May 7. - Information Technology: Expanding centralized surveillance system at Customer Service Area; added Riverwalk Wi-Fi coverage near playground; implemented Arctic Wolf vulnerability scanning platform; network security score is low (good). - Finance: April focused on FY27-31 CIP and FY27 operating budget. Fund reserve policy discussion rescheduled to May. Finance and Audit Committee did not meet in April. All staff reports were accepted by council. Monthly Finance Report (Nine Months Ending March 2026) - Lou Vitola, Finance Director reported: total cash down $0.5 million; operating cash down $0.5 million due to general fund capital outflows (partially reimbursed). Reserve funds stable with project activity. Utilities remain strong and ahead of budget. Governmental funds improved from prior month. Projecting a surplus in both utilities and general fund for FY26 (general fund surplus under $0.5 million). FY27 budget will require creative use of surpluses and presents challenges. New Business: Carlisle Fire Company Update - Chief reported 66 fire emergencies in April (56 in city limits); top alarm type: automatic fire alarms (20). EMS: 396 emergencies (317 in city), 355 BLS transports, 96 interfacility transports (75 from Milford Wellness Center). Busiest day: Wednesday; busiest hour: 9-10 AM. - Sub-station operational since April 21; handling over 70% of responses. EMS quarters renovation underway. Nine career staff to be recognized at survivor ceremony on May 20 for life-saving CPR efforts. Volunteer Alan Smith earned EMT and Firefighter I & II certifications since joining in February 2025. New Business: Authorization of Water Infrastructure Contracts - Willis, Public Works Director presented three contracts for the Milford Corporate Center water tower project: 1. Construction of 300,000-gallon elevated water storage tank (CBI Tank Storage Solutions, LLC): $2,996,330 bid + 5% contingency ($150,000) = $3,146,330. Fabrication begins fall 2026; field assembly spring 2027; painting fall 2027; online 2028. 2. Construction administration services (KCI): $106,150 for project oversight. 3. Well 2 investigation (KCI): $53,000 to assess hydrogeology and permitting for a second well at the Northwest City Area site (addressing growth and production shortfall at wells 15 and 16). - Council discussed alignment with the $7.5 million CIP estimate for all water infrastructure in the area; it was confirmed the three contracts remain within that budget. - All three contracts were approved unanimously. Ordinance Introductions (First Reading – No Debate) - Ordinance 2026-07: Conditional use application for Read Then Play daycare at 292 Milford Harrington Highway. Planning Commission review May 19; council action May 26. - Ordinance 2026-08: Conditional use application for Milford Historical Society building addition at Parson Thorne Mansion. Same schedule. - Ordinance 2026-09: Preliminary conditional use/site plan application for MLTJ LLC redevelopment at 250 N. Fork Hobooth Boulevard. Same schedule. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 2026-06 (net metering) adopted unanimously. - Three water infrastructure contracts (tower construction, construction administration, well investigation) approved for $3,146,330, $106,150, and $53,000 respectively. - All staff reports accepted. - Proclamations issued for Municipal Clerks Week, Safe Boating Week, Public Works Week, and Hospital Week. - Next steps: budget workshops May 12–14, comprehensive plan workshop May 21, special election for Ward 3 on June 13, DMEC Joint Council Briefing June 2.

This special meeting of the Milford City Council convened on May 4, 2026, to receive election certification, swear in newly elected and returning officials, reappoint the city solicitor, elect a vice mayor, and appoint committee chairs. The meeting concluded with brief remarks from the mayor and a motion to adjourn. Public Comments & Testimony - Terry Hudson (address 3006 Stagecoach Circle, Milford) congratulated the re-elected officials (Mayor Calada, council members, and new councilwoman Pletcher), thanked outgoing members Lori and Mike for their service, and recognized Municipal Clerks Week, praising the city clerk and deputy clerk for their vital roles. Election Report and Oath of Office - City Clerk Katrina White presented the 2026 City of Milford election report. The April 25th election for the Second Ward council seat recorded 120 votes: Desiree Anderson (19), Maria Nina S. Fletcher (72), and Kimberly Wills (31). Maria Nina S. Fletcher was certified the winner. Incumbents Mayor F. Todd Calada (uncontested), First Ward councilperson Madula Kalesis (uncontested), and Fourth Ward councilperson Katrina E. Wilson (uncontested) were automatically re-elected. The deadline to file for the expiring Third Ward seat is May 22, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.; the voter registration deadline (including non-resident property owners) is June 3, 2026. - The Honorable Noel Eason Primos, Superior Court of Delaware judge, administered the oath of office to: Mayor F. Todd Calada, councilpersons Madula Kalesis (First Ward), Maria Nina Pletcher (Second Ward), and Katrina E. Wilson (Fourth Ward). Organizational Actions - Vice Mayor Election: Councilmember Katrina E. Wilson nominated Jason James as Vice Mayor; the nomination was seconded and approved unanimously. - City Solicitor Reappointment: A motion to reappoint Gregory Morris as city solicitor was seconded and approved unanimously. - Committee Appointments: Mayor Calada announced the following committee assignments: - Economic Development and Code Enforcement: Danny Perez, Dan Maribello, Madulla Calluses (Madula Kalesis), and Nina Pletcher (Chair). - Finance and Audit: Danny Perez, Dan Maribella, Nadia Zeichel, and Jason James (Chair). - Charter Review Subcommittee: Nadia Zykel, Dan Maribella, Katrina Wilson, and Jason James (Chair). - Public Safety: Jason James, Danny Perez, Daniel Maribella, and Katrina Wilson (Chair). - Public Works and Utilities: Nadia Zykel, Nina Pletcher, Medulla Callus (Madula Kalesis), and Dan Maribella (Chair). Key Outcomes - Election results certified and new council sworn in. - Jason James elected Vice Mayor (unanimous). - Gregory Morris reappointed as City Solicitor (unanimous). - Committee rosters for the upcoming term approved. - The meeting was adjourned following a motion and second.

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.

The Finance and Audit Committee meeting scheduled for April 27, 2026, was called to order but immediately canceled and adjourned because a quorum was not present. No business was conducted. Consent Calendar - No items were considered. Public Comments & Testimony - None were heard. Discussion Items - None were discussed. Key Outcomes - The meeting was canceled and adjourned at 5:00 PM due to the absence of a quorum. No decisions, votes, or directives were made.

This workshop meeting began with a 15-minute public comment period and then focused on two main agenda items: the presentation of the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY27-FY31 and the kickoff of the 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was a discussion-only. Public Comments & Testimony - Julie Morris (2114 Cedar Beach Room) spoke in support of protecting mature trees, citing stormwater control, temperature regulation, air filtration, and habitat. She requested a designated protected woodland zone with a meaningful replacement ratio (e.g., three-to-one or higher) prioritizing preservation over mitigation. Discussion Items - CIP Presentation (City Manager Chris & Lou) - City Manager Chris opened noting the five-year capital plan is a draft for discussion. Lou reviewed the CIP process, explaining that approved but not started projects expire after three years. Councilman James asked for a breakdown of prior authorized projects with net committed funds and expiring items. Lou said a summary would be provided before final CIP. - Department Highlights: - Rob Pierce (Planning): Milford Corporate Center project and Comprehensive Plan update contract. - Tony (Electric): Battery storage project interconnection costs ($350K in FY27), hospital loop feeder extensions. - Willis (Public Works): City Hall lower level HVAC, emergency generator replacement, wastewater system master plan ($60K), Fourth Street drainage master plan ($75K), water usage master plan. Councilman Marabella questioned if master plans should be capital or operating; Lou said they include it if over $5K but may later be expensed or capitalized. - Brad Denhy (Parks & Rec): Dowtown restroom project, Memorial Park pavilion, replacement playground, lighted handrail project, Riverwalk bulkhead repair. Councilwoman Wilson emphasized need for a community/recreation center, noting lack of youth activities. Lou noted the CIP includes $8M in FY29 for a community center. Council discussed feasibility study and revenue potential. Councilman Perez asked about maintenance costs. Councilwoman Wilson pushed for a feasibility study. - Chief Cecilia Ash (Police): 14 projects total, 7 new. Key: dispatch console (cost increased from $55K to $122K per due to delay), Motorola radio replacements (21 radios, taking advantage of trade-in credit), police vehicle expansion for new hires, vehicle barrier systems for events. - Comprehensive Plan Update (Rob Pierce & BJ DeCoursey) - Rob presented schedule: public open house on May 21, planning commission workshops through fall 2026, final draft by late summer 2027. Accomplishments from 2018 plan included transportation studies, TDR ordinance, historic district commission, bicycle/pedestrian network, DART bus route, downtown redevelopment. - Council feedback: - Councilman James: focus on housing (affordable housing), not concentrate in one ward; maintain home rule; recreation center. - Councilman Marabella: need collaboration with school district, fire companies, and NRADE department. - Councilwoman Wilson: ensure community engagement. - Councilman Perez: support for comprehensive plan process. Key Outcomes - Council requested additional detailed information on prior authorized capital projects (committed vs. expiring) before final CIP adoption. - Discussion encouraged early funding for a feasibility study for a community center, possibly in FY28. - The Comprehensive Plan update process will proceed with public open house on May 21, 2026 at the public works facility. Council emphasized including school district, fire companies, and robust community engagement.

On April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Milford Planning Commission held a regular meeting with two public hearings and a workshop to kick off the 2028 Comprehensive Plan update. The commission recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and a corresponding rezoning for 908 North Church Street, both by 5–2 votes, and began the 18-month process to update the city's guiding land-use document. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comments during either the public hearings for Ordinance 2026-04 or Ordinance2026-05, nor during the comprehensive plan workshop segment. Discussion Items - Ordinance 2026-04 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment): Staff planner Pierce and applicant David Miller (Miller Investments LLC) presented a request to change the Future Land Use Map designation of 908 North Church Street from Low Density Residential to Commercial, arguing the area has become predominantly commercial. Commissioners questioned traffic safety at the North Church/ Walnut/ Rehoboth intersection, noting advisory comments from the Dover/Kent MPO and the lack of funded improvements. Staff noted future redevelopment would require site plan review and that the current group home use would remain as a legal non-conforming use. - Ordinance 2026-05 (Rezoning to C3 Highway Commercial): Following the land-use amendment, applicant Miller sought to rezone the same parcel from R2 Residential to C3 Highway Commercial, with plans to eventually demolish the existing group home and construct flex office/warehouse space. Commissioners discussed the need for a lot-area variance (already approved by the Board of Adjustment on April 9, 2026), the potential to merge adjacent parcels (owned by separate entities Miller controls), and traffic concerns. Miller stated he would keep the current use until site plan approvals were in place, and that the C3 zone was necessary to mitigate financial risk before investing in design and engineering. - Workshop: 2028 Comprehensive Plan Kickoff: Staff planner Rob introduced the 18-month update schedule, and consultant BJ DeCoursey (University of Delaware IPA) delivered a planning-101 presentation covering statutory requirements, plan components, and the importance of public engagement. The commission reviewed the status of 2018 plan goals (many marked “ongoing” or “completed”), discussed early feedback from the state’s pre-Plus letter, and finalized details for an open house on May 21, 2026, and an online survey. Commissioners suggested adding a municipal-government education booth at the farmers market and seeking input from the school district and large employers. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 2026-04: The commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan amendment to City Council. (For: Purcell, Hammond, Sylvester, Sulz, Wright; Against: Redden, DeConstanzo) - Ordinance 2026-05: The commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of the rezoning from R2 to C3. (For: Purcell, Soles, Redden, Sylvester, Wright; Against: DeConstanzo, Hammond) - The first public open house for the 2028 Comprehensive Plan update is scheduled for May 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Public Works facility. A public survey will be available online and in paper starting that date. - Future workshop sessions will be held monthly after regular business meetings, with a target to adopt the updated comprehensive plan by January 2028.

The Milford City Council held its regular meeting on April 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, staff reports, a presentation from IQ Fiber on broadband construction, multiple proclamations, the acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024 audit, and several administrative actions. Three council members were absent. Consent Calendar - The agenda was amended by motion to allow IQ Fiber to present earlier in the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. - The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by motion. - City clerk, police, city manager, public works, electric, planning & zoning, parks & recreation, human resources, economic development & community engagement, information technology, and finance staff reports were accepted by separate motions, all passed unanimously. - The monthly finance report was accepted by motion. Public Comments & Testimony - James Grant – Addressed traffic safety concerns along the 10th Street corridor near Wawa and Airport Plaza. He reported an increase in accidents, sometimes requiring highway closures, and said that at the traffic light, 80% of westbound traffic from the school wants to turn left, often requiring three or four cycles. He proposed short-term fixes such as adjusting signal timing, deploying a police officer during peak hours, adding a turning lane, or marking a “do not block” area near the Wawa entrance. He noted that the roundabout opening and the new business park will further increase traffic. - Eric Johnson – Expressed frustration with litter in Milford, stating that there are no “no littering” signs and few public trash receptacles except downtown. He noted that the trash containers near the cemetery have not had bags for about a year. He called for signs, more trash cans, and accountability for homeowners and businesses. He also criticized the city’s neglect of trees, stating that no arborist has been hired and that tree planting and care have stopped. He urged the city to fulfill its responsibilities as a “Tree City USA.” - Tom Chilton – As coordinator of Code Purple (winter shelter for unhoused men from December 1 to March 15), he described a dangerous area near Brandywine with no crosswalks or pedestrian signals. He requested attention to pedestrian safety. He also highlighted the lack of a daytime warming center during extreme cold when senior centers, libraries, and stores are closed. He noted that some churches opened during the second snowstorm but that nothing was available during the first. He echoed concerns about tree maintenance, reporting that three of eight trees planted at the dog park three years ago are dead, and that a report about them a year ago was not acted upon. Discussion Items - IQ Fiber Presentation – Deanna Subzak and Mark (representatives) presented the construction plan for a fiber-optic broadband network in Milford. The project includes two hub cabinets (one in Kent County near DuPont and Front Street, the other at an SBA tower site in Sussex County) and seven smaller passive cabinets. Construction will be a mix of underground directional boring (red on maps) and aerial (blue). The preferred starting polygon is at the SBA site (MSO7). Construction timeline is “months” once permits and locates are cleared. The company described its communication plan: postcards with QR codes to residents, door tags 1–2 days before work, and a planned town hall (likely at the police station community room). The city manager noted that a kickoff event in Dover included the governor. Council members asked about construction methods and potential impact on existing internet service; the company stated they will avoid Comcast infrastructure and resolve any issues quickly. The presentation was informational; no vote was taken. - FY24 Audit Presentation – Finance Director Lou Vitola and auditors from Zelenkowski Axelrod, LLC presented the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2024. The audit received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Key highlights: net position increased again (government, utility, and internal service funds all grew); operating cash flow for utilities was $6.3 million; the city’s pension net position flipped from an asset to a liability (normal, due to a prior unusual surplus); and the unassigned net position in governmental funds remains a deficit (attributed to reporting treatments of interfund loans for the police facility). The auditors noted that the audit was late, that bank reconciliations need improvement, and that the investment program leaves very little cash on the fund financial statements (though operationally the city holds $4–13 million in checking). The audit was accepted by motion. - Milford Corporate Center Budget Adjustment – Staff requested a $823,000 budget adjustment to the FY26–30 Capital Improvement Plan for the Milford Corporate Center project, adding impact fees (electric) to cover phase one electric infrastructure costs not already in the budget. Total phase one electric cost is $1,635,599.51. The adjustment was approved by motion, with a provision that all project costs net of grants be recovered through lot sales and returned pro rata to internal funding sources. - Other Reports – Police chief reported 1,054 calls for service in March, five officers recognized for life-saving, and behavioral health unit diversions (227 from arrest, 317 from ER since program start). Public works reported 100 water valve exercisings completed (of 7,000 total) and 60,000 linear feet of wastewater mains flushed. Electric department announced receiving Platinum RP3 designation from APPA (up from Gold). Planning reported 95 residential permits year-to-date. Fire company reported 76 fire emergencies and 440 EMS calls in March; substation received certificate of occupancy. IT announced centralized surveillance system fully operational. Key Outcomes - FY24 Audit Accepted – Motion passed unanimously to accept the audited financial statements. - Appointment of Board of Election – Doreen Reitzman was appointed to replace Karen Boone. The board now consists of Carlene Wilson, Donna March, and Doreen Reitzman. Motion passed. - JAG Grant Notification – The council acknowledged the FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant notification, which requires a public notice. (Action: information only, no vote required.) - Budget Adjustment Approved – $823,000 added to the CIP for phase one electric infrastructure at the Milford Corporate Center, with cost recovery from lot sales. - Ordinances Introduced – Ordinance 2026-04 (comprehensive plan map amendment for 908 North Church Street, from low density residential to commercial) and Ordinance 2026-05 (change of zone from R2 to C3 for the same property) were introduced. Both will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on April 21, 2026, with a public hearing at the next council meeting. - Proclamations – The mayor read proclamations designating April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day, April 12–18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, and April 18, 2026 as Lineworkers Appreciation Day. - Employee Recognition – Two new equipment operators were welcomed: Zaire Brown (hired January 12, 2026; collected 95 tons of leaves during leaf collection) and Cassidy Woolford (hired March 30, 2026). - Executive Session – Council voted to enter executive session; later adjourned without further action.