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Millville rescinds airport nonrenewal and authorizes FAA counsel as talks with DRBA begin
Summary
The Millville City Commission voted to rescind a prior notice of nonrenewal for the Millville Municipal Airport ground lease and approved a contract with outside FAA counsel as officials prepare to reopen negotiations with the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
The Millville City Commission voted to rescind its prior notice of nonrenewal for the Millville Municipal Airport ground lease and approved a professional‑services contract for FAA legal counsel as the city seeks to reopen talks with the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA).
The action came after commissioners discussed missing meetings and past correspondence with the DRBA and said reopening negotiations required both removing the nonrenewal notice and having counsel available. The commission approved a first amendment to a professional services contract with Anderson & Krieger LLP for FAA attorney services, increasing the not‑to‑exceed amount from $15,000 to $30,000.
Commissioners and staff said removing the notice does not create a binding agreement but will allow the municipality to re‑engage with the DRBA. The commission recorded that the Federal Aviation Administration had provided the city a May 1 deadline, and members said they needed to move quickly to prepare for potential negotiations.
Chief Financial Officer Susan Quinones certified availability of the additional $15,000 to fund the contract amendment. In a discussion preceding the vote, several commissioners said they expected limited additional spending but wanted counsel available in case legal questions arose during talks.
During the roll call on the contract amendment, the commission voted unanimously in favor: Commissioner Hewitt, Vice Mayor Watson, Commissioner Kasaboon, Commissioner Sui, and Mayor Romnick all voted yes. When the commission voted to rescind Resolution No. 294‑2024 (the prior notice of nonrenewal of the airport ground lease), the measure passed with four votes in favor and one abstention: Commission Hewitt yes; Vice Mayor Watson yes; Commissioner Kasaboon yes; Commissioner Sui abstained; Mayor Romnick yes.
Commissioners clarified that rescinding the notice would “open the door to negotiations” rather than automatically renew the lease; any renewal would require later ordinance action and further formal steps, including meetings and possible future votes.
Mayor Romnick and multiple commissioners said they would make themselves available to participate in future meetings with the DRBA. The commission also noted that if the DRBA accepts the rescission, formal negotiations could begin immediately rather than waiting the full five‑year period that would otherwise apply under the lease terms.
The commission’s recorded actions on the airport items were: approval of the Anderson & Krieger contract amendment (not to exceed $30,000) and rescission of Resolution No. 294‑2024 (notice of nonrenewal), which together permit staff and counsel to engage the DRBA about lease terms.
Looking ahead, commissioners said any actual lease renewal would need additional ordinance action and public meetings before the commission could adopt a binding agreement.
