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Millville authorizes closed session on airport contract after public warning about DRBA nonrenewal
Summary
After a public comment warned the city of major costs and operational risks tied to a notice of nonrenewal with the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Millville commissioners voted to move into closed session to discuss contract negotiations over Millville Executive Airport.
Millville City commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a closed session to discuss contract negotiations with the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) and Cape May County over the continued operation of Millville Executive Airport after a public commenter warned of steep financial and operational implications.
Doug Smithson, who said he and his wife have owned and operated Mitsubishi Aviation at the airport for 27 years, told the commission the city’s October 2024 notice of nonrenewal to the DRBA could leave taxpayers liable for “roughly $20,000,000” to take the airport back by 2029 and could expose the city to continued operational costs. “Over the past 5 years, the airport has been losing… approximately on average, $375,000 a year,” Smithson said. He also told the commission he was told DRBA and FAA investments at the field total about $61,000,000 over the last 25 years. “Under the stewardship of the DRBA, the airport has been elevated to the next level,” Smithson said, warning that the city would need to match that level of sponsorship and must reinvest airport revenues per FAA grant assurances.
The commission then introduced a resolution authorizing a closed session “for contract negotiations with Cape May County and/or the DRBA concerning the continued operation of the Millville Executive Airport.” The motion and second were not named on the record; roll call votes were recorded as yes from Commissioner Hewitt, Vice Mayor Watson, Commissioner Costoon, Commissioner Suey, and Mayor Romanik.
A member of staff explained the reason the matter is slated for closed session is that it involves contract negotiations and deliberative attorney-client matters. “It is a closed session item because it's not just attorney client, but it's also deliberative process and contract negotiations,” the staff speaker said.
The public comment and the closed-session resolution occurred during the work session; no formal decision on airport ownership or operations was announced in open session. Commissioners signaled that negotiations and related deliberations would continue in closed session.
Votes at a glance: A resolution authorizing a closed session on contract negotiations regarding the Millville Executive Airport was approved by roll call vote (see actions).
