Council approves Fraunfelter contract, $1.32 million appropriations change and Parks Commission bylaw updates

Milford City Council on Feb. 24 approved three ordinances that authorize a contract for annual financial statements, amend the city's 2025 appropriations and revise Parks and Recreation Commission bylaws.

The measures were adopted on single readings after motions to suspend the rules and passed unanimously by the council members present. Councilmember Velardo was excused earlier in the meeting.

Why it matters: The votes set the city's short-term accounting contract, adjust the budget to match current project and emergency needs and change the structure and minimum membership of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The council adopted Ordinance 25-339 to authorize the city manager to contract with Fraunfelter Accounting Services to prepare the city's and related entities' basic financial statements for calendar years 2024 and 2025. The ordinance cites sections 12.03, 12.05 and 12.07 of the Milford City Charter for authority. Under the contract, the city will pay $11,000 per year; Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDs) were listed at $2,200 per year and the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) at $550 per year.

Ordinance 25-340 amended Appropriations Ordinance 2024-317 to increase appropriations by $1,321,129, bringing the revised budget to near $30 million, according to staff. Staff said most items are reappropriations for previously approved projects; a few items are new and highlighted on the attachment presented to council.

Staff called out several line items during the discussion: a potential $275,000 Parks appropriation tied to grant timing (the city said it expects a $400,000 grant and would record the revenue and expense in the same fiscal year), an estimated $60,000 demolition charge for a house fire on Elizabeth Street of which insurance was expected to cover about $50,000 and the city's immediate share roughly $10,000, and a $30,000 rate study allocated across utilities.

The council also adopted Ordinance 25-341 to amend the rules and procedures that govern the Parks and Recreation Commission, changing the commission's minimum composition to at least five members with one council representative and at least four residents. The ordinance amends Ordinance 23-220 and references the city charter.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 25-339 (Fraunfelter contract): Approved. Vote: Mayor Evans —Yes; Vice Mayor Parrish Yes; Mr. Price Yes; Mr. Thompson Yes; Ms. Cooper Yes; Ms. Chamberlain Yes. (Mr. Velardo excused.) - Ordinance 25-340 (Amended appropriations, $1,321,129): Approved. Vote: Mayor Evans Yes; Vice Mayor Parrish Yes; Mr. Price Yes; Mr. Thompson Yes; Ms. Cooper Yes; Ms. Chamberlain Yes. (Mr. Velardo excused.) - Ordinance 25-341 (Parks and Recreation Commission bylaws): Approved. Vote: Mayor Evans Yes; Vice Mayor Parrish Yes; Mr. Price Yes; Mr. Thompson Yes; Ms. Cooper Yes; Ms. Chamberlain Yes. (Mr. Velardo excused.)

All three ordinances were presented with motions to suspend the rules and read by title only, and each was moved and seconded before adoption. The text of the adopted ordinances incorporates attached contract terms and revised bylaws by reference.

Council and staff said the appropriations changes are largely reallocations rather than net additions to recurring expenses; the Parks appropriation was described as an 'in-and-out' adjustment contingent on receiving grant proceeds. Staff said the estimated insurance recovery for the Elizabeth Street demolition would be billed to the insurer after the city paid the initial cost.

No amendments to the ordinances were recorded during the meeting.