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Middletown Council approves routine ordinances, $296,796 chiller purchase and $5.5M bond‑anticipation notes
Summary
At its April 21 meeting, Middletown City Council unanimously approved a consent agenda of appointments, removed ordinance O2026‑22 from the agenda, authorized a $296,796 industrial chiller purchase tied to downtown redevelopment, and approved multiple ordinances including $5.5M in notes for Renaissance Arena District infrastructure.
Middletown City Council on April 21 voted unanimously on a slate of routine items and several substantive approvals, including authorization for a nearly $300,000 equipment purchase and issuance of notes to finance district infrastructure.
Council amended the agenda at the start of the meeting to remove ordinance O 2026‑22. The consent agenda — which included approval of the April 7 minutes, filing of board and commission minutes, and conditional appointments across Public Works and Public Safety positions — passed by unanimous roll call.
On the motion agenda the council authorized the city manager to consent to purchase an industrial chiller under the downtown revitalization memorandum of understanding at a cost not to exceed $296,796. Staff said the chiller is required for a permanent ice rink at the planned Middletown Community Foundation Park; unanimous roll call approved the motion.
In a single series of votes, the council approved several ordinances and a resolution on second reading or by motion: O 2026‑16 (HVAC replacement contract with Morris Heating and Cooling, emergency), O 2026‑17 (extension with Bull's Run Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum), O 2026‑18 (amendment to the International Property Maintenance Code), O 2026‑19 (garage‑sales chapter amendment), O 2026‑20 (extension with Quality Publishing Company for community newsletter), and O 2026‑21 (authorization to issue notes in anticipation of bonds up to $5,500,000 for the Renaissance Arena District infrastructure project). Each carried on unanimous roll calls (all recorded yes votes by Mr. West, Mr. Mulligan, Mayor Slemka, Mr. Lawley and Ms. Carter).
Council also approved Resolution R 2026‑11 (policy for open‑space utilization at Lefferson Park) on second reading. Two items were presented without action: O 2026‑24 (amendment to public‑safety software contract; no action until May 5, with staff citing a first‑year cost of $250,390.30) and O 2026‑25 (first reading to add Juneteenth as a holiday for employees pending memoranda of understanding with bargaining units). Staff further presented R 2026‑12 (first reading) describing a tentative plan to purchase improvements from the Salvation Army on a 0.791‑acre Damon Park parcel; a June 2025 appraisal valued the improvements at $70,000 and the city has tentatively offered $50,000 pending council approval.
Votes at a glance (selected items and outcomes): - Agenda amendment: remove O 2026‑22 — approved (5–0). - Consent agenda (appointments and minutes) — approved (5–0). - Motion: authorize purchase of industrial chiller not to exceed $296,796 — approved (5–0). - O 2026‑16, O 2026‑17, O 2026‑18, O 2026‑19, O 2026‑20 — ordinances approved on vote (5–0). - O 2026‑21 — ordinance authorizing issuance/sale of notes up to $5,500,000 — approved (5–0). - R 2026‑11 — approved (5–0). - O 2026‑24 — second reading emergency; no action until May 5. - O 2026‑25 — first reading; no action tonight. - R 2026‑12 — first reading; no action tonight (appraisal and tentative $50,000 offer discussed).
Council adjourned at 6:21 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
