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Milford council adopts moratorium on new cannabis dispensaries, approves emergency pumps and park fountain work, and creates Climate Action Steering Commission
Summary
At its Aug. 20 meeting, Milford City Council adopted four ordinances including a 180-day moratorium on new adult-use cannabis dispensaries, authorized an emergency $17,500 purchase of wastewater pumps, approved $17,750 in park drinking fountain installations, and established a Climate Action Steering Commission.
Milford City Council on Aug. 20 adopted four ordinances and approved a public hearing outcome extending the city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) for five years.
The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 24-303, a 180-day moratorium on adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the city. The moratorium was presented as a temporary pause while council considers zoning and regulatory language.
Council also approved an emergency purchase to replace Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) pumps. The ordinance (24-304) authorizes the interim city manager to enter a contract with The Henry P. Thompson Company for $17,500 to restore critical wastewater treatment capacity. Assistant Public Works Director David Walker told the committee the backup pumps lacked variable-speed capability and that replacing the pumps was needed to comply with EPA requirements.
On parks, the council adopted Ordinance 24-305 authorizing the interim city manager to sign an agreement with AMG Plumbing to install three Murdock drinking fountains with dog bowls at Memorial Park, Garfield Park and Riverside 1 Park for $17,750. Walker presented two bids: AMG Plumbing at $17,750 and Nelson Stark at $41,943; Finance Director Pat Wirthlin confirmed funding for the AMG contract would come from a 2023 Hillside Storm Damage line item budgeted at $27,000.
Council also adopted Ordinance 24-306 to establish a Climate Action Steering Commission and its bylaws after committee recommendation and public comment in favor of a codified volunteer commission. Resident Andy Dickerson urged support during public comment, saying he looked forward to working with the city to identify savings and energy measures.
Separately, during a public hearing, Clerk Jackie Bain explained state law (Ohio Revised Code §4301.82(I)(1)) requires review five years after creation of an outdoor refreshment area; Councilmember Ralph Vilardo moved to continue the city's DORA for an additional five years and the motion passed unanimously. Law Director Bryan E. Pacheco said formal legislation related to the DORA continuation will appear on the Sept. 3 council agenda.
Votes at a glance (all recorded as unanimous among members present: Mayor Lisa Evans, councilmembers Ralph Vilardo Jr., Brad Price, Janet Cooper, Mark Thompson and Kim Chamberland): - Continuation of DORA (motion at public hearing): approved (all yes). - Ordinance 24-303 (180-day moratorium on adult-use cannabis dispensaries): adopted (all yes). - Ordinance 24-304 (emergency RAS/WAS pump purchase for $17,500): adopted (all yes). - Ordinance 24-305 (AMG Plumbing agreement for three park drinking fountains, $17,750): adopted (all yes). - Ordinance 24-306 (establish Climate Action Steering Commission and bylaws): adopted (all yes).
What comes next: Law Director Pacheco flagged that formal DORA continuation legislation will appear Sept. 3; the city will execute the emergency pump purchase and the AMG contract under the authority of the adopted ordinances. Council also signaled it will monitor fleet needs after committee discussion about a Water Department dump truck that was tabled pending further analysis.
