Middletown schedules Easter egg hunt and spring celebration events for April

The City of Middletown Council convened on April 1, 2025, to discuss various community events, legislative matters, and city management updates. The meeting began with announcements of upcoming events aimed at fostering community engagement.

The council highlighted the First Friday event on April 4, featuring an Easter egg hunt for all ages at Governor's Square, starting at 6 PM. Additionally, the Pendleton Arts Center will host "Spring into the Pack" on April 5, a family-friendly celebration from 11 AM to 6 PM. A moss wall art workshop is scheduled for April 9 at The MAC, and residents are encouraged to participate in the Middletown Trash Bash on April 26, which will take place at three locations across the city.

City Manager Ashley Combs provided updates on the Trash Bash, confirming that it is exclusively for Middletown residents and will accept tires and other waste, while appliances will require vouchers for disposal. Combs also announced an upcoming auction of surplus items from the Town Mall and the Middletown Event Center on April 12 and 13.

The council then moved to the consent agenda, which included the approval of minutes from various boards and commissions. The agenda was unanimously approved without any items being removed for further discussion.

Next, the council addressed a motion regarding the sale of city-owned property at 1333 Grove Street. The property, acquired to combat blight, will be sold to Larry Glenn for $2,162.25. Glenn plans to rehabilitate one home and convert another into a garage within 12 months. The motion passed with unanimous support.

The council proceeded to discuss eight items of legislation. Notably, a resolution was passed to establish a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to fund public infrastructure improvements related to the Christo Townhomes project. This legislation is crucial for maintaining the development agreement with the former Lincoln School site.

Further legislative items included adjustments to appropriations for the fire department and the approval of utility reimbursement agreements with Duke Energy for the Renaissance Point project. The council also discussed the need for additional police radios, ultimately amending the request to include an eleventh radio for the city manager to ensure effective communication during emergencies.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the next council meeting scheduled for April 15, where further discussions and decisions will take place. Overall, the council's efforts reflect a commitment to community engagement, infrastructure development, and effective city management.