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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2025

Meeting Portal — Monday, September 8, 2025

BodyDelaware, Ohio

SessionMeeting Portal

DateMonday, September 8, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:56:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Yes.

0:00

Mr.

0:00

Ryder?

0:01

Yes.

0:01

Ms.

0:01

Frazier?

0:02

Yes.

0:02

Vice Chair Ha Vice Chair Schaefer.

0:05

Yeah.

0:05

Mayor Wrigle.

0:06

Yeah.

0:07

Yes.

0:08

You got me confused.

0:09

We will return at 7 o'clock.

0:26

The time is 7 o'clock, and we will call back to order the city council meeting for September 8th, 2025.

0:33

We've already done executive sessions, so next on the agenda is indication by Reverend Jennifer Applegate of William Street Methodological Church.

0:43

And that's going to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:46

And we are blessed to have St.

0:48

Mary's American Heritage Girl Troops.

0:51

So we'll call you forward when we're ready, okay, girls.

1:01

I invite you all into uh enter into a spirit of reverence for however you understand the creator of the universe.

1:11

You who brings forth life from nothingness and death.

1:15

We ask for your presence and blessing on this night.

1:19

Surround all who gather with your goodness and your grace as these leaders have discussions and make decisions which impact and guide our community, steer them in a direction that will fortify and unite unify the city of Delaware for all the ways the city council gives of their time, energy, gifts, and spirits, we give thanks.

1:43

For all who serve this community in visible and invisible ways, we give thanks.

1:50

For all who have pledged to protect those who live here, we give thanks.

1:55

May this community be a witness to what it looks like to name pain, which is often lives beneath the surface of our public lives.

2:05

Things like unsafe homes, secret battles of addiction, and silent suffering from mental illness.

2:13

May this beautiful community, which is filled with love, support, encouragement, and gifts be a witness to what it looks like to have your power and redemption woven throughout.

2:26

May we continue to be a model of a strong and healthy community caring for one another.

2:32

It is you, most divine, who stands with the weak.

2:36

It is you who heals our pain.

2:38

It is you who brings forth life from death in surprising and unexpected places.

2:45

So surprise us tonight and all nights as we live together in beloved community.

2:51

Amen.

2:52

Amen.

2:53

Thank you.

2:55

You girls will come forward in front of this desk.

3:00

And then you can say the pledge.

3:18

Under God, liberty and justice law.

3:24

Thank you so much.

3:25

That's wonderful.

3:35

I know you lunch.

3:44

Thank you again.

3:46

Thank you.

3:53

Item four on the agenda is the pl is um the approval of the motion summary.

3:57

Approval of the motion summary from the city council meeting held on August 25th, 2025, is recorded and transcribed.

4:04

Move for approval.

4:08

Second.

4:09

I have a motion by Mr.

4:10

Schaefer, second by Miss Griffith.

4:12

Rokall, please.

4:13

Miss Griffith?

4:14

Yes.

4:14

Mr.

4:14

Haynes?

4:15

Yes.

4:15

Mr.

4:16

Hoffman?

4:16

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████17%

Procedural███████████████15%

Library Services███████████11%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Economic Development██████████10%

Zoning Regulations████████8%

Capital Improvement Planning████████8%

Transportation Safety█████5%

Public Safety█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2025

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on September 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included an executive session, public comments, a public hearing on a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with Kroger, third readings of zoning ordinances, adoption of the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program, and a new Community Taxation Policy. Several key votes and decisions were made, including the approval of a Kroger CRA agreement and the adoption of a five-year capital plan.

Consent Calendar

Approved the Motion Summary from the August 25, 2025 meeting on a 5-0-2 vote (Councilmembers Frazier and Mayor Riggle abstained).
Adopted the Consent Agenda (items a-h) unanimously (7-0), including acceptance of committee meeting summaries, resolution removing no-parking restrictions in several neighborhoods, and setting public hearing dates for future ordinances.

Public Comments & Testimony

Edward Gifford (165 Beach Drive, President of Stratford Woods HOA) spoke against the ODOT overpass plan on Hawthorne Boulevard. He reported that 241 households (about 500 residents) sent letters to state officials opposing the project, citing traffic and safety concerns. He urged the council to protect the neighborhood.
Becky Brucato (45 Glenmark Circle, The Landings of Glenross) requested a crosswalk across Cheshire Road, citing safety issues for walkers, bikers, and dog walkers. Her petition was referred back to the Parking and Safety Committee for staff evaluation.
An email from Michael Young was received and entered into the record.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 25-49 (Kroger CRA Agreement): Public hearing held for a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with Kroger for a new 120,000-square-foot marketplace at 1650 Sunbury Road. The project includes a fuel center, a single-lane roundabout at Mill Run (built by Kroger), and an estimated $39 million investment. 225 jobs (75 full-time, 150 part-time) with $6 million payroll. 15-year, 75% tax abatement. Council debated the need for the abatement; staff emphasized the roundabout as critical infrastructure. The ordinance passed 7-0 after a second vote (initial vote 5-2 with Griffith and Ryder opposed; final unanimous).
Ordinance 25-46 (Ohio Wesleyan University Rezoning): Third reading; applicant requested continuation to a fourth reading to finalize conditions. No vote taken.
Ordinance 25-47 (RiverbyBerlin Rezoning): Third reading; approved unanimously (7-0) to rezone 83.418 acres from Agricultural to R-PUD.
Ordinance 25-48 (T&R Glenn Parkway Rezoning): Third reading; approved 6-1 (Councilman Ryder opposed) to rezone 84.312 acres from Agricultural to R-PUD.
Resolution 25-59 (2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program): Presented by Budget Director Alicia Ballone. The $17 million out-year deficit was noted, with unfunded projects and equipment challenges. Council expressed concern about deferred maintenance and the need for long-term solutions. Approved unanimously (7-0).
Resolution 25-65 (Community Taxation Policy): Presented by financial consultant David Connolly. A comprehensive policy outlining principles for sustainable tax practices, equity, and transparency. Unanimously approved (7-0).
Other Items: Ordinance 25-50 (Winterbrooke Place bonds) set for public hearing on Sept 22. Ordinance 25-51 (Maranda-Peachblow annexation, 44.05 acres) was considered; a motion to suspend three readings passed 6-1 (Griffith opposed), and the ordinance was then adopted 7-0. Ordinance 25-52 (HelpLine rezoning) and 25-53 (BerlinStationRoad rezoning) set for public hearings on Sept 22. Resolutions 25-66 (FOP contract changes, 3.5% wage increases over 3 years) and 25-67 (tax levy certification) both approved 7-0. Resolution 25-68 (services for Price Trust annexation, max 319 units on 175.79 acres) approved 7-0.
Proclamations: Recognized September as National Service Dog Month and celebrated Woodland Cigar Company's 20th anniversary.
Delaware County District Library Update: Communications Manager Nicole Fowles reported on system statistics (106,501 cardholders, 81,000 in-person visits at Delaware branch) and announced expanded operating hours starting September 15, 2025.

Key Outcomes

Kroger CRA Ordinance 25-49 adopted (final vote 7-0) with a 15-year, 75% tax abatement, including roundabout construction and job creation.
Rezoning approval for RiverbyBerlin (83.418 acres) and T&R Glenn Parkway (84.312 acres) passed, enabling residential development.
2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program adopted (7-0), though significant out-year funding gaps were acknowledged.
Community Taxation Policy adopted (7-0), formalizing principles for tax sustainability and transparency.
Annexation of 44.05 acres (Maranda-Peachblow) approved (7-0) after suspension of three readings.
Price Trust annexation services resolution approved (7-0) for up to 319 units on 175.79 acres.
FOP contract ratified (7-0) with 3.5% annual wage increases and administrative changes.
Petition for crosswalk on Cheshire Road referred back to Parking and Safety Committee for evaluation.

Meeting Transcript

Yes. Mr. Ryder? Yes. Ms. Frazier? Yes. Vice Chair Ha Vice Chair Schaefer. Yeah. Mayor Wrigle. Yeah. Yes. You got me confused. We will return at 7 o'clock. The time is 7 o'clock, and we will call back to order the city council meeting for September 8th, 2025. We've already done executive sessions, so next on the agenda is indication by Reverend Jennifer Applegate of William Street Methodological Church. And that's going to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And we are blessed to have St. Mary's American Heritage Girl Troops. So we'll call you forward when we're ready, okay, girls. I invite you all into uh enter into a spirit of reverence for however you understand the creator of the universe. You who brings forth life from nothingness and death. We ask for your presence and blessing on this night. Surround all who gather with your goodness and your grace as these leaders have discussions and make decisions which impact and guide our community, steer them in a direction that will fortify and unite unify the city of Delaware for all the ways the city council gives of their time, energy, gifts, and spirits, we give thanks. For all who serve this community in visible and invisible ways, we give thanks. For all who have pledged to protect those who live here, we give thanks. May this community be a witness to what it looks like to name pain, which is often lives beneath the surface of our public lives. Things like unsafe homes, secret battles of addiction, and silent suffering from mental illness. May this beautiful community, which is filled with love, support, encouragement, and gifts be a witness to what it looks like to have your power and redemption woven throughout. May we continue to be a model of a strong and healthy community caring for one another. It is you, most divine, who stands with the weak. It is you who heals our pain. It is you who brings forth life from death in surprising and unexpected places. So surprise us tonight and all nights as we live together in beloved community. Amen. Amen. Thank you. You girls will come forward in front of this desk. And then you can say the pledge. Under God, liberty and justice law. Thank you so much. That's wonderful. I know you lunch. Thank you again. Thank you. Item four on the agenda is the pl is um the approval of the motion summary. Approval of the motion summary from the city council meeting held on August 25th, 2025, is recorded and transcribed. Move for approval. Second. I have a motion by Mr.

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