Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - September 22, 2025

The Delaware City Council met on September 22, 2025, starting with a 6:30 PM executive session under Ohio Revised Code for personnel and pending court action. The regular meeting commenced at 7:00 PM, featuring multiple public hearings, consideration of ordinances and resolutions, and reports from city staff. All actions were unanimous unless noted. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution No. 25-71: Authorized the City Manager to apply for a Preservation Parks of Delaware County 2025 Community Park and Trail Grant. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-72: Expressed support for voting to accept the thirteenth amended joint Chapter 11 plan of reorganization of Purdue Pharma L.P. and its affiliated debtors. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Gibbs (Delaware Public Health District, 470 South Sandusky Street) provided an informational update on public health activities. He announced the start of flu vaccinations, including a drive-thru clinic on October 6, 2025, from 4 to 7 PM. He reported that in 2024, there were 120 flu hospitalizations within the health district. He noted that COVID-19 shots are currently recommended for those 65 and older and require a shared clinical decision with a healthcare provider. He also reported an increase in hand-foot-and-mouth disease and mentioned equipment loan programs and a tire drive on October 18, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 25-50 (Second Reading & Public Hearing): Approved a cooperative and payment agreement with the Delaware County Finance Authority, M/I Homes of Central Ohio, LLC, and the bond trustee for issuing bonds in support of the Winterbrooke Place Public Infrastructure Project. The project includes 263 single-family homes, a roundabout, and road connections, funded by TIF revenues. Approved unanimously after a public hearing with no public comment.
• Ordinance No. 25-52 (Second Reading & Public Hearing): Approved a zoning map amendment from C-CEC to MX-PUD for 0.16 acres at 11 Franklin Street, currently used by HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties. The property is being sold to a future owner who plans to live there and operate a commercial art studio. The applicant (Tonia Pace, Executive Director of HelpLine) expressed confidence in the buyers. The amendment allows residential and limited commercial uses. Approved unanimously after conditions were outlined.
• Ordinance No. 25-53 (Second Reading & Public Hearing): Proposed a zoning change from A-1 Agricultural to R-PUD for 66.75 acres at Berlin Station Road. The applicant plans a single-family subdivision with up to four dwelling units per acre. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Council members expressed concerns about density compatibility with surrounding large-lot rural residential parcels. Two emails from the public were received. Council voted to send the ordinance to a third reading (postponed to October 13, 2025) to allow additional public input.
• Resolution No. 25-69 (Public Hearing): Approved a development plan for a Kemba Credit Union with a drive-through and ATM on 0.82 acres at 900 Sunbury Road, within the Glenwood Commons shopping center. The building is 2,700 square feet, 30 feet tall, with 25 parking spaces. Planning commission and staff recommended approval. Concerns about potential traffic conflicts with an adjacent Tim Hortons drive-through were addressed. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance No. 25-46 (Fourth Reading): Regarding Ohio Wesleyan University's rezoning request for 109 acres to MX-PUD. The university requested a fifth reading, so action was deferred.
• Ordinance No. 25-54 (Emergency): Authorized the City Manager to execute a subdivision participation form and release for the Purdue Direct Settlement, entitling the city to its share of opioid settlement funds. Deadline is September 30, 2025. Approved unanimously with suspension of rules and emergency clause.
• Ordinance No. 25-55 (Emergency): Supplemented 2025 appropriations, including funds for a new medic vehicle for the fire station (funded by the fire income tax levy) and reimbursable airport work. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance No. 25-56 (Emergency, as amended): Authorized the City Manager to execute a subdivision participation form for the national opioid settlement with secondary manufacturers (Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, Zydus). An amendment was made to correct the reference from "Purdue" to "secondary manufacturers." Approved unanimously after amendment.
• Resolution No. 25-73: Authorized the City Manager to renew a Memorandum of Understanding with the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board to fund a full-time social worker in the police department. Chief Moore shared a success story about how the program helped a grandmother’s family members achieve sobriety. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-74: Indicated the city’s ability to provide services for the 109.01-acre Pine Meadows annexation. Staff found no concerns. Deadline to respond was September 25, 2025. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-75: Classified Reserve at Northbourne as a residential project within a Community Reinvestment Area (created by Ordinance 25-21), enabling mixed-income rental housing. Approved unanimously.
• Finance Director’s Monthly Report: Reported August 2025 revenues holding steady, with $2.8 million in investment income (about $1.2 million discretionary). Estimated $2.6 million in additional investment income over the next 12 months.
• City Manager’s Report: Announced a Request for Statements of Qualifications for a public-private partnership to develop an 80+ room boutique hotel on Spring Street, potentially involving Ohio Wesleyan University property, the city’s gallery, and additional parking. The deadline for submissions is November 7, 2025, with a decision expected in early December.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (Resolutions 25-71 and 25-72) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-50 (Winterbrooke Place) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-52 (HelpLine rezone) approved unanimously with waiver of readings.
• Ordinance 25-53 (BerlinStationRoad) moved to a third reading (October 13, 2025).
• Resolution 25-69 (Kemba Credit Union) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-46 (OWU) advanced to a fifth reading.
• Ordinances 25-54, 25-55, and 25-56 (as amended) all approved unanimously with emergency clauses.
• Resolutions 25-73, 25-74, and 25-75 approved unanimously.
• No other votes or formal decisions taken on public comments or committee reports.