Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2025

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on October 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included an executive session at 6:00 PM for personnel matters, a consent agenda, public comment, several ordinance readings, and resolutions. The council approved a rezoning for Ohio Wesleyan University, a rezoning for BerlinStationRoad LTD, an employment agreement for the City Manager, and a cooperative agreement for OPWC funding. Public hearings were set for upcoming items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the motion summary from the September 22, 2025 council meeting.
• Accepted motion summaries from Civil Service meetings (June 4, July 2), Public Works/Public Utilities Committee (August 5), Planning Commission (September 3), and Board of Zoning Appeals (June 11).
• Approved Resolution No. 25-78 (consent for ODOT snow and ice removal) and Resolution No. 25-79 (cooperative snow and ice management with county entities).
• Set public hearing dates for October 27, 2025: Ordinance No. 25-59 (Maronda Homes rezoning) at 7:10 PM, Resolution No. 25-76 (Longhorn Steakhouse development plan) at 7:15 PM, Resolution No. 25-77 (Briar Hill Villas development plan) at 7:20 PM, and Ordinance No. 25-62 (sidewalk maintenance) at 7:25 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Phillips, Frontier Communications: Provided an update on a $40 million fiber broadband infrastructure investment in Delaware. The project planned to build to 9,100 locations in Q4 2025 but has encountered permitting issues, reducing the Q4 target to about 4,100 locations (45% of planned). For Q1 2026, 8,000 locations are planned. Phillips emphasized the benefits of symmetrical gigabit service and a low-income discount. He expressed hope to resolve permitting issues with city staff.

Committee Reports

• Shade Tree Commission: Thanked the development team and planning commission for advocating for the tree canopy and ensuring new plans align with updated tree language.
• Airport Commission: Meeting scheduled for October 16; council member unable to attend but will review meeting minutes.
• Finance Committee: Will begin budget meetings; dates to be determined.
• Planning Commission: Met in early October; cases are before council this evening.
• Historic Planning Commission: Will meet before next council meeting; a realtor position is open.
• Board of Zoning Appeals: Met last week.
• Sister City Commission: Meeting scheduled for October 14.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 25-46 (Fifth Reading, as amended): Rezoning of approximately 109 acres of Ohio Wesleyan University properties from various zoning districts to MX-PUD (Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development). Staff recommended approval. The ordinance was amended to remove an alley vacation. Council approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 25-53 (Third Reading): Rezoning of 66.75 acres from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-PUD (Residential Planned Unit Development) for BerlinStationRoad LTD. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilman Hoffman expressed concern about density calculation using net density (max 4 dwelling units per acre) and the lack of minimum lot sizes, but staff clarified that the development plan stage will provide oversight. Council approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 25-57 (First Reading): Authorization to issue $1,000,000 in notes for constructing Byxbe Road improvements. Public hearing set for October 27 at 7:30 PM.
• Ordinance No. 25-58 (First Reading): Authorization to issue $8,500,000 in notes for extending Merrick Boulevard. Public hearing set for October 27 at 7:35 PM.
• Ordinance No. 25-59 (First Reading): Maronda Homes rezoning request (44.05 acres from A-1 to R-PUD). Public hearing set for October 27 at 7:10 PM (already established in consent agenda).
• Ordinance No. 25-60: Employment agreement for City Manager. The agreement changes salary compensation for calendar year 2026. Council suspended the three-reading rule, approved the emergency clause, and adopted the ordinance. On the motion to suspend rules, Ms. Griffith voted no; on the emergency clause, Ms. Griffith voted no; on final passage, all members voted yes (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 25-61: Authorization to auction a 0.15-acre vacant lot on London Road, acquired in 2004 for a storm sewer easement. The property is no longer needed for municipal purposes. Appraised at $35,000. Auction will be conducted via GovDeals, with a reserve bid. The property is likely non-buildable due to utilities and access constraints. Council discussed limited bidders and possible contingencies. First reading; no vote taken.
• Ordinance No. 25-62: Amendments to sidewalk maintenance and repair code (Chapter 909). Public hearing set for October 27 at 7:25 PM.
• Resolution No. 25-80: Authorizing cooperative agreement with Delaware County to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 40 funds for 2027 pavement resurfacing and traffic signal improvement. The project includes replacing the traffic signal at William Street and Liberty (mast arm, radius improvements) and paving Curtis Street and Firestone. Estimated request: $450,000 OPWC, $150,000 county match, $650,000 local contribution. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Ordinance 25-46 (OWU rezoning): Approved 7-0.
  • Ordinance 25-53 (BerlinStationRoad rezoning): Approved 7-0.
  • Ordinance 25-60 (City Manager employment agreement): Motion to suspend rules passed 6-1 (Griffith no); emergency clause passed 6-1 (Griffith no); final adoption passed 7-0.
  • Resolution 25-80 (OPWC cooperative agreement): Approved 7-0.
• Public hearings set:
  • October 27, 2025: Ordinance 25-59 (7:10 PM), Resolution 25-76 (7:15 PM), Resolution 25-77 (7:20 PM), Ordinance 25-62 (7:25 PM), Ordinance 25-57 (7:30 PM), Ordinance 25-58 (7:35 PM).
• City Manager's Report: Introduced interim City Attorney Yaz Ashrawi (Frost Brown Todd). Noted an emergency expenditure for Fire Station 301 (budget amendment previously approved). Provided September 2025 contract approvals.
• Council Comments: Recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day (Ms. Griffith); highlighted the stream restoration project at the golf course and called for updates on the South Sandusky Street Focus Area Plan (Mr. Haynes); praised the car show and William Street repaving (Mr. Schaefer).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM after a brief executive session.