Delaware City Council Meeting – November 10, 2025

The City Council of Delaware, Ohio held its regular meeting on November 10, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:56 PM. The meeting featured a presentation on a comprehensive water, sewer, and stormwater rate study by Raftelis, public hearings on several ordinances, and final votes on key items including sidewalk repair, bond issuances, and cybersecurity framework adoption. The council also honored retiring Vice-Mayor Shafer for his 12 years of service.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Motion Summary from the October 27, 2025 council meeting (unanimous).
• Accepted motion summaries from the Historic Preservation Commission (July 23), Finance Committee (August 28), Civil Service Commission (October 1), and Planning Commission (October 1).
• Set public hearings for November 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM and 7:15 PM for Ordinances No. 25-69 (zoning map amendment) and No. 25-68 (registration of abandoned foreclosures, long-term rentals, and vacant properties).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Giebert (265 West Fountain Avenue) expressed concern about the city’s debt increasing by 50% in one year and argued against government redistribution of funds based on her experiences in European social democracies.
• Brett Latta (376 North Sandusky Street) praised the police citizens academy, requested a fire citizens academy, thanked retiring Vice-Mayor Shafer, and welcomed new council member Mr. Bogan.

Discussion Items

1. Raftelis: Financial Planning & Rate Study

Joe Crea and Delaney Ridgely from Raftelis presented the results of a year-long rate study. Key points:

• Water: Proposed 6% annual rate increases (both minimum and volume charges) through 2030. Revenues will fund $64 million in water capital projects including a $40 million above-ground reservoir in 2029.
• Sewer: No rate increases planned; stable fund balance allows delays.
• Stormwater: Proposed 50-cent increase in 2026, followed by 25-cent annual increases.
• Rate Structure Change: For water, the current declining block rate (cheaper per unit as usage increases) would be replaced with an increasing block rate for residential customers. The first 2 CCF (hundred cubic feet) are included in the minimum charge; usage between 2 and 10 CCF will have a moderate rate; above 10 CCF will have a higher rate to encourage conservation.
• Customer Impact: 94% of residential customers will see either no change or a decrease in their bill. Only high-volume users (above 12 CCF) will pay more. The proposed rates remain below regional peers.
• Financial Assumptions: Conservative 1% customer growth, 3.3% annual operating cost increases, and debt financing for major capital projects (30-year term, 5% interest). Council members questioned sensitivity and borrowing terms.

2. Ordinance No. 25-63: Repeal and Replace Utilities Code (Second Reading)

Assistant City Manager Barrell presented changes to Title Three (Utilities) codified ordinances, last updated in 1967. Changes include:

• Moving rate schedules to the fee schedule for easier updates.
• Updating language for current departments (Public Utilities, Finance, Utility Billing).
• Removing outdated fees (e.g., $12.50 turn-off fee).
• Increasing tap fees (from $700 to $800 for meters <1", from $800 to $1,000 for meters ≥1") and eliminating a $200 application fee.
• Authorizing the city manager to approve oversizing water and sewer agreements if sufficient budget appropriation exists (previously required council authorization).
• Revisions to wastewater code to comply with EPA pretreatment requirements (last updated 1992) and to limit operational risk.
• Updating storm sewer code (originally 1955) to reflect the stormwater fund and removing outdated assessment procedures.
• Clarifying that the public utilities director will not set rates; rates remain with finance. The public hearing was closed with no speakers; council agreed to advance to third reading to align with the fee schedule.

3. Ordinance No. 25-67: Amend Competitive Bidding Procedures (Second Reading, Passed)

Mr. Owen presented amendments to allow electronic bid submission (already in practice since 2016), remove mandatory pre-bid meetings, and allow electronic bid openings via video conferencing. An amendment corrected a reference to the city manager’s name. Council suspended the rule requiring three readings and approved the ordinance as amended (6-1, Ms. Griffith opposed).

4. Ordinance No. 25-64: Fee Schedule Update (Second Reading)

Ms. Brown and Director Pereira presented the updated fee schedule incorporating the new water rates (6% increase), unchanged sewer rates, and a 50-cent stormwater increase. Planning/zoning fees were revised after the zoning code update: added a $100 penalty for residential work without a permit ($300 commercial), base review fees to cover upfront review costs, reinstated recording costs for annexations, adjusted Historic Preservation Commission fees (admin review decreasing from $55 to $50, full board increasing from $55 to $100), and fees for additional inspections and re-reviews. Council will take further readings.

5. Ordinance No. 25-65: 2026 Appropriations Budget (Second Reading)

Deputy Finance Director Alicia presented the 2026 budget, which is balanced with revenues exceeding expenditures. The general fund budget is up 8.4% from 2025 budgeted revenues but only 0.3% above 2025 projected actuals due to a 1.8 million dollar health insurance stop-loss repayment in January. Key points:

• Income tax continues to grow at 5.5% year-to-date (down from 8% in prior years).
• Property taxes increasing by an additional $500,000 due to millage shift from fire pension liability.
• Expenditures reflect conservative assumptions on health insurance, workers' compensation, professional services, and space needs study.
• Two new funds proposed: Parksview/Lucy Ridge TIF separation and a Parks Capital Fund (initial $1 million transfer from old parks levy surplus).
• Policy change: Routine maintenance items moved from capital plan to operating budget to prevent deferral.
• Council commended the shift but requested clear delineation between maintenance and capital. The public hearing was closed; budget will go through at least fourth readings.

6. Ordinance No. 25-62: Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair (Third Reading, Passed)

Unanimous approval to update Chapter 909 to streamline maintenance and align with ADA/public right-of-way requirements.

7. Ordinance No. 25-57: Byxbe Road Parkway Note Issuance (Third Reading, Passed)

Unanimous approval of $1,000,000 in notes for the Byxbe Road Parkway project, primarily for land acquisition but also including site preparation, utilities, and other improvements.

8. Ordinance No. 25-58: Merrick Boulevard Extension Note Issuance (Third Reading, Passed)

Unanimous approval of $8,500,000 in notes for extending Merrick Boulevard to Troy Road, to be repaid through ODOT NCA charges.

9. Ordinance No. 25-66: Release and Indemnity with Shelly Company (Second Reading, Passed)

Unanimous approval on emergency clause and final passage to authorize city manager to sign a release after a contractor damaged a light pole on August 12, 2025. Total repair cost: $7,487.87.

10. Ordinance No. 25-68 & 25-69 (Consideration Only)

Ordinances regarding building code amendments (registration of abandoned foreclosures, etc.) and zoning map amendment were considered but set for public hearings on November 24, 2025.

11. Ordinance No. 25-70 & 25-71: Pay Plans (Consideration Only)

Ms. Fowler presented updates to management pay plan and part-time/seasonal employee pay. Key change: suspension of the merit incentive program for 2026 and replacement with across-the-board raises to allow realignment with council goals. Also included regrading of positions and increase in life insurance for police captains. Council decided not to pass tonight; will be considered later.

12. Resolution No. 25-84: NIST Cybersecurity Framework (Consideration, Passed)

Ms. Daly presented the resolution to adopt the NIST framework as the foundation for municipal cybersecurity, in compliance with Ohio House Bill 96. The framework covers identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery. After questions about cost (no additional cost due to existing work with Ohio Cyber Reserve), the resolution passed unanimously.

13. Resolution No. 25-85: Amend Financial Management Policies (Consideration, Passed)

Passed (6-1, Mr. Ryder abstained) to update financial management policies including definitions, reserve balances, and economic uncertainty guidance.

14. Resolution No. 25-86: Uniform Guidance Policies for Federal Funds (Consideration, Passed)

Unanimous approval to adopt internal controls for federal grant funds, aligned with CFR Title 2, Part 200.

City Manager’s Report

Mr. Brake reported on a public-private partnership for a downtown hotel project; four proposals received. A selection committee including Mayor Riggle will review through Delaware County’s Community Improvement Corporation. He also noted attendance at the ICMA conference and thanked Vice-Mayor Shafer.

Council Comments

• Councilwoman Griffith thanked Vice-Mayor Shafer for championing affordable housing and economic development, welcomed new council member Bogan, and reminded of Veterans Day.
• Councilman Haynes thanked Shafer for mentorship, thanked veterans, and noted Boyd’s new council member Bogan.
• Councilwoman Frazier thanked Shafer for service, saluted the Marine Corps (250th birthday), and encouraged thanking veterans.
• Councilman Hoffman praised Shafer’s long service as police officer and council member, quoting Theodore Roosevelt’s “man in the arena.”
• Councilman Ryder echoed the “man in the arena” tribute, criticized the opposing coach at the Buckeye Valley girls’ volleyball state championship for poor sportsmanship, supported Mayor Riggle for re‑election, noted he would miss the next meeting, and drew parallels between utility rate decreases and potential income tax changes.
• Mayor Riggle attended the Homeport Development groundbreaking (on Channing Street, former county engineers site), expressed excitement for the housing project.
• Vice-Mayor Shafer thanked residents and staff, expressed pride in accomplishments, and noted that despite disagreements, the council worked together effectively.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda, motions summary, Ordinance 25-67 (bid procedures), Ordinance 25-62 (sidewalk repair), Ordinance 25-57 (Byxbe Road notes), Ordinance 25-58 (Merrick Boulevard notes), Ordinance 25-66 (release with Shelly Company), Resolution 25-84 (NIST cybersecurity), Resolution 25-85 (financial policies), Resolution 25-86 (federal funds guidance).
• Continued: Ordinances 25-63, 25-64, 25-65, 25-68, 25-69, 25-70, 25-71 will have further readings and hearings on November 24, 2025.
• Policy Shifts: Water rate structure moves to increasing block rates for residential; utility rate setting moves to the fee schedule; maintenance costs are relocated from capital to operating budget.
• Honoring Vice-Mayor Shafer: Council and staff presented him with a photo and plaque in recognition of his 12 years of service.
• Adjourned at 8:56 PM.