Delaware City Council Special Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Delaware City Council held a special meeting on December 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, public comment, multiple ordinance readings, and reports from the Finance Director and City Manager. Key actions included approval of municipal court employee benefits, supplemental appropriations, and the failure of motions to suspend rules for two annexation ordinances, moving them to third readings. A public hearing on a fee schedule amendment was set for January 12, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Motion Summary from the December 8, 2025 meeting (unanimous).
• Consent Agenda approved (Resolution No. 25-91 authorizing airport grant application, Resolution No. 25-92 appointing a board member, Resolution No. 25-93 appointing council members to committees, and establishing January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM as the public hearing date for Ordinance No. 25-80 on fee schedule amendment). Vote: Ms. Griffith opposed, Mr. Ryder abstained, others in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rachel Buchanan (53 Eton Street) expressed concern about St. Vincent New Beginnings, a transitional housing program at 61 Eaton Street. She stated she is not opposed to such programs but questioned the location's zoning compliance, proximity to an elementary school and Ohio Wesleyan campus, and lack of a conditional or special use permit hearing. She requested the city verify permits, licensing, and safety compliance, and reevaluate the location's appropriateness.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 25-73 (Third Reading) – Amending Delaware Municipal Court and Clerk of Court employee benefits and leave policies, with an emergency clause effective December 21, 2025. Approved after separate votes on the emergency clause and the ordinance itself (unanimous on both).
• Ordinance No. 25-74 (Second Reading) – Supplementing 2025 appropriations, with amendments noted. The rules were suspended, and the emergency clause and ordinance were approved unanimously.
• Ordinance No. 25-75 (Second Reading) – Accepting the annexation of 175.79 acres (Price Farms Annexation). A motion to suspend the rules requiring three readings failed (3 yes, 3 no), sending the ordinance to a third reading. Councilmember Griffith offered condolences to the Price family.
• Ordinance No. 25-76 (Second Reading) – Accepting the annexation of 109.01 acres (Pine Meadows Annexation). A motion to suspend the rules also failed (3 yes, 3 no), moving it to a third reading.
• Ordinance No. 25-80 (Consideration) – Amending the schedule of fees and service charges. No action taken; a public hearing was set for January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
• Finance Director's Report – Reported November 2025 income tax revenues remained level at 6–7%, utilities were slightly up year-over-year, and investment income remained strong.
• City Manager's Report – Announced a city attorney candidate offer will be announced soon; if accepted, the candidate will attend the January 12 meeting. Also reported on the John Freeman Pay-What-You-Think Breakfast, which raised $38,000, and the Wreaths Across America ceremony, noting nearly 1,950 wreaths were placed locally.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Motion Summary from December 8, 2025.
• Approved: Consent Agenda items (Resolutions 25-91, 25-92, 25-93) and public hearing date for Ordinance 25-80.
• Approved: Ordinance No. 25-73 (Municipal Court employee benefits) with emergency clause.
• Approved: Ordinance No. 25-74 (Supplemental appropriations) with amendments and emergency clause.
• Failed (sent to third reading): Motion to suspend rules for Ordinance No. 25-75 (Price Farms annexation) and Ordinance No. 25-76 (Pine Meadows annexation). Both will have third readings at the January 12, 2026 meeting.
• Set: Public hearing for Ordinance No. 25-80 on January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
• Council directed staff to review the zoning and permitting concerns raised by public commenter Rachel Buchanan regarding St. Vincent New Beginnings at 61 Eaton Street.