City Council Regular Meeting – February 23, 2026

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on February 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, a public hearing on zoning code amendments, approval of several ordinances and resolutions, and reports from staff. Key actions included updating the zoning code, amending the management pay plan, approving supplemental appropriations, and authorizing right‑of‑way acquisition for Byxbe Parkway.

Consent Calendar

• Motion Summaries: Approved the motion summaries from the February 9 and February 16, 2026 council meetings. (7–0, with Councilmember McClellan abstaining on the February 16 summary)
• Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes: Accepted the motion summary of the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held January 14, 2026. (Unanimous)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Gibbs (Delaware Public Health District): Provided an update on overdose prevention services, including free naloxone kits, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and naloxone boxes for businesses. He also announced a Board of Health member opening (for a township/village representative) and described financial assistance available for solid waste and scrap tire cleanup for qualifying residents. The city manager noted that future presentations would allow council questions.

Proclamations

• National Engineer’s Week and Employee Appreciation Week were formally proclaimed by the Mayor.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26‑06 – Zoning Code Amendments (Public Hearing and Second Reading) Planning staff presented corrections and substantive updates to the zoning code adopted in summer 2025. Changes included: fixing typos and cross‑references; aligning use tables; revising the quorum provision for the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission (moving cases to City Council if no quorum for two meetings); allowing gravel for lay‑down areas in heavy manufacturing (I‑2) with conditions; clarifying parkland dedication vs. open space vs. lot coverage; and updating temporary sign regulations to be content‑neutral, with separate rules for residential and commercial/industrial districts. Council had questions about open space calculations and sign placement. No public speakers commented. The ordinance was approved on second reading (7–0 after the initial motion to pass received a 5–2 vote on details).

• Ordinance 26‑07 – Management Pay Plan Amendment The ordinance corrected redundant sick leave language and aligned the tool stipend for the mechanic supervisor position with the recently negotiated union contract. An emergency clause was adopted to allow the changes to take effect March 1, 2026. Approved unanimously.

• Ordinance 26‑08 – Supplemental Appropriations (First Reading) Finance Director Michelle Ballone presented a quarterly supplemental totaling $928,100, noting that $210,000 is counted twice (transfer to equipment replacement fund and replacement of a totaled bucket truck). Other major items included $100,000 for the City Hall air handler project (from prior year) and an emergency purchase at the Justice Center. Council discussion focused on fiscal responsibility and the rationale for supplements. The ordinance was moved to second reading on March 9, 2026.

• Ordinance 26‑09 – Supplemental Appropriations for Byxbe Parkway This companion appropriation for the right‑of‑way acquisition (Resolution 26‑10) was passed with an emergency clause, all unanimously, after suspension of the three‑reading rule.

• Resolution 26‑10 – Byxbe Parkway Right‑of‑Way Acquisition Authorized the City Manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement with Trailhead Acquisitions LLC for approximately six acres needed for the Byxbe Parkway project. The emergency clause was approved, and the resolution passed unanimously.

• Resolution 26‑09 – Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities Employees Association Contract Accepted negotiated changes to the expiring contract, including a 3% wage table adjustment for 2026–2028, revisions to sick leave, and updated language on recreation credits and residency requirements. A typographical error in the contract’s effective dates (showing 2022 instead of 2025) was corrected by amendment. The resolution was approved unanimously as amended.

Key Outcomes

• Votes
  • Ordinance 26‑06 (zoning amendments): Approved (7–0 on final passage).
  • Ordinance 26‑07 (management pay plan): Approved (7–0).
  • Ordinance 26‑08 (supplemental appropriations): Held for second reading on March 9, 2026.
  • Ordinance 26‑09 (Byxbe Parkway appropriation): Approved (7–0).
  • Resolution 26‑10 (Byxbe Parkway purchase agreement): Approved (7–0).
  • Resolution 26‑09 (water/wastewater union contract): Approved (7–0) with clerical amendment.
• Directives: The City Manager reported that bids for the Unity Park splash pad were rejected due to high costs; staff will perform site preparation and purchase the splash pad equipment directly to reduce costs.
• Next Steps: The South Sandusky focus group study continues with Ohio State University students; a stakeholder video meeting is scheduled. The next regular council meeting on March 9, 2026, will be a joint meeting with Delaware City Schools.