Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on April 27, 2026, preceded by an executive session at 6:30 PM under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(3) to confer with an attorney regarding pending or imminent court action. The regular session began at 7:00 PM with invocation and pledge, followed by approval of prior minutes, public comments, and a consent agenda. Major actions included approval of liquor license requests, a third reading of the Sawmill Parkway amendment, introduction of several ordinances set for public hearings on May 11, 2026, approval of two emergency easement ordinances, and approval of two pre-annexation agreements (Hickory Woods Park and Price Farms II). All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved motion summaries from the April 13, 2026 work session and regular meeting.
• Accepted the motion summary from the Airport Commission meeting of October 16, 2025.
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-24, amending Resolution No. 18-67 for meeting times and dates of the Sister City Advisory Board.
• Scheduled public hearings and second readings for May 11, 2026:
  • 7:15 PM: Ordinance 26-19 (Delaware Development Plan LTD rezoning to MX-PUD on 37.4 acres)
  • 7:20 PM: Ordinance 26-20 (Fed One Dublin, LLC rezoning to I-PUD on 62.95 acres)
  • 7:25 PM: Ordinance 26-23 (amendments to International Property Maintenance Code and new Exterior Property Maintenance Code)
  • 7:30 PM: Ordinance 26-24 (CRA and School Compensation Agreement with PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anna Willow (56 Labdale Drive) thanked council for modernizing the exterior property maintenance code and recognizing pollinator spaces, but expressed concern that a required permit process might deter residents; she suggested a simpler registry.
• Deverkey Bert (265 West Fountain) thanked council for not pursuing a "shell game" involving renewable energy certificates (RECs) and argued they do not produce actual energy savings. He highlighted rising PJM capacity auction costs: $29.50/MW-day in 2024-25, $270/MW-day in 2025-26, and $329/MW-day in 2026-27, emphasizing the need for reliable supply.

Staff Introduction

• City Manager introduced Emily Meek as the new Public Utilities Director. Meek, who previously worked for the American Water Works Association and as assistant director in Brighton, Colorado, expressed excitement to return to the Midwest and serve Delaware.

Presentations

• Delaware Public Health District Update (Jeff Gibbs): Announced summer vaccination clinic schedule; a documentary film night at the Strand Theatre on April 30 featuring "What It Takes" with a panel discussion and naloxone distribution; a community health assessment survey mailed to 3,400 randomly selected residents; a Public Health Academy for high school students on July 13 (cost $100, scholarships available) offering CPR and food handler certifications; and a community shred event on April 29.
• Shade Tree Commission Annual Report (Hunter Smith, City Forester): Reported year-to-date work totals: 2,044 trees pruned, 26 trees removed, 22 stumps removed, 42 service requests. Citywide canopy coverage increased from 23.4% in 2023 to 24.46% in 2025 (3,499 acres). The city has been a Tree City USA for 45 years with per capita forestry expenditures of approximately $4–$4.50 (double the requirement). Oak Grove Cemetery now has 62 labeled tree species with a self-guided QR code tour; goal is level 2 arboretum (100 species).

Committee Reports

• Parking and Safety Committee meets tomorrow.
• Airport Commission discussed Hangar J fuel sale update and underground fuel farm project.
• Sister City Advisory Board is preparing for a visit from Sicada (15 people) in 2027.

Consideration of Liquor License Requests

• Police Chief Adam Moore presented three requests with no objections recommended:
  • A: New D5 liquor permit (allows spirits until 2:30 AM) for Suela Food Services, LLC (dba Maria's Sears & Spirits) at 18 S. Sandusky St.
  • B: New C1 beer-only carry-out permit for Encanto Mexican Market LLC at 150 London Rd., Suite A.
  • C: Transfer of D5 permit from Ohana Island Grill & Bar LLC to Tipsy Tap LLC at 14 W. William St. (continuing Ohana operations).
• Council approved all three without objection (unanimous).

Third Reading: Ordinance 26-13 – Sawmill Parkway Agreement Amendment

• City Manager Langford summarized the amended cooperative agreement with Delaware County: carve out a 28-acre parcel (Blue Jackets Meridal site), flip a commercial TIF to a residential TIF for the 700-unit Addison development, and use that for payback.
• Council approved unanimously.

Emergency Easement Ordinances

• Ordinance 26-21: Authorized the city manager to grant an easement to Ohio Power (AEP) on city-owned property at the Pittsburgh Drive fire station to extend power to a nearby business. Approved with emergency clause after rule suspension (unanimous).
• Ordinance 26-22: Authorized the city manager to grant an easement to Ohio Power on city-owned property near London Road (former CSX rail line) for similar purposes. Approved with emergency clause after rule suspension, with a clerical amendment to correct the location description (unanimous).

Resolution 26-23 – Concord/Scioto Community Authority Expansion

• Resolution of no objection to adding two parcels to the existing New Community Authority in Concord Township (outside city limits). Approved unanimously.

Resolution 26-25 – Amendment to Trailhead Acquisitions Agreement

• Authorized a first amendment to the purchase/sale agreement for approximately 6 acres, adding an additional portion of property (for stormwater basin) to be deeded to the city at no extra cost. Approved with emergency clause (unanimous).

Pre-Annexation Agreements

• Resolution 26-26 (Delaware Hickory Woods): Pre-annexation agreement for 101.92 acres on the east side of Pollock Road (Hickory Woods Park) to allow water/sewer utility access for park improvements. Discussion clarified no capital cost to city for utility extension (paid by property owner), future road maintenance cost-sharing with township, and park operations remaining with Preservation Parks. Emergency clause needed to meet statutory 20-day service resolution requirement. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 26-27 (Price Farms II): Pre-annexation agreement for 175 acres south of Hills Miller Road and west of Troy Road, with potential future Delaware City Schools site. Discussion addressed developer options (de-annexation clause as a fail-safe), water storage tank costs (to be determined at development plan stage), and sewer capacity constraints—city made no guarantees on sewer timing due to a downstream project under evaluation. Emergency clause approved. Approved unanimously.

Finance Director's Report

• Income tax revenue up ~3% year-over-year; investment income strong; fees, licenses, and permits significantly down compared to last year. Additional analysis pending for the April report.

City Manager's Report & Council Comments

• City Manager noted recent activities: goal-setting session scheduling conflict, ribbon cutting at the Miller building, Arbor Day event at Oak Grove Cemetery, and attendance at the State of the County.
• Council comments included appreciation for staff, civil discourse, and announcements about upcoming events (First Friday, OU elected officials course, Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking, snow warriors national award).

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved all consent items, liquor licenses, Ordinance 26-13, Ordinances 26-21 and 26-22 with emergency clauses, Resolution 26-23, Resolution 26-25 with emergency clause, and Resolutions 26-26 and 26-27 with emergency clauses.
• Set public hearings for May 11, 2026 for ordinances 26-19, 26-20, 26-23, and 26-24.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM.