Delaware City Council Regular Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Delaware City Council met on August 24, 2026, beginning with a 6:30 PM executive session under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(3) for pending or imminent court action, followed by an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:00 PM. Council considered a wide range of items including liquor license requests, multiple ordinances and resolutions for public hearings set on September 14, 2026, presentations on public health and the Sandusky Street corridor study, and a financial report. Key decisions included approval of liquor licenses for CVS and Kroger, an economic development incentive for Wieland Onda, an EMS reimbursement agreement with Delaware County, and annexation services resolutions. The Strategic Action Plan was discussed but not voted upon.

Consent Calendar

• All 17 items (a through q) under the consent agenda were approved unanimously by roll call vote (6-0, with Dr. Bogan absent). These included: acceptance of various committee minutes (Public Works/Public Utilities, Shade Tree Commission, Sister City Advisory Board, Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals) and establishment of dates and times for second readings and public hearings on September 14, 2026 for Ordinances 26-37 through 26-45 and Resolutions 26-59 and 26-60.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Gebert (265 West Fountain Avenue) presented a brief on sea‑level rise, stating that the progression is stable and pre‑dates industrialization, and distributed a topographic map of Miami as evidence. She expressed skepticism about attributing current sea‑level rise to carbon dioxide.
• Lily Legando (177 Euclid Avenue) raised concerns about Flock surveillance cameras, stating that 20 billion scans occur monthly in the U.S., and citing NPR reports of a 71% misread rate. She argued that children walking to school are tracked without consent and that the system poses privacy and security risks. She urged the council to reconsider their use.

Presentations

• Delaware Public Health District Update – Jeff Gibbs, Director of Environmental Health, reported: 231 mosquitoes captured in three traps within the city, attributed to prevention efforts. He noted the potential for increased adult mosquitoes due to recent floodwaters. He also announced a free tire‑collection event on October 3, 2026 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds; last year 1,547 tires were collected, of which 710 (approximately 50%) came from zip code 43015. Tires are contracted to Willag Tire and fully recycled.
• Sandusky Street Corridor Planning and Traffic Study – City Engineer Jonathan Owen and Kevin Westbrook of GPD Group presented results of a traffic study evaluating a road diet on Sandusky Street from Olin/Pangy Avenue to Central Avenue. The study reviewed 141 crashes over three years (2019‑2021); 106 (75%) of those crashes were rear‑end, left‑turn, sideswipe, fixed‑object, or pedestrian accidents that a road diet could help reduce. Average daily traffic is around 8,000 vehicles, projected to about 9,000 by 2050. The analysis concluded that converting to a three‑lane configuration (one lane each direction plus a center left‑turn lane) is feasible, with levels of service at A or B for most intersections (C at Central and William). The road diet would open up 26 feet of space for wider sidewalks, bike lanes, or angled parking. Council discussion included interest in considering a full pedestrian mall between William and Central, but that was not part of the study. City staff plan to issue a request for qualifications for preliminary engineering this fall, with public engagement likely next year.

Discussion Items

• Liquor Licenses – Two new C2/C1 permits were considered: CVS Pharmacy #6164 at 1725 Central Avenue, and Kroger Marketplace #816 at 1650 Sunbury Road. Both are for off‑premises beer and wine sales. No statutory objections were identified. Kroger’s permit will also require additional permits for tastings and Sunday sales at a later date.
• Ordinances and Resolutions – The following items were introduced, with first readings held. All will proceed to public hearings on September 14, 2026:
  • Ordinance 26-37: Updates to dangerous dog regulations per Ohio’s Avery’s Law.
  • Ordinance 26-38: Annexation of 175 acres known as Price Farms II.
  • Ordinance 26-39: Rezoning of Price Farms II to MX-PUD.
  • Ordinance 26-40: Rezoning of 2.84 acres at William and Gruber from I‑1 to MX-PUD.
  • Ordinance 26-41: Rezoning of 5.386 acres at Lansdale and South Houk to C-PUD for a senior care facility.
  • Ordinance 26-42: Creation of Sawmill Parkway Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.
  • Ordinance 26-43: Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement for Snappy’s Automotive relocation (0 Belle Avenue, ~11,000 sq ft).
  • Ordinance 26-44: CRA agreement for Howald Industrial Park expansion (320 London Road, ~39,000 sq ft).
  • Ordinance 26-45: CRA agreement for FedOne Airport Industrial Project (119 Innovation Court).
  • Ordinance 26-46: Third‑quarter budget supplements, including an additional $110,000 for salt, fuel increase for city fleet, appropriation for refuse truck (3‑4 year lead time), and county TIF surplus distribution. Declared an emergency.
  • Resolution 26-61: Adoption of the 2027‑2031 Five‑Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Referred to Finance Committee.
  • Resolution 26-63: Performance‑based economic incentive grant agreement with Onda USA LLC (d.b.a. Wieland Onda) for a new $24 million manufacturing facility at 115 Innovation Court, adding 100 new jobs and $6.7 million in new payroll. The agreement splits income taxes retained by the city with the company for five years once operations begin.
  • Resolution 26-64: Assignment of a Community Reinvestment Area agreement from TCC Delaware II, LLC to SRRT 2039 Industrial DST for 2039 Pittsburgh Drive (255,000 sq ft building). Declared an emergency.
  • Resolution 26-65: Intergovernmental agreement with Delaware County for reimbursement of EMS services for calendar year 2026, enabling collection of over $1 million in unpaid billings.
  • Resolution 26-66: Resolution of services for the Fincon Gregory annexation (116.665 acres, four parcels). Declared an emergency.
  • Resolution 26-67: Strategic Action Plan for 2026‑2028. The revised plan includes five priority areas: fiscal sustainability, economic growth, regional partnerships, community connectivity, and parking/mobility. Council expressed support but requested additional emphasis on infrastructure, stormwater management (due to recent flooding), healthcare partnerships, measurable deadlines, and clearer metrics. No vote was taken; the plan will be revised and brought back.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items approved (6‑0).
• Liquor Licenses:
  • CVS #6164: Approved (5‑1, Councilman Ryder dissenting).
  • Kroger #816: Approved (6‑0).
• Resolution 26-63 (Wieland Onda incentive): Approved (5‑1, Councilman Ryder dissenting).
• Resolution 26-64 (CRA assignment): Emergency clause and main resolution approved (6‑0).
• Resolution 26-65 (EMS agreement): Approved (6‑0).
• Resolution 26-66 (Fincon Gregory annexation services): Emergency clause and main resolution approved (6‑0).
• Ordinances 26-37 through 26-46: First readings held; public hearings set for September 14, 2026.
• Resolution 26-67 (Strategic Action Plan): Not voted; will be revised and presented at a future meeting.
• Other: Finance Director reported on the July 2026 financial report, including $108,000 in income tax collections due to enhanced enforcement. City Manager reported $1.7 million in contract approvals for July and highlighted completion of the Point project bridge (Norfolk Southern using new bridge, old bridge removal ongoing).
• Council Comments: Councilman Ryder raised concerns about stormwater infrastructure and water usage data; Councilman Haynes and Chief Moore clarified that the city’s 17 Flock cameras only capture license plates, not face scans, and that a robust policy governs data use. Councilwoman Griffith attended a public education demonstration of the system.