Delaware City Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Delaware City Council met on September 28, 2026, in Council Chambers. The meeting opened at 6:00 PM with an executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1) and (G)(5), then resumed at 7:00 PM for the regular agenda. Members present were Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle, Ms. Griffith, Mr. McClellan, Dr. Bogan, and Vice Mayor Fraser. Council Members Ryder and Haynes were excused. Council approved routine items, conducted public hearings, and unanimously approved multiple annexation, rezoning, tax-incentive, and planning measures.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Motion Summary from the September 14, 2026 City Council meeting.
• Approved the consent agenda as amended: removed consent item 6G (an October 26, 2026 second-reading date for Ordinance No. 26-53) as redundant, and corrected agenda item 27’s ordinance number to 26-52. The original agenda and minutes had listed 26-53 in that item.
• Accepted the Shade Tree Commission Motion Summary from July 28, 2026.
• Set public hearing dates for October 12, 2026: 7:10 PM for Ordinance 26-50 (ADA Policy and Transition Plan), 7:15 PM for Ordinance 26-51 (Vergon Drive name change to Rainstone Drive), 7:20 PM for Ordinance 26-52 (Community Reinvestment Area boundary expansion), and 7:25 PM for Ordinance 26-53 (Northwood TIF for Byxbe Corridor Improvements).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vernon Shuttles, 186 London Road, described drainage and right-of-way problems: rainwater flowing down an alley, deteriorating railroad ties, and an alley width he said varies from 13–14 feet at High Street to 10.5 feet at his property. He requested that city engineering and public works investigate the conditions.
• Deborah Giebert, 265 West Fountain Avenue, presented views on climate change, arguing that climate policies can be costly and that public debate should include a wider historical temperature record. She expressed concerns about costs, grid reliability, and anxiety among young people.
• During the Ordinance 26-47 public hearing, residents Dana Glassburn and Jacob Ives raised concerns about a proposed three-story building, neighborhood fit, traffic congestion on Lake Street, and the potential demolition of a historic carriage house. The applicant said the carriage house is dilapidated and contains asbestos and would be demolished.
• During the Resolution 26-70 public hearing, Deborah Giebert asked how the Goodwill men’s transitional living home would be funded and what program it would offer. The applicant responded that Goodwill would fund the program and provide wraparound services without taxpayer burden.

Petitions

• Council acknowledged receipt of the Four Seasons at Addison Farms petition requesting alternative traffic calming on Heritage Boulevard and infrastructure reassessment within the 55+ senior community. The petition was accepted; the Parking and Safety Committee later indicated it would hear the petition at its next meeting on the 27th.

Discussion Items

• Staff Introduction: Jessica introduced Suzie Arehart, the newest HR specialist, who joined June 1, 2026 and has lived in Delaware for 26 years.
• Proclamation: The Mayor proclaimed October 1–7, 2026 as Stormwater Awareness Week in Delaware.
• Delaware County Transit Presentation: Andy Volenik, Executive Director of Delaware County Transit, presented a 0.2% county sales tax initiative for the November 2026 ballot. He cited 80 staff, approximately 40 vehicles, a $6.8 million operating budget, 95% on-time performance, a 4.9/5 satisfaction rating, and a 174% ridership increase since 2022. The tax would fund expanded microtransit in Powell and Orange, express commuter service, seven-day service in Delaware, same-day demand response, and facility and vehicle investments. Councilmembers asked about service in Ashley and noted a fair drop-off safety concern at Liberty and Pennsylvania; Volenik said he would revisit it.
• Ordinance 26-47 (Lake/Flax rezoning to R-PUD): Staff presented a request by Ex Flax, LLC/River West to rezone about 1.75 acres to allow a 38-unit-per-acre development with up to 66 units as an extension of The Mill on Flax. Planning Commission and staff recommended approval. After public comment, Councilman Ryder asked to continue to a third reading so he could be present; no vote was taken.
• Ordinance 26-49 (downtown hotel property conveyance): The city manager’s office presented a proposal to convey Spring Street property to the Delaware County Community Improvement Corporation so it could sell to Westwood Collective for a downtown hotel and mixed-use project. The developer noted the purchase of 81 Spring Street and approximately 280 parking spaces. Council suspended the three-reading rule and approved the ordinance.
• Finance Director’s Report: August 2026 citywide revenues were down 2.4% due to timing of the county property tax settlement, while income tax receipts were up 7.6%. The finance team is finalizing a parking kiosk vendor, working on long-lead vehicle purchases, and will issue an RFP for a more transparent budget document.
• City Manager’s Report: On October 8, 2026, the Point project contractor will remove steel girders from the temporary railroad bridge, causing five-minute intermittent traffic stoppages in both directions. Final paving and removal of the Central Avenue hump will follow.

Committee Reports

• Shade Tree Commission met and discussed landscaping issues, including invasive species. Parks and Recreation was canceled for lack of quorum. Parking and Safety will meet again on the 27th and expects to hear the Four Seasons petition.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 14, 2026 Motion Summary.
• Approved the consent agenda as amended.
• Acknowledged receipt of the Four Seasons at Addison Farms petition.
• Approved Ordinance No. 26-48 (Hickory Woods annexation, 101.92 acres) after suspending the three-reading rule, unanimously.
• Approved Resolution No. 26-70 (Goodwill Men’s Transitional Living Home development plan), unanimously, with the applicant agreeing to reduce invasive burning bush plantings and use native alternatives.
• Approved third readings unanimously: Ordinance No. 26-38 (Price Farms II annexation, 175 acres), Ordinance No. 26-39 (Price Farms II MX-PUD expansion), Ordinance No. 26-40 (2.84-acre Gruber Street MX-PUD rezoning), Ordinance No. 26-41 (5.386-acre C-PUD rezoning for a senior residential care facility), Ordinance No. 26-42 (Sawmill Parkway TIF), Ordinance No. 26-43 (Snappy’s Automotive CRA agreement), Ordinance No. 26-44 (Howald Industrial Park CRA agreement), and Resolution No. 26-67 (2026–2028 Strategic Action Plan).
• Approved Ordinance No. 26-49 (Spring Street property conveyance to the County CIC for a downtown hotel) after suspending the three-reading rule, unanimously.
• Approved Resolution No. 26-69 (Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations), unanimously.
• Ordinances 26-50, 26-51, and 26-52 were considered but scheduled for public hearings on October 12, 2026.
• Adjourned at 8:43 PM.