Delaware · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Carriage Drive Commercial Vehicle Parking
A resident reported utility trucks, inoperable vans, and detached trailers cluttering Carriage Drive and blocking driveways near the high school apartments. The committee directed him to submit photos and documentation through the clerk for staff follow-up.
Resident alleges court and water department failures
A resident criticized council for ignoring his emails, alleged unconstitutional water shutoffs without notice, and demanded answers about overspending protections.
Sergeant promotion process overhaul
The sergeant promotion test was rebuilt: a Delaware-specific written exam, oral interview, and leadership assessment replace the old single-assessment format. The change follows union feedback that one test put all the eggs in one basket.
Goodwill men's transitional living home
A 16-bed shelter with on-site staff and supportive services won unanimous approval in the Greenwood Commons/Sugar Run development. T&R Properties is donating the land to Goodwill and discounting rents on 20% of its adjoining apartments; the operator says residents will be nonviolent men transitioning to jobs.
Avery's Law dog ordinance
City dog rules now match Ohio's updated dangerous-dog law, giving clearer definitions, impound procedures, and a 10-day court timeline — and letting the city's civilian animal control officer keep enforcing the law.
Chlorine gas safety conversion at water plant
The water plant still uses dangerous chlorine gas; switching to liquid sodium hypochlorite would remove one of the city's biggest chemical hazards but requires a significant retrofit.
Fire/EMS mutual aid with Columbus
A three-year automatic mutual aid agreement would let Columbus fire and EMS units automatically back up Delaware on major calls.
Fire department staffing and Station 5 preparation
The fire department is fully staffed today, with ten budgeted hires coming on to be trained ahead of Station 5's expected opening early next year. The certified list of 15 candidates keeps the hiring pipeline full.
Permit-before-build enforcement
The Lone Pine porch was built without a permit, and staff stressed that the permit process would have caught the setback problem and railing requirements before construction. The board noted the existing violation can't be counted as a hardship.
Exterior property maintenance code overhaul
The city now has its own exterior maintenance code with pollinator garden protections, beehive rules, posted notices instead of certified mail, and an education-first approach — enforcement stays a last resort.
Council ethics and compliance training
Council members got their yearly refresher on Ohio ethics law — how to handle conflicts of interest, gift limits around $75, confidentiality, and campaign rules. It's about keeping public trust and avoiding legal trouble, with penalties ranging up to third-degree felonies.
Opioid settlement funds
The city will sign on to the final piece of national opioid litigation, entitling Delaware to its share of the Six Remnant Defendants settlement. Roughly $159,000 from earlier settlements is banked, with talks to fund school resource officers.
Sidewalk snow removal near schools
After the big storms, kids struggled to reach schools safely because plows push snow onto sidewalks. The city is exploring options like plowing one side of a street at a time near schools.
Snow response and $118,000 price tag
The 12-inch storm cost about $118,000 and 1,100 labor hours, but crews cleared streets in 36 hours — beating the 48-hour goal. Council wants better ways to tell residents to move cars off streets before plowing.