Delaware City Council on Monday approved multiple ordinances and a resolution, including two rezonings and an employment agreement for the city manager, and authorized submission of an Ohio Public Works Commission grant application.

The council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 25-46, rezoning a majority of Ohio Wesleyan University property to MX PUD (mixed-use planned unit development), and Ordinance 25-53, rezoning 66.75 acres for the Berlin Station Road residential planned unit development. Council also approved Ordinance 25-60, which adopts an amended employment agreement with City Manager Brake and included the emergency clause allowing immediate effect, and Resolution 25-80 to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for funds for pavement resurfacing and a signal replacement at William Street and Liberty.

Why it matters: The rezonings change long-term land-use rules for large parcels that affect future development on and around Ohio Wesleyan University and the Berlin Station Road site. The manager employment agreement finalizes the city’s executive compensation and continuity through 2026. The OPWC application would combine a signal modernization project with paving work, leveraging state funds alongside county and local matches.

Most important outcomes
- Ordinance 25-46 (Ohio Wesleyan University rezoning): Motion to approve by Ms. Fraser; second by Mr. Schaffer. Roll call: Ms. Griffith — Yes; Mr. Haines — Yes; Mr. Hoffman — Yes; Mr. Reiter — Yes; Ms. Fraser — Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer — Yes; Mayor Bridal — Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-53 (Berlin Station Road rezoning): Motion by Mr. Schaffer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Ms. Griffith — Yes; Mr. Haines — Yes; Mr. Hoffman — Yes; Mr. Reiter — Yes; Ms. Fraser — Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer — Yes; Mayor Bridal — Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-60 (employment agreement with city manager): Motion by Mr. Schaffer; second by Mr. Hoffman. Final roll call on passage: Ms. Griffith — Yes; Mr. Haines — Yes; Mr. Hoffman — Yes; Mr. Reiter — Yes; Ms. Fraser — Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer — Yes; Mayor Bridal — Yes. Outcome: approved (ordinance and emergency clause adopted so the agreement takes effect immediately).
- Resolution 25-80 (OPWC application for 2027 pavement resurfacing and signal improvements): Motion to approve by Mr. Schaffer; second by Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Ms. Griffith — Yes; Mr. Haines — Yes; Mr. Hoffman — Yes; Mr. Reiter — Yes; Ms. Fraser — Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer — Yes; Mayor Bridal — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Other business on the consent agenda (motion carried): multiple meeting motion summaries accepted and a set of resolutions giving consent for snow and ice removal agreements with ODOT and neighboring jurisdictions; dates were set for a series of public hearings related to upcoming zoning and development hearings.

What council said: Staff and councilors emphasized that the rezoning for Ohio Wesleyan University was intended to consolidate several campus parcels into one district to simplify future campus projects. On the Berlin Station Road rezoning, council discussed how net density is calculated at rezoning and noted that lot size and layout are determined later at the development-plan stage.

Next steps: Several items (ordinances 25-57, 25-58, 25-59, 25-62) were set for public hearings and second readings on Oct. 27. The OPWC application is due in November; notification of awards is expected in January or February.