Delaware City Council approves solid‑waste plan update, renews police surplus‑equipment agreement and ratifies clerical wage changes; several rezoning hearings,

Delaware City Council on Feb. 10 approved multiple administrative and legislative actions, including support for a regional solid‑waste management plan update, the renewal of a state surplus‑equipment agreement used by the police department, and an amendment to the AFSCME clerical employees agreement addressing wage adjustments. Council also approved a delineation of duties in the Public Works department and adopted a resolution of services for an 84‑acre annexation area.

Solid‑waste plan: The council voted to support the Delaware‑Knox‑Marion‑Morrow (DKMM) Solid Waste Management District Plan update. Jenna Hicks, director of the DKMM district, told council the district is funded through per‑ton fees paid by cooperating landfills and transfer stations and that “This fee is currently set at $6 a ton, and it has not changed since 2012.” She said the plan proposes increasing that fee to $7.50 per ton to sustain existing programs and add services, including more hazardous‑waste and electronics collection events, grants for recycling and school audits, and semi‑permanent collection locations. Council voted in favor of resolution 25‑08; the motion was made by Mr. Hoffman and seconded by Ms. Griffith. Roll call in favor was recorded for Ms. Griffith, Mr. Haynes, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Reiter and Ms. Fraser.

Police surplus‑equipment agreement: The council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing renewal of the city’s agreement with the State Law Enforcement Support Office (the federal surplus property program often called the 1033/DoD excess property program). Chief Moore described equipment the department has received through the program, listing items including fitness equipment, laptops, a server rack “with a price tag in excess of $80,000,” and an armored vehicle used in tactical operations. Council members voted to suspend the three‑reading rule and approve the renewal and emergency clause; the motions and roll calls recorded on the transcript show support across council and the ordinance passed that night.

Labor contract amendment: City staff briefed council on a negotiated amendment to the AFSCME Clerical Association agreement that memorializes wage adjustments discussed previously. Staff said the changes were reviewed with the union membership, that increases were within previously agreed limits, and that the pay adjustments include retroactive elements going back to December 2023. Council approved Resolution 25‑06; the motion to approve was made by Mr. Bridal and seconded by Ms. Griffith.

Public works duties ordinance: Council adopted Ordinance 25‑03, which delineates responsibilities between the Public Works director and the city engineer. The council suspended the three‑reading rule and approved the ordinance at the Feb. 10 meeting. The ordinance will clarify departmental responsibilities previously addressed in the city charter and implemented by ordinance.

Annexation services: Council adopted Resolution 25‑10, a resolution of services describing what municipal services the city will provide to 84.3 acres proposed for annexation (the TNR Glen Parkway annexation). The roll call recorded one dissenting vote from Ms. Griffith; other council members voted in favor.

Other actions and scheduling: Council moved the second‑reading public hearings for several large rezoning applications to Feb. 24, 2025, including the Daniels Hinkley (257.97 acres), Addison Properties (approx. 141.551 acres), a Kroger rezoning at Sunbury Road and Glen Road (about 17.753 acres), and a Delaware Health Realty rezoning (about 14.81 acres). Council also advanced ordinance 24‑100 to an additional (fifth) reading at a future meeting after a finance committee recommendation. A separate zoning item for Donovan Farms (Ordinance 25‑04) failed to have the required votes to suspend rules after one abstention was recorded; that item will be returned to a future meeting for further consideration.

What council members said: In discussion and in committee reports, councilors thanked staff and volunteers, noted ongoing work on attainable‑housing conversations, and encouraged continued public engagement ahead of the Feb. 24 hearings.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the Feb. 10 meeting transcript): - Resolution 25‑08 (DKMM plan update): Motion by Mr. Hoffman; second by Ms. Griffith. Recorded votes: Ms. Griffith — Yes; Mr. Haynes — Yes; Mr. Hoffman — Yes; Mr. Reiter — Yes; Ms. Fraser — Yes. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25‑03 (public works duties): Rule suspension motion passed; final ordinance approval recorded as passed (roll calls recorded in transcript). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25‑09 (renew state surplus/equipment agreement, emergency): Rule suspension and emergency clause passed; final ordinance approved. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 25‑06 (AFSCME clerical agreement amendment): Motion by Mr. Bridal; second by Ms. Griffith. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 25‑10 (services for Glen Parkway annexation): Motion by Mr. Reiter; second by Mr. Hoffman. Recorded vote: Ms. Griffith — No; others — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Council scheduled multiple public hearings for Feb. 24, 2025, when those rezoning items will return for second readings and public comment.