Delphi city council members took several positive steps to support local merchants, families and incoming industry at Monday night's meeting. The first to take effect was the approval of a Delphi Farmers' Market to be organized and implemented by Delphi Main Street and local vendors.

Main Street representative Anita Werling presented plans developed to begin a farmers' market on Market Street every Wednesday afternoon beginning June 18. She said it was necessary to begin this summer to build a vendor and participant base to enhance for next year.

Werling said the current city ordinance for a Delphi market could be amended to represent current plans for the market operation and supervision. One change would include a fee for booth space. The money collected would be used solely to promote the market.

Housing Program

Star Development representatives Mark and Joyce McCarty presented information about a federally-funded housing rehabilitation program for low-tomoderate income owner-occupied family dwellings. Star Development provided the same service using the same program to families in Camden for two grant cycles with success.

It was noted that when homes are improved, neighborhood property values usually increase, which is a form of economic development. Local contractors provide the on-site rehabilitation services. The program would be supervised by the chosen grant administration firm, paid out of grant funds.

Urged by Kyle Germond to act sooner rather than later to initiate the program, council members will meet in special session later in June to approve the grant manual and choose a firm to act as grant coordinator. The grant coordinator will then hold public meetings to explain the program to potential participants and community members.

Re-zoning land along US421

Council members approved a request by Carroll County Economic Development Corporation Director Daryl Smith to proceed to re-zone a parcel of land on US421 south of CR100N at the site where Gray's Turkey Farm was located to industrial. Mayor Randy Strasser said the city would work to provide needed services to the area.

Council members Brian Garrison called it a "good site" and Nelson Smith said he considered the location a "good place to start."

Other business

An ordinance to allow the Delphi Police Department to charge $5 for vehicle inspections was approved on third and final reading after a suspension of the rules.

Police chief Justin Darling reported the new squad car should be on patrol by the July 4 holiday.

The police department issued 130 warnings during May, 68 more than last month. Twelve information reports, 10 felony reports and 36 calls to assist another agency were logged by the department in May.

Fire chief John Patterson reported seven fire and 19 maintenance runs in May. The department has logged 251 manhours in 2008.

Street department superintendent Aaron Lyons said recycling services would resume normal pick-up next week. He said the department has been kept busy with street repair and tree cutting and disposal.

Delphi Airport manager Brian Stirm reminded council members about the Transportation Festival June 14 and 15. He further announced a public meeting for a presentation by Swift Development LLC about building an alternative fuel pilot plant at the airport on June 12 at 6 p.m.

City attorney Kurtis Fouts was directed to develop an ordinance to address dilapidated housing/ building issues.

The board of works decided to enforce an ordinance to require the owner of a dog previously determined to be a potentially hazardous dog to be on a leash and muzzled if not in its enclosure.

The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be July 7 at 7 p.m. The next board of works meeting will be June 16 at 4:30 p.m.