Delphi’s Code Enforcement Enters Its Third Year

In the spring of 2021, the City of Delphi established a new position to ensure that safety standards and quality of place are maintained throughout the community. The Code Enforcement Officer does that by looking for health and safety concerns, such as a caving-in porch or garage, an unruly yard, or inoperable or unplated vehicles parked in yards or alleys. 

The Code Enforcement position is a contracted one. The ideal candidate would be self-motivated with strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail. Lou Hayden--the current code enforcer-- fits that bill. He is working in the community answering questions and concerns from residents. 

When Hayden finds something that is a violation of a code or a safety risk, he first sends out a Courtesy Notice attaching a photograph to ensure that the homeowner understands what is wrong. If no action is taken by the homeowner, the next step would be a Notice of Violation. This notice warns that if no action is taken, the city could hire a contractor to address the problem. If corrective action still does not take place, the homeowner will receive a third and final Notice to Abate. If the city has to take corrective action, the homeowner will receive a bill from the Clerk’s Office for the costs of the abatement.

Homeowners sometimes find themselves unable to meet the deadlines stated in the notifications. “As the Code Enforcement Officer for Delphi, I understand that sometimes you have a question or concern about a notice you might have received. I am here to answer any questions and will strive to give time where needed for you to address concerns. If you have a reason that you might not be able to meet a stated time frame, please contact me so that we can work together to ensure that the issues are addressed with a little grace along the way if needed,” Hayden commented.

The same applies to abandoned or inoperable vehicles. After the proper notice period the city will have the vehicle towed. The vehicle owner would then have to pay the tow service and if they want to reclaim the vehicle, they will need to show proper registration and ensure that it is operable.

The goal of the code enforcer is to bring problem properties into compliance, improving neighborhoods for all. By enforcing its codes, Delphi aims to make the community safe and aesthetically pleasing for current and future residents alike.

For any questions or concerns contact code enforcer Lou Hayden, at 

At 1 p.m. on September 6, representatives of the City of Delphi, Indiana Landmarks, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources along with invited guests formally dedicated the newly completed Monon High Bridge Trail. Decades in the making, the successful completion of this beautiful 1.5-mile trail is the culmination of successful partnerships and general financial support.

The former rail corridor had become an unofficial trail after it was vacated by CSX Transportation in the late 1980s. The historic Monon High Bridge, the trail’s namesake, had been a de facto pedestrian bridge since its construction in 1891. The idea of integrating the Monon High Bridge and rail corridor into a community trail system was hatched in the late 1990s but didn’t gain significant steam until 2012 when statewide preservation nonprofit Indiana Landmarks and local preservation partners Heartland Heritage, Inc. and Delphi Preservation Society were presented an opportunity to initiate formal negotiations with CSX Transportation.

With support from the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and the Federal Surface Transportation Board, Indiana Landmarks submitted a formal proposal to CSX Transportation in late 2016 with acceptance by the rail company in early 2017. Following months of pre-development work, the bridge and nearly half mile of approach was transferred by CSX Transportation to Indiana Landmarks which immediately began stabilization and repair to a severely damaged support pier. This work was completed in late 2019.

“Stabilization of the damaged pier, which prompted Indiana Landmarks to include the bridge on our 2016 10 Most Endangered list, was critical to the effort. The repaired pier ensured the preservation of this landmark span for yet another century,” said Tommy Kleckner, Western Regional director for Indiana Landmarks. “A generous grant of $248,000 from North Central Health Services allowed us to proceed with the next phase of the Monon High Bridge rehabilitation project, the installation of decking and railing on west quarter of the bridge to allow for safe pedestrian use.”

Coinciding with the bridge rehabilitation project was the City of Delphi’s pursuit of funding to develop a finished ADA compliant pedestrian & bicycle trail from the east edge of the city to the Monon High Bridge. A $1.25 million grant from the State of Indiana’s Next Level Trails program administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources propelled the Monon High Bridge Trail project forward. Work included the creation of Miller Park with a new trailhead and parking area, an intensive slope stabilization project, paving of the trail, and installation of lighting, trail cameras, and information kiosks. “This stunning trail connects heritage sites such as the Centennial and Bicentennial monuments with the repurposed Freedom Bridge over SR 25 to the Veterans Memorial Plaza with its massive Monon train engine etched in granite, then onward to the iconic High Bridge overlooking Deer Creek,” stated Delphi Mayor Anita Werling. 

Following COVID-related project delays, installation of the new prefabricated decking and custom steel railing system on the west portion of the Monon High Bridge began in earnest in the fall of 2022 with completion achieved by year’s end. “The decking and railing system turned out better than I expected. The Monon High Bridge is now safely accessible to the public, affording breathtaking views of the Deer Creek Valley from the landmark span,” added Kleckner.

Additional funding support for the trail and bridge rehabilitation project was provided by CSX Transportation, Deer Creek Township, the Efroymson Family Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and the Indiana Trails Fund.

Mayor Anita Werling announced today that Nathan (Nate) LaMar will assume duties as the Chief of Police for the City of Delphi effective Monday, July 17, 2023. He succeeds Chief Brook McCain who retired in June after 32 years of dedicated service with the City of Delphi.

LaMar served for more than twelve years in the Lafayette Police Department first as a patrol officer and rising to Narcotics Detective with the Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force receiving strong endorsements from law enforcement professionals and community officials with whom he has worked.

In welcoming LaMar to his new position, Werling stated: “As Chief of Police, LaMar will implement a Take-Home car policy approved by the City Council, promote community policing and public education strategies, and bring department policies and procedures in line with current practices. We look forward to his leadership, commitment, and enthusiasm.”

Since moving to the Delphi area in 2016, LaMar has been active in the community serving on the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce board of directors as well as the Indiana Bacon Festival Planning Committee. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, he has been an active volunteer with the Delphi Main Street organization and has served on steering committees for the Delphi Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Unified Development Ordinance.

For more information, contact Anita Werling at .

DELPHI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Delphi ("City") Economic Development Commission ("Commission") will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., local time, on July 3, 2023, in the Delphi Community Center, 311 N. Washington Street, Delphi, Indiana, regarding: (i) a proposed financing of the cost of all or a portion of the construction of economic development facilities, including construction of multi-family housing and the construction of infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, water, sewer, electric and road infrastructure and stormwater improvements, together with all necessary appurtenances, equipment and related improvements (collectively, "Project"), in or physically connected to the Delphi Economic Development Area ("Area"); (ii) the issuance of its [Taxable] Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2023 ("Bonds") in the aggregate, collective, principal amount not to exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars $1,500,000 to finance the Project; and (iii) to consider whether this financing will have an adverse competitive effect on any similar facilities already constructed or operating in the City.

The Bonds will be issued by the City pursuant to IC 36-7-11.9, 36-7-12, 36-7-14 and 36-7-25, and an ordinance to be adopted by the Common Council ("Ordinance").  The Bonds will not be payable in any manner by taxation but are proposed to be payable from TIF Revenues (as defined in the Trust Indenture) and as otherwise provided in the Financing and Covenant Agreement, the Trust Indenture and the Ordinance related to the Bonds.

Proceeds of the economic development financing will be used for the costs of a portion of the Project to be located on the following parcels in the City of Delphi, Indiana: 08-06-29-021-082.000-007, No. 08-06-29-021-085.000-007, No. 08-06-29-021-081.000-007 and No. 08-06-29-021-086.000-007.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to IC 36-7-12-24.  The public is invited to attend and comment on any of the matters herein noted.  Written comments may also be submitted to the Secretary of the Commission until the end of business on July 3, 2023, by delivering such comments to the office of the Department of Redevelopment, Delphi, Indiana.

Dated: June 21, 2023.

DELPHI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

The annual Spring cleanup of the Morning Heights and Robinson-Baum cemeteries will take place the week of March 27th. Please remove any desired flowers and arrangements from the cemetery grounds prior to March 27th. Anything items remaining will be picked up by the City for disposal.

Thank you for your assistance! If you have questions, please contact the City of Delphi, 765-564-2097.

The City of Delphi Police Department is once again accepting applications for police officers. Please complete the Pre-Application Form https://cityofdelphi.org/document-library/police-department/779-delphi-pod-pre-application/file and return the completed form to Sgt. Deckard at . If you have any questions, please send them to the same email. The Pre-Application Form deadline is January 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM. 

The City of Delphi has a full-time opening for a laborer in the Water Department. Excellent benefits. The job description and salary information can be found at this link:  Water Department Laborer Job Description 2022  Contact: Water Department  for additional information.

The intersection at Monroe and Market Streets will become a 4-way stop beginning Monday, May 23. Please take heed of all signs and stop bars.

Spring Cleanup for Delphi residents will be Saturday, May 7th. All items need to be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the day of pickup. The trash contractor will not return a second time. Items should be placed in an orderly fashion at the curb. The following items will NOT be taken:

• Building materials
• Freon appliances and electronics
• Paint and oil
• Rock and brick

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the Delphi Street Department at 564-2353.

The City of Delphi will be conducting our annual Spring clean-up of Morning Heights and Robinson-Baum cemeteries beginning the week of April 11^th. Any flowers or arrangements that you wish to keep should be picked up prior to April 11^th. Decorations remaining will be removed up by the City. We thank you in advance and should you have any questions please feel free to contact the City of Delphi 765-564-2027.

State-of-the-art water meters will be installed throughout the City of Delphi beginning Thursday, January 27th and continuing for several weeks. The new meters are lead-free iPERL meters which have no moving parts and maintain their accuracy over a 20-year lifetime. They will replace AccuSTREAM meters currently in the system which have a 15-year lifespan, and which can show some degradation in accuracy over time. The AccuSTREAM meters in the current system are past their half-life. The iPERL meters will be set to record usage at 1 cubic foot compared with 10 cubic feet for the old meters. This will greatly increase the ability to detect leaks in the system, particularly for customers. Once the changeover is complete, the City of Delphi will utilize Sensus Analytics for data management of the system. Instant reading of water consumption will then be possible making leak detection more rapid and providing quicker customer service.

Meter installation will be handled by Advanced Utility Services (AUS) whose installers and vehicles will be marked. The South Hill in Delphi will be the first area to receive the new meters. For each meter, the changeout is expected to require no longer than 30 minutes during which time the water will be turned off. After the changeout, residents may experience some air in their lines or slight discoloration of the tap water. Letting the water run for several minutes will clear these conditions. If questions arise, or the conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at 765-564-3944.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on transportation needs for the future of Delphi and Carroll County! 

https://forms.gle/hp38UhpE2W2DewFNA

The Common Council has authorized a fourth round of the Delphi Small Business Resilience Grant (SBRG IV) program initiated in 2020 to assist businesses that have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. The SBRG IV grant is available to businesses that have been located in the City Delphi or within one mile of the corporate limits since July 1, 2021. The maximum possible award is $5,000 per business.

Since 2020, 101 grants totaling more than $478,000 have been awarded to 53 businesses for COVID assistance, funded in large part through grants from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. In SBRG IV the City will distribute the remaining $73,500 in OCRA funds. Priority will be given to businesses that have not received funding in all of the three previous rounds and to businesses located within the corporate limits.

Applications are available on the City of Delphi website https://cityofdelphi.org/business/delphi-sbrg and at the City Building during normal business hours. All applications and required documentation are due by 4:30 p.m. on January 14, 2022 and may be turned in at the City Building or emailed to .

Further information is available within the grant application. Questions can be referred to Mayor Anita Werling at or by phone 765-564-3039.

A public hearing on the City of Delphi's proposed budget for 2022 will be held Monday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m. at the meeting of the Common Council at the Community Center, 311 N. Washington Street. Click on the link to review the proposed budget:  Form 3 City of Delphi 2022 Budget

Hydrant Flushing begins Sept. 14

Hydrants from Wilson Street east and on the South Hill in the area of Riley Road will be flushed beginning September 14 and expected to continue into the week of September 20.  If your water is rusty, let it run until clear. If  problems persist, call 765-564-3944. 

CCMG STREET RESURFACING AND PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT

E&B Paving is scheduled to work on curbs and driveways starting July 30,2021. This work will disrupt the use of driveway entrances. Residents should park on the westside of Wilson Street. All work is weather permitting.

If you should have concerns or experience any problems as a result of the Construction project, please contact the following:

City of Delphi Street Department: Aaron Lyons 765-564-2353

The City of Delphi will be working on the watermain at the intersection of Summit Street and Wabash Street. This construction will result in the closure of the intersection and may impact how you normally access your residence or business. The closure will begin on July 29, 2021.

The Contractor for the project is R&W Construction and the onsite construction inspection is being performed by Butler Fairman and Seufert. We will work with you to make sure you have access and will do everything possible to minimize the disruption.

If you should have concerns or experience any problems as a result of the Construction project, please contact the following:

City of Delphi Water Department: Craig Myers 765-564-0087

This position includes administrative and managerial work related to planning, organizing, and directing the activities of Community Development for the City of Delphi. The Director of Community Development is a contract employee.

The Community Development Director is responsible for assisting with the administration of land-use planning and zoning, inventorying vacancies in commercial and industrial properties and working with Main Street and other organizations to retain and attract businesses, managing capital improvements projects as assigned, coordinating and tracking for grant administration, and interfacing with Area Plan, the Economic Development Corporation, and Redevelopment Commissions.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in community development, planning, public administration, or related fields.

Click here for job description. Submit letter of interest and resume to .