City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Stephen A. Renner, President Merisa K. Bowers, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Nancy R. McGregor Kaylee Padova Michael Schnetzer Trenton I. Weaver Pam Ripley, Interim Clerk of Council Monday, March 7, 2022 7:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 7, 2022, in Council Chambers. President of Council, Stephen Renner, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of Council, Bowers delivered an Invocation. Ann Wilson of Boy Scout Troop 456 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda for this meeting was published on March 4, 2022. Present 7 - Nancy R. McGregor, Karen J. Angelou, Merisa K. Bowers, Trenton I. Weaver, Kaylee Padova, Michael Schnetzer, and Stephen A. Renner B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA - NONE C. HEARING OF VISITORS. Mayor Jadwin shared that March is National Developmental Disabilities Month. There are two local organizations in our community that serve the developmental disability community. Mayor Jadwin presented the Proclamation to ARC Industries Chief Services Officer, Amanda Smith, and Ethan Burner, a participant in ARC and President of ARC Participation Advisory Council. Mr. Burner thanked the Mayor and Council, and said, "It is an honor to be a part of ARC East." 2022-0078 Mayoral Proclamation Sharon Montgomery, 572 Bonnington Way, Gahanna shared the following with Council. She strongly supports Ms. Bowers’ efforts to ensure fair housing in Gahanna and supports her efforts to engage Gahanna more in regional issues. Ms. Bowers’ presentation at Committee of the Whole last week was quite informative and very well City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 organized. There seems to be full support for the concept of fair housing, but some doubt as to whether it is enough of a problem in Gahanna to warrant action. In Montgomery's opinion, “enough” of a problem is irrelevant. Even if denial of the basic right to shelter is uncommon in Gahanna, we still need to act. Denial of that basic right should not be allowed to any degree. She was not surprised and was pleased that she heard no comments of the kind she has heard elsewhere about discrimination. But, for the record, she would like to share the single most valuable lesson she got in college. Discrimination is too often defended on the grounds of “we aren’t friends with everyone; we all choose our friends.” Too often, this is deliberately used to defend excluding an entire group of people from something. The race relations course she took in the late 60’s at OSU taught her that there is a difference between “individual discrimination,” choosing among individuals who we will associate with, and group discrimination, which is eliminating an entire group of people from our choice process. There is also, a difference between “relevant” and “irrelevant” discrimination. She can give no better example than one she learned in that course. It is irrelevant to discriminate against the entire group of red heads for the job of bus driver. It is relevant to discriminate against the entire group of blind people for the job of bus driver. She sincerely hopes her City government will move forward on making sure our community does not discriminate on a group level and irrelevant criteria for who can live with us here in Gahanna. Jeannie Hoffman, 708 Waybaugh Drive, Gahanna shared that it would be great if Planning Commission put their videos on YouTube. She would like Council to add Community Participation to Committee of the Whole. If that was on the agenda, she would have asked these questions at that meeting. Regarding the Fair Housing Policy, what are the current process laws, protections for rental discrimination and considering unearned income as a source of income? She is not convinced that it is a local issue but looks forward to hearing more as Council works through the process and vets the potential policy. It will be a newly created board which would be volunteer, but there are still administrative and enforceability costs involved. What would that look like? It was said that it was not meant to be punitive, which is great, but maybe just start with a letter to rental property owners. She imagines that big rental companies that have property managers know the laws. The smaller single family homeowners that are renting maybe do not know the laws. And they are the ones that might be having a problem. How would a potential renter know that the City has this policy? She assumes it will be on the website, but how would they know to go look for it? If they thought they were discriminated against by the time they came to the City, and went through the process that rental is gone. What is the benefit to the renter? She is City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 not sure of the end game. IIs it for the renter? The only thing she can see is that it will bring up repeat offenders and leases are so long it might be years before we even know that information. On the topic of housing policy, she would like to see a way to get quality affordable housing projects in the community. She knows lots of people would hate to hear that and see it as a negative, but she doesn’t see it that way. She knows it is probably not realistic, especially with the current shortage and newly projected shortage of housing stock, coupled with a big influx of jobs coming to the area. It is a policy that could benefit so many, especially young families, and single parents. Seeing the newly proposed Gahanna Vision Statement that makes sense. Paraphrasing Councilwoman Padova’s comments at the last meeting, “anytime you can help a single mother access our Gahanna schools, we should make that happen.” If source of income is part of that, then Hoffman is all for it. In her opinion, Gahanna cannot become so exclusive because housing costs and property taxes are so high that only the wealthiest of families can afford to live here. We are doing ourselves a disservice knowingly letting that happen. Hoffman fears that is the way we are headed now, and she is not sure there is time to reverse that course. Regarding electronic constituent communication, while Council is working through this she suggests if a resident sends an email on a public hearing agenda item and it is not read into the record that, at a minimum, it should be stated that there were X number of emails on this topic and council should acknowledge publicly that they did all read them and that they are going to be attached on the appropriate agenda. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2022-0067 Council Minutes for Approval These minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. End of Consent Agenda Motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Bowers, to pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 F. RESOLUTIONS RES-0008-2022 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Bowers read the Resolution Recognizing and Honoring Women's History Month. Bowers presented the resolution to Amanda Ferguson who works at the Ohio Herb Center and has been a devoted keeper of Gahanna history. Bowers thanked Ferguson for her assistance on providing the information on some of women's history in Gahanna. Last year, Ferguson was recognized as a Center of Science and Industry (COSI) STEM Star for her efforts in promoting composting, gardening natural environment and all things related to suburban gardening and maintaining our green space. Ferguson thanked Bowers for the opportunity to help with the project. Ferguson shared there are some fascinating historical figures in Gahanna. Most of them that are not known are women. The Ohio Herb Center has a history display of the prominent women of Gahanna. Ferguson invited everyone to the Ohio Herb Center to see the display. This is the 50th year of Gahanna being the "Herb Capital of Ohio." Motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Angelou, that the Resolution be approved with the amendment to the WHEREAS clause related to Lucy Seeds that she was the first female Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Gahanna. Motion carried by the follow vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner G. ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING / ADOPTION: ORD-0008-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE PART 1 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 135 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ENGINEERING, SECTIONS 135.03 TO 135.08 AND REPLACE WITH PART 1 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 133 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, SECTION 133.02, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. A motion was made by Schnetzer seconded by Weaver that the Ordinance be approved. Discussion on the Ordinance: Attorney Mularski shared that a redline version of the Ordinance is attached. The Ordinance should be to repeal section 135 and not a repeal and replacement. The replacement is in a different section of code. City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be amended to pursuant the redline version attached. Discussion on the Ordinance: Bowers clarified the amended encompasses the entire redline version. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner ORD-0009-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REMOVE PART 1 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 133 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, SECTION 133.02 VENDING MACHINE INCOME OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. Motion was made by Angelou, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner ORD-0010-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT PART 1 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 133 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, SECTION 133.02 PURCHASING PROCEDURES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. Motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Weaver, that the Ordinance be adopted. Discussion on the motion: Bowers thanked Bury for all the work, patience with all the questions, and for explaining the information extraordinarily well. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner H. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, WAIVER & EMERGENCY ADOPTION: ORD-0012-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO APPOINT JEREMY VANMETER AS CLERK OF COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF GAHANNA; WAIVING SECOND READING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. Motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Bowers, that the Ordinance be Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted as an Emergency. Discussion on the motion: Bowers thanked Renner and Vollmer for helping with the process and for it going as smoothly as it did. Renner thanked Vollmer for all her assistance in the process. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner I. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk - none Council - none J. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver Renner shared the next meeting is on March 22, 2022, 8:00 a.m. in Committee Room. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou shared that Neil Jurist, MORPC Senior Director of Communications and Engagement, was named Outstanding Diversity Champion by Columbus Business First. The MORPC State of the Region is March 16, 2022 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The keynote speaker is Andy Berke, Special Representative for Broadband National Telecommunication and Information Administration. Angelou attended the Vorys Economical Development Incentives Conference along with Weaver, Mayor Jadwin and members of the Administration. Angelou thanked Weaver for speaking to Congresswoman Joyce Beatty concerning the death of Joe Spanovich. Because of that, she wrote a beautiful tribute to his life that was very well received by the family. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Regional Policy Roundtable - Weaver Weaver attended Vorys Economical Development Incentives Conference. There are a lot of great opportunities occurring throughout the State and in Central Ohio. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Padova shared that the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival tickets are available to purchase online. Tickets purchased prior to March 15 are five dollars off, children ages 10 and under will be admitted free with a City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 paid adult. The Ohio Herb Center has some class availability. School Board (SB) - Bowers - Nothing at this time. K. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor Mayor Jadwin attended a MORPC resident-based environmental sustainability forum with Dan Wilson, Operations Manager, Public Service and Engineering and Zack Cowan, Planning and Zoning Administrator. Wilson and Cowan attended since they are on the internal task force that has been working on developing a Sustainability Plan. The hope is to bring the plan to Council in about 30 days or so. There were nine communities that presented at the forum, that shared what they are working on within their communities. It was insightful, informative and there were some new, creative ways in which others are pursuing sustainability initiatives within their communities. We walked away with some great ideas that may be incorporated into the City's plan. Mayor Jadwin shared that there has been a lot of social media comments, and inquiries made regarding the search for the young man who was last seen at the Big Walnut Creek two weeks ago. Searches continued this past weekend that involved trained search and rescue teams, police officers, fire services personnel, family, and community members. The City continues to meet with the family and members of the community to keep them involved and updated on what is going on. The Gahanna Division of Police, Mifflin Township Fire, Mifflin Township EMS, Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus Police, Franklin County Sheriff's Department, West Licking County, and several other agencies continue to closely coordinate search operations. Search efforts will continue to scale up or down as information evolves and as environmental conditions allow. The City will continue to post updates on the City Facebook page, and the Division of Police Facebook page. Mayor Jadwin thanked Directors Bury, and Vollmer, Finance Manager, Corey Wybensinger, and City Attorney Mularski for their work on the Procurement Policy. Jadwin thanked Council for adopting and passing the policy. The new policy will ensure that the City is in compliance with federal guidelines as the City receives federal funds. The new policy will provide clarity and consistency in what the City is doing and how it is operating. The State of the City is on March 24, 2022; 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at The Peak at Edison. In celebration of Earth Day on April 23, 2022 will be a City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 Shred and E-recycling Event at City Hall. Last Friday was National Employee Appreciation Day. Jadwin said "the City is blessed to have an incredible team of people who work for the residents and the businesses of this community. They are dedicated and committed to serving Gahanna." City Attorney - Nothing at this time. L. COUNCIL COMMENT Weaver thanked the Deputy/Interim Clerk of Council for all her efforts over the past six weeks, doing double duty. Weaver looks forward to welcoming the new Clerk of Council. Weaver thanked Bowers for all her efforts with the resolutions. He thanked all those in attendance. Padova thanked Bowers and those that helped with the Women's History Month Resolution. International Women's Day is March 8th. It is a global day celebrating the social economic cultural and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Across all levels of government in the State of Ohio only 29 percent of elected officials are women. She wanted to recognize that she is sitting on a majority female council and a female mayor. Padova thanked the community for its continued support of Gahanna Residence in Need (GRIN). She is the Food Pantry Manager and after last Wednesday's pantry they were not sure if there would be enough meat for the pantry on Saturday. They put the word out on social media, and they received 550 pounds of donated meat. Schnetzer thanked the City staff that maintains the City trails. He thanked the community members for attending the meeting. Bowers recognized the Gahanna Historical Society, Kari Hawk, Kylie Miller, and Councilwoman McGregor for their work in preserving Gahanna's history. Bowers thanked Ann Wilson from Boy Scout Troop 456 for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. It is incredible as we are celebrating Women's History Month and International Women's Day we are showing how things are being done differently today, and Ms. Wilson's involvement in the Boy Scouts is a testimony to that. Bowers shared her thoughts and concerns to the family of Ali Shegow and the first responders involved in the search efforts. This is hard on the community for lots of reasons, and she is grateful that we have had a lot of responsiveness from the Department of Pubic Safety, not just here in Gahanna, but regionally with all teams that are involved in that search. We hope to bring closure to the family shortly. Bowers thanked the City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2022 speakers for their comments this evening. M. EXECUTIVE SESSION To go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(c) of the Council Rules of Procedure to confer with the City Attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. To go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(d) of the Council Rules of Procedure to prepare for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment. Motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Weaver, to go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(c) of the Council Rules of Procedure to confer with the City Attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. And to go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(a) of the Council Rules of Procedure to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. Council rose to report to Executive Session at 8:17 p.m. held in Committee Room. Council rose to report to Executive Session at 7:54 p.m. Council rose to report from Executive Session at 8:48 p.m., with no action taken. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner N. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 9