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 Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council Monday, August 15, 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, August 15, 2022, in Council Chambers. President of Council Stephen A. Renner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Vice President of Council Merisa K. Bowers delivered an Invocation and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda for this meeting was published on August 12, 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: Vice President Bowers requested ORD-0046-2022 be moved off the Consent Agenda into a new section “F” for Ordinances for Second Reading. President Renner confirmed the removal of the item from Consent Agenda to the new section. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: None. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Facilities for the Future - Opportunity for public comment on proposed facilities project President Renner stated that this is opportunity for public comment on the proposed facilities project that the City has long been talking about for a new City Hall, Police Headquarters, and Senior Center. Renner opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. and yielded the floor to Mayor Jadwin for comments. Jadwin said this was the second public hearing to discuss the opportunity that has presented itself as a solution to address the facility needs as Renner just City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 mentioned. She said the Council has been having ongoing conversations for several months. For anyone just joining the conversation, Jadwin said that there have been articles in the newspaper and a lot of social media attraction around this. There might be folks just tuning in for the first time. Jadwin added that the background on this included around a year or so worth of work with the Administration discussing facilities with Council regarding an assessment of City facilities, in terms of the need for additional programming spaces and the existing conditions of facilities. This discussion included an exploration of options available to address those needs. The City has been in the process of developing its first-ever long-term capital improvement plan. Exploring those options and understanding how those would roll into the capital improvement plan to address facility needs for the future was part of this. On July 20, the City held a Town Hall presentation in Council Chambers to discuss the opportunity around 825 Tech Center Drive. The building has become vacant and available to the City because of the pandemic. Prior to 2020, this building housed two data centers. It is 100,000 square feet of Class A office space. It is the building immediately east to the AEP Ohio Headquarters. This facility would meet the needs for three of the City’s buildings for decades to come. Jadwin added that her office and internal facilities committee developed a timeline based on a commercial real estate transaction, which is why they have a defined schedule set forth on the website. The facilities assessments that had been completed in 2006, 2017, and the presentation to Council in October 2021, as well as presentations in four workshops with Council held earlier in 2022, and the Town Hall are all linked on the City’s webpage for reference. She said the purpose of tonight’s hearing is to allow residents an opportunity to provide input on this project. This is something that was intended to be addressed by Issue 12. Jadwin said that as Mr. Schnetzer had stated before, this is just one of a long list of projects that were to be addressed by Issue 12 in terms of years of deferred maintenance to be dealt with. The first hearing was August 1, 2022, and the last one will be September 6, 2022. One question that has popped up on the project a lot is what this will do to people’s taxes. Jadwin said this will do nothing. It does not involve any additional request for new taxes. This is what Issue 12 was designed to handle, so there will be no need for any levy, or any other tax initiative should the project be voted upon by Council to proceed. Renner asked Attorney Mularski to read the rules. Mularski asked whether Renner would like swearing-in of speakers at public hearings. Renner said that typically at Council meetings they do not and instead just ask people to speak on a specific issue. Mularski noted with a public hearing, since there is a limit to a certain amount of time and people could be using up other people’s time would be the only reason that he saw for the swearing-in. Mularski said Renner had asked him before why Council would do that. This was the only thing Mularski could think of. Mularski read rules regarding the operation of the hearing and the rule to complete a speaker slip prior to speaking. Proponents speak first, followed by opponents with certain time limitations. Then, proponents have time for rebuttal. Mularski asked those who desired to speak to rise. There were no members of the public desiring to address Council on this issue. Renner asked for any proponents. There were City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 none. Renner asked for any opponents. There were none. Renner closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. He reminded the public that there is another opportunity on September 6, 2022, which would be the final hearing on the issue. 2022-0238 Facilities for the Future City Webpage E. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2022-0232 COTW Minutes 7.25.2022 These meeting minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda. 2022-0233 Finance Minutes 7.25.2022 These meeting minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda. 2022-0234 CN Minutes 8.1.2022 These meeting minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Ordinances for Second Reading / Adoption: ORD-0041-2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE ONEOHIO FUND NO. 2440 This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0043-2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - Damage to City Property This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0044-2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - Water Meter Fees This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. End of Consent Agenda A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Weaver, to Pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner F. ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING / ADOPTION: City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 ORD-0046-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBUS AESTHETIC & PLASTIC SURGERY FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS On the consideration of the main motion to adopt the Ordinance, Bowers moved and Schnetzer seconded. President Renner asked if there was any discussion. Bowers then moved to refer to Committee of the Whole for further discussion considering information from administration, seconded by Schnetzer. Renner noted that this was at the request of the applicant. There was no further discussion on the motion to refer to Committee. A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Schnetzer to refer the Ordinance to Committee of the Whole for further discussion on August 22, 2022. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: ORD-0047-2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH FJF OH GAHANNA, LLC FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 825 TECH CENTER DRIVE This Ordinance was Introduced by President Renner. ORD-0048-2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOTES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $8,500,000 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, RENOVATING AND IMPROVING MUNICIPAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTING, RENOVATING AND IMPROVING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS; FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING THE SAME; IMPROVING THE SITES THEREOF; ACQUIRING LAND AND INTERESTS IN LAND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; AND ALL NECESSARY APPURTENANCES THERETO; AND APPROVING RELATED MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES This Ordinance was Introduced by President Renner. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk 2022-0250 Ohio Division of Liquor Control Notice to Legislative Authority: Permit TRFO 8795105 City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 Mr. VanMeter noted that there were no objections from the Division of Police to the permit. The only action required would be if a hearing was desired. Renner asked whether there was any desire for a hearing and heard none from Council. The Clerk will sign the letter and return to the Division of Liquor Control. 2. Council - None. I. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver President Renner reported that as a member of the CIC, he is part of a subcommittee analyzing some of the RFPs for the Creekside Development Project. Second, the CIC would meet tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. in the Committee Room. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Councilmember Angelou said there were a lot of things going on, including the salary survey, which could be helpful to the City. Angelou believed Gahanna had already completed its part for the regional survey. Mayor Jadwin confirmed. Jadwin added she thought MORPC expected to have the survey completed by the end of the month. Angelou said the statewide candidate forum is August 26, 2022. There are also Intel planning meetings happening, with one scheduled for September 22, 2022, and a sustainability meeting on November 17, 2022. LinkUS was originally going to be put on the ballot this year but will now not occur on the November election. Angelou stated that MORPC received the Auditor of State Award of Distinction. This was perhaps the 39th time this has happened for the agency. Megan Stein provided economic development information for the 11 counties in MORPC. Angelou mentioned there are monies coming through, including Safe Streets and Roads ($6 Billion), Clean School Bus Programs ($5 Billion), and Recommending Commutes Pilot ($1 Billion). She hoped the City could be working to see if any of these monies could be applied for and used. She was sure the schools were also getting this information. She stated there would be a widening of 161 of one lane in each direction as preparation for Intel. The Sustainable Transportation Policy and the National Water Quality Month is this month. Angelou said there was a MORPC intern that has now become the air quality sustainability coordinator. He started with the City of Gahanna last year and was with the City of Whitehall this year. The CHIPS Act has $52 Billion for regional initiatives. The defense group with Rickenbacker will have monies earmarked of which Senator Sherrod Brown helped secure. Angelou said they are hoping to get $8 Million from the earmark to change the firing range from outside into the inside of the fencing. She said this was a wonderful thing to happen for Rickenbacker and acknowledged Brown being responsible for that. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova shared that Midweek at the Creek wrapped up its year. This event featured live music on the Creekside Plaza on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. It had been made possible by the Creekside District Alliance, Visit Gahanna, and the City’s Parks & Recreation Department. Padova said she was able to go to a few of those and everyone seemed to have a great time. She thanked all those involved in putting these together. Visit Gahanna and the Ohio Herb Center are participating in the Taste of Gahanna event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce this Thursday at Edison Brewing. Tickets are available for purchase on the Chamber’s website. She said there are quite a few local restaurants participating in this. Plans are underway for the Holiday Lights Celebration taking place on Sunday, November 20, 2022, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The Convention & Visitors Bureau is looking for organizations and businesses who will offer activities for children during the event. Anyone who is interested in this should contact Lori at the CVB. The Ohio Herb Center hosted two nearly sold-out classes in the last month and is offering four more classes in September. These are on the OhioHerbCenter.org website to learn more. The Center will also be participating in Supporting Gahanna Together Day on August 27, as well as the Boutique Hop on September 1. Padova said that she along with Councilmember Bowers and Mayor Jadwin participated in the last Boutique Hop. It was nice to see the boutiques and visit the pop-ups as well. 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers Vice President Bowers said that following up on the last discussion during Council, the facilities project for the school is underway. Finance Chair Daphne Moehring mentioned that the Finance and Facilities meeting to be held tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. would address the District’s commitment to moving forward on the high school project in a collaborative way and being clear on where they are with the project. There is a mutual partner agreement that has been circulated between the City and school district. Bowers applauded the Mayor and superintendent on this. She said it evidences the commitment between the City and the school district in continuing the dialogue and cooperation to ensure success of this development. The first home game is Friday, August 19. The District will be selling tickets online in advance. There will be no cash sales at the gate. Bowers was able to attend a welcome reception for new Treasurer Gooding and Superintendent Deagle at Lincoln Elementary on August 4. There were a lot of parents from across the district who came out to meet the new leadership, as well as four of the school board members. J. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin said Taste of Gahanna presented by the Gahanna Area City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 Chamber of Commerce will be this Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. at Edison Brewing. She said there were 14 restaurants participating in the event. Tickets are still available. Jadwin noted that Supporting Gahanna Together Day is Saturday, August 27. This will be the third year for the event. This began in August 2020 in the middle of COVID-19. Everyone had been sheltered in place for a long time. The City put on the event for people to be outside and reconnect with one another. It is an opportunity for the community to be involved in volunteer activities, fun activities, special events from local businesses, and is about all things Gahanna. The Parks & Rec Department will have a creek cleanup along Big Walnut Creek, Make Gahanna Yours will have a community litter cleanup, there will be a denim drive for a project led by a seventh grader at Gahanna Middle School East who competed in the global invention convention. This student won the school, state, and national competition, and represented the United States in competition with Singapore, Mexico, and China. The project involved diverting leftover or unwanted fabric from landfills. In conjunction with this project, there will be a denim drive to have jeans repurposes. Touch-a-Truck will also be returning this year at Hannah Park. GRIN will be collecting food donations during this event. That evening will be the Lights Out event closing ceremony for the stadium at the high school. Jadwin said all these events were great ways for people to come out and support Gahanna. If there are organizations or neighborhoods that still want to promote an activity as part of this, Jadwin urged those to contact Becky Whittington through email or call the Mayor’s Office. Lastly, Jadwin stated the Sidewalk Maintenance Program is alive and well. There was a Town Hall held on August 2, 2022. There were many in attendance and watching online asking great questions. The Town Hall can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel. If anyone has questions on the Program, such as how it works and how it came to be, she urged those to view the Town Hall. The Administration explained details on why the Program was created, all the things that led to the creation of the Program, how it benefits residents and homeowners who have the legal responsibility under state law to maintain their sidewalks. There was also a first round of public hearings on Sidewalk Program appeals last week. The Property Appeals Board did an excellent job at their first hearing of not just trying to go through the machinations of a hearing for the first time but also throwing in the complexities of the Sidewalk Program. Jadwin commended the members of the board. The City has established a specific email sidewalks@gahanna.gov for questions about the program. Residents can also call the Engineering Division at 614-342-4050. 2. City Attorney - None. K. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Angelou said that Dr. Amy Acton, who is heading up Rapid 5, just received $1 Million to move forward with the Rapid 5 plan. This is something the City of Gahanna is part of as well. Acton is remembered by people from her involvement with the state during COVID-19. Angelou said she is certain that Rapid 5 is going to be a good thing that happens with the City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2022 region. Councilmember Weaver reiterated what Council colleagues and the Mayor have said regarding encouraging public participation in public hearings as the Council considers the Facilities for the Future project. He urged those to join Council and participate in the conversation. If people cannot attend, he asked that they send Council their thoughts. Vice President Bowers thanked the Parks & Rec Department for the Muddy Miler event held yesterday off the Big Walnut Trail, south of the pool. She said her family had a blast. She saw so many happy families participating. It was a special opportunity for families to go through the course together. It was a lot of fun and a well-organized event. Bowers stated she circulated her Constituent Report for inclusion into the minutes. This summarizes the actions and activities for the month of July and highlights the constituent concerns that had been raised. 2022-0254 July Bowers Constituent Report 081522 L. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Jeremy A. VanMeter Clerk of Council APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2022. Stephen A. Renner City of Gahanna Page 8