City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Stephen A. Renner, President Trenton I. Weaver, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Merisa K. Bowers Nancy R. McGregor Kaylee Padova Michael Schnetzer Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council Monday, January 2, 2023 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Organizational Meeting began at 5:00 PM and Regular Meeting held immediately following the Organizational. A. CALL TO ORDER (Organizational): Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met for its organizational meeting held pursuant to City Charter on Monday, January 2, 2023, in Council Chambers. Mayor Laurie A. Jadwin called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Nancy R. McGregor delivered an Invocation and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda for this meeting was published on December 30, 2022. Present 7 - Nancy R. McGregor, Karen J. Angelou, Merisa K. Bowers, Trenton I. Weaver, Kaylee Padova, Michael Schnetzer, and Stephen A. Renner B. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT: 1. Nominations Mayor Jadwin opened the floor to nominations for President of Council for 2023. Councilmember Weaver nominated Stephen A. Renner for President of Council. Mayor Jadwin asked if there were any other nominations for President of Council. There were none. Jadwin asked whether Councilmember Renner accepted the nomination. Renner accepted the nomination. With no further discussion or nominations, Jadwin closed nominations for President of Council. 2. Election City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Angelou, to elect Stephen A. Renner as President of Council for 2023. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner Mayor Jadwin turned the meeting over to President Renner to preside over the remainder of the meeting. C. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT: 1. Nominations President Renner opened the floor to nominations for Vice President of Council for 2023 Councilmember Bowers nominated Trenton I. Weaver for Vice President of Council. President Renner asked if there were any other nominations for Vice President of Council. There were none. Renner asked whether Councilmember Weaver accepted the nomination. Weaver accepted the nomination. With no further discussion or nominations, Renner closed nominations for Vice President of Council. 2. Election A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Schnetzer, to elect Trenton I. Weaver as Vice President of Council for 2023. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner D. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES & OTHER ASSIGNMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers 5. Incentive Advisory Board - Bowers, Schnetzer 6. Volunteer Peace Officers' Dependents Fund - Renner, McGregor 7. Finance Committee Chair - Schnetzer City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 E. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS: To approve the following reappointments to Boards & Commissions for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2025: 1. Ross Beckmann, Board of Zoning & Building Appeals Seat 1 2. Brian Wright, Civil Service Commission Seat 2 3. Sylvia Kramarius, Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council Seat 4 4. Mark DiGiando, Landscape Board Seat 3 5. Kevin McGinn, Parks & Recreation Board Seat 1 6. Michael Tamarkin, Planning Commission Seat 4 7. William Sweeney, Property Appeals Board Seat 1 8. Laura Dachenbach, Records Commission Seat 1 A motion was made by Angelou, seconded by Bowers, to approve the reappointments to boards and commissions as listed. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner F. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS: Mayor Jadwin's reappointments for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2025: 1. Lorne Eisen, Board of Zoning & Building Appeals Seat 2 2. John Hicks, Planning Commission Seat 5 3. Chris Schuett, Landscape Board Seat 4 4. Sarah Pollyea, Property Appeals Board Seat 4 5. Donna Simmons, Parks & Recreation Board Seat 2 Mayor Jadwin's appointment to the Fair Housing Board, concurrent with the term of office for Civil Service Commission: 1. Wally Contreras, Fair Housing Board Seat 3 G. ESTABLISH TIME AND DAY OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL & COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS: President Renner said he does not see a need to change precedent for the regularly occurring meetings for City Council and Committee of the Whole. A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Angelou, to establish the City City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 Council regular meetings as to be held at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month and the Committee of the Whole regular meetings as to be held at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month (if the regular meeting date falls on an observed City holiday, the meeting will occur the following Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.). The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner H. ESTABLISH BOARD & COMMISSION ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS FOR 2023: 1. Landscape Board, Wednesday, January 11 at 6:00 p.m. 2. Planning Commission, Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m. 3. Parks & Recreation Board, Wednesday, January 11 at 7:15 p.m. 4. Records Commission, Tuesday, January 17 at 4:30 p.m. 5. Property Appeals Board, Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. 6. Civil Service Commission, Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. 7. Board of Zoning & Building Appeals, Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Schnetzer, to establish the board and commission organizational meeting dates as listed for 2023. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner I. ADJOURNMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the organizational meeting at 5:11 p.m. *************************************************************************************** A. CALL TO ORDER (Regular): Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, January 2, 2023, in Council Chambers. President of Council Stephen A. Renner called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m. The agenda for this meeting was published on December 30, 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: 1. Swearing in Ceremony for Communications Technician I & Police Officer Mayor Jadwin recognized Matt Roth, Interim Director of Public Safety, and City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 Chief Spence for the swearing in of Officer Curtis Stephenson and Communications Technician I Hailey Howell. Chief Spence stated that Howell just started with the City. She has been on the job just a few weeks as a communications technician. Howell came to the City through a recommendation. One of the City’s retired officers went to work at Eastland Fairfield Career Center. Howell was a student at the Career Center. She was highly recommended for the job. Director Roth administered the Oath to Communications Technician Hailey Howell with congratulations and applause from Council Chambers. Chief Spence said that Officer Stephenson is joining the City from the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office as a lateral transfer into the Division. Stephenson has been involved in the community for decades and very anchored in Gahanna. He is known through his involvement with Shepherd Nazarene Church and the extended the law enforcement family. Spence said the City is lucky to bring Stephenson back home. Director Roth administered the Oath to Officer Curtis Stephenson with congratulations and applause from Council Chambers. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2022-0348 COTW Minutes 12.12.2022 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2022-0349 FIN Minutes 12.12.2022 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2022-0350 CN Special Minutes 12.19.2022 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2022-0351 CN Minutes 12.19.2022 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Ordinances for Second Reading: ORD-0082-2022 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A SIDEWALK PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT ALONG SCIENCE BOULEVARD CONSISTING OF 0.107 ACRES ON PARCEL NO. 027-000113 FROM SCIENCE ONE, LLC City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 End of Consent Agenda A motion was made by Bowers, 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 E. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk 2022-0347 Ohio Division of Liquor Control Notice to Legislative Authority Permit NEW 03207030260 - BOB EVANS RESTAURANTS LLC Mr. VanMeter said Council received the notice as linked on the agenda from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for Bob Evans Restaurants for a new permit. This has been submitted to the Division of Police. There are no objections from the Division on the permit application. VanMeter noted that he would return the notice indicating Council did not request a hearing on the matter. 2. Council - none. F. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver President Renner noted that the first meeting of the year will be January 17, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Councilmember Angelou noted the first meeting will be on February 9, 2023. 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova reminded people the holiday lights at Creekside are still going until January 8. With the cold weather relenting for a little bit, she said it was a good time to go down and check them out. She said the butterfly that helps support Nationwide Children's Hospital is still there. 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers Councilmember Bowers shared the school board’s organizational meeting will be on January 11. It can be viewed on YouTube or live at Clark Hall. Bowers had the opportunity to meet with the liaison to the City from the City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 school board, Daphne Moehring, last month. Bowers was able to catch up with Moehring on what is going on with the district. Moehring said a big obstacle for the district is a teacher shortage. Bowers noted there are shortages across various industries but added that the graduation rates for colleges of education are very low right now. The Gahanna Jefferson School District is going to be working hard at attracting and retaining high quality teachers to remain in the district. However, it has been very hard to attract people interested in the field, which is sad to hear. On a more positive note, Bowers believed that there is a school compensation agreement draft that has been floated back to the City. She looks forward to working on that to bring that issue to conclusion this year. G. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin wished everybody a Happy New Year. This first Council meeting of the year is a time to both savor milestones as to what the City has accomplished and look forward to the objectives that we have in the coming year as Council and administration work together to bring those goals into reality. The City’s focus in 2023 will be on projects that continue to enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses and projects that address aging infrastructure, streets, sidewalk programs, sewer projects, roadway projects (such as the roundabout construction at Taylor Station and Claycraft Road), and trail extensions (the Big Walnut Trail Section 8 design work will be underway). Jadwin said the City will also be continuing pursuit of smart economic development projects that fill needs in the community today and for the future, projects that have the opportunity to attract high quality jobs for our residents. The Crescent Central Park will be a big part of that and partnering with the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation with work on redevelopment of the Creekside District, turning the downtown center into the vibrant, strong heartbeat of our community. In the first quarter, Jadwin said the City will look at bringing a finalized version of the first ever long-term capital improvement program to Council. The rewrite of the City’s Zoning Code, which will update, modernize, and add consistency for the future, will also occur in 2023. Jadwin said she will be making a return to the detailed written Mayor’s reports that she had been providing during COVID. With the new organizational structure going into place, Jadwin thinks that providing those reports to Council and to the City Attorney and residents will be very helpful to keep stakeholders in the loop and updated as the City moves forward on projects. Government is based on three equal branches that operate with checks and balances on each other. Jadwin said the three branches must work collaboratively together towards a unified vision for the City. She said this has been done successfully for the last several years, which is why so much has been accomplished. As we move forward, Jadwin looks to continuing that relationship. As we begin the new year, Jadwin said it is important to her as Mayor to reaffirm her commitment to residents, to businesses, to Council, to the City Attorney, and to staff members that her administration will continue to be open and transparent and operate with fiscal responsibility and accountability. This is a large part of the reorganizational City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 structure that is to be implemented in the new year, bringing forward even more information to Council to work together collaboratively for years to come. Our residents both need, want, and expect that from all of us. Jadwin invited and encouraged Council to reach out to her at any time, call, or e-mail. She is happy to have a conversation, grab a cup of coffee. This is an invitation for council members, the city attorney, and residents. She reiterated she looks forward to working with everyone in 2023 as the momentum continues to build and move the city forward. 2. City Attorney 2022-0352 City Attorney Report for 2022 Attorney Mularski noted the submission of his annual report, which is part of the agenda file. He noted that there are only two cases currently pending, both for Speedway Transportation and both of which have already been dismissed on their pleadings, meaning they did not state a claim. However, one case is in the Court of Appeals, and one was returned for the City to file a summary judgment instead of dismissal on the pleadings. That summary judgment is pending. There has been another case filed by Mr. James Anderson. Mularski is not quite sure he understands it. Anderson was charged with a criminal offense for being a felon in possession of weapons. This is a civil case asking for the City to return Anderson’s weapons, which the City is not allowed to do. That was recently filed right after he got arrested on those other charges. Mularski assumed that Anderson’s case will be dismissed rather quickly. The City filed its answer on Friday on that case. Next, the City will file a motion to dismiss because Anderson is asking the court to perform an illegality. Other than these items, the City is looking good. Mularski has enjoyed working with all of Council and the Mayor. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. H. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Angelou said Mayor Jadwin’s words were comforting. Angelou agreed that the branches need to be working together. As long as working together happens, Angelou believed many beautiful things would happen for the community. Council must be able to trust [the Mayor] and hopefully the Mayor can trust Council. She thanked Jadwin for her remarks. Jadwin is at City Hall all the time and that makes all the difference. Angelou thinks 2023 is going to be a great year. We are on our way to being able to show what our community is all about. Gahanna is the best suburban community. Angelou also thanked the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) for allowing Council to come and see things that they are working on. The recent joint meeting was a wonderful opportunity for Council to meet with the people on CIC. She wished everybody Happy New Year. Angelou is ready to get down to work. Councilmember McGregor wished everyone a Happy New Year. Vice President Weaver wished everyone Happy New Year. He thanked City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 Council colleagues for their support in electing him as Vice President. He is humbled and hopes to serve the body well. Weaver is very much looking forward to the year ahead. He echoed the Mayor's comments in looking forward to the continued partnership and moving the city forward. He congratulated Ms. Howell and Officer Stephenson on their new appointments and welcomed them to the City of Gahanna. Weaver also expressed his condolences to the family of Claire Yoder. Yoder served our community for many years as both a school board member and as a Jefferson Township trustee. Yoder was also a member of MORPC. Weaver was grateful for Trustee Yoder’s years of service. Councilmember Padova hoped everybody had a safe and happy holiday season. She wished everyone Happy New Year and congratulated Mr. Weaver on his appointment of Vice President and Mr. Renner on his reappointment of President. Councilmember Bowers extended her congratulations to the Division of Police on the addition of the two new hires that were sworn in tonight. She said it is great to see the Department continue to grow so that we can continue to serve residents in a community-based way. Bowers echoed condolences to the family of Claire Yoder and extended condolences to the Mularski family on the passing of a family member. Bowers congratulated Mr. Renner and Mr. Weaver on their elections to Council leadership. Bowers said that she looks forward to resuming a Council leadership role in 2024. She is grateful to all who are serving. Those nominated to boards and commissions tonight are serving important roles in the City. She noted that is worth reflecting, however, that leadership is not a title. Rather, it is how we elevate and advance policies and practices that move our community’s values and the integrity of delivering on our commitments. In 2012, shortly after moving to Gahanna, Bowers had the privilege to work with some young community leaders, most of whom were in their late teens and early 20s. One of these community leaders was MarShawn McCarrel. She remembered that McCarrel said, “You have to build community to move community.” Bowers stated she strives to keep McCarrel’s memory and legacy alive by keeping that sentiment close. Community is how we build up others, how we advance and support their needs, how we celebrate others’ victories and encourage the growth of those coming up after us. This is how we build our community. McCarrel and other young adults were mission focused. They identified what it was they sought to do and developed a clear strategy to move their community toward it. In this fourth year of her first term, a role in which she has had the privilege to serve her Gahanna neighbors, Bowers said she is clear on her mission and an inclusive strategy to ensure that we keep our stakeholders engaged and that the end product serves the needs and values of our residents. Bowers looks forward to working with Council colleagues, Council Office staff, the Mayor, directors, the City Attorney and assistant city attorney, the school board, Superintendent Deagle, and other civic boards and community leadership throughout Gahanna this year and forward. She thanked all who serve in a leadership role, whether it is titled or untitled. City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes January 2, 2023 President Renner agreed that the City had a successful year and the year before us is really transitional. Renner said the City has a lot of good work slated to keep building a stronger Gahanna. Over the Christmas vacation, Renner said he read two books. One was How Compassion can Transform our Politics, Economy, and Society. This is a collective work of studies done in the area of compassion in all sectors of our world. Renner highly recommended it. The next one was from the author Brené Brown. He noted that Brown touches on a lot of things that to help you reflect on the world and society. Her book, Atlas of The Heart, Renner believes is still one of the greatest works. Renner quoted a line from the book, “We can't connect with someone unless we're clear about where we end and they begin. If there's no autonomy between people, then there's no compassion or empathy, just enmeshment.” Renner looks forward to 2023, building and maturing this idea of compassion in our society. He also thanked colleagues for again trusting him as the being the President of the Council. He affirmed to be open and transparent, open to new ideas and public debate about every issue. I. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Jeremy A. VanMeter Clerk of Council APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2023. Stephen A. Renner City of Gahanna Page 10