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 Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers City Hall was Closed Monday, January 16 in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day A. CALL TO ORDER: Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Council Chambers. President of Council Stephen A. Renner called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Vice President of Council Trenton I. Weaver invited Rev. Joel King to deliver an Invocation in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and then led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda for this meeting was published on January 13, 2023. 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 Weaver requested Council present the Resolution Recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Reverend King. Councilmembers presented the Resolution to Reverend King. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: 1. Sharon Montgomery of 572 Bonnington Way, Gahanna, OH spoke on the new Distracted Driving Law. Ms. Montgomery stated she is here to address the issue of driving under the influence of electronics. She thanked Mayor Jadwin for including distracted driving in her comments last month about drunk driving. It is important to understand that the new distracted driving law is not the end of our work on this danger. Making it a primary offense so drivers can be stopped before they cause harm is an important step forward. However, the new law has enough enforcement challenges and so many unnecessary permissive exceptions that it will not prevent as many crashes as we need it to. Montgomery added, at the state level, those City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 who were deliberately excluded during creation of the bill will be trying to remove some of the exceptions so we can prevent more crashes and create better support for the victims of the crashes that would not be prevented. At the local level, she has several recommendations for the city. One, send a member of the Safety Committee to the Bureau of Workers Comp Safety Congress in March. On March 8, an expert on digital addiction will speak about its effect on workplace productivity and safety. Two, revise the City’s 2018 policies about using e-devices while driving. The City’s employee handbook addresses only texting. E-devices are used in many other dangerous ways. The Technology Systems Use Policy applies only to City-owned devices. Most, if not all, employees have their own devices with them while driving. There are model policies available for guidance. The Ohio Traffic Safety Council Distracted Driving Subcommittee is exploring ways to give public recognition to employers with strong policies. Three, again, she recommended bringing back the car magnet the City produced years ago (she provided a copy) and make it available all-around town. Montgomery urged an in-depth education discussion about this complex issue. The 2019 ODOT Distracted Driving Task Force Report she provided last year is just the tip of the iceberg. Montgomery provided an analysis of the shortcomings of the new law. Council needs to understand the enormous impact this unnecessary behavior has on its victims, in addition to the unacceptable monetary cost to society. Montgomery recommended giving serious consideration to enacting an ordinance that is more effective and enforceable than the state law. At the individual level, she had these recommendations: 1) Protect your children and set a good example for them by not using your device while driving; 2) Speak up when you are a passenger of a distracted driver. Next week is National Passenger Safety Week, a great time to start; 3) Give yourself a reality check. After a drive, think back on any uses or any times you were tempted to use your device. Be honest with yourself. Which of those uses were actually necessary and which were just convenient? “Necessary” means whatever the situation at the moment was would have become a dangerous problem if you had waited to use your device until you were safely stopped and out of traffic; or 4) The next time you are reading and realize that you have no idea what the paragraph or page was about because other thoughts pushed into your mind, understand that is what happens when your mind is on your device instead of on the driving tasks and traffic situation. She concluded that since we all use the roads, we all have a responsibility to make them safe. 2. Proclamation by Mayor Jadwin 2023-0022 Mayoral Proclamation - Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023-01 Mayor Jadwin noted that she had a Proclamation for Martin Luther King, City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Jr. Day. This was forwarded to the Clerk to be affixed to the Council minutes. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2023-0007 CN Minutes 1.2.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2023-0008 COTW Minutes 1.9.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Motions: MT-0001-2023 A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING TO BID CONTRACT FOR THE 2023 STREET PROGRAM (ST-1101) The Motion was approved on the Consent Agenda. MT-0002-2023 A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING TO BID CONTRACT FOR THE HAVENS CORNERS ROAD WATERLINE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (ST-1072) The Motion was approved on the Consent Agenda. 3. Resolutions: RES-0001-2023 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE, JANUARY 16, 2023 The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0002-2023 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JANUARY AS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. 4. Ordinances for Waiver, Adoption as an Emergency: ORD-0001-2023 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DEED OF EASEMENT FOR PARCEL NO. 025-01376700 FROM CP CRESCENT, LLC, ASSOCIATED WITH THE PIZZURRO PARK WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS, WAIVING SECOND READING, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda with waiver of second reading and an emergency declaration. End of Consent Agenda A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Angelou, to Pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- McGregor, Angelou, Bowers, Weaver, Padova, Schnetzer and Renner E. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: ORD-0002-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO AWARD AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH NEWCOMER CONCRETE SERVICES, INC FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE 2021 SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. ORD-0003-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - 2021 Sidewalk Maintenance Program President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. F. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk - none. 2. Council President Renner reported that last Thursday he was invited by Public Health to a tobacco group. This was with the Mayor and mayors from the surrounding areas. It was held at the Public Health facility. It was a frank and open discussion with everybody with all the different municipalities where they are in looking at both the legislative piece of licensing that the Board of Health can take over for the tobacco retail and then also the ban on tobacco products. Some entities are taking a position on an outright ban on all tobacco products. Some are not. There are a variety of legislative proposals. At the end of this discussion, there was announcement of a planned follow-up discussion in February. Renner noted that the Franklin County health commissioner had committed to coming to Chambers with one of the staff to present to Council more about the public health aspect during Committee of the Whole on Monday, January 23. City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 G. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver President Renner conferred with Vice President Weaver and committed to having a full report emailed to Council. He noted that the CIC had its organizational meeting. Betty Collins is going to serve another year as the president, George Mrus as the Secretary, and Jeff Kessler as Treasurer. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Councilmember Angelou said MORPC will not have any meetings until February. 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova said Visit Gahanna has spent the last five months on strategic planning to guide the organization through the next few years. This plan will be unveiled at the Visit Gahanna annual meeting on Thursday, March 16. The meeting will also include a “Year-in-Review,” an awards presentation, swearing-in of board members by the Mayor, and speech by Director of the Ohio Department of Tourism Matt MacLaren. Tickets will be available in February. It will be held at the Gahanna Sanctuary. Padova shared that Visit Gahanna is also coordinating the Creekside Chocolate Walk, but it will be a charity chocolate walk. All the proceeds are going to Give to Gahanna. Tickets are limited and available on the Visit Gahanna website. As of this morning, there are only 50 tickets left. The staff at Visit Gahanna and the Herb Center are planning the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival happening June 16-18 and also Herb Day on May 6 back at Creekside. The Ohio Herb Center has a full schedule of classes for this winter and into the spring. Many are already sold out. They have also started hosting a Tea Guild each month for people to come to the Herb Center to sample different types of tea while also discussing the benefits and interacting with other tea enthusiasts. The Herb Center will also have a booth at the Wild Ohio Weekend taking place at the Ohio History Center in the beginning of February. 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers Councilmember Bowers shared there will be a second quarterly meeting between City, the Mayor and Council President and School board City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Liaison, and the school board president, their city liaison, and the superintendent on January 31. Topics are being generated for discussion for that meeting. Bowers looks forward to another productive discussion between school district leadership and the City. The school board held its organizational meeting on January 11. They will continue to hold regular board of education meetings on the third Thursday of each month. In addition to that, they do community conversation meetings that will be held bi-monthly. Superintendent Dr. Deagle will be hosting these bi-monthly community coffees and board members will now be joining in those meetings to create additional opportunities for dialogue with the board members and the superintendent. There are committee meetings also held throughout every month. Those are streamed on YouTube and can be accessed through the board's website. Board president for 2023 will continue to be Beryl Piccolantonio. board vice president and city liaison will continue to be Daphne Moehring. The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube. H. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin said that 2023 is off to a roaring start. Businesses are continuing to grow in Gahanna. The Development Department is working with a number of businesses, as is her office, on opportunities for expansion within the city as well as talking to some other businesses currently outside of the city who might be looking for larger office space. We happen to have space available. Jadwin shared the City is having some great dialogue with businesses and hopes to bring some of those to Gahanna. Within the last two weeks, Director Strum and Jadwin attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Krazzy Comics. This is a unique little store located by Cornerstone Pub. It is owned by Allen Harrington and his wife, Mia. They were the very first black-owned comic store in Columbus, originally opening in 2018. They were not in Gahanna at the time. Jadwin said the City is absolutely thrilled that they have relocated their business here post-pandemic. This morning, Jadwin said she had the pleasure of speaking at the annual meeting of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio held at Creekside Conference and Events Center. It was a milestone anniversary for them. This is the eightieth year for that organization. It is also the first one where they administered the oath to their new president, Jane Roslovic, who is the first female president in the history of the eighty-year organization. Jadwin stated it was wonderful to be able to welcome them to Gahanna, to the heart of our Creekside District. They City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 loved it so much that they want to come back and do an educational symposium later this summer. On Friday, Jadwin shared the City finalized the most recent addition of Uniquely Gahanna that should be hitting mailboxes within the next week. It is aptly named Uniquely Gahanna, as we love to tell the stories not only of the work that we do at the City, but the unique stories of our residents and our businesses, our schools. There are some stories on the successful season of our football team, as well as some of the unique and inspiring stories of our residents, what they are working on and accomplishing. There is also an update on the Facilities Project, as well as the latest on the Creekside Redevelopment Project so that we keep our residents in the loop on what is happening. On a much sadder note, Jadwin shared events from this past weekend. One of our local restaurants lost a valuable member of their team. Christopher Mateen was the manager at Marlow's Cheesesteaks. Mateen was shot and killed at a south Columbus McDonald's. He was 43 years old, a husband and father of young children, and a beloved member of the Marlow's team. She shared that if you did not know him, chances are if you have been into Marlow's Cheesesteaks, you encountered him. He was a very warm, welcoming individual. Jadwin said the entire Marlow's team are really struggling right now. This is a time when Gahanna shines. Whenever there is someone in our community that is hurting, our community surrounds them and lifts them up. Marlow’s has been closed. When they reopen, Jadwin expects the community will be supporting them in every way possible. She noted that they have some material and information on their Marlow’s Facebook page as to how one can support Christopher and his family. She asked everyone to keep Christopher, his family, and the Marlow's family in their prayers during this very challenging time. On a happier note, Jadwin recognized a new face in the audience, a new member of the City’s administrative team. Jadwin introduced the new Director of Public Service, Sean Anverse. Anverse officially started last week. Director Anverse introduced himself and said he comes from the world of state government. He previously worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation for over 30 years. He said he was really excited for this opportunity. His background is public service when it comes to snow and ice removal, road conditions, or road construction, and anything to do with Department of Transportation fleet facilities. He thanked Council for the time to speak. Mayor Jadwin asked him how his first week had been. Anverse said he had been overwhelmed with meeting the team and looking at the facilities. Jadwin said they talked about the facilities. She promised him that the service complex was next on the City’s list. Jadwin said the administration is thrilled to welcome Anverse as part of the team. City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 2. City Attorney - none. I. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Angelou said it is always wonderful to have a member of the King Family come to Chambers. She thanked Reverend King for the calendar he distributed to Council. She said this is something to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. by, as Reverend King brings one every time he visits. Councilmember McGregor expressed her appreciation and thanked King for being in attendance. Councilmember Bowers also thanked King for attending and joining Council this evening. She shared that she attended the Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast downtown at the Convention Center yesterday. It was the first time that this breakfast had happened in person in two years. It was larger than it had ever been, with The Dispatch reporting about 1,500 people in attendance. It was an incredible event filled with much reflection and information and calls to action, truly honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The keynote speaker was Dr. Lawrence Carter, who is an historian at Morehouse. His keynote address wove in elements of history, calls to action, quotes, and stories about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She thought it was an incredibly compelling experience and was very grateful to attend. Bowers noted that school board member Dion Manley and counterparts from Reynoldsburg and other suburban communities were also in attendance. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with members across the region. Bowers asked that the minutes also incorporate her constituent reports for the months of November and December. They outline activities, meetings, and events that she was a part of through those months and also identify some of the constituent concerns and issues that were brought to her attention and actions that were taken based on those. Bowers welcomed new Director of Public Service Anverse. She said that he will probably be on the receiving end of constituent communications, so she is glad to meet him and looks forward to working with him. Councilmember Padova echoed thanks to Reverend King for coming. She said Gahanna was very lucky to have him as part of our community. She also welcomed Director Anverse and thanked him for joining the Gahanna team. Padova said her thoughts were with Jomar and Shanika Sheppard, as well as Christopher Mateen and his family. As the mayor stated, Padova said this is the time where community comes together in City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 hard times and shows up for one another. She was sure that Marlow's will have quite a long line for some cheesesteaks as they reopen. She said her family will be in line when they do. Councilmember Schnetzer said he echoed the sentiments that had been expressed by Council colleagues. Vice President Weaver said he also echoed the comments previously made by colleagues but would like to add his own thanks to Reverend King. Weaver said he appreciated King being here and for his words [during the Invocation]. He also congratulated King on being elected president of the Baptist Ministerial Alliance. Weaver said he knew that King would serve the organization well, just as King continues to serve our community well. He expressed his condolences to the Marlow’s restaurant family, and to the Mateen family. President Renner said to Reverend King that it is always a deep pleasure to see him in Council Chambers. Renner thanked King for leading Council in the Invocation. He also thanked King for his advocacy. With great pride, Council passed a Resolution and remembers Martin Luther King, Jr., his speeches, and his grace. Renner said it was also important to be mindful of King’s heart. His heart carried actions, not just words. Renner asked that everybody in the community take that one more step, not just reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr., and his speeches, but to act. The action could be to meet somebody totally new, someone totally different from you. That would be enlightenment. With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mind, Renner asked people to take compassionate action and turn words into something more inside for 2023. Renner also welcomed aboard Director Anverse. He is looking forward to hearing reports from Anverse. 2023-0009 Councilmember Merisa K. Bowers' Constituent Reports - Nov & Dec 2022 J. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Jeremy A. VanMeter Clerk of Council City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2023. Stephen A. Renner City of Gahanna Page 10