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, July 10, 2023 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, July 10, 2023, in Council Chambers. President of Council Stephen A. Renner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of Council Trenton I. Weaver delivered an Invocation and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was published on July 7, 2023. Present 6 - Karen J. Angelou, Merisa K. Bowers, Kaylee Padova, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, and Trenton I. Weaver Absent 1 - Nancy R. McGregor B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: President Renner noted one change: under Hearing of Visitors, the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association would speak first, followed by the Council’s presentation of resolutions. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: 1. Central Ohio Beekeepers Association 2023-0134 COBA Presentation to Gahanna City Council 7.10.2023 Mike Hatter of Magnetic Springs, Ohio, spoke on the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association (COBA) and RES-0024-2023. Mr. Hatter identified himself as the past president and current trustee of COBA and thanked the council for providing him with the opportunity to speak about bees at the meeting. He delivered a presentation on behalf of COBA, whose mission is to promote beekeeping apiculture, educate beekeepers and the public about the importance of bees as pollinators, and highlight the valuable products bees create. In the past year, COBA successfully educated and trained approximately 140 to 150 people through their "Bee School," a City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 beekeeping training program. Among the participants, 20 were veterans who took part in the special vet program, and seven individuals were through the organization’s youth scholarship program. Aside from education, COBA performs various functions within the community, such as swarm collecting and providing assistance with bee colony cutouts. The organization also engages in events and entertainment related to beekeeping. At the meeting, several COBA members were present, including a youth scholarship recipient and Bob and Claudia Bowers, both board members on the foundation who are involved in the veterans program. Hatter mentioned the new veterans program launched this year, which is a two-year initiative seeking sponsors for its activities. He expressed gratitude for Gahanna's interest in beekeeping and their support for beekeeping education, specifically acknowledging the council's Resolution 0024-2023. He acknowledged that Gahanna has been a bee-friendly community for a long time and thanked the councilmembers for their continued support. 2. Resolution Presentations by Council COBA Councilmember Bowers expressed her gratitude to Mr. Hatter and all the beekeepers present at the meeting, both members of the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association and others from Gahanna. She acknowledged that in 2017, former Mayor Kneeland and his wife Becky, who are avid beekeepers, passed a resolution designating Gahanna as a Bee City USA affiliate. She highlighted the city's proud history of beekeeping and emphasized the importance of not only honeybees but also native pollinators and bees, which are supported by beekeepers through efforts like planting native wildflowers. Councilmember Bowers commended the council's decision to designate July 19th as Beekeeping Education Day in Gahanna, as it helps promote not only apiculture but also a healthy ecosystem by recognizing the vital role of pollinators. She explained that July 19th was chosen as it had previously been designated as an Urban Beekeeping day in some communities, demonstrating that beekeeping can be done safely and responsibly in populated areas with the support of smart and best practices, which are taught by the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association. Councilmember Bowers concluded her comments by thanking everyone present for attending the meeting and welcomed the suggestion by Councilmember Angelou to extend a special invitation to all the beekeepers in the audience to stand and be recognized. Parks & Rec Department Councilmember Bowers announced that they are designating July 2023 as Parks and Recreation month in the City of Gahanna. She acknowledged the presence of the Parks & Recreation director, assistant director, and other staff members, expressing her gratitude for their vital role in establishing and maintaining the quality of life for Gahanna residents. She praised the Parks & Rec team for their extensive programming and management of parkland, emphasizing the positive impact they have on the community's well-being. City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 Councilmember Bowers specifically highlighted the Recreation programming provided for all age groups, from youth to seniors and adults, especially in light of the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on mental health and the economy. She acknowledged that these resources are crucial in helping the community continue to thrive and thanked the Parks & Rec Department for their dedication and support. Following her comments, Councilmember Bowers mentioned they would proceed with taking photos for both COBA and the Parks & Rec team. 3. Members of the Public Jim Merchant of 294 Regents Road, Gahanna, OH spoke on the positive responsiveness of Gahanna Police and Jefferson Township Fire Department. Mr. Merchant expressed his gratitude for the prompt and excellent response of the Gahanna Police and Jefferson Township Fire Department during a serious traffic accident that occurred on the past Fourth of July near his home. He mentioned that he and several passengers were injured in the accident, and both emergency response teams arrived at the scene within five minutes. He commended the Gahanna Police and Jefferson Township Fire Department for their kind, professional, and caring attitudes, which greatly assisted them during the critical situation. He emphasized that their exceptional performance made him proud to be a member of the city and publicly thanked them for their efforts and support. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2023-0125 CN Minutes 6.20.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2023-0126 COTW Minutes 6.26.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Resolutions: RES-0022-2023 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0023-2023 A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING JULY 2023 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 RES-0024-2023 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA TO RECOGNIZE BEEKEEPING EDUCATION DAY IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA ON JULY 19, 2023 The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0025-2023 A RESOLUTION TO PETITION THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ALONG MORSE ROAD FROM US 62 TO KITZMILLER ROAD FROM 55 MILES PER HOUR TO 45 MILES PER HOUR WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA IN ACCORDANCE WITH OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 4511.21 The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0026-2023 A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE NECESSITY AND INTENT TO APPROPRIATE REAL ESTATE FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR THE TAYLOR STATION AND CLAYCRAFT ROAD ROUNDABOUT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. 3. Ordinances for Second Reading: ORD-0049-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Central Park TIF and Water Capital Funds for Transfers Out The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0050-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - General Fund for Mayor's Court Contract Services The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. 4. Ordinances for Waiver, Adoption as an Emergency: ORD-0051-2023 AN ORDINANCE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH JOSEPH TREE SERVICES FOR THE REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS TREES; AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND, WAIVING SECOND READING, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda with waiver of second reading and an emergency declaration. End of Consent Agenda City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Schnetzer, to Pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Bowers, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver Absent: 1- McGregor E. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: ORD-0052-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY OR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S DESIGNEE TO FILE FOR APPROPRIATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT AT 926 TAYLOR STATION ROAD; VANDELAY IMPORTS & EXPORTS, LLC, OWNER; IN FURTHERANCE OF THE TAYLOR STATION AND CLAYCRAFT ROAD ROUNDABOUT PROJECT President Renner introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title. ORD-0053-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY OR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S DESIGNEE TO FILE FOR APPROPRIATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT AT TAYLOR STATION ROAD, LOT 3; CAMP EZK, LLC, OWNER; IN FURTHERANCE OF THE TAYLOR STATION AND CLAYCRAFT ROAD ROUNDABOUT PROJECT President Renner introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title. ORD-0054-2023 AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CODE SECTION 521.06 - CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, AND REPLACEMENT OF SIDEWALKS, INTEGRAL APPROACHES/APRONS AND RELATED AREAS; AND TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 903 - SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY President Renner introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title. ORD-0055-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AGREEMENT WITH ROMANOFF GROUP TO FACILITATE REDEVELOPMENT OF AN EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 977 GAHANNA PARKWAY, PART OF COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA #1 President Renner introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title. F. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk - None. 2. Council City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 Vice President Weaver briefly mentioned that he received an invitation from State Representative Ismail Mohamed's office to attend the Somali Independence Day Celebrations on July 1st at the Statehouse. He mentioned that he was joined by State Representative Mary Lightbody, School Board President Beryl Brown-Piccolantonio, and Councilmember Merisa Bowers at the event. During the celebration, Vice President Weaver and Councilmember Bowers presented a certificate of recognition to commemorate the event. G. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver President Renner stated that he did not have a report to present. He mentioned that the council had its first semi-annual meeting with the CIC in June, during which there was a discussion about some of the businesses located near Creekside, particularly focusing on the mobile ones. President Renner asked if Vice President Weaver had anything else to add. Vice President Weaver noted the CIC will be meeting next Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the Committee Room. Additionally, President Renner reminded residents about the Gahanna CIC website, gahannacic.com, where they can find more information about the organization and access the minutes. He mentioned that the minutes might be slightly behind due to a transition in the administration, resulting from the loss of Nate Strum, who was likely previously responsible for updating them. Mayor Jadwin responded by providing an update on the economic development team. She announced that the new economic development director is now on board, and they have also had two members of the team who have been handling the workload for the past two months. The mayor assured that they will ensure the minutes are brought up to date as quickly as possible. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Councilmember Angelou noted there were no meetings scheduled for July. She noted that MORPC meetings would resume in August. 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova reported on the ongoing reconciliation of the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival (CBJF). She shared that there had been significant media coverage for the festival, with 103 pieces of print, digital, and television coverage, reaching 23 million unique visitors and resulting in a total publicity value of $641,000. Additionally, it was reported that over 20,000 people attended the event in Gahanna. Councilmember Padova announced that Visit Gahanna is hosting a CBJF volunteer picnic on Wednesday, July 26th, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. behind the building at 110 Mill Street. The picnic is a way to thank all the volunteers who helped make the festival a success and will include food, prizes, awards, games, and check presentations to non-profit organizations. She also mentioned the success of "Mid-Week at City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 the Creek," a series of events with live music presented by Visit Gahanna and the Creekside District Alliance. The event is held on Wednesdays at Creekside from 6:00 to 8 p.m. The series, sponsored by Teresa Emch of Keller Williams Capital Partners and supported by the Gahanna Parks & Rec Department, was initiated in 2021 to attract more visitors to Creekside during the week to support local restaurants and businesses. The series has been well-received, with an increasing number of attendees boosting business for restaurants in the area. Councilmember Padova also highlighted the Ohio Herb Center's activities, hosting two motor coach groups from Illinois last month. The guests enjoyed learning about Ohio's Herb Capital and the various uses of herbs. They also participated in a scavenger hunt around the Herb Center gardens and enjoyed herb-infused refreshments. The Ohio Herb Center continues to attract out-of-town guests on a regular basis for tours. In addition, Councilmember Padova mentioned that the Ohio Herb Center participated in Pollinator Palooza at the Franklin Park Conservatory last month. They educated individuals and families about the importance of pollinators and promoted awareness of Gahanna as Ohio's Herb Capital. 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers Councilmember Bowers mentioned that a meeting is scheduled for July 19th, where city and school board members, along with the mayor and superintendent, will gather to address financial matters and revenue generation. Councilmember Bowers also shared exciting news about the stadium project. The turf installation has been completed, and the stadium is expected to be fully finished in September. While it may not be available for the first couple of football games, it should be ready for the remainder of the season, allowing the Lions to play in their brand-new stadium. Regarding the parking collaboration, Councilmember Bowers informed everyone that discussions are still ongoing, and the city remains committed to supporting students and the community in addressing parking concerns. H. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin began by sending well wishes to Councilwoman McGregor for her recovery from surgery. She mentioned attending the Somali cultural festival at Innis Park, along with State Senator Michelle Reynolds, and highlighted the positive and enjoyable experience. The mayor then went on to express her pride and gratitude for the various events and activities that have taken place in Gahanna, such as the Farmers Market, Mid-Week at the Creek, Creekside Live concert series, Cinema under the Stars, and the summer campers' activities. She acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the city employees, sponsors, and organizations that make these events possible. She highlighted the success of the Gahanna Lions Club’s Fourth of July parade in the city, remarking that it was one of the best parades in a long time and that this was the seventy-sixth or seventy-seventh parade organized by the Lions Club. Mayor Jadwin also praised the swift response and professionalism of the city's utility and street crews when dealing with a City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 significant water line break, ensuring minimal disruption to the residents. She expressed her appreciation for the Parks & Recreation team's dedication in handling flooding on the golf course and successfully executing the fireworks celebration and parade. Regarding an encounter involving the Gahanna Division of Police at a local business that brought some social media traffic over the weekend, the mayor deferred to the city’s legal team to answer questions about what a trespass is or is not in a public space or what the difference is between a public space and a private space. She stated that she watched the video and was extremely proud of how the officers handled the situation. She emphasized that the officers acted professionally, treated individuals with respect, and engaged with them in a civil and respectful manner. In conclusion, Mayor Jadwin expressed her gratitude to all city employees from every department for their continuous commitment to serving the residents of Gahanna. She commended their dedication and hard work, both as the mayor and as a proud resident of the city. 2. City Attorney City Attorney Mularski began by sharing his experience meeting the new economic development director for the first time and how he was immediately brought into an unexpected meeting. He then echoed the sentiments expressed by the mayor and praised the team of people working in Gahanna. He mentioned being consistently impressed by their willingness to help others, their dedication to doing their best, and their selflessness in jumping in to provide assistance. Regarding the encounter involving the Gahanna Division of Police, Attorney Mularski stated that he sent an email to the chief expressing his respect for the way the officers handled the situation. He commended their professionalism and how they handled the circumstances. In conclusion, City Attorney Mularski wanted to emphasize that the city has a great team of individuals who are always ready to help and work together. He appreciated their selflessness and willingness to go above and beyond in their roles in Gahanna. I. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Angelou expressed her gratitude to all the people present for the positive and wonderful events that took place during the Fourth of July celebrations. She mentioned being taken aback by not having all the details about the police encounter that was mentioned earlier. However, she expressed her intention to find out more about the situation after the meeting. Councilmember Angelou shared her belief that the police officers acted in a professional manner during the encounter. In her concluding remarks, she expressed her appreciation for all those involved in making Independence Day a memorable and wonderful experience for everyone in Gahanna. Councilmember Bowers began her comments by reminding everyone of some upcoming events and acknowledging successful events that have already taken place. She congratulated the Gahanna Historical Society on the successful Pioneer Day and encouraged everyone to save the date for the Founders Day event on August 12th. She also mentioned the Farmers Market hosted by Make Gahanna Yours, held every Wednesday through the summer, City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 and urged residents to support the market and local vendors. Councilmember Bowers highlighted the upcoming Columbus Symphony Orchestra event hosted at Headley Park by the Gahanna Area Arts Council on August 5th and mentioned that sponsorships are still available for those interested in supporting the event. She then took a moment to honor Bruce Daily, a long-time member of the Gahanna Community Congregational Church, who recently passed away. Mr. Daily was instrumental in the community gardens and was a dedicated contributor to the GRIN program, donating over 1,500 pounds of produce. Councilmember Bowers expressed gratitude to the Parks & Recreation team and other city staff for their hard work in organizing the Fourth of July and other holiday events. She also commended Director of Engineering Tom Komlanc on the sidewalk program revamp, expressing appreciation for the efforts to support Gahanna residents. Finally, she reminded everyone that early voting for the August 8th special election begins on July 11th. Councilmember Bowers shared that she will be voting "no" on Issue 1 on the ballot, providing some facts about the issue. Bowers said that out of 227 amendments to the Ohio Constitution, only 19 in Ohio’s history had been citizen-led initiatives and that Issue 1 singles out citizen-led initiatives. She encouraged residents to participate in the election by voting early or on Election Day since voter turnout tends to be low in August special elections. Vice President Weaver began his comments by echoing the sentiments shared by the mayor and fellow councilmembers, expressing his gratitude to all city staff, including Public Service, Parks, Division of Police, and other administration members, for their dedicated work. He mentioned that there have been many events and activities in the past few weeks, and he was particularly impressed with the successful fireworks and parade organized by the Gahanna Lions Club. Vice President Weaver acknowledged being skeptical about the weather on that day but was glad that everything went smoothly. He then extended his thanks to Mike Hatter and the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association for their presence at the meeting. He also appreciated Director Ferrell's department and team, referencing the resolution passed during the meeting to celebrate their efforts. Vice President Weaver concluded by encouraging people to take advantage of early voting opportunities, noting that the voting times may have changed from previous years. He emphasized the importance of civic engagement and participation in the voting process. President Renner began his comments by mentioning that due to his heavy focus on his master's degree, he is no longer active on Facebook, which has brought him a sense of joy. However, he has heard about some of the things said about the police incident but did not have all the details. President Renner asserted that he has always been a strong supporter of the police and is proud to have been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). He emphasized the importance of law and order and expressed his confidence in the professionalism of the Gahanna Police Department in handling the situation. President Renner thanked the Central Ohio Beekeeping Association for their presence at the meeting and expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for the resolution. He shared that he grew up with a beekeeper father and reminisced about his father's nine beehives in City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023 Gahanna. He highlighted the significance of pollinators and their role in the community, and also mentioned how his parents generously shared honey with their neighbors. Regarding celebrations, President Renner praised the fireworks display and noted he enjoyed watching the parade with his family, which was a special moment. He mentioned his son's involvement with the Gahanna band in the parade and expressed pride in seeing him show respect during the color guard ceremony. President Renner mentioned the traffic accident on Stygler Road and conveyed his concern for the safety of residents. He urged everyone to be cautious and mindful of children playing and biking during the summer, especially in residential areas like Gahanna. He emphasized the importance of slowing down and being attentive to ensure a safe community for everyone. J. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the meeting at 7:44 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