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, December 4, 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, December 4, 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 December 1, 2023. Present 7 - Karen J. Angelou, Merisa K. Bowers, Nancy R. McGregor, Kaylee Padova, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, and Trenton I. Weaver B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: None. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: Mr. Dustin Holfinger, 3098 East High St., Springfield, Ohio, spoke on ORD-0071-2023. Mr. Holfinger introduced himself as the State Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. He thanked council for giving him the opportunity to opine on Ordinance 0071-2023. He said that with tobacco retail licensing, tobacco retailers can be held accountable for violating current and future tobacco control laws. The requirements will allow Franklin County Public Health to have oversight on what products are sold and provide regular compliance checks. Tobacco products are sold seemingly everywhere, making it easy for underage buyers to access many products, including e-cigarettes. Holfinger stated that tobacco companies target youth, attempting to addict a new generation of tobacco users. Holfinger applauded the City of Gahanna and Councilwoman Padova for efforts to reduce tobacco use among youth. He stated that a strong tobacco retail licensing program will reduce youth access to tobacco products. Additionally, research has shown that compliance is most effective when the tobacco retailer or license holder is held accountable, rather than non-management employees. Holfinger appreciates that penalties are levied upon the retail license holder. He also noted that penalties for violations are shifted from youth to the license holders. The fees paid by retailers fund the compliance program, ensuring neither taxpayers nor the city incur additional taxes. The fees also fund additional education and cessation programs. Holfinger made himself available for questions. City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 Kathleen Marron, 303 Sumption Dr., Gahanna, Ohio, spoke on ORD-0071-2023. Mrs. Marron stated she is speaking in support of the proposed tobacco retail license ordinance. She stated that, considering the number of retailers near the high school, the TRL may help deter the establishments from selling to minors. They can avoid fines simply by carding, which happens when purchasing alcohol. Additionally, requiring a TRL does not cost the city or taxpayers, as it pays for itself through implementation and enforcement. Connie Spear, 361 Emory St., Gahanna, Ohio, spoke on ORD-0071-2023. Mrs. Spear thanked council for the opportunity to weigh in on the tobacco retail licensing ordinance. She has been a Gahanna resident for eight years and feels it is a great place to raise her children. She does not want her children to fall into the statistics of youth who use tobacco products. One way to help prevent this is by requiring licenses for tobacco retailers. Mrs. Spear questioned why retailers would stop selling to minors if they are not held accountable. She added that she has heard of a fifth-grade elementary school student caught vaping. She acknowledged while they probably did not purchase the product, it may have come from an older sibling. She stated there are seven locations high schoolers can walk to, and the business owners must be held accountable with financial penalties. Then, the fees incurred can help fund additional education and cessation programs. Mrs. Spear thanked council for their time, adding that she hopes to continue to see Gahanna as a safe place to raise her children. President Renner noted that the item is on the agenda for a first reading. He said this is a normal part of the process to read it into the public record. Council is expected to take legislative action and vote on the ordinance on December 18. He thanked the speakers for attending. Dr. Laura Gravelin, 85 McNaughten Rd, Columbus, Ohio, via video spoke on the Tobacco Retail License Ordinance (ORD-0071-2023). Dr. Gravelin introduced herself as the medical director of the electrophysiology lab and co-director of the women’s heart program at Mt. Carmel Health System. She is also the local director of the American Heart Association, whose mission is to help individuals live long and healthy lives, and whose mission also focuses on equitable health. A priority is to prevent and control tobacco and vaping across central Ohio for children and young adults. Dr. Gravelin stated that more children are using tobacco products and are also using them more frequently. She stated that approximately one in four are vaping, making vapes the most popular tobacco product amongst youth. Many youth and parents are not aware that e-cigarettes are less safe and contain more nicotine than traditional tobacco products. Products are sold in places that are accessible to children, and studies show that three out of four times children are able to purchase tobacco products, even when they are not of legal age. Gravelin stated her enthusiasm for Gahanna’s efforts to ensure tobacco products are kept out of the hands of youth through the tobacco retail licensure program. The program also permits officials to limit where tobacco can be sold and where retailers are located, to limit the proximity to children. Dr. Gravelin thanked the city, on behalf of the American Heart Association, for looking out for the community’s children and improving the safety and health of the community through the use of a program proven to be an effective tool. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 ORD-0080-2023 AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 President Renner read the rules of the public hearing into the record as follows: Pursuant to Council Rule 9.20.1, Finance Hearings being a special circumstance shall have the following Rules: (A) Speakers shall have five (5) minutes to speak on increases or additions of an item. (B) Speakers shall have five (5) minutes to speak on reductions or removal of an item. (C) Speakers shall have three (3) minutes to speak on general comments. Note: The minutes are a combined total for all who intend to speak. President Renner offered the floor to the administration for any presentation they would like to make. There were no additional comments or presentations at this time. President Renner opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m., calling for any speakers in any of the three categories. There were no speakers who stepped forward. President Renner closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. E. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2023-0212 CN Minutes 11.20.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2023-0213 CN Special Minutes 11.27.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2023-0214 COTW Minutes 11.27.2023 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Resolutions: RES-0036-2023 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION 2024 PRICING POLICY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. 3. Ordinances for Second Reading: ORD-0079-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - Capital Improvement Fund for Grant Award The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0082-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GAHANNA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (CVB) FOR THE YEARS 2024-2028 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TOURISM AND ATTRACTING VISITORS TO THE CITY The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0083-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE GAHANNA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (CVB) FOR THE YEARS 2024-2028 FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE OHIO HERB CENTER (OHC) The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. 4. Ordinances for Adoption as an Emergency: ORD-0078-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT (FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH) FOR 2024 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY The Ordinance was adopted as an emergency on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0081-2023 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING UTILITY RATES AND AMENDING GAHANNA CODIFIED ORDINANCES TITLE THREE PUBLIC UTILITIES - CHAPTER 921 SANITARY SEWER CONNECTIONS AND RENTAL RATES, CHAPTER 927 STORM SEWERS, CHAPTER 929 WATER CONNECTIONS AND RATES; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY The Ordinance was adopted as an emergency on the Consent Agenda. 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- Angelou, Bowers, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 F. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: ORD-0071-2023 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING CHAPTER 737 OF THE GAHANNA CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO ESTABLISH THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS SALES LICENSING PROGRAM President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. ORD-0080-2023 AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. ORD-0084-2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH THE GAHANNA COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (CIC) AND THE CITY TO FURTHER DEFINE USE OF FUNDING President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. ORD-0085-2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING GAHANNA CODIFIED ORDINANCES SECTION 133.02 - PURCHASING PROCEDURES President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. ORD-0086-2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING GAHANNA CODIFIED ORDINANCES SECTION 161 - MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX President Renner introduced the Ordinance and read it by title. G. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk - None. 2. Council - None. H. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver Vice President Weaver noted the CIC met on Tuesday, November 21 at 8:00 a.m. The group was joined by Emmett Kelly with Frost, Brown, Todd as a guest. Financials were reviewed and a real estate tax bill of$105,000 is expected soon. Tax returns were filed by Leppert Company. More information will hopefully follow in December. The CIC authorized Mr. Hamons to negotiate an amendment to the agreement with the city, which was discussed at the previous meeting. Updates were received by Planning and City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 Economic Development, including plans of a workshop for a Sheetz proposal, which will be held at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Weaver reiterated that this is a workshop. He shared that an application was also submitted to the Central Ohio CIC for a grant to receive assistance for future demolition needs. The next meeting is slated for Tuesday, December 19, at 7:30 a.m. at the golf course clubhouse for all of council. Weaver requested that Councilmember-Elect Jones be permitted to attend. Mayor Jadwin stated the meeting is open to the public and Jones is welcome to attend. Weaver noted that minutes can be found at GahannaCIC.com. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou, Weaver Councilmember Angelou stated the upcoming MORPC meeting will be her last. She commented on Clerk VanMeter’s work in his assistance in putting together her MORPC report. Vice President Weaver added that the MORPC regional policy roundtable met the previous week. Caitlan Flis, Assistant Policy Director from Governor Dewine’s office joined the group. Flis operates primarily in the federal funding space and tracks funding opportunities, particularly in transportation, tax, and commerce areas. She is tuned into passenger rail. There are various applications in with the FRA including the 3C+D. News on funding opportunities is expected in the next month. A legislative update from Mr. Garrity and Steve Tugend on housing. They are working to be strategic on one-time community investment funds for smaller communities that may not have the bandwidth to track funding opportunities. In unfortunate news, the regional tech hub application was not awarded from the Department of Commerce to MORPC. Weaver also shared legislative updates. Regarding the passage of Issue 2, recreational marijuana, ongoing workforce and infrastructure concerns and ongoing criminal justice reform conversations are happening. The amended substitute bill was dropped at the House and imminent legislation regarding criminal justice reform is anticipated. Lastly, Weaver offered congratulations to outgoing regional policy roundtable chair, Mayor Scheffler of Lancaster. Scheffler was also inducted into the Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame. Weaver thanked Scheffler for his service on multiple fronts. In closing, Weaver shared that Friday, March 15 will be the State of the Region Address. 2023-0215 Councilmember Angelou's MORPC Report to City Council 12.1.2023 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova shared that Visit Gahanna hosted the Santa Race 5K the previous Saturday. There were 400 racers and attendants. The CVB and Futurecom Technologies are offering the Santa Hotline until Christmas. Santa has different messages each day and families are encouraged to call daily. The hotline number is 614-478-1061. It can be found on Visit Gahanna’s Facebook Page. Visit Gahanna hosted a holiday contest with the Columbus Dispatch. The prize was over $500 worth of gift cards to 12 different Gahanna businesses. There were over 4,000 different entries and over half opted to be a part of the CVB’s email database. There was hope that this would bring more people to Gahanna to dine in local restaurants and purchase from local shops. 4. School Board (SB) - Bowers Councilwoman Bowers noted there had been a quarterly meeting scheduled for City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 November 15 that had to be rescheduled by the district. It has not yet been rescheduled and may be postponed until 2024. I. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor The mayor shared that she, along with the Economic Development team, attended the annual Economic Development 411 event. It is presented by One Columbus in conjunction with JobsOhio. There were over 700 leaders, business partners, and regional and state partners in attendance. It was the largest turnout for the event in its history. The topic was growth in the Columbus region. Topics ranged from building transportation infrastructure to state funding opportunities, community and housing development, and talent attraction and retention. She also attended the Governing Essentials for Elected Officials, presented by the Voinovich Academy for Excellence in Public Service at Ohio University. Mayor Jadwin first joined the program during COVID in its inaugural phase and it is now in phase two. The topic was budgeting and finance and included conversation on best practices, ways to maximize outside funding sources. She highly recommended the academy for others and shared the next phase one session will be held in March. Mayor Jadwin announced that Senior Deputy Director Corey Wybensinger has been appointed to the Veteran’s Advisory Committee through the ICMA (International City/County Management Association). In that role he will be looking to provide opportunities to individuals who served the country. Mayor Jadwin also shared, as a joint announcement with Clerk VanMeter, that an open house will be held for Councilwoman Angelou on Tuesday, December 12 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers for her 34 years of service to the city. 2. City Attorney - None. J. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Angelou shared that this is her last month on council, and it is very difficult. It has been an amazing time. In reference for the individuals who spoke from the American Heart Association, she mentioned a previous heart attack she had while on the dais. She shared that great attendance for a councilmember is required, as she had been to every meeting, and she was not able to attend that particular meeting due to her emergency. President Renner commented that he remembered the incident and could confirm that Councilwoman Angelou had been in attendance prior to the scare. He expressed gratitude that she recovered. Councilmember McGregor shared that the Historical Society held the Victorian Christmas event. There were about 200 attendees. Victorian Santa, crafts, decorations, cookies, and cider were all part of the event. She remarked on the event’s success and thanked those who attended. Councilmember Bowers announced her constituent hours in conjunction with President Renner and Councilmember-elect Jamille Jones on Friday, December 8th, at 7:30 a.m. at Creekside Café. The intended discussion is the 2024 budget, allowing constituents to meet with councilmembers in a less formal setting. The week prior, Bowers attended the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s luncheon on zoning. Her major takeaways were an City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 emphasis on the ways in which local government play a role on housing, and that Gahanna is moving forward at a great pace. She thanked Director Blackford for his work on the zoning code rewrite and feels that Gahanna is ahead of other communities in the region in addressing concerns that are being discussed across the region and the state. Families Flourish, formerly known as Move to Prosper, hosted the event. Councilwoman Padova thanked those who attended the meeting to speak on the TRL. It is important to hear support from residents. Padova and other CVB board members will hold an ugly sweater happy hour on December 13th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. She invited anyone interested to judge the ugly sweaters to contact her. Vice President Weaver thanked those who came out to speak on the tobacco retail ordinance, noting that action will be taken in two weeks. He appreciated the mayor’s announcement regarding Director Wybensinger, and congratulated Director Wybensinger on his appointment and thanked him for his service. Lastly, he echoed the mayor’s comments on Ohio University’s Voinovich Academy, sharing that he and Councilmember Padova are alums. President Renner thanked Councilwoman Bowers for her mention of the Columbus Metropolitan luncheon, and recalled the tool to attack zoning issues in Central Ohio titled, “Is Snob Zoning America’s New Redlining?” He also urged residents to be mindful of the information they share about the city on social platforms, ensuring they have all the facts. He said that Sheetz is having a workshop because the developer is interested in building in Gahanna. No one is trying to hide it. The developer is going through the legal process because everyone has the right to buy and sell property. He encouraged residents to engage and reach out, but to please be careful and thoughtful of what is posted online. K. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Renner adjourned the meeting 7:33 p.m. Jeremy A. VanMeter Clerk of Council APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2023. Stephen A. Renner City of Gahanna Page 8