City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Merisa K. Bowers, President Trenton I. Weaver, Vice President Jamille Jones Nancy R. McGregor Kaylee Padova Stephen A. Renner Michael Schnetzer Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council Monday, July 15, 2024 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 15, 2024, in Council Chambers. President of Council Merisa K. Bowers called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 12, 2024. Present 7 - Merisa K. Bowers, Jamille Jones, Nancy R. McGregor, Kaylee Padova, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, and Trenton I. Weaver B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: President Bowers noted that at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, City Council would call to order the Committee of the Whole. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: Rene Harrington of Gahanna, OH, spoke on civil and criminal codes. Ms. Harrington stated she has been a resident of Gahanna for over 30 years. She explained that she has been experiencing ongoing issues with her neighbor for the past four years. Ms. Harrington reported that she and her guests have been repeatedly harassed in various ways by her neighbor, who Ms. Harrington stated has also violated Gahanna codes. Ms. Harrington chose to overlook these violations in an attempt to maintain civility and peace. Ms. Harrington detailed that her neighbor has called the police numerous times with unfounded complaints about Ms. Harrington, other neighbors, and Ms. Harrington’s guests. She noted that this has resulted in her neighbor having a specific officer assigned to handle her frequent and claims. Ms. Harrington's main purpose for addressing the Council was to request updates to the City codes to address these issues. She described several incidents where her neighbor harassed her guests, including photographing their license plates and causing them significant distress. Ms. Harrington admitted that her only true offense was parking within two feet of her neighbor’s driveway, which she learned was against code. Ms. Harrington formally City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024 requested that the City update the civil and criminal City codes to create protections against such behavior as she reported of her neighbor. She provided specific examples of issues, such as floodlights installed by her neighbor within 12 inches of their property line. These lights are triggered by movement in Ms. Harrington's yard, not her neighbor’s, causing blinding illumination. Additionally, Ms. Harrington reported that her neighbor has placed cameras that monitor only Ms. Harrington's yard. Ms. Harrington proposed two specific code updates: first, to establish a light trespass code defining the limitation of light brightness (foot-candle); second, to prohibit garden lights or footpath lights within two to three feet of a property line unless they are shielded or the yards are separated by fencing that blocks the light. President Bowers noted Ms. Harrington’s time was up, explaining that the Hearing of Visitors segment is limited to three minutes per speaker. She invited Ms. Harrington to follow up with an email to the Council to provide additional points and details. President Bowers thanked Ms. Harrington for her comments. Arlene Sheak of Gahanna, OH, spoke on energy aggregation. Ms. Sheak addressed the Council to express her gratitude for their research and efforts in promoting environmental stewardship through energy aggregation. She commended the Council for their forward-thinking actions and for setting an example as a model City in many ways. She concluded by thanking the Council for their contributions to a sustainable future. President Bowers extended the thanks to the administration, acknowledging their hard work on behalf of the Council and the community. James Mako of Gahanna, OH, spoke on the Energy Aggregation Program; via pre-recorded video display. Mr. Mako expressed his happiness about living in Gahanna for over 10 years and his appreciation for the wonderful community. He spoke in support of 100% clean energy for the Community Choice Aggregation program. Mr. Mako thanked Council for adopting the municipal renewable aggregation legislation on July 1, 2024. He believed this action would help ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the City. He highlighted the benefits of the aggregation process, including the ability of cities to combine their buying power and share knowledge to streamline procurement processes. He noted that the shared experiences among participants could generate positive network effects, such as increased mentorship, credibility, and support for inexperienced buyers. Mr. Mako emphasized that addressing climate change effectively requires the engagement of all actors, big and small. Mr. Mako described the creation of a more promising economic structure for a wide array of energy purchasers. He expressed his belief that aggregating efforts is a better path forward in the battle against climate change, rather than going it alone. He concluded by thanking Council again for making 100% renewable energy a source for the Community Choice Aggregation program and for their commitment to a sustainable future. He encouraged everyone to continue making a difference and leading the way in City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024 clean energy adoption. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2024-0131 Council Regular Minutes 7.1.2024 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Ordinances for Second Reading and Adoption: ORD-0045-2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 737 TOBACCO PRODUCT SALES SECTIONS 737.04 AND 737.14 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA The clerk read the Ordinance by title. The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0046-2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - ARPA Fund 2330 The clerk read the Ordinance by title. The Ordinance was adopted on the Consent Agenda. End of Consent Agenda A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Renner, to Pass the items under the Consent Agenda as published. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver E. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: 1. Clerk - None. 2. Council - None. F. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Weaver Vice President Weaver noted the CIC would meet on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. in the Committee Room. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Weaver City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024 Vice President Weaver reported there was no commission meeting for the month of July. He anticipated more information for Council at the next regular meeting on August 5, 2024. 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova announced that "Honey and Blue" would be performing at "Midweek at the Creek" this Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Creekside. She also mentioned that Visit Gahanna is collaborating with Make Gahanna Yours to create a spirit station to welcome and cheer on the Pelotonia riders passing through Gahanna on the morning of August 3, 2024. She encouraged everyone to stay tuned to social media for more details about this event. 4. School Board (SB) - Jones Councilmember Jones had no updates to share at the time. G. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin announced that the latest edition of "Uniquely Gahanna" is out and should be arriving in mailboxes within the next few days. In consideration of the early start time of the leadership meeting at 5:00 p.m., the Committee of the Whole meeting to follow, and out of respect for staff time, Mayor Jadwin stated that she had no further comments. 2. City Attorney – None. H. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Jones informed Council that her constituent report for June was available and attached to the agenda. She also announced her next Community Connect event, scheduled for July 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Study Room G at the Gahanna Branch Library. Councilmember Padova thanked the Gahanna Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and all the Administration and staff for their efforts during the Fourth of July celebrations. She acknowledged the hard work of employees who ensured the fireworks event proceeded despite the weather and praised the parade's success the following day. She also expressed gratitude to Councilmember McGregor and the volunteers at the Historical Society for a wonderful Pioneer Day, sharing a personal story about her daughter's enjoyment of the event. She concluded by thanking everyone involved. Vice President Weaver echoed Councilmember Padova's gratitude, thanking the officers, City staff, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024 Fourth of July celebrations. He acknowledged the challenging weather conditions and appreciated everyone's efforts in making the events enjoyable for all attendees. President Bowers briefly mentioned that her constituent report for June 2024 was attached to the agenda. She echoed the comments of Councilmembers Padova and Weaver, specifically thanking the Lions Club for their work on the parade. She announced that Gahanna had been recertified as a Bee City USA, expressing gratitude to the Parks and Recreation team, City Forester Predieri, and Director Ferrell for their efforts in promoting pollinator awareness as part of the City’s environmental and sustainability efforts. President Bowers then provided an update on the Council meeting schedule. She noted that there would be no meeting on July 22, 2024, as the Committee of the Whole Meeting would follow the conclusion of the current Regular Meeting. Additionally, there will be no meeting on July 29, 2024, due to the occurrence of the fifth Monday of the month. The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2024, with Council returning to the regular schedule of meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month and Committee of the Whole meetings on the second and fourth Mondays, except for holidays, like Labor Day. She thanked everyone for their patience as the new summer schedule was trialed. 2024-0130 Councilmember Jamille Jones' Constituent Report - June 2024 2024-0132 Councilmember Merisa K. Bowers' Constituent Report - June 2024 I. ADJOURNMENT: With discussion concluded, President Bowers adjourned the Regular Council Meeting at 7:17 p.m. Jessica Hilts Clerk APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2024. Merisa K. Bowers City of Gahanna Page 5