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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025 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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Council Chambers. President of Council Merisa K. Bowers 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 January 17, 2025. 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: None. C. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Joint Resolution/Proclamation Presentation by Council & Mayor Cervical Cancer Awareness Month - Presented to The Crawford Crew President Bowers introduced a joint resolution and proclamation presentation by City Council and the Mayor in recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution was to be presented to The Crawford Crew, with its founder and executive director, Diane Crawford, in attendance. President Bowers provided an overview of Cervical Health Awareness Month, recognized by the color teal, which serves as a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of early detection. She emphasized that early detection is crucial for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and noted that the disease is preventable through regular screening tests such as Pap tests and HPV screenings. She highlighted that HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer, can be mitigated through vaccination, routine screenings, tobacco avoidance, City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 and safe sexual practices. Diane Crawford was then invited to give remarks. Ms. Crawford expressed her gratitude to President Bowers, the Council, Mayor, and the community for recognizing The Crawford Crew and Cervical Health Awareness Month. She acknowledged the importance of community outreach in educating the public about HPV-related cancers and emphasized the need to spread awareness about prevention methods. Ms. Crawford shared that The Crawford Crew, a nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to ending HPV-related cancers for over 15 years. As a cervical cancer survivor herself, she has committed her efforts to advocacy, education, and support for affected individuals and their families. She elaborated on The Crawford Crew’s work with patients at the Cleveland Clinic, The Ohio State University, and Ohio Health, as well as its mission to assist families-especially those with older individuals who did not have access to preventive measures such as the HPV vaccine when they were younger. Ms. Crawford highlighted that her own children have benefited from preventive care, with her daughter receiving regular Pap exams and her sons having received the HPV vaccine. Ms. Crawford underscored the importance of open discussions regarding HPV and the prevention of six types of cancers associated with the virus, including cervical cancer. She encouraged parents and guardians to speak with healthcare providers about prevention options for their families. She also noted the significance of reducing stigma around HPV and ensuring that future generations are better informed about cancer prevention. Furthermore, Ms. Crawford announced that The Crawford Crew had recently received a state-wide resolution from the Governor recognizing Cervical Health Awareness Month for the first time. She expressed her appreciation for the support received and invited the community to collaborate with The Crawford Crew on future initiatives, such as informational sessions, lunch-and-learn events, and other educational outreach efforts. Before concluding, Ms. Crawford extended her gratitude to the Council for their acknowledgment and encouraged anyone with questions to reach out. She also mentioned that The Crawford Crew was actively raising awareness and funds throughout the month to reinvest in community education and prevention efforts. President Bowers thanked Ms. Crawford for attending and commended The Crawford Crew for its important work. D. HEARING OF VISITORS: None. E. CONSENT AGENDA: City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2025-0008 Council Organizational/Regular Minutes 1.2.2025 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2025-0009 Council Special Minutes 1.13.2025 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2025-0010 Committee of the Whole Minutes 1.13.2025 The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Motions: MT-0001-2025 A MOTION TO ADOPT A COUNCIL NEWSLETTER COMMUNICATIONS PLAN The Motion was approved on the Consent Agenda. 3. Resolutions: RES-0001-2025 A JOINT RESOLUTION AND PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY, AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE, JANUARY 20, 2025, IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda. End of Consent Agenda A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Weaver, to Pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver F. RESOLUTIONS: RES-0002-2025 A JOINT RESOLUTION AND PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING JANUARY 2025 AS "CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Padova, that the Resolution be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver G. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 1. Clerk - None. 2. Council 2025-0012 Ohio Municipal League Press Release 1.16.2025 - Ohio Municipal League, Other Local Governments Respond to Withdrawal of AT&T Tariff Request Clerk VanMeter informed the Council that he had included the Ohio Municipal League’s (OML) press release regarding the local governments’ response to the withdrawal of AT&T’s tariff requests. He noted that the Council held a special session the previous week to support OML’s challenge. He also mentioned that the materials related to the press release were linked to the agenda, along with the motion that OML had filed. President Bowers asked Mayor Jadwin if there were any updates regarding the matter. Mayor Jadwin responded that she had not yet received any updates from the Central Ohio Mayors & Managers Association (COMMA). She stated that the next COMMA meeting was scheduled for the first week of February and expected that the topic would be on the agenda. She also noted that she would be connecting with Mayor Begeny of Reynoldsburg the following week and anticipated having more information to share in the coming weeks. H. REPRESENTATIVES: 1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Padova Councilmember Renner reminded the Council that the joint meeting with the CIC would be Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:30 AM in the Committee Room. 2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Weaver 2025-0014 Councilmember Weaver's MORPC Report to City Council 1.21.2025 Vice President Weaver stated that the full MORPC commission was scheduled to meet next on February 13, 2025. He reminded members to inform Clerk VanMeter if they planned to attend the 2025 State of the Region event, scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025. Vice President Weaver highlighted upcoming “Money Mondays” sessions included in the report. On February 3, 2025, Jenny Carlson with AARP Ohio would discuss the Community Challenge Grant. On February 10, 2025, Tony Long with the Ohio City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 Chamber of Commerce would present on energy and environmental policy, focusing on state and federal legislation and its impact on municipalities and counties. Additionally, Vice President Weaver noted that MORPC was seeking public comment on several proposed projects. He mentioned that a link to more information was included in the report. Specifically, he referenced the release of a proposed list of new transportation projects, with MORPC planning to allocate approximately $52 million in federal funds from state fiscal years. 3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova Councilmember Padova reported that the date for the annual meeting was still being finalized but was expected to take place in March. She mentioned that they were coordinating with a special guest speaker and looked forward to making an official announcement soon. She also highlighted two upcoming community events. The Walk for Women was scheduled for February 2, 2025, at noon on the Big Walnut Trail, followed by an open house at the Ohio Herb Center from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., where simple self-care practices would be taught. Additionally, the Charity Chocolate Walk would take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., with proceeds benefiting local charities through Give to Gahanna. More information on these events could be found at Visit Gahanna. 4. School Board (SB) - Jones Councilmember Jones congratulated Gahanna Lincoln High School student Trent Hughes for being recognized by CW Columbus and the Ohio Education Association as Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Hughes was a standout golf and lacrosse player at the high school. She also announced the upcoming State of Our Schools event, where Dr. Deagle and district leaders would share accomplishments and future plans for the district. The event was scheduled for January 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Middle School West Auditorium. Additionally, she encouraged colleagues to attend the annual production of Diaspora: Voices of an Ever-Changing America, organized by Dr. Donja Thomas, Assistant Principal Kesha Whitfield, and Counselor Johnel Amerson. The event was scheduled for February 2, 2025, with performances at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets were available for $5 on local events websites, with all proceeds going towards student scholarships. I. OFFICIAL REPORTS: 1. Mayor Mayor Jadwin provided her report, beginning by thanking Diane Crawford for her work in raising awareness about cervical cancer. She emphasized the City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 importance of education, research, and support for individuals and families impacted by the disease, reaffirming the City’s commitment to these efforts. Mayor Jadwin shared the news of the passing of former Gahanna police officer Robert Packer, who recently died of natural causes at the age of 55. Officer Packer retired from the Gahanna Division of Police in 2014 after 19 years of service. He was a Gulf War Navy veteran and actively involved in his Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post in the Reynoldsburg community. On behalf of the City of Gahanna, Mayor Jadwin extended heartfelt condolences to Officer Packer’s family and friends and acknowledged the impact he had on the community. She then provided updates on the City’s strategic planning process. She thanked the Council and the Planning Commission for their participation in the recent joint workshop on the “Our Gahanna” strategic plan. She reminded the community of the upcoming table talk sessions, opportunities for residents to contribute their input: Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Gahanna Golf Course Clubhouse (registration required), Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and a newly added session on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., rescheduled from a prior snow-related cancellation. Residents were encouraged to visit gahanna.gov for more information and to register for the events. Additionally, those unable to attend in person were invited to participate through an online survey, with the request that individuals complete either the survey or attend a session, but not both. Mayor Jadwin concluded her report by announcing the City’s first-ever Procurement Fair, aimed at strengthening connections for small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses. The event, scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., would provide small businesses with opportunities to meet representatives from major corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Attendees could learn about bidding lists, upcoming contracting opportunities, and attend a workshop on Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, led by Ronda Watson Barber. More details and registration information could be found at gahanna.gov. 2. City Attorney City Attorney Priya Tamilarasan reported that the Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) venue shift from Franklin County Municipal Court to Mayor’s Court had officially gone into effect. She noted that three citations had been processed through Mayor’s Court the previous week, generating $750 in revenue in addition to the typical case load. She confirmed that this outcome was in line with expectations and assured the Council that she would continue providing updates as the process evolved. J. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilmember Jones expressed gratitude to The Crawford Crew for their City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 efforts and shared that learning about the resolution sparked meaningful conversations in her family about cervical cancer awareness. She also acknowledged the passage of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day resolution and shared a quote from Dr. King, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear and fostering community connections. Councilmember Renner also thanked The Crawford Crew and spoke about the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He shared a personal reflection on Dr. King’s words: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way,” reinforcing the importance of individual contributions to community well-being. Councilmember Padova thanked Diane Crawford for her presence and advocacy, noting that as a mother, she appreciated the awareness being raised about HPV vaccinations and prevention. Councilmember Schnetzer informed the Council that he had shared a document from the House Ways and Means Committee regarding potential tax policy changes. He highlighted that one of the proposed measures included the possible removal of the municipal bond interest exemption, which could significantly impact local government borrowing costs for infrastructure projects. He encouraged outreach to congressional representatives to stress the importance of maintaining this exemption. Vice President Weaver echoed his appreciation for The Crawford Crew’s efforts and reiterated the importance of reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as both a moment of remembrance and a call to action to strengthen and uplift communities. President Bowers shared insights from the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s Blue Chip Economic Forecast, held on January 8, 2025. She recommended that her colleagues review the session, available on YouTube, and highlighted key points from Bill LaFayette’s regional economic predictions for 2025, which projected weak or stagnant growth driven by workforce mismatches and retiring Baby Boomers. She underscored concerns about central Ohio’s labor market vulnerabilities, particularly in the insurance sector, which had experienced a 6% job loss. She outlined proposed strategies to address economic stagnation, including as follows: ensuring low-income households are aware of available federal benefits, strengthening career counseling and job skills alignment, and supporting public education to reduce K-12 dropout rates. President Bowers also announced that she would be hosting a Constituent Hour on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gahanna Library and encouraged residents to attend. She concluded her comments by extending an invitation to the Walk for Women Weekend, a City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 series of events on February 1, 2025, and February 2, 2025, aimed at promoting safety, solidarity, and wellness for women in Gahanna. The initiative was a response to a recent incident underscoring the need for public safety awareness. Events included a Runner and Walker Safety Talk on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Second Sole, led by Gahanna Police Community Liaison Officer Blair Thomas and Lieutenant Matt Kissel. The Walk for Women is scheduled for on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at noon at Big Walnut Trail, followed by an open house at the Ohio Herb Center from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., featuring self-care workshops. She acknowledged the support of Mayor Jadwin, Chief Spence, Director of Parks and Recreation Stephania Ferrell, and Visit Gahanna’s Executive Director Lori Kappes in making the event possible. President Bowers concluded by sharing a quote from Dr. King emphasizing that progress requires intentional action, stating that she looked forward to continued efforts to promote justice, safety, and community engagement. K. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, President Bowers adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Jeremy A. VanMeter Clerk of Council APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2025. Merisa K. Bowers City of Gahanna Page 8