TITLE
AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE WITHIN THE 2025 SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, TO APPROVE COSTS AND QUANTITIES, AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY
BODY
WHEREAS, construction and maintenance activities for the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Program have been completed in accordance with Gahanna Code Chapter 903 - “Construction, Maintenance, and Renewal of Pedestrian Facilities”; and
WHEREAS, Section 903.4(a)(10) requires a public hearing upon the completion of such activities to consider assertions of mistake of fact regarding the allocation of assessments; and
WHEREAS, property owners within the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Program Area were duly notified of the public hearing by ordinary U.S. Mail dated June 29, 2026, and notice was also published on the City’s website, social media, and in the public kiosk where legislation is generally accessible, in accordance with Section 903.4(a)(10)(A); and
WHEREAS, the public hearing was held on July 20, 2026, and any assertions of mistake of fact regarding the allocation of assessments were considered in accordance with Gahanna Code Section 903.4(a)(10); and
WHEREAS, each property shall bear fifty percent (50%) of the cost for repairs performed along its frontage, with field-measured quantities and actual costs determined and certified by the City Engineer and approved by City Council pursuant to Section 903.4(a)(10)(B); and
WHEREAS, the property owners of record shall have thirty (30) days following the public hearing to pay the assessed amount in full, after which the Clerk shall certify the assessments, including the effective date and applicable rate of interest, to the Franklin County Auditor for inclusion on the tax duplicate of the affected properties; and
WHEREAS, the Administration recommends passage of this Ordinance as an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; to wit: meeting the Franklin County Auditor's September 8, 2026 deadline for submission of special assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. The actual field-measured quantities and costs of the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Program, as determined and certified by the City Engineer and attached hereto and incorporated herein as EXHIBIT A, are hereby approved and accepted.
Section 2. The City is hereby authorized to levy special assessments on the properties identified within the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Program Area, each property bearing fifty percent (50%) of the cost of improvements performed along its frontage.
Section 3. Following the thirty-day payment period, the Clerk is directed to certify the final assessments, their effective dates, and applicable interest rates to the Franklin County Auditor for inclusion on the tax duplicate of each affected parcel.
Section 4. This Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the City of Gahanna, and for the further reason that the Franklin County Auditor's deadline for submission of special assessments is September 8, 2026. Therefore, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage and upon the date of signature of approval by the Mayor.