TITLE
AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE WITHIN THE 2022 SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, TO APPROVE COSTS AND QUANTITIES, AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY
BODY
WHEREAS, construction and maintenance activities for the 2022 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 objections related to mistakes of fact concerning the allocation of assessments; and
WHEREAS, property owners within the 2022 Sidewalk Maintenance Program Area were duly notified of the public hearing by U.S. Mail dated July 16, 2025, and notice was published on the City’s website, social media, and in a public kiosk, in accordance with Section 903.4(a)(10)(A); and
WHEREAS, the hearing was held on August 4, 2025, and no valid claims of mistake of fact were substantiated to alter the assessments as calculated; and
WHEREAS, each property shall bear 50% of the cost for repairs performed along their frontage, with field-measured quantities and costs confirmed by the City Engineer and reviewed 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 hearing to pay the assessed amount in full, after which the Clerk shall certify the assessments, including effective date and rate of interest, to the Franklin County Auditor for addition to the property tax duplicates; and
WHEREAS, the Administration recommends passage of the ordinance as an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; to wit: meeting the County Auditor's deadline of September 8, 2025, for the submission of assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. The actual measured quantities and field costs of the 2022 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 2022 Sidewalk Maintenance Program Area, each bearing 50% of the cost of improvements along their frontage.
Section 3. The Clerk is directed to certify the final assessments, their effective dates, and applicable interest rates to the Franklin County Auditor for inclusion in the tax duplicate of each affected parcel, following the thirty-day payment period.
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 assessment submissions is September 8, 2025. Therefore, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage and on date of signature of approval by the Mayor.