200 South Hamilton Road

Gahanna, Ohio 43230

City of Gahanna

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, March 3, 2025

7:00 PM

City Hall, Council Chambers

CALL TO ORDER: Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call

Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 3, 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 February 28, 2025.

7 - Merisa K. Bowers, Jamille Jones, Nancy R. McGregor, Kaylee Padova,

Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, and Trenton I. Weaver

Present

ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA:

None.

PRESENTATIONS:

1. Joint Resolution/Proclamation Presentation - Women's History Month

Recipient: London Studer, Gahanna Lincoln High School Baseball

2025-0054

London Studer - Gahanna Lincoln High School Baseball Presentation

President Bowers opened the meeting with a joint resolution and

proclamation in honor of Women’s History Month. She announced that the

city was recognizing London Studer, a 2024 graduate of Gahanna Lincoln

High School and a standout female baseball player. Bowers introduced the

resolution by highlighting London’s remarkable achievements and the impact

of her success in breaking barriers for women in sports. Bowers shared that

London’s journey began in Gahanna’s recreational leagues and progressed

to travel and school teams, where she excelled as both a player and a

trailblazer. London was the only girl at the age of 11 to participate in the

USSSA All-American Games. She went on to play for the U.S. Women’s

National Team and competed in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup in

2023. London’s accomplishments include being the first girl to play baseball

for Gahanna Lincoln High School, where she earned MVP recognition over a

dozen times, pitched multiple no-hitters (including one game with 17

strikeouts), and regularly threw fastballs reaching 81 mph. She also batted

over .500, hit multiple home runs in a single game, and recorded a grand

slam. London attended the Elite Development Invitational hosted by USA

Baseball and Major League Baseball for two consecutive years, earning

all-expenses-paid invitations to train with the Women's National Baseball

Team and attend the World Series. Bowers emphasized that London’s

success is not only a personal achievement but also a source of inspiration

for young athletes, especially girls. London’s story represents the courage to

break barriers, the resilience to push forward, and the strength to empower

others. Bowers noted that London embodies the spirit of Women’s History

Month and has paved the way for future generations to pursue their passions

without limits.

Mayor Jadwin praised London’s leadership and athleticism, recalling how

rewarding it had been to watch London grow during her time at Gahanna

Lincoln High School. Jadwin highlighted London’s role with the Gahanna

Bananas as the unofficial team captain and expressed excitement about

London’s return to the team for the upcoming game against the Ohio Village

Muffins on May 17, 2025. Jadwin commended London for breaking barriers

and inspiring others, encouraging her to continue pushing forward in her

career. Council and Mayor joined London and her family for a group photo

and presented her with the resolution.

London Studer thanked Council and the Mayor for the recognition. She

expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent women in sports and for

the acknowledgment of the progress women have made in breaking down

barriers. London remarked how meaningful it was to see these achievements

recognized beyond just words.

President Bowers closed by congratulating London again and expressing

excitement for what the future holds for her.

2. Walk for Women Weekend - President Bowers

2025-0055

Girls on the Run and Walk for Women Presentations to Council

3.3.2025

President Bowers opened the next presentation with a recap of the Walk for

Women Weekend held on February 1-2, 2025. She explained that the event,

hosted by the City of Gahanna in partnership with Visit Gahanna and the

Gahanna Division of Police (GPD), aimed to ensure that women feel safe

and free to move around the community. Bowers noted that following some

incidents late last year, several women in the community expressed feeling

uneasy while using local trails and sidewalks. In response, the city organized

the Walk for Women Weekend to demonstrate its commitment to safety and

community support. Bowers highlighted that Girls on the Run received a

significant donation from the White Castle Foundation and Second Sole as

part of the event. She invited Krista Frost and Sarah Hider from Girls on the

Run of Central Ohio to share more about their organization.

Sarah Hider, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Central Ohio, and

Krista Frost, Marketing and Development Manager, thanked Council for the

opportunity to speak. Frost noted that the Walk for Women Weekend was

one of the first times she had seen such a community-wide conversation

about safety, particularly concerning girls and women. She stressed the

importance of giving girls the tools and support to feel safe while being

active. Hider explained that Girls on the Run operates over 75 teams across

Central Ohio, with more than 1,100 girls participating. The program’s mission

is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through an

experience-based curriculum integrated with running. Hider emphasized that

the program helps girls build self-confidence, learn resilience, and develop

leadership skills through social and emotional learning. Each participant

completes a community impact project, empowering them to create positive

change. Frost shared that since Girls on the Run was founded in Central

Ohio in 2008, it has served over 20,000 girls across eight counties. She

emphasized that the program never turns away participants due to financial

constraints, providing shoes and athletic gear when needed. Hider added

that 98% of Girls on the Run’s head coaches are women, compared to just

26% of head coaches in youth sports nationwide.

President Bowers then invited Chief Spence to speak about the Gahanna

Division of Police's participation in the event. Chief Spence explained that

the safety talk held at Second Sole was one of three community safety

events offered by the GPD that quarter. The event allowed community liaison

officers and a community paramedic to engage with participants and provide

safety tips. Spence highlighted the value of these events in fostering

interaction and building relationships between the community and law

enforcement.

President Bowers continued by describing the Walk for Women event held

on Sunday, February 2nd. The walk began at the Gahanna swimming pool

and concluded at Creekside, with over 100 participants and several elected

officials from across the region. State Senator Beth Liston and State

Representative Meredith Lawson-Rowe attended and presented a

commendation from State Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio

recognizing the significance of the Walk for Women Weekend. The Franklin

County Prosecutor’s Office also participated, allowing assistant prosecutors

to engage with the community and local law enforcement. Bowers thanked

all the local officials who attended, including Mayor Laurie Jadwin, School

Board President Kara Coates, and Superintendent Dr. Deagle, for showing

their support. Following the walk, the Ohio Herb Center hosted a self-care

open house. Since Amanda Ferguson, the Ohio Herb Center coordinator,

was unable to attend the meeting, Bowers shared a statement on her behalf.

She noted that the open house focused on body, mind, and soul, providing

resources and self-care activities for participants. Approximately 25 people

attended, supported by two volunteers. She highlighted the Herb Center’s

historical connection to strong women leaders in Gahanna and its

commitment to supporting women’s empowerment.

President Bowers concluded by describing the Walk for Women Weekend

as a success. She emphasized that the event helped reclaim public spaces,

reinforced the city’s commitment to safety, and strengthened community

connections. The weekend also highlighted existing resources, such as the

GPD’s recurring self-defense courses, and renewed the city’s commitment to

collaborative relationships. Bowers thanked Chief Spence, Community

Liaison Officer Blair Thomas, Lieutenant Kissel, Council staff, Visit Gahanna,

Parks and Recreation, and all who contributed to the event’s success.

3. Our Gahanna Strategic Plan Update - Planning NEXT

Sarah C. Bongiorno, Director, and Bailey Morlan, Senior Planner

2025-0056

Our Gahanna - Strategic Plan Update to Council 3.3.2025

Sarah Bongiorno, Director with Planning NEXT, and Bailey Morlan, Senior

Planner, provided an update on the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan. Bongiorno

stated that Planning NEXT had been working with the community for several

months and had just completed the first round of community engagement.

She explained that the goal for the first round was to engage 1,000 people to

ensure broad representation of the Gahanna community. Bongiorno reported

that they successfully met that goal and emphasized that the effort focused

not only on numbers but also on securing representative engagement across

key demographics.

Bailey Morlan detailed the engagement methods used during the first round.

The outreach included 86 “Meeting in a Box” sessions conducted throughout

January and up to February 19th. These were small-format table discussions

for up to 10 people, featuring three structured activities. Additionally,

Planning NEXT facilitated an online survey that gathered more than 400

responses and over 2,400 individual inputs. The team also collected more

than 900 postcards from participants, all of which were reviewed for

feedback. Planning NEXT set up outreach tables at the YMCA and other

community locations to maximize participation. Morlan presented

demographic data from the first round, comparing the engagement results

with U.S. Census Bureau data for Gahanna. While overall participation

aligned closely with census demographics, the 20-24 and 25-34 age groups

were underrepresented. Morlan assured Council that the team would focus

on increasing engagement from these groups in future rounds. Engagement

from the Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino communities also

slightly lagged behind Census levels. Morlan committed to tracking these

gaps and implementing targeted outreach strategies in the next phase.

Ms. Bongiorno described the three core activities included in the "Meeting in

a Box" sessions: 1) Love Notes to Gahanna - Participants shared what they

loved about Gahanna. Common responses included the sense of

community, diversity, local amenities, parks and recreation, and the quality of

city services; 2) Unique Gahanna - Participants identified what makes

Gahanna distinct from other Central Ohio communities. Responses

emphasized the city’s green spaces, Creekside as a gathering place,

high-quality schools, and the welcoming and connected atmosphere; and 3)

Postcards from the Future - Participants wrote postcards imagining Gahanna

10 to 20 years in the future. Many envisioned a vibrant Creekside with

expanded amenities and a walkable, connected city with enhanced public

transit and infrastructure. Bongiorno shared that approximately 80% of

participants completed the demographic survey at the end of the sessions,

providing valuable data for tracking engagement diversity.

Key themes from the feedback included as follows:

A strong sense of community and connection among residents.

A desire for improved walkability and expanded public transit options.

Interest in increasing Creekside’s vibrancy and offerings.

Continued focus on education and city services.

Ms. Bongiorno noted that participants demonstrated optimism about

Gahanna’s future and valued the city’s balance of urban and suburban

qualities. Bongiorno outlined the next steps for the strategic plan process.

Planning NEXT was developing a draft framework based on the first round of

input, which had been tested with the Steering Committee and would soon

be presented to Council for feedback. The second round of engagement

would take place on May 6th, 7th, and 8th, with various events planned to

reach targeted demographics, including:

Taco Tuesday Fest - To engage families.

Minority and Small Business Networking Event - To strengthen

outreach to underrepresented communities.

Senior Luncheon - To ensure representation of older residents.

Young Professional Happy Hour - To increase engagement among

the 20-34 age group.

High School Outreach - Through the Key Club and Youth Advisory

Group.

Ms. Bongiorno credited the success of the first round to the strong

participation of the Steering Committee, city staff, and community volunteers.

She expressed confidence that the engagement momentum would continue

through the next phase.

Councilmember McGregor asked about the demographic chart on Hispanic

and Latino participation. Bongiorno clarified that the chart reflected the

percentage of residents identifying as Hispanic/Latino compared to

engagement levels. McGregor inquired about a secondary bar on the chart,

which Bongiorno explained represented participants who indicated they were

not Hispanic/Latino.

President Bowers thanked Bongiorno and Morlan for their presentation and

commended the team for achieving broad community representation.

Bowers noted that the feedback aligned with what Council regularly hears

from residents and expressed optimism about the next phase of the strategic

plan.

HEARING OF VISITORS:

Gene Poirier of 389 Olde Ridenour Road, Gahanna, OH addressed

Council regarding the need for a crosswalk on Olde Ridenour.

Mr. Poirier, a resident of Walnut Trace Senior Living on Olde Ridenour Road,

addressed Council regarding pedestrian safety concerns near his

community. Poirier noted that Walnut Trace houses approximately 85 senior

citizens, many of whom are active and enjoy walking along the paths

provided by the city, particularly the path along Olde Ridenour Road adjacent

to the golf course. Poirier explained that to access the path, residents must

cross Olde Ridenour Road, which currently lacks a safe pedestrian crossing.

Although the posted speed limit is 15 mph, Poirier observed that most

vehicles travel significantly faster, estimating speeds of 35 to 40 mph. He

noted that the speed limit is not enforced, creating a dangerous situation for

pedestrians. Poirier highlighted that parents and children from McCorkle

Park frequently cross Olde Ridenour Road, as do residents from the River's

Edge neighborhood and others attending soccer games at Lower McCorkle

Park during the summer. He stressed that the absence of a safe crossing

poses a significant safety risk for the community. On behalf of the Walnut

Trace residents and in the interest of community safety, Poirier requested

that the city install a midblock pedestrian crosswalk with appropriate signage.

He proposed that the crosswalk be located from the northeast corner of the

Walnut Trace property across Olde Ridenour Road to the existing walking

path on the east side of the road. He explained that while a crosswalk exists

about 500 feet south at Chapelfield, it is inaccessible due to the lack of a

sidewalk on the west side of Olde Ridenour and the uneven ground. Poirier

asked the city to visit the location, allocate funding, and construct the

crosswalk. He questioned whether a pedestrian struck by a vehicle while

attempting to cross Olde Ridenour Road at the current location would be

considered at fault due to the absence of a designated crosswalk.

Mayor Jadwin thanked Poirier for his comments and acknowledged the

safety concerns. Jadwin informed Council that the city had already issued a

Request for Proposals (RFP) to install a crosswalk at the location, following

feedback from residents and a site visit. She assured Poirier that the

crosswalk installation was forthcoming.

Kathy McCorkle of 677 Picadilly Court, Gahanna, OH, addressed the

Council on a request for a joint resolution/proclamation.

Ms. McCorkle addressed Council to propose the adoption of a yearly joint

proclamation and resolution recognizing and celebrating the natural family in

the City of Gahanna. She stated that she had prepared a draft resolution and

would reach out to an authorized person to bring it before Council. She also

offered to work with the necessary parties to implement the resolution in time

to honor the natural family from Mother's Day in May through Father’s Day in

June of 2025. McCorkle proposed that the proclamation and resolution urge

the Gahanna community, including citizens, churches, religious

organizations, and businesses, to support, honor, and celebrate the natural

family by participating in family-oriented events during that time period. She

informed Council that other localities and states had already declared a

Natural Family Month, and that the City of Delaware, Ohio would soon adopt

a similar resolution. McCorkle encouraged Gahanna to be among the cities

leading the way in recognizing the importance of the natural family. McCorkle

noted that Gahanna has issued several proclamations and resolutions

recognizing various cultural, political, and social causes, including Black

History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month, Distracted Driving

Month, and Hindu Heritage Month. She emphasized that the natural family is

vital to the health of the community and has served as the foundation of all

societies throughout history. McCorkle concluded by stating that the natural

family is the oldest institution in human history and was created by God. She

urged Council to take action to establish the proposed celebration and

expressed her hope that the city would move forward with adopting the

resolution this year.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

ORD-0001-2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF GAHANNA CODE PART

ELEVEN ZONING CHAPTER SECTION 1117.10(e)(1)A - REQUIRED

IMPROVEMENTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

President Bowers opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. on Ordinance

0001-2025, an ordinance to amend the City of Gahanna Code Part 11

Zoning Chapter Section 1117.10(e)(1)(A) regarding required improvements

and declaring an emergency. Bowers explained that the current zoning code

does not specify the types of development, including the size and scale of

development or application type, that are required to adhere to the standards

of Chapter Section 1117.10(e). This lack of clarity means that minor

improvements, such as adding a shed on a residential lot, are subject to the

same development standards as large-scale projects like a new office

building. The proposed ordinance would clarify that the required

improvements defined in Section 1117.10 apply only to projects requiring site

civil engineering plans. Bowers announced that public comments would be

limited to three minutes per speaker and that speakers were required to

complete a speaker slip and state their name and address for the record.

Additional time could be granted at the discretion of the Council President.

Patricia Kovacs of 527 Haversham Drive, Gahanna, OH:

Ms. Kovacs stated that she had spoken at a previous meeting about the

issue but had forgotten to add a few points. She expressed concern that

affected residents were not being notified about changes related to

thoroughfare plans, such as adding an extra lane or a side path on

Johnstown Road. Kovacs suggested that the city improve communication

with impacted residents. She also proposed that realtors be informed about

future thoroughfare plans so they could disclose potential changes to

prospective homebuyers. Kovacs noted that a resident she spoke about had

purchased a house without knowing that the road would soon be widened.

President Bowers thanked Kovacs for her comments and invited additional

speakers. Seeing none, she closed the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA:

1. Minutes - To Approve:

2025-0051

2025-0052

Council Regular Minutes 2.17.2025

The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda.

Committee of the Whole Minutes 2.24.2025

The minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda.

2. Resolutions:

RES-0006-2025

JOINT RESOLUTION AND PROCLAMATION ADVOCATING FOR

LOCAL

CONGRESS

MUNICIPAL BONDS

INFRASTRUCTURE

INVESTMENT

THE TAX-EXEMPT

AND

CALLING

STATUS

TO MAINTAIN

The Resolution was adopted on the Consent Agenda.

End of Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Renner, to Pass the Consent

Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

RESOLUTIONS:

RES-0007-2025

JOINT

RESOLUTION

AND

PROCLAMATION

DESIGNATING

MARCH 2025, AS "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH" IN THE CITY OF

GAHANNA

Vice President Weaver thanked all the guests in attendance and echoed

earlier comments recognizing Ms. Studer for her accomplishments. Weaver

described Studer as an impressive young woman and expressed his

excitement about seeing what she would achieve next. Weaver also

expressed gratitude for the Walk for Women Weekend, describing it as an

incredible and powerful event. He thanked those involved in organizing the

weekend and stated that it was an honor to serve alongside the women on

Council.

A motion was made by Padova, seconded by Weaver, that the Resolution be

Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING / ADOPTION:

ORD-0001-2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF GAHANNA CODE PART

ELEVEN ZONING CHAPTER SECTION 1117.10(e)(1)A - REQUIRED

IMPROVEMENTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

President Bowers read the Ordinance by title.

A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Renner, that the Ordinance be

Adopted as an Emergency. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, WAIVER & ADOPTION:

ORD-0002-2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY

OF GAHANNA, OHIO TO PROVIDE AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL

OFFENSES GAHANNA CITY CODE SECTIONS 533.03, 533.04,

533.05, 537.02, 537.021, 545.07; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; TO

PROVIDE FOR CODIFICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY;

TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; TO PROVIDE AN

EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, WAIVING

SECOND READING

President Bowers introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title.

A motion was made by Jones, seconded by Padova, that the Ordinance be

Waived for Second Reading. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

President Bowers called for a motion to adopt Ordinance 0002-2025.

City Attorney Tamilarasan informed Council that a revision to the redlined

ordinance included an update to the criminal mischief code. Tamilarasan

noted that the revised ordinance referenced Section 541.04 of the code, but

that section was not listed in the ordinance’s title. She requested an

amendment to Ordinance 0002-2025 to add Section 541.04 to the list of

affected code sections in the title.

Bowers confirmed the request and outlined the procedure: Council would

first ask for a motion to adopt Ordinance 0002-2025 as published, then a

motion to amend the title, vote on the amendment, and followed by a final

vote to adopt the amended ordinance.

City Attorney Tamilarasan clarified that the code section to be inserted was

541.04, placed after 537.021 in the ordinance’s title.

Councilmember McGregor suggested combining the amendment and

adoption into a single two-step process rather than three steps.

Bowers acknowledged McGregor’s suggestion but explained that the

proposed procedure followed the correct order for adopting and amending

the ordinance.

A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Jones, that the Ordinance be

Amended to include section 541.04 in the title. The motion carried by the

following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Padova, that the Ordinance be

Adopted as Amended. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

ORD-0003-2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY

OF GAHANNA, OHIO TO PROVIDE AMENDMENTS TO TRAFFIC

GAHANNA CITY CODE SECTIONS 303.01, 303.081, 303.10, 333.01,

333.07, 335.04, 335.11; 337.26; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; TO

PROVIDE FOR CODIFICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY;

TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; TO PROVIDE AN

EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, WAIVING

SECOND READING

President Bowers introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title.

A motion was made by Jones, seconded by Padova, that the Ordinance be

Waived for Second Reading. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

City Attorney Tamilarasan reported that Ordinance 0003-2025 included

minor punctuation changes in the revised redlined version. She clarified that

the changes were not substantive and did not affect the ordinance’s title.

A motion was made by Weaver, seconded by Padova, that the Ordinance be

Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

ORD-0004-2025 A N

O R D I N A N C E

A U T H O R I Z I N G

S U P P L E M E N T A L

Various Funds

APPROPRIATIONS; WAIVING SECOND READING

for Capital Improvement Projects

President Bowers introduced the Ordinance and the Clerk read it by title.

A motion was made by Jones, seconded by Padova, that the Ordinance be

Waived for Second Reading. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

Councilmember Schnetzer asked the Administration to provide a brief

explanation for the ordinances under consideration. He directed the question

to Kevin Schultz, Senior Director of Operations, asking him to summarize the

reasoning behind the ordinance for the benefit of future readers of the

meeting minutes. Schnetzer clarified that the ordinance involved funds that

had been returned and proposed for reallocation. Schultz responded that the

ordinance addressed projects where the city had not met procurement

thresholds to encumber funds by the end of 2024. As part of a new process

to increase transparency with both Council and the public, the funds were

returned at the end of the year. Schultz explained that the ordinance would

simply reallocate those funds into the 2025 budget to allow the projects to

continue.

A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Weaver, that the Ordinance be

Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS:

1. Clerk - None.

2. Council - None.

REPRESENTATIVES:

1. Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Renner, Padova

Councilmember Stephen Renner reported that the CIC did not hold a

meeting in February. He announced that the next meeting would take place

on March 18, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the Committee Room.

2. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Weaver

2025-0050

Councilmember Weaver's MORPC Report to City Council 3.3.2025

Vice President Weaver thanked the Council Office for their assistance in

preparing the report included with the evening's agenda. He announced that

the next commission meeting would take place on March 13, 2025.

3. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Padova

Councilmember Padova announced that tickets for the Creekside Blues and

Jazz Festival went on sale over the weekend. She encouraged residents to

take advantage of the early bird discount available through the end of March,

which reduces the ticket price to $10. Padova also shared that the spring

and summer version of the Herbal Cocktail Trail launched on Saturday. The

trail includes 10 participating establishments, with a few new additions this

season. Padova reminded the public that Visit Gahanna’s Annual Meeting

would take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event will feature Roy Hall Jr., a former NFL and Ohio State wide

receiver, as the keynote speaker. Brutus the Buckeye was recently

confirmed as a special guest for the event. Padova encouraged residents to

purchase tickets through Visit Gahanna and take the opportunity to meet

Brutus and hear from Hall.

4. School Board (SB) - Jones

Councilmember Jones announced that March 26, 2025, would be Spread the

Word Day. She explained that the annual event raises funds and awareness

for the district’s programs supporting students with special needs. Jones

noted that new shirts are designed each year for the event, and t-shirts can

be ordered on the district’s website until March 5, 2025. She advised that the

link is available on the district’s Facebook page or by contacting her directly.

Jones stated that the Spread the Word Day program would take place on

March 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the high school gym. On March

27, 2025, the district will host a viewing of the movie Out of My Mind in the

high school auditorium. The film focuses on raising awareness about the

disability community. Cover to Cover Books will participate in the event by

hosting a disability-focused book fair. Jones encouraged the community and

her colleagues to attend both events and support the initiative.

OFFICIAL REPORTS:

1. Mayor

Mayor Jadwin thanked everyone who attended the city’s first annual Bicycle

Repairman Day at Hannah Park despite the cold weather. The event

honored Denny Oswald, a longtime Gahanna resident known for his passion

for bicycling and bike safety. Jadwin noted that Oswald frequently stopped to

repair children's bicycles to ensure they were safe. The event featured safety

tips from the Gahanna Division of Police Bike Patrol and bike repairs and

tune-ups from volunteers at Bicycle One. Jadwin extended special thanks to

Trish Kovacs and members of the Bicycle and Trail Advisory Committee for

donating and fitting free bicycle helmets. She also thanked Director Ferrell

for helping organize the event and Carol Oswald for carrying on her

husband’s legacy. Jadwin noted that the event took place near what would

have been Denny’s 80th birthday and expressed appreciation for Carol’s

efforts to promote bike safety in the community. She stated that the city

looks forward to making Bicycle Repairman Day an annual event. Jadwin

reported on the success of the city’s first annual Procurement Fair, held at

The Peak at Edison in partnership with Ohio Minority Business Enterprise

(MBE). She described the event as a resounding success, noting that it was

sold out. The fair aimed to support small businesses and provide them with

networking and business development opportunities. The event included a

Small Business Success Summit featuring 10 to 12 organizations that

offered resources to businesses. Jadwin thanked the event’s sponsors,

including Franklin County and Kemba Financial Credit Union, and

acknowledged the support of Ohio MBE and the Gahanna Area Chamber of

Commerce. She also thanked Jen Hackman (Economic Development

Administrator), Tia Ramey (Communications Manager), and Jen McBroom

(Assistant to the Mayor) for their work in organizing the event. Jadwin

praised Ronda Barber of Ohio MBE for her leadership and collaboration.

Jadwin announced that the city and the City of New Albany received the

Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) Intergovernmental

Collaboration Award for their shared services agreement for Mayor's Court.

The agreement, established a few years ago, created a joint Mayor’s Court

that allowed both municipalities to operate more efficiently while reducing

taxpayer costs and improving accessibility. Jadwin credited the success of

the program to Director of Court Services Amanda Parker, Director of

Finance Joann Bury, Magistrate Sean Maxfield, and City Attorney

Tamilarasan for their roles in implementing the agreement. Jadwin also

shared that the city received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in

Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

(GFOA) for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ending

December 31, 2023. This was the 11th consecutive year that Gahanna

received the award. Jadwin praised Director Bury, Senior Director Vollmer,

and the entire finance team for producing a clear and accessible financial

report. Lastly, Jadwin announced that registration for the next session of the

Citizens Academy would remain open for the next 48 hours or until the

available spots were filled. The academy offers residents a

behind-the-scenes look at city operations and allows them to engage with

city staff. Jadwin noted that feedback from the first session had been

overwhelmingly positive, with several participants expressing interest in

attending a future "2.0" version.

2. City Attorney

City Attorney Tamilarasan provided updates on ongoing litigation. She

reported that oral arguments in the tobacco preemption litigation took place

on February 18 and went well. In the Speed Way Towing litigation in state

court, the city submitted a memorandum opposing jurisdiction to the

Supreme Court of Ohio and was awaiting a decision on whether the court

would hear the case. Tamilarasan also reported that the city had filed a

motion for judgment on the pleadings in the Taglia litigation and was

awaiting a decision.

COUNCIL COMMENT:

Councilmember McGregor expressed her appreciation for the city’s

recognition of Denny Oswald. She shared that Oswald and his neighbor,

Colonel Hall, a former Service Director in Gahanna, had spent years

collecting discarded bicycles on trash day. They repaired the bicycles and

donated them to children in need. McGregor highlighted Oswald’s

commitment to promoting bicycling for children and adults and stated that

the city’s decision to honor him through a bicycle repair program was fitting

recognition of his contributions.

Councilmember Jones referenced her constituent report attached to the

evening’s agenda, which summarized events from February. She reminded

the public that she would hold constituent hours on Saturday, March 8, 2025,

at 11:00 a.m. at the library.

Councilmember Padova echoed Vice President Weaver’s earlier comments

about the resolution honoring London Studer. She thanked everyone who

attended the event and expressed appreciation for the recap of the Women’s

Safety Weekend. Padova noted how Amanda Ferguson’s reference to the

"Herb Ladies" tied the weekend’s events to Gahanna’s history.

Councilmember Renner thanked the public for attending and praised the

evening’s presentations. He specifically acknowledged Council President

Bowers for her remarks and congratulated London Studer on her

accomplishments. Renner described Studer’s success as a source of pride

for the community and emphasized that the city’s facilities exist for the

benefit of the residents.

Councilmember Schnetzer echoed Renner’s comments, thanking the

evening’s guests, particularly London Studer. He highlighted Studer’s

achievements as a testament to hard work and dedication. Schnetzer also

expressed appreciation for the city’s recognition of Denny Oswald, noting

that Oswald lived just a few houses down from him and had personally

repaired Schnetzer’s bike in the past. He described Oswald as a fixture in

the neighborhood and praised his work in supporting local children.

Schnetzer also congratulated Director Bury and her team for their progress

in improving the city’s budgeting process. He recalled that earlier budgets

were difficult to navigate, but Bury’s improvements had enhanced

communication and transparency.

President Bowers congratulated the recipients of the Ohio City/County

Management Association (OCMA) Intergovernmental Collaboration Award,

specifically recognizing Amanda Parker for her contributions. Bowers also

congratulated Director Bury for the city’s recognition from the Government

Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Bowers thanked Senior Director Kevin

Schultz and Senior Director Miranda Vollmer for providing a tour to herself,

Councilmember McGregor, and Clerk VanMeter of the construction site at

825 Tech Center Drive. Bowers described the tour as informative and

highlighted the importance of expanding and modernizing the city’s police

facilities. She emphasized that the current police department building is

outdated and inadequate to support the city’s growing needs. The new

facility at 825 Tech Center Drive will provide improved training and

operational space for officers while also serving as a multi-purpose

community center and modern administrative hub. Bowers also thanked

Nichole Butler and the Parks and Recreation Department for their work in

relocating the Parks and Recreation Board meetings to Council Chambers

and ensuring that the meetings are now streamed on YouTube. She noted

that this change would improve public access and engagement with the

department’s activities.

2025-0049

Councilmember Jamille Jones' Constituent Report - February 2025

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Renner, to go into

Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(a) of the Council Rules

of Procedure to consider the appointment of a public employee or official.

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 - Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner, Schnetzer and Weaver

Yes:

President Bowers announced Council would meet in the Law Library for the

Executive Session and that there would be no legislative action anticipated

following the Executive Session.

Council rose to report to Executive Session at 8:18 p.m.

Council rose to report from Executive Session at 8:38 p.m., with no further

action.

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business before the Council, President Bowers adjourned the

meeting at 8:38 p.m.