200 South Hamilton Road

Gahanna, Ohio 43230

City of Gahanna

Meeting Minutes

Finance Committee

Stephen A. Renner, Chair

Merisa K. Bowers

Jamille Jones

Nancy R. McGregor

Kaylee Padova

Michael Schnetzer

Trenton I. Weaver

Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council

Monday, November 3, 2025

City Hall, Council Chambers

Immediately following the Regular Council meeting at 7:00 PM on November 3, 2025

CALL TO ORDER:

Immediately following the conclusion of the Regular Council

Meeting, Councilmember Stephen A. Renner, Chair, called the

Finance Committee to order at 8:11 p.m., November 3, 2025. The

agenda was published on October 31, 2025. All members were

present for the meeting. There were no additions or corrections to

the agenda.

DISCUSSIONS:

Questions on Public Safety Budget 2026

ORD-0049-2025

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT

EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF

GAHANNA DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026

Senior Director Vollmer explained that Director of Public Safety Tim

Becker and Chief of Police Jeff Spence would share information on the

proposed 2026 Public Safety Budget.

Chief Spence outlined key priorities for 2026. The transition to the new

Civic Center was an initial priority. The move included the

Communications Center. Chief Spence also highlighted accreditation

that will be attainable due to the transition to 825 Tech Center Drive. A

second priority is maximizing training opportunities available in the new

facility. There is also a continued focus on employee wellness initiatives

and mental health responses through the community liaison officers.

Wellness initiatives also include continued work with the peer assistance

team and initiatives led by Lieutenant Cohagen. There is also continued

focus on community engagement, such as school resource officers and

expanding the block watch program. Finally, Chief Spence highlighted a

goal of expanding the Flock camera footprint to neighborhoods in the

northeast and development around the Tech Center area.

Director Becker remarked positively on the efforts of the Public Safety

Department and expressed gratitude for the support of City Council. He

said that Gahanna’s culture and city leadership attract candidates to the

department’s roles, adding that officers know when they have the support

of leadership as they do in Gahanna.

Councilmember Jones asked for clarification on the conversion of the

mental health liaison to a city employee. Chief Spence explained that the

position was originally funded as a city employee, but it was changed to

contracted services. The contracted employee moved out of the region,

and there was an opportunity to evaluate the program. They believe the

position would be best served by an employee. He also explained it was

in the 2025 budget as contract services, so the ask was not necessarily

new, but the funds would be moved to a different part of the budget. The

staff member would not be an officer. Councilwoman Jones appreciated

the clarity and for the department’s goal in prioritizing the role.

President Bowers asked for additional information on the efficacy of

Flock cameras. Chief Spence invited Lt. Cohagen to speak on the

subject. Lt. Cohagen shared a particular example of a situation that had

occurred earlier that day. There was a call regarding a missing

15-year-old who had left the state. Flock cameras identified a tag in

Indiana. The Indiana State Police were contacted, and the missing teen

was located within four hours. Lt. Cohagen explained that it may not have

been possible without the Flock cameras. He explained the department

has access to over 1,700 networks throughout the United States, which is

tens of thousands of cameras. Suspects involved in domestic violence

and felonious assault cases have been located by use of the cameras.

The 2026 budget request is to add them to higher traffic areas, entrances

to the city, and some of the parks. President Bowers then asked Lt.

Cohagen if he could address any concerns that residents may have

regarding privacy. Lt. Cohagen explained that each Flock search that is

conducted is audited. The department’s policy specifically states that any

searches conducted must be for law enforcement reasons, and Flock

does not sell third party data. The department does not store Flock data

unless it is used as evidence. Flock retains the data for 30 days and it is

then deleted from their system. Over one million vehicles have been

scanned over the course of the last month, and Lt. Cohagen explained

that a very small percentage of those vehicles had been searched. They

specifically target suspect vehicles and missing people through the

system. Chief Spence added that in 2023 there was a significant spike in

stolen vehicles, and the numbers had been cut to one-third since Flock

cameras were installed. He described a situation in which a local single

mother’s vehicle had been stolen and was in Columbus, and Lt. Cohagen

added there had been five arrests the prior weekend, all due to the Flock

system. President Bowers remarked on the department’s commitment to

community-oriented policing and stated the department had earned the

trust of the community. She expressed her thanks.

Finance Committee Chair Renner asked staff to elaborate on

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

accreditation. Chief Spence explained that accreditation is a large

undertaking. The department sought first-time accreditation and

advanced certification at the same time. There are over 450 policies that

contain best practices in policing. He explained there are third-party

audits and there is extensive compliance documentation to ensure

policies are upheld. Accreditation is a continuing cycle that recurs every

four years and requires the department to continue to adhere to best

practices. Director Becker explained that CALEA stands for the

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. It is an

international organization that monitors best practices. Accredited

agencies must have policies that comply with set standards. Agencies

also must demonstrate that they comply with the policies. Agencies must

provide reports and show proof of compliance. Director Becker

reiterated that compliance and accreditation is a continual process and

does not stop after it is achieved once.

Councilmember Schnetzer inquired about the sworn officer count. He

noted that the department operates round the clock. There is reference in

the budget to growing demands of the schools and special duties. He

wondered whether the number of sworn officers was sufficient, or whether

there was still a significant gap in what the department needs. Chief

Spence said there are still vacancies in both the sworn-staff and in

communications. He also said that CALEA looks at hiring practices

during the accreditation process. He explained that there has been

success with lateral transfers from other agencies. When hiring, they look

for both experienced police officers and officers who are the right fit for

the agency and the community. Director Becker echoed Chief Spence’s

sentiments that they are extending offers to the applicants who are the

best fit and remarked on recent hires.

Councilmember Padova confirmed that there are currently four School

Resource Officers (SROs) and that there is a request for one more. She

inquired about the cost-share of the SRO positions. Chief Spence

explained that the school district shares the cost of two SROs anchored

at Lincoln High School. The ask is for a mid-year hire to align with the

2026-2027 school year. He elaborated that SROs must go through

specific training for their function. Of the four, two are anchored at the

high school, one floats between the three middle schools, and there is

one to cover elementary schools. Recently, there has been an increase in

calls from the local private schools as well. Chief Spence noted that

parents are interested in police presence and safety in elementary

schools. The new high school will add over 100,000 square feet, and the

department will need to navigate new demands based on the size and

enrollment of the school. Councilman Schnetzer asked Chief Spence to

clarify which SRO was considered a “rover” that goes between the

different schools where needed. Director Becker and Chief Spence

explained that the middle school officer is intended to be in that role,

though Chief Spence remarked that there is increased demand at the

middle school level.

Director Vollmer stated that November 10th would discuss the

Department of Administrative Services, which includes IT, Finance, HR,

Mayor’s Court. The Mayor’s Office, including Marketing,

Communications, and Economic Development, would also be

discussed.

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business before the Finance Committee, the Chair

adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.