200 South Hamilton Road

Gahanna, Ohio 43230

City of Gahanna

Meeting Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Trenton I. Weaver, Chair

Merisa K. Bowers

Jamille Jones

Nancy R. McGregor

Kaylee Padova

Stephen A. Renner

Michael Schnetzer

Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council

Monday, September 8, 2025

7:00 PM

City Hall, Council Chambers

CALL TO ORDER:

Gahanna City Council met for Committee of the Whole on Monday,

September 8, 2025, in Council Chambers. Vice President of Council Trenton

I. Weaver, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The agenda was

published on September 5, 2025. All members were present for the meeting.

There were no additions or corrections to the agenda.

ITEMS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION:

ORD-0039-2025

AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A

TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT WITH COLUMBIA GAS

OF OHIO, INC

Stephania Ferrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented a request for

an agreement for a construction easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio. She

explained that Columbia Gas planned a pipeline replacement project with an

expected construction timeline from 2026 into 2027. As part of the project, the

company requested a temporary construction easement on Taylor Station, as

outlined in the attachments included in the Council agenda materials. She

stated that the administration respectfully requested an ordinance authorizing

Mayor Jadwin to enter into a temporary construction easement with Columbia

Gas of Ohio.

Councilmember McGregor asked if the easement was located in Gahanna

Woods. Ferrell stated that the city coordinated with the Ohio Department of

Natural Resources to ensure compliance with their agreement and confirmed

that the easement was outside state property. Councilmember McGregor

asked whether the easement was located in the parking lot. Ferrell responded

that the attachments in the packet provided the clearest reference. McGregor

questioned the accuracy of her map, and Councilmember Schnetzer directed

her to page five of five, which the Clerk then displayed on the screen.

McGregor asked if the project involved construction of an underground

pipeline through the park. Ferrell clarified that the request concerned a

construction easement, which provided temporary workspace for equipment

and storage during construction. McGregor asked if the easement extended

into the woods or remained along the road. Ferrell explained that it was along

the road and encompassed less than .02 acres, a small portion of property

designated for equipment and storage needs during the project. McGregor

then noted that she could see the parking lot clearly on the map, which had

not been visible earlier, and thanked Ferrell.

Recommendation: Introduction/First Reading on Regular Agenda on 9/15/2025;

Second Reading/Adoption on Consent Agenda on 10/6/2025.

ITEMS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

ORD-0040-2025

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

General

APPROPRIATIONS; AND WAIVING SECOND READING

Fund Development Contract Services for the Gahanna Community

Improvement Corporation

Jeff Gottke, Director of Economic Development, presented a request for a

supplemental appropriation from the City of Gahanna to the Gahanna

Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). He explained that the

appropriation would support efforts in the Creekside District and noted the

timing aligned well with the recent “Our Gahanna” strategic plan and plaza

renovation discussions. Gottke stated that the appropriation would allow the

city to control its own destiny by removing vacant and blighted properties in

the downtown area. He emphasized that while the CIC led this work, the

project represented a cooperative effort involving Council, City of Gahanna

departments, and the community. Gottke introduced CIC members in

attendance: George Mrus, Jody Carder, and Betty Collins. He also noted that

Councilmembers Padova and Renner, as well as Mayor Jadwin, represented

the city on the CIC. Gottke provided a refresher on the purpose of community

improvement corporations, explaining that they exist under Ohio Revised

Code section 1724 as nonprofit economic development organizations. He

stated that CICs commonly handle real estate development, land banking,

and business financing, citing examples from neighboring communities

including Westerville, Worthington, Dublin, and Hilliard. He explained that

Gahanna’s CIC was structured as a public-private partnership with

representatives from Administration, Council, and the community. He

described the request as the latest step in a nearly seven-year effort to

encourage redevelopment in the Creekside District. In 2022, the community

cast a vision for a vibrant mixed-use area that would increase foot traffic,

attract residents, and bolster economic development. The CIC pursued that

vision by acquiring parcels for redevelopment consistent with its land banking

strategy. Gottke explained that the CIC relied on a commercial bank loan to

purchase 12 parcels and that control of the land was essential for achieving

the community’s redevelopment goals. He outlined four key questions:

1. Why now? Gottke stated that the CIC received a $500,000 grant from

the Ohio Department of Development to demolish buildings on the

parcels. The grant required demolition by December 31, 2025. To

proceed, the loan must be paid off to release the mortgages, since the

properties were used as collateral.

2. What is the payoff date? He said the target payoff date was

September 30, 2025, but emphasized the need to pay sooner if

possible because the note carried costs of approximately $700 per

day.

3. What is at stake? He explained that failure to act could mean losing

the grant funding and leaving blighted properties on Mill Street.

4. What is the alternative? He warned that if the CIC defaulted, the

bank would foreclose, and the properties would be sold on the open

market. That outcome would undermine years of work and potentially

leave redevelopment subject to competing private interests.

Director Gottke concluded that the appropriation would allow the city and CIC

to control the properties, remove blight, and move forward with

redevelopment consistent with the community’s vision.

Councilmember Renner commended Gottke and the CIC. He said Gottke

presented the story well and noted that control of the Creekside properties

was essential. Renner expressed pride in the CIC’s efforts and highlighted the

importance of the state grant, which would reduce costs and clear blighted

properties so that developers could invest. He strongly supported the

ordinance and praised his CIC colleagues, Mayor Jadwin, and Gottke for their

work.

Councilmember Schnetzer thanked Gottke and asked clarifying questions. He

inquired about the demolition grant timeline, noting the December 31, 2025,

deadline. He asked whether demolition had to be fully completed or only

substantially started to meet the grant requirements. Gottke responded that

the CIC asked the Department of Development for clarification but believed

the deadline could be met based on discussions with demolition companies.

Schnetzer confirmed that the CIC formally requested clarification from the

State of Ohio and asked to be updated on the response. He then asked if the

financial decision was essentially binary, either pay off the mortgages or allow

foreclosure, or if other options existed. Gottke stated that no other viable

options existed. He noted that while future marketing of the properties could

generate returns for the CIC and potentially benefit the city, repayment

strategies would depend on redevelopment outcomes. Schnetzer clarified

that property marketing was not expected to occur before the end of the

month, and Gottke confirmed.

Councilmember McGregor expressed concern about the $5 million request,

noting that it was a significant amount. She recalled the city’s history with

large-scale projects, citing defaults in the late 1970s and early 1980s related

to the industrial zone, when Councilmembers were personally fined by the

Supreme Court before the city eventually restructured the project. She also

pointed to Creekside’s history of bankruptcy and said these experiences

fueled her skepticism about the current proposal. She cautioned that without

learning from history, the city risked repeating it. Director Gottke

acknowledged her concerns. He explained that the current effort differed from

past attempts because it involved the CIC’s structure, the city’s resources,

and a community-informed redevelopment strategy. He emphasized that

these factors provided a stronger foundation than previous efforts, which

were led by private developers. McGregor clarified that the city itself

assembled parcels for Creekside in the past, and Gottke apologized, noting

he was referring specifically to the 12 parcels in question.

Mayor Jadwin asked Director Gottke to speak to how other communities used

CICs to spur redevelopment. Gottke explained that cities such as Whitehall,

Lancaster, Worthington, Dublin, and Hilliard successfully employed CICs or

similar organizations to assemble sites and manage redevelopment. He also

shared examples from his previous experience in Knox County, where land

banks served similar purposes. Mayor Jadwin thanked him for the context.

Councilmember McGregor reiterated her skepticism but praised the CIC

members for their dedication and hard work on the project.

Councilmember Jones raised a concern she expected from residents about

the high dollar amount. She asked where the money would come from and

whether it would impact other community priorities. Gottke responded that the

funds would be used to advance redevelopment by transforming the parcels

into mixed-use development consistent with the city’s Land Use Plan and

zoning code. He said the redevelopment would increase residents, foot traffic,

income tax revenue, and vibrancy in Creekside. Mayor Jadwin added that the

redevelopment strategy was informed by both the community and private

developers. She emphasized that controlling the property was the only way to

ensure the city’s vision could be achieved. She also explained that most

parcels were vacant and blighted, including one so deteriorated that a visitor

from Columbia Gas become physically ill after entering. She stressed that

these properties were no longer inhabitable and needed demolition. By

owning the land, the city could guide redevelopment rather than leaving it

solely to private owners, subject only to zoning regulations. Finance Director

Joann Bury clarified that the funds would come from the unreserved,

unappropriated balance of the General Fund, meaning they were not

earmarked for other purposes. Councilmember Jones thanked Mayor Jadwin

and directors for clarifying. She summarized that if the city did not act, it

would lose the opportunity to realize the community’s vision for Creekside.

Vice President Weaver expressed gratitude to CIC members for their

long-term efforts. He noted that he first heard of the project early in his

Council service as a former CIC representative and appreciated that it

reached this point nearly four years later. Weaver asked whether all 12

parcels were slated for demolition. Gottke confirmed that the demolition

applied to the structures on all 12 parcels. Weaver asked if demolition costs

might exceed the grant. Mayor Jadwin explained that the city was seeking

contractor estimates and could return to Council for a supplemental

appropriation if the difference exceeded $100,000, though another party might

help absorb costs. Weaver stressed the importance of property control,

echoing economic development experts who advised that ownership was

necessary to achieve the city’s vision. He stated that cleared, vacant land

would offer a far better opportunity for redevelopment than deteriorated

buildings. Gottke confirmed that it was preferable to have demolished parcels

ready for redevelopment. Weaver then asked about the next steps if the

appropriation were approved. Gottke responded that once the loan was paid

and demolition completed, the properties would be marketed for

redevelopment. Councilmember Renner added that regardless of the

outcome, the demolition would lower redevelopment costs and improve

opportunities for future investment.

Councilmember Padova thanked Gottke and the CIC members for their work.

She described Creekside as the heart of the community and emphasized its

value as a place where residents gather and connect. She stated her support

for the investment and expressed appreciation for the CIC’s efforts.

Vice President Weaver asked if there was further discussion. Hearing none,

he noted that a waiver was requested and confirmed the item would appear

on the regular agenda for the following week. He thanked Director Gottke and

the CIC members for their presentation and attendance.

Recommendation: Introduction/First Reading with Waiver of Second Reading

and Adoption on Regular Agenda on 9/15/2025.

ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:

Councilmember Padova:

RES-0040-2025

JOINT RESOLUTION AND PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025, AS NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY IN THE

CITY OF GAHANNA

Councilmember Padova introduced a joint resolution and proclamation to

recognize September 28, 2025, as National Good Neighbor Day in the City of

Gahanna. She explained that the idea stemmed from watching Daniel Tiger

with her child, noting that the show, inspired by Mr. Rogers, emphasizes the

importance of being a good neighbor. She said the message was timely and

valuable for society. Padova shared that she discussed the idea with Mayor

Jadwin several months earlier, connecting it with the spirit of Supporting

Gahanna Together Day, which began in 2020. She discovered that President

Jimmy Carter established National Good Neighbor Day in 1978, which aligned

with her vision. She noted that September 28 would coincide with the Mill

Street Market and that she was working with the Historical Society to

incorporate activities there. She further announced that she was partnering

with the library to promote the observance. On September 27, she planned to

visit the library’s 11:00 a.m. story time to share information about National

Good Neighbor Day with children and parents. The library would provide

crafts and coloring pages for children to complete and deliver to neighbors, as

well as book displays on neighborhood building, being a good neighbor, and

fostering community. Padova stated that the ultimate goal was to inspire

residents to meet new neighbors, reconnect with existing ones, and

strengthen community ties. She emphasized that knowing one’s neighbors

builds a safer community, spreads accurate information, and fosters stronger

relationships.

Mayor Jadwin thanked Councilmember Padova for the initiative and said she

was thrilled to partner on the effort. She remarked that the observance

extended the city’s efforts such as Supporting Gahanna Together Day, Make

Gahanna Yours, community litter cleanups, and neighborhood food truck

events. She stated that Gahanna led by example in building community and

good neighborhoods, and she described the joint resolution and proclamation

as a tribute to the “heart of Gahanna.”

Councilmember Renner also expressed support. He stated that at the heart

of the resolution was respect and emphasized that the community remained

respectful even amid diverse opinions. He said the observance would serve

as a reminder to show respect and to greet one another, and he thanked

Councilmember Padova for introducing the joint resolution and proclamation.

Recommendation: Introduction/Adoption on Consent Agenda on 9/15/2025.

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business before the Committee of the Whole, the Chair

adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.