OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbus City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026: Auditor Appointment, Resolutions, and Legislation

City Council — Tuesday, April 28, 2026
BodyColumbus, Ohio
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:04:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

21 will now come to order.

0:06

Please stand for the playing of the national anthem.

1:21

Counselor Banks and we lead us in the pledge.

1:38

This evening, Council is grateful to have Minister Ayanna Fulham from Hope City Church.

1:42

Lead us in prayer.

1:45

Mr.

1:45

Welcome to Council.

1:50

Good evening.

1:51

Thank you guys so much for having me.

1:54

Heavenly Father, God, we take the time to come before you, Lord, and we ask for your presence, God, to be in this meeting, God.

2:00

We come um we come before you, God, with humility and gratitude, God acknowledging that all wisdom, authority, and all power, God belongs to you.

2:09

And so, God, we ask God that you will have your way in this meeting, God, that you will guide the council members with your wisdom, God, with your peace and with clarity that only comes from above.

2:18

In Jesus' name, amen.

2:20

Thank you so much, Pastor.

2:21

Clerk is called the role.

2:22

Banks Timberosa de Padilla, De Aka or Dorns Green, Remy Ross Weiss President Harden.

2:27

Any person who takes any action to obstruct or interfere with the conduct of tonight's meeting may be charged with disturbing a lawful meeting pursuant to Columbus City Code 2317.12.

2:38

Any person who enters those areas of city council chambers reserved for city officials or invited guests may be charged with criminal trespass pursuant to Columbus City Code 2311.

2:50

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

2:52

Um I get a motion to swim to the reading of the journal.

2:56

Clerk, please call the roll.

3:03

Thank you, uh, Madam Clerk.

3:04

Are there any additions or corrections to the uh journal?

3:10

There's one.

3:12

Please.

3:27

Uh 2026.

3:28

If there are no additions or corrections to the journal, the journal is approved.

3:32

This week's communication received by the city clerk's office are listed on the agenda and we published in City Bulletin.

3:36

Are there any other communications to be read for the record?

3:38

Not at this time.

3:39

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

3:41

Um, before we move uh through the rest of the agenda, uh, we just had a very thoughtful um conversation for the last hour uh pre prior to this uh meeting around the appointment of uh uh repl uh auditor uh to replace Megan Kilgore, who will resign effective May 4th.

4:02

Uh as stated at the hearing, um our charter says that we have to have an auditor in place in time for her uh resignation.

4:10

Uh we do not have a council meeting next week, so that vote must come today.

4:15

Um, this has been a truncated process, but it has been an open and transparent con uh uh process uh where we have had um five folks apply, uh three that met the um requirements.

4:29

Uh they spoke uh uh before at the hearing, and um as we said, we're very grateful for each and every one of them.

4:37

Um they they really uh showed us uh the best of Columbus.

4:41

Uh and and uh we're we're grateful that we have um great people to pick from.

4:47

Uh I want to open I'll say this too before we go any further.

4:51

Um we will have to have Auditor Kilgore back for making Kilgore Day here in the city of Columbus as a true expression of gratitude that we have for her stewardship of that office.

5:05

Uh I said last week, she inherited the about the largest shoes that you could inherit um in uh taking over after Mr.

5:14

Hugh Dorian, and she walked in those shoes flawlessly uh without one misstep, and we're just grateful for you and thank you so much for your service, and we're so grateful.

5:24

I also will acknowledge uh Miss Darlene Wilde, who I think retires this week.

5:29

Um Meg, what are you gonna do flying solo for three or four days?

5:34

Yes, um, but who has also served this city.

5:38

Uh, and I say this often um folks see us uh and and and think that this is the city.

5:46

The truth is it is you all who are the city, the folks who are really keeping this thing running.

5:52

Uh and uh we're just so grateful for you, Ms.

5:55

Darlene, and excited for your next uh as you go into retirement.

5:58

So would you help me uh celebrate Ms.

6:00

Darlene Wilde as well.

6:10

With that, we have some city business to do.

6:12

We have to uh deliberate and pick an auditor.

6:14

So I would like to just open it up.

6:15

Is there any more conversation that we'd like to have before uh uh I ask for a motion?

6:21

Sure.

6:22

Um so first I want to just start off with um we said these thank yous before, but I just wanted to speak to each candidate for just one moment.

6:31

So I want to start with Kimberly, and I actually want to start with your sons.

6:36

Um it is a big deal to bring your babies with you, and it is a big deal for them to see their mom doing this.

6:44

And so I just want to say thank you for loving her and supporting her and making her the mom she is, the woman that she is, and um thank you for bringing them along because I think it shows so much um courage to our young people when they see us right in these spaces and they see us being courageous because it gives them the courage to follow their dreams.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Procedural█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Racial Equity██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbus City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Columbus City Council met on April 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM for Meeting No. 21. The meeting included the appointment of a new city auditor, adoption of several resolutions, public comments, and votes on multiple legislative items. Key outcomes included the appointment of Jacqueline Lewis as City Auditor effective May 4, 2026, and passage of the jail contract after debate.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the journal and communications.
  • Passed the consent portion of the agenda, which included multiple ordinances and resolutions, with one speaker (Sherry Smith) testifying on senior housing concerns. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sherry Smith (Columbus resident, speaking on behalf of senior citizens): Expressed concern that the city’s rental assistance programs leave out senior homeowners facing high property taxes. Noted that previous assistance through Catholic Social Services and the Auditor’s Office is no longer available. Highlighted barriers for seniors with life estates, where siblings may not sign required documentation. She urged the council to consider seniors facing property tax burdens and to revise rules that require all co-owners to sign for home repair assistance.
  • Isaiah St. John (organizer of COMO ICE Watch and 614 ICE Watch Network): Opposed the jail contract (Ordinance 0860-2026) citing cooperation between the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and ICE. Argued that the council's symbolic actions have not stopped the transfer of prisoners to ICE custody. Criticized council members for waiting months to act, stating that about 160 people could be transferred to ICE in eight months. Urged a no vote on the contract.
  • Ricky Asher (Columbus resident): Also opposed the jail contract, stating that the Franklin County Sheriff directly hands off undocumented detainees to DHS. Criticized the council for voting in favor while claiming skepticism, and called for divestment from Israel as well.

Discussion Items

  • Appointment of City Auditor: Council President Hardin announced that Auditor Megan Kilgore will resign effective May 4, 2026. The council had conducted a truncated but transparent process with five applicants, three of whom met requirements. Council members praised all candidates. Councilmember Barrosa DePadilla nominated Jacqueline Lewis; Councilmember Bankston nominated Garrett Patterson. After a roll call vote, Jacqueline Lewis was appointed 9-0. Lewis thanked the council and pledged to continue serving the city.
  • Fair Housing Month Resolution (0095X-2026): Recognized April as Fair Housing Month. Representatives from Columbus Realtors spoke about their commitment to fair housing. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Reentry Week Resolution (0118X-2026): Commemorated Central Ohio Restored Citizens Collaborative Reentry Week (April 20–24, 2026). Speakers from the collaborative noted that over 20,000 individuals return to Columbus annually from incarceration, and that federal funding for reentry programs is declining. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Arbor Day Resolution (0110X-2026): Recognized Arbor Day. Members of the Clintonville Green Team spoke about the importance of trees, noting that Columbus has only 22% tree canopy coverage (goal 40%) and that 70% of trees are on private land. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Deer Feeding Ordinance (0944-2026): First reading of a code change to prohibit feeding deer in the city. Councilmember DeAkaur announced a second community meeting on May 5, 2026, at Whetstone Library.
  • Zoning Committee: Several items were postponed to the May 18, 2026 meeting (210 Hard Road, Olen Tangy River Road) due to family medical issue of Chair Dorans. Items that passed: ordinance 1136-2026 (rezoning 6955-6999 Harlem Road for an 84-unit apartment complex) and related variances; ordinance 1116-2026 (variance for two-unit dwelling at 1289-1291 East 17th Avenue); ordinance 1137-2026 (variance for apartment complex at Harlem Road); ordinance 1139-2026 (variance for seven-unit apartment at 427 Hanford Street); ordinance 1143-2026 (variance for two-unit dwelling at 2930-2932 Medina Avenue). All votes were unanimous.
  • Public Service and Transportation: Ordinance 0924-2026 (design of intersection improvements at Hilliard Rome Road and Rainier Road, $1M) passed. Ordinance 1048-2026 (purchase of rock salt for winter 2026-2027, $2.798M total across funds) passed.
  • Neighborhoods, Recreation and Parks: Ordinance 1066-2026 (third intergovernmental agreement with COG for senior services, $3.776M) passed. Ordinance 1128-2026 (contract extension for forestry consulting) was removed from the calendar and referred to committee.
  • Public Safety and Criminal Justice: Ordinance 0860-2026 (jail contract with Franklin County for housing city prisoners, $2M) was debated at length. Councilmember Remy (chair) explained that the ordinance had been referred back to committee due to concerns about the sheriff's policy on notifying ICE. After dialogue with the sheriff, who stated the policy is under legal review, the chair recommended passage. Councilmembers expressed frustration that the policy review has taken months. Multiple speakers opposed the contract. The vote was 8-1 (Councilmember Barrosa DePadilla voted no).
  • Housing, Homelessness and Building: Ordinance 1051-2026 (grant to Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio for free legal representation to tenants facing eviction, $1.5M) passed. Eviction filings reached a record 25,000 in Franklin County last year.
  • Public Utilities and Sustainability: Ordinance (number not specified) authorizing $3.2M for biosolids disposal via beneficial reuse (hybrid poplar tree farm) passed.

Key Outcomes

  • Appointed Jacqueline Lewis as City Auditor effective May 4, 2026, by a unanimous vote.
  • Adopted resolutions recognizing Fair Housing Month, Reentry Week, and Arbor Day.
  • Passed the jail contract (Ordinance 0860-2026) by an 8-1 vote, with $2M for housing city prisoners at Franklin County Correction Centers. The policy on ICE notification remains under review.
  • Approved $1.5M for legal aid for tenants facing eviction.
  • Approved $2.798M for rock salt purchases for the upcoming winter.
  • Approved $1M for design of intersection improvements on the high injury network.
  • Postponed two zoning cases and related variances to May 18, 2026.
  • Announced public hearing on council district structure rescheduled to May 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
  • Announced participatory budgeting hearing on April 30 (Wednesday) at 5:30 PM.
  • Announced community meeting on deer population management on May 5, 2026 at Whetstone Library.

Meeting Transcript

21 will now come to order. Please stand for the playing of the national anthem. Counselor Banks and we lead us in the pledge. This evening, Council is grateful to have Minister Ayanna Fulham from Hope City Church. Lead us in prayer. Mr. Welcome to Council. Good evening. Thank you guys so much for having me. Heavenly Father, God, we take the time to come before you, Lord, and we ask for your presence, God, to be in this meeting, God. We come um we come before you, God, with humility and gratitude, God acknowledging that all wisdom, authority, and all power, God belongs to you. And so, God, we ask God that you will have your way in this meeting, God, that you will guide the council members with your wisdom, God, with your peace and with clarity that only comes from above. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you so much, Pastor. Clerk is called the role. Banks Timberosa de Padilla, De Aka or Dorns Green, Remy Ross Weiss President Harden. Any person who takes any action to obstruct or interfere with the conduct of tonight's meeting may be charged with disturbing a lawful meeting pursuant to Columbus City Code 2317.12. Any person who enters those areas of city council chambers reserved for city officials or invited guests may be charged with criminal trespass pursuant to Columbus City Code 2311. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um I get a motion to swim to the reading of the journal. Clerk, please call the roll. Thank you, uh, Madam Clerk. Are there any additions or corrections to the uh journal? There's one. Please. Uh 2026. If there are no additions or corrections to the journal, the journal is approved. This week's communication received by the city clerk's office are listed on the agenda and we published in City Bulletin. Are there any other communications to be read for the record? Not at this time. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, before we move uh through the rest of the agenda, uh, we just had a very thoughtful um conversation for the last hour uh pre prior to this uh meeting around the appointment of uh uh repl uh auditor uh to replace Megan Kilgore, who will resign effective May 4th. Uh as stated at the hearing, um our charter says that we have to have an auditor in place in time for her uh resignation. Uh we do not have a council meeting next week, so that vote must come today. Um, this has been a truncated process, but it has been an open and transparent con uh uh process uh where we have had um five folks apply, uh three that met the um requirements. Uh they spoke uh uh before at the hearing, and um as we said, we're very grateful for each and every one of them. Um they they really uh showed us uh the best of Columbus. Uh and and uh we're we're grateful that we have um great people to pick from. Uh I want to open I'll say this too before we go any further. Um we will have to have Auditor Kilgore back for making Kilgore Day here in the city of Columbus as a true expression of gratitude that we have for her stewardship of that office. Uh I said last week, she inherited the about the largest shoes that you could inherit um in uh taking over after Mr. Hugh Dorian, and she walked in those shoes flawlessly uh without one misstep, and we're just grateful for you and thank you so much for your service, and we're so grateful. I also will acknowledge uh Miss Darlene Wilde, who I think retires this week. Um Meg, what are you gonna do flying solo for three or four days? Yes, um, but who has also served this city. Uh, and I say this often um folks see us uh and and and think that this is the city. The truth is it is you all who are the city, the folks who are really keeping this thing running. Uh and uh we're just so grateful for you, Ms. Darlene, and excited for your next uh as you go into retirement. So would you help me uh celebrate Ms.

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