OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting – September 9, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, September 9, 2025
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, September 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 25:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening.

0:02

We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council for the City of Gehana on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.

0:09

Mr.

0:09

Van if you please join me to stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Trenton Weaver.

0:17

Thank you.

0:18

As we gather, we are grateful for, appreciate, and use each day that comes before us for each day's duties and in each day's difficulties.

0:27

We are challenged to give our best always in service to one another and to our community.

0:34

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:40

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:51

All right, thank you, Mr.

0:52

Weaver.

0:53

Mr.

0:53

Van Meter, would you please call the roll?

0:55

Bowers.

0:56

Here.

0:56

Jones.

0:57

McGregor.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Padova.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Schnitzer?

1:00

Here.

1:01

Weaver here.

1:02

And Renner is absent.

1:04

Thank you, Mr.

1:04

Van Meter.

1:05

Are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda?

1:09

All right.

1:10

We have uh one presentation this evening, and we are looking forward to this very much.

1:15

And I believe I'm turning it over to Mayor Jadwen.

1:18

Yes, thank you.

1:18

Uh we are very thrilled today to have the swearing in uh of a communications technician.

1:23

Uh Connie, would you like to come forward?

1:25

And Director Becker, would you like to come forward and maybe uh set us up for this?

1:32

Thank you, Mayor.

1:33

Council.

1:34

Uh tonight is a momentous night for me since I've been here at the City of Gehenna, a little over two and a half years.

1:41

Connie is our first communications technician hired to fully complete training.

1:46

So she is all done and on her own now.

1:49

We're very excited for her.

1:51

It's a very tough job over there, very rigorous training, and she did it.

1:56

So with that, um Chief Spence, you got any words you'd like to add.

2:03

Uh just uh that we've uh been working uh diligently over the last uh uh year or so to bring uh more uh communications technicians into that role.

2:12

Uh I think we've got Michaela Fulham back there who's almost through her uh her training as well.

2:18

Uh it's six months, uh six or seven months, but uh uh kind of a very difficult uh training program to bring all the things between 911, uh taking non-emergency calls, radio traffic, and all the technology that's in that room, and then to have somebody uh successfully complete it with uh with a smile, which uh Connie has had ever since day one.

2:42

Uh so it's it's a great pleasure to have her uh uh finally complete that be on her own and and add to that staff and everybody that uh Angie Collins, who's a uh center manager, uh Louise, who's one of our training officers.

2:55

So uh it's been a been a great uh number of months, but uh we're looking forward to uh finishing training with Michaela here very soon and and more to come.

3:04

Thank you.

3:09

Thanks, me.

3:12

She really has been a second one, she's been a superstar.

3:14

She's she's had some tough calls, uh, but always with that smile.

3:18

Always.

3:19

So it's been a joy to have you as part of our team, and now to officially welcome you.

3:23

Please raise your right hand, repeat after me.

3:25

I Connie, do solemnly swear.

3:29

Do solemnly swear that I will support and defend.

3:32

Yeah, I will support and defend the constitution and laws.

3:34

The constitution and laws of the United States of America.

3:37

Of the United States of America, the Constitution and Statutes.

3:41

The Constitution and Statute of the State of Ohio.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████████████████████36%
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement████████████████████████24%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting – September 9, 2025

Note: The meeting was originally scheduled for September 2, 2025 (per the agenda and transcript), but the provided directive specified using the date 2025-09-09. This summary uses that date.

The Gahanna City Council met in regular session on the evening of September 9, 2025. Six members were present (Bowers, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Schnetzer, Weaver); Councilmember Renner was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice President Weaver, followed by roll call. The agenda included a presentation, consent agenda, a resolution, first readings of two ordinances, reports from representatives and officials, council comment, and an executive session.

Presentations

  • Swearing-in of Communications Technician: Mayor Jadwin and Director of Public Safety Tim Becker introduced Constant "Connie" Pearson, who completed the rigorous six- to seven-month training program for the Division of Police – the first full-time trainee hired under Director Becker. Chief of Police Jeff Spence praised Pearson’s positive attitude and noted that another trainee, MaCayla Fullum, was nearing completion. Mayor Jadwin administered the oath of office. Council President Bowers thanked Pearson and emphasized the critical role of dispatchers.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved for the regular meeting (8/18/2025), special meeting (8/25/2025), Committee of the Whole (8/25/2025), and Finance Committee (8/25/2025).
  • Resolutions:
    • RES-0035-2025: Authorizing the City to exit the joint self-insurance agreement with the Central Ohio Health Care Consortium (COHCC).
    • RES-0036-2025: Establishing a health benefits self-insurance program for City employees effective January 1, 2026, and authorizing related agreements.
    • RES-0037-2025: Authorizing transfer of funds from Public Safety Contract Services and State Treasury Contract Services to Materials and Supplies accounts.
    • RES-0038-2025: Authorizing the City Attorney to enter into the Purdue Direct Settlement.
  • Ordinance for Adoption:
    • ORD-0035-2025: Accepting, approving, and ratifying the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council for tax year 2023. The motion to pass the consent agenda was made by Councilmember Schnetzer, seconded by Vice President Weaver, and carried 6-0 (Renner absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • None.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution RES-0039-2025: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an electric supply agreement for City facilities following Tradition Energy’s pricing analysis and Omnia Partners procurement. The motion to adopt was made by Vice President Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Schnetzer, and passed unanimously (6-0).
  • First Readings:
    • ORD-0037-2025: Amending Ordinance 0027-2025 to correct the address for Centerpoint Church from 670 McCutcheon Road to 620 McCutcheon Road, and substituting a corrected Exhibit B.
    • ORD-0038-2025: Authorizing supplemental appropriations from the General Fund and the OCJS Grant Fund. Both ordinances were introduced and will be placed on the consent agenda for the September 15, 2025 meeting.
  • Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) – Councilmember Padova reported that the CIC board met on August 19, 2025. They approved July minutes and financials, discussed two open board seats, reviewed Our Gahanna economic development recommendations, and voted unanimously to demolish the Amfield property pending bank approval. Executive session was held from 8:41 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The next meeting is September 16, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
  • Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) – Vice President Weaver noted that the full commission will meet September 11, 2025, and that Mayor Jadwin was elected secretary of the executive committee. Other executive committee members include Dublin Mayor Chris Groomes (chair), Bexley Mayor Ben Kesler (vice chair), Fairfield County Commissioner Jeff Fix, Upper Arlington City Manager Steve Schoeny, and Columbus Public Service Director Kelly Scocco.
  • Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) – Councilmember Padova reported:
    • Visit Gahanna is seeking sponsorships for the Holiday Lights Celebration on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
    • The fall/winter Herbal Cocktail Trail launched on September 1, 2025, with eight participating establishments. Those completing at least half of the trail receive two bottles of Simple Times Mixers.
    • The CVB is launching a hotel gift program: several hundred lavender sachets with welcome notes will be distributed at check-in to reinforce Gahanna’s brand as the Herb Capital of Ohio.
  • School Board – Councilmember Jones announced the September school board workshop on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library, and the first home football game on Friday, September 5, 2025.
  • Mayor’s Report:
    • Mayor Jadwin thanked hundreds of residents who attended the Our Gahanna Sweet Celebration on August 26, 2025, where the draft strategic plan was unveiled. For those unable to attend, “road show” events continue through September 20, 2025, and a survey is available at ourgahanna.com through that date.
    • Update on flood mitigation for Creekside: Preliminary renderings were shared at the Sweet Celebration, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. A community conversation will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Creekside Conference and Event Center. The format will be a presentation with audience Q&A; streaming options are being evaluated.
    • Starting Monday, September 8, 2025, the Franklin County Engineer’s Office will close the intersection at Morse and Reynoldsburg-New Albany Roads for roundabout work through Friday, September 12, 2025. Eastbound and westbound Morse Road through the intersection will not be accessible; detours will be posted.
    • Upcoming events: Creekside Hops and Vines (Sept. 6, 6-11 p.m.), Kyle Miller 5K (Sept. 7), Senior Expo (Sept. 18), Touch-a-Truck (Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hannah Park), final Gahanna Market (Sept. 24, 4-7 p.m.), Mill Street Market (Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.), Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (Oct. 2-6), and Trick-or-Treat on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • City Attorney – Assistant City Attorney Matt Roth had nothing to report.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda adopted (6-0, Renner absent).
  • Resolution RES-0039-2025 adopted (6-0) – Mayor authorized to execute an electric supply agreement with Tradition Energy via Omnia Partners.
  • Ordinances ORD-0037-2025 and ORD-0038-2025 introduced for first reading; will return for second reading and potential adoption on September 15, 2025.
  • Executive Session – A motion by Vice President Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Schnetzer, to enter executive session under Section 5.40(a) of Council Rules to consider the appointment of a public employee or official. The session began at 7:26 p.m., ended at 8:21 p.m., and no action was taken. The meeting adjourned immediately afterward.

Council Comment Highlights

  • Councilmember McGregor congratulated her husband on their 52nd wedding anniversary.
  • Councilmember Padova promoted the Collective Market on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Collective Home Supply.
  • Vice President Weaver announced that the new high school auditorium will be named the Jim Singer Auditorium in honor of over 50 years of service, and he provided a letter of support as a councilmember and alumnus.
  • President Bowers congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on a successful Taste of Gahanna (approximately 500 tickets sold), reported on a Columbus Chamber CEO Insight event featuring the new Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO Lauren Hagen, and thanked Parks and Recreation staff for a smooth pool season.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council for the City of Gehana on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. Mr. Van if you please join me to stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Trenton Weaver. Thank you. As we gather, we are grateful for, appreciate, and use each day that comes before us for each day's duties and in each day's difficulties. We are challenged to give our best always in service to one another and to our community. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, thank you, Mr. Weaver. Mr. Van Meter, would you please call the roll? Bowers. Here. Jones. McGregor. Here. Padova. Here. Schnitzer? Here. Weaver here. And Renner is absent. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. Are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda? All right. We have uh one presentation this evening, and we are looking forward to this very much. And I believe I'm turning it over to Mayor Jadwen. Yes, thank you. Uh we are very thrilled today to have the swearing in uh of a communications technician. Uh Connie, would you like to come forward? And Director Becker, would you like to come forward and maybe uh set us up for this? Thank you, Mayor. Council. Uh tonight is a momentous night for me since I've been here at the City of Gehenna, a little over two and a half years. Connie is our first communications technician hired to fully complete training. So she is all done and on her own now. We're very excited for her. It's a very tough job over there, very rigorous training, and she did it. So with that, um Chief Spence, you got any words you'd like to add. Uh just uh that we've uh been working uh diligently over the last uh uh year or so to bring uh more uh communications technicians into that role. Uh I think we've got Michaela Fulham back there who's almost through her uh her training as well. Uh it's six months, uh six or seven months, but uh uh kind of a very difficult uh training program to bring all the things between 911, uh taking non-emergency calls, radio traffic, and all the technology that's in that room, and then to have somebody uh successfully complete it with uh with a smile, which uh Connie has had ever since day one. Uh so it's it's a great pleasure to have her uh uh finally complete that be on her own and and add to that staff and everybody that uh Angie Collins, who's a uh center manager, uh Louise, who's one of our training officers. So uh it's been a been a great uh number of months, but uh we're looking forward to uh finishing training with Michaela here very soon and and more to come. Thank you. Thanks, me. She really has been a second one, she's been a superstar.

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