City of Gahanna Committee of the Whole Meeting Summary - September 9, 2025
City of Gahanna Committee of the Whole Meeting Summary - September 9, 2025
The Gahanna City Council Committee of the Whole met on September 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, chaired by Vice President Trenton I. Weaver. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM. All council members were present. Three agenda items were discussed: a temporary construction easement for Columbia Gas, a $5 million supplemental appropriation for the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), and a joint resolution proclaiming September 28, 2025, as National Good Neighbor Day.
Discussion Items
ORD-0039-2025: Temporary Construction Easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio
- Stephania Ferrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented a request for a temporary construction easement on Taylor Station as part of Columbia Gas's pipeline replacement project (2026-2027). The easement covers less than 0.02 acres along the road, outside state property (Gahanna Woods), and will be used for equipment and storage.
- Councilmember Nancy McGregor inquired about its location; Ferrell confirmed it is along the road and does not extend into the woods. McGregor noted the parking lot was visible on the map after it was displayed.
- Recommendation: Introduction/first reading on the regular agenda on September 15, 2025; second reading/adoption on the consent agenda on October 6, 2025.
ORD-0040-2025: Supplemental Appropriation for Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation
- Jeff Gottke, Director of Economic Development, requested a $5 million supplemental appropriation from the city's unreserved, unappropriated General Fund balance to the CIC. The funds would pay off a commercial bank loan used to acquire 12 parcels in the Creekside District. Paying off the loan would release mortgages, allowing the CIC to use a $500,000 Ohio Department of Development grant to demolish the blighted structures by December 31, 2025. Failure to act would risk losing the grant, foreclosure, and loss of control over redevelopment.
- Councilmember Stephen Renner strongly supported the ordinance, praising the CIC's work and the state grant that lowers costs.
- Councilmember Michael Schnetzer asked for clarification on the demolition grant timeline (whether work must be completed or substantially started by 12/31/25). Gottke stated the CIC had requested clarification from the state but believed the deadline was achievable. Schnetzer also asked if there were options between paying off the loan and foreclosure; Gottke said no viable alternatives exist.
- Councilmember Nancy McGregor expressed skepticism, noting the city's history with large projects in the late 1970s/early 1980s (industrial zone defaults, personal fines for councilmembers) and Creekside's past bankruptcies. She cautioned about repeating mistakes. Gottke responded that current efforts differ due to CIC structure, city resources, and community-informed strategy. McGregor acknowledged the CIC members' hard work but remained skeptical.
- Councilmember Jamille Jones asked about the source of funds and impact on other priorities. Finance Director Joann Bury confirmed the money comes from the unreserved, unappropriated General Fund balance—not earmarked for other uses. Mayor Jadwin added that controlling the parcels ensures the community's redevelopment vision is realized, noting that the buildings are uninhabitable (e.g., Columbia Gas visitor became ill after entering one).
- Councilmember Kaylee Padova thanked the CIC and expressed support, describing Creekside as the heart of the community.
- Vice President Weaver thanked the CIC for their long-term efforts, noted the importance of property control, and asked about next steps (demolition then marketing). He also asked about potential cost overruns for demolition; Mayor Jadwin said the city would return for a supplemental if needed but another party might absorb costs.
- Recommendation: Introduction/first reading with waiver of second reading and adoption on the regular agenda on September 15, 2025.
RES-0040-2025: Proclamation Recognizing September 28, 2025, as National Good Neighbor Day
- Councilmember Padova introduced the resolution, inspired by her child watching Daniel Tiger, which emphasizes being a good neighbor. The proclamation aligns with National Good Neighbor Day, established by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Padova is partnering with the library (story time on September 27, crafts, book displays) and the Historical Society (activities during the Mill Street Market on September 28) to promote neighborly connections.
- Mayor Jadwin and Councilmember Renner expressed strong support, highlighting the observance as an extension of community-building efforts (e.g., Supporting Gahanna Together Day, litter cleanups, food truck events) and a reminder of respect.
- Recommendation: Introduction/adoption on the consent agenda on September 15, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- ORD-0039-2025: Advanced to first reading on September 15, with second reading/adoption on consent on October 6.
- ORD-0040-2025: Advanced to first reading with waiver of second reading on September 15, with adoption on the regular agenda.
- RES-0040-2025: Advanced to adoption on the consent agenda on September 15.
- No votes were taken during the Committee of the Whole; all items were moved to the next council meeting with specified actions.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Today is Monday, September 8th, 2025. I've got seven o'clock, so let's go ahead and call this meeting of the committee of the whole to order. We will start first with items from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Good evening, Director. Good evening, thank you. The item I have for this evening is a request for a agreement for a construction easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio. Columbia Gas is coordinating a pipeline replacement project. That's an expected construction timeline of 2026 into 2027. And as part of that construction, a request for a temporary construction easement on Taylor Station. This easement is outlined in the attachments that are included in the packet. With that, administration is respectfully requesting an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into a temporary construction easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio. All right, thank you, Director. Any discussion from my colleagues? Mrs. McGregor. Is having a here in a woods? So we did have coordination with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and there were some changes made so that we were in compliance with our agreement with ODNR. It is outside of the state property. Where exactly is it gonna be in the parking lot or no? You can see it within the attachment. That's the best way to navigate. I don't know if I've got the right map here or not. Is it the map with the I don't know, Jeremy, if we can pull it up if that's helpful? Page five of five shows it best. Is this the right one? Yeah, that's it. So this is gonna be constructional like a pipeline underground through that section of the park. So this is for the it's a it's a it's a construction easement, so it's for any type of equipment or it's a it's a temporary workspace. Is it just along the road or does it go back into the woods? Um it's along the road. It's again, it's about um less than well, point zero two acres. So it's a small um slither of property um in order for them to be able to host equipment or any other type of storage that's required during the construction. Oh, okay. I I see the parking lot now, and it wasn't available. It wasn't clear on the other one. Okay. All right, okay. Thank you. Sure. Any other discussion on this item? All right, seeing none, uh, we'll go on for first next week and then consent on the sixth. Sounds good. Thank you. All right, thank you, Director. All right, next up we have items from the Department of Economic Development. I believe I turn to you, Director Gacke. Good evening, sir. In very two minutes. Say what I mean.
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