OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, September 17, 2025
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, September 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening.

0:02

We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council of the City of Gehana for Monday, September 15th, 2025.

0:08

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

0:15

Thank you.

0:16

As we gather, we acknowledge our responsibility to the future as we build upon the work of those who came before us.

0:22

May reason and common sense guide our discussions.

0:26

And may we remain undaunted by the challenges we face.

0:30

Let us apply ourselves to find innovative solutions and make a positive, lasting contribution to our community.

0:39

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

0:44

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

0:57

Thank you, Mr.

0:58

Weaver.

0:58

Mr.

0:59

Van Meter, would you please call the role?

1:01

Bowers.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Jones.

1:02

Here.

1:03

McGregor.

1:03

Here.

1:04

Padova.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Renner.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Schnitzer.

1:07

Here.

1:07

Weaver.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Thank you, Mr.

1:09

Van Meter.

1:10

We do have a couple of uh additions to the agenda this evening and a rearrangement of order.

1:17

We have an additional presentation from uh Sue Villio with Adam H regarding an upcoming levy, uh, which will be uh item three on the presentations uh in section C of the this evening's agenda.

1:31

We'll also be switching the order of items one and two with the proclamation presentation by Mayor Jadwin being delivered first and then followed by the swearing-in ceremony of our new deputy chief of police.

1:42

Are there any other additions or corrections?

1:45

Not for me, thank you.

1:46

Okay.

1:49

All right.

1:50

With that, then we'll move right in to the proclamation presentation by Mayor Jadwin.

1:54

Thank you very much, Madam President.

1:56

Um September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

1:59

Uh, this is something we we have done every year.

2:01

Uh I've done every year since 2020.

2:03

Uh, it's an issue near and dear to my heart.

2:06

Um having have having had family members who've gone through this as well.

2:10

Um it is a time to honor the courage of children and families impacted by pediatric pediatric cancer and to raise awareness of the urgent need for better treatments and increased research funding.

2:22

Each year, over 17,000 children are diagnosed with cancer.

2:26

Forty-seven children a day across the nation are diagnosed with cancer.

2:30

It remains the leading cause of disease-related death in children, and yet funding and treatment options continue to lag far behind adult cancers.

2:39

Over the last 20 years, only six drugs, six in 20 years, six drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat children childhood cancers.

2:47

It's a disease that attacks randomly.

2:49

It attacks without discrimination, without rhyme or reason, and it is a disease that impacts families across the nation, including families right here in Gehana.

2:58

Tonight we are recognizing one of Gehanna's own families, the Dobinmeyer family, whose daughter Hannah, they're with here with us tonight, now in the fifth grade at High Point Elementary, was diagnosed with cancer last year.

3:10

Hannah faced her treatment with remarkable bravery, and we are grateful that she is on the road to recovery.

3:16

Led by their journey, the Dobbin Myers, Julie and Andy, uh their and Sister Lucy's back there as well, have become strong advocates for awareness and research, seeking to use their own experience to help ensure that in the future children like Hannah will have access to more effective treatments and gentler treatments.

3:34

Their commitment and strength are truly inspirational and reflect the resilience of families across the country facing similar battles.

3:42

On behalf of the city of Gehanna, it is my privilege to honor Hannah and the Daubin Meyer family, and to once again proudly recognize September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

3:52

Dobbin Myers, I'd love to meet you down there.

3:56

Council, would you like to join for a picture?

4:42

Sorry, no idea.

5:08

Thank you, Mayor Jadman, Council members, residents of Gehanna, we really appreciate the opportunity to represent the more than 500 children in Ohio each year who are diagnosed with cancer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████████31%
Economic Development█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████████15%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Mental Health Awareness██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Historic Preservation███3%
Capital Improvement███3%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2025

The Gahanna City Council met in regular session on September 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured a proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the swearing-in of a new police officer and a new Deputy Chief of Police, a presentation on the upcoming ADAMH levy, and a public hearing on a supplemental appropriation for the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). After procedural votes, Council approved the supplemental appropriation to pay off the CIC’s loan and allow demolition of several properties as part of the Creekside redevelopment.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved minutes from September 2, 2025 (regular) and September 8, 2025 (Committee of the Whole).
  • Resolution: Adopted RES-0040-2025 recognizing September 28, 2025, as National Good Neighbor Day in Gahanna.
  • Ordinances: Adopted ORD-0037-2025 (correcting church address) and ORD-0038-2025 (supplemental appropriations for General Fund and OCJS Grant Fund).
  • The consent agenda passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Patricia Kovacs (527 Haversham Drive) expressed opposition to ORD-0040-2025, which would fund repayment of the CIC’s loan for properties on Mill and High Streets. She questioned the demolition of the Harry Bauer home at 120 North High Street, stating the building appeared structurally sound and historically significant. She also asked why the purchase price ($625,000) exceeded the auditor’s appraised value ($323,000) and requested clarification on which properties were covered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) demolition grant.

Presentations

  • Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation: Mayor Jadwin presented a proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. She noted that each year over 17,000 children are diagnosed with cancer (47 per day) and that only six drugs have been approved for childhood cancers in the last 20 years. The Daubenmire family – Hannah (a fifth-grader at High Point Elementary who completed treatment for osteosarcoma in April 2025), her parents Julie and Andy, and sister Lucy – received the proclamation and shared their story. Hannah underwent nine months of chemotherapy and limb reconstruction surgery.

  • Swearing‑in Ceremony – Division of Police: Mayor Jadwin and Director of Public Safety Tim Becker swore in Officer Brycyn Williams, a recruit from Las Vegas Metro Police, and promoted Lieutenant Ethan Moffitt to Deputy Chief (coined “DC2”). Deputy Chief Moffitt has 31 years of service (27 with Gahanna), has attended the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, and is a certified Law Enforcement Executive. Chief Spence noted the department’s strong leadership and the opportunities presented by the 825 Tech Center Drive facility.

  • ADAMH Levy Presentation: Sue Villilo, Vice President & Assistant System Chief Clinical Officer of the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County, described the behavioral health safety net. Over 75% of ADAMH funding comes from a property tax levy that expires in December 2026. She reported that Franklin County suicide rates are increasing for teens, older adults, and males; overdose rates remain at historic highs exceeding state and national averages. The proposed levy renewal would be a 0.5 mill increase – costing $1.46 per month per $100,000 of home valuation – and would fund existing services and a new crisis center. Failure would force significant service reductions.

Discussion Items

  • ORD-0039-2025 (First Reading): An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a temporary construction easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. Was introduced and read by title.

  • ORD-0040-2025 – Supplemental Appropriations for CIC Development Contract Services: This ordinance would appropriate funds ($625,000 from the General Fund) to pay off the CIC’s loan with Heartland Bank, allowing demolition of properties needed to spend ODOD grants. The vote on waiving second reading initially failed 5-2 (with Bowers and McGregor voting no). After reconsideration (moved by McGregor, seconded by Renner, carried 6-1), the waiver was approved 6-1. The underlying ordinance then passed unanimously (7-0).

    Key discussion points:

    • Nate Green (Montrose Group consultant) displayed a map: the CIC owns multiple parcels (maroon outline). Properties in yellow (west side of Mill Street) are covered by a $389,000 ODOD demolition grant; properties in green (brownfield remediation) by a $108,000 grant. Both must be demolished by year-end to retain grant funds. The loan also matures at year-end.
    • Green clarified: The CIC cannot extend the loan further. Demolition cannot begin while the loan is outstanding. A contractor has been identified and can start in November, completing demolition by December.
    • Mayor Jadwin noted that the Bauer House (120 North High Street) is not part of the current grant; the administration is exploring whether the building can be moved or architectural elements salvaged.
    • Councilmember McGregor enumerated the buildings to be demolished: Quonset hut, Shampooch building, house behind it, old EMH&T building, plant library site. The former Howard Johnson site is not included in this round but may be in a future ODOD application.
    • Council President Bowers asked about a broader redevelopment timeline. Green stated the CIC is in advanced discussions with a developer for a mixed-use project on Mill Street, with a development agreement expected within the next two weeks.
    • Councilmembers expressed reservations about the financial risk but acknowledged the alternative (default) would lose city control over the parcels. The vote was seen as an investment in downtown revitalization.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved (7-0).
  • ORD-0039-2025 introduced for first reading.
  • ORD-0040-2025 adopted after initial waiver failure, reconsideration, and final passage. Vote on waiver after reconsideration: 6-1 (McGregor opposed). Final adoption: 7-0.
  • ADAMH levy presentation received; Councilmember Jones requested the fact sheet be distributed.
  • City Attorney Tamilarasan reported that she finalized the city’s enrollment in the Purdue opioid settlement. Statistics for Gahanna: 18 overdose service calls and at least 8 opioid-related deaths in 2024; 11 calls and at least 2 deaths so far in 2025.
  • Mayor Jadwin announced several upcoming community events, including a Creekside Reimagined community conversation (September 24), the Mill Street Market (September 28), and the final in-person feedback session for the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan (September 20 at Touch-a-Truck).
  • Councilmember Jones reported on the school board’s strategic plan, including a career pathways audit, AI pilot, teacher retention initiatives, and Business Advisory Council revival.
  • Councilmember Padova promoted Good Neighbor Day activities and the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (October 2-6) requiring volunteers.
  • Councilmember Renner and others commented on national political violence, urging empathy and civil discourse.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council of the City of Gehana for Monday, September 15th, 2025. If you would please join me to stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Council President Vice President Trenton Weaver. Thank you. As we gather, we acknowledge our responsibility to the future as we build upon the work of those who came before us. May reason and common sense guide our discussions. And may we remain undaunted by the challenges we face. Let us apply ourselves to find innovative solutions and make a positive, lasting contribution 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. Thank you, Mr. Weaver. Mr. Van Meter, would you please call the role? Bowers. Here. Jones. Here. McGregor. Here. Padova. Here. Renner. Here. Schnitzer. Here. Weaver. Here. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. We do have a couple of uh additions to the agenda this evening and a rearrangement of order. We have an additional presentation from uh Sue Villio with Adam H regarding an upcoming levy, uh, which will be uh item three on the presentations uh in section C of the this evening's agenda. We'll also be switching the order of items one and two with the proclamation presentation by Mayor Jadwin being delivered first and then followed by the swearing-in ceremony of our new deputy chief of police. Are there any other additions or corrections? Not for me, thank you. Okay. All right. With that, then we'll move right in to the proclamation presentation by Mayor Jadwin. Thank you very much, Madam President. Um September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Uh, this is something we we have done every year. Uh I've done every year since 2020. Uh, it's an issue near and dear to my heart. Um having have having had family members who've gone through this as well. Um it is a time to honor the courage of children and families impacted by pediatric pediatric cancer and to raise awareness of the urgent need for better treatments and increased research funding. Each year, over 17,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. Forty-seven children a day across the nation are diagnosed with cancer. It remains the leading cause of disease-related death in children, and yet funding and treatment options continue to lag far behind adult cancers. Over the last 20 years, only six drugs, six in 20 years, six drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat children childhood cancers. It's a disease that attacks randomly.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com