OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting – October 24, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Friday, October 24, 2025
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateFriday, October 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:04

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening.

0:01

We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council of the City of Gehana on Monday, October 20th, 2025.

0:08

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

0:14

Thank you.

0:16

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.

0:24

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

0:32

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

0:37

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

0:50

Thank you, Ms.

0:51

Mr.

0:51

Van Meter.

0:52

Would you please call the role?

0:54

Ours here.

0:55

Jones.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Pedova.

0:58

Here.

0:59

Renner.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Schnetzer.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Weaver.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Thank you, Mr.

1:03

Van Meter.

1:04

Welcome to all of our guests in attendance this evening.

1:07

We have uh a very full agenda with very diverse topics.

1:10

Um so with that, uh let's uh ask if there are any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda.

1:17

All right.

1:18

Hearing none, we'll move on to Section C presentations.

1:21

The first presentation we have this evening is a swearing-in ceremony for new uh police officers with the division of police.

1:28

Officers Kirsten Leishie and Cordell Cardi.

1:31

Mayor Jadwin.

1:33

Yes, thank you very much, uh, Madam President.

1:35

So uh we are indeed honored to have two officers joining uh our Gehana family this evening.

1:40

Uh Director Becker and Chief Spence.

1:43

I believe we'll make some opening comments and then we will proceed to the administration of oath.

1:50

Good evening, thanks everybody.

1:52

Uh we're really excited as always to add to our ranks at me of police.

1:56

We got two outstanding examples here tonight.

1:59

Kirsten Lish has been with us for a while, but she's been in training.

2:03

She just graduated the third class of the Westerville Police Academy about a week and a half ago.

2:09

Um, Officer Thomas and Sergeant Hennin were instructors during her class, and after that grueling six months, she's ready to get out here and uh begin field training and hit the street.

2:21

And uh Cordell Cardi is literally fresh out of the oven.

2:26

Today is his first day with the city of Gehana.

2:29

I don't think when he came to work this morning, he even knew he was going to be here tonight.

2:34

But he's here, he's a uh experienced law enforcement officer.

2:38

He has experience in Johnstown and Blendon Township, and he's ready to learn the Gehenna way.

2:44

So with that, um I'd like to have well, Chief, you want to make any remarks before the mayor.

2:52

Uh just uh again thank you to uh the administration and and council as we kind of work through uh hiring and bringing our our ranks up to our uh our authorized strength.

3:04

Uh obviously uh going through the academy has been uh quite uh grueling over these last few months, so uh but all uh reports from the academy.

3:15

Uh Kirsten did a great job.

3:17

Looking forward to getting her through uh the additional months of field training uh and uh Cordell coming over from another agency again will enter into our field training program.

3:27

So as we continue to work through uh those additions of staff, it's it's great that we're getting uh uh really great applicants that have uh made the training process for us easy.

3:38

So thank you, everybody.

3:40

We still have you open to anybody here.

3:45

Mayor, if you would mister.

3:53

Face me.

3:54

Raise your right hands, please.

3:56

Repeat after me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████21%
Economic Development██████████████████18%
Planning And Development████████████████16%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Heritage And Culture█████5%
Procurement████4%
Strategic Planning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting – October 24, 2025

On October 24, 2025, the Gahanna City Council met to conduct a full agenda including officer swearing‑ins, recognition of Arts & Humanities Month, a public hearing on the strategic plan, consent agenda approvals, multiple ordinance readings, and an executive session. The meeting featured extensive discussion on the Creekside redevelopment agreement and related funding.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approved: Regular meeting minutes from October 6, 2025 (2025-0200) and Committee of the Whole minutes from October 13, 2025 (2025-0201).
  • Motions Passed:
    • MT-0013-2025 – Bidding for Clotts Road and Serran Drive sanitary sewer improvements.
    • MT-0014-2025 – Bidding for White Swan Court & Embassy Court street rebuild and waterline replacement.
  • Resolutions Adopted:
    • RES-0045-2025 – Authorizing application for FTA Section 5310 funding for mobility services.
    • RES-0047-2025 – Recognizing October as National Arts & Humanities Month.
    • RES-0048-2025 – Amending the 2026 sidewalk maintenance program area.
    • RES-0049-2025 – Determining necessity to repair/replace sidewalks in the 2026 program area.
    • RES-0050-2025 – Supporting state capital grant application for Creekside Plaza and flood improvement project.
  • Ordinance Adopted (Second Reading): ORD-0041-2025 – Accepting Crescent Circle public infrastructure improvements (roadway, storm, water).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jamie Leesberg (Mifflin Township Trustee): Expressed that Mifflin Township was not consulted about the Creekside seven‑story building and requested inclusion in tax incentives and development projects. Noted that the township has only one ladder truck for such a building and that rising fire truck costs pose a burden. Asked council to consider Mifflin Township’s involvement and needs.
  • Public Hearing on RES-0046-2025 (Strategic Plan):
    • Mora O’Donnell (278 Rivers End Road, Gahanna): Voiced support for the “Our Gahanna” Strategic Plan, stating she served on the steering committee and observed that public feedback was incorporated into the final plan.

Discussion Items

  • ORD-0042-2025 & ORD-0043-2025 – Postponement Debate:
    • ORD-0042-2025 (Development Agreement for Creekside redevelopment with Connect Realty, Benson Capital, and the Gahanna CIC): Council members debated postponement to allow further review of the agreement (received Friday) and additional community engagement. Director Gocke questioned why November 17 was chosen instead of earlier dates, noting that delaying could jeopardize a $485,000 state demolition grant and that the developer’s timeline for demolition must account for the Holiday Lights celebration (November 23). Councilmember Renner cited the need for deliberation on such an impactful vote. Councilmember Weaver supported November 17 to set a fair expectation for the developer and allow time for public outreach via a website and a public hearing. Councilmember Padova requested the public feedback report from Planning Next. Councilmember Schnitzer asked for details on contingent liabilities, TIF, NCA, and tax impacts to Mifflin Township. The motion to postpone to November 17 passed 7-0.
    • ORD-0043-2025 (2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan): Postponed to November 3, 2025, to allow completion of the committee presentation. Motion passed 7-0.
  • ORD-0046-2025 & RES-0051-2025 – Supplemental Appropriation for CIC Demolition:
    • ORD-0046-2025 (Supplemental appropriations from General Fund for CIC development services): The administration requested waiver of second reading, arguing that time was critical to secure demolition before year‑end and preserve grant dollars. Councilmember Bowers questioned the need for waiver given that demolition would not occur before November 23. Director Schultz explained that without immediate appropriation, the CIC cannot contract a demolition company, risking the $486,000 in state grants. City Attorney Harrison noted that the companion resolution (RES-0051-2025) needed revision to clarify the reimbursement mechanism. After discussion, the council voted to waive second reading (6-1, Bowers opposed) and then amended the ordinance to correct the grant amount from $500,000 to $486,000 (unanimous). The amended ORD-0046-2025 was adopted 7-0.
    • RES-0051-2025 (Supplemental agreement with CIC): Council agreed to postpone this resolution to November 3, 2025, to allow the city attorney to refine language regarding reimbursement of grant funds. Motion passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Officers Sworn In: Kiersten Lyshe and Cordell Cardi joined the Gahanna Division of Police.
  • Arts & Humanities Month Recognized: Resolution presented to Gahanna Lincoln Instrumental Music Boosters (GLIME), who reported raising over $46,000 during their 70th annual Tag Day.
  • Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Public Hearing: Held on RES-0046-2025; no further action taken (scheduled for adoption November 3).
  • ORD-0041-2025: Adopted as part of consent agenda.
  • ORD-0042-2025: Postponed to November 17, 2025, for a vote.
  • ORD-0043-2025: Postponed to November 3, 2025.
  • ORD-0046-2025: Adopted with amendment (grant amount corrected to $486,000).
  • RES-0051-2025: Postponed to November 3, 2025.
  • Executive Session: Council moved into executive session (7-0) to discuss property purchase, with no action expected afterward.

Reports & Comments

  • CIC (Renner/Padova): CIC meeting scheduled for October 21 at 8 a.m. in committee rooms.
  • MORPC (Weaver): Reported a $36 return on every $1 of membership dues; upcoming sustainability survey, economic development academy, and planning workshops.
  • CVB (Padova): Holiday Lights Celebration November 23; Santa Race 5K December 6; volunteer opportunities available.
  • School Board (Jones): GJPS Board of Education recognized as Board of Distinction by OSBA.
  • Mayor Jadwin: Acknowledged GLIME, community litter pickup, New Life Church 40th anniversary, housing conversation with regional leaders, Creekside engagement (approx. 100 attendees), upcoming Goblin Fest, shred/recycle event, Halloween trick‑or‑treat Oct 30, and Diwali celebrations.
  • Council Comments: Topics included historical society Red Book update, New Life Church history, officer welcome, arts impact, sustainable clothing swap, importance of decarbonization and textile recycling, and appreciation for community engagement.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll call to order this meeting of the City Council of the City of Gehana on Monday, October 20th, 2025. If you would please join me to stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered by our 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 unity and in service to one another and 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, Ms. Mr. Van Meter. Would you please call the role? Ours here. Jones. Here. Pedova. Here. Renner. Here. Schnetzer. Here. Weaver. Here. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. Welcome to all of our guests in attendance this evening. We have uh a very full agenda with very diverse topics. Um so with that, uh let's uh ask if there are any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda. All right. Hearing none, we'll move on to Section C presentations. The first presentation we have this evening is a swearing-in ceremony for new uh police officers with the division of police. Officers Kirsten Leishie and Cordell Cardi. Mayor Jadwin. Yes, thank you very much, uh, Madam President. So uh we are indeed honored to have two officers joining uh our Gehana family this evening. Uh Director Becker and Chief Spence. I believe we'll make some opening comments and then we will proceed to the administration of oath. Good evening, thanks everybody. Uh we're really excited as always to add to our ranks at me of police. We got two outstanding examples here tonight. Kirsten Lish has been with us for a while, but she's been in training. She just graduated the third class of the Westerville Police Academy about a week and a half ago. Um, Officer Thomas and Sergeant Hennin were instructors during her class, and after that grueling six months, she's ready to get out here and uh begin field training and hit the street. And uh Cordell Cardi is literally fresh out of the oven. Today is his first day with the city of Gehana. I don't think when he came to work this morning, he even knew he was going to be here tonight. But he's here, he's a uh experienced law enforcement officer. He has experience in Johnstown and Blendon Township, and he's ready to learn the Gehenna way. So with that, um I'd like to have well, Chief, you want to make any remarks before the mayor. Uh just uh again thank you to uh the administration and and council as we kind of work through uh hiring and bringing our our ranks up to our uh our authorized strength.

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