Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025
Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025
The Gahanna City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:03 PM in Council Chambers. All seven members were present: President Merisa K. Bowers, Vice President Trenton I. Weaver, and Councilmembers Jamille Jones, Nancy R. McGregor, Kaylee Padova, Stephen A. Renner, and Michael Schnetzer. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM. Key actions included adoption of the consent agenda, a resolution renewing the CIC agreement, introduction of the FY2026 budget and a bond ordinance, and approval of a bridge decking contract.
Public Hearing
- FY2026 Proposed Budget (ORD-0049-2025): President Bowers opened the public hearing at 7:03 PM and closed it at 7:05 PM with no members of the public desiring to speak. The ordinance was introduced for first reading later in the meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Approved five sets of minutes (Council Special & Regular 11/17/2025, Finance Committee 11/17/2025, Committee of the Whole 11/24/2025, Finance Committee 11/24/2025).
- Adopted ORD-0051-2025 (establishing utility rates and amending the Codified Ordinances) on second reading. All items passed unanimously on a motion by Renner, seconded by Weaver.
Resolutions
- RES-0056-2025: Authorized the Mayor to enter into a 2026 agreement with the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) of Gahanna to promote economic activity. Vice President Weaver asked clarifying questions about the red-lined agreement, and City Attorney Tamilarasan confirmed review and approval. The resolution was adopted unanimously on a motion by Renner, seconded by Padova.
Ordinances for Introduction / First Reading
- ORD-0049-2025 (FY2026 Budget): Read by title; will come for second reading and adoption on December 15, 2025.
- ORD-0053-2025: Authorizes issuance of up to $15,000,000 in economic development improvement and refunding revenue bonds for The Columbus Academy Project, and declares an emergency. Read by title; second reading scheduled for December 15.
Ordinances for Introduction, Waiver & Adoption
- ORD-0052-2025: Waived formal bidding requirements (per Gahanna Code §133.02(c)(6)) and authorized a contract with Tyevco Inc. for replacement of Big Walnut Trail bridge decking, also waiving second reading. The motion to waive second reading was approved unanimously. The ordinance was then adopted unanimously on a motion by Renner, seconded by Padova.
Correspondence & Actions
- A notice from Columbia Gas of Ohio (received November 24, 2025) regarding rates for the Infrastructure Replacement Program rider was noted. President Bowers encouraged residents to review the notice as rates would increase.
- The bimonthly City Council newsletter (September–October 2025) was included; residents can sign up at gahanna.gov.
Representatives' Reports
- Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) – Councilmember Padova: Reported that the CIC met November 18, 2025, at 8:00 AM. Minutes approved, financials reviewed. Director Gottke presented two governance items (2026 contract with city, RFP for 2026 Strategic Plan) and two technology topics (cloud storage agreement, professionalizing CIC emails). The board entered executive session at 8:36 AM, exited at 8:57 AM, and adjourned at 9:04 AM. Next CIC meeting: December 16, 2025, at 7:30 AM at the Senior Center, open to all Councilmembers.
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) – Vice President Weaver: MORPC will meet December 11, 2025. MORPC is seeking input on the Regional Cycling Guide (Central Ohio Greenways updating regional bikeways map). The public participation plan is open for comment until 5:00 PM the following Monday; comments to info@MORPC.org or in writing. An educational workshop on December 17, 2025, will discuss pros and cons of economic development tools (TIF, CRA, enterprise zones, JEDDs, new community authorities).
- Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) – Councilmember Padova: Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash will be December 6, 2025, at Academy Park (not Creekside); all slots are full. The Santa Hotline (614-478-1061) is available, sponsored by Visit Gahanna and Futurecom Technologies.
- School Board – Councilmember Jones: Upcoming meetings: Board Workshop December 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM (Clark Hall); Finance and Facilities Committee December 16; Regular Board December 18. The new high school ribbon-cutting and tours will be January 10, 2026 (doors open 9:30 AM, ceremony at 10:00 AM). Parking at Clark Hall with shuttle. Postcards have been sent to district residents. Student move-in will occur immediately after Christmas break 2025.
Official Reports
- Mayor Jadwin: Announced that the Gahanna Mountain Bike Trail at Academy Park won second place in the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Awards of Excellence (capital improvements under $500,000). Praised Director Ferrell and the four residents who conceived the trail. Reported a water main break at South Stygler Road and West Johnstown Road (repaired); the Public Service crew is pretreating roads for the forecast winter storm. Reminded residents to move vehicles off streets and clear snow/ice. The city will hold its second mental health resource event on December 8, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Gahanna Library, with over a dozen providers. Pumpkin composting continues at Lower McCorkle Park through December 9, 2025.
- City Attorney Tamilarasan: Updated on the Taglia trip-and-fall case at Academy Park – the court granted summary judgment to the city, and the plaintiff has appealed. On the Cincinnati taxpayer litigation, the Supreme Court dismissed the case as moot because the filing party did not request a stay of execution, allowing construction to begin; the city’s amicus brief supporting Cincinnati was aligned with the outcome.
Council Comment
- Councilmember McGregor: Promoted Victorian Christmas at the historical site on December 6, 2025, 12:00–3:00 PM, with Santa, crafts, wassail, and gingerbread cookies. Shared a trail camera observation of wildlife (possums, squirrels, birds, coyote, deer, raccoons) attracted to a pumpkin.
- Councilmember Padova: Thanked staff and Parks Department for the Holiday Lights Festival; noted a large crowd. Announced a Snowball event at Gahanna Library on December 5, 2025, 6:30–8:30 PM.
- President Bowers: Recognized December 1 as World AIDS Day; encouraged use of resources from Franklin County Public Health, Columbus Public Health, and Equitas. Took a moment of privilege to honor Cleveland City Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer on her final meeting. Congratulated Gahanna Lincoln High School girls’ cross country coach Ryan Callihan, named Columbus Dispatch Metro Coach of the Year. Closed with a George Bernard Shaw quote about purpose and service.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda (minutes and utility rate ordinance) approved unanimously.
- RES-0056-2025 (CIC agreement) adopted unanimously.
- ORD-0052-2025 (bridge decking contract with Tyevco Inc.) was approved after waiver of second reading, both votes unanimous.
- ORD-0049-2025 (FY2026 budget) and ORD-0053-2025 (Columbus Academy bonds) introduced for first reading; will return for second reading on December 15, 2025.
- No public comments were made during the hearing of visitors or the budget public hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to uh the city council meeting for the city of Gehana on December 1st, 2025. If you would please uh join me uh for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Trenton Weaver. Thank you. As we gather, let us come together with a spirit of communal warmth and shared purpose. Let us reflect on the quiet potential for the rest and growth this season brings and commit to acts of kindness that sustain us through the cold. May we find strength in our unity and work together to support one another, creating a bright and hopeful community for all. Thank you, Mr. Weaver. Mr. Van Meter, would you please call the roll? Bowers? Here. Jones? Here. McGregor. Here. Padova? Here. Renner? Here. Schnezer? Here. Weaver. Here. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. Are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda? All right. We'll move on to Section C hearing of Mr. Van Meter. Do we have any speaker slips this evening? None this evening. All right, thank you. Our next item on this evening's agenda is our public hearing on the uh proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Um pursuant to council rules. Um, we will open this hearing and the administration is welcome to make a brief presentation, although I believe that that will be deferred tonight given the extensive conversation that we've already had. Uh, and then public comment will be open for three minutes allowed per speaker. Uh speakers who wish to be heard on this topic must complete complete a speaker slip uh and come to the podium when called, stating their name and address for the record. Uh this evening uh this evening's topic, as mentioned, is ordinance 49-2025, an ordinance adopting appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the city of Gehana during the fiscal year 2026. With that, we'll open the public hearing. And hearing uh none who wish to be heard on this item, we will go ahead and close the public hearing. Moving on to section E, the consent agenda. We have one item on the consent agenda that requires a second reading. Mr. Van Meter, would you please read ordinance 51 into the record? Ordinance 0051-2025, an ordinance to establish utility rates and amend related provisions of part nine, title three, public utilities of the Gehenna Codified Ordinances. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as published?
openpublica.com