OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting - December 18, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Thursday, December 18, 2025
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateThursday, December 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

You all so much for joining us this evening.

0:01

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

0:08

Join me and stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Trenton Weaver.

0:14

Thank you.

0:15

As we conclude this year, we reflect on all that has come to pass.

0:19

And we express gratitude for the hard work and diverse perspectives of all those who contributed to our shared progress and the strength of our community.

0:27

As we move forward, may we continue to use reason and compassion to guide our decisions, working together toward a bright future of peace, prosperity, and the common good for all our residents.

0:42

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

0:47

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:50

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:00

Thank you.

1:01

Mr.

1:01

Van Meter, would you please call the roll?

1:04

Here.

1:04

Jones.

1:05

Here.

1:05

McGregor.

1:06

Here.

1:07

Hadova.

1:08

Here.

1:08

Renner.

1:09

Here.

1:09

Schnetzer.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Weaver.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Thank you, Mr.

1:12

Van Mader.

1:14

This evening we have two uh corrections to the agenda.

1:17

One is an addition under Section I will include ordinance 61-2025, an ordinance regarding the uh United Steel Paper and Forestry, rubber manufacturing energy uh basically USW collective bargaining unit contract.

1:35

Um we will also uh not need to have an executive session, which is uh listed under section R of this evening's agenda.

1:43

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

1:47

All right, hearing none, we'll move on to Section C presentations.

1:50

Uh Mayor Jadwin for the swearing in ceremony uh to recognize Garrett Whitney.

1:56

Thank you very much, uh Council President.

1:58

Uh we have had the pleasure of being able to uh administer uh the oath of office to several Gehana police officers throughout this year, uh and it is wonderful at our last council meeting of the year to have yet another opportunity to do so.

2:11

Uh this evening we are welcoming to our Gehana family, uh Officer Garrett Whitney, who is a lateral transfer.

2:18

Uh and I'm going to turn it over.

2:20

Director Becker, would you want to say a few words first before we administer the oath?

2:25

Thank you, Mayor.

2:26

Um we've been working really hard as I keep mentioning to get up full fully staffed with great people.

2:32

And Officer Whitney's coming to us with a bunch of experience.

2:35

He's coming down from Mansfield.

2:37

If you're keeping track, that's two from Mansfield.

2:40

I'm worried I'm probably not gonna go skiing up at Snow Trails.

2:44

They may have something out for me.

2:45

But um he brings a wealth of experience.

2:49

He's already going to be bringing uh thank you access to our new uh CAD and RMS system.

2:57

He's trained in that, so he might move right in uh once he finishes his training, helping train our existing officers.

3:04

So we're excited to have him here.

3:06

And with that, I'll turn over to the chief.

3:12

Uh just uh we have made a lot of progress over the last uh couple of weeks.

3:16

We have additional offers out, uh including some recruit officers that'll come follow on after the uh after the first of the year, and then hopefully we get through a few promotional processes here in the next couple weeks, and uh we'll be doing those as well.

3:30

So uh again, thank you for all the support, and we welcome uh Garrett aboard if you want to come over by me.

3:40

Face the mayor.

3:45

I state your name.

3:46

I hear Whitney.

3:47

Do you solemnly swearly swear?

3:50

That I will support and defend and defend the constitution and laws.

3:54

Constitution and laws of the United States of America.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████████████23%
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Safety████████████12%
Immigration Enforcement████████████12%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Youth Programs██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Racial Equity████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting - December 18, 2025

Note: The agenda, minutes, and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on December 15, 2025, but the user-specified date of December 18, 2025, is used per instruction. This discrepancy is noted.

The Gahanna City Council met on the evening of December 18, 2025 (as instructed), from 7:04 PM to 8:37 PM. The meeting featured ceremonial presentations, a public hearing on economic development bonds, adoption of the 2026 budget, and a deeply debated resolution affirming human dignity and belonging. A total of seven council members were present.

Consent Calendar

  • Routine Approvals: Unanimously approved (7-0) included minutes from prior meetings (Council Special 12.1.2025, Council Regular 12.1.2025, Finance Committee 12.1.2025, Committee of the Whole 12.8.2025, Finance Committee 12.8.2025); Resolutions adopting the Parks and Recreation 2026 Pricing Policy (RES-0057-2025), the City Cybersecurity Program (RES-0058-2025), a 2026 public health services contract with Franklin County Public Health (RES-0059-2025), and a joint resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Pinnell Christmas Extravaganza (RES-0061-2025).
  • Motion: A motion (MT-0015-2025) to set January 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM for the organizational and regular meeting passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing (ORD-0053-2025): Bond counsel Ally Kimbler (Dinsmore & Shohl) spoke, explaining that the city acts solely as a conduit issuer for up to $15 million in Economic Development Improvement and Refunding Revenue Bonds (Columbus Academy Project). She confirmed the bonds are not a city debt obligation. No other speakers; the hearing closed at 7:42 PM.
  • Hearing of Visitors (Video and In-Person): Several residents addressed Council, all expressing strong support for Joint Resolution 0060-2025 affirming human dignity and belonging:
    • Ifrah Aliawl (St. Paul, MN, via video): Shared experiences of Somali and East African families facing heightened fear and vigilance due to hateful rhetoric; urged condemnation of such rhetoric as a public safety issue.
    • Laura Abbas (Gahanna resident, via video): Co-founder of Central Ohio Rapid Response Network (40 member organizations, 50+ meetings, 80+ attorney referrals, 10 Know Your Rights sessions, 139+ interventions). Expressed strong support for the resolution, noting this is the hardest time to be foreign-born and Black/Brown in her 20 years of nonprofit work. Asked Council not to forget vulnerable populations who commute to Gahanna for work.
    • Dr. Abdulkadir Bare (Columbus, OH, in chambers): Stated immigrants are hard workers, doctors, lawyers, and neighbors; urged unity and asked silent supporters to stand with immigrant communities for the sake of children and the country.
    • Kawther Musa (Galloway, OH, in chambers): Somali American community health leader; shared that recent presidential remarks deeply hurt the community; reported calls from scared community members and noted recent ICE detentions of U.S. citizens; called for unity and protection of rights.
    • Abdi Diini (Columbus, OH, in chambers): Chose unity over division; committed to treating every neighbor with respect, care, and dignity; thanked Gahanna and Columbus leadership for not allowing hate or bigotry to define the city.

Discussion Items

  • RES-0060-2025 – Human Dignity and Belonging Resolution: Councilmembers debated the resolution at length.
    • Councilmember McGregor: Opposed, stating the resolution does not differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants, and that entering the country illegally is a criminal offense. She supported legal immigrants and refugees, citing her family's history of hosting refugee families in the 1970s.
    • Councilmember Renner: Spoke in favor, emphasizing that the resolution is not partisan but affirms the city's choice to reject dehumanizing speech and stand with those experiencing racism, xenophobia, or targeted harm. He referenced his personal reflection at Blendon Woods and the importance of presence and dignity.
    • Council President Bowers: Thanked speakers and Councilmembers Jones, Renner, and Mayor Jadwin for their work on the resolution.
  • ORD-0049-2025 – 2026 Budget Adoption: Council adopted the appropriations for fiscal year 2026 with a substitute Exhibit A (amended). Vice President Weaver thanked the administration and Council for a healthy budget process, noting meaningful investments and additional work ahead. Councilmember Padova thanked staff for late-night budget meetings and noted the budget clearly reflected city values.
  • ORD-0053-2025 – Columbus Academy Revenue Bonds (Second Reading/Emergency Adoption): Adopted with emergency. Bond counsel attended; Council President Bowers thanked them for succinct explanations.
  • ORD-0055, 0056, 0060, 0061 – First Readings: Introduced for street rebuild/waterline contracts (Elite Excavating and Shelly & Sands), property transfer (multiple parcels near Mill/High St), and a USW collective bargaining unit contract (emergency designation). The USW contract was approved by union members earlier that day.
  • ORD-0057-2025 – Supplemental Appropriations (FY2025): Adopted after waiver of second reading.
  • ORD-0058 and ORD-0059 – 2026 Salaries and Benefits: Both adopted with emergency after waiving second reading.
  • Correspondence and Actions:
    • Liquor control notice for CM Chicken at 109 N. Hamilton Road – no objections from police.
    • Water & Sewer Review Board annual report (2025) received.
    • Letter to PUCO regarding net metering policies submitted by President Bowers and Councilmember Renner (individual capacities), supporting no changes to net metering.
  • Representative Reports:
    • CIC: Joint meeting December 16 at 7:30 AM.
    • MORPC (Councilmember Weaver): Commission met December 11; next meeting February 12, 2026. Mayor Jadwin named Chair of Regional Sustainability Roundtable; Joe Lombardi (SWACO) Vice Chair. Noted 268 homes received free weatherization improvements via MORPC programs.
    • School Board (Councilmember Jones): Congratulated cross country team; reminded of upcoming board meetings (Dec 16 and Dec 18). Noted Dec 19 as final day in old high school building; provided context on school closure decision process (early conference calls, National Weather Service guidance).
  • Mayor's Report: Recognized public service team for waterline repair and snow removal; USW contract ratification (less than one hour vote); Mental Health Matters event (50-70 attendees, 12+ vendors); Gahanna Gift Shop served 350 families with over 3,300 gifts (40% increase); Jason and Colleen Ruark's Santa visits; Katie McBroom/Starbucks donations. Encouraged use of 988 crisis line. City Hall closed Dec 24, 25, and Jan 1.
  • Council Comment: Councilmembers made final remarks of the year, expressing gratitude, reflecting on accomplishments, and emphasizing community, diversity, and the human dignity resolution. Councilmember Jones noted an invited immigrant did not attend out of fear, but their voice matters. Councilmember Padova concluded her first term. Councilmember Renner completed 13 years. Council President Bowers highlighted iterative progress and the 234th anniversary of the Bill of Rights.

Key Outcomes

  • RES-0060-2025 (Human Dignity) adopted 6-1 (McGregor dissenting).
  • 2026 Budget (ORD-0049-2025) adopted as amended (7-0).
  • Columbus Academy Bonds (ORD-0053-2025) adopted with emergency (7-0).
  • Supplemental Appropriations (ORD-0057-2025) adopted (7-0).
  • 2026 Salaries (ORD-0058-2025) adopted with emergency (7-0).
  • 2026 Benefits (ORD-0059-2025) adopted with emergency (7-0).
  • Motion to set January 2, 2026 meeting at 4:00 PM approved (7-0).
  • Consent Agenda approved (7-0).
  • Pinnell Christmas Extravaganza and Girls Cross Country State Champions recognized via resolutions.
  • Officer Garrett Whitney sworn in.
  • No executive session held.
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Meeting Transcript

You all so much for joining us this evening. We'll call to order this meeting of the Gehana City Council on Monday, December 15th, 2025. Join me and stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Trenton Weaver. Thank you. As we conclude this year, we reflect on all that has come to pass. And we express gratitude for the hard work and diverse perspectives of all those who contributed to our shared progress and the strength of our community. As we move forward, may we continue to use reason and compassion to guide our decisions, working together toward a bright future of peace, prosperity, and the common good for all our residents. 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. Van Meter, would you please call the roll? Here. Jones. Here. McGregor. Here. Hadova. Here. Renner. Here. Schnetzer. Here. Weaver. Here. Thank you, Mr. Van Mader. This evening we have two uh corrections to the agenda. One is an addition under Section I will include ordinance 61-2025, an ordinance regarding the uh United Steel Paper and Forestry, rubber manufacturing energy uh basically USW collective bargaining unit contract. Um we will also uh not need to have an executive session, which is uh listed under section R of this evening's agenda. Are there any other corrections or additions to this evening's agenda? All right, hearing none, we'll move on to Section C presentations. Uh Mayor Jadwin for the swearing in ceremony uh to recognize Garrett Whitney. Thank you very much, uh Council President. Uh we have had the pleasure of being able to uh administer uh the oath of office to several Gehana police officers throughout this year, uh and it is wonderful at our last council meeting of the year to have yet another opportunity to do so. Uh this evening we are welcoming to our Gehana family, uh Officer Garrett Whitney, who is a lateral transfer. Uh and I'm going to turn it over. Director Becker, would you want to say a few words first before we administer the oath? Thank you, Mayor. Um we've been working really hard as I keep mentioning to get up full fully staffed with great people. And Officer Whitney's coming to us with a bunch of experience. He's coming down from Mansfield. If you're keeping track, that's two from Mansfield. I'm worried I'm probably not gonna go skiing up at Snow Trails. They may have something out for me. But um he brings a wealth of experience. He's already going to be bringing uh thank you access to our new uh CAD and RMS system. He's trained in that, so he might move right in uh once he finishes his training, helping train our existing officers. So we're excited to have him here.

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