Gahanna City Council Organizational and Regular Meeting - February 11, 2026
Gahanna City Council Organizational and Regular Meeting - February 11, 2026
The Gahanna City Council held an organizational meeting followed immediately by a regular meeting on February 11, 2026, beginning at 4:01 PM. The organizational meeting included the administration of oaths of office to four councilmembers, election of officers, and appointments to boards and committees. The regular meeting addressed public comments, approval of consent agenda, adoption of several ordinances, and reports from city officials.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved the minutes from the December 15, 2025 regular meeting (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Thomas Cartwright (1016 Ridge Crest Drive, Gahanna) asked four questions regarding immigration enforcement: whether the Gahanna Police Department had signed any 287(g) agreements with ICE, whether such agreements had been discussed or considered, what the City's position is on cooperating with ICE based solely on immigration status, and whether the City would issue a formal statement. Mayor Jadwin responded that it is not typical practice to discuss such matters during the meeting and offered to speak with him afterward.
- Sharon Montgomery (572 Bonington Way, Gahanna) expressed gratitude to the City for several matters: the willingness of ward councilmembers to serve another term, the work of Councilmembers Jones and Renner on a human dignity resolution, the detailed meeting minutes provided by Clerk VanMeter, City Attorney Tamilarasan's efforts to strengthen distracted driving penalties (noting Westerville, Grove City, and Reynoldsburg later followed), and congratulated the Gahanna Police Department on earning unconditional advanced CALEA accreditation (meeting all 461 standards unanimously).
Discussion Items
- Administration of Oath of Office: Four councilmembers were sworn in – Stephen A. Renner (Ward 1) by Notary Jeremy VanMeter, Michael Schnetzer (Ward 2) by Mayor Jadwin, Kaylee Padova (Ward 3) by Councilmember Bowers, and Trenton I. Weaver (Ward 4) by State Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio.
- Election of Council Officers: Trenton Weaver was nominated and unanimously elected Council President (7-0). Jamille Jones was nominated and unanimously elected Vice President (7-0).
- Council Committee Assignments: President Weaver appointed councilmembers to various committees, including Finance Committee (Renner), Community Improvement Corporation Board (Renner, Padova), MORPC (Weaver), CVB (Padova), Capital Improvement Plan Advisory Committee (Schnetzer, with Renner and Weaver ex-officio), School Board Liaison (Jones), Incentive Advisory Board (Bowers, Schnetzer), Volunteer Peace Officers' Dependents Fund Board (Renner, McGregor), and an ad hoc Rules Study Committee (Bowers, McGregor, Padova).
- Council Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Unanimously approved reappointments of nine individuals (e.g., Brian Wright to Civil Service Commission, Mark DiGiando to Landscape Board, etc.) and appointments of eight individuals (e.g., Paul Benson to BZBA, Charles Holden to CRA Housing Council, etc.) (7-0 for each slate).
- Mayoral Appointments (Informational): Mayor Jadwin announced appointments to several boards (e.g., Lorne Eisen to BZBA, Chris Schuett to Landscape Board, etc.) but deferred announcement of three Charter Review Commission seats to the next meeting due to recently discovered conflicts.
- 2026 Legislative Calendar and Board Organizational Meetings: Unanimously adopted the proposed legislative calendar for regular council and committee meetings (7-0) and established board/commission organizational meetings for 2026 (7-0).
- Ordinance 0055-2025 (Street Rebuild and Waterline Program): Adopted as amended by substitute Exhibit A, authorizing a contract with Elite Excavating Company of Ohio for the 2025 street rebuild and waterline program (7-0).
- Ordinance 0056-2025 (Taylor Road Water Main Replacement): Adopted as amended by substitute Exhibit A, authorizing a contract with Shelly & Sands for the Taylor Road water main replacement (7-0). Councilmember Bowers noted the work will be disruptive in the southern part of the community but expressed hope for good communication.
- Ordinance 0060-2025 (Real Property Acceptance and Transfer): Adopted as amended, authorizing acceptance and transfer of multiple parcels on High Street and Mill Street (7-0).
- Ordinance 0061-2025 (USW Collective Bargaining Unit Contract): Adopted as an emergency, authorizing a three-year contract (Jan 2, 2026 – Jan 1, 2029) with the USW union (7-0). Senior Director Vollmer confirmed the contract aligns with budget discussions.
- Ordinance 0001-2026 (AEP Easement for Municipal Complex): Introduced, waived second reading, and adopted as an emergency, granting a perpetual easement to Ohio Power Company for electric service at 825 Tech Center Drive (7-0). Senior Director Schultz explained the emergency was needed to avoid delays in the municipal complex construction schedule.
- Correspondence and Actions: Clerk VanMeter noted receipt of the Toney Annexation case (4736 and 4722 Johnstown Road) on Dec 12, 2025; the earliest Council can consider it is Feb 9, 2026. Councilmember Bowers reported receipt of a quarterly update newsletter from the Gahanna YMCA.
- Representative Reports: CIC (Councilmember Padova) reported the last meeting on Dec 16, 2025, including a 2025 operations report, 2026 look-ahead, and a vote to move forward with Montrose Group for a strategic plan; CIC meetings will now be on the third Wednesday at 8:00 AM. MORPC (President Weaver) gave no formal report. School Board (Vice President Jones) noted the Jan 8 organizational meeting and the Jan 10 community tour of the new high school.
- Mayor's Report: Mayor Jadwin highlighted the grand opening of the new Gahanna Lincoln High School, the upcoming civic center (which will house police headquarters and a senior center with 116% more programmable space), continued redevelopment of the Creekside District, and investments in infrastructure, parks, and public safety. She reaffirmed the City's commitment to human dignity and kindness following recent events.
- City Attorney's Annual Report: City Attorney Tamilarasan reported that the City resolved four multi-year litigations in its favor, has three pending litigations, one new BZBA case opened in November, and one unresolved Bureau of Workers' Compensation claim. She stated litigation is well in hand and favorable.
- Council Comments: Councilmembers Renner, Padova, Schnetzer, Bowers, Jones, and Weaver offered reflections on the swearing-in, gratitude to families, focus on collaboration, and acknowledgments of community losses (Mike Meeks and a tragedy affecting a Gahanna family, with resources available via the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 and GPD). President Weaver adjourned the meeting at 5:00 PM and reminded that the next Committee of the Whole meeting is Jan 12, 2026, and the regular meeting is Jan 20 (due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day).
Key Outcomes
- Elections: Trenton Weaver elected Council President, Jamille Jones elected Vice President (both 7-0).
- All committee assignments and board appointments approved unanimously (7-0).
- Three ordinances (0055, 0056, 0060) adopted as amended; USW contract (0061) and AEP easement (0001) adopted as emergencies; all votes 7-0.
- Consent agenda approved (7-0).
- Legislative calendar and board organizational meeting dates adopted (7-0).
- City Attorney's report noted 4 resolved litigations, 3 pending, and 1 new BZBA case; one workers' comp claim outstanding.
- Next meetings: Committee of the Whole on Jan 12, 2026; Regular Council on Jan 20, 2026.
(Note: The source agenda and minutes indicate the meeting originally occurred on January 2, 2026, but the user-provided date of February 11, 2026 is used here per instruction.)
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Laurie Jadwin. I have the pleasure of serving as the mayor of the City of Gehana. Uh and it is my pleasure to welcome all of you this afternoon to the organizational meeting for the City of Gehana and Geahna City Council. I'm honored to begin this year along with colleagues, uh many of whom are sitting in the audience because they're about to have the administration of oath of office, uh, but working with colleagues uh who are dedicated to the progress of our city uh and to the well-being of our community. Before we undertake official actions, we will begin this meeting uh with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the administration of oath of office to several of our council members. So first, I would uh invite you to rise and please join Councilmember Nancy McGregor for the invocation. This will be followed by the presentation of the colors by the Hannah Division of Police Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy Chief Ethan Moffat. Father God, you are a mighty almighty and ever present. We ask your blessings on our city, our re our residents, and our employees. We especially pray safety for the men and women in uniform who work to protect us by enforcing the laws of our city, our state, and our nation. We ask your wisdom as we perform our duties this coming year. In your name, amen. Amen. Deputy Chief, if you would lead us in the pledge. 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. Uh and first we will have the swearing in of Councilmember Stephen Renner, who represents Ward One. The administration of oath will be given by uh Jeremy Van Mieter, our notary public and dep and clerk of council. Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I speak your name. Right hand. I speak your name. I, Stephen Renner. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support and defend. That I will support and defend. The Constitution and Laws. The Constitution and Laws. The United States of America. Of the United States of America. The Constitution and Statutes. The Constitution and Statutes. Of the State of Ohio. Of the State of Ohio. And the Charter and Ordinances. And the Charter and Ordinances. Of the City of Gehana. Of the City of Gehana. And that I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially. And that I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially. Discharge the duties. Discharge the duties. As a city council member. City Council member. For the City of Geahana. For the City of Gehana. To which I have been elected. To which I have been elected.
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