OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, February 11, 2026
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, everyone.

0:02

Today is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026.

0:06

I've got 701, so I'd like to go ahead and call this meeting of Gehana City Council to order.

0:11

We will start first with the invocation and the pledge of allegiance led by Council Vice President Jones.

0:22

We come together today, bringing with us our shared humanity, our care for one another, and our commitment to community.

0:29

As we mark Martin Luther King Jr.

0:31

Day, we remember Dr.

0:32

Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke often about the power of love, conscience, and our rebound our responsibility to one another.

0:40

He reminded us that life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?

0:45

As we begin today, may we be guided by empathy, curiosity, and respect.

0:50

May we listen with openness, speak with care, and remain mindful that each person we serve carries their own stories, hopes, and challenge.

0:58

Let this moment ground us in our shared purpose, not as individuals, but as neighbors, connected to one another and accountable for the well-being of our community.

1:06

May we move forward with clarity, compassion, and a spirit of goodwill.

1:13

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands.

1:21

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

1:29

Thank you, Vice President Jones.

1:32

Mr.

1:32

Clerk, would you please call the role?

1:34

Bowers.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Jones.

1:36

Here.

1:36

McGregor.

1:37

Here.

1:37

Padova.

1:38

Here.

1:39

Weaver.

1:40

Here.

1:40

Renner and Schnitzer absent.

1:42

Thank you, Mr.

1:43

Clerk.

1:44

First of all, good evening, everyone.

1:45

I know we have a packed house.

1:47

There are lots of uh exciting things here on the agenda at the first.

1:50

I I think this might be the first I've seen full regalia here, though, uh in period costume.

1:55

So thank you for being here as well.

1:57

Um see if there's any additions or corrections to the agenda this evening.

2:04

All right, seeing none, we'll get started with some presentations.

2:07

And I do want to recognize we have uh two of our colleagues who are missing this evening.

2:11

They do send their regards and uh uh wish they could be here this evening.

2:15

So uh we'll get started with our presentations, and I'll turn first to Mayor Jadwin.

2:19

Thank you very much, uh Mr.

2:20

President.

2:20

Uh and it is indeed a special evening when you look out, and there is a full house uh and all of our officer contingents uh along lining the walls.

2:29

So we uh we will begin tonight's meeting with very special presentation.

2:33

Uh we have the swearing in of a new officer and the swearing in of two newly promoted uh lieutenants.

2:39

Uh so we have Officer Grant Holloway uh and then Lieutenant Reuben Hendon and Lieutenant Justin Shesby.

2:45

Uh Chief, before we proceed with the administrations of the oath, uh would you like to say a few words while I join you down front uh just uh uh quickly, we're uh as we've uh continued to work on filling our ranks.

3:00

Um Grant Holloway is joining us uh from the Circleville Police Department and uh part of our lateral entry program.

3:09

He's uh he's gonna join us with uh over the next couple of weeks uh and then months in field training.

3:15

So uh we're welcoming him on board.

3:18

Uh then we're gonna do some uh promotions, which uh at the rank of lieutenant are very rare uh for the organization for one, uh but two uh lieutenants.

3:29

Uh we had a uh very extensive uh promotional process uh that just completed with uh uh Lieutenant Ruben Hendon taking over field services and Lieutenant Justin Chesby taking over support services.

3:44

Uh that was a that was a group effort through the promotional process.

3:48

Uh certainly I I want to extend our thanks to uh the internal team of uh Miranda Ben, uh Tiffany on on the HR side, uh Dr.

3:57

Deagle from from uh Gehanna Jefferson who participated in the uh uh oral board process, uh fraternal order police represented by uh uh Pete Casuccio, Upper Arlington PD, and uh Columbus also assisted us with that uh process.

4:14

So uh hats off to them for uh helping us uh select the best of the best uh to fill those very uh valuable positions.

4:23

So with that, we're gonna call up uh Grant for his oath of office.

4:28

And his uh wife Olivia is gonna be doing the badge pinning.

4:32

So come on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████27%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Government Structure██████████████████18%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Healthcare Management████4%
Pending Litigation████4%
Personnel Matters████4%
Education███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Gahanna City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:01 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. President Trenton I. Weaver presided. The meeting featured a police swearing-in ceremony, an award presentation, a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, approval of a consent agenda, adoption of an ordinance related to a healthcare consortium assessment, and an executive session. Council members Stephen A. Renner and Michael Schnetzer were absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 PM.

Presentations

  • Swearing-in Ceremony: Mayor Jadwin administered oaths to Officer Grant Hollaway (lateral entry from Circleville Police Department), Lieutenant Reuben Hendon (promoted to field services), and Lieutenant Justin Sheasby (promoted to support services). Chief Spence noted the rarity of two lieutenant promotions simultaneously and thanked partners for the selection process.
  • Awards Presentation: Deputy Chief Moffitt introduced the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Hocking Valley Chapter, which presented the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal to Sergeant Ernest Choung. SAR President Stephen Conrad and Bob Hill read the citation highlighting Sergeant Choung’s leadership, re-engineering of the field training program, creation of the drone UAS unit, and technology initiatives. Former reserve officer Donald Miller presented the award.
  • Joint Resolution and Proclamation: Councilmember Bowers presented a resolution recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the National Day of Service (2026 theme: “Mission Possible Too: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way”). Retired Judge James E. Green was honored for more than 40 years of public service, including 31 years on the Franklin County Municipal Court. Judge Green spoke about his “retooling” plans: life coaching, garage/closet makeovers, and serving as a visiting judge. He expressed love for Gahanna and praised the Division of Police.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of January 2, 2026 (Organizational and Regular) and January 12, 2026 (Committee of the Whole) were approved.
  • Five motions were authorized for bidding: 2026 Street Tree Planting Program (MT-0001-2026), 2026 Street Tree Pruning Program (MT-0002-2026), Academy Park Renovation Project (MT-0003-2026), 2026 Street & Sidewalk Program (MT-0004-2026), and 2026 Sidewalk Lookback Program (MT-0005-2026).
  • Resolution RES-0001-2026 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation and recognition of Judge Green) was adopted.
  • The consent agenda passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • None.

Discussion Items

  • Central Ohio Healthcare Consortium Assessment (ORD-0003-2026): Senior Director of Administrative Services Miranda Vollmer reported that the City withdrew from the consortium in September 2025. In November, the consortium board approved a $1.4 million assessment to current members; Gahanna’s share is $207,939. The City requested additional information and did not pay by the original due date. A new deadline of January 23, 2026 prompted a request for waiver of second reading to avoid penalties. Staff recommended paying the assessment. City Attorney Tamilarasan reviewed the correspondence and supported the ordinance. Councilmember Bowers asked whether contesting was more appropriate; the City Attorney affirmed the ordinance was appropriate. The ordinance was adopted 5-0 with a waiver of second reading.
  • Net Metering Update (PUCO Case): Councilmember Bowers reported on behalf of absent Councilmember Renner that AEP requested PUCO to end net metering for rooftop solar. PUCO adopted staff recommendations making no changes to Ohio’s net metering rules. Council expressed support for the decision.
  • Franklin County Auditor’s Office: President Weaver shared information about mobile filing events for property value challenges through the Board of Revision and reminded residents to contact the Auditor’s Office. He disclosed his employment at the Auditor’s Office but not with the Board of Revision.
  • MOrpc Report (President Weaver): The commission will meet Febrary 12, 2026. Highlights include winter safety awareness and upcoming events: State of the Region (March20) and Data Day (Febrary10).
  • CIC Report (Councilmember Padova): Next meeting scheduled for Jnuary21,2026 at 8:00 a.m.
  • CVB Report: Creekside Charity Chocolate Walk on Febrary15, 2026 (1-5 p.m.) benefits Give to Gahanna; tickets limited. CVB contributing to Ohio Local History Alliance meeting on March21. Save dates: Herb Day (May2), Herb'n Restaurant Week (May2-8), Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival (June19-21).
  • School Board Report (Vice President Jones): Regular board meeting Janury22 at 6:30 p.m. at Clark Hall. Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Deagle on Janury21 at 1:30 p.m. at Dunkin' Donuts (1111 North Hamilton Road).
  • Mayor’s Report: Mayor Jadwin congratulated the Division of Police, noted the Chamber’s annual meeting (140+ attendees), the new high school grand opening, and upcoming performances of “12 Angry Men” in Council Chambers on Janury29-31.
  • City Attorney Report: The tobacco preemption litigation continues before the Ohio Supreme Court; appellant brief filed Janury20 with a 20-day extension; City will file as appellee.
  • Council Comment: Ms. McGregor noted Sergeant Choung started in IT. Ms. Bowers highlighted an OPERS bulletin: minimum earnable salary increased to $770.77/month beginning 2026, rising5% annually through2029. Vice President Jones reminded about warming centers and checking on neighbors. President Weaver thanked the Sons of the American Revolution and noted his wife’s DAR membership.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Approved: All items passed 5-0.
  • ORD-0003-2026 Adopted: Authorized a supplemental appropriation of $207,939 for the Central Ohio Healthcare Consortium assessment; second reading waived; passed5-0.
  • Executive Session: Council entered executive session at 8:06 p.m. under Rules5.40(c) (pending court action) and5.40(a) (appointment of public employee or official). Rose to report at 9:06 p.m. with no further action.
  • Ordinance for First Reading: ORD-0002-2026 (Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations for tax year2024) was introduced; no action taken.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. I've got 701, so I'd like to go ahead and call this meeting of Gehana City Council to order. We will start first with the invocation and the pledge of allegiance led by Council Vice President Jones. We come together today, bringing with us our shared humanity, our care for one another, and our commitment to community. As we mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke often about the power of love, conscience, and our rebound our responsibility to one another. He reminded us that life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others? As we begin today, may we be guided by empathy, curiosity, and respect. May we listen with openness, speak with care, and remain mindful that each person we serve carries their own stories, hopes, and challenge. Let this moment ground us in our shared purpose, not as individuals, but as neighbors, connected to one another and accountable for the well-being of our community. May we move forward with clarity, compassion, and a spirit of goodwill. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Vice President Jones. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the role? Bowers. Here. Jones. Here. McGregor. Here. Padova. Here. Weaver. Here. Renner and Schnitzer absent. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. First of all, good evening, everyone. I know we have a packed house. There are lots of uh exciting things here on the agenda at the first. I I think this might be the first I've seen full regalia here, though, uh in period costume. So thank you for being here as well. Um see if there's any additions or corrections to the agenda this evening. All right, seeing none, we'll get started with some presentations. And I do want to recognize we have uh two of our colleagues who are missing this evening. They do send their regards and uh uh wish they could be here this evening. So uh we'll get started with our presentations, and I'll turn first to Mayor Jadwin. Thank you very much, uh Mr. President. Uh and it is indeed a special evening when you look out, and there is a full house uh and all of our officer contingents uh along lining the walls. So we uh we will begin tonight's meeting with very special presentation. Uh we have the swearing in of a new officer and the swearing in of two newly promoted uh lieutenants. Uh so we have Officer Grant Holloway uh and then Lieutenant Reuben Hendon and Lieutenant Justin Shesby. Uh Chief, before we proceed with the administrations of the oath, uh would you like to say a few words while I join you down front uh just uh uh quickly, we're uh as we've uh continued to work on filling our ranks. Um Grant Holloway is joining us uh from the Circleville Police Department and uh part of our lateral entry program. He's uh he's gonna join us with uh over the next couple of weeks uh and then months in field training.

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