Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting Summary - May 13, 2026

The Gahanna City Council met in regular session on May 13, 2026, per the provided timestamp (16:15 UTC). The agenda, minutes, and raw transcript are dated Monday, May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.; that date conflict is noted rather than resolved. All seven councilmembers were present. The meeting included proclamations for Herb'n Restaurant Week and Jewish American Heritage Month, public testimony on arts funding, unanimous approval of the consent agenda, adoption of a Perinatal Mental Health Month resolution, and first readings of two ordinances.

Presentations

• Herb'n Restaurant Week proclamation. Councilmember Padova noted Gahanna's "Herb Capital" designation since 1972 and recognized the Sargent Family of SGT Coffee. Visit Gahanna Director Lori Kappes said Herb Day sold approximately 3,000 plants, leaving only 10 unsold, and featured 30 artisan vendors despite cool weather. The City adopted a joint resolution/proclamation recognizing May 2-8, 2026 as Herb'n Restaurant Week.

• Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation. Mayor Jadwin presented a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month, clarifying it was a heritage recognition, not a religious endorsement, and cited the national observance established by President Carter in 1980. Resident Jon Handler thanked the Mayor but criticized Councilmembers Bowers, Weaver, and Jones for declining to participate in the group photograph, calling their absence insulting. Dr. Jonathan Feibel, Board Chair of Jewish Columbus, said anti-Semitic incidents had increased by 42 percent in Central Ohio since October 7 and doubled nationally; he argued Jewish American Heritage Month is cultural and civic, not religious, and that other Central Ohio jurisdictions recognize it. President Weaver said Council has historically not issued faith-based resolutions and that there was disagreement over whether the recognition was cultural or religious.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Council Regular Minutes (2026-0085) and Committee of the Whole Minutes (2026-0086).
• Adopted RES-0013-2026, the Herb'n Restaurant Week joint resolution/proclamation.
• Adopted ORD-0013-2026 with Decker Construction Company for the 2026 Sidewalk Lookback Program.
• Adopted ORD-0014-2026 with Decker Construction Company for the 2026 Street and Sidewalk Maintenance Program.
• Adopted ORD-0015-2026 amending Codified Ordinance Section 133.02, purchasing procedures.
• Adopted ORD-0017-2026 repealing ORD-0045-2021, a tax increment financing ordinance.

The consent agenda passed by a 7-0 vote.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Linda Hall (168 Highmeadow Dr) described decades of arts volunteerism with the Gahanna Area Art League and encouraged Council to support a local arts council; she cited that 65% of the general population are visual learners and mentioned the 825 Tech Center Drive project as an opportunity.
• Sarah Pagliaro (116 Oklahoma Ave) praised the Gahanna Area Arts Council and Bright Blocks event, which she said helped grow her illustration business and created professional opportunities.
• Larry Levine (7881 Creek Hollow Rd, Blacklick) objected to Councilmembers' refusal to support the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation and asked why Council had recognized Hindu Heritage Month. Councilmember Bowers said that was incorrect, and President Weaver clarified that Council had never adopted a Hindu Heritage Month resolution; the Mayor had issued a proclamation, and a proposed item was pulled from an agenda before publication.

Discussion Items, Resolutions, and Ordinances

• RES-0014-2026 - Perinatal Mental Health Month. Councilmember Bowers said the recognition covered postpartum anxiety and depression affecting mothers and fathers; she planned to invite mental health professionals to the May 18, 2026 meeting. The resolution was adopted 7-0.
• First readings. ORD-0012-2026 would authorize a supplemental General Fund appropriation for contract services for cultural and artistic programming. ORD-0018-2026 would amend Part Eleven (Zoning) of the City Code to update provisions, reinstate omitted standards, and implement adopted plans. No action was taken.
• Liquor permit notice. Clerk VanMeter reported a new Ohio Division of Liquor Control permit application for Soul 2 Go Express LLC, 134 N Hamilton Road; police had no objection, and Council raised none.

Official Reports and Council Comment

• Mayor Jadwin announced "Gohanna," a free ADA-accessible shuttle for residents 65 and older, residents with disabilities, and caregivers, launching June 1, 2026, with funding assistance from MORPC and the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 program. She also reported receiving a Bridge to Kindness award, noted the second Mental Health and Wellness Fair, and reminded residents of the Saturday shred and e-recycling event.
• Councilmember Renner thanked the Mayor for the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation and tied it to Resolution 0060-2025 on human dignity; he also discussed rising electric rates on his Facebook page and asked whether the shuttle vehicles were electric. Mayor Jadwin said the selected vendor's vehicles were not electric, but the city added two electric vehicles to its fleet.
• Councilmember McGregor shared a story about Haym Salomon, a Jewish immigrant who raised approximately $650,000 to finance the Continental Army and was never repaid.
• Councilmember Padova encouraged mothers to connect with the Gahanna Moms Network, a group of about 60 mothers, and promoted the May 10 Mother's Day Market.
• Vice President Jones said the absence of a Council resolution did not change her commitment to dignity and belonging, and that her concerns involved how expressions of support for one group might affect others.
• Councilmember Bowers defended her position on separation of church and state, saying she had declined requests rooted in religious identity, including Hindu Heritage and Christian Family Month recognitions, and that some Jewish residents had told her the issue was inherently religious.
• President Weaver said he could not separate faith from culture, cited legal and precedent concerns, and reiterated that the human dignity resolution was the appropriate framework.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved unanimously (7-0).
• RES-0014-2026 adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Two ordinances introduced for first reading; no vote taken.
• No objection to the Soul 2 Go Express liquor permit.
• The Mayor's Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation was presented; Council did not pass its own joint resolution.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. (per minutes/transcript).