Gahanna Charter Review Commission Meeting Summary - May 13, 2026

The Gahanna Charter Review Commission convened on Thursday, May 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM and adjourned at 9:12 PM. (Note: The agenda and minutes indicate the meeting was held on May 7, 2026; however, the provided date for this summary is May 13, 2026.) The commission continued its review of draft charter amendment proposals, amended its prioritization process, deliberated on numerous ballot measures, and set a scoring deadline.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes of the April 23, 2026 meeting (motion carried 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• None.

Discussion Items

Process Architecture Amendment

• The commission voted 7-0 to amend the adopted prioritization architecture to apply the prioritization matrix to all remaining draft ballot measures. (Motion by Belisle, seconded by Wester.) Chair Barnhardt explained the matrix would inform, not dictate, decision-making.

Threshold Review: Striking of Proposals

• CRC 027 (Council-Manager Form of Government): Motion to strike by Belisle, seconded by Mularski. Passed 4-3 (Yes: Hill, Maxwell, Mularski, Wester; No: Barnhardt, Belisle, Reynolds). Vice Chair Wester argued the proposal lacked clear justification for Gahanna; Commissioner Reynolds wanted more discussion; Chair Barnhardt noted the issue is intertwined with city attorney appointment. The commission struck the proposal.
• CRC 004 (Strategic Plan): Motion to strike by Belisle, seconded by Reynolds. Failed 2-5. Belisle argued the proposal may not be within the commission's purview and could be overly restrictive; others preferred to continue discussion. The commission retained the proposal.
• CRC 025 (Ward Composition): Motion to strike by Wester, seconded by Maxwell. Failed 3-4 (Yes: Maxwell, Mularski, Wester; No: Barnhardt, Belisle, Hill, Reynolds). Wester cited insufficient information; Reynolds and Belisle wanted further review and community input. The commission retained the proposal for prioritization.

Deliberation on Draft Ballot Measures

The commission discussed each remaining draft ballot measure (excluding the struck CRC 027). Key positions included:

• Draft Measure 1 (Nonpartisan Primary): Supported by Commissioner Mularski (proponent) and Chair Barnhardt as a cost-saving measure aligning with Ohio Revised Code. Vice Chair Wester confirmed it would apply only when fewer than three candidates file.
• Draft Measure 2 (Strategic Plan): Mixed views. Commissioner Belisle suggested conditional language ("should a strategic plan exist"); Vice Chair Wester supported a compromise approach; Commissioner Reynolds preferred legislative ordinance; Chair Barnhardt advocated charter inclusion to institutionalize long-term planning.
• Draft Measure 3 (Residency Requirements): Vice Chair Wester urged consistency across elected offices (preferring a two-year requirement); Commissioner Belisle preferred lowering or eliminating duration requirements; Assistant City Attorney Roth noted the unique challenge of attracting qualified city attorney candidates. Discussion deferred pending city attorney input.
• Draft Measure 5 (Council Processes): Debate on modernizing public notice and organizational meeting timing. Several commissioners expressed caution about unintended legal consequences from shifting meeting dates. No consensus.
• Draft Measure 7 (Council Term Limits): Vice Chair Wester and others opposed changing the annual election of council president, favoring existing flexibility.
• Draft Measure 8 (Special Meeting Notice): General support for adding city attorney to those who can call special meetings, but tied to broader city attorney discussion.
• Draft Measure 10 (Administrative Departments): Supported as cleanup to resolve inconsistency from a previous charter amendment.
• Draft Measure 11 (Planning Commission): Consensus to remove prescriptive attendance rules from charter, but not to define "just cause" for removal. Commissioners emphasized the language should delegate to commission rules.
• Draft Measure 12 (Repeal BZBA): Seen as straightforward; commissioners stressed the need to communicate that appeal rights shift to Planning Commission and state courts.
• Draft Measure 13 (CRC Frequency): Broad support for moving from a 5-year to a 10-year review cycle. Vice Chair Wester noted 10 years is common practice and reduces automatic amendment pressure.
• Draft Measure 14 (Non-Discrimination): Extensive debate. Vice Chair Wester raised concerns about potential federal funding impacts; Commissioner Hill argued for alignment with existing EEO policies; Commissioner Belisle warned against exclusion by omission. Chair Barnhardt questioned whether the charter should be this prescriptive. No final decision; discussion will continue.

Key Outcomes

• The commission voted to strike CRC 027 (Council-Manager Form of Government) by a 4-3 vote.
• Motions to strike CRC 004 (Strategic Plan) and CRC 025 (Ward Composition) failed.
• Commissioners will submit individual scores for all remaining 13 draft ballot measures by Monday, May 17, 2026, at noon. Scores will be aggregated for discussion at the next special meeting (scheduled for May 20, 2026). Absent commissioners must also submit top priorities.
• The commission will continue deliberation on the city attorney appointment issue when City Attorney Tamilarasan returns.