The Powell City Council met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an update from Olentangy Local School District on a proposed bond issue, adoption of resolutions and ordinances, and extended public discussion on the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) moratorium. Several votes were taken, and key items were tabled for further consideration.
Open uh the city council meeting uh for Tuesday, September 15th. Present Carlson here, Tom Kelly, Tyler Herman, Heather Carr, here, David Lester, Kurt Ramsay. Here, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. The next item on our agenda is a proclamation recognizing childhood cancer awareness month presented to the family of Caitlin Weirick. So I will read this first. Whereas 552 Ohio children will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, and 58 children will lose their lives to cancer. And whereas childhood cancer is on the rise, childhood cancers and adult cancers are different, yet we continue to use inappropriate adult cancer protocols on children with many times devastating effects. The lack of childhood cancer research has tremendous impact to kids and significant cost to society now and in the future. And whereas hundreds of nonprofit organizations at the local and national level, including the Friends of Faith Prudent Foundation, are helping children with cancer and their families cope through educational, emotional, and financial support. And whereas during childhood cancer awareness month, we honor the young patients battling cancer, their families, the survivors who face lifelong challenges, and the memory of those precious children we have lost. And whereas in May, the Powell community suffered a heartbreaking loss when Caitlin Weirick, a 10-year-old POW resident and a niece to a Powell police officer, passed away after a courageous five-year battle with an aggressive form of childhood cancer. The City of Powell extends its deepest sympathy to Caitlin's family. And in honor of all those who affected by childhood cancer, Chief Sallows has authorized PAL police officers to wear a special badge or gold ribbon during the month of September. The badge bears the words childhood cancer awareness, along with a gold ribbon and the letters SLK, symbolizing strong like Caitlin. Whereas this month provides an opportunity for our community to come together to increase public awareness, offer support to families, and strengthen our collective commitment to finding new and better treatments and ultimately cure. Therefore, I Tom Counts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Powell, County of Delaware, Ohio, do hereby recognize September 2025 in the City of Powell, Ohio, to be childhood cancer awareness month, and encourage all citizens to show their support for children with cancer, their families, and the medical professionals dedicated to their care. So if the family and police officers want to come up, this is an opportunity to show what is happening in the city of Powell to our residents. Do we want to be one of the officers as well? Yeah, great. For sure, tomorrow. Please in wherever. Nice. Thank you. Thank you. Sure. I have a piece of paper. Exactly. Yeah, we can. Let me do this real quick before we do that. I don't know which way to stand. I'd like to stand right here. I guess I can catch everybody. You know, Caitlin was a magnificent little girl, uh, pictured right here, full of life and love, a selfless heart, overflowing with generosity and joy amidst man, I thought I could do this. Uh such unimaginable circumstances. Her infectious smile, sparkling blue eyes lit up every room she entered. In 2020, Caitlin was just five and diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer, as mentioned. Through this five-year journey, Caitlin underwent countless surgeries, treatments, clinical studies. She lived her life in accordance with Joshua 1-9. Strong, not discouraged, but courageous in the face of her hard fight. Her strength, determination, endurance throughout her life, uh were astounding. Caitlin carried herself with remarkable confidence. It touched and inspired everyone she met. This is evident as you travel throughout the city of POW, the surrounding communities, and observe the gold ribbons so delicately displayed throughout. Caitlin would not wish for this proclamation to be about her journey, but about the journey experienced by so many. Of course, Officer John Weyrick, thank you so much for your support, uh, both personally and professionally on and off duty uh throughout those five years. Chief Sallows and the entire City of Powell Police Department. Thank you, sir, for approving that, but also for supporting our families and so many others. Thank you, sir.