Powell Operations Committee Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Powell Operations Committee met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:31 p.m. in Council Chambers at 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio, and adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Chairman Leif Carlson presided, with Councilmember David Lester, Councilmember Amy Gestosani, City Manager Andrew White, Police Chief Ron Sallows, Finance Director Samantha Borchers, and Clerk Elaine McCloskey present. The agenda featured two primary items: an introduction to a massage parlor police raid (with a deeper presentation planned for July) and a discussion of Upper Arlington's E-Bike legislation as a potential model for Powell.

Consent Calendar

• Councilmember David Lester moved to approve the minutes from the Operations Committee meeting held on May 19, 2026. The motion carried unanimously.

Massage Parlor Police Raid and Proposed Massage Ordinance

• City Manager Andrew White recognized Police Chief Sallows and the department for their work on the recent raid of a local massage parlor, noting a comprehensive presentation is planned for the July Operations Committee meeting.
• Police Chief Ron Sallows reported that officers executed a search warrant at 240 N. [address]; the meeting minutes record the date as May 18, 2025, and the raid was described during the meeting as recent. He noted a prior case in January 2015 was initiated following Crime Stoppers information, and that both cases involved Asian females, raising human-trafficking concerns. The detective bureau position referenced in the investigation is now held by Detective Fred Hart.
• Chief Sallows stated the department has long participated in the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and is tied to two regional task forces.
• The detective bureau now produces a quarterly review and intelligence report on all massage facilities to determine whether an investigation is needed.
• Chief Sallows said the department is "continually going after the therapist, but we have to go after the whole location because we're seeing repeat offenses." He noted he has heard frequent comments from Mayor Carr and community members about massage establishments.
• Ordinance elements discussed included: entrances facing public streets, open access to reception areas during business hours, and non-board-certified massage therapists receiving a conditional use permit. Aaron Dennis of Organized Crime, expected at the July meeting, provided an example ordinance from the City of Strongsville requiring individuals to produce a license in good standing from the State Medical Board of Ohio; an ordinance from the City of Fairborn was also referenced. City Manager White noted Council last took a deep look at a massage ordinance in 2022, with examples of prior legislation available.
• Chairman Carlson said it is "tremendously sad" that people are dealing with this situation, and discussion acknowledged legitimate, state-licensed businesses and the concerns they raised during earlier deliberations about the ordinance targeting unlicensed providers.

E-Bike Legislation Discussion (Upper Arlington Model)

• Chief Sallows presented Upper Arlington's Mobility Device Registration and Safety Program as context. Upper Arlington added a section to its existing code rather than creating a brand-new code, described as an efficient approach.
• Upper Arlington conducted a comprehensive survey of constituents that received a very strong response, with a clear consensus on the issue. Chief Sallows noted Upper Arlington's program is not yet in place, their population is about double Powell's, their incident numbers are significantly higher, and they have additional resources Powell does not have.
• Ohio recognizes three e-bike classes (1, 2, and 3). Chief Sallows said many people purchase devices online that do not meet any Ohio classification and are actually e-dirt bikes that are not street- or roadway-legal. A device modified to exceed 28 miles per hour, or with pedals moved, is no longer an e-bike and becomes an electric dirt bike. Some insurance carriers will not cover unclassified or modified devices.
• Enforcement includes warnings and education first, followed by enforcement action. Officers use drones to track e-bikes that flee, provide educational brochures and a QR code linking to the city website, and educate juveniles on the rules. Plans include school presentations through SROs at the start of the school year and incorporating e-bike safety into the Safety City program with Parks and Recreation.
• Chief Sallows reported that New Albany has passed some ordinances addressing e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices not covered by the Ohio Revised Code.
• Councilmember David Lester said Powell cannot do what Upper Arlington is doing given resource differences. Councilmember Amy Gestosani asked about age limits for operating e-bikes; Chief Sallows said not all classes have uniform age restrictions and noted the responsibility placed on parents.
• Chief Sallows described dangers on 45-mile-per-hour roadways where e-bikes may travel faster than cars, and groups of 10-20 riders behaving "like a swarm of bees" wherever they go.
• Chairman Carlson said the committee wants to help staff have the tools in their basket to do their jobs, and that he has heard complaints from neighbors and considers this a legitimate concern.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A Powell, Ohio resident, who stated they have long suggested signs at the entrances to major trails clearly conveying the trail rules, noted that all Central Ohio Greenway trails are posted and that many people do not realize the danger they are putting themselves in by not following the rules.

Additional Discussion

• Chairman Carlson questioned whether the Delaware County Sheriff's office could assist with enforcement. Chief Sallows said Liberty Township has two sections and only one deputy available at any given time, who may need to assist other areas, and that Powell Police are more proactive by comparison.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from May 19, 2026, approved unanimously.
• A comprehensive presentation on a massage ordinance, including Strongsville and Fairborn examples and with Aaron Dennis of Organized Crime expected to attend, is scheduled for the July Operations Committee meeting.
• The committee will continue discussing e-bike legislation, keeping it an ongoing agenda item, and will consider a community survey similar to Upper Arlington's.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.