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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Powell Development Corporation Meeting – August 25, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, August 25, 2026

BodyPowell, Ohio

SessionCity Council & Boards

DateTuesday, August 25, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:16:05

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

Call the meeting to order.

0:10

Is not present here.

0:14

Present.

0:17

Ryan Jenkins is not here.

0:26

Here.

0:28

All right.

0:28

First order business approval of the minutes from the PDC meeting held on June 23rd.

0:43

All right.

0:45

Second.

0:46

Second.

0:49

All those in favor?

0:51

Aye.

0:52

Any opposed.

0:54

All right.

0:55

Good to go.

0:57

First order report.

0:59

Report of the treasurer.

1:10

There we go.

1:10

So I'm going to do it back to them if they have anything.

1:13

But for the month, we did we paid Delco water, a couple bills for Delco water.

1:20

AEP, the E chargers for about $3,396.

1:33

And then the valet parking this month was $3,118.

1:38

That's what it's going to be moving forward.

1:39

Do we think?

1:40

I think around that.

1:41

We we did change to a monthly invoicing cycle.

1:45

I think previously they were weekly, I believe.

1:48

So we asked them to change that.

1:50

Yeah, the first month the usage was really low until we got going.

1:55

So yeah, we paid a little bit more first month than we should have on a weekly basis, but um it's level.

2:02

And outside of that, we're within budget on all of the settings.

2:05

No, there were no extraordinaries.

2:10

Um just kind of touching on the budget.

2:12

We may have to consider the line item uh where we pay the EV charger electricity.

2:19

It's like that's running a little bit high.

2:21

There's only $8,000 left in the account for the rest of the year.

2:25

Um it's running at probably $3,500 a month, so we can see what next month's bill is, and then maybe at the next meeting, we'll probably have to do a motion to increase that budget line.

2:39

Clarification, so that's what we paid to charge point or that's what we pay to AEP regardless of electricity.

2:47

So that's the fixed cost.

2:49

Well, it's closed and is fixed, and then you pay based on the usage too.

2:55

Um those chargers, they're at Murphy Park, they're fast chargers.

3:00

Yes, so they take a little bit extra.

3:03

Um I don't know, Sean, if you can explain that better, but we I know we've looked into this in the past, but just because they're a little bit different charger, they do cost a bit more in the electricity usage.

3:15

I guess my point is if we publicize more that they're available through things, can we help offset that cost, or is it like is there any actually fairly good?

3:29

Okay.

3:29

Um that when we adjusted the rates two years ago um to reflect the current situation because the power rate affordable.

3:39

Um like Sam said, those are fast chargers out there, so they they require a little bit higher.

3:46

Um so we we kind of like we're not making any money, so definitely it's kind of we tried to level set it a couple years ago because you're losing before that.

3:55

Okay, maybe going back towards the the losing side, we'll have to take a look at that now based on usage and what we're earning off of the there is um if you'll if you see kind of in the revenue section of the financials, there's a charge point revenue.

4:10

Right.

4:10

So we do get some kind of incentive back based on usage, which helps offset more as a public good as opposed to a cover the cost.

4:21

It's been operated as a service to the community until hourly, not a revenue source.

4:30

No other comments, all right.

4:36

Uh moving on to old business.

4:39

Got the void performance-based business retention and expansion grant for local routes.

4:45

Um, thank you.

4:47

Uh chair.

4:49

Um this we had uh had the board uh ask a uh retention expansion grant for local ruse um about a year ago, um, and this was to uh replace some of the um restaurant equipment.

5:06

Uh there was like a uh pizza table that had some storage in it and one other piece of equipment that was packaged into that.

5:13

Um she also at the same time had applied for a facade grant, which would have been approved.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Economic Development██████████████████████████████████████████42%

Public Engagement████████████████████20%

Transportation Safety██████████10%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Procedural██████6%

Budget Review████4%

Public Schools███3%

Technology and Innovation██2%

Affordable Housing██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Powell Development Corporation Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Powell Development Corporation held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 12:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, financial reports, updates on valet parking and a business grant, new business including a façade grant for demolition and parking, a 10‑acre land transfer to the PDC, sponsorship of an economic summit, and various committee reports. The board also entered executive session for economic development purposes.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (June 23, 2026): Motion by Mayor Heather Karr, seconded by Shawn Keller. Approved 7‑0.

Discussion Items

Treasurer’s Report (Monthly Financial Reports): Finance Director Samantha Borchers reported that EV charger electricity costs are running high—about $3,500 per month with only $8,000 remaining in the line item for the remainder of the year. She recommended considering a budget line increase at the next meeting. Administrator Sean Hughes noted that the chargers at Murphy Park are fast chargers and that the service is operated as a public good, not a revenue source. No action was taken.
Void Performance‑Based Business Retention and Expansion Grant for Local Roots: Administrator Hughes requested the board void the previously approved grant because the owner notified him she does not intend to use it. The façade grant portion had been completed. Motion by City Manager Andrew White, seconded by Mayor Heather Karr. Approved 7‑0.
Valet Parking Update: Administrator Hughes presented usage data: in June, 64 cars parked at the first station (80 E) and 15 at the second station (City Hall); in July, 61 cars at the first station and 44 at the second, attributed to increased marketing. Usage still mostly comes from existing 80 E members and guests (who were already using the service). The service is estimated to impact 7‑10 downtown parking spaces weekly. The board agreed to continue valet through the end of 2026. Administrator Hughes said he would not recommend continuation based on current data but wanted to assess the last quarter. City Manager White noted that upcoming parking projects (potentially 100+ spaces) will also factor into the decision. Vice‑Chairman Goodwin urged more awareness through social media and Visit Powell. Chairman Flaherty emphasized the public benefit and suggested coordinated promotion.
55 E. Olentangy Street Façade Grant (New Business): Administrator Hughes explained that after terminating the previous grant, the building owner (Vince Margello) determined the structure is in worse condition than thought. The new request is for a $25,000 façade grant to be applied toward demolition preparation and signage for parking, instead of renovation. Total estimated cost is ~$52,000. City Manager White said the demolition would open 60 public parking spaces (net gain) for an initial four‑year lease, plus improve sight lines and safety. The tenant is relocating within the downtown. The grant is allowed under Façade Grant Guidelines, which include demolition when blight is involved. Questions were raised about signage compliance, clawback provisions, and future redevelopment. The motion by Shawn Keller, seconded by City Manager White, passed 8‑0.
Home Road 10‑Acres Land Transfer (New Business): Administrator Hughes proposed transferring the 10‑acre parcel from the City to the PDC so the PDC can manage its disposition. The goal is to develop a tech‑flex park (2–3 buildings) targeting tech/healthcare jobs, leveraging the new OSU Medical Center. Staff estimate over 200 jobs and significant payroll, generating income tax for the city. The PDC would likely sell the land for what the city paid, or possibly use it as an incentive. Proceeds could help the PDC become more self‑funding. City Manager White noted the city invested to activate the area and the transfer supports the PDC’s long‑term independence. Council must pass a resolution. Ryan Jenkins abstained due to his role with the schools (the property had been subject to a tax exemption application). Motion by Chairman Flaherty, seconded by Mayor Karr, approved 7‑0 (1 abstention).
Economic Summit Community Sponsor – Shawn Keller: Keller requested a $500 sponsorship for the 2026 Buckeye Economic Summit on September 17 at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club. Expected attendance ~200. Speakers include Lt. Governor Trussell, Senator Houston, Donato’s CEO, and a panel. Motion by Chairman Flaherty, seconded by Vice‑Chairman Goodwin, passed 7‑1 (Keller abstained).

Reports of the PDC Board

City Council (Mayor Karr): Updates on Pizzuti Solutions’ Village Green presentation (contract extended), Zoning Code rewrite approved, Bennett Farm barn cleanup/first reading on $5.7 million debt issuance for Scioto Street Extension and parking.
City Manager (Andrew White): Delaware County Transit considering a ballot issue for a small sales tax increase to expand services; annexation petition for Dutch Brothers coffee facility.
Economic Development (Administrator Sean Hughes): Reported nearly 400 projects by end of July (6% increase over 2025), 36 new businesses/start‑ups, 799 new jobs (including 600 from OSU medical facility), $62.5M in new payroll (est. $63.7M total), generating an estimated $1.2‑1.3M in new income taxes. Also 17 retained/expanded businesses, 87 retained jobs, 23 new jobs, $1.2M new payroll from that side. 163 BRE interactions.
School Report (Ryan Jenkins): Deer Haven Elementary on schedule; new high school at Bunty Station two weeks behind due to rain. 75.31% of spending directly on student education (6th highest among 607 public school districts); administrative costs 9.57%.
Business Retention and Expansion Committee (Vice‑Chairman Mark Goodwin): Update on new chamber director Anjali’s outreach (meetings with community leaders, roundtables, survey). 20 farmers markets, 5 ribbon cuttings. Board president stepped down; Eric Anderson serving remainder of year.
Downtown Merchants Committee (Megan Canavan): Golf cart service on weekends; Visit Powell promoting events.
Convention and Tourism Committee (Tim Wilson): New committee member Lindsay Morris. Marketing push planned for fourth quarter. Delaware County tourism spend reached $2.4 billion (up $200M) with higher per‑visitor spending. Noted challenges with weather impacting Columbus Zoo water park.
Entrepreneurialism Committee (Steve Flaherty): Ohio Wesleyan University restructured entrepreneurial center under new VP Dr. Trevor Bates. Expected more economic development outreach.
Real Estate Committee (Shawn Keller): Tech‑flex development major topic; new committee member Keith Joseph added.

Key Outcomes

Voted to void Local Roots grant (7‑0).
Approved $25,000 façade grant for 55 E. Olentangy St. for demolition prep and parking signage (8‑0).
Approved receipt of Home Road land transfer from the City to PDC, pending City Council resolution (7‑0, 1 abstention).
Approved $500 sponsorship for the 2026 Buckeye Economic Summit (7‑1, Keller abstained).
Executive session entered at 1:24 p.m. under ORC 121.22(G)(8) for economic development; returned to open session at 1:39 p.m. (9‑0).
Meeting adjourned at 1:39 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting to order. Is not present here. Present. Ryan Jenkins is not here. Here. All right. First order business approval of the minutes from the PDC meeting held on June 23rd. All right. Second. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed. All right. Good to go. First order report. Report of the treasurer. There we go. So I'm going to do it back to them if they have anything. But for the month, we did we paid Delco water, a couple bills for Delco water. AEP, the E chargers for about $3,396. And then the valet parking this month was $3,118. That's what it's going to be moving forward. Do we think? I think around that. We we did change to a monthly invoicing cycle. I think previously they were weekly, I believe. So we asked them to change that. Yeah, the first month the usage was really low until we got going. So yeah, we paid a little bit more first month than we should have on a weekly basis, but um it's level. And outside of that, we're within budget on all of the settings. No, there were no extraordinaries. Um just kind of touching on the budget. We may have to consider the line item uh where we pay the EV charger electricity. It's like that's running a little bit high. There's only $8,000 left in the account for the rest of the year. Um it's running at probably $3,500 a month, so we can see what next month's bill is, and then maybe at the next meeting, we'll probably have to do a motion to increase that budget line. Clarification, so that's what we paid to charge point or that's what we pay to AEP regardless of electricity. So that's the fixed cost. Well, it's closed and is fixed, and then you pay based on the usage too. Um those chargers, they're at Murphy Park, they're fast chargers. Yes, so they take a little bit extra. Um I don't know, Sean, if you can explain that better, but we I know we've looked into this in the past, but just because they're a little bit different charger, they do cost a bit more in the electricity usage. I guess my point is if we publicize more that they're available through things, can we help offset that cost, or is it like is there any actually fairly good? Okay. Um that when we adjusted the rates two years ago um to reflect the current situation because the power rate affordable. Um like Sam said, those are fast chargers out there, so they they require a little bit higher. Um so we we kind of like we're not making any money, so definitely it's kind of we tried to level set it a couple years ago because you're losing before that. Okay, maybe going back towards the the losing side, we'll have to take a look at that now based on usage and what we're earning off of the there is um if you'll if you see kind of in the revenue section of the financials, there's a charge point revenue. Right.

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