Whitehall City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Whitehall City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall. No communications, petitions, or claims were filed since the last meeting. Council approved prior minutes, appointed Trevor Balser as city treasurer, heard a violence-prevention presentation from Impact Safety, received officials' reports, and acted on multiple legislative items, including a failed veto override, a unanimously adopted supplemental appropriation, and a tabled removal resolution.

Consent Calendar

• A motion to approve the January 20, 2026 agenda and regular meeting minutes and the January 27, 2026 agenda and committee meeting minutes was approved unanimously.

Treasurer Appointment

• Council appointed Trevor Balser as Whitehall's next city treasurer by a 4-3 vote. Voting yes: McCann, Dixon, Morrison, and Adkins. Voting no: Brown, Elmore, and Harcar. Councillor Elmore expressed concern that some council members asked no questions during the interview process. Auditor Alexander described the treasurer's post as part-time with a salary of about $15,000, requiring daytime flexibility, and said he wanted a forward-thinking partner who puts the city's business first. Balser was not yet sworn in at the time of the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the first public comment period, a 17-year Whitehall resident called for the resignation or removal of Ward One Councilmember Gerald Dixon, asking council members to think about what they would do if their own child reported inappropriate conduct.
• A resident said the current recall efforts were deeply concerning and that people were being targeted for the wrong reasons, including support for refugee integration and community revitalization. The speaker criticized leaders who fail to read legislation or avoid civic responsibilities, praised Councilmembers Harcar, Elmore, and Brown, and said Whitehall should not silence direct, passionate engagement.
• During the second public comment period, a resident expressed strong support for the Department of Neighborhoods, citing food-insecure residents and children in Whitehall, and urged council to vote positively, saying $165,000 is a modest amount and this is a moral issue rather than just a budget issue.

Special Presentation: Impact Safety

• Julie Harmon, Executive Director, and Venica Miller, Program Manager (identified as 'Venisa Miller' in the transcript), presented Impact Safety's mission to build safety 'from the inside out' through empowerment programming. They outlined a phased approach: awareness and shared language, communication workshops, response and accountability policies, survivor-centered and restorative justice activities, and evaluation and sustainability. They noted that most abuse comes from people known to victims and that 80% of abuse against seniors is by someone they know. Council members thanked them; no formal action was taken.

Standing Committee Reports

• Standing committee chairs reported that their committees met, minutes are on file, and each committee planned to meet again next Tuesday at or after 6:30 p.m.

Officials' Reports

• Mayor Michael T. Bivens congratulated the Whitehall Education Foundation, Hall of Fame inductees, students and coaches who shoveled snow for vulnerable residents, and the street team for snow removal. He announced the Legal Rams' district court competition, Black History Month banners honoring Dr. Buhari Muhammad, Terry Anderson, Roman Johnson, and Clint Elmore, a free Valentine's Day wedding event at City Hall, and told a story about an elderly woman who revived after her granddaughter kissed her forehead.
• City Attorney Bradley S. Nicodemus thanked court staff for handling snow-related closures and rearranged dockets.
• Auditor Shaquille Alexander reported that as of January 31, 2026, the general fund unexpended balance, less encumbrances, was $5.8 million; January revenues were $1.85 million, including $1.5 million in income tax, $92,000 in cannabis tax, and $78,000 in Franklin County revenue sharing; investment income was $22,000; the portfolio was about $29 million with a weighted average estimated yield of 3.21%. He also said claims that the mayor withheld school payments were 'unequivocally false,' describing the issue as an inherited, structural and documented breakdown discovered in 2024 and resolved through reconciliation with schools and new controls.
• Director of Public Service Casey Rowlands praised the snow crew, reporting over 600 man-hours, 575 tons of road salt, and over 5,000 miles plowed during the storm, and thanked student athletes and residents for helping neighbors. He supported favorable consideration of Ordinance 009-2026.
• Public Safety Director Van Gregg was absent; no report was given.

Legislation

Third Reading: Ordinance 133-2025 (Veto Override)

• Councilman Dixon moved to override the mayor's veto and adopt Ordinance 133-2025, which would amend Title Three of the legislative code to prohibit interference with council communications. The motion was seconded by Councilman Morrison. President Potter explained that overriding the veto required two-thirds, or five affirmative votes. The roll call was 4-3 in favor of overriding (McCann, Dixon, Morrison, and Adkins yes; Brown, Elmore, and Harcar no), so the veto was sustained and the ordinance was not adopted.

Second Reading: Ordinance 004-2026 (Accessory Dwelling Units)

• Ordinance 004-2026 was read by title only. It would amend Section 1116.03 and enact Section 1116.04 to standardize the development of accessory dwelling units in Whitehall. No vote was taken.

First Reading: Ordinance 008-2026 (Department of Neighborhoods Appropriation)

• Ordinance 008-2026 was read by title only. It would amend Ordinance 118-2025 to make appropriations for current General Fund (101) expenses for the Department of Neighborhoods and declare an emergency. No vote was taken.

Ordinance 009-2026 (Aetna Road TIP Supplemental Appropriation)

• Auditor Alexander explained that an identical appropriation had been approved in October, but the check was not cut because of issues with the developer and the timing of the new budget; the money is available, but new authorization is needed and the matter is time-sensitive. Council unanimously suspended the rules and then adopted Ordinance 009-2026 by a 7-0 vote. The ordinance authorizes $375,000 from unappropriated monies in the Win Petty Fund 279 to the Aetna Road TIP Expense Account 279.000.50,008 and declares an emergency.

Resolution 003-2026 (Removal of Gerald Dixon)

• Resolution 003-2026, resolving to remove Gerald Dixon from Council and declaring an emergency, was read by title. Councilman Morrison moved to table the resolution, seconded by Councilman McCann. President Potter said there would be no discussion. After a point of clarification, the city attorney said a motion to table is a procedural matter. The roll call was 4-3 to table (McCann, Dixon, Morrison, and Adkins yes; Brown, Elmore, and Harcar no), and the resolution was tabled.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the January 20 and January 27 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Appointed Trevor Balser as city treasurer by a 4-3 vote.
• Failed to override the mayor's veto of Ordinance 133-2025; the veto stands after a 4-3 vote.
• Adopted Ordinance 009-2026 by a 7-0 vote.
• Tabled Resolution 003-2026 by a 4-3 vote.
• Conducted a second reading of Ordinance 004-2026 and a first reading of Ordinance 008-2026; both remain pending.

Community Date Board

• President Potter noted it was Black History Month and looked forward to the mayor's proclamation. Councillor Dixon mentioned a March 21 'Stimulating Saturday' STEM education event hosted by See Brilliance, featuring adults discussing nutrition practices.

Councilmember Comments

• McCann praised the high school students who shoveled sidewalks and the mayor's story about the public safety miracle.
• Dixon thanked residents for attending, praised the service department, and lamented that some large businesses had not shoveled their sidewalks.
• Brown congratulated the Legal Rams and the service department, said he believed Balser would do well but would have liked more time to consider other treasurer candidates, and asked the city attorney how a tabled motion could be reconsidered. The city attorney said a simple majority could bring the motion back. After Brown continued to discuss the matter involving Ward One Councilmember Gerald Dixon, President Potter cautioned him and then adjourned the meeting.