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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 17, 2026

BodyWhitehall, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, February 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:18

Good

Speaker 1

0:18

evening, everyone.

0:19

Welcome to Whitehall City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

0:25

As our usual custom, we will start with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:29

We'll then have our roll call.

0:32

We do have another approval of minutes.

0:33

Our February 2nd, 2026 agenda and special meeting minutes.

0:37

Our February 3rd, 2026 agenda and regular meeting minutes.

0:40

The rules are February 10th agenda and committee meeting minutes.

0:43

So I'll need a motion to approve.

0:46

I'll make a motion.

0:47

Thank you, Mr.

0:48

Dixon.

0:49

And who would like to second?

0:52

Thank you, Mr.

0:52

Morrison.

Speaker 2

0:56

Speaker 1

0:56

have a couple spreeze uh special presentations this evening.

0:59

First being uh from Mayor Bibbins uh

Unassigned speaker

1:02

Speaker 1

1:02

talk about Black History Month, and then we have uh Mr.

1:06

Golden from PMG who will be making a presentation.

1:09

We'll then move into our standing committee reports.

Unassigned speaker

1:12

Speaker 1

1:12

there are officials reports.

1:14

Uh and since our last meeting, there have been no official reports being filed in the council office.

1:19

Uh under communications, petitions and claims.

1:22

There have been no communications, petitions, claims that have been filed in the council office since our last meeting.

1:27

We'll then have our fourth first poll public, which the public is invited to come forward, just need for you to sign in.

1:32

And then when you do come to the podium, you'll have three minutes and just state your name.

1:37

We'll then have our verification of copies.

1:39

Under third reading, we have orders for 2026.

1:42

I understand it'll be a motion to postpone this, um, which is amending of section 111603 enacting section 1116.04 to standardize the development of accessory dwelling units, ADUs in the city of Whitehall.

1:58

Um Mr.

1:58

McCann, Mr.

1:59

Dixon, will you be making the motion to

Speaker 3

2:02

Mr.

2:02

McCann?

Speaker 1

2:05

Yeah.

2:06

McCann and Dixon, thank you.

2:07

Under second reading, which is title only, we have orders 8, 2026, amending orders 118, 2025, make appropriation for the current general fund 101 expenses for the Department of Neighborhoods and the Declaration of Emergency.

2:20

Again, that's title only.

2:22

Uh is it will go to a third reading.

2:24

And then under first reading, we have orders 10, 2026.

2:27

Approving and make a subtle appropriation, the amount of 25,000 from unappropriate monies of the state highway fund at 211, the state highway material and miscellaneous expense account 211.000 point 5100.

2:41

Um you have anything to share with us on that?

Speaker 4

2:44

This is what we discussed last week at committee.

2:46

This is to fund the PMG analysis, pavement analysis that Mr.

2:52

For.

2:53

Okay.

Speaker 1

2:54

Great.

2:55

Thank you.

2:55

Uh we then have resolution four, twenty twenty-six, authorizing approving the mayor to apply for an acceptance safe routes to school planning and development grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation ODOT and declaring emergency.

3:08

This will be introduced by Mr.

3:09

Brown, seconded by Miss Arcar.

3:12

We then have resolution five, twenty twenty-six, approving revisions to the investment policy of the city of Whitehall and declaring an emergency.

3:20

This is set to be introduced by Mr.

3:21

Brown and second by Mr.

3:23

Adkins.

3:24

Our last piece of uh legislation this evening is resolution six, twenty twenty-six, resolving to approve the then and now certificates.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████15%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%

Racial Equity████████████12%

Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%

Technology and Innovation██████6%

Public Engagement██████6%

Community Engagement██████6%

Parks and Recreation████4%

Fiscal Sustainability████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Whitehall City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a proclamation for Black History Month, a presentation on pavement management services, a detailed financial update from the Auditor, and public testimony on the proposed Department of Neighborhoods. Several pieces of legislation were considered, with one ordinance postponed and three items adopted.

Special Presentations

Mayor Michael T. Bivens presented a video proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month in Whitehall, prepared in partnership with Whitehall Yearling High School students. The Mayor also invited the public to a forthcoming program at the high school.
James Golden, CEO of Payment Management Group (PMG), presented a pavement management service that uses high-definition video and AI-driven condition assessments to help cities prioritize road maintenance. He noted that milling and overlaying one mile of roadway in Central Ohio costs about $250,000, while full-depth reclamation can reach $500,000–$600,000 per mile. The service would cost $25,000 for a two-year contract, funded by State Highway Fund monies.

Consent Calendar

Approval of the minutes from February 2, 3, and 10, 2026 — passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

A speaker opposed Ordinance 008-2026 (Department of Neighborhoods), arguing the function previously existed at lower cost and that elevated positions were unnecessary. They urged a no vote.
Diane Spicer spoke in favor of the Department of Neighborhoods, sharing personal experiences of navigating bureaucratic hurdles and stating that a dedicated office would help residents access services efficiently.
Marie All expressed trust in city staff and urged unity and patience.
Jack Long quoted Leviticus 19:15–18, calling for fair judgment and neighborly love.
Patricia Peters (second public comment) denounced a flyer she said implied Whitehall should be exclusively Christian, rejecting divisive rhetoric and affirming inclusion of all residents.

Discussion Items

Appointment to Parks & Recreation Commission: Councilmember Adkins nominated Leslie McCourt; Councilmember Brown nominated Amanda Waller. Discussion included McCourt’s family legacy (her father started the parks department) and Waller’s demonstrated interest in green spaces. A roll call vote resulted in 4–3 approval of Leslie McCourt (Morrison, Adkins, McCann, Dixon in favor; Brown, Elmore, Harcar against).
Mayor Bivens reported on: a listening session on proposed property tax elimination; a March 2, 2026 State of the City address at the YMCA, including a workforce component and a raffle for a minivan donated by a nonprofit; and a first-ever Founders’ Day celebration in 2026.
Auditor Shaquille Alexander presented a comprehensive financial overview showing the city’s improved fiscal health. Key points: 2024 revenue exceeded expenses by $3.4 million; 2025 ended with a $6.9 million carryover and a $1.5 million reserve; 2026 projections show $44 million revenue vs. $40 million expenses. He rebutted allegations of “creative accounting,” noting clean audit opinions. He also introduced new intern DeJohn Cox.
Attorney Bradley Nicodemus updated on recall procedures per the city charter, explaining the signature threshold (425 for citywide officials), the petition process, and the 30–60 day timeline for a special election if triggered.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance 004-2026 (standardizing Accessory Dwelling Units) was postponed (unanimous) to allow for development of a rental registry and further code changes.
Ordinance 010-2026 (supplemental appropriation of $25,000 from State Highway Fund for PMG pavement analysis) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.
Resolution 004-2026 (authorizing Mayor to apply for Safe Routes to School grant from ODOT) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.
Resolution 006-2026 (approving “then and now” certificates) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.
Ordinance 008-2026 (funding for the Department of Neighborhoods) and Resolution 005-2026 (investment policy revisions) were read by title only and will return for further readings.

Committee Reports

Standing committee chairs provided brief updates, noting most committees had met and would meet again next week. No new legislation from Administration & Financial Management, Community & Elder Advocacy, Community Standards & Enforcement, Economic Development, Infrastructure & Services, Public Safety, or Parks & Recreation beyond what appeared on the agenda.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Whitehall City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. As our usual custom, we will start with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We'll then have our roll call. We do have another approval of minutes. Our February 2nd, 2026 agenda and special meeting minutes. Our February 3rd, 2026 agenda and regular meeting minutes. The rules are February 10th agenda and committee meeting minutes. So I'll need a motion to approve. I'll make a motion. Thank you, Mr. Dixon. And who would like to second? Thank you, Mr. Morrison. We have a couple spreeze uh special presentations this evening. First being uh from Mayor Bibbins uh to talk about Black History Month, and then we have uh Mr. Golden from PMG who will be making a presentation. We'll then move into our standing committee reports. Uh there are officials reports. Uh and since our last meeting, there have been no official reports being filed in the council office. Uh under communications, petitions and claims. There have been no communications, petitions, claims that have been filed in the council office since our last meeting. We'll then have our fourth first poll public, which the public is invited to come forward, just need for you to sign in. And then when you do come to the podium, you'll have three minutes and just state your name. We'll then have our verification of copies. Under third reading, we have orders for 2026. I understand it'll be a motion to postpone this, um, which is amending of section 111603 enacting section 1116.04 to standardize the development of accessory dwelling units, ADUs in the city of Whitehall. Um Mr. McCann, Mr. Dixon, will you be making the motion to Mr. McCann? Yeah. McCann and Dixon, thank you. Under second reading, which is title only, we have orders 8, 2026, amending orders 118, 2025, make appropriation for the current general fund 101 expenses for the Department of Neighborhoods and the Declaration of Emergency. Again, that's title only. Uh is it will go to a third reading. And then under first reading, we have orders 10, 2026. Approving and make a subtle appropriation, the amount of 25,000 from unappropriate monies of the state highway fund at 211, the state highway material and miscellaneous expense account 211.000 point 5100. Um you have anything to share with us on that? This is what we discussed last week at committee. This is to fund the PMG analysis, pavement analysis that Mr. For. Okay.

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Whitehall City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

Special Presentations

Mayor Michael T. Bivens presented a video proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month in Whitehall, prepared in partnership with Whitehall Yearling High School students. The Mayor also invited the public to a forthcoming program at the high school.

James Golden, CEO of Payment Management Group (PMG), presented a pavement management service that uses high-definition video and AI-driven condition assessments to help cities prioritize road maintenance. He noted that milling and overlaying one mile of roadway in Central Ohio costs about $250,000, while full-depth reclamation can reach $500,000–$600,000 per mile. The service would cost $25,000 for a two-year contract, funded by State Highway Fund monies.

Consent Calendar

Approval of the minutes from February 2, 3, and 10, 2026 — passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

A speaker opposed Ordinance 008-2026 (Department of Neighborhoods), arguing the function previously existed at lower cost and that elevated positions were unnecessary. They urged a no vote.

Diane Spicer spoke in favor of the Department of Neighborhoods, sharing personal experiences of navigating bureaucratic hurdles and stating that a dedicated office would help residents access services efficiently.

Marie All expressed trust in city staff and urged unity and patience.

Jack Long quoted Leviticus 19:15–18, calling for fair judgment and neighborly love.

Patricia Peters (second public comment) denounced a flyer she said implied Whitehall should be exclusively Christian, rejecting divisive rhetoric and affirming inclusion of all residents.

Discussion Items

Appointment to Parks & Recreation Commission: Councilmember Adkins nominated Leslie McCourt; Councilmember Brown nominated Amanda Waller. Discussion included McCourt’s family legacy (her father started the parks department) and Waller’s demonstrated interest in green spaces. A roll call vote resulted in 4–3 approval of Leslie McCourt (Morrison, Adkins, McCann, Dixon in favor; Brown, Elmore, Harcar against).

Mayor Bivens reported on: a listening session on proposed property tax elimination; a March 2, 2026 State of the City address at the YMCA, including a workforce component and a raffle for a minivan donated by a nonprofit; and a first-ever Founders’ Day celebration in 2026.

Auditor Shaquille Alexander presented a comprehensive financial overview showing the city’s improved fiscal health. Key points: 2024 revenue exceeded expenses by $3.4 million; 2025 ended with a $6.9 million carryover and a $1.5 million reserve; 2026 projections show $44 million revenue vs. $40 million expenses. He rebutted allegations of “creative accounting,” noting clean audit opinions. He also introduced new intern DeJohn Cox.

Attorney Bradley Nicodemus updated on recall procedures per the city charter, explaining the signature threshold (425 for citywide officials), the petition process, and the 30–60 day timeline for a special election if triggered.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance 004-2026 (standardizing Accessory Dwelling Units) was postponed (unanimous) to allow for development of a rental registry and further code changes.

Ordinance 010-2026 (supplemental appropriation of $25,000 from State Highway Fund for PMG pavement analysis) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.

Resolution 004-2026 (authorizing Mayor to apply for Safe Routes to School grant from ODOT) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.

Resolution 006-2026 (approving “then and now” certificates) was adopted unanimously after suspension of rules.

Ordinance 008-2026 (funding for the Department of Neighborhoods) and Resolution 005-2026 (investment policy revisions) were read by title only and will return for further readings.

Committee Reports

Standing committee chairs provided brief updates, noting most committees had met and would meet again next week. No new legislation from Administration & Financial Management, Community & Elder Advocacy, Community Standards & Enforcement, Economic Development, Infrastructure & Services, Public Safety, or Parks & Recreation beyond what appeared on the agenda.

Meeting Transcript