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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting April 7, 2026: Recalls Debated and Legislation Passed

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026

BodyWhitehall, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, April 7, 2026

StatusFILED

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:04

Donnie mail me to accept that right in support of pen making everybody.

Speaker 2

0:11

Good evening.

0:12

Thank you, sir.

0:20

Meeting sleep.

Unassigned speaker

0:23

Good

Speaker 3

0:23

evening, everyone.

0:24

Welcome to the White House City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday, April 7th, 2026.

0:30

We will start off with the call into order, followed by a moment of silence, and then we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:38

We do have one member not with us this evening.

0:45

Thank you, Miss Elmore.

Unassigned speaker

0:46

And

Speaker 3

0:47

who would like to second?

0:48

I'll second.

Unassigned speaker

0:50

Ms.

Speaker 3

0:50

McCam, is that you?

0:51

Yes, sir.

0:52

Thank

Unassigned speaker

0:52

you.

Speaker 3

0:55

Then we'll then uh we've got the approval of the minutes, which include the March 17, 2026 agenda and regular meeting minutes, as well as the March 24th, 2026 committee meeting minutes.

1:05

Somebody make a motion.

1:06

I'll make a motion.

1:07

Thank you, Mr.

1:08

Dixon.

1:10

Thank you, Mr.

1:11

Morrison.

Unassigned speaker

1:14

And

Speaker 3

1:15

then there'll be a special presentation this evening from Mayor Bibbins for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

1:20

So, Mayor, thank you for that.

1:21

Um we'll then go into our standing committee reports, uh, officials reports.

1:27

Uh, and as far as my report, there have been no official approachment filed in the council office since our last meeting.

1:32

Uh, under communications and claims, we have four items listed tonight.

1:36

First, the agenda for the April 13th, 2026, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals meeting.

1:41

Minutes of the February 9th, 2026, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals meeting.

1:45

The agenda for the April 20th, 2026, Whitehall Planning Commission meeting, and lastly, the minutes of the February 5th, 2026, Whitehall Planning Commission meeting.

1:54

We'll then have our first poll public.

1:55

Uh, as always, we will certainly invite the public to come forward.

1:58

Just ask you to sign in and uh state your name when you get to the lecture, and you'll have three minutes.

2:05

We'll then have our verification of copies, and then under legislation this evening, we've got uh several items, but just one under third reading, which is ordinance 11, 2026, authorizing the adoption of the May 2026 replacement pages to the codified ordinance of the city of Whitehall and declaring emergency.

2:22

This will be introduced by Mr.

2:23

Morrison, seconded by Mr.

2:24

Adkins.

2:26

Under second reading, we have one item listed, which will be read by title only, which is ordinance 22, 2026, and orders amending the planning and zoning code to require special permits for the construction or operation of detention facilities.

2:39

This has been referred to the planning commission for their April 2026 meeting, and then it'll be a public hearing here in City Council Chambers on April 21st, 2026.

2:49

Under first reading, we have ordinance 24, 2026, authorizing and approving appropriation transfer in the amount of 24,000 dollars from unappropriated monies of the service administration assistant one account 101.600.51,200.

3:04

The service administration assist two account 101.600.51,650, and declaring an emergency.

3:12

This will be introduced by Miss Elmore and seconded by Mr.

3:14

Adkins.

3:16

Order is 25, 2026, authorizing approving a supplement appropriation in the amount of 260,000 dollars from unappropriate monies in the Wimpetty Fund 279

Unassigned speaker

3:26

Speaker 3

3:26

the Hamilton Broad Incentive 90-117 expense account 279.000.5004.

3:34

That'll be introduced by Miss Elmore and second by Mr.

3:37

Brown.

3:39

Order is 26,

Speaker 4

3:40

2026,

Speaker 3

3:41

authorizing approving a supplement appropriation in the amount of $25,000 for unappropriate monies in the General Fund 101, the Technology Life Cycle Fund 315.

3:51

This will be introduced by Miss Elmore and once again seconded by Mr.

3:55

Brown.

3:56

Or 27, 2026 was read by title only, and that's authorizing approving an amendment to the codified orders of the City of Whitehall 161 table of authorized personnel for the fiscal year 2026 and declaring an emergency.

4:10

Also being read by Title I this evening is ordinance 28, 2026, amending ordinance 129-2025, authorizing approving the following changes to 161.38 and declaring an emergency.

4:26

We then have ordinance 29, 2026, authorizing approving a supplement appropriation, the amount of $40,000 for unappropriate monies in a general fund 101, the election expense account 101.950.59,000.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Elections██████████████████████22%

Procedural█████████████████17%

Community Engagement█████████████████17%

Racial Equity█████████████13%

Public Safety██████████10%

Economic Development███████7%

Government Structure█████5%

Youth Programs███3%

Pending Litigation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Recalls of Mayor and Two Councilmembers Debated, Multiple Ordinances Adopted

The Whitehall City Council convened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, presided over by President Thomas Potter. The meeting addressed routine approvals, a special proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, committee and official reports, and extensive public testimony regarding recall petitions against Mayor Michael Bivens, Councilmember Lori Elmore, and Councilmember Amy Harcar. The council passed several emergency ordinances but failed to advance the recall resolutions due to a procedural vote on date changes.

Special Presentation

Mayor Michael T. Bivens proclaimed April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, reading a proclamation that highlighted the theme "Powered by Hope, Strength by Prevention" and the city's commitment to child safety and family support.

Public Comments & Testimony

A large number of residents and community leaders spoke in support of Mayor Bivens, Councilmembers Elmore and Harcar, characterizing the recall effort as politically motivated and rooted in racism. Speakers cited the mayor's accomplishments (e.g., fiscal reserves, new businesses, workforce development), Elmore's legislative record and MLK scholarship, and Harcar's advocacy for immigrants, domestic violence victims, and all residents.
Former Mayor Mike Shannon criticized the recall petition validation process, claiming the signature count was calculated incorrectly under the city charter and announcing his intention to file a taxpayer lawsuit.
Several speakers denounced specific council members (notably McCann and Dixon) as racists or as agents of outside interests, drawing sharp responses from those members during the meeting.
Some residents urged the council to delay the recall vote date to allow broader participation due to the Memorial Day holiday, while others argued the original Tuesday date was sufficient with early voting.

Discussion Items

Recall Resolutions (Resolutions 12, 13, 14): City Attorney Bradley Nicodemus explained these resolutions are ministerial – council must transmit the certified petitions to the Board of Elections. The primary debate centered on the election date: originally set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Councilmember Morrison moved to amend each resolution to Thursday, May 28, citing constituent concerns about holiday travel. The amendments passed by majority votes. However, motions to suspend rules (required for emergency passage) failed each time due to opposition from Councilmembers Brown and Elmore, resulting in no adoption. Nicodemus warned that delay could necessitate special meetings or litigation.
Other Legislation: Multiple ordinances were introduced under emergency suspension rules and adopted, including appropriations for election expenses, technology lifecycle, police grants, and fund reclassifications.

Key Outcomes

Legislation Adopted (all under emergency passage):
- Ordinance No. 11-2026 (Third Reading): adoption of May 2026 code replacement pages – passed 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-2026: $24,000 appropriation transfer – passed 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 25-2026: $260,000 supplemental appropriation for Hamilton-Broad incentive – passed 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 26-2026: $25,000 to Technology Lifecycle Fund – passed 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 29-2026: $40,000 to election expense account – passed 5-1 (Elmore dissenting).
- Ordinance No. 30-2026: reclassifying a fund advance as a fund transfer – passed 5-1 (Brown dissenting).
- Ordinance No. 31-2026: $75,000 to auditor tech expense – passed 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 32-2026: $17,500 for license plate reader program – passed 6-0.
- Resolution No. 11-2026: approving “Then and Now” certificates – passed 6-0.
Recall Resolutions (12, 13, 14) Not Adopted: Each resolution failed to achieve the required suspension of rules for emergency passage after the date was amended to May 28. The council will need to schedule additional special meetings or take other steps to comply with the charter’s timeline.
Second Reading Referred: Ordinance No. 22-2026 (requiring special permits for detention facilities) was read by title only and referred to the Planning Commission for April 20, 2026, with a public hearing set for April 21.

Meeting Transcript

Donnie mail me to accept that right in support of pen making everybody. Good evening. Thank you, sir. Meeting sleep. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the White House City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday, April 7th, 2026. We will start off with the call into order, followed by a moment of silence, and then we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. We do have one member not with us this evening. Thank you, Miss Elmore. And who would like to second? I'll second. Ms. McCam, is that you? Yes, sir. Thank you. Then we'll then uh we've got the approval of the minutes, which include the March 17, 2026 agenda and regular meeting minutes, as well as the March 24th, 2026 committee meeting minutes. Somebody make a motion. I'll make a motion. Thank you, Mr. Dixon. Thank you, Mr. Morrison. And then there'll be a special presentation this evening from Mayor Bibbins for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. So, Mayor, thank you for that. Um we'll then go into our standing committee reports, uh, officials reports. Uh, and as far as my report, there have been no official approachment filed in the council office since our last meeting. Uh, under communications and claims, we have four items listed tonight. First, the agenda for the April 13th, 2026, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals meeting. Minutes of the February 9th, 2026, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals meeting. The agenda for the April 20th, 2026, Whitehall Planning Commission meeting, and lastly, the minutes of the February 5th, 2026, Whitehall Planning Commission meeting. We'll then have our first poll public. Uh, as always, we will certainly invite the public to come forward. Just ask you to sign in and uh state your name when you get to the lecture, and you'll have three minutes. We'll then have our verification of copies, and then under legislation this evening, we've got uh several items, but just one under third reading, which is ordinance 11, 2026, authorizing the adoption of the May 2026 replacement pages to the codified ordinance of the city of Whitehall and declaring emergency. This will be introduced by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Mr. Adkins. Under second reading, we have one item listed, which will be read by title only, which is ordinance 22, 2026, and orders amending the planning and zoning code to require special permits for the construction or operation of detention facilities. This has been referred to the planning commission for their April 2026 meeting, and then it'll be a public hearing here in City Council Chambers on April 21st, 2026. Under first reading, we have ordinance 24, 2026, authorizing and approving appropriation transfer in the amount of 24,000 dollars from unappropriated monies of the service administration assistant one account 101.600.51,200. The service administration assist two account 101.600.51,650, and declaring an emergency. This will be introduced by Miss Elmore and seconded by Mr. Adkins. Order is 25, 2026, authorizing approving a supplement appropriation in the amount of 260,000 dollars from unappropriate monies in the Wimpetty Fund 279 to the Hamilton Broad Incentive 90-117 expense account 279.000.5004.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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Whitehall City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Recalls of Mayor and Two Councilmembers Debated, Multiple Ordinances Adopted

Special Presentation

Mayor Michael T. Bivens proclaimed April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, reading a proclamation that highlighted the theme "Powered by Hope, Strength by Prevention" and the city's commitment to child safety and family support.

Public Comments & Testimony

A large number of residents and community leaders spoke in support of Mayor Bivens, Councilmembers Elmore and Harcar, characterizing the recall effort as politically motivated and rooted in racism. Speakers cited the mayor's accomplishments (e.g., fiscal reserves, new businesses, workforce development), Elmore's legislative record and MLK scholarship, and Harcar's advocacy for immigrants, domestic violence victims, and all residents.

Former Mayor Mike Shannon criticized the recall petition validation process, claiming the signature count was calculated incorrectly under the city charter and announcing his intention to file a taxpayer lawsuit.

Several speakers denounced specific council members (notably McCann and Dixon) as racists or as agents of outside interests, drawing sharp responses from those members during the meeting.

Some residents urged the council to delay the recall vote date to allow broader participation due to the Memorial Day holiday, while others argued the original Tuesday date was sufficient with early voting.

Discussion Items

Recall Resolutions (Resolutions 12, 13, 14): City Attorney Bradley Nicodemus explained these resolutions are ministerial – council must transmit the certified petitions to the Board of Elections. The primary debate centered on the election date: originally set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Councilmember Morrison moved to amend each resolution to Thursday, May 28, citing constituent concerns about holiday travel. The amendments passed by majority votes. However, motions to suspend rules (required for emergency passage) failed each time due to opposition from Councilmembers Brown and Elmore, resulting in no adoption. Nicodemus warned that delay could necessitate special meetings or litigation.

Other Legislation: Multiple ordinances were introduced under emergency suspension rules and adopted, including appropriations for election expenses, technology lifecycle, police grants, and fund reclassifications.

Key Outcomes

Legislation Adopted (all under emergency passage):

Ordinance No. 11-2026 (Third Reading): adoption of May 2026 code replacement pages – passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 24-2026: $24,000 appropriation transfer – passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 25-2026: $260,000 supplemental appropriation for Hamilton-Broad incentive – passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 26-2026: $25,000 to Technology Lifecycle Fund – passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 29-2026: $40,000 to election expense account – passed 5-1 (Elmore dissenting).
Ordinance No. 30-2026: reclassifying a fund advance as a fund transfer – passed 5-1 (Brown dissenting).
Ordinance No. 31-2026: $75,000 to auditor tech expense – passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 32-2026: $17,500 for license plate reader program – passed 6-0.
Resolution No. 11-2026: approving “Then and Now” certificates – passed 6-0.

Recall Resolutions (12, 13, 14) Not Adopted: Each resolution failed to achieve the required suspension of rules for emergency passage after the date was amended to May 28. The council will need to schedule additional special meetings or take other steps to comply with the charter’s timeline.

Second Reading Referred: Ordinance No. 22-2026 (requiring special permits for detention facilities) was read by title only and referred to the Planning Commission for April 20, 2026, with a public hearing set for April 21.

Meeting Transcript