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Record of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting Summary - June 2, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyWhitehall, Ohio
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:20:33

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

last week too if I can't remember

Speaker 2

0:04

you're awful young to be losing that already

Unassigned speaker

0:08

oh

Speaker 1

0:09

well crack is you bring it

Speaker 2

0:12

okay

Unassigned speaker

0:16

just have a class good

Speaker 3

0:21

evening everyone welcome to White House City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday June 2nd 2026 as our usual custom we'll start with the moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance then have a roll call as you can see uh Mr.

0:33

Brown's not with us but he did text me earlier and he will be here at 7 p.m for the meeting so he was just running a little late uh we then have the approval of the minutes which include May 12th 2026 committee meeting minutes may 19th agenda and regular meeting minutes as well as the May 26 2026 committee meeting minutes I will need somebody to introduce and somebody's second first dixon

Speaker 4

0:58

thank you Mr.

0:59

Morrison uh Mr.

1:00

President do you want do you want um folks for roll call in case it gets to that point and uh councillor Brown is not arrived yet

Speaker 3

1:11

uh we we could as a precautionary but he could still walk in but I may if he's not here I'll just do it live on the floor okay

Unassigned speaker

1:19

uh

Speaker 3

1:19

we then have our standing committee reports followed by our officials reports uh as far as council no official reports have been filed in the council office since our last regular meeting under communications petitions and claims we have got no communications petitions and claims that have been filed in the office since our last meeting we'll then go into our public hearing which is on orders 34 2026 allowing a special permit under 1125.04 to allow a drive through facilities on our property located at 46 out of East Broad Street personal number 090-008427-000 and 090-008249-000 property owned by Meyer Foods management company and declaring an emergency russell will you be presenting thank you uh we'll then have our

Unassigned speaker

2:13

uh

Speaker 3

2:15

first poll public and again poll public we invite everybody to come forward just need to state your name and city and you'll have up to three minutes for discussion uh as well as the sign in sheet um have verification on copies whether each member is given account copy of the item list on legislation prior to the meeting and any add on legislation then before getting to our legislation this evening there's gonna be several motions to add and change rules of council first is no one shall no one on Diaz shall call out anyone in the audience citizens or otherwise in general by name in a criticizing negative manner um some of you will need to on council to move on this first

Speaker 2

2:59

okay I'll make the motion

Speaker 3

3:03

and who would want to I'll second thank you we then have number two no campaigning election electioneering the dias this includes for or against campaign issues other elected officials andor candidates and or fawning praise for other elected officials I'll first then who wants to second I'll second Mr.

3:30

Adkins thank

Unassigned speaker

3:31

you.

Speaker 3

3:33

We then have the third item in the absence of both the president of council and the present pro tem council may appoint from its members a temporary chair or president of council I'll make another motion on that thank you Mr.

3:47

Morrison and then last signs that are eight and a half by eleven inches or smaller may be held by attendees while seated as long as they do not obstruct the view of others signs larger than eight and a half by eleven inches may be displayed only by individuals standing in the back of the room or seated in the back row so long as they do not obstruct access visibility or safety.

Speaker 5

4:11

President Potter I'll introduce that one councilor omel would you second for

Unassigned speaker

4:15

me

Speaker 3

4:18

thank you that will then bring us into

Speaker 6

4:22

yes I just want to make sure that uh since we're going over the council rules that the council regarding uh decorum was added to uh from the last time it was it was added

Speaker 5

4:33

I don't think we've added that in.

4:36

I know

Speaker 6

4:37

we discussed it.

Unassigned speaker

4:38

I don't know that we added it to the council.

Unassigned speaker

4:41

If not, then I're not like to have that added.

Speaker 6

4:43

Yeah, I don't think we added that.

Speaker 4

4:45

I don't

Speaker 6

4:45

know

Speaker 7

4:46

which what it is just

Speaker 5

4:47

regarding the attire and um

Speaker 7

4:49

yeah, I think we talked about it but I don't think we ever added it okay so language for it.

Unassigned speaker

Okay.

Speaker 7

4:53

Yeah,

Speaker 3

4:54

we need to.

Unassigned speaker

4:55

But if we don't have that this evening, then we can certainly do that at our next meeting if you so we get that in front of council so we've got it on paper.

Speaker 6

5:03

It was already presented.

Speaker 3

5:05

But we I know, but we don't have any for today.

5:07

Correct.

5:08

Okay.

5:09

So I would you know short of everybody having I would just ask that we get that and then we can vote on two weeks.

Speaker 8

5:14

Okay.

Unassigned speaker

5:16

Uh

Speaker 3

5:17

we'll then get into our legislation.

Unassigned speaker

5:19

We have third reading, allowing special, which is uh 34 2026, uh allowing a special permit under 1125.04 to allow drive-through facilities on property located at 4670's Broad Street, parcel number 090-008427-000, and 090-008-249-00, property owned by Meyer Foods Management Company and declaring an emergency.

Speaker 3

5:48

This will be introduced by Mr.

5:49

Dixon's second amendment from McCann.

5:52

Second reading, we have one item.

5:53

This will go by title only, authorizing approving a plan of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research development, and one or more agency agreements with the Whitehall Community Improvement Corporation and declaring an emergency.

6:07

This will be by again by title only.

Unassigned speaker

6:10

We then have first reading ordinance 45 2026, authorizing approving a fund transfer in the amount of 100,000 from unappropriate monies in the general fund 101, the street maintenance and repair fund 201, and making a supplement appropriation of 100,000 from unappropriate monies in the street maintenance and repair fund 201, the new equipment expense account 201.000.53,000.

Speaker 3

6:34

This will be introduced by Ms.

6:35

Elmore, seconded by Mr.

6:37

Brown.

Unassigned speaker

6:38

That

Summary of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Whitehall City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The agenda included a public hearing on a drive-through special permit, a highly contentious debate over several proposed changes to council rules governing decorum and speech on the dais, a strong financial report from the City Auditor, and the adoption of resolutions on grants and state legislative transparency.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the minutes of the May 12, May 19, and May 26, 2026 meetings.
  • Unanimous adoption of fund transfers for street maintenance, debt service, and plumbing permits (Ordinances 045, 046, 047, 048).
  • Adoption of Resolution 019 (CIC Agreement) and Resolution 021 (Then and Now certificates).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alex Maggard urged council members to take public individual stances on the three recall questions on the June 23 ballot, stating, "we need our leaders to lead us."
  • Ms. Peters compared the motivation behind the recall effort to a "damn lie" resembling debunked rumors in Springfield, Ohio, and asked council to "squash the damn lie." She also proposed creating a fund to sponsor children for summer football camps.
  • Ms. Spicer expressed concern that the new council rules "are trampling on First Amendment rights."
  • A subsequent speaker criticized the broader rule changes and the recall divide as "ignorance" designed to divide and silence the community.

Discussion Items

  • Proposed Council Rule Changes:
    • Rule 1 (Passed 4-3): Prohibits calling an audience member by name in a criticizing manner. Supporters said it protects citizens from political backlash; opponents said it is vague and restricts free speech.
    • Rule 2 (Failed 3-4): Would have prohibited campaigning, electioneering, and "fawning praise" from the dais. City Attorney Nicodemus advised direct advocacy is already illegal. An amendment to replace "fawning" with "promotional" was made but the rule failed. Opponents called it an attempt to "silence people they disagree with."
    • Rule 3 (Passed 4-3): Allows council to appoint a temporary chair in the absence of the president and vice president.
    • Rule 4 (Passed 5-2): Codified sign size restrictions. Opponents argued it was a reactive measure to signs critical of specific council members.
  • Public Hearing & Legislation (ORD 034-2026): A special permit was granted for a Culver's drive-through restaurant at the former Applebee's location (4600 E Broad St). The project promises approximately 80 jobs. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. The ordinance passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Auditor's Report: Auditor Shaquille Alexander reported 15 of 16 State Financial Health Indicators are positive, with the single cautionary indicator trending downward. The general fund holds a $7.2 million balance plus a $1.54 million budget stabilization fund, marking the city's strongest financial position in years. He announced plans to publish a regular public financial dashboard.
  • Deer Feeding Ordinance (ORD 049-2026 - First Reading): The City Attorney clarified the proposed ban applies strictly to deer, not birds, squirrels, or other wildlife.
  • Resolution 22 - Transparency: Council unanimously adopted a resolution (7-0) urging the Ohio General Assembly to repeal R.C. 9.66(D) (part of HB 184), which makes economic development incentive information confidential.

Key Outcomes

  • Council adopted three of four proposed rule changes (Rules 1, 3, and 4), with the campaigning/fawning rule failing.
  • Unanimously approved the special permit for the Culver's drive-through (ORD 034-2026).
  • Unanimously approved Resolution 022 against HB 184, with a separate letter to state legislators circulated for signature.
  • Unanimously authorized the Mayor to apply for a Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant (RES 020).
  • Notable Incident: At the close of the meeting, Councillor Lori Elmore stated from the dais, "please vote yes" regarding the recall election on June 23, 2026. This directly followed City Attorney Nicodemus's explicit legal advice that such advocacy from an official capacity during a meeting constitutes prohibited electioneering. The statement was immediately challenged on a point of order by another council member citing the attorney's advice.

Meeting Transcript

last week too if I can't remember you're awful young to be losing that already oh well crack is you bring it okay just have a class good evening everyone welcome to White House City Council agenda meeting for Tuesday June 2nd 2026 as our usual custom we'll start with the moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance then have a roll call as you can see uh Mr. Brown's not with us but he did text me earlier and he will be here at 7 p.m for the meeting so he was just running a little late uh we then have the approval of the minutes which include May 12th 2026 committee meeting minutes may 19th agenda and regular meeting minutes as well as the May 26 2026 committee meeting minutes I will need somebody to introduce and somebody's second first dixon thank you Mr. Morrison uh Mr. President do you want do you want um folks for roll call in case it gets to that point and uh councillor Brown is not arrived yet uh we we could as a precautionary but he could still walk in but I may if he's not here I'll just do it live on the floor okay uh we then have our standing committee reports followed by our officials reports uh as far as council no official reports have been filed in the council office since our last regular meeting under communications petitions and claims we have got no communications petitions and claims that have been filed in the office since our last meeting we'll then go into our public hearing which is on orders 34 2026 allowing a special permit under 1125.04 to allow a drive through facilities on our property located at 46 out of East Broad Street personal number 090-008427-000 and 090-008249-000 property owned by Meyer Foods management company and declaring an emergency russell will you be presenting thank you uh we'll then have our uh first poll public and again poll public we invite everybody to come forward just need to state your name and city and you'll have up to three minutes for discussion uh as well as the sign in sheet um have verification on copies whether each member is given account copy of the item list on legislation prior to the meeting and any add on legislation then before getting to our legislation this evening there's gonna be several motions to add and change rules of council first is no one shall no one on Diaz shall call out anyone in the audience citizens or otherwise in general by name in a criticizing negative manner um some of you will need to on council to move on this first okay I'll make the motion and who would want to I'll second thank you we then have number two no campaigning election electioneering the dias this includes for or against campaign issues other elected officials andor candidates and or fawning praise for other elected officials I'll first then who wants to second I'll second Mr. Adkins thank you. We then have the third item in the absence of both the president of council and the present pro tem council may appoint from its members a temporary chair or president of council I'll make another motion on that thank you Mr. Morrison and then last signs that are eight and a half by eleven inches or smaller may be held by attendees while seated as long as they do not obstruct the view of others signs larger than eight and a half by eleven inches may be displayed only by individuals standing in the back of the room or seated in the back row so long as they do not obstruct access visibility or safety. President Potter I'll introduce that one councilor omel would you second for me thank you that will then bring us into yes I just want to make sure that uh since we're going over the council rules that the council regarding uh decorum was added to uh from the last time it was it was added I don't think we've added that in. I know we discussed it. I don't know that we added it to the council. If not, then I're not like to have that added. Yeah, I don't think we added that. I don't know which what it is just regarding the attire and um yeah, I think we talked about it but I don't think we ever added it okay so language for it. Okay. Yeah, we need to. But if we don't have that this evening, then we can certainly do that at our next meeting if you so we get that in front of council so we've got it on paper. It was already presented. But we I know, but we don't have any for today. Correct. Okay. So I would you know short of everybody having I would just ask that we get that and then we can vote on two weeks. Okay. Uh we'll then get into our legislation. We have third reading, allowing special, which is uh 34 2026, uh allowing a special permit under 1125.04 to allow drive-through facilities on property located at 4670's Broad Street, parcel number 090-008427-000, and 090-008-249-00, property owned by Meyer Foods Management Company and declaring an emergency.

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