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Record of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Committee Meeting - June 9, 2026: Drive-Thru Safety Presentation and Committee Actions

City Council — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyWhitehall, Ohio
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:12

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:18

Good evening, everyone.

0:19

Welcome to the White House City Council Committee meeting for Tuesday, July 9th, 2026.

0:25

We do have eight pieces of draft legislation, which we'll get to here in a moment.

0:29

But before that, we have got a presentation to be given to us this evening from the man uh family of uh Megan Keelman and if you they'd like to come forward.

0:37

Ms.

0:37

Harkar, did you want to do an introduction or

Speaker 2

0:40

um sure?

0:41

Uh as you know, we um last week I introduced resolution uh resolution zero five zero to 2026, or sorry, or net uh 50 2026.

0:52

Um and this is after I received some documentation regarding a horrific incident that had happened, and um you know, this just brings our attention to the fact that there is always more that we could be doing and always more things to be thinking about.

1:08

So Megan's family and close family friend have come here tonight from Stowe.

1:12

Thank you for driving in for this presentation to share a little bit about Megan and why um we're moving forward with this legislation.

1:21

So

Unassigned speaker

1:22

do

Speaker 2

1:22

you want to welcome them all up?

1:25

Welcome, welcome up, come on up.

1:27

If you would speak loudly, the mic is get it right.

1:30

Although

Speaker 1

1:30

actually it looked properly.

Speaker 2

1:32

It looks promising.

1:32

Julie was working on it.

1:34

So hopefully the mic cooperates.

Speaker 1

1:36

And I like reading with Ms.

1:39

Harkar said I'd like to thank all of you for coming up this evening.

1:42

I know it was quite the drive and uh much appreciated and wish it was under happier circumstances, but it's really we have to look forward to what you've had to share with us.

Unassigned speaker

1:50

Thank you.

Speaker 3

1:51

Anyone pass these out?

Speaker 1

1:52

Sure.

Unassigned speaker

1:53

Um

Speaker 3

1:54

we

Speaker 4

1:54

have a picture of our

Unassigned speaker

1:55

daughter Megan here with uh penny.

Unassigned speaker

2:01

So

Speaker 4

2:01

this was taken actually shortly

Unassigned speaker

2:03

before

Speaker 4

2:04

Merton's

Unassigned speaker

2:04

death.

Unassigned speaker

2:11

Um we are making Kelly Cullivan, and we're from Stowe, Ohio.

Unassigned speaker

2:16

Our daughter Megan was killed on August 14, 2024 to abandon

Speaker 4

2:21

senseless act of violence.

2:23

We are pushing through hard times and finally encouraged to move forward.

2:29

Our family will boldly stand for change in truth.

2:32

We have a new normal, and we have good days and we have bad days.

2:36

We we put our trust in God for what we don't understand, and we face the future with courage and we press on.

2:43

We hope that no matter what happens in your life, that you choose to be better and not better.

2:50

A way that we can make life better is through Megan's Way Out legislation.

2:54

Out of something bad comes something good.

2:58

We want all drive-throughs to have a bypass lane.

3:01

Megan became trapped that day between a line of cars and a local restaurant drive-through.

3:06

That the individual behind her ran into her car.

3:10

At first, she thought it was an accident.

3:13

She called her dad on the phone, and she said, you know, dad, the guy behind me just hit my car.

3:19

What do I do?

3:20

He said, honey, it's alright.

3:22

Stay in the car, we'll call the police.

3:31

Ran her car again, back up, ran her car again.

3:35

He did this like three times.

3:38

Some reasons that lead to car accidents and drive-throughs could be speeding, could be a distracted driver, could be a fatigued driver, maybe somebody under the influence.

3:50

In our particular case, this man was under the influence.

3:53

He was on several medications for his mental health.

3:58

He also was drunk.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Community Engagement███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Whitehall City Council Committee Meeting Summary - June 9, 2026

Note: The transcript references "Tuesday, July 9th, 2026," but the official agenda and the provided meeting date indicate June 9, 2026. This summary follows the official date.

The Whitehall City Council Committee meeting on June 9, 2026, featured a poignant presentation from the family of Megan Keleman advocating for drive-thru safety legislation, followed by reviews of eight draft legislative items including grant acceptances, supplemental appropriations, and zoning amendments.

Presentation: Megan's Way Out Legislation

  • The family of Megan Keleman (from Stow, Ohio) presented a personal account of Megan's death on August 14, 2024, when she was trapped in a one-lane drive-thru and repeatedly struck by a driver under the influence. They advocated for Ordinance No. 050-2026, which would require bypass lanes and emergency vehicle egress in new or substantially renovated drive-thru facilities. They emphasized that a bypass lane would have allowed Megan to escape and would improve access for first responders.
  • Council members expressed strong support. Councilor Harcar introduced the legislation. Councilor McCann stated, "Public safety and public health are good for business... I will never put a business interest over someone's life." Councilor Morrison offered to advocate at the state level. The family noted that a similar state bill (Senate Bill 264) is pending and that other communities (e.g., Stow, Ravenna) have already adopted similar measures. The family requested a photo with council.

Committee of the Whole Legislation

  • Resolution No. 023-2026 (1st reading, adopt 06/16): Authorizes the Mayor to apply for and accept a $21,131.22 grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Services for violent crime reduction. Funds will be used for overtime for two officers targeting gun violence ($16,000) and an advanced imaging system (tilt-pan-zoom camera) for surveillance ($5,000). No match required. Deputy Chief David Plesich confirmed the grant is essentially guaranteed. The grant requires an oversight board including the City Attorney. No questions raised on the resolution itself; introduced by Councilor Morrison, seconded by Councilor Harcar.
  • Resolution No. 024-2026 (Body Armor Grant) was withdrawn from the agenda without explanation.
  • Resolution No. 025-2026 (Tax Budget for FY 2027): Introduced for first reading; adoption scheduled for July 21. Councilor Alexander will provide budget numbers on Friday (June 12). No further discussion.

Standing Committee Actions

Administration and Financial Management (Chairperson Elmore)

  • Ordinance No. 051-2026: Supplemental appropriation of $27,750.37 from unappropriated monies to the Bullet Proof Vests Expense Account for police protective equipment. (First reading, adopt 06/16)
  • Ordinance No. 052-2026: Supplemental appropriation of $45,000 from unappropriated monies in the WMPITIE Fund (279) to TIF Fees Expense Account for real estate tax payments. (First reading, adopt 06/16)
  • Ordinance No. 053-2026: Supplemental appropriation of $700,000 from the Self-Funded Insurance Trust Fund to cover employee health insurance claims that exceeded budgeted amounts. Councilor Elmore noted this is a routine adjustment for catastrophic claims. (First reading, adopt 06/16)
  • Ordinance No. 054-2026: Repayment of $61,228.60 advance from the General Fund to the Energy Project Fund (related to East Broad Street improvements) after receipt of property tax settlement monies. (First reading, adopt 06/16)
  • Resolution No. 026-2026: Approval of "then and now" certificates for expenditures over $3,000, including a leg press machine for the Fire Department. (First reading, adopt 06/16)
  • Councilor Elmore shared that the City Auditor reported improved financial health: only one indicator in critical or cautionary outlook in 2024 and 2025, down from as many as eight in prior years.

Community and Elder Advocacy (Chairperson Harcar)

  • No drafts or pending legislation. Councilor Harcar reiterated her openness to questions about the drive-thru safety legislation.

Community Standards and Enforcement (Chairperson McCann)

  • Ordinance No. 049-2026 (2nd reading): Amends Section 505.23 to prohibit the feeding of deer. Third reading and adoption scheduled for July 7.
  • Ordinance No. 050-2026 (2nd reading): Amends Section 1111.10 to require bypass lanes and emergency vehicle egress for drive-thru facilities. Planning Commission meeting on July 2, public hearing on July 7, third reading and adoption on July 7. Council noted that a new Culver's restaurant in Whitehall is already adhering to these standards proactively.

Economic Development (Chairperson Dixon)

  • Resolution No. 019-2026 (3rd reading, adopt 06/16): Authorizes a plan of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research development and agency agreements with the Whitehall Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). Councilor Dixon clarified this memorializes existing powers from a 1984 resolution, adding no new powers, to improve accountability and audit trails. Councilor Morrison requested and received follow-up documentation. Discussion also touched on transparency concerns related to House Bill 184, but no specific action was taken.

Infrastructure, Maintenance and Services (Chairperson Brown)

  • No drafts or pending legislation. Councilor Brown announced a call for community input on speeding issues. Director Rollins provided updates on the Year-in-Roads project: Fabrizi's subcontractors are working on sidewalks south to north; milling and paving expected next week. Also, the city was awarded a MORPC Active Transportation Grant (~$50,000) for a comprehensive transportation plan, which will include traffic calming measures.

Public Safety (Chairperson Morrison)

  • No drafts or pending legislation. Councilor Morrison commended Councilor Harcar's drive-thru safety legislation and noted that speeding issues also fall under public safety.

Parks and Recreation (Chairperson Adkins)

  • No drafts or pending legislation. Council discussed the upcoming Big Summer Kickoff event (held recently) – described as a great success with high attendance and no incidents. Councilor Harcar noted that the United Methodist Church's food giveaway ended due to resource shortages, highlighting growing food insecurity. Councilor Adkins announced a "Rising Kinder Care" camp at K Avenue Elementary from July 20-23. Councilor Adkins also asked about football camp donations; Clerk Julie provided instructions for contributions.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance No. 050-2026 (Drive-thru safety) will proceed to a public hearing and third reading on July 7, with strong council support.
  • Resolution No. 023-2026 (Violent crime reduction grant) and all Administration & Financial Management items (Ordinances 051-054, Resolution 026) were advanced to a first reading with adoption scheduled for June 16.
  • Resolution No. 019-2026 (CIC development plan) is on third reading and will be voted on June 16.
  • Ordinance No. 049-2026 (Deer feeding prohibition) and Ordinance No. 050-2026 will have their third readings on July 7.
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the White House City Council Committee meeting for Tuesday, July 9th, 2026. We do have eight pieces of draft legislation, which we'll get to here in a moment. But before that, we have got a presentation to be given to us this evening from the man uh family of uh Megan Keelman and if you they'd like to come forward. Ms. Harkar, did you want to do an introduction or um sure? Uh as you know, we um last week I introduced resolution uh resolution zero five zero to 2026, or sorry, or net uh 50 2026. Um and this is after I received some documentation regarding a horrific incident that had happened, and um you know, this just brings our attention to the fact that there is always more that we could be doing and always more things to be thinking about. So Megan's family and close family friend have come here tonight from Stowe. Thank you for driving in for this presentation to share a little bit about Megan and why um we're moving forward with this legislation. So do you want to welcome them all up? Welcome, welcome up, come on up. If you would speak loudly, the mic is get it right. Although actually it looked properly. It looks promising. Julie was working on it. So hopefully the mic cooperates. And I like reading with Ms. Harkar said I'd like to thank all of you for coming up this evening. I know it was quite the drive and uh much appreciated and wish it was under happier circumstances, but it's really we have to look forward to what you've had to share with us. Thank you. Anyone pass these out? Sure. Um we have a picture of our daughter Megan here with uh penny. So this was taken actually shortly before Merton's death. Um we are making Kelly Cullivan, and we're from Stowe, Ohio. Our daughter Megan was killed on August 14, 2024 to abandon senseless act of violence. We are pushing through hard times and finally encouraged to move forward. Our family will boldly stand for change in truth. We have a new normal, and we have good days and we have bad days. We we put our trust in God for what we don't understand, and we face the future with courage and we press on. We hope that no matter what happens in your life, that you choose to be better and not better. A way that we can make life better is through Megan's Way Out legislation. Out of something bad comes something good. We want all drive-throughs to have a bypass lane. Megan became trapped that day between a line of cars and a local restaurant drive-through. That the individual behind her ran into her car. At first, she thought it was an accident.

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