Whitehall City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Whitehall City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. President Patricia Balser presided. Roll call showed all seven council members present: Gerald Dixon, Devin Brown, Lori Elmore, Larry Morrison, Amy Harcar, Mike Adkins, and Brian McCann. The meeting included approval of minutes, standing committee and officials' reports, extensive public testimony, and action on multiple pieces of legislation. A notable discussion centered on Ordinance 89-2026, which proposes a local financial disclosure and ethics training process, ultimately postponed to a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the September 1, 2026, Agenda & Regular Meeting and the September 8, 2026, Committee Meeting were approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by Councilor Dixon, seconded by Councilor Adkins.

Public Comments & Testimony

Several residents addressed the council during the two public comment periods (Poll Public). Summaries are as follows:

• Mike Cole Spicer: Expressed support for Ordinance 89-2026, stating that leadership requires accountability, and praised Auditor Alexander and Treasurer Luke for their work. Also thanked Director Rollins for infrastructure improvements and noted the need for temporary inconvenience for long-term benefit.
• Shannon (last name not given): Urged the council to accept the Franklin County Common Pleas Court decision regarding Fairway Close (dated September 3, 2026) and to stop any taxpayer-funded appeals. Argued the preliminary plat approval was unlawful, violated zoning codes and the comprehensive plan, and that the meeting violated Ohio Open Meetings Act. Stated that the community overwhelmingly rejected the development in a November 2025 referendum.
• Unnamed speaker (second public commenter): Expressed frustration, stating the council's actions feel like a waste of time and resources and lacking integrity.
• Kean Washington: Accused the council of lacking integrity, made personal criticisms, and urged respectful behavior.
• Linda (last name not given): Thanked Mayor Bivens for disaster response, praised council members Harcar, Brown, and Elmore for supporting a candidate (Mr. Graham), expressed disappointment that two council members did not respond to her outreach, and criticized prejudice in Whitehall.
• Paula Lee: Called for unity and civility, expressed hope for balanced government, and thanked the city for alley cleanup after storms.
• Shirley Washington: Emphasized the need for unity and noted that September 15 is National Voter Registration Day. Raised a safety concern about exiting and entering Eastway on Broad Street due to dangerous curves.
• A speaker representing Whitehall Historical Society: Promoted the inaugural Founders Day on October 18, 2026, at Whitehall City Park, and encouraged council members to join the Historical Society.
• A speaker (male): Urged council to get to know residents better and be more approachable.
• Diane Peters: Asked for forgiveness and reminded council to care for all residents, including the poor, and to unite the community.
• Written Poll Public from Jeff Thilburn: Opposed Ordinance 89-2026, arguing it creates unnecessary bureaucracy, potential political weaponization, and conflict of interest.
• Written Poll Public from Steve Quinzel (former auditor): Supported the ordinance, noting it responds to an auditor recommendation and that ignoring it could escalate.
• Written Poll Public from Lyle Moeller: Supported Ordinance 89-2026, emphasizing the need for a formal disclosure process to strengthen internal controls.

Discussion Items

• Standing Committee Reports: Chairs of six committees (Administration & Financial Management, Community & Elder Advocacy, Community Standards & Enforcement, Economic Development, Infrastructure Maintenance & Services, Public Safety, Parks & Recreation) gave brief updates. Notable: Chairperson Brown reported that the Broad and Hamilton project is expected to be wrapped up by November, and Broad Street Phase 4 will see temporary paving on the north side through winter, with final paving in spring. He also reminded residents to report speeding issues and thanked volunteers for the Whitehall Ward Waste program sign-ups.
• Officials' Reports:
  • Mayor Michael T. Bivens: Announced budget season is underway, with an open and transparent process. Congratulated Director Rollins and Natia Hinton for the disaster relief fund's success. Promoted the first Founders Day on October 18. Acknowledged the resignation of Gerald Wright as Director of Neighborhoods and introduced his replacement, Chet Ridenour.
  • City Auditor Shaquille Alexander: Presented financial highlights: income tax revenue through August 31, 2026, is $23.9 million (largest on record), up from $21.3 million in 2025. General fund balance is $8.4 million, up $1 million year-over-year. Spending is controlled at 61% of budget (64% including encumbrances); police and fire spending increased, while other departmental spending decreased. Then gave a detailed explanation of Ordinance 89-2026, emphasizing it was triggered by an auditor recommendation to establish a formal conflict-of-interest disclosure process. He clarified that the ordinance does not create new penalties beyond existing state law, does not empower the auditor to prosecute, and is one part of a broader response to audit findings. He urged council to consider the legislation carefully and offered to amend penalty provisions if needed.
  • City Treasurer Janell Luke: Supported the ordinance from a compliance perspective, emphasizing that good internal controls are not personal and should outlast any officeholder. Noted that Columbus has had a similar process since 2016.
  • Director of Public Service Casey Rollins: Updated that work on Dony Street will resume after a water break repair, and suggested alternate routes to avoid congestion on Yearling Road.
  • Director of Economic Development Jackie Russell: Noted this was her last meeting before maternity leave (expecting twins) and that she would be out until November or December.
  • Director of Public Safety Van Gregg: Not present.
  • Director of Neighborhoods Chet Ridenour: Introduced himself on his fifth day in the role. Shared his background in community organizing, micromobility, and strategic partnerships. Outlined his vision for the Department of Neighborhoods to strengthen social connections through block-level events, micro-grants, and toolkits. He emphasized listening and learning from residents and working with council. He mentioned joining EMS on a run and helping a Spanish-speaking resident at City Hall.
• Legislation – Second Readings (Ordinances 86-2026 and 87-2026, traffic/parking): Passed as part of consent? Actually, they were under second reading but no vote was taken in the transcript? Wait: the agenda shows second reading, but the transcript moves from second reading to first reading. Then the council votes on suspension and adoption for first readings. For second readings, there is no vote recorded. Likely they were passed without opposition. To be safe, we note they were introduced but no vote captured.
• Legislation – First Readings (Ordinances 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, Resolution 40):
  • Ordinance 89-2026 (Financial disclosure and ethics training): After extensive discussion, Councilor Brown moved to postpone to October 20, 2026, for three readings. Seconded by Councilor Harcar. Postpone passed 6-1 (Councilor Dixon voted no). The ordinance will receive a second reading on October 6 and third reading on October 20.
  • Ordinance 90-2026 (Amending Ordinance 73-2026 regarding changes to 161.38): Suspension of rules and adoption passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Ordinance 91-2026 ($18,000 supplemental appropriation for labor relations): Suspension and adoption passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance 92-2026 (Creating Chapter 170 for minority business contract awards): Read by title only; no vote was taken in the transcript. It may have been deferred or not acted upon during this meeting.
  • Ordinance 93-2026 (Transfer of $49,840.89 from Columbus Blue Jacket Grant Fund 204 to General Fund, and closure of fund): Suspension and adoption passed unanimously. Councilor Elmore explained the funds were leftover from a 2022 grant and would reimburse the general fund for expenses.
  • Ordinance 94-2026 (Authorizing mayor to contract with Public Entities Pool of Ohio for insurance): Suspension and adoption passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 40-2026 (Approve “Then and Now” certificates): Suspension and adoption passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimously.
• Ordinances 90, 91, 93, 94, and Resolution 40: All passed unanimously on suspension of rules and adoption.
• Ordinance 89-2026: Postponed to October 20, 2026, for three readings (vote 6-1). The ordinance will be further discussed and potentially amended.
• Ordinance 92-2026: Read by title only; no vote recorded. Likely will be considered at a future meeting.
• Community Announcements: Founders Day on October 18; Purple Run 5K on October 10; disaster relief applications still open; encouragement for voter registration.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 9:24 p.m.