Public Meetings - Powell, Ohio

The Powell Development Corporation (PDC) met on February 24, 2026, at 6:31 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Heather Karr presided. Members present included Treasurer Nicole Scott, Economic Development Administrator Sean Hughes, City Manager Andrew D. White, and Mayor Karr. Chairman Jim Hrivnak was absent. Staff present included City Clerk Elaine McCloskey, Accounting Specialist Jodi Reed, and Finance Director Samantha Borchers. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 27, 2026 PDC meeting were approved by consensus. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizen participation was offered. Discussion Items - Treasurer's Report (January): Finance Director Samantha Borchers reported two notable items. The charging station utility cost was higher than typical: the monthly AEP invoice was $3,256.62 (about $2,600 in a typical month), plus an additional $600 to reimburse the City for electricity at 47 Hall Street (covering September–December 2025). Real estate line included $15,950, of which $15,788.50 was the full-year property tax payment for 4630 W. Powell Road; a tax exemption was filed but not yet approved, and legal advised paying it. Net loss for the month was $17,684.48, with just under $500,000 in the bank. - Economic Development Administrator's Report (January): Sean Hughes reported 94 projects carried over from 2025, with 42 new projects, totaling 136 projects at end of January 2026 – a 33.3% increase over the same time last year. There was one new business, three retained/expanded businesses, $40,000 of new payroll (transcript says $48,000; minutes say $40,000 – discrepancy noted), and 19 business/retention/expansion visits. City Manager White suggested prioritizing projects by significance; Hughes noted his tracking system categorizes by type but not time allocated. - Delaware Entrepreneurial Center Update: Steve Flaherty and OWU President Matt vandenBerg presented the strategic reset of the center (est. 2018). They introduced the "FounderU" brand, aiming to be a countywide hub for entrepreneurship beyond the physical space. Key initiatives include a 72-hour film festival (proof of launch) and FounderFest (replacing Kickstart Ohio) with a US entrepreneurship competition. Only 12% of small businesses use AI at scale, presenting opportunity. They emphasized founder-led ecosystem, reciprocity, and future capital funds (ETA Fund, Startup Fund). They seek a single financial partnership agreement across Delaware County cities (Sunbury, Powell, Delaware City). vandenBerg noted OWU's largest class in 17 years, record retention, and philanthropic investment. - PDC Budget Adjustments: Finance Director Borchers presented a new budget layout with columns for prior three years, current year, and projections for next four years (using 3–5% annual increases). Orange cells indicate approved/committed grants. Larger expenses (land acquisition, large grants) are falling off, allowing cash build-up. Discussion noted most grants are performance-based, needing flexibility. - PDC Code of Regulations: Hughes reviewed legal memo recommending adoption of amended and restated Code of Regulations with effective date March 1, 2026, allowing City Council to make appointments and form a nomination committee. Motion to adopt passed unanimously. - Sponsorships: Discussion on State of the City (requested $1,200, up from $1,000 last year) and Powell Festival (increase to $25,000 base tier for 2026). Two motions passed: one to increase budget amounts, one to approve the sponsorship payments. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved by consensus. - Motion adopted: City Manager White moved to adopt the amended and restated Powell Community Improvement Corporation (doing business as Powell Development Corporation) Code of Regulations with effective date March 1, 2026. Seconded by Treasurer Scott. Vote: Y-4, N-0, AB-0. - Motion passed: To increase Powell Festival sponsorship to $25,000 and State of the City to $1,200. Moved by White, seconded by Hughes. Vote: Y-4, N-0, AB-0. - Motion passed: To pay for the approved sponsorships. Moved by Hughes, seconded by White. Vote: Y-4, N-0, AB-0. - Motion passed: To adjourn at 7:17 PM. Moved by White, seconded by Scott. Vote: Y-4, N-0, AB-0.

The Powell City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers at 47 Hall Street. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, adoption of a consent agenda, two resolutions on software and crisis intervention referrals, committee updates, and a City Manager's report covering population growth, electric aggregation study, and parking initiatives. The meeting concluded with an executive session. Consent Calendar - The council unanimously adopted the consent agenda, which included monthly reports from Human Resources, Planning and Zoning, Police, Finance, Public Service and Engineering, Economic Development, and Community Engagement; a notice of liquor license transfer to KDLC Ohio LLC (24-26 Grace Drive, from Powell Bar and Grill LLC, permit classes D1, D2, D3); Resolution 2026-14 authorizing a retention bonus agreement with the City Manager; and Resolution 2026-15 appointing board, committee, and commission members with specified terms. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the Citizen Participation portion of the agenda, nor during the public comment periods for resolutions 2026-16 and 2026-17. Discussion Items - Resolution 2026-16 – CivicServe Agreement: Economic Development Administrator Sean presented the software package, CivicServe, an incentive management tool for tracking abatements, grants, and TIFs. The annual cost is $5,250, piggybacking off Delaware County's negotiated countywide rate (typically $15,000/year). The agreement has a 60-day cancellation clause. Council voted to adopt. - Resolution 2026-17 – Crisis Intervention Referral MOU: Police Chief described the existing 15+ year practice of mental health crisis intervention referrals, which are currently manual. This MOU with the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board will fund a secure software platform (Jolota) to automate referrals through the CAD system, supported by at least 14 other organizations in Delaware County. The MOU is required for data sharing. Council voted to adopt. Key Outcomes - The council unanimously adopted the prior meeting minutes (work session January 31, 2026; special meeting February 3, 2026; regular meeting February 3, 2026) without corrections. - Resolution 2026-16 was adopted unanimously (vote not recorded but no opposition noted). - Resolution 2026-17 was adopted unanimously (vote not recorded but no opposition noted). - The council unanimously approved a motion to enter executive session under ORC 121.22(G)(2) (property purchase), (G)(3) (attorney consultation on imminent court action), and (G)(8) (economic development confidential information). Committee Reports - Development Committee: Next meeting March 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM. - Finance Committee: Will meet for the first time in March. - Operations Committee: Met that evening and discussed the first phase of an electric aggregation program; recommended soliciting outside consulting assistance to gather market information. Next meeting March 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM. - Planning & Zoning Commission: Welcomed three new members for the March meeting; next meeting March 11, 2026, at 6:30 PM (combined with City Council). - Powell Development Corporation: Next meeting February 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM. City Manager's Report - City Manager Andy reported on a monthly coffee meet-up with citizens at Espresso 23, noting positive interaction with business-minded attendees. - Reminded council of an upcoming chamber event at Scioto Reserve Country Club on Thursday, February 20 (arrival at 5:30 PM); council has one table available. - Provided an update on population growth: Powell’s population has increased from roughly 13,000 in 2020 to a median forecast of just over 15,000, with the most liberal estimate over 17,000. Staff will explore which figure to use for grant funding and service planning. - Announced a parking study: While total downtown parking spaces are adequate, the disparity between public and privately held spaces creates challenges. Staff will pursue public-private partnerships and improved signage before Memorial Day. Executive Session - The council unanimously voted to enter executive session for three purposes: property purchase (G2), attorney consultation regarding imminent court action (G3), and confidential economic development information (G8). No action was anticipated following the session.

The Powell Operations Committee met on February 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers to discuss electric aggregation objectives following voter approval in November 2025, and to address logistics for the Memorial Day parade. Consent Calendar - Approval of the minutes from the January 20, 2026 Operations Committee meeting was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were recorded. Discussion Items - Electric Aggregation Objectives: Jeff presented policy objectives for an RFP to select a consultant. Key points: The program affects only generation supply; AEP remains the distributor. Residents can opt out at any time. Two procurement models were considered: a city-led RFP (more control) and a consortium model (e.g., SOPEC). Staff recommended the city-led RFP. Discussion addressed renewable energy credits (RECs) and whether to mandate a green default. Council members suggested soliciting input on both options during the RFP. No guarantee of savings was offered, but market timing (mid-year) was noted as favorable. The committee provided direction to proceed with drafting the RFP, with legal assistance, and to bring back proposals for evaluation. - Memorial Day Parade: A council member raised concerns about commercialization and suggested directing any sponsorship proceeds to a new veterans memorial fund rather than general programming. Staff clarified that no fees are charged for parade participation; revenue comes from sponsorships. The committee agreed to investigate the idea further and report back after consulting with staff member Missy. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. The committee directed staff to draft an RFP for electric aggregation, including renewable energy options, and to bring back proposals for committee or council review. - Staff will consult with internal resources regarding the Memorial Day parade and explore the feasibility of creating a veterans memorial fund for event proceeds. - Staff will consider inviting aggregators to share market insights before finalizing the RFP.

The Powell Planning & Zoning Commission met on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in the Council Chambers at 47 Hall Street. The agenda listed a 6:30 PM start; the meeting timestamp was provided as 2026-02-11 11:30:00 UTC. The Commission approved the prior meeting minutes and an amended final development plan for gas-station canopy signs, and held a discussion-only work session on rental registration. Consent Calendar - Approved the January 14, 2026 P&Z minutes and the October 16, 2025 HDAC meeting minutes by motion. Public Comments & Testimony - No visitors came forward during the hearing of visitors for items not on the agenda. Discussion Items Case 2026-01AFDP: Amendment to Final Development Plan Review - Marathon Gas Station (3446 O'Connell St.) - The applicant, Lori Williams of CB Signs, requested approval to add two 24.4-square-foot LED changeable-copy canopy signs on the east and west elevations of the station's canopy, facing Guardwell Street and Sawmill Parkway respectively. The property is zoned Planned Commercial District as part of Golf Village (Liberty Township zoning). - Staff noted Liberty Township zoning includes unique provisions for amendments to final development plans and recommended approval of the two canopy signs in addition to the existing ground sign on the Sawmill frontage. - Ms. Williams stated neighboring properties already have approved canopy signs; the signs would be set back approximately 70 feet from the road, visible from two approaches, and the message can be changed remotely or via Bluetooth. She confirmed the signs would be on the applicant's property, not in the right-of-way, and said there are no current plans to convert the existing manual ground sign to LED. - The Commission approved the amendment by motion, seconded without objection. Rental Registration Discussion - Staff presented a high-level overview of rental registration programs in Ohio communities, including Gahanna and Reynoldsburg, noting such programs often include property inspections to identify code violations. Renewal periods vary from annually to every three years, with Reynoldsburg requiring a single one-time registration. - Staff noted Gahanna initially conducted full-house inspections on a two-year renewal cycle but scaled back to public-facing views because of workload. One commissioner observed Gahanna's program has been in place about five years and has gone through at least one full cycle. - One commissioner expressed support for registration only as a way to know who owns rental properties and to have a local point of contact, but opposed inspections or additional burdens on property owners. Another commissioner stated that if it were up to them, registration is not needed; they opposed registration and inspections and described such programs as symbolic, cumbersome to city staff, and potentially discouraging to investors. - A commissioner noted that if a registration fee is charged (for example, $25, or even no fee), owners may not voluntarily register without enforcement, and defining "family" for exemptions is difficult to draft. Members also noted the city is generally not hearing resident concerns about rental properties, and that code enforcement tends to be proactive rather than complaint-driven. - The discussion was prompted by city council in connection with continued downtown development and a potential zoo expansion. The consensus was not to bring a recommendation forward to city council at this time and to set the registration discussion aside unless concerns grow. Key Outcomes - Approved the January 14, 2026 P&Z minutes and the October 16, 2025 HDAC minutes. - Approved Case 2026-01AFDP, allowing two 24.4-square-foot LED canopy signs at the Marathon station at 3446 O'Connell St. - Took no formal action on rental registration; the session was feedback-only, with the Commission not supporting further work on a registration program at this time.

The Powell City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio. Council approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, adopted Resolutions 2026-12 and 2026-13, heard committee and city manager reports, discussed snow response and the next two-year planning cycle, and voted to enter executive session. No citizens spoke during the public participation period. Approval of Minutes - Council approved the minutes of the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting without discussion or dissent. Resolutions Resolution 2026-12 – Bucket Truck Purchase - The city manager and Service Director Charles presented a resolution authorizing the city manager to purchase a bucket truck from Environmental Equipment to replace a 2013 Ford F-550 used by the Department of Public Service. Charles said the equipment is critical to operations. An earlier plan to remove the bucket truck was adjusted so that the old truck will be repurposed and the new truck will be dedicated to street light and traffic-related work. No public comment was offered. Council adopted the resolution by voice vote with no opposition. Resolution 2026-13 – Updated Employee Handbook - Council adopted the updated employee handbook after discussion. The city manager said the update was intended to keep city policies current, and an itemization of changes was provided in the memo. Council member David expressed concern about the artificial intelligence portion of the handbook, noting that information entered into AI leaves the city and could expose proprietary or private data. He said the policy was difficult to enforce and represented a significant liability as the city grows. The city manager responded that staff is working with Easy IT and Doug McCollula to explore technical help, possibly through a consultant, and will continue to close gaps on the AI policy. No public comment was offered. Council adopted the resolution by voice vote with no opposition. Committee Reports - A committee reported that an upcoming meeting was canceled and that citizen appointments to a board or commission would wait until the next council meeting; the committee would meet without the appointees and hoped to be fully seated in March. - Powell Development Corporation representative Sean reported approval of a facade grant for back patio work at a downtown business, plus budget carryover and budget format adjustments. The next PDC meeting was noted for February 24. - The agenda listed upcoming meetings for the Finance Committee on March 10, Operations Committee on February 17, and Planning and Zoning Commission on February 11. City Manager's Report - The city manager noted that an executive session had been requested and that further action was anticipated. He then reported that snow, cold temperatures, and ice over the previous two weeks affected city services and the community. The service department was called out early Friday to help with downtown parking availability. Jurisdictional questions created challenges, with calls from people using Powell mailing addresses who were not city constituents. Snow pushed onto sidewalks created a continuing problem. The city is reviewing snow-removal enforcement in the roughly 300-acre historic downtown and is considering moving away from the police-department code model to a zoning-style process with notice and city remediation plus penalties. - The city manager praised the skeleton crew for storm response, noting that HR administrator Jason took 50 snow-related phone calls from concerned residents with Powell mailing addresses, most of whom were not constituents. - The city manager said the city is exploring partnerships with downtown businesses, including through Visit Downtown Powell, and coordination among the development and finance committees and the Powell Development Corporation. - The city manager thanked council and staff for the Saturday planning session on the 2026-27 two-year planning cycle. The draft of discussion items is being distributed. The 2026-27 objectives continue the 2024-25 priorities: maintaining city infrastructure, reducing traffic, and increasing parking options downtown. Four additional themes were summarized: facilities such as police, public services, and city hall; available land and public-private partnership; project funding; and communication/storytelling. Other Council Matters - Council members thanked staff for storm response and for the weekend planning retreat. One council member praised the city's crew for the residential response and contrasted it with complaints received by an elected official in an unnamed city to the north. - A council member reported a positive follow-up meeting with the Tanji Ridge Civic Association after a Planning and Zoning Commission discussion about a proposed building near Beach Ridge Drive. The council member explained that the zoning code rewrite had taken a long time and was not targeted at any one neighborhood, and said the association understood and looked forward to working with the city. - A council member reported a positive Zoom call with a board of trustees connected to the retreat and praised the presentation, saying it made approval easy. - A joint meeting of Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission was announced for March 11. Key Outcomes - Approved the January 20, 2026 minutes. - Adopted Resolution 2026-12 authorizing purchase of a bucket truck from Environmental Equipment, with no opposition. - Adopted Resolution 2026-13 adopting the updated Employee Handbook, with no opposition. - Continued staff work on downtown snow enforcement, artificial intelligence protections, and the 2026-27 planning objectives. - Voted to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1), (G)(3), and (G)(8); no further open-session action appeared after that vote.

On January 31, 2026, the Powell City Council held a Saturday work session to set priorities and goals for the upcoming two‑year cycle. The meeting began with a high‑level review of 2024‑2025 accomplishments and then moved into department updates and a broader discussion of future strategic themes. No formal votes were taken; the conversation established direction for staff to refine and present a revised goal document for council consideration. Department Overviews & Staff Input - Police (Chief Sallows absent, summarized by City Manager Andrew White): The department has shifted to 12‑hour shifts, recruitment is improving with benefit changes, and the focus is now on expanding service to contiguous areas outside city limits. Safety remains a top resident priority and is considered an ongoing expectation rather than a new goal. - Engineering (Aaron): Highlighted recent completed projects (pickleball courts, pool parking expansion, new downtown path). Upcoming major projects include the Seder Street Extension (bridge design options to council in May), the shared‑use path at Ben A. Farm Park, permanent tunnel improvements, and the South Liberty rail crossing. Communication with residents about construction disruption was emphasized as a key challenge. - Parks & Service (Charles): Described snow operations, salt supply (current dome capacity 500 tons, inventory 250 tons), and future plans for brine production. The department will gain two additional staff in 2026. A downtown sidewalk snow policy is being developed. Programming has increased with new part‑time staff and special events. - Economic Development (Sean): In 2025, outreach and retention efforts generated approximately $350,000 in new income tax revenue for the city. Partnerships (e.g., Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, Visit Powell) and new AI tools (Placeify) are being used to fill vacancies and support business growth. The old LA Fitness building (3470) is a focus. - Planning & Development (Jeff): Updates to the zoning code are proceeding, and the village green master plan is driving development discussions. New GIS capacity will support asset mapping and condition assessment. The building department’s local service is seen as a competitive advantage. - Finance (Sam): With a current opening for assistant director, the department is moving from operational focus to strategic forecasting and long‑term policy support. - Human Resources (Jason): Focus on organizational culture, team training, and employee wellness (physical and mental health). - Clerk (Elaine): Implementing new public records software for greater transparency; seeking improved audio/video for council meetings (e.g., showing presentations live). Records requests have increased about 30%. Council Discussion on Priorities & Themes Council affirmed that the existing six goals remain relevant. Four thematic areas were introduced for deeper policy consideration: 1. Facilities – Police station relocation, service department needs, and potential community/recreation center. Staff noted that a standalone recreation center would require voter approval for a property tax levy and that the city currently lacks the capacity to build a facility like Dublin’s. Partnerships (e.g., with the YMCA) were discussed as alternatives. 2. Interagency Cooperation – Collaborating with the township, schools, county, and YMCA on shared services and infrastructure. The YMCA’s role was highlighted: it is overcrowded and aging; city leaders are engaging with Y leadership to explore extending its useful life. 3. Downtown Modality – Integrating traffic, parking, and pathway improvements to support downtown redevelopment. 4. Annexation – Acknowledged as difficult but necessary to expand the tax base and service area. Currently, many commercial corridors (e.g., South Solmo Parkway) generate income tax for other jurisdictions. Council members emphasized the need for better storytelling and communication with residents to explain the complexities and long‑term benefits of these initiatives. The city’s limited resources (population 15,000, no traditional utility authority) require innovative financing and partnerships. Key Outcomes - Council agreed to maintain the existing 2024‑2025 goals but will separate them into “expectations” (routine service levels) and “policy goals” for the next two years. - Staff will reorganize input from the session into an updated goal document, incorporating the four thematic areas and any additional items, and present it to council for further prioritization. - The conversation confirmed that several major decisions (e.g., bridge design, facility siting, annexation strategy) will require ongoing work sessions and public engagement throughout 2026. - No formal motions or votes were taken; the meeting adjourned with a unanimous voice vote. Meeting date: January 31, 2026

The Powell Development Corporation met on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Hrivnak and adjourned at 7:20 PM. All votes during the meeting were unanimous (5-0). Key topics included approval of minutes, financial and annual reports, budget revisions, a façade grant adjustment, a board transition plan tabled until February, a new façade grant for Local Roots, and a professional services agreement with Visit Powell. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the November 25, 2025, meeting was made by Andrew White, seconded by Sean Hughes, and passed unanimously. Reports - Report of the President: Chairman Hrivnak had no special report. - Report of the Treasurer: Finance Director Samantha Borchers reported that December had several grant payments (Espresso 22, CSD Powell RG, final installment to Destination Delaware), plus normal charging station utility costs and 2024 tax return preparation fees. December net income was $481,278.31, higher than budgeted due to several large payments not paid out in 2025 but continuing into 2026. - Report of the Economic Development Administrator: Sean Hughes reviewed the 2025 annual report. Key statistics: 402 projects (12.9% increase over 2024); 166 business retention and expansion visits (40.6% increase); 30 new businesses or startups (170% increase); 8 retained or expanded businesses; 496 full-time equivalent positions from new businesses; total payroll of $18.36 million from retained, expanded, and new businesses, generating approximately $367,200 in new income taxes annually. Over the past two years, $24.1 million of new payroll has been added. City Manager Andrew White noted the nearly $400,000 in realized income tax dollars from this payroll, and Hughes indicated the numbers can continue to grow, especially with redevelopment projects. - City Council/Commission/Committee Reports: Mayor Heather Karr announced the reorganization of City Council committees: Vice-Mayor Tom Counts chairs Finance, Councilmember Tyler Herrmann chairs Development, and Councilmember Leif Carlson chairs Operations. City Manager White acknowledged the Public Service Department for snow removal efforts. Old Business - PDC Budget Adjustments: Finance Director Borchers presented a revised 2026 operational budget layout, reorganizing expense categories to match new committee structures and adding columns for prior years' budgets and actuals. Yellow-highlighted items indicated adjustments, including carryover grant payments and restoring the Powell Festival Sponsorship to $20,000. Discussion included requests for future commitment tracking (Hughes maintains a separate spreadsheet). A motion by Mayor Karr, seconded by White, to approve the revisions as presented passed unanimously. - Espresso 22/Huli Huli Facade Grant Adjustment Request: Sean Hughes explained that Mr. Sun, owner of both businesses, had two 2025 grants: $25,000 for Huli Huli patio enclosure and $12,500 for Espresso 22 patio. The Espresso 22 project was completed (actual cost $50,000 vs. $25,000 budgeted). Mr. Sun could not proceed with the Huli Huli patio and requested reallocation of those funds to Espresso 22. Staff recommended terminating the Huli Huli grant and creating a new $12,500 façade grant for Espresso 22 (bringing its total to the $25,000 per-project cap). After discussion about the precedent, two motions passed unanimously: (1) to terminate the Huli Huli façade grant at the owner's request, and (2) to reallocate $12,500 to approve a new façade grant for additional Espresso 22 patio work, with invoices paid. - PDC Board Transition Plan: Hughes presented a transition plan drafted by legal counsel Emma Mulvaney to implement the new Code of Regulations. The plan outlines council appointments before March, adoption of the Code at a March meeting, seating new board members, and forming a nominating committee for committee-based seats. Discussion centered on the effective date (originally March 1, but effectively the meeting date when adopted). A motion by White, seconded by Karr, to table consideration until the February PDC meeting passed unanimously. New Business - Local Roots LLC Facade Grant: Hughes presented an application from Local Roots (15 E. Olentangy Street) for a $25,000 façade grant (50% of $47,125 in eligible work). Eligible improvements include repainting the rear patio dining area, updating outdoor patio heaters, purchasing new chairs, and refacing restaurant signs. Staff recommended $23,563 (50% of the estimated $47,125 work). The project was previously awarded a Business Retention Expansion grant for kitchen equipment. A motion by Hrivnak, seconded by Karr, to approve the $23,563 grant as part of the 2026 budget passed unanimously. - Visit Powell Professional Services Agreement: Hughes proposed replacing the previous grant to Visit Powell (the downtown merchants group) with a professional services agreement (PSA) to reflect new committee structure and the group's board seat on the PDC. The PSA is based on the previous grant agreement but adds detailed reporting and termination language. A discrepancy in compensation (document stated $35,000 but budget is $38,500) was addressed. A motion by Hughes, seconded by Hrivnak, to amend Section 2 (compensation) and Section 5 (deliverables) from $35,000 to $38,500 passed unanimously. A subsequent motion by Hughes, seconded by White, to approve the PSA for 2026 (quarterly payments of $38,500 divided by four) passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - All five motions passed unanimously (5-0): approval of November 2025 minutes, approval of 2026 budget revisions, termination of Huli Huli façade grant, approval of new Espresso 22 façade grant ($12,500), tabling of board transition plan, approval of Local Roots façade grant ($23,563), amendment to Visit Powell PSA compensation ($38,500), and approval of the Visit Powell PSA. - The Huli Huli façade grant was terminated at the owner's request; $12,500 was reallocated to a new Espresso 22 patio grant. - The PDC Board Transition Plan was tabled until the February 2026 meeting.

The Powell City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation from Liberty Township Fire Department, approval of the consent agenda, adoption of several resolutions authorizing contracts and expenditures, and adoption of the Facilities Master Plan as a guiding policy document. The meeting concluded with an executive session. Presentation: Liberty Township Fire Department Quarterly Update (Q4 2025 Year-End) - Fire Chief James Reardon presented statistics for 2025: the busiest month was July; 74% of calls occurred between 8 AM and 8 PM; Wednesday was the busiest day (previously Thursday); the three busiest locations for calls for service were Restore Point, the Columbus Zoo, and another store point (EMS calls for ill person, difficulty breathing, chest pain). - The levy passed in May enabled: boosting minimum staffing and placing a third medic in service on July 1st, which took 192 calls in six months, leading to lower response times and no charges for mutual aid; hiring a second fire safety inspector; purchasing two new ambulances (expected arrival in 2028); promoting an EMS coordinator and three lieutenants; hiring five firefighters; and increasing part-time staff from 10 to 22 to offset costs. - Response time goal is five minutes (national average); the city's response time is under five minutes, having improved by about 12 seconds. - Chief Reardon noted that many calls from assisted living facilities are for non-emergency situations because staff are not allowed to assist residents. Consent Calendar - The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included monthly reports from Human Resources, Police, Finance (December 2025), Economic Development (annual), Planning and Zoning, Community Engagement, Engineers/Public Service/Parks, as well as Ordinance 2026-01 (final acceptance of public improvements for Smith Farm at Carpenter’s Mill, Section 4, Parts A and B) and Resolution 2026-05 (authorizing disposition of municipally owned property by internet auction). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during citizen participation. Discussion Items - Resolution 2026-06 – Placer Labs Inc. Agreement: Council authorized the city manager to enter into a two-year agreement with Placer Labs Inc. for a data analytics tool using anonymous cell phone data to support economic development, traffic analysis, and park usage. The cost is $15,000 for 2026 (budgeted) and $16,000 guaranteed for 2027, with a 10-day exit clause. Council members expressed support for the tool’s potential to provide better data for attracting businesses and making informed decisions. - Resolution 2026-07 – ESRI ArcGIS Renewal: Council authorized the city manager to enter into a three-year professional services agreement with ESRI Inc. for renewing ArcGIS services. Costs are already approved in the 2026 planning department budget. The tool is used for managing data on road pavement, zoning, signage, crash data, and other geolocated information. - Resolution 2026-08 – Downtown Design Guidelines Update: Council authorized increasing a professional services agreement with SSOE Group to update downtown design guidelines, using previously approved funds from the 2026 planning budget. Staff explained the effort aligns with zoning code rewrites and historic property survey; the target for adoption is summer 2026, with community feedback expected around March. - Resolution 2026-09 – Police Cruiser Purchase: Council authorized the purchase of three Chevy Tahoe police cruisers (replacing Ford Interceptors) with a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty, at a total cost of $168,609 (including add-ons). The new vehicles will allow a five-year replacement schedule instead of three, saving an estimated $375,000 over the capital improvement plan. The purchase is through Tim Lally Chevrolet under a state term contract. - Resolution 2026-10 – Demolition at 44 North Liberty Street: Council authorized the demolition of a city-owned structure at 44 North Liberty Street, with the contract awarded to Watson General Contracting for $31,022. The demolition is fully reimbursable through the Ohio Department of Public Works Building Sites and Demolition Program, administered via the land bank. The site will be part of future roadway and plaza improvements connecting Liberty to Grace Street. - Resolution 2026-11 – Facilities Master Plan Adoption: Council adopted the Final Facilities Master Plan as a guiding policy document. Mike Murphy of Champlin Architecture presented findings from a year-long process evaluating three buildings: the current city hall/police station, the public service building at Adventure Park, and the Leckler building. Key findings included parking and storage issues, insufficient conference space, and a recommendation that the buildings do not belong in their current park locations. Three replacement concepts were presented: City Hall (16,000 sq ft, $5.6–7.2M), Police Department (23,000 sq ft, $8–10M), and a Rec Center (48,000 sq ft, $16.8–21.5M). The city does not currently own suitable land for these facilities; potential parcels (e.g., Seldom Seen Park, village green) require further study. Council members emphasized that the plan is a long-term guideline, not an immediate commitment, and noted the need to be sensitive to existing community stakeholders (e.g., YMCA) regarding recreation space. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-06 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Resolution 2026-07 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Resolution 2026-08 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Resolution 2026-09 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Resolution 2026-10 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Resolution 2026-11 adopted (voice vote, all ayes). - Council entered executive session under ORC 121.22(G)(1), (G)(3), and (G)(8) to discuss personnel, attorney conference regarding imminent court action, and economic development assistance. Committee Reports & City Manager's Report - Operations Committee will meet February 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM. - Planning & Zoning Commission reported on feedback for the Powell Center (strip mall) design, requesting changes to improve the eastern entry into the city. - PDC next meeting January 27, 2026. - City Council Work Session scheduled for January 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM. - City Manager announced a new communications hire and a public agenda planning session at Espresso 22 on February 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM. - Council noted the police department’s dark, dreary walls; planned maintenance updates are scheduled.

The Powell Operations Committee met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio. This was the committee's first meeting of the year. The agenda covered approval of the November 18, 2025, meeting minutes; a street sign policy discussion and draft policy; proposed 2026 employee handbook updates; and an operational update on Alta Fiber construction communications. No binding votes were taken; the committee discussed the items and agreed on next steps. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the November 18, 2025, Operations Committee meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - The transcript indicates public comments were taken during the street sign discussion. Committee members referenced comments by residents Patty and Nancy, who had asked the city to review a specific sign type at Barthelm. A committee member stated they agreed with the comments provided by the public. The full text of the public comments is not included in the transcript. - Residents' ongoing phone calls about Alta Fiber construction were cited as a reason for requesting a formal project update for the record. Discussion Items Street Sign Policy - Staff presented a draft policy intended to establish a uniform standard and process for regulatory and street name signs in Powell, aligned with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Key MUTCD principles cited were that signs must be conspicuous, have a clear meaning, and give road users adequate response time. - The staff presenter reviewed the background leading to the policy, dating to October 2025, and presented several options. Option A is the city's current standard using high-intensity prismatic sign faces. Option B is a more cosmetic alternative that neighborhoods could choose. The city has not conducted a reflectivity inventory, so current sign reflectivity levels are unknown. - Staff noted that moving away from the current city standard would involve maintaining 15 different sign types across HOAs and reaching a common agreement with each HOA. One sign inspected by staff moved probably four to five inches in each direction, north and south. - Fiscal considerations: the cost difference between basic and cosmetic sign posts is material when extrapolated across over one hundred miles of lanes. Staff gave a hypothetical of $100,000 worth of street signage included in an annual maintenance program for 2026 and noted the city currently lacks on-hand inventory to replace signs quickly because some infrastructure is no longer produced. - The policy would be phased in over time. Phase one would be an audit of every sign in the city, conducted by public service staff or a consulting firm. Adoption would require council ratification and supporting legislation for an appropriation or reappropriation of funds. - Committee discussion: some members were hesitant to adopt two standards because every neighborhood would want the cosmetic option; one member stated the city should pick one standard. Another member said the next step must be a deeper diagnosis of what exists across the city before more decisions are made. Members also noted that some cosmetic standards date to the late 1990s and early 2000s and were chosen by residents who have largely moved on. The whole genesis of the policy is addressing what happens if a privately maintained subdivision signage system requests that the city take it over. - The committee appeared to converge on proceeding with a comprehensive inventory and study before choosing an option, with a phased implementation plan to follow. Employee Handbook Updates - Andy presented the proposed updates to the 2026 employee handbook. The committee's recommendation was sought before presenting to council. He grouped changes into two categories: updates to current policies (such as AI and remote work) and new policies (such as one supporting employee well-being and health). - Proposed changes included: - A new policy prohibiting unauthorized recordings of private and public conversations to protect confidentiality. - Clarified vehicle use rules, including overnight travel to trainings, safety requirements, and remote or telecommuting guidelines with cybersecurity standards. - A policy prohibiting confidential data from being entered into public AI platforms. - A rule stating city dumpsters are for city use only. - Updated equal employment opportunity and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. - A revised marijuana policy: while recreational use is now permitted in Ohio, it remains prohibited at the federal level. - A committee member raised concerns that the city currently does not track what data employees put into secure platforms, has no system to monitor compliance, and is highly exposed. The member also stated the city, not employees, would bear legal liability and that records retention remains a significant issue. - Next steps: present the handbook updates to council in February for a proposed March effective date, followed by staff communication and training. Alta Fiber Update - A committee member requested that an update on Alta Fiber be placed into the record due to the number of resident calls. Staff had met with approximately half a dozen Alta Fiber employees on the Friday before the meeting to improve communication. - Staff reported that Alta Fiber will provide a one-to-three-month lookahead of which neighborhoods are next in its 2026 construction program, plus a two-week lookahead closer to actual construction, along with a clearer chain of command for incidents. - The city remains focused on preventing and addressing damage to sprinklers and other private property, with the goal of sparing the city from the expense of fixes. Key Outcomes - Minutes of the November 18, 2025, Operations Committee meeting were approved. - Street sign policy: no option was selected. The committee indicated that the next step is a comprehensive audit and deeper diagnosis of existing signage before any option is chosen; any final policy would require council ratification and an appropriation. A phased implementation plan would follow. - Employee handbook: staff will take the proposed updates to council in February, with a March 2026 effective date and staff training to follow. The committee provided feedback but took no formal vote. - Alta Fiber: the update was entered into the record; no formal action was required.