23 will now come to order. Please stand
for the playing of the national anthem.
[music]
Heat. Heat. [music]
Heat. Heat. [music]
>> [music]
[bell]
>> Council member Deafer, would you lead us
in the pledge?
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> This evening, council is grateful to
have pastor Joe Dunlop Jr. of Bethl
Temple Ministries to pray with us.
Pastor, welcome back to council.
>> [sighs]
>> Good evening, President Harton and
council members and all of you. Um,
the government and in Isaiah 96 and 7
referring to Jesus Christ. It talks
about the government will be on his
shoulders is a prophecy from that
scripture referring to Jesus Christ
symbolizing that he bears the absolute
responsibility of leadership,
sovereignty and authority. It signifies
that he is the ultimate ruler whose
reign brings peace, justice and
righteousness rather than relying on
human strength alone. And so God, we
just thank you for knowing God that this
council God the city of Columbus, the
state of Ohio, our our nation, our
world, God is upon your shoulders, God.
And because of that, you have made uh
President Harden and these council
members. You said their yoke will be
easy and their burdens are light. So we
thank you for giving them continued
wisdom, discernment, and direction for
this city and even what will take place
this evening. God, we thank you for just
supernatural wisdom and understanding
and revelation uh that will be applied
to their duties. We just thank you.
Thank you, Father Lord, for the outcomes
that have already happened, those that
are yet to come, the great things that
you are doing through your designated
members here on this day. We just thank
you for this opportunity and we give you
all glory, honor, and praise. It's in
Jesus name we pray. Amen.
>> Thank you, pastor. Clerk, please call
the role. Bankson, Decar, Dorren, Green,
Remy, Ross, Weiss, President Harden.
Any person who takes actions to obstruct
or interfere with the conduct of
tonight's meeting may be charged with
disturbing a lawful meeting pursuant to
Columbus City Code 2317.12.
Any person who enters those areas of
city council chambers reserved for city
officials or uninvited guests may be
charged with criminal trespass pursuant
to Columbus City Code 2311.12.
Can I get a motion to dispense with the
reading of the journal? Cler,
>> please call the role.
>> Bankston de Aar Dorren, Green Remy, Ross
Weiss, President Harden.
>> Are there any additions or corrections
to the journal? This week's
communication received by city clerk's
office are listed on the agenda and we
published in the city bulletin. Are
there any other communications related
to the record?
>> Not at this time.
>> Thank you, madam clerk. We'll go around
the das with uh updates and resolutions
from members of council. Starting with
council member Bangston.
>> Thank you, council member. Council
member Deaka.
>> Thank you, council president. I have
just one announcement this evening. It's
a reminder that the city will be hosting
its second annual Memorial Day ceremony
on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th at 100
p.m. at the Lynen War Memorial in Lynden
Park, which is next to the community
center. Um, as we did last year, we're
excited to have members of the Lynen
community there to participate in the
service. And we also have the Fort Hayes
Air Force Junior ROC joining us to
present the colors, lay the ceremonial
wreath, and do the flag folding
ceremony. Our guest speaker will be Army
veteran Danny Eekens from the Ohio
Department of Veteran Services. And this
year we are doing a special tribute to
Columbus native Master Sergeant Tyler
Simmons. Um the tribute will be made by
Major Jennifer Green. I encourage all
community members to join us on Memorial
Day for this special ceremony as we
honor Master Sergeant Simmons and all
those who have given their life and
service to our country. Thank you,
>> President Tim.
>> Council member Green,
>> Council Member Reie.
>> Thank you very much, Council President.
I have one announcement and one
resolution this evening. I [snorts] just
want to give a huge thank you to
everyone who participated in our fifth
annual Cleaner Columbus citywide cleanup
on Saturday. We had more than 300 people
come out to help show what it means to
have respect for our neighborhoods and
to help clean up all across the city.
Together, we picked up nearly 10,000
pounds of litter off our streets. So,
thank you so much to our partners,
including the Harmony Project, the
Southeast Lions Girl Scouts of Ohio's H
Heartland, and so many others. And it's
a big shout out to the Department of
Public Service and Keep Columbus
Beautiful team for working with us in
ensuring the day went smoothly smoothly.
Deputy Director McInness, I appreciate
you and your department's commitment to
cleaner to a cleaner Columbus. And next,
I'd like to invite Deputy Chief Mark
Denner to the podium as I introduce
resolution 0123X2026
to recognize May 15th, 2026 as Peace
Officers Memorial Day and to recognize
this week is National Police Week. It's
hard to put into words how important it
is to recognize the ultimate sacrifice
that some peace officers have made in
their duty to keep our residents safe.
This resolution gives council the
opportunity to pause and honor those
officers who have lost their lives in
the line of duty and to recognize the
weight of the sacrifice not only for
their departments and colleagues but
especially for their families and loved
ones. It also gives us a chance to
recognize the officers who continue to
serve every day, often in difficult and
dangerous circumstances, and to
acknowledge the seriousness of the
responsibility that they carry on behalf
of our community. In Columbus, the
members of the Division of Police show
up each day to serve neighborhoods
across this city. And this week is an
important opportunity to reflect on that
service and to remember those who gave
everything in the line of duty. At this
time, I'd like to turn the podium over
to Deputy Chief Tenner.
>> Thank you, Councilman Remy. Uh, thank
you everyone. Um, on behalf of Public
Safety Director Kate Pashotti and Chief
Elaine Bryant and the men and women of
the Columbus Division of Police, um, I
just want to say thank you uh for for
allowing us um for recognizing the
Columbus Police Department and the hard
work that the men and women do every
single day. Uh May 15th is National
Police Officer Memorial Day and it was
signed back in 1962 when it was
recognized and every uh every May 15th
in the United States capital. Uh all the
officers who were killed in the line of
duty are recognized. Um so everybody who
gets to take part of that is a special
time. Uh but not only throughout the
United States, but here in Columbus, we
recognize our honor guard has a ceremony
which will be on May 22nd. And uh
throughout this week and next week, uh
to be able to pay respect to the
officers who gave the ultimate
sacrifice, who do one of the hardest
jobs in America, and uh thank their
families uh for their sacrifice. Um it's
a it's an honor and it's an honor for uh
for us to stand or for me to stand
before you and say thank you for your
guys' support. So, thank you again for
having me and I'll accept this on behalf
of Chief Brian and safety director of
Bashadi.
>> Thank you, Deputy Chief, for being here
tonight and thank you as well to
everyone joining us for this
recognition. As we consider this
resolution, I hope we do so with a
spirit of gratitude, reflection, and
remembrance. Peace Officers Memorial Day
and National Police Week are about
making sure that those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten
and that their service is honored with
the respect it deserves. Are there any
comments from my colleagues this
evening?
>> Council President.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you,
Chief, for being here. Um, it's not just
this Monday that we remember uh our
fallen officers and those who've given
the uh ultimate sacrifices each and
every day. Uh we are a better and safer
community because of the division of the
Columbus Division of Police uh and its
officers and all those who um leave
their homes every day to go out and do
one of the hardest jobs uh that there
is. And so on behalf of this council,
but more so I think on behalf of a
grateful city, we we do say thank you.
We do remember uh and we do have a
responsibility to make sure that our
division of police continues to be the
most well best trained uh and best
supported divisions in our country so
that it can continue to keep us all
safe. So thank you uh for being here uh
with us today.
>> Yes sir. Thank you.
>> Anyone else?
>> Thank you very much. With that I move
for adoption.
>> Click please call the role.
Bangston de Aar Dorren Green Remy Ross
Weiss President Harden
>> adopted.
[applause]
>> That's all I have.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council President. I just
have one resolution today. Before I read
off the resolution, I would like to ask
Bishop Charles Berger, Bishop Dr.
Charles Berger and the whole clan to uh
come up to the podium. And while you are
coming, I will read off resolution
number 0125X-2026.
And this is to recognize and honor the
legacy of Bishop Dr. Charles Ber
Eberger, senior in his transition into
the role of Bishop Emmeritus.
I'll wait till he gets up here before I
read off his uh extensive bio.
Thank you, Bishop Berger, for being
here. Uh Bishop Berger has a passion for
spreading the gospel with great love for
God's people. Having received his
mandate from God, Bishop Berger
committed to the pastoral call with the
vision of a healing church for hurting
people. The church opened the doors to
the community in October of 2000. Before
receiving the call to pastor, Bishop
Berger was blessed to train and serve at
the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church
under the late Bishop Walter Jones.
During the 27 years, Bishop Berger
served the youth department and Sunday
school and the ministry staff. Bishop
Berger studied under Dr. Dr. Isaiah
Akott at the Ohio School of Biblical
Theology and went on to receive his
doctorate degree in theology from Union
University in Pasadena, California. On
July 2012, Bishop Charles Berger was
ordained to the office of Bishop and the
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship
International. Bishop Charles Berger is
the husband to Evangelist Lillian Berger
for over 55 years. They have six
children that they are serving in
ministry with and it is their desire and
it is the desire of Bishop Charles
Berger to see the lo the lost and
hurting humanity healed through the love
of Jesus Christ. Bishop Burgerer has
been elevated as the presiding bishop of
the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship
International and is now taking
emmeritus status. I know that doc bishop
Dr. Burger was uninterested in speaking
before council today. So he has uh
appointed his daughter uh Latoya
Burgerer who is a good friend of mine
and who I also share uh the
responsibilities of speaking on behalf
of a of a grandfather who also often
designates me as the appropriate
speaker. So I certainly thank you for
stepping in on behalf of your father to
speak and we'll offer you a moment to
provide remarks.
>> Yes ma'am. Thank you. Um, on behalf of
my father-in-law, actually, Bishop Dr.
Charles E. Burker, and my mother-in-law,
Lady Lillian Burker, I want to express
our family's profound gratitude for this
moment to be gathered here in City Hall.
It is a testament to the fact that when
you serve God faithfully, he ensures
your light is seen by the world. First,
we would like to formally acknowledge
and thank Mayor Ginther, as well as City
Council President Shannon Harden,
Councilwoman Miss Ross, and all of the
other Columbus City Council men and
women today. Um, thank you for the
incredible honor and recognizing the
decades of the labor of my father-in-l
has has he's poured into the soil of
this city. Um, his decade of love and
collective leadership in Columbus is
appreciated and we are humbled that you
have taken the time to pause and
celebrate this milestone to us. The life
of bishop is often seen through the lens
of a title. But Charles Burgerer has
always been not seen as a task. His
ministry is anchored in the spirit of
Matthew 20 and 28. Following the example
of Christ, Bishop has spent his years
not looking forward to a seat at the
head of the table, but looking for the
person who didn't have a seat at all.
Whether on the streets of Columbus or in
the halls of the church, his mission has
been the amb to be an ambassador of
reconciliation and love. Now, we see the
word retirement like you talked about
earlier with your grandfather um on the
program today or the the agenda. Um
while he's sunsetting his tenure as the
presiding pre-late, he is still going to
be in his ameritus status. He wants to
make it very clear to everyone in the
room that Bishop is not putting down his
Bible.
>> Very [laughter and gasps] good.
>> He has made it clear that he will
continue to stand in the pull pit and
preach the glorious gospel of Jesus
Christ until the Lord himself tells him
it's time to officially officially
formally retire. The office may change,
but the calling remains. The recognition
is a beautiful tribute of a man of God
who would first tell that the honor
belongs to just not just to him, but to
the woman standing right beside his
sides. My mother-in-law, Lady Lillian
Burgerer, has been the silent strength,
the prayer warrior, and the partner in
every victory won. The word tells us in
Proverbs 18 and 22, who he who findeth
the good wife findeth a good thing and
obtain the favor of the Lord. Bishop
found his good thing many, many years
ago, as you mentioned, and the favor of
his life is a direct reflection of his
devotion. Mom and love, thank you for
serving alongside Dad, for your
sacrifices and your grace to this day.
But we wouldn't do it right without us
as a family sharing a word of God with
you all. In closing, as family, we want
to leave a final word of encouragement
for all of the members of city council.
We would we know the weight of
leadership is heavy and the decisions
you make impact the lives of millions.
Our prayer is as you find as you find in
James 1:5, if any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask God that giveth all men
libery and unbraidth not, and it shall
be given to him. May your meeting this
evening and every session in del
deliberation going forward be blessed
with divine wisdom and peace. May the
decisions made in these chambers
continue to move our city forward of
future justice and prosperity for all.
To the family and the grandchildren and
children and clergy, thank you for your
labor of love to the sl again to the
Columbus City Council. Thank you for
being um the mission field for Bishop
and in his love dearly. May God continue
to bless the city and may he continue to
strengthen the legacy of Bishop and Lady
Burger. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you, Latoya. Again, um generally
the office the title of bishop comes
second to uh the responsibility of
service and so we certainly thank you
for your service to this community, your
lifelong service to this community. And
if there are no further comments from my
colleagues, I will move for adoption.
>> Second call. Bankston de Aar Dorren's
green reie Ross W president Harden
>> adopted [applause]
Thank you, council member. Council
member White.
>> Thank you, Council President. Two quick
announcements this evening. Uh first,
I'm excited to share that our next
edition of Wednesdays with White will be
taking place on May 20th, uh from 3:00
to 7:00 p.m. at the Glenwood Community
Center. This is a great opportunity to
discuss issues in the community that
concern you or to provide feedback on
policy initiatives that I'm currently
working on. RSVPs are encouraged, but
Watkins are always welcome uh to RSVP.
Please visit bit.ly/wednesdaysswith
or email my aid chelsea
cler
mc columbus.gov. Hope to see everyone
there. Um, and while I have the mic, I
just want to wish my daughter Lulu
Elizabeth a happy early birthday,
although it feels like she's going from
9 to 22. She's actually only turning 10
on Thursday. Um, but wanted to wish her
a happy birthday. I love you, baby.
>> That's it for me, Council President.
>> Happy birthday.
>> Thank you, Council Member. Are there any
comments from our elected officials uh
offices? Seeing none, at this time we
request the following ordinance to be
removed from the consent portion of the
agenda. An economic development and
small and minority business committee.
We have ordinances 099-2026,
ordinance 1311-2026,
1312-2026,
1315-2026,
and 0316-2026.
Are there any other requests by
[clears throat]
uh and sorry instead of 0316
it should be 1316-2026.
We good? [snorts] Okay. Uh are there any
uh requests by members of council for a
move of resolution? Seeing none, may we
now have a motion of waving these titles
of 30-day legislation by the clerk.
Clerk, please call the role. Bankston de
Aar Dorren Green ReS President Harden
>> will the clerk now read to the reckons
order numbers of 30-day legislation on
tonight's agenda for first reading
finance and governor's committee 881 946
1218 and 1281-2026
economic development and minority
business
zero resolution 0121x-2026
um ordinances 1179 1236 127 73-2026
Public Service and Transportation
Committee 117 1163-2026
Neighborhoods Recreation and Parks
Committee 666
921 1068 1069 1074 1087 1092-2026
Health Human Services and Equity
Committee Ordinance 1225 or 1226-2026
Housing Homeless and Building Committee
ordinances 1012 1213 1298 1303-2026
Public Utilities and Trans and
Sustainability Committee 882 1025 1058
1117 1125
1133
1142
1149
1164
1206 1223
1240 1246 7, 1254-2026.
Rules and policy ordinances 1392,
and 1265-2026.
Zoning committee resonings and
amendments 0290,
1035, and 1294-2026.
Variances 291, 1031, 1036, 1295,
1346, and 1350-2026.
Thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh we have
three speakers on the uh first reading
portion of the agenda. Speaking on
ordinance 0121x-2026.
Um well, actually two speakers, not
three. I apologize. The first speaker to
come before council is Jennifer Kraton.
Welcome to council.
All right. Thank you. Um, good evening,
President Harden, members of council. My
name is Jennifer Kraton, and I'm here to
urge you not to allow this resolution to
advance to a second reading. This is not
a harmless procedural step. This is a
moment when the city's written consent
to give away 555 Green Lawn Avenue
becomes official.
Once you're once you approve this
resolution, the chapter 349 expansion
process is activated. The notices go
out, the hearing is set, and the
expansion gains legal momentum that
becomes extremely difficult to stop
later.
Because this is only the first reading
and since you do not intend to vote
tonight, I'm asking you to take the one
action that protects this community. Do
not allow this resolution to move
forward. Tonight is the only part point
in this process where you can pre
prevent irreversible momentum. And we
need to talk about 555 Green Lawn
Avenue, the parcel included in this
resolution. From the beginning,
residents were adamant that 555 Green
Lawn should remain with recreation and
parks.
This land was promised as the future
site of a therapeutic and adaptive
recreation center, a splash pad, and
other amenities our community lost when
McCoy Park was given away. It was
supposed to be part of repairing the
harm, not repeating it. But now, instead
of honoring those commitments, this
resolution attempts to fold 555 Green
Lawn into the con confluence community
authority.
This is not a neutral action.
It signals that the city is willing to
take yet another public asset from the
same underserved neighborhood even after
promising to do better. And while Castle
Court is not included in this
resolution, everyone understands why
residents are infra. When the city was
willing to give away the only major
green space in this area, it sent a
message. This neighborhood is
expendable.
So residents have no reason to believe
Castle Court will be protected in the
future. It feels like only a matter of
time before this 75-year-old
manufactured housing community is
targeted for absorption into the CCA as
well. That fear is not theor
theoretical. It is based on lived
experiences.
Castle Court is not just land. It is a
community built by Mary and Floyd Yonan,
pioneers in manufactured housing whose
work created stability and dignity for
working families.
Their legacy includes 12 manufactured
housing communities, a public library
branch, 4 support, and the Ynan Success
Center at Ohio State. They would be so
appalled to see their life's work
treated as disposable. And this is
happening after the rushed McCoy Park
deal done with no transparency, no
meaningful engagement, and no respect
for the people who live there. And after
that harm, the city promised to rebuild
trust. Advancing this rep resolution
breaks that promise.
This neighborhood has already lost McCoy
Park. Do not put Casle Court at risk
next. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much, uh, Miss Kraton, for
for being here. And I I'll, um, I'm
going to ask, um, Miss Lee, uh, to come
forward, uh, and then, uh, I'll ask the
director Stevens to talk about what this
is and what it is. I think you have a a
good understanding that there's no vote
tonight necessarily. Um that this uh
still gives us time to have that very
very uh specific conversation that you
have that I I certainly support. But I
want to let um Chair Reed speak and then
have some uh have Director Stevens
speak. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep.
>> Uh members of council, good to see you
again today. Um,
the working group formed from ordinance
1112206
to replace what was envisioned for McCoy
Park was formed on April 30th, 2026.
Today we have 49 days left
to have I'm sorry. We have 49 days left
to create the community the community
I'm sorry to create to finish the work
that we are that we are intended to do
as well as have the community comments
and the proposal with the report
during the first meeting.
the the Southwest Area Commission
uh stated on the proposal that it was
important that the parcels of land north
of McCoy Park and south of Green Lawn
Avenue that these parcels
owned by the city should remain as
public park space and developed into
therapeutic and recreation community
park with a splash pad. Keeping these
parcels public will go far in meeting
the mission of the amendments in
ordinance 1112206.
Additionally, these parcels are not
needed for the training facility to
field an NWSL team by 2028.
[clears throat] On May 1st, the very day
after our first meeting and making those
statements,
this resolution was created.
The legislation not only includes all
the parcels north of McCoy Park, it
appears to include non city land which
holds the homes of 18 families.
These are parcels in the city.
These are the parcels in the city that
they are recommending to be included
with the Confluence Community Authority
to become part of the giveaway lease
property to the NWSL.
During the second group meeting on May
7th, I brought up these parcels north of
McCoy Park and south of Greenland
Avenue. I reminded them of the
importance of discussing these parcels
as part of the solution.
In response, Elon Sims, the mayor's
chief of staff, insisted that discussion
be placed on hold. At no point did
anyone mention this legislation was
moving forward. [clears throat]
Ordinance 0121X-2026
who users the working group you created
on March 21st.
The members who voted on this ordinance
stated again and again, "Your amendment
will give teeth to everything envisioned
for McCoy Park
and that this will be done in a timely
fashion
and that you would hold them accountable
through future ordinances." Well, this
is one of those ordinances.
Ordinance 0121X-2026
is a sneaky attempt to give away land,
making it impossible to meet the vision
of your amendment.
Take this opportunity to keep keep the
mayor's administration honest. The city
team is not working in good faith during
the working group meetings.
Decline to allow 0121X2026
for a second reading. It should not come
before you for a vote.
You have the power and you have the
authority to keep the mayor's office in
check. To demand the work they do is in
good faith towards fulfilling this
amendment.
Um, I do have packets that I'd like to
pass out. But I don't know if
I can
So on page two, you'll see
the parcels that we're talking about as
pretty much as they exist today. Um this
is the current layout.
On page two, you'll see the park
redesign, which includes that same
layout of land, and you'll also see
where the adaptive park, all the u trees
were going to be, and where the green
space was going to be um based upon the
2026 proposed design.
On the very next page, you will see the
layout for the proposed training
facility.
Is everyone following? Okay. So then on
page five, what you're going to see is a
overlay of those two together.
And in the red outline is essentially
what they have proposed for the training
facility.
You'll see that the majority of the land
that is north of McCoy Park and south of
Green Lawn Avenue would be available
for a public park. And in fact, if you
look on the following page
with the red line and you can see more
clearly the original design of the park,
the majority of the things that were
designed for the adaptive park and the
therapeutic park could be moved and fit
within that parcel
and still have the full training
facility as proposed. proposed. Um, that
is already in staff is looking at that.
That's already being proposed.
The following page is what you'll see
from today's legislation.
The green indicates additional
properties
that they want to add to this community,
I'm sorry, the Confluence community
authority. If you look at the green
based upon the map that they submitted
with this legislation, it includes
the parcels down where there are homes
and it includes all of the space
north of McCoy Park.
So, what I propose
or what I would recommend is to table
this today. Um, to not see it next week,
to not have a vote on it at all. um to
let
whoever put this forward to let them
know that we're not going to look at
these things until after the working
group has had an opportunity to consider
the public use of this space north of
Green Lawn and to ensure that the mobile
home community is not going to be
affected by this legislation.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, are there
any questions for the the chair before
we um ask uh Director Stevens to talk
about uh what this is in front of us
right now?
>> Question.
>> Me, too. Yeah, sure. Thank you, chair.
And and like like I said, I'll say this
before and and then as we move through,
there's no vote today. And so, I think
that there's nothing that you said.
Well, I mean, I want clarification
because I want to know for sure if this
bottom left corner is in this resolution
or not because that's different from
what I what I'm hearing. But regardless,
there there is no vote today and we
still have allow we have the opportunity
to to continue this conversation. And so
I we are working in good faith. We are
trying to work as council is working in
good faith and we just want to make sure
that um that you have all the
information when we have it and so I'm
going to ask director
>> and I really prefer that you table it
today so it doesn't come to a vote uh
next week.
>> I hear you.
>> Um it should just be stopped right here
tabled and then deal with it when it's
when it should have been coming forward
which is after the working group submits
their report.
>> Thank you madam chair. Thank you.
All right. Director, would you like to
speak on um what this resolution would
do?
>> Yeah, thank you, President Harden,
members of council. This resolution is
required by uh chapter 349 of the Ohio
Revised Code to add properties through
written consent to the existing
Confluence Community Authority. It sets
a time and place for a public hearing.
After the public hearing, city council
will then have um in front of them a
second resolution that will accept the
properties into the new community
authority. The second reading of the of
this second resolution will occur after
that public hearing that was u that's
established in this resolution. Uh this
is in section 9 of ordinance 1112-2026
called out the requirement of subsequent
legislation needed to expand the NCA as
well as um the increase in the emissions
fee and the third piece in section 9 is
the actual funding of the contributions.
So this is that step in the ordinance of
moving forward and expanding the NCA
>> is would there would anything Again,
we're not even voting to we're not at
the say the part where we would vote on
this resolution, but per were we to vote
on this resolution next week,
affirmative vote, would that usurp or
would that would that override uh any
other conversations that are happening
in the working group? So, trying to be
more specific, if the working group
comes up with a recommendation
to use a the portion of this land
differently,
would would this resolution prohibit
that?
Uh, thank you, C, Council President. Uh,
this resolution would not prohibit that.
This resolution doesn't even accept it
into the community authority. This
resolution just provides the notice of
written consent for the public hearing.
>> Okay. Council members, sorry, chair.
>> Um, and Director Steven, just a couple
other clarifying questions. Even if
parcels move into the new community
authority, it doesn't change the
ownership structure of the actual
parcels. Is that correct?
>> Yeah, thank you, Chair Banks. That's a
um a good distinction. The ownership
will not change as a result of the
boundary of the new community authority
changing. The ownership will remain in
of the city of Columbus. The long-term
lease is the instrument where we will
finalize um the the real estate
transaction and that will be a the city
will continue to own the underlying land
and do the performance center will be
built through that lease. And part of
that is that these parcels need to be
subject or at least included in the NCA
in order for that debt to be issued.
Right? An NCA has the ability to issue
debt uh to make improvements, but those
parcels, the money can only be used
inside the parcels that are inside the
NCA. That's why we have to transfer
those parcels over.
>> That is correct, Chair Bankston. last
month's ordinance um
it refers to the NC the new community
authority as that uh funding source
that's where the city will make its
contribution to and that's is and then
the new community authority will also
issue debt on behalf of the county to
provide their contribution
>> and so regardless I think that you know
there is a pending legislation on the
EDA that came before very contentious
and I get that uh but there is the
ownership group at the table as well as
residents as well as city folks folks
say again in this scenario where all
those entities come together and say we
want to utilize this land to the north
that doesn't that won't change in this
right I mean that's still an option
>> that would change I think the economic
development agreement and some other
things but it won't change
>> that this land can be used for that
regardless of if it's in the NCA or not
>> that is correct
>> and then just to for clarification
purposes I believe in the background of
the legislation. Part of his attachment
of this is a map, but also I think you
clearly spell out which parcel numbers.
Is that correct? And from my reading of
this map, it's what's outlined in green
and also dotted in green, not just
what's outlined in green.
>> Chair Bankston, you're correct. What is
included in the NCA expansion is the
dotted portion of the green outline and
that corresponds to the list of parcels
that are included in the resolution. So
specifically the property in the
southwest corner that where the mobile
homes are currently located are not
included in the NCA expansion.
>> Okay. Thank you for that clarification
cuz I just want to make sure that in
this heightened moment that we find
ourselves in uh clarity and information
is the most key to that. And so when we
use I think our platforms and our
megaphones to spread information without
clarifying it, it muddies up a lot of
things. And so I just want to make sure
that as we move through this that if
we're going to rebuild trust, it has to
be all of us coming to the table. And so
thank you for uh uh clarifying that. And
my hope is that what's happening at that
table uh is again everyone coming there
working in good faith to get to a
solution to deliver what we said. So
thank you again for the answer my
questions.
>> I have a question. um the area that was
referred to by Miss Reed between Green
Lawn and McCoy Park, that's the um the
property through our deal with the
Yncans.
Have you met with them and addressed the
contract issues regarding this property?
Because there is a contract about how
that if we differ from the original
plan.
>> Um
>> has that been addressed? Thank you,
President Harden, members of council.
Um, the city purchased that land from
the Ynan family a little over two years
ago,
I believe. Um, as part of that purchase
agreement, there were commitments made
on naming and use of the space. Um, it's
our full intention to make sure that is
incorporated in the lease agreement with
the ownership group.
And I'm sorry, I should answer your
question. I've spoken to members of the
Yncan family and shared with them that
commitment uh and that was part of the
negotiations with the ownership group,
>> but it has not been finalized with the
Yncan family. Correct.
>> The purchase has been finalized. We we
>> I know the purchase but the the contract
that we have with the Yncans
>> that that has been finalized. We used
the purchase agreement to buy the land.
We are
>> I'm not referring to that. I'm talking
the contract that we had with the
Yncans. If we change the way we're going
to use the property, there had to be
agreement with the Ynan family if we
change the plan. And so I want to know,
have you actually had the meeting with
them
and received their approval for using
this property in a way other than it was
intended in that contract?
Council member, I'll say again, the
intention is to honor the city's
commitment in the purchase agreement,
the Yncan family. Um, we made them aware
of our discussions around the NWSL and
that piece of land. We will continue to
engage with them to show them that we
are honoring the purchase agreement
commitment. um they do not have right of
approval but we are it's clear what is
required in that purchase agreement
around some naming and use of the space
around some adaptive sports. So, um I
know the real estate team and the
ownership group, we have [clears throat]
provided dates to members of the family
to sit down and walk through them what
the um extend the additional phases of
the development would look like and talk
through that with them.
>> Okay. So, it's in progress.
>> Yes.
>> Council President,
>> please.
>> Thank you. Uh so director uh picking up
on that point so you mentioned the the
agreement that's in place with the uncan
family uh that they don't have final
approval um but there is a contract in
place between the city and that family
uh of what the intention of was that
property to be utilized. So while I'm
hearing from you that, you know, that
was memorialized or part of the
discussions with the ownership group,
certainly that family if they disagree
with that assessment, they would have,
you know, the opportunity to enforce
their contractual obligations in court.
Is that is that fair assessment?
>> Um, thank you, Council Member Dorren.
Uh,
from a layman perspective, I think that
is a fair assessment. Um, but I would
defer to my colleagues in the city
attorney's office on any legal judgment
on that.
>> Um, this isn't a question, it's more of
a request. So, I'm hearing from Chair
Reed that yet again there's something
else that's moving alongside of the
discussions with that working group that
they felt pretty blindsided about that
that's here with us tonight. Um, as a
council member, that that's pretty
frustrating considering we've had lots
of back and forth with, you know, in
this room and others about the
expectations of wanting those
negotiations to be had in good faith.
And I certainly, as Council Member Bson
said, everyone needs to show up, you
know, in that in that way, trying to
seek a solution that hopefully addresses
these issues long term. Um, I would ask
if there's anything that's pending that
those be brought to that table because I
can certainly sympathize with the folks
that are here tonight saying, "Hey, this
is yet again of of a moving piece to
this that we weren't aware of or at
least substantively were not brought up
to speed on." And that that does not
land well. Um, I think certainly for
them and certainly for for us here at
the body of seeing yet again, hey, we're
we're not being as as upfront with these
people as they deserve to be.
>> Sure. Then we'll we'll move forward.
>> Appreciate it. Just one question around
the timing, right? Is there a reason for
the urgency for this to be on the agenda
today?
Um, Council Member Weiss, what we are
working on since the NWSL has announced
the 18th um, expansion franchise for
Columbus, we are working to move forward
so we can get the practice facility
built and delivered in time for the
start of the 2028 season.
So yes, there is urgency to continue to
move forward so construction can begin
in fourth quarter of 26. So the feeling
would be then it's a year from or a year
and a week from the day in which we
would pass this resolution that needs to
be completed for the NWSL. Is that
correct?
>> I'm sorry, council member. I wasn't
tracking on your timing.
>> You're saying that you need to start
this process now so that the facility
can be ready for the team a year from
today. Is that correct?
>> I don't um I'm sorry, council member. I
don't have the date that they're looking
to have the facility opened. I know
they're trying to hit the 28th season
and I I do not have that information off
the top of my head. So, I I sorry I
can't answer that. I will follow up with
you.
>> Seems like there seems to be some
flexibility on when this process could
start.
>> What I think what we're trying to do is
continue to move forward on what was
approved in the ordinance last month. Uh
we'll also be preparing the emissions
fee increase and then eventually we'll
be bringing forward the uh contribution
Okay. I
>> sure.
>> Thank you, Council President. Um, just
two quick questions. So, on the map, I
also was confused by the map, too. You
have to zoom in a lot to kind of see the
difference, at least on my phone, of
where the dots are and where they're
not. But the section that was in green
that currently is occupied with the
mobile homes, um, that does not have the
overlay of dots over it. I I recognize
you've said that that that is not
included in the site plan. I'm curious
to get um your insight into why it was
included in green though that was
designated as additional parcels. And um
I I'm hoping that you can um tell
definitively whether or not there are
any plans whatsoever. Maybe it's not on
the current site plan, but it would
there have been a reason why that was in
green and not in red as the rest of the
areas excluded from the site plan is.
>> Uh, thank you, Council Member Green. U,
the red on that map shows um city
corporate limits. So, the distinction
there is what's within the city and
what's out. Um, as it was explained to
me, the green showed right away
surrounding it and and kind of boxed it
out. Um and and but
the as you look at the key on the map,
it's got the green with the dots in the
center to show the expanded boundary.
>> Correct. So there's no plans whatsoever
for that mobile home park to be included
in the new community authority or in
anything related to this.
>> That's correct.
>> Okay. And then the um the last thing is
just like a technical question for um
creating the new community or expanding
the new community authority in the
hearing process. What would be the goal
of the hearing? Um, you know, if there
are we've received a lot of feedback
through this process,
I'm assuming you will be soliciting
feedback through that hearing. Um,
what's the what's the goal of of the
hearing or is it just to meet the
provisions of the Ohio advised code?
>> Council member, it is required through
the Ohio Revised Code. We've done these
for a number of the um community
authorities that we have either created
or expanded. Um and it's to make that
opportunity for the public to come and
give comment to the potential expansion.
>> Thank you.
>> I would like to move on to the consent
agenda understanding that again there's
no vote taken tonight and if there was
truthfully I would vote to uh table
because there's a lot of conversation
need to happen this week. But since this
is first reading, we still get to have
those conversations this week. And so I
there was nothing that was raised
from Cherry Reed that was crazy that we
shouldn't be talking about. And I we
still have those opportunities to have
to not opportunities though. I'm sure
those conversations will be happening
throughout the week. uh and if they are
not satisfied then we have a opportunity
on Monday to table this legislation
chair
>> please
>> I just want to share with you a little
bit more about what is happening in the
working groups um the working group you
set a mission for that working group and
everyone around that table should be
working towards that mission
Instead, what's happening is it's a
negotiation.
It's the communicate. It's the community
trying to negotiate for all the things
that you put in the amendment and
leadership from this mayor's
administration and leadership from the
uh hlam sports group nationwide as well
as the ownership group.
They are silent in those meetings when
we bring things up that are important
that will help make those provisions
move forward. They are not offering
anything that's going to help make that
happen. Instead, they silence any kind
of discussion, for example, around Green
Lawn, those green lawn properties. They
were unwilling to have a meeting between
last week's meeting and this week's
meeting to discuss that. They were
unwilling to talk about it during the
meeting. Will they talk about it again
next week? Probably not. Especially if
you don't table this because they'll
think they have the leg up that you are
willing to go ahead and give them that
without this negotiation.
Because that's what it is. We are
negotiating and fighting tooth and nail
with that group to make your amendment
come true within the next 49 days. There
is no reason that we cannot table this
because there's no urgency over the next
49 days to get this done. This can be
done after that. They have time to do
this legislation then. Let it be tabled
so we can have true conversation about
the properties on greed because if you
move forward with this and let it sit,
we go to that meeting on Thursday. We
lose seven more days from the day we
have here where we're not talking about
that very piece, that very part of the
properties that are extremely important
to the community and you have given them
the leg up on those negotiations because
I can tell you this, there is nothing
that they have shown the community
whatsoever that's going to get them
there unless they include those parcels.
I can tell you that right now. Nothing
has been brought up to even get us
close.
>> Thank you, Chair Reed.
>> Thank you.
>> I I the only thing I disagree with you
is I think we still have you still have
the leverage. We can table this next
week. We can table this next week. You
still go into those.
>> It shouldn't be about leverage.
>> But it is unfortunately and this comes
sneak keep in mind this came sneakily to
you. They didn't mention it in either
one of those meetings even though they
created it the day after the first
meeting. And then after the second one,
I only learned about it because I wanted
to give you an update. So I looked at
the agenda items for something that
might be relevant that I can give you an
update of the working group meetings.
And here I find this.
They're not being forthright.
>> Table it. Table it today. It doesn't
have to be voted on next week. Table it.
>> Chair, just one question before you
leave. Um I I remember in the initial
meeting we talked about making sure that
there were minutes from these workg
groupoup meetings or there was a report
out back to council. I haven't received
anything with regard to that. Do are you
receiving meetings minutes or any
>> I have the first meeting minutes from
the
>> from the very first week. We don't have
the meeting minutes as of yet from last
Thursday's. Um, in the first meeting
minutes, I did have to make edits to the
draft because they didn't include the
same information about Green Lawn that
we were adamant about. So, I had to make
sure that that was in there. So, what
I'm telling you is even in the meeting
minutes, they're not being forthright in
terms of our position in terms of
unfortunately we have to take positions,
but we should be working together
towards a solution and that is not
happening.
Can I make that as just that we stay
updated on what is discussed in these
meetings just to make sure that we
understand um what is the the true
conversation that is happening there.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
>> Thank you.
>> The following orders appear on our agend
as consent action. Will the clerk now
read those into the record? Finance and
Governor's Committee [clears throat] 458
995
1062 1129 1144 1150 1181 1192 1217 1219
1263
1290 and 1340-2026
Economic Development and Small Minority
Business Committee Ordinances 985 5 1249
1259
1317
1347-2026
Public Service and Transportation
Committee Ordinances 965 1110 1148 1165
1183 1203 1237 1238 1242 1246 1252 and
1287-2026
6 Neighborhoods Recreation and Parks
Committee ordinances 932 1071 1072 1073
1078 1079 1080 1081 1084 1085-2026
Workforce Education and Labor Committee
Ordinances 988 and 1167-2026
Health Human Services and Equity
Committee ordinances 1050 1155
1196, 1214, 1232, and 1243-2026
Public Safety and Criminal Justice
Committee Ordinances 255,
10:04,
1152,
1153, and 1190-2026.
Housing, Homeless, and Building
Committee ordinances 1250, 1293-2026.
Public Utilities and Sustainability
Committee ordinances 872, 989, 1023,
1039, 1093, 1151, 1156,
1264, 1267, 1282, and 1313-2026.
Rules and policy appointments,
appointment 84, 85, 86, and 87-2026.
Are there any questions or comments on
the consent portion of the agenda?
Seeing none, may we have a motion to
approval of these items as consent.
>> Cler, please call the role.
>> Thanks, D. Aar, Dorren, Green, Remy,
Ross, Rice, President Harden.
>> Consent portion of agenda is passed.
We'll now proceed with the second
reading and third postponed emergency
legislation. However, we'll go out of
order this evening and start with
ordinance 0944-2026
and rules and policy. I chair that
committee, but I'll turn the floor over
to Council Deakau.
>> Thank you, Council President. Um, on
page 27, we have ordinance 0944-2026
to enact section 2327.21
of the Columbus City Codes to pro
prohibit feeding deer. For the past two
years, my team has been leading internal
and external discussions around the deer
population in our city. When I first
took office, we noticed that numerous
residents in certain parts of the city
were complaining about excessive deer in
their neighborhoods. And when we looked
internally to see who we could refer
them to, we discovered there is no one
in our city who handles these types of
complaints. Given this fact and seeing
momentum from neighboring jurisdictions
tackling the topic of deer in their
cities, we decided to take the
initiative and start looking into this
issue ourselves. Like those neighboring
jurisdictions, staff worked with the
Ohio State University School of
Environmental and Natural Resources to
develop and release a community survey
to gauge community feelings around deer
and their comfortability with different
deer management strategies. Once the
survey was complete, OSU worked with
ODNR to analyze the survey results and
present a findings report which can be
found on the city council website at
columbus.gov-
dear survey. This survey made um clear
many things. First, this issue does not
affect every neighborhood equally. Of
the nearly 4,000 responses submitted,
over twothirds came from residents of
Clintonville and communities along the
Tandy River corridor. Secondly, these
deer are more than a nuisance. They can
be considered a threat to public safety
with multiple reports of deer attacking
pets and um interacting with humans and
causing hundreds of thousands of dollars
in property damages, not to mention the
threat of deer vehicle collisions.
Finally, we found there to be broad
support for the city implementing deer
management strategies to address
overpopulation in dense areas with
majority support for both lethal and
non-lethal methods. The research team
also provided my office with policy
recommendations informed by these survey
results on ways the city can begin
addressing the problem of overpopulation
of deer in neighborhoods. The lowhanging
fruit that was immediately identified is
a so-called no feed ordinance seen in
many neighboring cities and statewide,
which is what I'm bringing up for a vote
tonight. This ordinance will prohibit
the intentional feeding of white-tailed
deer within city limits and makes a
violation a minor misdemeanor. Those in
violation can be reported anonymously to
the police using the non-emergency phone
number and police will be tasked with
issuing those tickets. It is important
to understand that this ordinance what
this ordinance does and does not do.
This ordinance does not prohibit
residents residents from using bird or
squirrel feeders and it does not limit
what residents can plant or compost in
any way. This ordinance only bans the
intentional purposeful feeding of deer.
We have reports of people who leave out
troughs of food and salt lakes to
attract and feed deer. When residents
feed deer, it leads to deer congregating
on private property and expecting food
on those properties, increasing risk of
property damage and deer human conflict.
To be transparent, this ordinance will
not reduce the deer population in our
city. This is but one of many tools that
the city can use to start addressing
this issue. We know there's a lot of
resident interest in a deer culling
program, specifically via professional
sharpshooting. I will not go into all
the details of such a program this
evening, but our own research and the
policy recommendations from OSU show
that implementing such a program will
not be an easy feat. There are a
plethora of administrative and
bureaucratic steps that the city would
need to take, such as finding the
funding in a tight tight city budget,
deciding which department could hire a
wildlife manager for the city to oversee
the program, and building the
infrastructure to sustain such a program
for many years so as to be truly
effective.
All of this is something that will need
to be done in partnership with the
mayor's administration. So, while this
may seem like a small step we are taking
this evening, this is just the first
step. Now that we understand the roadmap
of what it would take for a true deer
management program to happen, we are
beginning those conversations with the
mayor's office this week to try and
figure out what is achievable in the
near future. With that, I will pause and
see if there are any questions or
comments for my colleagues.
>> Seeing none, I move for passage.
>> Clerk, please call the role. Bangston de
Akara Dorren Green Remy Ross Weiss
President Harden
>> passed.
>> Thank you. That's all for me in um
policy and rules and policy.
>> Thank you madam chair. The next
committee to come be for council is the
finance and governance committee chair
by councelor banks and council member.
>> Thank you. First up tonight in the
finance and governance committee we have
ordinance 0986-2026
to authorize the director of department
of finance and management on behalf of
the facilities management division to
enter into a contract with Shedzinger
Corporation for pest control services to
wave the competitive bidding provisions
of the Columbus City Code Chapter 329
and to authorize the expenditure of
$55,152
from the general fund. Uh this ordinance
is our annual pest control contract for
city facilities. An RFQ was released in
March uh of this year and only two bids
were received. The waiver of competitive
bidding uh allows us to enter into
contract with the Shedzinger uh
corporation due to current performance
issues with the lowest bidder and
current vendor action pest control. Are
any questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Please call the ro. Bangston de Aara
Dorren Green Remy Ross Weiss President
Harden
>> Next we have ordinance 1094-2026
to authorize the director department of
finance and management to negotiate and
enter into contracts for energy supply
to wave the competitive bidding
provisions of the Columbus city codes to
authorize expenditure of $1 from the
general fund and to declare an
emergency. This ordinance gives our
department of finance and management the
ability to procure electricity on the
market through competitive supply. The
benefits of procuring power through
competitive supply are twofold. One, it
allows the city to time the procurement
during the time of low energy prices.
And two, there are a number of
competitive suppliers who bid on the
city's load so we can ensure that we
always get the most competitive price.
We competitive bidding provision is
requested because our current
consultant/broker will receive the
supply offers, not us. The broker will
ensure we receive competitive comparable
offers from enough large respectable uh
established suppliers with large
portfolios. Any questions or comments
from my colleagues? Seeing none, I move
for passage.
>> Second call.
>> Bangston de Akara Dorren Green Reie Ross
W president Harden
>> pass. Next, we have ordinance 1154-2026
to authorize the director of department
of finance and management on behalf of
the division of fleet management to
renew a contract with asset works LLC
for fleet management software services
for the city's fleet vehicles to
authorize expenditure of $1,100,000
from the fleet operating fund and to
declare an emergency. This legislation
authorizes a contract renewal with asset
works LLC for fleet management software
services. Asset Works provides an
enterprise software platform for the
fleet management division. This software
platform provides comprehensive
enterprise asset management and fleet
management software designed to track,
maintain, and manage vehicle assets
throughout their life cycle. It provides
a dedicated suite of managing fleet
vehicles, fuel tracking, GPS,
telematics, and maintenance. Are there
any questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage. Cler, please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara, Dorren Green, Remy
Was Rice White, President Harden
>> passed. Thank you. Uh, next we have
ordinance 1235-2026
to authorize the director of finance and
management on behalf of the office of
construction management to enter into a
contract with Elfford, Inc. to provide
construction manager at risk services
for the department of public services
south outpost project to authorize an
expenditure up to $10 million within the
streets and highways voted capital fund
and to declare an emergency. This new
public service facility will replace the
current outpost located at 2260 Lockorn
Road. The project will include building
a new administration building, a vehicle
storage building, a brine vehicle wash
station, a salt storage barn, a material
storage structure, and a fuel uh island.
Ellford, Inc. is the construction
manager at risk for the project. The
project intends to have the salt barn
constructed before the 2027 winter
season. So, $10 million of the project
is currently being legislated to
expedite the building process. The total
cost of construction will be
approximately 19 million um71,14
$471. Are there any questions or
comments from my colleagues? Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Click please call the role.
>> Bankston de Aara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden
>> passed. Next, we have ordinance
1251-2026
to authorize the city auditor to modify
the existing contract with Microsoft
Corporation and Dale Marketing LP and
provide funding for the support hosting
including monthly Azour usage and
maintenance of Dynamics 365 to authorize
the expenditure of up to 1 million84,000
from the Department of Technology
Operating Fund and to declare an
emergency. This ordinance extends
existing contracts with Microsoft
Corporation and Dell Marketing LP for
the support, hosting and maintenance of
Microsoft Dynamics 365 with D365 as we
know it. Microsoft is the software
manufacturer of D365 and the Azour
platform used by the city for its
financials and operations. Are there any
questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Second.
>> Cler, please call the row. Bangston de
Aara Dorren Green Remy Ross White
President Harden
>> pass.
>> Thank you council president. May I move
to the economic development small uh
minority business committee.
>> Thank you Mr. Chair. Next committee to
come before council the public service
and transportation committee.
>> Council president may I move to the
economic development
>> please.
[laughter]
Uh first in the economic development and
small minority business committee we
have ordinance 1170-2026
to dissolve the enterprise zone
agreement with RM um BuiltRight LLC
Watkins Road LLC and QR
Inc. collectively referred to as
Enterprise and to direct the director of
the department of development to notify
as necessary the local and state tax
authorities of the dissolution. Uh this
ordinance uh as well as the following
ordinances uh ordinance, excuse me, are
disillusions of previously approved
enterprise zone agreements between the
city and the listed entities. Uh for
those who are not or who are unfamiliar
with our economic development process
annually annually the t the tax
incentive review council or fondly known
as the Turk meets to review all of the
city's property tax abatements and tax
increment financing districts. As part
of that process, the Turk contacts all
entities whose reporting indicates that
they will not meet their commitment to
retain an abatement. The Turk will then
recommend agreements that should be
dissolved. In this case, RM BuiltRight
LLC has not met its job creation and job
retention commitment. So, the enterprise
zone agreement will be dissolved. again
pulled this off of consent just to
highlight this that again there are
these mechanisms in place when we talk
about economic development tools that we
have every single year the Turk meets it
is a public meeting uh where folks are
able to go and see us go through this at
that table are our friends at the
Columbus City school districts and all
other agencies uh who are affected by
these issues and they have the ability
to weigh in as well uh again we take
this very very seriously I know in my
time here on council I've been here four
years we've done I think over eight
disillusions since I've been on council.
Uh because again we look at this very
very seriously and there are mechanisms
in place for us uh to uh uh either amend
or in this case dissolve which means end
the agreement with folks who aren't
performing. Uh Director Stevens I know
we have another one to go through. So
I'll go through that one if there's
anything or if there's anything in
particular about this one that you
wanted to chime in on or you can just
speak to it after the next one. Okay.
Thank you. Are there any questions or
comments from my colleagues? Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Thank you.
>> Bangston de Akara, Dorren Green, Remy
Ross White, President Harden.
And to add to my tally of disillusions,
we have ordinance 1171-2026
to dissolve the enterprise zone
agreement with JBG Enterprise LLC and
Americans Floor Source LLC collectively
referred to as Enterprise and to direct
the director of Department of
Development to notify as necessary to
local and state tax authorities of the
disillusion. American floor source which
was the original principal party for the
this EA went above and beyond their
commitment. So much so that they further
expanded and moved their headquarters to
a neighboring parcel in wonderful
district 5. As a result, they sold this
parcel to another entity that was unable
to meet the reporting requirements for
the abatement. So the EZA is slated for
dissolution. I'm going to ask director
Stevens to chime in here, but I just
want to note this as another mechanism
is that the abatement follows the
property. So even when it changes
ownership's hands, whatever agreement
was in place, the new ownership has to
meet that. And if they don't, then
again, they are held responsible at the
Turk. Uh director, do you want to speak
to this a little bit? Because I think
one, we want to uplift American floor
source. They want them confused here.
They're doing very, very well, but this
is a one of those cases where the
property was sold.
>> Thank you, Chair Bankston. Uh yeah, it's
really important for council and the
community to know that the investment
that was committed on this site
happened. American Floor Source built
the facility they committed to and they
created the jobs. Uh their success
resulted in their expansion and
relocation within Columbus.
Unfortunately, the um they sold the
property to someone who wasn't able to
meet the job commitment and that is why
the tax incentive review council is
recommending dissolution.
>> Thank you for that. And director just
you pointed out a point that I didn't
highlight is even in a case say where
they don't meet one part of the
agreement say new jobs created uh but
there's always other components like
jobs retained or capital investment. Uh
so even in cases where there's a
disillusion there's still a net benefit
in many times to the city and to the
public. Is that correct?
>> That is correct. In the previous
ordinance, um there was still an
investment made by uh the company.
Unfortunately, it was short of what the
original commitment was. So, this was
one where we moved pretty quickly at the
end of the three-year period that they
had to make the investment and add the
jobs. Um they did not do that and the
tax and center review council
recommended dissolution, but we still
have a investment of a little over $7
million on that parcel.
>> Yeah. and and now that parcel is worth
more, now that the disillusion is gone,
100% of that property tax will be going
back to all of the different taxing
agencies. So, just again want to
highlight that there are mechanisms in
place for us to ensure that we're
holding folks accountable when we talk
about our economic development
incentives. Are there any questions or
comments from my colleagues? Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Please call the role.
>> Bangston de Akara Dorms Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have
ordinance 1262-2026
to amend the 2025 capital improvements
budget to authorize the transfer and
appropriations between projects within
the development taxable bond funds to
authorize the director of the department
of development to enter into the grant
agreement with the Columbus Printed Arts
Center for the purpose of funding
planning, design, and construction
related costs, including those incurred
prior to the purchase order to redevelop
their new facility located at 705 5 and
street to authorize the expenditure in
an amount up to $197,000
within the development taxable bonds
funds and to declare an emergency. This
ordinance uh which I'm really excited
about. I know we have a guest here to
speak more about it. Uh this ordinance
provides $197,000
capital grant to the Columbus Printed
Arts Center to support the completion of
their new facility at 705 and street.
Affordable artistrun and managed studio
space is hard to find nowadays in our
city and access to that space is pivotal
for young budding artists trying to find
their footing. The Columbus Printed Arts
Center aims to help fill that gap. So I
am so proud to sponsor this legislation
tonight. And with us tonight to discuss
the project and its benefits uh uh to
the artist community is Alyssa Smith who
is with us. I think she's the
co-founder. There you are. Come on up.
Uh and she's the co-founder and
co-director. So she got two jobs uh of
the Center for Print and uh
collaborative arts. So Melissa, come on
up to the podium and thank you for being
here and u go ahead and provide your
testimony.
>> Thank you. Good evening, President Hard
and Council members. Um, thank you for
the opportunity to speak tonight and
thank you for considering this
investment in the Center for Print and
Collaborative Arts. Um, I grew up I I
should say I co-ounded the center with
my husband Sean. We both grew up around
in and around Columbus. So, it is
especially meaningful to have the
opportunity to share with you all um
about the work we do at the center and
shine a light on our beautiful and rich
arts community here in the city. Um, I
also want to express our sincere
gratitude to city council for
recognizing the value of arts
infrastructure and for supporting
artistled community spaces in Columbus.
This capital investment is not just
funding a building project. It's helping
create long-term affordable access,
opportunity, and community resources for
artists, small businesses, youth,
neighbors, and residents across the
city.
Um, our mission at CPCA is to build and
strengthen systems of support for
artists in our region and to sponsor and
to foster the conditions for sustaining
creative community- centered practices
through affordable studio access, paid
artist residencies, cross-disciplinary
exchange, and socially responsive
education, exhibitions, and public
programs. CPCA serves as an arts hub
where people can create, connect, and
feel fully supported. In Columbus, as
you mentioned, affordable artist
workspace is uh becoming increasingly
difficult to find, especially for print
makers and artists who require
specialized equipment, ventilation,
large presses, and shared facilities
that are financially impossible for most
individuals to build on their own.
Printmaking, in particular, has
traditionally relied on communal studio
models because the equipment and
facilities are meant to be shared, which
is one of the reasons our organization
is rooted in print. Print is by nature a
collective and democratic and accessible
medium whose original function was to
share information and connect people to
one another. This investment will
directly impact the arts community by
helping us complete a facility that
houses the resources and opportunities
that we need in order to retain more
artists in the city. Shared artistr run
spaces are often where experimentation,
collaboration, intergenerational me
mentorship and innovation happen. They
are places where artists learn from one
another, organize exhibitions and
projects, and build the cultural fabric
of the city from the ground up. Artists
at every stage of their careers, from
students and emerging artists to working
professionals, will have a place where
they can develop their practice, build
community, and sustain creative careers
here in Columbus. It's also important to
emphasize that artists are not only
making work as a form of personal
expression. They are running small
businesses in clothing design, making
and selling jewelry. They are graphic
designers, musicians, painters. They are
organizing their own community events.
They are doing advocacy work. Uh they
are performers. They're doing creative
labor for much larger companies. So this
is an investment in creative small
businesses as well as in the arts
community. Beyond supporting artists
directly, we are excited about how this
facility can contribute to the
surrounding neighborhood's vitality and
to Columbus more broadly. We envision
CPCA as an active, welcoming community
resource that activates an underutilized
uh building, increases foot traffic for
surrounding businesses, and helps create
a neighborhood where people want to
live, work, and gather. After meeting
with our neighbors uh in Southern
Orchards, we know they are particularly
excited about future youth and family
programs at the center and the idea of
having a safe and inclusive community
space that reflects their vision for the
future of their neighborhood.
Personally, um, what excites me is the
potential of this space to become
something truly lasting for Columbus.
Artists run organizations often begin
with, uh, people simply trying to solve
a problem for their own community, but
over time, they can grow into important
cultural institutions that shape a
city's identity for decades. We hope
CPCA becomes one of those spaces. What
started as a way for Shawn and I to
create something that didn't yet exist
in Columbus when we were growing up here
has turned into a lifelong project to
make Columbus an even more dynamic,
equitable, and culturally significant
anchor in the Midwest and a model for
how artist centered infrastructure can
contribute meaningfully to a city's
economic growth, neighborhood vitality,
and civic identity. We are currently in
the final stages of construction over at
Ant Street, and we plan to open to the
public in June. This funding will help
us complete critical components of the
facility such as life, safety, and ADA
upgrades and move us closer to fully
realizing what this space can offer the
city. Again, thank you for your support,
uh, your belief in the importance of the
arts and your investment in the future
of Columbus artists. We are incredibly
grateful and we are excited to continue
building something that will serve this
city for many years to come. Thanks for
your time.
>> Yeah, and and thank you, Alyssa. And if
I could just put some color on this
story and how this got to us. I mean,
this organization really fundraised
philanthropically everything to get uh
to this point. Uh and then it was a lot
of to the things that you mentioned, ADA
and sprinkler systems and all those
pesky building things. I'm looking at
Tony Creezy back there. All things that
we need. We we joke and say that. But
again, it's kind of some of those
hurdles that you get in construction,
any construction project goes through uh
that our nonprofit partners uh and and
grassroots partners aren't able just to
pick up the bill for. And so this is
great. One of those things where we can
really have this type of partnership.
And so really looking forward to what's
going to happen over there. This plus
the investment of Ronald McDonald House.
So folks know this is right behind
Ronald McDonald House. A lot of
investment happening over there on the
south side. Um and so really excited to
invest in our creative community because
our creative community what you all are
doing is not just simply art or
something or a commodity. It is a part
of our economic development strategy. It
is part of our economic development
staff. artists are a part of this
economy and a part of our ecosystem and
so we have to make sure that they have
spaces to be able to continue to create,
continue to grow because at the end of
the day they are small businesses and we
want to continue to see them flourish
and grow. So we look forward to the next
great artists coming out of uh the
Columbus Printed Art Center over there.
So again, thank you for all you're
doing. Any questions or comments from my
colleagues?
>> All right, seeing that I move for
passage. Second,
>> please call the roll.
>> Bankston de Ayra, Dorren Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Thank you. Uh, Council President, I know
we have a couple ordinances that were
taken off of uh uh the consent agenda on
pages 13 and 14. Council President, may
I proceed to those now?
>> All right. Thank you. First, we have
ordinance 0999-2026
to accept the application uh AN25-027
of Joseph R. and Lexi C. Bollock,
Richard C. Wolf, and Bruce L.
uh Andrea V, Robert B. and Karen L.
Mento for the annexation of certain uh
territory containing 15.4 plus or minus
acres in Jefferson Township. Uh at this
point by the applicant's request I move
to postpone uh this until the May 18th
council meeting
>> Bankston de Akara Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance
1311-2026
to approve the downtown central Special
Improvement District of Columbus Inc.
petition and articles of incorporation
to include the properties owned by the
city of Columbus in said district and to
declare an emergency. And as I read on
this, I'm going to ask Robin Davis if
she would come at this time. Um, uh,
this ordinance 1311-2026.
Uh, just as a refresher, special
improvement districts are commonly
referred to as SIDS are self-help tools
governed by chapter 17.10 of the Ohio
Revised Code, allowing property owners
within a self-defined district to
organize and assess themselves the cost
of providing areawide services. The
assessment funds are collected by the
Franklin County Auditor's Office along
with property taxes. Then those funds
are turned over to the SID. The
ordinance and the following three
ordinances are the first legislative
steps to establish downtown's two new
SIDs, the downtown central SID and the
downtown east SID. The previous two SIDs
dissolved at the end of 2025 and the
city along with a few downtown property
owners have supported clean and safe
services downtown in the interim while
safer downtown the new entity overseeing
the SID services uh was going through
the process. With us here tonight to
talk more about these two SIDs, we have
Miss Robin Davis executive director of
Safer Downtown. And with that, Miss
Robin, I'll turn it over to you. Thank
you so much, Council Member, Council
President, Council President, uh,
Protom, and to all of the council
members. Thank you so much for inviting
me to be here with you tonight. My name
is Robin Davis, and I am the executive
director of Safer Downtown, which is a
subsidiary of Downtown Columbus, Inc.,
our mission at Safer Downtown is laser
focused to create, maintain a safe,
clean, and welcoming downtown. And
that's more important than ever as our
businesses, our residents, and our
visitor population downtown continues to
grow. So, we do this in six ways. First
of all, we have supplemental security.
You probably see our ambassadors who are
unarmed, um, but they are uniformed and
they patrol our streets. They offer
wayfinding assistance, walking escorts,
deescalation services when needed, and
also those first touches with some uh
folks downtown experiencing
homelessness. Second, we have
cleanliness initiatives within the
downtown core, and that includes picking
up overflowing trash, cleaning
sidewalks, maintaining the three public
restrooms we have, and changing pet
waste stations. Next, we have homeless
outreach. We have four outreach
specialists who we've hired from Mount
Carmel who do the longer term work with
those experiencing homelessness and that
means building trust, getting them the
necessary documentation they may need to
receive benefits and it's also to
getting them into permanent supportive
housing. Fourth, we hire special duty
police officers. We hire them to patrol
downtown specifically to focus on
hotspots where we have seen uh criminal
activity and to add enforcement where
our ambassadors cannot. We also have a
camera network of more than 250 cameras,
both our own and those owned by others,
uh that stream into our command center
at the Lazarus building, and they are
monitored 24/7.
And finally, streetscapes. We provide
the flower and tree maintenance along
the ride ofways in the district such as
on high street and nationwide as well as
maintaining pedestrian and vehicular
wayfinding uh signage in the d uh
downtown area. Safer downtown began uh
providing these services in November of
2025. Right away we were able to
increase ambassador patrols by 25%. We
now have 26 full-time ambassadors are in
the process of hiring two more.
Calls for service come into our hotline
number, and you should all have this.
Everyone should know this, 614227
uh 3788. And those calls are monitored
24/7.
From there, our dispatchers send out
whatever the appropriate response would
be. Our homeless outreach team works
closely with dozens of individuals. This
year alone through April, they've moved
69 people off the streets permanently.
Our camera network continues to grow.
CPD credits cameras, not just ours, but
any camera system throughout the city
with helping them solve crimes.
Everything we do is a collaborative
effort. We're in constant communication
with CPD about hotspots they see and
what our ambassadors, what our
residents, what our property owners see.
We work closely with the city attorney's
office uh and with the department of
neighborhoods to work with properties
where crimes may be occurring.
Our homeless outreach staff work with
the community shelter board and with the
city's core program on addressing
homelessness. and we meet regularly with
downtown businesses and stakeholders
which include Huntington, Edwards, uh,
NRI, many others, uh, to share
information, the information we have and
the information they have as well. In
November, when we began offering our
services, we also began petitioning
property owners uh, to create two new
special improvement districts, which is
what's before you tonight. In just a few
short months, we were able to get
property owners who represent more than
60% of frontage downtown to sign on to
uh creating new special improvement
districts to assessing themselves uh the
funding that we will need to operate
from 2027 through 2031.
Downtown East uh has essentially the
same boundaries as the former Discovery
District with the except uh exception of
the Liberty Mutual property which is for
sale. Um they didn't want to be
included. They didn't want to add that
to their uh sales price. Um but because
we um if when it gets a new buyer, we
could contract them in for services if
they like. And then downtown central has
expanded. We are able to include um the
peninsula and some properties in the
fourth and main street corridor. So,
thank you for the opportunity to speak
with you and I'd be happy to answer any
questions.
>> Thank you, uh, Robin. Any questions from
my colleagues?
>> All right. Uh, well, again, thank you
for being here and look forward to the
work of safer downtown. I know when the
capital line is done, you're going to
have a lot more plantings to take care
of. Absolutely.
>> Thank you again. So at this time I will
move for passage by voice.
>> Please call the role by voice.
>> Bankston,
>> yes.
>> De Akar,
>> yes.
>> Dorren,
>> yes.
>> Green,
>> abstain.
>> Remy,
>> yes.
>> Ross,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> President Harden,
>> yes. Ordinances pass.
>> Thank you. And then the next ordinances
are just tied to that. So I'm just going
to read through them and and then move
for passage. Uh so next uh again again
with the SID ordinances. Ordinances
1312-2026
to approve the plan of service to be
provided by the downtown central Special
Improvements District of Columbus, Inc.
and to declare an emergency. So this
basically is the the plan of service,
meaning what services they will actually
carry out within those boundaries. Any
questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage by voice.
>> Clark, please call the role.
>> By voice.
>> Bangston,
>> yes.
>> Day Aar,
>> yes. Dorance,
>> yes.
>> Green,
>> abstain.
>> Remy,
>> yes.
>> Ross,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> President Harden,
>> yes. Ordinance is passed.
>> Thank you. Next, we have ordinance
1315-2026
to approve the downtown east special
improvement district of Columbus, Inc.
petition and articles of incorporation
to include the properties owned by the
city of Columbus in said district, and
to declare an emergency. Seeing no
questions or comments from my
colleagues, I move for passage by voice.
Second. Cler,
>> please call the role by voice. Bangston,
>> yes.
>> De Aar,
>> yes.
>> Dorren,
>> yes.
>> Green,
>> abstain.
>> Remy,
>> yes.
>> Ross,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> President Harden,
>> yes. Ordinance is passed.
>> And then lastly, we have ordinance
1316-2026
to approve the plan of services to be
provided by the Downtown East Special
Improvements District of Columbus, Inc.
and to declare an emergency. Seeing no
questions or comments from my
colleagues, I move for passage by voice.
>> Second.
>> Cler, please call the role by voice.
>> Thanks.
Yes.
>> De Aart.
>> Yes.
>> Dorren,
>> yes.
>> Green.
>> Abstain.
>> Remy.
>> Yes.
>> Ross.
>> Yes. White.
>> Yes.
>> President Harden.
>> Yes. Ordice is passed.
>> Thank you, Council President. And
lastly, on page 27, the rules and policy
committee, I have one quick um ordinance
there as well. May I move there,
>> please?
>> Thank you. Uh last for me this evening
in the rules and policy committee we
have ordinance 1000-2026
to amend chapter 153 of the Columbus
city codes to provide technical
corrections and clarify the role and
operations of the information technology
investment and planning committee. Uh
this most recent change to the city's
chapter of chap chapter of city code uh
where were made prior to the full
understanding of Ohio revised code 9.64.
uh as many know that Ohio rise code 9.64
put in new stipulations around cyber
security. Uh and so all of us as cities
and municipalities are adapting to that.
Uh so this ordinance here uh is the
operational changes will include in this
code change uh were made in order for us
to comply with an updated understanding
of the obligations under the OC 9.64. So
just some cleanup language there. Any
questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Second.
>> Clerk, please call the role. Bangston de
Akara Dorren Green Reie Ross White
President Harden
>> pass. Thank you and that's all I have in
my committee.
>> Thank you Mr. Chairs. Uh is there a
motion to uh adjourn for recess for
>> Please call the role.
>> Bankston de a Doris Green Rearden.
>> We are in recess. We'll reconvene for
zoning in 5 minutes.
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>> Please call the role.
>> Bankston Deakara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Can I get a motion to dispense with the
journal?
>> Please call the role.
>> Bankston Deakara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Are the any additions or corrections to
the journal? Hearing none, the journal
is approved. We'll now go to the zoning
committee. Council member Dorren chairs
that committee. All members serve one.
Council member floor is yours.
>> Thank you, Council President. Before we
begin tonight's agenda, first a little
bit of housekeeping. Would the clerk
please the roles read the number of uh
the numbers of legislation in the zoning
committee tonight that require waiver of
second reading?
>> 1271, 1272,
and 1292-2026.
>> Thank you. Uh I now move to wave second
reading on those items.
Second.
Bankston de Aar Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden
>> uh wait thank you uh as always I'll
briefly explain our rules speak uh
pertaining to speak for council
reszonings and variances we'll hear a
staff presentation for ordinances that
have a disapproval from recommending
body or if we have a public speaker to
sign to speak against an ordinance we
permit three speakers on each side three
proponents three opponents we ask those
speakers limit their marks to three
minutes per standard rules to city
council also Speakers in the council
variance, including city staff, area
commissioners, applicants, and members
of the public would be sworn in before
they give testimony. A representative of
an area commission is always able to
speak on an ordinance and do not need to
fill out a speaker slip, but we do ask
you alert city staff in your intention
to speak at this hearing. Uh, one note,
a representative of civic association uh
does need to fill out a speaker slip
because civic associations are not
formally recognized under Columbus City
Code. This evening's uh zoning agenda
does not have any public speakers signed
up to speak on any particular piece of
legislation. On the advice of the city
attorney's office, I will now swear in
city staff. Please stand, raise your
right hand, and be sworn in. Do you
swear affirm the testimony you're about
to give shall be the truth, nothing but
the truth that you as you shall answer
in a pain of penalty perjury. So, please
say I do. Thank you. Please let the
record reflect that Alysa Altzman for
the Department of Building Services have
been sworn in. First we have ordinance
number 1271-2026
to reszone 4860-4900
East Dublin Granville Road being 24.71
plus acres located on the north side of
East Dublin Granville Road at the
northern terminus of old Hamilton Road
from CPD commercial plan development
district to CPD commercial plan
development district second of one
parcel of development office campus and
the requested resoning allows the
existing building to be repurposed with
a hospital and accessory uh uses
proposals approves from city staff
development Commission and the Northland
Community Council unless there's any
questions. I move for passage.
>> Second.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bangston de Akara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White. President Harden
>> passed.
>> Thank you. Moving the council variances
portion of the of our agenda. First, we
have ordinance 1272-26
variance provisions of section 3356.03
COR permitted uses 3361.02
CPD permitted uses 3312.49
C required parking and 3361.0 04B uh
performance criteria of the Columbus
City Coast for prop located at 4991 East
Dublin Grandville Road to allow an
assisted living facility with reduced
development standards in the CPD
commercial plan development district. Uh
this site consists of a portion of one
undeveloped parcel and the request
council variance will allow an assisted
living facility with a maximum of 120
units. Additionally, variance is to
allow increase in building height
density and to reduce required parking
from 90 to 70 spaces are also included
in the request. Um pearls as approvals
from city staff and the Northland
Community Council. Any questions or
comments from my colleagues? Seeing
none, I first move to accept the entire
staff report into evidence as an
exhibit.
>> Second, please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Accept it.
>> Thank you. Next, I move to adopt the
fines of staffs, the fines of council.
>> Second.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara, Dorren Green, Remy
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Adopted.
>> Thank you. Finally, move for passage.
Second.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bankston, de Aara, Dorren, Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Pass.
>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance
1291-2026 grant advance provisions of
section 3332.029
SR suburban residential district and
3312.49C
require parking of the Columbus city
codes to the property located at 430
East Kana Avenue to allow a beauty salon
with reduced parking in the SR suburban
residential district. Site consists of
one parcel developed a single unit
dwelling requested council variance will
allow a 603 square foot addition above a
detached garage be used as a beauty
salon. and council variance is required
because commercial uses are not allowed
in the current zoning district. Also
including this council variance request
is to reduce um reduce from five to two
parking spaces. Proposal is approval
from city staff and the Clintonville
area commission. I first move to accept
the entire staff report into Evans as an
exhibit.
>> Second,
>> please call the role.
>> Bankston de Aara Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden
>> accept it.
>> Thank you. Next move to adopt the fine
of staff of council.
>> Second.
>> Clerk please call the role. Bankston de
Aara Dorren Green Remy Ross White
President Harden
>> adopted.
>> Thank you. Um I next move to amend to
emergency.
>> Second clerk please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara Dorans Green Reie Ross
White President Harden
>> amended.
>> Thank you. And finally move for passage
as amended.
>> Second clerk please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara Dorans Green Reie Ross
White President Harden
>> pass.
>> Thank you. Thank you. And finally, we
have ordinance 1292 uh-20226 grant a
variance provisions of section 3332.035
R3 residential district and 3312.49
required parking of the Columbus city
codes of property located at 1309 Lee
Avenue to allow a type A child care home
with reduced parking in the R3
residential district. Second consist of
one parcel to vote a sing dwelling
request council variance will allow a
type A child care home with reduced
require parking. A council variance is
required um because although the current
district allows type B child care homes
for up to six children and daycare
centers in conjunction with schools and
religious facilities, it does not allow
type A childare homes. A typeA child
care facility allows a maximum of 14
children per state of Ohio guidelines.
Uh and it also requires a certificate of
zoning clearance uh and are licensed by
the state of Ohio approved from city
staff and the Northland area commission.
I North Central area commission I
apologize. I first move to accept the
entire step for into evidence as an
exhibit.
>> Second.
>> Please call the role.
>> Bankston de Akara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Accept it.
>> Thank you. Next move to adopt the staffs
finance council.
>> Second.
>> Please call the role.
>> Bankston de Aara Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Adopted it.
>> Thank you. And fin.
>> Is there a second?
>> Second. Cl. Bankston de Aar Dorren Green
Reie Ross White President Harden
>> pass. Thank you council president. It's
all we have tonight zoning agenda. Thank
you Mr. Chair. See no further business
come for the zoning committee to
adjurnn. Please call the role.
>> Bangston de Aar Dorren Green Remy Ross
White President Harden
>> meeting is adjourned. We'll reconvene
when the directors get back.
Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat.
>> [music]
>> Hey,
[music]
hey, hey.
>> [music]
>> Hey,
this is
Heat. Heat.
>> [music]
>> Hey,
hey, hey.
Heat. Heat.
>> [music]
[music]
[music]
>> We don't want to
be there.
[music]
number 23.
>> Is there a second?
>> Cler, please call the role.
>> Bankston, Dear, Doris, Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Thank you. The next committee to come
before council is the public service uh
and transportation committee. Uh council
member Rosa Deod is the chair. In her
absence, uh vice chair council member
Deakar will uh the floor is yours.
>> Okay. Thank you, council president.
Tonight we have two items on second
reading for public service and
transportation. First is ordinance
0966-2026
to amend the 2025 capital improvement
budget to authorize the transfer of
funds within the street and highway
improvement fund to appropriate funds
within the street and highway
improvement fund to authorize the
director of public service to enter into
contract with a Morton Thomas and
Associates Incorporated for the roadway
Nelson Road Livingston Avenue to Main
Street project to authorize the
expenditure of up to $1 million from the
street and highway improvement fund to
pay for the project and to declare an
emergency. This contract provides the
Department of Public Service with
continuing contractual access to
additional resources to various
professional engineering survey and
technical expertise. This project
includes narrowing Nelson Road and
installing new sidewalks along the east
side from Livingston Avenue to Main
Street. This will include relocation and
replacement of the existing curb storm
structures and curb ramps. Existing
driveways will be reconstructed
throughout the project and Nelson Road
will be resurfaced full width. Are there
any questions or comments from my
colleague? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Cler, please call the role.
>> Bankston [clears throat] de Aar,
Dorren's green, Remy Ross White,
President Harden.
>> Passed.
>> Thank you. Next, we have
ordinance205-2026
to amend the 2025 capital improvement
budget to authorize the city auditor to
transfer funds between projects within
the streets and highways bond fund to
authorize the city attorney's office
real estate division to contract for
professional services relative to the
acquisition of fee simple title and
lesser interest in and two property
needed for the roadway Livingston Avenue
18th Street to Nelson Road project to
authorize the city attorney's office
real estate division to negotiate with
property owners to acquire the
additional rights of way necessary to
complete this project to authorize
expenditure of 1,200,000
from the ODOT highway safety improvement
program and the streets and highways
bond fund to pay for the project to
authorize the director of public service
or a designate to execute a construction
contract or a similar instrument and any
amendments or modifications thereto as
may be necessary with Norfolk Southern
to facilitate the construction of the
roadway Livingston Avenue, 18th Street
to Nelson Street Road project and to
declare an emergency. This project
includes design improvements to the
Livingston Avenue corridor from 18th
Street to Nelson Road. A safety study
was initiated by the city that included
public engagement with a steering
committee made up of community members.
This project plans to reconstruct
approximately 9,100 feet of roadway and
sidewalks that will run between 18th
Street and Nelson Road, including lane
relocation, addition of bike lanes,
replacement of traffic, fixed signals,
and street lighting. This ordinance
allows the city to negotiate with
property owners to acquire the right of
way needed to complete the project and
to execute agreements with Norfolk
Southern Railway Company for the
construction of this project. Are there
any questions or comments for my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Bankston, de Ara, Dorren, Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Thank you, council president, may I now
move to the neighborhoods recreation and
parks committee, please.
>> Thank you. Um, as I am reading the title
of our first ordinance in this
committee, I would like to invite
Stephanie Baker, executive director of
Clintonville Beachwald Community
Resource Center, up to the podium.
The ordinance is number 0941-2026
to authorize and direct the city clerk
to enter into grant agreements with at
home by high Clintonville Beachwald
Community Resource Center DBA village in
the vville central community house of
Columbus DBA village central and village
connections to support in support of
their agent plays village programs to
authorize an appropriation and
expenditure from the neighborhood
initiative sub fund and to declare an
emergency every years since arriving on
council, I've been proud to advocate for
and secure funding in the budget to
support aging in place villages in our
city. For those unfamiliar, these
programs create mutual support networks
in neighborhoods that allow older adults
to age in their homes without the need
to move to a senior living facility or
development. The program's membership is
made up of residents 50 and older. And
the program relies on volunteers,
program administrators, and fellow
members to provide services such as
grocery and medication pickup, doctor's
office transportation, social outings,
and home maintenance, to name a few.
These services allow residents to age
healthily and in dignity while remaining
in their communities that they have
lived in their that lived their life
within. Residents in these programs not
only are able to stay in their homes,
but they're able to stay in community
with neighbors and thus are less likely
to feel isolated. This funding will be
going to the four villages in operation
currently in Columbus, Village in the
Villa in Clintonville, Village
Connections in German Village, Village
Central on the Near East Side, and At
Home by High in Italian Village
Victorian Village and University
District. I'd now like to turn the floor
over to Stephanie from CRC who runs
Village in the Ville to talk more about
these programs and their impact.
Stephanie, the floor is yours.
>> Thank you. Good evening, Council
President Harden and Council members. I
want to extend a special thank you to
Council Member Doug Aau for her
supportive village programs to care for
older adults and for allowing me the
opportunity to speak. I also want to
thank my wonderful colleague Donald
Wiggins, director of Village Connections
for being here with me this evening. I
have two stories to illustrate why
village programs are essential safety
net for our older adults. First, um so
most of you been to CRC. Um, but for
those of you that have not, uh, our
agency is right on North High Street in
Clintonville. And our admin building,
the building where I work, it has a
covered porch with picnic tables on it.
And in the wintertime, on the coldest
days, I try to get to work as early as I
possibly can because unfortunately there
are times when I show up and one of our
unhoused neighbors is freezing literally
to death on our front porch.
This past winter, I showed up and one of
those individuals was an older adult. I
brought him across the street to our
food pantry to warm up with a cup of
coffee and to get something to eat. And
I had the incredibly difficult
conversation with him where I talked to
him about the importance of going into
the shelter system because I didn't want
him to die. Fortunately, he listened to
me and my wonderful staff got him a bed
in the shelter and a bus pass to be able
to get there.
Fast forward to two weeks ago where I
was working with one of our village
members who n needed minor home repairs
that she couldn't afford just to be able
to stay in her home. I partnered with a
wonderful volunteer team at North
Broadway United Methodist Church to
repair a step, tighten a very loose
handrail, and repair her gate so that
she could safely get in and out of her
home. One of the volunteers on this
project was my 13-year-old daughter,
Maddie. And after spending a short
amount of time in this older adult's
home, she yelled at me, "Mom,
[clears throat]
everyone knows you. The the older adult
knows you. All the volunteers know you.
It's so annoying." And she's watching,
so I'm sure she's really happy with me
right now. [laughter] But
contrary to my daughter's belief, I
don't know everyone. But the village
network, including village connections,
village in the vville, at home by high,
and village central are built on
extensive volunteer networks, older
adults, and community partners that work
closely together to make sure our most
vulnerable residents are taken care of.
Prevention services are key. I was
working with two older adults with very
different life outcomes. One had no
belongings except what he could carry
and was struggling to survive. The other
had extremely limited means, had put off
repairs for years because she couldn't
afford them, but was safe and happy in
her home baking incredible chocolate
chip cookies to thank the volunteers
because it's what she had to give. Thank
you for supporting the village programs.
It's incredible and I can't have words
to express my gratitude, but please know
we have more work to do. I want to live
in a world where I don't have to fear
showing up at my workplace on the
coldest day to find someone that it was
too late for me to help. Thank you.
Thank you, Stephanie. And thank you also
to your fellow directors, Donald
Wiggins, Tamar Forest, and Katie Bowmont
for all the work you do to help our
aging Columbus residents. Are there any
questions or comments for my colleagues?
Seeing none, I move for passage.
Bangston de Aar Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance
1070-2026
to authorize a director of recreation
parks to enter into contract theatrical
payroll service of central Ohio
incorporated for professional stage hand
services for events and programs
including the 2026 Jazz and Ribfest and
2026 SEAB bus soulfest to authorize the
expenditure of $78,000 from the
recreation parks operating fund and to
wave competitive bidding provisions of
the Columbus City Code. The vendor for
this contract will be providing these
stage hand services through the
international alliance of theatrical
stage employees also known as IATSE.
IATSE is a labor union representing the
highest caliber of technicians,
artisans, and craft persons in the
entertainment industry. Services to be
rendered include the transportation,
installation, operation, and maintenance
of city-owned audio, video, lighting
consoles, and systems and staging
equipment. IAST will be responsible for
representing and referring qualified
skilled professional labor to the
recreation parks department as needed
for all aspects of events and programs
produced by the office of special
events. A bid waiver has been requested
as theatrical payroll services is the
sole local payroll serer for the union.
Are there any questions or comments from
my colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
Bankston de Akawa Dorans Green Remy Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance
1075-2026
to authorize the director of recreation
parks to enter into contract with the
Amara restaurant and downtown Columbus,
Inc. to temporarily extend Amara's
liquor permit to bsentennial park
property for up to 19 CRPD and DCI
community events being held in the park
during 2026 to wave the competitive
bidding requirements of the Columbus
city code and to declare an emergency.
Amara is the new restaurant replacing
milestone 239 at bsentennial park
downtown. CRPD shares maintenance and
operational responsibilities with DCI
for Bsentennial Park, requiring a
tripartate tripartate partnership
agreement with DCI to authorize Amara to
temporarily extend their liquor permit
premises to Bsentennial Park. Amara is
looking to extend their liquor licenses
on certain dates for the purpose of
making Dora beverages available in a
convenient location to enhance in
attendee experiences at these events. A
bid waiver is requested because OC will
only authorize qualifying license
holders to temporarily expand onto
adjacent public property. Due to
geographical location of the restaurant,
Amara is the only qualifying license
holder that can fulfill this service.
Are there any questions or comments from
my colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Bankston de Akabar, Dorren Green, Remy
Ross White, President Harden.
>> Thank you. And finally, we have
ordinance 1082-2026
to authorize director of rec recreation
and parks to enter into a grant
agreement with the central Ohio transit
authority kota for design of the big
walnut trail helil park to refugee road
project and accept a grant in the amount
of $4,82,250
to authorize the appropriation of
$4,82,250
in the recreation parks grant fund and
to declare an emergency In 2025, the
recreation parks department successfully
applied for grant funds towards the
construction of the Big Walnut Trail
from Helsil Park to Refugee Road at
Navcarve Park. This project is located
in the M East area of the city. The
project will construct a 1.25 mile
segment of the regional trail. It will
include trail underpasses beneath
Hamilton Road and Refugee Road. The
project will also include a pedestrian
bridge over Big Walnut Creek and trail
head access at both parks. This grant
funding will provide funds towards
construction in 2026. A second grant
agreement authorized with a separate
ordinance is anticipated to be awarded
to the recreation parks department in
2027 for construction of the next
segment of the trail from Hell Park to
Winchester Pike. Are there any questions
or comments for my colleagues? Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Bangston de Akawa Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. That's all in my committee
this evening.
>> Next committee committee for council is
the workforce education labor committee
chair by press 10 press floor is yours.
>> Thank you council president. uh in the
well committee. First, we have ordinance
number 1120-20226
to authorize the director of office of
education of Andrew Constructed Learning
Circle Software LLC to provide ongoing
technical support for the Seahhive data
platform, a program necessary to achieve
the mayor's goal that uh every
four-year-old in Columbus has access to
highquality pre pre kindergarten
education, to wave the committing
bidding provision of the Columbus City
codes, and to authorize the expendure of
$226,375
from the general fund. Uh this ordinance
will provide ongoing technical support
for the Sehive data platform, a
cloud-based web application that pre
kindergarten uh providers use to uh
assemble, enroll, uh assess, and uh
provide attendance data while allowing
teachers to make real-time uh decisions
on instruction in the classroom. Uh
Sehive can uh help improve program
outcomes and increase effectiveness
through its unique dashboard of
reporting capabilities. The office has
also requested to wave competitive
bidding uh per Columbus City code
section 329.15
as HBM learning circle software LLC was
selected due to their prior experience
and success in providing the same
services going back to 2018. Don't my
colleagues have any questions, comments?
Seeing none, I move for passage.
>> Bankston de Akara Doris Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. Next, we have ordinance
1266-2026 to authorize the executive
director of the Civil Service Commission
on behalf of the Department of Public
Safety to enter a service contract with
Ohio Health Corporation doing business
as Ohio Health Employer Services LLC for
the purchase of police, fire, um,
surgeon, pre-employment, physical and/or
cardiovascular screening of police and
fire candidates to wave the committing
bidding provisions of Columbus City
codes to authorize expansure of $27,200
from the general fund and declared
emergency. Uh, this ordinance authorized
the executive director of the Civil
Service Commission on behalf of the
Department of Public Safety to establish
a contract with Ohio Health Corporation,
Doing Business as Ohio Health Employer
Services LLC for the purchase of
services for police, fire, uh,
pre-employment physical and
cardiovascular screening of police and
fire candidates. Uh the pre-employment
physicals and cardiovascular stress
testing of public safety recruits are
for the upcoming police and fire academy
classes of which there are two police
and one fire academy classes scheduled
for this year. This require
approximately 250 to 300 police
candidates and 125 uh fire candidates to
be tested to ensure that each class has
50 to 60 recruits. Uh 57 vendors were
solicited and one bid was received,
renewed and determined to be responsive
and a responsible bidder. Uh due to the
fact the civil service uh commission
respectfully requests this legislation
be considered for a waiver of
competitive bidding and emergency action
to allow the purchase of the necessary
services to administer the medical exams
beginning in May uh of this year to
allow for the timely testing and
selection of the necessary recruit
candidates for these upcoming academy
classes. Uh, do my colleagues have
question comments? Seeing none, I move
for passage.
>> Second.
>> Bangston de Akyra, Dorren Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> That's all I have at this time. Thank
you, Mr. Chair.
>> The health and well, health, human
services, and equity committee chair by
council member Green, Council Flores
Shores.
>> Thank you so much, Council President.
Tonight, in our health, human services,
and equity committee, we have one
ordinance on second reading. Um it is
ordinance um 1040-2026
to authorize the appropriation of
1,172,278.92
from the unappropriated balance of the
health special revenue fund to support
primary one health uh care service costs
to authorize the transfer of
appropriations between object classes of
the health special revenue fund and to
declare an emergency. Um, these funds
will allow for the provision of
high-quality health care services to
some of Columbus's most vulnerable
residents in Columbus's most vulnerable
neighborhoods. Um, they'll be utilized
um through a contract with Primary One
Health for Primary Healthcare Services.
Um, I don't have to tell all of you guys
how important this work is right now,
how important it is for us to support
this type of work across our continuums
of care. uh Primary One Health
[clears throat] um as well as other
FQHC's are um required uh to provide
health care services to everyone who
walks through their doors regardless of
an ability to pay. Um and because of so
many economic challenges that our
community um much like communities
across the United States are
experiencing right now because of policy
changes at the state and the federal
level that are rolling back people's
access to critical life caving saving
health care services and health
coverage. Um the investments that we're
making in programs like primary one
health could not be more important. Um
and so um in order to ensure that these
services are able to be delivered
without any delay um we're seeking
emergency action for this legislation.
Um do any of my colleagues have comments
or questions? Seeing none I move for
passage.
>> Bangston de Akara Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you so much. That's all for me
tonight. Council President.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Next committee
before council is the public safety and
criminal justice committee chair by
council room. Council member floor is
for us.
>> Thank you very much, council pres
president. Tonight in public safety and
criminal justice committee, I have four
ordinances on for second read. First is
4962026
to authorize and direct the city auditor
to transfer $1,263,945
between various projects within the
safety voted bond fund to amend the 2025
capital improvement budget to wave the
competitive bidding provisions of the
Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to
authorize the finance and management
director to enter into a contract with
and issue a purchase order to the Sutin
Corporation for the purchase of one
Sutin Monarch. custom pumper to
authorize the expenditure of $1,263,945
from the safety voted bond fund and to
declare an emergency.
So, first I want to briefly address this
ordinance including an amendment and
that I have submitted to the clerk and
then talk a little bit about some of the
dialogue that's been happening in the
press. Um, no one on this council is
questioning the need for this truck. The
question has been whether or not Sutin
can meet the timeline it used to win the
bid, especially given ongoing labor
issues. Last year, as council considered
the purchase of a fire um fire
apparatus, we learned that delivery
promises can mean very little if they
are not backed up in the contract. So,
tonight we are moving forward, but we
are also adding the protections that
should have been part of this process
from the beginning. The amendment
requires a stipulated damages clause and
a cancellation opt out if the truck is
delivered late, including delays caused
by strikes or labor disputes. We owe our
firefighters equipment they can count
on, and we owe taxpayers a contract the
city can enforce. It is disappointing to
me how this legislation has been
discussed publicly without all of the
relevant context being shared. Before
the administration publicly called for
action on this legislation, I had
already shared a week earlier that this
legislation would be on tonight's
agenda. [snorts] I had shared my
concerns about delivery asurances and
the impact ongoing labor disputes could
have on meeting the promised timeline.
The urgency here is real. Our current
engine fleet averages roughly 11 and a
half years compared to an industry best
practice closer to eight and a half.
That gap didn't h did not happen
overnight. For years, the apparatus line
item was effectively flatfunded while
costs continued to rise. And now we are
working to catch up. This has been and
will continue to be about the
responsible acquisition of the of a fire
apparatus that our firefighters and
residents deserve. So, I wanted to give
the opportunity for my colleagues to
Council Member Dorance.
>> Uh, thank you, Chair. I appreciate the
opportunity. One, I want to thank you.
um for amending the legislation. Again,
it's surprising that those uh provisions
were not included to begin with
considering the dialogue that I think
this body and the Department of Public
Safety have had for months with this
particular vendor. Um so, I want
appreciate you you doing that. Uh I
think it certainly protects the the
taxpayers here. It's also a bit
frustrating again for us to be with a
vendor that we've all had concerns with
that still has active labor strife. um
could have a strike literally any day
given the conditions that exist there.
And the price difference between this
product and the other product that um
responded, if [clears throat] I've done
my math correctly, and I always like to
joke I went to law school because I
can't do math. So, but I did put this in
the calculator. The price difference is
0.002%
of the city's budget. a small
difference, which I think is a small
price to pay for taxpayers not to be
working with folks that are behaving in
a way that in my estimation um is
incredibly disrespectful to the
workforce. So, I appreciate what you've
done here uh to make this legislation as
best as it can be uh because again, we
need to buy fire trucks. That's not in
dispute here. We need to make sure that
our firefighters have the best equipment
that they can have. I also think it's
this body's duty to ask who are we doing
business with? I think this instance
again brings up to mind that unless this
body takes that seriously um we will be
back in places like this. So, you know,
I'm hopeful that I can work with you and
with others actually bring a more
proactive way for our procurement to
address these kinds of issues because I
don't like being no votes on legislation
like this. I don't um
it is not where I would like to be. But
ultimately that's where I'm at right now
considering the conduct of this vendor
has continued
continued to put their workers last in
this and we should not be in this
situation here tonight. So again I
respect the your work chair um and
certainly uh would like to work with you
in the future to make sure that uh these
kind of things don't have to get solved
in the back end that we can do we can do
this proactively um and have a better
way for us to contract with folks that
takes into account workers rights.
Thank you, President Pro Tim. Are there
any other question or comments or
questions by my colleagues? Seeing none,
I move to amend as submitted to the
clerk by voice.
>> Bankston,
>> yes.
>> De Aar,
>> yes.
>> Dorance,
>> no.
>> Green,
>> yes.
>> Remy,
>> yes.
>> Ross,
>> white,
>> yes.
>> President Harden,
>> yes. And now I move for passage as
amended by voice.
>> Second. Please spell the role by voice.
>> Bangston.
>> Yes.
>> De Aar.
>> Yes.
>> Dorance.
>> Green.
>> Yes.
>> Remy.
>> Yes.
>> Ross.
>> Yes.
>> W.
>> Yes.
>> President Harden.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you very much. Now I have 929 2026
to authorize the director of the
Department of Public Safety to enter
into contract with Lexapool LLC to
provide access to the Cortico Wellness
application. to authorize the
expenditure of $125,000 from the general
fund to wave the competitive bidding
provisions of chapter 329 of the
Columbus City Code and to declare an
emergency. A bid waiver was requested to
continue service with Lexipool who was
was previously selected through a
competitive bid process as rebidding
would cause unnecessary delays and
access to the application. Emergency
action is necessary to continue the
regular use of the wellness app
providing critical mental health
services to first responders. Are there
any questions or comments from my pop
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage. Second call.
>> Bankston de Aara, Dorren Green, Remy,
Ross White, President Harden. Next is
1042 2026 to authorize Department of
Finance and Management on behalf of the
Municipal Court Judges and the Municipal
Court Clerk to enter into contract with
Mission Critical Partners LLC for the
provision of a justice ecosystem study
to authorize the appropriation of
$234,69
within the General Permanent Improvement
Fund to authorize the expenditure of
$84,169
from the General Permanent Improvement
Fund to authorize the transfer of
$234,169
9 within the general permanent
improvement fund to amend the 2025
capital improvement budget to wave the
competitive bidding provisions of
chapter 329 of Columbus City codes and
to declare an emergency. This ordinance
authorizes phase two of the city's
contract with Mission Critical Partners
LLC to support the municipal court and
judges in selecting a new case
management system in time for the new
municipal court building. This ordinance
also appropriates and expends 234,69
from the general permanent improvement
fund. Um anyway, I should we we already
went through that. A bid waiver is
requested because mission critical
partners is the sole authorized dealer
under Ohio State um term schedule. The
state term schedule is deemed the most
effective procurement method available.
Emergency action is requested to prevent
delays in the current project schedule
and ensure compliance with the
legislative mandates. Are there any
questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Second.
>> Bankston, De Aar, Dorance, Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden. And
finally, I have 12 1220, excuse me, 1245
2026 to authorize and direct the
municipal court clerk to enter into the
third year of a 5-year contract with the
Ohio State University OAR net for the
provisions of VMware software licenses
and maintenance services to wade the
competitive bidding provisions of the
Columbus City Code to authorize an
expenditure of $15,182.40
from the municipal court computer fund
and to declare an emergency. This
ordinance authorized the m municipal
court clerk to enter into year three of
a 5-year contract with OARnet for VMware
software licenses and maintenance which
support the offic's virtualized server
infrastructure. A bid waiver is
requested because OARET offers the best
available pricing under VMware's updated
licensing model following Broad
Broadcom's acquisition. Emergency action
is requested to ensure the
infrastructure remains secure,
operational, and compliant with the new
licensing requirements. Are there any
questions or comments from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Second call for
>> Bankston de Akara, Dorren, Green, Reie,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Thank you very much. That is all I have
this evening.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> Next committee come before council is
the housing, homelessness, and building
committee. Council member Ross chairs
that committee. Council member floor is
yours.
>> Thank you, council president. just two
ordinances on second read for tonight. I
will give a brief description of both
before I read into the record. They are
two pieces of legislation each for
affordable housing projects in the
Discovery District developed through a
partnership between Woda Cooper and
Columbus State Community Partners, which
is the development arm of Columbus State
Community College. Together, their
projects are creating 166 affordable
apartments near downtown employment
centers, education, transit services,
and amenities. The development also
helps meet a major goal of the 2022
downtown Columbus strategic plan to
bring more residents downtown, which
recognizes that residents are the
cornerstone of downtown Columbus'
growth. The project is funded by a total
of $2.4 million in home funds, 1.2 for
each opportunity.1
and opportunity. 2 projects.
Opportunity.1 will consist of 82
affordable units. Opportunity point2
will consist of 84 affordable units.
Both projects target housing or
households earning 30 to 80% of the area
median income with units rent restricted
at or below 3050 60 and 80% AMI. With
that, I am reading um ordinance number
1189-2026,
which is to authorize the expenditure in
an amount up to 1.2 2 million of home
investment partnerships program grant
funds 200,000 from the 2023 grant and
100,000 from the I'm so sorry two yeah
200,000 from the 2023 grant and 1
million from the 2024 grant from the US
department of housing and urban
development and also authorizes the
director of the department of
development to execute a commitment
letter loan agreement promisory mor
mortgage and restricted covenant with
opportunity.1 limited partnership for
the opportunity.1 1 project. Are there
any comments or questions from my
colleagues? Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Second.
>> Call the ro.
>> Bankston de Akara, Dorren, Green, Remy,
Ross, White, President Harden.
>> Thank you. Lastly, I have ordinance
number 11
91-2026.
This ordinance authorizes the
expenditure in an amount up to 1.2 2
million of home investment partnerships
programs grant funds 200,000 from the
2023 grant and 1 million from the 2024
grant from the US department of housing
and urban development and also
authorizes the director of the
department of development to execute a
commitment letter loan agreement
promisory note mortgage and restricted
covenant with the opportunity point2
limited partnership for the
opportunity.1 project. Any questions or
comments from my colleagues?
Oh, I think we do have I am so sorry.
We've got one speaker,
Mr. Nathaniel Wilkins. He is here to
speak in support of this ordinance
1612 Arlington Avenue. Mr. and George
Wilkins. First of all, let me say if I'm
going to be speaking in favor of this, I
know a lot of times we are leaving out
the multis disability people. I do
believe these are six parcels along
Columbus State if I'm not mistaken for
sure. But there's a lot of time we leave
out the multi disability and visually
impaired population in here and
impaired. I would like to see something
that's set aside for disability, the
blind people that's going to college
that have more uh affordable home
affordable apartments set aside for
people that's going to Columbus State.
So again, I think that this that this
money needs to be $1.5 million cuz we
have got to understand we're leaving out
the other people that reside here in
Columbus, Ohio, far as disability people
that's hearing impaired and all the way
blind. And if we are talking about
college students and not talking about
other people, just like my wife said, we
don't think about the other people. We
don't and we're tired of getting left
out. What if a blind person or a
visually impaired person wants to go to
college? Where is the money for that
agency? We're tired of leaving those
kind of people out. There people in
wheelchairs or special needs. We have to
have this money to set allocated for
those type of people that want to go to
college.
You know sometime we have to realize
it's not we are the people we have to
look at other individuals that wants to
go to college and so we can't not leave
out other astitchions that has an
educated mind or a college mind I'll
remind you me and my wife went to a
dinner and function and um there was a
tutoy blind man knows the whole system
and so we have to understand what are we
doing what those other sets of people
that lives in our state of Ohio all
around the state of Columbus. So again,
I would love to see more money set aside
for this. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you, Mr. Wilkins.
>> Any questions or comments from my
colleagues? Other than that, we agree.
>> All right, seeing that, move for
passage.
>> Second call.
Bangston de Akara Dorren Green Reie Ross
White President Harden.
>> Thank you. That is it from my committee.
Council President.
>> Thank you madam chair. The final
committee come before council the public
utilities and sustainability committee
chair by council member wise. Council
member the floor is yours.
>> Thank you council president. First in
public utilities and sustainability. I
have 950-2026
to authorize the director of the
Department of Public Utilities to enter
into a professional engineering services
contract with Arcadus US Incorporated
for the division of storage and drainage
storm pump stations construction project
to authorize an amendment to the 2025
capital improvement budget to authorize
the appropriation of funds within the
storm revolving loan fund to authorize
this contract to be funded with a loan
from the water pollution control loan
fund to make This ordinance contingent
upon the Ohio Water Development
Authority approving a loan for this
project and to authorize an expenditure
of up to $1,40,794.17
from the storm revolving loan fund for
the contract. Uh the work to be
completed under this contract includes
necessary repairs and improvements to
the division of water reclamation's
storm water pump stations which are
essential for the removal of rainwater
following heavy storms. This work will
ensure that the pump stations have the
capacity to keep up with demand and
maintain peak operational performance.
Let me stop there. See if any questions
or comments from my colleagues. Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bankston de Aar Dorren Green Rei Ross
White President Harden
>> passed.
>> Thank you. Next, I have ordinance
1060-2026 to authorize the director of
the Department of Public Utilities to
enter into a plan contract modification
of professional services contract with
Murphy Epson Incorporated for the lead
service line outreach project to
authorize an amendment to the 2025
capital improvement budget to authorize
the director of the Department of Public
Utilities to apply for a water supply
revolving loan account loan and to enter
into a loan agreement with the Ohio
Water Development Authority and the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency.
to appropriate funds in the water system
reserve fund and the water supply
revolving loan account fund to authorize
a transfer of cash between the water
system reserve fund and the water supply
revolving loan account fund to authorize
an expenditure of up to 2,527,4886
from the water supply revolving loan
account fund to pay for this contract
modification and to declare an
emergency. This work includes the
implementation of a comprehensive
community outreach program for the
city's lead service line replacement
program. Outreach will include the
development of educational materials,
door-to-door resident engagement, public
meetings, and community education
forums. Let me stop there. See if any
questions or comments from my
colleagues. Seeing none, I move for
passage.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bankston deower Dorren Green Reie Ross
White, President Harden.
>> Pass.
>> Thank you. Next, I have ordinance
1134-2026
to authorize the director of Columbus
Water and Power to pay the state of Ohio
Treasurer Department of Natural
Resources for operation and maintenance
services with water entitlement costs
for withdrawing water from the Allen
Creek Reservoir for the division of
water to authorize the expenditure of
1,383,5854
from the water operating fund. The city
of Columbus maintains an agreement with
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
which enables the division of water to
withdraw water from the Alm Creek
Reservoir. This ordinance provides the
annual payment of uh proportionate
maintenance and operational costs in
accordance with that agreement. Let me
stop there. See if any questions or
comments from my colleagues. Seeing
none, I move for passage.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bangston de Aar Dorren Green Reie Ross
White, President Harden.
>> Pass.
>> Thank you. And last, I have ordinance
1161-2026
to authorize the appropriation and
expenditure of 14,500,000
or so much thereof as may be necessary
from the general funds income tax set
aside sub fund to pay 2026 waste
disposal tipping fees for the division
of refuge collection to authorize the
director of public service to establish
an incumbrance of 14,500,000 to pay
refuge tipping fees to the solid waste
authority of central Ohio for the
division of refugees. collection
pursuant to an existing lease agreement
and to declare an emergency. This
ordinance provides the funding necessary
to pay waste disposal tipping fees to
Suco, which are necessary so that the
city can continue to provide regular
residential refues collection services
in bulk and a legal dumped item pickup
as needed. The amounts specified in this
ordinance is based on an estimated waist
stream of 305,000 tons in 2026.
Emergency designation is requested in
order to avoid delays of payment which
could result in the city's in incurring
interest and penalties. Let me stop
there. See if any questions or comments
from my colleagues. Seeing none, I move
for passage.
>> Clerk, please call the role.
>> Bankston dear, Dorren Green, Remy Ross
White, President Harden pass.
>> Thank you. That is all I have for my
committee this evening.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. See no further
business come for council. Is there a
motion to adjurnn? Cler, please call the
role. Bangston de Aar Dorren Green Reie
Ross White President Harden
>> meeting is adjourned. We have
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