Transcript

in order. Please stand for the playing

of the national anthem.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Council member Green, would you lead us

in the pledge

allegiance 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 Bishop G from New Fellowship

Baptist Church here to pray with us.

Bishop, welcome back to council and

thank you so much for being with us this

evening.

>> Good evening everyone.

>> Good evening.

>> I appreciate this opportunity to come to

all civil leaders in the city council.

Let us pray.

To our Lord, our God and our creator.

We bow

our heads today in gratitude

for the privilege of gathering in this

chamber today.

We give thanks for the rich blessings

you have given to our community, for the

strength of our neighborhoods, the

dedication

of our workforce, and the diversity of

people who call this city their home.

As this city council begins to work, we

ask Lord that you pour out your wisdom,

your discernment

and your guidance upon these elected

leaders

because the responsibility that they

bear is very heavy

and the decisions that they make will

shape the lives of these residents.

Grant them, Lord, the clarity of mind to

weigh issues. Give them the patience to

listen to one another.

In a time when voices can be fractured

and divided, we pray that this chamber

remains a sanctuary of respect

and constructive dialogue.

Oh God, help us to set aside personal

grievances but focus on the common good.

Guide us, oh Lord, with love and

compassion.

And finally, may the deliberations of

this meeting be anchored in a spirit of

unity and steadfast

and commitment to truth. and let the

work that is

part of this great

city. Lord, we ask that you allow the

legacy of peace and unity. These things

we ask. Amen.

>> Amen. Thank you so much, Bishop. Clerk,

please call the role. Bankston, Burros,

Deadia, De Akar, Dorne, Green, Remy,

Ross, White, President Harden. Any

person who takes any action 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 invited guests may be

charged with criminal trespass pursuant

to Columbus City Code 2311.21.

Can I get a motion to the reading of the

journal?

>> Clerk, please call the role.

>> Bankston, Bos Padilla, de Aara, Dorren,

Green, Remy, Ross, White, President

Harden.

>> Thank you, madam clerk. Are there any

additions to the journal? Hearing none,

this week's communications received by

the city clerk's office are listed on

the agenda will be published in the city

bulletin. Are there any other

communications to be read into the

record?

>> Not at this time.

>> Thank you, madame clerk. We'll go around

the dis for resolutions and uh

announcements by my colleague starting

council bankson.

>> Uh thank you um council president. Uh I

have one resolution and one announcement

this evening. really excited about uh

this resolution and as I read it I'm

going to have Deontay Johnson, owner and

operator of Soul Classics to come up to

the podium uh as I introduce uh

resolution 0135X-2026

to recognize Soul Classics on its 20th

anniversary. Established in 2006, Soul

Classics has grown into a nationally

recognized sneaker boutique and cultural

institution in downtown Columbus. Rooted

in community, creativity, and

entrepreneurship. Thanks to the tireless

work and passion of the Soul Classics

team, led by Deonte, Soul Classics has

helped elevate Columbus as a destination

for sneaker culture and independent

retail excellence while demonstrating

the power of blackowned businesses to

inspire economic growth and cultural

connection. Anyone with any experience

owning, managing or supporting small

businesses knows how hard it is for a

small business to make it past uh year

three, let alone be in business for 20

years. Uh so I am so proud of this

homegrown blackowned business for

reaching this incredible milestone. Uh

Deonte is here with us tonight, the man,

the myth, and the legend. Uh I'm gonna

let turn the microphone over to him

before I pass this resolution. Deontay.

>> Yes.

>> Yep. It's on.

>> You can bring up y'all can you can bring

up your crew now if if they want to

come.

>> By all means, staff, please. Family,

friends. It's about half of everybody in

the back. Um I don't take this lightly.

Um 20 years here in in Columbus, Ohio is

a p a point of pride. I'm excited for,

you know, what's to come, but also super

proud of what's been accomplished thus

far. And it wouldn't have been

accomplished without um my beautiful

wife Jessica, my my family, my mother,

and all these people, different all

these different people, staff and and

friends and support group. Um so with

all of us, that's how it's been, that's

how we've gotten to 20, and prayerfully

we'll keep going from here. Thank you.

>> Well, I just want to say thank you,

Deonte. I know I was there recently. We

had that chance to have a conversation.

I know there's a celebration. You want

to talk to us about what's going to be

happening uh this Saturday at Soul

Classics to celebrate 20 years? Yes. Um

this weekend we are actually celebrating

20 years of business. Um it starts on

Thursday. Uh we've we're partnering with

the Short North Run Club and uh uh

Columbus Running Company to start off

with a run. Uh we run we still run High

Street is the name of it. Um then on on

Friday, Saturday, we have a a plethora

of activities. Um starting with the uh

um a workout with Hope Fitness, which is

another blackowned small business here

in the city. Uh they do fitness. We're

going to be doing that with the teens.

Um followed by we are doing a

proclamation at the shop um I believe at

10 a.m. And then we have a a plethora of

of performances leading into an evening

event. And then on Sunday we kick it we

finalize it with street rare flea which

is a um endeavor that we began as well.

So uh should be a whole weekend of

activities and hopefully uh could see

some of you there but but if not we we

we're going to feel you in spirit. So

thank you.

>> Yeah. I hope you you get to get out and

support and when you go there make sure

you buy some shoes, okay? Because we got

to keep Beyonce in business for another

20 years. So, make sure you go buy some

shoes. I'm not going to be running.

President Pro Tim Dorne is our runner on

council. So, he'll run for the rest of

us.

>> Um, but I just want to say

congratulations uh on this honor. Uh

when I think about what you have been

able to accomplish, when we think about

what is the economic engine uh and

really the heart of the city in the

Short North, you were a catalyst there,

a pioneer who saw something that no one

else saw, who laid down roots and said

that we are going to be here to not just

simply represent 614 and where the city

is going, but represent the culture and

say show that black businesses can do

this with excellence and they can do it

in the heart of our city. So, thank you

so much. Now, Soul Classics has

expanded. They are in uh

>> Los Angeles.

>> Yep. In Los Angeles. Yep.

>> In Los Angeles. I wanted to make sure

cuz, you know, I want to get it wrong

now. They got different factions over

there. So, I ain't trying to, you know,

step on everybody's toes. But yes, Los

Angeles, they are right by the forum

where the mighty Lakers play. They We

ain't make it to the playoffs this year,

but we going to make it back. Uh but

again just wanted to say because when

you think about the stats uh over just a

little under 30% of businesses close

their doors within the first year and

then another 60% don't make it past year

five and so for you to be not only

thriving but expanding uh is a testament

to your leadership and your vision but

also the team and the support that you

have around you. So, thank you so much

for what you do because it's not just

about uh the product that you sell. Uh

but it is about the lives that you

impact, the people that you employ, the

kids that you have sent to school, the

roofs that you put over people's heads.

That is really what we are celebrating

today. And so I'm looking forward to uh

celebrating 20 more years. Before I um

pass for resolution, any of my

colleagues have any comments? Council

member uh Barrosa de Padilla.

>> First, uh what high school did you go

to? Deonte

>> Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure

we're all clear on that. Um,

>> now the pastor just said unity when he

was praying. Now, let's have let's keep

it.

>> Every time there's a East High School

student, somebody up here, I'm just

saying the Warriors,

>> we still run the city. So, um, I uh, you

know, it's funny in the most Columbus,

you know, we talk about being Columbus

kids, and it's interesting because we

have a very good mutual friend, Gian

Allen, who went to uh, who worked at

Nike. And I know that y'all work

together and I know he was a mentor of

yours. And I think that when we talk

about greatness and we talk about the um

the talent that we produce in the city,

you've also helped to put Columbus on

the map, especially when we talk about

not just sneaker culture, but just when

we talk about culture and when we talk

about fashion. Um you have been integral

in that. And so I think also I just want

to say um thank you for the many

opportunities that you give. you know,

my nephew did um the fashion council's

uh summer program and was deeply

impacted by, you know, being in your

shop and hearing your story. And I

think, you know, we always talk about

our kids need to see us to be us. And

so, you know, whether you went to

Eastmore, East or even cause

>> not even

>> it's they need to I think I think them

seeing how we can not just um start

something here, but grow it. you know

what that looks like and that there is

something for every young person, right?

Whatever speaks to their passion. I see

one of our graduates from the fashion

council who's here. Um I think when we

grow that passion and they can see

themselves and they can see that they

can make um they can do their art, they

can do their passion and take care of

their people. Um and then the second

thing I want to just give a shout out to

your family because um I think who I I

say this all the time. My dad had a

store and was a small business owner.

And I give my dad all the kudos. And he

couldn't have done it without my mom.

Like he could not have done it if my mom

did not give him the space to do that.

If she did not pour into him, if you

know my whole family, I mean, it was my

after school program, my summer camp, my

everything else. And so I just also want

to give a shout out to families because

we can't do this alone. And um, you

know, when you're an entrepreneur, it

takes that support from not just your

family, but from your village in order

to be there. And so, um, I just also

wanted to acknowledge that and anytime

we have babies here, um, because I see

your babies out with you in the

community a lot to give them that

opportunity and to that exposure, um,

they're going to know no different than

this greatness. So, congratulations,

>> Catherine Ross. Um, I want to say

because I know there's probably many

more people who want to give you kudos

and understanding that you went to

Eastmore, what college did you go?

>> The

>> Okay, the absolutely. Um, and so having

been uh with you in undergrad and kind

of just seeing how you grew, I think

more than more than what council member

so eloquently stated, I think I would

argue that part of the reason why you

lasted is because you continue to put

community first. And I'll give one

succinct example. When we were dealing

with the strife in our community and the

outcry from George Floyd, you were one

of the first businesses that stepped up

and said, "We are going to build

community through this struggle." And

you have for years always put community

first. It was never to me it never felt

like it was about the prophet. It always

felt like it was about the people. And

so I thank you for continuing to put

your heart and continuing to put

community first. And as a district seven

business, I'll see you this weekend.

>> All right. If there was no other

>> call for it. Yeah.

>> Go ahead.

>> No, you have to I'm so proud. I'm proud

of you. Two things that both one um

Thank you, Council Member Bangston, for

bringing this forward. One of the things

that I think that Columbus struggles

with um is acknowledging our profits

that are here.

>> Other communities celebrate theirs who

put on and who are literally building

culture. I think it's because we're such

a humble town. It's hard for us to um

lift up those great great folks who are

shining right amongst us. You are one of

those people. I'm so I'm so grateful

that we get the opportunity to lift you

up right now. of what you are doing to

build out culture but also to build out

business to make the short north a place

that is truly welcoming for all um is

amazing. Uh I was in the short north a

couple months ago and I was like why is

there a twob block line? It was because

I know a shoe shoe release literally two

block line people had slept outside to

come to your business. Um that is

amazing. Thank you, brother, for putting

on uh we need to continue to lift up

prophets like yourself in our own land

and not just uh pull in folks from other

other places, but you are one of those

people that we have to continue to

celebrate. Thank you.

>> And I will tell you, council president,

I can't afford the shoes that they were

sitting in their line for, but uh no,

again, Deonte want to again say

congratulations. And if you are on the

Soul Classics team, everybody's part of

the Soul Classic, but if you work at

Soul Classics, could you just raise your

hand so we can just acknowledge you?

Because again, it is about the team. Uh

so thank you all so much. Uh and again

with that, again, if you want to

celebrate, we'll see you this weekend to

celebrate the 20th year anniversary, and

we're looking forward to 20 more years

of business growth and success. And with

that, council president, I will move for

adoption.

>> Clerk, please call the role. Bankston

Barrosa de Padilla de Akara Dorren Green

Remy Ross White President Harden

>> adopted.

>> Thank you. I really appreciate

and just one announcement. Uh, council

president. Next, I just wanted to take a

a personal uh privilege um to uh

acknowledge the retirement of a valuable

team member uh from our department of

technology, Miss Shereé Ilhami. Uh

courtesy of director orth. I would like

to just share a little bit about uh her

story. You know, many times we uh

celebrate in this chamber folks who get

to retire. uh most of the folks that are

sitting before us, our directors, our

deputy directors uh that are the most

visible, but again, when we think about

public service, it's really the other uh

thousands of employees that are behind

the scenes that really power our city.

Uh Miss uh Shereé and her husband Jay

came to the United States following the

fall of the uh Shaha of Iran. Part of

her family fled to Sweden, while Shereé

Jay and their infant daughter Talia came

to America with little more than the

clothes on their backs and whatever

money they had in their pockets. Like so

many who come here seeking opportunity

and freedom, they found a way to build a

life. Uh Shereé attended the National

University of Iran and graduated in

1982. After arriving in the United

States, she continued her education at

the Ohio State University, earning her

master's of science in city and regional

planning in 1989. She began her public

service career in 1994 as the GIS

director for the Delaware County

Auditor's Office and joined the city of

Columbus in 2013 as the citywide GIS

manager. In 2018, the city created an

entire new division within DOT for her

to lead, consolidating the city's data

management functions under the

organization she built from the ground

up. Among her many accomplishments was

standing up the city's enterprise data

management platform, Taled. Th this

engine uh that enables data movement and

integration across critical city

systems, financial systems, payroll,

311, and countless other operational

platforms depend on the foundation that

this woman created. She also helped

establish the city's first enterprise

data analytics and visualization uh

capabilities foundationally u sorry

fundamentally changing how departments

use information to make decisions and

serve our residents and also how we even

display that data. At the center of all

of it was her unwavering commitment to

helping departments use data in a

meaningful and transformative way. and

she did so with unmatched enthusiasm,

kindness, and genuine spirit of service.

Beyond her work here, Shereé also

founded URISA's

uh GIS Corps, part of the nonprofit

urban and regional information systems

association, which provides geographic

information systems and mapping services

to developing countries around the

world. Shereé's story is one of

resilience, service, and leadership and

should remind all of us of the

foundation of what this country should

represent. Shereé was unable to join us

this evening, but uh I've been told that

she is watching uh live. So, I just want

to say to her, Shereé, uh thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for everything that

you have done uh to take this city to

the next level. Uh we appreciate all of

the work that you have done and and wish

you well in uh retirement. Uh we will

also make sure that we get a resolution

uh to her as well. Director Or is there

anything else that you wanted to add uh

to Shereé and her service?

Uh good evening, President Harden,

President Prom Dorans, Chair Bixson's,

members of council. Um as you all know,

I've been in the IT industry for 44

years, 29 in government. I can honestly

say that uh Shre Alami is one of the

hardest working, most capable and

dedicated IT leaders I've ever had the

privilege to work with. Her passion for

using data to help others and to help

serve the citizens of Columbus in a word

is outstanding. While we will miss her

greatly,

she has developed just an incredible

team of outstanding people that will

continue her passion to serve going

forward. and we wish her well um in her

retirement

>> and thank you director uh for your

leadership and bring this to our

attention. So we lift up these types of

individuals again um when we talk about

public service not just the folks that

sit on this dis or the elected leaders

that you see uh but it is countless

folks behind the scenes uh that are

working to improve uh how the city

operates but more importantly improve

the lives of our residents. Uh so again

shereé we thank you for your service. Uh

and with that, council president, that

concludes my announcements and uh this

evening.

>> Thank you so much, Council Bankston.

Council Broadyia.

>> Thanks, Council President. I just have

two announcements. So, first, I'm pretty

sure this weekend concludes all of our

graduations

around the city of Columbus. So, if we

could all just collectively give a big

round of applause to all of our young

people.

We had kindergarten graduations. We had

eighth grade graduations and I think all

of our high schoolers, including mine,

uh, graduated. So, um, to all of the

graduates, congratulations. Y'all did

it. Make good choices. Um, this should

be a fun summer. Hope you're working

hard. I think we still have some

openings here at the city of Columbus.

So, uh, please sure to look into those.

Um, and, uh, to all the parents, I feel

you. We're all deep in our feelings, but

um uh congratulations because it

definitely takes a village to get those

uh kids across the stage. So, whatever

facet of life you are in,

congratulations to all. Um second of

all, this morning I had the opportunity

to share in the celebration of the 10th

anniversary of the Parson's Avenue

Library. So, I want to be clear, the

library has actually been there for 98

years in some form, but in this current

building, they just turned double

digits. And so I had the opportunity to

go out and to celebrate in our in the

border of our shared district, Council

Member Ross. Uh between uh seven and

eight, not six, seven. Um but I also

want to just announce that today is the

kickoff for the summer reading program

for um the Columbus Library. So the goal

is for folks to read 15 minutes a day

for the next 25 days. So it starts

today, it runs through July 31st, and

participants can earn prizes. They get

raffle entries for every five days of

reading. So, you can sign up both online

or go into your local library and sign

up. And very exciting for all y'all OGs

like me. Um, if you ever want a personal

pan pizza from Pizza Hut, if you read X

number of books, I see some folks

shaking their heads. The pizza program

is back, but it's actually Mikey's late

night slice that you there's audible oo

and a's. So the program is both for

adults and for kids. It's just to get

folks out reading. So go take someone

you love, go take people you love, go to

the library, sign up or get online and

sign up. Go visit our libraries. They

are I am a big uh passionate lover of

the library. I think it is the best

place in our community for folks to come

together. Um it gives folks both shelter

and knowledge and it expands the world

for people. And so make sure this summer

to go visit your library um because they

definitely at this time need our support

and need people showing up for them. And

a shout out to all of our library staff.

So that's all for me, council president.

>> Thank you, council member. Council

member De Akaw.

>> Thank you, Council President. I just

want to take a moment to thank all the

city staff and Lynen community partners

who made our second annual Memorial Day

service a meaningful and memorable

event. Nearly 200 residents took time

out of their holiday to come together in

Lynen Park and honor the lives and

legacies of the brave men and women who

died in service to our country.

Especially poignant was the touching

tribute to Columbus's own Master

Sergeant Tyler Simmons by General John

C. Harris and Lieutenant Colonel

Jennifer Green. I want to extend my

heartfelt gratitude to Tyler's family

who came from multiple states to pay

their respects. Tyler's name has now

been added permanently to the Lynen War

Memorial and I want to thank Hannah Reid

and the Department of Development for

making that happen. To the Department of

Neighborhood staff members Delina and

Bruce and Derek, my staff members Jacob

and Marwa, our community engagement

staff members Joseine and Kalin, and all

of our Lynden speakers and pastors and

the Fort Hayes Junior ROC. Thank you for

making Columbus proud this Memorial Day.

That's all for me, Council President.

>> Good job on that and thank you again to

the administration. It was a beautiful,

beautiful, beautiful event. Well done,

President Tim.

>> Uh thank you, Council President. I just

have one resolution and one

announcement. I want to invite Nicole

Bergman and the rest of the folks from

the Junior League uh down or up to the

podium. Uh Nicole serves as the uh vice

president of fund and partnership

development. um as I introduce uh or

resolution number 013x-2026

to honor and celebrate the 50th

anniversary of the Junior League of

Columbus' stewardship of the Kelton

House Museum and Garden. Uh for over 50

years, the Junior League of Columbus has

provided leadership, volunteer service,

advocacy, and financial support to

sustain and enhance the Kelton House

Museum and Garden, welcoming thousands

of visitors annually and offering

meaningful education programming for

students, uh families, and community

members. Uh currently the the museum and

house is closed as many folks heard.

There was a big gas explosion a number

of months ago. Um, but I appreciate

everything that they're doing. Uh,

because in Columbus when we talk about

celebrating our own history and

preserving our own history, uh, all too

often we've lost so much of that history

in in our city. And this is a beautiful

example of an organization that has

really, uh, decided to make it their

mission in part to preserve a beautiful

piece of history here in Columbus and

been doing so for for literally decades.

So, love to turn them the mic over to

Nicole.

>> Hi everyone. I'm Christina Ellis. I'm

the president of Junior League of

Columbus. Um, I have many women here

with me that are also Junior League of

Columbus members. Um, at its core,

Junior League of Columbus is we're here

to develop women to do a world of good.

Um, in 1976,

women gathered and said and made a

decision to take on the Kelton House and

turn it into museum. So, they spent

three years doing wallpaper, changing

the gardens to show what an average

family would be doing in 1852 when the

house was built. Um, we have been able

to be part of that Kelton family story

for 50 years. In 2000, it became a

documented stop on the Underground

Railroad, which is very just something

we treasure. Um, we are only custodians

of these stories, but it is such an

honor to continue and to be able to

share the Kelton family stories here in

Columbus. Um, as you know, there was a

devastating fire. Um, but I think it

just becomes part of our story and we're

hoping to really find out what comes

next. But we've been really leaning into

how we are all part of that story.

>> Any other comments from anyone else?

>> Any comments, my colleagues?

>> Well, again, thank you all for for

dedicating, you know, part of the

mission of the Junior League to again

preserving something that is so vital

towards uh you know, sort of the history

of Columbus. And again, all too often we

watch these kinds of houses and places

not have that level of someone deciding

to make it their mission to make sure

that part of that neighborhood is is

preserved. So, thank you for for what

you do. Um, with that, I move for

adoption.

>> Second.

>> Clerk, please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deadia, Dar, Dorne,

Green, Remy, Ross, White, President

Harden.

adopt it.

Thank you. I do have one announcement.

Did want to announce that uh want to

invite folks to our next hearing of the

Columbus City Schools and Columbus City

Council joint committee which council

president and I are very excited to be

hosting here uh on June 15th in city

hall at 5:30. This will be the first

meeting of that joint committee. Uh the

committee is being led by both council

and the Columbus City School Board and

we'll be hearing a presentation

outlining all the ways that the city and

the school board interact financially

and from a programmatic perspective.

Additionally, we'll have presenters from

the community learning center institute

uh from our neighbors down in Cincinnati

to present on their community learning

center model. Uh some some of us took a

trip down to Cincinnati about a month or

so ago and got to see firsthand results

of how that is making an incredible

impact not only for kids literally in

those buildings in Cincinnati but for

the surrounding neighborhoods which was

really exciting to to learn about. The

hearing will be livereamed on YouTube

and Facebook as normal. Uh we'll be

accepting speaker slips until 3:00 on

the day of the hearing. So if you're

interested in testifying, please email

my aid and McDonald and that's at a

mcdonald.gov to sign up to speak. Uh,

council president, I don't know if you

if you wanted to mention anything on

that hearing or not.

>> No, we're excited about this opportunity

to um recommmit ourselves to a closer

relationship with Columbus City Schools.

Uh, all public education are under more

uh challenging times than they've been.

Uh, I think in our state's history and

so just this close relationship that

we're building is something I'm really

excited about.

>> The future of this city is directly

linked to the future of our kids. and

this uh committee I think is an

actualization of of the body taking that

that very meaningful work up. Um and

with that that's all I have at this

time. Thanks.

>> Thank you. Press pro Tim. Council member

Green.

>> Thank you. Council member Remy.

>> Council member Ross.

>> Just two quick announcements today.

Council President. One is uh my office

will be having its next community

working hours. It is going to be on

tomorrow from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at

Milo's 401 Westtown Street, Columbus,

Ohio 43215. This is an opportunity just

to casually engage. So if those of you

who work remotely and have an

opportunity to come out or if you've

already gotten off of work, want to come

out, say hi. It's literally just office

hours out into the in the community. So,

we'll be glad to meet you at Milo's

tomorrow evening, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. The

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imagination meets tomorrow. The

experience highlights the power of

creativity to impact the next generation

and is on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026,

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I do have the

honor of moderating that panel. We'd

love to see you there on June 3rd. And

that is it for me, Council President.

>> Thank you, Council Member. Council

member White.

>> Thank you, Council President. Just one

quick announcement. I'm excited to share

that our next public utilities and

sustainability committee hearing will

take place Wednesday, June 3rd at 3:30

here in council chambers. Uh it will

include a presentation from Columbus

Water and Power on Water Utilization and

its lowincome and senior discount

program. If you'd like to provide

testimony at this hearing, you can email

my a Chelsea Goldilerman at clgt

molus.gov

by noon tomorrow. Um, of course, the

hearing will be streamed live on the

city council uh YouTube channel as well

as the Facebook page. That's it for me.

>> Thank you, council member. Um, I want to

uh start by acknowledging the passing of

Peter Nelson Cass. Um, folks around city

hall used to know him as Pete Cass and

we extended our condolences to his

family and friends. Uh Pete uh dedicated

nearly four decades of service to

Columbus City Council and played an

instrumental role in formulating the

development models of the Short North,

the establishment of public funding for

the nationwide arena area, multiple

neighborhood infrastructure programs,

airport regionalization and social

service funding and support. Over the

years, uh Peter demonstrated intellect,

leadership, and a commitment to public

service. And he leaves a lasting impact

on the city and those who worked

alongside him. So on behalf of this

council but this city uh we we thank him

for his service uh his sacrifice um that

he made for nearly four decades uh

working in this building. Um so thank

you uh to Pete Cass. I next want to uh

bring up Kent Scarret from the Ohio

Municipal League. Um tonight I'm

presenting resolution 0133X-126.

It's to oppose a total elimination of

property tax in Ohio. And I want to

begin by acknowledging a reality that

many Ohioans, especially our seniors,

are facing higher property taxes. Uh,

and it's becoming a real concern to

people's ability to live and thrive uh

and stay in Columbus, especially if

you're on a are in Ohio, especially if

you are on a fixed income. Um, those

concerns are real and they deserve

thoughtful and serious uh attention from

our policy mo makers. But the

conversation that is happening at the

state level is unserious. Uh it is it

goes far outside of how we would

actually take care of our seniors, how

we would keep libraries open, how we

would uh support folks with

disabilities. Uh throwing up a pie in

the sky idea without uh having a larger

conversation around how we actually take

care of the folks who are in need most

um like I said is unserious. And so, uh,

uh, Kent Scared is with Ohio Municipal

League, uh, works with, uh,

municipalities throughout the state of

Ohio and advocating on what's, um, on

our behalf at the state level and

obviously at the national level. Uh,

Kent, thank you so much for your

advocacy, for your leadership, for

keeping cities, city councils, and

cities, uh, a breast of what is

happening uh, at the state house and

throughout the state uh, on this issue.

And I would like to turn the floor over

to you. Well, thank you very much,

Council President Harden, and thank you

very much, council, for having me uh

this evening. My name is Ken Scar, and

I'm the executive director of the Ohio

Municipal League. There's a lot of

things happening right now in the space

of property tax reform, property tax

challenges, both statewide and in our

communities. One of the really

significant threat that is happening

right now is an effort that is being led

by a couple grassroots uh organizations

primarily in Northeast Ohio that would

repeal the whole of the property tax

system which would be $24 billion of

dollars gone from our communities from

our state um and as a vital resource.

And just to put in context, the property

tax, the 24 billion is more than the

income tax, the state income tax and

sales state sales tax combined. It's it

would be it would bankrupt um our

communities in a number of ways and

especially our schools um and twothirds

of uh our local revenues are generated

by the property tax. Um, the Ohio

Municipal League is part of a coalition,

a broadband statewide coalition um,

named Ohioans to Protect Public Services

and the website is

protectpubervices.org.

Um, it's a statewide coa coalition of

over 65 organizations including

representatives from police and fire,

EMS, educators, caregivers for seniors,

children, and those with disabilities,

healthc care providers, libraries,

parks, um, our business and labor

leaders, local elected officials,

Democrats, Republicans. It's a

nonpartisan, bipartisan uh coalition of

those that are very concerned about what

the realized impacts would be if $ 24

billion were all of a sudden taken away

from from our local from funding our

local government services. Um, just to

give you a quick brief uh snapshot of

what a repeal would look like and what

some of the consequences would be. Um,

first and foremost, for our

municipalities, it would be longer

respon response times for calls for

assistance due to the projected

elimination of 32,000 of our state our

first responders statewide. Um, it would

also significantly the ability

of our our schools to um to provide an

education and to fund their services

through the cuts of 13 billion dollars

would be realized with a projected

50,000 teachers laid off uh statewide.

Of course, this would uh really

significantly challenge um the success

of our students for future educational

opportunities and in the job market. Um

it'll be less support for our seniors

that uh the president rightly mentioned

our 2.8 million seniors in Ohio uh

through less funding for home delivery

of meals uh in home care and personal

assistance, transportation and adult day

services. Um the elimination of uh care

coordination and wellness and and social

programs. Senior citizen closures or

reduction in services. um the diminished

ability uh to investigate cases of abuse

or neglect uh which are um all senior

programs that would be uh severely

challenged. Um 74 of the 88 counties in

Ohio fully fund these through property

tax revenues though. So of course if the

property tax revenues are gone, it would

be very difficult to um to to fund those

services. The groups that are proposing

the full repeal have not come up with a

alternative plan or another way to fund

to make up $24 billion. There's been

projections by uh the state uh budget of

office and management that it um some

counties could see an income tax

increase to uh 27%.

Um I'm sorry, a sales tax increase to

27% because the property tax would be

gone or an increase uh in the income tax

locally to 15 to 18%. And you can

imagine what that would mean to the

state's competitiveness going forward,

the investments we're making into our

future. Um and and this is a real

challenge. So I greatly appreciate the

president u and the conversation I've

had with him recognizing um this

significant challenge and it's the goal

of the uh coalition to educate members

of the community about what they would

be voting for. If this is something you

support, this is the challenges that it

would bring. Um, so, um, the group has

until, uh, July 1st to, um, present to

the Secretary of State 410,000 good

signatures from 44 counties. Um, they're

well on their way to getting that. We're

not sure if they're going to make that

benchmark. We won't know until July 1st

when uh, they've turned in the

signatures or if they've turned in the

signatures. If they don't turn in the

signatures, those signatures that

they've already corrected, they're they

turn them as evergreen. they'll continue

to be viable so that um there could be

an effort next year to reach that

410,000 to put it on the ballot. Um and

we know from polling that if it is on

the ballot um right now without an

education process like the coalition is

undertaking to educate the members and

our residents about what this repeal

would mean, it would pass by 67%.

Um, so there's a real concern that we

need to inform our voters about what

this really means. Um, nobody, you know,

likes taxes, but the things that we

generate that stabilizes and makes our

community strong are dependent on those

revenues. Um, so thank you, uh, Mr.

President and members of council for

your attention to this very important

matter. And, um, I'd be happy to answer

any questions. And and Ken, the one

point that I want to make is that um we

have a choice uh every time a levy is on

the ballot to vote it up or down, but to

take away the tool of how we take care

of the least of these uh the option to

support children with disabilities, the

option to support uh schools, the option

to support our seniors without having

any solution. That is why this is an

important conversation and if it is if

it does move forward why it would be so

important for all of us to be a part of

that conversation.

>> Do you have um first of all thank you

for being here but do you have data that

has shown if there's been other cities

communities municipal municipalities

that have done something similar to

this? What has been the outcome?

>> The Mr. President and and Madam Council

person there has not been a statewide

effort to repeal the property tax. the

legislature has been kind of nibbling

around the edges to address the problem

um or the challenges that these increase

these spikes in property taxes are

bringing especially to marginalized and

and um you know a lot of different

communities that can't handle these tax

increases. There has never been a

community that I'm aware that has

outright stopped collecting property

taxes because of the value that it has

in the in the and the the supporting of

the community. Um, I could tell you that

other states are looking at modifying

the property tax but not eliminating it

outright.

>> I say I can speak to that. I'm

originally from California and in was it

circa 1980 the Jarvis amendment froze

property taxes and it was catastrophic

for the state. We went from having some

of the best public schools in the nation

to the worst and that never got fixed.

the um the impact on local governments

again devastating.

And it was one of those things when the

taxpayers voted for it, you know, they

looked at and go, "Oh, great. My

property taxes will stay the same.

Nothing gets raised until you sell the

property." And they thought that was a

really great idea. And then they

suffered the consequences of it. So, at

least look at if freezing property taxes

is catastrophic. take a look at what

happened in California before deciding

you want to eliminate them entirely.

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> Thank you so much. And like I said, this

may or may not be a larger conversation

that we have as a community, but we

wanted to bring this before the city

just to know that uh uh we need to

educate ourselves fully educate

ourselves um on this potential issue.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Thank you so much. With that, I move for

passage of resolute.

Oh uh no not on this one.

>> Uh on speaker 0133x-226

please call the row. Bankston, Barrosa,

De Padilla, De Akara, Dorren Green, Remy

Ross, White, President Harden.

>> And I hate that we have gone an hour

into this meeting without uh saying

happy Pride. Uh happy Pride, Columbus.

We are so excited that we get to c Oh,

thank you. So excited we get to

celebrate this evening. As part of that

celebration, every year we uh do this

resolution uh to celebrate uh pride in

the city of Columbus. So, I'm going to

ask um Leo Rodriguez uh representing

Stonewall Columbus to come forward. Uh

tonight, I'm bringing uh forward

resolution 0134X-2026.

is to celebrate the 2026 Pride Month and

the annual Pride Festival in March uh

until we are all free uh is the theme.

Today marks the beginning of Pride Month

and later this evening we'll gather

outside city hall for our annual Pride

illumination and the Shelterburgger

Illuminator Awards ceremony. I strongly

encourage everyone to join us following

tonight's meeting as we celebrate

community recognize this year's honore

which is Jose Rodriguez from right here

at city hall. As we celebrate, we also

recognize pride uh pride's roots. Pride

began as a movement for visibility,

dignity, and equal rights. The 1969

Stonewall uprising in New York City

became a defining moment in the fight

for LGBTQ equality and helped inspire

generations of advocacy and progress.

June is observed as Pride Month in honor

of that legacy. This year, Stonewall

Columbus' pride theme is until we are

all free. A reminder that the work of

building a more inclusive and equitable

society still continues. It calls on all

of us to stand together on safety, on

rights, and the dignity of LGBTQ

individuals uh to ensure Columbus

remains a city where everyone feels they

belong and they have opportunity to

thrive. Um, with that, I'm going to uh

turn it over to to um Mr. Rodriguez and

then we'll go around the DIS if someone

has comments.

>> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Happy

Pride uh Council President Hard and

members of city council. Like I said,

happy Pride month. My name is Leo

Rodriguez and I'm here uh serving on

behalf of Stonewalk Columbus. So, thank

you for the opportunity to speak today.

Uh first, I want to I want to thank you

all for your commitment to making

Columbus a vibrant city where every

resident is celebrated and valued. That

is not the norm across the nation and it

is important that we state that here.

Pride Month is a time where we celebrate

and honor the incredible journey of the

LGBTQ plus community. Here in Columbus,

we have a history of building events

that center community by being

volunteer-led and accessible to all of

our neighbors.

This is the story of Columbus Pride.

More than four decades ago, fewer than

200 people marched through downtown

Columbus to demand the recognition of

their civil and human rights. Today,

Columbus Pride is one of the largest

Pride events in the nation, drawing

close to 750,000 people over the weekend

and generating about $7.5 million for

our region in economic impact. This

growth has only been achieved because

for decades for decades the leadership

of this city has decided that supporting

and investing in all of its residents

means supporting all the different

identities that make up our region. In

times like this where we feel so divided

as if we are reading from different

chapters,

pride is the opportunity to convene and

experience one of the most revolutionary

acts we can do, our collective joy.

For many people, it's the one time a

year they can access life affirming

services, often for free or low cost.

For small businesses and community

organizations, it gives them the

visibility to connect and engage with a

wider

audience.

Now, the path ahead is long and

tumultuous. The LGBTQ plus community is

facing escalating attacks at the federal

and state level. There is indeed a lot

to be done, but the everyday work of

building a stronger future requires for

us to stand shoulderto-shoulder in true

partnership.

Columbus is a city on the rise. The

story of our growth is one about the

decisions we have made to make sure we

leave a better city than the one we

found. In your continued advocacy is one

of those decisions that marks the

difference between some of us and all of

us. On behalf of Stonewall Columbus,

thank you for this resolution and I look

forward to celebrating together as we

eliminate city hall tonight. Thank you.

I can answer any questions or comments

if there are any.

>> Thank you, Leah. We are so excited. We

know that uh the work of this year's

Pride Festival in March started the day

after last year's Pride Festival in

March. Um but we are thinking about you

as you uh plan to host uh 700,000 of our

friends in downtown Columbus in a couple

weeks. Uh I think it is moving into the

largest thing that we do in the city of

Columbus. Uh and uh for that um uh we

are just really grateful. I think you

are literally shaping uh how folks think

of our city and how we think of our

ourselves as inclusive. So we are

excited to kick that off tonight.

Council member Rosa Devidia,

>> I was just going to say, can you remind

folks of the dates of Pride this month

and what they can expect?

>> I'm sorry.

>> Can you remind folks about the dates of

the pride parade and what to expect? We

have our Pride Festival and Resource

Fair June 19th and 20th at Goodale Park.

On June 19th, it goes from 4:00 p.m. to

10 p.m. And on June 20th, it goes from

11 to 8:00 p.m. And our Pride March,

which is over 1.9 miles across Columbus

downtown, is on June 20th with the step

up at 10:30 a.m.

>> That's awesome.

>> Thank you all.

>> I can't wait. Happy Pride. We'll be

there.

>> Happy Pride.

>> Thank you.

>> All right. Thank you so much. Um before

uh we pass the resolution and I I'll

bring it to you. Um I'm going to bring

up we have a speaker uh on this

resolution. Um this is um Kaden AIFA.

Uh you have three minutes.

Yeah.

Wow, this is just disgusting and

disgraceful. Mr. Ken Suffo, 139 North

Marcus Street, Mount Sterling, Ohio.

Resident also here in Franklin County.

Pride month should be not of the rainbow

flag, but of of one flag only. And that

flag is standing right behind council

member Adakau, the American flag. The

American flag has been through wars,

campaigns, and it served all of us

through this country. It is

distinguished through through the

Revolutionary War, through the World

Wars, World War I and World War II. And

I can speak on behalf of my friends,

business colleagues, and everybody whose

family served in the military. They are

disgusted. They are disgusted that

Columbus has a pride month where it

should be on this flag right here

because of law enforcement, because of

veterans, those who died in our service

force for this nation's sake. And as

someone of a grandson of a military

veteran, I'm disgusted. Disgusted. been

disgraced by this. You know what? I feel

ashamed that Columbus has this pride

month and I'm being honest. And if I

wasn't honest, I'd be a dead man. But

you know what? That's just my opinion

and my constitutional rights. But the

bottom line is council members and

council president Harden, a long

constituent of West Waxner. Let me just

say that guilty is charged.

That this flag should be the only one.

And the flag on the brim of my hat, red,

white, and blue are the only colors

should be represented through June and

July. It is America's 250th birthday.

250 years of a great country of the

greatest leaders and the greatest

military in all the world. Why are we a

superpower in this world on this planet?

Because we are of the great leaders and

those who shaped our nation from the

founding fathers to the current

administration. And I can say behalf of

those who support the current

administration and not even the current

administration but those previous that

this is just one thing that needs to be

changed immediately because why why are

we even celebrating this? I mean I'm

speaking on behalf of everybody who's

not here tonight and I'm speaking on

behalf of my colleagues of my party. So

I want this changed and I say this this

is disgusting, disgraceful and this

dishonors our nation completely. Thank

you. God bless.

>> Well sir, I think that that flag u is

exactly why we get to celebrate uh pride

month here. And I think that those

comments that you just gave shows why we

need to celebrate pride here in the city

of Columbus. So thank you so much for

being here. Uh Leo, if you'd like to

come and get your res uh resolution. Um

I move for passage of or resolution

0134X-126.

>> Second cler please call the ros.

Bankston Buradia de Akara Dorren Green

Reie Ross White President Harden

Are there uh comments from our elected

officials? Uh Madam Treasur,

>> first let me say happy Pride Month.

>> Thank you.

>> Um good evening, President Harden, Prom

Dorans, Chair Bangston, members of

council. Um I wanted to give you a brief

overview tonight about a topic that's

very important to me as your city

treasurer. I'd like to explain why this

topic should be something we should all

be concerned about. That topic is PCI

DSS. That stands for payment card

industry data security standards.

Why does this matter? Well, every single

day, our residents trust the city with

their credit card data, whether they're

paying income taxes, parking fees, or

utility bills.

As a municipality, we're legally and

contractually obligated to protect that

data under PCIDSS.

This is not a vague set of IC

guidelines. It is a strict global

security framework mandated by major

card brands like Visa, Mastercard,

Discover, and American Express.

Compliance ensures that every card

swipe, tap, and online transaction is

processed in an encrypted, secure way

that's shielded from hackers. Because

the city has recently suffered a cyber

attack, we know that this is a real

possibility and that we as a city need

to work together to maintain the highest

possible standards in this area. So

today, I'm asking for your help and

support in these efforts because there

are real financial and operational

stakes and a level of serious risks that

we should all be aware of. Maintaining

compliance is not optional. If the city

falls out of compliance, the

consequences are immediate and severe.

First, the interruption of operations.

card networks can and will suspend our

ability to accept credit card payments

entirely.

Secondly, the financial impact. A lapse

could trigger heavy monthly

non-compliance fines, escalating costs

for every transaction we process, and a

catastrophic liability cost in the event

of a data breach.

Third, and most importantly to me, is

the trust factor of our public. If

residents cannot securely pay online or

at our counters, city revenue slows down

and public trust drops instantly.

Why is the treasur's office leading this

effort in 2026?

Well, we are currently a level two

merchant. That means we process a volume

of between 1 million and 6 million

credit card swipes per year and we are

required to undergo an annual self

assessment to achieve compliance. That

effort will begin this month in June.

With the success of the banking

modernization program that began in 2023

in collaboration with the auditor's

office in finance, we are heading closer

to becoming a level one merchant, which

will require even higher standards on

measuring compliance going forward.

Historically, these security and

merchant infrastructure agreements were

maintained through the Department of

Technologies contract with the QSA,

which stands for qualified security

assessor. In 2026, this responsibility

is shifting entirely to the treasur's

office and I will need to ask council

for support in maintaining these

compliance efforts. So to prevent any

disruption to our revenue collection,

avoid costly penalties and ensure our

systems remain completely secure, the

treasur's office is seeking its own

agreement, establishing its own

agreement for these services. Because

given the magnitude and importance of

this compliance effort, we feel that

this is something that we must do to

ensure we have the dedicated tools and

third-party validation required to keep

the city of Columbus fully compliant,

protected, and open for business. And I

would also ask that our department

directors when our qualified security

assessor comes around to each department

that you offer your full cooperation

with your design and your staff so that

we can get through the compliance and we

can come out uh clean. Thank you very

much.

>> Thank you madam treasur auditor or city

attorney.

That's awesome. Are there any requests

by members of council for the removal of

an ordinance resolution of consent

portion of the agenda?

May we have uh the motion to wave

readings of 30-day uh legislation by the

clerk.

>> Clerk, please call the row.

>> Bangston, Barrosa, Deadia, Deau, Dorren

Green, Reie, Ross, White, President

Harden.

>> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Will the clerk

now read to the record the ordinance

number of 30 legislation on tonight's

agenda?

>> Sure. Finance and Governance Committee

1357,

1429,

1457, and 1472-2026.

Economic Development and Small Minority

Business Committee 1484, 1485,

1508, 1511-2026.

Public Service and Transportation

Committee 1335, and 1496-2026.

Neighborhood Recreation and Parks

Committee 1410 and 1436-2026

Workforce Education and Labor Committee

Ordinance 1301-2026

Public Utilities and Sustainability

Committee 1160-2026

1325 1386 1387 1393

1470 1471

1491

1500 151520

24 1540 and 1557-2026

resonings and amendments zoning

committee um 1612-2026

variances 1582 1599 1610 1613 and

1614-2026

>> Thank you madame clerk the following

orders appear on our agenda as consent

action will the clerk now read those

into the record

>> sure finance and governance committee

1308 8 1375 1379

1427

1434

and 1467-2026

Economic Development and Smart Minority

Business Ordinances 1306, 1480, and

1512-2026.

Public Service and Transportation

Committee 1384, 1428, and 1498-2026.

Neighborhoods Recreation and Parks

Committee 23 945

1088 1378

1402

1403 1406 and 1408-2026

Workforce Education and Labor Committee

Ordinances 1228 1229 1474605

1625 and 1626-2026

Health Human Services and Equity

Committee

95, 1227, 1371, 1478, and 1616-2026.

Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Committee 1146, 1193,

1194,

1329, 1366, 1367,

1426,

1438,

1460, and 1501-2026.

Housing Homelessness and Building

Committee 1383 and 1528-2026.

Public Util Public Utilities and

Sustainability Committee uh 1138 1212

1296 1318 1319 1324

1342

1355

1360

1362

1476-2026

Rules and Policy Committee uh

appointments A 011-2026

Six.

>> May I have a motion for um approval of

those items designated as consent? Is

there a second?

>> Uh clerk, please please call the role by

voice.

>> Bangston?

>> Yes.

>> Bara de Padilla?

>> Yes.

>> De Aar?

>> Yes.

>> Dorren,

>> yes.

>> Green,

>> Remy,

>> yes.

>> Ross,

>> yes.

>> W.

>> Yes.

>> President Harden,

>> yes. With the exception of 1229-2026

in which I abstain.

>> Thank you. Uh those items are on the uh

consent agenda and items are passed with

noted abstensions.

>> Thank you. Um sir, uh we'll now proceed

with the second reading of 30-day

postponed and emergency legislation. The

first committee to come before council

is the finance and governance committee

chair by council benson. Council member

floor is yours.

>> Uh thank you. First up tonight in

Finance and Governance Committee, we

have resolution 0127X-2026

to accept the 2026 participatory

budgeting budget steering committee's

recommendations for the establishment of

our voice, our choice budget and to

acknowledge the city's role in

supporting residents in the execution of

the remaining phases of this

participatory budgeting process. This

resolution uh clarifies and confirms the

city's supportive role in the our voice,

our choice budget process and accepts

the process framework created by the

steering committee. For members of the

public uh who may be unfamiliar, this

year uh the city of Columbus will run

its first ever participatory budgeting

process run and managed by a team of

community organizations and residents.

Uh I'm really really excited about this

work. is something that we were able to

secure, I was able to secure in the last

year's capital budget where members of

our community will be able to vote on

projects within their communities. The

guide book laying out the general

framework for the process can be found

on my council web page at columbus.gov.

Uh the next phase of the process, the

idea collection phase where residents

can submit project ideas for their

districts will start uh the week of July

6th. So, please keep an eye out for

further communications from my office

and council socials um for more info on

the timing unveiling of the website and

engagement opportunities near you in

your districts. Are there any questions

or comments from my colleagues? Seeing

none, I move for passage.

>> I'm sorry. I move for adoption.

>> Bankston Barros Padilla de Akara Dorren

Green Reie Ross White President Harden.

Next we have ordinance 0867-2026

to authorize the director of department

of technology to enter into a contract

with technology site planners inc tech

site to to provide data center alarm

monitoring and first responder services

to wave the competitive bidding

provisions of chapter 329 of Columbus

city codes to authorize expenditure of

$54,770

from the department of technology

information services division

information services operating fund.

Last year, this body authorized the

original contract with uh Axel Axel

Alliant LLC for purchase of Absolute

Secure Access. The city uses Absolute

Secure Access software to enable mobile

workers, including police officers and

public utility field crews to

communicate securely over mobile

connection communication uh networks.

Without this solution, communications

will not function securely when accessed

over a mobile communications network,

significantly diminishing the

effectiveness and efficiency of city

mobile workers. This ordinance

authorizes the first renewal at a total

cost of $157,859.50

for the period of 12 months starting on

August 21st, 2026 to August 20th, 2027.

Seeing no questions or comments from my

colleagues, I move for passage. Second,

>> please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, de Padilla, de Aar,

Dorance, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Next, we have ordinance 1261-2026

to amend ordinance 0265-2026

to authorize the director of finance and

management on behalf of facilities

management division to enter into a

separate contract with water with the

waterworks LLC to wave the competitive

bidding provisions of Columbus City

codes and to declare an emergency. This

ordinance authorizes a standalone

contract with Waterworks for a plumbing

renovation project at police substation

13. Previous legislation was submitted

and authorized by this body to to expend

these funds under a previously

established universal term contract.

This UTC has a $20,000 threshold for any

single standalone project. Since this

project exceeds this threshold, the

additional legislative authority is

needed. Are there any questions or

comments from my colleagues? Seeing

none, I move for passage.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deadia, de Aar,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Next, we have ordinance 14:30-2026

to authorize director of Department of

Finance and Management on behalf of the

Office of Construction Management to

enter into a contract with Elford, Inc.

to provide construction manager at risk

services for the department of public

safety's eastn police substation project

to authorize an expenditure up to $10

million within the safety go bond bonds

fund and to declare an emergency. This

legislation authorizes a construction

manager at risk contract with Inc. for

the construction of a new police

substation number six located at 3395

Eastn Way. This new facility will

support patrol operations, a community

response team, as well as detective and

zone commander operations. This site

will also include a garage, sallyport

space, bicycle patrol storage, and

secure police parking with covered

cruiser parking. Additional space will

also be allocated for a locker room

space, and a physical fitness center for

police personnel. Furthermore, the new

facility will also include a community

meeting room for neighborhood events,

classes, and department trainings that

doubles as a ICC 500 compliance storm

shelter. This project was competitively

bid by the Office of Construction

Management, and Elfford received the

highest overall score from the uh

evaluation committee. Construction is

anticipated to commence late summer,

early 2026 with construction lasting

approximately 30 months. And just want

to say really excited about this

project. This is one I know that's we

have been in design for a while and so

looking forward to seeing that new

police substation out there at Eastston.

As we know, Eastston is our third uh

highest job center and so having that

extra layer of uh protection and also a

new community meeting space for the

residents of district 5 is going to be a

huge win for that side of town. Are

there any questions or comments from my

colleagues? Seeing none, I move for

passage. Second,

>> please call the roll.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deadia, de Aar,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Thank you. And last for me and uh the

finance and governance committee this

evening, we have ordinance 1433-2026

to authorize the director of department

of finance and management to enter into

a contract with Nalco company LLC doing

business as Nalco Water for the

treatment and remediation of water

systems under the purview of the

facilities management division to

authorize expenditure of $294,377.11

within the general fund to wave the

competitive bidding provisions of

chapter 329 of Columbus City Code and to

declare an emergency. This legislation

authorizes a contract with NCO company

LLC for continued water treatment

services for facilities under the

purview of facilities management

division. Nalco is currently under

contract with the department of finance

and management facilities management

division in such capacity. The facility

management division has determined that

it is best practice to continue with the

water treatment services to safeguard

the health and safety of employees and

visitors to our uh city facilities. Are

any questions or comments from my

colleagues? Seeing none, I move for

passage.

>> Call the roll.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deadia, De Aar,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Thank you, Council President. So, I have

on my committee this evening.

>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee to come

before council is the public service and

transportation committee. That committee

is chaired by council member Rosa

Deodia. Council member, the floor is

yours.

>> Thank you, council president. So, we

have two items for second read tonight,

and I'm excited about both of them

because they come directly from neighbor

concerns or um neighbor um neighbors

advocating. It's in two district two

different districts, district 5 and

district 7. So, um I'll read the

ordinance and then we'll talk we'll talk

a little bit about each one, their

impact, and then in the second one, I do

have a little showand tell. It's back.

Uh okay. So, first is ordinance 1096

20226 to amend the 2025 capital

improvement budget to appropriate funds

within the streets and highways bond

fund 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 related to the

acquisition of fee and simple title

lesser interest in and property needed

for the UIF

Ein Road shared use path project to

authorize authorizes the city auditor to

appropriate $1,400,000

within the ODOT highway safety

improvement program 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 the expenditure of

1 billion4

uh $400,000 from the O highway safety

improvement program and the streets and

highways bond fund to pay for the

project to authorize a director of

public service or a designate to execute

a con a construction contract or a

similar instrument and any amends

amendments to modification thereto as

may be necessary with Indiana and Ohio

Railway Company owned by Watco uh

companies LLC to facilitate the

construction of the UIRF Ein Road shared

use path project and to repay any unused

grant funds at the end of the grant

period and to declare an emergency. Woo,

that was a lot. Okay, this project came

from advocates from the Greater Hilltop

Area District. So, the URIF dollars are

grants that the community can actually

apply for. They usually take a while for

them to get done. So, this project has

been long time in the making. Um, this

is in district uh six in the greater

Hilltop planning area. The project will

construct a shared use path from South

Wayne Avenue through Hiltonia Park to

White Hawthorne Avenue on the north side

of Eken Road and a crosswalk at the

intersection of White uh Thorn Avenue.

This project will connect to the

existing shared use path on the south

side of Eken Road from White Thorn

Avenue to Harrisburg Pike. The project

is located in the high injury network

due to the number of serious or fatal

crashes and or crashes involving

vulnerable road users like people

walking, biking or on a motorcycle. This

vision zero safety improvement will

increase visibility of people walking

and biking and separate those vulnerable

roadway users from vehicle traffic by

installing a new ADA compliant sidewalk.

So shared use paths are those wider

sidewalks that allow quite literally for

everyone to share the pathway. So it's

bigger than a sidewalk. So if you're in

a mobility device, if you're on, you

know, pushing a stroller, if you're

walking, if you're biking, there's

enough of a a path for people to use it

in multiple ways and not be in the

street. Um, again, this really came

directly from the community, which was

the emphasis empetus of us looking for

those ODOT dollars to then also add to

the project. W Director, is there

anything you want to add to this project

in particular?

>> Hi, good evening, President Harden and

Council Member Barosa Deputy, and the

rest of the members of council. I think

you about covered it. This was, as you

said, a long time coming. the UIF funds

or the urban infrastructure recovery

funds. They do take a while to get those

projects going because we go through a

design phase. This is our rightway

phase. Why does it always do that to me?

>> So, this is the rightway phase and then

we'll have our construction phase coming

up after that. So, this was a this one's

a good one.

>> Perfect. Do my colleagues have any

questions or comments? Seeing none, I

move for passage. Second call.

>> Bankston Barrosa Deadia de Akara Dorren

Green Reie Ross White President Harden.

>> Thank you. Next, we have ordinance 1464

2026 to amend the 2025 capital

improvement bud budget to authorize the

transfer of funds within the streets and

highways bond fund to appropriate funds

within the federal transportation grants

fund to authorize the director of public

service to enter into contract with

complete general construction company

for the roadway multimodal Mount Vernon

Avenue phase 1 project to authorize the

expenditure of up to 7,1200

or $2,930

$3064

from the streets and highways bond fund

and the federal transportation grants

fund for the project and to repay any

unpaid or unused uh grant funds at the

end of the grant period and to declare

an emergency. So I do believe we have

some showand tell for this project. Uh

this is in district 7. Um so this

actually came from uh again from the

community. This is uh improvements that

will be in the King Lincoln Bronzewell

Bronzeville neighborhood on Martin

Luther King Jr. Boulevard from Hamilton

A to St. Clair Avenue and Mount Vernon

Avenue um from St. Clair to Champion. So

the enhancements include vision zero

safety elements such as improved bike uh

sidewalks and curbs, protected bike

lanes, bus islands, which essentially

means if you will look near where the

King Arts Complex and the Maroon are,

the it will actually come into that um

curb. So when the bus pulls in, they'll

be actually not blocking the roadway,

but they'll be able to come closer in so

folks can uh load the bus and then

traffic can continue. Um they'll also

include some bumpouts. Those bumpouts

are where you see the extended curbs

when you go to cross. It goes a little

further, so it makes the um crosswalk a

little shorter for pedestrians and other

folks to come across. Um this reduces

that crossing distance and creates a

visual narrowing of the street. So we

know this is one area where you will see

that a lot of folks um uh we know that

this is a high pedestrian area,

especially during the summertime. Maybe

Moore Park is uh lots of events happen

there. Junth celebrations happen there.

Uh Maroon uh the Maroon and King Art

Arts Complex both do summer programming.

Down the street there's the box park.

And so especially because of that curb,

it made it especially challenging for

folks to move in that area. And because

it's become more of a pedestrian area,

this gives us the opportunity to really

create some differentiation on the

street between pedestrians. It also

allows us to put in some bike

infrastructure. So, we'll have some bike

lanes as well um along this area in

addition to and you can see it kind of

in those little squares where the bikes

would go, the uh cars would go, and

where buses would go. Deputy director,

is there something else that you would

like to add to this project?

>> Thank you. Thank you, council member.

Let's hope we don't screech this time.

Um here at public service and in the

city, we're really excited for this

project to begin construction this

summer. Um this project in particular is

a really great example of the

partnership between the city and the

communities around it. Um there was a

lot of

community stakeholders. We're talking

about residents, community and faith

leaders, nonprofit and other

organizations all coming together to

talk about what kind of improvements

would be best for this area in the

corridor. Um, this planning took about

two years, so a long time. Um, but it's

going to address those safety concerns

and all those speeding concerns that

they have currently. Um, one thing

that's a really great example of

something, and you'll see more of this

in the future as we're doing more of

these safety projects, um, we installed

quick build improvements at the

intersection in the fall of 2021 and

those have produ, uh, produced

significant crash reduction. Uh, I'll

just 91% total crashes have decreased

since that time in that installation.

So,

>> and that was right at the corner of

Champion near Champion uh middle school.

So,

>> Yep.

>> Yep.

>> Um, so I'm excited about this project.

We This started as resurfacing. We've

been able to also add in some other

things. I mean, this gives us gives us

the opportunity when we have those funds

to look at additional improvements that

we can pull dollars from or that we can

use community engagement to think about

what are we missing in this particular

area. I'm excited because we've also had

conversations with um the leadership at

the Maroon and King Arts Complex about

additional enhancements. There's a

parking lot there that we are looking at

making additional investments in and

even doing some um very cool um parking

lot murals and some other things

additionally that will come later on

down the road. But I want to thank the

department for their leadership on this

and their partnership. Um, I'm excited

because this is again something that

came directly from the residents because

of all of the challenges that we saw

along that way. There's a ton of um

businesses, there's a lot of our

community groups, there's churches,

there's other folk uh there's uh

elementary school right or middle school

right along that path. So, um excited

about what this will do in terms of

safety, especially as we continue to

invite more and more folks and make it a

more walkable, um area for the residents

along that corridor in District 7. Do my

colleagues have any questions?

>> I do have just one question. I know you

mentioned um construction starts in the

summer. Do you, and I know timelines are

dynamic with this stuff. Do you have an

expected um time for completion of the

project?

I don't want to tell any lies. So, I

will get you that information, but I

want to say around June 22nd, but don't

hold me to it. I will

>> second to start.

>> Uh, I think that's when we'll NTP and

start shoveling the ground. But, um, I

will get you a better answer that's more

concrete.

>> Awesome. Thank you.

>> And I do know that the project as many

of our projects are done in phases. So,

there's a phase one taking into

consideration the summertime and the

movement of what's happening in the

area. And then there'll be a phase two

etc etc. So

>> got it.

>> Thank you.

>> Any additional questions?

>> Great. With that I move for passage.

>> Second.

>> Clerk please just call the role.

>> Bankston Barrosa Deodia de Akawa Dorren

Green Remy Ross White. President Harden

>> passed.

>> Thank you. That's all for me this

evening.

>> Thank you madam chair. Next committee to

come before council is the neighborhood

recreation and parks committee chair

council day dear. Councilman the floor

is yours.

>> Thank you council president. First, we

have ordinance 1351-2026

to authorize the director of the

department of development to enter into

professional services contract with MKSK

Incorporated to continue a strategic

update to the Big Derby Accord Watershed

Master Plan to authorize expenditure in

an amount of up to $75,000 from the

Columbus Water and Power Sewer Operating

Sanitary Fund and the expenditure in an

amount up to 25,000 from the

neighborhood economic development fund

previously established under ordinance

0273-2026.

6 to authorize expenses incurred prior

to the execution of the purchase order

to wave the competitive biddings

requirement under Columbus City codes to

repeal ordinance 0273-2026

in its entirety and to declare an

emergency. Council originally passed

ordinance 0273-2026

to modify the original contract between

development and MKSK extending the

original end date and adding more funds

for continued support of the Big Derby

Accord amendment project. However, this

authorized modification did not take

place prior to the expiration of the

contract and thus 0273 needs to be

repealed so that a new contract can be

established. The new contract for this

legislation author authorizes is

identical to the modification seen in

0273-2026

with the same new end with a the same

new end date of February 28th, 2027 and

the same amount of additional funding

$100,000. Since this ordinance is

related to the Big Derby Accord

amendment, I wanted to remind everyone

that the mayor put a pause on Columbus's

consideration of the Big Derby Accord

amendment in April following calls from

some jurisdictional partners and

stakeholder groups to wait until the

completion of a new ODNR study. Even

though we have not yet passed this

amendment, the city is requesting all

new projects in this area meet the

higher invent environmental standards

and best practices laid out in the draft

amendment to the accord. Are there any

questions or comments for my colleagues?

Seeing none, I move for passage.

Please call the

>> Bankston Barrosa Deadia de Akar Dorren

Green Reie Ross White President Harden.

>> Thank you. As I read the title of our

next ordinance, I would like to invite

Ty Clydesmmet from the America 250 Ohio

Commission up to the podium.

This ordinance is 1482-2026

to authorize and direct the city clerk

to enter a grant agreement with the Ohio

Historical Society to provide upfront

funding for event programming associated

with America 250 to authorize an

appropriation and expenditure from the

neighborhood initiative sub funds and to

declare an emergency. America 250 is a

nationwide initiative that has been in

preparation for years now to celebrate

the 250th anniversary of the founding of

our nation, otherwise known as our

semiquincentennial,

which is quite a bit of a mouthful. It's

easier to say America 250. Here in Ohio,

the General Assembly established the

America 250 Ohio Commission in 2021 to

lead local efforts to highlight Ohio's

contribution in our nation's history. In

the winter of 2024, my office started

convening a special America 250 Columbus

committee to begin discussions around

how Columbus could participate in these

efforts. This group included nonprofits,

businesses, and other community

stakeholders and was tasked with coming

up with ideas for how to incorporate

longstanding Columbus events with a

theme of America's 250th birthday, as

well as new ideas for how to mark this

occasion. Following the completion of

this committee's work, a schedule of all

America 250 events in Columbus was

posted on Experience Columbus and

America 250 Ohio's websites. As a

cornerstone event of this year-long

celebration, both in Columbus and

statewide, the Ohio Commission began

planning a new unique Fourth of July

event to take place downtown. In any

other sea city in the in the United

States, having a event on Fourth of July

would just be expected, but it's out of

the ordinary for Columbus. As part of my

budget earmarks, I was able to set aside

the funding being legislated today to

support this event. The America 250 Ohio

Signature Picnic will take place on

Saturday, July 4th in downtown Columbus.

This celebration will be very different

than the Red, White, and Boom event that

we all know and love that is happening

on July 3rd. The goal is to provide a

free accessible celebration that brings

together residents from local

communities, cultural institutions, and

local businesses during this once- in a

generation anniversary. The Ohio History

Connection is joining Columbus area

partners to create a special event that

residents may remember and cherish for

years to come. And so here this evening

um to talk more about the specifics

behind the event and inform the

community of the variety of efforts

happening this year we have Todd

Clymmet, executive director of the

America 250 Ohio Commission. Todd, the

floor is yours.

>> Great. Uh well, good evening uh

President Harden and members of council.

My name is Todd Clymid and I have the

high honor of serving as the executive

director for the America 250 Ohio

Commission charged with leading Ohio

statewide efforts to showcase Ohio's

contributions to the United States these

past 250 plus years. I'm here on behalf

of the America 250 Ohio co-chairs

Michael B. Coleman and Doug Price and

the rest of our commission which also

includes another name you'll know former

council member Senator Hershel Craig.

You may recall that the city of Columbus

passed a resolution in 2024 uh to become

designated as an America 250 Ohio

community. I am pleased to share with

you that more than 550 other Ohio

communities have now done likewise and

are participating alongside us in this

once in a-lifetime opportunity that is

happening right here, right now. Uh is

it especially important that Ohio's

capital city helped lead the way during

the nation's 250th anniversary this

year? I'd like to extend a special thank

you to Councilwoman Nancy De Oour who

has led the charge at the city level. We

very much thank you. Uh this ordinance,

as you know, authorizes $50,000 to the

Ohio History Connection, which serves as

the fiscal agent for the America 250

Ohio Commission to help fund a signature

homecoming and picnic event in downtown

Columbus throughout the day and night of

the biggest day of this year, July 4th,

our nation's 250th anniversary. which

very conveniently falls on a Saturday

this year. Uh this will be an all day

largecale celebration with

entertainment, performances, family

activities, historical interpreters,

film screenings, educational displays,

food, and more. We are giving Ohioans

and Columbus residents a celebration in

the capital city that they will remember

for generations to come. As you know, uh

Red, White, and Boom will take place the

night of July 3rd. But keep your party

hats on, Columbus and central Ohio

because July 4th is right around the

corner here. Hard to believe we're in

June already.

Local nonprofits, uh, businesses and

sponsors will, uh, have come together to

plan this event, which has been over a

year in the making. Uh, in particular,

the city of Columbus, Kappa, Ohio

history connection, Ohio State House,

the Columbus Commons, and the Columbus

Symphony have been our close planning

partners. All activities and

performances are free and the afternoon

performances do not require tickets.

Admissions to the evening concert in the

Columbus Commons, the Columbus Symphony

Celebrates America, is also free, but

does require a ticket registration. So

far, over 6,000 tickets have been

reserved for that. Uh should city

council pass this ordinance tonight, it

will provide essential support to the

events infrastructure and operations,

including EMS security uh services,

vendor management, coordination

services, permitting, and more. And most

importantly, help present this wonderful

event at no cost for all to enjoy. I

could share more, but I think you've got

the point. And I so appreciate the

opportunity to share some of this with

you this evening. Thank you for your

consideration. Thanks for being a major

partner in this work we're all doing

during the nation's 250th.

Thank you. I'd be happy to answer if any

if there are any questions.

>> Do my colleagues have any questions?

>> Yep. Well, thank you much time for

coming down.

>> All right. Thanks so much for the

opportunity.

>> If no one has any questions, then I move

for passage.

Bankston, Barrosa, Deia, De Aar, Dorren,

Green, Remy, Ross, White, President

Harden.

>> Thank you. And that's all for my

committee this evening.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> Motion to uh recess for zoning.

>> Cler, please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deodia, de Aar,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden, we are in recess.

We'll reconvene in five minutes for

zoning.

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the roll.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deodia, de Aar,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, Rice,

President Harden.

>> Can I get a motion dispens with the

reading of the journal?

>> Cler, please call the role.

>> Bankston Barosa, Deia, de Aar, Dorren,

Green, Remy, Ross, White, President

Harden.

>> Are there any additions or corrections

to the journal? Uh hearing none, the

journal is approved. We'll now go to the

zoning committee. Council member Dorren

chairs that committee and all members

serve one. Council member, the floor is

yours.

>> Thank you, Council President. First, a

little bit of housekeeping. Will the

clerk clerk please read the numbers of

legislation in the zoning committee that

will require waiver of second reading?

>> Sure. 1531,

1532, 1534, and 1535-2026.

>> Thank you. I now move for uh I now move

to wave second reading on those items.

>> Cler, please call the role.

Benston bro de Aar Dorren Green Remy

Ross White President Harden

waved.

>> Thank you. Uh as always I'll briefly

explain the rules uh pertain to speaking

for a council on reszonings and

variances. We only staff presentation of

ordinance have a disapproval from a

recommending body or if we have a public

speaker assigned to speak against an

ordinance. We permit three speakers on

each side. Three proponents opponents.

We ask those speakers limit their

remarks to three minutes for the

standard rules city council. All

speakers in the council variance

including city staff, area

commissioners, applicants and members of

the public will be sworn in before they

give testimony. Uh representative and

area commission are always able to speak

on ordinance and do not need to fill out

a speaker slip. We do ask you alert city

staff of your intention to speak at this

committee hearing. However,

representative of civic association do

need to fill out a speaker slip because

civic associations are not formally

recognized under Columbus city code. We

do not have any public speaker signed to

speak on our agenda this evening. On the

advice city attorney's office will now

swear in city staff. Please stand and

raise your right right hand and be sworn

in. Do you swear affirm the testimony

about you to give shall the truth

nothing but the truth that as you shall

answer under pains of py perjury if so

please say I do. Thank you. Please let

the record reflect that uh Brandon

Carpenter Carpenter from the department

of billions of services been sworn in.

First we have ordinance number 1326-2026

to reszone 4559sbridge

boulevard being 6.03 03 plus acres

located in the north side of West

Henderson Road. 300 300 plus West uh

Nightsbridge Boulevard from CPD

commercial plan development district to

CPD commercial plan development

district. Second consists of two parcels

developed with a recreational facility

each with their own commercial plan

development district. The request of

resoning will bring both parcels under

one district allowing limited commercial

uses. Proposal approved from city staff

development commission and the Northwest

Civic Association. Do my colleagues have

any question comments? Seeing none, I

first move to amend estimate of the

clerk. Second.

>> Cler, please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barrosa de Padilla de Aar

Dorren Green Reie Ross White, President

Harden.

>> Amend it.

>> Your next move to amend to emergency.

>> Second.

>> Cler, please call the RO.

>> Bankston Barrosa Deadia de Aar Dorren

Green. Reie Ross White, President

Harden.

>> Amend it.

>> Thank you. Finally, move for passes as

amended.

>> Second.

>> Clerk, please call the RO.

>> Bankston Barrosa Deadia De Aar Dorren

Green. Reie Ross White, President

Harden.

>> Pass.

>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance

1531-126

to reszone 7210 long drive long drive

being 14.8 8 plus acres located in the

northeast corner of Long Road in Abby

Trails Drive from Rural District RR

restricted rural district and PU PUD6

planned unit development district to LR1

limited apartment residential district

site consist of five parcels developed

with singunit dwellings and multiple

detached garages and requested resoning

will allow a 288 unit apartment complex

development a concurrent council

variance will be considered uh on our

agenda as well proposals approved from

city staff development commission in the

greater southeast East Area Commission.

Any question or comments from my

colleagues? Seeing none, I move passage.

Second clerk,

>> please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barrosa, Deadia, de Aara,

Dorren, Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Thank you. Next, we have ordinance

1532-26 grant advance provisions of

section 333.18 building lines of

Columbus City codes for property located

at 7210 Long Drive to reduce required

building setback line for apartment

complex in the L1

apartment residential district. This is

the concurrent variance and reszoning we

just considered which will allow for

reduced building setback line from 40

feet to 5 feet along Long Road for again

a proposed 288 unit apartment complex

proposals approval from city staff and

the greater southeast area commission. I

first move to accept the entire staff

report into evidence as an exhibit.

>> Second clerk please call the role.

>> Bankston Barrosa Deadia de Aar Dorren

Green Remy Ross Whites President Harden

>> accept it.

>> Thank you. And next move to adopt the

fine staff the finance council.

>> Second clerk please call the role.

Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Akara

Dorren Green Reie Ross White President

Harden

>> adopt it.

>> I move for passage.

>> Second please call the role.

>> Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Akara

Dorren Green Reie Ross White President

Harden

>> passed.

>> Thank you. Next we have ordinance

1534-2026 of granance provisions of

section 3332.033

R2 resident residential district

Columbus city codes property located at

3527 East Dashler Avenue. a two-unit

dwelling in the R2 residential district.

Second, this is a one parcel built with

a singunit dwelling and attached garage.

The quest of council variance will allow

the parcel to be redeveloped with a

two-unit dwelling. Council to require

because the current zoning district

prohibits two unit dwellings proposal

city staff and the mid east area

commission. I first move to accept the

entire staff report into evidence as an

exhibit. Second

by the role

>> Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Aar

Dorren Green Remy Ross White President

Harden

>> accept it.

>> Okay. And next move to adopt the fine

staff at the finance of council. Second

please call the role.

>> Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Aar

Dorren Green Remy Ross White President

Harden

>> adopted.

>> Uh thank you. And finally move for

passage.

>> Clerk please call the role.

>> Bankston Barosa de Padilla de Aar Dorren

Green Reie Ross White President Harden.

>> Passed. Next we have ordinance 1535-226

to grant a variance provisions of

section 3332.039

R4 residential district 3309.14A

height districts 3312.21 B uh BD

landscape and screening 3312.25

maneuvering 3312.49 C require parking

and 3332 uh 21.05 B2 vision clearance

3332.05

for area district with requirements

333215

R4 air district requirements 3332.21

21 building lines 3332.285

Premier Art and 3332.29 Height District

and 33353.05D24

05D24C2

district development limitations

Columbus City Coast for property located

at uh 1111 Stewart Avenue to allow a

mixed mixed residential development and

a monopole teleucations tower for

reduced development standards in the R4

residential district and to revoke

ordinance number 2473-205

passed October 19th of 2015. This site

consists of uh partial formally

developed the religious facility and the

requested council of variance will allow

the redevelopment of the site with an 80

unit apartment building, 20 town home

style dwelling units and 10 detached

single unit dwellings. The requested uh

the request will also maintain an

existing monopole telecommunications

antenna which was approved by the

previous ordinance. A council variance

is required because the current district

does not allow apartment residential

development or a monopole

telecommunications tower. The proposal

is approved from city staff in the

Columbus Southeast, I'm sorry, Columbus

Southside Area Commission. Any questions

or comments? Seeing none, I move to

accept the entire staff report into

evidence as an exhibit.

>> Second,

>> Bangston, Barrosa Deia, De Akara,

Dorren, Green, Reie Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> And next to adopt the fine staff, the

finance council.

>> Bankston, Barrosa Deia, De Akara,

Dorren, Green, Remy Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> Thank you. Finally, move for passage.

Second

>> Bankston Barrosa Deia de Akara Dorren

Green Reie Ross White President Harden.

>> Thanks President all we have on the

zoning agenda.

>> Thank you Mr. Chair. Further business

come for the zoning committee. Is there

a motion to adjourn?

>> Clston

Barosa Deia de Akar Dorren Green Remy

Ross White President Harden.

>> Meeting is adjourned. We'll reconvene

regular meeting in five minutes.

clerk,

>> please call the role.

>> Bankston, Barros, de Padilla, de Aar,

Dorren Green, Remy, Ross, White,

President Harden.

>> The next uh committee to come before

council is the workforce education and

labor committee chair by press. The

floor is yours.

>> Thank you, council president. First, I

have ordinance number 1230-2026 to

authorize the director of the mayor's

office of education to enter a contract

the United Way of central Ohio for the

uh purposes of acting as a fiscal agent

for the program to assist in the

planning and coordinating of services

and distribute funds and programs

supports to after school providers and

to authorize expansion of $2 million

from the general fund. Uh this

legislation funds after school

opportunities for over 1,300 middle

school students across the city of

Columbus for the 2026 2027 school year.

These services will be located across

the community in Columbus schools, uh,

middle school buildings, boys and girl

club sites, YMCA branches, and other

community centers. Uh, programming to

begin in September of this year. Uh,

last year, students engaged in over

60,000 hours of afterchool programming

funded by this city, providing them with

academic support, enrichment activities,

and workforce development opportunities,

including mentorship and others. Uh this

program is continues to grow and pro

provides real opportunities for

supporting our young people particularly

uh in that middle school range that need