>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: REGULAR MEETING NUMBER #2 WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL
ANTHEM. [ NATIONAL ANTHEM INSTRUMENTAL ] >> PRESIDENT HARDIN:
COUNCILMEMBER ROSS, WOULD YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE? I 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 PASTOR
DALE TUCKER FROM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HERE TO LEAD US IN PRAYER. WELCOME BACK TO COUNCIL, SIR.
>> GOD, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR THIS DAY. A DAY WE HAVE NEVER SEEN AND A DAY WE WON'T
SEE AGAIN. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US A
REASONABLE PORTION OF HEALTH, LIFE AND STRENGTH. WE PRAY NOW, GOD, AS WE PREPARE FOR CITY BUSINESS
THAT YOU WOULD BLESS NOT ONLY THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE
CITY COUNCIL, AS THEY MOVE US FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO SEEK WAYS FOR JUSTICE, SUPPORT AND FREEDOM FOR
ALL THAT MAKE UP THIS GREAT CITY. YOU TOLD US THAT IF WE LACK WISDOM, WE CAN ASK FOR IT. AND YOU SAID
IN ALL OUR WAYS TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND YOU WOULD DIRECT OUR PATH. SO LEAD US ON TONIGHT, GUIDE
THE CONVERSATION. ALLOW US TO FIND DECISIONS AND SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY HONOR YOU, BUT MAKE
THIS CITY WHAT YOU HAVE CALLED IT TO BE. WE ARE GRATEFUL AGAIN FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN OUR PLACE
TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND IN THE LORD WE PRAY, AMEN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: AMEN. THANK YOU,
PASTOR. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. 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. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK,
CAN I GET A MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF
THE JOURNAL? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL? HEARING NONE,
THE JOURNAL IS APPROVED. THIS WEEK S CITY COMMUNICATION RECEIVED BY THE CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE ARE LISTED ON THE AGENDA AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY BULLETIN. ARE THERE ANY
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO BE READ INTO THE RECORD? >> CLERK: NOT AT THIS TIME.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. WE WILL NOW GO AROUND THE DAIS FOR ANY UPDATES OR AND
RESOLUTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES, STARTING WITH COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON.
>> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT HARDIN. JUST A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS, THIS WEEK COUNCIL WILL
HOLD EIGHT SEPARATE HEARINGS TO HEAR PRESENTATIONS AND DELIBERATE ON THE CITY'S 2026 OPERATING
BUDGET. EACH HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE RIGHT HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND TOUCH ON THE INDIVIDUAL
BUDGETS OF THE CITY'S MANY DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS AND OFFICES. THE HEARING DATES AND THEMES
AND COUNCIL OFFICE LEADS FOR EACH HEARING ARE AS FOLLOWS. THE HOUSING HOMELESSNESS AND BUILDING
WILL BE CO-CHAIRED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN AND COUNCILMEMBER ROSS, THIS WEDNESDAY JANUARY
14TH AT 5:30 P.M. THE HEALTH HUMAN SERVICES AND EQUITY CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER GREEN WILL TAKE
PLACE THIS THURSDAY JANUARY 15TH AT 4:00 P.M. THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS
TAKE PLACE THIS FRIDAY. PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION BUDGET CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER
BARROSO DE PADILLA WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY 21ST AT 4:00 P.M. THE EDUCATION AND LABOR BUDGET, JANUARY
22ND AT 1:00 P.M. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE BUDGET HEARING CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER
REMY WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY 27TH AT 3:0 P.M., SUSTAINABILITY BUDGET CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WYCHE WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY 28TH AT 3:30. LAST BUT NOT LEAST NEIGHBORHOOD RECREATION AND PARKS
CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY 29TH AT 1:00 P.M. I KNOW THAT WAS
A LOT BUT IT COULD BE FOUND ON OUR COUNCIL PAGES AND THE COUNCIL WEBSITE. THOSE WILL BE STREAMED
VIRTUALLY, SO IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO BACK AND WATCH, ALSO REACH OUT TO THE
INDIVIDUAL OFFICES FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. IF YOU HAVE INPUT. PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE APPROPRIATE
CHAIRPERSONS OF THE EACH OF THE COMMITTEES. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL MINORITY BUSINESS
BUDGET HEARING TAKING PLACE THIS FRIDAY WILL DELVE INTO INDIVIDUAL BUDGETS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEVELOPMENT'S ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS, AS WELL AS BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY
AND INCLUSION IN PERSON AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY MUST BE EMAILED TO JONATHAN BROWN BY 10:00 A.M.
FRIDAY. THE MEETINGS WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE CITY'S YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK PAGES. LOOKING FORWARD
TO ENGAGING WITH BOTH MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC AS WE GO THROUGH THE 2026 OPERATING
BUDGET. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, OR
COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE PADILLA? >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: NOTHING FOR ME THIS
EVENING, THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN:
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER? >> N. DAY-ACHAUER: NOTHING FOR ME.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PRO TEM?
>> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: NO UPDATES OR RESOLUTIONS BUT THIS IS THE LAST MEETING FOR THE DIRECTOR OF
HUMAN RESOURCES CHRIS MOSES WHO IS LEAVING US FOR BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS OVER AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO.
SO VERY EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE HIS LAST MEETING AND HIS SERVICE TO COLUMBUS. MOST FOLKS DON'T
KNOW THAT WE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL TOGETHER SO NEVER THOUGHT THE TWO OF US SITTING WOULD
BE HERE IN CITY HALL TOGETHER. BUT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE, AND JUST WANT TO PAUSE AND ACKNOWLEDGE
THE SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF COLUMBUS, TO THE EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE CITY. I KNOW YOUR EFFORTS
TO REALLY BRING YOUR DEPARTMENT FORWARD TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN FOR
ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES ACROSS COLUMBUS. I KNOW I HAVE APPRECIATED IT AND SO MANY MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL ENJOYED YOUR PROFESSIONALISM IN THIS ROLE. JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND CERTAINLY
WISH YOU THE BEST. ALTHOUGH HE IS TRADING US AS CO-WORKERS FOR ELEPHANTS AND PENGUINS.
CONGRATULATIONS, DIRECTOR. [ APPLAUSE ] >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: COUNCILMEMBER GREEN?
>> M. GREEN: YEAH, JUST TO REITERATE WHAT COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON SAID. WE WILL HOLD OUR
HEALTH HUMAN SERVICE AND EQUITY COMMITTEE HEARING THIS THURSDAY JANUARY 15TH FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 P.M.
HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE WELCOME FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ATTEND AND YOU CAN TESTIFY,
SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY TO MY TEAMMATE HALEY GERKIN AT HEGERKIN@COLUMBUS.GOV.
THURSDAY THE 15TH. THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER REMY? >> E. REMY: NOTHING FOR ME.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: COUNCILMEMBER ROSS? >> T. ROSS: CERTAINLY, A PLEASURE TO JOIN
COUNCIL IN MY FIRST OFFICIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE 2026 YEAR. I'M THANKFUL TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HARDIN FOR YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR ALLOWING ME TO CHAIR AND LEAD THE HOUSING HOMELESSNESS AND
BUILDING COMMITTEE. TO REITERATE COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON, WE WILL HAVE OUR BUDGET OVERVIEW
HEARING THIS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14TH FROM 5:30 TO 7:30 P.M. HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
I WILL ALSO BE THE SPECIAL GUEST FOR THIS WEEK'S GROUNDS FOR CONNECTION EVENT HOSTED
BY COUNCIL'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
SUPER EXCITED TO SIT WITH RESIDENTS, HEAR RESIDENTS AND LISTEN TO CONCERNS. SO IF YOU
ARE INTERESTED IN COMING OUT YOU CAN MEET US AT EL KARACHIO, DID I DO THAT RIGHT,
COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE PADILLA? SHE DOESN'T KNOW. MEXICAN CAFE AND BAR AT 851 NORTH 4TH
STREET FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: WELCOME, ON BEHALF OF THE
COLLEAGUES WE ARE EXCITED YOU HAVE STEPPED UP AND ARE GOING TO LEAD US IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
BUT WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE?
>> C. WYCHE: [ OFF MIC ] >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: AS YOU WERE
COMING IN, IF YOU HEARD THE BACKGROUND NOISE WAS ACTUALLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BY STEVIE WONDER. TODAY
IS COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE'S BIRTHDAY. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE. [ APPLAUSE ] I
SERIOUSLY THOUGHT HE WAS YOUNGER THAN ME, HE IS OLDER THAN ME, IF ANYONE IS WONDERING. [
CHUCKLES ] ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT I HAVE IS THAT NEXT WEEK IS MLK DAY. SO WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR
REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING. OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE MONDAY JANUARY 26TH. ARE THERE ANY
COMMENTS FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OFFICES? MS. KILGORE? HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> SAME TO YOU, THANK YOU. SORRY, LAURA, I HAVE TO GET REAL CLOSE TO YOU FOR A
SECOND. THE MICROPHONE IS NOT MOVING. THIS IS JUST AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT WE CLOSED OUT THE YEAR 12/31,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL IS A KEY PART OF WHERE WE BEGIN NOW, THE NEXT
COUPLE OF 45 DAYS OF A LOT OF WORK. SO WE ARE UNDER WAY RIGHT NOW WITH THE YEAR-END AUDIT AND
SO FORTH. WE RELEASED THE OFFICIAL YEAR-END MEMO. SO AS COUNCIL LOOKS AT THE REVENUE PERFORMANCE,
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. WHAT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR IS IN
THE ABSENCE OF A LOT OF FEDERAL DATA WITH THIS GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN THAT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER,
WE REALLY FOUND OURSELVES PARTNERING WITH A LOT OF OUR MAJOR EMPLOYERS TO BACK FILL FOR WHAT WE WERE
NOT GETTING. WE, OF COURSE, HAVE REAL-TIME DATA FROM OUR TAX SYSTEM WHICH IS SUPER GRANULAR BUT WE
LIKE TO BE EXTRA DILIGENT AND REALLY KIND OF VET WITH FEDERAL DATA WITH BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
WITH JOB DATA HERE IN THE STATE OF OHIO, AS WELL AS CALLING UP LOCAL EMPLOYERS. THERE WERE A LOT OF
EMPLOYERS THAT WERE SUPER, SUPER HELPFUL. WE REALLY QUANTIFY THE QUALITY OF OUR JOBS. THE
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF OUR INCOME TAX IS NOT A DIRECT REFLECTION AS TO HOW FOLKS HERE IN COLUMBUS
ARE ACTUALLY FEELING HOW THEY ARE WORKING, WHAT THEIR UPWARD MOBILITY OPPORTUNITIES ARE.
THE PERFORMANCE THAT WE DID SEE, WHICH WAS FROM AN INCOME TAX PERSPECTIVE, WAS A SPECTACULAR YEAR,
HAS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WERE SOME VERY INTENTIONAL GAINS. AND JUST BECAUSE DIRECTOR
STEVENS IS HERE, I HAVE TO GIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THERE WERE SOME REALLY GOOD OUTPUTS OF CITY
COUNCIL FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT THAT WE COULD TANGIBLY SEE WE ARE WORKING TO HELPING TO
GROW TO STABILIZE OUR TAX BASE. WE LOOK FORWARD, ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN GET SOME ACCESS TO THAT DATA,
RELEASING SOME UPDATED INFORMATION. AS ALWAYS, IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT ANY COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE,
YOU ARE LOOKING TO BETTER INFORM YOURSELVES, YOUR TEAMS, JUST ASK. WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL
OF INFORMATION DOWNSTAIRS. THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MADAM AUDITOR.
ARE THERE ANY REQUESTS BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL FOR THE REMOVAL OF AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION FROM THE
CONSENT ACTION PORTION OF THE AGENDA? HEARING NONE, MAY WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING OF
TITLES OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION BY THE CITY CLERK? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL . >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU,
MADAM CLERK. WILL THE CLERK NOW READ THE REGULAR ORDINANCE NUMBER OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION
ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA FOR FIRST READING? >> CLERK: FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
ORDINANCES 3258, 3496, AND 3503-2025. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 3305 AND 3306-2025. PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES
3133 AND 3373-2025. NEIGHBORHOODS, RECREATION, & PARKS COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 3337 AND 3338-2025.
WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, & LABOR COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE 3453-2025. HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, & BUILDING
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 8, 9, 10 AND 11-2026. PUBLIC UTILITIES & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCE 3504-2025. RULES & POLICY COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 134 AND 64-2026. THAT WILL BE LAST ONE,
SORRY ABOUT THE WAY I READ THAT. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: YOU'RE FINE.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY THREE SPEAKERS ON THE FIRST READ PART OF OUR AGENDA. THEY ARE SPECIFIC TO
THE COLUMBUS GROWTH PACKAGE. THE FIRST SPEAKER TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL IS MR. NATE WILKINS SPEAKING
FOR ORDINANCE 0134-2026. MR. WILKINS, WELCOME BACK TO COUNCIL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, SIR.
>> NATHANIEL GEORGE WILKINS, 1612 ARLINGTON AVENUE. SPEAKING AS A RESIDENT. FIRST LET ME SAY
THANK YOU, ROB DORANS. AND TO YOUR COLLEAGUES. NOW IS THE TIME TO GROW THIS CITY IN A MASSIVE WAY.
WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU, AS I COME DOWN HERE ON THE BUS LINE, EMPTY BUILDINGS ALONG CLEVELAND
AVENUE, ALL ALONG CLEVELAND, NORTH GROGAN, NORTH LINDEN, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU,
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FUTURE OF COLUMBUS, OHIO NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY HOUSE,
THIS IS WHAT I HAD TO DEAL WITH, A LOT OF VACANT AND BOARDED UP PROPERTIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN
ROUGH CONDITION, IN POOR CONDITION. AS I WALK DOWN CLEVELAND AVENUE,
VACANT LAND AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF, LET ME JUST SAY THIS AGAIN. THE COLUMBUS GROWTH
STRATEGY NEEDS TO BE ALL TYPE OF THINGS, RETAIL RESTAURANTS, HOUSING AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES.
I BOUGHT THREE NOTEBOOKS AND I HAD SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN MY LIBRARY AT THE CLEVELAND,
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS LIBRARY, A LOT OF ZONING PROCESS. WHAT I COME TO FIND OUT, ALL THE STUFF
DRAPED IN BLUE HERE AND RED, DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS AND THINGS, AND MIND YOU,
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE OUT THE MULTI-DISABILITY, VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR MULTI-HANDICAPPED. THOSE
ARE THE NEXT PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOOD. ONCE AGAIN, I WOULD SUGGEST
NOT LOWER THE DENSITY OF APARTMENTS AND HIGH-RISE IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS. AS I BEGIN TO DOVE INTO
THIS WITH ALEX AT THE TIME, I WAS TALKING ABOUT A 16-17 STORY APARTMENT BUILDING ON THE NEAR WEST
SIDE OF COLUMBUS. AND HERE ALL IN LINDEN, I SEE FIVE-SEVEN STORY BUILDINGS. THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
IS GOING TO CONSTANTLY GROW. I WENT TO FED EX DOWNTOWN THIS AFTERNOON, THIS EVENING, AND TALKED
TO A YOUNG LADY WHO LIVES IN LINDEN. SHE DIDN'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. WHAT SHE ASKED ME TODAY;
WE NEED A GROCERY STORE REALLY BAD IN THAT AREA. AND IF I CAN EMPHASIZE, LIKE BRING A TARGET,
WALMART ON CLEVELAND AVENUE, AND ALSO WHAT YOU CALL IT, JOB, AND FAMILY SERVICES. HERE AGAIN I
WORSE ON MORSE ROAD AND THE JOB AND FAMILY SERVICE IS NOT ACCESSIBILITY OFF THE BUS LINE. WHAT WE
NEED THERE IS ON CLEVELAND AVENUE SO PEOPLE COULD HAVE ACCESS TO IT. I WILL SAY IN CLOSING HERE,
THERE CANNOT BE NO PARKING DUE TO THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY I'VE BEEN TAKING FOR
OVER 51 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU SO MUCH,
MR. WILKINS. I WILL SAY THIS AS OTHERS COME UP TOO, THIS IS FIRST READING. WE WILL HAVE A MORE
ROBUST CONVERSATION AROUND THE COLUMBUS GROWTH PACKAGE WHEN THIS COMES BACK BEFORE COUNCIL.
I WOULD OFFER IF COUNCILMEMBER DORANS OR THE DIRECTOR WOULD WANT TO SAY ANYTHING TONIGHT. WE
WANT TO HEAR FROM THE OTHER TWO SPEAKERS. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BEN KEITH SPEAKING ON 134-2026 AS WELL.
WELCOME TO COUNCIL, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS BEN KEITH,
I'M ZONING COMMITTEE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER FOR THE NORTH LINDEN AREA JUST LIKE MR. WILKINS IS.
MY COMMENT TONIGHT HAS TWO PARTS. THE ROLE AS ZONING COMMITTEE CHAIR. AND MY OWN PERSONAL
REMARKS. WHEN THE CITY ANNOUNCED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY ON OCTOBER
15TH WITH DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 9TH WE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL TIME TO FILE COMMENTS SINCE OUR MEETING
SCHEDULE PREVENTED US FROM PROVIDING A THOROUGH COMMENT. OUR ZONING COMMITTEE MET, WITHIN TWO
HOURS WE READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE DRAFT COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY. ON NOVEMBER 20TH, THE FULL NORTH
LINDEN AREA COMMISSION ADOPTED A COMMENT WHICH EXPRESSED OUR GENERAL SUPPORT. WE MADE REQUESTS
FOR CLARIFICATIONS AND CHANGES. MOST OF OUR REQUESTED CHANGES WERE NOT INCORPORATED OR EVEN
RESPONDED TO. I HIGHLIGHT THREE REQUESTED CHANGES. FIRST A COMMITMENT FOR A TIME LIMITED REVIEW AND
COMMENT PERIOD OF 60 DAYS FOR ALL SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS. THIS IS THE SAME WAY THE
CITY HANDLES DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND WOULD PRESERVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
EXPERTISE AND FEEDBACK ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS. SECOND WE REQUESTED INCREASED DENSITY FROM MIXED USE TWO
TO MIXED USE THREE BETWEEN 11TH AVENUE, RAILROAD TRACKS AND 71. THIS IS LOCATED ON THE BUS LINE
AND IDEALLY SITUATED FOR HIGH INTENSITY HOTELS, OSU, OHIO STATE FAIRGROUNDS. IT WOULD PROVIDE
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LINDEN AND UNIVERSITY DISTRICT. AND THIRD WE REQUESTED TIGHTENING
GUIDELINES FOR REDUCING IMPACTS OF LIGHT AND NOISE. NONE OF THOSE ITEMS WERE INCLUDED.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR OTHER AREA COMMISSIONS BUT THERE ARE SO FEW CHANGES BETWEEN THE DRAFT AND
THIS FINAL PROPOSAL I SUSPECT THEIR REQUESTS WERE SIMILARLY IGNORED. THIS PROPOSAL WAS A GOOD FIRST
DRAFT. IT COULD BE MADE BETTER WITH MINOR CHANGES AND WE URGE CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE COLUMBUS
GROWTH STRATEGY BEFORE ADOPTING IT. NOW SPEAKING PINER ALLEY FOR ALL THE COMMENTS I AM SURPRISED
HOW LITTLE THE DRAFT CHANGED IN RESPONSE TO THE FEEDBACK AND I'M CONCERNED BY SOME OF THE CHANGES.
ONE IS THE REMOVAL OF A SUPPORTING PRINCIPLE FROM THE HIGHER QUALITY DESIGN AND NEIGHBORHOOD
VITALITY SECTION. HIGHER INTENSITY USES SHOULD INCORPORATE DESIGN ELEMENTS TO MINIMIZE IMPACTS
ON ADJACENT LOWER INTENSITY USES. THIS GROWTH STRATEGY TO MAKE COLUMBUS BETTER, WHY DID CITY
OF COLUMBUS DECIDE IT WASN'T A PRIORITY TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON ADJACENT USES?
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT FIXED BEFORE THIS DRAFT IS ADOPTED. AND THAT'S MY COMMENT.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR COMMENTS. WE WILL
AWAIT RESPONSE UNTIL OUR LAST SPEAKER BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT
THE PROCESS. OUR LAST SPEAKER IS MR. MICHAEL WINEMAN SPEAKING ON THIS ORDINANCE. WELCOME BACK
TO COUNCIL, SIR. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. >>
GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HARDIN, VICE CHAIR DORANS AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL,
MY NAME IS MIKE WINEMAN, I AM HERE TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE CLINTONVILLE AREA COMMISSION.
I'M THE COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 7. THE COMMISSION OPPOSES ORDINANCE 134-2026.
WHY? SECTION THREE STATES THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY WILL SUPERSEDE THE AFFECTED PORTIONS
OF ALL ADOPTED LAND AND USE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING MAPS FOR ANY AFFECTED ADOPTED
AREA AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS. OUR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CAREFULLY AND DELIBERATELY
DEVELOPED THE CLINTONVILLE AREA PLAN AND SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE WAS FORMED FOR THIS SPECIFIC TASK.
NUMEROUS MEETINGS WERE HELD AND INPUT RECEIVED FROM DOZENS OF OUR NEIGHBORS BOTH IN PERSON AND IN
WRITING. THE COMMISSION ACCEPTED THIS PLAN AFTER MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT. DURING
MY SEVEN PLUS YEARS ON THE COMMISSION I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM BUSINESSES,
DEVELOPERS OR CITY OFFICIALS REGARDING OUR PLAN. GRACELAND FLATS WAS BUILT IN 2020 WITH 180 UNITS.
2019 WITH 301 UNITS AND DECO COMPLETED IN 2017 WITH 114 UNITS. IN NINE YEARS JUST THESE THREE
PROJECTS ADDED 595 HOUSING UNITS TO OUR SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD. OTHER BUSINESSES AND DEVELOPMENTS
HAVE GONE FORWARD IN CLINTONVILLE OVER THOSE NINE YEARS A AND ALL UNDER OUR CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD
PLAN. AT OUR MOST RECENT MEETING LAST WEEK WE SIGNED OFF ON TWO VARIANCES FOR A BUSINESS AT THE
TIME OUR PLAN WAS APPROVED AND NEVER BEEN IMAGINED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD A MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.
CLINTONVILLE WILL NOW HAVE TWO DISPENSARIES THIS. SPEAKS TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND FORWARD-THINKING OF
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN. OUR PLAN WAS CREATED BY CLINTONVILLE, FOR CLINTONVILLE, IN CONTRAST,
THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY IS A COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH THAT FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE NUANCES
OF OUR SMALL BUT MIGHTY COMMUNITY. CLINTONVILLE IS NOT NIMBY BUT WE FIERCELY WANT TO PROTECT WHAT
MAKES US THE NUMBER ONE NEIGHBORHOOD IN COLUMBUS, IF NOT CENTRAL OHIO. ENSURING THEY REFLECT
RESIDENTS PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS. CLINTONVILLE WANTS TO BE INFORMED TO GIVE FEEDBACK, TO BE HEARD
AND HAVE CHANGES MADE, IF NECESSARY. THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY DOESN'T OFFER ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
FRANKLY, THIS PLAN WAS DROPPED ON OUR LAP AND WE WERE GIVEN VERY LITTLE TIME TO REVIEW IT. WE
RECEIVED OUR COPY OF THE PLAN ON OCTOBER 30TH AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE GIVEN AN ULTIMATUM TO
RESPOND BY NOVEMBER 30TH. THE LACK OF RESPONSE WOULD BE CONSIDERED SUPPORT. THAT EMAIL ALSO
INFORMED US THE COUNCIL WOULD BE VOTING ON THIS IN DECEMBER. WE GENERALLY MEET ON THE FIRST THURSDAY
OF THE MONTH, UNLESS THERE'S A HOLIDAY, IN WHICH CASE WE MEET ON THE SECOND THURSDAY. NO ONE ON
THE COMMISSION HAD SEEN THE MAN OR HEARD OF IT. WE ASKED FOR MORE TIME TO RESPOND BUT IT WASN'T
GRANTED SO WE HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING. IT WAS ATTENDED BY HALF A DOZEN
OR SO OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ALL OPPOSED THE PLAN. SOME WERE DISAPPOINTED BY THE ABSENCE OF TREE,
GREEN SPACE CONVERSATION POLICY. WE SUBMITTED A LETTER IN OPPOSITION AT THAT MEETING. LATER WE
WERE ASKED TO RECONSIDER BY AN EMAIL RECEIVED MERE HOURS BEFORE THE DECEMBER MEETING. AGAIN
WE DISCUSSED THE STRATEGY WITH PUBLIC INPUT, OUR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED. IF ANYTHING OUR
OPPOSITION HAS DEEPENED WITH THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WE RECEIVED. INCLUDING DISPATCH
ARTICLE THAT SAID AREA PLANS WILL BE SCRAPPED EXCEPT FOR THREE. WE HAVE SENT TWO LETTERS OF
OPPOSITION WHICH I COULDN'T FIND IN THE MAYOR'S PACKET, DEMONSTRATING OUR ONGOING ENGAGEMENT
AND CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PLANNING. THE COMMISSION RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COUNCIL
VOTE AGAINST THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY AND UNILATERALLY ELIMINATE 37 AREA PLANS, REPLACING
THEM WITH A COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH THAT USES AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I'M
HAPPY TO STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER
WINEMAN. IF IT'S OKAY I WILL INVITE LEWIS TEBOW WHO IS LEADING THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY
TO RESPOND TO NOT JUST YOUR COMMENTS BUT ALL THE COMMENTS WE HEARD ON THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY.
JUST TO REMIND FOLKS THIS IS JUST A STEP IN THE PROCESS. TONIGHT WE WON'T BE TAKING A VOTE ON THE
ACTUAL PLAN. SO WE APPRECIATE AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY MEAN WE APPRECIATE THE ENGAGEMENT WITH COUNCIL NOW
AS WE CONSIDER IT. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. >> THANK YOU.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY AND FOR CONSIDERING THIS LEGISLATION. YOU KNOW,
ALL THE COMMENTS THAT WE HEARD TODAY, WE ARE OPEN TO CONSIDER, TO CONSIDER ENGAGING WITH
THESE INDIVIDUALS AND CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE WE HAVE HAD. I WILL SAY THE BENEFIT OF THE COLUMBUS
GROWTH STRATEGY THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IS THIS ALLOWS FOR A PLAN THAT COULD BE AMENDED. MAYBE ON
AN ANNUAL OR BIANNUAL BASIS. WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO HAVE A PLAN IN PROCESS TO HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD
FEEDBACK AND CAN ADJUST, AS NECESSARY. OUR PLANS ARE UPDATED MAYBE ONCE EVERY 12-15 YEARS. BUT THE
COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY WAS CREATED BASED OFF A LOT OF COMMUNITY INPUT AND ENGAGEMENT.
WE HAVE MET WITH AREA COMMISSIONS. THIS STARTED IN JUNE WHEN WE HAD THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT
ZONE-IN. AND WE HAD A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL. SINCE THAT TIME, IF YOU GO TO THE
ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY IN YOUR PACKETS YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED WITH OVER,
WITH ALL THE AREA COMMISSIONS IN MAJOR CIVICS. WE HAD MORE THAN 80 PRESENTATIONS AREA COMMISSIONS
AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS. WE HAD 28 POP-UP EVENTS ACROSS THE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAD FOUR
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS WHERE WE INVITED AND ENGAGED ALL THE AREA COMMISSIONS TO PARTICIPATE. WE HAD
TWO WALKING TOURS. WE HAD ONE OPEN HOUSE FOR THE AREA COMMISSIONS WHERE THEY WERE INVITED
TO PARTICIPATE. WE HAD 11 STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS. WE MET INDIVIDUALLY IN MAY AND JUNE WITH ALL OF THESE
ZONING CHAIRS FROM ALL OF THE AREA COMMISSIONS. WE HAD 11 STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS. FOUR MEETINGS OF THE
ZONE-IN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH IS A VOLUNTEER GROUP THAT PROVIDES FEEDBACK FOR US. WE HAD AN
INFORMATION STATION AT 111 NORTH FRONT STREET WHERE INDIVIDUALS COULD COME AND RESERVE TIME
TO SPEAK WITH US INDIVIDUALLY. I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PLANNING DIVISION OR DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT HAS EVER DONE THAT BEFORE. WE TOOK TIME TO MEET WITH ZONING CHAIRS, RESIDENTS OF
THE COMMUNITY WHO WANTED TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL WITH US. WE HAVE BEEN POSTING ON SOCIAL MEET YA.
WE DID TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS HERE AT CITY COUNCIL. WE HAVE HAD MANY AREA RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE
TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. I WILL SAY THE FEEDBACK FROM THE AREA COMMISSIONS HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO US.
WE RECOGNIZE THEIR IMPORTANCE IN THIS PROCESS. WE ASKED FOR RECOMMENDATION. WHEN WE GO BACK,
WE BEGAN TO ENGAGE WITH THEM IN MAY. WE BEGAN TALKING TO THE AREA COMMISSIONS. WE SPOKE TO
THEM AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS WAS AND WE WERE LOOKING TO ADOPT A CITY -WIDE LAND USE
PLAN. WE INVITED THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROPOSAL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ON OCTOBER 2ND,
THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY WENT PUBLIC. THE PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD BEGAN. AND STARTING IN
OCTOBER WE WENT OUT TO ALL THE AREA COMMISSIONS AND WE ASKED THEM TO PLEASE REVIEW THE DOCUMENT
TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND TO TAKE OUR SURVEY. THE CLINTONVILLE AREA COMMISSION WAS ONE OF THOSE
COMMISSIONS, WE WENT OUT ON OCTOBER 2ND. WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK IN LATE NOVEMBER THAT THE
AREA COMMISSIONS WOULD LIKE MORE TIME TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND WE GAVE THEM AN EXTRA MONTH. THEY HAD
THE PLAN NOW FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO REVIEW THE PLAN. SINCE WE RECEIVED SOME ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK
WE HAVE MET WITH AREA COMMISSIONS INDIVIDUALLY. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THEM. WE MADE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES
TO THIS PROPOSAL BASED OFF THEIR FEEDBACK. IN DECEMBER WE MET WITH ABOUT SEVEN AREA COMMISSION
CHAIRS AND ZONING CHAIRS WHERE WE TALKED TO THEM AND WE HAD RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM SOME OF THE AREA
COMMISSIONS. WE RESPONDED TO IT AND THEY BECAME SUPPORTIVE OF THE PLAN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAK
TO ANY OF THE AREA COMMISSIONERS. FOR CLINTONVILLE WE MET WITH THEIR ZONING CHAIR AND AREA COMMISSION
CHAIR ON FRIDAY. WE SPOKE WITH THEM AND HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING THAT WENT FOR OVER AN HOUR AND
WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING WITH THEM ON THE 21ST TO DISCUSS ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
THEY HAVE ON THE PLAN AND TAKE THEIR FEEDBACK INTO ACCOUNT. SO WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM . >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU,
MR. TEBOW. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM? >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: YES, THIS IS ON
FIRST READING SO WE AREN'T TAKING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TONIGHT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK
ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME UP IN PRIOR MONTHS THAT CERTAINLY LEADING UP TO THIS
BEING PUT ON COUNCIL'S AGENDA. WE HEARD FROM A COUPLE FOLKS FROM AREA COMMISSIONS TONIGHT ABOUT
THE FEEDBACK THAT WAS PROVIDED. THEY HAVE FELT LIKE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
WITH REGARD TO THE CURRENT DRAFT. IF YOU COULD SPEAK A LITTLE MORE SUBSTANTIVELY,
EITHER HOW YOUR OFFICE HAS PROVIDED SORT OF DIRECT COMMENTARY BACK TO THE COMMISSIONS ON HOW THEY
PROVIDED FEEDBACK. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKING COMMUNITY GROUPS TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK,
WE WANT THAT TO BE MEANINGFUL, RIGHT? WE DON'T WANT TO SAY HEY, TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
YOUR TEAM IS ACTUALLY, RECEIVING THE FEEDBACK, REVIEWING THEM AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK WHETHER
WE ARE ADOPTING OR NOT ADOPTING THOSE COMMENTS. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FEEDBACK
IS MEANINGFUL AND WE ADDRESS IT APPROPRIATELY. WHEN WE BEGAN THE WORKSHOPS IN JULY WE RECEIVED
REQUESTS FROM CERTAIN AREA COMMISSIONS TO HAVE THEIR OWN PRIVATE WORKSHOPS,
THEIR OWN ONE-ON-ONE WORKSHOPS. SO WE WENT TO A COUPLE AREA COMMISSIONS WHERE WE PRINTED OUT
MAPS IN DICTION TO THE ORIGINAL WORKSHOPS SO THEY COULD PROVIDE FURTHER FEEDBACK TO US. WE TOOK THE
FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED FROM THE SURVEY, FEEDBACK FROM ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS. WE HAVE HAD
FEEDBACK FROM COMMISSIONERS AT THE INFORMATION STATION. AND WE LOOKED AT ALL OUR SURVEY
RESPONSES. I COULD SAY AREA COMMISSION FEEDBACK IS ONE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION. THE OTHER IS JUST
THE PUBLIC AT LARGE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. I WILL SAY THAT WE HAD OVER 3,000 SURVEY RESPONSES,
WHICH IS A VERY ROBUST NUMBER FOR A SURVEY OF THIS TYPE. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT OTHER
CITIES AND THE FEEDBACK THEY HAVE RECEIVED. WE TOOK THAT FEEDBACK INTO ACCOUNT. WHEN WE
WENT OUT AND DID WORKSHOPS. WHEN WE DID ANY KIND OF MINI WORKSHOP, WE LOOKED AT THE MAP ACTIVITY
AND MADE CHANGES TO OUR PROPOSAL BASED OFF THAT AREA COMMISSION FEEDBACK. ONE THING I WILL SAY,
WE HONESTLY LOOKED AT THE SURVEY RESPONSES IN GENERAL AND WE MADE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES.
IF WE HAD A PEAK OF SUPPORT OR NOT SUPPORT ON THE SURVEY WE WOULD MAKE CHANGES BASED
OFF THAT. IN GENERAL WE MADE FAIRLY SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES TO THE NEAR EAST. WE MADE CHANGES TO THE
FAR EAST. WE MADE CHANGES TO FRANKLINTON. WE MADE CHANGES TO THE GREATER HILLTOP, TO THE NEAR EAST.
TO THE NORTHWEST CIVIC ASSOCIATION. TO SOUTH LINDEN, TO SOUTHWEST AREA COMMISSION. TO THE
UNIVERSITY AREA COMMISSION BOUNDARY TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE AREA COMMISSION. SOME CASES THEY
WERE SOMETIMES VERY SPECIFIC CHANGES THAT THEY REQUESTED AND WE MADE THEM. AND OTHER AREAS THEY
WERE LARGE BROAD REQUESTS THAT WE CHANGED, WE MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ON THE FAR WEST SIDE,
FOR EXAMPLE. OUR CHANGES WERE EITHER CHANGING INTENSITY. IF SOMEONE HAD MIXED USE TWO AND
THEY WANTED MIXED USE ONE, WE WOULD DISCUSS THAT AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
THE OTHER CHANGE WAS IN LAND USE. SOMEBODY DIDN'T WANT INSTITUTIONAL AND WAREHOUSE, WE WOULD MAKE
THAT CHANGE TO INSTITUTIONAL AND BUSINESS CAMPUS, OR MIXED USE. SO INTENSITY AND LAND USE IS WHERE
WE MADE THE CHANGES. WE HAVE TRACKED ALL THE CHANGES AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT
WITH THE COUNCILMEMBERS, IF THEY WOULD LIKE. >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
CHANGES FROM HOW THE CURRENT LAND USE PLANNING HAS UNFOLDED, THE OLDEST AREA PLAN GOES BACK TO 1994,
RIGHT? THE NEWEST ONE WE HAVE GOES BACK TO 2018. SO EVEN IN OUR NEWEST ONES IS FAIRLY OUT OF DATE
WHEN WE CONSIDER THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY IN COLUMBUS GROWTH EXPERIENCE. COMMISSIONER
WINEMAN'S COMMENT. THEY GO ON THE SHELF AND WE DON'T ADDRESS. THIS IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH. IT
MAY BE AN APPROACH TLE DON'T LIKE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY THERE IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH HERE,
MAYBE HAVE A LARGER HOLISTIC VIEW OF LAND USE PLANNING VERSUS JUST INDIVIDUAL ONE-OFF
NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS FOLKS HAVE BEEN USED TO IN COLUMBUS FOR YOU KNOW, A COUPLE GENERATIONS.
>> I THINK RIGHT NOW, THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE
EQUITABLE. LIKE RIGHT NOW YOU INDICATED WE HAVE SOME AREA PLAN THAT'S ARE VERY OLD,
SOME 20 ALMOST 30 YEARS OLD. THOSE PLANS THEY DON'T GIVE THE RESIDENTS OF THOSE COMMUNITY THE
PROPER TOOLS TO REVIEW A MODERN DEVELOPMENT. EVEN A 2018 PLAN IS FAIRLY OLD, RIGHT? LAND USE PLAN
THAT'S ARE OVER EIGHT YEARS OLD ARE CONSIDERED FAIRLY OLD. WE ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM THE
IDEA OF HAVING 40 INDIVIDUAL AREA PLANS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT STANDARDS, DIFFERENT GUIDELINES
AND THEY ARE JUST NOT EQUITABLE ACROSS THE CITY. WE HAVE OVER 200 LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS IN THIS
CITY. TWO HUNDRED. THAT'S A LOT OF LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS. AND SO, WHEN WE TALK TO THE
COMMUNITY AND TALK ABOUT WHAT IS PREDICTABILITY IN A COMMUNITY, WHAT IS PREDICTABILITY IN A CITY,
WHAT IS GUIDING OUR GROWTH, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE CITY HOLISTICALLY SO WE ARE ABLE
TO CREATE PREDICTABILITY. SO YOU CAN LOOK AT ONE MAP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF
COLUMBUS AND YOU WILL SEE WHERE THE CITY SUPPORTS MIXED USE DEVELOP. MENT. WHERE THE CITY SUPPORTS
INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT,, AND WHERE THEY SUPPORT BUSINESS AND INSTITUTIONAL CAMPUSES.
AS OPPOSED TO RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT A LAND USE MAP AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THOSE CATEGORIES
MEAN BECAUSE THEY ALL MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT IT IS THE FUTURE THAT COLUMBUS WANTS TO BE AND HOW WE VIEW THE CITY, HOW WE MODERNIZE,
HOW WE CREATE ECONOMIC AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND VITALITY, IT'S CRITICAL
THAT WE THINK ABOUT THE CITY HOLISTICALLY THAT WE THINK ABOUT CREATING A VISION FOR THE CITY.
SO RESIDENTS CAN HAVE SOME SORT OF PREDICTABILITY ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPERS CAN AS WELL.
THIS ALL TRANSLATES TO ZONING AND TALKING ABOUT POLICY AT THIS POINT. THIS CONVERSATION WILL
CONTINUE WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY. WE WILL BEGIN TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITIES
AND SAY WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE ZONING? THIS IS A WHOLE PROCESS WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IN THE
FIRST PHASE OF ZONE-IN. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS DIG DOWN AND TRYING TO ENGAGE THE
COMMUNITY. FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE APPROPRIATE LAND USES IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEN MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK WITH THE SURVEY WE HAD, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, WE HAD OVER
3,000 SURVEY RESPONSES AND WE HAD BETWEEN 65 AND 75% SUPPORT. IN CLINTONVILLE WE HAD 87% SUPPORT IN
THE SURVEY IN THOSE AREAS FOR THE LAND USE WE WERE PROPOSING. IT'S ONE ELEMENT, IT'S AN IMPORTANT
ELEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION BUT IT'S ONE ELEMENT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS HOW WE MOVE
THIS FORWARD, WHAT THE ZONING LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THE ZONING PARAMETERS STAND FOR AND WHAT THEY CAN DO
TO HELP MOVE THE CITY FORWARD. BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE START THINKING HOLISTICALLY
ABOUT THIS CITY AND CREATING EXPECTATIONS. >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: THANK YOU. AND THIS
IS BOTH A QUESTION AND A COMMENT. I DON'T WANT TO TURN THIS INTO A MINI PUBLIC HEARING SO
WE WILL MOVE ON, THIS IS ON FIRST READING HERE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SHIFTING FROM,
AGAIN, INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBOR PLANS TO MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE HOLISTIC PLAN. ONE OF THE MAIN
DRIVERS BEHIND THAT, TO YOUR POINT AN EQUITABLE STANDPOINT, A FRAMEWORK THAT COULD BE REGULARLY
UPDATED AND DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ZIP CODE YOU ARE IN WITHIN THE CITY, THERE'S A FRAMEWORK TO ALLOW
A MORE ACTIVE UPDATING TO THAT. WHEN I HEAR FOLKS SAYING I'M FRUSTRATED, I HEAR THAT. WHEN FOLKS
ARE USED TO DELIBERATE DIALOGUE FOR SOMETIMES OVER YEARS TO AN UPDATE TO A LAND USE PLAN,
THEY ARE SAYING HEY I ONLY HAD MONTHS HERE TO REACT TO THIS. WE HAD A DIFFERENT EXPECTATION
PREVIOUSLY, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL LAND USE CATEGORIES. WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT
ZONING DISTRICT THAT'S PUT INTO PLACE VERY DETAILED RULES, ABOUT WHAT CAN BE BUILT,
GREEN SPACE STANDARDS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THE THING I WANT TO LEAVE ON HERE TONIGHT, FEEL FREE
TO RESPOND TO THIS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MOVING AWAY FROM INDIVIDUAL PLAN THAT'S HAD INDIVIDUAL
CRITERIA, TO ONE THAT IS MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE, THAT IS MORE FAIR TO EVERYONE ACROSS THE CITY
OF COLUMBUS THE WAY THAT IS DEVELOPED. BUT ALSO MOVING TOWARDS, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS
NORMALIZING THE PLANNING HERE TO GET US TOWARDS THE NEXT CONVERSATION, WHICH IS ABOUT ZONING
DISTRICTS. OF WHAT CAN BE BUILT THERE, HOW BIG CAN IT BE, WHAT IS IT? AGAIN THOSE DESIGN STANDARDS
AND OTHER STANDARDS WE WERE REALLY PROUD ABOUT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER PUTTING OUR ZONING CODE
IN THE FIRST PHASE OF ZONE-IN. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LAND USE IN THE CITY
OF COLUMBUS. SOMETIME IT'S COULD BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW. FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT,
I ACKNOWLEDGE, I THINK WE HAVE HAD BUMPS IN THE ROAD HOW WE GOT HERE TODAY. BUT I THINK
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT THIS LEADS TO NEXT AS WELL. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK
TO THE DIFFERENCE, AND I THINK YOU TOUCHED ON THIS A MOMENT AGO. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAND
USE PLANNING AND DIFFERENCE OF ZONING DISTRICTS. >> LAND USE IS POLICY, RIGHT? IT SETS THE VISION
FOR HOW WE SEE THE CITY GROWING. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY,
IT'S A LOT OF "SHOULD". THE DEVELOPER SHOULD DO THIS OR DEVELOPMENT SHOULD DO THAT. CODE,
THOSE ARE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO FOLLOW WHEN THEY ARE DOING DEVELOPMENT.
WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LAND USE POLICY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BIG BUCKETS. ON OUR LAND USE
MAP WE HAVE INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSE. WE WILL START ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY HERE AND WITH
YOUR SUPPORT IN 2026, WHERE WE START SAYING, OKAY, WE MIGHT HAVE THREE INDUSTRIAL ZONING
DISTRICTS. THERE MIGHT BE A HEAVY INDUSTRIAL, A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. THERE MIGHT BE AN URBAN
INDUSTRIAL. EACH OF THOSE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS WILL HAVE DIFFERENT SETBACKS THAT HAVE TO BE MET. THERE
WILL BE DIFFERENT CRITERIA WHAT THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING SHOULD LOOK LIKE. THAT'S WHERE THE RUBBER
HITS THE ROAD AND WHERE THOSE DIFFERENT DETAILS COME INTO PLACE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
GENERAL IDEAS AND THOUGHTS HOW THE CITY SHOULD GROW AND IT WILL HELP GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
OUR ZONING CODE WHICH IS WHERE THE VERY DETAILED ELEMENTS OF DEVELOPMENT WILL OCCUR. WE ARE JUST
GOING TO START DOING THAT HERE IN FEBRUARY, WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WITH THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY,
TO CREATE ZONING CODE THAT JUST LIKE THE COLUMBUS LAND USE PLAN, WILL SET EXPECTATIONS. YOU KNOW,
LIKE ZONE-IN AND PHASE ONE, FIRST PROJECT I DID AS ZONE-IN PROJECT MANAGER WAS THE 161 CORRIDOR.
THERE WAS A 2.3 MILE STRETCH OF CORRIDOR THAT HAD 21 ZONING DISTRICTS ON IT. SO IF YOU TALK TO THE
COMMUNITY AND YOU SAY WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION FOR DEVELOPMENT ON THIS CORRIDOR, THEY DON'T KNOW, AND
IF YOU TALK TO DEVELOPERS THEY DON'T KNOW. IT'S ALWAYS A PROPOSE AND GET FEEDBACK. IT'S ALWAYS A
RESPONSE TO A PROPOSAL. WE ARE TRYING TO SET A VISION WITH THE LAND USE, CREATE LARGE BUCKETS
AND THEN WE WILL CREATE THE PROCESS OF CREATING THE ZONING CODE THAT WILL CREATE THE REGULATIONS.
THERE WILL STILL BE VARIANCES AND REZONINGS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. THE AREA COMMISSIONS WILL
STILL HAVE A ROLE AT THE TABLE FOR VARIANCES AND REZONING. I WOULD SAY HAVING A PLAN THAT COULD
BE AMENDED FAIRLY FREQUENTLY, THEY WILL HAVE A LARGER ROLE AT THE TABLE TO GET UPDATED LAND USE
PLAN WHERE NOW WE HAVE A PROPOSAL AND DON'T GET BACK TO THEM FOR 20 YEARS. THE AREA PLANS AREN'T
GOING AWAY. SO WHEN WE WERE ORIGINALLY PROPOSING WE WERE THINKING OF REMOVING THE AREA PLANS BUT
BASED OFF AREA COMMISSION FEEDBACK, WE DECIDED AREA COMMISSION PLANS CAN STAY IN PLACE. THEY WILL
BE SUPERSEDED BY THE COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY WHEN THEY CONTRADICT EACH OTHER. BUT WHERE THEY CAN
HELP PROVIDE ROBUST AND ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES THEY CAN STILL BE BROUGHT INTO ACCOUNT. SO FOR EXAMPLE,
COLUMBUS GROWTH STRATEGY TALKS ABOUT GARAGES BEING TO THE REAR OF THE STRUCTURE. THIS IS
JUST AN EXAMPLE. AND THE CLINTONVILLE DESIGN GUIDELINES SAY THE ROOF LINE OF THE GARAGE
SHOULD MATCH THAT OF A PRINCIPLE STRUCTURE. THAT'S STILL VALID AND THEY CAN STILL RELY ON
THAT KIND OF GUIDANCE TO MOVE FORWARD. ONLY WHEN THEY CONTRADICT EITHER OTHER. THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE
IS THE LAND USE MAP, THAT WILL CHANGE. >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: I WILL ASK THE
LAST QUESTION AND THEN STOP THIS PUBLIC HEARING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
SO IS IT FAIR TO SAY FOLKS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED ABOUT NOT HAVING ADDITIONAL TIME OR ENGAGEMENT
PERTAINING TO THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS, THAT IS MORE APPLICABLE TOWARD THE ACTUAL ZONING. THE
LAND USE, GENERAL BUCKETS. IS IT INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, MIXED USE? WE ARE PUTTING THINGS
IN BUCKETS WITH GENERAL GUIDANCE ABOUT MAYBE THE LEVEL OF DENSITY, THE ACTUAL NITTY-GRITTY IS WHAT
COMES AFTER THIS. IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT? >> ABSOLUTELY. WE WILL START HAVING CONVERSATIONS
LIKE PHASE ONE. THERE WILL BE A GALLERY, OUTREACH, ADDITIONAL SURVEYS, THERE WILL BE MAP SURVEYS,
DOCUMENT SURVEYS. WE WILL HAVE A 60 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WE WILL GO BACK TO THE AREA
COMMISSIONS. WE WILL DO WEBINARS AND CONTINUE TO DO AREA COMMISSION CHAIR AND ZONING CHAIR
INTERVIEWS. ALLOW THEM HALF AN HOUR TO TALK TO US MAYBE ONCE A MONTH TO DISCUSS THINGS.
SO THIS PROCESS IS JUST BEGINNING. THOSE KIND OF DETAILS, WHEN WE MEET WITH AN AREA
COMMISSIONER AND THEY ARE LIKE, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE HEIGHT OF GARAGES, THAT'S ZONING,
RIGHT? AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS AT THIS POINT OF TIME. THE OTHER THINGS
BROUGHT UP TODAY, WE WILL REACH OUT TO BEN KEITH AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM AND TALK TO
CLINTONVILLE AND CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: THANK YOU. THE ONE THING
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS CLEAR, COUNCIL APPRECIATED, PHASE ONE OF ZONE-IN, THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE REAL
BACK AND FORTH. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, NOT JUST ONE WAY, IT WENT BOTH WAYS. THAT IS OUR EXPECTATIONS,
NOT ONLY TODAY, BUT AS WE SEE THE GROWTH STRATEGY POTENTIALLY COMING BEFORE THIS BODY FOR A VOTE.
BUT ALSO FOR FUTURE PHASES OF ZONE-IN. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TONIGHT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON?
>> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT HARDIN. JUST A COMMENT, THE THREE PLANS COVERED IN
THE NEWS. I WANT TO POINT OUT TO FOLKS BECAUSE I WORKED ON TWO OF THOSE PLANS. LINDEN PLAN,
ENVISION HILLTOP, NOW EASTLAND, NOT TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS, THOSE ARE COMPREHENSIVE
TRANSFORMATION PLANS WHICH ARE MORE VISIONARY FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR THAT
HAVEN'T SEEN THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT SAY AS A CLINTONVILLE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY. THOSE
ARE NEIGHBOR ASPIRATIONS, HOLISTIC IN A WAY, THEY FOCUS ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH,
RATHER THAN LAND USE. THE ONE LINDEN, HILLTOP AND EASTLAND DO NOT SUPERSEDE FROM A LAND USE
STANDPOINT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT EVEN A LAND USE MAP IN THOSE PLANS. THEY ARE FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION, THAT THOSE THREE NEIGHBORHOODS IN
GENERAL DESERVE THAT LEVEL OF ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THE LEVEL OF ATTENTION AND
SHARED IN THE CITY'S PROSPERITY. BUT TWO, AS A GUIDING BOOK FOR THOSE RESIDENTS, HOW TO PLAN FOR
NOT ONLY THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR DISTINCTION. >> THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. AND TO BE
CLEAR, THOSE COMMUNITIES PLANS WON'T BE AFFECTED. THEY WILL CONTINUE. AND
COMMUNITIES CAN CONTINUE TO CREATE THOSE KINDS OF PLANS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD,
IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IF THEY WOULD SO CHOOSE. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, LEWIS. ACTUALLY,
I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT WE DID SLOW DOWN TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. AS COLUMBUS CONTINUES TO GROW,
THERE'S PROBABLY NO MORE IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS LOOK LIKE,
WHAT THOSE VISIONS LOOK LIKE. AND POINT OF PRIDE, SUBSTANTIVE NATURE OF THIS
CONVERSATION. WE WANT TO HAVE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEPARTMENT. SO THANK YOU,
LEWIS, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK FOR YOUR TIME.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THE FOLLOWING ITEMS APPEAR ON OUR AGENDA AS CONSENT ACTIONS.
WILL THE CLERK NOW READ THOSE INTO THE RECORD? >> CLERK: FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. SORRY,
GO BACK. I APOLOGIZE. RESOLUTIONS OF EXPRESSION. RESOLUTION 4X-2026. FINANCE & GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE 140-2026. WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, & LABOR COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 3304,
3361, AND 3378-2025. HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, & EQUITY COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE 3399-2025. PUBLIC
SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 3197 AND 3437-2025. HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS,
& BUILDING COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 48, 49, 62, AND 65-2026. PUBLIC UTILITIES & SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 2897 AND 3303-2025. RULES & POLICY COMMITTEE. A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13-2026,
AND A182, A183, AND A184-2025. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU,
MADAM CLERK. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA? SEEING NONE,
MAY I HAVE APPROVAL OF THESE ITEMS ON CONSENT? >> SO MOVED.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL BY VOICE.
>> CLERK: BANKSTON? >> YES.
>> BARROSO DE PADILLA? >> YES.
>> DAY-ACHAUER? >> YES.
>> DORANS? >> YES.
>> GREEN? >> YES.
>> REMY? >> YES.
>> ROSS? >> YES.
>> WYCHE? >> YES.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN? >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: YES, EXCEPT 3304-2025,
WHICH I'M ABSTAINING. THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES. WE WILL NOW PROCEED WITH EMERGENCY
POSTPONED AND 2ND READING OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THE FIRST COMMITTEE TO COME
BEFORE COUNCIL IS THE FINANCE & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. THAT COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED
BY COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON. COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU. FIRST, I HAVE ORDINANCE 2938-2025. TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 12
MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR EACH OF THE SEVERAL OBJECT CLASSES FOR WHICH THE CITY
OF COLUMBUS HAS TO PROVIDE FROM THE MONIES KNOWN TO BE IN THE TREASURY OF SAID CITY OF COLUMBUS,
IN THE FUND KNOWN AS THE GENERAL FUND, DURING THE SAID 12 MONTHS FROM THE COLLECTION OF ALL TAXES
AND FROM OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE, THE AMOUNT OF $1,256,877,066.00. AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
JUST AS A REMINDER FOR FOLKS, LEGISLATIVELY, THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET IS DIVIDED BETWEEN THREE
ORDINANCES. TONIGHT ALL THREE ORDINANCES ARE ON THE AGENDA TO FULFILL VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE
AND FUNCTIONS. THIS ORDINANCE, 2938-2025, CONTAINS THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND IS THE PRIMARY
VEHICLE FOR BUDGET DELIBERATION. TONIGHT AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THE ORDINANCE
WILL BE AMENDED PRIOR TO ITS REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE. THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES, 2939-2025
AND 2940-2025, THE COMPANION ORDINANCES REPRESENT THE CITY'S OTHER FUNDS AND SELECT OTHER FUND
APPROPRIATIONS. HISTORICALLY COUNCIL HAS WAITED TO PASS THESE UNTIL THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS PASSED
AND READY FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION. THAT SAID, THIS YEAR DUE TO THEIR CONTENT AND IN THE INTEREST OF
EFFICIENCY, THESE ORDINANCES WILL BE PLACED ON AN ACCELERATED TIMELINE FOR APPROVAL. THESE TWO
ORDINANCES TYPICALLY ONLY CONTAIN PASS-THROUGH DOLLARS AND UNIQUE FUNDS THAT COUNCIL HISTORICALLY
HAS NOT TOUCHED OR CANNOT TOUCH DUE TO STATUTE. I PLAN TO POSTPONE THESE TWO ORDINANCES TO THE
JANUARY 26TH AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION AT THAT TIME. NOW I WANT TO PASS THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT HARDIN TO SPEAK TO THE AMENDMENT, THE GENERAL FUND ORDINANCE 2938-2025 FOR WHICH WE
ARE CONSIDERING TONIGHT, AND HE IS A SPONSOR. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN,
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP OF THIS BUDGET PROCESS. TODAY WE ARE AMENDING THE MAYOR'S
OPERATING BUDGET PROPOSAL TO ADD $2 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COLUMBUS PROMISE. TONIGHT'S BUDGET
AMENDMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO REASSURING THAT COLUMBUS WILL KEEP THE COLUMBUS PROMISE. JUST LAST FRIDAY
I WAS WITH COLUMBUS PROMISE SCHOLARS. THEY HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM. TONIGHT
THIS AMENDMENT IS FOR THEM. A PROMISE MEANS CERTAINTY AND CERTAINTY MATTERS DEEPLY TO THE
FAMILIES WHO ARE RIGHT NOW MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURES. THEY NEED TO KNOW THE CITY TAKES
ITS WORD SERIOUSLY, THAT'S WHY WE MOVED QUICKLY TO ADVANCE THIS AMENDMENT AS SOON AS WE IDENTIFY
CARRY-OVER DOLLARS FROM PRIOR YEAR'S INCOME TAX REVENUES. WE KNOW THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
OPERATES WITHIN A VERY REAL AND LIMITED WINDOW OF TIME. ONCE FAMILIES BEGIN MAKING PLANS, THOSE
PLANS SET CRITICAL STEPS IN MOTION, I'M GRATEFUL TO OUR PARTNERS COLUMBUS STATE AND COLUMBUS
CITY SCHOOLS THAT THEY WOULD OPEN THE APPLICATION PROCESS TODAY IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS ACTION THIS
EVENING SO STUDENTS CAN PREPARE TO ATTEND COLUMBUS STATE. FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES LOOKING TO APPLY,
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO HEAD TO COLUMBUSPROMISE.ORG TO A PLAY BY MAY 15TH AND APPLY TO BOTH COLUMBUS
STATE AND COMPLETE THE FAFSA. WE KNOW THE PROMISE IS WORKING. I WANT TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUES FOR STANDING WITH US AS WE MOVE THIS FORWARD. WE UNDERSTAND HOW TRANSFORMATIVE THIS
PROGRAM HAS BEEN FOR OUR CITY, FOR COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ACROSS COLUMBUS. THERE ARE
CURRENTLY NEARLY 1300 PROMISE SCHOLARS ENROLLED AT COLUMBUS STATE ACROSS MULTIPLE COHORTS. WE
ARE QUITE LITERALLY BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE. AND TONIGHT, WE ARE REAFFIRMING THAT OUR
PROMISE TO THEM WILL CONTINUE. SO AGAIN, I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF CHAIR
BANKSTON. THIS AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET ARE TOUGH ONES. BUT I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR
THE PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU, THE COLLEAGUES AND ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE THERE'S
CERTAINTY THIS EVENING THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBUS IS KEEPING ITS PROMISE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. BEFORE I MOVE, ARE THERE QUESTIONS FROM MY
COLLEAGUES? COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE PADILLA? >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
BOTH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I THINK AS A FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE, AND I
DIDN'T FINISH AND MY DAUGHTER NOW IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST PERSON IN OUR FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE,
THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR, THIS IS THE THING THAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT AS PARENTS.
THIS IS THE TIMEFRAME, RIGHT? FAFSA, FOR ALL YOU COLLEGE PARENTS OUT THERE,
THIS IS THE TIME. FAFSA. I THINK FOR US TO MOVE QUICKLY SHOWS THE COMMITMENT OF THIS COUNCIL TO
ENSURING THAT THE COLUMBUS PROMISE REALLY IS A PROMISE TO OUR STUDENTS. AND ENSURING MORE OF
THEM CAN ACCESS COLLEGE IN A TIME WHERE THE PRICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS ASTRONOMICAL. SO WHATEVER,
IF YOU WANT TO GET THAT CERTIFICATE, IF YOU WANT TO GET WHATEVER, THIS IS A WAY, AND ESPECIALLY
WITH THE WORK THAT COLUMBUS STATE HAS BEEN DOING WITH OHIO STATE TO ENSURE THAT THE BRIDGE PROGRAM,
YOU CAN GO FROM OHIO STATE TO COLUMBUS STATE AND GET THAT DEGREE IS SO CRITICAL RIGHT NOW.
I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSCORE THAT. I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE LOTS OF LITTLES ON THIS COUNCIL,
I THINK MYSELF AND COUNCILMEMBER REMY HAVE, THAT WE ARE HITTING AT THE MOST EXPENSIVE TIME,
EXCEPT FOR BIRTH, OF A CHILD'S LIFE CYCLE. SO I JUST THINK THIS IS SO CRITICAL FOR PARENTS AND
FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS RIGHT NOW. BECAUSE IF NOT, THIS PROMISE COULD HAVE GONE AWAY FOR SO
MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR SO MANY FAMILIES. SO I JUST CAN'T UNDERSCORE HOW IMPORTANT THIS WAS. AND
JUST AGAIN WANT TO ALSO JUST THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR US COMING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THIS AND TO MAKE,
YOU KNOW, MAKE GOOD ON OUR PROMISE. >> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES? I DO JUST WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT WE WILL BE REFERRING THIS BACK TO COMMITTEE.
WE ARE NOT PASSING THE GENERAL FUND TONIGHT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS
IS VERY CRITICAL TO US AND PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES AROUND THE BUDGET. I THINK THIS UNUSUAL
MOVE DOES ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAINTY TO OUR RESIDENTS AND TO PARENTS THAT ARE PLANNING.
SO THAT IS WHAT WE WILL BE HAPPENING TONIGHT. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSCORE. SEEING NO COMMENTS
OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO FIRST MOVE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2938-2025,
AS SUBMITTED TO THE CLERK. >> SECOND.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY,
ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: AMENDED.
>> N. BANKSTON: I NOW MOVE TO REFER THIS ORDINANCE BACK TO COMMITTEE, AS AMENDED.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: REFERRED BACK TO COMMITTEE. >> N. BANKSTON: THIS IS LIKE SAUSAGE BEING MADE
BETWEEN THE BUDGET CHANGES AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF. THE NEXT TWO COMPANION ORDINANCES WILL BE REFERRED
BACK, POSTPONED TO THE 26TH MEETING. NEXT ORDINANCE IS 2939-2025. TO MAKE
APPROPRIATIONS AND TRANSFERS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR OTHER
FUNDS FOR VARIOUS DIVISIONS. TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY AUDITOR TO MAKE TRANSFERS AS MAY BE
NECESSARY. AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. SEEING NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES,
I MOVE TO POSTPONE THIS ORDINANCE TO THE JANUARY 26TH COUNCIL MEETING.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: POSTPONED. >> N. BANKSTON: NEXT IS ORDINANCE
2940-2025. TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR SELECTED
OTHER FUNDS FOR VARIOUS DIVISIONS, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY AUDITOR TO MAKE TRANSFERS AS MAY BE
NECESSARY, AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. SEEING NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES,
I MOVE TO POSTPONE THIS ORDINANCE TO THE JANUARY 26TH COUNCIL MEETING.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: POSTPONED. >> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, AND LASTLY, IN
THE FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE, WE HAVE 3410-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT,
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, TO ENTER INTO A CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT WITH PROLINE ELECTRIC, INC. FOR THE NORTH MARKET FIRE ALARM UPGRADE PROJECT. TO AUTHORIZE A
TRANSFER OF $477,300.00 AND AN EXPENDITURE UP TO $477,300.00 WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
TAXABLE BOND FUND. TO AUTHORIZE AN EXPENDITURE FOR PREVAILING WAGE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE. TO AMEND THE 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET. AND TO DECLARE AN
EMERGENCY. THIS ORDINANCE APPROVES A $477,000 CONTRACT TO INSTALL NEW FIRE ALARMS. MERCHANT
TOWER PROJECT WILL CONNECT TO THE NORTHERN MARKET VIA THE SECOND FLOOR. SO UP GRATING THE FIRE ALARM
SYSTEM TO THE SYSTEM AS THE MERCHANT TOWER IS NECESSARY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES? PRESIDENT PRO TEM DORANS? >> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. I THINK
THIS QUESTION IS FOR DIRECTOR STEVENS OR DIRECTOR LONG. WHEN THE CITY ENTERED INTO A SERIES OF
DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS WITH REGARD TO NORTH MARKET AND MERCHANT TOWER, ONE OF THE BENEFITS THAT WAS,
I THINK, ASSERTED BY THE CITY WAS THE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE COSTS OF NORTH MARKET WOULD NO LONGER
BE AN OBLIGATION OF THE CITY. WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL UPGRADES OR
MAINTENANCE AT THE NORTH MARKET BUILDING. THAT WOULD BE SUBSIDIZED BY MERCHANT TOWER
MOVING FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY HERE TONIGHT WE HAVE LEGISLATION TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS THERE. I THINK IT'S HELPFUL FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND
WHY POTENTIALLY WE ARE PICKING UP THE TAB ON THIS, CONSIDERING THE ASSERTION A NUMBER
OF YEARS AGO THAT NO LONGER BEING THE CASE? >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT HARDIN, COUNCILMEMBER
DORANS, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THAT QUESTION. AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL
2019 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THIS REDEVELOPMENT, WE COMMITTED TO, A COMMITMENT
WAS MADE TO CREATE A CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND OF APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE BED TAX REVENUE
GENERATED FROM THE NEW HOTEL. I SAY APPROXIMATELY BECAUSE THE FIRST $100,000 GENERATED FROM THE BED
TAX IS GOING TO A HOUSING FUND AND THEN 70% OF THE REMAINING DOLLARS IS FOR THE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE
FUND OVER A 30-YEAR PERIOD. THE CRITICAL LANGUAGE OF THAT IS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION
OF THE PROJECT. RIGHT NOW THE PROJECT IS IN THE FINAL STAGES. WE HOPE TO SEE COMPLETION BY THE
END OF '26. I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND WILL START RECEIVING DOLLARS
IN '27 AND BE ABLE TO COVER FUTURE PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS IN THE ACTUAL MARKET ITSELF.
>> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: DIRECTOR, IF I COULD DUMB IT DOWN, FOR MYSELF ANYWAYS,
BECAUSE MERCHANT TOWER ISN'T OPEN, THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX DOESN'T EXIST YET, THAT'S WHY THIS LEGISLATION
IS COMING BEFORE US, CORRECT? >> CORRECT.
>> PRES. PRO TEM DORANS: THANK YOU. >> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PRO
TEM DORANS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> N. BANKSTON: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE IN MY COMMITTEE THIS EVENING. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THE NEXT IS PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER
BARROSO DE PADILLA. THE FLOORS IS YOURS. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. TONIGHT WE HAVE THREE ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING. THE FIRST IS ORDINANCE
3308-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS WITHIN THE COUNTY AUTO LICENSE TAX FUND.
TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO EXPEND SAID MONIES OR SO MUCH THEREOF AS MAY BE
NEEDED FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY ENGINEER APPROVED ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS
UNDERTAKEN BY THE DIVISION OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. THE CITY RECEIVES AN
ANNUAL ALLOCATION FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY'S $5 AUTO LICENSE TAX BASED ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN
COLUMBUS. WHEN YOU GO GET YOUR VEHICLE REGISTERED YOU PAY THAT $5 TAX. THAT MONEY GOES INTO A FUND
REIMBURSED TO THE CITY FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS, SIGNAGE, PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND ARE APPROVED
BY THE FRANKLIN COUNTY ENGINEER. FUNDS ARE DEPOSITED INTO THE COUNTY AUTO LICENSE TAX
FUND AND TRANSFERRED INTERNALLY TO THE STREETS, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FUND ONCE
WORK IS COMPLETE. THIS ORDINANCE AUTHORIZES THIS INTERNAL TRANSFER AND ALLOWS TO INVOICE FOR TIME
AND MATERIAL. LIMITED TO CASH RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY IN 2026 AND DOES NOT CREATE NEW SPENDING.
SO I WANTED TO JUST SHARE, DIRECTOR IS THERE ANYTHING I MISSED WITHIN THIS? I THINK A LOT OF
TIMES; MANY TIMES WE WILL SEE ON OUR UTILITIES OR OTHER TIMES WE ARE PAYING FOR TAXES AND WE DON'T
KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY GOES. I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY AS FOLKS UNDERSTANDING, WHEN YOU
PAY THAT $5 TAX IT GOES INTO THIS FUND AND IT GOES RIGHT BACK INTO STREETS AND REPAIRS, ET CETERA.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN. CHAIR BARROSO DE PADILLA, OTHER MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL. THAT IS CORRECT. THIS $5 HELPS PAY FOR OUR TRAFFIC OPERATIONS, INCLUDING STRIPING,
TRAFFIC SIGNALS. BOLLARDS YOU SEE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT HELP CONTRIBUTE
TO THE SAFETY OF OUR TRAVELING PUBLIC. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: AND THIS IS FOR COUNTY
ROADS, CORRECT? THAT WE THEN MAINTENANCE, OR DOES THIS GO INTO OUR GENERAL FUND FOR EVERYTHING?
>> IT GOES INTO OUR GENERAL FUND. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: GREAT. SO AGAIN,
I WANTED TO JUST SHARE THAT, I THINK AS WE TALK ABOUT, AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR ESPECIALLY AS WE
TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET WE HAVE MANY TOOLS IN THE TOOLKITS HOW WE PAY FOR OUR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
AND PROJECTS, ET CETERA. SO I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS AS ANOTHER WAY TO SHOW FOLKS WHERE YOUR TAX
DOLLARS GO, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THEM GOING INTO A FUND OR WHEN YOU ARE PAYING FOR IT, YOU KNOW WHERE
THAT MONEY IS GOING. DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE,
I MOVE FOR PASSAGE. >> SECOND.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED.
>> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 3455-2025. TO AUTHORIZE
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO FILE COMPLAINTS IN ORDER TO IMMEDIATELY APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPT THE REMAINING
FEE SIMPLE AND LESSER REAL ESTATE NECESSARY TO TIMELY COMPLETE THE ROADWAY-MULTIMODAL-MT.
VERNON AVENUE PHASE 1 PROJECT, TO AUTHORIZE AN EXPENDITURE OF $10,751.00, AND TO DECLARE
AN EMERGENCY. THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE IS ENGAGED IN THE ROADWAY MULTI-MODAL
MOUNT VERNON AVENUE PHASE ONE PROJECT. SO PHASE ONE OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS,
MULTI-MODAL BIKEWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR BOULEVARD, MOUNT VERNON AVENUE, KING,
LINCOLN, BRONZE VILLE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL ADD ON STREET SEPARATED BIKE LANES,
INCORPORATE BUS ISLANDS, SIDEWALK BUMPS OUTS INSIDE WALK AND CURB REPAIR. THE SIT YIT MUST
A DWYER A CERTAIN FEE SIMPLE TITLE AND LESSER REAL ESTATE LOCATED IN THE VICINITY MLK JUNIOR
BOULEVARD AND MOUNT VERNON TO TIMELY COMPLETE THE PROJECT. THE TIMELY ACQUISITION WILL HELP IMPROVE,
REPAIR CERTAIN PORTIONS OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF MLK AND MOUNT VERNON.
I'M REALLY EXCITED. I THINK WE SHOWED PARTS OF THIS PROJECT BEFORE THIS STREET SCRAPE PROJECT
THAT WILL ADDRESS BOTH AND ADD NEEDED BIKE LANES ALONG THIS CORRIDOR FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
ENTIRE CORRIDOR. THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE PROJECT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE,
BUT THIS IS JUST PHASE ONE, ACQUIRING A PIECE OF THAT LAND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
THE PROJECT. DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT
HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 3497-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO FILE COMPLAINTS IN ORDER TO
IMMEDIATELY APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPT THE REMAINING FEE SIMPLE AND LESSER REAL ESTATE NECESSARY TO
TIMELY COMPLETE THE ARTERIAL - SR161 - I71 TO CLEVELAND AVENUE PHASE 2, ALSO KNOWN AS 2025
AMBLESIDE MAPLE CANYON PROJECT, TO AUTHORIZE AN EXPENDITURE OF 325,335.00. AND TO DECLARE
AN EMERGENCY. THE ARTERIAL STATE ROUTE 161-I-71 TO CLEVELAND WILL BE MIX OF ROUNDABOUTS. IN ADDITION
TO TEMPORARY RIGHT OF-OF WAY TO GIVE SOME SPACE TO CONSTRUCT NEAR THE FRONTAGE OF BEECHCRAFT,
TAMARAC, AND SHER DEN WOODS. CITY MUST ACQUIRE CERTAIN FEE SIMPLE TITLE AND REAL ESTATE LOCATED
IN THE VICINITY OF 161 AMBLESIDE TO MAPLE CREEK. WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT CHARGE.
ESSENTIALLY THIS IS AROUND 20-21 PROPERTIES THAT WE ARE ACQUIRING PART OF THE PROPERTY TO CREATE
I THINK THREE ROUNDABOUTS? DIRECTOR? THREE OR FOUR ROUNDABOUTS IN THE CORRIDOR. AGAIN, THIS
IS TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS AROUND THE CORRIDOR AND TO ALLOW FOR A SAFER PASSAGE THROUGH AN AREA
THAT WE KNOW HAS BECOME CHALLENGING BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF TRAFFIC AND ALSO, I'M NOT SURE IF THIS
IS ON OUR RADAR, IN TERMS OF CRASHES, BUT. >> GOOD EVENING, AGAIN, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
CHAIR BARROSO DE PADILLA, AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. IT IS ON OUR HIGH INJURY NETWORK. WHEN THIS AREA
WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE 1970'S, THE SERVICE ROADS WERE ALL THE RAGE, BUT NOW THEY ARE
KNOWN TO BE VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS AND A LOT OF CRASHES OCCURRING ALONG THOSE SERVICE
AREAS. SO WE ARE RECONSTRUCTING THE WHOLE AREA BETWEEN CLEVELAND AVENUE, 71 TO AMBLESIDE TO THE
OTHER SIDE OF 71. ACTUALLY OVER AMBLESIDE. ROUNDABOUTS WILL MAKE IT A SAFER CONDITION
AND TO ADD A SHARED USE PATH ALONG 161 AS WELL. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: THANK YOU. I WANTED TO
HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT ACQUIRING PROPERTIES IT MAKES FOLKS NERVOUS
WHAT WE MIGHT BE DOING. BUT IN THIS INSTANCE IT'S IMPORTANT WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE SAFETY
STRATEGY WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE, A PLACE THAT IS ON OUR HIGH INJURY NETWORK, MAKING IT SAFER,
INCLUDING THAT SHARED USE PATH. NOW IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILITY DEVICE, IF YOU ARE WALKING,
IT IS CREATING A SAFER PATH FOR THOSE FOLKS AS WELL, IN A MUCH-NEEDED HIGH-DENSITY AREA.
THANK YOU. DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT
HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> L. BARROSO DE PADILLA: GREAT,
THAT'S ALL I HAVE IN MY COMMITTEES THIS EVENING. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE
NEXT COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL IS THE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS AND BUILDING
COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROSS. COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR THE YOURS.
>> T. ROSS: THANK YOU, THIS EVENING WE HAVE ONE ORDINANCE UP FOR SECOND READ. THIS ORDINANCE IS
IN SUPPORT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE WHICH ENCOMPASSES A NUMBER
OF PLANS DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT OUR RENTERS AND HOUSING STABILIZATION.
SO I'M GOING TO READ OFF THE ORDINANCE AND I WILL PASS IT OVER TO DIRECTOR STEVENS TO GIVE A LITTLE
MORE CONTEXT AROUND WHAT THIS MONEY WILL DO AND WE WILL MOVE FOR PASSAGE AFTER THAT. IT'S ORDINANCE
0066-2026. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT TO ENTER INTO A SERVICE
CONTRACT WITH BENEVATE, LLC IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $19,000.00 TO CONFIGURE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
APPLICATION SOFTWARE FOR THE RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE. TO WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING
REQUIREMENTS OF COLUMBUS CITY CODES CHAPTER 329; TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION AND
EXPENDITURE OF $19,000.00. TO AUTHORIZE EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO PURCHASE ORDER EXECUTION.
AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. WITH THAT, DIRECTOR STEVENS, COULD YOU GIVE US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE
RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE AND THE PLANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR ROSS AND PRESIDENT HARDIN AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. WE HAVE TALKED TOWARDS
THE END OF 2025, RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE TO CONTINUE THE WORK WE ARE DOING THROUGH THE
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS WE GOT THROUGH COVID RESPONSE. THIS HELPS US
IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES AND ALIGNS WITH SOME OF THE INTERNAL FUNCTIONS WE HAVE ALREADY
USING THE NEIGHBORLY SOFTWARE AND WE ARE ASKING TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING THIS EVENING. THE WIND
DOWN OF THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE WE ARE ABLE TO STREAMLINE OUR INTAKE PROCESS, ESTABLISH,
SO INSTEAD OF ESTABLISHING A NEW CONTRACT WITH ANOTHER SOFTWARE COMPANY WE ARE UTILIZING
THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE OF NEIGHBORLY. >> T. ROSS: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. ANY QUESTIONS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK,
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> T. ROSS: THAT'S ALL
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR. THE FINAL COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL IS THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE. THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> >> C. WYCHE: THANK YOU, FIRST
I HAVE 3196-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TO ENTER
INTO A CONTRACT MODIFICATION TO ADD FUNDING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 2023
PROJECT WITH HILL INTERNATIONAL. TO AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET.
TO AUTHORIZE A TRANSFER OF CASH AND APPROPRIATION BETWEEN PROJECTS WITHIN THE WATER BOND FUND. AND
TO AUTHORIZE AN EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $6,154,900.00 FROM THE WATER BOND FUND FOR THE CONTRACT
MODIFICATION. THIS CONTRACT ASSISTS THE CITY WITH MANAGING MULTIPLE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE
DIVISION OF WATER'S CAPITAL PROGRAM. THE PROJECTS WILL MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN
TERMS OF WATER SUPPLY PROVIDING SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE CENTRAL OHIO RESIDENTS. LET
ME STOP TO SEE IF ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES. SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK,
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> C. WYCHE: THANK YOU, NEXT I
HAVE 3242-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT
WITH BEST EQUIPMENT CO., INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) FOOD WASTE SATELLITE COLLECTION TRUCK
NON-CDL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE. TO AUTHORIZE THE WAIVER OF THE COMPETITIVE
BIDDING REQUIREMENTS OF THE COLUMBUS CITY CODE. TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATION WITHIN THE
GENERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS FUND. TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $132,048.00 FROM THE GENERAL
GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND REFUSE G.O. BOND FUNDS. TO REPAY ANY UNUSED GRANT FUNDS AT THE END OF
THE GRANT PERIOD. AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. THE DIVISION OF REFUSE WILL USE THE TRUCK TO
COLLECT FOOD WASTE AND TAKE IT TO A COMPOSTING FACILITY. THIS WILL DIVERT ORGANIC AND RECYCLABLE
MATERIALS FROM THE LANDFILL WHICH WILL SUPPORT THE CITY'S RECYCLING GOALS. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
IS REQUESTED TO PREVENT INTERRUPTION TO THE CITY'S FOOD RECYCLING PROGRAM AND MAKE USE OF
GRANT FUNDS THAT HAS TIME LIMITATIONS. LET ME STOP THERE TO SEE IF ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY
COLLEAGUES. SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE. >> SECOND.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL .
>> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED.
>> C. WYCHE: THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE ORDINANCE 3291-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH
RESOURCE INTERNATIONAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION/CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES
2023-2025 CONTRACT. TO AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET. TO
AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $1,127,937.58 FROM THE WATER SUPPLY REVOLVING
LOAN ACCOUNT FUND FOR THE CONTRACT. AND TO MAKE THIS ORDINANCE CONTINGENT UPON THE OHIO WATER
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPROVING A LOAN FOR THE PROJECT. THIS CONTRACT WILL ENABLE INSPECTION
SERVICES FOR THE GERMANE DRIVE WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. IT WILL REHABILITATE OR REPLACE EXISTING
WATER LINES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S HAVE A HIGH BREAK FREQUENCY. THIS WILL IMPROVE WATER SERVICE,
DECREASE BURDEN ON WATER MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS AND REDUCE WATER LOSS. LET ME STOP THERE TO SEE
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES. SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK,
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED. >> C. WYCHE: THANK YOU. THE FINAL TWO ORDINANCES
I HAVE UP FOR CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING INVOLVE CONTRACTS NEEDED FOR THE ATHENS AVENUE AND MUNCIE
ROAD AREA WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY
90,900 LINEAR FEET OF NEW WATER MAINS AND REPLACEMENT OF PRIVATELY OWNED LED AND GALVANIZED
WATER SERVICE LINES IN THE GREATER HILLTOP, THEY WILL IMPROVE WATER SERVICE, REDUCE BURDEN ON WATER
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS AND MINIMIZE WATER LOSS. FIRST I HAVE 3334-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR
OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH UNDERGROUND UTILITIES,
INC., FOR THE ATHENS AVENUE AND RUMSEY ROAD AREA WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. TO AMEND THE
2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET. TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF UP TO
$5,122,279.85 FROM THE WATER SUPPLY REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT FUND FOR THE CONTRACT. TO MAKE
THIS ORDINANCE CONTINGENT UPON THE OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPROVING A LOAN FOR THE
PROJECT. AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $2,000.00 FROM THE WATER BOND FUND TO PAY FOR
PREVAILING WAGE SERVICES. LET ME STOP THERE TO SEE IF ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUE.
SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE. >> SECOND.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> CLERK: BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: PASSED.
>> C. WYCHE: THANK YOU. FINALLY 3352-2025. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH DLZ OHIO, INC., FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATION/CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES 2023-2025 CONTRACT. TO AMEND THE 2025 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET. TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $1,080,372.79 FROM THE
WATER SUPPLY REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT FUND FOR THE CONTRACT MODIFICATION. AND TO MAKE THIS ORDINANCE
CONTINGENT UPON THE OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPROVING A LOAN FOR THE PROJECT.
SPECIFICALLY THIS WILL ALLOW DLZ OHIO INCORPORATED FOR ATHENS AND RUMSEY ROAD WATER LINE IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT. LET ME STOP THERE TO SEE IF ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL . >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: ORDINANCE IS PASSED. >> C. WYCHE: THAT IS IT FOR MY COMMITTEE BUT
I WILL TAKE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE SINCE I HAVE THE MIC, TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS
GIVEN ME A LOT OF BIRTHDAY LOVE BOTH IN THIS ROOM AND ONLINE, I DO THAT SO I DON'T HAVE TO
RESPOND TO PEOPLE ONLINE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: THANK YOU, MR. BIRTHDAY BOY.
BOTH THE CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE DIRECTOR REACHED OUT TO ME TO REMIND US
THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT NOT HAVING COUNCIL MEETING NEXT MONDAY. BUT WE WILL BE ACTIVE AND WORKING.
TO TELL US ABOUT THE MLK DAY MARCH AND PROGRAM, DIRECTOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO
COME OUT? WE WILL ALL BE THERE. >> I AM HAPPY TO DO SO. THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN AND CHAIR OF MY COMMITTEE, COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER. WE
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LOUDNESS OF THE MIC. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOSTING THE CITY NEXT WEEK.
THE MARCH WILL START, PRE-MARCH PROGRAM AT THE HISTORIC ST. PAUL AME CHURCH AND
WE WILL MARCH ACROSS THE LONG STREET BRIDGE TO THE HISTORIC LINCOLN THEATER,
WHERE WE WILL HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WE HOPE WILL BE INSPIRATIONAL, AS WELL AS MOTIVATIONAL AS WE
CONTINUE INTO OUR 2026 YEAR. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: AND
THE TIME FOR KICKOFF IS? >> KICKOFF IS 3:00 P.M. FOR THE PRE-MARCH PROGRAM.
4:30 FOR THE PROGRAM INSIDE THE LINCOLN THEATER. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: SO WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO
JOIN US NEXT MONDAY AT THE -- DRESS WARM. >> WE INTEND TO MARCH NO MATTER THE WEATHER.
WE NEED THAT TYPE OF RESILIENCE AS WE MOVE THROUGH 2026. WE ARE SETTING YOU UP FOR
SUCCESS. [ CHUCKLES ] >> PRESIDENT HARDIN:
IF THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL, IS THERE A MOTION
TO ADJOURN? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> PRESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN: MEETING IS ADJOURNED. [ ADJOURNED 6:26 P.M. ET ]
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