GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> NOW COME TO ORDER. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLAYING OF THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM.
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 MINISTER AYANA
FULHAM FROM HOPE CITY CHURCH TO LEAD US IN PRAYER.
WELCOME TO COUNCIL.
>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
HEAVENLY FATHER, GOD WE TAKE THE TIME TO COME BEFORE YOU,
LORD AND WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE, GOD TO BE IN THIS
MEETING, GOD. WE COME BEFORE YOU, GOD WITH HUMILITY AND
GRATITUDE, GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT OUR WISDOM AUTHORITY AND
ALL POWER GOD BE TO YOU. WE ASK YOU TO GUIDE THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WITH YOUR WISDOM WITH YOUR PEACE AND CLARITY
THAT ONLY COMES FROM ABOVE. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.
>> THANKS SO MUCH, PASTOR. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> 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.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. CAN I GET
A MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JOURNAL?
>> SO MOVED. SECOND.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL?
>> THERE'S ONE.
>> PLEASE.
THERE IS ONE CORRECTION TO THE APRIL 20TH, JOURNAL, REFERENCED
BY THE CITY CLERK. THE CITY CLERK READ THE NUMBER FOR
ORDINANCE
0922-2026 AS 0992-2026.
IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL,
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?
>> NOT AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. BEFORE WE MOVE THROUGH THE REST
OF THE AGENDA WE HAD A THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION FOR THE
LAST HOUR PRIOR TO THIS MEETING, AROUND THE APPOINTMENT
OF
AUDITOR, TO REPLACE MEGAN KILGOUR WHO WILL RESIGN
EFFECTIVE MAY 4TH. AS STATED IN THE HEARING, OUR CHARTER SAYS
WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AUDITOR IN PLACE IN TIME FOR HER
RESIGNATION. WE DO NOT HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING NEXT WEEK SO
THAT VOTE MUST COME TODAY.
THIS HAS BEEN A TRUNCATED PROCESS BUT IT'S BEEN AN OPEN
AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS, WHERE WE HAVE HAD
FIVE FOLKS APPLY, THREE THAT MET THE REQUIREMENTS. THEY
SPOKE BEFORE AT THE HEARING. AS WE SAID, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. THEY REALLY SHOWED US THE BEST
OF COLUMBUS. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE GREAT
PEOPLE TO PICK FROM.
I WANT TO OPEN; I WILL SAY THIS TOO BEFORE WE GO ANY FARTHER.
WE WILL HAVE TO
HAVE AUDITOR KILGOUR BACK FOR KILGOUR DAY HERE IN THE CITY OF
COLUMBUS AS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE THAT WE HAVE FOR HER
STEWARDSHIP. SHE INHERITED THE LARGEST SHOES THAT YOU COULD
INHERIT.
TAKING OVER FOR MR. DORIAN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. I WILL ALSO
ACKNOWLEDGE MS. DARLENE WILDS, WHO I THINK RETIRES THIS WEEK.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FLYING SOLO FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS?
YEAH. BUT HAS ALSO SERVED THIS CITY. I SAY THIS OFTEN. FOLKS
SEE US.
AND THINK THAT THIS IS THE CITY.
THE TRUTH IS, IT IS YOU ALL
WHO ARE THE CITY, THE FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY KEEPING THIS THING
RUNNING. AND WE
ARE JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU, MS. DARLENE AND EXCITED FOR
YOUR NEXT AS YOU GO INTO RETIREMENT. WOULD YOU HELP ME
CELEBRATE MS. DARLENE WILDS AS WELL?
WITH THAT WE HAVE CITY BUSINESS TO DO. WE HAVE TO DELIBERATE
AND PICK A NEW AUDITOR. ANY CONVERSATION BEFORE I ASK FOR A
MOTION?
>> FIRST, I WANT TO START OFF, WE SAID THESE THANK YOU'S
BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO SPEAK TO EACH CANDIDATE FOR JUST ONE
MOMENT. I WANT TO START WITH KIMBERLY AND I ACTUALLY WANT TO
START WITH YOUR SONS. IT'S A BIG DEAL TO BRING YOUR BABIES
WITH YOU AND IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR THEM TO SEE THEIR MOM DOING
THIS. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LOVING HER AND
SUPPORTING HER AND MAKING HER THE MOM SHE IS, THE WOMAN THAT
SHE IS. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THEM ALONG. I THINK IT SHOWS SO
MUCH COURAGE TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY SEE US,
RIGHT? IN THESE SPACES. AND THEY SEE US BEING COURAGEOUS
BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM COURAGE TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS. YOU ARE
PEOPLE-CENTRIC. YOU RAN FOR OFFICE AND NOW YOU ARE LOOKING
FOR ANOTHER OFFICE AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE AND YOU
HAVE A MASTERY IN PEOPLE. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
CONTINUING TO RAISE YOUR HAND. I LOOK THROUGH THE LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED AND THEY WERE GLOWING.
THEY WERE FROM PEOPLE I KNOW WHO I LOVE AS WELL. I WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN SERVING
OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU CONTINUE TO DO THAT. GARRETT, I WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU ALSO TO YOU. YOU HAVE A LEVEL, WHEN I ASKED
THE QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS MAKE SENSE, I WAS ALSO
TALKING ABOUT ME, GARRETT. MEGAN WILL TELL YOU, SOMETIMES
I'M LIKE
TELL ME LIKE I'M FIVE. BECAUSE TO NANCY'S POINT, OR
COUNCILMEMBER'S POINT THIS IS A LOT OF MAPPING. HAVE BEEN DOING
THAT. ESPECIALLY COMING HERE AT A TIME LIKE THIS WHEN WE HAVE
LOTS OF COMPLEX ISSUES TO WORK THROUGH IS A LOT. SO THANK YOU
FOR RAISING YOUR HAND. AND LASTLY, TO JACKIE, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE HERE. THANK YOU FOR
BRINGING FRESH NEW IDEAS. THANK YOU FOR RAISING YOUR HAND
TO SAY HEY, I WANT TO STEP UP MY SERVICE. I WOULD SAY WHOEVER
IS GOING TO BE THE AUDITOR, YOU ALSO HAVE TWO AMAZING
CANDIDATES HERE. LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE SOME OPENINGS IN THE
AUDITOR'S OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME GOOD CHOICES,
WE ALREADY DID THE HARD WORK FOR Y'ALL. I THINK THERE ARE
DIFFERENT APPROACHES HERE WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE
DIFFERENT SKILL SETS AND WHO ARE READY AND CHOMPING AT THE
BIT TO SERVE.
THAT'S A BIT
ADVICE YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR BUT I'M PUTTING OUT THERE. I AM
JUST SAYING THANK YOU ALL FOR RAISING YOUR HANDS AND FOR
WANTING TO SERVE AT A TIME LIKE THIS. YES, IT IS BEING IN THE
AUDITOR'S SEAT BUT AFTER THIS YOU ALSO HAVE TO RUN AND RAISE
FUNDS AND YOU HAVE TO BE OUT THERE AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE
PEOPLE CARE ABOUT A ROLE THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN REALIZE WAS AN
ELECTED ROLE. THAT'S A HUGE UNDERTAKING AND I JUST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT THAT MEANS FOR ALL OF YOU AND FOR BRINGING
YOUR LOVED ONES HERE. THANK YOU TO YOUR LOVED ONES FOR EVEN
MAKING THE SACRIFICE OF YOUR PERSON TO BE HERE, BECAUSE IT
DOES TAKE A LOT AND THESE ARE LONG HOURS AND SOMETIMES
THANKLESS. SO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THEM. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR POTENTIAL SERVICE AS WELL.
>> SURE. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOR BREAKING THAT
DOWN. I FEEL ALL THREE OF YOU COULD PLAY A ROLE NLT AUDITOR'S
OFFICE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, IN DEPTH KNOWLEDGE
OF DEBT SERVICING. WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. IT'S NOT LOST ON
ANY OF US YOU WERE WILLING TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND DO
SOMETHING IN THE PUBLIC EYE. AND HOPE THIS IS JUST THE FIRST
CONVERSATION WE WILL HAVE WITH YOU AND YOU DON'T GO AWAY,
BECAUSE WE STILL NEED YOUR EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT AS WE DO
THINGS FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. APPRECIATE YOU.
>> IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
DOES SOMEONE HAVE A NOMINATION FOR AUDITOR OF THE CITY OF
COLUMBUS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I HAVE A MOTION.
>> OKAY.
>> DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF SENATOR, SENATOR?
THIS IS SPRITE AND NOT COFFEE. START OVER. DUE TO THE
RESIGNATION OF CITY AUDITOR MEGAN KILGOUR EFFECTIVE MAY 4,
2026, CREATING A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF CITY AUDITOR, I MOVE
PURSUANT TO CITY CHARTER SECTION 87-2 THAT JACK LEAN
LEWIS BE APPOINTED TO THE POSITION OF CITY AUDITOR
EFFECTIVE MAY 4, 2026.
THAT'S YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT NOMINATION AND MOTION. ARE
THERE ANY OTHER MOTIONS OR NOMINATIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I THINK IT'S BEEN SAID HERE WE HAD A
REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION. I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. I DO WANT TO SAY
>> SUPPORT FOR MS. JACKIE LEWIS, I THINK SHE IS EXTREMELY
QUALIFIED BUT THERE ARE OTHER QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. I WANT TO
NOMINATE GARRETT PATTERSON FOR THE AUDITOR POSITION STARTING
MAY 4TH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ARE THERE ANY OTHERS? HEARING NONE,
MAY I HAVE A SECOND ON THE NOMINATION, THE MOTION FOR
JACQUELINE LEWIS?
>> SECOND.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON? YES.
>> BARROSO DE PADILLA?
>> YES.
>> DAY-ACHAUER? YES.
>> DORANS? YES.
>> GREEN?
>> YES. REMY? YES.
>> ROSS? YES. WYCHE? YES.
>> PRESIDENT HARDIN?
>> YES. CONGRATULATIONS, MADAM AUDITOR.
AUDITOR LEWIS, WHAT WOULD WE CALL, DESIGNATE? WOULD YOU LIKE
TO COME FORWARD AND SAY A FEW WORDS BEFORE COUNCIL?
>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR
THIS TREMENDOUS HONOR. I KNOW THIS WAS NOT AN EASY POSITION;
YOU HAD SOME PHENOMENALLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. AND A
VERY SHORT WINDOW IN WHICH TO DO THIS.
BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO
SERVE. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ALONGSIDE
YOU. TO BE YOUR PARTNER AT THE CITY AND TO CONTINUE TO MOVE
THE CITY FORWARD. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VOTE OF
SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WOULD YOU HELP ME CELEBRATE, AND THANK ALL OF THE,
NOW WE WILL GO AROUND THE DAIS FOR RESOLUTIONS AND
UPDATES FROM MY COLLEAGUES. STARTING WITH COUNCILMEMBER
BANKSTON.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. NO RESOLUTIONS BUT
ONE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS EVENING, JUST A FINAL REMINDER, THIS
WEDNESDAY I'M HOLDING A HEARING TO UNVEIL AND DISCUSS THE
STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY'S FIRST PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PILOT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING ALL OF THE PROGRESS
MADE ON THE INITIATIVE TO DATE AND HOW RESIDENTS CAN ENGAGE IN
THE PROCESS OF MOVING FORWARD. ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK
DURING THE HEARING IN PERSON MUST EMAIL JBBROWN@COLUMBUS.GOV
BY 10:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY WITH THE SUBJECT LINE PARTICIPATORY
BUDGET HEARING. WRITTEN TESTIMONY MUST ALSO BE RECEIVED
BY 10:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY AND EMAILED TO
JBBROWN@COLUMBUS.GOV. REMARKS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES AND IT
WILL BE STREAMED ON THE
>> CITY'S CHANNELS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO
DE PADILLA?
>> THANK YOU. JUST TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS. ONE, AND WE
SHOULD BLAME THIS ON THE HEAD BECAUSE WE HAD A LOT GOING ON
LAST WEEK AND NOT THE HEART. BUT WE MISSED VOLUNTEER
APPRECIATION WEEK. I MADE SURE WE PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR FOR
NEXT YEAR BECAUSE I WORK FOR A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS.
WE HAD FOLKS PLANTING TREES AT HRM PARK. THIS WEEKEND WE HAD A
NUMBER OF CLEANUPS. YOU WAS ON THE SOUTH SIDE. I KNOW MY
COLLEAGUES WERE ON THE HILLTOP. AND WE HAD A NUMBER OF OTHER
EVENTS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL
OF THE FOLKS WHO TAKE THEIR TIME OUT TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT
MORE TO OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER. FOR THE
FOLKS WHO STAND IN THE GAP. FOR THE FOLK WHO'S OFFER THEIR
TIME, THEIR TALENT, THEIR TREASURE, AS A BOARD MEMBER,
AS A VOLUNTEER, SHOWING UP FOR CLEAN-UP DAY. EVERYONE GIVES
JUST A LITTLE BIT WE CAN INCH CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE KIND
OF COMMUNITY AND KIND OF CITY THAT WE WANT. I JUST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK. SECONDLY,
IT IS PROM SEASON. SO JUST A REMINDER TO FOLKS WHO ARE OUT,
I KNOW MY DAUGHTER WENT TO PROM THIS YEAR, 2026 SENIOR PARENTS,
I'M IN IT WITH YOU, I FEEL ALL THE FEELS. I JUST WANT TO SEND
A REMINDER TO OUR YOUNG DRIVERS TO LOCK IN, ESPECIALLY AS YOU
ARE DRIVING BIG GROUPS OF FRIENDS, TO REMEMBER TO PUT
YOUR PHONES DOWN. TO REMEMBER THE BEST WAY THAT YOU COULD BE
THE BEST FRIEND IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FRIENDS ARE DRIVING
SAFELY AND YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE AS YOU
ARE TRANSPORTING THEM TO PROM, AFTER PROM, YOUR MOM'S BEST
FRIEND'S HOUSE TO DO WHATEVER. MAKE SURE YOU ARE OUT THERE AND
YOU ARE BEING SAFE AND MAKING GOOD CHOICES. HAPPY PROM SEASON
AND RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER IS GRADUATION SEASON. TO ALL OUR
GRADUATING 26 SENIORS CONGRATULATIONS. I'M SURE WE
WILL DO MUCH MORE CELEBRATIONS WITH ALL OF THEM. BUT ALSO TO
ALL OF OUR PARENTS, JUST A REMINDER TO OUR KIDS AS WE ARE
GIVING THEM THE KEYS TO OUR CARS OR THEIR CARS TO REMEMBER
TO LOCK IN AND
BE SAFE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOM, MAKE GOOD CHOICES. THAT WAS GOOD ADVICE.
COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ON THIS EVENING'S
AGENDA WE HAVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 0944-2026,
WHICH IS A CODE CHANGE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE FEEDING OF
DEER IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. MY TEAM, ALONG WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, HAS BEEN LEADING A YEAR-LONG
COMMUNITY-FOCUSED DISCUSSION AROUND DEER AND HOW THE CITY
CAN MANAGE THE POPULATION IN OUR MORE DENSELY POPULATED
AREAS SUCH AS
CLINTONVILLE. WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HOSTING A SECOND COMMUNITY
MEETING TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION NEXT WEEK AS WE
PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE AFOREMENTIONED
NO FEED ORDINANCE BEFORE IT COMES TO A VOTE. IN ADDITION TO
PROVIDING OTHER UPDATES ON OUR DEER POLICY DISCUSSIONS.
THIS MEETING WILL ONCE AGAIN BE HELD IN CLINTONVILLE. THIS TIME
AT THE WHETSTONE LIBRARY ON TUESDAY MAY 5TH FROM 5:30-6:30
P.M. THIS MEETING WILL BE OPEN TO ALL BUT ATTENDEES ARE
ENCOURAGED TO RSVP AS SPACE IS LIMITED IN THE LIBRARY. THE
FORM COULD BE FOUND AT
COLUMBUS.GOV/DEERSURVEY. WEDNESDAY APRIL 29TH MY
COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE PADILLA AND I WILL BE
MEETING WITH RESIDENTS OF ROBERTS ROAD TO DISCUSS
ROAD SAFETY. FOR INFORMATION IT'S AVAILABLE ON THE FAR WEST
SIDE AREA COMMISSION FACEBOOK PAGE. FINALLY, SINCE I WILL BE
ON VACATION FOR PART OF MAY, I WANTED TO ALERT EVERYONE THAT
THE CITY OF COLUMBUS DOES NOW HAVE A MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE.
IT IS HELD ON MEMORIAL DAY AT 1:00 P.M. AT THE PARK A JAY,
ADJACENT TO THE
LINDEN COMMUNITY CENTER IN FRONT OF THE LINDEN WAR
MEMORIAL. THIS YEAR IN ADDITION TO HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE MADE
THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WE WILL BE GIVING A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO
MASTER SERGEANT SIMON. THAT'S
ALL FOR ME.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER GREEN?
>> NOTHING FOR
ME. >> COUNCILMEMBER REMY?
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WE ARE LESS THAN TWO
WEEKS AWAY FROM THE GREATER CITYWIDE CLEAN UP. GO TO
CLEANERCOLUMBUS.ORG. WE WILL WORK ON MAY 9TH TO ENSURE OUR
CITY IS AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE. WE WILL BE MEETING AT WOLF PARK
AT 9:00 A.M. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
OUT THERE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ROSS?
>> THANK YOU. ONE ANNOUNCEMENT AND TWO RESOLUTIONS. WE ARE
HAVING OUR FOURTH COMMUNITY LIST EPPING SESSION TOMORROW AT
FRANKLINTON LIBRARY FROM 12:30-2:30. THIS DISCUSSION
WILL BE FOCUSED AROUND REENTRY. WE ARE SHARING THE VOICES,
LIFTING THE VOICES OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME AND
LOOKING TO CONTRIBUTE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL HAVE
VARIOUS RESOURCES. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, COLUMBUS URBAN
LEAGUE, EMPLOYMENT AND BASIC NEEDS OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE
AVAILABLE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COMING AND
LISTENING AND SHARING, PLEASE MEET US AT FRANKLINTON LIBRARY
FROM 12:30-2:30
TOMORROW. TWO RESOLUTIONS. I WILL START WITH RESOLUTION
0095X-2026. BEFORE READING THE RESOLUTION IF I COULD HAVE
VINCENT COLEMAN AND COLUMBUS REALTORS
HEAD TO THE PODIUM. THIS IS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE APRIL
AS FAIR
HOUSING MONTH IN COLUMBUS. AS THEY ARE COMING FORWARD,
I WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAIR
HOUSING ACT, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON APRIL 11, 1968, ENSHRINED
INTO FEDERAL LAW, THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING RACIAL SEGREGATION
AND ENDING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN THE UNITED
STATES. THE FAIR HOUSING ACT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION
IN-HOUSING, BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, FAMILIAL
STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN AND DISABILITY AND COMMITS
RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR
HOUSING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. COLUMBUS REALTORS HAS LONG BEEN
COMMITTED TO THE MISSION AND INTENT OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS,
WHICH IS TO PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL. MORE THAN 50 YEARS AFTER THE PASSAGE
OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT DISCRIMINATION PERSISTS AND
HOUSING SEGREGATION REMAINS A STRONG FORCE IN MANY
COMMUNITIES. I WANT TO THANK VINCENT COLEMAN AND COLUMBUS
REALTORS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN THE
HOUSING SPACE. HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND FUNDAMENTAL TO
LEADING A PRODUCTIVE LIFE. CERTAINLY GOT TO KNOW YOU ALL
VERY CLOSELY LAST YEAR AND KNOW SOME OF YOU PERSONALLY. I HAVE
KNOWN SOME OF YOU FOR YEARS. AND I THINK THAT AS WE PASS
THIS RECENT RENTAL REGISTRY, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF HOUSING PROVIDERS AND THOSE THAT TAKE THE
PROVISION OF HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY. SO I WANT
TO THANK THE COLUMBUS REALTORS FOR ALWAYS BEING A REAL
PARTNER, ALWAYS RAISING YOUR HAND TO BE AT THE TABLE WHEN WE
ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EQUITY IN THE HOUSING SPACE.
CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. I WILL PASS
IT ONTO YOU BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR
FURTHER COMMENT. THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN,
AND CHAIR ROSS, AND MEMBERS OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
FOR THIS RECOGNITION TONIGHT. MY NAME IS GLORIA ALONSO
CANNON, AND I'M THE 2026 PRESIDENT OF COLUMBUS REALTORS.
COLUMBUS REALTORS AND OUR MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THAT REAL
ESTATE PROFESSIONALS AND CONSUMERS DEPEND ON STRONG,
FAIR
HOUSING LAWS AND PRACTICES. FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMY
TO THRIVE. DISCRIMINATION DISTORTS THE HOUSING MARKET AND
CLOSES THE DOOR ON THE AMERICAN DREAM OF
HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS. WE ADVANCE OUR
COMMITMENT TO FAIR HOUSING THROUGH POLICY, ADVOCACY,
INNOVATIVE
PROGRAMMING AND LEGAL GUIDANCE. ARTICLE 10 OF THE REALTOR
CODE OF ETHICS STATES, REALTORS SHALL NOT DENY EQUAL
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO ANY PERSON FOR REASONS
OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS,
NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL
ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY. REALTORS SHALL NOT BE PARTY TO
ANY PLAN OR AGREEMENT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON
OR PERSONS ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX,
HANDICAP FAMILIAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL
ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY. COLUMBUS REALTORS HOLDS THIS TO
THE HIGHEST STANDARD WHEN CONDUCTING BUSINESS
AND IN OUR ADVOCACY. WE PROMOTE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT ADVANCE
BROADER HOMEOWNERSHIP, AVAILABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND
AFFORDABILITY IN ALL COMMUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY,
WE PRIORITIZE EFFORTS TO NARROW HOMEOWNERSHIP GAPS AMONG
DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS AND PROMOTE STRONG ENFORCEMENT OF
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS
WITHIN THE HOUSING
MARKET. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS BRITTANY EDDIE AND I
SERVE ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE CINDY JACOBS AS CHAIR OF THE
COLUMBUS REALTORS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY COMMITTEE.
ENACTED IN 1968 THE FAIR HOUSING ACT IS A LANDMARK PIECE
OF LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS THESE RIGHTS. EVERY APRIL
REALTORS OBSERVE FAIR HOUSING MONTH TO REAFFIRM OUR
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING FIRE, EQUITABLE AND PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS SEARCHING FOR REAL ESTATE.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE FIELD OF REAL
ESTATE TO ENSURE WE ARE NOT ONLY QUALIFIED BUT EQUIPPED
WITH THE GOALS OF ADDRESSING, ARTICULATING AND RESOLVING THE
MANY CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY MINORITY HOME-SEEKERS IN THEIR
QUEST FOR
ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE ARE PROUD TO
CELEBRATE NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH AND APPRECIATE COUNCIL'S
RECOGNITION TONIGHT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED
PARTNERSHIP AND COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO UPHOLDING FAIR
HOUSING POLICIES THROUGH ADVOCACY AND
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THANK YOU.
>> DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES
HAVE ANY COMMENTS? SURE. YOU SEE THAT I LOOK DIRECTLY
AT A CERTAIN COUNCILMEMBER.
>> YOU KNOW, AS A COUNCILMEMBER AND A REALTOR, FAIR HOUSING IS
ABOUT MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY AND THAT
DECISIONS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE IS BASED ON FAIRNESS, NOT BIAS.
IT ALSO MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO,
IT NEVER ENDS. I WANT TO THANK; WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE ALWAYS WORKING TO MAKE ACCESS HOUSING AND THAT IS
EQUITABLE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. BUT I WANT TO THANK THE
COLUMBUS REALTORS FOR BEING HERE TODAY FOR THE ROLE THIS
ORGANIZATION PLAYS TO UPHOLD THOSE STANDARDS AND HELP PEOPLE
NAVIGATE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN THEIR
LIVES. SO AS COLUMBUS CONTINUES TO GROW, WE ALL HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT GROWTH IS INCLUSIVE AND
OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. SO THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER ROSS, FOR ALLOWING ME A MOMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER REMY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM
MY COLLEAGUES? COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON?
>> I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COLUMBUS
REALTORS AND THANK YOU. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FAIR HOUSING THAT IS
A POLICY. POLICY IN ACTION WITHOUT FOLKS LIKE YOU, BOOTS
ON THE GROUND IS WHAT I CALL IT, THAT POLICY AND THOSE
ACTIONS DON'T GET CARRIED OUT. SO I CONSIDER YOU ALL NOT JUST
SIMPLY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OR FOLKS THAT ARE BUYING AND
SELLING HOUSING BUT NAVIGATORS. NAVIGATORS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
OFTEN TIMES WHEN I HEAR ABOUT CHALLENGES SOMETIMES IN
NEIGHBORHOODS, IT COMES FROM YOU ALL FIRST. WHEN I THINK
ABOUT THE HURDLES THAT SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE FACING,
ALL ARE THERE ON THE FRONT LINES. NOT SIMPLY PUSHING AND
ADVOCATING FOR THE AGENDA OF THE REALTORS BUT PUSHING AND
ADVOCATING FOR A BETTER COLUMBUS. AND THAT IS REALLY
HOW WI MOVE THE CITY FORWARD. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONTINUED WORK THAT YOU DO
IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS STRONGER AND
BETTER. SO THANK
YOU AGAIN AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON. COUNCILMEMBER LOURDES?
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO ECHO; COUNCILMEMBER I WAS GOING TO
SAY THE SAME THING. ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IS A REALTOR.
SPECIALIZING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE BUYING HOMES FOR THE FIRST
TIME. YOU KNOW, THE STORIES THAT SHE COMES BACK AND SHARES
WITH ME, I THINK BEING A NAVIGATOR IS THE PERFECT
DESCRIPTION, WHETHER SOMEONE IS BUYING THEIR FIRST HOME,
OR THIRD HOME OR FOURTH HOME, IT'S THE BIGGEST DECISION A
PERSON IS GOING TO MAKE. HAVING SOMEONE WHO IS A TRUSTED
SOURCE. THEN ALSO THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE BUILT AS WE
THINK ABOUT HOUSING, WHEN YOU ALL ARE ON THE FRONT LINES,
THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE SEEING, THAT YOU ARE HEARING, THE
THINGS THAT OUR FOLKS ARE EXPERIENCING, I THINK IS
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY AS WE THINK OF POLICY AND THE
FUTURE OF COLUMBUS. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO
PUSH TO MAKE US BETTER AND POLICY BETTER. FOR BEING THE
NAVIGATORS, FOR BEING THE TRUSTED SOURCES FOR OUR FOLKS,
FOR ENSURING THAT FOLKS FIND A PLACE, WHETHER IT'S THEIR
FOREVER HOME OR OP THE ROAD TO THEIR FOREVER HOME THEY FIND A
PLACE THEY CAN REALLY MAKE IT NOT JUST A PLACE TO LIVE BUT A
COMMUNITY AND A HOUSE FOR THEM. SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER?
>> I HAVE MET BEFORE. MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WERE ALL
REALTORS. I GREW
UP
IN RURAL CALIFORNIA AND THE WORK THAT THE REALTORS DID
ACTUALLY INTEGRATED MY COUNTY. IT WAS A BIG DEAL WHEN PEOPLE
OF COLOR STARTED TO MOVE TO THE COUNTY WHERE I LIVED, AND IT
WAS THE REALTORS THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT
OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DIDN'T WANT THAT. I THINK PEOPLE
FORGET WHAT A CRITICAL ROLE REALTORS PLAY IN INTEGRATION IN
OUR COMMUNITIES. SO THANK YOU ALL
FOR WHAT YOU DO.
>> THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. ANYONE ELSE? IN A MINUTE,
IF YOU DON'T SPEAK.
>> WELL, I JUST HEAR MY BROTHER JUSTIN COLEMAN'S BROTHER
TOMORROW. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WILL ADD TO
THE CONVERSATION. VINCENT COLEMAN.
>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY. AND THANK YOU AGAIN COLUMBUS REALTORS AND
I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO CONVINCE ALL OF YOU OF THE
IMPECCABLE NEED WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL OF YOU
CONTINUING TO STAY IN THIS WORK AND DO THIS WORK AND DO IT AS
TRUSTED PARTNERS IS SO EVER IMPORTANT, BOTH NOW AND IN THE
FUTURE IN OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. IF I HAVE NO FURTHER
COMMENT FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I WILL
MOVE FOR ADOPTION.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE,
PRESIDENT
>> HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. ALL RIGHT. APRIL MIGHT BE NATIONAL EVERYTHING
MONTH, BUT I
HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION. IT IS RESOLUTION #0118X-2026.
TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTRAL OHIO RESTORED CITIZENS'
COLLABORATIVE REENTRY WEEK, APRIL 20-24, 2026. SO IF MR.
ZACH RUPLE WILL
HEAD TO THE PODIUM. WELCOME TO COUNCIL, THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR COMING. THE CITY OF COLUMBUS RECOGNIZES THE
IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN
IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ARE WORKING TO REINTEGRATE
INTO SOCIETY WITH DIGNITY AND WITH PURPOSE. THE CENTRAL OHIO
RESTORED CITIZENS' COLLABORATIVE HAS BEEN A
LEADING FORCE IN PROVIDING CRITICAL RESOURCES SUCH AS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION
AND TRAINING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, RECOVERY
PROGRAMS AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS LIKE FOOD AND CLOTHING TO
ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM CONVICTION TO RESTORATION.
REENTRY WEEK OBSERVED FROM APRIL 20-24 SERVES AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY
RESTORED CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE THEIR RESILIENCE AND TO PROMOTE
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT FACILITATE THEIR FULL
REINTEGRATION AS VALUABLE AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY. THE CITY OF COLUMBUS IS COMMITTED TO CHANGING THE
NARRATIVE SURROUNDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE BY RECOGNIZING THE
EFFORTS OF RESTORED CITIZENS WHO SEEK TO RECLAIM THEIR
RIGHTFUL PLACE IN SOCIETY AND BY SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
SUCH AS THE CORCC IN THEIR MISSION TO PROVIDE PATHWAYS TO
SUCCESS. ACCORDING TO FRANKLIN COUNTY'S REENTRY TASK FORCE,
ESTIMATES THAT ABOUT 2212 AND 700 JUVENILES ARE EXPECTED TO
LEAVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS MAKES
FRANKLIN COUNTY THE THIRD HIGHEST IN THE STATE FOR
EX-OFFENDER RELEASES. THE TASK FORCE EMPHASIZES HOUSING,
EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES ARE CRITICAL FOR
SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION. JANUARY 2024 POINT IN TIME
COUNT BY THE COMMUNITY SHELTER BOARD FOUND THAT 2380
INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. HOMELESSNESS IS
MAJOR BARRIER TO REENTRY AND STABLE HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL FOR
EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH ACCESS AND REDUCING RECIDIVISM. I WANT TO
THANK THE CORCC FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO REDUCING BARRIERS
AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD AWARENESS AND PROMOTE
REINTEGRATION. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR
COMMENT. THANK
YOU FOR BE HERE.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN,
PRESIDENT PRO TEM DORANS AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL,
MY NAME IS ZACH RUPLE, I USE HE/HIM PRONOUNS. THANK YOU
FOR THIS ANNUAL RECOGNITION. I SERVE AS VOLUNTEER AND I'M
DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO
ESTABLISH WITH THIS COUNCIL. THE RECOGNITION COMES AS
ALREADY SHARED IN A
CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN REINTEGRATION. WE ARE FACING A
PERFECT STORM THAT THREATENS OUR CITY'S RESILIENCE AND
WELLNESS OF
THOSE WITH CONVICTION HISTORY. WHILE
INCARCERATION AND REENTRY RATES. ONRAMPS FOR HOUSING AND
JOBS ARE DISAPPEARING
FROM THE COMMUNITY MAP. MEANWHILE RIGHTS AND
PROTECTIONS OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE BEING REWRITTEN BY THE FED
AS POLICY MAKERS CONTINUE
TO CREATE PERMANENT PUNISHMENTS. THE MATH IS
KRYSTAL CLEAR, 98% OF PEOPLE CURRENTLY BEHIND BARS
ARE COMING HOME. LAST YEAR INCLUDING LOCAL JAIL NUMBERS
OVER 20,000 OF OUR NEIGHBORS RETURNED TO COLUMBUS. 20,000
PARENTS, SIBLINGS, VOTERS, AND TAXPAYERS WHO
HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME. THEY ARE RETURNING TO A LANDSCAPE
MORE PRECARIOUS THAN I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN IN
CLOSE TO A DECADE. FOR 25 YEARS RESEARCH AND LIVED EXPERIENCE
ALIKE HAVE PROVEN THE PROMISE OF INVESTING IN REENTRY WITH
THE SAME URGENCY WE DO IN CORRECTIONS
AND DIVERSION IS CRITICAL. TONIGHT'S AGENDA AND
FORTHCOMING ITEMS OFFER CLEAR CHOICES HOW THIS COUNCIL CAN
RESPOND TO
THIS DISAPPEARING SAFETY NET. YOUR CONSIDERATIONS FOR
COURTHOUSE INFRASTRUCTURE, FUNDING TO SCAFFOLD AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND IMPROVED COMMUNITY MEDIATION EACH HELP ENSURE THAT
REENTRY IS NOT SHORT CIRCUITED BEFORE
REINTEGRATION CAN TAKE HOLD. AS FEDERAL FUNDING SUPPORT
PULLS BACK OUR INVESTMENTS CANNOT MERELY INDIRECTLY
BENEFIT JUSTICE IMPACTED RESIDENTS. THEY MUST BE
BUILT ON THE EXPERTISE AND DIRECT BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO
HAVE AND
ARE REENTERING. EARLIER THIS YEAR CORCC PROVIDED MANY OF
YOUR STAFF EXPERTS WITH A ROBUST SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR INNOVATION AND ACTION. JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT IS NOT A
MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENON NOR IS THE BASIC IDEA
OF A FAIR CHANCE. WITH ONE THIRD OF OUR COMMUNITY HOLDING
A CONVICTION THIS IS NOT A THEM PROBLEM,
IT'S A COLUMBUS REAL. THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM MUST BE
>> CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTION. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE ABILITY
THEY NEED TO TRULY CALL
THIS A PERMANENT HOME. THANK FOR YOUR TIME AND I WOULD LIKE
TO INTRODUCE MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE SHANNON BRADSHAW TO
SHARE A BIT
MORE. THANK, ZACH. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARDIN, PRESIDENT PRO
TEM DORANS AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT AND YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE FOR SERVING
THE MEMBERS OF COLUMBUS. WE ARE HONORED TO REMAIN IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL SINCE 2019 AND RECOGNIZE YOUR
COMMITMENT TO UPLIFTING THE IMPORTANCE OF
REENTRY AND FAIR CHANCES. MY FWHAIM IS SHANNON BRADSHAW
AND I'M PROUD TO SPEAK AS A VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE
CENTRAL
OHIO RESTORED CITIZENS' COLLABORATIVE. I HAVE LIVED
BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE AND I KNOW
REENTRY MUST BE AUTHENTIC. TOO OFTEN REENTRY IS TREATED
LIKE A CHECKLIST BUT
REAL REENTRY IS HUMAN. IT'S TRUST, DIGNITY AND
RELATIONSHIPS BUILT WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND TRAUMA, SETBACKS
AND WHAT
IT TAKES TO REBUILD. AS YOU HEARD ZACH SHARE, IF
WE WANT SAFER COMMUNITIES WE MUST RECOGNIZE REENTRY AS BOTH
PUBLIC SAFETY
AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. THAT MEANS INTEGRATING REENTRY
NAVIGATION INTO COLUMBUS'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK AND
CONNECTING
PEOPLE TO TRUSTED, HE'LL INFECTIVE RESOURCES AND
EXPANDING PEER SUPPORTERS IN MUNICIPAL COURT BEYOND
SPECIALIZED DOCKETS INTO SPACES LIKE EVICTION COURT
AND ARRAIGNMENT COURT. A PEER CONNECTION AT THE RIGHT MOMENT
CAN PREVENT DEEPER CRISIS. WHEN PEOPLE FEEL SEEN,
SUPPORTED AND CONNECTED, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY ENGAGED
IN SERVICES AND LESS LIKELY
TO RETURN TO INCARCERATION. THANK FOR SUPPORTING
COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS AND PLEASE CONTINUE INVESTED IN
GRASSROOTS
EXPERIENCED IN DRIVEN COMMUNITIES LED BY IMPACTED
INDIVIDUALS. I HAVE SEEN
>> THE LASTING CHANGE HAPPEN. WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. THANK
YOU AGAIN.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS
FROM MY
COLLEAGUES? YES? COUNCILMEMBER LOURDES.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR.
COUNCILMEMBER AND CHAIR, YES. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
THIS IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK. I THINK YOU SAID IT BEST WHEN
YOU WERE IN YOUR INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. I THINK THAT ONE BAD
DECISION DOES NOT DEFINE YOUR WHOLE EXISTENCE. AND I THINK
UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR SOCIETY, TOO OFTEN THAT IT DOES. SO I
THINK THAT IF WE HAVE HAD, ASKED SOMEONE WHATEVER THE
PRICE THEY HAVE PAID FOR WHATEVER BAD DECISION THEY HAVE
MADE, ONCE THEY ARE BROUGHT BACK INTO SOCIETY THAT THEY CAN
HAVE A JOB. THEY CAN HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE AND HAVE A FUTURE
WORTHY OF THEM. EVERYTHING THEY GIVE BACK TO US. I THINK THIS
WEEK IN CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE, I THINK ALL OF US
WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED NOT TO
FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
IN SOME WAY. FOR WHATEVER REASON. AND SO NOT GIVING THEM
THE KIND OF FUTURE THEY DESERVE, LETTING THAT DEFINE
THEM IS IN ITSELF UNJUST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND
CONTINUED WORK. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
THINGS WE COMMEMORATE IS JUST REMIND PEOPLE OF THEIR OWN
HUMANITY AND OWN FORGIVENESS AND ENSURING WE ARE GIVING
ACCESS TO FOLKS SO THAT WE ALSO DON'T MISS OUT ON THE GIFTS
THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO ALL OF US AND NOT TO FORGET
THEY ALSO HAVE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE
THEM WHO ALSO DESERVE TO HAVE A WHOLE PERSON BACK IN THEIR
LIVES. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR EVERYTHING
YOUR ORGANIZATIONS WILL DO THIS
WEEK TO SEE PEOPLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BANKSTON?
>> I WON'T BELABOR THE MOMENT BUT CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK
YOU FOR THE CONTINUED WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. YOU ALL SAID
SOMETHING THAT IS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC
SAFETY. BUT I WOULD ALSO LIFT UP AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHAIR
IT'S ALSO ABOUT ECONOMICS. WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
RETURNING TO OUR COMMUNITY. SIMULTANEOUSLY I HEAR FROM
EMPLOYERS I CAN'T FIND PEOPLE. THERE'S AN ENTIRE POPULATION
THAT'S BEING OVERLOOKED. I REALLY HOPE THIS FALLS ON
SOMEONE THAT WE NEED TO REALLY LEAN INTO, NOT JUST SAY YOU
HIRE RESTORED CITIZENS OR SECOND CHANCES OR
JUSTICE-INVOLVED CITIZENS BUT PUT IT INTO ACTION. WHAT I KNOW
IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST REASONS PEOPLE RECIDIVIZE OR GO BACK TO
PRISON IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE
>> TO RESORT TO LIVING. WE ARE NOT SETTING PEOPLE UP FOR
SUCCESS. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTINUING TO BEAT THAT DRUM
AND CONTINUING TO CALL AND BRING THIS TO LIGHT FOR US.
BECAUSE IT IS A THING THAT MATTERS TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH
OF OUR REGION. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL. AND LASTLY, I WILL SAY
TO FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN JUSTICE-INVOLVED, YOU ARE NOT
SECOND CHANCE CITIZENS, YOU ARE NOT RESTORED CITIZENS, YOU ARE
CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS AND IT'S IMPERATIVE WE
DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT THE THING YOU DID ON THE
WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE DOESN'T DEFINE THE
REST OF YOUR LIFE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. AGAIN, THANK YOU
FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO, I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS
VICE CHAIR OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
AS WELL AS CHAIR OF OUR HOUSING COMMITTEE AND THE WAY THE
WORLDS INTERSECT IS SOMETHING YOU ALL ARE CHAMPIONING AND
BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT OF OUR COMMUNITY SO FOLKS UNDERSTAND
THAT REAL SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY MEANS MORE THAN JUST
SENDING FOLKS TO JAIL. IT CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH
SYSTEMS THAT ENSURE THAT FOLKS HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET,
THAT ENSURE THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME ARE NOT
CONTINUING TO SERVE TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN INABILITY
TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SHANNON, I SHARE
EXPERIENCES WITH YOU, AS I WORKED IN THE BOWELS OF THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND SAW WHAT AN
INJUSTICE IT WAS TO PERPETUATE HARMS THROUGH OUR CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM BY ADDING ADDITIONAL BARRIERS TO FOLK
THAT'S WERE CERTAINLY UNNECESSARY. I THANK YOU AGAIN
FOR THE WORK YOU DO EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY
IS EDUCATED. I THANK YOU, ZACH, FOR TURNING YOUR PAIN INTO
PURPOSE AND CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT
ISSUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, I'M
HONORED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO YOU ALL TODAY.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES,
I
WILL MOVE FOR ADOPTION.
>> SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER
WYCHE?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ON THIS FINAL MONDAY
IN APRIL, I WANT TO SAY HAPPY EARTH MONTH. THANK YOU TO
EVERYONE WHO PLANTED TREES, PLANTED NATIVE PLANTS, BUILT
COMMUNITY GARDENS. IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO, IN MAY YOU CAN DO THE SAME THING.
COME ON OUT, VOLUNTEER, GET IN THE COMMUNITY, GET IN THE DIRT.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE RYAN AND NOAH FROM THE CLINTONVILLE
GREEN TEAM TO THE PODIUM. WHILE THEY ARE MAKING THEIR WAY
TO THE FRONT I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION 110X-2026
TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY IN COLUMBUS OHIO.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED
>> IN 1872. IT'S CELEBRATED ANNUALLY ON THE FOURTH FRIDAY
OF APRIL WITH THE GOAL OF HIGHLIGHTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPORTANCE OF TREES AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERS TO PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP BY PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES. TREES ARE A
VITAL COMPONENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY HELP COMBAT
CLIMATE CHANGE, REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION COSTS, FILTER THE
AIR, PROVIDE
NECESSARY HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE. WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE
INCREASING OUR COMMUNITY'S TREE CANOPY AND ENSURING THAT
COLUMBUS RESIDENTS HAVE ADEQUATE
ACCESS TO GREEN SPACES. WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF POLICY THAT
HAS SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERMINED BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES
INCLUDING REMOVAL OF ACCESS TO TREE COVER. IT IS VITAL THAT WE
CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR CITY'S TREE CANOPY AND CHAMPION POLICY
AND ACTION THAT ENSURES SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALL.
INCLUDING MINORITY POPULATIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HERE
IN COLUMBUS. RYAN AND NOAH, THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE WORK
THAT THE CLINTONVILLE GREEN TEAM DOES TO CHAMPION
SUSTAINABILITY AND INCREASE OUR COMMUNITY'S TREE CANOPY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE MEANINGFUL WORK YOU DO IN THE
CITY TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ADVOCATE FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT. BEFORE I MOVE ADOPTION, WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SHARE A FEW WORDS?
>> YES,
WE WOULD. THANK YOU. HELLO, I'M RYAN FOSHI, CO-CHAIR OF
THE CLINTONVILLE GREEN TEAM, THE GREEN COMMITTEE OF
THE CLINTONVILLE AREA COMMISSION. WITH ME IS NOAH
FAUSTE, PROJECT LEADER FOR COLUMBUS ARBOR FEST. TODAY WE
ARE HERE
TO TALK ABOUT TREES. IT FEELS A LITTLE FUNNY TO STAND HERE
WITHOUT OUR PARTNERS TODAY BECAUSE WE ARE ACCUSTOMED
TO WORKING WITH PARTNERS. WORKING ON TREES IS
ALWAYS A GROUP EFFORT. WE ORGANIZE A COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
ABOUT TREES, COLUMBUS ARBOR FEST THAT COMES UP AUGUST
22ND IN CLINTONVILLE BUT IT'S ALL THE PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY
THAT MAKES IT SO INTERESTING
AND FULL OF LIFE. ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FRANKLIN WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT,
>> COLUMBUS RECS, AND PARKS. AMONG MANY OTHERS I WOULD LIKE
TO NAME SOME GROUPS AND PEOPLE I CONSIDER LOCAL HEROES.
GREEN COLUMBUS, FRIENDS OF
OLENTANGY WATERSHED OR FLOW, FRIENDS OF ALUM
CREEK TRIBUTARIES OR FACT. NEIGHBORHOODS GROUPS LIKE
ADINA BROOK COMMUNITY CLINTONVILLE. ACTIVISTS LIKE
MARK SCHMITT WHO VOLUNTEERS EVERY WEEK TO DO
WALKS AND EDUCATE ANYONE. HE WRITES TREE OF THE MONTH
COLUMN
FOR SIMPLY LIVING NEWSLETTER. TONY STAHL WHO PUBLISHES HER
MONTHLY NATURE SCOOP E-NEWSLETTER. JULIE SMILEY,
PROTECT AND
GROW MORE GREAT TREES AND DIANE CATANGA WHO RUNS SUNNY GLEN
GARDEN AND THE CCC
>> FOR
THE PPP IN LINDEN. GENEROUS AND SEEMINGLY
TIRELESS CAMPAIGNERS PLANTING TREES. TREES SUPPORT OUR LOCAL,
PLANTS, ANIMALS, AIR AND WATERWAYS. THEY REPRESENT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLY HAVE A HEALTHY LIFE AS A BASELINE IN
THE
CITY OF COLUMBUS. HERE IS A FEW THINGS ABOUT TREES AS WELL.
JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW. BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT. THE
CITY'S FORESTRY MASTER PLAN DETAILS ALL KINDS OF THINGS
ABOUT TREES BUT ALSO SHARES IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR TREE
CANOPY. IF YOU DIG IN THE PLAN OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 40 CITYWIDE
COVERAGE IN ANY
>> GIVEN NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE POSSIBLE. 2015 ASSESSMENT
SHOWED WE WERE ABOUT
22% CANOPY COVERAGE. MOST OF THE LAND WITHIN OUR CITY IS
PRIVATELY OWNED. 70% IN COLUMBUS
ARE ON PRIVATE LAND, OTHER 30% ARE PUBLIC IN
PARKS ALONG THE STREETS. THERE'S A LOT TO KNOW ABOUT
TREES BUT THE BEST APPROACH IS TAKE YOUR TIME, HAVE FUN,
FIND QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND
LEARN AS YOU GO. IT'S FUN AND EMPOWERING TO KNOW
HEY WHAT'S THAT TREE. FIRST FOCUS ON A FEW NATIVE TREES YOU
LIKE AND ARE EASY TO REMEMBER. FOR EXAMPLE, OAKS ARE KEYSTONE
SPECIES MEANING THEIR PRESENCE IS CRUCIAL FOR THE HEALTH AND
BIODIVERSITY OF MANY ECOSYSTEMS. OAKS, YOU KNOW THE
ONES WITH A CORNES PROVIDE FOOD IN THE FORM OF A CORNES AND
LEAVES AND OFFER HABITAT THROUGH THEIR BRANCHES,
CANOPIES AND LEAVES. THEY HOST MORE CATERPILLAR SPECIES THAN
>> ANY OTHER PLANT GENUS. ALL NATIVE TREES ARE IMPORTANT.
MANY ARE THE SPECIFIC HOST SPECIES FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF
ANIMALS, MEANING THEY ARE
ESSENTIAL TO THEIR REPRODUCTION. DIVERSITY OF
SPECIES IS THE KEY
TO A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM. SOME TREES DO WELL BY A STREAM SIDE,
OTHERS BY THE SIDE OF OUR STREETS. EACH HAS A UNIQUE
BENEFIT AND
EXCELS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ALSO, THIS IS IMPORTANT IN
COLUMBUS BECAUSE THERE'S SOME OF IT AROUND. NOT NATIVE
INVASIVE TREES AND PLANTS INTRODUCE PROBLEMATIC SIDE
EFFECTS SUCH AS POTENTIALLY DESTRUCTIVE FOREIGN ANIMAL LIFE
OR RESOURCE COMPETITION WITHOUT MUCH BENEFIT GOING BACK
INTO OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM. EXAMPLE, THE NON-NATIVE
BRADFORD OR PEAR
TREE WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL, WHICH IS WHY THE CASE, WHY IT MADE
IT'S WAY TO NORTH AMERICA
>> IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT'S SO PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO THE
ENVIRONMENT IT'S NOW
BANNED IN OHIO, WITH BOUNTY PROGRAMS APPEARING IN SOME
LOCALITIES TO ENCOURAGE THE SWIFT REMOVAL AND
REPLACE WITH NATIVE TREES. ALSO THE NON-NATIVE
TREE-OF-HEAVEN WHICH YOU COULD SEE AROUND COLUMBUS THAT CAN
OUTGROW AND TAKE OVER THE HABITAT OF NATIVE TREES,
ALSO A REFUGE FOR THE SPOT EARN LANTERN FLY WHICH IS
INVASIVE SPECIES OF CONCERN. LEARNING HOW TO SPOT NATIVE AND
INVASIVE TREES IS A VERY HELPFUL SKILL THAT CAN
>> BE LEARNED
BY ANYONE. HI COUNCIL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING US TODAY AND PARTICULARLY COUNCILMEMBER
WYCHE FOR INVITING US AND RECOGNIZING THE
IMPORTANCE OF ARBOR DAY. I WILL EXPAND ON WHAT YOU
TALKED ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED WITH PLANTING TREES IN
COLUMBUS. I WILL TALK ABOUT A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN
DO THAT THE FIRST, AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE'S SO MANY
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. IT'S
SPRING, THERE'S A TON OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
HAVE ALMOST DAILY PROGRAMS WHERE YOU CAN GO MAINTAIN A
POLLINATOR GARDEN OR PLANT A TREE OR PULL OUT INVASIVE
SPECIES. I HAVE SEEN THE INSTAGRAM YOU HAVE BEEN DOING A
LOT, LITERALLY THE WORK ON THE GROUND TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
WE SEE THAT AND
WE APPRECIATE THAT. WE ARE CLINTONVILLE GREEN TEAM BUT IN
EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD THERE ARE THINGS GOING ON SO YOU CAN MAKE
YOUR PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD
A LITTLE BIT GREENER. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO SO MANY WONDERFUL
PLACES IN COLUMBUS, WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT TREES.
WE HAVE FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY WHICH IS PROBABLY
THE MOST WELL KNOWN BUT WE HAVE ARBORETUMS
>> ALL OVER THE CITY. CHATEAU. OR OLENTANGY. THERE ARE TREES
NATIVE THAT WERE PLANTED SO YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AROUND AND SEE
ALL SORTS
OF DIFFERENT SPECIES. THIRD, YOU CAN PLANT A TREE YOURSELF.
IT'S NOT TOO HARD, YOU CAN LOOK UP INFORMATION ONLINE, MAKE
SURE YOU DON'T PUT UNDER A POWER LINE OR OVER A SEWER
LINE, YOU COULD HAVE A TREE OF YOUR OWN THAT IS GOING TO GROW
FOR DECADES. IT'S BECOME MORE VALUABLE, PROVIDE BEAUTY AND
SHADE, MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER FOR EVERYBODY WHO WALKS
UNDER THE
SHADE OF THAT TREE. LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT
LEAST, MY PERSONAL FAVORITE COME TO COLUMBUS ARBOR FEST ON
AUGUST 22ND, IT'S A CELEBRATION OF TREES IN COLUMBUS. WE WILL
HAVE FOOD TRUCKS AND LIVE MUSIC, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD
EXPECT AT ANY FESTIVAL BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WE WILL HAVE TREE
TALKS, NATURE WALKS AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE
COMMUNITY TOGETHER NOT JUST CELEBRATING TREES BUT LEARNING
ABOUT TREES AND GETTING INVOLVED TO INCREASE OUR URBAN
CANOPY AND TRY TO HIT THAT 40% GOAL BY 2050. THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US HERE TODAY.
>> RYAN AND NOAH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I FEEL I
PLANTED THE
MOST TREES ON COUNCIL. MAYBE COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER A
CLOSE SECOND. WE WILL HAVE TO START THE COUNT TO GET MORE
FOLKS OUT TO DO THIS WORK. IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO THE
EVERYDAY LIFE WHEN WE SOMETIMES TAKE FOR GRANTED THE TREE
THAT'S ARE THERE. LET ME SEE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS. OF COURSE I CALLED
HER OUT, COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER?
>> THANK YOU FOR DOING REAL THINGS AND BEING OUT THERE AND
ENGAGED AND PLANTING TREES. LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK AND
POINT OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD BE PLANTING TREES BUT
YOU ARE DOING THE REAL WORK. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
THIS IS HOW WE GET TREES IN OUR CITY GO OUT AND PLANT A TREE.
THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
>> ANYONE ELSE?
>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT WE ARE OFTEN IN PUBLIC
SERVICE IS AS WE
ARE THINKING ABOUT THE LANDSCAPE OF STREETS AND OTHER
THINGS THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE INCORPORATED THAT IS
IMPORTANT. HOW DO WE ADD TO OUR URBAN CANOPY, I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND THANK YOU FOR PLANTING
TREES. COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE THREW DOWN SOME GAUNTLETS,
I WORKED OUT OF SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR 30, I THINK A
LIFETIME TREE
PLANTER, SO I THINK I HAVE YOU ALL BEAT. SINCERELY, THANK YOU.
I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE STARTED SOMETHING. YOU SHOULD CONTINUE
TO ADVOCATE AND SEE WHO CAN PLANT THE MOST TREES BY THE END
OF THE YEAR. SERIOUSLY, AS WE THINK OF SAFETY AND OUR FUTURE
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW. IN A SPACE
WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, THINK
ABOUT CLEAN WATER OR CLEAN AIR, THESE ARE THE THING THAT'S
MATTER AND ARE MOST IMPORTANT. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
CONVERSATIONS. SO EVERY TIME WE DO A TREE PLANTING, WE NEED TO
CONTINUE TO PUSH THAT TO THE TOP. BECAUSE WE CAN'T LIVE
WITHOUT IT. AND TOO MANY TIMES IT'S NOT AT THE TOP OF OUR
CONVERSATION, IT'S MANY OTHER THINGS, RIGHT. IT'S NOT
INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING OR OTHER THINGS, IT'S WE CAN'T
BREATHE IF WE CAN'T LIVE. THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING AND
CONTINUING TO PUSH AND MAKE US ALL GREENER.
>> NO WORRIES. I WILL GO BACK AND PULL THOSE
RECORDS, DON'T
>> MAKE ME DO THAT. COUNCILMEMBER GREEN?
>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION, SINCE WE HAVE OUR TREE EXPERTS
IN THE ROOM AND APPARENTLY
>> UP HERE AS WELL. CAN YOU JUST, YEAH, THROUGH THE
PROGRAMS YOU ARE WORKING ON, ARE YOU ABLE TO JUST GO AND
PLANT A TREE ANYWHERE? WHAT IS THE PROCESS IF I WANT TO PUT A
TREE IN THE RIGHT OF WAY. THIS IS A QUESTION FOR PUBLIC
SERVICE. SOMETHING I HEAR A LOT ON THE HILLTOP. PEOPLE SAYING
WE DESERVE BEAUTIFULLY SHADED STREETS AS WELL. ABSOLUTELY WE
DO. CAN I JUST WALK UP TO THE
RIGHT OF WAY AND PLANT A TREE
IN THE STREET, OR?
>> NO, PLEASE DON'T GO OUT TO THE RIGHT OF WAY AND PLANT A
TREE. YOU CAN REQUEST A TREE VIA 3-1-1. PLEASE DO THAT,
THAT IS THE PREFERRED METHOD. IF YOU WANT TO PLANT A TREE ON
YOUR PROPERTY, HAVE THAT. FRONT YARD, BACKYARD. WE WOULD
LOVE TO SEE MORE.
>> JUST CALL 8-1-1 BEFORE YOU DIG.
>> WHAT? CALL 8-1-1.
>> TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO UTILITIES, THAT YOU'RE NOT
HITTING ANY.
>> BUT WE CAN REQUEST.
>> THERE ARE VIDEO S.
>> I KNOW WE ARE JOKING AROUND BUT ONE OF THE REASONS THE
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, WHEN THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE, SOMETIMES
FOLKS WILL GET UPSET. ALSO DEPENDING WHERE YOU PLANT,
IF THE ROOTS MESS UP YOUR SIDEWALK YOU ARE THEN
RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT REASONS YOU
DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. WHICH IS WHY ASKING THE EXPERTS, THE
CITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT. AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE THE
RIGHT SPECIES.
>> LOOK AT ALL THIS DEBATE ON TREES. THAT IS WHAT WE LOVE
>> TO SEE. WITH THAT, I MOVE FOR ADOPTION.
>> SECOND. RESIDENT HARDIN: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
>> WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. PRESIDENT PRO TEM DORANS?
>> THANK YOU, I MAY NOT BE WITH YOU IN CHAMBERS BUT LEARNED
ABOUT TREES EVERY WHICH WAY WITH YOU ALL HERE VIRTUALLY.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AND CERTAINLY FOLKS FOR
ACCOMMODATING ME HERE THIS EVENING. I'M NOT WITH YOU ALL
IN CITY HALL. MY FAMILY HAS A MEDICAL ISSUE GOING ON WITH ONE
OF MY PARENTS AND WANTED TO BE WITH THEM AS THEY ARE DEALING
WITH THAT ISSUE. SO THANKS FOR THOSE WHO REACHED OUT TO ME.
I APPRECIATE IT. WE PLANNED ON HAVING THE PUBLIC HEARING
TOMORROW TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES TO COUNCIL'S DISTRICT
STRUCTURE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY WHETHER OR NOT I WILL BE BACK
IN TIME. WE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND POSTPONE THAT PUBLIC
HEARING TOMORROW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD FULLY DEVOTE OUR
ENERGIES TO THAT. SO THAT HEARING WILL NOW BE TAKING
PLACE ON MONDAY, MAY 4, AT 5:30 IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. MY STAFF
SHOULD HAVE REACHED OUT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAVE REQUESTED A
SPEAKER SLIP TO LET THEM KNOW THOSE SPEAKER SLIPS WILL BE
HONORED FOR THAT HEARING NOW SCHEDULED FOR MAY 4TH. IF YOU
HAVE NOT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND WOULD LIKE TO, PLEASE REACH OUT
TO MY LEGISLATIVE AID ANDIE MCDONALD BY 3:00 P.M. ON MAY
4TH. APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING TO MOVE THAT COUNCIL PUBLIC
HEARING BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THAT BACK ON THE
CALENDAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
WITH A LITTLE CONFUSION WHEN WE INITIALLY CHANGED THAT, THE
INITIAL RELEASE MENTIONED MAY 5TH, THAT IS INCORRECT. THAT IS
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO ADD TO ANY
CONFUSION OR TAKE FOLKS AWAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT ELECTION.
SO WE RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 4TH NEXT MONDAY IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT
TO MY OFFICE FOR THAT HEARING. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT BACK
TO YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU. AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU TOO
AS YOU ARE WITH YOUR PARENTS. IT'S 6:30.
IS THERE A
MOTION TO RECESS FOR ZONING? SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE,
PRESIDENT HARDIN. >> WE ARE IN RECESS. WE
WILL RECONVENE MEETING #21. SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
YOU CAN CALL IT.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN. CAN I GET A
MOTION TO
DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JOURNAL?
>> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL?
HEARING NONE, THE
JOURNAL IS APPROVED. WE WILL NOW GO TO THE ZONING COMMITTEE,
COUNCILMEMBER DORANS CHAIRS THAT
MEETING, ALL MEMBERS SERVE ON IT. COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS
YOURS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AS I MENTIONED
DURING THE RIG MEETING, APPRECIATE FOLKS' FLEXIBILITY
>> WITH ME BEING VIRTUAL TONIGHT WHILE DEALING WITH A
FAMILY SITUATION. APPRECIATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTANDING
THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE REFERRING, POSTPONING TO
LEGISLATIONS INTO MAY. THEY WILL HAVE THEIR SPEAKER SLIPS
TRANSFERRED TO THE NIGHT THAT WE CONSIDER THOSE ORDINANCES
AND WILL NOT NEED TO SIGN UP AGAIN. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
YOU CAN REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE, CERTAINLY KEVIN MCCAIN FROM OUR
ZONING FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH OFFICE. AS ALWAYS,
I WILL EXPLAIN RULES ON SPEAKING ON VARIANCES. WE ONLY
HEAR A STAFF PRESENTATION FROM AN ORDINANCE THAT HAS A
DISAPPROVAL FROM A RECOMMENDING BODY OR IF WE HAVE A PUBLIC
SPEAKER SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AGAINST AN ORDINANCE. WE PERMIT
THREE SPEAKERS ON EACH SIDE OF AN ORDINANCE, THREE PROPONENTS,
THREE OPPONENTS. WE ASK THOSE SPEAKERS LIMIT THEIR REMARKS TO
THREE MINUTES PER THE STANDARD RULES OF CITY COUNCIL. ALL
SPEAKERS ON A COUNCIL VARIANCE INCLUDING CITY STAFF, AREA
COMMISSIONERS, APPLICANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE
SWORN IN BEFORE THEY GIVE TESTIMONY. REPRESENTATIVES OF
AN AREA COMMISSION ARE ALWAYS ABLE TO SPEAK ON AN ORDINANCE;
YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILL OUT A SPEAKER SLIP
>> BUT WE DO ASK YOU ALERT CITY STAFF OF YOUR INTENTIONS TO
SPEAK AT THIS HEARING. WE DID HAVE 11 PUBLIC SPEAKER SLIPS
SIGNED UP TO SPEAK BUT THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN THOSE
ORDINANCES WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE MONTH OF MAY. ON THE
ADVICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY, I WILL NOW SWEAR IN CITY STAFF.
PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND TO BE SWORN IN.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THE TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE
WILL BE THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, AND YOU SHALL
ANSWER TO THE PAINS AND
PENALTY OF PERJURY? IF SO, PLEASE SAY “I DO”
>> I DO.
>> PLEASE LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT JOSEPH RHOADES
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND ZONING SERVICES HAS BEEN
SWORN IN. ORDINANCE 0290-2026. TO REZONE 2100 HARD RD. BEING
5.0 ACRES LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HARD ROAD, 150 FEET
WEST OF STONEFORD DRIVE, FROM: L-RR, LIMITED RURAL RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT, TO: AR-1, APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. I FIRST
MOVE TO POSTPONE THIS ORDINANCE
TO THE 18TH ZONING COMMITTEE AGENDA.
>> CLERK, CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> POSTPONED. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT SCOTT, LISA,
DEBRA, AND AARON WILL HAVE THEIR SPEAKER SLIPS HONORED FOR
THE MAY 18TH ZONING COMMITTEE HEARING. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE
1035-2026. TO REZONE 7801 & 7809 OLENTANGY RIVER RD,
BEING 5.82 ACRES LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF OLENTANGY RIVER
ROAD, 370± FEET SOUTH OF CLUBVIEW BOULEVARD, FROM:
R-1, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, TO: L-AR-12, LIMITED APARTMENT
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. AGAIN I
MOVE TO POSTPONE TO THE MAY 18TH ZONING COMMITTEE AGENDA.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> POSTPONED. THANK YOU, AND AGAIN LET THE RECORD REFLECT,
RUSSELL CARN HAN, PAUL PEARSON, BRIAN HUNT, AND BACK UPS WILL
HAVE THEIR SPEAKER SLIPS HONORED FOR THE MAY 18TH ZONING
COMMITTEE AGENDA. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 1136-2026. TO REZONE
6955-6999 HARLEM RD. BEING 4.40 ACRES LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE
OF HARLEM ROAD, 880± FEET NORTH OF CENTRAL COLLEGE ROAD,
FROM: L-M, LIMITED MANUFACTURING DISTRICT, TO:
AR-1, APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. THE REZONING WILL
ALLOW AN 84-UNIT PARM COME MRE.. IT HAS APPROVAL FROM
AREA COMMISSION AND BLACKLICK ACCORD PANEL. I MOVE FOR
PASSAGE.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THANKS, NOW WE MOVE TO THE VARIANCE PORTION OF OUR
AGENDA. ORDINANCE 0291-2026. TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3312.27, PARKING SETBACK LINE; 3333.18,
BUILDING LINES; AND 3332.255, PERIMETER YARD, OF THE COLUMBUS
CITY CODES; FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2100 HARD RD.
TO ALLOW REDUCED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR AN APARTMENT
COMPLEX IN THE AR-1, APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. I MOVE
TO POSTPONE TO THE MAY 18TH ZONING COMMITTEE AGENDA.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> POSTPONED. THANK YOU, LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT
JENNIFER DE GLASS WILL HAVE HER SPEAKER SLIP HONORED IN THE MAY
18TH ZONING COMMITTEE HEARING. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE
1036-2026. TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS
3333.02, AR-12,
ARLD AND AR-1 APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT USE;
3333.41, STANDARDS, OF THE
COLUMBUS CITY CODES; FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7801 & 7809
OLENTANGY RIVER RD. TO ALLOW REDUCED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
FOR TOWNHOUSES IN THE L-AR-12, LIMITED APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT. I MOVE
TO POSTPONE TO THE MAY 18TH ZONING COMMITTEE AGENDA.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> POSTPONED. THANK YOU. AGAIN, LET THE RECORD REFLECT
THAT RUSSELL CARN HAN WILL HAVE HIS SPEAKER SLIP HONORED MAY
18TH ZONING COMMITTEE AGENDA. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE
1116-2026. TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS
3332.035, R-3 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT; 3312.49, REQUIRED
PARKING; 3332.05, AREA DISTRICT LOT WIDTH REQUIREMENTS; AND
3332.13, R-3 AREA DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS, OF THE COLUMBUS
CITY CODES; FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1289-1291 E. 17TH
AVE. TO ALLOW A TWO-UNIT DWELLING
WITH REDUCED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE R-3,
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. SITE CONSISTS OF ONE UNDEVELOPED
PARCEL, FOR A TWO UNIT DWELLING AND REQUESTED COUNCIL VARIANCE
WILL ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO UNIT DWELLING WHICH IS NOT
ALLOWED IN THE CURRENT ZONING DISTRICT. IT HAS APPROVAL FROM
CITY STAFF AND SOUTH LINDEN AREA COMMISSION. I FIRST MOVE
TO ACCEPT
THE ENTIRE STAFF REPORT INTO EVIDENCE AS AN EXHIBIT.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE
PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE,
PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ACCEPTED. THANKS. NEXT, I MOVE TO
ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF STAFF AS THE FINDINGS OF COUNCIL.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE
PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. FINALLY, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT
HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 1137-2026.
TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 3309.14,
HEIGHT DISTRICTS; 3312.21, LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING;
3332.06; R-RURAL AREA DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS; 3333.18, BUILDING
LINE; AND 3333.255, PERIMETER YARD, OF THE COLUMBUS CITY
CODES; FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6955-6999 HARLEM RD. TO
ALLOW REDUCED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR AN APARTMENT
COMPLEX IN THE AR-1, APARTMENT
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, AND REDUCED LOT SIZES IN THE R,
RURAL DISTRICT. THIS IS A CONCURRENT VARIANCE TO REZONING
CONSIDERED EARLIER IN TONIGHT'S AGENDA WHICH WILL ALLOW REDUCED
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR AN 84-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX ON
TRACK 1 AND REDUCE LOT SIZE FOR TRACK 2 AND THREE FOR FUTURE
LOT SPLIT AS SHOWN IN THE SUBMITTED SITE PLAN. TRACK TWO
CURRENTLY DEVELOPED. TO BE COMBINED WITH EXISTING
APARTMENT COMPLEX PROPERTY TO THE WEST. VARIANCES ARE
REQUESTED BECAUSE THE LOT SPLITS CANNOT MEET ALL THE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE DISTRICT. IT HAS APPROVAL FROM
CITY STAFF AND ROCKY BLACK LICK ACCORD PANEL. I FIRST MOVE
TO ACCEPT THE STAFF REPORT INTO EVIDENCE AS AN EXHIBIT.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ACCEPTED. THANK YOU. NEXT, I MOVE TO ADOPT
THE FINDINGS OF STAFF AS THE FINDINGS OF COUNCIL.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE
PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. FINALLY, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 1139-2026.
TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS
3332.037, R-2F RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT; 3332.18, BASIS OF
COMPUTING AREA; AND 3332.25, REQUIRED SIDE YARD, OF THE
COLUMBUS CITY CODES; FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 427 HANFORD
ST. TO CONFORM A SEVEN-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING WITH
REDUCED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE R-2F, RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT. CONSISTS OF ONE PARCEL WITH A SEVEN UNIT
TOWNHOUSE STYLE UNIT. IT WILL CONFORM EXISTING
>> DEVELOPMENT TO UPDATE THE ON SITE PARKING WITH A PARKING
GARAGE. IT DOES NOT ALLOW A 7-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING.
VARIANCE FOR LOT COVERAGE AND REQUIRED SIDE YARDS ARE
INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST. IT HAS APPROVAL FROM CITY STAFF
AND COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION. I FIRST MOVE TO
ACCEPT THE ENTIRE STAFF REPORT INTO EVIDENCE AS AN EXHIBIT.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ACCEPTED. THANK YOU, NEXT I MOVE TO
ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF STAFF AS THE FINDINGS OF COUNCIL.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE,
PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. THANK YOU. FINALLY, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. NEXT I HAVE ORDINANCE 1143-2026. TO GRANT A
VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3332.035, R-3
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, OF THE COLUMBUS CITY CODES; FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2930-2932 MEDINA AVE. TO ALLOW A TWO-UNIT
DWELLING IN THE R-3, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. R-3,
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. FIRST I MOVE TO
ACCEPT THE ENTIRE STAFF REPORT INTO EVIDENCE AS AN EXHIBIT.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE
PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE,
PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ACCEPTED. NEXT, I MOVE
TO ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF STAFF AS THE FINDINGS OF COUNCIL.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE
PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> ADOPTED. FINALLY I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THAT IS ALL I HAVE IN TONIGHT'S ZONING AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE THINKING ABOUT YOU, FRIEND. IF THERE IS
NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL,
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
>> DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT
HARDIN.
>> MEETING IS ADJOURNED. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT
HARDIN.
>> WE ARE BACK IN MEETING #21.
AT THIS TIME I REQUEST THE
FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
PORTION OF THE AGENDA. NEIGHBORHOODS RECREATION,
1288-2026. ANY OTHER REQUESTS FROM
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL FOR THE REMOVAL OF AN ORDINANCE?
MAY WE NOW HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE
READING OF TITLES OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION ON TONIGHT'S
AGENDA? SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ.
>> FINANCE & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 976,
1062, AND 1144-2026. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & SMALL AND
MINORITY BUSINESS COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 985, 999, 1170,
AND 1171-2026. PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCES 1110, 1448, AND 1183-2026. NEIGHBORHOODS,
RECREATION, & PARKS COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 1070, 1071, 1072,
AND 1073-2026. WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, & LABOR COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCES 988 AND 1120-2026. HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, &
EQUITY COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE 1050-2026. HOUSING,
HOMELESSNESS, & BUILDING COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 1189 AND
1191-2026. PUBLIC UTILITIES & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCES 872, 989, 950, 1023, 1093, 1039, 1134, AND
1156-2026. RULES & POLICY COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 944
AND 1000-2026.AND
THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON
THE FIRST READING PORTION OF THE AGENDA. THE NEXT ORDINANCES
APPEAR ON OUR AGENDA AS CONSENT. WILL THE CLERK NOW
READ THOSE INTO THE RECORD?
>> RESOLUTIONS OF EXPRESSION. RESOLUTIONS 113, 111, 112,
108,
AND 109X-2026. FINANCE & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCES 970, 1019, 1054, AND 1283-2026. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
& SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 763, 997, 998, 1003, 1064,
1135, AND
1280-2026. PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
RESOLUTION 83X-2026. ORDINANCES 1029, 1032, AND
1095-2026. NEIGHBORHOODS, RECREATION, & PARKS COMMITTEE.
ORDINANCES 956, 1090, 1128, AND 1186-2026. WORKFORCE,
EDUCATION, & LABOR COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES
1047 AND 1145-2026. PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES 1045,
1187, AND 1288-2026. HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, & BUILDING
COMMITTEE. ORDINANCES
1037, 1059,
1065, AND
1089-2026. PUBLIC UTILITIES & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE.
RESOLUTION 82X-2026. ORDINANCES 601, 673, 689, 957, AND
1097-2026. RULES & POLICY
COMMITTEE. APPOINTMENTS 81, 82,
AND A83-2026.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. WE HAVE ONE
SPEAKER ON THE CONSENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA, MS. CHERI
SMITH. WELCOME TO COUNCIL. YES, MA'AM.
>> SORRY, I'M A LITTLE
SLOW.
>> NO, TAKE YOUR TIME, YOU ARE FINE. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST
TIME SPEAKING BEFORE US,
IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING ANYBODY, PLEASE TELL US.
>> I'M HARD OF HEARING. SO WHAT YOU JUST SAID, I DID NOT HEAR A
WORD, AND I APOLOGIZE.
>> NO, NO, MY APOLOGIES. I WAS SAYING IF YOU ARE
REPRESENTING SOMEONE, LET US KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE THREE
MINUTES TO SPEAK.
>> OKAY.
I AM REPRESENTING SENIOR CITIZENS IN COLUMBUS. NOT LIKE
ON A GROUP THING.
>> I GOT
IT.
>> BUT DO I GET A BELL OR SOMETHING TO START?
>> YOU'RE GOOD.
>> OKAY. THERE'S THE TIMER. OKAY. WELL, MY NAME IS CHERI
SMITH, I'VE LIVED IN COLUMBUS ALL MY LIFE. I'M 68, I WILL
SOON BE 69 IN A FEW MONTHS. I'M VERY BLESSED TO BE IN THIS
CITY AND I'M GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS TIME.
I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM VERY CONCERNED. I AM GLAD THAT YOU
HAVE DECIDED TO ALLOCATE SOME MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE
APARTMENTS AND THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR RENT. I REMEMBER THOSE
TIMES WHEN I HAD AN APARTMENT AND IT WAS SUCH A STRUGGLE.
IF I HAD SOMETHING LIKE
WHAT YOU ARE OFFERING NOW, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN, JUST SO MUCH
HELP
AT THAT TIME. SO I'M GRATEFUL TO
YOU FOR DOING THAT. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT, AS A
SENIOR, I
KNOW THAT I DON'T HAVE AN APARTMENT, I HAVE A HOME.
AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE A LOT OF US WHO HAVE
HOMES WHO CANNOT PAY THESE HIGH PROPERTY TAXES,
WE'RE KIND OF GETTING LEFT OUT. WAY. A WHILE AGO, THE CATHOLIC
SOCIAL SERVICES AND AUDITOR'S OFFICE PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER
TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WERE IN MY TYPE OF SITUATION. THAT FUNDING
IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I'M SAYING THAT WE ALSO NEED HELP
BUT IT'S WITH PROPERTY TAXES. MORTGAGE IS PAID OFF BUT I
DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY HOME EITHER. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS
WOULD EVEN FALL UNDER THAT, BUT I'M HOPING THAT IT DOES.
THE OTHER THING,
I'M SORRY, I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS. THE
OTHER THING IS, I'M LOOKING AT THE CLOCK, BEAR WITH ME.
A LOT OF TIMES THOSE OF US WHO EVEN WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO GET
THE FUNDING FROM CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, ONE OF THE
THINGS THEY SAID WAS IF YOU HAD A LIFE ESTATE, I DON'T KNOW IF
YOU UNDERSTAND, A LIFE ESTATE IS WHEN, SAY FOR EXAMPLE,
MY MOM PASSED AWAY, LEFT THE HOUSE TO FOUR SIBLINGS, SHE
LEFT ME WITH THE LIFE
ESTATE, I LIVE IN THE HOME, I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING.
NOTHING IS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SIBLINGS, IN FACT, MANY TIMES
SIBLINGS ARE FIGHTING OVER THE PROPERTY BUT THE LIFE ESTATE
YOU HAVE IT, IT'S UNDER YOUR NAME UNTIL YOU MOVE OR DIE.
IN THAT SITUATION, YOUR PROGRAMMING, A LOT OF TIMES
SAYS, IF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE HOUSE IS OWNED BY
MULTIPLE PEOPLE, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THOSE
OTHER PEOPLE IN ORDER TO
GET ASSISTANCE. IT DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYBODY BECAUSE SOMETIMES
THE SIBLINGS WANT YOU OUT ANYWAY. SO IF I WERE TO SEND
SOME OF THAT PAPERWORK TO THEM TO GET THAT HELP, THEY WOULD
NEVER HAVE SIGNED IT, NEVER. SO I'M HOPING AND PRAYING YOU
ALL WILL CONSIDER
WHAT
I'M SAYING. HELP US
SENIOR CITIZENS THAT NEED HELP. AM I DONE?
>> BEFORE YOU LEAVE, I'M SORRY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE.
I CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR COMING AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF
OF YOUR NEIGHBORS. WE HERE AT COUNCIL ARE VERY KEENLY TRYING
TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF OUR SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY.
AS WE THINK ABOUT HOUSING AND SUPPORTING HOUSING AND
PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT AND PROMOTING AGING IN PLACE,
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO INCLUDE
PROPERTY TAXES. WHILE PROPERTY TAXES IS NOT WITHIN THE FULL
JURISDICTION OF THE CITY, MAKING SURE WE ARE ADVOCATING
TO OUR STATE PARTNERS AS WELL AS THINKING CREATIVELY WHAT WE
CAN DO TO SUPPORT SENIORS IN THAT SPACE. I THANK YOU FOR
COMING AND ADVOCATING. I'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO HELP WORK
THROUGH SOME OF THOSE PROBATE ISSUES. WE USED TO DO IT AT THE
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THROUGH OWNER OCCUPIED INITIATIVE WHEN
SENIORS WOULD COME AND NEED SUPPORT, BUT
HAD PROBATE ISSUES TO WORK THROUGH. IF YOU ARE COMING UP
AGAINST THOSE ISSUES, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO
OUR OFFICE AND I'M SURE WE CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THOSE
SO YOU STILL HAVE ACCESS. PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY AND
IF YOU ARE LIVING IN THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY. EVEN IF THERE SEEM
TO BE BARRIERS BEFORE YOU, PLEASE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US,
SO WE CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
>> JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THE CITY DID CHANGE SOME RULES ON
HELPING PEOPLE WITH THAT PROGRAM WHERE YOU HELP FIX UP
THE HOUSE. THEY CHANGED IT SO, IT USED TO BE IF YOU WERE LIFE
ESTATE THEY WOULD HELP YOU. NOW THEY CHANGED IT SO
EVERYBODY
HAS TO SIGN THE DOCUMENTATION TO GET THE HELP. AND EVERYBODY
IS NOT GOING TO SIGN IT.
>> I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO
THAT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MS. SMITH. IF THERE ARE NOT ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT
PORTION OF THE AGENDA, IS
THERE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> THE CONSENT PORTION OF OUR AGENDA IS PASSED. WE WILL NOW
PROCEED WITH SECOND READING. FIRST COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE
COUNCIL IS THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE PADILLA.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I HAVE TWO ITEMS ON
PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION. THE FIRST IS
0924-2026. TO AMEND THE 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET.
TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS WITHIN THE STREET AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
FUND. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO
A CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES,
INC. IN CONNECTION WITH THE INTERSECTION HILLIARD ROME ROAD
AT RENNER ROAD PROJECT. AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP
TO $1,000,000.00 FROM THE STREET AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
FUND TO PAY FOR THE PROJECT. THIS PROJECT IN DISTRICT 2
INVOLVES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION OF HILLIARD-ROME
ROAD, AND RENNER ROAD. THIS IS LISTED ON THE HIGH INJURY
NETWORK. THE PROJECT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO RENNER ROAD,
BOTH WEST AND EAST OF HILLIARD ROME ROAD. INCLUDE INTERSECTION
CAPACITY, MOBILITY, PEDESTRIAN AND BIKEWAY FACILITY ADDITIONS,
ASSET MANAGEMENT AND LIGHTING ADDITIONS AND UPDATED
INFRASTRUCTURE. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE; THIS IS JUST THE
DESIGN PHASE OF THIS PROJECT. USUALLY, CAN YOU JUST TALK
ABOUT HOW LONG
IT TAKES AND WHEN RESIDENTS MIGHT START TO SEE SHOVELS,
NOT SHOVELS, BIG ACTUAL MACHINERY AND ORANGE CONES,
BUT IN THE GROUND, WHEN THEY WILL START TO SEE MOVEMENT ON
THE
PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HARDIN,
AND COUNCIL. I WILL
TALK AS BEST AS I CAN HERE. SO RIGHT NOW. DO I NEED TO SIT
BACK FURTHER? OKAY, I WILL DO MY BEST. THIS PROJECT IS SLATED
FOR CONSTRUCTION IN 2028. WE JUST GOT THROUGH PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING AND THIS DESIGN COST IS LITERALLY FOR THE PLANS
FOR CREATING A SET OF PLANS FOR CONTRACTORS TO BID ON. THE ONE
THING I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, WE ARE GOING THROUGH, IMPROVING
THE INTERSECTIONS, WE ARE WIDENING OUT THE INTERSECTION
TO PROCESS ALL THE TRAFFIC FROM THE INTERCHANGE AND IT INCLUDES
IMPROVEMENTS ON RENNER ROAD. THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO
ADD IN THE THEME OF TONIGHT, THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE STREET
TREES. NEW LIGHTING AND STREET TREES ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER
PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR IMPROVEMENTS. THIS DOLLAR
AMOUNT BEING ADDED IS FROM A DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTION. WE
PURSUED MORPC FUNDS SO FEDERAL FUNDS AND THE DEVELOPER IS
ACTUALLY PAYING FOR ALL THE DESIGN COSTS. SO WE WERE ABLE
TO LEVERAGE A LOT OF MONEY TO ACTUALLY GO SECURE FEDERAL
FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT THAT SHOULD BE
SHOVEL IN THE GROUND HOPEFULLY LATE 28, IF NOT EARLY 29.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT. AS WE TALK
ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS AND DIFFERENT TOOLS IN
THE TOOLKIT WE CAN USE TO LEVERAGE DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE ADDRESSING, ESPECIALLY THOSE PROBLEMATIC INTERSECTIONS
ON THE HIGH INJURY NETWORK, IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO SHOW.
I TRIED FOR MY COLLEAGUES WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
THIS HIGHLIGHT, WHEN THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN YOUR PARTICULAR
DISTRICT WHAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS LOOK LIKE SO WHEN
YOU GO BACK AND TALK TO RESIDENTS YOU CAN HIGHLIGHT
SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS COMING. I KNOW IT'S NOT ALWAYS ON THE
TIMELINE WE WOULD WANT IT. BUT I THINK THE TIME AND CARE
TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING ALL OF THE CONCERNS,
ESPECIALLY ON THIS STRETCH, I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER, MY VICE
CHAIR, I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING YOU OFTEN TALK ABOUT AND
SOMETHING WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK WITH RESIDENTS.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROBLEMATIC INTERSECTIONS.
SO THANK YOU FOR
HIGHLIGHTING THAT. DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. GREAT. THANK YOU. NEXT I HAVE ORDINANCE
1048-2026. TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATION
WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAX FUND.
TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATION AND CASH FROM THE
STREET CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR FUND TO
THE MUNICIPAL MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAX FUND. TO AUTHORIZE
THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT TO
ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND YET TO BE NAMED VENDORS FOR THE PURCHASE
OF ROCK SALT BASED ON THE TERMS OF A COOPERATIVE PURCHASE
CONTRACT TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND
MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH PURCHASE ORDERS FOR ROCK SALT.
TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $2,688,125.00 FROM THE
MUNICIPAL MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAX FUND, UP TO $73,313.00 FROM
THE WATER SYSTEMS OPERATING FUND, UP TO $32,258.00 FROM THE
SEWERAGE SYSTEM OPERATING FUND, AND UP TO $7,038.00 FROM THE
ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS OPERATING FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF ROCK
SALT. TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT TO
ASSOCIATE ALL GENERAL BUDGET RESERVATIONS RESULTING FROM
THIS ORDINANCE WITH THE APPROPRIATE
>> CONTRACT PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR ROCK
SALT. AND DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CAN YOU ANSWER
THAT?
>> I'LL DO MY BEST. THE COST OF ROCK SALT OVER THE YEARS HAS
BEEN RELATIVELY STAYED. IT DOES FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN. BUT WE
ARE BUYING ON A CONTRACT PRICE WITH ODOT SO WE ARE A GROUP
PURCHASE, WE ARE SECURING THE BEST PRICE WE CAN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I WILL GIVE THE SIMPLE VERSION, SO CHECK MY WORK.
WE BUY ENOUGH QUANTITY AND BECAUSE WE
DON'T KNOW WHAT IS TO COME YET FOR WINTER, LAST YEAR, LAST
WINTER, RIGHT, WE HAD WORN OUR RESERVES BECAUSE WE HAD A
LIGHTER WINTER, SO WE HAD MORE. THIS YEAR WE DIPPED INTO THOSE
RESERVES AND WHAT WE PURCHASED SO WE ARE GOING TO PURCHASE
MORE. SO GOING INTO NEXT WINTER, DEPENDING ON WHAT
WINTER LOOKS LIKE WE COULD HAVE SOME LEFT OVER OR MAY HAVE TO
PUT MORE IN. WE ARE ALWAYS
BUYING MORE BUT WE SOMETIMES MIGHT HAVE THAT RESERVE.
IS THAT
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> I GOT AN A+?
YES. GOLD STARS, THANKS. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
THANK
YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR
PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN, REMY, ROSS,
WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THAT'S IT FOR ME.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE
COUNCIL IS
THE NEIGHBORHOODS, RECREATION, & PARKS COMMITTEE. THAT
COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER DAY-ACHAUER.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE ORDINANCE 1066-2026. TO AUTHORIZE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT TO EXECUTE AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS FOR THE CENTRAL OHIO AREA AGENCY ON AGING.
TO AUTHORIZE A TRANSFER OF CASH BETWEEN OBJECTS WITHIN THE
RECREATION AND PARKS GRANT FUND, TO AUTHORIZE THE
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF $3,776,868.44 FROM THE
RECREATION AND PARKS GRANT FUND. AND TO DECLARE AN
EMERGENCY. THIS ORDINANCE AUTHORIZES THE THIRD AND FINAL
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE
NEW COAAA REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS REFERRED TO AS THE
COG, AS WITH PREVIOUS TRANSFERS, THESE DOLLARS ARE
NOT GENERAL REVENUE DOLLARS THEY ARE PASS-THROUGH GRANT
DOLLARS FROM THE STATE. THE CITY PREVIOUSLY HELD ON BEHALF
OF COAAA WHEN IT OPERATED AS A DIVISION OF CITY GOVERNMENT.
THIS ORDINANCE WILL OFFICIALLY CLOSE OUT AND FINALIZE THE
CITY-HELD COAAA ACCOUNTS FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT COG.
THESE DOLLARS WILL ALLOW THE COG TO CONTINUE NEW OPERATIONS
FOR 2026 AND PREVENT ANY DELAY IN MEETING OBLIGATIONS MADE AS
PART OF THE TRANSITION OUT OF CITY GOVERNMENT. EMERGENCY
ACTION IS REQUESTED TO ALLOW THE FUNDING TRANSFER TO BE
COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE SENIOR
SERVICES UNINTERRUPTED. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM
MY COLLEAGUES? SEEING NONE, I THEN I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA,
>> DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> CLERK,
CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO
>> DE
PADILLA,
DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL IS THE PUBLIC
SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE. CHAIRED BY
COUNCILMEMBER REMY. THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE ORDINANCE 860-2026. TO AUTHORIZE AND
DIRECT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO
ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS AND EXPEND FUNDS FOR USE OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY
CORRECTION CENTERS FOR THE HOUSING OF CITY OF COLUMBUS
PRISONERS; TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF
>> $2,000,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL FUND; AND TO DECLARE AN
EMERGENCY. TWO WEEKS AGO I MOVED, BECAUSE THERE WERE
QUESTIONS ABOUT POLICIES AT THE
FRANKLIN COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES INVOLVE ISING
NOTIFICATION TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.
I WANT TO BE
CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT PAUSE WAS AND WHAT IT WAS NOT. IT WAS NOT
A REFUSAL TO HONOR AN OBLIGATION. IT WAS NOT AN
ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH
THE SHERIFF'S DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF HIS FACILITIES;
IT WAS FOR OVERSIGHT. THIS COUNCIL DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD
WHEN THERE
>> ARE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS THAT
AFFECT PUBLIC TRUST. WE PAUSE, WE ASK AND THEN WE ACT. SINCE
THEN THERE'S BEEN MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE COUNTY AND
SHERIFF BALDWIN'S OFFICE. I APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF
SHARING THAT THE POLICY IN QUESTION IS UNDER LEGAL REVIEW
WITH THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO THE OUTCOME
BEING COMMUNICATED CLEARLY TO THE PUBLIC. COMPREHENSIVE
CHANGE DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. BUT THIS COUNCIL HAS
BEEN CLEAR WHERE WE STAND ON PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES
INVOLVING I.C.E. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
PUSH FOR POLICIES THAT ARE BOTH SAFE AND FAIR. THE SHERIFF'S
INDICATION THAT THIS POLICY REMAINS UNDER REVIEW, ALONG
WITH THIS COUNCIL CLEARLY REITERATING ITS EXPECTATIONS
IS WHY I'M PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A VOTE TONIGHT.
I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT SOMETHING BROADER. PUBLIC
SAFETY AND COMMUNITY TRUST
ARE NOT COMPETING PRIORITIES. THEY ARE CONNECTED. WHEN
RESIDENTS ARE AFRAID TO REPORT CRIMES, COOPERATE WITH
INVESTIGATIONS OR ENGAGE WITH LOCAL SYSTEMS BECAUSE
OF WHERE THEY WERE BORN, THAT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
AS IT RELATES TO INVOICE TIMING AND PAYMENT PROCESSING, THAT IS
A
SEPARATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER FROM THE POLICY CONCERNS THAT
PROMPTED THE PAUSE.
COUNCIL AUTHORIZES FUNDING, COUNCIL DOES NOT PROCESS
INVOICES OR ISSUE CHECKS. ANY ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
AROUND
PAYMENT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AND THE
COUNTY. TONIGHT, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO ENSURE THE
CITY HAS THE AUTHORITY IN
PLACE TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP PUBLIC SAFETY
OPERATIONS STABLE. THE SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY HAVE
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE DISTINCT FROM OURS.
THEY OPERATE THE FACILITIES AND MAKE DECISIONS WITHIN THEIR
LEGAL AUTHORITY. OUR ROLE IS TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC DOLLARS;
ASK QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS AND ENSURE OUR PUBLIC
SAFETY OBLIGATIONS
ARE CARRIED OUT IN
A WAY THAT REFLECTS OUR VALUES. THAT IS THE BALANCE TONIGHT.
WE COULD APPROVE THIS CONTRACT, MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY AND
CONTINUE INSISTING ON ANSWERS. THIS VOTE DOES NOT END THE
CONVERSATION; IT ALLOWS THE CITY TO FUNCTION WHILE THAT
CONVERSATION CONTINUES. I STAND BY THE POTS, IT CREATED SPACE
FOR QUESTIONS, DIALOGUE AND COUNCIL TO DO THE WORK
RESIDENTS EXPECT
OF US. FOR THOSE REASONS I'M BRINGING FORWARD THIS
LEGISLATION TONIGHT. I WILL PASS THE FLOOR
OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES AND I SEE COUNCILMEMBER BARROSO DE
PADILLA.
>> COUNCILMEMBER, CAN YOU, AND MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. CAN YOU JUST GIVE MORE INSIGHT
INTO WHAT
THIS MONEY IS FOR AND HOW THIS IS ACCOUNTED FOR
AND WHY WE GIVE IT AND WHAT OUR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION IS?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. SO THE CITY OF COLUMBUS HAS HAD
A LONG-STANDING CONTRACT WITH FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S
OFFICE TO OPERATE A COMMUNITY-WIDE JAIL, A
MUNICIPAL JAIL, ALSO HOUSING
OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY-LEVEL
OFFENSES AS WELL. UNDER THE OHIO REVISED CODE BECAUSE WE
HAVE CITY ORDINANCE THAT'S CARRY POTENTIAL FOR JAIL TIME,
THE MUNICIPALITY IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR HOUSING
THOSE INMATES DURING A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THEY ARE
INCARCERATED EITHER PENDING TRIAL OR
BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO JAIL ON THOSE
MISDEMEANOR CRIMES. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS
UNDER THOSE CODES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CHARGED AND
CONVICTED UNDER COLUMBUS CITY CODES. WE
ARE OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE SERVICES SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS
CAN BE DETAINED. IN CITY OF COLUMBUS WE DON'T HAVE OUR OWN
MUNICIPAL JAIL. THE DECISION WAS MADE MANY DECADES AGO WE
WOULD INSTEAD HAVE A LOCAL COUNTY JAIL AND UNDER THE OHIO
REVISED CODE, COUNTY JAILS ARE RUN BY THE SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE MOST RECENT ITERATION AT LEAST BACK
TO 94-95 WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF ADDENDUMS THAT DEAL MOSTLY
WITH THE RATE WE CHARGE. PER INMATE RATE BASED UPON THE
NUMBER OF DAYS, NUMBER OF INMATES HELD ON PRIMARILY CITY
OF COLUMBUS CHARGES. WE EXECUTED THAT CONTRACT AND THAT
CONTRACT DOES HAVE A TERMINATION CLAUSE. BUT
THAT TERMINATION CLAUSE BECAUSE IT IS OF COURSE A SERVICE THAT
BOTH WE RELY UPON AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE RELIES UPON IT'S A
3-YEAR TERMINATION CLAUSE, 36 MONTHS FLT WE WOULD NEED TO
GIVE NOTICE
IF WE DECIDE WE DON'T WANT TO USE THEIR SERVICES ANYMORE.
WE WOULD ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE MEANS FOR HOUSING
THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY ARE
BEING HELD ON CITY CASES. SO THE ORDINANCES BEFORE
COUNCIL TONIGHT IS FOR PAYMENT OF SERVICES THAT HAVE ALREADY
BEEN RENDERED BY THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE ARE
CONTRACTUALLY
OBLIGATED TO PAY THEM PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THAT CONTRACT.
>> I HAVE TWO OTHER QUESTIONS, FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. CAN THEY,
AT ANY TIME TERMINATE THE CONTRACT?
>> IT'S A MUTUAL TERMINATION CLAUSE,
>> FOR EACH PARTY IT'S 36 MONTHS OR THREE YEARS.
>> GOT IT. JUST ALSO UNDERSTANDING WHEN THE SHERIFF
MADE A COMMENT IN THE MEDIA AROUND, IF IT WASN'T PAID BY A
CERTAIN DAY THAT ESSENTIALLY THEY MIGHT MOVE INMATES TO
ANOTHER JAIL OR ANOTHER FACILITY. THAT IS WITHIN THE
CONTRACT FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO? OR?
>> THE CONTRACT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY DISCUSS WHAT THE
REMEDIES MIGHT BE IN THE EVENT OF BREACH. THOSE ARE THINGS
THEY WOULD THEN DISCUSS WITH THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
WHAT REMEDIES THEY MIGHT HAVE IN THE EVENT WE OWE FUNDS WE
ARE REFUSING TO PAY. AT THAT POINT, I WOULD
BE ADVISING YOU AS YOUR ATTORNEY WHAT OUR RESPONSE
MIGHT BE.
>> I'M ASKING BECAUSE SINCE THIS WAS IN THE DISPATCH AND
QUOTED IN THE DISPATCH AND WE HAVE GOTTEN QUESTIONS I WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC ALSO UNDERSTANDS AND ADVOCATES
UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE CONTRACTED TO DO. WHEN THE
SHERIFF IS GIVING A SPECIFIC RESPONSE WHAT THAT MEANS AND WE
HAVE A VENUE HERE. I THINK WHAT IS DISAPPOINTING TO ME AND I
HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHAIR, PART OF THE REASON WE
REFERRED THIS BACK TO COMMITTEE IS SO WE COULD HAVE THE SHERIFF
WHO COULD BE HERE AND WE COULD HAVE QUESTIONS, BECAUSE I THINK
FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS ALREADY FOR SERVICES RENDERED. ONE OF
THE CONCERNS I HAVE, KNOWING THERE ARE OTHER COUNTIES THAT
DEAL, ESPECIALLY WITH I.C.E. DIFFERENTLY, MY CONCERN IS WE
COULD BE CAUSING MORE HARM THAN NOT BY SENDING THEM TO FRANKLIN
COUNTY. JUST BECAUSE WE KNOW THE SEVERITY OF HOW SOME OF OUR
FOLKS WHO ARE DETAINED OR HOW THEY WORK WITH I.C.E. IS
DIFFERENT. I APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF SAID THEY WERE LOOKING
INTO THINGS. THAT WAS ALSO THE RESPONSE THEY GAVE US MONTHS
AGO AND STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO US AROUND A
CONVERSATION WE HAD WITH THEM. I THINK IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING
TO SAY IT'S CONTINUING TO BE UNDER REVIEW. SOMETHING COULD
BE UNDER
REVIEW FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS. IF YOU ARE STILL REVIEWING IT,
IT DOESN'T TELL ME WHAT THE OUTCOME IS. I THINK THAT'S
FRUSTRATING FOR ME. IN THIS PARTICULAR, I
WAS VERY CONFLICTED IN THIS PARTICULAR VOTE JUST BECAUSE,
YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S GOING TO CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL GET TO WHAT WE WANT. BUT I KNOW WE
HAVE A NUMBER OF ADVOCATE THAT ARE HERE, I APPRECIATE YOU
CONTINUOUSLY COMING DOWN HERE. BUT I WOULD SAY, THIS IS A
COUNTY ISSUE. THE SAME SORT OF ADVOCACY SHOULD GO TO THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THE SAME KIND OF ADVOCACY SHOULD GO TO
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY ARE DULY ELECTED
SEPARATELY AND THIS IS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION. WE CAN PUT
TOGETHER ALL OF OUR POLICIES; WE COULD HAVE CONVERSATIONS
WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. WE COULD PUT PRESSURE ON THEM
TO DO GOOD BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEFORE THE PEOPLE THAT CHANGE
HAPPENS. AND SO THIS IS A PLACE YOU CAN CONTINUE TO VOICE THOSE
CONCERNS BUT I IMPLORE FOLKS TO TAKE THE ADVOCACY THERE BECAUSE
THEY CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN A WAY THAT WE CANNOT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY RENDERED THESE
SERVICES, THIS IS WHY TONIGHT I'M A YES-VOTE BECAUSE IT'S
DIFFICULT TO SAY NO TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING AND WE ARE GOING
TO GIVE THIS
ISSUE AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PEOPLE AND WHERE THEY GO.
BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE THE DISPATCH HERE AND WE ARE ON TV. THE SAME
QUESTIONS HOWEVER MANY MONTHS AGO SINCE SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR
ARE STILL THE SAME QUESTIONS. THIS HAS BEEN UNDER REVIEW FOR
MANY, MANY MONTHS. AT SOME POINT I WOULD LIKE SOME SORT OF
OUTCOME TO COME OUT OF IT,
BECAUSE WE COULD BE REVIEWING THINGS FOREVER.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> VICE CHAIR ROSS.
>> TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, YOU MENTIONED THAT WE
DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE SPECIFIC TERMS AS TO BREACH OF CONTRACT
AND WHAT THAT MEANS, IF WE WERE NOT TO PAY THE
$2 MILLION THAT ARE OWED FOR SERVICES ALREADY RENDERED?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC PROVISION IN THE
CONTRACT IN THE EVENT THERE IS BREACH. YOU WOULD GO TO THE
GENERAL COMMON LAW BREACH OF CONTRACT IN CONSIDERATION.
IT'S PROBABLY INAPPROPRIATE TO SPECULATE WHAT THAT WOULD BE
HERE IN A PUBLIC FORUM. BUT THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC REMEDY
WITHIN THE CONTRACT.
>> OKAY. I WONDER IF THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE COULD HAVE SO
WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY ON WHAT OUR CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS ARE WITH THE COUNTY. PARTICULARLY FOR THIS.
SO THAT WHEN WE ARE RECEIVING LETTERS THAT THREATEN TO DO A
THING, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR RESPONSE CAN BE, PARTICULARLY
WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS HERE. SO I WOULD
ASK THAT OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IF WE COULD WORK
TOGETHER TO FIGURE THAT OUT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VERY
HEALTHY EXERCISE. A PROPOSITION YOU ARE GOING TO LET VIOLENT
OFFENDERS OUT ON THE STREET BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO HAVE A
CONSERVATION HOW WE ARE HELPING OUR RESIDENTS IS QUITE CRAZY.
OBVIOUSLY, NO FAULT OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AT ALL BUT I
WANT TO AT LEAST
HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
>> THAT'S NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC. IT'S A BANANAS
THREAT. I DON'T HAVE THE WORDS. I
CAN'T PROPERLY
ARTICULATE MYSELF HOW OUTRAGEOUS OF A COMMENT THAT
IS.
>> TOTALLY AGREE. COUNCILMEMBER GREEN?
>> I WANT TO ALSO CLARIFY.
I THINK WHAT IS SO FRUSTRATING ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN,
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PHONE CALLS, THE RING-AROUND THE-ROSY
TO PIECE TOGETHER WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING HERE.
TODAY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS ALREADY SERVICES
RENDERED BUT THEN I SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFFS PERSONALLY AND
CONFIRMED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHAT
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE MONTH OF MARCH. THEN THE REST
OF THE YEAR. IT'S NOT LIKE WE OWE
THEM $2 MILLION FOR RENDERED, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE MONTH OF MARCH. AND EVERY
OTHER INVOICE HAS BEEN PAID PER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
CONVERSATION I HAD TODAY. IT'S FRUSTRATING TRYING TO
PIECE TOGETHER INFORMATION AND HEARING DIFFERENT THINGS FROM
DIFFERENT PEOPLE AS WE ARE ALSO
IN THE MIDST OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, AND FROM MY
STANDPOINT, I JUST HAD A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION OF WHAT ARE THE
POLICIES? WHY
ARE THE POLICIES? HOW ARE THE POLICIES BEING IMPLEMENTED?
AND THEN THAT HAS SORT OF LED TO THIS. I HAVE A COUPLE OF
OTHER QUESTIONS TOO, UNRELATED BUT IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO
THAT.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, VERY SIMPLY, AND I WANT TO BE
VERY OPEN ABOUT THIS, THE QUESTION AT HAND IS WHAT IS THE
LEGAL POLICY. NOT WHAT IS. THERE IS A CURRENT POLICY THAT
YOU CHOOSE TO ENFORCE. AND THERE'S WHAT YOU CAN LEGALLY
DO. AND THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT WE HAVE ASKED THAT WE HAVE
NOT GOTTEN CLARITY ON. AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY SIMPLE
QUESTION. I'M NOT SURE IT'S TAKEN SIX MONTHS OF REVIEW.
>> YES. AND LAURA AND I HAD A CONVERSATION.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING BASED ON LOOKING
AT THE CONTRACT TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR SENDING THAT
OVER, THAT THIS CURRENT CONTRACT WOULD EXPIRE AT THE
END OF THIS YEAR. BECAUSE THE THREE-YEAR TERM, THIS IS THE
THIRD YEAR OF THAT 2026 CONTRACT YEAR. SO THAT GIVES
US, I THINK, IN MY MIND, WHAT YOU AND I DISCUSSED EIGHT
MONTHS TO REALLY REVIEW THE
POLICY AND PREPARE FOR, YOU KNOW, ANY POTENTIAL CHANGES OR
ADDITIONS. IT SOUNDS LIKE BASED ON MY CONVERSATION WITH THE
SHERIFF'S OFFICE THEY ARE OPEN TO THOSE REVIEWS. THAT'S WHAT
THEY
TOLD US IN SEPTEMBER AS WELL. MY EXPECTATION IS WE CAN DO
THAT TOGETHER, OR NOT. HOPEFULLY TOGETHER. I DO HAVE A
COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THOUGH FOR THE DEPARTMENT, OR MAYBE FOR
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. ON PAGE 130 OUR BUDGET DOCUMENT,
IT SAYS IN THIS BUDGET DOCUMENT, JAIL CONTRACT
EXPENSES ARE BUDGETED AT $1 MILLION IN 2026. WE ARE,
OF COURSE, APPROPRIATING $2 MILLION DOLLARS TODAY FOR
2026. CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME CLARIFICATION INTO THAT
DISCREPANCY?
>> YES, IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING IT'S A TYPO. WE LOOKED INTO IT;
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE $2 MILLION. IT WAS MY
UNDERSTANDING WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL IT
WAS ADDRESSED IN TALKING POINTS AND WE CONFIRMED WITH FINANCE
AND MANAGEMENT IT WAS $2 MILLION BUDGETED.
>> OKAY. I KNOW ALSO, I THINK WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS
DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS, JUST GENERALLY ABOUT THE PUBLIC
SAFETY BUDGET. ABOUT CONCERNS RELATED TO THAT. ESPECIALLY
RELATED TO OVERTIME. SO I HAVE, YOU KNOW, I'VE ASKED FOR
>> SOME FEEDBACK, I KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENT SENT OVER SOME
INFORMATION EARLIER THAT I NEED SOMEONE ELSE SMARTER THAN ME TO
HELP ME MAKE SENSE OF JUST TO CONFIRM I'M DOING MY MATH RIGHT
ON THAT. HOWEVER, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD
OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO TALK ABOUT, DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS,
RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY'S BUDGET, POLICE AND FIRE
OVERTIME WAS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WAS DRIVING UP A LOT
OF UNEXPECTED COSTS. SO WITH CONSIDERATION TO THIS, WHEN I
FOUND THIS, I WAS LIKE OH WE ARE UNDER BUDGETED $1 MILLION,
ABOUT TO APPROPRIATE $1 MILLION. IT REMINDED ME OF THE
CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR LONG HE SAID IT WAS A VERY
OPTIMISTIC ESTIMATE FOR POLICE AND OVERTIME. CAN YOU, NOW THAT
WE ARE A FULL QUARTER IN, PROVIDE ANY SENSE OF AN UPDATE
ON WHETHER
OR NOT WE ARE HITTING THOSE OPTIMISTIC NUMBERS?
>> I WILL HAVE TO
COME BACK TO
YOU. I DIDN'T COME PREPARED WITH
THOSE NUMBERS.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS BY MY COLLEAGUES? WE HAVE TWO
SPEAKERS ON THIS
PARTICULAR ORDINANCE. AND THE FIRST ONE IS
MR. ISAIAH SAINT JOHN. MR. SAINT JOHN, WELCOME BACK TO
COUNCIL. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME AND ANY ORGANIZATION THAT
YOU MAY REPRESENT.
>> YEAH, MY NAME IS ISAIAH SAINT JOHN. AND I SPEAK TODAY
AS AN ORGANIZER FROM I.C.E. WATCH, AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE
614 I.C.E. WATCH NETWORK
AND AS A RESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBER REMY, OF THE
DISTRICT YOU REPRESENT. I HAVE SOME WRITTEN REMARKS. BUT FIRST
ALL, EIGHT MONTHS, COUNCILMEMBER GREEN? YOU ARE
GOING TO WAIT EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING TO
CHANGE THIS. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET DELIVERED UP
INTO I.C.E.'S CONCENTRATION CAMPS IN EIGHT MONTHS? ABOUT
160
PEOPLE. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THEIR FAMILIES? IT IS YOUR
POLICY. THIS IS A CITY ISSUE. THESE ARE CITY PRISONERS BEING
ARRESTED, BEING TAKEN OFF THE STREETS BY COLUMBUS
POLICE AND DELIVERED INTO A JAIL CONTRACTED BY THIS CITY
COUNCIL. AS YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BE UNDER
SEETHE BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S WHITE NATIONALIST
SECRET POLICE. THIS BODY HAS MADE DECISIONS AND TAKEN
LARGELY SYMBOLIC ACTION. LIKE THIS RACIST CONVEYOR BELT
FROM THE BACK OF COLUMBUS PATROL CARS TO FILTHY
OVERCROWDED I.C.E. PRISONS THIS BODY IS MIA. I WOULD SAY THAT
SO-CALLED COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE YOU ALL PASSED
WAS BETTER THAN NOTHING BUT ON THE GROUND IT CHANGED NOTHING.
COUNCILMEMBER REMY, ADDRESSING SHERIFF BALDWIN'S COOPERATION
WITH I.C.E. YOU TOLD THE DISPATCH THURSDAY I HAVE
GREATER CLARITY AND CONFIDENCE ABOUT HOW THESE CONCERNS ARE
BEING ADDRESSED.
I'M GLAD YOU HAD THE PEACE OF MIND, COUNCILMEMBER REMY.
BUT DO YOU MIND SHARING WHY YOU ARE SO BLASE WITH THE
REST OF US? HOW ARE THESE CONCERNS BEING ADDRESSED?
FROM WHERE I STAND IT APPEARS WE HAVE ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHAT
HAPPENS
WHEN YOU ALL DON'T NEED TO EARN VOTES FROM
YOUR DISTRICTS. COUNCILMEMBER ROSS, DIDN'T EVEN PRETEND TO
HAVE AN IOTA OF REGRET AS SHE VOTED LAST WEEK TO TAKE THE
ONLY GREEN SPACE IN
COLUMBUS'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOOD FROM THE CHILDREN IN HER
DISTRICT AND GIVE IT TO OUT OF TOWN BILLIONAIRES. WHY WOULD
SHE, AS AN AT-LARGE COUNCILMEMBER SHE IS
ACCOUNTABLE TO MONEY, NOT HER NEIGHBORS. THAT'S WHY OUR CITY;
AMENDMENT
IS URGENTLY NEEDED. COUNCILMEMBER REMY, YOUR
CONSTITUENTS ARE HURTING. ONE LATINO BUSINESS OWNER IN
YOUR DISTRICT TOLD ME 25% OF HIS EMPLOYEES
HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED OR HAD A FAMILY MEMBER ABDUCTED SINCE
DECEMBER. ONE NORTH
LAND STRIP MALL HAS BEEN THE SITE OF
FIVE SEPARATE ABDUCTIONS. BUSINESSES ARE FALTERINGLY IN
YOUR DISTRICT AS THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE AFRAID TO
VISIT COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BECOME I.C.E. HUNTING
GROUNDS. WE
ARE HURTING. WE NEED A CHAMPION. WE NEED A FIGHTER.
WE NEED SOMEONE WHO WILL FACE STIFF OPPOSITION HEAD-ON
AND PERSIST. COUNCILMEMBER REMY, YOU
WERE THAT LAWYER FOR THE
HASLAMS. BE THAT LAWYER FOR US. LET'S TAKE A STEP BACK. RIGHT
NOW AT THE TIME OF RELEASE, COLUMBUS PRISONERS ARE SORTED
IN TWO
GROUPS BASED ON THE
LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK AND PLACE OF BIRTH. ONE GROUP
GOES HOME AND THE OTHER GROUP IS DISAPPEARED INTO
CONCENTRATION CAMPS. EVERYONE
IN THIS EQUATION
IS A DEMOCRAT. NINE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. A
DEMOCRATIC MAYOR.
THREE DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND A DEMOCRATIC
SHERIFF. YOU ARE
POLITICIANS. YOU ARE DEAL-MAKERS. YOU ARE
NEGOTIATORS.
IF YOU DO
NOT END THIS UNJUST PRACTICE, IT IS NOT
BECAUSE YOU CANNOT, IT IS BECAUSE YOU
DO NOT WANT TO.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY
MR. SAINT JOHN.
>> ISAIAH? HI, CAN YOU COME BACK A SECOND? FIRST OF ALL,
I WANT TO THANK YOU, WELCOME BACK TO COUNCIL. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. I KNOW YOU CAME THE FIRST TIME
THIS WAS AROUND. I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT I.C.E. WATCH
DOES. I WOULD ALSO, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU IF THERE
ARE ADDITIONAL THINGS WE CAN BE DOING. WE
HAVE BEEN WORKING TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR
JURISDICTION TO CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE, FIRST OF ALL, THE
I.C.E. PACKAGE WAS EVERYTHING WE FELT LIKE, WE MODELED IT
AFTER OTHER CITIES. WE MODELED IT AFTER WHAT WE KNEW WE COULD
DO, WHICH WAS WITHIN OUR PURVIEW FIRST. AND SECOND OF
ALL, I THINK THE OTHER WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE, WORKING TO
HELP PUT
PRESSURE TOGETHER WITH OUR OTHER PARTNERS, COMMON POLICE
COURT, MUNICIPAL COURT. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE RIGHT NOW
BUT I WOULD WELCOME A CONVERSATION WHERE WE COULD
TALK. IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL IDEAS, TALKS OR THINGS YOU
THINK WE ARE NOT DOING THAT WE COULD BE DOING. AND LET'S HAVE
THAT CONVERSATION. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN HERE TODAY AND
YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY. I
>> FEEL THAT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS LONG BEFORE WE
HAVE HAD THIS INCREASE FROM I.C.E. AND SO, I APPRECIATE ANY
SORT OF CONVERSATION
OR ANY SORT OF DIALOGUE WE CAN CONTINUE
TO HAVE TOGETHER.
>> PLEASE VOTE NO
THEN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT SPEAKER IS MS. RICKY ASHER. WELCOME TO
COUNCIL. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME
AND ANY ORGANIZATION YOU
MAY REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR CALL-OUTS. I ALSO APPLAUD YOUR MENTAL
GYMNASTICS AND ABILITY TO PASS THE BALL OF BLAME IN FAVOR OF
SOMETHING
YOU ARE CLAIMING TO BE CRITICAL AND SKEPTICAL OF. MY NAME IS
RICKY. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COLUMBUS.
MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE DEDICATED AND EDUCATED VOTERS.
THERE IS NO NEW INFORMATION I CAN
OFFER WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY HANDS OFF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE IN COLUMBUS
OHIO TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY WHEN THEY ARE DETAINED AND TRAFFICKED TO
A PRISON THAT OPERATES AS AN I.C.E. DETENTION FACILITY.
SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A FOIA REQUEST CAN TELL YOU THAT.
I'M HERE TO
BE A VOICE FOR MY COMMUNITY, MY FAMILY
AND FRIENDS WHO HOLDS SYSTEMIC PRIVILEGE AND VEHEMENTLY
DENOUNCE THIS PROCEDURE, EVEN THOUGH THAT COMMUNITY PRIMARILY
CONSISTS OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEY DON'T PERSONALLY
HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A MILITARIZED
GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED KIDNAPPING ORGANIZATION FOR
NOW. WE ARE NOT DUMP.
DUMB. WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF A PROCEDURE
LIKE THIS. A SYSTEM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. AND WE UNDERSTAND
THAT AN INJUSTICE TO ANYONE IN THE
CITY OF COLUMBUS IS A DIRECT
INJUSTICE TO US AS
WELL. AS A COUNCIL, AS POLITICAL FIGURES,
IN THIS GROWING CITY, YOU
ARE EACH VERY EXPOSED. YOUR
SOCIAL MEDIAS OF PROGRESSIVISM DON'T DISTRACT US
FROM ISSUES LIKE THIS. FROM ISSUES LIKE
DIVESTING FROM ISRAEL. WHICH
THIS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO FAIL MISERABLY AT. ALL OF THIS SAID,
THE ABSOLUTE BARE MINIMUM, BOTTOM OF THE BARREL SERVICE
YOU CAN DO TO
PROTECT THE ACTUAL LIVES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS IS TO BLOCK
MONEY TO THE FRANKLIN
COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT UNTIL THIS HUMAN TRAFFICKING
PROCEDURE
HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. AND THANK YOU FOR
LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE I CALL FOR A
VOTE? WITH THAT, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE BY VOICE.
>> SECOND.
>> CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL BY VOICE.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY,
ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> NO.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR DAY-ACHAUER, SORRY. GREEN?
>> YES.
>> YES, ORDINANCE IS PASSED.
>> AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL
JUSTICE THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT COMMITTEE TO COME BEFORE
COUNCIL IS THE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, & BUILDING
COMMITTEE. THAT
COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROSS.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE ORDINANCE 1051-2026. TO AUTHORIZE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT WITH LEGAL AID OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL OHIO
IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $1,500,000.00 TO ENABLE THE
LEGAL AID OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL OHIO TO BE THE
DESIGNATED ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED IN THE COLUMBUS CITY
CODES AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE FREE FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION
TO UNREPRESENTED TENANTS FACING EVICTION FROM THEIR HOMES AT
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT. TO AUTHORIZE THE
EXPENDITURE IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $1,500,000.00. TO AUTHORIZE
REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF
THE PURCHASE ORDER
BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2026. AND DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.THIS
IS THE FOURTH PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN A PACKAGE OF
LEGISLATION AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY $2.8 MILLION
DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE DIVISION OF HOUSING
STABILITY, INCLUDING $90,000 TOWARDS VACATED TENANT
SERVICES, $300,000 TOWARD MEDIATION SERVICES IN EVICTION
COURT AND $965,250 TOWARD THE RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE.
EVICTIONS ARE AT THE HIGHEST IN THE PAST 20 YEARS. IN FRANKLIN
COUNTY EVICTION FILINGS HIT A REPORT OF 25,000 THIS YEAR ON
PACE TO REACH A SIMILAR LEVEL. OVER 1.2 MILLION OHIOANS LIVE
IN-HOUSEHOLD SPENDING AT LEAST HALF ITS INCOME ON HOUSING.
THIS INCLUDES OVER 496,000 LIVING IN-HOUSE HOLDS THAT ARE
SEVERELY MORTGAGED BURDEN AND 761 LIVING IN SEVERELY, THIS
EXPANSION WILL BETTER POSITION THE CITY TO MEET THE INCREASING
NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING CRISIS WHILE
ENSURING SERVICES ARE DELIVERED EFFECTIVELY AND WITH DIGNITY.
AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, IT'S MY JOB TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR
RESIDENTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE MEANINGFUL WORK THAT WILL
CONTINUE TO EMERGE FROM THIS COMMITTEE AND THANK THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUR WORK IN ENSURING THAT WE
HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO SUPPORT FOLKS IN THE PREVENTION
AND DIVERSION OF HOMELESSNESS
IN OUR COMMUNITY. DO I HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES?
SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON,
BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS, GREEN,
REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE FINAL COMMITTEE TO COME
BEFORE COUNCIL IS PUBLIC UTILITIES & SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE. THAT COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY COUNCILMEMBER WYCHE.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE ORDINANCE 996-2026. TO AUTHORIZE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO
A PLANNED RENEWAL AND MODIFICATION WITH OHIO MULCH
SUPPLY, INC., AND QUASAR ENERGY GROUP LLC-NORTH TREE FARM FOR
THE DEEP ROW HYBRID POPLAR TREE FARM #2 PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE
THE EXPENDITURE OF $3,200,000.00 FROM THE SANITARY
SEWERAGE OPERATING FUND. THIS ORDINANCE ENABLES
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RECLAMATION TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF BIO
SOLIDS PRODUCED AT THE JACKSON PIKE'S. THESE WILL BE DISPOSED
OF VIA IN OHIO EPA
APPROVED HYBRID POPLAR TREE FARM AND OTHER RAPID GROWTH
TREE FARMS. IF ONLY ALL OF OUR ORDINANCES WERE TREE FARM
RELATED WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER CIRCUMSTANCE. LET ME
STOP
THERE TO SEE IF ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES. SEEING NONE, I MOVE FOR PASSAGE.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
GREEN, REMY, ROSS, WYCHE, PRESIDENT HARDIN.
>> PASSED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE COUNCIL, IS THERE A
MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BANKSTON, BARROSO DE PADILLA, DAY-ACHAUER, DORANS,
No segments match your search.