[1:09] Council Mayor Bankston, would you lead us in the pledgece

[1:13] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[1:18] stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[1:24] for all. This evening, council is grateful to have my friend, Pastor

[1:27] Arthur Davis from the Mount Nebo Baptist Church here to lead us in prayer.

[1:31] Pastor, thank you for being back at council with us.

[1:43] Let us pray. Gracious and eternal God, we pause at the beginning of this

[1:48] meeting to acknowledge your presence and ask for your guidance. We thank you for

[1:52] the city of Columbus, for its people, its neighborhoods, its families, and for

[1:55] all who call this city home. Thank you for those who accepted the

[1:59] responsibility of public service, and for every person gathered here tonight

[2:03] with the desire to make our city stronger, safer, and better. God, we ask

[2:08] that you grant wisdom to the members of this council. Give them clarity in their

[2:12] decisions, compassion in their deliberations, and courage to do what is

[2:16] right even when doing what is right is difficult. remind them that behind every

[2:21] re resolution, every ordinance, every decision, and every vote are real people

[2:26] whose real lives will be impacted by the work done in this chamber. May we never

[2:31] forget the voices that are too often unheard, the neighborhoods that are that

[2:35] too often feel overlooked, the families struggling to make ends meet, our

[2:40] children who deserve opportunity, our seniors who deserve dignity, and every

[2:44] resident who deserves to feel seen, valued, protected, and represented.

[2:49] Bless our mayor, our city council president, every member of the council,

[2:53] city employees, first responders, community leaders, and all who work each

[2:57] day for the good of Columbus. Thank you for every hand that worked to restore

[3:01] our city from recent storms. And Lord, we thank you for the protection of those

[3:05] underfed and unhoused that had to endure. Now tonight, God, where there is

[3:09] division, give us understanding. Where there is disagreement, give us respect.

[3:12] Where there is difficult decisions, give us wisdom. where there are challenges

[3:16] facing our city. Give us courage to confront them together. May the work

[3:20] accomplished here tonight move Columbus toward greater justice, greater

[3:23] opportunity, greater union, uni unity, and greater hope. Bless this meeting

[3:29] guide every decision and every discussion. May all that is done

[3:33] ultimately serve the people of this great city. In your holy name we pray.

[3:37] Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. Thank you, pastor.

[3:40] Clerk, please call the role. >> Thanks. Timber Rosa de Padilla de Aka

[3:43] Dorns Reie Ross Vice President Harden any person who takes any action to

[3:48] obstruct or interfere with the conduct of tonight's meeting may be charged with

[3:51] disturbing a lawful meeting pursuant to Columbus City Code 2317.12.

[3:57] Any person who enters those areas of city council chambers reserved for city

[4:00] officials or invited guests may be charged with criminal trespass pursuant

[4:04] to Columbus City Code 2311.21. >> Can I get a motion to dispense with the

[4:08] reading of the journal? >> Clerk, please call the role. Banks

[4:11] Barosa de Padilla de Akawa adorns Remy Ross Swe president Harden

[4:16] » are there any additions or corrections to the journal hearing none the journal

[4:19] is approved and this week's communications received by the city

[4:22] clerk's office are listed on the agenda and will be published in the city

[4:26] bulletin are there any other communications to be read into the

[4:28] record >> not at this time

[4:30] » thank you madame clerk um we are going a bit out of order today um several I

[4:38] think four of our nine council members have kindergarteners

[4:41] uh this year who are going starting school. Uh council member Banks had to

[4:44] step out last week for his son. Uh council member Green is out uh tonight

[4:50] for parent teacher conference and I will be leaving as soon as we take our first

[4:54] vote uh vote to join my son for his meet the teacher. So uh thank you all my

[5:00] colleagues for um that discretion and thank you to um uh the community for

[5:05] understanding. We are going to uh are there any requests by members of council

[5:09] for the removal of an ordinance or resolution from the consent portion of

[5:12] the agenda? Hearing none, may we now have a motion

[5:15] to wave the reading of title 30 legislation by the city clerk.

[5:19] » Clerk, please read the call the role. >> Thanks Tim Barosa de Padilla de a dorns

[5:23] reie ros president Hart. >> Thank you. Will the clerk now reading to

[5:27] the record uh ordinance numbers of 38 legislation on tonight's agenda for

[5:30] first reading? In finance and governance, we have

[5:34] ordinances 2013, 2193, and 2258-2026. Economic Development and Small and

[5:42] Minority Business Committee, we have ordinances 2226, 2228, 2229, 2230, and

[5:49] 2231-2026. Public Service and Transportation

[5:53] Committee ordinances 2088, 2094, and 218, I'm sorry, 2118, 2165, 2175, and

[6:02] 2266-2026. Neighborhoods Recreation and Parks

[6:06] Committee Resolution 166x-2026. Workforce Education and Labor Committee

[6:11] ordinances 2069, 2070, and 2079-2026. Health, Human Services, and Equity

[6:18] Committee Ordinance 2236-2026. Public Safety and Criminal Justice

[6:24] Committee ordinances 2086, 2210, and 2263-2026.

[6:30] Housing, Homelessness, and Building Committee ordinances 2218, and

[6:34] 2294-2026. Public Utilities and Sustainability

[6:38] Committee ordinances 1305 2061 2062 2067 2074 21103 21109 2121 2122 2129 2139

[6:52] 2142 40 2148 2158 2171

[6:57] 2172 2179 2186 2187 2188 2227 2238 and 2247-20226.

[7:10] Uh zoning committee we have resoning 13 I'm sorry 1931-2026

[7:15] variances 1932 and 2073-2026. >> Thank you madam clerk. We don't have any

[7:22] speakers on the first uh reading portion or yeah [snorts] the first reading

[7:25] portion of the agenda. The following ordinance appear on our agenda as

[7:27] consent. Would you read those into the record now?

[7:29] » Yes. Resolutions of expression 176x, 177X,

[7:35] 162X, and 163X-2026. Finance and Governance Committee. We

[7:41] have ordinances 1653, 1960, 1969, 2032, 2084, 2085, 2140, 2159,

[7:51] 2217, 2255, 2259, 2269, 2276, 2285, 2290, and 2300-2026.

[8:03] Economic Development and Small and Minority Business Committee Ordinances

[8:06] 2221, 2224, 2225, 2279, 2310, and 2311-2026.

[8:14] Public Service and Transportation Committee Resolution 174X, 175X-2026.

[8:22] Ordinances 21102, 21106, 2183, 20, and 2190-2026.

[8:28] Neighborhoods Recreation and Parks Committee Resolution 167X-20226.

[8:34] Workforce Education and Labor Committee Ordinance 2015 and 2027-20226.

[8:40] Health, Human Services, and Equity Committee ordinances 1939,

[8:44] 2093, 2144, 2146, and 2264-2026.

[8:51] Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee ordinances 2119,

[8:55] 2143, 2147, 2157, 2219, 2220, and 2262-2026.

[9:04] Housing Homelessness and Building Committee ordinances 2138, 2189, and

[9:09] 2241-2026. Public Utilities and Sustainability

[9:13] Committee ordinances 2213 and 2261-2026.

[9:21] Thank you, madame clerk. Are there any questions or comments on the consent

[9:23] portion of the agenda? Hearing none, may I have a motion to approve for these

[9:27] items designated as consent? >> Clerk, please call the role.

[9:33] » Banks, Barrosa, Deodia, de a dors, Remy Ross, wife, president Harden

[9:39] » by voice. I apologize. >> Yes, I'm sorry. There's Bankston.

[9:44] Yes, with the exception of ordinance 2147-2026

[9:48] from which I abstain. >> Barosa deodia,

[9:50] » yes. >> Deakau,

[9:53] » yes. >> Dorren,

[9:55] » yes. >> Remy,

[9:56] » yes. >> Ross,

[9:57] » yes. >> We

[9:59] » President Harden, >> yes. With the noted exception, the

[10:02] consent agenda is passed. We'll now proceed with the second reading of

[10:05] 30-day postponed emergency legislation. Um, like I said just a second ago, we're

[10:10] going to go out of order and go to the rules and policy committee. Council

[10:14] members will go back to uh announcements and resolutions after we uh work through

[10:20] our two uh ordinances in the rules and policy committee, but I chair that

[10:24] committee. And um we have two pieces uh ordinance 2355-2026

[10:31] as well as 2354-2026.

[10:35] Before I throw it over to Press Pro Tim to lead this portion of our meeting and

[10:40] conversation, I'd like to say a few things about uh how we got here and um

[10:45] and and where we are are going. As Columbus grows, we talk a lot about

[10:50] issues like housing, transportation, zoning, economic development, and public

[10:54] safety. But foundational to all of those issues are issues like democracy,

[10:59] transparency, representation, and governance. And democracy is not static.

[11:04] And good government requires us to periodically set back step back and ask

[11:08] whether the structures we created are still serving their purpose. As our city

[11:13] grows, we need to give more folks a seat at the table. And making sure that every

[11:18] neighborhood has a champion so that our growth benefits everyone is a top

[11:22] priority. And that's why we're here today to take a bold step toward change.

[11:28] First and and sincerely, we want to congratulate our city RCA. the work that

[11:32] they you have done over the last year talking to more than 23,000 of our

[11:38] residents. Um it can only be applauded. Um you saw an issue. You went out and

[11:44] did the work. Um you advocated. I don't think there was a a festival or grocery

[11:49] store that I went to that somebody did not come up to me uh with a petition.

[11:53] That was good work and you got us to this point and sincerely we say

[11:57] congratulations. Um and then secondly, I also wanted to

[12:01] thank them for after they got their uh the legislation or uh initiative to the

[12:08] ballot essentially. They also were not afraid to come and have conversations

[12:12] with council. And for 7 weeks or so, uh members of the coalition and members of

[12:19] this body um uh sat in a hot room upstairs and tried to figure this thing

[12:25] out. And so I want to thank them for that. I think those conversations were

[12:29] in good faith. Uh and uh I think that that it was a good use of our time. With

[12:34] that, I also want to thank my colleagues, many of whom joined those

[12:38] meetings and joined those conversations. Um those were led by Prespo Tim Dorren,

[12:43] but specifically Council Member Bangston and Barrosa Deia, but most of our

[12:47] colleagues set in those. Um and it led to where we are today. Uh we ultimately

[12:52] couldn't get to one single ballot measure, but they did encourage us to

[12:56] submit one to complement theirs, and we'll do that this evening. I want to be

[13:00] very clear. I support putting both measures before Columbus voters. I will

[13:05] be voting for both, and I will encourage folks to vote for both. Um because, um I

[13:11] said it the other day, um my my mentor, former mayor, said that a city state

[13:15] that a city that stays the same falls behind. This is an opportunity for us to

[13:20] take a step forward together that I believe will continue to have build

[13:25] trust in this institution and this body um as well as being common sense in how

[13:31] we continue to govern for an entire city. I am very proud of this process

[13:36] and where we got how we got here. With that, I'm going to kick it over to our

[13:38] leader on this press pro Tim. >> Well, thank you, Council President. And

[13:42] I think a lot of my comments are going to echo yours, but um as I said earlier,

[13:46] tonight is a historic evening at Columbus City Council. Uh we as a body,

[13:50] but more importantly as a community are coming together to make a decision on

[13:55] how this legislative body should be structured moving into the future. While

[13:59] the votes we're taking tonight are on new proposals, this debate is certainly

[14:03] not new. It's one that for more than a century has been debated by council

[14:07] members and the community. During this past year, I've heard a lot of ideas and

[14:11] opinions about what people in Columbus think would be best for our city. First,

[14:15] allow me to acknowledge, as I have in the past, that our current system must

[14:19] change. In that change, personally, to me, I

[14:23] personally support moving the majority of council seats to true district

[14:26] representation. Again, echoing the president Harden's comments, I want to

[14:31] thank uh and congratulate the RCDRC coalition for the work to ensure that we

[14:34] move forward a real reform on this aspect of council structure. Again, I

[14:39] also appreciate the good faith dialogue, even if it was in a hot room um over

[14:43] many weeks uh with both representatives from their coalition and council members

[14:48] um towards a potential framework that both they and council could support. In

[14:54] those discussions, we identified, I think, key variables that we need to be

[14:57] addressed in order to build a clear, more transparent, and ultimately fair

[15:01] council system. Again, while those discussions did not result in us being

[15:04] able to advance a single joint proposal to voters this fall, I appreciate the

[15:08] coalition inviting council to move forward its own charter amendment on

[15:11] this topic so long as it did not conflict with theirs. I've worked very

[15:15] hard over the past several weeks with my colleagues uh in attempt to do just

[15:19] that. Council's proposal seeks to complement the RCR RCA proposal in a

[15:23] number of ways, adding a total of four at large seats to the nine district

[15:27] seats established by the coalition charter amendment. These at large seats

[15:31] will be phased in over the 2027 and 2029 election cycles. We've heard from

[15:36] leaders in the African-American community and labor leaders that these

[15:39] seats are important for racial racial representation and to have elected

[15:42] leaders that are focused on policy issues that know no neighborhood

[15:46] boundary like addressing homelessness, building more affordable housing,

[15:49] targeting infrastructure investments to neighborhoods with the greatest need and

[15:53] more. Council's amendment will also redraw the council district maps as soon

[15:57] as practically possible, slated to be ready for the 2029 election cycle. While

[16:02] we further debate over how these maps may or may not have an impact on

[16:05] minority representation on council, we should all be able to acknowledge that

[16:09] learning from the lessons of how these maps were drawn previously are critical

[16:12] to ensure that new maps and district lines are better suited for

[16:15] representation concerns as they become true district seats. In our discussions

[16:21] with the coalition, we also talked a lot about the need for campaign finance

[16:24] reform to go along with these changes to council structure. And that's why I'm

[16:28] announcing that at our meeting on August 31st, I will bring forward legislation

[16:32] to to reduce campaign finance contributions by half for the first and

[16:36] for the first time cap inind transfers between campaign committees.

[16:41] We will have that on first read on 31st with expected passage in September. And

[16:46] before I open things open things up to my colleagues and move into public

[16:49] testimony, uh I again want to thank their coalition um for their willingness

[16:54] to engage and many other constituencies that have got us here tonight. While I

[16:58] know there are many things that we may disagree about on the pathway forward

[17:01] tonight, I believe that this council has tried its best to listen and to learn

[17:05] and lean into into an effort to build a system that hopefully end a debate that

[17:09] has endured for decades. Thanks to the RCDR state leadership for taking a

[17:14] chance by engaging with us meaningfully and directly. It would have been easy

[17:18] for folks to avoid this dialogue, but you all the hard thing and helping to

[17:22] try and find a pathway that sought to address the concerns articulated by

[17:25] those outside of your coalition. Tonight, as President Harden is as well,

[17:30] I will be a yes vote on both of these charter amendments. I'll be a yes vote

[17:34] this fall at the ballot box and I'll be encouraging both my colleagues and all

[17:38] residents and voters in our community to do exactly the same as we head towards

[17:42] this fall's election. With that, I want to pause and open it up to my council

[17:46] colleagues. Council Rosa deputy.

[17:50] » Uh thank you, President Prom Dorren. I did write let's see how this goes,

[17:56] friends. Okay, I was going to talk in first draft, but I did write something.

[18:00] So, I'm probably going to go off script just a little bit. First, I want to say

[18:03] how grateful I am to the RCDRA coalition and the more than 200 volunteers who

[18:10] gathered literally thousands of signatures to put this effort on the

[18:14] ballot. I also want to thank and acknowledge the longtime community

[18:19] leaders and advocates who have carried this fight for representation forward

[18:23] for decades. I believe that change h only happens but

[18:27] for the people and this is a perfect example of that and in November the

[18:32] people will have their say. I'm proud to support uh our city RA because Columbus

[18:38] residents deserve a city council that is more directly accountable to the people

[18:42] and the neighborhoods it serves. I've listened to longtime community leaders,

[18:47] communities of color, neighborhood advocates, and residents across Columbus

[18:50] who have been asking for greater representation and for continued

[18:53] leadership that reflects the communities we serve. And though those voices

[18:57] matter, and after years of advocacy for real district representation, I believe

[19:01] we have a responsibility to listen and to act. Our city RSA is an important

[19:06] first step toward building a more accountable and representative city

[19:09] hall. And at the same time, I believe we must continue the work of ensuring our

[19:14] system protects the voting power of communities of color, keeps

[19:17] neighborhoods meaningfully represented, and gives us the tools to address

[19:20] challenges that affect the entire city. I was proud of the work that we did

[19:24] together with my colleagues and the negotiating team for our city. While we

[19:29] went through the process of challenging ideas and concepts and pushing for

[19:33] progress, it was inspiring to see diverse perspectives at the table,

[19:37] planning for a better Columbus for all of us. I was also cleanly aware of the

[19:42] voices that for a myriad of reasons had not been at the table to share their

[19:46] concerns. And at such a critical time when we are restructuring how our city

[19:51] operates, it felt imperative to me to not leave options on the table as we

[19:56] discuss representation and campaign finance and access issues that would

[20:00] give us even closer to more accountability and equity and

[20:04] representation. And that's why I support this approach.

[20:08] It's a yes and nine district elected members, additional atlarge

[20:13] representation, and an independent process to redraw our district map so

[20:17] they make sense for our people. We can strengthen neighborhood accountability

[20:22] while preserving the ability to tackle citywide challenges together. For me,

[20:26] this is ultimately about who government works for. It should empower the people,

[20:31] not protect the people who hold office. And I trust that our people, the people

[20:36] of Columbus, know what their communities need. They deserve to know who is

[20:41] accountable to them and to have the power to demand change when our

[20:44] government falls short. And I believe that this is an important step forward

[20:48] to a more accountable representative city hall. And now it's time to let the

[20:53] people decide. Thank you. >> Thank you, council member. Any other

[20:58] comments? Councelor Benson. >> Thank you, President Pro Timoth. Again,

[21:01] thank you for your leadership on this. I'll be brief and not to echo I think

[21:05] what my colleague said but just wanted to again echo thanks to our city RCA for

[21:09] coming to that table. I said this at the hearing and I think what I hope they

[21:14] came away with I know I know I did was that this wasn't about political points

[21:18] or or posturing. It was really about folks coming together who cared about

[21:22] the direction of this city. And so I want to thank them because it's because

[21:26] of that simple fix of getting to districts why we're now here to have a

[21:30] broader conversation about comprehensive election reform that I believe will

[21:34] stand the test of time uh and shape this city. So again, thank you to our city

[21:38] RSE. Uh and I echo and say this that I will be voting yes on both issues. uh I

[21:44] will go proudly to my party and to other folks and ask them to endorse uh both

[21:49] issues uh because it I think is going to take both issues for us to really bring

[21:53] that comprehensive election reform to this community uh for the next

[21:58] generation of Columbus residents. So again, thank you council president for

[22:00] your leadership. Thank you again to the residents for lifting your voices and

[22:04] pushing us to be here. >> Any other comments from Council White?

[22:10] Uh first let I will echo the congrats to the R city RCA folks uh as one of the

[22:16] signers. I was happy to see that you guys were moving forward with the ballot

[22:19] initiative. I think even at the time though I was pretty clear and felt like

[22:23] that was not enough to address a lot of the concerns. I'm happy to see that

[22:27] we're doing the campaign finance stuff. I'm happy to see that we'll have an

[22:30] atlarge view of the city. Um but I want to encourage us not to be stagnant. Like

[22:35] what has been done is good. There is more that needs to be done. This is not

[22:39] a part-time job. It needs to be a full-time job. So, I would be one in

[22:44] favor of us seeing another charter review commission at some point in time

[22:47] to kind of get us to that point. Um, but I do want to congratulate you, President

[22:52] Prom, and all the work kind of going back and forth because it is not easy to

[22:55] negotiate with folks, especially when there is an assumption that trust is not

[22:59] there, right? And so, who wants to show their cards first? I'm glad we got to

[23:03] this resolution, but I just want to encourage us to say there is more we

[23:06] should be doing. Um, and this should not be the only time that we change our

[23:11] system. Like it's should be fluid to kind of move with the growth of the

[23:14] city. So, >> thank you, council member. Um, any other

[23:18] comments from colleagues? Seeing none, um, as the council president said, we're

[23:22] doing a few things out of order. And since we have, I think, a number of

[23:25] speakers that are seeking to speak on both um ordinance 2355 and 23 uh 54, u

[23:33] we're just going to actually have speakers sort of come up um at one time

[23:36] for both before I ask for a vote of my colleagues. So, I'm going to call folks

[23:40] a little bit out of order just to make sure we have some semblance of keeping

[23:43] things in line here. But first, I want to ask Mr. Jesse Vogle and Maitlyn, Mr.

[23:47] Mate Nef to come forward as they are representing the RCD RCA coalition here

[23:51] this evening with us. Welcome back, council gentlemen.

[24:08] Good afternoon, Council President Harden, Prom Dorans, and members of

[24:12] council. My name is Mate Nef. I am proud to be here tonight on behalf of our

[24:17] city, RSA, a nonpartisan coalition of individuals and organizations

[24:22] representing varying areas of advocacy that has since its inception been rooted

[24:27] in the belief that everyday people deserve a meaningful voice in the in the

[24:31] decisions that shape the communities we call home. Governments should not be

[24:35] static or unchanging. Their structures should adapt to better represent the

[24:39] interests of the public. In this case, our proposed charter amendment is simple

[24:44] to have only the people who actually live in each of our nine districts vote

[24:48] on the council person who represents them. Nationally, Columbus is an

[24:53] outlier. Among the 30 largest cities, we are the only one in which the majority

[24:57] of people may vote for a candidate who does not represent them. This summer, I

[25:02] spoke with over 1,500 residents who understand that this system is not

[25:07] working for them and they are not being heard. We believe that this change will

[25:12] be one step towards ensuring our local government is beholden to the struggling

[25:16] and disenfranchised many rather than the wealthy few who may have the financial

[25:20] means to fund citywide campaigns and as a result have an outsized influence on

[25:25] politics and governing decisions in Columbus. We also recognize that council

[25:29] intends to place its own charter amendment on the November ballot. We

[25:33] want to be clear. We do not view this measure as standing in direct

[25:37] contradiction to ours. Instead, we see this as an opportunity for both choices

[25:42] to be placed before Columbus voters and for the people to have the final say on

[25:46] how they want their city council to be structured moving forward. However, I

[25:51] would like to focus my remaining remarks on the citizen-led initiative of our

[25:54] city, our say, and the significance of this moment for the people of our city.

[25:59] Tonight marks a historic moment in the pursuit of meaningful municipal

[26:03] representation in Columbus. By formerly refer referring the our city, our city

[26:08] proposal to the ballot, council has ensured that this decision will not be

[26:11] made behind closed doors, but will ultimately be placed in the hands of

[26:15] Columbus voters. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the more than

[26:19] 250 volunteers who knocked on doors, stood outside of coffee shops, attended

[26:23] events at Bsentennial Park, at Pride, Confest, Junth, and more in the rain and

[26:28] summer heat to have this conversation with Columbus, one person at a time.

[26:34] This includes one volunteer who knocked on the door and spoke to an individual

[26:37] who was part of an effort to deliver district representation in 1975.

[26:42] 23,188 people signed took the time to sign this

[26:46] petition in near unanimous agreement that our local democracy needs to be

[26:50] more accountable and responsive to the concerns of residents and neighborhoods

[26:55] in our city. We hope that all council members will publicly support the our

[26:59] state our city our campaign as some of you already have to varying degrees

[27:03] including and a special thank you to council member green for a recent

[27:06] statement in support of our initiative. We look forward to working with and

[27:09] being in community alongside city council and to all those who believe in

[27:14] a government that is of, by, and for the people of Columbus. We're also asking

[27:18] that Columbus vote yes on our charter amendment. We are excited to continue

[27:22] engaging in this voter registration and awareness campaign in the months leading

[27:26] up to November 3rd. We will continue to meet residents where they are at in

[27:29] their neighborhoods, community events, and doortodoor. Please join us in this

[27:33] effort. We would love to stand alongside of you. Thank you.

[27:43] Good evening, council members. Um, and and good evening to all those in the

[27:48] chamber and watching online. Um, my name is Jesse Vogle. Um, and I am a member of

[27:54] the our city coalition along with Maitlyn Nef standing next to me. Um, I I

[27:59] too want to celebrate what our city has done, giving Columbus voters the

[28:04] opportunity to have a city council where each member is elected in their district

[28:09] by the district um to have the council member of their choosing. Um,

[28:14] congratulations to the coalition partners, the 17 organizations, the over

[28:19] 250 people who gathered over 23,000 signatures in just 115 days in a few

[28:25] months. Today, council is taking this required procedural step of referring

[28:31] our city RCA's proposal for nine real districts to the November ballot, and

[28:35] that is because of the organizing that this coalition has done.

[28:40] I must say I know firsthand something about the importance of this change. Um,

[28:45] as a candidate for city council last year, I heard questions and concerns

[28:49] about our system where a council member is elected to represent a district, but

[28:54] the whole city votes. It doesn't make sense to voters. It sews distrust, and

[28:59] it makes accountability hard. The result in last year's election, where I won

[29:05] more votes in the district and came up short citywide, I think it's safe to

[29:09] say, is one that no one wanted. But that result provided an opportunity

[29:15] for this dialogue and hopefully for some change. And I'm grateful for the

[29:20] organizers and volunteers who have taken that opportunity and run with it.

[29:24] Building truthfully on decades of advocacy around this issue for real

[29:28] words. We have a moment in politics and we can take it or not take it and we all

[29:33] have decided to take it. I don't take that for granted today. In addition to

[29:39] referring our city our city's proposal for nine districts to the ballot, this

[29:43] council plans to vote to refer another measure to the ballot for voters

[29:47] consideration, which in addition to providing nine real districts would add

[29:52] four at large seats phased in over four years, initiate a public process for

[29:57] looking at the maps, and reducing the number of signatures required to get on

[30:01] the ballot for a district seat. This council's leadership has also provided

[30:05] an opportunity to take a look at campaign finance rules and make some

[30:09] change. I agree council member W on all kinds of issues more is needed. To those

[30:14] who are skeptical of the decision to refer something else to the ballot,

[30:18] adding at large seats in the coalition that I've been working with, I hear you.

[30:22] I've been frustrated to watch at times local government make choices that

[30:27] prioritize at times big money interests over the needs of real people in our

[30:31] city. I don't like that either. And I believe that these at large races at

[30:36] times can contribute to that disconnect. And yet I also believe that this choice

[30:41] to put something on the ballot that also provides the change that our city RCA

[30:46] has been demanding. Nine real districts, you all are voting on that as well. That

[30:50] demonstrates the power of this coalition's work. I believe it reflects

[30:55] as well how one might expect a representative democracy and local

[30:59] government to work. People organize for a change, others express concerns and

[31:04] additional demands, and elected officials respond. The concerns shared

[31:09] by some union leaders, faith leaders, and black community leaders that we have

[31:14] heard throughout this discussion are genuine concerns, and I believe that

[31:19] this body's effort to incorporate those concerns is in good faith, and that this

[31:23] whole thing reflects some progress. Ultimately, we all know what we need is

[31:30] not just a council structure that provides greater accountability and more

[31:33] responsiveness and more democracy, but a council that delivers all of that. So,

[31:39] the work of the organizers, including those here in this room tonight, those

[31:44] outside this hall earlier advocating not just on council structure, but on other

[31:49] issues. That work must and will continue. the people in November will

[31:54] decide our council structure and then it's up to all of us to continue to

[31:59] build a city that works better for all. So, thanks.

[32:06] Thank you both. Um, the next speaker come for council on these charter

[32:11] amendments is uh Mr. Sorry, Mr. Will Harvin.

[32:37] Good evening, President Harden, Pro Tim Dors, members of city count, Columbus

[32:42] City Council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is

[32:46] Will Harmon and I am the president of Ask Me Local 1632.

[32:50] Last week I submitted a statement that was presented before you all and asked

[32:55] this council to maintain some some form of atlarge representation on council to

[32:59] make sure that council could maintain a citywide view while making needed

[33:04] changes to stay responsive to the people of Columbus. Today I am here in person.

[33:09] I am happy to say that in Labor's view, this amendment helps to accomplish that.

[33:15] Columbus is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and the problems

[33:18] we face are growing right along with us. The expansion of flock cameras across

[33:24] our neighborhoods, the desperate need for more housing, and a a state and

[33:28] federal government that seem more inter interested in making our job harder than

[33:33] helping us do it. None of those problems stop at a district line. They are

[33:39] city-wide challenges and my members need a council that can see the whole picture

[33:44] as well as they see the small details. Adding four at large seats over two

[33:50] election cycles is a smart measured approach to make sure that we can keep

[33:55] that whole picture view. It prevent it prevents too big of a change too

[34:00] quickly. It avoids having to draw straws to see who goes up for reelection first.

[34:07] and it makes sure that at no point do the atlarge members control council.

[34:12] They will be just just another voice on it. I also want to mention how I

[34:17] appreciate that this amendment calls for the district map to be redrawn in 2027.

[34:23] As many people have mentioned, the current maps were not designed to be

[34:28] voting districts, just equally sized chunks of the city to avoid one

[34:32] neighborhood electing all of council. So getting that redraw on the books is an

[34:38] important step toward making sure this council actually reflects the city it

[34:41] represents. A lot of attention has been put on to

[34:46] the importance of a simple solution and I think that this is a much more complex

[34:50] problem than what people are giving it credit for. So I want to thank you all

[34:55] for this reasonable thoughtful approach. We urge council to move forward with

[34:59] this amendment. Thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions.

[35:03] » Thank you President Harmon. Any questions from councel?

[35:06] See none. Thank you for being here. Appreciate it.

[35:09] » Uh the next speaker come for council is Mr. Willis Brown.

[35:16] Mr. Brown with us. Lays out the record flag that Mr. Willis

[35:21] Brown was not here. Uh next speaker is Miss Rachel Wing.

[35:27] Miss Wenning here.

[35:31] Don't see her either. Uh next speaker come for council is Cass Kamira.

[35:37] Mr. Kami here.

[35:41] Don't please let reflect that Mr. Kamra is not here. Um I know I saw Mr.

[35:47] Nathaniel Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins welcome back to council sir.

[36:04] Thank you for having me. Uh 1612 Arlington Avenue, Mr. Roth George

[36:08] Wilkins. First of all, I would love to see a larger district.

[36:16] And let me tell you why I suggested 13 city council members and five large

[36:22] seats. I think four large seats is not ethical.

[36:29] We're also leaving out the multi disability people, visually impaired and

[36:32] multi- handicap. 13 seats will represent the whole entire city and having not

[36:39] four seats but another seat that will represent the multi disability people,

[36:45] the hearing impaired and multi-handicapped.

[36:48] This is a good idea to step along with the city of Columbus. Why did why the

[36:54] city is still growing? The reason why I suggest this my own ideas is because I

[37:00] took and bought a house in London and I came through all of this and instead I

[37:07] have this like this. This is a old book I printed back in

[37:11] 2007. I got sell books like this. And so again, see my neighborhood not to be

[37:18] this this empty empty properties, torn up properties. That's what I see every

[37:24] day. And so with this idea, we want to bring city council for steam ahead with

[37:30] 13 city council members and five seats at large. that's dealing with domestic

[37:36] violence problems properties and things businesses going under properties that's

[37:42] falling in disrepair. So again, I'm all for this. Thank you for your time.

[37:47] » Thank you, Mr. Wilkins. Um, we do have a couple of other speakers. Uh, is there

[37:52] Miss Becky Walcott with us? Believe Miss Walcott's with us. Um, is

[37:59] Miss Sarah Cherry with us?

[38:04] believe that those are all the folks had signed up to speak on either charter

[38:08] amendment. Do you want to pause and see if any of the folks uh Miss Rachel

[38:11] Wenning, Mr. Willis Brown, Mr. Cass Kamura, Miss Becky Walcott, Miss Sarah

[38:16] Cherry, if any of those folks are in chambers.

[38:21] I am not seeing anyone. So, we will move on uh to the legislation. Uh first is

[38:27] ordinance number 2354 uh-2026 to submit to the electors of the city of

[38:33] Columbus a special election to be held concurrently with a regular general

[38:36] election on November 3rd. The question of amending the charter of the city of

[38:39] Columbus. Such question shall be known as proposed charter amendment number one

[38:43] city council district elections. Do my colleagues have been questions comments?

[38:48] Seeing none, I move for passage. Second clerk, please call the role. Is it two?

[38:57] 234

[39:01] » Bankston Verosa de Padilla de Akaw Dors Remy Ross White President Harden

[39:08] » pass. >> Thank you. Next we move to ordinance

[39:10] number 2355-2026 to submit the electors of the city of

[39:15] Columbus a special election to be held concurrently with a regular general

[39:18] election on November 3rd 2026. the question of amending the charter of the

[39:23] city of Columbus. Such question be known as proposed charter amendment number two

[39:27] city council at large compliments. Do any of my colleagues have any questions,

[39:30] comments? >> Seeing none, I move for passage.

[39:34] » Clermen as submitted.

[39:37] » Do you have amend by >> Oh, I'm sorry. First, I move as

[39:40] submitted to the clerk. >> Second.

[39:41] » Clerk, please call the role. >> Bankston, Barbosa, Deodia, Deau, Dors,

[39:46] Remy, Ross, Swiss, President Harden. >> Amended. Now I move for passage as

[39:50] amended. Second >> clerk please call the role.

[39:53] » Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Akawa Dorne Remy Ross W president Harden

[39:58] » passed. >> Thank you my colleagues.

[40:03] We'll now go back into somewhat irregular order. I'm going to throw

[40:07] things over to Council Member Ross for a special recognition.

[40:15] » Thank you Council Ross. Thank you, President Proim Dorans. If I

[40:21] could ask for representatives from our division of

[40:26] fire, representatives from our division of police,

[40:30] representatives from our department of wreck and parks, our department of

[40:35] public health, from team Rubicon,

[40:40] representatives from Tent City Showers,

[40:45] representatives from Columbus Water and Power,

[40:49] and the Department of Neighborhoods. Could you all come to the front for me?

[40:54] I hate to call you out, but I need to call you out.

[40:59] If you are already here, can you just you can stand up, would you, please?

[41:05] Thank you.

[41:10] Yes. Thank you so much, Edward Jones, for standing. [laughter]

[41:17] And are we still waving? Is David? Is he gathering other folks?

[41:24] » Yes, there are.

[41:30] Department of Public Service, could you also please stand? Thank you.

[41:34] [laughter] >> Department of Development, could you

[41:36] also please stand? Thank you. >> 10 City Showers, did you guys make it

[41:41] in? Can you all come up for me, please? Thank you.

[41:49] You might as well stand. I asked for both divisions to stand, but yes, public

[41:52] safety can also stand.

[41:59] Thank you. Do we have members of team Rubicon here?

[42:06] » Okay, I'll hold tight. Now I'm making you guys

[42:09] stand up for a long time and I apologize, but

[42:25] Huh?

[42:43] Chief, is Team Rubicon actually coming in or are they on their way to city

[42:48] hall? >> Okay.

[42:52] I don't want to keep people standing >> for too long.

[43:00] All right, I'm going to start and then when Team

[43:06] Rubicon comes in, we can just give them a round of applause. How about we do

[43:09] that? Um, so for the past several weeks, we have been dealing with an

[43:14] extraordinarily difficult and devastating uh issue for the city of

[43:17] Columbus, being hit by tornadoes, harsh winds, and storms. and the recent

[43:23] weather emergencies have left many residents without power, food, personal

[43:26] belongings, and in some cases a place to call home. Um, my thoughts and prayers

[43:31] are certainly with every individual and family who has been affected. And is

[43:36] oftent times during disaster and crisis that the strength, resilience, and

[43:40] preparedness of our city are put to the test. Having been at the forefront of

[43:44] crisis in our community, I knew immediately that we needed to lean in

[43:48] and come together and galvanize as much support as possible to assist our

[43:52] neighbors in their time of need. I'm deeply grateful to my colleagues on city

[43:57] council who have stepped forward in countless ways such as organizing

[44:01] cleanups, making calls, canvasing communities, listening to residents

[44:04] stories, advocating for resources for support, standing in the gap,

[44:08] brainstorming solutions, and deploying a coordinated response and being boots on

[44:12] the ground. I want to also extend my sincere appreciation to my team for

[44:16] their dedication for leaning in and for working alongside me throughout this

[44:20] response. Also like to recognize in particular council member Lordes Barosa

[44:25] de Padilla and her team, Council Member W and his team, Council Member Green and

[44:29] her team for their tireless efforts and commitment to our residents.

[44:33] And I'd also like to surprise someone. Is she around? Is Katherine Cole here?

[44:41] are on their way. >> We'll do that later. We'll do that

[44:44] later. Um, let me take a moment to recognize our first responders,

[44:50] and the many organizations and businesses that have answered the call

[44:53] to serve our residents, including our administration, the division of

[44:58] police, the division of fire, the department of building and zoning

[45:02] services. You were supposed to come up, director Breezy, Director Messer, thank

[45:06] you for standing. Um, our Department of Code Enforcement, Department of

[45:11] Neighborhoods, Columbus Water and Power, Department of Public Service, Department

[45:16] of Safety, Team Rubicon, Bessa, Soul Classics, Legal Aid, Charity Newsies,

[45:22] Southeast Lion, CME Bank, McDonald's, and the Mendoza Company. Your

[45:26] partnership and compassion and commitment have made such a meaningful

[45:30] difference in this time. And to Tint City Showers, thank you to Team Rubicon

[45:35] that is coming in right now. Round of applause. Thank you so much. These are a

[45:42] group of volunteers that came into our community, answered the call without

[45:47] hesitation to support our residents, and we are so thankful and so grateful to

[45:53] each and every one of you for all that you have done for the residents of this

[45:57] city. And certainly, while the tornadoes have passed and the flooding has

[46:01] seemingly subsided, we're going to cross our fingers. Many people are beginning

[46:05] to find their way back toward a sense of normaly.

[46:08] What I do also know is that far too many of our neighbors are still without the

[46:13] necessities that they need to recover and rebuild. And so our work here is not

[46:17] done. And so while I am thankful of everything we have done to now, I

[46:22] certainly appreciate our continued partnership in the days to come to

[46:25] ensure that all of our residents are able to start over and to stabilize as

[46:30] we continue this work. So thank you to everyone. Um, and before I wrap, I want

[46:36] to just give a little bit of an update and brag on behalf of Team Rubicon. As

[46:40] of today, they have removed 35,000 cubic feet of debris. They have served over 80

[46:48] families at 80 different unique locations and they have generated over

[46:54] 145 different work orders in response to this disaster. So Ralph, team Rubicon,

[47:01] again we applaud you, Tint City Showers, to the administration and all of the

[47:07] directors who have stepped up to provide a coordinated response. Thank you so

[47:11] much. To residents, if you are still in need of support and if you are still in

[47:16] need of help, Team Rubicon will be here through August 30th. You are free to

[47:22] call 614-6453111

[47:28] if you need support, if you need help. They will deploy volunteers. Um they are

[47:32] not asking for information other than your name, where you live, and what kind

[47:37] of help you need. Um so if you need help, please, please reach out to them.

[47:41] They are incredible human beings who have stepped up to help our city in a

[47:45] mammoth way. And so at this point in time, I would ask all of my colleagues

[47:50] if we could just stand up and give a round of applause to everyone who has

[47:53] helped us during this time.

[47:58] [applause]

[48:05] » All right. Uh, also I have a a a partner in crime and and

[48:12] her name is Katherryn Cole. I I have I have not seen uh someone step up in such

[48:20] a big way ever in my time as uh both a city attorney and even as my short

[48:27] period of time as a council member. I mean I'm talking spending her own

[48:31] resources. I'm talking spending over 12 14hour days to coordinate our

[48:38] volunteers. I'm talking 6:00 am in the morning serving food, coming back for

[48:43] lunch, coming back for dinner. So, Katherryn Cole, if you could just come

[48:47] up here and allow us to thank you in a big big big way.

[48:53] [applause]

[48:56] » You you [applause]

[49:00] Katherine, Katherine, you are the epitome of what public service is and

[49:05] should be. Thank you for Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for the long

[49:10] days, the long hours that you have worked to support council and to support

[49:14] the residents of this community. You are absolutely necessary. We would not know

[49:19] what we would do without you and we appreciate all that you have done. Thank

[49:22] you all. [applause]

[49:26] » Council member, >> before I wrap with this recognition

[49:30] moment, do I have any comments? Yes. Council member Ross, I just also wanted

[49:35] to say um I just also wanted to thank you for your leadership. I think one

[49:39] thing that we are learning as a city is that um we we talk about how Columbus is

[49:44] growing. We talk about how we need to pivot a lot, but we don't also talk

[49:47] about the conditions of the world and how they're rapidly changing. You know,

[49:51] we have seen uh some of the worst snow storms this year. We have seen high

[49:55] temperatures this year. We have seen um record rainfall this year. And so I

[50:01] think as a city one one muscle muscle that we are building is how do we

[50:06] respond? And so understanding you know in the midst of this storm there were

[50:10] many things happening from folks being displaced to trees that folks can't take

[50:15] care of. We want a tree canopy but when you have a 40ft tall tree it's expensive

[50:19] to take care of. And so there's lots of questions that we're grappling with as a

[50:23] city. And so I just want to thank you for your leadership of stepping into

[50:26] those gaps of working from the council side of figuring out how we could meet

[50:31] especially for you and I where you know some of the hardest hit places were in

[50:35] your district and in mine. I also just want to thank team Rubicon. This is a uh

[50:39] first of all they have served our country as veterans but then decided to

[50:44] serve and they're coming to different places. They're sleeping on CS. were

[50:48] providing you good meals, but still um uh which Katherine has been instrumental

[50:53] in getting to all of you. But um you know, I was an Americanore volunteer, so

[50:58] I know what this is like when you're working in disaster relief and traveling

[51:01] to different places. And so I just really want to thank you for your

[51:05] service. I think that this is when we talk about communities coming together

[51:09] to stack hands, you know, from Bessa to uh we talked about uh folks giving us

[51:14] not just meals for folks here, but meals for folks at the shelter, the Red Cross,

[51:19] shoes for kids who were starting their first day. Imagine that your first day

[51:22] of school comes and you're sleeping in a gym in one of our rec centers. And that

[51:26] was a reality that some of our families are facing. And I know that there are

[51:29] still folks out there because in a mini in a city of a million people, it's

[51:33] sometimes hard to find the resources that are there. But just please know if

[51:37] folks are seeing this, please continue to call 311. Please continue to call to

[51:42] these folks who we have for um another week or so in our city um so that we can

[51:48] continue to address the issues. But I think that this is also just a moment

[51:52] for us as a city to really build this muscle of how we're showing up for our

[51:56] folks as the world is really rapidly changing. So, thank you again for um

[52:01] your leadership and thank you for all of our colleagues who pitched in at

[52:04] different times. >> Absolutely. Thank you, council member.

[52:07] » Any other comments, questions? All right, one last round of applause

[52:12] for all of you. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. [applause]

[52:24] Thank you, Council Member Ross. I think we're going to get ourselves back in

[52:28] regular order. Do you have any any other announcements?

[52:30] » I did, but I didn't know how we wanted to.

[52:32] » Why don't we just go go around? So, we'll go ahead and uh get back into

[52:35] regular order. Go back around the dis. Uh we any

[52:39] » uh we're here with the safety not surveillance coalition and we are here

[52:43] to deliver our our written signatures. We have just about 700 signatures and we

[52:49] will not be ignored. So >> yeah, if you could hand those to staff.

[52:54] David, you can take those. We'll make sure that all the council

[52:56] » Can we see them? Give it to you >> here. Bring them over here.

[53:05] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[53:08] » Pass down.

[53:37] Thank you very much. All right, back into regular order. Uh we will go around

[53:42] for announcements. Uh Council Bankston.

[53:50] » Well, uh good evening everyone and welcome back to to council. Again,

[53:53] echoes of thanks and gratitude to our first uh responders as well. Uh a couple

[53:59] announcements from me this evening. Um uh first I want to discuss our voice,

[54:04] our choice uh budget. We have one week left for idea collections. uh and so

[54:10] excited to see what has come in so far. Uh right now uh we have over 350 ideas

[54:16] that have been submitted. Uh and I can confidently say that the engagement so

[54:20] far has been incredible and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the great

[54:24] ideas submitted on the platform. A lot of them over a million dollars, but

[54:28] we'll figure that out uh in the next phase. Um next Monday, August uh 31st.

[54:33] And again, I want to say that you have till the 28th to submit those ideas. So,

[54:37] please uh go on to the website, submit those ideas, work with our community

[54:42] based organizations to get those in. Uh, next Monday, August 31st, we'll be

[54:46] stepping into the most critical phase of this entire process, and that is the

[54:50] proposal development phase. And we need you to help lead it as a budget delegate

[54:56] or a budget facilitator. As we have said throughout this entire process,

[55:00] participatory budgeting is really about uh the people and making sure that they

[55:03] are involved every step of the way. Budget delegates will work with city

[55:07] staff and experts to evaluate those community ideas that we've been

[55:11] gathering, check the feasibility and transform those raw suggestions into

[55:15] fully cost proposals ready for residents to vote on later this year. Our budget

[55:20] facilitators will man will mediate these discussions to help keep them inclusive,

[55:25] fair, and focused and make sure that it reaches the essence of the proposals

[55:29] themselves. Budget delegates and facilitators are truly the backbone of

[55:33] this next phase. So, we need your leadership and expertise and community

[55:37] ideas to to come together to make the final ballot. Uh, so please, if you are

[55:42] interested in being a budget delegate or a budget facilitator, uh, it's really

[55:45] simple. Just check the volunteer box when you submit an idea online. You can

[55:49] apply at common.pro.org/colus

[55:53] or email us at participatorybudgeting@colus.gov

[55:58] to confirm your interest or with any questions you may have. uh please lean

[56:03] in and volunteer to ensure that we can continue the success that we have seen

[56:08] so far. So really looking forward uh to again uh those ideas coming to fruition

[56:13] and voting on them later uh this year. I also want to get ahead of September. Uh

[56:19] September is cickle cell awareness month and we'll be kicking it off here in the

[56:24] city of Columbus. Uh as many of you know for me this is very personal. Uh my wife

[56:28] Habiba lives with cickle cell disease. Uh and cickle cell disproportionately

[56:32] affects black and brown communities across the country. In fact, one out of

[56:37] every 365 black children that are born in this country lives with the disease.

[56:43] And also Latino communities are impacted as well. So how fitting in September for

[56:47] us to both celebrate both of those milestones of Latino Heritage Month as

[56:51] well as cle cell awareness month. Uh so join me on Thursday, September 3rd. The

[56:56] city of Columbus is partnering with the American Red Cross for our cickle cell

[57:00] awareness month kickoff blood drive at the Fran Ryan Center from 12 to 6:00

[57:05] p.m. And this will not be your typical blood drive. Okay? We're going to have a

[57:09] good time, y'all. Uh so if you get uh what they say is deferred and you can't

[57:14] give today, stick around cuz we going to have a DJ. We'll have a mocktail bar.

[57:18] That means no alcohol for folks don't know what mocktails is. Okay? You can't

[57:22] drink and give blood. Okay? But we I got some juice for you. Uh there will be

[57:26] free health screenings and also a chance to connect with local health

[57:29] organizations uh during uh that that day. Uh again, we're really excited. We

[57:34] want to bring some energy to this. I always say this that when it comes to uh

[57:38] the blood supply, we are uh the the chain. We are the supply chain for that.

[57:44] And so when we talk about shortages and we talk about that, it's our

[57:48] responsibility to step up for our neighbors and to give uh blood. Uh so

[57:52] one donation, one hour of your time, uh it can save up to actually three lives.

[57:56] So please join us September 3rd at the Fran Ryar Center and let's show up for

[58:00] our neighbors together. Again, that's the kickoff to the blood drives as

[58:03] always. Every year in September, we will have different blood drives throughout

[58:07] the entire city. Want to say thank you in advance to all of our city employees.

[58:11] Every single year, you guys knock it out of the park and we exceed our goals. And

[58:15] so thank you. Thank you. Thank you for showing up for our neighbors every

[58:18] single day. showing up for our neighbors when we're in midst of crisis like

[58:22] extreme weather, but also just showing up by giving blood and saving lives. Uh

[58:27] you guys are amazing. Uh so with that, that's all I have.

[58:30] » Thank you, Council Member Makes Crosa Depia.

[58:33] » Thanks, Prom. Um just a few announcements. First, uh welcome back to

[58:39] school for all of our kiddos who started last week. Uh it's funny as we have

[58:44] many, um kindergarteners starting. I have a college student who's starting.

[58:48] So, uh, sending love to all the people who sent out their babies to colleges

[58:53] all around the country. Um, but with that, now that school is back in

[58:58] session, this is just another reminder to all of our drivers that we are going

[59:03] to in the mornings and in the afterchool time that there will be young people.

[59:09] Actually, we just have a great sidewalk project that we're going to talk about

[59:12] in just a little bit, but we are going to have more young people on our roads

[59:15] riding their bikes to school, walking to school, etc. So, just be aware of your

[59:20] surroundings, especially in our neighborhoods as our kids are walking to

[59:24] and from school. We want everyone to get We always want everyone to get to where

[59:28] they're going safely and get back home safely, but especially during this time

[59:31] of the year. Um, that also goes for our college campuses that have been a little

[59:36] quiet, especially at OSU when you're traveling down High Street. Watch out

[59:39] for all of those pedestrians. Also, I want to September's a funky month

[59:44] because we don't have a lot of council meetings. So, uh, coming up, it is

[59:48] Latino Heritage Month. Thanks for the tea up, Council Member Bangston. Uh,

[59:52] please save the date for September 17th. We will be hosting the Padrino ceremony

[59:57] and the illumination for Latino Heritage Month here at um, Columbus City Hall. I

[1:00:02] also want to congratulate Fetiva Latino that celebrated this past weekend in a

[1:00:08] new venue which unfortunately was moved because of some things that were

[1:00:13] happening in our community to make our community feel a little safer. Um, but

[1:00:17] it was a tremendous success. So, I want to thank everyone who came out to

[1:00:21] support our Latino businesses. We had a record number of Latino businesses that

[1:00:25] were local representative of Festival Latino this year. And so, we want to

[1:00:29] keep that energy going. So, make sure you join us on the 17th and on October

[1:00:33] 3rd for our big um Latino Heritage Month event, Laia. You will be hearing much

[1:00:38] more. If you don't follow us on social media, please look up Latino Heritage

[1:00:42] SEAB bus. That's all for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Council Deakau.

[1:00:47] » Thank you. Um, President Prom. Um, first, um, I'd like to make everybody

[1:00:53] aware that we have our last two RiseUp SEA SEAB bus events happening this year.

[1:00:59] Um, this will be on August 27th at Colrain Elementary and the other will be

[1:01:05] on September 10th at First Church of God. And both of these will take place

[1:01:09] from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. As always, these are free family-friendly outdoor

[1:01:15] community gatherings hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods. There will

[1:01:19] be complimentary meals, live music, local performances, and children's

[1:01:23] activities like games or bounce houses. Additionally, residents can engage

[1:01:27] one-on-one with city staff and community partners to navigate municipal programs,

[1:01:32] utility resources, and safety initiatives. So mark your calendars um

[1:01:36] and let's close out this summer season of community events aimed at uh building

[1:01:41] up our community ties. Secondly, my Getting Grant Ready Academy initiative

[1:01:47] has been accepting applications from eligible nonprofits since the beginning

[1:01:50] of August and will continue through the end of the month. As a reminder, this

[1:01:55] program is a nocost 9-month program for young grassroots Columbus nonprofits

[1:02:01] looking to create sustainability and build a diversified funding foundation

[1:02:06] that doesn't depend solely on government funding. You can head to the council

[1:02:10] social media pages or my social media to learn more and get the link to apply or

[1:02:16] you can contact my office if you have any questions. And finally, before

[1:02:20] council went on recess, I was proud to sponsor along with my colleagues Remy

[1:02:25] and Ross a new initiative with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum

[1:02:30] aimed at reimagining how we memorialize the tragedies of September 11th, which

[1:02:35] is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Instead of the traditional remembrance

[1:02:40] ceremony this year, the memorial museum will be leading the community in a

[1:02:45] national day of service um that honors how our country came together after one

[1:02:50] of our darkest days by hosting community focused service projects. These projects

[1:02:56] will be happening at our community centers in the weeks leading up to and

[1:03:00] following 911 where neighbors can come together in service. This will culminate

[1:03:05] on September 11th at the Memorial Museum with a meal packing service event where

[1:03:10] hundreds of volunteers from our neighborhoods, businesses, and

[1:03:13] nonprofits will come to together to pack 117,000

[1:03:19] that's 117,000 meal kits to be distributed through

[1:03:24] local food pantries. We also encourage people to create their own day of

[1:03:28] service. For example, pick up trash in your neighborhood, help an elderly

[1:03:32] neighbor, volunteer for a nonprofit, come out into your community and make

[1:03:39] 911 a day of service. There will be um announcements coming up on our social

[1:03:45] media, both city council and the memorial museum, on ways to get involved

[1:03:49] in service projects in your community. And that's all for me this evening.

[1:03:54] » Thank you, Council Member. Council Remy. Council Ross. Okay, I'm gonna do this

[1:03:59] right and talk in the mic in the right way. Hopefully, I'm still learning. Just

[1:04:04] bear with me. Uh, just a couple announcements. So, um, I did want to

[1:04:08] give a quick shout out. Um, last week the Urban League hosted pitches from

[1:04:14] small businesses in the King Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood as a part of

[1:04:17] the Clean and Safe Corridor. So, I want to take a moment just to shout out the

[1:04:20] winners of those pitches. Um, so shout out to this year's award recipients,

[1:04:25] Glamour Girls on the Go, Elite Beauty and Barber Supply Avenue, Dominique

[1:04:30] African Hair Braiding and Learning on Mount Vernon. Um, we certainly

[1:04:34] appreciate all of our small business businesses and particularly our minority

[1:04:38] small businesses which uh serve as the heartbeat of many of our communities.

[1:04:42] And so it was very cool to spend some time at the Urban League and with those

[1:04:46] small businesses understanding all of the work that they are doing to invest

[1:04:49] back in our community. So, congratulations to all of you. On August

[1:04:54] the 25th at 6 PM, I have the fortune of spending some time with the Italian

[1:04:59] Italian Village Society and the Short North Civic Association for their

[1:05:02] monthly meeting. Uh, it will be at Seven Suns Brewing, 11:01 North Fourth Street.

[1:05:08] And we are going to engage in conversation around transportation, safe

[1:05:12] streets, small business growth, housing, and quality life qual quality of life

[1:05:16] issues. And I would invite any of you who either live in the Italian Village

[1:05:21] community or the Short North community and want to hang out with me and have

[1:05:24] some fun conversation to attend. Again, we are there on August the 25th at 6 PM

[1:05:30] at 7th Sun Brewery. On Saturday, August 29th, the Kingdom

[1:05:35] Image Arts will host a back- tochool festival at 25501 Mock Road, Columbus,

[1:05:40] Ohio 43219 uh to help families to prepare for the

[1:05:44] school year. So, if you are in need and or just want to hang for some

[1:05:48] entertainment and food, you can meet Kingdom Image Arts from 12 to 300 PM on

[1:05:54] August the 29th. Last announcement is there is a free Franklin County Criminal

[1:06:00] Record Sealing and Expungement Clinic on Saturday, August 29th at 9:00 a.m. It is

[1:06:04] from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Westgate Community Center, 455 South

[1:06:08] Westgate Avenue. It is a resource fair open to all and will be held in

[1:06:12] conjunction with this event. Space is limited. pre-registration deadline has

[1:06:16] passed, but if you uh need access, please give my office a call and we will

[1:06:20] try to make that happen for you. That is it for me.

[1:06:23] » Thank Counelor W. >> Thank you, President Prom. Just one

[1:06:26] quick announcement. Our next Wednesdays with White will take place this

[1:06:30] Wednesday, August 26, from 5 to 7:00 p.m. at Smoky Brother Church located at

[1:06:35] 7260 Smoky Row Road. great opportunity to discuss issues you're seeing in the

[1:06:40] community or to provide feedback on policy initiatives that I'm currently

[1:06:43] working on. RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome. So, hope to

[1:06:48] see folks there on Wednesday. Thanks. >> Thank you, council member. Uh, we're

[1:06:52] going to do one more thing out of order, then I swear we're going to get back to

[1:06:55] how things normally run around here. Um, so we're going to stick in the rules and

[1:06:59] policy committee and I'm going to bring forward resolution number 0183-2026.

[1:07:04] I want to invite the zone in team up to the podium as I introduce the ordinance

[1:07:08] to declare this council's intention to amend the zoning map by reszoning

[1:07:12] certain properties from title 33 zoning code district regula designations to

[1:07:17] title 34 2024 zoning code district uh designations and declared emergency two

[1:07:23] years ago. This council stood together to launch the first phase of zoning. We

[1:07:28] made a commitment to the people of Columbus. We looked at a zoning code

[1:07:31] that's trapped in the 1950s, a code that was defined by outdated standards, red

[1:07:36] lines, and red tape. We knew that modernizing our code along our major

[1:07:40] transit corridors, we could build the housing our growing city desperately

[1:07:43] needs and actually make Columbus more affordable. And now, two years later, we

[1:07:49] know that zoning is working. This summer, we've started to see positive

[1:07:52] data from our efforts as reports show that Columbus is punching well above its

[1:07:56] weight class. While housing permits have stalled across the country, Columbus has

[1:08:00] defined that national trend. In fact, we achieved the third highest multif family

[1:08:05] permit rate out of the top 50 metropolitan areas in the entire entire

[1:08:09] country. And most importantly for working-class families, this surge in

[1:08:13] building is doing exactly what it was designed to do, stabilize housing costs.

[1:08:17] This past June, the meeting asking rent in Columbus was actually down compared

[1:08:21] to the previous year. Zoning is not just a policy concept anymore. It's a proven

[1:08:25] success is keeping more money in the pockets of our residents.

[1:08:29] But this first phase wasn't enough. It only touched about 13,000 parcels within

[1:08:34] the city, roughly about 4%. If we truly want to see an affordable, walkable, and

[1:08:39] sustainable future for our next generations, we cannot stop at just the

[1:08:43] major corridors. That's why I'm so incredibly proud to stand here today to

[1:08:46] help launch the second phase of Zone M. We're expanding this initiative to

[1:08:50] tackle over 70,000 parcels representing over 40% of Columbus. And we're taking

[1:08:56] the lessons of phase one and using them to zone uh the city comprehensively.

[1:09:02] Before I turn it over to the zoning team for a presentation, I want to offer the

[1:09:05] floor of the director building zoning services, Scott Messer. Director Messer,

[1:09:08] floor is yours. >> Thanks, uh, President Proen Dorren,

[1:09:12] other members of council. Um, I'm very excited about this resolution and phase

[1:09:16] two of the zonein in initiative. Um, first I would like to say thanks um to

[1:09:22] the chair of zoning uh Mr. Dorne and as well as his team and other members of

[1:09:27] council and your teams as well, department of development, the zone in

[1:09:30] team, our consultants, everyone has collaborated and uh collaborated and

[1:09:35] contributed to this phase two. Um we continue to look forward to the

[1:09:39] community input that we're going to be receiving to help shape this phase as it

[1:09:43] did in phase one. Um, as we have throughout the zone in initiative, we

[1:09:48] remain committed to responsibly creating more housing, growing strategically as a

[1:09:53] city, supporting highquality develop and connect development and connecting

[1:09:57] housing, jobs, and transportation. Um, there's still a lot of work to be done.

[1:10:02] Um, but I'm excited about where we are and I'm looking forward to what we can

[1:10:06] accomplish with uh this phase 2 initiative and zone in. Thanks.

[1:10:10] » Thank you, Director Messer. Any questions from my council likes for

[1:10:13] director Messer? Seeing none, uh, want to invite Lewis

[1:10:17] Taba, our project manager from the zone in team forward to make a presentation.

[1:10:21] Taba, welcome back to council, sir.

[1:10:27] » So, thank you for um well, President Prom Dorne, members of council, thank

[1:10:31] you so much for having me here again today. We're very excited uh to present

[1:10:35] to you this resolution to reszone for phase two. [snorts] Uh as we continue

[1:10:41] our work to update the zoning code comprehensively for the first time in 70

[1:10:44] years. Uh we are excited to present this resolution which will expand economic

[1:10:48] and housing opportunities to all Columbus residents. Our proposal will

[1:10:53] modernize the zoning code to support job growth, build more housing, and foster

[1:10:58] prosperity citywide. So this is our timeline. Uh we are

[1:11:03] currently on schedule for our zonein timeline where we had planned to get u

[1:11:08] phase two before council for con consideration in fall of 2026.

[1:11:16] You were provided with a packet uh as part of this resolution. This packet

[1:11:20] includes a mayoral letter, a proposal summary, zone in phase 2 goals and

[1:11:25] priorities, policy review, community engagement summary, technical summary,

[1:11:31] capacity report code which is the public review draft. Then we have a map series

[1:11:37] and a parcel uh list as well as part of this packet.

[1:11:44] Uh this packet is based off of the council adopted phase 2 priorities which

[1:11:50] to touch base on are leverage additional corridors to create more housing, grow

[1:11:54] the local economy to support neighborhood investment, connect

[1:11:57] housing, jobs and transportation and promote highquality development.

[1:12:04] So in 2025 we focused a lot on the Columbus growth strategy. Uh it created

[1:12:09] the policy basis for phase two by categorizing the phase 2 parcels into

[1:12:15] three main buckets mixed use industrial warehouse and business and institutional

[1:12:21] campus land use categories. These provided the policy basis and the

[1:12:27] mapping locations for the zoning districts which are part of this

[1:12:31] resolution. So, since the adoption of the growth

[1:12:36] strategy in January of 2026, we've been working with our consultants Lisa Wise

[1:12:40] Consulting and Opticose to create zoning districts that work for the city of

[1:12:44] Columbus and achieve the goals of zone in and the uh growth strategy.

[1:12:51] This phase will include 15 mapped districts. Six of them will be from

[1:12:56] phase one, the mixeduse districts adopted in 2024. [snorts] And we have

[1:13:00] nine new districts. Three which will be industrial, three which will be office

[1:13:05] and institutional campus. Uh and three which will be um industrial and I got

[1:13:12] out of order but three will also be mixed use. So nine new mix

[1:13:16] nine new districts. The code before you uh has gone through

[1:13:22] a lot of technical analysis and community engagement. I want to touch

[1:13:25] base on that but it was heavily informed by an internal review process which

[1:13:29] included 12 city departments and divisions which provided comments uh to

[1:13:34] our earlier versions of the draft and their input helped change and shape uh

[1:13:40] this proposal before you at this point in time.

[1:13:44] Community engagement we have been conducting for two years very robust and

[1:13:48] extensive community engagement. So, not just what we did in 2025 where we

[1:13:53] engaged with thousands of residents and had our survey and made over 19,000

[1:13:57] changes based off of their engagement to the growth strategy. But in 2026, we

[1:14:03] have engaged and attended over 122 community events. We've shared our

[1:14:09] updates with over 1,800 community members. We've had area commission and

[1:14:14] major civic engagement. One thing we've done is we go one month to the area

[1:14:17] commissions and present to them an update and the next month we have a

[1:14:21] one-on-one uh reser reservation time where they can come meet with us and we

[1:14:27] discuss the project with them. The zoning advisory committee made up of

[1:14:32] community members and um members from the different development sectors have

[1:14:36] reviewed this proposal and for the most part they are highly supportive of the

[1:14:39] work we've done. We've been doing newsletters and social media posts.

[1:14:44] We've been doing stakeholder meetings. We've been doing riseup events. And this

[1:14:47] is all just leading up to the heavy engagement that we plan on doing as part

[1:14:51] of the 60-day public comment period. So, this public review draft, a couple

[1:14:57] proposal highlights. We have over 70,650 parcels as part of this phase, which

[1:15:04] represents over 40% of the city. And we have the capacity based off of our

[1:15:10] Cascadia housing analysis for an additional well for 119,000

[1:15:16] plus uh units in this area up from the original which

[1:15:21] was 13,000. Couple code highlights is that we

[1:15:24] continue housing incentives uh in a lot of the districts as was adopted in the

[1:15:29] 2024 zoning districts. We continue to have market driven parking and removing

[1:15:34] parking minimums. We have cleaner design standards which create predictability

[1:15:39] for the community and the development community. We expand mixeduse

[1:15:43] opportunities throughout the city. We have modern employment districts and we

[1:15:47] have improved industrial neighborhood compatibility which should assist in a

[1:15:51] lot of the older pre-1950s areas of the city.

[1:15:56] So, with adoption of this resolution, we would begin our uh fall timeline where

[1:16:01] we plan on having the 60-day public comment period starting after adoption

[1:16:05] of this resolution. Uh that will be kicked off by 205,000 mailers going out

[1:16:10] to property owners, renters, and tenants in the city and those within 125 ft of

[1:16:15] affected properties. We will have a public survey, which is partially a map

[1:16:19] survey and a code survey. We're going to have a zoning gallery. We're going to

[1:16:24] have our public webinar. We're going to have a Reddit ask me anything, which are

[1:16:27] quite popular, actually. Uh we're going to do two public hearings, stakeholder

[1:16:31] interviews, and scheduled events at the gallery. After that 60-day public

[1:16:36] comment period, we'll look at all public comments, uh analyze it, take it in, and

[1:16:40] see what changes we need to make to our proposal based off that public comment.

[1:16:46] Uh we're going to have two public hearings during the 60-day public

[1:16:48] comment period and then we're going to have two additional public uh hearings

[1:16:52] after the 60-day public comment period and then we hope to come to council for

[1:16:56] a first and second reading for this phase of work.

[1:17:01] So with that, we look forward um to your support on this proposal. Uh we ask that

[1:17:06] you adopt this resolution so we can begin our community engagement and help

[1:17:09] expand economic and housing opportunities to all Columbus residents.

[1:17:13] » Thank you, Mr. Dava. questions for my colleagues.

[1:17:17] So, uh, Lewis, couple of things just for you to underline yet again. You know,

[1:17:21] this is something we've talked a lot about in the in the first phase of

[1:17:24] zoning, but, uh, here as well about what the potential change could be from a

[1:17:29] housing development standpoint, uh, compared to what the current land use

[1:17:33] rules are, compared to what is being proposed here today, what what is that

[1:17:37] change based upon what that the analysis of the experts say?

[1:17:41] » Yes. So based off of uh the housing analysis report uh which was created by

[1:17:46] our consultant uh currently um the phase 2 focus areas uh allow for 13,637

[1:17:54] units and as I indicated that with adoption of the zoning code as it would

[1:17:59] stand right now we would go to 119,000 units

[1:18:03] » and you know the projections for here within central Ohio not just Columbus

[1:18:06] but in central Ohio is that we need about 200,000 housing units for the next

[1:18:11] 10 years just sort of stabilized costs. So we're talking about the first phase

[1:18:15] went from you know four to 6,000 or so to 88,000. Here we're talking about a

[1:18:21] jump up to 100 plus thousand. So this is a really big deal when we think about

[1:18:24] the land use rules and as it relates to one of the most important issues that's

[1:18:28] affecting Columbus. I think the other thing is that this phase isn't just h

[1:18:32] about housing and housing can look a lot of different ways in different areas of

[1:18:35] the city. I think one thing when we think about, you know, council members

[1:18:38] that represent areas of Columbus that are more suburban in nature about how

[1:18:42] this really affects commercial and retail and industrial developments there

[1:18:46] and if you could talk a little bit about that that focus in this phase on that

[1:18:49] because I know um we talked and we're going to continue to talk a lot about

[1:18:53] housing in the second phase but this is something that is also very very

[1:18:56] important towards when we think about how do we encourage uh you know job

[1:19:00] growth, how do we encourage how do we get ahead of things as retail and

[1:19:03] commercial environments may be changing you we don't shop the same way we did 10

[1:19:07] 20 years ago, let alone 70 years ago. Uh and what these what these changes could

[1:19:11] mean for that kind of proactive approach rather than being reactive.

[1:19:15] » Yeah. I mean, so two things that we're looking at is a lot of additional

[1:19:18] commercial corridors throughout the city that weren't uh picked up in phase one.

[1:19:22] Things like Hillyard Rome Road, Henderson Road, sections of Carl Road,

[1:19:27] these major corridors that for up until now have been zoned purely commercial.

[1:19:31] What we're trying to do is open up uh uses on these corridors to allow more of

[1:19:37] a mix of uses. So, it's not just purely commercial, but would allow for mixed

[1:19:41] use. It would allow for light industrial other kinds of uses in some of these

[1:19:45] areas. Uh the other thing we're trying to do is looking at older kind of office

[1:19:49] sites. um things that you know back in the 1980s and the 70s and the '90s these

[1:19:56] standalone office um developments that were kind of isolated surrounded by

[1:20:01] parking. How do we allow that to change with time? How do we allow that to open

[1:20:05] up to be in a more mixeduse environment that supports class A office? Uh and so

[1:20:10] what this proposal does is it creates an opportunity uh a byight residential

[1:20:16] development in some of these uh areas which would allow for the modernization

[1:20:21] of these uh office districts of these uh purely single-use districts into more of

[1:20:27] a mixed use and allow more flexibility. >> Thank you. Uh other questions, council

[1:20:32] members? So we do have a couple public speakers

[1:20:36] signed to speak on the ordinance. Um, but I do want to make a a couple of

[1:20:39] things clear before we get to those public speakers. Uh, what we're voting

[1:20:42] on here is merely the resolution that begins the 60-day public comment period.

[1:20:46] So, I think we went through this a couple times the first phase about sort

[1:20:49] of where we're at in the process and Mr. Tavis sort of outlined that in his

[1:20:52] presentation. Um, but the point of this 60-day public comment period is just

[1:20:57] that is to make sure that the public has the opportunity to be well informed that

[1:21:02] the public has their voice heard by this body. I think that we've demonstrated in

[1:21:07] in the first phase that this body will expect to make changes based upon the

[1:21:11] feedback that we hear from individuals at the public hearings uh at council and

[1:21:16] other types of events. Um we had city planners that literally looked at over

[1:21:20] 1,900 individual comments and suggestions. If folks submitted a

[1:21:25] comment, folks had a question. Literally every single one of those was analyzed

[1:21:29] by one of our planners to see whether or not we should make changes uh based on

[1:21:33] both public hearings and the hundreds and hundreds of hours of community

[1:21:36] engagement. Um that led to well over a 100 changes both between the map and and

[1:21:42] the code itself. Um so as we think about the second phase and it expands to

[1:21:46] revitalize commercial hubs, industrial sectors and institution campuses, uh

[1:21:50] that feedback is going to be vital towards what ultimately gets voted on by

[1:21:54] this body. uh because again what we have two things here. We have both zoning

[1:21:58] districts which are sort of the rules of the road but then we apply those zoning

[1:22:02] districts to the map. And I think as we continue to have these zoning

[1:22:06] discussions uh we're able to hopefully have folks you know understand more and

[1:22:10] more about how this ultimately is going to affect you know their lives and their

[1:22:15] neighborhoods. Uh you can view a a draft code online. Um you can visit the

[1:22:20] interactive gallery which is here downtown which also comes with free

[1:22:23] parking. Right Mr. Taba? That's correct. >> Free parking. Um or at an upcoming

[1:22:28] public hearing. The first of four will take place a week from today. Um that

[1:22:32] will be I'm sorry, a week next week. Uh actually this week, I'm sorry. Um we

[1:22:39] will have uh Thursday, August 27th at 6 p.m. at Galloway Ridge Intermediate

[1:22:43] School at the Far West Side in the Westland area. uh where we'll hear an

[1:22:47] overview of the proposed code uh and map from our zoning team and certainly

[1:22:51] encourage members of the public to tune in uh and certainly join us for that. Uh

[1:22:56] and again we do have two public speakers who signed up to speak on this

[1:22:59] ordinance. I want to invite the first forward Mr. Wade Wade Jordan. Mr. Mr.

[1:23:04] Jordan, welcome back to council, sir.

[1:23:17] » How's everybody? Um, thanks, uh, President Promp Dorance and, uh, members

[1:23:23] of council. Uh, my name is Wade Jordan. I'm the CEO of WJ3 Enterprises.

[1:23:29] I'm a local builder, developer, and contractor, and a lifelong resident of

[1:23:34] the Hilltop uh Westside Columbus. Um I'm um I'm moving I'm need support to

[1:23:42] move phase two of the zoning uh zone in initiative forward. Uh my perspective

[1:23:48] comes from working in these neighborhoods every day. I'm not only

[1:23:52] reviewing plans on paper, I'm working towards uh permitting and developing uh

[1:23:58] the process of building buildings. And I also get to watch these neighborhoods

[1:24:02] change in real time. Um I see both opportunities

[1:24:07] uh Columbus has and uh obstacles created by the zoning code uh largely written

[1:24:14] for the [clears throat] city um that existed over 70 years.

[1:24:19] Columbus is growing and we need zoning rules that affect where our city is

[1:24:24] going. Phase two can help create more mixeduse areas where people can live

[1:24:29] closer to their jobs, shops, restaurants, services, and public

[1:24:34] transportation. We need more walkable neighborhoods and

[1:24:38] more opportunities for housing and places where residents can easily

[1:24:42] connect with the rest of the community. We also need modern zoning for business

[1:24:49] and institutional campuses including hospitals, universities and office

[1:24:54] parks. These are major centers for employment and services. Their zoning

[1:25:00] should pro provide flexible flexibility to grow and useful amenities where

[1:25:06] appropriate. um incorporate housing while fitting uh

[1:25:12] responsibility into surrounding neighborhoods.

[1:25:17] As someone who works directly in development, I also understand the value

[1:25:21] of clear and predictable rules. When builders,

[1:25:26] property owners, businesses, and residents understand what can be built

[1:25:31] from the beginning, it reduces uncertainty and makes it easy easier to

[1:25:36] produce thoughtful, highquality projects. Clear standards also give

[1:25:41] neighborhoods a better understanding of what the future development will also

[1:25:45] look like. This uh proposal is not the end of the

[1:25:50] conversation. Advancing the res resolution will only begin the 60-day

[1:25:54] public review period where residents, renters, property owners, area

[1:25:59] commissions, and other stakeholders can study the proposal and help improve it.

[1:26:04] I encourage council to move phase 2 forward and give the public that

[1:26:09] opportunity. I support this work because I want Columbus to remain a city where

[1:26:14] people can find housing, reach jobs and services, start businesses, and build

[1:26:21] strong neighborhoods. As the city grows, our zoning code must grow with it. Thank

[1:26:26] you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Jordan. Any questions for

[1:26:29] my colleagues for our public speaker? See none. Thank you, sir. Appreciate you

[1:26:33] being here. Thank you. >> Our next public speaker is Mr. Lonnie

[1:26:36] Watson. Mr. Watson, welcome back to council.

[1:26:50] Good evening, President Pro Tim Doran, council members. My name is Lonnie

[1:26:55] Watson. I am the executive director for Eastland Development for Growth and

[1:27:00] Equity, also known as EDGE. I am here today in support of advancing

[1:27:06] the zone in resolution. Zone in is basically about preparing

[1:27:11] Columbus for the future. It's about expanding job opportunities,

[1:27:15] increased housing options, and laying the foundation for infrastructure

[1:27:19] investment that connects people to where they live, work, and play

[1:27:26] in Eastland, the area of Columbus that I'm representing.

[1:27:31] » I'm sorry, what district is that? >> It's Eastland.

[1:27:35] [laughter]

[1:27:39] you took my minutes. [laughter] Uh we um we we face the challenges that

[1:27:46] I just outlined. Um but they can only be addressed through effective through

[1:27:51] effectively better planning and processes that reflect both the

[1:27:56] realities of the neighborhoods and the future needs of the city. Zone in is all

[1:28:01] about strengthening our economy and providing greater flexibility for

[1:28:04] businesses, developers, and institutions while establishing clear expectations

[1:28:09] for how job centers and new developments integrate into surrounding communities.

[1:28:14] As Columbus grows, we must take a holistic approach to assessing how

[1:28:20] development affects traffic, transit, pedestrians, parking, and the overall

[1:28:25] quality of life of our residents. If this resolution passes this evening, the

[1:28:30] 60-day public comment period begins and it begins on August 25th. So, I strongly

[1:28:36] encourage all the residents of every part of our city to engage in that

[1:28:40] process. I also encourage the zone in project team to cast a wide net in

[1:28:45] promoting its public webinars by utilizing traditional and social media

[1:28:50] platforms and reaching as many people as possible. I would even suggest holding a

[1:28:54] citywide town hall meeting. I think public engagement should not end

[1:28:59] with the comment period closes. Residents should have a platform to

[1:29:04] share feedback, raise concerns, and help shape how zonin is implemented. Ongoing

[1:29:10] public engagement will build trust and help ensure that policies remain

[1:29:15] responsive to the needs of the people that they serve. I respectfully request

[1:29:20] the city council advance this resolution and the public comment period can begin

[1:29:26] and residents will have a chance to shape the future of Columbus. So in

[1:29:29] closing, I want to reiterate that when the public speaks, the city should not

[1:29:33] only listen, but the city should act. By listening and responding to public

[1:29:38] input, we can strengthen community trust, promote equity, and build a

[1:29:43] stronger, more prosperous Columbus for everyone.

[1:29:48] That's my >> Thank you, Mr. Watson.

[1:29:50] » Any questions? >> Yeah.

[1:29:52] » All right. >> You can beat the clock even with council

[1:29:54] members interrupting you. [laughter] >> What What district number is that,

[1:29:59] council member? >> No problem.

[1:30:00] » Eight. District eight. >> Um I I just wanted to just also thank

[1:30:05] you uh thank you chair for giving me the opportunity. I just also wanted to thank

[1:30:09] you um for coming. I think, you know, we've been having lots of conversations

[1:30:14] about CDC's in particular and how we think about community development

[1:30:18] corporations. You know, they were started during the civil rights movement

[1:30:22] for to ensure that as the public was getting cut out of many deals that this

[1:30:28] was a way for them to say these are the things that we want to see in our

[1:30:31] community. And I think this second phase of zone in also allows for that clarity,

[1:30:36] especially as I think about our last speaker who is a local, you know,

[1:30:41] housing provider. as I think about Eastland and all of the local businesses

[1:30:46] that we have there and as we think about um investing in that prosperity of

[1:30:50] Eastland so it can be what it once was that um this having clear zoning

[1:30:56] guidelines is going to be um crucial to so many of our business owners that are

[1:31:01] the lifeblood of our community and ensuring that as they think about how

[1:31:06] they grow their business or where they put their business that they have clear

[1:31:09] guidelines because we've heard a lot about how that is challenging,

[1:31:13] especially as I think about the Eastan area for our um uh blackowned and

[1:31:19] immigrant-owned businesses that sometimes have some e extra barriers for

[1:31:24] how they grow and how they develop. And so having processes that are clear,

[1:31:28] having processes that they can understand is going to be vital. And I

[1:31:32] especially appreciate you um also stating how we continue to get better

[1:31:37] because I think you know I think if there was a theme for this council

[1:31:40] meeting it's about that is how do we continue to get better and better um at

[1:31:45] serving our residents and so um that in that that also means making it easier

[1:31:51] for them to participate and having that lower barrier. So thank you.

[1:31:55] » Thank you council member. Any other question or comments council members?

[1:31:59] Thank you Mr. Podson. Um before I call for a vote on this resolution, I just

[1:32:04] want to again I think reemphasize the first phase of zone in I think was the

[1:32:08] closest collaboration I I have seen during my near eight years on this body

[1:32:12] between council and this administration. I think the most intense public

[1:32:16] engagement I've seen between those two branches of government and folks across

[1:32:22] uh the city. It's something I was very very proud of that expect us to to do

[1:32:25] handing glove again uh to make sure as we make what will be a big change for

[1:32:29] for residents and for the city uh that's that has done so with the community um

[1:32:34] to make sure they come along with us because this has um decadesl long

[1:32:38] generational change attached to it to address so many things that we know we

[1:32:42] have to do both as a council and as administration to uh help bring this

[1:32:47] type of land use rules and regulations uh from the 1950s

[1:32:53] not only into the 2026 but into you know the next 50 and 60 years ourselves. So

[1:32:58] with that uh I move for adoption on resolution number 0183X-2026.

[1:33:04] » Second. >> Clerk please call the role.

[1:33:05] » Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de AOA Dors Remy Ross Swiss

[1:33:10] » resol resolution adopted. >> Sorry I did that backwards.

[1:33:13] » Sorry that again. Do that again. Bankston, Barrosa, de Padilla, De Akaw,

[1:33:18] Remy, Ross W, President Pro Tim Dorren. >> Resolution adopted. Uh, is there a

[1:33:24] motion to go into recess? >> Clerk, please call the RO.

[1:33:28] » Thanks. Timber Rosa, Deia, De Akawa, Remy, Ross, Wish, President, Pro Tim

[1:33:32] Dorren. >> We are in recess. Uh, we'll break for

[1:33:35] zoning for five minutes.

[1:33:54] » [music]

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[1:34:12] [music]

[1:35:07] » Heat. Hey, hey, hey.

[1:35:28] [music]

[1:35:56] Heat. Heat.

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[1:36:35] » [music]

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[1:36:57] Heat. Heat.

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[1:38:02] Heat.

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[1:38:46] » Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music]

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[1:39:26] » Heat. Heat. [music]

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[1:40:12] » Heat. Heat.

[1:40:32] Heat. Heat.

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[1:41:00] [music]

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[1:42:22] » [music]

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[1:46:58] » [music]

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[1:49:41] » Heat. Heat.

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[1:50:26] [music] >> Heat. Heat.

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[1:50:53] Heat. Heat.

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[1:53:41] » Reading the journal. Clerk, please call the role.

[1:53:44] » Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Aower Rei Ross White, President Pro Tim Dorren.

[1:53:50] » Are there any additions or corrections to the journal? Hearing no additions or

[1:53:54] correction, the journal is approved. We'll now go to the zoning committee. I

[1:53:57] chair that committee and all members serve. Um, before we begin tonight's

[1:54:01] agenda, first a little bit of housekeep housekeeping. Will the clerk please read

[1:54:04] the numbers of legislation in zoning committee this evening that require

[1:54:07] waiver of second reading >> resonings ordinance 185 and two

[1:54:12] 2167-2026 variances 1930

[1:54:18] 2040 I'm sorry 2240 and 2252-2026 >> thank you clerk and I move to wave

[1:54:25] second reading on those items clerk please call the role

[1:54:28] » bankosa de padilla de aawa rei ros vice president prom doran

[1:54:33] waved. Uh, as always, allow me to briefly explain our rules. Speaking

[1:54:37] before council on reszonings and variances, we'll only hear staff

[1:54:40] presentation for ordinance that have a disapproval from a recommending body or

[1:54:44] if we have a public speaker sign to speak against an ordinance. We permit up

[1:54:48] to three speakers on each side of an ordinance, three proponents, three

[1:54:51] opponents. We ask those speakers limit their remarks to three minutes for the

[1:54:54] Santa Rosa City Council. All speakers on the council variance, including city

[1:54:57] staff, air commissioners, applicants, and members of the public will be sworn

[1:55:00] in before they give testimony. A representative area commission is always

[1:55:03] able to speak on ordinance and do not need to fill a speaker slip, but we do

[1:55:06] ask you alert of city staff of your intentions to speak at this committee

[1:55:09] hearing. Representative of a civic association do need to file a speaker

[1:55:13] slip because civic associations are not formally recognized under Columbus City

[1:55:16] to code this evening. We do not have any public speaker slips signed up to speak

[1:55:19] on any ordinance on the advice of city attorney's office. I will now swear in

[1:55:24] city staff who stand and raise your right hand be sworn in. Do you swear

[1:55:26] affirm the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth? nothing but the

[1:55:29] truth as you shall answer under pains of penalty perjury. If so, please say I do.

[1:55:32] » Thank you. Please let the record reflect that Tim Dietrich from the department of

[1:55:35] millions zoning services have been sworn in. First, we have ordinance number

[1:55:38] 0185-2026 to reszone 1100 Frank Road being 2.25 25

[1:55:43] plus acres located the northwest corner of Frank Road and Brown Road from Rural

[1:55:47] District to CPD commercial plan development district set that consists

[1:55:50] of 11 parcels to both a mix of uses including significant dwellings, auto

[1:55:54] sales and a billboard all currently zoned our rural district as a result of

[1:55:58] annexation in the city of Columbus. Proposed reszoning will allow limited

[1:56:02] commercial development including auto sales and a fuel sales within two sub

[1:56:06] areas. Proposal is consistent with the Columbus growth strategy and the

[1:56:09] development text includes commitments to traffic improvements and buffering and

[1:56:12] screening from adjacent residential uses. Proposals approved from city staff

[1:56:16] and the development commission and southwest area commission. Any questions

[1:56:19] or comments from colleagues? Seeing none, move for passage. Is there a

[1:56:23] second? >> Clerk, please call the role.

[1:56:25] » Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross, Vice President Pro Tim Dors.

[1:56:30] » Passed. Next we have ordinance number 2167-226

[1:56:34] to reszone 865 North Wilson Road being 1.05 plus acres located in the northwest

[1:56:38] corner of North Wilson Road in Pharaoh Place from CC C4 commercial district to

[1:56:42] C4 commercial district. Second consist of one parcel developed with a

[1:56:45] automotive sales facility and requested reszoning will allow regional scale

[1:56:49] commercial uses and are consistent with both the Quill's growth strategy and

[1:56:52] existing development zoning patterns along the section of North Wilson Road.

[1:56:55] Proposal is approved from city staff development commission and the greater

[1:56:58] hilltop area commission. Any questions or comments my colleagues? Seeing none,

[1:57:01] I move for passage. >> Clerk, please call the role.

[1:57:04] » Bank Simber Padia de Akawa Remy Ross vice president proim dors

[1:57:08] » passed. Move on to the council variances. First, we have ordinance

[1:57:11] number 1 1930-2026 granted variance provisions effect

[1:57:14] section 333 2.033 all residential district 3312.49 49C require parking in

[1:57:19] the Columbus City Codes for property located at 1 190 I'm sorry 1930 Walnut

[1:57:24] Hill Park Drive to allow shared living facility reduce park in the R1

[1:57:28] residential district. This site consists of a single unit dwelling and the

[1:57:32] requested council variance will allow the site to be used as a shared living

[1:57:34] facility with a maximum of six residents. A council variance is

[1:57:38] required because a shared living facility with six occupants is not

[1:57:41] allowed in the current zoning district. A variance to reduce required parking

[1:57:44] from seven to four spaces is also included in the request proposals has

[1:57:48] the proposal has approved from city staff and the far east area commission.

[1:57:52] I first move to accept the entire staff report into evidence as an exhibit.

[1:57:56] » Clerk, please call the role. >> Banks Roa de Padilla de Aawa Remy Ross

[1:58:00] vice president proim dorren >> accepted. Next I move to adopt the

[1:58:03] finance of staff at the finance of council.

[1:58:05] » Clerk please call the role. Bankston Barrosa de Padilla de Aawa Remy Ross

[1:58:09] vice president pro Tim Dorne >> adopted and finally move for passage

[1:58:13] clerk please call the role >> banks bar roa de padia de aawa reie ros

[1:58:17] vice president proim dorren >> passed next we have ordinance 2240-226

[1:58:21] to grant variance provisions of section 33553

[1:58:24] C4 permitted use of the Columbus city to go to property located at 445 East 17th

[1:58:28] Avenue to allow allow parking and rental of I'm sorry to allow parking and rental

[1:58:34] of moving trucks in the C3 commercial District site consists of two parcels

[1:58:37] developed a retail establishment. The council of variance requests allow

[1:58:41] parking of rental of moving trucks. The council of variance is required because

[1:58:45] the current zoning district does not allow parking and rental rental moving

[1:58:49] trucks to be uh located on site. Proposal is consistent with the Columbus

[1:58:52] grow strategy and design guidelines with fencing landscaping screening of the

[1:58:56] parking lot is also included. Additionally, the department of public

[1:58:59] service has imposed additional conditions requiring the number and size

[1:59:02] of vehicles stored on site and maneuvering of said vehicles. proposals,

[1:59:05] approvals from city staff and the university area commission. Uh do my my

[1:59:10] colleagues have question comments? Seeing none, I first move to accept the

[1:59:12] entire staff report into evidence as an exhibit.

[1:59:15] » Clerk, please call the role. >> Banks Rosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross

[1:59:19] vice president pro Tim Dorren. >> Uh accepted. I next move to adopt the

[1:59:23] staff of council. >> Clerk, please call the role.

[1:59:26] » Banks Rosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross vice president pro Tim Dorren.

[1:59:31] » Accept or adopted and finally move for passage. Clerk, please call the role.

[1:59:35] » Banks Denver Rosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross Vice President Pro Tim

[1:59:39] Dorance. >> Uh, passed. Uh, next we have ordinance

[1:59:42] number 2252-2026 grant of variance provisions section

[1:59:46] 34.E E dot I'm sorry 34E 2000A use uses use table 34E9090

[1:59:54] C regional activity center building permit 30 34E9090F

[1:59:59] regional activity center uh facade 34E20 uh 090G regional activity center onsite

[2:00:06] parking in 34F um 04030 A1A a prop procedures for large sites

[2:00:15] site plan for large development velment sites. Uh the Columbus City Coast

[2:00:18] property located at 2675 Bryce Road to allow light industrial uses with reduced

[2:00:23] development standards in the RAAC regional activity center district. This

[2:00:27] site consists of one parcel developed existing big box retail store. The

[2:00:31] requested council of variance will allow the the site to be redeveloped with up

[2:00:34] to 1,000 or 144,000 ft of light industrial uses. A council of variance

[2:00:40] is required because the current zoning district only allows up to 10,000 square

[2:00:43] foot of artisan manufacturing uses while the applicant proposes limited

[2:00:47] industrial uses including storage distri distribution and wholesaling. The

[2:00:53] requested use which includes a mix of industrial and office uses while

[2:00:57] utilizing existing development site and notes the building elevations landscape

[2:01:00] plan are also consistent with the Columbus growth strategy mixeduse design

[2:01:04] guidelines. proposal as approv staff in the far east area commission. I first

[2:01:09] move to accept the entire staff report into evidence as an exhibit. Clerk,

[2:01:13] please call the role. >> Bank Rosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross

[2:01:17] W president pro Tim Dorren >> accepted. Next move to adopt the finance

[2:01:21] of council. Clerk, please call the role. >> Bankrosa de Padilla de Aawa Remy Ross

[2:01:26] Vice President Proim Dorren. >> Adopted and finally move for passage.

[2:01:30] » Clerk, please call the role. Bank Simberosa Deia de Akawa Remy Ross vice

[2:01:35] president pro Tim Dorne >> passed. Seeing no other business come

[2:01:38] before the zoning committee this evening. Can I get a motion to adjurnn?

[2:01:41] » Clerk please call the role. >> Thanks Tim Simber Rosa de Padilla de a

[2:01:45] Remy Ross vice president pro Tim Dorren. >> We are adjourned.

[2:02:28] » [music] >> Heat. Heat. N.

[2:02:39] [music] Heat. Heat. N.

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[2:03:41] » Hey, [music]

[2:03:44] hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat.

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[2:04:39] » Hey, [music]

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[2:05:12] » Heat. Heat.

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[2:06:05] » Simosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross Weiss President Pro Tim Dorne. We need a

[2:06:11] motion. >> I'm sorry. Is there a motion to

[2:06:13] reconvene uh meeting number 35? >> So moved. Clerk, please call the role.

[2:06:17] » Banks Barber Rosa, de Padilla de Akawa, Remy Ross, vice president, pro Tim Dors.

[2:06:21] » We are reconvened. We will now move back to regular order. Uh and our first

[2:06:26] committee come council is the finance and governance committee. Council Banks

[2:06:29] and chairs of that committee. Council floor is yours.

[2:06:31] » Uh thank you, President Pro Tim. First up in the finance and governance

[2:06:34] committee for second read, we have ordinance 1868-2026

[2:06:38] to authorize the finance and management director on behalf of the fleet

[2:06:41] management division to enter into a contract for the purchase of two

[2:06:45] hardware thermals supporting uh the fuel focus fuel management system with asset

[2:06:51] works LLC to wave competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code to

[2:06:54] authorize the director of finance and management to associate all general

[2:06:58] budget reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate universal

[2:07:02] term contract purchase agreement and to establish related purchase orders for

[2:07:06] electrical repairs for the fleet management division to authorize

[2:07:09] expenditure of $97,000 from the Fleet Management Capital Fund and to declare

[2:07:13] an emergency. As stated in the title, this ordinance purchases two fuel focus

[2:07:18] hardware terminals from asset works LLC and authorizes the installation of

[2:07:23] upgraded power and data for the city's five fueling stations. Fuel Focus serves

[2:07:28] as the fleet management division's primary platform for monitoring,

[2:07:32] managing, and analyzing fuel transactions and consumption. The system

[2:07:37] enables real time tracking of fuel receipts and usage through integrated

[2:07:42] card reader technology, enhancing operational efficiency and data accuracy

[2:07:47] in fleet fuel operations. Asset Works LLC provides fleet management with a

[2:07:52] suite of software solutions to assist with the operations of the city's over

[2:07:57] 6,000 vehicles and monitored uh motorized equipment. The waiver of

[2:08:02] competitive bid is because of the use of a universal term contract and emergency

[2:08:06] action is requested so that the fuel sites can be upgraded and available to

[2:08:10] provide fuel to designated locations without interruption. Are there any

[2:08:14] questions or comments from my colleagues? Seeing none, I move for

[2:08:16] passage. >> Clerk, please call the role. Banks

[2:08:19] Temporarosa Deodia de Akawa Remy Ross vice president pro Tim Dorren

[2:08:23] » ordinance passed. >> Next we have ordinance 21104-2026

[2:08:26] to authorize the finance and management director to enter into a contract with

[2:08:30] buyers mitten and associates LLC for consulting services contract related to

[2:08:34] state government relations to wave the competitive bidding provisions of

[2:08:37] Columbus city codes chapter 329 to authorize the expenditure of $60,000

[2:08:41] from the general fund and to declare an emergency. This ordinance authorizes a

[2:08:45] contract with Buyers Mitten LLC. Buyers Mitten serves as a consultant for the

[2:08:49] city and provides state of Ohio government relations. Waiver of

[2:08:53] competitive bid is for the ongoing nature of this contract. Are there any

[2:08:57] questions or comments from my colleagues? Uh council member watch.

[2:08:59] » Yeah, chair. Appreciate you um kicking it to me. I'm really surprised that we

[2:09:03] are moving forward with this agreement. As someone who has had to allow

[2:09:08] departments to realize that there are state issues impacting their business as

[2:09:11] well as policy decisions that are happening at the state house and not

[2:09:14] being informed, why are we choosing to go with this consultant?

[2:09:19] » Uh, thank you for the concerns. Uh, council member White, I know that this

[2:09:22] is primarily a contract that the mayor's office utilizes, but director, I don't

[2:09:26] know if you want to speak to that question. [snorts]

[2:09:30] » Yes. Uh, thank you, Chair Bangston and Council Member W. Yeah. uh buyers mitten

[2:09:35] has partnered with us in the past to uh keep us advised of you know uh state

[2:09:39] legislature changes that could impact uh city operations and so we you know

[2:09:44] respectfully request to continue that partnership.

[2:09:47] » I appreciate you mentioning that director but don't they also consult for

[2:09:51] others who would come before us for business? It seems a little like a

[2:09:54] conflict of interest to utilize someone else who is utilizing their services to

[2:10:00] get in front of us. >> Uh thanks Council W. I'm not aware of

[2:10:04] that. Um, >> do we have a full accounting of the the

[2:10:07] contracts that they have with other external entities

[2:10:10] » with ex I'm sorry, with external entities?

[2:10:13] » Yes. Outside the city of Columbus? >> I do not. I

[2:10:16] » Is that something we can get prior to approving this agreement?

[2:10:20] » I can certainly work towards that, sir. I I don't have that information. Uh,

[2:10:25] it's not something we keep in the finance department. their engagement

[2:10:28] with, you know, entities outside the city. But certainly,

[2:10:32] » yeah, I'm I'm just I'm really concerned. There have been things that have come up

[2:10:35] that impact the work of Columbus Water and Power that we had to notify Columbus

[2:10:39] Water and Power of And. And if their job is to be at the state house and see the

[2:10:44] bills coming through there, that might impact the city of Columbus, that should

[2:10:48] be their responsibility. So, I'd be curious from the mayor's perspective in

[2:10:51] terms of what is the ROI? Are they actually doing the work that we're

[2:10:54] paying for or or what?

[2:11:02] Director, I don't know if you want to answer. I mean, think absolutely,

[2:11:04] Council W. You think it bring up some good points. I think we can definitely

[2:11:07] get those answered. I don't know if we want to get uh the conflict question

[2:11:12] answered by our city attorney's office because I think that they would probably

[2:11:15] have a better uh weigh in there. Um possibly. If not, I'm putting you on the

[2:11:22] spot here. >> Thank you, Council Member Bankston. I am

[2:11:26] not specifically aware of the other clients that are represented by Buyers

[2:11:30] Mitten. I have worked with their representative on various issues uh

[2:11:34] specifically related to legislative changes at the general assembly that

[2:11:38] might impact the city of Columbus. Um I've personally worked with the

[2:11:42] consultant that we're referring to here on matters pertaining to um misdemeanor

[2:11:47] investigative subpoenas was one that was fairly recent. Um worked with him on

[2:11:51] matters pertaining to crim I'm trying to remember what they all are. Um, but the

[2:11:55] nature of the of the relationship as I understand it in terms of how the city

[2:11:59] engages this particular contractor is if there is an issue related to state law

[2:12:04] that's negatively impacting how the city's operations are happening or if

[2:12:08] there's an issue with maybe an interpretation of state law that's

[2:12:11] making it challenging particularly in the area of of criminal justice which is

[2:12:14] where I was working on on these issues with him. um we would use the advice and

[2:12:19] guidance of this particular individual to assist us in getting the appropriate

[2:12:24] general assembly men and or woman to help us move those legislative changes

[2:12:28] forward. >> Uh thank you for that.

[2:12:33] » Ju just real quick just because I'm not sure if that's clear. If there is

[2:12:37] somebody who has business before the city of Columbus and they have Buyers

[2:12:42] Minton as their contracted lobbyist, does it create a conflict of interest

[2:12:47] for us to also utilize them too? >> And that's going to depend on who their

[2:12:51] third party contractor would be. There could be circumstances in which there is

[2:12:55] a conflict and we would have to know whether or not there is specifically a

[2:12:59] conflict in between that representation and the representation of the city. Um,

[2:13:03] but this individual contractor doesn't always represent the city's interests in

[2:13:07] all things. Um, they are reached out to when we need representation and so we

[2:13:11] would have to look at that on a case- by case basis and we'd be happy to do that

[2:13:14] for you, but I don't have that the particular set of client lists in front

[2:13:17] of me at the moment. >> Thank you. I I I would not feel

[2:13:20] comfortable moving forward without the client list, but I'm one of nine.

[2:13:24] » And I think it's fair to get you a scope uh of the work as well. Uh, Council

[2:13:29] Member White, um, is there any other questions or concerns from my

[2:13:33] colleagues? >> Is this a is this a retainer whereby

[2:13:36] we're just paying on it or do we owe this particular vendor money

[2:13:41] » at the moment? Is this a >> This is This is a renewal contract. It

[2:13:45] is a retain retainer that we have had for

[2:13:48] » many years standing with buyers. >> Thank you.

[2:13:54] » Any other questions or comments from my colleagues?

[2:13:58] Seeing none, I move for uh passage by voice.

[2:14:01] » Cler, please call the role. >> Bankston,

[2:14:04] » yes. >> Barbosa de Podia,

[2:14:08] » yes. >> Deakau,

[2:14:10] » yes. >> Remy,

[2:14:13] » yes. >> Ross,

[2:14:14] » yes. >> W

[2:14:16] » no. >> President Proim Dorren,

[2:14:18] » yes. Ordinance passed. >> Thank you. Um, next we have ordinance

[2:14:23] 2194-2026.

[2:14:26] Uh this is to authorize the director of finance and management to enter into

[2:14:30] contract with SGI Matrix LLC for security system parts installation

[2:14:35] maintenance monitoring repair and support services for security access

[2:14:39] equipment at various city facilities to wave the competitive bidding provisions

[2:14:43] of city code and to authorize the expenditure of $160,000 from the general

[2:14:48] fund for the division of facilities and to allow for the payment invoices for

[2:14:53] expenses incurred for the period beginning August 1, 2020. 26 to the date

[2:14:58] of issuance of a purchase order for the new contract and to declare an

[2:15:02] emergency. This legislation authorizes a contract with SGI Matrix LLC for

[2:15:08] security system support. SGI Matrix provides both the access control

[2:15:12] hardware panels and card readers as well as the software to monitor control

[2:15:17] access and secure facilities under the purview of the facilities management

[2:15:22] division. Due to the pro proprietary nature of the security software and

[2:15:27] compatibility with existing security equipment, it is in the city's best

[2:15:31] interest to maintain consistency with existing security infrastructure and

[2:15:36] continue its contractual relationship with SGI Matrix LLC. Uh, are there any

[2:15:41] questions or comments for my colleagues? Seeing none, I move for passage.

[2:15:48] » Uh, clerk, please call the role. >> Thanks. Timber padia de a rei ros

[2:15:54] president proim dorren >> passed uh I would like to make a motion

[2:15:58] to reconsider ordinance number 21 I'm sorry 21104-2026

[2:16:03] » second

[2:16:06] clerk please call the role by voice >> bankston

[2:16:10] » yes >> barosa deodia

[2:16:12] » yeah reconsider

[2:16:15] » so we are going to reconsider ordinance number 21 I'm sorry 21104- 2026. The

[2:16:21] clerk did not have a second um to move that forward. And also because that's uh

[2:16:26] currently up as an emergency measure, um there needs to be seven votes in order

[2:16:30] for that u to to be passed. >> And we only have six.

[2:16:37] » Yeah. So, uh Council Member Bson, just so you're aware, um that needs seven

[2:16:42] votes for for passage under these rules. >> Got it.

[2:16:44] » Okay. Okay. >> So, u I'm I'm making a motion to

[2:16:48] reconsider ordinance number 21104-2026. >> Okay.

[2:16:52] » Clerk, please call the role by voice. >> Okay. Bankston,

[2:16:55] » yes. >> Barosa de Padilla,

[2:16:59] » this is to reconsider. Yes. This is to reconsider the vote.

[2:17:02] » So, Deakau, >> yes.

[2:17:04] » Remy, >> yes.

[2:17:06] » Ross, >> yes.

[2:17:07] » We >> President Pro Tim Dorne,

[2:17:09] » yes. >> Okay.

[2:17:12] » Um, do I need to read Reread the ordinance?

[2:17:14] » Yes. Okay. Uh, ordinance 21104-2026 to authorize the finance and management

[2:17:20] director to enter into to a contract with buyer mittens and associates LLC

[2:17:23] for a consulting services contract related to state government relations to

[2:17:27] to wave the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter

[2:17:30] 329 to authorize the expenditure of $60,000 from the general fund and to

[2:17:34] declare an emergency. At this time, I will move to refer this uh ordinance

[2:17:38] back to committee. >> Clerk, please call the role

[2:17:42] » by voice. >> By voice.

[2:17:44] » Yep. Bankston, >> yes.

[2:17:45] » Barosa de Padilla, >> yes.

[2:17:47] » Deakau, >> yes.

[2:17:49] » Remy, >> yes.

[2:17:51] » Ross, >> yes.

[2:17:52] » We >> President Pro Tim Dorne,

[2:17:56] » yes. Referred to committee. >> Thank you, President Pro Tim. That's all

[2:17:59] I have in my committees this evening. >> Thank you all. Um, next we have

[2:18:02] committee come for council is the public service and transportation committee.

[2:18:05] Uh, that committee is chair by council member Rosa Deedia. Floor is yours,

[2:18:08] council member. >> Thank you, President Prom. Uh this

[2:18:11] evening we have three items on second read for public service and

[2:18:15] transportation. Um, the first is ordinance 1712 2026 to amend the 2025

[2:18:21] capital improvement budget to authorize a transfer of funds within the streets

[2:18:24] and highways bond fund to appropriate funds within the federal transportation

[2:18:28] grants fund to authorize the director of public service to enter into contract

[2:18:31] with access civil construction LLC for the pedestrian fra

[2:18:37] Sunberry Agler road project to authorize the expenditure of up to 1,869713

[2:18:45] 13, no, $69,7138

[2:18:52] from the streets and highways bond fund and the federal transportation grants

[2:18:55] fund for the project to repay any unused grant funds at the end of the grant

[2:18:59] project or period and to declare an emergency. So, I'm really excited about

[2:19:03] this project because this is about sidewalks and we just talked a little

[2:19:07] bit about making sure that our kids have safe passages to school. So this project

[2:19:12] consists of constructing sidewalks along Agler Road from Sunberry to Cassidy

[2:19:17] along Sunberry from Agler to North Mifflin Middle School and from Cassidy A

[2:19:24] from Agler Road to North or to Cassidy Alternative Elementary School. Feels

[2:19:30] very confusing. Sidewalks all the way around. Um, installation of the sidewalk

[2:19:35] will include curb ramps, drive approaches, and signing and pavement

[2:19:40] markings. Storm water drainage improvements will also be made where

[2:19:43] necessary. Portions of the sidewalk project are located on the Vision Zero

[2:19:48] high injury network due to the number of serious or fatal crashes and or crashes

[2:19:52] involving vulnerable road users like people walking, biking, or on a

[2:19:56] motorcycle. These Vision Zero safety improvements are designed to increase

[2:19:59] visibility of people walking and separate those vulnerable roadway users

[2:20:04] from vehicle traffic. The estimated notice to proceed date is July 15, 2026.

[2:20:10] Director, is there anything that you want to say about these sidewalks? I'm

[2:20:13] always excited when we can talk about how we are putting in sidewalks, but

[2:20:17] especially when they again create those safe passages to school.

[2:20:22] » All right. Good evening, President um Pro Tim Dorans and Chair Barros Pad

[2:20:27] Padilla and other members of council. We are very excited about this project as

[2:20:31] well. Um our partners over at the Ohio Department of Transportation helped to

[2:20:36] fund this project. This is a safe routes to school project that will be

[2:20:40] connecting safe connections that provide greater walking and biking access to

[2:20:44] students and families to two Columbus City school buildings. You had kind of

[2:20:49] said it. um Cassidy Elementary and Mifflin Middle School. And the new

[2:20:53] sidewalks and shared use path will also make access to Northeast Park and Howard

[2:20:58] Community Center safer as well for that whole community. And this is a part of a

[2:21:01] much larger network that we're building that's going to connect to the Allen

[2:21:05] Creek Trail all the way down Cassidy through a Franklin County project and to

[2:21:11] um the city of Beexley, but also into the Alen Creek Trail that way. I mean,

[2:21:15] it's going to make a really nice connection.

[2:21:17] » Yeah. which is amazing because if folks didn't know, you could actually start at

[2:21:20] Wolf Park and go all the way to Cleveland Avenue through our trails. And

[2:21:24] so this is um I think also just another I think when you look at roads like

[2:21:29] Sunberry Agler that are highly, you know, trafficked roads and don't have

[2:21:34] that safe passage for folks to walk. Um I just want to you know give credit to

[2:21:39] um the department and also thanks to ODAP for partnering with us on this. Um,

[2:21:44] you know, we the director and I were just talking today about sidewalks on

[2:21:48] Barnett. Uh, I'm lo lifelong eastider. I've taken Barnett. It is definitely a

[2:21:53] scary path and there's no sidewalks along that street. And so, um, I just,

[2:21:58] uh, am very excited about what this means for folks who are living in that

[2:22:02] area. We've had folks who have come in and talked about Sunberry and the

[2:22:06] challenges and Agler. And so, again, that bigger walkable connected community

[2:22:11] is just so important. So, do my colleagues have any additional questions

[2:22:15] or comments? Seeing none, I move for passage.

[2:22:18] » Clerk, please call the role. >> Thanks. Timber Rosa de Padilla de Akawa

[2:22:22] Remy Ross, Vice President, Pro Tim Dorren.

[2:22:24] » Ordinance passed. >> Thank you. Next, we have ordinance 1966

[2:22:29] 2026 to amend the 2025 capital improvement budget to authorize the

[2:22:33] director of public service to enter into contract with Strawer Construction

[2:22:36] Incorporated for the resurfacing 2026 slurry seal project to authorize the

[2:22:42] expenditure of up to 1,223,682.86

[2:22:48] from the streets and highways bond fund for the project and to declare an

[2:22:51] emergency. So, this contract includes slurry ceiling and I'm going to stop

[2:22:56] there for just a second. Director, can you tell us what slurry ceiling is?

[2:23:01] [laughter]

[2:23:03] » Good evening. >> Just so the people know.

[2:23:05] » Good evening again, members of council. Um, Chair Broady Padilla, the um this is

[2:23:10] a preventative maintenance strategy that we use. Um, it performs preventative

[2:23:15] maintenance when we're going to use it to prevent it extends the life of

[2:23:19] pavement. it kind if the pavement starts cracking, we slurry seal it into there

[2:23:24] and it helps extend the life of the mainten or the pavement.

[2:23:27] » So, this is essentially getting like those little cracks, right?

[2:23:30] » Yes. >> And slurry seal is that black stuff that

[2:23:34] looks like somebody drew crayons all over black crayons all over or tar all

[2:23:38] over the uh the pavement, but it is actually extending the life of the

[2:23:43] pavement. >> Perfect. Especially when we're talking

[2:23:45] about street resurfacing, this is like the in between. Um so slurry se c se c

[2:23:50] se c se c se c se c se c se c se c se c se c sealing on uh 33 city streets micro

[2:23:54] surfacing on 16 city streets and this contract will also apply asphalt

[2:23:59] rejuvenation agent to 17 city streets and apply a seal coat to eight shared

[2:24:04] use paths and other work as may be necessary. The estimated to uh proceed

[2:24:08] date is September 16, 2026. Director, will there be a list of the streets

[2:24:13] online that folks can look at?

[2:24:20] Yes, there will be. Um, we've got a there's 66 streets and eight shared use

[2:24:26] paths around the city that we are going to be slurry sealing with this contract.

[2:24:29] » Perfect. And also, I just encourage folks, I know that um we're a little bit

[2:24:34] past high pothole season, but obviously with the rains and other things, some

[2:24:39] more have popped up. So, if you do see those potholes or there is a condition

[2:24:44] of your street that is, you know, challenging, please put in those 311

[2:24:48] requests. That's how we make determinations on the streets that we

[2:24:51] will be slurring or other things. Um, do my colleagues have any additional

[2:24:57] questions or comments? Seeing none, I move for passage.

[2:25:00] » Clerk, please call the role. >> Bank Rosa de Padilla de Akawa, Remy

[2:25:04] Ross, Vice President, Pro Tim Dorren. >> Ordinance passed.

[2:25:07] » Thank you. And last but not least, we have ordinance 21412026

[2:25:12] to amend the 2025 capital improvement budget to authorize the transfer funds

[2:25:16] within the streets and highways bond fund to authorize the director of public

[2:25:19] service to enter into a contract modification with Canvas Consulting LLC

[2:25:24] in connection with the vision zero multilingual outreach research and

[2:25:27] education project and to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000 from the

[2:25:31] streets and highways bond fund to pay for the project and to declare an

[2:25:34] emergency. The Vision Zero multilingual outreach research and education project

[2:25:39] may be used to create signage in English, Haitian Creole, French,

[2:25:43] Portuguese, Nepali, and Spanish to communicate with those directly impacted

[2:25:46] by roadway safety projects specifically around the high injury network corridors

[2:25:51] like Livingston Avenue, Hamilton Road, and Roberts Road. This equitable

[2:25:55] multilingual outreach approach to those living and traveling where new traffic

[2:25:58] patterns are being constructed will help reduce serious injuries and fatal

[2:26:02] crashes as part of vision zero. So I just want to say uh one quick thing and

[2:26:07] then I'll hand it over uh director Scott if there's something else that you want

[2:26:10] to add. But part of this is to ensure that again that we have equitable access

[2:26:16] for all of our communities. So vision zero is again uh our vision that we will

[2:26:21] have zero uh injuries or fatalities due to crashes. And so the department has

[2:26:26] been doing really amazing work with a um both our outreach teams and then a um

[2:26:32] our uh kind of a commission around vision zero. But this will really help

[2:26:38] to ensure that we really have a campaign that reaches everybody and that

[2:26:42] everybody understands the vision zero principles. Director, is there anything

[2:26:45] that you would add? >> Okay, good evening again, President Pro

[2:26:49] Tim Doran's uh chair broia, members of council. This contract modification

[2:26:54] continues to advance the implementation of key vision zero action plan strategy

[2:26:59] to broaden vision zero awareness through an education campaign and multilingual

[2:27:03] approach. Uh the focus is straightforward to highlight Zero

[2:27:09] principles that prioritize protecting lives on our roadways to educate

[2:27:13] everyone about the traffic safety laws no matter how they get around and to

[2:27:17] encourage safe behaviors to save lives. I think I will note so far that this

[2:27:22] year our Vision Zero team has interacted directly with more than 3,000 people at

[2:27:26] over 50 community events. So, we use this contract to do all of that

[2:27:31] outreach. And I also want to just shout out Canvas Consulting because that is a

[2:27:36] local blackowned business, also a Columbus Kid, Yavez, who um has helped

[2:27:42] to uh I mean, I think with anything in a city this large, it you know, running a

[2:27:47] campaign, we are not going to have all of the resources in which to do that.

[2:27:50] And so when we spend these kind of dollars, it's just important for us to

[2:27:54] get the word out. We've done that around pay equity and other campaigns that

[2:27:57] we're running. And so, um, the fact that not only that we're doing this for, you

[2:28:03] know, for the to ensure that we're including everyone in this effort, but

[2:28:07] also that we are investing those dollars right back into our community, right

[2:28:11] back into a small local business is also um something that should be um

[2:28:15] highlighted as well. Do my colleagues have any additional questions or

[2:28:19] comments? Seeing none, I move for passage.

[2:28:24] » Clerk, please call the role. Bang Barosa de Padilla de Akawa Remy Ross vice

[2:28:28] president pro Tim Dorne >> ordinance passed.

[2:28:31] » Thank you so much. That's all for me this evening.

[2:28:33] » Thank you chair. Uh the next committee come for council is the public safety

[2:28:36] and criminal justice committee. That committee is chaired by council member

[2:28:39] Remy. Floor is yours sir. >> Thank you very much president Tim

[2:28:42] tonight in the public safety and criminal justice committee. We have

[2:28:45] three ordinances on second read. The first is 2066 2026 to authorize the

[2:28:49] director of public safety on behalf of the division of fire to enter into a

[2:28:53] contract with Deacon International for live mum annual maintenance and support

[2:28:56] services for the division of fire for year 2 starting September 1st, 2026 to

[2:29:01] authorize the expenditure of $24,441 from the general fund to wave the

[2:29:06] competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code and to declare an

[2:29:09] emergency. This ordinance funds year two of the live mom, the fire division's

[2:29:14] real-time deployment tool that helps dispatchers identify coverage gaps and

[2:29:18] reposition apparatus when units are already on calls. A bid waver is

[2:29:22] requested because Deacon owns the proprietary, highly customized live mum

[2:29:26] software already in use by the division of fire and the city is not seeking to

[2:29:31] replace the system. Emergency action is requested to avoid a lapse in funding

[2:29:35] and keep live mum maintenance and support uninterrupted. Are there any

[2:29:39] questions or comments from my colleagues? Seeing none, I move for

[2:29:42] passage. >> Cler, please call the role.

[2:29:44] » Bankston Barosa de Padilla de Avery Remy Ross Weiss, president proim dorren.

[2:29:49] » Order is passed. Next step 2223 20226 to authorize the department director of the

[2:29:54] department of public safety on behalf of the division of police to enter into

[2:29:57] contract with Pin Link Limited to provide computer software licenses and

[2:30:01] subscriptions that aid in obtaining and analyzing electronic information crucial

[2:30:06] to solving cases to wave the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City

[2:30:09] Code to authorize the expenditure of $139,680.33

[2:30:14] from the law enforcement contraband seizure fund and to declare an

[2:30:18] emergency. This ordinance renews pin link software used by police

[2:30:22] investigators to collect, organize, map, and analyze electronic evidence from

[2:30:26] sources such as phones and social media during criminal investigations. A bid

[2:30:30] waver is requested because Pinlink is the sole provider of its software,

[2:30:34] training, and maintenance updates, hardware, and configurations. And the

[2:30:37] system must be purchased and serviced by Penlink to protect existing warranties.

[2:30:41] Emergency action is requested to keep these investigative software licenses,

[2:30:45] subscriptions, and training available without interruption. We do have one

[2:30:49] public speaker on this ordinance and I'd like to ask Cat Finner to come down to

[2:30:53] the podium. Welcome back to council. You have three

[2:30:58] minutes to share your remarks. Please share any organization you may represent

[2:31:02] as well.

[2:31:11] All right. Bring this up. Hello, my name is Cat

[2:31:16] Finan and I'm here speaking again as a participant in 614 ICE Watch, a citywide

[2:31:22] community defense and rapid response network tracking ICE and other fascist

[2:31:26] activity across central Ohio. So, correct me if I'm wrong. Penlink is a

[2:31:31] law enforcement technology company that sells a suite of digital intelligence

[2:31:36] and surveillance products. Council is considering the renewal of those two of

[2:31:40] those products, PLX and Geotime. PLX is Penlink's core investigative

[2:31:46] platform, allowing police to collect, analyze, search, and connect

[2:31:50] telecommunications and other digital evidence. While Geo Time is a geospatial

[2:31:55] analysis tool for mapping and analyzing location data over time. So, if data

[2:32:00] integration is the point of these tools, a question I have is whether or not

[2:32:04] Columbus takes flock data and puts it into the PinLink Geotime analytical

[2:32:09] environment. And of course, regardless of whether or not it does, do you know

[2:32:13] who can access that information we know it collects and under what

[2:32:17] circumstances? I would also like to know whether

[2:32:20] Columbus PLX and Geotime Systems have any interoperability

[2:32:25] or data sharing relationship with other products sold by Pinlink considering the

[2:32:30] fact that Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE also contracts with

[2:32:35] Penlink through some of their other products namely we block and tangles.

[2:32:40] So, is there a corporatewide interoperability or data sharing

[2:32:44] relationship between the products that you have tracking us and the ones ICE

[2:32:48] uses to abduct our immigrant neighbors? Is there a very clear wall between those

[2:32:53] products inside of the company? Simply I would like to better understand if this

[2:32:59] is another backdoor to our personal data collected by Flock and if not is it by

[2:33:04] itself similar to Flock and how widely the information collected from us is

[2:33:09] accessible to other law enforcement agencies particularly the Department of

[2:33:13] Homeland Security and its sub agency Immigration Customs Enforcement and its

[2:33:18] sub agencies enforcement and removal operations and Homeland Security

[2:33:23] Investigations HSI And reminder that HSI is not separate from ICE. It is a sub

[2:33:28] agency within ICE. All HSI agents are by definition ICE agents. Wanted to clarify

[2:33:34] that because there was some confusion about it at the meeting at Flock last

[2:33:37] week. I'm asking these questions because I

[2:33:41] noticed when you all initially entered into these contracts, none of you asked

[2:33:44] them. And in order for me to not lose my damn mind about that, I have to believe

[2:33:49] that you council have just been naive about surveillance technology like Flock

[2:33:53] and Pin Link up to this point because unlike these contracts uh where you do

[2:33:58] have agency, I know you we I have so little agency over what is happening to

[2:34:02] immigrants in our city right now. This morning, a Haitian woman with a

[2:34:07] surveillance monitor on her ankle, whose husband had already been detained by ICE

[2:34:11] earlier this month, walked into the Westerville ICE field office. And with

[2:34:15] four children waiting at home, she was also detained.

[2:34:19] Those that were able to leave the field office this morning told community

[2:34:22] members who sat outside the building providing resources to our immigrant

[2:34:25] neighbors how this mother started screaming and crying and didn't stop for

[2:34:30] a long time. I wasn't there to hear her screams in person this morning, but I

[2:34:35] heard them nonetheless all day. I really think it's important that you try and

[2:34:39] hear them right now, too. Try and see her four children right now without

[2:34:42] their mother and father. Because I, for one, continue to find it profoundly

[2:34:46] offensive that I have to keep taking time away from the spreadsheet that we

[2:34:50] all maintain as a community with the faces and names of people abducted and

[2:34:54] disappeared to come down here and beg y'all to stop making it so easy to add

[2:34:59] names to the goddamn list. Like I said, I have to believe you didn't know

[2:35:03] better, that you didn't know what questions to ask. But you do now, don't

[2:35:07] you? Will you take the time to ask them and wait to have them answered this

[2:35:12] time? I hope so.

[2:35:18] » Thank you, Miss Feneran. Um, Deputy Director, I I want to get a little bit

[2:35:25] of feedback from you, but also, you know, it's my understanding that none of

[2:35:29] this information is accessible without a warrant. Is that correct,

[2:35:33] » President Pro Tim Dorne? Uh, Council Member Reie, members of council, that is

[2:35:37] correct. This uh piece of software is utilized um to obtain information,

[2:35:44] electronic information um and it is obtained uh with a warrant.

[2:35:49] » And they're pulling that information off of existing um cell phones like like it

[2:35:54] said and then also social media. Is that correct?

[2:35:56] » That's correct. Yes. >> Do any of my colleagues have any

[2:36:00] additional questions? Yes, >> President Pro Tim. Uh, deputy director,

[2:36:03] I think one of the specific questions from the public speaker was about who

[2:36:06] has access to information that is held by the database with internally at the

[2:36:11] city. So, I know you mentioned that the platform is utilized for information

[2:36:14] that's gained through a warrant through the judicial system. So, once the

[2:36:18] information is housed on this platform within the city of Columbus, um, can any

[2:36:23] other law enforcement agencies access that or is that an internal tool only to

[2:36:27] to the city?

[2:36:31] That information would be accessed by the investigators who are investigating

[2:36:35] the crime and and the authorization that's permitted by the warrant.

[2:36:39] Correct.

[2:36:43] » So again, a follow up on that. So again, it's it's not as if I'm just asking that

[2:36:48] question out loud here. >> So that that information is held within

[2:36:52] the city of Columbus for our division of police to access the information for

[2:36:56] investigative purposes. is not like an external data a database that can be

[2:37:00] accessed by external entities. >> That's correct.

[2:37:06] » That's pretty good. >> All right. Are there any other

[2:37:09] questions? Council member Roa Deputy. >> So to that point,

[2:37:17] there's no d there's no data sharing with this particular tool. It is only a

[2:37:22] data collection tool. To my knowledge, that's correct. Uh,

[2:37:27] council member, this isn't open. It's not akin to flock, if that's your

[2:37:33] question. >> Well, no, that isn't my question. My

[2:37:37] question is there's a data there's data collection that I'm holding and there's

[2:37:42] data sharing that I'm sharing. And so what I'm asking is the data that this

[2:37:47] collects, are we just collecting it to what I I just want to know like in very

[2:37:52] simple English terms, we collect this data. Does it go anywhere? Do we share

[2:37:57] it with anyone or do we just hold on to it?

[2:38:01] » It's the data that's collected is used as part of criminal investigations. So I

[2:38:05] I can't say as a general matter that it wouldn't be shared with other entities

[2:38:11] that are involved in that criminal investigation. Um, but I can confirm

[2:38:15] that. >> I would feel comfortable if we could

[2:38:18] confirm that. >> I mean, if we could do it by voice, I'm

[2:38:23] not sure where everyone else is feeling, but I'm just saying I I if we pass it

[2:38:29] and then you confirm it, that's not helping

[2:38:31] » because I don't feel comfortable voting on something that I'm unsure of.

[2:38:36] » I hear you. >> Thank you.

[2:38:38] » I move to refer to committee. Second. >> Cler, please call the role.

[2:38:44] Bankston Bara Deia de Akaw Remy Ross Weiss President Pro Tim Dorne

[2:38:49] » refer to committee. >> Next is 2260 2026 to authorize municipal

[2:38:53] court clerk to modify and extend the contract one year plus an additional

[2:38:56] option year with Huntington National Bank for bank credit card and electronic

[2:39:00] payment services for the municipal court clerk's office to wave the competitive

[2:39:03] provisions of the Columbus city code to authorize the expenditure of 22,000 from

[2:39:07] the general fund and to declare an emergency. This ordinance extends the

[2:39:11] municipal court clerk's banking, credit card, and electronic payment services

[2:39:14] with Huntington for one year with an additional option year. The a bid waiver

[2:39:19] is requested to give the clerk additional time to evaluate the recently

[2:39:22] added electronic payment service and prepare a new RFP that includes banking,

[2:39:26] credit card, and electronic services together. Emergency action is requested

[2:39:30] to maintain un uninterrupted banking, credit card, and electronic payment

[2:39:35] services while that RFP is prepared. Are there any questions or comments from my

[2:39:39] colleagues? Seeing none, I move for passage.

[2:39:41] » Okay. >> Clerk, please call the role.

[2:39:43] » Bankston Padia de Aari Ross Weiss, president proim dorren.

[2:39:48] » Thank you very much. Thank you very much. That is all I have this evening.

[2:39:51] » Thank you, chair. The last committee to come for council is the public utilities

[2:39:54] and sustainability committee. Councilor White chairs that committee. Floor is

[2:39:57] yours, sir. >> Thank you, uh, President Proam. I have

[2:40:00] one ordinance in public utilities and sustainability committee this evening.

[2:40:03] That is ordinance 2001-20226 to authorize the director of finance and

[2:40:08] management to enter into a con uh contribution agreement with the solid

[2:40:12] waste authority of central Ohio SUO for the department of public services

[2:40:16] Georgeesville refuge station in Suco transfer station phase 2 project to

[2:40:21] authorize the receipt deposit appropriation expenditure of 1,255,6862

[2:40:29] within the streets and highways non-bond fund to authorize an amendment to the

[2:40:33] 2025 capital improvement budget and to declare an emergency. Uh this ordinance

[2:40:37] enables the city to conduct necessary renovations and improvements at the

[2:40:40] Georgeesville Road Refu and Transfer Station. The city and Suco have agreed

[2:40:45] to jointly undertake this renovation since both entities conduct operations

[2:40:48] at the facility. Emergency designation is requested in order to adhere to the

[2:40:52] project schedule and meet project commitments. Let me stop there. See if

[2:40:56] any questions or comments from my colleagues. Seeing none, I move for

[2:40:59] passage. Clerk, please call the role.

[2:41:02] » Bankston Baria de Aka Remy Ross Vice President Pro Tim Dors

[2:41:09] has passed. >> Thank you. That is all I have for my

[2:41:11] committee this morning. >> Thank you council member. Is there a

[2:41:14] motion to adjurnn? >> Clerk, please call the role.

[2:41:18] » Bankston Aari Ross vice president prom dorren.

[2:41:22] » Thank you. Regular meeting number 35 is adjourned. We will move into non-aggenda

[2:41:26] speakers.

Columbus City Council

Agenda

Transcript