A vision for Gahanna's futureWelcome to the fall-edition of the Gahanna City Council newsletter. Catch up on recent legislation, community initiatives, and the work your Council is doing to support Gahanna families and businesses. In this edition, you will find:- Legislative highlights
- Community features
- Member spotlights
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Neighbors serving neighbors
- In the know
- Want to know more?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legislative highlightsBimonthly updates: September-October 2025 Your Council has been busy supporting community priorities. If you missed a meeting, here is a quick overview. Click the links below to learn more! |
|
|
|
|
|
Recognitions:Honoring community contributions & celebrating civic valuesCouncil celebrated remarkable residents and initiatives, honoring their service, achievements, and impact. We were happy to recognize our veterans, celebrate youth achievement and amplify neighbor-to-neighbor kindness! Click the links below to learn more!
|
|
|
|
 Waterline replacement 2024 |
|
|
|
Highlights:Strengthening community infrastructure & stewardshipYour Council prioritizes long-term community stewardship and ensures reliable resources for residents and businesses. Click the links below for details on the policies enhancing our roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, utilities, and public facilities. - Bidding for
- Hamilton Road, Granville Street & East Johnstown Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Legistar: View MT-0011-2025 - Annual Sanitary & Storm Sewer Cleaning and CCTV Inspection Program
Legistar: View MT-0012-2025 - Clotts Road & Serran Drive Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Legistar: View MT-0013-2025 - White Swan Court & Embassy Court Street Rebuild and Waterline Replacement
Legistar: View MT-0014-2025
- Electric Supply Agreement for City Facilities (Omnia Partners Cooperative)
Legistar: View RES-0039-2025 - Accepting Crescent Circle Roadway, Stormwater & Domestic Water Improvements
Legistar: View ORD-0041-2025 - Revising 2026 Sidewalk Maintenance Program Area
Legistar: View RES-0048-2025 - Determining Necessity for 2026 Urban Paving Sidewalk Maintenance Area
Legistar: View RES-0049-2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supporting public safety & a thriving community Your representatives empower staff to make the most of the public resources we all contribute to. The items below highlight new funding opportunities and actions that progress Gahanna's growth and resilience! - Transfer of Funds to Support Public Safety Contract Services
Legistar: View RES-0037-2025 - Entering the Purdue Direct Opioid Settlement
Legistar: View RES-0038-2025 - Accepting County Budget Commission Amounts & Tax Levies
Legistar: View RES-0041-2025 - Entering into Secondary Manufacturers Opioid Litigation Settlements
Legistar: View RES-0044-2025 - Application for Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) / Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Mobility Funding
Legistar: View RES-0045-2025 - Supporting State Capital Grant Application for Creekside Plaza & Flood Improvement Project
Legistar: View RES-0050-2025 - Supplemental Appropriations: General Fund & Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) Grant Fund
Legistar: View ORD-0038-2025 - Temporary Construction Easement with Columbia Gas of Ohio
Legistar: View ORD-0039-2025 - Supplemental Appropriations for Development Contract Services; Second Reading Waived
Legistar: View ORD-0040-2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community highlightsCelebrating service and engagement in Gahanna From community partnerships to acts of advocacy and celebration, Gahanna City Council continues to champion community involvement and civic pride. |
|
|
|
 Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at the Veterans Memorial Park in Gahanna. |
|
|
|
We are here for you:Honoring our heroesCouncilmembers sponsored RES-0042-2025, honoring the American Legion Post 797 for bringing the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Veterans Memorial Park in Gahanna. This sobering monument is a 3/5-scale replica of the national monument. It invites us to remember those who selflessly served their country. We proudly honor the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call to service. We extend respect and gratitude to all patriots, humbly acknowledging the truth that in their service “All Gave Some – Some Gave All,” and joining our neighbors in the enduring promise “We Remember.” Thank you to the American Legion Post 797 and all the volunteers who supported this meaningful endeavor! - Contact for more information: Bowers, Jones, Padova, McGregor, Renner, Schnetzer & Weaver
- Dates: October 2–6, 2025
|
|
|
|
 Councilmembers attended MORPC’s annual Summit on Sustainability. |
|
|
|
Bringing home innovation & sustainabilityThis September Councilmembers attended Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC’s) annual Summit on Sustainability, Local Roots. Lasting Impacts. Your representatives joined other local leaders, exploring innovative environmental solutions to bring home for Gahanna. Sessions highlighted new state and federal legislation, successful community programs, solar-powered air monitors, equitable tree canopy tools, and transportation improvements driven by strategic investments like LinkUs. - Contact for more information: Councilmembers Padova, Renner & Weaver
- Dates: September 30, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Befriending our neighborsLed by Councilmember Padova, Council partnered with community groups to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day. Events were hosted at the Mill Street Market, the Gahanna Branch Library and Stonybrook Early Learning Center. Gahanna’s 35,000+ residents were invited to meet neighbors and form new friendships. We know these bonds strengthen our community, improving our quality of life, and building resilience in our city. We will continue supporting these connections, as our neighborhoods represent the heartbeat of our community, providing safe spaces where children play in front yards, friends gather over cookouts, and gardens bloom in every season. - Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers, Jones, Padova, McGregor, Renner, Schnetzer & Weaver
- Dates: September 28, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saying Hello Councilmembers joined students, families, Gahanna Peace Officers and staff at Goshen Lane and Lincoln Elementary School's to celebrate the Start with Hello Week. Each day, students were welcomed with a warm hello. This simple act of kindness lets our next generation know their community cares! - Dates: September 15–19, 2025
- Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers, Jones & Padova
Thank you to all partners and volunteers for their continued dedication to making Gahanna a thriving safe and inclusive community!
|
|
|
|
Member spotlightsGetting to know your Councilmembers See how your representatives are advocating for Gahanna, building pathways, strengthening community bonds and modeling service beyond the dais. |
|
|
|
 Members of the Council Office visiting the construction site of the city's new civic center. |
|
|
|
Your Council has been hard at work:Delving into developmentVice President Weaver attended Bricker Graydon’s webinar, Hot Topics for Ohio Political Subdivisions in 2025: Laying the Groundwork for Successful Development Projects. The program used real case studies to show how effective community-led development works, and what can go wrong when critical tools are not used properly. These lessons provide key insights into good governance practices we can use here in Gahanna. • Contact for more information: Vice President Weaver
• Dates: September 22, 2025
|
|
|
|
 Council President Bowers joined by fellow Gahannians at CMC event. |
|
|
|
Keeping up with noteworthy newsPresident Bowers attended the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s (CMC’s) forum on journalism. Joining her were fellow Gahannians Jessica Hilts (Council Office staff) and Kevin Smith, the Executive Director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at Ohio University. Moderated by WOSU’s Mike Thompson, panelists from Signal, Columbus Can’t Wait, and a former Washington Post journalist discussed the importance of local news balanced with broader context, informed communities, and rebuilding trust in media. If you’d like to listen, explore the CMC’s panel: Who Owns the News? Rebuilding Trust and Local Voices in a Fractured Media Landscape. - Contact for more information: President Bowers
- Dates: October 22, 2025
|
|
|
|
 Council GJPS Liasson Jones joined by Council colleagues at GJPS event. |
|
|
|
Empowering our youthCouncilmember Jones served on an advisory panel guiding a new youth advocacy program. The pilot program is hosted by the 254 Teen Center. Fully funded by donors and outside the daily operational budget, this trailblazing project provides direct economic support to our local kids. This program helps our next generation strengthen financial resilience and signals community investment in their futures. - Contact for more information: Councilmember Jones
- Dates: October 2025
|
|
|
|
 Councilmembers & City Attorney attended Equality Ohio’s Advocates & Allies 2025 event. |
|
|
|
Advocating for equityCouncilmembers Bowers and Jones championed equity throughout the fall, attending Equality Ohio’s Advocates & Allies 2025 event and celebrating statewide leaders in inclusion. Councilmember Jones also connected with State Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio on the SNAP funding crisis. - Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers & Jones
- Dates: September 30, 2025
|
|
|
|
 Planning Commission Chair Sarah Pollyea. |
|
|
|
Neighbors serving neighborsMeet Planning Commission Chair Sarah Pollyea Chair Sarah Pollyea brings both personal roots and professional expertise to her service on the Planning Commission and Property Appeals Board. A lifelong Gahanna resident, small business owner, and real estate attorney, she says she serves because “this community has always been home to me,” and she wants to support growth that strengthens local businesses while preserving the character that makes Gahanna special. Appointed by Mayor Jadwin in January 2023, Pollyea values the collaboration behind each decision and the chance to help maintain transparency and fairness. Whether reviewing development proposals or supporting the sidewalk program’s appeals process, Pollyea applies the same dedication. “Every decision, big or small, affects people’s lives” she shared. Pollyea explained how her service made her "part of the process" and gave her insights into the many people who "work together to keep Gahanna moving forward," including staff, volunteers and elected officials. She reflected that "most of all, I’ve learned that Gahanna’s strength really comes from its people, the residents who care deeply about this community and want to see it thrive." Has Sarah inspired you? If you are looking for ways to get engaged, her message is simple, get "involved in civic life to go for it." Help shape policy, review key issues, and strengthen your community! To explore openings on volunteer boards and commissions, including eligibility requirements, visit (https://onboard.gahanna.gov/). A list of City of Gahanna boards and commissions is below. For questions, contact the Clerk of Council at 614-342-4091 or jeremy.vanmeter@gahanna.gov.
City of Gahanna Boards and CommissionsClick the links below to learn more about each group. - Board of Zoning & Building Appeals (BZBA)
- Charter Review Commission
- Civil Service Commission (CSC)
- Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council (CRAHC)
- Fair Housing Board
- Landscape Board
- Local Board of Tax Review
- Parks & Recreation Board
- Planning Commission (PC)
- Property Appeals Board
- Records Commission (RC)
|
|
|
|
 Sarah Pollyea with fellow members of Visit Gahanna & Brutus the Buckeye. |
|
|
|
In the knowStay connected with your City Council! We would love to hear from you! Stay engaged by reaching out to your Councilmembers, attending meetings, or joining a community event. Contact information for Councilmembers is included below. |
|
|
|
 Scenes from a recent Council Constituent Hours event |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect with your local CouncilmemberGahanna has four Council wards. For those unsure of which ward they live in, the Council Office is happy to share an easy-to-use ward map, to help residents connect with their representatives. This tool is all about making local government more accessible. Plug in your address to find your Councilmember here!
Your Representatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
────────── Until next time—thank you for reading, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃! Jessica Hilts
Management Analyst for City Council
Connecting Council and community |
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
