Gahanna's Vision is...

Gahanna's Mission is...

Legislative Process & Codified Ordinances:

Codification services for ordinances that become law are provided by the Walter Drane Company.  The Codified Ordinances of Gahanna are available on the City Council page by clicking on City Code or at www.conwaygreene.com, and are complete to December 31, 2009.

Gahanna City Council Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Gahanna operates under a mayor-council form of government.  The mayor-council form of government separates executive and legislative branches as equal branches of municipal government.  The City Council is the legislative branch and sets the overall policy direction for Gahanna.  This is accomplished by adopting ordinances that become City laws, adopting the annual budget which determines what services are to be provided and providing oversight of the executive branch.  Council Members exercise their legislative powers when acting as a member of the City Council in Council meetings.  The executive (or administrative) branch is comprised of the Mayor and the following departments:  Development, Emergency Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Public Service and Engineering.

Who is elected in Gahanna’s government?
The Mayor, seven Council Members, and the City Attorney are elected.  The Mayor is a full-time position, the City Attorney and Council Members are part-time elected officials.  All elected officials in Gahanna serve nonpartisan posts.

How Long is the Term of Office for Elected Officials?
The four Ward Council members are elected to two-year terms from individual geographic districts. These districts are reviewed approximately every 10 years and changes are made so that each district has approximately the same number of residents. The three At-Large Council members are elected to four-year terms from the entire City.

The Mayor and City Attorney also serve four year terms, and that election also runs citywide. All municipal elections in Ohio are held during odd-numbered years. In 2009, the four ward Council seats were up for election. In 2011 all elected positions in the City are up.

Who are the Council Members?

Ward One, John McAlister
Ward Two, Shane W. Ewald.
Ward Three, Thomas C. Evers
Ward Four, Beryl D. Anderson

How can I get a message to my Council Member?
You can send an e-mail message from the link provided above, or write your Council members at Council Office, 200 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH  43230.  You may call the Council Office at 342-4090, or fax comments to 342-4190.

Who are the Council President and Vice President?
The Council President for 2010 is Thomas R. Kneeland. The Vice President is Shane Ewald. Members serve as President and Vice President for a one year term based on the calendar year. The Council Members elect a new President and Vice President on January 2 each year.

When does Council meet?
The Council meets in informal Committee meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (Tuesday if there is a holiday). These meetings allow Council Members to receive information and discuss pending issues. No formal action can be taken at a committee meeting.

For actual meeting dates, please use the Legislative Calendar to see the Council’s agendas or call the Council office at 342-4090.

All meetings are open to the public, except for any executive sessions, which are governed by specific rules of Council and Ohio Revised Code. Executive Sessions may only be held for specific reasons including personnel issues, land acquisition, to confer with the City Attorney on pending litigation, conduct or review bargaining sessions or negotiations with public employees, matters .required to be kept confidential by federal law, and specialized details of security arrangements.

What is the difference between a Council meeting and a Committee meeting?
Council Members exercise their legislative powers in Council meetings by voting on ordinances, resolutions or motions and conducting public hearings.  Committee meetings are designed to provide information to the Council Members on issues that may be presented at a future Council meeting; these meetings can be considered as “briefing” sessions.  Council members may not enact legislation during Committee meetings.

Can I address the Council Members during a Council meeting?
Yes. Audience members may make comments to the Council and Mayor during the Hearing of Visitors portion of the agenda or during Public Hearings by filling out a comment card provided by Council staff. Audience members will be called by name to the lectern when it is their turn to speak. Comments are limited to three minutes. There is no comment period at Committee meetings, although the public is welcome to attend.

How can I find out what items are on the Council agenda?
In accordance with Ohio’s Open Meetings Law, all Regular Council and Committee Meetings are posted in advance of the meeting.  Agendas are usually posted to the web site on the Friday prior to a Monday or Tuesday meeting.  Agendas are also available in the Council Office on the Friday afternoon prior to a meeting.  Click here to view Council agendas or call the Council office at 342-4090 for more information. 

What about meeting minutes?
All Regular Council and Committee meeting minutes are posted on the web site. The minutes of a regular meeting take about 2 weeks to be completed and posted. Committee meeting minutes usually are posted the Friday following the meeting. Please use the Legislative Calendar to view Council minutes or call the Council office at 342-4090 for more information.