Fireworks over the Gahanna night sky.

Safe, strong, & connected in Gahanna

Welcome to the summer sunset-edition of the Gahanna City Council newsletter. The dog days of summer may be winding down, but your Council is still hard at work making sure our community stays safe, strong and connected! 

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:

  1. Legislative highlights 
  2. Community features
  3. From the archives 
  4. Member spotlights 
  5. Special feature – Learn how you can get appointed to one of Gahanna's boards and commissions, making decisions with real world impact!
  6. In the know 
  7. Want to know more? 
Gahanna City Council standing in Council Chambers.

Gahanna City Council

Legislative highlights

Bimonthly updates: July-August 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!

  • Regular Meetings: July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18
  • Committee of the Whole: July 21, August 11, August 25
  • Special Meeting: July 10, August 11. August 25
City leadership recognizes KATE ACKLIN, FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR QUEEN WITH RES-0032-2025.

FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR QUEEN: RES-0032-2025

Recognitions:

Honoring community contributions & celebrating civic values

Council celebrated remarkable residents and initiatives, honoring their service, achievements, and impact. Click the links below to learn more!

  • HONORING DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH: RES-0031-2025
  • HONORING KATE ACKLIN, 2025 FRANKLIN CO. FAIR QUEEN: RES-0032-2025
  • COMMENDING J. HILTS, ON MMC: RES-0033-2025
  • SHARE THE ROAD & DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH: RES-0034-2025 
Public service workers working on a street project in Gahanna.

Highlights:

Investing in reliable infrastructure

We are committed to ensuring our families and neighbors have access to gold-standard resources, protecting the integrity of our streets, sidewalks and water systems. 

In August, Council authorized the bidding for major neighborhood improvements, including the 2025 Street Rebuild and Sidewalk Maintenance Program with  Waterline Replacement (MT-0008-2025) and the Taylor Road Water Main Replacement Project (MT-0009-2025).
Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area cup sits on banister overlooking Creekside plaza.

Enhancing city facilities and amenities

We want everyone to love our city just as much as we do! This August, Council voted to improve growth, function and safety of public spaces throughout Gahanna. Council approved contracts for the renovation of the Price Road House facility (ORD-0036-2025) and essential furnishings for our first responders' workstations (ORD-0033-2025).

Council also re-authorized the Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area  (CORA) promoting the vitality of one of Gahanna's premiere community spaces, for residents and visitors alike (ORD-0034-2025). That's something we can all raise a glass to!
September Council Meetings include September 2, 8, 15 and 22, 2025.

Visit Legistar for complete agendas with legislative details, or sign up for agendas delivered directly to your inbox!

Community highlights

Celebrating 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.
Councilmembers and their families drive golfcarts in the 2025 4th of July Parade.

We are here for you:

Celebrating milestones 

This year’s 4th of July Parade did not disappoint! Councilmembers and their families were honored to join local champions, including school bands, nonprofits, industry leaders, first responders and neighbors in celebrating our community and country.

Councilmembers were also happy to spread a little cheer, handing out candy to our youngest community members and a few lucky parents and grandparents!

  • Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers, McGregor, Renner, Schnetzer, and Weaver
  • Dates: July 4, 2025
Councilmembers Bowers, Weaver and Jones attend the 2025 Taste of Gahanna.

Supporting local businesses

Councilmembers gathered with friends and neighbors at the annual Taste of Gahanna, celebrating some of the finest food and flavors our community has to offer. 

If you missed this year’s marquee event, it’s never too late to stop by one of our local favorite hotspots. Every visit is a chance to treat yourself while supporting Gahanna’s local businesses.

  • Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers, Jones, and Weaver
  • Dates: August 24, 2025
City of Gahanna staff and residents gather to discuss drafted strategic plans for the city, at Creekside on a warm summer evening. Two children dance at the forefront of the pho

Prioritizing what matters to you

At the Gahanna Sweet Celebration, Councilmembers joined the community as the City unveiled the Our Gahanna Draft Strategic Plan, a roadmap for our city’s future shaped by the ideas and input you shared with us. 

Together, we look forward to bringing these shared dreams to life and continuing to build Gahanna’s bright future!

  • Contact for more information: Councilmember Bowers and Schnetzer
  • Dates: August 26, 2025
Councilmembers and city attorney attend the 2025 Columbus Jazz Orchestra performance at Headly Park.

Amplifying the arts

Earlier this summer, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) brought world-class jazz to Gahanna’s own Headley Park. Councilmembers joined family and friends on the lawn to enjoy performances by the CJO and local groups. Thank you to all sponsors who helped bring this cherished event to life! 

• Contact for more information: Councilmember Bowers, Jones, Padova, and Weaver
• Dates: August 2, 2025

Thank you to all partners and volunteers for their continued dedication to making Gahanna a thriving safe and inclusive community!

Member spotlights

Getting to know your Councilmembers

See how your representatives are advocating for Gahanna, building pathways, strengthening community bonds and modeling service beyond the dais.
Two people running on the Big Walnut Trail.

Your Council has been hard at work:

Listening and learning 

On November 5, 2024, Franklin County voters approved Issue 47, a multi-organizational initiative led by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), known as LinkUS. This project promises major investments in central Ohio’s transportation future. 

With this in mind, several Councilmembers met with COTA representatives to explore potential community infrastructure grants, discuss transit planning, and better understand how LinkUS will impact Gahanna, including trails like the Big Walnut, pictured above. 

From neighborhood bus stops to major thoroughfares, your Council is working to ensure Gahanna’s voice is heard. Council is advocating for our residents to benefit from these regional investments, making our community safer and more accessible.

• Contact for more information: Councilmembers Bowers, Jones and Weaver
• Dates: July 9, 2025
A child winds his hand back to throw a ball at the target to send Councilman Weaver down into the dunk tank water.

Supporting community bonds

Vice President Weaver volunteered at the city's annual National Night Out festivities, sitting in the hot seat at the dunk tank. Fellow Councilmembers supported Vice President Weaver from a safe distance from the splash zone ;). 

This event strengthens relationships between community members and law enforcement. Special thanks to our local heroes who keep our community and families safe. 

  • Contact for more information: Bowers, Jones, Weaver
  • Dates: August 5, 2025
Empty picnic tables at the park.

Standing with families

Councilmember Jones joined others from across the metro area for Picnic in the Park to Protect Education, highlighting the importance of safe, strong schools. 

As Council's school board liaison, Jones also connected with district leaders on issues impacting GJPS staff and visited the 2025 middle school orchestra camp, encouraging young musicians.

  • Contact for more information: Councilmember Jones
  • Dates: August 20, 2025
Pete the Cat and the Gahanna Lion read books at the library.

Looking ahead:

Modeling citizenship for all ages

Councilmember Padova is leading Council Office efforts in partnering with local organizations and the Mayor’s Office to recognize National Good Neighbor Day this September 28, 2025.

Inspired by watching Daniel Tiger with her young daughter, Padova introduced RES-0040-2025 a joint recognition to promote kindness and civic responsibility across all generations. 

Activities at the Mill Street Market and the Gahanna Library will invite families to join in crafts, story time, and neighbor-to-neighbor outreach. Together, we can build a safer, more supportive Gahanna, one good neighbor at a time.

  • Contact for more information: Padova
  • Dates: September 27 & 28
    • Gahanna Library: 11 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2025
    • Mill Street Market: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, September 28, 2025

From the archives

On track for success

- by Sophia McGuire
Black-and-white photograph of a Columbus, New Albany & Johnstown Traction Company streetcar from around 1899, shown on tracks with several passengers visible inside

 Traction Company car -7. 

Image courtesy of Columbus Metropolitan Library, via Wikimedia Commons.

Improving infrastructure is nothing new for Gahanna. In fact, in 1899, Gahanna’s Village Council granted the Columbus New Albany and Johnstown Traction Company a contract to construct, maintain, and operate a single-track railway on the Johnstown Pike and Mill Street. Gahanna continues to embrace innovation and community connectivity today. 
Photocopy of original handwritten minutes and Ordinance 9, regarding single-track railway on the Johnstown Pike and Mill Street in the Village of Gahanna.

Digitized ordinance and minutes from City Council's original handwritten records.
Now accepting applications for open seats on the Bord of Zoning & Building Appeals and Charter Review Commission

Your city needs you

Apply to serve on a Gahanna board or commission today. Help shape policy, review key issues, and strengthen your community!

Opportunities are listed below. Find details, including eligibility requirements at: https://onboard.gahanna.gov/.

For questions, contact the Clerk of Council at 614-342-4091 or jeremy.vanmeter@gahanna.gov.

Apply now!

📅 Applications due Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM

Submit your resume and cover letter online. In the application, please select City Council as the appointment authority: https://onboard.gahanna.gov/application/

Current Vacancies

  1. Board of Zoning & Building Appeals (BZBA)
    • Open Seat: 1
    • Term: 3 years | Pay: $100/meeting
    • Meets: January + as needed
    • Benefit: Protect fairness in zoning and building rules
    • Advantage: Hear appeals from residents and officials
    • Feature: Five-member board with Council or Mayor appointments

   2. Charter Review Commission (CRC)

    • Open Seats: 4
    • Pay: Volunteer
    • Meets: January–June 2026, plus possible year-end session
    • Benefit: Help shape the foundation of Gahanna’s government
    • Advantage: Work with leaders, experts, and residents
    • Feature: Comprehensive Charter review every five years

This opportunity only comes up every five years!

In the know

Stay 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.
Replace Replace/improve photo

Scenes from a recent Council Constituent Hours event
Constituent Hours for September and By Appointment.


Meet the Council Office
City Council Ward May, with photos of Councilmembers linked to their respective wards.


Connect with your local Councilmember

Gahanna 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

  • Stephen Renner - Ward 1

  • Michael Schnetzer - Ward 2

  • Kaylee Padova - Ward 3

  • Trenton Weaver - Ward 4

  • Jamille Jones - Member at Large

  • Merisa Bowers - Member at Large

  • Nancy McGregor - Member at Large

Council Office staff

200 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230
Phone: 614-342-4090

councilstaff@gahanna.gov
Jessica Hilts
Jeremy VanMeter
Sophia McGuire

Want to know more?

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Until next time—thank you for reading,

Jessica Hilts
Management Analyst for City Council
Connecting Council and community
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200 South Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH, 43230
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