Gahanna · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gahanna public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Attorney's authority to defend officials and employees
A proposed change would strike charter language requiring Council approval before the City Attorney defends individual employees sued over their job duties. Supporters say it prevents Council from picking who gets defended during political disputes.
25th anniversary of September 11 and National Suicide Prevention Month
The mayor and several council members shared heartfelt 9/11 tributes. President Weaver also marked September as National Suicide Prevention Month and 988 Day, reminding residents that calling or texting 988 connects to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Youth bicycle helmet requirement
Gahanna is moving toward requiring helmets for kids on bikes, scooters, and e-bikes. The key debate: making sure a missing helmet can't be used against a child or parent in a civil lawsuit after a crash — and whether a religious exemption is needed (the city attorney says no).
Fees for law enforcement video records (ORD-0027-2026)
Gahanna wants to charge for copies of police video records to manage a surge of AI-generated records requests. The update writes in existing state exemptions so victims, their attorneys, and insurance companies aren't charged.
Gun violence prevention and e-bike safety
Councilwoman Bowers marked National Gun Violence Prevention Month, urged state-level emergency protection order laws, and highlighted local police, school, and Mifflin Township collaboration on safe storage and youth access.
Charter non-discrimination clause
The charter's non-discrimination list would be updated to match the city's existing ordinances and current federal, state, and local law, with a catch-all for any legally protected status. Two commissioners worried it invites litigation.
Non-discrimination clause protections
The draft would expand the charter's protected categories to match the city's EEO statement. Some commissioners worry about litigation exposure; the City Attorney will verify federal compliance and restore a legal-compliance phrase as a safeguard.
NCH Diabetes Fun Fair fee waiver
Nationwide Children's Hospital got free use of city facilities October 24 for a fair offering nutrition classes, insurance help, and resources for families of kids with diabetes.
Perinatal mental health
Council designated May 2026 as Perinatal Mental Health Month, recognizing that postpartum anxiety and depression affect fathers as well as mothers, with experts scheduled for the May 18 meeting.
Modernizing public notice requirements
Should the Charter require online posting of public notices? The city already posts notices digitally, and the chair worried about locking in specific methods as technology changes.
Fair Housing Board Leadership and Training
Gahanna's Fair Housing Board held its organizational meeting to elect a chair and vice chair and complete its annual training. The board's leadership shapes how the city handles fair housing matters over the coming year.
Golf cart use on city streets
Resident Pat Francisco drove her street-legal golf cart for years before police told her to stop. The City Attorney said it's a traffic code issue, not a charter one, and offered to discuss it with her.
Body-worn camera grant funding
A state criminal justice grant will fund police body-worn camera services; first reading held with adoption to come.
School resource officer contract for 2026-2027
Council renewed the agreement putting a police resource officer in Gahanna-Jefferson schools for next school year.
Mediation program for neighbor disputes
The city attorney is piloting a mediation program to divert neighbor-dispute cases away from Mayor's Court or county court, aiming to fix root causes instead of just prosecuting.
School resource officer staffing and cost sharing
A third SRO joins Gahanna Lincoln High School next year, with the city and school district splitting costs 50-50. The district's share rises about $8,700 to $48,735 — the price of better campus safety coverage amid recent school threats across Ohio.
Police staffing and promotions
Two new police sergeants were sworn in as the department continues promoting and hiring toward full staffing ahead of the new 825 Tech Center Drive facility.
Vacant Civil Service Commission Seat
Seat 4 on the Civil Service Commission is vacant, covering an unexpired term through the end of 2027. Until the seat is filled, the commission operates with one fewer member.
Police accreditation and new Civic Center
Gahanna police earned unconditional advanced CALEA accreditation — meeting all 461 standards unanimously. The new Civic Center will house police headquarters, a bigger senior center and modern city hall space, opening in a few months.
ICE 287(g) cooperation question
A resident asked whether Gahanna police have any 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements with ICE. The mayor declined to answer in-meeting but offered to talk afterward.
Fireworks Ban
Gahanna is keeping backyard fireworks strictly illegal, so you'll have to stick to the official city shows this holiday season. If you were hoping to light up your own cul-de-sac, you're out of luck.
Police Misconduct
A Gahanna police officer got busted for faking timesheets, making us all wonder where our tax dollars are actually going and why accountability is so lax. It's a bad look for a department that's supposed to protect and serve.