Mayor Henderson welcomes Choose Columbus CEO Missy Kendrick to city council meeting

The Columbus City Council meeting on July 8, 2025, highlighted significant changes in economic development leadership and ongoing discussions about public safety and financial accountability.

Mayor Skip Henderson opened the meeting with a warm welcome and a prayer led by Pastor Mitchell Harris, emphasizing community unity and leadership. The council then introduced Missy Kendrick, the new president and CEO of Choose Columbus, who outlined her vision for economic development. Kendrick emphasized a shift towards a more focused approach, separating economic development from the Chamber of Commerce to better attract new businesses and support existing ones. She expressed eagerness for collaboration with council members to enhance economic growth in the region.

In addition to economic development, the council addressed pressing public safety issues. Fire Chief Sal Scarpa proposed a new ordinance to impose a fee for lift assistance calls made to assisted living facilities, aiming to encourage these facilities to adequately staff their operations. This proposal is designed to ensure that emergency services are not overburdened by non-emergency requests.

The council also discussed a resolution regarding travel expenses for council members, proposing a cap of $3,500 for out-of-county travel. This sparked a debate about the necessity of council approval for travel requests and the potential for non-transferable funds among council members. The council ultimately agreed to require approval for travel requests while maintaining the budget cap.

A contentious discussion arose regarding legal fees incurred by the city, with Councilor Glenn Davis raising concerns about the excessive nature of a recent $45,000 invoice for legal services. He advocated for filing a grievance with the state bar to address what he deemed excessive charges. The city attorney clarified that the fees were legally justified, leading to a heated exchange about the council's responsibility to scrutinize such expenses.

As the meeting concluded, public comments were made, including a heartfelt appreciation for city staff and a call for increased support for homeownership initiatives in historically underserved neighborhoods. The discussions underscored the council's commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement as they navigate the complexities of governance in Columbus.