Gahanna Planning Commission elects John Hicks chair, Sarah Poillier vice chair; sets 2025 meeting schedule

At the 2025 organizational meeting of the Gahanna Planning Commission, Mayor Laurie Jadwin administered the oath of office to two reappointed commissioners and the commission elected John Hicks as chair and Sarah Poillier as vice chair.

The meeting opened with two reappointments sworn in for three-year terms. Mayor Laurie Jadwin led the oath, asking each appointee to “support and defend the constitution and statutes of the state of Ohio, and the charter and ordinances of the city of Gahanna.” Those sworn in were Thomas Chapaka and Michael Greenberg.

“Thank you, commission members, for trusting in me to serve in this role,” John Hicks said after the body voted unanimously to make him chair. Hicks had accepted the nomination from Commissioner Tamarkin during the meeting. Sarah Poillier was nominated and elected vice chair; Poillier accepted the nomination.

The commission established its regular meeting schedule as the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m., except November and December when meetings will occur on the first and third Wednesdays. Workshops will be scheduled as needed. The commission also assigned Poillier to serve as the council liaison for 2025 and appointed Michael Suriano to the Community Reinvestment Area housing council for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2027.

The organizational items concluded and the body called roll to begin the regular meeting.

The actions taken at the organizational meeting set leadership, regular meeting timing and representation for the commission for 2025. The commission indicated it will schedule workshops and a joint council-planning commission workshop on Jan. 21 in the committee room to follow up on work items.