Council votes and major actions: UDO change, board deletions, SRF loans approved; demolition list set for final vote

The Columbus City Council on March 25 approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions and procurement items and recorded several actions to return for final votes. Major actions taken and recorded on the clerk’s agenda and during the session included zoning text changes, code housekeeping, funding resolutions and procurements.

Key outcomes

- UDO text amendment (single‑family detached homes): Council had a motion and a second to approve a Unified Development Ordinance text amendment to allow single‑family detached homes; the item passed on the council floor with no recorded additional discussion.

- Deletion of Columbus Aquatics Commission (Article 2, Chapter 4): Council voted to delete the Columbus Aquatics Commission from the city code and move to other boards as substitutions; motion, second and approval recorded on the floor.

- Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans: Two resolutions extending Clean Water SRF loan amounts were approved. Council approved a loan resolution for Columbus Water Works in the amount of $24,705,000 and separately approved extension of resolution for $8,869,800; both were approved after motions and voice/record votes.

- Demolition ordinance (first step; final vote in two weeks): Staff (presented by Philip Smith of planning/inspections) listed eight properties proposed for demolition. The council heard the list, invited owners to speak, and staff stated the matter will return in two weeks for a final vote. The properties listed on the March 25 agenda were: • 2903 10th Avenue (Vision Investment Properties) • 1024 Henry Avenue (Christina Williams and Joseph Philippe) • 2610 Jones Avenue (Green Pryor Lewis Jr.) • 3826 Third Avenue (BSL Investment Group) • 3822 Third Avenue (BSL Investment Group) • 831 Barclay Way (Eloisa Lane Dale) • 2475 Walker Street (William D. Holland) • 615 Parkchester Drive (Gerardo Ledesma Angeli)

- Personnel/policy housekeeping and first readings: A housekeeping ordinance renaming the city’s maternity/paternity leave policy to "paid parental leave" and aligning definitions with EEOC guidance was presented and will return in two weeks for final vote. First reading also occurred for new parks and recreation hourly pay rates (lifeguard pay scale from $14.00 to $18.50) and will return for final vote.

- Purchases and contracts: The council approved a range of procurement and contract items on the consent/purchase agendas, including external audit services (Maundin/Jenkins—external auditor selection as recommended by the audit committee), Metra paratransit vehicle purchases (federally supported match), a rescue pumper for fire services, household trash cart purchases, and multiple Civic Center equipment items. Several items were bundled and approved by single votes as allowed by the agenda process.

- Clerk and board actions: The clerk recorded and the council approved receipt of Councilor John Anker’s resignation on the clerk’s agenda. Board and commission nominations and confirmations were also handled; multiple mayoral and council nominations were announced and several confirmations were approved during the meeting.

- Executive session and settlement: The council entered executive session for litigation and for acquisition/disposal of land. After returning from executive session the council approved a settlement resolving claims by/for Sir Michael Holloway (individuals and heirs) for $350,000 (including attorney fees) as read into the record by the city attorney.

What’s next: Several items will return for final votes or additional public engagement. Demolition and code housekeeping items were scheduled to return in two weeks; the Trade Center master plan was deferred for clearer budget and agreement details and a public follow‑up meeting was requested for Eighth Street corridor and stormwater impacts.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - UDO text amendment (allow single‑family detached homes) — outcome: approved - Delete Columbus Aquatics Commission — outcome: approved - Clean Water SRF loan (Columbus Water Works) — $24,705,000 — outcome: approved - Clean Water SRF loan extension — $8,869,800 — outcome: approved - Demolition ordinance (8 properties) — initial listing; final vote scheduled in two weeks — outcome: pending - Receipt of Councilor John Anker resignation (clerk item) — outcome: approved - Settlement approval — Sir Michael Holloway claim — $350,000 — outcome: approved

Documentation: Council minutes and the clerk’s agenda list the formal motions and approvals. Where roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public‑spoken record, the minutes show the clerk registered votes via the scribe as part of the electronic voting process. If readers need a full roll‑call or itemized procurement list, the city clerk’s office posts the meeting packet and the updated agenda online.