Art commission votes to enter executive session to consult attorneys on pending litigation

The Columbus Art Commission voted to enter an executive session on April 15, 2026, citing Ohio law to consult with its attorneys about a pending court action. Chair read the statutory motion on the record, naming three individuals invited to attend the closed meeting.

"I will now entertain a motion under Ohio revised code section 1 2 1.22 g 3 to enter into executive session for the purpose of conferring with attorneys for the Columbus Art Commission concerning the dispute involving the art commission that is the subject of pending court action," the Chair said, identifying Diane Nance, Chip Santer and Lisa McClimate as invited attendees. The Chair placed the legal basis for the session on the public record, citing the statute by number.

A committee member made the motion and another committee member seconded it; the Chair called a roll call vote. Commissioners Hough, Brown, Toon and Colby each answered "Aye," and the motion to enter executive session carried. After the vote the commission moved to an adjacent room to convene the closed meeting and the Chair said Mary Vaughn would be brought in to attend.

The vote was procedural: the commission did not take public action on the underlying dispute at the meeting and provided no public details about the substance of the litigation. The executive session was expressly described as a conference with the commission's attorneys under the statutory exception for pending or imminent court action.

Next steps: the commission moved into the closed session immediately; no public timetable or additional public hearings were announced during the meeting.