Upper Arlington’s City Council is comprised of seven citizens who are elected at-large by residents to serve a maximum of two, four-year terms. The Council selects a President and Vice President from among its ranks to serve two-year terms. The President of Council presides over City Council meetings and serves as Mayor for ceremonial duties. The Vice President assumes the duties of the President in his/her absence.
Council’s responsibilities include establishing local laws, setting policy, approving programs and generally overseeing the operations of the City. The Council hires the City Manager, City Attorney and Clerk of Council.
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The City of Upper Arlington is fortunate to have many citizens willing to donate their time and expertise on various Boards & Commissions, and ad hoc groups formed to address specific community issues. In return, these individuals are afforded the opportunity to help to shape their community.
If you wish to apply to serve on a Board or Commission, please fill out an application below.
2019 City Council Election Reminders
The election season will be here before we know it, and as the August 7 filing deadline for issues and candidates approaches, thoughts are already turning to who in Upper…
Applications Being Accepted for Two Seats on the Library Board of Trustees
Periodically, the City has openings on Boards and Commissions that serve the community. Public service is voluntary, affording participants the opportunity to help shape their community in areas that interest…
Citizen Financial Review Task Force Presents to City Council
After a three-month process, the 2019 Citizen Financial Review Task Force completed its review of the City’s finances. This included an assessment of progress made implementing recommendations from the original…
Front Row (from left): Michele M. Hoyle, Brendan T. King (Vice President), Kip Greenhill (President), Carolyn T. Casper
Back Row: Jim Lynch, Brian C. Close, Sue M. Ralph
Kip has been a member of City Council since 2014, and was selected by his peers to serve a two year term as President/Mayor of Council, effective January 8, 2018.
An educator by career, Kip served as Principal for the Upper Arlington High School for 17 years. During that time he collaborated with parents, students and teachers for UAHS to earn such recognition as: being selected as one of America’s top high schools by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report; establishing record breaking SAT and ACT college admission test scores most years he was principal; being selected as the top central Ohio high school by Columbus Monthly; having over 80 percent of UAHS graduates take college level courses while in high school.
Kip and his wife, Katy, have two adult sons, Brad and Tim.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Upper Arlington Commission on Aging, Council Representative
- Council Financial Policies Committee, 2018
- Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation
- Upper Arlington Board of Health
- Upper Arlington Rotary Club
- Centennial Task Force
Current Appointment: Second Term, effective 1-8-2018 through 1-10-2022
Contact: c 614-270-1434 or kgreenhill@uaoh.net
Brendan is serving his first term on Council, and was selected by his peers to serve a two year term as Vice President/Vice Mayor, effective January 8, 2018.
He is an attorney in private practice in Upper Arlington, focusing on Estate Planning, Probate, and Real Estate matters. Prior to serving on City Council, he served the community on various committees and boards.
Brendan is a graduate of Upper Arlington High School, the University of Kentucky (B.A., History) and Capital University Law School. Brendan’s wife, Kelly (Harper) King, also a UAHS graduate, is a teacher at Upper Arlington High School. They have three children, William, Elizabeth and Anne, who are or will be students in the Upper Arlington schools.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation
- Council Rules Committee, 2018
- Upper Arlington Leadership Program, 2006-2007
- Upper Arlington Charter Review Commission, 2008
- Upper Arlington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Member, 2008-2015, Chairperson, 2010-2015
- Upper Arlington Rotary Club, Member, 2011-Present
- Upper Arlington Rotary Club, Board of Directors, 2014-2016
- Hilltop Preschool, Board of Directors, Vice-President, 2014-Present
- Columbus Bar Association, Member
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-11-2016 through 1-13-2020
Contact: c 614-571-8560 or bking@uaoh.net
Carolyn has been a proud resident of Upper Arlington for over 60 years. Carolyn is a former state examiner with the Ohio Auditor’s Office and was a Social Program Administrator with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. She is an ardent advocate for our schools, having served on many committees over the years, introducing the Child Assault Program to the UA schools and serving on PTO boards at all levels. She raised three daughters in Arlington as a single parent.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
- Council Rules Committee, 2018
- Board Member of Leadership UA
- Involved with 2 Revisions of UA Master Plan
- Board Member of the UAHS Alumni Association
- UA Schools Strategic Planning Committee Member – twice
- Leadership Board of The Stand Project
- Served on local school levies and issues for over 30 years
- Active Member of First Community Church
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-11-2016 through 1-13-2020
Contact: c 614-822-9004 or ccasper@uaoh.net
Brian has spent his lifetime dedicated to leadership and service to others. After graduating with a degree in Economics and Management from DePauw University, where he was also an Academic All-American and captain of the football team, Brian spent a year building homes for the less privileged through Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps. After leaving Habitat, Brian continued his education at Capital University Law School, receiving a law degree (J.D) and master’s degree (LL.M) in taxation.
For the past 10 years, Brian has practiced as a business and tax attorney, helping family-owned, start-up and small businesses. Brian regularly negotiates complex business deals, finding ways to bring all sides together for a transaction. He is now a partner with the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl. Brian previously served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Peggy Bryant on the Tenth District Court of Appeals.
Brian has been an active member of our community, serving on several local boards, supporting the Upper Arlington City Schools, and volunteering his time to serve others.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation
- Council Rules Committee, 2018
- Upper Arlington Rotary Club, Member
- Upper Arlington School Levy – Treasurer (2012-2016)
- Upper Arlington Board of Tax Review
- Grandview Heights Board of Tax Appeals
- Leadership UA Graduate
- Columbus Bar Association, Business Tax Committee – Chair (2010-2011), Vice Chair (2009-2010)
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus December Fundraiser – Host (2014-present)
- Upper Arlington Schools – Finance Advisor Group Member (2012-2015)
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-8-2018 through 1-10-2022
Contact: w 614-227-4209 or bclose@uaoh.net
Michele’s career spans over 30 years working in municipal finance. She served in various roles with the City of Columbus and the City of Dublin, Ohio. She is an Upper Arlington graduate, and went on to attain a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from The Ohio State University.
Michele and her husband, Tom, have two adult children who both graduated from UAHS.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Council Financial Policies Committee, 2018
- Citizen Financial Review Task Force – 2014
- Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission
- Beautification Administrator for the Upper Arlington Community Foundation
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-8-2018 through 1-10-2022
Contact: c 614-886-0328 or mhoyle@uaoh.net
Jim is a lifelong resident of Upper Arlington and an Upper Arlington High School graduate. Jim serves as communications director for the Office of the Governor. He has also worked in a senior communications role with the Ohio Office of Budget and Management and as chief spokesperson for The Ohio State University. Jim received his B.A. from Ohio University.
Jim and his wife, Kim, have two children who attend Tremont Elementary.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Council Financial Policies Committee, 2018
- Former Director, Upper Arlington Civic Association
- Co-Chair, UA Civic Pride Day
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-8-2018 through 1-10-2022
Contact: c 614-832-7295 or jlynch@uaoh.net
Sue Ralph is a proven community leader who believes in bringing people together for the greater good. Her community work is extensive, including volunteering for Upper Arlington Schools’ levy campaigns, PTO groups, and special education activities. She served as the second executive director for the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, with the Foundation’s signature project – the Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park – completed during her tenure.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation
- Upper Arlington Public Library for the UA Author Series
- Past Member of the Library Board of Trustees
- Upper Arlington Education Foundation from 1997-2006 (including past president)
- UA Women’s Club 2008-2011
- Upper Arlington Rotary Club
- Franklin Park Conservatory Women’s Board, 2003-2009
Current Appointment: Appointed by Council, then elected by voters to complete an unexpired term, effective 1-9-2017 through 1-13-2020
Contact: h 614-459-7309 or sralph@uaoh.net
Council Conference Sessions are scheduled for the first and third Mondays of each month. City Council Meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Meetings are held at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, and typically begin at 7:30 pm.
All meetings of City Council are open to the public except for Executive Sessions during which Council members may discuss specific types of business as defined by the Ohio Revised Code. Executive Sessions are for discussion only, since all formal action must be taken at a regular or special meeting.
Addressing City Council at Meetings
Council desires to hear the viewpoints of citizens and considers the responsible presentation of these viewpoints vital to the efficient operation of the City. Council also recognizes its responsibility for proper governance and, therefore, the need to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner, with the following procedures in place to receive citizen input:
Any individual desiring to address Council concerning legislative items appearing on the agenda must complete a speaker’s slip located at the table outside the Council Chamber or available from the City Clerk. Upon completing the speaker’s slip, it should be placed on the Speaker Slip table in the Council Chamber prior to City Council’s consideration of the agenda item to which it pertains.
The Council President is responsible for recognizing any speakers, maintaining proper order and adherence to meeting procedures. Speakers are limited to three minutes each, with no right to yield to other speakers. The President requests that all speakers be respectful of each other in order for all comments to be received. In the event that a large number of speakers wish to address Council, the President of Council reserves the right to further limit speaker time as needed.
In Accordance with Article II 7 (C) of the Rules of Council, Conference session items not involving legislative action are intended as a work session for Council and not a public hearing on the items being discussed.
As a service to the community, City Council Meetings and Conference Sessions are video recorded and retained for a period of one year following each meeting.
Meetings are live-streamed here as they occur, and are also streamed on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cityofua). To view a live meeting stream, click on the “Live Meeting” link in the window below.
To view past meetings, click on the “Past City Council Meetings” or “Past Council Conference Sessions” links in the window below.
Meetings recorded prior to July 2, 2018 can be accessed via our Archives Portal by using the search term Audio Video Archives.
UPCOMING COUNCIL & BZAP AGENDAS & MEETING PACKETS
To access upcoming agendas & meeting packets for the City Council meetings, Council Conference Sessions and the Board of Zoning & Planning meetings, see below or please visit AgendaOnline.
Visit Archives Portal to search archives of City Council Meeting Minutes, Council Conference Session minutes and Legislation dating back to 1918 by type, date and legislative number. Effective January 2018, many Board & Commission meeting minutes may also be accessed here.
City Council Meetings and Council Conference Sessions recorded prior to July 2, 2018 are retained for one year and can be accessed via our Archives Portal by using the search term “Audio Video Archives.”
Board of Zoning & Planning Meetings are provided for one year and can be accessed via our Archives Portal by using the search term “Audio Video Archives.”
The City of Upper Arlington is fortunate to have many citizens willing to donate their time and expertise on various Boards & Commissions formed to address specific community issues. In return, these individuals are afforded the opportunity to help shape their community.
Residents wishing to serve on a Board or Commission should complete an application, which is processed by the City Clerk’s Office. Several Boards & Commissions are appointed by the Mayor and/or City Council, with members assigned to review and make recommendations on various municipal issues.
The following Boards & Commissions are currently in existence:
- Board of Building Standards
- Board of Health
- Board of Tax Review
- Board of Zoning & Planning (BZAP)
- City Tree Commission
- Civil Service Commission
- Community Improvement Corporation
- Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council
- Cultural Arts Commission
- Library Board of Trustees
- Medical Advisory Board
- Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
- Records Commission
- Tax Incentive Review Council
- APPLICATION to Boards & Commissions
(C.O. § 1306.01 – President of Council appoints, Council confirms 7 members to serve 4-year terms, which expire Feb. 1) The Upper Arlington Board of Building Standards is comprised of seven members who meet on call to review and make recommendations to City Council on amendments to the Residential Building Code and to hear appeals to both the Ohio Residential Code and the Upper Arlington Property Maintenance Code.
Members:
Ford, Mark, P.
Koch, Steven P.
Nuber, Daniel
Payne, John W.
Stutz, Robert M.
Yeager, John A.
Vacancy
Eastep, Roger (UA Staff)
Serves: Building & Planning Divisions
(C.O. § 147.01 – President of Council appoints, Council confirms 5 members to serve 5-year terms from date of appointment. The President of Council serves as President of the Board) The Board of Health meets the second Wednesday of every other month to establish policy and direct the public health activities for the residents of Upper Arlington.
Members:
Elliot, Mark
Heintz, Dr. John S.
Giammar, Betty
Greenhill, Kip (President)
Guglielmi, Christopher
Vesper, Dr. Richard
Franklin County Public Health
Serves: Community of Upper Arlington
(C.O. §156.01, §203.21 – Council appoints 2 members to serve a 2-year term, the City Manager appoints 1 member) The Board of Tax Review meets on-call to review the City’s taxation policies and to hear appeals regarding tax claim issues. Council appointees may not be employees, elected officials, or contractors with the City at any time during their term or in the five years immediately preceding the date of appointment. There is no limit on the number of terms that a member may serve if the member is reappointed by the City Council. The City Manager appointee may be an employee of the City, but may not be the director of finance or equivalent officer, or the tax administrator or other similar official or an employee directly involved in municipal tax matters, or any direct subordinate thereof.
Members:
Drennen, Michael F.
Nunamaker, Kathy P.
Petrecca, Michael A.
Lewis, Brent (UA Staff)
Serves: Finance Department and City Attorney
(C.O. §157.02 – Mayor appoints, Council confirms 7 members to serve 3-year terms, which expire Feb. 28) The Board of Zoning and Planning (BZAP) meets the first (work session) and third (regular meeting) Mondays of each month to hear and decide on conditional uses, special exceptions and interpretation of the City’s zoning code. Additionally, BZAP grants conditional permits, non-conforming uses, temporary structures and uses, hears/decides appeals, and grants variances.
Members:
Barringer, Daniel
Carpenter, Kevin
Mitchell, Marianne
Osterhout, Donald
Tolliver, Shannon
Tullett, Robert W.
Westbrook, Bill
Gibson, Chad (UA Staff)
Serves: Planning Division
(C.O. §158.03 — Mayor appoints, Council confirms 7 members to serve 3-year terms) The City Tree Commission meets the first Tuesday of every other month, to determine and make recommendations to City Council regarding the City’s tree care and tree planting program.
Members:
Cara, Anya
Gilliland, Nick
Landsbergen, Kim
Milam, Chantil
Ratajczak, J.P.
Zahreddine, Hala
Zanon, Scott A.
Cothrel, Steve (UA Staff)
Serves: Parks & Forestry Division
(C.O. §149.01 — Council appoints 3 members to serve 4-year terms, which expire Feb. 28) The Civil Service Commission meets the second Tuesday every other month, to prescribe, amend and enforce civil service rules for employees of the City of Upper Arlington. This Commission also hears appeals from employees within the classified service.
Members:
Ball, Steven L.
Boggs, Thad
Burleson, Lisa M.
Cochran, Abby (UA Staff)
Serves: Human Resources
The Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) was founded to aid the City in supporting economic development activities. The CIC is composed of both public and private board members who meet the third Thursday of every other month. With this diverse membership, the CIC is perfectly situated to help guide economic development activities in the City.
Members:
Bania, Bhatki
Close, Brian
Drees, Nancy
Fix, Kevin
Hall, John
Hoffsis, Amanda
King, Brendan
McGovern, Chris
Pontius, Rich
Ralph, Sue
Sloan, Todd
Beach, Suzanne (UA Staff)
Henderson, Joseph (UA Staff)
Ralley, Dan (UA Staff)
Serves: Economic Development Division
(ORC § 3735.69 Mayor appoints 2 members, Council appoints 2 members, BZAP appoints 1 member, CRAHC appoints 2 members, for a total of 7 members who all serve 3-year terms) The Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council meets on call to make inspection of the properties within the community reinvestment area for which an exemption has been granted under section 3735.67 of the ORC. The council also hears appeals under section 3735.70 of the ORC.
Members:
Hoffsis, Amanda
Fix, Kevin
Pontius, Rich
Sloan, Todd
Bania, Bhatki
Hall, John
Henderson, Joseph (UA Staff)
Serves: Economic Development Division
(C.O. §152.02 – President of Council appoints, Council confirms 7 members who serve 3-year terms – Jun. 1-May 31) The Cultural Arts Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month to advise and support the Cultural Arts Division Staff in its mission to provide and promote a diverse, lively, accessible arts environment that advances the cultural assets and enriches the life of the community.
Members:
Chester, Judy
Dial, Aparna
Kirk, Christine
Lunney, Carole
Morris, Kate
Richard, Karin
Yesso, Judy
McLaughlin, Debbie (UA Staff)
Serves: Cultural Arts Division
(ORC 3375.121 – Council Appoints 7 members to serve 4-year terms) The Board of Library Trustees meets the third Tuesday of every month to oversee the management of the City’s public library system.
Members:
Bowen, Maura
Fix, Kevin
Hahn, Peter
Heydlauff, Gloria
Shkurti, William
Yesso, John M.
Vacancy
Taylor, Chris (Director)
(C.O. § 154.01 — President of Council appoints, Council confirms 7 members to serve 4-year terms – Feb. 1-Jan. 31) The Medical Advisory Board meets as determined by the Board, to provide professional supervision, training and support of the City’s emergency para-medical program. All members must be residents of the City of Upper Arlington, at least two-thirds must be physicians licensed to practice in the State of Ohio; members who are not physicians should be qualified and active in areas directly related to the practice of medicine.
Members:
Dick, Dr. Michael
Drobny, Dr. Eric D.
Fontana, Dr. Mary E.
Lutmerding, Dr. Medard Richard
Raetzke, Dr. Bradley
Stanley, Dr. Rachel
Vacancy
Nofziger, Lyn (UA Staff)
Serves: Fire Division
(C.O. § 151.02 — Mayor appoints, Council confirms 7 members to serve 4-year terms, which expire Sept. 30) The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meets on the second Wednesday of even numbered months to review and make recommendations to City Council on the City’s parks, recreational programs and facilities in the community.
Members:
Bauer, Jim
Christ, Lindsey
Diday, M. Kate
Duchi, Mary
O’Donnell, Caroline
Petersen, Matt
Thomas, Allison
McLaughlin, Debbie (UA Staff)
Serves: Parks & Recreation Department
(O.R.C. § 149.39 – Records Commission–Municipal Corporation) The Upper Arlington Records Commission meets twice annually to provide rules for retention and disposal of records of the municipal corporation, and to review applications for one-time disposal of obsolete records.
Members:
City Manager
Finance Director
City Attorney
Citizen Representative
Serves: City of Upper Arlington Municipal Offices
(O.R.C. § 149.39 – City Manager appoints 2 members, Council concurs) The Tax Incentive Review Council meets annually to review all agreements granting exemptions from property taxation and any performance or audit reports required to be submitted pursuant to those agreements. With respect to each agreement, the council shall determine whether the owner of the exempted property has complied with the agreement, and provide a written report to City Council.
Members:
Drennen, Michael
Szolosi, Michael
Serves: City of Upper Arlington Municipal Offices
Record Management Policy
The records maintained by the City, and the ability to access them, is a means to provide trust between our citizens and the City. In accordance with state law and the Upper Arlington Records Commission, the City follows Schedules of Records Retention that identify these records.
Records Request
The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for the timely filling of public records requests. Once we receive your request, it will be fulfilled in a reasonable amount of time. When your request is ready, we will communicate with you any charges that are due before the records are released. The Clerk’s Office charges the actual cost of filling the request, excluding labor. Items like paper copies, disks, postage, professional scanning and transportation charges must be paid prior to release.
City Council (4)
While volunteer positions on Boards and Commissions have set terms, vacancies periodically arise at other times. You can watch for calls for applications via local media, or you can submit an application for a Board or Commission that interests you at any time. The City Clerk’s Office keeps applications on file for 3 years.
Call 614-583-5100, send a request using the Contact form below or submit an online form Records Request – City Administration from the City Council – City Clerk web page.
For all City of Upper Arlington public record requests for Police or Mayor’s Court records, please visit Records Request – Police & Mayor’s Court on City Council – City Clerk web page. For Franklin County record requests you may visit www.fcmcclerk.com or www.fccourts.org.
City Council typically convenes for a Conference Session on the first and third Monday of the month, and regular City Council meetings on the second and fourth Monday. Meetings usually begin at 7:30 pm
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City Council desires to hear residents’ concerns and viewpoints. Use this form to contact all members of City Council by email. City Council Members do not keep regular office hours at the Municipal Services Center.
The City’s website is designed to provide 24/7 access to useful information about City departments, services, public meetings, special projects, events, legislation and more. If you are unable to find what you are looking for on this page or in our FAQ section, please complete the webform below. It will be directed straight to staff in the department listed above.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an emergency reporting system. Requests are addressed during regular work hours of 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday. If you need to report an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1.