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.
COMMUNITY CENTER FEASIBILITY TASK FORCE
All information, news and results for the Community Center Feasibility Task Force has been moved to a separate site.
Front Row: John J. Kulewicz, Michele M. Hoyle, Jim Lynch
Back Row (from left): Brendan T. King (President), Kip Greenhill (Vice President), Michaela Burriss, Brian C. Close
Brendan is serving his second term on Council, and serves as President/Mayor of Council. He served as Vice President/Vice Mayor of Council January 2018-December 2020.
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 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 students in the Upper Arlington schools.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation, 2015-2019
- 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
- Upper Arlington Historical Society Board, Member, 2017-present, President, 2018-present
- Hilltop Preschool, Board of Directors, President, 2018-2019, Vice-President, 2014-2018
- Columbus Bar Association, Member
Current Appointment: Second Term, effective 1-13-2020 through 1-8-2024
Contact: c 614-571-8560 or bking@uaoh.net
Kip has been a member of City Council since 2014 and serves as the Vice President/Vice Mayor of Council. He served as President/Mayor of Council January 2018-December 2020.
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
An attorney, Michaela Burriss is the youngest woman ever elected to Upper Arlington City Council while being an active volunteer in the schools and local community organizations. She and her husband, Patrick, are proud to be homeowners along the UA Fourth of July Parade route, with their two dogs Bowser and Koopa.
Burriss has spent most of her career in the public sector, including the U.S. Senate, Ohio Senate, and Ohio House of Representatives. In these roles, she’s drafted policy and conducted constituent services to help residents navigate government bureaucracy and gain access to critical needs. She prides herself on her ability to be kind, listen, work with, and accomplish positive things for Ohioans no matter their political beliefs.
A small business owner herself, Burriss spent several years with Small Business Majority, a nonprofit organization advocating for public policy solutions to help small businesses. She traveled the state and country conducting research specific to municipalities and their economic needs. She also did nonpartisan education on issues ranging from access to capital, healthcare and retirement.
A lifelong Ohio resident and native of Northeast Ohio who studied at Ohio University and Capital University Law School, Burriss was raised in poverty by a single mother who immigrated from Germany. She understands the value of hard work, perspective, overcoming adversity and gratitude, always finding ways to give back and reach out.
Community Involvement and Committees
- Class Graduate and Board of Directors, Leadership UA
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
- Co-Area Director, Upper Arlington Bridges
- Speaker and Facilitator, UAHS Idea Day
- Member, Equal UA
- Member and “Evening of Sparkle and Fashion” volunteer, Upper Arlington Women’s Club
- Member and “The Walk” volunteer, Upper Arlington Civic Association
- Member and “Trolley Tour” check-In volunteer, Upper Arlington Historical Society
- Member, Friends of the Upper Arlington Public Library
- Member, Capital University Law School Alumni Board
- Member, Ohio Women in Government
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-13-2020 through 1-8-2024
Contact: c 440-281-2346 or mburriss@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 Lynch is a widely experienced public relations professional who has served as communications director for Ohio Governor John Kasich and as chief spokesperson for The Ohio State University. He runs a multi-service communications company that helps corporations, trade associations, universities and elected officials with their public relations, communications and reputation-management needs. 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
John Kulewicz and his wife, Maryline, began their married life together in Upper Arlington 32 years ago. They proudly raised their two children—Adam and Abigail—in Upper Arlington and are grateful for the many opportunities afforded to them as residents over the years.
John is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he majored in history, and Yale Law School, where he served as an Editor of the Yale Law Journal. After completing law school, John was a law clerk to Judge Gilbert S. Merritt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He joined Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP as an associate in 1981, and has been a partner at the firm since 1987. He specializes in litigation.
John is especially grateful to the people of Upper Arlington for the opportunities made available to him in swimming. What began as a struggle to complete a few laps during the Early Bird Swim at the Tremont Pool in the summer of 2001, led him to swims across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bosphorus, English Channel relays, swim crossings in the Sea of Galilee, the Solomon Islands and elsewhere in the world. He knows it has been possible for him to undertake these challenges because our city has made facilities like our pools available and accessible to all those who want to maintain and improve their health and fitness.
Community Involvement and Committees
- Former Board President of the Columbus Zoo
- Former Board President of Catholic Social Services
- Former President of the Federal Bar Association (Columbus chapter)
- Officer of the Ohio Historical Society Board
- Member of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission
- Volunteer for many other community organizations
- Member of St. Agatha Parish
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-13-2020 through 1-8-2024
Contact: h 614-364-5456 or jkulewicz@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 and on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cityofua). To view a live meeting, just click on the “Live Meeting” link in the window below. If you experience technical difficulty, please email council.tech@uaoh.net.
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.
You can also conduct a Keyword Search based on a phrase or keyword (ex. “Solid Waste”).
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
- Community Relations Committee
- 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:
Conway, Brad
Ford, Mark, P.
Koch, Steven P.
Matustik, Louis
Nuber, Daniel
Stutz, Robert M.
Yeager, John A.
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:
Baird, Dr. J. Nick
Elliot, Mark
Giammar, Betty
Greenhill, Kip (President)
Guglielmi, Christopher
Vesper, Dr. Richard
Smith, Deb (Franklin County Public Health–Staff)
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) Wednesdays 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)
Milam, Justin (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
Fay, Laura
Gilliland, Nick
Landsbergen, Kim
Ratajczak, J.P.
Zahreddine, Hala
Zanon, Scott A.
Simmons, Samantha (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
Fix, Kevin
Hall, John
Hoffsis, Amanda
Hoyle, Michele
King, Brendan
McGovern, Chris
McKenzie, Scott
Pontius, Rich
Sloan, Todd
Beach, Suzanne (UA Staff)
Henderson, Joseph (UA Staff)
Schoeny, Steven (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. § 160.02 – President of Council appoints, Council confirms 9 members to serve 4-year terms which commence the first day of October and expire the last day of September) The purpose of the Community Relations Committee is to continue to support Upper Arlington as a welcoming community and to promote understanding, mutual respect and a sense of belonging among all residents to affirm the value of each individual and foster a continued culture of shared community.
Members:
Abdelbaki, Hana
Akins, Floyd – Chair
Awakessien Jeter, Ukeme
Dorval, Jean-Philippe
El-Hennawy, Farida – Vice Chair
Heiser, Karen
Kase, Judy
Sayat, Jason
Warner, Howard
Schoeny, Steven (UA Staff)
Speight, Emma (UA Staff)
Serves: City Manager’s Office
(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:
Baughman, Barry
Chester, Judy
Dial, Aparna
Hastrich, Kristan
Kemper, Rebecca
Morris, Kate
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:
Fix, Kevin
Flynn, Stephen
Hahn, Peter
Hare, Kate
Heydlauff, Gloria
Shkurti, William
Yesso, John M.
Hatch, Beth (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
Suh, Dr. Kwang
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:
Christ, Lindsey
Diday, M. Kate
Duchi, Mary
Hare, Matt
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