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. Council selects a President and Vice President from among its ranks. 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 their absence.
Council’s responsibilities include establishing local laws, setting policy, approving programs and generally overseeing the operations of the City. Council appoints 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. In return, these individuals are afforded the opportunity to help to shape their community in areas that are of interest to them. Please see the Boards and Commissions section to learn more.
Left to Right: Michaela Burriss, Jim Lynch, Brendan T. King (President), Kathy Adams, Brian C. Close (Vice President), John Kulewicz, Ukeme Awakessien Jeter
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 [email protected]
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: Second Term, effective 1-10-2022 through 1-12-2026
Contact: w 614-227-4209 or [email protected]
Kathy Adams is an Upper Arlington graduate who returned to UA to raise her own children here. She has two children in UA Schools.
Kathy has a background in immigration law and labor law. In college, she worked in a refugee office and went to law school because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Kathy has spent the last 15 years in public service with the State of Ohio, working for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, helping clients make the best use of state tax dollars. Kathy works as an attorney in the finance section of her office, working on a variety of transactional matters for her clients, including purchasing issues and large projects in IT and construction.
Kathy is a Girl Scouts troop leader at Windermere Elementary and a Boy Scouts mom for Troop 555. She serves as a mentor to younger attorneys, and she volunteers her time in the UA community.
Community Involvement:
- Graduate, Leadership UA
- Volunteer, UASO swim team
Current Appointment: First Term, effective 1-10-2022 through 1-12-2026
Contact: c 614-558-1820 or [email protected]
When Ukeme moved to Upper Arlington in the fall of 2018, she could not have foreseen how her daughter’s experiences as a new member of the community would inspire her deep involvement in the City she fondly refers to as the “Community of Choice” for her family.
In 2021, Ukeme made history, becoming the first person of color to be elected to Upper Arlington City Council in its 103-year history.
Professionally, Ukeme is a partner at Taft Law. Her practice focuses on helping her clients bring innovative products and services to market through negotiating and structuring intellectual property licenses, options, and related agreements. She thrives on tackling intricate challenges in the realm of product development and is a true catalyst for innovation.
Beyond her career, Ukeme is a devoted mother to two wonderful children and a dog. She resides in the Greensview neighborhood of Upper Arlington, where she and her family relish in the city’s vibrant culture. They are often found at city events, exploring the parks, indulging in bike rides, engaging in spirited rounds of UNO and Charades, and even belting out tunes from the Hamilton soundtrack.
Ukeme received a J.D from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine where she was a college athlete in track and field.
Ukeme lives by the mantra, ‘Be the change you wish to see,’ embodying this in her leadership and advocacy.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Community Relations Committee – inaugural member of newly formed Committee – 2020-2021
- 2019 Citizen Financial Review Committee
- Leadership Upper Arlington – class of 2019
- Ohio Legal Help Board of Directors
- United Way of Central Ohio’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council
Current appointment: First Term, effective 1-10-2022 through 1-12-2026
Contact: p 614-285-7258 or [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Jim Lynch is a lifelong resident of Upper Arlington and an Upper Arlington High School graduate. He is a small business owner who runs a multi-service communications company that helps corporations, trade associations, and 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 Jones Middle School.
Community Involvement and Committees:
- Council Financial Policies Committee, 2018
- Former Director, Upper Arlington Civic Association
- Co-Chair, UA Civic Pride Day
Current Appointment: Second Term, effective 1-10-2022 through 1-12-2026
Contact: c 614-832-7295 or [email protected]
City Council Meetings are held the first, second and third Mondays of each month (unless designated otherwise on the calendar). Meetings are held at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, and typically begin at 7 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:
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.
If you are joining through Zoom, and you would like to address Council relative to any legislative items appearing on this agenda, please send a “speaker slip” by email to [email protected] two hours prior to the start of the meeting. Please include your name, address, email and the legislative item you wish to address.
Speakers are limited to three minutes each, with no right to yield to other speakers.
City Council Agenda Email Updates
Please email [email protected] if you are interested in receiving meeting Council agenda updates or complete the contact form below.
The above link takes you to our online meeting portal where you can:
- View a schedule of upcoming meetings for City Council and the Boards and Commissions
- Access agenda packets for these meetings (as they come available and are posted)
- View a livestream of City Council meetings as they are happening
- Access recorded videos from past City Council meetings
- Register to receive meeting notifications – look for the “Sign In” button on the top/right of the screen
The above link takes you to our online collection of meeting minutes and legislation for City Council, dating back to 1918. This site also includes minutes for the City’s Boards and Commissions, dating back to 2018. If you need to access Board or Commission minutes prior to 2018, please contact the City Clerk by completing the online form below.
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.