Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee: Earth Month Hearing Minutes
Contact Name: Chelsea Golterman
Contact Telephone Number: 614-645-3091
Contact Email Address: CLGolterman@columbus.gov
Body
Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee
Earth Month Hearing
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
3:30 P.M.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 90 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche, Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy,
Call to order:
Meeting called to order by Chair Wyche at 3:32 P.M.
Introductions:
[Chair Christopher L. Wyche] Review of the agenda and welcome
[Vice Chair Emmanuel V. Remy] Thank you!
Presentation: Environmental Science Advisory Committee
[Chair Wyche] We will first discuss the Environmental Science Advisory Committee.
Annalisa Rocca, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, Central Ohio Regional Director
[Ms. Rocca] Thank you for this opportunity. I am here to support the reactivation of the Environmental Science Advisory Committee. Good Policy lowers cost and builds resiliency. An advisory body like this will bring the technical experts to all future policies throughout the city. I recommend reviewing peer cities that have similar advisory bodies, such as Cincinnati. Also, to update this advisory body such as aligning with the current Climate Action Plan, work with both Sustainable Columbus, and require reporting of community engagement. I encourage Council to revitalize and update the Committee. Thank you.
[Chair Wyche] We have toyed with the idea to only have Columbus residents or a regional requirement. Do you know if Cincinnati has this requirement?
[Ms. Rocca] I am not sure but it is important to ask this question. I will ask Cincinnati and get back to you.
[Vice-Chair Remy] What do you think the deliverables be in the first year?
[Ms. Rocca] Depends, but focusing on community forums and community engagement opportunities to learn from the community what should be the priorities
[Vice-Chair Remy] Where does it sit in Cincinnati?
[Ms. Rocca] Under the sustainability office.
[Vice-Chair Remy] Do you think a strict Advisory Board is good or should it go further?
[Ms. Rocca] I would say seeing how you want to structure it and what “lane” it will be in.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here. Next, we have Craig Toothman.
Craig Toothman, Franklin County Pollinator Pathways, Executive Director
[Mr. Toothman] As we look at the Climate Action Goals, how do you accomplish those goals. As legislators, it is vital to rely on experts to make informed decisions and have experts making those recommendations be up to date.
[Chair Wyche] Your point on being technical experts
[Mr. Toothman] Chapter 143: Independent science based. I would recommend caution on corporate advise.
[Vice Chair Remy] Thank you. If this committee was functioning - what do you want it to do?
[Mr. Toothman] Communication, Collaboration and cooperation. Looking at all the groups and all the information/resources out there and ensure they are utilizing all the options
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here, next we have is Joe Flarida
Joe Flarida, Power Clean Future Ohio, Executive Director
[Mr. Flarida] We support 54 municipalities at different sizes throughout the State Ohio. I worked directly in propping up Toledo's and supported the creation of multiple others. Codified advisory boards are vital in supporting the work in all facets, including the grassroots work. When outlining an advisory committee it is vital to look at who sits on the committee and how they are selected and appointed, focus and authority of the committee, capacity of city staff supporting the committee, the authority of the committee in the city and the purpose of the committee, how often the committee meets, and the transparency of the committee.
[Chair Wyche] The point about capacity and charge is true. The charge should inform the staffing capacity. Thank you for being here. Our hope is that at our next hearing, we will have language to look at.
Presentation: Price Surveillance
[Chair Wyche] Next, we will be discussing price surveillance. We will have Dr. Fallon from Council’s research office.
Dr. Katie Fallon, Columbus City Council Legislative Research Office, Senior Policy Advisor
[Dr. Fallon] We are seeing this in algorithmic pricing and price fixing in the housing market. This causes higher than average rents, higher vacancy, and higher eviction rates. This also increases and hides the fines and fees. Opportunities for action: We can look at prohibiting price setting, requite price transparency, prohibit catch-all cost transfer clauses, ban mandatory service and amenities, and disallow evictions for unpaid fees.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here. We are trying to combat those hidden fees, such as utility reselling. As we look at what we can do, do we see what we can do in Columbus? Such can we use things we already have - like the Rental Registry.
[Dr. Fallon] Certainly yes. Transparency is the best tool and how we can support it.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you, next we will hear from Mike Nicols
Mike Nicols, UFCW Local 1059, President
[Mr. Nicols] This affects everyone, our workers, our residents, everyone. Grocery prices are rising, 4.4% currently, and most residents cannot afford to eat. We must ban electronic shelf labels and surveillance prices. Thank you
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here. There have been representatives from Grocery Stores that say it will be able to “real time” reduce prices, do you think that is true?
[Mr. Nicols] No. It is being marketed to get more data and the investment from the companies into this technology will need to be recouped somehow.
[Chair Wyche] With online shopping, we are already seeing this.
[Mr. Nicols] What do you see on the ground with your members and their families.
[Mr. Nicols] It is continuing to be harder to make ends meet. We have families that cannot rely on the stable cost of groceries. This is putting an extra strain on the food pantries.
[Vice-Chair Remy] Do you see this increasing more since COVID?
[Mr. Nicols] Yes, but it used to be weekly or bi-weekly. With this technology, it can be minute by minute, hour by hour.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you.
Presentation: Columbus Region Green Fund
[Chair Wyche] Next, we will hear from Jackie Kemble about the Green Fund.
Jackie Kemble, Columbus Region Green Fund, Interim Executive Director
[Ms. Kemble] A Green Bank uses public, private and philanthropic dollars to make clean energy and energy efficiency affordable. The Columbus Region Green Fund is one of 40+ Green Banks nationwide and the first in our region. The Columbus Region Green Fund was created in 2021 and seed funded by the City of Columbus and Franklin County. With the the current $9.4m in loans and grants, we have seen $24M in Energy Cost Savings for schools, institutions and residents. Projects include solar projects, energy audits, energy efficiency housing, etc.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for the work you are doing. The savings is real. It is frustrating to push folks to look at the future for green investments. How has this work changed in the last 5 years?
[Ms. Kemble] There is an organization that all the green funds are a part of and that organization has helped support the work at a higher level.
[Vice-Chair Remy] What share of the buildings that participate in the audit program will actually move forward with the energy savings after?
[Ms. Kemble] This is a new program, not just here but most of these municipal programs are only a few years old. The low hanging fruit in the audit will be the easiest for buildings to adopt.
[Vice-Chair Remy] How many people have signed up?
[Ms. Kemble] We have seen signups and we are working with the city on signing up the “worst offenders"
[Vice-Chair Remy] What are the barriers in this work?
[Ms. Kemble] Continuing to connect with different organizations and getting the word out.
[Remy] Wat role should the city play?
[Ms. Kemble] Just keeping us in the loop on what are your priorities are as Council and what other municipalities has.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here.
Presentation: City of Columbus Recycling Contract RFP Process
[Wyche] Next, we will have Department of Public Service Division of Refuse present on the upcoming Recycling Contract RFP.
Disu Oshodi, Department of Public Service, Refuse Collections Operations Coordinator
[Mr. Oshodi] The City of Columbus is accepting bids for residential recycling (weekly) and yard waste (bi-weekly) collection and disposal for approximately 221,520 households. The service area will be split into three zones, each with 65,000 to 85,000 residences. Bids must be submitted for five years, with the option of five one-year extensions, and must show the collection & disposal costs. This will now include 3 collection zones The Bid requitements include: Mandatory Bidding on All Zones, Responsibility & Frequency: Service requests, Special Collections: The awarded bidder of Zone 2 shall assume collections of the “Glass on High” and “Pedestrian Recycle” program around the city three times weekly for nonconsecutive days, Subcontractor Limit: (1) licensed subcontractor per awarded zone, Transportation and Disposal: (75%) processed by end users & remain within the state of Ohio, Holidays, House count Variations: expansion or contraction of 10,000, Cost Justification: expansion or contraction of 10,000.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here. I wanted to ask about the timeline selection. When does DPS think they will choose?
[Mr. Oshodi] Likely, May 13.
[Chair Wyche] As we look at the 5 - 1 Year extensions, can we add additional services when that comes up?
[Mr. Oshodi] Yes.
[Chair Wyche] Do we anticipate food waste or compost to be added?
[Mr. Oshodi] We have food waste drop off sites across the city.
[Chair Wyche] I am referring to curb side
[Mr. Oshodi] Not at this moment
[Chair Wyche] Are we expanding the Glass Pilot to include Aluminum?
[Mr. Oshodi] Not at this moment
[Vice-Chair Remy] What have we learned from our last contract that will influence this RFP?
[Mr. Oshodi] A want for other businesses to be involved, holiday pick up, multifamily pick up, our convenience schedule, etc.
[Vice-Chair Remy] Why did you have folks bid on the full zones even though we now have individual zones?
[Mr. Oshodi] Provide more potential options and services
[Vice-Chair Remy] How will the transition happen?
[Mr. Oshodi] Lots of communication with our community partners
[Vice-Chair Remy] When routes change or get rebalanced, who will communicate that out to residents?
[Mr. Oshodi] We will and its important that we continue to look at the balance of our services.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you. Next, we will hear from Tia Johnson.
Tia Johnson, Fresh Environmental Services CEO
[Ms. Johnson] Why is waste and recycling still structured for only a few large haulers? The rules are written where local haulers cannot participate. This removes neighborhood innovation and building our next generation of environmentalists. Clean Community is not just hauling, it is a program to educate neighbors, reduce litter, etc. Let's visit Title 13 to build out access and ensure the RFP has a sustainability focus.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you for being here. Do you think these changes will help small and minority businesses?
[Ms. Johnson] Yes. This will allow for local haulers to participate in. Especially the multifamily community.
[Chair Wyche] As you are working, please reach out to our office if you have any policy changes etc. Is there anyone else that would like to sign up to speak? Seeing no one. Thank you.
Closing Remarks
[Chair Wyche]Vice-Chair Remy, do you have closing remarks?
[Vice Chair Remy] We are grateful for this conversation. We must continue to have public transparency and that all of our policies are working for our residents.
[Chair Wyche] Thank you.
Written Testimony
Visit <https://bit.ly/WycheCBUSCityCouncil> to review all submitted testimony and presentations.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by Chair Wyche at 5:08 P.M.