City Council

Canal Winchester has a Strong Mayor-Council form of government with an elected mayor and seven elected council members. City Council is vested with all legislative powers of the City excepting those reserved to the people by the City Charter and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. City Council members are elected for staggered four year terms.

CW Council 2020 Members image
 

DR. JOHN BENDER SCHOLARSHIP 

Canal Winchester City Council announces two $1000 scholarships to be awarded in honor of the late Dr. John Bender, former council member for 17 years.  Graduating seniors are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and submit applications online - click here for the online application.  To download and print the application, please click here.  Applications will also be available in the guidance offices at Canal Winchester High School and Bloom Carroll High School.  The deadline for applications and completed materials is Friday, May 28, 2021, at 4:30 PM.  Recipients of the Dr. John Bender scholarship will be recognized at the June 21 City Council meeting.

COVID-19 SPECIAL NOTICE 

Beginning June 2, 2021, all City of Canal Winchester public meetings will reopen for public, in-person attendance.  The first City Council meeting that will be open to the public is Monday, June 7 at Town Hall (10 N. High Street).  Capacity will be limited to 35 people.  Following CDC guidelines, vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask, but unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear a mask and social distance.  Anyone feeling ill or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from attending.

City Council Work Sessions and regular City Council Meetings will continue to be streamed online using the "Go-To-Meeting" platform. To view meetings from a computer, tablet or smartphone, residents may log in using the unique gotomeeting link provided with the published meeting agenda.  In this format, video and audio of the meeting will be available as the meeting takes place, however, viewers will not have microphone or webcam permissions.  An audio-only telephone option will also be available, however, callers will enter the meeting in listen-only mode. 

City Council Meetings

City Council meetings are generally held on the first and third Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at Town Hall located at 10 N. High Street in our Historic Downtown.  All meetings of City Council are open to the public.

Public Comments

Each City Council meeting agenda includes a Public Comment item.  It is during this time that anyone wishing to address City Council may do so.  There is a five-minute per person limit which will be enforced by City Council President.  Please note that this agenda item is not meant to be a question and answer session for members of City Council and members are not required to respond to public comments or questions raised during this time.

Per the direction of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and the Ohio Public Meetings Act, public comments may be accepted prior to a council meeting.  Comments must be submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) the Friday before the meeting to be included in the agenda packet.  Submit a Comment

Council Work Sessions

City Council meets in Work Session prior to each City Council meeting (at 6 p.m.) to discuss legislative items and other issues of the City prior to being included on a City Council agenda.  Council Work Session consists of all members of Council with the Vice- President serving as chair.  The work sessions are divided into two areas of focus.  The first Work Session of the month will focus on Finance/Economic Development items and the second monthly Work Session will focus on Service/Safety items.  While each Work Session includes specific areas of focus, other items may be brought before Council as needed.  Council Work Sessions are open to the public.

Rules Committee

Any resolution to amend the Rules of Council shall be referred to the Rules Committee where it shall be considered immediately, taking precedence over any other business before the committee, and the committee shall make a report on the resolution to amend at the next regular session of Council following its introduction.  The Rules Committee shall meet at least once a year to review the standing rules of Council.  The Rules Committees authority shall include, but not limited to, reviewing, investigating and recommending councilmatic action in areas involving eligibility for office and conflicts of interest.  The Rules Committee shall also review, investigate and recommend councilmatic approval or disapproval of all candidates to fill vacancies for positions on City Council. Council Rules

Chairman and Members: Jill Amos (Chair), Chuck Milliken (Vice Chair), Mike Coolman

Other Assignments

CW Human Services - Chuck Milliken
Destination: Canal Winchester - Mike Walker
CWICC - Bob Clark, Pat Lynch
CWJRD - Jill Amos, Will Bennett