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City Council

The City Council serves as the policy-making body in the City, with its members elected to represent the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs. Council takes the leadership role to interpret the wishes of the community and provides for the general welfare of the community through programs, services and activities.

The City Council is composed of the Mayor and six council members elected at large. The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council and is recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes. The vice president of Council presides over Council meetings in the absence of the Mayor. The City Council has the power to appoint the city manager, adopt the budget, authorize the issuance of bonds and appoint members of all boards and commissions.

The Mayor and each Council member will hold office for a period of four years until his or her successor is qualified and elected. No person shall be deemed elected to an office unless that person receives a majority of all the votes cast for such office.

Qualifications:
The Mayor and each Council member must be a citizen of the United States, qualified voter of the State of Ohio and have resided for at least one year within the corporate limits of the City of Powell.

2011 City Council

Richard Cline – Mayor
Term Expires 12/31/15
Jim Hrivnak – Vice President
Term Expires 12/31/13
Jon Bennehoof
Term Expires 12/31/15
Sara Marie Brenner
Term Expires 12/31/13
Tom Counts
Term Expires 12/31/13
Mike Crites
Term Expires 12/31/15
Brian Lorenz
Term Expires 12/31/13

City Officials:

Mayor Richard Cline
Richard, a practicing attorney since 1981, served as the Municipal Court Prosecutor for the Village of Powell from 1984 to 1986. The Cline family moved to Powell in 1994 and Richard was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. While on the board, he helped draft the Bikeway/Walkway Master Plan. This plan has served as the foundation for Powell’s bike path planning. First elected to Council in 1996, Richard is serving his fifth term on City Council, and previously served as Mayor in 1998-1999. Richard was instrumental in the formation of the council committee structure, and has served on the finance committee since its inception. Richard also chaired the Charter Review Committee responsible for the most recent revisions to the City Charter. Richard and his wife, Nora, have two children (Caitlin and Patrick) and live in the Falcon Ridge Subdivision. Nora is the founder and owner of Modern Manners, LLC, an etiquette instruction program that she developed in 1990.

Councilman Jon Bennehoof
Jon is serving his first term on Powell City Council, and will also serve on Council's Development Committee. A business transformation executive, Jon has worked with such companies as IBM and Cardinal Health. He has been a resident of Powell since 2003 and lives in Golf Village.

Councilwoman Sara Marie Brenner
Sara Marie joined City Council in 2010 after being elected in November, 2009. A lifelong resident of the Powell area, Sara Marie is the owner of Prestige Music Studios Inc. in Powell and CEO of The Music Lessons Company, Inc. Locally, she is a past board member of and is currently involved with the Greater Powell Area Chamber of Commerce; her business is a member of Historic Downtown Powell, Inc. and an annual sponsor of the Powell Festival. In addition, she serves on the Public Policy and National PAC Committee for the National Association of Women Business Owners, and serves as Chair of the Area Action Council for the National Federation of Independent Business. She is also actively involved in local, state and national politics, managing and helping with various political campaigns and organizations. In the City, she serves on the Operations Committee. She lives in Golf Village with her husband, State Rep. Andrew Brenner.

Councilman Tom Counts
Tom has served on City Council since 2006, and served as Mayor in 2008-2009. In addition, he serves on the Finance and Operations committees. Prior to serving on City Council, Tom served on the Board of Zoning Appeals for five years and then on the Planning and Zoning Commission for five years. Tom is married to Carolyn Eselgroth and has two daughters, Abby and Rachel. Tom and his family have been Powell residents since 1995. Tom is a lawyer and is employed as real estate counsel to the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio.

Councilman Mike Crites
Mike, a Powell resident for more than 20 years who also lives in Golf Village, is a partner with the Columbus law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. He has served as president of the Olentangy Local School District Board of Education, special counsel to the City of Powell and president of the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial Foundation. Mike will serve on Council's Finance Committee.

Councilman Jim Hrivnak
Jim was elected to City Council for a full term after being appointed to fill an unexpired term. He is senior engineer at Veyance Technologies, manufacturer of Goodyear Engineered Products, in Marysville. Jim has served on the Powell Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the City's Board of Zoning Appeals. He currently serves as chair of Council's Development Committee and president of the Community Improvement Corporation. He and his wife, Pam, and two children have lived in the Grandshire subdivision since 1999.

Councilman Brian Lorenz
Brian is also serving his first term on City Council after being elected in November, 2009. He serves on Council's Development Committee and is Chair of the Operations Committee. A resident of Golf Village, Brian has also served as a member of Powell's Planning and Zoning Commission. Brian works as a planning and permitting manager for WD Partners in Dublin and is a coach with the Olentangy Youth Athletic Association. He and his wife, Sue, have four children.  

To contact a member of Powell City Council, click here.