Galena Village Council

The Village Council is the legislative branch of the village government. Council is comprised of six members who are elected by the voters of the Village on an at-large, non-partisan basis. The term of a council member is four years. Contact information for each council member is provided below. However, if you would like to send an email to the village council collectively the address is villagecouncil@galenaohio.gov. As the governing body, Council passes local laws, makes appointments to various boards and committees, and awards various contracts for purchases of goods and services used by the Village. They also review, amend, and adopt the annual budget for the Village prepared by the Village Administrator and the Fiscal Officer.

Meet Our Mayor Jeff Kinnell

 

 Galena, Ohio, is in Delaware County situated approximately 25 miles north of downtown Columbus. Our village stands at the crossroads of the extensive growth and development in Central Ohio. Development that will shape the future of our village and surrounding communities for years to come.

We welcome you to experience Galena's historic charm and small-town atmosphere.

Enjoy our parks, trails, and public spaces, as well as a variety of inviting small businesses.

We encourage you to contact our village at https://www.galenaohio.gov. We are open for business.

Mayor Jeff Kinnell

  • e-mail: mayor@galenaohio.gov -

    phone: 740-965-2484

  • Term Start: Jan 1, 2024

    Term End: Dec 31, 2027

    Assignments

    Delaware Co Regional Planning Commission

    Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

    Parks and Recreation

    Welcome Committee

    Safety and Security Committee

    Income Tax Commission

    Records Commission

    Planning and Zoning

  • The powers and duties of the mayor include:

    Serving as the “chief conservator of the peace” within the Village

    Performing all duties as prescribed by the bylaws and ordinances of the Village

    Seeing that all ordinances, bylaws and resolutions of the Village are faithfully obeyed and enforced

    Serving as the president of the Village Council

    Presiding at all regular and special meetings of the Village Council, but having no vote except in the case of a tie

    Supervising the conduct of all of the officers of the Village

    Inquiring into and examining the grounds of all reasonable complaints against any officers

    Appointing the Village Administrator and Fiscal Officer, subject to the approval by the majority of the Village Council

    Having all other powers and performing all other duties as provided by law

 

Meet Our Council Members

Photographs compliments of Monica Cubberly-Early Photography Monicacubberlyearly.com

Chris Durrence

  • Email: cdurrence@galenaohio.gov

  • Chris moved to Galena in 2019 where resides in the Estate at Blackhawk. He serves as an HOA Treasurer. Chris and his wife Kasey and two teenage kids (Cassie & Zach) picked the Village of Galena because of the esthetic charm of the Village, great schools, and friendly people who waive as you drive by. With a professional work history in the realm of Banking and Risk Management, Chris feels he can have a significant impact on the budgeting and finance aspect of the Village.

    He feels the “quaintness” of the Village is something the community cherishes and should remain that way. Any future grow we face should be responsible and within the scope of our approved master plan. He is a firm believer in “it takes a village” mentality. He understands he serves at the leisure of the Village Residents and his voice will reflect their voice.

    He is a firm believer in supporting events that bring us all together and will work with counsel to support different ways to continue to “unite” the Village. Chris is an avid golfer, hunter, and bourbon connoisseur. He loves spending time with his family in the Village of Galena.

  • Term: Appointed March 2023

    Expires 12/31/2025.

    Assignments: Finance Committee

    Parks and Recreation Committee

    Safety and Security Committee

    NCA Board

    Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Josh Porter

  • Email: jporter@galenaohio.gov

  • Coming Soon

  • Terms: Appointed: Oct. 2022

    Expires 12/31/2025

    Assignments: Finance Committee

    Safety and Security Committee

    BST&G Alternate

Kathy Krupa

  • Email: kkrupa@galenaohio.gov

  • Kathy has resided in Galena since 2012 with her husband Ron and her daughter’s family living close by. Being drawn by the small-town feel of Galena and its quaintness, she came to love the rural character. Since 2015, she has served on the Village Council for 6 years, headed up the Galena Square beautification project, spent 3 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, held a position on the Financial Committee, and more. Kathy takes pride in strengthening the relationships between our Sunbury and Berkshire neighbors. Kathy also loves spending time with her grandchildren as they grow up, volunteer, and bike ride.

  • Terms: Start: Jan 1, 2018 | End: Dec 31, 2025 | Re-Elected

    Assignments: Personnel Committee

    Cemetery Committee

    Parks and Recreation Committee

    Special Events Committee

    BTS&G Fire Board

    Columbus Nature Preserves Advisory Council

    The Galena Foundation

Michael Fry

  • Email: mfry@galenaohio.gov

  • Mike and his family moved to Galena in late 2016, immediately falling in love with the quaintness and rich history of the Village. With developments becoming increasingly attracted, Mike decided to apply for Council. In October 2020, Mike was voted in by the Council to serve on the Personnel, Planning and Zoning, and Electronic Communication Committees, as well as the Galena New Community Authority. Mike strives to represent the neighborhood with a focus on helping Galena remain quaint, prosperous, and safe through measured growth. Since May 2020, Mike has been employed by LJ’s Card Shop as a Listing Lead, Valuation Analyst, and Listing Coordinator. Mike loves reading, films, and golfing, but cherishes spending time with his incredible family and the Lord the most.

  • Terms: Start: Jan 1, 2024 | End: Dec 31, 2027

    Appointed: Oct 26, 2020

    Assignments: Personnel Committee

    Safety and Security Committee

    Planning and Zoning Commission

Gillian Doucette

  • Email: gdoucette@galenaohio.gov

  • Hello, I'm to represent the town I grew up in. Below are a few highlights of my background, but I’m most excited to be rasing my 3 kids in the community I grew up and continue to grow the fun and unity Galena provides.

    🎓Class of 2001 - BIG WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL

    🥎As a student at BWHS, I was an Office Assistant, Cheerleader, and Softball Player

    ⛳️In the early 2000s helped run outings and charity events for Ruffner Park

    👩‍💻Achieved my MBA

    🙋‍♀️Board Member of Women's Business Development Council (WBDC)

    🙋‍♀️Board Member of Empire Ball

    🍂A Founder and Supporter of Galena Fall Gathering

    🛝Committee Chair for the New Miller Park Playground in Galena - Coming Spring of 2024

  • Terms: Start: Jan 1, 2024 | End: Dec 31, 2027

    Assignments: Finance Committee

    Parks and Recreation Committee

    Special Events Committee

    Safety and Security Committee

    MORPC Alternate

    Columbus NPAC Alternate

Zachary Hopper

  • zhopper@galenaohio.gov

  • Zachary is a lifelong resident of Galena. In keeping with his family's long tradition of public

    service, Zach serves on the Village Council to maintain the friendly, small-town atmosphere of Galena while helping it grow and improve. He is currently a full-time student at Columbus State Community College majoring in Civil Engineering Technology. Honored to be named an Eagle Scout in 2019, Zachary chose the installation of the swinging bench on the square as his project. Prior to being elected to Village Council, Zachary served on the Village of Galena Planning and Zoning Commission. Zachary plans to volunteer at local festivals and community clean-ups for years to come!

  • Terms: Start: Jan 1, 2020 | End: Dec 31, 2025 | Elected

    Assignments: Personnel Committee

    Welcome Committee

    Records Commission

    Delaware Public Health

Village Council Meetings

 

Council meetings are normally on fourth Mondays, starting at 6:00 p.m., but sometimes need to be rescheduled due to conflicts with holidays or other extenuating circumstances. Additional meetings that are in addition to regular meetings, called “special meetings” are sometimes needed to handle time-sensitive matters. Check the community calendar for the scheduled dates, and view the minutes of meetings here.

The agenda for each regular council meeting is posted five days prior at these five public locations around the Village:

  • Outside bulletin board at Galena Village Hall, 109 Harrison Street

  • Bulletin board in the lobby of the Galena U.S. Post Office, 34 W. Park Street

  • Outside bulletin board at 13 W. Columbus Street

  • Outside bulletin board at Ruffner Park, 152 Harrison Street

  • Outside bulletin board at Miller Park, 268 N. Walnut Street

You may also receive the agenda by calling the Village administrative offices at 740-965-2484 or e-mailing your request to fiscal@galenaohio.gov.

Meetings are open to the public, and are normally held at the Village Hall, 109 Harrison Street, Galena 43021.

Public Involvement

 

Council desires to hear the viewpoints of citizens and considers the responsible presentations of these viewpoints to the efficient operation of the Village. Council also recognizes its responsibility for proper governance and, therefore, the need to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner. Therefore, Council establishes the following procedures to receive citizen input:

  • Any individual desiring to address Council on items appearing on the agenda shall notify the Clerk of Council before the beginning of each meeting. During the time when such items are addressed by Council, the individual will then be given the opportunity to address Council with their concerns.

  • Any individual desiring to address Council on items, which require a Public Hearing, will be asked to address Council when the Public Hearing has been opened.

  • All speakers are asked to be respectful of each other in order for all comments to be received. If considered necessary, a time limit on the length of the comment period will be established.

  • All meetings of the Village 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 regular or special meetings.

Please call the village hall office to confirm the dates/times of upcoming meetings.

Vacancies on Village Council

Members of village council are elected to four-year terms. However, a situation may arise whereby a council seat is vacated during a term.

State law prescribes the process for how a vacated council seat is to be filled.

See these details about the appointment process and how someone can apply for being considered to fill a vacancy.