Date: 13 Oct 2026
Location: Epworth United Methodist Church
Meeting called to order @ 7:01 PM by Mark Bell, Vice President
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Attendance was taken via roll call.
OFFICER REPORTS
President Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org ABSENT, Ashley Howard – ashleyhoward@fpcivic.org ABSENT
Guest Speaker: Ambrosia LaMarr, Director of Woodward Park Community Center, spoke at our meeting. She gave an update on senior options, the new Columbus Recreation and Parks fee structure, and many new programs.
- Programming from PreK-older adults. Everything from arts & crafts to volleyball, and everything in-between.
- Hygiene or Cleaning Supply gift bags for anyone who is interested. Just come to the front desk and ask.
- Senior lunch on Weds. and Fridays from 11 am-1 pm – play bingo and get a free meal!
- Trunk or Treat at WWP. Wed., Oct. 28, from 5-7 pm.
- Woodward Care – new class. Meeting every Monday in January. A group of people getting together to promote good deeds and service in the community.
WWP is trying very hard to meet the needs of people in the community. If you have any ideas to help them improve, please go and talk with Ambrosia. She is willing to listen!
Vice President Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org
Mark talked about “Zone In” and its impacts on FPCA. NCC voted to support removing the parcels that contain Kilbourne Run from the new NAC zoning district. He passed out a flyer and urged people to speak out against the plan to change Kilbourne Run (creek) into an apartment complex. The FPCA voted unanimously to also support removing the parcels that the NCC voted on. Mark will write a letter to the City of Columbus on behalf of the FPCA Board, Chairs, and membership stating our position. Lou Bernard will post information on how to submit your criticism of the plan on the FPCA website and on the Facebook groups. Please – EVERYONE – go on to the site and speak in support of keeping this FP greenspace the way it is!
Secretary Lou Bernard – secretary@fpcivic.org
- Attendance:
- Officers/Committee Chairs Present: MB, LB, CL, RW, DVM, KVM, EV, LV, MSt, DP
- Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: AH, QM, MSg, KG
- Area Reps in Attendance: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13
- Area Reps Absent: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14
- Total meeting attendance: 28
- Reviewed minutes from September, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
- Attendance Sheet thru October: Online
Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cheryllutman@fpcivic.org
- September reflects another 13 memberships. This brings us to 401 – just 49 away from our 450 goal. 4 more membership deposits were made on October 1st (including a very generous check for $250!).
- The garage sale grossed $105.
- Thanks to Mary’s efforts, the next deposit will show Gabby’s paying their arrears balance for advertising. Lowell confirms that just leaves Columbus Window and Siding ($945) the stucco advertiser ($145).
- Expenses are small and are as expected.
- We have begun setting up GiveButter to be our new CRM/online payment system. We are in the early stages of understanding how this will all work together, so PayPal will remain our partner for online payments for now.
- Cheryl has been in contact with our insurance agent, and having our coverage reviewed to make sure it still fits our needs. It looks like it’s all correct, but waiting on a couple of additional checks to be certain.
Community Concerns/Announcements/Ideas
Brad Doig, the new Executive Director of YMCA North, attended the meeting and introduced himself and his colleagues. He expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to work with the FPCA and strengthening and expanding the partnership between the two organizations.
Public Relations Officer Mary Sguerra – marysguerra@fpcivic.org
The Fall Forest Park Community Garage Sale on Sept. 12th had 21 participants and unfortunately it was a very rainy morning. Hopefully we will have better weather for the next Community Garage Sale which will be in the Spring of 2027.
Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester@fpcivic.org
- We need articles, pics, etc. for the NOV/DEC issue. The deadline for items is Saturday, Oct 31. The hope is to have this issue out to home before Thanksgiving so everyone can enjoy the holiday season. If you think of anything going on in December get that to Rita as well. Thanks!
- Rita has receipts to give the Treasurer for clear bags bought that should last us at least till May.
- She is still working on a new format to create the newsletter, following up on some leads and will let folks know how it goes.
Supplemental Security Officer Daryl Van Mercetta – darylvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@fpcivic.org
It has been confirmed that we will be having a new Columbus Police Liaison Officer for our precinct soon!
See report in the Forester.
Past President Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org
- Our 2026 membership cycle ended last month. We need to confirm the total number of current memberships and assess how closely we are meeting our budget goals. A mid-cycle Board meeting needs to be scheduled to review our financial status and address any budgetary concerns.
- Lou Bernard will send out a meeting poll to all board members to get a date scheduled before the November meeting.
Civic Action/311 Officer Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org – No Report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Representative VACANT
Welcome Committee Chair VACANT
Volunteer Coordinator VACANT
Membership Coordinator Mike Stone – mikestone@fpcivic.org
We have documented 401 households we have collected this cycle. We have sent electronic thank you’s/ acknowledgements to those on record with email addresses and will deliver the remaining thank you’s to their door over this upcoming week.
Social Activities Francine Dillard – fdillard@fpcivic.org
- Francine met with the director and assistant director of the Woodward Park Community Center to discuss what events we could partner on. Discussed doing a Breakfast with Santa including it with their Annual Christmas celebration. Other ideas were Forest Park Civic Association sponsoring one of their Family Friday Night gatherings, having a family card tournament as the theme. FPCA could provide a Kroger gift card to the family who wins. They have several families who attend the Friday night events. Hopefully we can increase awareness of the Civic Association. We may do a joint community bowling party or skating party. The center has a 15 passenger van that they would be willing to use to transport people to these events who had no transportation.
- A survey has been completed and has been sent to Forest Park households to see what events they might be interested in doing.
- Francine will finalize the Friday night plans and breakfast with Santa in November after receiving approval at the October meeting.
- Plans to schedule meeting with YMCA leadership to explore partnerships
NCC Representatives Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org, Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org,
Ken Gilbert – kengilbert@fpcivic.org
See report online and in the Forester
NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org
Ed discussed the cases that affect our FP area, see the full report on a link on the website home page.
Grant Writing Committee Chair Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org
Outreach Committee Chair Michael Cote – michaelcote@fpcivic.org
See report online and in the Forester
Website Administrators Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org (Website) Ashley Howard – ashleyhoward@fpcivic.org (Instagram/Facebook)
Our website/Facebook page is always – always being updated with new and upcoming info! Please check it out!! Please subscribe/follow us.
OLD BUSINESS
Open Positions:
- Delivery Positions (multiple routes)
- Area Reps: FPW: 5; FPE: 6, 8, 14
- Committee Chairs: Business Membership Chair, Volunteer Coordinator, Welcome Committee Chair Social Media (Facebook, Website)
NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS
Next Meeting:
- 10 November 2026
- Epworth United Methodist Church
- 5100 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229
- 7:00-8:00 PM
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM
Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA