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General Information about FPCA

FOREST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION FEBRUARY MEETING

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Date: 10 Feb 2026

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:04 PM by Ashley Howard, Quentin Monden

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via roll call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org, Ashley Howard – ashleyhoward@fpcivic.org

See report in Forester

Guest Speaker: Hugo Barragan, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Franklin County Auditor.

A surprise guest speaker. If you’re looking for property tax relief, you have until March 31st to file an appeal regarding your current property valuation. No appointments are necessary, so you can simply walk in to start the process; just be sure to bring supporting evidence like photos of needed repairs, recent sales data from your neighborhood, or a professional appraisal. It’s a great opportunity to ensure your tax bill accurately reflects your home’s true condition and value.

You can reach Hugo at (c) 614.499.3570 or email him at hugo.barragan1@franklincountyohio.gov

Vice President  Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org 

Please shovel your sidewalks in front of your house and help out our neighbors who are walking. A FP neighbor was hit by a car walking in the street because the sidewalks were covered. Also, shovel out in front of our storm drains on the street.

Secretary Lou Bernard – secretary@fpcivic.org

  1. Attendance:
  • Officers/Committee Chairs Present: AH, QM, MB, LB, CL, MSg, RW, DVM, EV, SL, MSt, KG, SB
  • Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: KVM, DP, LV
  • Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13
  • Area Reps Absent: 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 (6, 8, and 14 are VACANT)
  • Total meeting attendance: 34
  1. Reviewed minutes from Jan., no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
  2. Attendance Sheet thru Feb.: Online
  3. A new email listserve/Google Group address for area reps has been created to be used by officers and committee chairs.

Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cheryllutman@fpcivic.org

  1. We are 7 memberships short of our goal for the fiscal year ending March 31st.  
  2. We are off our budgeted income by $3,680. However, we have kept expenses in line, and are under by about $8,200.  
  3. There will be a few expenses for the membership mailing that will come through in March, plus we will have our normal expenses for the Forester and the security patrols.
  4. 2026 Budget Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM at COhatch Worthington – 752 High St, Columbus, OH 43085.

Public Relations Officer Mary Sguerra – marysguerra@fpcivic.org

Looking ahead for our Forest Park Spring Community Garage Sale – Please save the date May 16th.

ForesterEditor Rita Woeste – forester@fpcivic.org

  1. Hoping for the best weather for safer delivery of the Forester. 
  2. The March deadline for Forester entries is Wednesday, Feb 18th. We can get it to the printer and back to stuffers by Feb 27th. The plan is to have Foresters in homes by Sunday March 8th. We are looking for articles.
  3. We should review the suggestions provided by neighbors during the December information meeting to identify new topics for our upcoming articles. 
  4. The April issue will go out with a membership form, but Easter is April 5th, the first weekend of April. The plan is to have the deadline for articles on March 25th. 
  5. Membership stuffing with membership form will take place Saturday April 11th, at Schoedinger. 

Supplemental Security Officer Daryl Van Mercetta – darylvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@fpcivic.org

  1. Relatively quiet from a supplemental security stand point. 
  2. Officer Yandrich also confirmed crime is down this time of the year. 
  3. One of the most common complaints in the city is that people are parking in the street beyond the snowbanks, causing significant frustration for residents. 
  4. Do not leave your car running unattended to warm up in cold weather.
  5. Officer Yandrich is stepping down, and Officer Duane Hicks (DHicks@columbuspolice.org) is taking over the position. The contact phone number remains the same: (614) 645-1418

Past President Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org  No Report

Business Representative Sheridan Landon – sheridanlandon@fpcivic.org  No Report

If you are interested in becoming a business member, please contact Sheridan or our Treasurer, Cheryl Lutman.

Civic Action/311 Officer  Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org  

If you have any 311/code enforcement issues or questions, feel free to contact Ed at his email address or cell listed in the Forester.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org  No Report

Volunteer Coordinator VACANT

If you are interested in volunteering in this position, please contact one of the presidents or the secretary.

Membership Coordinator  Mike Stone – mikestone@fpcivic.org

  1. Envelope Stuffing Day will be April 11th at Schoedingers. Stuffing time begins at 1:00 p.m.
  2. March 5th Meeting @ Donato’s for Area Reps and others interested in helping Mike with membership.

Social Activities VACANT

If you are interested in volunteering in this position, please contact one of the presidents or the secretary.

NCC Representatives Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org, Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org, Ken Gilbert – kengilbert@fpcivic.org

See report in the Forester.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org

  1. The church who came last month that will be taking over the old Red Lobster building on Rt. 161, did not do the prescribed mailings to the NCC Dev Board, so their case was tabled.
  2. See meeting minutes on the FPCA website.

Grant Writing Committee Chair  Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org, Laura Hayes – laurahayes@fpcivic.org  No Report

Outreach Committee Chair  Michael Cote – michaelcote@fpcivic.org

See report in the Forester.

Website Administrators Scott Biggs – scottbiggs@fpcivic.org (Website/Facebook)   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

  1. Community members have requested that FPCA general meetings be streamed and made available online. The Board and members present at the January meeting discussed the requirements necessary to implement this, including staffing, equipment, and funding to purchase the necessary equipment. It was determined that, at this time, the association does not have sufficient personnel or equipment to effectively support live streaming or online access.
  2. The Sign Team submitted 311s to replace the missing signs around the entrances to FP, but we were asked to resubmit in the spring when it is more feasible to put them up; this way the 311s won’t stay on their books as being unfulfilled. We will take care of this later.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS  None

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM

Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

FOREST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES

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Date: 13 Jan 2026

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:04 PM by Ashley Howard, Quentin Monden

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via roll call.

OFFICER REPORTS

  1. Secretary Lou Bernard read the Slate of Candidates running for positions in the FPCA for 2026. Copies of the “Slate” were made available. Also copies of the FPCA Constitution & Bylaws, and Volunteer Code of Conduct were made available.
  2. Representative Munira Abdullahi swore in all Board of Trustees, Committee Chairs, and Area Representatives. Rep. Abdullahi is our representative for Ohio House District 9.

President Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org, Ashley Howard – ashleyhoward@fpcivic.org

  1. Scott Biggs and Lou Bernard presented Ed Vanasdale with a plaque thanking him for his years of service and dedication to the FPCA.
  2. We had the Open Forum meeting on 12/9/2025. Additionally, we have shared a link to a Google Form survey to solicit feedback from the Forest Park Community. Thank you to everyone who attended the Open Forum and those of you who have completed the survey. We will have more details to share from the survey and open forum at our next meeting when we have more time. 

Guest Speakers:

  1. Representative Munira Abdullahi gave an update on things she is working on.
  • Her main focus is on affordable healthcare including controlling the cost of insulin and other needed medications. Her other main focus areas are in consumer protection and affordable housing.
  • She was able to secure $500k to Elevate Northland, and another $500k to help repair the lakes in Minerva Park. She is working hard to improve and bring money in and to improve the Northland area.
  • Rep. Abdullahi grew up and lives in the Forest Park neighborhood. She is passionate about helping our area and is always willing to listen to your concerns. Feel free to call or text – 614.500.0103 
  1. A lawyer representing the church that purchased the former Red Lobster building on Route 161 attended the meeting to discuss the proposed plans for the site and the variances required to move forward. Pastor Singh of Zomi Christian Church provided a brief overview of the church and explained the reasons for the relocation. General counsel for the church, along with a representative from the construction company, then outlined the requested variances, which include: (1) allowing the church to not sit within 25 feet of the service road and to use the existing Red Lobster footprint; (2) permitting parking in front of the building rather than exclusively behind it; and (3) reducing the requirement for a significant number of windows facing Route 161, as such a design is not conducive to the functional needs of a church. The speakers were asked by the City to come and present to the community that will be impacted. They were not seeking permission, just information – for us and for them. They are still in the process of planning, and do not expect to start construction for awhile.

Vice President  Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org   No Report

Secretary Lou Bernard – secretary@fpcivic.org

  1. Attendance:
  • Officers/Committee Chairs Present: AH, QM, MB, LB, CL, MSg, RW, DVM, KVM, EV, SL, LV, MSt, KG, DP, SB – 100% in Attendance!
  • Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: none
  • Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13
  • Area Reps Absent: 6, 8, 10, 14 (Areas 6, 8,& 14 are all Vacant)
  • Total meeting attendance: 43
  1. Reviewed minutes from both Dec. 2025 meetings, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
  2. Attendance Sheet thru Jan: online

Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cheryllutman@fpcivic.org   No Report

  1. December was an extremely quiet month. Nothing was received in December.
  2. Our goal is 450 household memberships (that’s just 16% of the total residents!) to cover our minimum operating expenses. Imagine what we could do if we had more resources – more security patrols, more events, more opportunities to meet and get to know your neighbors. I encourage everyone who hasn’t joined yet to visit our website (fpcivic.org) and join!  It’s just $30/year per household.  Do you rent?  We welcome you to join as well!
  3. We did meet our income goal to balance the budget for 2025.
  4. Other income was advertising revenue.
  5. Our only expenses were the security patrols and supplies for our Welcome Committee.

Public Relations Officer Mary Sguerra – marysguerra@fpcivic.org   No Report

ForesterEditor Rita Woeste – forester@fpcivic.org

  1. All stories, ads, photos, and articles must be to Rita by Jan. 27th, Tuesday.
  2. The February Forester will be ONLINE ONLY!

Supplemental Security Officer Daryl Van Mercetta – darylvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) – dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418

  1. The Supplemental Security Team put up the “Package Theft is a Felony” signs around the entrances to the neighborhood.
  2. See full report in the Forester.

Past President Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org   No Report

Business Representative Sheridan Landon – sheridanlandon@fpcivic.org   No Report

Civic Action/311 Officer  Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org   No Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org

Latia brought Welcome folders for Area Reps present. She will continue dropping off folders to areas without reps.

Volunteer Coordinator VACANT

Membership Coordinator  Mike Stone – mikestone@fpcivic.org

  1. We demonstrated our membership ceiling during the last cycle when leveraging mail-ins and digital reminders. To build on this success, we require a stronger, sustained activity.
  2. Area reps: We need all area representatives to actively engage with and cultivate membership within their specific neighborhoods.
  3. Extended membership committee: Expanding this committee is crucial for driving progress and managing growth.
  4. To coordinate these efforts, Mike is inviting all members and area reps to a planning meeting.
    1. Date: Wednesday, February 4 at 7:00 pm over at Donatos Pizza.   
  5. Ahead of our meeting, a preparatory questionnaire will be circulated to gather input and help us define a clear path forward. By February, we expect to establish key dates for critical activities, including the envelope stuffing day and other important benchmark periods.

Social Activities VACANT

NCC Representatives Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org,  Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org, Ken Gilbert – kengilbert@fpcivic.org

  1. Due to an urgency regarding the date, Ken presented that the Woodward Park Community Center Open House was Jan. 14, 5:30 – 7:30. Columbus Recreation and Parks is seeking community input regarding the development of the new linear park, Linden Green Line. Refreshments will be provided.
  2. His full report will be in the Forester.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org   No Report

Grant Writing Committee Chair  Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org, Laura Hayes – laurahayes@fpcivic.org   No Report

Outreach Committee Chair  Michael Cote – michaelcote@fpcivic.org

See full report in the Forester.

Website Administrators Scott Biggs – scottbiggs@fpcivic.org (Website/Facebook)   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  None

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

Community members have requested that FPCA general meetings be streamed and made available online. The Board and members present discussed the requirements necessary to implement this, including staffing, equipment, and funding to purchase the necessary equipment. It was determined that, at this time, the association does not have sufficient personnel or equipment to effectively support live streaming or online access.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

August 2025 Forester

August 2025 Forester

 

Alternate Language Foresters
(Translated by automated online translator. May include inaccurate language).

Nepali – नेपाली भाषा वनपाल न्यूजलेटर
अगस्ट २०२५
(स्वचालित अनलाइन अनुवादकद्वारा अनुवादित। गलत भाषा समावेश हुन सक्छ)।

Somali  –  Warsidaha Forester-ka Af-Soomaaliga 
Ogosto 2025
(Waxaa tarjumay tarjumaan toos ah oo online ah. Waxaa ku jiri kara luqad aan sax ahayn).

Spanish – Boletín informativo de Forester en idioma nepalí
Agosto de 2025
(Traducido por un traductor automático en línea. Puede contener errores de redacción).

JULY 2025 FORESTER

JULY 2025 Forester 

 

Alternate Language Foresters
(Translated by automated online translator. May include inaccurate language).

Nepali – नेपाली भाषा वनपाल न्यूजलेटर
जुलाई २०२५
(स्वचालित अनलाइन अनुवादकद्वारा अनुवादित। गलत भाषा समावेश हुन सक्छ)।

Somali  –  Warsidaha Forester-ka Af-Soomaaliga 
Luulyo 2025
(Waxaa tarjumay tarjumaan toos ah oo online ah. Waxaa ku jiri kara luqad aan sax ahayn).

Spanish – Boletín informativo de Forester en idioma nepalí
Julio de 2025
(Traducido por un traductor automático en línea. Puede contener errores de redacción).

Be a part of the pasrk - Join the Forest Park Civic Association

What does your $30 FPCA membership do? A lot.

What does your $30 do?

Some benefits of FPCA membership are easy to see. Some are not.

You can join the FPCA online right now.

Across Columbus, you can see the difference between neighborhoods that have an active civic association and those that do not.

We are not a homeowner’s association. We do not enforce neighborhood rules. We are a civic association that works to benefit all Forest Park residents.

Membership in the FPCA is only $30 per household. The FPCA is entirely run by volunteers who are residents just like you. That means every dollar is used to directly benefit our neighborhood.

We are dedicated to transparency and publish our Treasurer’s Report every month in The Forester newsletter. Our volunteer treasurer also provides an update at every FPCA monthly meeting (I invite you to join us for our next meeting).

What do you get for your annual membership contribution? Some benefits are obvious because you see them every day.

Benefits that you see:

  1. We pay to maintain the landscaped islands at the Satinwood Pl. entrances at Karl Rd.
  2. We recently paid to replace all Welcome to Forest Park signs at all entrances to Forest Park East and West.
  3. We pay to print The Forester newsletter every month and pay for the bags which allow volunteers on your street to hang the newsletters on your door.
  4. We pay the professional supplemental security patrol officers who regularly drive through the neighborhoods in their marked cars. Planning a vacation? Every FPCA member can request free home checks with the form in each Forester newsletter, at www.fpcivic.org or by emailing our volunteer Supplemental Security Coordinator Daryl Van Mercetta at dvanmercetta@gmail.com.
  5. We pay for the welcome folders and printed materials that we drop off to new residents who just moved into our neighborhood. These packets include information about Forest Park, maps of the streets, nearby businesses, voter registration information, and other helpful items to make our new neighbors feel at home.
  6. We pay for programs that recognize neighbors for their beautification efforts in the annual Beautification Contest, rewarding our neighbors who enrich our streets with improvements.
  7. We pay for supplies to build our float for the Northland Fourth of July Parade.
  8. We pay for awards for kids who decorate their bikes and trikes in the Fourth of July Parade.
  9. We pay for printing and postage to mail our annual Membership Packet to nearly 3,000 households, encouraging residents to join the FPCA.
  10. We pay for advertising to promote two Community Garage Sales each year, attracting buyers from around Central Ohio.
  11. We pay to design and print the Forest Park Directory, which is updated every several years and delivered to all member households.
  12. We pay for neighborhood social events.

Some benefits are not obvious but are just as important.

Benefits that you do not see:

  1. We pay dues to the Northland Community Council. The NCC is a critical organization that represents 26 area civic associations and organizations in the Northland area. The NCC represents more than 100,000 households and ensures that the City of Columbus recognizes Northland as an important political voice. Two FPCA volunteers currently serve on the commission and provide detailed reports at every FPCA meeting. The NCC is our most effective connection to the City of Columbus and makes recommendations to the city on behalf of Forest Park residents. Among many other services, the NCC protects us from many development and zoning plans that would harm our neighborhoods and maintains a direct two-way channel to city officials.
  2. We pay for insurance that is required for our non-profit organization.
  3. We pay for a P.O. Box and office supplies that are necessary to conduct our operations.
  4. We pay for payment processing fees that are necessary for online membership payments.

Join your neighbors today with your FPCA Membership

You can join the FPCA right now and pay online.

We also welcome your participation and talents.

Want to learn more and get involved? Join us at our next monthly meeting.