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

2. Reviewed minutes from Jan., no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
3. Attendance Sheet thru Feb.: Online
4. 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

1. Police: CRT Sergeant Ryan Fowler was there in place of the other officers. The main topic of discussion was ICE and Columbus Police. CPD does not assist ICE. 
2. Shannon Pine, Chief Zoning Official gave a brief talk on upcoming Zone-In plans. There will be a new overall city plan, called Columbus Growth Strategy. This will replace older area plans like Northland I and II. See the Zone-In webpage for more details (https://zone-in-columbus.hub.arcgis.com/). They will return with an update soon. 
3. Grants are open for the Columbus Youth Summer program. 
4. There will be a senior programming meeting at the Gillie Center on Morse Rd on February 11 at 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. 
5. Devin also noted that there is a Food Lead Kit available and that the Dr. King Youth Oratory contest will take place February 7. 
6. Chloe Green (cdgreen@columbus.gov), Planner II from Columbus Division of Mobility and Park Services made a presentation on Sharon Woods BLVD resurfacing with info on potential bikeway opportunity. There will be a time for public comment. Contact her for more info. 
7. The NCC Banquet will take place on April 7 in lieu of the monthly NCC meeting. Details to follow. Entry forms for awards are due soon. 
8. Finally, State Senator Bill DeMora (D, District 25) gave a brief update on his work in our Senate district.

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

1. Northland High School initiatives to explore: 1) Northland Market on May 9, 2026 at NHS. Contact Renee Grice rgrice@columbus.k12.oh.us  regarding volunteering, vendors, tables, and performances. See flyer posted on FPCA Facebook. 2) Culture Festival on May 8, 2026 at NHS. Contact Lauren Osborn losborn@columbus.k12.oh.us. Flyer not yet available. 3) Community Campus School initiative will host another Community Conversation on Feb. 26, 2026, 3:30 PM at NHS on the topic “Building a Diverse Community in a Digital Age”. 
2. The Forest Park community is cordially invited to attend all events at NHS.
3. The North YMCA will host a Job and Resource Fair in partnership with OSU and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services on March 27 2026. FPCA is invited to set up a table.
4. Let’s join with our neighbors in Karmel Woodward Park in their initiative to form a Friends of Woodward Park group.  The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in conjunction with the Karmel Woodward Park Civic Association (KWPCA) is launching a new community group this Spring to help Woodward Park maintain and improve the beauty of Woodward Park and Nature Preserve. This is an opportunity for the Forest Park Civic Association to explore the potential for developing a joint effort with our neighbors in the Karmel Woodward Park Civic Association and show that we also care about Woodward Park. Anyone interested in planting native wild flowers, landscaping, and the removal of invasive plants, etc., in Woodward Park Nature Preserve please contact Michael Cote and I’ll reach out to KWPCA to propose a potential collaboration in the development of a joint Friends of Woodward Park group. 
5. Woodward Park Community Center will be hosting the Third Annual Celebration of Black Excellence to celebrate Black History Month on Thursday,Feb 26, 2026 6:00 – 8:00 PM at 5147 Karl Road. Join your neighbors in a celebration of black history and culture through music, soul food, networking, vendors, and more! We hope to see you at this free fun event!  See flyer posted on FPCA Facebook.

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