Date: 14 July 2026
Location: Epworth United Methodist Church
Meeting called to order @ 7:05 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
No Report
Guest Speakers:
Hugo Barragan – Franklin County Auditor’s Office – to discuss the new Property Value Updates. He had a slideshow and handouts about the 2026 Property Value Update. He answered many questions about how to dispute your home value in order to lower your property taxes. Go to this website to check out the process: https://audr-kyhv.franklincountyohio.gov/
Sherrie Johnson Dantzler– YMCA Director
- Campfires across America at the North YMCA. This event will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 6-8 pm. More than 1200 YMCAs in all 50 states will host a campfire–real or symbolic–bringing people together in a shared moment of connection, reflection, and belonging.
- The North YMCA is hosting its National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 4th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This free community event features family fun, games, activities, food, and opportunities to connect with local first responders and community partners
Vice President Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org No Report
Secretary Lou Bernard – secretary@fpcivic.org
- Attendance:
- Officers/Committee Chairs Present: AH, QM, MB, LB, CL, MSg, RW, DVM, EV, SL, MSt, KG, DP
- Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: KVM, LV
- Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13
- Area Reps Absent: 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
- Total meeting attendance: 29
- Reviewed minutes from June, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
- Attendance Sheet thru July: Online
Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cheryllutman@fpcivic.org
- See the spreadsheet/budget in the Forester.
- We’re excited to welcome a new business member in June and it looks like we have a new one in July as well! That brings our total paid business members to 4. We do need 10, but whatever folks are doing seems to be working.
- Expenses include printing the Forester, buying bags, paying our annual NCC dues, security patrols and the garage sale advertising.
Community Concerns/Announcements/Ideas
- Beautification Committee – Eileen Kunkler – kunkler85@gmail.com
- Need more nominations, only 1 received so far. August 1st deadline. Also looking for at least one other person to serve as judge.
- No August FPCA Meeting. We all go to the NCC Picnic -Tuesday August 11, 2026, 6pm – 8pm. NEW LOCATION: Warner Woods Pavilion, 4747 Central College Road, Columbus, OH 43081. NCC will provide: Protein options, buns and beverages. Please bring a dish to share.
- Gather at Gabby’s – 30 July 2026 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. The last Thursday of each month is “Gather at Gabby’s”. Come and hang out with your friends, FPCA officers, and committee chairs and chat about what is going on in FP.
Public Relations Officer Mary Sguerra – marysguerra@fpcivic.org
- Congratulations! Our Forest Park 4th of July Parade Float won the Grand Marshal Award. Thank you to everyone who helped out and volunteered to walk & pass out candy and assisted Rita Woeste with the Bikes & Trikes part of it.
- A Big THANK YOU goes to:
- Pat Kelly for driving his pick-up truck, pulling the float and letting us decorate it.
- Katrina at the Dairy Queen at Schrock Rd. for donating free cone coupons for the Bikes & Trikes event.
- Kenny Wiseman for letting us borrow his trailer AGAIN to be used for the 4th of July float. 🙂
- Save the Date – September 12th will be the Fall Forest Park Community Garage Sale 9-3 p.m.
- Please let Mary know if you could help pass out the fliers on that day from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester@fpcivic.org
- The deadline for August Forester is Thursday July 16. Please submit photos/ads/articles ASAP and we are looking for photos from the parade, summaries from any other events in the neighborhood. Planning on one last form for membership in the August issue and that’s it for the year.
- Rita will be out of town starting July 24th, and if Foresters are not printed in time, will need someone to help collect, count, bag and distribute Foresters around Sat. July 25 to Tues July 28th otherwise they will sit until August to be distributed. If there are any volunteers that could help do this, then we don’t have to worry.
- We need a volunteer delivery person for Blue Ash Rd in FPE for the month of August. Still looking for 2 other volunteers for 2 areas in FPE as posted in the past.
- Thanks to Matt Stone, Kate Stone and their friends for judging and assisting with Bikes and Trikes. The hot weather did not help us this year, and a small turnout of kids. For those who attended, great job.
Supplemental Security Officer Daryl Van Mercetta – darylvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@fpcivic.org See report in the Forester.
Past President Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org No Report
Civic Action/311 Officer Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org
Ed clarified questions people had concerning 311 issues. There were many questions about cars parking on the street-abandoned or not being moved, blocking sidewalks, or parking the wrong way.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Representative Sheridan Landon – sheridanlandon@fpcivic.org
Has made calls, and is still waiting to hear back from some folks.
Welcome Committee Chair Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org
Latia is behind on the Welcome folders. Updating some outdated information on documents. Laura is going to assist catching up
Volunteer Coordinator VACANT
Membership Coordinator Mike Stone – mikestone@fpcivic.org
- Thank you to our outstanding Area Representatives for the time and effort you have dedicated to securing memberships from our longtime FPCA supporters. Your commitment is truly appreciated.
- Adding those in, we are now at 353. Our budget is based on 450, so we need another 97. We have an additional 46 new members not from the past two years. We also have 255 FPCA-friendly households from the past two membership cycles that have not yet been renewed. Our membership drive continues through Labor Day weekend, so please keep reaching out to the residents in your area.
- At the June meeting, Mike provided each Area Representative with a folder containing a list of households that have traditionally supported the FPCA. Mike asked for Area Reps to please review the info he gave you to see which memberships have been received since you were given the printed copy.
- If you were unable to attend the June meeting, you can pick up your folder at the July 14 meeting. Mike will also have blank household information sheets available to make it easier to sign up new and renewing residents. Mike apologized for not including those forms in the June packets.
Social Activities VACANT
NCC Representatives Mark Bell – markbell@fpcivic.org, Latia VanDyke – latiavandyke@fpcivic.org,
Ken Gilbert – kengilbert@fpcivic.org See the full report online and in the Forester.
NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – edvanasdale@fpcivic.org
See full report on our website: https://www.fpcivic.org/development-reports/
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 the full 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
The Sign Team: We were hoping to have the city install 4 more signs at entrances to FP. The city refused our request. The 4 locations are: 1) Boxwood/Redwood, 2) Green Apple/Cleveland, 3) Tamarack/Sharbot, and 4) Tamarack/Rocky Pine Loop N. Last time (we replaced them, it cost $355/sign. DVM will call the local company we used in the past to get a quote.
NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS
The Board expressed its sincere appreciation to Scott Biggs for his dedicated service to the Forest Park Civic Association. Scott is resigning from his positions as Area 5 Representative, Facebook Updates Coordinator, and Website Updates Coordinator. His time, effort, and commitment to keeping residents informed and supporting the Association are greatly appreciated, and we thank him for all he has done for our community.
With Scott’s resignation, these volunteer positions are now vacant. We encourage anyone who is interested in serving the neighborhood to consider stepping into one or more of these roles. If you are able to help, please contact the FPCA. Your involvement makes a difference and helps keep our Association strong.
Meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM
Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA
