Forest Park Civic Association Meeting
Date: 11 January 2022
Location: Epworth United Methodist Church and Zoom
Meeting called to order @ 7:05 PM by Scott Prigan
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Attendance was taken via role call/Zoom Participant List.
OFFICER REPORTS
President’s Report Scott Prigan – scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com
1) The meeting got off to a rocky start as we were trying to work out the hybrid meeting technology issues (in-person and Zoom at the same time) – sorry about that to all who were in attendance.
2) The slate of candidates for the positions of officers, chairs, and reps was approved. We would like all people who are holding a position in the FPCA to attend next month’s meeting in person or via Zoom in order to be sworn into office.
Vice President’s Report No Report – The position is now vacant.
Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard – loubernard3@gmail.com
1) Attendance:
- Officers/Committee Chairs Present: SP, LB, CL, MS, DVM, AR, ER, SB, LK-B, KG, EV, DP
- Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: RW, FQ, SL
- Area Reps in Attendance: 3, 5, 9, 11, 12
- Area Reps Absent: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 (Areas 13, and 14 remain vacant )
2) November and December minutes were reviewed and approved.
Treasurer’s Report Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com
1) Business membership received from Karl Road Christian Church
2) Income was pretty much $0. We had just a few new/renewing members in November and December.
3) Expenses were light as well, though several checks in December didn’t clear until January.
4) In November, our liability insurance was accidentally booked for renewal as a Forester expense, but was corrected in December.
5) The budget process starts in February. If any officers, committee chairs or reps have input or potential items for the budget, please contact Cheryl ASAP!
Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra – Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com
1) Things are relatively quiet. Mary has received very few comments or complaints.
2) Please remember when you park your cars, don’t block the sidewalk or park in the grass – both are against the City of Columbus Code. You can report such issues on 311 / 311.columbus.gov / Columbus app.
Forester Editor’s Report Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org – Absent
1) Articles are due to Rita by Jan. 20th for the Feb. Forester. A few upcoming Forester article deadlines: Feb. 17 for the March issue, Mar. 17 for the April issue, and Apr. 14 for the May issue.
2) Rita is still concerned about the 100+ homes that are not receiving their Forester each month. She will attempt to get hold of David Laughlin for exact streets.
3) PLEASE be aware that if there is inclement weather at the beginning of February, we will leave it up to the discretion of each delivery person when they will deliver, we don’t want any accidents.
4) Rita has ordered a 6 month supply of bags from the Central Ohio Bag & Burlap Co., they should be in after January 18th, so plenty of time for the February deliveries. The charge will go directly onto the FPCA credit card to be paid by the Treasurer.
5) Paul Insley (Insley Printing, Inc.) has asked if we will continue with monthly printing. Rita told him yes, at least until our Budget meeting, that would be the time if anything changes. He needed to know in order to get paper supplies here in time, shortages or delivery delays with paper just like everything else.
Supplemental Security Report Daryl Van Mercetta – dvanmercetta@gmail.com ｜ Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com
1) Please do not leave your car unattended when you warm it up in the morning. Technically, it is illegal, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY there have been multiple stolen cars this month because of this.
2) There has been some violence/robberies to businesses between Karl Rd. and Cleveland Ave., but very little home violence.
Business Representative Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com Absent｜Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com
Sheridan has been doing some canvassing with local area businesses. He has had some positive responses/conversations and is directing business owners to become members by going through the process on our website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com
Ellin has Welcome Folders for new homeowners. She will be contacting area reps to come and pick them up. There are approximately 5-10 houses being sold in FP a week!!
Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – sbiggsmail@yahoo.com
1) Scott is spending some time getting introduced to his new position. He requested a job description about each committee. He is creating a list of priority needs and wants.
2) There is lots of interest in reinstating the Block Watch. Scott P., Ed V., and Ken G. will work with him to get the info to the interested parties.
3) He has been talking with other civic associations in the area about fundraising for the FPCA. There is a possibility of a mulch sale with Ohio Mulch. More info to come in Feb.
Social Activities Report Liz Kengeter-Bash – ekengeter@gmail.com
1) With COVID still around, there are not many social activities being planned.
2) She is in contact with the Columbus Crew about getting FPCA tickets. It was suggested to her to contact the Columbus Clippers.
3) After last year’s success of a front yard concert held by the Dove’s of FP West, she is looking to expand upon this idea.
NCC Representative Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net
1) Earl Miller, long time FP resident and civic association volunteer, passed away on Dec. 15, 2021. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family.
2) Sheetz on Rt. 161 will be opening on Feb. 8th
3) The 4th of July Parade is being held this year. They are looking for volunteers to help.
3) NCC will hold its annual banquet this year as well.
4) City Attorney, Sarah Pomeroy, is still working on the problem hotels in the area. We are starting to see movement in cleaning up this issue.
NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – evanasdale@insight.rr.com｜Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org
6 cases were heard (these notes were adapted from the NCC website):
1) National Church Residences – 4836 Cleveland Ave. Proposing a multi-family senior living facility. They received a council variance to get funding from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. NCC is generally supportive of the project, but were very concerned because of the density doubling from what was proposed last year when they supported the variance. The vote was to not support the application. 2) Menerey – sign for an apartment on an Aldi sign. NCC recommended against allowing an off-premises sign. 3) Sheetz graphic variance. Recommended approval. 4) Request to install a sign at the Busch Corporate Center to ID the current corporate tenant. NCC supported the application. 5) Request to add all signs to the new OhioHealth facility at Hamilton to be named for the Hondros family and the building identity. NCC supported this application. 6) 5438 N Hamilton Rd. NCC tabled this signage request for Bank of America.
Website Administrator Scott Prigan – scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com
1) You can subscribe to get email updates when new things are published on the site. Check it out, there is lots of good info on the site.
2) Trash/Recycling days are always posted.
3) Communication:
- For the web site, you can add/remove (or both to change) your email address as desired.
- For the LIST (from …@lists.fpcivic.org) contact Dave Paul. Please NEVER unsubscribe to an item relayed from the city, etc., lest you unsubscribe us all!
Old Business
1) New FPCA Constitutional Amendments: Scott P. and Lou B. outlined the reason for adding new amendments to the FPCA Constitution. In short, new language was needed to apply for federal 501(c)(3) status. Amendments were first viewed at the December meeting with the members of the board (Officers, Committee Chairs, and Reps) who were present. The new amendments to the constitution were read. The amendments were discussed and voted on. They passed unanimously with 1 abstention. The Amendments will become effective 60 days after the passage date of 11 Jan 2022 (that will be 12 Mar 2022).
Amendments to Forest Park Civic Association Constitution
(Items C and D added to Article II – Name and Purpose)
Article II – Name and Purpose
…
C. Activities of FPCA:
- The Forest Park Civic Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
- No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes described in section 501(c)(3).
- No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
D. Dissolution Provisions:
Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
New Business/Announcements/Ideas
None
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM
Speaking of smaller trees, I planted a Dogwood out back, in honor of our canine friends. This dogwood is a small native tree that stays small and ideally fits in the backyard garden.