Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 11 Oct 2022

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:06 PM by Ed Vanasdale 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Ed Vanasdale evanasdale@insight.rr.com

Guest Speakers: Toro Meat Market: Samuel (manager) and Fernando (owner). They are in the old Carfagna’s. Grand Opening was May 1st. They explained that their mission is to be a part of the community and work to always improve their service and relationship with the neighborhood. Sat. Oct. 15th they plan to host a hispanic cultural education event and are giving away gift cards to the first 188 attendees.

Vice President’s Report  Trevor Secord tsecord@unioncountyymca.org

Introduced himself to everyone. Thanked everyone for national night out attendance and support. Trying to do things with the North YMCA and begin more programming with them.

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard –  loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, TS, LB, CL, MS, SL, SB, MS, AR
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: FQ, RW, DVM, KVM, ER, KG, DP 
• Area Reps in Attendance: 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12
• Area Reps Absent: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 (Areas 4, 13, and 14 remain vacant )

2. Eileen Kunkler will be the new Area 7 Rep. Welcome and Thank You, Eileen!
3. Marty Biggs will be joining the Business Reps Team.
4. Reviewed minutes from September. Correction to last month’s minutes: Area 6 was present last month, they were marked absent. This will be corrected.  The correction and the minutes were voted on and approved into the official record.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1) During September, we received 20 household memberships and no business memberships. 9 of our 10 members paying through PayPal also covered their PayPal fees. Advertising income was $610. Several people continue to help fund our security, Forester and Beautification efforts. Finally, the garage sale generated another $105 in revenue to FPCA – and hopefully put some cash in our members pockets as well! 

2) Our main expenses this month were the Forester printing and our Security fees.

3) In terms of realigning our budget, $150 was removed that we had earmarked for neighborhood beautification awards from our current budget. The remainder of the budget will be reviewed and realigned. There is still a deficit, but it is a smaller deficit, provided we meet our membership goal.

4) Our 501(c)(3) status is in limbo. The IRS has been and continues to be bugged about our status.

Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra – Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com  

20 people participated in the garage sale.

Forester Editor’s Report  Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org  ABSENT

1) All articles, ads, and photos for the November Forester are due Thursday, October 20th.  Looking for articles in honor of Thanksgiving about the folks who do things in your neighborhood (i.e. “I want to applaud the guy who brings his mower up to plant boxes at Satinwood and 161 and not only tends to those plants but mows the area to make sure the area looks great.”) 

2) We plan to get Foresters out to delivery folks the weekend of October 29th and 30th. 

3) BE AWARE that for the December Forester due date for ADS, Articles, Photos. This will be a very short turnaround from the November newsletter. All December items will be due, Friday November 11th. This is due to the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month and we have to have the final copy for the December Forester to the printer by November 14th.  

4) Rita is still working on the delivery system for the Forester. Below are streets that DID NOT get covered for the October issue of the Forester. As of today, she has no delivery people for the following:

• Karl Road –  52 homes,West side from Hempwood down to Woodward middle school
• Karl Road – 51 homes, East side from Sandalwood, going south to Norma
• Tamarack Court South – 19 homes, entire street
• Area 14, 12 homes on Coghill, 9 homes on Dandridge, 8 homes on Judwick, 16 homes on Lyle

So that is 167 homes not covered.  If you know of anyone who would like to help, text Rita on her cell or email her. There are 2 other streets where the delivery folks moved this past month and am working on getting those covered. Even if someone can only do 10-20 homes that is always a BIG help. If anyone would like to help deliver the packets to the delivery folks, email or text Rita. There are over 50 wonderful folks who deliver the Forester so it’s a bunch of stops to get them out. 

—After the meeting we had 3 people step up to volunteer delivering Foresters. Are you willing to step up and help out?

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta – dvanmercetta@gmail.com, 

  Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer)   

     dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418  All were Absent

1. Talked with the security company.They are not reporting much to Daryl. No one is calling or emailing much that needs to be looked into.
2. There have been 3 vacation requests. 
3. We would like to start the Block Watch up again, but we need someone or people to chair the committee. Please contact Ed or Daryl if you are interested. They will be willing to help you and work with you setting it up.

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com 

    Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com 

1. They have leads on a few new members. Will be contacting them this week.
2. Marty Biggs is willing to join the Business Reps Team! Congrats and Thank you!

—On Wednesday, 10/12 Marty secured the business membership of the Toro Meat Market!!

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com ABSENT

1. New owner Welcome folders were passed out. 
2. Two of your new owners were at the meeting – Welcome Tejai and Jenn.

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

1. Thank you to all the volunteers!
2. As the leaves are coming down, it is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors raking your leaves.
3. The issue of street lights has come up, by area residents. 
4. We are getting interest in some volunteer positions. Scott is continuing to work to get them into positions.
5. Setting up Twitter and Instagram accounts for FP. 
6. Fall Membership Drive: through social media, area reps, to drive up membership. A Winter flyer about the benefits of FP is being created.

Social Activities Report Vacant

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net  ABSENT

1. Ed attended the meeting for Trevor and Ken. There were members of city council at the meeting explaining the new bond issues on the upcoming ballot.
2. New poles are going up between sidewalks and streets in the area. These are Verizon cell phone towers. The state said they could do this and the city or the FPCA could do nothing to stop it.
3. New Inspector General for the CPD was there to discuss the process for reporting misconduct by officers.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – evanasdale@insight.rr.com 

       Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org ABSENT

4 Cases were heard, only 1 is in our FP area:

Case #1 Application for special permit to allow a food truck to be parked on the site and not moved at night, by effectively defining it to be a “portable building” as described, rather than a food truck. This would allow food trucks to take up permanent residence in one spot. FPCA is fighting this.

Website Administrator Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org  Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

No report

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

The next FPCA meeting will be November 8th at Epworth United Methodist Church at 7 PM.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

Minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 13 Sep 2022

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:04 PM by Ed Vanasdale

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Ed Vanasdale evanasdale@insight.rr.com

1. Thanked VP Trevor for his hard work on a successful Nat’l Night Out.
2. If you get an email from anyone on the board asking you to help them by buying gift cards, please ignore, it is a scam. We would never do this by email.
3. Area resident Michael Cote spoke and brought flyers about the upcoming 2nd Annual Northland Unity Festival. 60 small businesses, non-profits, and area vendors. The Mayor and head of the Dept. of Neighborhoods will be in attendance. They will love to hear your ideas–come and put a bug in their ear. Lots of music and dancing.

Vice President’s Report  Trevor Secord tsecord@unioncountyymca.org

1. National Night out took place in the First Week of August at the North YMCA. It went well for a first year event. A decent turnout so thank you for all who made it out. We will plan for this next year.
2. The NCC meeting spent most of its time talking about continued car thefts, new liaison officers and hotel/motel proposals for new housing alternatives that are positive and negative.

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard –  loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, TS, LB, CL, MS, RW, AR, ER, SB, MS, KG, DP
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: FQ, DVM, KVM, SL
• Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11
• Area Reps Absent: 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 (Areas 4, 7, 13, and 14 remain vacant )

2. July’s minutes were voted on and approved. There were no  Aug. minutes due to the NCC Picnic.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1. We are about halfway to meeting our overall budget of $27,589, with $17,601 received. In the month of August, we received 44 household memberships – thank you!! We have met and exceeded our income budget for Beautification and the Forester, and we are about halfway to meeting our advertising goal. Between those two goals, we fund about 80% of the cost of the Forester. For Security, we’ve budgeted $2,000 in additional contributions, to fund about 20% of the anticipated cost. We are very close to meeting this goal! My big concern is we have received no business memberships since this budget year began, and we haven’t really received any since February. We trust that the team continues to work on our local businesses.
2. In terms of expenses, all the PayPal fees were covered by our members this month – thank you all!  We’re about half way on the cost of Foresters, and Rita purchased enough bags to last through February of next year. The total cost of our parade (float + bikes and trikes) did exceed the budget, but not significantly. The big categories that have had no, or very minimal expenses are our social committee, and the Island Maintenance.  I do see the islands being mowed, but I have received no invoices for that cost. The $150 spent to date merely includes the cost to repair the sign boxes.
3. We are, at a minimum, 120 memberships short this year. FP residents PLEASE support your civic association and all of the good works we do. Fill out your membership forms and mail them in, or go to our website and do so online. We need your help NOW!

Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra – Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com

FP Garage Sale is happening this weekend – Sat. Sept. 17th. Mary is looking for volunteers to help out. Garage Sale participants are down by about half.

Forester Editor’s Report  Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org

1. We need help in the Forester delivery area. We need to get the file of Forester deliverers from David Laughlin. There are about 200-400 people not getting the Forester. We need a new Delivery Coordinator. Please volunteer.
2. We need lots of articles and ads.

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta – dvanmercetta@gmail.com,

Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) 614.645.1418

dyandrich@columbuspolice.org

1. There have been narcotics complaints coming in. Please know, Officer Yandrich will pass the info on to the narcotics detectives. He does not do this work. They are working on it.
2. The CPD is working on the homeless camp along the on ramp of 71 N.
3. The CPD and city attorney are constantly working the area hotels.
4. Since the CPD is short staffed, officers will no longer be dispatched for fender benders. Take pictures, get info and call your insurance companies.
5. The KIA and Hyundai thefts continue to be a problem.
6. Be safe out there. There are large numbers of crazy drivers out there.

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com

Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com  No Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com

Passed out some Welcome Folders for new residents.

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

1. Thanked all volunteers. Volunteers of the Months were given out: Mary Squerra – July,   Rita Woeste – August, Dave Paul – September.
2. We need a Block Watch captain. If you are interested, please contact Scott.

Social Activities Report Vacant

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net

1. Oct. 8 and Nov. 12, are the dates for the next 161 clean-up. Look for more info in the Forester.

2. Sarah Pomeroy had 2 good reports: 1) the bar at 161/Karl is closed, and 2) The Norwood Hotel is under scrutiny to clean up.

3. Mid Sept. Latino Month in Columbus. Look in the paper for more info.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – evanasdale@insight.rr.com

Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org

NCC heard 5 cases only one (1) pertained to the FP area:  Case #5  to permit the conversion of an existing 110-room, 4-building motel to 105 apartment units, with a limitation text to cap density at 33.8 du/AC and address development and design standards; and a concurrent Council variance to vary building setback, perimeter yard width, dumpster location, interior landscaping, parking setback, and minimum number of parking spaces required, to accommodate existing site conditions to the requirements of the AR1 district) @ 1294-1300 East Dublin Granville Rd, 43231

• The Committee approved (16-0 w/ 2 abstentions) a motion (by FPCA, second by WRA) to RECOMMEND DISAPPROVAL of the application.

This was later voted down by the City of Columbus Development Commission!! Congrats and thanks to the FP/NCC reps for their dedication to keeping our neighborhood in good shape.

Website Administrator Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org  Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

No Report

OLD BUSINESS

Construction on the roundabouts on Maple Canyon has begun with underground work.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

1. The Beautification Awards have been tabled for this year. There was a lack of entries and due to budget shortfall, it makes sense.
2. The next FPCA meeting will be October 10th at Epworth United Methodist Church at 7 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM

Minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 12 July 2022

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church and Zoom

Meeting called to order @ 7:12 PM by Ed Vanasdale 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call/Zoom Participant List by Lou Bernard

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Ed Vanasdale – ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

The 4th of July Parade was a huge success. Thanks to all who helped. Bikes-n-Trikes was a great success. Very solid turnout. Thanks to Rita Woeste for purchasing the gift bags to all of the kids who participated. Over 20 kids participated. A shout out to Mary Sguerra for creating a fantastic float for the FPCA. We won the Best in Theme Award.

Vice President’s Report  Trevor Secord – tsecord@unioncountyymca.org

NCC Meeting 

1. Police report car thefts are still a high concern for our area with Kia and Hyundai vehicles being targeted.
2. CPD Bike unit – “Street Team” was there to report on what they do and how they make an impact. 
3. City attorney is continuing to work on the hotel issues and has two hearings this month
4. NABA had their “161 Clean-up” on July 9th, and are asking for more volunteers to keep 161 clean. Only 2 volunteers showed up this month
5. City of Columbus 311 event will be at the library to go over the new system-look for info in the news or the website.
6. Special guest Emmanuel Remy was there to answer questions about city safety – he reaffirmed that the city changes to the police department were only codifying “best practices” they already had or were putting into place. No change to their funding. Youth Organization grants through the city will be available $500 each. 
7. The Northland Parade was a success, but costs will go up in the next few years due to insurance. 
8. Speaker was Dayna McCrary from the department of development discussing their program, the Columbus Financial Empowerment Center. Effort to help those who want to take charge of their life and their finances. Not just for those in financial need but anyone looking for financial literacy or guidance in their lives. FREE Program 
9. NCC picnic is August 9th at Blendon Woods Park Dogwood Pavilion. This will replace the regularly scheduled August FPCA meeting.
10. FPCA National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 2nd being hosted at the YMCA on Karl Rd. Food trucks, live music, and bounce houses are expected. More info to come!!

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard –  loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, TS, LB, CL, DVM, KVM, SL, AR, ER, SB, KG, DP
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: FQ, MS, RW 
• Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12
• Area Reps Absent: 3, 4, 7, 8,10, 13, 14 (Areas 4, 13 and 14 remain vacant )
• 1 person on Zoom/ 25 present
• Officer Dan Yandrich – not present

2. Official documents on the website updated to include a new copy of the complete constitution and bylaws. All fonts and spacing have been made consistent, and now include the new amendments passed in January.
3. Minutes from the May meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1. 41 household memberships received through PayPal. Of those, 25 households included the PayPal fee in their total membership. 80 household memberships mailed in.
2. While we have received an additional 125 memberships in the mail, those weren’t processed until early-mid July. This does not include memberships received through PayPal. All will be updated in the July report.
3. Advertising funds received were $920. The additional donations towards Supplemental Security were $855, Beautification $305 and the Forester $255. In addition, Garage Sale revenue was $135. Expenses for the Garage Sale advertising were $52.42.
4. Expenses included funds on our bulk mail permit, more folders for the Welcome Committee, paying our security patrols and Forester Printing.
5. We need about 560 households to join the FPCA to meet our basic budget dollars, so please continue to reach out to your neighbors to join.
6. Treasurer’s Reports were voted on and approved.

Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra – Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com   Absent – No Report

Forester Editor’s Report  Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org  Absent

1. Deadline for Ads, articles, and photos is Thursday July 21st
2. We are still looking for a delivery coordinator to help with the monthly Forester. If you know someone let me know…. Please. 

       This person would need to:

• maintain records of delivery people
• send a monthly reminder to delivery people that Foresters are coming to deliver
• help count out some sets & deliver them to delivery people, half of it is done for you already and everything is stuffed into bags when you count.
• check volunteer list to fill in gaps of streets not covered 
• you only have to do this 10 months of the year. The January issue is online and May or June issue is mailed

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta – dvanmercetta@gmail.com, 

  Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com  Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) dyandrich@columbuspolice.org

1. There were more vacation checks in June and July so far.
2. In May, a woman reported that she lives near Northland High School and when she got out of her car, a youth jumped in and tried to steal it. Luckily she had her keys with her. Stay aware of your surroundings.
3. Continuing to talk with security company about upgrading services. If this is going to happen, we need more neighbors to join the FPCA.
4. Remember to keep your lights on at night. Don’t let your vehicles run without you in them. Stay vigilant. Look out for your neighbors!

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com 

    Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com(Absent) 

1. Sheridan is continuing to canvas the area businesses trying to get more of them to join. He spoke with the owners of the Toro Meat Market on 161. We will be having them as guest speakers soon.
2. Thank you to all those people who helped to get the business members listed in the Forester.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com ABSENT-No Report

Passed out many Welcome Folders to Area Reps to deliver to the new neighbors. She is continuing to make more regularly.

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

1. Thank you to everyone who is volunteering and helping with the civic association.
2. Thanks to all for the great Membership stuffing event, 28 volunteers. Thanks to Mike Stone, Dave Paul, Andy Hunt, Mary Sguerra, Rita Woeste for all of the prep work and delivering the massive amounts of envelopes to the post office. 
3. Thanks to all who participated in the parade on the 4th!
4. Will be processing a lot of volunteer applications soon. Look for a call from Scott!
5. July’’s Volunteer of the Month is Ed Vanasdale, our president. Thank you for your countless hours and stepping up to fill in the role of president in an emergency.

Social Activities Report Position Vacant  ABSENT-No Report

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net

1. Beware-catalytic converters are being stolen in large amounts.
2. Dave Leland, our state representative, will not be running in the fall. He will be running for a judge position.
3. NCC picnic is August 9th at Blendon Woods Park Dogwood Pavilion. This will replace the regularly scheduled August FPCA meeting. There will be NO August FPCA meeting.
4. 161 Clean-up dates: Aug.13th, Sept.10th, Oct. 8th, Nov. 12th

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – evanasdale@insight.rr.com 

       Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org 

5 Cases were heard, only 1 relevant to FP area:

Case #3 A woman was applying for a variance to permit the operation of a Type A family child care facility in the Devonshire area. It was approved.

Website Administrator Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org  Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

OLD BUSINESS

1. No movement on the FP Block Watch. Still looking for a captain.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

1. Northland Unity Festival: LOCATION-North YMCA,1640 Sandalwood Pl, Columbus, OH 43229. The event will take place from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.on September 18th. Zaki Grill and Tibetan Momo will be on-site serving food, support our vendors! The first 100 people to visit our sponsor’s table, The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), will get a $10 voucher for the food trucks! More than 3 dozen vendors, including local makers and services. Entertainment, including a Nepali dance troupe, Zumba, theater groups and more! 
2. Beware of scammers using false email addresses from civic association’s officers. We will never ask you to buy gift cards for us.
3. We received an email from one of our past presidents expressing the nice job that everyone is doing. Thank you George Schmidt for your kind words! We appreciate it. We wish you luck recovering from your foot surgery!
4. We are looking to get someone from the Toro Meat Market to come in as a guest speaker in September and Columbus 311 to come in as a guest speaker in October. 
5. Construction on the roundabouts on Maple Canyon will begin sometime this summer.
6. The next FPCA meeting will be September 13th at Epworth United Methodist Church and Zoom at 7 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM

Minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary