Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

9 November 2021 – Epworth United Methodist Church/Zoom

Meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance opened the meeting @ 7:03 PM by Scott Prigan

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com  

1. Ryan Finke unfortunately had to step out of our Vice President position. He says that since his family size doubled from two to four children with twins born in April, he’s realizing the need to be more present in his home. He thanks the civic association for accepting him to serve alongside you all since March and hopes he can serve again sometime in the future. 
2. New Volunteer Coordinator: Scott Biggs, taking over from Mike Stone
3. RE Supplemental Security–Things We Need to Remember
   1. House Checks! Our contract with the security company will allow them to do house/property checks if you need them to do so, especially if you are on vacation.
   2. They are a security Patrol, they are NOT the police. If you have police issues, DO NOT call the security company or Daryl Van Marcetta and expect them to arrest people or do police actions. That is not their job.
   3. Our coordinator does not personally do checks, patrol, etc. He is not the police, he will not be coming to your house to solve disputes with your neighbor. He does coordinate checks and patrolling with the security agency. He also keeps an ear open to know about community safety, and communicate with our liaison officer.

Vice President’s Report The position is now vacant. 

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers Present: SP, LB, CL, RW, MS, SL, AR, ER, KG, EV, DVM
• Officers Absent: SB, LKB
• Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 3, 9, 12
• Area Reps Absent: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 (Areas 13 & 14 are vacant)
• 18 people present, 1 on Zoom

2. Minutes from last month were reviewed and accepted. They are posted on the website as well as in the Forester.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman cllutman17@gmail.com

1. Report delayed due to technical issues. See the budget in this month’s Forester.

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

1. There is no report

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

1. December articles due Nov. 11, January articles are due Dec. 28.
2. January Forester is an online issue–no delivering necessary.
3. About 300 Foresters did not get delivered last month because we did not have enough volunteers to deliver. PLEASE, WE NEED MORE HELP/VOLUNTEERS.

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta dvanmercetta@gmail.com, Katie Van Mercetta kvanmercetta@gmail.com (Absent) Officer Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418

1. Officer Yandrich 
   1. Parking Issues: we are getting lots of complaints. Feel free to email the address and description of the vehicle. Flat tires, broken windows, and abandoned vehicles can be reported. Please note, the police impound lot is completely full; very little towing is happening in the city. Tractor trailers can only park for 1 hour. Longer than that, it is a violation and should be reported. Last Tuesday when it became very cold, 4 cars were stolen in the Northland area because their owners left them running/warming up in their driveway or street.
   2. Shooting on Karl Rd.: this was a problem with a person who lives on Karl Rd. There is a suspect.
   3. There is no suspect in the Doll House shooting.
   4. If you have speeders in your neighborhood, please call 311.
   5. If cars are parked over the sidewalk, this is a police issue–call 614.645.4545
   6. Be wary of the rise of burglaries around the holiday time.
   7. Gave free gun locks away to anyone who wanted one.

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com

Neither of the business reps have been out canvassing the area. We have no new business memberships.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com

Ellin has all Welcome Folders for each area ready to be picked up! She has finally caught up! Area Reps need to attend the monthly meeting to pick up the folders for delivery.

Volunteer Coordinator Mike Stone   Absent 

1. First, welcome Scott Biggs as our new Membership/ Volunteer coordinator.  I will be working with him  as I plan to stay active in FPCA where I can (but I won’t be able to come up for air until about late March).
2. In other notes… we need a Vice President.      Seriously though, thank you Ryan for filling the role in 2021.  Recruiting new people is a great thing for area rep. positions but the VP role needs to be filled by a current board member.  
3. If there are any additional area representatives who are looking to step down from their post, please let us know as we can use the time to fill it in the upcoming months.  

Social Activities Report Liz Kengeter-Bash  ekengeter@gmail.com Absent – No Report.

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert kgilbert78@att.net (Absent)

1. The July 4th Parade is on!! Planning has been taking place. They take place Karl Rd. Library on the 3rd Sat. of each month. Look on the NCC website for more info.
2. Hotel Issues. The hotel on Mediterranean Ave. has ceased being a Covid homeless overflow site.. The hotel next to Popeyes, is a hotel set up for Covid positive homeless people. If you see people standing outside or in cleaning gear, that is appropriate. They deep clean the rooms when a client leaves.
3. The City Atty, Sarah Pomeroy is working hard on the hotel issue, and is currently planning on filing formal complaints against some of them in the area.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale evanasdale@insight.rr.com Dave Paul dwpaul@fpcivic.org 

1. Ohio Health on 5150 E. Dublin-Granville applied for a graphics plan to images on the bldg. The plan was not accurate, therefore it was not approved.
2. 4048 Morse Rd. – The dermatology practice was approved for a variance to move closer to the road. The city then said that they would lose some of their parking. They came up with a plan with their neighbors to share space. The plan was approved.
3. Surplus World on Morse Rd. wanted to put in a warehouse in the back of their property that would replace all or most of their parking. They had no plans to accommodate the parking. They tabled their idea.

Website Administrator Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com (Absent)

FPCIVIC.ORG is our website. Make sure to sign up for updates.

Old Business

1. Sign Committee update: Members of the Sign Committee (Ed, Daryl, and Lou) put up the 5 signs in the FP area on Sat., Nov. 6. See the article in this month’s Forester.
2. We recently received a letter from the IRS after almost a year concerning the 501c3. They need more paperwork!!! Agggh, this is so frustrating.

New Business/Announcements/Ideas

Ed has been calling 311 on the trash that accumulates near the exit ramps at 161/I-71. So if you see city workers out there collecting it, you can thank Ed Vanasdale when you see him!! Thank you, Ed!

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

12 October 2021 – Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance opened the meeting @ 7:02 PM by Scott Prigan

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com  

1. Spam phishing is still occurring: see Email and TEXT spam schemes https://www.fpcivic.org/2021/08/email-and-text-spam-schemes/
2. Homeless update: see Ryan’s report
3. Homeless /Panhandlers: 
   1. Compassion is advised
   2. donate to organization first
   3. not all panhandlers are homeless …
4. Budget cycle pattern (see Cheryl’s comments)
5. 501c3 …We have no info. Scott is ready to begin making phone calls to legislators to help us out.
6. Outreach to new neighbors – all ambassadors, and I’d love to hear connections

Vice President’s Report Ryan Finke ryan.finke@gmail.com  Absent

1. A concerned resident called a couple of weeks ago asking what was happening at the Americas Best Value Inn Columbus located at 1289 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43229. The resident shared that they saw security personnel wearing face masks, many COVID-19 testing boxes on the ground, and many sickly looking people behind the inn.

After contacting our area’s City Liaison, Alfred Akainyah, Ryan was connected with Steve Skovensky, Director of Programs & Planning at Community Shelter Board. 

Steve gave Ryan a phone call and told him that this motel has been used during the pandemic by the Community Shelter Board with help from the YMCA and Lower Lights Christian Health Center to house people experiencing homelessness and quarantining due to COVID. He reassured him that the operations are very strict there. Guests are not allowed to leave their rooms except to go on the balcony at alternating times to other guests.

The Community Shelter Board has also shared and answered questions at the June 2021 Northland Community Council meeting. He welcomes any further questions or concerns. His contact information is: sskovensky@csb.org and (773) 597-5224.

1. Ryan is continuing to work on creating promotional materials to help explain the value of the Forest Park Civic Association. If you would like to weigh in, please contact him.

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers Present: SP, LB, CL, RW, MS, SL, AR, ER, KG, EV, DP
• Officers Absent: RF, DVM, KVM, MS, LKB
• Area Reps in Attendance: 2, 5, 7, 11
• Area Reps Absent: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 (Areas 13 & 14 are vacant)

2. Minutes from last month were reviewed and accepted. They are posted on the website as well as in the Forester.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman cllutman17@gmail.com

1. Our budget is based on us having $14,125 in membership income (that’s just the $25 membership).  As you all know, we get the bulk of that in May/June/July.  With memberships slowing down, you will see that we should be at $13,650, and we are at $11,405.  We realize we still have about 6 months to go, so hopefully we catch up.
2. Supplemental security is budgeted to be $6,500 for the year.  Again, with membership income slowing down, contributions to the security fund slow down.  We’ve received $1,750 in direct contributions to that fund – the remainder comes from the general membership dollars.
3. The Forester has two income streams – one is the advertising revenue, and the other is people who donate to that fund.  We had budgeted $9,000 from those two income streams, with the expenses (printing, bags, etc.) to be $14,000.  Right now, we’re a bit ahead of our income target, but again, the remainder of the cost of the Forester comes from the membership dollars.
4. A note to Lisa Dove (and Liz Kengeter-Bash, we had budgeted $750 for social activities.  We have not used any of that yet.

Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com  (Absent)

1. There have not been a lot of phone calls about negative activity going on.
2. The garage sale was a success. We had good weather and we had a great time.

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

1. November articles due October 21st, December articles are due Nov. 11.
2. We don’t know what streets are not getting served. This info needs to be documented.
3. We also need people to help with deliveries. Please contact Rita if you are willing to help.
4. The business reps are passing out Forester copies to have out in their establishments.
5. We are down on advertising revenue.

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta dvanmercetta@gmail.com, Katie Van Mercetta kvanmercetta@gmail.com (Absent) Officer Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418   No report-all were absent.

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com

1. Stewart has been canvassing the area. He has visited about 30 businesses in the last few years. We have no new memberships this month.
2. If you know any local business owners or are one yourself, contact Stewart or Alan to learn how FPCA can work with you.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com

1. Ellin has Welcome Folders for each area ready to be picked up! Area Reps need to attend the monthly meeting to pick up the folders for delivery.

Volunteer Coordinator Mike Stone msto0103@yahoo.com  Absent – No report 

Social Activities Report Liz Kengeter-Bash  ekengeter@gmail.com Absent – No Report.

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert kgilbert78@att.net (Absent)

1. Zach Klein spoke on police interactions with civilians; what they can do and not do. He said that people with previous records are not being released without jail time. This was debated and is still up for debate.
2. The July 4th Parade is on!!
3. The Karl Rd. library is open. If you haven’t been in to see it, we urge you to, it is awesome. There will soon be a Columbus Dispatch mobile office opening behind the library.
4. Sarah Pomeroy, the Columbus city attorney, is working hard on the hotel/homeless issue.
5. Discussed the 2018 Charter Amendment to the city constitution about the election of city council members and the “districting” of the city.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale evanasdale@insight.rr.com Dave Paul dwpaul@fpcivic.org 

1. 5801 Karl Rd (old Long John Silver) was looking for a variance to have advertising on 3 sides of their building. They will take down the pole sign as a compromise. The variance was granted.
2. 4848 Morse Rd. by Sam’s Club, Easton-looking for a variance to put up a sign for their dermatology office. Variance granted. They were also granted a variance from the setback allowance.
3. The dog boarding site in front of Minerva Park, is under new owners and wanted a variance to keep the business open until all past paperwork is completed. Variance granted.
4. IF you have any questions contact the NCC or any of the above people.

Website Administrator Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com (Absent)

1. FPCIVIC.ORG is our website. Make sure to sign up for updates.

Old Business

1. Sign Committee update: Signs have been purchased and paid for, but have not yet been put up.

New Business/Announcements/Ideas

1. Herb Crites, long time member of the FCPA, recently passed away.
2. The new Carfagna’s is open. We are sad to see them leave, but the new store is nice. Resident Bob Hinebaugh has provided them with old time pictures of Italy that they are using in their restaurant.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

14 September 2021 – Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance opened the meeting @ 7:05 PM by Ryan Finke

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report   Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com  (Absent)

1. Welcome to Elizabeth Kengeter-Bash, our new Social Activities chair. As she is an Art educator, we are excited to have a creative person assume this role at this challenging time.
2. We still need a successor to (not replacement for) Mike Stone as Volunteer Coordinator. If you are interested, Mike can help you launch. Scott and Ryan can provide support.

Vice President’s Report Ryan Finke ryan.finke@gmail.com

1. Working on creating some promotional pieces that further explain the value of the civic association.
2. The Forest Park Neighborhood Facebook Page and Nextdoor website are great places to connect with your neighbors. Please consider joining and continuing to interact with your neighbors there. There are some great conversations happening there. We will try to share some important information from social media in the printed Foresters to get it in front of more eyes, especially those not online.
3. Looking for anyone who wants to be more a part of their community, who has an idea they want to see come to life, who sees a problem that needs fixed, please let me know! I’d love to meet you and see how I can help you succeed and make a difference.

Secretary’s Report Lou Bernard loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance was taken from those in attendance and those on Facebook Live.

Officers Present: LB, RF, CL, RW, AR, ER, EV

Area Reps in Attendance: 3, 7, 9, 11

Area Reps Absent: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14

2. Minutes from last month were reviewed and accepted. They are posted on the website as well as in the Forester.

Treasurer’s Report  Cheryl Lutman cllutman17@gmail.com

1. We have a few checks that were written in August but did not clear until September. I have moved those expenses to September.
2. I changed how people can pay through PayPal, and folks who are paying that way are adding the PayPal fees to their membership. This means we do not pay the transaction fee. It’s a small savings, but a savings nonetheless. We are also getting people adding funds for the other items – Security, Forester, Beautification, so that’s great!
3. We are currently ahead on an annual basis on many of our expenses, however some of that may be due to checks that have not yet cleared. I’m working with the bank to get checks that are requested in a particular month sent out. There’s currently an odd delay in the timing which concerns me and I’ve been talking with the bank about it. More to come.
4. Given that we are coming up on 6 months of this fiscal year budget, I am gaining clarity on how things will shape up for the rest of the year, which is helpful as I continue to wrap my head around how all this works. Membership mailings are definitely slowing down (June = 308/August = 34), so I intend to spend time reviewing the budget and making sure we are on track for the rest of the year.
5. Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted.

Public Relations Report Mary Sguerra Mary.Sguerra@HERrealtors.com  (Absent)

1. The FPCA Community Garage Sale will be held this weekend. We do have volunteers to pass out the flyers at the entrances of FP.

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

1. Discussed the timeline for this month’s Forester. October articles due Sept. 17th. November articles due October 21st.
2. There are 7 volunteers who stuff the 3000+ Foresters! Thank you.

Supplemental Security Report  Daryl Van Mercetta dvanmercetta@gmail.com, Katie Van Mercetta kvanmercetta@gmail.com (Absent) Officer Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418

Officer Yandrich’s Report:

1. Officer Yandrich introduced himself. This was his first FPCA meeting.
2. The new chief is allowing facial hair (goatee and beards are now allowed). Tattoos will now be permitted below the sleeve. There will also be a change to the uniform. Dark shirts will replace the white shirts. Hats are now optional, and a ball cap will soon be made available. 
3. The Speedway at Maple Canyon & 161 is being slammed with car thefts. Keep your valuables locked up. DON’T leave your car running.
4. Catalytic converter theft is still high. Mostly from cars on the street. Park in your driveway if you can.
5. There is a person (male, black, 50 yrs. old) walking around FPWest asking for money to help out his family. He has stolen a person’s wallet when they have offered to help. 
6. Homeless problem was discussed at length. Look for an article in this month’s Forester.

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com (Absent)   Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com

1. Stewart has been canvassing the area around Rose’s store on Karl. He has gained 3 new business memberships.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Ellin Ray – eclaire1226@gmail.com

1. Ellin has Welcome Folders for each area ready to be picked up! Area Reps need to attend the monthly meeting to pick up the folders for delivery.

Volunteer Coordinator Mike Stone msto0103@yahoo.com

1. New Social Activities Coordinator. The Social Activities Chair has been filled by Elizabeth Kengeter-Bash. Liz is an Art instructor by trade and is likely to bring a tremendous dose of passion to FPCA.
2. Membership as of 9/06. We have 361 paper memberships IN HAND, which means the memberships from PayPal are not included. We need to consolidate this in the short future.  It is amazing how many people have donated numbers in the 50’s and hundreds. We had one person donate $1,000. Let’s all get the word out and make one final push. 
3. New Volunteers. There has been a list created and distributed among the officers and committee chairs of those who listed that they want to volunteer on their returned Data Sheets. It does not include many who are actively volunteering.
4. Mike’s expectation is to roll off from the FPCA in this formal role at the end of October. If there are people interested in filling this role, please let him know so that he can get you up to speed.   

Social Activities Report Elizabeth Kengeter-Bash  No Report.

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert kgilbert78@att.net (Absent)

1. Attended the September 7th meeting of the Northland Community Council. 
2. It was noted that the old Rodeway Inn near the Continent has reopened. It did pass its license inspection for a partial re-opening (a number of units are under renovation). The city is keeping an eye on it.
3. The new Karl Road Library branch opened on September 9th. 
4. The NABA golf outing is September 23. 
5. City council is back to open, in person meetings as of September 
6. A roundtable discussion was had featuring Merideth Metcalf of National Church Residences about their Senior Select Program. 
7. The NCC is looking for a new Secretary (immediately) and a new Treasurer (for 2022). 
8. The Fourth of July parade is back, and we have co-chairs for the event. 
9. The Northand Unity Festival will be this weekend (September 18) at the YMCA off Karl Road from 2-6 pm. Sponsored by Elevate Northland.
10. There was a discussion of the development issues along Ulry Rd, and the NCC repeated their statement of a couple of years ago regarding high density development in that corridor and the plan already agreed to by the city.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale evanasdale@insight.rr.com Dave Paul dwpaul@fpcivic.org (Absent)

3 cases were heard: 

1) A car wash on Morse Rd. (in the old Miller Ale House) is refusing to put in a sidewalk from Morse Rd. to their property. NCC said – No.     

2) Old Beechcroft Pool was sold again. Will be more apartments. NCC said-yes. 

3) 6050 Cleveland Ave and Bella Vista Ave- corner lots apts. Looking for a set back right-away.- NCC said -yes. 

Website Administrator Scott Prigan scottprigan+fpca@gmail.com (Absent)

1. FPCIVIC.ORG is our website. Make sure to sign up for updates.

Old Business 

1. Sign Committee update. Signs have been purchased and paid for. The committee hopes to get the signs up around the entrances of Forest Park before the next meeting.

New Business/Announcements/Ideas

1. Lisa Dove (The Forest Park Gardener) thanked all who were involved in the nominations and selections of the Beautification Awards. It was an amazing experience, and she is looking to expand and improve upon it in the future.
2. 9 volt batteries were passed out at the end of the meeting. They were left over from a fire department program to put batteries in smoke detectors.
3. If you are a FP committee chair or officer who has receipts for reimbursement, bring them to the next meeting and Cheryl can reimburse you.
4. Future FPCA meetings will be held in person at the Epworth United Methodist Church as long as they remain open. Masks and social distancing are required. Stay safe everyone. See you next month.

Meeting adjourned at 7:42 P

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting/Northland Community Council Picnic

10 August 2021 – Northland Swim Club

Our August meeting is always cancelled in lieu of the Northland Community Council’s Summer Meeting/Picnic at the Northland Swim Club. Some of the minutes provided by the NCC are reprinted here. ~Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

Meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance opened the meeting

Columbus Police Department

Officer Larry Geis, Officer Dan Yandrich

• Officer Yandrich has taken over liaison for 18th precinct, talked about email regarding Morse Road robberies

City Attorney’s Office

Sarah Pomeroy, 614-645-8619, scpomeroy@columbus.gov

• Brought information handouts
• Project Taillight, free tail light repair by  students

Northland Area Business Association

Dave Cooper

• The next to last 161 Task Force Cleanup will be this Saturday, August 14th at 9 AM, meet behind Jiffy Lube
• The Ink Well has moved to the Ashland University building, 1900 E Dublin Granville Rd, Suite 115

Roundtable Discussion

Special guests, City Council member Emmanuel Remy and House District 25 Representative Dontavius Jarrells, introduced themselves to the group, and encouraged us to seek their help when needed.

President

Alicia Ward

• Elevate Northland is having a Unity Festival on Sept 18th 4 to 6 PM outside of the Karl Road YMCA. Still looking for vendors who can sign up online at https://elevatenorthland.org/northland-festival-sign-up

Development Committee

Dave Paul, Chair

• Upcoming meeting on August 25th will be in person, will go back to meeting at Franklin County Job and Family Services