Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 12 Sep 2023

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:02PM by Ed Vanasdale 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President Ed Vanasdale – ed1vanasdale@gmail.com No Report

Guest Speaker:  Devin Deal : Neighborhood Liaison DDDeal@columbus.gov  (614) 645-7964

Devin was hired 2 months ago replacing Alfred Akainyah.

1. Goal is to support the area civic associations, and escalate the concerns that people have. He will help us find the right people in order to solve local problems.
2. A neighbor had a concern about the excessive speed on Sandalwood Ave. He wanted info about how to get speed bumps installed. Devin’s suggestion is first we need to submit 311 about speeding on Sandalwood, Satinwood, etc. Start taking note of time when speeding is most prevalent. A traffic calming committee will be established to draft a letter and get signatures to petition the city.
3. A neighbor had a concern about the area surrounding the old pool behind Sequoia Bowl. Devin will drive by and take a look at the property. He will see if there is a possibility to get the organization who owns the property connected with organizations for cleaning up the property.
4. A neighbor was concerned about the amount of vandalism happening in FP. Devin will be coming back with people from the City of Columbus to hear concerns.
5. A neighbor had a concern about the lack of green space that has been removed due to the roundabout project along Rt. 161. Devin will follow up with the neighbor.

Vice President Trevor Secord – tsecord@une.edu Absent  No Report

Secretary Lou Bernard – loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, LB, CL, MS, RW, DVM, KVM, SL, LH, AP, KG, DP
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: TS, MB, SB
• Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13
• Area Reps Absent: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14 (Area 14 remains vacant)
• Total meeting attendance: 23

1. Reviewed minutes from July, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.

Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1. 24 new household memberships, 1 new business membership.  It came in through Hadler Companies.  They also requested we continue their ad with no changes. We continue to receive contributions toward our other function areas.
2. Primary expenses were the Forester printing, security patrols and the cost of mowing the islands.
3. Cheryl is working with the advertising chair to provide an update on outstanding advertising invoices. She will amend this report with that detail later this week. 

Public Relations Mary Sguerra –  marysguerra@howardhanna.com

We have the Fall Garage Sale this Saturday and the Bowling Outing on Sunday.

Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org

1. Needed money to buy bags for the Forester. Money was approved.
2. Articles by this Friday, Sept. 15th. 
3. We need one extra delivery person for 3 months. Please contact Rita.

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

Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com, 

Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) – dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418

See report in the Forester.

Business Representative Marty Biggs – Marlynabiggs@yahoo.com  Absent,  Sheridan Landon – slandon52@gmail.com  No Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welcome Committee Chair Laura Hayes – hayeslaura2@gmail.com

1. Hello! I am excited to be the newest member of the Forest Park Civic Association! I want to thank the previous chair – Ellin Ray – for all of her hard work and many years of support to the community. 
2. This month we stuffed 50 welcome folders! They should be ready to get delivered by all area reps in the very near future. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. 

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com Absent

1. I staffed the FPCA table at the YMCA Food Truck in August with Andrea Philipsen. No new memberships, but we spoke to several people who were already members and handed out info on home property valuations and the 311 service.
2. I delivered extra Foresters to businesses (Donato’s, Gabby’s, Library, YMCA, Sequoia Pro Bowl, Epworth United, etc.) and have started dropping off newsletters to Prince Pizza in Tamarack Circle for their customers. The Manager was very friendly and receptive to future advertising in the Forester. All businesses are always happy to get the newsletters and have remarked often about how people ask for them.
3. I have started promoting a new FPCA Membership campaign called “Be a Part of the Park!” to run from September through December to increase memberships and volunteers. The campaign features photos of diverse people to show that everyone is welcome. Andrea has shared some good photos of residents at events that I will work into the campaign. Samples are on the fpcivic.org website and our Facebook page and on the vinyl membership sign with a QR code to our website (color version will replace the black and white poster soon). I also submitted a half page ad to Rita for the next Forester if she has space.
4. Website and Facebook updates continue weekly with upcoming events. Andrea Philipsen has joined the Facebook team and has added upcoming events as Facebook events so residents can save the events as reminders. We will promote this weekend’s Garage Sale and Bowling events. 
5. Questions and comments on Facebook about street lights continue to appear. I replied with an explanation and invited all interested parties to attend meetings for more info on this topic, especially tonight’s meeting with Devin. We may want to print an article/update about this in the next Forester from Ed or someone who knows more details.
6. I printed 200 Membership/Volunteer sheets for the new Welcome packets and delivered them to Laura. Many thanks to Laura and the volunteers who initiated and facilitated the new Welcome Packets!

Social Activities Andrea Philipsen – andrea@yellowumbrellahomes.com

Planning lots of events. Look for an infographic in this month’s Forester.

NCC Representatives Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net  Trevor Secord – tsecord@une.edu Absent

See report in the Forester.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

3 cases were heard. None were in the immediate Forest Park neighborhood and were of little concern for its residents.

Website Administrators Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com Absent, Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org  

Our website is always – always being updated with new and upcoming info! Please check it out!!

OLD BUSINESS

Mark Bell (Area 13 Rep) offered to match any collected funds to help restart the Welcome Folders. $250 was collected from members, and matching funds were met. Some Welcome Folders were found, more will be purchased with these new funds. The money collected will also be used to cover printing costs for the items in the folder. Thank you Mr. Bell!

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

We are looking for 3 or 4 people to form a committee concerning having speed bumps installed on the streets of Forest Park. If you are interested, submit your name to the secretary, Lou Bernard, loubernard3@gmail.com, and he will get your info to the appropriate people.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM

Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 11 July 2023

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:03 PM by Ed Vanasdale 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President Ed Vanasdale  ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

1. Discussed the parade and the great time that was had. The Bikes-n-Trikes event was very successful. Thank you to all those that helped or participated. Thanked Catharine Gilbert for helping to organize all the cheerleading groups!
2. Block Watch and Code Issues meetings are now at new times. Please be aware.
3. Thanks to Andrea for the great job organizing the Dirty Frank’s Hotdog food truck on Monday.
4. There will be no August FPCA meetings (Block Watch, Code, and Civic Assoc.). In August, we will attend the NCC Picnic. (See the NCC report below)

Guest Speaker: none

Vice President Trevor Secord  tsecord@une.edu

1. National Night Out event at the North YMCA on Tues., August 1st for the Forest Park Civic Association. The event will be from 5-8pm. There will be food, inflatables and games.
2. See 11 July NCC meeting report in the Forester. 

Secretary Lou Bernard –  loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, LB, CL, DVM, SL, SB, AP, RW 
• At the NCC Meeting: TS, KG, DP
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: MS, MB, AR, ER, KVM
• Area Reps in Attendance: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13
• Area Reps Absent: 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 14 (Area 14 remains vacant )
• Total meeting attendance: 23

1. Reviewed minutes from June, there were a few email errors and typos. They were all corrected on the online version and official record of the minutes.
2. Attendance Sheet thru July: https://www.fpcivic.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-FPCA-Attendance-Thru-July.pdf

Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1. 109 new household memberships – thank you! Of the 21 coming through PayPal, 17 elected to also pay the fee – thank you!
2. Additional sums were donated to our functional areas of security, beautification and the Forester – thank you as well!
3. Advertising revenue for the month was $645.00 – covering approximately 65% of the cost of printing.
4. Major expenses include US Protection for our security patrols, our annual membership in NCC, the garage sale ad, and the maintenance of the islands. We also paid to print the Forester and Rita ordered bags.
5. The other major item is the bank assessed a fee of $45.50. It was found out that 5th/3rd is now charging a fee on all checks processed. We are looking for a new bank with lower or no fees.

Public Relations Mary Sguerra –  marysguerra@howardhanna.com  Absent  – no report

Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org

1. Next Thursday, July 20, is the deadline for the August Forester, the first week in August will be the delivery date.
2. Blue Ash still needs to be covered. Lou Bernard and Laura Hayes are now covering routes on the Forester delivery squad. 
3. Lowell Lutman has been doing a great job getting ads for the Forester.

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

Don’t forget about the Block Watch meeting at 6:00-6:30 pm before the Civic Association meetings except in Aug. See the complete report in the Forester.

Business Representative Marty Biggs – Marlynabiggs@yahoo.com  Absent Sheridan Landon – slandon52@gmail.com  Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com  Absent

1. Reached out to Hadler Companies once again and spoke with Mindy. She said she would forward emailed information to the president and expressed interest in a business card size ad, as well. We will follow up again via email next week.
2. Does anyone know any local business owners that might be interested in a business membership? Or are YOU a local business owner who would like a reasonable place to advertise? Contact Marty Biggs at the above email address.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

Report by Lou Bernard

1. We are in the process of bringing back the Welcome Folders for new homeowners. I have been running around this week gathering materials and finding them online to put into the folders. The plan will be that when everything is gathered and ready to go, that we will do a folder stuffing. We will stuff approximately 200+ folders (enough) for the whole year. The committee chair only needs to find the names and addresses of the new homeowners and bring the folders to the meeting or get them to the area reps for delivery. We are hoping to get these back by September at the latest. We feel some of the lack of membership has been because of lag in getting new homeowners to join right away.
2. We will need 2 things: 1) about 4 or 5 volunteers to help stuff the folders and 2) approximately $300-500 to cover the cost of the printing of the folders and any copies that will go into the folder. There was a discussion about the need for folders. Some members were worried about the cost, then Area 13 Rep, Mark Bell, stepped up and made an offer to match dollar for dollar the amount raised to cover the cost of the supplies and the printing. We collected $165 at the meeting! Thank you to Mark and all those who have donated!!! If you are interested in donating, contact Lou Bernard, Secretary, or Cheryl Lutman, Treasurer. Their emails are in the minutes.

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

1. Thanks to everyone who was in attendance at the meeting and those who marched in the parade, helped with the parade, and judged the Bikes-n-Trikes.
2. We received 5 new memberships from members at the Dirty Franks event. We are looking for people to volunteer to sit at the Forest Park Membership table at the Buckeye Shaved Ice event at the YMCA this Friday, July 14.
3. Prince Pizza is taking over the old Dairy Queen Spot in Tamarack Circle.

Social Activities Andrea Philipsen andrea@yellowumbrellahomes.com

1. Thanked everyone for their support at the Dirty Frank’s event. We need to continue to have a table at all upcoming events. Dirty Frank’s was a success. 60+ people attended. Lou B. & Scott B. had a FP table collecting memberships. Thanks to all who came out!
2. Upcoming Events:
   • THIS Friday, July 14, 4-6pm Buckeye Shaved Ice at the YMCA
   • Aug 11th (Friday) 8pm: Karaoke at Sequoia Bowl
   • Aug. 21st (Monday) 5-8 pm: Tortilla Mexican Street Food Truck at the YMCA 
   • Aug. 26th (Saturday) 7-8:30 pm: Concert on the Driveway at the Dove Household (5785 Lindenwood Rd). For more info, see “The Forest Park Gardener’s” article in this month’s Forester.
   • Aug. 28th (Monday) 8-10 am: Bushel and Bean Coffee Truck at the YMCA
3. Check Facebook and Forester for upcoming events.

NCC Representatives Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net Trevor Secord – tsecord@une.edu

1. Catherine Gilbert attended the Stakeholder Open House for the 161 Roundabout Project. She passed out packets from the meeting to those in attendance at the civic association meeting.
2. NCC Picnic Info: From the Northland Community Council:  Instead of our usual meeting in August, we will be hosting our annual NCC Picnic on August 8th at Blendon Woods Park, Dogwood Area. We have the pavilion for the entire day so feel free to come out early and enjoy all that the park has to offer. Dinner will be served at 6:30. NCC will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and brats, please bring a dish to share. At 7pm we will have a very brief meeting and please be sure that your community is represented as it does count towards attendance. We encourage you to invite your communities to join us for a day of fun and camaraderie. I have attached a flyer for the picnic for your convenience.

See 11 July NCC meeting report in the Forester.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

1. The old “Olive Garden” or “Buckeye Crazy” has been razed by the owner to sell as land only.
2. 4 cases were heard, only 1 case pertains to our area: Application to use variance to permit four 40′ x 8′ permanent storage containers to be installed and maintained on the site (it was tabled March 2023). The NCC Committee recommended disapproval.
3. The old China Dynasty (next to the Chipotle on Rt. 161) is being renovated into a Mexican restaurant. 
4. Don’t forget about the Development/311 Meeting at 6:30-7:00 pm before the Civic Association meetings. No meetings in August–the next meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 12th. 

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

Our website and Facebook pages are always – always being updated with new and upcoming info! Please check them out!!

OLD BUSINESS   None

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS   None

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM

Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 13 June 2023

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @7:01PM by Ed Vanasdale 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Attendance was taken via role call.

OFFICER REPORTS

President Ed Vanasdale  ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

There is a new format for the FPCA meetings see article in this month’s Forester.

• 6:00-6:30 Block Watch Meeting/Supplemental Security Report (CPD Liaison Officer Dan Yandrich and our Sup. Sec. chairpersons will be in attendance to answer your questions). Police issues will NOT be discussed at the regular FPCA  meeting.
• 6:30-7:00 Code Enforcement Issues Discussion/NCC Development Report – If you have any questions regarding code issues, i.e. semi-trucks or cars parked on street, neighbor’s grass is uncut, etc., this will be the time to come and talk with the FPCA President and officers concerning those issues. Code issues will NOT be discussed at the regular FPCA meeting.
• 7:00-8:00 FPCA Meeting The monthly meeting will take place as usual, but the above two items will not be discussed, leaving time for guest speakers and other committee reports, AND ending the meeting at 8:00 pm.

Guest Speaker: Nicole Sochacki nsochacki@columbuslibrary.org

1. Nicole (Youth Services manager). Keith (head manager) has moved to Canal Winchester branch. He was here for about 10 years.
2. Summer Reading Challenge has begun. Read and get rewarded. Sign up in person or online. Rewards for adults and for kids.
3. Music, arts, science, and lots of animals to visit over the summer for the kids.
4. The New Culture Pass Program. Come and visit the library and get tickets for lots of museums and attractions in the area like the Zoo, Veterans Museum, and Art Museum.
5. 150th Year Anniversary: Come to the library and get a passport of activities to do – complete the activities for lots of prizes.
6. There are lots of classes being offered at the library: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/adult-education
7. If you are interested in mentoring and volunteering, please come and stop by the branch. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer helping people of all ages from kindergarten on up!!

Vice President Trevor Secord  tsecord@une.edu

National Night out will be at the North YMCA on August 1st (the first Tues.), more information will be presented at the July meeting and through social media sources.

Secretary Lou Bernard –  loubernard3@gmail.com

1. Attendance:

• Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, TS, LB, CL, MS, DVM, MB, SL, SB, AP, KG, DP
• Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: RW, AR, ER, KVM 
• Area Reps in Attendance: 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12
• Area Reps Absent: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 (Area 14 remain vacant )
• Total meeting attendance: 28

2. Reviewed minutes from May, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
3. Attendance Sheet thru June: https://www.fpcivic.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-FPCA-Attendance-Thru-June.pdf

Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – cllutman17@gmail.com

1. We have received 54 household memberships through PayPal with about 3/4 of those paying that way also covering their fees – thank you!! The biggest chunk has been in the mail. We’ve received 160 through the post office, and have a stack of about 25 to process, with more coming in, though they have definitely slowed down.
2. The biggest expense was the purchase of the mulch ($3700, we had a profit of $1200), followed by the funds on our bulk mail permit.
3. Advertising revenue this month almost completely covered the cost to print the Forester, so thank you to our advertisers – and to Lowell and Rita for making all the changes to the ads as they’ve happened!
4. Total income last month:$13,020.17; expenses last month: $6863.98; Net gain: $6156.19
5. See the financial breakdown spreadsheet in the Forester.

Public Relations Mary Sguerra –  marysguerra@howardhanna.com

1. Nice turnout for bowling. Another bowling event will be on: Sept.17th, Sunday
2. The next community garage sale will be: Sept. 16th, Saturday
3. We are looking for someone to take over the 4th of July float for the FPCA. She will help, but needs someone to take the lead. Please contact Mary.
4. The last Thursday of each month, come meet us “Gather at Gabby’s” on Tamarack Circle; 6:30-8:30 pm.

Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester_ed@fpcivic.org

Needs articles by Friday, June 16th.

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

Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@gmail.com – Absent

Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) –  dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418

See report in the Forester.

Business Representative Marty Biggs – Marlynabiggs@yahoo.com  Sheridan Landon – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com  Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com  – Absent

Business members have been updated in the Forester. If you see any mistakes, please contact Marty.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

This committee has been temporarily put on hold in order to study the best way to fulfill this need.

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

1. Welcomed new neighbors and members from Sharon Woods Civic Association to our meeting.
2. Scott will make sure to get the word out about our new meeting format on social media and the website.
3. Scott purchased “Slow Down” yard signs for your yard. If you are interested, contact him directly.
4. Still looking for a volunteer to head up the Bikes-n-Trikes.
5. People from outside FP wanting to join. There is an Associate Membership level: 

• In the Constitution: Article III: Section B: Associate Member. Subsequent to full payment of dues in accordance with Article VI, any resident of Forest Park or, at the discretion of the Board, any resident of the Community may become an Associate Member of the FPCA upon agreeing to be bound by its Constitution and Bylaws. Associate Members shall be entitled to all rights of membership in the FPCA, except the right to vote or to become elected or appointed to the Board. 
• At this time, Associate Members do not get the Forester delivered to them.

Social Activities Andrea Philipsen andrea@yellowumbrellahomes.com

1. July 10th (Monday): 5-8pm: Dirty Franks Hotdog Food Truck – coming to the North YMCA parking lot. Please come hang out and meet your neighbors.
2. July 14th (Friday) 4-6pm: Shaved Ice Food Truck at the YMCA
3. Aug 11th (Friday) 8pm: Karaoke at Sequoia Bowl
4. Aug. 21st (Monday) 5-8 pm: Tortilla Mexican Street Food Truck at the YMCA 
5. Aug. 26th (Saturday) 7-8:30 pm: Concert on the Driveway at the Dove Household (5785 Lindenwood Rd). For more info, see “The Forest Park Gardener’s” article in this month’s Forester.
6. Aug. 28th (Monday) 8-10 am: Bushel and Bean Coffee Truck at the YMCA

NCC Representative Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net Trevor Secord – tsecord@une.edu

See column in this month’s Forester.

NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – ed1vanasdale@gmail.com

Presented by Dave Paul. The city is now having open house discussions about the rest of the Route 161 Roundabout program: they are planning more roundabouts around the 161 access roads. The Open House date is June 29th (Thursday) Karl Library 11-1 and 4:30-6:30. The city website says the completion date for the Maple Canyon portion to be Fall ‘23.

Link to the official letter (online link): https://www.fpcivic.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Notification-Letter.pdf

Link to the Comment Form (online link): https://www.fpcivic.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Comment-Form.pdf

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

Our website is always – always being updated with new and upcoming info! Please check it out!!

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

Lots of questions about speeding/speed bumps and street lights. Those neighbors were invited to come and discuss the issue, but none showed up. If it is important to you, you need to come an make your voice/opinion known.

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM

Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA