Forest Park Civic Association Meeting

Date: 8 November 2022

Location: Epworth United Methodist Church

Meeting called to order @ 7:05 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. Guest Speaker:  311 Customer Service Center      Carmen Duckens (311 Service Manager). There are 24 people on staff. Even though they have a phone app and computer website, you can still call in and talk to a live person M-F, 7 am-6 pm. Carmen discussed and answered many of the issues and questions that the residents who were in attendance had. Her presentation walked everyone through how to submit a service request.

2. We received word from the IRS admitting that they made a mistake by revoking our 501(c)(3), and they have reinstated us!! Yay!

3.The December 13th meeting will be held at Fujiyama’s for representatives, committee chairs, and officers only. An Evite will be sent out this week for people to RSVP to.

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

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

1. Attendance:

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

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

1. We received 21 new household memberships and our first business membership of this budget year – thank you Toro Meats! Revenues for the other areas are as noted, and are in line with expectations. We remain short of our budget for household memberships and need about 130 more households to join in as of 10/31. We understand, however, we may be getting two more business memberships – to those organizations, we say “thank you”!
2. All our PayPal fees were covered this month, and thank you to those folks for being kind enough to do that.
3. We had no expenses for the month – well, we did – the checks just didn’t clear until early November. So there will be some doubling on the November report.

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

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

1. We need all articles by Friday November 11th,  The December Forester needs to be at the printer on Monday Nov 14, early morning. Please help out and get articles, photos and ADs to Rita by Friday. Would love some articles with Christmas spirit, get it to Rita ASAP. Remember the January Forester is ONLINE only, so she will put it together later in December and will email out reminders.  
2. At the end of this Month, November 2022, Joel Kin, will be stepping down as AD/business caretaker for the Forester.  Joel is happy to help guide whoever will take the job over. Will connect with him to get the basics of what the job requires.  
3. New idea for this Forester to work on getting more memberships. Rita is working with Marty Biggs at getting some gift cards from businesses and then in 2 of the Foresters for December, we will put in surprise tickets that the owner who finds them will have to present to FPCA editor for the prize. If the person is a FPCA member they will get double the prize and if not a member, they will be encouraged to join with a membership attached to their prize. 
4. Update on delivery folks:  Thanks to Lou, Mary & Daryl, with phone calls and leads they gave Rita, she believes she has all areas covered with delivery folks except that small group of homes in area 14, (Coghill, Judwick, Lyle & Dandridge, total of 45 homes). She has 3 folks helping her deliver to the 55+ delivery folks, but could use one more to help cover 10 houses of delivery folks in FP East, areas 6 & 7. She still wants to connect with all delivery folks to make sure they are delivering and to answer any questions. 

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  No Report

Business Representative  Sheridan Landin – sheridanlandon@yahoo.com 

    Alan Ray – aray.bergahorn@gmail.com Marty Biggs – Marlynabiggs@yahoo.com

1. A Business Membership was secured from Toro Meat Market! They are also interested in doing some advertising and would like to be added to the distribution list of The Forester. 
2. Marty reached out to and confirmed with Krieger Ford and Jonathan Allen Landscaping that they would like to be Business Members for the 2023 year. She will follow up on collection of funds for those memberships. She dropped off paper applications to Gabby’s and Donato’s and will do the needful to get those businesses on board for the 2023 membership drive. 
3. Marty either called or emailed all of the Business Members listed in The Forester (except those in current good standing with their memberships). She is awaiting call backs/emails from them. She will continue to gently nudge them along to support the civic association and all of its wonderful deeds.
4. Marty is also looking into securing new businesses for memberships for the 2023 year. The first attempt was Massey’s Pizza on Rt. 161. An email was sent to the owner. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

Volunteer Coordinator Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com

Volunteer of the Month: Ken Gilbert: Current NCC Rep, past president, past vice president, Area 3 Rep, Block Watch organizer, and many more. Thank you Ken for your many years of service to the FPCA. 

Social Activities Report Vacant  No Report

NCC Representative  Ken Gilbert – kgilbert78@att.net

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

       Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org 

1. Good News: The M-Star Motel (the old Knight’s Inn) will not be turned into micro apartments. The NCC Dec Committee successfully defeated the developer’s intentions to bring this to our neighborhood (they were NOT affordable housing $850/mo. for 650 sq.ft. under 300 sq.ft.).
2. There were 5 cases heard, only 4 are close to Forest Park.

• Case #1 Application to accommodate a driveway expansion from 20′ to 29′ 2′′, and to reduce the parking setback from 25′ to 0′ from ROW to allow parking of vehicles on the driveway expansion at 2978 Wallcrest Blvd, 43231 • The Committee approved (17-0) a motion to TABLE the application.
• Case #2 Application to permit construction of an automatic car wash at 990 E Dublin Granville Rd, 43229 • The Committee approved (17-0) the application.
• Case #3 Application for the construction and maintenance of an outside automobile storage lot for excess inventory associated with the dealership at 1888 Morse Road; 1769 E Dublin Granville Rd, 43229 • The Committee approved with conditions.
• Case #4 Application to permit the construction of a multifamily affordable senior independent living facility, number of units and site plan TBD; 5860 Roche Dr, 43229 • The Committee approved (14-2 w/ 1 abstention) a motion to recommend disapproval of the application.

Website Administrator Dave Paul – dwpaul@fpcivic.org  Scott Biggs – volunteerfpca@gmail.com   No Report

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS

1. Mary Sguerra suggested an idea of creating a door knob placard that lists compliments and/or suggestions that area reps may have and distribute in their areas to neighbors. The idea will be discussed with the board members to see how and if to proceed.
2. The December 13th meeting will be held at Fujiyama’s for representatives, committee chairs, and officers only. An Evite will be sent out this week for people to RSVP to.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM

Minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA

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