Our Civic meeting was held at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 575 Obetz Rd., at 6:00pm. Over 45 people were in attendance. After reminding members of the decorum policy, President Bruce Miller called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Richards opened the meeting with prayer.
Bruce recognized August and September birthdays and anniversaries. The minutes for the July 8, 2024 meeting were viewed by the group. A motion was made to accept the minutes as read:
1st Motion – Roger Fleming 2nd Motion – Bill Palmer
On behalf of Treasurer Marsha Kessler, who was busy accepting members’ dues, Bruce stated that we had 2 expenses recently: $25.00 to Home City Ice for National Night Out, and $600.00 to the IRS, so they’d reinstate our tax exemption status. This leaves us with a current balance of $2,225.37. A motion was made to approve her report as stated:
1st Motion – Judy Campbell 2nd Motion – Bob Dinsdale
Bruce noted our Civic’s ‘Donation Box’ and encouraged members to contribute.
Bruce introduced Attorney Eric Zartman to our Civic members. Mr. Zartman spoke to us on behalf of Underhill and Hodge Law Firm, who represent the Lincoln Development Company. This company has purchased 44 acres of land at 4086 S. High St. and would like to build 1 & 2 story apartments. With Zone In now in place, the City would like to see 7 story buildings on this land instead. Lincoln Development Co. is therefore requesting 3 variances. Mr. Zartman stated that there would be a maximum of 321 units, with green space and parking. Most of the parking will be surface parking, with garages sprinkled throughout the apartment community. The apartments will be approximately 25’ away from existing buildings, and have fewer shared walls than other big-box apartments. When asked the rent of these apartments, Mr. Zartman stated that a 2-bedroom apartment will cost approximately $1400.00 per month, while a 4-bedroom may cost approximately $1800.00 per month. He said these apartments are not intended as Section 8 housing, and will be intended for individuals making approximately $60,000.00 per year. Two entrances to the new development are planned for Obetz Rd.
Civic members directed many questions and concerns to Mr. Zartman. Residents had concerns about parking spaces, sidewalks, the widening of roads, the use of existing roads to access the apartment community and the use of possible alternate streets. They also asked about the increased traffic through their neighborhoods, and the fact that children there tended to play in the streets. They also asked about installing fences. One resident asked about the use of the service road along S. High St. by the Waffle House. Bruce stated that ODOT controls that part of S. High St. near 270, and won’t allow the use of that service road for anyone other than the residents and existing businesses already there.
After much discussion, Bruce asked for a motion to send a letter of recommendation for the zoning of 4086 S. High St.:
1st Motion – Bill Palmer 2nd Motion – Connie Miller
Eligible Civic members (Those who are a resident of the City of Columbus and are a current dues-paying member) then voted by holding up a ticket:
- Those members in favor of the letter – 29 votes
- Those members opposed to the letter – 8 votes
- Those members abstaining — 0 votes
National Night Out, held on August 6, 2024, was addressed. Bruce thanked the volunteers and sponsors. He recommended we have a new committee plan for NNO 2025.
President Bruce Miller brought up the subject of the ‘Candidates’ Breakfast’. This event is held in October each year and all candidates running for a City office are invited to attend, enjoy a breakfast, meet their constituents and answer questions. Bruce explained what former member Becky Walcott did to us last year and how she undermined our Civic group. He asked if our members want to hold another Breakfast this year or wait until next year. If we wait we can plan and prepare for it early.
A motion was made to wait until next year to hold the Candidates’ Breakfast:
1st Motion – Bill Palmer 2nd Motion – Roger Fleming
An oral vote was taken and the Motion was passed unanimously.
Bruce introduced the subject of the Toy Giveaway. Each year our Civic group donates toys for neighborhood children. The event is held at the Scioto Southland Recreation Center in early December. Bruce said he learned that all leftover toys are sent to other neighborhoods. There are usually 3 Southside Toy Giveaways at different locations. Last year there were 144 names on the list. Data collected shows that 60+ people are going to all 3 locations to collect toys. People from outside our Southside have been also coming to our locations to collect toys. Bruce suggested we may need a committee to review our Toy Giveaway rules, make recommendations and meet with Recreation Center staff.
A motion was made to form the committee:
1st Motion – Pat Moore 2nd Motion – Robert Campbell
Members verbally approved the motion.
Volunteers who want to be on the Toy Giveaway Committee include Judy Campbell, Pat Moore and Sharon Hoover.
Our Civic members usually get together every December for a festive Holiday Dinner. Bruce asked for volunteers to check out possible restaurant locations/ideas for our members. These volunteers include Judy Campbell, Curtis Brown, Pat Moore, Marsha Kessler and Pam Richards.
Next on the agenda was the City of Columbus’ virus attack and how all our personal information was compromised on the dark web. Bruce encouraged each member to get on the City’s website and sign up with Experian. It’s free for a year and will cover up to $1,000,000.00 of protection. Make sure you freeze your credit.
Bruce informed members that the Columbus Police Department will attend our October meeting. There is a new TikTok challenge, where kids download an app which looks similar to Facebook or X or Instagram. The kids know when they pull it up with their finger in a set location on their screen and hold it, a password screen will pop up. Adults then inappropriately talk with the kids. So far 16 kids in our community have been affected. This meeting will be open to the public.
Due to Veteran’s Day, our November Civic meeting will be held on November 18, 2024. AEP will be our guest speaker.
President Bruce Miller made a presentation to Treasurer Marsha Kessler. He gave her a certificate of appreciation plaque for supplying various financial records and data that the IRS needed on behalf of our Civic group. A job well done, Marsha!
President Bruce Miller addressed members and distributed a letter detailing Constance Miller’s resignation as a Trustee of the Scioto Southland Civic Association. Effective at the close of this meeting, Connie expressed her pleasure and privilege to serve our community. Connie will be greatly missed. A motion was made to accept the resignation of Trustee Constance Miller:
1st Motion – Roger Fleming 2nd Motion – Bob Dinsdale
Members voted unanimously to accept her resignation.
President Bruce Miller distributed a letter detailing his intent to resign as President of the Scioto Southland Civic Association, effective at the close of the night’s meeting. Bruce expressed his pleasure and privilege to have served our Southside residents and neighborhoods. He will be greatly missed. A motion was made to accept the resignation of Bruce Miller as President of the Scioto Southland Civic Association:
1st Motion – Bill Palmer 2nd Motion – Ed Oberting
Members voted unanimously to accept Bruce’s resignation.
A motion was made to remove Bruce’s name as a signer on our Scioto Southland Civic Association bank account and name Curtis Brown as a signer on the bank account:
1st Motion – Robert Campbell 2nd Motion – Pat Moore
Members voted unanimously to accept this motion.
15 A motion was made to adjourn:
1st Motion – Roger Fleming 2nd Motion – Bill Palmer