1.  Our Civic meeting was held at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 575 Obetz Rd., at 6:00pm. Over 27 people were in attendance. After reminding members of the decorum policy, President Curtis Brown called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Richards opened the meeting with prayer.
2. Curtis recognized October and upcoming November birthdays and anniversaries. The minutes for the September 9, 2024 meeting were viewed by the group. A motion was made to  accept the minutes as read:

   1^st Motion – Roger Fleming     2^nd Motion – Pat Moore

• Treasurer Marsha Kessler stated that our current balance stands at $2283.37. A motion was made to approve her report as stated:

   1^st Motion – Robert Campbell        2^nd Motion – Donna Scaggs

Curtis noted our Civic’s ‘Donation Box’ and encouraged members to contribute. 

• President Curtis Brown presented a slide show of essential topics to the members. First up was the LinkUs Initiative. This initiative is aimed at improving transportation across Central Ohio, by developing a network of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, safer sidewalks and bike lanes. The goals of LinkUs are improved accessibility, reduced traffic, a boost to local economy and environmental benefits. It will be funded by a proposed .5% sales tax increase, which will raise our total sales tax to 8%, similar to Cleveland and Cincinnati. There are, however, concerns for Southside residents. Our Southside is not included in the 1^st round of MORPC projects, and COTA has not committed to new or expanded services for our area. This raises doubts about whether Southside residents will truly benefit from these improvements or if we’ll be paying more without seeing significant changes. The proposed 45% increase in services could largely favor other parts of the city, while the sales tax increase might place an additional burden on lower-income residents and seniors who are already facing rising costs. Before you vote, you can look at the complete proposal at linkuscolumbus.com, or look for shared information from COTA or MORPC. Then vote responsibly.
• Curtis next touched on AI Images. These images are pictures created using algorithms, which look real but are made by technology and not a camera. AI can create art, people, animals or even things that don’t exist in real life. Sometimes you can see mistakes if you look closely. These mistakes may include strange hands and fingers, odd faces or facial features, weird backgrounds, strange shadows/lighting, unusual shapes or sizes, or things that look too perfect or unnatural. Keep in mind that AI images can be used to trick or scam people. Remember that when you see images online, not everything is real anymore. If something looks too perfect or seems odd, take a moment to question it. 
• An update to 4086 S. High St. was brought before the members. We approved it and it will next go to City Council. A traffic study is currently being done at Southpoint Blvd. Oak Breeze Dr. will be the secondary access point for emergency services only. The wetland area behind this project will be donated to Columbus Rec and Parks. Turn lanes will be installed on Obetz Rd. at the developer’s expense. This project received a “Yes” vote from our Area Commission with 4 abstentions. 
• Curtis announced that our Civic website is now live! Access the website at either www.sciotosouthland.org OR www.sciotosouth.org. Spread the word to your neighbors and friends! Our Civic currently does not have high resolution images of our existing logo, due to circumstances outside of our control. Without a high resolution logo, we can’t create new digital assets and we can’t create T-shirts or buttons. We need to vote on a new logo or choose to have no logo at all. If you know of anyone who is interested in submitting possible logo designs, please have them send a fully vectored logo to info@sciotosouthland.org and it will be included in the suggestions.
• Two email addresses are currently set up for our use: 
• info@sciotosouthland.org is for information that can be answered by anyone
• president@sciotosouthland.org will go to and be answered specifically by Curtis.

9. Our Civic Newsletter, “The Southland Spotlight”, is in the works.               The goal is to have the 1^st edition out at the beginning of November and released monthly. Former President Bruce Miller had a list of email addresses that will be automatically added to the mailing list. If you have not given Curtis your email address yet, please do so asap. 

10. President Curtis Brown explained that there are things the City handles that we cannot, such as Health & Safety Concerns and Nuisance Properties. Curtis encouraged members to continue submitting 311 complaints and keep the complaint ID number. Don’t hesitate to call the Columbus Police for fireworks, gunshots, prostitutes, drag racing, etc., even if we believe “They won’t do anything about it.” When you contact the Police, write down the following: the date, time, incident, and the tech/dispatcher ID number. Anytime you make a call to the City, get all the necessary information to have proof that we called. If we can present multiple concrete examples of issues, it will help to prove the case that we are underserved in terms of civil services and draw attention to our area. Remember that this accounting does NOT replace the current system in place to report property, health and safety concerns. This is to support the existing system with accountability.

11. Curtis introduced several aspects of taking charge of what we can through programming. He specifically mentioned the SSC Cleanup Club, the Neighbor In Need, Volunteering and Events. The Cleanup Club would consist of a group of interested citizens who would tackle areas that need cleaned. Those interested in joining or submitting recommendations can do so through the Input page of the website.

Neighbor To Neighbor is a program where we assist neighbors who may need assistance in their home. The program will be limited by the skills and availability of the volunteers. Our Civic cannot provide financial or reoccurring assistance. 

Interest in volunteering and volunteering opportunities can be submitted also through the Input page of the website. The goal is that organizations would become comfortable and familiar enough to reach out with their needs and increase our visibility. Volunteers would represent the Civic outside of our scheduled meetings.

Events are also important to our Civic group. Perhaps we should consider increasing community events or increase our collaborating with other organizations to increase our visibility within the community. 

Upcoming Volunteering Events:

1. October 27, 2024 from 10:45am-12:30pm. Behind Tim Horton’s at he Great Southern Shopping Center, the Clear Creeks & Byways will do a costumed sweep of the Great Southern sidewalls. It’s a light duty, fun cleanup.
2. October 29, 2024 from 6:00pm-7:30pm. “Trunk or Treat” at Scioto Southland Rec Center, 3901 Parsons Ave. We’d like to provide 10 cars from our organization to pass out candy to around 400 children. Volunteers should arrive around 5pm to get lined up. Pizza will be provided for any Civic volunteers! If you’re unable to attend, but want to donate candy, please email info@sciotosouthland.org and Curtis will coordinate pickup! And if you want to attend but don’t have candy, let Curtis know and he’ll hook you up!

12. Future Events:

    A. November 7, 2024  — Area Commission Meeting

     B. November 18, 2024  —- Our next Civic Association meeting. AEP will attend our meeting to discuss the logistics of the power tower removal along Parsons Ave. Invite your friends, family and neighbors. AEP would like to have an advance notice of citizens’ concerns so they can prepare properly prior to the meeting. Email info@scotosouthland.orgif you have questions you’d like answered. Please submit your questions/concerns by November 11.  

     C. November 19, 2024  —– A free Thanksgiving meal at the Scioto Southland Rec Center. This is sponsored by the Rec Center.

     D. December 3, 2024  —- Annual Civic Holiday Party. This year the gathering will be held at Heritage Freewill Baptist Church, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. More information to come soon…..

      E. December 12, 2024 —- Toy Giveaway at the Scioto Southland Rec Center. Members are encouraged to bring 1 or more $5.00 toys to the November Civic meeting.

      F. December 19, 2024 — A free Christmas meal and Winterfest at the Scioto Southland Rec Center. This is sponsored by the Rec Center.

13. A motion was made to adjourn:

 1^st Motion – Roger Fleming       2^nd Motion – Donna Scaggs

Respectfully Submitted,

Pam Richards, Secretary