1. Our Civic meeting was held at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 575 Obetz Rd., at 6:00pm. Approximately 22 people were in attendance. After reminding members of the decorum policy, Reba Damron Jones called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Richards opened the meeting with prayer. Reba recognized April birthdays (Marsha Kessler, April 17 and Pam Richards, April 23) and anniversaries (Joyce Scarberry would have celebrated her 61^st Anniversary this month with her husband).
2. The Secretary’s Report (Pam Richards) was distributed, read and approved:

1^st Motion – Robert Campbell.      2^nd Motion – Pat Moore

• The Treasurer’s Report (Marsha Kessler) was read, discussed and approved:

1^st Motion – Judy Campbell.         2^nd Motion – Bob Dinsdale

            Our Treasury has a balance of $1858.38

• CIVIC NEWS:
• The audit was completed on March 9 and it balanced. The Audit Committee found that the total balance in our bank account as of that date was $1865.38. 
• 2025 Civic taxes were filed. 
• There will be a Trash Cleanup along Southgate Dr. on Saturday, April 25, 9:00am-11:00am. Meet at Reba’s house, 2975 Lee Ellen Pl.
• National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 6:00pm-8:00pm, at the Scioto Southland Recreation Center. Curtis Brown stated that the Bounce House and the KONA Ice truck are now booked. The KONA Ice truck will give us 112 coupons for the student bookbags. Curtis stated that Matt Campbell donated $200 as a sponsor, and “Your Columbus Dog Walker” is also a sponsor. We members can pass out sponsorship papers to people we know. We can also approach fast food businesses about being a sponsor, and they’ll receive advertisements.
• Curtis said we spent $1800 last year for everything.  Sunrise Treatment and Clearways have both confirmed for NNO. The fire truck is confirmed for 7:00pm-8:00pm, unless they get an emergency call. The Columbus Police Mounted Unit told Curtis that we’re on their calendar. Columbus’ Bike Unit has also been informed of this event. Our Civic will apply for a NNO grant to help defray costs. 
• Bill Palmer has resigned from the Civic Board due to time and energy issues. Thanks for serving, Bill!
• NEIGHBOR NEWS:  

Reba reminded members that Earth Day will be Wednesday, April 22. Reba is involved in trash pickups and Metro Parks cleanups. She visited SWACO recycling center on Jackson Pike and learned that we only have 40 years left before our landfill is full. SWACO, located at 2566 Jackson Pile, will accept tires for a $5 fee. Look for the flag pole and guard shack. The facility is open Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am-4:30pm. 

SWACO has bins and they’re labeled, such as Oil/Latex Paint, Batteries and so on. The facility will take TVs for a small charge. SWACO accepts oil, antifreeze, electronics, including keyboards & cords, and Styrofoam. Styrofoam does not break down. Packing Styrofoam is accepted, but packing ‘peanuts’ are not. Habit For Humanity will take toilets and sinks, doors and windows, if you schedule a pick-up. 

SWACO will take appliances for free, such as microwaves, toasters and big appliances. They’ll accept yard waste, tires and rims, and have a scrap metal bin also. Reba reported that the SWACO calendar lists events, such as “Tire Amnesty Day”. This coming Saturday will be “Grove City ECO Fest” Under “REPAIR” section of the calendar, a repair event is offered on April 18, 9:00am-12:00noon at 60 Collegeview Rd. at Otterbein College. This event is free. Lawn equipment, bikes, jewelry, computers, phones, tablets and furniture can be repaired. A “Lawn Mower Exchange” is also listed on the calendar, but the date hasn’t been announced yet. 

Reba spoke about Recycling to members: Station 22 at Parsons and Southgate has recycling bins for the neighborhood. No bags, please. The Agency on Aging on S. High St. has recycling bins in the back. No sorting required. Plastic bags and rechargeable batteries are not to be put in recycling bins. Kroger has a container for used plastic bags right inside their front door. Lowe’s has a bin for bags near their Return desk. Our blue recycling cans can now accept greasy pizza boxes, but no zip lock bags. See the list of accepted items on the City of Columbus website, under “Waste Wizard”. Reba encouraged members to donate their broken mirrors, glasses, dishes for artistic projects. Just list them on Facebook Marketplace.

The Great Southern Metro Park opening day was April 1. This is the former Herr Park. It’s owned by Columbus Metro Parks. While Columbus Recreation & Parks focus more on programming, the Columbus Metro Parks focus on conservation. 

This park has a small parking lot, with restrooms on site. It has a pirate ship themed playground for kids. It has access to the river, with trails paved with heavy rocks. Member Bob Small stated he wasn’t too thrilled with the big rocks on the trail. There’s a steep hill to be navigated on the trail, but member Debbie Small reported she had no difficulty walking it with her hip replacement. The park is open dawn to dusk, with gates closed at night. There are plans to implement fishing, down the road. The river area may not all be accessible. An obstacle course is available with a rope pit, a climbing wall, a balance beam, and a fitness area with simple exercises. Down. By Lowe’s there is an observation deck with a view of the quarry, birds and nature. Park Rangers will probably be there to manage the Park and keep it secure. Eventually, this Park is to connect with Audubon Park further North.  

Our next meeting will be Monday, May 11, 2026.

The Door Prize tonight was won by Deborah Raspberry. She won a $25 Kroger gift card and a red/white/blue patriotic hat. 

Board members were asked to stay for a NNO discussion.

A motion was made to adjourn:

            1^st Motion – Bob Dinsdale.     2^nd Motion – Robert Campbell

Respectfully submitted,Pam Richards, Secretary