Clintonville Traffic Box Art – Ongoing Fundraising Effort

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CAC Chair, B.J. White, released the following statement:
In 2013, the CAC Planning and Development Committee began discussions on how to bring into fruition the implementation of the utility box artwork that would be an “of, for, and by” the community of Clintonville. Under the direction of Andrew Overbeck, CAC Planning and Development Chair, and the fundraising efforts led by Megan Valentine, the CAC would eventually complete the first phase of this project in September 2020. A total of $4,500 was raised with 42 donations from the Clintonville community. In May of 2019, an official “Call to Artists” promoted by Commissioner Libby Wetherholt, promoted the initiative by seeking local artists who would submit their artwork. Several submissions were received and then were presented to the Clintonville community at large for voting for the top picks. After tabulating 800 survey responses from the Clintonville Community, those selections were presented to a graphic designer with the specifications of the utility boxes to create a graphic wrap that would be applied to the utility box. There were enough funds raised to complete the installation of 5 utility box artwork. In September 2019, the CAC presented a letter of support to the City of Columbus for the initiative. One year later, we have beautified our High Street streetscape with the work of local artists selected and funded by the community of Clintonville. We still have several utility boxes to cover and hope to raise funds to cover the remaining boxes. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution in your name or honor else at https://www.gofundme.com/f/CACtrafficboxart A special thank you to Mike McLaughlin and Clintonville Inc for their continued cooperation in these efforts.
Currently Installed Locations:

High & Como

High & Oakland Park
High & Hollenback
High & W Henderson
High &  E Kanawha

CAC Election Committee Meeting – Monday October 19th at 7pm

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Topic: CAC Election Committee Meeting
Time: Oct 19, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) – can ask questions by emailing the committee chair at ann.henkener@gmail.com

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89128041841?pwd=NWY3NXhLamtqdG1pNmxMYmFZVjNidz09

Agenda

  1. What we need to get done before the Election
  2. In person/mail-in/both? – when do we need to decide?
  3. What adjustments need to be made in the rules?
  4. Media

Supporting Documents

CAC Election Timeline – 2021

Clintonville Area Commission

4-2020ElectionRulesMarkUp

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TRICK OR TREAT is on for Thursday 10/29 from 6-8pm

City of Columbus Announces Trick or Treat Date and Time

Following the guidelines released by the Ohio Department of Health and in line with the recommendation of MORPC, the City of Columbus will allow trick-or-treat on Thursday, October 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Those who choose to participate in their community’s trick or treating, should use these health and safety tips for a safe and happy Halloween during COVID-19.

Trick or Treaters

  • Stay home if you or your child feels sick, has symptoms of COVID-19 or is at high risk of complications.
  • Wear a face mask, except for children under two years of age and individuals with medical exceptions.
  • Make sure your face mask completely covers your nose and mouth at all times.
  • Maintain social distance of at least six feet from other groups.
  • Trick or treat with people in your own household.
  • Avoid doors with a cluster of people. Stay back and wait until nobody else is at the door.
  • Participate in Halloween activities outdoors if possible.
  • Avoid large parties, gatherings and indoor activities.
  • Bring hand sanitizer to use between houses.
  • Take only wrapped candy or treats.
  • Wash your hands when finished trick or treating before eating candy.
  • Get a flu vaccine at least two weeks before Halloween.

Treat Givers

  • Do not give out candy if you or anyone in your household feels sick, has symptoms of COVID-19 or is at high risk of complications.
  • Designate one person per household to hand out candy.
  • Wear a face mask and put it on before opening the door.
  • Make sure the mask completely covers your nose and mouth.
  • Put treats in individual baggies and lay them out instead of putting them in a large bowl.
  • Sit outside behind a table to give out treats.
  • Provide hand sanitizer for trick or treaters.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Get a flu vaccine at least two weeks before Halloween.

For questions about COVID-19, call 614-645-1519.

Seed Collection Friday, October 9th 1-3pm at the Whetstone Prairie!

Thanks to the community support of the Whetstone prairie & the leadership of the Rec & Parks Department the Whetstone Prairie is coming back strong!
Rosalie Hendon from Rec & Parks is organizing a follow-up seed collection at the Prairie since many species were not yet in seed during this year’s Pollinator Field Day (9/19).
Are you available this Friday, 10/9, from 1-3 pm? We will be collecting native prairie seed to use at other parks in Columbus.
If you have them, please bring:
  • your own bucket (with a handle is easiest)
  • hand pruners or garden scissors
  • gardening gloves
  • Personal water bottle
All volunteers are asked to wear face masks, socially distance, and stay home if sick!

Franklin County – Potentially Incorrect Absentee Ballots: How to Check

You’ve likely heard about people receiving incorrect absentee ballots – please use the following information to confirm that you received the proper voting information.
 
For those Franklin County residents who “may” have received an erroneous absentee ballot, please compare the ballot you received in your mailbox to the sample ballot here: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/Search?fbclid=IwAR3rkYtj2Ge1oBIzDUd5F4x9GQaHbgeLoxGW4O1x8m2ycl65qmdSdQbNHw8
 

CAC – Thursday October 1st Meeting Agenda (7pm on Zoom & YouTube)

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Clintonville Area Commission Meeting Agenda

7:00 p.m. Call to order & formal welcome by Chairperson White

7:05 p.m. Commissioner Introductions and District Updates (Please limit to 1 minute)

7:15 p.m. Special Guest (Not yet confirmed)

7:20 p.m. Consideration of prior meeting minutes – Secretary/Commissioner Brittany Boulton

7:25 p.m. Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer/Commissioner Kendra Carpenter

7:30 p.m. Katherine Cull – Neighborhood Community Liaison

7:45 p.m. Zoning & Variance Agenda (please see the supplemental document to the agenda)

  • 61 E. Dunedin BZA20-083. In order to rebuild their garage on the same footprint of the existing garage, homeowners Jay Hall and Jill Ford ask for a variance to reduce the side yard setback from 3′ to 1.8′. CC3332.26(C)(2). The chair noted that he had received an email from Sue and Randy Ritter at 67 E. Dunedin, the neighbor closest to the garage, in support of the variance. The owner reported that the previous garage’s door wouldn’t open without falling apart. Most contractors suggested building a huge garage, but the owners thought keeping the original size was less disruptive of both yards.
  • 456 E. Dunedin, BZA 20-070. In order to replace a garage of the the same size, which was destroyed by a falling tree, homeowners Thomas and Rebecca McKenzie ask for variances to; 1) increase the allowed area from 720 to 960 sq. ft. CC3332.38(F); and 2) increase the allowed garage height from 15’ to 20’, CC3332.38(G). The chair read their screening form into the record. The city recommended including windows above garage door and in back, and they will do that. The applicants reported that their neighbors were fully supportive.
  • 3369 Indianola, BZA20-067. Business owner Erion Permeti asks for a variance at 3369 Indianola Avenue to reduce the required parking from 26 spaces to 17 spaces. CC3312.49.

8:05 p.m. CAC Committee Reports

  • Zoning & Variance Committee – Chair Stephen Hardwick
  • Planning & Development Committee – Chair Andrew Overbeck
  • Election Committee – Chair Ann Henkener
  • Technology & Public Relations – Chair Ty Hulbert
  • GreenSpot Committee – Co-Chairs Ryan Foshee & Zach MacGuire
  • Historic Building Committee – Chair Jim Garrison

8:35 p.m. Proposed CAC Bylaws Change – Commissioner Mike Weinman

  • Clintonville Area Commission By-Laws Proposed Changes (presented as written): Chapter V Section B

Beginning June 1, the commission chairperson shall give notice that volunteers are needed for the standing committees in Section A. Volunteers shall submit a resume to the commission chairperson no later than July 1 and indicate which committee they would like to join and if they would like to be the chair of the committee. Commissioners are exempt from the resume requirement. One week before the August meeting, the commission chair shall submit the names of the selected committee chairs and members to the commissioners along with the supporting documentation. The commission shall approve the membership of the standing committees at the August regular meeting. Appointments to the standing committees shall be for one year until the next August meeting.

8:50 p.m. Public Comment

9:00 p.m. Meeting Adjourned

CAC Zoning & Variance Meeting – Wednesday September 23rd at 7pm

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Notes:

  • The Committee members will meet via Zoom.
  • You can find a registration link on the CAC’s online calendar.
  • The meeting will be live-streamed on the CAC’s YouTube Channel.
  • Questions or comments can be made via email to hardwick.zoning@gmail.com who will check that email address shortly before the meeting and during the public comment period for each item on the variance agenda.

Agenda PDF: 20200923DraftAgenda

Agenda:

  1. Call to order.
  2. Approve agenda.
  3. Announcement: The next meeting of the Committee will be September 23, 2020.
  4. Consider the previous meeting’s minutes.
  5. Variance agenda
    1. 61 E. Dunedin BZA20-083. In order to rebuild their garage on the same footprint of the existing garage, homeowners Jay Hall and Jill Ford ask for a variance to reduce the side yard setback from 3′ to 1.8′. CC3332.26(C)(2). Note: The chair has received an email from Sue and Randy Ritter at 67 E. Dunedin, the neighbor closest to the garage, in support of the variance.
    2. 456 E. Dunedin, BZA 20-070. In order to replace a garage of the same size destroyed by a falling tree, homeowners Thomas and Rebecca McKenzie ask for variances to; 1) increase the allowed area from 720 to 960 sq. ft. CC3332.38(F); and 2) increase the allowed garage height from 15’ to 20’,  C3332.38(G).
    3. 3369 Indianola, BZA20-067.  Business owner Erion Permeti asks for a variance at 3369 Indianola Avenue to reduce the required parking from 26 spaces to 17 spaces. CC3312.49.
  6. Announcement: After Committee consideration, the variance applications will likely be heard by the Clintonville Area Commission via video conference on Thursday, October 1, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
  7. Adjournment.

Columbus – Bail Reform Policies

Sharing an update from the City Attorney’s Office in regard to bail reform with a series of questions & answers – text included below.

Q & A: Bail Reform for Non-Violent Misdemeanants and What this Really Means

With the help of the Columbus Division of Police and other courthouse partners, the City Attorney’s Office has taken several steps during the past year to make the Franklin County Municipal Court a more fair and equitable system for defendants and victims. An important part of this effort has been the City Attorney’s new Bail Reform Policy.

The City Attorney’s Office realizes that due to COVID-19, the past six months has been a very difficult time for everyone involved in the criminal justice system. Policy changes during “normal” times can bring about questions and uncertainty, so when change is back-dropped amid a global pandemic, rumors abound and it can be much harder to digest.

The Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Jail, Municipal Court Judges, as well as the City Attorney and County Prosecutor have all taken steps to limit the size of court dockets and the jail population in order to reduce potential exposures.  These steps have included the issuance of less traffic tickets, a policy of not jailing non-violent misdemeanants and low-level felons, and a new procedure whereby non-violent misdemeanants with bench/non-appearance warrants may be given a new court date at the scene instead of being taken to jail. This has been an especially challenging time for the men and women of the Columbus Division of Police because they have had to change the way they do their jobs while also acting as frontline responders for many COVID-19 related issues.

Unfortunately, all of these changes, occurring at the same time as other reform efforts, have created confusion for officers and the public as to what is and is not policy. There has also been confusion over who is responsible for various policies or criminal case outcomes. In an effort to address some of this confusion, we have put together the following Q & A:

City Attorney Bail Reform Explained

Q. What is the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy?
A. The City Attorney will generally ask that non-violent misdemeanants who are arrested and slated be released on their own recognizance, meaning they will not have to post bail to get out of jail.

Q. Why was this policy adopted?
A. This policy was adopted for several reasons, including: 1) jail is generally appropriate for those who are violent, dangerous, or who victimize other citizens; 2) Many non-violent misdemeanants suffer from substance abuse issues or homelessness. Thus, support and treatment, rather than incarceration, is a better long-term strategy for helping these people get out of the criminal system; 3) Due to COVID-19, all stakeholders (Jail/Judges/Prosecution) worked to have less people unnecessarily held in jail, especially those who are non-violent, not dangerous, and who do not continually victimize other citizens.

No Jurisdiction/City Attorney Policy Does not Apply

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy apply to felonies?
A. No. The City Attorney’s Office does not have jurisdiction over felony cases and is not involved in the request for bail or setting of bail on those cases. However, the City Attorney believes that higher bail amounts should be set for those who commit violent felonies in the City of Columbus. Public safety must remain a top priority.

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy apply to juveniles?
A. No. The City Attorney’s Office does not have jurisdiction over juvenile cases and is not involved in how they are handled. However, the City Attorney believes that the most violent juvenile offenders should be held in custody when they pose a danger to other persons or themselves. Again, the focus must be on public safety.

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy impact who is accepted by the Franklin County Jail?
A. No. The City Attorney’s Office does not set policy for the Franklin County Sheriff. Many of the Sheriff’s jail policies have been made to manage the impact of COVID-19 on the jail population.

Common Sense Exceptions

Q. Are there exceptions to the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy?
A. Yes. There are common-sense exceptions:
1) The City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy has an exception for persons arrested for prostitution-related offenses who may also be victims of human trafficking. Bail is sometimes necessary to allow an opportunity to engage victims of human trafficking with services. Many victims of human trafficking have told us that being arrested, and being provided services such as drug and alcohol treatment while in jail, has saved their lives.
2) The City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy has an exception for chronic/repeat offenders of non-violent misdemeanors. Bail is sometimes necessary to protect the public from persons who repeatedly commit non-violent offenses such as theft and trespass.
3) The City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy has an exception for individuals who have a history of failing to appear for court.

Violent Misdemeanors

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy apply to misdemeanor crimes of violence?
A. No. The City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy only applies to non-violent misdemeanor offenses. While each case must be evaluated on its merits, bail is often appropriate for misdemeanor crimes of violence such as Domestic Violence or Violation of a Protection Order.
Arrests at Time of Crime

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy prohibit or prevent an officer from making an arrest of a suspect for a non-violent misdemeanor at the time the crime is committed?
A. No. While the City Attorney supports a policy of issuing summons, rather than arresting, non-violent individuals who do not have significant/repetitive criminal records, the Division of Police sets policy through Division Directives regarding such decisions. The City Attorney Office’s bail policy for non-violent misdemeanors will only apply at the arraignment after an officer has made the decision to arrest and slate the individual in the jail.

Summons and Citations

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy impact an officer’s ability to issue summons for non-violent misdemeanors?
A. No. The City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy only impacts persons being held in jail. While the City Attorney supports a policy of issuing summons, rather than arresting, non-violent individuals who do not have significant/repetitive criminal records, the Division of Police sets policy through Division Directives regarding such decisions. Officers always have the option to issues summons for non-violent misdemeanors.

Q. Does the City Attorney’s Bail Reform Policy prevent or prohibit officers from issuing citizens traffic citations?
A. No. Officers may still issue citizens traffic citations/tickets for traffic violations.