UniversityAreaCommission.Info

There are no contested races.  We received candidate packets from four individuals.  Two of them are running in District 4 where there are two open seats. 

District 1 - No candidate packets received.

District 2 - Tom Wildman

District 3 - Miles Curtiss

District 4 - Rebecca Sterrett and Susan Keeny.  Grayson Atha will not be running for reelection.

All of the candidate packets met the requirements for eligibility; however, I should mention that we did have to disqualify several signatures on more than one petition because of incomplete names and/or addresses outside the candidate’s district.  None of these errors were enough to disqualify a candidate, because every petition had extra signatures, but it’s worth keeping in mind for the future.

The deadline for write-in candidates to submit paperwork is 4:30 PM Monday, June 1.  Forms can be turned in at the UAC office or to me personally.

May 20, 2009 Tentative Agenda 6:30 Call to Order, Welcome, Roll Call

1. Approval of Minutes - Doreen Uhas Sauer Vote

2. Treasurer’s Report - Seth Golding Information Reports

1. City of Columbus Neighborhood Liaison – Isom Nivins Jr. - Information

2. Columbus Police Department – Officer Smith (tentative)- Information

3. Campus Partners – Steve Sterrett (tentative) Information  Public Comments & Announcements (3 minutes allowed per speaker) Block Party Permit Requests  

1. Magdiale Wolmark, Dragonfly NeoV, 245 King Ave -Vote  Committee Highlight Reports

1. Zoning Committee – Ron Hupman, Chair- Vote

2. Planning Committee – Doreen Uhas Sauer, Chair- Information

3. Community Relations Committee – Rimar Villasenor, Chair- Information

4. Governance Committee - David Hegley, Chair- Information

5. Code and Environment Committee, Tom Wildman- Information

6. Elections Committee, Peter O’Rourke, Chair- Information 

New Business  Adjournment - Next Meeting – June 17, 2009: 2231 N. High St. Room 100  Agenda is subject to modifications by the presiding officer and items may be taken out of order. 

Code Enforcement and Environment Committee Minutes7. May 2009 

Present: Ahmed Ebady, Seth Golding, Joyce Hughes, Pete O’Rourke, Justin Pinsker, Tom WildmanExcused: Richard Talbot 

Safety  - Updates on crime, safety summit, 645-4545, pan-handling and vagrant encampments             discussed. 

Code-Environment                                                                                                                             -          Discussed Bela’s letter concerning the Plasma Center.  No action taken at this time. 

-          Discussed Lois’s letter in detail.  An internal committee                         

-          Motion was made by Tom Wildman and seconded by Seth Golding                            to  have the C&E Committee send a letter to request Parks&Recreation  place a                              sign in the Tuttle Park Parking Lot stating “Parking for Tuttle Park use only”.                    -          Some discussion on pro’s and con’s.  Overall, commissioners                         felt a sign would give the police department the right to ticket or tow should                         someone call in a complaint. Presently, they could not.                                                                  (6)  yeas              (0)  nays                      (0)  abstencia                                                                                                                                                                                                   -          Telephone/Utility Pole Signs concern postponed till next                                                                        month. -          A motion was made by Justin Pinsker and seconded by Joyce                                                          Hughes to send a letter to Parks&Recreation to trim back a tree along the                                       OSU portion of the bike path, for safety and line of sight                                         concern. 

                               An amendment was made to have the C&E Committee to either send a                                               letter or contact verbally, both Parks&Recreation and the OSU                                                                    Maintenance Staff to trim back a tree along the OSU portion of                                                      the bike path, for safety and line of sight concern.  The                                                        amendment was accepted (6-0-0).                                                                                                                                                                                                      (6)  yeas                       (0)  nays                      (0)  abstencia                                                                                                                                                                                                                           . 

meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. 

About the University District
The University District, is a 2.8-square-mile area located two miles north of Downtown Columbus, Ohio that is home to the main campus of The Ohio State University, the Battelle Institute, and the James Cancer Center. It is generally accepted as the area bounded to the north by Clintonville at Glen Echo Ravine; to the south by the Short North at 5th Avenue; to the west by the Olentangy River and to east by the ConRail railroad tracks.
The district is Columbus’ most densely populated area and contains more than 650 businesses, human service agencies, churches, and schools.University District businesses include boutiques, mixed retail, several tattoo studios, the Landmark Gateway theater, and a diverse range of restaurants and bars. The University District is home to two ravines, a wetlands as well as several parks and other green spaces.
University District Neighborhoods
The University Area comprises many diverse neighborhoods, each with its own uniquely rich housing stock and cultural identity. There are a variety of pleasant residential neighborhoods, several historic districts as well as the off-campus core student neighborhood.
Old North Columbus is commonly referenced as the general area north of Woodruff and both east to the Conrail Railroad tracks and west to the Olentangy River Road, north to Glen Echo Ravine. The present day Old North Columbus area was once the village of North Columbus that was platted in 1842. Old North Columbus includes several smaller neighborhoods within these general boundaries including; the Iuka Ravine, Indianola Forest, Oakland & Northwood Avenue, Tuttle Park, and the Glen Echo Neighborhoods. North Columbus was home to Medary Elementary (closed in 2006), North High (closed 1970s) and the Special Education Center, all historic Columbus Public Schools.
Old North Columbus has several parks: Tuttle on the west, Glen Echo on the north, Maynard & Summit in the center, Iuka Ravine on the south/center and Indianola Middle School at the south/east corner. The neighborhood also has several churches, restaurants and other small businesses.
The southern area of the University District is home to several unique and historic neighborhoods including: The Circles, Dennison Place, NECKO and Weinland Park.
The residential neighborhood with higher concentrated rental property and student housing is located east of High Street south of 17th Avenue and north of 11th Avenue. This is often referred to as the student core neighborhood and has in the past ten years gone through considerable redevelopment and revitalization.
These are general boarders for the different residential neighborhoods
within the University District:
* University District Central, 13th to 18th Avenue (east of High Street)
* Glen Echo Historic Neighborhood (north of Hudson Street, east of Indianola Avenue)
* Indianola Forest and Iuka Ravine, Lane to Woodruff (east of High Street to N. 4th St.)
* Old North Columbus, Lane Avenue to Slate Run/Parkview Drive (Olentangy River east to the Conrail Railroad tracks)
* Weinland Park, 5th to 12th Avenue (east of High Street)
* Dennison Place, The Circles, and NECKO, 5th to 11th Avenue (west of High Street)
Websites of interest:
www.unversityareacommission.org, www.universitydistrict.org, www.necko.org Referenced from wikipedia.com

In efforts to develop and solidify the University District’s identity, UAC is currently trying to finalize a name for one of its densely populated neighborhoods.  Roughly from Woodruff to 11th Avenue and east of High to North 4th Avenue is an area that is mainly occupied by Ohio State University students.  With its reputation of housing many undergraduates as well as serving as a center for fraternity and sorority life, it may seem that a brand and identity has already been cultivated.  Surprisingly however, this neighborhood remains official unnamed.  During the Neighborhood Identity Forum held in January by the Planning Committee, some names surfaced as possibilities.  However, the commission was unable to come to an agreement.  The Community Relations Committee decided that in order to choose an appropriate name, the residents of the area must be a part of the process.  This is where you are needed! Do you live east of High Street, between Woodruff and 11th Avenue? If so, you have a unique opportunity to name your neighborhood!  Simply comment on this post and include: your suggested neighborhood name, your name, cross street of where you live, organization or school, and e-mail address.  So join the conversation!  Submit a name now!  Your name could become the official name of your neighborhood!

The University Area Commission (UAC) will be voting for passage of the University Area Neighborhood Green Guide at this Wednesday’s, March 18, 2009 meeting. The Green Guide can be downloaded here. University Area Neighborhood Green Guide

The first of its kind in the City of Columbus, this guide helps to promote sustainable living in the University District.  It is the culmination of ideas generated by the community and outlines key green projects for the neighborhood.  The planning process for the “Green Guide” was started June 2007 by the University Area Commission, who has further prioritized several projects for its own agenda to include promoting:

• Recycling for the district
• Pedestrian and bicycle safety
•  A bar glass recycling program

“The UAC Planning Committee focused on these primary goals from over two-hundred community inspired ideas,” said Doreen Uhas Sauer, the UAC planning committee chair. The Green Guide original draft was released to the public for review in April of last year for community feedback.  “The Green Guide is already working.  Projects outlined like a University District Farmers Market have already taken place,” said Elan Daniel, former planning committee chair. “There’s a lot of momentum for the Guide and the timing is perfect to get volunteers and organizations involved .”

The UAC will be voting for the Green Guide’s passage this Wednesday, 6:30pm at the Northwood High Building, 2231 N. High Street Room 100.  “Passing the Green Guide is just the first step.  Next we need to work together to achieve these goals,” said Ian MacConnell, president of the UAC.

Members of the community are encouraged to voice their opinions of the Green Guide this Wednesday.

The University Area Commission will be voting for passage of the University Area Neighborhood Green Guide at its March 18, 2009 meeting this month.
The Green Guide can be downloaded here. University Area Neighborhood Green Guide

Members of the community are encouraged to voice their opinions of the Green Guide at the next full commission meeting.

A) Find the Property Owner’s contact information.

- Search the Treasurer’s Office Property Search
If the Owner is a Business (eg ADDRESS LLC) you will need search the Secretary of State’s Business Listings for the Business Owner (possible Property Owner) or Statutory Agent (possilby their Attorney).  This can be found on the Doc Id. link.

- Search the for the Property Owner’s Phone Number

B) Call the Property Owner and politely ask them to contact their Tenant to clean up the yard.

Keep in mind that they most likely have no idea how their Tenant is living.  So keep the conversation on the Tenant’s behavior.

Ask the Property Owner to contact their tenant to clean the yard and not “commit waste” in the future.

If all goes well, they will thank you for keeping them informed.

Remember to stay calm and remember that the Property Owner may not act positively to your suggestions, that is okay you have another step.

*TIP: It is always good to take a photo and let the Property Owner that you can email it to them to see.  This will also give you another way to communicate with them.

**TIP: If the trash is aluminum cans, please let the Property Owner know that the Tenant might use “recycling” as an excuse, or that they are “helping the homeless”.  Suggest to the Property Owner that the Tenant bag the cans and place them next to their dumpster.  Someone will likely pick them up. The Tenant can even reuse grocery bags, which costs them nothing.

C) Submit a City of Columbus Online Service Request and report the litter.  A Code Enforcement Officer will follow-up with the Tenant and ask them to clean up the trash.

This can be done as a guest if you do not want to leave personal contact information. You only need the address of the property.  This can be a slow process, so I suggest this be done in combination with A & B.  You can even do this first if you don’t want to do A or B, however you will have more success if you have a positive dialog with the Property Owner.

If A, B, and C do not work, contact your University Area Commissioner and ask for a follow up with the Property Owner and City Code Enforcement. Remember to leave the Property Address, Your Name and Phone Number and or Email.  This will help us to determine your District Representative.

The Capital improvements project continues in Olde North Columbus.
Official updates will be made available here from the city.
A project overview is available here.
Traffic Information is available here.

Substantial completion is scheduled for the end of 2009.
They are scheduled to move to the east side of the street starting late spring. West side of High Street sidewalks are to be in place before they move to the east side of the street.

If your property is damaged as a result of  the construction, please report it to the City 311 Call Center immediately and inform the contractor.

The contractor is
Complete General Construction
1221 E. Fifth Ave.
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: (614) 258-9515

The official city contact for the project is
Mary Carran Webster
Assistant Director of Public Service
Office: 614-645-7263
Additional City Contacts

Financial Assistance for Small Businesses
State treasurer Richard Cordray currently has a  Grow Now Program that allows for current loan reduction rates for small businesses.
They can be reached by phone at 614-466-6546.

Businesses interested in joining the Olde North Business Association should call Ian MacConnell.

6:30 Call to Order, Welcome, Roll Call
1. Approval of Minutes - Doreen Uhas Sauer Vote
2. Treasurer’s Report - Seth Golding Information
3. Election to fill District 4 Seat Vacancy Vote

Reports
1. Columbus Police Department – Officer Chamberlin Information
2. City of Columbus Code Enforcement - Andy Baumann Information
3. Campus Partners – Steve Sterrett Information
4. City of Columbus Neighborhood Liaison - Steve Soble Information
5. City of Columbus City Attorney’s Office – Steve Dunbar Information

Presentations
1. Office of Franklin County Engineers, Jim Pike – Dodridge Ave Bridge
2. Council of Graduate Students - President Jason Marion

Public Comments & Announcements (3 minutes allowed per speaker)
1. OSU Student Concert – 12th Ave and College Dr. Vote

Committee Highlight Reports
1. Zoning Committee – Ron Hupman, Chair Vote
2. Planning Committee – Doreen Uhas Sauer, Chair Information
3. Community Relations Committee - Richard Allen, Chair Information
4. Governance Committee - David Hegley, Chair Information
5. Code and Environment Committee, Tom Wildman, Chair Information

Announcement
There is a vacancy in the Undergraduate Student appointed seat.
An email has been sent to USG president requesting a new appointment.
Adjournment - Next Meeting – November 19, 2008: 2231 N. High St Rm 100

On agenda items marked “Information” ask questions or reserve comments for
clarification only. Further discussion should be held outside of the Commission
meeting.
Agenda is subject to modifications by the presiding officer and items may be taken out of order.

District 4 Vacancy
To date the UAC has received one applicant to fill the vacant seat in District 4.
Becky Sterrett - 1320 Hunter Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
Her bio and resume were sent to the full commission for review on Friday, October 10, 2008.
Additional candidates will be considered at the full commission meeting and if they wish to bring a bio and/or similar resume, 20 copies should be printed for the commissions review.

Presentation Information
Dodridge/Ackerman Bridge - Jim Pike from the Office of Franklin County Engineers will be presenting on the proposed bridge reconstruction located west of Neil on Dodridge/Ackerman.
Council of Graduate Students Presentation - President Jason Marion will discuss the Council of Graduate Students organization and take questions.

Zoning Committee Details
322 W. 7th Ave., Height variance from 15 ft, to 21ft. for a 3-car garage replacing existing garage. Pitch of roof to match house and nearby properties.. Applicant: Thomas McIldoe & Barbara Riley
Recommendation: Approval

Demolition Requests
1211-1219 Francis Pl./Alley. Applicant: Community Properties of Ohio. Demolish due to structural
problems and the position of the property. Recommendation: Approval