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NLAC meeting 2021-09-16

Dept of Neighborhoods

Updates from De Lena P. Sacales, Neighborhood Liason.

DeLena Scales reminds chair that commission and zoning chairs must have phone numbers publicly listed on the website. And reminds them that they need to start meetings by adopting the agenda. Other reminders about how Robert's Rules of Order apply to adopting amendments.

Chair says that it's not been done that way in the past; they picked and chose which code to pick up.

Scales says that the law does not permit them to ignore Robert's rules in any part; they aren't allowed to pick and choose which rules they want. Discussion on a motion is required. "I would be happy to set up a meeting between you and the City Attorney so that you can discuss it."

Scales recommends tabling the Bylaws amendments. The City Attorney has requested that they send him amendments for review. His concerns:

Perkins: Considering we have directives from the City Attorney regarding this meeting's agenda, should we vote to adopt the agenda? And should we opt to table the amendments?

Scales: As a tradition and precedent, we've never voted to adopt the agenda. We've always had it agreed upon before the meeting. Changing to adopting the agenda is something that isn't in the meeting agenda template provided in the bylaws.

Ayres: The city attorney is telling us to do these things or risk lawsuits.

Adopting the Agenda

There is discussion of whether they need to adopt the agenda, or whether they should.

Perkins moves to adopt the agenda; Ayres seconds.

Report from City Council

TKTK Lopez

Dana Dorsey: Department of Neighborhoods.

Both locations are in South Linden: More Life program: morelifetoday.org

Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy: free fresh produce; pharmacy for people with and without insurance. 1464 Cleveland.

City Attorney

Chassidy Barham, assistant City attorney.

Serves in the Zone Initiative. Handles public nuisance abatement. She serves as the assistant city attorney for CPD Zone 4.

Filed a contempt motion recently against Beverage Warehouse for an underage sale and for a murder on the premises. They were previously under an agreement.

The City Attorney has been informed about drug sales at a property on Briarwood, and they're investigating. And reminds folks that if the public sees gun sales happening at a property, they can be referred to CPD or the Zone Initiative, to get that referred to ATF. If you see illegal activity, contact CPD or 911. CPD has non-emergency lines and a Narcotics line (TKTK). Code enforcement at 311, for code violations and retaliatory evictions and illegal dumping.

To figure out if someone has been charged, check with the Franklin County Prosecutor's office.

Ayres asks about speeding, talks about how every police department passes the buck to another, especially on Cleveland Avenue.

Lopez voices agreement.

Chair says that this has been a pattern for 30 years; look a tthe knocked-down light poles and signs. The city has put painted crossings and flashing crosswalks in more-affluent areas but none in Linden. Chair says that MORPC isn't getting reports from CPD about adults and children getting hit by cars.

Ayres talked to state rep Dontavious Jarell, (tktk) and he was willing to talk about something.

Perkins wonders who starts the process of getting something addressed.

Chair Russell says that MORPC is the planning office relevant, but they need the data from CPD.CPD needs to report these accidents to MORPC.

Barham suggests talking to Department of Public Services. She'll look into it.

Lopez mentions the Columbus Vision Zero program (TKTK) which is where the city gathers information about stuff.

Perkins says it's "worse than the freeway".

Russell says that police aren't stopping obvious speeders; they're ignoring traffic violations in Linden. It has to stop.

A resident mentions that she's called police and 311 about speeders on her street. There's a known specific car which even new neighbors are commenting on.

Barham says she doesn't know who the first person to contact about this all is.

Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeships

There's a flier. Steve Allen presented about it. Good union jobs, training over 4 years.

The bylaw amendments

Tabled, says the chair. No objections.

Committee reports

As in the agenda:

Three people have applied for the expiring non-resident seat.

Perkins nominates Jasmine Ayres to the 2022-2024 seat. Clark nominates John. Daniel nominates Luul Ahmed.

With Russell and Ayres recused, all three commissioners vote in favor of Ayres. Then there's some confusion over why the commission is continuing to vote on the nominations; Russell says that she'll be the tiebreaker between any ties. So Adjai and Clark and Perkins vote no on John Ramos and Luul Ahmend. So Jasmin Ayres is renewed for the nonresident seat.

Bylaws amendments: the election committee

Perkins moves to table the bylaws discussion, with the exception of the election committee. Seconded by Adjai, and passed.

Some revision to the proposed amendment occurs; they're going to be in compliance with the city-wide elections.

Question section

Planning meetings: Scales explains that the source of illegality was that they're not allowed to have a quorum, and they're not allowed to have business beyond the four items listed in the bylaws for planning meetings. And apparently planning meetings aren't listed in the bylaws, according to Russell? Russell says that they decided to stop holding planning meetings out of caution. Scales says that the last chair's meetings didn't have a quorum and didn't hold votes. Russell says that they had a quorum but didn't have votes. Russell says that the mistake was when they incorporated business in the planning meeting, since they had a quorum, to save time.

NLAC meeting 2021-09-16 - September 16, 2021 - Ben Keith