CTM appoints new trustee, elects officers, establishes committees and committee chairs

Clifton Town meeting trustees appointed Mindi Rich to fill a board vacancy during its monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Rich fills a seat that remained open after a community member elected in November 2023 resigned before his term began. The one-year appointment will end in December 2024.

Prior to being appointed, Rich shared the following candidate’s statement:

My family returned to Clifton in the summer of 2022. My husband, three daughters and I are thrilled to be back in this wonderful gem of a neighborhood! I have always enjoyed keeping busy by volunteering within the community in one way or another. For several years I assisted in coordinating the Clifton Child Study Group – something I am still very active in today. I have also assisted in organizing CliftonFest in past years – creating a space to raise funds for the Clifton Area Neighborhood School and The Amazing Race. In 2017, I worked with the City of Cincinnati and DOTE to have a crosswalk installed at the intersection of Glenmary and Brookline. In 2022, I once again reached out to the community to request its support in having a 3 Way Stop installed within that very same intersection. Thanks to the support of CTM and the Transportation/Public Safety Committee and to the efforts of DOTE – the 3 Way Stop has been installed – enabling pedestrians and motorists alike to have a safer experience while traveling through this intersection. Needless to say – I am a doer. I enjoy working with others and helping create a community and neighborhood that is welcoming, inclusive and safe for all. With all this said, I would truly appreciate the opportunity to serve as a Clifton Town Meeting Trustee.

New officers elected by CTM trustees

The CTM board selected the following trustees to serve on the executive committee:

  • Steve Goodin, President
  • Mindi Rich, Vice President 1
  • Nick Gregg, Vice President 2
  • Gerald Checco, Treasurer
  • Barry Gee, Secretary

Existing committees continue, new committees created, chairs selected

After hearing community feedback about the proposed elimination of CTM’s Housing and Zoning Committee as well as its Parks Committee, trustees sustained both.

The Housing and Zoning Committee will continue and those interested in volunteering on the committee should reach out to CTM by emailing the new committee chair, Rachel Wells, at rachel_wells@cliftoncommunity.org.

The Parks Committee will re-evaluate its status following additional outreach to further assess interest in committee participation or, in lieu of a CTM committee, the role of a CTM liaison to the Cincinnati Parks sanctioned Burnet Woods and Mt. Storm/Dunore Park parks advisory committees. If you have an opinion or wish to volunteer to serve on a CTM Parks Committee, email committee chair Rachel Wells at rachel_wells@cliftoncommunity.org.

The CTM Board of Trustees also created several new committees and selected chairs and co-chairs for each new and continuing committee. If you are interested in volunteering with any of the committees, please email contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

CommitteeChair
Public SafetyTim Noonan
Arts & CultureJoyce Rich
Caretaking & BeautificationJayme Ritter (Chair)
Nestor Melnyk, Gerald Checco, Jan Checco (Co-Chairs)
ChronicleJan Checco (Chair)
Leah Kottyan, Mindi Rich (Co-Chairs)
CommunicationFD Harper (Chair)
EventsBarry Gee (Chair)
Leah Kottyan, Jan Checco, Gerald Checco (Co-Chairs)
FinanceGerald Checco (Chair)
Tim Noonan (Co-Chair)
GovernanceNick Gregg
Housing & ZoningRachel Wells
Membership & NominatingTim Noonan
ParksRachel Wells
TransportationJustin Ogilby
Neighborhood Support ProgramGerald Checco
Welcome & ConnectMindi Rich (Chair)
Gerald Checco, FD Harper, Nestor Melnyk (Co-Chairs)
Clifton SoccerMindi Rich
Clifton BoundariesMary Pat Lienhart

New liaisons were also selected:

Organization or InitiativeLiaison
Uptown ConsortiumSteve Goodin
Invest in NeighborhoodsGerald Checco
Clifton Community FundGerald Checco
Clifton Business AssociationJan Checco and Genet Singh
Neighborhoods of UptownRachel Wells
Golf OutingJohn Whedon

A liaison role to TriHealth was eliminated.

CTM Board of Trustees meet in hybrid meeting on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/tao-fyqq-sxn

TimeTopicLead
7 p.m.Welcome2023 Pres. Checco
7:01Roll Call, Approval of December Minutes2023 Sec. Gee
7:03Filling a vacant position
Candidate Statement
2023 Sec. Gee
7:07Election of Executive Board Members for 20242023 VP Melnyk
7:12Changes in committees and liaisons – Motion 12024 President
7:17Committee chairs and board liaisons – Motion 22024 President
7:29Treasurer’s Report
Proposed 2024 Budget*
*budget to be approved in February
2024 Treasurer
7:32Dates of 2024 Meetings – Motion 32024 President
7:34Police ReportOfficer Dent
7:44Fire Report
7:49Clifton Recreation Center ReportDirector Fitzpatrick
7:55Clifton Library ReportDirector Strauss de Groote
8NSP (Neighborhood Support Program) DiscussionNSP Coordinator
8:05Health Navigator – MedicaidJanay Howard
8:20Committees Roll Call2024 President
8:30Community Questions and Concerns2024 President
8:36Adjournment2024 President
Next Meeting – Feb. 5, 2024
Motion #SponsorDescription
1PresidentApprove list of Committees and Liaisons for 2024
2PresidentApprove Committee Chairs and Liaisons to various organizations
3PresidentApprove dates of 2024 meeting of CTM board

CTM appoints new trustee to one of two open seats

Clifton Town Meeting trustees appointed Steve Goodin to fill one of two vacancies on the CTM Board of Trustees during its monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. He fills a seat opened when Michael Roller resigned in October 2023. The one-year appointed term will end in December 2024.

Prior to being election, Goodin shared the following candidate’s statement:

I’m very interested in serving as a trustee if the interest is mutual by the other members. I’ve led a life of civic involvement, from Peace Corps and Army service as a young man to my time as an appointed member of City Council in 2020 and 2021. I continue to serve as the City’s representative on the Regional Planning Commission and was recently appointed to serve on the Urban Forestry Board. My nonprofit experience is also substantial (and hopefully substantive). It includes chairing the boards of the Center for Addiction Treatment and the River City Correctional Facility, and my current service on the King Records Legacy Foundation Board and the USO board. My legal background includes a significant amount of municipal representation, including work on public recourse and open meetings matters. This knowledge base will hopefully be additive to the Town Meeting. I would be honored to be considered for the open position. Thank you for your consideration.

Trustees are expected to make an appointment to another open seat in January 2024. The additional open seat was created when Josh Lea withdrew due to eligibility concerns after being elected in November 2023.

CTM Board of Trustees will meet in a hybrid meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

TimeTopicLead
7 p.m.Welcome – Announcement Trustees – Roll CallPres. Checco, Sec. Gee
7:01Approval of November minutesSec. Gee
7:02Election of trustee to replace Mike Roller (trustees vote)
Candidates
Pres. Checco
7:07Treasurer ReportTreas. Noonan
7:09Amendment to NSP allocationTreas. Noonan
7:12Police ReportOfficer Dent
7:27Fire House Report
7:37Clifton Recreation Center ReportDirector Fitzpatrick
7:47Clifton Branch Library ReportDirector Strauss DeGrout
7:57Clifton House Tour PresentationAaron Weiner
8:02Committee updates/reportsVarious
8:17Community questions and concerns
8:22Thanksgivings
8:37Meeting Announcements
– 12/11/2023 – Second Board Orientation – Location TBD
– 12/18/2023 – Third Board Orientation – Location TBD
– 1/8/2024 – Next Board Meeting – Clifton Recreation Center, Virtual

CTM Board of Trustees will meet in a hybrid meeting on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Prior to meeting, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., in-person voting for trustees will take place

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/tao-fyqq-sxn

Start TimeTopicTopic Lead
6 – 7 p.m.CTM Trustees Election (in-person only)CTM Members Vote
7:01 p.m.Welcome – Announcement Trustees – Roll CallPres. Checco, Sec. Gee
7:02Approval of October minutesSec. Gee
7:03Treasurer Report/Bi-Annual ReviewTreas. Noonan
7:05Introduction of ballot initiative – open voteVP Lienhart
Ballot initiative vote open from 7:07 to 7:22 p.m.
7:07Police reportOfficer Dent
7:22Announce end of voting on ballot initiative
7:22Introduction of proposed bylaw amendmentsVP Lienhart
Vote on bylaws from 7:25 to 8 p.m.
7:25Fire house report
7:35Clifton Recreation Center reportDirector Fitzpatrick
7:45Clifton Branch Library reportDirector Strauss DeGrout
7:55Chronicle reportTrustee Checco
8:00Announce end of vote on bylaws
8:00Clifton Area Neighborhood Schools (CANS) reportsJulia Bonfield
8:05Clifton Cultural Arts Center updatesLeslie Mooney, Mark McKillip
8:20Other committee updates/reportsVarious trustees
8:35Community questions and concerns
8:40Meeting Announcements – Locations TBD
– 11/13/2023 – First Board Orientation
– 11/20/2023 – Second Board Orientation
– 12/11/2023 – Third Board Orientation
Next Board Meeting
– 12/4/2023 – Clifton Recreation Center/Hybrid
Pres. Checco
8:50AdjournmentPres. Checco

Voting Considerations & Procedures: Our confusing bylaws concerning elections and votes, coupled with an interest to provide electronic options, and potential conflicts between bylaws and City of Cincinnati Ordinance 220-1989, have led CTM Executive Committee to create this outline.