There’s always something happening in Clifton! Learn more about Clifton’s past, present and future through neighbors’ writings and news clippings. Have more to share? Contact the CTM Communications Committee.
News
Memorial Day Parade & Picnic – 2025

Date: Monday, May 26
Our Event Schedule
10:30 am – Congregate at McAlpin and Middleton to participate in the Parade! The Parade will be led by our Grand Marshals David and Betsy Mann. Decorated bikes, pets and humans are essential for maximum fun along the way!
11:00 am – The Parade walks north on Middleton from McAlpin, turns left on Lafayette, heading to Mt. Storm Park where we’ll convene to picnic!
12:00 Noon – Community Picnic at Mt. Storm Park, burgers and dogs available with drinks. PUPP and Petey’s Pet Stop will be donating pet bags, ACE Hardware will be passing out flags during the parade, Val Nastold will be playing Taps, Jam Band Jovi will be playing at the picnic, Celebratory Chef and Cincinnati Council Member – Mark Jeffreys will be helping grill, the CRC will be at the picnic with games and crafts for the kids, and Kyle Gibbs – Cincinnati Planner – will be hosting a table to answer questions and provide information regarding the in process Clifton Plan. Accessible Parking available at Mt. Storm lots. Others can park at Sacred Heart playfield lot. To Note: In case of rain, we’ll gather at noon for our community picnic in the Clifton Rec Center gymnasium. Pets will not be permitted if the event is moved to the Clifton Rec Center.
Volunteers make it happen! Click here to volunteer to help us with this event.
CTM will be collecting donations for Joseph House which serves veterans.

Extra food from the picnic will be donated to Last Mile Food Rescue.

CTM Monthly Meeting – May 5, 2025
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
Start | Topic | Topic Lead |
7:00 pm | Welcome/Call Meeting to Order | President Pantoja |
Roll Call/Approve Agenda/Approve minutes | Secretary Waller | |
Fire Report Police quarterly report | ||
Police quarterly report | Officer Dent, Steve Goodin | |
Clifton Library Update; Events | Jeanne Strauss de Groote | |
7:30 | CRC Report; Flyers | Brittany Havens |
Memorial Day Parade & Picnic; Flyer | Mindi Rich | |
Motion 1 on Clifton Avenue Parking | Justin Ogilby | |
7:55 | NSP Results; Projects | Barry Gee |
CTM vacancies | Pantoja | |
Clifton Plan update | Gerald Checco | |
Motion 2: Google Workspace Standing Rule | Pantoja | |
Motion 3: update Communications Responsibilities | Pantoja | |
8:33 | Committee Roll Call | President |
Community Questions/Concerns | President | |
8:50 | Adjournment | President |
MOTIONS
# | Sponsor | Description |
1 | Justin Ogilby | Move that DOTE remove peak-hour parking restriction on Clifton Ave from Ludlow to Bryant |
2 | Ben Pantoja | Modify google workspace standing rule |
3 | Ben Pantoja | Add items to Communications Committee responsibilities and guidelines document. |
Special CTM Board Meeting for NSP Vote – Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) has a May 2nd deadline to submit projects for $10,000 in funds from NSP (Neighborhood Support Program). If you attend this April 30th at 7:00 PM special Board meeting in person and if you are a resident of Clifton, you can vote on which projects receive funding. You don’t need to be a member of CTM to vote, but non-members must bring proof of residency in Clifton such as a driver’s license. Preview the meeting presentation here!
Below are projects that the CTM Board recommends because there are enough details about the projects to meet NSP requirements. Also, these projects would consume the entire maximum allocation of $10,000:
# | Project | NSP Amount |
1 | Back to School Bash | $1,000 |
2 | Memorial Day | $2,740 |
3 | Tax Preparation | $600 |
4 | Radar Upgrades | $500 |
5 | Clifton Chronicle | $560 |
6 | Clifton Plaza Shed | $2,000 |
7 | Wednesdays in the Woods | $1,000 |
8 | CliftonFest | $1,600 |
Total Recommended | $10,000 |
Below are projects that the CTM Board suggests postponing until 2026 because they don’t yet have enough budget details to meet NSP requirements. CTM has notified the proposers about the delay and are working to incorporate their ideas into different grants or existing events if possible:
# | Project | NSP Amount | Disposition |
9 | Upside Alley Refresh | $2,000 | Postpone for additional planning. Potential project in 2026 |
10 | Clifton Pride | $5,000 | Postpone for additional planning, collaboration with other existing events Potential project in 2026 |
Total recommended to be postponed 2025 | $7,000 |
Details on the projects listed above are shown below:
1. Back to School Bash
a. Proposer: Clifton Recreation Center
b. Amount requested: $1000
c. Total cost of project: $3500
d. Description: Hosted by Clifton Recreation Center, Clifton Area Neighborhood School & Fairview German Language School This event is to kick off an amazing school year with our 3rd Annual Back to School Bash! This free, family-friendly event is open to everyone and is all about bringing the community together for a day filled with fun, excitement, and connection. We’re planning to make this year bigger and better than ever — packed with activities, games, and entertainment to keep the whole community engaged from start to finish.
e. Issues: None
f. Note: Event already organized in the last two years, very successful
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
2. Memorial Day Picnic and Parade
a. Proposer: Mindi Rich
b. Amount requested: $2740
c. Total cost of project: $6000
d. Description: The Memorial Day Parade and Picnic is the biggest event organized by Clifton Community Council. It starts with a parade, commencing at Middleton and McAlpin and ending at Mt. Storm. The picnic is at Mt. Strom and includes food, band and activities organized by various local groups. This year, the City Department of Planning will be present to seek public input on the Clifton Plan.
e. Issues: None
f. Note: Traditional CTM event, always successful, big opportunity for community engagement, especially for the Plan
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
3. Tax Preparation
a. Proposer: Tim Noonan
b. Amount requested: $600
c. Total cost of project: $700
d. Description: These funds will be used to partially pay the expenses of filing taxes
e. Issues: None
f. Note: Help CTM pay for administrative expenses
g. Expenses well defined: Yes
4. Radar Sign Revival
a. Proposer: Justin Ogilby
b. Amount requested: $500
c. Total cost of project: $500
d. Description: Repair and replacement parts for Clifton’s radar speed sign
e. Issues: None
f. Note: The radar was purchased few years ago using NSP funds. Needs some fixing. Important as CTM is looking for better data to understand traffic
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
5. Clifton Chronicle
a. Proposer: Jan Checco
b. Amount requested: $540
c. Total cost of project: $4000
d. Description: Help pay for one quarterly publication
e. Issues: None
f. Note: None
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
6. Repairs Shed at Clifton Plaza
a. Proposer: Jan Checco
b. Amount requested: $2000
c. Total cost of project: $5000
d. Description: The shed at Clifton Plaza is served to store tools and equipment to operate the Plaza. The Plaza is joint ownership of CTM and CBA. After 20+ years, the shed has become rotten and needs some repairs. Labor will be sought in the community and additional funding by CBA and CCF
e. Issues: None
f. Note: Important storage place for community events
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
7. Wednesday in the Woods
a. Proposer: Leslie Mooney, CCAC
b. Amount requested: $1000
c. Total cost of project: $5000
d. Description: Wednesdays in the Woods have become an annual tradition. Bands are hired to perform at the Burnet Woods Bandstand, mobile vendors are invited and the CCAC animates with special activities, including some by other organizations, targeting children.
e. Issues: None
f. Note: traditional community events welcoming people from Clifton, CUF and Corryville
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
8. CliftonFest
a. Proposer: Leslie Mooney, CCAC
b. Amount requested: $1600
c. Total cost of project: $40000
d. Description: After a hiatus provoked by COVID, the street festival will return in Mid-September.
e. Issues: None
f. Note: traditional community events welcoming people from Clifton, CUF and Corryville
g. Expenses Well Defined: Yes
9. Upside Brew Alley Refresh
a. Proposer: Christine Pantoja
b. Amount requested: $2000
c. Total cost of project: $2000
d. Description: For alley on East side of Upside Brew, add lights and brightly painted mural to increase safety when using alley to walk between Ludlow and the Merchants lot.
e. Issues: Concept at an early stage, needs more definition, agreement of property owner needed, collaboration of CBA. Would need a design to understand the scope and quotes from contractors. Private property, owner not contacted. NSP usually not granted for private property improvement.
f. Note: Recommending that project planning happens in 2025 for potential request in 2026. Not ready for 2025.
g. Expenses Well Defined: No
10. Clifton Pride Celebration and Clean up
a. Proposer: Kathy Kalafut
b. Amount requested: $5000
c. Total cost of project: $unknown
d. Description: I think it would be a lot of fun and helpful to Clifton if we had a community event with all our wonderful resources present. We could present ideas for the community (bike lanes, beautification), as well as have a variety of activities to enhance the pride and inclusivity of Clifton! We could have a trash collection portion, a ‘take back the streets’ bike ride..vendors at the Clifton Plaza, stops at the Arts and Rec Center. Let’s bring some pride and fun to Clifton for ALL residents.
e. Issues: Concept at an early stage, needs more definition, could be part of existing event like CliftonFest or Memorial Day Parade and Picnic
g. Expenses Well Defined: No
- Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) will host an additional board meeting on April 30, 2025 at 7:00PM at the Clifton Recreation Center
- Vote will happen after discussion.
- You can vote if you are a Clifton Resident.
- All non CTM Members will need to provide proof of residency in Clifton to vote (ID or addressed mail are sufficient!)
CTM Monthly Meeting – April 7, 2025
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
Start | Topic | Topic Lead |
7:00PM | Welcome | Ben Pantoja |
Roll Call/ Approve prior month’s minutes | Owen Waller | |
Fire Report | CFD | |
Clifton Library (10th Anniversary) | Jeanne Strauss de Groote | |
CRC Report | Brittany Havens | |
7:25 | Bike Lane update, Motion 1 | Justin Ogilby |
7:45 | Motion 2 on beneficiary for Golf Outing and designation of Friend of Clifton | John Whedon |
NSP (Neighborhood Support Program) update | Barry Gee | |
Motion on Clifton Chronicle Motion 3 | Jan Checco | |
8:00 | Clifton Plan update | Gerald Checco |
Clifton Boundaries, Motion 4 and Motion 5 | Ben Pantoja | |
Committee updates | Owen Waller | |
8:45 | Community Questions/Concerns | Ben Pantoja |
8:50 | Adjournment – Next Meeting 5/5/2025 | Ben Pantoja |
Motions
CTM Special Meeting – March 17, 2025 – Bike Lanes
Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 17 regarding extension of the Clifton Avenue bicycle lanes from Ludlow Avenue to Bryant Avenue. This extension would provide a means by which riders could travel safely from most of Clifton to the existing bicycle lanes that extend from Ludlow to the University of Cincinnati. The meeting will be held from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Clifton Recreation Center.
The bike lane extension was a recommendation from the City of Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) to slow down traffic and improve safety at the Clifton and Ludlow intersection. Traffic slows down because one lane of traffic is replaced with a bike lane. In June of 2024, CTM voted to allow the City to proceed with a bike lane from Ludlow to Bryant. The special meeting will provide additional background and will explain diagrams of two options that are being considered. These options are not “ready for construction”. They are concepts with some detail for discussion.
Option 1 “Telford option” – Northbound bike lane on Clifton, Southbound on Telford
Option 2 “2 way option” – 2 way bike lane on Clifton Ave
Photos of Option 1:



Photos of Option 2:

