Kevin Marsh Announcements, News

CTM Achievements 2020 – 2023

We thank the many volunteers who have worked with CTM over the years to make our community a better place. We always seek more volunteers to continue and support the efforts made by others.

CliftonCares established during Pandemic

  • Supported local restaurants during pandemic
  • Supported Health Care Workers with 2000 + free meals during pandemic
  • Leadership in Crisis award received
  • Successful fundraising to increase Police presence

Created Clifton Connect with Library and partners to welcome immigrants

  • Focused on newly-arrived immigrants
  • Seven orientation programs
  • Reached out to 50+ Clifton households

Memorial Day Parade & Picnic

  • Revived after pandemic
  • Served 300 – 400 individuals
  • Self-supporting thanks to sponsors

Holidays on Ludlow

  • Revived after pandemic
  • Collaboration with Clifton Business Association and local businesses
  • 150+ attendance annually

Applied/ Obtained/ Managed multiple grants

  • Enhancement of Clifton Plaza ($25k)
  • Security Cameras installed on Ludlow ($20k)
  • Concerts & Events ($10k)

Opened Neighborhood Support Program application process to include:

  • Manifest
  • Clifton Cultural Arts Center
  • Clifton Business Association
  • Clifton Recreation Center
  • Clifton Town Meeting
  • Individual residents

Produced Clifton Chronicle newsletter

  • Over 50 Content Contributors
  • Over 25 Advertisers
  • 10,000 recipients of electronic paper
  • 4,000 recipients of paper newsletter
  • Eliminated waste by improved distribution

Continued Support of “Off Ludlow Gallery” on Ormond Av

  • About 20 shows
  • Holiday Gallery Gifts shows
  • City-wide draw

Zoning changes/ supported local initiatives

  • Alive & Well sidewalk decking
  • Clifton Cultural Arts Center construction phases
  • Immanuel Church renovation

Membership Maintenance

  • Cleanup of membership rolls
  • Maintenance of membership roll
  • Updated organizational mailing lists

Beautification and Caretaking

  • Replanted street flowerpots x 400
  • Eliminated 1000 graffiti tags
  • Eliminated a dozen abandoned street news boxes
  • Collected 800+ bags of litter
  • Beautified Telford Plaza
  • Beautified Clifton Plaza
  • Pressure washing of sidewalks (4x)
  • Beautification award (Keep Cinti Beautiful)
  • Multiple cleaning of Ludlow Avenue
  • Several litter pickups on North Clifton Avenue, Dixmyth, Lafayette

Traffic Safety

  • Enhanced safety in a dozen Clifton locations
  • Addition of speed bumps and signage
  • Addition of several 4-way stops

Golf Outing Production Support in 2020, 2021, 2022

Advocacy

  • Welcomed City Council meetings x2
  • Worked with CPD on crime prevention
  • Cooperation with CBA and local merchants for public safety
  • “Burnet Commons” ad hoc committee convenes residents for discussions

Support of other local civic organizations

  • Clifton Community Fund (CCF) as their fiscal agent
  • Clifton Business Association (CBA) as their fiscal agent
  • Clifton Soccer as their fiscal agent

Transparency/ Engagement

  • Enhanced Email communication
  • Introduced hybrid meetings
  • All motions for Trustee voting provided to all before meetings
  • Easy sign-up for speaking at meetings
  • Easy way path to membership
  • Link to our calendar
  • Dozens of surveys sent for input

Calendar of Committee Meetings and Events

  • Most meetings are in the website calendar
  • Easy participation for all

External Communications

  • Good Samaritan Hospital
  • Metro Bus
  • Local Churches
  • Local Charities
  • Schools

Bylaws reviews

  • Deep dives into the bylaws by Trustees
  • Identification of multiple inconsistencies
  • Identification of multiple outdated items
  • Proposal of improvements for operation
Rachel Wells Announcements, Events, News

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.

Rachel Wells Announcements, News

Nov. 6 CTM Membership Votes to Shape Community Council’s Future

On Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, members of Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) will be asked to vote for new five trustees, on a special petition measure determining eligibility and on 14 proposed bylaws amendments. Due to different requirements for each set of questions, there are different procedures and different timing for each vote. 

Elect five CTM trustees – In-person only, 6-7 p.m.

Five candidates are running for five open seats on the CTM Board of Trustees. All candidates are eligible for three-year terms. Learn more about each candidate here.

This election will take place in-person ONLY from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2023, at the Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue. You must be a current member of CTM to vote for trustees. Join CTM or renew your membership in advance online by Nov. 3 or in-person Nov. 6 at the CRC at 6 p.m.

Determine voting eligibility of non-residents – In-person or online, 7 p.m.

Per Article IV, Section 10 of CTM’s present Bylaws, as required by City Ordinance 220-1989, a group of five CTM members can ask for a special vote to determine whether non-resident CTM members (i.e. property or business owners who do not live in Clifton) will be eligible to vote on CTM issues or hold office as a CTM trustee. As a result of petitions received on Oct. 2, 2023, CTM will hold a vote on the below ballot question during the annual CTM membership meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2023.

Ballot Question: “Shall CTM Members that are not neighborhood residents (such as non-resident business owners and property owners) be eligible to vote or hold office in CTM?”

Currently, non-resident business and property owners are allowed to vote on CTM issues but are not allowed to hold office as a CTM trustee. If a majority of residents vote “Yes” on this question, nonresidents will be allowed to vote and, if CTM’s bylaws also change in a subsequent vote, will be allowed to hold office on CTM. If a majority of residents vote “No” on this question, nonresidents will NOT be allowed to vote nor will they be allowed to hold office.

Non-resident business owners or property owners are not eligible to vote in this special vote. This vote must take place within the board meeting, starting at 7 p.m., on November 6, 2023. You must attend the meeting to vote either in person or under GoogleMeet Poll ballot (see below “GoogleMeet Poll Voting”).

Accept or reject CTM bylaw changes – In-person or online, 7 p.m.

In September 2023, the CTM Board of Trustees voted 8-3 to take 14 proposed bylaws amendments to CTM’s full membership for consideration. The CTM Board of Trustees did not endorse or otherwise take a position on the proposals.

The amendments were proposed by CTM’s Governance Committee during the September board meeting. The committee recommended adoption and said the proposed amendments would simplify, clarify, add flexibility to the bylaws while also requiring board members’ active participation and bringing consistency with Ohio revised code.

In the October meeting, a former Governance Committee chairperson submitted to the record an alternative perspective, recommending against adoption. He said the proposed amendments would shift power to a less representative group of people and away from residents and reduce transparency, accountability and engagement.

Each proposed amendment will be voted on separately. For each one to pass, two-thirds of the membership must approve.

This vote must take place within the board meeting on Nov. 6, 2023. You must attend the meeting to vote either in person or under GoogleMeet Poll  ballot (see below “GoogleMeet Poll Voting”).

GoogleMeet Poll Voting
Per CTM’s present bylaws, electronic voting will happen at the same time as in-person voting only for the eligibility and bylaws votes.  Individuals attending the meeting remotely will be given the ability to vote using a GoogleMeet Poll link. People will also have the opportunity to vote in-person at Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

All voting must be done by CTM Members in good standing. For in-person voting, individuals that are not CTM Members can purchase a membership just before voting.

Electronic voting (GoogleMeet Poll) will only be counted for members in good standing as of Nov. 3, 2023. Join or renew your membership to CTM online by Nov. 3.

Because membership will have to be verified, CTM does not expect results of the votes on eligibility or bylaws during the meeting.

Rachel Wells Announcements, Events, News

CTM Board of Trustees will meet in a hybrid meeting on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Early 6:30 p.m. start will feature candidates and election issues; regular CTM meeting to follow

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
6:30 p.m.Welcome and Roll CallPres. Gerald Checco, Secretary Gee
Candidate/Issue Night
3 minutes per speaker,
2 minutes each for questions		SpeakerTopic
6:30
6:35
6:40		Todd Zinser
David Mann
Kevin Flynn		Sale of Rail
6:45Thane MaynardZoo
6:50Jeanne Strauss DeGroutLibrary
6:55
7 p.m.		Bryan Cannon
Eve Bolton		Board of Education
7:05
7:10
7:15
7:20
7:25
7:30
7:35		Jan Michelle Kearney
Reggie Harris
Jeff Cramerding
Seth Walsh
Anna Albi
Mark Jeffreys
Victoria Parks		City Council
7:40Break
7:45Approval of August and September CTM minutesSecretary Gee
7:47Treasurer Report, Bi-Annual ReviewTreas. Noonan
7:50Police ReportOfficer Dent
8:05Fire Report
8:10Clifton Recreation Center ReportDirector Fitzpatrick
8:15Clifton Branch Library ReportDirector Strauss DeGrout
8:20Chronicle ReportTrustee Jan Brown Checco
8:25Clifton Area Neighborhood Schools (CANS) ReportJulia Bonfield
8:30Bylaws Discussion
– Clarification of bylaws, language consistency (items B, C, D, E, I, G)
– Board Representation (items A, F, K, M)
– Board flexibility, accountability (items H, L, J, N)
-CTM Member (non-board) proposal (item O)		Trustees Lienhart and Gregg
9 p.m.Report AdHoc Unhoused in Burnet Woods CommitteePeter Block
9:05Other Committee Updates and ReportsVarious
9:10Community Questions/Concerns
9:15Adjournment
– 11/6/2023 at 6 p.m. – Elections
– 11/6/2023 at 7 p.m. – Meeting		Pres. Checco

Reference Documents

Current CTM Bylaws

2023 Proposed Changes to CTM Bylaws

Kevin Marsh Announcements, News

CTM Board of Trustees will meet in a hybrid meeting on Monday, Sep 11, 2023 at 7 pm

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

Hybrid meeting

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

StartTimeTopicTopic Lead
7:000WelcomePresident Gerald Checco
7:001Moment of silence in remembrance of 9-11 
7:012Roll Call/ Appr.  August meeting minutesSecretary Barry
7:0310Presentation Strategies to End HomelessnessKevin Finn, CEO SEH
7:132Treasurer ReportTreasurer Tim
7:1515Police ReportP.O. Shawn Dent
7:3010Fire House Report 
7:405CRC ReportCollin Fitzpatrick
7:4510Clifton LibraryJeanne Strauss de Groote
7:555Neighborhood School CANS Report – Back to School – Food Pantry updateJulia Bonfield
8:005Update Diggs Plaza ad hoc committeeGerald
    
8:0530Bylaws Report Motion 2Mary Pat & Nick
8:3510Description of Boundaries Motion 3Mary Pat
8:455Elections – ReportGerald
8:505Letter for approval: Request about recurring encampment at Burnet Woods follow up Motion 4President Gerald Checco
8:555Transportation Comm. Report & Motion 1Justin Ogilby
9:005Community Questions/ConcernsPresident
9:055Thanks- Giving 
9:10 Adjournment – Next meeting 10/2/23 at 6:30 PM – Candidates nightPresident

MOTIONS

#Sponsor 
1TransportationTo allow the Transportation Committee to apply on behalf of CTM for a study grant concerning Clifton Avenue, grantor being KCB
2BylawsTo put the changes of bylaws for a vote of the membership in November
3BylawsTo create a boundaries committee, including members of neighboring community councils to review, northeast and south boundaries of Clifton to reconcile description in bylaws and City recognized neighborhoods.
Letters
4PresidentEncampment in Burnet Woods – Follow up