Archives for May 2020

Restoration of Joyuese Rencortre in Jeffrey Mansion

by

The Bexley Community Foundation recently awarded the Bexley Recreation and Parks Department a grant to restore the badly damaged Italian Marble Sculpture, Joyuese Rencontre (aka Little Boy & Turtle) to its original beauty after decades of hands-on admiration. Columbus Art Memorial, a trusted local memorial and art restoration company, will be repairing and bringing new life back to this landmark piece. 

This Bexley Community Foundation grant will add to the monies raised earlier through a community, grassroots fundraiser in 2018 and the sale of Jeffrey Woods Calendars in 2019. Joyeuse Rencontre was created in Paris, France in 1912 by internationally recognized, Columbus eastside artist Mary (May) Elizabeth Cook, and eventually donated to the City of Bexley in the 50s.

On behalf of the Recreation Department, a sincere thanks to the amazing Bexley Community Foundation whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for our community by investing in initiatives that make a positive impact and also to those donors who supported this project and helped make it a reality. Thank you!

Basement Flood Form

by

Twice this spring, central Ohio has experienced flood events with excess rain in a 24 hour period. When this occurs, central Ohio’s waterways have surged above their banks and there is nowhere for storm systems to drain to. Additionally, sanitary systems become overwhelmed by water from illegal drain and gutter hookups. Bexley’s sanitary system is tied into Columbus’, and when Bexley systems back up it is due to backups down the line. We are tracking basement flooding events in order to provide better service to you and analyze priority areas for any system improvements. Please fill out the basement flood form if you have experienced flooding in your basement.

EDIT May 20: If you have damaged goods or materials, you can set them where you normally would for trash pick up, and they will be collected on Tuesday, May 26th. There will be no trash pickup on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. 

Flooding Q&A

1. Why is this flooding happening?
There are two primary reasons that we have experienced two floods since March 20th. The first is due to our storm sewer system, which feeds into Alum Creek. The creek has reached a dangerously high level, therefore blocking any outflow drainage that could occur. The second issue we have is with the sanitary sewer system. We are connected to Columbus’s sewer system on all sides of Bexley, and the water that’s flooding the entire central Ohio region is draining into that same system. This water has no where to go.

2. What is the City doing about this long-term?
The City of Bexley is in the middle of a multi-million dollar sewer system upgrade project that has been going on for over a decade. This has included increases in storm sewer capacity, and relining and upgrading sanitary systems. Upgrades to our own system are still not able to handle the surge that has occurred in these two major flooding events, due to backups occurring in the Columbus system that we are connected to and serviced by. Bexley’s Administration is bringing a proposal to City Council to help fund sanitary sewer backflow prevention devices for properties that have experienced multiple flooding events. 

3. What can I do?
If your basement has already flooded, clear the area of any items touching the basement floor. As water levels in the sewer system drain, the water in your basement will drain with it. If your basement has not flooded, but is prone to flooding, we recommend clearing that area ASAP. If you have experienced flooding in your basement, please fill out our Flood Report Form.

4. Can I use water?
It’s best if you avoid flushing toilets, running the dishwasher, or taking a shower for the time being. All of that water will drain into the same system that is already flooded. However, the water is safe to drink.

A Message from Bexley’s COVID-19 Task Force

by

With the State of Ohio business closures and restrictions being relaxed, the public health experts on Bexley’s COVID-19 Task Force recommend focusing on the following “back to basics” practices:

  • Don’t Let Your Guard Down – Keep wearing your face covering in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor environments.  Masks provide key protection against inadvertently spreading the disease.  If you don’t have a mask, see the article below!
  • Wash Your Hands Frequently – you know the drill; soap and lather for 20 seconds
  • Monitor your symptoms – we still recommend daily temperature checks and awareness of prevalent symptoms
  • When To Stay Home – Individuals with symptoms should stay at home and self-quarantine until cleared by a medical professional.  High risk individuals should continue to avoid public spaces and practice extreme social distancing measures.

Spring 2020 Flooding Update and Q&A

by

For the second time this spring, some residents in Bexley have had flooded basements. We are tracking basement flooding events in order to provide better service to you and analyze priority areas for system improvements. Please fill out the Basement Flood Form (link) if you have experienced flooding in your basement.

1. Why is this flooding happening?
There are two primary reasons that we have experienced two floods since March 20th. The first is due to our storm sewer system, which feeds into Alum Creek. The creek has reached a dangerously high level, therefore blocking any outflow drainage that could occur. The second issue we have is with the sanitary sewer system. We are connected to Columbus’s sewer system on all sides of Bexley, and the water that’s flooding the entire central Ohio region is draining into that same system. This water has no where to go.

2. What is the City doing about this long-term?
The City of Bexley is in the middle of a multi-million dollar sewer system upgrade project that has been going on for over a decade. This has included increases in storm sewer capacity, and relining and upgrading sanitary systems. Upgrades to our own system are still not able to handle the surge that has occurred in these two major flooding events, due to backups occurring in the Columbus system that we are connected to and serviced by. Bexley’s Administration is bringing a proposal to City Council to help fund sanitary sewer backflow prevention devices for properties that have experienced multiple flooding events. 

3. What can I do?
If your basement has already flooded, clear the area of any items touching the basement floor. As water levels in the sewer system drain, the water in your basement will drain with it. If your basement has not flooded, but is prone to flooding, we recommend clearing that area ASAP. If you have experienced flooding in your basement, please fill out our Flood Report Form.

4. Can I use water?
It’s best if you avoid flushing toilets, running the dishwasher, or taking a shower for the time being. All of that water will drain into the same system that is already flooded. However, the water is safe to drink.

“Reverse Parade” Along Drexel to Honor BHS Class of 2020

by

Sunday, May 24th from 12:00 – 12:30 pm

On Sunday, May 24, 2020 from 12:00 – 12:30 pm, the City of Bexley and the Bexley High School PTO will be hosting a “reverse parade” for the graduating class of 2020. We will have each student safely distanced apart from one another along Drexel Avenue, between Main and Broad. Traffic will be one way only, heading north, and vehicles and bikes can continuously drive/bike down Drexel to wave and congratulate these bright and resilient students. Please note that while members of the graduate’s household may join their graduates at assigned stations, there is to be no social gathering around this event and the sidewalks will be closed to pedestrians during the event.  Join us in this big, safe celebration of our graduates on this very special day!

Modified Bexley Farmers’ Market & Safety Guidelines

by

The Bexley Farmers Market is set to open its 10th season on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm in a new – but temporary – location to accommodate for social distancing and other mitigation efforts as a result of COVID-19. This location, and the operational changes and rules, will be in effect through July 31.

The Bexley Farmers Market will temporarily relocate to the S2 parking lot on Capital University’s campus. Adjacent parking is available in the S3 lot – both labeled on this map. Both lots are located on Pleasant Ridge Avenue near the intersection with Astor Avenue.

If you choose to visit the Bexley Farmers Market, the market asks you to follow these strict, preventive measures to keep yourself, your farmers and food producers, and your community safe:

  • If you feel ill or at all unwell, do not attend the market.
  • Maintain the recommended 6’ social distancing from one another while at the market.
  • Wear a cloth face covering as recommended by CDC guidelines.
  • 4:00 – 4:30 pm is reserved for vulnerable populations including seniors and immunocompromised.
  • During this time, the market encourages limited use of reusable grocery bags due to uncertainty surrounding surface contamination and life span of the virus. We recommend using plastic, disposable bags during COVID-19.
  • Send only one member from each household to the market in order to curtail crowds.
  • Recognize that the market is attempting to limit the number of people in the market space at one time. While you wait for entry, be respectful and allow for safe distancing between you and other customers.
  • When possible, pre-order directly from farmers and food producers to limit the need to exchange currency onsite.
  • No pets in the marketplace at this time.
  • Do not linger or socialize. Purchase what you need and return to your home.
  • Do not touch any products. When you have identified the product(s) you want to purchase, ask the farmer or food producer to collect and package the goods for you.

During COVID-19, the Bexley Farmers Market will look a little different. As part of our quest to be a food source for our community, we have also implemented the following changes, including, but not limited to:

  • Limiting the sale of food to whole, uncut produce and packaged food items.
  • No on-site food preparation or ready-to-eat foods.
  • No sampling of any food is permitted.
  • Limiting crowds by staggering entry to provide for social distancing of customers.
  • Requiring space between vendor stands of at least 6 feet.
  • Providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for customers to use prior to entering market space and when exiting.
  • Canceling all extracurricular activities including music, children’s activities, cooking demos, etc.
  • Grouping like items together (ie. all produce, all bread and baked goods, etc.) to reduce the amount of time searching the market for particular products.
  • Recommending using gloves appropriately as an additional tool.
  • Discontinuing use of tablecloths and other porous materials such as baskets, pulp fiber fruit and vegetable containers.

The Bexley Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm starting May 21, 2020. During COVID-19 procedures, the market will reserve the 4:00 – 4:30 pm time for vulnerable populations including seniors and immunocompromised. More information regarding order ahead and on-site order pickup will be released in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Statement Regarding Protestors on Residential Sidewalks

by

In light of the active social media discussion around a protest that occurred this weekend in Bexley, and the possibility of more protests to come, I wanted to share how the City is closely engaged and is doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our residents and our community. 

Protesting in front of the home of an appointed civil servant is, in my opinion, an invasion of privacy and an abhorrent use of first amendment rights. Nonetheless, as long as it is conducted peacefully it is protected free speech, and attempts to limit the right of protest on public sidewalks in front of homes have been consistently struck down by the courts. Upper Arlington, for example, had a law to this effect that was overturned by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1995. (Side note: a law could be written to prohibit protesting in front of one residence only, but it wouldn’t prohibit protesting, say, across the street, or up and down the street, which is what was occurring yesterday. Council considered such a law in 2008 and determined that it would not have any meaningful application based on the easy loophole of walking up and down past multiple residents.)

Aggravating the alarm in our community is the fact that the protestors at the statehouse and at the protests in Bexley are prone to exercise their “Open Carry” rights. Open Carry is a State of Ohio law that cannot be modified by Bexley’s local laws. Additionally, Open Carry in and of itself cannot be construed legally as threatening behavior. Bexley Police and State of Ohio security forces have been in frequent contact regarding security and protests. Bexley PD have monitored the situation from the beginning, and were present the entirety of the time during yesterday’s protest, observing from a distance. Additionally, they are working closely with State of Ohio agents in order to ensure continued protection of any residents who are the target of protests, and of the surrounding neighborhoods. 

I am confident, after again reviewing our ordinances and discussing them with our City Attorney, Columbus’ City Attorney, and several City Council members, that we do not have any additional legal routes to meaningfully limit or otherwise curtail protests in our residential neighborhoods. What we can control is our own reaction to these protests. The protestors that have shown up are clearly well-rehearsed and thrive on the energy and the drama of their actions.

In my opinion, I think the more attention we give to protesters the more we fuel their fire. I think finding ways to show our support and love as a community is the best antidote. We’ll keep doing that, and I know you will too. We’re in this together, Bexley.