Archives for July 2020

Face Masks = Kindness

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During Governor Mike DeWine’s daily Coronavirus update on Thursday, July 30th, he announced an additional 1,733 new cases in Ohio – the largest daily count the state has reported so far. If we continue to see a rise in case numbers, Ohio could become the next COVID-19 hot spot. As we head into the weekend, Bexley’s COVID-19 Task Force has some reminders for the community:

  • 11-20 year olds are transmitting the virus at the same frequency as adults. Continue reminding pre-teens and teens to cover their faces, routinely wash hands, and socially distant from friends and others outside of the household.
  • Inside the car = inside! Passengers in your vehicle should be from your household. If it necessary to ride in a vehicle that isn’t your own, please wear a face covering.
  • Not wearing a face covering correctly = not wearing a face covering. Do not wear your face covering around one ear, under your chin, or on your head. To protect yourself and those around you, ensure your mouth, nose, and chin are covered at all times.
  • Wear a face covering when receiving your order at a fast food restaurant. Protect yourself and the employees from exposure!

Bexley Community Foundation Announces Additional $250,000 in Funding for Jeffrey Mansion Project

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Rendering of Jeffrey Mansion Expansion Project

Construction at Jeffrey Mansion is well underway for the expanded Jeffrey Mansion Project. Our Bexley Community Foundation committed $1.5 million to the project and in May 2019, we celebrated passing our goal!

During the construction process, a significant pre-existing issue with the porch was discovered. The excavation of the space under the existing porch shows the support beams have completely rusted out. It has been determined that the entire porch is structurally unsound. The BCF is excited to announce an additional $250,000 in funding for the porch and additional storage space under the structure!

“The support of the Bexley Community Foundation has been absolutely critical to this project, and this funding is helping us preserve the mansion for generations to come. Many thanks to the Community Foundation for this extraordinary generosity.”  

Mayor Ben Kessler

The Bexley Community Foundation would like to thank our donors for their continued support of the Jeffrey Mansion Project and our Bexley Community Foundation.

“We can’t thank the Community Foundation enough for their support of the Jeffrey Mansion Expansion Project. This project would not have been possible without the Foundation’s leadership and financial support.”

Mike Price, Recreation and Parks Director

Bexley’s City-wide Face Covering Requirements Go Into Effect July 30, 2020

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City of Bexley announced revised emergency orders in effect until July 30, 2020.  The revised orders include a new requirement for the wearing of face coverings in many indoor areas accessible to the public, effective on July 3, 2020.  The orders are at the recommendation of the Bexley COVID-19 Task Force, and received a voice vote in approval (5-1) from City Council at a special meeting called on Friday, June 26th.

“If 80% of people wore face coverings in public, the COVID-19 pandemic would dramatically recede,” said Mayor Ben Kessler.  “Wearing a mask is an easy act of kindess and respect for our fellow human beings, and this order will directly save medical resources and may save lives.”  

The order requires face coverings in the following types of public spaces: 

  • Retail businesses
  • Restaurants (except when seated at a table)
  • Theatre
  • Office spaces open to the public (i.e. lobbys, reception areas, etc)
  • Personal care and grooming businesses

The order requires several exceptions for medical conditions and other circumstances where exceptions are deemed appropriate.  The City of Bexley will be working to distribute information on the requirement to area businesses, and will help businesses source masks for distribution to individuals that don’t have a face covering with them when they visit a business.

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Kessler

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As we head into the weekend, we wanted to share some updates on COVID-19 in Bexley, and urge our collective community to double down in vigilantly social distancing. The past week has seen Bexley’s largest one-week increase in cases, with 16 new cases over the past seven days. This upward trend echoes what we’re seeing regionally in Franklin County, where the growth in cases is being led by individuals 30 and under. Here are some key areas to focus on in helping to stop the spread:

  • Keep a minimum 6′ distance around individuals from outside of your household.
  • Model great distancing behavior in front of your kids; they see what you do and they’re going to copy it!
  • Do not entertain people from outside of your household indoors. Outdoor environments are much safer and distancing is easier.
  • Wear a face covering anytime you’re in a situation where you can’t control a 6′ distance, including outdoors.
  • Wash hands frequently and for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  • Share with your kids all of the steps that they need to take to be safe, and keep a look out for teachable moments.

I have a feeling I’m not sharing anything we don’t already know, but I am asking us all to double down on our commitment. Our ability to stop the spread will save lives, and right now, despite widespread mask wearing and a well-informed public, I think we are suffering from a tiredness and fatigue that makes it harder than ever to keep up our best practices.  

Our community has, by and large, been so incredibly proactive and compassionate through this pandemic, and I know we have the endurance to pull through this together. As we’re doing so, please keep an eye out for neighbors who might be struggling and help steer them to sources of help via the resources mentioned below. This is a marathon, and we need to be aware of our responsibility to our neighbors and to be vigilant about our own behavior.  

Take good care of yourselves and of each other, Bexley. Stay strong, and stay safe.

– Mayor Ben Kessler

Symptoms to Look For

The symptoms most commonly associated with COVID-19 are:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose

Local Options for COVID-19 Testing

Option 1) Bexley Urgent Care – 2216 E. Main Street
Hours vary, check website to schedule an appointment

Option 2) Wexner Medical Center Testing at KIPP Columbus – 2900 Inspire Drive
Monday & Thursday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Option 3) Columbus Public Health – 240 Parsons Avenue
Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Option 4) Equitas Health King-Lincoln Medical Center – 750 E. Long Street
Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

There are many other testing sites in the central Ohio region! To view additional options, please click here. Some testing sites require a call-ahead or an appointment!

COVID-19 Websites and Resources


Helping Residents in Need

If you have a specific need for assistance during this difficult time, please fill out our needs survey. Our Volunteer Coordinator will post your request anonymously to our pool of volunteers, or help refer you to resources that can help.  If you have any questions, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Elizabeth Ellman.

Update on Spring Flooding in Bexley

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As you have witnessed all too directly, the Columbus region experienced two significant flooding events this spring, on March 20th and again on May 19th.  We have been meeting internally since the March event in order to study the flood that occurred, resultant water in basement events, and any actions the City can take in order to improve infrastructure in flooding events.  We would like to share our findings to date, and our suggested actions.
 
Findings to date:

  • The two flood events each individually represent 10-25+ year flood events, where a combination of a months’ worth of rain hit over a 8-24 hour period in the context of an underlying high water table.  The combined impact of a very high water table with a high volume of rainfall in a short period of time created a flood that overwhelmed the region’s sewer systems. We heard from many residents who had never experienced basement flooding before these two events, and in many cases that is because these were both, on their own, very significant flooding events.  Evidence of this included the complete flooding of Wolfe Park; boat evacuations in Westerville and Worthington; the activation of the Franklinton flood wall; countless other examples regionally of unprecedented and/or extremely rare examples of extensive flooding.  Through regional organizations, we have heard of similar unprecedented water in basement events occurring in every central Ohio municipality.
  • In both flood events, the banks of Alum Creek were breached, storm sewer outflows into the Creek were submerged, and Columbus sanitary sewer main manholes were underwater, further water-logging the systems.
  • Resident basement flooding occurred from a variety – and in some cases a combination – of sources.  These included sanitary sewer backups; surface water penetration into basements, and foundation water penetration.  
  • City of Bexley sanitary lines were free of physical obstructions, but were surged in many areas due to an inability to drain into Columbus’ system as a result of that system being locally and regionally overwhelmed.  
  • Surface flooding of streets, etc. was temporary, especially on March 20th.

What we have done in recent years to improve our sewer system:

  • Installed new storm sewer main on Main Street
  • Yearly capital projects have included storm and sanitary sewer system repairs, capacity upgrades, and enhancements.
  • Systemic relining of sanitary sewers.  This is a multi-decade project which we have been progressing on every year.

There is no single solution, and every property has different physical considerations.  In some cases, some of the possible solutions may help in one property and not another, and can even worsen conditions (i.e. backflow preventers could in some instances exacerbate the issue in instances of severe water table or surface water flooding).  Nonetheless, here are some options that can help to prevent basement flooding during extreme flooding events:

  • Installation of sanitary sewer backflow preventer devices in basements that have experienced sewer back-ups.
  • Installation of perimeter drain systems and sump pumps in basements 
  • Verification that foundation drains and downspouts are properly connected to the storm sewer system and not the sanitary sewer system.
  • Continuing to proceed with the City’s sewer system upgrades
  • Building underground sanitary sewer storage

All of the options outlined above have caveats.  For example, our sanitary sewer lining program is necessary and preserves infrastructure, but a better lined sanitary sewer means less leaching in flood events and therefore a system more prone to backing up.  

Hydrant Flushing Begins Monday, July 13th

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The Bexley Water Department will begin flushing fire hydrants on Monday, July 13th. One crew will be assigned to the area south of Main Street; one crew to the area between Main Street and Broad Street; and one crew to the area north of Broad Street. We anticipate this work will take one week to complete and a flushing schedule will be posted and updated daily on the City of Bexley website at www.bexley.org.

Users may notice that the water is cloudy for a short time during and after this flushing program. Although the water may be cloudy, it is safe to drink. However, we advise residents to run cold water for about two minutes prior to doing any laundry. If you have any questions relating to this program, please call the Bexley Water Department at (614) 559-4270.