Archives for August 2021

City Launches Online Trash Reporting System

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The City of Bexley is excited to announce an expansion of services! As of August 3, residents can now report a missed trash, recycling, yard waste, or compost pickup on their computer, smartphone, or tablet. Previously, any resident whose items were not collected during the normal pickup schedule had to call City Hall to report the miss.

To report a missed pickup online:

  • Step 1: Visit bexley.org/reportamiss, or click the ‘Report a Trash Miss’ button on our homepage
  • Step 2: Enter your information, including an email address or phone number if your report requires follow up
  • Step 3: Press the ‘Submit Report’ button at the bottom of the page

Once an online report is made, the City immediately receives the information provided in the form. From there, we’ll be able to send the report to the appropriate service provider–Rumpke or Innovative Organics Recycling–for pickup. If you’d like to report your miss over the phone, that’s fine too! This new service is not mandatory for reporting.

If you have questions, check out the FAQ at the bottom of the page on bexley.org/reportamiss. If you still have questions, give us a call at (614) 559-4220!

Bexley, FCPH, and CDC Asking All to Mask Up in Public Spaces

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The City of Bexley, Franklin County Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to urge all visitors to businesses and public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask. Additionally, the City is requiring masks at City facilities and City-sponsored events. 

Why is the City recommending masking even if I’m vaccinated?
The Delta variant presents new risks to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.

  • The Delta variant of COVID-19 can infect and spread among vaccinated individuals
  • Vaccinated individuals on average have less severe reactions, and therefore all individuals who have access to the vaccine are strongly encouraged to become vaccinated.
  • The Delta variant is much more transmissible than earlier variants, and more easily spread both indoors and outdoors
  • Because it is more infectious, the Delta variant is spreading much more quickly. This especially impacts children under 12, who cannot yet access a vaccine.

Masking is a simple and effective way to help prevent spread, and due to the new risks associated with the Delta variant, it is a critical tool to help minimize exposure.

At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits:
The City of Bexley has self-administered COVID-19 test kits available for residents. To request a testing kit for you or someone in your household, please fill out this form. Kits are usually delivered within 24 hours, but may vary based on demand. Test kits will be delivered to the address provided in the form; please do not come to City Hall for pickup.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the form, please contact Elizabeth Ellman, the City’s Volunteer Coordinator at eellman@bexley.org.

City Council Meeting on Thursday, August 24 at 6:00 pm

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At the August 24 meeting, City Council will discuss the following items:

  • Ordinance 28-21: Amend section 262.02 (c)(3) to provide for Juneteenth as a holiday for employees
  • Ordinance 29-21: Amend 618.15 (Dogs on City Park and Recreational Property), to regulate the admittance of service animals in city parks 
  • Ordinance 30-21: Create the position of “Chief Executive Assistant” 
  • Ordinance 31-21: Create section 262.02 (c)(14)(A)(4), Vacation Accrual for New Employees, and to amend Section 262.02(c)(14)(D), Credit for Prior Service, to provide for credit for prior service to employees
  • Ordinance 34-21: Accept the material terms of the One Ohio settlement pursuant to the One Ohio memorandum of understanding and consistent with the terms of the July 21, 2021 national opioid settlement agreement and declaring an emergency
  • Ordinance 35-21: Enter agreement with ODOT for Urban Paving project along US 40 including resurfacing and partial pavement repair along with other associated work in accordance with Preliminary Participatory Legislation RC 5521.01
  • Ordinance 36-21: To establish the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund and to appropriate $1,442,422.10 from the ARPA Fund
  • Resolution 09-21: To authorize the Mayor to seek financial assistance from the Ohio Public Works Commission for funding of various capital infrastructure improvement projects associated with the proposed North Columbia Avenue and South Remington Road Comprehensive Improvements Project
  • Resolution 10-21: Granting area variances with conditions from the minimum lot requirements for the property located at 407 Northview Drive zoned R-3 residential, to allow two non-conforming contiguous lots in single ownership being used in combination and considered an undivided parcel under the Bexley City Code to be split to permit two independent lots and parcels that would not meet existing R-3 minimum lot requirements
  • Resolution 11-21: Confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Rachel Laing to the Civil Service Commission

The following tabled items may be discussed:

  • Ordinance 12-21: Adopt and approve the City of Bexley Electric Aggregation Plan of Operation and Governance, and to declare an emergency
  • Ordinance 24-21: Award the Bexley Electricity Aggregation Program contract to AEP Energy, based upon the terms and conditions provided for in their RFP, as modified by the Board of Control
  • Ordinance 27-21: Appropriate $281,500 from the Capital Fund and $240,000 from the Refuse Fund for the purpose of funding mid-2021 Capital Projects

To view current agendas for city meetings, passed ordinances, or to learn more, visit www.bexley.org/meetings. City Council meetings are streamed live to our YouTube channel.

Schneider Park Ribbon Cutting and Main Event on Friday, August 13

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We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of the Schneider Park athletic fields, playground, and South Community Gardens! The grand opening will be paired with the Main Event on Friday, August 13. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00 pm, and the movie, Trolls World Tour (PG), begins around 8:45 pm. The BEAT Bus will be running shuttles from the Trinity Lutheran Seminary parking lot to Schneider Park from 5:30 – 10:30 pm if you need a ride!

Schneider Park Address: 853 Village Creek Drive, Bexley, Ohio 43209

Schedule of Events:

6:00 pm: Schneider Park Ribbon Cutting
6:30 pm: Food trucks begin serving; family activities
6:30 – 8:00 pm: Music by The Shazzbots
8:45 pm: Movie Begins – Trolls World Tour

Event Poster

Architectural Review Board Meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 pm

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At the August 12 Architectural Review Board meeting, the following applications will be discussed:

Address: 692 Chelsea
Request: Front porch addition

Address: 407 Northview
Request: Demolition and new single-family dwelling

Address: 699 Vernon
Request: 2nd story addition to rear of house

Address: 85 S. Cassady
Request: 2-story addition to rear of house

Address: 221 Ashbourne
Request: Demolish house; new house proposed

Address: 99 S. Roosevelt
Request: Front porch and garage remodels 

Address: 270 S. Dawson
Request: Porch addition to the house; pool variance

Address: 2010 E. Broad
Request: Master plan and parking variance

To view agendas and other supporting documents, visit www.bexley.org/meetings. Please note that agendas are subject to change before the meeting occurs.

City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 10 at 6:00 pm

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At the August 10 meeting, City Council will discuss the following items:

  • Ordinance 31-21: Create section 262.02 (c)(14)(A)(4), Vacation Accrual for New Employees, and to amend Section 262.02(c)(14)(D), Credit for Prior Service, to provide for credit for prior service to employees
  • Ordinance 29-21: Amend 618.15 (Dogs on City Park and Recreational Property), to regulate the admittance of service animals in city parks 
  • Ordinance 26-21: Amend section 262.02(e) to allow for the payout of sick leave to part-time employees upon termination from service with the City
  • Ordinance 27-21: Appropriate $281,500 from the Capital Fund and $240,000 from the Refuse Fund  for the purpose of funding mid-2021 Capital Projects
  • Ordinance 28-21: Amend section 262.02 (c)(3) to provide for Juneteenth as a holiday for employees
  • Ordinance 30-21: Create the position of “Chief Executive Assistant” 
  • Resolution 09-21: To authorize the Mayor to seek financial assistance from the Ohio Public Works Commission for funding of various capital infrastructure improvement projects associated with the proposed North Columbia Avenue and South Remington Road Comprehensive Improvements Project.
  • Ordinance 33-21: Considering a lot split at 407 Northview
  • Ordinance 34-21: Accept the material terms of the One Ohio settlement pursuant to the One Ohio memorandum of understanding and consistent with the terms of the July 21, 2021 national opioid settlement agreement and declaring an emergency.
  • Ordinance 25-21: Appropriation $2,700 from the Friends of Jeffrey Preschool Fund to pay preschool related expenses in 2021

The following tabled items may be discussed:

  • Ordinance 24-21: Award the Bexley Electricity Aggregation Program contract to AEP Energy, based upon the terms and conditions provided for in their RFP, as modified by the Board of Control
  • Resolution 05-21: A Resolution approving the 2021 Bicycle Friendly Bexley Plan
  • Ordinance 12-21: Adopt and approve the City of Bexley Electric Aggregation Plan of Operation and Governance, and to declare an emergency

Bexley City Council meetings are being held in-person at City Hall. Residents who wish to make public comment on agenda items are encouraged to attend the meeting in-person. Meetings are streamed live to our YouTube channel.

To view agendas, passed ordinances, or to learn more, visit www.bexley.org/meetings.

Recording of August 10 City Council Meeting

Bexley Celebrates Grand Opening of Schneider Park

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Bexley Celebrates Grand Opening of Schneider Park

BEXLEY, OHIO, August 5, 2021 – The City of Bexley is excited to celebrate the grand opening of the Schneider Park athletic fields, playground, and South Community Gardens. Though the park has been open for public use, the city wasn’t able to host a ribbon cutting ceremony due to COVID-19. The grand opening of Schneider Park will be paired with the August Main Event on Friday, August 13. The evening will be packed with family activities, live music by The Shazzbots, food trucks, and a screening of Trolls World Tour (PG).

The development of the Schneider Park expansion dates to 2012, when the City of Bexley was awarded grants from the Bexley Community Foundation and the Columbus Foundation to develop an Alum Creek Corridor Master Plan. Since then, with the help of additional community partners, the city has restored environmentally contaminated land, created pedestrian connectivity to Schneider Park and the southwest Bexley neighborhood that did not previously exist, and provided top-notch park amenities to an underserved area of Bexley.

“Even as we cut the ribbon on this expanded section of Schneider Park, we are in the process of rejuvenating the park space and completing the creekside walking trail connection to Main Street,” said Mayor Ben Kessler. “As a community gardener myself, it’s heartwarming to see the relationships and connections that a space like this helps create. It has been incredible to see this space transform from a former landfill to the vibrant heart of a neighborhood.”

Mike Price, Director of Recreation and Parks, who oversaw the development of the new playground adds, “The development of the Schneider Park athletic field, Columbus Blue Jackets themed playground and South Community Gardens has truly been a community effort. This space has and will continue for generations bring joy and opportunity to the residents and visitors of the City of Bexley.

The City of Bexley thanks and acknowledges the Bexley Community Foundation, Columbus Foundation, Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources for helping make this park a reality for the community. For more information about the August 13 event, visit bexley.org/mainevent.

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A first-ring suburb of Columbus, Bexley is known for its historic and close-knit neighborhoods, its highly ranked public school system, its classic and walkable Main Street environment, and the prestigious private school system located within its borders.

City Updates Guidance for Masking in Public Spaces

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In recent weeks, we have all seen alarming new information regarding the ways in which the Delta variant can spread among vaccinated individuals, and can increase the risk to unvaccinated individuals, including children. Here in Bexley we’ve seen direct evidence of this, and we’re concerned about the health of our community and our need to protect vulnerable populations. In coordination with our COVID-19 Task Force and in keeping with updated information from the Centers for Disease Control, the City has modified the guidelines regarding the wearing of masks in public spaces.  

Effective immediately, we are recommending the following, regardless of vaccination status:

  • For Indoor Public Spaces: All individuals are recommended to wear masks when in indoor public spaces. In the instance of restaurants, we are recommending the wearing of masks unless seated at a table.  
  • For Outdoor Public Spaces: In the instances of outdoor spaces, we are recommending that all individuals wear masks if unable to socially distance, and take care to avoid any close contact with individuals from outside of their household. 

Data showing the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant also shows much better outcomes for those who are vaccinated and become infected. We join the public health community in strongly urging everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19. For resources on becoming vaccinated, please visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Cheer on Team Bexley This Saturday, August 7

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Pelotonia’s Ride Weekend is near! On Saturday, August 7, Pelotonia Riders will follow a route that goes through Bexley and Near East communities. To celebrate, Team Bexley and Pelotonia have teamed up create five (5) designated spectator viewing areas along E. Broad Street from 7:00 am – 12:00 pm. Riders will be traveling east on E. Broad Street, and north on Cassady Avenue. 

Spectator Viewing Areas on Broad Street:

  • E. Broad Street & S. Washington Avenue
  • E. Broad Street & S. Ohio Avenue 
  • E. Broad Street & Woodland Avenue
  • E. Broad Street & Drexel Avenue
  • Cassady Avenue & Ruhl Avenue