Photo courtesy of the City of Westerville
Bokros Tapped for Council Seat
The Bokros name is familiar to many in Westerville.
After a 38-year career in Westerville as a firefighter, a fire inspector and, ultimately, chief fire marshal, John Bokros stepped out of retirement and into the running for a Westerville City Council appointment to replace Councilmember Jenifer French, who was elected in November 2014 as judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Bokros’ transition from public servant to public official is a natural one for a man committed to civic engagement and community service. Formally sworn in to begin his first term on Council on Feb. 17, Bokros once again embarks on a new journey to serve his fellow residents in the Westerville community.
How long have you lived in Westerville?
I’m originally from Blendon Township, but was always a student in Westerville City Schools. My family moved to Westerville when I was 14 years old, and I have lived here ever since.
What inspired you to get involved in public service and later seek a seat on Council?
I always knew that I wanted a rewarding job that would provide me with the opportunity to help others. When I worked for the Westerville Fire Division, I felt fortunate to get paid to do what is right and to help those in need. I see my appointment to Westerville City Council as another opportunity to give back to a community that has given me and my family so much over the years.
How did your years of service as a City employee with the Westerville Fire Division help prepare you for this role?
Working for the fire division gave me a strong background in the physical operations of the City and the services it offers to residents and businesses. Having prior knowledge of City departments and the operations they perform has helped me as I have stepped into my new role on Council.
Based on your experience in Westerville, how would you encourage a resident to get involved and engaged in the community?
There are a lot of volunteer opportunities in this community. I think the Westerville Citizen’s Academy is the easiest way to learn about the city, its programs and its services. By providing a hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience in all City departments, the Academy ensures participants emerge on the other end of the program with a better understanding of all the work that goes into delivering the services that we do. In many important ways, the Academy was developed as a pipeline for those in the community who know or think they might have an interest in getting involved with their local government or possibly even serving on one of the City’s boards and commissions.
What do you believe the future holds for Westerville?
Westerville has a very optimistic future, and we see progress each and every day. We continue to innovate and develop, and we do so with our residents and businesses in mind. Public outreach and engagement should be at the basis of everything we do. It is important that our blueprint for the future is representative of our community, our history and our people.
City Hall Parking Lot Improvement at Halfway Mark
A major project underway in Uptown will hit the halfway completion mark soon.
The first phase of the Westerville City Hall Parking Lot Improvement Project will be finished by the end of June, with the second phase starting immediately after it concludes.
The project was divided into two nearly equal parts to address both sides of the parking lot behind City Hall. When the project is complete in October, the City will have created a parallel alley system to improve circulation and access for Uptown traffic, as well as safety and aesthetic enhancements.
The project is part of the vision to provide a walking- and parking-friendly environment for the thriving Uptown district, said Karl Craven, director of planning and development.
“Parking and traffic circulation are emphasized in the Uptown Master Plan, and this project is the first major reconstruction effort to address those issues while also providing better pedestrian resources,” said Craven. “Uptown is the heart of our community, and the City is making this investment to complement the good things already happening in the district.”
Additional parking spaces are not the only component of the project. Several other amenities are part of the reconstruction effort, including:
- Installation of a brick alley from West Park Street to West College Avenue
- Reconstruction and realignment of Thomas Alley
- Installation of an underground storm water management system
- Buried utility lines
- Improved lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, entry features and signage
Later this year, the Parks & Recreation Department will begin an extension of the project with the creation of a “Via” walkway to align new green space development in Uptown with existing parking improvements. The Via will act as a pedestrian connector from the parking area to State Street. It is the first step in a long-range vision to create and integrate a public green space and park at City Hall to transform space into a setting for recreational programming, Uptown visitor seating, social space, performances, ceremonies and much more.
The scope of the project is currently in development, but it will include new green space, bench seating, lighting and landscaping between City Hall and Jimmy V’s Grill & Pub.
To follow the progress of both projects, visit www.westerville.org.
Construction Schedule
Phase I – Construction of the southern portion of the parking lot, February to mid-June
Phase II – Construction of the northern portion of the parking lot, mid-June to October (weather permitting)
For a map of alternate parking options during construction, visit www.westerville.org.
Resident Survey Provides Valued Intel
By David A. Collinsworth
Westerville City Manager
All the data is in, compiled and evaluated.
For several weeks, City staff has been assessing results from the fall 2014 Community Survey and matching them with program goals and objectives. Every two years, this survey effort gives us invaluable insight into the attitudes and satisfaction levels of Westerville residents.
More than 1,000 residents completed the Web-based survey, providing a statistically valid sample of opinions on everything from financial management to public safety and economic development. This feedback is critical to us as we work to understand in what ways residents want and expect community services to be delivered.
The findings from the report continue to demonstrate high levels of satisfaction among Westerville residents, with consistently high rankings for City programs and services. In fact, 91.9 percent of residents state they are very satisfied with the overall quality of services we provide.
Ratings for City departments and staff closely mirror what we saw in 2012, and were generally higher for 2014. Residents continue to agree that information is accessible, services meet their expectations and financial management is prudent.
Residents tell us they continue to think of Westerville as “family friendly,” with a quality of life as high as, or higher than, those of other communities. Agreement on the quality of Westerville’s infrastructure improved a significant increase from the level of agreement in 2012.
Economic development efforts gained support, with favorable responses on the perception of the business environment and financial incentives used to attract or retain business. Residents agreed the City should encourage more mixed-use development options within walking distance of each other; 72 percent agree or strongly agree.
Feedback in any form is useful. Consistent with other surveys, traffic continues to be viewed as a challenge and is most commonly cited as residents’ chief complaint. Specifically, only 41 percent felt traffic flows on Westerville’s main roadway arteries have improved. When respondents were asked what areas of concern would diminish the quality of life in Westerville, the most commonly cited response was traffic. In 2012, the most cited issue was crime.
Some shift in the way residents wish to receive information is occurring. Viewership of WOCC-TV continues to decline, and more people are regularly visiting the City website and social media networks for community information.
Interestingly, the “most important” issue selection for residents is evolving. Looking at the percentage of respondents who chose a first, second or third choice, the largest change is a decrease in the percentage of respondents who chose “Fiscal Management and Responsibility” this time. “Green Space Preservation” and “Homeland Security and Crisis Readiness” are emerging as more important issues to residents. Despite the upward tick of the latter, there was a significant increase in ratings for perceived safety inside one’s home and in Westerville as a whole between 2012 and 2014.
I encourage you to read the full survey report online at www.westerville.org/2014survey. Staff will actively use these results to inform program development and deployment.
Finally, I want to express my thanks to residents who took time to take the survey. The feedback you’ve provided is meaningful and important. It helps City Council and administration fine-tune our efforts to best serve residents.
The next full Community Survey will be available in early fall 2016. If you have any questions or suggestions, email us at communityaffairs@westerville.org or call 614-901-6400.
To access this and other survey reports, visit www.westerville.org.
A PLAN FOR PARKS
Getting Started
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan was updated and adopted by Westerville City Council last year. When voters said “yes” in November, the wheels started to turn in the planning and development of the next generation of the Westerville parks and recreation system.
Our Priorities
We talked to thousands of Westerville residents in focus groups and surveys to understand what residents want in the parks system for the next 20 years. This feedback became the basis for the PROS Master Plan. An Executive Summary of the Master Plan, which outlined the plan outcomes, was sent to all Westerville households. In it, our priorities are defined as these:
PATHWAYS: Expand the Bike & Walkway (B&W) recreational pathway system
ADVENTURE RECREATION: Create recreation and adventure recreation opportunities along Alum Creek Waterway and Otterbein Lake
SPORTS FIELDS: Develop additional and improve current sports fields
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS: Improve and enhance existing neighborhood parks
COMMUNITY CENTER: Expand the Community Center:
• Space to include a relocated older adult center (senior center)
• Warm water therapy pool
• Fitness and program space
• Additional gymnasium
• Track expansion
The Renewal
Funding for the Master Plan (from the voter-approved income tax renewal) becomes available in 2020, but work is already underway. Planning, design and development takes place years in advance so improvements can start as scheduled. City officials also work to secure financing at favorable rates so that projects can begin when the current funding expires (2020) and the renewal goes into effect (2021).
Then and Now: The Five-Year Plan
The City of Westerville publishes a five-year capital improvement budget annually. The 2015-20 plan is currently in development, and hearings with Westerville City Council take place annually in April. Projects are prioritized in this process. This is the same process that yielded these projects since 1998 (with our current PROS funding):
- Westerville Community Center (2001)
- Highlands Park Aquatic Center (2011)
- Millstone Creek Park (2010)
- Westerville Sports Complex (2001)
- Everal Barn and Homestead/Heritage Park (2000)
- Alum Creek Park North Amphitheater (2001)
- Alum Creek South Park BMX/Skate Park (2004)
- Spring Grove North Park (2002)
What’s Next
As a nationally recognized “City within a Park,” Westerville is never done making improvements and enhancing our parks and recreation system. We’re excited to start plotting the course of the new projects. You can get involved! Look for updates in future issues of this publication on volunteer opportunities and read more about PROS online at www.westerville.org/parks
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Field of Heroes
Memorial Day Weekend: Friday, May 22-Monday, May 25
Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave.
This annual Westerville tradition features a field of more than 3,000 American flags in proud display in honor of our veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.
Opening Day: Highlands Park Aquatic Center Celebrates Five Years!
Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.
245 S. Spring Rd., 614-901-POOL
Open the summer season with us at Highlands Park Aquatic Center. It’s our fifth season celebrating the speed and body slides, zero-entry toddler and leisure pool, spray playground, lazy river, and eight-lane, 25-meter pool with a diving well. Call 614-901-6500 for more information.
Party at the Creek
Thursday, May 28, 6-8 p.m.
Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St.
The Party at the Creek is back for the fourth year at Alum Creek Park North, with a special grand opening of the new playground. Party at the Creek has become a Westerville tradition for free family fun, including explorations of nature, tours of scenic green spaces and waterways and food and snacks. Party at the Creek celebrates the environment in community block-party style.
Seventh Annual Honor Flight Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, June 20, 7:30-10:30 a.m.
American Legion Hall, 393 E. College Ave
Join us for breakfast in support of the seventh annual Westerville community-sponsored Honor Flight. This day of honor for World War II and Korean War veterans features a guided tour of their memorials in Washington, D.C. Since 2009, the community of Westerville has funded these flights for our local and regional veterans. To find out more, visit www.honorflightcolumbus.org.
Youth Police Academy Now Enrolling
Do you know a student who has expressed an interest in law enforcement as a possible career choice? Now is the time to consider applying for the Westerville Division of Police’s Youth Police Academy (YPA), a free program developed for local students (ages 14-18) to explore law enforcement careers.
The WPD Community Services Bureau hosts the annual Academy, scheduled this year to take place 4-9 p.m., July 13-17. During this one-week course, students learn basic law enforcement principles, including investigative techniques, search and seizure procedures, OVI laws, building searches, traffic stops and Internet safety. Cadets will also be exposed to lectures, hands-on activities and team-building exercises. Marching and light physical training is also part of the program.
Only YPA graduates may apply to join Westerville Post 29, the Westerville Division of Police’s pre-professional Explorer program, which offers extended training in law enforcement.
Each Academy is limited to 25 participants. Interested students must have completed the eighth grade and be at least 14 years old. The application must include a letter of recommendation (from a school counselor, teacher, principal or clergy), picture identification and a copy of school grades. For more information, visit www.westerville.org/services/police/community-services/youth-police-academy.
City Gets “Healthiest Employer” Nod
For the first time since implementing a comprehensive employee-centric wellness program more than three years ago, the City of Westerville was nominated as one of Central Ohio’s Healthiest Employers last March. The nod from Columbus Business First was in recognition of a series of programs designed to help more than 400 employees (a medium-sized “company,” according to the publication) live better lives.
Mike Herron, fitness manager for the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department, said the City has taken strides in promoting healthy lifestyle options to employees that are already accessible to Westerville residents and visitors.
“We provide numerous opportunities for the public to take advantage of Parks and Recreation facilities, parks and wellness programs,” said Herron. “It’s important this focus is carried throughout the entire organization, starting with our own City employees.”
In 2012, the City assembled a Wellness Committee comprised of a representative from each of the 10 departments. Their mission: develop stronger internal health initiatives centered on physical, mental, financial, medical and occupational wellness.
Through the work of the committee, workshops ranging from cancer prevention to office ergonomics and even financial planning are exposing employees to well-rounded approaches to wellness.
“Health is not just about being fit or eating right,” said Herron. “We strive to provide resources on a variety of health topics. For example, if you are stressed about your finances, then that stress carries with you to work and continues to weigh on your overall state.”
Beyond frequent wellness workshops, the City organizes a fitness class for employees at the Community Center and the Electric Division. Add to that several Olympic-style competitions among departments each summer and winter, and employees have become more engaged than ever in healthy lifestyle changes.
“Health is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone is at a different level,” said Herron. “For one person, the decision to quit smoking or taking a 30-minute walk every day could be a huge step in their journey toward better health.”
For more on this story, please visit the Westerville Parks and Recreation blog, “A City within a Park,” at www.acitywithinapark.com.
Have You Signed Up for Emergency Notifications?
Westerville residents may still register their contact information and preferences via a website portal managed by the Westerville Emergency Communications Division. Commonly known as the “reverse 911” system, this site provides residents the opportunity to self-select and update their contact information in the event of emergencies.
Residents who visit the City website, www.westerville.org, can securely register their mobile phone number, activate text messaging capabilities and sign up to receive emergency alert notifications.
Alerts from this system are based on true emergencies, such as disaster notification, public safety information and/or alerts pertaining to missing children, hazardous spills, and major power outages. Content is provided by voice message or text, depending on the preferences selected during registration. Subscribers’ information will not be utilized or accessed for any other purpose.
“This site expands our capabilities when it comes to communicating during an emergency,” said Holly Wayt, Westerville Communications Manager. “This makes our process of reaching people in an emergency situation not only more reliable and user-friendly, but also more targeted in terms of how to get information out quickly.”
Residents without Internet access may sign up by providing information in person at the Westerville Division of Police, 29 S. State St.
People who work in Westerville but do not live in the City, or parents who have children in the Westerville City School District, may also use the system.
“It makes sense for someone who spends a significant portion of their day in Westerville to be in the system so that they, too, can get alerts if there’s an emergency,” says Wayt.
To sign up or get more information, visit www.westerville.org.
By the Numbers
$250,000
saved in 2014 by purchasing road salt recently through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s cooperative purchasing program.
Change to Heavy/Bulk Pick-Up
Please note a change to heavy/bulk procedure for Tuesday refuse/recycling collection. Mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture may still be placed at the curb but must be bagged or securely wrapped in plastic. Questions? Contact the Public Service Department at 614-901-6740.
ORANGE BARREL SEASON
It’s construction season in Westerville. New road projects have started or will soon be underway. Find out what’s happening online at www.westerville.org/construction.
