Council Briefs

Community Involvement Opportunities Shift with COVID-19 Changes

virtual component has remained an alternate and convenient way for community members to attend and speak at both Planning Commission and City Council meetings.

In addition to offering hybrid (virtual and in-person) meetings, the City continued to expand its public communication methods for projects. The City’s robust website includes a webpage called “Development Projects – New and Evolving,” adding to an active social media presence.

This page features information regarding every development project under consideration in Grove City and tracks it from the initial submittal, through Planning Commission and City Council consideration, to construction. The map-based page gives users the ability to research projects not only by project name, but also by location.

The public is welcome to utilize the page to submit questions directly to City staff.

Although there are many avenues to learn about projects online and join meetings virtually, busy schedules can make attending meetings difficult. Fortunately, the City’s social media presence provides community members additional opportunities to provide feedback at a time convenient to them.

One of the City’s goals for the new year is to expand on what was learned from the operational changes brought by COVID-19. Technology continues to serve as a valuable method of communicating ongoing development, projects and events while allowing community members to continue providing valuable input.

Residents and business owners gather to provide input at a 2019 Town Center Framework public meeting.

Council Briefs

Start Talking! About Good Health

by Christine Houk, Ward 3

Acommitment to good health is often part of our New Year’s resolutions. “This year, I’m going to eat better and hit the gym at least three days per week!” The older I get, the more important I believe it is to define good health more holistically.

The World Health Organization describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” I’m not sure I’m in love with the use of “complete,” as I have also recently embraced the notion that “perfect is the enemy of good.” It’s okay to be a work in progress.

In Grove City, we have an array of businesses which focus on fitness and nutrition. You can take your exercise outdoors to our 459 acres of city parkland or the 620 acres in Scioto Grove Metro Park. Our Parks and Recreation Department and YMCA offer diverse activities for all ages. An abundance of health care facilities are at our doorstep. We have a state-of-the-art public library, countless nonprofit social and/or service organizations and many vibrant faith communities.

What’s more, we are a community committed to supporting our neighbors, a fact that became apparent to me in January of 2020 when I was contacted by Start Talking Grove City, a group formed to advance community conversations about substance abuse, addiction and mental health. City Council was on the brink of passing legislation to form a Substance Addiction and Mental Health Action Plan Committee, but members of our community had already organized without being asked.

Start Talking Grove City held their first public discussion Nov. 9, 2021. The pledge to connect our community, building a network of support for families dealing with addiction or mental health challenges, has been formalized. Together we are planting seeds of hope.

To learn more about Start Talking Grove City, visit www.starttalkinggc.org.

Start Talking!

GROVE CITY