Mayor’s Corner
Mayor’s Address to the City
Greetings, North College Hill Residents and Families!
The year seems to be flying by! We are swiftly moving from summer, right into fall and all the beauty that comes with it. As I reflect on the summer months, there were a few exciting things that happened in our city.
We were able to contract with Tepe Landscaping to successfully revamp the islands along Hamilton Avenue. Our very own Public Works department has been maintaining the islands. As motorists commute up and down Hamilton Avenue, they can enjoy the scenic and peaceful ambience of the new and improved islands that double as NCH green space. I imagine that this will be very beautiful when mother nature sprinkles the array of fall colors on the greenery down Hamilton Avenue.
Additionally, with the hard work of the Recreation department, NCH was able to obtain grants that funded the purchase and installation of new playground equipment. On Sunday, August 25th, Ernie Stapleton Park was rededicated, to honor the placement of that equipment. It has been a joy watching children take delight in the usage of the park.
We have had some huge developments administratively. In June, with the legislative support of City Council, we were able to add a much-needed Human Resources position. A Human Resources aspect to administrative offices supports the personnel needs of our employees. This position will focus on efficiency for our employees in regard to benefits, paid time off, and communication. Please help me in welcoming, our new HR Specialist, Ms. Rian Wright. With the addition of this position, we have already begun seeing the positive impact on day-to-day HR procedures. Navigating the last quarter of this year, as of August, I have appointed Ms. Elishia Chamberlain, as Interim City Administrator. Being fully staffed will be vital to the success of our coming year. I look forward to big developments in the year 2025 for our city! I am confident that these additions will take us forward.
Gradually, the city Senior Building has undergone some upgrades, giving the city the latitude to use the facility as rental space for social events. I am so pleased to provide our citizens and/or the public with space for small gatherings. If you have a need to rent space for a gathering, we may be able to accommodate you. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Benjamin Torrey, as he is our Administrative Assistant, for any rental inquiries.
I am eager to announce this year during our Holiday Season for the first time ever, the city of North College Hill will have an Ice-Skating Rink! I would like to encourage everyone to come out to our city sponsored ice skating rink event. For your enjoyment the following will be available: skate rentals, refreshments, lights and more! I am equally excited to announce the coming of Dunkin Donuts to the corner of Hamilton and Goodman Avenue, just next to United Dairy Farmers.
As I close, I want to remind the citizens of North College Hill that I am listening to you all. I am committed to working hard at planning forward and implementing all the things that will move us progressively forward. Let’s make sure we get out and vote on November 5th! Greatness is upon us!
Thank you and God Bless, Mayor Tracie Nichols
“Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility.”
Michelle Obama
Mayor Tracie Nichols
City Council
Mike Graver, President of Council
Christian Hedger, Clerk of Council
AskCouncil@NorthCollegeHill.org
Mashala Alexander
Brandon Davis
Arious DukesDean
Arica Underwood
Victor Wilson
Mary Jo Zorb
City Admin
North College Hill Fam--
I wanted to introduce myself to you all. I have been with the North College Hill community for a month and have enjoyed every minute. I come to you from across the river— please don’t hold it against me! I have been a fan of this area since I first spent time here in high school. In case you were wondering, that was a very long time ago. As the kids say, it was last century. I am certain I can be an asset to the City during my time here. I bring with me a long term history of success in local government management. I obtained my MPA from NKU and have had a focus in ethics, community planning, financial management, economic development, community engagement, strategic planning, and brownfield redevelopment. My dog, Watson, is my best friend. With cooler weather around the corner, you may see him walking around the city with me. In my free time I volunteer, spend time with family, cook, challenge myself at the gym, hike, and write. Most of all, I love my work as a public servant.
I have been working closely with Mayor Nichols to understand the goals and challenges North College Hill. We continue work together as we explore and create innovative pathways for serving the public, solutions to problems, and methods for implementing the vision you all have for your city. The Council has been wonderful, and I appreciate their dedication to their role in service to you. I can’t say enough great things about our appointed officials and city employees. This opportunity was unexpected, but somehow it is exactly where I am supposed to be. We have a lot to accomplish over the next few months, and I look forward to my time with you.
Elishia Chamberlain, Interim City Administrator
Save the Dates
Residential Curbside Leaf Pickup Days:
• Sat. November 9
• Sat. November 23
• Sat. December 7
Leaf Pickup Guidelines
• Leaves must be placed at the curb on Friday night. Trucks will pick up VERY early on Saturday morning.
• Leaves must be placed at the curb in a trash can or biodegradable paper bags, which are available at most hardware stores. Yard waste placed in plastic bags will not be collected.
• Leaves contaminated with garbage or other yard waste/ debris will not be collected.
• Questions? Contact Rumpke at 1-800-828-8171, or visit www.Rumpke.com
Trick or Treat 10/31 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Police Department
North College Hill Residents:
As the summer months wind down and we get ready for the fall season, we have welcomed the start of a new school year. We want to remind everyone that we are a walking school district and to be mindful of your speed in the school zones. We would also like to remind everyone that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks.
Halloween will be upon us before we realize it, and with that will come Halloween parties, where we can have some fun with friends and family. We want to encourage everyone to drink responsibly.
The Cost of Drunk Driving
• The financial impact of impaired-driving crashes is devastating: Crashes in which alcohol was the cause resulted in $57 billion in economic costs.
• Drinking and driving is a risk no one should take. Doing so can cause injury or death to drivers, passengers, and others on the road. The consequences of drunk driving could be life-altering.
Public Works
Fall is Here!!
Welcome back to the NCH Public Works Department. As we finish up the long hot summer days your public works department had a very successful and productive summer. From clearing brush, poison ivy and grass, to painting road lines, street sweeping and replacing signs. Your public works department is looking forward to the cool, crisp days of Fall. We would also like to thank the Youth we employed this past Summer, and are anxiously awaiting their return for next Summer.
In the coming Fall months, the Public Works Department will begin Snow and Ice removal training. We will be using our trucks and plows around the city; honing our skills with different scenarios. You will see our street sweeper operating on a biweekly and (potentially weekly) schedule, to clean up the falling leaves. From litter/ trash cans, blacktop and concrete repair, to tree removal and area clean-ups, we can be found performing our duties daily. Currently, we are mowing and caring for 30 different properties around the city. City Council and Public Works are creating exciting projects such as new trash can plans for the city, Dunson Memorial project, and welcoming back “Food Truck Friday”.
Each day, new challenges arise for the Public Works department. We pride ourselves on completing these tasks and make sure each day, we strive to make North College Hill great.
Thank you for your support.
Plan for a Safe Celebration
• Always drive 100% sober. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many.
• Plan ahead: Designate a sober driver to get you home safely before you have even one drink. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make this decision, you might not make the best one.
• You can get home safely: designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare. Getting home safely is always worth it.
• If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
• If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and let a sober driver get your friend home safely.
Have a great fall season!
Interim Chief Craig Chaney
Boards & Commission
Boards & commissions are led by community volunteers, and are governed by the statutes described in the NCH City Charter, Article X. Note that some boards & commissions only meet as needed, and not on a regular basis. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, contact Mayor Tracie Nichols or complete the Volunteer Application form on our website at: www.NorthCollegeHill.org/GetInvolved.
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) - 3rd Wednesday at 4:30 PM (if needed)
NOTE: Meetings will be cancelled on the 1st business day of the month if no appeals have been filed. Civil Service Commission – As Needed Earnings Tax Board of Appeals – As Needed Planning Commission – 1st Wednesday at 4:45 PM Records Commission – As Needed Recreation Commission – As Needed Tree Board – 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Finance Department
With the many changes happening within the administration offices, we would like to formally introduce some new faces we have recently welcomed aboard. Our Finance Director, Jeanetta Anderson, our Finance Clerk Erin Marie Schwartz and our Human Resource Specialist Rian Wright.
“If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain!” Finance Department
Business Recycle Program
Attention, North College Hill Businesses & Schools!
Hamilton County ReSource is here to support you! We provide free waste audits, interior recycling bins free of charge, and will help set up recycling services at your establishment. We consult with individual businesses about your waste streams and look for ways to increase diversion from the landfill. We also have grants available to help increase diversion, and our staff can provide presentations and training on food waste reduction, recycling, composting, or reuse. Contact Christin Horsman, Business Specialist at Hamilton County Resource to learn more. She can be reached at (513) 913-4401, or by email at christin.horsman@hamilton-co.org.
CITY OF NORTH COLLEGE HILL
Drop-Off Event
Saturday, November 16, 2024 ~ 10am to 1pm
Brand placement & advertising opportunities are available on a limited basis. Please contact us at Community@NorthCollegeHill. org for the current media kit & advertising rate sheet. All proceeds received will help offset the cost of newsletter production, and will support civic & economic development efforts, city beautification projects and community recreation programs.
Thank you, NCH Residents! Parks & Recreation News
Because of YOUR curbside recycling participation, NCH is entitled to receive funds via the Residential Recycling Incentive program, facilitated by Hamilton County ReSource. The amount of RRI funds that the city is awarded is directly related to residential curbside recycling participation, as well as our annual leaf pickup tonnage each fall.
Your participation in this program provided enough funding this year to purchase new picnic tables and benches made from postconsumer recycled plastic for Dumele, Stapleton & Veterans Parks. The new park benches & waste can that were installed in Wise Park in 2022 were also purchased using RRI funds. Schaeper & Pies Parks are next on the list. We would also like to give a special shout out to Public Works for all of their hard work installing the new benches & tables!
NCH Recreation is excited to announce that we have signed an agreement with Ohio State University Extension Office to provide FREE family nutrition & 4-H youth programming to our city! Our first family nutrition class will run on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm, October 8 through December 3 at the NCH Senior Center (1586 Goodman Ave). Space is limited! RSVP by October 7 to Paula Horowitz, horowitz@osu.edu.
OSU’s 4-H Youth Development Program will also offer FREE youth activities to our community as part of this agreement. There are a wide variety of programs available through 4-H. We want to make sure that we offer what is of the most interest to our young people, so we plan to host two “open house” events over the next few weeks to gather community input. There will be one in-person & one virtual open house. We will also publish a community survey. Anyone who lives, works, learns or plays in NCH is welcome to share ideas! Dates & times will be announced via the city website & Facebook page. To learn more about 4-H programs, please visit their website at www.ohio4h.org.
Senior Programs News
The NCH Senior Center is now open on Mondays & Wendesdays from 9am to 12pm for chair volleyball and other programming. The NCH chair volleyball team welcomes new players! The team practices throughout the year on Monday & Wednesday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30.
We are hard at work scheduling additional programming for seniors through our agreement with Southwest Ohio Council on Aging. Transportation to COA-hosted programming is provided. Contact Coleen Ellis, Senior Programs Coordinator to learn more at cellis@ northcollegehill.org, or (513) 521-1586.
Dumele Park Stapleton Park
Upcoming Events
Learn more at: www.NorthCollegeHill. org/Events or scan this QR Code with your smart device:
NCH HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING GAME
October 12 - 11:00am
Purcell Marian High School 2935 Hackberry St Cincinnati, OH 45206
3rd ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL
Sat. October 26 – 2pm to 5pm
Goodman Ave Business District
Sponsored by NCH City Council
Food Truck Fridays!
Co-hosted by The Reign Shop & NCH City Schools, this year’s city block party event will feature an expanded local vendor & artisan fair, carnival games, food trucks, music, extreme attractions & more! This event is free and open to the public, with food & beverages available for purchase.
VENDORS WELCOME! Pre-register before October 21 online, or in person at the NCH Senior Center.
“GO GREEN” EVENTS
DRIVE THRU & DROP OFF: Hazardous Household Products
Sat. November 16 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
1500 W. Galbraith
A list of acceptable items is on our website at www.NorthCollegeHill.org/ Go-Green
LIGHT UP NCH TREE LIGHTING
Sat. November 30 – 5:30pm to 6:30pm Tree Lighting at 6pm
Location: TBA
Enjoy a Christmas Carol Sing-Along, led by St. Margaret Mary singers & the NCH Brass Band, and hot cocoa sponsored by Perkins. Mayor Tracie Nichols will light the NCH Christmas Tree promptly at 6pm.
NCH ICE SKATING RINK
December 20, 21 & 22 - 4:00pm to 8:00pm 1500 W. Galbraith
VOLUNTEER & VENDOR INFORMATION
Information about how to sign up to volunteer or reserve vendor space is on our website at www.NorthCollegeHill.org, or contact the Recreation Department at (513) 728-4486.
Please join us for
Light Up NCH
Sat. November 30, 2024 5:30pm – 6:30pm
7108 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231
~ Carol Sing-Along led by NCH High School Band and St. Margaret Mary Singers Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:00pm
~ Special Guest: Santa!!
~ Refreshments will be provided.
Please join us for
Light Up NCH
EVERY 1st & 3rd FRIDAY 4pm to 9pm
1500 W Galbraith Rd
Upcoming Dates
October 4 November 1 December 6 October 18 November 15 December 20
Community News
NEW Registered Volunteer Program for NCH
In the coming weeks, NCH will launch a new Registered Volunteer Program for our city.
This NEW program is expected to launch in October. Opportunities to serve will include the following:
• Leading recreational programming for youth, seniors or adults
• Serving as youth mentors or tutors
• Assisting with storm cleanup
• Helping NCH residents with remediating code enforcement issues
Interested individuals, businesses, places of worship or community groups may contact us at Community@NorthCollegeHill.org to learn more, or visit www.NorthCollegeHill.org/Get-Involved to apply now
NCH Beautification and Activities Committee
The NCHBAAC Is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2024 to provide fundraising and volunteer support for city beautification efforts, recycling initiatives and special events.
We would like to recognize & thank the American Legion Women’s Post 644 and Disabled American Veterans OH Chapter 115 for helping NCHBAAC place 285 mini flags on Memorial Day weekend 2024 at Laboiteaux- Cary cemetery corner of Hamilton and Galbraith Rd.
Let’s celebrate Veterans Day by joining Team “North College Hill BAAC” at the DAV 5k event on November 9, 2024. You can find NCH team information at www.DAV5K.org. This family-friendly walk, roll, run or ride event will begin at 9AM.
To make a donation, please type in the fundraiser search box “North College Hill BAAC” @ Dav5K.org. All proceeds go to DAV Corporation. Join us in keeping our promise to American Veterans. For more information about how you can support this event, please contact Donna Brunner at northcollegehillbaac@gmail.com.
wanted...
NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPIONS
What does COMMUNITY mean to you?
Maybe having a community center or organized programs for learning entertainment or exercise Possibly just a place where neighbors can get together and talk For others, "community" means rolling up your sleeves and getting involved!
What is MotioNCH?
Motivated by a strong desire to get involved to help bring about positive, sustainable change in our community, and inspired by ideas proposed by our community in the city's comprehensive planning efforts, MotioNCH was born!
We are a new, entirely volunteer-led group of North College Hill neighbors, formed as an offshoot of the city's Planning Commission Neighborhood Champions will have a direct hand in developing and leading our work
MotioNCH's mission is to provide opportunities for citizen involvement as we work toward rediscovering and rebuildng our city together.
Become a Neighborhood Champion with MotioNCH! We are working on scheduling our very first MotioNCH team kickoff & planning meeting
If you would like to learn more please send us an email at MotioNCH513@gmail com
City of North College Hill
1586 Goodman Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45224
SUBSCRIBE!
Never miss an update!
Subscribe to the city’s website at www.NorthCollegeHill.org/NotifyMe or scan here with your smart device.
City Department Directory
&
728-3977
728-3962
728-3964
521-3950
521-7171
Public Meetings
City Council Meetings 1st and 3rd Monday at 7:00 PM (Summer Session: 1st Monday only in June, July & August)
Council Committee Meetings 2nd Monday as follows: 6:00 PM – Rules & Public Policy 6:30 PM – Public Safety
7:00 PM – City Community Development & Recreation
7:30 PM – Budget & Finance
Meeting Location NCH Senior Community Center || 1586 Goodman Ave North College Hill, Ohio 45224
728-4486 Senior
521-1586