Meeting summary:

  • Evanston Community Council revised its by-laws for the first time since 2008, adding amendments for organization membership, new business approval and more.
  • State Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey (District 26) spoke about her background and what she’s been working on at the Statehouse. She was appointed to her position in October after Sedrick Denson resigned. 

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • There were only two board members in attendance. Is that common? 
  • What is the vetting process for new business proposals, as mentioned in the by-laws?
  • What issues pertinent to Evanston residents could they bring up with Bailey, their new Ohio House representative? 

Notes

The monthly meeting of Evanston Community Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. It took place at the Evanston Recreation Center.

Twenty-five people were in attendance, including two board members. Officials present:

  • Natasha Smith, vice president
  • Nicole Perkins, finance secretary

New state representative addresses neighborhood 

State Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey, of Cincinnati’s District 26, spoke to community members. She said she is making an effort to attend more community meetings.

Bailey explained her background:

  • In October, Bailey was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives. Her predecessor, Sedrick Denson, resigned last summer. 
  • She grew up in Roselawn and was inspired by her mother, who was a social worker. She attended Sands Montessori for primary school before graduating from Walnut Hills High School.
  • She has worked in social impact spheres for quite some time, working alongside other national organizers, including on Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. She also worked on a few governor’s races. “But really, I’ve built a career building on Black political power,” she added.
  • Bailey said she wanted to go into the Statehouse for a couple of reasons. She has been pushing from the outside in for a while and thought her experience could be used pushing from inside out.
  • She is introducing legislation that would require radon testing for housing before new tenants or homeowners move in.
  • One issue at front of mind for constituents, according to Bailey, is utility prices. She said she is on the phone a lot with Duke Energy, state agencies and utilities: “We can help you with all of that,” she said.

“I really want to be hyperlocal. I could care less about the craziness happening in Columbus. I want to make sure you folks have an open door with me,” she told meeting attendees. 

Bailey is typically at the Statehouse on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

High school track scholarship opportunities

A St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church representative announced scholarship opportunities for high school track athletes. The Flying Pig Marathon offers $20,000 in scholarships each year ($5,000 per student) for high school track athletes who want to continue running in college.

Scholarship applicants are required to do community service, write an essay, and get a recommendation.

More information can be found on the Flying Pig’s website.

Minutes approval 

A motion was made to approve minutes from the community council’s November and December meetings. Motion was seconded with no discussion, and members approved unanimously.

By-law amendments

The president said the main purpose of the meeting was to revise the community council by-laws, which have not been updated since 2008.

The board presented several recommendations to the by-laws, including:

  • All board positions will remain the same, except secretary, which will be changed to reporting secretary. The secretary will report meeting minutes and see that they are accurate.
  • Special committees may be appointed from time to time as deemed necessary by the board. You must be an active member of Evanston Community Council to chair a special committee.
  • Election of officers will take place on the third Thursday of January.
  • Anybody who is a resident of Evanston is eligible for membership. No one is barred from the council based on race, sex, nation of origin, etc.
  • Clarifications for membership for businesses, organizations and other groups:
    • They can make motions and vote after paying dues.
    • They can submit one vote on behalf of the organization.
  • No regularly scheduled meetings in July. 
  • Recommendation for new businesses: Proposals, ideas and suggestions are vetted, allowed for the council to vote upon.

By-laws will be printed and posted to the website. All voted in favor of amendments.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.  

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes here.