News Bites

Spring Cleanup is May 14th!

Join us at the Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 14th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plan on meeting at Champion Middle School (284 N. 22nd Street) starting at 10:30 a.m. After the cleanup, enjoy refreshments and mingle with other COCLT homeowners and staff. Rain date is May 21st.

Email Norman Deena with questions and to sign up by May 7th.

Enhanced City of Columbus 311 Customer Service Center

Columbus residents can use 311 as a one stop shop for all non-emergency City services such as bulk trash and yard waste collection, code enforcement, abandoned vehicles, streetlights, graffiti, and potholes. A new website and CBUS 311mobile app have recently launched. Creating an account will allow for real-time status updates on any open requests. If you have created an account prior to April 9, 2022, you will need to reregister here. Click below to download the appropriate app.

"Insurance is like marriage. You pay, pay, pay, and you never get anything back." - Al Bundy, Married With Children

LAND LEASE REFRESHER ~ Article 9.4

Liability Insurance

We at COCLT are not cynical like Al Bundy, but we do recognize insurance premiums are not the most exciting monthly expense.

As a mortgage holder, your lender requires you to maintain homeowners insurance. As a Land Trust homeowner, we require you to maintain insurance and list COCLT in your policy.

It is your responsibility to ensure the insurance company policy you choose covers land leases. We have become aware that some companies are not performing a thorough enough check before issuing the policy and will later cancel the policy - or worse - not cover a claim.

Homeowners must provide the COCLT with certificates of insurance at each policy renewal date. A current policy must be on file with COCLT.

We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company and make sure you are properly insured. If you have any questions, please email Lynn Talarico.

Save the Dates...Festival Season

Spring has sprung, and the festivities have begun! COSI Science Festival, Columbus Taco Fest, Ohio Black Expo, Asian Festival...need we say more? Check out all Columbus has to offer here, then get out and Experience It!

Homeowner Tips

The Necessary Evil ~ Lawn Care Part 2

This month we offer some mowing tips. Happy mowing!

֍ Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade.

֍ Mowing grass too low produces a brown lawn, resulting in increased weeds and pests.

֍ Mow when grass is dry.

֍ Leave clippings on the grass to return nutrients and nitrogen to the lawn.

Beneficial Lawn Residents

Not all insects in your lawn are pests. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, ground beetles, and other beneficial bugs eat more destructive insects. Create a habitat that attracts them - shrubbery, native flowers, and piles of plant matter. Pesticides kill the desirable bugs along with their pests so you may want to think twice before applying. (See below on how to identify imposter "ladybug".)

Check for Storm Damage

Now that the weather is warm enough to be outside, it is a good time to look for damage to the outside of your home caused by winter storms. Inspect the roof for any loose or missing shingles. Look at your gutters to make sure they are free from debris. Check to make sure pieces of the siding have not blown off or are damaged from wind.

Ladybugs 101

If you look closely, you can tell the difference between the beneficial (pictured on the left) and nuisance ladybugs (pictured on the right).

Most good ladybugs sport red shells, have black heads, and only have a few black dots. They are native and accustomed to our climate, so they seek shelter outdoors.

The shells of the nuisance ladybugs range from light orange to bright red with many more black dots, and their head markings help identify them as the invasive pest. They have a black "M" marking in the area between their head and wings. These ladybugs seek shelter indoors and multiply quickly. So, if you notice a few in your home, acting fast can help prevent an infestation.