City Council - Regular Meeting

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Yeah. Yeah. Careful about gesture. [laughter] Do you like to do on the football game if you want to talk?

Somebody's reading list. [cough] Yes, sir. I sent you a message.

Two minutes. Two minutes. Happy. [laughter]

[clears throat]

One touchdown struggling especially Good evening. ing 700 p.m. I'll now call Mansfield City Council Caucus, Mansfield Caucus to order. Um, good evening. Welcome to a new year. We have new council members uh with us tonight. Um, their first meeting. A special uh change tonight as I'm president prom setting in for the regular president Phil Scott who is off this evening. Um don't know that there's anything else right this minute. So we'll start with committee reports. Does anyone have a committee report? Aurelio Diaz.

I have a special uh three special announcements u of things happening between now and our next council meeting. Um, one is Saturday at um, it's going to be a collaboration between Maddox Memorial Church, Richland County Children's Services, and the Rosland Neighborhood Watch Group. It's going to be from 11 to 1:00 at um, Manox Memorial Church. It's at the Rosland Neighborhood Fam Festival. So, be sure to come out for that. It's in the heart of a neighborhood, and I just like seeing these three uh, organizations coming together. So, that's this Saturday from 11 to 1. Um, [snorts] beginning I guess today or tomorrow until January 23rd, Richland County Children's Services is hosting their fourth annual Valentine card drive. Um, a lot of us got those notifications. This is a partnership between Children's Rich County Children's Services and the Mansfield United Lions Club. And I believe in the flyer um they last year 9,000 um Valentine cards were given gifted to um ages um gosh young to 18 year olds. Youth who are um receiving uh foster care uh supports um you're encouraged to drop off you know either storebought Valentine cards or um homemade um something special for youth. Um again that's going to be accepting cards now until 23rd. And then just a really quick reminder, um, as you know, we've been announcing if temperatures are 20 degrees and lower. We have the two warming centers, um, in the city. The daytime um, option is Ark Church on the corner of Sycamore and Park Avenue. Those hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Then the overnight warming center um hours are First United Methodist Church from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. And they do always encourage um donations uh and volunteers if that's something you know anyone is interested in doing. And that concludes my community announcements.

Thank you, Councilman Diaz. Anyone else? Madame Mayor,

uh just a couple things tonight. I just want to also add my welcome to our new council members and welcome back to our uh returning ones. Look forward to working with you um the next few years. And I do want to also say thanks to our uh city staff and department heads and all the leadership. We uh finished out 2025 uh with a lot of great projects coming in. Um and we're starting off the year uh hot and heavy. Uh you're going to hear about some of those updates here in just a second from the directors, but um there's a lot of good things going on. We will be aiming for the state of the city again in March. Um this year we're also going to be adding a video along with it. So uh more to come on that, but we're excited um to do that. Also um we we are in the midst of going to Microsoft 365. Of course you remember Huck was here a couple uh a month month or so ago talking about that. uh our IT folks have been very very busy scurrying all over. I want to say thanks to them. I know they're carrying a big load with that. Um uh but uh it's it's going to be a really great step forward for the city. So, thanks.

Thank you, Director Andrew.

Thank you. Um if you check our website, we have several uh job postings. We have a maintenance equipment operator down at the complex. Those are ones that operate our snow plows. Uh we also have our wastewater treatment plant. We're hiring some supervisors down there as well. And parks is hiring some people as well. There's other departments. So if you know someone that's interested in those positions or interested in looking for position with the city, uh check our website and they'll be posted there. Uh we are going to continue with the leaf pickup program that we started. Uh the leaves were still on the trees when we started plowing snow. So this is kind of unusual situation, but this week the weather's going to be nice. So, our crews are going to get out and try to get caught up as much as they can during this break before the next snow period next week probably. So, be looking they'll be continuing on the second round in a different zone that they have not been. So, we will be looking at the the leaf there. Uh we are continuing to pair uh prepare for snow plowing. We used 4,000 tons of salt so far this year or this past year and we have more uh being delivered and more on schedule. So, we'll be ready for the next uh snow event that we have. Uh there was a suggestion, it came from the businesses downtown, that we keep uh the white lights down in Central Park and just take down the Christmas lights. So, we have worked with the contractor and they'll take down the Christmas theme and color lights uh down in the next month or so and leave the white lights up in the downtown through probably March or April till we get into the mowing season or get have to get those extension cords up. So, that was a recommendation. They said it'd be nice to have that. So, we were able to work that out with that. Uh, this year, if you haven't found out, this is America 250 celebration. And, uh, Mike Witter, who is our park superintendent myself, will be going down to the state house tomorrow as a kickoff for the Ohio 250 celebration. We have several things uh that we are going to have here in the

city and county. Uh I'm acting as a represent for both the county and the city for the 250 committee here in Mansfield and Richland County. We're considering doing a community mural uh as a part of that. We're also looking at the rededication of the vast bender fountain. Uh we've got a report back that they are 90% done with the casting and more than 50% done with painting. So it will be delivered sometime in June. So we're very comfortable that the contractors be able to get that set and in place for July 4th. The original dedication when it was donated to the city was July 4th, 1881. So, we're going to recreate that rededication as part of the 250 celebration and that'd be 145 years is uh the fountain. So, it's going to look new. It's going to be great. We're going to add some additional features there. So, it should be kind of a center landmark uh there at Central Park. And then also uh this year, we're going to be opening the time capsule uh that's scheduled to be opened July 4th as well. And then we're going to be doing a new time capsule uh that will be uh the mayor has gotten some students give us some stuff and we're just collecting stuff to put in the time capsule for the next 50 years. Right. Yeah. So that's what we're going to be doing then.

Yeah. [laughter] So uh the other thing we have six planned dedications and probably groundbreaking events in 2026 so far. So, we're going to be looking at uh doing some recognition for some of the donors that have helped us with a lot of these projects and giving recognition, but also to let the city know what's new and different and what we're doing in the way of the city. Uh we just p uh posted the bids uh December 22nd for the 2026 street repaving resurfacing and that is tax supported through a levy fund. We're also going to be doing the Fox Glenn Trail and that was a donation uh by the group of $65,000 for that repaving of that trail. And then we also had the Liberty Bad Ha bath house uh reconstruction and also renovation of that into kind of an outdoor shelter. And those were from donations from the Miller Foundation and also Richland County Foundation. And that's $46,000. So we're doing a lot of these things, but we're also leveraging a lot of private donations. They're not city funds that we're going to be using. And we open the bids on January 14th, so we'll know where those bids are at and know what we're going to be doing there. That's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, director. Director Porch.

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh for the uh police department, nine officers will be graduating here at the first week of February. I mentioned last council will be open up lateral applications at the end of uh February. So those are current current certified police officers that in the state for the vacancies that we have and then hopefully around we're looking maybe Juneish for our entrance exam. Uh I know that the HR director is currently working to develop a fire exam which we want to uh the mayor uh wants to get that completed as as quickly as we can. We're trying to shoot for March but uh maybe April. So hopefully the March date happens. Uh the command unit that I've been uh uh reporting on to council that has finally been completed. So it was completed in end of December, but because of the holidays, we could not get or the officers that the chief selected to be in charge of the command vehicle could not get down because of the holidays. So we waited until about the second week of January. I don't know the date. Uh, I am going to go down with the chief and the officers to go over the vehicle. Once that gets back to Mansfield, uh, at some, uh, point in time in February, we'll probably have an open house for council members to be able to to tour the vehicle to see its capabilities and what we have. So, we're definitely um, glad that that project's been completed for the fire department. The fire chief is on it. He uh gave me the stats for 2025 and the the fire department responded to 12,218 calls for service. Please keep in mind 85% of those calls are EMS related. A large portion of their duties always fall back and relate to EMS, which is I'd much rather have that than fires. Um

so that is up 2.67% 67% from in comparison to 2024. So, we're still trending in the upwards area for our calls for service. And then finally, uh through the next two months, the fire department will be installing incar cameras in both the fire engines and the squads. So, when I and I definitely want to highlight this, it is for uh the incar cameras. do not go into the back of the squads where patient care is being delivered. [clears throat] It is forward- facing and cab for the squads. So, it is the same camera system that uh the public works vehicles are have. So, the chief's excited about making sure uh we have those in on our our fire service vehicles. So, uh more to come on that and that's all I have.

Thank you, director Director Converse.

Thank you. I would just like to welcome the new council members and invite you all to um the finance department anytime that you have questions related to our city's finances or any kind of um information like that that we could provide for you or if you would like to see specific things reported in the finance report that hasn't been in the past. Um I'm always open to your ideas and your feedback. So feel free to stop in any time and um see what we're up to. Right now, it's it's not much excitement happening up there. We're just closing out last year and getting 2026 set up. The state auditors are here now and they will be um performing their audit of last year's financial records and they are very thorough. So, uh, I do expect them to be requesting information from council members as well regarding any kind of, um, interaction you would have had financially that is applicable to their responsibilities in the audit. They're very, very thorough. [laughter] That's all I have.

Thank you, director. Director Harper, thank you. My office is in the process of tallying up the numbers um in terms of what has been going on for purposes of both criminal and civil. Um and we'll have that information for you next time. Beyond that, I have nothing else to add. Thank you very much. Legislation time, Councilwoman Meyer.

Thank you, sir. uh bill 26-00001. Uh this will be authorizing the safety service director to accept an appropriated donation of $300 from Apple Seed Valley Veterinary Hospital to purchase puppy lifesaver oxygen masks for the Mansfield Fire Department ambulance. Can I jump in on that, Director Porch? [clears throat] Uh so these are for six masks. It'll cover for six squads. They're like $50 a piece. And I know it says puppy, but the chief says this is for adult dogs for to be a for the oxygen mask. So, it's very nice.

Also, not dogs, he said. Also cats. Yeah, anything with a snout. Okay. And cats. Maybe not chickens, but [laughter] [snorts]

it won't work for a pug. I don't know. [laughter] All right. Any uh further comment from councel? I will say that I did um work with uh clerk Delane today and she has developed a thank you note from city council for donations throughout this 2026. So maybe we'll pass that around sometime during could take a look at it and we'll work that out. So if there's nothing else on that 262 is mine. This is for the VIP phone system. So on a monthly basis it's a mere $9,3960 but we're doing it for 60 months which makes it $542,376 to cover the 5-year period. Um, we have Mark Huckleberry in the back who is installing the system and working with them. And this has been through the board of control last month. Is there any questions, comments? All right. Hearing none, we'll move on back to Mrs. Meyer. 263.

Yes. Thank you, sir. 2603 will be approving the law director's acceptance of a grant from the Ohio Crime Victims Assistance Office to be used for the crime victim's assistant program admin administered by their the that office in the amount of 31,5530. There is a match required of 712832. And is there does anyone have any questions about that? Law directors in the back corner just waiting to answer a question. All right. Hearing no nothing. Uh we'll go back to uh Councilwoman Robertson. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, so bill 26004 is authorizing the mayor to submit an amended annual action P plan for PY2021, the home ARP funding indicating proposed uses for the city's 2021 home investment partnership program funds under provisions of pro public law 93383 as amended declaring an emergency. So basically what this is in a nutshell is um we had I talked to uh director Arian and we have some monies that were was forwarded to us in addition to what had already been approved through legislation and it's a little over $1,200 and that's what this is because we have to have things right especially with the state auditors here. We don't want to cause any headaches for the finance director. So uh Adrienne do you have anything you want to add? Um but not too much just that the bulk of the changes are on pages 39 and 41 which shows that supported services and of course but the rest of that plan is essentially

has any anything further? No sir. All right. You got to pass on that. you should normally come all the way forward to a microphone because people are watching outside. Um I do not have any further um legislation. If there's nothing else, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. Second. I need somebody to actually do it. I'm used to you being next to me. [laughter]

Second. So Crystal moved to adjourn and it was seconded. Our caucus meeting is closed at 7:17. I will now call Mansfield City Council to order. Yeah, you can stand up. I'm looking for my nose. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance and we'll remain standing for a brief uh reflection. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you look over us this evening as we start a new year of city council. Grant us wisdom and guidance. look after our safety forces and all the employees of the city of Mansfield and bless our residents. Amen.

The clerk will now read the role. Mr. Miranda, present. Mrs. Meyer, present. Mrs. Davis, present. Miss Daly here. Mr. Diaz here. Miss Mount here. Miss Robertson here. And Mr. Falcott here. President Scott. Excuse. [laughter]

We're We're excusing him, right? Not the second one. All right. [laughter] Now, cast your uh vote. President Scott is excused from the meeting 8 to zero. All right. [snorts] If unless there is an objection to the reading of the journal, we'll be um in correspondence is dispensed with. Citizen comments is up next. Do we have anyone on the signin sheet tonight? No. All right. Are there any additional committee reports for council? Would the mayor like to address council?

Nothing. Director Andrews. Director Porch. Director Converse. Director Harper. No. Thank you. Thank you everyone. We'll now proceed with legislation. uh rule suspending uh rules is Thank you, Mr. President and Tronet. Suspensions of the rules. I move with respect to all bills that come before council this evening that the rule requiring reading on three different days be suspended and that each bill be read one time by the title only. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that we'll suspend the rules. There's no discussion. We'll go ahead and vote. Suspension of the rules passes 8 to zero. Miss Dailyy, she do you have any more? Nothing late. No late bills. It's a wonderful night. All right. [laughter] We'll now proceed with legislation. All right, Mrs. Meyer, you're up with the number one piece of legislation for 2026. Thank you, sir. I move the bill 26-2, no 26-001 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. The clerk may now read the bill. Authorizing the safety service director to accept and appropriate a donation of $300 from the Apples Seed Valley Veterinary Hospital to purchase puppy lifesaver oxygen masks for Mansfield Fire Department ambulances. Is there any further discussion, comments, or questions from councel? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer. Thank you, sir. I move the bill 26-001 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please cast your ballot. Passes 8 to zero. Up next, 262. I move that the clerk uh I move that the legislation be placed on the floor for discussion. Second. It's been moved and seconded. The clerk will now read bill 262

authorizing the chief technology officer to enter into a contract for cloud-based phone service VOIPE to the city of Mansfield with Ring Central for a term of 5 years which shall provide the city with all VoIP services previously provided by Mel in addition to new features and services and declaring an emergency. Thank you. Further questions or comments hearing? None. I move that this bill be placed upon the floor for final consideration. Second.

It's been seconded. Please cast your vote. Passes 8 to zero. Mrs. Meyer 263. Thank you, sir. I move that bill 26-003 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion. Second. It's been moved and seconded. The clerk will now read bill 263,

approving the law director's acceptance of a grant from the Ohio Crime Victims Assistance Office to be used for the crime victim's assistance program administered by the law director's office in the total amount of $31,55.30 appropriating the funds to be expended into 2026 and declaring an emergency. Further questions or comments from councel? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer. Thank you, sir. I move that bill 26-003 be placed upon the floor for final passage. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Please cast vote. Bill passes. I can't Oh, 8 to zero. Mrs. Robertson 264. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that bill 26-004 be placed upon the floor for discussion. Second. It's been moved and seconded. The clerk will now read bill 264,

authorizing the mayor to submit an amended annual action plan for PY 2021 home ARP funding indicating proposed uses for the city's 2021 home investment partnership program funds under the provisions of public law 93-383 as amended and declaring an emergency. Any further questions or discussion from councel? Hearing none, Mrs. Robertson. Thank you, Mr. President. I um move that bill 26-004 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second. Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. Please cast your vote on 264. Passes 8 to zero. Does anyone have anything else to come before councel this evening? I will second. It's been moved and seconded. We are now adjourned. 7:25. That's the earliest in a long time. Best soap.