City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

We'll call this public hearing on the Mainsfield City Township tax budget to order. And first I'll call on Finance Director Converse for any comments you might have on it.

okay thank you um this is a routine practice that we engage in in the middle of the year basically just to certify our share of the inside millage of property taxes to the county which gives them an idea of where we're going to start with our budget they then give us a notification of our share of the inside millage at 92 of what that is they start out conservative and then we base our certification to them more on our history of collections. So we've already received our first payment of real estate taxes this year, and it was 58% of our estimate. So we're looking at being right on the same pace as we were last year. We don't think the second payment will be as much because some people make a full year's payment in the first payment, so they aren't equal. But we are tracking right on the same area that we were last year and still right on par with what the county has certified to us.

I guess we really don't have any public here for comment. Carl, you have anything to say? Okay. Seeing no, only the media in the audience, why I guess there's no public to comment. So with that, what do we got? 643, I will close this public hearing on the Township Mansfield and Township tax budget. So we'll wait a few minutes until 645 for the rezone public hearing.

Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, we'll get everybody back to order. And I know we're a few minutes late, but at 647, we will call the public hearing number two on the rezone number 565. And this has been published.

So...

Once again, we really don't have any public here to comment. So, Mr. Falkett.

This is the piece of property on the other side of 71, right?

On the other side of 71 or, okay.

Yeah, okay. Yep, Sites Road and 39, thank you.

I was going to say more 39 than 71. Ms. Mount.

Thank you. And the city planning commission recommended this, correct?

Yes. Planning commission did recommend it. I believe, I believe it was unanimous if memory serves. So we are missing the legislation tonight. So we're checking on a couple of things related to that because obviously we're not meeting again until the end of July. So.

to see if we're in formality with time of hearing and passage of the actual legislation. So we're kind of killing time here while the law director does a quick research on that. We've got about 10 minutes until we start, so we got time here to...

Yes, it is. It's a B2 zoning. Thank you for that question. Yeah. And the family, I think, just wants to, they think this will be a better zoning for them.

And as I understand it, there's really nothing, they don't have an offer now, but we're down the road.

Yep. Yep. They're thinking ahead.

I will do that.

Especially with some of my Scottish heritage.

Just remember, folks, we are on the record, and it is being published on what we're saying. So if you don't want it out there, don't say it. We've got a few minutes until we start council, and as I understand, Deputy Director Madden is going to go up and prepare the legislation. It will be a late bill. Sorry, Mr. Falkett, but it is what it is. So we already have two late bills tonight, so we'll just have another one to add to that. Yep. So I guess with that, unless we have anything further, I will close this public hearing. Okay. We are closed.

so

I called this session a Mansfield City Caucus meeting to order. And we were sitting over here chatting. And I think in my 18 and a half years being on city council here, this is the first time ever that we've not had at least one single citizen in the audience. So, I mean, we were also talking about, you know, schools out, vacations, and nothing real hot topics on the agenda. So they're all contributing.

Police cruisers? Those aren't hot enough?

Well, hopefully they're not here. That means it's all okay. We'll take it that way. So without any further ado, are there any committee reports? I'm sure Mr. Diaz has a long list for us.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AND I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE MUCH LESS OF A LIST IN THE NEAR FUTURE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE COMMUNITY HAS SO MUCH GOING ON AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB AT REALLY PUBLICIZING IT. BUT I THOUGHT I'D DO SOME OF THE MAIN ONES THAT ARE CENTRALLY IMPACTED FOLKS. I KNOW THIS THURSDAY, THE RICHLAND AREA CHAMBER IS GOING TO BE HOSTING THE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT THE CHARLES MILL MARINA. SOUNDS PRETTY EXCITING. This Saturday, we've had a lot of fishing events in the city. I know that the parks have spearheaded a lot. And this one is happening at North Lake Park from 12 to four is going to be by a local nonprofit called Dad, which is devoted, ambitious, and dependable. And a group of young men who've been out there for about two years, doing a lot of great youth outreach. And so they're gonna be doing their fishing with Dad during Father's Day weekend. They'll be giving free haircuts to youth. There'll be music and fun and festivities, and it's free. Next Friday, downtown Mansfield is hosting their second final Friday of the month, June in the Brickyard. And then I also have here, next Saturday, 27th, there'll be the Pride Festival and Parade, which is in South Park, which is a different location from the previous because of the construction. But that concludes my community updates.

Mrs. Davis-Weese.

Yes, and I also wanted to add, I know I had mentioned it before, but this weekend in South Park, we're also having Shakespeare in the Park on Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday. So if you have the opportunity and you would like to enjoy a nice little seat in the park and listen to Shakespeare, please join us. Ward 3, the place to be.

Mr. Falkett.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the Kingwood 5K run last Saturday, I happened to run into Jake Oil, and they are still working on the Park Avenue Hotel project. He didn't have a lot more details than that, but I just thought that was important. Historic Preservation met last night. The Soldiers and Sailors Home brought a window upgrade for their building down here. They came in the fall. They just had enough money to do the bottom two windows. But word got out, I guess, they got more money, I believe, from Mill Iron Foundation. Now they're doing all the windows in the entire building. So they're going to be very nice, and they did get approval from Historic Preservation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Anyone else? Because we can stretch it a little bit. Deputy Director Madden is presenting that, preparing the legislation. Mayor? Mayor?

Okay, a few things from me. First of all, if you haven't seen, we do have a second survey for the swimming pool that is out. I published that on my Facebook page last week. There's also a press release that was released on it. If you haven't had a chance to take it as counsel, I certainly would encourage you. And if you have a Facebook page, please in turn share it so that we can get as many responses as possible. So, you know, four different options has the high level estimates included. So we're anxious to hear from the community about what they're looking for. And if you haven't gotten enough of surveys, just wait, there's more. Our comprehensive planning agency is conducting a countywide survey. And for Mansfield residents, there'll be a specific Mansfield component. I will be sharing that later this week on Facebook. And if you could share on your pages, I would sure appreciate that. We are hoping to get at least over a thousand responses from the county. I think we're closing in on 300 right now, but we really haven't done a But that's really kind of, again, comprehensive plan. It's the big picture stuff of what we are looking for when we say Mansfield is going to thrive, Richland County is going to thrive. So put your thinking caps on for that and please give us feedback. You might have seen we announced a Mayor's Beautification Award recently. So we are planning to do these at Council. We'll do them probably during a caucus or a special thing on the second meeting of the month from April through October. Then we'll do a special one for Holiday Lights in December. I, it's opened for nominations and it can be beautification in any form. Somebody who fixed up their house, their business, their nonprofit could be gardening. It could be, you know, just keeping good care of their property on a regular basis. And I really want to make sure that we're recognizing organizations and individuals from all over the city. So that's where hopefully council members can come in and please nominate folks that you see doing a great job in your areas. And we'll be excited to launch that in July. And the last, but certainly probably the thing that's going to drive a headline is I did want to let everyone know that we are going to be bringing speed bumps back to Park Avenue West, the Miracle Mile. They will start to be put out on Friday, June 26th. Um, and it will operate somewhat similarly to what it did. We did not put them out in 2025, but back in 2024, uh, it will be similar with the exception of, we are going to take them down on Saturday morning and put them back up Saturday night. So if you remember last time around, we left them, put them up Friday, left them up all weekend. The majority of the feedback from residents that were upset was really for that Saturday timeframe. They were trying to get to do their daily business, weekend errands, things like that, and felt like that was difficult for them. And we did hear from businesses that there was some small impact. Undoubtedly, as you'll remember, it had a huge impact on curbing The racing and the gathering on Miracle Mile and, you know, with the weather turning good, we definitely are starting to see some of those challenges emerge again. I did a ride along with the chief actually Saturday night and was able to see firsthand some of what's happening out there. So want to let people know that's going to start next Friday and hopefully that'll curb issues. You know, we definitely know there's a lot of issues with speeding and want to remind people to be careful as you're out driving in the city. Thanks. Thank you.

Director Andrews. Last week, the bass spinner fountain was delivered and installed and we tweaked it. Everything seems to be working well. So we're going to be start. We started cleaning that this week and we'll start painting it. We have a different color scheme that we used. That's good. Give it more of a historical feel. So it'd be different than the pool blue and what's there currently. Also, I put on your desk the brochure, the program that's going to be happening on July 4th for the Vass Bender Fountain and everything down in Central Park, as well as some of the different program information as well. So you'll start to see some Facebook posts and some more media and stuff like that as we get closer to it. So it is something that we have created. not normally have done. We've got fireworks at Mansfield Speedway. We've got a lot of different things happening in Central Park. The middle section of Central Park will be closed to traffic because it will still be under construction, but we've been told that the area that we're going to be in will be completed, so it should be really nice to be able to move back and forth as a pedestrian and not have to worry about the traffic there. Thank you.

Okay, Director Portion, you've got to carry on until we get there. Okay, I'll do it.

So we just recently had a new hire. Daniel Lloyd started in codes and permits. So he is our new housing inspector, a level three, which carries a higher level of certification for helping out Mark in codes. So if by some chance you run across him, please welcome him to the city. The fire department, so firefighter Caden Babel and Jake Bruce are now certified paramedics. They just passed their paramedic certification. We have four more members that should be taking their tests here this month shortly, and we look forward to them passing as well, and we definitely want to congratulate those two for reaching that milestone. It's an 11-month program they have to complete. And then finally, the police department, CP, has been participating in the summer youth programs throughout the city parks. I definitely want to thank the chief to make sure that our officers are getting into the parks with youth and engaging in those programs. And that's as long as I have for you, Mr. President.

Thank you, sir. Director Converse.

I could give you all a government finance 101 lesson. That could take a while. I don't have much to share tonight other than we are actively recruiting for an income tax director and a finance clerk in my office. So if you know anyone who is looking for a job in the field of government finance, please send them my way. posted the finance clerk internal it is an AFSCME job but we didn't have any internal applicants so now we are going to post it externally and see what kind of feedback we get that way also um the audit is wrapping up at the end of this month that is their deadline to get their opinion done so we should be hearing from them in the next couple weeks and uh Hopefully, we can get back to business as usual once they're done with all of their requests. That's all I have.

Okay. Thank you. With that, we shall proceed with legislation, and we'll start with 26-112, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. 26-112 will be authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate a Project Safe Neighborhood grant. That's in the amount of $19,084.25 from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. And this will be used for overtime to reduce violence throughout the city. Met with chiefs today, and they said that that will be overtime for the CAT team as well as Christa.

Any questions, discussion on legislation 26-112? Okay. Bill 26-113, Mr. Alcantara.

Thank you, Mr. President. Tonight we have the tax budget for the city of Mansfield. Our finance department puts that together. This is approximately $2.2 million that comes from the property tax collected by the Richland. County auditor and the companion piece, if you don't mind, is 114 for the township of Mansfield. Same basic story. It's worth a little more than $78,000. As the months go on through the fiscal year, things get adjusted back and forth. But we do this every year. We had our public meeting and that's what it is.

With that, is there any further discussion on 26-113 and 26-114? And my air, I will back up for a minute to 26-112. I think Ms. Daly had a comment, or I'm sorry, David Sweese. Sorry.

That's no problem. I want to, this goes to the CAT team, and the other one was called the CRIS team?

No, CRIS is from Philadelphia.

Okay, so she's for the crime analyst. Okay, so I was asking. So when we're asking for this and we're specifically saying it's overtime, we already know that this is needed for overtime or this is just we're seeking it in case we have to utilize this for overtime?

You might as well come on up here, Chief, because I'm expecting you to go another half hour on the cruisers.

That's what it is. I have a question.

now so what this is councilwoman is uh you know as we look forward as proactive policing um we kind of take a targeted approach with this so this funding allows these members to uh outside of their typical work day um to do these investigations identify you know these problems in our community so that they can be addressed

Okay. My reason for asking that is, is because recently, of course, you know, I work in education, I work with youth. And when I'm seeing that grants are specifically appropriated, when it says that it's for the safety and neighborhood safety. So outside of overtime, I'm curious as to what teachings, trainings, any of those things that we're doing, or are we utilizing some of our other like community components, like the churches, other avenues and utilization of this money to train, children to do it because realistically, I understand that our police, I hear when people are saying we put so much money in police department, but we recently had a series of lots of things. So Mansfield, there is no secret that we are ranked relatively high in violence. There is no secret that there are some of these things, but when I'm seeing this, I, my other question is, is like, what trainings are we doing to reduce the violence?

With this specific grant?

Well, I was like within, so the last time we had several grants that went on this and some of them were also for violence. And then here I'm looking at another one again that specifically says that it's for project safe neighborhoods. Correct. And so it is.

Yeah, yeah. But these grants are specific to overtime, but specific to that addressing that problem through those means. The grant lays out how we spend those funds. You see what I'm saying? And when we apply for these grants, we explain to them what our project is or how we're going to use these funds, and then the government grants us these funds. So, yes, I get what you're saying. We do that through other means. That's the community policing, you know, those avenues through the police department. But these grants, now we're part of the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium. I don't know if you're familiar with that. I am. Okay, so the seven largest cities on the northern part of Ohio, and the focus of that is violent crime, strictly violent crime.

And so I think that's just my and I am familiar with that. I just probably wanted those things to be named, but I will close it out because I know this one is specifically for overtime. The only reason why I was asking that question is when we were here the last time we also had some because we had the last time we had like the family violence reduction grant and we said we went after that for overtime. Correct. We used it. And then we also did office of criminal to combat like opiate use the $50,000. And we also are using those things. It just appears to be retroactive than proactive in a sense, because we're only utilizing it for the overtime, which would seem to solve the crime after it's happened, not in teaching the crime before that.

I get what you're saying, but without saying all, without spelling out our tactics and the investigative techniques that we use to combat, which has been effective because violent crime has dropped in the city and it's a direct result of these investigations. It is proactive. There are a lot of times that we're able to identify situations potentially before they occur and we put ourselves in the way. You see what I'm saying? As a deterrent. So that's where these extra hours, these funds, that's how those are directed. It's not to go out and just start snatching people up and throw them in jail. It's to get ahead of the problem.

If I may? Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. To help explain a little better, because I see where you're coming from, and for the average person that maybe are not familiar with them, Project Safe Neighborhoods, too, you write that project, and it is targeted, and this one is in collaboration with NOVCC, and it's those seven cities. So that is violent crime. It's specific to that team to identify it and address those areas. And then you talked about the family violence. Now, that's actually the Violence Against Women's Act, VAWA. And that funds our detective that helps address domestic violence. So it's key just for that. And I think the one that you may be referring to, didn't we just have the Violent Crime Reduction Grant for overtime? And that's for different, correct, overtime activities than what this project is.

Yes, that one we encompassed our drug task force.

also but this but correct the same premise coming out of that same group and it can be very confusing trust me trust me because you get like a ton of constituent questions on these things so it's like it's definitely one of the things that i want to um like ask questions on and i will have them further as well but it's just those things you want to know When people are saying that, and I always, when you say that, then people are like, oh, you don't know. I appreciate the police. I understand the things that we have to do. I actually even love the concept that our police do go for grants because that are specific to our city to keep us strong. And you put your lives on the line. People should be paid. They should be paid well to do those things. Very much appreciative of that work. So thank you for those explanations. And thank you.

And since we still have some time to kill, the thing is, Because I get those questions all the time about, you know, and you see it on social media. Why are we not spending money on this and not on this? Well, because those grants are specific. And I think the average citizen, you know, they don't know that. They don't understand because they see all this money going into the downtown or going on this project or that project. And they don't understand that. It's monies that were actually sought after for that particular project. And that's why it has to be spent there. And it does. It can be very confusing. So great questions. And, you know, again, I echo what Councilwoman Dewey says. She's, you know, you're right. It's spot on to help clarify that some with everyone because it is confusing.

Ms. Daly.

So for youth prevention, how have you ever had gotten grants for youth prevention like for the this one says anti-drug initiative for adolescents? And I think that was what Krista was looking forward to, something for the youth.

I mean, so, you know, the police department is involved in a lot of the youth programs. So I think the ones that we're involved in, I can't think of any off the top of my head in police. POW.

POW, Police Athletic League has been huge.

So correct, but it's also what grant funds are available. But we collaborate and partner with a lot of other agencies throughout the city and the county.

You understand. I know you partner with them through the courts.

Yes.

That's one.

But no, we don't seek specific grant funding.

I think that was one of the areas she was looking for. Do you get grants for this? Do you get for prevention to help the youth to prevent youth prevention really?

A lot of them, I'm sorry, Amanda, a lot of them is really limited to the collaborations with the local agencies. And a lot of times they have to be the subgrantee and then bring in the police department because it's not something that we do. Our side is this side. So really a lot of the grants that you're referring to are actually in the juvenile justice system a lot of times. Years ago, there was community policing grants we built. Our community policing unit one time had 12 officers, 12 just in that unit. That included a lieutenant, a sergeant, two DARE officers, and then eight other officers. So things have evolved and changed quite a bit, unfortunately, some of where our funding is going to. We used to have funds for our DARE grant back in the day. And then you've got to look at staffing, too, because you have to – we've had to eliminate things like our community policing unit, reduce it down because of staffing, you know, and a lack of that, just, you know, getting the people. And, um, so it good again, good questions. Um, would love to see that come back. Would love to see the community policing where you really collaborated with juvenile court, um, We used to meet and have a top 10 juvenile violent offenders that were identified by the courts. And we actually worked with them and the juvenile parole officers to probation officers to help them.

I remember there too, because my kids were involved in it from elementary school. So that was a good thing. You started from elementary school, you know, and the absence of that may be.

Well, and just like everything else, DARE has kind of fizzled out a little bit. The state has picked up with a program that's online that through our drug task force and the funding through there, we've been helping the state try to push that. So it's basically DARE online, trying to push that through 10 counties. So those are the little things. Yeah, they show it in the schools. Yes. Yes, but we went out and tried to sell it to the schools to look into that program so that they could institute. And these programs cover kids K through 12, and it covers all kinds of topics. So there's where we kind of, you know, we couldn't do the dare. It was kind of fizzling out. So we tried a different path in a 10-county region.

We do have Professor Brewster.

Mr. Diaz.

Yeah, SRO.

No, I just, I appreciate the questions because I mean, I think these are things that I'm learning here just by what you guys are telling me. Oh, I didn't know that existed. And I guess my comment is, you know, thank you for asking and thank you for explaining. And I think this really should be a bigger conversation for the public. I mean, I think this would be really valuable if there's a way we could like put all that together with video or just like interviews. And because I think it would just educate a lot of people. And because we all get asked a lot, you know, why are we investing in all infrastructure? And, you know, it's like, OK, well, grants and stuff like that. But I guess I think it'd be kind of nice to just kind of keep this dialogue going publicly so that we all know, too. especially I think we're all very hypersensitive as you, I know I'm not telling you anything, you and your men and women, but just everything is kind of bubbling underneath with the nice weather and everything and what we're seeing online. So I think maybe having some of those things publicized would be nice to know.

But, you know, we all have our own special niche, right? We know what the police, we know what our function is. We know what the school's function is, you know, We're not legal social workers, even though we are social workers. You know what I mean? So that's where we lean on these other agencies and all of us working together, pulling everybody's resources together and brains together to try to make that difference. But none of us are going to do it on our own. We all have to do our part.

Okay. Any other questions, discussion on where we're at? 26-115? And I think this has been a very good open dialogue and some questions and going back and forth. I think this is good. You have one last comment? Okay. Okay. With that, we shall move on to 26-116. Mrs. Meyer.

We're actually still on five. I'm sorry.

I got out of sequence here.

It's okay. So, of course, 26115 will be appropriating the sum of $212,222.20 from the unappropriated One Ohio Opioid Fund 208 to the Police Department Operations Capital Outlay for the purchase of five new Dodge Durango vehicles and for the purpose of addressing the opioid crisis by enhancing the police department's ability to combat. So, well, since you're up here, I have all, I had all the information written down, but you know, since you're here. Yes, absolutely.

Well, for council members that have, you know, been on council here for a little bit, you know, that, Now, Director Porch and I have been coming to you for years trying to get our fleet back up, too. And we got to a point where we have determined that three new cars a year will keep us pretty much flush. And that way we're not because I believe the one year we came like seven or nine cars. Over the last couple of years with me being a new chief and budgets and everything, we weren't able to purchase those cars like we were. And last year when I got the two cruisers, I had to make those canine cars. So our patrol fleet for the last couple of years, we have not been able to do that. So those miles catch up quick because those cruisers run 24 hours a day, and I think you know how active this police department is. So these five will get us back into our rotation that we can continue then from year on out with those replacements of a couple a year to keep us kind of afloat. Cruiser constant battle, right? Yeah.

Is there any other further, any comments, discussion on Bill 26-115? Mrs. Davis-Weiss?

I'm probably going to seem like a broken record. So one of the things I do understand, now I do understand Ohio One's Recovery Foundation funding. I do understand grant writing. This is something that I've done many times. A lot of times in short, like Ohio settlement money for that is directed for community driven solutions. and it's specifically supposed to be prevention treatment recovery stigma all of those things um and we know within that is like the violent component that comes with drug use or like the other things um because we have passed these additional things that have specifically been for like over time and up it just appears to me was this the newly released because i know that ohio's opioid we get different pots at various times and i think like this last release um that should be coming in richland county had the ability to get the 2026 money was about 47 45.7 million dollars would go across in this new cycle that would take place be part of the things that we're doing Are we then, so my question would be, we're utilizing this for vehicles and I understand that we didn't do the last, and we do have to keep vehicles up to date. What portion of this still goes to reducing violence? opioid, because I know we have other agencies, like I chair, Youth Substance Coalition of Richland County. So we do educational pieces as well, but we're putting the new police, are we also doing like educational pieces to combat some of the things that we're doing? And those are some of the things that I would like to see or know that these funds are, because I do agree. And respectfully, I appreciate the fact that you guys are going after grants to utilize these funds.

Mm-hmm.

but we're still looking at if i just looked at like we you know we can't at all like like go over the fact of like richland county for um so many reasons whatsoever like our opioid records recently we've been looking at numbers where youth under age four are testing at like forty percent for things that are at home all of these things so we really have a problem mansfield richland county is testing higher than other our opioid death is a little bit higher because it's like 34 it's per 100 000 people which is in richland county i was like it literally had i just did this thing so it said Richland County's drug overdose rates significantly higher than the state's average. The recent indicators are so historically mortality is about 52 overdoses per hundred thousand people. Richland County coroner confirmed 37 total deaths annually, which would translate really to about one overdose per week. So we're a bit higher.

Are those 2025 numbers you pulled?

These were 2020. I pulled these up this afternoon.

Okay, because those numbers don't sound accurate.

They don't sound accurate? Okay.

No, because I don't think we had an opiate death. We maybe had two in 2025. So we actually have an opiate board for another few weeks here because that funding is drawing up to the state. Now with the governor on his way out, those grant funds are gonna come kind of to an end. And I can tell you from a drug task force side, For the last probably three years, the push throughout has been methamphetamines. That is what we're finding and taking off the streets, not the opioids. Now, not saying that opioids aren't a problem in our community, but there is so much Narcan in this community. I think it's given us kind of a false positive. Absolutely. Um, but yeah, I don't, uh, not your numbers don't sound correct.

This is just overdoses. This is opioid specific. I'm sorry. Gotcha. Like, let's, let me be clear on that. Cause I do know the top three that you guys are pulling, like fentanyl, cocaine, all of that stuff. So I do have the numbers on there, but this is just in general.

Well, just to kind of clarify on this too. So the total cost for these five cruisers is about 424,000. Okay. This is this, uh, I'm splitting this cost, okay? Half of that is coming out of my capital. So 212, the same amount, 212, 220, 220. That's coming out of my capital. This opioid funding, we're gonna use to supplement to get those cruisers, to get them back up. Because yes, all the problems that we have, if the police can't get there, then what good are we? We could collaborate with 80 people, but if I can't get there to help you, then what's the sense, right? So I know now this fund here, I do not, that has nothing to do with the police department. Okay. So I don't know the specifics to that fund or what those funds intents are. This was to get us to these five to get us rolling again.

Yeah. Well, I do know that like the, you, the, our, our, municipality we have the ability to utilize those funds for whatever if if they're not necessarily used so and if they're being put to good use it is yeah i think my one thing and i just want to ask like are we like taking some other looks at prevention on like other levels and because we have a community that does support our police we have a community that you know enjoys like we have the bike palooza there's a ton of people coming out to do that yeah we're now trying to get into the parks it's all of those We have sectors and we're going to open up some new ones. It might be a good time. Are we utilizing that time also to do teaching, training in the communities from our officers, from people ready to listen, children that are there ready to listen? And those are some of the questions that I'm asking.

Okay. Is there any other discussion on 26-115? Oh, I'm sorry.

Thank you. I was wondering, is this $212,220 the whole amount we're getting for the whole year? Is there any left that could be coming in the future?

So if I can, if I can jump in here. So we, if, if council and course, maybe I don't think anybody was in place during 17 and 18, I think the city entered into a lawsuit settlement with opioid companies that that settlement will last. I think it's up till 2030 or 2032. Now, the city of Mansfield gets a set settlement from these companies as long as the company's remaining business. So if any of these companies file bankruptcy, then that drops the portion share from the city. The city will receive at least two payments a year from everybody that's entered into the settlement of when that was originally filed. So currently, and I don't have that exact number, currently there's $380,000 that's in that fund. Those funds have never been used once up until this request today. So there's certain allowable uses and unallowable uses of what you can use these funds for. The Councilwoman is correct that education awareness is one allowable cost, but there's different pots of money. We sit in a region also where there's $40 million that That's up for the, I think there's five counties within our region. I just forget our region number. You have to submit grants for that. That is typically managed by the Richland County Mental Health Board because a lot of that comes back to the social services. Not used for law enforcement. Now, we have an attorney that represents the city of Mansfield. So I reached out to that attorney to ask questions. Three questions. Can these funds be used for police cars, rescue squads, fire stations, anything within a police and fire? The question is, or the answer was yes. So we, I had to have documentation of the, of that request of us using those funds for this purpose. So there's, there's two different, the big settlement mounts are towards the grants. You have to apply for grants, but that's on the social services side. Typically, the other directors from those boards would lump the police department in to help guide any of those programmings. A lot of the funds came from when we were on the Richland County Opiate Board. When we were having officers go to... overdose victims house to get to help seek them to get treatment so that's been in place since 2017 so if that makes sense so we will continue to to garner funds up until at least i'm confident of knowing it's like 2032. um mr miranda

You had made mention that the number was three cars per year would keep you flush and keeping the fleet active and viable to respond to emergencies. Yeah, correct. We went a couple of years without any new vehicles. So these five were still short one in 2026. We still needed three more. Or does this get us caught up? Are we still short?

No, this this will get us into twenty seven. Okay, correct. This kind of gets us back in track. Yeah.

Okay. Mrs. Daly.

So what does Director Poach was talking about is that we're in Region 9, and it's a Mansfield and Richland County region where Richland County, Ashland, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Medina, and Wayne County are all in that pool. we all get the same money that he's talking about because recently i had to we're looking at a grant from the one ohio fund so they also this is for the agency as well as for the police if that helps i don't know okay any other i see no further hands but is there any other discussion on 26-115 mrs meyer do you wish to bring this forward thank you

I do wish to, but I would like to make one additional comment. Sure. Just because I saw something in social media about the cost of, you know, the 424,000 total was in, I think it was in the news this morning. $44,842 was the actual cost for the Durango. $40,046.88 is for the additional equipment. So that lays out and... lays out the additional costs. So it's pretty high. I mean, people look at it and they're like, why are we spending $80,000 on a Durango when you can get them for 40 or 45? Well, it's not just that.

And I can tell you just a year ago, these same vehicles were about 78,000. And those were canine, which have a few more items in there. And we're up to, what was it, 84,000? Yeah, 84,000 a car. So I hate to burst your bubble, but think what it's going to be in a couple of years.

84,000, it's crazy.

Mrs. Meyer, before, Mr. Falkett, did you have, I saw you, did you have something else?

I was just going to prompt Ms. Myers because we won't be meeting. It's going to be a month. If you're doing it, I am done. You go right ahead.

Okay, Mrs. Myers, go for it.

Thank you, sir. Without further ado, I would like to make a motion that we move Bill 26-115, dispense with further readings, and move it forward for voting tonight.

SECOND.

OKAY. IT'S BEEN REGULARLY SECONDED THAT WE BRING BILL 26-115 FORWARD FOR A FINAL VOTE. WAIT FOR THE READINGS AND BRING IT FORWARD FOR A FINAL VOTE TONIGHT IN CAUCUS. COUNCIL. BILL PASSES 8-0. MOVING ON TO BILL 26-116. Oh, there we go. It didn't work.

It passed.

Reboot. That's what I get for assuming that everything. See when you say you don't .

I restarted it. Oh.

Who said this was going to be a quick meeting? Who spoke those words? Who said it? Bad juju. Director Andrews. Don't say it. Don't say it.

Well, I say let's just approve it all.

Did you vote?

I think it was my name. Let's do a voice vote. I think Deb said that about 10 minutes ago. We can do it on all. Miss Daly, why don't you go ahead and clear out and then sign back in. I did. My name is still not there.

Okay. All right. I'm out. I'm going to go.

Okay. In the meantime, we're going to take a voice vote.

Okay. Mr. Miranda.

You can just shut down.

Yes.

Ms. Meyer. Yes. Ms. Davis. Yes. Ms. Daly. Yes. Mr. Diaz. Yes. Ms. Mount. Yes. Ms. Robertson. Yes. Mr. Falkat.

Yes.

Okay. The motion passes eight to zero. So we will be bringing it forward to council tonight for a final vote. Moving forward to Bill 26-116, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. This will be authorizing the Safety Service Director to purchase the five Dodge Durangos from Jim Shorkey Auto Group in Austintown, Ohio. And I would also like to move this piece of legislation forward.

Is there any other discussion? Okay. Mrs. Meyer, you want to bring it forward?

Thank you, sir. I'd like to make motion that we dispense with further readings on Bill 26-116 and move it forward for a final vote this evening.

Second. And regularly moved and seconded that we waive further readings on Bill 26-116 and bring it forward for a final vote on it tonight in Council. We're still waiting on Mrs. Daly to get logged in, so we will once again take... We're not going to wait. We're going to do a voicemail.

Mr. Moreno.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay. Motion passes eight to zero and we'll move on to bill 26 dash 1 1 7. this is the rezone and they'll call in miss mount.

Thank you, Mr. President. Bill 26117 is amending the zoning district's map of the city of Mansfield, Ohio, rezoning two parcels. The listed parcel number is 06669-00104-000 and 06669-00103-000, located at and around Sites Road, northwest and northeast of Mansfield, Ohio, from zoning classification I-1, industrial district to zoning classification B-2, general business district classification and declaring an emergency. This is what was discussed in the public hearing at 645.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-117?

We did have this in public hearing.

OK. Hearing nothing on that, do I have a motion to adjourn caucus? We're going to vote on it in council. I was already set to vote on tonight. Okay. Do I have a motion?

Second.

It's been regularly moved and seconded that we close caucus. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same. I will now call this session on Mansfield City Council to order. Please stand for the pledge and remain standing.

Heavenly Father, we take a moment tonight as we prepare for our council meeting. We ask for your wisdom and guidance. We ask for your protection on all of our safety services all over the city and all of our citizens. Amen.

Amen.

Okay. We call the clerk to call the roll.

Mr. Miranda.

Here.

Mrs. Meyer. Present. Mrs. Davis-Weese. Present. Ms. Daly. Here. Mr. Diaz. Here. Ms. Mount. Here. Ms. Robertson. Here. Mr. Falkwet.

Here.

And President Scott.

Present. Unless there is an objection, the reading in the journal and correspondence will be dispensed with. Do we have anybody signed up for public comment? Thank you for that clarification. Okay. Any committee reports? Anything further?

Can I add one thing? Absolutely. I would like to congratulate Chief Bauman and Chief Crow for graduating in the Leadership Unlimited Class of 2026. Thank you. It was a nail biter, but no that we appreciate these guys and before them was direct reports. Just we want to make sure the city is out in the community so we will have two more folks going through next year. But congrats.

OK, Miss Daly. We have a late built money late bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move with respect to, for Monday deadline, I move with respect to Bills 26.115, 26.116, and 26.117, that the rule requiring legislation be submitted by Monday at 4 p.m. be suspended, and that Bills 26-115 26-116 and 26-117 be allowed on the floor this evening. Second.

BEEN REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT WE ALLOW THE LATE BILLS OF 26-115, 26-116, AND 26-117. COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE THE MOTION BEFORE. HANG ON UNTIL MS. DAILY GETS.

OH, MY GOD. WHAT IS GOING ON? MINE JUST FINISHED.

Now let's do another voice vote.

Mr. Miranda. We're doing voice.

Yes.

Mrs. Meyer. Yes. Mrs. Davis-Weese. Yes. Ms. Daly. Yes. Mr. Diaz. Yes. Ms. Mount. Yes. Ms. Robertson. Yes. Mr. Falkett.

Yes. Okay.

Motion passes. Miss Daly suspension of the rules.

Thank you, Mr President. Suspension 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 title only. Second.

Been regularly moved and second that we approve the suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miranda?

Yes.

Mrs. Meyer? Yes. Mrs. Davis-Weese? Yes. Ms. Daly? Yes. Mr. Diaz? Yes. Ms. Mount? Yes. Ms. Robertson? Yes. Mr. Falkett?

Yes. Okay. Motion and suspension of the rules passes. So we will proceed with legislation. Starting out with Bill 26-112. I'll call on Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-112 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. And we're moving seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-112.

authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant in the amount of $19,084.25 from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to be used for overtime to reduce violence throughout the city and declaring an emergency.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-112? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. I move the bill 26-112 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second.

Been regularly moved and seconded. Is there a voice vote?

Okay. Mr. Miranda?

Yes.

Mrs. Meyer? Yes. Mrs. Davis-Weiss? Yes. Ms. Daly? Yes. Mr. Diaz? Yes. Ms. Mount? Yes. Ms. Robertson? Yes. Mr. Falkett?

Yes. Okay. Bill 26-112 passes by with eight votes. Bill 26-113, Mr. Falkett.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26113 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. And regularly moved and seconded, the clerk shall read Bill 26-113.

Adopting the tax budget of the City of Mansfield, Ohio for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2027 and directing submission of the same to the county auditor.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-113? Hearing none, Mr. Falkett.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26113 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second. In regular movement, seconded. Call the roll.

Mr. Miranda? Yes. Mrs. Meyer? Yes. Mrs. Davis-Weiss? Yes. Ms. Daly? Yes. Mr. Diaz? Yes. Ms. Mount? Yes. Ms. Robertson? Yes. Mr. Falklett?

Yes.

Okay, Bill 26-113 passes 8-0. Bill 26-114, Mr. Falkett.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-114 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. Been readily moved and seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-114.

Adopting the tax budget of the Township of Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2027 and directing submission of the same to the County Auditor.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-114? Hearing none, Mr. Falkett.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-114 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second. And regularly moved and seconding. We shall take a voice vote.

Mr. Miranda? Yes. Mrs. Meyer? Yes. Mrs. Davis-Weiss? Yes. Ms. Daly? Yes. Mr. Diaz? Yes. Ms. Mount? Yes. Ms. Robertson? Yes. Mr. Falkwet?

Yes. Okay. Bill 26-114 passes 8-0. Bill 26-115, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-115 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. And Wrangler moved and seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-115.

Appropriating the sum of $212,222.20 from the unappropriated OneOhio Opioid Fund Number 208 to the Police Department Operations 208.15.01 Capital Outlay Classification towards the purchase of five new Dodge Durango vehicles for use by the Mansfield Police Department for the purpose of addressing the opioid crisis by enhancing the Mansfield Police Department's ability to combat opioid-related crimes and respond to opioid-related emergencies.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-115? Hearing none, but I do think it was very good for our discussion that we had on this piece of legislation tonight. So with that, nothing further, Mrs. Meyer?

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-115 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second.

Been regularly moved and seconded. Shall I call the roll?

Are you in, Joe?

Okay, we'll try it. I'm still... Bill passes 8-0. We finally get a... Okay, very good. Bill 26-116, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-116 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

Second. Been regularly moved and seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-116.

Authorizing the Safety Service Director to enter into a contract with Jim Shorkey Auto Group, 4850 Mahoning Avenue, Austintown, Ohio, 44515 to purchase five Dodge Durango vehicles for the Mansfield Police Department.

Is there any further discussion on Bill 26-116? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer.

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-116 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

Second. Been regularly moved and seconded. Council shall cast their final passes of Bill 26-116. Bill passes 8-0. And our last piece of legislation this evening is Bill 26-117. Ms. Mount.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-117 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion. Second. Second.

In regular moving second, the clerk shall read Bill 26-117.

Amending the zoning district's map of the City of Mansfield, Ohio, Ordinance Number 04-208 to rezone two parcels known as Richland County Permanent Parcel Numbers 066-69-001-04-000. and 066-69-001-03-000, located at and around Sites Road Northwest and Northeast Mansfield, Ohio, from Zoning Classification I-1 Industrial District to Zoning Classification B-2 General Business District Classification and declaring an emergency.

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-117? This was our public hearing on the rezone this evening. Hearing none, Ms. Mount.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-117 be placed upon the floor for final consideration.

Second.

Been regularly moved and seconded. Council casts their vote for final passage of Bill 26-117. Bill passes 8-0. That concludes all our legislation. Just like to say everybody enjoy their next session off. We'll see you in about a month on July 21st. Is there anything further to come before council this evening?

Move to close.

Second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? We are adjourned. And whoever said it's going to be a quick meeting.