City Council - Regular Meeting

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

The Mansfield City Council Claims Committee addressed four claims, denying two and approving two for further consideration by the City Council. The City Council also held a caucus meeting, discussing various community updates, departmental reports, and several legislative bills, including the approval of an agreement for health benefits consulting and a grant for a bike trail parking lot.

About this meeting

Government Body
City Council
Meeting Type
City Council
Location
Mansfield, OH
Meeting Date
August 4, 2026

Transcript

205 sections

4:37Speaker 5

Good evening. I would like to call the claims committee meeting to order and take a roll. Councilman Miranda.

4:45 – 6:18Speaker 5

Councilwoman Daley. Present. Thank you very much. You guys have, we have four claims to look at tonight, and we'll go through them here one at a time. And before we start, I just want to say again, we are caught up right now. We had one claim that came in last week. Mm-hmm. And again, thanks to the law director's office. Appreciate your help with all this. So we're going to move forward. The first claim is Lauren Chandler. It's claim number 07-050426. Is Ms. Chandler here? Anyone for her? Okay, so basically what this is, it's a claim in the amount of $1,200 for a rim replacement with two tires and alignment estimates. There were no actual expense receipts submitted. The claimant stated that they were on 13 and they had hit a rough patch road and that there was potential tire damage and that there is also a gouge to the front passenger side wheel. However, only estimates were turned in, no receipts. On this one, the law director took the position to deny this claim in full. At this time, does anyone have any questions about this? Committee members? Mr. Miranda.

6:19Speaker 12

Now, this was on State Route 13, correct? Was that part of 13, was that city responsibility or state responsibility? It is city. Okay.

6:29 – 7:05Speaker 4

It is city. It was adjacent to the VOA, which is at approximately 923 North Main. She did state that there was a pothole. However, in doing research to try to locate a work order for a pothole or any type of problem on the roadway, there was nothing in or around the date, the claimant state that it happened. There was a pothole that I did find a work order that was approximately two and a half weeks to three weeks prior to that, that was called in by a separate person and that pothole was addressed and it was at the exact same address.

7:08Speaker 5

You're welcome. Ms. Daley, do you have any questions?

7:15 – 7:47Speaker 3

The only question I really have is that when she took the estimate in, said to her reinforce that you need to bring not just estimate just exact receipt so we can whatever yes she was aware she was aware that paid receipts have to be put in with the claim with the thing okay or even after all right thank you any additional questions in reference to this claim from anyone yes mr farquad

7:48 – 8:27Speaker 11

I would only say that whether she had to the penny receipts or not, the fact that she hit a pothole that was not reported would have been, in my day, a denial claim anyway. So maybe she just saved herself some extra effort. And I say that, too, because I would hate to see her reapply if the real reason to deny the claim is it's a pothole, not because she didn't have the right paperwork. And that's my opinion. I'm not on the committee. Thank you.

8:28 – 9:06Speaker 5

No, thank you. And I think that we established as a committee several months ago in looking at these things that there is a process, a legality process, where the city is liable or they're not liable. And if those parameters are not hit, then the law director is looking at these very closely. And that's also then for us to ask and make sure that are we liable or not based on those parameters. So, again, appreciate that. Thank you. I'm going to... ask for a motion that it's the position of this committee to deny this claim and not forward it on to council for consideration. Do I have a second?

9:07Speaker 12

I'll second.

9:09 – 9:25Speaker 5

Then second all those in favor. Aye. And it passes to deny it, not move it forward to city council for consideration. The next claim is William Bittner. Is there anyone here for Mr. Bittner? He's not here this evening.

9:26Speaker 4

He said he wasn't going to make it.

9:27 – 10:25Speaker 5

Okay. Thank you, Tracy. This is claim number 09-060226. This is a situation where there was a sinkhole in the road on Sturgis, or towards Sturgis, actually on Glessner Avenue. He ended up hitting it. It was not marked. AAA came out. There's a lot of paperwork on this. There was some photos that shows it along with the claim. The amount of the claim is for $85.90 total. And he has a receipt here from Firestone, some other things. There was a work order that was dated May 15th, and it shows the date of the claim damage was located. Let's see here. They did install a new manhole ring, so forth.

10:27 – 10:54Speaker 4

If I may add to that. Absolutely. The actual city work order field notes stated huge sinkhole behind manhole, and then they give the manhole number, and then what went on that they did to repair that. They actually have to close the street. Mr. Bittner hit that sinkhole at 6 o'clock in the morning, so it wasn't bright outside. It wasn't light outside. He didn't see it and hit it, and it did pop his tire. Okay.

10:57 – 11:21Speaker 5

So on this one, it is the basis of the law director to pay this claim in a reduced amount of $80.47, which is dictated by the paid receipt amount that he submitted. Does anyone on the committee have a question about this? Anyone else on the committee have a question? Oh, go ahead, Council Member Miranda.

11:22 – 11:49Speaker 12

I was just reading through here, and it would appear that the person had roadside coverage, road hazard on the tire. And the roadside coverage paid for the claim, and this is the labor balance, the additional road hazard on the new one. So the tire itself was probably substantially more than the $80. That is correct. Okay. Okay.

11:52Speaker 5

Yes, he's only claiming what he had to put out of pocket.

11:55Speaker 12

So we're covering what he was out of pocket. Yes, sir.

11:58 – 12:11Speaker 5

And that he submitted as amended by the law director instead of the $85.90, the actual receipt total of $80.47. Does anyone else have any questions? Mr. Falkwit?

12:12Speaker 11

I'll just reiterate what I said before. If this popped up in the middle of the night and hadn't been reported, I'm not sure it's our responsibility.

12:23Speaker 12

The date of our notation of when the potholes was reported on our end, was that prior to or after?

12:31 – 13:06Speaker 4

It was the same date that it happened and it was reported. But the thing is, is that Mr. Bittner was the one that reported it. He called into the city and reported it. And that sinkhole was caused by, help me if I'm incorrect here, Director Anders. was the sewer line work that was being done on Glessner that caused the sinkhole. So it wasn't like a pothole from, it was actual work that the city did that caused it. Yeah, so it's a little different. Sorry, yes, I'm sorry.

13:06 – 18:51Speaker 5

And I should have added that, so yeah. And it's on here too, on the paperwork, so I missed that. My apologies, Councilman Falquette. If there's no other questions, I would like to make a motion for consideration that we move it forward for city council for consideration as directed by law director and pay the reduced amount of $80.47. Do I have a second? I'll second that. It's been seconded. All those in favor? Aye. And so this one will be moved forward for consideration by city council. We've got two more. The next one is Roselle Boleski. Are they anyone here tonight for Deja Food? No. Okay, this one's a little different one. It's claim number 11-062926. Basically, what happened was that this past winter, one of our snowplow workers knocked off a cap of a pipeline located near the sidewalk of the business there on Park Avenue West. When they knocked the cap off, they found later it fell into the sewer line. So the property manager, it says our property, I'm assuming it says, Stephen Rush reported the incident, but we never received a follow-up regarding their complaint. They had not gotten followed up on. And then on June 6th, their toilet at the restaurant became plugged. They called a septic company and the company with the camera discovered that the missing part of the cap was lodged inside their line, inside the pipeline that the plow truck had knocked over. So basically we did, we knocked it out. That's where it was found when they couldn't find it. It was down in the sewer line and they are asking for a reimbursement of $300 for for the paid receipt that they had for the drink company that came out and took care of that problem. Is there any questions about this right now? Nope, okay. Anyone else have any questions other than committee? Okay, based on that, it is the position of the law director to move the claim forward for the full amount of $300 to city council for consideration. I'll ask for a motion for that. All those in favor? Aye. Okay, moving forward for city council for consideration. On this next one, it's claim number 14-072826. It's Angela Pitts. Is anyone here? Ms. Pitts? So this one's a little different too. A large tree trunk broke off and landed on a tree in her yard, which then also broke and it fell into her house. The tree, the first tree that broke, and please, Tracy, if I mess this up. The first tree that broke and went to her tree, she alleges belonged to the city due to the alley being abandoned. She paid out-of-pocket $1,200 to a tree company to come in and clean this up. There were no work orders found regarding the claim. And the homeowner's residence sits adjacent to an unnamed, platted but unimproved alley. Deputy Director Madden went through some things and found where regarding city's duties in regards to damages caused by a falling tree from a platted but unimproved alley into a real property owned by a constituent, basically states that per that memo under ORC 723.03, a platted alley does not become a public alley under the care or control of the municipality unless the dedication is accepted and confirmed by an ordinance specifically passed for that purpose. City engineering confirmed that the alley was running between there that's in fact platted but an unimproved alley. So what the constituent did, what Ms. Pitts did, is she paid the $1,200 because her deductible through her insurance was over $1,600. It is the position of the law director that based on the previous memo in the ORC code that we deny this claim in full as a city has no liability per the Ohio Revised Code 723.03 and 2744.02. Any questions on this one? Seeing no questions, I'm going to make a motion that we move with the law director's consideration to deny this claim in full as the city has no liability per that ORC 723.03 and 2744.02. Do I have a second? It's been seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. And this one here will not move forward for consideration. Is there any other questions right now? Okay, the time is 7.02, and I will close the claims committee meeting.

18:55 – 19:09Speaker 13

With that at 7.02, I will call this session on Mansfield City Council caucus meeting to order. Are there any committee reports or community updates? So I'm sure Mr. Diaz has a lot to inform us of.

19:10 – 21:17Speaker 10

Thank you, Mr. President. I'll try to be brief here. But a lot of things are happening leading up to our next council meeting, including this Friday, the Mansfield Noon Optimists are hosting free rides at the Carousel. That's going to be from one o'clock to four o'clock. Again, that's this Friday. Also this Friday will be the sixth annual Waterford Mansfield Car Show. That's going to be at the Waterford, which is located at 1296 South Trimble Road, which will be from 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock. This is a family free event. A lot of things happening on Saturdays. Well, Saturday we have becoming an annual event called Voices Out of the Dark, which is hosted by North Central Ohio's Harm Reduction. That will be at 101T at 5 o'clock. And what they do is they pair a creative musician, artist, poet with someone who is actively in the program of substance recovery. And then they create a piece of art on that. So that is a free event as well. This Saturday, I definitely want to do a shout out to a benefit and ride and spaghetti dinner for our good friend, James Weiner, who we know and love very well. This is going to be a unique gathering and fundraiser. It's going to be, the ride portion will be, At 10 a.m. at Ohio Shine, which is at 126 North Franklin Avenue. And then the dinner will be at the FOP, which is at 315 Concord Avenue. There'll be some raffles there, some music, fun fellowship, and more importantly, good food and the Weiner family. And I'd also like to see, oh, yeah, and also this week and Sunday will be the beginning of the Richland County Fair. So if you are a big thrill seeker, you don't want to go on Sunday. You want to eat on Sunday. You want to ride the rides Monday on. So be sure to go out and support your county. And that concludes my updates.

21:19Speaker 13

Mr. Falkett?

21:21 – 21:46Speaker 11

just go out one more saturday because i don't think we'll be back but the shawshank hustle will be operating on that saturday and depending on my hip situation i'm participating so i hope to see you along the way because i don't know that any of you are waving yeah you could at least wave at me thank you ms robertson

21:47 – 22:10Speaker 5

Thank you, Mr. President. Also on August 22nd, the Ohio State Reformatory will be hosting its first ever Bronco Car Show out at the Reformatory. There's going to be approximately 180 Broncos brought in, Ford Broncos, and there's a specialty one that's like one off. That's it. It was only made one time, so it's kind of a cool event for the community if they'd like to participate in that.

22:18Speaker 13

Any other? Okay, moving on. Mayor, I'm sure you have a lot forth, right?

22:25 – 25:12Speaker 8

Oh, tons. Just a couple updates really for council. We are starting budget season. So department heads have through this Friday to submit their budgets to me. And then we start our meetings with them towards the end of August, of course, getting ready to bring a final budget to you later this fall. So just As a heads up, that process has begun, and we've been having good discussions and giving them some good challenges this year. I also wanted to let everyone know Pastor Jamila O'Neill, who was here and spoke last time. We were able to connect between last council meeting and tonight. Met with her as well as two others from her group. Had a really productive meeting with the chief and assistant chief. And I think we're working towards a community-wide meeting. So more to come on that. Nothing is scheduled yet, but we decided that this is a conversation that more people should be involved in. So I did want council to know I followed up there. Just wanted to shout out the folks out at the airport for another successful airport day. I know our assistant manager out there, Mike Moore, really takes the reins on the planning for that. And Jeff Angelini has served as the chair of the committee for many years. He's stepping down his chair this next year. So I really just want to thank him for all the years of effort. And if any of you know Jeff, you know he puts everything, his all into things and is very, very generous with his time and talent and resources. So appreciate Jeff. And lastly, you probably saw in the paper, but we did have our downtown community improvement advisory board meeting last week, a couple things pass through there that I want to make sure council knows about. One, we did set aside a little bit of money for the end of Main Street and hopefully planning some sort of celebration and the we really, really want to drive traffic downtown again. at the end of it. So look for more information, but that'll probably happen in early November of this year. And then we also did a vote to support a master plan for public art in downtown Mansfield. There was a good article in the news journal about that. and what that will entail but uh there's a very unique artist that is working with high point north carolina right now and and so he came in and proposed that and uh we did support that as well thank you sir all right welcome director finders just a couple things what now no okay okay

25:13 – 26:42Speaker 1

We just filled a secretary's position at the complex due to retirement, and that person will begin to week in the next few weeks. We also filled a park equipment operator full-time position as well, and that person starts August the 10th. We also have training scheduled for our complex. We're doing some traffic control that's being done by ODOT. And we're also doing some trenching and shoring safety things with OSHA and our PEP, which is our preventive safety meeting things. So they also were working on the Liberty Bathhouse. We just started some work on there. So we'll be doing a roof and windows and things. So it's starting to shape up. We just finished Maple Lake. Black Magic Skate Park dedication a couple weeks ago. We also finished up the disc golf course at Middle Lake, and we will be doing a dedication on that on August the 21st at 1.30, and that's made possible by sponsors of Bright Speed and Ohio Realtors Association are the ones that picked that up. And then we're also going to be doing a dedication at Prospect Park as donations from the Rotary Club of Mansfield, Alumni Roofing, Purdy Construction, and Richland Public Health. So these are all activities that will be happening within the next month. And so be looking out for different things happening in our parks and throughout the city. Thank you. You're welcome.

26:43Speaker 13

Director Converse.

26:45Speaker 9

Thank you, Mr. President. No updates this week.

26:49 – 27:07Speaker 13

And Deputy Director Corley. Thank you, Mr. President. Okay. Okay. Moving right along, we shall proceed with legislation. So for caucus, we will start with Bill 26-138, and I'll call on Mrs. Meyer.

27:09Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. 26-138 would be honoring Assistant Chief Chris Spielman upon his retirement from the Mansfield Fire Department.

27:20Speaker 13

Is there any questions or comments on 138? Mr. Falkett?

27:27Speaker 11

He's not here, right?

27:28Speaker 13

He is not going to be here, no.

27:30 – 27:48Speaker 11

I know we normally don't say a whole lot, but I did know Chris because some of the employees I don't know very well. But I did know him. Super nice guy. Glad he's moving on to his next thing after retirement. And I wish him well. And sorry he couldn't make it.

27:50Speaker 13

Any other council wish to make comments?

27:54Speaker 7

Just want to thank him for his years of service and dedication to the community.

27:59Speaker 13

Anyone else? Miss Robertson?

28:02 – 28:30Speaker 5

Thank you, Mr. President. Again, I knew Chris. We came on about the same time with the safety forces and was always, he cared a lot. He wanted to make sure everything was always in the right place and he made sure it was done right. And I appreciated him, appreciated the friendship, appreciated the professional working relationship we had. So I know you lost a lot of experience there, Chief, but we have some great people coming up too. So my best wishes to Chris and his family on the next endeavor.

28:32Speaker 13

Anyone else? Okay. Seeing no hands, we shall move on. Bill 26-139, Mrs. Meyer.

28:43 – 29:07Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. 26-139 is authorizing the safety service director to enter into an agreement with One Digital for professional health benefits, consulting, actuarial, and underwriting services. We've got Ms. May here. Is it fine for her to come up? Sure. Thank you. Thank you for the handout.

29:09 – 31:16Speaker 2

You're welcome, Councilwoman Meyer, and good evening, everyone. So what you have before you tonight is a request to enter into an agreement with One Digital. They are a brokerage house. So let's talk about what a brokerage house is. A brokerage house does our consulting, our actuarial, our underwriting, our analytical services. This is completely different than our health insurance providers. When we talk about our providers, we talk about when I go to the doctor and they say, who is your carrier provider? Anthem or Delta Den or VSP, something like that. This has no bearing on those providers and what those actual plans are. This is the folks who work on the back end, who work for us, who work with us and alongside of us to handle those underwriting consulting type services. Let's also talk a little bit of how we got here. We engaged in an RFP process in May and June of this year. We did get a quite robust response of requests for proposals. Of those, we were able to narrow them down. We held five different kind of presentation style interviews, question and answers with the brokerage houses that we had chosen to be our finalists. We heard many, many wonderful presentations from those very fine folks that were very well qualified. From there, we were able to then narrow it down further and we selected one digital. What I emailed to you earlier today gives you a very broad overview of who One Digital is. One Digital, as you will see in what was sent to you, has over 25 years of experience in the brokerage business. They have 12 locations throughout the state of Ohio. They have quite a bit of experience with public sector clients. They represent the city of Ontario here locally, the village of Lexington, the city of Sandusky, Kent, Brunswick. and several other public clients as well. So we are respectfully requesting that you approve this legislation this evening so we can continue to move forward towards our open enrollment, which will be this fall.

31:22Speaker 6

Director May, did you tell me, I believe, that it's a one-year contract?

31:27Speaker 2

It would be for a one-year contract with the option to renew that if neither side decides to cancel. Yes, ma'am. Right.

31:36Speaker 13

Mr. Miranda.

31:38Speaker 12

Are they Ohio-based? Are they nationwide?

31:42Speaker 2

I believe they are Ohio-based with 12 locations throughout the state.

31:47Speaker 13

Mr. Falkett.

31:49 – 32:12Speaker 11

Thank you, Mr. President. One of the questions we asked this morning at Board of Control, and now that I have another personal copy here on this page of capabilities, which is page four, We did not sign up for all of their capabilities, correct?

32:12Speaker 2

Not at this time. They're just letting us know what their book of services are. Their book of services is quite expansive, as you can see.

32:19Speaker 11

And we maybe didn't need all those services at this time.

32:23Speaker 2

At this time, no, but we may entertain additional service in the future or we may not.

32:28Speaker 11

And could you maybe just start at employee benefits and go across each row and tell us yes, no, which ones we got?

32:38 – 33:40Speaker 2

Well, I don't have the definition of what each service is right in front of me, but employee benefits, if you look at that from what the brokerage house does, like telling us, are we best utilizing those benefits? HR consulting, no, we don't have that at this time. Reporting analytics, I would say we will. They're going to be submitting reports to us and helping us to analyze our plans. Pharmacy consulting, of course, pharmacy is one of the benefits we offer. We would be working with them on that. Employee engagement, I think they will be working with us on that. We want our employees to be engaged in their health care and in the benefits that they choose. Again, health and well-being, the same. Property and casualty, no. Financial, I would say no. Global benefits, I would have to see more of a definition on what exactly that entails. Wealth management, no. Compliance consulting, to a degree. Of course, we want to make sure that our health benefits comply legally. Mergers and acquisitions, I would believe no at this time.

33:44Speaker 11

Thank you. Can I go on?

33:48 – 35:22Speaker 11

I want to extend that. I appreciate the fact that your office did quite a bit of work on this and that they did reach out to local providers and sounds like you had a pretty in-depth and formal process. And so I want to, commend you and your team for taking the time and spending and getting this done. I think a change was needed, so I'm glad there was a change. And this, I also understand that because of open enrollment and all that, that there's a little bit of pressure on council to move this along. Because I would have liked to ferment this one for another meeting, but I'm not going to suggest we do that. let's say um but thank you again and i'm glad you took a good hard look at it and i hope that we continue to really review this because the insurance cost everywhere in the entire country is a big big big expense and we need to keep looking for better ways to do it and share and all that other things so with that mr president thank you

35:23 – 35:42Speaker 6

Mrs Meyer, yeah, I will just make one other note. I had emailed director May earlier today and ask about the cost for the services and and it's the brokerage services are approximately 50,000 and will be paid from the health insurance fund comprised of city and employee contributions.

35:43Speaker 2

Correct, thank you, Councilwoman.

35:44Speaker 6

Absolutely thought maybe somebody else might have that question too.

35:50Speaker 13

Any other questions, comments, Miss Davis Weiss?

35:53Speaker 14

Now, is this a replacement for someone that we had before?

35:58Speaker 2

We've worked with our existing brokers since the latter part of 2011. And this will be a new brokerage house.

36:05Speaker 14

So cost comparison as bringing in this brokerage as opposed to the one that we are replacing, what does that difference look like?

36:14Speaker 2

There is a slight increase with this brokerage house. However, we believe the expansive gifts of their services will outweigh any nominal increase.

36:27 – 36:48Speaker 8

And we're paying separately for our enrollment service that we may not need down the line. So that was an additional cost with our previous broker that we're going to stay on that because that's what everyone is familiar with for this open enrollment. And then after this year, we'll explore that. So it could end up dropping back a little bit.

36:49Speaker 2

Correct. That potential is absolutely out there.

36:51 – 37:03Speaker 13

Thank you. Any other questions, comments on 139? Okay. Moving on to Bill 26-149, Mr. Diaz. Bill 26-140 is

37:15 – 37:34Speaker 10

Sorry, it's consent legislation from the state of Ohio and Department of Transportation is then to find the need for the described project, which is highway lighting maintenance repairs on State Route 39 and to be scheduled for summer of 2027. OK, any question, Mr Falkett?

37:36 – 37:47Speaker 11

Can we get a little more specific than the entire State Route 39 corridor? Or is it the entire State Route 39 corridor kind of north of town, I'm assuming?

37:49Speaker 13

Mayor or Director Andrews?

37:53 – 38:15Speaker 8

I think that engineer Bianchi would be the best suited to answer that. And unfortunately he's under the weather today, but consent legislation of course comes from ODOT. So really apart from giving them permission to work in our community, we don't have to do anything, but I'm happy, more than happy to get an update emailed to you after council to narrow it down.

38:15 – 38:34Speaker 11

All right. well thanks and that's and that's fine and i know it's no cost to us as well so we always appreciate the state taking care of state stuff yes yep they could do more right amen okay anything further on 26-140 okay moving on to bill 26-141 mrs meyer

38:39 – 39:04Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. 26-141 will be authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate funds received via donation from Nutella in the amount of $50. And I spoke to Chief Crow today, and he assures me that Captain Swank will put that to use towards some tools. So thank you to Nutella.

39:07Speaker 10

Like Nutella the spread? Is that what that is?

39:11Speaker 10

Wow, okay. Okay. I didn't know.

39:15Speaker 8

It's not $50 of Nutella. I do want to clarify that. So that sounds more fun.

39:21 – 39:45Speaker 13

Oh, really? Okay. Anything else to spread around about Nutella? Sorry, bad humor. Okay. Okay, moving on. Thank goodness. Bill 26-142, Mrs. Meyer.

39:46 – 40:06Speaker 6

Sure. 26-142 will be authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate a Project Safe Neighborhood grant in the amount of $24,772 from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services through the Toledo Police Department to be used for the Mansfield Police Crime Analytics Program.

40:09Speaker 13

Any questions, discussion on 142? Ms. Davis-Weese.

40:19 – 40:33Speaker 14

I did have questions on this one. Is this specifically, again, we had spoken about this like a bit shortly. This again is just in for overtime or what will this be used for specifically?

40:38 – 40:52Speaker 6

So my understanding from the chief was that this was for Krista Schoenfeld. Schoenfeld, is that her name? Schwanhorter, sorry. For overtime. That was my understanding from the chief. I think I got that correct.

40:53 – 41:06Speaker 8

So yes. Okay. And she does our crime stats. Krista does. So works closely with the CAT team and some of the other programming we do around that. Yes.

41:07 – 42:56Speaker 14

So my concern with that is, is we are using a lot of funds specifically that are in overtime. And when I'm taking a look at what this PSN grant is written for, specifically because this is for crime analytics, I know it's strict documentation. I know that we can utilize this for overtime. But when they're it even I even saw some stuff, you can utilize it for leasing of equipment. But a lot of times what this specifically is allowed for, community violence interruption, research evaluation, you know, partnerships, prevention of youth violence. My concern is, is that we continue to vote for things that are heading into overtime, but I'm not seeing enough things that look like they're actually doing intervention of youth violence. if I could see where that was going, because these grants are specifically stating that they are neighborhood violence. So that's a concern of mine that we continue to do this without making an adjustment for that. Some of these things, I mean, I've just recently looked at because I, this current year walked into my classroom and had a crash to find out that one of my students had been murdered. She wasn't someone who was violent, but she was someone who was killed by somebody who was violent. And I just would like to see that we're doing a bit more. We also know in the year of 2023, we had a considerable amount of youth that had died in violence. So I understand that there's a level of overtime that we need, but when we continue to have these and they're specifically saying project safe neighborhood, I would like to know what we're utilizing those grants for and how we can put that to good use towards violence because data is good. But as I said the last time, it just seems like this is we're doing it after the fact and not a proactive approach if we're not seeing some changes in what our violence looks like here.

42:59Speaker 13

Ms. Robertson.

43:00 – 44:44Speaker 5

Thank you, Mr. President. Hopefully, Councilwoman Weiss, I can help answer some of that. And I wish the chief or the safety director was here. But as I read this, and they didn't state this, but it says it's through the Toledo Police Department. So Mansfield traditionally is part of the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium, otherwise known as NOVCC. We're one of eight cities that includes Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, Lorain, Elyria, Canton, Akron. And usually this PSN is actually this part of it is part of a larger grant fund and it's managed by Toledo. We used to manage it when I was here, I actually managed those grants. And that portion of say it's 100,000 actually awarded to NOVCC. And then this is like a sub award to our police department. We tie it into whatever that consortium is focused on. Krista's duties in this a lot of times is she also acts and does extra work for NOVCC because you have to have part of that as part of the data collection and things. So that could be some of it. I think that probably would be possible for the department to possibly look at other grant funding that absolutely specifically written, outside of this. And again, I'm taking a jump here and making some assumption, but that's what it looks like to me on this, because it does say sub-grant award. And, but so that could be, it definitely, if the chief or safety director is here, they could clear that up. But there's always some fundings and things out there too, to look into. So good points.

44:46 – 45:47Speaker 14

So then my further question would be, because do we currently have something placed in that we're specifically using for Project Safe Neighborhood that is like a violent deterrent that we're utilizing in our community or neighborhoods? Because I... This is, in the time that I've sat here, we've done several of these votes moving towards it because I know what people will say, oh, you know, anti-police. I'm not that. If people are working, they should be paid in every single solitary way. But if we're also paying, we should be able to subside because I love the cities that you named. But in alignment with those cities, we're seeing a level of crime that is literally in alignment with cities that are bigger, that in the past we're less violent than i mean we're far more violent than we are until our numbers increase so it just appears to me that we need to put some action in that area as opposed to um we continuously keep placing it in one area is what i'm saying mr president sorry councilman now

45:48 – 46:03Speaker 7

And maybe the mayor would speak to this. I'm thinking of the cat team and how this directly impacts the violent crime in the neighborhoods. I don't know. I know with the chief and the director out, it may be hard to get an answer, but maybe you can shed some more light on the cat team.

46:05 – 47:19Speaker 8

Yeah, I mean, the CAT team, they work outside of their regular patrol hours, looking at specifically folks perpetrating violence. Metrich, of course, does the drug side of it, but CAT is really looking at the violence end of it. You know, I'm definitely happy to explore what you're looking at. And we've had some good conversations with community members. By the time they're coming here, the grant's been written and approved by the ultimate grantor. And so then we're accepting, receiving the grant. And what I hear you saying is more that we should be looking for more proactive grants. And I'm happy to take a look at that with the chief and schedule a conversation and see suggestions. So I think, you know, the hard thing over the last few years has been the staffing issue. for the department. And so grants like this have allowed them to schedule the overtime when we need it. So I get, but I, I do hear what you're saying and, and the ultimate concern of stopping it before it starts rather than catching it after. So.

47:21Speaker 13

Ms. Davis-Weese.

47:22 – 49:00Speaker 14

And I guess I just wanted to respond to that because if we're continuously writing and we know that we're writing for overtime, we know that we are absolutely asking for something for project safe neighborhoods. Why would we not additionally be writing to create a safe neighborhood in those ways? Whether it's because I know that there are staffing issues, but there are like partnerships that can be done if we're working with school systems or juvenile systems. And all of those things can work together because that's truly the only way we're going to be able to stop violence is it's a collaborative. It's going to take all of us. It's not a small task in any way, shape, or form. It's juvenile systems. It's parental training. It's educational systems. It's community training. And that's the only thing. It just definitely appears to be one-sided for the violence we saw that we've not taking a look at that a bit more to at the same time that we're doing because two things can be true we can be short staffed and need overtime but we definitely have a violence issue that needs to be addressed anything further on 142 okay moving on to bill 26-143 miss davis weiss thank you mr president Yes. And this is on 26, one 42, authorizing the safety director to accept an appropriate grant in the amount of $45,000 from the Northeast Ohio public energy, which is known as no pack to be used for a parking lot at the tremble road bike trail, declaring an emergency.

49:01Speaker 13

And in discussion on one 43, Mr. Falkett.

49:06Speaker 11

We know which corner of the bike trail and tremble road It is. Which side of the road, left, right, is it?

49:15 – 49:38Speaker 8

Yeah, it's going to be off Raymelton Boulevard, which is the road you turn in to go to Akron Children's. There's another business that I believe is going to locate there, and it'll be just to the west, east of that. Trimble runs north-south, right? Yes. Yeah, so it would be just to the east.

49:38Speaker 12

Looking at the hospital to the right of it.

49:42 – 50:06Speaker 11

yeah but it'll be on the opposite side of the hospital so basically across the street on ray mountain boulevard from the hospital across ray mountain same side yes tremble same side of tremble across the little driveway yes in that field area where the loop is yes over in there yes thank you yes thank you miss robertson

50:06Speaker 5

Thank you, Mr. President. Do we know, is this the total cost for the parking lot, or is this just part, and where is that other funding coming from?

50:13 – 50:43Speaker 8

It is not the total cost. We are also talking with two other governmental entities about contributing. We have not, there have been loose conversations, but no formal ask. So I'd prefer not to disclose that tonight, but yeah. That answers my question there. Mm-hmm. More will come. We're working on the design and all of that right now. But the money, since this was coming in, our suggestion was to earmark this for that project. So it's all set.

50:44Speaker 13

Very good. Anything else on 143? Okay. And finally, Bill 26-144, Mr. Falkett.

50:56 – 51:18Speaker 11

Thank you, Mr. President. This is for our annual balance the budget. piece of legislation, this allows the finance director to make little transfers back and forth. And we do it every year, and if you've got questions, you can certainly ask, but I think it's routine.

51:18 – 51:43Speaker 13

Okay, are there any questions, discussion on 26-144? I see no hands, so that concludes legislation. Is there anything else to come before caucus this evening? If none, I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. It's been regularly moved and seconded. We adjourn. All in favor signify by saying aye.

51:44 – 51:55Speaker 13

Opposed, same. We are adjourned. With that, I will call this session of Mansfield City Council to order. Please stand for the pledge and remain standing for the prayer.

51:58 – 52:11Speaker 11

I pledge allegiance 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.

52:13Speaker 1

That's great.

52:15 – 52:54Speaker 15

Almighty God and loving Father, we just want to thank you for another day you have presented us here together, Lord, to discuss the business of the city and to vote and to approve certain rules and ordinances. We just pray that, Lord, you will guide us to make the right decision and that it could be the benefit to the whole community. We also want you to guide and protect the service personnel, the leaders of the city, and that you continue to guide us to be one of the right people.

53:05Speaker 13

Thank you, Ms. Daly. With that, the clerk will call the roll.

53:13Speaker 9

Mr. Miranda?

53:16Speaker 9

Mrs. Meyer? Present. Mrs. Davis-Weiss? Present. Ms. Daly?

53:24Speaker 9

Ms. Mount? Here. Ms. Robertson? Here. Mr. Falkwet?

53:30Speaker 9

President Scott?

53:31 – 53:52Speaker 13

Present. Unless there is an objection, the reading of the journal and correspondence will be dispensed with. Okay. Hearing no objection, we will move on. Is there anyone signed up for public comment? I didn't say anything. Okay. Didn't think so, but I thought I'd ask. Okay. So, Mayor, Directors, anything?

53:53 – 54:10Speaker 8

I just would add, previous to the discussion that we just had, Councilwoman, I texted the chief just to make sure we were correct in what we were saying, and we are. It does also cover training for the department. So I'll get some more details on that, and we can continue to talk. But I did want to add that in. Thank you.

54:12Speaker 13

Anyone else down there? Okay. I don't see anybody jumping up.

54:20Speaker 12

Yes, I saw that, yeah.

54:24Speaker 13

Okay, we will now proceed with legislation. Zero.

54:27Speaker 9

They all showed up absent.

54:32Speaker 13

Well, it says yes here.

54:33Speaker 9

It says yes on your screen. But up there, absent.

54:41Speaker 9

Do you want me to reset it and see if it works?

54:50 – 55:02Speaker 13

Should we do a reboot? Yeah. Let's do a revoke. Why not?

55:09Speaker 9

You're just going to have to turn your computer around and show everybody. Well, who are we waiting on?

55:25Speaker 13

Again, well, trust me, on my screen it says yes for eight, all eight. They are all locked in.

55:34Speaker 1

Everybody's locked in.

55:35Speaker 13

I can unlock them and lock them away. Does everybody have on their screen eight yes?

55:47 – 56:07Speaker 13

Okay. I think we're good. Okay, we suspend the new rules. Let's see what happens when we get into legislation. Okay, starting for counsel, we'll do starting off with 26-126. Mr. Diaz. Thank you, Mr. President.

56:08Speaker 10

I move that Bill 26-126 be read and placed upon a floor for discussion.

56:16Speaker 13

Been regularly moving and seconded. The clerk will read Bill 26-126.

56:21 – 56:34Speaker 9

approving the attached airport economic development plan developed by the City Economic Development Department, subject to subsequent updates upon approval by the Economic Development Department and the Mayor's Administration.

56:35Speaker 13

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-126, Mr. Diaz? THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

56:42 – 57:48Speaker 10

AS YOU SEE, THIS BILL IS CURRENTLY IN ITS FIRST READ. RECENTLY, TODAY, WE WERE GIVEN A FAIR MARKET-BASED PATH FOR MANSFIELD LOMBS TEA HANGERS FROM A CITIZEN. WITH SOME CONCERNS, WE ALL HAVE COPIES HERE. THEY WRITE DOWN COST OF ESTIMATES FOR NEW TEA HANGERS. And the core request, just so everyone can hear, is do not adopt city ownership of the predetermined long-term outcome before completing an independent legal review, unit-by-unit condition assessment, Mansfield area rent and demand study, CURRENT MARKET VALUATION, WRITTEN FAA FUNDING DETERMINATION AND FULL FINANCIAL COMPARISON OF ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS. SO THIS WAS AGAIN GIVEN TO US TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN. I'M NOT SURE, MAYOR, IF YOU GOT THIS AS WELL.

57:49 – 58:14Speaker 8

not till i walked in tonight and barrett has not seen it either so yeah so this was this happened very quickly at this evening so yeah we'll take a look and be happy to give a update to council next time sounds good miss mount on the same topic um i received it also tonight not previously i don't see it being signed by anybody do we know what entity this came from

58:17 – 58:51Speaker 6

I received it. The gentleman's name is Rob Lyall. He has a hangar, L-Y-A-L-L. He does have a hangar at the airport. And he didn't call me this morning until 10 o'clock or something. And we had trouble. he tried to email me the report. I had trouble getting it downloaded. And so he sent me a text with a PDF that I ended up sending to the gals here and having them get it printed out for us.

58:51Speaker 7

Thank you. And it helps know just where it came from. Absolutely. Thank you. Um,

59:05 – 59:37Speaker 13

so this is scheduled to be passed at our august the 18th meeting so we've got some time a couple weeks here to get some answers on this and review the whole thing also so okay then if there being no other further questions discussion on 126-126 that will be considered the first read on that bill Moving on to Bill 26-138. Mrs. Meyer.

59:39 – 59:50Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. 26-138. No, I moved that. We're not in caucus anymore. I move that Bill 26-138 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion. Second.

59:50Speaker 13

Been regularly moved and seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-138.

59:55Speaker 9

Honoring Assistant Chief Chris Spielman upon his retirement from the Mansfield Fire Department.

1:00:03Speaker 13

Is there anything further on 26-138? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer.

1:00:11Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move the bill 26-138 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

1:00:15 – 1:00:46Speaker 13

Second. And regularly move and second. Council shall cast their vote for final passage of bill 26-138. See what we get this time. Once again, I get all eight yeses, so I don't know what's happening up there. And all council members are the same? Okay. Okay. Bill passes eight to zero. Bill 26-139, Mrs. Meyer.

1:00:47Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-139 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion. Second.

1:00:54Speaker 13

And regularly moved and seconded, the clerk shall read Bill 26-139.

1:00:59 – 1:01:12Speaker 9

Authorizing the Safety Service Director to enter into an agreement with One Digital for professional health benefits, consulting actual and underwriting services, and declaring an emergency.

1:01:13Speaker 13

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-139? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer.

1:01:21Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move the bill 26-139 be placed upon the floor for final passage. Second.

1:01:26 – 1:01:48Speaker 13

Been in regular movement. Seconded. Council cast their vote for final passage of bill 26-139. All right. Okay. Passes eight to zero. As everybody can see. Bill 26-140, Mr. Diaz.

1:01:48Speaker 10

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-140 be read, placed upon the floor for discussion.

1:01:56Speaker 13

And regularly moved and seconded, the clerk shall read Bill 26-140.

1:02:02 – 1:02:18Speaker 9

Consent legislation from the State of Ohio, Ohio Department of Transportation has identified the need for the described project, Highway Lighting Maintenance Repairs, RIC-SR39, 11.930, scheduled to be constructed summer of 2027. Is there any discussion on Bill 26-140, Ms. Mount?

1:02:26 – 1:02:43Speaker 7

This is not official, unofficial word from Mr. Bianchi, but from what I can find on how ODOT numbers their mile markers, this would be the 3971 interchange area for that 11.930 marker. But hopefully we'll get confirmation.

1:02:44Speaker 13

Okay. Any other discussion on 26-140? Hearing none, Mr. Diaz.

1:02:53Speaker 10

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-140 be placed upon the floor for consideration.

1:03:03Speaker 13

And regularly moved and seconded, Council shall cast their vote for passage of Bill 26-140. Bill passes 8-0. Bill 26-141, Mrs. Meyer.

1:03:20Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-141 be read and placed on the floor for discussion. Second.

1:03:26Speaker 13

And regularly moved and seconded, the clerk shall read Bill 26-141.

1:03:31Speaker 9

Authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate funds received via donation from Nutella in the amount of $50 and declaring an emergency.

1:03:41Speaker 13

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-141? Hearing none, Mrs. Meyer?

1:03:49Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-141 be placed upon the floor for final passage. Second.

1:03:55 – 1:04:13Speaker 13

And we're going to move to the second. The council shall cast their vote for final passage of Bill 26-141. Bill passes 8-0. Bill 26-142, Mrs. Byer. Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-142 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion.

1:04:14Speaker 6

Second. Second.

1:04:20Speaker 13

In regular move and seconded, the clerk shall read Bill 26-142.

1:04:25 – 1:04:44Speaker 9

Authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant in the amount of $24,772 from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services through the Toledo Police Department to be used for the Mansfield Police Department Crime Analytics Program and declaring an emergency.

1:04:45Speaker 13

Any discussion on Bill 26-142? Okay, seeing none. Mrs. Meyer.

1:04:54Speaker 6

Thank you, sir. I move that Bill 26-142 be placed upon the floor for final passage. Second.

1:05:00 – 1:05:24Speaker 13

And a regular move to second it. Council shall cast their vote for final passage of Bill 26-142. Bill passes 7-1. Bill 26-143, Ms. Davis-Wiese. Thank you, Mr. President.

1:05:25Speaker 15

Mr. President, I would like to have Bill 26-143 placed upon the floor and read through the session.

1:05:36Speaker 13

And we're going to move into the second. And the clerk shall read Bill 26-143.

1:05:41 – 1:05:56Speaker 9

Authorizing the Safety Service Director to accept and appropriate a grant in the amount of $45,000 from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, NOPEC, to be used for the parking lot at the Trimble Road bike trail and declaring an emergency.

1:05:57Speaker 13

Is there any discussion on Bill 26-143? Okay. Hearing none, Ms. Davis-Weiss.

1:06:05Speaker 1

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-143 be placed upon the floor for final

1:06:12 – 1:06:29Speaker 13

Second. Been regularly moved and seconded. Council shuts their vote for final passage of Bill 26-143. Bill passes 8-0. And Bill 26-144, Mr. Falkett. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-144 be read and placed upon the floor for discussion. Second.

1:06:38Speaker 13

Been regularly moved and seconded. The clerk shall read Bill 26-144.

1:06:44 – 1:07:01Speaker 9

Annual request authorizing the Director of Finance to make transfers among the city's appropriated funds by classification within departments and sub-departments necessary to balance accounts for proper accounting purposes at year end as of December 31st, 2026 and declaring an emergency.

1:07:01Speaker 13

Is there any questions on discussion on Bill 26-144? Hearing none, Mr. Falkett.

1:07:12Speaker 11

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill 26-144 be placed upon the floor for final passage.

1:07:19 – 1:07:39Speaker 13

Second. Been regularly moved and seconded. Council shall cast their vote for final passage of Bill 26-144. Bill passes 8-0. Is there anything else to come before Council this evening? Hearing none, I ask for a motion to adjourn.

1:07:39Speaker 11

Move to close.

1:07:40Speaker 13

Second. Been regularly moved and seconded. We close. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same. We are adjourned.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.