MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council is expected to discuss amended federal grant requests for additional available funds through the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program.
Representatives from four organizations will explain proposals during a 30-minute public hearing, including the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Harmony House, Mansfield Metropolitan Housing and the Habitat for Humanity.
— The Area Agency on Aging has preliminary approval for $600,000 in HOME funding for the proposed Ritter’s Run project, a 12-unit housing development for area seniors near OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
The Richland County Land Bank in March transferred parcels to the agency for the project.
If all goes according to plan, the council should be able to vote on the funding at its July 21 meeting. If approved by city council and HUD, construction could begin by mid to late August.
Funds for project will include previous unspent HOME funds awarded to the city, dating back to 2015.
— Harmony House seeks $80,000 in block grant funds to provide assistance for local homeless residents. Officials with the shelter expect needs to rise as courts re-open and evictions resume during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Mansfield Metropolitan Housing seeks $100,000 in block grant funds for emergency monthly housing payments and $150,000 in HOME funds for tenant-based rental assistance.
— Habitat for Humanity is requesting $50,000 in HOME funds to assist in the construction of a new house in the St. Peter/OhioHealth District on property made available through the Richland County Land Bank.
Also on Tuesday, Council is expected to:
— vote on a resolution supporting the recognition of racism as a public health crisis.
— vote on an in-kind donation from Bo Lacey Construction to repair the South Park gazebo roof.
— vote on transferring $10,000 with the general fund for mowing services.
— discuss during caucus funding of $45,000 from the Ohio Supreme Court to develop a text messaging system for individuals with a scheduled court-appearance date.
— vote on payment of $11,222 to R&D Excavating for completed demolition work.
— vote on the acceptance of $4,200 from the Richland County Foundation to pay for an intern in the Community Development Department from June 1 to Dec. 31.
— vote on a proposal to vacate an unnamed alley west of Bowman Street from West Third Street to the south end while retaining the utility rights and easements.
— vote to authorize the public works director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for “leasing multi-function document devices” for a term not to exceed five years.
— vote to authorize the public works director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for custodial services in the municipal building, the wastewater treatment plant office building, the water treatment plant office and the utility collection building.
— vote to authorize the public works director to accept and appropriate funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to acquire $69,000 federal grant funds through the CARES Act for expenses at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.
— discuss during caucus entering into a $295,575 commercial loan agreement through Richland Bank for an IT improvement project. The city will re-pay the loan over five years with an annual payment of $63,468.15.
— discuss during caucus and give first read to a bill that would adjust positions, pay grades and salaries for certain city employees during the 2020 payroll year.
Three committee meetings will precede the public hearing with finance (5:50), claims (6:05) and employee relations (6:15) all scheduled to meeting.
Council caucus is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the legislative session.
The public can view the sessions via live-stream on the City of Mansfield’s Facebook page.
Members of the public with questions or comments should email them before 5 p.m. Tuesday at citycouncil@ci.mansfield.oh.us.
