MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council is expected to vote Tuesday night on the expenditure of $1,679,230 in the third round of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was approved by Congress in March.
CARES Act Funds, passed to local governments through Columbus, have now allotted $4.2 million to the City of Mansfield for expenses related to the pandemic that reached Ohio in March.
The single biggest chunk in the spending plan City Council will vote on Tuesday is $550,000 for digital scanning and storage of public records in all city departments that can then be obtained online, reducing the need for the public to risk COVID-19 exposure by coming to the municipal building.
The plan also calls for $363,546 for the fire department, including $244,023 for a COVID-19 self-cleaning ambulance/rescue squad.
It also authorizes $220,166 for the police department, including two additional COVID-19 self-cleaning Ford Explorer cruisers. Council has previously approved the purchase of three such vehicles with earlier CARES Act funds. The interior of the vehicles can be raised temporarily to 133 degrees for 15 minutes to kill any coronavirus after the transport of someone suspected of having COVID-19.
Also on Tuesday, City Council is expected to:
— vote on the proposed demolition of houses at 91 Greenwood Ave., 111 Orchard St., 113-115 Willow St., 181 S. Adams St., 258 Remy Ave., 276 Sheridan Ave., 288 W. Fourth St., 368 Seventh Ave., 481 Dirlam Court and 590 Harold Ave.
— vote on an authorization to pay $176,240.28 to Mark Schaffer Excavating and Trucking, Inc., for rehabilitating/reconstructing two taxiways at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.
— vote on an ordinance to create a capital projects fun, titled Water Treatment Plant Improvement Fund, to account for bond funds necessary for a water treatment plant project.
— vote on an authorization to spend $14,271 to purchase a 2019 Jeep Compass from Spitzer Motors for the finance department’s tax collection office. The deal includes $8,500 on the trade-in of a 2014 Ford Explorer.
— vote on an authorization to spend $5,300 for a 2020 Suzuki outboard marine motor for use by the water treatment plant at the Clearfork Reservoir.
— vote on an ordinance amending sections of the city’s fire protection and water lines to revise sewer user rates by measurement.
— vote on an authorization to allow the public works director to apply for state grant funds for storm sewer installations along Taylor Road, Manchester Road, Barnard Avenue and Coleman Road.
— vote on an authorization to allow the Richland County Land Bank to sell for $1 about 15 acres of undeveloped land in the vicinity of Airport West Road to Adena Development, LLC. The legislation says Adena intends to develop the property for a business conducting and purchasing used equipment and a reselling business.
— vote on authorization to allow the mayor and public works director to enter into a community reinvestment area agreement with with KJBS and K.S. McCartney Associates, Inc. It will allow property tax incentives for the company to renovate and expand their existing facility at 52 N. Diamond St. The agreement calls for a 2,400-square foot addition to the existing 4,800-square foot facility and a 6,000-square foot garage/maintenance facility east of the current facility. The project will involve a total building investment of about $1.3 million and $100,000 investment in new furniture and fixtures, as well as additional new payroll. As part of the project, KJBS, LLC, will pay the Mansfield City School District $15,597 for each year it receives the property tax abatement.
— vote on an authorization to allow the mayor and public works director to enter into a community reinvestment area agreement with One Foundation Properties, LTD, and Hess Industries, LTD. It will create property tax abatements to allow the company to renovate and expand their facilities at 108 Sawyer Parkway. One Foundation will add a 7,200-square foot addition to its existing 12,000-square foot facility, a $350,000 building investment and $60,000 in new machinery and equipment, as well as additional payroll. As part of the project, One Foundation Properties, LTD, will pay the Madison Local School District $3,905 for each year it receives the property tax abatement.
— vote on an authorization to allow the mayor and public works director to enter into a community reinvestment area agreement with 4 Life Investments, an Indiana-based company, for property tax abatements to expand its existing facility at 424 Springmill St. The company plans a 500-square foot addition to its existing 2,500-square foot facility. The project will have a building investment of about $324,000 and $155,000 investment in new furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory. It will also create an additional 21 jobs. The company will pay the Mansfield City School District $3,888 annually during the lifetime of the tax abatements.
— vote on an amended agreement with Debt Recovery Solutions to work as a third-party debt collector for the City of Mansfield to pursue delinquent water and sewer accounts.
— provide second reading to a resolution in support of the city parks’ master plan.
— provide second reading on a proposal to transfer 10 city parks properties to the Richland County Land Bank.
City Council, which has not met in person for more than six months due to the state’s restrictions during the pandemic, will again meet virtually. The public can view committee meetings, caucus and legislative sessions on the city website or the city’s Facebook page.
Three committee meetings are planned before council caucus: economic development (6:20 p.m.), public utilities (6:40) and airport (6:55). Caucus is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the legislative session.
