MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council has announced a special streets committee meeting Sunday at 4 p.m. to discuss the city’s emergency snow response.
An email about the special “online only” meeting was sent to the media Saturday at 2:42 p.m., thereby complying with state law regarding public meetings.
According to Ohio Revised Code 121.22, “a public body shall not hold a special meeting unless it gives at least 24 hours advance notice to the news media that have requested notification, except in the event of an emergency requiring immediate official action.”
Aurelio Diaz, who represents the 5th Ward, is chair of the streets committee. Other members are Kimberly Moton (6th Ward) and Stephanie Zader (At-large).
Council members have become increasingly frustrated with the city administration’s snowplowing efforts, using recent public meetings to speak about their concerns and issues raised by their constituents.
Mayor Tim Theaker and Public Works Director Dave Remy have both cited a lack of manpower and equipment in the streets department.
Fourth Ward Councilman Alomar Davenport on Feb. 1, two days before a large winter storm hit the area, was critical of the administration’s response.
“Identifying a problem is, as you know, the first step in solving a problem. We’ve spoken specifically about how we do not have the resources, which I can see, we are limited in our resources,” Davenport said.
“But there’s no solace to the people of Mansfield in just hearing over and over that we do not have the resources. One of the things that I do believe this council needs to do is question why we are not looking at any type of alternative,” Davenport said.
In January, after a winter storm, Zader spoke during a council meeting and said the city should have been better prepared.
“We could have been prepared for this. We knew the storm was coming. It didn’t take us by surprise. It didn’t come out of nowhere. We knew for several days that it was coming. We should have been better prepared,” Zader said during council’s meeting.
The councilwoman said she had spent time with the street crews and came away believing they are under-staffed, under-equipped and underpaid.
“We may have given them raises, but the laborers come in at $15 something an hour. When they can go down to (Ohio Laborers’ Union Local 1216) and start at $19 per hour and be at $30 an hour in four years, they are not gonna work for us,” Zader said Jan. 18.
“They can go flip burgers at McDonald’s for 15 bucks an hour. Am I gonna put my life on the line plowing snow or am I gonna go ask people if they want fries with that? I’m probably not going to go put my life on the line plowing snow for 50 cents more an hour,” Zader said.
The public can view the committee meeting on the City of Mansfield Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofmansfieldoh. It can also be viewed on the city’s website at http://www.ci.mansfield.oh.us.
Anyone with public comment may email the council clerk at citycouncil@ci.mansfield.oh.us.
