MANSFIELD — Laura Burns made it personal Tuesday night as Mansfield City Council learned more about operations of the city’s service complex.
The 1st Ward council member, speaking to operations supervisor Steve Brown, said she was leaving a building two months ago at night and noticed snow had begun falling since she arrived.
“I have some physical limitations and things I’m not supposed to be doing. When I left the building, there was a lot of snow and ice on the ground. I was genuinely concerned I would not be able to get myself home,” Burns said in beginning her remarks.
Brown attended the meeting at the invitation of city Public Works Director Louis Andres, who brings in department heads to provide local lawmakers with first-hand looks at operations around the city.
Burns was among several council members who expressed their support for a department that handles sewer repairs, streets/signs/signals and water line repairs.
Brown told council members his department is the “nuts and bolts of the city.”
Burns agreed, describing her winter’s night trip home.
“I pulled out of the parking lot and the streets were clear. I wasn’t scared and I made it home and I was fine. The fact (your department) was so responsive so quickly in that situation … it meant a lot for my safety.
“I don’t think I ever would have thought about this years ago, but now I see it. You guys are doing a great job,” Burns said.
“Nobody looks for the nuts and bolts until they start falling apart,” she said. “You guys make a difference every single day, whether you realize it or not and whether the citizens realize it or not.
“I’m glad you’re doing it because I don’t know how to do it, Burns said.
In turn, Brown praised the work of his supervisors and the men and women who work in the department.
“We try to be a team down here. (I) am getting the compliments (tonight), but it isn’t just me. It’s the guys who work for me. I have got to give everyone credit,” he said.
Mayor Jodie Perry also praised the work done by the city workers, especially during the winter with snow plowing responsibilities and frequent breaks in aging water mains.
“They have really done a great job. The winter was so tough. The staff members over there have done a great job,” she said.
Council rescinds three tax abatements
Lawmakers voted to rescind three tax abatement agreements with 4 Life Investments Inc., MTC Holdings LLC and 1404 PAW LLC. The abatements were granted a few years ago.
The first two companies did not fulfill obligations required under the agreements. The third one did, but later found it wasn’t needed.
“They (1404 PAW LLC) did everything they were supposed to do, but in the end, the perceived increase in tax valuation was not really met. It was much lower,” At-large Councilman David Falquette said.
“In the end, the perceived increase in tax evaluation was not really me. It was much lower, so it really wasn’t worth going into detail and filing all the paperwork and all that for the small amount,” Falquette said.
Barrett Thomas, the senior director of economic development for the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development, said 1404 PAW LLC, owned by Adena Corp. President Randy Payne, put about $3 million into its building at that address.
“The jobs were there. The payroll was there,” said Thomas, who does economic development work for the city through an agreement with the chamber. “The valuation didn’t change significantly (enough) to make the tax abatement worth keeping.
“I will come back here and ask for tax abatements for companies that are growing, but I just want you guys to know that we’re also watching the store.”
In other activity Tuesday, City Council:
— heard from Safety Service Director Keith Porch that non-lateral 14 police department applicants are undergoing background checks in the next phase of the hiring process. He said the department now has 80 sworn officers, but is budgeted for 87.
“Hopefully, we can move the needle in the right direction,” Porch said, adding the department hopes to have the new hires in the police academy starting in August.
— voted to amend city ordinances regarding structure demolitions that bars contractors from burying debris underground.
— added a utility maintenance dispatcher position for the service complex. Perry said
— approved spending $125,000 for a Ford F-550 truck to serve as spill-response vehicle for the Mansfield Fire Department. Fire Chief Dan Crow said it will replace a “second-hand” 1996 fire engine the city purchased from the Washington Township Fire Department.
— voted to accept a $2,5000 grant from the Richland County Foundation for the “Summer Fun” program at North Lake Park. The program is operated by the city’s parks and recreation department.
