MANSFIELD — City Council is coming home Tuesday night.
Mansfield lawmakers will meet in newly remodeled council chambers for the first time since October.
The work on the third floor facility was done by Adena Corp., part of a larger $3.5 million project to improve the Mansfield Municipal Building.
The project is being paid for by a portion of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, an effort approved by City Council in 2022.
City Council had been meeting since November in Mansfield Municipal Courtroom 1, the primary home for presiding Judge Michael Kemerer.
Then-Mayor Tim Theaker said in April 2022 the nine-story city building at 30 N. Diamond St. has not undergone significant renovation since its construction a half century ago.
Council’s meeting space was renovated with a new ceiling, new lighting and new audio/visual equipment.
The space behind the audience chairs was also renovated to allow people to walk more freely in the rear of council chambers. The tiered seating used by local lawmakers and members of the city administration was also modified and renovated.
Council is expected on Tuesday to:
— vote on the acceptance of a $1,700 grant from the Gorman Rupp Co. and the Gorman Rupp Employee Civic Fund to purchase hand-held radios for the Mansfield Police Athletic League.
— vote on the acceptance of a $618,223 Community Corrections Act Grant to be used in community-based corrections program with the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections with Mansfield Municipal Court.
— vote on the acceptance of an $81,799.73 Justice Assistance Grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to be used for covert drug law enforcement operations within the 10-county METRICH Enforcement Unit region.
— vote on the acceptance of a $5,675.62 canine therapy project grant from the Richland County Foundation. The program, which includes a canine named Charlie, will be assigned to the Mansfield Senior High School resource officer and will be part of the Community Police Unit. The K9 therapy team aims to support students, teachers and staff affected by trauma, fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
— discuss during caucus a modified contract for Fair Housing Services with the Richland County Board of Commissioners and the Richland County Regional Planning Commission for 2026-2028. The city’s Fair Housing Office acts as the agent for Richland County under the agreement.
— discuss during caucus paying Hofsaeass Building & Remodeling $3,800 through a then-and-now certificate. The city parks and recreation department contracted for services on May 27 to pave parking space at Liberty Park’s DIY skatepark prior to the submission of a purchase order.
— discuss during caucus Mayor Jodie Perry’s appointments to the new Mansfield Community Improvement Corporation. Nominees are Perry, Safety Service Director Keith Porch, Dr. Curtis Gingrich, Scott King and Ellen Heinz.
— vote on the $90,936.72 purchase of a Bobcat Compact Track Loader with a heavy-duty pallet fork, using water and sewer department funds.
— vote on a lease-and-access easement for the construction of a cell-tower for economic development purposes at 480 Park Ave. East.
— discuss during caucus advertising for bids for “certain yearly needs” of the city, including road salt.
— vote on the acceptance of a $1,000 grant from the Mansfield Association of Realtors to be used for the disc golf course at Middle Park.
The evening is scheduled to begin at 6:55 p.m. with a public hearing. Council caucus is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with the legislative session following immediately afterward.
Members of the public wishing to attend may park in the upper lot off of Park Avenue or the lower employee lot. Enter through the first-floor police entrance and take the elevator or stairs to the third floor.
(Below is a PDF with the Mansfield City Council agenda for Tuesday evening.)