MANSFIELD — Mayor Jodie Perry asked residents for their opinions on a potential new aquatic center in the city.
Opinions, the mayor received.
Perry told City Council on Wednesday evening that about 2,000 survey responses were received regarding the project.
“If there’s one thing we’re not short of in Mansfield, it is opinions,” Perry said with a laugh.
“It’s great. We love (the response),” the mayor said.
City officials hired Counsilman-Hunsaker and Associates Inc., a nationally recognized aquatics consulting firm, to lead a comprehensive public pool feasibility study.
The city has not had a public pool since the Liberty Park pool closed in 2021 due to major maintenance issues. That scenario has increased interest in building a new facility.
“Our consultant, by the way, said he had recently done this (survey) in a community of similar size. They didn’t even get 200 responses,” Perry said.
“It has generated robust conversation internally with the steering committee. We’re going to be coming back with a public survey again with some options,” the mayor said.
“We’ll put a press release out and launch it at council, but I know some folks have asked. It’s exciting and expensive,” Perry said.
City Council on Wednesday also:
— heard Perry announce two proclamations for May — Mental Health Month and Building Safety Month.
— approved the appointment of Shelby City Council member Charles Roub to the Richland County 9-1-1 Review Committee. Under a revised state law, every county shall maintain a six-member county 9-1-1 program review committee. One of those six people must be “a member of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation in the county selected by the majority of the legislative authorities of municipal corporations in the county.” Perry also serves on the review committee.
— approved acceptance of a $100,000 from the Richland County Foundation to be used in the ongoing restoration and renovation of the Liberty Park Bath House.
— approved acceptance of a $175,000 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice for the city police department’s DNA backlog reduction program.
— approved acceptance of a $39,140.47 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to be used to replace body-worn cameras in the police department.
— approved acceptance of a $2,500 grant from the Richland County Foundation to be used for the city’s “Summer Fun in the Parks” program.
— approved three damage claims by residents totaling $4,124.15.
