MANSFIELD — Two ideas developed through the Mansfield Rising plan ran into opposition Tuesday night, especially from a few Mansfield City Council members unhappy they were not included in meetings where the ideas were developed.
One plan would convert Mulberry Street into two-way traffic from Second Street to Fifth Street, an idea aimed at making the downtown more accessible, especially from the south. With a price tag of $120,000, it would add a third lane to the street, creating two southbound lanes and one northbound lane.
Another plan would add resin benches, concrete flower planters and trash cans in the downtown, part of an overall beautification effort with an estimated cost of $25,000.
Both plans were set for discussion only in committee and caucus sessions, not for vote. There was limited discussion of the merits of the plans, focusing on council’s lack of involvement in their development.
Council is being asked to help fund the work, at least partially, using funds coming from $5 annual vehicle license tax increase for all vehicles registered in the city that members approved in 2018. Those funds, estimated to generate around $220,000 per year, are earmarked for downtown improvement projects.
The tax increase went into effect Jan. 1.
A Downtown Improvement Advisory Board, which council also approved in 2018, was charged with developing the ideas. The board is to make recommendations to the city administration, but council will make final spending decisions.
Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, a Republican, is the only elected official on the board, which is otherwise comprised of private business leaders and one member of the public.
The fact council members were not included in the advisory board’s discussions, and apparently won’t be included going forward, didn’t sit well with council President Phillip Scott, Councilman At-Large Don Bryant and 5th Ward Councilman Jason Lawrence — all Democrats.
Scott asked if council members can be informed when advisory board meetings are scheduled. Discussing public tax dollars, he contended, should be done in public.
“No, they are not public meetings,” Theaker said.
Scott replied, “They’re not? You’re discussing taxpayer money and it’s not a public meeting? Shouldn’t we at least be allowed to be an ear at those meetings, even if we don’t vote?”
Theaker said the board is comprised of private individuals who “just meet once in awhile. That’s the way the committee is set up.”
Lawrence pointed out that council created the advisory group and questioned lack of council involvement in discussions.
Law Director John Spon said the advisory board is a private group that can invite anyone it wishes to be present.
“Creating it doesn’t necessarily give you the right to interfere with that which you created,” Spon said.
Lawrence said, “In the same sense, anything they send to us we have the right to send back, deny … we have the power to send it back.”
Near the end of the discussion, Bryant asked Theaker, “Are we welcome to the meetings … yes or no?”
Theaker responded, “Not at the present time,” adding the committee is tasked with developing ideas and sending to council for acceptance or rejection.
Scott said, “OK, we got our answer.”
Prior to the debate over participation, At-Large Councilman Cliff Mears questioned spending $25,000, all of which will come from the license fee increase, to purchase 27 items for the beautification project.
“That’s a lot of money,” conceded advisory board member Jodie Perry, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development.
City Engineer Bob Bianchi, who developed the Mulberry Street plan, estimated the cost of the project at $120,000.
Of that, $18,000 would be used for signals and signage, funded by the license plate tax increase. He said another $42,000 would pay for concrete and parking space work, which would come from the permissive sales tax. The last $60,000 to resurface and re-stripe the street would come from the city’s road resurfacing fund. Bianchi said private donations are expected for some of what he called ancillary work.
The engineer said 16 on-street parking spaces would be created during the conversion, all on the east side of the street.
Long-time downtown developer John Fernyak praised the plans for Mulberry Street.
“I represent Engwiller Properties and just like to thank Mr. Bianchi for a brilliant plan on Mulberry Street. I think Mr. Bianchi has put together a plan that the last three plans couldn’t solve. I’d just like to say our investors are 100 percent behind that,” Fernyak said.
Mansfield attorney Cathy Goldman spoke on behalf of Belcat Properties, Ltd., and the legal firm of Weldon, Huston & Keyser, the owner and occupant of a building at 76 N. Mulberry St., located at the corner with West Fourth St.
Goldman, who presented a letter to council from the owner and members of the law firm, said the group was in favor of converting Mulberry to two-way traffic, but was opposed to widening the street and creating three lanes of traffic.
She told council members she wishes the city would first try to convert the street through signalization and signage, without adding an additional lane.
Goldman said she was concerned about the loss of parking spaces, the narrowing of the sidewalk, especially in the area near the front entrance steps to the building in question.
Goldman said the continued development of the downtown Carrousel District will demand more on-street parking, not less.
“It should be the goal of City Council to attract people to downtown Mansfield for the purpose of partaking in its commerce and entertainment, not just to make it easier to drive through,” Goldman said in the letter given to council.
After the meeting, Bianchi said that converting Mulberry Street to two-way traffic just by signalization would not work due to the large volume of traffic using the road. He said it would lead to traffic congestion that would become untenable.
The engineer said he would have additional discussions about it with Goldman.
One proposal not discussed Tuesday was $1.67 million indoor shooting range/training facility for the Mansfield Police Department scheduled for committee consideration. The legislation was pulled from the council lineup around 3:30 p.m.
Theaker said he was approached Tuesday morning by a possible partner for the facility.
“It’s an opportunity to save the city some money,” he said. “I can’t say (who it is right now), but it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. If it’s going to save the city money, we have to fully investigate it.”
In other action Tuesday, City Council:
— Approved seeking bids for road salt for next winter. Theaker conceded the city is going out for bids earlier than last year, but cautioned the salt mines that had difficulty supplying product last year are still experiencing issues.
— Approved granting a license to Cypress Hill Winery Hudson and Essex Restaurant, 51 E. 4th St., to use the public right-of-way for the installation of steps, accessibility ramp and canopy.
— Voted to accept an $800 donation for the city’s Honor Guard program.
— Voted to accept a $700 grant from the Richland County Foundation for the city’s Parks and Recreation “Hooked on Fishing — Not on Drugs” program.
— Voted to accept $112,000 in METRICH operations funding from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.
— Voted to spend about $75,000 for the city’s portion of an ODOT project related to culvert replacement and repair under Home Road near the intersection of Ohio 430. The City of Ontario is also involved in the project. Money will come from the city’s sewer fund.
