MANSFIELD — Some technical bugs remain, but Mansfield City Council had its first meeting in its newly remodeled chambers on Tuesday.
Microphones didn’t work. Equipment that will be used to again livestream the public meetings isn’t up and running yet. Four large video screens, including one showing how lawmakers vote on legislation, remained dark.
It was the first time council returned to its chambers since October. Lawmakers have met in a Mansfield Municipal Courtroom since remodeling work began, part of a larger project to improve the Mansfield Municipal Building.
The technical issues didn’t prevent council from enacting a full agenda of legislation, including acceptance of a grant to fund an emotional support dog for the Mansfield Police Department that will be used at Mansfield Senior High School/Middle School.
Here is a look at what City Council did on Tuesday night:
— approved the City of Mansfield and Mansfield Township tax budgets for 2026, which have to be submitted to the Richland County Auditor’s Office.
— accepted a $1,700 grant from the Gorman Rupp Co. and the Gorman Rupp Employee Civic Fund to purchase 10 hand-held radios for the Mansfield Police Athletic League.
— accepted 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.
— accepted 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.
— approved the renewal of a 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.
— approved by a 5-2 vote to pay 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. The issue was not approved as an emergency, meaning the city cannot issue a check until 30 days after Mayor Jodie Perry signs the legislation.
— approved Mayor Jodie Perry’s appointments to the new Mansfield Community Improvement Corporation: Perry, Safety Service Director Keith Porch, Dr. Curtis Gingrich, Scott King and Ellen Heinz.
—approved the $90,936.72 purchase of a Bobcat Compact Track Loader with a heavy-duty pallet fork, using water and sewer department funds.
— approved a lease-and-access easement for the construction of a cell-tower for economic development purposes at 480 Park Ave. East, near the city’s Service Complex.
— approved advertising for bids for “certain yearly needs” of the city, including road salt.
— approved the acceptance of a $1,000 grant from the Mansfield Association of Realtors to be used for the disc golf course at Middle Park.
Council’s next scheduled meeting is Aug. 5.