MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council gave the administration a “to-do” list of snow removal chores during a rare Sunday afternoon special meeting.
But nothing on that list is likely to change any aspects of the city’s snowplowing efforts this winter, an endeavor that again came under fire from residents after a winter storm dumped 10 to 12 inches of snow Thursday.
At various times during the online-only session, more than 100 people were watching the live video on the city’s Facebook page, a feed that generated more than 1,300 views by early Sunday evening.
During the 80-minute, wide-ranging streets committee, which was attended by all voting members of council, local lawmakers asked Mayor Tim Theaker and Public Works Director Dave Remy to:
— update and revised its snow emergency parking ban, which would give city snowplows more room to work. At a council meeting Tuesday, Remy told the ban, in place since 1969, was never lifted. He said the signs were removed for some reason.
— reexamine the city’s snow plowing policies, including route schedule.
— determine if the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds can be used to purchase new snow plowing trucks and equipment. The city purchased its last large snowplow in 2020 at a cost of $155,603 once fully equipped. Even if a new truck was ordered tomorrow, Theaker said, it would take a year to 18 months to get it delivered and ready.
— examine wages paid to city motor equipment operators since there are five such openings and applicants are not rushing forward.
— initiate conversations with the Ohio Department of Transportation on a possible contract that would pay the agency to clear U.S. 30 within the city limits, freeing the city’s truck fleet to focus on its streets.
Councilwoman At-large Stephanie Zader, who has been the most vocal council critic of the administration’s efforts, asked that lawmakers get an update on the list at their next meeting Feb. 15.
Plowing complaints in Mansfield are as common as snowflakes and likely began when the first vehicles rolled down city streets. Three years ago, a foot of snow in February triggered an avalanche of residents in council chambers demanding change.
Yet, problems remain, which Theaker and Remy largely blame on equipment and manpower.
It’s clear from recent meetings that today’s council members, who have heard numerous complaints from their constituents, are not going to accept that answer any longer. Other than At-large Councilman Phil Scott, every voting council member is in their first, full four-year term.
“I know we bought a couple of trucks,” Zader said. “But you have been the mayor for eight-plus years, two terms.”
Theaker is actually midway through his third and final term as mayor.Â
“I feel like there has been a lack of planning ahead. These trucks are breaking. The county has half the lane miles we do and they have twice the number of plows,” Zader said. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
The mayor bristled at the lack-of-planning allegation.
“We tried to plan with previous council members. They shot it down. Don’t say we didn’t plan. We tried to plan,” Theaker said.
Zader responded, “We are all sitting here on a Sunday evening because we know we need trucks. We are ready. We are telling you to buy some trucks.”
Scott said, “I am in my 14th year on City Council. Snowplowing and leaf pickup (have been issues) all these years. It’s just talk, talk, talk. I don’t remember a time when City Council has refused to buy a snowplow truck.”
Remy said he has spoken with city street operations Supervisor Steve Brown about new trucks.
“Steve is in the process of getting information on the kind of trucks he would prefer to purchase … which vehicles would work best in the City of Mansfield. These are multi-purpose, year-round vehicles, but sturdy enough to plow snow,” Remy said.
The public works director, who is also the interim safety-service director, agreed using ODOT to clear U.S. 30 in the city would be beneficial.
“We do know other communities in this area which contract with ODOT, especially on U.S. 30. I think it’s worth the effort to talk to ODOT, when they complete the U.S. 30 upgrade project, and look into contracting with them.
“That’s not something that will start (this winter),” he said. “But it’s absolutely worth looking into and exploring.”
Theaker, who helped guide the city out of a state-ordered fiscal emergency (2010-2014) after his election in 2011, cautioned against aggressive spending and budgeting money it doesn’t have.
“We work together to put a budget in place. There is only so much money out there. We have been careful not to go back into fiscal emergency,” Theaker said.
City Council, operating on an interim budget for the first quarter of 2022, must approve a final budget by the end of March. Theaker said he would welcome meetings with individual council members to examine the numbers.
Council asked Remy about the potential of contracting with private companies to help clear city streets.
“There is a clause in our AFSCME contract that prohibits us from contracting that work out,” he said, adding he doesn’t think it’s a good idea in terms of legal liability to allow private contractors to perform the function.
“Most snow plow equipment out there is driveway snow plowing equipment,” he said. “There are very few people to my knowledge who have the equipment to do major road snowplowing.”
Scott said he knew of other cities that worked out such deals with their unions.
Remy, who has also served as the city’s law director and human resources director in the past, replied, “I’m not saying it’s not a possibility. I have been working with the AFSCME union here for 20 years. There would be some resistance and we could not do it without their cooperation.”
It was clear by the end of Sunday’s meeting that this is not an issue City Council plans to leave any time soon.
“I feel like we are failing our residents,” said 5th Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz. “They are turning to us and I feel like we need to do something.”
