MANSFIELD — The future of the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center will be the topic of discussion of a Mansfield City Council Parks Committee meeting Tuesday.
Committee Chair Cheryl Meier requested the meeting at 5:45 p.m. in council chambers, to continue a discussion that began Feb. 4Â about the city-owned 445 Bowman St. facility.
The city notified at least some tenants in late January by letter that their leases would not be renewed.
Representatives of two of the non-profits who lease space at the former Creveling School — the Culliver Reading Center and the Mansfield Gay Pride Association — attended the Feb. 4 Mansfield City Council meeting to express concerns.
In response, 4th Ward Councilman Alomar Davenport, whose district includes the center, said he had spoken to the city administration and had reached “an agreement in principle” to resolve the issues, which included leases in arrears.
Afterward, Davenport said he was comfortable issues could be resolved for the dozen agencies that rent space in the building.
“I have been speaking with the mayor for the last three days trying to rectify the issues. There are different issues with each of the tenants. I am confident and I am trusting in the mayor and his acknowledgement that once those issues are rectified, we will go back to business as usual,” Davenport said.
Prior to the council meeting, Mansfield Public Works Director Dave Remy said his office, the city’s finance department, law director and parks and recreation department (which oversees the building) had met and decided to non-renew leases with some of the non-profits, including one entity he said was “seriously” behind in its lease payments.
Remy said the century-old building has infrastructure issues, including an aging boiler system.
“We are looking at ways to effectively utilize the building economically and still provide services,” Remy said.
Tuesday’s sessions will begin at 4:30 p.m. in a meeting the Mansfield Charter Review Commission. There will be a streets committee meeting at 5:50 and a public hearing about federal Community Development Block Grant Funds and the Home Investment Partnership Program at 6 p.m.
In other action Tuesday, council is expected to:
— consider a $2,000 donation from NCD Ohio Elks No. 56 to purchase a metal detector for the Mansfield Police Department.
— vote on a $19,312.87 payment to Superion, LLC/Central Square for first-quarter maintenance fees for software services for the police department.
— vote on a request to pay the Ohio Department of Transportation $18,702.75 for the U.S. 42 resurfacing.
— vote on the acceptance of a $60,000 state grant for a family violence liaison officer. The grant pays for 75 percent of the cost and the city will pay $20,000 in matching dollars.
— consider a $118 donation to the Mansfield Fire Department from Annielynn Miller. The funds, to be used for the fire prevention program, are being donated in the memory of former Mansfield Fire Chief Richard Krizan.
— vote on a request to vacate a portion of Edwards Avenue between South Franklin Street and Lundy’s Lane and a portion of Harris Place between the same two streets.
— vote on a $506,084, five-year contract with CenturyLink to provide internet access and network services.
