City Council approves administrator for plan to reduce homelessness
Mansfield City Council voted Tuesday to hire Harsany & Associates to implement a plan to help reduce homelessness in the city.
The city has been awarded just over $1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under HOME-ARP.
Funding is a one-time deal out of the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city will pay the Galena-based company not more than $100,000 to implement the plan.
Adrian Ackerman, community development and housing director, made a short presentation at Tuesday's meeting. Two consultants from Harsany & Associates previously addressed council in December.
"This takes a little bit off her (Ackerman's) plate," Councilman Alomar Davenport said.
The plan will include affordable housing development in three phases. In the first phase, one of the services to be provided is facilitating the review of proposals for housing projects.
Prices in the second phase assume up to two projects will be selected for funding. One of the services to be provided is creating closing document templates and drafting closing documents for each HOME-ARP-funded housing project.
In the third phase, $20,500 will go for development and construction oversight.
In a December council meeting, Harsany representatives told members that 30% of Mansfield residents spend more than 50% of their income on housing, which could leave little money for food and medication.
City purchasing two properties for demolition
At Tuesday's meeting, council also authorized purchasing two properties on Alpine Drive and South Brookwood Way for respective prices of $176,750 and $167,000 and demolishing them. The total cost of the project will be $423,350.
City Engineer Bob Bianchi advised council to approve the project because it is less than the $550,000 price tag that would come with replacing the bridge over Touby's Run.
"We are required to replace the bridge because it's in the public right of way," Bianchi said.
He added the bridge was built in the 1950s or 1960s and serves those two properties.
"How quickly would you have the properties demolished?" asked Councilwoman Cheryl Meier.
Bianchi said the owners have 120 days to vacate their properties.
Members handle issues related to fire department
In a short meeting with only four pieces of legislation, council approved two bills for the city fire department.
Members appropriated $51,237.50 for the purchase of a 2023 Ford Expedition. Fire Chief Steve Strickling said it will replace the vehicle serving the assistant chiefs. That vehicle will become part of the fire prevention fleet.
Strickling explained the move would alleviate travel costs of firefighters going to paramedics' school. Without the vehicle, the city would have to pay firefighters mileage.
Assistant Chief Chris Speelman asked council to move the bill from "caucus only" to a vote.
"One vehicle is available," he said. "These are few and far between. This is the best price we're going to get."
Council also renewed a professional services contract with Medicount Management to be the third-party billing agent for emergency medical services provided by the fire department.
Strickling said the rate went up from 5.5% to 5.75%, which he said was "still under the industry norm."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Council hires firm to implement homelessness plan
