Mansfield City Council allocates $1.45M in grants

Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal
·3 min read

Mansfield City Council allocated $1.45 million in Community Development Block Grant money at its Tuesday night meeting.

The highest allocation went for the West End Target Area, the city's continuing plan to beautify and improve the area near OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. The project will receive $589,011.80.

Another large amount, $428,750, will go for emergency repair.

At a city council meeting last month, representatives from several public service agencies made their requests. Councilman Alomar Davenport, chairman of the finance committee, told them they likely would not get the full amounts and asked them if they had alternate sources of funding.

Richland County Transit will receive $45,379.26. Jean Taddie, transit development manager, had requested $78,232 for the Dial-a-Ride program.

The service is for seniors and/or disabled residents who cannot ride on fixed routes.

"Many of them have no other options," Taddie said.

The North End Community Improvement Collaborative requested $28,443.10 and received $26,629.27.

Alan Mitchell, housing and community development manager for NECIC, said the money would go for the garden program. He noted more people are interested in growing their own food.33

Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority will receive $35,379.27. Director of Housing Stephanie Hartzler said the organization has a waiting list of 2,300 families.

Council approves MOU between police, Air National Guard

In other business, council approved a memorandum of understanding between city police and the Air Force for the 179th Airlift Wing's security forces squadron at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.

"It's essentially their police department out at the base," police Chief Keith Porch said.

It's an agreement for Mansfield police to provide assistance if needed. Porch said the agreement has been in place at least 20 years and does not require any funding from the city.

Responding to a question from Davenport, Porch said police on duty would respond.

In addition, council formed an agreement with Ardane Miller to provide campground and boat dock management services at Clearfork Reservoir, along with marine sales services and repair and bait shop services.

Stephanie Zader
Stephanie Zader

Councilwoman Stephanie Zader recommended a two-year agreement with no renewals. She had concerns about potential increases.

Her colleagues agreed to the two-year limit.

Council also expressed support for the Mansfield-Richland County Public Library's renewal levy. Zader suggested also supporting the city's safety tax for police and fire department services.

"I did not want to be short-sighted," she said.

Chris Brown, deputy law director, said council is not allowed to lobby for city levies publicly.

Prior to the meeting, Mayor Tim Theaker issued a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Three staff members from Richland County Children Services were on hand for the proclamation.

Spokeswoman Brigitte Coles said the agency learned of 1,599 alleged victims in 2022.

"Our children are our most valuable assets that we have," Theaker said. "It hurts me to think of any child being abused."

In other business, council:

  • Authorized the sale of unused youth and football jerseys and pants from the city's Police Athletic League to the YMCA of North Central Ohio.

  • Authorized $62,000 from the general fund to fill a vacant laborer position in the maintenance department.

  • Agreed to purchase a 2024 Ford 750 cab and chassis for the street department for not more than $223,954.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Council doles out money for CDBG projects