Dear Neighbor:
The vitality or life of the City of Mansfield depends upon an active and engaged citizenry. My office is committed to maintaining transparency and an open-line of communications to help engage all of our citizens. The Progress & Legislation Report highlights the legislation passed by City Council in 2015 that promotes meaningful development and progress for the entire City of Mansfield. The legislation selected represents policies that I believe are steps toward moving opportunities forward.
However if you’re a Progressive person, then you may agree with me in saying the legislation below isn't nearly enough. If you’re a Millennial, then you may agree with me in saying, we have to move faster on getting results that will develop into meaningful employment opportunities. If you’re tired of seeing vacant houses with boarded-up windows in your neighborhoods, then you may agree with me in saying, enough is enough.
Moving forward isn't always easy, which is why we must make working together a priority for 2016. When I say working together, I mean it. To our business partners in the community: I encourage you to take a chance and include or hire someone you wouldn't normally consider. Open the door of opportunity for someone completely outside of your circle. Invest in new possibilities and watch how opportunities begin to move forward for your business and for the community.
This was a great year of progress. But let’s make 2016 even better. Visit www.donbryant.com/ideas and share an idea that will benefit your neighborhood and our city.
2015 signing out,
The vitality or life of the City of Mansfield depends upon an active and engaged citizenry. My office is committed to maintaining transparency and an open-line of communications to help engage all of our citizens. The Progress & Legislation Report highlights the legislation passed by City Council in 2015 that promotes meaningful development and progress for the entire City of Mansfield. The legislation selected represents policies that I believe are steps toward moving opportunities forward.
However if you’re a Progressive person, then you may agree with me in saying the legislation below isn't nearly enough. If you’re a Millennial, then you may agree with me in saying, we have to move faster on getting results that will develop into meaningful employment opportunities. If you’re tired of seeing vacant houses with boarded-up windows in your neighborhoods, then you may agree with me in saying, enough is enough.
Moving forward isn't always easy, which is why we must make working together a priority for 2016. When I say working together, I mean it. To our business partners in the community: I encourage you to take a chance and include or hire someone you wouldn't normally consider. Open the door of opportunity for someone completely outside of your circle. Invest in new possibilities and watch how opportunities begin to move forward for your business and for the community.
This was a great year of progress. But let’s make 2016 even better. Visit www.donbryant.com/ideas and share an idea that will benefit your neighborhood and our city.
2015 signing out,
 |
Streets & Traffic
Streets & Traffic Committee is chaired by Councilman Butch Jefferson, with Councilman Bryant serving as Vice-Chairman. Much of the work on our streets re-pavement program, city infrastructure repairs and construction projects, could not have been done without the expertise of our City Engineering Department and the hard work of all of our city employees at the City Services Complex.
Bill 15-153: Supporting the creation of an “Inner-City Bike Route” through the painting of pavement markings known as “sharrows” and installation of signage, recognizing the efforts of Richland Public Health, the Ohio Contractors Association and Richland Moves.
- Selected for the intent to improve public health and for taking action to make Mansfield a city that is more “livable” and Bicycle Friendly.
- See www.donbryant.com/Biking to see a short-list of the benefits of biking.
Parks & Recreation
Bill 15-057: Authorizing the city to advertise for bids and to enter into contracts for the construction of a new pavilion at South Park.
- South Park is home to Mansfield’s historic Blockhouse, a prominent feature of Mansfield for over 200 years.
Airport
| 2015 has been a phenomenal year for our Airport. In this year alone, we have seen an increase in airport traffic, a ground-breaking deal with NASA and a renewed partnership with the 179th Airlift Wing. Mayor Tim Theaker, Councilman and Airport Committee Chairman Don Bryant and Mansfield Aviation and Metropolitan Commission Chairman Jeff Gorman, commissioned several new developments at Mansfield Lahm Airport to help add to it's successful growth. | Much thanks to Airport Manager, Mark Daugherty and his staff for all of their hard work this year.  A view of Runway 5-23 before the re-pavement project |
NASA Super Guppy landing at Mansfield Lahm Airport in November Bill 15-028: Authorize city to file & accept grant from Federal Aviation Administration for improvements.
Bill 15-045: Authorize city to execute Addendum No. one to the Airport Joint Use Agreement with the United States of America and the State of Ohio.
Bill 15-054: Authorizing City to enter into a contract to timber and harvest 61.4 acres of certain airport property.
Bill 15-086: Authorize city to accept and appropriate donations from an anonymous donor $50,000 to be used at the airport.
Bill 15-104: Authorize city to accept and appropriate funds obtained from timbering certain airport property. $107, 697 to be used for modifications to the airport terminal building.
Bill 15-105: Authorize city to advertise for bids & enter into a contract for the renovation of the Mansfield Lahm Airport terminal building to accommodate Fixed Base Operations.
Bill 15-192: Authorizing City to file and accept a grant application from ODOT Office of Aviation to advertise for bids & enter into a contract to replace supplemental wind-cones relating to grant.
- Funding for the redevelopment of a runway and the removal of one taxiway.
Bill 15-045: Authorize city to execute Addendum No. one to the Airport Joint Use Agreement with the United States of America and the State of Ohio.
- Allows for the continued partnership with the 179th Airlift Wing.
Bill 15-054: Authorizing City to enter into a contract to timber and harvest 61.4 acres of certain airport property.
- Selected for encouraging local business and trade.
Bill 15-086: Authorize city to accept and appropriate donations from an anonymous donor $50,000 to be used at the airport.
Bill 15-104: Authorize city to accept and appropriate funds obtained from timbering certain airport property. $107, 697 to be used for modifications to the airport terminal building.
Bill 15-105: Authorize city to advertise for bids & enter into a contract for the renovation of the Mansfield Lahm Airport terminal building to accommodate Fixed Base Operations.
- Selected for the high potential to attract a new Fixed Base Operator (charter service) and to improve the building facilities for visiting pilots, clients and others utilizing Mansfield Lahm Airport.
Bill 15-192: Authorizing City to file and accept a grant application from ODOT Office of Aviation to advertise for bids & enter into a contract to replace supplemental wind-cones relating to grant.
- Selected for taking steps to make landing experience at Mansfield Lahm Airport easier and safer for all users.
Safety
| The majority of safety legislation this year regarded funding for continuing operations. Although, there are only two pieces of legislation highlighted below, it must be noted that our safety forces hold incredible responsibility for keeping Mansfield safe. We have one of the highest-performing Police, Fire, EMS and 911 Communications Departments in all of the State of Ohio. Moreover, we are one of the few cities in the state and country that has a state of the art and fully accredited DNA Crime Laboratory. These departments work 24/7 to protect our city. | Operations that are not highlighted in legislation include all of the work these departments do in the community such as working with the Mend Mansfield and WE ACT programs, donating new learning equipment to organizations such as the Culliver Reading Center, and attending all Neighborhood Watch meetings. Thank you for your service.  MPD officers conducting Community Policing Operations in April 2015 |
Bill 15-252: Authorizing the City to accept and appropriate a grant for the purpose of purchasing eight patrol bicycles and related equipment for Community Policing.
Bill 15-194: Authorizing the Chief of Police to contribute property that is unneeded or obsolete to the City of Mansfield Police Department to one or more local law enforcement agencies.
- Selected for the good intentions of the program, which is to build trust and strengthen relationships with Mansfielders in their neighborhoods. Doing this is another and innovative way of helping to make Mansfield a safer place to call home.
- MPD is bringing this program back into operation for the first time in years and with 8 community police officers. Previously, this program only had 3 officers assigned.
Bill 15-194: Authorizing the Chief of Police to contribute property that is unneeded or obsolete to the City of Mansfield Police Department to one or more local law enforcement agencies.
- Selected because of the Department’s commitment to working with other regional safety agencies to protect the people of Richland County.
- Instead of charging a fee for the equipment (which was still in good condition), the Department instead gave it away no charge to the two different agencies.
Zoning
Much thanks to Manager J.R. Rice and his staff for all of your hard work. The Building and Codes Department is a much valued organization within our city government.
 Construction on the new Mechanic's Bank Drive Thru (Photo Credit: Richland Source) Bill 15-132: Vacating a portion of Luther Place right-of-way extending westerly from South Main Street and ending at South Walnut St. (Creation of Mechanic’s Bank drive-thru window).
|  Luther Place right-of-way, the future location for the Mechanic's Bank Drive Thru (Photo Credit: Richland Source) |
Bill 15-102: Rezone Petition 545 -SE corner of S. Main Street & East Cook Rd. properties from B-1 to B-2. (Development of a new Circle K and gas service station on the intersection of Cook & Main).
Bill 15-134: Amending Section 1167.08 & enacting Section 1167.08 of Codified Ordinance to update zoning ordinance to include more conditionally permitted uses in industrial districts.
Bill 15-229: Adopt the Mansfield Home Value and Family Protection Act as Section 765.01 of the Mansfield Codified Ordinances, as adopted, to prohibit certain business activities in residential districts and thereby protect the citizens of Mansfield.
- Selected for taking steps to expand business in Mansfield Ward 1:Precinct C. and for the potential that this relocation and expansion may reduce certain complaints relating to the constant flow of traffic in the neighborhood where the business is currently located.
- The relocation/development of this establishment was supported by the Cherry Hill Neighborhood Watch Group earlier this year.
Bill 15-134: Amending Section 1167.08 & enacting Section 1167.08 of Codified Ordinance to update zoning ordinance to include more conditionally permitted uses in industrial districts.
- Selected for the possibility of creating more living space in the City.
- Allows for the development of residential space in Mansfield’s industrial districts.
Bill 15-229: Adopt the Mansfield Home Value and Family Protection Act as Section 765.01 of the Mansfield Codified Ordinances, as adopted, to prohibit certain business activities in residential districts and thereby protect the citizens of Mansfield.
- Selected for taking a stance to maintain local municipal powers pertaining to the protection of neighborhood home values and for taking proactive measures to prevent chemical depositing operations in several areas throughout the City.
Finance
| We appreciate City Finance Director Linn Steward and her staff, as well as Finance Chair, Councilman VanHarlingen for all of their efforts this year. The City has been able to maintain a fiscal position on solid ground. | It is important however, that in moving forward, there be more policies implemented that will help increase revenue without adding a burden to the taxpayers. This must be a focus for all of Mansfield's elected officials throughout 2016. |
Bill 15-131: Authorize Finance Director to enter into an agreement with a local realtor for the sale of City surplus property.
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- Selected for taking measures to reduce clutter/property that our local government departments are no longer using.
- Makes our local municipal buildings look more professional.
- Creates a source of revenue for the City.
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