Commission Meeting December 16, 2025

All there.

Note: Rue – December 30 – last meeting for Estrop, Houston, and Brown. We’ll say some things about you guys at that meeting. Not a roast, the roasts are over. January 2 – reorganization meeting on a Friday night swearing in of the new.

**Focus
Nothing much really. Voted to give $65,700K to Sheltered Inc for the men's shelter (I think? Nehemiah is running the Salvation Army one, I think?). Cobbs claims encampment folks were given warning. Businesses and neighbors complained, code enforcement, public health issue. But it wouldn't be, if she had straightened this out

**Presentations/Staff Report

N/A

**Rue Statement
The prayer/invocation and pledge. Please give us peace in our community, Lord. (This is always directed at the citizens - we're still dangerous.)

His usual warning to citizen speakers about disruptions. Some new stronger sentences. Read the city's statement (still in the news).

**Citizen Speakers

Ross Macgregor – rep of Sheltered Inc. To say thank you for your intended action later in this meeting for desperate funding we need during these months. So the City is giving the men’s shelter Hartley House, mens shelter open through March. ther funding they’re pursuing to maintain through the winter. We are working toward long-term solutions. Rue had asked him - he’s pleased to report 64% of our homeless in permanent housing. Far above the state average of 40%.. Again, thank you for your support of us tonight.

Bonnie Johnson – Weather we have no control over it. I was out driving around that might need transportation. I almost hit someone pushing a shopping cart because the sidewalks aren’t cleared.

Lisa Brannon – Said a bible verse. Opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. Homelessness is a form of leprosy for some. We have to touch it, like Jesus did. She was homeless in Springfield 24 years ago. How dare you Rue – talk about the human dignity of Haitians and talk about ICE raid protection. When this is going on for the homeless. It was a secret ambush while they were ousted hours during the day. We are not the only one waiting and watching. Named people. Then you should repent and not talk about human dignity. You all pat each other on the back.

**Rue's Immediate Comments

Rue to Brannon – thank you for your honesty. It’s a concern of mine. We’ve been dealing with since Tgiving for a warm place. The warming shelter has volunteer opps and safe environment concerns. Single digits. 25 is still cold. Immigration or homelessness – I’m trying to come from a human being’s standpoint. Not making a political statement. 196 donors for the 196K for Holiday in the City. Some people like it, some don’t. I come from a human being standpoint. Then he quoted a bible verse.

Heck asked Logan Cobbs to speak to the incident Lisa is talking about.

Logan – - I share the concerns – treat everyone with compassion, respect, and care. Actions about encampments. We make every effort to provide advance notice. In this case, it was not a secret. Gave 30 days notice to people in the encampment. Gave him resources that were declined.

Code compliance received 10 complaints from neighbors, bus drivers, and businesses. To enforce the code. Public nuisances. There’s a public health component. Proper waste disposal issues. Someone contracted with the city fell into human waste. We have a responsibility for health and safety concerns. Our focus remains on people. Working with other orgs for pathway to stability.

I’m always available – pleas reach out to me.

Rue – when private and public sector work together, we work better. The Friday before Tgivign – funds for sheltered inc. Something happened in the warming shelter – we provided security.

**Heck's Reports and Answers

It’s the business’ responsibility within 48 hours of completion of snowfall. Asked Heck maybe we can post information on social media. Heck said: The city could enforce it. It’s a problem. My call to action is that people take action.

I'll have Logan Cobbs speak to....

**Commission Comments

Tackett
Shout out to the Service Dept for clearing the streets and keeping us safe. Question for Katie – RITA bill in the mail. Share the process. City didn’t send quarterly reminders for taxes due. Residents who pay quarterly estimates. And touted the system.

Brown

Estrop
No update on federal funding. Received 2025 allocation but operating blind for 2026. What a fantastic job our firefighters did saved a family and 2 children. Chief King and Eliiott – gushed about them. To save the children. Estrop is all about the children this meeting.

Houston

**First Readings

Police has had lateral entry for years. Now fire does due to the ballot vote.

He thanks everyone BUT the citizens for coming up with the best approaches.

Trainings – had Logan Cobbs speak to them. 3 community fair housing education sessions for tenants and housing providers.
Once they get the contract finalized. This is for community members

**Second Readings/Votes

About 10 more acres rezoned from the Township to the City.

Graviton Consulting – reduced the contract for ERP system 82K not to exceed $3, 926, 899.42 total.

Graviton Consulting - increased the contract for the Oracle Cloud software 82,500 for a total $1,065,350 from October 1, 2025.

Sprypoint additional configuration utility billing – 39K increase $1,220,27371. From July 1, 2025.

They all vote yes for everything.

66,600 to the Board of County Commissioners for planning services for the Transportation Committee for 2026. Houston said – the value we get from TCC is great. Estrop – one of the big changes this year from our studies was the change from bus to on-demand services. They assist us greatly in getting grants. Tackett – our field trips are now marked with numbers Spent $1500 – the city spent. BUT why would the city spend this if it’s so separate.

10K rides a month. 15-minute pickups and 15-minute ride tiems.

Brown – do we plan to do another survey about how it’s going for the customers.

Heck – yes, we’re always looking to collect data.Via has customer service. We try to address quickly. But wait – is it a separate company when he wants no part of it.

Rue: Or call in between meetings and talk to the city manager.

City and ODOT 594,400 for the CLA Oakdale bridge up to 125,400 in matching funds with the ODOT.

300 s limestone st – city and YMCA – transfer of ownership. Emergency ordinance for end of year. So the Y takes over January 1.

Marker Construction – for the new fire station #6 charleston pike decreased 13K to 5,828,561.25 total.

Law enforce 19K funding for task force overtime October 2025 – Sept 2026. City and US Marshall service. All acts necessary. An annual agreement in place for a number of years. We have an officer who works with the US Marshalls – servicing warrants, fugitives, The money lets us recoop overtime costs we incur.

Renewal with Cherry Road Technologies – Oracle Cloud platform 1 year for 17,600 for 1 year.

General statements – provide money, revise money.

Year end transfer of money – Katie – the general fund Back from those funds back to the general fund so it will be a balanced budget. For example, t from the Airport revenue fund transfer.

Emergency ordinance added:

Sheltered Inc - 65,700 for Jan 1 – Apr 1 2026. Estrop wanted to commend the staff for finding funds in a really tight budget atmosphere.

Emergency Resolution: super blanket Purchase Order Alloway 8,000 48K total. National processing solution. 30K amount. Any recurring or predictable amount like utilities. For anything more than 25K requires commission approval. Testing at the waste water treatment and clerk of courts processing dept. So not moral obligation after the fact – before the fact.

**My Thoughts

Cobbs wouldn't have all these code complaints and public health issues if she'd addressed this problem. She did NOTHING all year long. And had multiple opportunities.

Estrop was all about the children.