Commission Meeting January 28, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmleGkNnmGw&list=PLgMuFaWBmSmgKDUVklydDxnCq-07mV61k

Bridge not there. Again, The Don's Diane Keaton, so no loss.

**Presentations/Staff Report

Rue reading about Springfield CTC program - career technical something or other. Serves 800 high school students in CTC programs. Proclamation about a CTC Month. The reps from the CTC thank the community for passing the tax levy.

He called himself the Mayor and the President of the Commission.

**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.

No work session on the update about the warming center tonight. He is in the hospital. Rue wants to thank Logan Cobb Community Development Director.

Ohio Mayor's Alliance - 30 mayors - with the admin change - reading a statement: It's not a productive exercise to speculate about future policy changes.

Hopefully, the polar vortex of September doesn't repeat itself. We will face things head on as they come.

**Citizen Speakers
Norm Horseman - gratitude to the commission for being a good neighbor to me. I got hit on a motorcycle 8 years ago. We take it for granted that people will be there for us. Good neighbor. Good neighbor. You guys are public servants. Just want to thank everyone. Rue allowed applause and then said, to be consistent, no applause.

Darlene Eely - advocating for a facility for our youth. JD Vance example - overcome things as youth. Thank you to Betty who works at the shelter.

Troy Fowler - advocate for our Haitian brothers and sisters. I understand the conditions they were living in.

Jack Lay - I read that we tied for 2nd highest in job growth. That takes a welcoming posture and policy and partnership. Also read that Immigrants here actually work outside the county. That means they're choosing Springifleld to invest in and spend their money.

Bradford Hogan - I advocated a few weeks ago that this is one of the few cities to afford protection for LGBTQ people. But I want to advocate for long-term care people. Immigrants have filled the void of employee shortage. They have jumped through hurdles - a lot more than my family had to do when they came from Norway. People are villainizing these people who take care of our own. I grew up here.

Beth Donahue - the law about data and reports to the people. Crime reports need to be made publicly available NOW. You formed the City Community Advisory Police Advisory Team (CAPT) as an advisory board that meets with our Police Chief meets with them regularly but we see no records of any meetings or information. They should all be public. July 2 - Rue stated that the city formed a group of select city leaders to address the TPS issues. Any time you meet, it should be public record, but we have no information. It should be on public record. I want to see these made publicly available now. Feb 2024 you (Rue) stated to WHIO that the city cares. Jason Via said there's a group working on this issue. In fact, there are nine NGOs working on it. What the heck are you doing? You just place it in the OIC Coordinator's hands - another NGO. Fed up with all of you. I want transparency now.

Senator Kyle Koehler - This is my home. I'm ready to help. I haven't been here for the last 2 years. I didn't want to use the city's struggles as a political stunt. Twisted, turned, and it's strained our relationship, Mayor Rue. Things are changing at all levels. Someone might have a law. It's hard to get a local law passed for an entire state. This is a federal problem. I want to help here. I'm at koeler@ohiosenate.gov. A lot of things changing at the federal level. People all throughout the country are struggling. It was rightly understood that TPSers would go back. But we're not dealing with fire or mud. We all deserve dignity.

Karlen Barclay - I want to thank the commission. Bad situation. Thank the police chief. I am so thankful for the diversity in this room and this city. Take that message of treating people like people to your colleagues in the Senate.

Shelly Dillow - I'd like to thank you all as well. I'm a lifelong resident. In 1947, my grandparents came from Kentucky. My educational career - (her schooling). I love this community. I would like to see the opportunities that my grandparents were given. In 2014, the city passed Resolution 5844 passed - dedicated itself to helping immigrants find the American Dream.

**Rue's Immediate Comments

I really appreciate the silent majority here and the kind words you've given us since the Fall.

There were no questions. (?!)

**Heck's Reports and Answers

Rue asked him some tax questions, but his answers were so convoluted, I don't know who understood. Delay in some street project, but Heck said something about a wire/conduit in the curb and weather.

McKinley Hall project partnership. Old Hart House. The county is funding this with their ARC dollars and Opioid settlement dollars. 50K to this clinic.

Partnership with the Community Improvement Corp (CIC). Greater Springfield Partnership on workforce development. https://business.greaterspringfield.com/list/member/community-improvement-corp-11633 This is the old "Chamber of Commerce".

**Commission Comments

Tackett
She left.

Estrop
Thank you to Koehler for publicly expressing his care for this town. When he was in the House, he put a bill about repeat offenders, Rep Willis took it further and introduced legislation. I want to encourage Koehler to follow up in the Senate. A bill that could help us turn the table on the violence in this community.

Rue and Estrop and Bridget serves on the CIC board. The best thing we can do is maintain a ready workforce. "We've done some incredible things." Keeping people leaving school here.

Maple Grove item - the CIC reported we have 3100 new houses. All stages. The newest subdivisions here were in the 1990s - Kingsgate. Job creation and housing go together. "We've been focusing on both and our efforts are paying off."

Asked Heck consulting service contracts - why so many? State of Ohio Clark County Land Bank funds. Environmental assessments. We've had to RFPs and new contracts.



**My Thoughts

Rue can't read.

He called himself the Mayor and the President of the Commission.

"In a city commission form of government, the mayor is typically the president or chairman of the commission, but this role is largely ceremonial. The mayor presides over commission meetings, represents the city, and may have some limited administrative duties, but their power is generally equal to that of other commissioners."

• Mayor's Role:

  One commissioner is usually designated as the mayor or chairperson. This individual presides over commission meetings, but their power is generally not greater than that of other commissioners.

• Ceremonial vs. Executive Power:

  The mayor's role is often more ceremonial, representing the city at events and functions, while the commission as a whole makes decisions about city policy and administration

So, where'd he get that "emergency power" authority?

Rue said there were no questions. But Beth Donahue had a bunch of questions. No crime reports. What do they do? etc. But they haven't published or answered anything about crime as of the June meetings. Data isn't supportive of so many efforts for other people's money.

The Clark County Land Bank. What is this?

The CIC is the Greater Springfield Partnership/Community Improvement Corp , is a Township member of the Greater Springfield Partnership which is a nonprofit, membership-based organization. Think of them as the old Chamber of Commerce.

Where does the GSP get their money?
Member dues: https://www.greaterspringfield.com/join-us/investor-benefits/
Talk a lot about fundraising - but $6.5 million (October 2024)? https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/greater-springfield-partnership-launches-65-million-plan-to-grow-economy/32JF2CWEEVHOJKV643O7JGFUAQ/

https://www.greaterspringfield.com/

https://www.springfieldtwp.org/355/Community-Improvement-Corporation

https://business.greaterspringfield.com/list/member/community-improvement-corp-11633