Commission Meeting July 1, 2025

All there.

**Presentations/Staff Report

Heck calls this the "work session" now. This is what his staff separates out into another YT video and considers "even more communication" with the city.

A presentation on the parks from Director of Clark County Park District Leann Castillo. A park levy - to join the 2 districts. We merged and 1-year anniversary. Both logos for now.

33 parks, 18 nature preserves, 52 athletic courts, 12 miles of river, wetland, paved trails, 18 playgrounds. Part of the most connected pathways in the country.

Public hearing: Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 staff report. Director of Community Development, Logan Cobbs. Required by HUD for federal funds for housing, homelessness.

Partnered with Pro America.

She did mention the community needs survey. High level of engagement, per Pro America. Received 579 surveys with 21 surveys.

**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.

**Citizen Speakers
Beth Donahue - domestic violence and Springfield is not tracking them. Adam Humphrey example rapes and assaults. The PD and the prosecutor knew about him. Not brought to Springfield Court. His name is only visible to the Sheriff's office, he was a juvenile, to not published to the public. He's now serving 22 years in prison. But this is just an example. We need a city ordinance of "arrested" offenders to a public database.

Jimmy Stewart - Annual arson reports. Increase every year. 327 since 2019. 4% are clear. We rank first per capita. In your response time, provide # of structure fires from 2018-2024. Should be easy, Jill Allen, P Chief, Fire Chief. Do we have the correct # of arson inspectors? Police information: You have to provide data for murders. Why should help the city when you can't be honest and transparent with us? Failed to report youth gun violence reports - the only ones who didn't. Why are there no annual crime reports - arrests not calls for service. Jason Via is paid over $100K a year...and nothing.

Linda (or Glenda) Bailey - How many green street lights have been hit by cars? How much cost to replace one? Will you terminate Karen Graves DEI position at $100k salary. Haitians exploited our generosity. They've created poor learning experiences, increased court costs, brought bitterness to the city. You accepted as long as you thought income tax. They claimed 8, 9, 10 people as dependents. Your ignorance about Haitian culture. Your plan backfired and they've cost us more. You dug the hole for the taxpayers. Once again, the taxpayer is . Trump - $1,000 to self deport. But they remain. Give them an inch, and they take a mile. Rue - you hate to see Haitians losing home. Your personal reputation has suffered. They've lost hope because of you. You led them on. Which locals will encourage when they become illegal aliens.

Darlene Yearly - church members and leaders. The Haitians and our citizens has benefited these people. Brought non-citizens to fill jobs. Billboards in a language I can't read. Freely given licenses, can't read/speak english. City officials and church leadership - they're first. Agenda from the ruling class. 300 people to spew hatred at someone saying God, country, and Trump at a rally. Nothing done. You are resistance and fed the fires of anti-American hatred.

Diana Daniel - I have no notes. 2019, I was your biggest advocate. You've driven out heritage citizens, they've taken their money, small businesses, and their taxes. Your going to have to make some amends. Reversal of the welcome resolution and an apology.

Stephen Foster - I'm heritage and I'm not going anywhere. An article about Haitians. Dirt cookies. Fills up your stomach. My beans were a feast. They'd love to have what I was eating. Imagine coming here and walking into a Walmart. And now we want to send them back to hell. Violence killed 2700 people. He talks about all the strife in Haiti.

David Rose - I want a meeting with you and the Police Chief this week. He is the dad whose son was killed. And he apologized to her for his responding to her in the last meeting. When Ms. Brown addressed me, I was responding to her. When you put a pickleball park out here, did you take a survey or ask anyone? Not one person here has been at the marches against violence. You're more concerned about putting money in Tony Smith's pockets...

Devon Hendricks - the tall dreads black guy - same guy, same speech. Took 1.2 million for the gun violence. What's being done with the remainder? The 400K. Five members are now grieving in that family at the shooting Saturday night. Lowers the morale of the whole city. The money we have to pay - the emergency services, the courts, etc.

John Hill - first time speaker. SCAT bus. Have any of you ridden the bus? I saw Tracey at the meeting today, but nobody else. The drivers bad deal.

Mike Lyons - Solar Alliance guy talking about his savings.

Miranda Richardson - the young, misguided one. Demand answers from the commission and police dept as to why I don't have my own personal police officer to protect me and coddle me from my own stupid actions. Something about Mayor Rue meaning street in French.

Dean Barnett - we have so many great things here. Lists them. Thank you City Commissioner for all the communications, vibrant community, and jobs for our new neighbors. Your peace and kindness and servant leadership.

Wes Fabian - same gushing speech man. "Thank you for allowing us to speak." July 4th reading of the Declaration of Independence. (Rue always says thank you to him.)

Sikea Long - first time. South side middle school teacher. The children are scared and so am I. She started crying. These classrooms are safe spaces. A lot can handle a gun before they can write a compound sentence. Our town was given money for gun violence. No explanation, no plan.

They were all - ALL - on their phones while she spoke.

**Rue's Immediate Comments

Director Wilson has a few comments because he's with us. Back in the fall, the governor put a team on the ground. We tried to stay focused on the issues and not pulled off on the rhetoric. And we did that. We looked at healthcare, schools, rent, etc., to help the city and the county. (HE is 100% HAITIAN.)

The governor wants you to know over the next 30-60 days with the change in policy, we're going to determine the real effect on this community. They're already in discussions about how to handle this. He is dedicated to helping you through whatever may come your way. We're back here and on the ground. Working with non-profits, pre-emptively mitigating the problems they'll have.

The gov also wanted me to let you know the public safety in the state is ready to work with the city and is available to provide extra resources as you work your way through the summer.

A community in crisis/swirl, to have a governor spend time and resources in that community, DeWine did a fantastic job. Please let him know we all appreciate it.

**Heck's Reports and Answers

Chief King about arsons: I'm not sure where the data comes from, but we don't do per capita, but it's easy to do. We had 74 arson cases started with Springfield Police in 2024 (one was clothing fire, dumpster fire, detached garage fires, miscellaneous, a deck, and an outside wall). All fires are listed as arsons, because we call the police department. WHAT?!?!? Arson is the only Ohio revised code: What is arson section.

The green street lights owned by Ohio Edison.

The youth gun violence grant was through OIC of Clark County - was not a grant to the city. Cut came from DoJ. We spent $400K used on data. Gun violence group led by Caleb Perkins.

Chief Allison discussing arrests and convictions data. Like the City Manager said. She's ticked. She doesn't understand what people want in the records. I'm happy to sit down with Diana or Beth. I think there are some things we can post. We're working on our new records management system for arrest data.

Rue - What did you say Jimmy - one sentence only. I'm just trying to get transparency. I get a little frustrated when people talk about data so much like we're trying to hide information. You can ask anyone else and we'll meet with any of you.

**Commission Comments

Tackett
commend the people who attended the gun violence march. I was unable to attend. I have reached out to Deon Green with the Fudge Foundation asking him to share some information. The root cause of the youth gun violence. I talk to police officers all the time, they would love solutions. BUT, Deon violent crime rate is higher than Ohio. Firearms, impacted by high poverty Clark County poverty rate is 16%. Minimal mental health help. Black males 30 times more likely to die by gun homicide than white males.

Brown interrupted her. If it's always the black males, "it is what it is". That when we quote data like that - it's not just poverty. It's systemic racism. There goes those black kids doing it again. We have to understand the root cause is racism. In the back of the Parks magazine, there's information about the transit system.

Then, Tackett carries on. Our police. National Night Out August 5th in Veterans Park. Annual community building to promote police relationships. I've been to this.

There's nothing to do in Springfield and we're not doing anything for our youth. If we had a magic wand, we'd all fix this.

The transit system - we had that meeting with the community and Jason Via led the meeting. I asked for the survey. It's on our website.

Fireworks coming up on Thursday from Ferncliff. Downtown is great viewing. Parks has maps on our website.

The Farmer's Market - there's music and shopping. Saturdays in Springfield, I just love.

The Summer Arts Festival. Taylor Swift and Tom Petty tribute. A free show.

Houston
The fire last week, commend everyone involved. Commission Retreat notes. I don't think people understand that resources we all provide.

Estrop
The federal cuts will affect our ability to provide some of the services mentioned. Some things are in question.

Then Rue said, we're not taking any more comments.

**Dr. Estrop presentation on federal funding
He's still on the 4 million. The 3 rows. The food bank, the Health District, OIC federal grant 1.2 million on youth gun violence.

Two new ones. McKinley Hall loss of a grant from feds $59,900 for substance use treatment program. Served 800 people in Clark County. 40 positions at McKinley Hall. And a $10K grant from the state Talk, They Listen Program.

You know that the Governor signed the budget but can make some line item vetoes.

Thank you to our intern for putting this together. Springfieldohio.gov has this on the website.

**Agenda Item Transport System

River North Transit LLC public transportation system, for hire, for 5 years, option to renew for 2 years. Rue asked Heck and Via to talk about this, repeating this from the last meeting.

80% of the funding for this comes from the feds - FTA. The cookie-cutter approach doesn't work anymore. A lot of smaller cities are moving to this micro-transit model. We started looking at this years ago. We're at a crossroads - we'd like to continue to provide public transportation to our citizens, but it's not financially sustainable. The SCAT was 90-days out from us having no operator.

Jason Via's been in charge of this.

Jason Via speaks/reads. This is redundant, but let's review the process that got us here. In 2021, a consultant was hired by Clark County PCC (Transportation Planning Committee) in charge of evaluating the system. The consultant had meetings and gathered data and completed a report over a 2-year period. Sent in late 2022/early 2023 - the existing service cost. Something 200K a year is now 400K a year. 2014 - 280, 000 rides $6.83 per ride. 2023 - 120,000 rides to $18 per ride. Reviewed equipment, bus fleet, 500K to buy a new bus, hold 25 people and run on diesel fuel. Averaged 5 people per ride. ONly 400-500 people use the bus service. We consistently communicated, had a booth at Culture Fest, have a FAQs section on our website. Standing meetings with the FDA. They have an independent contractor come in to make sure compliant with policy. Legal team with the RFPs. In 2024 Spring, we did RFPs - required by federal regulation - no bidders. Asked why no bidders - adjusted the RFP and resubmitted in Winter 2025. Got 3 proposals. Selected Via Transportation. Contract negotiation. Updated service data simultaneously. "Environmental concern" (there's the money!)

Para transit service for all mobility needs. Transit is not a requirement.

Heck - Federal Transit Administration funds - is FTA. 80% of funds.

Rue - this is an effort by the city to continue to provide the service.

Brown - service cost to the rider is the same. $1 per ride? So the city won't be paying $17 for everybody's rides?

Fixed route - $1 each leg. Beyond the service area is $2 each way. Discounts continue. We're going to institute a process.

Rue - point to point service, you don't have to change buses at certain stops.

Reduction in time you wait for a bus

No car change. $2 if outside the area.

An uber or a lyft type model. You are picked up at a designated point. Along the way, you may collect other riders. It's still shared rides.

Tackett - new fleet of vehicles can take up to 6 passengers per ride. 16 vehicles online.

This was communicated over years. The survey - the community was asked in 2022. The report is on the website. We also had work sessions - you can find o June 21, 2022 and April 22, 2025. April 22 had Via there. It was shared in the newspaper and social media. Trans Dev was ready to give 90 day notice in Nov 2024.

And we are not required to give this service. It helps the roads. Accessibility for veterans, bikes and scooters. "Citizens" brought up these concerns. Veterans can buy bulk ride passes. Thank you for hosting the meeting. I'm happy to have met the citizens.
If you have any issues, I'm here. And gave her email address.

Brown - I used to ride the bus with my aunt and I could never figure out how to make it happen. I lived in Toledo and then Atlanta - and I've never been able to figure it out. (and this lady is in our DoE).

Jason Via - continuous data for meeting needs and growth.

Estrop - I want to make sure I capture the big picture. Here he goes with costs.

Houston - talking about the youth - could this company have a partnership with the schools having ability to get kids to extracurricular activities. We'll "continue to analyze the data".

Rue - to the riders - change is difficult, but not having any system would be more difficult.

Citizen - thank you Tackett for attending the meeting. We're confused. City may be communicating through Facebook and the meeting here. But the bus riding community is not kept in the loop of communication. How did cost double in a year or two while ridership went down? is that bad management or bad planning?
RUE interrupted - we don't run the bus system. But it's under your perview. You're taking action, but how was the problem created. Is there management over this new system? How has the Commission encouraged public transportation? How are you communicating to the bus-riding citizens?

Rue - ma'am direct your questions to me. The new company has their employees. They're not public servants. Need oversight. Commission says there has to be. But the company Via will handle this.

if we're saving money and 80% are coming from the feds - where will the savings be used?

Citizen 2 - you have 16 vans and 25 people need a ride. To the doctor, to the hospital, what happens.

Citizen 3 - has there been any communication for extending the hours? Barron. If the homeless get jobs, they don't have rides.

Estrop - I asked early on would this company work with private businesses about workforce. And they said yes. As a fringe benefit to their employees. This company is willing to do this. Win for the company with more reliable employees. And win for the employee. Barron - that would be a win for the city to offer that.

Heck responded - it's an expenditure revenue issue. (but this is 80% from the feds!) It's not creating a savings. It's not sustaining the system. We don't have add'l dollars to put in the system.

If your business isn't on a fixed route, doesn't help your employees. So it benefits the companies to get involved.

Citizen 4 - how does 5 people getting in my van affect me being late for work?

Rue said - if you have to get to work. Brown - you know what time frame. You can speak into the microphone. So the software makes sure you get there. You have to allow extra time. The software is so powerful.

Mrs. Brown - you mentioned you had troubles riding the bus. But there's not the certainty. Increased cost and decreased ridership- this building is full, but if you take that stat by the entire time in a week. At 6am, 0 riders, etc.

Rue said Tackett brought back to them they need to bring info to the riders. It shouldn't be new information if you've been studying this for 4 years. Thank you for your comments. You're voting without consideration.

Rue said thanks for your comment. She said, As a mayor, I hope you do appreciate the comment. And he laughed and said, "Our conversation is done."

They're voting on this in this meeting.

1, 140,000 to fill the gap to put curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. You're gonna pay the contractor and you're going to bill me on my taxes.

Heck - tax foreclosure, somebody WILL PAY. if someone is delinquent on their property taxes,. Where did the money come from to do the kickouts? Paid for by a state grant. can I have one to fix my street - Heck said no, you can bring this up to your state rep. In front of the new houses, the developer paid for it. But it's your expense and we'll assess your property. Rue - you have to have a permit. We're trying to work with you. ROB, my property floods every time. He asks this a lot. Can't get any help. The gulley in the yard. He's spent thousands. Gravel washes out. Rue cut him off. Estrop - I'd like to call teh next vote. 1,300 for something.

**My Thoughts

Park gets lots of grants. What's the Springfield Foundation?

Rue's warning to citizen speakers has been updated. Stronger words, gearing up for August 2025, I'm sure.

Rue mispronounces Diana Daniels' name every time - as an extra insult, of course.

David Rose, the father of the boy who was killed, who Brown yelled at last meeting, APOLOGIZED to her for responding. Are you kidding me?

Who is Tony Smith? Wrecking service.

Miranda Richardson - every time she speaks, why are they always so unwell? And Wes Fabian actually says, "Thank you for allowing us to speak."

Every single one was on their phones while Sikea Long spoke about her classroom and the children.

Chief King about arsons. I'm not sure where the data comes from, but we don't do per capita, but it's easy to do. We had 74 arson cases started with Springfield Police in 2024. All fires are listed as arsons, because we call the police department. WHAT?!?!?

The Police Chief still has no data. And Rue is mad that people are asking, like he would hide anything.

The Feds froze $1.24 million of the city's gun violence program, so Springfield only had time to spend $400K of it. On what? Data, the Don says. Data. There are NINE non-profits involved in this, led by Caleb Perkins, and they're appealing. NINE. NINE!!! (See below article - yes, all spent on a study.)

In August 2024, the SNS reported:
An effort to curb youth gun violence in Springfield is moving to its next step after a study was completed on area trends.

Caleb Perkins, who serves as Clark County’s gun violence prevention coordinator, was hired as part of an alliance formed by the city, Springfield City Schools, the Clark County Combined Health District, Opportunities for Individual Change (OIC), Mental Health and Recovery Board, Community Health Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Clark County Juvenile Court and NAACP designed to address juvenile violence. He shared results of a study conducted with Case Western Reserve University at the regular city commission meeting Tuesday.

I hope the Feds freeze more and more funds that go nowhere. The Syndicate has no idea what to do with other people's money.