Commission Meeting October 7, 2025

All there.

**Focus

$28K for the warming center. Open 6pm - 8am until it gets to single digits, when it'll be 24 hours. The city receives $2 million in federal funds for homeless. Why are they having a presentation about the sales tax increase for the jail if it's county and "we don't have anything to do with it". Estrop told a citizen that he didn't appreciate being accused of criminal acts and that the citizen would be hearing from his personal attorney. Blowhard. Nobody answered the question about Haitian Payen getting off for a gun in a courthouse, among all this other illegal activities we're paying for. Heck said he thinks Jason Via has talked to Via Transportation about the Field Trips issues, but he'll check. And he'll have Logan Cobbs talk to a lady who hadn't been able to get a response about a permit for months.

Oh, and Logan Cobbs isn't sure about the capacity at the Salvation Army, but they have a big gymnasium. And she's not sure about the separation of men from women and children either.

The Ohio Register published the perfect article about this meeting, titled Springfield Commissioners Meeting Explodes As Divide Between Officials and Public Continues.

**Presentations/Staff Report

A presentation about sales tax increase for the $100 million jail on the Clark County ballot this November.

Public Facility Needs overview - about the new county jail.

Rob Rue's big sell on the $100 million dollar jail is all the plans for rehabilitation.

Tackett of course wants to share this story about the ride-alongs she's done with the police department. The SPD had to let someone go because there was no room in the jail - and he reoffended twice in the next week. And the $90 a day Clark County pays other counties when there's over capacity.

Houston walked through the current jail and was overwhelmed by the need for repairs. Parts for doors that are needed aren't even in business anymore.

**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).

"Due to heightened security, we ask that you do not approach the dais.

Community Beautification honoring lady who's been in charge for 60 years. Marianne Nave.

**Citizen Speakers

Gary Armstrong - I've been coming here the last 3 years. The former commissioner who was beaten. We need integrity in here. The only 2 people who asked for my # was Tracy and Krystal. If you made either one of them mayor, you'd be way ahead, with honest people with a heart and a soul. You dismiss people. You've colluded on false appraisals. They were done out of Toledo and to cover up you used federal money and say it was done in Dublin. You tore it down so quick to cover up the crime scene. You could be prosecuted for that Junk hotels.

Barron - Rue introduced him as Ken Barron Seelig. 47th annual toy run the 19th of October. 1-3pm on Main street it'll be hard to do business there.

Diana Daniels - Rue calls her Diane every meeting. A little PSA - 126 days to Feb 6th. What's your plan? When all the money is ripped away? In the last 2 weeks, she's lost 3 friends have left the town. Taking their jobs, taxes. She can count 9 in the last 6 months. By January, 3 more, their homes are up for sale. Next year when your budget is in the red. You're going to go begging, and the federal gov't isn't going to give you money.

Terry Atkins - I brought up in a past meeting about the new van service. Still no numbers on them. Saw one not stop at a railroad crossing. Wipers on, lights on. Not on the vehicle. Left front fender crashed on one the other day.

Melissa Rexroth! Facebook gal. I have an executive summary from March 21 - the plans of the UN for migration replacement. The US 485,000 immigrants this year. Help to increase the upper working age to 75. I wonder if Copeland did any research before making us a welcoming city. New updated forms. Does this mayor? When will our next influx come? Last meeting, I was told the answer to my question would be put on the website on Friday. but not until Tuesday. When does the Board get the agenda? Who researches the items on the agenda before you vote? 5c data center? How much tax abatement for 15 years was approved. And we have a 30% property tax hike.

Melissa Skinner - Questions: How to get calls back from certain departments in the city? It's been weeks and months. Permits, for example. What are the city's plans if the jail is built? What happens to the police dept? That building? Back in 2021, there was a grant presented to the County Administrator who presented here tonight - that person would not sign off on the grant that was $900K. It would've taken care of the things on their list. The new locks. The floors. The front. Doors. Windows. Here we are repeating the same cycle from 2020. Did any commissioner question the ruling about Payen's loaded gun into the courthouse? (Rue cut her off.)

Shane Ramey - No rec centers for the kids, no rehab centers for the homeless, but 83 million for the jail to go to a bunch of criminals. The sheriff said he's scared to go to Walmart. We got children with nothing to do, no after school programs. Potholes. We got so many problems, but you want to spend 83 million to make them comfortable. You walk through the jail and are appalled, but have you walked through the community?

Michael Morris - Invited the public to the Johnny something statue dedication. I agree with what Shane just said. How many expired tags can we find when we drive around - a game he and his wife play every time they drive. Temporary tags aren't on the backs of vehicle but taped in a dark, tinted window. You can't identify cars - just like the Field Trips. Maryann Nave talk.

Meg Foley - the tall lady who talks about the new neighbors. I appreciate all the time you devote to our citizens. Many caring people trying to make it better. I'm glad we have this forum to hear voices. But the silent majority working together to make things better. In positivity. Two issues she's concerned about - housing and shelter. And food insecurity for our neighbors (is she talking Haitians?). You are greatly appreciated.

**Rue's Immediate Comments

On our agenda is the homeless issue this winter.

The money for the jail - that is not city budget money. Nothing to do with us. We need a humane jail. But this is the county.

Diane brought it up 2 weeks ago about numbering the vans and he asked Heck to contact them. So he's asking Heck again.

**Heck's Reports and Answers

That's not our job - Field Trips is a private company.

I know Jason Via has been in touch with Via Transportation. I don't think anything from the Commission is needed. it's been communicated to them.

The city police division - we need to evaluate what we need - if they do build the jail. Secure parking, training. The jail piece would need to come down. Could the Admin part remain? We are evaluating this but we have 4-5 years for the County jail construction.

Permit issues - I'll have Logan talk to you.

The data center - this is under the building code of Ohio.

**Commission Comments

Tackett
So many youth resources. She lists three. A plethora with the United Way.

Brown
We have provided so many resources for students. Just google after school activities. Go to the school websites. A new mentoring program. It's unfair to say that nothing is available for kids. Like Derrick Clark. Wants to "reinterate". The new jail helps with mental health and drug addiction. it's to serve, as well.

Estrop
About the jail. It's the county. Go to the County Commission meeting and raise your voice there. About the federal food banks and housing money. Second Harvest lady told him that because of the gov't shutdown, future shipments might not come. It's a difficult period for them. They don't know. Our housing block grant money is also tied up because of the shutdown.

We have been accused of committing federal criminal acts. You will be hearing from my personal attorney.

Houston
The company is completely separate from the city. Keep that feedback coming, so we can pass it on to them. Again, we are not a welcoming city and we never have been. We're not on their website. Downtown Dayton has gone through the process. She's talking about Welcoming America.

**First Readings to Consider

Authorizing the City Manager, Comm Dev Director, Law Director to spend the HUD block grant money how they see fit.

Logan speaks - reads - Heck commended her for her work with the Salvation Army. We've fielded many questions from the community recently. Thank you for your patience and your trust. The facility will be a shelter at the Salvation Army. Single digit temps and it'll be 24-hour. Otherwise, 6pm - 8am.

Estrop's concerns are funds that are already there, but we can't seek reimbursement while the gov't is shut down. Heck doesn't want to We have to pay it out of our general fund anyway and ask for reimbursement.

Tackett asked what the capacity is? Is there a separate area for men and women? Logan didn't know. "I will have to look into the occupancy requirements. I know they have a very large gymnasium." Aaron with the Nehemiah Foundation spoke. It's a collaboration. We just talked today about the separation. A low barrier shelter - signing a name and coming in. We have case managers for chronic needs.

1. Warming Center Support- City Commission heard a first reading of an ordinance to provide funding of up to $28,499.95 to the Nehemiah Foundation’s Faith Community Crisis Response Team. The funding would help establish a warming center at the Salvation Army, 15 S. Plum Street, offering shelter for our unhoused neighbors when temperatures drop below freezing (32°F).

Barron spoke - I know Aaron, I spoke with Bryan. To clarify - 23 and below 6pm - 8am, single digits 24 hours. Includes breakfast and dinner. Where are they gonna go when they're kicked out every morning? The $28K - that's just the amount of this grant - you have other funds? Rue said - you need to talk to the commission. This is maybe step one. In the language of the grant, certificates of insurance available for the public to view (liability - abuse and molestation/sexual misconduct - a million per claim - Heck said these are coverages - federal requirements. Nehemiah has to maintain this insurance. Would be a public record. The city shall be named as an additional? Any other entity submitted to be considered for this money? Heck said no - Nehemiah was established in 2020 as the crisis response team. They can certainly apply for more dollars as we put out RFPs.

**Votes

Barron asked how much does the city contribute to helping the homeless. Heck said I'll have Logan Cobbs speak to that.
Cobbs said just round numbers - 160K emergency funds for homelessness prevention. CGBD funds are the most flexible - 1.8 million. December we got 200K for comprehensive solutions. We put out various RPFs throughout the year.
Barron said I want people to understand that more than 28K went into the homeless.
Rue said the $28K was ust for the warming shelter.

Building and transferring residences to mental health programs. These federal funds/grants allow us to forgive mortgages. Money they receive for affordable housing. Someone asked Heck - we did an RFP in 2015. To build houses for people in mental health programs. HUD amount Homes funds - 275K NSP2 dollars 27.5K. To build properties west of the Regional Medical Center. They're forgiving that amount owed to the city. The city loaned it to Mental Health programs and the city is forgiving their mortgages to the tune of $300K. Why can't you transfer some to the homeless. Heck said this was done in 2015 for mental health services - what? He made no sense.

**My Thoughts

$28, 499.95. That's what Logan Cobbs has spent the last 2 years "working on". She has $11 million in federal funding for Community Development that they needed to spend $15,000 on the 2025 community survey for (consolidation plan). The Salvation Army "shelter" will be open 6pm - 8am every day, unless single digit temps - then it'll be 24 hours. And they're all touting this as the plan!?!?!?

he city receives $2 million in federal funds for homeless.

Tackett asked what the shelter capacity is? Is there a separate area for men and women? Logan didn't know. "I will have to look into the occupancy requirements. I know they have a very large gymnasium." Aaron with the Nehemiah Foundation spoke. It's a collaboration. We just talked today about the separation. A low barrier shelter - signing a name and coming in. We have case managers for chronic needs.

Rob Rue selling the rehabilitation goodness of the new jail (which Heck spoke about the project as if it was already a done deal). Of course Rue did. Anything to keep money out of the hands of the citizens.

Poor Gary Armstrong is the majority, I guess - Tackett and Brown are integrity? Good lord.

Rue introduced Barron as Ken Barron Seelig. As usual. Intentional to keep people from writing his name in correctly.

Diana Daniels - Rue calls her Diane every meeting.

Amen Shane Ramey - 83 million for the county jail, nothing for the city.

Estrop never fails to state the obvious. Talked about federal funds as the "entitlement".

If you have no involvement, why have a presentation on it??

The lady who can't get anyone to contact her from the Permits dept is.....wait for it...........Logan Cobbs.

The lady talking about the 900K grant Clark County could have gotten in 2021 for the jail, but the Administrator who was there speaking said no. Not city commission responsibility - but excellent points.

NOBODY responded to Melissa Skinner's question about Jacob Payen's walking free after his court case.

Estrop said: We have been accused of committing federal criminal acts. You will be hearing from my personal attorney. But this isn't a personal thing. What a blowhard.

Houston is dead wrong. It is a welcoming city. Not Welcome America.

Apparently, this woman next to the Clark County Sheriff is the Administrator who turned down the 2021 grant of $900K to repair the jail. And yet, somehow she has the look of both fear and disgust sitting so close to this fraud that we all do. Word on the street is that he is friends with the landowner and they've already signed the purchase agreement in a cigar bar deal. This explains why Heck spoke about the jail as if it were already being built.

As usual, votes mean nothing here. Nothing elected, only selected.

When you're a local Green Township Trustee and the landowner, your buddy is a county commissioner and you stand to get nearly 5x the appraisal value, it's a win-win. All while the coward Springfield Township Trustees and Zoning pretend like they have no idea what is going on.

the sheriff and commissioners are friends with the land owner, and he contributed to their election campaigns. Thats why they are paying $33k an acre. It’s an unethical backroom deal that wasn’t announced until the purchase agreement was already signed.

In the "work session" above (Heck's phrase for presentation), the Clark County Sheriff of Clark County starts speaking at 20:30.

They can't hold people they arrest because there's no room at the jail. We want to start holding people accountable and we need the public's financial help to do that.

At 26:40 or so he says a half percent is worth it to him to prevent him from having to go with his wife and kids to Walmart as an armed escort.

This is the first time he's mentioned that the Walmart or any experience in Springfield is dangerous. Up to now, the citizens pleading for help were imagining things.