Commission Meeting September 10, 2024

They've removed all meeting videos prior to August 13th, 2024, so I assume older ones will go away as time progresses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2v8-HIvvoU...

Brown not feeling well, Estrop absent.

**Presentation

New drug court stuff. A project they've been working on for 6 years before getting charted.

**Speakers

None.

Invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by a man leading a prayer (? not exactly a prayer): Thank you for this city and every resident in pursuing peace in this city and the freedom to express our concerns. We pray that nothing is spoken with pretense, that we all speak the truth in love with open hearts. I want to dispel and dismiss every bad word spoken over this city. Love, Joy, Patience, Peace, and Self-Control.

The pledge of allegiance was silenced.

Rue Statement: We will continue to have public comment as long as there is civil and constructive dialog. (My note is that they're strong on the public being threatening, but they're more threatening than we could ever be.) Cards have been given to clerk. City Commission comment period after. City manager to have answers that don't require additional research. The person asking will be given answers. Also posted on city website.

Constructive dialog.

At 4:15 - press conference to address rumors about Haitian community. No credible reports of pets being harmed. The cat was a Canton woman. No verified incidences in illegal activities such as squatting in other homes. All of these are taking away from the real issues of housing and resources.

I've continued to ask the state and DeWine for help about the driving. DeWine ordered the state to provide extra patrol - data-driven enforcement to support our deputies. We ask for your help. We ask for support from state and county. We ask that you contact them - we've provided templates to let your voices be heard.

**Public Comment

Nathan Clark - (Funny this guy was here and first. This was the first instance when it was obvious that the speakers were being selected.) The father of the I wish my son was killed by a 60 year old white man. The hate-spewing people would leave us alone. They think our son Aidan would appreciate their hate. Using him as a political tool is reprehensible. Bernie Moreno, Chip Roy, Vance, and Trump have spoken my son's name for political game. Fluffy pets being eaten by community members. He aws not murdered, he was accidentally killed. Don't spin this toward hate. Accept everyone. Choose to shine. His wife by his side holding up a t-shirt. He researched different cultures so he could interact better with others. Please stop the hate. Applause by Tackett and the audience (but applause is normally not involved.

Aurora Limcoe - 3 papers revisiting the issue of 5844 Resolution from July 2014. Joining a network of other cities and immigrant-friendly places and Welcoming America. Rue was on vacation. Welcome Springfield is no longer in existence. Presented this 2 months ago about no sunset provision on the resolution. Commissioners have been given 2 months to review this. Welcome America received Soros funding. Anybody on the commission to rescind or vote to rescind this resolution. She finds irksome - Mayor and City Manager on radio show and on Fox where you asked for federal dollars. It has never been a welcoming network city funded by Soros.

Richard Jordan - Immigration influx. People think we're racist and hate-filled. But our city is a flop house. Our city has become one you can just come and hang out. Is there a cutoff? we need a no vacancy sign and they're still coming. Will there be 60,000? Things are going to get ugly.

Rue interrupted him - this is slightly threatening. I have to ask you to step aide. The guy responded that he does this any time anyone says anything negative and Rue said he could continue if he didn't threaten.

People born here stay here. We don't leave the town. We feel like our city is being taken over. You keep on bussing them in every day. They're legal right now under TPS, but Nov 5th (trump) a mass deportation. Accommodations for a bunch of people that have to leave. You ask for more and more money for immigrants and our citizens aren't being taken care of. Include our homeless, our veterans when you ask for money> This is an invasion. A lot of people feel this way.

Applause - Rue said please no applause to control the temperature of the room.

Dave Horing - a federal policy called Housing First. Never passed. But during Bush's admin.

John Francis - we share your frustrations. Thank you for doing your jobs. Thank you for not bankrupting this city. Thank you for not deputizing a manners squad. Thank you for not running the city like Jim Crow backwater. I received a handout - an education. people's basic knowledge. I apologize that you are constantly being blamed for state and federal policies. I'm blown away by alt-right. Voters against gov't interaction, but now want help. My heart goes out to you guys. These people don't even know what they want. No city of consequence that doesn't have ethnic enclaves. Nothing that's happening here isn't happening everywhere. Learning to live with strangers is hard. But this is America. You don't get to choose who moves in next door. Thank you and good luck with the challenges every other mayor is going through for the long-term betterment.

Resca Darvy - I have watched the interview with Rue and Heck on Fox news. Why now? This has been going on for a while now. Our concerns have fallen on deaf ears. We have asked for help for years. What policies have been implemented in the last year? Who do they benefit? We would like to know what the plan is for the homeless here. The trash, the feces. We see all the new properties being built. We would like to know when available and at what price to our citizens? I've asked. Adults attending high school along with our children. Why does it take 2 hours for police to respond to 911 calls? Guns, theft, crime is at the highest. What are you doing? No police support. What new plans do you have? Car wrecks - car insurance is due to increase in car wrecks at the expense of the insured. people are rethinking staying in this community. What are the elected doing to help the residents?

Charlie Fensen - I've been on the fence business for 50 years here. Everybody should be treated equally. Haitians aren't the only people who don't know how to drive. not the only people who steal. I have the same dream as Martin Luther King. he starts crying. We shouldn't treat people bad. Everybody is equal. Everything takes time. Haitians are just here to try to better themselves. Most of them will try to learn how to drive. Don't make accusations if you haven't seen them killing any ducks. They're just as welcome as all the other folks.

Anna Miller - Driving education program. I really appreciate that. I'm disabled and elderly woman and I rarely leave my house now. I have my pit bull and my gun with me. I've been followed, groped -I'm 58 years old. I've been called racist. My youngest moved to Montana to get out of here. My other son moved. My children are leaving me. I don't blame this on anybody other our city managers. The influx has been so fast with no education of our laws. It's causing so much division. Since the '60s! I'm scared. I'm scared for the women here. I come from multi-cultural family but this is different. Our education system is in the trash anyway, but they're now overcrowded to the point nobody can learn. Housing - overcrowding. My son had to give me his house and move to another house, because I can't find housing.

Was told I am not allowed to apply to an apartment complex. Rue said we've written several of your statements down and will look into them.

Noel Bells - The apology gal (they took down the video with her statements in July.) I didn't mean to bring ill will to this city. Thank you, Tracy Tackett for talking to me. If anybody gets a chance to hit up the small meetings, do it. The energy is so great, if you want your voice heard. About the ducks and cats? I'm the crazy cat lady and nobody's missing. It's not happening. Stop with all that. Thank you, Ms Tackett, you spoke to me and gave me the courage to stand up here tonight.

Baron - Enough is enough. We have national attention now over alleged people eating cats. Bullcocky. Roasted fluffy wasn't on any menus I saw. But now that we have the nation's attention, what are we going to do with it? The real issues? Let's say we get 15 baxillion dollars - are we going to open driving schools. if you get the federal money you're after, what are you going to do with it? There are no homeless Haitians in this town. They all have vouchers. There is no relief for the homeless. they want a solution not toothpaste. Landlord kicked people out and fixed it up and charged triple the rent. Follow the money.

Marjorie - On behalf of the Haitian community. Haitians are not illegal. They have papers and were invited. That word is like a cancer. Take it out of your mouth. It's not true. That they're here TPS. 98% want to go back home. They're so motivated work. They've opened businesses. Not here for a free handout. Haitians have the finest cuisine. We wouldn't eat cats. She's Haitian heritage. It's overwhelming but the hate is not going to make it better. We criticize their driving, but we just don't understand it. Be patient with them. We moved here after 9/11. So much love. We were the only black in Northridge. Don't blame the Haitians. Not one is on welfare, they have their own money and want to invest in Springfield.

Melissa Skinner - The last meeting was a start. These concerns should've been addressed a year ago. Police statistics on city page. No updates, no breakdowns, what is being done. Oath to protect and serve.

Jossie Jones - Not a racist bone in my body. I'm here on behalf of human beings. 5 years ago, Shamrock Bowling Alley he took and turned into a rec center. We need help. The kids!!! Youth initiative isn't on the agenda/action plan. Nothing about kids!! And the city of Cleveland. How do you make so much money?? 187 K and DeWine makes 162. we're barely a city. Cleveland's city manager doesn't make that much money. Audience wooting. Rue sighed. Rue kicked him out.

Amanda Heaton - Death of ducks and cats. Kathy Heaton - my mother-in-law. She was collecting her trash can and a car killed her. A Haitian immigrant allegedly - no recklessly - to this day no punishment not even for the expired tags on his vehicle. Complete disregard and now fear. I've been to Haiti. I sobbed when I saw the poverty. But now I'm in fear in my own city. I am paralyzed with anxiety getting my kids out of the car in any parking lot here. My reality and grief should be yours as well. She's provided medical care in this town. I'm seeking a safe place and abandon all my efforts. Those coming from countries with no road lines - licenses with no education - a disservice to them. Can you connect me with lawmakers that care?

Chris Heaton - husband of Amanda above. It was her birthday. I'm here for solutions. A land that welcomes. But they haven't been acclimated or a resident with rules. The Ohio state and governor announced today - appreciate it - (the 2.5 million) the cheating in the BMV office. The integration is unfair to all of us. But there's no solution. Kathy's Law. to establish regulations for any immigrant getting a driver's license. Same rules as any citizen has to learn/obey. Computer based translated test. (He got this - with the 2.5 million - to HELP THEM acclimate.)

Darlene Healy - The influx has to be dealt with, but critical is our kids. Thanks to Councilwoman Brown referring her to The Dome, but it's a college readiness hub. She wants to address the kids struggling to survive. We can provide seniors but not our kids.

(And the Haitian) - silenced when saying his name - I speak on behalf of the Haitian community. I have so many of them here. We've been the center of attention even with other ethnicities here. Spiteful vicious manner without taking the time to understand we are the most resilient people. We have good cuisine and wonderful ocean. Some of us are green card holder, some are with gov't program with a SSN - TPS. Just like the Ukraine, Cuban, Nicaraguans. Huge misunderstanding - we are not illegal. Come here to steal jobs and public assistance. This is false. We are the hardest working people despite the cold and bad weather here. WE do the jobs that typical Americans would never do. We are here to contribute with our tax dollars We do not cause the rising price of housing. We are here as homeowners. Ran out of time.

Colin Barklay - Thank you to the commission for your tireless efforts and coming up with solutions in just addressing what's come out today. You are appreciated. False information and fake news out there. The comments here have become a drum roll. It's all fake news. Nazi sympathizer group here. Okay to send personal threats. Karl Rubie. All because you're asked to be nice to your neighbors. Come with verifiable facts. And speaking accurately and showing love to everyone.

D Lewis - they're not going nowhere. The parent of the little boy that died broke me down. She's crying. We have to stop the hate. This city's going backwards. I love the diversity here. When have you ever told immigrants to leave? it's not going to happen. The commissioners are trying and we have to let them do what they do. JD - whatever - his rumors about the Asians and Covid.. Make sure you're registered to vote.

Mark Sanders - My bus route thru town twice a day. Not a day goes by that we're having to take action to avoid bad drivers. it's everywhere. Kids walking to school. People passing busses on the right, not stopping at stop signs. The money you're going to get - the surge - put the safety people in the right places. Every traffic judge is failing this city. people getting cited and dismissed due to translation issues. Challenging mayor - towing non-licensed drivers. It was determined it was discretionary. You can create an emergency ordinance at any time. You can say any unlicensed vehicle is towed. Do it tonight. You can fix it tonight.

Applause - Rue stopped it and said no applause. We cannot do that tonight, because we only have 3 commissioners and need 4.

**Commission Responses

Heck - programs about what's been implemented. Safety. Facilitating support for the Haitians. Use the QR code to submit questions. A data-driven enforcement approach. (But there is no data.) Congressman Turner meets with schools and healthcare to draft financial requests. For translation. Overwhelmed healthcare. We need more resources for that. Sherrod Brown about housing solutions. And Vance has talked to folks about the issues. We've contacted all of our reps and had meetings.

More housing concerns than we've ever had in our town's history. Building apartments, projects - in the next years. We know we need housing. Owner occupied, rental, affordable, etc. Supply and demand is so out of balance. Drives up cost.

(What drives up cost is Rue's situation - buy properties and raise the price to rent to a dozen in one house.)

Adults attending high school? The law is up to age 22. They try to push to GED, but it is only a recommendation.

Why so long to respond to 911 calls? Police chief said staffing is a nationwide issue. We can't recruit fast enough. Help us recruit the people you want to see. There is a prioritization of calls.

Reason insurance is increasing? Motor vehicle thefts. Ohio ranks 7th in motor vehicle thefts.

He's directed Community Dev Director to work on homeless programs to develop a strategy.

Driver's ed program - attendance has increased. It's free. Not mandatory. Simulators. For everyone.

They filter reporting from the County. We want to provide as much data as possible.

Youth - we're continuing to look at this.

Rue - We're not looking for bailout money. We're looking for translation services. 10 million from the state. 3-part pie. Healthcare safety, and translation. Any funding is spent on translation services. DeWine was traffic concerns, but was spent on the urgent care center.

Somebody responded that the resolution Aurora mentioned was temporary. With a new governing body, it goes away. not an ordinance or law.

Tackett I'm in for any round table. I'm in to help with Kathy's law. Just get a hold of me. I'm in meetings about the gun violence. Communication has to keep going. If you bring up something once, it can get lost. We need to improve communication. There's room for growth. And happy birthday to Allison. Now that we're thrown into a national platform. We need research to cut down on misinformation. To educate the public.

Bridget Houston - Welcome America ordinance. Went to their website and typed in Ohio - Springfield is not on the list. Bryan's salary. She did some digging. Same form of gov't. Council mgr gov't. Kettering - $236K to city manager. 197 people that make over 100K. Bryan oversees over 600 people and is 24 hours a day.