By 1812Blockhouse
As always, the Richland County Board of Commissioners commenced their meeting on June 11 with routine approvals.
The Board discussed and approved two overweight and over-dimension permits for CJ Hughes Construction Equipment. These permits pertain to operations in Weller, Franklin, and Cass Townships. Commissioner Banks moved for approval, which was seconded by Commissioner Vero, and the motion passed unanimously.
A lease agreement with North Central Ohio Educational Service Center was approved for the Longview building. The agreement covers 6,522 square feet of office space. Commissioner Myers was designated as the direct contact for the lease.
Commissioner Vero shared details from a recent visit to the Newark Station, a redeveloped 11-acre site in Newark in Licking County. The site, which started with beach volleyball courts and a high-end food truck, has evolved into a mixed-use development featuring a café, stage, loft apartments, and spaces for business meetings and art exhibits. The success of this development highlighted the potential for similar projects in Mansfield, emphasizing the demand for downtown or downtown-adjacent living spaces.
The Commissioners scheduled a call with Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to discuss the Route 30 Broadband expansion. This initiative aims to enhance broadband connectivity, which is crucial for economic development and access to services in the region.
Questions were raised regarding the lease, seeking clarity on the nature of the organization and its usage of the leased space. The Commissioners explained that the entity supports local schools with technology needs, distinguishing it from the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Lori Bedson from Jobs and Family Services presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Union regarding personal leave for employees completing their probationary period at the end of June. The MOU allows these employees to take their accrued personal days within the last week of June. This motion was approved unanimously.
The meeting included an executive session to discuss union negotiations related to the Clerk of Courts. This session was held from 10:00 AM to 10:26 AM, after which the Commissioners reported no action taken.
