[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6106619,"mediaKeyId","2779785-18be02b47fa1e975452b089386f1eb92","parentId",2779785,"title","City Commission approves contracts, emergency development change and downtown redevelopment agreement","audioSeconds",1499,"startMs",4925000,"endMs",6424000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779785-18be02b47fa1e975452b089386f1eb92&start=4925&end=6424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779785-18be02b47fa1e975452b089386f1eb92/thumbnail_4925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106619/Ohio/City-Commission-approves-contracts-emergency-development-change-and-downtown-redevelopment-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106619-583e69be4d0b9a9a37099f85dcfd2b74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770888313&Signature=eRqnasA7Uv7ie9pyhJsHJ~JAezs0xgE8kW8c2DZovvZGHUCii4F4ICsW8kF09ea58GsKS9SP71~wEYEg8xm1o57Z5Uw40fSbcBL-l-FsjKdD~I6l9ysthP4DdSoEcstOZkgesgAO3vB6ses5eSJKQtMl~oEpTVpd704mt3xNTnM5qMIlsP2ZrBZ6xJcIMoXz3ROYwQx3jQdww3~Pxphb-SVncaDNu72VJxD7d524cmmQRNEZr03lZHgj8B34UTRH7Zp3Acla0OlWVvV-AeJC2L3kRl7qfwiE4Yg5RaYHMfb2n~zRb3Wbw0jmT9rSNSX1aPVbneOIdmyMb8Dj~3JiZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield OH","date","2025-03-26T20:51:28.873Z","article","The Springfield City Commission voted unanimously on a slate of items at its formal meeting, approving contract renewals for sidewalk and lot services, emergency amendments to a planned development, downtown redevelopment support for the former National City Bank (Fairbanks) building and several budget and construction change orders.

The nut graf: Commissioners approved multiple routine renewals and emergency ordinances that city staff said are needed to proceed with ongoing public works, downtown redevelopment and the completion of a new fire station, while also authorizing grants and subrecipient agreements tied to homelessness services and police overtime reimbursement.

Key outcomes and votes at a glance:

- Renewal: Gillum Lawn Care and Landscaping LLC — approve option to renew for mowing boulevards not to exceed $57,862. Roll call: Commissioner Tackett, Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Houston, Doctor Estrop — all “Yes.”

- Purchase: Polydyn Inc. — approve purchase of liquid polymer not to exceed $81,540. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Ordinance: Enact chapter 146, administrative code — acceptance and use of electronic signatures. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Acquisition notice: City notified Clark County under Ohio Revised Code sections for acquiring nonproductive parcels (land reutilization). Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Change order: National Water Services — increase for well pump cleaning and rehabilitation at the water treatment plant by not to exceed $26,301 (total not to exceed $976,293). Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Super blanket PO: Brown Equipment Company (name change from prior vendor) for parts and supplies, amount not to exceed $75,000. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Emergency ordinance: Amend planned development for 16.0214 acres (parcel on North Fountain Boulevard) to modify access points; declared an emergency and approved. Developer Frank Crossley said crews might begin work within days if approved. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Supplemental appropriations: additional appropriations across funds, net change $340,000 (general fund impact $0). Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Confirming purchases/moral obligations: charter-required approval of post-delivery payments over $100. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Contract renewals: Board-and-secure and lot-clearing contracts (multiple vendors, not-to-exceed amounts set at $50,000 per vendor) and renewal with Republic Services for debris/grit removal (not to exceed $92,797). Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Equipment purchase: tracked aerial “spider” lift for the forestry division, not to exceed $167,803; staff said the lift can fit through openings as small as 36 inches and reach about 95 feet. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Economic development agreement: AP Development LLC / AP Fairbanks LLC for redevelopment of the Fairbanks (National City Bank/Hall Plaza) building; commission approved a framework agreement. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Lease/maintenance amendment: extension of agreement with Clark County for municipal-court county office building maintenance through June 30, 2025. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Construction change order: Brumbaugh Construction — change order #1 for new Fire Station 5 on North Thompson Avenue increasing contract by $108,788 (new total not to exceed $5,104,788) and extending completion to Jan. 21, 2026; staff said a major cost driver was soil stabilization where structures had been demolished decades ago. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Grant administration: amend Grow America contract for consolidated planning (Consolidated Plan) — increase by $75,000 (total not to exceed $207,600) to support required five-year consolidated planning activities; staff warned federal funding levels for later years remain uncertain. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Grant acceptance: subgrant award for 2022 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, $48,982, to reimburse Springfield Police Division overtime related to last fall’s incidents. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

- Appointments: Tiffany Wanzo reappointed to the Community Grant Advisory Board; Kaylee (listed as Haley/Kaylee in the record) Lawrence appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Roll call: unanimous “Yes.”

Commissioners and staff emphasized these votes facilitate ongoing operations, downtown redevelopment and infrastructure projects. Assistant city staff noted some appropriations are carry-forwards from 2024 and that several contract renewals provide flexibility rather than guaranteed maximum spending. No item failed; most roll calls recorded identical four “Yes” votes from the commissioners present.

Ending: The meeting ended with routine adjournment after commissioners’ announcements and a reminder of upcoming community volunteer opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, Mar. 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Springfield City Commission approved a series of vendor renewals, contract amendments, emergency ordinances and an economic development agreement for the Fairbanks/National City Bank building; most votes were unanimous among commissioners present.","taxTitle","Springfield City Commission, Springfield City, Clark County, Ohio","taxId",68986,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106624,"Volunteers say Springfield warming center kept people alive during severe winter; commissioners urge planning",759,354000,1113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779785-18be02b47fa1e975452b089386f1eb92&start=354&end=1113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779785-18be02b47fa1e975452b089386f1eb92/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6106624/Ohio/Volunteers-say-Springfield-warming-center-kept-people-alive-during-severe-winter-commissioners-urge-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106624-768513013e7c99e5259b7e4611050168/orig.mp4?Expires=1770888313&Signature=P7bqUXwGV1jRcX97T3WJ9jdVbRFXKsPPaC-0DC8mZjiDsOLQxKuvNOG~sd57irpDwjIY7ySW14PAxXgbzY9ywTgPjMOLjXfyhFiG8SXFJVKzwk~GW1NEi4WRbO5n6-ErG5sO8G9fwussN7Ncnau9NaXljsmKBIEdreCNVprBa0N72Ad2N-6wgbFrbTDTeIbZ0fBnnHB-tUmI6GSMFh2ssvJPs3QGiPEk-CApbenqPFcgUxAzH9ZIvPM22Xn3x~sRwd9rNIRD0HaKLf6BGgXT~onoaqTR4e8e34SP1hRDUiPT3CAiRo1fjfaZ4W1aEDMUEhJKHclnBXv9S3VE4ofedQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ken Baron Selig, a local pastor who runs a street ministry tied to Liberty Disaster Relief, told the Springfield City Commission on the work-session agenda that he and volunteers opened a warming center on Dec. 2 and kept it operating for 90 days this winter.

“The most important number that I'm gonna say here tonight is 0,” Ken Baron Selig said, referring to the number of people who died of exposure in Springfield while the center operated. “Because of that warming center, the volunteers ... 0 people died of exposure in spring.”

Selig said the center operated from a gymnasium loaned by Victory Bay at 424 North Fountain and that his wife and volunteers initially funded the operation. He described the effort as “organic,” open to anyone who said they were hungry or cold, and limited inside only by a single rule: “Be nice.” He estimated the center served as many as 60 people on some nights and said staff and volunteers remained onsite for extended stretches — he said he stayed at the facility for 45 days straight before falling ill with pneumonia.

The nut graf: Organizers credited volunteers, informal partnerships and rapid referrals to treatment providers with preventing deaths this winter, while commissioners used the presentation to press for more formal planning, clearer partnerships, and expanded case management ahead of future cold weather.

Commissioner Housen thanked Selig and asked what he saw as the leading causes of homelessness in Springfield. Selig replied that case management and mental-health services were the largest gaps, and he said many people fall into homelessness for mixed reasons, including addiction, mental illness and financial shocks. “We truly need to consider a mental health facility where people can get on the medications that they need,” he said.

Commissioner Brown asked about the city’s role next winter and what Selig would request from municipal leaders. Selig asked for sustained, practical coordination rather than repeated roundtables: “I need things just like we're doing here right now. We need to have conversation, and we need to have real conversation,” he said, adding he has plans and is looking for partners and land donors to develop more permanent solutions.

On safety, Selig described how volunteers separated families and found hotel rooms when the single-room gym set-up was not appropriate. He said security largely came from volunteer “big burly bikers” and that the Springfield Police Division responded quickly when called, describing the average police response as “well under 5” minutes in situations the volunteers judged to require law-enforcement help.

Selig said the center referred people to drug- and alcohol-treatment providers, reporting that 58 people entered treatment during the 90-day operation, eight former guests left to become missionaries, and he described multiple individual success stories. He also said at least once volunteers coordinated emergency medical transport when a guest was critically injured and that volunteers worked with a trauma nurse to get the person to a hospital.

Commissioners praised the volunteer effort and emphasized the need for city-staff coordination, clearer shelter planning for families, and stronger casework systems. The mayor noted the city is in close contact with federal and state representatives on immigration and other policy matters and encouraged Selig to share his PowerPoint and plans with staff.

Ending: Commissioners concluded the discussion by thanking Selig and the volunteers for the winter response and encouraging continued planning before next winter. Selig said he will provide the commission with additional materials and proposed next steps when his presentation materials are available.","Organizers and volunteers described an impromptu 90-day warming center that operated this winter, serving up to about 60 people nightly and reporting no deaths from exposure; commissioners pressed for planning, case management and continued city-staff coordination.","actionData","errors"]

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City Commission approves contracts, emergency development change and downtown redevelopment agreement

Volunteers say Springfield warming center kept people alive during severe winter; commissioners urge planning