[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6265725,"mediaKeyId","3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3","parentId",3089000,"title","Votes at a glance: city commission approves equipment purchases, contracts and ordinance updates","audioSeconds",4591,"startMs",5608000,"endMs",10199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3&start=5608&end=10199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3/thumbnail_5608000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265725/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-city-commission-approves-equipment-purchases-contracts-and-ordinance-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265725-f9b21d67ac040d2c0a77fe42134e2220/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457511&Signature=HSEPPXzPqxev-PWNsY4CYHhqtuDUbiD8I37QGQrKNN6OcHkZuYvudBGF5IqQQQ13613Vklr72E3VN7MRlXPwDjr-lmq4dZbBdicwfUTT47UVrZMn6oHYW7vsHJTCojfpAsSrhvCdkb~ZqhVrGgG3r4rypGbfD7~xaxwh2dV3RpCVlLoq83JyyWG8~Jv819XrWh1ainFIpRtqggPHiMrFV3rgqpoYjl5B0jKv9JYHcO2hYvBABvKO5FB2hQSzl7Orall6VGOpnHg2DYjF26rqW2Xba9kT0-CpjE0GDLufQDWIT4TzVPLudcPthANORaehfDGmTRf4QwE0HhDaGnOBFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield OH","date","2025-04-23T04:52:50.65Z","article","The Springfield City Commission voted unanimously on multiple second‑reading, consent and emergency items at the meeting. Below is a concise summary of each action recorded in the meeting transcript and the roll‑call outcome.

Votes at a glance

- Purchase and installation of an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (Agilent Technologies) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant — approved; roll call unanimous (5–0). City staff said the device replaces a 2011 lab instrument and should reduce outside lab costs (~$23,000/year).

- Data record‑sharing and access supplemental agreement with the Clark County commissioners (9‑1‑1 dispatch records) — approved; roll call unanimous (5–0). The agreement was for up to $36,395 per year for up to 10 years.

- Right‑of‑way transfer from Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation along South Yellow Springs Street — approved; roll call unanimous (5–0).

- Repeal and replacement of Part 11 (zoning code) in the city’s codified ordinances — approved on second reading; roll call unanimous (5–0). Commissioners thanked staff for the rewrite.

- Clark County multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation five‑year plan update — approved and declared an emergency; roll call unanimous (5–0). Staff described the plan as a coordination tool with Clark County EMA.

- 2025 curb ramp (ADA) contract with Majors Enterprises (Herb Grama project) — approved and declared an emergency; roll call unanimous (5–0). Staff said curb‑ramp work will make intersections ADA‑compliant and save roughly $3,000 per intersection compared with separate work.

- Change order to 2024 sewer lining contract (Insight Pipe Contracting LLC) reducing the contract amount — approved; roll call unanimous (5–0). Staff said decreased quantities drove the change.

- Several contract authorizations (demolition services, nuisance abatement amendments, uniform rental, vehicle purchases) and other procurement items were read on first reading and will return for final action; multiple other second‑reading items described in the agenda were approved as noted above.

- Appointments and reappointments (planning board and board of building appeals) — approved; roll call unanimous (5–0).

What it means: The approved purchases and the hazard mitigation plan are intended to support core city services (wastewater testing, emergency management, ADA improvements and right‑of‑way clarifications). The majority of votes were unanimous and procedural; a set of rezoning hearings and one first‑reading contract for microtransit remain pending further commission action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, Apr. 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a package of second‑reading and consent items including lab equipment, a county records agreement, zoning code replacement, hazard mitigation adoption, curb ramp work and contract change orders; all recorded roll calls were unanimous.","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},6265730,"Commission holds three rezoning hearings; staff, planning board and neighbors disagree on two cases",3458,2995000,6453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3&start=2995&end=6453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","/articles/6265730/Ohio/Commission-holds-three-rezoning-hearings-staff-planning-board-and-neighbors-disagree-on-two-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265730-1a39f500153e830f58f932e9b7dc2692/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457511&Signature=Y1qQj3E7MlgPSOYpw2Hyukoqccdu4bovBUfWOj~6AHt-DUkqIPX9mw8cP8g3zd0Q1lIxFRxqFSq9J6jCFLJHfVC6kUs8r7gIuORYwufUUBpvSHS7Hozp6hoiv3H03iXIWFKZn70UfIB90exglqhT-TuvnheMHrkK1QFPK6mOrzXOCN04QarBNGFNFZ~nSXoStgGdcLl-nt4eCJ0gOMhLK40xX0BuNUghP6r1fcIMOohKef3onID9YMFgH58OWuwXa2fZ0A5gYYxp2lK2Hl~cN4xLO201KOX2T3r7g~3syupy1maKU1W6~aikUx8jr~GSnRBToopvMug4VZplQWjAmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission opened public hearings on three separate rezoning requests and heard staff reports, planner analyses and public testimony before adjourning each hearing for later action.

2900 East Main St.: The applicant requested rezoning of 19.64 acres at 2900 East Main Street from Springfield Township I‑2 and the Eastern Edge Corridor Plan (EEC POD) overlay to CC‑2 Community Commercial with a Commercial Arterial Sign District and the EEC POD overlay. The planning and zoning staff said the parcel was annexed in 2017, contains existing retail and storage uses, and that CC‑2 would allow complementary light commercial and office uses while keeping existing uses as legal nonconforming. Staff recommended approval and reported no neighbor objections at the time of the hearing. The item was presented and the hearing was concluded for later commission action.

317 North Belmont Ave.: The applicant sought to rezone 0.294 acres at 317 North Belmont from RS‑5 low‑density single‑family to CN‑2 neighborhood commercial to allow a light manufacturing use (a CNC machine shop). Staff reported the property had been vacant and had lost legal nonconforming status; code enforcement and planning staff recommended denial, citing surrounding residential character, parking and traffic concerns and a comprehensive plan that envisions low‑intensity residential uses. The city planning board, however, had approved the request unanimously. Neighbors testified in opposition, citing observed trash, junk vehicles, traffic and concern that allowing the rezoning would change the character of the block. The hearing record will return for commission decision in two weeks; no final rezoning vote was taken.

430 West Liberty St.: The applicant requested rezoning of 1.5 acres at 430 West Liberty from M‑1 General Manufacturing to CC‑2 Community Commercial to allow an auto‑oriented repair use. Staff said historical records show past motor‑vehicle uses but noted recent code violations and repeated nuisance orders at the site; planning staff recommended approval with conditions (paving, survey work, conditional use permitting for auto uses) while code enforcement recommended denial. The planning board had recommended denial unanimously. Several neighbors spoke at the hearing, describing recurring problems and expressing skepticism that site conditions would remain improved after any zoning change. The hearing was closed and will return for a commission decision at a later meeting.

Process notes: For each hearing the commission received the staff communications, called for a staff presentation and allowed public comment. No final rezoning ordinances were adopted during the meeting; the hearings were formally concluded and roll calls were recorded when the commission closed the hearings.

What commissioners asked: Commissioners queried whether any objections had been filed before the meeting (staff said none for East Main; calls and at‑meeting objections were reported for Belmont and West Liberty). Commissioners also asked about the zoning map dates and when maps will be updated as part of the zoning code rewrite.

Next steps: Each rezoning case will return to the commission for further consideration and final vote at a subsequent meeting; commissioners said they will personally visit sites before final action.","The commission opened public hearings on rezoning applications for 2900 East Main, 317 North Belmont and 430 West Liberty, heard staff reports and neighbor testimony, and concluded hearings for later votes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265740,"Springfield to transition bus network to on‑demand microtransit under proposed five‑year RiverNorth contract",1742,1062000,2804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3&start=1062&end=2804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3/thumbnail_1062000.jpg","/articles/6265740/Ohio/Springfield-to-transition-bus-network-to-ondemand-microtransit-under-proposed-fiveyear-RiverNorth-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265740-a5f2ecd239dc7202de82c4e8a289ba31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457511&Signature=FR5Xvl8r87fHFVJdCgKJJZ9WeI-q-1RnIMOaNhk5OrNnYlgM1N9qVn7-~onQoz-O3SJbWo0ej9vkzLXIm24i8Y175DrYKJh-Fa8K1gtDy4KnhywPT2JY4VcB0MhlZ7wWmnx6euwuv-Hn~fAuGjo5fiKsiu8WI95dJzJndFYEn1P7gHE8u4YS398moFJOhKANxM79LqcgFUjLMEGwqt2oep7pmvqWjPkaNqcMzbMVRY7rYr9FSOFI9eSQwFbA9QbD-HVGseBsZN0gKZ0Aza~GfzNa83~Qgxm317k1ndwrdo~yOk1I3lj-gjfwSwWoQIE8kIHLOnU8Cr-C1pFsBmjimA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Springfield city staff and a team from Via Transportation outlined plans to replace much of the city’s existing fixed‑route bus network inside a new microtransit zone with an on‑demand service to be operated by RiverNorth Transit LLC under a proposed five‑year contract.

The presentation, given at a work session, said the microtransit service would expand geographic coverage, reduce wait times and eliminate many transfers by allowing residents to request shared rides in real time via a smartphone app, web portal or phone line. Alex Lavoie, chief operating officer for Via, told the commission Via will provide “a turnkey solution” including software, local operations, marketing and community engagement.

City staff and Via framed the change as the result of a multi‑year review by the Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC). Glenn Massey, identified in the presentation as the TCC transportation planner, was named as having led the review that flagged long waits and coverage gaps on the current fixed‑route system.

Why it matters: presenters said the microtransit zone would increase access across a wider area of the city and reduce average wait times to roughly 15–20 minutes. Via estimated that more residents would have access to jobs within a 30‑minute transit trip compared with the current system.

Service design and timeline: Via said it is in a service‑design phase of weekly workshops with city staff. The company described on‑the‑ground technology testing and rider outreach in May–June, a one‑week overlap of the new service and the existing fixed routes at launch, and full operation from July onward. Clara Canales, part of Via’s implementation team, said the firm plans to maintain a staff presence in Springfield to operate and iterate the service after launch.

Fares and accessibility: Via proposed a simplified end‑to‑end fare of $2 and a reduced fare of $1. Presenters said the city’s existing ADA paratransit certification process would be retained for riders who qualify for door‑to‑door service; the presentation stated the paratransit fare would remain $4 for eligible riders. Via said a substantial portion of the vehicle fleet will be wheelchair‑accessible and that pre‑scheduling will be available for riders who need it.

Vehicles and staffing: Via said the fleet for Springfield will include Toyota Siennas configured for shared rides and wheelchair accessibility; the company emphasized local hiring for driver positions and said it will match the wages of existing fixed‑route drivers who wish to transfer. Lavoie said drivers will undergo background checks and annual refresher training including ADA and sensitivity training.

Pickup model and safety: Via described a ‘‘virtual bus stop’’ approach—pre‑mapped, safe pickup points within a block or two of a rider’s requested location—while acknowledging door‑to‑door trips will be configured for riders with limited mobility who are certified for paratransit. In response to a commissioner’s question, Via said staff will combine online mapping and in‑person field scouting to evaluate whether pickup spots allow drivers to pull over and riders to board safely.

Contract status: The commission’s agenda later included a first‑reading ordinance to grant RiverNorth Transit LLC authority to operate the city’s microtransit service for five years with options to renew. No final contract vote or ordinance adoption was recorded in the meeting transcript; commissioners heard the staff and vendor presentations and asked questions during the work session.

What’s next: presenters said Via and city staff will continue public engagement (materials in English, Spanish and Creole were promised) and provide data to the city after launch so officials can monitor performance and adjust service design.

Ending: Commissioners expressed support for the concept during the work session and asked staff to bring more contract details for formal consideration in subsequent meetings.","Springfield city staff and a team from Via Transportation outlined plans to replace much of the city’s existing fixed‑route bus network inside a new microtransit zone with an on‑demand service to be operated by RiverNorth Transit LLC under a proposed five‑year contract.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265735,"NOPEC official warns Springfield residents of rising wholesale electric costs; city earns grant funds from aggregation",1642,2806000,4448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3&start=2806&end=4448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089000-1caaf5cff783f60a456888cbff95f7b3/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6265735/Ohio/NOPEC-official-warns-Springfield-residents-of-rising-wholesale-electric-costs-city-earns-grant-funds-from-aggregation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265735-ba1e04086afa7e836b4502285a755e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457511&Signature=lozsUX9Yd62-49QrFkxUoLcJo3D8d8JEcCkQOlZyLjzpIjPr1FMwpoOC97-1WJZsnfZ6pfpj9EhDxrahitRikRd-iBqVB7NqIpd-lE4E1cDHC9m62fpOYgaY0Rt~YeD~824ACWTXBzBvf0Gr9L0nYU7RHIXhNNw8fhtea8Mq8-ureQuHm4wZOwewHps6fyBbmSjVgfWnwouUm3jBhi0us98p1FBNL6IjchytQV3Gu7mR20498~tMCbBTUmnWAyzcSs~J-dEOQWGB1Wv-ueijjX451Yu5IfxU1JhN0fAwsTAGC~iUCAVUmY1Vadmo3b0DUl5Vh~KI9GlyL8FX-4Y5aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A relationship manager for the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) explained to the Springfield City Commission how recent changes in the regional wholesale market raised supply prices and why those shifts will raise residents’ electric bills starting in June.

Ginny (Genevieve) Costanzo, identified in the meeting as a NOPEC relationship manager, told commissioners that NOPEC aggregates member communities to negotiate supply rates and that Springfield joined NOPEC in February 2018. Costanzo said NOPEC’s program is evergreen—enrolled customers remain unless they choose another supplier—and that the organization offers several pricing options, including a market‑mirroring program rate, fixed terms, a discount relative to the utility’s monthly rate, and a higher‑cost green option.

Why it matters: Costanzo told the commission the NOPEC program rate for Springfield customers was 0.645¢ per kilowatt‑hour but will rise to 0.893¢ per kilowatt‑hour starting in June; she estimated the change could increase an average household’s bill by roughly $18 a month (supply portion only). Costanzo attributed the increase to an unusually high PJM capacity auction result last year and other supply constraints, and she said PJM, the regional grid operator covering 13 states, recently capped the next auction to help relieve pressure while longer‑term fixes are developed.

City grant funds: Costanzo also described NOPEC’s community grant program, which is funded by supplier payments negotiated at scale; she said Springfield received roughly $60,000 this year for an energy‑efficiency grant that the city and staff intend to apply to municipal building projects. In the meeting, a city official said the funds will be used toward replacing part of the service center roof and toward previous roof projects.

Consumer choices and protections: Costanzo emphasized there are no termination fees for NOPEC enrollment and reiterated that customers who sign separate supplier contracts should track contract end dates to avoid unwanted renewals. She also advised residents to use the Ohio Energy Choice website to compare offers and watch for fees or short‑term promotional terms.

Commission discussion: Commissioners asked about constraints on building new generation in Ohio and whether legislative changes could ease development of solar projects; Costanzo said there are state‑level restrictions that have slowed solar deployment and that NOPEC does some advocacy on related policy issues. Commissioners also asked NOPEC to provide a legislative flyer outlining the restrictions she referenced; Costanzo agreed to provide those materials.","A NOPEC relationship manager explained how the regional wholesale market and PJM capacity auctions have driven supply rates higher and described the city’s participation in aggregation, which provided the city energy‑efficiency grants of about $60,000 this year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: city commission approves equipment purchases, contracts and ordinance updates

Commission holds three rezoning hearings; staff, planning board and neighbors disagree on two cases

Springfield to transition bus network to on‑demand microtransit under proposed five‑year RiverNorth contract

NOPEC official warns Springfield residents of rising wholesale electric costs; city earns grant funds from aggregation