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City leaders announce warming centers, Ohio 250 events, trail donation and Bass Bender Fountain rededication
Summary
City directors and the mayor briefed council on community events and projects: warming centers opening during cold weather, Richland County Valentine card drive, a Fox Glen Trail donation of $65,000, Liberty bathhouse renovations funded with $406,000 in private donations, and a planned Bass Bender Fountain rededication for July 4 as part of Ohio 250.
MANSFIELD — Council heard a series of community and departmental updates that covered immediate resident services and longer-term projects.
Councilman Aurelio Diaz listed several community events and resident resources: a Roseland Neighborhood Fan Festival collaboration this Saturday at Maddox Memorial Church, Richland County Children Services' Valentine card drive running through Jan. 23 (a partnership with the Mansfield United Lions Club that delivered roughly 9,000 cards last year), and two warming centers available when temperatures reach 20°F or lower (daytime services at Arc Church, overnight at First United Methodist Church). Diaz encouraged donations and volunteers for the warming centers.
The mayor welcomed new council members and thanked staff; she announced a State of the City program targeted for March that will include a video component and thanked IT staff working on a Microsoft migration.
Director Andres detailed public-works and parks activity: continued leaf pickup while crews prepare for snow operations, the city's use of roughly 4,000 tons of salt last year, and multiple donor-supported projects. He said the Bass Bender Fountain casting is roughly 90% complete with delivery expected in June and a planned rededication on July 4 as part of Ohio 250 events. Andres also cited private donations for trail and park projects, including a $65,000 donation for Fox Glen Trail repaving and approximately $406,000 in donations (Millard Foundation and Richland County Foundation) toward Liberty bathhouse reconstruction and an outdoor shelter conversion.
Director Porch updated public-safety operations and staffing: nine police officers are slated to graduate in February, lateral officer applications will open in late February, and the fire department responded to a higher call volume in 2025 (an increase of about 2.67% over 2024) with 85% of calls EMS-related. He said in-cab forward-facing cameras will be installed in engines and squads in the next two months and an open house will be scheduled once the command vehicle is available.
What happens next: council members were encouraged to follow up with department heads for project schedules and donation recognition plans; staff said bid openings for street resurfacing and other projects will be reported as procurement outcomes become available.
