Mansfield City Council recognizes fire captain who worked for city for 28 years

Doug Bruce brought a sense of calm to any situation.

Bruce, who served the Mansfield Fire Department for 28 years, was honored Tuesday night by Mansfield City Council upon his retirement.

Fire Chief Dan Crow was on hand for the honors. Bruce retired as a captain.

Crow said he had the rank of firefighter when he met Bruce.

"I've never seen him rattled," Crow said. "He just walked in and straightened things out."

The bill included a glowing report on Bruce.

"Regardless of the incident, he spoke in a clear, soft tone," it read. "Capt. Bruce's presence in the fire station was larger than life, and he had a unique ability to unite people. His love for firehouse shenanigans and infectious laughter made him a friend to everyone, regardless of rank or shift."

Bruce began his career with the Crestline Fire Department in 1991. He came to Mansfield in 1995.

Bruce was on hand Tuesday.

"It was an honor to serve," he said.

Each council member thanked Bruce for his career.

"You obviously have a servant's heart," Councilwoman Cheryl Meier said.

Council approves pair of rezoning requests

In other business, council approved a couple of zoning requests, including a rezone of 10 acres on North Home Road and Spring Village Lane from multi-family to planned unit development classification. The project is for Walker Lake Condos.

Realtor Jerry Holden and Derrick Marsh of Marsh Engineering plan to build 21 duplexes. Plans include a pond with a walking trail around it with 54% undeveloped grassy space. Sidewalks are part of the plan.

"I think they're ready to put shovels in the ground," Mayor Jodie Perry told council, adding the rezone was approved by the city planning commission.

Council also approved rezoning four parcels at and around 552 Oak St. from multi-family to limited impact industrial district classification.

Parks were another topic at the Tuesday meeting. Council approved a $75,000 donation from Coca-Cola for a new basketball court at Liberty Park.

"This is a huge addition to the city," Councilman Aurelio Diaz said. "It's been a game-changer. I like to see it utilized in a way that people are proud to be there."

Louis Andres, public works director, highlighted last Friday's celebration at Liberty Park, which included a flagpole dedication and a festival.

Councilwoman Stephanie Zader lauded the improvements to parks in general, which was a focal point of Perry's platform.

"It's renewed the hope in our future," Zader said.

Council also entered a contract not to exceed $300,000 for Sterkel Park playground equipment. It will be paid from a grant fund.

City to seek new bids for municipal building improvements

Council members authorized a bidding process for improvements to the city building after the lone bid for the project came in well above estimates.

The Adena Corp. submitted a bid of $4.9 million, while the city estimated $3.5 million.

"That amount exceeds the 20% threshold as established by state statute, so we are prohibited to award this bid," City Engineer Bob Bianchi previously said. "We will have to re-bid."

In other business, council

• accepted a $119,465.76 state grant for police department operations;
• Aamended the city's codified ordinances to update permit and inspection fees, as well as plan reviews, and adopt state codes;
• updated national electrical code functions that are no longer performed by the city and amended codified ordinances to update and revise fees;
• vacated a portion of Princeton Street between Grasmere and Harvard avenues and an unnamed alley;
• authorized an agreement with Richland County commissioners for building department services;
• authorized transfers necessary to balance department accounts;
• approved a $10,000 Then and Now payment to Jacobs Excavating;
• accepted $80,000 from the state attorney general's office to assist with the Drug Abuse Response Team project;
• authorized the purchase of a Bobcat excavator for $117,679.36;
• authorized to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for salt supply; and
• created new positions at Clearfork Reservoir and the parks and recreation department.

mcaudill@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Council recognizes fire captain who worked for city for 28 years