Parknav Presents About Possibility of Parking App
Director of software company Parknav John Leney spoke to City Council about the features of their parking app. Leney explained that Parknav provides information about the availability of parking spaces and local restrictions on parking spaces. Additionally, Parknav can navigate users to available parking spaces, EV charging stations, and handicapped parking spots. Leney explained that Parknav’s real time data on available parking spots refreshes every 2–3 minutes. If approved by the City Council, Parknav would provide Oberlin residents with a 12-month free subscription. In response to a question by City Councilmember Libni López, Leney clarified that Parknav’s data relies on a combination of real-time data, open-source data, and artificial intelligence. Founded in 2015, Parknav has provided parking spot data to numerous cities and small towns.
Council Discusses the Sale of City Manager Residence
Oberlin Public Works Director Jeff Baumann discussed the City Council’s plans to potentially renovate a house at 205 Morgan St. that is situated directly in front of the Oberlin reservoir and Arboretum. The house had traditionally been occupied by the City Manager, but no residents have lived there since previous City Manager Rob Hillard left the position last May. The councilmembers discussed converting the house into affordable housing for Oberlin residents, refurbishing the house for a future City Manager, or tearing down the house to make room for a potential parking lot. Councilmember Ray English proposed spending $60,000–70,000 to renovate 205 Morgan Street and offer it to the future City Manager. Then if the City Manager rejected it, the City Council would sell 205 Morgan St. to a member of the community at an affordable price of $170,000. City Council President Eboni Johnson and López similarly emphasized the need for affordable housing in Oberlin. Baumann explained that the current property required minor repairs since it had not been extensively altered for 25 years, but emphasized that the house was adequate.
Council Votes to Postpone the Second Reading of the Humans Relations Committee Charter
Council voted to postpone the second reading of the Human Relations Committee charter until the City Council meeting Oct. 7. Although the Council was prepared to approve the charter for a second time, the Human Relations Committee asked to alter the language of a clause in the charter. Specifically, the Committee asked to alter the clause stating the Committee will facilitate education about civil rights, “including fair housing, non-discrimination, and disability rights.” Rather, the Committee would prefer the language to state “HRC committee will facilitate education about human and civil rights.” They worried the word “including” would cause residents to mistakenly believe that the HRC was exclusively facilitating education about those three civil rights items. Prior to the second reading, the HRC subcommittee will meet Oct. 1 to discuss the removal of these three civil rights items.
Council Approves Ordinance to Provide Better Access to the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center
Council voted unanimously to waive the rule requiring three readings and to approve an ordinance easing the accessibility of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center. The ordinance approves an easement between the City and K and S Investments Inc. that will allow access from the “Station Square” shopping center to the Underground Railroad Center. The easement will cost the City $120,000.
Council Gives Revised Collective Bargaining Agreement with Oberlin Police Department First Reading
The City Council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the City of Oberlin’s legal counsel and the Oberlin Police Unions. The agreement slightly increases the hourly wage of training officers, provides each officer with $800 per year to pursue a master’s degree, and requires that residents request a third-party mediation before filing a grievance complaint against a police officer.
Council Approves a Motion to Not Hold a Hearing on Annual Renewing of Class C and D Alcohol Licenses
The Council unanimously voted to not hold a hearing on the renewal of Class C and D liquor licenses for Oberlin residents. City Legal Expert and Interim City Manager John Clark emphasized that the City of Oberlin has never held a hearing related to the standard renewing of liquor licenses, as the Chief of Police has never viewed it to be necessary. All Ohio Class C and D liquor licenses should be renewed by Oct. 1 if they have not been already.
Council Approves Nominating Committee for the City Board and Commissions
The Council approved members Jessa New, Libni López, and Joe Waltzer to serve on the nominating committee of the City Board and Commissions. The three-person nominating committee reviews applications for vacancies on the City’s Board and Commissions. This committee will appoint members of the Board of Trustees for the Oberlin Public Library this Sept.
