Council Appoints an Additional Councilmember to Committee

Council considered appointing an additional Councilmember to the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. The committee exists to help guide Oberlin’s Comprehensive Plan, the City government’s plan for Oberlin’s future. Councilmember Jessa New, OC ’01, volunteered to take a position on the committee, and was appointed with the Council’s support. 

Council Considers Including Board and Committee Reports in Agenda

The Council considered a request to amend procedure to provide time for board, committee, and department heads to give brief reports to the Council during meetings. Under the proposal submitted to the Council, time would be allotted for a few of these reports each meeting. This would work similarly to the time the Council provides for addresses from the public, in that a report would not necessarily need to be presented every time. Given the number of boards, committees, and departments operating under the City government, this would result in each one presenting a report to the Council about once a year. This proposal was motivated by a desire to increase transparency and civic engagement, as it will allow community members to hear about what these organizations are doing. In accordance with City Council standards, the Council did not vote on this proposal at this meeting, but will when a formal resolution is presented at the next meeting.

Council Considers Motion to Renew Agricultural Lease

The Council considered a motion to renew a lease between the City of Oberlin and Hickory Grove Farms, Inc. The lease concerns 212 acres owned by the City of Oberlin located south of U.S. Route 20. When the City acquired this land, it put out a request for proposals as to how it could be farmed, which resulted in a two-year contract with Hickory Grove Farms. If renewed, the lease will likely be extended for one more year, with the possibility of renewal at the end of that year. Renewing the lease is an administrative matter, which means the Council itself will not do it, but the Council passed a motion indicating its support for renewal.

Pittsfield Township Trustee Andrew Lake spoke to the Council to voice his community’s concerns regarding Oberlin’s acquisition of the property. Lake relayed that Pittsfield residents worried Oberlin’s expansion would disrupt the character of their community, and noted that little was known about Oberlin’s plans for the property. He expressed a wish for open communication and a strong relationship between Oberlin and Pittsfield. Councilmembers agreed that there should be communication between Oberlin and Pittsfield regarding this topic.

Community Members Express Concern Over EDL Plant Noise

Community members expressed concern over continued noise pollution from the EDL Plant and frustration that the noise is still an issue a year after the plant’s opening. One resident wanted to know whether the City has yet received the sound studies conducted by EDL and asked if the City would commission its own studies. Another Oberlin resident expressed frustration over the smell from the plant in addition to the noise. Both community members felt that EDL has been given too much leeway in its Oberlin operations. Members of the Council promised that they were working on this issue and indicated that a meeting with EDL was coming up soon.

Council Considers Amending City Zoning Map

At a public hearing before the regular meeting, Council considered an ordinance that would modify the City of Oberlin’s zoning map. Under the ordinance submitted to the Council, properties at 240 South Main Street and 285 South Professor Street would be changed from being in “R-1,” or the Single-Family Dwelling District, to “I,” or the Institutional District.