Transfer of Liquor Permits from Lupitas Inc. dba Lupitas Mexican Restaurant to La Senorita, LLC
During the Feb. 3 meeting, the Oberlin City Council passed a motion regarding a request not to hear an application to transfer liquor permits from Lupitas Inc. dba Lupitas Mexican Restaurant to La Senorita, LLC. Councilmember Jessa New, OC ’01, and Councilmember Joe Waltzer did not participate due to a potential conflict of interest. This motion was an application for the transfer of an existing license at the same location. Council was not sure about the reason for transferring the license, but the ownership of both entities is intrafamily, so the motion allows the same people at the same location to transfer their permits without the need for a hearing.
Council Addresses Feedback From Boards and Commissions
Council addressed the presentation by the Health Commission and Boarding Commission, which was about open space and visual environment. Councilmembers gave some feedback to the Board for discussion about details, such as a set of guidelines for presentation length, what they should bring, etc. They also asked for Council’s input about what the Board’s future plans ought to be and asked for a follow-up meeting. While Council has a process to provide recommendations and feedback, some did not necessarily feel that they are getting the guidance or the feedback they need. Council addressed these concerns and provided feedback in the meeting to ensure that everyone felt heard.
Council Postpones Declaring Property at 74 Groveland St. to be Surplus
An ordinance declared real property located at 74 Groveland St. to be surplus and authorized the city manager to sell the property through a competitive sealed bid process. This will go into immediate effect as proposed on the agenda. It said that the city manager was authorized to sell the property through a competitive sealed bid process to the highest and best bidder pursuant to a written contract to be approved in a form prepared by the city law director. However, Council postponed this ordinance to the next City Council meeting after the conclusion of a public hearing.
Council discusses the donation of property at 74 Groveland St. for use of a parking lot for the Oberlin House of Lord Fellowship
Pastor A. G. Miller spoke about the possibility of donating the property at 74 Groveland St. to be used as a parking lot for the Oberlin House of Lord Fellowship because of their need for more parking at the church. Pleasant Street, where the center is located, is very narrow, with little to no places to park. This request was put up a year and a half ago with no response. Council thought of two ways to resolve this issue: the first one being a public hearing and the other being a meeting involving the city and other interested parties. They decided to refer the case to the Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation, saying it seemed like an OCIC issue, since part of their mission is land transfer. The motion was rejected by Council but has been passed onto OCIC for next week.
Council passes renewal proposal of the Public Entities Pool of Ohio to go into immediate effect
Council passed the motion of renewal per proposal of the Public Entities Pool of Ohio and its agent, USI Insurance Services, which provides insurance coverage for the City of Oberlin. The resolution authorized the city manager to enter into a contract which discussed the coverage and amount, specifics, insurance certificate, general liability, wrongful acts, law enforcement, automobile, and physical damage. The renewal included an increase in costs in everything except law enforcement liability. The total increase, taking everything into consideration, was 13 percent. Council voted unanimously to approve this motion and waived the rule requiring three readings for the ordinance. The ordinance went into immediate effect to ensure the placement of certain insurance coverage for the city of Oberlin prior to its expiration date of Feb. 15.
Council appoints Marin Fowler as the Finance Director for the City of Oberlin
Council unanimously decided to appoint Interim Finance Director Marin Fowler as the permanent Finance Director for the City of Oberlin to ensure continuity within the finance department without delay. The ordinance went into full force and immediate effect. Council thanked Fowler for her service to them and mentioned that the presence of a permanent Finance Director would help facilitate everything they had on their plates.
Council Communications
The meeting of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Commission was canceled last week, but the commission is working on a new date for next month. The City Manager committee received 18 submissions, which have been narrowed down to four, and are being considered for the final. There will be a special Council meeting next week to make a final decision.
