Human Relations Commission Reports on Housing Literacy Event and Commitment to Oberlin’s “Sanctuary City” Status
Lydia Young, the chair of the Human Relations Committee in Oberlin, reported on upcoming affairs within the commission. As an event for April’s Fair Housing Month, the HRC is planning an open house with numerous financial literacy and housing groups present to aid in community housing needs. Additionally, a recent vote by HRC led to the formation of a subcommittee within the commission for “Sanctuary Status and Human Dignity.” Oberlin has been a sanctuary city since 2009, meaning that refuses to comply with federal immigration enforcement unless required to by federal law. A subcommittee designed to work with groups that may need protection within the community on a “need-to-know basis.”
Oberlin Public Works on City Functionings
Public Works Director Jeff Baumann reported on the decommissioning of the traffic signal at West College and Prospect Streets. The process to do so began 8–9 months ago, followed by a 60-day evaluation period, which finished at the end of January. The second part of Baumann’s report concerned the City’s recycling program. He stated that the City will continue to collect “bagged yard waste” but will no longer require individuals to call in and subscribe to the program. Additionally, curbside brush collection will be reworked, and brush collection will be done during the first week of each month, from April through November.
Council Approves Urgent Need to Replace Failed Hydraulic Transmission
Jeff Baumann once again took the stand to express to the Council an urgent need within the Oberlin Public Works Department to replace a failed hybrid hydraulic transmission with a conventional automatic transmission within one of the city’s 2015 garbage trucks, Xpeditor’s. The proposal declares this a matter of urgency as the town has three trucks available, of which only one is currently operational. Baumann suggested that an out-of-state company, Kleyn Mobile Repair LLC, be used to replace the transmission. This is because the specific company, based out of Jenison, MI, specializes in replacing outdated transmissions, as is currently the case with the truck. The proposal is not to exceed the price of $90,250.37. The Council voted unanimously in agreement with the urgent proposal. With the new transmission, the truck will likely have 5–8 more years of operation.
Council Approves Amendment Authorizing Additional Payment for Land Purchase
Jeff Baumann took the stand to request an additional payment of $639.20 for the owner of 95 South Main Street Oberlin LLC. In November of 2024, the land on the north and south sides of East Vine Street was purchased, and the East Vine Street Bridge was authorized to be built. However, there were delays beyond the control of anyone in particular that made the owner of 95 South Main incur additional costs. Therefore, Baumann requested that the Council make an additional payment to the owner. The matter will go into immediate effect.
Council Votes to Move Forward With Rezoning Request on West College Street
Director of Planning and Development Carrie Porter took the stand to discuss an ordinance to adopt a rezoning recommendation for property located at 450 West College Street. The ordinance suggests that the property be rezoned from an R-1B (single-family residency) zoning to PDOD (Planned Development Overlay District). SLK Capital Holdings LLC, which owns the property, hopes to construct an affordable senior housing project with approximately 60 units in total. Some of the units will be duplexes and some quadplexes, but the proposal is primarily for a three-story apartment complex with 48 built-in units. The applicant wants to move forward by the end of the month. The Council voted unanimously to move forward with the proposal, as one main goal in the City of Oberlin is to create new affordable housing within the community.
Council Communications
The meeting concluded with council communications. Acting City Manager Jon Clark stated that on Feb. 25th, the county commissioners should approve the final annexation of property on Route 20 by the City of Oberlin. Additionally, he pointed out to the Council that the City received several real estate tax bills this year. Some were sent incorrectly, as some properties should be exempt. He stated, however, that this billing did point out that there are several vacant lots on which the City is currently paying taxes. He is assembling a list of said properties for the council to review for disposition, possibly by auction.
