Council Receives Update from Oberlin Community Services
Oberlin Community Services provides emergency assistance, food programs, and other services, such as educational outreach to families in and around Oberlin. OCS Communications and Development Coordinator Jason Hawk presented the work that OCS has completed and the on-the-ground trends they have witnessed over the past three-year grant cycle. Hawk said that OCS saw a rise in demonstrated need which required the organization to increase their services. Nearly 1,200 new families used OCS’ or another service’s food pantry for the first time in 2024, and 900 cases in 2024 used emergency assistance, namely for utility payments or to prevent evictions. Hawk said that OCS plans to apply for additional funding later this year, citing the potential negative impact on both OCS and the communities it serves due to the trickle-down effect of federal budget cuts. The presentation concluded with an open invitation for those experiencing hunger or those who know someone experiencing hunger to contact OCS.
Lorain County Community Action Agency Looking for New Members
Elizabeth Meadows, Oberlin’s representative on the Lorain County Community Action Agency, informed the Council that the Agency’s Board Chairman, Gerald Bibbins, passed away late February. Meadows requested that this be added to the record and asked that any person with an interest in serving on the Agency’s board be in contact.
Town Moves Forward with South Pleasant Street Bridge Replacement
Public Works Director Jeff Bauman presented a commitment letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation to provide Federal assistance for the replacement of the South Pleasant Street Bridge for three and a half years. Oberlin entered into an agreement with Shaffer, Johnston, Lichtenwalter & Associates, Inc. from Mansfield, Ohio, for their services to replace the bridge in May 2022; however, the project has been on pause for over two years due to land use issues. The project has entered the “right-of-way acquisition phase,” requiring approval from various property owners. The ordinance was passed, and the city aims to have the bridge rebuilt by this time next year.
Oberlin Reenters into Statewide Road Salt Contract
For thirty years, Oberlin has participated in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Road Salt Contracts. The contract has resulted in relatively stable costs for road salt. The council voted to participate, accepted the terms and conditions of the contracts, and authorized the city manager to proceed with executing all necessary contracts to complete this project.
Council Approves Equipment Purchase for Oberlin Water Environmental Protection Facility; Bypasses Bidding Process
The council approved the city manager to enter into an equipment supply contract with Bergren Associates to purchase a new gear drive assembly for the Oberlin Water Environmental Protection Facility. The gear drive assembly will cost $80,820 and is used to remove biosolids during treatment to maintain compliance with Ohio EPA standards. Councilmember Jessa New, OC ’01, moved to waive the rule requiring three readings of the ordinance, which the Council unanimously approved, and to have the ordinance take effect immediately.
Council Approves Process to Seek Funding for Park Street Park Community Splash Pad
The Council authorized the application process for up to $150,000 in federal aid through the Community Development Block Grant program to install a splash pad in Park Street Park. If the grant is awarded, the city has pledged to contribute nearly $164,000. Councilmember Ray English inquired whether the total cost included the installation of a restroom, which it does not. Councilmember Jessa New, OC ‘01, questioned whether the grant application would be strengthened if restrooms and accessibility were included, a point that Recreation Superintendent Ian Yarber explained would not be the case. Both English and New emphasized their investment in building restrooms if Oberlin were to receive the grant, and interest in creating a splashpad remained moving forward. Yarber explained that building the restrooms would cost nearly as much as the splashpad itself, though the town can apply for the same grant to help cover restroom costs. Councilmember Libni López moved to waive the three-readings requirement and for the ordinance to take immediate effect. The council unanimously passed both motions.
Council Seeks to Approve and Adopt a Social Equity Plan for the City
Councilmember Ray English urged the public to review the Social Equity Plan at oberlinsocialequityplan.com, emphasizing the summary and plan framework located under the “Get Involved” tab, as well as a desire for comments. The plan passed its first reading.
Primary Election on May 6th
Early voting has begun for the Ohio Primaries. Council Vice President Michael McFarlin encouraged a visit to voteloraincounty.gov to view early voting dates and information.
