Council Disbands Green Acres Development Committee
Council voted unanimously to disband the Green Acres Development Committee. In spring 2024, the temporary Green Acres Development Committee was created by motion of Council. This committee met regularly to plan and discuss the building of single-family homes and a public park facility on a 15-acre unused lot. On Sept. 2, Council heard the most recent recommendation. As planning has come to a completion, a motion was requested to terminate the committee.
Law Director to Draft Legislation Banning Conversion Therapy
At an earlier meeting, the Council had discussed a ban on conversion therapy. Council voted to condemn the usage of therapy to attempt to alter a client’s sexuality or gender identity. At the most recent meeting, Councilmember Libni López proposed that Law Director Jon Clark draft legislation proposing a total ban on conversion therapy in the town of Oberlin. Recently, the Cuyahoga County Council passed a similar ban, along with the City of Lorain. Council unanimously moved to pursue a draft.
City Considers Agreement To Share Costs of Depot Park Renovation
Depot Park and the Depot Building, which is owned by The Nord Family Foundation, share a driveway and parking lot that are in need of repair. Director of Public Works Jeff Baumann said the City intends to improve the bike path connecting Main Street and South Professor Street through Depot Park. This part of the trail has deteriorated, especially the brick section, which is in a significant state of disrepair. The proposal entails that costs be split based on property lines between the town and the foundation. Councilmember Joe Waltzer inquired whether it would be more sensible for costs to be split on the basis of usage, arguing that the group that uses the parking lot more might be more financially responsible. Baumann said that this would be too challenging to determine. Council unanimously voted to approve a cost sharing agreement between the City and The Nord Family Foundation about renovations and maintenance of Depot Park on first reading. The agreement will have to be considered and voted on at future Council meetings before it goes into effect.
Local Line Dancing Course Asks Council For Extension to Rec Center Program
Nola Bland, co-owner of Art Conceptions, spoke to Council regarding the expiration of community line dancing courses she offers at the Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center. Conceptions offers line dancing, pottery, and ceramics classes at Bland’s studio in Elyria. For the past eight weeks, classes have been offered at the Activity Center for a reduced price of $2 for the local community. Bland said many elderly and disabled residents benefit from these accessible classes. Only two weeks of line dancing classes remain since Bland was informed they would not be permitted to continue. The recreation center had previously extended the program from five weeks to 10 weeks, and Bland is hoping for an additional extension. Lydia Young, whose disabled daughter benefits from the program, stressed just how important the program was to the community and how the diverse group of participants highlighted Oberlin’s strengths. She also stressed that it is important that an extension be achieved swiftly, so as not to break the momentum of the course. Council stated that the City Manager is aware and that he will be discussing the issue with staff members.
City Renews Power Supply Plus Contract
Council unanimously passed an ordinance to renew its power subscription with American Municipal Power for the next three years. The current contract expires at the end of this year. Oberlin has been a member of their Efficiency Smart program since 2011. AMP’s Power Supply Plus is the most affordable way to meet Oberlin’s power supply needs. The proposed contract would cost $10,628 monthly, making the total three-year cost to the City $382,600. According to a presentation from AMP, Oberlin customers have saved over $16 million collectively through its Efficiency Smart program, which promotes lower power usage.
