Council Receives Donation of Clock From Local Real Estate Proprietor
Council unanimously approved an ordinance to accept the donation of a large clock for public use next to the Huntington Bank building in downtown Oberlin. The clock has been used by the City since it was installed in 2024, though it was owned by Larry Funk, who owns North Shore Properties, a local real estate company that owns the adjacent bank building. Funk, who was present at the meeting, thanked several City officials and Council for their help in facilitating the installation and donation of the piece. The clock is a replica of a large two-dial model produced by E. Howard & Co., a notable clock and watch-making company in the 19th century.
City Agrees to Provide Funding for Energy Efficiency Nonprofit
Council unanimously approved a motion to give $552,564 from the City’s Sustainable Reserve Fund to Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly Inc., a local nonprofit organization that provides audits and weatherizations to homes, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches in order to ensure efficient power usage in Oberlin and the surrounding area. The money is to be given out over a five-year period, starting with $100,000 in 2026 and increasing by 5 percent every year afterward.
Linda Arbogast, the City’s sustainability coordinator, emphasized the importance of the organization in realizing the decarbonization goals as outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan. Cindy Frantz, professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies and POWER’s board vice chairperson, noted that the group was facing several new challenges, including the loss of energy efficiency subsidies, the increased cost of materials and labor, and decreased support from the City. The City’s new funding represents a decline from previous levels of support. In response, the organization has had to scale back some of their services.
Council Approves Agreement with County Commission to Continue Bus Services
Council unanimously approved an ordinance approving a memorandum of understanding between the City of Oberlin and the Lorain County Board of Commissioners that serves to support existing public transport services in the City. Carrie Porter, the director of Planning and Development for the City, noted that the plan would continue support for the Oberlin Connector, a bus service that links Oberlin with various municipalities across Lorain County, including Elyria and Lorain. Porter affirmed that the American Rescue Plan Act funding currently being used to fund the service will last until the end of 2026, meaning that other sources of funding would be needed in order to maintain the Oberlin Connector.
Councilmember Libni López inquired about access to the low-income fare card for transit access. Porter responded that the card was only available to residents of the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority, and that there was no precedent for reduced-fare programs outside of it.
Council Moves Forward With Approval of Boundaries of Tax Abatement Zone for Planned Affordable Retirement Community
Council unanimously approved the first step in designating a new Community Reinvestment Area at the site of the planned Oberlin Place Retirement Community. Community Reinvestment Areas are designated zones that allow for special tax abatement within their borders and are intended to spur construction and revitalization in underdeveloped areas.
The retirement community, which is being developed at 450 W. College St. by SLK Holdings, is intended to be affordable with residency limited to those making between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income. The proposed ordinance will establish the boundaries of the area. The actual terms of the tax abatement agreement will be worked out later with the developers and the School Board.
City Approves New Energy Supply Schedule
Council unanimously approved with immediate effect the 2026–2030 fixed volume energy supply schedule with American Municipal Power, Inc., a Columbus-based non-profit power supplier. The agreement will allow the City to continue to purchase energy from AMP to sell to EDL’s Renewable Natural Gas facility in Oberlin. Drew Skolniki, the City’s electrical director, noted that the agreement is very similar to the one already in place for the current year, meaning that there will be no significant changes to energy costs for the City as a result of the new supply schedule.
Council Approves Changes to Civil Service Code for Firemen
Council unanimously approved new changes to the City’s civil service code, specifically with regards to the employment and position of firefighters. Among the changes are an exemption of lateral entries — those hired from outside the organization to higher-level positions — from Civil Service Examinations and the creation of a framework for promoting part-time employees to full-time positions. City Law Director Jon Clark noted that the changes were an extension of similar revisions that had been directed at the City’s police officers and that the new changes were intended to make joining Oberlin’s Fire Department more attractive to potential applicants.
