[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6075149,"mediaKeyId","2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f","parentId",2980008,"title","Oberlin sustainability coordinator reports progress on 2019 climate action plan; new 2025 plan to integrate adaptation and equity","audioSeconds",979,"startMs",1081000,"endMs",2060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f&start=1081&end=2060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075149/Oberlin/Lorain-County/Ohio/Oberlin-sustainability-coordinator-reports-progress-on-2019-climate-action-plan-new-2025-plan-to-integrate-adaptation-and-equity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075149-aea7cc25b05fa96fe48e4e9f52564483/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116307&Signature=TU7qqNZ0WyCJuAbfdeWZtXpuE5fuS8-zvQI4FCNCjzNlnm8IXsp2t-Ld-SSdFoygJSC-VGNcDqQBWP10Z2rcFQr1fB4s4gencNsf6wVMGCBHVRCg9aPGJR9stYKtPiQS3Rk2WkadjtYgQVUk1syRUWUqcf1S6Eqwd7Qqv4vo4oL9oX7qDsa~ZhzzBEQjHL1c4HV-mC8TbPl63P2ewFSbtr5TOP2FPS-xO83zn~Ydq8EpBFvjSoz8bWEsGxayLo861ACkbGLt40ETPaa7lCzFwHZ3EJAr4PKcaFMUlclkZVtBvHsC1uDOndEiVmOhi0ydA7PKphssNMj7grGG1XA6IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Oberlin OH ","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Linda Arbogast, Oberlin’s sustainability coordinator, updated council on March 17 on progress since the city’s 2019 Climate Action Plan and the work underway to produce a 2025 plan that will pair carbon reduction with climate adaptation and social equity.

Arbogast told council the city’s electric grid is about 85% renewable and the city purchases offsets for the remainder so electricity use is effectively largely renewable. She said a 2021 greenhouse‑gas inventory showed emissions down about 50% from the 2003 baseline when accounting for the city’s grid purchases.

\"So that that's pretty big,\" Arbogast said, explaining that natural gas still dominates the city's emissions profile and that commercial gas use is the largest single source. She added, \"70% of our emissions, well, natural gas makes up 70% of our emissions total.\"

Nut graf: The 2025 plan will incorporate vulnerability and adaptation work completed since 2019, include community partners, and expand sector coverage to water, energy, economy, food, waste, education, transportation, land use and housing — with a consultant and a volunteer committee conducting interviews and data collection.

What the update covered

- Renewable energy and buildings: The city reported a high renewable fraction on the local grid, a K–5 school solar array funded by SRF money, and building efficiency work with Efficiency Smart.

- Transportation: Arbogast described a new electric bus route and a growing electric car‑share program now offering four shared cars for residents and students.

- Waste and materials: A residential and commercial compost program serves about 500 residents; the city now uses a glass crusher in public works projects.

- Vulnerability and adaptation: A climate vulnerability assessment and an 18‑month task force produced a report and prompted initiatives such as community cooling stations during hot summers.

- Emissions inventory and focus areas: Arbogast reported that commercial (business/industry) energy use accounts for roughly half of emissions, with transportation and residential following. She emphasized commercial gas use and residential gas as priority areas.

Council questions and context

Council Member McFarland asked whether the projected temperature increases shown in the assessment are \"baked in.\" Arbogast replied, \"Those temperatures are baked in,\" meaning short‑term near‑term increases are expected regardless of immediate local action, and stressed the value of Oberlin’s work as a model for other cities.

Council Member Lopez asked whether Oberlin looks to any single city as its model; Arbogast said multiple Ohio communities have useful practices but no single municipality exactly matches Oberlin’s context.

Arbogast also announced a $100,000 youth climate action grant program (youth 15–24) and a public session at Oberlin Public Library on April 2 at 6 p.m. to help applicants develop project ideas.

Ending: Arbogast asked council to continue integrating climate considerations into routine decisions and noted the 2025 plan will explicitly integrate equity with carbon reduction and adaptation measures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oberlin OH, Regular City Council Meeting Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Linda Arbogast, Oberlin’s sustainability coordinator, updated council on March 17 on progress since the city’s 2019 Climate Action Plan and the work underway to produce a 2025 plan that will pair carbon reduction with climate adaptation and social equity.","taxTitle","Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio","taxId",72266,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6075154,"Oberlin council approves budget amendment, easements for multi-use path and a series of administrative measures",434,2787000,3221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f&start=2787&end=3221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f/thumbnail_2787000.jpg","/articles/6075154/Oberlin/Lorain-County/Ohio/Oberlin-council-approves-budget-amendment-easements-for-multi-use-path-and-a-series-of-administrative-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075154-0c98eb1264ac055dd47386b8f3f66a71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116307&Signature=DAI0OhpqqxrNK~fKgDciQbTgj6PvaUtZM~7a4nkYk4-h-Xj72wMB0D-2TZy6wOSLq9z~KPFuGz-abVDZfIbxqmqXTl-WaOtWqi35suas7kF48jPF5-8AaiSobg415cKvun3S~oPaBSAmPZQ5lOq-3P9kJ9-2dEybneMLFsJsk7f777X-nYWYoZs9a~JINPPriqBhKC4qeb1ugFTOsZ7y199~EVHpuyPmWl2xIdPs9bsfKoM-TuEK~3e5j~YqUmV2kStRW5gRFTyc9RaUOhqIAsMuWPHHdclPlcYKrDGQ3fAb~r4Ohik3ROSQVJukq-erjlTLz3eYnAvXSG8PlgrPZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oberlin City Council on March 17 voted unanimously on a package of ordinances and resolutions to amend the city budget, acquire easements for a planned multi‑use path, revise a committee's rules, change a staff classification, endorse a state bond issue and adopt local traffic‑safety and court pay measures.

Why it matters: The votes move forward several capital and administrative items the city identified as needing prompt action — including money for day‑to‑day operations, property access needed to build a long‑planned multi‑use path, and formal support for regional/state funding and safety programs.

Key votes and outcomes

- Approval of minutes (multiple previous meetings): Motion carried; recorded ayes from Council Members New, McFarland, English, Lopez, Peterson, Walter and Johnson.

- Ordinance 25‑13: Amendments to rules of procedure for the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (change meeting schedule/location language). Motion to amend Exhibit A to set the committee location at 69 South Main Street was moved by Council Member English and seconded; motion to waive three readings and to give the ordinance immediate effect passed. Outcome: approved (voice vote; ayes recorded from all present council members).

- Ordinance 25‑14: Amendment to the 2025 annual appropriation ordinance (budget adjustment). Presented by a finance staff member; the council waived three readings and passed the ordinance to take immediate effect. Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

- Ordinance 25‑15: Authorize the city manager to accept easements across private property for completion of the multi‑use path. Public works staff and the interim city manager described negotiations with property owners and a roughly $25,000 total cost estimate for the easements. The council waived readings and approved immediate effect to “enable the installation of a multi use path without delay.” Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

- Ordinance 25‑16: Amend the city position classification plan to retitle and move the equity coordinator position to a community liaison under general administration. The council waived readings and approved immediate effect. Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

- Resolution R25‑3: City resolution supporting Ohio Issue 2 (renewal of the state capital improvement program on the May 6, 2025 ballot). The council waived readings and approved immediate effect to allow timely submission. Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

- Resolution R25‑4: Adopt Vision Zero and the Lorain County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. The council amended one clause (striking an extraneous phrase), waived readings and approved immediate effect to demonstrate local support for the county plan. Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

- Resolution R25‑5: Prescribe the 2025 annual compensation for the clerk of the municipal court as required by Ohio Revised Code §1901.31(c)(1). The council waived readings and approved immediate effect. Outcome: approved (unanimous ayes recorded).

What council said: Interim City Manager John Clark and administrative staff explained that several of the measures — notably the budget amendment and easements — were time‑sensitive. Finance staff explained the appropriation adjustments (including higher-than-expected enterprise fund activity) and answered council questions about specific line items, such as a virtual‑reality training headset for police continuing professional training and increased physical records storage costs at Iron Mountain.

Next steps: With these measures passed, staff said they will proceed with finalizing easements, post the amended appropriation, update the committee meeting schedule, implement the position reclassification and transmit the city’s resolutions to the appropriate county and state contacts.","At its March 17 meeting the Oberlin City Council approved an annual appropriation amendment, authorized acquisition of easements for a multi‑use path, updated a committee's meeting rules, changed a staff classification, endorsed statewide Issue 2, adopted Vision Zero and set the municipal court clerk's 2025 pay.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6075144,"Council hears city may be billed for taxes on properties acquired via alternate redemption; staff to work with county",115,60000,175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f&start=60&end=175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980008-6045db0f846f8b94c2dc41d3d232115f/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6075144/Oberlin/Lorain-County/Ohio/Council-hears-city-may-be-billed-for-taxes-on-properties-acquired-via-alternate-redemption-staff-to-work-with-county","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075144-f77fcaaa0ebb622e828fa4eae7726dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116307&Signature=D39h~h-lWYnZyDnGWqT5Ikf4yZ03LfqZhn1NEEHC-fUYLsGI5EA-VbXKAcDYqSRXlhvkO2~8JxA1AeH7PeA1mHcFd0Mul7Ppu7CSUGrv7TVGmLGg1Hxmj42Obl2tVzpfcoPEjI7lWmpPh5vlMkJbHHEYSnk0tvlEdSB0CJajHnCUffoLneMqEyxi1O-oh23NKnuDhgVASq7EJms7FBPf82hAqqVT2StpPvEKYdnz~zeOL0jzUX-xsGThdcnw4HRvFp48WkBI85oaNB5MIUb3xJvBtmjIHxa-qXY0qJTMoNnC8cTU7zKzSy~NZ4-VsYfp59rgNK8VwtjSX974DTXj8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim City Manager John Clark told the Oberlin City Council on March 17 that the city has received a substantial county tax bill for several properties it acquired through the alternate redemption process following tax foreclosure proceedings.

Clark explained the statutory process transfers title to the municipality, but that in some recent cases tax assessments or liens remained attached to transferred parcels. \"When the properties transferred...the assessments were not remitted,\" Clark said, describing a year‑and‑a‑half effort to straighten out the records.

Nut graf: Staff said some taxes accrued after the city acquired properties and are therefore taxable; other assessed penalties appear to be duplicates that staff will seek to clear with the county. For a number of small, nonbuildable parcels staff recommended offering them to adjoining property owners to merge with existing parcels.

What staff told council

- Smith Street parcels: City holds title but two lots are under contract to Michael Bowen’s organization; taxes that accrued after acquisition are expected to transfer to the buyer on sale.

- Kimberly Circle / North Park Street group: Parcels acquired through alternate redemption were thought resolved but a new bill has reappeared; Clark said he will pursue remittance with the county to zero out taxes up to the acquisition date.

- A particularly large arrearage: Clark said one parcel had accrued approximately $35,000 in back taxes and penalties that the city paid to prevent further penalties; he said staff expects a substantial amount will be remitted by the county after review.

- Corner lot at South Pleasant and Groveland: Council Member English said the House of the Lord Fellowship has purchased the lot immediately east of the corner lot and that development prospects make the corner lot a candidate for affordable housing rather than immediate sale; Clark confirmed buildable vs. nonbuildable distinctions and tax‑exemption depends on municipal use and timely application by finance when applicable.

Council members asked clarifying questions about reimbursement timing and which parcels are buildable. Clark said most issues appear resolvable through the county's tax remittance process and that staff will prepare a formal disposal proposal for the council's consideration for parcels that are of no municipal use.

Ending: Clark said he will work with county officials to clear improper assessments, prepare a disposal recommendation for the small, nonbuildable lots and report back to council.","Interim City Manager John Clark briefed council March 17 on unexpected tax bills for several parcels the city acquired through the county alternate redemption/tax foreclosure process and outlined options to resolve penalties and dispose of small, nonbuildable parcels.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oberlin sustainability coordinator reports progress on 2019 climate action plan; new 2025 plan to integrate adaptation and equity

Oberlin council approves budget amendment, easements for multi-use path and a series of administrative measures

Council hears city may be billed for taxes on properties acquired via alternate redemption; staff to work with county