Public Works staff outline standards, say most specifications come from ODOT; department resists wholesale external review

Public Works Director Jeff Baumann and assistant Randall Roberts briefed council on Jan. 21 about Oberlin's public-works standards, why they exist, where they come from and how staff update them.

Baumann said the standards are authorized by the subdivision code and are intended to standardize materials, construction methods and contract front-end documents. "Our goal as the public works department'is to deliver high quality cost effective projects for our taxpayers and our rate payers," he said, noting front-end bidding documents, general conditions and construction specifications…