City of Oberlin Winter 2009 Community Newsletter

City of Oberlin Winter 2009 Newsletter

85 S. Main Street • Oberlin, Ohio 44074 • (P) 440.775.7206 • (F) 440.775.7208 • www.cityofoberlin.com

Oberlin Underground Railroad Center (URC) ProjectEarlier this fall, the Oberlin City Council expanded the size and scope of responsibilities of the Underground RailroadCenter Implementation Team. Three additional members were appointed to the

Team at the November 16 City Council meeting. The responsibilities of this advisory team encompass:

• Advising the City Council and City Management on immediate URC project implementation, including the current responsibilities for the design of the project

• Formulating and monitoring a URC fundraising process that includes grant-seeking and community involvement

• Facilitating communications between the City and the community through such activities as:o Planning and/or participating in community education

activities, which benefit the URC project; o Analyzing suggested activities and/or concerns of the

URC project, particularly as they relate to residents in the Southeast area of the City of Oberlin; and

o Holding forums on URC activities, either alone or in conjunction with other government and civic affairs; as well as

• To otherwise do what they can to help people and organizations be successful with rapid implementation of the URC project including referrals from City Council or other City committees and, as appropriate, make recommendations on those matters.

The addition of these new members, together with those remaining from the prior Design Team, enable expanded inputinto some of the decisions that will need to be made over thenext couple months – including approving the Moody-Nolandesign plans for submittal to ODOT, formulating a plan of action for reengaging NOACA regarding the 2002 programmedfunds (through the transportation enhancement grant process),and deciding on a timeline for the URC project for 2010.

Although we have filled six of the nine seats, three open seatsremain on this board. Anyone interested in joining this groupis encouraged to submit an application to the Oberlin CityClerk at 85 S. Main Street, Oberlin, OH.

Tell the World; Oberlin is a Preserve America Community!The City of Oberlin recently erecteda sign on route 511 at the city limitsthat announces Oberlin’s importantdesignation as a “Preserve AmericaCommunity.” Preserve America is afederal program that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and naturalheritage. The program seeks to foster a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthen regional identities and local pride, and increase local participation inpreserving heritage assets and supporting the economic vitality of communities.

Oberlin became a Preserve America Community in 2004 after alengthy application was submitted that was prepared by theHistoric Preservation Commission and Planning DepartmentStaff with assistance from the Oberlin Heritage Center. The application provided extensive documentation to demonstratethat Oberlin protects and celebrates its heritage, uses its historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourages people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

Oberlin is one of very few communities in the United Statesthat is not only a Preserve America Community but also thehome of a non-profit organization that has been designated a

TABLE OF CONTENTSOberlin Underground Railroad Project . . . . . . . . .1Oberlin is a Preserve America Community . . . . . .1In-House Emergency Home Repair Program . . . .2OMLPS Heat Loss Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Finance/Utility Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Income Tax Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Rules for Trash Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Snow Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

“Preserve America Steward.” The Oberlin Heritage Center earnedthe Preserve America Steward designation earlier this year for itsexcellent volunteer programs to preserve heritage and culture. Oberlin is featured in a color photograph on the cover of a newbrochure about Preserve America which was distributed at theNational Trust for Historic Preservation conference in Nashville,Tennessee.

As of October, 2009, there are 795 communities, neighborhoods,counties, and tribal communities in the United States that havebeen designated as Preserve America Communities. There are 13Preserve America Stewards. For more information, visit the web-site: www.preserveamerica.gov.

New In-House Emergency Home Repair ProgramIn 2009, the City of Oberlin applied for Community Housing Im-provement Program grant funds. Unfortunately, the City’s application was not funded due to increased competition fromother communities and a reduction in available funds throughthe State.

However, the City plans to implement an in-house emergencyhome repair program to help income qualified home owners toaddress building Code issues and make repairs to their homes.Those repairs could include new furnaces, hot water tanks, roofing, etc. City funds are limited and will be awarded to eligible home owners in order of receipt of completed applications.

Application forms are available through Oberlin CommunityServices, 285 South Professor Street, or contact (440) 774-1353for more information.

OMLPS Offers Heat Loss InspectionsOMLPS Energy Services Division offers a no chargeheat loss inspection for its customers. “This servicewill identify air leaks and heat loss in your home,” according to Doug McMillan, Energy Services Manager. Customers will have the necessary information to make improvements in the home tohelp save energy and money. This is one of the manyways your public power utility serves you, our customers.

The heat loss inspection is a three-stage process. Thefirst stage involves setting up a blower door assemblyin an exterior doorway. This large blower creates avacuum in the house. The unit has a gauge thatmeasures the fan pressure and flow through the fan. Readings are taken at various pressures and then runthrough a computer program that analyzes the

information. It provides several valuable pieces of informationwhen completed. The first is the total amount of “hole “ in thehouse that allows the heat to leak out or cold air to get in. This isthe accumulation of all the little leaks in a house. Next, it provides what the “hole” is costing the customer, based on theirheating system efficiency and cost of their heating energysource.

The next stage involves running the blower at a slower speed.While the blower is creating a vacuum in the house, a techniciangoes through the house with a “puffer.” This puffer produces awisp of white smoke, which allows the technician to identify theexact spots where the air is coming in and heat leaks out. Asthese leaks are found they are recorded and a list of the leaks isgiven to the customer.

In the final stage the house is scanned with an infrared thermalimaging camera. This camera allows the technician to “see”where the heat is leaking out through the walls or ceiling. Areasare identified where there is no insulation or maybe the insulation has settled. The lighter images of orange, yellow orwhite show warm areas while the dark areas of blue or blackshow cold spots.

Heat loss inspections are conducted by our technicians on atime-available basis, and are scheduled from Tuesday throughFriday. The inspections are normally done in the mornings during the cooler months when the infrared scans are most effective.

For more information on the program or to schedule a heat loss inspection, call Cindy at 775-7260.


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Finance/Utility OfficeThe Finance Department is responsible for billing, collection,and customer service for approximately 3,000 accounts withthe following services: Electric, Water, Sewer, and Refuse. TheCustomer Service office is located on the first floor of the OldCity Hall Building, at 69 S. Main Street. Office hours are from8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. A Finance Assistant canbe reached at 775-7211 or 775-7214.

Meters are read and customers are billed monthly. Paymentscan be mailed to the above address or made at the cashier'swindow during business hours. There is a drive-up box in therear parking lot of the building, near the mail boxes. PLEASEDO NOT PLACE CASH IN OUR DROP BOX.

UTILITY BILLING FAQs(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Q: How much does it cost to open a new account?A: The City requires a $161.00 security deposit at the time ofsign up of services. Waiver of deposit may be made basedupon prior billing history. (Ordinance 909.05)

Q: What do I do to start service?A: We ask that you come to our office at 69 South Main Streetto sign up for services at least 3 business days prior to servicedate. If this is a new account, a deposit may be required.

Q: How soon can I get my water turned on?A: Once notification for service is filled out, we can turn theservice on the next business day. If the water is turned off, wewill need access to the meter to turn water on during ourmeter crew's business hours. (8:30 am to 3:30 pm Mon-Fri)Therefore, someone will need to meet the water departmentpersonnel at the property in order to restore water service.

Q: Is there a minimum water, sewer, and refuse charge?A: Yes, the minimum for water and sewer, based on an equivalent of 300 cu. ft. is $36.36, and refuse is $6.00.

Q: How do I terminate my service?A: You can call or come into our office at least 2 business daysprior to the final date you request. We will schedule a dateand time if necessary for access to the meter to retrieve afinal reading. We will also need a forwarding address to sendthe final bill.

Q: Who do I call if I have a refuse/recycling question?A: Contact Public Works customer service (440) 775-7218.

Q: Where can I pick up a recycling bin and is there a charge?A: We have them available at the Utility Billing Office. Everyhousehold is entitled to three recycling bins. One each forplastics #1, #2, glass containers and metal cans.


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Income Tax DepartmentThe City of Oberlin is a member of the Regional Income TaxAgency (RITA).

Mandatory Filing:All Oberlin residents arerequired to file annual cityincome tax returns, even ifno tax is due. This includesanyone temporarily livingaway from home, such ascollege students, teachers,etc.

Non-resident taxpayers who have income derived within theCity of Oberlin and for whom the tax is not withheld by theiremployer must file a Oberlin City income tax return.

Partial Year Residents:If you lived in the City of Oberlin for any part of the year, youare required to file a tax return. Income, deductions and creditsmay be allocated on a pro-rata basis or by employer verification (i.e. payroll check stubs or letter detailing incomeearned during Oberlin residency).

Free E-File & E-Payment of Municipal TaxesResidents and employers can file and pay Municipal IncomeTaxes on-line through The Regional Income Tax Agency(R.I.T.A.) at www.ritaohio.com.

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS ARE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWINGFEATURES:

- Paperless filing with immediate confirmation - An automatic calculation of taxes or refunds based on W2

wages and other income. - Ability to file even if you moved in 2009. - Electronic transfer of funds into checking or savings

accounts. - Pay by ACH (electronic debit or checking/savings

accounts), credit card or debit card. - Schedule payment of taxes - file as early as you like and set

up an ACH payment anytime before April 15th.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO E-FILE:- Social Security numbers for you and your spouse. - W-2 forms from all employers. - 1099 forms and Federal Schedules C, E and F. - Date of move for residents that moved in 2008. - Bank routing and account numbers - for a fast refund or to

pay electronically.


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INCOME TAX FAQs(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Q: What is the City of Oberlin Income Tax rate and whattype of income is taxable?A: The income tax rate is 1.9%. Generally, gross income (in-cluding income which is deferred) and business net profitsare taxable. A list of taxable and nontaxable income is avail-able from the Regional Income Tax Agency at www.RitaOhio.com or by phone at 1-800-860-7482.

Q: Do I need to file a Declaration of Estimated Tax?A: Every person who anticipates receiving taxable income orwho engages in any business, profession, or activity subjectto Oberlin income tax, after excluding Oberlin withholdingand/or other credits, must file a Declaration of Estimated Tax.

Q: I am not a resident of the city but I work there. If my employer withholds my tax, do I need to file a return?A: No, filing is only mandatory for Oberlin City residents andnonresidents whose income is not withheld upon correctly.

Q: What is the due date of the City return?A: For individuals, the City of Oberlin tax return is due onApril 15 of each year. Business (fiscal year) returns are due onthe 15th day of the fourth month following the end of thefiscal year.

Q: Can I deduct my business losses from my W-2 wages onmy tax return?A: No, losses from self-employment, partnership interests,rental property and other like businesses may not be used tooffset W-2 income.

EMPLOYERS HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHOICES:Monthly or Quarterly Withholding returns

- Fill in simple form online, or- Attached a payroll file

Annual Withholding Reconciliation returns- Upload W-2 data with online filing, or- Save W-2 data to CD and mail to R.I.T.A.

FAST - SIMPLE - SECURE - FREE!

For more information, log on to www.ritaohio.com or call the R.I.T.A. office at 440 526-0900 or 800 860-7482

Mailing Address:Regional Income Tax Agency, P.O. Box 477900Broadview Hts, OH 44147

Phone: 440 526-0900 or 1-800-860-7482Fax: 440 526-8813Web: www.ritaohio.com

Oberlin Residential Rules For Trash RemovalResidential Collection: Residential refuse must be placedin containers not to exceed THIRTY-THREE (33) GALLON CAPACITY. The weight of containers shall be less than 50 lbs.Acceptable containers include closed heavy garbage bagsand plastic or galvanized metal trash cans. Garbage in cansmust be placed in bags. Up to three (3) containers will becollected in any given week. Additional bags must have agarbage tag attached. Tags are $1.00 each and can be purchased from the City of Oberlin, Utility Office, 69 SouthMain Street.

Refuse is to be placed on the curb lawn no sooner thannoon the day before collection and by 6:00 a.m. the day ofcollection, to avoid being missed. In addition, residentsmust remove empty trash receptacles from their curb lawnby midnight the day of collection.

Rear yard collection is available for elderly or infirm residents. Please contact the Public Works Department at775-7218 for information regarding this service.

Large Trash Collection: The City provides large trash collection service for rubbish exceeding weekly residentialcollection limits. This service is available by appointmentonly. Appointments are scheduled a week to a week and ahalf in advance by contacting the Public Works Department.The number of large pickups is limited and appointmentsare made on a "first come - first served" basis.

Each residential property is allowed one free collection peryear of up to two cubic yards of refuse (6' X 3' X 3' deep).Special collections exceeding 2 cubic yards will be chargedat $12.00 per additional cubic yard. The refuse must be readily loaded by the refuse collectors; i.e. boxed, bundled,bagged, etc. UNSCHEDULED LARGE TRASH COLLECTIONSIN EXCESS OF GENERAL RESIDENTIAL REFUSE COLLECTION: At the option of the City, unscheduled largetrash collections will be charged $50.00 or $18.00 per cubicyard, whichever is greater. (925.09.)

Items Prohibited Due to federal, state, and local laws, certain items cannot be collected. These include castings,large car parts, motor oil, waste oils, tires, batteries, haz-ardous or infectious wastes, yard wastes, brush and wetpaint. Also excluded from collection is rubbish or debris resulting from a contractor's work on your premises. TheCity will collect reasonable amounts of debris from do-it-yourself projects. Recyclable materials such as newspapers, steel and aluminum cans, glass bottles, clearplastic milk and soft drink containers, cannot be put out witha large trash collection.

Appliances containing refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, airconditioners, dehumidifiers) cannot be accepted unless therefrigerant has been removed from the appliance. This workmust be performed by a certified technician who will place aremoval certification on the appliance. The City will not collect these appliances unless the required certification isin place.


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Recycling Program: Please use City of Oberlin Recycling Containers or your own durable containers clearly markedwith our Recycling Logo stickers. These containers and stickers are available free in the lobby at 69 South Main St. directly across from the Post Office. Set your recycling apartfrom your garbage. Place your recyclable materials at curbside on the night before your regularly scheduled pick-up day. We accept only corrugated cardboard boxes thathave been flattened. We cannot accept glossy-coated corrugated boxes or waxed boxes. Please do not set outother kinds of cardboard for recycling collection. Please bundle your newspapers in bags or tie them with string. Donot put newspapers out loose or in a recycling bucket. Pleasedo not set out newspapers or cardboard in rainy weather.

Please sort your other recyclable materials into three bins: 1) Metal Cans, no aerosol containers; 2) Container Glass; 3) Plastics #1 and #2. Please rinse these containers prior tosetting them out. You needn't remove labels. Remove lidsfrom plastic bottles so they can be more easily compacted.We are unable to accept plastic bags labeled #2.

Newspaper and mixed paper can be placed together in paperbags. Paper must be bagged or bundled. Or drop off paper atan Abitibi recycling bin located at most of the Oberlinschools. Proceeds generated aid the schools. Brown andwhite (uncoated) corrugated cardboard must be flattened.Large quantities must be bundled or call for special pick-up.Newspaper and corrugated cardboard must stay dry.

If you do receive a complaint tag, please take the time to findout why. Your cooperation is very important to this effort andwill be greatly appreciated. We are also interested in yourcomments or suggestions to improve services. For questionsregarding this program or to schedule a pickup, please callthe Public Works Department at 775-7218.

Snow Removal ProceduresThe following is a brief overview of the City’s program, its goalsand objectives, and its limitations.

Basic Snow RemovalThe City has three large dump trucks, one small dump truckand two pickups fitted with snow plows. The total crew consists of eight persons who work two to a truck for a total offour crews. During snow season a crew is always on-call. Theon-call crew is required to report to work within 45 minutes ofbeing called. For safety reasons, there is a 12-hour limit for employees to be on duty. The crews are staggered to provideround the clock service.

After hours call outs are generally initiated by the Police Department. Upon being called in, the crew first insures thatLorain St. (SR511) and Main St. (SR58) are passable. Once Lorain St. and Main St. are open, other primary streets are addressed. These streets include:

• College • Pleasant • Hamilton • Pyle South Amherst • Morgan • Professor • Oberlin Rd. • Artino

If snow continues to fall heavily, the crew confines their effortsto keeping the primary streets open. If necessary, a second

crew may be called in. The second crew may also be called into work in the downtown area before businesses open.

Depending on what time the crew was called in and howheavy the snow has been, priority streets may or may not becompleted by morning when other crews have started work.When the priority streets are passable and the weather has stabilized to the point that the streets will stay open, the crewmoves onto residential streets. Once residential streets areopened, the crews begin pushing back snow to clear the fullwidth of the street. This is done to prepare for the possibilityof further snow.

Plowed In DrivewaysOne of the biggest sources of resident calls is plowed-in driveways. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable. If the trucklifted the plow at each drive, it would leave piles of snow. Ifthe truck stopped to clear each drive, it would never getthrough town. Initial passes are intended to simply keep sufficient lanes open to allow safe passage of cars. Later theplow returns to push the snow back to full width. It may takeseveral passes through town before the snow is pushed all theway back.

Limitations of SnowplowsThe City uses two types of snowplow blades. Generally, a rubber- edged blade is used to minimize damage to streetsand equipment. While rubber blades work well in wet slushysnow, they become less effective as the temperature dropsand the slush turns to ice. At this point, the City may substitute steel-edged plows. The steel blade plows are limited in that the plow edge must be kept 3/4 to 1 inch abovethe surface of the street to avoid damaging the street and utilities.

Regardless of the plow used, the equipment will not generallyclean down to bare pavement. Where there has been trafficbefore the plow came, there is the possibility of hard-packedsnow on the surface. In some places we will use salt to meltthe hard pack. In others, we depend on traffic and the sun toloosen the hard pack.

Road SaltSalting is probably the most controversial component of snowand ice control. Some communities salt on every street. Othercommunities use salt very sparingly due to its corrosive andpolluting effects. Oberlin uses salt very lightly, salting primarily the intersections where vehicles must stop and spotsalting dangerous areas and between intersections. Salt isused sparingly for two primary reasons:

• Negative environmental impacts to street-side vegetation; water quality and the plants and animals living in aquatic environments.

• Corrosive effects on vehicles, equipment and the public infrastructure.

Cinders, sand or gravel cannot be used to improve traction onsnow and ice as these materials may plug storm sewer linesand would ultimately wash into the water courses.

Even where we salt, this may not melt the ice and snow. Salt is

85 S. Main Street • Oberlin, Ohio 44074 • (P) 440.775.7206 • (F) 440.775.7208 • www.cityofoberlin.com

City Hall Phone NumbersEric Norenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-1531City Manager

Darlene Colaso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-1531Assistant City Manager/HR Administrator

Salvatore Talarico . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7211Finance Director

Belinda Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7203Clerk of Council

Jeff Baumann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7204Public Works Director

Gary Boyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7182Planning Director

Randall Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .776-0037City Engineer

Building Department . . . . . . . . . .774-3428

Connie Ponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7254Recreational Coordinator

Steve Dupee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7260OMLPS Director

Sandy Kohart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-1751Municipal Court Clerk

Tom Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .774-1061Police Chief

Dennis Kirin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .774-3211Fire Chief

David Rucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7270Street Department

Jerry Hade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7290Water Department

Steve Hoffert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7280WEPF Department

Sheri Haury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7218Refuse Department

Tita Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775-7257Economic Development/Housing

Dennis Cuthbertson . . . . . . . . . . .774-2820Bldgs and Grnds Supt/Cemetery

City Hall Offices are open Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Oberlin City Council2008-2009 City CouncilDavid Sonner, PresidentJack Baumann, Vice PresidentDavid AshenhurstScott BroadwellCharles PetersonRonnie RimbertSharon Soucy

* Unofficial results subject to final vote canvass by the Board of Elections.

2010-2011 City Council*Bryan BurgessScott Broadwell Elizabeth MeadowsCharles PetersonKate PilackyKen Sloane Sharon Soucy

City Council AppointeesEric Norenberg, City Manager Salvatore Talarico, Finance DirectorBelinda Anderson, City Council Clerk Eric Severs, Law Director

City Council meetings are 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month in City HallCouncil Chambers, 85 South Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Meetings are broadcast live on Cable Channel 9.


effective only down to about 17 degrees above zero. When the temperature of thepavement is below this point, salt, no matter how much you put down, will notwork. We are dependent on the weather, sun and traffic to bring the temperatureup to the point the salt can begin working. As lightly traveled side streets are generally not salted (or only spot salted), hard packed snow is to be expected untilthe traffic and sun have had an opportunity to loosen the hard pack.

Pre-CautionsPlease avoid driving, or if driving is necessary take extra caution when the roadsare covered with snow and ice.

Our largest plow trucks are equipped with “Stay Back 50 Feet” signs. All trucks haveflashing lights. When you encounter a plow truck, please drive with extra care.

Sidewalk Regulations/ Snow and Ice RemovalAs the snow season arrived, the City reminds residents there are regulations (Ord.1005 AC CMS and Chapter 521.0) which require the removal of snow and ice fromthe sidewalk abutting your property. The sidewalk should be cleared within a reasonable time after the abatement of a storm normally within 12 hours.

You may be interested to know that property owners could possibly be held liablefor accidents which may occur due to their sidewalks not being maintained in accordance with regulations.

Your neighbors, pedestrians and the City will certainly appreciate your cooperation. Questions regarding the above information should be addressed tothe Building Division at 774-3428.

Please visit our website at www.cityofoberlin.com for the latest news and information. This website is updated on a regular basis.Our website is the best place to learn about news and upcoming events, job postings, RFPs or bids, and the work of the City’smany boards and commissions. The website also provides you with easy ways to contact City officials or staff. Please try our on-line form to report a problem or an issue for staff to address.

Documents

City of Oberlin Winter 2009 Community Newsletter