The Oberlin Council continues to repair water leaks daily in town, according to the report given to the council Monday night by Mayor Larry Alexander. He explained they also recently had some sewer issues where water seems to be infiltrating the town’s system. He said the town has seen this occur around First Street, the sheriff’s department and that area. He said they looked at the lift station at the corner of Ninth Street and Highway 26 and found only one pump was in it. They changed it and did some repairs to the distribution lines. Now they have a second pump to located in that area, but they are waiting for parts needed to tie it into the system.
Alexander said these issues usually appear during times of big rains. He said one pump cannot keep up with the water, and the sewage water is being pushed back into buildings nearby. He said the engineer said once the second pump is installed, the problem should be addressed. When asked if this would work, Alexander said they believed it would solve the issue, but if it doesn’t, they will back up, regroup and address it.
The mayor said some of the projects coming down the pipeline should help the town with some of these issues. He said they have a $2.8 million sewer project. He said smoke testing should begin around March 11, and the project will go for 365 days. He said the engineer has a map of the town’s system, so he’s hoping this work will help the town.
Alexander told the council it should plan to meet in the future for a finance meeting to address the budget. He said he is not sure if tribal monies will still be given to the communities, so if this is true, the council will have to address its budget. The tribal monies are about $340,000 a year. If the town loses this income, it will have to look at budget cuts.
Due to the possible loss of this money, the town will be tabling its capital outlay program to fix some streets. This program was about to start. The town had to supply $165,000 in funds to match the grant monies. The mayor said they can offset $50,000 with another grant but would still have to put $100,000 up. He said they are working on a waiver to see if the town’s matching funds can be waived, but until they know about the compact and waiver, the project will be tabled for now.
In his report, Alexander told the town the walking trails project is underway. The two walking bridges are complete, and he hopes to have the maintenance crew seal the bridges. As soon as it drys up from the rains, the asphalt will be poured.
In regards to the demolition grants for blighted properties, Alexander will be attending a meeting in two weeks. He said the informational meeting will explain the process for utilizing the grant to remove blighted properties.
The mayor said he did give a group serving meals to residents in the community permission to use the center at no cost. He has heard some feedback, so he plans to ask the group to come to a meeting, with paperwork illustrating they are a nonprofit organization and that they are insured for liability. He said the group will be able to explain what they do in the community, and the council can decide how to move forward in this matter. Residents in the audience asked who was questioning this group. Another said as mayor, he had the right to do this. Councilwoman Janice Simon said they would still ask the group, so everyone can learn the group’s objective, etc.
In other business, the council:
•Approved the minutes for January 8, and its finances.
•Approved the 2024 Employee Handbook.
•Approved the Capital Outlay Sewer Control Pane Engineer Agreement. The mayor said this project is $150,000 and will be used to work on the control panels for capital outlay. Alexander said the town has already received a waiver for the town having to match the grant with $50,000.