New TOPSS facility, OATS land expansion and parking fees discussed at City Council meeting

At the Oxford City Council meeting on July 15, the council and members from the public discussed the groundbreaking of a new Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) facility, the purchase of land for the Oxford Area Trails System (OATS) and a reduction in parking meter fees for the Red Brick Reunion Porsche Car Show in August. 

During public comment, Suzy Hummel, the board president of TOPSS, spoke to the council about the new facility. TOPSS is a food pantry and resource center that offers weekly pantry services and assistance. 

Hummel spoke about the new facility, a one-stop shop that will expand TOPSS' services and capacities. She said this had been a project that had been worked on throughout the years but had been slowed for various reasons. 

“I’m here to say that it’s inspiring to see a long-awaited vision finally coming to life,” Hummel said, “one that will serve the Oxford community in such a meaningful way thanks to the generous support of the Butler County commissioners and the City of Oxford through ARPA funds.”

The new facility will break ground on July 3o at 1 p.m. at 5455 College Corner Pike, the location of the current facility. Hummel said anyone is welcome to come and celebrate. 

“The new facility will significantly enhance how services are delivered and accessed, making it easier for individuals and families to get the support they need,” Hummel said. “Even more exciting, we’re going to be able to retain our current buildings, which will allow us to expand our capacity and offer even more resources to the community. This marks a strong commitment to long-term growth and meeting a wide range of needs, and we can’t wait to take this next step forward together.”

Following public comment, the council approved the consent agenda and moved on to a resolution that would authorize the city manager to reduce parking meter fees and street closures for the 2025 Red Brick Reunion on Aug. 16. 

The Red Brick Reunion, hosted by Enjoy Oxford, is an annual car show Uptown for Porsche owners to showcase their vehicles. There will be an awards ceremony, and the event is open to all, as there will be live music at the Oxford Memorial Park for attendees to enjoy. 

Jessica Greene, Oxford’s assistant city manager, and Kim Daggy, the director of Enjoy Oxford, spoke to City Council asking for a reduction in fees, which Daggy said will allow Enjoy Oxford to run the event as it has been run in previous years. 

The council adopted the resolution and moved on to a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of 4.9 acres of land for phase five of the OATS Transportation Project. 

Greene said that the council had approved a settlement agreement with EVR Investments to purchase land on May 20. This ordinance would allow the city to purchase two parcels of land for $295,000.

Greene also said that as part of the agreement with EVR Investments, the city would plant a vegetative barrier along part of the trail to prevent people from walking onto the farm field in the area. The council agreed that it’s important to distinguish between public and private property on the trail. 

Council then moved to second readings, including two readings on ordinances to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations to rezone and approve a planned development for senior housing at 6099 Fairfield Road. However, the council agreed to table these ordinances for future discussion. City Manager Doug Elliot said the reason to table these ordinances were due to incomplete rental permits and unpaid permit fees. 

Council also adopted three ordinances during second reading, including one to accept a recommendation from the Planning Commission to rezone 2.1 acres of land at 5234 Hester Road from single-family medium density residential to single and a two-family residential district. 

The meeting concluded with the council celebrating John Bucholz, Oxford’s Community Outreach Specialist, for 50 years of service with the city. Bucholz first worked as a police officer with the city before moving to his current role. 

Council also remembered and honored Glenn Ciccone, a contractor who ran the city’s AV systems during public meetings, providing audio and visual coverage. Ciccone passed away on July 8. 

“We’re up here with microphones, but other people are doing the quiet work,” councilor David Prytherch said. “Glenn embodied that … He was here before we were and here after the meetings ended. Glenn did that job beautifully.”

“Glenn was such a special person,” Mayor William Snavely added. “He just lit up a room by entering it. He was always cheerful, he was always positive and he was always very competent, and he took care of us.”

City Council next meets on Aug. 5.