The Public Works Department is flushing fire hydrants throughout Oakwood from April 1 to May 3. The hydrants west of Far Hills Avenue will be flushed from April 1 to April 12. The hydrants east of Far Hills Avenue will be flushed from April 15 to May 3.

The Public Works Department provides several self-service options available for refuse and recycling such as drop-off containers for recycling cardboard, yard debris, and co-mingled materials at a 24/7 Recycling Facility; the Foell Public Works Center at 210 Shafor Boulevard is open from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on the first Saturday of each month for Oakwood citizens to drop off refuse items; and refuse dumpsters are available for disposal of a mixture of debris from “do-it-yourself” homeowner projects.

The leaf mulch program, where the leaves collected in Oakwood last fall are processed and turned into mulch, will begin on April 13 and continue through May 11. Mulch picked up at the public works yard is available at no cost to Oakwood citizens. For those who want mulch delivered, the city offers 3 cubic yards for $100 and 6 cubic yards for $150.

The next Styrofoam recycling events are scheduled for Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, July 20.

The next Oakwood Rotary hazardous waste pick-up event is on Saturday, April 20. Citizens desiring a pick up should call (937) 296-5155 before noon on Friday, April 19 and leave their name and address.

There were several large equipment purchases recently including: Wheel Loader: $115,000; Mr. Manhole Cutter: $42,400; and Street Sweeper: $268,465.

Mr. Spitler displayed a line graph showing refuse collection trends over the past six years.

Mr. Spitler displayed a line graph showing cardboard collection trends over the past eleven years. The line graph showed a consistent increase in cardboard collection each year. In 2023, the city delivered cardboard to Rumpke and received market-based revenue of $6,939.75.

The Public Works Department cleans the entire 211,200 feet (about 40 miles) of the underground sanitary sewer system. The goal is to clean the entire system every three years. During the first year of the current project, public works employees cleaned 140,785 feet.

From December 2023 to March 2024, the Public Works Department used 564 tons of roadway deicing salt through the winter season.

Mr. Spitler shared several personnel changes. Kirby Donovan retired in November 2023 after 33 years of service. He unfortunately passed away in February 2024. Mike Kingdom is scheduled to retire after 34 years of service at the end of April. The Public Works Department welcomed Daniel Phillips, Jr., General Service Worker on October 9, 2023. The Department is in the process of hiring two new general service workers.

Mr. Stephens asked how often the sanitary sewers will be cleaned.

Mr. Spitler said that the cleaning process will be ongoing and any trouble spots will be proactively checked regularly.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Mr. Klopsch reported on the following:

Mr. Klopsch thanked Mr. Spitler for the department report. He commended the Public Works Department for all of the good work in providing so many essential public services to the Oakwood community. He noted that Mr. Spitler and Chief Hill each oversee about 1/3 of Oakwood employees in their respective departments. Mr. Klopsch thanked them for leading two very important departments that deliver essential services to the Oakwood community.

The planning for this year’s “That Day in May” event began a few months ago. Mr. Klopsch thanked Leisure Services Director Carol Collins and Public Safety Lieutenant Damian Baggett for their help in coordinating the event with representatives of the Oakwood Rotary Club.

Mr. Klopsch commented on how Oakwood comes alive each spring as the blossoms brighten the community. He thanked Leisure Services Director Carol Collins, Horticulturist Brian Caldwell, and other staff for all of their hard work with beautification efforts throughout the city.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mrs. Jackson said that she has always been able to count on Mr. Klopsch and respects his high integrity. She shared that the “Wright at Home” event is scheduled for Sunday, April 28.