The other expenditure is for a vehicle for the Director of Engineering and Public Works. The city has not employed a full-time Director in that department since the previous Director resigned in the fall of 2014. Those duties have been assumed by the City Manager in the interim, but a full-time Director of Engineering and Public Works will be hired later this year. The city no longer has a vehicle available for use by the person in that position and needs to acquire one.
In total, this supplemental appropriation will authorize the transfer of $454,000 from the city’s General Fund, with $422,000 going to the Police Pension Fund and $32,000 going to the Equipment Replacement Fund in order to pay for these expenditures.
This was a first reading of the ordinance, so Vice Mayor Byington made no motion.
STAFF REPORT
Leisure Services Report: Ms. Carol Collins, Leisure Services Director, referenced a PowerPoint presentation and began by thanking her staff for all of their hard work. She then reviewed the following information:
Gardner Pool finished the 2019 season with 475 family pool memberships purchased, 94 single memberships and 96 senior memberships. Family memberships were up from last year by 26, single memberships were down by 34, and senior memberships were up by 12 from the 2018 season.
The Oakwood Community Center’s “Summer at the Pool” family nights had 20,764 visits in 2019 compared to 21,494 in 2018. Gate revenue in 2019 was $8,360 compared to $7,519 in 2018. Concession sales were almost the same in 2019 and 2018 at approximately $19,000. Swim lessons had 198 participants. The swim team had 221 participants. Water aerobics/deep water workout had 39 participants. Revenue for the 2019 pool season was $146,306 compared to $141,624 in 2018.
The 11th annual Dog Splash was a lot of fun. There were 49 participants and eight vendors that participated in this 2019 event.
This year’s Scarecrow Row and the Family Fall Festival is scheduled for Sunday, October 13 in Shafor Park. Come to enjoy an afternoon of fun games, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
The Johnny Appleseed Street Tree Project began in 1976 in an effort to support Oakwood’s commitment to urban forestry and the environment. To date, this program has been responsible for planting over 3,000 trees. The highlights of the program include: the cost of the selected species are discounted 50% to Oakwood residents and trees must be planted in the City right-of-way; species of trees will be 1 3/4” in diameter and are excellent for planting; the most needy areas of Oakwood, as determined by the City, will be given first priority; one tree will be allocated at the 50% discount, ranging from $138.50 to $152, for each approved property site; tree species selected are well-suited for planting and most are resistant to disease; and, the trees will be guaranteed for one growing season by the nursery that plants them. Ms. Collins displayed pictures of the different trees offered in 2019.
Smith Gardens was donated to the city of Oakwood 45 years ago from the Carlton W. Smith family. As part of the 45th anniversary events, professional portraits in Smith Gardens were offered in September and October, and Puzzle of Light performed in August at a special blanket concert that included a musical sculpture. The final community event for the Smith Gardens 45th anniversary is the Holiday Festival of Trees Auction. The event will be held on Friday, November 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oakwood Community Center. This Oakwood community event will help illuminate the holiday season in a very special way for Smith Garden. Participants are asked to create a beautifully decorated and themed lit artificial tree that will be part of a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will go toward the maintenance and care of Smith Gardens. Ms. Collins then displayed images of Smith Gardens.
Ms. Collins reviewed the following upcoming events: pumpkin carving on Saturday, October 19; Mother/Son Dance on Saturday, November 9 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; the Candy Cane Hunt in Shafor Park on Saturday, December 7 from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.; Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the OCC; and Lighting Up Oakwood/Holiday of Lights on Sunday, December 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Shafor Park.
Vice Mayor Byington asked about the eight vendors that participated in the Dog Splash.
Ms. Collins shared that vendors, such as the Humane Society, participated in the event and donated items.