exit lanes. The facility will accommodate the drop-off of green waste, cardboard, and co-mingled recyclables such as glass, plastics and metal cans. The recycling facility project will be completed by late 2021. The total project cost is estimated to be $299,000. Approximately 24% of the project cost ($72,000) will be paid through a grant from the Montgomery County Solid Waste District under the 2021 District Incentive Grant Program.

The multi-year Vectren gas line project work that started in 2010 is scheduled for completion in 2023. This is a project to replace the original bare steel and cast iron pipeline infrastructure and installation of new gas services to each property. The 2021 work was broken down into four project areas. Project Area A included work on Ridgeway Road, Fairforest Circle and Deep Hollow Lane. Project Area B includes work on Orchard Drive and Triangle Avenue. Project Area C includes work East Thruston Drive and Lookout Drive. Project Area D includes work Far Hills Avenue from Patterson Road to Five Points.

The Public Works Department has been working on the following projects: annual pavement marking; traffic signal conflict monitor testing; asphalt pavement rejuvenation; fiber optic installation to Orchardly Park; Far Hills stormwater inlet repairs; resurfacing of Dog Park parking lot; and Public Works storage facility.

There were several large capital equipment purchases this year. The purchases include: Refuse Packer Truck #1: $245,687; Refuse Packer Truck #2: $275,307; Refuse Scooters (4 units): $89,600; Dump Truck: $140,819; and Pickup Truck: $35,000.

The Oakwood Public Works Department is now a member of Ohio WARN (Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network.) Ohio WARN allows for sharing of emergency resources among water and wastewater agencies statewide. The network offers statewide mutual aid of “utilities helping utilities.”

The Public Works Department provides a broad range of municipal services such as: weekly trash/recyclables collection; yard debris and special pickups; and leaf disposal/leaf mulch. There are several self-service options available such as: drop-off containers for recycling cardboard, yard debris, and co-mingled materials at a 24/7 site in the Creager Field (Dog Park) parking lot at Shafor Boulevard and Irving Avenue; 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.

Mr. Spitler displayed a line graph showing refuse collection trends over the past six years. The line graph showed a substantial increase in collection beginning in March of last year. This increase follows COVID-19, suggesting that many property owners disposed of more household debris during the pandemic. The 2021 refuse collection data appears to be trending back to normal.

The next Oakwood Rotary hazardous waste pick up event is on Saturday, October 23. Citizens desiring a pick up simply call (937) 296-5155 before noon on Friday, October 22 and leave their name and address.

From December 2020 to March 2021, the Public Works Department used 822 tons of salt through the winter season. There is approximately 1,000 tons of salt in storage. The cost of salt this year is $54.98 per ton, compared to $44.98 per ton last year.

Mr. Spitler shared several personnel changes in the Public Works Department. Steve Alston retired on April 30, 2021. The Public Works Department welcomed Scott Loper, Water Plant Superintendent/Water & Sewer Foreman on April 5, 2021; Corey Edwards, General Service Worker – Refuse on August 2, 2021; and Chris Kuzma, Staff Engineer on August 2, 2021.

Mayor Duncan asked if the cost increase for salt is due to inflation.

Mr. Spitler answered yes.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mr. Spitler for the department summary.

AN OAKWOOD MOMENT

Mr. Stephens recognized the Oakwood High School Band concert at the Farm. This annual Oakwood tradition features the band performing a “preview concert” to several hundred Oakwood citizens. The event is hosted annually by MJ and John Gray. Mr. Stephens played a short video of this year’s concert.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

Mr. Klopsch commented on technological advancements and recalled when meetings were conducted utilizing overhead projectors and transparency slides. He thanked Ms. Stacel and Mrs. Wilder for managing the new technology and the equipment during the meeting.