This is the annual resolution to accept the county’s determination.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mrs. Hilton that the resolution be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said resolution was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mr. Stephens explained that this is an ordinance to update an existing provision of Oakwood’s General Offenses Code. It has always been unlawful to place snow, grass clippings, or other debris in public rights-of-way. However, the City has experienced issues with contractors doing line clearance work for utility companies, who trim street trees, sometimes leaving limbs and branches in large piles along the tree lawns and sidewalks. In some instances, these piles have blocked pedestrian traffic along the sidewalks.

The updated ordinance being introduced makes it clear that “debris” includes limbs and tree trimmings, and expands the prohibition to include both paved rights-of-way, such as sidewalks and streets, and unpaved rights-of-way, such as tree lawns. The ordinance retains an exception for homeowners who put ordinary yard debris out for refuse collection.

This was a first reading of the ordinance, so Mr. Stephens made no motion.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mr. Stephens explained that Oakwood is a predominantly residential community and public safety is always a paramount concern. The City prides itself on the safety of its streets for drivers, cyclists, joggers, dog-walkers, and stroller-pushers.

As a local government with jurisdiction over public streets, the City has certain responsibilities to keep them free of obstructions and hazards. This includes things that block critical visibility. Oakwood Public Works and Leisure Services Departments routinely trim trees, bushes, and other vegetation near roadways to ensure that critical sightlines are kept open.

Occasionally, there are situations where sightlines are blocked by trees or vegetation growing on private property, adjacent to the street and outside the public right-of-way. In some cases, the City is able to trim as needed with the property owner’s consent, but on rare occasions the property owner will not consent. This normally results in enforcement action under the City’s Property Maintenance Code, which can involve a lengthy court process before the safety hazard is finally addressed.

The ordinance being introduced will create a streamlined mechanism to deal with these situations more quickly and effectively. It will allow the City to provide written notice to the property owner when trimming needs to be done, which will be based on objective traffic engineering standards promulgated by the Ohio Department of Transportation. The property owner can then