Councilmember Epley tendered his letter of resignation to Mayor Duncan.

Mayor Duncan reviewed the letter and announced that Mr. Epley has tendered his letter of resignation, to be effective immediately upon acceptance by Council. He then asked for a motion to accept Councilmember Epley’s resignation.

It was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the resignation of Mr. Epley be confirmed. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.

Mayor Duncan confirmed that the motion carries and Mr. Epley’s resignation is complete. Oakwood City Council now has a Council vacancy.

Mr. Epley stepped down from the dais. He observed the remainder of the meeting from the audience.

Mayor Duncan continued. Under Section 2.04 of the Oakwood City Charter, Council is responsible for the selection and appointment of a person to fill the vacancy. Mr. Epley’s term would have lasted through the end of 2023. But under the Oakwood City Charter, the appointment of his replacement is valid through the end of the current year only. The unexpired remainder of Mr. Epley’s term – which is all of years 2022 and 2023 – will be on the ballot in November of 2021.

Anticipating this vacancy, Council made a public appeal for prospective candidates to submit applications during the month of December. This was announced through a December 3, 2020, press release. There were 14 applicants.

Minimum qualifications to be appointed to Council include being a registered voter and being an Oakwood resident for at least two years prior to being appointed. Beyond the minimum qualifications set forth in the City Charter, Council felt it was important to select a candidate with a demonstrated record of service to and involvement in our community.

Consistent with the Ohio Sunshine Law and Oakwood Administrative Code, Council met in executive session on January 12 and January 20 to review applications and letters of recommendation.

All of the City Council candidates were outstanding, but one candidate in particular stood out, based on demonstrated record of service to, and involvement in, the Oakwood community.

Mayor Duncan then asked if anyone on City Council would like to make a motion for a nomination.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mrs. Hilton that Mrs. Leigh Turben be appointed to fill the council vacancy.

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

There being four (4) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said appointment was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

Mayor Duncan recognized and introduced Mrs. Turben’s family in the audience. Thereafter, Law Director Rob Jacques administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Councilmember Leigh Turben.

Mr. Klopsch removed Mr. Epley’s name plate from the dais and replaced it with Mrs. Turben’s name plate. Mrs. Turben then took her seat on the dais with her fellow council members.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Mr. Klopsch welcomed Mrs. Turben to City Council. He then reported on the following:

City staff continues to provide essential public services through the pandemic. The City has had several employees test positive for coronavirus, some with symptoms, some without. Fortunately, all employees have fully recovered and returned back to work.