448

Thereupon, it was moved by Mr. Stephens and seconded by Mr. Epley that the second reading be waived and that the ordinance be passed tonight.

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

MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCANYEA
MR. STEVEN BYINGTONYEA
MR. ROBERT P. STEPHENSYEA
MRS. ANNE HILTONYEA
MR. CHRISTOPHER EPLEYYEA

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

AN ORDINANCE
BY MR. STEPHENS NO. 4902
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 505.10 AND 517.01, REPEALING EXISTING CHAPTER 549, AND ENACTING NEW CHAPTER 549, ALL OF THE GENERAL OFFENSES CODE, RELATING TO THE OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, PURCHASE, OTHER ACQUISITION, TRANSPORT, STORAGE, CARRYING, SALE, OTHER TRANSFER, MANUFACTURE, TAXATION, KEEPING, AND REPORTING OF LOSS OR THEFT OF FIREARMS, THEIR COMPONENTS, AND THEIR AMMUNITION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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 House Bill 228 took effect on December 28, 2019, and requires municipalities to change their local firearm laws to ensure that they do not impact those who engage in the lawful activities of hunting and self-defense. In order to comply with H.B. 228, Oakwood must amend or delete a number of its firearm-related laws, which is the purpose of this ordinance.

Council views H.B. 228 as yet another assault on the Home Rule authority reserved to municipalities through the Ohio Constitution. Council believes they are better positioned than the General Assembly to decide what laws make sense for Oakwood being directly accountable to their fellow residents. Council is adopting this ordinance because the state requires it.

Home Rule concerns aside, this ordinance should not be cause for alarm among residents. Although the City is being forced to change or eliminate some of the local firearm laws, state law continues to prohibit hunting in Oakwood, and self-defense is and has always been legal in Oakwood. Firearms will continue to be regulated in the city of Oakwood; they will just be regulated at the state rather than local level.

This ordinance is being introduced as an emergency measure to ensure it takes effect promptly as required by H.B. 228.

Thereupon, it was moved by Mr. Stephens and seconded by Mrs. Hilton that the ordinance be passed as an emergency measure, with no second reading required.

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

MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCANYEA
MR. STEVEN BYINGTONYEA
MR. ROBERT P. STEPHENSYEA
MRS. ANNE HILTONYEA
MR. CHRISTOPHER EPLEYYEA

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

STAFF REPORT – NONE

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Mr. Klopsch provided an update on the following items:

The leaf collection season has officially ended. Property owners should no longer place leaves in the street gutters. The Public Works Department and the Code Enforcement Officer will begin placing door hanger notices at properties where people have put leaves or other debris in the street.

The City’s salt storage bin is fully stocked and the Public Works Department is ready to address snow and ice events when needed. Mr. Klopsch urged citizens to read the snow plowing and roadway salting policy in the December/January Oakwood Scene newsletter.