The Council of the City of Oakwood, Ohio, met in a work session on Monday, February 2, 2026, in the conference room at the City Building, located at 30 Park Avenue. The Mayor, William Duncan, presided.
Council members in attendance were Mayor William Duncan, Vice Mayor Steve Byington, Leigh Turben, Healy Jackson, and Sam Dorf. Staff members were City Manager Katie Smiddy and City Attorney Rob Jacques.
Mayor Duncan called the work session to order at 6:30 p.m. and reviewed the agenda for the regular session this evening. Thereafter, he led a discussion on the following agenda items:
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STATUS REPORTS:
- 2026 State of the City Address: Mayor Duncan noted that he will deliver the 2026 Address at the regular session this evening.
- VISITORS: None scheduled.
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LEGISLATION: Council discussed the following items of legislation scheduled for the regular session this evening:
- A Resolution amending the City Manager’s Employment Contract, Mayor Duncan
- An Ordinance to amend 2026 appropriations for a traditional vision insurance plan, Vice Mayor Byington
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MISCELLANEOUS
- Mrs. Smiddy informed Council that the Hollinger Tennis organization wants to apply for a $7,500 grant ($2,500 per year for three years) and has asked the City to handle the necessary administration and reporting. Council asked Mrs. Smiddy to defer an answer until more is known about the program requirements and the scope of the administrative burden.
- Mrs. Smiddy and Mr. Jacques discussed their recent meeting with the Deputy Director of Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC,) a council of governments that offers energy aggregation programs.
- Mrs. Smiddy offered comments on the recent naturalization ceremony that was held at Oakwood High School. Council engaged in a discussion about ways to include City elected officials in future naturalization events. Mrs. Smiddy noted that this is a federal court event rather than a school event, held at the direction of a particular federal judge who resides in Oakwood and wants to hold the event at the high school as an educational opportunity. She suggested that Councilmembers could contact that judge to inquire further.
- Mrs. Smiddy and Mr. Jacques updated Council on their recent walk-through at 20 Rubicon Road, which is not yet vacated by the school board.
- Mrs. Smiddy updated Council on the status of America250 planning. She will be attending a joint meeting with representatives of the Wright Library and school superintendent Neil Gupta in the coming weeks.
- Mayor Duncan led a brief discussion about committee appointments.