There are several large equipment purchases scheduled for this year. Several pieces of equipment were purchased last year, but have not been delivered. The purchases already made or planned include: Refuse Packer Truck: $275,307; Dump Truck: $140,819; Pickup Truck - Streets: $40,740; Sidewalk Tractor: $20,500; Pavement Roller: $27,572; Floor Sweeper/Scrubber: $40,000 (budget); Front End Loader: $83,955; Refuse Scooters (2 units): $44,800; Packer Refurbishment: $60,000 (budget); Pickup Truck – Water: $32,095; Well #6 Fence Replacement: $30,000 (budget); Springhouse Overhead Door: $15,600; Wellhouse Roof Repairs: $18,000 (budget); Backhoe: $102,500; and Leaf Vacuum: $75,000 (budget.)

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. Mulch deliveries will take place on five Saturdays from April 9 to May 7. On the same five Saturdays, residents can obtain free mulch from the Foell Public Works Center at 210 Shafor Boulevard between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There are also several self-service options available such as: drop-off containers for recycling cardboard, yard debris, and co-mingled materials at a 24/7 Recycling Facility; 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; refuse dumpsters are available for disposal of a mixture of debris from “do-it-yourself” homeowner projects; and the next Styrofoam recycling event is scheduled for Saturday, April 23.

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 2020. This increase follows COVID-19, suggesting that many property owners disposed of more household debris during the pandemic.

Mr. Spitler displayed a line graph showing cardboard collection trends over the past ten years. The line graph showed a consistent increase in cardboard collection each year. Mr. Spitler noted that the information will be useful to identify market-based revenue trends.

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

From December 2021 to March 2022, the Public Works Department responded to 13 winter weather events. The department used 639 tons of salt totaling $35,132 through the winter season.

Mr. Spitler shared several personnel changes that have occurred. Sadly, Erwin Johnson passed away on November 2, 2021. He served the city of Oakwood for 35 years. The Public Works Department welcomed Adam Jones, Water Plant Technician/Repairer on October 4, 2021; Scott Gibbs, General Service Worker – Refuse on February 28, 2022; and Greg Devers, General Service Worker – Refuse on March 7, 2022.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mr. Spitler for the department summary.

AN OAKWOOD MOMENT

Mr. Stephens highlighted public facilities for athletics and recreation in Oakwood.

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

Mr. Klopsch thanked Mr. Spitler for the thorough department report. He commended the Public Works Department for all of the good work in providing so many essential public services to the Oakwood community.

The Friends of Smith Gardens "Perennial Sale" will be held on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at the Oakwood Community Center, 105 Patterson Road. The hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. A complete listing of plants for sale is available on the city website.

Email addresses for Oakwood City Council, city employees and city offices are changed from the @oakwood.oh.us suffix to the @oakwoodohio.gov suffix. This change matches the city website which is found at www.oakwoodohio.gov. While emails sent to the old addresses will continue to be automatically forwarded to the appropriate person or city department, the city recommends that the new address suffix be used moving forward.

The annual fire hydrant flushing began today and will last approximately four weeks. The hydrants are flushed annually to test the hydrants functionality and to flush out the piping system. There is additional information on the city website.