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

STAFF REPORT
Public Works Department Presentation: Mr. Doug Spitler, Engineering and Public Works Director referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on various Public Works projects and operations.

A map was displayed depicting the 2022 Asphalt Street Resurfacing Project. The work took place on W. Schantz Avenue, Dell Park Avenue, Beverly Place, Katharine Terrace, Park Road, Little Woods Road, Creager Field parking lot, and also on the alleys in the southeast section of Oakwood at a cost of at a cost of $434,903.

The 2022 Sidewalk, Curb and Driveway Apron Repair Project will take place on about half of the west side of the City. The project did not receive any formal sealed bids, so city staff contracted with R.A. Miller Construction Co. using the informal process. Construction work began on August 29. The estimated cost of the project is $264,788.

The new Recycling Facility grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration took place at the end of November 2021 and the facility continues to be heavily used. It accommodates the 24/7 drop-off of yard debris, co-mingled recyclables, cardboard and seasonal items such as holiday string lights and Styrofoam. There are two security cameras at the Recycling and Yard Debris Drop-off Facility.

CenterPoint (formerly Vectren) began a major gas line replacement project in 2010. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2023. At the end of 2023, all of the underground gas distribution pipes and home service lines in Oakwood will be renewed. Mr. Spitler presented the CenterPoint project maps.

In addition to the Asphalt Street Resurfacing Project and the Sidewalk, Curb and Driveway Apron Repair Project, the Public Works Department will also be working on the following: Annual Pavement Marking; Traffic Signal Conflict Monitor Testing; Asphalt Pavement Rejuvenation; Far Hills Stormwater Inlet Repairs; Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction and Public Works Storage Facility.

There are several large equipment purchases 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 annual leaf collection program begins on Monday, October 10. As in previous years, the program will provide bi-weekly leaf pickups of all areas throughout the city. The City is divided into ten sections with each being collected on a 2-week interval. The program is scheduled to continue until Friday, December 16, but will be shortened or extended if conditions warrant. Mr. Spitler advised residents to place leaves in the street gutter, ideally just a day or two before the pick-up. Leaves must be unbagged and spread out along property frontages so that traffic flow is not impeded. The City will not provide special pick-up service during the ten week leaf collection season. The last day to schedule a special pick-up is on Friday, October 7.

Mr. Spitler displayed a line graph showing refuse collection and cardboard collection trends over the past six years. The line graph showed a substantial increase in refuse collection beginning in March 2020. This increase follows COVID-19, suggesting that many property owners disposed of more household debris during the pandemic. The 2022 refuse collection data appears to be trending back to normal. The line graph showed that cardboard collection is continuing to trend upward. Starting in January 2022, the city of Oakwood delivers cardboard to Rumpke for market-based revenue. The amount received through August is $9,938.50.

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

From December 2021 to March 2022, the Public Works Department used 639 tons of salt through the winter season, compared to 822 tons in 2021. There is approximately 1,000 tons of salt in storage. The cost of salt this year is $83.98 per ton, compared to $54.98 per ton last year.