Oakwood City and Public Safety Building Recommendations
The historical Oakwood City and Public Safety Building houses: a) the City’s administrative offices, b) Public Safety, c) Finance, d) Income Tax, and e) the Municipal Court.
The building is currently undergoing a major renovation project that is scheduled for completion in late 2004. Completion of the Oakwood City and Public Safety Building should resolve space needs for the City departments in the building. The building will be of sufficient size and configuration to meet the present and long-term future needs of the departments.
The Oakwood Public Safety Department is one of only 32 fully consolidated police and fire departments in the country. All of Oakwood’s sworn officers are state certified in law enforcement, fire fighting, and emergency medical techniques. The underlying philosophy is that public safety services can be most effectively provided by deploying officers trained in the basics of all three disciplines.
The Safety Department recently purchased one new fire engine and anticipates delivery in September 2004. Also, the Department plans to add one new emergency medical vehicle in 2005.
Engineering and Public Works Department Recommendations
The responsibilities of the Engineering and Public Works Department include:
- a) City-wide vehicle maintenance;
- b) Water production and distribution;
- c) Storm and sanitary sewer maintenance;
- d) Street, sidewalk and alley maintenance, including snow and ice control;
- e) Design and inspection of City construction projects;
- f) Development and maintenance of the City’s GIS system;
- g) Mowing and trimming of public areas;
- h) Refuse collection, brush and branch collection, and recycling; and
- i) Traffic signal and street sign maintenance.
The Department operates several sites in Oakwood, including the Public Works Center at 210 Shafor Boulevard, the water softening plant at 120 Springhouse Road, a water tower and booster pump system located in Fairridge Park, and the Shroyer Road water booster. In general, all sites and facilities are in good condition and should adequately serve the community for the next 15 to 20 years or more. The primary facility at 210 Shafor Boulevard was completely rebuilt in 2000.
The Department is considering the need for a pole barn storage building at the Firwood Well Field to provide for the storage of equipment, building materials, and supplies. The Department is also considering the need for a refuse transfer facility to handle brush and branch material, recyclables and other waste debris.
Public Utilities
Existing public utilities that serve the City of Oakwood include: a) the water system, b) sanitary sewer system, c) storm drainage system, and d) fiber optic communications system.
Because most of Oakwood was developed many years ago, the City’s infrastructure system will need to be upgraded and improved on a regular basis, particularly the water mains, sewer lines and local streets. The City has an aggressive program for upgrading public infrastructure.