Proclamation recognizing Laura Hart and family – Mayor Duncan read and presented a Proclamation to Laura Hart and her family recognizing their outstanding volunteer community service in establishing and leading the American Flag project.

Mrs. Hart thanked City Council for the proclamation. She shared that she is grateful that the Oakwood Rotary Club is continuing the project. She said that she hopes that the community continues coming together to line the streets of Oakwood with American flags.

Auditor of State Award – Mayor Duncan reported that the Oakwood Finance Department was again awarded the Auditor of State Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Entities that receive this award must meet a number of criteria in addition to qualifying for a “clean” audit report.

Mr. Klopsch shared that the certificate will be displayed in the Finance Department at the city building. He attested that Mrs. Stafford works hard day in and day out to earn this award. Before Mrs. Stafford joined city staff, an outside accounting firm completed the Basic Financial Statements report. Mrs. Stafford had the skill set and began completing the report in-house. Oakwood is in excellent hands with Oakwood’s Finance Director Cindy Stafford. Mr. Klopsch thanked Mrs. Stafford and the Finance Department for all their good work.

Mayor Duncan invited Finance Director Cindy Stafford, CPA, to speak about receiving this award.

Mrs. Stafford thanked and recognized members of the Oakwood Finance Department for all of their hard work. She added that this award not only represents the hard work of all city employees, especially the Finance Department, but also City Council in overseeing the use of public resources.

Mayor Duncan thanked Finance Director Cindy Stafford for her outstanding leadership and commitment to fiscal integrity and financial transparency. He then asked Mrs. Stafford to relay City Council’s appreciation to the Oakwood Finance Department.

VISITORS – There were no visitors wishing to address Council.

LEGISLATION

A copy of the resolution, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that this is a resolution to authorize the city to pursue grant funding for the upcoming Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project. A portion of the storm sewer infrastructure just south and west of Oakwood High School has reached the end of its useful life, causing periodic roadway flooding during significant rain events. Affected areas include parts of Far Hills Avenue, Dellwood Avenue, Greenmount Boulevard, Lonsdale Avenue and Forrer Boulevard east of Far Hills, as well as the area extending west to Devereaux Drive. This is an extensive project that is estimated to cost approximately $2 million.

Since 1987, the Ohio Public Works Commission has operated a grant program known as the Amendment 2 “State Capital Improvement Program.” The purpose of the program is to assist local governments with significant qualifying public infrastructure improvements. Oakwood has made use of this program over the years. The Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project is a priority project for the city and is a perfect candidate for Amendment 2 funding assistance.

The deadline to apply for funding under this year’s Amendment 2 State Capital Improvement Program is August 31. This resolution will authorize the City Manager to apply for funding under this program. That funding may include grant funding that does not require repayment and may also include a loan component at 0% interest.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mrs. Hilton that the resolution be passed.