CITY OF OAKWOOD
STATE OF OHIO
NOVEMBER 4, 2024
The Council of the city of Oakwood, State of Ohio, met in a work session and executive session at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the City of Oakwood, 30 Park Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio, 45419. Council then met in a regular session at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the city of Oakwood.
The meeting was streamed live from the Oakwood city website, telecast live on Cable Access Channel 6, and available via remote teleconferencing utilizing Zoom.
The Mayor, Mr. William Duncan, presided, and the Clerk, Ms. Lori Stacel, recorded. Mayor Duncan asked all present to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Upon call of the roll, the following members of Council responded to their names:
- MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCAN PRESENT
- MR. STEVEN BYINGTON PRESENT
- MR. ROBERT P. STEPHENS PRESENT
- MRS. LEIGH TURBEN PRESENT
- MRS. HEALY JACKSON PRESENT
Officers of the City present were the following:
Mrs. Katie Smiddy, City Manager
Mr. Robert F. Jacques, City Attorney
Ms. Carol Collins, Leisure Services Director
Chief Alan Hill, Public Safety Director
Ms. Lori Stacel, Clerk of Council
The following in-person visitors registered:
Norbert & Debbie Klopsch, 265 Volusia Avenue
Jacqui Housel & Howard Sizek, Bosnia Youth Leadership Program
Janja Sucic, Bosnia Youth Leadership Program
Ermina Syraka, Bosnia Youth Leadership Program
Maria Beecher, 2024 Scarecrow Row Winner
Bill McCarty, 2024 Scarecrow Row Winner
Keith Morris, 2024 Scarecrow Row Winner
Andy Jones, 2024 Scarecrow Row Winner
Ted Kircher, Beautification Committee, 2024 Scarecrow Row Winner
Captain Keith Benson and Family
Various Members of Oakwood Safety Department
Brian Barr, Oakwood Register
There were no Zoom visitors in attendance.
Mrs. Jackson advised Council she had read the meeting minutes of the October 7, 2024 regular session, work session & executive session and the October 21, 2024 executive session. Mrs. Jackson reported she found the minutes correct and complete. Therefore, it was moved by Mrs. Jackson and seconded by Mrs. Turben that the minutes of the sessions of Council aforementioned be approved as written and the reading thereof at this session be dispensed with. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.
STATUS REPORTS
Captain Promotion – Mayor Duncan welcomed Keith Benson and his family. Chief Hill reviewed the highlights of Keith Benson’s career and shared that he was pleased to promote him to captain. Mayor Duncan administered the Oath of Office. Captain Benson’s wife pinned the captain bars onto his uniform.
VISITORS
Scarecrow Row Award Winners – Mayor Duncan recognized the following 2024 Scarecrow Row Award winners:
Third Place – “SKelly De La Cruz Steals Home” by the Bazzan & Beecher Families; Second Place – “A Midsummer Knightsmare” by C.A.L.L. CREATION; First Place – “The Price is Fright - Have your pets spayed or neutered”; and Mayor’s Award – “Celebrating 50 "Boo"tiful Years of Smith Gardens” by the Oakwood Beautification Committee
Bosnia Youth Leadership Program – Mayor Duncan invited the Bosnia Youth Leadership Program representatives to speak about the program.
Jacqui Housel, Oakwood host, and program teachers Janja Sucic and Ermina Syraka shared information about how the Bosnia Youth Leadership Program brings together high school students