MINUTES

The Council of the City of Oakwood, Ohio, met in a work session on Monday, January 5, 2026, in the conference room at the City Building, located at 30 Park Avenue. The Mayor, William Duncan, presided.

Council members in attendance were Mayor William Duncan, Vice Mayor Steve Byington, Leigh Turben, Healy Jackson, and Sam Dorf. Staff members were City Manager Katie Smiddy and City Attorney Rob Jacques.

Mayor Duncan called the work session to order at 6:30 p.m. and reviewed the agenda for the regular session this evening. Thereafter, he led a discussion on the following agenda items:

• REVIEW OF REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
  • Mayor and Vice Mayor Election: Mayor Duncan noted that the regular session this evening will begin with the bi-annual organization meeting and will start with a swear-in ceremony for Leigh Turben and new Councilmember Sam Dorf. Thereafter, City Manager Smiddy will call for a motion to nominate the candidates for the positions of Mayor and Vice Mayor. After the motion, second, and vote, Mrs. Smiddy will present the gavel to the elected mayor.
• STATUS REPORTS:
  • Council Committee Assignments: Mayor Duncan mentioned that Council will vote at the regular session this evening to confirm the 2026 council committee assignments.
• VISITORS:
  • Holiday Decorating Awards: Mayor Duncan noted that he will recognize award winners as pictures of their homes are displayed.
• LEGISLATION: Council discussed the following items of legislation scheduled for the regular session this evening:
  • A Resolution to support the Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (America250), Mayor Duncan
  • An Ordinance to amend the 2026 personnel pay schedule, Vice Mayor Byington
  • An Ordinance to amend sections in the Administrative Code for consistency with the organization and staffing schedule, Vice Mayor Byington
• COUNCIL COMMITTEES
  • Public Utilities/Waterworks/Sewer, Mrs. Turben
    • Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC): Mr. Jacques discussed his recent public meeting regarding energy aggregation. Council briefly discussed the follow-up email they received from a representative of the SOPEC consortium, which is interested in offering an aggregation program separate from the MVCC program.
• MISCELLANEOUS
  • Council briefly discussed citizen committee appointments.
  • Mrs. Smiddy updated Council on the upcoming opening of Swoon Books & Wine.
  • Mrs. Turben updated Council on the former Indie West building at the corner of Far Hills and Triangle Avenues.