It was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the aforementioned appointments be confirmed. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.

Mayor Duncan noted that there are several other vacancies on the citizen committees. City Council and city staff are in the process of identifying citizen volunteers for appointment at the April 5 Council meeting.

Historic Marker Project – Debra Edwards, Oakwood Historical Society – Debra Edwards, preservation chair of the Oakwood Historical Society, referenced a PowerPoint presentation and briefed Council on the Historic Marker Project.

The goal of the Historic Marker Project is to share and make more widely accessible to the public, Oakwood’s rich and interesting history, and to help preserve this history for current and future generations. The first two historic markers are recommended for placement at the Runnymede Playhouse and the Town of Oakwood.

The Runnymede Playhouse was originally part of the Talbott family estate and was used as an entertainment center for the Oakwood community. During World War II, the playhouse was used to produce the radioactive element Polonium that was a necessary part in the atomic bomb. The installation of a boulder marker is recommended in the City right-of-way where the original playhouse was located.

The Town of Oakwood was established by four men in 1872. Ms. Edwards displayed a historical map from 1875 showing the original plat for the Town of Oakwood. She noted that it would be great to install a historic marker in early 2022 to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the town’s first platting.

Ms. Edwards shared that the Historic Marker Project is a long-term endeavor that is entirely dependent on private donations. The project proposes to install one historic marker per year. Other Oakwood sites for historic marker consideration are: The Kramer Pleasure Gardens, Four Mile Tavern, First School, First Library, Schantz Grove/Lookout Tower, The Woodlands Indian Mound, Schantz Historic District, Long-Romspert Homestead and Hawthorn Hill.

The state of Ohio has a historic marker program consisting of 150 + historic markers in the Greater Dayton area. There are currently two sites in Oakwood that would qualify for a marker through the State of Ohio Marker Program.

The proposed markers would be designed with similar bronze plaques. The design includes an oakleaf pattern border, the city of Oakwood logo and the Oakwood Historical Society logo. Ms. Edwards displayed an image of a proposed marker that was designed by Mr. Kent and Mrs. Phyllis Miller.

The markers will have different display types depending on the marker location. Ms. Edwards displayed images of the different types of markers such as a boulder marker, free-standing marker, sidewalk embedded marker, and a wall-mounted marker.

Ms. Edwards commented that the project has already received a sizable donation and asked for the City’s assistance to help make the project a success.

Mr. Stephens asked if the plaques would be different sizes.

Ms. Edwards answered yes. She explained that each plaque would have different dimensions, values and price points. The project team is gathering information, including quotes, and looking into simplifying the design to help reduce the costs. The proposed marker plaque for the Runnymede Playhouse has been quoted at around $3,000.

Mr. Stephens asked about the expected timeline to install markers for the list of recommended locations.

Ms. Edward shared that the marker locations would be considered on a year-to-year basis.

Mrs. Hilton asked if Dayton History has been involved with this project.

Ms. Edwards confirmed that Dayton History is involved in the project and they will continue to work with them moving forward.