The Council of the city of Oakwood, Ohio, met in a work session on Monday, January 24, 2022 in the second-floor training room at the city building, 30 Park Avenue. The Mayor of the City, William Duncan, presided.

Council members in attendance were Mayor William Duncan, Vice Mayor Steve Byington, Councilmember Rob Stephens and Councilmember Leigh Turben. Councilmember Anne Hilton was excused absent. Staff in attendance were City Manager Norbert Klopsch and City Attorney Rob Jacques.

Mayor Duncan called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. and led the work session by discussing the following items:

• COUNCIL COMMITTEES
  • Planning & Zoning, Vice Mayor Byington
    • Property Maintenance: Mr. Klopsch shared that Mr. Jacques started researching how other cities may be addressing the issues of properties being converted from traditional outdoor landscaping to native style landscaping. Mr. Jacques reviewed how some local communities regulate yard maintenance. Most do so via limits on the height of grass. He mentioned that the Oakwood Code already includes a provision for the city manager to approve designated “natural areas”. Staff is working on developing guidelines for granting such approvals, and on an application form for property owner seeking to establish “natural areas”.
    • Property Maintenance Code Update: Mr. Klopsch mentioned that the February 7 council meeting agenda will include legislation to adopt a new Property Maintenance Code based on the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code. The current Oakwood code is based on the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code. The new code will include changing the Property Maintenance Board from 15 members (three from five districts) to 24 members (three from eight precincts).
  • Public Properties, Mrs. Turben
    • Dog Park Parking Lot: Mr. Klopsch explained staff's recommendation to leave the Creager Dog Park parking lot in the current configuration where it provides 18 spaces, and to forego plans to add ten additional spaces. Staff will post “No Parking” signs on the east side of Shafor Boulevard between the Public Works Facility and Irving Avenue, forcing dog park patrons to use the existing parking lot established for that purpose.
    • Hollinger Tennis Facility: Mr. Klopsch commented on Hollinger's 2021 Profit & Loss Statement, and mentioned that staff has not received any new information on possible plans to improve the tennis facility clubhouse.
  • Public Utilities/Waterworks/Sewer, Mrs. Turben
    • Far Hills Storm Sewer Project: Mr. Klopsch shared that design work will begin soon for a replacement storm sewer system crossing Far Hills Avenue at