CITY OF OAKWOOD

The Council of the city of Oakwood, State of Ohio, met in a regular session at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the city of Oakwood.

The Mayor, Mr. William Duncan, presided, and the Clerk of Council, Ms. Lori Stacel, recorded.

Mayor Duncan reported that City Council is present at City Hall while respecting social distancing guidelines. The meeting is limited to essential attendees only including four members of City Council, the City Manager, the City Law Director, and the Clerk of Council. The meeting is being streamed live from the Oakwood city website and telecast live on Cable Access Channel 6.

Mayor Duncan opened the meeting by asking all present to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Upon call of the roll, the following members of Council responded to their names:

Officers of the City present were the following:

The following visitors pre-registered to address City Council during the telephonic Visitors portion of the meeting:

It was moved by Mr. Epley and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the absence of Mrs. Hilton be excused. Upon a viva voce vote on the question of the motion, same passed unanimously and it was so ordered.

Mr. Epley advised Council he had read the meeting minutes of the June 1 regular session and work session and the July 6 work session. Mr. Epley reported that he found the minutes correct and complete. Therefore, it was moved by Mr. Epley and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the minutes of the session 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.

Mayor Duncan shared that the meeting was initially scheduled to be held at the Oakwood Community Center to accommodate in-person visitors, but that was before Montgomery County was placed in a Red Alert Level 3 status. Given the status of COVID-19 in Montgomery County, City Council moved the meeting back to council chambers and visitors were invited to call in to the meeting telephonically to address City Council.

Mayor Duncan noted that City Council and city staff are socially distanced in compliance with provisions of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) orders. He noted that he has been criticized for not wearing a mask, but he has a medical condition and a note from his doctor. As long as social distancing can be maintained, he is not required to wear a mask. Mayor Duncan encouraged people to have more confidence in other people’s actions.

Mayor Duncan explained that he has two letters to share that he intended to read at the April council meeting. Given the meeting changes due to the pandemic, he was unable to read the letters at that time.

Mayor Duncan read the following letter to Public Safety Director Chief Hill from the Kettering Police Department recognizing Public Safety Officers Ryan Wells and Jesse Schaffer: