City of Oakwood - Council Minutes

The Council of the city of Oakwood, State of Ohio, met in a work session and executive session at 6:30 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 the Zoom.com platform.

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:

Mr. Norbert S. Klopsch, City Manager
Mr. Robert F. Jacques, City Attorney
Ms. Carol Collins, Leisure Services Director
Ms. Lori Stacel, Clerk of Council

The following in-person visitors registered:

David Suich, 291 W. Thruston Boulevard

There were no Zoom visitors in attendance.

Mrs. Jackson advised Council she had read the meeting minutes of the May 6, 2024 regular session, work session and executive session, the May 13, 2024 executive session, and the May 29, 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 – NONE

VISITORS – NONE

LEGISLATION

AN ORDINANCE

NO 5003

AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ADULT USE CANNABIS OPERATORS, AS DEFINED BY SECTION 3780.01 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, FROM OPERATING WITHIN THE CITY OF OAKWOOD, OHIO; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that at the November 7, 2023 election, Ohio voters passed State Issue 2, which effectively legalizes recreational marijuana. The new law took effect on December 7th and Council expects the state will begin issuing business licenses in mid- to late-summer.

In January, Council adopted a temporary moratorium on the issuance or processing of any permits relating to commercial cannabis operations, to allow time for the state’s new Division of Cannabis Control to roll out standards, rules, and regulations for these businesses. Council was also hopeful that the state legislature might act to modify or amend some provisions of this voter-initiated law, possibly in ways that could be beneficial to our community. To date, this has not happened, and Council is not optimistic that it will.