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 was available via remote teleconferencing utilizing the Zoom.com platform.

The Mayor, Mr. William Duncan, presided, and the Clerk of Council, Ms. Lori Stacel, recorded. 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 in-person visitors registered:

The following Zoom visitors attended via remote teleconference:

Mrs. Hilton advised Council she had read the meeting minutes of the May 2 regular session and work session, and the May 16 work session and executive session. Mrs. Hilton noted that she found the minutes correct and complete. Therefore, it was moved by Mrs. Hilton and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the minutes of the sessions of Council aforementioned be approved 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.

Citizen Committee Appointments – Mayor Duncan presented the new appointment of Kate Halpin to the Budget Review Committee, Precinct G.

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

Electricity Rates – Mayor Duncan invited Mr. Jacques to comment on electricity costs and alternative electricity suppliers.

Mr. Jacques shared that with AES Ohio raising and potentially doubling the price of base electric rates, consumers are exploring their options to save on energy costs. He explained that a standard electric bill is divided into two components: a distribution component and a supply component. The distribution component is a fixed rate that consumers cannot change. The supply component is variable and consumers have the option to choose their electric supplier. Consumers have the option to continue with their current energy provider with the “standard offer,” choose an alternative third party energy marker, or participate in government aggregation, if available.

Mr. Jacques explained that government aggregation has been explored, but city staff is not seeing the potential for significant cost savings. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is the statewide legal representative for Ohio’s residential consumers in utility matters. Mr. Jacques noted that the Counsel basically looks out for the rights of consumers in Ohio. The Counsel recently stated that, in the aggregate, consumers typically get the best rates through their utility provider’s “standard offer.”