Oakwood mayor highlights public safety, infrastructure and finances in State of the City; council approves minutes and committee appointments

Mayor Duncan delivered the Oakwood City Council's State of the City address on Feb. 3, 2025, highlighting public safety response times, recent infrastructure projects funded in part with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, and a planned water-rate increase for 2025.

In his address, Mayor Duncan said the city remains "our neighborhoods, our schools and library, city services, public safety, recreation and leisure, but most of all, it is our citizens." He said he is "honored to begin my 20th year serving you on Oakwood City Council and my 16th year as your mayor." The mayor opened with the city's basic statistics, noting a population of 9,572 and a municipal area of about 2.2 square miles.

The mayor emphasized Oakwood's public safety capabilities, saying the first officer on scene averages a two-minute response time; fire-engine response is 4.5 minutes (national standard cited as six minutes) and medic response 4.75 minutes (national standard cited as 12 minutes). He credited Public Safety Chief Allen Hill and described the department as cross-trained in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services.

On infrastructure, Duncan described two major 2024 projects. The Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project addressed stormwater overflow; the city applied $940,000 in federal ARPA funds toward a $2,200,000 construction cost. He said the city also completed the Far Hills Avenue resurfacing project with a $1,200,000 state award that he characterized as representing about 80% of that project's cost. The mayor reiterated the council's priority to invest in aging above- and below-ground infrastructure.

Duncan told residents that only 8.2% of property taxes go to city services and that Oakwood raised water rates for the first time in seven years in 2024 and plans an additional increase in 2025. He described the city's parks, gardens and programs, and noted Oakwood Schools' recent Purple Star designation for supporting military-connected students (about 260 students) and the Oakwood High School academic decathlon's national Division III title.

The council moved through routine business after the address. Council Member Healy Jackson read the minutes from the Jan. 6 regular session and the Jan. 27 work session and moved to accept them "as written." A second was given (speaker not identified in the record), and council members adopted the minutes by unanimous voice vote.

Later, Mayor Duncan nominated five residents for committee service: Serena Kelly and Greg (last name not specified) to the Beautification Committee, Bill Draper for reappointment to the Property Maintenance Board, and Brian Cox (Precinct C) and George LaBeouf (Precinct A) to the Budget Review Committee. A second was recorded and the appointments were approved by unanimous voice vote.

City Manager Katie Spinney provided a brief manager's report with recruiting information for seasonal positions (grounds maintenance, day-camp counselors, Smith Gardens and Gardner Pool staff) and announced employee birthdays and service anniversaries. Several department employees and volunteers were acknowledged, including quarterly hazardous-waste collection by Oakwood Rotary Club volunteers.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Jan. 6 regular session and Jan. 27 work session): Motion by Council Member Healy Jackson; second by an unidentified council member; outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote; five members present).

- Committee appointments and reappointments (Beautification Committee, Property Maintenance Board, Budget Review Committee): Motion by Mayor Duncan; second by an unidentified council member; outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote).

The meeting included no legislation on the agenda and concluded after the routine reports and appointments.