January 23, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 4

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

American Foursquare on East Schantz Avenue

DARE Graduation 2007

The DARE graduation went of without a hitch last Friday at Edwin D. Smith Elementary.

Above, the fifth grade performs a dance skit for the audience.

Lt. Benson presents DARE essay winners Joel Thompson and Macaire Hopkins medallions

City council OK’s look at centralized dispatch
By Lance Winkler

The Oakwood City Council met Monday evening with all members counted as present. Vice Mayor Carlo McGinnis announced that the Oakwood Planning Commission had recommended for passage the Comprehensive Plan regarding the Sugar Camp development. The issue is scheduled to come before the city council for a vote in March.

The Martin Luther King breakfast was a success according to Mayor Judy Cook. She publicly thanked Oakwood resident Kristen Motlagh, who chaired the event, for her efforts. Mayor Cook also announced that the Regional Transit Authority is considering eliminating electric buses from the Far Hills Avenue routes and said that she is sending an appeal to the RTA board to reconsider such a change in policy.

The Holiday Decorating Winners were announced and those who attended were presented with a congratulatory plaque.

A second reading of a sewer rate ordinance that will increase the sewer service charge on the three-month water/sewer bill by 25 percent was passed unanimously. There will be a $7.33 per month increase or $22 addition from $95 to $117 per quarter. Finance Director Brad Beachdell gave a presentation on the issue and pointed out that there has been no increase in sewer rates since 1993. The new increase begins in January and will show up on the March billing.

Public Safety Director Alex Bebris gave a staff report on the controversial centralized dispatch study and came away with a recommendation to consider the proposal. Starting with a background sketch, Chief Bebris pointed out the whole idea began with the GEOComm Report, a 215-page assessment of the various emergency communications and dispatch operations of law enforcement centers throughout Montgomery County. Over the past three months, Chief Bebris analyzed data and reviewed Oakwood dispatch operations, drew up a financial impact report and advised city council on the issue.

According to Chief Bebris, the county could save as much as $6.5 million per year and a projected $165 million over five years with such a move. This would also involve a reduction of 196.5 dispatcher positions countywide to 94 positions.

As for Oakwood, apparently the dispatch infrastructure is very outdated. The city has a single stage dispatch center that was installed in 1991 which will cost $150,000 to replace the unit. Additionally, the Record Management System (RMS) is not up to par either and needs an estimated $50,000 upgrade. Finally, the Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) are connected to Kettering and in need of about $200,000 in upgrades.

According to Chief Bebris, the contract proposed would involve a $6.65 per dispatch event charge for the first three years, followed by a renegotiation at the end of three years with the rate being set by participating communities. Although the GEOComm Report estimated annual Oakwood dispatch operations to be around $298,000, Chief Bebris said that the actual cost is $362,000.

Three goals were enumerated by Chief Bebris as well: 1) Improve the public safety department with new technology; 2) Improve and enhance quality of service delivery while maintaining the “personal touch”; and 3) Accomplish the above in a cost-neutral fashion.

Additionally, a Special Service position is to be re-established that deals with quality-of-life issues of Oakwood’s citizens. Finally, front office staff at the municipal building will be curtailed from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mayor Cook then opened the floor to concerned citizens andeveryone voiced concerns about the proposed system and how well it will work.

“Without Oakwood, I wouldn’t have made it,” said C. William Hager, who suffered a major heart attack a decade ago and credits the two-minute response time of the EMT crew with saving his life.

“I’m surprised that when you did all this construction and upgrading, you didn’t do anything for the dispatch system,” said Anna Gough. In all, eight citizens got up and gave vent to their concerns.

After further discussion by council members, the motion to adopt pursuing the dispatch proposal further was voted “yes” unanimously by council. A Letter of Intent is scheduled to be written and sent to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office by Feb. 1, 2007.

The next Oakwood City Council meeting is slated for Feb. 5, 2007.

Speaker Husted at OCC Jan. 24

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted (R- Kettering) today announced he plans to hold open office hours for constituents of the 37th House District. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to discuss their views and opinions with Speaker Husted on state government issues. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.