On Tuesday, the Oakley City Council appointed Hugh Henderson as its next mayor and Aaron Meadows as vice mayor.
The appointments came during the annual rotation in which the council came up with a new hybrid-system to rotate through all-five districts— if they follow through with the rotation, then every five years, each district will have a chance to be represented by the mayor, based on seniority while the vice mayor would transition to the mayor spot.
Henderson was appointed mayor in a 4-1 vote with Councilmember George Fuller dissenting.
When it came to vice mayor, with Fuller next in line, the council opted to appoint Meadows instead.
“We issued a censure several meetings ago and no part of it had any impact so I would like to nominate the next most senior which would be councilmember Meadows,” said Williams.
In October, it came to light, Oakley had a third-party investigation which Fuller was bullying and retaliatory towards city staff — along with a laundry list of other issues over the past few years. During the October meeting, it was made public that staff time and city resources were used on the investigation—which Fuller then used 40-minutes to issue a statement and outed many behind the scenes personnel issues and confirmed it was city manager Josh McMurray who filed the complaint. He also said he considered the censure an honor. The report has not been made public.
On Tuesday, Attorney Derek Cole said in bypassing Fuller, per their code, they had to give a reason based on the following options:
- Violation of City Policy
- Intemperate, rude or disparaging remarks
- Lack of leadership or communication skills
- Excessive absenteeism as a councilmember
- Any other conduct considered to be unprofessional
- Does not have available time to assume additional duties
Williams stated her findings were everything except absenteeism and didn’t know if he had time or not – Cole confirmed items 1, 2, 3, and 5. The motion was seconded by Shaw.
It was approved in a 4-1 with Fuller dissenting. Fuller then left the room as Henderson and Meadows took the oath of office as mayor and vice mayor.
Shaw Gives Outgoing Mayors Comments
Shaw provided an overview of 2025 and opened her comments by stating that if anything, the past year would show a lot of teamwork as the priorities which was grow smart, stay connected and protect what makes Oakley feel like home.
She highlighted the Safeway now open being something that was long awaited and delivering that anchor that has attracted other businesses – gas station, coffee and ice cream chains, nail salon, 3 chain restaurants, a dog bakery/grooming business, a martial arts studio, math learning center, an optometrist a bank and more.
“This is exactly how smart economic development works, one major investment sparks many more,” said Shaw while adding they also enhanced the downtown with The Oakley On Ice, The Mercantile Market and horse-drawn carriage rides during pictures in the park.
Some of the projects they had complete was the Sellers paving projects while Laurel Road widening was completed while moving forward with new Oakley Library and Community Center.
Shaw also highlighted the start of the 3-phase multi-year E Cypress Road Widening Project, a $40 million investment into roadway infrastructure.
She also noted they established a school resource officer at O’Hara Park Middle School and Delta Vista Middle school, constructed a new playground at Vintage Elementary School and upgraded the playground at O’Hara Park Middle School. They also partnered with the school district and Rotary Club for the Girls Empowerment Day.
They also invested in some behind the scenes items including a new city website, launched SolarAPP+, and developed a new Enterprise Permitting and licensing software.
“To our city staff, everything you saw tonight was a result of your hard work, professionalism, dedication, your resilience, your creativity and your pride in serving Oakley show up every single day and you are the backbone of this organization,” said Shaw. “This city is better because of you.”
She thanked those on the council who worked collaboratively, showed up prepared and supported the staff and kept focus on the people of Oakley.
“Serving as mayor this past year as truly been one of the great honors in my life, we have faced challenges, we have made progress and we have strengthened the foundation of a growing city. I am deeply grateful to our residents for the trust and their engagement,” said Shaw.
“As my term as mayor concludes, I want to congratulate and welcome our incoming mayor. Oakley is in excellent hands and I look forward to supporting the continued work of this council in the year ahead. Everything you saw tonight on these slides took teamwork and Oakley has that in spades. Oakley is strong, Oakley is moving forward and Oakley’s best days are still ahead, thank you all.”