Dayton City Commission Meeting – August 21, 2025
Dayton City Commission Meeting – August 21, 2025
The Dayton City Commission met on August 21, 2025, to address a wide range of items including approvals of minutes, a proclamation honoring a citizen's heroism, introduction of a resolution to place a hospital property tax levy on the ballot, public hearings on two car-wash zoning applications, and extensive public testimony on LGBTQ+ safe-haven protections and other community concerns.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from August 13, 2025: Approved unanimously.
Proclamation & Recognitions
- Proclamation – Sydney Billingsley Day: The commission proclaimed August 20, 2025, as "Miss Sydney Billingsley Day" in honor of her heroic actions on June 8, 2025, when she provided first aid and called 911 for a shooting victim, saving his life. Reverend Derek Dillard Stone and family members spoke in support, noting the victim survived eight gunshot wounds.
Discussion Items
- Addition of Legislation & Emergency Resolution: City Manager Dixteen requested the addition of legislation for public hearings and an emergency resolution (6883-25) declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the 10‑mill limitation to place a hospital levy on the ballot. Law Director Barbara Dosek explained the procedural steps required by the city charter after a citizen-initiative petition received the necessary 1,250 new signatures. The resolution directs the county auditor to certify estimated property tax revenue; subsequent steps must be completed before the September 3 deadline for the November 4 election. Commissioner Thomas Laws asked for clarification on the estimated tax impact; the law director provided a rough estimate of approximately $2 million annually at 100% collection, pending the auditor's certified report. Commissioner Turner Sloss inquired about when the resolution was made available; the law director stated it was shared with commissioners on the day of the meeting due to the tight timeline.
- Zoning Case PLN 2025-00182 – Linden Avenue Car Wash: Planning staff presented a request from Expresswash Concepts to redevelop a former Rite Aid at 2922 Linden Avenue into a Flying Ace car wash. Staff noted the site's proximity to residential areas and recommended a six-foot masonry wall for sound mitigation. The applicant's attorney and representative described a $3–4 million investment, 12–17 local jobs, and a commitment to landscaping and community engagement. The Linden Heights Community Council and Southeast Land Use Board had recommended approval. The commission voted to proceed with first reading of the ordinance (32156-25), allowing the plan development to move to final plan review by the Plan Board.
- Zoning Case PLN 2025-00183 – Wilmington Avenue Car Wash: Planning staff presented a second Expresswash Concepts application for 1158 Wilmington Avenue, also a former Rite Aid. This site is in a more pedestrian-heavy area near residential neighborhoods, parks, and a senior living facility. The Plan Board had recommended denial on concerns about noise, traffic, and property values. The applicant's attorney and representative argued that a car wash would be an improvement over the vacant building, offered to relocate the building exit/entrance to reduce noise, and submitted traffic and noise studies showing minimal impact. Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, citing existing congestion, noise from blowers and vacuums, and safety for pedestrians using assistive devices. The commission voted to remand the application back to the Plan Board for further consideration of noise mitigation, traffic solutions, and potential community benefits. A motion to remand passed unanimously.
- Safe Haven Resolution: During public comments, 11 citizens spoke in favor of adopting a Safe Haven Resolution to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination and violence. Speakers cited personal experiences, mental health crises among trans youth, and the hostile state climate. City Manager Dixteen noted the city's long-standing support for LGBTQ+ rights, including a 2017 anti-conversion therapy ordinance, and stated that the law department is actively reviewing a community-drafted resolution and will return to the commission with recommendations.
- Other Public Comments: Additional speakers addressed concerns about Phoenix Next community policing (Lynn Lamance), a closed rehab facility and infrastructure issues (Annette Gibson Strong), personal safety and housing (Kee Cummins), recovery awareness (Gilbert Dillard), speeding on East Third Street (Kevin Keller), and a complaint about police in Kettering (David Woods). Commissioners acknowledged each issue and committed to follow-up.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved from August 13, 2025.
- Proclamation declaring August 20, 2025, as Sydney Billingsley Day adopted.
- Emergency Resolution 6883-25 (hospital tax levy of necessity) passed on second reading by a vote of 4 ayes, 1 abstention. The resolution directs the county auditor to certify tax revenue estimates, with a follow-up resolution to proceed required before September 3, 2025.
- Zoning Ordinance 32156-25 (Plan Development for Linden Avenue car wash) received first reading and will proceed to final plan review by the Plan Board.
- Wilmington Avenue car wash application remanded to the Plan Board for additional study of noise, traffic, and design modifications. The commission directed staff to facilitate discussions with neighboring residents.
- Safe Haven Resolution review to continue; law department to complete analysis and return to commission.
- Various community concerns logged for follow-up by city staff and relevant departments.
Meeting Transcript
The Dane City Commission meeting will now come to order. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Play of Allegiance. This evening, the invocation will be given by Commissioner Shaw. Dear God, may the freedom you give us be used wisely, so that what we seek will be for the good of all. We ask this in your name. Amen. Amen. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation, under God, individual liberty and justice. Mayor Mims. Aye. Commissioner Joseph. Shaw. Hi. Turner Slot. Hi. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the August 13th meeting? So moved on. Second motion, it's been probably moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the August 13th meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Okay. Black She, do we have any communications or petitions? There are none, Your Honor. Okay. I know we do have a presentation this evening. So I'd like to invoke uh invite excuse me, Miss Sidney Billingsley to the podium along with the Reverend Derek Diller Stone this evening. And Miss Billingsley will be uh receiving a proclamation for her exemplary deed of heroism. Hello. From the office of the mayor, the city of Dayton, Ohio, whereas we, the neighbors, family and friends of Sydney Billingsley, our proposal worker acknowledged the exemplary deed of heroism she showed on June 8th, 2025 by helping to save the life of Antonio Anderson, one of the customers she delivers to. I, Reverend Daria Dillard Stone, the servant, would like to pause to show love and appreciation for her big heart of compassion. There are still there are still good people amongst us, no matter what people do or don't do. The blood of Jesus covers us all, and the blood still works. And whereas Sydney Billing Slee took the time to call 911 while she administered first aid to the wounds he sustained, showing herself to be a citizen who cares about all human beings, regardless of creed or color, this group or zip code. Everybody is everybody. Do hereby complain proclaim August 20th, 2025 as Miss Sidney Billingsley Day in Dayton, Ohio. And it is signed by the mayor and is fixed with the city seal. Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh yes, Miss Dillard Slone, would you please explain the circumstances around the proclamation? On that day, a young man was shot eight times, and a bullet, one of the bullets entered my home, and I had missed the bullet by like 20 minutes and it missed my head. Miss Billingsley was delivering the mail, heard him say help. And because she had had some training in first aid, I think you would find you had trained to be a fire. Fireman. She knew she put her hand on one arm, leg on another, and three places, and was able to stop, put pressure on three of the wounds. That saved his life. He had eight bullets in him. That young man is still alive.
openpublica.com