OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Dayton City Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

City Commission — Wednesday, September 3, 2025
BodyDayton, Ohio
SessionCity Commission
DateWednesday, September 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:15:59

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

The Dayton State Commission now come to order.

0:09

Please rise and rise for the invocation this evening given by Commissioner Slaus and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:18

Okay, Commissioner.

0:19

Thank you, Mayor.

0:20

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you with bow heads and humble hearts.

0:23

We thank you for this day.

0:24

We ask that you continue to keep us, guide us.

0:27

Lord help us to do your will.

0:28

Bless us with discernment, wisdom, and understanding.

0:30

In your holy name, Amen.

0:32

Amen.

0:38

And to the Republic for what you say.

0:52

Okay, Miss Black Sheer, may have the roll call, please.

0:55

Mayor Mims.

0:56

Aye.

0:56

Commissioner Joseph.

0:57

Shaw.

0:58

Fairchild.

0:59

Turner Sloss.

1:01

Aye.

1:02

Mayor, I've been advised that Commissioner Fairchild will be arriving late.

1:07

Or maybe I'm not be here, but for the record.

1:13

Okay.

1:14

May I have a motion then to approve the minutes from the August 27th meeting?

1:19

So moved, Your Honor.

1:20

Second.

1:20

Okay, so five minutes and second to approve the minutes from the August 27th meeting.

1:24

All in favor say aye.

1:25

Aye.

1:25

All opposed to say no.

1:27

Ms.

1:28

Black Sure, any communications or petitions.

1:31

There are none, Your Honor.

1:32

Okay.

1:33

I do have a couple of presentations this evening.

1:36

So I first like to call Miss Inus Adula.

1:41

I'm not going to try to pronounce the other part of the name to embarrass myself or anyone else.

1:50

She will be coming to the podium to talk about the sister city.

1:56

She's a coordinator for Shafiq and to talk about some of the proclamation that she's about to receive from this city commission.

2:05

Good evening.

2:06

Good evening, Mayor.

2:09

I'm Inas Abfatah.

2:12

I'm a member of Sister City Relationship between Salfita and Dayton.

2:16

I'm so pleased to be here with you.

2:19

Thank you for so much for having me today and for allowing me the opportunity to be here in Dayton for our first in-person meeting.

2:39

Thank you so much.

2:40

Okay, and uh first of all, I'd like to give uh my expressions of um congratulations and thank you for being here and uh thank you so much for the great conversation we had uh with your leader uh back at home.

2:52

And uh thank you for the assistant uh also you soph.

2:56

Uh great having the opportunity to have that conversation and to learn how to pause and not give a long, long, long statement because it has to be interpreted, okay, and then wait my turn to talk again.

3:11

So again, thank you so much.

3:12

Thank you so much, thank you.

3:14

It's my honor.

3:14

Thank you.

3:16

Yes, proclamation, please.

3:19

Whereas the sister city relationship between Dayton, Ohio and the Safit governor governorate Palestine serves to promote global goodwill, respect, and mutual cooperation through cultural, educational, and economic exchanges, and whereas Ines Abdullah Abdafacta is her in her dual capacity as the head of the international and public relations and media unit and the Dayton SAPIT SAFIT Sister City coordinator for the Safi government has provided exemplar exemplary leadership and commitment to this partnership.

4:07

And whereas Ms.

4:09

Abdallah Fata has worked tireless tirelessly to foster understanding and friendship between our communities, and her efforts have been integral to the vitality of our sister city relationship.

4:24

And whereas, in recognition of her outstanding dedication, the City of Dayton, Ohio extends a warm welcome to Miss Adafa for her five-day visit in September 2025.

4:38

And whereas her visit will serve to further strengthen the bonds between Dayton and Safit, creating new opportunities for citizens of both communities to connect and cooperate.

4:52

And whereas it is fitting and appropriate to formally recognize individuals who exceptional contributions have profoundly strengthened the ties they bind our two cities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████25%
Police Accountability███████████████████████23%
Procedural███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Dayton City Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The Dayton City Commission met on September 3, 2025, at 23:49 UTC (7:49 PM EDT) for a regular business meeting. The agenda included presentations on the sister city relationship with Salfita, Palestine, and the semi-annual Independent Accountability Audit (IAA) of police misconduct complaints; consideration of city manager recommendations, including a legal settlement with Dayton Power and Light (AES) and a contract modification for the West Pod police station; legislation on airport grants and property appropriation; and public comments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from the August 27, 2025 meeting (motion and second; passed unanimously on voice vote).

Presentations

  • Sister City Proclamation: Mayor Mims presented a proclamation to Inas Abfatah, coordinator for the Dayton–Salfita (Palestine) sister city relationship, recognizing her exemplary leadership and welcoming her five-day visit. Ms. Abfatah spoke about discussions with city leaders, Central State University, and Sinclair College regarding water resource challenges in Salfita.
  • Independent Accountability Audit (IAA): Attorney Jasmine Jones (Frost Brown Todd) presented the second semi-annual IAA report for 2025 (January 1–June 30, 2025). Key findings:
    • 89 specific allegations from 32 events (citizen-generated complaints).
    • Over time, complaints declined compared to prior years (2021–2023).
    • Of citizen complaints: 26 unfounded, 20 exonerated, 0 not sustained, 3 sustained, 1 in progress.
    • IAA reviewed 26 unfounded complaints: agreed 11 as unfounded, found 1 not sustained, 2 exonerated, and 12 under review (not unfounded due to some supporting evidence).
    • Three sustained complaints (discourtesy/disrespect, policy violation) resolved within 90 days; discipline was training memos, which IAA agreed with.
    • IAA reviewed 95 complaint receipts from 2024; determined 3 should have been classified as citizen complaints.
    • One critical incident (officer-involved) reported, still under investigation.
    • Observations: complaint process addresses law/policy violations but not discretionary acts that may cause harm; standardized correspondence may appear indifferent.
    • Recommendations: conduct a survey of complainants, review correspondence tone, and explore de-escalation best practices.
    • Commissioners praised the report; Commissioner Joseph highlighted a decline in complaints since the complaint process was made more accessible.

City Manager Recommendations

  • Item 2 (Service Agreement with Broombro Construction): Contract modification to complete the West Pod police station in West Dayton (funded by Dayton Recovery Plan), now a $10+ million investment.
  • Item E9 (Legal Settlement with Dayton Power and Light/AES): Results of negotiation: reduced residential charge from $22 to $9.75; obtained $1 million for bill payment assistance; eliminated reconnection fees for residential customers; commitment to extend the disadvantaged community energy initiative ($7.8 million previously obtained for housing rehab). Commissioner Slauson requested details on the vendor selection process for the $7.8 million program; City Manager stated applications open this fall. Commissioner Shaw asked whether small businesses also benefit from reconnection fee waiver; City Manager agreed to clarify and note for next rate case.
  • Motion to approve city manager recommendations passed unanimously.

Legislation

  • Second reading: Resolution 6884-25 authorizing acceptance of a $15 million FAA Airport Terminal Program grant for improvements at Dayton International and Wright Brothers airports. Approved (5-0).
  • First reading: Resolution 6886-25 declaring intention to appropriate property for the Salem Avenue Reconstruction Phase 4 project. Introduced.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kevin Keller (3922 East Street): Expressed concerns about deteriorating roads (Smithville Road potholes), potential return of red light/speed cameras, narrow streets leading to vehicle side-swipes, and paving over curbs causing flooding. Also asked about restoring the historic diner building.
  • Christine Lincoln (1000 Birch Street, Springfield): Gave a harrowing personal account of being sexually assaulted on February 1, 2025. She criticized the responding lieutenant and detective for lack of empathy, dismissing her case despite DNA evidence, and failing to retrieve her phone from the scene. Stated her case was closed and pleaded for the Commission to ensure survivors are treated with dignity. She believes the attacker will kill if not held accountable.
  • Ray Hollingsworth (4438 Hoover Avenue): Represented residents of Cornell Drive. Angrily reported that a burned-down store (destroyed in March 2025) remains uncleaned. Noted dumpsters placed by the city have become a dumping ground causing odor. Alleged the city delayed or misled residents. Gave an ultimatum: clean up by Monday 5 PM or the community will escalate the matter.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved (unanimous).
  • Sister city proclamation formally presented and welcomed.
  • IAA report received; commissioners expressed support and directed staff to follow up on recommendations.
  • City manager recommendations approved (unanimous).
  • FAA grant resolution passed (5-0).
  • Public comments were acknowledged; City Manager Dixteen responded:
    • Red light/speed cameras in school zones are under consideration (state law allows them without police presence).
    • Smithville Road repaving is scheduled for 2026–2028 due to reconstruction scope.
    • Cornell Drive demolition is a private property matter; the city has cited the contractor for delays and is pursuing enforcement.
  • Commissioner Slauson requested updates on the Cornell Drive cleanup and asked for a follow-up on the investigation into Ms. Lincoln's assault.
  • Farewell: Commissioner Shaw recognized legislative aide Jagger Besseter, who is departing; commissioners thanked him for his service.

Meeting Transcript

The Dayton State Commission now come to order. Please rise and rise for the invocation this evening given by Commissioner Slaus and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay, Commissioner. Thank you, Mayor. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you with bow heads and humble hearts. We thank you for this day. We ask that you continue to keep us, guide us. Lord help us to do your will. Bless us with discernment, wisdom, and understanding. In your holy name, Amen. Amen. And to the Republic for what you say. Okay, Miss Black Sheer, may have the roll call, please. Mayor Mims. Aye. Commissioner Joseph. Shaw. Fairchild. Turner Sloss. Aye. Mayor, I've been advised that Commissioner Fairchild will be arriving late. Or maybe I'm not be here, but for the record. Okay. May I have a motion then to approve the minutes from the August 27th meeting? So moved, Your Honor. Second. Okay, so five minutes and second to approve the minutes from the August 27th meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed to say no. Ms. Black Sure, any communications or petitions. There are none, Your Honor. Okay. I do have a couple of presentations this evening. So I first like to call Miss Inus Adula. I'm not going to try to pronounce the other part of the name to embarrass myself or anyone else. She will be coming to the podium to talk about the sister city. She's a coordinator for Shafiq and to talk about some of the proclamation that she's about to receive from this city commission. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor. I'm Inas Abfatah. I'm a member of Sister City Relationship between Salfita and Dayton. I'm so pleased to be here with you. Thank you for so much for having me today and for allowing me the opportunity to be here in Dayton for our first in-person meeting. Thank you so much. Okay, and uh first of all, I'd like to give uh my expressions of um congratulations and thank you for being here and uh thank you so much for the great conversation we had uh with your leader uh back at home. And uh thank you for the assistant uh also you soph. Uh great having the opportunity to have that conversation and to learn how to pause and not give a long, long, long statement because it has to be interpreted, okay, and then wait my turn to talk again. So again, thank you so much.

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