Dayton City Commission Meeting Summary - September 10, 2025

The Dayton City Commission met on September 10, 2025, at 17:06 UTC (recorded start). The meeting opened with an invocation by Commissioner Joseph and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims Jr. presided. Key actions included approval of the September 3rd meeting minutes, a proclamation honoring the Police Department's Regional Crowd Management Team, a separate vote on a $1.4 million contract for emergency roof work at 34 North Main, and approval of the remaining consent calendar items. One citizen offered public comment on U.S. policy toward Israel.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from September 3, 2025 – Approved unanimously by voice vote.
• City Manager's Recommendations (except Item #2) – Approved by voice vote (Commissioner Fairchild and Commissioner Turner Slaus expressed concerns but the vote carried; Commissioner Turner Slaus later noted an abstention on Item #2).

Presentation: Proclamation for Regional Crowd Management Team

• Lieutenant Randy Bean, joined by Sergeant Bryan Updike, Officer Doug Gresham, and Officer Nate Gilman, accepted a proclamation from Mayor Mims recognizing the team’s exemplary service.
• The proclamation noted more than 40 deployments in the past two years, including the NATO conference, Dayton Air Show, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Labor Day celebrations, as well as responses to the eclipse, street racing, blocked parties, and protest activity.
• Lieutenant Bean highlighted the use of bicycles for crowd control and proactive engagement with groups prior to events, which improved cooperation.
• Commissioners commended the team’s professionalism and personal sacrifice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Wontenza (name as stated) addressed the commission, criticizing U.S. companies for past support of Nazi Germany and comparing Israel’s actions to genocide. He asked the commission to explain their support for Israel, referencing the killing of children and the ban on wounded Palestinian children entering the U.S. for medical care.
• Commissioner Joseph responded by noting the commission’s unanimous resolution calling for a ceasefire, its sister-city relationships with both Israeli and Palestinian cities, and a recent visit from a representative of the Palestinian sister city.

Discussion Items

• 34 North Main Emergency Roof and Stabilization (Item #2) – The city manager’s office recommended a $1.4 million contract modification with A.H. Sturgel Roofing to continue emergency stabilization, primarily roof replacement, at 34 North Main. The property is owned by the land bank; the city is providing oversight.
  • Commissioner Turner Slaus questioned why the scope appeared to overlap with a $1.5 million contract approved in June for stabilization and roof work, and asked about insurance claims and the status of the property’s eventual redevelopment.
  • City Manager Ms. Dixteen and Director of Planning & Community Development Steve Gonnell explained that the initial contract covered emergency stabilization after a parapet wall fell in March 2025, while the roof replacement was always planned as a separate, pre-budgeted expense (known to cost about $1.5 million since 2023). The HUD funds used for the roof triggered prevailing wage requirements for the whole project.
  • Commissioner Fairchild argued the June contract’s scope included roof replacement, making it difficult to see why an additional $1.4 million was needed. She requested a tabling for clarity, but the mayor called for a separate vote.
  • The item was pulled from the consent calendar and voted on separately. It passed with Commissioner Turner Slaus abstaining, citing insufficient information.
• Home Full Grant Agreement (Item #4) – Funding for outreach and supportive services for unhoused individuals in several neighborhoods (Highview Hills, Madden Hills, Highview Manor, Pineview, Bella Vista). Commissioner Turner Slaus asked for details; staff noted it funds caseworkers to connect people to services and prevent homelessness.
• Tree Removal Contracts (Items B6 and B7) – $96,400 from Dayton Recovery Plan for removal of 110 trees and 23 stumps in 11 parks, plus brush/vegetation removal on 92 properties in Five Oaks. Commissioner Joseph requested that any leftover funds be used to remove sucker trees in parks.
• Men’s Gateway Shelter Agreement (Item E8) – $500,000 to replenish the maintenance reserve fund for critical capital improvements (HVAC, fire panel, etc.). Commissioner Turner Slaus asked for a comprehensive list of completed and planned renovations.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from September 3, 2025 approved.
• Item #2 (34 North Main emergency roof contract) approved by voice vote with one abstention (Commissioner Turner Slaus).
• Remaining consent calendar items approved by voice vote.
• First readings of two ordinances (property appropriations for Finley Street Reconstruction and zoning code amendments) and a resolution for Salem Avenue Reconstruction were introduced.
• Commissioner Turner Slaus requested a follow-up memo on the 34 North Main insurance process and a renovation status report for the Men’s Gateway Shelter.

Closing Remarks

• Commissioners highlighted upcoming events: Health and Wellness Fair (Sept. 12), Levitt Pavilion’s final weekend, Montgomery County job fair (Sept. 25), Victory Project volunteer day (Sept. 13), Belmont neighborhood cleanup (Sept. 13), and the African American Wellness Walk at Island Park (Sept. 13 at 8 a.m.).
• Commissioner Joseph promoted donations to the Kaiser Elementary shoe and belt closet.
• The meeting adjourned without further business.