Dayton City Commission Meeting Summary - September 24, 2025
Dayton City Commission Meeting - September 24, 2025
The Dayton City Commission convened on September 24, 2025, at approximately 4:38 PM (though the meeting began with invocation and pledge at the start of the transcript). The meeting featured two major presentations: a request for endorsement of the Montgomery County Human Services Levy (Issue 1) and a comprehensive update on the Peace Campaign / Cure Violence Global (CVG) violence reduction initiative. Commissioners also approved consent calendar items, heard public comments, voted on multiple pieces of legislation, and made several appointments.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the September 17, 2025 meeting were approved by voice vote (all ayes).
- City Manager's Recommendations: Approved as a block, including:
- Two contracts totaling $200,000 for tree planting in public rights-of-way (funded by Dayton Recovery Plan and an urban community forestry grant). Residents can request trees at Daytonohio.gov.
- An addition to the calendar: Emergency Resolution 6889-25, appointing an Assessment Equalization Board for the Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District (SID) renewal. This board will hear property owner appeals on front footage assessments. The appointment was added on short notice due to tight deadlines for the SID renewal process (every five years, with notice requirements under Ohio Revised Code).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Reynard Spain (address: 152 McClure Street) spoke in support of a Safe Haven resolution for the transgender community, opposing recent legislation and rhetoric targeting transgender individuals. He referenced drafting a similar resolution for Athens, Ohio, and urged Dayton to protect transgender residents.
- Maddie H. (Dayton resident) condemned the use of city funds and resources for what they described as complicity in the Gaza conflict. They criticized the Dayton Region Israeli Trade Alliance and called for cutting ties with Drehta (an apparent misspelling of Drita? The speaker said "dump Drita and divest"). The speaker urged the commission to take a stand against genocide.
Discussion Items
- Human Services Levy Presentation (Issue 1): Ms. Sandy Goodoff requested the commission's endorsement for the renewal levy on the November 4, 2025 ballot. The levy generates $58 million with no tax increase and supports elder services, children's services, mental health, public health, and more. All commissioners expressed strong support, noting its importance for the city's most vulnerable residents and the leverage of state/federal funds. The commission later passed an informal resolution endorsing Issue 1.
- Peace Campaign / Cure Violence Global (CVG) Initiative: A detailed presentation was given by Ms. Jackson (Chief of Staff), Sarah Hackenbrock (Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association), and Keonnis "Q" Cornell (CVG Strategic Partnerships Director). Key points:
- The campaign has engaged over 80 stakeholders, youth through Dayton Public Schools, and developed three pillars: violence interruption, youth development, and community engagement.
- A pilot program in Westwood trained 20 youth (ages 14-16) in conflict resolution.
- Gadaha will serve as fiscal agent, releasing an application for a community-based organization (CBO) to be trained in the CVG model. The application opens September 29, with a virtual Q&A on October 2, closing October 30. The CBO is expected to be selected by December 1, 2025.
- CVG will provide technical assistance and training (violence interruption, case management, database), with a recommended 18–24 months before evaluating impact.
- Commissioners discussed training scope, funding sustainability (philanthropic fundraising), target area (Main Street corridor), and the importance of long-term commitment. Commissioner Fairchild and others raised questions about performance metrics (shootings, homicides), cost ($500K/year), and the need to include broader community partners in training.
- Mayor Mims noted anonymous donors have already committed $25,000/year for five years to the Dayton Foundation for this initiative.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution Endorsing Issue 1 (Human Services Levy): Passed unanimously (voice vote).
- SID Assessment Equalization Board Appointments (Resolution 6889-25): Passed with Commissioner Joseph abstaining; others voted aye.
- Other Legislation Passed Unanimously (all ayes):
- Emergency Resolution 6888-25 (declaring necessity for SID plan for services).
- Ordinance 32159-25 (amending 2025 appropriations).
- Ordinance 32160-25 (zoning change at 20 South Wright Avenue).
- Resolution 6887-25 (authorizing tax levies and advance payment).
- Informal Resolution 1015-25 (endorsing Issue 1).
- Appointments:
- Uriah Langmire to Sister Cities Committee (term ending 2028).
- Teresa Troyer and Sunia Marinova to Welcome Dayton Committee (term ending 2028).
- Monica Jones to Preschool Promise Board (term ending 2027).
- Concurrence with acceptance of Max McConnell to Miami Township–Dayton Joint Economic Development District Board (term ending September 8, 2029).
The meeting adjourned with commissioners highlighting upcoming community events (Belmont Day, food distribution, peace parades, job fairs, and the groundbreaking for On Main development, expected to bring $80 million investment and 2,000 jobs).
Meeting Transcript
The Dane City Commission meeting will now come to order. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the place of allegiance this morning. Invocation will be given by Commissioner Turner Sloss. Thank you, Your Honor. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you about his and humble hearts. We thank you for this day. We ask that you continue to be with us, guide us, bless us with wisdom, discernment, understanding, and civility. Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republicans under indivisible. Okay, Mayor Royal Call, please, Ms. Blessed Chair. Mayor Mims. Aye. Commissioner Joseph. I'm Turner Slaw. Aye. So move, John. Second the motion, Your Honor. We probably move and second to approve the minutes from the September 17th meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Okay. So this morning, I'd like to have first of all a presentation from Ms. Sandy Goodoff. Give us an update on the human services levy. And while you're coming there, good morning. Good morning, Mayor. Commissioners, it's my pleasure to be here today. It's been a while since I've been here, but this morning I'm here representing the Montgomery County Human Services Levy. Yes, sir. Issue one is on the ballot this November. I don't think I need to tell all of you how important this levy is to our community. Issue one will generate $58 million. It is a renewal with no increase in taxes. This levy helps to support so many critical services that are just so valuable for some of our most vulnerable citizens. But just to highlight a few of those services, elder services, working with area aging and other agencies to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible. Working with individuals, children with disabilities, protecting our children our children through children's services, mental health services, public health. I can go on and on. So I'm here this morning to ask for your endorsement of the levy. As I said, it generates $58 million, but also, as you know, and many things you do, it leverages hundreds of thousands of state and federal dollars. And with so many, you know, federal programs and such being cut, these funds are even more critical to the citizens of our community. So that's just a brief summary of the levy. And again, I'm here to ask for your endorsement of the levy. Again, no new taxes. It's a renewal. $58 million, and over a hundred thousand people are served through these funds. So if anybody has any questions of me, I'd be glad to address them. Yes, ma'am. First of all, just uh I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your 30 years of service.
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