Dayton City Council Meeting Summary - December 4, 2025

The City of Dayton Commission convened on December 4, 2025, to address a comprehensive agenda focused on housing stabilization, neighborhood planning, public safety infrastructure, and special improvement district renewals. The meeting featured the approval of a significant forgivable loan program for homeowners earning above the traditional 80% AMI threshold, the formal adoption of the Madden Hills Neighborhood Plan, and the finalization of the Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District (SID) services plan. Public testimony highlighted both support for the new housing initiatives and urgent concerns regarding drug-related crime and specific street safety issues.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the November 26th meeting unanimously.
• No communications, petitions, calendar deletions, or additions were received.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adam Blake (County Corp): Appeared to validate County Corp's experience and capacity in managing forgivable loan programs; did not express a personal stake in approval.
• Caitlin Jacobs (Citywide Development): Expressed strong support for the Issue Six home repair funding, emphasizing the need to assist seniors and homeowners earning over 80% AMI who lack private loan equity.
• Eileen Hull (Dayton Energy Collaborative/Chair of DERN): Expressed full support for the program, noting it fills a critical gap for households earning between 80% and 120% AMI and supports the network's backlog of 970 households.
• Paul Manning: Expressed intense opposition to the city's current approach to drug-related crime, characterizing the investigation of a specific disappearance as weak and demanding that drug dealers, specifically cartels, be targeted more severely.
• Paul Carrick: Expressed support for the city's safety improvements but raised concerns about public awareness of the new home repair program (stating he was unaware until the meeting) and reported observed speed enforcement on Pershing Boulevard.

Discussion Items

• Development Agreement with County Corp (Issue Six Levy Home Repair):

  • Project Description: A five-year revolving, forgivable loan program allocated $2.6 million (2025–2028) to target homeowners earning 80%–120% of Area Median Income (AMI). In the first two years, the program targets specific "Welcome Home" neighborhoods (Madden Hills, Fairview, Dayton View Triangle, Wolf Creek) for owner-occupied single-family homes. Starting in 2027, it will expand to include 2-4 unit buildings for renters if a pilot program for landlords is successfully formed. Loans are forgivable after five years, with 20% recaptured annually if the property is sold before then.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Commissioner Jones-Thomas: Expressed excitement and full support, crediting the voters (76% approval) and praising the collaborative effort of staff and partners.
    • Commissioner Shaw: Expressed strong support, calling it a "game changer" for desperate neighborhoods; requested clarification on the 2027 renter eligibility and landlord pilot program.
    • Commissioner Fairchild: Expressed appreciation for the long-term effort and collaboration, noting the work emerged from the aftermath of a past tornado disaster.
    • Commissioner Joseph: Expressed support, acknowledging the 5-6 year timeline to develop the plan and the immediate community need.
    • Commissioner Slaus: Expressed support while contextualizing the housing gap, noting housing costs rose 700% over 50 years while wage growth was only 14%.
    • City Manager Dixteen: Disclosed that the program addresses households excluded from previous CDBG funding and outlined the $781 million in prior housing investments.
    • Emily Crow (Deputy Director): Explained that the program fills the service gap for those earning over 80% AMI and will be administered by County Corp with DURN partnerships for underwriting and contractor management.

• Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District (SID) Renewal:

  • Project Description: Approval of the 2026–2030 SID services plan, requiring legislative consent after property owner signatures were collected. The district expires at the end of the current year.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Katie Meyer (DDP CEO): Expressed gratitude for the Commission's support and noted that the process is driven by private property owners before City Council enters.
    • Commissioner Joseph: Recorded an abstention due to her employer's connection to the item under a service agreement context.
    • General Commission: Expressed support for the renewal as the final step in a state-regulated process.

• Madden Hills Neighborhood Plan Adoption:

  • Project Description: A residency-driven plan focusing on new infill housing placement, blight removal, neighborhood identity, and health and wellness initiatives (including park improvements and tree canopy). The plan coordinates with 20 new homes currently in progress via the "Welcome Home" program.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Caitlin Jacobs (Citywide): Described the plan as a "labor of love" driven by residents over seven years of engagement.
    • Commissioner Slaus: Expressed full support, praising the neighborhood's foresight and the articulation of their vision.
    • Commissioner Shaw: Expressed strong support based on decades of observing the neighborhood's transformation and the strength of its association.
    • Commissioner Joseph: Expressed excitement while noting the tragedy of the lost Madden Golf Course.

• Cybersecurity Program Adoption:

  • Project Description: Resolution 6907-25 adopting a structured cybersecurity program to comply with Ohio House Bill 96.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • City Manager Dixteen: Expressed high regard for the IT department, specifically thanking John Reich, stating the work allows the city to "sleep a whole lot easier."
    • Commissioner Fairchild: Expressed gratitude to John Reich and his team for safeguarding public infrastructure.

• Bridge Repairs and Utilities:

  • Project Description: Agreements to perform concrete and structural repairs on the McCaw Avenue Bridge and U.S. Route 35 over Home Avenue; amendments to water codes to prevent pollutants.
  • Speaker Positions: No specific opposition recorded; items were treated as routine infrastructure maintenance.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Development Agreement with County Corp unanimously to launch the Issue Six forgivable loan program for the 80%–120% AMI demographic.
• Approved the 2026–2030 Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District renewal plans and resolutions, with Commissioner Joseph abstaining due to conflict of interest regarding a service agreement.
• Adopted Resolution 6908-25 concurring with the Madden Hills Neighborhood Plan.
• Passed Emergency Ordinances related to the SID (32169-25, 32170-25, 32171-25) and Water Code amendments (32167-25, 32168-25).
• Passed Resolutions to adopt the cybersecurity program (6907-25) and approve the Madden Hills plan (6908-25).
• Passed Ordinances consenting to bridge repairs on McCaw Avenue (32166-25) and Home Avenue (32167-25).
• Directed City Staff to provide the Dayton Energy Collaborative contact information (937-369-0654) to the public and to include the housing program on the city's public dashboard.
• Noted Discrepancy: Commissioner Joseph abstained from the vote on the service agreement item (Item 3) due to her employer, whereas the motion initially passed with a standard vote but was adjusted to separate the item for her abstention context.

Closing Remarks

• Commissioners expressed gratitude for the public works department's snow removal efforts and the success of the Downtown Grand Illumination event.
• Recognitions were given to the IT department for cybersecurity, the Downtown Dayton Partnership for holiday events, and the reopening of local businesses (Good Hands Bread Company, Five Star Salon Academy).
• The meeting was adjourned with no further business.