Dayton City Commission Meeting – April 2, 2026: Recognition of Commissioner Joseph and Public Hearings on Zoning, Policing, and Legislation
Dayton City Commission Meeting – April 2, 2026
This meeting of the Dayton City Commission was held on April 2, 2026. It included the recognition of Commissioner Matt Joseph for becoming the longest-serving city commissioner in Dayton history (22 years), the approval of a $5.6 million residential asphalt resurfacing contract, acceptance of over $134,000 in donations and grants, a public hearing on a zoning map amendment, and public testimony on police accountability, state legislation, and community safety. The meeting lasted from approximately 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (inferred from transcript).
Recognition of Commissioner Matt Joseph
- Commissioner Joseph was honored for 22 years of service as the longest-serving commissioner in Dayton history. Speakers included Jennifer O'Donnell (SOPEC), who cited $11.3 million in savings from Dayton's electric aggregation program and leadership on the Gem City Solar Project; Alice Young (Dayton International Peace Museum) praising his community commitment; Tom Wallrab (Welcome Dayton) highlighting his role in adopting the Welcome Dayton Plan in 2011; Kevin Lighty (Dayton Sister City Committee) noting his global citizenship; his wife Irena Joseph, and former Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims Jr. All commissioners offered remarks celebrating his mentorship and work on project labor agreements, passenger rail, and sustainability.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the March 25, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
- City Manager’s Recommendations: Approved unanimously. Included $5.6 million for 2026 residential asphalt resurfacing, a high priority from the city survey.
- Legislation (First Reading):
- Resolution 6923-26 (accepted $70,000 cash donation from St. Ann’s Hill Historical Society Neighborhood Association).
- Resolution 6924-26 (accepted a $64,050 grant from the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board).
- Legislation (Second Reading): Ordinance 32180-26 (abolished the City of Dayton Board of Building Appeals, redirecting appeals to the State of Ohio) – passed unanimously.
Public Hearing on Zoning Map Amendment
- Presentation by Jeff Green (Planning, Neighborhoods & Development): Proposed rezoning approximately one acre at the west terminus of West Hillcrest Avenue from open space to SR2 (suburban single-family residential) to allow development of single-family homes. The land is privately owned, not city parkland. The North Central Priority Land Use Board voted to recommend denial (due to proximity to Wolf Creek and desire to keep open space), but the Plan Board recommended approval. Staff recommended approval, noting the property is not publicly owned and that an easement will ensure continued public access to adjacent Hickory Dale Park. No citizens registered to speak on the public hearing.
- Outcome: The public hearing was closed. Commission then gave first reading to Ordinance 32181-26 implementing the zoning change. No vote was taken on the ordinance at this meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
Ten citizens registered to speak. Their positions and key points:
- Mr. Alzane (Dayton Peace Coalition) – Called for a city-supported Dayton Peace Summit, linking police violence abroad and at home. Asked if Dayton will “respond to tragedy or work to prevent it.”
- Tanya Body – Described confusion and frustration with a photo enforcement ticket process, alleging lack of access to footage and a reprimand in court. Requested fairer procedures.
- Mary Sue Gaminer – Criticized the investigation into the killing of Reginald Thomas (March 24, 2026 police shooting). Argued the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office lacks credibility, the Police Professional Standards Bureau cannot investigate itself, and the independent accountability auditor is not truly independent. Called for a fully independent third-party investigation.
- Ben Williams – Opposed Ohio House Bill 249, which would broaden the definition of adult cabaret to include performers exhibiting a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. Argued the vague wording could be used to target transgender and queer Ohioans, restrict drag performances, and allow profiling. Urged the city to adopt preemptive protective policy.
- Talise Natural Gage – Expressed anger and grief over the killing of Reginald Thomas, demanding action from commissioners. Stated, “At any point in time, that could be me.”
- Jay Averett – Opposed HB 249, describing how it could criminalize his daily existence as a transgender person. Pointed out the impossibility of enforcement without invasive checks, and noted the bill could affect cisgender women with PCOS who have facial hair.
- Erica Fields – Spoke on autism acceptance month (April). Noted that 1 in 5 Dayton Public Schools students receive special education services. Urged the city to follow Kettering’s example by hiring an ADA inclusion compliance manager and conducting a comprehensive accessibility review for recreation programs.
- Ken Woods – Alleged discrimination by Commissioners Shaw and Joseph in 2015 when he was barred from asking a question at a Democratic Party event. Requested reinstatement, reimbursement, and an apology.
- Joseph Abrams – Criticized city spending on market-rate housing developments (e.g., Center City project, Arcade) while neglecting affordable housing and the proposed hospital. Argued that increased policing downtown (as advocated by the Downtown Dayton Partnership) led to the fatal police stop of Reginald Thomas. Called for replacing the city manager.
- Judith Hempfling (Greater Dayton Peace Coalition) – Supported the city joining a Greater Dayton Peace Summit to address local, regional, national, and international peace.
Discussion Items
- Asphalt Resurfacing: Deputy City Manager Parlett highlighted the $5.6 million contract for residential streets, noting it addresses a top resident priority.
- Bomberger Park Playground: Mike Squire recognized Justine Kelly for raising over $100,000 (including $70,000 after an arson in March 2026 destroyed the recently installed playground) to replace equipment. Kelly described community fundraising and grants from McPhersontown, Ruby Girls, Dayton Rotary Club, and 100+ Women Who Care. Commissioners commended her leadership and the resilience of the neighborhood.
- Commissioner Comments: Several commissioners reflected on the killing of Reginald Thomas and the need for dialogue. Commissioner Fairchild urged compassion for all, including victims and law enforcement. Mayor Turner Sloss acknowledged calls for a peace summit and pledged the commission’s commitment to “respected community policing based on justice, fairness, communication, and transparency.”
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (March 25, 2026) – unanimous.
- City manager’s recommendations approved – unanimous, including the $5.6 million asphalt contract.
- Resolutions 6923-26 and 6924-26 – first reading, accepted donations and grants.
- Ordinance 32180-26 – second reading, passed unanimously (abolishing Board of Building Appeals).
- Zoning Ordinance 32181-26 – first reading only; no final vote. The rezoning will return for a second reading at a future meeting.
- Public Hearing: Closed without a vote on the zoning change.
- Next Steps: Commissioners acknowledged public concerns about policing and HB 249. They committed to reviewing a proposal for a Dayton Peace Summit. The city manager was asked to follow up with Tanya Body on her photo enforcement complaint.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
The Dayton City Commission meeting will now come to order. Would you all please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance? This evening invocation will be given by Commissioner Joseph. Thank you, Mayor. Dear Lord, thank you for your many blessings. We ask that you continue to shine your grace on us and on this city, on all of our residents. Please use us as your tools with your divine guidance to do the right thing. Amen. Amen. I applaud allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the Ms. McClendon, may we please have a roll call this evening? Mayor Turner Sloss. Commissioners Joseph. Aye. Shaw. Aye. Fairchild. Aye. Beckham. Aye. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the 20 March 25th, 2026 meeting, please? So moved, Your Honor. Second the motion, Your Honor. As been properly moved and seconded on for the approval of the minutes of March 25th, 2026 meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Ms. McClendon, are there any communications or petitions this evening? There are none, Your Honor. Thank you. This evening we would like to acknowledge Commissioner Joseph for being the longest serving commissioner in the city of Dayton. Would you please invite the speakers to the podium this evening? Yes, ma'am. I would like to call to the podium Jennifer O'Donnell. Oh goodness. Today, SOPEC Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council is honored to recognize Commissioner Joseph for his commitment to the city of Dayton and his environmental stewardship. Matt, you're at the forefront of Dayton's sustainability efforts, and that began with the City Sustainability Plan, which laid the foundation for the amazing progress that we're witnessing today. The plan identified initiatives, including clean energy programs, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, community-wide energy transition efforts, all to position the city as a regional leader in municipal climate action. Matt championed the reactivation of Dayton's electric aggregation program in 2021 when Dayton partnered with SOPEC to provide renewable electric to supply to residents and small businesses at competitive rates. This has resulted in more than 11.3 million dollars in savings for Dayton residents and small businesses. Not only did Matt support this effort, but he also became SOPEC's official representative for the city and later vice chair of our board of uh trustees, lending his expertise and leadership to other communities throughout the state. Today, Dayton is more than just a regional leader in sustainability. Dayton is leading the way in Ohio with its groundbreaking renewable energy products like the recently approved Gem City Solar Project here and other sustainability initiatives. And it was Matt Joseph's leadership that put Dayton on this path, and SOPEC is a really proud partner in your success in these successes. We're privileged to work with you and we're thankful for your continued leadership and support. And I just wanted to say Phil Leplow would be here, but he's traveling. And we did uh bring our own little rooting section, which includes Melissa Dalton, our director of administration, Matthew Clark in charge of our EV programs, and Philip Hewitt, who's a grant specialist. So thank you, Chair.
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