Dayton City Commission Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Dayton City Commission convened on June 4, 2026, to address gun violence prevention, property development, and community concerns. The meeting featured a presentation from the Felons with the Future violence interrupter program, a public hearing on a rezoning proposal for 73 single-family homes, and ten public comments focusing on safety, accountability, and youth programming.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 27, 2026 meeting.
• Approved the city manager's recommendations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hillary Horman (249 Wyoming St): Called for a united front against fascism, criticizing U.S. and Israeli actions abroad.
• Barbara Bauer (400 Gene Ave): Requested city assistance with a neighbor's property neglect and raccoon infestation; reported city inspector unresponsive.
• Sharon Screech (515 W Grand Ave): Criticized Dayton's ranking as 5th on the "murder capital list," urged action on gun violence, questioned commission unity, and called for firing the city manager.
• Lynn Lamance (Fairview neighborhood): Raised concerns about lack of Phoenix police community policing, absence of police chief at meeting, ineffectiveness of Flock cameras, and unaddressed building safety issues.
• Talas Gage: Advocated for reopening recreation centers, criticized the city manager, and apologized for a previous misstatement about Marlon Shackleford's group.
• Amaya Mickler (Edison St, Decca Middle School student): Called for better plans to address gun violence and poverty, cited that "almost 20% of youth reside within 600 miles of a gun homicide in the past year," and urged equitable funding for West Dayton.
• Noah McAllister (Ellesmere): Discussed gun violence and policing disparities, argued that funds for two new police stations should instead go to reopen pools and host block meetings for Black youth.
• Yusuf Elzane (4906 Amberwood Dr): Stated that Flock cameras do not prevent violence, linked local violence to U.S. weapons exports and global impunity, and called for Dayton to refuse complicity.
• Zakia Jabbar (2426): Criticized the absence of police chief and commission leadership after recent shootings, demanded facts not assumptions, threatened a lawsuit if the city manager is not fired, and called gun violence a public health issue.
• Kenya Akbar (147 E Hill Crest Dr): Emphasized the need for a moral compass regarding redlining and disinvestment in West Dayton, declared a "black code" of community principles, and called for collective accountability.

Discussion Items

• Presentation – Felons with the Future CVG Program: Greg West and his team reported 82 consecutive days without gun violence in the North Riverdale area, attributed to violence interrupters. They requested citywide expansion and distributed orange ribbons for Gun Violence Awareness Month. Commissioners expressed strong support; Mayor Turner Sloss committed to making the program a permanent budgeted line item.
• Legislation Highlights (City Manager Lofton):
  • Emergency ordinance authorizing the sale of 40 South Edwin C. Moses Blvd (Zion Baptist Church) to Magnus Capital Partners for $250,000, selected via RFP, proposing a mixed-use development with up to 120 housing units. Deadline June 8.
  • First reading of ordinance consenting to ODOT resurfacing of State Route 444 ($5.27 million, fully state-funded).
  • First reading of resolution authorizing application for a $6 million federal grant (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) for safer streets in Northwest Dayton, requiring 20% city match ($1.2 million).
• Public Hearing – Brant Farms Plan Development: Staff presented a rezoning of 28.77 acres from I-1 (Light Industrial) and SGC (Suburban General Commercial) to SR2 (Suburban Residential) for 73 single-family homes (lifestyle/empty-nester and traditional two-story). Key features: 52% open space (double code requirement), preservation of wetlands and stream, removal of two billboards. Applicant D.R. Horton noted price points from mid-$200s to mid-$300s. Commissioners questioned wetland impact (up to half an acre disturbance, mitigated with OEPA approval), buffer measures, and outreach to City of Riverside. No public opposition recorded. Motion to move forward approved.

Key Outcomes

• Passed emergency ordinance 32191-26 authorizing sale of 40 South Edwin C. Moses Blvd to Magnus Capital Partners (4-0 vote).
• Adopted emergency resolution 6936-26 adopting the Student Vision Master Plan and establishing the Mayor's Children's Cabinet (4-0 vote).
• Introduced first reading of ordinance 32192-26 consenting to ODOT resurfacing of State Route 444.
• Introduced first reading of resolution 6934-26 authorizing grant application for safer streets in Northwest Dayton.
• Introduced first reading of ordinance 32193-26 to rezone 28.77 acres at Brant Pike and Schwin Drive from I-1/SGC to SR2 and establish Plan Development 196 for 73 homes.

Other Announcements

• Mayor Turner Sloss announced a planned commission retreat focused on gun violence as a public health crisis, and a work session with police on June 10, 2026, to address community concerns.
• Commissioners thanked young speakers and encouraged participation in youth programs, including the newly established Children's Cabinet.