Dayton City Commission Meeting Summary: June 24, 2026

The Dayton City Commission held its regular meeting on June 24, 2026, chaired by the Vice Mayor in the absence of Mayor Turner Sloss. The session included the adoption of the consent calendar, the introduction and passage of several pieces of legislation, and extensive public commentary on housing, public safety, city administration, and neighborhood investment.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes & Attendance: The Commission unanimously approved the June 17, 2026, meeting minutes and excused the absence of Mayor Turner Sloss.
• New Agenda Item: City Manager Parlett added a contribution of up to $150,000 from the Montgomery County Office of Strategic Initiatives to support personnel costs for the street outreach program, building on a previously approved contract with Miami Valley Housing Opportunities.
• Staff Reports: Parlett provided context on the Gateway Men's Shelter renovation design contract (Item #3) and a $250,000 development agreement with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dayton, which leverages a $25 million total project (Item #6).
• Property Sale Discussion: Commissioner Beckham expressed concern over the sale of 25 Indianola Avenue for $1,000, asking about timelines and reversionary language. Economic Development staff confirmed a required business plan and development agreement with reversionary clauses, allowing the item to proceed.
• Appointments: The Commission reappointed Cheryl Garrett, Katie Joseph, and Kenya Meyer to the Board of Tax Review. Commissioner Shaw abstained.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Calendar Items (4 citizens announced, 5 speakers):

• Taleb Petaway criticized the city's demolition notification practices, arguing they endanger unsheltered individuals and lack consistent standards.
• Ebony Hastings called for independent public reviews of city manager actions and greater transparency, stating that accountability must not retire with any official.
• Rodney Stark disputed the city manager's narrative on blight, questioning the $5 million approved for 34 North Main Street while his neighborhood faces disinvestment.
• Paul Kerrigan sought clarification on the $18 million Fifth Third Bank P-card contract.
• Kenya Akbar advocated for community benefit agreements to counteract the effects of redlining in West Dayton.

General Public Comments (9 citizens announced, 8 speakers):

• Ebony Hastings urged a $10 million annual budget shift towards prevention in historically redlined West and Northwest Dayton. She cited data showing 4 out of 5 shooting injuries occur in these areas and called for scaling Cure Violence, expanding youth jobs, reforming demolition policies, and requiring binding community benefit agreements for developers.
• Taleb Petaway called for zoning reforms to allow co-ops and condominiums, creating income-integrated neighborhoods.
• Cody Rowden (Dayton Black Rodeo) thanked the Commission, reporting 4,000+ attendees, 60 vendors, and zero safety incidents at the inaugural event.
• Rodney Stark linked disinvestment to violence, sharing the story of a veteran he mentored who was killed in substandard housing.
• Kimaru Watenza called for divestment from Israel and asked the police department to detail its plan to protect residents from federal enforcement actions.
• David Osradi (called as Kenya Akbar) criticized the closed GDRC water park and the city's lifeguard staffing practices, alleging wasteful spending on a temporary staffing firm.
• Paul Kerrigan complained about speeders on Pershing Boulevard and maintenance failures by rental property owners.
• (One speaker provided a religious testimony from a Nigerian faith perspective without addressing a specific city agenda item.)

Discussion Items

• P-Card Contract: City staff clarified that the $18 million agreement with Fifth Third Bank is a routine, budgeted, and heavily audited mechanism for paying P-card expenses.
• Street Outreach & Public Safety Reimagining: The Commission praised the new street outreach funding as an upstream approach to public safety.
• Property Disposition: The Commission confirmed property sales include business plan requirements and reversionary language in development agreements.
• Upcoming Reports: Commissioner Joseph noted the monthly demolition report and a forthcoming housing condition report are expected to guide future neighborhood investment priorities.

Key Outcomes

• Legislation Passed (All 4-0):
  • Amended Zoning Code (Ordinance 32194-26).
  • Authorized $1M Federal Air Service Grant Application (Resolution 6939-26).
  • Declared intent to appropriate property for Smithville Road Reconstruction (Resolution 6940-26).
  • Declared intent to appropriate property for Salem Avenue Phase 5 Reconstruction (Resolution 6941-26).
• Legislation Introduced (First Reading):
  • Sale of 25 Indianola Avenue (Ordinance 32195-26).
  • Sale of property at North Main/Helena Street (Ordinance 32196-26).
• Community Commitments:
  • Commission pledged to monitor the reopening of the GDRC pool.
  • Staff addressed the rental property maintenance complaint in Belmont.
  • Residents were encouraged to participate in upcoming budget hearings.