Dayton City Commission Meeting - July 2, 2026

The Dayton City Commission met on July 2, 2026, to discuss and vote on several items including the establishment of a citywide New Community Authority (NCA), a monthly demolition update, and the upcoming Lights in Flights celebration. The meeting also included recognition of Commissioner Shaw's 10 years of service, a public hearing on zoning text amendments for group homes, and citizen comments.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The commission approved the minutes from the June 24, 2026 meeting.
• Service Agreements: Approved a service agreement for playground equipment upgrades in Bomberger and Berkham Parks (item 2), a continued partnership with NPOR for IT training and job placement (item 3), and a contract modification with Oregon Landing Zone LLC for shared public space at the flight line (item 4, voted separately).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ebony Hastings opposed the NCA, calling it an emergency without proper vetting, and criticized the city manager's priorities. She requested a forensic audit and community benefit agreements.
• David Kittredge supported the NCA but stressed the need for collaboration with all stakeholders, including business owners, not just developers.
• Timothy Forbus advocated for temporary supportive housing for domestic violence victims, noting that neither Dayton nor Montgomery County have such facilities.
• Alec Johnson spoke about austerity and invited the commission to a dialogue on the topic.
• Christopher Lockett encouraged community engagement and celebrated a 100-day period without gun violence in North Riverdale.
• Ebony Hastings (second speaking) highlighted the correlation between disinvestment and violence, calling for scaled-up Cure Violence programs, re-establishment of priority boards, and housing policies that benefit residents.
• Sully Wilson Jr. advocated for disability support and addressed barriers for individuals with felonies, including access to guide dogs.
• Stephanie Lucky supported the renewed Miami Chapel Plan and called for investment in grassroots organizations.
• Mary Sue Gaminer raised concerns about the security of automated license plate readers (flock cameras) and questioned the accuracy of internal audits.
• Talus Gage called for more recreation centers and youth programs.
• Sharon Screech criticized the mayor's flight plan application for requiring a resume, and opposed the NCA as an emergency, feeling the commission ignores disenfranchised communities.
• Carmela Ickpot delivered a message on reconciliation and love.
• Zakia Sankara Jabbar criticized the city manager's policies, alleging they contribute to violence and disinvestment in black communities, and questioned the city's accountability.

Discussion Items

• Lights in Flights Event: Stefan Marcellus, Director of Recreation, presented plans for the July 3rd celebration, including a noon parade (over 30 groups) and a 10 p.m. fireworks show (22 minutes) from Kettering Field. The event also includes a kids' zone, food trucks, and entertainment. The mayor reminded attendees that curfew (11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for under 18) will be enforced.
• Monthly Demolition Update: Steve Gondol reported that 28 structures were demolished in May 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 97 (29% of the 334 planned). Six demolitions used ARPA funds, 20 used ODOD funds, and two used CDBG funds. Notably, emergency demolition at the former Tasty Bird site (900 West Third) began cleanup through owner's insurance, not city funds. The city now has 21 unique neighborhoods with demolitions in 2026, led by Southern Dayton View (31) and Santa Clara (14).
• New Community Authority (NCA): Joe Tuss and Cole Headman presented the citywide NCA, a tool to generate revenue from voluntary community development charges on property owners. The NCA would be used to fund downtown improvements, and the first participant is the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority (for a hotel project). The NCA board would have seven members (three appointed by city manager, four by commission). The commission discussed the need for equitable development, corridors (East Third to Kiwi and West Third), and freeing up general fund dollars for neighborhoods. A petition was submitted, and the commission set a public hearing for July 29, 2026.
• Group Home Zoning Text Amendments: Tony Kroger presented a public hearing on amendments to limit foster care facilities to a citywide cap of 48 (based on proportional share of Montgomery County's 600 foster children). The amendments also include a 1,000-foot separation between group homes and other maintenance changes. The commission heard no public testimony and moved to adopt.

Key Outcomes

• NCA Resolutions: Emergency Resolution 6942-26 (determining petition sufficiency and setting public hearing) and Emergency Resolution 6943-26 (determining consent sufficiency) were both adopted with 5-0 votes.
• Ordinance for Group Home Text Amendments: Ordinance 32197-26 passed first reading (5-0) and will require a second reading.
• Property Sales: Ordinance 32195-26 (sale of 25 Indianola Avenue) and Ordinance 32196-26 (sale of corner of Main and Helena) were both adopted with 5-0 votes.
• City Manager's Recommendations: Approved with the exception of item 4 (Oregon Landing Zone), which passed 4-1 (Commissioner Fairchild voting no).
• Policy Direction: The commission agreed to explore a corridor pilot for the NCA focusing on East Third Street to Kiwi and West Third Street, and to consider dedicating remote TIFF revenue for downtown development to free up general fund for neighborhoods.
• Next Steps: The city will hold a public hearing on the NCA on July 29, 2026. The group home text amendment will return for a second reading.