Dayton City Commission Meeting Summary – July 8, 2026

The Dayton City Commission convened on July 8, 2026, at 4:18 PM (ET). The meeting opened with an invocation by Commissioner Beckham, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Present were Mayor Turner Sloss, Commissioner Joseph, and Commissioner Beckham. Commissioners Shaw and Fairchild were excused by motion. The minutes of the July 1, 2026 meeting were approved. The meeting featured a presentation on a new high school co-op program, public comments on several agenda items, discussion of the proposed New Community Authority (NCA), and a series of public testimonies on neighborhood issues.

Presentation: High School Co-op Program

• Keisha Kinney introduced 20 high school students from Dayton Public Schools and Mad River Local Schools participating in the city's first co-op program, working in water, public works, and fire departments. The program is operated in partnership with SOSHI to offset wages. City staff leaders Megan O'Leary, Karen Thomas, and Dianetta Griffith organized the initiative. Commissioners and the Mayor expressed strong support, highlighting the program as a pipeline for future city employees.

Consent Calendar

• The city manager's recommendations were approved by a unanimous voice vote (three ayes). Items included:
  • A service agreement with Montgomery County Land Reutilization Corporation for an additional $750,000 for the center city project downtown. This fills a gap created after Montgomery County reduced its commitment from $1 million to $250,000. The project leverages a $123 million investment, creating 121 housing units, refurbishing a nearly 400-space parking garage, and developing 9,000 square feet of commercial space. At least 51% of new jobs in the commercial space must go to low- to moderate-income individuals (≤80% AMI) for a five-year term.
  • A development agreement with Thrive Realty and Development Group LLC for a $1.6 million botanical-themed event and cultural space called "Everything Green" at 3827 West Third Street in Westwood. A $100,000 grant will support interior/exterior improvements to create a community-oriented space for retail, vendor partnerships, and collaborations with artists and wellness practitioners.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Calendar Items:

• Alec Johnson (Linden Avenue) presented the "Mattai Austerity Scoring Index" (MASI) and gave a preliminary score of 6.6/10 to the proposed NCA, calling it moderately austere. He argued the score could improve with strict public ownership, labor standards, and transparent governance. He invited commissioners to a scheduled presentation on Saturday, July 11 at the Dayton Metro Library.
• Dory Trammel (P.O. Box 6015) questioned the $137,000 purchase order for Crown Personnel Services for temporary staffing, arguing the city should prioritize direct hires. The City Manager explained the contract is for seasonal waste collection and that temporary workers are later hired full-time after an evaluation period.
• Rodney Stark (Alfred Drive) opposed the NCA, arguing it would section off downtown and fail due to economic climate. He cited a prior NCA failure in Dayton in the 1970s and questioned the return on investment from downtown subsidies.
• Ebony Hastings (Wabash Avenue) raised three questions about the Crown Personnel contract: specific job titles, cumulative city spending with Crown over three years, and whether an in-sourcing analysis had been conducted. She requested a vote against the contract and called for future disclosure requirements. The City Manager reiterated the contract's purpose for entry-level positions with high turnover.

On other matters (non-calendar):

• Evan Les Martin (Pastor, Greater Allen Church, 1620 W. Fifth Street) requested expedited demolition of a blighted property at 1700 W. Fifth Street that is scheduled for demolition but still standing. The church plans to host over 1,000 people in September and wants to dedicate the land. The Mayor and City Manager noted the property is on the nuisance list but that due process must be followed; staff will check if it is under a demolition contract and will explore screening or cleanup.
• Carmela Ekpot (Northwood Avenue) offered a positive message of hope and prayed for forgiveness for those who verbally abused commissioners at a previous meeting.
• Dory Trammel (second appearance) raised concerns about a circulating video of parking enforcement and police interaction with a citizen, urging investigation. The Mayor confirmed the video is being reviewed and that parking enforcement applies citywide.
• Jacob Hewitt (East Third Street) questioned a city video on street outreach that announced cameras around City Hall and jail funding for behavioral health, but did not provide clear information on how homeless individuals can access help. The Mayor provided the MVHO phone number (937-263-4449) and website (MVHO.org) for assistance.
• Rodney Stark (second appearance) reiterated opposition to the NCA, calling it a repackaged failure, and raised concerns about asbestos, lead contamination from demolition sites, and lack of return on investment (citing the 34 Main Street property). He demanded the city show its work.
• Carlos Buford (Black Lives Matter Dayton) discussed police accountability, requesting a copy of the FOP collective bargaining agreement, a review of transparency provisions, and clearer misconduct investigation sharing. The Mayor noted labor contracts are on the city website.
• Ebony Hastings (second appearance) compared Dayton’s lack of neighborhood engagement to Akron and Rochester models, arguing that a $200,000–500,000 annual investment (less than 0.25% of the general fund) could rebuild formal resident-led structures. She linked neighborhood voice to violence prevention.
• C. Ralph Wilcoxon and Sylvester Gould (developer for Greater Allen) supported Pastor Martin’s request to expedite demolition of the adjacent property for a planned 75-unit senior housing development. Gould noted environmental testing already underway through Ohio EPA.

Discussion Items

• New Community Authority (NCA): Several commissioners and the City Manager explained the NCA as a new state tool (enacted ~2016–2017) used by over 55 Ohio municipalities. The initial petition applies to downtown, but the NCA can be expanded to other corridors (e.g., West Third Street) if property owners voluntarily consent. The service fee is approximately: 5% for lodging, 3% for food, 1% for beverages. Funds would be spent only within each designated NCA district. A public hearing is set for July 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Commissioners emphasized the NCA is not forced and aims to support hotel development for convention tourism.
• Street Outreach Program: The Mayor highlighted a new partnership with Miami Valley Housing Opportunities (MVHO) and Montgomery County to provide on-the-ground resource ambassadors for homeless and mental health crises. The program is part of reimagined public safety and received national attention.
• Neighborhood Engagement: The Mayor acknowledged the dissolution of Priority Boards in 2014 due to lost federal funding and committed to reviewing models from other cities for resident-led engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: City manager’s recommendations (consent calendar) by voice vote (3-0).
• Approved (second reading): Ordinance 32197-26 amending zoning code. Vote: 3-0 (Mayor Turner Sloss, Commissioners Joseph and Beckham in favor).
• First readings (no vote): Ordinance 32198-26 (airport property conveyance), Resolution 6944-26 (NCA petition sufficiency and public hearing date), Resolution 6945-26 (NCA parcel consent). Public hearing on NCA set for July 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Notice will be published in the Dayton Daily News three times.
• Upcoming meetings: Work session on property conditions survey immediately following. The July 15, 2026 commission meeting is canceled due to lack of quorum.
• Community events announced: Dayton World Soccer Games (September 12, register at City Hall or online); Healing Black Park Block Party and Resource Fair (July 11, 1-4 PM at Restoration Church, 904 Vernon Drive); Dayton Unite for Human Rights Day of Hope (July 11, noon at Main Library). Mayor’s walk season concludes July 23 at Liberation Park, 6 PM.