OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Dayton City Commission Meeting Summary – July 8, 2026

City CommissionWednesday, July 8, 2026
BodyDayton, Ohio
SessionCity Commission
DateWednesday, July 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

The Dayton City Commission meeting would now come to order.

0:08

Would you all please rise for the invitation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:13

This morning, the invitation will be given by Commissioner Beckham.

0:17

Dear Lord, thank you for this day and our community.

0:20

We ask for wisdom and clarity as we do the work of leading this city.

0:24

In your name we pray, I'm in.

0:25

Amen.

0:27

I pledge religious allegiance to the United States in America.

0:32

And to the Republicans undergoing individual with liberty and justice for all.

0:44

All right, good morning, Miss McClendon.

0:47

May we please have a roll call?

0:49

Mayor Turner Sloss.

0:51

Aye.

0:51

Commissioners Joseph.

0:53

Aye.

0:53

Shaw.

0:54

Fairchild.

0:56

Beckham.

0:57

Aye.

0:58

May I please have a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioners Shaw and Fairchild.

1:03

So moved, Your Honor.

1:05

Second.

1:06

It has been properly moved and seconded to excuse the absence of Commissioners Shaw and Fairchild.

1:12

All in favor say aye.

1:13

Aye.

1:14

All opposed say no.

1:15

May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the July 1st, 2026 meeting.

1:19

So moved, Your Honor.

1:21

Second the motion.

1:22

It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the July 1st, 2026 meeting.

1:27

All in favor say aye.

1:28

Aye.

1:28

All opposed say no.

1:30

Any abstentions.

1:33

Are there any communications or petitions this morning?

1:35

There are none, Your Honor.

1:37

All right.

1:38

Miss McClendon, are there any additions, deletions, or comments to the calendar this morning?

1:43

There are none, Your Honor.

1:44

Thank you.

1:44

And Miss Dixteen, are there any additions, deletions or comments to the calendar this morning?

1:48

Um, Your Honor, before we um go into calendar, I'm sorry, we do have a uh presentation.

1:55

All right.

1:55

Um, and that is uh I'd like to call forward Keisha Kinney, who is here with our high school co-op uh students who uh are from Miami Valley CTC, Dayton Public Schools.

2:08

They have spent their time in water, public works, and fire.

2:12

So I'd like to have Keisha come forward, talk a little bit about that program, and uh have the students stand and be acknowledged.

2:20

Thank you.

2:20

Good morning, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager.

2:23

Thank you for having us here.

2:25

So this is our first year for our co-op program.

2:28

These are high school students, as Ms.

2:30

Deekstein said.

2:31

We have these students who are from DPS, and they're also from Mad River School, and they're all in a CTC program.

2:38

They're working through to get experience here in our technical fields, um, along with working with public works and fire.

2:45

So we're getting exposure.

2:47

We're hoping we're getting our next uh City of Dayton employees.

2:50

So they're all here, and from what we've heard, they've been doing a fantastic job.

2:54

They're also saying that they love their uh supervisors.

2:59

This is also a co-op that's working with SOSHI.

3:02

So this is also part of a reimbursement program.

3:05

So what happens is because we're giving them technical experience, this ends up offsetting their wages to allow us to have the 20 students that we have.

3:14

So if you would like to acknowledge our students, yes, we if you wouldn't mind.

3:19

I've pleased with you all join us at at the podium or join Ms.

3:23

Kinney, I should say at the podium to introduce yourself.

3:26

This is very exciting.

3:27

Thank you so much.

3:28

I know this is something that uh Commissioner uh Fairchild, Shaw, and myself, all of my colleagues have been pushing for quite some time to see the resurgence of this this model, this co-op.

3:41

Thank you very much.

3:42

Thank you to the leadership of the city manager's office.

3:46

This is very exciting.

3:47

Thank you so much.

3:48

And I also would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the um employees who are leading this.

3:54

They are the leaders of this program.

3:56

You have Megan O'Leary, Karen Thomas, and Dineta Griffin.

4:00

They have organized all of it.

4:02

They've worked with the students, the schools, to make sure this program has been successful this year.

4:07

This is phenomenal.

4:08

Thank you so much.

4:09

School members.

4:13

Hello, I'm Gavin Gibson.

4:15

I work for the wire reclamation facility division of the water department, and I'm from Matt River Local Schools, Stebbins.

4:22

Great, thank you.

4:24

Thank you.

4:29

I'm Abraham Padron Jr.

4:31

and I'm from Stebbins High School, and um I am an engineering technician intern.

4:38

Great, thank you.

4:42

Good morning.

4:43

Good morning.

4:43

My name is William Frauberg.

4:44

I'm from Stevens High School, and I work with the GIS team as a GIS analysis intern.

4:50

Excellent, thank you.

4:52

Before everyone have a seat, if you wouldn't mind just standing to the side because we would like to get a photo if that's fair.

4:58

Thank you.

4:59

Excuse me.

5:00

Hi, my name is Madison Smith.

5:02

Um, I go to Dunbar High School and I'm in public works.

5:05

Great, thank you.

5:08

Good morning.

5:09

Good morning.

5:10

My name's Ramal Washington.

5:11

I am a Dunbar graduate and I work with WooFo.

5:16

Great.

5:16

Thank you.

5:19

Good morning.

5:21

My name is Vanessa Moyer.

5:22

Um, I'm a lab technician at water reclamation.

5:25

I'm from Dunbar, headed to Central State.

5:28

Excellent.

5:30

Thank you.

5:32

Good morning, sir.

5:33

Good morning.

5:34

My name is Timothy Stewart.

5:35

I'm from Dunbar High School and I work with environmental management.

5:38

Thank you.

5:41

Good morning, sir.

5:43

Good morning.

5:43

My name is Sincere Barnes.

5:45

I'm from Ponis, and I work at the fire department as an intern.

5:48

Excellent.

5:51

Good morning.

5:52

Good morning.

5:53

My name is Jayanna Metcalf.

5:55

I go to Ponis and I work for the Dayton Public Water Qual.

5:59

Excellent.

6:02

Good morning.

6:03

Good morning.

6:04

My name is Hakoma Gueisa, and I work at the civil engineering department downtown near City Hall.

6:12

And I also I also attend Ponds.

6:16

Great.

6:16

Thank you.

6:18

Good morning, ma'am.

6:20

Good morning.

6:20

I go to Stebbins High School and I work with public works and civil engineering.

6:24

I may go to Stebbins.

6:25

Excellent.

6:26

Cadence Clark.

6:28

Thank you, Ms.

6:28

Clark.

6:30

Good morning, ma'am.

6:31

Good morning.

6:31

I'm Jacky Walker and I go to Ponits and I'm with Water.

6:35

Thank you.

6:38

Good morning, ma'am.

6:39

Good morning.

6:40

My name is Jillian Gosnell, and I work at WUFO as an asset intern.

6:45

Excellent.

6:47

Good morning.

6:48

Good morning.

6:49

My name is Nicholas Garcia.

6:51

I work as an accounting systems engineer at the financial services at 320.

6:55

Excellent.

6:56

Thank you.

6:58

Good morning, sir.

7:00

Good morning, ma'am.

7:01

My name is Gavin Kenob.

7:02

I go to Stebbins High School and I'm working at public works and accounting systems.

7:06

Excellent.

7:06

Thank you.

7:07

Thank you.

7:09

Good morning, ma'am.

7:10

Good morning.

7:11

My name is Shania Anderson.

7:13

And I go to ponyts and I go and I work at my combination.

7:19

Excellent.

7:22

Good morning, sir.

7:23

Good morning, ma'am.

7:24

My name is Diane Page.

7:26

I work as I go to Stebbins High School and I work at Wufo as an oil field operator.

7:31

Excellent.

7:33

Good morning, sir.

7:34

Good morning.

7:35

My name is Max Stetsell.

7:36

Uh I attend Stebbins High School and I work at WUFO as a water utility field operator.

7:42

Excellent.

7:46

Good morning, sir.

7:47

Good morning.

7:47

My name is Billy Trent.

7:49

I go to Stebbins High School and I am an operator at our uh water recommend water reclamation facility.

7:56

Excellent.

7:58

Good morning, sir.

7:59

Good morning.

8:00

My name is Pacific Kiranga.

8:03

I work with the fire department and I'll go to Middle Day High School.

8:07

Excellent.

8:09

Thank you.

8:11

We have to have the staff introduce themselves who have led this initiative.

8:14

Thank you so much.

8:15

Please.

8:16

My name is Karen Thomas.

8:18

I am the water utility education and community engagement outreach coordinator.

8:24

Great.

8:24

Thank you.

8:26

Good morning.

8:27

My name is Megan O'Leary, and I am the special projects administrator for Admin.

8:32

Thank you.

8:32

Thank you.

8:34

Good morning.

8:35

Good morning.

8:35

I'm Dianetta Griffith and I'm the acting water administration division manager.

8:39

Excellent.

8:41

Thank you all then.

8:48

I'm sure my uh colleagues have some comments, but if we could, if you all just join us up front so we could get a quick photo, if that's fair.

8:56

Small shortest.

8:58

To the tallest.

9:02

Shortest.

9:04

Yep, short systems.

9:06

Three ladies, you guys come up a lot.

9:08

Good morning.

9:10

Are you guys coming?

9:14

I've been coming out as a fair up here.

9:24

Come on.

9:26

Oh, okay.

9:41

Okay.

9:43

One, two, three.

9:46

Take another one just in case.

9:47

One, two, three.

9:50

Make it new epic.

9:52

Huh?

9:53

Yeah, we need you in the photo too.

9:55

One, two, three.

9:59

Salvi and Mr.

10:00

O, thank you.

10:06

Thank you.

10:07

Thank you.

10:08

Thank you.

10:16

Commissioners, do you have any comments or questions?

10:19

I turn it over to uh Commissioner Beckham.

10:21

Thank you, Your Honor.

10:22

Um I first just want to again uh second the mayor's comments and thank the staff, the city manager, all the administration that has helped bring this program and execute it well.

10:33

Um I am uh as somebody that came into City Hall, right as a young person as well.

10:39

Uh it is always very inspiring and validating to see other young talent uh coming into the organization.

10:46

I do think this program will create a strong pipeline, and uh I'm already proud of each and every one of you.

10:51

So I I hope your experience is going well and um keep up the great work.

10:54

Proud of you all.

10:56

Thank you, Commissioner.

10:57

Commissioner Joseph.

10:58

Thank you, Mayor.

10:59

Uh I think industries, not just ours are realizing how important it is to get uh new workers and potential workers in early and give them uh a good meaningful experience.

11:10

So I'm really glad to hear that's happening.

11:12

Like Commissioner said, I hope you all have had uh interesting experiences.

11:16

Some of you probably knew from the first couple of days you were here that this is something you'd like to do.

11:21

Some of you are probably still not sure.

11:22

Uh but we're glad to give you the opportunity.

11:24

We're really glad that you're here.

11:26

I want to thank staff for for putting this together.

11:28

This is a great program.

11:29

We need all the best people to come work at the city.

11:32

And speaking just like Commissioner, I was an intern at one time too, and uh I knew right away that what our where I was is kind of something I wanted to do for my life.

11:40

So I hope you some of you having that same experience.

11:42

Uh either way, we're glad to have you here.

11:44

Hope you're having a good experience.

11:45

Thank you, Mayor.

11:47

Thank you.

11:49

I'd like to echo my colleagues' comments.

11:52

This is so exciting.

11:54

I mean, I am just in awe this morning.

11:57

What a great way to start a Wednesday morning, uh, early morning, but nonetheless, you are in fact uh the future, you are the present.

12:05

I am just in awe.

12:07

Thank you all very much for having the the initiative to having the will to want to be a part of this program and kudos to the staff to the leadership.

12:17

This is something that we all have been pushing for quite some time, and to see that it is now in fruition just really speaks to the commitment of building up that next generation and building up the pipeline of workforce in the city of Dayton.

12:31

Um we talk about it in many of the various different partnerships that we have, but to have it homegrown in the city of Dayton just really speaks to the to the volume of the importance of what this organization organizations does on a daily basis.

12:46

So kudos to you all.

12:49

Uh, know that this isn't a rewarding um career.

12:53

You are in fact on the the charge to be public servants, which comes with great responsibility, um, a lot of exciting tasks, challenges, but again, it is very rewarding, it's self-fulfilling to know that you are in fact living life purposefully.

13:11

And so I just commend you all.

13:13

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much to the city manager's office, uh, to the entire uh all of the departments that are working together collectively to lead up this charge.

13:23

So I can't wait to the next round uh to again make its way through through the organization, the next co-op class.

13:30

And let me just share this with you.

13:32

Um so I too am a former City of Dayton employee, and some of my colleagues, some of them in this room, they can attest that they started at 17, 18 years old.

13:42

They have the ability to retire at 50-something years old.

13:48

Now they may not have the age, but they have the time.

13:51

So let that be something for you to look forward to.

13:54

This is an opportunity for you to pave the way for your future, retirement, a good retirement plan.

14:00

You want to make sure that you set up for your future.

14:02

My brother always says to me, he mind you, he's the middle child, but he says your young will take care of your old.

14:08

So the decisions that you make now, they have an impact and they really set out the trajectory of your your life in the future.

14:15

So kudos, thank you all very much.

14:17

Congratulations.

14:19

All right.

14:23

I have I have no additions or deletions to this morning's calendar.

14:26

I do have to a couple of items I'd like to comment on.

14:30

Um item number three is a service agreement with uh Montgomery County Land Reutilization Corporation grant agreement.

14:39

This is an additional seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the center city project downtown.

14:45

This is um filling the gap that was created when Montgomery pulled their million dollar commitment out of that project and provided only two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

15:00

Uh this will go towards leveraging the 123 million dollar investment that creates 121 housing units, almost a 400 uh refurbishes and reopens of almost a 400 space parking garage and um creates 9,000 square feet of commercial space.

15:16

That commercial space will have a commitment of 51% of those new jobs have to go to low moderate income individuals uh at or below 80 percent um AMI, and it for it will be for a five-year term.

15:33

So we're excited about bringing this project forward because it completes a very important project and provide for um jobs for um Daytonians.

15:45

And item number seven is a development agreement with Thrive Realty and Development Group LLC.

15:51

This is also an exciting opportunity uh that is supporting a botanical themed event and cultural space, everything green at 3827 West Third Street in the Westwood neighborhood.

16:06

The total project cost is one point six million dollars.

16:10

This hundred thousand dollar grant will go towards interior, exterior building and site improvements to create the community-oriented space supporting small business small business development.

16:23

Uh they plan to offer uh retail spaces, vendor partnerships, collaborations with local artists, caterers, creative professionals, and wellness practitioners.

16:35

So another exciting project to invest in.

16:38

And that's all I have here.

16:40

Thank you, Ms.

16:40

Dixine.

16:44

Ms.

16:44

McClendon, are there any citizens who are registered to speak this morning?

16:50

Your Honor, there are four citizens registered to speak on calendar items this morning.

16:55

I would like to state there is a three-minute time limit.

16:57

As you address the commission, we ask that you state your name and address for the record.

17:02

At that time, I will turn on the green light.

17:04

When the green light comes on, you will have three minutes to speak.

17:07

After you have spoken two and a half minutes, a yellow light will come on.

17:11

You will have thirty seconds remaining to speak.

17:13

When the red light comes on, you will be asked to cease your comments and to take your seat.

17:18

So the audience in attendance, please be mindful this is a business meeting, and we kindly request that during this portion of the meeting you refrain from any hand clapping, finger snapping, and conversation that will prevent the city commission from hearing the speaker's comments.

17:33

I call to the podium Alec Johnson.

17:43

Good morning.

17:44

Morning, how are you?

17:46

Well, thank you.

17:47

Greetings, Mayor and Council members.

17:48

I'm Alec Johnson, still happily living on Linden Avenue.

17:52

I'm here to share something with you and our fellow citizens regarding the NCA, seen through the lens of a new analytical tool I've created called the Matai Austerity Scoring Index, or Massie for short.

18:03

It draws on the work of Professor Clara Mattai on austerity.

18:06

Let me add that Massie and its application to the NCI will be part of what I'll be covering during the austerity dialogue.

18:11

I invited to you all last at the last council meeting.

18:14

That presentation is scheduled for Saturday, 2 p.m.

18:17

at the Dayton Metro Libraries main branch on Third Street in Conference Room 1B.

18:21

Media will be invited.

18:22

MASI is a research tool that is reusable framework for evaluating local, state, and federal executive, administrative, and legislative, budgetary, monetary, and emergency actions through clarimatize austerity lens.

18:35

It's a 10-point scale where one is strongly pro-working class anti-austerity.

18:39

Five is mixed or unclear.

18:41

10 is highly austere, strongly disciplines labor, and protects capital.

18:45

This index treats austerity not simply as budget cutting, but as a class project, a set of state actions that protect capital, preserve market dependence, discipline labor, and narrow democratic control over economic life.

18:56

The massey score is a composite score built from six dimensions, fiscal redistribution, monetary and credit discipline, labor slash industrial discipline, social per reproduction and public goods, privatization slash market dependence, and democratic constraint or technocratic insulation.

19:13

Actual material effects carry the most weight, while stated policy is treated as evidence, not the deciding factor.

19:19

Applied to the NCI, the preliminary overall massey score is 6.6 out of 10.

19:24

This is moderately austere regressive score.

19:27

It is not as austere as direct cuts to wages, benefits, schools, or social services, but is a clearly above neutral because it appears to create a special development finance authority oriented toward downtown real estate hospitality development with unknown but potentially durable charges and governance arrangements.

19:44

The NCA proposal is not automatically illegitimate, but through the TIFF austerity lens, it deserves skeptical scrutiny.

19:50

The 6.6 out of 10 score would fall, which is the desired direction if the final plan includes strict public ownership, binding labor standards, anti-displacement rules, transparent board governance, hard limits on charges, no long-term debt, and enforceable neighborhood reinvestment.

20:06

The score would rise if the charge was broad, long-lasting, debt controlled, easily passed through, developer controlled or weekly audited.

20:13

I'll email the full massive report I prepared to the mayor and council members later today for your review.

20:18

I'll be happy to make myself available to the mayor and council members for any further discussion you might require.

20:23

I hope to see you on Saturday.

20:24

Thank you.

20:25

Thank you, Mr.

20:26

Johnson.

20:26

And from my understanding, there is a second date, and we can talk offline the 18th.

20:30

That's right, at the same place, same time.

20:32

Thank you.

20:33

And yes, I would like to have a conversation with you offline and I look forward to the email.

20:37

Thank you.

20:37

Excuse me, Miss McLinda.

20:39

I call to the podium, Dory Chamel.

20:52

Good morning, ma'am.

20:54

Good morning.

20:54

I'm here to speak on the calendar items.

20:58

Name and address.

20:59

Oh, I'm sorry.

21:00

For calendar items?

21:01

Yes, ma'am.

21:02

Okay.

21:02

My name is Dory Trammel.

21:04

P.O.

21:05

Box 6015 Dayton 4517.

21:10

Okay, so the public works, the Crown Personnel service.

21:16

That's temporary staffing.

21:18

I see that your city manager is heavy on that.

21:22

You know, you guys say one thing but do another.

21:26

Um that's a hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars for outsource position.

21:33

So I'm just a little concerned about that.

21:36

Um, when people could actually have those jobs.

21:40

And you guys seemed a little surprised at the group that just came up.

21:44

We receive it.

21:45

Go ahead, finish your thoughts.

21:46

Um the group that just came up, you guys seemed a little surprised.

21:50

I was just wondering who are you guys supporting that group with funding or is that separate?

21:58

Because I just really want to know who supports children here.

22:02

Um I know some some of you do, but it's not a collaborative thing.

22:08

And um I just wanted to also speak on um some of the money that's going into projects, projects, projects, buildings, buildings, buildings.

22:20

So that's that's just my concern for now.

22:25

Thank you.

22:26

Thank you so much.

22:27

Thank you.

22:28

And Ms.

22:28

Chemel, we can have a conversation offline, but from my understanding, the public works, that's to augment uh temporary service, and that has a lot to do with our as noted in the on the calendar, public works.

22:41

This is for more so of our grass cutting cutting efforts and that support that staff.

22:46

Is that right, Miss Dixie?

22:47

It's for our seasonal and our waste collections and they are um they go through the temporary agency and after a period of time are hired full-time on the city.

22:59

Yes.

23:00

Thank you.

23:01

Thank you.

23:01

And then the other point you raise in terms of the students.

23:05

We receive memos from the city manager's office on various different updates as to what is coming before the commission.

23:13

Um again, and this is something that myself, Commissioner Fairchild, all of the members of the commission have been pushing for quite some time, and so is just happy to see it into fluition and actually putting uh names to to the program itself and seeing the students who are engaged in the program.

23:30

So thank you for your question.

23:31

Uh, they are in fact a priority.

23:35

Ms.

23:36

McClendon.

23:37

I call to the podium Rodney Stark.

23:47

Good morning, sir.

23:48

Morning, Rodney Stark, 4526 Alfred Drive, Dayton, Ohio, 45417.

23:54

Good morning, Mayor.

23:55

Good morning, commissioners.

23:57

Good morning, Chief of Staff, City Manager, Madam Clerk.

24:03

It's good to be here this morning, and um I was a little bit irritated when I got here, but then I saw these young people.

24:11

I said, Boy, you got to comment down now and then just kind of take it easy.

24:15

So I'm gonna go easy on you this morning.

24:17

All right.

24:18

I stand in opposition of uh the NCA.

24:22

Um of the reasons is that we uh once again section off rest of Dayton and doing something special for our downtown community.

24:35

Um I love downtown, I love what's happening downtown, but I think the NCA is a great tool in theory, but not at this time for Dayton.

24:47

I don't know if we've done our due diligence as far as to do our homework to find out if the uh uh businesses downtown are even profitable.

25:00

I don't see enough foot traffic downtown.

25:03

We're still building downtown in my point of view.

25:08

We're not there yet for an NCA.

25:12

Also, we have been told that we're building downtown, doing all this investment investment in downtown so that downtown can help fund other projects throughout the city.

25:27

That's what we were told.

25:29

We use government subsidies, we use HUD money, we use blight money, and we've been throwing it into downtown.

25:37

Where is our return on investment?

25:40

Now all of a sudden we want to come up with the NCA to say all the money that is collected can only be spent downtown.

25:48

All right.

25:49

So I also researched and found that um I asked what were some of the cities where the NC NCA failed.

26:02

The first thing that popped up was Dayton, Ohio.

26:05

Right?

26:06

And that was back in the 70s.

26:08

It failed.

26:08

You want to know why?

26:10

The economic climate.

26:12

Think about the economic climate right now.

26:15

Gas prices are high.

26:17

Uh groceries are high.

26:20

Everything is escalating.

26:23

We don't know what in the world this administration is going to do.

26:28

We don't know the economic climate.

26:30

And if you all have done your due diligence and you have done your homework, show your work.

26:36

I hadn't seen anything.

26:37

I don't even know if you all seen it.

26:39

All right.

26:40

And stop with the emergency orders.

26:42

If this has been going on for over a year, then there's no reason for emergency order or emergency resolution, I should say.

26:50

Thank you very much.

26:51

I'll be sending you all letters on this.

26:53

Thank you, Mr.

26:54

Stark.

26:55

Thank you for your concerns.

26:56

I know I do have a number of comments in regards to what you raised, but I don't want to interrupt.

27:02

So, Miss McClendon, if please proceed.

27:06

I call to the podium Ebony Hastings.

27:17

Good morning, ma'am.

27:18

Good morning.

27:21

Good morning, Mayor Turner Slaus and Commissioners, Ebony Hastings, 1238 Wabash Avenue.

27:27

I want to speak on item B1 on today's calendar.

27:31

137,000, 100,000 purchase order to crown personnel services for temporary staffing.

27:39

Um Ms.

27:40

Dixtein, I do appreciate your um explanation this morning, but as I expressed last week, I think that we really need to do our due diligence and um as we sit at the diasp to educate the community so that way we're not here misinformed or misunderstanding as things are being presented to the community so that you will have our support.

27:59

That's how you earn trust.

28:01

So I have three questions.

28:03

One, what specific positions is the contract filling.

28:06

So Mrs.

28:06

Dixtein has already answered that question.

28:09

Um but we also want to know like the actual job title.

28:13

So when it comes forth on the agenda, like share those things with us.

28:16

Residents deserve to know whether we are paying 137,000 to fill work that could be a career for the city of Dayton.

28:24

But see, like I pray I prepared, and those questions have been answered.

28:28

So I just, you know, be creative in how you get the information out to us.

28:32

Uh, what is the commutative community total the city has paid to crown personnel over the past three fiscal years?

28:38

Because I would guess this is not the first 137,000 purchase order.

28:43

If it is a pattern, residents deserve to see the full number.

28:47

Three, has the city ever conducted an in-sourcing analysis on these positions?

28:51

A study that compares the true cost of temp agency staffing, including markup, agency profit, and turnover against the cost of direct civil service hire, including benefits, because national research shows contract labor can cost up to 80% more than direct government employment for equivalent work while producing lower service quality and no career pathway for the worker.

29:14

Here is why it matters a temporary staffing agent arrangement moves work out of the classified civil service system.

29:21

It avoids the civil service board, it avoids collective bargaining, it avoids pension and health care costs.

29:27

And it means the people doing city work have no path to stability, no path to promotion, and no ownership of the outcome.

29:35

Each contract like this on its own may be defensible.

29:39

Taken together over years, they describe a city that has quietly stopped being an employer and become a contract administrator.

29:47

So that's from our perspective, that's how we see things when we see these contracts arise.

29:52

So I'm asking the commission to vote no.

30:00

I'm asking you to require as a condition of any temp staffing contract going forward, public disclosure of the positions being filled, the community of spend to date, and a written justification of why direct hire is not the better option.

30:08

Residents deserve the whole picture every time.

30:12

Thank you, Ms.

30:12

Hastings.

30:14

Your Honor, I'd like to just address that question.

30:16

Please this is a procurement process that civil service HR, the department directors are engaged in.

30:25

These are entry-level positions that have a high rate of turnover.

30:29

And so we utilize our temp agencies to help attract individuals into jobs.

30:38

And then there is an evaluative period of time where if they come to work on time and they're good workers, they get promoted into a full-time job with benefits at the city.

30:49

This is a way to help continue to attract talent and commitment in the entry-level jobs without creating a very large burden on civil service HR and the directors with the turnover rate.

31:06

Thank you.

31:06

I appreciate that.

31:13

That concludes speakers on calendar items, Your Honor.

31:16

Thank you, Ms.

31:16

McClendon.

31:17

Commissioners, do you have any comments to the city manager's recommendations this morning?

31:23

Very briefly, Your Honor.

31:24

I just want to congratulate the Westwood neighborhood on uh the Everything Green project.

31:29

Uh I think that's an exciting new development, and I'm certainly looking forward to uh visiting one once it is all complete.

31:36

So thank you.

31:37

Thank you, Commissioner.

31:37

Commissioner Joseph.

31:38

Nothing this morning.

31:39

Thank you, Mayor.

31:40

Thank you.

31:41

Uh I have a couple of brief comments.

31:43

Um Ms.

31:44

Dixine, with the uh the sub-recipient for the Everything Green Project, the Thrive Realty and Development Group, LC, were are they here this morning by chance?

31:57

They are not.

31:58

They are not.

31:58

Okay.

31:59

Thank you.

32:00

Um just interested in learning more about the project itself.

32:04

I understand it did go through the uh West Dayton Development Fund from my understanding that is noted.

32:12

Um, and again, just echoing Commissioner Beckham's comment.

32:16

I look forward to the the project itself.

32:19

Um I know there's a lot of momentum in the Westwood neighborhood, a lot of um ambition and um work that is being done and in a number of community members that are fully engaged with the Westwood neighborhood.

32:36

So uh again, I look forward to seeing uh the final product out of this agreement.

32:41

So thank you for bringing that forward.

32:43

Um also would like to make mention uh thank you for addressing the comments uh and the questions regarding the public works uh contract and providing that explanation.

32:56

Um we do need to do a better job with with educating the public.

33:00

Uh it is in fact uh refreshing to see that there are a number of members in our community who are in engaged and they want to know what in fact um how the local government is making the various different decisions and and coming to those various different uh the recommendations that are being brought for the commission members um and how those decisions are ultimately being made.

33:23

So thank you, Mr.

33:24

Johnson, uh, for being here this morning for making your comments.

33:28

Mr.

33:28

Stark, you raised a number of questions in regards to the NCA.

33:33

Um you're right, it is in fact a tool.

33:36

And just so that you understand, and we can have a a more uh a deep dive conversation after the commission meeting this morning because I know we have a work session, so I want to be mindful of time.

33:47

But I will share with you in short that we're actually starting with a a small portion or small pilot project, if you will, and that's what the um MCCFA, which is the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority, thank you.

34:07

Um, and so that project we're starting there, and the conversation has been on to your point, right?

34:12

It has been ongoing for a year, um, and there have been comments that have made in terms of the timeline.

34:19

There will be some adjustments on in terms of how we move forward, but understanding that we're starting there, and the thought is that again this will help us support the development around the number of the hotel rooms that are needed to accommodate and to attract uh various different um forums, conventions, uh whatever the case may be, because the city of Dayton, in fact, has been primed to host a number of events, but we have a shortage in terms of the number of rooms that are needing for for lodging to accommodate some of the larger um uh conventions and whatever have you.

35:03

So this is giving us the opportunity to do so.

35:06

The other thing is that with this, the funding for this particular project will stay in that particular area.

35:14

So again, the pilot, and this is something that I have pushed for, and we are all in agreement for that, is for it to be extended um to West Third Street to continue with the development that we're seeing in West Third Street.

35:32

So the first recommendation was for us to in fact set up an NCA, so we had the petition to set up the NCA.

35:39

The second recommendation was for us to um make sure that we have the necessary provisions in place to use this as a tool, and the third, from my understanding, is for us to look at a pilot for the corridor.

35:53

So that's East Third Street to Maine to Kiwi, and then what the contingency is or what the the um the agreement is for us to also continue that to the corridor of West Third Street.

36:07

Now, having said that, it is all incumbent upon the property or the business owners to want to even uh commit to participate in the NCA.

36:18

So it is nothing is nothing that is forced.

36:20

It is all voluntary, voluntarily, and this information will in fact be given to all of the various different businesses.

36:28

It has been successful in over 55 communities across the state.

36:33

It is in fact a tool to use to complement not only our community reinvestment area, our TIFF, our SIT, it is a tool to help with financing so that we're able to complement to provide eligible investments such as streetscape enhancements, pedestrian infrastructure, public spaces.

36:56

Many people want a public park downtown, a green space, uh, lighting, parking, utility improvements, and other public amenities that support economic development.

37:06

So again, it is just a tool.

37:09

And so let's say hypothetically, we are in fact successful for West Third Street, and the business say, yeah, sign us up.

37:16

There is a service fee.

37:18

I think it may be like five percent for lodging, three percent for food, one percent for beverages.

37:25

I may be wrong on those percentages, but you get the gist of what I'm what I'm suggesting.

37:30

And so, with that, those dollars stays particularly in that community, in that particular uh NCA.

37:37

So, if in fact we decide with the consensus of the business community to move forward with West Third Street, those dollars will stay in West Third Street.

37:46

They would not go downtown.

37:47

They will stay in West Third Street and so on and so forth for other corridors that um decide or business owners that decide to expand those services.

37:56

So again, it is a tool.

37:58

Prime example, short north, right?

38:01

There are wonderful various different things that are happening in Columbus area.

38:05

Um now we can't compare apples and oranges, given though that OTR over the Rhine, they had a hundred million dollars that was designated to the redevelopment, but again, that is an example of some of the work that they're doing with an NCA over the Rhine with 3C3s, 3C DC.

38:21

So again, these are various different tools on how we start moving development in our corridors as well as downtown, so that we can have attraction in the city of Dayton.

38:30

Does anybody have anything to add to that, Ms.

38:32

Dixtein?

38:32

Do you think that's a good idea?

38:33

I would I would simply you did a nice summary of the uh but I would add a couple of things.

38:40

The NCA, the new community authority is a new tool that was introduced somewhere around 2016-2017.

38:47

So it wasn't in the 1970s, um, it wasn't a uh existent at that point in time.

38:53

You were right, over 55 municipalities.

38:56

Um it was the recommendation was brought forward from a committee of over 20 members representing a variety of businesses, nighttime retail restaurants, because those are the ones that have to make the decision to volunteer to participate, and there were three economic development experts with over 30 years of experience at that table working with outside council.

39:25

And the last thing I'll say about the emergency resolution, it was brought forward as an emergency after a deliberate briefing with the commission because it's the start of a process.

39:36

And as you see, we have these legit this legislation on.

39:40

We have a public hearing for more input on the 29th.

39:44

It was not brought forward to cram anything quickly down.

39:48

It is the start of a process that creates that has a lot of work yet to do and a lot of input.

40:00

And so in order to support the investment at the for the new hotel for the convention center, which we helped pave the way to create a 40 million dollar investment, which is hugely important to all of those downtown business to business, retail restaurants, because they need tourism, especially because of the lack of employees working downtown every day because of work from home, which they have been very loud and concerned about.

40:28

There are many people who are hanging on and are very worried about losing life savings and investments and so we are doing everything we can, and you are right, Mayor.

40:40

It's starting in downtown because we have to put a flag somewhere where we own property, where we can get it started, but it is boundaryless.

40:50

We can take this anywhere in the city once the NCA is established.

40:54

If there is a project, if there is a district, if there is a group that we can work with and it can pencil out and make sense because they have to be able to absorb and support the additional charges to put into their district or their project.

41:14

So it's got great flexibility and it will it can be a very valuable tool that we are excited about being able to have in our toolbox.

41:23

Thank you very much.

41:24

Appreciate it.

41:25

Um those are all the comments that I have.

41:27

Again, the public hearing is July, Wednesday, July the 29th, and that's at 6 p.m.

41:34

and it will be held in the chambers, and then you will see more information.

41:37

Actually, it will be noted in daily Dayton Daily News uh three times, and that's according to the ordinance and how it's supposed to be uh notified to the public.

41:46

Thank you.

41:47

And those are other comments.

41:48

May I please have a motion to approve the city manager's recommendations this morning?

41:52

Your Honor, I move that we approve the city manager's recommendations.

41:55

I second the motion.

41:56

It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the city manager's recommendations.

42:00

All in favor say aye.

42:01

Aye.

42:01

All opposed say no.

42:02

Any abstentions?

42:04

Legislation, Ms.

42:04

McClendon.

42:06

Second reading ordinance number 32197-26.

42:11

Amending or appealing various sections of the revised code of general ordinances relating to the zoning code.

42:18

Mayor Turner Sloss.

42:19

Aye.

42:20

Commissioners Joseph.

42:21

Aye.

42:22

Beckham.

42:23

Aye.

42:24

Ordinance number 32197-26 has passed with three votes in favor.

42:30

First reading ordinance number 32198-26, authorizing the city manager to execute a purchase agreement and authorizing the conveyance of real property located at the Dayton International Airport.

42:45

First reading resolution number 6944-26, determining that a petition to establish the City of Dayton citywide new community authority is sufficient and complies with the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 349.03 in form and substance, setting the time and place for a public hearing on the petition and authorizing notice by publication of such public hearing.

43:12

First reading resolution number 6945-26, determining the sufficiency of a consent to add certain parcels of real property to the City of Dayton Citywide New Community Authority District, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 349.03 B4 and setting a date for a public hearing on such one or more consents as required by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 349.

43:41

That concludes legislation, Your Honor.

43:45

Thank you, Ms.

43:46

McClendon.

43:47

Are there any citizens who are registered to speak this morning?

43:50

Yes, Your Honor.

43:51

There are nine citizens registered to speak.

44:01

At that time, I will turn on the green light.

44:04

When the green light comes on, you will have three minutes to speak.

44:07

After you have spoken two and a half minutes, a yellow light will come on and you will have 30 seconds remaining to speak.

44:13

When the red light comes on, you will be asked to cease your comments and to take your seat.

44:17

To the audience in attendance, please be mindful this is a business meeting, and we kindly request that during this portion of the meeting you refrain from any hand clapping, finger snapping, and conversation that would prevent the city commission from hearing the speaker's comments.

44:48

Well, good morning, sir.

44:49

And you this morning, over things well.

44:51

I'm Evan Les Martin, I'm the pastor of the Great Island, the M Church 1620 with Fifth Street here in the city of Dayton.

45:00

My concern this morning is that Greater Island has improved its area and its church and surroundings.

45:07

We were just awarded some land from citywide.

45:11

And there sits on the corner, one of the most disgracing buildings that surrounds our church at 1700 West Fifth Street.

45:22

It is on schedule to be torn down.

45:25

It has not been, and it looks terrible for us and our church.

45:30

We are in the process, and matter of fact, we've been awarded.

45:34

We're going to bring over a thousand people here in September.

45:38

We will be uh we're trying to, this is the biggest meeting.

45:41

We've been trying to get that meeting out of Dayton, I mean out of Columbus and Cincinnati.

45:46

We're bringing it to Dayton.

45:48

And we want to dedicate the land to the enemy church as a part of this celebration.

45:53

But that property is holding us up.

45:56

And we're gonna be, they're gonna meet here at the first of September.

46:01

So it's such a short time.

46:03

We know we're on the list for devilish, but we need to get it done.

46:07

We need your support.

46:09

I brought our developer and our turn here who will speak to you, but we need your support.

46:16

We need to get this done so we can entertain this meeting, dedicate this property as we go forth in the church.

46:24

If you go to Great Alley, you can look around where we have really improved the area around our church.

46:30

We have spent over that church $375,000 interior and exterior for that church.

46:37

We need your appreciate your help, and may God bless you.

46:41

Thank you.

46:42

God bless you, thank you.

46:45

I call to the podium, Carmela Ekpot.

46:52

We can talk offline.

46:53

Sorry, we want to make sure, excuse me.

46:55

You know, I don't want to interrupt the doctor, the pastor, but we gotta keep schedule now.

47:00

Thank you.

47:01

Good morning, ma'am.

47:03

Good morning, good morning.

47:07

Sorry.

47:08

My name is Carmela Ickpod.

47:10

I'm residing at 115 Northwood Happening.

47:13

So good morning, our mayor, commissioners, city manager, chief of staff, and everyone present here.

47:22

My message is a positive message of hope, because God is our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, whose desire is to fulfill the dream of a good, pure, harmonized, and united world of love.

47:37

God is the absolute reality.

47:42

Unique, self-existent, and a being of true love.

47:48

Heavenly parent created everything in the universe with love, and God desires that we love God, mankind, and all, every aspect of the world of creation.

48:00

Unfortunately, our original ancestors deviated from the commandment God gave to them, which brought this world into a state of ignorance and hell.

48:12

Nevertheless, we still have hope, for it is written in Psalms chapter 119, verse 105.

48:22

Quote, your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, unquote.

48:30

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was abused, accused, tortured, and crucified.

48:38

Also, today, the wife of Reverend Sun Young Moon, her name is Dr.

48:44

Mrs.

48:44

Hakshaha Moon, has been falsely accused of crimes which she never committed.

48:50

She has been in detention in South Korea for at least seven months.

48:54

She is known by billions of people as Holy Mother Han.

48:59

Holy Mother Han is 84 years old and a great grandmother.

49:04

She forgives and prays for those people who have accused her.

49:09

The analogy which I am illustrating is that you, our dear mayor, commissioners, and city manager, and also chief of staff, were falsely accused and verbally abused by several people who were in grave ignorance last Wednesday.

49:30

I have already prayed on their behalf for God to forgive them.

49:35

And I'm have already also hoping that apologizing to you all for their misbehavior.

49:41

Please know that if we remain on God's path, stay united with God's words and heart of true love, we will be victorious in whatever is our endeavor.

50:00

I appreciate each one of you, and I am praying for your success and our responsibility in order to uplift this city of Dayton.

50:06

God bless you, each one of you.

50:08

Thank you very, very much.

50:10

Thank you.

50:10

God bless you.

50:14

I call to the podium, Dory Tremell.

50:29

Okay, hello.

50:30

I'm back in Dory Tremail, P.O.

50:32

Box, 60517.

50:35

Dayton Ohio 4517.

50:39

Um see.

50:42

I forgot what I was going to come up here to speak about it.

50:45

Um yes, I wanted to speak about parking enforcement.

50:54

Um they were in the city limits out, so I don't know how much territory they take up, but they were do they just take up downtown or do they do it all over the city?

51:10

Um there's a video circulating of police.

51:15

Um terrorizing a citizen.

51:20

Um parking enforcement was involved, blocking cars off and stuff like that.

51:26

So I don't have the video right now, but I I think it deserves attention.

51:32

That happened a couple of days ago.

51:36

Um I think that's technically all.

51:42

Thank you for right now.

51:44

Thank you.

51:45

Thank you.

51:47

I call to the podium Jacob Hewitt.

51:58

Good morning, sir.

52:00

Good morning.

52:01

Uh Jacob Hewitt, 4125 East Third Street.

52:08

Uh see, I'm here to talk about a video I watched on the city YouTube channel.

52:14

It was about the street outreach program.

52:18

Uh it started off with the uh president of the county commissioners talking about uh how it there was funding for uh housing, employment resources and support, and that there was uh investment in people, and then it transitioned into announcing that cameras were going to be installed around City Hall and that they already were installed.

52:42

Uh I wasn't really able to make the connection between uh the resources for homeless and the surveillance system.

52:51

Uh she then mentioned additional funding for the jail for behavioral health, and again I failed to make the connection uh unless the plan requires people getting arrested before they can receive these services and support.

53:08

Uh throughout the video, there are references to a lot of support and services, and there was not any mention of ways for someone to seek out those resources.

53:19

Uh no phone number to call, no office to visit, nothing like that.

53:23

Uh, from the video, the only way I could discern that a person could be helped is by being arrested first.

53:30

Uh, when I encounter a homeless person, which happens a lot, uh, I don't really know what to say to them if they do actually want to find help.

53:39

Uh so I just thought that that is something that should be clarified or added to the video or the description, maybe if possible.

53:48

Uh and that's all.

53:49

Have a nice day.

53:51

Thank you.

53:52

I'll have more information once we finish with the all of the various different speakers to address a number of the the comments that we have.

53:59

So thank you very much, Mr.

54:01

Mr.

54:02

Hewitt.

54:02

Excuse me, Miss McLonder.

54:04

I call to the podium Rodney Stark.

54:14

Rodney Stark, 4526 Alfred Drive, Dayton, Ohio, 4541.

54:20

Good evening.

54:21

Good morning again.

54:23

Good morning.

54:24

Um in the 1970s, uh, the NCA was such a failure that they had to repackage it.

54:34

So I guess in 2016, I guess they repackaged it over the years.

54:38

It's the same exact thing.

54:42

It was a failure, right?

54:44

And I'm pretty sure it probably will be a failure again.

54:48

Nonetheless, do we live in a democracy or are we losing our democracy?

54:53

This is the stuff that I'm sick of.

55:00

The NCA, from what I understand, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, it's the city commissioners along with three handpicked people from the city managers choice of those three individuals.

55:13

Which means that our city commission, elected officials, will lose their power as relates to decisions that are are concerning the NCAA area.

55:28

So you can correct me if I'm wrong.

55:30

I'm gonna send you a letter.

55:31

I only know I know I only got three minutes, and I wanted to talk about some other things.

55:52

A lot of asbestos sitting in there.

55:55

A lot of lead that's going into the soil.

55:59

I want to know are you guys doing soil samples before and after?

56:05

And what is the reason of tearing something down and leaving it right there?

56:08

Why don't you tear it down, pick it up, get it out of the area?

56:13

Oddmore is on fire every other day.

56:16

There's so many burn piles over there right now.

56:19

And there's children running up and down the street and all of that contamination.

56:26

We gotta do a better job with this is the this is exactly what I'm talking about.

56:31

We it doesn't seem like our city is really taking the time to look into these.

56:37

The planning is not there.

56:40

I can tell you the planning is not there.

56:42

Neither are we receiving any return on our investment.

56:46

Let me tell you what the city manager's return on investment is.

56:49

34, I love 34 Main Street because that gives me everything I need to know.

56:54

I'm gonna be quick about it.

56:55

Five million dollars invested in that building, empty building, five million.

57:00

Guess what the RFP say they sell it for?

57:02

The lowest amount, somebody can buy that for 600,000.

57:06

Where's our rest of our money?

57:09

We're not receiving any type of return on our investment.

57:13

Who's doing the study on these people, these uh corporations supposed to hire so many people?

57:18

When have we done the study to see if those corporations actually hired those people?

57:22

I don't see the work.

57:24

Show your work.

57:25

Thank you.

57:25

Thank you, Mr.

57:26

Stark.

57:27

I called to the podium Carlos Buford.

57:42

Morning, sir.

57:42

Good morning.

57:44

Carlos Buford, Black Lives Matter, Dayton, 1111, East Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio, P.O.

57:51

Box 3231.

57:54

Good morning, mayor, commissioners, and city manager.

57:58

I'm here today because no one in our city possesses more immediate authority over another citizen than a police officer.

58:08

They have the legal power to stop us, detain us, arrest us, and under certain circumstances use deadly force.

58:18

That extraordinary authority demands an extraordinary level of integrity.

58:25

Yet our community continues to witness a troubling pattern.

58:29

We have officers accused of taking property that did not belong to them, officers resigning while under investigation, only to be hired by another department, officers involved in a repeated disciplinary issues, and even officers who are reportedly afraid to confront or report misconduct by their own supervisors because they fear retaliation.

58:56

We have also witnessed tragedies that began as low-level offenses, including the death of a man riding the bicycle on a downtown sidewalk.

59:07

Incidents like these leave lasting trauma in our community and erode public trust.

59:14

I am equally concerned about the culture surrounding accountability.

59:19

The Dayton Police Department calls its internal affairs division the professional standards bureau.

59:26

To many citizens, that's that title misses the point.

59:32

Accountability should be clear and transparent.

59:35

When the public hears professional standards while questioning officer misconduct, it can create the per the perception that protecting the institution is taking priority over earning the community's trust.

59:51

And while every officer deserves due process, the public deserves deserves honesty.

1:00:00

Years of services should never outweigh accountability.

1:00:03

Twenty-three years of service cannot excuse conduct that would erect that would raise um serious concerns if committed by another citizen.

1:00:12

This morning, I respectfully request my own copy of the current collective bargaining agreement between the city of Dayton and the Dayton Fraternal Order of Police, along with the date that contract expires.

1:00:27

I also asked this commission to publicly review whether any provisions in that agreement limit transparency or accountability, strength of protections for officers who report misconduct without fear of retaliation, and explain how misconduct investigations are shared with our departments before officers are hired elsewhere.

1:00:48

Public trust is not restored by words, it's restored by accountability.

1:00:53

Thank you.

1:00:54

Thank you, Mr.

1:00:55

Buford.

1:00:57

I call to the podium, Ebony Hastings.

1:01:09

Good morning.

1:01:10

Ebony Hastings 1238 Wabash Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, 45405.

1:01:16

Mayor, I want to thank you for our recent conversation.

1:01:20

You were honest with me about why Dayton Priority Boards were dissolved in 2014.

1:01:24

You told me federal funding that sustained them is no longer here.

1:01:29

It reframes the entire conversation.

1:01:37

So I compare cities comparable to Dayton that made a different choice.

1:01:42

Akron, Ohio, population of 190,000 right down the road, funds a neighborhood partnership program through City Council.

1:01:50

Every one of Akron's 10 Akron's 10 wards receives $15,000 a year for resident-led projects, with grants awarded to neighborhood groups and nonprofit.

1:02:00

Rochester, New York, a Rust Belt City, Dayton size, runs a neighborhood and action program, which just awarded 74-led projects across all four quadrants of the city.

1:02:11

Rochester also maintains the neighborhood empowerment team.

1:02:15

Satellite offices where residents, code enforcement, and police work together on neighborhood conditions.

1:02:21

Neither of these cities has federal priority board funding.

1:02:25

They pay for themselves out of their general funds because they decided it was worth the price.

1:02:36

Rebuilding a citywide neighborhood engagement structure, a coordinator, small operating support, meeting stipends, translation printing runs about 200 to 500,000 a year.

1:02:47

That is less than one quarter of a percent of our 228 million dollar general fund.

1:02:54

It is not a budget problem, it is a priority problem.

1:02:57

And this is not separate from the public safety.

1:02:59

The same neighborhoods where shootings concentrate are the neighborhoods where residents have no formal voice.

1:03:05

In what happens to their block, Rochester understood.

1:03:15

Because you cannot reduce violence in a place where the people who live there are not a part of the deciding what happens.

1:03:22

Giving residents that voice is not soft policy.

1:03:25

It is the foundation on which every other violence prevention investment stands or fails.

1:03:31

Right now, the city's own community engagement manager admitted publicly that he hears from the same 1,000 people out of 140,000 residents.

1:03:40

The city's assembly stumbled on its first topic and has been paused.

1:03:44

Land use boards have four of 11 seats vacant.

1:03:47

Residents look at this and see themselves as being spoken about but never spoken with.

1:04:04

Thank you, Ms.

1:04:05

Hastings.

1:04:06

I call to the podium C.

1:04:08

Ralph Wilcoxon.

1:04:26

Good morning, Commissioners.

1:04:27

Good morning, sir.

1:04:29

Um, we we had planned a set of three people to speak, so we're kind of out of order here, so I'm not sure if the cohesiveness cohesiveness is going to be disrupted because of that.

1:04:40

Please state your name and address for the record.

1:04:42

See Ralph Wilcoxon and my address is 44 South Fair Green Avenue, Dayton Ohio 45417.

1:04:48

Right, thank you.

1:04:48

Um so Pastor got up and spoke and talked about the issue that he was having there at Greater Allen and that property that they're trying to get raised.

1:04:57

It is on the uh demolition list.

1:05:00

Okay.

1:05:01

However, because of activities that are coming up soon, um, we'd like to have it expedited.

1:05:09

Don't know if that can happen, but that is what the simple ask is today.

1:05:13

Okay.

1:05:14

All right.

1:05:14

So and uh Pastor's right, they've done quite a bit of work in that area.

1:05:18

He's got quite a bit of uh quite a contingent of people coming.

1:05:22

Um, I think in September.

1:05:25

Um Mr.

1:05:27

Gold, who is the development uh guy was supposed to be speaking with me, but he's gonna come up next, I think.

1:05:34

Um so I just want to make sure that you guys see that we're all together.

1:05:37

Absolutely.

1:05:37

I'm trying to make this presentation um for you, but we didn't want to break protocol.

1:05:42

Um but the simple ask today is that uh we expedite that.

1:05:46

Now I did do a search on the property, looked at the deed, and there are some issues.

1:05:51

And initially we were going to attack the deed, but I think this process is quicker and probably more efficient, not only for the city, but for um the folks over at Greater Alley and what they're really trying to accomplish.

1:06:02

Thank you.

1:06:03

All right, thank you.

1:06:19

Good morning, sir.

1:06:20

Commission members, City Manager.

1:06:22

My name is Sylvester Gould, 1510 Northwestwood, Toledo, Ohio.

1:06:26

I'm the developer for a project uh at Greater Allen, and um church has worked uh with citywide development for the last couple of years.

1:06:35

Uh obtained the property.

1:06:37

Uh we did a phase one, we did a phase two, we did a document research.

1:06:41

Directly adjacent to that property was the old bus depot.

1:06:45

City date knocked it down.

1:06:47

Uh there was an environmental issue with that property.

1:06:52

Um I did a document search which was about 12,000 uh pages, and we found out that it may have gotten into the aquifer.

1:07:01

So went down to the Ohio EPA.

1:07:04

They're gonna come out and do the testing for soil borings, and I think that point someone brought that up earlier today.

1:07:09

Yes.

1:07:10

You need to do that with vacant properties.

1:07:12

And so they're gonna pay for it, which is about 36,000 bucks.

1:07:16

Um it doesn't make any sense with a vacant house that's been sitting there for the better part of 10 years that has title issues that we shouldn't do the entire parcel as one.

1:07:28

We we should get all of it done at one time, and since someone else is paying the bill, it makes some common sense.

1:07:33

Uh and secondly, uh pastor spent about 35, 40,000 already on this project.

1:07:41

We're talking about uh a development of around 75 units of apartment for senior housing.

1:07:48

Um we need to move expeditiously on getting this done.

1:07:56

Uh and we need the city of Dayton to expedite the demolition of that property.

1:08:02

Thank you.

1:08:03

Thank you.

1:08:04

Thank you very much.

1:08:06

That concludes speakers, Your Honor.

1:08:08

Thank you.

1:08:09

Um Dr.

1:08:13

Martin, Mr.

1:08:14

Wilcoxon, as well as Mr.

1:08:16

Gold.

1:08:17

Um, and Mystics team, please correct me uh if there is any, but the timeline is very aggressive, being that it is it is July the 8th, and their request is to have this uh mitigated by September, understanding that there is a large um number of of members that will be visiting the area.

1:08:38

We know the investment that has been made and greatly appreciate your leadership uh of the um Greater Allen uh fellowship church and all of the commitments and the investment that has been made.

1:08:49

Um I don't know where they are on the list, so I do not want to speak out on out of turn on that in terms of the demolition list, but understand that there are a number of priorities in the city of Dayson.

1:09:02

As Mr.

1:09:02

Stark has already pointed out very eloquently, there are fire POWs literally sitting in residential areas that have been sitting there for years.

1:09:13

Years.

1:09:14

And we're talking about contamination, we're talking about lead, we're talking about all of the various different things that have been noted.

1:09:21

So the ask is very ambitious, but with that being said, is there an opportunity in Ms.

1:09:27

Dixteen?

1:09:28

Can we screen it with snow fencing?

1:09:30

Can we clean up the landscaping?

1:09:32

Is it something that we could do, at least at the to show that there is progress being made, being that the timeline and the window for that ask is very short, and we have a number of other competing pressing obligations and issues across the city.

1:09:48

So, first of all, I have staff looking to see if it's actually on a demo contract.

1:09:52

If it's on a demo contract, then that timeline isn't terribly aggressive.

1:10:00

Because that means that we've done all of the state required due diligence, because I'll remind the public we don't own these structures.

1:10:06

Right.

1:10:06

It's state law that gives us the opportunity to declare it a nuisance.

1:10:11

There is a process we have to go through to try and find ownership, to notice ownership to try and uh and then declare it a nuisance, and then it gets prioritized based on the other the larger um nuisance list.

1:10:25

So if it's on a demolition contract, it could be feasible, and I have staff checking that.

1:10:30

We absolutely can go out and look and see if there's brush and other things that we can clean and tidy up to try and um make it less of an eye sore as it relates to that.

1:10:42

Um and and while we're talking about I I want again remind folks.

1:10:47

We owned the RTA bus barn, which allowed us to move forward and do some of that work and but we don't own these properties and that we are declaring nuisances and taking down.

1:11:02

And um especially when a fire happens, we have still to go through all of that due diligence of noticing the property owner, trying to get them to have their insurance, their claim, because they are ultimately responsible for this, not the government.

1:11:20

It lands on us when that owner doesn't basically abandons and walks away, and then we have to go through the process of taking that.

1:11:30

Um I just want to remind folks that you know, even when we demolish the leftover property, we don't own it.

1:11:37

It's it's still not in our ownership.

1:11:40

No, thank you.

1:11:41

I appreciate that.

1:11:42

Thank you very much.

1:11:43

And thank you for uh tasking the the the staff to look further into that.

1:11:48

Um so I appreciate that very much.

1:11:50

So that is not a no uh Dr.

1:11:53

Martin, Mr.

1:11:54

Wilcoxon, Mr.

1:11:55

Gold.

1:11:56

It allow us to do some more um review, allow us more time to do a review, and then as noted by Ms.

1:12:02

Dixteen, then the some other provisions may be um into play.

1:12:07

So thank you very much.

1:12:08

Excuse me.

1:12:10

All right.

1:12:11

Ms.

1:12:11

Dixine, do you have any closing comments?

1:12:16

I want to yes.

1:12:19

I want to thank the um staff in the Department of Recreation for all of their great work uh to try and help us celebrate uh the 250th in a in a different kind of way with a parade and festival and then certainly with our firework show, they do a great job every year.

1:12:38

And um uh I was excited to be able to um see all of that work come to fruition over the July 3rd.

1:12:48

Uh and that is all I have, Your Honor.

1:12:50

Thank you very much, Ms.

1:12:52

Dixteen.

1:12:53

Ms.

1:12:53

McClendon, do you have any closing comments?

1:12:56

Yes, Your Honor.

1:12:57

There is a work session for the property conditions survey update in the PRC immediately following this morning's commission meeting.

1:13:05

In addition, next week's commission meeting on July 15th is canceled due to a lack of quorum.

1:13:12

And that is all, Your Honor.

1:13:13

Thank you, Ms.

1:13:14

McClendon.

1:13:15

Commissioners, do you have any closing comments?

1:13:17

Commissioner Beckham.

1:13:18

I have no Your Honor.

1:13:19

Thank you.

1:13:20

Commissioner Joseph.

1:13:21

Uh two quick ones, Mayor, if I could.

1:13:22

Uh first I want to join the city manager in thanking staff and everyone for a great fireworks display and a great parade.

1:13:28

Uh we used to have a couple decades ago, many neighborhoods and many parades in the city.

1:13:32

Uh I think it's a sign of vitality, neighborhood vitality, and rebuild of civil society that we're we're moving that direction again, and I really appreciate the city manager's efforts and staff's effort to to work on those.

1:13:44

Uh second, with World Cup excitement in the air now is the perfect time to register your team for the Dayton World Soccer Games.

1:13:50

They have youth and adult divisions.

1:13:52

Uh, they're taking place on September 12th.

1:13:55

Uh, you can register at City Hall, you can go online, uh, just Google Dayton World Soccer Games and the link will come up.

1:14:01

So I hope you all can and uh join us.

1:14:03

Oh, if you have any questions, you can call 937-333-3383.

1:14:09

Thank you, Mayor.

1:14:10

Thank you.

1:14:11

I have a couple of comments this morning.

1:14:14

Hold me to it, Ms.

1:14:16

Jackson, Mr.

1:14:16

Davis, I'll be very brief.

1:14:18

Uh thank you very much.

1:14:20

We have many grants, and if those who are interested in the mini grant process, please contact the planning and neighborhood development department.

1:14:28

The number is 937 333 3670.

1:14:34

All right.

1:14:35

Uh again, that number is 937-333-3670.

1:14:40

You can also review the city's website for more information about the mini grant process.

1:14:46

Contacted the the planning neighborhood development department.

1:14:49

Thank you, Ms.

1:14:49

Jackson.

1:14:50

Would like to thank all of the residents that came out.

1:14:53

Thank you, Dr.

1:14:54

Martin from Greater Allen as well as uh Mr.

1:14:57

Ralph Wilcoxon, Mr.

1:14:59

Lester Gold.

1:15:00

Thank you all for being here this morning.

1:15:02

I also want to thank Ms.

1:15:04

Carmela.

1:15:05

Thank you very much for your your bringing us hope and bringing the prayer.

1:15:09

And we really do appreciate you being here this morning as well as as last week.

1:15:14

Please note that this Saturday, Montgomery County and in Dayton will be celebrating a day of hope.

1:15:21

This is actually being hosted by Doer, which is Dayton Unite for Human Rights.

1:15:27

So I encourage you to, if you have an opportunity to make sure that you uh visit the celebration of the Day of Hope.

1:15:35

It will be held Saturday, July the 11th at the Maine Branch Library.

1:15:40

I think it will be uh it starts around 12 p.m.

1:15:43

It starts noon.

1:15:44

So if you have an opportunity, and then also uh this Saturday, which I'm very excited about as well, a full weekend as as always in the summer months in Dayton, Ohio.

1:15:54

Uh Community Restoration and Empowerment Alliance is hosting the Healing Black Park Block Party and a resource fair.

1:16:02

Again, the um this is uh a coalition of number of of pastors, community leaders, uh resident leaders, nonprofit organizations that are banding together and and taking the charge in response to uh the gun violence, the violence that we're seeing in our community, and so there will in fact be the Hill and Block Party and the Resource Fair, which is this Saturday, July the 11th from 1 p.m.

1:16:28

until 4 p.m.

1:16:29

at Restoration Church.

1:16:31

Uh Pastor Saucer, his leadership at 904 Vernon Drive.

1:16:36

Again, that is 904 Vernon Drive.

1:16:39

There's also information that is circulating on social media, and there will be entertainment, vendors, uh resources.

1:16:47

Uh there will always important, right?

1:16:50

There will be refreshments, uh, complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs.

1:16:54

There will also be uh food trucks that will be available if those who are interested in in patronizing um the uh the food trucks uh themselves.

1:17:03

And if you are interested in being a vendor, we ask that you please contact uh the office, and that is 937-333-3640.

1:17:13

Again, that number is 937-333-3640, and Mr.

1:17:19

O will be happy to be happy to help you with the and assisting you with registering to become a vendor.

1:17:26

Then also I would like to mention um yesterday we had a press conference uh in partnership with Miami Valley Housing Opportunity along with Montgomery County.

1:17:37

I want to thank all of the partners.

1:17:39

I extremely want to thank the staff.

1:17:42

Uh the staff for really doing a deep dive on negotiating and conversating and building this partnership and managing all of the mechanics that went behind this this agreement and this partnership.

1:17:54

So kudos to our our law department, of course, uh, for forming correction, make sure that we are in fact having the proper language in these agreements, as well as our planning and neighborhood uh development staff, Miss Sarah Geis, Miss Aaron Ryder, uh Ritter, excuse me, and their leadership as well as uh the staff in partnership with Montgomery County.

1:18:15

Um, thanking all of my colleagues, thank you all.

1:18:18

I know there was scheduling conflicts, um, but I know that this was in fact an important issue for all of you all.

1:18:23

Uh, this is something that uh I campaigned on and making sure that we have uh a street outreach, resource officers, resource ambassadors on the ground doing the work to provide that necessary support and assistance for those who are um having or dealing with issues around uh mental health crisis, substance abuse, employment opportunities, as well as providing resources to those who are in fact unhoused.

1:18:49

So I want to thank the city manager's office for their leadership and their partnership with that again with all of the the county commissioners and their support.

1:18:57

And I also want to thank our state and our federal um leadership for having the insight to note that there are various different challenges that we are not only having in downtown but across the city as a whole, and so it's been an opportunity for us to work collectively.

1:19:12

Um, one thing about the city of Dayton is that regardless of what side you sit on, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat or wherever the case may be, and at this level, you all know that this is nonpartisan.

1:19:24

But we work very well with our our our delegates, and we do uh a fine job in trying to identify what is best, in fact, for the constituents of of the city of Dayton from Montgomery County, and so I am very grateful of that partnership.

1:19:39

I'm grateful for my colleagues across the aisle and between the aisle on the aisle that we're able to really work together and start problem solving, and so that's what we're seeing with the street outreach.

1:19:50

We're aligning people with the services with the support they're needed again to complement all of the work that we're seeing downtown and across the city of Dayton.

1:20:00

And so thank you to you, Ms.

1:20:02

Dixie, for us to expand that into our neighborhoods because we know that is needed.

1:20:06

And I also want to uplift the work of our mediation center.

1:20:10

Our mediation response unit has been doing some phenomenal work, knowing that this was a pilot that came out of the recommendations, the 142 recommendations under the police reform.

1:20:21

They are in fact receiving the city of Dayton, let it be known, is receiving national attention for the work that they're doing.

1:20:28

So it speaks value to know that we are not criminalizing or arresting our way through the challenges, the social ills of our community.

1:20:37

We know that it is needed for us to have a mutual, honorable respect, and there's dignity in the work that our police officers that they're doing on a data bay basis is to make sure that our most vulnerable feel protected, heard, and seen, as well as the entire uh members of our of the city of Dayton.

1:20:54

So again, I just want to uplift that work and thanking many of our partners at the county, the city, the state level, the federal level, and how we've been able to work together on this.

1:21:03

And that in fact is what reimagining public safety is all about.

1:21:07

I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

1:21:09

We had a social worker who does this work on a daily basis.

1:21:14

They were actually at the press conference as well.

1:21:17

And let me share this with you.

1:21:19

We had uh an unfortunate situation, but it was a vital situation in terms of really showing the importance of why this program is needed.

1:21:29

We had a gentleman that was in need of support, and we had all of the various different professionals that were right there on the spot during the day of the press conference to really speak value as to why again this work is important.

1:21:42

So I really want to thank Ms.

1:21:44

Joe Bacaro.

1:21:45

I want to thank Ms.

1:21:47

Debbie Watts Roberson Robertson and their partnership.

1:21:51

I also want to thank Ms.

1:21:53

Heather Wilson and her uh new marriage name.

1:21:56

It escapes me.

1:21:57

She just recently got married.

1:21:58

Uh so again, they were right on the spot.

1:22:01

Myself, the sheriff's officer, um, residents, we were able to uh de escalate the situation, and again, that's what partnership you had.

1:22:10

Everyone working together to make sure that this individual had the support and the services that they need, and so I'm extremely grateful of the street outreach program.

1:22:19

Okay, so with that, Miss Tremail, thank you very much for your comments.

1:22:23

Um, in terms of parking enforcement is in fact across the city.

1:22:28

I have seen the video.

1:22:30

There is more conversations that need to be had.

1:22:33

There's a video, unfortunately, that is circulating and more conversation needs to be had in their investigation will in fact um be um executed so that in fact we can learn more about what transpired, but understand and note that enforcement is in fact applied across the city and not just downtown Dayton.

1:22:54

We've received a number of complaints of individuals who are in fact parking on the sidewalks, impeding traffic, individuals who are parking on the grass, who are parking in areas that are in fact clearly says and noted that with signage that there is no parking, and that is not to say or suggest that that was the situation in this particular um in this particular case.

1:23:16

However, just want to make it note that parking is in fact a force across the city.

1:23:22

Mr.

1:23:22

Hewitt, thank you uh for your comments and thank you for joining us yesterday for the uh the walk.

1:23:28

Um it was well attended.

1:23:30

I have to thank Twin Towers, Leslie Sheaward for her leadership as well as Eastern Neighborhood Development.

1:23:38

I keep wanting to call it Eastern Community Services, knowing that they changed the name, um, as well as Miss Nicole Smith for her leadership, the victory project, Monty Bush, um, the uh the new hope church.

1:23:51

We also had Twin Towers Church.

1:23:53

It was well attended city staff, the city manager's office, public works, and the uh housing department, PD, fire.

1:24:01

There were a number of people that came out yesterday.

1:24:04

So thank you all very much.

1:24:05

Uh, we have one more mayor's walk, uh commission walk with special guests of our commissions.

1:24:10

All of us are special guests, right?

1:24:12

Um, so that is Thursday, the 23rd of July at 6 p.m.

1:24:17

We will be starting at Liberation Park, which is also noted as Broadway Park at 6 p.m.

1:24:23

in the Southern Dayton View neighborhood.

1:24:25

That will be the last walk of the season.

1:24:28

But note if you have an interest in walking your area or your block, uh, myself and my staff were more than willing to do so.

1:24:35

But just know it may not include the full staff because our staff in fact has to do the work, but we're more than willing to walk uh block neighborhoods, whatever the case may be, and then we'll take back any concerns to the staff so that we can find solutions to address those issues.

1:24:52

So, Mr.

1:24:52

Hewitt, again, thank you for being there to answer your question.

1:24:55

I want to make sure that it is noted.

1:25:00

Uh, individuals who are in fact needing assistance, it's under the PAF program with MVHO.

1:25:03

There are individuals that will be on the ground doing that work that will be providing that level of assistance.

1:25:09

The number that they can contact is 937 263 444 uh nine.

1:25:16

So that is 4449.

1:25:18

937 263 4449, and then we also will make sure that we'll have this information that will be noted on our various different social media outlets.

1:25:29

They can also fill out an application or or they can visit the website at MVHO.org.

1:25:35

That's nvh oorg for more information.

1:25:38

You can contact the office as well.

1:25:40

That's 937-333-3636 to get more information about the project, the pro the program.

1:25:46

We'll be happy to direct you as to what uh other resources that you may need.

1:25:51

Mr.

1:25:52

Stark, uh, to answer your question, thank you very much.

1:25:55

And we can have further conversation offline.

1:25:57

But the appointments are made according to the ordinance and the the l the language itself.

1:26:02

So the commission has four appointments.

1:26:05

Those four appointments they fall in the citizen, the development category.

1:26:10

So there is a um from the RCGO, there are uh the statute, it lays out in which those categories and those appointments or how they are being identified.

1:26:19

We are collectively making um recommendations as to who we want to serve on the on the board for the NCA.

1:26:27

The city manager being one in the ordinance, it designates that um the developer or the city manager is in fact one of the members that will serve on there, and they have the option as well to appoint three members of the of the NCA as as well.

1:26:43

But more to come on that, I'll be happy to have a conversation with you.

1:26:47

I can point you to the RCGO where it in fact lists that language and how those appointments are being made.

1:26:53

But we are collectively are making the recommendations, and I have my memo today for the recommendations, so I appreciate that.

1:26:59

All right, and then Mr.

1:27:00

Brieford, thank you for your comments.

1:27:02

They are valid.

1:27:03

I also want to let you know that the labor contracts are in fact on the city's website.

1:27:08

So if you visit the city's website, you will be able to review uh the labor con uh contracts in his entire totality.

1:27:16

Uh Miss Hastings, thank you for the recommendations.

1:27:19

I look forward to, I believe you said that you have an email.

1:27:21

I'm still trying to respond to your last email.

1:27:23

I apologize for the the delay.

1:27:25

I'm going to definitely provide you with a response, but I will tell you that that is something that we have, not those particular um municipalities, but that is something that we have uh uh reviewed and we need to do a further review on that.

1:27:42

Um, and I believe that is all I have this morning.

1:27:45

Thank you very much.

1:27:46

With no further business that come before this commission, this meeting is now in adjourned.

1:27:50

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████25%
Workforce Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Housing Abandonment███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

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.

Meeting Transcript

The Dayton City Commission meeting would now come to order. Would you all please rise for the invitation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance? This morning, the invitation will be given by Commissioner Beckham. Dear Lord, thank you for this day and our community. We ask for wisdom and clarity as we do the work of leading this city. In your name we pray, I'm in. Amen. I pledge religious allegiance to the United States in America. And to the Republicans undergoing individual with liberty and justice for all. All right, good morning, Miss McClendon. May we please have a roll call? Mayor Turner Sloss. Aye. Commissioners Joseph. Aye. Shaw. Fairchild. Beckham. Aye. May I please have a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioners Shaw and Fairchild. So moved, Your Honor. Second. It has been properly moved and seconded to excuse the absence of Commissioners Shaw and Fairchild. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the July 1st, 2026 meeting. So moved, Your Honor. Second the motion. It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the July 1st, 2026 meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Any abstentions. Are there any communications or petitions this morning? There are none, Your Honor. All right. Miss McClendon, are there any additions, deletions, or comments to the calendar this morning? There are none, Your Honor. Thank you. And Miss Dixteen, are there any additions, deletions or comments to the calendar this morning? Um, Your Honor, before we um go into calendar, I'm sorry, we do have a uh presentation. All right. Um, and that is uh I'd like to call forward Keisha Kinney, who is here with our high school co-op uh students who uh are from Miami Valley CTC, Dayton Public Schools. They have spent their time in water, public works, and fire. So I'd like to have Keisha come forward, talk a little bit about that program, and uh have the students stand and be acknowledged. Thank you. Good morning, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager. Thank you for having us here. So this is our first year for our co-op program.

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