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Record of Proceedings

Dayton City Commission Meeting - August 26, 2026

City Commission — Wednesday, August 26, 2026
BodyDayton, Ohio
SessionCity Commission
DateWednesday, August 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:17:33

Original source
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0:05

All right, good morning, everyone.

0:07

The Dayton City Commission meeting will now come to order.

0:10

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

0:16

This morning, the invocation will be given by Commissioner Shaw.

0:20

Yes, but before I do, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence.

0:24

Um to request a moment of silence for the passing of Lieutenant Johnson of the Dayton Fire Department.

0:36

Thank you.

0:37

Thank you, Commissioner.

0:38

Dear Lord, bless the citizens of this community.

0:41

We pray for those in need of your care.

0:44

We ask that you protect and guide them at all times.

0:47

Amen.

0:55

And to revolve for which it stands one.

0:58

Underground with liberty and justice for all.

1:08

All right, Miss McClendon.

1:09

May I please have a roll call, please?

1:11

Mayor Turner Sloss.

1:12

Aye.

1:13

Commissioner Joseph.

1:14

Shaw.

1:15

Aye.

1:16

Aye.

1:17

Beckham.

1:19

May I have a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioner Joseph?

1:23

So moved, Yonor.

1:24

Second the motion, Your Honor.

1:26

It has been properly moved and seconded to excuse the absence of Commissioner Joseph.

1:31

All in favor say aye.

1:32

Aye.

1:33

All opposed say no.

1:34

May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the August 19th, 2026 meeting?

1:40

So moved, Your Honor.

1:42

Second.

1:42

It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the August 19th, 2026 meeting.

1:48

All in favor say aye.

1:50

Aye.

1:50

Aye.

1:50

All opposed say no.

1:52

Any abstentions?

1:53

Miss McClendon.

1:54

Are there any communications or petitions this morning?

1:57

There are none, Your Honor.

1:59

Thank you.

1:59

This morning we have a presentation.

2:02

One of our favorites, our monthly demolition update.

2:05

I would like to call to the podium, Mr.

2:07

Steve Rondell, Director of Planning, Neighborhood, and Development.

2:15

Good morning, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager, Ms.

2:18

McClendon.

2:19

Steve Gondel, Director for the Department of Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development.

2:22

All right.

2:23

Today we're going to do the Dayton Recovery Plan Demolition Monthly Udate for the month of July 2026.

2:33

In July, we saw 18 demolitions completed.

2:36

14 of those were using ARPA funds.

2:39

One of those was using general fund, and three of those were using Ohio Department of Development Funds.

2:44

In total, uh to date, that's 139 demolitions, the bulk of which are ARPA 84, General Fund one, Ohio Department of Development, or ODOD 52, and CDBG 2.

2:56

We have 42% of the planned demolitioning demolitions for the year completed, and we're about 58% of the way through the year.

3:33

And just to give you an idea of where those are located, um, well, there should be four.

3:36

There's one additional dot that I think did not come off, but uh two of those were in the Westwood neighborhood, 147 North Ardmore, 151 North Ardmore.

3:45

Two of those were in the residence park neighborhood.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement█████████████████████21%
Economic Development█████████████13%
Housing Abandonment█████████9%
Public Works█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Education And Workforce Development████4%
Public Health████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Dayton City Commission Meeting - August 26, 2026

The Dayton City Commission met on August 26, 2026, at 14:43 UTC. The meeting opened with an invocation by Commissioner Shaw, a moment of silence for Lieutenant Johnson of the Dayton Fire Department, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call showed Mayor Turner Sloss, Commissioners Shaw, Fairchild, and Beckham present; Commissioner Joseph was excused by motion. The minutes of the August 19, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Demolition Update

  • Steve Rondell, Director of Planning, Neighborhood, and Development, presented the monthly demolition update for July 2026.
  • In July, 18 demolitions were completed (14 using ARPA funds, 1 general fund, 3 Ohio Department of Development funds). To date, 139 demolitions have been completed: 84 ARPA, 1 general fund, 52 ODOD, 2 CDBG.
  • 42% of planned demolitions for the year are completed, about 58% of the year elapsed.
  • Demolitions occurred in eight neighborhoods: Westwood (2), Residence Park (2), and others. Heavy activity in Miami Chapel (7), Santa Clara (5).
  • 12 new properties added to the structural nuisance list (7 houses, 4 garages, 1 commercial); 5 due to blight, 7 due to fire. Total now 101 structures (84 houses, 17 garages).
  • Pipeline: 29 properties went out for asbestos remediation.
  • ARPA-funded demolitions: 84 of 120 completed; must be finished by October 15, 2026. ODOD: 52 of 70 completed. CDBG demolitions (60-80) planned for Westwood and Burkhart neighborhoods after ARPA is done.
  • Commissioner Fairchild asked about total nuisance list (~1,600), a citizen complaint about a property bought at sheriff's auction, and steps to prevent future issues. Staff working on resolution.
  • Commissioner Shaw raised concerns about: (1) Salem Avenue demolition (Buckeye cleaners) – active court case with Ohio EPA; staff directed to secure the site. (2) Santa Clara Business District demolition – to be considered in 2027 budget; caution tape and debris need attention. (3) Old bus barn (J. McGee) – bricks and debris remain; second phase remediation needed, coordination with Public Works. (4) Trees at Bryn Mawr and Oxford corner – overgrowth leading to dumping and encampments; director to coordinate with Public Works.

2026 Dayton Survey Presentation

  • Roma Yengo from the Office of Management and Budget presented the annual Dayton survey.
  • 13,000 surveys will be mailed starting next week using a randomized address-based sampling method. Vendor: ETC Institute (fifth year). Surveys are anonymous; expected ~1,300 responses.
  • Residents returning surveys are entered into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card. Translation services available via a phone line.
  • The survey will remain open through November 2026; final report and dashboard expected in Q1 2027.
  • Commissioner Shaw confirmed survey results inform policy and budget direction. Information will be posted on the city website.

Legislation

  • Second reading of Ordinance 32204-26: levying special assessments for special energy improvement projects in cooperation with the Dayton Regional Energy Special Improvement District. Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Joseph absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

On Calendar Items (5 speakers):

  • Alec Johnson (Hearthstone, DSA): Argued for import replacement and community wealth building, urging the city to support the Miami Valley Community Wealth Initiative. Cited spending on out-of-town insurance and called for a study to measure economic leakage.
  • Rodney Stark (45417): Clarified previous comments; thanked police/fire for response at cousin's residence; criticized city settlements and urged finishing processes; called out the clerk for lack of response to emails.
  • Dory Chamel (P.O. Box 16050): Questioned taxpayer funding for a settlement ($56,365.62) and a forensic video voucher ($7,042); expressed concern about unsolved homicide of KYD; questioned outsourced city jobs.
  • Paul Kerrigan (1525 Pershing): Asked about cost of a generator (item C4) and noted market price vs. $86,329; later commented on rental property neglect and money leaving Dayton.
  • Ebony Hastings (1238 Wabash): Demanded total public cost of Sierra Nevada project, promised jobs/payroll, and return on investment; criticized lack of transparency and trash cleanup.

On General Comments (6 speakers):

  • Alec Johnson: Criticized capitalism and dysfunction; called for economic democracy, socialization, and abolition of capitalism; urged shifting power to workers and cooperatives.
  • Rodney Stark: Accused commissioners and clerk of not responding to emails; called for removal of the clerk; said the commission is in shambles.
  • Dory Chamel: Questioned a $3,500 payment to the NAACP; alleged hush money.
  • Paul Kerrigan: Thanked city for addressing speeding on his street (made a difference); again raised rental property disinvestment; said wealth is leaving Dayton.
  • Sharon Screech (515 West Grand): Expressed anger and disappointment over neglected neighborhoods, lack of trust, and perception that residents are not listened to; called for new city manager leadership; alleged targeting of a resident with bicycle tickets; demanded investigation.
  • Ebony Hastings: Criticized symbolic health care resolutions vs. lack of a public hospital plan; asked for specific partnerships (Cleveland Clinic, CareSource); demanded removal of Flock cameras citing Oshkosh example; called for retraining police in de-escalation; urged local business spending.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of August 19, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
  • Passed Ordinance 32204-26 (special energy improvements) with 4 votes.
  • Approved city manager's recommendations (consent calendar) with no opposition.
  • Commissioner Shaw directed staff to secure demolition sites (Salem Avenue, Santa Clara, J. McGee bus barn) and coordinate with Public Works on tree removal.
  • The 2026 Dayton Survey will be mailed starting August 27, with results presented in Q1 2027.
  • Mayor noted that the city is working on health care access (possibly a birthing center partnership) but cannot build a full hospital due to budget constraints and statutory limits.
  • Several commissioners responded to public comments, affirming their commitment to transparency and responsiveness.

Next Steps

  • Staff will provide data on SOSI intern demographics and tracking (requested by Commissioner Shaw).
  • Mayor will work with administration on the hospital board appointments and potential partnerships.
  • Tax incentive review council reports (covering Sierra Nevada and other projects) are available on the city website; a link will be verified.
  • The Don't Be a Litterbug campaign was relaunched to address illegal dumping and blight; mayor called for shared accountability.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good morning, everyone. The Dayton City Commission meeting will now come to order. Would you all please rise for the indication and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance? This morning, the invocation will be given by Commissioner Shaw. Yes, but before I do, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence. Um to request a moment of silence for the passing of Lieutenant Johnson of the Dayton Fire Department. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Dear Lord, bless the citizens of this community. We pray for those in need of your care. We ask that you protect and guide them at all times. Amen. And to revolve for which it stands one. Underground with liberty and justice for all. All right, Miss McClendon. May I please have a roll call, please? Mayor Turner Sloss. Aye. Commissioner Joseph. Shaw. Aye. Aye. Beckham. May I have a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioner Joseph? So moved, Yonor. Second the motion, Your Honor. It has been properly moved and seconded to excuse the absence of Commissioner Joseph. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the August 19th, 2026 meeting? So moved, Your Honor. Second. It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the August 19th, 2026 meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Any abstentions? Miss McClendon. Are there any communications or petitions this morning? There are none, Your Honor. Thank you. This morning we have a presentation. One of our favorites, our monthly demolition update. I would like to call to the podium, Mr. Steve Rondell, Director of Planning, Neighborhood, and Development. Good morning, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager, Ms. McClendon. Steve Gondel, Director for the Department of Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development.

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