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.