Dayton City Commission Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Dayton City Commission convened on October 14, 2026, at 04:00:00 UTC. Mayor Turner Sloss presided with Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Beckham, and Fairchild present. The meeting featured presentations on the Revive 35 corridor reimagining and breast cancer awareness initiatives. Public comments focused heavily on the West Dayton public hospital, police transparency and use of force policies, and housing code enforcement. The commission passed legislation including the second reading of the property tax levy for the public hospital.

Presentations

• Revive 35 Corridor Project: Chief Engineer David Escobar presented the planning initiative funded by a $2 million Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The project aims to re-envision US 35 from Gettysburg Avenue to Steve Whalen Boulevard. Key objectives include restoring the neighborhood network that was disrupted by the highway's original construction, building community through transparent engagement, and producing an implementation-ready plan by January 2028. The consultant team is led by Colliers Engineering & Design. Engagement structures include a Technical Advisory Committee, a Community Advisory Committee (30–40 members), and a Racial Equity Subcommittee. Commissioners discussed the Abbey Avenue intersection, community selection processes for committees, and post-planning funding, with Mayor Turner Sloss highlighting the importance of including stories of displacement from the original construction.
• Breast Cancer Awareness: Sybil Martin, Executive Director of the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation, presented on breast cancer statistics and community initiatives. Martin cited American Cancer Society estimates of over 322,000 women diagnosed nationally and noted that 31% of women in Montgomery County between 2018 and 2022 were diagnosed at a later stage. The foundation provides mammogram screenings and transportation assistance. Upcoming events include a mobile screening unit for National Mammography Day on October 16, and educational events at Wright Dunbar Cigar Lounge on October 14 and 22.

Public Comments & Testimony

• West Dayton Public Hospital: Multiple residents expressed full support for the voter-approved 1-mil property tax levy for the establishment of a public hospital in West Dayton. Speakers including Alec Johnson, Sharon Screech, Rodney Stark, and Ebony Hastings called on the commission to move from endorsement to implementation. Johnson requested a public progress report identifying completed steps, application timelines for trustees, and public consideration dates. Hastings argued the city must present a transparent funding strategy and tangible milestones, stating residents should reject the notion that difficulty equates to impossibility.
• Police Transparency and Use of Force:
  • Joyce Propst McAlpine criticized the pace of the independent investigation into the police department's use of Flock camera data, which a departing police chief revealed had been used for immigration enforcement searches over 7,000 times. She opposed mass surveillance and called for the cancellation of the contract and removal of cameras.
  • Rodney Stark expressed deep distrust in the commission, specifically regarding the Use of Force Committee. He stated the committee has been inactive since November 2023, demanded its abolition or significant reform, and criticized restrictions on public speech by committee members.
  • O.R. Moore critiqued the city's speed camera system in school zones, stating she received tickets when school zone lights were not flashing. She argued the city lacks proper signage for school zone hours, making enforcement feel like a revenue generator (citing a jump from $300,000 in 2024 to $4.3 million in 2025) rather than a public safety measure.
• Housing and Building Concerns:
  • Sharon Screech reported that elevators in her building at 515 West Grand Avenue have been broken for almost two weeks, creating dangerous conditions for senior and disabled residents.
  • Paul Kerrigan provided a list of 14 dilapidated properties in Lyndon Heights owned by LLCs registered outside Dayton (including Nevada, Florida, and New Jersey), arguing the rental industry is unregulated and wealth is extracted from the city.
• Other Public Comments:
  • Mary Sugaminor urged the commission to prioritize children and violence prevention in the budget. She noted most free recreation programs are concentrated at Northwest Rec Center, with few at GDRC, and advocated for fully funded violence interrupter models like Cure Violence.
  • Ebony Hastings questioned the transparency of the $80,000 contract for the city manager recruitment firm.
  • Alec Johnson advocated for the city to support a community wealth building import replacement study through the Miami Valley Community Wealth Initiative Network (MVC Win).

Legislation & Key Outcomes

• Public Hospital Tax Levy (Emergency Resolution 6962-26): Passed on second reading, authorizing the levy of the voter-approved 1-mil property tax for a West Dayton public hospital and requesting advance payment of tax monies. Vote: 4 in favor (Turner, Joseph, Shaw, Beckham), 1 abstention (Fairchild).
• Firefighters Grant (Emergency Resolution 6963-26): Authorized acceptance of a $110,510.00 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant with $11,051.00 in matching funds. Vote: 5-0.
• Civil Citations Ordinance (Ordinance 32218-26): Passed on second reading, amending codes related to property and civil citations. Vote: 5-0.
• Calendar Items / City Manager's Recommendations: Approved, including contracts for renovating 3975 Dayton Park Drive to house Water Department and Police services, and Phase 5 of the Wolf Creek Sanitary Liner project.
• Commissioner Closing Statements:
  • Commissioner Beckham stated applications for the Use of Force Committee would open this month and highlighted the launch of Breeze Airways at Dayton Airport and the 'Do Something Weekend' pilot.
  • Commissioner Fairchild requested updates on the Flock camera investigation, the de-escalation policy, and reminded residents of the October 21 budget presentation. She offered a closing reflection on forgiveness and King's concept of 'soul force' as a path to breaking cycles of violence.
  • Commissioner Joseph promoted the October 17 Old North Dayton Neighborhood Association cleanup.
  • Mayor Turner Sloss provided extensive closing remarks. On the city manager search, he defended the selected firm and process. On the hospital, he stated the process requires deliberate vetting. He detailed a recent trip to New York to discuss gun violence with Mayor Mandani, highlighting partnerships with Omega CDC and Learn to Earn. He confirmed the Flock camera investigation is being negotiated, curfew data has been provided to the commission (curfew is in effect for 18 and younger starting at 11 PM), and providing better signage for road diets and school zones is a priority.