City Commission

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 6:05 p.m., the Dayton City Commission met in regular session in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mims called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken, and Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild and Turner- Sloss were present. The Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, and the City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, were also present. INVOCATION Mayor Mims asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Craig Robinson’s mother. Commissioner Joseph gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Mims led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 24, 2024, City Commission meeting. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS Communication #21868 State of Ohio, Department of Liquor Control – Permit Application No. 8798651 – TRFO – C2 – C2X –Tap & N Drive Thru LLC dba Woodman Drive Thru, 1624 Woodman Drive, Dayton OH 45432. The Clerk of Commission reported receipt of Permit Application No. 8798651 – TRFO – C2 – C2X –Tap & N Drive Thru LLC dba Woodman Drive Thru, 1624 Woodman Drive, Dayton OH 45432. The application was referred through the city for investigation. Communication #21869 Letter from Magnus Capital Partners - RE: HoM Flats at Forest Avenue SPECIAL AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS Retirement of Fire Chief Jeff Lykins The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, invited Chief Lykins, Dayton Fire Department, to the podium for recognition. Ms. Dickstein said Chief Lykins started with the Dayton Fire Department on June 1, 1992. He will have 31 years and seven months of service upon his retirement. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2008, Assistant Chief in 2015, Deputy Chief in 2017, and Director and Chief in 2020. Ms. Dickstein said he spearheaded the completion of a five-year strategic plan in 2020 and a Master Station and Facility Plan in 2022. He began the process for the DFD to become an Accredited Fire Department with the Center of Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), and they are on track to submit their application package for accreditation in June 2024. She said (There are only 312 Fire Departments in the World that are accredited through CPSE). Ms. Dickstein said he has received such awards as the Robert B. Jacob Award of Merit from the 100 Club of Dayton in 1999, Box #21 Dayton Fire Department Firefighter of the Year in 2000, Dayton Fire Department Medal of Honor in 2000, and the Greater Montgomery County Fire Chief’s Firefighter of the Year in 2023. Ms. Dickstein said he completed his education during his service with the DFD which includes a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Anna Maria College, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Waldorf University, along with other programs and credentials which includes Chief Fire Officer Credential from the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, Chief Fire Officer Credential through CPSE, Executive Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy, Executive Leaders Program through the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Regional, State, and National Leadership, President of the Greater Montgomery County Fire Chief’s Association in 2022, Sponsoring Agency Chief (SAC) for Ohio Task Force 1 (OHTF1) from January 17, 2020, until February 2, 2024, (OHTF1 is the State of Ohio’s Type I Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, which is made up of 221 team members from 60 fire departments throughout Ohio and each of the five states that Ohio borders). Chief Lykins said during the celebration people talk about things you’ve done. He said he did some work but the men and women around him did the work. He said they have an amazing department. He said they were one of the best departments in the city. Chief Lykins said that is true of every department, director, and division manager in the City of Dayton. He said he loves each and every one of them. Chief Lykins thanked the City Commission for his opportunity to serve. Commissioner Turner-Sloss congratulated Chief Lykins on his retirement and thanked him for his leadership and selfless commitment to the City of Dayton. She thanked his wife and family for sharing with the City of Dayton. Commissioner Fairchild congratulated Chief Lykins on his retirement and said it has been an honor to work with him over the years. He said he appreciates his commitment and usually affirms people being celebratory and prideful and encourages them to season that with a little humility, but he said it was the reverse. He affirmed his humility and encouraged him to season that with pride for his accomplishments. Commissioner Shaw thanked Chief Lykins for his great service to the community. He said as he thought back to all the disasters that he has had to deal with over the years tornados, mass shootings, and the overdose epidemic. He said he is appreciative of his leadership and commitment and thanked his family for their great sacrifice. Commissioner Joseph said it’s a special person who can come through what we've come through these last four years and still grin. He said that says a lot about Chief Lykins’s personality. He thanked him for his attitude and perseverance and said the Fire Department always receives high ratings on the City of Dayton’s annual survey. He congratulated Chief Lykins on his retirement. Mayor Mims said he enjoyed being at Chief Lykins's retirement ceremony. He said in addition to the opioid crisis and other disasters that were addressed by the fire department, they were the only city in the state of Ohio that pushed churches to help administer vaccines for the community. He thanked Chief Lykins for helping to put together the youth training programs. He congratulated him on his retirement and wished him well. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR There were no additions or deletions to the calendar. DISCUSSION OF CALENDAR ITEMS Calendar Item No. 6. Frost Brown Todd, LLC – Contract Modification The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said the amendment is to continue the contract to continue to have the Independent Accountability Auditor (IAA) present. REPORTS 1. Purchase Orders, Agreements and Contracts: (All contracts are valid until delivery is complete or through December 31st of the current year). AVIATION A1. Apex Mechanical Systems, Inc. (annual boiler inspection including maintenance and repair services as needed through 12/31/27) $400,000.00 A2. Debra-Kuempel, Inc. (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) preventative maintenance and repairs as needed through 12/31/24) $30,000.00 FIRE B1. Horton Emergency Vehicles Company (one medic unit with International brand chassis with Horton brand medic box) 359,047.34 B2. White Allen Chevrolet, Inc. (four pre-owned vehicles as needed through 12/31/24) 100,000.00 POLICE C1. Beau Townsend Ford, Inc. (two all-wheel-drive electric pickup trucks) 110,160.00 C2. Vance Outdoors, Inc. (lethal and non-lethal ammunition) 22,105.48 PUBLIC WORKS D1. Weiffenbach Marble & Tile Company (carpet removal and installation services) 60,000.00 WATER E1. Deere & Company (one 2024 utility terrain vehicle) 33,952.76 -Depts. of Aviation, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Water. TOTAL: $1,115,265.58 2. App Architecture, Inc. – Contract Modification – first amendment to the City Hall Restroom Renovation Design and Constructive Administrative Services (Open Market) – Department of Public Works/Property Management. $26,755.00 (Thru 12/31/26)  3. Ardent Technologies – Service Agreement – to identify and document the major operational applications utilized within each City department, including the creation of initial data catalog requirements - Department of Information Technology. $257,650.00 (Thru 12/31/24) 4. Bayer & Becker, Inc. – Service Agreement – to provide engineering surveying, and related services on an as-needed basis -Department of Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development/Economic Development. $50,000.00 (Thru 12/31/26) 5. Dayton Access Television, Inc. (DATV) – Contract Modification – second amendment to professional services agreement – City Manager’s Office/Public Affairs. $1,862,000.00 (Thru 02/01/29) 6. Frost Brown Todd, LLC– Contract Modification – first amendment for the Independent Accountability Auditor position to further improve transparency, oversight, and accountability of the City of Dayton Police Department, strengthening its relationship with the community – Department of Law/Civil. $100,000.00 (Thru 01/31/25) 7. O&S Associates, Inc. – Service Agreement – for the municipal parking garage structural repair and improvement design and construction administrative services – Department of Public Works/Property Management. $46,000.00 (Thru 12/31/26) C. Revenue to the City: 8. Greater Dayton Area Health Information Network (GDAHIN) -Service Agreement – for funding of the Dayton Area Regional Medical Response System- – Department of Fire/Strategic Prog & Safety. $70,000.00 (Thru 06/30/24) CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Citizen's comments on calendar items were received from the following: 1. Ms. Christina Jones, 4440 St. Johns Ave. - spoke in opposition to Ordinance No. 32083-24. APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS Commissioner Shaw made the motion to approve the City Manager’s Reports. Commissioner Turner-Sloss seconded the motion. The City Manager’s Reports were approved with a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. LEGISLATION EMERGENCY ORDINANCE – FIRST AND SECOND READING Emergency Ordinance No. 32082-24- Adopting Plans, Proposing to Cooperate, and Requesting the Director of Transportation of the State of Ohio to Proceed with the Improvements to Germantown Pike (S.R.4) from Straight Line Mile 10.34 – 11.32, including pavement planning, pavement repair, resurfacing, and pavement markings, lying within the City of Dayton, and Declaring an Emergency. Commissioner Fairchild moved that this being an emergency measure for the immediate consideration of the Ordinance. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The motion was passed with a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. Emergency Ordinance No. 32083-24 - Adopting Plans, Proposing to Cooperate, and Requesting the Director of Transportation of the State of Ohio to Proceed with the Improvement of State Route 201 (Brandt Street), State Route 835 (Woodman Drive) and State Route 202 (Troy Street) Within the City of Dayton, and Declaring an Emergency. Commissioner Turner-Sloss moved that this being an emergency measure for the immediate consideration of the Ordinance. Commissioner Joseph seconded the motion. The motion was passed with a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. ORDINANCE – SECOND READING Ordinance No. 32081-24- Officially Renaming Fairground Avenue, Jasper Street, and Frank Street between S. Main Street and Brown Street to East Fairground Avenue, East Jasper Street, and East Frank Street. The question being shall Ordinance No. 32081-24 be passed. A roll call vote was taken resulting in a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. The Ordinance was passed. RESOLUTION – FIRST READING Resolution No. 6778-24- Declaring the Intention of the Commission to Vacate Faulkner Avenue from the Alley North of Negley Place to West Riverview Avenue and the Alley North of Negley Place from Faulkner Avenue to North Paul Laurence Dunbar Street. Resolution No. 6779-24- Authorizing the Acceptance of an Aggregate Grant Award from the United States Department of Justice in the Amount of One Hundred Eighty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Seven Dollars and Zero Cents ($189,467.00), on Behalf of the City of Dayton. BOARD APPOINTMENTS Commissioner Fairchild made a motion to appoint Catherine Hall as Chairperson of the Community Appeals Board. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Turner-Sloss made a motion to appoint Stanley Hirtle as Vice-Chairperson of the Community Appeals Board. Commissioner Joseph seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS Citizens’ comments were received from the following: 1. Ms. Kathleen Kersh, 6310 Harvest Meadows Drive- spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 2. Ms. Willa Strickland, 6940 Serene Place - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 3. Ms. Sarah Weber, 130 W, Second Street - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 4. Ms. Viridis Green, 3925 E. Third St. spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 5. Mr. Gregory Andrews, 1714 W. Second St. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 6. Ms. Alice Woods, 541 Adams St. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 7. Mr. Julio Mateo, 215 Ice Ave. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 8. Ms. Christina Jones, 4440 St. Johns Ave. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 9. Mr. Jordan Ostrum, 210 Wayne Ave. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 10. Mr. Paul Manning, 255 Springfield St. - spoke about a missing friend. 11. Ms. Miranda Wilson, 505 Riverside Dr. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 12. Ms. Debra Lavey, 130 W. Second St. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 13. Ms. Tara Campbell, 2224 Chamberlin Ave. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 14. Mr. Alexander Gorman, 133 Linden Ave. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 15. Ms. Destiny Brown, 130 W. Second St. - spoke about having a member of the Dayton Tenant Union on the City of Dayton’s Housing Steering Committee. 16. Mr. Youssef Elzein, 4906 Amberwood Dr. – read a letter about the Israel and Hamas war. 17. Mr. Anwar Basher, 4516 Morris St. – spoke about the Israel and Hamas war. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said she wanted to clarify that there's been no refusal, intentional exclusion, or disagreement with having tenants on the steering committee. She said she thinks that it's a good idea. She said they are trying to assess the right way forward with representation. COMMENTS BY THE CLERK OF THE COMMISSION The Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, had no closing comments. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss said Emergency Ordinance No. 32083-24 is a project with ODOT which is funding 80 percent of the project with the City of Dayton having a 20 percent match. She said they are not ignoring the issues with the major corridors; they are addressing those issues as well. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked citizens and community leaders for their comments at the meeting. Commissioner Turner-Sloss said she wants to continue the work that was started in 2020 to eradicate and interrupt racism throughout the organization and community. She said they cannot do business as usual, and they have an opportunity to learn from residents. She said that it was not an oversight about the recommendation for a person to be appointed to the steering committee. She asked for an update on the steering committee moving forward. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Chief Lykins for his work and congratulated him on his retirement after 31 years of service. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild asked for a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of former City of Dayton employee, Mr. Richard Holton. Commissioner Fairchild asked where the process was in the creation of the steering committee. Ms. Dickstein said they have met twice and are trying to affirm the work plan. Commissioner Fairchild said they need to work on the perception that they are not receptive to including a resident on the steering committee. He said it is imperative to place an anti- racism lens on the housing policy as well as the creation of the steering committee. Commissioner Shaw said they need to separate Issue 6 from the conversation because there is a lot more at stake if Issue 6 does not pass. He said as the City Manager has said it is a misinterpretation. He said he agrees that tenants should be represented on the steering committee. Commissioner Shaw said this body is committed to equity and inclusion. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph said he is proud to join his fellow commissioners in supporting having a tenant representative on the steering committee. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims said they had been working on housing issues well before the Tenant Union was formed and are committed to that work. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. ___________________________________ Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr. Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Clerk of Commission WORK SESSION A copy of the prepared material has been recorded as Communication & Petition Number 21870 dated January 31, 2024. The Dayton City Commission met in a Work Session on January 31, 2024, at 4:52 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting. Mayor Mims, Commissioners Shaw, Joseph, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss were present. Regina D. Blackshear, Clerk of Commission, and Verletta Jackson, Chief of Staff, City Commission Office were also in attendance. Ms. Shelley Dickstein, City Manager, Mr. Joseph Parlette, Deputy City Manager, and Ms. LaShea Lofton, Deputy City Manager were present. Mr. Stephan Marcellus, Interim Director, Department of Recreation, Mr. Fred Stovall, Director, Department of Public Works, and Keith Rodenhauser, Brandstetter-Carroll were the presenters. Mr. Marcellus provided an overview of the City’s Recreation and Parks System. He stated that Dayton has three recreation centers, a sports complex (Kettering Field), a community golf course, and a tennis center (Jim Nichols). Mr. Marcellus also stated the city has thirty-three (33) neighborhood/mini-parks, four community parks, seven splash pads, thirty-five (35) playgrounds, thirty-six (36) basketball courts, fifteen (15) tennis courts, two dog parks, a new bike yard and more. Mr. Marcellus stated that the recreation and parks systems is about 900 acres in total. Mr. Marcellus gave an overview of the planning process. He stated the Department of Recreation started the process of a five-year strategic plan conducted by Brandstetter-Carroll (BCI) in January 2023. He said the last strategic plan was completed twenty years (20) ago. Mr. Marcellus stated by the summer of 2023, BCI had completed a full analysis of recreation facilities and parks, and in the fall of 2023, BCI led several stakeholder meetings and in the winter of 2023, BCI completed its first draft of the strategic plan. Mr. Marcellus stated the process included the following: (1) Evaluate – Internal and External Assessment. The deliverables included: a park and recreation system analysis summary, trends and benchmarking, and an analysis summary. (2) Engage – Community Engagement. The deliverables included: a community engagement summary (3) Envision – Vision. The deliverables included: strategic plan: vision, mission, goals, and objectives (4) Plan – Action Plan and Final Report. The deliverables included: recommendations, an action plan, and a final document. Mr. Marcellus provided the following results: (1) Comprehensive assessment, Inventory and data-driven guide (2) Revision of Recreation’s vision/mission statement (3) five-ten year goals and objectives plan, (3) full analysis of recreation spaces, (4) BCI’s facility and park recommendations, (5) cost estimates for improvement. Mr. Marcellus presented the following 2024-2026 Recommendations: (1) widely promote the revised mission, vision, and goals, (2) open GDRC Aquatic Center, (3) provide consistent hours at all three pools to meet demand (4) utilize teen space at Northwest Rec Center, (5) update Belmont Pool. (6) increase golf programming for youth and teens at Community Golf Course. (7) seek partnerships for developing programs/facilities. (8) ensure ADA accessibility at all recreation facilities, and (8) take programs to the community. Mr. Marcellus presented the following 2025-2030 Recommendations: (1) add more fields at Kettering Fields (KFC), (2) update Jim Nichols Tennis Complex (move to KFC) (3) continue to improve Community Golf Course, (4) improve marketing awareness, (5) revise job descriptions to match profession, (6) update personnel structures to upward mobility, (7) staff training. Mr. Marcellus presented the following 2025-2030 Recommendations: (1) upgrade and modernize all three recreation centers and expand hours (2) renovate Northwest Recreation Center program spaces (3) continue to evaluate the demand for new programming and new spaces (4) maintain pricing strategies for recreation (5) keep customers engaged throughout the plan. Mr. Stovall presented the City’s park facilities which included the following: (1) continue to focus investment on existing neighborhood parks (2) upgrade existing splash pads and add new ones, (3) continue to evaluate the need for additional pickleball courts, (4) seek opportunities to display public art (5) investigate opportunities for park connectivity (6) ensure ADA accessibility for park amenities. Mr. Stovall discussed park facilities recommendations. He stated park and facility recommendations were guided through the following top priorities: (1) improve ADA access throughout the system (2) add/improve restrooms (3) add site amenities (e.g., security, shade, seating, trees) (4) provide strategic and consistent signage (5) upgrade and replace existing facilities throughout the system (6) remove obsolete/poor quality facilities (7) add desired new amenities (e.g., picnic shelters, dog parks, disc golf, and skateparks) (8) upgrade existing and develop new splash pads (9) add and improve connectivity (10) include features specifically desired by users of neighborhood parks (11) consider maintenance/staffing needs when adding parkland & features (12) use careful consideration to reduce maintenance requirements (13) define maintenance standards for parks, (14) increase mowing at select sports fields. Mr. Stovall discussed the common park and facility recommendations by planning district. Mr. Marcellus explained the key takeaways which included: (1) personnel for the future (2) space optimization, (3) recruit partners and use them (4) connect with our patrons (5) equal opportunity for all (6) address aging infrastructure (7) improve existing parks for all (8) connect parks to neighborhoods. Mr. Marcellus explained why the plan is important. He said it’s important because it (1) provides a vision for the future of parks and recreation in Dayton (2) ensures department offerings are aligned with community needs (3) fosters civic engagement and creates a sense of community (4) develops clear priorities based on community needs and desires (5) identifies gaps and inequities in service delivery (6) strengthens fiscal responsibility, sustainability and efficiency (7) identifies future funding requirements and potential sources (8) increases user participation, satisfaction, revenue, and capital investment (9) ensures that the City keeps up with parks and recreation trends and (10) ensures do duplication of service and improves partnerships. The Commissioners thanked the staff for the presentation. The Work Session concluded at 5:43 p.m.