City Commission

November 1, 2024 TO: Regina Blackshear Clerk of Commission FROM: Anita Johnson, Office Assistant, City Commission Office SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the September 11th Dayton City Commission Meeting CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.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. He asked for a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of Rev. John Jackson, Jr. former pastor. INVOCATION Commissioner Joseph gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Mims led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 4, 2024, City Commission meetings. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were no communications or petitions. SPECIAL AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS Welcome Week Mayor Mims invited Ms. Jeanette Horowitz, Welcome Dayton Coordinator, Planning Neighborhoods and Development, to the podium for a proclamation. The Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, read a proclamation to commemorate Welcoming Week. Ms. Horowitz thanked the mayor and commissioners on behalf of the Welcome Dayton Program and the Welcome Dayton Committee for the proclamation and their continued support. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Ms. Horowitz for her leadership and work. She asked her to continue her efforts and let them know how they could support her. Commissioner Fairchild said that immigration is part of the great American narrative, and he wants to send a clear message to all residents who are immigrants that they are valued. Commissioner Joseph said in the wake of rumors, he believes that residents can separate fact from fiction. He said the Dayton Survey has shown that Dayton residents are happy to be welcoming to all people. Mayor Mims thanked Ms. Horowitz for the program at the Mayor’s Neighborhood Conversation at the International School at Residence Park. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR There were no additions or deletions to the calendar. DISCUSSION OF CALENDAR ITEMS Calendar Item No. 2. Sixmo Architecture LLC – Service Agreement The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said the agreement is for design specs and management of the Belmont pool. Calendar Item No. 4. Dayton-Phoenix Group, Inc. – Development Agreement The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said the Dayton Phoenix Group is a large anchor in Northeast Dayton under the leadership of Mr. Gale Kooken, Chairman of the Board. She said when the tornado happened, and his business was destroyed Mr. Kooken maintained his personnel and payroll. She said Mr. Kooken is an amazing community partner and she appreciates his continued investment. Emergency Ordinances 32106-24, 32107-24, 32108-24, 32109-24, and 32110-24-Issuance and Sale of Bonds The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said it was Bond season in which they utilized the issuance and sale of bonds for capital investments. She invited Mr. Brian Smith, Financial Service Supervisor, to the podium for a community overview. Mr. Smith said the ability to borrow is governed by Ohio statutes. He said interest on Ohio (state/local) bonds is exempt from federal and state income taxes. He said higher effective yield means that bondholders will accept a lower interest rate than on a comparable taxable investment and the typical bondholders are higher-income (higher tax bracket) individuals, banks, mutual funds, and insurance companies. Ms. Smith said the purposes of Dayton’s debt issuance are major capital improvements, economic development projects, equipment purchases, moral obligations, or existing debt refunding. He said the policy states that they cannot finance operations or operating deficits and must obtain ratings on long-term debt. He said revenue for repayment of debt must allocate property tax millage to the Bond Retirement Fund for debt service payments on tax-supported debt, and the 2024 rate is $5.5M. Mr. Smith said no more than $5M of the City’s voted $10M property tax may be used for the General Fund according to the City Charter. He said the 2024 rate is $4.5M., and the City of Dayton must maintain a reserve balance in the Bond Retirement Fund equal to 25 percent of the next year’s tax-supported debt service and should maintain the ability to issue $5M in debt for judgments or emergencies. Mr. Smith said structured debt to ensure 40 percent of aggregate outstanding principal will be paid off in five years and 60 percent will be paid off in ten years. Mr. Smith said legally, the City’s Charter permits them to issue up to $10M of Unvoted Debt; however, they only issue what they can afford to pay based on actual property taxes received and projected cash flow in the debt retirement fund. Mr. Smith said the next steps are that the City Commission approves the Bond Ordinances at the September 11, and 18th meetings, Finance finalizes the preliminary official statement, the City presents its plan to rating agencies early in October, rating agencies give the City their respective credit rating, the Bond Counsel completes the official statement, the underwriter prices and sells the bonds, and the City of Dayton receives Bond proceeds. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Mr. Smith and the staff for his presentation and asked for a copy of the presentation and a breakdown of projects for infrastructure. Commissioner Joseph said it's taken years to get to this point. He said the City has been very disciplined on how to use debt. Commissioner Joseph said the guidelines have been in place to make sure they repay their debt on time. He thanked Mr. Smith for the presentation. Mayor Mims said the ratings that allow the City of Dayton to borrow and issue bonds are reflective of the good work they are doing. He thanked the City Manager and staff for their efforts. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS There were no citizen’s comments on calendar items. APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS Commissioner Shaw made the motion to approve the City Manager’s Reports. Commissioner Fairchild 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 ORDINANCES -FIRST READING Emergency Ordinance No. 32106-24- To Provide for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed Fifteen Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($15,100,000.00) for the Purpose of Providing Funds for Acquiring, Constructing, Improving, Renovating, Rehabilitating, Equipping and Otherwise Improving of the City’s Public Facilities, Including HVAC, Elevator and Roof Improvements as well as Parking Lot Repairs, Together with All Necessary Appurtenances, 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. 32107-24- To Provide for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed Four Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($4,100,000.00), for the Purpose of Providing Funds for Improving the City’s Transportation System by Improving Streets, Including Lighting, Resurfacing Major Thoroughfares, Residential Streets and Alleys Throughout the City, Providing for Utility Improvements and Upgrades, Improving and Installing Curbs and Sidewalks, Including Constructing and Reconstructing Sidewalks, Bicycle Lanes, Bikeway Connectors, Bikeway Ramps, Bicycle Paths and Cycle Tracks, and Constructing and Reconstructing Portions of and Extensions to Streets, Together with All Necessary Appurtenances, 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. Emergency Ordinance No. 32108-24- To Provide for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed Three Million Eight Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($3,855,000.00), for The Purpose of Refunding at a Lower Interest Cost Certain of the City’s Various Purpose Improvement Bonds, Series 2015, Which Were Issued, In Part, for the Purpose of Refunding at a Lower Interest Cost Certain of the City’s Various Purpose Bonds, Series 2009B which Matured on and After December 1, 2019 (The “Refunded Series 2009B Bonds) which Refunded Series 2009B Bonds Were Used for the Purpose of Proving Funds for Improving the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport by the Acquisition, Construction, Furnishing And Equipping Of Airport Improvements, including Parking Facilities, and Providing All Necessary And Related Improvements And Appurtenances Thereto, and Declaring an Emergency. Commissioner Joseph moved that this being an emergency measure for the immediate consideration of the Ordinance. Commissioner Turner-Sloss 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. 32109-24- To Provide for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed Two Million Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,230,000.00), for the Purpose of Refunding at a Lower Interest Cost Certain of the City’s Various Purpose Improvement Bonds, Series 2014, Which Were Issued, In Part, for the Purpose of (A) Improving The City’s Transportation System By Improving Streets, Including Resurfacing Major Thoroughfares And Residential Streets And Sealing Various Streets And Alleys Throughout The City, Improving And Installing Curbs And Sidewalks, Including Constructing And Reconstructing Wheelchair Ramps, Constructing, Reconstructing And Installing Traffic Signals, Constructing And Reconstructing Portions Of And Extensions To Streets, And Constructing, Reconstructing And Repairing Various Bridges Within The City (B) Constructing, Renovating, Remodeling, Rehabilitating, Furnishing, Equipping And Otherwise Improving City Buildings And Facilities Housing And Providing For City Functions And Services; (C) Acquiring, Motor Vehicles, Motorized Equipment And Other Equipment For Various Departments Of The City, Each Together With All Necessary Appurtenances Thereto, and Declaring an Emergency. Commissioner Shaw moved that this being an emergency measure for the immediate consideration of the Ordinance. Commissioner Turner-Sloss 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. 32110-24- To Provide for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed Two Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,100,000.00), for the Purpose of Providing Funds for Improving the City’s Transportation System by Improving Streets, Including Resurfacing Major Thoroughfares, Residential Streets and Alleys Throughout the City, Improving and Installing Curbs and Sidewalks, Including Constructing and Reconstructing Sidewalks, Bicycle Lanes, Bikeway Connectors, Bikeway Ramps, Bicycle Paths and Cycle Tracks, and Constructing and Reconstructing Portions of and Extensions to Streets, Together with All Necessary Appurtenances, 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. ORDINANCE – FIRST READING Ordinance No. 32111-24- Authorizing the Disposition of Certain Real Estate Properties That Have Been Deemed Surplus Land. RESOLUTION – SECOND READING Resolution No. 6820-24- Honorarily Naming Grosvenor Avenue between West Third Street and Home Avenue as “Rev. Dr. Junior F. Greenlee Way” for a Two Year Period. The question being shall Resolution No. 6820-24 be adopted. 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 Resolution was adopted. BOARD APPOINTMENTS Commissioner Joseph made a motion to reappoint Timothy Bement and Joseph Craig to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a term ending June 30, 2026. Commissioner Turner-Sloss seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Fairchild made a motion to appoint Dave Seubert to the Board of Building Appeals for a term ending August 20, 2029. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Turner-Sloss made a motion to reappoint Sue Seeberger to the Board of Building Appeals for a term ending August 20, 2029. Commissioner Joseph seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS Citizen’s comments were received from the following: 1. Ms. Rebecca Gaytko, 19 Notre Dame Ave. – spoke about an upcoming liquor application with the City of Dayton. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, said the liquor application for the Family Dollar Store at 645 Old Troy Pike is being reviewed by staff and a report will be forthcoming. COMMENTS BY THE CLERK OF THE COMMISSION The Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, had no closing remarks. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss highlighted the Mayor’s Neighborhood Conversation. She thanked staff, citizens, and community leaders for their comments at the meeting. Commissioner Turner-Sloss highlighted National Renters Month and said since the passage of the Source of Income Protection, the Human Relations Council has awarded $10K in settlements. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild thanked Mr. Darius Beckham, Senior Policy Aide to the Mayor, for the Dayton Metro Library Speakers Service Program with Former Mayor of Stockton California, Micheal Tubbs. Commissioner Fairchild asked about Officer Brown and if he was back in the country after his win at the Para Olympics. Commissioner Fairchild asked for a moment of silence to commemorate 9-11. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph welcomed Ms. Becky Gaytko back to the Dayton City Commission meeting. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims highlighted the 70th Anniversary of Brown Vs. The Board of Education. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:14 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of City Hall, Commissioner Joseph made a motion to convene into an Executive Session regarding collective bargaining matters to prepare for conduct or review a collective bargaining strategy. Commissioner Turner- Sloss seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken and Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss were present. RECONVENE At 9:50 a.m., Commissioner Fairchild made a motion to reconvene from Executive Session and to continue with the meeting in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken and Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Tuner-Sloss were present. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:51 a.m.