City Commission

2038 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING sanuary 55 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 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. 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 Chief of Staff, Ms. Verletta Jackson, and the Deputy City Manager, Ms. LaShea Lofton, were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 15, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There was no communications or petitions. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS Ms. Tracey Tomme, President & CEO of the Dayton Society of Natural History, addressed the Commission to provide a community update on SunWatch Indian Village and Boonshoft Museum. She highlighted the museum’s $10.5 million renovation project, which focuses on updating the first and second floors, with an emphasis on Dayton’s water and rivers. So far, $4.5 million has been secured for the project. At SunWatch Indian Village, $1 million in improvements were recently completed, funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant. These upgrades focused on ADA accessibility, including restroom renovations, parking lot improvements, better lighting, an improved walking path, and an upgraded HVAC system. She also discussed the museum’s ongoing work under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). A $100,000 National Park Service grant is supporting consultation with 65 tribal groups, 30 of whom have expressed interest in participating. The first consultation meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2025. Additionally, she emphasized the need to monitor Wegerzyn Gardens, another site with historical artifacts, as part of repatriation efforts. Ms. Tomme concluded by thanking the City of Dayton for its continued support and collaboration, particularly through partnerships with City of Dayton Water and past updates provided to city officials.  2039 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING sanuary 222025 COD REPRO 333-4043 All the commissioners thanked Ms. Tomme for her presentation and commended her work in preserving SunWatch Indian Village and Dayton’s historical sites. They expressed appreciation for the ongoing updates, reaffirmed their support, and offered assistance with future projects and consultation efforts. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR There were no addition or deletions to the calendar. DISCUSSION OF CALENDAR ITEMS There were no comments on calendar items. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS There were no citizen comments. REPORTS A.Purchase Orders, Agreements, and Contracts: (All contracts are valid until delivery is complete or through December 31* of the current year). 1. Purchase Orders: HUMAN RESOURCES Al. ExamWorks (for independent medical evaluations and related services as needed through 12/31/28) $240,000.00 1. (cont’d): A2. Green & Green Lawyers, A Legal Professional Association (for professional legal services as needed through 12/31/29) $680,000.00 WATER B1. Duke’s Root Control, Inc. (root control treatment chemicals and services as needed through 12/31/28) -Depts. of Human Resources and Water. $150,000.00 TOTAL: $1,070,000.00 C. Revenue to the City: 2. Montgomery County Sheriff— Service Agreement — for bail agreement with Montgomery County Jail — Clerk of Court. $590,136.00 (Thru 12/31/26) E. Other — Contributions, Etc.: 3. Downtown Dayton Partnership — Other — Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the long-term master plan for Courthouse Square — Department of Management and Budget. $75,000.00 (Thru 04/01/25) BY THE BOARD OF REVISION OF ASSESSMENTS 2040 CITY COMMISSION REcuULAR MEETING sanuary 95 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 4. In the Matter of Declaring the Intention of the Commission to Vacate the Alley East of the Dayton Kettering Connector from the North Property Line of Parcel R72 13903 0015 to Shroyer Road. Recommendation to Proceed. 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 ORDINANCE — SECOND READING Ordinance No. 32138-25- To Vacate The Alley East Of The Dayton Kettering Connector From The North Property Line Of Parcel R721 1393 0015. The question being shall Ordinance No. 32138-25 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 Ordinance was adopted. RESOLUTION-— FIRST READING Resolution No. 6845-25- Declaring the Intention of the Commission to Vacate Hickory Street from the Western Terminus to Alberta Street BOARD APPOINTMENTS Commissioner Joseph made the motion to appoint Steven Solomon and Adam Graham to the Sister Cities Committee in a term ending on December 31, 2028. Commissioner Turner-Sloss seconded the motion. The appointment was approved with a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. PUBLIC HEARING Miss Abbie Patel-Jones, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, presented an overview of the 2025 original appropriation budget, covering the planning process, major financial solutions, and the steps necessary to adopt the budget. The budget process for 2025 began in July 2024 and spanned nearly nine months. Public input was gathered through several channels, including the Dayton Annual Survey, which was mailed to residents in late summer, and the Dayton Open Data Portal, where residents could view financial information and provide feedback. Community engagement events, such as the Mayor’s Porch Tour and Neighborhood President Forums, also played a significant role in gathering input. Additionally, boards and advisory groups, such as the Community & Neighborhood Development Advisory Board and the Revenue Advisory Committee, contributed to the process. The City Commission and the City Manager’s Office were involved in budget briefings, an annual Performance Management Report, and quarterly presentations to ensure continuous feedback and collaboration.  2041 CITY COMMISSION _ReEcuzar MEETING sanuary 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 To balance the projected revenues and expenditures for the 2025 general fund budget, several key financial solutions were implemented. These included $700,000 in centralized vacancy savings due to unfilled positions, a $3.8 million transfer from the Photo Enforcement Fund to compensate for lost revenue from local government funding cuts, and $3.3 million in additional investment earnings resulting from higher interest rates and increased cash reserves. Other measures included $1.5 million in savings from a health insurance holiday, $33,600 in savings from organization-wide contracts and materials, and the use of $1.2 million from cash reserves. The total budget for 2025 is broken down into different categories. The governmental funds, which include the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service, and Capital Projects, total $346.4 million. The Enterprise Funds, which cover services like water and aviation, account for $238.3 million, and the Internal Service Funds, which support city-wide operations, total $59.9 million. Key dates for the budget process include the publication of a public notice in the Dayton Daily News on January 12th, the publication of the full appropriation on February 2nd, the first reading of the budget resolution by the City Commission on February 19th, and the second reading and final approval on February 26th. The 2025 original appropriation will become effective 30 days after approval, on March 28th. All budget presentations and documents are available on the City of Dayton’s website under the Department of Management and Budget. The presentations were also streamed live and recorded for public viewing on the City’s YouTube channel. Ms. Patel-Jones concluded her presentation by emphasizing the city's commitment to transparency, financial responsibility, and ongoing public engagement to ensure that the budget meets the community's needs. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON THE PUBLIC HEARING There were no citizens register to speak COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS ON THE PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Ms. Patel-Jones for her presentation and asked her to remind the public about the survey process. Ms. Patel-Jones explained that 13,000 households received the survey, with a 10% response rate, and that the surveys were randomly selected. There was also an online option available via a QR code, and the survey was promoted through social media. Commissioner Turner-Sloss inquired if the public still had the opportunity to provide input on the Budget, and Ms. Patel-Jones confirmed that feedback could be submitted until the appropriation's first reading on February 19th. Commissioner Turner-Sloss requested a hard copy of the presentation. Commissioners Fairchild, Shaw and Joseph had no comments. Mayor Mims thanked Ms. Patel-Jones for the presentation, emphasizing that it demonstrated the City's continued commitment to transparency in the budget process. He appreciated the effort to give more citizens the opportunity to share their thoughts and feedback. He then closed the Public Hearing. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS 2042 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING sanuary 93 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 There were three citizens registered to speak. 1. Mr. Kimaru Wa-Tenza, 1200 W Grand Ave- spoke about the need for more attention to be given to demolishing abandoned houses in his area. He highlighted the importance of addressing these properties to improve the community, expressing a desire for residents to see progress in their neighborhoods. He emphasized the need for the same level of attention to residential areas that corporate developments often receive, and requested support in providing positive updates to the people he represents as the Montgomery County elected Precinct Captain for Dayton 5E. 2. Ms. Jennifer Evans, 702 Troy St- spoke about a fire at a property in her neighborhood that had been a known concern for a long time. While she acknowledged the prompt response of first responders, she highlighted the ongoing issues with neglected properties in the area, including overgrowth and abandoned vehicles. She expressed the need for continued attention to these issues to help preserve and improve neighborhoods, ensuring their safety and livability. Ms. Evans emphasized the importance of the city's involvement in maintaining these areas for the well-being of the community. 3. Reverend. Ril Beatty, 1525 Harvard Blvd- spoke about a situation where funds were withdrawn from his checking account without his knowledge. Despite filing a report with the Dayton Police Department, he faced delays and challenges in getting the necessary documentation for further investigation. He is seeking assistance in resolving the matter and believes that others may be experiencing similar issues. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER There were no comments by the Deputy City Manager. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss gave closing comments where she acknowledged several community efforts. She highlighted the success of the Recreation and Youth Services Department's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Teen Center and game room, and expressed appreciation for the ongoing recreational activities in Dayton. She also recognized Dr. Anthony Whitmore and the MLK committee for their events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, including workshops, concerts, and the march. Additionally, she addressed concerns raised by community members about vacant properties in neighborhoods, agreeing on the importance of maintaining these areas. She committed to providing information and following up on the status of property cleanup efforts. Lastly, she expressed support for Reverend Beatty in his situation regarding a theft from his account, and mentioned efforts to improve the police reporting process for residents. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild echoed the previous comments, adding gratitude for the MLK organizers and participants, and encouraging continued support for local businesses like Gem City Market and West Dayton Social Table and Tap. He emphasized the importance of supporting these businesses, particularly those owned by people taking risks in the community.  2043 CITY COMMISSION _ReEcuLar MEETING sanuary 22 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Regarding neighborhood conditions, Commissioner Fairchild highlighted the recent implementation of monthly reports to track progress on demolitions and cleanup of fire- damaged properties. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges, including the high cost of responding to frequent fires in blighted areas. The City is reviewing ways to prevent future fires and better manage cleanup efforts, which remain costly but essential. He noted that while significant work has been done, much remains to be addressed. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw mentioned attending the kickoff event for the next downtown Dayton plan. He encouraged the public to participate in the community input campaign, which is open through January 29th, to help shape the future of downtown Dayton. He invited everyone to share their feedback either online through the Downtown Dayton Partnership website or in person. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph announced that the University of Dayton is hosting the Immigration Justice Community Summit this Saturday. He shared that a link is available on the City of Dayton's website under the Welcome Dayton section, where a QR code can be scanned to sign up. He mentioned that he will be attending and encouraged others to join as well. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims expressed gratitude to the Commissioners for their updates. He also reminded everyone about the monthly reports on neighborhood demolitions and fire pit removals, emphasizing the city's ongoing efforts to address nuisance properties. He acknowledged the challenge of having about 1,500 such structures in the city, with funding for 1,100 demolitions, and assured the public that more information would be provided on the progress. The Mayor encouraged residents to continue voicing their concerns and stay informed. He concluded with appreciation for the commissioners' participation in the cold Martin Luther King Jr. March and recognized the work done by Dr. King. Mayor Mims closed with a message of love and peace for all and hatred for none before adjourning the meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16 a.m. = 7 Attest: k of Commission