City Commission

2051 CITY COMMISSION recutar MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 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. INVOCATION Commissioner Shaw 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 the 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 January 29, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS Charitable Recycling Miss Rachel Nelson, Program Director of Charitable Recycling, provided an update on the nonprofit’s efforts in electronic and material recycling. Operating for over ten years, Charitable Recycling initially focused on recycling ink and toner cartridges but has since expanded to accept items like laptops, printers, batteries, appliances, and office furniture. Items that cannot be reused are broken down into components such as metal and plastic, while reusable goods are sent to Wicket Thrift Store in West Liberty, Ohio, where proceeds support Dayton Children’s Hospital. The organization also offers free pickup services for five or more items and ensures data destruction following Department of Defense standards through its partnership with Columbus Micro. The City of Dayton has actively participated in Charitable Recycling’s efforts, recycling over $11,000 worth of equipment, with many items donated to local organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Wesleyan Center, Dayton Boys and Girls Club, and Brunner Literacy Center. Donations from Sinclair Community College have allowed the nonprofit to provide 30 laptops to Brunner Literacy Center and Ronald McDonald House, with another 30 laptops soon to be donated to Eastway. The organization also works with Miami County, Montgomery County Job and Family Services, and the city of Trotwood to host recycling events. Business partnerships with companies such as Killer Brownie Company and Think Patented have further expanded their impact, and clients who recycle over $1,000 receive awards. Additionally, Charitable Recycling donates at least $1,000 per month to Dayton Children’s Hospital. 2052 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Looking ahead, the nonprofit aims to organize a Citywide Earth Day recycling event in response to growing community interest. Another key initiative in development is fabric recycling, a concept more common in California but largely absent in the region. By treating shredded clothing with borax or boric acid, the material can be made fire- resistant and repurposed for use in packing materials or animal bedding. This initiative would help divert fabric waste from landfills and further expand Charitable Recycling’s sustainability efforts. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Miss Nelson and asked about the amount of recycled materials collected in the past year. Miss Nelson estimated that over $50,000 had been raised for Dayton Children’s Hospital but would provide exact figures later. She explained that while Charitable Recycling currently picks up five or more items for free, they are working with Montgomery County Solid Waste District to establish a drop-off location. The recycling process involves sorting and breaking down items, then shipping materials to New Jersey and other states for smelting and reuse, with proceeds benefiting Dayton Children's. Commissioner Fairchild thanked Miss Nelson for Charitable Recycling’s generosity in supporting Dayton Children’s Hospital and its patients, as well as for contributing to the city's sustainability efforts. Commissioner Shaw thanked Miss Nelson. Mayor Mims thanked Miss Nelson for her work and asked her to share her business phone number. She provided 937-591-0925, and he expressed his appreciation again. Housing Conditions Survey Portal Mr. Steve Gondol, Director of Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development, presented on the Housing Condition Survey Portal, recognizing contributions from multiple city departments, including Public Works GIS and the Housing Division. He emphasized the importance of tracking changes in housing conditions to understand where improvements are needed and where investments should be directed. The survey serves as a baseline to assess housing stock by count, condition, and trends in stabilization or decline. Traditionally, housing condition reports were in bound copies, but the city sought a more dynamic and analytical approach. Field assessments were conducted in the Fall of 2023, followed by analysis and data visualization. The survey evaluates structural conditions of residential and commercial properties, including mixed-use buildings, while excluding environmental factors, parking lots, and vacant land. The assessment process involved inspectors working in pairs, with fresh eyes assigned to neighborhoods and then cross-checked by area-assigned inspectors. The survey examined key structural issues such as peeling paint, roof damage, and foundation problems. The collected data was then organized into a digital dashboard for easy access and analysis. The portal includes two main components: a visual dashboard with an interactive map and a tabular data section for more detailed information. Residents can access data for their neighborhoods and use a request form for inquiries or corrections. The platform was designed for transparency, allowing users to understand the data collection process and navigate information independently.  2053 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 The interactive map displays neighborhoods alphabetically, showing the number of properties and their average condition score. Most of the city’s structures fall within the "sound" or "minor repair" categories. The portal also features a help section with usage instructions and links for reporting issues. The goal is to provide a modern, user-friendly tool that allows residents to engage with housing data efficiently. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Mr. Gondol and the team for their work on the Housing Condition Survey Portal and asked how discrepancies in property ratings would be handled. Mr. Gondol clarified that the portal is not punitive and encourages residents to report issues via a form, with the goal of providing support and resources for improvements. He mentioned that the first step in addressing property violations is a courtesy notice. Commissioner Turner-Sloss suggested offering a list of available resources and emphasized the importance of outreach to help residents. She concluded by praising the project and expressing her excitement. Commissioner Fairchild expressed his excitement about the Housing Condition Survey Portal, congratulating Mr. Gondol and his team for their hard work. He highlighted the importance of helping neighborhood leaders use the tool effectively to support their communities and access resources. He also suggested incorporating data sets like water usage to help identify properties at risk of blight. Mr. Gondol confirmed that they are already working on incorporating this data for future updates. Commissioner Shaw praised the portal and the team's outreach efforts, noting that not everyone is tech-savvy and appreciating their community engagement. Commissioner Joseph expressed excitement about the potential for creative data connections and emphasized the value of the tool, noting that neighborhood leaders have been requesting it for a long time. Ken Couch Retirement Ms. Shelley Dickstein introduced Ken Couch's retirement, celebrating his 50 years of public service, including his decade of leadership in Dayton's Department of Human Resources. She highlighted his impactful contributions, such as launching the Dayton off- site clinic, securing workers' comp certification, creating a new employee orientation program, expanding employee benefits, and implementing safety initiatives. Ken's leadership also resulted in significant savings and improvements in recruitment and retention programs. Shelley praised his leadership and employee-centric approach, wishing him a successful and fulfilling retirement. Ken Couch expressed his gratitude, humorously noting that he didn't start his 50 years of experience at eight years old. He shared his experience working in different cities, states, and even California, which was quite different from Ohio. He mentioned returning to Dayton after his grandson was born and spent an exciting 10 years there. Ken acknowledged the HR team's role in the accomplishments he was credited for and reassured that the team is in good hands moving forward. He concluded by expressing it had been an honor and privilege to work for the city. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Ken Couch for his 50 years of service, appreciating his leadership and foresight. She wished him the best in retirement and hoped he'd stay in Ohio. 2054 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Commissioner Fairchild thanked Ken Couch for his service to the city, its citizens, and employees, recognizing his commitment and valuable contributions. Commissioner Shaw thanked Ken Couch for his valuable guidance on personnel issues, recognizing his expertise in human resources and his leadership in training staff. He wished Ken success and a long, happy retirement. Commissioner Joseph thanked Ken for his creativity and dedication, especially during challenging times. He appreciated Ken's support for staff and wished him a happy, long retirement in Dayton. Mayor Mims thanked Ken for his work, emphasizing that the best way to ensure employees treat customers well is by treating employees with respect. He saluted Ken for his contributions to that goal. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR Ms. Shelley Dickstein added an item to the calendar: a city manager report (3A) regarding a $1.3 million contract with Ohiel Irrigation Company for a streetscape project. The project, originally scheduled for mid-2025, has been accelerated due to the NATO announcement. It includes beautification efforts on Third Street and Main Street, featuring new sidewalks and landscaping. This is part of an initiative to create consistency in downtown Dayton’s streetscape. Ohiel Irrigation Company was the lowest and best bidder for the project, and the expedited timeline aims to complete the work by the end of May. DISCUSSION OF CALENDAR ITEMS Calendar Item Bl Ms. Shelley Dickstein highlighted item B1 on the calendar which is for designing and installing a new shoot house at a cost of $860,000. This was previously approved in September as part of the debt portfolio, with $800,000 allocated through debt funding, and the remaining $60,000 as a contingency for potential foundation issues. Chief Afzal discussed the importance of the new shoot house, a facility for police training that has been in use for 25 years. The upgraded facility will allow for dynamic, real-life training scenarios, incorporating both live fire and decision-making exercises. It will feature sliding barriers, a 360-degree fire containment system, and an upper perimeter for instructor observation. The facility is designed to help officers practice critical decision- making in potentially dangerous situations, emphasizing de-escalation and tactical awareness. The new shoot house will also support scenarios with role players, helping officers practice various techniques, including evidence collection and aiding victims. Chief Afzal highlighted the facility's versatility for both recruit and senior-based training and its role in providing the public a better understanding of police training and decision- making. Commissioner Turner-Sloss and Chief Afzal discussed upgrading the shoot house, which has been in use for 25 years, to improve training. While the state requires 740 hours of training, Dayton Police exceeds that with over 1,200 hours, focusing on both de- escalation tactics and scenario-based exercises. They emphasized making quick, informed decisions in high-stress situations. The Chief also mentioned that while the  2055 CITY COMMISSION 8®GULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 shoot house is a priority for their department, they are open to working with other municipalities, possibly charging a small service fee for usage. Commissioner Fairchild asked about the Citizen Police Academy and scenario training. Chief Afzal confirmed the academy is still running with flexible blocks, and short scenario training is available. The new facility allows for more dynamic, unpredictable training, improving the experience. Commissioner Shaw praised Chief Afzal for the department's extra training, which strengthens the force. Chief Afzal explained that this commitment is a long-standing tradition in Dayton, driven by the staff's dedication to preparing officers for any situation. Commissioner Joseph thanked Chief Afzal for emphasizing the importance of training to help officers hone their instincts, particularly to avoid using force when possible. He expressed appreciation for the department’s dedication to providing officers with more opportunities to improve and praised the Chief's efforts to ensure proper training. Mayor Mims expressed appreciation for the efforts to update the training facility, highlighting the importance of enhancing the skills of those responsible for law enforcement. He thanked the team for their dedication to improving the training process. 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: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Al. SHI International Corp. P0250729 (ExaGrid storage appliances, customer support and maintenance) $114,220.69 1. (cont'd): A2. SHI International Corp. P0250730 (Nutanix hardware appliances) $1,341,905.46 POLICE B1. Safeware, Inc. (design and installation of a new shoot house) $860,208.97 WATER C1. Ohio Business College (Commercial Driver License (CDL) training classes as needed through 12/31/28) $664,000.00 -Depts. of Information Technology, Police and Water. TOTAL: $2,980,335.12 2056 C ITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Service Agreements 2. Buckeye Construction & Restoration, Ltd. — Contract Modification — Change Order No. 1 for the Broadway Building Envelope Improvements — Department of Water/Water Reclamation. $88,135.00 (Thru 04/30/26) 3. Tri-Tech Associates Inc. -Contract Modification — first amendment to professional design services for the One Stop HVAC and electrical improvements —Department of Public Works/Facilities Management. $158,840.00 (Thru 12/31/26) B. Construction Contract: 4. Fer-Pal Construction USA LLC — Award of Contract — 24" Water Main Lining Kettering Field to Cross I-75 to Earl Avenue Rebid (5% MBE Participation Goal/0% MBE Participation Goal Achieved) — Department of Water/Water Engineering. $1,578,833.08 (Thru 12/31/26) E. Other — Contributions, Etc.: 5. Comptech Computer Technologies — Payment of Voucher — to cover services for the West Branch Express Bus Drivers/City Manager’s Office. $3,052.32 6. Lean To Earn Dayton — Payment of Voucher — to cover outstanding invoices related to the 2024 Youth Summit — Clerk of Commission. $9,032.30 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 Resolution — Second Reading No. 6846-25 Authorizing the Acceptance of Grant Award from the State of Ohio, Department of Public Safety, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, in the amount of One Hundred Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($105,000.00) on Behalf of the City of Dayton. The question being shall Resolution No. 6846-25 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 Resolution was adopted.  2057 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Board Appointment Commissioner Joseph moved to have Brandon McClain as chairperson of the community appeals board for a term ending January 2026. Commissioner Turner- Sloss seconded this motion. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. PUBLIC HEARING ON PUBLIC HOSPITAL Legal Presentation: Miss Alissa Shriner, Assistant City Attorney, gave a presentation on the legal process for initiative petitions and funding a public hospital in Dayton. She explained that the city could levy a 1-mill tax to fund a public hospital, and the initiative petition, submitted on January 23, 2025, aims to create an ordinance for this. Key points include the requirement of 1,250 registered voter signatures, which were verified by the Board of Elections by January 31, 2025. The commission's next steps involve reviewing the report on the petition’s validity, and if deemed valid, the commission must act within 30 days to approve, amend, or take no action. If no action is taken, petitioners may collect additional signatures. Commissioner Turner-Sloss questioned why the public hearing was held on February 7th when the CCC had until February 12th to review the petition. Barb Doseck explained that the charter requires the hearing within 14 days of submission, with no minimum time. She confirmed that the CCC received the information on time and hadn't raised concerns about the hearing date. Miss Regina Blackshear explained that they considered holding the meeting next week, but due to the State of the City event being held elsewhere, it was more logistical to hold the public hearing on February 7th instead. Clerk of Commission’s Findings Miss Regina Blackshear, Clerk of the Commission, reported that the petition was invalid due to the lack of 1,250 valid signatures from registered voters in Dayton. She provided her full analysis, but these were her findings. Bill Hibner, Chief of Staff at Montgomery County Board of Elections, confirmed that the number of valid signatures was 869, while 1,250 were required. He was available for questions but received none. Woolpert Study Deputy City Manager, Ms. LaShea Lofton summarized the findings of a study on a proposed 300-bed public hospital in West Dayton. The study, conducted by Woolpert's Study, found that the total cost of ownership over 40 years would be $21.5 billion, with $18.8 billion in labor costs. The construction cost was estimated at $460 million, not including land or debt service. Annual operating and maintenance costs would total $536 million, with ongoing maintenance costs of $1.56 billion over 40 years. The study also highlighted challenges such as staff shortages, high turnover, and rising hospital expenses, recommending alternative healthcare models and improvements to existing infrastructure instead of building a new public hospital. Commissioner Turner-Sloss praised the CCC’s dedication in repeatedly proposing the public hospital initiative and emphasized the need for a broader conversation to address healthcare concerns in Northwest Dayton. She suggested exploring education or finding 2058 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 common ground to move forward and encouraged younger community members to get involved. Commissioner Fairchild reminded the commission and the public of his conflict of interest due to his employment and stated he would not be participating in the debate. CCC’s Presentation Bishop Cox presented the request for a public hospital in West Dayton, advocating for the poor, marginalized, and uninsured. He refuted a feasibility study that suggested a large, multi-million square foot hospital like Metro Health, clarifying that the Coalition's vision is not to replicate Metro Health. He criticized the study's cost estimates, arguing they were unrealistic for Dayton. He emphasized the need for a community-driven approach and suggested that the citizens of Dayton, who supported Samaritan Hospital in 1929, should invest in a similar initiative today. He urged the commission to work together with the community to address the healthcare desert in the area. Mr. Ivy Young followed up by criticizing the feasibility study commissioned by the city, arguing it was based on a false comparison to a large Metro Health-style hospital. He presented a history of Good Samaritan Hospital and noted that smaller, phased hospital facilities had been successfully built in other regions, including Monroe, Liberty Township, and Beavercreek, which he argued could be a model for West Dayton. He pointed out that these communities, largely white, had received new medical facilities, while West Dayton had been neglected. He emphasized that a phased, community- focused hospital is feasible within the budget proposed by the ballot initiative and urged the commission to support the initiative to ensure healthcare equity for all communities. Michael, a lawyer from ABLE, highlighted the urgent need for healthcare in West Dayton, citing high infant and maternal mortality rates and a significant gap in life expectancy compared to wealthier areas. He emphasized the challenges of accessing care for those in poverty and criticized the lack of healthcare services since Good Samaritan Hospital closed. He urged the City to collaborate with the CCC to fund a new facility with a birthing center, emergency care, and preventative services to ensure equal healthcare access for West Dayton residents. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON THE PUBLIC HEARING There were three citizens registered to speak. 1. Ms. Charlene Bayless, 2422 Patterson Blvd- spoke about her work gathering support for a public hospital, criticizing the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital and its impact on healthcare access in Dayton. She referenced Mayor Mims' comment about the disparity in healthcare between the suburbs and Dayton, emphasizing the need for a facility to treat those in need, including the homeless. 2. Ms. Kathleen Galt, 5066 Safeway Dr- spoke about the 3,200 signatures that were collected for the Northwest Dayton hospital initiative, with 98% approval. She emphasized strong community support and asked the commission to place the initiative on the ballot and fund a healthcare assessment to move the project forward. 3. Ms. Lynn LaMance, 1061 Bertram Ave- spoke about her concerns about several local issues, including the health disparities faced by Black women, the allocation of funds for youth violence programs, and the use of ARPA funds for community projects. She also suggested exploring ways to improve city services through auditing business taxes, reviewing property management, and considering  2059 CITY COMMISSION ReEcutar MEETING Fepruary 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 cost-saving measures. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of addressing issues like illegal dumping and water theft. Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked the community members for their advocacy and recognized the troubling health disparities in Dayton. She acknowledged that finding solutions requires collaboration and encouraged further efforts to address the city's needs. She emphasized the importance of following the process and meeting signature requirements before moving forward, and indicated she would abstain from voting at this time. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw expressed agreement about health disparities but felt that building a public hospital in West Dayton wouldn't solve the problem. He supported alternative solutions like improving home care and building infrastructure, and he encouraged ongoing work to address health outcomes. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph recognized the efforts of the community coalition but agreed that a public hospital wasn't the solution. He noted that the proposed levy wouldn't generate enough funds to sustain the hospital and supported continuing efforts to improve the community's health through other means. Public Hospital Initiative Vote Commissioner Shaw made the motion to approve the Clerk of Commission's Recommendations. Commissioner Joseph seconded the motion. Commissioner Fairchild and Turner-Sloss abstained from voting. The Clerk of Commission's Recommendations were approved with a 3-0-2 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, and Shaw. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS There were six citizens registered to speak. 1. Mr. David Woods, 3230 Lakeview Ave- spoke about his intention to sue the city of Kettering and Englewood for $13 million, citing mistreatment by Kettering Hospital and police, including blocking his access to his father as his medical power of attorney and mishandling evidence. 2. Ms. Kathleen Galt, 5066 Safeway Dr- spoke about her experience visiting homeless camps in Dayton, where she provided food and blankets. She questioned why ARPA funds weren't used to support St. Vincent de Paul's men's shelter and suggested reallocating tax abatement money for downtown development to help address homelessness. She encouraged the commissioners to visit the camps to see the conditions firsthand. 3. Ms. Lynn LaMance, 1061 Bertram Ave- spoke about her concerns about numerous vacant properties in Dayton, many of which are not properly boarded up despite repeated reports. She listed several addresses with open doors or windows, some of which have suffered fires. She questioned the effectiveness of past efforts to address fire prevention and emphasized the need for more prompt action to secure these properties. 4. Mr. Jeff Nickles, 2866 Kenview Ave- spoke against ICE raids, arguing that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, contribute positively to society and commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens. He criticized the Laken Riley Act for 2060 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 undermining due process and urged the City Commission to take action to protect the community from ICE raids, particularly in schools and churches. 5. Mr. Alec Johnson, 4822 Hassan Cir- spoke about defending immigrants, criticizing U.S. policies that cause hardship and urging Dayton not to participate in anti- immigrant actions. He highlighted immigrants' positive contributions to society and the economy and condemned mass deportations as costly and unjust. He called for Dayton to resist the current harmful agenda and lead in supporting immigrants. 6. Ms. Ebony Hastings, 1238 W Wabash Ave- spoke about her concerns about receiving a $225 invoice for grass cutting without prior notice or evidence. She also questioned the lack of information and resources for residents facing citations. She emphasized the need for better communication from the city, urging commissioners to show respect, care, and concern for the community. COMMENTS BY THE CLERK OF COMMISSION Ms. Regina Blackshear announced that next week's City Commission meeting will feature the 2025 State of the City address, held at the Salvation Army Dayton Croc Center, located at 1000 North Keowee Street. The event will start at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER Ms. Shelley Dickstein addressed several points. First, she acknowledged the addresses Miss LaMance listed, noting that staff would continue to investigate them. She mentioned the challenge of boarded-up properties reopening quickly and assured the community that efforts would continue. Regarding the Gettysburg Men's Shelter, Miss Dickstein clarified that it is not closing. Although St. Vincent’s DePaul is no longer interested in operating it, the city and county are working together to find a new operator and service providers. The selection process is underway, and several organizations have expressed interest in continuing services for the shelter. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss responded to several points, thanking Miss Dickstein for providing additional context. She confirmed that the Gettysburg Men's Shelter has already been awarded to Homefull as the case manager, and the operator selection is close to completion. She clarified that St. Vincent's DePaul will continue operating the shelter until June 2025, ensuring no disruption in services. She also highlighted her involvement in the point-in-time count to gather data on unhoused individuals and the city's efforts to address their needs. Additionally, she inquired about using "dog boards" for boarded-up properties and emphasized the city's commitment to finding solutions. Lastly, she shared several events for Black History Month, including a series on social change and a discussion about the Divine 9, as well as the grand opening of Homefull’s new grocery store on Gettysburg Ave. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph shared information about a Black History Month event, a walking tour at Woodland Cemetery this Saturday at 2 p.m., exploring the stories of influential African Americans in Dayton's history, including George Cooper, James Parsons, and W.S. MacIntosh. He also highlighted a new exhibition at the International Peace Museum, titled "Ubuntu in Action: The Peace Corps Experience," which runs through March 21st. The exhibit  2061 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING Fesruary 5 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 focuses on the role of art and visual storytelling in promoting peace, cultural exchange, and global cooperation, topics he stressed are especially relevant today. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims closed the meeting by recognizing the four African American mayors of Dayton: James H. McGee, Richard Clay Dixon, Rhine McLin, and Jeffrey J. Mims Jr. He also honored Charlie Sfer, who passed away on February 3, 2015. Sfer was the first African American golfer to play in a PGA event, breaking racial barriers when the PGA had previously prohibited African Americans from participating. Mayor Mims highlighted Sfer’s legacy for young African American golfers who followed in his footsteps. 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 8:35 p.m. sro Reouno. 1B Clekk of Commission