City Commission

2121 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 8:31 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 Fairchild led the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Mims led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken, and Mayor Mims and Commissioners Jospeh, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss were present. The Clerk of the Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, and Ms. Shelley Dickstein were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 16, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS Sister Cities Committee Presentation Kevin Lydy, Chair of the Dayton Sister City Committee, provided an update on the committee’s recent and upcoming activities with Dayton’s seven sister cities. He began by sharing a quote from President Eisenhower, emphasizing the importance of understanding and mutual respect between individuals to achieve peaceful relations among nations. He noted that Sister Cities International was founded in 1956, with Dayton establishing its first sister city, Augsburg, Germany, in 1964. In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Augsburg partnership, 18 students and their teachers from Germany will visit Dayton for a nine-day homestay with local families. This follows an adult delegation visit to Augsburg last August, and in August 2025, Dayton will host a delegation from Augsburg, including the city’s mayor. Dayton’s relationship with Oiso, Japan, its second-oldest sister city, continues to thrive. In July, three students and two ceramic artists will travel to Oiso. The artists will collaborate with local Japanese artists and display their work at Oiso’s pottery festival, with discussions underway to feature the artwork at the Dayton Art Institute’s DAI Dialogues program. Additionally, Dayton will be represented at the US-Japan Summit and World Expo in Osaka this September. In February, Dayton's Monrovian co-chairs traveled to Monrovia, Liberia, meeting with the city’s mayor, the newly formed Liberia Sister City Association, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy and local schools. They also collaborated with the Dayton-based Library for Africa and explored sites for Liberia’s first public library. In Holon, Israel, 2122 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING aprit 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 virtual exchanges that began during the pandemic have continued. These presentations alternate between Dayton and Holon, showcasing accomplishments and fostering discussion. Notably, Holon’s Save a Child’s Heart Hospital and Dayton’s Boonshoft Museum of Discovery were among the most recent presenters. Planning is also underway for the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords with Dayton’s sister city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srebrenica. Representatives from the Dayton Mediation Center plan to travel in October to help prepare students for a three- week homestay in Dayton in November. In Rushmoor, England, while governmental changes have delayed Dayton’s visit, improved communication with Rushmoor International and potential partnerships with aviation heritage organizations may lead to renewed citizen exchange programs. Salfit, Palestine is seeing renewed collaboration as well. A student at Wright State is currently facilitating English language classes for students at Al-Quds University, and officials and faculty from Al-Quds are expected to visit Dayton soon. There are also discussions to restart an aquaponics research partnership with Central State University. Finally, Kevin highlighted two significant events planned for August. The first marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, expanding beyond the usual U.S.-Japan peace commemoration to include Dayton’s entire diverse community, in collaboration with organizations like the Japanese American Citizens League and the Dayton International Peace Museum. The second is a concert at Levitt Pavilion featuring a music group from Holon, founded by Israeli and Palestinian friends. The group, which performs in multiple languages and draws from a rich variety of musical traditions, promotes unity and reconciliation. Their visit hinges on a pending visa application. Kevin closed by noting that the committee’s schedule is full and ambitious, especially considering it’s an all-volunteer effort, and welcomed any questions. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Chair Kevin Lydy and the Sister City Committee for their work, highlighting the importance of their efforts during challenging times. She asked if the event calendar could be made accessible on the city’s website, and Mr. Lydy confirmed it was already available. He credited Vice Chair Lorie Sims Park for the idea. Commissioner Turner-Sloss also thanked Commissioner Joseph for his leadership and emphasized the need to continue promoting peace globally. Commissioner Fairchild thanked Kevin and shared his excitement about the renewed energy in the Sister Cities program. He highlighted the upcoming 30th anniversary of the peace accords and the visit from the Beit Shemesh-Tamra delegation, emphasizing Dayton’s unique role in promoting peace through citizen-to-citizen diplomacy. Commissioner Shaw expressed his appreciation for the update and acknowledged the value of the information shared. Commissioner Joseph praised the work being done, emphasizing the need for more understanding, dialogue, and collaboration in foreign policy. He encouraged continued efforts and expressed appreciation for the presentation.  2123 CITY COMMISSION recuiar MEETING aprit 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR Ms. Blackshear requested the addition of emergency resolution number 6861-25 to the agenda. The resolution involves appointing a member to the Board of Directors of the Dayton Montgomery County Port Authority and declares it an emergency. DISCUSSION OF CALENDAR ITEMS IBROC Ms. Dickstein highlighted an award of contract for the Dayton Miami Valley Entrepreneur Center (doing business as the Entrepreneur Center) for operating an Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center. She mentioned that this initiative began prior to COVID-19, with a study conducted by Bruce Katz at Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab. The study assessed the status of Dayton's minority business community and revealed that bringing Dayton's Black and brown businesses on par with others could lead to the creation of an additional 500 businesses and over 4,000 jobs. This effort is part of the Dayton Recovery Plan, funded by ARPA, which aims to promote economic recovery. Ms. Dickstein expressed her excitement about the investment and the involvement of many passionate stakeholders. She acknowledged the leadership of LaShea Lofton, who has guided the inclusive strategic process over the past four years. Ms. Dickstein introduced Ms. Lofton, the deputy city manager, to present the details of this initiative. Ms. LaShea Lofton, Deputy City Manager, expressed her excitement and honor in presenting the approval of an agreement that will award $2.4 million in Dayton Recovery Plan funds to the Entrepreneur Center and the Miami Valley Urban League. These funds will be used to launch and manage an Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center. She acknowledged the work done over several years through a data-driven and community-informed process, with over 30 small business owners, stakeholders, and leaders contributing to understanding Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Ms. Lofton thanked Ms. Dickstein for her vision and trust in leading the effort, as well as the consultants, Next Street, GTB Advisors, and Aquipidants, for their expertise and leadership throughout the process. She also recognized the contributions of city staff, particularly Veronica Morris and Lamonte Hall, for their dedication and teamwork. She emphasized that this initiative will provide underrepresented entrepreneurs with the tools, support, and opportunities needed to succeed. Finally, Ms. Lofton introduced Donald Jones from Next Street to provide an overview of the journey leading to this significant moment. Donald Jones, a partner at Next Street, shared an overview of the process involved in launching the Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center (IBROC). Next Street, a leader in small business solutions, worked alongside Aquipidants, led by Gail Francis Johnson, and GTB Advisors, led by Gloria Wear, to help make the city’s vision a reality. The process unfolded in four phases: visioning and alignment, gathering facts, community co-design, and building out the business plan. Jones highlighted two key roles for the IBROC acting as a convenor to coordinate and collaborate across local business support and capital provider ecosystems, and serving as 2124 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING apriIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 a capacity builder to address gaps in services by leveraging the expertise of the Urban League, Entrepreneur Center, and external partnerships. The planning team also established a selection committee for a competitive RFP process, through which the Urban League and Entrepreneur Center were selected. The team worked on implementing branding, developing an advisory board, and ensuring the momentum from the planning phase continued. The advisory board will oversee IBROC's independence while keeping it aligned with the community's shared goals. Mr. Jones also shared the names of the stakeholders involved in the selection process and invited Belinda Stinson, a key stakeholder, to speak about her participation. Ms. Belinda Stinson expressed her excitement about the IBROC initiative, noting her deep involvement in its development over the past four years. She emphasized that IBROC is not meant to compete with existing programs but to build capacity, connect entrepreneurs to resources, and strengthen the entire small business support network in Dayton. Stinson highlighted that IBROC fosters collaboration, aiming to create clearer paths for entrepreneurs. She also praised the work of Next Street and expressed her enthusiasm for continuing partnerships with Scott Koorndyk and Nikol Miller. She then introduced Scott Koorndyk to continue the presentation. Scott Koorndyk and Nikol Miller discussed their partnership in launching IBROC, emphasizing the collaboration between the Entrepreneur Center and the Urban League. Scott highlighted that IBROC’s mission is to support "untapped entrepreneurs" by connecting them to essential resources, promoting a unified vision across various business support organizations in Dayton. Nikol elaborated on the Urban League's role in outreach, data management, and transparent reporting. She stressed the importance of creating sustainable opportunities and equitable growth for small businesses. Together, they outlined IBROC's focus on building capacity, amplifying support organizations, and continuously listening to small businesses' needs for better outcomes. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Commissioner Turner-Sloss asked Scott and Nikol about the governing structure of the initiative, particularly regarding the role of the Miami Valley in data collection and outreach. Scott explained that the Dayton Miami Valley Entrepreneur Center is the lead entity in the partnership, but the structure is collaborative, with both organizations working closely together. They will report to an advisory committee, which will provide direction and feedback. Scott clarified that the initiative is independent of the city, and reporting will be done quarterly. The new initiative will be based at the Dayton Arcade, with new staff being hired to support it, although some existing staff will initially assist. Commissioner Fairchild expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm and spirit surrounding the initiative, emphasizing the importance of drawing entrepreneurs to Dayton and tapping into the potential of untapped entrepreneurs. Scott explained that the long-term sustainability of the IBROC would be addressed after the first year. In the first year, the focus will be on proving the model and demonstrating its impact. Afterward, the plan is to develop a sustainability strategy, including potential private, public, and foundational funding sources. The goal is to ensure that the initiative continues beyond the initial funding. Commissioner Shaw expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the hard work put into establishing IBROC. He recognized the critical role of small businesses in driving the  2125 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 local and national economy, especially in tough times. While acknowledging the significant investment, he expressed confidence in the project's success and looks forward to seeing positive outcomes. Commissioner Joseph thanked everyone involved in IBROC, highlighting the importance of addressing a community need that had previously been overlooked. He appreciated the collaboration among partners and expressed excitement about the program's potential to fill a gap in the local ecosystem, setting high expectations for its success. Mayor Mims praised the initiative as a great use of ARPA funds and acknowledged the city's leadership in job growth over the past decade. He pointed out that minority businesses had not experienced the same growth and thanked the city manager, staff, and the team for their hard work on the project. Despite initial controversy, he expressed satisfaction with the decision made for the betterment of Dayton's citizens. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS There were no citizens registered to speak. 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: WATER Al. McCluskey Chevrolet, Inc. (two Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss) $103,330.00 1. (cont'd): A2. Badger Meter, Inc. (Badger brand meter parts and related items as needed through 12/31/25) $200,000.00 Jack Doheny Companies, Inc. (one Vactor brand combination cleaning A3. unit refurbishment) $55,928.46 Department of Water: TOTAL: $359,258.46 Service Agreement 2. Passero Associates, LLC - Award of Contract - for the safety building restroom renovation design services - Department of Public Works/Facilities Management. $122,500.00 (Thru 12/31/27) 3. Zan Creative Inc., dba Nova Creative Inc. - Contract Modification - second amendment for services related to education, outreach, awareness, branding, and marketing collaterals for the Know Your Pipes Campaign, and the Investing in Dayton's Tomorrow Campaign - Department of Water/Director's Office. $658,687.74 2126 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 (Thru 12/31/27) B. Award of Contract: 4. The Dayton/Miami Valley Entrepreneurs Center dba The Entrepreneurs Center, Inc. - Award of Contract - Dayton Recovery Plan - for the operation of an Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center -City Manager's Office. $2,400,000.00 (Thru 12/31/28) E. Other - Contributions, Etc.: 5. Julian & Grube, Inc. - Payment of Voucher - payment for services received January through March 2025 - Department of Finance/Tax & Accounting Administration. $35,617.00 APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS Commissioner Joseph made the motion to approve the City Manager’s Reports. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The City Manager’s Reports were approved with a 5-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, and Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. LEGISLATION EMERGENCY RESOLUTION — FIRST AND SECOND READING No. 6856-25 - Objecting to the Issuance of Liquor Permit No. 0346763 (Renewal), B&B Lounge & Patio LLC, DBA B&B Lounge, 2914 Salem Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45406 and Declaring an Emergency. The question being shall Emergency Resolution No. 6856-25 be adopted. Commissioner Shaw made the motion for the immediate passage of Emergency Resolution No. 6856- 25. Commissioner Fairchild seconded this motion. 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 No. 6857-25 — Objecting to the Issuance of Liquor Permit No. 65164770005 (Renewal), Ohio Chief's Bar and Lounge LLC, DBA Ohio Chief's Bar and Lounge, 1124 Leo St. Dayton, Ohio 45404 and Declaring an Emergency. The question being shall Emergency Resolution No. 6857-25 be adopted. Commissioner Fairchild made the motion for the immediate passage of Emergency Resolution No. 6857- 25. Commissioner Shaw seconded this motion. 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 No. 6858-25 - Objecting to the Issuance of Liquor Permit No. 5377780 (Renewal), MS2 Carryout LLC, DBA Delphos Carryout, 2903 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45417, and Declaring an Emergency.  2127 CITY COMMISSION 1 REGULAR MEETING aprin 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 The question being shall Emergency Resolution No. 6858-25 be adopted. Commissioner Turner-Sloss made the motion for the immediate passage of Emergency Resolution No. 6858- 25. Commissioner Fairchild seconded this motion. 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 No. 6859-25 - Approving the Submission of a Grant Application for the Fiscal Year 2025 Ohio Airport Grant Program to the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation; Authorizing the Acceptance of a Grant from the State of Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation in an Amount Not to Exceed Seven Hundred Forty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($749,550.00) on behalf of the City of Dayton; and Declaring an Emergency. The question being shall Emergency Resolution No. 6859-25 be adopted. Commissioner Joseph made the motion for the immediate passage of Emergency Resolution No. 6859- 25. Commissioner Shaw seconded this motion. 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 No. 6860-25 - Authorizing the Acceptance of Grant Funds from the State of Ohio, Department of Public Safety, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, in an Amount Not to Exceed Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,800,000.00) on Behalf of the City of Dayton to Support Emergency Protective Measures for the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Necessary Agreements, and Declaring an Emergency. The question being shall Emergency Resolution No. 6860-25 be adopted. Commissioner Shaw made the motion for the immediate passage of Emergency Resolution No. 6860- 25. Commissioner Fairchild seconded this motion. 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 ORDINANCE —- FIRST READING No. 32143-25 - Authorizing the Rehiring of Major Brian Johns to the Unclassified Position of Major in the Dayton Police Department. RESOLUTION —- SECOND READING No. 6855-25 - Declaring the Intention of the Commission to Vacate the Alley East of North Terry Street from East Third Street to the Alley North of East Third Street. 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 2128 CITY COMMISSION — 8®GULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 ADDED EMERGENCY RESOLUTION- FIRST AND SECOND READING No. 6861-25 - Appointing A Member To The Board Of Directors Of The Dayton Montgomery County Port Authority And Declaring An Emergency. Commissioner Shaw moved to appoint Michelle Roberts to the Greater Dayton Premier Management Board for a term ending June 30, 2030. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion, and all members voted in favor of the appointment. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS There were three citizens registered to speak. 1. Mr. Darelle Lee, 103 E Third St- spoke about his concerns that children's services and the justice system aren't following their own laws. He shared his experience of being shot 12 times and felt the charges were too light. He also believes associates in such crimes should be held accountable. 2. Mr. Eric Walker, 22 Wroe Ave- spoke about the need for better collaboration and funding to support public transportation for high school students. He noted that Dayton Public Schools pays $4 million to RTA for student bus passes and called for more shared responsibility from the city, county, and state. He encouraged leaders to take meaningful action and prioritize youth services. 3. Ms. Nicole Stargel, 1117 Broadmore Dr- spoke about the upcoming Out on 5th season and the need for city support. While most businesses support expanding the event, some have concerns about parking, safety, cleanliness, and signage. She requested more visible police presence, improved signage that reflects the district’s vibrancy, and better parking solutions to enhance the visitor experience and support the district’s success. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager, Shelley Dickstein recognized two outstanding members of the Department of Information Technology during closing comments. John Rike, Chief Information Officer, was honored as Technology Executive of the Year at the Technology First Leadership Awards for his visionary leadership and the department’s impactful strides in cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, and community partnerships. Vanessa Moon, Office Manager, received the inaugural Unsung Hero of the Year award for her behind-the-scenes work supporting IT operations, team building, AI implementation, and the Innovate Dayton project. Both expressed gratitude to the commission, their colleagues, and the IT team. John emphasized that leadership is a team sport and credited the supportive environment and talented staff for their success. Ms. Dickstein addressed Ms. Stargel’s concerns regarding Out on Fifth, clarifying that while the city supports the initiative, it is led and managed by the Oregon District Business Association (ODBA). She emphasized that the city collaborates with the ODBA and the Downtown Dayton Partnership to ensure a positive visitor experience. Ms. Dickstein also acknowledged the growing activity downtown, including the expanded DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), Fire Blocks, and areas near the baseball stadium. These developments contribute to increased demand for police presence. While the Oregon District has fixed post officers during peak times, resources are sometimes redirected to other busy areas. The city remains committed to strengthening partnerships and addressing concerns raised.  2129 CITY COMMISSION _R#GULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 COMMENTS BY THE CLERK OF THE COMMISSION Ms. Blackshear noted that there will be a Work Session following the Commission Meeting about the Dayton Home Repair Network in the City Manager’s Large Conference Room. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss expressed gratitude to all the participants, including members of the Sister Cities Committee, IT department, and various community stakeholders who attended the meeting, for their collaborative efforts and leadership. She highlighted the importance of addressing community issues together, especially challenges impacting youth and systemic poverty, and encouraged continued dialogue and support across agencies. Commissioner Turner-Sloss highlighted several important events happening this Saturday, April 26th. First, Rebuilding Together Day, part of a national initiative focused on home repairs and community improvements, will bring volunteers together to help rehabilitate homes for low-income residents. The Living Cities Project will also kick off at the Revival Center and the Dream Center, with a rally starting at 9:00 AM and concluding at the Revival Center around 1:00 PM. Additionally, the National Air Force Museum will offer American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted tours as part of an effort to make the museum more accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Commissioner Turner-Sloss encouraged everyone to check the website for more details and participate in these community-building events. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild expressed appreciation for the IT staff, acknowledging their hard work in centralizing management systems, which was a monumental task done well. He also appreciated the contributions of their entire team. Regarding Mr. Walker's response, he suggested looking into forming five working groups, like the police reform initiative, to address concerns about the youth. He proposed that the groups collaborate with the school board, business leaders, and young people to ensure sustainable, impactful action. Commissioner Fairchild also acknowledged Ms. Stargel’s points on maintaining a safe, vibrant downtown and expressed eagerness to work together to achieve that goal. On a personal note, he shared that his daughter recently turned 15, and they were celebrating her birthday on Saturday. He reflected on their journey as adoptive parents, humorously noting that they had been "nine months behind" since they received their daughter with only three hours' notice. He expressed his pride in being her dad and mentioned he would be celebrating her special day. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw announced two things. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is offering free summer camps for students, which include programs in aerospace, cybersecurity, and an introduction to becoming a pilot. All necessary materials are provided, and registration is now open on the museum’s website. Additionally, Learn to Earn Dayton is starting a civic leadership program to help residents get involved in the 2130 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 community or run for office. The program will run for eight months and will cover leadership, key community issues, and skills needed to make a difference. Applications open May Ist, and information sessions will be available at the Dayton Metro Library and online via Zoom. For more details, visit the Learn to Earn Dayton website. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph reminded everyone that April is National Volunteer Month and encouraged participation in environmental action. This weekend, Five Rivers Metro Parks is hosting an "Adopt a Park Day" event from 9 a.m. to noon, along with 30 other events. Volunteers will help with park cleanups, gardening, removing invasive species, and general maintenance. He urged people to visit the Five Rivers Metro Parks website for more details and consider volunteering for one of the many available projects. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims congratulated the IT team for their hard work, acknowledging that their contributions often go unrecognized. The Mayor expressed appreciation for all the presentations and efforts made to address ongoing challenges, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration. Regarding the cleanup efforts, Mayor Mims praised the citizens of Dayton for their involvement, noting that fewer areas are being affected by litter, which reflects growing pride in the community. He thanked everyone for their participation and announced that he, along with others, would be out helping with the cleanup. The Mayor concluded with a message of love and unity, stating, "love, peace for all, and hatred for none." ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 a.m. Attest: MO \D RlocVickoa Clerk of Corfimission