City Commission

2288 CITY COMMISSION _ recurar MEETING sepremBer 10 2025 Barrett Brothers T1505087LD CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, September 10, 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. Commissioner Joseph 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 Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss were present. The Chief of Staff, Ms. Verletta Jackson, and City Manager, Shelley Dickstein, were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Fairchild made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 3, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS Mayor Mims invited Lieutenant Randy Beane to the podium, accompanied by Officer Doug Gresham, Sergeant Brian Updyke, and Officer Nathan Speelman, to receive recognition on behalf of the Dayton Police Department’s Regional Crowd Management Team Ms. Jackson then read the following proclamation: Proclamation Whereas the City of Dayton proudly recognizes the outstanding service of the Dayton Police Department’s Regional Crowd Management Team, whose work protects the safety and well-being of residents and visitors; and Whereas in just the past two years, the Team has been deployed more than forty times to safeguard some of Dayton’s largest and most challenging events, including the NATO Conference, the Dayton Air Show, and community traditions such as St. Patrick’s Day, the Pride Festival, and the Labor Day celebration; and Whereas the Team has also responded with professionalism and resolve to unique challenges such as the Eclipse, street racing, block parties, and protest activity, while continuing weekly deployments to address disorderly crowds, quality-of-life issues, and summer activity downtown; and Whereas even in the face of lean staffing levels, the Team has stepped forward repeatedly with careful planning, adaptability, and community engagement, building trust and ensuring safe environments for all who live, work, and celebrate in Dayton; and Whereas their resilience, commitment, and dedication to public safety embody the highest standards of service and represent the very best of the Dayton Police Department;  2289 CITY COMMISSION — R£GULAR MEETING SEPTEMBERTO 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Now, Therefore, I, Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr., Mayor of the City of Dayton, Ohio, on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby commend and recognize the Dayton Police Department’s Regional Crowd Management Team for their exemplary service to the citizens of Dayton and extend our deepest gratitude for their ongoing contributions to the public. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Dayton to be affixed. Mayor Mims commended the Regional Crowd Management Team for their unique ability to manage large, crowded, and sometimes tense events with professionalism and safety, noting the extensive planning required even before deployments. Lt. Beane highlighted two key strategies that have improved operations: deploying officers on bicycles to move quickly and reduce fatigue and building relationships with event organizers and groups in advance to coordinate routes and safety plans. He also introduced his team members— Sergeant Brian Updyke, Officer Doug Gresham, and Officer Nathan Speelman. Commissioner Turner-Sloss expressed her appreciation for the team's leadership and service, especially acknowledging the significant demands placed on them by major events such as NATO and other large-scale operations. Commissioner Fairchild echoed the appreciation and specifically highlighted the team's proactive efforts to coordinate with community groups ahead of events. Drawing on his own experience organizing marches and parades, he emphasized the importance of cooperation in upholding First Amendment rights. He also acknowledged the personal sacrifices officers make, such as working overtime and missing holidays, to maintain public safety. Commissioner Shaw thanked the team for keeping the community safe amidst a growing number of public events, praising their consistent and commendable service. Commissioner Joseph noted the team's long-standing track record of excellence in managing international-level events in Dayton. He emphasized that the team’s performance during the NATO event was no surprise to those familiar with their history of professionalism and effective security. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS This morning, City Manager Ms. Dickstein highlighted several key items. She noted that Item 2 is a $1.4 million contract modification with A.H. Sturgill Roofing to continue emergency stabilization and repair work at 34 N. Main Street, including roof replacement, weatherproofing, scaffolding, debris handling, and other safety measures. Item 4 is a grant agreement with Homefull to fund outreach and supportive services for unhoused individuals, particularly in Highview Hills, Madden Hills, Highview Manor, Pineview, and Bella Vista, with the goal of connecting people to resources and preventing homelessness. She also highlighted two Dayton Recovery Plan contracts with Bladecutter’s Lawn Service: Item B6, a $96,400 investment for the removal of 110 hazardous trees and 23 stumps across 11 city parks, and Item B7, funding for brush and vegetation removal at 92 properties in the Five Oaks neighborhood, both awarded after competitive RFP processes where Bladecutter’s ranked highest. Finally, she outlined Item E8, an agreement with Montgomery County CPS to provide $500,000 to replenish the maintenance reserve fund for the Men’s Gateway Shelter on Gettysburg, which will 2290 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 support critical capital improvements such as HVAC and fire panel upgrades to improve the shelter’s quality of life. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Mayor Mims noted the importance of the minority business goals tied to City projects, commending that they are both high and ambitious. He then requested that in the coming weeks staff prepare a presentation updating the Commission on the City’s progress toward meeting those goals, specifically highlighting performance outcomes for minority business participation across current projects. Commissioner Turner-Sloss raised several questions regarding calendar item #2, which allocated $1.4 million for continued emergency stabilization and roof replacement at 34 North Main Street. She expressed concerns about whether insurance claims had been filed, whether the investment should trigger a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), and the overall fiscal responsibility of investing heavily in a building without a clear end use. She also questioned whether the same vendor was used for both phases of work and emphasized the need for a follow-up memo outlining the insurance process and project status. Additionally, she inquired about Homefull’s outreach services and requested more details on how those services support permanent housing or prevention. Finally, she asked for a comprehensive update on repairs and renovations at the Men’s Gateway Shelter, noting the large investments already made. City Manager Ms. Dickstein responded that the initial $1.5 million stabilization work was emergency-based and occurred before the PLA framework, while the new $1.4 million contract does not reach the $2 million trigger threshold. She explained that two insurance claims are in process, one for Stratacash and another for the City, with the Land Bank holding ownership of the property and the City managing stabilization. Different vendors were used for the roof and stabilization phases, with Shell & Meyer providing engineering assessments. She stressed the building’s historic significance and confirmed that an RFP will soon be issued to attract developers. On Homefull, she clarified that outreach includes connecting unhoused individuals to IDs, shelters, transitional housing, and preventing at-risk families from falling into homelessness. Regarding the Men’s Gateway Shelter, she reported that emergency HVAC and fire panel repairs have been completed, while assessments and cost analyses for further renovations are underway. She committed to providing a full list of completed and pending improvements. Commissioner Fairchild requested clarification on the 34 North Main contracts, noting that since this was a contract amendment, it must involve the same company, and inquired whether the original bid accurately covered both stabilization and roof work. He raised concerns that the scope of services in the first contract already referenced roof replacement, making the additional $1.4 million request seem duplicative. He suggested tabling the item until there was a clearer explanation of what work had been completed and what should have been included initially, stressing the importance of competitive bidding to ensure fair pricing. City Manager Ms. Dickstein acknowledged that Sturgill served as the prime contractor with subs involved, and deferred to Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development Director Steve Gondol for more detail. Mr. Gondol explained that the project was always envisioned in two parts: initial emergency stabilization and then roof replacement, with costs known for each phase. The parapet collapse accelerated the need to address both, and because HUD funding was used, prevailing wage was required across the entire project. Mr. Gondol emphasized that the second request is not cost overrun but continuation of the planned scope, with different funding sources (HUD and city general funds). He explained that the delay in presenting the full project to Commission stemmed from identifying which city accounts could  2291 CITY COMMISSION — ®26U2A8 MEETING _ sepremprr 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 cover the unexpected expense. Mr. Gondol stressed that only critical stabilization and envelope work is being done to preserve structural integrity and make the building viable for redevelopment. He cautioned that delaying approval could jeopardize payments to subcontractors, many of them small local businesses, while reiterating their confidence that the work aligns with the intended scope and funding requirements. The Mayor recommended pulling the 34 North Main item from the consent agenda for a separate vote. He explained this would give each commissioner the chance to vote according to their confidence in the information provided, while ensuring the meeting moved forward efficiently. He also emphasized that commission packets and staff briefings are the proper place to raise questions and gather clarity, and that the goal should be to maintain transparency and confidence in the process. Commissioner Fairchild noted that the June 4th contract already included roof replacement and was with the same contractor, Sturgill, meaning this amendment builds on the original agreement rather than a new project. He pointed out that the scope of work described now seems somewhat different from what was outlined earlier, and suggested that the additional funding could have been clarified more fully at that time. Commissioner Joseph voiced his appreciation for the upcoming contract to remove trees and stumps in city parks, noting that many old ash trees and stumps have become unsightly. He added a small request: if there is any flexibility in the contract budget, it would be helpful to also address the smaller “sucker” trees that sprout from stumps or existing trees, since they are widespread across many parks. He suggested this would be a good use of funds if room remains in the project scope. APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS Mayor Mims asked for a motion to vote on item two of the City Manager’s recommendations separately. Commissioner Shaw moved to separate the item, which was accepted. Then Commissioner Joseph moved to approve item two, with Commissioner Shaw seconding. The vote passed with Mayor Mims, Commissioner Joseph, and Commissioner Shaw voting in favor, while Commissioners Fairchild and Turner-Sloss abstained. Commissioner Joseph made the motion to approve the City Manager’s Reports, excluding Item No. 2. Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion. The City Manager’s Reports were unanimously approved. LEGISLATION Ordinance — First Reading No. 32157-25 - Appropriating Property Designated as Parcels 13 SH and 25 T in Connection with the Findlay Street Reconstruction Project. No. 32158-25 - Amending Sections 150.130.3(A)(5), 150.130.7, 150.130.8(B), 150.130.8(D), and 150.130.9(A) of the Revised Code of General Ordinances Relating to the Zoning Code. Resolution — Second Reading No. 6886-25 - Declaring the Intention to Appropriate Real Property Interests in Parcels 94 T and 127 T in Connection with the Salem Avenue Reconstruction Phase 4 Project. 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. 2292 : CITY COMMISSION | REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 CITIZENS’ COMMENTS There was one citizen registered to speak. 1. Mr. Kimaru Wa-Tenza, 1200 W Grand Ave- spoke about historical examples of U.S. companies doing business with Nazi Germany, current conflicts involving Israel and Palestine. COMMENTS BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF Ms. Jackson stated that there will be a work session immediately following the Commission Meeting on Small Business Strategies. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss closed by reaffirming her deep respect and trust in city staff, highlighting her own past experience as a City of Dayton employee. She emphasized that commissioners’ questions are part of their due diligence, not a lack of trust, and called for mutual courtesy and respect in those exchanges. She thanked staff for their dedication, acknowledged recent community events such as the Walk for Scholars and the R&B concert, and promoted new youth and recreation programs, including after-school activities, a homeschool gym class, and the LEAP Dance program. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild noted the importance of clarity when reviewing contracts, observing that the June 4th contract referenced roof replacement while the new amendment adds stabilization work. He explained that he sought additional clarification to ensure commissioners fully understood the scope and funding of the project, emphasizing that careful review is part of their responsibility. He then highlighted his appreciation for city staff, looking forward to celebrating their contributions at the upcoming Health and Wellness Fair, and encouraged residents to attend the final weekend of Levitt Pavilion events, including the Jazz Fest. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw announced two opportunities: The Montgomery County Workforce Development Department will host a Job Fair on Thursday, Sept. 25, 12—4 p.m. at the Dayton Convention Center with on-site interviews and résumé help; register at thejobcenter.org. He also noted the Victory Project needs volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to help move items from the middle school to the high school campus; those interested can email kimc(@victoryproject.org Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph reaffirmed Dayton’s strong commitment to peace and dialogue, noting that the Commission unanimously passed one of the earliest ceasefire resolutions in the country and that Dayton is unique in maintaining sister city relationships with both Israel and Palestine. He highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue, including a recent visit from a representative of Dayton’s Palestinian sister city, and emphasized that these efforts reflect Dayton’s long-standing identity as a “City of Peace.” Shifting to local issues, he praised city staff for their emergency response at 34 N. Main, where unexpected structural damage required quick action. He compared the building’s potential to the successful redevelopment of the Arcade, stressing that taking responsibility for this property prevents further deterioration and positions it for future redevelopment and community benefit. Commissioner Joseph also explained Commission procedures, clarifying how legislative packets are distributed on Fridays and typically reviewed over the weekend so staff can prepare answers to commissioners’  2293 CITY COMMISSION _ REGULAR MEETING _ sepremBer 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 questions before Wednesday’s meetings. He emphasized that this practice supports transparency and informed decision-making. Finally, Commissioner Joseph encouraged community engagement, spotlighting the Kiser Elementary Shoe and Belt Closet, which provides essential items to students and accepts donations via an Amazon Wish List shipped directly to: Rue Gray Kiser Elementary School 1401 Leo St. Dayton, OH 45404 He also invited residents to join the Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council Cleanup on Saturday, meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind Taco Bell on Watervliet Avenue, to help prepare the neighborhood for the annual Belmont Days festival. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims closed by noting there was no need to repeat earlier points, but highlighted an upcoming community health event. He invited everyone to join the African American Wellness Walk on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. at Island Park, encouraging participants to arrive early for t-shirts and warm-up activities to avoid injury during the walk. He concluded the meeting with his signature message: “Love and peace for all and hatred for none.” ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:33 a.m. WORK SESSION City Manager, Ms. Dickstein, introduced Mr. Scott Koorndyk of the Entrepreneur Center to give an update on Small Business Strategy. Mr. Koorndyk provided an update on Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing the city’s critical role in supporting small businesses and innovation. He noted that 80% of Dayton’s economic growth comes from existing small businesses, and partnerships with the city have been transformational. He highlighted the Entrepreneur Center’s evolution from a traditional incubator to a regional hub for innovation, especially with the development of The Hub at the Arcade, now home to 180 businesses and 900 employees, along with 40 college classes bringing 450+ students weekly. This has created synergy between higher education and local startups. Since 2017, their efforts have generated nearly $1 billion in regional economic impact, with over $650 million directly in the City of Dayton. The Entrepreneur Center supports both technology and “main street” entrepreneurs, ranging from bakers and barbers to tech startups tied to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Mr. Koorndyk emphasized that Dayton’s entrepreneurial model is recognized nationally as a best practice, particularly for how it integrates research institutions, higher education, and small businesses into a unified regional strategy. Mr. Koorndyk expanded on the regional framework that guides the Entrepreneur Center’s work, stressing the importance of Dayton’s vision and leadership in shaping strategies that extend beyond the city and into the broader community. He referenced Bruce Katz’s three-part innovation model, economic assets, networking assets, and physical assets, and noted that Dayton is uniquely positioned with all three: world-class research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and local universities, a robust network of entrepreneurial support organizations, and physical anchors like The Arcade and downtown facilities. He emphasized the bridge role the Entrepreneur Center plays, connecting the urban core with regional and state- level economic engines, particularly Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. For example, the Hub at the Arcade hosts biweekly “colliders” with Air Force Research Laboratory staff, bringing uniformed and civilian personnel downtown to engage directly with local entrepreneurs. This not only fosters collaboration but also integrates military 2294 CITY COMMISSION 8®GULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 and civilian innovation into Dayton’s economic fabric. Mr. Koorndyk emphasized the transformation of The Arcade into a thriving entrepreneurial hub, noting that it is now nationally recognized and currently hosting Startup Week with around 800 entrepreneurs, workshops, and keynote speakers. He highlighted that while the Entrepreneur Center does not operate a large venture fund, it has created targeted support tools like the Rotunda Fund to help underserved entrepreneurs bridge into traditional financing, and an EC Angels network with about 60 local investors supporting small business opportunities. Looking forward, the organization is exploring the creation of a local investment fund to keep startups anchored in Dayton by ensuring their first capital comes from local sources, encouraging loyalty to the region instead of moving to larger markets. He shared the Entrepreneur Center’s strong deal flow, with about 400 inquiries and 25 new Main Street business starts annually, along with 20 new technology clients each year, primarily in fields aligned with the Air Force Research Laboratory such as software, advanced materials, sensors, and life sciences. Importantly, he underscored the center’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, noting that over half of their client portfolio are women founders, nearly half are minority founders, and more than 60% of small business clients come from diverse backgrounds. The organization also enforces diversity standards across staff, board membership, suppliers, and clients, supported by a dedicated board-level Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Mr. Koorndyk invited commissioners to attend Startup Week, currently underway at The Hub, drawing about 800 entrepreneurs for workshops, networking, and keynote events. He highlighted the monthly Launchpad Series, which runs April through September and focuses on talent and business growth, with September serving as the capstone. The Entrepreneur Center’s reach extends well beyond Dayton, with about 30,000 subscribers to its newsletters. He then discussed the idea of creating a local investment fund, explaining that while small contributions (around $1 million) could support a few companies, a $5 million fund is the minimum to have meaningful impact, and a $10 million fund would be optimal for scaling local startups. Such a fund would likely require institutional partners such as universities and corporate sponsors. Mr. Koorndyk also outlined key programs run by the Entrepreneur Center. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) remains a cornerstone, with seven staff dedicated to supporting Main Street businesses in Dayton, including a full-time specialist focused on immigrant entrepreneurs. Funding from the City is leveraged dollar-for-dollar with state support, doubling the impact. He further explained the Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) program, which is the center’s largest revenue source and a competitive state program they won back in 2017. Currently the second-largest ESP in Ohio (after Cleveland), it has brought nearly $30 million in funding into the Dayton region, with a return on investment of $39 for every $1 from the state, and 48-to-1 in the most recent year. Since 2017, the program has generated over $1.07 billion in economic impact, supported 244 clients, and created 1,166 net new jobs with strong average wages. Finally, he emphasized the importance of connecting downtown Dayton with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the broader Ohio innovation network, noting that businesses and talent increasingly see the city’s urban core as a place to grow. The goal is to create a dense, vibrant environment where startups and workers remain anchored in Dayton, reinforcing both regional growth and neighborhood revitalization.  2295 CITY COMMISSION ~ REcuULAR MEETING _ seprempBer 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Mr. Koorndyk shared an in-depth update on Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the role of the Entrepreneur Center (EC). He emphasized that Dayton is a city of small businesses, with 80% of growth driven by existing ones, and highlighted the importance of partnerships that help companies scale, innovate, and connect to resources. Over the last decade, the city’s leadership and investment have transformed the EC from an incubator into a hub for innovation, anchored in the Arcade, now home to 180 businesses, nearly 900 employees, and hundreds of students weekly from UD and Sinclair. Since 2017, this work has generated more than $1 billion in economic impact, with $650 million directly tied to the City of Dayton. The EC also supports commercialization of Air Force Research Lab technologies, helping bridge Wright-Patt with the urban core, and has become the Air Force’s official accelerator, graduating 320 companies that went on to attract $3 billion in follow-on capital. He described funding programs like the Rotunda Fund, which helped underserved entrepreneurs, and the new EC Angels network, with 60 local investors now supporting startups to keep capital and talent in Dayton. Plans are underway for a local fund of at least $5 million to provide early-stage capital and retain loyalty to the city. The EC runs major programs: the SBDC, focused on Main Street businesses (leveraging city funds with state support), and the ESP program, Ohio’s second largest, which alone has driven $1.07 billion in investment and created 1,166 net new jobs since 2017. Nearly half of EC’s client portfolio are women or minority founders, reflecting its formal diversity and inclusion plan. Startup Week, happening now with 800 entrepreneurs, was cited as an example of the city’s vibrancy. Financially, the EC has grown from $4 million revenue in 2019 to $9 million in 2025, with a goal of $10 million by 2026. Mr. Koorndyk stressed that funds are reinvested into programs, staff, and reserves to ensure stability. He also explained the IBROC initiative, which connects Dayton’s many entrepreneurial support organizations into one seamless system so that entrepreneurs no longer face fragmented “ring-around-the-rosie” referrals. Overall, he credited the city’s vision, partnership, and commitment for turning Dayton into a national model for entrepreneurial support, while underscoring the EC’s role in advancing innovation, equity, and economic growth. Commissioner Fairchild asked Mr. Koorndyk about how the Entrepreneur Center aligns with the city’s broader economic development strategy and who serves as their main point of contact. Koorndyk explained that they work closely with Veronica, meeting monthly to review their statement of work and ensure alignment with the commission’s vision. These meetings also focus on forward planning, such as creating city-focused entrepreneurial forums to help small businesses better understand city processes like zoning, permitting, and funding opportunities. He emphasized that these forums will “demystify” how entrepreneurs can work with the city, making the system more transparent and accessible. On the question of interaction, Mr. Koorndyk noted that many entrepreneurs engage with the city, often through Veronica, who connects them with the right staff and creates “frictionless pathways” for problem-solving. He cited a real example where a monastery high school opening in the Hub required a permit, and with Veronica’s guidance and the city’s quick response, the issue was resolved within days, preventing delays. When asked about access to capital, Mr. Koorndyk pointed to IBROC as the platform that brings together different business service organizations to test, model, and share new strategies for funding small and minority-owned businesses. He noted that organizations like HRC play a key role in contributing ideas, while IBROC helps surface, coordinate, and potentially fund these initiatives. 2296 CITY COMMISSION 8£CULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 The discussion closed with commissioners thanking Mr. Koorndyk and his staff for their work, noting the positive impact on the city and the strong partnerships that ensure small businesses have a clear voice in Dayton’s economic development efforts. id.) Tere 7 rea