City Commission

2355 CITY COMMISSION _ REcutar MEETING yovemper 26 209025 COD REPRO 333-4043 CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, November 26, 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 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 Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, and Deputy City Manager, Ms. LaShea Lofton, were also present. Commissioner Joseph excused himself after the emergency legislation was read. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS Monthly Demolition Update Mr. Steve Gondol, Director of Planning, Neighborhoods, and Development, presented the October 2025 demolition update, reporting 26 demolitions for the month—25 funded by ARPA and one by CDBG. This brings the year-to-date total to 246 structures, including 135 supported by ARPA, 98 through ODOD, 12 by the General Fund, and one via CDBG. At the end of September, the City had 38 debris piles; during October, crews removed eight and added one new pile, leaving 31 piles outstanding, with most located in the Historic Inner East area. Demolition and cleanup work in October remained concentrated around the Main Street corridor, where efforts focused largely on pile removals, and in the Southern Dayton View neighborhood, where full structure demolitions continued. Only one new property, a garage, was added to the structural nuisance list this month, marking a minimal increase. Mr. Gondol also noted strong progress in preparing future sites: 40 properties completed asbestos remediation, positioning them for demolition in November or December. He highlighted several notable before-and-after examples along Oxford, Lexington, Sandhurst, Fernwood, Middle Street, and Riverside, emphasizing how removing long-standing fire debris and deteriorated structures supports neighborhood reinvestment and enhances the visual environment, particularly near new development like Catholic Social Services’ facility. Overall, he expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and the growing visual impact across multiple neighborhoods. Commissioner Turner-Sloss praised the department’s progress and the positive neighborhood response to recent demolitions and fire-pile removals. She asked whether the monthly demolition updates could continue beyond ARPA’s end in 2026, possibly 2356 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NovEemMBER 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 through CDBG or other funding, and Mr. Gondol agreed to raise that with leadership. She also requested a clearer timeline for removing the remaining 31 fire piles and asked for an updated forecast of current NOP contracts and expected completion dates through 2025-2026. Finally, she flagged a specific fire-debris pile on Great Miami Boulevard and others previously submitted; Mr. Gondol said he would review those sites. CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Ms. Lofton highlighted Item B3, a $1,930,915 contract to replace and reinstall the airfield guidance signage system at Dayton International Airport along two major runways. She commended the airport management team for proactively maintaining airport assets and successfully leveraging federal grant funding. She noted that the project keeps the airport in compliance with FAA guidelines and improves conditions for airlines operating at Dayton International Airport. She then invited Water Department Director Keshia Kinney to present on Item 32165-25, an ordinance amending water, sewer, and stormwater rates and charges. Water Department Rate Presentation Director Keshia Kinney presented the Water Department’s recommended rate adjustments for 2026-2028, framing them within the City’s long-term strategy of maintaining a healthy, well-invested water system. She reviewed the past decade of ageressive infrastructure investment, totaling $461 million since 2013, including major projects like the $138 million anaerobic digester upgrade at the water reclamation facility, dam improvements in the Mad River wellfield, stormwater infrastructure work, and distribution system upgrades. She emphasized that consistent rate adjustments between 2020-2025 have allowed the City to maintain predictable increases while preventing the sharp spikes seen in earlier decades. Ms. Kinney highlighted the economic importance of reliable water services, citing national data showing that even a day without water can cost $140 million in lost economic activity. She also noted several innovations that have helped control costs, including reusing CO2 from lime production, bringing specialized PFAS testing in-house (saving ~$100,000 per year), refinancing old debt ($1.5 million savings), and aggressively pursuing grant funding. Based on continued regulatory requirements, operations and maintenance needs, and capital reinvestment, she recommended the following rate increases: for 2026, water +8.5%, sanitary +9.5%, and stormwater +2.5% (about $24 more per quarter). For 2027 and 2028, water would remain at +8.5%, sanitary would drop slightly to +9%, and stormwater would stay at +2.5%—an overall combined increase of 8.3%, or about $25 more per quarter in 2027 and $27 in 2028. Ms. Kinney stressed that even with these adjustments, Dayton would remain in the lower half of rates among 66 regional utilities and well below the EPA’s 4.5% affordability threshold, with projected household impacts ranging from 2.7% to 3.2% of median income through 2028. She concluded by emphasizing that these increases are essential to sustaining a high-quality, compliant, and generational water system for future residents and encouraged the public to view more information at dayton.gov/water. Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked Director Kinney and her team for maintaining high- quality, accessible water services and then asked whether the City should expect additional rate increases after 2028 or if the current aggressive investment model would stabilize future rates. Ms. Kinney explained that continued increases are likely due to inflation, regulatory requirements, and rising material and maintenance costs. Commissioner Turner-Sloss also asked about public outreach and assistance for residents who may struggle with higher bills. Ms. Kinney said the department will communicate rate changes through social media, bill inserts, neighborhood engagement, and public  2357 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NovemMBER 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 forums. Ms. Lofton added that the City already partners with churches, CAP, and other agencies to help residents with bill payments and is exploring bringing some assistance programs in-house once new billing systems are implemented. She also clarified that the utility bill does not charge late penalties; instead, it offers an early-payment discount, though she acknowledged billing-timing concerns that staff can review further. Turner- Sloss emphasized the importance of ensuring residents understand available assistance, the timing of the January 2026 increase, and the practical impact—roughly 28 cents per day. Commissioner Fairchild thanked the Water Department for its work and noted that while Dayton’s water rates remain affordable compared to best-practice benchmarks, the increases will still create hardships for residents on fixed incomes, underscoring broader social challenges around affordability and household income. Commissioner Shaw echoed this point, acknowledging that even well-managed, efficient rates will still feel painful for many. Commissioner Joseph praised the department’s long-term planning and reminded the Commission those past failures to invest led to costly emergency fixes; he emphasized that consistent investment now prevents larger expenses and system failures later, citing the department’s success in reducing water main breaks over time. He thanked staff for a careful, transparent presentation. The Mayor added appreciation for the department’s national leadership in lime production and revenue, highlighted the City’s stability in rates, innovation, and regulatory compliance, and commended the team for continuing to deliver a high-quality, affordable regional water product. He closed by recognizing the Water Department staff present at the meeting for their work and commitment. 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: AVIATION A1. Debra-Kuempel, Inc. (heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) preventative maintenance and repairs as needed through 12/31/25) $30,000.00 A2. Roby Services LTD (janitorial supplies as needed through 12/31/25) $50,000.00 -Department of Aviation. Total: $80,000.00 Service Agreements: 2. Dayton Society of Natural History, Inc. — Service Agreement — for the Hydro Hero Lab and marketing initiatives — Water Director. $131,500.00 (Thru 12/31/28) 2358 CITY COMMISSION | REGULAR MEETING novemBer 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 3. Federal Aviation Administration — Service Agreement - $4,305,000.00 (Thru 12/31/27) 4. Passero Associates, LLC — Contract Modification — First Amendment and First Renewal — for additional construction administration services, signage design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation — Department of Recreation/Sports. $129,500.00 (Thru 12/31/26) Schindler Elevator Corporation — Contract Modification — One Stop elevator 5. Modernization Change Order Number One (10% MBE Participation Goal/20.89% MBE Participation Achieved) — Department of Public Works/Facilities Management. $69,768.14 (Thru 12/31/25) C. Revenue to the City: 6. DCC, Inc. dba Dayton Canoe Club — Lease Agreement — for real ground property located at 1020 Riverside Street - Department of Public Works/Facilities Management. $11.00 (Thru 12/31/35) E. Other: 7. University of Dayton, Hanley Sustainability Institute - Memorandum of Understanding — Memorandum of Understanding to Create Climate Resilience Grant with the University of Dayton’s Hanley Sustainability Institute — City Manager’s Office/Sustainability. $60,000.00 (Thru 11/12/28) APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS Commissioner Shaw made the motion to approve the City Manager’s Reports. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The City Manager’s Reports were unanimously approved. LEGISLATION Emergency Resolution — First & Second Reading No. 6904-25 - Withdrawing the Objection to the Transfer of 164770005 (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. Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the Emergency Resolution. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the 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 Emergency Resolution was adopted. Emergency Ordinance — First Reading No. 3216-25 - Amending Sections 50.02(D); 50.03(A), (B), (C) and (D); 50.06(D); 50.07; and 54.11 of the Revised Code of General Ordinances Relating to the Department of Water, and Declaring an Emergency.  2359 CITY COMMISSION _— ®£GULAR MEETING novemBer 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 Commissioner Turner-Sloss made a motion to approve the Emergency Resolution. Commissioner Joseph seconded the 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 Emergency Ordinance was adopted. Ordinances — First Reading No. 32166-25 - Consenting to Perform Bridge Repairs on the McCall Avenue Bridge over US Route 35 Structure File Number 5701589 Located on US Route 35 in the City of Dayton, and Agreeing to Cooperate in Matters Incidental Thereto, Including the Execution of Agreement Necessary to Implement this Ordinance. No. 32167-25 - Consenting to Perform Concrete Bridge Repairs on US Route 35 over Home Avenue Structure File Numbers 5701600 Left and 5701619 Right, both Located on US Route 35 in the City of Dayton, and Agreeing to Cooperate in Matters Incidental Thereto, Including the Execution of Agreement Necessary to Implement this Ordinance. No. 32168-25 - Amending Revised Code of General Ordinance (“R.C.G.O”) Section Nos. 53.01, 53.02, 53.06, 53.22, 53.27, 53.28, 53.29, 53.40, 53.41, 53.43 and 53.99 to Provide for Prevention of Potential Public Water Supply Pollutants and Provide for Penalties for Violations. Resolutions — First Reading No. 6905-25 - Declaring the Intention to Appropriate Real Property Interests in Parcels 7 T, 16 T, 29 SH & T, and 30 T in Connection with the Keowee Street Safety Improvement Project. No. 6906-25 - Approving the Submission of a Grant Application for the State Fiscal Year 2026 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 Four Hundred Twenty Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($420,375.50) on behalf of the City of Dayton. Resolutions — Second Reading No. 6901-25 Adopting a Business District Speed Zone Policy. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 4-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. The Resolution was adopted. No. 6902-25- Honorarily Naming Fitch Street Between Hawthorn Street and Germantown Pike as “Raymond Hummons Way” For a Two-Year Period. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 4-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. The Resolution was adopted. 2360 CITY COMMISSION _— precuiar MEETING NOVEMBER 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 No. 6903-25- Ensuring Compliance With The Land and Water Conservation Fund Project 39-00750 and Establishing Policy for Open Space Utilization at Carrick’s Corner Park. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 4-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Shaw, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. The Resolution was adopted. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS There was one citizen registered to speak. 1. Mr. Paul Kerregan, 1525 Pershing Blvd- spoke about issues of speeding on Pershing Blvd. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER Ms. Lofton wished everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. COMMENTS BY THE CLERK OF COMMISSION Ms. Blackshear, on behalf of the Commission and staff, wished everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss announced the Dayton Dragons’ new Deck the Diamond light experience at Day Air Ballpark and the Dayton Holiday Festival and Grande Illumination taking place downtown on Friday. She thanked colleagues for providing event details, acknowledged community members in attendance, and gave a brief update that the City is still working to address speeding concerns on Pershing Boulevard and to streamline the speed bump petition process. She ended by wishing everyone a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving and holiday season. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild supported improving the City’s speed bump petition process. He announced Dayton Live’s Back to the Future after-school intensive on December | and the Dayton Cat Café’s December 2 fundraiser for Gem City Kitties. He encouraged residents to bundle up and attend the Dayton Holiday Festival and ended by expressing gratitude for his family and community, wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw announced that the AFL-CIO is offering a pre-apprenticeship readiness program for residents interested in skilled trades, with applications available through the City Commission Office and at daytonaflc.org. He also highlighted the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Holiday Hop, running November 29 through December 22, where participants can collect stamps from local businesses to earn $25 in Downtown Dollars. He closed by wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Mayor Mims The Mayor encouraged residents to bundle up for this year’s Grande I|lumination and holiday parade, noting it will likely be even colder than last year and recalling the hand warmers distributed during past events. He addressed ongoing concerns about speed bumps, emphasizing that while they are both popular and unpopular, the City is carefully evaluating requests, including those raised by the resident present, and will conduct due diligence once the petition and supporting information are submitted. He wished Commissioner Turner-Sloss a happy belated birthday, recognized the Foodbank for its  2361 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 26 2025 COD REPRO 333-4043 continued pop-up distributions during a time of federal uncertainty, and encouraged residents to use the Thanksgiving holiday to rest, reflect, and express gratitude. The Mayor also highlighted the City’s progress in expanding training opportunities and increasing median income over the past decade, thanking staff and the community for their work to improve quality of life in Dayton. 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 9:28 a.m. Jeffrey J Mayor