City Commission

January 2, 2026 TO: Mayor/Commissioners FROM: Luke Pleiman, Legislative Aide SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the December 31, 2025, Dayton City Commission Meeting CITY COMMISSION MEETING On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 8:32 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 Shaw 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, and Fairchild, were present. The Clerk of Commission, Ms. Regina Blackshear, Office Manager, Ms. Jai’Shawn McClendon, and City Manager, Ms. Shelley Dickstein, were also present. Commissioner Turner-Sloss arrived after the approval of the minutes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings held on December 10 and December 17, 2025. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. PRESENTATION AND SPECIAL AWARDS There were none. ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE CALENDAR Ms. McClendon requested the addition of emergency resolution No. 6912-25. CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 2, a three-year service agreement with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce valued at $2,633,700.00. This agreement focuses on airline co-op marketing services and supports air service development, economic vitality, passenger attraction, and business travel engagement. It also includes creating an ADA-compliant website, new brand development, and regional advertising. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 8, a contract with Premise Health Employer Solutions for management services at the Dayton offsite clinic. After issuing a new RFP in 2025, Premise Health was selected from eleven bids. The contract will expand services to include on-site physical therapy, mental health care, and enhanced pharmaceutical services. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 9, which involved awarding a contract to Railroad Signal Service for upgrades at the Gettysburg and Little Richmond Road crossings. The $1,300,000.00 cost will be funded by the Ohio Rail Development Commission. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 10, a contract with Safebuilt Ohio to supplement inspection and plan review services, allowing the city to respond more quickly to building plan submissions. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 12, an agreement that provides off-duty police personnel for security at the downtown transit hub and adjacent areas, generating approximately $168,000.00 in revenue for the city. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 13, a development agreement with Windsor Construction Services to support the redevelopment of the Deneau Tower. The city will contribute $500,000.00, which Windsor will match, to build out several floors for entrepreneurs graduating from The Hub. Mrs. Dickstein highlighted item 16, an annual agreement with the Regional Dispatch Center to share costs for dispatch services. Costs are allocated based on actual dispatch workload, and the city accounts for about 60% of the RDC’s operations. The increase is also influenced by wage inflation that has occurred. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS There were 4 citizens registered to speak. 1. Richard Stevens, 925 Colwick Drive – Spoke against the proposed Flying Ace car wash development in the Belmont community in item 22. 2. Michael Armstrong, 333 Oakwood Avenue – Spoke against the proposed Flying Ace car wash development in the Belmont community in item 22. 3. Ramon Leibold, 913 Colwick Drive – Spoke against the proposed Flying Ace car wash development in the Belmont community in item 22. 4. Eileen Comerford, 952 Croyden Drive – Spoke against the proposed Flying Ace car wash development in the Belmont community in item 22. CITY COMMISSIONS’ COMMENTS ON CALENDAR ITEMS Commissioner Turner-Sloss asked if there was a slight increase in the cost of item number 2 and what it would be covering, as well as a report on previous meetings covering the partnership. She had also asked for more information on the traffic flow that would result from passing item 22. Ms. Dickstein stated that the cost of item 2 has been static to what it's been in the past. The ability to submit plans electronically has significantly improved capacity without requiring city staff to recheck them. The goal is to achieve an average 14-day turnaround for this on reports in the next year. Ms. Jennifer Hanauer was called forward to answer questions regarding item 22. Ms. Hanauer stated that access would be restricted from Wilmington and Patterson and that the traffic use of this car wash would not increase any more than another commercial use. A change to the current road infrastructure was suggested to improve the flow of traffic. Commissioner Fairchild asked about the pricing of item 2 and what the consequences would be of having a gap in the contract. He also supports the local residents and the planning board’s decision to deny the car wash proposal from item 22. Ms. Dickstein stated that the cost of item 2 has remained at roughly the same annual cost since 1998 and that the pricing is due to the contract lasting three years. Ms. Dickstein called the Deputy Director of Aviation, Daniel Zenk, to provide more clarity. He stated the city is working to hire a marketing firm to support air service development and airport marketing, causing the slight increase. If the agreement is delayed, it would postpone hiring a marketing firm, disrupt ongoing negotiations with potential airlines, and create a gap that would harm economic vitality. Commissioner Shaw emphasized support for item 2, despite concerns about timing and contract expiration, to avoid delays that could harm progress. He expressed that he is against item 22 as there are more fitting investments for the area that should be explored. He noted opportunities for development in West Dayton and suggested repurposing other vacant properties for the proposed car wash. Commissioner Joseph expressed that the concerns of the immediate neighbors to the car wash in item 22 should not be overlooked and that the area should be left available for a more suitable investment opportunity. Mayor Mims expressed support for item 2 regarding additional marketing to raise awareness of the airport’s benefits. He reaffirmed support for the planning board’s recommendation of refusal and emphasized respecting community input for item 22. 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 and Second Reading No. 6912-25 – Appointing a Member to the Board of Directors of the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority, and Declaring and Emergency. Commissioner Joseph made the motion to approve the Emergency Resolution. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 4-0 vote. Voting in the affirmative were Mayor Mims, Commissioners Joseph, Fairchild, and Turner-Sloss. Commissioner Shaw abstained. The Emergency Resolution was adopted. Ordinance – First Reading No. 32175-25 – Appropriating Property Designated as Parcels 16 T, 29 SH&T, and 30 T in Connection with The Keowee Street Safety Improvement Project. Resolutions – First Reading No. 6910-25 – Declaring the Intention to Appropriate Real Property Interests in Parcel 31 Tl and T2 in Connection with the Keowee Street Safety Improvement Project. No. 6911-25 – Declaring the Intention of the Commission to Vacate the Alley South of Saint Charles Avenue from 20' east of the Alley East of Bowen Street to Creighton Avenue. Ordinance – Second Reading No. 32173-25 – Repealing, Amending, and Enacting Various Sections of the Revised Code of General Ordinances Related to Chapter 151: Subdivision Regulations. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 5-0 vote. The Ordinance was unanimously adopted. No. 32174-25 – Amending the Official Zoning Map to Establish Planned Development-192 and Final Plan for 1.559 Acres at the Northeast Corner of Wilmington Avenue and Patterson Road and Repeal Planned Development PD-87. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 0-5 vote. The Ordinance was unanimously refused. Resolutions – Second Reading No. 6909-25 – Establishing the Fiscal Year 2026 Rates, Fees and Charges for the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport and the Dayton Wright Brothers Airport. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in a 5-0 vote. The Resolution was unanimously approved. No. 6912-25 – Appointing a Member to the Board of Directors of the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority, and Declaring and Emergency. BOARD APPOINTMENTS Commissioner Shaw moved to reappoint Kelly Winston and LaShelle Jefferson to the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority for a term ending December 31, 2028. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The Commission approved the appointments. Commissioner Joseph moved to reappoint Joseph W. Shaw to the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority Board of Trustees to fill a term ending December 31, 2027. Commissioner Turner-Sloss seconded the motion. The Commission approved the appointments. Commissioner Shaw moved to appoint Will Smith to the Use of Force Committee for a term ending December 31, 2026. Commissioner Fairchild seconded the motion. The Commission approved the appointment. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS There was 1 citizen registered to speak 1. Ms. Valerie Duncan, 5235 South Hayden Avenue – Spoke about the St. Vincent’s women’s shelter limited occupancy. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER Ms. Dickstein noted ongoing discussions with St. Vincent’s and the women’s shelter to provide support with further details forthcoming. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION OFFICE MANAGER Ms. McClendon announced the date of the swearing-in ceremony for the incoming commission. It will be held on Monday, January 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Additionally, all city offices will be closed on January 1st for the New Year holiday. COMMENTS BY THE CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Turner-Sloss Commissioner Turner-Sloss thanked residents for their advocacy during the holiday season. She encouraged exploration of alternative sites such as Gettysburg, Hoover, and Northwest Plaza for the car wash. Additional updates included free tax preparation services for residents earning up to $69,000 starting January 24th. The speaker also expressed appreciation for Mayor Mims' leadership and wished everyone a Happy New Year. Commissioner Fairchild Commissioner Fairchild expressed that while item 22 was refused, there are still investment opportunities within the city that could fit these needs. He thanked partners for maintaining Riverscape ice skating and highlighted this event happening on December 31st at 11:00 a.m. He also highlighted Deck the Diamond, which will be open through January 3rd. The Harlem Globetrotters will be at the Nutter Center at 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Shaw Commissioner Shaw highlighted that the Dayton and Miami Valley AFL-CIO are accepting applications for a six-week pre-apprenticeship program. Applications are available at the City Commission office or online at daytonaflcio.org. The speaker also encouraged participation in January’s First Friday event from 5 to 10 p.m. January 2nd, featuring local art, food, and shopping downtown. Commissioner Joseph Commissioner Joseph highlighted that the Southeast Neighborhood Associations are hosting a post-holiday recycling event at Ohmer Park Church on January 3rd from 9 to 11 a.m. Residents can bring cardboard, batteries, styrofoam, electronics, used oil, and one tire per family for disposal. Mayor Mims Mayor Mims highlighted upcoming activities at the Dayton Arcade, including a free yoga session on January 3rd from 10 to 11 a.m. He reflected on their tenure as mayor, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighting Dayton’s significant progress, including nearly $3 billion in investments and strong job growth over recent years. He credited collaboration among city leadership and staff for these achievements and urged continued momentum to improve residents’ quality of life. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.