Written with the help of AI from the Dayton City Commission minutes, September 2, 2026.
Notable actions
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Dayton City Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, which began at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Mayor Turner-Sloss and Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild and Beckham were all present.
Two motions are recorded as passing. Commissioner Shaw moved, and Commissioner Fairchild seconded, approval of the minutes of the August 26, 2026, meeting; they were approved unanimously. Commissioner Joseph moved, and Commissioner Beckham seconded, approval of the City Manager’s Reports, which were also approved unanimously.
Three resolutions were listed under first reading. A resolution is a formal statement of the Commission’s position or decision. The minutes record no vote on any of them. Resolution No. 6949-26 determines that the City of Dayton New Community Authority and District will be conducive to public safety, convenience and welfare, declares the authority organized as a body politic and corporate, and defines the boundaries of the new community district. Resolution No. 6950-26 approves a consent to add certain parcels of real property to the authority’s district under Chapter 349 of the Ohio Revised Code. Resolution No. 6951-26 supports dedicating $1 million of associated general fund revenue to fund and promote neighborhood development across the city. Office Manager Jai’Shawn McClendon asked that No. 6951-26 be added to the agenda.
Deputy City Manager Joseph Parlette said Resolution No. 6949-26 would establish the new community authority and No. 6950-26 would further define the parcels included in it. He also said several grant agreements on the calendar would distribute entitlement dollars to organizations providing services in the community. Commissioner Beckham recognized the Community Development Block Grant recipients for their work. The minutes do not record the grant agreements’ amounts or a vote on them.
Commissioners spoke about the neighborhood funding resolution. Commissioner Beckham thanked the Mayor for bringing it forward to offset funds generated through the authority. Commissioner Fairchild said revenue generated through the downtown TIF creates an opportunity to offset General Fund dollars for neighborhood investments. He also said the authority is not a tool meant to address neighborhood business corridors and that the city should develop strategies to support those corridors alongside downtown development. Commissioner Shaw expressed support for using the authority to strengthen neighborhoods and promote economic development throughout the city. Mayor Turner-Sloss said the authority is a pilot and the city can adjust its approach based on how well it works.
Police auditor’s semiannual report
Independent Accountability Auditor Jasmine Brown presented the second semiannual report of the Independent Accountability Auditor (IAA), covering January 1 through June 30, 2026. The IAA reviews citizen complaints against the Dayton Police Department, audits the investigation and discipline processes, prepares reports, and recommends changes to policy, procedure and training.
In the first half of 2026 there were 70 originating citizen-generated complaint matters. Of these, 23 were citizen complaint events requiring investigation, resulting in 60 specific allegations. Of the citizen complaints reviewed, 55% were found unfounded, 23% exonerated, 17% sustained and 3% not sustained, with one investigation still in progress. Ms. Brown said the sustained share was higher than in previous years, when the average was about 10% or less, though the overall number of complaints stayed within the historical average. In the report’s terms, exonerated means the act occurred but was lawful and proper, unfounded means there was no evidence the act occurred, and not sustained means there was not enough evidence to decide.
Ms. Brown reviewed 10 sustained allegations from three incidents involving three officers. They included discourtesy and disrespect, a missed court appearance, insubordination, failure to meet performance expectations, and failure to exercise care while operating a vehicle. All completed investigations met the required 90-day timeframe. One officer received oral reprimands for two incidents, and officers in a third incident received written reprimands and were directed not to work together going forward.
The IAA also reviewed the department’s de-escalation policy and recommended revisions to broaden de-escalation strategies beyond potentially violent encounters, address officer conduct that may contribute to escalation, and clarify expectations. Chief Eric Henderson said the Policy Review Committee meets monthly and could likely review the revisions within 30 days. He said the department plans to apply de-escalation strategies to all situations officers encounter, not only use-of-force incidents.
Responding to the Mayor, Chief Henderson said the revised policy will be distributed through the department’s learning management system, with training reinforced through roll-call training and extra academy sessions. All new recruits receive Integrating Communications and Tactics training, and the department plans to train the entire department in early 2027. He said supervisors regularly review body-camera footage and that the department conducts 45 random video audits each month.
Commissioner Joseph asked that future reports include the number of originating events alongside complaints over time. Mayor Turner-Sloss asked about a prior recommendation on making the complaint process more user-friendly. Ms. Brown and Mr. Parlette said it concerned correspondence to complainants about the Community Appeals Board process, that the Mediation Center was understood to be handling it, and that they would verify the status.
What residents raised in public comment
Six residents registered to speak on calendar items, and one did not speak. The five who spoke focused on the proposed New Community Authority. Concerns included whether it mainly benefits downtown, its financial risks, an additional charge on residents and businesses, accountability, unequal investment among business districts, and the potential for gentrification. One speaker advocated for the Miami Valley Community Wealth Initiative, which would promote local purchasing, worker ownership and community land ownership. Others raised city contracts and spending transparency, a housing trust fund, ARPA funds (federal pandemic relief money), a $5 million investment at 34 Main Street, and the public hospital initiative.
Mayor Turner-Sloss responded to several points. She said the city recently completed a financial audit reviewing contracts and financial controls, with the final report forthcoming. She said the $17 million hotel funding gap is the responsibility of the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority, is separate from the city, and that the city has not been asked to contribute. She said $55 million of the city’s $138 million ARPA allocation was designated for neighborhood investments, including demolition, housing projects, curbs and sidewalks, and she pointed residents to the city’s ARPA dashboard. She also said discussions on the public hospital are ongoing and that the Commission would review the proposed resolution on the wealth initiative for possible consideration.
In the general public comment period, 11 residents registered to speak. Topics included a block-by-block neighborhood initiative, a visible timer for speakers, a possible move to a strong mayor form of government, the Miami Valley Community Wealth Initiative, human rights concerns, the paused home repair loan program, board residency requirements, and whether certain contracts were properly bid. Several speakers addressed police accountability, including calls for the IAA to have greater authority and access to video and investigative materials, to report demographic data, and to include information on settled lawsuits, as well as questions about the Use of Force Committee. Others raised limited recreation center and pool resources, including the Belmont pool closure.
Three speakers raised traffic safety. Two described problems at Cornell Drive and Catalpa Drive and on Cornell Road, citing crashes, speeding and a pedestrian injury, and asked for measures such as speed humps, raised crosswalks and curb repairs. Another described a blind curve, speeding, unclear lane markings and crashes on East Third Street. One speaker also questioned the policy against drinks in the Commission Chamber.
Commissioner Beckham said the home repair loan program was paused because of its income eligibility threshold and that staff were working to restructure it. He asked the Engineering Department for an update on options for recurring problem intersections. Commissioner Fairchild said staff would evaluate the Cornell Drive and Catalpa Drive intersection and that the city typically studies speeds and traffic volume before responding. On the form of government, Commissioner Beckham said any review of the City Charter would require a formal process, including discussion and agreement by the Commission, and that ballot initiatives may be placed on the ballot by the Commission or by residents. Commissioner Fairchild said public education on the differences between a city manager and a strong mayor system would be beneficial.
Routine items and announcements
The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Pierre Damas Bel, requested by Commissioner Joseph, followed by an invocation led by Commissioner Fairchild and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Turner-Sloss. Under communications and petitions, there were none. Chief of Staff Verletta A. Jackson, Ms. McClendon and Mr. Parlette were also present.
Mr. Parlette said two Dayton police officers injured while arresting a domestic violence suspect had been released from the hospital and were generally doing well, with no serious or life-threatening injuries reported. He confirmed the suspect had been apprehended.
Ms. McClendon announced that City Hall would be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. Mayor Turner-Sloss said waste collection would be delayed one day. Commissioner Shaw encouraged small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend the Procurement Pathways event on September 15 to meet procurement professionals and learn about contracting opportunities.
Commissioner Joseph congratulated the Water Department’s Environmental Management team on receiving the 2026 Source Water Protection Award. Mayor Turner-Sloss confirmed that the Home Repair Loan Program application process had reopened and pointed residents to the city’s website. She asked for an update on the GDRC pool and its state permitting process and noted that the Princeton Recreation Center continues to serve residents. She thanked staff for addressing long-standing debris concerns at 3022 West Second Street and Delphos Avenue, noting more concerns in the area, and recognized the Sustainability Office for securing additional funding from the Attorney General’s Office for other sites. She also said invitation letters for the Flight Plan had been sent and an orientation would be held later in the month.
Commissioner Fairchild expressed support for continued work on a peace summit focused on reducing violence. Commissioners also recognized labor organizations and workers ahead of Labor Day. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Source: Dayton City Commission minutes, Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Meeting video: watch on YouTube.
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