Written with the help of AI from the Dayton City Commission minutes, September 16, 2026.
Notable actions
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Dayton City Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, which began at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Mayor Turner-Sloss and Commissioners Joseph, Fairchild and Beckham were present. Commissioner Shaw’s absence was excused by unanimous vote.
The largest item was Emergency Ordinance 32209-26, which amends the city’s 2026 appropriations. An appropriation is the legal authority to spend money, and an ordinance is a city law. The second revised appropriation totals $1.6 billion, up $38.6 million, or 2.4 percent, from the first revised appropriation. Director of Management and Budget Abbie Patel-Jones said the changes mainly reflect grant funding, capital investments, higher fleet and fuel costs and other departmental needs.
Items she listed included money for federal accessibility requirements, the City Manager search, the Flock camera audit, youth violence reduction, police and public works fleet costs, Dayton Home Repair Network projects, and a $7.75 million HUD lead hazard reduction grant. The list also covered aviation expenses and Breeze Airways marketing, and major water projects including AMI meter replacement and lead service line replacement.
The ordinance was first presented as a first reading. Commissioner Beckham said he agreed to change it to an emergency reading so it could take effect more quickly. Commissioner Joseph said strong support for the items, particularly lead service line replacements, warranted speeding up the funding. The commission passed it on a 4-0 roll call vote.
Emergency Resolution 6953-26 authorizes the City Manager to accept a $151,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. It was adopted 4-0 on a roll call vote.
Two other measures passed on second reading, both by 4-0 roll call votes. Ordinance 32205-26 amends the provisions of Planned Development PD-125 for Ruskin Elementary. Resolution 6952-26 concurs with the adoption of the Age-Friendly Dayton Action Plan.
Three measures had first readings, and the minutes record no votes on them. Ordinance 32207-26 concerns the necessary tax levies and asks Montgomery County to advance to the city tax money collected for 2027. Ordinance 32208-26 would create Chapter 121 to prohibit the retail sale and public display of gun-shaped novelty lighters and other imitation firearm novelty lighters in Dayton, with definitions, exemptions and penalties. Resolution 6954-26 declares the city’s intention to appropriate real property interests in Parcel 58 SH for the Smithville Road Reconstruction Project.
Ordinance 32206-26 was removed from the calendar at the request of Office Manager Jai’Shawn McClendon. She also asked that Ordinances 32209-26 and 32208-26 be added.
Commissioner Beckham asked for more explanation of item B1 in the City Manager’s Reports. City Manager Shelley Dickstein said B1 provides legal services to support the Housing Division’s compliance cases. She said the separate Black & Veatch contract modification covers the third phase of lead and copper rule compliance, including design of the first lead service line replacement project under the city’s 10-year program through 2037. Mayor Turner-Sloss said the third contract amendment supports the $19.7 million in water funding from an Ohio EPA loan that is included in the second revised appropriation. The City Manager’s Reports were then approved unanimously.
What residents raised
Four residents registered to speak on calendar items and one withdrew. One asked for more information on item B1. The third spoke about city spending going to vendors outside Dayton, called for more local purchasing, and proposed worker cooperatives for property maintenance and home repair.
Thirteen residents registered for general public comment. Several spoke about violence and public safety. They asked how children are getting firearms, called for broader collaboration, and urged expanding and fully funding the Cure Violence initiative. One proposed a voluntary firearm buyback and wider use of the Dayton Mediation Center. One speaker also asked that the Israeli flag be removed from the Commission chamber, saying the space should be neutral.
Other speakers focused on deteriorating and vacant properties. One described the collapse and emergency demolition of an abandoned building, praised the police and fire response, and raised concerns about debris, possible asbestos and the cleanup timeline. A resident of Salem Avenue described an unsafe neighboring property with a failing foundation, an open cistern and squatters, and a September 4 storm in which a tree from the property fell onto her family’s property. Another resident questioned the city’s $225 weed, grass, vine and debris removal charge, and who maintains city-owned vacant lots. A speaker also criticized the handling of neglected rental properties and said a speed bump request on Pershing Boulevard had gone unfulfilled while one was installed on Highridge Avenue.
Residents also raised these topics:
Neighborhood engagement, appointments to the public hospital governing board, and how financial data is presented at meetings. Anti-Muslim rhetoric after the 25th anniversary of September 11. Needs of poor and homeless residents. Socialism, affordable housing and community ownership. Mentorship and employment help. Strengthening Dayton Public Schools and the shortage of African-American teachers. The status, membership and oversight of the Use of Force Committee after recent police-involved shootings.
Commissioners respond
Commissioner Beckham said he would seek an update on the cleanup timeline for the emergency demolition. He said 714 Salem Avenue is on the city’s demolition list and that the Commission is prioritizing more funding and faster demolitions. He said the Cure Violence program’s progress would be evaluated and that additional neighborhoods and a broader cross-sector strategy are under consideration.
Commissioner Fairchild said the chamber displays both Israeli and Palestinian flags, reflecting the city’s sister city relationship with Israel, and that the Commission does not shy away from the tension this causes. Commissioner Joseph said the Commission is united in seeking solutions to violence and committed to a long-term effort.
Mayor Turner-Sloss described the proposed gun buyback as one part of a broader strategy. She cited the expansion of Cure Violence Global, street outreach, the Mediation Response Unit and Peace Ambassadors in Westwood. She noted the city’s $15 million structural imbalance, supported moving forward with a public hospital governing board, and said she would follow up on 714 Salem Avenue and neighborhood speeding. She also said 44 community members are serving on the city’s new advisory committees on people-centered governance, reimagining public safety, and business and economic development. The committees will develop recommendations for the Commission.
Routine items
The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the September 9, 2026, meeting and of the September 15, 2026, executive session. No communications or petitions were received, and the City Manager had no comments.
Ms. McClendon read a Welcoming Week proclamation recognizing the 2026 theme, "Stories We Share, The Courage to Connect." It noted the work of Welcome Dayton and its September 17 open house at the Dayton Metro Library. Commissioners thanked Welcome Dayton staff, including for helping a resident who lost power.
Commissioner Fairchild announced a community health event at the West Branch Library and the start of Belmont Days. Ms. McClendon announced that an executive session will follow the Commission meeting on September 23, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Source: Dayton City Commission minutes, Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Meeting video: watch on YouTube.
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