Written with the help of AI from the Dayton City Commission minutes, September 9, 2026.
Notable actions
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Dayton City Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The meeting began at 8:31 a.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Mayor Turner-Sloss and Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild and Beckham were all present, and the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Three resolutions were on second reading, and each passed on a roll call vote of 5-0. A resolution is a formal statement of the Commission’s position or decision. Resolution No. 6949-26 determined that the City of Dayton New Community Authority and District will be conducive to public safety, convenience and welfare and is intended to result in the development of a new community. It also declared the authority organized as a body politic and corporate and defined the boundaries of the new community district. Resolution No. 6950-26 approved a consent to add certain parcels of real property to the district. The authority is established under Chapter 349 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Resolution No. 6951-26 supports dedicating $1,000,000 of associated General Fund revenue to fund and promote neighborhood development across the city. It also passed 5-0. In her comments, Mayor Turner-Sloss said the funding resulted from collaboration among the Commission and is intended to complement, not reduce, existing neighborhood funding. She said the money may support demolition, housing and home repairs, and down payment assistance.
Resolution No. 6952-26, concurring with the adoption of the Age-Friendly Dayton Action Plan, had its first reading. The minutes record no vote on it.
The Commission also held a public hearing and first reading on Ordinance No. 32205-26, which would amend the provisions of Planned Development PD-125 for Ruskin Elementary. An ordinance is a city law. Ms. Jen Hanauer said the amendment would add the adjacent property donated by East Dayton Neighborhood Development Corporation and preserve it as a public space and gateway to the school. She said the property was formerly occupied by a convenience store, which was removed and replaced with a park. The amendment also updates zoning language and the school’s name and grade levels. She said the Southeast Land Use Board and Plan Board recommended approval and that the amendment is consistent with City plans, including the Southeast Neighborhood Vision Plan. She reviewed the Commission’s options to approve, send the application back to the Plan Board, or deny it. No vote on the ordinance was recorded.
Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the September 2, 2026, meeting and the minutes of the June 29, 2026, executive session. They also unanimously approved the City Manager’s Reports.
Age-Friendly Dayton Action Plan presentation
Ms. Eileen Sizer presented the Age-Friendly Dayton Action Plan. She said the Commission committed in October 2023 to the AARP Livable Communities initiative, which spans five years of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating age-friendly efforts. A survey of more than 3,000 Dayton residents age 55 and older found that 55% considered Dayton age-friendly and 23% were unsure. Top priorities were housing, access to information about events and services, and access to healthy food.
The steering committee identified five themes: safety, intergenerational programs and connections, information access, workforce participation, and housing and transportation. Mayor Turner-Sloss asked how the plan fits with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Sizer said it complements that plan by bringing older adults’ needs into existing City planning. She said the plan will be available on the City’s website with contact information and a supplemental report.
What residents raised in public comment
Four residents registered to speak on calendar items, and one did not speak. The three who did raised the $1 million set aside for neighborhoods, including how it would be distributed among the city’s 65 neighborhoods and who advocated for it. They also raised the $549,992 contract modification for the Belmont Pool locker room project, including the increase over the original amount and structural conditions found after demolition. The third topic was the New Community Authority and a proposed 197-room hotel, with a call for an independent stress test and clear terms on who would bear any losses.
Mayor Turner-Sloss responded on the Belmont Pool, saying additional corrosion and deterioration were found as work progressed and that the expanded work is meant to address the problems and prevent future corrosion.
Six residents registered to speak in the general comment period. Topics included implementing the Independent Accountability Auditor’s recommendations on reducing police encounters, use of force and de-escalation, along with a request that the 2025 use-of-force report be made public. Speakers also addressed accountability for the proposed $1 million neighborhood investment, recent gun violence and communication from City leaders, fathers’ and children’s rights, and a proposed change to Dayton’s form of government that would include a citywide elected mayor, a district-based Commission and a separate chief administrative officer. One speaker described a transitional housing and mentorship program for women and asked for donors and community support.
In response, Commissioner Beckham said the Police Department’s policy review committee will work with the Independent Accountability Auditor on recommendations. He said the Use of Force Committee was not disbanded. Commissioner Fairchild supported revisiting the committee’s structure and scope. Mayor Turner-Sloss requested an update on the 2025 use-of-force report.
Routine items and announcements
Commissioner Beckham asked for a moment of silence for Craig Howard before leading the invocation, and Mayor Turner-Sloss led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no communications and petitions and no comments by the City Manager.
In calendar comments, Commissioner Beckham recognized a service agreement with Sinclair Community College to provide a student to the Prosecutor’s Office for victim assistance.
Commissioner Beckham noted the City spends about $30,000 a year on graffiti removal and encouraged residents to report graffiti. Commissioner Shaw highlighted Dayton Startup Week, September 15 to 17 at the Dayton Arcade, a free event. Commissioner Joseph encouraged residents to attend the Dayton World Soccer Games on September 12 at Kettering Field Sports Complex, which will include a Parade of Nations. Commissioner Fairchild highlighted an upcoming virtual home improvement budgeting session and encouraged residents to observe September 11.
Mayor Turner-Sloss acknowledged an earlier inaccurate statement about the Dayton Home Repair Network. She clarified that applications are being accepted, but funding awards are paused pending additional work that may require Commission direction and approval.
Work session with Miami Valley Community Action Partnership
After the meeting, the Commission held a work session with the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (MVCAP). President and CEO Erin M. Jeffries said the agency has been part of Dayton’s community infrastructure for 62 years and serves as the designated Community Action Agency for Montgomery, Darke, Greene and Preble counties. Its programs include weatherization, home repair, lead remediation, utility assistance, financial counseling and homeownership support.
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie O’Donoghue Ly said the agency manages about $18.5 million in revenue, with 87% supporting program services. She said more than 6,400 individuals received energy assistance and 37 Dayton households received weatherization services. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Deborah L. Donnelly said its most recent audit of 38 programs totaling about $103 million had no findings.
Ms. Jeffries told Commissioner Beckham that demand has continued to increase and is outpacing staffing capacity. She told Commissioner Fairchild that the federal reconciliation bill does not directly affect its grants significantly, but cuts to other safety-net programs are expected to increase demand. She said the organization is open to working with the City on advocacy efforts and initiatives.
Source: Dayton City Commission minutes, Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Meeting video: watch on YouTube.
Follow Dayton Report: Facebook · X
