Written with the help of AI from the Kettering City Council minutes, October 13, 2026.
Meeting at a glance
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Kettering City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Council met at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Kettering Government Center South Building, 3600 Shroyer Road. All six members were present: Mayor Suddith, Vice Mayor Duvall, and Council Members Sullivan, Arber, Palmer and Konkel. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Council approved the minutes of its September 22, 2026 meeting and workshop on a 6-0 vote.
Pay plan and city staffing rules
Council adopted Ordinance No. 4460-26 on second reading. An ordinance is a city law. This one sets the table of organization, position classification plan, compensation plan and pay schedules, along with rules on conditions of work and supplemental benefits for city employees. It repeals Ordinance No. 4440-25. The Human Resource Director gave a brief description. The vote was 6-0, with Duvall, Sullivan, Arber, Palmer, Konkel and Suddith all voting yes.
Resolutions adopted
Council adopted seven resolutions, which are formal decisions of Council. Each passed 6-0. The minutes do not record dollar amounts for any of them.
Resolution No. 11534-26 declares the necessity of repairing curbs, sidewalks and drive approaches on various streets as part of the Southern Boulevard resurfacing project between Big Hill and Dorothy Lane (City Project No. 02-142M). Assistant City Manager Bergstresser described it.
Resolution No. 11535-26 authorizes applications for federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Bergstresser also described this one.
Resolution No. 11536-26 authorizes the City Manager to apply for and accept an OVI Task Force grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. OVI is Ohio’s term for operating a vehicle while impaired. City Manager Greeson described it.
Resolution No. 11537-26 accepts the rates determined by the Budget Commission, authorizes the necessary tax levies and certifies them to the Montgomery County and Greene County auditors. Greeson described it.
Resolution No. 11538-26 establishes the signature of Alicia R. Rooney as an authorized signature for negotiable instruments, checking accounts, certification of funds and similar matters tied to her duties with the Finance Department. It rescinds Resolution No. 5435-90. Greeson described it.
Resolution No. 11539-26 authorizes an additional expenditure of funds for demolition design, specification drafting, hazardous material analysis and environmental oversight services for the Wilmington Heights Shopping Center nuisance abatement project. Assistant City Manager Chodkowski described it.
Resolution No. 11540-26 makes supplemental appropriations, meaning added spending authority, for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Greeson described it.
Appointment, proclamation and presentation
Council approved the appointment of Sarah Wissman to the Partners for Healthy Youth Committee for a term ending December 31, 2028. The motion was made by Vice Mayor Duvall, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and carried by a like sign vote.
Mayor Suddith read a proclamation for Make A Difference Day, and Kari Basson accepted it. Kettering will take part in the national volunteer day on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Volunteer opportunities include a community blood drive, invasive plant removal, meal kit assembly, community garden improvements and holiday card creation for deployed military personnel. Appreciation was expressed to Wright-Patt Credit Union, Kettering-Centerville Kiwanis, City staff, the Volunteer Advisory Council and community volunteers and donors.
Bill Tschirhart presented news for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. The department announced its sixth reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, recognizing compliance with 154 national standards. Kettering was also named a finalist for the National Recreation and Park Association’s National Gold Medal Award, which the City has won three times before.
First reading: Polen Drive traffic control
An ordinance introduced by Mr. Palmer would amend the City’s traffic control map and traffic control file regarding Polen Drive and repeal Section 1(C) of Ordinance No. 3861-01. Mr. Palmer read it and Assistant City Manager Bergstresser gave a brief overview. First reading is the first time Council hears a proposed ordinance. The minutes record no vote on it at this meeting.
What residents raised in public comment
Four residents spoke during the open-comment portion of the meeting. The minutes record no formal Council action on their requests, other than the response noted below on property maintenance.
One resident asked Council to direct City staff to work with residents and the homeowners association in the Prugh Woods neighborhood to study whether the City could take over ownership and maintenance of the neighborhood’s roads. The speaker said residents currently handle road repairs, maintenance and snow removal through the association while paying the same municipal taxes as other residents. The requested study would identify needed improvements, legal requirements, financial implications and a proposed timeline.
Another resident asked Council to consider a managed natural landscape ordinance similar to one adopted by the Village of Yellow Springs. The speaker described benefits of letting naturalized landscapes and gardens stand through winter to provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators. She said current City property maintenance and landscaping rules discourage wildlife habitat and restrict certain beneficial plants, and she urged Council to review and amend them.
A third resident raised speeding and dangerous traffic on East Whipp Road between Bigger Road and Wilmington Pike. She reported 96 accidents over six years, including one fatality, and said few speeding citations have been issued. She cited trouble entering driveways and fears about vehicles leaving the road, and said residents worry that upcoming resurfacing could lead to higher speeds. She asked for more enforcement and safety measures and submitted petitions, accident reports and citation records obtained from the Kettering Police Department.
A fourth resident, who described himself as a longtime resident and a three-time Neighborhood Pride Award recipient, raised declining neighborhood conditions. He cited overgrown vegetation, grass clippings, debris and sidewalks blocked by poor upkeep, and urged stronger property maintenance enforcement. He offered to volunteer to help. Council acknowledged his concerns and noted continued efforts to increase enforcement, including contracting for property maintenance work and assessing the costs to property owners.
Round-up: manager’s report and council comments
City Manager Greeson listed upcoming events: BaseCamp, a pop-up gathering place at Miami Valley Research Park, October 17-25; Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 24, from 9 to 11 a.m.; the DEA Drug Takeback on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Police Department; Trick or Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.; and blood pressure clinics on October 14, 21 and 28.
Ms. Duvall recognized a student from KLA in the audience, thanked the Mayor and staff for helping with KLA Government Day, and reported attending the Greenmont Garden Club ribbon cutting for its community garden. She also noted that Hispanic Heritage Month contest winners’ posters are displayed in the lobby.
Mr. Sullivan noted recent and upcoming demolitions, including Wilmington Heights and the Dragon City building at Marshall and Stroop, which opens up two properties for new development. He said Nothing Bundt Cakes will open at Town and Country Shopping Center and recognized the new median on Far Hills Avenue heading toward Centerville.
Ms. Arber reported attending the Ohio Municipal League conference, the ribbon cutting for LuvUniqueThings, owned by a retired City employee, and an event at the Charles Lathrem Senior Center on how Kettering became Kettering. She reminded residents that early voting is open.
Mr. Palmer, the Sister City Council liaison, said the Sister City Committee is looking for new members and that he looks forward to his first Make A Difference Day. Mr. Konkel reported attending the groundbreaking for the STEM school’s new building and the retirement celebration for Assistant Chief Mike Miller.
Mayor Suddith reported that Sustainability Manager Dawn Kirchner was recognized at a Clean Future Ohio event in Columbus. He also welcomed Congressman Turner at the Tawasi Club and said the first Mayors Business Breakfast will be held Thursday, with a panel of himself, Economic Development Manager Ky Gantt and Assistant City Manager Bryan Chodkowski, moderated by Caleb Stevens of the Dayton Business Journal.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Suddith also thanked TV operator Evan Russell of the Miami Valley Technology and Community Group for his assistance with the live broadcast.
Source: Kettering City Council minutes, Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
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