Kettering council approves routine resolutions on TIF, public-safety equipment and court services; adopts $182,000 in supplemental appropriations

KETTERING, Ohio — The Kettering City Council on Nov. 12 approved a package of routine resolutions that included changes to a tax increment financing district, contracts for public-safety and court services and supplemental budget appropriations.

Council moved to amend several ordinances governing the Hills and Dale tax increment financing district, commonly known as Governor's Place, to broaden the definition of "public improvement" and therefore expand what TIF revenues may fund. Councilmember Chadowski said the district "funded the initial construction" of Governor's Place Boulevard and related utilities and that "following this 2025 expenditure, a small six-figure balance is anticipated to remain in the TIF fund." The ordinance amendments passed on a roll-call vote.

Council also authorized the city manager to contract with Motorola Solutions for digital recording hardware and software for the Kettering Communications Center. The estimated cost cited by staff was $63,261.40; staff said the system (Eventide software) will replace outdated recording technology and will record incoming and outgoing phone calls and radio traffic.

A resolution to accept $67,296.65 in reimbursement from the Ohio attorney general's office for police officer training costs was approved. Staff said the funds reimburse salary costs tied to continuing professional training through the third quarter of 2024.

The council approved an application for a Department of Energy technical assistance voucher — requested by the city's sustainability office — to secure a consultant to help develop a city sustainability plan focused on energy planning, building efficiency, EV charging and electrifying city fleets. Staff gave the voucher amount as $119,280.

Other approvals included a multi-year general engineering services procurement (estimated $75,000 in the 2025 budget), a contract with the Montgomery County Public Defender Commission and Office to provide mandated indigent defense services for violations of Kettering ordinances (estimated $50,000 in 2025), and authorization to repair and replace kilns and related equipment at the Rosewood Arts Center after a water-pipe failure (estimated $55,000). On the public-defender contract, the law director clarified that the contract covers defense services for people charged with violations of Kettering ordinances and that defendants need not be Kettering residents.

Council approved supplemental appropriations totaling approximately $182,104.33 that staff described as four parts: a $12,437 carryover donation from the Kettering Police Foundation for a drone package; $47,700 for police and fire personnel expenditures tied to a collective-bargaining agreement (a 3% increase effective May 20, 2024, with department cost impacts noted in the agenda packet); $55,000 for kiln and equipment replacement at Rosewood; and appropriation of the $67,296.65 Ohio AG reimbursement previously authorized.

Clerks certified that the Planning Commission recommended approval of planning case 23-012 (a zoning text amendment). A public hearing on that request was set for the Nov. 26 council meeting.

City Manager Grayson delivered a community update covering Medicare open enrollment (through Dec. 7), leaf-collection procedures, holiday trash schedule adjustments, reminders about Small Business Saturday and an announcement that the mayor's tree-lighting will be Dec. 6 in Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Grayson also noted parks and recreation and finance awards and thanked volunteers who participated in Make a Difference Day.

All motions presented in the meeting were moved, seconded and adopted on roll call as recorded in the agenda packet. The meeting was adjourned; the next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance amendments to Hills and Dale (Governor's Place) TIF (ordinance nos. 3862-01; 3901-02; 3909-02; 3910-02; 3949-03): motion to adopt second reading — moved by Councilmember Fisher; passed (yes votes recorded). - Resolution authorizing contract with Motorola Solutions (digital recording system) — estimated $63,261.40: moved by Councilmember Sullivan; passed. - Resolution accepting Ohio Attorney General reimbursement ($67,296.65) for police training: moved and passed. - Resolution to apply for DOE technical assistance voucher (amount cited $119,280): moved and passed. - Authorization for general engineering services procurement (budgeted $75,000 for 2025): moved and passed. - Contract with Montgomery County Public Defender Commission/Office (estimated $50,000): moved and passed; law director clarified scope covers Kettering-ordinance charges regardless of residency. - Rosewood Arts Center repair/replacement (estimated $55,000): moved and passed; staff indicated an insurance claim is being submitted. - First Suburbs Consortium of Dayton bylaws amendments: moved and passed. - Supplemental appropriations (approx. $182,104.33) covering donation carryover, personnel costs, kiln replacement and the AG reimbursement: moved and passed.

(Quotations in this report are verbatim from council discussion and attributed to speakers recorded in the meeting transcript.)