Kettering City Council approves police donations, facility equipment and nearly $2 million in supplemental appropriations

Kettering City Council on Nov. 26 approved a package of mostly noncontroversial resolutions that included acceptance of donations to the Kettering Police Department, authorization to buy fitness equipment for city recreation facilities, a facade grant for a property on East Stroop Road and supplemental appropriations for the remainder of fiscal year 2024.

The council voted to accept a donation of desks and chairs from the Kettering Police Foundation for use in the Police Department Intelligence Unit. The motion, presented by Mister Sullivan, listed an estimated cost of $8,300 and noted no budgeted amount; Mister Greason described the foundation donation and answered council questions. The motion passed on a roll call showing recorded 'yes' votes from Sullivan, Scott, Duvall, Suddath and Vice Mayor Fisher. (The transcript includes an inconsistent numeric remark from Mister Greason later in the discussion that referenced $83,100; see clarifying details.)

Council also approved acceptance of funding from the Kettering Police Foundation to purchase two DJI Avata drones, described in the meeting as a "fly more combo" package with an estimated cost of $38,100. Chief Protsman said the city is expanding its drone fleet to help keep officers and residents safer. The drone donation resolution was moved, seconded and approved.

A $15,000 contribution to the Kettering Development Corporation (KDC), a 501(c)(3) that assists with redevelopment projects, was recommended by staff and explained by Mister Greason. Because some council members serve on the KDC board, those members would abstain. On the roll call recorded in the meeting, Mister Sullivan and Mister Scott abstained while Miss Duvall, Mister Suddath and Vice Mayor Fisher voted yes; the motion passed.

The council authorized the city manager to purchase fitness equipment for the Kettering Recreation Complex and the Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center, with an estimated cost of $155,000 to be funded from available appropriations. The resolution was moved, seconded and approved.

Council approved a facade and site improvement grant agreement with Point Plaza LLC for property at 1827–1875 East Stroop Road. The city’s contribution was capped at $25,000 to support landscaping, painting, a dumpster enclosure, awnings and related site work; the resolution was approved on roll call.

The council adopted supplemental appropriations totaling $1,966,672 for fiscal year 2024 to cover items such as increased postage costs in the Clerk of Courts office, additional planning and development mailings, police department donations acceptance (to record the in-kind items), and police and fire overtime related to vacancies and deployments; in some instances staff indicated the city may later receive state or federal reimbursements. The motion was recommended by staff and passed on roll call.

First reading was held on an ordinance to enact §152.08 of the codified ordinances concerning city contracts; the Law Department said the change would align the city with recently adopted Ohio Revised Code §9.27, prohibiting certain disallowed contract provisions (for example, indemnification or nondisclosure terms that would conflict with the Ohio Public Records Act). No final vote occurred on the ordinance at this meeting.

Council members offered routine community reports and reminders about holiday schedules, leaf pickup and upcoming events. The meeting adjourned with the next regular session scheduled for Dec. 3, 2024.

Quotes from the meeting included Mister Greason explaining the Kettering Development Corporation's role: "The Kettering Development Corporation ... is a not for profit 501c3, and its mission is to improve the city of Kettering by supporting the city's efforts to increase jobs and expand the tax base." Chief Protsman described the drone addition as part of an effort "to create just to make things safer, both for officers and the citizens."