Kettering City Council approves parks repairs, $1.25M building appropriation, police K‑9 donation and technology upgrade

Kettering City Council on Aug. 27 unanimously approved a package of resolutions that funds park maintenance and court resurfacing, accepts a $1.25 million state capital appropriation for improvements to Building 46 in the Kettering Business Park, accepts donations to replace a police K‑9, authorizes a replacement unmarked police vehicle and approves a tax e‑file contract and supplemental appropriation.

The council voted to accept a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association’s Million Coaches Challenge to fund the How TO Coach Kids program; Parks staff said the award will allow the city to "train a 150 coaches before the end of 2024." Council also approved roughly $41,000 for restoration and resurfacing of sport courts at Oak Creek, Walther, Oak, Ernst, Wenzler, Southern Hills and Tate parks and a separate $30,000 annual program for repair, cleaning, roofing and painting of park shelters and amenities.

Council accepted $1,250,000 in state capital appropriations earmarked for improvements to Building 46 at the Kettering Business Park. Staff said the city requested $2 million through the Dayton Development Coalition’s PDAC process and was awarded $1,250,000; the funds will be included in next year’s budget and council acceptance is required to access the appropriation.

The council also accepted donations totaling $9,000 to the Kettering Police Foundation — $7,000 from Teresa Huber and $2,000 from Doug Toma of Sandy’s Towing — to purchase a dual‑purpose police K‑9, related equipment and travel expenses. The police chief noted the donation will fund the replacement for K9 Ox, who is retiring. Members asked about the dog’s dual roles (drug detection, tracking and apprehension) and naming protocol; the chief said handlers choose names subject to administrative approval and retired dogs remain with their handlers.

A resolution to purchase an unmarked replacement police vehicle (estimated cost $28,000) was approved; staff said the vehicle replaces one totaled in a no‑fault accident and insurance is expected to cover the cost. Council approved an additional $11,500 for Phase 2 environmental site assessment activities at a city‑owned property at 2569 Patterson Road (the former Cheerhart Cleaner site), noting the extra work exceeds 25% of the original contract and therefore required council approval.

Finance staff recommended moving the city to a single tax vendor and contracting for a City Tax e‑file system (estimated cost $33,500), saying, “We believe this product offers us a number of advantages,” including integration of e‑file and return processing, improved user experience and automated document scanning and indexing. Council approved a supplemental appropriation of approximately $37,000 to appropriate recently accepted donations and vehicle replacement funds.

All resolutions on the agenda were carried by roll call vote. The council had no public hearings and no public speakers on agenda matters. City staff highlighted upcoming community events and reminded residents of administrative office closures for Labor Day. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Votes at a glance (all approved by roll call): - Appointment: Courtney Pitzinger to Volunteer Advisory Council (term through Dec. 31, 2026) — voice/roll call approval. - Resolution: Accept National Recreation and Park Association coaches training grant — approved. - Resolution: Sports court restoration and resurfacing (~$41,000) — approved. - Resolution: Repair/painting of park amenities (~$30,000) — approved. - Resolution: Accept $1,250,000 state capital appropriation for Building 46 — approved. - Resolution: Accept donations for K‑9 (total $9,000) — approved. - Resolution: Purchase unmarked police vehicle (~$28,000) — approved. - Resolution: Additional $11,500 for environmental site assessment at 2569 Patterson Road — approved. - Resolution: Contract for tax e‑file system (~$33,500) — approved. - Resolution: Supplemental appropriation (~$37,000) — approved.

Staff and speakers quoted in the meeting provided project scopes, funding amounts and procedural context; no formal ordinances or contested votes were recorded.