Commission approves one-year airport deep-cleaning contract after union talks; members ask for close monitoring

The Dayton City Commission approved the City Manager's recommendation to authorize a one‑year service agreement for deep cleaning at Dayton International Airport, with commissioners emphasizing close monitoring and reporting on workforce impacts.

Union representative Lucas Smith told the commission the union accepted the City's proposal as a compromise, saying, "We did so because we believed in compromise and we believed in recognizing that progress sometimes comes one step at a time" (Lucas Smith). Commissioners asked that the contract be limited to one year with options to renew only after review and requested quarterly performance reports.

City staff described the contract as a three‑days‑per‑week, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. deep‑cleaning schedule during which the vendor will provide and store its own equipment at the airport. Deputy Director Dan Zink said the vendor will "provide their own equipment" and that the contract includes monthly reporting to the city and quarterly evaluations. The administration said the intent is not to eliminate union positions but to provide a level of service the City cannot meet during overnight deep‑clean operations.

Commissioners raised concerns about out‑of‑area firms performing municipal work. Commissioner Fairchild summarized the commission's expectation: the one‑year term should be used to recruit locally and measure outcomes, noting, "My hope and my expectation is that a year from now we will be in a place where we have gotten the workforce issues resolved" (Commissioner Fairchild). The motion to adopt the City Manager's recommendations was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote.