Commission approves manager recommendations as public concerns mount over ALPR data and pending surveillance report

The Dayton City Commission approved the city manager's recommendations by voice vote and adopted two second‑reading grant resolutions. The calendar included a contract modification adding $1.6 million to Blade Cutters Lawn Service for emergency demolition, debris removal and structure stabilization across dozens of neighborhoods, and a staff‑presented third renewal with Optica Consulting for technology support for police systems (transcript lists $373,866,000 through June 2027). Staff stated Optica's work supports body and in‑car camera systems, mobile data computers, crash/citation systems, license‑plate readers, and the public‑safety communications network; funding comes from the photo enforcement reimbursement fund and does not affect the city's general fund.

"The renewal ensures the continued operation and support of critical public safety technology systems that officers and staff rely on every day," the city manager said when describing the Optica agreement, adding that a delay could compromise in‑car systems used in officer responses.

Public commenters used the calendar and general comment periods to press for more oversight. Mary Sue Giner urged the commission to withhold further funding until the police department produced the 2025 surveillance technology report required by the city's ordinance; she said the 2025 report has not yet been released. Yousef Elzane raised gun‑violence concerns and criticized the city's handling of ALPR (automated license‑plate reader) data and public communication, saying the public FAQ did not address discovery that police audit logs recorded thousands of immigration‑related searches.

Commissioners and the city manager acknowledged the outstanding questions. The city manager said the 2025 surveillance report was pulled after the ALPR issue surfaced and that staff had a roughly 90‑day window to review the report and related technology; Commissioner Fairchild and others said the commission plans staged public release of audit logs, with the first tranche announced for June 25 to include entries tied to immigration‑related queries.

The meeting also included acceptance of two state grant awards (Resolution Nos. 6937‑26 and 6938‑26), each adopted on second reading by a 5–0 voice vote. No final policy change on surveillance technology was adopted at the meeting; commissioners directed ongoing review and a phased release of access logs.