Minutes 11-25-25

KETTERING CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

November 25, 2025

The Council of the City of Kettering, Ohio, met in regular session on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Kettering Government Center South Building, 3600 Shroyer Road. Mayor Lehner presided and the Clerk of Council, Amy J. Hayslip, recorded. This meeting was telecast live on the cable access channel and streamed live at mvcc.net.

Council Members Present: Lehner, Fisher, Sullivan, Scott, Duvall and Suddith

Council Members Absent:

Total Members Present: Six (6)

Mayor Lehner led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the invocation.

Mayor Lehner introduced the Miami Valley Communications Council TV Operator Evan Russell. She thanked him for his assistance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

November 11, 2025 – Council Meeting & Workshop Minutes

Vice Mayor Fisher reported that she reviewed the above minutes and moved the minutes be approved. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion and there being six (6) yea votes, and no (0) nay votes for the November 11, 2025 Council Meeting & Workshop minutes the motion was declared carried followed by a roll call vote.

PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS, APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC COMMENT ON LEGISLATION

ORDINANCES IN SECOND READING

RESOLUTIONS

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11374-25

BY: MRS. FISHER AND MR. SULLIVAN

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A DONATION FROM THE KETTERING PARKS FOUNDATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ENCLOSED TRAILER

Mrs. Fisher read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion.

Mr. Bergstresser, Assistant City Manager gave a brief description of the resolution.

The following votes were recorded: Mrs. Fisher, Yea; Mr. Sullivan, Yea; Mr. Scott, Yea; Ms. Duvall, Yea; Mr. Suddith, Yea; Mayor Lehner, Yea. There being six (6) Yea votes and no (0) Nay votes, the motion was declared carried and the resolution was duly adopted.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11375-25

BY: MR. SULLIVAN AND MR. SCOTT

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTRACT WITH BLADECUTTERS, INC. FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SERVICES

Mr. Sullivan read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mr. Scott seconded the motion.

Mr. Bergstresser, Assistant City Manager gave a brief description of the resolution.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11376-25

BY: MR. SCOTT AND MS. DUVALL

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND A GRANT FROM THE THOMAS R. SCHIFF FOUNDATION TO HELP SUPPORT TWO PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS AT ROSEWOOD ARTS CENTER

Mr. Scott read the above resolution and moved for approval. Ms. Duvall seconded the motion.

Mr. Bergstresser, Assistant City Manager gave a brief description of the resolution.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11377-25

BY: MS. DUVALL AND MR. SUDDITH

EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ZONING APPLICATIONS AND GRANTING OF ZONING APPROVALS FOR VEHICLE FUELING OR RECHARGING ESTABLISHMENTS, KIOSKS, AUTOMOBILE WASHING ESTABLISHMENTS, CONVENIENCE STORES, AND/OR SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORES

Ms. Duvall read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mr. Suddith seconded the motion.

Mr. Robillard, Planning & Development Director gave a brief description of the resolution.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11378-25

BY: MR. SUDDITH AND MRS. FISHER

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTRACT WITH THE MIAMI VALLEY FAIR HOUSING CENTER FOR OPERATION OF THE CITY’S FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM

Mr. Suddith read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mrs. Fisher seconded the motion.

Mr. Robillard, Planning & Development Director gave a brief description of the resolution.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11379-25

BY: MRS. FISHER AND MR. SULLIVAN

AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND A LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM GRANT FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Mrs. Fisher read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion.

Mr. Robillard, Planning & Development Director gave a brief description of the resolution.

A RESOLUTION

NO: 11380-25

BY: MR. SULLIVAN AND MR. SCOTT

TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF KETTERING, STATE OF OHIO, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025

Mr. Sullivan read the above resolution and moved for approval. Mr. Scott seconded the motion.

Mr. Greeson, City Manager gave a brief description of the resolution.

ORDINANCES IN FIRST READING

CERTIFICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Certification – Planning Commission is recommending approval of amending Section 1137.06.18 of the City of Kettering Zoning Code. A public hearing regarding this request will be held at the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting.

MANAGER’S REPORT/COMMUNITY UPDATE

Mr. Greeson, City Manager updated Council on upcoming and community events.

Blood Pressure Clinic Dates –November 26 and December 3, 10 and 17 at the Kettering-Moraine Library.
Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 – December 7. Individual appointments can be scheduled with Natalie Storms at 937-296-3356.
Leaf Pick-up final pass begins December 1.
November is Native American Heritage Month.
Shop local, Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 29.
City Administrative Offices will be closed on November 27 and 28. Rumpke collection will be delayed by one day for Thursday and Friday customers.
Mayor’s Tree Lighting takes place on December 5 from 6 to 8 pm.
December Council Meetings are scheduled for December 2 and December 9.

OTHER BUSINESS NOT ON WRITTEN AGENDA

Audience Participation (5 Minute Limit per Speaker)

Mr. Sterling Abernathy has comments about the city’s 2025 long range ﬁnancial forecast. That forecast was shared during your workshop meeting on September 26.

The report forecasts that the city’s ﬁnancial sustainability is in jeopardy. It forecasts the city running out of money over the next 10 years.

The ten-year ﬁnancial forecast shows the following:

Spending exceeds revenues, and spending grows faster than revenues.

In every year, revenue shortfalls are covered by drawdowns of the city’s general fund.

The general fund balance will be spent down by $50 million dollars over the 10-year period. That’s an average shortfall of $5 million dollars per year.

The amount of cash the city has in reserve will drop to less than 30 days of spending by the end of the period. This is well below Kettering’s long-standing policy of a minimum 90-day cash reserve.

These declines happen every year. The forecast is not just a sudden shortfall popping up 8 to 10 years from now.

All three forecasts in the past three years by the ﬁnance department predicted the same results. What’s the plan to regain the city’s ﬁnancial sustainability?

Controlling spending is one approach to ﬁx this. But, the city keeps adding new spending projects. A few examples:

First, hiring an architect to update the cost estimate for improving the Fraze facility. The cost estimate for this Fraze project was $5 million dollars ten years ago.

Second, you have plans to donate half a million dollars to renovate the Barnes Building to provide oﬃces for the Kettering school system.

Third, the city’s storm water sewers in the streets are over 50 years old and in need of replacement. Since the city has spent $375,000 for engineering consultants on this, it is likely that the cost of rebuilding storm water sewers will be tens of millions of dollars.

From what I know, none of these spending projects are included in the forecast.

Increasing city revenues is another approach to ﬁx the problem.

Expanding the income tax base by adding businesses and residents is one idea. But, wages and business proﬁts would need to increase by at least $222 million dollars to generate enough income taxes to close the $5 million dollar annual revenue gap. Unless the city takes action now to reduce forecasted spending, it is highly likely Kettering will increase taxes and fees. Those could include:

Increasing the city’s income tax rate,

Start taxing retirement income in addition to wages and salaries,

Eliminating the tax credit for Kettering residents who work and pay taxes to other cities, and

Adding new fees on property tax bills, such as storm water utility fees, and street levies.

Mr. Abernathy is opposed to increasing taxes and fees.

The 2026 city budget, which you approve in two weeks, budgets $9.4 million dollars more spending than revenues – depleting the city’s combined funds balance by 11% in just one year.

The 2026 budget is not an example of ﬁnancial sustainability.

For the past three years the ﬁnance department has repeatedly presented you long-range forecasts of ﬁnancial doom for the city.

What’s the plan for the city’s ﬁnancial sustainability?

Mayor Lehner thanked Mr. Abernathy for his comments.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Vice Mayor Fisher reported:

Congratulations to Laura Arber who will be one of two new Council At Large representatives in 2026.
Thank you to all of our volunteers, a Volunteer Appreciation luncheon was held to thank those who serve our city as a volunteer.
Attended the Employee Service Awards where milestone years were recognized as well as other special awards.

Mr. Sullivan reported:

Had the privilege to attend the National League of Cities conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where approximately 3,500 elected officials represented 49 of the 50 states. Major theme of the conference was about how we disagree – with dignity, love and civility.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Mr. Scott reported:

Attended the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch, our volunteers are a huge asset to our community who dedicate significant number of hours to help the city.
Saturday is small business Saturday – shop local.
Go Buckeyes!

Ms. Duvall reported:

Kettering Leadership Academy had education day with Kettering City School and The Modern. Thank you to Kari Basson, Katie Looney and Jessica Barry. In January KLA will have health day with Kettering Health Network.
Enjoyed attending the National League of Cities conference.

Mr. Suddith reported:

Will be helping out at the Christmas Tree Lot at the corner of Marshall and Stroop Road.
Attended the National League of Cities conference for the second year in a row and enjoyed being able to meet other elected officials and find out that the challenges we face here in Kettering are universal challenges across the states.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Mayor Lehner reported:

She is thankful for the residents in the city and thankful for the opportunity to serve you.

There being no further business to come before this meeting of the Kettering City Council; Mayor Lehner adjourned the City Council Meeting at 8:10 p.m.

ATTEST:

______________________________

PEGGY LEHNER, MAYOR

Amy J. Hayslip

Clerk of Council