Dayton City Council discuss neighbor complaints over event venue

DAYTON – Mayor Michael Smith called the Dayton City Council to order at 6 p.m. on November 3, 2026. Council members present in the conference room were Shannon McMillen, James Su'euga, Glenn Hagfeldt, Jeff Keating, and Dave Harvey. Joann Patras and Kyle Anderson were not present. City Hall did not post the meeting agenda online before the meeting.

During the first public comment period, two citizens approached the Council on the same topic. The two are neighbors on East Tremont Street.

Dayton resident Jeromy Phinney said the new event venue, The Scotsman, on Third Street, was operating in violation of the City's Zoning Code. He said the business is in a residential zone and violates noise and setback ordinances. Phinney also complained that poles next to the alley block the view of children passing by near the school, and parking was inadequate and violated the zoning ordinances. Phinney brought video, pictures, and documents to support his claims.

The second commenter, Dewayne Ramsey, told the commissioners that he had not collaborated with Phinney. Ramsey compared many of the events at the venue to the noise level of a rave dance party and said many events were incongruous with what was once a quiet, family neighborhood. He said the volume at the events rattles his home's windows, makes it difficult to watch his television, and causes anxiety with his special needs boys. Both speakers said they have complained to the local authorities without resolution.

The council discussed the matter concerning The Scotsman. Smith said he spoke with the city's attorney and learned that City Hall can issue conditional use permits for events not included in the original permit. Apparently, outdoor activities at The Scotsman generate most of the neighborhood disruptions and were never permitted under the venue's original plans. The Council decided that Code Enforcement should proceed with developing a conditional use permit to ameliorate the issues caused by the outdoor events.

Next, the Council approved the consent agenda, which consisted of the usual administrative items and Ordinance 2026, which updated some costs before the budget is considered.

Smith said he met with the owner of Basin Disposal, who told him that BDI is being sold to WM, Waste Management and Recycling Services. WM, a national company, operates in Kennewick and Spokane in Eastern Washington. Smith said service in Dayton would not change. Basin Disposal has been a family-owned business since 1941. and is going out of business.

The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.