[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6192029,"mediaKeyId","4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b","parentId",4148630,"title","Findlay council hears citizen cease‑and‑desist, law director says initiative does not automatically halt work on Downtown North River projects","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",528000,"endMs",777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b&start=528&end=777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b/thumbnail_528000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192029/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-council-hears-citizen-ceaseanddesist-law-director-says-initiative-does-not-automatically-halt-work-on-Downtown-North-River-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192029-50aaf4625d2c8cc77216bcbb462776df/orig.mp4?Expires=1770999384&Signature=Ak7HuZufPuOtna8KJ755fFw~ycI52R-JOqfpLDHDSiurVqjIp3ncGCKLVc2awULgUOk7J92VYpxi-2yeldLS8e3Qe2ywxENOyZYQKPRp1kBVFSNOobdlx2S4PIZrQkjlw1~IOeJPcmAGsvGcNzOdWtuwajzUCHktFWiL-34vXJz8cwwuThj8rPhKRHZgZu3fiZcJ3tSLqKSbj-fuc2s8hF0z3LXoShzBwq8~f1J46Va9OIm6V6MD5E5MdP~ci00IHDvj1mF1Z9ddGzemAxKcIz2kJ2IGmQn5tKn7UlfurcMO5wDjtKJ8zQEosNMoJq~41wuXDAsRaHpsRZIXbI2l8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Findlay, OH ","date","2025-06-18T11:22:42Z","article","Findlay City Council filed a cease‑and‑desist letter from a citizens group and accepted a legal opinion from the city law director addressing whether an initiative petition halts city activity on the Downtown North River and Anchor Park projects.

The legal opinion, read into the record by the law director, concluded that the mere filing of an initiative petition does not automatically stop existing planning, design, contracting or related actions. The law director said the initiative process only produces binding legal effect if the proposed ordinance is approved by voters.

The matter drew multiple public commenters who urged the council to pause project work until voters decide and raised concerns about historic contamination at the redevelopment site. Danny Delong, a Ward 7 resident, told council that residents repeatedly oppose the park’s proposed costs and asked council to wait on additional spending until initiative status is resolved. Patty Klein of Ward 3 said she wants the community to vote on the plan. Hedy Sadler of Ward 6 warned of hexavalent chromium in soil near the proposed park and said proceeding now risks public health and potential liability. Katie Erickson, also of Ward 6, urged the council to focus on maintaining existing parks rather than constructing a new, costly facility.

City Auditor Stashek provided financial context during the meeting and highlighted a line in an engineering/environmental letter estimating remediation costs: \"the cost estimate to remediate the property to high frequency child exposure standard is approximately $850,000\" and that using residential standards \"could easily double that cost.\" Stashek noted the city carries no environmental liability insurance and urged caution on accepting contaminated property without further testing and cost estimates.

Council accepted for the record a letter from Findlay Citizens For A Safe City that demands the city \"immediately cease and desist from all ongoing or proposed actions related to the Downtown North River development project, including but not limited to the Anchor Park redevelopment, design or planning activities, contracting with outside firms, environmental remediation efforts, funding allocations, and property transfers.\" The letter also stated the group had initiated an ordinance petition under Article II, Section 1(f) of the Ohio Constitution and warned of potential legal action including claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

The law director read and filed a written legal opinion responding to the citizens’ letter. That opinion said, in summary, that an initiative petition is a proposal until adopted by voters and does not act as an injunction to stop current municipal activity. The law director also informed council that, to his knowledge at the time of the opinion, the work of concern was being performed under the control or ownership of the Hancock County Commissioners and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District, and that the City of Findlay had not executed ground‑disturbing contracts or signed construction contracts related to the site.

Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the city could object to the petition process; the law director said the city’s role is limited to established petition review procedures unless litigation is filed and rulings issued. The law director also noted there was pending litigation filed in Hancock County Common Pleas Court and advised council to discuss litigation matters in the courthouse or in executive session rather than at the open meeting.

No formal council direction to pause design or contracting was recorded at the meeting. Council accepted the citizen letter and the law director’s written opinion into the record and filed both documents.

The council also received and filed an engineering letter from Michael Kuhnfair, senior project manager, and Timothy Murphy, vice president at an environmental consulting firm, describing the flood risk mitigation and environmental remediation project, including the estimated remediation costs cited above.

The public comments and staff statements left several outstanding items: whether additional environmental testing (for example, a comprehensive Phase II assessment) will be completed, the full remediation cost estimate under different exposure standards, and whether city ownership or direct contracting will occur while the initiative petition and related litigation proceed. Council members and the city auditor said they would coordinate further legal and fiscal review before taking any land transfers or entering major contracts related to the site.

The matter remains active and will return to council as required by usual legislative or administrative steps; residents who testified urged postponement of further spending or contracts until voters have a chance to act.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Findlay City Council Meeting 6/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Findlay City Council filed a citizens’ cease‑and‑desist letter and accepted a written legal opinion on June 17 that an initiative petition does not automatically halt city work on the Downtown North River/Anchor Park projects.","taxTitle","Findlay City, Hancock County , Ohio","taxId",52832,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192016,"Water & Sewer committee approves one‑off water tap exception, seeks cost estimates for septic conversions",195,1769000,1964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b&start=1769&end=1964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b/thumbnail_1769000.jpg","/articles/6192016/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Water-Sewer-committee-approves-oneoff-water-tap-exception-seeks-cost-estimates-for-septic-conversions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192016-a3b5afa2519c3c693c18d7ff5a2a3c3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770999384&Signature=dv0CW9JQU4M~aAsrEgROpl6yTsi5BGsSDweYm5t5A~DI5TuMepkSFJd5ZUmKWC7~RZBtYnYpT66h77iiUgXaNwDoU-gWDpmDZ2zYw-DimzeTGMz3PiFgsoSjm7U9d3oVM37ur6jMjU7gW6n8kU~E5hrdgt6R0vA3sTpYFMDkKhzrvxZ3FFLnoxzKGQE~K~0nj0PlKrD-1AnSccPcopdv6T2vZHIaR4ZsIpVLZAnGN9naQRokiD8rFTnxt5pr1Mmd6bFcKfQ-uHIu0cAiv4t7H04g93jw8eB23G7YYnehQi~Ih4PtdqKmDhVqTzghkBZTbLicv-kM~MXC1093i37tKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Findlay City Council accepted a Water & Sewer Committee report on June 17 that included two substantive recommendations: a one‑time exception to the city’s water rules to allow a residential tap at an existing main in the Van Buren area, and development of high‑level cost estimates for five potential projects to connect properties still on septic systems.

The committee recommended waiving Section 5 of the water rules that would otherwise require the property owner to extend the waterline to the far end of the parcel; instead the city will allow the tap at the existing main and has the law director prepare a memorandum‑of‑understanding requiring the property owner to comply with the ordinary extension requirement if the parcel to the north develops in the future. Council accepted the committee report on a motion by Councilmember Russell and seconded by Councilmember Palmer.

The committee also reported on properties inside city limits still served by septic systems and recommended staff produce high‑level cost estimates and benefit summaries for five potential projects that could serve multiple houses at once. Committee members said these are conceptual cost studies intended to inform later decision‑making; specific funding sources and timelines were not provided on the floor.

Council asked several questions about the locations and whether the identified areas included West Park and specific streets; staff said the five projects are in multiple areas across the city (southeast side, north side and central neighborhoods) and do not include previously addressed projects on Newell Street and Tappan Street. The committee report was adopted by voice vote and filed for the record.","Council accepted a Water & Sewer Committee report approving an exception to the water rules to allow a property owner to tap an existing main in the Van Buren area under an MOU and directed staff to develop high‑level cost estimates for five potential septic‑to‑sewer projects",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192019,"Findlay auditor flags 19% drop in income tax receipts, says city deficit‑spent in 2024; council to review FY2026 revenue estimates",574,1082000,1656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b&start=1082&end=1656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6192019/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-auditor-flags-19-drop-in-income-tax-receipts-says-city-deficitspent-in-2024-council-to-review-FY2026-revenue-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192019-36813fb97cabc31f0f39887ef070254b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770999384&Signature=Cp4tn4eSuOy5Qbhegu83POUKgBAT9Zo94LRylRkIraZzy39Z6KJbpyXohaJfixRLyHmQK4qLdgPy3yGUxye6rOMyY13dyMba0v3LNHfZV3memkHbblQEpQzlDK5T6ueMx9fyJ7NqFjV18kWuuPU4M9xpif7iL5GR9NVKwiAsWxn5B7ZjIK~6ES1JtDNIF7C2EdRDz8KJJEQ8gEzLffB3XTBNLDmQ-5K0h5hDeaIo6gUTvME~oOcXmZl50dfp7lwjJn5qDm3kPFtlFESmRQke5hBIphcGVEbfd9pGfPnZG9u9Seki~Ep98CJozZp-Fu6iyRvJ8T4xCPKvUx0KIAd6Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials told Findlay City Council on June 17 that year‑to‑date income tax receipts are down significantly and that the city’s finances will need close monitoring as council considers multiple large ordinances.

City Auditor Stashek told council the most recent monthly report shows income tax collections down \"over 19%\" compared with the prior reporting period. Stashek said he reviewed prior months and earlier in the year the decline was under 10% but that the trend has deteriorated. He also stated, by the budgeting metrics he uses, the city \"deficit spent in 2024.\" Stashek urged the council to treat environmental and remediation liabilities with caution because the city lacks environmental liability insurance and sizable remediation costs were cited in an engineering letter.

The mayor responded that staff are monitoring income tax revenue and that the income tax administrator reduced the year‑end projection by about $400,000; the mayor noted the administrator may also reduce projected refunds, which would offset the revenue change. The mayor said non‑linear revenue timing (strong months followed by weaker months) and other revenue sources such as interest earnings are being watched.

Stashek also asked the council to accept a letter announcing that the council will receive the estimated revenues for fiscal year 2026 at its July 15 meeting; that step is required under Ohio budget law so the city can meet county filing deadlines. The auditor asked that council accept the revenue estimates at the July 15 meeting so the report can be filed with the county auditor by July 19 and that a public hearing be scheduled with notice published at least 10 days before the hearing.

Council members asked follow‑up questions about whether the city deficit‑spent in 2024; the auditor reaffirmed it did under best‑practice budgeting metrics. The mayor reiterated that last year’s one‑time appropriations (including flood mitigation and other large items) contributed to the change in fund balance and that departments are being asked to manage expenses. Another finance summary presented in the packet showed the general fund rainy‑day reserve is below $2 million as a formula‑driven statutory adjustment reflecting lower prior year revenue.

Council and staff did not adopt new budget policy at the meeting but acknowledged the need to keep reviewing projections and possible re‑appropriations in light of capital needs and proposed projects discussed elsewhere on the agenda.","City Auditor told council income tax collections are down about 19% year‑to‑date; he confirmed the city ran a deficit in 2024 by his metrics and requested a public hearing on revenue estimates needed under Ohio budget law",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192024,"Findlay council adopts multiple annexation and appropriation ordinances; several park‑design measures move forward",284,2242000,2526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b&start=2242&end=2526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4148630-b0aa1273f73bdf426b2bd523bd2fd68b/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","/articles/6192024/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-council-adopts-multiple-annexation-and-appropriation-ordinances-several-parkdesign-measures-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192024-8c2e0c0681b3eeaebe3370fd80783ff8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770999384&Signature=K6iPeuG9Nx3-ZBGXozbmgoxJIW87gbqnwyR5J9us403cZMIrFND1fF9okr04PgVF1fMG8F3~YClXqapRSftFlaU460wU28Gx3Y9sF4GqO86HduJYjZToHJ-Zh0QjsDWjMn7Qpp9nvlectlxW9ZscoCQEHSPxzSES9D1Fz0e5iULA~ws1I1qg5RkNbdLhXEaoOWCggF3cLSke-ekUQTRu~fYh-vPczAysk8~Be8KnPlJ0mV3fdhDPvIckuhHMrDkDnHF0nlN70ChRTv8VFlO1EorLaJLlsXfRCCkh6Xoja-PTnOpFTiTXJv96QfFuWYm3ZVHBLADVc4qyDAAfheidCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Findlay City Council adopted several ordinances on third reading and by suspension of rules during its June 17 session, including two annexations and appropriations for capital projects, and accepted second/first readings on other items related to downtown projects.

Key outcomes recorded at the meeting:
- Ordinance 2025‑062 (Weaver 6434 County Road 18 zoning amendment) was adopted on third reading. Councilmember Palmer moved adoption; Councilmember Greeno seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded ayes from the council members called and the ordinance was adopted.
- Ordinance 2025‑063 (Weaver 6434 County Road 18 annexation) was adopted on third reading. The motion to adopt was moved by Councilmember Palmer and seconded by Councilmember Niemeyer; the ordinance passed by roll call.
- Ordinance 2025‑064 (Barfell Hobart Avenue zoning, parcels A and B) was adopted on third reading. Moved by Councilmember Palmer and seconded by Councilmember Bauman; the ordinance was adopted by roll call.
- Ordinance 2025‑065 (Barfell Hobart Avenue annexation, parcels A and B) was adopted on third reading. Moved by Councilmember Palmer and seconded by Councilmember Greeno; roll‑call vote recorded and the ordinance was adopted.
- Ordinance 2025‑075 (appropriation; second and third reading taken by suspension of rules at council’s request) was given second and third readings under suspended rules and adopted. A motion to suspend rules carried on recorded voice and roll votes; the ordinance was then approved by recorded vote.
- Ordinance 2025‑078 (appropriation related to insurance payments and project work; rules suspended for second and third reading) was also adopted after suspension of the council’s rules.

First readings were held for ordinance 2025‑076 (authorize contract with Strand & Associates for downtown recreation area design, project 31913700) and ordinance 2025‑077 (authorize contract with Rosales Partners for pedestrian bridge design, project 31913700). Council did not send ordinance 2025‑076 to appropriations at this meeting; several residents registered to speak on the park and bridge design during public comment.

Several other ordinances were at second reading and not voted on: ordinance 2025‑068 (FEMA property acceptance, second reading), ordinance 2025‑069 (FEMA properties—acceptance of four properties as part of flood mitigation efforts, second reading as amended), ordinance 2025‑071 and ordinance 2025‑074 (authorizations for capital expenditures and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation group retrospective rating plan, both second readings). Those items will return for additional readings or committee review.

Where motions and votes were recorded, clerks announced names and each participating councilmember’s \"aye\" during roll calls; the minutes record the roll‑call sequence for each adopted ordinance.","At the June 17 meeting council adopted annexation and appropriation ordinances for several parcels and approved emergency appropriations; first readings were held on downtown park and bridge design contracts","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Findlay council hears citizen cease‑and‑desist, law director says initiative does not automatically halt work on Downtown North River projects

Water & Sewer committee approves one‑off water tap exception, seeks cost estimates for septic conversions

Findlay auditor flags 19% drop in income tax receipts, says city deficit‑spent in 2024; council to review FY2026 revenue estimates

Findlay council adopts multiple annexation and appropriation ordinances; several park‑design measures move forward