Council signals support for another Maumee River water-quality grant application

At the meeting Ben McCann (identified in discussion as mayor) described a multi‑year water-quality project originally funded through a grant applied for by Defiance College with support from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s office. McCann said the current grant is ending and that the college’s grant writer, Bobby Mills, indicated the next application must come from the City of Defiance rather than the college.

McCann said the proposed application would seek another three‑year grant to continue water-quality sampling and on‑the‑ground practices such as small ditches and swales that have supported improvements to source water in the Maumee River. He asked council for informal support to proceed with preparing the grant application because the formal ordinance or approvals could not be completed before the grant deadline.

Council members expressed general support. Council member Resty said, “I think it's a worthwhile project. I support that.” Council member Mas and others signaled support during the discussion. McCann said the grant is not “zero cost” to the city but that it does not require a large capital outlay; he said staff time and coordination would be necessary and that further details would be provided as the application progresses.

The meeting record does not include a formal vote or ordinance authorizing the grant application at this session; McCann asked for a head‑nod of support to proceed with application preparation so staff could meet the impending deadline. Details about matching requirements, final budget, the specific grant program name and the submission deadline were not specified in the meeting transcript.