City Council 2/21/23 Breakdown & Notes
At this week’s City Council meeting I got a little insight regarding grant funding. In discussions of bodycams for the Police Dept, Rob Martin explains how the timing of accepting and spending the grant funds is a little “wonky”. The city of Findlay receives the letter of award and won’t receive grant reimbursement until the city pays. (from this statement I assume we don’t qualify for reimbursement until the city pays upfront). From the letter of award to apply for grant reimbursement there is a 45 day window. Thats a short amount of time considering the amount of funds they are spending from our capital funds, especially when “there’s been pushback”, as Chrissy states. At the council meeting on 2/21/23 he says the city received a letter of award for grant funding LAST week.
Zoning & Planning were also discussed, which happens to be a hot topic if you consider that they want to limit how many chickens you can have and pass ordinances that in the future you may need a permit . . . or is there a chance they could deny you?
1. It makes more sense for discussions of state and federal grants to be discussed and approved (perhaps with the public to see if the city even wants these projects done considering they all come with strings attached) prior to them applying for them. Putting City Council on a restricted timeline to push things through is not wise without considering the cost. By cost I absolutely mean $$. We received a letter of award for a grant in the amount of approximately $90,000.00. The city will pay $75,000.00 out of their capital budget. Personnel to monitor it has been budgeted, but are there other expenses we will incur besides personnel? Oh, this is just year one. Holly Frische asks a great question – “Are we having a capital discussion between now and then?” (16:30)
– Year 2: $147,000
– Year 3: $153,000
– Year 4: $159,000
– Year 5: $166,000
They would apply for grants each year. Grant Russell made a motion to suspend the three reading rule as he “likes when the State of Ohio wants to pay for capital projects”. (14:40 of video). He also mentions that body cams were mentioned in the Strategic Planning . . . I was on that committee and I didn’t hear that once. I’m assuming he’s talking about meetings with the steering committee. Which begs the question: Is there/was there a plan set in place prior to forming Findlay Forward / Strategic Planning Committee? I remember seeing a write up in the paper about it.
2. Why is the city tearing down the house on South Main Street? The Mayor says its not an unprecedented procedure because they took the same measures for Argyle & Sandusky apartments. Yes, but this house is a private residential home. Grant Russel again moved to pass on the three required readings and for it to be approved.
3. Zoning codes are also being pushed as they try to set deadlines for passing these codes. These zoning codes have to do with what animals you can have on your property, lot size and shelters you have to have in place for “Health & safety of our community”. These unlawful codes should be voted on by citizens or our community because the City of Findlay is NOT a Homeowners Association. Chrissy, the Mayor adds that they put a “summary” on the webpage because the entire document is substantial. Yes, we’d like to see it all, Thank you. POST ITS ENTIRETY FOR THE PUBLIC.
4. I have a specific problem with Ordinance No. 2023-21: an Ordinance the Mayor of the City of Findlay, Ohio to INDIVIDUALLY enter into ANY participation agreement in relation to the National Opioid Settlement Program that have been agreed to by the State of Ohio, Declaring a real and present emergency. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY is what I call it. Considering all the unlawful ways they declared an emergency to push covid mandates this is big problem. The fact our Mayor is part of the US Conference of Mayors that recommends she declare a state of emergency then lays out clear plans on how to enforce these masks, lockdowns with a plan on how to get 70% of the residents vaxxed by July 4th poses not only questions and concerns, but questions about her intentions & motives. For the record, Councilman Jeff Wobser mentions that there was NO letter in the packet referring to this ordinance (51:40) to which she responds, “yea, I was planning on mentioning it here in my wrap up”. Take a listen at 51:55 at how she explains we started receiving payments for being part of the Opioid Settlement. What is this settlement structure and what is this funding all about? This concerns me a great deal.
5. Ordinance 2023-21 also received its first reading and was moved for 2nd & 3rd reading (another rush). Its an ordinance to enter into an agreement with Ohio Rail Development Commission in widening railroad crossing on CR 212 & CR 236. This grant pays 100% of the railroad work and the funding will go to Norfolk Southern. STOP! Lets just pause and take a step back before rushing into this . . . Norfolk Southern was just involved in a disastrous train derailment not only in East Palestine, Ohio, but one near Detroit, MI as well. Are we seriously going to rush this through without any questions or more discussion whatsoever? Grant Russell again moves Council to suspend statutory rules and it be given a 2nd & 3rd reading all in one night. APPROVED.
As usual, I have more questions than answers in sitting in on these meetings. What is the rush in building this city and passing ordinances in record time just to receive funding from the state? Money from the State comes with contracts and commitments that they don’t generally tell the public about but should absolutely be made public. If funds are being used out the of capital budget, tax payer dollars, then we should be able to vote on it since its OUR city. I think our local government forgets that.
Findlay, I’m here to get you up to speed as much as I can and get your feedback on what seems to be a “Build Back Better” plan they are pushing. I’m here to address this top down government and their plans. I’m here to ask the questions, find the threats and move towards building a city for We The People. Your voice matters! And what matters to you, matters to me.
I’m here to bring the change we all want to see.
VOTE! May 2nd