Findlay Mayor Loses Her Cool When Flood Mitigation Vote Gets Delayed

BY PATTY KLEIN

FINDLAY - What began as a routine Findlay City Council meeting on August 19 turned into a battle of wills. The first reading of a resolution to adopt an updated hazard mitigation plan sparked questions from Councilwoman Holly Frische. The plan is tied to a long-awaited grant to fund benching of the Blanchard River and the construction of a planned flood basin. Although the grant does not cover the controversial $40 million park project, it sets the framework for how the park could be incorporated into the larger flood-control effort.

In a letter to City Council, Hancock County Regional Planning Director Matt Cordonnier requested that the updated hazard mitigation plan be passed quickly to avoid delays in securing a $24 million FEMA flood mitigation grant. The letter noted that the update was originally scheduled for September but was moved forward at FEMA’s request. The plan can be viewed at Hancock Regional Planning Commission’s website.

Councilman Josh Palmer moved to suspend council’s rules and eliminate the second and third readings to approve the resolution immediately. With Councilmen Jeff Wobser and Grant Russell absent, eight votes were required to suspend the rules. All attending council members supported the motion except Councilwoman Frische, who frequently votes against accelerating legislation. Frische argued that three readings would give both council and the public time to review important documents. Due to her descension, the motion failed, as suspending the rules required a three-fourths majority.

Mayor Christina Muryn, visibly frustrated, quickly requested reconsideration of the vote:

“I understand that it is not ideal to expedite it," Muryn said. "We were working through our standard time frame and approvals, but once we heard from FEMA this was a barrier for getting that grant completed, that is why we went ahead and got it in front of you.”

At that point, Council President John Harrington invited Cordonnier to address council directly and explain the urgency. Cordonnier cited delays from federal reviews as well as personal health issues that slowed down completion of the plan. He explained that FEMA had already approved the hazard mitigation plan and was simply waiting for city council’s approval to finalize the grant.

As Cordonnier outlined updates to the original 2006 plan, Mayor Muryn interrupted and asked him to address any concerns from Councilwoman Frische that might change her vote. At Frische’s request, Cordonnier continued his presentation. City Council then moved on to other business, unanimously passing all ordinances on third reading. Council additionally discussed legislation that would authorize the mayor to seek bids for a proposed roundabout at Lake Cascades Parkway and Western Avenue.

During old business, however, the flood mitigation plan resurfaced. According to correspondence between Muryn and council members, the mayor again urged Frische to resolve her questions so the plan could be approved without further delay. Frische stood firm, questioning the need to bypass the standard three-reading process.

“I was under the impression that we had our FEMA money secured for flood mitigation," Frische said. "I get that surprises happen, but I also think that’s why council members should be at council meetings. I think two weeks, hopefully, does not cause a problem,”

The updated hazard mitigation plan spans more than 200 pages. According to Frische, she had discussed the plan with Councilmen Dennis Hellman and Dan DeArment, both of whom admitted they had not reviewed it in full. Frische herself acknowledged she had not read the entire plan and argued that waiting until the next meeting would give council more time to evaluate the changes. As tensions rose, Muryn pressed Frische to resolve her concerns before adjournment.

“Are you telling me that if this isn’t passed tonight, you don’t have the funds?” Frische asked.

Muryn, obviously anxious in the exchange, replied that without a signed contract and the funds deposited into the city’s bank account, the money was not secured. Expressing concern that a natural disaster could strike within the next two weeks, she threatened to call an emergency meeting as soon as the following day. At one point, she even suggested that council members remain in chambers and read the entire document aloud before leaving.

In a tense conclusion, Mayor Muryn began the process of scheduling an emergency meeting. Realizing that 24 hours of public notice is required, council leadership instead attempted to find a date when all members could attend, since Frische’s continued opposition meant additional votes would be necessary. A date could not be confirmed before adjournment.

The emergency meeting has since been scheduled for Monday, August 25 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting can be viewed on the City of Findlay YouTube Channel.