We are asking for signatures for 3 initiatives that will appear on the ballot in November 2024. We are hoping to slow down the City Council and allow the citizens to have a voice in government.
Initiative #1:
Did you know that if you violate ANY city ordinance (such as having grass that is 6.5” tall instead of 6”, or having a fence in the wrong spot) the city can shut off your water even if the bill is paid? City ordinance Section 933.03.
Initiative 1 eliminates this law completely.
Initiative #2:
Did you know that the city passes 85% of its legislation using the emergency clause so you can’t comment or overturn with a referendum? This includes zoning and building and maintenance code changes that affect your home and property values.
Initiative 2 will force them to put all changes onto the ballot, so citizens get to comment and vote on them instead of passing without notice or ability to comment.
Initiative #3:
Did you know that the City Council stifles public comments? Citizens cannot talk about issues important to them, as they are screened by the council president. Also, only one citizen may speak per topic. If they do let you speak, the time is limited to 4 minutes.
Initiative 3 will allow citizens to address their elected officials with issues important to them for up to 6 minutes and with as many like comments as citizens want to bring forth, for up to 10 people per city council meeting. This initiative gives the right of free speech back to citizens.
You must be a registered voter in the city of Findlay in order to sign these petitions.
Want to support our cause to get these on the ballot in November? Contact us and we’ll connect you, or check out our Facebook page for where we’ll be gathering signatures!
Full Text of the Initiatives
INITIATIVE TO PROHIBIT WATER SHUT-OFFS FOR PROPERTY CODE VIOLATIONS
Section 933.03 “Rights of City” of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances shall be amended with the additional language written in ALL CAPS to state the following:
933.03 RIGHTS OF CITY.
(a) All lines so installed, whether within or outside the corporation limits, shall, on connection with existing City lines, become the sole property of the City, and shall henceforth be maintained by the City, which shall exercise exclusive dominion over the same. THE CITY MAY NOT TURN-OFF OR TERMINATE WATER SERVICE TO A CONNECTED PROPERTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF ANY SECTION OF THE CITY OF FINDLAY CODIFIED ORDINANCES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE CITY OF FINDLAY.
(b) The Department of Engineering shall have the right and authority to further extend any extension to serve additional premises beyond any earlier or original extension of a waterline without reimbursement to anyone who might have contributed to an earlier or original extension of a waterline.
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INITIATIVE TO SUBJECT BUILDING AND ZONING CODE CHANGES TO VOTER APPROVAL
Chapter 113 “Ordinances and Resolutions” of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances shall be amended to include the following two new sections:
113.01 ORDINANCES REQUIRING VOTER APPROVAL.
Without a majority vote of the qualified electors who are residents of the City of Findlay, Ohio, (“the City”) at the next general election, the City shall not pass an ordinance that:
1) Amends, alters, adds to, or removes statutory language contained within Part Thirteen “Building Code” of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances; or
2) Amends, alters, adds to, or removes statutory language contained within Part Eleven “Planning and Zoning Code” of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances.
If Council desires to amend Part Eleven or Thirteen of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances, then it must pass the ordinance by majority vote and in the same ordinance, request the Hancock County Board of Elections place the ordinance on the next general election ballot. Upon passage of the ordinance, the Clerk shall then file the ordinance with Hancock County Board of Elections in 10 days. If the ordinance receives a majority affirmative vote at the general election, then it will become effective upon the certification of the vote. This procedural rule shall have the effect of law and shall be effective on the Council until repealed by a legislative act. If the Council passes an amendment to Part Eleven or Thirteen of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances by an emergency ordinance, this procedural rule still applies.
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INITIATIVE TO MANDATE PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME AT COUNCIL MEETINGS
Chapter 111 “Council” of the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances shall be amended to include the following new section:
111.02 PUBLIC SPEAKING AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
The business of Council at all regular meetings shall include a portion of time at most sixty (60) minutes long devoted to introduction of visitors at which members of the public shall be permitted the opportunity to speak on any issues and concerns which pertain to the City. The President shall require that all comments be directed to the chair and may impose reasonable, equitable time limitations upon any speaker so long as they provide at least six (6) minutes per speaker. Members of the public may be afforded the opportunity for comment at other portions of any meeting as determined by the President or by a majority of the Council present and voting.