Company wants to put sign on city property – Courier

By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Findlay is considering whether to allow a digital sign to be placed on city property adjacent to Interstate 75.

The location targeted is land behind the Findlay Water Pollution Control Center on Broad Avenue.

Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer on Tuesday said the administration was approached earlier this year by Dayton-based Key-Ads, an outdoor advertising firm. It’s website says it has signs in more than 20 Ohio counties, particularly those in western and central Ohio that have major freeways.

Revenue from the sign company and advertisements posted on the billboard could help cash-strapped Findlay.

But City Council members on Tuesday advised caution.

K.C. Collette, 3rd Ward councilman, urged administrators to “read the fine print.”

Such signs “may not be the best bang for your buck,” said Collette, who said he’s had experience with them via his work as an assistant Hancock County prosecutor. “They’re tricky contracts.”

Law Director Don Rasmussen said officials talked with company representatives about advertising content.

Schmelzer said Key-Ads’ proposal includes “free” billboard time to post information about regional events.

If administrators decide to allow a sign, Schmelzer said, there would be bidding to give other companies a chance.

A digital sign would also have to conform to the recently updated city zoning code, which does make accommodations for this type of advertising.

Separately Tuesday, 5th Ward Councilman Bob Nichols, at the request of a constituent, asked that administrators examine the possibility of having multiple shelters available during severe storms for those who consider their homes to be structurally inadequate to withstand a tornado.

Mayor Lydia Mihalik said the city has an emergency operations plan, but she’s unsure if it includes those accommodations.

Randy Van Dyne, 2nd Ward councilman, suggested officials consult with the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency director.

Separately, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has granted $ 12,000 to the Findlay Police Department to purchase a new police dog, which will replace a soon-to-retire Spike.

Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and former Findlay resident, bought Spike for the city after Spike’s K-9 predecessor, Flip, was fatally shot in 2006 by a man who lived near the dog’s handler.

Brown: 419-427-8496

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