Auditor wants closer eye on flood properties

FINDLAY — Findlay Auditor Jim Staschiak's argument for environmental testing of flood properties is becoming more pointed. Legislation that would transfer five flood properties from Hancock County to Findlay was given its second public reading at Tuesday's regular meeting of council, and could be up for a vote at its next meeting on July 1. Two of the properties, 339 Wilson Street and 410 E. Sandusky St., were purchased by Hancock County with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and come with deed restrictions that would require them to remain under public ownership. Three properties, located at 817 E. Main Cross St., two at 230 E. Front St., and 615 Howard St., have no FEMA restrictions, but any future use would need to align with the city's attempts to clear the Blanchard River's floodway. Staschiak has recommended that the city require Phase II environmental studies to be conducted on the parcels before the city agrees to take ownership. So far, council and the city's administration have been silent on the need for testing. At Tuesday's council meeting, Staschiak called it irresponsible. "It appears the EPA made the guidelines on lead more stringent after this original testing. There is no record to my knowledge of how many tests would be appropriate, but given the history and the updated EPA guidance, in my opinion, more environmental information is needed before possession of the property is transferred to the city," Staschiak said on Wednesday. "The city not having an environmental expert who is a fiduciary to the city for me to ask questions about potential liabilities has been extremely frustrating." Staschiak has been arguing for an independent expert to oversee the riverfront cleanup on behalf of the city for at least two years. With the legislation working its way through council, Staschiak has been shuffling through piles of records trying to find environmental reports on the parcels. He's found at least one record of a single soil boring on one of the East Front Street properties, a former junkyard, according the Staschiak. Records show the presence of lead in the soil. Staschiak is no environmental expert, he knows, and it's frustrating, he said. As an auditor, however, Staschiak has repeatedly cautioned council about the potential liabilities involved with taking ownership of properties with unknown environmental conditions, especially in the city's downtown. Environmental records held by the city show property along the river is riddled with abandoned/orphaned tanks, drums and household hazardous waste associated with debris from the flood of August 2007. There is also the potential for contamination from businesses once located in the area, including a dry cleaner, junkyard, gas station and machine shop. Historically, riverfront property was used as a dumping ground, even by the city. For example, Civitan Park, 100 Taylor St., was backfilled with "municipal waste" in the 1930s, after the Blanchard River was rerouted through the city, according to the records. Staschiak said the city is not insured for environmental liabilities.