Help keep our community beautiful

As the weather slowly improves, I want to take this opportunity to ask for your help in keeping our community clean and beautiful. Below are a few reminders of how you can assist. All of these concerns can be reported to the city by visiting www.findlayohio.gov/i-want-to/report/problem. 1. Pick Up Litter Whether or not you placed it there, please pick up any litter on your property, in the street, or in your neighborhood. If you are aware of a regular source of litter in your area, let the city know so we can work with the responsible party to address it. Also, please note that in the city of Findlay, it is illegal to set out trash that is not in a container with a lid (Findlay Codified Ordinance 953.06). While this may seem minor, uncontained trash is a major source of litter due to wind, animals, and other factors. Properly containing your trash goes a long way in keeping our community clean. 2. Remove Illegally Placed Yard Signs Businesses or event organizers sometimes place signs around the city, but all yard signs must be located on private property — not within the public right-of-way. The right-of-way is typically the space between the curb and the sidewalk, or 10 feet from the street if there is no sidewalk. If you see a sign placed illegally in this area, feel free to remove it. 3. Maintain Your Property A clean and well-maintained property contributes to a safe and welcoming neighborhood. While we all face occasional challenges, keeping up with tasks like mowing the lawn, weeding, trimming trees, and removing debris or broken items makes a big difference. Certain issues — such as grass taller than six inches, junk vehicles, or unused boats — are zoning code violations and may result in notices and fines. Help us avoid this by keeping your property in good condition. If you notice a neighboring property in violation, please notify the city so we can work with the owner to resolve it. 4. Maintain Sidewalks With more people enjoying the outdoors, it's essential to ensure sidewalks are safe and walkable. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks adjacent to their property. Please check your sidewalks for uneven surfaces, grass overgrowth, or deterioration. If several sidewalks in your neighborhood need attention, consider working together to hire a contractor — potentially reducing costs by bundling services. Report any sidewalk concerns on the city's website by selecting "Sidewalk" from the dropdown menu. The city will soon begin notifying property owners of needed repairs and is also reviewing best practices from other communities. 5. Report Issues in Parks and Public Areas If you notice damage or maintenance needs while enjoying our parks, please report it. Your feedback helps us address issues quickly and keep our public spaces enjoyable for all. 6. Help Maintain Our Infrastructure Our public works team works hard to maintain roads, alleys, curbs, and signs, especially after the wear and tear of winter. Please report potholes, curb damage, or other issues as soon as you notice them so we can schedule repairs or replacements promptly. We will also be introducing a "cut moratorium" policy, which will require utility companies to complete more extensive repairs if they cut into recently resurfaced roads. This effort is part of our commitment to protecting the integrity of our roadways. Your early reporting supports that goal. Thank you for doing your part to keep Findlay clean, safe, and beautiful. It truly takes all of us working together to care for the community we love. Christina Muryn is mayor of Findlay.