Findlay Mayor, Christina Muryn would like time to “wrap our arms” around the incoming immigrant population before involving city elected officials. 

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilman Jeff Wobser asked Muryn about her new role in coordinating efforts to organize the immigrant population that is currently living in Findlay as well as those commuting from nearby locations. Wobser’s questioning was prompted after Muryn participated in the Findlay Chamber of Commerce Fresh Brewed Business event where she broached the subject as the new direction for the city. The event featured speakers from several social service organizations, Findlay Schools and Diversified Staffing who discussed their work to help families coming to Findlay as immigrants. 

Wobser asked the Mayor to explain more about the new role she has taken on. Muryn explained that she would be the “head chef” in an area that had too many cooks in the kitchen. She explained that her role did not involve city resources but that could be considered in the future. 

During the meeting, councilwoman Frische suggested to the mayor that a committee be formed at the first of the year to keep elected officials informed about the plans for this new population so that they can properly budget for this growth in population. Frische explained that there is a significant impact on local social services, police and fire, as well as the schools. 

Robert Beckel, of First Diversity Staffing, who spoke at the Fresh Brewed Business event said that many of the workers and families seeking work in Findlay, do not have proper documentation. First Diversity Staffing assists them with resources until they have the proper documents to obtain work. First Diversity Staffing works to find locations for large groups of immigrants in communities that are setting up to welcome them. 

According to Muryn, the city is home to around 300 immigrants currently and around 2000 that commute in and around the area. Muryn is seeking to organize efforts to increase that number to between 600 to 1000 over the next two years.

Kelly Wohlgamuth, Gifted Coordinator for Findlay City Schools spoke about various needs immigrant students encounter in their classes. Wohlgamuth said the schools had employed four teachers for English learning students and now has six. The number of students needing this instruction has gone from 100 to 180 students. The schools use translating services as well as technology to communicate with the students who do not speak English, though the process is sometimes cumbersome. 

According to Wobser, it makes the most sense to have the city head up the efforts on the immigration increase and asked that minutes be kept for meetings on the issue and publicly made available.

Muryn informed council she would let them know in the first quarter of 2024 how they could get involved in the initiative.

Findlay City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. Meetings are also streamed on YouTube.