Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting January 5, 2021 Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lynch at 6:34PM. Members Present: Councilpersons Scott Williams, Ferdinand Alvarez, Debbie Podgorski, Gina Giese-Hurst, Patrick Clem, Brian Gulley, Collin Czilli, Mayor Sue Lynch. Also present was Clerk-Treasurer Nina Rivas and Attorney Dan Whitten. Minutes: Councilperson Podgorski made a motion to approve the December 1, 2020 minutes; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Communication, Correspondence and Announcements from the Mayor: None. Appointments: Councilperson Williams made a motion to nominate Councilperson Czilli as Council President; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch asked if there were any additional nominations. No additional nominations were made. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Councilperson Czilli made a motion to nominate Councilperson Williams as Council Vice-President; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch asked if there were any additional nominations. No additional nominations were made. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Mayor Lynch read aloud her Mayoral Appointments. Advisory Claims Committee: Brian Gulley, Dan Komenda, and Lori Wilkie Alcoholic Beverage Commission: James Thompson ADA Buildings & Grounds Coordinator: Sandy Kolb Board of Licensing and Registration: Robert Mackovyak, Pat Newell, Joe Kasper, and Ramon Mendoza Board of Public Works & Safety: Dr. Shaunna Finely, Jamie Lewis, Steve Sonaty, and Scott Williams Board of Zoning Appeals: Frank Farkas and Stephan Summers Portage Economic Development Commission: Laura Gaffney Hearing Authority for Enforcement of Building Standards: Allan Mindel Park Board: Debbie Lee and Paul Ciesielski Plan Commission: David Adams and Tom Cherry Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission: Barb Lusco and Karen Webster Porter County Solid Waste Citizen Advisory Board: Julie Howard Redevelopment Authority: Collin Czilli Redevelopment Commission: Ralph Mundt and Greg Lach Stormwater Board: Dominic Bonta and Pat Newell Sanitary Board: Mel Gore and Bill Crosby Councilperson Czilli read aloud his Common Council Board, Committee, and Liaison Appointments. Board Appointments: Redevelopment Commission: Collin Czilli and Alan Ekdahl Traffic Commission: Debbie Podgorski Board of Licensing: Ferdinand Alvarez Solid Waste Board: Ferdinand Alvarez Committee Appointments: Budget Committee: Deb Podgorski – Chairperson, Scott Williams, and Brian Gulley Ordinance Committee: Scott Williams – Chairperson, Pat Clem, and Deb Podgorski Strategic Planning: Gina Giese-Hurst – Chairperson, Collin Czilli, and Ferdinand Alvarez Ways & Means Committee: Ferdinand Alvarez – Chairperson, Pat Clem, Gina Giese-Hurst Redistricting Committee: Brian Gulley – Chairperson, Scott Williams, and Ferdinand Alvarez Liaison Members: Fire Dept. & Fire Merit Board: Scott Williams Park Board: Gina Giese-Hurst Police Dept. & Police Merit Board: Deb Podgorski Port Authority: Ferdinand Alvarez Street & Sanitation Department: Pat Clem Utilities: Brian Gulley PORTAGE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 5, 2021 PAGE 2 Councilperson Williams made a motion to approve the appointments; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Clerk-Treasurer’s Report: Clerk Treasurer Rivas reported on the GO Bond issuance. The refunding of capital purchases in the General Fund was $1,665,865.20, MVH Fund $345,912.18 and $76,933.06 to the Park & Recreation Fund. She further reported that the City’s property tax collection rate for 2020 was 98.67%. Also, the City is in receipt of the 1782 Notice from the DLGF. $262,426.00 needed to be cut from the General Fund, $1,255,746.00 from the MVH Fund and $94,158.00 from the Park & Recreation Fund. Reports of City Officials: Chief Candiano reported the PD had 2,516 calls for service in December and a total of 32,210 calls for service in 2020. He commended his staff for working through the Covid-19 pandemic this year with limited officers off work or overtime shifts to fill. He further reported that the Department has three officers starting the NWI Law Enforcement Academy next week, one officer currently in field training, a few recent retirements, a pending retirement, an officer out on an extended Major Illness, and another officer that may be leaving the Department soon. Superintendent Reeder reported the Street & Sanitation Departments fielded 782 calls, 191 voicemail messages, 283 emails, 88 bulk item charges, and 237 resident drive-ins to the Department in the month of December. There were five winter events so far, using 450 tons of salt. The Department has reserved 4,000 tons of salt through the State’s program. Last year the cost was $77.72 a ton. This year the cost is $72.19 a ton. The Sanitation Department collected 18,000 tons of trash, debris, and recycling in 2020. The landfill cost will increase approximately 15% for 2021. Chief Wilkening reported the FD had 489 calls for service in December with 379 of them being for an ambulance. The Department totaled 5,163 calls for the year which is 600 more calls than ever before. 3,852 of those calls were for ambulance and 94 actual fires. The Department responded to a fire on Christmas morning which unfortunately resulted in a fatality. He reminded residents the Department has smoke detectors at all the stations available free of charge. He further stated that staff is preparing to receive the Covid-19 and flu vaccine. He also stated that the Department can administer the flu vaccine this year. The Department recently hired a new firefighter, has a firefighter leaving the department soon and will have three people retiring within the next three months. Harbormaster Lusco reported the Marina is pretty much shut down put they are collecting deposits for slips for the 2021 season. They have collected deposits from 160 slip holders so far. Mayor Lynch asked if there was an update regarding the kayak launch. Harbormaster Lusco stated she did not have an update but will reach out to Matt Kieser. City Attorney Whitten reported he is currently working on arbitration, a grievance, the Catalyst open argument on their foreclosure and bargaining on city contracts. He stated the good news is there are no new lawsuits pending. Reports from Standing Committees: Deb Podgorski reported the Budget Committee met with departments after receiving the 1782 Notice from the DLGF to go over budget cuts. She stated Covid-19 did not help as far as incoming revenue goes along with the various surprise bills the City received throughout 2020. She commended department heads for keeping the budgets as tight as possible. Clerk-Treasurer Rivas added that in addition to DLGF cuts the City had to account for the 10% increase in health insurance premiums. She will provide the Council a report next month on the total cost of premiums in 2020 next month. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: Councilperson Podgorski read Temporary Loan Extension Resolution 21-01 in its entirety. Councilperson Podgorski made a motion to adopt Resolution 21-01; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Clerk-Treasurer Rivas commented that the extension required in 2020 totaled $2,367,110.88. This extension totaling $1,100,000.00 is $1,267,110.88 less. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes – 0 nays RES 21-01 Introduction of Ordinances: None. PORTAGE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 5, 2021 PAGE 3 Reception of Remonstrances, Petitions & Memorials or Public Input: Lolita Jones thanked Mayor Lynch for her work in getting garbage cleaned up at a home in her neighborhood. Any Matters not Already Considered by the Council: None. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lynch entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adjourn; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. Mayor Lynch adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Nina Rivas Sue Lynch Clerk-Treasurer Mayor