Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting June 1, 2021 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lynch at 6:30 PM. Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Councilpersons Scott Williams, Ferdinand Alvarez, Debbie Podgorski, Gina Giese-Hurst, Pat Clem, Brian Gulley, Collin Czilli, Mayor Sue Lynch. Also present was Clerk-Treasurer Nina Rivas and Attorney Dan Whitten. Minutes: Councilperson Czilli made a motion to approve the May 4, 2021, minutes; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Communication, Correspondence and Announcements from the Mayor: Clerk-Treasurer’s Report: Clerk-Treasurer Rivas reported the 2020 Highway Report was completed. She also reported the city has received $176,101.66 in reimbursements from the IRS for fines and penalties paid for not filing the 1095- C’s.Councilperson Czilli made a motion to approve the write-off amount; Councilperson Clem seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Clerk-Treasurer Rivas provided the Council with a written Internal Control Policy for the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. This is a supplement to Ordinance 16-10 adopted in 2016. Councilperson Williams and Councilperson Podgorski will meet with Clerk-Treasurer Rivas to discuss the policy further. Reports of City Officials: Park Superintendent Wilkie, Police Chief Candiano, Assistance Street Superintendent Godby, and Fire Chief Wilkening reported to the Council on their respective departmental activities. Reports from Standing Committees: Unfinished Business: Fire Department Personnel Matters Attorney Whitten reported he has reached out to the State for further clarification on the issue at hand. Councilperson Williams made a motion to table the item; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nay New Business: Mayor Lynch swore in Officers Gardenhire and Officer Olson. Resolution #21-12, Authorizing Remote Meetings Councilperson Czilli read Resolution #20-12, a Resolution Authorizing Remote Meetings in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Resolution #21-12; Councilperson Gulley seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays RES #21-12 Resolution #21-13, Transfer Resolution Councilperson Alvarez read Resolution #20-13, a Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds in its entirety. Councilperson Alvarez made a motion to adopt Resolution #21-13; Councilperson Gulley seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays RES #21-13 Introduction of Ordinances: First Reading Councilperson Podgorski read Ordinance #20-14, an Ordinance Amending the 2021 Salary Ordinance in its entirety. Councilperson Podgorski made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #20-14, an Ordinance Amending the 2021 Salary Ordinance in its entirety. Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays ORD #20-14 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 1, 2021 PAGE 2 Councilperson Gulley read Ordinance #21-08, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 42, Article I of the Municipal Code in its entirety. Councilperson Clem read Ordinance #21-09, an Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Chapter 70, Article III, Entitled Solid Waste in its entirety. Councilperson Clem made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-09; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. ORD #21-09 Councilperson Williams read Ordinance #21-10, an Ordinance Establishing the ARP Fund in its entirety. Councilperson Williams made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-10; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 7-yes 0-nays ORD #21-10 Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input: Antonio Gutierrez addressed the Council. Megan Fisher addressed the Council regarding the Smoke-Free Ordinance. Carrie Higgins addressed the Council regarding the Smoke-Free Ordinance and potential grant opportunities for any businesses impacted negatively by the ordinance. Cindy Carpenter addressed the Council regarding the Smoke-Free Ordinance and petitions and data that have been gathered over the years in Portage. Bob Hallman addressed the Council regarding the Smoke-Free Ordinance. He stated he is a former smoker and believes the Council should consult with the Porter County Health Department/Board. He stated the Council should be working for the people not against the people. He also asked how the ordinance would be enforced, citing code enforcement is non-existent in Portage unless you are a resident. Any Matters not Already Considered by the Council: 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 Williams seconded the motion. Motion passed. Mayor Lynch adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Nina Rivas Sue Lynch Clerk-Treasurer Mayor