Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting August 3, 2021 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lynch at 6:30 PM. Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance, led by Councilperson Williams. Members Present: Councilpersons Scott Williams, Ferdinand Alvarez, Debbie Podgorski, Gina Giese-Hurst, 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 July 6, 2021 minutes; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays Communication, Correspondence and Announcements from the Mayor: Presentation of flag to Chief Candiano by Mr. Gutierrez. Mayor Lynch presented a Proclamation to Relay for Life read by Councilperson Podgorski. Clerk-Treasurer’s Report: Clerk-Treasurer Rivas reported that the Fund Conversion is complete with the new Chart of Accounts with the exception of posting payroll to the new accounts. That is expected to be completed by the end of the week or early next week. The July appropriation report is in Dropbox for review. Further, a “live” link for the new utility billing is on the City’s website as a “soft launch.” Utility bills will continue to be sent with the current software in August and September. October’s billing will be done solely with Key-Utility. Residents will need to update the information and accept the terms and conditions with the “old” new billing software. 6-yes 0-nays Reports of City Officials: Assistant Chief Deyoung, Superintendent Reeder, Chief Candiano, and Superintendent Wilkie reported on departmental activities. Reports from Standing Committees: Councilperson Williams reported on the Ordinance Committee. Work is being performed on a Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance. Contractor’s and unpaid Utility Bills. Favorable recommendation for Ordinances Councilperson Podgorski reported on the Budget Committee. Councilperson Gulley reported on Redistricting Committee. Data is behind due to Covid-19. Unfinished Business: New Business: Resolution #21-15, a Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks Councilperson Williams made a motion to adopt Resolution #21-15; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays RES #21-15 Introduction of Ordinances: Councilperson Williams read Ordinance #21-11, an Ordinance Establishing the a Capital Asset Threshold in its entirety. Councilperson Williams read Ordinance #21-12, Ann Ordinance Establishing a Cash Change Fund in its entirety. Councilperson Gulley read Ordinance #21-13, an Ordinance Establishing a Petty Cash Fund in its entirety. Councilperson Gulley read Ordinance #21-14 in its entirety. Ordinance #21-12, an Ordinance Authorizing a Fee to be Charged for Checks Returned Due to Insufficient Funds Councilperson Czilli read Ordinance #21-15, an Ordinance Amending Section 82-82 (b) of the Municipal Code, Entitled “Excessive Strength Sanitary Surcharge Rates” in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli read Ordinance #21-16, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 70, Article III of Municipal Code, Entitled Solid Waste in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to suspend the rules for Ordinances 21-11, 21-12, 21-13, 21-14, 21-15, and 21-14; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-11; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0 nays ORD #21-11 Councilperson Williams made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-12; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-12 Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-13; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-13 Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-14; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-14 Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-15; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-15 Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-16; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-16 Second Reading Councilperson Podgorski read Ordinance #21-08, an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 42, Article I of the Municipal Code in its entirety. Councilperson Williams made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested input from the Council. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 6-yes 0-nays ORD #21-08 Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input: Resident Antonio Gutierrez addressed the Council. He stated the Council just approved what is already included into state law. Councilperson Czilli responded that state law did not address outdoor parks. 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. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. Mayor Lynch adjourned the meeting at 7:48 PM. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Nina Rivas Sue Lynch Clerk-Treasurer Mayor