Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting February 1, 2022 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lynch at 6:30 PM. Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Councilpersons Debbie Podgorski, Gina Giese-Hurst, Scott Williams, Brian Gulley, Councilperson Czilli, and Mayor Sue Lynch. Also present was Clerk-Treasurer Nina Rivas and Attorney Dan Whitten. Minutes: Councilperson Czilli made a motion to table the minutes; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Communication, Correspondence and Announcements from the Mayor: Proclamation Clerk-Treasurer’s Report: Clerk-Treasurer Rivas provided the council with a copy of the Comprehensive Financial Plan provided by Baker Tilly. She further stated that the SboA audit is complete and will be available to the public sometime in January. Reports from Standing Committees: Councilperson Williams reported on the Ordinance Committee and reminded the public that the committee has a standing meeting each month prior to the Council meeting at 5pm. Councilperson Podgorski reported that the Budget Committee will be getting together within the next few weeks. When she has a date she will let Clerk- Treasurer Rivas know so that notice can be posted. Reports of City Officials: Fire Chief Wilkening, Chief Candiano, Superintendent Marshall, and Superintendent Reeder reported on departmental activities. Pat Clem entered the meeting remotely at 6:44pm. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: Councilperson Gulley read Resolution #22-01, a Resolution Opposing Legislation Regarding the Business Personal Property Tax, in its entirety. Councilperson Gulley made a motion to adopt Resolution #22-01; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 5 yes – 0 nays Councilperson Podgorski read Resolution #22-02, a Resolution Extending Temporary Loan Repayment, in its entirety. Councilperson Podgorski made a motion to adopt Resolution #22-02; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 5-yes – 0-nays Introduction of Ordinances: First Reading Councilperson Williams made a motion to table Ordinance #21-23, 2022 Salary Ordinance Amendment No. 1. Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Rivas explained that there were only a few changes due to staffing changes. The other change amends the calculation of overtime rates due to 27 pays in 2022. Councilperson Williams withdrew his motion. Councilperson Clem made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 5-yes – 0 yes Councilperson Podgorski stated the Detective’s Administrative Assistant’s salary needed to be amended to equal the salary of the Chief’s Administrative Clerk and Chief Clerk. Councilperson Podgorski made a motion to amend the ordinance; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Councilperson Czilli abstained. Motion passed. 4-yes – 0 nays (Czilli abstained) Councilperson Gulley made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-23; Councilperson Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Councilperson Czilli abstained. Motion passed. 4-yes – 0 nays (Czilli abstained) ORD #21-23 Common Council Meeting February 1, 2022 Page 2 Second Reading Councilperson Czilli read Ordinance #22-01 in its entirety; Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt Ordinance #22-01; Councilperson Podgorski seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 5-yes – 0-nays ORD #22-01 Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input: Scott Klein, Firefighters #3151 President addressed the Council regarding the City’s Covid-19 Policy. He encouraged the Council to seek input from the Chief Wilkening and Assistant Chief Kodicek before amending the policy. He stated that none of the suggestions provided in the fall were used in the current policy. He stated that the current policy was adopted and retro active to January 1st, which conflicted with the Department’s Kelly Period. When firefighters use a sick day or personal day during that period, it is not considered productive time and they lose their overtime. He stated that the entire Council should be deciding the policy, not Attorney Whitten, and that he would appreciate if Council members would sit down and discuss concerns with those affected by the policy. Attorney Whitten stated he has discussed the policy with many members of the Council and that it is not Attorney Whitten’s policy. 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 Williams seconded the motion. Mayor Lynch requested a roll call vote. Motion passed. 5-yes – 0-nays Mayor Lynch adjourned the meeting at 8:03 PM. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Nina Rivas Sue Lynch Clerk-Treasurer Mayor