Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 02, 2024 The Common Council of the City of Portage met on Tuesday, April 02, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall, 6070 Central Ave., Portage, Indiana. Council President Vasquez called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:32PM due to the mayor’s brief absence at the start of the meeting. Members present were Councilpersons Ferdinand Alvarez, Melissa Weidenbach, Robert Parnell, Gina Giese-Hurst, Victoria Vasquez, Collin Czilli and Mayor Austin Bonta. Also, present was Clerk-Treasurer Elizabeth Modesto and Attorney Ed Graham. Approval of Minutes Councilperson Czilli made a motion to approve the March 5, 2024, minutes; Councilperson Parnell seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-yes, 0-nays. Communications, Correspondence, Announcements from the Mayor Councilperson Giese-Hurst introduced the youth council, and which High School Seniors played the roles of the elected officials and what they did throughout the day as the acting officials. Chief Crail wanted to recognize Rory Ryder for his accomplishment of becoming a United State Citizen after being in the states for 10 years from South Africa. Clerk-Treasurer’s Report Clerk Treasurer Elizabeth Modesto reported that January and February appropriations reports are in the drop box for Council and Department Heads to review. Reports from City Officials Police Chief Mike Candiano Fire Chief Chris Crail Park Superintendent Paul Ciesielski and Assistant Superintendent John Harrison Plant Superintendent Tracie Marshall-None Harbormaster Barb Lusco-None Reports from Standing Committees Councilperson Alvarez reported that the ordinance committee met before the council meeting in which they discussed the travel ordinance. The committee decided to table the travel ordinance to create and add a credit card policy. Also discussed was the scavenger and vegetation ordinance. The sewer ordinance #24-09 pretreatment Program was also finalized, which was adopted during this council meeting. Unfinished Business None New Business Police Department Assets and Inventory: Chief Candiano reports on accidents with damage to Portage Police Departments emergency vehicles. In the past, the funds from the insurance department have historically been deposited into the General Fund. Chief Candiano is requesting that the funds be deposited into a Police Department revenue account to be used for the purchase or maintenance of other Police department vehicles. Ordinance Committee is putting it on their agenda to discuss and adopt a new ordinance with Attorney Graham. Councilperson Parnell read Ordinance 24-10 V4 salary ordinance amendment in its entirety. Councilpersons Vasquez made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Alvarez seconded. Motion passed 6-yes, 0-nays. After a brief discussion explaining the changes, Councilperson Alvarez made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-yes, 0-nays. Councilperson Czilli read Ordinance 24-09 Pretreatment Program in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-yes, 0-nays. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-yes, 0-nays. Introduction/Adoption Ordinances None City of Portage Common Council April 02, 2024 Page 2 Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input Any Matters not Already Considered by the Council Citizen Antonio Gutierrez came up to speak to council about his life journey and had a gift for the Elected Officials. United way invited the citizens to the first-time homeowner vendor fair happening on April 27th at the Merrillville Library from 10am-2pm. Citizen Willaim Kresal wanted to commend Park Superintendent and staff for his response time to his request for the dog park. Citizen Michael Cooper expressed concerns about City of Portage Board members and outstanding delinquent fines. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Bonta entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adjourn; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 6-yes, 0-nays Mayor Bonta adjourned the meeting at 7:44 P.M. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Clerk-Treasurer Elizabeth Modesto Mayor Austin Bonta