Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 14, 2024 The Common Council of the City of Portage met on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall, 6070 Central Ave., Portage, Indiana. Mayor Bonta called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:30 PM. Members present were Councilpersons Ferdinand Alvarez, Melissa Weidenbach, Robert Parnell, Gina Giese-Hurst, Victoria Vasquez, Penny Ambler, 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 April 2024, minutes; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Communications, Correspondence, Announcements from the Mayor The Mayor presented a certificate of appreciation to the choraliers for singing and JROTC for presenting the colors at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Levenda learning lab. Clerk-Treasurer’s Report Clerk Treasurer Modesto reports on upcoming preparation for completing the 2025 budget. Reports from City Officials Building Dept Clerks Stormwater Field Inspector Adam Nelson Police Chief Mike Candiano Fire Chief Chris Crail Reports from Standing Committees Councilperson Alvarez reported that the ordinance committee finalized the travel and vegetation ordinances which got adopted at today’s Council meeting. Unfinished Business None New Business Mayor Bonta swore in Austin DeYoung and Brodrick Claesgens from the Fire Department. The Clerk Treasurer’s office reviewed eight CF-1 Tax Abatement renewals and Clerk Treasurer Modesto concluded that the CF-1’s are in compliance and asked for Council approval to submit them. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to accept the CF-1’s as submitted; Councilperson Giese-Hurst seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Providence Homes representatives offered the development plan to the Council. Councilperson Czilli read ordinance #24-14 Carlson Farm Annexation in full as the 1st reading. Councilperson Alvarez read ordinance #24-11 Salary Ordinance amending #23-15 V5 in its entirety. Councilperson Alvarez made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Councilperson Weidenbach read ordinance #24-12 Amending Travel Ordinance in its entirety. Councilperson Giese- Hurst made a motion to suspend the rules; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Councilperson Vasquez made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Parnell seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Councilperson Ambler read ordinance #24-13 Amending Section 54-4 Removal of Vegetation in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to suspend; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Councilperson Vasquez made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays The Mayor and Attorney Graham gave explanations as to what is changing in the Municipal Code Section 62. Councilperson Vasquez read ordinance #24-16 Ordinance Repealing certain sections of section 62 of the Portage municipal code in its entirety. Councilperson Alvarez made a motion to suspend the municipal code; Councilperson Weidenbach seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays City of Portage Common Council May 14, 2024 Page 2 Councilperson Alvarez made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Geise-Hurst seconded the motion. Motion passed. 6-yes, 1-nays Councilperson Parnell read Ordinance #24-15 Reestablish the Cumulative Capital Rate in its entirety as the 1st reading. Clerk Treasurer Modesto explains that annually the City of Portage must reestablish the cumulative capital rate and the deadline is May 31, 2024. The City of Portage will request the rate go from .0431 to .05. The public hearing will be held on May 28, 2024 at 6:30PM at City Hall. Introduction/Adoption Ordinances None Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input Any Matters not Already Considered by the Council Portage resident Beto asks everyone to speak clearly and loudly into the microphones so that people that are hard of hearing can hear the entire discussion. 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 Weidenbach seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes, 0-nays Mayor Bonta adjourned the meeting at 8:01 P.M. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Clerk-Treasurer Elizabeth Modesto Mayor Austin Bonta