Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 01, 2024 The Common Council of the City of Portage met on Tuesday, October 01, 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 6:31 PM. Members present were Councilpersons Ferdinand Alvarez, Melissa Weidenbach, Gina Giese-Hurst, Bob Parnell, 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 September 03, 2024, minutes. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7-yes-0 nays. Communications, Correspondence Announcements from the Mayor Mayor Bonta attended the Senior art fair and had Mike come up and read a poem he wrote. Also showcasing her collage artwork was Annette. Mayor Bonta explains that the budget proposal was completed and now it is ready to be presented to the City Council for final approval. On October 08, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. there will be a public hearing and an adoption meeting on October 29, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. Per ordinance Chief Candiano gave each City Council member the official invite to both meetings. Mayor Bonta swore in Nicholas Duncan and Malachi Kristoff from the Fire Department. Chief Crail gives his department an accolade for their actions of perseverance, respect, integrity, duty and excellence on every call they attend. He thanks his department for their hard work and states that they are the pride of the fire department. Clerk-Treasurer’s Report Clerk-Treasurer Modesto reported that the budget proposal has been completed and has been put into gateway and the public notice was posted on September 27, 2024. She thanks everyone for their participation to get the budget completed. She also reported that State Board of Accounts has been at City Hall since September 16, 2024, conducting the 2022 & 2023 audit. Her and the Clerk-Treasurer’s staff continues to work with them to provide them with the documentation that they need. Reports from Standing Committees Councilperson Alvarez reported that the ordinance committee discussed optional changes to the golf cart ordinance, the background check fee and a program for proper disposal of fireworks to prevent fires along with an educational program for residents. Councilperson Vasquez expands that it revolves around 4th of July post discharge of fireworks debris safety and how the city will handle it going forward. Councilperson Vasquez reported that the budget committee will have a meeting on October 15, 2024 at 6:00pm. Unfinished Business None New Business Jake and another board member from the Portage Recovery Association gave some background of what the PRA does for the community. In 2023 the Portage Recovery Association reached an agreement with the City of Portage in receiving a portion of the opioid settlement funds. The received a check last year and per the agreement will receive another check in November 2024. Jake explains that the PRA has received a generous donation from Northwest Health for a larger building and is asking the City Council for an earlier advance on the 2024 funds to get the building prepared for opening. Mayor Bonta explains that the agreement in place currently was for reimbursement of rent but now they will own their own space as a non-profit organization and the agreement could be amended to reflect the new building and amend the qualified usage of the funds they can get reimbursed for. Councilperson Czilli has questions on why this item is being presented to the Council and not Board of Works. Discussion continues and an agreement was made that this request would be presented at the October 29, 2024, council meeting for the approval of the appropriation of funds and at BOW for the revision of the agreement. Greg Lorig from DVG team, a petitioner on behalf of Drive and Shine for a petition to vacate public ways and easements. This request is to vacate roadway, sanitary and watermain easements that were platted and dedicated on a westerly extension on Fiesta Ave that was never built. The area is located just north of the City of Portage Common Council October 01, 2024 Page 2 intersection of Ash Street and US Hwy 6, about a quarter mile west of Willowcreek Road. There is a proposed development of a Drive and Shine car wash at this location, and this is the first step for the development. He showed the Council a map of the preliminary site plan for the car wash and informed the Council that they are presenting to the BZA at the end of the month for development variances and going through the proper channels with the planning commission. On the map he showed the Council the easements they are requesting to vacate. Councilperson Alvarez asks the Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Cherry clarifying questions on the original planned extension and Tom Cherry did research and can’t not find any records on it, but it looks like the development had changed since then and it is a road to nowhere. DVG also provided documentation from surrounding businesses that would be affected approving the request for the vacate as well. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt the request for the vacate but explains he is not thrilled about what is being built there but agrees vacating the right of way needs to be done because there is no reason it needs to be there; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7-yes-0 nays. Nancy Simpson, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce read a letter expressing their strong endorsement on revising certain business policies in our city, particularly those affecting contractors. The revisions include the elimination of requiring contractors to take a written test to work in Portage, eliminating the dual license mandate allowing contractors to apply their skills across residential and commercial projects under one license and recommends reconsidering the mandate of hiring a general contractor when multiple contractors from different professions are involved in a project. The proposed revisions align with the shared goal of promoting economic growth and enhancing the ease of doing business in Portage. By reducing regulatory burdens that do not directly contribute to safety or quality standards, Portage can attract more businesses, stimulate job creation, and improve service delivery to our residents. These changes will align with other areas in the region. Reports from City Officials Police Chief Mike Candiano Reception of Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input Jay Vasquez gave recognition to the Sewer Department. Superintendent Marshall and him took a tour of the plant and he witnessed the outdated equipment they are working with. One pump was already down and not working and if the other pump goes down that could result in an overflow into Lake Michigan. He was impressed by the installation of the solar panels which will be operational in December saving the City money. He thanks Tracie Marshall for the opportunity and answering all his questions. He encourages the community to take the time to tour the plant and educate themselves on how your tax dollars are being spent. Dave Meyers, a small business owner supports the changes the Chamber of Commerce is requesting on the changes to the contractor’s license policies. George Graves asked how many car washes do we need in Portage? He commented that if anyone needs to use his hose, they can use his driveway. The Mayors Chief of Staff, LeeAnn VanCuren informed the public that the city has a donation boxes set up at City Hall, Street Department, Police Department and the fire stations for 500 Turkeys. The organizations mission of providing an entire Thanksgiving meal is now serving 1500 families. At the City the items being collected are aluminum pans, cans of corn, cornbread mix and stuffing. Any Matters not Already Considered by the Council 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. 7 yes-0 nays. Mayor Bonta adjourned the meeting at 7:42 P.M. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Elizabeth Modesto Austin Bonta Clerk-Treasurer Mayor