Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 The Common Council of the City of Portage met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 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 P.M. Members present were Councilpersons Ferdinand Alvarez, Melissa Weidenbach, Gina Giese-Hurst, Bob Parnell, 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 asked Clerk-Treasurer Modesto to list names of which Councilperson votes no on the minutes in the future. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to approve December 03 and December 19, 2024, minutes. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Communications, Correspondence Announcements from the Mayor Mayor Bonta swore in the new officer of the police department; John Patston and new officers of the fire department; Evan Kuehl, Caiden Mowery and Evan Shaughnessy. Also, Mike Wirtes from the fire department was sworn in as a Lieutenant. Clerk-Treasurer’s Report Clerk-Treasurer Modesto reported that the office is working to get the end of the year wrapped up. The 1782 was approved by DLGF as submitted without any cuts. The errors that were made in 2024 budget entries into Fund are now corrected and the DLGF has approved the additional appropriations. She reiterated that the departments need to stay within their spending budgets for 2025 since the City will have such a tight budget. The Clerk-Treasurers office has implemented new processes to ensure that spending is allocated correctly and in compliance with SBoA. Also, new protocols are being implemented on handling claims for contracted projects. Once a contract is signed it will be assigned a project number in Fund for more accurate reporting on specific projects. The office is also answering questions about the new payment system easing the concerns of citizens. Councilperson Czilli asked for a report on processing fees associated with each payment method. Public Hearing Mayor Bonta opened the public meeting on Ordinance #25-01 Additional Appropriations Bond & Interest at 7 PM. He asked three times if anyone was there to speak in favor of the ordinance. Mayor Bonta asked another three times if anyone was there to speak against the ordinance. Hearing no comments Mayor Bonta closed the public hearing at 7:01 PM. Election of Council President and Vice President Councilperson Weidenbach made a motion to nominate Councilperson Vasquez as the 2025 Council president; Councilperson Parnell seconded the nomination. Councilperson Giese-Hurst made a motion to nominate Councilperson Czilli as the 2025 Council president; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the nomination. The council members voted: Councilperson Alvarez voted for Councilperson Czilli Councilperson Weidenbach voted for Councilperson Vasquez Councilperson Giese-Hurst voted for Councilperson Czilli Councilperson Parnell voted for Councilperson Vasquez Councilperson Vasquez voted for Councilperson Vasquez Councilperson Ambler voted for Councilperson Vasquez Councilperson Czilli voted for Councilperson Czilli 4 Vasquez-3 Czilli. Councilperson Vasquez nominated Councilperson Weidenbach as the 2025 Council vice president; Councilperson Parnell seconded the nomination. Councilperson Giese-Hurst nominated Councilperson Alvarez as the 2025 Council vice president; Councilperson Czilli seconded the nomination. Council members voted: Councilperson Alvarez voted for Councilperson Alvarez Councilperson Weidenbach voted for Councilperson Weidenbach Councilperson Giese-Hurst voted for Councilperson Alvarez Councilperson Parnell voted for Councilperson Weidenbach Councilperson Vasquez voted for Councilperson Weidenbach Councilperson Ambler voted for Councilperson Weidenbach Councilperson Czilli voted for Councilperson Alvarez 4 Weidenbach-3 Alvarez City of Portage Common Council January 14, 2025 Page 2 Introduction of Ordinances Councilperson Vasquez read Ordinance #25-01 Additional Appropriation in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to suspend; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Giese-Hurst seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-02 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v2 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Human Resource Director to go from $87,125.00 to $95,000.00. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-03 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v3 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Chief of Staff to go from $53,852.48 to $60,000.00. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-04 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v4 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Team Management/Event Coordinator to go from $51,250.00 to $55,000.00. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-05 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v5 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Payroll Clerk to go from $60,987.50 to $63,000.00 which all salary is 100% reimbursed by Utilities. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-06 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v6 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Accounts Receivable to go from $46,125.00 to $51,689.73. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-07 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v7 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Account Payable to go from $51,689.73 to $56,689.73 with the additional $5,000 to be paid from RDC. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-08 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v8 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the City Planner to go from $60,000.00 to $65,000.00 with the $5,000 to be paid from RDC. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-09 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v9 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Police Department Code Enforcement Officer to go from $43,496.90 to $45,519.23. City of Portage Common Council January 14, 2025 Page 3 Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-10 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v10 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Plant Superintendent to go from $87,125.00 to $97,324.78. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-11 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v11 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salaries for the Plant and Field Division Administrative Assistants go from $46,664.15 to $51,664.15. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-12 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v12 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the hourly wage for seasonal part-time go up to $20 and permanent part-time go up to $25. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-13 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v13 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Police Departments Chief’s Administrative Assistant go from $51,552.38 to $56,000.00. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-14 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v14 as a first reading in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Fire Departments Administrative Assistant go from $51,552.38 to $56,000.00. Introduction of Resolutions Clerk-Treasurer Modesto explained that this resolution is to issue a bond for capital improvements for the Police and Fire Department. Mayor Bonta further explained that this came about when the Fire Department began developing a fire equipment purchasing plan and having mechanisms in place to fund it. It became and cooperative effort with the Fire and Police Department. Chief Crail explained that the 27-year-old fire trucks parts are obsolete. Chief Crail also explained the procurement plan to secure a new tower truck and then rotating apparatuses rotation. Councilperson Czilli read Resolution #25-01 A Resolution Making A Preliminary Determination To Issue Bonds in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli asked questions about the repayment of the bond due to the uncertainty of the impact of the property tax reform bill. He is concerned that no matter the vote it will negatively impact the City’s budget therefore City of Portage Common Council January 14, 2025 Page 3 making the City and RDC unable to repay the bond. Councilperson Weidenbach made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Ambler seconded the motion. 6 yes-1 nays (Czilli.) Reports from Standing Committees Councilperson Alvarez reported that the ordinance committee discussed the firework disposal safety ordinance and will bring the final draft to the next council meeting. Communications, Correspondence Announcements from the Mayor Any Matters Not Already Considered by the Council Councilperson Vasquez asked for an update from the HR Department on the status of the job descriptions and the wage study. Mayor Bonta invited HR Director Lynn Gralik to the stand to give them an update. HR Director Gralik explained that in 2024 a lot of time was spent drafting the job descriptions and they are 75% completed and working on what is on paper and what each position is actually doing and once that is completed the wage study can begin. Councilperson Czilli asked about contract negotiations update. Mayor Bonta responded that they are in evergreen right now, but he believes that it is very close to finalization and hopes that in the next month or two they could be completed. 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 carried. 7 yes-0 nays. Mayor Bonta adjourned the meeting at 8:00 P.M. ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Elizabeth Modesto Austin Bonta Clerk-Treasurer Mayor