Common Council

City of Portage Common Council Meeting Minutes February 04,2025 The Common Council of the City of Portage met on Tuesday, February 04,2025, 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 made a motion to approve the minutes for January 14,2025. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Communications, Correspondence Announcements from the Mayor Mayor Bonta swore in the new officers of the police department; Anthony Mako Jr, Tiaan Coetzee and Maxwell Rodriguez. Assistant Police Chief Uzelac reported that the Police Department does not generate revenue for the City of Portage. The citizens support the department's operation by working off the general fund and the department is frugal with the tax payers dollars. AC Uzelac proudly reported that at the end of 2024 the Police Department was 1.85% under budget. Clerk-Treasurer's Report Clerk-Treasurer Modesto reported that her office is diligently working on the Annual Financial Report that is due March I ,2025 . It takes time to gather all the information for the entire year, but it is halfway completed. She introduced Tami Burke, a new hire in the Clerk-Treasurer office that came from the State Board of Accounts. Introduction of Ordinances Councilperson Parnell read Salary Ordinance #25-15 amending Ordinance #24-35 vl5 as a first reading in its entirety. Mayor Bonta explained that this is being introduced as part of a plan to combine the Planning and Building Department. The current Building Commissioner, Rich Jones, is going to step down as the fulI-time inspector and the Planning Director, Tom Cherry, has already accepted the offer to also run the building department. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to suspend. Councilperson Giese-Hurst seconded the motion. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to amend the effective date to February 16, 2025. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt. Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-O nays. Councilperson Weidenbach read Ordinance#25-16 Amending Chapter 90, Article V of the City of Portage Municipal Code Entitled "Zoning Map" in its entirety as a first reading. This amendment will change the zoning from R2 to R3. Councilperson Weidenbach read Ordinance #25-17 Amending Chapter 90, Aticle V of the City of Portage Municipal Code entitled "Zoning Map" in its entirety as a first reading. This amendment will change the zoning from R3 to PD- R3. Councilperson Weidenbach read Ordinance #25-18 Amending Chapter 90, Article VII of the City of Portage Municipal Code Entitled "Zoning Districts and Map" Creating a Planned Development Overlay for the Below Described Property Pursuant to Article IX in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli read Ordinance #25-19 Amending Certain Sections of Chapter l8 of the City of Portage Municipal Code Regulating the Business of Building Construction in the City of Portage, Porter County, Indiana in its entirety as a first reading. Mayor Bonta explained that the proposed changes came from the Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee which will significantly change to the city code that govems contractors in the city. Councilperson Czilli asked for an overview of what is changing by the next meeting. The Planning Director, Tom Cherry, responded that he will provide the list to the council members. Councilperson Alvarez read Ordinance #25-20 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Portage, Porter County, Indiana Amending Certain Development Requirements in Article VI Chapter 90 Section 90-6.23 in its entirety as a first reading. Mayor Bonta explained that this is an attempt to clarifu the code on materials used for driveways and sidewalks. Councilperson Ambler read Ordinance #25-21 Establishing a Vendor List and Process for Reference Purposes Following a Fire Incident Under Section 90-6.23 of Article II, Division I of Chapter46 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Portage in its entirety as a first reading. Mayor Bonta explained that this ordinance will establish a rotating vendor list to be given to dispatch when a vendor needs to be called out for emergency board up services. Councilperson Vasquez read Ordinance#25-22 Amending and Supplementing Section 54-10 of Article I of Chapter 54 (Governing Use of Consumer Fireworks) of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Portage in its entirety as a first reading. Fire Chief Crail explained how the disposal of fireworks will be enforced to the council and citizens. Council Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes February 04,2025 Page2 2od Reading of Ordinances Councilperson Parnell read Salary Ordinance #25-02 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v2 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 Ambler made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 yes-3 nays (Alvarez, Giese-Hurst & Czilli). Councilperson Vasquez read Salary Ordinance #25-03 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v3 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 Vasquez made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Ambler seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 yes-3 nays (Alvarez, Giese-Hurst & Czilli). Councilperson Ambler read Salary Ordinance #25-04 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v4 in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Team Management/Event Coordinator to go from $5 1,250.00 to $55,000.00. Councilperson Vasquez made a motion to amend the job title to Public Relations Specialist; Councilperson Weidenbach seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 yes-3 nays (Alvarez, Giese-Hurst & Czilli). Councilperson Vasquez made a motion to adopt the salary increase to the newly titled Public Relations Specialist; Councilperson Parnell seconded the motion. Motion carried. 4 yes-3 nays (Alvarez, Giese-Hurst & Czilli). Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-05 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v5 in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Payroll Clerk to go from $60,987.50 to $63,000.00, which the salary is 100% reimbursed by Utilities. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to deny the salary increase; Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Alvarez read Salary Ordinance #25-06 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v6 in its entirefy. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Accounts Receivable to go from $46,125.00 to $51,689.73. Councilperson Ambler made a motion to adopt the salary increase; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-07 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v7 as a first reading in its entirefy. 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 Czilli made a motion to adopt the salary increase; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 yes-3 nays (Weidenbach, Parnell & Vasquez). Councilperson Ambler read Salary Ordinance #25-08 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v8 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 Vasquez made a motion to adopt the salary increase; Councilperson Weidenbach seconded the motion. Motion passed. 5 yes-2 nays (Alvarez & Czilli). Councilperson Parnell read Salary Ordinance #25-09 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v9 in its entirefy. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Police Department Code Enforcement Officer to go from $43,496.90 to $45,519.23. Councilperson Vasquez made a motion to adopt the salary increase; Councilperson Czilli seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Vasquez read Salary Ordinance #25-10 Amending Ordinance #24-35 vlO 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 made a motion to adopt the salary increase; Councilperson Giese-Hurst seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Ambler read Salary Ordinance #25- l I Amending Ordinance #24-35 vl I 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 Czilli made a motion to adopt the salary increases. Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-O nays. Councilperson Weidenbach read Salary Ordinance #25-12 Amending Ordinance #24-35 vl2 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 made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Council Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes February 04,2025 Page 3 Councilperson Alvarez read Salary Ordinance #25-13 Amending Ordinance #24-35 v13 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 Vasquez made a motion to deny the salary increase. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 6 yes-l nays (Weidenbach). Councilperson Czilli read Salary Ordinance #25-14 Amending Ordinance #24-35 vl4 in its entirety. The amendment is requesting the salary for the Fire Departments Administrative Assistant go from $51,552.38 to $56,000.00. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to deny the salary increase. Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 6 yes-l nays (Weidenbach). Introduction of Resolutions Councilperson Vasquez read Resolution#25-02 Authorizing the Clerk-Treasurer to Transfer Certain City of Portage Budget Funds into Certain Budget Categories in its entirefy. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt. Councilperson Giese-Hurst seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Weidenbach read Resolution #25-03 Authorizing the Clerk-Treasurer to Transfer Between Major Budget Classifications in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Alvarez read Resolution #25-04 Authorizing the Clerk-Treasurer to Record Outstanding Encumbrances From 2024 Caried Forward to 2025. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt. Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Czilli read Resolution #25-05 Approving the Issuance of Revenue Bonds by The City of Portage, Indiana, Sanitary District Relating to the Acquisition, Construction, and Installation of Certain Improvements to the Sewage Works System of the Sanitary Distnct and All Matters Related Thereto in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Parnell read Resolution #25-06 A Resolution to Resolve Outstanding Unknown Bank Reconciliation Adjustments and All Matters Related Thereto in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt. Councilperson Vasquez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Councilperson Vasquez read Resolution#25-07 A Resolution to Void Stale Dated Checks Outstanding and Unpaid for a Period of Two or More Years and All Matters Related Thereto in its entirety. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adopt; Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion passed. 7 yes-0 nays. Petitions, Remonstrances and Public Input A citizen that lives on Randolph Street wanted to update the Council members that after three and a half months his streetlight got replaced by Nipsco. It was determined that Surf Internet company cut the cable. He also asked for an update on the house on Stone and Countyline Road. He also encouraged everyone to utilize the Portage Resale Shop for any donations they may have. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Bonta entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Czilli made a motion to adjoum. Councilperson Alvarez seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes-0 nays. Mayor Bonta adjoumed the meeting at 9:20 P.M. ATTEST: 6'U4,q f( ru Modesto Austin Bonta Clerk-Treasurer Mayor