Common Council - Regular Meeting

Meeting to order. It is July 6th at 6.03 p.m. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Rick Ogle, lead us, please. Roll call. Deputy Clerk Treasurer.

Councilman Frankie. Here. Councilwoman Huffman. Here. Councilwoman Ficus. Present. Councilman Galloway. Here. Councilman Buchanan. Here. Councilwoman Konechny absent. And Councilwoman West absent.

Thank you Deputy Clerk Treasurer Noll. Ashley. By the way, we're excited, you had a nice weekend. Your son graduated, that's a big moment. We talk about family first in the community all the time for all of us, so that is a priority for especially all you young parents that are involved in different activities in the community. So thank you to all of you, it's important. Approval of the June 15th, 2026 meeting minutes. Do I have a motion?

I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes as presented.

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion passes. Do I have a motion? We're gonna kinda jump a little bit because we have a council member that is doing dual effort for us in the city, which is President Franke. Do I have a motion allowing for an introduction of a petition to be moved next?

Mayor, I will, since Councilman Franke made such an effort to get here tonight from the Taylor Swift wedding festivities that he was at, and he has a game, I'll make that motion.

I'll second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion passes. We will now move the introduction of a petition for voluntary annexation to next. Council President Franke.

Your Honor, I move to read a petition for voluntary annexation into the City of La Porte in its entirety for the first time.

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Council President Franke.

A petition for voluntary annexation into and the zoning of the annex land in the city of La Porte Indiana. The La Porte Assembly of God Church Pentecostal Assembly of God located in Pleasant Township La Porte County Indiana makes application to the Common Council of the city of La Porte Indiana for the voluntary annexation of land into the city and for the zoning the territory in support of the petition. The petitioner offers as follows one petitioner is the sole owner of all land within the territory more particularly described in the attached exhibit a number two under Indiana code subsection thirty six dash four dash three dash five point one petitioner makes this request for super voluntary annexation of the territory into the city by proper ordinance. Number three the total number of parcels proposed in this petition is one. Number four, the common address of the territory is East Boulevard, East Boyd Boulevard, LaPorte, Indiana, 46350. Number five, the tax parcel for the territory is number 46-11-07-326-004.00-057. Number six, the territory consists of approximately 15 acres Number seven, the territory contains no parcel of land sought to be annexed against the desires of petitioner. Number eight, at least one-eighth of the aggregate external boundaries of the territory coincides with the boundaries of the city, thereby satisfying the contiguity requirement of Indiana Code subsection 36-4-3-1.5. Number nine the territory is currently being used for agricultural purposes and or other purposes permitted by law. Number 10 there are no residents within the territory. Number 11 it is desired and requested that the territory be rezoned from its LaPorte County zoning classification of a agriculture to the city zoning classification of M1 light industrial. Number 12, no new roadways are planned for the parcel at the time. At this time, number 13, a legal description for the territories attached as exhibit A. Number 14, the name, address, phone number, and contact of persons for repairs, William J. Nelson Jr., Christopher Willoughby, Bray Nelson, and Jane's LLP, 126 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 1006, Michigan City, Indiana, 46361, phone number 219872-2100.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Cook.

Good evening to the LaPorte City Council. Burt Cook, Executive Director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership. So you all will remember, we've been through this process a number of times here recently, but I'll just highlight that for you. So it's 15 acres that are asking to be annexed into the city. If you remember back, you think back to some of the site plans that we've seen as part of the Microsoft project, you will remember that this property was incorporated as part of that development. It could not be annexed at the same time as the other acreage because the other acreage all falls to the east of the Microsoft site. And this is obviously a parcel that is to the west of that. So it has to be presented separately, which it is, we're starting that process today. I think the important things that people generally want to keep in mind or to know is the timeline that this goes through. So you'll be looking at August 3rd is the next city council meeting that will, Handle the public hearing for this super voluntary annexation August 11th They'll be for in front of the Planning Commission for a recommendation on zoning and then back to the City Council on August 17th for ultimately your decision as to whether or not you intend to annex this into the city at subsequent meetings they do have representation bill Nelson represents the petitioner which is the church and There'll be church reps here as well to speak on this. And then we'll also, we've asked Microsoft representatives to be here as well. The only other thing I'll touch on, because I think it'll be a question that gets asked throughout this process. So this particular acreage is planned just to serve as a buffer for other developments in the area. And that's what's shown on all the site plans that we've displayed previously. And I do appreciate the fact that Microsoft, we did ask for them to look at areas like this around their site where they could take advantage and maybe acquire a parcel that they don't need for development. But if it makes it easier on the overall impact of the project, that that makes sense to us. And this is one of those scenarios that is going to play out in that way.

Thank you, sir. And just for the record, you purposely moved over the July 20th meeting as it cannot be included. Nothing on this will be included.

The publishing time for that, it won't be available to the amount of days. So that's why we're, this is the standard way that we have done it in every annexation. The statute actually doesn't require this to even be brought, the filing of the petition. It could be just filed with the clerk treasurer and that would be sufficient. I think the council and the mayor and the administration have always felt like additional meetings where this can be discussed is better. So this is a request by the landowner at this point. So it'll be published in the newspaper and then the public hearing in August.

And public comment will be available in the future in those August meetings.

Correct, yeah, this will have to go to city council on the 3rd.

August 3rd, correct.

And then planned commission on August 11th. And then final reading on the ordinance would be August 17th. So you got three more public meetings where there's opportunity to.

Which if you think back to the, you know, we've done this a number of times, this is the same process that plays out each and every time a super voluntary annexation like this comes before the city council.

Comments, questions from council? Hearing none, we will now move that to August? Third. Third, and thank you, Mr. Cook. Thank you. And I will ask President Franke to please excuse himself. You do have duties outside council, and we appreciate you volunteering for the Park Department.

Thanks, Drew, for recognizing the Swifties.

We will now move to petitions and comments of the citizens. Sierra Sue Jesch. Please state your name and address with a record.

Okay, my name is Sierra Sue Jesch and I live at 202 Miller Street. I wanna thank the city council and the city for the increase in the number of officers you have recently been able to bring in. But you have brought us up to date to what we should have had for the last 20 years. but you are now annexing more and more land. Businesses are coming to town and we need more police officers on the streets. We still only have three districts. That means by law, we only have to have three road officers and one shift captain or supervisor. So that's four people for all the city. The one district still includes just from the railroad tracks north, which is going up to the toll road, towards the toll road now. That is not enough officers for what we need. And for your information, that if an officer's been called to a domestic violence situation, they are supposed to have two officers go. So that only leaves two officers for the rest of the city. We need more officers, we need more sections, divisions, I don't remember what we call them. But we have more and more people coming, and we can't expect the county to help us out all the time, which there is a good relationship, I've done right along, so I've seen the county and city backing each other up. But we have to remember, the city's first duty to its citizens are fire, police, water, sanitation, and street departments. The rest of it is frills, and we need to take care of our basic needs before we start anything else. Thank you. Thank you, Sue.

And to Sue's point, the expansion and growth of SWAT. uh... that's been been used drug task force that's now been used here in laporte so the expansion continues and uh... we look forward you know to continuing doing what we have this administration has been doing the other part of that is if you look at the pace structure we chose to raise uh... police pay at a big number versus hiring more people let's get the pay up and so forth as well and the council all supported that so thank you all in addition to Sue's comments Linda Dilks please and state your name and address for the record as well Linda Dilks 402 East Jefferson Avenue in La Porte

I was encouraged when I saw in the paper, Mayor, that you put something in there about code enforcement and police monitoring what was going on of the force. I was very disappointed with the results. There were six people. using fireworks that were going thirty feet up in the air. It was like a war zone where I lived. The smoke on the street covered the street clear up to the top of the houses. It was dangerous. Embers were coming down on the roofs and when I called When I contacted code enforcement, he said, call the police. Get pictures. I'm 79 years old. Am I supposed to walk down there while they're doing that so they can attack me or shoot fireworks at me? That's ridiculous. I called the police department. Oh, we can't do anything. They're on their own property. Something has to happen. A lot of cities around here are banning fireworks completely. I have solutions. I just do not believe that our peace and quiet should be disrupted for a week at a time with this kind of going on. And in my neighborhood where it's happening, it's the same people every year, every year. Something needs to be done. I have solutions for you. May I step forward to give them?

Please.

I have a map of who's doing them. I made a point of doing this.

Thank you.

You need to know who's doing this. I couldn't even, there were people down the street that I was afraid they were gonna get hit.

This is not right.

Well, it should not be up to me to prove that they're doing it.

I've got one.

And they should be coming and documenting the fact about who's doing it and what they're doing it and how long they're doing it. The second thing I have has to do with street safety. I live three houses from the corner of Scott and Jefferson. This kind of act...

Sorry, from where?

East Jefferson and Scott.

Oh, Scott. Okay.

The same activity is going on all over town on Lincoln Way, on Rumley, on 18th, on A Street, on I Street, every street in town. People that I've talked to have said the same thing. There are people who are speeding. They stop a rolling stop at my corner. They gun their engines, and they're doing 50 miles an hour half a block down the street. Somebody's gonna die. it needs to be stopped in the only way i know it to be stopped is for the police to be sitting there to give out tickets when you give out tickets people stop doing things there used to be a time where the police department would pick award and they would stay in that word all three shifts for a week Things stopped happening when they did that. I don't know what the answer is. I know you don't have enough coverage, but I don't feel safe anymore. I don't even try to drive back out of my driveway when this is going on. The worst times are from 5 to 8 at night. It's worse on the weekend. It's worse on Friday. It's worse on Saturday. These people have loud cars that disturb your peace. There are people on little motorbike things that fly through that intersection. They do not stop. Something has to happen. I know you're not gonna give me any answers, but if I don't bring this to your attention, you don't know it's happening.

sold linda thank you as your time is finished uh... and if okay with uh... council member fight this was in charge of the traffic commission she can take this all share your contact information with her and you can discuss this i would also ask its public record you can see the calls for service i have them on a daily basis and what they're facing with the drug addiction with the abuse, the fighting, some of the guns. They are out working every single day. And at some point, these individuals have to be accountable for speeding. It can't be all on the police. And I understand fully. I see it. That's what they are dealing with.

I do want to add that it concerns me that no matter what street I'm on in town, I never see a police car anywhere, everywhere, and I don't feel safe at all. If I don't feel safe, these new people coming into town are not going to feel safe either.

and again i would tell you i appreciate that but i see and we see our officers everywhere but look at the calls for service and uh... you can call in for a public records request i think uh... just come to city hall or call the city hall tomorrow and and i can't have you speak here if you could thank you why are the calls never put in the paper like the county does i can speak for the county does we use it to set our own standard and there all those calls on a daily basis the police are mainly newspaper may not put them in there because the calls for service of pretty detailed and so forth but there is access and i say that for no other reason to know that you say you don't see our officers they are out and keeping you safe on a daily basis because how many shootings how many uh... Individuals that have been harmed really happen in our community Versus others that are going but if okay with you councilwoman ficus will call you for the For the traffic issues at traffic Commission which actually will be tomorrow at 5 5 p.m. At the police station Thank you very much Ismail Ali.

Good evening, mayors and members of the council. My name is Ismail Ali. I currently live on 107 Oakbrook Road. I have some copies of the data I'm going to go over.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right. Good evening, mayor and members of the council. My name is Ismail Ali. I lived here in the port for around six years. I grew up here and moved out a little while back. But I've continued to shadow and volunteer in this area. I'm here to present some data on behalf of the people and families who rely on our health care system. Specifically, I'm here to talk about my recent findings when surveying patients in this area in regard to barriers to accessing mental health care and health care in general. In the survey, I found that nearly 50% of patients felt that it was very difficult to access the proper resources for mental health services. When asked to elaborate, aside from cost, which is an unfortunate reality, the most common issues were wait times and availability, with an astounding 64% citing those as major barriers. Furthermore, another 46% said they were unsure of what to do because they lacked any healthcare guidance. When people and families cannot get appointments or afford care, the condition often worsens until it becomes an emergency, which ultimately strains LaPorte's local police, EMS, and emergency rooms. I respectfully urge the council to take action to improve these conditions in whatever way we can. I believe there are several ways the council can help the people of LaPorte. One of the ways could be creating a committee specifically focused on mental health services and outreach, and helping patients obtain access to mental health care. This could include telehealth options so patients don't have to leave their homes. As I gave to you earlier, I've prepared copies of the data that we collected. I ask that you review them and consider placing local mental health resources on the agenda for a future workshop session. I also plan on presenting these findings to the Health Foundation of La Porte. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your dedication to the well-being of everyone in the community.

I just have a question. Have you reached out to Health Link, Swanson Center? Have you talked to them about their offerings?

I have not. I'm planning on presenting these findings to the Health Foundation specifically, but could you repeat, what were those?

Health Link, Swanson Center, I know just to name two, and we can connect you if you'd like to. Contact them regarding their offerings for mental health support That would be good, thank you, okay That's all thank you any other comments from the council, thank you Standing committee reports councilwoman Huffman Nothing to report this evening Councilwoman ficus as we already said traffic Commission will meet tomorrow July 7th 5 p.m At the police station and then Park Board will have their next meeting on Wednesday July 15th 4 p.m. At the park office Councilman Galloway and thank you for your service as we just celebrated our 250th birthday as a country and thank you for all you've done to keep our safety and freedom

I believe the VFW folk took first place in the parade. There's been a lot of work to it. Of course, I stood away from the work, but they did a lot of work. That's all I got.

Councilman Buchanan.

Nothing to report.

And by the way, I do see as we talk about service, our Boy Scouts are here. Is there anybody who'd like to come forward and speak? We love seeing you here. I think I saw many of you yesterday. I know I saw the uniform is, and I'll call on one of you if you don't come up and offer to speak. If you don't mind following your leader and all of you come forward, come on.

and you can get close uh... good evening and uh... uh... thank you for letting us uh... audit this meeting as part of our i'm sorry as part of the requirements for citizenship in the community merit badges as well as communication merit badge and a first-class requirement is for the young men to uh... participate in a meeting and listen to what happens here for the communication merit badge. Luke, I think you said they had to hear a topic, listen to both sides of the subject, and then determine which side they would like to come down on that and how it affects their community. So both of those merit badges are Eagle required merit badges and these young men are working on that particular merit badge out of the troop. Troop 321 was the very first troop here in La Porte and we've been in La Porte for over 100 years. We were 105 years at the First Baptist Church And then, unfortunately, the church had to be sold, and now we are being chartered by the Episcopal Church here on the corner of St. Paul's. So we have a lot of roots in the community, and you guys have been, this community has been very supportive to scouting. Of course, you know, we have the camp near here, there, Camp Topenibiso. long time being in scouts and part of it. I've been the scout master, fortunately. I've been blessed to be able to be part of it. For 32 years, I was the scout master here now. And so...

Thank you for that service.

I've seen a lot of them come up. But yeah, it is... Wonderful, and we support you and we have we carried the flag now in the parade That we started carrying the flag 25 years ago This was the 25th year that the Boy Scouts have carried the flag in the parade so it's been a while Well, thank you for being here and since communication is a part of this for the Eagles if gentlemen you don't mind coming forward and stating your name and What your project might be

Don't run away. Well, we just want to hear from them anyway. We want to hear their name and come forward. How long have you been with scouting? And state your name for the record.

I'm Andrew Hurley, and I think I've been in scouts for around probably like three, four years. I'm Nicholas Uphold, and I've been in Scouts for four years.

I'm sorry, your name is?

Nicholas Uphold.

Pleasure.

Please.

My name is Luke Beal. I've been in Scouts for probably, since 2020, so probably about six years or so. I'm working towards, I'm looking for Eagle Scout project ideas. Actually, coming up here soon, I'm gonna be, I live right across from the Parks Department, so I'm gonna be going there and potentially discussing if I have any idea for Eagle Scout projects or anything like that. And, yeah.

We've had some great projects done for the Park Department in the past by Eagle Scouts. One was the basketball, what was it, the benches?

Yeah.

At the basketball court?

Yeah, they built the benches there. But the Park Department always, like, loves to have the Boy Scouts help out and do projects. So you'll be very welcomed. Awesome.

Absolutely. Thank you.

My name's Parker, and I'm Parker Gresham. I'm tenderfoot. How long have you been in scouting? I've been in scouts for around two and a half years.

Welcome.

My name is Anthony, and I've been in scouts.

I'm sorry, I can't hear you. Can you move the mic? There you go.

My name's Anthony, and I've been in scouts for, I think, four years.

Excellent. Welcome. And we have one other gentleman. In the back, please come forward.

My name is Emmett Hawkins. I'm a leader. I actually got into this because of Anthony. And I've been around scouts since I was a kid, but this is just my way of giving back.

Thank you for your service, and thanks for all you do to make future leaders the opportunity here. So we appreciate that. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Thank you.

scouts do you mind if we take a quick picture before you leave

It was really good. It was really good. I like it back here.

Okay second and final reading of an ordinance Councilwoman ficus your honor I move to read an ordinance for the second time by title only second motion in a second discussion all in favor aye Opposed? Councilwoman Ficus.

An ordinance establishing a four-way stop at the intersection of Rumley Street and Jefferson Avenue. And like we said before, this is already a two-way stop there. We just wanted to turn it into a four-way stop. That's where Jefferson is wider, and it narrows, and there's a little bit of a curve. So it's kind of an unsafe intersection.

Comments? Do I have a motion?

So moved. Second.

discussion all in favor motion passes Second final reading of an ordinance councilwoman Huffman Thank you.

I would like to read an ordinance by title only for the second time second motion in the second discussion all in favor opposed

Councilwoman Huffman.

Thank you. An ordinance establishing a no parking zone on both sides of Tyler Street from Jefferson Avenue to Maple Avenue. So just to give a little bit of background from last meeting, there is a bank that reconstructed and shifted its site layout and it has created little bit of a safety issue between parked cars and folks pulling out of the parking lot there was actually an accident with one of the contractors so just for a one block area we've been asked for safety to make it no parking comments motion to approve so moved second

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion passes. Second and final reading. Councilman Buchanan.

I make a motion to read an ordinance by the title only for the second time.

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Councilman Buchanan.

An ordinance to vacate alleyway in block one of Andrews addition in the city of La Porte, Indiana.

Comments? Anybody like to speak to this? Mr. Otis, I think you probably were familiar with this.

I think we have. I've been through traffic commission, this is second reading. They put in a lot of work to improve that for their two houses, so I think it was a recommendation of the traffic commission.

Further comments? Do I have a motion?

Second.

Discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. And we actually have had some other alleyways that people are parking in. Does that come through Traffic Commission every time?

Yeah. So in fact, we'll have another one at the next meeting. It didn't get in the newspaper in time for this one. There's a lot, particularly in that area of kind of downtown near the high school that obviously just over time people don't use them or use them improperly or people put sheds up. I mean, there's all kinds of interesting issues that I'm sure you guys at Traffic Commission have seen them too. But yes, they all have to go through Traffic Commission first.

We have a couple people smiling back there that are glad. Thank you for all your work and effort. Government works, so thank you both. Introduction of a resolution. Councilwoman Ficus.

I move to introduce a resolution read for the first and only time in its entirety.

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Councilwoman Ficus.

Resolution for City of La Porte to establish a Ready 2.0 grant fund, Advantix, fund number 2457, Ready 2.0 grant fund downtown, fund number 2459, Ready 2.0 grant fund new YMCA site, fund number 2460, and Ready 2.0 grant fund old YMCA site, fund number 2461. be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of LaPorte, Indiana, that a need exists for the establishment of a Ready 2.0 grant fund, Advantix, fund number 2457, Ready 2.0 grant fund downtown, fund number 2459, Ready 2.0 grant fund new YMCA site, fund number 2460, and Ready 2.0 grant old YMCA site, fund number 2461, for the purpose of processing invoices and or receipts of revenues for the purposes set forth in the Ready 2.0 grant documents. Section one, Ready 2.0 grant fund, ADVANIX fund number 2457, is to be used to facilitate the provisions of the grant documents through the Indiana Housing Initiative. ADVANIX Lake Point project for funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, Ready 2.0. Section two. Ready 2.0 grant fund downtown, fund number 2459, is to be used to facilitate the provisions of the grant documents through the Indiana Housing Initiative, support implementation of the LaPorte Downtown Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative project for the funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, Ready 2.0. Section three, Ready 2.0 grant fund, new YMCA site, fund number 2460, to be used to facilitate the provisions of the grant documents through the Indiana Housing Initiative Laporte YMCA new site project for funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative Ready 2.0. Section 4 Ready 2.0 grant fund old YMCA site fund number 2461 is to be used to facilitate the provisions of the grant documents through the Indiana Housing Initiative Laporte YMCA Old Site Project for funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative Ready 2.0. End of resolution.

So this resolution can pass this evening. This resolution allows for creating of the funds that we've been pre-approved for with the IEDC, which includes Advantix, which is affordable housing through Scott Field, Washington School, the old school building at Sacred Heart. the new ymca building that will be hopefully housed on the north side in fox park and also near downtown housing which will also include some affordability and then as well the acquisition of the current or which will become the old ymc site that I think, well, you've heard me say for years now, would be a great site for affordable senior housing, and this just creates the funds that we've been pre-approved for.

It essentially creates the accounts, not the money. The accounts, correct. Some people.

They're called funds, but yeah, you're right, absolutely. Further comments? Motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Other business, I'd just like to thank everybody that participated over the past many days as a part of the 250th birthday of our country. We are the capital for the day for a reason. All our departments that made a contribution just a fantastic quality of life over these many days here, and the parade as well, Kiwanis. It just was a fantastic time for everyone, so thank you to everybody.

A motion to adjourn. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Opposed? We are adjourned and go USA, correct?

7 p.m. against the Belgians.

The big game. Thank you.