Common Council - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call the City of La Porte Common Council meeting to order. It is 6.02. Let's begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Representative McCann, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call. Clerk Treasurer Parthoon.

Councilman Buchanan. Here. Councilman Konejny. Present. Councilwoman West.

Here.

Councilman Franke. Here. Councilwoman Huffman. Here. Councilwoman Ficus. Present. Councilman Galloway.

Here.

All present.

Approval of the July 20th, 2026 meeting minutes.

I'd like to make a motion to approve the

Minutes is presented second motion in the second discussion All in favor aye opposed motion passes petitions and comments citizens and I've asked Mike Riley to come here to discuss what has in my opinion gotten out of hand personal attacks on individuals family tragedies is embarrassing to our community over information that I'm not aware of that is out there of things that are happening. So I've asked Mike Riley hopefully to address the facts of anything for the council before we get into public comment.

Yes, good evening council. Mike Riley with the Port Economic Advancement Partnership. There has been a lot of conversation. I just want to bring some clarity to what's happening thus far. So first of all the only thing that's been approved with the Monroe Street project or development is the closure of Monroe Street through the Traffic Commission approval and the Board of Works approval. So that's from north of Lincoln Way south of State Street. It's pending, it's pending state approval of the design. There are no other approvals in place. There will still be access to both parking lots through State Street, so I wanna make that clear. Both parking lots will have full access through State Street. The next steps are to meet and we have a meeting tomorrow with several business owners and we've met with a few business owners already to talk out how the project looks moving forward. I think the key thing to understand here is ultimately this development which was created through the Heart of La Porte plan originally was to beautify the downtown area and to attract people to our local business area in the downtown and create more activity. we have no intention of jeopardizing parking spaces and parking options so as this process evolves we're going to take our best efforts to work with folks who are concerned our local businesses to make sure that they their their thoughts concerns are heard as we go further into this project that's the basics and are you making yourself available

We've got to have a business organization that businesses discuss and not go to social media. So you can contact me. I mean, they can go to social media after all they want.

Right. And I've talked to a few of the business owners. I'm sure a few that will express concern tonight. always give me a call as this project moves forward. As anything develops, I will, I will answer any questions. You can contact me at leap at any time. You can contact me. All my contact information is on that site. Mike R at LaPorte partnership.com 219-324-8584. Councilwoman West is also part of this process as well as the planner, Craig Phillips. I'm sure they would address any concerns and answer any questions as well.

But there's, all types of public voices that are going to be heard?

Yes, yes. Through? That is a promise. Through informational sessions, through private meetings, we're going to coordinate that process. Any effects to that area are not anywhere immediate. all is to enhance the downtown. And it takes funding as well, which I've expressed to some folks I've already talked to, so that's part of this process as well. So that ultimately is going to be taken care of throughout this process, and every person's voice will be heard.

Questions for council? And again, a lot of questions for you that are still needing to be asked or that you have. So this is the initial discussion stage and Annette Leffler showed, like this was a discussion in 1980.

Yes, it's been, obviously we've had several traffic studies and everybody understands the concern for parking availability in the downtown and we as well. But we also express the concerns of we wanna get our people downtown to have local walkability, traffic, get into the local businesses and hopefully they thrive. And we're gonna do our best to make a compromise into how that happens and ultimately I think it's gonna be a win for everybody.

I think the biggest misconception and thank you for clearing it up is that I think people thought we were shutting it down closing the parking lots doing like all at once so just to know that this is just the closure and we're still going to have meetings and public input and everything I think that's That's a great thing. So that we just do it step by step slowly that everybody knows and everybody's involved.

And we're working with a consultant as well. So ultimately that consultant will be helping us advise. And I think there might even have been a rendering out there that's showing different aspects of enhancements. It's not even a true full rendering. The only true rendering that we have is for the initial closure of Monroe Street and trying to develop that streetscape around that. And we're going to share that with the group that we're meeting with tomorrow. So hopefully that'll answer some questions for them as well.

other comments no and I think we've made it clear to the business owners that we have had a chance to meet with that this is not something that is going to happen tomorrow this is a discussion that has to start somewhere and we've started that and so it takes time to pull everything together and share that information with everyone

And we intend on meeting with you all in depth as well.

And I would ask the UEA, the council, through your progress, through the business owners, the hate, the nastiness, somehow we have got to be able to sit down and discuss the different things. Every time you don't get, or you get a complaint, or the mayor's office gets a complaint about a business, we don't go putting that out publicly. We get them all the time. We're trying to help. The same, I'm gonna ask the same of you. If you get, you know, be professional and sit and listen to alternative ideas, but I'm gonna ask the business owners to please do the same, that we can all sit down at the table and have discussions. Maybe nothing comes out of it. Like I said, I still wanna focus on truck traffic. That's my focus, but I, We gotta be able to sit and chat and disagree respectfully.

It's an important topic. I got some messages yesterday that were not fun, but it's part of the game, right?

So did I. Any other questions? So did I.

So this is approved through Board of Works, not Council?

This is through Board of Works, but the council needs to have a review of all this because obviously we want everybody or the UEA, and you've got a council representative right here. The two of them have been the leads on whether that closes officially or not. So I know there's more discussion. It was in the heart of the report plan well before this administration.

And then another plan well before that.

It would also take funding, it would also take other things to even make this happen.

But again, anybody can contact me, I'd be glad to answer any questions or talk in more depth.

Thank you. Teresa Caldwell, and please state your name and address for the record.

I'm Teresa Caldwell. I own Mama T's Diner at 607 Lincoln Way. Before you start my timed thing can I address.

Each person is under three minutes.

OK. Then I'll start with this. Good morning Mayor or good evening Mayor Dermody and members of the council. I want to discuss the closure of Monroe Street and the impending demolition of the downtown parking lot be it three years five years 15 years. The city claims this project is about bringing business downtown but a downtown is not defined by brick pavers artificial turf or seasonal ice rinks. a downtown is defined by its consumers and right now this proposal completely leaves out the consumer experience our local economy survives on simple daily convenience when you close monroe street and pair it with the looming destruction of our main parking lot you create an instant vehicle dead zone in our historic core You are telling the working mom who is trying to pick up a timed dinner, the mobility impaired citizen who cannot walk blocks in the freezing Indiana winter, and the daily commuter who is just running a quick errand that their convenience no longer matters. When you make it a logistical nightmare to access our storefronts, customers will not fight the gridlock. They will bypass our historic district entirely and take their money to the big box highway corridors. Without consumers, you don't have a downtown. What makes this situation even more painful is that the city is ignoring its own expert data. The city's own Walker Consultants Parking Study states that any major changes to downtown parking and infrastructure require a public private stakeholder buy in. We were not discussed. Monroe Street was never brought to our attention. It recommends that you have the consensus and consent of the merchants on the ground before moving forward. You do not have my buy-in and you do not have my backing. Proceeding anyways directly violates the guidelines of your own study. Look around us right now. We're already managing a reality of multiple empty buildings and vacant storefronts. If you force this project through, you will not revitalize this block. You will just create more empty buildings by bankrupting the businesses who are still here. As our elected public servants, it is your duty to protect the living, breathing people who fund this city, not an outside grant blueprint. If a grant forces you to destroy your own local businesses, you always have the option to relinquish those funds, turn the money down, or look elsewhere. No amount of money is worth the survival of your neighbors' livelihoods. Please look at us as your neighbors. Keep Monroe Street open, stop the impending closure of our downtown parking, and protect our consumer lifeblood. Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Riley, I'm going to ask you to step forward because I am totally not been directly involved of a demolition of a parking lot. I've heard that on several occasions. And I don't know if Teresa was here in 2019 as a part of the heart of the... LaPorte plan to be involved in that? I know the public, there was no negative comments on that whatsoever, but is there any discussion, have you brought up or have you brought up, we just gotta get the clarity of a demolition of a parking lot.

I'm assuming it means developing the parking lot that there's going to just rip up the parking lot. That is not the case, that is not, there's been no discussion around that, no.

And the only thing I've heard, and to their points, is how do we have more parking? You all are about a parking garage, which I don't necessarily like the concept of a big monstrosity as a parking lot, but I mean, as a parking garage, I'm just trying to understand again, This is invaluable. I don't think we need, you guys can overrule, but I don't think we need a big monstrosity parking garage that I continue to hear about. It would be expensive. But I would just ask if there's some confusion. Handicapped seniors continue to have access like they would if there's any change to that.

We've been approached by those who have handicapped accessibility issues. That's part. And there's not much handicapped accessible parking in that area now. There's one in the parking lot. But basically the idea would be to enhance that as well because people have expressed concerns about that.

If I can add. The first I even heard of any of this was from a text of a social media post. I'd never had any discussion about parking except for the need for parking and how we're looking to try to add some and make sure that cars are moving, not just being left there constantly. So we've been making sure that our codes are being enforced so that the cars can turn over so the businesses can have open spots. I would be a little more concerned as I travel that area a lot. There are cars parked there constantly that never get moved. So I would think that businesses should get together and see what cars are just left there constantly to open those lots up for more parking.

And we had bigger complaints about the county parking for longer than two hours than anybody else. And they were taking up the entire Michigan Ave and other areas which caused the big brouhaha.

I mean hopefully in the discussions with business owners that'll all come out in terms of I'm sure there is our issues with with cars being parked there unauthorized I mean it's it's probably a combination of everything and I think just having those discussions hopefully bring some information out that we come to a good conclusion of like I said hope the hope is to make it a better space for our community I mean We talk about other communities and how they have centralized space in their downtowns, and that's the idea, right? And we do understand we have a parking issue, so that's got to be a consideration when we consider all this, so for sure.

So with all due respect, I just want to state the presentation that was given to the Traffic Commission, there were a few renderings. The first one was the closure of the 12 spots on Monroe Street, and then the subsequent renderings eliminated those parking lots. So if anybody was at Traffic Commission, I don't know what was presented to Board of Works that wasn't present for that meeting, but it turned into a green space and other things not accessible by automobiles. So the fact that, I mean, it's a little, I guess, confusing to me that it seems the long-term mission is to make that a community center for pedestrians or folks that are gonna stay and gather versus spots for automobiles. So I guess there is confusion out there and maybe that rendering's completely off and we're just freeing up those 12 spaces. So if there's a misunderstanding, then I too misunderstood that.

And that could be the renderings from the 2019.

No, there was multiple renderings, but that was one rendering, yes, that had a band ice skating rink, sort of a figure eight ice skating rink with some outdoor dining, some different things. But that is not a final rendering. and that's what my concern that was also with the understanding that there would be other parking options so considering the fact that trust me if i have a local business i want parking in front of my business right everybody does right or near it because that's your traffic right and i completely understand that so that's The compromise so there was the rendering that I think has gotten to the traffic commission and others. We've got it. We've got just the Monroe Street project which is where we're focused at now because it takes significant dollars to get that accomplished. But I think ultimately understanding how that traffic flow is going to be and we're going to work through that for sure.

in my comment during traffic commission is that I'm not opposed per se to the picture of the plan but if we're talking about in that rendering page two and three that was eliminating demolishing converting whatever verb we want to use here of the current parking lot into more green space my concern was then where do people park and it's well we'll figure that out I don't want to hand over basically unknowns to another council, to the future, to figure out funding, to figure out logistically where potential additional parking's gonna come. So it would be great if we had more parking. My concern is eliminating parking. So from the 12 spots to an additional possible 48, that's quite substantial in a downtown that is perceived to already struggle with parking.

Well, before, you know, when you say we'll figure it out, it's not like we're gonna figure it out when we get there. We are planning to figure out this before decisions are made ahead of time. And with all due respect to the business owners that we have talked to, I happen to be out downtown Thursday, and I live right there. And it caught my attention, and I took a ton of pictures of all the empty spots And then again, I was out on Saturday morning about 9.23 and I took them again and there were so many empty parking spots. And like I said, I have pictures which I'll be gladly to share with everyone. But when we came to the business owners I would like to think if I'm taking that time to come and talk to business owners, if when I leave and if they still have a question or a problem, that they reach out to me to see if I could find out the answers instead of going to social media. I mean, I know if I don't say this I will regret this tonight when I go to bed I don't appreciate somebody going on social media and bringing up the tragedy of my son just because of a conversation I had with the business owner I don't appreciate that I don't think anybody who I don't think anybody would do that. And I'm not going to mention any names, which I clearly could. I will not do that. I don't operate that way. We are here to do what's best for our city and our community. And we understand all you business owners, this is your livelihood. I understand that. But I also understand what...

I would like to know.

Hold on. No, we're not going to do that here. We're not going to do that here.

we as a council have to think about what's best for everybody, not one particular business or another particular business. I mean, I spent another half hour on the phone today speaking with somebody and trying to explain the situation as well. So we are taking the time, we are available to talk, but it's really not a very comfortable feeling knowing that as soon as you walk out of a meeting that you thought went well, And they turn around and they're bashing you on social media. I don't appreciate that. That's not right. I don't do that to anyone. Or I could mention the name right now. I will not do that. I will not do that.

Ms. West, we're not going to do that. So thank you. But to your point about renderings, I mean, we've seen things where people want to knock out the three buildings on Washington Street and turn it. parking I mean there are ideas that people are continually bringing up that as we look at the big picture of parking because you have the county individuals all parking which were protective of the business owners not having County people parked there that aren't shopping not eating not doing those things so I just want to make sure that tomorrow it can hopefully start where all of you have conversation with all the business owners to figure out what can the city do to help.

Absolutely. Just so the council knows, I'm hopeful for the conversations. I would rather sit down face to face with folks and find out what their thoughts are. No stones thrown, just get it on the table, find out what is best. Actually, I'm looking for this more of an information session, brainstorming session on, hey, how do we accomplish both? How do we get the amenities downtown? To your point with the renderings, the renderings are what consultants do. They show you what other communities have and how they look and what effect it's had on their community. So that's what they're utilizing to present to us. And then obviously it changes and adjusts based on the need and based on conversation. So that's what we're going through now. Like I said, I'm not throwing stones. I'm from here. No, none of us are going to do that. I've been on the UVA for longer than I can remember.

And maybe Monroe to state doesn't close, okay? But we can have kind, honest conversation. Charity is the only other one besides me that wants truck traffic off Lincoln Way. I mean, and that's a big support to business, but you are the only one. So I don't know how this suddenly became...

Such a big topic, but that's why the solution let's get back So, thank you.

Yes, I will have to share Galloway Roger Up, I don't live uptown.

I don't see much of the splash pad. Are they actually using that very much? I

We've had a lot of individuals that had to be removed from the splash pad that allowed children to feel comfortable with their parents to go in there and enjoy it, and I think we've started to see more of an increase than in the past years.

Okay, because I was going to say, what's the matter with that? Move this sucker across the street and let people...

Well, there's just more more to that plan that I think everyone needs to hear and learn about and I did send an email a couple weeks ago to our Council Council members kind of with a brief description and saying please reach out to me if you have any questions Some of them have done that but we also you know, all of us have full-time jobs as well So timing sometimes doesn't work out to where we can get and talk to everybody or everyone, I should say. And so, I mean, things like this take time and for people to jump right away and be so reactive before they hear everything and then respond after that, I think everything would go much smoother.

So the other part of that, just as you talk tomorrow and we're taking time because you deserve it, we deserve it after what's happened over the last 48 hours. There's also, as a part of that Heart of La Porte plan, if truck traffic is off Lincoln Way and the city gains control of Lincoln Way, shrinkage of roads and slowing traffic down is in that plan. So if you've not seen that plan, I would make sure that you're reviewing that, and I think many of you were involved in that as a part of the Heart of La Porte plan, I believe. is make sure you're prepared and updated on that as well. So if that ever does happen, everybody's ahead of the game. So you might want to bring that tomorrow, a copy of that as well. Dean White, state your name and address for the record.

My name is Dean White, 3066 North Highway 35, LaPorte, Indiana. uh... here in regards to the monroe street closure i believe that the closure harms my restaurant building more than any other building on that block uh... it's not the same as it is a lawyer's office or bookstore or residential housing uh... which is being added with the five-story building next door across the street on lincoln way uh... where those people going to be parking And the restaurant takes deliveries on Monroe Street in the middle of the length of the Monroe Street. So that will cause a problem. I fought for months to get a 15-minute to-go order pickup space on Monroe Street. That's going to be gone. And Kevin from Four Season Asian Fusion, he's overly concerned. Where are the patrons going to park to come to the restaurant? So I need more clarification and understanding. I know that there was a motion made, you know at the Board of Works And you seconded Tom. Yes to close it. So I Don't want to wake up one morning and it's closed. I

Well, Dean, and I think you were not at the Traffic Commission meeting when we went to three-hour parking downtown and discussed that. You were not there. No. And that's the discussion. You can't blame all the people that are involved. And Carol Ficus is the head of that. You've got to be involved. And that's been discussed leading up to those meetings. So we're encouraging everybody as much as possible to And I did support it, it makes sense to me, but the council still has to see it. It's been part of a plan, so I would encourage you to be involved with the traffic commission when they're talking about changing from two hours to three hours, or what does the downtown look like in parking?

Well, most importantly is deliveries to the restaurant. and to go pick up orders. If I have to close a restaurant and turn it into a bookstore or something, I'm not going to be happy.

And I'd also remind the Taco Fest, every restaurant downtown was packed along with the actual Monroe Street. So everybody benefited downtown. Because if you didn't... And I don't want to wait from you're gonna have to come forward but no, it's If we're not seeing red door we can go through to see who was packed that night of a Friday Night Live of to the Hispanic restaurant that's on the other side. And everywhere in between, people were everywhere. So that's what we're trying to generate. At this point, let her roll. Don't do anything. Clearly. So, Rick Ogle.

Rick Ogle, 1902 Indiana Ave. I've been listening to this. This is the first time I've even heard about this. In the, I think it was in the 80s or early 90s, one of the mayors wanted to put on State Street the center for parking parallel and driving through on either side. And my thought was delivery. We have the only, I'm sorry, I owned two properties on Michigan Ave, 603 and 605 Michigan, which is directly on the other side of Monroe Street in that area. The delivery trucks used to be able to come into and leave from either State Street or Lincoln Way. Now, if you're closing, it seems to me, if you're closing that block, where the delivery is going to be able to be made. Semis cannot get into and out of that alley. There's no way. I had the mayor down there, and she finally decided, yeah, there's no room. You can't get in off of Lincoln Way. You can't get out. of State Street with something in the center. Where are you going to put all these delivery trucks? Are they going to be parked on State Street or on Michigan Ave?

Okay, that's enough of that for me. Or will there be access, which they talked about, for trucks to get in and out?

To get in and out on Monroe Street?

On Monroe. How are they closing, Rick? How are they closing it so trucks can't get in? How are they gonna do that? How is the city closing the street? So that the trucks can't get in.

That was an example I was giving you.

No, but I'm saying how will the trucks not be able to get in and out if the road's closed? There's no access whatsoever.

Where are they going to be, if the street is open, How are they going to sweep in or sweep out?

So there's no access to that, correct?

So there might not be because there's going to be so much more traffic. Because we don't know yet.

That's how open this is to have the discussion.

I just brought that up. Correct. Now, something on personal note. Does anyone have an update on Indiana Avenue? They started, they milled the street in front of my house and up to four tenths of a mile is probably what they did. And I'm living in a mud hole. It's either mud, it's either dirt, or it's dust. And they did that April 2nd, I think.

No updates. Well, I mean, to your specific home?

It's not my specific home. If anyone's driven down that street lately, you can see what's not happening.

Did NDOT give you an update? Obviously, it's an NDOT project. Did you go to NDOT?

No, I did not go to NDOT. I came to the city.

I would highly recommend talking to NDOT. It's their project. We can call them from here if you want to come here. No, that's fine. To make sure that we get that update.

Rick, do you still have that letter that was sent to homeowners? I can't speak too much on it because I'm a completely different department. Oh, I understand. But the person who was in charge, I can't think of the name. Matt? No, it was.

From Passion?

Yes.

Matt.

Matt.

Matt.

Matt Aquino, maybe? Matt Aquino.

I think that's who you need to talk to. Well-

I'm not the only one that's concerned about it.

I'm just saying that's the only name that I associate with this project.

If someone could publicly say something, I think that would be even better. And the last thing, since they finished the two blocks to Lincoln Way, the stoplights are not very well coordinated. i'm not looking at you that's not your department i'm just saying did you say that semis cannot get down the alleyway on our on that on our block they don't anymore hardly hardly any of them the bigger ones do not they park out on on state street They park on, I don't know if you've seen them park on Michigan Ave. But they do.

No, but I've seen them park in our alley. And I sometimes do have to wait until they move, which I'm okay with. But they do come down that alley. I see them.

Oh, I know that. I'm not saying they always do it.

And I'm not complaining because they need to deliver. I understand that completely.

You know, I was in that business for over 40 years. Yes, you were. So I got a little more experience at it than you do.

Well, I'm just saying what I see in my back alley.

That's the only back alley there is. Okay. Mr. Riley, if you want to address.

Rick, sorry, I just have one more suggestion. If you are not familiar with the INDOT customer service line 855 INDOT 4U, call and make a request that they check the signal timing at that intersection, and it will go to our traffic department, and they will send someone out there to check the timing, and if it's off, they will fix it. Say it again. 855, INDOT, and then four, like the actual four, and then you. 855, INDOT, for you. Okay, we've got it.

Hey, Rick, and also just, again, we've mentioned it before, is if you come during the day to the engineering department, they can give you an update.

Well, it all depends on what time IT time is.

I know. I'm surprised they're not updating homeowners as they go, though, and I thought They would receive communication, no?

They're all right there, so, working. Yeah, but they got somebody. Matt Aquino. Matt Aquino is the representative that handles that project, and I'm gonna make sure he gets Rick's number direct here.

Matt may not be happy with that. I know.

Real quick just on the deliveries. So part of the design that was sent down to the state for approval has designated delivery zones on both ends of the street. So on Lincoln Way which is not there currently and on State Street. So so big trucks will be able to pull through park at those ends and make it be able to make deliveries which might. It's arguable right. But it might sort of dissipate some of the. We have we have an office in a building downtown. I know Bert and I have to stop and pull off. parking other lots or on the street because there's their semi air delivery trucks and those kind of things going back and forth so we understand the dilemma right but this may allow them to park in designated zones on each end of the street instead of even parking in the middle Monroe Street to make those deliveries so just wanted to express that to you that's all thank you thank you Mike George Callis welcome George

And this is the last signature that we have for... Nothing bad.

Mr. Otis, Ms. Parthoom, Mr. Phillips, thank you for answering my grant questions. Okay. Mr. Dermody, no, Mayor Dermody. I've seen two police cars in our neighborhood in the last three weeks. I've seen the sweepers. Fantastic. Okay. Now, Mr. Buchanan. good article in the paper you went behind the scenes and saw the second side of everything about the school you went behind the scenes at the school okay george got a big mouth sometimes he doesn't see the other side of everything okay did i say my name never mind i thought that was good and i'm guilty for not saying things properly and if i say something wrong right now i'm sure somebody will correct me Now everybody sitting here, take your little politic hats off, put on your citizen hats. Pretend like you're sitting on this side, okay? Okay? The new YMC grant, YMCA, the new part. okay i'm not sure it's the best thing but we can live with that that's okay 38 acres for free is going to the y and i assume i'm guessing that we're they're going to turn around and give us the old why i'm i'm guessing i don't know that i'm not seeing no yeses or no no so okay for affordable senior living we hope well that's what it's going to be right free for free

We hope for senior, affordable senior living. Free for free. Everything is still being negotiated. Okay.

But the other part's free. The 38 acres is free, okay. It's more of a long-term lease.

$1 for 100 years.

Okay.

The old YMCA day, we're using that grant to tear it down, I assume. is what we're going to get the grant for. We don't have it yet. No, the $5 million? No, the $5 million is for the new one. For the new one. And we opened up an account for the new one, which we don't have yet, but that's what it's going to be for.

Yes, a grant fund, yes.

Correct?

Okay, all right. For senior living. But this building, you said this will not be demoed. That won't be demoed? Hopefully not. You've got developers that have converted many old YMCAs into seniors.

I thought it was going to come completely down and start fresh. Not as of right now. It's in the talks, it sounds like. The BID grant, is that properly said? Sounds okay. You're taking care of the owners downtown. As long as that money doesn't go to a contractor for shoveling snow off the sidewalks because how do i have a word here you're shoveling sidewalks in lincoln that's the landlord's job but the city is being nice to the business owners that's how i look at it okay that's how i'm looking at it on this side of the word city's being nice to shovel stuff but they shouldn't advantage grant confusing and wrong the city's buying city's going to buy sacred heart church The city's gonna buy Washington School. In my opinion, that shouldn't happen. We have too many properties right now that the city owns that they could use without buying nothing. The city owns, let me see, make sure I got it right here.

That also has infrastructure for housing.

We don't need to buy it. Why spend money on something we don't need? The old bus garage, it's sitting there doing nothing for five years, I'm guessing. I don't know. You got plans for it, I guess, but nothing's happening. You got room for 20 houses on there at least. Okay?

The school still owns the bus garage.

I thought that was a flip-flop.

The city owns 1.3 acres.

There's also oil issues that I don't think you want to put children in and housing.

How about is there no oil on... the new YMCA plant, they're digging to check the soil, right? They're checking the soil. Or contamination. Same thing, oil contamination, okay. How about that worthless building on Washington Street, it's all dilapidated. That could hold 10 buildings, 10 houses. It looks like nothing and it doesn't seem like you're using nothing except you got new windows in it. Just a thought, okay. And why haven't they even done Scott Field? Scott Field was approved. What, a year ago, two years ago? That should have been done by now. You should have had that, house is there already. I don't know, is it because Advantix didn't want to do one little hearing and come back for another one? Or it takes the state process.

I would encourage you to sit down with Representative Pressel and talk to him about the ready grant process.

Well, okay.

You have to follow the state's process.

Maybe we don't need it. Maybe they should just get it themselves and we don't help them. Okay, am I done? Say goodbye, George.

Thanks, George, as always. Standing Committee reports, President Franke.

Well, real quick, before we move on regarding the parking, I just want to make sure I understand it correctly, but permanent closure would have to come before the council, correct? Board of Works can do temporary closure, which is what occurred.

Correct. Correct. There's temporary closures for the events but at some point you would have to approve an ordinance to close the street as well.

And for the record we have not voted on that. Correct. Nor do we have it on the agenda anytime soon. All right. Let me get off that subject redevelopment commission met last Wednesday they voted to expand the Boyd Boulevard economic development TIF area to include the newly annexed thirteen hundred acre phase two property from Microsoft. That will go to the plan commission then to us and then we'll return to RDC for a final vote in September. Twenty thousand dollars is authorized or up to twenty thousand for. Craig DeVault to assess and plan environmental remediation on the remaining 10 acres of Newport Landing to support hopefully future private retail development and fourteen thousand nine hundred dollar contract was approved for a diver to basically expand the sewer which I found interesting. and other than that, money was moved around, bills were paid, and that's all I have.

Councilwoman Huffman.

I do not have anything to report this evening.

Councilwoman Ficus.

Traffic Commission meets tomorrow, August 4th, 5 p.m. at the police station, and Park Board will have their next meeting on Wednesday, August 19th, 4 p.m. at the park office.

Can you please tell everyone thank you for Lake Fest? It was unbelievable all weekend, and the park staff worked their butts off.

Thank you Councilman Galloway Our biggest night fell through for Patton Cemetery. We didn't have some stuff on our Gaming license, but they got contributions together and handling the more That's that's all they once said about it. They don't want any names brought up or anything. I

Roger, that's amazing, and I'm going to tell you, the veterans group, and thank you for that. Patent Cemetery is not the city's responsibility, but how it's gone, it will eventually be the city's responsibility. So we chose, I chose to be engaged because people, especially the veterans and their families that have to deal with situations at Patton's right now and Scott Harris has done more than has been asked of him but it's not fair to put it all on his back. So we've been cleaning it up, trees, cleaning out trees and then also working towards other funding options for the long term. Obviously you've heard the story years and years ago Someone stole money from Patton Cemetery and so they've been struggling ever since. All I've asked is Patton Cemetery, you can't continue to do the same things and expect different results, is get a new board in there that is monitoring what's going on and that people can feel safe that their loved ones that are there are respected. So thank you, Roger. That molar is in such, it's been such needed for a long time.

Most of the people that did this was on the Mayor's Veterans Committee. So thank you.

Councilwoman West.

Plan commission will meet Tuesday, August 11th at 6 o'clock in city chambers. Fire merit commission will meet Wednesday, August 5th at 630 at fire station number one. UEA will meet on the 19th at 4 o'clock, also here in city chambers. And bid board will meet on the 10th at 5 o'clock, also here in city chambers.

Councilman Buchanan.

The only thing I have is an update on the Indiana AFT project. Is... I did receive a message from a neighbor north of Mr. Ogle on Thursday saying that their house was being shaken from grinding the road. So I think they're doing something, but that's the only thing I...

They were doing it at 515 in the morning as I got a call from that homeowner at 515 on Friday Asking me to stop construction. I said it's the state so Councilwoman Konechny the airport authority will meet next Wednesday, August 12th at 515 at the airport Thank you second final reading of an ordinance councilwoman Huffman I would like to introduce an ordinance read for the second time by title only second second Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Councilwoman Huffman.

An ordinance to vacate a street or roadway in the city of La Porte, Indiana. This is in reference to an alley adjacent to 807 5th Street to 4th Street in the block between H Street and I Street.

Councilwoman Ficus, would you remind everyone about this?

I have a little bit. I think Attorney Otis has a little more, but they came before Traffic Commission. The alley is rarely used. All of the neighbors were notified. It seems pretty straightforward.

Comments? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Second final reading, Councilman Buchanan.

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

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion?

All in favor?

Aye. Opposed? Councilman Buchanan.

An ordinance amending ordinance number 16-2025 and ordinance number 23-2025, fixing salaries of appointed officers and employees of the city of LaPorte for the year 2026 for the mayor's budget, civic auditorium, MVH, water, and sewage departments.

And I want to remind everybody, again, we've got to... treat this like a business when the state cuts twenty five percent of our revenue what this is a basically our efficiencies were sharing employees doing multiple things we have to live and we have thanks to our clerk treasurer live within our means uh... live within the budget and doing the appropriate things like all of you do in business or at your job and uh... this allows us flexibility and efficiencies As a part of that so do I have a motion to approve Second comments All in favor aye opposed motion passes public hearing an introduction of an ordinance council president Frankie I Move to read an ordinance in its entirety for the first time second motion in the second discussion all in favor aye opposed council president

Frankie. An ordinance of the Common Council of the City of La Porte, Indiana, annexing to and bringing within the city limits of La Porte, Indiana, and amending the zoning ordinance for property located in Pleasant Township, contiguous herewith. Name of petition, the La Porte Assembly of God, Inc., FKA Church Pentecostal Assembly, God of Inc., Parcel ID 46-11-7-326-4.00-057, address East Boyd Boulevard, La Porte, Indiana, 46350, 15 acres. Current zoning, A, agriculture. Proposed zoning, M1, light, industrial. Statement of purpose and intent a petition for voluntary annexation and for the zoning of a total of 15 plus or minus acres located in Pleasant Township LaPorte County has been filed by all owners of the land in the territory sought to be annexed and zoned. It is the intent and purpose of this ordinance to annex this territory to the city of LaPorte Indiana and to establish a zoning district for this territory. Now therefore be it ordained by the Common Council the city of LaPorte Indiana as follows. Section 1 the parcel of real estate described in Exhibit A situated in LaPorte County Indiana being contiguous by more than one eighth of its aggregate external boundaries with the present boundaries of the city of LaPorte Indiana shall be and hereby is annexed to and brought within the city of LaPorte. Section two, that the boundaries of the City of La Porte, Indiana shall be and are hereby declared to be extended so as to include the real estate of the parcel described in exhibit A as part of the City of La Porte, Indiana. Section three, ordinance number 13-27 as amended, which ordinance is commonly known as the zoning ordinance of the city of La Porte, Indiana, be and the same hereby is amended in order that the zoning classification of the real estate described in exhibit A, with the exception of all adjacent rights of way in the city of La Porte, La Porte County, state of Indiana, be and the same is hereby established as M1 light industrial provided, however, that the required established and stated procedures for review of such zoning classification by the area plan commission have been fully satisfied. Section four, this ordinance shall be in full force in effect 30 days from and after its passage by the common council, approval by the mayor and legal publication. End of ordinance.

This is an ordinance that cannot pass this evening. Burt Cook, Leap, please come forward and explain.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council, Bert Cook, Executive Director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership. Just to orient us, we're talking about 15 acres that is immediately due west of the Microsoft first phase parcel. I would think if I were sitting in your seats, one of the things that you might ask me is, haven't we already done this? As we've considered, recently completed an annexation on 1,300 acres. At the time that that annexation was completed, we couldn't annex in both directions. So obviously the the East annexation has occurred This is the singular parcel that goes to the West and so if you remember you've probably you've not probably you've most certainly looked at numerous site plans over the last year or so and on every one of those site plans this parcel has been included you've seen it as part of the site plan and but again for mechanically the annexation couldn't occur until the other annexation was complete the parcel itself and appreciate the church the city viewed from early on in this project in partnership with Microsoft that this parcel made a really good buffer to residential that is west of it or along 35 and so that is the intention for this parcel it is going to be a buffer from development that will go on in the parcels that Microsoft is obviously building on as we speak. I did have a question from a neighbor over the weekend which I thought was a good question and I suggested I bring it up to you this evening because I'm sure other people would have a similar question and that was, uh... if the properties only gonna be used as a buffer why change the zoning uh... which is obviously something you see here the plan commission as you remember makes a recommendation on zoning and then ultimately as you annex the property if you choose to do so uh... you determine the zoning at that point the reason that the the zoning needs to changes all these parcels that microsoft owns will be one large assemblage when it's all said and done uh... you can't have multiple zoning classifications within that assemblage you obviously wouldn't be able to determine what's the end of an industrial zoning versus an agricultural zoning. So that's why the zoning change has to occur. The site plans that we've shown over and over again at every meeting clearly articulate this as a buffer to that residential. We think that serves the need very, very well. As a reminder of this process, again, I know you all have been through this numerous times, but you have your public hearing tonight. Plan Commission meets on August 11th, where they will hear this and ultimately make a recommendation on zoning, which will come back to you on August 17th for your consideration and decision on annexation. This evening with me tonight in just a moment I'm gonna introduce Bill Nelson who is counsel for the church and Bill can share a little bit more about their process and how we got here We also have Chris Silas Andrew Blomfeld and Clotilde LeBroy from Microsoft who you are Obviously well acquainted with if there are any questions that either I can't answer or attorney Nelson can't answer then happy to bring some of the Microsoft folks up to do so and so with that i'll close my comments and introduce bill nelson who is the attorney for the church welcome mr nelson thank you uh what bert said

It's a pleasure to be back here, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, Councilor Otis, Clerk, Treasurer, Harthoon. It's good to see you all again. My name is Bill Nelson. I'm a lawyer with the law firm of Bray, G. Nelson & James in Michigan City. Our client tonight that our office represents is the LaPorte Assembly of God Incorporated, formerly known as Church Pentecostal Assembly of God Incorporated. With me tonight is one of the representatives of the leadership, Dr. Rex Bailey is here tonight. Pastor Coleman is out of town. You'll see him in two weeks. But Dr. Bailey is part of the eldership and the leadership team that leads the assembly there on Boyd Boulevard. I can talk about this project a whole lot because you already know about it. You've heard about this project numerous times to the point that you probably know it as good as Microsoft does. My client here tonight, the church, wants to sell 15 acres on the west side of the property. We have a vicinity map. Thank you, Esco. The green The little green mark there is the 15 acres. It sits immediately south of the church and the church parking lot. The north side of the church borders Boyd Boulevard. And then the Microsoft first phase is immediately to the east. And then the western border of the 15 acres backs up to some residential homes that are off 35. The project itself has been in the works as part of this entire process with Microsoft as Mr. Cook said. I've heard people say oh now they're looking for more property. That is not the case. In fact here's what I can tell you. Church leadership learned that I was involved in the sale of the property to Microsoft three years ago for phase one, and contacted me as they thought that I might have some contacts. They indicated to me at that time, and this was a little over a year ago, before all of this really got going, indicating that they were interested in selling the 15 acre parcel, that they had been holding it for 50 years, purchased in 1976 with thoughts that they might need it for expansion. The church building now sits on a five-acre parcel. Their engineers have confirmed they have plenty of room for expansion there, and they decided after 50 years of holding a parcel that this might be an opportunity to sell it. I contacted Mr. Cook and just floated out the idea that the church was interested in possibly selling this, and that if he had any conversations in the future with Microsoft, which turns out he did, to float that out there. It was then about the same time that all of the parcels on the east expansion started their process of talking to Microsoft, that we also started talking to Microsoft on behalf of the church. And the reason I know that, I was involved in some of the expansion parcels on the east. And I looked back at my records and it all happened at the same time. So if anyone is saying that this is now extra, they're looking for more, that is not the case. I want to make abundantly clear this has been part of the project from day one. It is a super voluntary annexation and that is a legal term that describes the type of annexation where all of the property owners hear just one adjoining the petition and that is a legal term. I want to use that and borrow that term super voluntary to also describe the transaction. And the reason for that is, again, this church leadership made this decision to sell this property they'd been sitting on for 50 years. That's pretty super voluntary when you as the seller go to a potential buyer and say, might you be interested? Thereafter, the church eldership, who Dr. Bailey is part of, met to discuss this possibility. The eldership agreed unanimously that that was what they wanted to do. And then, under the bylaws of the church, it requires a membership vote. I attended their membership meeting. They put this to a vote of their membership and it passed, not unanimously, but with widespread margin. This is a super voluntary transaction by this church. We are asking that two weeks from now that the annexation be approved. Tonight, as Mr. Cook said, there are three members of the Microsoft team here. They're not gonna speak now, but they're here to answer questions if there are any regarding the project, the details of the project, and we'd be happy to do those as part of or even at the end of the public meeting.

Thank you. Questions for Mr. Nelson or Mr. Cook? Thank you, sir. We will now have a public hearing, and even though the ordinance cannot pass this evening, we are prepared with a public hearing. Do we have advertisement information?

Yes, this was published in the LaPorte County Herald-Dispatch on July 11th, 2026. So we'll open it up for public comment.

So I will now open up this discussion for public hearing. Anybody from the public that would like to speak? on this specific topic. Anybody from the public? Hearing none, I will now close the public hearing, and this ordinance will move to August 17th, 2026.

I will point out, Mayor, that a fiscal plan has to be approved as a part of this. That will be on the agenda for the next meeting, which has to be approved prior to the ordinance being approved.

Thank you. Public hearing and introduction of a resolution which can pass this evening. Councilwoman Konejny.

Your Honor, I'd like to introduce a resolution right in its entirety for the first and only time. Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Councilwoman Konejny.

Additional appropriation for general fund number 1101, Beachwood Non-Reverting Capital Fund 5506, Seed It Fund 2209, Police Equipment Non-Reverting Fund 5509, Public Safety Lit Fund 2240, Community Capital Development CCD Fund 4402, General Improvement Sidewalks Fund 4435, Local Roads and Streets LRS Fund 2202, Redevelopment Commission TIF 2, Thomas Rose Industrial Park Fund 4446, Beachwood Non-Reverting Fund 5505, and Business Improvement District BID Fund 2511. whereas it has been determined that it is now necessary to appropriate more money that was appropriated in the annual budget. Now, therefore, Section 1, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of LaPorte, LaPorte County, Indiana, that for the expenses of the taxing unit, the following additional sums of money are hereby appropriated out of the fund named and for the purposes specified subject to the laws governing the same. General, code enforcement, 1101-318-315.000, professional services, mowing, amount requested, $4,500, amount approved, $4,500. Code enforcement, 1101-318-391.000, other services, equipment, parking violations, amount requested, $4,000, amount approved, $4,000. Mayor 1101-044-111.000 salaries. Management and performance analyst position. Amount requested $16,300. Amount approved $16,300. Total general $24,800. Beechwood non-reverting capital, 5506-803-490.000. Other capital outlays, miscellaneous equipment, amount requested, $54,600. Amount approved, $54,600. Seated, 2209-465-312.000, IT Services, amount requested, $20,000, amount approved, $20,000. 2209-465-313.000, Consulting Services, amount requested, $40,000, amount approved, $40,000. 2209-465-376.000, Tree Removal, amount requested, $240,000, Amount approved, $240,000. Total seated, $300,000. Police equipment non-reverting, 5509-370-362.000. Equipment amount requested, $21,000. Amount approved, $21,000. Public safety lit, 2240-069-451.000. Fire other capital outlays, driveway slash fence, training facility. Amount requested, $135,000. Amount approved, $135,000. 2240-069-315.000, police professional services, gun range, police. Amount requested, $100,000. Amount approved, $100,000. Total public safety lit, $235,000. Community capital development, CCD, 4402-704-421.000. Other capital outlays. Equipment, Beechwood. Amount requested, $85,000. Amount approved, $85,000. General Improvement Fund, 4435-465-431.000. Sidewalks, amount requested, $88,836. Amount approved, $88,836. Local roads and streets, LRS 2202-524-231.000. General operating supplies, amount requested, $55,000, amount approved, $55,000. Redevelopment TIF 2, Thomas Rose Industrial Park, 4446-701-315.000. Professional services, environmental remediation, amount requested, $150,000, amount approved, $150,000. 4446-701-421.001 infrastructure clear lake parking lot project amount requested one million dollars amount approved one million dollars total tiff uh two one million one hundred fifty thousand dollars Beechwood non-reverting, 5505-803-391.000. Other services, amount requested $13,000, amount approved $13,000. Business improvement district bid, 2511-701-361.000. Repairs and maintenance, amount requested $100,000, amount approved $100,000. And a resolution.

Most importantly I would tell you the great work that our clerk treasurer did when the federal government did what they did to the tree grant and not be responsible to the residents uh... courtney parton uh... talker king of all worked extremely hard to cobble together two hundred forty thousand dollars at least to start attacking the uh... hundred worst trees in our city remember when we don't take down trees for years and years and years this is what happens today we've got five hundred trees that need to come down uh... courtney we've been working towards uh... after the hundred come after the next four hundred trees and how to fund that uh... but it has to happen so uh... i just want to again recognize uh... the clerk treasurer and Tucker King, but nothing happens without the clerk treasurer here. So, questions? Do I have a motion to approve? So moved.

Second.

We're getting ready to. I withdraw my motion to approve. I do have a motion and a second. With that, I would like to open it up to a public hearing. It has been advertised. been advertised in the Herald Dispatch July 21st 2026 and posted on Gateway as per Indiana code for additional appropriations With that I will now open it up to public comment anybody would like to speak on these items from the public anybody from the public the hearing is open Hearing none, I will now close the public hearing. We do have a motion and a second, so I'll move that to any council comments. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes, thank you. Councilman Galloway, introduction of a resolution to transfer funds. Your Honor, I'd like to introduce a resolution, read it for its entirety.

Second.

Motion and a second. Discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Councilman Galloway. Resolution to transfer funds within the 2026 budgets. whereas there are additional monies needed in certain line items in the 2026 budgets in order to pay for essential services and obligations. Now therefore be it, and it is hereby resolved by the Common Council of the City of Port Indiana that the following transfers be made within the following budgets for the year 2026. General, Human Resources, 1101-117, from 315 Professional Services to 391 Other Services, $3,000. Code Enforcement, 1101-318, from 315 Professional Services to 321 Communication Transportation, $492. From NVH, 2201-524, from 451 Paving, The 2431, 524-431 local road and bridge matching grant fund, paving local match, $111,000. MVH restricted 2303-524 from 451.015 MCC MG paving local match to 2431-524-431 local road and bridge match grant fund paving local match $86,429. Park non-reverting, 2211-803 from one run 1.001 Lake Fest to 2300-074-900 restricted Lake Fest, $14,200. From 391 other services to 2300-074-900 restricted Lake Fest, $3,313.19. Surtax Fund, 2249-524, from 421 CCMG Paving, a local match, to 2431-524-431, local road and bridge matching grant fund, paving, local match, $285,296. That's it.

This is a resolution that can pass this evening. Clerk, treasurer, anything to add?

Just cleaning up some people's budgets. Lots of local matches you can hear in there for CCMG.

Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Questions? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? motion passes thank you other business uh... shout out to roscoe hoffman and his team uh... just a reminder you saw today i shared uh... and not for your habit uh... actually for the great work if you didn't see the fbi investigating cyber attacks on water systems in Minnesota, in Michigan, and I think it's fair to say you've seen many attacks, and we are well protected. Our water, our wastewater system, and these may have been from Iran, but you see this almost on a weekly, if not daily basis, and we are so fortunate in the city to have you and your team doing the work that you do because we are fighting those off. How often?

We get on average about 5 to 10,000 a day.

Thank you. And then number two, one thing I think we've realized, as much infrastructure as we're working on and improving, roads, roads, roads. We realize we can't rely on the state CCMG plan. Courtney Parthoon has sat in, appreciate her with avenue engineering, and we have to think of new ways to do things. Our roads, we need to improve. And I think we'll have a plan that we'll bring to you very soon that'll have the opportunity to work on paving roads this fall and next spring more than probably the city of La Porte has seen in some time. And our residents deserve it. So stay tuned for that. And again, the clerk treasurer has been amazing. So with that, any other comments? Motion to adjourn. Second.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.