Common Council - Regular Meeting

the March 16th, 2026 city of Leaport Common Council meeting to order. We will begin with the pledge of allegiance. Council President Frankie. 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 parthon. Councilman Frankie here. Councilwoman Huffman is absent. Councilwoman Ficus present. Councilman Galloway here. Councilwoman Kesnney present. Counciloman Buchanan here. Councilwoman West here. One absent, six present.

Approval of March 2nd, 2026 meeting minutes. Do I have a motion? I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Second. Discussion. All in favor? I.

Opposed? Motion passes. Petitions and comments of citizens. If we could begin. Joseph, please come forward. state your name and address for the record. And uh I would also like to say I have been where Joseph works several times. He is always a uh positive influence at Kroger. People are excited to see him. He's always very kind to everybody and uh I've encouraged him. He he wants to know how to be involved with the city and community. Uh so we welcome you. It's great to see young people uh here. So, please state your name and address for the record.

Joseph and uh Jefferson Joseph Simick and Jefferson A. I want to emphasize that this recent data center deal is far from extraordinary that the concept of a corporation with the 19th highest revenue across the globe paying their full taxes as opposed to having a large tax abatement on expensive equipment showcased on the June 2024 deal is the bare minimum and that we as a public should expect more. As for this revised deal announcement, I assume it is only to plate the public and to provide the narrative that maybe we should be grateful that city council deserves a star or two, a piece of candy and extended recess time for their unbridled commitment to the public school system. Setting aside the potential environmental, societal, and warfarebased concerns from the AI industry expansion is that this may or may not be one of the largest economic bubbles to date. leveling out fields of land for industry as standard and we've learned to live with it. Though I see that Microsoft has mentioned their environmental sustainability goals on their web page like being carbon negative by 2030 and removing the equivalent of the entire history of the carbon footprint of their carbon footprint by 2050 as well as being as well as being water positive by 2030 as well. All of these goals are great. Bravo. Though I would prefer to see a full comprehensive road map to achieve said goals posted publicly on that same website. Pardon me for being skeptical. Environmental concerns are one thing that I really want to be proven wrong on, especially on Microsoft's 2050 goal because I like our nature and I would like for our natural areas to be in tip-top shape. So humans of Leaport according to them your needs and your children's needs are the ultimate afterthought because of course market forces and industry need to grow exponentially. I want to also emphasize that this is not a partisan issue. It is simply the broader

community versus an outside corporate entity. Now listen, I could be very wrong. If there's any Microsoft executive or data center director out there uh living here, shopping at a small businesses at small businesses and doing people things, you could email or call me. We would have a chat over coffee, community member to community to community member. A side note, I really wonder what the permanent job listings will end up being and how many come to actually come to fruition. Time will tell, I guess. And my last question is rhetorical and I do not expect an answer nor in this format do you need to provide one and that is what is the use of that 15% property tax funding for education if these students graduate into an unresolved broken and decrepit job market that does not look out for the little guy. To complete my thought I urge the public to show up to these city council meetings whenever available. Also across Indiana, petitions for data center moratoriums to local governments to put a halt on or delay these construction pro projects have proved successful in many cases. Correct me if I'm wrong, but perhaps in this particular case, it's a bit too late for a moratorum. I am not 100% sure of that. Either way, I highly recommend whoever is watching to look at what the Citizens Action Coalition is doing at citac.org, or which just so happens to be Indiana's largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization. This concludes my statement. Thank you for your time,

Joseph. Thank you. Questions for Joseph hearing none. Thank you for your time, Andrew. And again, it's very uh I love seeing and sharing uh the good that's happening in the community and people uh taking the time to try to make a difference in others life. and Andrew absolutely is trying to do that. So, welcome, sir. Uh, thank you. May I approach and hand out some papers, please? Thank you. Thank you. We can share.

I apologize. So, my name is Andrew Kllin and again, thank you for this time to be able to come up here and present what we're doing and what we're building at Helping Hoosers Heroes. It is a local nonprofit. We are a 501c3 and we're focused on serving veterans, first responders, and future heroes in Leaport County. Um on the front page you have a concise handout of city numbers for population and local veterans within Leaport City as well as the larger numbers for Leaport County at whole. Um Leaport County is the largest percent of veteran population in the state of Indiana with about 6.5% for of our total population. Um, I know the counties next to us in Porter County and Lake County have more veterans in their county, but they have a higher population. So, we have, uh, I believe the highest population of veterans in our county as it as it sits. Um, so we're flipping to the back side. This is um, a leadership executive brief for you. I know that we have over,00 veterans just veterans specifically in Leaport um in within the city. That's not to mention the first responders as well as the youth under 18 that will be moving into the job market that will be needing employment that will be needing certifications and degrees for their future careers. Um I know that the data centers is something that has been already been brought up. That was a main concern of when I was formatting my organization is if we have a data center coming into Leaport. I want to find a way that it can benefit Leaport, not just take from it. So that was one of my thoughts in that as well. Um with what we're doing right now, we're

building work forth workforce pathways and we're giving guidance to individuals that need support along the way. Um we're doing that with education referrals. Um, and partnering with Indiana Tech is one of our partners. We're partnering with IvyTech. I sit with them tomorrow to finalize what ourou is going to look like. Um, but we're also partnering with local employment. Um, off the top, one of them is OnPoint Industrial Services. They are confined space certified divers that go in and work in the mills um, and just confined spaces. that is a employer within Leaport County. Um, and I have a direct line with them as well. I also, uh, work at Halmet Aerospace. I'm a first responder inside of there. And I know that we have formed a a informal partnership to where if I send candidates or referrals to them, they will just review the application first and then the application or the hiring process is HR standard. So that's what we're working to build with all of the employers here in Leaport County, not just Leaport City. Um so that way we can better benefit Leaport County and Leaport City with its individuals. Focus is veterans, first responders, and then our future heroes program for the youth because we know that the youth of today is the leaders of tomorrow. So we're trying to make an impact where where it'll last. um where city alignment can help just awareness from city leadership of what we're doing, more visibility, uh maybe referrals to other individ um employers that you may want to bring into our organization so that way we can collaborate with. I can figure out what their hiring needs are, what what what the demographics of what they're looking for, if they need certificates or degrees. I can work handinhand with them

and then therefore when I bring a candidate to them, I know that they're qualified for that position. We've already worked out all of the vetting, got all of their paperwork ready, and we're applying with them. So, we're walking through this with them and we would like to see um about 90 days of commitment from them. So, that way we have a good sense of belief that they are going to be able to walk the rest of the way on their own. Obviously, if they hit any barriers or any roadblocks along the way, my organization is there to help in any which way we can. um the strategic community value for partnering with helping hoosers heroes. We're working with work one already uh with the DVOP inside of work one. Um Chris is a great guy. Um Joseph Wheatley also inside of there um and work one. They've been tremendous helps with just resources and guidance so far. Um like I said earlier with the IvyTech engagement, I should have something more formal from them after tomorrow. I meet with her. Um Danny Hogan is the contact that I have. Um I believe he's a part of the Leaport leadership board. Um I was referred to him from somebody inside the Unity Foundation that I'm also hand working with as well, J Miss Miller. Um Indiana Tech, we should have our finalized partnership with them any time now. Um but they will we will be able to offer a 20% tuition discount. Um free book rental um direct access to the administration's rep. Uh so we'll be able to get these individuals into the the the programs to so they can get their certificates or their degree. Um and the local veterans organizations that we're working with already. I'm working handinhand with the DAV, um, with the American Legions, with the

VFWs. I just gave a speech at the DAV on Saturday for the Americanism dinner. Um, so we're getting a lot of local uh, visibility and support. And I just want to bring my organization in front of city council today and ask for your support and ask for any guidance or maybe any resources that we can share and collaborate to better help our city. Um, we have forward- facing community fundraisers. We've already arranged it with the parks and recreations department. We have it set for July 18th, a community fundraiser. Um, it will be at Stone Lake Beach and the um, Hot Rod Snow cones. Rodney, the gentleman that owns that, is the one that volunteered. He came and approached me and he wanted to help host this fundraiser for our organization. So, like I said, there's a lot of local support that we have been able to gain, but I believe with city council and your leadership that we can further extend that reach of who we can help as well as get the better resources to be able to help the individuals when they come and ask for our resources. Uh we are designed to complement not not to compete with any of the uh organizations or programs at hand. We're a complimenting service not a competition. We're working on building programs, pathways, and partnerships to better serve Leaport County. Um and that would sum up my presentation.

Excellent. And I've appreciated your effort. You're everywhere. Um, I don't want to put Roger on the spot, but obviously if he has connections at the VFW, Roger is our uh proud veteran. He's already been here and spoke before us. Any other questions? I'm just curious, what's your background? What what made you um what drove you to create this foundation, this nonprofit? So, I'm an Army veteran myself. Uh, thank you for your service.

Thank you. Um, so I knew what it was like firsthand to come home from serving and being in service and then not really have a direction forward. And I know, like I said, there's a lot of programs, but the pathways to those programs, it gets convoluted with things and people get, you know, real life problems when they come home. They have to deal with bills. They have to deal with, you know, everyday life. They have to go get a job. And, you know, the suicide rate in the military is astronomically through the roof. And the homeless problem. Um, so I want to be that connector, that community career connector, so that way individuals don't get lost along the way. Um, so I have my background as an Army veteran. I'm a first responder inside of Halmet as well. So I'm kind of tandem with what I um with the program pillars that we have. And I just I want to try and help out as many people as I possibly can. I hate to see our veterans mistreated the way that they are. And you know, they get treated very poorly when we come home. I mean, there's there's resources there, but if they're not looking for it or if they're not aware of it, it's very easy to get distracted and then makes mistakes are made. And we I don't want to see anybody make any mistakes that they can't come back from. Um, so that's why we're building the programs in the organization that I'm trying to today.

Thank you for your service, Andrew. Any other questions? And like I said, you're going to be hearing uh continue to hear about Andrew in the future. He's making a difference for those that have served. So, thank you. Thank you, sir. And we look forward to that fundraiser to see how we can help. Yes, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Any other standing committee reports? President Frankie redevelopment commission meets next Wednesday the 25th in council chambers 5:15. That's all I have. Any other things happening this weekend that you want to share at this point?

I'm looking forward to see you cry uh at the hot ones or the hot wings for nonprofits. Councilwoman Ficus, park board meets this Wednesday, 4 pm at the park office and then traffic commission will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, 5:00 p.m. at the police station. And this meeting is one week later um than normal due to spring break. Councilman Galloway,

the mayor's veterans committee met March 9th. Okay, we have a new chairperson is Kevin Johnson. Co-chair is Scott Dixon. Secretaries Connie Clower and we're planning the brick dedication already which will be in June and the police merit commission met on the 10th. Uh okay on Monday on the 9th they they issued about 40 traffic stops on Pine Lake Avenue and uh see the discussion on their codes attorney review on what codes they go by. Things have changed over the years and right now they got 39. in short six five are waiting on Perf and uh let's see the uh the new president is Mr. Telik Mr. Anderson is vice president and Mr. Kellums as secretary effective now.

Councilwoman West. Um the next UEEA meeting will be Wednesday, March 18th at 400 pm in city chambers. The next bid board meeting will be Monday, April 13th at 5:00, also in city chamber chambers. And the next fire merit commission meeting will be Wednesday, April 1st at 6:30 at fire station um number one on 18th Street. Councilman Buchanan.

Uh the plan commission met on March 10th. Uh petitions for final plats were presented and approved for both the Hunter Woods project phase 1 and two and the Bailey Park subdivision on 18th Street. Uh the Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow at 5:30 here in Council Chambers. Councilwoman Kesnney, nothing to report this evening. Thank you. Proclamation for Women's History Month. I believe Councilwoman West has an update. I do. We are actually going to go ahead and move this into to our next um council meeting on April 6th. April 13th. Oh, yes.

Okay. I'm doing something else on April 6th, obviously, because that was stuck in my mind. Second final reading of an ordinance. Councilwoman Fus. Your honor, I would like to read an ordinance read for the second time by title only. Second motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. Councilwoman Fus. An ordinance establishing security camera requirements for retailer alcohol permit holders open for business after 11 p.m. Discussion. Mr. Otis, anything you want to speak to? There's any questions?

No. This Julie and I were on the committee with Lauren um on this and it's just to keep the public safe, to keep even the establishment owners safe, our police safe. So, I don't think it's a big ask at all. I don't either. Mr. Buchanan, did you have concerns, questions on this? Uh, no. We we just we talked through parts of it. So, I'll make a motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second,

further discussion. And again, this is due to uh our police officers being put at risk having to address uh late night uh businesses that can control uh the business themselves and uh need to be addressed because we're going to keep our community safe. We're not going to have people coming from the outside that aren't here to live their best life and uh uh it only takes one time. So uh the cameras will help as well. So with that, any further comment? All in favor? I

opposed. Motion passes. Petition for voluntary annexation into and the zoning of the annex land in the city of Leaport. Council President Frankie. Uh I move to read a petition for voluntary annexation into the record. I think this would qualify as super voluntary. super voluntary annexation and again tonight it's just being just being filed uh and and there'll be an and I can explain kind of the legal process from here. Yeah. Or I can read the boring legalies which I have a motion to do. Second. All in favor motion.

I opposed. Council President Frankie

petition for voluntary annexation into the zoning of the annex land in the city of Leaport, Indiana. The owners of multiple parcels of land located in Pleasant Township, Leaport County, Indiana, make application to the common council of the city of Leaport, Indiana for val the voluntary annexation of their respective land into the city and for the zoning and splits of certain land. In support of this petition, petitioners offer as follows. Number one, petitioners are owner of all land within the territory. Number two, under Indiana code section 36-4-3-5.1, petitioners make this request for super voluntary annexation of these 20 parcels of land into the city by proper ordinance. Three is um just the tax parcel IDs, which I will skip. Four landowner petition signature and consent pages are attached to the petition as evidence of each petitioner's desire and con consent to the voluntary annexation of their respective land in the territory in the city. Number five, the territory contains no parcels of land sought to be annexed against the desires of its owners. Number six, at least 1/8 of the aggregate external boundaries of the territory coincides with the boundaries of the city, thereby satisfying the contiguity requirement of Indiana code section 36-4-3-1.5. Number seven, the 20 parcels sought to be annexed are currently being used for agricultural purposes and/or other purposes permitted by law. Number eight, it is desired and requested that most of the parcels in the territory be reszoned from each of their respective Leaport County zoning classifications into the city's zoning zoning classification of Ben one light industrial. The proposed zoning changes are identified in the table 2, section three of this petition. Number nine, the total number of parcels

proposed in this petition is 20. Number 10, no new roadways are planned on any of the parcels at this time. Number 11, the following information has been submitted with this petition. A legal description for each parcel sought to be annexed into the city of Leaport, Indiana. And number two, landowner petition, signature, and consent pages for each petitioner, including their text, parcel numbers, and appropriate acreage of the land sought to be annexed by each petitioner. Mr. Otis,

thank you. So, the Indiana code uh 36-4-3-5.1 simply requires that the petition be filed with the legislative body to start the process. Historically, the city council has always requested that it be done, the filing be done at a public meeting. That is what's happening tonight. The next step in the public process is the notice that's going to be published in the Herald Dispatch this week. Uh and then there'll be a hearing on the public hearing on the annexation ordinance at the Monday, April 13th uh meeting. That's the next steps in in the process. There's a fiscal plan that is also required as a part of this. Uh and uh as referenced as well, this will go before the plan commission regarding the zoning requests. The final uh vote on this uh would take place at the second um May meeting which would be um May 18th.

So this only needs to be filed but because we want to be transparent with the public that's why we shared this information moving forward. Now comments introduction of a resolution to transfer funds. Your honor, I'd like to introduce a resolution and read it for the one and only time. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. Councilman Galloway.

Resolution to transfer funds within the 2026 budgets. Whereas there are additional monies needed in certain line items in the 2026 budget 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 Leaport, Indiana, that the following transfers be made within the following budgets for the year 2026. General Clerk treasurer 11101-041 from 311 other services to 361 repairs maintenance $2,000. Board of Works from Engineering 11101-36-111 salaries to Board of Works 111 01-077-111 salaries $7,500 bid 2511701-391 other services to 2511-71-341 other services $535 $5 and the resolution.

This is a resolution and can pass this evening. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Comments. Just part of normal business. Budgets are estimates. So we just keep it clean throughout the year. All in favor? I opposed. Resolution passes. Other business. Nothing that the fire station building corp. We're not taking that off the table. No, usually it comes off the table when they got to do something. They, you know, they they're related to some financing. So, it typically comes up every couple years.

Also, uh, in other business, just as we've shared how positive things are happening at the Leaport school system, Mr. Ro has shared today that if I read this correctly, the graduating class of 2029, uh the top two volleyball players, number one, Evelyn Sherk and two, Lauren Kirk, are both uh Leaport volleyball players and the top two uh they have received the top two in ranking in the state of Indiana. So, we've got the best two volleyball players um in the 2029 class on an already uh solid volleyball program in Leaport. So, the positives uh continue to happen in our community. So, get out and support our school system. Congratulations to them. Uh also, it's March Madness, so don't forget to watch. And I think we've learned a couple things. is number one. Purdue is a number two seed and second IU is a football school these days. So stay tuned

to the bannerless Purdue. Uh anything else that anybody would like to bring up comments?

Yes, Mr. Galloway. Um, the child's advocate, Cassa, is going to have their bingo party at the BFW on the 26th. So, bring a big checkbook. Also, uh, coming up around that day, we've been, uh, gaining attention from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Uh, we believe and have been fighting. We've met, Mr. Cook and I actually met with the president of Nipkco. Uh, we believe rates are too high. We have to get some control on what's happening. And uh Andy Zay, who is the president of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, has committed to coming up to Leaport for a public meeting at the Civic. And uh we have to find a new way to do things and keep rates competitive, especially for those uh seniors on fixed incomes and families on again uh low income. And uh so we hope that we'll be announcing in the next day or so that uh that meeting will be happening in Leaport. So stay tuned. But we have some elected officials choose just to talk about it. You know, we as a team have been doing and uh we're relentless and so we need to bring those rates down and uh we'll continue to fight for our residents.

Any other comments? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I opposed. We are adjourned. Have a safe evening. It looks like just in time for the snow to uh make another