Common Council - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call the city of Leaport common council meeting uh for May 18th, 2026 to order. It is 6 pm. We will begin with the pledge of allegiance. Uh, Councilman Galloway 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 parthone. Councilman Galloway here. Councilwoman Ficus present. Councilwoman Huffman here. Councilman Frankie here. Councilwoman Keshnney present. Counciloman Buchanan here. Councilwoman West here. All present. Approval of the May 4th, 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?

Opposed? Motion passes. Before we begin with the petitions and comments of citizens, it's a great opportunity uh to recognize individuals that uh go above and beyond and that are special in our community. And I'll tell you what, we all seem to know across the community. Jeremy from the post office that has taken charge over the last couple years and um really made an effort to help those in need uh with the food drive and uh I know the post office does it on a uh annual basis across the country. Uh without Jeremy last year, no one was doing it. He went above and beyond. Learned uh as he went that day and to this past year, two Saturdays ago was a welloiled machine. So Jeremy, I'm going to ask if you would come forward to the microphone and kind of share um how much you collected and uh that you did for the community with your collection of food.

Uh this year we did close to 12,000 pounds of food. Uh last year was around 11. Um, the NALC, National Association of Letter Carriers, has been doing this for 34 years and we've done like 1.9 billion pounds of food. Um, and like you said, it's been a learning experience. Very thankful for the community and everything that uh, everybody's contributed able to, you know, uh, three different food banks this year and yeah, happy to do it. And yeah,

so one thing that we do for people that go above and beyond, we just don't hand out at the airport relentless shirts. Nice.

You have to earn relentless shirts. And as you can see, this is something to wear. Uh, as we define relentless on the back of the shirt, determined to do something with a refusal to give up, showing or promising no reduction of severity, intensity, strength, or pacem unstoppable the city of because without Jeremy none of this would have happened and we're actually going to give you a size that you can wear. We did want to bring you forward, honor you with this, and if you don't mind, we're gonna take a picture with you

with our city council. And thank you for all.

I didn't. It's pointing to the

two. It's making me nervous.

Petitions and comments of citizens. Mr. Otis. Uh thank yelled at if I don't have my mic on. Uh there is not a public hearing tonight. I know there's there's quite a few uh items on the agenda that that people wish to comment. So you if you need to sign up for public comment if you wish to address any items because there won't be another opportunity to speak tonight. Please keep your comments to three minutes. Uh and um no shouting in support or against other com uh other commenters. and no applause, no booing, anything of that nature as well. Uh we'll begin uh and again state your name and address for the record. James Bomb, please come forward. James the Balm, 402 Melrose Street, Leaport, Indiana, 28 years. This here is the future. This is my daughter. She's 11 years old. We have to protect the people who cannot represent theirelves up here. And that is what I am doing. I am against annexation. My reason is is the pollution and NIPCO is going to hit us so hard on our electricity and gas. It ain't funny. It's going to go three to five times what it is now within three years. Mark my word. You think I'm joking?

And another thing that in Revelations on chapter 11 verse 18 it talks about judgment day. When God warns that destroying his land leads to destruction on judgment day, he means that humanity is held spiritually and morally accountable for how we treat his sacred property. In bib bibological view, humans are not the ultimate owners of this planet. We are merely temporary caretakers, stewards, a creation that belongs entirely to God. So we cannot take greed and try and make money off God's land and destroy it. And you can mock at me, laugh at me, whatever, but I'm just telling you the truth. And I am done.

Thank you, Mr. Bomb. Dan Jeffers. Good evening, Dan Jeffers, 3203 Smithfield Lane. Good evening and thanks for the opportunity to speak here again tonight and share with each of you some of my thoughts regarding this annexation. As I said last month month when speaking to this group, the agreement made with the city, Microsoft and the school corporation will provide a much needed source of revenue that otherwise wouldn't be available and it couldn't come at a better time. the fact that Microsoft has agreed to pay their full levy of taxes with no abatements, the additional 15% that's going to go to the reduh from the redevelopment commission to the school corporations allows our school to be able to flourish and provide the students in the community with the education that they deserve like that child over there. While this agreement is unprecedented, we've also seen examples of ways that these centers have benefited communities elsewhere already. For instance, in 2026, Virginia, the data center capital of the country, was able to provide over $570 million in additional funding to schools and other public works programs from data centers alone because they were paying their fair share of taxes. Also, school districts in Oklahoma, Oregon, and Illinois are able to operate completely off state formulas as a result of the resources that they're receiving from data centers alone. With revenue streams for schools continuing to dry up at every turn in this state, this may be our saving grace. As a lifelong member of this community as well, I value and understand the concerns and the questions that have been brought up or will be brought up tonight regarding increases in utilities, water consumption, noise, and all those things. Overall cost of living

as well. But I just want us to remember two things. One, we've never seen a vis business venture of this magnitude ever being proposed in this city, past or present. Without such businesses like this, our school corporation will be continued to forced to continue to do more with less, layoff workers, increasingly struggle to provide the local communities and youth the education that they deserve. And also secondly that it's the role of this body, this city council and other legislative and executive bodies within the county to ensure that Microsoft owns up to their end of the bargain. Whether it be the resources they use, the jobs they provide, the taxes they pay, that's your responsibility. So the work begins for you guys in a lot of ways. Trust but verify that they do what they say. And if so, I believe we'll have a good neighborhood in Microsoft so that no one is exploited in this community like we may have seen elsewhere. I'm also confident in our central administration and a superintendent we have at Leaport Community Schools and Dr. Wood and her their ability to do right by these funds and create a school corporation that will be the envy of our state. Why not us is the question I want to ask. Why not us? With her partnership and cooperation with other groups like the Federation of Teachers and other stakeholders, I'm convinced that our corporation will be able to use this money strategically, effectively, and in combination with other necessary improvements, including curriculum, instruction, classroom, and facilities.

Mr. Jeffers, that's time. Thank you. Thank you for your time,

Spencer Summers. Good evening. Spencer Summers, 206 Walker Street. Um, I understand that these are challenging decisions, but I appreciate your leadership and the work that you're doing to move our city forward. It's seen and recognized by many throughout our city. Um, so thank you. I'm here tonight to support this annexation. Our city was built on the backs of innovators, education, and opportunity. From Rumley and Alice Chalmer's companies to people that studied here at the Leaport Medical College and made an impact on the lives of many. such as a founder of Mayo Clinic. Our city has always been a place of growth and prosperity for the residents who call the port home. But we sit at a crossroads to once again invest in our community, to welcome innovators, to welcome job opportunities for our residents, and to double down on being the premier place for youth to get a strong education and have the tools they need to be successful. When you look across the region and see growth in funding streams due to these types of projects that are allowing communities to prosper, enhance their downtowns, and invest in their residents, that same opportunity is in front of us today. Through a partnership with Microsoft, our city can return to being a city of growth, a city our children want to be in and have an opportunity to thrive. So, I'll close by asking, why not us? Why not build a bigger table and drive our city forward? Thank you. Thank you, Scott Kelly.

My name is Scott Kelly, 371 West Curtis Drive, Leaport. Members of the council, u I'm a business representative for IBW Local 531, representing the hardworking union men and women who live and work throughout this county. I'm here today in strong support of the proposed annexation for the Microsoft data center. This project represents a major economic opportunity for our community and for the future growth of our region. Large-scale infrastructure investment such as this create immediate and long-term benefits that extend far beyond the construction phase. For the members of IBW Local 531 and other skilled trades, this project will provide highquality careers with family sustaining wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. These are the kinds of jobs that allow working families to remain in Northwest Indiana, raise families, purchase homes, and cont continue contributing to the local economy. In addition to direct employment, the project will create substantial opportunities for apprenticeship and workforce training. Union apprenticeship programs provide world-class education and hands-on training that prepare the next generation of electricians and skilled trades people for highly technical work environments like modern data centers. These programs not only strengthen our workforce, but also give young people in our area a clear path to stable and rewarding careers without leaving our community. The economic impact of this development will also benefit the broader Leaport community. Construction activity and long-term operations will generate significant tax revenue that can support local schools, infrastructure improvements, emergency services, and other essential public resources. Local businesses, including restaurants, suppliers, hotels, and service providers, will also benefit from the increased economic activity generated by this product. Projects of this scale send a strong message that Leaport is open for business and

prepared to compete for the future investment in technological growth. Supporting this development demonstrates a commitment to economic progress, workforce development, and long-term prosperity for the residents of the city. On behalf of the members of IBW Local 531, I respectfully encourage the council to support the Microsoft data center project annexation and the opportunities it will bring to our community. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Eric Deal. My name is Eric Beal. I live at 307 West 13th Street right here in Leaport, Indiana. Again, I'm going to start this with a quote from Lindy Stone, a lawyer from Microsoft, speaking at a web seminar to law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, December of 2025, less than six months ago. Nobody really wants a data center in their backyard. I don't want a data center in my backyard. Data centers once they are operational, don't bring in a lot of jobs. They do on a construction side, but not you're not really getting a ton of that community benefit from having them truly in your backyard. Now, this is straight from the mouth of one of their lawyers. It's telling you straight up, it's not that good of a benefit. If it was that great, why isn't in Satan Nadella's backyard? Why isn't Jeff Bezos's backyard? Why isn't Mark Zuckerberg's backyard? Why do they have to come to our community like locusts, destroy our environment, take our water, take our land, and ride off into the sunset with money for us? From us. Now, we talk about taxation. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Microsoft, famous taxpayers. They just sued San Francisco a few years back for $14 million in taxes that they wanted back from the state. They just got hemmed up by IRS less than three years ago for moving their tax money to Puerto Rico so they didn't have to pay it to their communities. So yeah, famous taxpayers. I mean, they can sell us whatever they want. That's what they're here to do. To sell us a dream, to turn dog into diamonds, to convince us.

Language I'm going to ask respectfully, please.

Okay. To turn this deal into something that looks good for us when it's really not. that little paperwork we have that says these rules and regulations for what they can do. They can wipe their behinds with us, throw it at us and say see you in court. We've taken bigger towns to you to court. So, it's going to be one of those things where it's going to bring in a short-term game for the construction folk, but negativity for the people that live here. I live less than two miles from this thing. I'm end up living less than a mile from one that you guys are trying to put not far from my house. You got people who are going to be living directly behind these things. I've watched interviews with people from Virginia, same place the man was just talking about. They talk to people that live next to these things. One of the ladies that Forbes did an interview with has to sleep in her basement with noise cancelling headphones on. I don't want that kind of a life for myself. I broke my back to have a nice life here in Leaport, a quiet life, and not have to deal with stuff like that right in my yard. Why don't we have the first one made, see how that goes, and then take more land if you need to from there so we can see how it affects us as people before we just letting them run ramshod all over the town. Because once they get their foot through the door, it's too late and they know it. So, they're going to try to take as much land as they can, push as much as they can before they get stopped. And then once they're in, well, too bad. See you in court, pal. And that's the reality of it. I do not support this data center. I think it's a terrible idea. And I think the talk of community from you yourself rings absolutely hollow when you tell the people who live next to this that they have to just deal with it. That's all I have to say.

Thank you,

Ryan Seabourg. Ryan Seberg, 118 Edgewood Court, Leaport, Indiana. So, I'm the president of the Leaport School Board. I spoke last time, uh, last month. Um, I'm going straight from the heart today. I don't have any paper. Uh, two things. One, um, it is real that this stopped the referendum from going, right? So, we were talking about it. We had a consultant all picked out. We were talking about strategies. That's real, right? Then this came around and we don't need a referendum, which is amazing. And we are the envy of everybody else in the state because most of the other communities in the state are looking for a referendum. So that's a fact. Here's the other thing. I think something that you're going to see change here is expectations. For so long, I think our community has been okay with being okay. That's not going to be okay anymore. Expectations are going to rise. We are going to expect to win at everything. That's sports, that's classrooms, that's CTE, that's everything. That's going to be the new expectation here. Winning breeds winning. This is a huge win for Leaport. It is a historic win for Leaport and that will breed more winning. So on behalf of the uh schools, myself, just really want to see this thing go through. Thank you.

Thank you, Michael Johnson. Good evening. Uh Michael Johnson at 1966 East State Road 4 in Leaport. My property sits directly adjacent to the proposed development area being discussed at the previous zoning meeting. Microsoft representative stated that acoustical testing has not yet been conducted and that those studies would take place after resoning approval and respectfully that is still my uh primary concern. I'm an audiobook narrator and sound engineer and I operate a professional recording studio from my home. My livelihood depends on maintaining an extremely quiet recording, extremely quiet and controlled recording environment. The continuous lowfrequency mechanical noise from industrial infrastructure is not something I can edit out later in post. I understand the currently proposed development boundary is no longer immediately adjacent to my property and I appreciate that clarification at the last meeting. However, the proposed site still sits within roughly 800 ft of my home and studio. Since the last meeting, I've taken the time to review acoustic studies and engineering assessments conducted for other data center developments. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, cooling systems, generators, and other mechanical infrastructure associated with data centers can be audible for hundreds of feet around these facilities. Professional acoustic monitoring and engineering firms also specifically identify low frequency mechanical hum as one of the more difficult forms of sound to mitigate because it travels farther and penetrates structures more effectively than higher frequency noise. Other data center developments have required extensive mitigation measures including silencers, sound barriers, BMS, and targeted property line noise limits specifically to reduce impacts to nearby residential areas. What also concerns me is that the zoning

ordinance itself describes light industrial uses as uses intended to avoid adverse impacts on neighboring districts. This is straight out of the article 9. I believe it was specifically mentioning things like noise, vibration, glare, and similar external effects. But at the previous Zoho meeting, Microsoft representatives again stated that the site of specific acoustic studies have not yet been completed and would occur after the approval. So, I continue to keep asking what I believe is a very reasonable question is how can the city determine that this project satisfies the intent of light industrial zoning when site specific acoustical impacts to adjacent residents have not even yet been evaluated. My concern is not hypothetical, especially in situations like mine where the impact is not theoretical. My home is also my workplace. If future acoustic studies eventually determine additional mitigation is necessary, the reasoning will already be approved. the leverage residents have will already be diminished and the burden of adapting to those impact shifts almost entirely onto the people living closest to the project myself. I'm not asking the city to reject economic development or technology. I'm asking why adjacent residents are being asked to accept permanent industrial resoning before the impacts of those residents have been properly evaluated. At minimum, I believe sight specific acoustic studies and mitigation plans should exist.

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Irreversible zoning decisions are initiated. Thank you, Angela Hinesman. Hensman, I'm sorry.

Good evening, Angie Hensman. And um this is probably the first time I've come up here and spoken with you guys, but I have been watching with great interest um in this project. and I'm not here. I know that you've already put in years and years of work and development into this project. Um, I spoke at our county council or our county um planning commission meeting about the need for a specific zoning ordinance that addresses the real the realities of data centers. Um the county has made a very good start in that process of creating a data center ordinance. Um in my opinion this is not light industrial and we need to make that distinction whether you go through with the project or not. We need to make that distinction. we people are saying this is not this doesn't have the same concerns as a regular light industrial business would have and so we do need to make that that distinction. Um, you know, I'm looking at Portage where the mayor there is now, uh, suggesting that they create an ordinance v uh, not even just an ordinance variance, but they would change their ordinance code just to specifically address data centers. And I recommend that you look into what they're doing there. Uh, one of the things that I get concerned about and I get so upset about is that people do come to these meetings and they don't feel like they're being heard. And that is a huge problem. I understand that we are constantly looking at the long-term effects and the benefits of the school system and those things we can't deny. But what we can also say is we have to proceed in a way

that doesn't impede on our citizens rights and to hear folks saying this is going up next to my house. How are we protecting their best interests? You say, "Think about the future with the schools." And we are grateful and I will be the first to admit that SB1 creates huge economic struggles, but we also have to have a balance between economic development and environmental stewardship. And while Microsoft has some really great plans and really great, you know, ideas, my question to you today, and some have hinted at this, is how are we going to hold them accountable? Because no matter what they say to you today, what they put on paper, they have the money. They can take us to court. They don't have to follow through. How do we hold them accountable? you don't have a tax abatement on the table to use over their head, which good for you. You got a good deal out of this, right? But how do we hold them accountable? How do we make sure we're protecting our citizens best interests? Not just the economic development of our count of our city or our county, but their best interests. Thank you.

Thank you, David Fagan. Good evening. Uh Dave Fagan, financial secretary, International Union of Operating Engineers, 2193 West 84th Place, Maraveville, Indiana is where our office is located. I was here before and spoke at the last council meeting, so I'll see keep my comments shorter in the essence of time and then of course try not to be repetitious to some previous comments already made. I would like to just mention a couple of issues um and reinforce I should say. Um I was pleasantly surprised that this council and the mayor working with the school system to ensure appropriate funding for public schools in the city of Leaport. I think that's going to add tremendous short-term and long-term value. We happen to be in the education business as well. And this year we budgeted over $30 million to train journeymen and apprentices. These projects mean a lot to this community from the economic well-being of the construction uh operating engineers and other trades that live in this community. And it just so happens because I asked before the meeting, do we have any apprentices here tonight? And we had 22 apprentices show up. and some of them just getting started with their careers. Projects like this give them an opportunity to have a career, to have a future with good wages and good benefits. I couldn't help but also think that many communities have said no. This community should say yes. and the economic well-being that you will have as a city will pay dividends for years to come to the residents of this community. Uh, with that being said, I'll close my comments, but again, thank

you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight and again, I hope and support the approval of this annexation. Thank you, Mayor, members of the common council. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fagan. Sandra Wood.

Good evening. My name is Sandra Wood and I serve as superintendent of the Leaport Community School Corporation at 1000 Harrison Street, Leaport. I appreciate the opportunity to speak again tonight as the city council considers this important decision. Over the last several weeks, I have spoken at multiple meetings in support of this development because I genuinely believe the opportunity to before Leaport is significant enough to warrant continued advocacy and continued optimism about what this can mean for our future. I also want to acknowledge the thoughtful discussions that have taken place throughout this process. Decisions of this magnitude deserve careful consideration and I respect the responsibility carried by this council as you consider tonight's vote. As superintendent, I spend every day thinking about the future our students will inherit and the opportunities they will need to succeed and build their lives in this community. For many years, too many of our students have grown up believing that the best opportunities for their future existed somewhere other than Leaport. We have watched families leave, enrollment decline, and young people feel that in order to build successful careers and futures, they eventually have to leave and go elsewhere. What is being considered tonight represents an opportunity to begin changing that narrative. Projects of this scale create more than development. They create momentum. They create workforce opportunities, attract investment, and position communities to grow rather than simply maintain. Most importantly, they give young people a reason to envision a future for the for themselves close to home. When students can see pathways to meaningful careers within their own community, it changes how they think about their future. When families see a city investing in growth and opportunity, it changes how they think about where they want to live, raise children, and build a life. That is why I continue to support this project so strongly. I believe this expansion represents an opportunity to position Leaport differently for the next generation, not only economically,

but also as a community willing to embrace thoughtful progress and compete for the future rather than watch opportunity pass us by. I appreciate your willingness to consider what this decision could mean for the long-term future of Leaport, and I respectfully encourage your support tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Wood. Eric Nelson. Good evening, Eric Nelson, 402 Trudale Avenue. Obviously, you all know that I'm employed at LEAP. However, tonight I'm speaking as a resident and someone who was born and raised here. As a young professional, I understand the unprecedented positive impact this project will have on our community for years to come, which I am fully in support of it. Thank you all for your months of hard work and consideration.

Thank you,

Heather Annis. Good evening. Um, thank you all for having this meeting here tonight. I'm Heather Anis, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. We are the seven county economic development organization. Uh, we act as the voice of Northwest Indiana business. We market the region as the place for business and we stake out and drive bold initiatives that wouldn't happen without an organization like ours. The north at the Northwest Indiana Forum, we are proud to champion projects that create jobs and generational opportunity in our communities. As the voice of the region's business, it is our job to think long term about Northwest Indiana's future and to bring the right partners, including industry, local leaders, small business owners, and community g me members together to build it. We believe this project offers a physical representation of what progress looks like. for not only the city of Leaport but for the region. This type of project is the next generation of business and here are just a few ways that it will continue to build and bring long-term benefit to the city and the region alike. Um excellent construction jobs, new paying long-term jobs that will keep and attract the next generation. millions of dollars in new tax revenue, not just to fund schools, but to fund roads and public safety as well. Economic strength and resiliency. As we face this new tech technological revolution, this infrastructure will continue to gain relevance and secure our region's position in future opportunities. partnership with local education in Leaport. 15% of the data center uh tax revenue will go directly to the

community school corporation helping to support academ academic programming for the next 20 years. We have seen in Ohio data centers had added 11 billion dollars to the state GDP and over and created over 95,000 jobs in just one year. In Virginia, uh Lowden County data centers pay $26 for every dollar of local services that they use. This tax revenue helped Lton County invest heavily in public infrastructure um including building dozens of schools and investing over a billion dollars in road improvements over the last several years. This is a great opportunity for Leaport and we thank Microsoft for their interest in investing in our region. We thank the leadership Mayor Derdy and the city council as you evaluate these types of opportunities. We thank the leadership and partnership of uh Burke Cork Cook and his team at the Leaport Economic Advancement Partnership for helping to bring this project and many others like it to fruition. I'm asking the council to look favorably upon this opportunity for not just the city but for the region and generations to come. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Sennis. Rich Leslie. Good evening, Rich Leslie, 6012 East Michigan Boulevard. I can go all in on the benefits of the data centers, but I believe most that the research has already been done discussed tonight. I mainly wanted to show up and express my support for Mayor Dy and this project. I'm local. I'm born and raised here and I live and work in this community. A lot of people in this city support this expansion and I believe it's the right opportunity at the right time for the port. We're in a position many communities would love to be in. I appreciate the leadership that has helped us get a seat at the table. I encourage you to move forward with this. Thank you.

Thank you, Rich. Rick Kolinski. Good evening, mayor, council members. Uh Rick Kolinsky, 80186th Avenue, Marville. I represent NIPCO. I am the director of economic development and public affairs for NIPCO. And want to hit on two things. Uh short and sweet tonight, been here before. I've talked to the mayor many times and his team about our ability to serve data centers and growth in our communities. um two three years ago we started receiving a ton of requests for data centers and and there's not enough energy to serve every single data center that would love to come to our community. But one thing that we we talked about our leadership said two things I should say is we will not compromise our ability to serve reliable safe energy to our customers by serving data centers. And second and maybe most important, we will not shift any cost burden for us to serve data centers to our existing customers generation transmission. The customer that themselves, that data center is going to pay 100% of that. And not only will they pay 100% of those costs, they will pay a credit that will then go back to customers. Currently with the signed data center agreements that we have, we are estimating once fully built out $130 to $140 a year credit to customers because of that. As we continue to serve data centers that will grow. So I want to be very very clear. There's a lot of misinformation that that seems to go around quite often. We are not raising customer rates. We have not raised customer rates. We are currently not serving large load data centers at this time. We are in the process of that. I just want to be clear on that. Um, I

want to also say you got a great partner. We get requests every week for data centers, developers, good industrial developers are now data center developers and the like, right? You have someone who can can execute. They can execute under our model and make sure that customers do not bear that cost. Uh again, I want to applaud the mayor, his team for all the due diligence, the conversation, the council. Uh really, really appreciate it. I think it's a transformational opportunity for not only the city of Leaport, but the region. Two things to close. Reliability and safe service will not be compromised by serving data centers at this data center. And rates will not go up to serve the data center. As a matter of fact, it's the exact opposite. There will be developed credits that will go back to all of our customers, not just in Leaport, all of our electric customers throughout our entire service territory. Thank you.

Thank you. That does end the number of comments that we public comments that we've had. We'll now move to standing committee reports. Council President Frankie Redevelopment Commission meets next Wednesday, 27th, 5:15 here in council chambers. That's all I have. Councilwoman Huffman. Thank you. The Sustainability Commission will meet on Tuesday the 26th at 400 PM in council chambers. Councilwoman Ficus. Um Parkboard will meet this Wednesday, 4 p.m. at the park office. and then traffic commission will have their next meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd, 5:00 pm at the police station. Councilman Galloway,

uh the mayor's veterans committee met last Monday. Um June 6th is the brick dedication out the park department. It'll be at 2:00 and right now they have uh 26 bricks and we been discussing Patent Cemetery and thank you for your work on Patton Cemetery. That's not our ownership, but if we don't address that, it will become our issue. So, thank you.

You're welcome. Police may merit commission met last Tuesday. All six passed pretty basic. They're looking at August for the academy and the next meeting won't be till June 2nd. That's all I've got. Councilwoman West,

the fire the fire merit commission met in person at fire station number one on May 6 and the tentative dates for the testing were changed to Wednesday, May 27th and Thursday, May 28th, scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Chief Snyder added that lateral transfers did not require testing testing to be eligible. Also, he suggested adding a section to the application in the future that would show eligibility for lateral transfers, stating this could help eliminate candidates from taking the test and avoid unnecessary testing costs. He also informed the fire at merit board that midyear performance ratings for the firefighters were complete and the chief officers would be completed by the end of the next week. Their next meeting will be June 3rd at 6:30 p.m. at fire station number one on 18th Street. Um the uh the urban urban enterprise association transferred ownership of the parking lot at the southeast corner of state in Monroe to the city of Leaport at the end of March in 2026. The organization has put in an offer to purchase a vacant lot at northeast corner of Jefferson and Jackson. They are waiting for a boundary survey to be completed. This parcel will be turned over to the city as part of the ready grant to assist in the development of affordable housing. Rehab work at 8:14 and 8:16 Lincolnway is moving along. Apartments will occupy the upper story floors with commercial space on the ground level floor. They will meet next Wednesday, May 20th for their next um board meeting and the bid board's next meeting will be June 8th at 5:00 p.m. in city chambers.

Councilman Buchanan. Uh the historic preservation commission meets tomorrow at 5:30 here in council chambers. Councilwoman Kesnney, nothing to add this evening. Second and final reading. Council President Frankie. Your honor, I move to read an ordinance for the second and final time by title only. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I. Opposed. Council President Frankie.

An ordinance of the common council of the city of Leaport, Indiana. annexing to and bringing within the city limits of Leaport, Indiana, and amending the zoning ordinance for property located in Pleasant Township contiguous herewith. Name of the name of petition, east annexation. Bird Cook.

Yeah. Good evening to the city council. Bird Cook. I am the executive director of the Leaport Economic Advancement Partnership. I have stood in front of you all many times over the last 20 years, but tonight is easily the most important. Over the last four months, and for many of you it goes longer than that, you have all spent countless hours considering this super voluntary annexation request and the Microsoft expansion project as well. I appreciate all the conversations you've had with residents both for and against the project. I appreciate your concern and attention for our water resources, your resolve in making sure residents don't shoulder additional electric costs and your consideration of the tax implications of this project as well. Has it always been easy? No, it has not. But nothing good ever comes easy. Microsoft has been a true partner all along this path. They have committed time, energy, and resources to being transparent and communicating directly with all those who've had questions. By my count, they with Mayor Dermody have held over 50 meetings with small groups and large groups and everything in between. In addition, there have been two large public meetings, one on April 14th at Kesling Intermediate School and one on April 21st at the Civic Auditorium. Microsoft has continued to share all the information they've had available in an effort to help people better understand this project. Although he has presented this previously, I would ask Mike Stockwell, land development and permitting program manager, to come up and share a review of this project as a

whole. Mike, welcome, Mr. Stockwell.

Thank you, Bert. Thank you, Mayor Dermitty, city council members, and to the city of Leort for the opportunity to speak here again today. Uh, my name is Mike Stockwell, senior land development manager at Microsoft. I'm joined here with Meredith Liza, our senior community affairs manager, Alli Sylvia, land use legal counsel at PL, Shadley, Ratcher, and Brawn, and Andrew Boomfeld, land development at Kimley Horn. Next slide, please. So, just hitting on some of the first uh five components here is the Microsoft first uh Microsoft community first infrastructure commitments. Uh we heard here from Mr. Kolinsky, our our commitment here to pay electricity prices to not shoulder the burden with residents. That is our stance and we intend to honor it. Uh we also strive to minimize our water use across our portfolio and that definitely holds true with this project related to our closed loop water systems. We'll be creating jobs for our residents. You know, we've already been meeting with the local unions. We have a good relationship and now that we have our construction force ready to go, a lot more to come with that. Uh we'll be adding to the tax base as we've heard previously and we'll be having many more things to share as we strengthen the community by investing local AI training and for nonprofits. So just wanted to talk through some of these key facts again. The proposed data center expansion would be consistent with the proposed M1 zoning. The proposed Microsoft campus is zoned M1 which permits a number of industrial uses. The proposed data center will pose minimal impact on local water. Our new GPO design GPU designs will consume zero water for cooling once in operation and require minimal water for employee use. These are closed loop cooling systems which will eliminate impacts to city resources. Additional modeling studies will be completed and any required updates to the municipal systems needed to serve the expanded campus will be identified and paid for by Microsoft 100%. As soon as we get through this process, we are going to be working through with the city and their staff on

modeling for water, sewer, and roadway improvements. Uh, all of that is going to be paid for and developed by Microsoft, designed and built by city consultants and contractors. The project team is committed to engineering solutions to minimize noise impacts. Microsoft is committing to complete a noise study once we enter design. Engineering solutions will be incorporated to ensure we comply with state and local regulations, minimizing any impacts to the surrounding communities. Our intent here is to be good neighbors. And as we get into the second item here, this this proposed data center will be surrounded by landscape BMS planted with native trees and shrubs, buffering nearby residents. Our design will include more than 300 feet of separation from the adjacent land uses and will incorporate landscape screening to obscure building sight lines while reducing noise and light from the development. So, we've earlier today met with some adjacent land owners and talked through a lot of their concerns. What our commitment to do is as we get into design, listen to these concerns and have that help influence the most feasible possible way with our engineering design to accomplish the concerns from the nearby residents. Uh the project team is also committed to providing engineering solutions to minimize light impacts. Our design is based on the lead credit for light pollution which uses downshielded lighting that minimizes glare and keeps areas safely lit for worker access and security. So just once again just a little bit about the timeline of where we're at. We we've got the original 500 acres under development right now for land development operations. That's what we're calling our phase one development in construction. We would still anticipate going vertical likely later this year in the fall time frame. uh where we're at today and here to talk about is the expansion area. So we are in the land acquisition standpoint. The next phase would in involve the detailed design and permitting of that work. Uh so more to come on that. A lot more conversations need to be had and and

we'll be providing more information when it does become available at that time. So wanted to bring up this this Burming rendering here real quick. Once again, a lot of the residents that are adjacent to the project are concerned about the look and feel. Right now, this is modeled with a roughly 6 to 8 foot burm with landscape planting trees and the security fence and then in the background, you'd see our building. What we've been able to see long term right now in the first phases of land development is that we would anticipate the BMS be much taller than that. So, we will have a lot of excess spoils we can do to enhance those BMS, provide further screening to alleviate a lot of concerns around the light and noise. This is a little bit more of a diagram to talk about the property line as it relates to our good neighbor buffer. That 300 foot setback, you know, from the property line into our development. That is our commitment not to put any buildings in that area. So with that, that would include the BMS, include the landscape screening before it gets to our security fence and patrol road. And then well beyond that would be where our data center building would be. Concerns about the ecosystem enhancement project. We've heard and we've communicated a lot of this at the open house. What we're trying to do with what we've shown here, this incorporates some land which we don't yet own. Uh this is part of the expansion area and what we do intend to do. There's been a lot of concerns we've heard what related to the storm water health of Travis ditch also shitch which would encompass the land that we are going for this expansion. So this would be uh I think at final development this project is just a snapshot of what it would totally be. So, a lot of wetland impacts uh that we would look to restore a lot of things within Travis Ditch. Um and then the same goes for Shur's ditch is that we want to make sure that we're enhancing providing native vegetation that would include the ability to enhance storm water drainage and species restoration uh for this area. So, we'll have a lot more content to come out about this project as it comes be a separate

permitted project from the data center development. Um so, when we have more information on that, we'll be happy to share it. Once again, we wanted to bring up our site plan here showing the first phase which we currently own and is in development right now versus the expansion area. So, this would account for an additional 11 data center buildings. Uh right now, we're conceptually showing a couple of different substation pads just based on some of the various uh wetlands and easement items that we found within the property at a very early due diligence level. Um so, what we see here is is what our plan would be moving forward. This is very conceptual and subject to change as we get into detailed engineering. There may be more things we're not yet aware of. A lot of the areas that don't show data center buildings right now would be intended for use of construction layown staging and not intended for for full-time use. But this is just as we plan and have it today. So, uh happy to answer more questions on the site plan. Um and as I wrap up here today, we just want to make sure that we are available for questions. This phone number and email does go directly to us. Both myself and Meredith will be involved with the project from start to finish and we're happy to provide any feedback and happy to answer any questions that we have here today. Uh before we get to that, I'd like to introduce Bur Cook once again. Thank you. And before you do, uh, Mike, while we have a a quick minute, and we've toured with the Leaport County Drainage Board and appreciate their work to educate us on the Travis ditch, and as a reminder, which I was shocked by, that that hasn't any cleanup of the Travis ditch hasn't happened for at least, they said, 55 years. And so this will be the first opportunity in uh a long time that the Travis ditch will be addressed.

Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. Thank you to Mike. Um again, I'd like to highlight Microsoft does not have to present this information. You all know you're considering an annexation tonight, but they're choosing to do so in order to be as transparent as possible. Um, we know these site plans um will change as the project continues to develop, but I believe this helps people better understand the project in front of you all and our community as a whole. Maybe I'll pause there and I'll ask attorney Otis to to touch on the process that has gotten us to where we are today.

Yeah, I just wanted to give a timeline of uh kind of what we've been through. So the first um public meeting on this on this second annexation was the filing of the petition for supervoluntary annexation that happened at the March 16th uh 2026 uh council meeting. And just to refresh, this is a super voluntary annexation. All of the property owners are asking to be annexed uh into the city of Leaport. Monday, April 13th, uh was the public hearing on the supervary annexation and introduction and first reading of the supervary annexation ordinance. Uh I think uh Mr. Cook had mentioned Tuesday, April 21st was a Microsoft community openhouse at the civic auditorium. Monday, May 4th, uh with the last council meeting, the council approved the fiscal plan for the super voluntary annexation. And that is required by statute to identify all the costs associated with annexing this land from utilities, police, fire, any costs associated uh w with that annexation. Tuesday, May 12th, uh was the plan commission meeting which addressed uh zoning related to this project. Just just so you all and I think you understand this, plan commission makes a recommendation to you uh and then um you will vote on that as a part of the of the annexation ordinance uh tonight establishing the zoning of the land coming into the city. Uh and then tonight obviously is the second and final reading of the super voluntary annexation and then there's a couple other items related to that if you if you approve the ordinance tonight that will uh will be addressed uh as well.

Thank you Nick. So I I'll close with this and I I love this quote. Um Paul Baron who was one of the grandfathers of the internet um he said every new technology has critics. The automobile, the airplane, the computer, they were all attacked as impractical, dangerous or unnecessary before they transformed the world. I thank you again for your consideration of this historic project and obviously I'm here to answer any questions if you if you have them. Questions for Mr. Cook or Mr. Stockwell.

No questions but I I do want to make a comment uh as we serve as a fiscal body for the city of Leaport as uh one of our primary roles and Mr. Jeffer said something that um really echoed with what I feel every year is kind of our mantra. How do we do more with less? Um when I took office in 2020, we were short on police officers. Uh we're losing them constantly to other cities. Um we had no money to help solve that problem. We knew they were underpaid. Uh thankfully mayor worked diligently with other communities in this county to get the public local income tax ped and that certainly helped us uh to to fix that problem but that fix is temporary. Um, Senate Enrollment Act One, which was Governor Braun's big push, uh, basically will make any of public lit lit go null and void next year or 28 maybe it starts. And we have two options. We can pass more taxes locally and we're still going to have to figure out how to do more with less or we can figure out a way to grow and generate money. As someone who's grown up here, um the city really hasn't changed all that much and I'm excited for an opportunity to do more with more and truly change the future of this town.

Other comments? I'd like to echo council president or I'm sorry, councilman Buchanan.

I'll echo uh what council president said, but the the economic impact is well illustrated. what's what it's going to do for the schools and construction and stuff. It it's it will be transformative. In talking to constituents and residents, their concern is environmental impacts. Um things that have been discussed and data centers are not all of the same. Factories are not all the same. There are issues with some of them that have caused problems that we hear about. um these Microsoft has illustrated year after year that they are industry leaders in environmental um uh impacts and innovation. So when this started being discussed years ago for phase one um we started all of us rolled up our sleeves and and started doing some research. I was able to visit some sites. Uh I was able to visit some sites under construction, some active, and just learned a significant amount about them. Um and that's when I learned they're not all the same. So some of the comments that were that were made today kind of hit home. If if we are using, you know, land, land is precious. Our our environment is precious. We need to make sure that it's the best in the industry that's going on it. We need to make sure that it is that they will and have a track record of doing what they say they're going to do. Uh and Microsoft has it in the past. They've have in other areas. Uh other sites like this have been transformative for communities. Uh we can see that data. Um

that all of those things being said has led me to to not only uh ex accept this but be excited about it. It is uh really it it they're going to be great partners. They have been in every avenue aspect so far and I believe that uh they will continue to. It will be up to the city and us to make sure that they are going to do what they have said they're going to do and I believe all of us are willing and able to do that. So um th those are my thoughts is how we've gotten here. Councilwoman West,

mine might be a little repetitive um but I would like to share how I am feeling about this project as well and the support I have seen um over the past especially the past four or five months has been extremely positive and I know there are some residents who are concerned about the future of our city and the impact this center may have on everyone. I believe both the supporters and non-suporters are concerned. I am too. I live here and I want what is best for my community. I have done my research. I know not every data data center can be compared and I believe Microsoft understands our concerns as a city and I also believe they will be a good partner. There comes a time with all things that council members have to weigh everything out and make a decision based on the information we know and the input from the public and then make a decision taking all of those factors into account. I feel that Microsoft has gone above and beyond to educate us all and have provided many opportunities to be available to answer any questions and hear our concerns. I met with a couple families that were going that are going to be in the closest proximity to the data center and listen to their concerns. I then reached out to Mr. Stockwell who is in charge of land development to see if he would take the time to meet with me. Councilwoman Kesjnney joined in the mayor, Bert Cook, and the homeowners on site. And he did this along with Meredith, who is the community engagement director for the project. When we all left, I believe everyone felt better. And I received some very positive messages from the homeowners letting me know and the rest of us know how much better they felt after their questions were answered and their concerns were addressed. I believe Microsoft will do their very best to address those these concerns because they know we will be watching and expecting that they will be good partners in this long-term project. And I also believe they will follow through with these concerns and and they should. No doubt lives will be impacted in more

ways for some than for other residents. But we as a city have to pay attention to our economic growth and development and this is a chance for everyone to benefit from this project through their presentations and also through the cities. I believe they have covered important matters and answered so many questions in regard to and I I could go through all those things that I listed but we've heard those tonight. So I trust that they will be good partners during the construction phase and beyond and I have no reason to think otherwise. Thank you. Questions? Other comments? Uh, another comment. Mine's Councilwoman Kesnney.

Oh, thank you. Um, all these sentiments uh resonate with me, so I won't repeat them, but I appreciate them all being uh put forth. I just like to to to let everybody know uh the the city limits um isn't like necessarily grandly huge. I too live within a mile and a half from the proposed data center and the annexation. I understand how my family potentially will be impacted. I understand how the school system will favorably be impacted. Um, again, there's been a I don't have a reason to doubt what Microsoft has put forth as their pledge that they won't deliver on. Uh, and yes, it's our responsibility as a city body as as the common council um to bring concerns and or um address anything if they do happen to fall short. Um, I I just would like to remind some folks I was caucused in in 2020. I'm not a politician. And I I'm somebody that has at that time two young children in the community. Uh I'd lived here for probably 18 years at this time and I felt that the city was just stagnant. Uh not that I was a bad place, but there wasn't a lot of growth and development. Um I was somehow accepted in as an outsider. I'm from St. John, Indiana, and Lake County is a completely different beast. And I'm not looking for Leaport to become Lake County. Um I I'd like to drive two miles in under 30 minutes to be quite honest with you. Um but it the the growth the premise um when I was up for reelection I had four platforms. The first one was uh in improving public safety, housing, infrastructure and addressing mental health and the opioid addiction. We've done our very best with little with less and less every year. Um but all of that comes with growth. Um so as long as it's sustainable growth, responsible growth, um growth that we could be proud of, um I I just want to thank Microsoft and there there have been other uh

organizations or corporations uh that have presented opportunities that that truly were not the same. They are not parallel. That is not something. So I myself uh appreciate the opportunity not just for myself and my family but for the community as a whole and for a place where potentially my children will want to choose to come back. So that that's sorry nothing crafted but other comments questions

and I will and and pardon me um one more time if I hear vote them out then vote them out vote me out but this is how I feel and based off my platform from four years ago and and and seven years ago I haven't changed data centers weren't a thing back then uh or at least not in our forefront. Um so you folks do what you need to do but I'm doing what I promise to do for you as well. Other comments? Mayor, Mayor, I have one. Councilman Galloway. Uh, when I first got elected, I don't remember what year it was, but uh, we were just coming out of this big county tax fiasco. You remember that? I sure do.

We were only getting 60% of our budget. And Okay. Okay. So anyway, we got out of that and now we're getting about onethird of the paving done for the same amount of money from just a few years ago. Microsoft seems like they're going to be a good partner for the city. They care. They're presenting I which I think is a good deal and trying to take care of people around them. So I'm all for it and if anybody wants to vote me out, hey, go for it. Roger, I was here when you first got elected. You'll notice that I didn't mention a date, just for the record. So other questions, comments? Mayor, Mr. Otis,

just briefly uh I after the plan commission meeting last week, I asked uh Rosco Huffman, our IT person, about how we manage our data at the city. I was just curious and we manage it on site and then back it up to the cloud which is a data center which is the standard operating procedure of almost any entity that exists today whether government or non-government. Same for my office. Uh same for probably almost every business that exists. There's probably multiple data centers that store anti-data center social media posts at this point. uh there which is there's a certain level of irony to that. The news stations that are here tonight are going to go back shared on television and also shared on their websites and social media pages that are stored by data centers. The economy in the world wouldn't exist the way it does currently today with without these things. We are driving whether we like it or not everybody in here is driving the demand for these for this product. I don't think uh the the richest corporations in the world would be investing the kind of money they were if there wasn't the demand that we are driving for these products. So

and you mean the internet isn't a fed

you know and another and the other thing if you ask Mr. Huffman, which it would be totally true across the board for our demand for data within the city has skyrocketed within the last few few years and uh you know the police that wear body cameras I think everybody would universally agree that is a great thing. Those take up tremendous amount of data, right? Uh I think everybody regardless of party would say that's a great thing though. So there's trade-offs that we have to make. Um I used to travel around the country for depositions. I do those from my office. Now, is that better that I'm doing that on a computer or getting on a plane and flying over and all the things that come with travel? So, there are trade-offs with every uh technological advancement that you have to decide on. Well, in closing, I just have a few comments. Making tough decisions is never easy. In today's political climate, tough decisions are met with criticism regardless. No matter which way you vote tonight, there is no reality in which that decision makes everyone happy. The more important question is this. Will my decision help to improve the lives of residents? School choice Senate Bill one have put our local schools in an impossible position. Will the 15% in revenue sharing from this project give our kids a superior education and the best chance at a future in this techdriven world? Many of you have been told that our city has too many lowincome or minimum wage jobs. Will the addition of these high wage, highly skilled jobs change the course of this discussion?

The resources that will come from this caliber of investment are unlike anything we've ever seen in the history of the city of Leaport. Will we choose to capitalize on this opportunity not just for our residents, but for future generations? As I said at the beginning, making tough, difficult decisions is never easy. But when you evaluate the truth, is it really difficult at all? I hope you will do what improves the lives of our residents for many years to come and vote yes. With that, do I have a motion?

Motion to approve. Second motion and a second. Further comments. All in favor? I oppose. Motion passes. Thank you. Number eight, framework infrastructure development agreement to Microsoft. Mr. Frankie, I believe. Mr. Frankie, by title only. Your honor, I move to introduce a development agreement read by title only. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I I opposed. Council President Frankie framework infrastructure development agreement.

Mr. Cook, welcome back. So, I uh I'd like to start uh on on this topic with first um giving credit to Mayor Dermody uh for his commitment to negotiating the best possible deal for the city of Leaport and Microsoft's commitment uh to this partnership as well. In front of you, you have a infrastructure development agreement which lays out performance items required by the city, many of which have already been started and/or completed, and a series of commitments from Microsoft that are designed to assist with our needs due to this due to this historic economic development project. So, what I'd like to do, if it's acceptable, is just give you a summary of the the main items within the agreement, and then obviously I can answer questions if you have those. So, I'll start with in recognition of the city's costs associated with professional services, um Microsoft will pay $200,000 to the city of Leaport to assist with those costs. In recognition of the impacts of to city roads and sidewalks from their project, Microsoft will pay $322 for each square foot of the first data center building to be built in the development. And just for the so we can benchmark a little bit with this. Microsoft does not discuss actual building square footages. Um but the first building will be between 300,000 and 600,000 square feet and it'll be on the higher end of that range. In recognition of the loss of open space and agricultural land, Microsoft will undertake on-site ecological and biomimicry enhancements, including restoration and storm water improvements of approximately 100 acres of prairie land on the property that they will will own at an estimated cost of $4 million. Microsoft will also pay 300,000 to the city of Leaport, which the city will use

to fund storm water improvements to Travis Ditch. As the mayor mentioned, Travis Stitch has not been improved in over 55 years. In recognition of the increased need for city essential services, Microsoft will pay $260 for each square foot of building area of the first data center building to be built in the development. In recognition of the increased need for AI proficiency in the community, Microsoft will pay the Leaport Community School Corporation $1 million. Microsoft will work collaboratively with the city to determine if it is possible and beneficial to deliver soils to Beachwood Golf Course for various projects planned at the golf course. Those are the main components of this development agreement uh or this infrastructure agreement. Um I'm happy to answer questions or elaborate on any of those items if you have them

comments. I would like to thank Microsoft for for their willingness and openness to partner on some of these uh items that are important to the city and uh will help the momentum on a short-term basis and is uh more importantly from my perspective to the school system because we know where the schools are going to be next year and I think you'll see that this will help um stop gap further and future losses in the 2027 budget. uh for the school system and to be honest there's actually uh some for the city with the losses that the city will see next year based on uh the legislature as well.

Mayor and mayor may you make a good point. I should have probably mentioned in my comments as well. One of the questions that I think you all have been asked and we get asked regularly in our discussions on this project with the community is when does tax revenue when do you start to see tax revenue? Right? We recognize that Indiana collects taxes in a rears. So the first time we will likely see significant revenues from this project will be 2029. Those are 2028 pay taxes 2028 taxes pay 2029. So again to the mayor's point, some of these resources that are outlined in this infrastructure development agreement will help bridge the gap to when we start to see additional revenues. I I think it's uh Councilman Buchanan,

it's worth noting too that uh um you mentioned the infrastructure upgrades to Travis Ditch and the the there's been a common misconception. I've I'm one of those that watch all of the city and county meetings and uh watch the soil and drainage board meeting, which is which is entertaining. Um but no, it's not.

Your definition of entertainment is different than mine. Um it's been recognized there that the and it's one of the misconceptions that I've heard is that the storm water uh uh issues are going to be created by Microsoft and you kind of alluded to it but that the Travis Dish has had issues for 55 years and actually it was noted noted at the last meeting that the Microsoft property will be uh uh releasing less storm water than currently is as far ground right now. So, um, it it it'll be it's just it's not discharging water. It's not more storm water to to deal with. It's actually less. But they have seen some of the issues at hand with the Travis Stitchen drainage. And it's an illustration of their partnership that they're willing to step up and help with this type of uh situation when it's not even a problem of theirs or the cities.

Further comments? Motion to approve. So moved. Second. Comments. All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Cook. While you're there, introduction of a resolution that can pass this evening. Uh, I'll make a motion to uh Oh, yes. Council make a motion to uh read a resolution for the first and only time. Second motion in a second. Discussion. All in favor? I oppose. Councilman Buchanan.

A resolution approving the sale of property by the city of Leaport. Whereas the city of Leaport is annexing various parcels of land into the city of Leaport to expand the Microsoft data center campus. And whereas Microsoft intends to purchase two parcels from the city of Leaport as a part of their data center campus expansion. And whereas Microsoft intends to invest over1 billion dollars in the city of Leaport. And whereas the city of Leaport has determined it is the highest and best use of their land to sell it to to Microsoft to promote this economic development project. And now therefore be it resolved by the common council of the city of Leaport, Indiana as follows. Section one, pursuant to Indiana code 36-1-11-4.2, Two, the city of Leaport can can shell real property not acquired through eminent domain to promote an economic development project. This statute further allows the city to sell real property for not less than the average of two appraisals. Section two, the city maintain two appraisals property and average of the two appraisals is 1,717,500. This this real property was not acquired by the city for maintaining. Section three, Microsoft agrees to pay $145,000 per acre and the city and Microsoft estimate estimate the real property consists of $119.5 acres which totals 17,327,500. Section four, the city council hereby approves the purchase and sale agreement exhibit one for the sale of these parcels to Microsoft. Section five, Thomas P. Dery, mayor of the city of Leaport, shall have full authority and is hereby directed and authorized to execute all necessary documents to accomplish the closing of the sale on

behalf of the city of Leaport. End of resolution. So, this is a resolution. uh it can pass this evening. Mr. Cook,

I don't think there um there's a whole lot to add to this. I think the resolution is fairly clear in what's happening. Property is located directly east of the uh existing Microsoft site within the uh kind of area that we've discussed at length here this evening. Um I would highlight just because I you could see it being you know maybe a point of confusion. The average of the two two appraisals is 1.7 million. Um but the acquisition price is 17 bill327,500. Obviously significant uh um price for the for the acreage. Um happy to answer questions that you might have on this

comments. Mr. Brous

uh Indiana code allows uh governmental entities and municipalities to engage in a variety of different tractions, different ways to buy and sell property depending on kind kind of the the end use. Uh there's uh for example the Advantics project which is a lowincome housing project. There's a statute that allows the city to transfer real estate to nonprofits that serve lowincome housing, for example. There's uh specific statutes that allow the city to sell property we acquired through tax sales to adjacent property owners, which we've done or in the process of doing. This statute specifically allows uh communities uh municipalities to sell parcels that are to promote economic development of projects. So uh in addition to that you have to get two appraisals. Again the appraisals came in uh at 1 point just over 1.7 million and Microsoft is proposing to acquire this for for about 10 times that. It's a pretty staggering u amount of sometimes we're on the other end of that. This time we the offer is so far exceeding uh what the appraised value of the land is. So, uh, this will also, u go before the board of public works, uh, tomorrow as as well.

Motion to approve. I will point out that there was one typo, uh, that I'll I will correct. I instead of shell cell, it said shell. So, I apologize. I'll correct that. I do have a motion.

Second comments. And I know some of you have asked this these fundings can come at the right time. We have a lot of needs and the wastewater team has you know they so or they paid for this um project. We see a lot of those funds being used for wastewater. Um it's city leaport and we see some potential opportunity to fund some things but we see also in uh a focus on uh Mr. Jackson and the wastewater team uh for quite a bit of these dollars. So with that further comment, all in favor?

Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Number 10, introduction of an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance. Councilwoman West. Your honor, I move to introduce an ordinance read for the first time in its entirety. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I I opposed. Councilwoman West.

An ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance of the city of Leaport, Indiana, as enacted August 21st, 2017, which is a part of chapter 82 of the municipal code of the city of Leaport by amending the official zone map that are a part of the zoning ordinance in order to reszone one parcel uh of real estate in the city of Leaport. Whereas the parcel of real estate described below are now zoned under the zone maps as contained in the zoning ordinance of the city of Leaport, Indiana, which is part of chapter 82 of code of the city of Leaport, Indiana, as being in use district R1B, single family residential district. Whereas the city plan commission of the city of Leaport has held a properly advertised public hearing to determine whether or not it will recommend to the common council of the city of Leort, Indiana, that the parcel as described below be placed in a different use district. And whereas the city plan commission at this public hearing considered this matter required to be considered by Indiana code 36-7-4-603. And whereas it was the recommendation of the city plan commission that the official zone map of the city of Leaport should be amended to the parcel as described above be reszoned by being placed in the zoning district as described below. hand. Whereas this ordinance would be amended to the zoning ordinance of the city of Leaport as enacted August 21st, 2017 and which is part of chapter 82 of the municipal code of the city of Leaport, Indiana, and specifically an amendment to the official zone map of the city of included in article 32 of the zoning ordinance of the city of Leaport. End of ordinance.

Thank you. This cannot pass this evening. Um, Mr. Phillips, would you like to come forward and explain, please? Welcome.

Thank you. Uh, good evening. So, this is a request for reszoning of a parcel um that's currently located within city limits that's also intended to be ultimately part of the um ultimate Microsoft uh data center campus. and it's the um only parcel within that campus ultimate boundary of the campus that's currently located within city limits um prior to the action that you took this evening that'll take effect within 30 days of publication. Um so just to be clear, it's one parcel located within the city limits um located along Boyd Boulevard currently zoned residential um that would ultimately the intent would be ultimately for this to be owned as part of that overall campus. and the plan commission did pass two separate resolutions that were passed to you uh in your uh packets uh for this evening. Um just to be clear, they took a vote on the overall um request for reszoning, the petition that we received or the application we received regarding the overall reasonzoning. Um but they passed two resolutions, one of which had to do uh with this request as it pertains to the land within the sale limit. So, I'm happy to answer any questions that you have um related to this, but that's kind of it in a nutshell.

Comments, questions? This will now move to the June 1st B uh council meeting. Thank you. Thank you.

Before I uh call for a very brief break so people can leave that may uh been here just for the Microsoft uh votes. Uh I would like to acknowledge the passing of Jim Burton who was the city band leader for many many years. A wonderful individual uh great family and then the time and effort for basically zero pay uh to improve the quality of life of our residents in Lord. Uh he was amazing. It's hard to find people like him and um it'll just be difficult, you know, uh with the legacy that he left. So, uh we're praying for his family. Uh but did want to acknowledge that if we could have a moment of silence for Burton. Thank you. I'll now take a very two two minute 3 minute break. anybody at uh has had an out for this evening and would like to have at home uh please do and uh we'll start back up in two to three minutes. Thank you.

We will now resume the city of Leaport common council meeting May 18th, 2026 at 7:40 p.m. Thank you for your patience. Introduction of a resolution. Councilwoman Huffman. Thank you. I would like to make a motion to introduce a resolution for the first and only time read in its entirety. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I oppose. Councilwoman Huffman.

Thank you. Additional appropriation for seedited fund number 2209, CDBG COVID fund number 2440, unsafe building fund number 2234, Beachwood non-reverting capital fund number 5506, and major moves fund number 2244. Whereas it has been determined that it is now necessary to appropriate more money than was appropriated in the annual budget. Now therefore, section one, be it resolved by the common council of the city of Leaport, Leaport County, Indiana, that for the expense 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. Seated Beachwood Lakes, NIPCO repair, surveys, and appraisals 2209-465-375. Amount requested 38,000. Amount approved 38,000 CDBG COVID HUD grant number B-20-mW8-000021 Other capital outlays lift at the civic auditorium 244-103-49-0000 Amount requested $241,379.34 Amount approved $241,379.34 unsafe building fund. Other services and charges demolish demolition of 508 West 11th Street 2234-0000-391. Amount requested $13,55942. Amount approved $13,55942. Major Moves Fund Local Match Sign Replacement Grant 2244-532-441.005

Preliminary Engineering amount requested $15,300. Amount approved $15,300. Construction amount requested $146,126. Amount approved $146,126. Construction Engineering amount requested $9,000. Amount approved $9,000. Total of $170,426. Major moves fund local match pedestrian crossing Pine Lake Avenue 2244-532-441.006. Preliminary engineering amount requested 20,700. Amount approved 20,700. Construction amount requested $44,100. Amount approved $44,100. Construction engineering amount requested $6,300. Amount approved $6,300. Total $71,100. Major moves fund local match Chessie Trail 2244-532-315. Railroad crossing preliminary engineering. Amount requested $37,676. Amount approved $37,676. Major Moves Fund Chesy Trail Railroad Crossing 2244-532-315.001 Preliminary Engineering amount requested 78,74 amount approved.

Typo, is that a typo? It says 98. Sorry. Sorry. Let me start that over. My apologies. Preliminary engineering amount requested $78,74. Amount approved $78,74 for a total of $116,380. Thank you, Miss Kesnney. Whoa.

Beachwood non-reverting capital fund. Other capital outlays 5506-83-490 Golf course improvements and equipment amount requested $81,480. Amount approved $81,480. End of resolution. Self-explanatory. Is there a motion to approve? Still moved. Second. Comments, questions? What's the sign? sign replacement.

It's that's a local match for a federal gr grant we were awarded. Most of these are for projects we just didn't have costs for um at 2026 budget time. So they're local most of them are local matches for like street signs. It could be like Michigan A trucks stay off Michigan A. Uh those things which we've taken inventory of and have caught several um and just updating the signs. I'm turning you in. I'm just checking. Yes. Further com. Is there a sign you are interested in? Not in particular, but I'll get back to you.

I think Jamie Novak is leading that so she has more information on that. Motion to approve. So moved. Second. Discussion. All in favor? I oppose. Motion passes. Introduction. Introduction of a resolution. Councilwoman Ficus. Your honor, I move to introduce a resolution read for the first and only time by title only. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I. Opposed. Councilwoman Ficus. Resolution electing to join or enlarge the public employees retirement fund PEF as administered by the Indiana Public Retirement System. End of resolution.

Mr. Otis, I I've got this one. Okay. For treasur,

we are working with INP. When we currently sign up new full-time employees in the INER system, we have to match their job title as a an an a city approved inperson full-time job title. This will eliminate all of that. We don't have to change it every year with a salary ordinance. We're just we budget for full-time employees to be eligible for inse unless there is a reason that they are not. So if they're you know whatever if they're already retired whatever. So this will create a lot more efficiency in the in system and in our um onboarding system. That's that's all this resolution is doing is making things flow much more efficiently. And you'll see that there there's dates dating back to 2020 in this resolution. So just cleaning up since I've been here, please. And thank you.

Motion to approve. Second. Discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion passes. Introduction of a resolution. Resolution. Councilman Galloway. Dr. I'd like to introduce a resolution and read for the only time. Second. Motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? I I oppose. 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 Leaport, Indiana, that the following transfers be made within the following budgets for the year 2026. General Fund Police Department 1101-370 from 221 operating supplies to 361 repairs and maintenance $10,000. from 231 repairs and maintenance to 361 repairs and maintenance $5,000. From 341 other supplies to 361 repairs, maintenance, $7,000 from 351 professional services to 361 repairs and maintenance $5,000. Total general fund transfer $27,000. Clerk, treasure parthon, just normal business.

Yes, the police requested this. I included that in your packet. Police department asked to have $32,000 transferred to their repairs or maintenance. Um, there were some insurance refunds that we can reappropriate. So, we knocked that down to $27,000. And I think there's some more that they're waiting on as well. There's a couple small claims that Newbie Lewis is helping us with. Um, but this should get them through their repairs and maintenance issues. This is a resolution so it can pass this evening. Do I have a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second comments. All in favor? I

opposed. Motion passes. And any other business? I just want to remind everybody, I know you're excited that uh tomorrow morning business made social. We'll have the opportunity to see the Lebezznik Center at 7:30 a.m. at State Street Church. So, I appreciate backing those time frames up. Well, Mr. Riley, that works out. Uh, we can keep the I like it. Uh, any other comments? Yeah, I got one. Um, for the fire station building corp, are we talking to anyone about that? I'll Should I work to find somebody?

It's been tabled for a while. We just need one person. Okay. Oh, three of three people, right? I'm sorry. There's three members and we need all three. That's what That's what Annette told me in the beginning of the year. We can confirm that with you. Yeah, let me know. I'll work on it. Thank you. We can work. We can work together. Yeah. Team Motion to adjurnn. So moved. Oh no. I was asking. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Oh,

Councilman Galloway. Councilman Galloway. Motion to adjourn. Way to go, Tom. My only thunder. I got Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? Wow. We are adjourned. Have a great evening.