[0:01] [music] You are watching Access Leaport

[0:04] County Channel 97. Coming up next is the

[0:06] October 6th meeting for the Michigan

[0:08] City [music] Common Council. You can

[0:09] find more information for this meeting

[0:11] by visiting www.acesslaport.org. [music]

[0:21] Good evening and welcome to the Michigan

[0:23] City Common Council. Today is Tuesday,

[0:26] October 6, 2026.

[0:30] I would first like to ask if you would

[0:32] all please silence all of your

[0:34] electronic devices.

[0:36] Should your cell phones, laptops, or

[0:39] whatever your electronic devices happens

[0:41] to ring, I ask that you please take your

[0:44] phone calls and exit the council

[0:47] chambers and take your phone calls out

[0:49] in the chambers or outside due to um

[0:52] non-interruptions.

[0:54] I would now like to also ask if you will

[0:56] all please join us in saying the pledge

[0:58] of allegiance and a moment of silent

[1:00] prayer.

[1:15] for all.

[1:34] And before we begin um our agenda, I

[1:38] would ask and to acknowledge that we

[1:40] have two council members that is online.

[1:43] Councilwoman Moldenhower and Councilman

[1:45] Nelson, please remember that um in order

[1:49] to cast your vote, you have to be

[1:51] visually visibly seen. You'll need to

[1:53] have your screen monitor on. Thank you.

[1:56] Madame Clerk, if you would please on the

[1:58] roll call. Mr. Vietri,

[2:00] >> present.

[2:01] >> Mr. Coulter,

[2:02] >> present.

[2:02] >> Mr. Dabney,

[2:03] >> present.

[2:04] >> Dr. Cora,

[2:04] >> present.

[2:05] >> Miss Lee, present. Miss Molden,

[2:08] >> present.

[2:10] >> Mr. Nelson

[2:14] » present.

[2:16] >> Mr. President Bolinski

[2:18] >> present

[2:18] >> and Miss Tman

[2:19] >> present.

[2:20] >> We have nine present and no one absent.

[2:26] » M president

[2:28] >> uh Dr. Core.

[2:29] >> Yeah. I'd like to

[2:32] add one item to the agenda and that is

[2:36] an ordinance establishing a temporary

[2:39] moratorum on new data center development

[2:44] and creating section 22-3 in the

[2:47] Michigan City Municipal Code

[2:50] >> support.

[2:54] Do you make the judgment?

[2:57] >> Is that a motion Dr.

[2:59] >> Yes. One moment. Is that a motion?

[3:00] >> That's a motion.

[3:01] madam.

[3:02] >> That entertain a second.

[3:04] >> Support.

[3:05] >> Madame clerk, on the vote, please.

[3:09] >> Mr. Coulter.

[3:10] >> Hi,

[3:11] >> Mr. Dabney.

[3:12] >> Hi,

[3:13] >> Mr. Dr. Cora.

[3:14] >> Hi,

[3:15] >> Miss Lee.

[3:15] >> Hi,

[3:16] >> Miss Moldenau.

[3:17] >> Nay,

[3:21] » Mr. Nelson.

[3:24] Um,

[3:28] » thank you, Councilman Nelson.

[3:29] >> Um,

[3:30] >> I'm sorry, but we can't

[3:32] >> abstain [clears throat]

[3:34] before we can take that vote. U Madam,

[3:36] we cannot see you. Councilman Nelson,

[3:38] >> I'm sorry. I'm at work. I'm in my car.

[3:40] Um,

[3:43] maybe that

[3:44] >> Okay, now you're visible. Thank you.

[3:46] Appreciate it.

[3:47] >> Abain. Abstain.

[3:51] » Okay, you're shamed now. All right,

[3:53] abstain. Uh Mr. President Balinski

[3:55] >> I

[3:56] >> Miss Tilman

[3:57] >> I

[3:57] >> and Mr. Beatatrice

[3:59] >> I

[4:00] >> we have uh eight and seven in favor one

[4:04] opposed and one abstained

[4:07] >> and so the moratorum um is now added to

[4:10] the council agenda for this evening.

[4:13] Madam President, I have one more uh

[4:15] request and a motion to change the order

[4:18] of business on our agenda so that we can

[4:21] move up the flock camera system.

[4:24] Consideration of the flock camera system

[4:26] uh which is listed as the last item on

[4:30] the agenda. I want to move it up.

[4:32] >> May I entertain a second?

[4:34] >> Second.

[4:36] >> Was that by Councilwoman Lee?

[4:40] Was that second?

[4:42] Madame clerk, if you would please on the

[4:44] vote.

[4:44] >> Mr. Dabney.

[4:46] >> I.

[4:47] >> Dr. Corora.

[4:48] >> Hi.

[4:48] >> Miss Lee.

[4:49] >> Hi.

[4:49] >> Miss Moldenower.

[4:55] » Miss Mr. Moldenour.

[4:59] >> I

[5:01] >> Mr. Nelson.

[5:02] >> Abstain.

[5:06] » Uh, Mr. Presolinsky.

[5:07] >> Hi.

[5:08] >> Miss Tolman.

[5:08] >> Hi.

[5:09] >> Mr. Beatri.

[5:10] >> Hi.

[5:10] >> And Mr. P. I

[5:12] >> we have eight in favor and one

[5:14] abstained.

[5:16] >> And so the flock has been moved up on

[5:19] the council agenda for this evening.

[5:23] Next we have reports of standing

[5:24] committees the finance committee

[5:26] meeting. Councilman Dabney.

[5:28] >> Madam press madam president we need to

[5:30] do the approval of minutes. I just

[5:32] >> Oh sorry all these errors.

[5:35] Um, the approval of minutes for the

[5:38] regular council hybrid Zoom September

[5:40] 15, 2026.

[5:42] Have all council members had an

[5:44] opportunity to review and to make any

[5:47] corrections if necessary?

[5:50] >> If there are none, may I entertain a

[5:52] motion?

[5:52] >> Motion to approve.

[5:53] >> Support.

[5:55] >> Madame Clerk, on the vote, please.

[5:57] >> Dr. Cora,

[5:58] >> I.

[5:59] >> Miss Lee,

[5:59] >> I.

[6:00] >> Mr. Moldenower,

[6:02] >> I.

[6:03] >> Mr. Nelson.

[6:04] >> Hi,

[6:06] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[6:07] >> Hi,

[6:07] >> Miss Tilman. Hi,

[6:08] >> Mr. Beatri. Hi,

[6:10] >> Mr. Coulter. Hi,

[6:11] >> and Mr. Dabney.

[6:12] >> Hi.

[6:13] >> We have nine in favor and no one

[6:14] opposed. And the approval of the minutes

[6:16] for the regular council hybrid zone

[6:19] September 15, 2026 is approved. Next on

[6:23] our agenda, we have reports of standing

[6:25] committees. Um, our finance committee

[6:28] meeting, Councilman Dabney.

[6:33] » Yes. All right. [clears throat]

[6:36] The finance uh committee meeting of

[6:39] October 6, 2026 was called to order by C

[6:42] by Chairman Bryant Dabney at 6:02 p.m.

[6:45] to review and approve claims uh since

[6:47] the last meeting. Committee member

[6:49] Councilman Dr. Kora, Councilman

[6:51] Beatatri, and Councilman Dabney were

[6:53] present. Uh, city controller Smith was

[6:55] also present. Claims reviewed were

[6:58] $189,92362

[7:02] from the riverboat fund, $0 from Boyd

[7:05] Development Fund, and $0 from the rainy

[7:07] day fund for a total claim docket of

[7:08] $189,92362.

[7:13] There were no further questions about

[7:14] the claims docket from uh the committee

[7:16] members. Councilman Beatri move to

[7:19] recommend approval of the docket. There

[7:21] was a second from Councilman Dr. Kora.

[7:23] The motion was approved unanimously.

[7:26] Then city controller Smith uh commented

[7:29] concerning the six Dodge Durango that

[7:31] are on the dock and explain why the

[7:32] payment is uh going to Everweise Credit

[7:35] Union. Um and everybody was sufficient

[7:37] with that explanation. I can explain in

[7:39] more detail if I need to. Finally, on a

[7:42] motion Councilman Beatatri and a second

[7:44] by Councilman Dr. Core, the meeting was

[7:45] adjourned at 6:08 p.m. The details of

[7:48] the claims are as follows. from the

[7:51] riverboat fund payment to Everweise

[7:54] Credit Union. Uh there were police

[7:56] vehicles, there were six of them. There

[7:57] were Dodge Durango total uh for a

[7:59] payment of $189,92362.

[8:04] Once again, there were $0 from Boyd

[8:06] Development and zero from the rainy day

[8:07] fund for a total claim docket once again

[8:09] of $189,92362.

[8:14] the October 6th uh 2026 riverboat and

[8:17] rainy day fund statement of cash

[8:19] position. In the riverboat fund, we have

[8:22] 5 million898,70

[8:25] $70.91.

[8:27] In the rainy day fund, we have 1,99,8946

[8:33] for a total between the two um accounts

[8:36] of $6,997,965.37.

[8:43] And into tonight's meeting with the uh

[8:46] committee members, I also reported uh

[8:48] things that will come up later in the

[8:50] council meeting, but since we discussed

[8:51] those in the uh finance committee, I did

[8:53] put those in the minutes here. There

[8:55] were some salary ordin going to be

[8:57] salary ordinance changes and some

[8:59] reductions to uh the budget that will be

[9:01] introduced tonight. I'll make a motion

[9:03] to approve those. Uh but budget

[9:05] reduction and this happened at our

[9:07] hearing of September 21st, 2026. It was

[9:11] fund 2209.

[9:13] All account numbers were included.

[9:16] Description was the lit economic

[9:18] development fund police department uh

[9:21] department 202. The original request

[9:23] showed $181,800.

[9:26] The council reduction was $181,800.

[9:30] So now the revised amount of that uh is

[9:34] $0. And council knows for that that was

[9:37] uh found to be a duplicate in the

[9:39] budget. So we had to uh get rid of that

[9:42] uh out of the uh said budget changes in

[9:45] salary ordinance planning and

[9:47] inspection. I will introduce these

[9:49] changes. The high end of pay range was

[9:52] listed at $69,345.

[9:56] However, it should have should be listed

[9:58] at $62,000.

[10:01] in the street department. There was a

[10:03] position that we needed to add um

[10:05] position of field super supervisor with

[10:07] a salary range of $56,000

[10:11] to $62,000.

[10:13] And that concludes the finance committee

[10:16] uh report tonight.

[10:18] >> Thank you, Councilman Dabney.

[10:22] Um may I entertain a motion to approve?

[10:25] >> So moved. Second.

[10:28] >> Madame Clerk, on the vote, please. Miss

[10:31] Lee

[10:32] I

[10:35] Yes.

[10:37] No. That's okay. For the money.

[10:40] Uh Miss Moldenower.

[10:42] >> I

[10:43] >> Mr. Nelson.

[10:47] » I

[10:49] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[10:51] >> Hi.

[10:52] >> Miss Tilman.

[10:53] >> Hi.

[10:53] >> Mr. Beatri.

[10:54] >> Hi.

[10:54] >> Mr. Calter.

[10:55] >> Hi.

[10:56] >> Mr. Dabney.

[10:56] >> Hi.

[10:57] >> And Dr. Kora.

[10:58] >> Hi. We have nine in favor and no one

[11:00] opposed.

[11:01] >> And the claims for October 6, 2026 is

[11:04] approved.

[11:07] Next on our agenda, we have reports from

[11:09] boards and commissions.

[11:11] We have Tristan Smith, president of

[11:13] Urban Enterprise Zone Association's 2026

[11:16] annual report.

[11:29] Good evening. My name is Carlton Bishop

[11:31] and I am the uh new executive director

[11:34] of the Michigan City Urban Enterprise

[11:36] Association. Um and I have with me Mr.

[11:39] Tristan Smith, the uh board president.

[11:42] Look at that. Right on time. All right.

[11:44] So, if you guys check your your TV

[11:46] monitors over here, um this is just our

[11:48] board so you guys can get familiar with

[11:50] it. Um it's it's kind of a hefty board

[11:53] and it's in between a mayor appointment

[11:56] and the council. So you guys do have

[11:58] some say um on the urban enterprise

[12:00] board. Uh just so you know. Um

[12:04] again and this is something where you

[12:07] know it's not public comment. So if you

[12:08] guys want to just give me a you know

[12:10] back and forth or or if you have any

[12:12] questions feel free to stop me and I can

[12:14] always answer any questions as we go

[12:16] through. So going to the next one. So,

[12:19] here's our zone. Um, the zone, it's it's

[12:23] very interesting how this happened. So,

[12:25] in the the Economic Development Corp of

[12:27] Indiana actually took this over or they started it and now us on the local

[12:32] level, we have more to do with it in um

[12:35] in operating this zone. So, here's our

[12:37] borders and what the urban enterprise

[12:41] does essentially is it administers

[12:44] grants to the community. So we can

[12:47] administer grants um on the residential

[12:49] level, on the business level, and um it

[12:53] works by collecting tax basis from

[12:56] businesses making an investment kind of

[12:58] like the RDC or the EDMC, but it's its

[13:02] own specialized lane where um you know,

[13:04] it could do a lot of things that like

[13:06] the RDC maybe can't do just because of

[13:10] statute of how it's set up. So, um, I'm

[13:13] coming in basically now to kind of like,

[13:15] uh, you know, just to check out how this

[13:17] was developed and look at incentives and

[13:20] different things that we could do to

[13:22] really give back to to the community and

[13:24] the the business, uh, sector. So, go to

[13:28] the next one. Um, again, so the purpose

[13:31] is is really um, you know, economic

[13:33] health and reinvestment within the

[13:35] enterprise zone. um current standing,

[13:39] you know, we're we're taking a look at

[13:40] kind of where we've been and where we

[13:42] want to go. Um and again, Mr. Mr.

[13:44] Tristan here knows Mr. Smith knows a lot

[13:46] more than I do about where they've been.

[13:48] I think last year you guys gave away

[13:51] upwards of $100,000 to um to residents.

[13:55] Um, and one of the big determinant

[13:57] factors is um, unlike an RDC or or

[14:01] within TIFF, you know, you're

[14:02] developing, you know, sewer and you're helping like 10 businesses all on one block. That's kind of how RDC

[14:10] works. We fit in more on the residential

[14:12] level, right? So, if they need to paint

[14:14] houses, if buildings uh, you know, need

[14:17] something specific, we can help those

[14:19] individual people, which is really nice,

[14:21] right? And it's by statute that it works

[14:23] that way that we can all work together

[14:24] in collaboration.

[14:26] Um let's see here. Yeah, perfect. So

[14:29] we're going to try to modernize, right,

[14:31] engage, educate, and predict. So um

[14:34] right now we're taking a look at

[14:36] different uh recordeping, bookkeeping,

[14:38] just everything that the kind of the

[14:40] zone has has been tracking. And it looks nice. We we looked through and

[14:45] it's been bookkept pretty well. Um I

[14:49] have also brought on Mary Jane and

[14:51] Associates. Uh she played a big role in

[14:53] setting up Leaport's uh urban enterprise

[14:56] zone. Um and she was the executive

[14:58] director for 10 years until she stepped

[15:00] down. So we're really happy to have her

[15:02] as well and she's helping us uh with all

[15:04] of these steps. And you know I'm trying

[15:07] to engage and let you guys kind of

[15:08] understand where we're at tonight and educate um and hopefully we can we

[15:13] can see uh progress moving forward. we

[15:15] go to the next one. So again, our lane

[15:19] is is not, you know, the we're not the

[15:22] RDC, we're not economic development MC

[15:25] uh urban enterprise. It's it's just a

[15:27] separate smaller piece that works

[15:29] together in unison with all of these

[15:31] things. Um and done correctly, you know,

[15:33] it it's great because it's Michigan

[15:35] City's just seen so much progress in the

[15:38] last 10 years. I tip my hat to the RDC,

[15:40] EDMC, and and all the above. Um, but you

[15:44] know, this is that last piece I think

[15:45] that can really help the residents out

[15:47] and I'm excited to do that.

[15:50] Go ahead. [gasps]

[15:52] Um, again, this is kind of uh stuff that

[15:55] I already hit on, but um, you know,

[15:57] we're corate coordinating directly with the city. Um, that's why I'm here

[16:03] tonight. Um, like I said, you guys hold

[16:06] the keys to our board in ways where um,

[16:09] there's a sunset clause. So, if we

[16:10] sunset in say 2028 or whenever that

[16:13] definitive time is, we can show you what

[16:15] we're doing or our projects that we're

[16:17] working on and then you guys can help us

[16:19] reinstate or lock us in for for more uh

[16:23] years for us to continue to uh help the

[16:25] community grow.

[16:30] So, again, looking ahead, um we we hope

[16:32] to work with the RDC, with the council,

[16:35] um with the mayor's office, um and you

[16:38] know, with the residents. It's outreach

[16:40] is going to be big with the residents

[16:42] and the business owners are already

[16:44] excited. So, the business owners are

[16:46] happy to just see, you know, some out of

[16:48] the box thinking, which by statute we

[16:51] can do and I always hate when I see, you

[16:54] know, people coming up here and they're

[16:55] like, well, how come the city's not

[16:57] doing XYZ? Well, sometimes the city

[16:59] can't because it's locked in a certain

[17:01] statute or a way of doing something

[17:03] where it can't distribute money. So

[17:05] that's why we're saying we're here to

[17:06] help fill in some of those gaps and

[17:08] we're excited. I think that would be

[17:10] about it. Is that all right? So yeah,

[17:14] that's our report. Um if I I [snorts]

[17:15] think Tristan, if you want to help me on

[17:17] our our numbers, I've been in this role

[17:19] for about 20 days or 30 days. So I think

[17:22] we're at 180,000 of retained earnings

[17:25] from last year. Correct.

[17:27] >> Correct. We're at 180,000 from this

[17:28] year.

[17:29] >> What's that?

[17:29] >> We're at We're at 180,000.

[17:31] >> 180,000. and we have about 60,000 coming

[17:34] in and that changes every year dependent

[17:36] upon which businesses are in our zone

[17:39] and are participating um in the uh the

[17:42] EZ program.

[17:45] » All right. Are there any comments or

[17:47] questions from the council?

[17:50] >> I just want to thank thank you for a

[17:53] very nice presentation. Um, I just

[17:56] wanted to ask if you could just um

[17:58] reiterate back to the map that that's

[18:02] only available to residents or

[18:04] businesses that are within the UEE.

[18:08] >> Yes, ma'am. It it was it was like I

[18:10] said, it was something that was

[18:11] developed by the Indiana Economic

[18:12] Development Corp for specialized areas

[18:16] that needed help, right? And that's how

[18:19] that was erected. And the borders can

[18:21] change. Um I I believe it's our board

[18:24] that can dictate that. But there's a

[18:25] whole process, but but yes, so um our

[18:29] borders encompass uh residents,

[18:32] businesses, and even some larger

[18:34] manufacturing. Um and again, the

[18:36] manufacturing is kind of what helps us

[18:40] kind of spread the wealth to to the

[18:42] residents that need it.

[18:44] >> Thank you, Councilman Prisbelliski.

[18:46] >> Yeah. Where does your uh organization

[18:50] get the funding to do what you do?

[18:54] >> So it comes from the tax basis of people

[18:56] in the zone. So if they um if they do a

[19:00] project or a a larger business has more

[19:03] assessed value, the the what we can do

[19:07] is work with them and their accountants

[19:10] go through a specific process to get um

[19:13] an incentive and then they save a little

[19:16] bit of money on what they would pay for

[19:18] assessed value and then a little piece

[19:19] of it goes back to the zone. But it's a whole process. Um, and again,

[19:24] maybe we should even have a workshop on

[19:26] it because it's it's something that's

[19:28] interesting that I think a lot of people

[19:30] don't know cuz it it's not something

[19:32] that is in standard economic development

[19:35] or, you know, or how cities function

[19:38] >> and how do you keep track of you're

[19:39] getting the right amount of money back

[19:41] from the different businesses? Who takes

[19:44] care of that?

[19:44] >> So, the auditor actually does that in

[19:46] the county. So, um if we work with the

[19:49] county, then the county looks at the

[19:52] numbers and then they can send us um the

[19:56] differences in assessed value and we

[19:57] don't really we don't even give an

[19:59] incentive. Technically, what it is is if

[20:01] they fill that form out and the assessor

[20:03] looks at the assessed value difference,

[20:05] they almost just tell us here's what it

[20:07] is, like here's the number. we can guess

[20:10] or kind of understand the upper limit or

[20:12] lower limits on that, but unless the

[20:14] assessor or the assessor's consultants

[20:16] stamp it, then you know, we're just kind

[20:18] of, I guess, making a proforma.

[20:21] >> Okay. And then how do you know that

[20:24] everybody in the zone is participating

[20:26] the way they should be participating? Is

[20:28] that through the county auditor? Do they

[20:31] let you know or?

[20:32] >> So, they actually send the forms to us.

[20:34] Um and the businesses also send a

[20:37] separate form to the urban enterprise

[20:39] association so we all understand and

[20:41] then the grants are administered

[20:43] to the public um through residential

[20:46] grants, small business grants, stuff

[20:47] like that. And that's all a very strict

[20:50] process too. Um you know it's it's all

[20:53] by statute. There's some stuff that we

[20:54] can do, some stuff that we can't do,

[20:56] which is why we have a certified grant

[20:58] administrator now handling all that,

[21:00] which I'm excited about. Okay. Thank

[21:02] you, sir.

[21:04] >> Are there any other questions or

[21:06] comments from the council?

[21:08] >> I got a question.

[21:09] >> Councilman Nelson.

[21:10] >> Yes, sir.

[21:11] >> Okay. Um,

[21:13] before I became council, I was on this

[21:16] board. I've been on this board probably

[21:17] about four or five years. I've seen

[21:20] three executive directors.

[21:23] What is your approach when it comes to

[21:26] um convincing businesses to buy into the

[21:29] UEE?

[21:31] what are you doing different?

[21:33] >> So, um I will say as of one month and I don't know 7 days,

[21:42] I've already talked to about 20

[21:45] businesses and I have 10 businesses

[21:47] already trying to buy into the program

[21:50] and they're investigating incentives in

[21:52] the zone right now. So, I'm I'm trying

[21:55] to take the experience that I have for

[21:58] living here in Michigan City for 10

[21:59] years and, you know, in being a

[22:02] contractor in different parts of the

[22:04] county that's really helped me to

[22:05] understand who the players are and and

[22:07] who can really benefit, you know, the

[22:10] zone. So, it's it's having those

[22:11] contacts, I think.

[22:14] >> Okay. So, once again, what are you

[22:16] doing? What's your approach? like walk

[22:18] me through what are you [clears throat]

[22:20] talking what are you saying differently

[22:21] than the last two executives that's

[22:24] getting them to feed into the UE is

[22:26] where I'm at right it's it's reaching

[22:29] out to the businesses to participate

[22:32] actively um cataloging all that right

[22:35] and it's stipening grants to make sure

[22:38] that we get to people in the

[22:39] neighborhoods that we get to businesses

[22:41] on the boulevard that we get to them on

[22:44] Midtown you know like it's it's working

[22:46] with the city in conjunction. Um, and

[22:49] again, that's that's why I'm here now.

[22:51] And I've had a meeting with probably

[22:54] four or five city officials already just

[22:56] to try to understand who needs uh these

[22:59] incentives the most and who we can help

[23:01] the most to be frank, you know.

[23:04] >> Okay.

[23:05] >> So, historically the city hasn't worked

[23:07] with the UEE. So, you're saying you're

[23:09] working with the city now and the UEE?

[23:13] Well, I think the city um you know was

[23:15] just focused on already seeing some

[23:18] other things, but the city has always

[23:20] done you know projects with the with the

[23:23] urban enterprise in some capacity, but I

[23:25] think I really can bridge that gap and and we can do

[23:29] >> familiar. I'm not familiar any projects

[23:30] they've done. So, and like I said, I've

[23:33] been on this board the last four or five

[23:34] years, so that's new information to me.

[23:37] Um, another question is when it comes to

[23:39] residential interaction, what is that

[23:41] going to look like with with um

[23:44] with with you and um the new executive

[23:47] director at HM?

[23:50] >> Uh, can you restate? Did you say

[23:52] >> what is residential interaction going to

[23:55] look like?

[23:57] So residential interaction uh we we're

[24:00] setting up a way where we have um we're

[24:04] working with the library so they could

[24:06] stay open later and give uh people forms

[24:09] so that they can apply for the different

[24:11] grants that we have at the different

[24:13] grant cycles. And we're also working

[24:15] with um we're going to be working with

[24:18] uh the different offices like the

[24:20] trustes office, right? Like if we give

[24:22] them information, they're going to be

[24:24] able to get a hold of people. Uh, and

[24:26] then we're going to be out on the the

[24:27] street, you know, if if there's people

[24:29] that could qualify, we want them to know

[24:31] about it. And that's with all the other

[24:33] marketing channels, right, of Facebook,

[24:35] the paper, standing at the council, and

[24:38] having uh, you know, the newspaper write

[24:40] about it the next day. I mean, that's the least that we could do,

[24:43] right? So, um, but yeah, again, we'll be

[24:46] here and let me let me know if uh if you

[24:49] have any ideas, Mr. Nelson, as part of

[24:52] my board,

[24:53] >> I will do so. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

[24:56] >> President Kilman, please.

[24:58] >> One more question. So, how far down in

[25:01] the Midtown area have you been down

[25:03] Franklin Street reaching out to those

[25:05] businesses?

[25:07] >> Um, so I was looking at businesses that

[25:11] were doing projects. So again, it's it's only been about 30 days, so I've

[25:18] our we go all the way south as far as

[25:21] what is is what that map showed, but we

[25:24] do have some on the docket right now. Um

[25:27] that you know, I'm not going to talk

[25:29] about their their project here, but

[25:33] >> how far how far south do you go?

[25:35] >> How far south is that, man?

[25:37] >> Pretty far down.

[25:38] >> H

[25:39] right. Yeah. Yeah, that's okay. Yeah.

[25:41] So, it's about Harrison down there and

[25:43] then the boulevard on the other side,

[25:45] there's a lot more space that it goes.

[25:48] Um, but remember, you know, if you're

[25:50] doing a project in any of these these

[25:53] urban enterprise zones, there could be a

[25:54] possible incentive there, but if you

[25:56] also need to do something, uh, you could

[25:59] take advantage of a grant that that

[26:01] we're doing. So, you know, we're getting

[26:03] together and we're going to come out

[26:04] with grants. So, anybody in the zone can

[26:06] take advantage of those if that makes

[26:07] sense. Um, and I want to just restate up

[26:11] here, there's a facade grant available

[26:13] from the RDC right now for $30,000.

[26:16] So, if you guys are there right now in

[26:19] Midtown and you're like, "Hey, I really

[26:20] wish that I could get some money for a

[26:22] project." It's a very generous um, you

[26:25] know, amount, I I would think. And we

[26:27] were going to try to duplicate that with

[26:28] Urban Enterprise and we said we don't

[26:30] have to. The RDC is doing a great job

[26:32] already.

[26:33] >> Okay. Thank you,

[26:34] >> sir. Thank you. Um, I don't think

[26:37] there's any other further Oh, Councilman

[26:39] Dabney.

[26:39] >> Yeah. Um, just something that you can

[26:41] look at in terms of helping the public.

[26:45] Um,

[26:46] I was on this I was a liazison from the

[26:48] council my early years on the council

[26:51] and we actually did a workshop down at

[26:53] the fire training station

[26:55] >> where we invited the public out to show

[26:57] them how to apply uh to both uee uh

[27:01] grant money and that was community

[27:03] development block grants as well.

[27:06] um we had quite a good turnout. It was

[27:09] over 100 people in there um learning how

[27:11] to apply for that. So that'd be

[27:13] something that would really be useful,

[27:14] man, to go out and and have just a

[27:16] session where you show people what the

[27:18] grants are and how to apply. I think

[27:20] that'll help you guys out quite a bit uh

[27:22] when you get around, you know, to that part of it cuz I know you're trying

[27:25] to raise the money now by getting the

[27:26] businesses in there. But that'll be good

[27:28] for you guys to do something like that,

[27:30] man. Organize that. I think it'll pay

[27:31] off good for you.

[27:33] >> Yeah. Thank you, Councilman.

[27:37] » Are there any others? If there are none,

[27:40] I would like to thank you for your

[27:42] annual presentation.

[27:43] >> Thank you.

[27:47] >> Next, we have John, is it Risa

[27:51] with the Michigan City Public Art

[27:53] Committee member, MAC

[27:56] Walking Arts 5K, happening on Saturday,

[27:58] October 10th, 2026.

[28:06] Hello, council members. Uh, thank you

[28:09] for having me today. I appreciate all

[28:10] the work that you're doing here today

[28:11] and giving me the opportunity to speak

[28:13] about the uh, Michigan City Public Art

[28:15] Committee's Walking Art 5K, which uh,

[28:19] we've been working on for more than a

[28:20] year developing it. It's our inaugural

[28:23] um weekend here where on this coming

[28:26] Saturday at starting at Millennium Park

[28:29] Plaza at 10:00 a.m. we're going to have

[28:32] a walk of um citizens who are dressed up

[28:38] in costumes hopefully looking like their

[28:40] uh favorite art pieces or artists or

[28:42] because it's October maybe even like

[28:45] just you know Halloween costume but we

[28:47] encourage citizens to get dressed up in

[28:50] costume. We've got a 5K route that's a

[28:52] big figure rate. So, if you get tired

[28:54] and you only want to do half, you'll

[28:56] wind up right back at the celebration at

[28:58] Millennium Park, but we'll be taking you

[29:00] through or past approximately 30 works

[29:04] of public art. Uh most of them have been

[29:06] brought to you by the Michigan City

[29:08] Public Art Committee. Um but there's a

[29:11] few others that are also on public land

[29:14] by public um participants in the uh

[29:16] community who are bringing beauty to our

[29:18] community. And the goal is to get

[29:21] Michigan City residents up, moving,

[29:24] doing something that brings awareness to

[29:26] the work that the Michigan City Public

[29:28] Art Committee is doing by creating um a

[29:32] space that's beautiful for all of our

[29:35] residents. We've got more than 31 public

[29:39] pieces of art that are scattered

[29:41] throughout all of Michigan City and then

[29:43] that are owned by the city of Michigan

[29:45] City. And then in addition to that,

[29:47] we've got a rotating uh group of pieces

[29:51] and there's 13 of those and that is

[29:53] called Sculpt Fusion. And what we'll be

[29:55] doing is taking you past 30 of those.

[29:58] And there's a guided tour that you can

[30:00] take by downloading an app. So, if you

[30:02] walk up to any of our public art pieces

[30:05] and see the little QR code down on the

[30:07] ground, you can scan that and it will

[30:10] show you a map of where all of our

[30:12] collection is at, scattered throughout,

[30:14] including sculptures and murals and park

[30:16] benches and things that we've done to

[30:18] make Michigan City more beautiful for

[30:20] all of our residents. And many of those

[30:23] have been done by Michigan City artists

[30:26] themselves. One of the ways that we

[30:29] spend the funds that we have will be

[30:31] generating through these different

[30:32] initiatives that um our fundraisers such

[30:34] as this one are to do things like the

[30:37] Leupold Park bench uh initiative that

[30:40] we've had going on. If you drive up and

[30:42] down Michigan City, you'll be seeing

[30:44] some of the uh benches that are on this

[30:45] flyer here. Uh there's a little snapshot

[30:48] right in the center. You can find this

[30:50] uh out on the table in front, but those

[30:53] were all created by um the actual

[30:56] benches themselves were the lumber was

[30:59] donated by a Michigan City company. The

[31:01] work was done over at the Magic's uh

[31:04] fabrication labs over on Ohio Street and

[31:07] then Michigan City artists were the ones

[31:09] who actually painted the benches. and

[31:11] we're going to be auctioning those off

[31:13] uh in the afternoon around 1:30 is the

[31:16] end of the p the silent auction, but you

[31:18] could own one of those uh if you're

[31:21] interested. Um but we also have um

[31:26] banners that have been uh created by

[31:29] Michigan City artists and we've been

[31:31] paying for those as well out of our

[31:32] funds. Um, and those will be going up

[31:35] and we're directly trying to fund

[31:37] Michigan City artists, giving them a

[31:39] voice to show the work that they're

[31:41] doing. And this is a way for us to

[31:42] celebrate them uh by creating an

[31:45] opportunity for their works of art such

[31:48] as the Leupold benches. We're going to

[31:49] be doing a um not only auctioning those

[31:52] off, but we're also going to have a

[31:54] voting competition where you can come in

[31:56] and pay a dollar to vote for your

[31:58] favorite bench. and the winner of that,

[32:01] one of their Michigan City residents

[32:02] will wind up getting a small gift

[32:04] package of different art supplies and a

[32:06] variety of things that we've had

[32:08] donated. Um, and it'll just celebrate

[32:10] them. Uh, and I really wanted to come

[32:13] out and to um just please in ask each

[32:18] and every one of you and each and every

[32:20] one of you to please come out and

[32:22] support Michigan City artists because if

[32:25] it weren't for those visionaries who are

[32:27] creating something beautiful, our city

[32:29] wouldn't be what it is today. We

[32:31] wouldn't have the sculptures everywhere.

[32:32] We wouldn't have the uh the benches and

[32:34] the murals and all of these fun things

[32:37] like the skate park murals and uh

[32:39] whatnot that are happening. And one of

[32:41] the things that we're trying to generate

[32:43] funds for for next year is um

[32:45] potentially painting a collection of uh

[32:50] bench not benches um picnic tables

[32:53] throughout our city. So that way when

[32:55] the children are going to the

[32:56] playgrounds to play they'll be able to

[32:59] sit at a piece of artwork that's been

[33:00] done by one of our locals. But we need

[33:02] to have um you know support from the

[33:04] community. So, please come on out and uh

[33:07] you know, walk the 5K. Uh sign up for

[33:10] that, take part in the costume contest

[33:12] because we'll have um the awards for

[33:15] that, too, for best costume. And uh

[33:17] yeah, do you have any questions? I don't

[33:19] want to keep it brief.

[33:20] >> Are there any comments or questions?

[33:22] Councilman Prisbolinsky.

[33:23] >> Yeah, I don't have any questions, but

[33:25] just a couple comments. Thank you very

[33:27] much, John, for the presentation and you

[33:31] being a visionary and the arts committee

[33:33] being a visionary for putting on this 5K

[33:36] walk and the whole program that's going

[33:39] to take place Saturday. I happen to be

[33:41] the lelays on to the arts committee. So

[33:44] I get all the insight on yeah what this

[33:46] group is up to and they do a fantastic

[33:49] job and any everyone that can both here

[33:53] and in TV land if you can come on out

[33:56] support the group. Even if you don't

[33:58] want to wear a costume still get in the

[34:01] walk and enjoy the day cuz it's supposed

[34:03] to be about 75° and especially the

[34:06] bench. Uh is that a silent auction?

[34:09] Yeah, that silent auction that'll start

[34:11] at 10:00 and it finishes up at 1:30 is

[34:14] when the last u your last bid on one of

[34:18] those benches can arrive.

[34:20] >> Okay, cuz I got my eye on a couple of

[34:22] them. So, anyway, appreciate your help,

[34:25] folks, to uh support the art program in

[34:28] Michigan City. Thank you, John.

[34:29] >> And uh I just want to say once again,

[34:31] there are these little flyers right out

[34:33] front there on the uh the table. So,

[34:35] please grab one of those. you can see

[34:37] the website and all of the uh further

[34:38] information that I didn't give you, but

[34:40] there's a lot of amazing things that are

[34:42] being done by these volunteers. Uh so

[34:45] yeah, thank you for your support.

[34:46] >> Thank you.

[34:47] >> I got a question. I got a question.

[34:49] >> I didn't see your hand up. Council

[34:51] Nelson.

[34:52] >> Yeah,

[34:52] >> hold on now. It's a lot of [laughter]

[34:55] It's a lot of sculptures throughout the

[34:57] city. How do we get one on the third

[34:59] ward?

[35:00] >> Oh, that's a great question. We are

[35:03] always open to um working with the

[35:05] committee or with the community and uh

[35:08] if you either come to one of our

[35:10] meetings and let us know our meetings

[35:13] are open to the public just like these

[35:14] are. They happen every third Thursday

[35:19] here in Michigan City at the city hall

[35:21] and the uh mayor's um circular office

[35:23] just outside her doors. They start at

[35:25] 10:00 and uh if you arrive there early,

[35:28] we're always open to public comment just

[35:30] like they are here. Um or you can look

[35:33] for the Michigan City Public Art

[35:35] Committee um listings on the eman city

[35:39] website and we have a email address that

[35:42] you can contact us there or contact us

[35:44] through Facebook. We're um trying to be

[35:46] active on that as well.

[35:49] But we very much want to um reach out

[35:52] into the larger committee uh community

[35:55] and we're trying to not just support the

[35:58] Michigan City Franklin corridor any

[36:00] longer, but really reach out into the

[36:02] larger neighborhoods and uh create

[36:04] beauty everywhere.

[36:06] >> To my knowledge, the sculptures are only

[36:08] um allocated to

[36:11] public property that's city-owned.

[36:15] Yeah, that's the only place that we can

[36:17] actively place sculptures as a Michigan

[36:20] city um committee. Uh because we're part

[36:24] of the city, we have to work within

[36:25] public lands, but uh there are lots of

[36:30] right of ways throughout the

[36:32] neighborhoods and parks and things that

[36:33] we can work with. and just people that

[36:36] own, you know, empty lots throughout the

[36:38] neighborhoods or, you know, um people

[36:41] that, you know, don't mind sculptures on

[36:44] their um property. Have y'all thought

[36:46] about that as being an option?

[36:49] >> We are looking at avenues for

[36:52] potentially working with the Michigan

[36:54] City School District to pair with them,

[36:56] but if it's on private land, our

[37:00] insurance cannot cover that. um as a

[37:03] Michigan city municipality. So that's

[37:05] not something that we can really do.

[37:11] » And and and that's because of insurance

[37:13] wise.

[37:14] >> Yeah. Yeah. If it's a Michigan city

[37:16] owned, then it has to stay on Michigan

[37:18] City property or if we're leasing it as

[37:21] we do as well.

[37:23] >> Okay. Thank you,

[37:25] >> Councilwoman Lee.

[37:27] >> Thank you, Madam President. Um John,

[37:28] thank you for your presentation and for

[37:30] all the work that you all do. Um to

[37:32] follow up with uh Councilman Nel

[37:33] Nelson's question about having um

[37:35] sculptures in the third ward. Um you all

[37:38] put one there. There's at least one um

[37:41] in the third ward at Shville Pond, the

[37:43] uh rainbow crystis, the monfly. So there

[37:46] is at least one in the third w I know of

[37:48] >> downtown

[37:50] >> and downtown.

[37:52] >> It's hidden.

[37:54] Well, if you check out the Ocst

[37:59] app, you'll be able to find a map of all

[38:02] of them that are scattered all

[38:03] throughout Michigan City. And there are

[38:06] some hidden gems that you wouldn't

[38:07] necessarily know are there unless you

[38:09] look at this app to find out where

[38:11] they're at because it's very obvious

[38:13] when you're going up and down Franklin

[38:14] Street, those that are very visible. But

[38:16] if you start exploring the

[38:17] neighborhoods, you'll find more and more

[38:19] of them. And our goal is to just

[38:21] continually reach out more and more.

[38:24] >> We have one more.

[38:25] >> And the visibility visibility is

[38:27] >> Councilman Nelson. I'm sorry.

[38:31] The city expands besides

[38:33] >> Councilman Nelson. Excuse me. Thank you.

[38:37] Um that that actually was uh

[38:39] Councilwoman Lee getting a response

[38:41] back. Um you've had your time and

[38:43] actually there's one more um comment or

[38:46] question from Councilwoman Moldenour.

[38:50] Thank you, Madame President. Um, John, I

[38:53] want to thank you very much for your

[38:55] presentation and also for the hard work

[38:57] that all of the committee members of the

[39:00] public art um group um put in to

[39:04] beautifying our city. And I want to

[39:06] remind people that it's been

[39:08] scientifically proven that artwork

[39:10] actually helps lower the crime rate in

[39:14] those neighborhoods that have public

[39:16] works of art. And I think that's often

[39:19] overlooked and I think it's worth um

[39:21] bringing that to people's attention

[39:23] again. And I wish you great success on

[39:25] Saturday. You have many um exciting

[39:28] activities planned and I do hope you

[39:30] have a really great turnout. Thank you.

[39:33] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Menau.

[39:35] >> Thank you so much. Um I don't believe we

[39:38] have any other comments or questions

[39:39] from the council. So um John, we

[39:42] appreciate your presentation. And again,

[39:44] October 10th

[39:46] >> at 10 a.m.

[39:47] >> Millennium Plaza. Thank you so very

[39:49] much. We appreciate you all.

[39:50] >> Thank you.

[39:53] >> Next on the council agenda, we're down

[39:55] to our reports of special or select

[39:57] committees. Do we have any reports of

[40:00] special or select committees?

[40:02] Mr. uh Councilman Beatri,

[40:05] >> I've got a report from the tax abatement

[40:08] committee and a recommendation.

[40:11] Thank you, Madam President.

[40:13] Um the tax abatement committee for

[40:15] Michigan City met on September 30th,

[40:18] 2026. Present was myself, uh chairperson

[40:22] from the fourth ward, council uh woman,

[40:25] council lady Lee from the second ward,

[40:29] Clarence Hulse, director of economic

[40:31] development corporation, Liliana Franco,

[40:33] the operations manager for EDC, and

[40:36] Hannah Chapman, economic development

[40:38] staff, as well as a community member,

[40:41] Ernie Halahan.

[40:43] The meeting was opened at 5:30 p.m.

[40:46] and noted that the tax abatement

[40:48] committee has three members. Two were

[40:50] present, so a quorum existed.

[40:53] Mr. Beatatri described the work that had

[40:55] been done with Liliana Franco and city

[40:57] clerk Gail Nand prior to the uh meeting.

[41:02] He was the only one present, so no

[41:04] violation of the open door occurred.

[41:07] Councilwoman Lee asked Mr. Hulse why he

[41:10] was in charge of this work. tax

[41:12] abatement. He then gave an informative

[41:15] discussion of what toxic tax abatement

[41:17] is about, how it is created, how and why

[41:20] it is evaluated every year, and the

[41:23] responsibilities of the city council to

[41:24] monitor each request. He explained that

[41:27] EDC is under contract with the city to

[41:30] complete this task. In other

[41:32] communities, it's sometimes done by the

[41:34] county. Others other communities

[41:37] contract the work to outside entities.

[41:40] He explained that the projects are that

[41:43] require public firm funds must first be

[41:46] approved by the council. This year there

[41:48] were 11 separate abatements up for

[41:51] renewal from eight different companies.

[41:54] Three companies were awarded two

[41:56] abatements. These represent over

[41:59] 25,300,000

[42:01] in real estate investment and over

[42:04] 44,500,000

[42:06] in equipment investment.

[42:08] After careful consideration of each

[42:10] request, it was determined that seven

[42:13] companies had all met a good faith

[42:16] effort to comply with the commitments of

[42:18] the city in terms of investment dollars

[42:21] and workforce development. One company,

[42:24] Aquagenics, had two abatements, but

[42:27] neither filings have been sent in on

[42:29] time. Councilwoman Lee re motioned that

[42:32] the tax abatement committee should

[42:34] recommend approval to the city council

[42:36] for all seven companies whose

[42:39] information was timely at the next

[42:41] council meeting. Councilman Beatri

[42:43] seconded there being no name votes. The

[42:47] uh motion passed unanimously.

[42:49] There was much discussion about how to

[42:51] address Aquagenics, the one company that

[42:53] had been tardy. The committee was made

[42:57] aware that the company that the company

[43:00] had prepared a resolution for the

[43:02] council at their next meeting

[43:07] to wave any penalties for their

[43:09] tardiness on filing the abatement this

[43:11] year. The data for Aquagenics is within

[43:14] the parameters acceptable to the council

[43:17] and this was not their first filing.

[43:20] Councilman Lee moved that we recommend

[43:22] approval of the abatement request

[43:25] pending the council's approval of the

[43:26] resolutions.

[43:28] If the resolution is not approved, they

[43:31] will forfeit this year's opportunity for

[43:32] abatement and will have to file in a

[43:35] timely manner next year. Councilman

[43:37] Beatri seconded the motion and it passed

[43:40] unanimously. There being no further

[43:42] business to conduct, the meeting was

[43:45] adjourned at six o'clock PM. Uh, one

[43:48] thing I'd like to add is that many times

[43:50] we hear from people community that there

[43:53] are businesses out or people out there

[43:54] who want jobs and they can't find jobs.

[43:59] Well, KTR

[44:01] Heartside Foods and Aquagenics all

[44:04] included letters with their request

[44:06] stating they've been trying to hire

[44:07] local people and people are showing up

[44:10] working for two days and not showing up

[44:12] any further or working for a week and

[44:15] then quitting and going for looking for

[44:19] um a money from the the state. So, there

[44:24] are jobs available out there if you're

[44:26] looking for a job and you're serious

[44:27] about it. KTR Corporation, Heartside

[44:30] Foods, Doing Businesses, uh, MA Makers

[44:34] Pride, and Aquagenics are looking. Based

[44:37] on the minutes I've just read in the

[44:39] recommendation of the tax abatement

[44:40] committee, I would move that we approve

[44:43] abatements for the seven businesses

[44:45] whose application was in on time. That

[44:48] would be a Mirlex Marquette. Both

[44:50] requests from KTR Corporation, Michigan

[44:54] City Paper Box, Shell Catalyst and Cor

[44:56] and Technologies, Cairer, Shady Creek

[45:00] Winer Winery, and both requests from

[45:03] Hearthside doing business as Makers

[45:06] Pride, Makaker's Pride.

[45:09] So, I'm I'm making that motion.

[45:12] Second.

[45:15] >> Madam clerk, on the vote, please.

[45:18] >> Miss Moldenour.

[45:24] » Miss Molden.

[45:25] >> Hi,

[45:26] >> Mr. Nelson.

[45:28] >> Hi,

[45:30] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[45:32] >> Hi,

[45:32] >> Miss Tilman.

[45:33] >> Hi,

[45:34] >> Mr. Beatric.

[45:34] >> Hi,

[45:35] >> uh, Mr. Coulter.

[45:36] >> Hi,

[45:37] >> Mr. Dabney. Hi,

[45:38] >> Dr. Kora. Hi,

[45:39] >> and Miss Lee. I we have nine in favor

[45:41] and no one opposed.

[45:44] >> And that has been approved for all seven

[45:46] of the um 2026 CF1 tax abatements.

[45:52] >> Do we have any other reports of special

[45:54] select committees? Councilman Dabney,

[45:58] Councilman Priski. Yeah, Madame

[46:00] President, being the uh chairman of the

[46:02] utilities uh committee and being the

[46:05] leazison to the sanitary district, I

[46:10] have some information here for the

[46:12] general public and for council members.

[46:15] Uh what the city is doing, they're doing

[46:17] a uh I'm going to call it a household

[46:21] Michigan city refuge fall cleanup. And

[46:24] as a part of an ongoing drive to help

[46:26] clean our community and reduce unwanted

[46:29] household clutter by popular demand, the

[46:31] Michigan city will continue the dumpster

[46:34] program at the airport. This program

[46:36] will give the community an opportunity

[46:38] to safely and responsibly rid their

[46:41] homes of unwanted and unused items.

[46:44] Beginning tomorrow, October the 7th, and

[46:48] Saturday, October the 10th, the city

[46:50] will host a drop off center located at

[46:53] the Michigan City Municipal Airport at

[46:56] Phillips Field, which is h out on North

[46:59] Highway 212 to dispose of a approved

[47:02] variety of unwanted household items. And

[47:06] this program is clearly designed with

[47:08] community care in mind, offering

[47:10] residents a chance to part ways with

[47:13] unused or unwanted household items in a

[47:16] safe and organized way. And you can also

[47:19] get rid of your waste tires if you got

[47:22] any tires sitting in the garage or in

[47:24] the backyard. Okay, real quick. Drop off

[47:28] dates and times this tomorrow,

[47:31] Wednesday, and this coming Saturday. And

[47:34] then the following week and the two

[47:37] following weeks, both the Wednesdays and

[47:39] the Saturdays. So October the 14th,

[47:42] October 17th, Wednesday, October 21st,

[47:46] and October 24th. All these dates. And

[47:49] it's from 8:00 in the morning till noon.

[47:52] 8 in the morning till noon.

[47:56] And just some items that are acceptable

[47:59] and nonacceptable.

[48:02] So, furniture, chairs, tables, and

[48:04] shelves. You can bring mattresses and

[48:07] box springsings. You can take toys,

[48:09] books, and games, kitchen wear,

[48:12] appliances such as microwaves, toasters,

[48:15] and vacuums, yard tools, and equipment,

[48:18] bicycles, and sports gear, and tires,

[48:22] which are a limit four per household. No

[48:26] commercial or businesses can bring tires

[48:29] out there. And items that are not

[48:31] accepted are hazardous waste, which

[48:34] deals with paint, chemicals, and

[48:36] batteries, construction debris, drywall,

[48:40] bricks, concrete, lumber, large

[48:42] appliances such as refrigerators,

[48:45] washers, and dryers, any medical waste

[48:47] or sharps. No yard waste,

[48:51] and any items from contractors or

[48:53] businesses, and no landlord moveouts.

[48:58] So, what you So, what what's it what you

[49:02] have to do is bring your unwanted items

[49:05] to the airport between 8 and noon. Like

[49:07] I said, you have to supply an ID showing

[49:11] that you are from Michigan City, and

[49:13] you'll be directed to the dumpster area

[49:15] for uh unloading.

[49:19] Now, certain vehicles will not be

[49:21] allowed access to the drop off center.

[49:25] There will be no box trucks over 16 feet

[49:28] in length.

[49:30] No trailers over 16 feet in length. No

[49:34] flatbed utility dump or semi trucks.

[49:38] Vehicles containing nonverbal

[49:43] contents. So they can't identify them.

[49:45] You're not going to be able to dump.

[49:47] Okay. And if you have any questions,

[49:51] call 219-8731530.

[49:58] Okay? And and I pass all these stickers

[50:02] out to the council members. And if

[50:05] anybody wants to see these stickers

[50:08] after the meeting, you're more than

[50:09] welcome to come and look at them. So

[50:12] what the refuge department is doing now,

[50:15] uh they will be putting these tags on

[50:19] your toers if you are in violation of

[50:23] city ordinances.

[50:25] And the first one is per city ordinance

[50:29] 9-8-144.

[50:32] It says your totar

[50:35] shall be set out no more than 24 hours

[50:38] prior to collection

[50:41] and it shall be removed within 24 hours

[50:45] after collection. So if the refuge

[50:48] department comes by and they see that

[50:51] your totar is still sitting out

[50:54] 48 hours after collection day,

[50:58] then you will get a sticker put on your

[51:00] toar.

[51:03] And this one here, a total shall be set

[51:06] out no more than 24 hours prior to

[51:09] collection. It's the same one, but it's

[51:11] just in a different form.

[51:15] And another sticker that's going to be

[51:18] put on the uh cans will be for

[51:22] non-collection refuge notice which means

[51:25] your refues will not get picked up. If

[51:28] this is on there it'll be there's four

[51:31] categories four categories. Wrong

[51:34] material in the toar. If that's checked

[51:37] off then your totar will not be picked

[51:40] up. garbage outside of the tower. Your

[51:44] garbage will not be picked up if it's

[51:46] overweight.

[51:48] your garbage will

[51:50] not be picked up.

[51:52] >> You say that again, please. It's

[51:54] overweight.

[51:55] >> Yeah, it's overweight.

[51:57] If so, if the gentleman, if the refuge

[51:59] department, if one individual cannot

[52:01] move the can, I don't want to put our

[52:05] city workers in peril of getting back

[52:08] problems and then the city having to pay

[52:11] workers compensation for that. So, it's

[52:14] a move, I believe, to protect the uh

[52:17] workers, whether you want to believe it

[52:19] or not.

[52:21] And this is a warning and please correct

[52:25] the uh issue and if you has have any

[52:28] questions it says you can call 219

[52:32] 8731530

[52:36] and there will be a date on there when

[52:37] it was issued. So I just wanted to pass

[52:40] that on to the council and to the public

[52:43] in an effort to clean the city up. We're

[52:46] going to be moving forward and that's

[52:49] what's going on.

[52:50] Thank you, Councilman Chris Valinski.

[52:53] Councilwoman Moldenhower.

[52:58] » Thank you, Madame President. Um, I

[53:00] missed making two announcements from the

[53:02] Michigan City Sustainability Commission

[53:04] during that portion of the meeting. Um

[53:07] there's going to be two there's going to

[53:08] be a workshop held that's called Soul

[53:11] Smart Do Your Part

[53:14] with Aaron Sharpening and she's a

[53:17] presenter from the nonprofit Solar

[53:19] United Neighbors Indiana and she'll be

[53:22] talking about um the free solar co-op

[53:26] which is beginning. It was launched

[53:28] earlier this week. Um, it's an

[53:30] opportunity for you to choose equipment

[53:33] as a group buyer and you can decide if

[53:37] you want to participate in receiving a

[53:40] discount or not at the end of the

[53:41] program. This is happening on Wednesday,

[53:44] October 21st from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at

[53:48] city hall and that will be in the EOC

[53:52] room. This is also a great opportunity

[53:54] for people to get like beginning

[53:56] information on solar and to be able to

[53:59] determine if their home or small

[54:01] business is a great place um for solar

[54:05] to be installed. The other thing that's

[54:07] happening is um Northwest Indiana green

[54:10] drinks. There's going to be a

[54:11] presentation on the Indigenous um Native

[54:14] American Indian Trail that's at the

[54:17] Indiana Dunes Information Center and

[54:19] that's going to be on Thursday, November

[54:21] 5th at 6:30 p.m. That's going to be um

[54:25] via Facebook live on Save the Dunes

[54:27] Facebook page or a Zoom link can be

[54:29] obtained from their website or m that's

[54:32] embedded.org.

[54:35] Um thank you very much for allowing me

[54:37] to make those announcements. Thank you,

[54:40] Councilwoman Moldenau. Councilman

[54:41] Nelson.

[54:43] >> Yes. Um, in reference to what in

[54:46] reference to what Don was talking about,

[54:48] what is the charge for the second

[54:50] infraction if they tag your can?

[54:57] » I do not have an answer for that and I

[54:59] don't know if that's been determined

[55:01] yet. I know that the uh

[55:05] refuge department,

[55:07] >> myself being a lesson on to the refuge

[55:10] department

[55:11] and uh the city public information or

[55:15] safety officer and uh Chris Carter.

[55:19] >> We're going to have a meeting

[55:22] next week and we're going to be

[55:24] discussing those items. But as of right

[55:28] now, Councilman Nelson, I do not believe

[55:31] that there is a charge.

[55:33] >> Okay.

[55:34] >> One moment. Uh, Councilman Nelson, um,

[55:37] actually, um, the director, um, Mr.

[55:39] Carter is in the foyer. If you would

[55:41] like, Mr. Carter, could you please, um,

[55:44] come come in?

[56:01] Councilman Nelson has a general has a

[56:03] question for you.

[56:07] >> Good evening.

[56:11] >> Councilman Nelson.

[56:13] >> Yes.

[56:15] >> Here's Mr. Carter.

[56:16] >> How you doing, Mr. Carter?

[56:18] >> I'm doing good. How you doing this

[56:19] evening?

[56:20] >> I'm doing good. I'm blessed. Um, my

[56:22] question was with the second infraction

[56:24] after the warning, what is the penalty

[56:27] um, monetarily wise?

[56:30] >> Uh, I know there's supposed to be a fine

[56:32] behind that. I want to say we talked

[56:34] about like $50. I have to go look at the

[56:36] ordinance for sure to make sure what it

[56:38] is. Are you talking about leaving the

[56:39] can out when you get an infraction?

[56:41] >> Um, a lot a lot right now. We're just

[56:44] kind of trying to do warnings just to u

[56:47] give us a handle on asset management

[56:49] because we feel that the toers are the

[56:51] property of the city and all we all

[56:54] we're doing is asking the the the public

[56:56] to uh be mindful of that and try to take

[56:58] care of the toers, put them up when they

[57:01] can. So I don't think we really want to

[57:04] enforce a fee or a fine behind that, but

[57:06] that's something that we would like to

[57:07] work on in the future.

[57:11] I I I like what you're doing, especially

[57:14] going down Willard. I hate seeing cans

[57:17] on the curb at the trash pickup days.

[57:20] So, um I tip my hat to you. Um to

[57:24] enforcing that I I feel like this

[57:26] something that's always been on the

[57:27] books just far as enforcement has been

[57:29] another thing. I remember when I first

[57:31] obtained my house on the west side, I

[57:33] tried to be slick and put some um some some bushings and trees in

[57:38] a toter and I got tagged for it. So,

[57:41] just to see that come back and um just

[57:45] enforcement, I really love that. On the

[57:47] same token, I just um I want us to

[57:50] follow through with it. I don't want it

[57:52] to be like a blind threat though. I I

[57:55] want us to really like charge people and make them compliant to like the laws

[58:00] of the land. So, I guess that's my only

[58:03] input on this. Yeah. And I and I agree

[58:06] with the sentiments that you just

[58:07] expressed and our our goal is to

[58:11] communicate with the public to inform

[58:13] them this is why we're doing these

[58:15] things. Hopefully the tags will create a

[58:17] curiosity for the people to call in and

[58:19] try to figure out what's going on, why

[58:21] did they get tagged, and then we can

[58:23] educate the public on the uh dos and

[58:25] don'ts with the containers. And so

[58:27] hopefully that opens that line of

[58:29] communication between us and the public.

[58:31] And then as we educate people, I think a

[58:34] lot of people love uh love the ideal

[58:36] complying. They understand once we

[58:38] explain it to them. And so hopefully

[58:41] this right here will get their attention

[58:42] and help us move forward to opening up

[58:44] better lines of communication.

[58:47] >> Thank you, Mer.

[58:48] >> Thank you, Mr. Carter.

[58:50] >> Thank you.

[58:50] Councilman Nelson. Are there

[58:52] any other reports of special or select

[58:54] committees

[58:56] from the council? If there are none,

[58:58] reports from mayor or other city offices

[59:00] and departments.

[59:12] » Good evening, council president, council

[59:14] members, clerk.

[59:15] >> Um, I'll I'll add a couple of things.

[59:17] So, we are the only city that doesn't

[59:19] charge for trash, and we don't want to do that anytime soon. This is really

[59:25] an education effort um for people who

[59:28] when people move here, they don't go to

[59:30] the city website to look up the

[59:31] ordinance on trash. They just don't. But

[59:35] um we know we have an issue. We know we

[59:37] have an issue with some uh individuals

[59:40] that do multiple cleanouts. They are

[59:43] being cited $2,500.

[59:45] So don't think that we're not citing

[59:48] folks for cleanouts and and those

[59:51] things. they are being cited by the code

[59:52] enforcement officers. This is an effort

[59:55] from residents to understand what's

[59:56] going on. We don't want to charge for

[59:59] trash pickup. Uh you can go to our

[1:00:02] neighbor in Leaport. They just did a fee

[1:00:04] increase for the next 3 years on trash

[1:00:07] pickup,

[1:00:08] right? So, uh we are one of the only

[1:00:12] communities that does not charge with

[1:00:14] trash and that information was shared

[1:00:16] with all of you when we had those

[1:00:17] workshops on fees. So, the goal here is

[1:00:21] to educate first before we start moving

[1:00:24] forward with fees and fines and and all

[1:00:26] of that because what you will find is um

[1:00:29] some of the folks that don't know are

[1:00:32] not able to pay those fines and so it

[1:00:35] just becomes a repeat thing. It's more

[1:00:37] about educating so that we don't even

[1:00:38] get to that. So, I just want to share

[1:00:40] that. So, thank you um Councilman

[1:00:42] Privolinsky for bringing that that up.

[1:00:45] Um, also thank you to the art um

[1:00:48] committee, uh, the Michigan City Arts

[1:00:49] Commission and the UEA for their reports

[1:00:51] this evening. Um, I appreciate the work

[1:00:54] that they do. Um, so show up Saturday.

[1:00:57] I'll be there with you. And then um,

[1:01:01] wanted to bring up um, I know that

[1:01:03] controller um, Smith did provide you all

[1:01:05] with some salary information that she

[1:01:07] sent. I know Councilman Pivinsky, you

[1:01:09] asked for it. I had her send that over

[1:01:11] to y'all so that you will have that. um

[1:01:14] making sure that you have that. And then

[1:01:16] um this evening um well, I'll bring up

[1:01:19] this first. Um I know uh there we had a

[1:01:22] release recently on um flock situation

[1:01:25] that's still with the state police. Uh I

[1:01:28] know that there's a process. I know that

[1:01:31] people want names and we have

[1:01:33] disciplinary things that happen all the

[1:01:34] time. And yes, our police officers are

[1:01:37] held to a higher standard, but there is

[1:01:38] a process and there's due process for

[1:01:40] individuals. We have good police

[1:01:42] officers and I think it's unfair that um

[1:01:45] they, you know, they want to smear our

[1:01:47] police officers, some that aren't even

[1:01:49] involved um for those things. There is

[1:01:52] due process. There are internal affairs

[1:01:56] investigations that occur. I know Chief

[1:01:58] Forker will will talk about that. But

[1:02:01] when when a situation occurs with the

[1:02:03] police department, we have what we call

[1:02:04] a police commission.

[1:02:06] There is our individuals are immediately

[1:02:09] put on administrative leave pending an

[1:02:11] investigation investigation and the investigations

[1:02:16] occur and if it's referred to um the

[1:02:19] state police that's where it's at right

[1:02:23] and once that is done and completed

[1:02:26] if there are no criminal actions it's a

[1:02:28] policy violation and I think people need

[1:02:31] to understand that we have policy

[1:02:33] violations where people are suspended in

[1:02:35] different departments We don't post them

[1:02:37] all on Facebook.

[1:02:39] We don't. Our employees do a good job

[1:02:42] and they work hard and and they deserve

[1:02:45] um to be treated as such until

[1:02:47] investigations are completed and due

[1:02:50] process is completed. So, I just want to

[1:02:53] share that. Um and I know that Chief

[1:02:55] Forker will be talking a little bit more

[1:02:57] about that. Um, on another front, um, on

[1:03:00] the agenda tonight, and I know I saw

[1:03:02] some of my my people in here, uh, there

[1:03:06] is a resolution that I authored, and I'm

[1:03:08] thankful for Councilman Beatatri and

[1:03:10] Privolinsky for um, sponsoring it uh,

[1:03:13] with our, um, uh, United Steel Workers

[1:03:17] um, from 12775,

[1:03:19] District 7, um, in support of their

[1:03:22] petition. Um, I had the opportunity to

[1:03:24] meet with President Ryan Baker and Vice

[1:03:27] President um, Kelly. I see Mr. Abraham

[1:03:31] Dudley is in here too this evening. So

[1:03:34] again, um, I ask for your support of

[1:03:36] that as well. And then um, I'll be here

[1:03:39] for any questions um, on the second

[1:03:41] reading of the budget as well. So that's

[1:03:44] my report for today.

[1:03:46] >> Thank you.

[1:03:49] Are there any other reports from mayor

[1:03:51] or other city officers and departments?

[1:04:06] » Good evening, council.

[1:04:08] >> Good evening.

[1:04:08] >> Um go ahead and give you our monthly uh

[1:04:11] run report for September. Um

[1:04:15] for fires, we had 13 fires. Three of

[1:04:17] those were actual structure fires. Um

[1:04:19] the rest were just outside grass fire,

[1:04:21] dumpster fire, car fires. We had 19

[1:04:24] hazardous situations. Um which would be

[1:04:27] such as gas leaks, fuel leaks. Uh

[1:04:31] three of those were just investigations.

[1:04:32] We had 273 medical calls. Uh 214 of

[1:04:36] those were just illness. Um

[1:04:39] and then 56 were actual injuries, trauma

[1:04:42] of some sort. And the three three of

[1:04:44] them fell under just other

[1:04:47] Uh, Narcam was used twice on those

[1:04:49] medical calls. Uh, we had 22 public

[1:04:51] service, which would be lift assist,

[1:04:53] somebody stuck in the elevator,

[1:04:54] something along those lines. Uh, two

[1:04:56] rescues, and then 80 were

[1:04:58] non-emergencies. They were either false

[1:05:00] alarms or good intent or canceled in

[1:05:01] route. Uh, for a total of 409 calls for

[1:05:04] the month of September, which brings us

[1:05:06] to 3,834

[1:05:08] to the end of September of 2026. And

[1:05:10] compared to the 3,792 we had at the same

[1:05:14] time last year, we are uh 42 more than

[1:05:17] we were last year on calls. And that's

[1:05:20] it for my call, my run report. Anybody

[1:05:23] any questions on that? Any

[1:05:25] >> Councilman Prisbolinski?

[1:05:26] >> Yeah, Chief, thanks for the uh the

[1:05:28] report. And one thing that that I would

[1:05:32] like you to follow up with and bring

[1:05:34] back to the council maybe within a

[1:05:36] month's time is what we I had mentioned

[1:05:39] during the uh budget hearings.

[1:05:41] >> Okay.

[1:05:41] >> About the drone that is able to, you

[1:05:45] know, be flown out and then it drops

[1:05:48] wherever the victim is at. Yeah. It'll

[1:05:51] drop a light preserver down that when it

[1:05:55] hits the water, it expands and the

[1:05:58] person can grab it.

[1:05:59] >> Okay.

[1:06:00] >> And if you have any questions about

[1:06:01] that, you can call Mark Swiss Neck in

[1:06:03] Long Beach cuz I know they got a couple

[1:06:05] already.

[1:06:06] >> Do that.

[1:06:06] >> Yeah.

[1:06:06] >> I'll give him a call. I'll talk to

[1:06:08] >> uh look into that.

[1:06:09] >> Okay.

[1:06:10] >> Not at all.

[1:06:10] >> But if you can get back to us in a month

[1:06:12] and let the council know what that

[1:06:14] >> email you or bring it up to the next

[1:06:16] >> No, just bring it up at the uh next

[1:06:17] meeting. I mean, that way we can start

[1:06:20] preparing for this summer and get ready

[1:06:23] and be proactive.

[1:06:24] >> All right, sounds good. Um, if anybody

[1:06:27] has anything else on that,

[1:06:29] >> any other comments or questions for

[1:06:30] Chief Taylor?

[1:06:32] >> Uh, just one more thing. This Saturday

[1:06:34] at Fire Station 1 at 10th in Nelston,

[1:06:37] uh, we're going to have our open house.

[1:06:39] We we did last year. Um, hopefully we

[1:06:41] have the turnout that we had last year.

[1:06:43] We had a pretty good turnout. There'll

[1:06:44] be a DJ. There's going to be some

[1:06:46] demonstrations. Um uh as far as live

[1:06:49] fire demonstration, stuff like that,

[1:06:50] there'll be some uh uh community risk

[1:06:53] reduction stuff such as uh information

[1:06:55] on how to keep your home safe. Uh

[1:06:58] possibly have some smoke detectors, uh

[1:07:00] things like that to to pass out like we

[1:07:01] did last year. I'm not 100% on what all

[1:07:04] we have. Um there'll be some food, uh

[1:07:06] hot dogs, hamburgers, uh no charges, all

[1:07:09] free. So if you've been to the national

[1:07:11] night out with the police, it's

[1:07:12] essentially the same thing except at the

[1:07:13] fire department. um just kind of opening

[1:07:15] the house up to everybody, let everybody

[1:07:16] see what's going on, ask questions, and

[1:07:18] just come and check everything out. Uh

[1:07:20] and that'll be from 10:00 to 1, 10:00

[1:07:22] a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Um if you can make it,

[1:07:24] that'd be awesome. I unfortunately will

[1:07:26] not be there. I have a a family function

[1:07:28] that's been a long time coming. Uh and

[1:07:30] it just happens to fall on the same

[1:07:31] weekend. So, my apologies for that. Um

[1:07:35] but any information, anybody wants any

[1:07:37] specifics, it should be on our uh it'll

[1:07:38] be on our website or our Facebook page.

[1:07:40] Uh just look it up and you'll get some

[1:07:42] specifics off of that. Okay.

[1:07:44] >> Okay.

[1:07:45] >> Anything else for me?

[1:07:47] >> No other comments from the council.

[1:07:49] >> All right. Thank you, Chief.

[1:07:50] >> Thank you. Have a good evening.

[1:07:51] >> I got something. I just want to say

[1:07:52] thank you.

[1:07:53] >> Excuse me. Councilman Nelson,

[1:07:55] >> with all due respect, please raise your

[1:07:56] hand so we can acknowledge that you

[1:07:58] would like to speak.

[1:08:00] Thank you, sir.

[1:08:03] Councilman Nelson,

[1:08:05] >> I just want to say thank you for your

[1:08:06] consistency with your reports and

[1:08:08] keeping us um up to date and real time

[1:08:10] what's going on in your world, sir.

[1:08:12] >> No problem. I appreciate that and and

[1:08:14] like you know maybe I haven't said it

[1:08:16] before. If I have I'll say it again. If

[1:08:18] there's anything you guys specifically

[1:08:20] want from me um just let me know and

[1:08:22] I'll start adding that in or however we

[1:08:25] got to do that. So but uh thank you.

[1:08:27] Have a good evening.

[1:08:28] >> Thank you Chief Taylor.

[1:08:31] >> Are there any other reports from mayor

[1:08:33] or other city offices and departments?

[1:08:43] Will the chief of police be speaking

[1:08:45] this evening?

[1:08:50] » Get our upcoming ordinance, right?

[1:08:57] » Okay.

[1:09:09] Good evening, Council Chief Steve for

[1:09:11] Michigan City Police Department.

[1:09:12] >> Good evening.

[1:09:14] >> Evening. Um, sorry. I just wanted to

[1:09:16] again touch base. I know over the last

[1:09:19] uh several months, we've been talking

[1:09:20] about flock, right, and the auditing

[1:09:22] systems, right, and policies and

[1:09:24] procedures in which we have in place.

[1:09:26] So, wanted to give an update. I know the

[1:09:27] mayor spoke a little bit on some issues

[1:09:29] that we're uh currently [clears throat]

[1:09:31] have and or are dealing with and just

[1:09:33] want to give an update on that and uh

[1:09:34] just fill you in more on our auditing

[1:09:36] process and how that works. So again,

[1:09:39] over the last several months, we've

[1:09:41] continued working with the council and

[1:09:42] community [clears throat]

[1:09:44] on flock and and the broader safe city

[1:09:46] initiative. You know, we've continued to

[1:09:48] listen to the concerns,

[1:09:50] you know, narrowed the scope of the

[1:09:51] proposal, reduced, you know, the

[1:09:53] permanent camera infrastructure and

[1:09:55] continue strengthening our policies,

[1:09:57] auditing practices,

[1:09:59] retention standards, and accountability

[1:10:01] measures that govern its use.

[1:10:03] [clears throat]

[1:10:04] Our auditing process has already

[1:10:06] demonstrated why those safeguards

[1:10:08] matter. One review identified recent

[1:10:11] activity that could not be validated as

[1:10:14] a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

[1:10:17] That officer later resigned and the

[1:10:18] investigation was forwarded to the

[1:10:20] Indiana State Police.

[1:10:22] [gasps and sighs]

[1:10:23] A separate historical audit has

[1:10:26] identified a second potential misuse

[1:10:28] involving a separate officer. That

[1:10:31] officer is currently on administrative

[1:10:32] leave and that investigation is will

[1:10:35] soon be finalized and prepared for the

[1:10:37] referral to the Indiana State Police as

[1:10:39] well. I think it's important to

[1:10:41] understand that an audit alone is not

[1:10:44] finding [clears throat] is not a finding

[1:10:45] of misconduct. An audit identifies

[1:10:48] activity that may require further

[1:10:50] review. And we have a responsibility to

[1:10:53] conduct that review thoroughly, and in context.

[1:10:58] Accountability is not demonstrated by

[1:11:00] claiming misuse will never occur.

[1:11:03] It is demonstrated by having systems

[1:11:05] capable of identifying concerns,

[1:11:08] investigating them appropriately, and

[1:11:10] taking action when warranted.

[1:11:13] Our expectation remains the same across

[1:11:15] the across this department. Law

[1:11:18] enforcement resources must be used

[1:11:20] lawfully, ethically, and for legitimate

[1:11:23] law enforcement purposes. when questions

[1:11:26] arise whether those standards have been

[1:11:27] met, we will examine them and follow the

[1:11:30] appropriate processes and hold people

[1:11:32] accountable when necessary. So again,

[1:11:35] just wanted to give you an update where

[1:11:36] we're at regarding again um our auditing

[1:11:39] system and uh the audits that we have in

[1:11:42] place. I know uh coming up here, I know

[1:11:44] we've moved up the uh uh agenda item uh

[1:11:47] regarding Flock. Chief Shaparski will um

[1:11:50] has another brief presentation regarding

[1:11:53] obviously questions and concerns from

[1:11:54] the previous uh meeting to address those

[1:11:56] and then obviously uh you know we'll

[1:11:59] move forward with questions or uh

[1:12:00] comments concerns from them.

[1:12:03] >> Are there any comments or questions for

[1:12:05] chief?

[1:12:07] >> I just have one. Will we be getting an

[1:12:09] email of our or would um

[1:12:12] >> the statistics I apologize. Yeah, sorry.

[1:12:16] We'll we'll get that email to us.

[1:12:18] Provide it to the

[1:12:19] >> Yeah, we'll provide it to the clerk then

[1:12:21] to the council and uh we'll prepare that

[1:12:22] for the next council meeting as well.

[1:12:24] Yeah, I apologize.

[1:12:25] >> Councilman Davney,

[1:12:27] >> and the question I have is regarding

[1:12:30] that public portal

[1:12:32] um that is supposed to go with the

[1:12:34] system. Is that up and running? Is it

[1:12:37] being worked on to be up and running?

[1:12:39] >> Uh that was a big part of the the sale

[1:12:41] to us

[1:12:43] >> uh how many years ago that

[1:12:45] portal.

[1:12:46] >> Yes.

[1:12:46] >> Yeah, it's on our website. I'm trying to

[1:12:49] think what link or page it's on, but

[1:12:51] yes, there's a link to it on our uh

[1:12:53] website at Michigan City INPD or

[1:12:57] Michigan City PDIN. US.

[1:12:59] >> Yeah, I I just think that would do a lot

[1:13:02] to show the effectiveness and what's

[1:13:05] happening with it. Um and I would

[1:13:07] actually work and try to get that onto

[1:13:08] the city web page as well. Um so you

[1:13:12] know information is out there from all

[1:13:14] sides coming from everywhere uh

[1:13:16] regarding their system.

[1:13:18] >> Thank you.

[1:13:19] >> Councilman Presbinski. Yeah. And the

[1:13:23] portal, what does that portal do? Like I

[1:13:26] don't remember what that portal actually

[1:13:28] does, but what does that provide for

[1:13:30] somebody that goes on there?

[1:13:32] >> Information about, you know, u number of

[1:13:34] searches being conducted, you know,

[1:13:36] agency which um you know, our flock

[1:13:39] system is shared with. Uh

[1:13:41] [clears throat] I know Chief Sparks

[1:13:42] probably has the exact answer, but

[1:13:44] again, basically how Michigan City

[1:13:45] Police Department uses flock, right? and

[1:13:47] or um how who in which we share data

[1:13:50] with right and um

[1:13:55] yeah again I'm trying to again I know

[1:13:57] searches I'm sorry number of searches um

[1:14:01] LPR I believe uh readings per month I

[1:14:05] think are on there's a whole list of of

[1:14:07] different um events again I personally I

[1:14:10] haven't looked at it myself but I think

[1:14:12] Chief Sarski might be able to answer

[1:14:13] that a little bit more details

[1:14:21] Yes. So in the last since this began and

[1:14:25] that request came across for that

[1:14:26] transparency portal, uh at that same

[1:14:29] time, Flock had expanded what you can

[1:14:32] put on there. Um so now if you go to

[1:14:35] Michigan City Police Department's web

[1:14:36] page under how do I you can say view the

[1:14:40] flock transparency portal. Um, we made

[1:14:42] that live uh the beginning, I believe,

[1:14:46] of last week or end of last week. But on

[1:14:49] there, what it has, it says gives you

[1:14:52] 30-day statistics on the number of plate

[1:14:54] reads that our flock system has. It

[1:14:56] lists every single agency, both the

[1:14:58] state, local, and federal, that we

[1:15:00] currently share with. Uh, it also has,

[1:15:04] uh, regional stories on flock successes.

[1:15:06] It has a few examples of successes that

[1:15:08] are happening locally here in Michigan

[1:15:10] City. Um and it also has uh those truths

[1:15:15] and myths about that we presented at the

[1:15:18] workshop and in subsequent meetings. So

[1:15:20] that is always updated by us. We're

[1:15:23] working um on a system to have that. But

[1:15:25] more importantly that will continue to

[1:15:26] evolve you know even with you know

[1:15:28] potential new technologies that

[1:15:30] transparency reporter will have

[1:15:32] potentially the you know the drone as a

[1:15:34] first responder data for flights that

[1:15:36] are being flown. people go in and look,

[1:15:37] hey, why was there a police drone above

[1:15:39] my house on, you know, December 10th of

[1:15:41] this year? And you can look at and see

[1:15:43] what the purpose was and all that. So,

[1:15:45] it's it's live. We can certainly post

[1:15:48] that to our, you know, our Facebook and

[1:15:49] the city page. We'll get that request

[1:15:51] in. Um, but it's it's it's up and

[1:15:53] running. So,

[1:15:59] are there any other question? Did you

[1:16:02] have anything else? Are there any other

[1:16:04] questions or comments for Chief Walker

[1:16:06] from the council?

[1:16:08] >> There. Thank you.

[1:16:13] » Next on our agenda, we're down to

[1:16:15] petitions. Madame clerk, are there any

[1:16:16] petitions this evening?

[1:16:18] >> There are no petitions this evening.

[1:16:20] >> Madame Clerk, if you would, uh,

[1:16:22] communications,

[1:16:24] please.

[1:16:28] » Okay. A correspondence was received in

[1:16:29] the clerk's office on September 16th

[1:16:32] from Sergeant Anthony Loose regarding

[1:16:34] the data center moratorum ordinance.

[1:16:37] Correspondence was received September

[1:16:39] 15th from Bayan Nixa regarding the data

[1:16:42] center moratorum as well.

[1:16:47] And madame clerk if you would our first

[1:16:49] resolution by title only.

[1:16:53] We're doing the ordinance. Oh, sorry.

[1:16:57] Do Go ahead.

[1:16:58] >> I didn't hear what she said.

[1:16:59] >> All right. Thank you.

[1:17:04] » Oh, okay. I was putting it under sec at

[1:17:07] the top of the second ordinances.

[1:17:12] Um we can we're now going to move

[1:17:17] as we approve to um move the

[1:17:20] establishment a temporary moratorium on

[1:17:22] the new data center development and

[1:17:24] creating section 22-3 in the Michigan

[1:17:27] City Municipal Code. We move that up on

[1:17:30] to the top of our agenda.

[1:17:32] So we will be hearing this at this time.

[1:17:35] And are there any comments from the

[1:17:37] sponsors? Dr. Kora. Thank you, Madam

[1:17:40] President. U

[1:17:43] we have been discussing this uh for um

[1:17:46] several months now. Uh and I thank uh

[1:17:49] Councilman Moldinar and Councilman

[1:17:52] Nelson the for their attempts in the

[1:17:55] past. Uh but I think what I've heard

[1:17:58] from the constituents is that they

[1:17:59] really wanted a simple language where we

[1:18:02] have a temporary moratorum. So that's

[1:18:04] the reason why this is on the agenda

[1:18:06] today. Um, ma'am present since we have

[1:18:09] introduced this ordinance late uh do you

[1:18:12] want me to quickly read this?

[1:18:18] What is your preference?

[1:18:20] >> Um, yes.

[1:18:22] >> Okay. Thank you very much. Whereas the

[1:18:24] common council finds that the Michigan

[1:18:25] City Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

[1:18:27] number 4120 as adopted on January 4,

[1:18:30] 2011 did not anticipate or consider data

[1:18:34] center projects and their impacts on the

[1:18:36] city's incorporated areas. Whereas the

[1:18:38] plan commission is actively engaged in

[1:18:41] reviewing potential amendments to the

[1:18:43] comprehensive zoning ordinance governing

[1:18:45] data center development with the

[1:18:46] assistance of a qualified subject matter

[1:18:48] expert. Whereas the common council finds

[1:18:51] that allowing new data center

[1:18:53] development to proceed before completion

[1:18:56] of the re of that review may be

[1:18:58] inconsistent with the city's future land

[1:19:00] use regulations and planning objectives

[1:19:03] and whereas the common council finds

[1:19:05] that a temporary moratorium is necessary

[1:19:07] to preserve the integrity of the

[1:19:09] planning process while permanent

[1:19:10] regulations are developed. Now therefore

[1:19:13] be it ordained by the common council of

[1:19:15] the city of Michigan City.

[1:19:18] Section 22-3 is hereby created in

[1:19:21] Michigan City Municipal Code and shall

[1:19:23] read as follows. Temporary moratorum on

[1:19:27] new data center development. The purpose

[1:19:29] of this section is to temporarily

[1:19:31] suspend the approval of new data center

[1:19:34] development while the plan commission

[1:19:36] completes its review and recommends

[1:19:38] amendments to the comprehensive zoning

[1:19:41] ordinance.

[1:19:42] Definitions. The following definition

[1:19:44] shall apply to this section. Data

[1:19:46] centers defined consistently as follows.

[1:19:49] Any facility that primarily contains

[1:19:52] electronic equipment used to process,

[1:19:54] store, or transmit digital information,

[1:19:56] which may be a freestanding structure or

[1:19:59] a facility within a larger structure

[1:20:01] that uses environmental control

[1:20:03] equipment to maintain the proper

[1:20:05] conditions for the operation of

[1:20:07] electronic equipment moratorum. During

[1:20:10] the effective period of this section, no

[1:20:12] application for the establishment of a

[1:20:15] new data center shall be approved and no

[1:20:17] land use approval or permit authorizing

[1:20:20] the establishment of a new data center

[1:20:22] shall be issued by the city. Exceptions.

[1:20:25] This section shall not apply to existing

[1:20:27] lawful uses. routine maintenance, repair

[1:20:30] or renovation of existing facilities

[1:20:33] development for which vested rights have

[1:20:35] been established under applicable

[1:20:37] Indiana law with the exception of new

[1:20:40] data center development and the current

[1:20:42] Google data center including each of its

[1:20:44] two phases. the duration and effective

[1:20:47] period. This section uh shall take

[1:20:49] effect upon passage as provided by law

[1:20:52] and shall automatically expire upon the

[1:20:55] effective date of amendments to the

[1:20:57] comprehensive zoning ordinance

[1:20:58] establishing regulations governing data

[1:21:01] center development unless repealed or

[1:21:03] extended by the common council or by

[1:21:06] July 31st 2028. So that is the deadline

[1:21:10] July.

[1:21:11] That's all madam president. Thank you.

[1:21:16] >> Um before we go any further, um I guess

[1:21:18] I'm going to put point of order on

[1:21:20] myself. I just want to make sure because

[1:21:22] I don't want there to be any loopholes

[1:21:24] that I did not um bring this forth

[1:21:29] correctly. Did I or did I not? Or do the

[1:21:32] clerk needs to and me to reiterate this

[1:21:34] was also on second reading by title only

[1:21:38] >> or no?

[1:21:39] >> No. This was the this was the amendment

[1:21:41] to the agenda.

[1:21:42] >> Okay.

[1:21:42] >> That was an amendment to the agenda. Um

[1:21:45] uh Dr. Cora uh provided an overview

[1:21:47] because it was added late u and this

[1:21:50] would be first reading for the new this

[1:21:52] new matter.

[1:21:53] >> Okay.

[1:21:53] >> Do you have something that you want to

[1:21:54] add to that?

[1:21:55] >> No.

[1:21:55] >> Okay.

[1:21:58] >> Thank you. Well, any of the other

[1:22:00] sponsors like to make any comments?

[1:22:02] Councilman Dabney?

[1:22:04] >> Yes.

[1:22:05] Um

[1:22:07] and this has come about um you know few

[1:22:10] meetings back I was talking about this

[1:22:12] you know putting a moratorum on and I

[1:22:14] actually said give me a oneline uh

[1:22:17] ordinance here uh but we had to put

[1:22:19] other you know things in there whereases

[1:22:22] and that uh to make this work but we

[1:22:24] have the moratorum once this ordinance

[1:22:27] will be passed that will be in effect um

[1:22:29] and once again it's July 31st 2028 and I

[1:22:33] really am happy about that because this

[1:22:36] gives us a chance and I' I've said this

[1:22:39] a couple of times now. Gives us a chance

[1:22:41] to be able to collect real data uh from

[1:22:44] this data center, not something that we

[1:22:46] heard happen in Texas or in Tennessee or

[1:22:48] wherever it may be. We'll be able to get

[1:22:50] real data regarding noise, uh water

[1:22:53] usage, energy, and so forth from a data

[1:22:57] center right here in Michigan City that

[1:22:58] we can then look at. Um, and we can

[1:23:01] actually see, you know, how good of a

[1:23:03] partner uh Google has been over that

[1:23:05] time. Um, so I'm happy about that. As I

[1:23:09] said, we I talked about this a few

[1:23:10] meetings ago. So, I'm glad that we're doing this. Um, and I look forward

[1:23:16] to getting this passed and and start to

[1:23:18] move forward. And also, I do know there

[1:23:20] were a couple of council members who

[1:23:22] were working on ordinances um in the

[1:23:26] background. They had talked to different

[1:23:27] attorneys and things of that sort. And

[1:23:29] this is not to cut the legs out of what

[1:23:31] they were trying to do. There's still

[1:23:34] going to be uh talks and and

[1:23:36] negotiations or whatever you want to

[1:23:38] call them uh with the planning

[1:23:39] department. The planning department is

[1:23:41] going to have to come with something at

[1:23:42] some point. So this is not taking away

[1:23:45] um the the process that would be

[1:23:47] happening uh with with the uh the

[1:23:50] planning department to get these things

[1:23:51] in order. Uh so that still can happen

[1:23:53] while this moratorum is on. Um and and I keep I keep saying a moratorum. My

[1:23:59] mother would smack me in the face. It's

[1:24:00] a moratorum. Uh but once again, it gives

[1:24:04] the time for them to put together a true

[1:24:07] ordinance. Um maybe some some changes in

[1:24:10] zoning and things of that sort that

[1:24:11] could come along uh with this. But the

[1:24:14] moratorum is going to be put on for a

[1:24:17] certain amount of time. This is like I

[1:24:19] said, nothing can pass here in the city

[1:24:21] of Michigan City. It locks that down.

[1:24:23] But now it offers time to planning and

[1:24:26] the people who are like I said who have

[1:24:28] already started drawing up ordinances uh

[1:24:29] to get this together moving forward.

[1:24:33] Thank you Councilman Dabney. This

[1:24:35] ordinance will now be open for public

[1:24:37] comment.

[1:24:39] Public comments we ask that you

[1:24:43] he will have to wait until it comes back

[1:24:45] to the council. It is now open up for

[1:24:47] he's not one of the sponsors on this

[1:24:50] ordinance. Um, public comment is now

[1:24:53] open on this ordinance. We ask that you

[1:24:56] come up to the podium. Please state your

[1:24:58] first and last name and your address,

[1:25:00] please. And you are allowed your three

[1:25:02] minutes.

[1:25:06] All Bolinsky, 1716 Washington Street. I

[1:25:09] uh want to uh bring to the attention of

[1:25:12] all the council members that you're

[1:25:14] violating your own rules and the common

[1:25:17] law of the state of Indiana. There is in

[1:25:20] the rules a ordinant has to be filed in

[1:25:23] the clerk's office is there's a 72-hour

[1:25:26] rule and in the state law there's a

[1:25:29] 96-hour rule. So you shouldn't even be

[1:25:33] discussing it at this time cuz it

[1:25:35] doesn't meet any of that. So what you're

[1:25:39] doing as far as I'm concerned is

[1:25:42] discussing a ordinance that is illegally

[1:25:45] before you because it was not filed in

[1:25:47] the clerk's office. So if you want to do

[1:25:49] that and ignore your own rules,

[1:25:52] everybody here and in

[1:25:56] Elco,

[1:25:58] why do we have rules? We have rules for

[1:26:02] order. Thank you.

[1:26:04] >> Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:26:11] » Hello, council. This is uh Savannah

[1:26:13] Lyle, 7676 Mirror Road. Um, I just want

[1:26:16] to say thank you for moving forward and

[1:26:18] trying to establish a moratorum. Um, I

[1:26:21] want to say Google had a community event

[1:26:24] here in Michigan City that wasn't

[1:26:26] advertised for in my opinion very well

[1:26:28] because when I was there there was not

[1:26:30] very many people there. And when I asked

[1:26:32] Google questions surrounding water usage

[1:26:34] and testing, air quality, considering

[1:26:37] the kids at KGER, and whether they would

[1:26:39] publicly post how many of those

[1:26:41] positions would be filled by local

[1:26:43] residents, I wasn't given any answers.

[1:26:45] They took down my information and

[1:26:47] promised they would come back to me with

[1:26:48] answers. I still haven't heard anything.

[1:26:51] And furthermore, we've uh now have a

[1:26:53] Google page on Facebook if you haven't

[1:26:56] seen it. And there's a lot of rules on

[1:26:58] there about how you're allowed to speak

[1:27:00] to Google. And I just don't find it to

[1:27:03] be showcasing what a good neighbor will

[1:27:05] be to us because they haven't answered

[1:27:07] my questions that are very basic.

[1:27:09] They're about the health of the people

[1:27:10] here. It's bad enough that we have to

[1:27:12] deal with coal plants at NIPCO um and

[1:27:15] other things that are affecting our

[1:27:16] health. So, I'm I'm very happy that we

[1:27:19] have something in place to pause until

[1:27:21] we can correctly zone Michigan City so

[1:27:23] that we don't make a a a mistake um and

[1:27:28] other residents and children have to

[1:27:29] deal with a data center being right next

[1:27:32] to them. So, thank you.

[1:27:33] >> Thank you.

[1:27:45] » Hello. Uh my name is Johannes Pulard,

[1:27:48] 205 Shadow Trail, Michigan Shores,

[1:27:50] Indiana. Uh [clears throat]

[1:27:52] I'm very glad to hear about the passing

[1:27:54] of this moratorum. It's time for it's a

[1:27:57] need for it. Uh but I have a very

[1:28:00] serious question. Uh why is it that the

[1:28:05] city council members had to sign an NDA

[1:28:09] for these uh data centers?

[1:28:12] What is there that's kept secret?

[1:28:15] Because from what I understand, an NDA

[1:28:19] is a non-disclosure agreement. And as

[1:28:22] public servants,

[1:28:24] why what what is Google or any of these

[1:28:27] other companies with these data centers,

[1:28:29] what are they trying to hide? Thank you.

[1:28:41] » Dominic Yankee, 904 Willow Spring Drive.

[1:28:44] I am in favor of a data center

[1:28:45] moratorium. Data centers should not be

[1:28:47] close to residential neighborhoods due

[1:28:49] to air pollution and noise concerns,

[1:28:50] especially as Michigan City already has

[1:28:52] a failing grade in air quality due to

[1:28:53] other industrial polluters. This

[1:28:55] ordinance is a step towards temporarily

[1:28:57] protecting those with existing

[1:28:58] respiratory conditions from other data

[1:28:59] centers moving to Michigan City and

[1:29:01] releasing harmful emissions.

[1:29:02] Furthermore, this moratorium would give

[1:29:04] us a reprieve from other data centers

[1:29:06] flagrantly violating the city's

[1:29:07] vegetation ordinance that prohibits

[1:29:09] weeds, grass, and rink vegetation in

[1:29:10] excess of 6 in. This was brought to

[1:29:13] vector controls attention August 28th

[1:29:14] and the mayor's attention on September

[1:29:15] 18th. On September 21st, both of them

[1:29:18] reached out to Phoenix to bring their

[1:29:19] property into compliance more than two

[1:29:20] weeks later. As of this morning, a burm

[1:29:22] on the property still does not comply

[1:29:23] with city ordinance and daily fines

[1:29:25] still remain to be levied. I was

[1:29:27] blindsided by this ordinance as it

[1:29:28] wasn't listed on the online agenda under

[1:29:31] article 2 common council section 2-57

[1:29:34] procedure for ordinance enactment

[1:29:37] B. No ordinance or resolution shall be

[1:29:39] introduced unless the requirements of

[1:29:41] council resolution number 4365 as

[1:29:44] amended have been fulfilled and unless a

[1:29:46] copy has been delivered via electronic

[1:29:48] mail to the email address of each

[1:29:49] council member at least 96 hours prior

[1:29:52] to the meeting. So I am left wondering

[1:29:54] if all council members had been emailed

[1:29:56] this ordinance by Friday, October 2nd at

[1:29:58] 6:30 p.m. to comply with this

[1:30:00] requirement. Thank you for your time.

[1:30:12] Matthew Hoskins, 7676 Mir Road, Michigan

[1:30:15] City, Indiana. Um, I I also appreciate

[1:30:18] you guys taking a look at doing this,

[1:30:20] pausing it. My main concern is the air

[1:30:23] pollution. Unless you've been in an

[1:30:25] industrial environment and seen the size

[1:30:28] of the diesel generators that they're

[1:30:30] going to test and run, you don't

[1:30:32] comprehend the amount of pollution that

[1:30:35] is going to affect Michigan City. What

[1:30:36] I'm going to ask is as a city, and I

[1:30:39] don't know how it's tracked. I don't

[1:30:40] know how we keep track of it, but we

[1:30:41] keep the pressure on Google that if they

[1:30:44] do start to run their diesel generators

[1:30:46] more than they have told us, we have to

[1:30:49] step up and we have to confront them and

[1:30:51] hold them accountable because it's um

[1:30:55] the size of them, which I've looked at

[1:30:56] and I work in industrial environment. Um

[1:30:59] your normal citizen doesn't understand

[1:31:02] how much air pollution one of those

[1:31:04] diesel generators put out. It's not a

[1:31:06] house generator. All right. Thank you.

[1:31:14] Can I take the one that we have online,

[1:31:16] please? Miss Williams. Yeah, thank you

[1:31:19] so much, Tracy. Ashley Williams, 401

[1:31:21] First Street. I just want to be clear, I

[1:31:23] strongly support a meaningful data

[1:31:25] center moratorum, but not this ordinance

[1:31:27] as written. Uh, I have followed this

[1:31:29] process from the very beginning and

[1:31:30] tonight a mortorium came down that was

[1:31:32] never placed on the agenda. no resident

[1:31:34] knew, not that people have shown up ever

[1:31:36] at every meeting uh in support of a

[1:31:38] moratorum. And I I think that this is

[1:31:40] really the furthest thing from

[1:31:41] transparency. And like my neighbors, I

[1:31:43] also question the legality of how this

[1:31:45] was introduced. Uh this mortorium

[1:31:47] expires the moment the city passes its

[1:31:49] own amendments to the zoning ordinance.

[1:31:50] The very amendments the planning

[1:31:52] department has been working on all

[1:31:53] along. um it pauses just long enough to

[1:31:56] create an illusion of action while the

[1:31:58] planning department skates in an M3 data

[1:32:00] center zoning district that we know we

[1:32:02] it's been working on behind the scenes

[1:32:04] without public knowledge or input up

[1:32:06] till this point. So I am demanding a

[1:32:09] moratorium language with teeth, not one

[1:32:11] that shields Google and further

[1:32:13] expansion when they've already

[1:32:14] demonstrated they're not a good

[1:32:15] neighbor. uh just read subsection D4 of

[1:32:19] what is right in front of you tonight

[1:32:20] exempts and I'm quoting the current

[1:32:22] Google data center including each of its

[1:32:24] two phases two phases the first

[1:32:26] mentioned from this council or any of

[1:32:28] the city on the second building uh that

[1:32:30] shows up right there in the moratorum

[1:32:32] that is supposed to protect us from it

[1:32:34] uh we the people have been educating our

[1:32:36] communities about buildings one and two

[1:32:38] while the majority of this council has

[1:32:40] been absent and built brick walls

[1:32:41] whenever any of us have brought up about

[1:32:43] the data center and there is no mention

[1:32:45] of of the fact that Google's attempting

[1:32:47] to double its diesel generator fleet.

[1:32:49] So, I'm asking that the council amend

[1:32:50] the ordinance tonight by striking

[1:32:52] subsection D4 in its entirety. I ask

[1:32:55] that you make immediate amendments to

[1:32:56] place a moratorum in effect for a full

[1:32:58] year regardless of the timing of a city

[1:33:00] or uh rather ordinance being written

[1:33:02] behind closed doors to allow for public

[1:33:04] input and to ensure our community is

[1:33:06] kept safe from this predatory and

[1:33:08] energyintensive industry. As we know,

[1:33:10] our own utilities under investigation

[1:33:12] for prolonged outages due to neglect and

[1:33:15] layoffs and has experienced a risky and

[1:33:17] concerning volume of data center growth.

[1:33:19] If this council is unwilling to do that

[1:33:21] on the floor, then hold the ordinance to

[1:33:23] next month so that every council and the

[1:33:25] public can read what is actually in it.

[1:33:28] Thank you so much for your time.

[1:33:30] >> Thank you, Miss.

[1:33:36] » Madam President, if I could, unless

[1:33:38] there's other public comment. Yes. Um,

[1:33:40] are there any other public comments on

[1:33:43] We have one. Yes.

[1:33:46] >> Amy Lysinski, 104 Mayfield Drive. I'm

[1:33:50] It's getting very confusing how

[1:33:52] something so simple and as we talked

[1:33:54] about, it looked like everybody was for

[1:33:55] the moratorium has become so difficult.

[1:33:57] Uh, I've been attending these meetings

[1:33:59] for a long time. I have not ever really

[1:34:01] seen where an amendment was added of an

[1:34:03] ordinance where it's not been like

[1:34:05] advertised before. I think a big thing

[1:34:07] that like I would be concerned with or

[1:34:09] not is I really hope that Nancy and Joe

[1:34:12] were included because this is something

[1:34:14] I think that was very meaningful to

[1:34:16] them. They were our two powerful no

[1:34:18] votes. So I would hate to see that other

[1:34:20] people are trying to like jump in here.

[1:34:22] I want a clean one. I've stressed that

[1:34:25] but I little bit confused. I haven't got

[1:34:27] to see this to know what's going on yet.

[1:34:29] Um, I think I wrote down where you were

[1:34:31] talking about exceptions. And with the

[1:34:33] exceptions, I think you said something

[1:34:34] about existing buildings. You guys know

[1:34:37] I've been all about the variance letter.

[1:34:39] That variance letter allowed something

[1:34:41] to go into an existing building without

[1:34:44] the research. So, that's where I that

[1:34:47] part and I haven't looked at it. I got

[1:34:49] to look at it more, but that was a quick

[1:34:51] trigger to me that I think that needed

[1:34:53] to be looked at a little bit more. I do

[1:34:54] want to know because at the last meeting

[1:34:56] it came down to did it need to be

[1:34:58] resolution or an ordinance. So do we

[1:35:00] have that cleared up because I thought

[1:35:01] we tabled to possibly come back with a

[1:35:04] resolution. So just clarifying that that

[1:35:06] would be great. And I think a big thing

[1:35:08] too is from what I have researched and I

[1:35:10] could be completely wrong but I thought

[1:35:12] with the moratorium when it changes the

[1:35:13] zoning law we have to have also maybe a

[1:35:15] hearing at the planning department. So

[1:35:18] is that going to be happening before the

[1:35:21] third reading? like where does that come

[1:35:22] in into the play of passing this

[1:35:24] ordinance in the next three readings

[1:35:25] because I want to make sure this has

[1:35:27] legal standing because I do support

[1:35:29] putting this in place. Um I'll stop

[1:35:32] there and I'll save some of the others

[1:35:33] for later. So, thank you.

[1:35:35] >> Thank you.

[1:35:47] » All right. All right. All right. Uh

[1:35:50] Steve Coyle, 2015 Oral Trail, Long

[1:35:53] Beach, Indiana. Uh I support the

[1:35:56] moratorum. Thank you so much. Um this

[1:35:59] moratorum will give us an opportunity

[1:36:03] to develop a worst case scenario.

[1:36:07] Uh as we go through life, we all plan

[1:36:09] for worst case scenarios. A house fire,

[1:36:11] a tornado, the loss of the job. We buy

[1:36:14] insurance. We make plans. We don't wait

[1:36:17] for the worst day to start thinking

[1:36:19] about it. So tonight, I asked the

[1:36:21] council, are we prepared for a data

[1:36:23] center worst case scenario?

[1:36:26] Specifically, what happens if the diesel

[1:36:29] storage tanks fail cat fail

[1:36:31] catastrophically and there is a

[1:36:34] large-scale tank fire, a ruptured

[1:36:36] containment spill, or a vapor ignition

[1:36:40] event?

[1:36:41] Did the council know that there were

[1:36:43] going to be 135 storage tanks containing

[1:36:47] over 725,000

[1:36:50] gallons of diesel fuel.

[1:36:55] Um maybe it was hidden in the NDA,

[1:36:58] maybe it was hidden in the agreement

[1:37:02] um under the line that you know

[1:37:04] basically project maze is a data center

[1:37:06] campus to include without limitation one

[1:37:09] or more data center buildings as well as

[1:37:11] certain other building structures and

[1:37:13] infrastructure that are necessary in

[1:37:15] support of the foregoing use. So, what

[1:37:18] happens when 725,000

[1:37:21] gallons of diesel fuel catches fire?

[1:37:25] There is going to be a massive fireball

[1:37:27] and thermal radiation. Toxic smoke will

[1:37:31] endanger anyone with asthma, COPD, or

[1:37:33] heart condition. Over pressure waves

[1:37:37] will shatter nearly all windows and

[1:37:39] glass within a half a mile of the data

[1:37:42] center. A half a mile. That's Kger

[1:37:45] Middle School.

[1:37:47] Okay, you can Google it. What happens

[1:37:50] when 725,000

[1:37:52] gallons of diesel full fuel blows up?

[1:37:56] Okay, so we just suffered a delo and

[1:38:00] watch NIPS go fail. Its own worst case

[1:38:03] scenario plans. That is our evidence.

[1:38:06] That is not speculation. That is the

[1:38:07] city's own recent history.

[1:38:10] Unfortunately, storms are becoming more

[1:38:12] frequent. So, when the next storm hits

[1:38:14] and the power fails, how will the data

[1:38:16] center hold up? Will the diesel tanks

[1:38:18] handle the stress? And if not, are we

[1:38:21] prepared for the worst case scenario?

[1:38:24] Does the fire department have the

[1:38:25] equipment, training, and manpower to

[1:38:27] respond to a fuel tank fire of this

[1:38:29] scale? What does a diesel spill do to

[1:38:33] our water table?

[1:38:35] What would an eval evacuation plan look

[1:38:39] like with a Kreger Middle School and

[1:38:42] Paladin Head Start inside it?

[1:38:45] We cannot wait until building number one

[1:38:47] is completed. We need to act now. We

[1:38:52] need to consider pausing construction on

[1:38:54] building number two until these safety

[1:38:57] issues are properly addressed. Thank

[1:38:59] you.

[1:39:10] Greetings. My name is Elellanar

[1:39:12] Charlton, 122 North Calumet A. Um, I'm

[1:39:16] going to kind of dovetail on what my

[1:39:18] predecessor just said. Generators,

[1:39:22] that's a lot of generators.

[1:39:25] The smoke coming out of those, if you

[1:39:27] have asthma, if you have friends that

[1:39:29] have asthma, give it up. when they're

[1:39:32] going, they will be in the hospital.

[1:39:34] They will be in the ER because it's

[1:39:36] horrible.

[1:39:39] You guys had a storm. I don't mean to be

[1:39:43] rude. I know it was bad, but it wasn't

[1:39:46] really bad. If you want to see bad, look

[1:39:48] at April 11th, 2011. I was living in

[1:39:51] Alabama at the time. I spent 46 hours in

[1:39:55] a hospital ER working because we had

[1:39:59] F4s, F5s.

[1:40:02] 300 people died. Thousands of people

[1:40:04] were injured. It was terrible.

[1:40:08] Imagine that here. Imagine just two F5s

[1:40:11] here. And your infrastructure couldn't

[1:40:14] handle high winds. Bad high winds, I

[1:40:17] grant you. But what's NIPCO going to do

[1:40:21] when there's a power failure at that

[1:40:23] plant? Do you think Michigan City's

[1:40:25] going to get power back? And if so, at

[1:40:28] what rate? And I'll tell you a really

[1:40:30] horrifying story about your little storm

[1:40:32] that you did have. The thing that really

[1:40:34] buzzed me was I was working and you know

[1:40:38] what? We didn't have diesel. We didn't

[1:40:41] have any backup diesel.

[1:40:44] Think about that. I work at a hospital

[1:40:47] and we had to unplug everything that

[1:40:50] wasn't mandatory because we didn't have

[1:40:54] backup diesel. But feed for thought.

[1:41:04] U my name is Cooper Lyles and I just

[1:41:07] want to say I want to get rid of data

[1:41:08] centers cuz it's bad for our kids uh

[1:41:12] future.

[1:41:20] this. Yes. Thank you. First of all, I

[1:41:22] want to thank the council members. Uh I

[1:41:24] live in Long Beach, Indiana, among the

[1:41:26] millionaires of which I'm not one. And I

[1:41:29] just want to say a few things. Now, I I

[1:41:32] don't Women aren't supposed to say their

[1:41:33] age, but I just turned 74. Okay? And

[1:41:37] well, thank you. I'm still alive. And

[1:41:39] so, uh, I just took over, uh, a very

[1:41:44] important job. We do investigative

[1:41:45] reporting. It's called Who's Your

[1:41:47] Inquirer Lucas out of Indianapolis. And

[1:41:49] I just became CEO and president of the

[1:41:51] board. So, Dr. Corey, you can call me

[1:41:54] Madame President. All right. Wonderful

[1:41:56] doctor. So, anyway, I just want to say

[1:41:58] to you that I came here in 1956 when I

[1:42:01] was 3 years old. My father was the um,

[1:42:05] head of Barnes & Noble. Mr. Barnes and

[1:42:07] Mr. Noble have been to my house only

[1:42:09] because my mother was dying of cancer.

[1:42:10] They came to support us. But I'm telling

[1:42:12] you this because my brother who is 6

[1:42:14] years older than me and has since uh

[1:42:17] lives in heaven. Um he worked for Royal

[1:42:20] Medal. He got a job out of high school

[1:42:22] when he graduated from Marquette in

[1:42:24] 1961.

[1:42:26] And that's where the data center is.

[1:42:28] That's the old Royal Medal uh facility.

[1:42:31] You probably know this, right? Well,

[1:42:34] I've been doing a deep dive because I

[1:42:36] remember going to pick up my brother

[1:42:38] with my parents after work. There's a

[1:42:40] lot of stuff in the ground under Royal

[1:42:42] Medal. You know what I'm talking about.

[1:42:45] So, that's the first concern I have is

[1:42:47] what's really under there and what's

[1:42:48] going to be seeping to the poor people

[1:42:51] across the street, some of who I know

[1:42:53] who came here to retire in a very, you

[1:42:56] know, nice community among the trees and

[1:42:59] the deer and everything else. And

[1:43:01] they're like horrified. I don't blame

[1:43:03] them. If they moved across the street

[1:43:05] from my house, I'd be horrified, too.

[1:43:07] The second thing I wanted to ask you to

[1:43:09] think about, and I went to that big big

[1:43:11] meeting, did anybody else go who was at

[1:43:13] the uh Michigan City High School?

[1:43:16] Remember that? Um where they wanted our

[1:43:18] feedback. They came up from

[1:43:20] Indianapolis. I got up and I asked them,

[1:43:23] "What about my NIPCO bill? [gasps] I

[1:43:26] can't even concentrate on what it's

[1:43:29] going to be after the storm, but the

[1:43:31] bills are going way up. You know this.

[1:43:33] So, what are we going to do about that?

[1:43:35] I don't think I can't afford, you know,

[1:43:38] $500 a month in the summer and a,000 in

[1:43:42] the winter, which I just got, and it's

[1:43:44] only me and three cats. So, what am I

[1:43:46] supposed to do about that? And what is

[1:43:48] our community supposed to do about the

[1:43:50] bills that are really rising high from

[1:43:53] allegedly the uh center? So I'm just

[1:43:56] asking you to look into that when you

[1:43:59] start to, you know, focus on the data

[1:44:01] center and what is going to happen next.

[1:44:04] So um please think about it and thank

[1:44:07] you for the work you do and thank you to

[1:44:08] the mayor for uh fighting towards this

[1:44:12] goal. I know that she is into the police

[1:44:14] and the fire department. Thank you also.

[1:44:16] >> Thank you, Miss.

[1:44:18] This is the last call for public

[1:44:20] comments.

[1:44:23] This will be our last public comment.

[1:44:28] Hello, my name is Wayne Rifle, 4210 East

[1:44:30] Michigan Boulevard. Uh, I looked into

[1:44:32] the data center and one of the things

[1:44:34] that I found that their generator

[1:44:37] capacity, it's it's a really large

[1:44:40] capacity for their diesel and uh they're

[1:44:43] going to be supplying pretty much their

[1:44:44] own infrastructure for that as far as

[1:44:47] fuel goes. But you got a bigger problem

[1:44:49] with that because they're not going to

[1:44:50] use duel. They're going to use

[1:44:53] non-duelue, which they'll supply and you

[1:44:56] won't be able to trace it back along

[1:44:58] with uh there's no disclosure of what

[1:45:00] they're going to uh what you guys have

[1:45:03] made with in regards to the sewage plant

[1:45:05] that they're going to pump their their

[1:45:07] waste water out of. Okay. What that's

[1:45:10] going to do to the lake when you pump it

[1:45:11] back in or whether you're even cap

[1:45:13] capable of getting rid of the PAS that's

[1:45:15] going to come out of there. So along

[1:45:17] with that and then there's your your

[1:45:19] flock camera issue which uh I do happen

[1:45:22] to have some uh court cases here that

[1:45:25] say that specifically that not

[1:45:27] >> Mr. Rice this is strictly

[1:45:29] >> yes but I can mention what I need to

[1:45:32] mention but that you can um address that

[1:45:35] under public comment or when we get to

[1:45:37] >> Oh so you're going to go further into

[1:45:39] that

[1:45:40] >> to for for public comment for that.

[1:45:43] >> Yes.

[1:45:43] >> Okay. I just want to make sure. Okay. As

[1:45:45] far as Google goes, they're a lot of the

[1:45:47] data that they're collecting in the

[1:45:48] local area with their infrastructure,

[1:45:51] they're selling that data. That would

[1:45:53] include the the flock data that goes

[1:45:55] with it that they're going they got a

[1:45:56] contract to store. So when that comes

[1:45:59] through, your image and likeness is

[1:46:02] being sold. Okay? So you might end up on

[1:46:05] a herpes commercial. Okay? And it's

[1:46:07] going to be splattered all over Google's

[1:46:09] main website. So or your kids same way.

[1:46:12] So that's something you got to consider

[1:46:14] on what what what's been done with the

[1:46:16] data center itself from each local area

[1:46:18] it picks up from. Uh in a way it's

[1:46:21] better that it's here in the United

[1:46:23] States because then you can control the

[1:46:25] data you can regulate it but unfortunate

[1:46:28] part is it's here now.

[1:46:30] Thank you.

[1:46:31] >> Thank you Mr. Lizel.

[1:46:33] >> Public comments are now told attorney

[1:46:36] Harris.

[1:46:36] >> Yes. Um so I just want to provide some

[1:46:39] clarification as to what it is we're

[1:46:41] doing with the proposed ordinance on the

[1:46:44] temporary moratorum. Uh the sponsors of

[1:46:46] this ordinance uh requested an amendment

[1:46:49] to the agenda so that this could be

[1:46:50] added and that was approved. Um once

[1:46:53] it's added to the agenda, a discussion

[1:46:54] can be had which we've had public

[1:46:56] comment on it and there's no issue with

[1:46:58] doing that. It's a separate issue as to

[1:47:00] what the process is for enacting the

[1:47:02] ordinance. And uh one of the speakers

[1:47:04] did mention um section 2- uh 57 of our

[1:47:08] city code entitled procedure for

[1:47:10] ordinance enactment. And it does require

[1:47:12] a 96-hour prior notice of the ordinance

[1:47:15] before it starts the enactment process.

[1:47:17] I think the sponsors wanted to make sure

[1:47:19] that the public was aware that this this

[1:47:21] process for this particular version of a

[1:47:24] moratorum ordinance um has started. the

[1:47:27] work has started of drafting it. It's

[1:47:29] been made available or read aloud during

[1:47:32] this meeting, but it wouldn't advance to

[1:47:34] second reading at the next meeting.

[1:47:35] There would still be a requirement

[1:47:37] pursuant to the enactment requirements

[1:47:38] that it have a formal first reading at

[1:47:41] our next meeting. But instead of waiting

[1:47:43] until that next meeting to let the

[1:47:44] public know that there is this proposed

[1:47:47] uh temporary moratorum was added to the

[1:47:50] agenda and read aloud at this meeting

[1:47:52] for transparency. So, I just want to

[1:47:54] make sure, Madam President, I think your

[1:47:56] instruction would be that this matter be

[1:47:58] heard on first reading at the next

[1:48:00] meeting for formal enactment.

[1:48:02] >> Thank you.

[1:48:05] >> Are there any comments from the council?

[1:48:08] >> Yeah, Madame President, I'd like to be

[1:48:10] added as a co-sponsor.

[1:48:13] >> Madam President, I'd also like to be

[1:48:14] added as a co-sponsor.

[1:48:15] >> Are there any other council members that

[1:48:16] would like to be added?

[1:48:18] >> Yes, Madam President, I'd like to be

[1:48:19] added as a co-sponsor.

[1:48:21] >> I'd like to be added also. Councilman

[1:48:24] Nelson,

[1:48:26] >> in reference to um what we're talking

[1:48:29] about,

[1:48:31] Dr. Kora,

[1:48:33] I've spoken to you in reference to the

[1:48:36] moratorum.

[1:48:38] So, for you to like bring this forth to

[1:48:40] the public or however it is is

[1:48:43] disingenuous. You didn't speak to me or

[1:48:45] Nancy in reference to this. Like, it's

[1:48:48] undermining what we've done. Like I

[1:48:51] worked my ass off all summer for this.

[1:48:54] So for you to come,

[1:48:55] >> Mr. Nelson, your language.

[1:48:57] >> Excuse my language. I work my butt off

[1:49:00] for this. Me and Nancy and a lot of good

[1:49:03] people. So for you to come in and swoop

[1:49:06] and do this and not speak to me or Nancy

[1:49:08] about this, I do not appreciate that

[1:49:12] and I want that to be known publicly.

[1:49:18] Are there any other comments from the

[1:49:20] council?

[1:49:22] Madame clerk, I would like to add this

[1:49:24] to

[1:49:26] Oh,

[1:49:28] Councilwoman Moldenhower.

[1:49:32] » Um, thank you, Madam President. Um, I

[1:49:35] just want to go on record that I was not

[1:49:38] included any discussion regarding this

[1:49:40] new ordinance either. And, um, that's

[1:49:43] why I voted nay before

[1:49:46] um that

[1:49:49] >> I'm not hurt by this personally, but I

[1:49:52] think it's a matter of procedure

[1:49:54] that when our council is working on

[1:49:57] something, I hope that everybody's

[1:49:59] included that has been a part of what's

[1:50:02] been done up until this point in time.

[1:50:05] And I have no further comment on this.

[1:50:07] Thank you.

[1:50:08] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Moldenau.

[1:50:09] Councilman Dabney

[1:50:17] » and I would like to add um in regard to

[1:50:22] the comments that were made there. Um he

[1:50:24] said that we would have liked to have

[1:50:25] been included

[1:50:27] um in the process. U I would have liked

[1:50:30] to have been included when you guys

[1:50:32] started meeting with lawyers before. Um

[1:50:36] >> you never want you voted against the

[1:50:38] moratorum. You know the you know let him holler. Let him holler. Let him

[1:50:43] holler you order. Council Nelson.

[1:50:47] >> I'll shut that down.

[1:50:49] >> Councilman Dabney Councilman's we and

[1:50:52] women. We will not have that type of

[1:50:54] behavior sitting up here with each

[1:50:57] other. Not at all. So please respect

[1:51:00] each other as you will want someone to

[1:51:02] respect you sitting up here.

[1:51:04] >> All right. So what about a month ago?

[1:51:07] What? Over a month ago is when I had

[1:51:09] >> three months ago.

[1:51:11] >> I'm sorry.

[1:51:14] >> Three months ago. I've been working on

[1:51:16] this.

[1:51:16] >> Let him let him No, let him go. Let him

[1:51:18] go.

[1:51:18] >> Then Nancy been working on the moratorum

[1:51:20] system.

[1:51:29] » But you want a data center. Why would I

[1:51:31] include you in

[1:51:34] >> With all due respect, Councilman Nelson,

[1:51:36] I have had requested to have you muted.

[1:51:38] We are not doing this here

[1:51:41] either. We're going to have a

[1:51:43] conversation in regards to this specific

[1:51:45] order ordinance that is before us.

[1:51:48] >> Respect.

[1:51:51] » And again, those are personal

[1:51:53] conversations you can have after the

[1:51:55] meeting or over a phone call or in

[1:51:57] person, but not here.

[1:52:00] So if council still have

[1:52:04] comments regarding the ordinance,

[1:52:08] then let's have that conversation. We

[1:52:10] will debate what's in the ordinance, not

[1:52:13] how we derived at the ordinance.

[1:52:18] If there is no other comments,

[1:52:21] [clears throat]

[1:52:23] I would like to request that this

[1:52:24] ordinance that is on first reading be

[1:52:26] added to the council agenda.

[1:52:29] um for our next council meeting.

[1:52:33] >> Madame President,

[1:52:35] may I request may I request a fivem

[1:52:37] minute race? Yes.

[1:52:40] >> All those in favor for a fivem minute

[1:52:41] recess?

[1:52:42] >> I any naysay? There are none. 5 minutes.

[1:52:46] We'll be back at 8:30 p.m.

[1:52:51] Welcome back. We are still in

[1:52:55] the Michigan City Council meeting. We

[1:52:59] will return back to our scheduled

[1:53:02] agenda.

[1:53:04] And next we are on resolutions.

[1:53:08] Wait.

[1:53:15] » Oh.

[1:53:16] Yes. Madame clerk, if you would please.

[1:53:19] Our

[1:53:21] next ordinance

[1:53:25] re regarding flock on second reading. An

[1:53:28] ordinance on second reading by title

[1:53:30] only approving additional appropriation

[1:53:32] in the budget of the rainy day fund for

[1:53:34] limited use of the flock camera system

[1:53:36] for the Michigan City Police Department.

[1:53:39] And this is introduced by Mr. Dabney,

[1:53:40] Mr. President Bolinsky, Dr. Gora, and

[1:53:43] Mr. Coulter.

[1:53:45] >> And would the sponsors like to make any

[1:53:47] comments? Right.

[1:53:49] >> Yeah.

[1:53:51] >> Madam President, I would like to

[1:53:52] withdraw my support for this ordinance.

[1:54:02] » Dr.

[1:54:04] Madam President, and after listening to

[1:54:06] the feedback I've gotten from my

[1:54:08] constituents and seeing that the company

[1:54:11] itself that manufactures block systems,

[1:54:15] uh they are uh making some changes. Um

[1:54:18] and in response to the public feedback

[1:54:20] and the possibility that even Congress

[1:54:22] may get involved with this um I feel

[1:54:25] that this is not the right time to

[1:54:27] expand uh the flock program. Uh we'll

[1:54:31] just stick with what we currently have.

[1:54:33] So I would like to also drop my

[1:54:36] sponsorship

[1:54:41] » for

[1:54:43] allow us to get through. I'd like to

[1:54:45] drop my sponsorship for the expansion of

[1:54:47] the flock program.

[1:54:48] >> Thank you. Um, Council Nter.

[1:54:51] >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, it's silly

[1:54:53] to be holding food while I do this, but

[1:54:55] um, uh, as I've spoken various times

[1:54:59] about, um, I'm excited to see that the

[1:55:01] state and federal government, um, as

[1:55:02] well as Flock itself, are going to

[1:55:04] introduce more protections, um, and

[1:55:07] regulations. Um but at the moment uh

[1:55:11] with public feedback on this um I don't

[1:55:13] support the expansion of the system as

[1:55:15] we have it now.

[1:55:17] Um that said in the future I'd like to

[1:55:19] still be interested in the

[1:55:22] um the drone um and then further

[1:55:26] protections for the first ward um along

[1:55:28] the Southshore tracks um in the station

[1:55:31] there. But until then um I'm also

[1:55:34] withdrawing my sponsorship.

[1:55:38] Councilman Dabney.

[1:55:40] >> Yes. And obviously I've expressed u the

[1:55:44] whole process of how flock originally

[1:55:47] came to Michigan City due to the

[1:55:48] shootings and so forth. Uh but there

[1:55:51] have been things that have come up at

[1:55:52] this time. Um and I am going to uh drop

[1:55:56] my sponsorship at this time for this uh

[1:55:58] addition to the flock system.

[1:56:04] So at this present time that all

[1:56:06] sponsors um have dropped their

[1:56:08] sponsorships. So I will ask will any

[1:56:11] other council like to pick this

[1:56:13] ordinance up?

[1:56:16] I am asking again will any other council

[1:56:19] members like to pick this ordinance up?

[1:56:22] Would any other Councilman Nelson?

[1:56:27] » I want the motion motion to um table

[1:56:30] indefinitely.

[1:56:34] Well, well, due to that due to that all

[1:56:37] sponsors have dropped their sponsorship,

[1:56:40] then this is dead and no one else is

[1:56:42] picking this up to move forward.

[1:56:44] >> That's even better. Thank you.

[1:56:47] >> This ordinance is dead.

[1:56:57] » Okay, we have order. We still have

[1:56:59] business.

[1:57:01] I I I just want to take a moment to

[1:57:02] thank uh Assistant Chief Sheparski and

[1:57:06] the police chief uh for working with us

[1:57:09] throughout this process. Um and I just

[1:57:12] want to express my gratitude for that.

[1:57:13] Thank you so much.

[1:57:14] >> Thank you,

[1:57:15] >> Madam President. Madame President

[1:57:18] Binsky.

[1:57:19] >> Yeah, if I may. Uh I didn't express my

[1:57:23] opinion when I first said that I was

[1:57:24] going to withdraw my support, but I do

[1:57:28] want to thank uh Chief Saparski

[1:57:31] uh his work and uh hard diligence and

[1:57:35] going through the procedures and

[1:57:36] updating all the procedures.

[1:57:39] And believe me folks, to me, the police

[1:57:42] department's been very transparent on

[1:57:44] this on this whole uh issue. Uh so I

[1:57:50] wouldn't hold any grudges against the uh

[1:57:53] police department. Uh and and one thing

[1:57:56] though and just as Councilman Coulter

[1:57:58] said and I said it to Councilman Kora

[1:58:01] this morning that I still think and

[1:58:04] although it won't come up to us here

[1:58:06] anytime soon I don't think is the uh

[1:58:10] drone system. Now, if you look at it

[1:58:13] from this respect, look at it from this

[1:58:16] respect. It's not about going around and

[1:58:20] spying on people and what they're doing,

[1:58:24] but here in Michigan City, we have a

[1:58:26] lakefront

[1:58:28] that there's emergency calls that need

[1:58:30] to go out there. There's people

[1:58:32] drowning. There's boats that get uh, you

[1:58:35] know, in wrecks and things like that.

[1:58:38] And

[1:58:40] the drone can get there 50% faster than

[1:58:44] any squad car or any fire truck trying

[1:58:47] to get down there. And once it once they

[1:58:50] get down there for the emergency

[1:58:51] response, then they got to walk up and

[1:58:54] down the beach and try to get an idea

[1:58:57] where the person's at. the drone is out

[1:59:00] over the lake already looking down

[1:59:02] telling the uh police department where

[1:59:06] the person's at. You know, I I'm

[1:59:09] thinking at it from that respect as an

[1:59:11] emergency response. And take for

[1:59:13] example, if uh

[1:59:16] you know, there's a child that's out in

[1:59:19] the neighborhood and lost or there's

[1:59:22] some kind of gun altercation going on.

[1:59:25] The drone is up above giving the police

[1:59:28] down below the information they need and

[1:59:31] how to deal with this situation. So, I'm

[1:59:34] also looking at the safety of the police

[1:59:38] officers and the safety of the

[1:59:40] community. Not to say that that's going

[1:59:42] to be about come about, but that's

[1:59:45] something I think we need to put in our

[1:59:47] thought process instead of just worrying

[1:59:49] about the invasion of our privacy. I'm

[1:59:53] looking at it from a public safety

[1:59:55] standpoint also. So, I just want to

[1:59:58] express my opinion on that. Thank you,

[2:00:00] >> Councilman Pisbelli. Councilman Dabney.

[2:00:03] >> Yes. And as we all, you know, quickly

[2:00:06] dropped our sponsorship, but I did make

[2:00:08] the comment on how I feel about the the

[2:00:10] flock system when it first came to

[2:00:12] Michigan City and I still support. Um,

[2:00:15] and this is just I'm dropping my

[2:00:16] sponsorship of the additional of what's

[2:00:19] happening, but we still have what we

[2:00:21] have. And I was one of the original

[2:00:24] council members that was invited in by

[2:00:27] uh Chief uh Dion Campbell at the time

[2:00:29] >> as well as I

[2:00:31] >> and as well as Councilwoman Tilman. Um,

[2:00:34] but when that was brought up here in

[2:00:37] Michigan City, what was happening is

[2:00:39] there were lots of shootings uh all over

[2:00:42] the place here in Michigan City, the

[2:00:45] police would show up at the scene.

[2:00:47] There'd be 25 people standing outside.

[2:00:50] The police would ask, "Did anybody see

[2:00:52] anything?" They would all say no. Um cuz

[2:00:56] they were afraid to speak. And so this

[2:00:58] was the original reason why Flock was

[2:01:01] brought to Michigan City was because of

[2:01:03] the shootings. Um I had a shooting, a

[2:01:06] gunfight in the intersection right

[2:01:08] outside my house while I was laying on

[2:01:10] the bed asleep. Bullets, four bullets

[2:01:12] came into my house, missed me by about

[2:01:13] 10 ft. Um there were two other shootings

[2:01:16] that happened on Ridgeland Avenue, which

[2:01:18] are right right down the street from my

[2:01:20] house. Uh there were plenty of people

[2:01:21] out there. The police show up, asked

[2:01:23] questions. Um did they say anything?

[2:01:26] Everybody said no, they did not because

[2:01:28] they were afraid um to to to report what

[2:01:33] they had seen. And the flock cameras

[2:01:37] have been very good at picking up these shootings in that in certain

[2:01:42] neighborhoods. Maybe your neighborhood

[2:01:44] does not have the same kind of violence

[2:01:46] and the shootings that mine does, but

[2:01:48] that's where I'm coming from. Um the

[2:01:51] last meeting we had, there was a a woman

[2:01:53] sitting up top, but she didn't come and

[2:01:54] talk about the flock cameras, but right

[2:01:57] after they came in,

[2:01:59] um she's on the on the west side of town

[2:02:01] with her daycare center, and there were

[2:02:03] people shooting outside of the daycare.

[2:02:05] Bullets came into the daycare center. Um

[2:02:09] and the fl cameras tracked the shooting,

[2:02:13] the car that did the shooting right

[2:02:14] outside. They picked the person up in

[2:02:16] Marville. Um, so I see the other side of

[2:02:19] it. I understand the people in the, you

[2:02:21] know, wanting their their privacy and so

[2:02:24] forth. Um, and I I feel like you have to

[2:02:27] see both sides of it. Um, but I know the

[2:02:30] side that I come from. Um, I know the

[2:02:33] shootings have decreased in my

[2:02:35] neighborhood. I know the conversations

[2:02:37] that go on in my neighborhood about they

[2:02:40] are cognizant and they know about these

[2:02:43] cameras and what they can do uh regards

[2:02:45] to tracking shooters in our

[2:02:47] neighborhood. Um so I understand you

[2:02:50] know the the the jubilance and the you

[2:02:52] know the the happiness that happens but

[2:02:55] as I see your point of view I hope some

[2:02:59] people see mine as well because you know

[2:03:01] we come from a neighborhood where there

[2:03:02] were gunshots happening all the time.

[2:03:04] police show up and like I said, people

[2:03:06] were No, I I hadn't seen anything. Um

[2:03:09] there were people, you know, there was a

[2:03:10] shooting up at uh Memorial Park years

[2:03:13] ago. 100 kids out there at a party.

[2:03:16] Police show up, nobody saw anything. And

[2:03:18] so I see the whole scope of it. And that

[2:03:22] is very important to me as to why I was

[2:03:25] in big support of it earlier because of

[2:03:28] the shootings that were happening. And I

[2:03:30] don't feel like I want to sacrifice

[2:03:32] these unsolved shootings when this

[2:03:35] system has solved uh plenty of shootings

[2:03:38] around the area. Child kidnappings where

[2:03:40] somebody report a car has a child in it

[2:03:43] and we you know catch somebody down in

[2:03:45] Indianapolis that has kidnapped a child.

[2:03:47] Uh so I understand all sides of it and I

[2:03:50] just want to speak from the heart as to

[2:03:52] why I feel u in support of the the flock

[2:03:55] camera system that we have. But you know

[2:03:58] at this point the extension um I am like

[2:04:01] I said I dropped my sponsorship for

[2:04:02] that. But that is how I feel about the flock system going forward.

[2:04:06] >> Thank you Councilman Dabney. Councilman

[2:04:08] Deree.

[2:04:10] >> I've been largely silent on this issue

[2:04:12] of flock

[2:04:16] for months. I've heard every argument

[2:04:18] for and against flock. Um, I know that

[2:04:22] you always learn more about an issue if

[2:04:24] you listen rather than you speak

[2:04:26] yourself. So that's why I haven't really

[2:04:28] spoken in the past. I think it's time to

[2:04:31] speak now. I've heard Councilman Dabney

[2:04:35] make the comments he just made more than

[2:04:37] once before. Um, maybe two or three

[2:04:40] meetings. Um,

[2:04:43] he's not alone.

[2:04:47] To me, if we lived in a kind of

[2:04:49] community that felt any sense of

[2:04:52] responsibility for its own safety and

[2:04:54] its own protection, if we would share

[2:04:57] criminal activity with the police when

[2:05:00] we were aware of crimes that have been

[2:05:01] committed, I might feel differently, but

[2:05:05] we don't report crimes. We witness

[2:05:08] shootings. We witness attacks on other

[2:05:10] people, and we don't report those when

[2:05:14] asked by the police. We remain silent.

[2:05:18] In time, we even criticize the police

[2:05:20] because they're not being quicker or

[2:05:23] better at solving the crimes that we

[2:05:26] ourselves have betted to because we were

[2:05:29] silent when we shouldn't have been.

[2:05:32] Along comes Flock with a way to actually

[2:05:35] help the police

[2:05:37] identify criminals and actually aids

[2:05:40] them in doing their job. and we want to

[2:05:43] handcuff them by denying the one tool

[2:05:46] that can help them in ways that no other

[2:05:47] tool can.

[2:05:50] This makes no sense to me.

[2:05:53] I was in favor of Flock originally, the

[2:05:56] way it was employed, and the history

[2:05:57] shows that it's been valuable. It's

[2:05:59] helped us solve many, many crimes and

[2:06:02] identifying many, many criminals.

[2:06:04] It's way too valuable to me to give

[2:06:07] away.

[2:06:09] uh if if we ever become a community

[2:06:11] that's willing to work with police and

[2:06:13] be a partner in creating a safe

[2:06:15] environment for all of us, then I don't

[2:06:17] think we need flock. But until then, I

[2:06:21] think the existing flock definitely

[2:06:23] needs to be supported uh in place.

[2:06:28] >> Thank you.

[2:06:28] Mr. Beard. Councilwoman

[2:06:30] Moldenhau.

[2:06:34] » Thank you, Madame President. Um, I

[2:06:37] wanted to go back to the philosophical

[2:06:41] quandry that I was struggling with a

[2:06:43] couple council meetings ago about this

[2:06:46] expansion of flock. Was it a want or was

[2:06:50] it a need? And I'll have to say that

[2:06:55] since that time, I've gotten more emails

[2:06:57] on

[2:06:58] road conditions and on garbage pickup

[2:07:03] than I have regarding anything regarding

[2:07:06] flock or crime. So, I want to go back

[2:07:09] and make a recommmitment to Sean Smith,

[2:07:13] who's the director of the street

[2:07:14] department, that we as a council

[2:07:17] seriously look at his request for a

[2:07:20] small street paver that would allow them

[2:07:24] to do small jobs like fixing multiple

[2:07:27] potholes that are in a roll and the side

[2:07:30] streets, which are never going to get

[2:07:32] paved according to the um the system

[2:07:35] [clears throat] that we're using to rank

[2:07:37] streets because of their low traffic

[2:07:39] patterns. Also, I'd like to request that

[2:07:43] we consider Chris Carter has backup

[2:07:46] trucks in his department for picking up

[2:07:48] our trash because when anything breaks,

[2:07:52] >> counciloman hour

[2:07:55] to do that.

[2:07:55] >> Is this regarding flock?

[2:07:57] >> Yes, it is.

[2:07:58] >> Oh, okay. And after careful care careful

[2:08:00] consideration

[2:08:02] um of these other concerns,

[2:08:05] I perceive that the flock expansion is

[2:08:09] indeed a want and not a need for the

[2:08:15] residents of our community as they

[2:08:17] voiced it. Thank you.

[2:08:19] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Maldenau.

[2:08:23] So, with that being said, we will now go

[2:08:26] further onto our agenda. We are now

[2:08:29] under resolutions. Madame clerk, our

[2:08:31] first resolution by title only, please.

[2:08:34] >> A resolution by title only approving and

[2:08:37] of authorizing the 2026

[2:08:40] union contract between the Michigan City

[2:08:42] Firefighters Local 475 in the city of

[2:08:45] Michigan City, Indiana. And this is

[2:08:47] introduced by Mr. Coulter, Mr.

[2:08:49] Presolinsky, and Mr. Nelson. And would

[2:08:51] any of the sponsors like to make any

[2:08:53] comments? Councilman Halter.

[2:08:54] >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, this

[2:08:57] contract was a a long discussion that

[2:08:59] has finally come to an end. Um, uh, the

[2:09:04] union president, uh, Chief Shapars, not

[2:09:06] Shafarski,

[2:09:07] um, Zubudas, um, goodness gracious,

[2:09:10] Chris Zabudas, it has been a long day

[2:09:12] already. Um, uh, wanted to stay here,

[2:09:14] but, um, as long days often go, he's

[2:09:16] back at the firehouse. Um, so he just

[2:09:18] wanted to thank us for finally getting

[2:09:20] to a conclusion and an agreement on

[2:09:22] this. Um, that said, the board of works

[2:09:26] has also voted an approval of this

[2:09:28] contract and so we are ready to as well

[2:09:30] and I'd encourage our council members to

[2:09:32] do so. Thank you.

[2:09:34] >> Would any of the other sponsors like to

[2:09:36] make any comments? Councilman Prince

[2:09:37] Bolinsky. Yeah, Madame President, I just

[2:09:40] want to thank uh Firefighters Union 475

[2:09:46] uh for doing a great job of coming to

[2:09:48] the table and expressing their concerns

[2:09:52] and needs for the uh contract and with

[2:09:57] the uh leadership of Mr. Coulter uh for

[2:10:00] the labor relations committee and Mr.

[2:10:03] Joe Nelson. uh you did I think you did a

[2:10:05] fantastic job of getting this thing back

[2:10:08] on track and moving down and we got a uh

[2:10:10] agreement. So the firefighters are

[2:10:13] happy. Uh the city council is happy and

[2:10:16] I will also uh approve the passage of

[2:10:19] this resolution. Thank you.

[2:10:21] >> Thank you. Will any other other uh

[2:10:24] sponsors like to make any comments? If

[2:10:27] not, I will open this up for public

[2:10:28] comments on this resolution.

[2:10:32] Are there any public comments on this

[2:10:34] resolution?

[2:10:47] » Good evening. Good evening, Paul. Chris

[2:10:49] Bolinski, 1716 Washington Street.

[2:10:53] I would uh

[2:10:56] like to ask I know you probably won't

[2:10:59] answer but I'd like to know uh how many

[2:11:01] times did you not uh put notice up when

[2:11:04] you had called a meeting uh Councilman

[2:11:07] Cutotler and also

[2:11:11] did the fireman actually file a uh

[2:11:14] complaint and uh a mediator come in is

[2:11:18] that true

[2:11:21] » thank you Mr. Mr. President Billeski.

[2:11:23] >> No.

[2:11:27] Secret.

[2:11:28] >> Are there any other public comments on

[2:11:29] this ordinance? If the This will be the

[2:11:32] last call. Public comments on this

[2:11:34] ordinance.

[2:11:36] >> I'm sorry. On this resolution. Thank

[2:11:38] you, Dr. Corb. Um, public comments are

[2:11:41] now closed. Any comments from the

[2:11:43] council?

[2:11:48] >> We have to approve.

[2:11:50] >> Just one comment. I just want to thank

[2:11:52] uh the uh council members uh who were on

[2:11:55] the negotiating committee uh councilman

[2:11:58] Coulter, Councilman Priska, and

[2:11:59] Councilman. So, thank you.

[2:12:04] » May Councilman Davney.

[2:12:05] >> Yeah. And I was asking or going to ask

[2:12:09] what was agreed to.

[2:12:12] Can we discuss that? Uh what was agreed

[2:12:15] to?

[2:12:17] >> That is just because of what I heard. It

[2:12:20] sounds like it was agreed to just about

[2:12:22] what happened over a year ago.

[2:12:26] >> I would air that to attorney Harris to

[2:12:28] answer.

[2:12:29] >> Yeah, that would that would take us

[2:12:30] quite a bit of time to go over every uh

[2:12:33] element of the contract. Obviously, the

[2:12:34] collective bargaining agreement is 54

[2:12:37] pages, I believe, something like that.

[2:12:38] Um so, it's difficult. Um it is

[2:12:41] available in the clerk's office um for

[2:12:42] review, so the public can have it um as

[2:12:45] well as the council members. Um, and

[2:12:47] while it may be 54 pages, obviously all

[2:12:49] of all of the provisions of the contract

[2:12:51] were not an issue. Um, the last couple

[2:12:54] of issues that we were dealing with

[2:12:56] dealt with, um, primarily sick days that

[2:12:59] they were looking for and other

[2:13:00] incentives. Obviously, the city um has

[2:13:03] uh, as every municipality does in our

[2:13:05] area, its challenges um, with the

[2:13:08] unknown with funding. So, we were

[2:13:10] looking at creative ways to provide

[2:13:11] incentives for the firefighters while at

[2:13:14] the same time not committing to um large

[2:13:16] raises that could not be sustained. So,

[2:13:19] uh the long and short of it is that's

[2:13:20] what the current contract reflects.

[2:13:24] >> Thank you.

[2:13:26] >> May I entertain a motion?

[2:13:27] >> Motion to approve.

[2:13:29] >> Second.

[2:13:30] was uh Council Nola. Madam Clerk,

[2:13:33] on the vote, please.

[2:13:35] >> Mr. Nelson.

[2:13:40] >> Hi.

[2:13:42] >> I'm Thank you.

[2:13:43] >> There you go.

[2:13:44] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[2:13:46] >> Hi,

[2:13:46] >> Miss Tman.

[2:13:47] >> Hi,

[2:13:47] >> Mr. Beatatri.

[2:13:48] >> Hi,

[2:13:48] >> Mr. Coulter. Hi,

[2:13:50] >> Mr. Dabney. Hi,

[2:13:51] >> Dr. Cora.

[2:13:52] >> Hi,

[2:13:52] >> Miss Lee.

[2:13:53] >> Hi,

[2:13:53] >> and Miss Molden.

[2:13:54] >> I

[2:13:56] >> We have nine in favor and no one

[2:13:57] opposed.

[2:13:58] >> And with the unanimous, this resolution

[2:14:00] has passed.

[2:14:04] Madame clerk, if you would please. Our

[2:14:06] next resolution by title only.

[2:14:08] >> A resolution by title only. A resolution

[2:14:11] of the common council of the Michigan

[2:14:12] City Indiana opposing funding reductions

[2:14:15] that would jeopardize free public

[2:14:17] internet access at public libraries. And

[2:14:20] this is produced by Dr. Plura.

[2:14:22] >> And Dr. Cer, would you like to make any

[2:14:25] comments?

[2:14:26] >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh I'll be

[2:14:28] very brief. uh uh there is a program uh

[2:14:32] which is federally funded called the

[2:14:34] federal program uh that helps fund the

[2:14:38] availability of uh internet access in

[2:14:41] public libraries. Um and even though it

[2:14:44] is available for this year, there is a

[2:14:47] proposal to cut that funding um in the

[2:14:50] years to come. And so this resolution

[2:14:53] aims at um uh requesting our state and

[2:14:57] federal legislators uh to oppose those

[2:14:59] funding cuts because the um the internet

[2:15:03] access at public libraries is an is a

[2:15:05] very important tool for many of our uh

[2:15:09] community members. So I would also like

[2:15:11] to yield to uh Councilman uh Coloulter

[2:15:14] because he has a lot of um expertise on

[2:15:18] libraries. So in case you want to

[2:15:21] comment.

[2:15:22] >> Yeah, just to add a little bit to that.

[2:15:23] Um, as somebody who's worked in

[2:15:25] libraries and has a masters in library

[2:15:26] science, um, it's it's unspeakable how

[2:15:30] important uh, the internet is and

[2:15:32] internet access is to libraries and what

[2:15:34] they are and what they will continue to

[2:15:36] be into the future. Um, as books become

[2:15:38] less and less of a physical object, um,

[2:15:41] libraries almost become almost just

[2:15:43] computer lounges. Um and if many of us

[2:15:46] have privileges to have very good phones

[2:15:48] and and if not that then even more than

[2:15:51] that uh internet access at home. Um

[2:15:55] but for a lot of people uh the internet

[2:15:57] at the library is the only way that they

[2:15:59] can interact on the internet uh to do

[2:16:01] job research, job applications. Um

[2:16:04] medical research is a big thing. Um when

[2:16:06] I was at the library, I got a

[2:16:07] specialization in uh public health

[2:16:09] research. Um, and a lot of people will

[2:16:11] go to libraries right after their doctor

[2:16:13] appointment um to figure out what that

[2:16:15] guy just said to him.

[2:16:18] Uh, just in some clear language. Um, and

[2:16:23] with all of that, uh, it's it's

[2:16:25] incredibly important to have library

[2:16:27] internet access at libraries. Um, the

[2:16:29] rate program that is discussed in the

[2:16:32] resolution as we're looking at it, um,

[2:16:34] is something that the federal government

[2:16:36] provides through state libraries. So

[2:16:38] through the Indiana State Library um and

[2:16:40] then that trickles down to some of the

[2:16:41] local libraries. Um that said, uh the

[2:16:45] process of applying for that funding has

[2:16:47] become more ownorous with less of a

[2:16:49] reward. So some of our more local

[2:16:51] libraries like Michigan City and Leport

[2:16:53] County don't use that program, but Lake

[2:16:55] County relies heavily on it. And then

[2:16:57] when you look at places um on a federal

[2:17:00] level uh like uh Wyoming or or very

[2:17:04] rural states um other things in the -ate

[2:17:07] program uh become really important to to

[2:17:10] those areas. Um so while this might not

[2:17:13] be something that is pressing here at

[2:17:16] home with the -ate program uh it is

[2:17:18] something that just is nationally is is

[2:17:20] an issue that we're we're concerned

[2:17:22] about. Um yeah that's that's my big

[2:17:25] contribution. But then while I'm on the

[2:17:27] mic, uh

[2:17:30] the section five at the end of the

[2:17:32] resolution um introduces this space

[2:17:36] where we would list who we want it to go

[2:17:37] to and then it just kind of stops. Um

[2:17:41] can we add in there that we'd like this

[2:17:43] to go to Congressman Moran and Senators

[2:17:46] Young and Banks?

[2:17:49] >> Madam President, if I could add anybody

[2:17:50] else on that? Yes. I think that is

[2:17:52] what's intended with with the

[2:17:53] introduction of this resolution is for

[2:17:56] uh council members to express who they

[2:17:58] would like to see receive a copy of it.

[2:18:00] >> Okay.

[2:18:00] >> So, it would be appropriate. Yes.

[2:18:03] >> Is there anyone else that you would like

[2:18:05] to have added?

[2:18:07] >> Off the top of my head, no. But, um the

[2:18:10] uh FCC is looking for public feedback.

[2:18:12] Um so, you can get onto their website.

[2:18:14] Um like I said, local libraries don't

[2:18:16] use this program, but Lake County is

[2:18:18] pushing it. So, it's one of those

[2:18:19] situations that if you go into Lake

[2:18:20] County Public Library and you check out

[2:18:22] a book, they're like, "And then we need

[2:18:23] you to talk to the FCC." Um, so I

[2:18:25] imagine I could find a contact from them

[2:18:29] to send this to as well.

[2:18:31] >> Okay. And would you be able to provide

[2:18:32] that um to the clerk so that she could

[2:18:34] add that?

[2:18:35] >> Yeah, I'll make a point of stay on me

[2:18:37] about it. But yeah,

[2:18:38] >> Dr. Core that you would like added.

[2:18:40] Okay.

[2:18:41] >> Thank you very

[2:18:42] >> Thank you. So, I would like to open this

[2:18:44] up for public comment on this

[2:18:45] resolution. Public comments are now open

[2:18:48] on this resolution.

[2:18:50] Any public comments on this resolution?

[2:18:53] >> Uh, Roger will be 401 East 7th Street,

[2:18:56] Michigan City.

[2:18:58] This is for internet access at our

[2:19:01] library, right?

[2:19:04] >> Public,

[2:19:05] >> but primarily Michigan City.

[2:19:11] » So, the federal government is paying for

[2:19:13] that access or we're paying for that

[2:19:14] access? the federal government.

[2:19:18] >> Does anybody have any idea that can they

[2:19:20] tell me what the fee is for our public

[2:19:22] library that we're paying for internet

[2:19:23] access? Is that a T1 line? What is that?

[2:19:26] >> This is this is public comment, not Q&A,

[2:19:29] sir.

[2:19:31] >> Okay. Thank you.

[2:19:32] >> Thank you.

[2:19:37] Are there any other public comments? Do

[2:19:39] we have anyone online?

[2:19:41] This is last call for public comment.

[2:19:43] Public comments are now closed. comments

[2:19:45] from the council.

[2:19:47] >> Any conversation from the council?

[2:19:49] Nicoleter.

[2:19:50] >> Um just to go a little rogue and to

[2:19:52] respond to Mr. Willoughy's question a

[2:19:54] little bit. Um our public libraries here

[2:19:56] um as I mentioned in my first comments

[2:20:00] um they don't use this FCC rate funding

[2:20:03] um that just more or less helps reduce

[2:20:06] the cost of it. Um our local libraries

[2:20:08] rely on the local property taxes. Um,

[2:20:12] Senate Bill 1 has hamstrung our local

[2:20:14] libraries. Um, we we don't have good

[2:20:18] numbers. Ex. I don't have good numbers.

[2:20:19] I don't work at a library right now. Um,

[2:20:21] but

[2:20:23] because of the property tax reductions

[2:20:25] from the state house, I believe some

[2:20:28] libraries are looking at a like 25% cut

[2:20:30] to their funding. Um, and [snorts] that

[2:20:34] could mean closing branches. That could

[2:20:35] mean letting go of staff. It could mean

[2:20:36] letting go of entire programs. Um, I I

[2:20:39] can't believe that it would ever mean

[2:20:41] that they'd get rid of Wi-Fi. Um, but a

[2:20:44] 25% reduction in a budget is a

[2:20:47] significant thing. Um, I believe, and

[2:20:50] I'm not sure about this, but the there

[2:20:52] is a possibility that when we look at

[2:20:54] the countywide local income tax that

[2:20:55] could include libraries, um, but not

[2:20:58] necessarily. So, I would encourage our

[2:21:00] local county um council to consider if

[2:21:05] it's possible to include libraries on

[2:21:07] that local income tax in order to con um

[2:21:10] ensure that um those services continue.

[2:21:15] Every dollar spent on

[2:21:19] uh local libraries in Indiana brings $4

[2:21:21] back into the community. Um that's just

[2:21:23] Indiana's statistics on that. Um

[2:21:26] Wisconsin does a much better job with

[2:21:27] their libraries. every dollar spent in a

[2:21:28] Wisconsin library brings back $8. Uh so

[2:21:32] this is a fantastic economic development

[2:21:34] tool. Not just that, but also just like

[2:21:36] um I don't have to paint a picture.

[2:21:39] Early childhood literacy is an essential

[2:21:40] tool that is brought to us by libraries

[2:21:42] and Senate Bill One has hamstrung our

[2:21:44] their ability to do that.

[2:21:47] >> Thank you. C this is not Q&A. Council

[2:21:50] comments are council comments.

[2:21:55] Um, are there any other comments from

[2:21:57] the council in regards to this

[2:21:59] resolution? If there are none, may I

[2:22:01] entertain a motion?

[2:22:03] >> Uh, so moved. Second.

[2:22:04] >> Madame Clerk, on the vote, please.

[2:22:08] >> Mr. President Bolinski,

[2:22:09] >> I.

[2:22:10] >> Miss Tman,

[2:22:11] >> I.

[2:22:11] >> Mr. Beatri,

[2:22:12] >> hi.

[2:22:12] >> Mr. Coulter,

[2:22:13] >> hi.

[2:22:14] >> Mr. Dabney.

[2:22:14] >> Hi,

[2:22:15] >> Dr. Cora. Hi,

[2:22:16] >> Miss Lee. Hi,

[2:22:17] >> Miss Moldenhower. Hi.

[2:22:20] >> And Mr. Nelson abstain.

[2:22:28] We have eight in favor and one

[2:22:29] abstained.

[2:22:31] >> And this resolution has passed.

[2:22:34] Madame clerk, if you would, our next

[2:22:36] resolution by title only, please.

[2:22:39] >> A resolution by title only. A resolution

[2:22:42] of the city of Michigan City, Indiana

[2:22:44] common consult granting a waiver of

[2:22:47] non-compliance pursuant to Indiana code

[2:22:50] 6-1 1-12 1-9.5

[2:22:54] with respect to an assessed valuation

[2:22:57] bacon building deduction tax abatement

[2:23:00] for the tangible real property of kin

[2:23:04] kinitech resources LLC DBA aquagenics

[2:23:08] technologies and this is introduced by

[2:23:10] Mr. Beatry

[2:23:12] >> and would the sponsor like to make any

[2:23:13] comments?

[2:23:15] >> This resolution I I mentioned several

[2:23:18] hours ago when we were looking at tax

[2:23:20] abatements. Uh Aquagenics is a great

[2:23:24] company in Michigan City. Uh they

[2:23:26] operate a number of different uh areas

[2:23:29] primarily in the water treatment,

[2:23:30] filtration and sanitizing spaces. The

[2:23:34] company creates technologies and

[2:23:37] produces products with a primary goal of

[2:23:41] um making cleaner and safer environments

[2:23:44] for customers and industrial, medical,

[2:23:47] government and retail sectors. Um

[2:23:51] they have 5,137,200

[2:23:56] in real property that they added to

[2:23:58] Michigan City. They were [clears throat]

[2:24:01] tardy in their filings. Uh but they do

[2:24:05] uh make the the goal in uh industrial um

[2:24:13] investment. The owner of Aquagenics sent

[2:24:16] a letter with his request

[2:24:19] [clears throat] stating he currently

[2:24:20] employs 50 people for the Michigan City

[2:24:23] facility. He has the capacity to hire

[2:24:25] over a 100 but uh employees.

[2:24:29] uh but has had been unable to fill the

[2:24:32] up open positions because of a lack of

[2:24:35] potential candidates in the area. Since

[2:24:38] relocating to Michigan City, he says he

[2:24:40] has struggled to sustain a workforce

[2:24:43] required to meet his needs. A number of

[2:24:46] new hires have voluntarily left their

[2:24:48] position shortly after starting, which

[2:24:51] has led to staffing shortages,

[2:24:53] operational disruptions, and increased

[2:24:55] recruitment and time and training uh

[2:24:58] costs. Last week, he said he hired a

[2:25:01] Michigan city man. We trained for

[2:25:04] several days, uh remained a few days

[2:25:07] longer, and then didn't show up for work

[2:25:09] for 3 days. Um, this is a company that

[2:25:13] has worked hard in Michigan City, been a

[2:25:15] good candidate for us, a good partner

[2:25:17] with us. They have increased their pay

[2:25:20] rates, their hours, their bonuses, and

[2:25:22] benefits as a means of attracting

[2:25:25] qualified candidates. Uh other uh things

[2:25:28] they offer include uh moving to a 410

[2:25:33] day a 410 work week for a good portion

[2:25:38] of their staff and providing flexible

[2:25:40] hours in other areas as well. They offer

[2:25:42] education training and certification as

[2:25:45] well. So, I'm recommending that we allow

[2:25:48] them to be to wave the the penalty for

[2:25:52] this uh tardiness and allow their

[2:25:56] abatement to go in place for this uh

[2:25:59] this year.

[2:26:01] >> And that would be my motion.

[2:26:03] >> Second. Second.

[2:26:04] >> No, we have to open open it up for

[2:26:06] public comment. Um this resolution is

[2:26:09] now open up for public comment. Are

[2:26:11] there any public comments on this

[2:26:12] resolution?

[2:26:14] Yes, my name's Wayne Ritzel, 4210 East

[2:26:17] Mishka Boulevard. Uh, so you're going to

[2:26:19] wave uh his their fee or whatever

[2:26:22] because they were late. Well, uh, with

[2:26:25] in regards to some form of property tax.

[2:26:29] Well, you're not even waving the fees

[2:26:31] over for burnt homes or storm damaged

[2:26:34] homes through the disaster. and people

[2:26:38] aren't even getting the service when it

[2:26:39] comes time for the bills for the uh tax

[2:26:44] notice for the sales. And you can check

[2:26:47] mycasein.gov over there at the recent

[2:26:49] tax sale hearings and you go scroll down

[2:26:52] to my name on there. You type my name

[2:26:54] and search for it and you'll find at the

[2:26:56] bottom where they took and hid the fact

[2:26:59] that they violated the United States

[2:27:01] Constitution. They violated two US

[2:27:03] Supreme Court cases. So the judge just

[2:27:06] ignored your Indiana constitution which

[2:27:08] ties to all your power that you guys got

[2:27:12] elected officials. Yes, it is. It's

[2:27:13] regarding taxes and property taxes. Same field.

[2:27:17] >> But but not this resolution.

[2:27:19] >> It ties with this. If you're going to

[2:27:21] give somebody else a deduction, you got

[2:27:22] to give me a deduction.

[2:27:23] >> But this is regard I understand what

[2:27:26] you're saying,

[2:27:27] but we'd like to stay more on this

[2:27:30] actual resolution that's before us.

[2:27:33] >> Oh, I I understand that. So, you guys

[2:27:35] want to give them a deduction? They say

[2:27:37] that they they're not finding qualified

[2:27:39] candidates. Uh, but yet they're probably

[2:27:42] not offering the training that like say

[2:27:44] Waterburger does. And In-N-Out Burger,

[2:27:47] you know, their managers make $225,000 a

[2:27:50] year, right? So does Bies Truck Stop.

[2:27:55] So, great benefits, too. So, if you guys

[2:27:58] ever want to just bail from public

[2:28:01] service here and go get a job there,

[2:28:02] it'd be great. You make a whole bunch of

[2:28:05] money.

[2:28:06] >> Thank you, Miss.

[2:28:09] >> Are there any other public?

[2:28:12] >> Um, yes,

[2:28:15] Mr. Bodic, I believe.

[2:28:18] >> Yes. Can you hear me?

[2:28:19] >> Yes.

[2:28:20] >> Thank you, President Tilman and the

[2:28:23] council members. I appreciate it. My

[2:28:25] name is Dan Bodic. I work for

[2:28:27] Development Economic Finance Consulting.

[2:28:30] It was brought to our attention through

[2:28:32] Frederick Nukem who is the president and

[2:28:35] CEO of Aquagenics that their their

[2:28:39] assessed valuation deduction form CF1s

[2:28:43] for real property and vacant building

[2:28:44] deduction were not filed timely and that

[2:28:47] the uh form 322s for both real property

[2:28:52] and vacant building deduction were not

[2:28:54] filed timely. It was a a result of a

[2:28:58] changeover in their accounting staff who

[2:29:01] was using my my old email address that

[2:29:05] was updated last spring. And so

[2:29:09] immediately he contacted me by phone um

[2:29:12] and worked with Clarence Hulse of the

[2:29:15] EDC. Uh I had the forms and paperwork

[2:29:19] completed that afternoon. uh it was

[2:29:22] filed with the auditor on September 28th

[2:29:26] and then filed with the city on the

[2:29:28] 29th. He uh regrets that it happened. He

[2:29:32] pay he is will be paying for all the

[2:29:34] resolution costs and all the costs

[2:29:36] associated with the untimely filing and

[2:29:40] um paid for the resolutions to be

[2:29:43] prepared and draft for legal review and

[2:29:45] your consideration this evening. So the

[2:29:48] resolution is very specific u madame

[2:29:51] chair and president that no further

[2:29:55] waiverss of an untimely filing would

[2:29:58] occur and again just for all the

[2:30:00] council's understanding this is a waiver

[2:30:03] to um waiver for the untimely filing.

[2:30:06] They would if approved they would

[2:30:08] receive their deduction as they have for

[2:30:10] the past uh four years. They've never

[2:30:13] missed a deadline. Uh and they also have

[2:30:16] an imposed fee of 15% of their savings

[2:30:19] which they've always paid timely and

[2:30:21] they would continue to pay that uh

[2:30:23] imposed fee to the auditor and then that

[2:30:25] is distributed back to the uh city uh

[2:30:29] city's redevelopment commission.

[2:30:32] If there's any questions I'd be more

[2:30:34] than happy I would request uh uh

[2:30:37] confirmation and approval of the

[2:30:39] resolution.

[2:30:40] >> Thank you Mr. Bodic.

[2:30:42] >> Oh you are welcome.

[2:30:53] John Carrington 140 Street. I just have

[2:30:56] a quick comment. I heard I I believe I

[2:30:59] heard Mr. Beatri mentioned earlier this

[2:31:02] evening that one of the reasons this

[2:31:04] aquagenics company can't keep employees

[2:31:06] was that people come and work there for

[2:31:07] 2 days or something like that and then

[2:31:09] leave or they come and work for a short

[2:31:11] period of time and then go on public

[2:31:14] benefits or something like that and I I

[2:31:17] thought how did how would they possibly

[2:31:19] know this? That's quite a bit of uh

[2:31:23] knowledge that a company would have when

[2:31:24] somebody leaves a job to to know that

[2:31:27] they're going on public benefit. And I

[2:31:28] wonder what that means. It sounds to me

[2:31:31] like kind of a disdain for people who

[2:31:33] collect public benefits, maybe disabled

[2:31:35] people or something like that. So, how

[2:31:38] would a company know that somebody who

[2:31:40] left their employee after just a few

[2:31:42] days went on public benefits? That kind

[2:31:45] of disturbed me and I thought I'd say

[2:31:46] something.

[2:31:48] >> Thank you, Miss K.

[2:31:53] » Hello, Scott Melon. Hello, council.

[2:31:55] Scott me kind of place. Long time no

[2:31:56] see. long night um about the abatement.

[2:31:59] If this company was um meeting the

[2:32:02] standards of the abatement, I would

[2:32:04] think we should not let a paperwork

[2:32:06] sniff get in the way. But if they are

[2:32:08] not meeting their commitments, I think

[2:32:10] you should deny this tonight if I have

[2:32:13] an understanding of this. If they're

[2:32:15] doing what they're supposed to do, let's

[2:32:16] not let our paperwork snafu get in the

[2:32:17] way. If they're not doing what they're

[2:32:19] supposed to do, they don't deserve the

[2:32:20] abatement. It's that simple. Thank you.

[2:32:22] >> Thank you.

[2:32:25] We have one online. Mr. Kavic.

[2:32:27] >> Hey. Yeah. This is Tommy Kavik from 1316

[2:32:31] Ohio Street. To me, this sounds like a

[2:32:33] really crappy place to work. I don't

[2:32:35] think people in Michigan City want to

[2:32:37] work for you. You all you council

[2:32:39] members, even all the past council

[2:32:41] members from years ago, you keep on

[2:32:44] granting all these tax abatements to all

[2:32:46] these companies up until the day they

[2:32:48] all pull out. And I I bet this is not

[2:32:51] even a union shop. So, I I hope you all

[2:32:55] just vote this down. I you know me, I'm

[2:32:57] not a big fan of the tax abatements.

[2:33:00] Thank you.

[2:33:01] >> Thank you, Mr. Kavik.

[2:33:04] This will be the last call for public

[2:33:06] comment.

[2:33:08] Public comments are now closed. Comments

[2:33:10] from the council.

[2:33:11] Councilman Prince Bolinski.

[2:33:13] >> Yeah, I I do have a question of the

[2:33:15] gentleman that was uh

[2:33:18] here representing uh the company. So,

[2:33:22] how much would the uh if this waiver is

[2:33:25] not granted, how much does the company

[2:33:27] have to pay in fines?

[2:33:29] >> Uh there would councilman there would be

[2:33:32] no fines that would be associated with

[2:33:34] the deduction being applied. The audit

[2:33:38] office of the auditor would uh accept

[2:33:41] the form CF1 and would accept the form

[2:33:45] 322 as filed untimely as being waved as

[2:33:49] an unttimely and file and and consider

[2:33:52] the deduction to their gross assessed

[2:33:54] value as if it was filed timely. There's never been a fine. There's no

[2:33:59] statutory fine required. So what would

[2:34:02] be the deduction to their

[2:34:05] >> the total deduction was included uh in

[2:34:10] the packet. Um so the deduction for the

[2:34:15] uh let me get it let me get it. So, the

[2:34:17] deduction for the vacant building

[2:34:18] deduction um that is also on the agenda

[2:34:21] was 1 I'm going to round 1.56 million of

[2:34:25] assessed value and the deduction for the

[2:34:29] real property improvements made to the

[2:34:31] building because it had previously been

[2:34:33] an unoccupied building were is uh 2

[2:34:37] million8 $2.89

[2:34:40] million.

[2:34:41] Um so that uh I I apologize I have that

[2:34:45] wrong. The vacant building deduction is

[2:34:47] 1.56 million. The real property

[2:34:51] deduction is 1.3 million and the total

[2:34:53] is 2.8 million. Uh if you add them

[2:34:56] together because it's under one key

[2:34:58] number and so they have to they have to

[2:35:01] calculate them separately and then add

[2:35:03] sum them together to for the total.

[2:35:06] They're uh

[2:35:06] >> okay

[2:35:08] >> their total qualified investment is 5.7

[2:35:10] million. They're at a 50-year uh their

[2:35:13] abatement percentage is at 50% in year

[2:35:15] five.

[2:35:16] >> All right. All right. So, if they don't

[2:35:17] get this wave, then they won't be able

[2:35:19] to take this deduction of 2.8 million.

[2:35:21] Is that what you're saying?

[2:35:22] >> Correct.

[2:35:24] >> Okay. Let me ask you. So, besides the

[2:35:27] accounting snafu that was used uh as an

[2:35:31] excuse, how come it took like 8 months

[2:35:33] to get this thing filed? Right? It's

[2:35:37] supposed to be filed in January and it

[2:35:39] didn't get filed until

[2:35:42] September, right?

[2:35:43] >> So, the auditor will then look at all the form CF1s and

[2:35:50] all the 322s that are filed. And this

[2:35:53] evening, the um the city council was to

[2:35:57] consider the form CF1s which you

[2:35:59] approved. Once the auditor receives

[2:36:01] those CF1s, they then apply the

[2:36:04] deduction. And when

[2:36:07] >> I understand that what what my question

[2:36:09] is what my question is is why it took so

[2:36:12] long after they they didn't do in

[2:36:15] January but it didn't get filed until

[2:36:17] September. That's where I'm having a

[2:36:20] problem with this. If you're running a

[2:36:22] company, there should be some checks and

[2:36:24] balances to make sure that you're filing

[2:36:27] whatever you're supposed to be filing.

[2:36:29] But then if you don't get filed, if it

[2:36:30] doesn't get filed properly, then well,

[2:36:33] we'll just go to the city and we'll go

[2:36:35] to the economic development corporation.

[2:36:38] They'll come to the council and we'll

[2:36:39] get this deduction put in and we won't

[2:36:42] have to worry about it because the

[2:36:43] council will automatically uh red stamp

[2:36:46] it and be done with it. That's my

[2:36:48] concern.

[2:36:49] >> Okay.

[2:36:49] >> But I appreciate your answer, sir.

[2:36:51] >> No, no. the councilman, if I may, the forms are due May 10th and May 15th.

[2:36:58] And by the time the auditor reviews them

[2:37:00] usually in the beginning of August,

[2:37:02] that's when I reached out to make sure

[2:37:03] everything was filed for all the

[2:37:06] businesses. And that's when kinetic

[2:37:07] resources showed up as not being filed

[2:37:10] and that's when we contacted them to get

[2:37:11] everything in order.

[2:37:13] >> Okay. Thank you.

[2:37:14] >> And it took time. It took a little

[2:37:16] >> You're welcome, Councilman.

[2:37:17] >> Yeah.

[2:37:18] >> Are there any other comments from the

[2:37:20] council? If there are none, may I

[2:37:22] entertain a motion?

[2:37:23] >> It's motion to approve.

[2:37:25] >> Is there a second? Support. Madame clerk

[2:37:28] on the vote, please.

[2:37:31] >> Miss Chilman,

[2:37:33] >> I.

[2:37:34] >> Mr. Beatatri,

[2:37:35] >> I

[2:37:35] >> Mr. Coulter.

[2:37:36] >> Hi,

[2:37:37] >> Mr. Dabney.

[2:37:38] >> Hi,

[2:37:38] >> Dr. Cora.

[2:37:39] >> Hi,

[2:37:39] >> Miss Lee.

[2:37:40] >> Hi,

[2:37:40] >> Miss Moldenour.

[2:37:42] >> Hi.

[2:37:43] >> Mr. Nelson,

[2:37:45] >> nay.

[2:37:46] >> And Mr. President nay.

[2:37:50] >> We have seven in favor and two oppos.

[2:37:55] >> And this resolution has passed as well

[2:37:59] for the record. Madame clerk, our next

[2:38:01] resolution by title only, please.

[2:38:03] >> Resolution by title only. A resolution

[2:38:06] of the city of Michigan City, Indiana

[2:38:08] common council granting a waiver of

[2:38:10] non-compliance pursuant to Indiana code

[2:38:12] 6-11-121-9.5

[2:38:16] with respect to an assessed valuation

[2:38:19] vacant building deduction tax abatement

[2:38:22] for the tangible real property of Kitech

[2:38:25] Resources LLC DBA Aquagogenics

[2:38:29] technologies and this is also introduced

[2:38:31] by Mr.

[2:38:35] And would the sponsor like to make any

[2:38:37] comment?

[2:38:39] >> This is the second of the two abatements

[2:38:41] that Aquagenics has had for the last

[2:38:44] four years. They've been filing on time.

[2:38:48] You've heard the reasons why it wasn't

[2:38:50] filed on time when we discussed this

[2:38:53] last one. Uh the gist of it is was

[2:38:57] stated by someone in the community.

[2:38:59] They're they're a good a good partner

[2:39:03] for Michigan City. Um

[2:39:07] they've done nothing wrong. They're

[2:39:08] meeting the requirements of the

[2:39:10] abatement. The only thing that was aired

[2:39:12] done in error was the fail to uh to file

[2:39:16] on time and that was done because of

[2:39:18] errors explained by Mr. So I

[2:39:23] recommend that we approve it.

[2:39:26] >> Thank you, Mr. B. Councilman Vry, I will

[2:39:29] now um open this up for public comment.

[2:39:31] Are there any public comments on this

[2:39:33] ordinance?

[2:39:38] This um resolution? Are there any public

[2:39:41] comments on this resolution? If there

[2:39:44] are none, public comments are now

[2:39:45] closed. Comments from the council.

[2:39:48] Are there any comments from the council?

[2:39:50] Councilman.

[2:39:51] >> Yeah, Madam President. Yeah, Madame

[2:39:53] President. Uh, if the representative is

[2:39:56] still on

[2:39:58] for kinetic resources,

[2:40:01] are we talking about the same amount,

[2:40:03] the $2.8 million?

[2:40:06] >> Yes. uh councilman. So the deduction

[2:40:09] amount that would be specific to the

[2:40:12] real property improvements because what

[2:40:15] had happened is they I they relocated

[2:40:18] their manufacturing facilities from

[2:40:20] Illinois from a suburb in Illinois to

[2:40:23] Indiana specifically Michigan City and

[2:40:26] they occupied a previously vacant

[2:40:28] building and made improvements to that

[2:40:29] building. The deduction on the real

[2:40:32] property improvements is $1.3 million.

[2:40:36] Now, that's a deduction amount. That's

[2:40:38] not a tax savings. That's the deduction

[2:40:40] amount from their gross AV.

[2:40:44] >> Thank you. You're welcome.

[2:40:47] >> Are there any other comments from the

[2:40:48] council?

[2:40:50] Councilman Dabney?

[2:40:51] >> Yeah. U just wanted to say real quick

[2:40:53] and and once again, uh as uh Mr. Mr.

[2:40:56] Melon came up and and stated if they're

[2:40:59] meeting all of the the qualifications to

[2:41:03] receive the abatement, but they just

[2:41:05] happen to file this this information

[2:41:07] late. Uh but they are meeting and what

[2:41:10] happens and what goes into tax

[2:41:12] abatements when the agreement comes

[2:41:13] down. Um a lot of times there's

[2:41:15] agreement of how many people they're

[2:41:17] going to hire, how much investment

[2:41:19] they're going to make into the city and

[2:41:21] so forth. that if they're meeting these

[2:41:23] things, uh, but they just happen to file

[2:41:25] late, I see no reason not to go ahead

[2:41:28] and approve. Um, but, you know, if they

[2:41:31] tell us they're going to hire 150 people

[2:41:33] and they hire two people, you know,

[2:41:35] obviously, you know, you you've um shook

[2:41:38] your duties of of meeting the the

[2:41:40] abatement, but that's what happened. If they're meeting the abatement with

[2:41:43] all of those uh qualifying things in

[2:41:46] terms of hiring people, making

[2:41:47] investments into Michigan City and so

[2:41:48] forth, um, I think it should it needs to

[2:41:50] be improved. uh just because of late

[2:41:52] paperwork. Uh I don't think that we

[2:41:53] should deny. I think we should approve.

[2:41:55] >> Thank you, Councilman Dabney. If there

[2:41:57] are no further uh questions or comments

[2:42:00] um for discussion, may I entertain a

[2:42:02] motion?

[2:42:02] >> Motion to approve support.

[2:42:05] >> Madame Clerk on the vote, please. Mr.

[2:42:07] Beatric,

[2:42:08] >> I

[2:42:08] >> Mr. Culture.

[2:42:09] >> Hi.

[2:42:10] >> Mr. Dabney,

[2:42:11] >> I

[2:42:11] >> Dr. Corora.

[2:42:12] >> Hi.

[2:42:13] >> Miss Lee,

[2:42:14] >> I miss Moldenau.

[2:42:16] >> I

[2:42:17] >> Mr. Nelson. Nay,

[2:42:20] >> Mr. President Bolinski.

[2:42:22] >> Nay.

[2:42:22] >> And Miss Tman.

[2:42:23] >> I.

[2:42:24] >> We have seven in favor and two opposed.

[2:42:31] » Madame Clerk, if you would please. I'm

[2:42:32] sorry. That resolution has passed.

[2:42:35] Madame Clerk, if you would please. Our

[2:42:37] next resolution by title only, please.

[2:42:39] >> A resolution by title only. a resolution

[2:42:42] of the Michigan City Council in support

[2:42:44] of the 2026 Michigan City area school

[2:42:47] referendum. And this is introduced by

[2:42:49] Mr. Dabney, Mr. Beatatri, Miss

[2:42:51] Maldenhower, and Mr. President Valinski.

[2:42:54] >> And would the sponsors like to make any

[2:42:56] comments?

[2:42:59] Councilman Dabney.

[2:43:00] >> Yes. Uh I've actually spoken about this

[2:43:03] before. Some of the other council

[2:43:04] members u chimed in as well. This is uh

[2:43:07] the referendum that is happening with

[2:43:09] Michigan City area schools and uh I

[2:43:12] actually you know came at this from a

[2:43:14] different angle. Um when I was on the

[2:43:17] board uh now uh you know Councilman Dr.

[2:43:20] of course sits on the board of the

[2:43:21] EDCMC.

[2:43:23] Um there are times when we're brought

[2:43:26] out to talk to businesses who are

[2:43:28] thinking about relocating into Michigan

[2:43:30] City, coming into the city, and one of

[2:43:32] the questions that they ask is they want

[2:43:35] to know um you know what's going on with the school system, your public

[2:43:38] school system. And so I wanted to kind

[2:43:42] of bring another angle. You know, this

[2:43:45] is for funding of teachers and to make

[2:43:47] sure they're able to keep programs and things of that sort going uh so that

[2:43:51] our our our students can continue uh to

[2:43:54] learn valuable um you receive valuable

[2:43:58] educational content and move forward in

[2:44:00] life. And I I think this is extremely

[2:44:02] important for the city of Michigan City.

[2:44:04] This is their third referendum and I

[2:44:06] can't remember exactly how long and we

[2:44:09] really need this in order to fund once

[2:44:11] again to keep the teachers and so forth

[2:44:14] um at our schools. You know, we've had

[2:44:16] the the the people when I was a guidance

[2:44:18] counselor at one point they would come

[2:44:19] and say, "Why do I have 35 kids in my in

[2:44:22] my class, you know, with my student?"

[2:44:24] And these are reasons why when you

[2:44:25] cannot afford the proper amount of

[2:44:27] teachers in order to keep those classes

[2:44:29] small. um and we're looking at

[2:44:31] devastating cuts that could happen uh

[2:44:33] based on some of the state laws and you

[2:44:34] know the the drainage of the dollars

[2:44:36] that are going into the public school

[2:44:37] systems. So I think it's very important

[2:44:39] um that we do this and get this in

[2:44:41] support of Michigan City area schools

[2:44:43] which happens to be a partner of the

[2:44:46] schools the council I mean u you know

[2:44:48] the city and the council and so forth.

[2:44:51] >> Thank you Councilman Davney. Any other

[2:44:54] sponsors? Councilman Prisbolinski.

[2:44:57] >> Yeah. Thank you madam president. Well,

[2:45:00] first of all, [clears throat] in my

[2:45:02] mind, this is a uh a real problem. And

[2:45:07] it all started with the uh governor of

[2:45:09] Indiana and the Republican state house

[2:45:12] with uh bill SB1 in the in the funding

[2:45:16] cuts to the state cuz we want to make

[2:45:19] sure we're not spending too much money

[2:45:21] on our education on our children or on

[2:45:25] the teachers that have to teach these

[2:45:27] children. Uh so that's where it starts.

[2:45:32] But uh like other things that have come

[2:45:34] before this council and we've had to

[2:45:36] raise rates. We've had to put in a wheel

[2:45:39] tax because that's what the govern

[2:45:41] governor said or you're not getting any

[2:45:43] other money for anything else. Well,

[2:45:46] basically this is the same thing because

[2:45:48] what they're telling us down in

[2:45:50] Indianapolis is that if you want better

[2:45:52] schools, we're going to cut your

[2:45:54] funding, but you got to make up the

[2:45:56] difference. basically a referendum and

[2:46:00] that and that's what we're doing here

[2:46:02] and I I forget and councilman Dabney I

[2:46:05] don't know if you can remember how much

[2:46:06] exactly I know that when uh window

[2:46:10] mullum was here speaking before us it

[2:46:12] was like I don't know $5 a month or it

[2:46:15] wasn't very a lot of money it wasn't a

[2:46:18] lot of money but

[2:46:19] >> 50 cents a month

[2:46:20] >> pardon

[2:46:22] 50 cents a month 50 cents a month is

[2:46:25] what this referendum is going to uh do.

[2:46:28] I thought it would be a lot higher than

[2:46:30] 50 cents a month. Uh

[2:46:32] >> it is

[2:46:33] >> my wife being a school teacher, a

[2:46:36] retired school teacher, and many of her

[2:46:38] friends. Uh in my mind, school teachers

[2:46:42] should be getting paid a lot more than a

[2:46:44] lot of other professions cuz they're the

[2:46:46] ones that are educating our k children

[2:46:49] and bringing our children up. Uh

[2:46:53] we need to do this. I know there were

[2:46:55] signs all over Michigan City to uh

[2:46:58] Michigan MCSA,

[2:47:02] Michigan City Schools. Yeah. Well,

[2:47:05] anyway, that's all about the referendum

[2:47:07] and we need to vote the referendum in

[2:47:10] progressive cities around the state,

[2:47:13] around the area. You take a Valparezo,

[2:47:16] you take a Chesterton, you take a Crown

[2:47:18] Point and cities of that nature when

[2:47:20] they have referendums, they get voted

[2:47:23] in. They have money and then the people

[2:47:26] want to invest in their schools. We have

[2:47:29] to do this. We have to invest in our

[2:47:32] schools. If we want a great city and a

[2:47:34] progressive city, then you got to kick

[2:47:37] in and you got to pay and you got to

[2:47:39] make sure that it happens. So that's why

[2:47:41] I'm totally in support of this uh

[2:47:43] referendum and I hopefully on election

[2:47:46] day when you go vote, whenever that may

[2:47:48] be, vote for the referendum. Thank you.

[2:47:52] Councilman Priski. Will any

[2:47:54] other Councilwoman Moldenau?

[2:47:57] >> Thank you, Madame President. Um, for me,

[2:48:01] this is all about our kids and it's

[2:48:04] about the future of our community. Um, I

[2:48:07] worked for the Michigan City Area

[2:48:09] Schools for 15 years as an instructor, a

[2:48:12] teacher, a library media specialist, and

[2:48:15] as a substitute teacher. And I saw daily

[2:48:20] the importance of what all of the staff

[2:48:23] at the Michigan City Area Schools

[2:48:25] provides to our students. And that goes

[2:48:28] down even to the bus drivers and the

[2:48:31] custodians. You never know what

[2:48:34] individual a certain student is going to

[2:48:37] connect with and how that individual is

[2:48:40] going to make an important difference in

[2:48:42] that student's life. And if this

[2:48:46] referendum does not pass, it's probably

[2:48:48] going to affect those online workers in

[2:48:51] the cafeteria,

[2:48:53] in the buses, in maintenance. Those are

[2:48:56] the ones who are probably going to

[2:48:57] suffer the greatest cuts. So, I

[2:49:00] encourage everybody in Michigan City to

[2:49:02] consider this carefully and to vote yes

[2:49:05] on this referendum. I'll have to say

[2:49:08] that the last time this came up in

[2:49:11] Michigan City, I and numerous employees

[2:49:14] in the Michigan City area schools went

[2:49:16] around knocking on a lot of doors and

[2:49:18] ours didn't pass. But surprisingly, as

[2:49:22] Councilman Pris Bolinsky indicated, all

[2:49:24] of the cities around us always pass

[2:49:27] these referendums. And I think it's

[2:49:29] because they realize the economic

[2:49:33] importance of having a strong school

[2:49:38] system. So, I really encourage um our

[2:49:41] council persons to vote in favor of this

[2:49:43] and that all Michigan city residents

[2:49:45] when you go vote, please vote yes on

[2:49:49] this particular

[2:49:51] item. Thank you.

[2:49:53] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Modenau.

[2:49:55] Councilman Bedry,

[2:49:57] >> to me that this is really a no-brainer.

[2:50:00] Uh yes, this the state has threatened

[2:50:03] our schools. They threatened all the

[2:50:05] schools in the state of Indiana. They

[2:50:06] threatened us. So, we have to step up.

[2:50:10] We have to man up

[2:50:12] and we have to do what's necessary for

[2:50:13] our kids. Uh I don't know how you could

[2:50:16] vote anything but yes for the referendum

[2:50:19] cuz you care about the kids.

[2:50:21] >> Thank you, Mr. Beard. Councilman Dadley.

[2:50:23] >> Yes. Just real quick, I I went online

[2:50:25] and and found the calculator where you

[2:50:28] could actually calculate what you would

[2:50:30] pay based on the assessed value of your

[2:50:31] home and where Councilwoman um Lee came

[2:50:36] up with the 50 cents a month. And this

[2:50:38] the baseline $200,000 homestead assessed

[2:50:42] value. Total net impact over 8 years

[2:50:47] from 2027 to 2034 would be $48 total.

[2:50:51] That's where the 50 cents a month is

[2:50:53] coming into play. I just wanted to put

[2:50:56] that information out there. How is 50

[2:50:58] cent a month?

[2:51:00] >> Thank you, Councilman Dabney.

[2:51:05] » I'll now have to open this resolution up

[2:51:07] for public comments. Are there any

[2:51:08] public comments on this resolution?

[2:51:16] Roger. Will it be 401 East 7th Street,

[2:51:18] Michigan City, Indiana?

[2:51:22] It It's hard

[2:51:24] to digest numbers

[2:51:27] when you're in any city in the position

[2:51:29] that you are with numbers. So, if you

[2:51:32] want a comparison, I would encourage

[2:51:35] everybody to subscribe to the Post

[2:51:37] Tribune cuz they'll show you the numbers

[2:51:40] across the entire Northwest Indiana.

[2:51:43] They'll tell you the story

[2:51:45] and I think it was in Tuesday's or

[2:51:48] Wednesday's paper. Uh if you want to

[2:51:51] digest the numbers

[2:51:53] cuz it's it's it's more than 50 cents a

[2:51:56] month. It's that's not the issue. The

[2:51:59] issue is

[2:52:01] we're in this position

[2:52:04] because your population is declining.

[2:52:08] That's the whole problem. Everybody's

[2:52:09] scrambling for fees to maintain what we

[2:52:11] have.

[2:52:12] That's just a cold heart reality. So

[2:52:15] it's not the Republican who did it down

[2:52:18] state. He's not attacking you. Every

[2:52:21] city in the state of Indiana

[2:52:24] has been told you have to do less more

[2:52:28] with less.

[2:52:30] Not just not just Michigan City,

[2:52:32] Indiana, not just not just the blue

[2:52:34] cities, the red cities, the pink cities,

[2:52:36] the purple cities. It's across the

[2:52:38] board.

[2:52:40] It it is across the board.

[2:52:43] You you can laugh and scoff however you want to do it. The numbers

[2:52:48] don't lie.

[2:52:50] Okay?

[2:52:53] We we are scrambling in this town. I've

[2:52:55] lived here for 32 years. I'm not a

[2:52:57] native here. The number one thing we

[2:52:59] always did right in this town since I've

[2:53:01] lived here was refu.

[2:53:04] And we're about ready to kill that.

[2:53:07] Okay. That was the number one thing this

[2:53:10] city did better than anybody in

[2:53:12] northwest Indiana anywhere I've ever

[2:53:15] been. Refuge pickup. They picked up

[2:53:18] everything.

[2:53:21] And when you start nickel diamond

[2:53:22] everything people we they don't have the

[2:53:25] money.

[2:53:27] Your county is 40% on aid. Don't look

[2:53:29] off over there. Your county number 40%

[2:53:33] of Leaport County is on some type of

[2:53:35] government assistance.

[2:53:37] Okay, let's start there. Those are cold,

[2:53:41] hard, factual numbers. Some people want

[2:53:43] to blame it on the on the prison.

[2:53:46] Everybody wants to blame it on somebody

[2:53:48] else, okay? The people who are fortunate

[2:53:52] enough to have a job in this town, okay?

[2:53:55] Are footing the bill

[2:53:57] for all of it. And I want to give you

[2:53:59] some simple numbers, okay? Let's just

[2:54:02] say hypothetically

[2:54:04] police and fire consume 30% of your

[2:54:07] budget. Let's just take that number.

[2:54:09] Let's say it's 20%. Okay? Let's say

[2:54:12] that's $30 million a year. Let's say

[2:54:14] it's $25 million a year. Do you know

[2:54:17] that's for less than 200 people?

[2:54:22] It's not sustainable.

[2:54:24] >> Mr. Willoughby, I'm sorry, but your time

[2:54:26] has passed.

[2:54:27] >> It's not sustainable.

[2:54:29] >> Thank you.

[2:54:38] Mr. Willoughby.

[2:54:41] » So, Paul Prisbolinsky, 1716 Washington

[2:54:45] Street, a lifong

[2:54:48] resident of the second ward and also a

[2:54:51] graduate of our system,

[2:54:56] I'll tell you there 1970. I'm not

[2:54:58] ashamed of it. So, this is what I

[2:55:02] received on my They couldn't even put it

[2:55:05] on the door knocker. They laid it on one

[2:55:07] of the tables. There's no documentation

[2:55:11] on this. And you all know what this is.

[2:55:15] There's no

[2:55:17] information anyway on how much money and

[2:55:20] how they're going to spend it. Just all

[2:55:23] ad libs.

[2:55:24] Okay. But I will tell you that Mr.

[2:55:27] Willoughby is not far off. Our poverty

[2:55:30] rate in Michigan City is 19.7%.

[2:55:34] Our retirement income households in city

[2:55:38] Michigan City is 3,500.

[2:55:42] But I in I see there's a report on the

[2:55:46] internet that [clears throat] this is

[2:55:49] going to cost

[2:55:53] a average home

[2:55:55] at 200,000.

[2:55:59] So you got to adjust the tables because

[2:56:01] there's houses more expensive.

[2:56:06] $200

[2:56:08] a year on my property taxes. I don't

[2:56:10] know where you're coming up with that 50

[2:56:12] cents, but I'm I'm believing what I'm

[2:56:14] reading. So, anyway, here's what I am

[2:56:17] going to say tonight. Some of you have

[2:56:22] a problem with even voting on this.

[2:56:24] [snorts]

[2:56:25] You have a conflict. You're receiving

[2:56:28] money from the T state teachers fund in

[2:56:32] your household.

[2:56:35] Mr. Bri, you receive a pension from the

[2:56:38] school system. their personal

[2:56:39] information. Don't disclose that, Mr.

[2:56:41] >> I am making a point of a conflict. I'm

[2:56:44] making a point.

[2:56:46] >> You know who you are

[2:56:48] and one of you are employed. That's a

[2:56:51] direct conflict. You may not think it

[2:56:54] is, but it's an to me it's more than an

[2:56:57] appearance. So, what I'm saying is that

[2:57:00] yeah, you're going to pass another tax

[2:57:03] rate on us, but come on. The key to this

[2:57:06] is not all these school systems are

[2:57:09] asking for $10 million. They might be

[2:57:12] asking for one million

[2:57:14] >> or two million.

[2:57:16] So you see there's a problem here. I

[2:57:18] want you to think about this or table

[2:57:21] it. Let's get all the facts out. Don't

[2:57:23] pass another god darn tax on us or

[2:57:27] support it. People can't afford to buy

[2:57:29] these homes in Michigan City right now.

[2:57:32] You know what my son told me today? He

[2:57:35] looked at one of them apartments, a

[2:57:36] one-bedroom apartment in the Franklin,

[2:57:39] $1,800. You think anybody making 17 or

[2:57:43] $19 an hour can afford that?

[2:57:46] >> Come on. It's reality. Don't tax us

[2:57:49] anymore.

[2:57:52] >> Uh, yes, sir.

[2:57:55] >> Bill Newton, 604 Black Oak Drive.

[2:57:58] I represent the Michigan City uh

[2:58:01] community action group and we've looked

[2:58:03] into this subject right here. We've

[2:58:06] attended uh two meetings with the

[2:58:08] superintendent here and there's no tie between the money that's

[2:58:15] going to be spent on increased taxes and

[2:58:19] the improvement of the schools. None.

[2:58:22] Okay. US US News and World Report

[2:58:27] produced these statistics for Michigan

[2:58:28] City area schools high school. Okay. 30%

[2:58:33] English comprehension rate 30%.

[2:58:37] Math comprehension rate 18%.

[2:58:40] Okay. Science comprehension rate 8%.

[2:58:46] That's pathetic. Okay. and

[2:58:49] [clears throat]

[2:58:49] and they never talk about that during

[2:58:52] these meetings. Okay. What they do talk

[2:58:55] about is graduation rate 90%.

[2:59:00] So I'm a teacher, okay, at IvyTech and

[2:59:03] also Purdue. I get these students from

[2:59:06] Michigan City area schools. I look at

[2:59:08] the transcript, it's all Fs. I said,

[2:59:12] "How did you ever graduate from school?"

[2:59:16] Well, they just pass you on. They don't

[2:59:18] hold you back. They just keep passing

[2:59:19] you on. I said, 'Well, you're going to

[2:59:22] have to take zero level zero level

[2:59:25] classes in at at these places. You know

[2:59:27] what that is? That's all remediation.

[2:59:30] You can't even get into a program. You

[2:59:33] have to take remediation. I mean, you're

[2:59:35] not doing these kids any favor. And and

[2:59:38] I agree. I voted today. Today was the

[2:59:40] first day for early voting. I voted on

[2:59:43] this. Okay. And it spells right out in

[2:59:45] there. This is this is an increased tax

[2:59:48] for a person with a $200,000 home.

[2:59:51] You're going to pay $264 per year. So, I

[2:59:55] don't know where you come up with these

[2:59:56] little numbers. This this this whole

[2:59:58] thing is coming down to $80 million that

[3:00:02] they they need to have raised in 10

[3:00:05] years. You're not doing it for 50 cents

[3:00:08] a month.

[3:00:09] Come on.

[3:00:11] >> Thank you.

[3:00:14] Um, Mr. Kavic.

[3:00:17] >> Yes, this is Tommy Kavik from 1316 Ohio

[3:00:20] Street. I was going to mention this

[3:00:22] during the regular comment, but the

[3:00:24] early voting is open now at 8 Wash. So,

[3:00:27] get out and vote and support this uh

[3:00:29] resolution.

[3:00:31] I'm not native to Michigan City. I'm I'm

[3:00:34] a product of the Portage Township School

[3:00:36] Systems. 1988 we came over and we won

[3:00:40] your Michigan City Rogers boys

[3:00:42] basketball princ regional. Uh we only

[3:00:45] had one principal though me and him out

[3:00:47] the great late great forest dusty yellow

[3:00:49] road but I want everybody to get out and

[3:00:51] support the previous gentleman that

[3:00:53] spoke said we getting all left. He

[3:00:55] obviously never had none of my students

[3:00:58] and my extended family. All my students

[3:01:02] are all National Honor Society and top

[3:01:04] athletes and so I'm going to support

[3:01:06] this. So all vote vote yes so all my

[3:01:09] students can continue to excel and

[3:01:11] dominate at the Michigan City area

[3:01:13] schools. Thank you.

[3:01:14] >> Thank you Mr. Kavic.

[3:01:22] Angie Nelson D126 Lady Lane. Um I'm in

[3:01:25] favor of this. I chaired one of the

[3:01:27] failed referendums

[3:01:29] uh and and what people don't understand

[3:01:32] uh with the last one uh before SB1. This

[3:01:36] is before we even got into the the tax

[3:01:39] situation. And I agree, population is is

[3:01:42] an issue. And that's why growing our

[3:01:44] population is important because we know

[3:01:46] that we're transitioning from property

[3:01:48] taxes to local income tax. And what that

[3:01:52] means for us is we need people living

[3:01:54] here and working here. Living and

[3:01:56] working here. Your dollars follow where

[3:01:58] you live.

[3:02:00] And we know that to be true. That's how

[3:02:02] the bill is set up. and going into long

[3:02:04] session is going to be worse. So with

[3:02:07] the school system understand with the

[3:02:09] last failed referendum the things that

[3:02:11] left here and this is where we don't

[3:02:14] talk what we don't talk about is all the

[3:02:16] additional supports the additional aids

[3:02:19] all of that was cut all the

[3:02:21] extracurricular when we didn't pass the

[3:02:24] referendum before there were any tax

[3:02:26] implications downstate

[3:02:29] you know they say well this school over

[3:02:32] here is doing this those those cities

[3:02:35] pass referend randoms

[3:02:38] to support those efforts. They did.

[3:02:42] So, you want to compare us to Michigan

[3:02:44] City to all these schools? Well, go back

[3:02:48] in history and figure out what's

[3:02:49] happening there. Those people are

[3:02:51] working in Michigan City and working in

[3:02:52] different places and taking all their

[3:02:54] money back to where they live.

[3:02:58] That's what's happening. We want to talk

[3:02:59] about market rate and all this because

[3:03:02] people are referring them to homes and

[3:03:04] places outside of Michigan City when

[3:03:06] they work here cuz there's no place for

[3:03:08] them to live. So population is an issue.

[3:03:12] But the biggest issue is when we failed

[3:03:14] the last referendum,

[3:03:16] all those programs were cut. All the

[3:03:18] additional reading assistance, all of

[3:03:20] all that was cut. Now I'm a proud

[3:03:22] parent. Both of my daughters who

[3:03:24] graduated from Michigan City High School

[3:03:26] graduated college in three years because

[3:03:28] you know why,

[3:03:29] >> right?

[3:03:30] >> They got dual credits and they had AP

[3:03:32] classes. I used to teach at IvyTech and

[3:03:34] PNC as well. I taught those remediation

[3:03:37] classes and I also goed and was ticked

[3:03:40] off when I had to do those classes and

[3:03:42] teach them, right? But when those needs

[3:03:47] aren't being met because we can't pass a

[3:03:51] referendum or do the right thing, that's

[3:03:54] what happens. I remember the first

[3:03:55] referendum. Oh, they said some nasty

[3:04:00] things. Almost left Michigan City. The

[3:04:03] rhetoric behind that first referendum

[3:04:05] almost had me take my kids away from

[3:04:07] here.

[3:04:09] And I was so upset because it was such a

[3:04:13] racial thing back then on the first

[3:04:16] referendum.

[3:04:18] It's only going to support certain kids

[3:04:20] and all this other stuff. No, it's not

[3:04:22] about that. We want your property tax

[3:04:24] values to go up. The school system has

[3:04:26] to be thriving.

[3:04:28] We can't continue. We heard today in

[3:04:30] your tax abatement on on Aquagenics,

[3:04:33] they they're struggling to hire folks.

[3:04:36] If you go to the chambers website, they

[3:04:38] have a a place where you can go see all

[3:04:40] the open jobs. People say, "Well, we

[3:04:43] need more jobs." Okay, they're available

[3:04:46] in Michigan City. I'd rather you live in

[3:04:48] Michigan City and work here. So, we

[3:04:51] really have to do a better job in in

[3:04:55] stating the facts. Um, you know,

[3:04:58] everybody, like you said, can't afford

[3:05:00] certain things, but we have a high

[3:05:01] rental population, too. We know we do.

[3:05:05] Um, that's a whole

[3:05:08] another a whole another thing. I'm not

[3:05:11] going to even get into that. But the

[3:05:13] support of it

[3:05:15] is important for us in the future of

[3:05:18] Michigan City. And I just want everybody

[3:05:20] to know that voting for this will help

[3:05:22] us in the long run. When when the the

[3:05:25] school system thrives, the whole city

[3:05:27] will thrive. So, um, I hope you support

[3:05:30] it. And this is a resolution. This is

[3:05:32] not an ordinance. This is not you

[3:05:33] determining the tax rate. This is not

[3:05:35] you doing it. It's just you supporting

[3:05:38] the school system in in their efforts.

[3:05:41] That's it. So, I appreciate your support

[3:05:43] and thank you for bringing this

[3:05:44] resolution.

[3:05:46] >> Thank you.

[3:05:49] That was our last public comment on this

[3:05:51] resolution. I will now open this up for

[3:05:54] comments from the council. Councilman

[3:05:56] Dabney.

[3:05:57] >> Yes. I did not know this would cause

[3:05:59] such consternation

[3:06:02] and but

[3:06:05] this is what dollars would be used for

[3:06:08] after passing of the the referendum.

[3:06:11] Academic programs, $6.5 million

[3:06:14] annually, maintaining appropriate class

[3:06:16] sizes, teacher and staff recruitment and

[3:06:18] retention, literacy development, career

[3:06:20] and technical workforce development,

[3:06:23] educational related programs, $2 million

[3:06:25] annually, transportation services,

[3:06:28] student extracurricular uh curricular

[3:06:29] activities and opportunities, essential

[3:06:32] student support services, as the mayor

[3:06:35] said, we did not pass the last

[3:06:37] referendum. safety and security

[3:06:39] measures, $ 1.5 million annually. School

[3:06:41] resource officers, student mental health

[3:06:43] and behavioral supports, enhanced safety

[3:06:46] capital investments. So that's what the

[3:06:48] money would be used for. That would be

[3:06:50] raised from the referendum and and

[3:06:54] the the comment about people having all

[3:06:56] Fs getting into college. That's a new

[3:06:58] one. Um wish I'd have known that. Could

[3:07:01] have gotten to Notre Dame with all Fs.

[3:07:02] That would have been awesome. But here

[3:07:05] we are. And like I said, I didn't think

[3:07:07] it would cause this much of an issue to support Michigan City area schools.

[3:07:12] >> Councilman Priscali.

[3:07:14] >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam President,

[3:07:18] >> and anyone that's worked for the

[3:07:19] Michigan City Area Schools and

[3:07:24] is retired now or do work for the school

[3:07:26] system. I don't see it as a conflict of

[3:07:29] interest. I see it as those people

[3:07:31] really knowing that this is an

[3:07:33] investment to the children and to the

[3:07:36] future of Michigan City. So that's why I

[3:07:39] take that comment too. Thank you,

[3:07:42] >> Dr. Kora.

[3:07:43] >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. You

[3:07:44] know, as a former uh school board

[3:07:46] member, I I understand the difficulty

[3:07:49] people have because of inflation and

[3:07:51] everything else. But having said that,

[3:07:54] as Councilwoman Moldenhau has said and

[3:07:56] councilman Dabney has said that the

[3:08:00] quality of our schools is directly

[3:08:02] linked to the economic development, it

[3:08:04] it's it it is inevitable and if if we

[3:08:08] allow our school system to go down then

[3:08:11] the chances of economic development also

[3:08:13] goes down. So I think these are interlin

[3:08:16] um and u u so that's the reason why I'm

[3:08:20] going to support this. Thank you, Dr.

[3:08:22] Coral. Councilwoman Lee. Thank you,

[3:08:24] Madam President. Um I, as a current

[3:08:26] teacher in Michigan City Area Schools,

[3:08:28] I'm obviously in support of this um for

[3:08:30] so many reasons. Um I'm out there

[3:08:33] canvasing. I may have knocked on some of

[3:08:34] your doors already about it. Um but due

[3:08:37] to Michigan City Area Schools being my

[3:08:39] current employer, um I will be

[3:08:41] abstaining from voting on this

[3:08:43] resolution, but vocally obviously I do

[3:08:46] support it 100%. Thank you, Councilwoman

[3:08:49] Lee. May I entertain a motion?

[3:08:51] >> Motion to approve. Support

[3:08:53] >> second.

[3:08:55] >> We have a motion and a second. Madame

[3:08:57] clerk on the vote, please.

[3:08:59] >> Mr. Coulter,

[3:09:00] >> I

[3:09:00] >> Mr. Dabney.

[3:09:01] >> Hi.

[3:09:02] >> Dr. Cora,

[3:09:03] >> hi.

[3:09:03] >> Miss Lee,

[3:09:07] » Miss Moldenau,

[3:09:09] >> I

[3:09:09] >> Mr. Nelson,

[3:09:11] >> I

[3:09:12] >> Mr. President Bolinsky,

[3:09:13] >> I

[3:09:14] >> Miss Tilman,

[3:09:15] >> I

[3:09:15] >> and Mr. Beatatri,

[3:09:16] >> I. We have eight in favor and one

[3:09:19] abstained.

[3:09:22] >> And this resolution has passed.

[3:09:25] Madame clerk, our next resolution by

[3:09:27] title only, please.

[3:09:29] >> A resolution by title only. A resolution

[3:09:32] of the common council of the city of

[3:09:33] Michigan City, Indiana, supporting the

[3:09:36] United Steel Workers Local Union 12775,

[3:09:41] District 7's petition to strengthen

[3:09:44] NIPCO staffing reliability and storm

[3:09:47] response for Northern Indiana. And this

[3:09:50] is introduced by Mr. Beatatri and Mr.

[3:09:53] President Bolinsky.

[3:09:54] >> And would the sponsors like to make any

[3:09:56] comments? Councilman President Bolinski.

[3:09:58] >> Yeah. uh madame president uh what this

[3:10:01] deals with and there's a lot of uh

[3:10:04] whereouses and one one thing I want to

[3:10:07] say that I've always supported issues

[3:10:11] that fall against uh NIPCO. Uh I've been

[3:10:15] to a number of the IURC hearings that

[3:10:19] were held in Northwest Indiana when they

[3:10:21] were always going to uh raise our rates.

[3:10:25] I've been there to speak for the people

[3:10:26] in Michigan City and now I'm here to

[3:10:29] speak for the United Steel Workers uh

[3:10:31] against the NIPCO staffing reliability

[3:10:35] and storm response for northern Indiana

[3:10:38] and it deals with uh whereas the

[3:10:40] reliable electric and natural gas

[3:10:42] service is a public necessity for public

[3:10:45] safety, economic development and healthc

[3:10:47] care education and quality of life for

[3:10:50] the residents and businesses of Michigan

[3:10:53] City. And whereas NIPCO provides

[3:10:55] electric and natural gas to Michigan

[3:10:57] city. And whereas the Durco that struck

[3:11:01] northern Indiana on August 11th caused

[3:11:04] widespread outages across Leaport Lake

[3:11:06] Porter counties and the city of Michigan

[3:11:08] City. Worked closely with Niscoco

[3:11:11] throughout the restoration act effort.

[3:11:14] And whereas severe weather events have

[3:11:16] shown that the value of well staffed

[3:11:18] local crews who know our communities

[3:11:20] understand our infrastructure and can be

[3:11:22] deployed quickly when outages occur. And

[3:11:26] whereas aging infrastructure, economic

[3:11:28] growth, and increasingly severe weather

[3:11:31] are placing greater greater demands on

[3:11:34] the utility system serving northern

[3:11:37] Indiana. And whereas United Steel

[3:11:40] Workers Local 12775

[3:11:42] District 7 has circulated a petition

[3:11:45] titled keep utility jobs local

[3:11:49] strengthen NIPCO staffing reliability

[3:11:51] and storm response for Northern Indiana.

[3:11:55] And the said petition is attached here

[3:11:57] too as exhibit A. Uh and also whereas

[3:12:01] the petition calls on the state leaders,

[3:12:04] regulators and local elected officials

[3:12:07] to assess current utility staffing

[3:12:09] needs, develop workforce growth targets

[3:12:12] and support utility apprentice expansion

[3:12:15] and encourage local hiring and training

[3:12:17] initiatives and ensure communities

[3:12:19] receive the level of you utility service

[3:12:23] and emergency preparedness they deserve.

[3:12:26] And whereas a permanent local utility

[3:12:29] workforce lives in our community, pays

[3:12:31] taxes in our community, and is available

[3:12:33] year round, while mutual aid crews

[3:12:36] remain a valued resource during

[3:12:38] emergencies.

[3:12:40] And whereas the city of Michigan City

[3:12:41] has hosted and funded two Indiana plan

[3:12:44] classes for Michigan City residents,

[3:12:46] creating a pathway into skilled careers.

[3:12:50] And whereas the city of Michigan City

[3:12:52] established an internship program that

[3:12:54] has served more than 40 interns over the

[3:12:56] last two and a half years with several

[3:12:58] members of the first cohort hired as

[3:13:01] full-time city employees.

[3:13:04] And whereas the city of Michigan City

[3:13:06] has partnered with Goodwill Industries

[3:13:08] on a re-entry program and will continue

[3:13:10] to support local workforce initiatives.

[3:13:13] And whereas the goals of this petition

[3:13:16] of the United Steel Workers Local 12775

[3:13:19] District 7 align with the strengths the

[3:13:23] workforce development work already

[3:13:25] underway in Michigan City. Now for now

[3:13:29] therefore be resolved by the common

[3:13:30] council of Michigan City, Indiana.

[3:13:35] The common council supports a petition

[3:13:37] of the United Steel Workers Local Union

[3:13:41] 12775

[3:13:42] District 7 to strengthen the NIPCO

[3:13:45] staffing reliability and storm response

[3:13:48] for Northern Indiana. And the common

[3:13:51] council respectfully calls upon Governor

[3:13:54] Mike Brown, the Indiana general

[3:13:56] assembly, and the Indiana Utility

[3:13:59] Regulatory Commission, and the Indiana

[3:14:01] Office of Utility Consumer Council to

[3:14:04] assess current utility staffing needs in

[3:14:07] Northern Indiana, develop workforce

[3:14:09] growth targets, support utility

[3:14:11] apprenticeship expansion, encourage

[3:14:14] local hiring and training initiatives,

[3:14:16] ensure northern Indiana communities

[3:14:18] receive the level utility ility service

[3:14:21] and emergency preparedness they deserve.

[3:14:24] And the common council encourages the

[3:14:26] Indiana utility regulatory commission to

[3:14:29] consider workforce adequacy and

[3:14:32] emergency response readiness in

[3:14:34] proceedings affected NIPCO customers.

[3:14:37] encourage public reporting on frontline

[3:14:40] staffing levels, vacancy rates, and

[3:14:43] storm restoration performance,

[3:14:45] contractor use, and workforce

[3:14:47] development invest investment. and the

[3:14:50] city clerk is directed to send copies of

[3:14:54] this resolution to the governor, state

[3:14:57] senator Rodney Pole, state

[3:14:59] representative Randy Novak, the Indiana

[3:15:01] general assembly to the speaker of the

[3:15:04] house and president prom in the senate,

[3:15:06] the Indiana office of utility consumer

[3:15:08] counselor, the Indiana utility

[3:15:11] regulatory commission and United Steel

[3:15:14] Workers Local Union 12775

[3:15:17] District 7. Thank you.

[3:15:20] Councilman Prince Bolinsky.

[3:15:22] Would the other sponsor like to make any

[3:15:23] comments?

[3:15:25] >> You just read the whole resolution,

[3:15:27] right? What else did I add?

[3:15:28] >> It's all done.

[3:15:30] >> I can't talk no more.

[3:15:31] >> Indeed. I would like to open this up for

[3:15:33] public comment on this resolution. Are

[3:15:36] there any public comment?

[3:15:48] Thank you, Madam President, members of

[3:15:49] the council. My name is Ryan Baker. I'm

[3:15:52] president of USW Local 12775.

[3:15:56] This is my safety chair, Abraham Dudley,

[3:15:58] standing with me. We represent roughly

[3:16:02] 1,300 utility workers covering the

[3:16:05] northern third of the state. That's gas,

[3:16:08] electric, generation, and support

[3:16:10] workers. I'm asking you tonight to stand

[3:16:12] with the NIPCO workers, families, and

[3:16:14] customers across northwest Indiana by

[3:16:16] supporting this petition calling for a

[3:16:18] full investigation into NIPCO staffing

[3:16:20] levels. The concern is simple. When

[3:16:22] staffing's too low, emergency response,

[3:16:25] storm restoration, everyday service all

[3:16:27] suffer

[3:16:29] after the August 11th storm. Crews

[3:16:31] worked for long hours, responded to gas

[3:16:32] emergencies, power restoration needs,

[3:16:35] downlines, and public safety concerns in

[3:16:38] communities from Leaport County all the

[3:16:40] way to the Illinois state line. But

[3:16:43] let's be clear, that storm did not

[3:16:44] create the problem. It exposed it.

[3:16:47] >> For years, in-house staffing has

[3:16:49] declined, including significant

[3:16:51] reductions among linemen and gas

[3:16:52] workers. Headcount is down roughly 20%.

[3:16:56] Just 6 years ago, there was roughly 230

[3:16:59] linemen servicing NIPCO service

[3:17:01] territory. And now we're down to 180.

[3:17:04] That's 50 less linemen working in

[3:17:06] emergencies.

[3:17:08] At the same time, customers have

[3:17:10] continued to see bills rise while more

[3:17:12] work has shifted to out of state

[3:17:13] contractors.

[3:17:15] And we are not against outside help, and

[3:17:17] we aren't against our union brothers and

[3:17:19] sisters in the trades we work with every

[3:17:20] day. But they shouldn't they should

[3:17:23] supplement a strong local workforce, not

[3:17:26] replace the baseline staffing needs to

[3:17:28] keep our communities safe every day.

[3:17:30] Local workers live here, pay taxes here,

[3:17:34] raise families here, and respond when

[3:17:36] our ne neighbors need it most. Our

[3:17:39] petitions not demand any specific

[3:17:40] headcount and ask for transparency,

[3:17:43] accountability, and a serious

[3:17:45] investigation into whether current

[3:17:46] staffing levels are sufficient to

[3:17:48] protect the public and provide a

[3:17:50] reliable service.

[3:17:53] Tonight, I'm asking you to approve the

[3:17:55] re resolution to support our petition to

[3:17:58] investigate NIPCO. This is about more

[3:18:01] than workers. It's about public safety,

[3:18:03] storm readiness, rising cost, and the

[3:18:06] future reliability of our electrical

[3:18:08] grid in our communities.

[3:18:12] Together, we can ask the right

[3:18:13] questions, demand honest answers, and

[3:18:16] make sure our communities have the

[3:18:17] workforce needed when emergencies

[3:18:18] happen. Thank you for your support, your

[3:18:21] voice, and your willingness to spread

[3:18:23] this petition.

[3:18:24] >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[3:18:30] I would like to open this up for public

[3:18:33] comments at this time on this

[3:18:35] resolution.

[3:18:37] Paul Prisbolinsky, 1716 Washington

[3:18:40] Street. I rise in favor of the

[3:18:43] resolution with my brothers, my fellow

[3:18:46] brothers from the USW.

[3:18:49] But I will tell you this,

[3:18:52] I was going to speak about this on

[3:18:54] public comment. I think you elected

[3:18:57] officials should take the bull by the

[3:19:00] horn

[3:19:02] and

[3:19:04] contract

[3:19:06] with a consultant who's won time and

[3:19:10] time again against NIPKO. And this needs

[3:19:14] to be in front of the URC for a major

[3:19:17] investigation. You had hospitals without

[3:19:20] power,

[3:19:22] neighborhoods without power. I mean I

[3:19:25] mean two three what was it almost three

[3:19:27] weeks and and I know there were some

[3:19:30] problems in Lake County but

[3:19:34] this to me I was lived in that

[3:19:37] neighborhood where I'm at right now the

[3:19:40] majority of my life

[3:19:42] every storm now since the hospital moved

[3:19:46] out the same grid goes out and I rode

[3:19:50] through the whole neighborhood and I got

[3:19:52] it mapped out. And I'm I'm going to tell

[3:19:54] you, some people didn't know it because

[3:19:57] they weren't in that grid. But I know

[3:19:59] the people that are in that neighborhood

[3:20:01] know they were without power because a

[3:20:04] lot of people I mean to me it's to me

[3:20:09] personally

[3:20:11] NIPO

[3:20:13] is responsible. It's a public utility

[3:20:18] and they don't give a care about their

[3:20:22] linemen, about their product. All

[3:20:24] they're looking at is the bottom line

[3:20:26] profit. They're buying power off the

[3:20:29] grid. All right?

[3:20:32] They're they don't care if they shut

[3:20:34] down, you know, the gen station. I know

[3:20:38] a lot of people would like to see it

[3:20:39] shut down, but this is all already

[3:20:43] converted. They just want to shut it

[3:20:45] down so they can get rid of their

[3:20:47] employees.

[3:20:48] By gosh, by by God, you better put some

[3:20:54] money in a legal account and get

[3:20:57] somebody working for you down in

[3:20:59] Indianapolis. Lead the way.

[3:21:04] » Thank you, Mr. President.

[3:21:17] Johannes Pollard, 205 Shadow Trail, uh,

[3:21:20] Michigan Shores, Indiana. Um, to really

[3:21:24] look at the issues of NIPCO, I think you

[3:21:27] need to look at their shareholders. Who

[3:21:29] are their shareholders? Blackstone.

[3:21:32] is a subsidiary of Black

[3:21:34] Rockck. you all you need to do is look

[3:21:36] at that look at the reputation of Black

[3:21:38] Rockck and you'll get all your answers

[3:21:41] right there. Why NIPCO is the way it is.

[3:21:43] Thank you.

[3:21:44] >> Thank you.

[3:21:46] >> Are there any other public comments on

[3:21:47] this resolution?

[3:21:50] >> I'll be quick.

[3:21:59] » Steve Coyle 2015 oral Trail. So, uh

[3:22:02] let's be candid. Um, Nipco is a terrible

[3:22:06] company. I'm sorry. It is. They're not a

[3:22:09] good neighbor. Uh, the people who work

[3:22:11] for them, awesome. The linemen,

[3:22:14] absolutely fantastic. The people in

[3:22:16] customer service who have to put up with

[3:22:18] the abuse that we do every time we call

[3:22:20] them because we're complaining about

[3:22:22] something, absolutely fantastic. But at

[3:22:24] a management level, this is a group of

[3:22:27] people who are just stealing money from

[3:22:30] us. Okay? They're reducing their

[3:22:33] workforce, lowering their labor costs,

[3:22:36] increasing their profits. Last year,

[3:22:38] Nyource

[3:22:39] earned $18 billion in profit. It's a

[3:22:43] damn good investment if you own stock in

[3:22:46] utility companies. Okay? They paid zero

[3:22:49] taxes. We all paid more taxes than a

[3:22:53] corporation who made $18 billion. How do

[3:22:56] you justify that? How do you absolutely

[3:23:00] justify that? You are a public utility.

[3:23:03] You are a monopoly. The only way to

[3:23:06] change this, folks, the only way to

[3:23:08] change it, first and foremost, there's a

[3:23:10] guy in Belasel named Solid. That guy's

[3:23:14] got to be beaten

[3:23:15] >> here. Here,

[3:23:16] >> has to be absolutely beaten. The uh

[3:23:19] Democratic candidates come, he is well

[3:23:22] worth that uh that position and we need

[3:23:25] to do everything we can to help him. If

[3:23:27] you have friends in Velpo, that's where

[3:23:28] they should vote. If you want to know

[3:23:30] why your utility rates are this high,

[3:23:32] Mr. Solid is the person who

[3:23:34] single-handedly

[3:23:36] brought up all the laws that have

[3:23:39] changed our rate structure,

[3:23:42] including the data centers. Okay? They

[3:23:46] got to go. And then you have to get

[3:23:49] people elected such as uh Rodney Paul.

[3:23:54] We have to change the legislature,

[3:23:56] folks. You have to change it. Then you

[3:23:59] can change the IURC board and then you

[3:24:02] can make rate changes.

[3:24:04] Today, there are people in this town

[3:24:07] that are hurting. They are hurting. They

[3:24:10] don't have the money. The utility rates

[3:24:14] are going to go up 9 to 10% every year

[3:24:17] for the next 10 years. And the only

[3:24:20] thing NIPCO is going to offer them is a

[3:24:24] finance plan.

[3:24:25] >> So it's bad enough. I got to take your

[3:24:28] principal money each month. I'm going to

[3:24:30] tack on 98

[3:24:32] 7% whatever it is. I'm sorry. So I

[3:24:36] encourage you get out to vote.

[3:24:39] Make a change.

[3:24:42] We can make that change. It can be made

[3:24:44] in Valparezo. It can be made in Michigan

[3:24:46] City. It can be made in the state.

[3:24:48] That's our only hope at this point.

[3:24:50] Thank you very much.

[3:24:51] >> Thank you.

[3:24:54] >> Public comments are now closed. Comments

[3:24:56] from the council.

[3:24:58] >> Are there any comments from the council?

[3:25:00] Councilman Prisbolinski.

[3:25:02] >> Motion to approve. Support.

[3:25:04] >> Madame Clerk. On the vote, please. Mr.

[3:25:07] Davney.

[3:25:08] >> I.

[3:25:08] >> Dr. Cora.

[3:25:09] >> Hi.

[3:25:10] >> Miss Lee.

[3:25:10] >> Hi.

[3:25:11] >> Miss. Molden.

[3:25:12] >> I.

[3:25:13] >> Mr. Nelson.

[3:25:14] >> Hi.

[3:25:16] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[3:25:17] >> Hi. Miss Tilman

[3:25:18] >> I.

[3:25:19] >> Mr. Beatri I

[3:25:20] >> and Mr. Coulter.

[3:25:21] >> Hi.

[3:25:21] >> We have nine in favor and no one

[3:25:23] opposed.

[3:25:24] >> And this resolution has passed

[3:25:26] unanimously.

[3:25:29] Madame clerk, our ordinance on second

[3:25:31] reading by title only, please.

[3:25:34] >> An ordinance on second reading by title

[3:25:36] only. An ordinance or resolution for

[3:25:38] appropriation and tax rate. And this is

[3:25:40] introduced by Mr. Dan.

[3:25:42] >> And would the sponsor like to make any

[3:25:44] comment?

[3:25:51] comments at this time.

[3:25:53] >> I'm sorry. I do have a couple of um

[3:25:56] changes that need to be made and I need

[3:25:58] to make some motions here, but I'll do

[3:25:59] that when it comes back to us.

[3:26:01] >> Okay. I would like to open this up for

[3:26:03] public comments. Are there any public

[3:26:05] comments on this ordinance? That's on

[3:26:07] second reading.

[3:26:10] Correction. Um,

[3:26:13] this was a formal public hearing will be

[3:26:16] held on October 6, 2026. Downloaded to

[3:26:20] Gateway on September 24th, 2026. I will

[3:26:24] now open this up for a formal public

[3:26:26] hearing. Are there any public comments

[3:26:28] on this ordinance? Are there any public

[3:26:31] comments on this ordinance?

[3:26:34] Last call for public comments on this

[3:26:36] ordinance? And we have no one online.

[3:26:38] Public comments are now closed. comments

[3:26:40] from the council.

[3:26:42] >> Yes,

[3:26:42] >> Councilman Dabney.

[3:26:44] >> And I want to make a motion. I'm going

[3:26:45] to read when we went through budget

[3:26:48] hearings, the committee uh voted on and

[3:26:51] approved a budget reduction which we

[3:26:54] voted upon. Now we bring back to the

[3:26:56] council to consider uh to vote on that

[3:26:59] as well. And this was the budget

[3:27:01] reduction. Uh once again this happened

[3:27:03] on uh committee meeting night uh

[3:27:07] September 21st 2026. It was fund 2209

[3:27:11] account numbers. It was all account

[3:27:13] numbers in that that fund. The

[3:27:15] description of the fund was lit economic

[3:27:17] development fund police department uh

[3:27:19] department 202. The original request was

[3:27:22] $181,800

[3:27:25] and the council reduction is $181,800

[3:27:29] for a revised amount of zero. So the

[3:27:32] whole uh fund was uh cut out and it was

[3:27:37] the council notes I have that that was

[3:27:38] because it was a duplicate had already

[3:27:40] been budgeted somewhere else in in the

[3:27:42] uh in the uh budget. So we made the

[3:27:46] motion and approved this unanimously to

[3:27:48] make this cut and I bring it here to

[3:27:51] make a motion to the uh rest of the

[3:27:53] council to approve said cut.

[3:27:56] >> Second.

[3:27:59] Attorney Harris, do this need to be

[3:28:01] presented to the clerk?

[3:28:03] >> Yes.

[3:28:04] >> In writing?

[3:28:05] >> Yes.

[3:28:09] » You did?

[3:28:10] >> No, I did not.

[3:28:10] >> I was going to say I never saw it.

[3:28:12] >> Yeah, I I can

[3:28:16] submit it to you. Do I need to have it

[3:28:19] tonight or you I mean,

[3:28:23] » that's what the order is, sir.

[3:28:24] >> Yeah. And I made it uh on the finance

[3:28:27] committee meeting minutes. I have that

[3:28:29] when we coded in tonight's finance

[3:28:31] committee, but I'm sorry I didn't have

[3:28:32] that in writing. No,

[3:28:36] » then I I don't

[3:28:39] You mean your minutes that you sent

[3:28:40] tonight at the meeting?

[3:28:42] >> Yeah.

[3:28:42] >> Okay. I don't have that either.

[3:28:44] >> Yeah. I I emailed that right after the

[3:28:46] uh meeting.

[3:28:48] >> According to MUN code,

[3:28:50] >> I understand.

[3:28:51] >> You have to have your amendment in

[3:28:53] writing.

[3:28:54] >> Correct. And so

[3:28:55] >> so should we

[3:28:56] >> send it over?

[3:28:58] >> I have you can say if the goal is to get

[3:29:00] this amended and that's what you're

[3:29:02] asking to be approved by the council and

[3:29:04] we don't have that ready yet. I would

[3:29:06] set it over. You don't have you don't

[3:29:08] have what's being requested to take

[3:29:10] action on. So

[3:29:11] >> so just table this to the next

[3:29:13] >> correct

[3:29:16] you need a motion for that.

[3:29:17] >> Third reading. So they have to make an

[3:29:18] amendment to make amendments on third

[3:29:21] reading.

[3:29:21] >> Right. We'll have to follow that

[3:29:22] procedure when we get there. But yes. So

[3:29:24] may I may I ask a question just for next meeting? What I am submitting

[3:29:29] tonight for the finance committee

[3:29:30] meeting minutes will that suffice as

[3:29:34] being put in writing or would I need to

[3:29:36] make it separate from what I reported in

[3:29:38] tonight's finance committee meeting

[3:29:40] minutes?

[3:29:41] >> It'd be better that it's separate and

[3:29:42] not just the minutes. We could talk

[3:29:44] about that afterwards, but we'll make

[3:29:45] sure it's in proper order for the clerk.

[3:29:47] >> Yep. Just want to make sure it's in in

[3:29:48] order. Okay.

[3:29:50] May I entertain a motion to have this um

[3:29:54] tabled until the next council meeting.

[3:30:00] » Madame clerk, on the vote, please.

[3:30:11] » Yeah, we could do second and third week.

[3:30:23] I know.

[3:30:33] » I know.

[3:30:34] >> There is a time.

[3:30:35] >> There's a time.

[3:30:36] >> So, you you can vote to suspend the

[3:30:40] rules to approve it amendments on third

[3:30:43] reading.

[3:30:44] >> That's what you can do. You don't have

[3:30:46] to table it. You can just have a motion

[3:30:49] to amend on third reading and still let

[3:30:53] it be move on to the next reading. But

[3:30:56] you all have to vote to amend. I mean,

[3:30:59] you all have to vote two/3 vote to be

[3:31:02] able to do it on third reading.

[3:31:04] >> Yeah. At the next

[3:31:05] >> at the next meeting.

[3:31:06] >> So, I have also changes in the salary

[3:31:08] ordinance that would need to be made as

[3:31:10] well. So, we do it all on third reading.

[3:31:12] >> I thought Amber sent those over.

[3:31:13] >> She did. The other ones were sent over.

[3:31:16] >> Yeah, the other ones were sent over.

[3:31:18] >> Okay.

[3:31:19] >> It's just that particular one that um

[3:31:21] was the duplicate in the uh

[3:31:25] >> that we caught after the fact.

[3:31:27] >> Yeah. If timing is the issue, then that

[3:31:29] is the better route to go.

[3:31:31] >> Okay.

[3:31:32] >> Everyone just has to be on board to make

[3:31:33] the amendment on third reading.

[3:31:34] >> Do I need to withdraw my

[3:31:36] >> two3?

[3:31:43] Do I need to withdraw my motion?

[3:31:47] Excuse me. Id like to withdraw my motion

[3:31:49] to have this table to the next council

[3:31:51] meeting.

[3:31:53] May I entertain?

[3:31:56] >> Do I have to vote? Okay, just

[3:31:58] withdrawing it. Okay.

[3:32:00] >> Okay.

[3:32:01] >> Then

[3:32:03] are there any other comments from the

[3:32:04] council? If there are none, this

[3:32:07] ordinance will carry over to the next

[3:32:10] council meeting.

[3:32:13] Okay,

[3:32:15] >> Madame Clerk, our next ordinance by

[3:32:17] title only, please.

[3:32:20] >> And a uh an ordinance on second reading

[3:32:22] by title only, an ordinance setting

[3:32:25] salaries and wages for an appointed

[3:32:27] officials and employees of the city of

[3:32:29] Michigan City, Indiana for the calendar

[3:32:31] year 2027. And this is introduced by Mr.

[3:32:34] Davany.

[3:32:35] >> And would this sponsor like to make any

[3:32:37] comments? Yes, as we just heard, this

[3:32:39] was sent over into the clerk's office um

[3:32:43] by our uh city attorney and so I can uh

[3:32:47] make these changes in the salary

[3:32:48] ordinance and I will make a motion that

[3:32:50] we approve these changes and um in

[3:32:56] planning and inspection

[3:32:58] uh the high-end uh pay range was listed

[3:33:01] at $69,345

[3:33:05] and however it was listed

[3:33:07] at um

[3:33:10] at 60 it should be listed at 62,000

[3:33:15] and that was a pay rate um change in uh

[3:33:18] planning and inspection

[3:33:22] and I make a motion that we approve such

[3:33:24] change

[3:33:26] support.

[3:33:28] >> Madame clerk on the vote please

[3:33:31] >> you should make a motion to amend by

[3:33:32] substitute.

[3:33:33] >> Yes.

[3:33:37] Second, Tim.

[3:33:38] >> Yeah.

[3:33:40] >> Um,

[3:33:45] » Mr. Dr. Corora.

[3:33:48] >> Hi,

[3:33:49] >> Miss Lee.

[3:33:50] >> Hi,

[3:33:51] >> Miss Molden.

[3:33:52] >> Hi.

[3:33:54] >> Oh,

[3:33:58] yes.

[3:34:00] >> Okay. Uh

[3:34:04] she

[3:34:06] miss

[3:34:09] » we just want to make a point of

[3:34:10] clarification because this is a budget

[3:34:12] matter and Councilwoman Waldenower is

[3:34:14] attending virtually that she's not

[3:34:16] eligible to vote on any matters

[3:34:18] concerning uh the budget. Yes,

[3:34:20] >> I abstain.

[3:34:27] » Okay. Yeah. Mr. President Binski

[3:34:30] >> I.

[3:34:30] >> Miss Tilman.

[3:34:31] >> Hi.

[3:34:32] >> Mr. Beatri.

[3:34:33] >> Hi.

[3:34:33] >> Mr. Calter.

[3:34:34] >> Hi.

[3:34:34] >> And Mr. Dabney.

[3:34:36] >> I.

[3:34:36] >> We have seven in favor and no one

[3:34:38] opposed.

[3:34:39] >> And I actually I read over something. I

[3:34:41] missed it when I was reading that. This

[3:34:43] is for that associate planner position.

[3:34:46] >> We did it by substitution. I think

[3:34:48] >> but I didn't just I didn't put that out

[3:34:50] loud that it was the associate planner

[3:34:51] position. I'm sorry about that.

[3:34:55] And then I have a another

[3:34:58] that we need to approve as well. And

[3:35:00] this is for the street department. And

[3:35:02] we needed to add the position back into

[3:35:05] the budget um because it was just

[3:35:08] missing from the the paperwork. It was

[3:35:10] the field supervisor with a salary range

[3:35:13] of 56,000 to $62,000.

[3:35:16] And I make a motion that that is added

[3:35:19] back into the the street department

[3:35:21] budget.

[3:35:22] >> Good work.

[3:35:24] Is there a second by substitution?

[3:35:27] Amendment

[3:35:27] >> by substitution.

[3:35:31] » Okay, we're good.

[3:35:33] >> Okay,

[3:35:34] >> we got a support by Councilman Beatric.

[3:35:38] >> She said we didn't we didn't need it.

[3:35:42] Well, fine. Well done.

[3:35:45] >> We didn't vote on that.

[3:35:49] » Pardon?

[3:35:52] What did what did you

[3:35:57] » I didn't do the street department. I I

[3:35:59] read planning and inspection.

[3:36:02] So I just did the same thing with street

[3:36:03] department.

[3:36:06] So we're voting on them. We're voting on

[3:36:08] them separately.

[3:36:10] I didn't put them both in in the same

[3:36:12] motion,

[3:36:14] >> but it's all in the same packet.

[3:36:16] >> It's all in the same packet, but there's

[3:36:18] two separate changes. and I just want us

[3:36:20] to vote on each change.

[3:36:22] >> Yeah, it it's your motion. So,

[3:36:24] >> thank you.

[3:36:26] >> May I entertain a motion?

[3:36:30] >> I made a motion to to change the street

[3:36:33] department or add the position of field

[3:36:34] supervisor with a salary range of 56,000

[3:36:38] 62,000. And I thought that Councilman

[3:36:40] Beatri seconded that.

[3:36:43] >> I mean, those were in the changes that

[3:36:45] uh attorney Leage gave.

[3:36:48] >> Yes, it was. Okay. Yes.

[3:36:49] >> All right. To be you want them separate.

[3:36:53] >> You want your motion to be separate.

[3:36:55] >> There were I did two separate motions. I

[3:36:57] did the the planning and inspection

[3:36:59] first and now I just did street

[3:37:00] department. There were two separate

[3:37:01] motions. I didn't put them all in in

[3:37:03] one.

[3:37:12] » Okay.

[3:37:13] >> And we have Dr. Kora.

[3:37:16] >> Hi.

[3:37:17] >> Miss Lee. I

[3:37:19] >> Miss Molden.

[3:37:21] >> Oh, she can't.

[3:37:22] >> She can't. Mr.

[3:37:25] >> Mr. Presolinsky.

[3:37:27] >> Hi,

[3:37:27] >> Miss Tman.

[3:37:28] >> Hi,

[3:37:28] >> Mr. Beatri. Hi,

[3:37:29] >> Mr. Coulter. Hi.

[3:37:31] >> And Mr. Dabney.

[3:37:32] >> Hi.

[3:37:33] >> There are seven in favor and no one

[3:37:35] opposed.

[3:37:37] Okay.

[3:37:44] Madame clerk, if you would on our next

[3:37:46] ordinance,

[3:37:47] >> an ordinance on second reading by title

[3:37:49] only an ordinance setting the annual

[3:37:52] salary for the mayor and this is

[3:37:53] introduced by Mr. J.

[3:37:57] >> Does the sponsor like to say anything?

[3:37:59] >> I do not have any comment.

[3:38:02] >> I would like to open this up then for

[3:38:04] public comment on this ordinance on

[3:38:06] second reading. Are there any public

[3:38:08] comments on this ordinance?

[3:38:11] Are there any public comments on this

[3:38:13] ordinance? We have no one online.

[3:38:16] This is last call for public comments.

[3:38:18] are now closed. Comments

[3:38:20] from the council. Are there any comments

[3:38:22] from the council? Councilman Dabney?

[3:38:26] Okay. If there are no comments from the

[3:38:28] council, this ordinance will be held

[3:38:30] over for um for third reading.

[3:38:37] Madam clerk, our next ordinance by title

[3:38:39] only, please. An ordinance on second

[3:38:41] reading by title only. An ordinance

[3:38:43] setting the annual salary of the city

[3:38:45] clerk. And this is introduced by Mr.

[3:38:47] Dav.

[3:38:48] >> And would council Davin like to make any

[3:38:50] comments?

[3:38:50] >> No comment.

[3:38:52] >> If there are none, this ordinance is not

[3:38:54] open for public comments. Are there any

[3:38:56] public comments on this ordinance? Any

[3:38:59] public comments on this ordinance? This

[3:39:02] is last call for public comments on this

[3:39:04] ordinance. There are none. No one

[3:39:06] online. Public comments are now closed.

[3:39:08] Any comments from the council?

[3:39:12] No

[3:39:14] comments from the council. This

[3:39:16] ordinance will carry over to third

[3:39:17] reading.

[3:39:19] Madame clerk, our next ordinance on

[3:39:22] second reading by title only.

[3:39:23] >> An ordinance on second reading by title

[3:39:26] only. An ordinance setting the annual

[3:39:28] salaries for the common council members.

[3:39:30] And this is introduced by Mr. Dav.

[3:39:33] >> Any comments from

[3:39:36] >> sponsor? There are none. This ordinance

[3:39:38] is now open for public comment. Are

[3:39:40] there any public comments on this

[3:39:41] ordinance? Any public comments on this

[3:39:44] ordinance?

[3:39:46] >> No.

[3:40:04] Chris Bolinsky, 1716 Washington Street.

[3:40:07] This is uh I am correct what I'm looking

[3:40:10] at then. Ordinance setting the an annual

[3:40:12] salaries of the common council members.

[3:40:16] Well, I don't think a damn one of you

[3:40:18] should get a raise for all the taxes you

[3:40:21] passed on me this year.

[3:40:24] >> Thank you, Council Member Prisbolinski.

[3:40:25] Are there any other public comments?

[3:40:30] This will be the last call for public

[3:40:32] comments on this ordinance. Public

[3:40:34] comments are now closed. Any comments

[3:40:36] from the council?

[3:40:38] There's

[3:40:40] no comments from the council. This will

[3:40:42] be held over for third reading.

[3:40:49] Well, we are now on the end of our

[3:40:52] agenda. Um, Madame Clerk, do we have any

[3:40:55] new business?

[3:40:56] >> Uh, we uh have the 2027 common council

[3:41:01] meeting dates.

[3:41:03] >> Okay. So, council members, we have

[3:41:06] before us um the 2027 common council

[3:41:09] meeting dates um which reflect um in

[3:41:13] 2027 the primaries, the national night

[3:41:18] out and um the general election as well.

[3:41:22] Is that correct? Um Madame Clerk?

[3:41:24] >> Yes.

[3:41:24] >> Okay. So, may I entertain a motion to

[3:41:28] approve the 2027 common council meeting

[3:41:30] dates?

[3:41:31] >> So,

[3:41:32] >> is there a second?

[3:41:33] >> Second. Madame clerk, on the vote,

[3:41:35] please.

[3:41:36] >> Miss Lee, I

[3:41:37] >> Mr. Miss Moldenower,

[3:41:40] >> I.

[3:41:41] >> Mr. Nelson,

[3:41:44] >> I

[3:41:45] >> Mr. Presolinski,

[3:41:47] >> hi.

[3:41:48] >> Miss Tman,

[3:41:49] >> hi.

[3:41:49] >> Mr. Beatric,

[3:41:50] >> hi.

[3:41:50] >> Mr. Calter,

[3:41:51] >> hi.

[3:41:52] >> Mr. Dabney,

[3:41:53] >> hi.

[3:41:53] >> And Dr. Coral,

[3:41:54] >> hi.

[3:41:55] >> There's nine in favor and no one

[3:41:56] opposed.

[3:41:58] >> Thank you. The 2027 has been approved

[3:42:01] for the Michigan City Common Council

[3:42:03] meeting dates. Madame Clerk, do we have

[3:42:06] any unfinished business?

[3:42:07] >> There is no unfinished business.

[3:42:12] » Um, we are now at public comments. Are

[3:42:15] there any public comments at this time?

[3:42:18] Are there any public comments at this

[3:42:20] time?

[3:42:22] Please state your name, your full name,

[3:42:24] and your address, please. And you are

[3:42:26] allotted your three minutes.

[3:42:28] >> Roger. Will it be 401 East 7th Street?

[3:42:32] Um,

[3:42:36] I think the most difficult thing

[3:42:39] uh everybody that's elected on the city

[3:42:41] council has to understand and sometimes

[3:42:44] it gets lost in translation.

[3:42:47] When I hear

[3:42:50] city employees

[3:42:52] say that uh the totar is the city's

[3:42:56] [sighs]

[3:42:58] uh property.

[3:43:00] That's where we get we lose our our

[3:43:03] base.

[3:43:05] I am the city. So is everybody behind

[3:43:08] me.

[3:43:12] When you when you do something, we pay

[3:43:15] for it. And I think what might change

[3:43:18] your perspective on a couple things here

[3:43:19] as we go forward in 27,

[3:43:22] maybe forego your raise

[3:43:26] and put yourself in the 40% that are

[3:43:30] struggling. Cut your pay in half and see

[3:43:33] how you feel about an NIPCO race.

[3:43:38] That that's the disconnect.

[3:43:41] It's really disconnected.

[3:43:44] It it's it's becoming a job. It's not

[3:43:46] becoming public service.

[3:43:50] Okay. The number is going to keep going

[3:43:53] up. And there will come a time and point

[3:43:54] in my kids generation, police, fire, all

[3:43:58] that. It's going to dissipate because of

[3:44:01] technology.

[3:44:02] It's it's just going to the cars will

[3:44:05] stop. You won't you won't have a police

[3:44:07] chase.

[3:44:09] They're just going to press a button and

[3:44:11] you're not going anywhere.

[3:44:13] From your money to everything.

[3:44:16] And I'd like to say something for the

[3:44:18] record. The data center did not fall on

[3:44:20] anybody on this city council.

[3:44:23] It was a redevelopment commission. You

[3:44:26] didn't have a say in it at all. It was

[3:44:28] already a done deal.

[3:44:30] Okay. I paid attention. It's not

[3:44:32] anybody's fault here what happened with

[3:44:35] the data center. That's not even on the

[3:44:36] mayor.

[3:44:38] It's not.

[3:44:40] It was done through redevelop commission

[3:44:42] and they did a terrible deal and you

[3:44:44] should fire that guy.

[3:44:47] You should fire it. It's the worst deal

[3:44:49] on the planet.

[3:44:51] A billion dollar computer

[3:44:54] for a $16 million permit and a $350,000

[3:44:57] year annuity over 40 years.

[3:45:00] A fifth grader could do better than

[3:45:01] that.

[3:45:03] Have a good evening.

[3:45:04] >> Thank you, Mr.

[3:45:13] Johannes Pollard, uh, 205 Shadow Trail,

[3:45:16] Michigan Shores, Indiana. Uh, first of

[3:45:20] all, I would like to thank the council

[3:45:21] for killing the ordinance on the rainy

[3:45:24] day fund uh, for the flock cameras, the

[3:45:27] additional flock cameras. But I believe

[3:45:30] we need to go farther. I believe once

[3:45:33] the contract for flock comes up in

[3:45:35] January, it should be cut and the flock

[3:45:39] cameras should be all removed from

[3:45:40] Michigan City. We need to go back to the

[3:45:42] US Constitution and the Fourth Amendment

[3:45:46] that bars any kind of uh seizure,

[3:45:49] unlawful seizure without probable cause,

[3:45:52] including surveillance.

[3:45:54] And I think it would do well to have the

[3:45:58] police be back in the good old days

[3:46:00] where they would be more part of the

[3:46:03] community speaking with local members of

[3:46:06] the community instead of a lot of the

[3:46:08] harassment that I've been reading about

[3:46:11] uh including what happened to me last

[3:46:13] year. Uh, and I think maybe that might

[3:46:16] solve a lot more problems instead of

[3:46:18] having a surveillance setup that treats

[3:46:21] all the law-abiding citizens like common

[3:46:23] criminals. Thank you.

[3:46:32] » Assistant Chief Ks Michigan State Police

[3:46:34] Department.

[3:46:35] past several months uh has given the

[3:46:38] council in this community a fairly

[3:46:40] uncommon look inside of this police

[3:46:43] department. We've discussed what if

[3:46:45] officers required to do when using

[3:46:47] systems like flock and other technology.

[3:46:49] We've discussed documentation,

[3:46:51] supervision, retention, information

[3:46:53] sharing, auditing, policy, and

[3:46:55] discipline. And as that hap or and as

[3:46:58] the chief's update uh highlighted

[3:47:00] tonight demonstrates, you've also seen

[3:47:04] what happens when activity raises

[3:47:05] concerns and department administration

[3:47:08] has to has a responsibility to examine

[3:47:10] the conduct of one of our own. The

[3:47:13] accountability isn't something we

[3:47:15] created for this proposal. Our officers

[3:47:17] have always been expected to use law

[3:47:19] enforcement systems for legitimate

[3:47:21] purposes. Our supervisors and

[3:47:24] administrators have always been

[3:47:25] responsible to oversee those systems.

[3:47:28] And when information indicates that one

[3:47:30] of our employees may not have met our

[3:47:32] standards, we have a responsibility to

[3:47:35] examine it.

[3:47:36] What we have done throughout this

[3:47:38] process is look critically at these

[3:47:40] practices and make strong system

[3:47:42] stronger. As the technology itself

[3:47:45] continues to evolve, we have

[3:47:47] strengthened documentation requirements.

[3:47:49] We have incorporated enhanced auditing

[3:47:51] capabilities. We have used multifactor

[3:47:53] authentication for our users. We have

[3:47:55] increased public transparency through

[3:47:57] the MCPD transparency portal and we have

[3:48:00] developed clear policies and more

[3:48:02] defined governance framework around

[3:48:04] these technologies. Those improvements

[3:48:07] are here to stay. They aren't contingent

[3:48:09] upon an appropriation. They aren't

[3:48:11] weren't developed simply to secure

[3:48:12] approval for an ordinance. They are

[3:48:14] responsible practices and they're

[3:48:16] consistent with the standards that we

[3:48:17] expect ourselves as a department.

[3:48:20] [snorts]

[3:48:20] We will continue auditing the technology

[3:48:22] we operate. We will continue requiring

[3:48:25] legitimate law enforcement and

[3:48:26] appropriate documentation. We will

[3:48:29] continue being transparent about how

[3:48:31] these systems are used. And uh when

[3:48:33] something raises a concern, we will

[3:48:35] continue to examine it and hold our

[3:48:37] personnel accountable when appropriate.

[3:48:40] Technology will continue to involve and

[3:48:42] our safeguards will involve with it, but

[3:48:44] the underlying standard does not change.

[3:48:47] We expect the men and women of this

[3:48:49] police department to use the authority,

[3:48:51] information, and tools entrusted to them

[3:48:53] professionally, lawfully, and

[3:48:55] responsibly. MCPD continues to support

[3:48:58] the safe city initiative because we

[3:49:00] believe these additional capabilities

[3:49:03] can provide meaningful public safety

[3:49:05] value, and we also recognize that our

[3:49:07] responsibility to govern the technology

[3:49:09] already entrusted to us exists

[3:49:11] independently of that proposal. And I'll

[3:49:14] finish

[3:49:17] We are extremely proud of the men and

[3:49:19] women of the Michigan City Police

[3:49:20] Department. There has been a tremendous

[3:49:22] amount of discussion over the last

[3:49:25] several months about technology. Behind

[3:49:26] every statistic we have presented, every

[3:49:29] investigation we have discussed, and

[3:49:30] every policy we have examined are police

[3:49:33] officers, detectives, supervisors,

[3:49:36] civilian staff, and administrators doing

[3:49:38] the work every day. The overwhelming

[3:49:41] majority of that work will never be

[3:49:43] discussed here. It will never appear in

[3:49:46] a newspaper. And it's simple. Simply

[3:49:49] people coming to work, serving this

[3:49:51] community, and making difficult

[3:49:53] decisions and doing so with the

[3:49:55] professionalism that we expect.

[3:49:57] Accountability when someone may fall

[3:49:59] short of that standard doesn't diminish

[3:50:01] that work. It is part of maintaining the

[3:50:04] standard those men and women demonstrate

[3:50:07] every day. I'm proud of that work. I'm

[3:50:09] proud of this department and I'm

[3:50:11] confident in our ability to continue

[3:50:13] using the tools entrusted to us

[3:50:15] responsibly. Thank you.

[3:50:17] >> Thank you,

[3:50:26] » Dominic Yankee, 904 Willow Spring Drive.

[3:50:33] for my comments.

[3:50:37] While many Michigan City residents have

[3:50:39] had transparency concerns with how the

[3:50:41] new data center moratorium was

[3:50:42] introduced, I was surprised to hear

[3:50:44] attorney Harris surmise that the two

[3:50:46] council members intentions had not been

[3:50:47] to vote on this ordinance on first

[3:50:49] reading at this meeting, but merely to

[3:50:51] foster transparency and allow the public

[3:50:52] an opportunity to see the ordinance. It

[3:50:54] is quite skillful to ascertain their

[3:50:56] motives and determine that this was an

[3:50:58] over and above attempt at transparency.

[3:51:04] Thank you for your time.

[3:51:05] >> Thank you.

[3:51:20] » Paul, President Malinski, 1716

[3:51:23] Washington Street. I would like to uh

[3:51:26] thank Mr. Willoughby for his uh previous

[3:51:29] comments, but now I want to make some

[3:51:32] comments

[3:51:34] about what Mr. Willoughby said about the

[3:51:38] worst deal ever there. Where's your

[3:51:41] money for your school system? Oh, gee

[3:51:46] whiz, what happened? That guy needs to

[3:51:49] be fired. And I'm not joking. He screwed

[3:51:53] Michigan City upside down and inside

[3:51:55] out. We would have plenty of money for

[3:51:59] anything you wanted to do. Anything.

[3:52:03] You need to rectify that situation.

[3:52:06] And also, you need to cut in the budget

[3:52:09] the $250,000

[3:52:11] to the engineer needs to stay in the

[3:52:13] general budget because he never

[3:52:14] explained what he was going to do with

[3:52:16] that money. And I was at the budget

[3:52:18] hearings.

[3:52:20] Some of you weren't.

[3:52:22] and 500,000 in overtime for the police.

[3:52:27] I think that needs to be cut at least in

[3:52:30] half and kept

[3:52:33] >> and overtime for the fire needs to be

[3:52:36] cut.

[3:52:38] Also, the legal services need to be

[3:52:42] [clears throat] put out for a a um I

[3:52:46] call it a PS, professional services bid

[3:52:51] for all the legal in the in the inhouse

[3:52:55] and also a bidding out of the insurance

[3:52:59] for auto [clears throat] and

[3:53:03] the employees.

[3:53:05] And I would like to ask our

[3:53:08] representative to the sanitary uh

[3:53:11] department and uh county uh waste board

[3:53:16] does the trash policy

[3:53:21] should it be

[3:53:23] where the toers and how much is that

[3:53:26] weight limit?

[3:53:30] Because what are they going to do? drive

[3:53:32] around with scales and and put the toar

[3:53:34] on a scale.

[3:53:36] And where are the toers for our yard

[3:53:40] waste?

[3:53:42] Because I just saw them pick up garbage

[3:53:43] by my house and they put that they put

[3:53:45] that darn uh yard waste right in the

[3:53:48] back of that truck. Bang zoom to the

[3:53:51] landfill. So now, why can't we get some

[3:53:56] help from the county waste board on

[3:53:59] recycling and reclaiming our dump by the

[3:54:03] city barns and get something out of that

[3:54:05] solid waste district and also have the

[3:54:08] sustain sustainability get on that the

[3:54:11] committee. That would be a hell of a

[3:54:13] good project. Thank you.

[3:54:16] >> Thank you, Mr. Kavic.

[3:54:20] >> Tommy. Yes, this is Tommy Kavik from

[3:54:23] 1316 Ohio Street. I got a quick public

[3:54:26] service announcement to make. They said

[3:54:29] he's going to have the dumpsters at the

[3:54:30] airport. You can haul all your excess

[3:54:33] waste. I got about 600 lb of waste I had

[3:54:36] to clean out from a house of a family

[3:54:38] member that passed away recently sitting

[3:54:40] on the back of my mom's utility. I'm

[3:54:42] going to take it over there first thing

[3:54:44] in the morning. And I like what

[3:54:46] Councilman President Bolinski, Paul

[3:54:48] President Bolinsky said a couple of

[3:54:50] meetings ago. There's no way I was going

[3:54:51] to take all that stuff and put it out at

[3:54:53] the alley the the curb. The people that

[3:54:56] do all that, you had no community spirit

[3:54:58] or no civic pride. If you ain't got

[3:55:00] spirit or pride, you ain't got nothing.

[3:55:03] None of that. I want to say go wos beat

[3:55:05] the slicers Friday night at homecoming

[3:55:07] at Ames Field. Get out and support.

[3:55:10] Thank you.

[3:55:12] >> Thank you, Mr. Kavik. And this will be

[3:55:14] our last public comment.

[3:55:16] >> Two.

[3:55:16] >> Oh, okay.

[3:55:18] >> Uh, hi there, Anastasia Gums, 222

[3:55:21] Springland A. Uh, first I would like to

[3:55:23] thank the council for withdrawing the

[3:55:24] expansion of the Flock contract.

[3:55:26] However, I would like to ask once again

[3:55:28] for the council to resend the FL

[3:55:30] contract completely from Michigan City.

[3:55:32] Clearly, your citizens are not in favor

[3:55:34] of this. Fun new flock update. A federal

[3:55:37] judge in Oklahoma just ruled that these

[3:55:39] flock-based warrantless searches can

[3:55:40] violate our Fourth Amendment rights. and

[3:55:42] they threw out evidence found with flock

[3:55:44] license plate readers. These devices are

[3:55:48] not necessary. The fire department or

[3:55:50] park department can fly drones at the

[3:55:51] beach. The police aren't the only folks

[3:55:53] who can buy and fly a drone. If the city

[3:55:55] wants to prioritize keeping downtown

[3:55:57] businesses safe, they have a police

[3:55:58] force that could be better served

[3:56:00] walking the streets again than sitting

[3:56:01] in their cars searching databases. These

[3:56:04] downtown businesses can also do the same

[3:56:06] thing that I'm expected to do as a

[3:56:08] private citizen if I don't find that to

[3:56:09] be enough. Buy your own cameras. don't

[3:56:12] ask taxpayers to pay for our own mass

[3:56:14] surveillance. And for the record, after

[3:56:17] looking for a flock transparency portal

[3:56:19] on the public uh police website, there

[3:56:22] wasn't one. Um I checked the how do I

[3:56:24] page. I looked their whole website up.

[3:56:26] There's nothing. I searched through the

[3:56:27] police department website. I searched

[3:56:29] the city website. The only link I found

[3:56:32] was from a September 2023 article from

[3:56:34] WIMS.

[3:56:36] That's it. So, let's talk about

[3:56:38] transparency for real. I would love to

[3:56:40] know where that link is because it's not

[3:56:41] on the cop's website.

[3:56:42] >> Thank you.

[3:56:50] » Amy Lassinski 104 Mayfield Drive. Uh

[3:56:52] adding on a little bit to the flock and

[3:56:54] how I know we put down the one and that

[3:56:56] was about 300,000 and I know you're

[3:56:58] probably going to hear a lot of calls

[3:56:59] are possibly cancelling the one that

[3:57:00] will come up for renewal. I would love

[3:57:02] to even see if you cancel those taking

[3:57:04] that 700,000 and I think it's a little

[3:57:06] more and giving that to the police

[3:57:08] department to hire more police officers

[3:57:10] because that might be a better use of

[3:57:12] that money. Um I would love to see some

[3:57:16] numbers. I think I feel like I missed

[3:57:18] the public comment in the area where it

[3:57:20] was like talking about the city

[3:57:20] employees and that area with their

[3:57:22] raises, but I would love to see like

[3:57:24] some numbers that show who's employed

[3:57:27] like locally to out of out of our city.

[3:57:30] I think that would be a fun fact to

[3:57:32] share with us. I'm going to add on to

[3:57:34] the accountability to the redevelopment

[3:57:36] area. You guys know that I have done a

[3:57:38] whole lot of research there. There is a

[3:57:39] big name that's added on there that's in

[3:57:41] that department. I won't name names, but

[3:57:43] I think that as an area, if you guys

[3:57:45] have done that research, if you've

[3:57:46] looked over some of the stuff, there

[3:57:47] should be accountability to the stuff

[3:57:49] I'm saying that happened that was wrong.

[3:57:52] Um, and as you're getting ready to look

[3:57:54] at the stuff with the moratorium, an

[3:57:55] article came out as we're sitting over

[3:57:57] here today talking about Google in Fort

[3:57:59] Wayne is looking at like trying to

[3:58:00] pursue buying the houses in that area.

[3:58:02] So, I guess you're not safe with what

[3:58:04] you're contained to in that area. Um, at

[3:58:08] the last meeting, I ran out of time and

[3:58:09] I did want to also give some feedback to

[3:58:10] the Google community event that was

[3:58:12] held. It was poorly advertised and I'm

[3:58:14] curious if it was intentional to keep

[3:58:15] crowds away as maybe we didn't really

[3:58:17] want people attending. Again, something

[3:58:19] I didn't know about until it was sent to

[3:58:21] me. However, you know, I have done a lot

[3:58:23] of research. I believe at that event, I

[3:58:25] was told two lies. One on when Google

[3:58:28] was involved and another on the area of

[3:58:30] the verification letter, to which this

[3:58:32] council knows I focused on a lot. How

[3:58:34] can you trust anything stated if you

[3:58:36] have evidence that shows they weren't

[3:58:38] being transparent and truthful? Why are

[3:58:40] we the ones catching these lies and

[3:58:42] asking the hard questions? These should

[3:58:44] be coming from you guys. We all know

[3:58:46] companies like Google use shell

[3:58:47] companies with projects like this to

[3:58:49] hide their identity even longer. A

[3:58:51] little research goes a long way and is

[3:58:53] strongly believed that Lavender Fields

[3:58:54] mentioned in the city resolutions that

[3:58:56] you guys received in late July or early

[3:58:58] August of 2025. This is something any of

[3:59:01] you guys could have researched prior to

[3:59:03] your final vote. So Google's been around

[3:59:05] since the very beginning, but they're

[3:59:08] telling me they came in about very late

[3:59:09] in the process. Um, a little bit also to

[3:59:13] the foyas. I've had cuz it wouldn't be

[3:59:16] me without an update. I've had three

[3:59:17] that were into the city. Two of the

[3:59:20] three I got back in the timely manner

[3:59:22] that it should have been in. I am a

[3:59:23] little disappointed. Although I've had

[3:59:25] great responses right now, at least

[3:59:27] being replied from the city, that the

[3:59:29] last foyer that I'm waiting on, it

[3:59:31] appears that the research to get it

[3:59:33] didn't even start to after kind of that

[3:59:35] 30-day deadline. So, if you're trying to

[3:59:38] be accountable and transparent and give

[3:59:40] us these foyas, why did it take so long

[3:59:43] before the city um started the research?

[3:59:46] I don't believe it falls on the city. I

[3:59:47] believe it was requested sooner, but

[3:59:49] then the people that should have been

[3:59:50] following up, they dropped the ball and

[3:59:52] then that delays my foyas. Um I will

[3:59:56] stop there. Thank you.

[3:59:57] >> Thank you.

[4:00:01] >> And this is our last public comment for

[4:00:03] the evening. I just wanted to talk about

[4:00:05] the uh ordinance for data center. Um

[4:00:10] you've got it happening right here in

[4:00:11] Leapor County and that's the Leaport

[4:00:14] County Commissioners already did this.

[4:00:16] They have the second uh approved

[4:00:19] ordinance of the state and they'd be

[4:00:21] glad to help you put one together.

[4:00:23] >> Thank you.

[4:00:25] Public comments are now closed. Are

[4:00:28] there any comments from the council?

[4:00:32] if any comments from the council.

[4:00:36] >> Yeah, Madame President, I just want to

[4:00:38] uh

[4:00:41] say thank you to the Michigan City

[4:00:43] Police Department uh for all their work

[4:00:46] and

[4:00:47] information they passed on to the

[4:00:49] council and to the general public about

[4:00:51] the uh bulk system. And I want to thank

[4:00:55] uh assistant chief Shaparski for all his

[4:00:58] hard work and effort during this uh time

[4:01:01] and chief uh Forker and uh yeah, I just

[4:01:06] want to say they put a lot of work and

[4:01:07] effort and I think they were very

[4:01:09] transparent and I think the police

[4:01:11] department's going to be better for all

[4:01:13] the procedures that they've updated and

[4:01:15] I want to thank them for their work.

[4:01:18] >> Are there any other public uh comments

[4:01:20] from the council?

[4:01:22] I would just like to thank the public um

[4:01:24] and the council members. We had a long

[4:01:26] agenda this evening um but we made it

[4:01:29] through it. And if there's nothing else,

[4:01:32] may I entertain a motion to adjurnn?

[4:01:35] >> So move.

[4:01:36] >> Have a good evening.

[4:01:45] [music]

[4:01:57] » [music]

Michigan City Common Council October 6, 2026

Transcript