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Good evening. I call to order the January 27th, 2026, ported state council meeting, and honor of all denominations and personal beliefs.

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And as we enter the new year, may we work together to make portage a stronger, more inclusive and unified community. Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.

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Please join me in the pledge.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God,

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indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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And if I could ask the clerk to please call the roll.

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Yes, Madam Mayor, I'll start with Burns.

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One moment.

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Led better.

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Here.

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Homestead. Here. Pearson. Randall. Here. And young. Here. All right, just for the record.

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Dr. Pearson, our mayor, Potem is watching from afar due to the Open's Meetings Act, which changed after COVID.

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A member can tune in, but they cannot actively participate. So shortly, his picture should be appearing on the screen.

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I'm in moving on with our meeting, we have a proclamation this evening celebrating Black History Month that I would like to ask Council Member Jay Han Yeong to please read this into the official record.

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Thank you, Madam Mayor.

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City of Portage Proclamation, Black History Month, 2020-6.

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Whereas Black History Month is observed in February each year, and 2026 marks the 100th year,

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and whereas Black History Month was originally sat in February to coincide with the

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birthdays of Frederick Douglass in Abraham Lincoln, two key figures in the history of African

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Americans, and whereas Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, who became the second

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African-American to earn a PhD from Harvard University developed the idea for Negro History

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Week in 1926 to annually promote the history, culture, and achievements of African-Americans

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to be celebrated on a nationwide scale.

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And whereas the theme for Black History amounts 2026 focuses on a century of Black History

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commemorations, marking 100 years since the first National Black History Celebrations began,

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And whereas honoring a history of black history highlights the journey of recognizing

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and celebrating black life, history and culture over the past century, with the focus on promoting

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accurate and inclusive history amidst current challenges to black history, education, and whereas

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on February 10th, 1976, during the United States by Centennial, President Gerald R. Ford,

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became the first president to issue a message, recognizing Black History Month,

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followed by Congress passing, public law, 99, 244, and 1986,

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designating February as Black History Month. And whereas the City of Portage continues to work

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toward becoming a community in which all citizens, past, present, and future, are sustained,

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fortified, and respected for their contributions to our community, and beyond, and whereas

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to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month 2026,

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the city-apportage will host candidacy Taylor, leading Green Book, expert, and author of

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the best-selling book, Overground Rare Road, the Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America,

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a New York Times, most notable book of the year, as well as Oprah Magazine's Top 26 Travel

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Books.

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Ms. Taylor also curated the Negro Motorist Green Book exhibit for the Smithsonian Institute.

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Now, therefore, we resolve that I Patricia Ambrandle is the major of the city to hear

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by proclaim February as Black History Month in the city of Portage.

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Thank you for that.

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was a very nice job and the last part of it was promoting a black history month that the city

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is celebrating on February 6 at 6 p.m. at the air zoo. So check your portage for more details.

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All right. This brings us to opportunity for petition or statement of citizens of anyone

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would like to come forward. Now is the appropriate time.

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Good evening. Welcome.

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Judy Kanga Salters, Board of Jode Portage.

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I am here today. I can't stay long, so I have to be brief.

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I'm here in support of the phase one that you're working on.

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What makes me happy about it is the safety for the children that live around the Lake Center area.

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Also for the movement of the people that live on the west side of Austin Lake where they could ride

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They can soon ride their bikes school if they choose to in the spring or the fall of a year. I it's really a great thing

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The other thing that makes me very happy is

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From like few drive that it's gonna go straight across to the park

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That's going to be very important because I live right in close that intersection and it is a hazard

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I appreciate that when they moved it before, but it was the place that could have been just a little bit over for them worked out

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but I just want to let you know I am in support of the phase one. My concern is that when we move from

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stage one to our phase one to phase two is that we continue with that safety feature where we have the

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safety that moves through the isnes area. So I just want to make sure that we continue that

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talk that's not just gonna be phase one and then it ends and see what do whatever it takes

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to get to the next phase phase two because I know as where I talk to the residents on the

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west side and a lot of people do live out of town but they're here for the summer months and

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they have a lot of grandchildren and children they would love to be able to use their bicycles to

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go down, portage road, heading north and they're excited about those new back, those bike paths

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that I have been created, they'd like to be able to continue their journey with their families

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along that route. So I really look forward to seeing phase one, phase two, phase three, but

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I know phase one is the first step, but I look forward to seeing the the construction of all three

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phases. So thank you and keep up the hard work. Thank you. Still an opportunity for

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See you in the next video.

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High council, my name is Cheryl Sikore, I live at 10429, open drive, portage, Michigan. Okay, I'm just up here to go through as quickly as I can, some concerns that I have, a close-favorite valve around the garbage thing, and it's more about the meetings that have been taking place.

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This is Robert's Rules of Order.

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I've taken a class to several hours.

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It's a big bad book.

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I'm not next book.

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Sometimes things happen at meetings like last time I was here.

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There was accolades at the beginning and clapping and nobody said a word about that.

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But when people got out and spoke about a certain side of the scarby tissue,

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we were recommended.

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That's not the first time.

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Also, I spent quite a bit of time looking up about donations to the candidates that ran for City Council and Mayor.

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Nothing I found is against the law.

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It's camping finance laws.

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Anybody can give to any candidate.

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There's nothing that's been violated.

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Mayor, I think you got over $20,000.

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Some of it is from developers, real estate,

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yes, young, you've gotten quite a bit too.

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WMUK, wrote an article or put out a statement about campaign donations, and it was really one-sided.

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They talked only about the candidates that got donations from the way, which is the

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welcome to family.

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And I wrote to him on Facebook when they put a statement out about that, and asked him

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that they could give some listings of people that are already on the council that have

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something to do with our permitting, our zoning, and who they're campaigned, who donated

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to their campaigns.

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They said they told me they didn't have time to put that up there.

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So there's a theme going here that seems to intimidate people to not stand up here and say what they think.

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Are we violating robber tools of orders?

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Are we donating to the wrong people?

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Maybe people have a conflict of interest because of who donated to them.

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That is absurd.

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Because I can see all of these people here that have donated to other people they are already sitting on the council.

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So, I'm just saying,

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this is not the first time that the garbage thing has come up.

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It came up a couple of years ago, there was conflict there, and there's conflict now.

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And your job is to sit there and listen to the citizens now if they're swearing at you

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or something, that's one thing.

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But if they're clapping, then you shouldn't have clapping at the accolades.

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We shouldn't have clapping at the end of the accolades.

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Maybe we should just be completely silent.

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So that's what I'm getting from this. I'm getting that if you're not on a certain side or if you don't know this book

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Heart by heart and I'm not you've extended your time. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

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Still an opportunity for statement of citizens. If anyone else would like to come forward.

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Right. Seeing no one come forward. I'll ask if there are any callers on the line.

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Run button. There are two callers on the line. One moment.

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Go ahead, Carl.

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Hi, this is Brian.

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I'm live on Lake Francisco.

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I just had a question, I know this is in a Q&A period.

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But if this ballot initiative were to pass, I'm curious how that would affect the existing contract that we already have with waste management.

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And so I would just appreciate later on in the meeting if Council could address that if possible.

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All right, Brian, if this doesn't come full circle to you answer your question, if you would

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like to somehow leave your contact information with the clerk, I can have a city manager

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contact you tomorrow.

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All right, thank you for calling.

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My name is Debbie Morton, and I am on the research preparation committee.

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I was curious about the, I'm going to try to talk about some of the areas that they're

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meeting, and I didn't see a chance to really talk at that point.

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We had been talking about wanting to help improve our cemeteries, our historic cemeteries,

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and it's going to ask that when it gets moved over from the Parks and Rec to

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look like I don't have it on the screen.

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But what exactly is over to the-

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It was-

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It looked into our summer periods and the work been done there.

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I would like to ask that there is a historic population to be the upon the discussions

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Because the summer period didn't need some attention

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And it looked like a set partnership that we worked on.

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That's all.

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All right. Thank you for calling.

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Thank you.

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If that's it,

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Do you and A session is over.

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All right.

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Moving on.

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To our consent agenda,

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The content center agenda is available for review by visiting the City of Portage website where it can be found under the City Council

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Portage

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minutes in a gender section or you can come in any time during regular business hours and obtain a hard copy from the office of the city clerk

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At this time do any council members wish to have a consent agenda item or move for individual consideration

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Madam here please

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Hi

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I would like consent item number nine taken off the consent agenda as I will be

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refusing myself from this vote.

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All right.

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Better mayor.

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Please.

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Per the last call or number eight.

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All right.

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All right.

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I will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented,

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excluding items number eight and item number nine.

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The moved.

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Second.

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And we'll call please.

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Start with red, better.

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Yes.

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Miller. Yes. I'm said. Yes. Randall. Yes. Young. Yes. And Burns. Yes. Thank you. All right.

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The two items that were pulled from the consent agenda will be discussed under regular business item, which is under item number D.

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Before that, we do have a communication, which is the presentation of a government finance officer's association award.

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And I would like to turn the mic over to the City Manager Mr. Pat McGinnis.

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Thank you very much, Your Honor. This is a privilege each year for the City of Portage to recognize our Finance Director and our Finance Department for a job well done.

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I think she's been with the city 11 years. 11 years seems like just yesterday. But Lauren is here tonight and she'll be able to maybe say a few words, but I did just want to point out that we are a member of the government finance officers association, there's a national association that is the formal trade association for all the finance directors, all over the country and the award.

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Honors in various areas of governmental, local, governmental accounting and in

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portage we are considering each year for the excellence and finance

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financial reporting, which is kind of the accounting side of things. The

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distinguished budget presentation award, which takes a great deal of work, and then

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also the popular annual financial reporting award. And those three are like the

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and what's the other one, the pre-gnus, yeah, it's the triple crown, and that's what

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they call it.

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So, once again, in 2025, we're being awarded the triple crown, and I don't know if

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Lauren, maybe you want to say a few words about the honor, and what we do to achieve that

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each year.

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Sure, thank you, Pat.

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Thank you, Mayor, and Council members.

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I'm a lot of brief note on the financial perspective side.

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The GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award recognizes the city budget document for meeting national best practices.

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It confirms that the budget is not only balanced and compliant, but also clear transparent and useful as a communication tool.

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And as Pat mentioned, we have achieved what the GFOA refers to as a triple crown, which is the three awards that he has already mentioned.

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And together, these rocket missions reflect a commitment to accountability and excellence for the city's financial documents.

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This award is number 39 for us, our first award was in 1987.

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So we don't want to screw up and miss one of those.

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So next year, we'll be number 40.

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Also, the triple count is not for everyone.

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And so we are one of four cities in the entire state of Michigan, the Havas Award, along with Grand Rapids Holland in Rochester Hills.

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So we're very proud to have the Triple Crown status.

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Thank you.

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Wow, this amazing match.

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I think our taxpayers of desserts to know and recognize that their tax dollars are being carefully monitored and spent and balanced and thank you to your crew or to your staff.

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You're in and you're out for making the right decisions and doing what's in the best interest of the taxpayers.

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So thank you.

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We'll make us look good.

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And I guess I would like to present this very heavy marble plaque that we hang here at City Hall.

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So we don't forget next year when it's number 40.

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Make sure you look at this every day and get ready for that.

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Congratulations.

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Thanks so much.

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Madam Mayor, please.

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I mean, learn you highlighted two things.

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You said accountability and excellence and oftentimes

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our community asks for transparency.

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I will state that the reason that you deserved

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a round of applause, you stated how many years

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has we received this award?

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39.

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We would be remiss if we did not give you a round of applause

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for that.

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The ability for the city of Portage

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to simply be one of four communities to receive this award.

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Triple Crown, which means that every single year, every single department must submit their budget.

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They must ensure that it is balanced in conjunction with the City Council reviewing it,

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ensuring that citizens who work for the City of Portage are paid appropriately,

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that every dollar, every dime, every penny is accounted for,

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which means that you are doing your fiscal duty,

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which means that we also have proper retention in our departments.

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We would be remiss not to thank you for that service.

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00:19:14,030 --> 00:19:16,050
So thank you, day in and day out for what you do.

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00:19:16,130 --> 00:19:18,890
And thank you to every other department for submitting that on time.

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00:19:19,550 --> 00:19:23,230
And thank you for returning to us to do this work.

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00:19:23,910 --> 00:19:27,330
Thank you for accepting this award on behalf of us.

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00:19:27,330 --> 00:19:31,750
And thank you for ensuring to us that you are going to bring it back to us again for number 40.

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That's accountability right there.

233
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So thank you for that.

234
00:19:34,990 --> 00:19:35,870
Thank you so much.

235
00:19:36,150 --> 00:19:36,430
Thanks, Lauren.

236
00:19:38,110 --> 00:19:38,250
All right.

237
00:19:38,370 --> 00:19:40,410
We have another positive thing on our agenda.

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It is a conforming the appointment of Jeremy Rowland as Director of Public Works and

239
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Agana like to turn this over to the City Manager.

240
00:19:51,090 --> 00:19:52,010
Pat McInnis.

241
00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:54,660
Thank you again, Your Honor.

242
00:19:55,220 --> 00:20:01,080
Tonight it is truly an important night for Portage and Appointing, potentially

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appointing a new director of public works. We've had the privilege of having Rod Russell

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worked for us for about as long as Lawrence. I think I think about 11 years. He has been

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our public works director. He's done an amazing job and he's helped us create a transition plan

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where one of his own staff members who's been brought along, much of his tenure has been working

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And with Rod at Public Works, Jeremy Roland has been with the city for over 25 years starting

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out as a labor and coming up through all the different ranks and achieving promotion

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after promotion and making friend after friend all over the city and getting to know the

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community as well as anybody of the infrastructure from the deepest water line to our bridges

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and trails and parking lots and buildings, these are responsible for our fleet.

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He really has a complete grasp of everything needed to be a very effective leader there.

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He's earned the respect and support of senior management here at City Hall, but probably

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00:21:14,020 --> 00:21:18,780
more importantly, the rank and file that people that do the snow plowing and the grave digging

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and the lawn cutting and everything else that goes into keeping portage looking and looking

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and running well. So it is a pleasure tonight under our city charter. It is my responsibility

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to appoint department directors and then it is up to the city council whether or not to confirm those appointments.

258
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So Mr. Rollins here tonight I was going to ask him to come forward, introduce himself,

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maybe his better half as well. And just say a few words, hopefully Jeremy is a familiar face after more than 25 years

260
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being here for a lot more than 40 hours every week, Jeremy.

261
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It's hard to follow up on that.

262
00:21:59,280 --> 00:21:59,800
That's quite an introduction.

263
00:22:00,860 --> 00:22:01,480
I love what I do.

264
00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:02,160
I love porridge.

265
00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:07,820
I started pure fresh right out of high school and we'd wacking around street signs and

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guardrails and I've been lucky to have opportunities to move up and learn and work side

267
00:22:14,260 --> 00:22:16,080
by side of the rod for the last 11 years.

268
00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:18,960
She's always said he's been grooming me for this position.

269
00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:29,980
Um, so, you know, it's kind of surreal to actually finally be here, um, sad to see him go, but, um, yeah, I just, I love what I do, I love the town, um, it's a way of love.

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00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:50,200
If I was answering the phone, I was being here for the straight line wins in 2001 to the tornado in 2024 or 22 hours that night, until the next day, I love this town, I love what I do and I look forward to serving in this capacity moving forward.

271
00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:57,560
Thank you very much for coming in. You are familiar face. You have been at many budget meetings around city hall for decades.

272
00:22:59,980 --> 00:23:03,280
I like the idea of promoting from within.

273
00:23:03,540 --> 00:23:07,660
I think Mr. Rowland is very capable and very deserving of this.

274
00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,820
So I will be supporting the motion once it gets made.

275
00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:12,980
Any other comments?

276
00:23:13,380 --> 00:23:13,540
Madam Mayor.

277
00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:14,720
Please.

278
00:23:15,740 --> 00:23:22,660
Just recently my husband had celebrated 20 years at his job and I did some research to talk

279
00:23:22,660 --> 00:23:31,980
about what a big accomplishment that is. Less than I think it's 10% of people under the age of 60s

280
00:23:31,980 --> 00:23:38,240
stay at the same job for more than 20 years. So that says something about you, about the

281
00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:46,560
department, about that longevity because that doesn't happen. It is rare, so thank you. I appreciate

282
00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:52,560
the work that you've done in the past and looking outside. It's always going to be, there's

283
00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:56,240
is going to be more of a work to do. So thank you very much.

284
00:23:56,860 --> 00:24:01,920
Madam. Please. Councilor Burns. I had a citizen right in who wished to be here tonight, but couldn't

285
00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:05,740
be because of a conflict and they gave me some comments to read if it's okay. So I'll do this.

286
00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:12,580
This is in support of Mr. Roland. It says in my 33 years working across the street,

287
00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,440
starting with the city of Portage, and now is an employee of Yolia. I've had the pleasure of working with

288
00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:22,540
many exceptional people and Jeremy is at the very top of that list. I remember when he first

289
00:24:22,540 --> 00:24:27,540
started in 1999 as a young energetic kid, even then it was clear there was something special

290
00:24:27,540 --> 00:24:31,800
about him and he was destined for a leadership role like this. Although I have never worked

291
00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:37,160
directly on on side him or for him, the respect he has earned from virtually everyone is truly

292
00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:41,020
unmatched. I am proud to have witnessed his growth and dedication as he's climbed the ladder,

293
00:24:41,420 --> 00:24:45,220
always keeping the city's best interest set heart. As a citizen of this great city and someone

294
00:24:45,220 --> 00:24:48,920
fortunately enough to call Jeremy a great friend, I am confident that the council can feel assured

295
00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:53,220
the public works department will be in excellent hands for many years to come thanks for your

296
00:24:53,220 --> 00:24:58,600
timing consideration Dan Cordini. So a nice endorsement there from Mr. Cordini I don't know

297
00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:04,480
if you've been up to it but Jeremy thanks for your long service to the city and looking for

298
00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:06,840
to see what you have in store in this leadership role.

299
00:25:08,890 --> 00:25:09,110
Please.

300
00:25:10,270 --> 00:25:15,590
There's something to be said about growing up in the department. You've seen the good,

301
00:25:15,590 --> 00:25:23,630
the bad ugly. You know what to reinforce as far as the positives and you know what to do to

302
00:25:23,630 --> 00:25:30,170
make sure that the negative comes up to par. So having a history really does help as opposed

303
00:25:30,170 --> 00:25:31,110
to coming from the outside.

304
00:25:33,550 --> 00:25:39,430
So I hope everyone, you're going to be fine. So don't be distracted

305
00:25:39,430 --> 00:25:42,870
about the naysayers and all that stuff. Keep your head up and keep doing what you're doing.

306
00:25:42,870 --> 00:25:45,030
There's a reason why you're here tonight.

307
00:25:45,290 --> 00:25:45,570
Congratulations.

308
00:25:47,110 --> 00:25:47,550
All right.

309
00:25:48,030 --> 00:25:48,950
There are no further comments.

310
00:25:49,230 --> 00:25:50,430
What is the pleasure of the council?

311
00:25:51,330 --> 00:25:51,490
Perfect.

312
00:25:51,850 --> 00:25:52,150
Please.

313
00:25:52,430 --> 00:25:56,330
I need to confirm the appointment of journey role as the director of public works.

314
00:25:56,670 --> 00:25:58,630
Support and roll call please.

315
00:25:59,130 --> 00:25:59,870
I'll start with Miller.

316
00:26:01,290 --> 00:26:01,430
Yes.

317
00:26:01,910 --> 00:26:02,290
I'll upset.

318
00:26:02,750 --> 00:26:02,850
Yes.

319
00:26:03,270 --> 00:26:03,570
Randall.

320
00:26:05,330 --> 00:26:05,850
Burns.

321
00:26:06,290 --> 00:26:06,510
Yes.

322
00:26:06,730 --> 00:26:07,410
And let better.

323
00:26:10,430 --> 00:26:10,950
Yeah.

324
00:26:13,130 --> 00:26:21,090
Congratulations and welcome to leadership and I'm going to hard week ahead of you with all

325
00:26:21,090 --> 00:26:27,470
the snow plowing but we'll look for great things and thank you to your wife for the dedication

326
00:26:27,470 --> 00:26:32,890
and the commitment she has to our community to allow you to work these long hours. Thank you.

327
00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:44,740
All right moving on to the items that will remove from our consent agenda number eight was removed

328
00:26:44,740 --> 00:26:53,960
by Council Member Miller, and this is dealing with an amendment to chapter 18 regarding the

329
00:26:53,960 --> 00:27:00,600
cemeteries and court of ordinances with the second rating being on February 10th, Council

330
00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:01,360
Member Miller.

331
00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:02,940
Thank you, Mayor.

332
00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:12,680
For this item, I was wondering if maybe we could have the city manager or whoever the

333
00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:21,000
on for the historic board is maybe bring up how they can be more involved with the

334
00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:25,960
the cemeteries and maintaining them if there's any preservation and everything since that's

335
00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:32,560
who we've designated to be on our historic board. I believe thank you to the caller from earlier

336
00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:37,420
but I do believe that this is just the ordinance that we're addressing so some of the concerns

337
00:27:37,420 --> 00:27:43,000
that she had might not be acceptable in this ordinance, but wanted to bring it to light

338
00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:48,500
for staff to see if there's any relationship that can be done between the historic board

339
00:27:48,500 --> 00:27:50,880
and some of the more historic cemeteries that we haven't for it.

340
00:27:52,740 --> 00:27:54,760
City manager Mr. McGinnis.

341
00:27:55,320 --> 00:28:01,880
Thank you. We can certainly do that and see if there are any ideas about our policies or our

342
00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:07,700
ordinance, and I just wanted to point out that in the current case we were clarifying some

343
00:28:07,700 --> 00:28:07,920
things.

344
00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:13,440
You'll remember your last meeting we had a request for a variance in the dimensionality,

345
00:28:13,460 --> 00:28:16,980
and as we looked at that, it started looking around at our summitaries.

346
00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:22,620
We noticed a few things that could be cleaned up, so I don't think there were any changes

347
00:28:22,620 --> 00:28:28,040
proposed here that are of an historical nature, a preservation nature, but I'll maybe let

348
00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:31,460
Comin' on Mac, she's in the thick of this every day, Erica.

349
00:28:33,260 --> 00:28:34,140
Thank you.

350
00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,140
Yes, we are in the thick of this every day, and I do want to point out to counsel that,

351
00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:42,000
well, I may be in the clerk's office, my master's degree is in historic preservation.

352
00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:49,320
So, I was the former liaison of the historic district commission, and this is my first specialty.

353
00:28:50,620 --> 00:28:56,980
So, preservation of the older parts of the cemetery and knowing that they're not getting any younger or any better looking

354
00:28:56,980 --> 00:29:02,420
is on our minds and the city has joined the Michigan Association of Municipal Cemeteries

355
00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:07,800
in terms of wanting to ensure that we are following best practices. So that is something that

356
00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:12,900
has been on our minds recently. And so the callers concern is timely and also on our minds as well.

357
00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:18,820
So we'll make sure to ensure that we involve the historic district commission where appropriate

358
00:29:18,820 --> 00:29:21,140
and that it's not something we neglect.

359
00:29:24,770 --> 00:29:26,890
I just wanted to comment as a cycle of

360
00:29:26,890 --> 00:29:33,090
pull over at different cemeteries sometimes just to take a break and schoolcraft has some really

361
00:29:33,090 --> 00:29:41,310
nice markers that recognize different families that originally inhabited that area and I know

362
00:29:41,310 --> 00:29:49,370
we tried to do some tributes in salary flats or along the walkway to there but if we know the final

363
00:29:49,370 --> 00:29:59,830
The resting grounds of some of those early settlers and it might be nice to consider something along that line and sort of just preserving it.

364
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:03,300
Celebrating the history in a more permanent way.

365
00:30:05,590 --> 00:30:06,810
What is the pleasure of the council?

366
00:30:07,870 --> 00:30:12,470
Madam Mayor, please. I'm going to accept for first reading the amendment to chapter 18,

367
00:30:12,690 --> 00:30:16,910
Cemetery of the Court of Audiences and set the second reading for February 10, 2020.

368
00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:23,100
Support and we'll call, please.

369
00:30:25,970 --> 00:30:26,530
I'll start with.

370
00:30:26,530 --> 00:30:27,110
Yes.

371
00:30:28,350 --> 00:30:28,870
Randall.

372
00:30:30,990 --> 00:30:31,290
Yes.

373
00:30:31,750 --> 00:30:32,030
Birds.

374
00:30:32,890 --> 00:30:33,430
Lead better.

375
00:30:34,030 --> 00:30:34,110
Yes.

376
00:30:34,150 --> 00:30:34,410
And Miller.

377
00:30:35,170 --> 00:30:35,670
Thank you.

378
00:30:35,990 --> 00:30:36,470
All right.

379
00:30:36,970 --> 00:30:38,250
Moving on.

380
00:30:38,490 --> 00:30:39,410
Council Member Oamsted.

381
00:30:39,750 --> 00:30:45,550
You have taken number 9 off, which is a resolution confirming the ballot proposed

382
00:30:45,550 --> 00:30:48,790
language for the May 5th, 2026 special election.

383
00:30:49,030 --> 00:30:50,730
I'll turn the mic over to you at this time.

384
00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:57,880
I'm going to excuse myself and sit down in the audience for this vote.

385
00:30:59,420 --> 00:31:04,680
Please, as I have throughout the discussion of this process, I'm pretty advice of the attorney.

386
00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:08,960
I'm reducing myself because of an indirect personal financial conflict interest.

387
00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:13,700
And so I'll go back also and let you guys deliberate and return when this item is over.

388
00:31:13,980 --> 00:31:15,460
All right, thank you too both.

389
00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:16,920
All right.

390
00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:22,540
Moving on, does anyone have any other comments regarding this item?

391
00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:24,140
Madam Mayor, please.

392
00:31:24,820 --> 00:31:39,380
I had just a few questions about the wording of the ordinance and probably for the city attorney and I'm not sure if there will be a response tonight, but I was as reading through the ordinance.

393
00:31:39,380 --> 00:31:56,120
Just wondering if the ordinance is accepted as presented, how it could impact leaf pickup services that the city provides, because the city provides those as a single holler, as well as the recycling and then we have the village for the recycling.

394
00:31:57,180 --> 00:32:02,800
So if accepted as written, do we have any ideas or do you want to get back to us?

395
00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:15,900
Well, all I can say is just so everyone understands, this ordinance is prepared and submitted by the committee who initiated the ordinance, it will be taken exactly as they prepared it.

396
00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:27,900
So it does provide that there could be no exclusive contract or any type of collections, so that would include both recycles that would include lawn waste, et cetera.

397
00:32:27,900 --> 00:32:42,300
So at this point in time, I can't make any opinion on how the city would handle those that are currently exclusive contracts if this is adopted, but I can say that's what this ordinance does say.

398
00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:50,380
And so that everyone understands, you know, I guess if adopted, this is the ordinance that would be adopted and it will become.

399
00:32:50,380 --> 00:32:52,540
Um, how do the city code?

400
00:32:53,620 --> 00:33:00,580
So just to clarify, the city currently is the exclusive holler for the citizens of the

401
00:33:00,580 --> 00:33:05,600
portage in regards to, um, leaf pick up.

402
00:33:06,180 --> 00:33:14,080
So if this ordinance would pass, that would mean that as an exclusive holler citizens would

403
00:33:14,080 --> 00:33:18,080
then need to find a holler to pick up their leaf service.

404
00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:25,060
If this ordinance, if we reviewed this ordinance in this specific language of a past at tonight,

405
00:33:25,640 --> 00:33:33,020
if the city currently is the exclusive holler to pick up leaf service, that would mean that the city no longer

406
00:33:34,060 --> 00:33:37,500
would be able to pick up leaf services for citizens.

407
00:33:38,740 --> 00:33:42,080
I'm going to ask Mr. McGinn as he looks like he wants to comment.

408
00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:43,340
Mr. McGinn?

409
00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:50,100
Thank God, in the event this ordinance where to pass, we would work within the four corners

410
00:33:50,100 --> 00:33:56,300
of that new ordinance, which is very explicit that exclusive collection would no longer

411
00:33:56,300 --> 00:33:56,860
be allowed.

412
00:33:57,340 --> 00:34:01,340
And we would take the most conservative approach to that and likely be looking very carefully

413
00:34:01,340 --> 00:34:06,120
at whether or not we could continue to collect brush, whether or not we could continue to

414
00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:11,440
collect leaves, whether or not we could continue with our composting program.

415
00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:18,180
that's an exclusive agreement and we would seek for a legal review because we wouldn't want

416
00:34:18,180 --> 00:34:23,800
to expose the city to any unnecessary liabilities. So we will be looking at that very closely

417
00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:29,140
and probably within the next 30 days will be prepared to discontinue those services.

418
00:34:29,580 --> 00:34:34,360
If in fact it looks like that's what the new ordinance would require now. We do have some current

419
00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:40,700
contracts in place so we would plan on observing and recognizing and following through on with

420
00:34:40,700 --> 00:34:47,380
We've entered into contracts that we are obliged to fulfill, but those areas that we're

421
00:34:47,380 --> 00:34:51,980
doing it ourselves, I believe that could be construed as being exclusive and I wouldn't

422
00:34:51,980 --> 00:34:58,020
want to put a set risk to legal challenges so people may need to contact private hollers

423
00:34:58,020 --> 00:35:00,440
to come in and pick up their leaves and their brush.

424
00:35:01,380 --> 00:35:02,920
I hope that answers the question.

425
00:35:03,640 --> 00:35:04,240
completely.

426
00:35:06,300 --> 00:35:14,760
It does. Attorney Kaufman, what is the last date upon which we must submit this?

427
00:35:15,120 --> 00:35:21,860
So that this council have the ability to review this or I guess my concern here would be

428
00:35:22,900 --> 00:35:27,860
I, you know, our ability to to make a decision on this. I am concerned for the citizens

429
00:35:27,860 --> 00:35:34,320
supportage and for what position this would put the city in to make a decision on this this evening.

430
00:35:35,220 --> 00:35:37,500
Well, because I'm just trying to think through this.

431
00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:47,620
We have until February 10th, I believe, is a clerk at the office set at 4pm to approve the ballot

432
00:35:47,620 --> 00:35:48,100
language.

433
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:55,880
You have a meeting on February 10th, but we'd have to schedule a special meeting at 4pm before

434
00:35:55,880 --> 00:36:03,840
four o'clock to decide on bail at language. So keep that in mind. The bail language is proposed

435
00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:12,120
tonight in this resolution was the language that appears on the top of the petition and upon

436
00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:19,920
consult with the local council, Moody cited to use that language and not to amend it or change it.

437
00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:25,300
So there would be no change from the petitioners or the committee that brought forward the

438
00:36:25,300 --> 00:36:29,240
question, it's exactly as they stated on their petition.

439
00:36:29,980 --> 00:36:36,340
If we wanted to change that language in any way, I recommend, and we would work with

440
00:36:36,340 --> 00:36:42,320
outside council as well, that we're going to have to have an agreement from the petition

441
00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:46,800
committee, the ballot committee, that brought this forward, because if we in any way change

442
00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:53,140
their language, they have to agree to that change, we don't want to change as to what we

443
00:36:53,140 --> 00:36:58,220
decided is the council should be the ballot language when it was brought forward under

444
00:36:58,220 --> 00:37:03,140
by petition in the ordinance was brought forward to initiated the ordinance is drafted.

445
00:37:04,060 --> 00:37:10,560
So we have until February 10th before 4 p.m. to approve ballot language, the clerk has to submit

446
00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:14,180
that ballot language to the county clerk by February 12.

447
00:37:16,910 --> 00:37:17,930
Councilwoman, will I better?

448
00:37:17,930 --> 00:37:28,670
So, if I have suggestions on some wording within this language, how do I go about to propose a mending said language?

449
00:37:28,870 --> 00:37:29,330
And a link.

450
00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:37,680
A, from the gist of the ordinance, it just gives a more clarity.

451
00:37:38,540 --> 00:37:40,540
Are we talking about the language to go on the ballot?

452
00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:42,380
Yes.

453
00:37:42,720 --> 00:37:50,440
Okay. Then we should have that discussion tonight, because either myself or the other outside legal council

454
00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:57,100
have to go back to the attorneys representing the ballot group, the petition group, and say

455
00:37:57,100 --> 00:38:02,580
the council would like to amend your language in the following way for the ballot.

456
00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:05,840
And we need to have agreement from them.

457
00:38:06,020 --> 00:38:11,320
We don't want someone to change the ballot language as we decide it should read.

458
00:38:11,780 --> 00:38:15,420
And it, you know, challenged that even before it goes to vote of the people.

459
00:38:16,200 --> 00:38:18,840
So do I make my suggestions now or do I wait or wait?

460
00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:21,180
I think right now would be appropriate.

461
00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:28,400
Madam Mayor, I think that because they'll have the floor.

462
00:38:31,460 --> 00:38:39,560
As I read this, what it says, persons, the ordinance to require the registration of persons

463
00:38:39,560 --> 00:38:46,120
who collect in the disposal process garbage, the set of same persons I would prefer to say providers.

464
00:38:48,630 --> 00:38:53,190
So, anyway, that there's a person I think providers should be better.

465
00:38:54,390 --> 00:38:55,750
And then,

466
00:38:57,980 --> 00:38:58,780
we're says,

467
00:39:05,770 --> 00:39:09,230
people say they can choose, this should be select,

468
00:39:17,790 --> 00:39:19,570
and I think that's all that I have.

469
00:39:20,430 --> 00:39:21,950
All right, Council Mobile.

470
00:39:37,240 --> 00:39:46,920
Would this change in any way, Attorney Kaufman, would this change in any way, how someone signed their petition?

471
00:39:47,860 --> 00:39:57,420
No, at this point, the only what we would want to make sure what would happen is that

472
00:39:57,420 --> 00:40:03,140
the proponents of the ballot initiative initiated ordinance agree with these proposed

473
00:40:03,140 --> 00:40:03,500
changes.

474
00:40:03,640 --> 00:40:09,560
If this is what the Council directs us to move forward with, that we would have to contact

475
00:40:09,560 --> 00:40:15,480
them, you know, have a correspondence with them, get them to agree, abandon a situation

476
00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:20,580
to be forward the municipality approved a variation of language, thinking it clarified the ballot

477
00:40:20,580 --> 00:40:28,580
question for the voters in fact we were challenged by the original initiating group and

478
00:40:28,580 --> 00:40:32,820
so then you have another form of location on going before you even get to the ballot box.

479
00:40:33,540 --> 00:40:39,220
So we would recommend also working with outside council that any proposed revisions go back to them

480
00:40:39,220 --> 00:40:45,940
that they are accepted by that group, so that we are all clear as what's going on the ballot

481
00:40:45,940 --> 00:40:51,900
and you can adopt that by resolution sometime before February 10th at 4 p.m.

482
00:40:52,280 --> 00:40:56,930
Thank you. Please, city manager, Pat McGinnis.

483
00:40:57,590 --> 00:41:05,010
Attorney, I'm wondering because to me, they seem like an Oculus request, you know, provider versus

484
00:41:05,010 --> 00:41:12,450
person select versus choose, if that was all, would it be possible so that we don't need

485
00:41:12,450 --> 00:41:14,290
to hold a special meeting for that?

486
00:41:14,410 --> 00:41:19,870
Single purpose for a couple words, if there are to approve the amended language, pending

487
00:41:19,870 --> 00:41:26,630
review and approval by council, by our own council and the council for the petitioner, would

488
00:41:26,630 --> 00:41:29,970
that be something that could take place tonight?

489
00:41:31,590 --> 00:41:38,910
Well, you do have to submit a resolution to the county clerk, and that has to include the approved language.

490
00:41:39,830 --> 00:41:55,110
So if we could kind of submit this resolution to say the following language with these changes is approved by the council, and if approved by the representatives of the committee,

491
00:41:55,110 --> 00:42:01,130
Maybe forwarded to county clerk as present or as approved tonight. I think we can do that

492
00:42:02,010 --> 00:42:04,070
And that would avoid another meeting.

493
00:42:08,680 --> 00:42:12,140
I guess I I agree with the two changes

494
00:42:12,840 --> 00:42:15,580
I was a little confused why the word person

495
00:42:16,840 --> 00:42:20,260
Which person to use for collection services?

496
00:42:20,580 --> 00:42:22,520
Wouldn't that basically allow

497
00:42:23,120 --> 00:42:26,660
Anybody with a truck to come and pick up garbage?

498
00:42:28,080 --> 00:42:33,500
Well, that is interesting because we're in the ordinance itself with defines collectors

499
00:42:33,500 --> 00:42:37,820
and those are the only people that are allowed to collect in the city and they are required

500
00:42:37,820 --> 00:42:39,900
to register and meet different standards.

501
00:42:41,480 --> 00:42:46,860
So the use of the word persons was crafted by the people who brought for this ordinance.

502
00:42:47,480 --> 00:42:51,880
I do think there's some, you know, a question is to what that actually means.

503
00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:53,660
so I think the points are valid.

504
00:42:54,700 --> 00:42:57,420
We can certainly take it back if it's the council's pleasure

505
00:42:57,420 --> 00:43:00,920
to the proponents representatives of the takeback

506
00:43:00,920 --> 00:43:04,200
of the trash and see if they agree with any proposed changes.

507
00:43:04,840 --> 00:43:07,440
So there are a motion that I mean we need to make a move.

508
00:43:07,440 --> 00:43:11,040
You would need to make a motion to adopt this resolution

509
00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:15,700
with revisions such that those proposed changes is outlined

510
00:43:15,700 --> 00:43:18,900
by you council member led better would be incorporated

511
00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:27,940
to the ballot language if approved by both county or city attorneys as well as attorneys

512
00:43:27,940 --> 00:43:30,380
or representatives for take back the trash.

513
00:43:32,580 --> 00:43:34,780
Erica, did you get that?

514
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:37,640
I do have a question.

515
00:43:38,340 --> 00:43:43,940
What do we do in the event that the attorneys for take back the trash they know,

516
00:43:48,340 --> 00:43:48,340
the

517
00:43:48,340 --> 00:43:55,400
you're just having had a special meeting in which we determine the language. I guess that

518
00:43:55,400 --> 00:44:02,300
is my concern. If we provide a motion, pending this language, and then they determine they

519
00:44:02,300 --> 00:44:08,260
do not want this language, we're then at a stalemate, and I do not want this council to be

520
00:44:08,260 --> 00:44:14,020
at a stalemate, in which we have proposed a motion, pending language, and they come back and

521
00:44:14,020 --> 00:44:23,120
say, well, yes, we will take select, but we will not take provider, and thus we have, you

522
00:44:23,120 --> 00:44:31,280
know, half of a motion, then I guess my question would be, what would be the lack of a benefit

523
00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:35,640
to simply having a special meeting to determine the language at that point?

524
00:44:36,560 --> 00:44:43,300
I think the only challenge with this special meeting is scheduling it and holding it with

525
00:44:43,300 --> 00:44:48,000
they are attorneys. Well, I'm not even talking about their attorneys. There's literally hopefully

526
00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:53,500
by that point, there have an agreement or if we don't have an agreement, you're going to have

527
00:44:53,500 --> 00:44:59,720
to decide what language you put on the ballot without an agreement. Are we allowed to do that?

528
00:45:00,680 --> 00:45:25,440
Well, obviously, the language is proposed in this resolution is what they do after it imprisoned. So, you know, there would be a pretty good understanding that they would accept this language because they proposed it. So, you know, that would be where you may get to if we cannot reach a resolution with them on the proposed changes of persons to providers and choose to select.

529
00:45:28,610 --> 00:45:37,550
Okay. I have a, please, questions, that's okay. So trying to understand what council member

530
00:45:37,550 --> 00:45:43,830
young was saying, and I interpreted it correctly that if we put forth the motion to accept

531
00:45:43,830 --> 00:45:49,190
it with the revisions today, and then they come back and say they don't want the revisions,

532
00:45:49,450 --> 00:45:54,050
then we could have this special venue. Yeah, so I think she's saying is there any point

533
00:45:54,050 --> 00:45:59,450
even putting forth an amended motion to resolution tonight when you may have to come back

534
00:45:59,450 --> 00:46:06,270
for a special meeting anyways. I think that's what she's saying. In my thought, it helps

535
00:46:06,270 --> 00:46:10,850
cut down a little bit because if we wait until a special meeting and then ask for the changes

536
00:46:10,850 --> 00:46:17,650
then we have even more time to talk with their council and see if they'll accept them. So

537
00:46:17,650 --> 00:46:22,770
my thought is if we did it tonight it would speed things along so that we can still meet that

538
00:46:22,770 --> 00:46:25,510
a February time deadline.

539
00:46:26,410 --> 00:46:27,510
I'm interested in that correctly.

540
00:46:28,350 --> 00:46:28,490
Yes.

541
00:46:28,790 --> 00:46:29,050
Okay.

542
00:46:31,260 --> 00:46:32,680
Just a more clarification.

543
00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:39,000
If that happens and they disagree and we go back,

544
00:46:40,440 --> 00:46:44,640
and we miss that deadline because of this,

545
00:46:44,940 --> 00:46:46,680
is that against us or how do we?

546
00:46:46,700 --> 00:46:47,820
We can't miss that deadline.

547
00:46:48,280 --> 00:46:48,880
That's what I'm going to say.

548
00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:49,980
We can't miss that deadline.

549
00:46:51,060 --> 00:46:52,940
So if in fact we can't agree,

550
00:46:52,940 --> 00:46:57,940
We're going to have to schedule a special meeting before February 10th at 4 p.m. and decide on some language.

551
00:46:58,980 --> 00:47:05,840
Which would probably be what's in front of you tonight, which is essentially I'm not saying it's bulletproof, but it's what they propose themselves.

552
00:47:06,140 --> 00:47:09,200
So they would have no reason to challenge it. Does that make sense?

553
00:47:09,720 --> 00:47:14,940
Yep. So what I'm hearing is that if the two words

554
00:47:16,880 --> 00:47:24,620
ability to select and provider are accepted, then we do not have to reconvene in if they decide

555
00:47:24,620 --> 00:47:29,320
one or both are not acceptable, then we do have to call a special meeting.

556
00:47:30,160 --> 00:47:36,340
So I just want to make sure that the people that are up here are available at some point

557
00:47:36,340 --> 00:47:40,120
the first week in February.

558
00:47:43,960 --> 00:47:52,340
I have another question on the word case that a turning coffin had brought up when Council

559
00:47:52,340 --> 00:47:56,260
member led better said person or providers.

560
00:47:57,440 --> 00:48:02,780
If there's already a definition further in our court of court of ordinances that says collectors,

561
00:48:03,720 --> 00:48:08,320
I would rather keep that name the same.

562
00:48:09,540 --> 00:48:18,960
I was trying to pull up the code of ordinances and look through not as fast as has come from a member, urban, but it is a different section.

563
00:48:20,060 --> 00:48:30,460
So if we already have definitions somewhere where we're calling them collectors, and I know, I found this spot where it says, you know, they have to register within the city, so I get the selecting from whose register in the city.

564
00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:40,500
But, and I might just be fighting over one little word that doesn't matter so much, but if we already have it defined somewhere, I'd rather use the same word.

565
00:48:45,580 --> 00:48:51,260
Attorney Kaufman, is it my understanding that it wouldn't be the ordinance as it currently is it'd be the ordinance on the back of the petition?

566
00:48:51,880 --> 00:48:53,660
It'd be the ordinance on the back of the petition.

567
00:48:54,860 --> 00:48:58,100
So, the ordinance is proposed by take back the trash.

568
00:48:58,100 --> 00:49:07,940
And that does define the proposed ordinance does define collector as a person register with the city to perform collections services.

569
00:49:10,780 --> 00:49:19,160
So whether it's persons, whether it's providers, whether it's collectors, I think it's all very close to the same thing.

570
00:49:19,420 --> 00:49:22,800
The only thing about collectors, it means they have to be registered.

571
00:49:22,800 --> 00:49:29,580
And so if you look at, you know, to require the registration of collectors, it's registration

572
00:49:29,580 --> 00:49:32,240
is already a component of that term.

573
00:49:33,400 --> 00:49:39,980
So either, you know, I don't think we necessarily have these collectors, but I think providers

574
00:49:39,980 --> 00:49:40,580
is fine.

575
00:49:40,620 --> 00:49:48,200
I think persons is fine, but any of those could work, I understand trying to clarify it as much

576
00:49:48,200 --> 00:49:52,200
as possible so that the voters know exactly what they're going to vote on.

577
00:49:58,790 --> 00:50:01,350
All right, what is the pleasure of the council?

578
00:50:03,710 --> 00:50:04,190
Madam Mayor.

579
00:50:04,590 --> 00:50:06,130
Please, council member, let better.

580
00:50:06,490 --> 00:50:10,990
I like to make the motion based on what the attorney said about a certain

581
00:50:10,990 --> 00:50:17,310
dis what the proposed changes the provider and select to this language

582
00:50:19,360 --> 00:50:21,560
so that we can move

583
00:50:21,560 --> 00:50:22,760
forward with this.

584
00:50:26,980 --> 00:50:28,280
Do I have a second?

585
00:50:32,430 --> 00:50:35,290
Madam Mayor, if I may, no, this is a little out of order.

586
00:50:35,290 --> 00:50:50,490
It says, should the motion also include, at this point, the, you know, extending it, accepting it, and if they don't accept it, bring it back, should it be all one full motion, or do we do the wording first and then?

587
00:50:51,770 --> 00:50:57,470
It's my understanding that when you said based on the city attorneys recommendation that was encapsulated in it.

588
00:50:57,470 --> 00:50:58,410
Yes, everything is easy.

589
00:50:59,670 --> 00:51:00,370
Thank you.

590
00:51:02,180 --> 00:51:02,420
Support.

591
00:51:03,720 --> 00:51:04,580
Any further discussion?

592
00:51:06,740 --> 00:51:14,660
very non-vocal call please. Start with rainbow. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yes.

593
00:51:15,560 --> 00:51:22,500
Let better. Yes. And Miller. Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you for following up on

594
00:51:22,500 --> 00:51:27,700
me out and keeping us abreast of what the situation is and if I have to call this

595
00:51:27,700 --> 00:51:33,040
special meeting I will. I will work with Mr. McGinnis. We'll contact the representatives

596
00:51:33,040 --> 00:51:39,720
take back the trash with this proposed language change and I asked them to respond as quickly as

597
00:51:39,720 --> 00:51:47,580
possible. All right. Thank you so much. All right. Any council committee reports?

598
00:51:48,000 --> 00:51:49,980
Oh, we need to call our two other members back.

599
00:52:15,460 --> 00:52:18,300
All right. We are at item app, which is council committee

600
00:52:18,300 --> 00:52:22,520
reports. Has anyone on the council attended a subcommittee, which they would like to share with the

601
00:52:22,520 --> 00:52:23,280
just a console.

602
00:52:27,300 --> 00:52:28,980
Nobody's been out in this miserable weather.

603
00:52:30,000 --> 00:52:41,420
We will just move on. There's no new businesses this evening, and we have statement of city council and the city manager I'd like to start to my left this evening with council member on stud.

604
00:52:42,740 --> 00:52:56,600
Thank you, Madam Mayor. I have two items. The first one is in the consent agenda. There was a moratorium to place data centers and battery energy system storage on hold until December 31.

605
00:52:57,260 --> 00:53:01,860
I don't know if you've read it, but I can provide it to you, it's really a huge thing.

606
00:53:04,000 --> 00:53:07,920
Once approved of the Motor Touring of the Effect until December 31st, 2026,

607
00:53:08,300 --> 00:53:12,740
or until any amended or new city ordinance addressing this issue are effective,

608
00:53:13,840 --> 00:53:18,000
it is greatly appreciated that the city and the city council acknowledge that data centers

609
00:53:18,000 --> 00:53:23,700
and battery energy storage has its systems may result on negative impacts on land uses

610
00:53:23,700 --> 00:53:26,280
and harm and health of the public safety.

611
00:53:27,180 --> 00:53:28,300
And Portage right as evidence.

612
00:53:28,640 --> 00:53:31,360
Thank you to all the City Council's city manager, Pat,

613
00:53:31,700 --> 00:53:33,400
Chief Development Officer, Pierre Dame,

614
00:53:33,420 --> 00:53:35,260
and to all the others and the residents

615
00:53:35,260 --> 00:53:37,440
that help put this moratorium into action.

616
00:53:38,560 --> 00:53:39,480
Thank you.

617
00:53:40,120 --> 00:53:43,100
Number two is looking forward to America,

618
00:53:43,620 --> 00:53:44,360
250's birthday.

619
00:53:45,260 --> 00:53:47,860
We're moving forward and besides a strong

620
00:53:47,860 --> 00:53:52,760
group of veterans, the Portage Historical District Commission

621
00:53:52,760 --> 00:53:54,720
is also partnering with this event.

622
00:53:55,000 --> 00:53:59,500
They will bring in ideas and events, rich in portage history, and they also have plans to continue

623
00:53:59,500 --> 00:54:00,780
on for the entire year.

624
00:54:01,360 --> 00:54:03,980
In fact, there is one opening left on this commission.

625
00:54:04,500 --> 00:54:08,880
If you weren't architect or interested in portage history, please feel free to contact me

626
00:54:08,880 --> 00:54:13,740
at kaffling.omstead at portagemissigan.gov and I will forge your information on.

627
00:54:13,820 --> 00:54:14,760
Thank you.

628
00:54:16,080 --> 00:54:16,520
Thank you.

629
00:54:16,660 --> 00:54:16,980
Consumable.

630
00:54:17,180 --> 00:54:17,560
I'd better.

631
00:54:17,560 --> 00:54:26,700
as well. Thank you. First of all, just receiving a lot of acclays about the snow removal

632
00:54:27,480 --> 00:54:33,180
keeping abreast of that. There's missing clanks too, but side streets are always secondary.

633
00:54:33,500 --> 00:54:39,800
But the main roads have been done, been done, and doing a great job, especially with snow

634
00:54:39,800 --> 00:54:44,900
in the fall. So, you know what you got to, you know what you got to look forward to, bro.

635
00:54:47,140 --> 00:54:53,560
Speaking of that, please, this is a pet peeve in mind. I think a lot of people shared

636
00:54:53,560 --> 00:55:00,060
as with me. If I'm traveling south-western, I'm going to post a speed limit, of course.

637
00:55:02,490 --> 00:55:02,930
And

638
00:55:02,930 --> 00:55:09,290
you come up with a size street and you try to take off and your tires are spinning and you're

639
00:55:09,290 --> 00:55:15,310
looking at me as you're spinning, trying to cut me off, take an extra moment and look

640
00:55:15,310 --> 00:55:21,490
behind me because nine times out of eleven, there's nobody behind me, wait till we

641
00:55:21,490 --> 00:55:26,110
pass to do that, be safe, especially if you're trying to, traction is not the same, I've

642
00:55:26,970 --> 00:55:34,970
got a 4x4, sometimes I just need to wait the extra 5 seconds, let somebody pass before

643
00:55:34,970 --> 00:55:37,770
you do that. Thank you.

644
00:55:40,140 --> 00:55:44,580
I'm to the person who talked about the calm and clapping. I just

645
00:55:44,580 --> 00:55:51,640
like to make a few statements about that. We celebrated Betty Angley's 100th birthday. That's

646
00:55:51,640 --> 00:55:59,200
a milestone. What Terry Urban did, that's a milestone. And so it's appropriate to clapping

647
00:55:59,200 --> 00:56:05,080
a plot and recognize that. What she was talking about this for is the meetings. These meetings

648
00:56:05,080 --> 00:56:10,140
have been very contentious, and the lack of the column is what we're talking about.

649
00:56:10,380 --> 00:56:16,160
The people would allow people to express their point of view whether you agree with it or not

650
00:56:16,160 --> 00:56:21,040
and not try to antagonize by clapping and saying, that's right and have to be reminded over and

651
00:56:21,040 --> 00:56:26,600
over again to refrain from that, then it would be no issue. But I just wanted to point out

652
00:56:26,600 --> 00:56:29,140
those two differences. And lastly,

653
00:56:32,180 --> 00:56:33,360
we heard from our finance,

654
00:56:33,360 --> 00:56:41,360
person how we are doing well with the taxpayers money, but now because of what we just went

655
00:56:41,360 --> 00:56:44,260
through with this ordinance, with best way,

656
00:56:47,220 --> 00:56:51,260
who I'm disappointed in with this process, not

657
00:56:51,260 --> 00:57:00,590
the taxpayers have to pay $55,000 for a special election that we shouldn't be going through.

658
00:57:00,590 --> 00:57:07,850
And then on top of that reading this amendment, not only at this pass, you get to choose your trash,

659
00:57:08,190 --> 00:57:11,190
but also you get to choose who's going to pick it and believe, who's going to pick about

660
00:57:11,190 --> 00:57:13,850
as other stuff that you're losing over trash.

661
00:57:14,230 --> 00:57:16,590
So people need to understand what's at stake.

662
00:57:17,430 --> 00:57:20,270
You may win by choosing your trash provider.

663
00:57:20,930 --> 00:57:25,210
But look at everything else that you're going to lose in the interim as well.

664
00:57:25,550 --> 00:57:28,070
So people need to be aware and what's going on.

665
00:57:28,070 --> 00:57:31,070
And again, the taxpayers are faced with $55,000.

666
00:57:31,830 --> 00:57:33,250
I'm very disappointed with that.

667
00:57:33,670 --> 00:57:34,590
Thank you.

668
00:57:36,130 --> 00:57:36,990
Councilmember Miller.

669
00:57:37,950 --> 00:57:38,870
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

670
00:57:40,750 --> 00:57:41,630
A couple things.

671
00:57:42,350 --> 00:57:46,450
I'm looking forward to attending Southwest Michigan First Economic State of Economic Development

672
00:57:46,450 --> 00:57:52,850
next week on the fifth of February with a few others from the city.

673
00:57:52,930 --> 00:57:54,070
And I believe Councilmember Young.

674
00:57:54,470 --> 00:57:57,490
It's always been a great event to learn about the big

675
00:57:57,490 --> 00:58:01,490
projects that are going on in the area and how portage factors into those.

676
00:58:02,550 --> 00:58:05,070
So I look forward to being able to talk about that at our next meeting.

677
00:58:05,810 --> 00:58:11,950
And then I did want to highlight that you might as coming back to the Kalamazoo reports.

678
00:58:12,550 --> 00:58:15,670
You know, it's been gone for about four years now, three years.

679
00:58:17,410 --> 00:58:19,750
And they are returning strong.

680
00:58:19,950 --> 00:58:22,090
They are going to return with four flights a day to Chicago.

681
00:58:22,090 --> 00:58:26,450
So, well, yes, that looks nice and everything.

682
00:58:27,210 --> 00:58:33,590
The airport director Craig Williams did share with us that this will greatly impact those

683
00:58:33,590 --> 00:58:39,730
businesses that are surrounding portage and your portage and have employees that live

684
00:58:39,730 --> 00:58:40,350
in portage.

685
00:58:40,750 --> 00:58:52,070
So currently, Denzo has three one-stop options, and now with United being added in to get

686
00:58:52,070 --> 00:58:58,150
This has no non-stop options or no one-stop options to their facility in Nebraska and so

687
00:58:58,150 --> 00:59:00,970
with you ready to come in and they're not going to have four options to get back

688
00:59:00,970 --> 00:59:02,150
and forth to Nebraska.

689
00:59:02,910 --> 00:59:08,910
Landscape forums has no one-stop options to their facility in Duluth and now with United

690
00:59:08,910 --> 00:59:16,630
that's going to give them three options and the United Flights add 12 additional international

691
00:59:16,630 --> 00:59:21,890
destinations for other businesses in business travel with one-stop options in Chicago

692
00:59:21,890 --> 00:59:29,350
that are going to now expand to Ottawa, Edmonton, Brussels, São Paulo, Zurich, Milan, Edinburgh,

693
00:59:30,730 --> 00:59:38,050
Tel Aviv, Belize City, and St. Lucia. So these are big options for our businesses during the

694
00:59:38,050 --> 00:59:44,290
area as well as those that travel for leisure. It was pointed out that any big 10 lovers now adds

695
00:59:44,290 --> 00:59:48,390
One stop service to get to Penn State Oregon and Purdue.

696
00:59:49,730 --> 00:59:59,970
Thank you and it was a great event this morning with members from the community there to listen and hear the announcement about United coming back to the area.

697
01:00:00,050 --> 01:00:05,150
Just plays a lot of confidence in the area, and we're really going to help with our economic development in the area.

698
01:00:08,250 --> 01:00:13,210
That's it. Wonderful news. Come to my big yellowing.

699
01:00:13,750 --> 01:00:14,650
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

700
01:00:16,800 --> 01:00:24,260
We have some fun activities that are coming up. You've got ice skating, once the temperatures go back to normal.

701
01:00:24,840 --> 01:00:33,100
So do take advantage of that. Last year we didn't get to do it as much because the ice rink wasn't quite as frozen,

702
01:00:33,100 --> 01:00:38,200
But luckily it is, so take advantage of the opportunity to go out with your family and enjoy.

703
01:00:39,140 --> 01:00:44,260
In regards to that, please be sure to shovel your sidewalks.

704
01:00:44,420 --> 01:00:47,920
It's a little difficult for those who do like to run outside.

705
01:00:47,920 --> 01:00:49,280
I'm not one of them.

706
01:00:49,680 --> 01:00:55,540
So we do have some who like to brave the elements and run and oftentimes they run on the street.

707
01:00:55,900 --> 01:00:58,300
So please be sure to shovel your sidewalks.

708
01:00:59,160 --> 01:01:02,060
Also because we have kiddos who need to stand outside for the bus.

709
01:01:02,500 --> 01:01:06,660
When those temperatures get back to normal and they don't have snow days, so please be sure

710
01:01:06,660 --> 01:01:07,620
to take care of that.

711
01:01:08,020 --> 01:01:09,060
Also, I think of your neighbor.

712
01:01:09,200 --> 01:01:13,120
If you have a snowblower and you are taking care of your driveway and you see that your

713
01:01:13,120 --> 01:01:18,100
neighbor is out there with the shovel, think of if you can help your neighbors out, we really

714
01:01:18,100 --> 01:01:19,300
need to think of one another.

715
01:01:20,120 --> 01:01:24,960
This country is not in the best place right now as it should be, and we really need to take

716
01:01:24,960 --> 01:01:30,340
a little more compassion and care to think of one another and take a moment and stop and breathe

717
01:01:30,340 --> 01:01:34,660
and ask someone else how they're doing, you really need to.

718
01:01:35,040 --> 01:01:37,620
It's really imperative that we do that.

719
01:01:37,960 --> 01:01:40,920
Turn off the news, turn off yourself on alerts.

720
01:01:42,780 --> 01:01:44,880
It's a tough time for a lot of people.

721
01:01:45,300 --> 01:01:48,980
And you need to take an opportunity to have empathy for another person.

722
01:01:49,520 --> 01:01:50,880
And you need to ask them how you're doing.

723
01:01:51,880 --> 01:01:53,380
It's tough for a lot of people.

724
01:01:53,540 --> 01:01:56,960
It's not that easy for some who may be shut in right now.

725
01:01:56,960 --> 01:02:06,480
Some people were expecting to go to work, and they've been home on snow days, and not everybody gets paid when they don't go into work and their job is closed.

726
01:02:07,080 --> 01:02:15,640
And so you need to take the opportunity to think about your neighbor and ask them how they're doing, and just see if they're okay because that's a part of being in our community.

727
01:02:16,660 --> 01:02:22,120
And celebrate the wins, celebrate the big ones, celebrate the small ones, and see how you can help.

728
01:02:22,560 --> 01:02:28,320
We did a great job last year donating too many of our food banks, but some of our food banks are still

729
01:02:28,320 --> 01:02:29,080
needing some help.

730
01:02:29,680 --> 01:02:33,760
So, see if there are maybe some snacks that you just didn't eat, maybe over the holidays,

731
01:02:33,880 --> 01:02:38,560
you thought that that would be a great idea, but you just decided you weren't going to use that anymore.

732
01:02:39,060 --> 01:02:43,160
See what you can do to donate if you have a little bit of free time going volunteer because it's

733
01:02:43,160 --> 01:02:45,220
really important to give back to our communities.

734
01:02:46,560 --> 01:02:52,260
February 6th, doors will open at 530 p.m. for our Black History Month program, and it's

735
01:02:52,260 --> 01:02:56,600
going to be a wonderful opportunity coming out to the air zoo. We actually moved our

736
01:02:56,600 --> 01:03:00,920
Black History Month program. We had it in the senior center last year and spaces filled

737
01:03:00,920 --> 01:03:05,100
up. So we moved it back to the air zoo. So there will be plenty of parking, plenty of space.

738
01:03:05,260 --> 01:03:09,800
We really want you to come out next Friday. It's going to be a wonderful event.

739
01:03:14,720 --> 01:03:15,200
And

740
01:03:15,200 --> 01:03:20,760
time. We are going to be having our portage business community town hall and that's very exciting.

741
01:03:20,980 --> 01:03:26,200
That's going to be February 10th from 830 to 10 a.m. And this will be your first opportunity

742
01:03:26,200 --> 01:03:33,460
to tour the new ZAP Zone XL, which will be in the new location that was formerly Sears. So this

743
01:03:33,460 --> 01:03:37,600
will be the first time that you'll be able to walk around and tour that location. See what

744
01:03:37,600 --> 01:03:42,480
it's all about. I know Council Member Miller and I will be there as well as City Manager McGinnons.

745
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:47,420
And so take time to come out and see what we have going on in our small business community.

746
01:03:48,040 --> 01:03:52,940
Also want to highlight that we do have warming shelters here in the city of Portage.

747
01:03:53,320 --> 01:03:59,000
The Portage Senior Center is open if you haven't already gotten your membership in your senior in our community.

748
01:03:59,560 --> 01:04:00,780
Now we'll be a great opportunity.

749
01:04:01,380 --> 01:04:04,940
You can also go over to the Portage District Library if you need to.

750
01:04:05,300 --> 01:04:11,880
And then you can go to the County County Government webpage and they have a listing of different locations you can go to.

751
01:04:11,880 --> 01:04:18,060
for warming shelters and there is also free transportation if you should need that as well.

752
01:04:18,560 --> 01:04:22,740
So if you know of someone in our community who might need a place to warm up, please take

753
01:04:22,740 --> 01:04:23,900
advantage of that.

754
01:04:24,120 --> 01:04:28,280
Thank you again to all of those who came out and brave the elements for the meeting this evening.

755
01:04:28,440 --> 01:04:33,640
We appreciate you and to everyone who is watching online and it's wonderful again to see all

756
01:04:33,640 --> 01:04:35,980
my fellow council members who brave those elements.

757
01:04:37,160 --> 01:04:38,460
Council Member Burns.

758
01:04:39,180 --> 01:04:39,380
Thank you.

759
01:04:39,540 --> 01:04:39,560
Yeah.

760
01:04:39,680 --> 01:04:45,160
In addition to celebrating new director Roland, I also wanted to say thanks and congratulations

761
01:04:45,160 --> 01:04:50,520
to outgoing director Russell, the Department of Public Works, who is retiring after 16 years

762
01:04:50,520 --> 01:04:52,380
of service to the city of Portage.

763
01:04:53,180 --> 01:04:57,180
The Department of Public Works is very comprehensive and important department for the city.

764
01:04:57,400 --> 01:05:03,080
They do a lot of things and in my time working with director Russell, I've been really impressed

765
01:05:03,080 --> 01:05:08,080
by his dedication in the city and his creativity, in particular saving and taxpayer dollars

766
01:05:08,080 --> 01:05:09,360
on particular projects.

767
01:05:10,180 --> 01:05:14,980
When I was growing up in Portage, at celery flats, we had a sort of old rundown building

768
01:05:14,980 --> 01:05:19,640
there where today we have a beautiful pavilion, well, and public may not know, but when we

769
01:05:19,640 --> 01:05:23,940
went out for bid for that pavilion, my understanding is the bids came back in higher than

770
01:05:23,940 --> 01:05:27,960
we were expected, and director Russell said, we can give a little creative in our department

771
01:05:27,960 --> 01:05:32,460
and take care of some of that work in house and save the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars

772
01:05:32,460 --> 01:05:37,100
on that one project alone, so I know we have good things to look forward to in a similar

773
01:05:37,100 --> 01:05:40,700
vein from New Director Roland, and it's a real testament, I think, to the whole organization

774
01:05:41,440 --> 01:05:47,220
that twice in recent months we've had an internal promotion from a long-tenured staff member

775
01:05:47,220 --> 01:05:53,200
taking over as at the director level, really impressive, and I'm just very grateful to all

776
01:05:53,200 --> 01:05:56,200
the staff, but also to our new director's hard work for the city.

777
01:05:57,060 --> 01:05:57,520
All right.

778
01:05:58,280 --> 01:05:59,980
City Manager Mr. McKinnis.

779
01:06:01,420 --> 01:06:09,220
Thank you, Honour. I did want to echo what Councilman Burns just said about Rod Russell.

780
01:06:10,280 --> 01:06:18,420
We are having a farewell on the 6th of February. It'll be a week from this Friday. Yes,

781
01:06:18,460 --> 01:06:23,800
one week from this Friday. So that I'm about 10 days. And I believe that's going to be 11.30

782
01:06:23,800 --> 01:06:28,800
to 12.30 at the Public Works Garage. So those that have worked with Rod over the years

783
01:06:28,800 --> 01:06:32,300
if they'd like to stop by and give them their given the best wishes, that's their last

784
01:06:32,300 --> 01:06:32,580
chance.

785
01:06:32,640 --> 01:06:39,680
I didn't want to do anything like a typical DBW guy, very humble, but certainly did give

786
01:06:39,680 --> 01:06:44,360
him to the pressure and agreed to let us get him some cake and see if they're well

787
01:06:44,360 --> 01:06:44,740
properly.

788
01:06:46,920 --> 01:06:49,780
This Saturday, February 5th, is that the Saturday?

789
01:06:51,180 --> 01:06:52,140
February 1st.

790
01:06:52,140 --> 01:06:52,720
February 1st.

791
01:06:53,100 --> 01:06:53,360
Sunday.

792
01:06:53,680 --> 01:06:58,580
That's when our closing market is, at the Parks and Rec building, if you want to come

793
01:06:58,580 --> 01:07:07,400
kind of a craft fair of all cozy things at our Parks and Rec Department, 11 to 3 this Sunday.

794
01:07:07,680 --> 01:07:11,260
That's kind of a new thing I think, and I think it's a wonderful idea, because it's

795
01:07:11,260 --> 01:07:12,340
a chance to get together.

796
01:07:13,800 --> 01:07:18,200
And finally, I did just want to comment that if you do see people out on-house people

797
01:07:18,200 --> 01:07:22,380
in portage during these terribly terribly cold nights,

798
01:07:23,560 --> 01:07:29,800
Kells, who County has appropriated some funds to find ways to get these people into local hotels.

799
01:07:30,000 --> 01:07:40,100
So if you see that and you want to dial 911 and let our public safety know about it, those officers know what the resources are and how to connect with them.

800
01:07:40,180 --> 01:07:45,100
It's a terrible thing to think that there are people out in these elements when it gets this bad.

801
01:07:45,300 --> 01:07:57,080
So I just wanted to share that tonight and assure our population that we do look out for those people that don't have a place to go and we find them somewhere warm whenever we can.

802
01:07:57,080 --> 01:07:58,480
So that's all I have to know you're on.

803
01:07:58,840 --> 01:07:59,600
All right.

804
01:07:59,800 --> 01:08:03,660
Thank you all for showing up at such a blastery day.

805
01:08:04,700 --> 01:08:09,400
Couldows to our staff who we don't close city hall.

806
01:08:09,680 --> 01:08:12,660
If we can get here, people will be here to serve the public.

807
01:08:14,380 --> 01:08:16,240
And I check with Mr. McGinnis periodically.

808
01:08:16,620 --> 01:08:18,280
When I see that all the schools are closing,

809
01:08:18,480 --> 01:08:20,860
and we have many parents that are employees.

810
01:08:21,760 --> 01:08:24,260
And when I come in, there's always people here.

811
01:08:24,260 --> 01:08:30,120
So thank you to Department of Public Works for keeping the roads open, congratulations, Mr.

812
01:08:30,260 --> 01:08:34,940
Rowan, congratulations to the outgoing Rad Russell.

813
01:08:35,140 --> 01:08:40,160
I will try to be there on February 6th again, as Council Member Young said, that's a big

814
01:08:40,160 --> 01:08:44,140
day for our Black History Month celebration here in Portage.

815
01:08:45,140 --> 01:08:48,160
So I think perhaps going to be going to that as well.

816
01:08:49,320 --> 01:08:54,180
We did not answer the call that we did not really address the question.

817
01:08:54,180 --> 01:09:00,300
about what the contract being effective waste management, regardless of the ballot, if the ballot passed,

818
01:09:00,540 --> 01:09:03,860
what the contract be for waste management, be in effect.

819
01:09:05,300 --> 01:09:12,600
There are a lot of things that we are unsure of at this time, and we have outside council that is guiding us through this

820
01:09:12,600 --> 01:09:14,080
at the taxpayer's expense.

821
01:09:14,740 --> 01:09:19,920
And as council member Ledbetter said, this election is costing us $55,000.

822
01:09:20,920 --> 01:09:27,840
We will get you the answers as we go forward and as we've learned what our guidance is telling us.

823
01:09:28,100 --> 01:09:33,920
The council is trying to stay abreast on this issue because many people are asking about it.

824
01:09:35,440 --> 01:09:40,120
So stay tuned and we will try to give the public updates as we know them.

825
01:09:40,520 --> 01:09:46,540
Thank you for all the people that are plowing for police officers that are working 24-7 to keep us safe.

826
01:09:46,540 --> 01:09:52,380
And I hope the schools get back in session so with that the meeting is adjourned.