MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OF THE COMMON COUNCIL

VALPARAISO, INDIANA

November 8, 2025

The Common Council of the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, met on Monday November 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall. Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Present were Councilmembers Reed, Cotton, Schmidt, Pupillo, Anderson, Costas and Douglas.

PRESENTATIONS

Police Department

Chief Jeff Balon presented Honorable Mention Awards to Officers William Alex Smith, Alex Sprowl and Ben Teufel.

Officer Smith investigated a car parked in Applebee Restaurant. A search of the car resulted in finding 141 grams of crystal meth and a handgun.

Officer Sprowl stopped a vehicle that was illegally in possession of a firearm. A search of the car found 82 zanax pills, 62 grams of cocaine, 106 grams of molly, another pistol with no permit, and ledgers listing details of sales of the illegal drugs.

Officer Teufel was observing a home because a protective order had been issued stating a former husband was not to be at the residence. The subject arrived at the home and shattered the window of a vehicle. Officer Teufel stopped the subject which resulted in an arrest.

City Utilities

Mayor Murphy stated last year the City Utilities and Public Works were combined to make a City Services Team. This has made them more efficient and customer friendly. The Utility has been recognized with a Peak Performance Award for continued Operational Excellence by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. The Utility was also awarded distinctions for Laboratory Excellence for the 15^th time. A Safety Award for the 12^th time. A Ground Water Guardian Award for the 15^th time.

Steve Poulos stated the awards are nice, but it is the team that makes a difference. He introduced the team leaders.

MINUTES

Councilmember Douglas moved to approve minutes of the October 25, 2021 meeting. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion to approve passed with a 7-0 vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 15, 2021

RESOLUTION OF THE VALPARAISO COMMON COUNCIL APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE DECLARATORY RESOLTUIONS FOR THE VALPARAISO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA

Councilmember Douglas moved that Resolution No. 15, 2021 be read and considered for passage. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Resolution No. 15, 2021.

Brandon Dickinson addressed the Board. This has been reviewed and unanimously approved by the Economic Development Commission. The Plan Commission has reviewed and unanimously approved this document. The RDC will vote on this at their next meeting. This pruning of the list of property on TIF Districts is an administrative clean up. They are reviewing to make sure the County and City match on their lists of property in TIF Districts. Property that has become detrimental will be removed and then re-instated on the list at the current base amount. There are a few that will not be added back in.

Councilmember Cotton discussed the list of properties that are being removed and added back in to eliminate the negative basis. Councilmember Cotton asked if this resets the clock for a TIF District. Brandon replied it does not reset the length of time for a TIF District. This does not affect the school districts.

Councilmember Schmidt asked how often this process is done. Brandon Dickinson replied going forward they expect to do it yearly.

Councilmember Douglas moved to adopt Resolution No. 15, 2021. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

ORDINANCE NO. 30, 2021

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA, TO ISSUE ONE OR MORE SERIES OF ITS CITY OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA MULTIFAMIY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2021 (UPTOWN EAST APARTMENTS) AND ITS NOTE (WITH SUCH FURTHER SERIES OR OTHER DESIGNATION AS DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY, DESIRABLE OR APPROPRIATE), IN A MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($17,000,000) AND APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING OTHER ACTIONS IN RESPECT THERETO

Councilmember Douglas moved that Ordinance No. 30, 2021 be read a second time by title and a third time in full and be considered for adoption and the opportunity be given for the offering of amendments. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Ordinance No. 30, 2021.

Attorney Patrick Lyp addressed the Council. At the last Council meeting a presentation was given explaining this project. Most of the documents are complete for this project. Should this Ordinance be passed tonight, the motion should include language giving the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer the authority to execute all documents. It has been agreed to reimburse the City for out of-pocket legal expenses. It is Attorney Lyp’s recommendation to move forward with this project.

Councilmember Douglas thanked the City for their hard work.

Councilmember Cotton thanked Attorney Crawford. He suggested the matter be continued to give all involved a chance to review the documents prior to a vote. He feels it is their responsibility to make sure that what they attest to they have actually done.

Councilmember Douglas moved to approve Ordinance No. 30, 2021 and to give the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer the authority to execute all documents subject to acceptable language within the bond documents consistent with the Agreement for Written Commitments dated January 20, 2021 and at bond closing, reimburse the City’s legal fees related to legal assistance provided by Frost, Brown Todd during these negotiations. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed with a 6-1 vote. Councilmember Cotton voted No.

REPORTS

Clerk-Treasurer Taylor presented the 2022 City Council meeting schedule.

Councilmember Douglas reported the RDC will meet Thursday at 4:00 pm in City Hall.

Councilmember Pupillo is the Council’s school liaison. The Board and Administration are working to resolve the mask issue. This should be a “by school” decision not as the whole district. He feels the VCS should hold meetings at a normal time and not limit public comment. He is optimistic things will continue to get better by working together.

Councilmember Schmidt stated there should be communication between the School Board and parents. The Board should go back to holding their meeting in the evening.

Mayor Murphy advised he has offered the City Council Chambers as an option for holding the School Board meetings.

Councilmember Anderson stated the City meets all of Dr. Stampe’s requirements to go to mask optional except the “blue status”. He is in favor of polling students, parents and teachers regarding the effects of long-term mask wearing.

Councilmember Cotton stated the schools have large meeting places. He finds it ironic that about a month ago he offered a resolution stating the council supports the school board. Now it is uncomfortable that the City is meddling in School Board business.

Councilmember Schmidt stated there should be communication between the school and citizens. The parents should be able to speak. They get more upset if they are not allowed to speak.

Councilmember Reed stated the original intent of masking was to keep the students in school.

Councilmember Costas stated he supports mask choice. He feels it is silly that masks are required in school but not at sporting events.

Councilmember Pupillo stated he is frustrated with no clear metric for light at the end of the tunnel.

Councilmember Douglas stated he appreciates what the liaisons are doing. The School Board is doing the best they can. He hopes the numbers go to where we can move past this. He would like to see the school board meetings moved back for citizens and parents.

Public Comment

None.

The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.

/s/ Holly Taylor, Clerk-Treasurer