MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OF THE COMMON COUNCIL VALPARAISO, INDIANA

October 24, 2022

The Common Council of the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, met on Monday October 24, 2022 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, Peterson, and Costas. Councilmember Anderson was absent.

MINUTES

Councilmember Schmidt moved to adopt minutes of the October 10, 2022 meeting. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

ORDINANCENO.23,2022

CITYOFVALPARAISO2023SALARYORDINANCE

Councilmember Schmidt moved that Ordinance No. 23, 2022 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 the Ordinance.

Mike Jessen addressed the Council. He gave a recap of his presentation at the last meeting. The philosophy this year was to get everyone halfway to the midpoint of the new recommendation with a maximum of a 4% salary increase. For those already at the midpoint or beyond, they will receive a $1,000 salary increase. There are 18 employees that will receive the $1,000 increase.

Councilmember Cotton discussed the Human Relations salary and Community Relations Director. Throughout the State the Community Relations position is lower. Human Resources is a vital resource of the City. Mike Jessen replied what is holding up a larger increase for Human Resources is the 4% raise.

MOTION: Councilmember Schmidt moved to adopt Ordinance No. 23, 2022. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion and so approved with a 6-0 vote.

ORDINANCENO.25,2022

ANORDINANCEOFTHECOMMONCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFVALPARAISO,INDIANA,FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS

Councilmember Schmidt moved that Ordinance No. 25, 2022 be read a first time and considered on first reading. Councilmember Pupillo seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Ordinance No. 25, 2022.

Attorney Patrick Lyp reported six plans were submitted by five individuals. There was also the coordinators’ plan.

Brian Bosma addressed the Council. The original map had a deviation of 19.58%. The coordinators’ plan has a 5.28% deviation with no precinct splits. The coordinators’ plan was the lowest deviation, except for one which had 10 splits in it. The coordinators’ plan is attached to the minutes.

Public Comment

Mayor Murphy called on the citizens who submitted plans. Each were given a chance to address the Council and explain their Plan. The citizens are: Barbara Domer, Donna Resetar, Emilie Hunt -Withdrawn, Joseph Dauginas, Kathryn Meyer – submitted 2 plans. Their plans are attached to the minutes.

Tom Davis – 56 Chicago Street. He commended Joe Dauginas for all the work he did on his presentation. It was a power point so all could see.

Donna Resetar – She checked her map against voting. All remained competitive except District 4. She hopes all councilmembers are interested in the center of the City.

James Bilder – 3070 Indian Summer Circle – This was interesting input. He commends the Council for the work done. No matter what the decision, someone will not like it.

Kathleen Watts – 2518 Eisenhower. Importance is vital. Three council races will happen between now and the next redistricting.

Council Comments

All thanked the community for their input.

Councilmember Reed – She appreciates all the work that has gone into this project. She thanked the community for their help. It will help reshape the community and help with growth. It is certain at some point in time a councilmember will be added due to the growth of the City. She feels the coordinators’ map is the best option.

Councilmember Pupillo – This is a difficult and important task. All have had a chance to review. He feels the coordinators’ map is the best. It is the most balanced.

Councilmember Costas – There are different perspectives and points in this project. His perspective is to keep it as simple as possible as well as balanced. He supports the coordinators’ plan.

Councilmember Schmidt – Maps take time. They will continue to review and talk as a team.

Councilmember Peterson – The County Commissioners work on creating precincts. The coordinators’ map is simple but keeps the map from looking gerrymandered.

Councilmember Cotton – He is overwhelmed with the work and effort put into this. The process covered all bases, but he thinks there are things that can be done better. Tools should be available for public to do this properly. He appreciates the consultant and the work he has done in the past regarding redistricting. Good points have been made. He is interested in the minority presentation. This all warrants a reasonable amount of time. His recommendation is to table this Ordinance on first reading.

MOTION: Councilmember Schmidt moved to carry Ordinance No. 25, 2022 to the November 14, 2022 meeting. Councilmember Pupillo seconded the motion and so approved with a 6-0 voice vote.

Valpo Sports and Recreation Campus Presentation

Mayor Murphy addressed the Council. It is intended to do this project without the need to raise taxes or use any Rainy Day Funds. With the newly affirmed AA Bond rating, which is based on strong financial oversite and performance by the Clerk-Treasurer and Council, the City is ready to move forward on this project. The feasibility study affirms an economic impact in direct spending of $10 Million and indirect spending of $20 Million Dollars. This is a park created for the City residents so they can play and host close to home.

John Seibert gave a history of the project to date and introduced those that have been involved.

Kevin Nuppnau gave a description of what is to come and what will be included in the park. Design features are: Community Space, Multi-purpose fields, pickleball courts, nature park, and inclusive playgrounds. There are 55 acres of undeveloped land. There is a plan to have Memorial Drive extend from 400 North to 500 North. There are seven athletic fields. This will allow for multi use of the fields. The complex is all turf and all lights. There will be two concession areas.

George Douglas discussed the economic development of this complex. The extension of Memorial Parkway will promote future economic development opportunities. Browning Day has been working on a master plan that will have the sports complex on one side and a commercial development on the other side. The southern portion is undeveloped. There are three places to put potential wells should the City need them. This is more than just a sports and recreation campus. It is unlocking economic development opportunities for the City.

The Grand Opening is anticipated for Summer of 2024.

This is roughly a $30 Million Dollar project. The RDC will be contributing funding. They have done preliminary bonding finance resolution. They are working on a READI grant of $4.7 Million Dollars through the IDEC. There was $4.7 Million Dollars of ARPA funds used. Memorial Drive Extension is a $6 Million Dollar project. General Obligation bonds through the City will be used for this project. Following is a link to the Power Point presentation, http://valpoparks.org/632/Valpo-Sports-Recreation-Campus

Comments from the Council

Councilmember Cotton – He is glad to see they are working with the utility. Primarily this is an economic development endeavor rather than Parks. He does not feel this accommodates the older parks. He would like to know how tax dollars will not be used if they are issuing general obligation bonds. Mayor Murphy explained they are not raising the tax rate or using any of the Rainy Day Funds for the bonds. They are not increasing the debt service limit.

Councilmember Schmidt – This is a long time coming. The City got lucky with such a large parcel. He is proud of the work that has been done.

Councilmember Reed – When her children were growing up the teams were always fighting for field availability. Today’s youth are being blessed with great opportunities.

Councilmember Costas Stated this is an awesome project. It reminds him of the Central Park concept – a gathering place. There will always be a place for the existing parks, but this is next level.

RESOLUTIONNO.18,2022

PRELIMNARY BOND RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALPARAISO,INDIANA,AUTHORIZINGTHEISSUANCEOFGENERALOBLIGATIONBONDS OF THE CITY OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROCURING FUNDS FOR AN EXTENSION OF MEMORIAL PARKWAY, AND RELATED MATTERS

Councilmember Schmidt moved that Resolution No. 18, 2022 be read and considered for passage. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Resolution No. 18, 2022.

George Douglas – This is not for the Sports Complex. It is for the extension of Memorial Drive. This Resolution is not authorizing or committing issuance of any bond at this time. He will be back in November and December with those details. This is a resolution authorizing the project. The Resolution has a Not to Exceed

amount of $5.81Million dollars. A Not to Exceed a term of 20 years. And, a Not to Exceed interest rate of 6%. The initial Resolution allows for reimbursement.

Andy Mouser – What they are looking for tonight is approval of the $6 Million Dollar extension of Memorial Drive. This is part of the larger sports complex project. They are looking at a five-piece financing package that will consist of a City General Obligation Bond, a City General Revenue Bond, Redevelopment TIF Fund issue and cash through the ARP funds and a READI grant. These will be tax neutral because other bonds will be expiring soon.

Councilmember Cotton – Asked about the debt service. Andy Mouser replied the total general obligation debt is right around $5 Million.

MOTION: Councilmember Schmidt moved to adopt Resolution No. 18, 2022. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion to adopt Resolution No. 18, 2022 passed with a 6-0 vote.

Council Liaison

Councilmember Reed – reported on the last school board meeting.

Councilmember Pupillo – The Student Youth Council went to the MAAC Center for public safety learning. Councilmember Costas – The RDC will be discussing possibilities of 16-18 Indiana Avenue.

Councilmember Peterson – The Park Board meets tomorrow night.

Councilmember Cotton – Water will be going out to two developments. There are over 300 new homes.

Public Comment

Walt Breitinger – 608 Academy. Thanks to the City for including a wetland area in the Sports Complex plans. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

/s/ Holly Taylor, Clerk-Treasurer

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