MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
VALPARAISO, INDIANA
December 13, 2021

The Common Council of the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, met on Monday December 13, 2021 at
6:00 p.m. in City Hall. Councilmember Douglas called the meeting to order. The Pledge of
Allegiance was said. Present were Councilmembers Reed, Cotton, Schmidt, Pupillo, Anderson,
Costas and Douglas.

MINUTES

Councilmember Reed moved to approve minutes of the November 8, 2021 meeting.
Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion to approve passed
with a 7-0 vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 16, 2021

A RESOLUTION OF THE VALPARAISO COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VALPARAISO, PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA, ADOPTING A FISCAL PLAN FOR
THE ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE “COSTAS ANNEXATION”
Councilmember Reed moved that Resolution No. 16, 2021 be read and considered for passage.
Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Resolution No. 16,
2021.
Councilmember Costas stated he is recusing himself from Resolution No. 16, 2021 and Ordinance
No. 32, 2021. He has a personal interest. Any questions for him should be directed to Attorney
Todd Leeth or Attorney Patrick Lyp.
Beth Shrader addressed the Board. Tonight the Council will consider Resolution No. 16, 2021
which is the Fiscal Plan for the Costas Annexation and Ordinance No. 32, 2021 which is the
annexation Ordinance.
Attorney Todd Leeth addressed the Council. This is a 27-acre parcel located at the south west
corner of Harrison and Yellowstone. The proposed use is a personal home with no further
subdividing. There is no zoning change, so this has not been heard by the Plan Commission.
Rural zoning is exactly what the UDO requests. Just to the west of this parcel is a parcel which
is owned by the City utilities. This parcel is tax neutral because the City owns it. The Fiscal
Plan shows $5,000 to the good. There are not a lot of services that need to be provided.
Beth Shrader addressed the Council and stated her recommendation is to approve.
Councilmember Cotton pointed out there is 100% contiguity.

1.

Councilmember Reed moved to adopt Resolution No. 16, 2021. Councilmember Schmidt
seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote. Councilmember
Costas abstained.

ORDINANCE NO. 32, 2021

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALPARAISO,
PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA, ANNEXING CERTAIN REAL ESTATE TO THE CITY

OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA

Councilmember Reed moved that Ordinance No. 32, 2021 be read a first time and considered on
first reading. Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read
Ordinance No. 32, 2021.
Councilmember Douglas announced Ordinance No. 32, 2021 requires a Public Hearing and
stated that at tonight’s meeting the Council will hear comments regarding the Annexation of
certain real estate to the City of Valparaiso known as the Costas annexation. Seeing no one
wishing to address the Council and no written comments received, Councilmember Douglas
declared the Public Hearing closed.
Councilmember Reed moved to carry Ordinance No. 32, 2021 to the January 10, 2022 meeting.
Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0
vote. Councilmember Costas abstained.

ORDINANCE NO. 31, 2021

AMENDMENT OF 2022 SALARY ORDINANCE

Councilmember Reed moved that Ordinance No. 31, 2021 be read a first time and considered on
first reading. Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read
Ordinance No. 31, 2021. Upon roll call vote the motion to hear on first reading passed with a 7-0
vote.
Chief Balon addressed the Council. He explained in the Detective Bureau everyone has the same
case load, but they go into the Bureau at different ranks. To compensate for the difference there
is a 4% specialty pay difference. This was left off in the Salary Ordinance. Ordinance No. 31,
2021 is fixing a clerical error. The difference is $1,900.00.
Councilmember Reed moved that Ordinance No. 31, 2021 be considered on first reading.
Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion to adopt on first
reading passed with a 7-0 vote.
Councilmember Reed moved to suspend the rules on Ordinance No. 31, 2021. Councilmember
Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion to suspend the rules passed with a
7-0 vote.

Councilmember Reed moved to adopt Ordinance No. 31, 2021 under suspension of the rules.
Councilmember Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion to adopt under
suspension of the rules passed with 7-0 vote.
REPORTS

Councilmember Cotton discussed the ARP Funds. He would like citizen input or a Council
committee to go over uses of funds. Councilmember Douglas replied the City is working on
plans to begin public and council input. City Administrator Mike Jessen asked that ideas be
brought to him to be included for consideration. Councilmember Cotton stated he would like to
make sure the funds are used properly. It would be nice to have further discussion. He asked if
this has been published for participation information.
Public Comment

Jessica Jepsen – 1259 Sherwood. She discussed the school board appointment process. There is
a form 1957 that is not up to state code. She appreciates the ARP funds earning interest while a
plan is being formulated.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
/s/ Holly Taylor, Clerk-Treasurer