MINUTES OF THE MEETING^1.

OF THE COMMON COUNCIL VALPARAISO, INDIANA

July 11, 2022

The Common Council of the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, met on Monday July 11, 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, Anderson, and Peterson. Councilmember Costas was absent.

PRESENTATION

Mayor Murphy introduced Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts that were in attendance. He read a Proclamation thanking the Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts for their contributions to the community. Councilmember Pupillo thanked the Scouts. Two years in a row they have done a garbage “clean up US 30” project. That was a huge undertaking and could not have been done without them.

MINUTES

Councilmember Peterson moved to adopt minutes of the June 13, 2022 meeting. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

ORDINANCENO.16, 2022

AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE STPAUL PROJECT EID FUND AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF NOTICE

Councilmember Schmidt moved that Ordinance No. 16, 2022 be read a first time and considered on first reading. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Ordinance No. 16, 2022.

Attorney Patrick Lyp addressed the Council. He explained the formation of the EID. When the project started there were significant public improvements from demolition to road improvement, to sidewalks, storm water, environmental and things of that nature. Instead of the City paying for these improvements, the residents are paying that through the EID fee. He has had meetings with residents of the St Paul Project and believes all their questions have been answered. The EID is for 10 years. The Public Hearing on this matter will be at the July 25, 2022 meeting.

Councilmember Cotton asked when the clock starts on the 10 years. Attorney Lyp explained as each building becomes fully assessed – which is when it is completed and ready for occupancy – is when the 10 years starts running, whether it is sold or not. If not sold, the developer is responsible for the EID payments.

Councilmember Schmidt moved to carry Ordinance No. 16, 2022 to the July 25, 2022 meeting. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

ORDINANCENO.17, 2022

AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF NOTICE

Councilmember Schmidt moved that Ordinance No. 17, 2022 be read a first time and considered on first reading. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Clerk-Treasurer Taylor read Ordinance No. 17, 2022.

Councilmember Anderson addressed the Council regarding the Premium Pay received by City employees. There were eight employees that met all the requirements to receive the Premium Pay but have retired. He would like to amend the Ordinance to include Premium Pay for the eight employees.

Attorney Lyp advised at the July 25, 2022 meeting he will be presenting amendments to Ordinance No. 17, 2022. He will include this amendment with the others.

Councilmember Cotton suggested the eight receiving this pay were first responders. Mayor Murphy gave the breakdown of the eight employees: 2 from VCU, 2 from Police Department, 2 from Fire Department, 1 from Public Works and 1 from City Hall. These are employees that met the requirements but have retired. There have been other employees who worked during the pandemic but either did not meet the requirements or left rather than retired.

Clerk Treasurer Taylor explained Ordinance No. 17, 2022 appropriates the money received, less the $750,000 that was already appropriated for Premium Pay. The City has received a supplemental payment of $14,483.93. There were some cities in the State that did not want to take their ARPA money. That money was divided among the cities that did accept the funds. The Public Hearing on this Ordinance is on July 25, 2022.

Councilmember Schmidt moved to carry Ordinance No. 17, 2022 to the July 25, 2022 meeting. Councilmember Reed seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

ARPA AGREEMENTS

Attorney Lyp addressed the Council. There are seven nonprofit organizations that have been awarded a grant from the City out of the ARPA funds. They each will execute a Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant Agreement with the City. The City’s consultant, KSM, has reviewed the Agreement. Attorney Lyp requested that the Council authorize the Council President to sign the Agreements once they have been signed by the entity receiving the money.

Councilmember Cotton moved to approve the Council President signing the Agreements for appropriations to nonprofit organizations. Councilmember Pupillo seconded the motion. Upon voice vote the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

All the grants are based on being reimbursable upon receiving a receipt.

Council Liaison Reports

Councilmember Cotton advised the Council as Code Enforcement liaison he wanted to thank the Department. He has taken a walk with Mike Jabo. Certain MS4 requirements continue to upset residents. Erosion continues to happen under the inlet. He is sure since it is an MS4 requirement it will be taken care of.

Public Comment

No one wished to address the Council. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

/s/ Holly Taylor, Clerk-Treasurer