[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5984497,"mediaKeyId","5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3","parentId",5775303,"title","Council approves Major Moves appropriation tied to Tipton Street overpass settlement with Spectrum recycling","audioSeconds",210,"startMs",3214000,"endMs",3424000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3&start=3214&end=3424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3/thumbnail_3214000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984497/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Council-approves-Major-Moves-appropriation-tied-to-Tipton-Street-overpass-settlement-with-Spectrum-recycling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984497-3612b4bd198b51b2e49a26e222791a64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151797&Signature=QKYd135AUy8SvNSoSsl521XC6X07T03S4-fHUdB74lzQYakT8A933jQYOGpBzYnfSuspOcckrhxNUfId23Pn9IDd5tLvjiyF8in~xc2CjQx0J8MrwEi7sr31QWTGQUYVsvr4-eqJWT1hWY6IrSPlxVKgb8Gt~vcRFI8I9hQUYUz7fb9UIdLPgv~j7nzeQL-wsTk7MC0NXZcUoHEzcV4CQJqc~cUM~X43FzdkDeRAlPSsSmRWWBA8XWW8xkECkrKKdCVv7HHITrGbcvq24lV-ZD4nG2X8MGbQZOhLbcZXVtyQZGW7C97SX9lq5Vn56aDQ7BMRsVxiI8ECL~5u~YvLhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of La Porte IN","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The La Porte Common Council on Sept. 15 opened a public hearing and approved a $200,000 additional appropriation from the Major Moves construction fund intended to help pay a settlement connected to the Tipton Street overpass project.

City attorney Nick Otis explained that the appropriation will be used as part of a proposed settlement with Spectrum Recycling resolving complex eminent-domain litigation tied to right-of-way and relocation costs for the overpass. Otis said Spectrum’s parcels were the only ones the city had to pursue through eminent domain for that project and that valuation and relocation complexities made negotiations lengthy. Mayor Thomas P. Dermody said most of the funds for the project are being supplied by the State of Indiana and that resolving the Spectrum dispute will improve public safety by eliminating frequent train-related delays that restrict emergency vehicle and public movement.

The appropriation was advertised in the Herald-Dispatch on Sept. 5 and the council opened and closed the public hearing Sept. 15; no public speakers appeared during the hearing. The council approved the resolution to appropriate $200,000 from Major Moves for the local portion of the project. Otis said the Board of Works would consider the settlement agreement the next day.

The appropriation is intended to cover part of the settlement payment and related project costs; details of the settlement agreement itself were to be considered at the Board of Works meeting that Otis referenced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 09/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The La Porte Common Council on Sept. 15 opened a public hearing and approved a $200,000 additional appropriation from the Major Moves construction fund to help pay a settlement tied to the Tipton Street overpass project.","taxTitle","La Porte City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",70496,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984502,"Residents press for crosswalk painting, speed signs and school speed cushions after reports of high speeds",833,231000,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3&start=231&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/5984502/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Residents-press-for-crosswalk-painting-speed-signs-and-school-speed-cushions-after-reports-of-high-speeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984502-2943fd725ded7963f53ea49bc3c56168/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151797&Signature=cQXYtv0jzy8a6UVUXTU2duy6x5XNs-SZtw8F-Gp9BVHpTrTpVBUeqxLv2bdoVjZ-fDG-b6VLFtuJA8WjsaAEN0St1Q5wJFw8huD87Wk4L-QCRoVdyzSBEpvHXyd5ttZy6gMQL5NMS3mQOuhmwOU1amw6GrjiaIr9Qp3wPbQY-CPB0cKpUqX3AFXf5Gm3GHrGmljbdm13TXI44p9n8Qwgisb--SfVaiZhTHPrqoXQedKq7KqtF03b444o38kmrvxKSP9oaKskyp5UEsBVOviFdPlkhBYLegvZR1MKXnOv4loQgYAKYEUTSl8-2BQnXQnswRXSNLRcQUJC1jlRqIIvVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comments and council discussion at the Sept. 15 La Porte Common Council meeting focused on traffic safety, crosswalk maintenance and speeding on city streets.

Resident Rick Ogle told the council he has observed motorcycles reaching 60–70 mph on Indiana Avenue and asked the city to repaint intersections and crosswalks, and to install speed signage. Mr. Ogle said a digital speed display had been proposed to INDOT at the Hathaway-Indiana intersection but that INDOT had not yet approved it.

Council members and staff said the street department’s ability to repaint crosswalks has been constrained this year by tree-removal work and limited crew capacity; the mayor asked residents to identify specific crosswalks for priority repainting. Jeff Bachelor, director of code, was cited as coordinating speed-sign installation on Crescent Avenue and the street department said it will consider placing a sign on an existing pole.

Council members also reported traffic-calming measures in detour areas and said the traffic commission and school have asked staff to install a “speed cushion” near Riley School to slow vehicles without the aggressiveness of traditional speed bumps. The mayor and staff said the cushion concept is under consideration and that the traffic commission is reviewing the request. Council members further asked a future review of A Street parking after observed student driving incidents, and flagged the Fox and Kingsbury stop-sign detours as having reduced speeds after resident involvement in the traffic-calming design.

No formal traffic ordinance or budget appropriation was adopted Sept. 15; staff agreed to follow up on signage requests, prioritize crosswalk repainting where specified and continue traffic-commission work on school-area calming.","Residents asked council to repaint crosswalks and address speeding on Indiana Avenue; staff said tree removals reduced capacity and that INDOT has been asked about a digital speed sign; council discussed speed cushions near Riley School and asked staff to review A Street parking and Crescent Avenue speed signage.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984507,"Residents press council on police staffing; mayor, council cite grants and staffing options",328,434000,762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3&start=434&end=762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/5984507/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Residents-press-council-on-police-staffing-mayor-council-cite-grants-and-staffing-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984507-bada98a791d8db98a77e5f882c9f191d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151797&Signature=FofXV4uG7Z0OpirET8DiujSGcIjrbA2SLj5pN00WS~X-NMe27~-~txLp9iwIhJskpTt2IAI5HAj4UUtbM8ZLfWe1Yb7IZMWFXPT2zYqbKHBnXjBZ4vSgWI-5uWk6nbexl8Sg47~LwLrjmWf26uH2qMkVXCDGUwPUV-NsC4cXAvf-29GJijyRHLPDTPQ2y6EMzokfzDWYPKVnUUZDWx7vlUYl3PrVt7kgSi5FSZ8UPrSwfZCOMneJ~u5g9ANaiKgufRlfWrgPu528CGan5Cctse3tzjNC9bFdwz5u3sPVgjopBbSkT6h17bA6FEvsKpnFB8b~0JVhp5ERTKLdvIt3nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident told the La Porte Common Council on Sept. 15 that the city lacks sufficient road patrol officers and urged elected officials to add officers to cover growth and annexations. The citizen said only three road officers were on duty at the time and that domestic calls often require two officers, leaving the city thinly covered.

The council and mayor responded that the police and fire budgets have increased in recent years and that the administration is pursuing options to increase patrol presence. Mayor Thomas P. Dermody said he worked with Police Chief Dragmeister on a federal grant proposal that would fund five additional officers if awarded; Courtney Partheun, the clerk-treasurer, and council members noted the city may have to provide a local match. Dermody also said the city expects a decision on a COPS grant in September but that any grant could require up to a 30% local match to cover equipment and vehicles.

Council members pointed to alternative staffing and scheduling approaches to increase field coverage. The mayor said the police department has the option of implementing 12-hour shifts, which would place more officers on the street at peak times, but noted that personnel and scheduling choices are departmental decisions that require further study. The mayor also said human-resources staff are evaluating efficiencies across departments to identify where staff time is spent and to prioritize frontline services.

No formal hiring motion or budget action was taken Sept. 15; the discussion focused on grant applications, potential scheduling changes and long-term staffing considerations.","A resident urged the council for more police officers as the city grows; the mayor and council discussed a federal grant application for five officers and the possibility of 12-hour shift scheduling to increase patrol coverage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984510,"La Porte council accepts petitions to begin annexation of three parcels to serve National Guard armory expansion",127,2010000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3&start=2010&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3/thumbnail_2010000.jpg","/articles/5984510/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/La-Porte-council-accepts-petitions-to-begin-annexation-of-three-parcels-to-serve-National-Guard-armory-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984510-3f7ada067139e7f26320500e50009069/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151797&Signature=H3zXbxdCIVknf7JB1gxlNTU0BXIGPNlKdTluj7TqLeHMnT1xpn~~gCR5jwPDNtb5G6AWGQhcuGXQUd~5eqL7rVmaYhwlQdou3Bi9f~sM3upDxU509AwEqL9NVXTHqlRQrWms6c-iJYn6YxevKs209m~DdzDZ5UdtRaciaDQTSsVLoRbC3ZVVr-kovD1WbbfGcWf6p2qtmz7p7L16YDVISqPjE0lsP5BT24l3fxMmBM~vE-W24vOOxpTY6xNhnT3UB684Nf0XQ33oDo~rl0u~~mwfzWesed-Th03xHLa3~lB-RdP7qpSDgPwYB586VMlTttTHK5C0YtP9Xkba-x04aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Porte Common Council on Sept. 15 voted to accept petitions that begin the voluntary annexation process for three parcels east of Ziegler Road so the Indiana National Guard can obtain city utilities for a planned armory expansion.

Attorney Nick Otis told the council the petitions cover one city-owned parcel (4.65 acres), a county-created parcel (7.04 acres) and the National Guard armory parcel on State Road 2 (8.057 acres). Otis said the armory expansion is planned as an approximately $10 million project and that annexation is necessary to run utilities to the site.

Council President Franke moved to accept the petitions and the motion passed. Otis said city staff would coordinate public notice and schedule the annexation hearing for the council’s second October meeting.

The petition documents submitted to the council stated the parcels are in Center Township, La Porte County; the petition for the city-owned parcel noted there were zero residents in the proposed annexation area and that the parcel’s current zoning is B2. Otis said the county worked with Craig Phillips’ office and county staff to create a parcel that would allow the annexation to proceed.

No formal rezoning decision or final annexation ordinance was adopted Sept. 15; the acceptance of the petitions is an administrative step that starts the annexation process and sets a public hearing for later consideration.","Council accepted petitions for voluntary annexation of three parcels — city-owned, county-owned and the Indiana National Guard armory parcel — to extend city utilities to a planned armory expansion; public notice and an annexation hearing were scheduled.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984515,"La Porte council advances Beachwood Lakes rezoning; developers, planners outline density and tree-preservation plans",851,2362000,3213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3&start=2362&end=3213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775303-0dfedb085f4c13e3a9e26fb526b108c3/thumbnail_2362000.jpg","/articles/5984515/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/La-Porte-council-advances-Beachwood-Lakes-rezoning-developers-planners-outline-density-and-tree-preservation-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984515-237adde427fbada4c99dc1e94b28e649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151798&Signature=K43z3S9hU8fbr4nnQtpUEyBZ8dPYdZ5AAAJ72AWK9JnLWL8vOE36pnLbgsDZxoA1mKG9fVaBfu-xoCs1vlw4tt5KOIiP-gZdGZ9TSj3bSEE0BWH3xtnnJ6Bz9pP~IHMb~PnZ9y95MljLFJLzX-Q8ashfrl8VpQrOPspatI~22GmLgUGt6mESiMEGcf9tGDwp-Gw7IHU8vJAJfVu59-tJ0Zxg337DH-SvbXS-edVSab~zeyL18xaPvEn2Sqxqc9n2t5ztJ5iNjA-RMQulm7cUwV4nlL0rIQ4rAdgFHwhMaHN9cBSwy6nFxBnPizFkDG1z9KbqfjYRextsM-Xqf5ooeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Porte Common Council on Sept. 15 heard a presentation and public comment on a rezoning proposal for the Beachwood Lakes parcel adjacent to Beachwood Golf Course, and the council introduced an ordinance that would change parts of the site from single-family zoning to townhouse and other residential categories.

City planners and the redevelopment authority say the rezoning is intended to allow a mix of townhomes and single-family units that the developer says will link to the golf course and could include a cart-path connection. The proposal would reclassify portions of the property now zoned R1B (single-family) to R1D (single-family) and R2B (townhouse residential); the city plan commission voted unanimously to recommend the map change.

The rezoning matters because the project is intended to create “missing middle” housing types — duplexes, townhomes and smaller-lot single-family homes — that planners say help make development financially feasible by spreading infrastructure costs. Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said the redevelopment commission has worked on the parcel for nearly four years and that a development agreement with the project team already is in place. Craig Phillips, city planner, told the council the rezoning aims to provide a zoning “step down” from commercial areas and to preserve stands of woodland in the site plan.

Developer representatives participated virtually and in person. Project representative John Kavczyk (online) said the development team has worked with city staff on a plan that “makes sense” for the site and the market, and engineer Charlie Ray attended in person to answer technical questions. Cook and the developer emphasized the project’s mix of housing types and the potential for new residents and revenues for the city.

Neighbors at the plan commission and during council remarks raised concerns that wooded land would be lost and questioned the density of the proposal. Council members noted those comments and asked the developer to continue outreach, buffering and landscape planning; Cook said the developer offered follow-up meetings with adjacent property owners to discuss landscaping and buffering.

No final council vote on the rezoning was taken Sept. 15; Councilman Buchanan moved to read the ordinance in full and the council introduced it for first reading. The ordinance will return for action at the council’s next meeting on Oct. 6.

If adopted, the change would allow the phased Beachwood Lakes project that developers say includes commercial frontage along Monroe Street, townhomes nearer the golf course and varied single-family lots farther in. City staff said infrastructure cost and the regional housing shortage were central reasons for supporting a mix of housing densities.","The City Council heard presentations and public comment on rezoning Beachwood Lakes for a mixed housing development adjacent to Beachwood Golf Course; the plan commission recommended the change and the council introduced an ordinance to be acted on at its next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Major Moves appropriation tied to Tipton Street overpass settlement with Spectrum recycling

Residents press for crosswalk painting, speed signs and school speed cushions after reports of high speeds

Residents press council on police staffing; mayor, council cite grants and staffing options

La Porte council accepts petitions to begin annexation of three parcels to serve National Guard armory expansion

La Porte council advances Beachwood Lakes rezoning; developers, planners outline density and tree-preservation plans