[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",5979288,"mediaKeyId","5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c","parentId",5775300,"title","Board hears update on digitizing corporate records and a new logo; logo proposals due next meeting","audioSeconds",351,"startMs",665000,"endMs",1016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c&start=665&end=1016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c/thumbnail_665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979288/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-hears-update-on-digitizing-corporate-records-and-a-new-logo-logo-proposals-due-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979288-b3af5a46f02c1b3223d53e779522bfbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448332&Signature=Poy1suiqr~P~trVnZyaHd19EyJ33kVA7WkTIWQRcV8HrOdYBbe~9BSXwCxdUUBDeLS96LVyI586QbAJbYDJcEEcPPv83FSAViEeI3NkGx~Zi7mHgR6RBYa4VmSSa8M2nglVNTzWej0pN1I1vo6-V8ksPlo-X-a2pUP0Iug~J0FoM4OIMLRo2~8ejKF7ntoK9l-l3-y9pS4Sml7gl8g0-OQc~BdbLDqz~VbAYo5-fovejzLxLpIN-AatqAbjHq4cR1RjN18wfcAZONv~iJaskGSvlEkXzhd4xfeoNvwF8A-udPhcZG9itsM-d91HvffJ8kpB2PCAYQ1ShB4VinmOi-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of La Porte IN","date","2025-09-18T09:39:09Z","article","Board members heard an update on two old-business items: a plan to digitize corporate records and a process to create a new board logo. No formal vote was required; staff said they expect work to begin soon and logo proposals to be available at the next board meeting.

A staff member said the board previously approved a budget to digitize records covering five years and that vendors (Iron Mountain and a Chesterton-based group) have been contacted and remain interested. Staff said the plan is to scan active records, store corporation hard-copy originals, and shred nonessential hard copies after confirming retention requirements. “If there’s anything of importance, if not, shred it,” the staff member said, summarizing the retention approach.

Separately, Jessica Spojarek, communications director for the city, is preparing two logo proposals with Lindsay and staff that are intended to coordinate with the city’s existing branding. Staff said the communications team expects to present two color-coordinated logo proposals at the October board meeting so the board can select a logo in time for holiday banners for downtown events and the Plaza 618 tree lighting; a community enhancement grant application for $500 to help purchase the tree was mentioned as part of event signage planning.

Board members asked staff to follow up with the vendors so scanning can start as soon as practical and to bring examples of the digitization scope and schedule to the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urban Enterprise Association Meeting - 09/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported progress on digitizing records and said two logo proposals from city communications staff will be ready for the board to review at the next meeting in October.","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},5979293,"Board approves facade grant for Studio 714 awning at 714 Lincoln Way",76,1037000,1113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c&start=1037&end=1113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/5979293/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-approves-facade-grant-for-Studio-714-awning-at-714-Lincoln-Way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979293-d1abfe3840cd2252431877f6e07d32c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448332&Signature=T-9p0ftVyMRQ~ol52dJXOrvtdYjTNuKMqvPI9cs5g9BeSCpZ5xECwv7-bZCLGHv9uWdmInEray3ae8qQV35MlS6Gk385g0iOXs12yeOhMCpfw~zEdTII2NGPz02o7LrQvuyRgfWxwqnIkVmzJUQYCqhM3lCpBAb3FZDxyYfbt8rnEdkgGCl~Wo1p7B2TRtJ~q-a38~XIztx2oPmzWgvwlud2016l36vAXAm3lzPf8BxoFhfQDe~P1LSPNLxfwJbb-1FgCSvfbrdAGoJfifTC3GKmGmuyWO1CkleWtc9vx3wxzz19SQIAMHAo-8KBveA-UwFM5LxqTd-ieE1EqcCVHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members approved a façade grant application for Studio 714 at 714 Lincoln Way to support installation of a new awning. The applicant requested $1,974.50 toward a $3,949 total project cost; board members confirmed three quotes were provided and approved the grant by voice vote.

Meeting materials included three quotes: BH Awning of Benton Harbor for $3,230, Custom Awning of South Bend for $5,783, and Merrillville Awning for $3,949. The applicant preferred Merrillville Awning because that firm will remove the old frame and install a new frame; the Merrillville quote matched the total project amount listed in the application. “They’re asking for $1,974.50. A total project amount is $3,949,” an unnamed staff member said when presenting the application.

Board members noted the limited local availability of awning contractors and welcomed the broader set of quotes the applicant obtained. A board member who seconded the motion praised the applicant’s investment in the downtown building interior and exterior improvements. The motion to approve the grant carried by voice vote; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.","The board approved a façade (grama) grant for Studio 714 at 714 Lincoln Way to cover roughly half of a new awning's cost after reviewing three contractor quotes.",{"_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},5979298,"Board discusses formalizing policy for EZ‑2 waiver-of-noncompliance requests",457,1747000,2204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c&start=1747&end=2204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","/articles/5979298/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-discusses-formalizing-policy-for-EZ2-waiver-of-noncompliance-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979298-9eef28929f14744d99712c27f46173d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448332&Signature=YFGPg4XsAdscS6IPb9hgXVE691okn688mgs0ozsXYTXhtZ6H~blg~sYk70DB-q34O2lImUyJflRGUdLN9crszPBshGXl0OPcsL4T~XT84SPUsNRCMwbPlW5Gb4pH5issOXkHXUC2Ng8jdHfh0ijn7JGny5G-8nl1JCXdqJLjWhRHPw6EXHR2qEr5zI6Hxi3vJu5f~QMGAtFQijQUK~xPp8DdQ1Q85RBLmxZ5n55CctUemzjhi5HgiPKAICEHfsy5JHyrVl3F1btQVjskhhEOOF-SatmuGbKQYKKKC-nuxww6GoHrnkGhSHCLNGH0F5fQWvQHbWcNIq1-aD3hh-zz~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members spent substantial time discussing how to handle repeated requests from companies that miss annual EZ‑2 (Enterprise Zone 2) incentive filings and whether to require a recovery fee or formal policy. The board did not adopt a policy at the meeting but directed members and staff to develop recommendations for consideration at a future meeting.

Bert, a staff member, explained the current one-time waiver practice: “we allow a waiver of noncompliance, 1 time during the term of an incentive, for special circumstances where maybe a company, for 1 reason or another, doesn’t file doesn’t file timely.” He described the administrative steps required by state statute for approving a waiver, including legal review, a resolution by this board, presentation to city council, a legal notice in the newspaper, recording, and fees. Bert said those steps create staff, attorney, and publication costs that may justify assessing a fee to the entity seeking the waiver.

Board members said waivers were rare historically but appear to be increasing; one board member said waivers occurred twice historically and that the board may face two or three such requests in the current year. Members discussed fairness to companies and to the board’s budget: allowing a waiver may restore tax benefits to a company but also reduces fee revenue that the board had expected to include in budget forecasts. Board members asked staff to propose a procedural policy and a fee schedule to cover legal and administrative costs and to recommend a standard process for future waiver requests.

The board also clarified that the county auditor certifies fees annually and that EZ‑2 claims can be filed annually for up to ten years, with continuation tied to new investment after that period. No final vote or formal resolution was made at the meeting; staff and board members agreed to bring a proposed policy and potential fee structure to a future board meeting for formal consideration.","Board members discussed recurring requests to waive noncompliance for EZ‑2 tax incentive filings and signaled intent to consider a formal policy and potential fee to cover administrative and legal costs.",{"_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},5979302,"Board approves two-year Farm and Forge contract, OKs seasonal dumpster funding",205,1291000,1496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c&start=1291&end=1496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775300-a09e761b2caa78128c50844a36b79b4c/thumbnail_1291000.jpg","/articles/5979302/La-Porte-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-approves-two-year-Farm-and-Forge-contract-OKs-seasonal-dumpster-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979302-8b62557ed2e74b7ebf4b8babfb0c7f08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448332&Signature=RZbCwS9in6fbLOGY~aXzpcV5S7DVtIiRUi2MlBMCvsTMgnUlKCKqqW8HAlVLB2cqpketA9bo4gVAOuHGzECtABuy6aMo34rIPemoljLRpWasWHCRiNMqtlkpFUDcNA~Zy8w5ewEP6RKIfMN1snL9XJUBb~WtfZ4ddJPV-5PkDBlpuU9ZOQWjtuWJN19nkbJ2S6LeVFRS0tpJIibgakpcJKoQVvAFIkaYY5eMJvYI27TiJLIu09n1Mpw6HCiwI-MJDCvwuep~-jwqjkKz2tYTUQ7pYbFrszupmmTgtU4Z48PPyGt7dzIZG5yCWdDSaC9OGf00rsErT-~h5T8SknFzKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members approved a two-year contract for the Farm and Forge events and authorized payment for seasonal dumpster service, but deferred a decision on paying for portable restroom facilities until the fall budget cycle. The two-year contract was presented as a cost-saving alternative to a one-year agreement and approved after a motion and second and a voice vote of “Aye.”

The contract terms discussed included a $15,000 per-season cost if the board agreed to a two-year contract and a $17,500 cost for a one-year contract. “It’s $850 for the dumpster for the season. And then if we do a 2 year contract, it’s $15,000 per season, which I believe is what we’re paying now. Yes. Otherwise, if we do a 1 year contract, it’s $17,500,” said an unnamed staff member who presented the figures. The board voted to approve the two-year contract and to fund the dumpster removal for the season.

Board members and staff also discussed portable restroom (porta-potty) arrangements for Farm and Forge and other downtown events such as Stitch. Staff said they will solicit quotes for season-long restroom rental and look for sponsorships to offset cost; the restroom contracts and final funding were to be addressed in November’s budget sessions. Park department staff recommended leaving portable restrooms in place for the full season rather than having repeated pickups and drop-offs, which staff said was more efficient and less expensive.

Practical concerns were raised about restroom maintenance and public use: board members noted the need for locks or monitoring to prevent misuse and to avoid people living in the units, and that at least one accessible unit plus one or two standard units may be needed depending on event size. The board directed staff to obtain quotes for seasonal restroom rental and to coordinate with the civic center and park department; board members said they will review restroom funding when preparing the upcoming budget.

No detailed vote tally by member was recorded in the meeting minutes for the contract motion. Staff said payment for the two-year contract would be spread across each year per the contract terms rather than paid entirely up front.","The board approved a two-year contract for the downtown Farm and Forge events and authorized seasonal dumpster service; restroom arrangements and potential additional restroom funding were left for the fall budget process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears update on digitizing corporate records and a new logo; logo proposals due next meeting

Board approves facade grant for Studio 714 awning at 714 Lincoln Way

Board discusses formalizing policy for EZ‑2 waiver-of-noncompliance requests

Board approves two-year Farm and Forge contract, OKs seasonal dumpster funding