Council adopts higher capacity fee, updates ethics code; alley vacation moved to next meeting

The Valparaiso Common Council took action on multiple items: it approved a fee increase for new utility connections in the Damon Run area, amended the municipal ethics code to explicitly include five state statutes, and carried over a petition to vacate a platted alley for further consideration.

Ordinance 14‑20‑25: capacity fee increase

City Utilities staff presented Ordinance 14‑20‑25 to amend the capacity fee for new connections in the Damon Run service area. City Utilities staff (Steve Pulos) summarized the change: “We are amending the capacity fee for all new connections to the Valparaiso City Utility owned Damon Run area. The fee will increase from $2,700 to $4,909, of which the City of Portage receives $4,000 of that and then the balance goes to Valparaiso City utilities.” Council members confirmed the increase applies only to new connections and does not affect current customers. The council adopted the ordinance by roll call, 7–0.

Ordinance 15‑20‑25: ethics code housekeeping

Council considered Ordinance 15‑20‑25 to restore five state statutory references that had been listed in the original ethics ordinance but were not present in the currently published municipal code. Councilwoman Hunt described the change as “more of a housekeeping matter” to make the municipal code reflect the original 2006 ordinance and to list the statutes that relate to official misconduct, bribery, ghost employment, conflicts of interest and profiteering from public service. Councilmembers expressed that listing the statutes provides clarity for officials and staff; the ordinance passed on a recorded roll call, 7–0.

Ordinance 16‑20‑25: alley vacation petition carried over

The council heard a petition to vacate the platted alley between Erie and Chestnut streets adjacent to 254 and 256 Erie Street. Planning Department staff presented the petition filed by Lee Lane and Jerry and Patricia Deutsch, summarized records research, and stated that Valparaiso City Utilities and NIPSCO reported there were no utilities running through the platted alley. Staff noted a mortgage inspection survey showed a prior house at 254 Erie extended about 1.5 feet into the alley; the house has since been demolished.

Planning Commission and Board of Public Works recommended vacating the alley (both gave favorable recommendations). Members of the public who spoke during the hearing supported the vacation, noting the alley is unimproved and partially encroached by a historic building footprint. Staff confirmed the platted alley width is 16.5 feet, which would be divided equally between adjoining landowners if vacated; the previous structure encroached approximately 1.5 feet. The council voted to carry the item over to the next meeting for further processing by voice vote/roll call, 7–0.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 14‑20‑25 (Damon Run capacity fee): Adopted, 7–0. Fee for new connections increases from $2,700 to $4,909; City of Portage receives $4,000 of each fee; rest to Valparaiso City Utilities. Applies to new connections only. - Ordinance 15‑20‑25 (ethics code housekeeping): Adopted, 7–0. Restores five state statutory references to the municipal ethics code related to official misconduct, bribery, ghost employment, conflicts of interest and profiteering from public service. - Ordinance 16‑20‑25 (vacation of platted alley between Erie and Chestnut): Carried over to next meeting for further consideration, vote to carry over 7–0. Planning and Board of Public Works recommended vacation; no underground utilities reported in alley; encroachment noted on historic lot.

Councilmembers and staff said additional administrative steps — including publication of ordinances, municipal code updates and any required survey or easement adjustments — will follow the recorded actions.