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Valparaiso council approves change to Human Relations Council appointments, 5-2
Summary
The Valparaiso Common Council passed Ordinance 8‑20‑25 on second and final reading, shifting appointment authority for the Human Relations Council to a mix of council and mayoral appointees and removing “advisory” from the body’s name. The vote was 5–2 after a lengthier debate over separation of executive and legislative roles.
The Valparaiso Common Council voted 5–2 to adopt Ordinance 8‑20‑25 on second and final reading, changing how the Human Relations Council (HRC) is constituted and removing the word “advisory” from its title.
Councilwoman Hunt, who led the presentation, said the revision “introduces a more balanced structure with appointments made by both the city council and the mayor — 6 by the council, 3 by the mayor.” Hunt said the changes are intended to boost representation and the HRC’s public visibility, adding that shared appointment authority “reinforces the system of checks and balances that strengthens our Human Relations Council and safeguards it from political fluctuations.”
The ordinance replaces language in Valparaiso Municipal Code sections 38.01, 38.02, 38.03 and 38.04 and removes the word “advisory” so the body is explicitly identified as a public‑facing council rather than solely an advisory commission.
Mayor Costas opposed the measure during council debate, describing differences in the branches’ functions and saying the existing advisory structure had been effective for his office’s delivery of services. “The council essentially enacts ordinances, and it has fiscal oversight. The mayor is in charge of the delivery of all city services,” the mayor said, arguing that many human‑relations issues intersect with daily service delivery and that the existing advisory arrangement had worked “very, very effectively.” He said the ordinance appears to shift the HRC toward advising the council rather than the mayor.
Supporters on the council said joint appointments are meant to encourage collaboration and preserve institutional continuity regardless of elections. One council member said the change was not a “power grab” but “a commitment to democracy,” and emphasized that the ordinance does not change the HRC’s stated charges, mission or values.
After debate the council called the roll. The vote on Ordinance 8‑20‑25 was: Patton — yes; Domer — yes; Papillo — no; Anderson — no; Capitan (Council President) — yes; Hunt — yes; Reed — yes. The motion carried 5–2.
Public commenters later at the meeting signaled continued concern. Resident Brandon Long said he was “disappointed” about the change and questioned how the ordinance would affect the balance of executive and legislative authority. Council members responded that if mayoral appointees were not made the council added a provision allowing the council to fill those seats.
The ordinance was adopted on its second and final reading; the transcript and municipal code will determine effective dates and implementation steps.
