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Valparaiso council approves ordinance changing Human Relations Council appointments, removes 'advisory' label
Summary
The Valparaiso Common Council voted 5-2 to amend the Valparaiso Municipal Code to change appointment authority and remove the word "advisory" from the Human Relations Council's name, shifting some appointment power to the council.
The Valparaiso Common Council voted 5-2 on July 28 to adopt Ordinance No. 8-20-25, changing the composition and description of the Human Relations Council and removing the term "advisory" from its name.
Councilwoman Hunt, speaking at the second and final reading, said the amendment creates a shared appointment structure so the council and mayor both name members ("6 by the council, 3 by the mayor") and that removing "advisory" makes the body more public-facing. "This structure enhances this Human Relations Council's resilience and stability into the future," Hunt said.
Supporters framed the ordinance as a move toward collaborative governance and broader representation. President Capitan said the change signals recognition of the council as a public-facing body that can bridge residents and city government. A council member who spoke against the measure characterized the existing structure as effective for advising the mayor on operational matters and said shifting appointments raises questions about how the council would assign tasks and whether mayoral appointments should be included.
Council members debated whether the commission's role — advising executive operations versus providing council-level input — would change materially. Hunt and other supporters said the amendment does not alter the council's charge or mission but adds council appointments to diversify perspectives. A council member who opposed the ordinance said the existing arrangement had worked well for years and voiced concern that the council may be taking control of a body intended to advise the mayor on day-to-day delivery of services.
The council called the roll after discussion. The roll call recorded Patton, Domer, Capitan, Hunt and Reed voting yes; Papillo and Anderson voting no. The ordinance passed 5-2.
The ordinance text as read on the floor references amendments to Valparaiso Municipal Code sections 38.01, 38.02, 38.03 and 38.04 establishing the Human Relations Council; the ordinance is listed as No. 8-20-25 in the meeting record.
Council members said the change can be revisited if it does not work as intended. Several speakers thanked current and past volunteers for their service and emphasized that the updates were intended to keep the council effective regardless of who holds elected office.
