La Porte council approves street renaming, parking change, fees and multiple budget adjustments; approves development-agreement amendment

The La Porte Common Council on Sept. 2 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions including a tow-release service fee and police equipment fund, a street-renaming ordinance, a school-bus parking designation, several budget appropriations and reductions, and an amendment to a development agreement for a project at Newport Landing.

The actions were taken during the regular meeting of the City of La Porte Common Council at Council Chambers. The council voted on ordinances to establish a tow-release service fee and a police equipment nonreverting fund (Fund 5509); to rename a section of Factory Street to Shields Parkway; and to designate school-bus parking on the east side of Clay Street between Harrison and Walker streets. The council also approved a resolution for additional appropriations across several municipal funds, a resolution reducing certain 2025 Civic nonreverting appropriations, a resolution transferring funds within 2025 budgets, and an amendment to a development agreement for the project called Pin Fusion on the Dietrich property in Newport Landing.

Clerk Treasurer Partheun described the financial items for the council, including a $37,500 additional appropriation to the Local Roads and Streets fund (2202) and a $1,000,000 appropriation from Redevelopment TIF 2 (Thomas Rose) for infrastructure. Partheun told the council that Beachwood Nonreverting Capital made about $77,000 in profit last year and that $27,900 was being moved into that fund for capital repairs at the golf course.

Police Chief Drangmeister discussed the tow-release fee ordinance, saying the change targets people who use vehicles in the commission of misdemeanors and other habitual traffic violators, and added that "if you follow the rules, you won't see this at all." He described operational problems the fee aims to address, including an incident where a towed vehicle was released without proper recordkeeping.

Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, presented a council-requested amendment to a development agreement for the Pin Fusion project on the Dietrich property in Newport Landing. Cook said the amendment moves the developer's required construction start date to April 1, 2026, and changes the closing date in the purchase agreement to Dec. 31 of this year to allow additional time for closing and avoid future extensions.

Several procedural votes included motions to suspend the rules to allow immediate final action on the Factory Street renaming and the Clay Street school-bus parking ordinance so changes could take effect quickly. The council also opened and closed a public hearing on the additional-appropriation resolution after reading an affidavit of publication filed by Clerk Treasurer Partheun.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Aug. 18 meeting minutes: Motion passed (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). - Ordinance adopting tow-release service fee and creating Police Equipment Nonreverting Fund (Fund 5509): Ordinance adopted (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). Chief Drangmeister spoke in support, noting the fee targets vehicle use in misdemeanors and habitual traffic violators. - Ordinance renaming a section of Factory Street to Shields Parkway (section between Boston Street and South Shore Railroad tracks): Ordinance adopted after suspension of rules (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). Council discussion cited New York Blower’s investment and a planned grand opening in October. - Ordinance designating school-bus parking only on east side of Clay Street between Harrison and Walker streets (to support Lincoln School/daycare): Ordinance adopted after suspension of rules (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). The council said the change responds to a school request and increased bus traffic. - Resolution: Additional appropriation for local roads and other funds (Local Roads & Streets fund total $60,000; Park & Recreation $25,000; Redevelopment TIF 2/Thomas Rose $1,000,000; Beachwood nonreverting capital $27,900): Resolution approved following a public hearing (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). Clerk Treasurer explained these cover unbudgeted costs and previously planned RDC projects. - Resolution: Reduction of specified 2025 Civic nonreverting appropriations (listing of multiple line-item reductions totaling $3,396,492 as presented): Resolution approved (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). Clerk Treasurer Partheun said revenue expectations for the Civic changed since the budget was adopted. - Resolution: Transfers within the 2025 budgets to cover necessary line items (multiple transfers across departments, transit, ARP/Winterfest, civic event staff, etc.): Resolution approved with one recorded abstention (Councilwoman Ficus) (yes: 5; abstain: 1; absent: 1). The council noted the abstention was due to a declared connection to a housing development referenced in one transfer. - Amendment to development agreement for the Pin Fusion project (Dietrich property, Newport Landing): Amendment approved to move construction start to April 1, 2026, and adjust a purchase-agreement closing date to Dec. 31 (yes: 6; no: 0; absent: 1). Bert Cook said the developer is nearing closing and the amendment provides extra time to avoid further extensions.

Council members present and voting at the Sept. 2 meeting were Councilwoman Huffman, Councilwoman Ficus, Councilman Galloway, Councilwoman Konejny, Councilman Buchanan and Councilwoman West; Councilman Franke was absent. For items where roll-call vote details were not read into the record, the tally above reflects the council's recorded “Aye”/“Opposed” responses and the stated attendance.

The council discussed that some appropriations are encumbered for winter operations (salt) and emphasized the limitations of decreasing property-tax revenue for city-supported facilities such as the Civic and Beachwood. Clerk Treasurer Partheun and other members said the city continues to shift expectations for self-generated revenue at some facilities.

The council adjourned after routine announcements and reminders about upcoming commission meetings.