Valparaiso council approves ordinance changing Human Relations Council appointments, 5-2

The Valparaiso Common Council on Tuesday adopted Ordinance 8-20-25, a revision to the Valparaiso Municipal Code that changes how members of the Human Relations Council (HRC) are appointed and removes the word "advisory" from the body's name. The measure passed on a second and final reading by a 5-2 roll call vote.

The ordinance revises Valparaiso Municipal Code sections 38.01, 38.02, 38.03 and 38.04 to allocate appointment authority for the HRC so that six members are appointed by the council and three are appointed by the mayor. Proponents said the split will broaden representation and make the HRC more publicly visible. "The revised ordinance introduces a more balanced structure with appointments made by both the city council and the mayor," Councilwoman Hunt said during the discussion.

Council President Capitan framed the change as a durability measure and argued the name change signals a public-facing role rather than a purely advisory one. "You don't lose one iota of your ability to be consulted and advised," President Capitan said, adding that the intent is to increase diversity of perspective on the board.

Mayor Costas opposed the ordinance, saying the mayor's office oversees daily city services and that the HRC has functioned effectively as an advisory body to the executive branch. "The mayor's office is in charge of the delivery of all city services," Mayor Costas said, and he expressed concern that shifting appointment control would complicate the relationship between the HRC and the mayor's office.

Other council members who spoke in favor rebutted rhetoric characterizing the measure as a "power grab," saying the amendment was intended to require joint appointments and collaborative governance rather than to remove the HRC's capacity to advise the mayor. One council member summarized the intent: the change "adds council appointments and council perspectives; that's it. Nothing about the charge, the mission, or the values of the HRC would change." Council members also said the amendment preserves the ability to revisit the structure later if needed.

During the public comment period, resident Brandon Long told the council he was disappointed by the change and raised questions about separation of powers and potential impacts on programming and budgets. "I sense a little bit of confusion on the separation of branches," Long said.

Roll call on Ordinance 8-20-25 recorded votes as follows: Patton — yes; Domer — yes; Papillo — no; Anderson — no; Capitan — yes; Hunt — yes; Reed — yes. The ordinance passed 5-2.

The ordinance also removes the word "advisory" from the HRC's name in the municipal code. Council members said that change was intended to increase the HRC's public visibility and that the council's additions to appointment authority were not intended to alter the HRC's mission or to eliminate consultation with the mayor.

There was no motion or amendment on the floor altering funding for the HRC during the meeting; council members noted historically small program allocations connected to disability-related efforts but said there was no new funding plan tied to this ordinance. Council leadership also noted that if the mayor declines to make his appointments, the ordinance includes a provision by which those seats would then be filled by the council.

The council indicated the HRC restructuring could be revisited in the future if the new arrangement did not function as intended. The ordinance takes effect according to the standard municipal-adoption timeline; no specific effective date beyond the adoption was stated at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 8-20-25, "An ordinance amending Valparaiso Municipal Code sections 38.01, 38.02, 38.03 and 38.04 concerning the establishment of the Human Relations Council," passed 5-2 on second and final reading.

The council proceeded with several other ordinances after the vote; the HRC amendment was the most substantial governance change discussed during the meeting.