La Porte UEA approves 2026 budget, formalizes $500 waiver deposit and OKs three small grants
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Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association approved minutes, the claims docket (with abstentions), a revised waiver-of-compliance application turning the $500 fee into a refundable deposit if denied, the 2026 budget, renewal of consulting agreements, and three business grants for building repairs and tenant buildouts.
The La Porte Urban Enterprise Association on Nov. 19 approved a series of routine items and several grant awards, adopting a proposed 2026 budget and formalizing a written application and fee approach for waiver-of-compliance requests.
The board opened by approving the previous meeting minutes and the claims docket after staff outlined bond and hospital-related payments; two members formally recorded abstentions on the claims vote. The board also approved the October financial reports by voice vote.
Board members reviewed a one-page waiver-of-compliance application prepared by staff and agreed to modify the policy so the $500 payment functions as a deposit: the board will hold the check and deposit it only if the waiver is approved; if the application is denied the deposit will be returned. The change was accepted before the board approved the policy and the application form.
Members then approved renewing two consulting agreements for an additional year and adopted a proposed 2026 budget the board described as balanced, with projected revenues and expenditures presented as equal. A motion to approve the budget carried by voice vote.
The board considered three grant requests. First, owners of a building identified in the packet as “Ogles” sought $10,000 for a second-floor residential rehabilitation estimated at $111,000; the board approved the grant after reviewing required documents and contractor quotes. Second, applicant April Kelly requested $10,000 toward electrical and plumbing work to convert space at 507 Lincoln Way into a cafe/juice bar; members noted prior successful grants to the applicant, verified that three quotes were provided, and approved the award conditioned on completed application materials. Third, business owner John Pappas requested $3,500 toward a $7,000 exterior concrete repair project at 605–607 Lincoln Way (Mama T’s). The board reviewed three quotes, the largest at $6,500, reiterated the UEA’s guideline to pay 50% of the actual expense, and voted to approve funding aligned with that 50% policy based on the $6,500 contractor quote (i.e., funding was conditioned on contractor eligibility and the board’s 50% rule); one member recorded opposition on that vote.
On scheduling and process, staff said the waiver applicant would receive the application and policy; if the UEA needs to act before year-end it can schedule a December meeting or put the item on the city council agenda with the required public hearing under Indiana Code. In other brief business, a board member reported that franchise owners expect a Jersey Mike’s location to open on Jan. 8.
The meeting concluded with reminders about December board term expirations and coordination with the mayor and city council on appointments. The board adjourned following a voice vote to end the session.
What’s next: The board will return the $500 deposit if a waiver application is denied, staff will forward the application and policy to the inquiring party, and the UEA or city council may schedule further action before the end of the year if needed.
