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Votes at a glance: riverfront dining fund, alley vacation, golf fund and rainy-day appropriation approved; historic preservation appointment tabled
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the council approved several ordinances and appropriations: an amendment creating a downtown riverfront dining fund (9-0), an alley vacation for properties on East Michigan Boulevard (9-0), additional golf course nonreverting fund appropriations (9-0), and a $400,000 rainy-day appropriation to cover PERF employer contributions (9-0). A mayoral appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission was tabled (7-2).
The Michigan City Common Council recorded several formal actions at its May 19 meeting, including multiple unanimous approvals and one tabled nomination.
Riverfront dining fund — amendment approved (second reading): The council amended and approved an ordinance establishing a fund supported by $2,500 annual payments from a specific class of downtown riverfront liquor licenses. Skylar York, director of redevelopment, said the new fund would support advertising and downtown dining events. The amendment clarifies the fund applies only to the Riverfront municipal district’s specific license class rather than all 3-way licenses citywide; the amendment passed 9-0.
Vacating public alley — approved (third reading): Council approved an ordinance vacating a portion of a public alley parallel to East Michigan Boulevard adjacent to 2515 and 2525 East Michigan Boulevard. Attorney Gary McDonald explained an amended exhibit showing the allocation between affected property owners; the ordinance passed 9-0.
Golf course nonreverting fund appropriation — approved (third reading): The council approved a supplemental appropriation to the municipal golf course nonreverting fund (to fund salaries and wages). Sponsor Councilman Dabney explained nonreverting funds are departmental revenue that can be reinvested in the operation; the measure passed 9-0.
Rainy-day fund appropriation for PERF contributions — approved (third reading): Council approved an ordinance to appropriate $400,000 from the rainy-day fund to cover employer contributions to the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund for certain employees. Controller Tamiko Smith explained the allocation follows an audit that found several employees listed as retired in PERF while simultaneously employed, requiring the city to make employer contributions to bring accounts current; the ordinance passed 9-0.
Historic Preservation Commission appointment — tabled: The mayor nominated Ken Pers to the Historic Preservation Commission; Pers introduced himself and recounted past board experience. Councilman Beatrice said he could not give consent and the council voted to table the nomination to the next meeting (7 in favor, 2 opposed).
Votes at a glance (selected): - Waive 50% building-permit/inspection fees for Michigan City Area Schools Community Event Center — Passed (7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention). - Riverfront dining fund amendment — Passed (9 yes, 0 no). - Alley vacation (East Michigan Boulevard parcels) — Passed (9 yes, 0 no). - Golf fund appropriation — Passed (9 yes, 0 no). - Rainy-day fund appropriation for PERF contributions ($400,000) — Passed (9 yes, 0 no). - Historic Preservation Commission nomination (Ken Pers) — Tabled (7 yes to table, 2 no).
All items that required a formal vote were recorded on the public record with roll-call tallies as summarized above.
