Commissioners approve pool-vehicle policy, debate downtown parking and pet-waste enforcement

LaPorte County commissioners on June 17 approved a county vehicle-use policy for four pool vehicles transferred from the Prosecutor's former office and voted to request a $1,500 line item from the Council for miscellaneous maintenance.

Commissioner Joe Haney moved approval of the pool-vehicle checkout policy with an added requirement that vehicles be returned with a full tank of gas; President Steve Holifield seconded and the motion carried 2-0. The board also authorized approaching the County Council to add a $1,500 line item for maintenance, which the commissioners approved by motion.

Discussion then turned to downtown employee parking and recent enforcement of two-hour parking by the City of La Porte. Holifield said some county employees received tickets after parking in two-hour spaces while working all day and requested the county pursue conversations with City Attorney Nick Otis and the railroad about lot ownership and access. Attorney DiMartino noted the county previously transferred some property and that the parcel behind Ludwig's remains railroad property; he cautioned that county employees should not expect the county to pay parking tickets and recommended using alternative parking or shuttles when possible.

The board also discussed a decades-old ordinance restricting walking on the Courthouse lawn and considered drafting or revising an ordinance to require pet owners to pick up pet waste on county property after staff reported repeated incidents of dog waste on the lawn. Attorney DiMartino offered to research the existing ordinance language and produce a draft if the board wishes to proceed.

Provenance: Motions, parking discussion and ordinance conversation recorded in the June 17 meeting minutes.