Michiana council backs joint police-safety grant, approves radio tower purchase and notes vandalism investigation

Police Chief Ryan Layman told the council that MDOT will not install a stoplight at the Grand Beach entrance off Highway 12 and will reconsider that location in five years. Layman introduced Brendan Stadler, a new hire who will attend the police academy in May to fill the vacancy left by Officer Jamie Flick’s retirement.

Layman also reported vandalism: 12 trees were cut down at Stop 40 on village property, and the police asked residents to provide any information. Council member Mike Botelho offered the council’s support for investigative steps, including consulting the village attorney if needed; Tim McCarthy urged cleanup and planting large hemlocks before Memorial Day.

Chief Layman said the police base radio tower, required by the state as the base station for radios, has ceased working after 25 years and he requested a replacement at a cost of $2,540. Tim McCarthy moved to approve the purchase and the council approved the motion.

Separately, Tim McCarthy moved that Michiana and Grand Beach co-sponsor and co-sign a federal grant application for a police safety building; the council voted to move forward. The council also approved a draft police survey that may be distributed to residents at a later date.

No location or funding details beyond the co-sponsorship agreement were finalized at the meeting; a public commenter asked where the safety building would be sited and council members said about four acres on the frontage road donated by a Grand Beach resident was the intended location.