OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting – September 23, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 23, 2025
BodyPortage, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 23, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Welcome to the September 23, 2025 Portage City Council meeting.

0:09

Uh please rise for a moment of introspection on recent events that may have affected you personally, and then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'll bring up the Boy Scouts.

0:20

I pledge allegiance.

0:24

Moment of silence.

0:26

Thank you.

0:32

I pledge allegiance.

0:35

Oh, yes, yes.

0:36

Come up and lead us, please.

0:37

The Boy Scouts.

0:39

From Troop Uh 244.

0:52

The flag.

0:53

United States of America.

0:58

Stands.

0:59

One nation under God.

1:03

Liberty and Justice.

1:07

Thank you, Scouts.

1:12

Well, the clerk uh please call the roll.

1:16

Yes, Mayor Pro Tem.

1:18

I'll begin with Burns.

1:19

Here.

1:19

Ledbetter.

1:20

Here.

1:21

Miller.

1:22

Here.

1:22

Pearson.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Randall.

1:25

Urban.

1:26

Here.

1:26

And Young.

1:27

Here.

1:28

Thank you.

1:29

So we start with the petition of statements and citizens.

1:32

Uh you have three minutes.

1:33

If anybody has a statement, uh, please introduce with your name and uh your address, please.

1:40

And Animal Leverage 2396588th Avenue Marcellus, Michigan.

1:44

There's a real growing problem of microplastics in our food and water.

1:47

I suggest we make a 10 cent deposit on plastic water bottles at the national level.

1:53

Then additionally, a price included charge of five cents a bottle, three cents goes to the store for handling and two cents to help make bulk name brand water available.

2:03

I will point out the sodopop industry often has aluminum cans, and we have paid for the refund machines in higher prices for many years.

2:10

So you might have a standard uh gallon glass jar with the barcode.

2:14

You could example fill these six of these jars at checkout, choose the brand, say some free choices, you know, on the screen, so you can take your mount mountain water and put it in your own containers at home with at bulk prices.

2:28

Anyway, also I was passed a suggestion on to the stores that you have a voluntary program where you could pop up bags and the store process them for three cents a can.

2:38

Then the drop-off program will work as follows.

2:40

You bring a bag, the machine will print out two bio slips, one pair that they are paired but not identical.

2:46

One goes in the bag you're turning in.

2:48

They have might have some small zip zip-pop bags for you.

2:53

The other you keep, you can check the website sometime in the next three days.

2:56

It should be processed.

2:58

Then you're good to go.

2:59

The store will process them after the store closes or in non-time busy times.

3:05

There'll be a limit of $25 in a case of claim problems, such as somebody said you said you know, I turned it in, but it it they didn't really do it.

3:14

Whatever anyway.

3:14

Bags over three three gallons will be estimated at a full uh thirty or three kilobit limit.

3:20

Well, you know, one claim per customer per year.

3:23

So if they said I turn it in, but you know, denying it or whatever, you know.

3:27

Uh also, you know, I think we need to have a policy where not so sold in my store cans can be turned in at five cents refund.

3:36

So people don't have to go another store for six cans, they might trash instead.

3:40

Now all of our water uh bottles will be accepted at all stores because the head three cent handling fee on the price of the water bottles.

3:50

They can shut down returns if they get too overloaded or limit the value to $25 per customer or something like that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████19%
Affordable Housing████████████████16%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Zoning Regulations█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Waste Management████4%
Workforce Development███3%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting – September 23, 2025

The Portage City Council met on September 23, 2025, with Mayor Pro Tem presiding. The meeting included a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call (all members present: Burns, Ledbetter, Miller, Pearson, Randall, Urban, Young), public comments, a consent agenda, public hearings, discussion items, and council reports. Key actions included approval of a rezoning, a property sale, a housing assistance program, a developer exclusivity agreement, and a new ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved as amended by removing items 5, 8, and 10. The remaining consent items included:
    • Approval of a $1.4 million contract for outdoor pavilion structures at the new farmers market near the Zhang Center.
    • Acceptance of approximately $150,000 in grant funds (plus city match) to replant trees in Celery Flat and Lexington Green lost to a tornado.
    • Approval of an agreement to establish a searchable rental housing database for Portage.
  • Received a communication from Mary Redmond dated September 8, 2025 (motion passed).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Animal Leverage (2396588th Avenue, Marcellus, MI) spoke about the microplastics problem and proposed a 10-cent deposit on plastic water bottles, a five-cent bottle charge, and a voluntary store drop-off program for cans. He urged the city to adopt policies to reduce plastic pollution.
  • Wayne Johnson (1418 Pel Drive, Portage) – President of Sterling Oak South County Minions (88 units). He opposed the city’s proposed garbage contract, which would increase monthly fees from $9 to over $14 per unit. He stated that the community already has a locked-in contract with 3% annual increases and does not see the benefit of the city's plan. He requested an exemption for his community.
  • Paul Nellman (1749 Green Briar Drive, Portage) – Thanked the city for repairing a broken pipe on his road.
  • Rev. Duman (senior pastor at St. Michael Lutheran Church) – Announced a pro-life prayer rally and celebration of the 65th church anniversary. The event, scheduled for a future date, includes multiple speakers and pro-life agencies from the region. He emphasized the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
  • Andrea Kidney (9475 Seabreed Drive, Sterling Oaks North) – Suggested the city hold a special meeting with condo associations and mobile home parks before making a final decision on the single-waste-hauler proposal.
  • Les Minor (2514 East Shore Drive) – Complimented the redevelopment at Danes Party Store but raised concerns about uncollected garbage behind the building and standing water in plastic tubs that had been there for years. He asked the city to address the issue. The City Manager agreed to have staff investigate.

Discussion Items

  • Rezoning (Application 2526-1) – 4815 West Milham Avenue from B2 to B3 – Public hearing held. The property is vacant and has been redevelopment opportunity. The B3 district allows more intense commercial uses (hotels, drive-throughs, etc.) but prohibits marijuana businesses due to proximity to a park. Planning Commission recommended approval. Two citizens spoke: Patricia Curtis (4736 Golden Ridge Trail) asked for buffer protection for the adjacent neighborhood; Dane Davis (9902 Wexford) supported the rezoning, noting the area needs services. Council members discussed the buffer and the fact that the applicant agreed to rezone only the corner lot, leaving the remainder as B2. The rezoning was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Sale of 9246 Portage Industrial Drive to Kalamazoo County – Councilmember Urban pulled this item to discuss concerns about the lack of a guarantee that the city would retain the election storage facility if the county later sold the property. The city administration and county attorney added a provision: if the storage becomes unavailable due to disposal or other action within six years, the county must reimburse the city the difference between the sale price ($145,000) and the market price. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • Employer-Assisted Housing Program (Down Payment Assistance) – Councilmember Burns pulled this item. The program, funded by $50,000 from the city and $50,000 from Kalamazoo County, is administered by Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS). It provides up to $20,000 per eligible employee for down payment assistance. Eligibility: regular full-time and part-time employees, household income at or below 120% of area median income, and no similar assistance in the prior 12 months. Council members discussed eligibility criteria, including potential asset tests, first-time homebuyer preference, and length of service requirements. The city manager noted that local policies will be developed internally. The motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously.
  • Preferred Developer Agreement with Dynasty Management LLC – Councilmember Urban pulled this item to clarify the scope. The agreement grants a six-month exclusivity period for Dynasty to conduct due diligence on redeveloping 7716 South Westnedge Avenue as a mixed-use project. The city manager explained that the agreement does not obligate the city to sell the property; it only gives the developer an exclusive chance to work on a concept. Council members discussed the triangular parcel between the police station and the site, which may be included in the development. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Second Reading – Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Ordinance Amendment – The ordinance amends Chapter 42 to enable creation of NEZs. Councilmember Urban clarified that the map of proposed zones will be introduced at a future meeting; tonight only the framework was adopted. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Rezoning approved (7-0): 4815 West Milham Avenue from B2 to B3.
  • Sale of 9246 Portage Industrial Drive approved (7-0) with added reimbursement clause.
  • Employer-Assisted Housing Program agreement approved (7-0).
  • Preferred developer agreement with Dynasty Management LLC approved (7-0) for six-month exclusivity.
  • NEZ ordinance amendment adopted (7-0).
  • Consent calendar items (except those pulled) approved unanimously.
  • Council committee reports and statements received.

Council Reports & Statements

  • Councilmember Miller reported on Discover Kalamazoo board meeting (August 13) and noted the closure of Wings West and upcoming closure of K-Wings in 2028, reducing ice sheets from six to two. He emphasized the economic impact of ice sports and his intention to work with staff to support ice sheet retention. He also noted his election to the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees.
  • Councilmember Young reported on the Michigan Municipal League Conference, highlighting themes of civility, community, and placemaking. She encouraged residents to check on neighbors and participate in community events. She also announced the Battle of the Bins food drive, the League of Women Voters candidate forum (October 1), a ribbon cutting for Portage Pediatrics (October 2), and the Tricked Out Home contest.
  • Councilmember Burns encouraged reading the League of Women Voters Voter Guide (available from September 25) and reminded residents of the candidate forum.
  • City Manager McGuinness thanked the council for attending the conference, praised the Fall Fest and Farmers Market (1,600 attendees), and noted the council's commitment to placemaking and community development.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the September 23, 2025 Portage City Council meeting. Uh please rise for a moment of introspection on recent events that may have affected you personally, and then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'll bring up the Boy Scouts. I pledge allegiance. Moment of silence. Thank you. I pledge allegiance. Oh, yes, yes. Come up and lead us, please. The Boy Scouts. From Troop Uh 244. The flag. United States of America. Stands. One nation under God. Liberty and Justice. Thank you, Scouts. Well, the clerk uh please call the roll. Yes, Mayor Pro Tem. I'll begin with Burns. Here. Ledbetter. Here. Miller. Here. Pearson. Here. Randall. Urban. Here. And Young. Here. Thank you. So we start with the petition of statements and citizens. Uh you have three minutes. If anybody has a statement, uh, please introduce with your name and uh your address, please. And Animal Leverage 2396588th Avenue Marcellus, Michigan. There's a real growing problem of microplastics in our food and water. I suggest we make a 10 cent deposit on plastic water bottles at the national level. Then additionally, a price included charge of five cents a bottle, three cents goes to the store for handling and two cents to help make bulk name brand water available. I will point out the sodopop industry often has aluminum cans, and we have paid for the refund machines in higher prices for many years. So you might have a standard uh gallon glass jar with the barcode. You could example fill these six of these jars at checkout, choose the brand, say some free choices, you know, on the screen, so you can take your mount mountain water and put it in your own containers at home with at bulk prices. Anyway, also I was passed a suggestion on to the stores that you have a voluntary program where you could pop up bags and the store process them for three cents a can. Then the drop-off program will work as follows. You bring a bag, the machine will print out two bio slips, one pair that they are paired but not identical. One goes in the bag you're turning in. They have might have some small zip zip-pop bags for you. The other you keep, you can check the website sometime in the next three days. It should be processed. Then you're good to go.

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