Portage City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025: Farewell to Terry Urban and Swearing-In of New Council

This meeting marked the transition from the 30th to the 31st Portage City Council, featuring a proclamation for the state champion boys' soccer team, heartfelt tributes to outgoing Councilmember Terry Urban (28 years of service), and the swearing-in of Mayor Patricia Randall and Councilmembers Victor Ledbetter, Jihan Young, and Kathleen Olmsted. The council also addressed a request for a moratorium on the single-hauler waste ordinance, adopted an ordinance amendment on safety and sanitation, and set plans to revisit a 48-hour street parking limit.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the November 5, 2025 regular council meeting (unanimous roll call: 7-0).
• Approved the minutes of the November 8, 2025 special meeting (unanimous roll call: 7-0).
• Received the November 4, 2025 City General Election Report from the Kalamazoo County Board of Canvassers as information only (unanimous voice vote).
• Approved the consent agenda as presented (unanimous roll call: 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lori Knapp (3131 Woodhams Ave): Spoke during the “statement of citizen” for the 30th Council, praising Terry Urban’s integrity, diligence, and willingness to debate. Called him a steadying presence who made the council stronger.
• Claudette Reed (4563 West Hammett, former Portage councilmember): Recalled Terry Urban’s “Terryisms,” emphasizing his open-mindedness (e.g., “I have not yet made up my mind”) and the principle “Because I don’t agree with you does not mean I didn’t hear you.” Described him as a public servant, not a politician.
• David Anderson (Mayor of Kalamazoo): Thanked Terry Urban for his long service and for collaborating on regional issues. Later returned to congratulate the new council and thank Councilmember Ledbetter for attending Kalamazoo’s swearing-in.
• Jay Woodams (2223 Bayside Ave): Opposed the single-hauler waste ordinance, arguing that implementing it before a potential referendum (May 2026) violates citizens’ right to referendum. Noted the city’s own survey showed opposition. Requested a moratorium on implementation until after the vote. Challenged council to consider whose interests they serve.
• Margaret O’Brien (1220 Forest Drive, former state representative): Congratulated re-elected and new council members, advised them to remember their passion, and thanked Erica for reminding her to celebrate the past and future.
• Devin Loker (2410 Portside): Representing the Masons of Michigan, expressed interest in redeveloping the 9125 Portage Road building as a community flex space with retail, in coordination with the city’s walkable district goals.
• Terry Tassari (647 Marlowe): Announced a trip to Madrid with his grandson for a soccer training experience, advocated for tree replanting after the tornado, and questioned why neighbors are removing trees. Recited a poem by Joyce Kilmer.

Discussion Items

• Farewell to Councilmember Terry Urban: Multiple current and former councilmembers, as well as the mayor of Kalamazoo, delivered tributes. Speakers (Councilmembers Young, Burns, Ledbetter, Miller, Pearson, Mayor Randall) highlighted his 28 years of service, historical knowledge, integrity, open-mindedness, and commitment to citizens. Terry Urban responded with a personal speech recounting his 45-year involvement with the city, thanked staff, and noted he might return.
• Swearing-In of New Council: The 31st City Council was sworn in: Mayor Patricia Randall (re-elected), Councilmembers Victor Ledbetter (re-elected), Jihan Young (re-elected), and newly elected Kathleen Olmsted. Councilmember Jim Pearson was re-elected as Mayor Pro Tem (unanimous ballot: 7-0).
• Adoption of City Council Rules of Order and Procedure: Passed unanimously (roll call: 7-0).
• Resolution Honoring Terry Urban: Read by community member Tim Earle; a framed copy will be placed in the Portage District Library heritage room.
• Unfinished Business – Ordinance Amendment (Chapter 24, Community Quality): Adopted unanimously (roll call: 7-0). City Manager McGuinness noted it cleans up previous language. Councilmember Miller raised a concern about the 48-hour parking restriction on streets, suggesting it may be too onerous for visitors. City Manager agreed to bring back a proposal for revision, possibly extending to 72 hours in summer, as suggested by Mayor Pro Tem Pearson.
• Council Committee Reports: No subcommittees met; City Manager noted a Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant biosolids stakeholder meeting about rising costs (from $5M in 2019 to $14M in 2025) and potential capital projects.

Key Outcomes

• Farewell to Councilmember Terry Urban: Formal tributes delivered; resolution adopted to honor his service.
• New Council Installed: 31st Portage City Council seated with Mayor Randall and Councilmembers Ledbetter, Young, Olmsted, Burns, Miller, Pearson, and Randall.
• Mayor Pro Tem Elected: Jim Pearson unanimously re-elected (7-0).
• Rules of Order Adopted: Unanimous (7-0).
• Ordinance Amendment Adopted: Chapter 24 amendment passed unanimously (7-0).
• Parking Limit Review: City Manager will bring a revised proposal on the 48-hour street parking rule to a future meeting.
• Upcoming Events: Council goal-setting retreat on Thursday; Tree Lighting Ceremony December 6 at 6 p.m.