Portage City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025: Farewell to Terry Urban and Swearing-In of New Council
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.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I call to order the November 18th, 2025, Ported City Council meeting. In honor of all denominations and in personal beliefs, as we enter another council year, may we embrace all that is good in our democratic process. Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in the pledge. And if I could please ask the clerk to call the roll. Yes, Madam Mayor. I'll start with Burns. Here. Ledbetter. Here. Miller. Here. Pearson. Here. Randall. Here. Urban. Here. And Young. Here. Thank you. All right. We have an exciting proclamation this evening. We are here to honor the Ported Central High School men's soccer team who won the Division One State Championship. And at this time, if I could please call the team to come forward. All right, before we start the proclamation, I recognize that soccer is a team sport, and you have two wonderful coaches, and I'd like each uh of you to introduce yourselves, and then I will ask for your three your team captains, Gavin Sherman, Max Bailey, and Marshall Newman to please read the proclamation into the official record. So why don't one of the captains introduce your two coaches and then each of you take a turn just to tell us your name. So right here, the bald guy, um Tim Halloran, head coach, and right by him, Coach Conway, the assistant goalie coach. And I'm Marshall Newman, Gavin Sherman. And I'm Max Bailey. Whereas the Ported Central High School boys' soccer team has brought great pride and distinction to the city of Portage by capturing the 2025 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division One State Championship. And whereas under the exceptional leadership of Division One Coach of the Year, Tim Halloran, the team demonstrated unwavering dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the season. Whereas the Mustangs completed a historic playoff run, culminating in a thrilling 1-0 shootout victory over Ann Arbor here on in the state championship match held at Grand Ledge High School on November 1st, 2025. And whereas the team's success was fueled by the outstanding performances of its student athletes, including Gunnar Thorholson, the first goalie ever to be named, Michigan's Mr. Soccer, whose crucial saves in the final match preserved the team's lead. And whereas the 2025 Ported Central Boys Soccer team exemplified the values of teamwork, perseverance, and excellence, earning the admiration of fans, families, and the entire Portage community. Thank you to all the families and parents that joined us this evening and shared your children with us. It's truly brought joy to our entire community. Um got a little bit of housekeeping to do. Uh we have the approval of City Council minutes. Um I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of November 5, 2025 regular council meeting. So move Mayor. Support. And roll call, please. Start with Ledbetter. Yes. Miller. Yes. Pearson.
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