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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting – December 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, December 2, 2025

BodyPortage, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, December 2, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 57:12

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:03

Good evening.

0:03

I call to order the December 2nd, 2025 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we recognize Nick Armold and his 36 years of service as a police officer, the past eight as our director of public safety, we are filled with gratitude for a job well done.

0:24

Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:40

Please join me in the pledge.

0:48

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:59

And if I could ask the clerk to please call the roll.

1:04

Yes, madam mayor.

1:05

I'll start with Burns.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Ledbetter.

1:07

Here.

1:07

Miller.

1:08

Here, Homestead.

1:09

Here, Pearson.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Randall.

1:12

Here.

1:12

And Young.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Thank you.

1:14

All right.

1:15

Next on our agenda is the resolution of respect for Nicholas J.

1:19

Armold.

1:19

And this will be read into the record by Assistant Police Chief Matthew Wolf, Assistant Chief Brian Mayhu, PPCOA President Lieutenant Craig Beckhman, IAFF Representative Derek Dunn, and PPOA President Brett Stappert.

1:38

If you gentlemen would like to come forward.

1:51

Thank you.

1:57

Whereas Director Nicholas J.

1:59

Armold will take his final call on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, after 36 years of dedicated public service as a sworn law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan.

2:10

And whereas Nicholas Armold answered the call to public service in 1987 after earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State University, first with the Pleasant Ridge Police Department, followed by the Huntington Woods Department of Public Safety in 1990 and as in 2014, after 26 years with Huntington Woods and achieving the rank of Deputy Chief, Nicholas Armold joined the City of Portage Department of Public Safety as a senior deputy police chief of operations.

2:50

After three short years with the City of Portage, Nicholas Armold was named the Director of Public Safety, Police and Fire Chief in 2017.

2:59

And whereas Director Armold's drive for professional development never ceased as he graduated from the Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command in 2013, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy in 2017.

3:23

And whereas Director Armold has made a lasting impact on law enforcement across Michigan, serving as president of the West Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, representing 12 counties and more than 10, 110 agencies, served as a commissioner on the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and an advisory board member for the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Law Enforcement and Police Academy programs.

3:54

And now therefore it be resolved that I Patricia M.

3:57

Randall is mayor of the City of Portage with deep appreciation honor Director Nicholas J.

4:03

Armold for his outstanding service and enduring contributions to public safety in the state of Michigan and our city extends heartfelt gratitude for his dedication, protecting our communities, and we wish he and his family health, happiness, and continued success in the years ahead.

4:23

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution will be placed in the heritage room of the Portage Public Library so that contributions of Nick Armold to the Portage community may be continuously recognized for future generations of Portage residents.

4:39

Thank you so much, Chief.

4:58

Did he want to say a few words?

5:01

Did he want to say it?

5:11

One last time.

5:13

I see a piece of paper in your hand.

5:14

Did you want to come up and say some things, or are you gonna save that for another time?

5:20

Perfect.

5:22

We will be there, or I will be there and um celebrate with you and the rest of the community.

5:27

As you know, I dedicated a good portion of my November Portager Mayor column to you, and I have nothing more but respect for all that you have done.

5:37

Yep, thank you.

5:41

All right, moving on with our agenda.

5:44

Um, this is the opportunity for statement or petitions of citizens.

5:47

If anyone is here that would like to address the council, now is the appropriate time.

6:01

Good evening.

6:02

Um if you could just please state your name and address for the official record.

6:06

My name is Doug Brown.

6:09

And I live at 9626 Oakland Drive in uh Portage.

6:15

And um I'm passing out right now um pictures for everyone.

6:20

I I got three sets of pictures, and this comes from my family room.

6:26

Um, or that's the family room view.

6:31

I'd like to uh I am here tonight.

6:36

Sorry, my my presentation skills may be a little bit rusty, so bear with it.

6:40

Um, please, I am here tonight to inform the city council of the loss of well over 100 trees, many of these trees over a hundred years old.

6:52

Uh 50 of these trees are in my front yard, and you're looking at part of those 50 trees.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety████████████████████████████████████36%

Procedural██████████████████████22%

Technology and Innovation███████████████15%

Environmental Protection█████████9%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Zoning Regulations██████6%

Animal Welfare███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Portage City Council held a regular meeting on December 2, 2025. Key actions included honoring retiring Director of Public Safety Nicholas J. Armold with a resolution of respect, approving the purchase of a comprehensive drone first responder system from Axon for $255,043, and adopting the 2026 fee schedules. The council also heard a public comment from a resident concerning tree loss from the Oakland Commons development.

Resolution of Respect for Nicholas J. Armold

A resolution was read into the record by Assistant Police Chief Matthew Wolf, Assistant Chief Brian Mayhu, PPCOA President Lieutenant Craig Beckhman, IAFF Representative Derek Dunn, and PPOA President Brett Stappert. The resolution recognized Director Armold’s 36 years of sworn law enforcement service in Michigan, including 8 years as Portage’s Director of Public Safety, and his contributions to professional development and regional law enforcement. The resolution will be placed in the heritage room of the Portage Public Library. Council and staff expressed gratitude, and Director Armold offered brief remarks.

Public Comments & Testimony

Doug Brown (9626 Oakland Drive) addressed the council regarding the loss of over 100 trees (many over 100 years old) on his property and his neighbor’s property due to the encroachment of the Oakland Commons housing project. He stated that developer representatives Alan Edwin and Mike West had guaranteed the trees would not be removed, but the natural barrier was destroyed. He requested the council demand a beautification program to restore the barrier with 8–10-foot pine trees and relocate dead wood. He also expressed concern about property devaluation and car headlights shining into his home. The mayor stated that staff (Patrick McGuinness) would contact him within two days.
Council Member Burns noted a similar incident over 25 years ago on a Zoning Board of Appeals case where mature trees were cut after approval, and urged staff to be cognizant of the issue.
Council Member Ludbetter asked what “right questions” should have been asked; Mr. Brown replied that the energy infrastructure question was not raised, leading to a 40-foot power line corridor through his property.

Discussion Items

Drone First Responder System Purchase (Item 5 from Consent Agenda)

Council Member Ludbetter pulled this item for discussion. Staff (Chief and Sergeant Doster) explained the current drone had reached end of life (purchased 2018). The new Axon SkyDio system is LTE-based, with a 40-minute battery life, obstacle detection, and integration with the existing evidence.com system. It will be stationed on the public safety roof, allowing remote launch from patrol cars. Seven drone pilots (all FAA licensed) will require minimal additional training.
Council members questioned the $255,043 cost (including $50,000 annual service fee) and explored potential mutual aid cost-sharing. Staff noted the system can serve mutual aid but limited by range; a secondary backup drone may be needed. The council discussed data privacy policies (Policy 200-86 governs use, retention schedules for crime-related video).
After discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the purchase using the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement and authorize the city manager to execute documents.

2026 Fee Schedule Changes (Item 6 from Consent Agenda)

Council Member Miller pulled this item, specifically asking about the restored chicken coop application fee ($50). Staff (Pete Team) explained it covers inspection costs: a pre-installation site visit and a post-installation building permit inspection. The fee was left off the 2025 schedule and is being restored. Council Member Olmsted asked about the number of permits issued (staff to provide data). The council discussed enforcement: roosters are not allowed, and staff spends time chasing chickens.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the 2026 fee schedules for Freedom of Information Act, cemetery, community development and building permits, recreation and park facilities, and special assessment rates.

Key Outcomes

Unanimous approval of the resolution of respect for Director Nicholas J. Armold.
Unanimous approval (7-0) of the drone first responder system purchase from Axon for $255,043 over five years.
Unanimous approval (7-0) of the 2026 fee schedules (items A through E).
Staff action: City Manager Patrick McGuinness will contact resident Doug Brown regarding tree concerns; staff will provide council with data on chicken coop permits issued.
Next steps: The final call for Director Armold will be December 16, 2025. The council will receive new committee assignments before January 1, 2026.

Council Member and City Manager Statements

Council Member Young thanked first responders and DPW for snow removal, reminded residents to check the Portage Tracks app, and encouraged holiday decorating and kindness.
Council Member Burns noted Giving Tuesday and thanked council members for personally funding the Portage Community Center Adopt-a-Family program (a family of seven this year).
Council Member Ludbetter expressed support for the drone technology despite cost concerns.
Council Member Miller promoted the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6 and the Santa Skate on December 20.
City Manager McGuinness reported on snow removal: crews worked 12-hour shifts from Thanksgiving morning; major streets were plowed six times before neighborhoods; the Plow Tracks app (with named plows such as "Slush Puppy" and "Darth Blader") is available for public tracking.
Mayor Pro Tem Pearson thanked staff and encouraged attendance at the retirement ceremony on December 16, noting the department’s positive community reputation.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call to order the December 2nd, 2025 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we recognize Nick Armold and his 36 years of service as a police officer, the past eight as our director of public safety, we are filled with gratitude for a job well done. Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in the pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And if I could ask the clerk to please call the roll. Yes, madam mayor. I'll start with Burns. Here. Ledbetter. Here. Miller. Here, Homestead. Here, Pearson. Here. Randall. Here. And Young. Here. Thank you. All right. Next on our agenda is the resolution of respect for Nicholas J. Armold. And this will be read into the record by Assistant Police Chief Matthew Wolf, Assistant Chief Brian Mayhu, PPCOA President Lieutenant Craig Beckhman, IAFF Representative Derek Dunn, and PPOA President Brett Stappert. If you gentlemen would like to come forward. Thank you. Whereas Director Nicholas J. Armold will take his final call on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, after 36 years of dedicated public service as a sworn law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan. And whereas Nicholas Armold answered the call to public service in 1987 after earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State University, first with the Pleasant Ridge Police Department, followed by the Huntington Woods Department of Public Safety in 1990 and as in 2014, after 26 years with Huntington Woods and achieving the rank of Deputy Chief, Nicholas Armold joined the City of Portage Department of Public Safety as a senior deputy police chief of operations. After three short years with the City of Portage, Nicholas Armold was named the Director of Public Safety, Police and Fire Chief in 2017. And whereas Director Armold's drive for professional development never ceased as he graduated from the Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command in 2013, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy in 2017. And whereas Director Armold has made a lasting impact on law enforcement across Michigan, serving as president of the West Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, representing 12 counties and more than 10, 110 agencies, served as a commissioner on the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and an advisory board member for the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Law Enforcement and Police Academy programs. And now therefore it be resolved that I Patricia M. Randall is mayor of the City of Portage with deep appreciation honor Director Nicholas J. Armold for his outstanding service and enduring contributions to public safety in the state of Michigan and our city extends heartfelt gratitude for his dedication, protecting our communities, and we wish he and his family health, happiness, and continued success in the years ahead. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution will be placed in the heritage room of the Portage Public Library so that contributions of Nick Armold to the Portage community may be continuously recognized for future generations of Portage residents. Thank you so much, Chief. Did he want to say a few words? Did he want to say it? One last time. I see a piece of paper in your hand. Did you want to come up and say some things, or are you gonna save that for another time? Perfect. We will be there, or I will be there and um celebrate with you and the rest of the community. As you know, I dedicated a good portion of my November Portager Mayor column to you, and I have nothing more but respect for all that you have done. Yep, thank you. All right, moving on with our agenda. Um, this is the opportunity for statement or petitions of citizens. If anyone is here that would like to address the council, now is the appropriate time. Good evening.

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