Portage City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025

The City Council held its final meeting of 2025 on December 16th, addressing a range of agenda items including a proclamation for the Portage West Middle School cross country teams, a public hearing and approval of a brownfield redevelopment plan for Center Point Apartments, the confirmation of Matt Wolf as Public Safety Director, the establishment of neighborhood enterprise zones (NEZ) for the Lake Center and City Center districts, approval of a 15-year NEZ certificate for the Center Point Apartments project, authorization to sell homes at Stanwood Crossings, and an ordinance amendment on historic preservation. Council members also provided committee reports and shared statements.

Proclamation

• Mayor Patricia M. Randall proclaimed December 16, 2025 as Portage West Cross Country Day in honor of the West Middle School Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams, which were ranked number one in Division One in Michigan and completed an undefeated regular season. Assistant Principal Sydney Bailey IV accepted the proclamation on behalf of the 101 athletes.

Public Hearing – Center Point Apartments Brownfield Plan

• The council held a public hearing to consider a brownfield redevelopment plan for the Center Point Apartments (formerly Center Port Apartments) at 7920 Portage Road. The project is a mixed-use development with 151 units (69 studios, 67 one-bedroom, 15 two-bedroom) and 1,500 square feet of ground-floor retail, with a total investment of $32 million. The brownfield plan requests $9,368,962 in eligible expenses, including a 43.2% state participation via Act 381, and a 25-year term plus a 5-year local brownfield fund. The developer agreed to provide 30 affordable units (14 studios, 13 one-bedroom, 3 two-bedroom) for 21 years, with an estimated annual gap of $6.25 million over that period. The Brownfield Board unanimously approved the plan with a cap on interest at 3.5% based on a TIFF without NEZ. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. The council voted unanimously to approve the brownfield plan.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing Closed – Motion carried unanimously.
• Approval of Center Point Apartments Brownfield Plan – Motion carried 6-0 (Miller, Olmstead, Pearson, Randall, Young, Burns all yes).
• Appointment of Matt Wolf as Public Safety Director – City Manager Pat McGuinness appointed Matt Wolf, a 30-year veteran of the Portage Public Safety Department, as interim director effective 3 p.m. on December 16, 2025, and then submitted the appointment for council confirmation. The council approved the appointment effective immediately (December 16, 2025) with a unanimous vote after an amendment to the effective date. Council members praised Wolf's career progression and the city's investment in internal candidates.
• Establishment of Lake Center Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) – Resolution adopted unanimously (Olmstead, Pearson, Randall, Young, Burns, Miller all yes).
• Establishment of City Center Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) – Resolution adopted unanimously (Burns, Miller, Olmstead, Pearson, Randall, Young all yes).
• Approval of 15-Year NEZ Certificate for 7920 Partners LLC – Resolution to approve a 15-year NEZ certificate in the Lake Center NEZ district authorized submission to the state tax commission. Motion carried unanimously (Miller, Pearson, Randall, Young, Burns all yes).
• Authorization to Sell Real Property at Stanwood Crossings – Resolution authorized the city manager or designee to sell homes at Stanwood Crossings (9617 Portage Road) to eligible families at 75% of construction cost. Motion carried unanimously (Pearson, Randall, Young, Burns, Miller, Olmstead all yes).
• Ordinance Amendment on Historic Preservation (Chapter 38) – Ordinance adopted unanimously (Pearson, Randall, Young, Burns, Miller, Olmstead all yes).

Council Committee Reports & Statements

• Councilmember Young reported on the retirement ceremony for former Public Safety Director Nick Arnold and highlighted the Portage tree lighting ceremony. She encouraged donations to Bronson Children's Hospital and support for local businesses via Portage Pocket Pay.
• Councilmember Burns praised former Director Arnold for his leadership during the summer of 2020 and his emphasis on people, policies, and purpose. He also expressed confidence in new Director Wolf.
• Councilmember Olmsted reiterated congratulations to both Arnold and Wolf and wished everyone happy holidays.
• Councilmember Miller reported on efforts to support ice skating rinks and economic impacts from potential closures of Wings and Wings West. She noted committee interviews on January 13, 2025, and promoted Portage Pocket Pay.
• Councilmember Pearson recounted the city's financial recovery since 2011, noting that Portage is now thriving, leading to the need for updated ordinances, enterprise zones, and housing initiatives like Stanwood Crossings.
• Mayor Randall addressed leaf pickup complaints, noting that an early heavy snowfall delayed collection but public works is working diligently. She also reminded that City Hall will be closed December 26 and wished everyone a safe holiday season.

Final Actions

• The meeting adjourned after all business was completed.