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Record of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting – January 13, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyPortage, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:02

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:04

Good evening.

0:05

I call to order the January 13th, 2025 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs.

0:14

And as we begin the new calendar year, may we all work together to make Portage a stronger, more inclusive and unified community.

0:24

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

0:33

Come out, have fun, meet more people.

0:39

Please join me in the pledge.

0:42

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:01

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

1:07

Yes, Madam Mayor.

1:07

I'll start with Burns.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Ledbetter.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Miller.

1:13

Pearson.

1:14

Portage.

1:15

Randall.

1:16

Here.

1:17

And Young.

1:18

Here.

1:19

And if I could please ask.

1:20

Oh, our cable access did get that picture up.

1:22

Thank you.

1:23

All right.

1:23

And you will see our mayor pro tem, Dr.

1:26

Jim Pearson, in the corner on your screen.

1:30

Open Meetings Act have changed the requirements post-COVID.

1:35

Jim is actively watching, but he cannot actively participate in this meeting.

1:40

But that is why his face is on the screen.

1:44

We have an exciting meeting this evening.

1:47

We have three very positive things.

1:55

Helping to brighten Portage during the darkest month of the year.

1:59

And I'm going to turn it over to our city manager, Mr.

2:02

Pat McGuinness, to award the winners of this contest.

2:15

Thank you very much, Your Honor.

2:17

It's always a pleasure and a good time to recognize these overzealous celebrants from the holiday season.

2:24

They're probably just getting their stuff down.

2:27

The uh extensive displays they had up this year.

2:30

Uh but we did have a public voting process.

2:33

So uh this was popularly chosen for second and third place.

2:37

And then there's a judge's choice.

2:38

We have a top secret judge uh that goes around each year and and picks the the fourth prize.

2:43

And by the way, this is uh sponsored by our friends at Consumers Energy.

2:47

Uh they provide the prize money, and if you think about it, uh they're just giving us a little bit back of the power we burn, uh lighting all this stuff.

2:55

So I hope these folks are able to use these prizes uh to pay that uh utility bill that they accumulated in November and December.

3:05

Uh so we're gonna first go with our judges' choice, and I hope they're here.

3:09

If they're not here, we can clap without them.

3:12

Uh 140 for Woodview Drive, the Morris family.

3:16

All right.

3:23

Make sure I get the right check.

3:25

That is a hundred and fifty dollars.

3:27

Are you Terry?

3:28

Yep.

3:29

Wonderful.

3:29

Thank you, Terry.

3:30

I'm the biggest fan of Christmas there is.

3:33

So there's your certificate, and there's your prize money.

3:36

Appreciate what you do.

3:37

Um, third place at 6117, another 150 bucks is the Barron family, 6117 Rothbury.

3:47

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Waste Management███████████████████████████27%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Historic Preservation█████████████13%
Public Engagement███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Miscellaneous███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting (January 13, 2026)

The Portage City Council met on January 13, 2026, for a regular meeting that included recognitions, public comments, appointments, and a key vote on the single-hauler trash petition. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Pearson participating remotely. The meeting featured a holiday lighting contest award ceremony, a resolution honoring former Mayor Betty Lee Ongley on her 100th birthday, and a state resolution honoring outgoing Councilmember Terry Urban for decades of service. Public comments were dominated by the single-hauler trash issue, with many speakers expressing strong opinions. The council voted 4-0 to place the question of repealing the single-hauler ordinance on the May 5, 2026, special election ballot. Councilmember Burns recused himself due to a conflict of interest. The meeting also included a presentation from the Environmental Board on 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals, and a year-in-review presentation by the City Manager.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously by roll call vote (all present in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Doris Antonetti (Zap Zone XL) introduced the new family entertainment center opening February 9, 2026, in the former Sears building at Crossroads Mall, noting it will employ 150 people and has already begun community engagement.
  • Judy Salters (9240 Portage Road) expressed support for the single-hauler plan, stated that Best Way holds similar contracts in other cities, and raised concerns about contract liability if the city reverses the decision.
  • Unnamed speaker (6862 Shallford Way) argued against the petition, calling it based on "three lies": (1) that a majority opposed single-hauler – he said the 2020 survey asked about a tax increase, not about single-hauler itself; (2) that the movement is grassroots – he claimed it was funded and led by Best Way and its owners, who donated over $20,000 to local campaigns; (3) that the issue is about choice – he said it is about Best Way losing money, noting they hold exclusive contracts in other communities.
  • Cindy Raymond (1102 Prosperity Drive) opposed the single-hauler plan, stating she is happy with Best Way, that Waste Management is not BBB accredited, and that she was not given a choice.
  • Joy Giro (609 Larksburg) opposed the plan, stating she wants to keep Best Way and that the city should not dictate services.
  • Jerry Warnamendi (3043 St. Anthony Drive) clarified that the primary issue for him and his neighbors is lack of choice, not the specific carrier.
  • Leah Owens (state streets) conducted a hand-raising poll among attendees, showing many opposed to the single-hauler plan. She expressed frustration that the city does not consider residents who are not computer-literate, and stated her family will not go with the current plan.
  • Liz Maida (6736 Evergreen Street) asked about the criteria for selecting Waste Management, noting Best Way has an A+ BBB rating while Waste Management does not, and demanded an answer.
  • Mary Stillman (Forest Drive) opposed the single-hauler plan, stating it is about control and a slippery slope, and rejected the accusation of being manipulated by Best Way.
  • Linda Fry (9244 Chapel Street, also on Zoning Board of Appeals) asked about the next step after petition signatures were verified; the Mayor indicated it would be addressed later in the meeting.
  • Jane Ghosh (3608 Clover Leaf Lane) supported the single-hauler plan, citing price transparency, lower rates, and fewer trucks. She urged the council to put the question on the May ballot and continue with the plan through March so voters can experience both systems.
  • Brittany Hall (4409 R Side Avenue) encouraged the council to put the issue to a vote, emphasizing the importance of democracy and noting that not everyone can attend meetings or sign petitions.
  • Carolyn Pashek (6745 Shoreham Street) announced that the family shelter is on track to open this spring, and noted the city decided not to fund it, suggesting money go to other homeless services.
  • Eric Shigoda (9510 Corduroy Street) supported the single-hauler decision, called the petition disingenuous, and pointed out Best Way holds exclusive contracts in other communities, including Kentucky. He called on petitioners to withdraw and expressed trust in the council.
  • Unnamed speaker (comment on Best Way) defended Best Way, noting they compete and won 70% of the business, and that Waste Management is owned by Bill Gates.
  • Richard Block (Victory Road) argued that trash truck tire pressure is less than a pickup truck, defended Best Way as a local company that does other work, and opposed the single-hauler mandate, calling it a dictatorship.
  • Richard Santec (7537 Autumn Street, 80-year resident) opposed being told what to do, and said the issue should go to a vote.
  • Kirk Mills (7250 Ball4) supported the single-hauler plan because his current bill is $195 per quarter, and the proposed $14/month through taxes would save him money.

Discussion Items

  • Holiday Lighting Contest Winners: City Manager Pat McGuinness awarded prizes sponsored by Consumers Energy: Judge's Choice ($150) to the Morris family at 1404 Woodview Drive; Third Place ($150) to the Barron family at 6117 Rothbury; Second Place ($150) to the Hengst family at 414 Garberdean Avenue; First Place ($150) to the Mulaski family at 5807 Copperleaf Trail.
  • Recognition of Betty Lee Ongley: Councilmember Terry Urban read a resolution of respect honoring Betty Lee Ongley, the first female mayor of Portage, on her 100th birthday (January 25, 2026). The resolution highlighted her 20 years of service on council, her role in establishing parks (including the Betty Lee Ongley Nature Preserve), and her many community contributions. The council proclaimed January 25, 2026, as Betty Lee Ongley Day in Portage. Betty Lee's daughters and family were present.
  • State Recognition for Terry Urban: State Representatives Julie Rogers, Matt Longjohn, and Senator Sean McCann presented a state resolution honoring Councilmember Terry Urban for his five decades of public service, including 1997-2025 on council, his work on the non-discrimination ordinance, parks, zoning, and numerous boards. Urban noted he may continue serving on some boards.
  • Environmental Board Presentation: Chair David Lancaster reviewed 2025 accomplishments: adoption of rules of procedures, invasive species pulls, plastic bag recycling initiative (which earned a bench in three months), and subcommittees. Goals for 2026 include continued work on invasive species, advising council on climate change and renewable energy, B-City support, and collaboration with YAC on plastic bag recycling. The council received the report unanimously.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council appointed individuals to the Board of Review, Historic District Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Environmental Board via two motions. The first motion (appointments to Board of Review, HDC, ZBA) passed unanimously. The second motion (appointments to Environmental Board) passed 4-0-1, with Councilmember Olmsted abstaining.
  • Petition from Take Back the Trash Committee (D2): The city clerk presented the petition. Councilmember Burns recused himself due to a conflict of interest. The council moved to receive the petition (passed 4-0, with Burns recused). Then a motion was made to submit the proposed ordinance to the electors at a special election on May 5, 2026. The motion passed 4-0. The Mayor noted this is a new situation, and the city will engage an attorney to address legal questions about the contract, penalties, and next steps.
  • City Manager's 2025 Year in Review: Pat McGuinness presented a slideshow of accomplishments: housing (714 new units, neighborhood enterprise zones, code amendments), farmers market ($2.75M in grants, opening Memorial Day), garbage collection optimization, business-friendly initiatives (Zap Zone, Portage Pocket Pay, business directory), Lake Center improvements, sustainability efforts, opioid settlement programs, Hampton Bog flooding solutions, public safety tech (drone system, AI reporting), Michigan Mayor's Conference, tornado relief ($3M from state, 4,000 trees lost), Austin Lake Trail, and new council member and public safety director.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote on Single-Hauler Referendum: The council voted 4-0 (Burns recused) to place the question of repealing the single-hauler ordinance on the May 5, 2026, special election ballot. The city will seek legal counsel to determine the status of the contract and potential penalties.
  • Appointments Approved: Carol Eady, Pat Buckley, Charlie Eldred, Amanda Bengston, Orville Smith, Justin Gish to the Board of Review (terms ending Jan 31, 2027); Carol Dunlevey Chandler to the Historic District Commission (term ending Dec 31, 2027); David Berger, Michael Stempahar, Hilary Taylor, Mark Martin, Dan Merkel to the Zoning Board of Appeals (terms ending Feb 28, 2029); Charlie Coss to the Environmental Board (partial term ending Oct 1, 2027) and Tapus a Chargee to the Environmental Board (term ending Oct 1, 2028).
  • Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimous approval of routine items.
  • Environmental Board Report Received: Unanimous acceptance.
  • Recognition of Betty Lee Ongley and Terry Urban: Resolutions adopted and presented.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call to order the January 13th, 2025 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs. And as we begin the new calendar year, may we all work together to make Portage a stronger, more inclusive and unified community. Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Come out, have fun, meet more people. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And if I could please ask the clerk to call the roll. Yes, Madam Mayor. I'll start with Burns. Here. Ledbetter. Here. Miller. Pearson. Portage. Randall. Here. And Young. Here. And if I could please ask. Oh, our cable access did get that picture up. Thank you. All right. And you will see our mayor pro tem, Dr. Jim Pearson, in the corner on your screen. Open Meetings Act have changed the requirements post-COVID. Jim is actively watching, but he cannot actively participate in this meeting. But that is why his face is on the screen. We have an exciting meeting this evening. We have three very positive things. Helping to brighten Portage during the darkest month of the year. And I'm going to turn it over to our city manager, Mr. Pat McGuinness, to award the winners of this contest. Thank you very much, Your Honor. It's always a pleasure and a good time to recognize these overzealous celebrants from the holiday season. They're probably just getting their stuff down. The uh extensive displays they had up this year. Uh but we did have a public voting process. So uh this was popularly chosen for second and third place. And then there's a judge's choice. We have a top secret judge uh that goes around each year and and picks the the fourth prize. And by the way, this is uh sponsored by our friends at Consumers Energy. Uh they provide the prize money, and if you think about it, uh they're just giving us a little bit back of the power we burn, uh lighting all this stuff. So I hope these folks are able to use these prizes uh to pay that uh utility bill that they accumulated in November and December. Uh so we're gonna first go with our judges' choice, and I hope they're here. If they're not here, we can clap without them. Uh 140 for Woodview Drive, the Morris family. All right. Make sure I get the right check.

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