Portage City Council Meeting - February 10, 2026
Portage City Council Meeting - February 10, 2026
The Portage City Council met on February 10, 2026, to address a consent agenda, adopt a cemetery ordinance amendment, receive committee reports, and hear public comments on the single hauler trash collection issue and other matters.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously with a correction to the planning commission meeting date (from February 18 to February 19).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mark Anthony Martin (resident) expressed opposition to the single hauler ordinance, arguing it removes choice and praised Best Way's service. He criticized the council for ignoring citizens and costing the city money for a special election.
- Liz Healy and Tracy Lowy (Chubby Mermaids) introduced their nonprofit promoting health and fitness for women, announced a fundraiser at Presidential Brewing on March 21, and invited community support.
- Chandra Kinney (Kalamazoo Conservation District district manager, Portage resident) discussed changes to the conservation district's mission and invited attendance at their annual meeting on March 5.
- Doug Vowden (resident) commended the council for pursuing a single hauler to save money, argued that the RFP process was fair, and criticized the framing of the issue as "choice" rather than securing a fair price.
- Richard Mellum (caller) thanked the city for the Green Book event, urged attention to the environmental advisory committee's dark skies recommendations, requested detailed Austin Lake Trail designs, and raised concerns about e-bike safety and speed regulation on trails.
Discussion Items
- Cemetery Ordinance Amendment (Chapter 18): The city manager presented the amendment, which updates a code not revised since the early 1980s and aligns with current department oversight. Council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
- Council Committee Reports:
- Councilmember Miller reported on a feasibility study for ice rinks in Kalamazoo County, highlighting a dire need for ice sheets due to closing rinks and displaced users (hockey, skating, curling). The study projects economic impacts and will be released publicly.
- Councilmember Olmstead reminded of the upcoming Planning Commission public hearing on the moratorium for BESS and data centers (February 19).
- Councilmember Ledbetter discussed the Black History Month program and addressed misinformation about the single hauler contract, noting that 64% of communities use single haulers and that the referendum will cost taxpayers $50,000.
- Councilmember Miller added details on the ice rink economic impact ($12 million last year, lost 2,085 room nights).
- Councilmember Young highlighted the Southwest Michigan First economic development event, the Zap Zone opening (140 jobs), the facade grant program, and the Black History Month program.
- Councilmember Burns acknowledged the capital improvement program policy update and announced the Raisin Cane's restaurant opening on February 17.
- City Manager Announcements: The Youth Advisory Committee will host a "Have a Heart" Valentine's event on February 14 benefiting Hospitality House, and ribbon cuttings at Zap Zone (February 16) and Raisin Cane's (February 17).
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved with correction.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 18 (Cemeteries) adopted unanimously.
- Council committee reports received.
- Council noted upcoming events and public hearings.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I call to order the February 10, 2026, Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations on personal beliefs. And as we continue to celebrate Black History Month in the month of February, may we celebrate the commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please rise for a moment of personal introspection and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Here. Olmstead. Here. Pearson. Randall. Here. And young. Here. Thank you. All right. Just a point of order. I wanted to uh acknowledge that Mayor Pro 10, Dr. Jim Pearson, um, is out of town at this time, and but he is actively participating in our meeting. Um, he cannot vote. Um, and these rules all change post-COVID, uh, where you had to be present with the open meetings act to participate. But just wanted to acknowledge that Dr. Pearson is uh face on the screen, and that is why. All right. Um, this is the opportunity if anyone is here this evening uh for petition or statement of citizens. Good evening and welcome. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Mark Anthony Martin and reside at 10509 Dandale Street. I'm here today to say that I support the right to choose who hauls my trash and yard waste. Best way of serve me well for over 20 years. They are my vendor of choice, and because of their customer service. We have had the choice to pick our trash hauler and yard waste haulers. 70% of our community had chosen best way over the earlier haulers. Cost is not my primary reason. As I stated earlier, best way is responsive to my needs and request. In fact, when I missed placing my container to the curb before collection time, best way placed me on the missed list, and my bins were picked up the next day at no additional cost. The Porta City Council has the responsibility to represent the will of the people. We have submitted enough signatures to indicate that we are not happy that you removed our right to choose. The Porta City Council ignored the citizens and have chosen to place the issue on the May ballot. The problem is that you are now costing citizens with the expense to vote for a single issue, and then try to act as if we the people are the problem.
openpublica.com