OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyPortage, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening.

0:02

I call to order the May 12th, 2026 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we recognize police officers of America, especially those serving the City of Portage, who have worked with their highest level of commitment to serve and protect the citizens of our nation.

0:23

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

0:37

Please join me in the pledge.

0:41

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:46

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

1:06

Yes, madam mayor.

1:07

I'll start with Burns.

1:08

Here.

1:08

Ludbetter here.

1:10

Miller.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Randall.

1:14

Here.

1:15

And Young.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Thank you.

1:17

All right.

1:17

We have a very special student with us here this evening.

1:21

It is for the City Hall student art contest, and the council member Young and Miller will present this to the winning winning student.

1:31

Liz de Campos Lieb.

1:33

I'll turn the mic over to both you ladies.

1:38

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1:40

During the month of April, artwork created by Miss Baker's fourth grade class from 12th Street Elementary School was proudly displayed in the City Hall lobby display case near the information window.

1:53

Visitors and staff were invited to admire the students' creativity and vote for their favorite piece by placing a ballot in the nearby box.

2:02

After the votes were counted, Liz de Campos Lieb was determined to be the winner for her piece entitled Lacey the Owl.

2:10

We are fortunate to have such a talented young artist here in Portage Public Schools, and we are equally grateful for her dedicated art teacher and the opportunity to showcase her work.

2:21

Her effort brings joy, color, inspiration to everyone who visits City Hall.

2:27

To recognize her achievement, we are pleased to award Liz a $50 La Finca gift card redeemable at the Portage location situated at 10412 Portage Road.

2:41

Congratulations once again, Liz.

2:43

Would you please come forward?

2:53

Yeah, you're allowed to Right.

2:57

Um, in front of the city manager, Mr.

2:59

McGuinness is a picture of her art project.

3:06

Thank you for your parents for raising such a fine daughter and a future artist.

3:12

All right, next on our agenda is a proclamation honoring National Police Week, and I'd like to call several officers forward to read this into the agenda.

3:27

Good evening.

3:28

Good evening.

3:29

Whereas May 11th marks the beginning of police week 2026, honoring the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy and whereas police week began in 1962 when President Kennedy signed a proclamation in honor of the police officers of America who have worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of this nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves.

4:03

And whereas Peace Officers Memorial Day is annually held on May 15th in honor of fallen officers and their families, and U.S.

4:14

flags should be flown at half staff and whereas since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,500 law enforcement officers in the United States who have uh made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty and whereas the 111 line of duty deaths of law enforcement professionals nationwide in 2025 decreased 25% compared to the 148 officers who passed in 2024.

4:51

2025 represents a near historic low comparable to 1943.

5:00

And whereas the year of 2026 has witnessed 21 officers perish in the line of duty to date.

5:06

And whereas Kalmazoo County uh first law sheriff's department officer Benjamin Orcut on December 12th, 1867, killed while attempting to stop a jailbreak.

5:20

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata killed after responding to a shots fired call on April 18th, 2011, followed by Kalmazou County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Ryan Proxmire killed during a pursuit of an armed subject on August 15th, 2021, and whereas during police week, all Portage Police Division officers will wear mourning bands covering their badges, and the Portage Department of Public Safety will illuminate its building in blue as a symbol of mourning and recognition of those who have fallen.

5:57

Now therefore it be resolved that I, Patricia M.

5:59

Randall, as mayor of the city of Portage, do hereby proclaim May 11th through May 16th as National Police Week to honor all public safety officers for their dedicated years of service and sacrifice to the Portage and Kalmazou area communities.

6:16

Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.

6:26

And I have a um uh an awareness that you would like to share a few comments about something special upcoming.

6:34

Yes, madam mayor.

6:36

Uh, given that this is both police week and Kalamazoo Area Bike Week.

6:40

I felt it was an appropriate time to speak about the thin blue shoreline ride.

6:44

In August of 2025, I participated in this event, which is a four-day 365-mile bike ride from St.

6:50

Joe to Potoski along the Michigan Lakeshore.

6:53

The participants are comp um comprised of active and retired law enforcement officers and surviving family members of public safety officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

7:05

The purpose of this ride is twofold.

7:07

The first is to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

7:11

The second is to raise money for Michigan chapter of concerns of police survivors, which is my cops.

7:18

For those not familiar with my cops, it is a nonprofit organization that provides fund support and support directly to family members and agencies of law enforcement officers that have been killed in the line of duty.

7:29

Each participant in the ride is required to raise a minimum of 1250 to participate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Economic Development█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████████16%
Historic Preservation███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Public Safety█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Arts And Culture██2%
Zoning Regulations██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Portage City Council met on May 12, 2026, for a regular meeting that included presentations, public comments, a budget hearing, and several council actions. The meeting began with a student art contest award, a proclamation for National Police Week, and remarks about the Thin Blue Shoreline Ride fundraiser. Public comments addressed zoning concerns, unresolved lawn issues from utility work, and a celebratory song. The council received updates from the Historic District Commission and Discover Kalamazoo, held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, and discussed a staff memo that had been circulated regarding a resident's zoning comments.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) after removing item 6 for individual consideration. Item 6 was a staff memo responding to written comments from Rick and Mary Vilpolski about single-family zoning in the proposed Residential Unified Development Ordinance (RUDO). The council later approved the materials transmitted for item 6 with an amendment to attach the Vilpolskis' full email.
  • Two items were added to the consent agenda by motion: a presentation from the Historic District Commission and a presentation from Discover Kalamazoo.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rick and Mary Vilpolski (836 East Shore Drive) expressed displeasure with a staff memo that they felt misrepresented their written comments to the Planning Commission regarding the RUDO. They stated they support the RUDO 99% correctly, are not opposed to multiple housing types, and requested an apology, correction, and removal of the memo from the agenda. They noted that the memo omitted key points from their email, including their agreement with the Master Plan's definition of single-family and their suggestion to use environmental criteria for duplex placement.
  • Cindy Seamark (Ramona Park Plat) described ongoing unresolved problems with her lawn after sewer and water utility work in summer 2024. She stated that the drainage swale created is too deep, causing water pooling and unsafe mowing conditions. She reported unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with city staff and requested council action to fulfill a promise made by the city manager.
  • Terry (longtime Portage resident) spoke in a celebratory mood, supporting the recent referendum result that rejected a single-service provider for multi-purpose pickup services. He also sang an Italian folk song in honor of Mother's Day.

Discussion Items

  • Historic District Commission Update: Chair Katie Van Long Keisen, along with members Martha Deming Maitner and Steve Rice, presented the commission's goals, committee structure, and partnerships. They highlighted efforts to become a Certified Local Government (CLG) to access state grants, a video project for the 1859 schoolhouse, a Native American monument at Celery Flats, and a new booklet of historic properties. They noted that the city's $50,000 set-aside for public art and historical markers (including Native American markers) could support these projects. Council encouraged continued collaboration with staff.
  • Discover Kalamazoo Presentation: Jane Ghosh reported that Kalamazoo County visitor spending reached $771 million in 2024 (up 3.6%). Geolocation data showed Portage hotel occupancy at 67.1% year-to-date (vs. 55% countywide), with 18 days above 80% occupancy. Business travel drives weekday performance. The Zap Zone at Crossroads Mall has helped stem the mall's decline in visits. Ghosh also updated the council on the planned indoor youth and amateur sports facility (100% hotel-funded), which is located near Portage and will host tournaments to fill local hotels. The council received the report.
  • Budget Public Hearing: The council held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, tax levy, and water/sewer rates. No public comments were offered. The hearing was closed, and the council set the final adoption meeting for May 26, 2026. The council also adopted resolutions for recommended water and sewer rates, based quarterly charges, franchise area fees, and other service fees effective July 1, 2026.
  • Item 6 – Staff Memo Regarding Vilpolski Comments: Mayor Pro Tern Dr. Pearson raised concerns that a staff memo transmitted to the council (responded to written comments from the Vilpolskis) may have discouraged citizen participation. City Manager Pat McGuinness explained that he was asked by elected officials to clarify the Master Plan's support for the Planning Commission's recommendation, and he used the only written comments received (the Vilpolskis' email) as a basis. He stated the intent was factual clarification, not to embarrass anyone. The Vilpolskis reiterated that their full email was not included. Councilmember Pearson moved to approve the materials transmitted with an amendment to attach the complete email. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Consent agenda (excluding item 6) – unanimous.
  • Approved: Historic District Commission report and Discover Kalamazoo report – unanimous.
  • Adopted: Resolutions for water and sewer rates and other service fees effective July 1, 2026 – unanimous.
  • Set: Final budget adoption meeting for May 26, 2026, and tax levy consideration – unanimous.
  • Approved: Materials transmitted for item 6 (staff memo) with amendment to attach the Vilpolskis' full email – unanimous.
  • Closed session: The council met in closed session to review a legal opinion. Upon return, they voted unanimously to direct the city attorney to move forward as discussed.
  • Upcoming events: The council noted several community events, including the Memorial Day parade, Friday at the Flats block party, garlic mustard pulling contest, and the Portage Farmers Market relocation to the senior center site (ribbon cutting May 26).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call to order the May 12th, 2026 Portage City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we recognize police officers of America, especially those serving the City of Portage, who have worked with their highest level of commitment to serve and protect the citizens of our nation. 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. Yes, madam mayor. I'll start with Burns. Here. Ludbetter here. Miller. Here. Randall. Here. And Young. Here. Thank you. All right. We have a very special student with us here this evening. It is for the City Hall student art contest, and the council member Young and Miller will present this to the winning winning student. Liz de Campos Lieb. I'll turn the mic over to both you ladies. Thank you, Madam Mayor. During the month of April, artwork created by Miss Baker's fourth grade class from 12th Street Elementary School was proudly displayed in the City Hall lobby display case near the information window. Visitors and staff were invited to admire the students' creativity and vote for their favorite piece by placing a ballot in the nearby box. After the votes were counted, Liz de Campos Lieb was determined to be the winner for her piece entitled Lacey the Owl. We are fortunate to have such a talented young artist here in Portage Public Schools, and we are equally grateful for her dedicated art teacher and the opportunity to showcase her work. Her effort brings joy, color, inspiration to everyone who visits City Hall. To recognize her achievement, we are pleased to award Liz a $50 La Finca gift card redeemable at the Portage location situated at 10412 Portage Road. Congratulations once again, Liz. Would you please come forward? Yeah, you're allowed to Right. Um, in front of the city manager, Mr. McGuinness is a picture of her art project. Thank you for your parents for raising such a fine daughter and a future artist. All right, next on our agenda is a proclamation honoring National Police Week, and I'd like to call several officers forward to read this into the agenda. Good evening. Good evening. Whereas May 11th marks the beginning of police week 2026, honoring the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy and whereas police week began in 1962 when President Kennedy signed a proclamation in honor of the police officers of America who have worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of this nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves. And whereas Peace Officers Memorial Day is annually held on May 15th in honor of fallen officers and their families, and U.S. flags should be flown at half staff and whereas since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,500 law enforcement officers in the United States who have uh made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty and whereas the 111 line of duty deaths of law enforcement professionals nationwide in 2025 decreased 25% compared to the 148 officers who passed in 2024. 2025 represents a near historic low comparable to 1943. And whereas the year of 2026 has witnessed 21 officers perish in the line of duty to date. And whereas Kalmazoo County uh first law sheriff's department officer Benjamin Orcut on December 12th, 1867, killed while attempting to stop a jailbreak. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata killed after responding to a shots fired call on April 18th, 2011, followed by Kalmazou County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Ryan Proxmire killed during a pursuit of an armed subject on August 15th, 2021, and whereas during police week, all Portage Police Division officers will wear mourning bands covering their badges, and the Portage Department of Public Safety will illuminate its building in blue as a symbol of mourning and recognition of those who have fallen. Now therefore it be resolved that I, Patricia M. Randall, as mayor of the city of Portage, do hereby proclaim May 11th through May 16th as National Police Week to honor all public safety officers for their dedicated years of service and sacrifice to the Portage and Kalmazou area communities. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe. And I have a um uh an awareness that you would like to share a few comments about something special upcoming. Yes, madam mayor.

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