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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 21, 2026

BodyPortage, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, July 21, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:18:18

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

0:03

Good evening.

0:04

I call to order the July 21st, 2026 ported City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we work together to make our community a place where all feel welcome.

0:17

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

0:32

Please join me in the pledge.

0:35

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

0:40

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:43

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:52

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

0:55

Yes, Madam Mayor.

0:56

I'll start with Burns.

0:59

Miller.

1:00

Here, Homestead.

1:01

Here, Pearson.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Randall.

1:04

Here.

1:04

And young.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Thank you.

1:06

All right.

1:07

We have no proclamations this evening, so this is the opportunity for statement or petitions from citizens.

1:13

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

1:18

Good evening and welcome.

1:21

Hi.

1:21

Good evening.

1:22

My name is Shona Espinoza.

1:24

I'm from Kamazoo.

1:26

But I was just coming because I am a pair of pro in the middle school.

1:31

And I am a captain on the ESP Bill of Rights.

1:34

And I would um, I think you all should have one.

1:37

Um I am working with the MEA to get the ESP Bill of Rights passed into law, and we're asking for endorsements.

1:47

Um the ESP Bill of Rights is for support staff, so like your para pros, your bus drivers, your secretaries, those that aren't teachers.

1:56

And so we um are asking for a thriving wage, good health care, good retirement, the things that we all deserve.

2:04

Um I came here to ask you guys as individuals and as a board to endorse it and to help support the MEA with the ESP Bill of Rights to get it into law.

2:16

Um, because I think that support staff makes the school work.

2:20

We we do so much in the schools, and I think that this will show every the support staff, no matter if they're in common zoo port is wherever they're at, that you guys are supportive and want to make sure that this is this gets passed and we're supported.

2:36

Thank you.

2:36

All right, thank you.

2:38

Still an opportunity for statement of citizens.

2:44

Good evening.

2:45

Good evening.

2:49

Hello, respected members of the city council board.

2:52

Before I begin, I'd like to thank all of you guys that have contributed to the city and your lasting impact you guys have made on so many people.

2:59

Today I'm going to bring up an issue that you guys um didn't cause, but I believe it's one that we can fix.

3:06

Um, my name is Logan Dowell.

3:08

I'm a rising sophomore at Portage Northern High School.

3:10

I may not have a fancy title or position of power, but I do have a voice, and I'm not afraid to use it.

3:16

Recently I have discovered a ruling made by the current administration that will affect all of us and our climate as we know it.

3:22

The Trump administration has altered the meaning of one word inside the ESA or Endangered Species Act that could threaten and endanger countless species of animals across the United States.

3:32

Just this last week, the Trump administration changed the long-standing and well-defined meaning of the word harm within the act.

3:39

Previous to their change, the word harm defined by the U.S.

3:42

Fish and Wildlife Service was anything that injures or kills a protected organism, including and remember this significant habitat modification or degradation that might impact the species' ability to feed, reproduce, or seek shelter.

3:56

This being written, this being written into the act protects forests, lakes, and animals from money hungry companies, billionaires, and corporations trying to destroy their land.

4:06

This fundamentally allows for there to be laws preventing the overall and unjust destruction of protected wildlife.

4:12

It allows animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and other wildlife to be protected when a company comes bulldozing.

4:19

It protects your favorite animals and long-lasting animals from being threatened.

4:23

Their ruling gets rid of that protection.

4:25

Many species and their habitats rely on from the ESA, allowing the destruction or degradation of habitats without legal repercussions.

4:34

The administration tries lobbying for this idea behind the argument that this new definition of harm eliminates confusion and provides certainty to American homeowners.

4:43

They also cite that this change reduces cost for Americans.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████21%

Public Safety████████████████16%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%

Public Engagement████████████12%

Transportation Safety████████████12%

Zoning Regulations████████8%

Affordable Housing█████5%

Arts And Culture█████5%

Labor Relations███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Portage City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Portage City Council met on July 21, 2026, to address a range of topics including public comments on the Endangered Species Act, affordable housing, and neighborhood concerns; approvals of a preliminary condo plan for Firestone Site and a charitable gaming license; a purchasing ordinance amendment; and a closed session to review city manager applications. The meeting concluded with the setting of a special meeting for candidate interviews.

Consent Calendar

Approved the consent agenda as presented, excluding items 4 and 5 which were pulled for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

Shona Espinoza (Kalamazoo, para pro in middle school, MEA representative) spoke in support of the ESP Bill of Rights for support staff, asking the council for endorsement and support for a thriving wage, healthcare, and retirement.
Logan Dowell (rising sophomore at Portage Northern High School) expressed opposition to the Trump administration's change in the definition of "harm" in the Endangered Species Act, arguing that it removes protection against habitat degradation and favors large corporations.
Howard Martin (resident, 6047 Marlowe) reported that a city letter about tree trimming on city property had a threatening tone, but the issue was resolved by giving permission for the city to trim the trees.
A neighbor of Howard Martin (unnamed, 6047 Marlowe) supported Martin's comments, criticizing the city's letter as heavy-handed and lacking specificity, and questioning the validity of the traffic study cited.
Connie Jackson (disabled veteran) advocated for secure parking for police, fire, and dispatch personnel, emphasizing that first responders deserve the same protection for their vehicles as city officials.
Jack Gasmundo (AVB, 4200 West Center Avenue) provided an update on Stanwood Crossing (under budget by 9% with 17 homes in active contract) and McConnelly Cove (ribbon cutting July 30), thanking the city for support and highlighting the city's role in creating diverse housing options.
Cheryl May (4204 Fireside Avenue) expressed concerns about the Firestone development (49 homes) adding 400-500 vehicle trips per day to Fireside Avenue, a quiet dead-end street, and urged the council to require a second entrance from another major street.
Al Barrett (resident) reiterated support for a second entrance, suggesting the city use proceeds from selling an easement to purchase another for additional access.
Cheryl Anderson (4216 Fireside Avenue) echoed concerns about traffic and safety, stating she was not informed of the meeting until the night before, and thanked council members who responded to her emails.
Patty Sparks (4208 Fireside Avenue) raised safety concerns about only one entrance, noting that a tornado or emergency could trap residents in the northeast corner of the development.
A veteran and former resident of Sylvanon Park (10386 Schwreier Lane) criticized affordable housing management, claiming that criminals are prioritized over good families and that law enforcement is unable to address issues, calling for better oversight.

Discussion Items

Firestone Site Condominiums (Item 4): Councilmember Burns pulled the item to discuss traffic implications. Acting City Manager Adam Herringa and Chief Development Officer Pete Dane presented the 49-home single-family development, which meets all city ordinances and is permitted by right. The planning commission recommended approval 6-0. Emergency access is a gated fire lane. Council discussed the legal inability to require a second entrance, future connection opportunities if adjacent farmland develops, repaving of Fireside Avenue (Pacer rating 2-3, reconstructed after construction), water retention on site, and speed monitoring during construction. The council approved the preliminary condo plan unanimously.
Charitable Gaming License for Shakespeare in Kalamazoo (Item 5): Councilmember Young pulled the item to clarify the organization's headquarters location. A representative explained that Shakespeare in Kalamazoo is headquartered in Portage and is conducting a raffle in Ypsilanti to fund scholarships for stage combat training. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Purchasing Ordinance Amendment (Unfinished Business): The council adopted an amendment to Division 2, Article 5 of the city code, allowing the city manager to designate others to sign contracts under $75,000. The change was described as a minor cleanup.

Key Outcomes

Approved the preliminary condo plan for Firestone Site Condominiums at 421 Zylman Avenue (unanimous roll call vote).
Approved the resolution for a charitable gaming license recognizing Shakespeare in Kalamazoo as a nonprofit organization (unanimous roll call vote).
Adopted the amendment to the purchasing ordinance (unanimous roll call vote).
Convened in closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to review confidential city manager applications.
Set a special meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. to interview city manager candidates #37, 43, 46, and 49 (unanimous roll call vote).
Councilmember Burns noted that the traffic study request for Firestone could be a topic for future goal setting to define specific criteria for when studies are required.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call to order the July 21st, 2026 ported City Council meeting in honor of all denominations and personal beliefs, and as we work together to make our community a place where all feel welcome. 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 ask the clerk to please call the role. Yes, Madam Mayor. I'll start with Burns. Miller. Here, Homestead. Here, Pearson. Here. Randall. Here. And young. Here. Thank you. All right. We have no proclamations this evening, so this is the opportunity for statement or petitions from citizens. If anyone is here that would like to address the council, now is the appropriate time. Good evening and welcome. Hi. Good evening. My name is Shona Espinoza. I'm from Kamazoo. But I was just coming because I am a pair of pro in the middle school. And I am a captain on the ESP Bill of Rights. And I would um, I think you all should have one. Um I am working with the MEA to get the ESP Bill of Rights passed into law, and we're asking for endorsements. Um the ESP Bill of Rights is for support staff, so like your para pros, your bus drivers, your secretaries, those that aren't teachers. And so we um are asking for a thriving wage, good health care, good retirement, the things that we all deserve. Um I came here to ask you guys as individuals and as a board to endorse it and to help support the MEA with the ESP Bill of Rights to get it into law. Um, because I think that support staff makes the school work. We we do so much in the schools, and I think that this will show every the support staff, no matter if they're in common zoo port is wherever they're at, that you guys are supportive and want to make sure that this is this gets passed and we're supported. Thank you. All right, thank you. Still an opportunity for statement of citizens. Good evening. Good evening. Hello, respected members of the city council board. Before I begin, I'd like to thank all of you guys that have contributed to the city and your lasting impact you guys have made on so many people. Today I'm going to bring up an issue that you guys um didn't cause, but I believe it's one that we can fix. Um, my name is Logan Dowell. I'm a rising sophomore at Portage Northern High School. I may not have a fancy title or position of power, but I do have a voice, and I'm not afraid to use it. Recently I have discovered a ruling made by the current administration that will affect all of us and our climate as we know it. The Trump administration has altered the meaning of one word inside the ESA or Endangered Species Act that could threaten and endanger countless species of animals across the United States. Just this last week, the Trump administration changed the long-standing and well-defined meaning of the word harm within the act.

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