Portage City Council Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Portage City Council met on the evening of September 22, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting included a proclamation for National Senior Center Month, approval of the consent agenda, an annual update from the Senior Citizen Advisory Board, a presentation of the Planning Commission work program, committee reports, and councilmember statements. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Patricia M. Randall with all councilmembers present.

Proclamation: National Senior Center Month

• Linda Zahler, chair of the Portage Zhang Senior Center Advisory Council, read a proclamation declaring September 2026 as National Senior Center Month. The proclamation recognized the contributions of older adults and the center's role in supporting healthy aging, noting the theme "Happier Birthdays Happen Here."

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously by a 7-0 roll call vote with no items removed for individual consideration.

Communications: Annual Update from Senior Citizen Advisory Board

• Linda Zahler provided highlights of the Portage Zhang Senior Center's activities. Membership has grown from approximately 1,500 in 2022 to nearly 4,800, with expectations to break 5,000 by year-end. Annual visits exceed 11,000, with 4,700 unduplicated visitors. The center offers 40 fitness and wellness programs. Financially, the center projects $72,000 in net revenue, with $42,000 from facility rentals. Partnerships include the Friends of the Zhang Center and other community organizations. New programming includes virtual reality, Parkinson's-specific classes, falls prevention, and senior horsemanship. The centenarian brunch had 19 attendees, up from 11 previously. The senior expo attracted 70 organizations. The center is hosting the 2026 Michigan Association of Senior Centers annual conference. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the center's growth and impact.

Communications: Planning Commission Work Program for FY 2026-2027

• Pete Dame, Chief Development Officer, presented the adopted work program. Goals include aligning with City Council objectives, implementing the master plan, and supporting the Lake Center area plan—including continued Portage Road improvements and a new four-story, 151-unit mixed-use building at Center Street and Portage Road. Upcoming tasks include completing the commercial component of the unified development ordinance, adopting regulations for data centers and battery energy storage, and potentially extending the current moratorium on data centers to allow completion of commercial district redesignations first. Councilmember Olmstead asked about the city's progress toward becoming a "Redevelopment Ready Community," and Dame noted that updating the zoning code to align with the master plan is the major remaining step.

Key Outcomes

• Council accepted the annual update from the Senior Citizen Advisory Board and the proposed Planning Commission work program for FY 2026-2027 via voice vote (no roll call required).
• The consent agenda was approved 7-0.
• The committee report from Councilmember Miller regarding the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority meeting of September 10 was accepted.

Council Committee Reports

• Councilmember Miller reported on the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority meeting of September 10, 2026: she was elected clerk; the board approved an additional $2 million for the radio readiness program to replace and upgrade public safety radio equipment; approved new three-year economic terms for dispatch supervisors; adopted an updated mission statement; and is preparing for the retirement of Chair Jan Vanderklee at year-end.

Statements from City Council

• Councilmember Olmstead: Attended a Southwest Michigan First Learning Academy on Brownfields and Tax Increment Financing (TIFs); reminded that commission interviews will be held October 6 for several boards (Historic District Commission, Human Services Board, Park Board, Senior Citizens Advisory Board); promoted a Parks and Rec cottage food law class on October 8 and a Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo workshop on October 15.
• Councilmember Miller: Reported that the National Solo Ice Dance Final at Wings Event Center brought over 230 athletes; upcoming Kickoff Classic (November 21-22) expected to bring 1,700+ skaters; celebrated the permanent display of A-10 Thunderbolt 258 at the Air Zoo; noted the first Portage P3 Parks Petal Park Poker Pedal event on September 13; attended Southwest Michigan First Chamber Choice Awards; recognized Unifab's 75th anniversary; announced the Kalamazoo Airport runway is reopened after a one-week closure; promoted AirFair on September 26.
• Councilmember Young: Thanked Portage Public Schools and Public Safety for the September 11 remembrance at the Portage Northern-Portage Central football game; reminded of the Firehouse Open House on October 4; noted that she and Councilmember Miller will miss the October 6 council meeting due to the Michigan Municipal League Conference in Traverse City; encouraged residents to apply for board and commission vacancies; reminded residents to make a plan to vote for the November elections, pointing to the "Plan to Vote" page on the city website.
• Councilmember Burns: Reported on the Portage Public Safety Foundation golf fundraiser on September 14, which raised over $16,000 in 2025 and hopes to exceed that in 2026; he won the 50-50 raffle for the second consecutive year and donated the winnings back.
• Mayor Randall: Thanked Councilmember Burns for his generosity; noted attending the play "Harlem Duet" featuring Councilmember Ledbetter; recognized Larry Sant as the recipient of the 10th annual Portage Art Award for his piece "Avian" (a snowy egret); reminded that the last farmers market is October 11; noted cancellation of the Fall Festival due to 4.5 inches of rain but expressed hope for Oktoberfest on September 26.