Council at odds about city hall funding

A proposal to upgrade Portland City Hall became a slightly contentious topic at Monday evening’s Portland City Council meeting.
Council members were presented with an ordinance that would appropriate about $250,000 for repairs and improvements in and outside of city hall. The ordinance was eventually passed 5-2 on first reading, but council did not have the unanimous vote needed to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance on second reading.
The ordinance would appropriate $139,000 for interior work, which includes fixing flood damage, as well as upgrades; $84,000 for building improvement, which would include renovating the building’s façade; and $27,000 for additional equipment, which would include a new generator.
Council will once again discuss the issue during its next meeting.
The interior of city hall was damaged during this summer’s floods, causing carpeting and paneling to be removed.
Since those items already need to be replaced, Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said it makes sense for the city to repair and renovate its government building, located at 321 N. Meridian St., especially given the push to revitalize downtown buildings.
“We’re the eyesore,” Geesaman said. “It’s time for us to step up to the plate.”
Council member Mark Hedges, however, didn’t think it was quite time to act. He mentioned his worries that the improvements would be quickly destroyed during future floods.
“Do we want to spend that kind of money on that building and that location?” he asked.
Council member Michael Brewster, who is a Portland Police Officer and works out of city hall, was adamant about the need to fix the building as soon as possible.
“It looks terrible,” he said, mentioning that he was embarrassed to hold interviews in the building. He said the council should not wait in appropriating the funds to the project because the work needs to be done now.
Hedges still wavered though.
“I don’t think I have enough information,” he said before moving to table the ordinance to give council members more time to review all aspects of the project.
That motion failed on a 4-3 vote, with Kent McClung and Kip Robinette joining Hedges in voting to table the motion. Council then voted to approve the ordinance appropriating the funds by a 5-2 vote, with Hedges and Robinette dissenting.
McClung cast a vote in favor of approving the ordinance because he didn’t see tabling it as a disagreement of the issue, but as a way to let other council members get the additional information needed.
The issue will still have to be approved on second reading. It will be addressed at the council’s Sept. 8 meeting.
In other business, council members Don Gillespie, Bill Gibson, Judy Aker, Hedges, McClung, Robinette and Brewster:
•Heard Geesaman ask community members to do what they can to help present the city in the best possible way over the upcoming weeks as the Tri-State Gas Engine Tractor Show makes its way into town. The show is scheduled for Aug. 26 through 30.
Gibson asked residents to begin to “spruce up” their properties as visitors begin to come into the city for a number of upcoming events.
The mayor also complimented the talent at the Stars in the Parks event and commended Jay County Chamber of Commerce and its volunteers on the success of the event.
•Approved payment of $50,000 in (economic development income tax) EDIT funds for a trailer to be placed at Portland Municipal Airport. The trailer would be used as an office and living space for the crew working with Lutheran Air. Portland’s EDIT Advisory Committee had previously approved the plan.
•Heard Hedges air concerns about tree stumps in the downtown area and the former Bailey Furniture Building located on West Main Street. Both issues have been brought up repeatedly at council meetings this year.
•OK’d a request for zoning retention by Richard Schafer, who owns property off of Industrial Drive. In 2013, the property had been switched from agricultural zoning to industrial. It was due to switch back in 2016. The board voted to indefinitely keep the property zoned industrial.
•Heard a presentation from Tim Kean, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, Muncie. Kean asked council members to reach out to community members who would be willing to partner with Second Harvest and help to fund its food distribution or to volunteer their time.
Anybody wishing to volunteer can call (765) 287-8698 or email [email protected].