Talking trash

Talking trash is becoming a regular occurrence for Portland City Council.

Council members on Tuesday had another lengthy discussion about the pick-up of large trash items in the city.

They also held the public hearing on the city’s 2024 budget and approved several ordinance changes.

Trash has been on the council’s radar since its Aug. 7 meeting, during which George McGinnis of Jay County Solid Waste Management District expressed concern about large furniture items being left in Portland alleys and, often, he said, ending up at the solid waste district’s recycling trailers. At council’s second August meeting, Mayor John Boggs announced plans to pick up large trash items this fall (Oct. 23 through 27) while warning that once the process is complete the city’s code enforcement officers will be writing citations for those not in compliance.

The city’s current trash collection ordinance that was approved last year allows large items to be dropped off at the street department four times a year, free of charge. Those who need to have such items disposed of outside of those days can purchase a permit at city hall to have them picked up. (For example, a permit for disposal of a mattress is $15.)

Council member Dave Golden started the latest discussion Tuesday by asking street department superintendent Tom Leonhard and city employee Bubba Swoveland their opinion on the topic. Tom said his concern is the cost of disposing of the items.

Council members and those in attendance, including mayoral candidates Randy Geesaman and Jeff Westlake, brought up various ideas for how to handle large trash items.

“It goes back to, again, having a little pride in ourselves and wanting to do better,” said council member Matt Goldsworthy. “It’s a small number of people who choose not to.”

Council ultimately made no changes to current plans, with Boggs again indicating the decision to leave any changes to the city’s ordinance up to the next administration and council in 2024.

Council members also briefly looked at next year’s proposed budget.

The city’s notice to taxpayers shows a budget of $9.59 million for 2024. It includes $4.42 million in the general fund, $1.31 million in the motor vehicle highway fund, $1.3 million in the insurance surplus non-reverting fund and $509,000 in the park and recreation fund.

There were no comments from the public or the council on the proposed budget.

Council approved the formation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the city.

Boggs had proposed an ordinance to do so at its last meeting, but council members asked for more time to consider the measure.

Under new state legislation that went into effect July 1, cities can have Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas where bar/restaurant patrons can purchase alcohol, leave the establishment and walk with their drink in an open container. The beverages would need to be in a designated container, such as a plastic cup approved by the city.

Several council members expressed hesitation at that meeting, but Golden said his questions had been answered through conversations with the mayor and police chief. With no other comment, council voted unanimously to approve creating a designated outdoor refreshment area in downtown Portland that will stretch to cover The Greazy Pickle, Good-Rich Brewery and establishments in between.

Council members Kent McClung, Mike Aker, Michele Brewster, Goldsworthy and Golden, absent Janet Powers and Don Gillespie, also approved an amendment to the city’s historic preservation ordinance to eliminate the need for a “certificate of appropriateness” unless city funds are being requested. Previously, a “certificate of appropriateness” had been required for any changes to buildings in the city’s historic district.

“Where is that line between preservation and making it look appropriate and historic versus let’s get these people to invest the money to get their windows fixed?” said historic preservation committee member Emily Goodrich. “I really believe this was how it was supposed to be in the first place. … I think this is a good, reasonable change.”

McClung, who at the previous council meeting expressed the need for the city to take greater action to preserve downtown structures, voiced his support for the proposal.

“If this means saving a building and it might not be quite perfect … versus losing a building, I’d rather do this,” he said.

Council also made slight modifications to the city’s payroll ordinance regarding a line item for park opener/closer, pension payments and lateral transfers. The lateral transfer change clarified that the financial incentive does not apply to police officers who go through Indiana Law Enforcement Academy training with the department, leave, and then come back.

In other business, council:

•Approved contributing $15,000 toward an Arts Place concert series in Hudson Family Park for 2024. The Portland Foundation previously committed $7,500 toward the series, and Arts Place also seeks sponsors for the concerts. The next free concert at the park this year will feature New Frontiers, a Journey tribute band, at 7 p.m. Sept. 14.

•Was reminded that the Indiana Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s annual show and swap meet is scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17 at Jay County Fairgrounds. It will feature the 9/11 Never Forget mobile exhibit, which will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17.

•Heard Golden ask if the city could make a permanent policy to have all communication be bilingual in English and Spanish, noting that more than 7% of the city’s population is Hispanic. (He said that number was less than 1% in 2000.) City attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested discussing details and cost but said such a policy could be put in place through ordinance or resolution.

•Was reminded by Goldsworthy that the city will need to take action to prepare for implementation of a state law that will require council meetings and other city meetings to be live-streamed and recorded beginning in July 2025. Council heard proposals for equipping its chambers to record and livestream but took no action. Boggs suggested council members revisit those proposals before making a decision.

•Heard the mayor compliment this year’s Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show, which was held last month. He thanked Tri-State president Chris Englehardt and all those who work on the event for their efforts.