Mayor questioned on Pickle policy

Portland police officers have been instructed by Mayor Jeff Westlake that they can’t eat at The Greazy Pickle during their shifts.

He faced push-back for that decision Monday.

Katrina (Myers) Ranly visited Portland City Council during its meeting Monday to question the mayor’s order and ask why the restaurant/bar is being singled out.

Myers answered several questions from council member Ron May, who invited her to speak at the conclusion of the meeting. 

She said The Greazy Pickle does about 80% of its sales in food compared to 20% in alcohol, donates more than $10,000 annually to community causes and has separate family and bar sides. 

She also noted that the business has been working with the mayor on a fundraising event, at Westlake’s request.

Myers indicated that it is her understanding that the ban on eating at The Greazy Pickle came after Westlake was involved in an argument with an officer.

“Is that how you want to be remembered, by your emotions dictating how you’re going to handle things?” she asked.

Westlake said his intention with not allowing officers to patronize The Greazy Pickle during work hours is to preserve an image. He said he’d prefer not to see police vehicles parked in front of the establishment.

A Greazy Pickle waitress also questioned the “image” that is being upheld, saying she waits on teachers, doctors, lawyers and others on a daily basis.

Myers questioned the assertion as well, saying that if officers are trusted to make the decisions they face every day on the job they should be trusted to eat wherever they’d like and to behave appropriately when doing so.

“This is how I’m going to play it out,” said Westlake. “Everybody can be upset with me, and I get that. But I just believe what I believe.”

An officer and Myers countered that they feel the rule is discriminatory against police officers.

Council members Ashley Hilfiker and Matt Goldsworthy asked if the rule applies to all city employees or just police officers. (Currently, it applies to police officers only.)

“As citizens, we trust our police officers, our firemen, our first responders to make split-second decisions that are wise,” said council member Dave Golden. “It seems to me a capricious exercise of authority to do this. I believe they can choose a restaurant. I believe they can choose to behave responsibly.”

At the conclusion of a nearly half-hour discussion on the issue, Myers asked the mayor that he reconsider his stance. Softening from his previous statements, he said he will think about it.

The mayor and May also clashed earlier in the meeting when discussing the proposed 2025 salary ordinance. Among other things, it includes an 8% raise for the mayor.

May expressed his opposition to the increase for the mayor.

“I’m not in favor of giving the mayor a raise,” he said. “He knew what the salary was. I just don’t think he’s worthy of a pay raise at this point.”

“So the next time you come in here smelling of alcohol, should I ask the officers to take you out,” Westlake responded.

May said that was fine, with Westlake saying he would do so.

The salary ordinance was then passed on a 4-2 vote with Kent McClung, Michele Brewster, Goldsworthy and Golden in favor, May and Hilfiker dissenting and Mike Aker absent. (Hilfiker clarified later that she is in support of the ordinance, saying she thought other financial considerations were going to be discussed before the vote.)

As approved, the salary ordinance for 2025 includes 6% raises for all city employees, 8% raises for superintendents, the clerk-treasurer and the mayor, and $100 per year longevity pay capped at 20 years. (Elected officials are excluded from longevity pay.)

Council also heard a presentation from Rundell, Ernstberger and Associates partner and landscape architect Cecil Penland regarding a plan for development of the 68 acres on the west side of Portland. It involves mixed-use properties — commercial on the first floor with apartments above — along Votaw Street (Indiana 67) and various types of housing extending to the north. (If fully completed, the project would create 76 single-family homes, eight duplexes and 154 multi-family units.) 

Council members had various questions about the effort, including what is needed from the council at this time. Penland said if the project moves forward the main contributions from the city will be to allow hooking into its water and wastewater utilities. Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes added that some rezoning may be required.

Asked by Westlake for a timeline, Penland said if funding is secured the first phase of the project could go to bid in fall 2025.

In other business, council:

•Heard funding requests from the city’s department heads for their 2025 budgets. Each of the departments asked for increases, with the street department asking for funds for additional maintenance, the park board for capital improvements and repairs, the fire department to add a full-time firefighter and police for new vehicles and equipment.

•Agreed to consider funding for the Children’s Advocacy Center following a presentation about the services it provides in Jay and Randolph counties. It responds to child sex abuse cases, working with child welfare and the law enforcement system in a united response. In operation since late 2020, the center has been involved in 525 cases. Council heard a request for $8,000 to $10,000 to support the center’s mission. (About 80% of its work is federally funded.)

•Approved closing the half blocks of Munson Street and Hayes Street on the east and west sides Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a connecting alley from noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, for its Oktoberfest.

•Heard McClung, Golden and the mayor welcome visitors to the Tri-State Antique Engine and Tractor Show, which officially began today. “I know it gums up out traffic a little bit, but by golly it’s exciting that people want to come to Portland, Indiana, by the tens of thousands and spend their money,” said McClung. “I really appreciate what Tri-State does.”

•Approved, on first and second reading, an amendment to the 2024 payroll ordinance to add a line item for a part-time mayor’s secretary. Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips explained that the line item has existed for years but was inadvertently omitted from the 2024 ordinance. (The mayor’s office is currently without a full-time secretary and has hired a part-time employee.)

•Learned from Westlake that the city is working on hiring a code enforcement officer.

•Heard Golden ask for updates on the Meridian Street paving and sidewalk project and the installation of livestreaming equipment in council chambers.