Leaders changed

Two of Portland’s departments are under new leadership.

Presiding over his first Portland City Council meeting, Mayor Jeff Westlake announced Tuesday that he has made changes in leadership for the city’s police and street and parks departments.

Following a comment from council member Matt Goldsworthy about reopening discussion regarding the city’s trash collection ordinance, Westlake announced he has named Matt Shauver as the new superintendent of the street and parks department. (The street department handles trash pick-up.) He replaces Tom Leonhard, who had served in that role since 2018.

He added that he has named Dustin Mock as the city’s new police chief, with Donnie Miller as assistant chief. They replace Steve Schlechty and Michael Brewster, respectively.

“I just believe that they have different energy,” said Westlake after the meeting. “And I believe that, especially Matt Shauver, he’s really gung ho. … I can see his passion … And that’s why I chose him. …

“I’ve known Mock for years,” added the mayor, who worked as a dispatcher for the police department. “He’s somebody that I trust. He has a rapport with every officer …”

Goldsworthy’s comment about the trash ordinance brought up the department head discussion, with Westlake noting he had made the leadership change and asked Shauver to make sure all trash is picked up. The mayor said he plans to pursue changes to the ordinance to indicate that change as well as reinstitute spring and fall clean-up days.

During the ensuing discussion, Westlake said he wants to keep using Toters but added that all trash should be picked up. He noted occasions like holidays or events such as family reunions when households might have extra trash that does not fit in the Toters.

Council members Kent McClung, Michele Brewster, Dave Golden, Mike Aker, Ashley Hilfiker, Ron May and Goldsworthy agreed to add discussion of the trash ordinance to the agenda for their Jan. 15 meeting. Goldsworthy cautioned that council should be thorough in considering options, noting that other ordinances — he used the 2022 golf cart ordinance as an example — have been rushed, resulting in problems and complaints.

Council also agreed to consider implementing an ordinance for recreational vehicles. The topic had been discussed in December as well. City attorney Wes Schemenaur said he will provide council members with the existing zoning ordinance that addresses RVs. McClung suggested looking at other municipalities for examples.

With the changes in department leadership, Leonhard was shifted to fill an open position with the city’s wastewater department. He led the street department for almost six years, having been appointed by Mayor Randy Geesaman in early 2018.

Schlechty served as interim chief and chief for about 14 months, having stepped in when former chief Mitch Sutton resigned because of health problems. He is no longer with the department, having returned as a civilian to serve as assistant chief under Sutton after retiring.

Brewster will shift back to another role within the police department.

“It was not an easy decision,” said Westlake. “I’m always a guy that likes to be positive. I’m not one of these guys that like to beat another person down. Today was one of those days that I was that person. I just made those decisions to go ahead and make the change.”

Other department heads who remain in place are fire chief Mike Weitzel, water superintendent Doug Jackson and wastewater superintendent Brad Clayton.

Council members also approved on second reading a $23.8-million bond for improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The work at the plant includes the installation of a new equalization basin and wet weather pump station. Bids opened Dec. 21 ranged from $4.57 million to $5.73 million for the equalization basin. There were no bids for the wet weather pump station, which was estimated at a cost of $9.3 million early last year. The work is part of the city’s agreed order with Indiana Department of Environmental Management to eliminate combined sewer overflows and also calls for the construction of an oxidation ditch.

Also OK’d Tuesday were development agreements with Wheel & Spoke Antique Mall and Reclaiming Design. The local businesses were approved for loans from economic development income tax (EDIT) funds for roof replacement ($188,250) and interior renovations ($75,000), respectively. The loans are both at zero interest and zero payments for three years, followed by a five-year payback with an interest rate at one percentage point above prime. If the businesses meet criteria for project completion, investment and other stipulations, 50% of the loan amount will be forgiven.

In other business:

•Goldsworthy suggested the city move forward soon with selecting a company to install equipment to allow for the livestreaming of meetings. (By state law, livestreaming and recording will be required beginning July 1, 2025.) Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips asked if council members had any questions regarding quotes for the equipment. There were none. Portland Board of Works will make the final decision on awarding a contract for the equipment.

•Council approved, contingent on approval from Portland Park Board and Weitzel, a request from the Portland Rockets to have fireworks as part of May 18 opening day festivities for their 65th season.

•McClung asked why decorative trash cans along River Road have been replaced with Toters. Westlake said he would look into it.

•May asked questions regarding the paved walking trail that has been installed along Blaine Pike. He asked about the stopping points of the trail on each end — short of Bittersweet Lane on the south and Water Street on the north. He also asked about a concrete area at the intersection with Western Avenue. Schemenaur noted that the north end may have involved issues with crossing the railroad, which sits just south of Water Street.

•Council re-elected McClung as its president.

•Westlake welcomed new council members Hilfiker and May. They take over for Janet Powers and Don Gillespie, both of whom chose not to seek re-election.