Council approves road use ordinance, discusses sidewalks

Streets and sidewalks.

City officials made moves Monday in an effort to improve and maintain their condition.

Portland City Council approved a road use ordinance on first reading and heard an update on the city’s sidewalk replacement/installation program during their regular meeting.

The road use ordinance is similar to new rules the City of Dunkirk put into place recently and calls for any construction that requires a permit for any project removing or altering a street’s surface or subsurface material. There is a fee of $500 for a permit, with fines of up to $3,000 for those who do such work without a permit. The ordinance also requires that anyone handling such work be insured and bonded.

Those who remove or alter a street will be required to repair and replace all materials. The city’s board of works, which will oversee the permits, may require that the entire block be repaved.

Council members expressed support for the idea. City attorney Wes Schemenaur noted that the issue came up in Dunkirk because of gas line work over the last few years that effected streets that had been recently paved through Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grants. (Portland recently completed paving through a Community Crossings grant, which requires a 25% match from the city.)

“We spend a lot of money on roads,” said McClung. “And they’re looking really good now. … You get that first cut across a newly paved road and if they don’t do a good job …”

Council members Matt Goldsworthy, Mike Aker, Dave Golden, Ashley Hilfiker and McClung unanimously approved the ordinance on first reading. (It will require approval on second reading before going into effect.) Ron May and Michele Brewster were absent from the meeting.

Street and parks department superintendent Matt Shauver also provided the council with information about the city’s sidewalk program. It allows for the replacement of existing sidewalks or installation of new sidewalks, with property owners paying for materials while city workers provide the labor.

He explained the process:

•Homeowners reach out to the city to express interest

•City staff measure the sidewalk and provide a written quote for materials

•If the property owner agrees to move forward, they pay at city hall

•The property is placed on the project list for the street department to complete

Shauver noted that the city handles all of the work, including removing the old sidewalk and replacing dirt. Property owners are responsible for re-seeding with grass after the work is complete.

“For the citizens to be able to get the labor and have the old sidewalk hauled away, and all they’re paying for is the material,” said McClung. “That’s a deal. That’s a bargain.”

The sidewalk issue came up after McClung expressed concern about the state of some of the walkways along Meridian Street on the south side of the city. 

Shauver noted Monday that street department staff evaluated the area, measured and provided quotes to a dozen property owners. So far, he said, one has agreed to participate in the program.

Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips noted that $10,000 is transferred from the city’s general fund to the sidewalk fund each year. Money that comes in through the program also stays in the sidewalk fund. She added that 18 properties are currently on the list for sidewalk replacement this year.

Goldsworthy advocated for considering a payment plan to help increase participation.

In other business:

•Approved adding a crosswalk at the intersection of Arch and Middle streets to connect the Youth Service Bureau building to its parking lot across the street. Goldsworthy also asked about Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps in the area.

•Re-certified the city’s council districts with no changes.

•Approved Portland City Court shifting to the Odyssey Case Management System from its current software through Boyce Systems that is being discontinued. Odyssey is provided by the State of Indiana at no cost. Court clerk Missy Puterbaugh noted that there may be some cost if new computers are needed to operate the new software.

•Heard Hilfiker complimented the street and parks department on the opening of Portland Water Park for the year.

•Amended the city’s payroll ordinance to reflect a police department change from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts as well as adding positions for an assistant manager and head lifeguard for Portland Water Park.

•Heard Golden congratulate Portland Fire Chief Mike Weitzel, who was honored last week with The Portland Foundation’s Jack Cole Award for Volunteerism.

•Received an invitation to see a demonstration by Best Equipment for a patch/small paving machine that is used for small road repairs. It is scheduled for June 24.

•Heard the following from Phillips:

    —Local officials were scheduled to meet with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun this week to seek more state funding support for the county’s proposed commercial and housing development on 68 acres on the west side of Portland. She said they will also seek clarity on when announcements can be expected regarding funding through the Regional Economic and Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) 2.0.

    —She is attending a presentation by financial consulting firm Barnes and Thornburg regarding Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1, which addresses various tax issues.

    —A preconstruction meeting for the replacement of the Seventh Street bridge is scheduled for Monday, June 9.

    —Budget sheets will be distributed to department heads this week in order to be able to start the process. A public hearing on the 2026 budget is planned for Sept. 15, with budget adoption to follow Oct. 6.