[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6192301,"mediaKeyId","4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0","parentId",4113614,"title","Michigan City council hears first reading of up-to-$200,000 rainy-day appropriation for City Hall repairs","audioSeconds",53,"startMs",464000,"endMs",517000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0&start=464&end=517","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0/thumbnail_464000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192301/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-council-hears-first-reading-of-up-to-200000-rainy-day-appropriation-for-City-Hall-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192301-bf2fa8d11e9dcfe43cefd2577c4b5a79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180122&Signature=oDtMA181DDzpvFbAC5mUGv7Rw22M8FjNynz2rnaZ3GQRFpPI~o9M8KTdlIX5rTHOW38pfGauOqA1SZRjskydVfgvneDGnmC3V9iGO1LuL~YOI6f83MQ9Jfia6UCUojomHiJ0ig4yIVOEqR0IyXzRDvksEf7aDAfcnbt-dZ9TZhT9dZ94PmcT~sxFrTwk6auXipn~pZ2t2kWDp2ft01t-jV0zfzGO~WNLjhoDzso~F3OCvIZWGAAqMuyK0h2nKswJjP5KPtZRIJw0OneqroD0WqAKB~kaAQ1J4Hr4WFcN8uW3yTG2n5nEVLpztWwTBV6ajtCcvPbwCz6fQZhS-juvFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-06-19T00:30:54Z","article","The Michigan City Common Council on June 17 took first reading of an ordinance to appropriate funds from the city's rainy-day fund to pay for emergency and other repairs at City Hall, including replacement/repair of HVAC piping and a cooling tower. The ordinance was introduced by Councilwoman Monica Lee and Councilwoman Tillman and described by sponsors as an urgency item.

Council staff said the appropriation would not exceed $200,000 from the rainy-day fund. Councilman Lee noted the immediate contractor quote on file was from Wey Mechanical for $102,905 for the new cooling tower. \"The only contractor who provided the city with a quote was Wey Mechanical in the amount of $102,905,\" a council speaker said during the presentation.

City Controller Mary Lewall told the council that state Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) requirements mean the city must hold a public hearing as part of the additional-appropriation process and supply DLGF documentation listing the public hearing dates. \"When I fill out the additional appropriation to the DLGF, it's gonna ask specifically for the public hearing dates and all that documentation,\" Lewall said. She advised that the council complete the required public hearing and said second and third readings could be completed at a subsequent meeting to meet the documentation timeline.

Council members asked for an itemized summary of planned uses for the requested funds beyond the HVAC work; sponsors said they would provide a summary before the next meeting. Councilman Brian Dabney asked if emergency rules would permit three readings in one night; Lewall said the DLGF process and documentation require a public hearing and that the council should expect to conduct second and third readings at the next meeting.

During public comment, resident Tommy Kolovic urged the city to consider building a new City Hall but did not oppose or endorse the appropriation; his comments focused on the building's age and condition. After discussion, the council voted to hold the ordinance for second reading so the required public hearing could be scheduled and appropriate documentation prepared.

The rainy-day fund balances were presented earlier in the meeting: the combined riverboat/rainy day fund ending balance reported on June 17 was $4,250,354.73, with a rainy-day fund balance of $1,830,213.71 and a riverboat fund balance of $2,420,141.02.

Council staff said maintenance funds had already been used for initial HVAC work and that the additional-appropriation request reflects continuing repair needs. The council did not adopt the appropriation on June 17; it was held for formal public hearing and second reading at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Common Council June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Michigan City Common Council on June 17 took first reading of an ordinance to appropriate up to $200,000 from the rainy-day fund for emergency repairs and other maintenance at City Hall, including an HVAC quote of $102,905 from Wey Mechanical.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192306,"Michigan City council approves DORA exemption to open-container law",156,835000,991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0&start=835&end=991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0/thumbnail_835000.jpg","/articles/6192306/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-council-approves-DORA-exemption-to-open-container-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192306-b178f1382227a438f4b7bf907dfec84d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180123&Signature=mBwrhhVbq3LjukEqGB04ANVK4Q88xxG~vW8NHhoqMBoATEfMgKr8REWfp71QauUdB6OyPsOyXLgusgBQ7wZATC3U4GBZB2AHdX74ppnAkjKcAMFKxrSCl9lIRd894KB5KvJjVzd2rU9HkvxGqB8Hnf5o14Lez5RfaK15iUTmdGCDbQjuYiaYta7K0kXvzGjXeejHHx59F9i7drl9FZFjXKsvi-1WeseyLXBD1KIw-7xJOKKvggJ-XPO8tkyGRbSCrEeyf~BJKGTV6hYNafKO36paebvh5pkS-615FVRXU8oANLD4X4tNpsrn0-kVBdafCpc2JDHMWQJug5uGMqMpHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Common Council on June 17 voted unanimously to amend Section 78-6 of the Michigan City Municipal Code to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) exemption to the city's open-container prohibition.

The ordinance, introduced by Councilman Chris Coulter and taken on third reading, passed 9-0 after a brief public comment period and one motion to approve. Councilman Chris Belinski seconded the motion to adopt the ordinance.

The change makes the city's existing open-container prohibition subject to a DORA exception, allowing licensed businesses in a designated area to permit open alcoholic beverages consistent with any conditions set by the city. \"We've got the open container ordinance that says we can't have any open containers in Michigan City. The DORA is an exemption to that,\" Coulter said when the ordinance was read on third reading.

Two residents spoke during the public comment period. Tommy Kolovic suggested fees and fees-for-cups as revenue ideas but did not oppose or support the ordinance specifically. Paul Presbylinski asked for clarity because he had missed earlier readings and said he opposed the ordinance if the council could not explain its substance during public comment.

The council called the roll after a motion and second; every member present voted \"Aye.\" The clerk recorded nine votes in favor and none opposed. No amendments were proposed on third reading.

Council members did not add further conditions at adoption; the measure passed as read and will take effect according to the city's ordinance-adoption rules.

Less formal discussion and public commentary that evening also ranged across several topics on the agenda, but the DORA exemption was the only change to the municipal drinking-in-public code that the council adopted that night.

The council meeting packet and prior readings of the ordinance are filed with the city clerk and available on the city's meeting portal.","The Michigan City Common Council unanimously adopted an amendment to Section 78-6 of the municipal code to create a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) exemption to the city's open-container rule, passing the ordinance on third reading 9-0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192287,"Council schedules July 7 workshop on Sola solar project, EID and developer-backed bonds",49,2381000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0&start=2381&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6192287/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Council-schedules-July-7-workshop-on-Sola-solar-project-EID-and-developer-backed-bonds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192287-39674695af5af719f512a2f1d3214593/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180123&Signature=HAKklQEwl1YTbNLU3COeSJPfzgYsQDSI4CXtB1Ht4MVcbeqc~l6XBTitTULee8Mf1X2w45btitdE7q5geQo1tdi~YCYmM-xzyOkoWxtiCDrVUrh9FF7ArOzeqevv0g4xc2Bo9OViWU5nqrgM6lNUiRXRPKrZUCCHs585L~h5dlBkx6iJkxM7DMd3cZPzU1s6nA9GAVuUTKs7~8P2FHa6q2sVmIWtqJgXKqjuwoocBIxegCfVlgVPcxyLjDn6EQLiWZ03Y5oxCYU1faIWPsUws~ncfaXHgjfdHmg8h9c1xRd5O5bJ8HozytzW87JY6zzH~LwnzcoTlSWfM4q8gfevrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michigan City council members on June 17 announced a public workshop set for July 7 to hear from developers of the Sola solar project. The workshop will address the project's request for approval of an economic improvement district (EID) and the developers' request for access to developer-backed bond financing.

Council members said the notice for the 5 p.m. July 7 workshop has been distributed and that the meeting will take place in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Room. The sponsor asked that the council and public attend if available.

No formal votes were taken that night regarding the EID or bond financing; the item was scheduled as a workshop to provide additional detail and public engagement before any formal council action.

Council members additionally noted related planning and outreach will continue. The workshop represents the next formal opportunity for the council to hear details from the developer and ask questions before any ordinance, resolution, or tax-abatement-related actions are considered.","A council workshop has been scheduled for July 7 at 5 p.m. in the EOC Room to discuss a Sola solar development, including a proposed economic improvement district (EID) and developer-backed bond financing for the project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192292,"Residents say they were not notified and oppose proposed recovery home near Saint Anthony's",0,1310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0&start=1310&end=1310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0/thumbnail_1310000.jpg","/articles/6192292/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Residents-say-they-were-not-notified-and-oppose-proposed-recovery-home-near-Saint-Anthonys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192292-a5161bd9caf7098e0ed2af7baaf955f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180123&Signature=gdzJ3NkYtMPIeaDb7HqcyZX~TPP3sarvfjn0WSL4CXFnhjcIKU~irU8HkcmDqivYc0L8d-IqL9zyDda7QtkLtpAJhtEA9Pez83X7LZ3~WoL7gOQ~HLp5Yf4zC-m~AKxM7cLJmdaHDxVjjb6Ho3g~IxRYn7P6AD~0ar6wryI0KIqLGCBf7CN98KtI32aigNJiBMEY1P5JjDbih9QS4vw9SpEBOuYvsakUHT8kEoDQhQ6PV-ceLSqQuVdRNrWSksg756yX0tMSZcNwFQu0FmIcz9VxZU8XS1BhBBhowG-jJQr3pnBu2L1-29tyrz5L2JchbvUeUy8jb4RUnR8p4pMjvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents told the Michigan City Common Council on June 17 that they oppose a proposed substance abuse recovery home in their neighborhood and said they were not properly notified of the proposal.

Councilman Paul Presbylinski, speaking as a resident during public comments, said a meeting several weeks earlier at Saint Anthony's Hospital drew attendees who said they had not been notified and that the proposed facility is about 900 feet from his home. \"I don't know what they think their radius is around this thing, but this thing is 900 feet from my home,\" Presbylinski said. He said attendees at the neighborhood meeting were told to \"get over it,\" which he described as offensive, and that some comments and actions during the meeting upset residents, including that he and others were escorted out of the facility.

The clerk reported that correspondence was received on June 4 from Eileen Mark regarding the proposed substance abuse recovery home and that a notice had been received June 6 from IDEM regarding an operating-permit approval (MSOP). Residents at the council meeting said they were undertaking research and due diligence and that they remain \"adamantly opposed\" to the proposal.

Council members did not take formal action on the matter during the June 17 meeting. The council heard the public comments during the open comment period; no vote, referral, or instruction to staff was recorded in the transcript that evening.

The remarks made in public comment reflect neighborhood concern about notification, proximity to residences, and the process by which the proposal has been handled. Residents said they will continue to research and pursue their concerns through available channels.","Residents at a neighborhood meeting and during public comment at the June 17 Michigan City Common Council meeting said they were not notified and strongly oppose a proposed substance abuse recovery/rehab home near Saint Anthony's Hospital; a written correspondence on the topic was received by the city clerk.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192296,"Council delays vote on Energy Systems Group performance guarantee report to next meeting",96,1024000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0&start=1024&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4113614-d46f188a39b138af4913f17edd89abd0/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6192296/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Council-delays-vote-on-Energy-Systems-Group-performance-guarantee-report-to-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192296-d4499d0a9dd51cdf3e299fc516e5faa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180123&Signature=c~hJ2Q8nVu2TczRyBfQ6-O7jN0W7qVMUcoAlxo3ePKDC8AcqvMwGe0NL01px7RHw768aRwVieFIhimofZ7adEGV8TOyxI~X1JmisnDCOaZOXwjJ6YlmR32~0EbB7AkMJcXPhGa99Xf6oiSooAjkM9CscOxGIj9tr2hU-wnetOOxNsSFW254IBe~67GereraRUy~iJ47RWgO8gT-iLxl5ScJCYvk7KyDB5jIgWpy2x7ba~i6ZPVPKoUb4hHmxgORxXW71fjRy57MFMHiyKFU0QqdNGYGQE55BnF9n1pHthcJel3fTDgrRugzeyqiRdd1zMRR9L~SC49TDv3Tazr3qIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Common Council deferred action on a submitted Energy Systems Group (ESG) year-end performance-guarantee savings report, carrying the item to the next regular meeting to allow council members more time to review materials.

A city staff member introduced the item and said the council needed to vote to authorize payment tied to ESG's performance guarantee. Several council members said they had only received the packet recently; one council member asked to postpone for one to two weeks to allow adequate review. Council discussion noted that ESG's cover letter states acceptance is assumed if the city does not return signed acknowledgment within 30 days.

The city attorney said he could not advise at the meeting without reviewing relevant dates and documents. Councilman Beatri observed that the ESG letter's 30-day acknowledgment clause suggested the council had time to postpone. The council agreed to carry the item to the next meeting and asked members to submit questions after reviewing the packet.

No vote on acceptance or payment was taken on June 17, and the council recorded no formal motion to approve the report that night.","The council carried new business concerning an Energy Systems Group (ESG) performance-guarantee savings report to the next meeting so members can review the packet; ESG's letter stated acceptance would be assumed if no response within 30 days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Michigan City council hears first reading of up-to-$200,000 rainy-day appropriation for City Hall repairs

Michigan City council approves DORA exemption to open-container law

Council schedules July 7 workshop on Sola solar project, EID and developer-backed bonds

Residents say they were not notified and oppose proposed recovery home near Saint Anthony's

Council delays vote on Energy Systems Group performance guarantee report to next meeting