03092018 - News Article - Old and new issues crop up at Portage council

Old and new issues crop up at Portage council
Chicago Tribune
March 09, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-council-meet-st-0311-20180310-story.html
Portage City Council members welcomed a new, job-creating business and tackled tax abatement requests before debating the takeover of the Utility Service Board and the need for a police officer outside the clerk-treasurer's office.

The council approved a five-year tax abatement on $12.85 million in property for Voestalpine, an Austrian company that produces rods, wires and other equipment for welding, at 6797 Fronius Drive, in the AmeriPlex complex. The company will hire 25 workers in the first year, adding 25 more over the next three years, said Eddie Peinhopf, a managing director with Voestalpine.

"We want to come here," Peinhopf said. "We want to be part of the community here."

Portage Economic Development Director Andy Maletta said Voestalpine is "another international company that's looked at Portage and decided to call it home."

The council rejected two tax abatement requests from Marina Shores at Dunes Harbor, an upscale housing community on the city's north side. Marina Director David Bresnahan wants to build two model homes to "help prime the pump to get more construction going. It's easier to sell rooftops than to sell dirt."

While the council in November 2016 approved tax abatements for an 18-month period, which expires next month, Bresnahan's request was denied. Council members said the abatements were meant for homeowners, not the developer.

Following a moment of silence for Portage Police Det. Jeff Podgorski, who died of complications related to cancer March 5, council members, primarily Council President Mark Oprisko (D-At Large), and Mayor James Snyder spent the remainder of the meeting debating a number of issues.

The council's takeover of the Utility Service Board, or USB, last March remains a sticking point, though Snyder signed the ordinance approving the move. Since, though, Snyder hired Indianapolis-based law firm Bingham Greene and Doll, which found in December the council takeover of the USB was not legal.

The council responded with hiring another law firm to defend its move. The actions already have cost tax payers at least $50,000.

Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, moved to order the law firms to meet and discuss a resolution, but, following council attorney Ken Elwood's advice, the motion died for lack of a second.

There were other testy moments, including exchanges between Elwood and Cannon, and, later Oprisko and Police Chief Troy Williams regarding an officer stationed outside of the clerk-treasurer's office since late February.

Williams said the action was taken following a security assessment of city hall, which he shared with the council.

Williams also listed the extensive credentials of police officers who are working on an active shooter training seminar. Williams' comments came after he was called out in an e-mail blitz from council members on several issues.