New Buffalo City Council adopts Headlee Millage Reduction Fraction

RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS TO SEE CHANGES TO WATER BILLS AND TAX

City residents and property owners will see changes to their water bills and their tax, following motions the New Buffalo City Council passed at their Monday, June 20, meeting.

The council voted to adopt a Headlee Millage Reduction Fraction, which applies the .033% inflation index. City manager Darwin Watson told the council this would increase the operational revenue the city collected.

The council also approved the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget. While the council had approved the budget at a previous meeting, Watson explained notice was not published in a newspaper of record as required, so the second vote occurred after proper notification. Councilmember Mark Robertson noted there had been public hearings and council discussion on the matter.

Water sewer rates will also increase, based on recommendations made by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, following a study. Prior to the council voting on the new rates, New Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey said that in recent years it had become clear the city’s existing fee structure was not adequately funding its system, and the shortfall was falling on taxpayers. He said that while all water customers will see a “significant increase” in their bills, the new rates will be comparable to neighboring municipalities’. One change noted was increasing rates for commercial users, who previously paid the same rate as residential users.

The new rates will go into effect Aug. 1, 2022.

The council voted 4-0 to recommend the Planning Commission reduce the number of seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals from seven to five. Watson stated the reduced number will still comply with state requirements, which state no fewer than three ZBA members for a municipality with under 5,000 residents. The US Census Bureau recorded just over 1,600 city residents in 2020. Humphrey noted it is difficult to find enough members to fill the board and consistently make a quorum and the reduced number will help.

In their recommendation, the council requested that if the commission does not approve the recommendation, it will provide the council with an alternative recommendation on the ZBA composition.

Work on the Dune Walk is progressing and the council approved a payment request from TJM Services in the amount of $249,210 for work completed so far.

Watson told the council a number of factors have caused the dune walk project costs to exceed initial estimates. The city initially planned to reuse much of the existing structure, but Watson said it was later discovered the structure’s design was improper for the area and its overall condition was not what was originally expected. Additionally, Covid restrictions impacted the timeline and available workforce, and material costs have greatly increased. To cover the increased costs, Watson recommended the council authorize a request to extend its 2020 Pokagon Fund grant and increase the grant from $110,000 to $286,092 to cover the additional costs.

A second project is set to begin at the beach, as the council approved a $17,8470 bid from Stark Solid Concrete to replace damaged sidewalks and patio decking at the city beach concession stand. Watson said work is expected to finish before the July Fourth weekend.

Kona Dunes, the current concession contractor, requested permission to provide a vending machine at the beach concession to supplement its selection. Robertson questioned if the company should be allowed to using the city’s electricity and cast the dissenting vote on the matter. Humphrey and councilmembers Brian Flanagan and Roger Lijewski approved the request, with Lijewski stating he would want to evaluate any change to electricity usage at the concession before approving a similar request for future seasons.

The council tabled two items from the June agenda in order to get more information before making decisions. The hiring of a hearing officer was postponed until the council can meet with the candidate, and a purchase request for an AllTerrain Vehicle for the city police department was postponed so the council could get additional details.

The council did approve a request to purchase a new trailer from Trailers Midwest for $9,490 to be used by the public works and water departments. Watson said the current trailer the departments use is over 20 years old and no longer meets state and federal standards.

Viking Marine Construction was awarded a $105,000 bid for minor dredging in the channel. Work is expected to be complete by the end of July and is not expected to interfere with boat traffic.

The council had its first reading of a proposed amendment to Chapter 23 of the City Ordinances, which addresses long-term rental requirements. Watson said the ordinance only applies in cases where a lease agreement exists and the property owner collects rent, that it does not apply to guests and that it serves to protect property owners.

At previous meetings the council had declined to enter a consulting agreement with 360 Risk Management, but at the June meeting Watson presented them with a three-month trial agreement with the company, explaining that staff shortages and other issues had created a need for outside help. Robertson cast the dissenting vote and said he did not feel three months was enough time to be effective.

Marcy Hamilton addressed the council to provide a brief update on the Marquette Greenway project. She said that funding for the planned 58-mile non-motorized path from Chicago to southwest Michigan is almost completely secured and a fundraising campaign will begin this summer to cover the remainder.

“We’re starting to actually see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Hamilton said.

The council took no action at the meeting but said at a later date they will discuss potential funding from the city.

Watson told the council two law firms- Dickenson and Wright and Foster Swift- had responded to the city’s request for proposal to serve as city attorney. The council will meet with representatives from both firms prior to the July council meeting, and plans to make a final decision at the regular meeting.

BY THERESE DONNELLY

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb helped drive spikes into rail lines, which are expected to bring significant economic growth to Michigan City by noticeably reducing commute times by train to and long-term rental requirements. Watson from Chicago, Monday, June said the ordinance only applies in cases 20. Holcomb, along with other elected officials and dignitaries, hit the spikes with sledge hammers during a ceremony at the former South Shore agreement with 360 Risk Management, Railroad commuter line train station on 11th Street just east of Franklin Street. “It’s a reality now. It’s just not a blue print or a lofty goal,” he said.

The current single line that was put in the ground over a century ago is being replaced with two rail lines from Michigan City to Gary.

What’s now a 90 minute or longer trip to Chicago from Michigan City will take about one hour once construction is completed next year. About 45 minutes will be taken off a one way trip to Chicago from South Bend.

Several intersections from Michigan Boulevard to Sheridan Avenue near Indiana State Prison are closed for laying the new rail lines, which started being put in the ground several weeks ago.

“We are now in full

BY STAN MADDUX construction mode,” said Jim Arnold, a former Indiana state senator from LaPorte and member of the board governing the commuter service.

Quicker travel is projected to generate enough economic growth from new visitors and residents from Chicago to make the project worth the over $600 million price tag funded primarily by federal money.

The state and local municipalities along the line are also contributing dollars.

“This is a game changer,” said LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jack Arnett.

The much sought-after project is already credited with attracting three high rise residential developments, which are scheduled to begin going up on the city’s north side later this year.

Former Michigan City mayor and current LaPorte County commissioner Sheila Matias said a second set of tracks has been discussed and pursued since the 1980s.

She said previous attempts to secure dollars from the nation’s capital to pay for the work failed; however, this time, local, state and federal officials came together more aggressively to make it happen.

Matias said the additional money that’s projected to be generated from tourism will help a local economy that also has a good-sized manufacturing base.

She said the upgrades will also send a positive message about LaPorte County, which is ripe for catching up with Porter and St. Joseph counties in terms of average household income and development.

“I want to be clear that we’re not just saying the double track is all about tourism. It’s about making sure our community is contemporary. That’s it progressive and developing in a smart and sustainable fashion,” she said.

Area family and star pitcher reunite at Wrigley Field

BY STAN MADDUX

ALaPorte County family returned with special memories after convoying to Wrigley Field in Faaloloi, who was feeling a bit too under the weather, stayed home, Walker said. Mr. Manaea relocated from the American Samoa to Hawaii, Chicago to watch a close relative pitch and visit with him after the game.

Sean Manaea, who grew up in Wanatah, pitches for the San Diego Padres after several seasons with the Oakland A’s

The Padres beat the Cubs 12-5.

Manaea, who allowed five runs in four innings, was not credited with the win.

His cousin, Marcus Walker, didn’t seem to mind the subpar performance of a man he knew was destined for something special after watching him throw for the first time while growing up.

He lived within a short walk of the house Manaea was raised in.

“When I watched my cousin throw a baseball, it was like, ‘Dude, you have a gift,’” he said.

Walker said he and 20 other members of his family, along with friends, watched the June 14 game from the first row behind home plate and visited with Manaea outside the clubhouse after game.

The entire group and Manaea then walked across the street from the ballpark and had dinner together.

“It was pretty exciting to see Sean. After the game, he goes, ‘Holy, moly, there’s a lot of you guys here,’” Walker said.

Manaea’s mother, Opal, went to the game but his father, served in the Vietnam War and then landed in Wanatah after being stationed in Indiana. He became a steel worker along the shores of Lake Michigan after completing his service in the military. Mrs. Manaea was a factory worker. Manaea was a star baseball player at South Central High School before transferring his senior year to Andrean High School in Merrillville to pitch against stronger competition.

Walker said Sean was always much better than everyone else in baseball as a youth and his uncanny ability to throw hard with accuracy was not overlooked by anyone who watched him play.

Manaea went on to pitch at Indiana State University, where he was inducted into that school’s sports Hall of Fame last year.

Walker, a member of the Noble Township Volunteer Fire Department, said Manaea was back home at Christmas and remains down to earth.

He’s also paid several visits to his former high school about 10 miles south of LaPorte since making it to the major leagues seven seasons ago.

Manaea has a career 53-44 record and ERA of 3.83.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

One of the Professional Golf

Association's premier events, the U.S. Open, took place this week, and it was a great tournament with a lot of excitement.

Four or five golfers took turns hitting great shots and witnessing their opponents hit great shots as the lead changed hands until Matt Fitzpatrick of England pulled ahead to win. Matt is only 27 years old and Americans Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler, the second and third place finishers, are just 25. The future of the PGA is in good hands.

I took the time to watch the final round of the golf tournament because it was Father’s Day, and the decision I made was to lay around all day and do as little as possible. Lunch was a piece of pie and dinner was homemade spaghetti. Spending an entire day relaxing was certainly a pleasure. Here’s hoping that the rest of the fathers out there had as nice a day as I had. I saw a funny video talking about Father’s Day today. A comedian said that he saw a survey that said that Christmas was the number one celebrated holiday, followed closely by number two - Mother’s Day. According to this gentleman, Halloween was number six and Arbor Day was number 13. Father’s Day? Number 20.

I hope you treated your dad better than a ghost or a tree.

The Golden State Warriors are once again champions of the NBA. Steph Curry proved that he deserves a place among the greatest to ever play the game. He is such a good shooter that it’s almost unbelievable. Steph and the other old pros on the Warriors were the leaders, but without the excellent play of the team’s young men, they wouldn’t have been champions. The leader of the team’s youngsters is Jordan Anthony Poole, who starred locally at La Lumiere School, then attended the University of Michigan before being drafted in the first round by Golden State. Each year Jordan’s statistics improve, as does his confidence. He has a real opportunity to be an NBA all-star. La Lumiere keeps turning out great basketball players. At the high school level, they have few equals. I did get the chance to see a few of their players, including Poole in the McDonalds All-American game in Chicago, but I’ve never gone to their school to watch a game in person. Hopefully, I can rectify that this year. My friends, there is greatness in our midst.

Baseball in our town continued along the same path. The White Sox beat up on the woeful Detroit Tigers to once again bring hope to their fans, only to lose two out of three to the Houston Astros. The Cubs had lost 10 in a row before playing the Atlanta Braves, who were riding a 14-game winning streak. Of course, the Cubs won and ended up beating the Braves two games to one. Also, I saw a column that said the Ricketts family should sell the Cubs, an opinion that I share. Hopefully, in the very near future, they’ll change my mind.

Harmon Killebrew said, “My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, ‘You’re tearing up the grass.’ ‘We’re not raising grass,’ Dad would reply. ‘We’re raising boys.’”

Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

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New Buffalo Times

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

UNION GREEN FACTS...

Residents of Chikaming Township have been accused of spreading misinformation about the Union Green housing development, so let’s review the facts: • Union Green was approved by the Planning Commission, with no input or oversight from the Board. All but one of the members are volunteers not elected by the public and not accountable to anyone, but they alone made a decision that will fundamentally change our neighborhood. • A Planning Commission member resigned in protest over how Union Green was being handled, claiming the group was more focused on advocating for the developer than enforcing the zoning ordinance. To my knowledge, nobody ever looked into these allegations. • In discussing Union Green, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals openly questioned why the Planning Commission appeared “hell-bent on ramming this through.” • The Union Green developer requested a variance to be exempt from adding commercial space to the property. After it was denied, the Planning Commission proposed an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would have accommodated

part of his request. • Chikaming Township law limits multi-housing developments to 27 bedrooms per acre. Due to a loophole, Union Green will have 50 bedrooms on slightly more than one acre. Township officials admit this is a mistake and have known about it for months, yet no steps have been taken to fix the problem and apply it to Union Green. • Despite assurances that our feedback would factor into their decisions, the Planning

Commission didn’t take public comments until AFTER approving a motion in favor of

Union Green at their February 2022 meeting. • The Planning Commission allowed the developer to hire his own person to conduct what was supposed to be an unbiased impact study on

Union Green. Not surprisingly, the study found no negative impacts on traffic, parking, noise or anything else.

Nobody on the Planning

Commission challenged a single finding from the report.

These are facts, not opinion or misinformation. They aren’t meant to question anyone’s character or integrity. The purpose is to explain why so many of us have legitimate concerns about how Union Green is being managed and why the community’s best interests aren’t being served.

BY STAN MADDUX

Amanufacturing plant that recently opened in LaPorte County has already closed its doors.

Corsicana Mattress Co. invested over $8 million into refurbishing LaPorte County Councilman Randy Novak said the tax incentive laced deal to attract the firm and the start of renovating the structure began prior to a change in leadership at the Dallas, Texasbased company. an abandoned factory it started operating from between LaPorte and Westville in March.

The company’s decision to expand its operations there was helped by local and state government tax incentives.

“This is upsetting news, that’s for sure,” said LaPorte County Commissioner Sheila Matias

In a prepared statement, the nationally known maker of mattresses founded in 1971 explained a recent drop in product demand, rising material costs and difficulty finding enough workers were the driving factors in the decision.

The plant started with more than 30 employees, but the goal was to hire about 300 workers at some point depending on demand.

The LaPorte County site was one of two locations the company decided to shut down. He said the new leadership team during a conference call questioned the need to expand when its Midwest market was already served by a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin. Novak said Corsicana officials also revealed the closing of two plants was part of a restructuring to cut costs during a difficult financial period for the company. “There was absolutely nothing that we could do,” he said. On the positive side, Matias said the large facility abandoned for more than 20 years is now modernized and ready for another manufacturer to come in and “set up shop.” Efforts have already begun to try and generate interest in the facility.