Redevelopment commission approves access, service and operating agreements, and tables budget presentation

Portage City’s redevelopment commission approved several routine but operationally important agreements and took a few administrative actions during the meeting.

The commission granted a temporary access agreement to allow JF Brennan Company and JDG Construction Services to continue dredging Marina Shores and place clean-dredged sand on an adjacent city-owned parcel after staff confirmed the sand had been tested. The motion passed by voice vote.

A professional services agreement with the Weman Group for comprehensive plan work was approved contingent upon attorney review; commissioners noted redevelopment interests because a large portion of the city lies within the Southport allocation area and alignment between redevelopment plans and the comprehensive plan is important.

The commission also approved an as-needed professional services agreement with ABM Marsh and an annual invasive-species services contract with Davies Resource Group for $22,500, which staff said is lower than the prior year because treatment needs have declined. Commissioners approved a hold-harmless agreement to allow overflow parking on a city-owned parcel for the Elite Soccer Complex tournament in September; Scott McClure reviewed the agreement.

Separately, commissioners voted to table the budget presentation to the next meeting and staff offered to meet with individual commissioners beforehand to review materials.