Valparaiso City Council members approved an ordinance at their Feb. 26 meeting providing funds up to $50,000 for additional legal representation if needed, as well as $100,000 available for consultation services.
The money, appropriated from the Cigarette Tax Fund, is in addition to the already existing salary of Valparaiso City Attorney Patrick Lyp.
The ordinance, which was created and proposed by Council President Robert Cotton, D-2nd, passed 5-2, with members Jack Pupillo, R-4th, and Peter Anderson voting against it.
Anderson, R-5th, explained his concerns at the previous meeting, citing a “lack of transparency.”
Anderson reasoned though the practice of a council hiring its own attorney “is not unheard of,” he said he still believes “it is completely unnecessary, and a waste of money.”
“I think I’ve been persuaded with the attorney portion of this ordinance, but not with the second part with the consultants and the $100,000,” Anderson said.
“I’m not opposed to a study that might happen, but unless there is some element of wrongdoing, then other organizations like the Redevelopment Commission can fund their own study.”
Anderson used social media last month to “strongly encourage people to show up” to the Feb 26 meeting and public hearing “to speak your mind.”
Several residents attended the Feb. 26 meeting and spoke both in favor of the ordinance and against it.
Resident Russ Schaade spoke during the public hearing and said, “After living in Valparaiso for four years, there are better things this money could be spent on.”
“Safety, police and school resource officers should be the priority,” Schaade said.
“When I look up staffing, I only see one school resource officer listed, so I’m not sure how this person can be at all of these schools at the same time. Obviously, this officer can’t be at my son’s school when the officer is at another school. The number one priority should be our kids’ safety at our schools. It’s infuriating and makes me feel like I didn’t move far enough away from Chicago.”
Resident Scott Sederstrom spoke in favor of the ordinance, praising it as “a tool for checks and balances.”
“This ordinance restores political balance in Valparaiso,” Sederstrom said.
“It’s a vote for transparency and accountability. We know that we can’t expect the interests of the council and the mayor’s office to always be aligned. The council needs the means to act independently and wisely.”
Before the council vote, each of the council members explained their stance on the ordinance, including Cotton, who provided an example that the consulting funds could allow for tools such as a commissioned study of the financial impact the redevelopment commission has on the community.
“Not everyone in this city feels the RDC is enhancing their sense of place,” Cotton said.
“No one has been able to answer this question since I came into office. What is the dynamic and economic impact of how we use the RDC?”
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
