In this issue:
  • Roundabout Safety
  • VPD Speed Radars
  • 2020 Budget Approved
  • Creekside Trails Open
  • First Skate November 16
  • Quiet Zone Study
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • Neighborhood Workshop Survey
  • Council Corner
  • Meet Your City - Lori Simon
  • Calendar and Helpful Links
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Traffic Safety Reminder at Silhavy-LaPorte Roundabout
The City of Valparaiso is encouraging our drivers to keep safety in mind as the new roundabout at Silhavy Rd and LaPorte Ave is on schedule to open by the end of November. Check out this step by step guide to driving a multi-lane roundabout to make sure that you're "up to speed" on roundabout safety. Paper copies are available at City Hall, Valparaiso Police Department and Excel Driving Education. The guide will also be distributed to drivers as necessary through VPD Patrol Officers. To include our youngest residents, Mayor Costas visited Hilltop Neighborhood House to educate students on roundabouts and remind them to look, listen and think before crossing any roadway. Stay tuned for updates as construction wraps up at the new roundabout.
Valparaiso Police Department Utilizing Speed Radars to Enhance Traffic Safety Efforts
The Valparaiso Police Department (VPD) recently purchased six portable speed radar displays to use throughout the city. These electronic radar displays will offer safety benefits to our residents by cautioning drivers if they are going above the speed limit in certain high-traffic areas. The locations will be determined by the VPD on an ongoing basis. The goal with these new radars is to help calm traffic, provide more information to officers working to resolve concerns and bring more attention to safety in our community.
Valparaiso 2020 Budget Approved
City Council approved the 2020 budget on October 28. In our August and September issues, we highlighted the budget process and the impact of Indiana's property tax caps. Remember, the city operates various funds that have their own budgets, but the majority of funds are presented and approved by the council together annually. Since the budget has been adopted by council, our residents can now access the data online using the Indiana Gateway transparency portal. The Gateway is used by thousands of local government officials, academic researchers and taxpayers.

When comparing the 2019 and 2020 budgets, the 2020 budget has a 5% increase in expenses for all fund accounts and general budget. 4% of that increase is going to personal services which is the result of a wage study that recommended the city increase salaries to match similar-sized cities. Most departments are expected to operate at or below the budget allocation of the previous year. The total 2020 expense budget is $36,159,476 with anticipated taxes and revenue totaling $36,657,140. Contact the Clerk-Treasurer's Office to learn more.
New Creekside Trails Open to the Public
In spring 2019, a group of community members approached the Parks Department with a vision to bring mountain biking to Valparaiso. With property available at Creekside Golf Course, volunteers and staff have been hard at work making that vision a reality over the past several months. Creekside Trails, a five mile, multi-use trail, offers a unique route that bends, curves, jumps and flows through nature's canopy. Valpo Parks Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting November 7 to celebrate the hard work and partnerships that made this project possible. Watch this 2-minute video to get an inside look at the trail. Read the full press release for more information on the project and how to get involved or show your support.
Join Valpo Parks Foundation for First Skate November 16
Valpo Parks Foundation and Valpo Parks Department invite community members to participate in an exclusive, family-friendly First Skate of the season! Join the fun on the ice Saturday, November 16 from 5-9pm at Central Park Plaza. Sponsored by Anytime Fitness, tickets are $15 per person and include admission, skate rental, food and beverage and bragging rights for being the first on the ice! Proceeds go to the Valpo Parks Foundation and its mission of bringing people and community resources together to enhance and sustain the highest quality park facilities and programs.

Learn how the Valpo Parks team turns the Urschel Pavilion into an ice rink by watching this News in :90 update featuring Dan McGuire.
Quiet Zone Study Presented to Council
On November 11, City Council and members of the public heard a presentation on the City's Quiet Zone Study from the Engineering Department and Patrick Engineering. This update was informational only as no action was necessary from the council. A quiet zone is a section of railroad line, at least one-half mile in length, that has multiple public crossings where horns are not routinely sounded. Quiet zones are regulated through the Federal Railroad Administration as an exemption to the rule requiring trains to sound their horns when approaching public crossings. The study assessed the CN-GTW corridor between SR130/Lincolnway and Silhavy Rd, to learn what measures would need to be taken to qualify as a quiet zone and what costs would be associated. View the Quiet Zone Study .
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch celebrates our neighborhoods by sharing stories of success, highlighting completed projects and more. Contact us to share a story from your neighborhood!
Berkley Park has a new addition - a sand volleyball court! This project was completed by Valpo Parks and was made possible through a 2018 Neighborhood Grant funded by the Redevelopment Commission. We are excited to see this neighborhood-driven addition in our community! Watch this News in :90 featuring Kat Kelly to learn more.
Weigh in on 2020 Neighborhood Workshop Topics! The City hosted its first Neighborhood Workshop in July 2019. Based on participant feedback, there is a desire to offer quarterly "Neighborhood Workshops" where neighborhood representatives have the opportunity to network, learn from each other and increase their skills and capacity by hearing from experts on particular topics of interest. Which topics would be most valuable or interesting to you and your neighbors? Weigh in by completing this quick, 2-question survey.
Council Corner
Council Corner provides a sample of updates from City Council and Board and Commission meetings in a quick, easy to read format. Please note that full agendas and minutes can be found by visiting our website - the search box is a great resource to find what you're looking for! If you have additional questions or comments give us a call at city hall.

  • The City Council heard a presentation on the CN Railroad Quiet Zone Study, approved two facade grant requests and held first readings on an appropriation request from the Parks Department, an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance and an addition to the Municipal Code regarding collection boxes (City Council 11/11).
  • The City of Valparaiso, through the Valparaiso City Utilities Board, has entered into an asset transfer agreement with the Damon Run Conservancy District for the purchase of sanitary sewer assets. Learn more.
  • The Plan Commission introduced a secondary plat petition and held public hearings on two primary plat requests for Calkin's Hill and Valparaiso Walk Shopping Center (Plan Commission 11/12).
  • The Traffic & Safety Committee discussed street lighting at Pepper Cove and Valparaiso High School, possible solutions to traffic speeding through roundabouts and intersection concerns (T&S 11/15).
  • The Advisory Human Relations Council had a "spotlight resource" presentation from VHS' peer tutoring program, extended the grant application period and discussed goals for the next year (AHRC 10/22).
Meet Your City
Lori Simon, Mayor's Office and Valparaiso Events
Lori has been with the city’s mayor’s office serving as Executive Assistant to Mayor Jon Costas since 2005. Recently joining Valparaiso Events as Director of Marketing, she has been with the events office for one year, wearing both hats each day. She received an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris College and is a lifelong resident of Porter County. Lori is married to Judge Philip Simon and together they have 5 children. When she is not at her city post, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travels as much as possible and takes time at her family’s SW Michigan home as much as possible. Lori has been active in Kiwanis, Tri Kappa Iota Chapter, Boys and Girls Clubs of NWI, Cystic Fibrosis foundation, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and served for 10 years as Mayor’s appointment to the Valparaiso Events Board.  

Meet Your City allows our residents to learn more about city staff, board and commission members and neighborhood leaders throughout the community.
Calendar and Helpful Links
Check our calendar regularly to stay up to date on our public meetings. The most current agendas and minutes can be found on our website by selecting the board or commission that you are most interested in under the “City Government” tab. Upcoming meetings of note include:

Special Events:
  • November 30 - Valpo Parks Winter Fest and Tree Lighting: Join us as we kick off the holiday season with our annual Winter Fest with live figure skating performances, photos with Santa, vendors, live music performances and our lighting of the city holiday tree at Central Park Plaza. Learn more.
  • December 6 - Holly Days by Valparaiso Events: Welcome the holidays as Downtown Valparaiso comes to life with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Enjoy train rides, live entertainment, ice carving and more. Admire the decorated streets and visit your favorite shops for their annual holiday open houses. Dine at one of our unique restaurants and enjoy specials throughout downtown. Learn more.
  • December 14 - Valparaiso Winter Market: Valparaiso Events is offering a couple of special Valparaiso Market days this winter season. Come shop and enjoy from 10am-3pm at Valparaiso Armory! Learn more.

Quick Links:
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City of Valparaiso  | 219-462-1161 | 166 W Lincolnway Valparaiso, IN 46383