Ellen Kapitan, Valparaiso City Council At-large

01/06/2025

January’s Plan Commission meeting, scheduled for January 7, is cancelled. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 4.

01/06/2025

Cleaning up after the holidays?

Christmas trees 🎄will be picked up by Valparaiso City Services. To schedule a pick up:

- Call Customer Service: 219-462-6174

Or

- Submit OnlineLink:

12/23/2024

Reminder about trash and recycling pick up!

Due to the Christmas holiday observed on Wednesday, December 25, trash and recycle pickup will be delayed by one day. Wednesday's pickup will be on Thursday and Thursday's pickup will be on Friday.
Valparaiso City Services' offices will be closed Wednesday, December 25 and Thursday, December 26. Regular office hours will resume on Friday, December 27. If you require assistance during this time, please call 1-844-296-6810.

12/16/2024

Public comment is open through December 31 for the proposed project at Silhavy Road near Rt 30. Project documents can be found in the following link:
https://www.structurepointpublic.com/silhavy

12/15/2024

Traffic and Safety meets tomorrow, 12/16 at 10a!

12/08/2024

City Council meets Monday, December 9.

12/07/2024

🎄Shop Local & Park Smart! 🚗

Whether you're picking up gifts, dining out, or supporting our local businesses- note the parking limits to make sure your shopping experience is as smooth as possible.

🅿️ Parking Reminder: Be mindful of parking time limits in designated zones throughout the city. To ensure everyone can access our downtown shops and restaurants, please check the signs for specific time restrictions. Check out the graphic below with information on parking zones and their limits (Monday through Friday, 8a-5p).
*Note, the Lincoln Highway Garage is 3 hours per day or All Day with a permit.

Thank you for shopping locally and supporting our vibrant community!

12/05/2024

It's crucial to drive at safe speeds near parks to protect everyone enjoying the space.

I am proud of our Parks Department for prioritizing the safety of park-goers and committing to a welcoming, secure environment for all.

Parks has introduced a plan to improve safety and traffic measures surrounding Valpo Parks facilities, including advisory speed limits and designated pedestrian connections. The new advisory speed limit will be 20 miles per hour throughout the zone, extending approximately 200 feet from the edge of park property in both directions. The zones will be clearly marked with yellow signs featuring a seesaw icon. In addition, piano key (striped) crosswalks will be painted at select intersections within the speed zones.
An advisory speed limit is a posted speed recommendation and is only informational; not enforceable.Look for the new signage and striping next spring. For the full release, visit https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1315

12/02/2024

Deadline to apply for the Environmental Advisory Board is Friday, December 6.

The City of Valparaiso is encouraging citizens to participate in local government by applying to serve on the newly established 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱, which is seeking four new members; and the 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, which is seeking one new member.
To read the full release and find links to applications, visit https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1308

11/24/2024

City council meets tomorrow, 11/25.

11/22/2024

FYI!

𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 observed on Thursday, November 28th, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲. Monday's pickup will be picked up on Monday, Tuesday's pickup will be on Tuesday, Wednesday's pickup will be on Wednesday and Thursday's pickup will be picked up on Friday.
Valparaiso City Services' offices will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 2. If you require assistance during this time, please call (844) 296-6810.

11/22/2024

Glad to see our city committing to accessibility for all. While there is still work to be done, I appreciate what our engineering department has done with this parking space audit.

13 new accessible parking spaces have been added throughout downtown. This updated map is available on the city's website valpo.us at https://tinyurl.com/ValpoAccess

11/17/2024

Traffic and Safety Committee meets tomorrow, 11/18 @ 10a

11/14/2024

Let’s talk about tax abatements...

The latest tax abatement proposal for Marshalls raised a few red flags. Here's why:

Job Creation?
The request hinges on just three jobs, with one possibly being a replacement and others going to family members.

Profiting from the Tax Payers:
Marshalls already has multiple contracts with the city—are we just giving them more taxpayer incentives without a real return? Plus, the wear and tear their trucks cause on our local roads suggests we might need an impact fee instead.

This year, we’ve approved tax abatements to local businesses including InTouch Pharmaceuticals, Lake Cable, Barley Properties, and Viking Medical Center. Each of these proposals included 10+ new jobs created. One included equipment to remain competitive in their field, another will pass on cost savings to lessees, and the final is mitigating a complicated eyesore that stemmed from a bad deal in the first place. These approvals show that we are supportive of local businesses and want to help them thrive, recognizing the value they bring to our community.

However, we also need to ask: What’s the return on our investment? Tax abatements are meant to spur growth, create jobs, and improve our local economy. While these businesses have benefited, it’s important to evaluate whether each new request is truly in the best interest of the community.
We should continue to support our local businesses, but only when we see a clear, tangible benefit for our residents—not just more incentives for companies that are already receiving taxpayer support. This means accountability and a focus on long-term value for everyone.

Let’s make sure we’re using our resources wisely to benefit the whole community, not just a few. These are the values I ran on and will continue to bring to my council leadership.

Send a message to learn more

11/12/2024

Applications for the Valparaiso Environmental Advisory Board are open! Apply by using the link below. 🌳

11/09/2024

Monday, November 11: City Council Meeting

11/06/2024

Boil advisory-

11/05/2024

Plan Commission is meeting tonight, 11/5. Note, this item has a public hearing.