PORTER | Indiana state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, presented the Town Council with a check for $15,000 on Tuesday night, giving the green light to lakeshore projects.

"This is money that needed to be spent for projects that would fit within the realm of beachfront development. Spend it well," Tallian said., passing the check to council President Michele Bollinger.

Tallian is the region's representative to the Lake Michigan Marina Redevelopment Commission.

Town Engineer Matt Kaiser said the money is a portion of what was requested from the commission and he is happy to have funding for much needed work.

Repair of a gate to the Porter Beach parking lot will be fully funded at a cost of $10,250 and the remaining amount will go to retrofitting ADA-compliant devices at Porter Beach.

In other business, the council voted unanimously to authorize the town of Porter to make temporary loans to meet operating expenses through the Indiana Bond Bank.

Attorney Patrick Lyp explained the authorization is "just to put in place in case there's a need."

After the meeting, Bollinger explained the loan, with an interest rate of 1.75 percent, is a backup in case county tax funds aren't available as in past years, requiring the town to deplete its own sources.

"We're trying to be proactive and still provide services and take care of our town," she said.

Additionally, Kaiser told the council the Porter Beach Overlay has been forwarded to the council for its review and is available on the town's Web site for the public's review. He asked the council to put the zoning issue on the next meeting's agenda.