City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 10, 2014 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on February 10, 2014 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Michael Opinker presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker ABSENT: Hinojosa TOTAL: 8 PRESENTATION Councilwoman Venecz - We have many children in Hammond who give us much reason to be proud and often their accomplishments are not publicized. When Edison and Gavit’s chess coach’s Jeff and Dee Spittler sent me an e-mail about their teams accomplishments I jumped at the chance to acknowledge them publicly. Back in December Hammond hosted the Regional Chess Tournament at Morton with 128 Hammond students participating. Hammond had more students competing than the rest of the State combined. Three of our students were undefeated at the Regional Tournament and a total of 32 Hammond students qualified to participate at the SCI Individual Championship Chess Tournament organized by the Scholastic Chess of Indiana in Indianapolis on January 25th. Some of the students who won trophies at State are Maxwell Wolf, Analicia Ceda, Eric Johnson, Camille Spittler, Nicholas Travis, Meronica Maya, Ryan Manning, Lyla Wolf, Jessie Schmidt, Rebecca Manning, Nathaniel Drechny, Josue Moreno, Carlos Salgado, Vanessa Maya, Yatzury Moreno, Kalthleen Reina, Tyler Labecca, Noah Maravilla, Xander Cervantes, Andrea Salgado, Caitlin Benal, Ronnie Benal, Timothy Gomez and Matthew Wallington. We are so proud of all of the students that Jeff and Dee coached, however one accomplishment deserves special recognition. Matthew Wallington went undefeated through Regional and the State Tournament and became the 6th Grade JV Champion in the State of Indiana. Jeff and Dee thank you for volunteering your time and nurturing our young people here in the City of Hammond. Thank you to Mr. And Mrs. Wallington for encouraging your son. Matthew you lived up to the Gavit Chess Motto. “I am a chess gladiator. I will respect all but fear none in my relentless pursuit of victory. The board is my arena and I am here to win.” Matthew Wallington, on behalf of Mayor McDermott and the City of Hammond, I wish you congratulations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved to accept the minutes of January 27, 2014 and place on file. AYES: ALL Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 10, 2014 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to approve the claims form January 22, 2014 through February 5, 2014. Claim #803 through claim #1064, inclusive. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to amend in claims: #1065 Crawford Broadcasting Mayor’s Gaming $2,000.00 #1066 Jason Shaw Mayor’s Gaming 500.00 #1067 Rodney Lucas/ F. Stokes Mayor’s Gaming 500.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 AMENDMENT ADOPTED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs - I would like to send a letter in regards to New Community Missionary Baptist Church in having a benefit concert a couple weeks ago to raise money for the families that were lost as well as the ones who are trying to pull their lives back together and a total of $3,900 was raised at this concert and I want to applaud Rev. Gillis for his efforts in taking the torch up and making this a success and reaching out to those family in distress. So certainly would like to send a letter to New Community Church in regards to this. Council President Opinker - A motion by Councilman Higgs. Councilman Spitale seconds. Council President Opinker - Second by Councilman Spitale, to send a letter to New Community Baptist Church. Is that in the form of a thank you letter, Councilman Higgs? Councilman Higgs - Yes. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 10, 2014 COMMUNICATIONS cont. Council President Opinker - All those in favor? All opposed? AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: February 11, 2014 Councilwoman Venecz read an e-mail regarding the APTIP Indiana Program, the University of Notre Dame. COMMITTEE REPORTS Council as a Whole Committee - Councilman Uylaki - Brought out 14-04. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE 14-04 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 9230 also known as the Salary and Wage Ordinance for Police Officers and Fire Fighters in the City of Hammond Councilman Uylaki, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for final passage. Councilman Uylaki, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to amend Section Seven, strike out the $6,000 and insert $2,400.00. ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 AMENDMENT ADOPTED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9243 PASSED (as amended) INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None RESOLUTIONS None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 10, 2014 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to suspend the rules to bring out 14R-03. AYES: ALL Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Councilwoman Venecz - At the last council meeting this resolution was tabled for some questions that some councilmen had and we discussed in caucus that all of those questions were answered. Thank you. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R03 ADOPTED Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to return to the regular order of business. AYES: ALL Councilman Higgs - On February 26 there will be a Mayor’s Night Out at Hammond High School in the cafeteria starting at 6:30. Also I received a correspondence from the Hammond Police Department. It says, “Councilman Higgs, Based on complaints that I’ve received from Michael White and his brother Bill white, I drove by the 20 block of Williams Street to assess the snow removal situation. Upon arrival I observed that the street had been plowed thoroughly with all asphalt plainly visible. The clearance on both sides of the street was adequate. I could navigate through the street in my patrol car. There was obviously had not been moved in a while and I put a red tag on it to force removal. I have an enclosed photograph of the street as it looked on February 4th, 2014. Sincerely, Chief Brian Miller.” Councilwoman Venecz - This last Thursday I had the distinct honor of attending the Black History Coalition Program here at City Hall. I just wanted to say that the program was absolutely outstanding. They honored four World War II Veterans who still live in Hammond and it was really quite moving and inspiring and I just wanted to say thank you to the committee and certainly thank you to those gentlemen for not only showing up on Thursday because I’m sure it was difficult for each and every one of them and thank them for their service. Councilman Higgs - N.W.I. Gives of United Neighborhoods Inc. February 6, 2014, United Neighborhood Inc., U.N.I. ready for youth N.W.I. gives on February to a Hammond U.N.I. is one of the hundreds of not for profits participating in first ever N.W.I. gives scheduled for February 12th, 2014. Organizers presented the Legacy Foundation of Lake Area United Way Northwest Indiana Gives is an initiative online fund-raising effort that encourage individuals to donate as much money as possible in support of their favorite charities across Lake, Porter and Laporte Counties in just 24 hours. U.N.I. makes a difference ever day by improving Hammond urgent and sustaining housing stock including low to moderate income people in developing plans and developing plans and partnerships said Alexis D. Barber, Executive Director, U.N.I. is excited to partner with other not for profits across Northwest Indiana to see how much we can raise to serve our communities. Beginning at midnight Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 10, 2014 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Higgs cont. - February 12th and continuing to 11:59 p.m. People throughout Northwest Indiana will go online to N.W.I. gives razoo.com connect with calls like U.N.I. and make tax deductible donations to support them important work of Northwest Indiana charities. All online donations for U.N.I. made on N.W.I. Gives.razoo.com during N.W.I. Gives day will go directly to support U.N.I.’s mission. Councilwoman Venecz - In caucus we discussed a couple of lots in the Parrish View Subdivision and I’d like to make a motion. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved that the council authorize its president to sign the form showing that Parrish View Lots number 14 and 27 have complied with its Statement of Benefits for tax abatement. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 MOTION CARRIED Councilwoman Venecz - As I do at every meeting for those who wish to do good in their neighborhood and be involved in what’s going on in their neighborhood, I always announce the community crime watch meetings and encourage everyone to attend. Wed., Feb. 12 Woodmar C.W. National Armory 6:00 pm Thur., Feb. 16 Whiting-Robertsdale C.W. Calumet College 6:30 pm Tues., Feb. 18 East Ham’d Pullman C.W. Ophelia Steen Center 6:30 pm Thur., Feb. 20 Hessville C.W. Jean Shepherd Center 7:00 pm South Ham’d C.W. Ham’d Housing Building 7:00 pm Councilman Markovich - Reading an artile in the paper they said the number one crime fighter was snow. With all that snow there’s no crime. Crime is going down a little bit. People can’t fight the snow and everything. There was an article in the paper from East Chicago’s Police Chief Becker that crime statistics are down due to the cold weather and the snow. I know we hate the snow but there is a good thing about it as far as keeping crime down to a certain extent and or wait for spring. Councilwoman Venecz - I just wanted to say thank you to our Street Department and our Police Department and our Fire Department. We have had more snow than any of us ever dreamed we would have this season. It has presented many problems with regard to parking and the police have taken crash reports and the fire fighters battling these sub-zero temperatures. So thank you to all of them. We appreciate the job that we do. Thank you. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PUBLIC EXPRESSION George Stoya - We’ve had a lot of weird weather in the past year and I just wondered if it’s reflected in the budget that maybe some more money should be allocated on an emergency basis or otherwise. Obviously something’s going on with the weather and it doesn’t look like it’s going to abate. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Michael Opinker, President ATTEST: Hammond Common Council Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:30 pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of February 24, 2014. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6