City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 24, 2014 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on February 24, 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, Hinojosa, Opinker ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of February 10, 2014 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by, Councilman Spitale, moved to approve the claims from February 5, 2014 through February 19, 2014. Claim #1068 through claim #1326, inclusive. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to amend in claims: #1327 Creative Audio Mayor’s Gaming $17,950.00 #1328 Ashmy Bellevue Mayor’s Gaming $ 500.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS AMENDED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING 14-03 An Ordinance to Appropriate Monies into the 2014 Gaming Fund No one spoke COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs sent his condolences to the Dr. Charles G. Hayes family, who was a legendary gospel singer. Also to the family of Marshal Law. Councilman Markovich announced that the Port Authority meeting is actually on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Councilwoman Venecz announced that the Hammond F.O.P., the F.O.P. Auxilliary, and the Hammond Firefighters are sponsoring a benefit for the Young children who survived the horrific fire on Sibley back in January. There will be a spaghetti dinner this Wed., Feb. 26th at the F.O.P. COMMITTEE REPORTS Council as a Whole Committee - Councilman Kalwinski - Brought out 14-03. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE 14-03 An Ordinance to Appropriate Monies into the 2014 Gaming Fund Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for final passage. Councilman Kalwinski - This ordinance is necessary because any gaming money dollars remaining in the districts or the Mayor’s gaming dollars that aren’t spent in 2013 have to be moved forward and re-appropriated for 2014 and that’s what this ordinance does. Councilman Markovich - Could we please have the Clerk announce the amounts for each district? Council President Opinker - Clerk Golec? City Clerk Golec read amounts. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9244 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2014 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None RESOLUTIONS 14R-07 Resolution Opposing Elimination of Business Personal Property Tax Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved for adoption. Councilman Higgs asked the Clerk to read the resolution in its entirety. City Clerk Golec read the resolution in its entirety. Councilman Markovich - I believe there’s a typo error on the second sentence where it says, “deal of the finds”. It should be “funds” and not “finds”. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R07 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilwoman Venecz - I’d like to advise the public about some upcoming crime watch meetings and community meetings for those who wish to do good in their community. Tues., Feb. 25 Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc Legion on Gostlin 6:30 Wed., Feb. 26 Jefferson C.W. Jefferson School 6:30 Wed., March 5 Edison Community Watch Edison School 6:30 Thur. March 6 Edison C.W. on the Road Golden Manor 6:00 Fri., March 7 Irving Com. Watch Irving School 9:15 PUBLIC EXPRESSION John Czulno - I’m surprised to see $5 million in gaming money from the previous year being carried across into the next year. I find it surprising that when people ask for things such as overtime for police and things of that nature, the discussion comes up that we don’t have the money. Yet we’re taking $5 million from the previous year and carrying it into the next year. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Markovich, moved to go back to the regular order of business. AYES: ALL Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2014 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Higgs - Just to answer your question, sir. I’m not for sure exactly where you live at and what particular district you live in. 4th District? Okay. For one, there’s money that is being carried over and it’s designated for certain things. We can’t just spend money on everything. If for some reason a situation comes up and the Mayor approaches us and there’s a dire need, then possibly we could allocate those funds. But normally, and I would think that is happening throughout every district, I know in the 3rd District, the money is utilized for lighting, sidewalks, curves, infrastructure, okay, park improvements throughout your district or whatnot. There is an extra fund that the Mayor has that is designated that he can use the 10% share. That he can utilize to assist with projects throughout the city. So, if that answers your question, I’m just trying to give you some clarity as to what. Now, if there is something in particular you want done or a street or something then I would suggest you contact your 4th District councilman and address that. But sidewalks, if you see sidewalks that are in deplorable condition in your district, I’m sure if you bring that to his attention he’ll address it, I would hope. Councilman Emerson - I can address your question directly. That money is technically not even there. It’s all been spent, the remainder, on ornamental lighting. There is over fifteen blocks, I don’t have my list with me, but I’ll be happy to share with you the 2013 projects that that money is... it’s there because it got colder, they did some of the engineering on the blocks that I want ornamental lighting, they haven’t finished all that but they’re gonna complete that and then of course the digging, the installation, and everything else. There’s a lot that I’ve asked for and they just couldn’t get to it in the calendar year, that budget year. Councilman Higgs - Just to enlighten you, me and Councilman Emerson together jointly did a project on 165th . He explored the lighting on 165th and he approached me about us splitting the cost on 165th from Stateline to Calumet Avenue. I guess the lights were not as bright as they should be. So that was one of the projects that we jointly ventured on. Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Michael Opinker, President ATTEST: Hammond Common Council Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:20 pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of March 10, 2014. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4