City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL APRIL 27, 2015 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on April 27, 2015 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Michael Opinker presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. Invocation by Councilman Higgs ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 DRAWING OF NAMES FOR COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS Presentation by Mrs. Mayerik & Esther Goodes Clark H.S Bishop Noll H.S. Katelyn Genardo 1st Winner Christian Campos 1st Winner Lizette Munoz 2nd Winner Jacob Casko 1st Alternate Mireya Vega 3rd Winner Sabrina Garcia 2nd Alternate Jesus Fajardo 1st Alternate Lizabeth Hernandez 2nd Alternate H.A.S.T. Monica Llanes 1st Winner Gavit H.S. Jordyn Beasley 1st Alternate Amber Earl 1st Winner Valentina Quinteros 2nd Alternate Alan Pecor 2nd Winner Marqui Glinsey 3rd Winner Morton H.S. Ivan Andrade 1st Alternate Brandon Grash 1st Winner Alex Saldivar 2nd Alternate Isabella Torres 2nd Winner Maria Espinoza 3rd Winner Hammond H.S. Teresa Espinoza 4th Winner Jacquawon Akins 1st Winner Jennifer Castaneda 5th Winner Marquis Davis 2nd Winner Andrew Key 1st Alternate Valorie Gutierrez 1st Alternate Karla Gallegos 2nd Alternate Zulema Martinez 2nd Alternate READING OF THE MINUTES Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved to accept the minutes of April 13, 2015 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved to approve the claims from April 8, 2015 through April 22, 2015. Claim #2265 through claim #2521, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS 15R-05 Confirming Resolution No. R15 (14r. 15) that Designated and Established a Certain Area of the City of Hammond, Indiana as an Economic Revitalization Area to Which Deductions from Assessed Value May Be Requested by an Applicant to the Common Council of the City of Hammond Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Mayor McDermott - I just wanted to remind the council, and for those that weren’t in the caucus, this is something that’s previously been passed by the Hammond Council. We had to come back for re-approval from you all before it could take effect. It’s 100% tax abatement for a company, American Stair, that’s moving to Hammond from Illinois. Bringing all their employees. Planning on hiring more employees once they get here. Over a $3 million investment into a building that’s been vacant for close to a decade in the Hammond’s 1st District, the North Hammond section of our city. I think it’s a great project. It’s the only time we’ve ever asked for 100% tax abatement. It’s the only one I’ve ever issued as mayor. I don’t know if the council, I’d have to ask Clerk Golec if, you know, in his mind if that’s ever happened before. But this is unique. We worked hand in hand with ADC on this deal. It helped us close it. But this company was very specific about what they were seeking, and in my opinion, if we didn’t give them what they were asking for they would not have chosen Hammond as their business location. COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs read an announcement on the Expansion Open House ribbon cutting ceremony at the new 1000 sq. ft. complex at 651 Conkey. Mayor McDermott - Thanked Councilman Higgs for reading the announcement. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 Councilman Higgs read announcement from the Hammond F.O.P. regarding their Annual Memorial Services. Councilman Higgs announced the 10th Annual Joe Betustak Memorial Benefit Motorcycle Run and Party on the Lake. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz : Wed., May 6; Edison Community Watch; Edison School; 6:30 p.m. Fri., May 1; Edison Community Watch on the Road; Golden Manor Senior Apt.’s; 1:00 p.m. Fri., May 1; Irving Community Watch; Irving School; 9:15 a.m. Jefferson Crime Watch; Wed., Apr. 29; Jefferson School; 6:30 p.m. Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc.; Tues., Apr. 28; 6:30; American Legion ORDINANCE 3rd READING - FINAL PASSAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 15-15 An Ordinance to Establish Rules and Regulations for the Discharge of Wastewater into the Wastewater Treatment Systems of the Sanitary District of Hammond Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee. AYES: ALL 15-16 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 8514, Also Known as the Hammond Zoning Ordinance, and Amending Ordinance No. 9188 for Purposes of Amending the Planned Unit Development District Ordinance for the Columbia Center Planned Unit Development Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee. AYES: ALL 15-17 An Ordinance to Establish the 7300-7400 Block Flagstone Drive Between 174th Place and Wilson Place a One-way Street Going North and Repealing Any Ordinances in Conflict Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee. AYES: ALL 15-18 An Ordinance to Permit Angle Parking at Location East Side of 7300-7400 Block of Flagstone Drive Between 174th Place and Wilson Place Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS 15R-08 A Resolution of the Hammond City Council Granting FJ Building of Indiana, LLC (d.b.a. American Stair Corporation) an Assessed Valuation Deduction (Tax Abatement) For the Qualified Tangible Personal Property Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Councilman Kalwinski - This resolution and the next two are part of the process of moving along on the tax abatement process. Corporate Counsel Kantar - I’d just like to clarify, 15R-05 technically has to be approved before 15R-08, 9 and 10. So I would just ask the Council...you did do a public hearing on 15R-05 but neglected to actually confirm it. Once you confirm it you can do the others. Council President Opinker - Okay, well, let’s go back to 15R-05 15R-05 Confirming Resolution No. R15 (14r. 15) that Designated and Established a Certain Area of the City of Hammond, Indiana as an Economic Revitalization Area to Which Deductions from Assessed Value May Be Requested by an Applicant to the Common Council of the City of Hammond Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R05 ADOPTED Council President Opinker - I guess we got to do the whole thing over again on 15R-08. 15R-08 A Resolution of the Hammond City Council Granting FJ Building of Indiana, LLC (d.b.a. American Stair Corporation) an Assessed Valuation Deduction (Tax Abatement) For the Qualified Tangible Personal Property Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R08 ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS cont. 15R-09 A Resolution of the Hammond City Council Granting FJ Building of Indiana, LLC (d.b.a. American Stair Corporation) an Assessed Valuation Deduction (Tax Abatement) for the Qualified Tangible Real Property Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R09 ADOPTED 15R-10 A Resolution of the Hammond City Council Granting FJ Building of Indiana, LLC (d.b.a. American Stair Corporation) an Assessed Valuation Deduction (Tax Abatement) for the Occupation of an Eligible Vacant Building Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1 Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R10 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Higgs announced the Hessville Little League 62nd Annual Parade. Saturday, May 2nd at 9 a.m. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to Code Enforcement in regards to 5633 Calumet Avenue. There’s a building that had to be cleaned up and it needs to be boarded up and we got some homeless people living there. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to Economic Development in regards to the KFC building, Burger King and Stardust Bowling Alley on Columbia Avenue. The structures have been vacant for a number of years and I would like to know the status or if the Economic Development Department is seeking some businesses to come in those vacant properties. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to Code Enforcement in regards to 6342 Euclid where the house is vacant and it’s very in deplorable condition and it needs to be boarded up. Also, 840 Becker and 838 Carroll have been on the demo list and I know we got the Hardest Hit Fund, I’d like to know the status of those properties and when they’re gonna be demo’d. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to Code Enforcement and the Street Department in terms of addressing the alley between the 1110 block of Morris and Highland. There’s a number of bags and debris in the alley that hasn’t been picked up in two weeks. AYES: ALL Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 LETTERS SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to Code Enforcement in regards to 842 Ames Street. The house has been vacant for ten years. I’ve sent several letters and I’d like to know the status of when that property is gonna be demo’d. It’s directly across the street from Haven House. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to send a letter to the School City of Hammond and the Hammond Police Department on the traffic on the two exits/entrances to Hess School on Orchard Drive due to a lot of traffic and disobeying crossing guards. AYES: ALL LETTERS SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 Councilman Higgs - I received a phone call from Scott Newman at 1008 Dracker Street. He hasn’t received his garbage can. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to send a letter to the Sanitation Department in regards to finding out what’s the need for him to, what’s needed for him to get a garbage can. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: APRIL 28, 2015 PUBLIC EXPRESSION Michael Swiger - Encouraged everyone to vote. Men and women have been serving oversea’s for the last decade plus because they believe so strongly in the right to be able to choose our leaders with votes rather than bullets and bombs. Everyone’s vote matters. Carlotta King-Blake - Echoed the sentiments of the previous speaker. Encouraged everyone to vote this particular season. PUBLIC EXPRESSION cont. Alvin Cheeks - Thanked the person who donated from Sweet Potato Pies for Cancer and Dementia. Has neck ties and belts for young men who are interested. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 7 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 27, 2015 Michelle Rasin - Vice President and Scholastics Manager for Northlake Pop Warner - Asked for donations to help some young men being academically achieved at the national level with travel expenses to be able to participate. Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to reopen New and Unfinished Business. AYES: ALL Councilman Higgs - Certainly I want to echo the sentiments of Ms. King as well as Mr. Swiger but even in the election process there have been some things that have really been disturbing as it relates to this upcoming election. All the pettiness, the back biting, and the back stabbing was totally unnecessary, the stalking. It’s not necessary. The people will make a decision on Tuesday. Hopefully the decision will be to serve this great city. I’m hoping that those that are elected in the future take the responsibility to do what’s necessary to move this city forward. It’s really been really a really nasty, nasty, election. And all the things that have went on in this process, all I can say is if it had not been for the Lord, on my side, where would I be? Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilman Markovich, moved to return to the regular order of business. AYES: ALL Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Michael Opinker, President ATTEST: Hammond Common Council Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:45 pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting on May 11, 2015. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 8