City Council

Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2015 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on October 13, 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 Councilwoman Venecz. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker ABSENT: Hinojosa TOTAL: 8 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of September 28, 2015 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to accept the claims from September 23, 2015 through October 7, 2015. Claim #5362 through claim #5629, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS None COMMITTEE REPORTS Council as a Whole Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Brought out 15-33, 15-34, 15-36, and 15-37. Finance Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Brought out 15-35. MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 13, 2015 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk COMMITTEE REPORTS cont. Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Announced the upcoming meetings: Mon., Oct. 19; Columbia C.W.; Columbia School; 5:30 p.m. East Ham’d Pullman C.W.; Tues., Oct. 20; 6:30 p.m.; Ophelia Steen Center Hessville C.W.; Thur., Oct. 15; Jean Shepherd Center; 7:00 p.m. Indi-Illi C.W.; 1st Methodist Church at 6635 Hohman Avenue; 6:30 p.m.; Thur.,Oct. 15 Lafayette Neighborhood Watch; Wed., Oct. 21; Lafayette School; 6:30 p.m. S. Ham’d C.W.; Thur., Oct. 15; Ham’d Housing Authority; 7:00. I would also like to announce that Edison Community Watch and the East Side Community Council will once again be partnering with Home Depot to host Trunk or Treat on Halloween from 6 to 7:30 p.m. it’s a controlled, safe, environment for our children. Last year we saw over 500 children along with their parents. So if there are any groups or organizations that are interested in participating, you can contact me. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE 15-33 2016 Civil City Budget Proposal Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved to amend out page 21 labeled Data Processing and amend in a new page 21 labeled Judicial Services in its entirety. Councilman Markovich - Is there another page then for Data processing other than page 21? Controller Garay - There is, there were actually two in the original packet. It’s page 11. ROLL CALL VOTE (amend in pg. 21) 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. 9314 PASSED (as amended) ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. 15-34 2016 Civil City Salary Ordinance Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9315 PASSED 15-35 2016 Police and Fire Salary Ordinance Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to amend in Section 7, the residency bonus, it should read $2,400 annually, not $1,800. 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. 9316 PASSED (as amended) 15-36 2016 Redevelopment Budget Proposal Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9317 PASSED ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. 15-37 2016 Sanitary District Budget Proposal Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Uylaki, Higgs, Emerson, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Hinojosa Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9318 PASSED INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 15-43 Appropriation - $60,000 - Hammond City Court - From: Local Infraction Program To: Part Time Salaries Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title, referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee with a Public Hearing on 11-9-15. AYES: ALL 15-44 Amending Ord. 4326 & 8590, concerning Retail Establishments, Retail Services or other Business Establishments Councilwoman Venecz, 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 Councilwoman Venecz - This ordinance is to update the classification of businesses in the city of Hammond. What is considered a business now in the city of Hammond will also include landlords. 15-45 Creating a New Section of Chapter 124 to Require Landlords who Operate in Hammond to have a Hammond Business License Councilwoman Venecz, 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 Councilwoman Venecz - This ordinance will now require landlords to obtain a business license. It will be effective January 1st through December 31st of each year at a cost of $100. RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 15-46 BZA: Z-15-05: Petition of 18th Street Brewery, LLC for Variance of Use from Zoning Ordinance to allow Distribution and Food Processing located at 5417 Oakley Street Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to schedule an Intent to Consider at a special meeting on Friday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m. Councilman Markovich - Is there anybody here from this 18th Street Brewery, that’s the owners or whatever, can approach the council and tell us what’s going on? Drew Fox - Owner and Head Brewer of 18th Street Brewery - Our intent at 5417 Oakley is to operate a production facility as well as a tasting room at the 5417 Oakley location. We currently have a brewery and tap room which we opened in 2013 in the city of Gary, Indiana. Our intent with the 5417 facility is to expand our distribution as well as to expand our growth and capacity. Right now currently we operate in a 5000 sq. ft. space. We’ve expanded in that space, since 2013, four times. Unfortunately it has stifled some of our growth with having limitations as to our building. Currently we don’t own our space in Gary so we sought after Hammond as well as some of the other surrounding cities to basically own our own production facility so we can continue our growth. Right now, 18th Street Brewery, so far this year 2013 is on the path to produce 2000 barrels of beer, which is about 31 US gallons, which is a half barrel of beer. With this new production facility over 2014 through 2017 that will help us expand our barrel capacity to 5000 barrels. Right now we distribute in the state of Indiana, as well as Iowa, and as well as Denmark. So, the current facility has really outgrown at a pace which we’ve outgrown as well. So we’re excited to really continue our path of growth. But also with that path of growth is continue to inject additional jobs, which we look forward to 6 to 8 jobs. First rights would be working with Work One to inject Hammond residents as well. But this building at 5417 Oakley, it was a building that was in dismay, it was kind of an eyesore, the structural integrity of the building in the inside is beautiful. It’s a beautiful building. The facade needs a little bit of work which we are addressing as we speak but our goal is we really want to continue the path of growth but also the economic and social development that breweries have brought to this state. Also, currently the state of Indiana has produced in revenue an excess of one billion dollars. We are the fastest growing state when it comes to craft breweries. As well as injecting another 800 to 100 jobs per city or per county. So we look forward to embracing the city of Hammond and with the social and economic development that we have so far brought and we’re excited about the project as well. I think it’s gonna be a great addition to the city of Hammond. Councilman Higgs - Certainly I want to applaud your efforts in choosing Hammond as your new location and hopefully that you will be successful in your endeavors in trying to make your company successful. And I am extremely excited and grateful to see an African American, especially, step up to the plate and have a business of such, so congratulations and I wish you the best. Councilman Markovich - Mr. Fox, you’re aware of...I know you weren’t in the discussion in there for the caucus and they wanted us to do a lot of things tonight which wasn’t normally done, the process. So that’s why they’re calling this special meeting. They said that, you know, our next meeting would have been the 26th but they’re calling a special meeting for Friday at 6:00. Because Redevelopment claims that you need to move and you NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Markovich cont. - can’t move any structures in there or start any work because you can’t get the permits because you don’t have this re-zone classification so that’s what they told us and I don’t know if they explained that to you or anything. That’s why I asked if there was anybody here that represents and I’m glad that you were here to speak up. But hopefully, we’re not trying to stymy you or anything else like that. And I’ll be honest with you, they told us this has been going on for a year and this is the first time we’ve met you or knew what was going on or anything. Drew Fox - Right. Originally we had approached the city of Hammond right around January or February, and the one thing we pride ourselves on in our company is we don’t take out any additional debt without knowing the additional growth of the business. We’re a cash business. We’ve always remained that way. When we first looked at the project of Hammond, we wanted to go back and evaluate our balance sheet to make sure that we were in good standing to make sure that we could fund this project without going to a bank and pulling out additional funds whereas we could inject those funds back into the structure but also additional equipment that would in turn spur the job growth. Councilman Markovich - Now this building is how many sq. ft.? Drew Fox - This building is 3200 sq. ft. Councilman Markovich - So, is there enough there for you to expand in the future is you need to? Drew Fox - Absolutely. We anticipate on securing the first floor, which will be 1600 sq. ft., the first three years into growth and the additional 1600 sq. ft. we look to either... we’d love to inject some small manufacturing into those spaces or parcels which we feel is really important to, again, more job creations. But as we grow we hope we can continue to grow into those spaces as well. Councilman Higgs - I guess my question would be, have you sought out the facade program through the city? Drew Fox - Yes, we have. We have worked with Redevelopment. They have given us access to all the information to the facade program as well as abatement program and me and my team have already addressed that and filed a formal application. Councilman Higgs - Well, certainly if you’re looking for investors, I know quite a few millionaires who might be interest. Council President Opinker - Thank you, sir, and good luck. Alright we have a first and second for the special meeting. We had our discussion. All in favor? Opposed? AYES: ALL Councilman Emerson - I would like to remind people that Hammond is having their second annual Veteran’s Day Appreciation Parade and ceremony Saturday, Nov. 7, parade steps off at Olcott and 173rd and will wind up, at 10 a.m., you can begin to line up as early as you want to get there, and will conclude at Hessville Park at the NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Emerson cont. - memorial there for a short ceremony. So I encourage you if you are a veteran, it will bring back old times, you can march, maybe not in great unison like you used to do in the military or if you just want to say thank you to the vet’s to line the streets and show your appreciation this is the time to do it. Thank you to Leanne Muñoz and the whole committee that’s been working now for a couple months to make this a success. So thank you very much. PUBLIC EXPRESSION None Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL ________________________Mich ael Opinker, President ATTEST: Hammond Common Council _________________________ Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:45pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council Meeting of October 26, 2015.