City Council

Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 26, 2015 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on October 26, 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, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker ABSENT: Uylaki TOTAL: 8 PRESENTATION by Pop Warner Michelle, John & Zane Rayson thanked the council and the City of Hammond for their support of Pop Warner football and cheerleaders. READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to accept the minutes of October 10th, October 13th and October 16th, 2015. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to approve the minutes from October 7, 2015 through October 21, 2015. Claim #5630 through claim #5868, inclusive. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to amend in: Claim #5869 Calumet College Human Relations/ College Bound $9990.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Uylaki Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS AMENDED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Uylaki Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 26, 2015 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs read correspondence regarding the Hammond housing market. Councilwoman Venecz - I didn’t get a copy of that. If I could please. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved that the Clerk make copies for all councilmen. AYES: ALL Councilwoman Venecz - The Community and Crime Watch meetings that are upcoming as I always read them: Wed., Nov. 4; Edison Community Watch; Edison School; 6:30 p.m. Edison Community Watch on the Road; Golden Manor; Wed., Nov. 4; 1:00 p.m. Irving Community Watch; Irving School; Fri., Nov. 6; 9:15 a.m. Jefferson Crime Watch; Wed., Oct. 28; Jefferson School; 6:30 p.m. Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc.; Tues., Oct. 27; American Legion; 6:30 p.m. This Saturday is Trunk or Treat. Edison Community Watch is partnering with the East Side Community Council and Home Depot to host the, how many annual, I don’t know, this is the fourth or fifth annual Trunk or Treat at Home Depot. It begins at 6 o’clock, goes to 7:30. Bring out your children after you’re done Trick or treating in Hammond which is 5 to 7 p.m. and it’s always a good time for all of the children. Councilman Higgs read correspondence regarding the Grand Opening of the City Dowling Park Athletic Complex on Friday, October 30 from noon to 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS None ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 15-47 2016 CDBG, ESG and HOME Budget Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Higgs, 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 15-48 Appropriation - $83,000 - Hammond Police Department Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Higgs, 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 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE cont. 15-49 Transfer - $27,710.00 - Hammond Common Council Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to amend in 15-49A in its entirety. AYES: ALL 15-50 Petition of the Hammond Housing Authority Amending PUD Ord. 9297 for the Columbia Center Planned Unit Development District located in the 1200-1300 block of 173rd Street Councilman Emerson, 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 Notice of Intent on 11-9-15. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS 15R-19 Authorizing the Filing of an Annual Action Plan Application and designating Signatories for Payment Voucher on Letters of Credit for the 2016 Annual Action Plan Programs Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for adoption. Councilman Spitale - This resolution is providing decent housing and suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Uylaki Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION R19 ADOPTED 15R-20 Naming Monday, November 2nd be recognized as a Color the World Orange Day to Raise Awareness of CRPS/RSD Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Councilwoman Venecz - One of our residents came to me to increase awareness about this syndrome. I had no idea what it was. So, for the general public I think that probably there aren’t many of out there who know what this is. So I would like to read this resolution in its entirety. Councilwoman Venecz read Resolution 15R-20 in its entirety. RESOLUTIONS cont. Councilwoman Venecz - I would request that everyone please remember on November 2nd to wear orange. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Uylaki Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R20 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Higgs - I just want to send my condolences to Pastor Hidden who passed away last week and he was gonna be funeralized Saturday at the House of Hope in Chicago. My condolences to his family and the entire congregation. Councilman Hinojosa - We’re coming up on the council meetings for November and December. We’re going to keep our first two meetings in November and December. We’re gonna keep November 9th and December 14th. Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to cancel the meeting for November 23rd and the meeting for December 28th. AYES: ALL Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to suspend the rules to consider proposed ordinance 15-51. Councilman Markovich - Point of order. For a suspension of rules you have to have a roll call vote. ROLL CALL VOTE (suspend rules) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Uylaki Motion carried 8/0/1 RULES SUSPENDED 15-51 An Ordinance to Appropriate New Funds to the Operating Balance for the Hammond Sanitary District’s Sewer Maintenance Fund (608) Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, 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 Rachel Montes - Sanitary District, Business Manager - We are wanting to do an additional appropriation for our Sewer Maintenance Fund. We are gonna allocate some funds to balance the budget so we can end the year 2015 in the black. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Council President Opinker - All those in favor? Opposed? AYES: ALL Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved to return to the regular order of business. AYES: ALL Councilwoman Venecz - One more announcement that I would like to make. This coming Wednesday, October 28, is the final Mayor’s Night Out of the year. It will be at Hess Elementary School, 3640 Orchard Drive, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for our residents, not only in the 6th District but throughout the city to take the opportunity to address any concerns they may have to each of our department heads and Mayor McDermott. So, I look forward to seeing you all there. Thank you. Councilman Emerson - For the last time, I’d like to announce the Hammond Veteran’s Appreciation Day Parade, the second annual, will be November 7th, Saturday. Leaving from Olcott and 173rd and going down 173rd past Purdue Cal to Hessville Park at the Memorial for the Veteran’s there with a brief ceremony. If you are a veteran you are welcome to walk. If you have difficulty with that, transportation will be provided for you. Also, if you’re not a veteran and you just want to say thank you. I’m sure someone will have some candy, I’m sticking my neck out there, but come on out. We hope the weather is great. Everyone is talking about thanking the veteran’s, this is a chance to do it. Councilman Markovich - This Friday at 7:00 o’clock there’s gonna be a cat fight right across the street. We’re gonna have the Griffith Panthers playing the Hammond High Wildcats. So come on out there Friday at 7 o’clock. Hammond High is, I believe, is 9-1 or 10-1 so it’s gonna be a heck of a cat fight out there. PUBLIC EXPRESSION None Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL ________________________Mich ael Opinker, President ATTEST: Hammond Common Council _________________________ Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:40 pm cb Minutes approved by the Hammond Common Council on November 9, 2015.