City Council

Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 17, 2015 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on November 17, 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: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker ABSENT: Markovich, Uylaki TOTAL: 7 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of November 9, 2015 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to accept the claims from November 4, 2015 through November 12, 2015. Claim # 6103 through claim #6194, inclusive. Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to amend in: Claim #6195 The Bank of New York Mellon CDBG $3,000.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Markovich, Uylaki Motion carried 7/0/2 AMENDMENT ADOPTED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Markovich, Uylaki Motion carried 7/0/2 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) PUBLIC HEARINGS None MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. NOVEMBER 17, 2015 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs read correspondence from the Hammond Inspection Department regarding the inspection of the roof of Ms. Darlene Brown at 826 Drackert Street. Councilwoman Venecz read a letter to Councilman Higgs and the Hammond Common Council from Kelly Kearney, Code Enforcement Commissioner, regarding 838 Carroll Street. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Upcoming meetings: East Ham’d Pullman C.W.; this evening; 6:30 p.m.; Ophelia Steen Center Edison Community Watch; Wed., Dec. 2; Edison School; 6 p.m. Edison on the Road; Golden Manor; Wed., Dec. 9; 4 p.m. (O’Bannon School Choir will perform) Hessville Crime Watch; Thur., Nov. 19; Jean Shepherd Center; 7 p.m. Irving Community Watch; Fri., Dec. 4; 9:15 a.m.; Irving School Lafayette Neighborhood Watch; Wed., Nov. 18; 6:30 p.m. Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assco.; Tues., Nov. 24; American Legion South Ham’d C.W.; Thur., Nov. 19; 7 p.m.; Ham’d Housing Authority ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 15-54 2016 Elected Officials Salary Ordinance Councilwoman Venecz, 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 15-55 An Ordinance Authorizing the City Controller to Transfer Funds from one Line Item to another within various City 2015 Budgets Councilwoman Venecz, 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 Councilwoman Venecz - This ordinance is end of year clean up. Moving some funding from one line item to another. RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 15-53 NOTICE OF INTENT - BZA; Z-15-06; Variance of Use to allow for a Private Parking Lot for Vehicles/Trucks related to the Operation of Van’s Industrial, Inc., located at 253 Condit Street Petitioned by David Van Camp d/b/a Van’s Industrial, Inc. Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (petition approval) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Markovich, Uylaki Motion carried 7/0/2 PETITION APPROVED 15R-23 Resolution to Reappoint Gregory Myricks to the Hammond Redevelopment Commission Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Hinojosa, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Hinojosa, Opinker NAYS: None ABSENT: Markovich, Uylaki Motion carried 7/0/2 RESOLUTION R23 ADOPTED 15-56 Residential Parking Only on the 800 Block of Becker Street Councilman Higgs, 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. AYES: ALL PUBLIC EXPRESSION Laurie Czulno - Unfortunate that council feels that living up to the letter of the law is sufficient and not the spirit of the law. The city’s lack of evolution to keep pace with technology is sad. Posting the agenda outside the door five days in advance doesn’t cut it. Alvin Cheeks - Accepted the apology from Chief Long. Thanked law firm for helping him out. Councilman Hinojosa, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL ________________________ Michael Opinker, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: ________________________ Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Minutes approved at the Hammond Common Council meeting of December 14, 2015. Time: 5:30pm CB