City Council

Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on September 26, 2016 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Janet Venecz presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. Invocation by Councilman Woerpel ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to approve the minutes of September 12, 2016 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to approve the claims from September 2, 2016 through September 21, 2016. Claim #5649 through claim #5970, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Emerson discussed of a public meeting of the city of Hammond and the Hammond Sanitary District to inform the public about the South Hammond Storm Water Detention/Infiltration Basin Project tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27th at Frank O’Bannon Elementary at 5:30 p.m. Councilman Higgs submitted correspondence from the city of Hammond Environmental Department in regards to the question that was brought about from Councilman Emerson in regards to contamination. MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk COMMUNICATIONS cont. Councilman Higgs read correspondence from Dean Button in regards to 5450 Euclid Street in regards to them personally hiring someone to look at the sidewalk, why it’s caving in, and if for some reason it is a city problem we will reimburse them as well as fix the issue. Councilman Markovich announced a balloon twisting class on Wed., Oct. 19th from 6 to 8:30 at the Jean Shepherd Center. It’s $10 per attendee. Councilman Markovich - Monday, Oct. 3rd, the Hammond Economic Development Commission meeting has been cancelled. Councilman Higgs announced Hispanic Heritage Month. Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. experience the African influence of culture of Puerto Rico through songs, drum and dance. Explore the influential African American culture of Puerto Rico. Hammond Public Library, 564 State Street. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Announced upcoming meetings: Wed., Oct. 5; Edison Community Watch; Edison School; 6:30 pm Edison Community Watch on the Road; Fri., Oct. 7; 1 pm; Golden Manor Fri., Oct. 7; Irving Community Watch; 9:15 am; Irving School Wed., Sept. 28; Jefferson Crime Watch; 6:30 pm; Jefferson School Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc.; Tues., Sept. 27; 6:30 pm; American Legion Edison Community Watch would also like to announce that the 4th Tuesday of every month they have a radio show on WJOB, so they will be on tomorrow morning at 9 am. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 16-23 Amending Ord. No. 8514 for Purposes of Amending Title XXI Signs to Incorporate Revised Provisions for the Prohibited and Temporary Signs Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Building & Zoning Committee. AYES: ALL Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to add the Council as a Whole Committee also. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES cont. ROLL CALL VOTE (Refer to Council as a Whole) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel NAYS: Rakos, Venecz ABSENT: None Motion carried 7/2/0 MOTION CARRIED ROLL CALL VOTE (1st & 2nd reading) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MOTION CARRIED 16-24 Appropriation - Hammond Public Library - $600,000 Councilman Torres, 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 October 11, 2016. AYES: ALL Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to add Councilman Higgs as a sponsor. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to send a letter to Public Works in regards to the Cut and Clean on Fayette from Calumet Avenue to Sohl Street where they cut it but they have done it and there’s still tires over there and I don’t know why they didn’t totally cut it down but all summer I’ve been looking at it. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Councilman Higgs - This is for the general public and those that are present. The budget announcement, the departmental budget hearings will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9 am. Introduction of the 2017 Budget and public hearing for 2017 Budget will be held in the Council Chambers at the Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6 pm. Adoption of the budget will be on Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 pm. The 2017 Budget will be completed and uploaded by the Indiana Gateway web site by Oct. 1. Copies of the budget, Form 3, notice to taxpayers, which is the information that was previously published in the newspaper will be available in the Controller’s Office free of charge beginning October 3. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to have a letter sent to the Engineering Dept. in regard to NIPSCO poles: 2600 Cleveland; #73/492 6100 Marshall; #819/79 6200 McCook; #92/226 Also, ornamental lighting: 2600 163rd Place 6100 Alexander 162nd Street on the corner AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to have a letter sent to Dave Ryan from the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce with a copy of the proposed ordinance 16-23, Signs, with a copy of the ordinance and him to be notified when there’s gonna be a workshop or a meeting on this sign ordinance. (Waiting for meeting to be scheduled) ROLL CALL VOTE (send letter) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MOTION CARRIED Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to send a letter to the Park Department thanking them for completing the playground equipment in Memorial Park. I am so excited about the fact of the new basketball rims as well as the new playground equipment that was badly needed there. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Councilman Higgs - Tomorrow night at Hammond High School the Superintendent of the Public Instructions will be in attendance at Hammond High. Wednesday, I’m sorry, it’s at 6 pm. Everyone is welcome to come out and attend and if you have any interest in the Hammond Public School System you get an opportunity to speak directly to him. So, look forward to seeing you there. PUBLIC EXPRESSION None Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL ________________________ Janet Venecz, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: ________________________ Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:25 pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council Meeting of 10/11/16.