City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 23, 2017 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on January 23, 2017 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Janet Venecz presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. A moment of silence was observed. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz ABSENT: Higgs TOTAL: 8 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to accept the minutes of January 9, 2017 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved to approve the claims from January 4, 2017 through January 18, 2017. Claim #376 through claim #690, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS None COMMITTEE REPORTS None ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JANUARY 23, 2017 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 17-02 Appropriation - $57,000 - Park Dept. - From: Operating Balance To: Special Events & Key/Clean up Refunds Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title, referred it to the Finance Committee with a public hearing on February 27, 2017. AYES: ALL 17-03 Appropriation - $16,020. - Park Dept. - From: Operating Balance Innkeepers Tax To: Hotel/Motel Fund Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title, referred it to the Finance Committee with a public hearing on February 27, 2017. AYES: ALL 17-04 Petition of GM Partners, LLC to Reclassify Property at 6804-6822 Columbia Avenue and 1134 Spruce Street from C-1 Local Commercial District and R-1U Urban Single Family Residential District to C-4 General Commercial District Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title, referred it to the Building & Zoning Committee with a Notice of Intent on February 13, 2017. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS 17R-03 Reappointment - Human Relations Commission - Gabriela Gallegos Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R03 ADOPTED 17R-04 Reappointment - Human Relations Commission - Anne Herbert Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R04 ADOPTED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JANUARY 23, 2017 RESOLUTIONS cont. 17R-02 Reappointment - Human Relations Commission - Alberto Ochoa Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R02 ADOPTED 17R-05 Reappointment - Port Authority - Thomas Puplava Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Councilman Kalwinski - Mr. Puplava has served on the Port Authority for two terms and is here for a reappointment on a third. All board members and director of the marina all hope for his reinstatement and he has served the community and the Port Authority with integrity for the last several decades. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 RESOLUTION NO. R05 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 16-37 NOTICE OF INTENT - Amending Ord. No. 8514, Being: An Ordinance Establishing a Zoning Plan for the City of Hammond for Purposes of Amending Title XXIX Overlay Zoning Districts to Establish New Provisions for Small Cell Facilities to Deliver Wireless Service within the Greater Rights-of-Way Overlay Zoning District (GROW-OL) Sponsored by Janet Venecz Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9364 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JANUARY 23, 2017 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Torres - The last council meeting I made some inappropriate remarks and I (unclear) and I did send a personal letter of apology to (unclear) and in the future I will refrain from use of such language and if I disagree I will use more tactful and diplomatic language in doing so and the apology is sincere (unclear). Councilman Torres - I also in the past have made some inappropriate remarks to our Mayor and I have too much respect for him and the office, so in the future, again, I will refrain from using such language and if I have anything I disagree on I’ll do it appropriately. Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to have a letter from himself sent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding a public comment pertaining to the Hazardous Waste Remediation Work Plan by Ferro Corporation formerly Keil Chemical Facility, 3000 Sheffield Avenue. I’d like that sent out to I.D.E.M. and I’d like that to be read by the Clerk. Clerk Golec read letter. Councilman Kalwinski - I believe Dover was in concert with much of what was just read and the city of Hammond as well, and some neighborhood associations will probably have public comment upon this work plan as well. We’re all moving in the same direction, I believe. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Higgs Motion carried 8/0/1 MOTION CARRIED LETTER SENT: JANUARY 24, 2017 Councilman Woerpel - I don’t need to send a letter because Dave’s here and Dean Button’s here, and for the thousands of people that are watching on their computer, the Beech Street Project started. I have to admit... the Beech Street Lighting that I carried over from the previous councilman did start in January and since we’re all in love tonight and everybody’s giving accolades I wanted to thank Dave for the advise and Dean for inviting me to the preconstruction meeting. I have a tendency to kind of like go off the rails a little bit and I’m kind of anxious about getting stuff done but I just want to thank both of you for keeping me focused on how that stuff works. But we don’t need a letter sent because I can look at you both. Councilwoman Venecz - Upcoming Community & Crime Watch meetings: Edison Community Watch; Wed, Feb. 1; Edison School; 6:30 pm Edison on the Road; Golden Manor Senior Apartments; Fri., Feb. 3; 1:00 pm Irving Community Watch; Irving School; Fri., Feb. 3; 9:15 am Jefferson Crime Watch; Wed., Jan 25; Jefferson School; 6:30 pm Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc.; Mon., Jan. 30; 6:30 pm; American Legion Whiting/Robertsdale Crime Watch; Thur., Feb. 9; Calumet College; 6:30 pm Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JANUARY 23, 2017 PUBLIC EXPRESSION George Stoya - After hearing that letter, call me paranoid but that was a wild letter from what I gathered from the narrative in it. What made me a bit paranoid was the situations in Flint, East Chicago and places like that. It sounded like Councilman Kalwinski could not extract a summary or analysis from the information in the form that was presented. Are we at risk? This is Northwest Indiana and we’re talking about I.D.E.M. in Indianapolis and a Republican Governor. I know I shouldn’t say those things but can we count on him? They have been lax in the past. Can you give me any information on what the risk is right now? Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Rakos, moved to adjourn AYES: ALL ________________________ Janet Venecz, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: ________________________ Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Minutes approved at the Hammond Common Council Meeting of February 13, 2017. Time: 6:45 pm cb Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5