City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 10, 2017 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on October 10, 2017 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Janet Venecz presided. Council Coordinator Carmen I. Balboa facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. Invocation by Council President Venecz. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz ABSENT: Torres TOTAL: 8 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of September 25, 2017 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to approve the claims from September 20, 2017 through October 4, 2017. Claim #5778 through claim #6043, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE (claims) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Rakos announced that Hessville will be having its cleanup this Saturday at 9 o’clock. We’ll meet at Freddy’s Steak House parking lot and we’ll go both sides of Kennedy both directions from there. Councilman Higgs wanted it on the record that petitions were signed and submitted to the Mayor back in January regarding the MLK Park renovation and keeping the pool at MLK Park. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 10, 2017 COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee - Councilman Woerpel - Brought out 17-21, 17-22, 17-23, 17-24, 17-25, 17-26 and 17-27. Building & Zoning Committee - Councilman Woerpel - Brought out 17-28 and 17-29. Community & Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz announced upcoming meetings: Tues., Oct. 17; East Ham’d Pullman Crime Watch; Ophelia Steen Center; 6:30 p.m. Edison Community Watch on the Road; Fri., Oct. 13; Golden Manor Sr. Building; 1:00 p.m. Hessville C.W.; Thur., Oct. 19; 7:00 p.m.; Jean Shepherd Center Lafayette N.W.; Wed., Oct. 18; 6:30 p.m.; Lafayette School S. Hammond C.W.; Thur., Oct. 19; 7:00 p.m.; Hammond Housing Authority Whiting-Robertsdale C.W.; Thur., Oct. 12; Calumet College; 6:30 p.m. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE 17-21 2018 Hammond Civil City Budget Proposal Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9384 PASSED 17-22 2018 Hammond Civil City Salary Ordinance Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9385 PASSED 17-23 2018 Hammond Police & Fire Salary Ordinance Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9386 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 10, 2017 ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. 17-24 2018 Hammond Redevelopment Budget Proposal Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9387 PASSED 17-25 2018 Hammond Sanitary District Budget Proposal Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9388 PASSED 17-26 Authorizing the Business Manager to Transfer Funds from one line item to another within the Hammond Sanitary District Sewer Maintenance Budget ($285,000) Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9389 PASSED 17-27 Creating a Voluntary Retirement Program in 2017 for Certain Eligible Employees of the City of Hammond Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9390 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 10, 2017 ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. 17-28 Reclassifying Certain Lands in the City of Hammond for Zoning Purposes for property commonly known as 2620 165th Street Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9391 PASSED 17-29 Reclassifying Certain Lands in the City of Hammond for Zoning Purposes for property commonly known as 2600-2606 New York Avenue and 126th Street Councilman Kalwinski, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilman Kalwinski - This ordinance has to do with zoning changes for the Lost Marsh Estates. We’re going from S-1, I-1 and R-2 to R-1 and R-2. R-1 will be for the single family homes being built at Lost Marsh Estates and R-2 is for the paired homes. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: Torres Motion carried 8/0/1 ORDINANCE NO. 9392 PASSED (as amended) INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE None RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Higgs - I have one of the copies, I submitted three other copies to the Mayor’s Office, but I have one other copy. I would like to make it public record. We undersigned 3rd District residents, along with the support of Councilman Higgs, are against the closing of the Hammond City Court and pools. I just wanted to make that clear. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. OCTOBER 10, 2017 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilwoman Venecz - I would like to announce that Prom Genie is having a free parent/student College Readiness Fair on Saturday, October 21st from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ophelia Steen Center. It’s open to grades 8 through 12. You can get information on financial aid, college program, financial literacy, there will be college representatives there. So, this is a good opportunity for those preparing to go to college to get some information. PUBLIC EXPRESSION Thomas Franciski - Wondering when his block, the 2600 block of Birch Avenue, is going to be paved. Blocks around his have already been paved. Had pictures to show why he believed it needs to be paved. It is especially bad in the winter. Donna Dunn - Spoke regarding the West Lake Extension. Sent e-mails to the entire council outlining where she thought she was right and others were wrong at the last City Council meeting about the time line and how NICTD is going to take homes regardless of whether they get their federal funding or not. The city of Hammond does have say as the biggest city involved in this project and giving the most money. George Stoya - Thanked the city and Council for reopening Columbia at Chicago Avenue going South. That is a welcome development. Understood that the Mayor had conditioned his acceptance or willingness to have the city sign on, with respect to committing a total of $27 million, only after federal funds have been secured. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Janet Venecz, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:30 pm cb Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of October 23, 2017. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5