City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUGUST 13, 2018 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on August 13, 2018 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 Council President Venecz. 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 accept the minutes of July 23, 2018 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved to approve the claims from July 18, 2018 through August 8, 2018. Claim #4341 through claim #4799, inclusive. Councilman Markovich, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved to amend in claims: #4800 Battle of 119th Street BBQ Common Council 100.00 4801 Higgs, Anthony Common Council 85.97 4802 Higgs, Anthony Common Council 69.12 4803 Chicago Title Co. Redevelopment 2,500.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 AMENDMENT ADOPTED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. AUGUST 13, 2018 COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs - I would like to personally thank those individuals who participated in the Back to School 17th Annual Back to School Giveaway which was held at MLK Park on Saturday. It was a very successful event. I mean Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., which kids still came at 5 p.m. Where at least 250 kids were given school supplies and backpacks. A special thanks go out to Commissioner Repay and Frank Mrvan who always participates and helps out with the children’s Back to School Giveaway. So I really appreciate your help as well as the volunteers who handed out and gave out the food, Tina and Queen Alexander and a number of individuals that were there. And Q’s BBQ who barbecued all the food. Thank you all for all your help and your support. 17 years strong and I think those kids are going to be happy that they have something to start the school year off with. Councilman Higgs - On 11/30/17 I received a letter form the Engineering Department requesting the funding for 164th Place from McCook to Kennedy and a portion of Alexander in the alley north of 164th Place on 165th. The money was approved by the Board of Works and I’m just wondering when is this project gonna start because it’s 2018, and we’re almost in November of 2018. So I’m requesting a letter be sent to the Engineering Department as to when this project is going to start. Because we all know construction projects are lengthy and they take quite a bit of time. Sao, money’s been appropriated for this project and I just want to know when it will start so, I so move. Councilman Woerpel second. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: AUGUST 14, 2018 COMMITTEE REPORTS Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Announced upcoming meetings: Thur., Aug. 16; Hessville Crime Watch; 7 p.m.; Jean Shepherd Center Thur., Aug. 16; S’ Hammond Crime Watch; 7 p.m.; Hammond Housing Authority Bldg. Thanked all of the volunteers who came out and made National Night Out very special this year. Thanked the vendors who braved the rain and support the event every year. This year the Hammond City Council gave out school supplies and came out in force. So, thank you all gentlemen for your support. Also, National Night Out would not be possible without the generosity of Mayor McDermott and our Hammond Fire Department and our Hammond Police Department. Every year they support us and we thank them all very much. ORDINANCE 3RD READING - FINAL PASSAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. AUGUST 13, 2018 RESOLUTIONS 18R-35 A Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of the Hessville Commerce and Community Creative (HC3) into the Indiana Main Street Program Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for adoption. Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to amend “H3C” to “HC3". AYES: ALL ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R35 ADOPTED (as amended) NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved to send a letter to Public Works regarding the 5900 block of Rhode were there is a portion of the road where the water will not go down to the sewer. I am requesting that the Public Works Department fix that so that the water will go down to the sewer when it rains and it’s not settling in front of the gentleman’s house on the corner of Eaton. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: AUGUST 14, 2018 Councilman Higgs - Within the next week I will be scheduling a time and date for the unveiling of the Ms. Pearline honorary street in the 900 block of Conkey. So, I will be scheduling that and sending the dates and time to all my colleagues as well as the Mayor’s Office. Just for a point of clarity because some people have been asking. Councilman Torres, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to send a letter to the Engineer. Indiana Street was paved from Howard to Tell Street, the portion under the Columbia overpass that wasn’t paved. I guess Walsh & Kelly didn’t have the machinery to get under that bridge but I’d like to know when that is going to get paved. I was hoping it would get paved before school started because have to go by a sidewalk that’s over there. That’s Item A. Item B, 4800 block of Walnut was paved also by Walsh & Kelly but a small portion of the south end was left unpaved. The resident would like that, they are parking now on gravel. I’d like to know when that could get paved or any kind of hard surface could be put there. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: AUGUST 14, 2018 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. AUGUST 13, 2018 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to send a letter to Indiana Department of Transportation requesting the approximate date when they are going to complete the bridge where they are reconstructing the bridge on Calumet Avenue between Sibley and Michigan. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: AUGUST 14, 2018 Councilman Markovich - Since our last Council Meeting there have been a lot of things going on here in the city of Hammond and just to do some kudos. We had the Festival of the Lakes, we had the Symphony, we had some runs, Fishing Derby, WHAM Ride for all those late riders that want to ride a bike after midnight, they’ve had bands playing at the marina, we had Back to School. During that time I’d like to congratulate and encourage that all the city workers were really putting in a lot of time and effort and a lot of them really did a lot of work and I know they are very tired. City workers along with the police and fire. One of the things that happened recently is that we got an infestation of insects over the weekend. Those were called The Beatles. I want to commend the group that put that on with the Beatles Fest from 1 o’clock to 11 o’clock last Saturday, that if you’re a Beatles fan you really missed something. They did a heck of a job. The music brings back memories for all of us young people that grew up with the beatles. I know in the late 60's and early ‘70's. I just want to say that the City, the Mayor, the City Administration, and all the workers did a heck of a job for the last two or three weeks with all the stuff that was going on here. Council President Venecz - I couldn’t agree with you more, Councilman. Incidentally, Councilman Emerson participated in the WHAM Ride. I know that because Councilman Spitale and I were on the corner of 173rd and Lyman ‘til the wee hours of the morning passing out water. So, congratulations Councilman Emerson, you are my hero. Councilman Emerson - Well thank you Madam President, I finished at noon Sunday. No, I didn’t. It was about 3 a.m. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to send a letter to Code Enforcement about 1113 Morris Street and 1135. 1113 there’s a tree sitting on the side of the property that’s been sitting there for about a month and a half and no one’s picked it up. Neither have they came to cut and clean it and I think they actually gave the contractor of some company to come and cut and clean it but they haven’t did it. As well as 1135, I personally had to go over there and cut the grass there. So I am requesting that whoever is responsible for that section in Code Enforcement that they inspect the property and send notices to whoever has the contract to do what is necessary to clean those properties up. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: AUGUST 14, 2018 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. AUGUST 13, 2018 PUBLIC EXPRESSION Alvin Cheeks - It’s always a pleasure coming before you guys. Started a new company to give back because of the death of my parents and grandparents and my sister. I thought it would be a great idea to donate a brand new house to someone in Northwest Indiana so we gonna be donating two houses in Northwest Indiana just to give back to so many nice people. Secondly, I’d like to thank you Councilman Higgs and all the people that totally picked up the tab for my younger sisters death. Most of the people, they didn’t even want to be named so I just really wanted to thank them. My son posed an interesting question for me, with all the activities that are going on in the school, the kids get book bags, what I didn’t realize is that a lot of kids don’t get bullet proof book bags We haven’t had active shooters in our schools in this part of Indiana so I would hope that the City Council considers that for next year. Giving the kids bullet proof book bags. Knock on wood that’s not gonna happen in our area but we must be preventative measures to stop that. I’d also like to thank M.R. Cakes for all the stuff they’re gonna be doing in Northwest Indiana. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Rakos, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Janet Venecz, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:25 p.m. cb Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of August 27, 2018. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5