City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 25, 2019 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on February 25, 2019 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Robert Markovich presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. Invocation by Councilman Higgs ROLL CALL PRESENT: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich ABSENT: Kalwinski TOTAL: 8 BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION Councilman Higgs acknowledges Willie Mae Durr in honor of Black History Month. Her son, Derrick Durr, thanked the Council on her behalf. READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of February 11, 2019 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Woerpel, supported by Council Higgs, moved to approve the claims from February 16, 2019 through February 20, 2019. Claim #793 through #1208, inclusive. Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to amend in claims: #1209 Debra Dahlkamp Common Council $9581.79 #1210 Orak Shriners Common Council $350.00 #1211 Optimist Club Common Council $100.00 #1212 HC3 Common Council $250.00 #1213 Elemental Solutions Rainy Day Fund $3490.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amend in claims) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS AMENDED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 25, 2019 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS cont. ROLL CALL VOTE (claims as amended) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) Councilman Kalwinski is now present. PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Woerpel- We all received a letter from Mr. Stoya concerning a public hearing we had at the Hammond Water Works, I make a motion that letter be added to the minutes and placed on file. Councilwoman Venecz second. AYES: ALL Councilman Higgs, Read a correspondence from the Personnel Office regarding a revised personnel policy handbook. Councilman Rakos, Announced that on Monday, March 4th, at the Hammond Sportsplex, from 9 a.m to 11 a.m, we will be having coffee with a cop. Councilman Higgs ,announced that there will be another Public Hearing for the Hammond Water Department, held at the Hammond Sportsplex on 3-6-19 at 10 a.m. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community & Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Announced upcoming meetings: Wed., Mar. 6; Edison Community Watch; Edison School 6:30 p.m. Fri., Mar.8; Edison Community Watch on the road; Golden Manor; 1 p.m. Tues., Mar. 5; Harrison Park Crime Watch; VFW Fri., Mar. 1; Irving Community Watch; Irving School at 9:15 a.m. Tues .,Feb 26; Pulaski Park; American Legion 6:30 p.m. ORDINANCE 3RD READING- FINAL PASSAGE None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 25, 2019 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 19-04 An Ordinance Reclassifying Certain Lands in the City of Hammond for Zoning Purpose and Amending Ordinance No.8514 (An Ordinance Establishing a Zoning Plan for the City of Hammond including the Regulations and Maps to Administer the Zoning Plan in Order to Provide for Orderly Growth and Development within the City all in Accordance with the Comprehensive/Land use Plan as Amended) for Property Commonly known as 712 Highland Street, Hammond, IN 46320 Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved the proposed Ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee with an Intent to Consider for March 11, 2019. AYES: ALL Councilman Higgs- Just for the general public, I was gone give them the opportunity to be aware of what is happening. I guess the Chief of Staff can explain. Chief of Staff Taillon- Swanel is located in the 3rd District, it has been here for quite a few years and it recently purchased the Carpenters Hall, as part of this process they are looking to build a newer facility, which will help them expand some of the manufacturing distributions. They sell all kinds of products not just through Indiana, other States as well. Family owned company. It’s great to see that they are looking to invest in Hammond. I think this will create additional jobs, I think it’s a good thing for all of us in the long run. Councilman Higgs- It’s re-zoning from C-1 to I-1. Chief of Staff Taillon- They’re re-zoning the Carpenters Hall Property, to match the zoning they have with their other property. For this type of operation you have to have the Industrial Zoning. One thing I just thought of is they are willing to sign a restricted uses covenant. Which means just because they are going to zone it industrial this property will never be used for some of the other industrial uses that won’t fit very well next to Hammond High School, or next to some of the residential areas. They are working together with the Planning Team to make sure that we are protecting any future owners of the property from doing any heavier or what we consider dirtier manufacturing type uses in the future. Councilman Higgs- I think also the plan is to tear down the Carpenters Hall and expand their business on that land. And for those who don’t know what they do, they actually make syrup for pops and distribute to different restaurants. A plus for the 3rd District. 19-05 An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance 9363, Ordinance 4487, Ordinance 4851, Ordinance 6099, Ordinance 7429, Ordinance 7830, Ordinance 8211, Ordinance 8471, Ordinance 8845, and Ordinance 9412, also known as Chapter 35 of the Hammond Municipal Code as it Pertains to the Hammond City Court and the Orderly Transition of Cases in 2019 Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved the proposed Ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee with a public hearing on March 25, 2019 . AYES: ALL Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 25, 2019 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES cont. Councilman Woerpel- Because there is a Public Hearing March 25, 2019, this is basically an Ordinance that states the Clerk should not accept any more cases by September 30, 2019, because of the winding down of the court. The Clerk is instructed by the Hammond Common Council that the Hammond City Court will cease to operate as of December 31, 2019 and should accept the filing of small claims, plenary cases, collection cases and eviction matters up to and including September 30, 2019, but no later than that date. 19-06 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel Innkeepers Tax Fund for Economic Development Purposes in 2019 Councilman Spitale supported by Councilman Emerson, moved the proposed Ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee with a public hearing on March 25, 2019. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Torres- New Community Missionary Baptist Church, which is located 5461 Calumet Ave., Rev Gillis, the supporting the beam is damaged to the point where the building could collapse. It’s been that way since September of 2018. The building has been declared unsafe to have services. In fact they have been having church at the Boys and Girls Club. The building is insured but the Insurance company is dragging their feet and Rev Gillis is totally frustrated by the lack of action from the insurance company. Meanwhile, the building is a public safety hazard. It’s located Right at the edge of the sidewalk. I’m told it could collapse in any direction, North, South, East, or West, and of course Calumet Avenue is right there, which would be a major catastrophe if it poured into that street. And also Lafayette School is on the grounds. Kids and parents are doing drop offs, would be a catastrophe if it fell in any direction. I am asking for a letter be sent to the Building Dept, so they can take this to the Board of Works, to see what action to take either condemn it or repair it. Meanwhile the City could be liable if no action is taken and a major catastrophe happens. Inspector Mark Hines is aware of this situation and everyone is on hold now waiting on what the insurance company is going to do. Council President Markovich- My question would be are they still using it and going inside? Councilman Higgs- No, it’s not fenced off, in fact they are having Church at the Boys and Girls Club. Something needs to be done, they are only 20 feet from Calumet Ave, it could fall over into traffic. That’s the same way I feel about the properties that sit vacant for months, that’s why I call and stay on top of this situation. Not only should the letter be sent to the Building Department, but also the Code Enforcement. Council President Markovich- The chair would entertain a motion that the letter be sent to the Board of Public Works and the Law Department. Councilman Woerpel- I mean this with all due respect do we need to be seconding and voting on where letters are sent? The Councilman asked a letter be sent I don’t know why it has to be voted on. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 25, 2019 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Council President Markovich- We have done that in the past. Councilman Woerpel- Again I am not saying it disrespectfully we can send the letter just wondering if we need to vote on it and second it? Council President Markovich- Anybody can send a letter on there own but its done here its official action so it can be on record. AYES: ALL LETTER SENT: MARCH 4, 2019 Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to send a letter regarding 910 Ames, there are a number of trees on the vacant property I am asking a letter be sent to Mark Hines, to have the trees removed from the property. LETTER SENT: MARCH 4, 2019 PUBLIC EXPRESSION Alvin Cheeks- I’ve done some work with the Race Relation Council. Racism should not be tolerated by anyone. I do support Swanel they have given a lot back to the Community. Michael Boyer- I would like to ask a question of the Council, would it be possible for me to receive a petition that was brought by Mobile Specialty, to change the alley from a One Way to a Two Way Street? Councilman Woerpel supported by Councilman Higgs, made a motion to go back to New and Unfinished Business. AYES: ALL NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Woerpel- Sir, I am not aware of anything this Council, passed pertaining to that alley are you sure it wasn’t the Board of Works? Mr Boyer- My understanding is the Council had approved it to change to a Two- Way alley. Councilman Woerpel- Just saying I’ve been to every Council Meeting and we haven’t seen no petition to approve an One, or Two Way alley. Mr. Boyer- Am I at the wrong meeting? Councilman Emerson- I’ve spoken with Mr. Boyer, and the gentleman from Mobile Specialty, my instructions were to him was to get a 51% majority of the business and bring it to the Board of Works, and present that case to them. As far as this Council voting on it we never have nor should we. So he told me he did that, he had the 51% majority. I have not seen the petition he said he brought it to the Board of Works. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 25, 2019 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Mr Boyer- I walked into the wrong meeting didn’t I? Councilwoman Venecz- The Board of Works meets every Thursday at 9 a.m. in this very room. Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to the regular to order of business. AYES: ALL Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilman Higgs, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Robert A. Markovich, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:50 p.m. dw Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of March 11, 2019. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6