City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL APRIL 8, 2019 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on April 8, 2019 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Robert A Markovich presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. Moment of Silence was observed ROLL CALL PRESENT: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes of March 25, 2019 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Woerpel, supported by Council Higgs, moved to approve the claims from March 28, 2019 through April 3, 2019. Claim #1811 through #2052, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARING 19-07 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel Innkeepers Tax Fund for the Hammond Park Department 19-08 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds from the Operating Balance for the Hammond Park Department No one spoke. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 8, 2019 COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Higgs- I would like to honor Ms. Christine Walters who turned 91 years old. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved to have the memo from Attorney Berger to the Council placed on file. AYES: ALL Councilman Rakos- HC3 is having a Spaghetti Dinner on 4-12-19 at 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. held at Circle of Services. It’s their annual fund-raiser. Councilman Higgs- I would like the general public and my District to know I gave an additional $500,000 for MLK Park so the project can be completed. Councilman Rakos- On April 20th, Hugs Cultural Committee will have awards and registration ceremony and also they will be taking registers for the 2019 Mexican Independence Parade. Held at Circle of Services. Councilman Higgs- Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. Presents the City of Hammond, Annual Flower give away held at the Jean Shepard Center. Councilman Higgs- Can we have Clerk Golec read the memo that was placed on file? City Clerk Golec reads the memo in its entirety. A copy of the memo is attached to the minutes. Councilman Woerpel- I got the memo, not sure what caused it. The public can say what ever they want to say. Councilwoman Venecz- We are talking about a First Amendment issue. We have and obligation to listen. Councilman Higgs- Corrective criticism is fine with me. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee - Councilman Woerpel - Brought out 19-07 and 19-08. Community & Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Announced upcoming meetings: Wed., Apr 10th Community Watch MT. Zion Pleasant View Plaza ; 2:00p.m. Tues., Apr 16th East Hammond Pullman at Ophelia Steen Center 6:30 p.m. Fri., Apr 12th Edison of the Road; Golden Manor Senior Building; 1 p.m. Thur., Apr 18th Hessville C.W .Jean Shepherd Center; 7 p.m. Wed., Apr 17th Lafayette Neighborhood Watch Lafayette School; 6:30 p.m. Thur., Apr 18th S. Ham’d C.W.; Ham’d Housing; 7 p.m. Thur., Apr 11th Whiting/Robertsdale C.W. 6:30 p.m.; Calumet College Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 8, 2019 COMMITTEE REPORTS cont Councilwoman Venecz- I would like to announce the “ Security Light” program will be back again. Watch for the details in CR Publications. Probably be sometime in May and the program will Start in June. ORDINANCE 3RD READING- FINAL PASSAGE 19-07 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel Innkeepers Tax Fund for the Hammond Park Department. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz- This is transferring $16,112.70 from the Operating Balance Innkeepers Tax Fund to the Hotel/Motel Fund, this is used for advertising for the Festival of the Lakes. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Markovich, Spitale, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Venecz NAYS: Kalwinski ABSENT: None Motion carried 8/1/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9437 PASSED 19-08 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds from the Operating Balance for the Hammond Park Department Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Woerpel, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz- This is appropriating $62,000 from the Operating Balance to Special Events, and also Key and Cleanup Refunds within the Park Department. Special Events is $55,000, that is for the summer Recreation Programs, Cinco De Mayo, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, events of that nature, and $ 7,000 is for Key and Cleanup Refunds. Councilman Higgs- I would assume this is something new with the deposit fee to the Park Department? Councilwoman Venecz- No, it is no. This is something that’s been done year after year. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9438 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 8, 2019 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None RESOLUTIONS 19R-09 A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Amanda L. Aguilera as a Commissioner of the Hammond Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Hammond, Indiana Councilman Woerpel, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for adoption. Councilman Woerpel- Amanda runs the Historical Room at the Hammond Public Library. She was at Caucus. No one had questions for her so we told her she could go. Councilman Higgs- Councilman Woerpel, I guess you can answer this question, has she been on this board previously? Councilman Woerpel- I don’t think she’s been on this Board before. Councilman Higgs- Councilman Woerpel, can you explain to the general public what this board does? Councilman Woerpel- Yesterday, I was driving down Columbia Ave., and I’ve passed these building 100 to 200 times. I looked to my right by the bridge I noticed these gray buildings, and me and a person in this room talk quite a bit, so I asked Dave Hamm what are those gray buildings? He knew it right off the top of his head it was one of the largest distilleries that we had at the turn of the century, and it’s sitting there in the woods. Councilwoman Venecz- We all know that Hammond is a City that is rich in history, as evidenced by the fact the NFL Draft will be here. How many people knew that Hammond was one of the first football teams, things like that, Amanda would know of. Also a woman by the name of Ruth Morris runs the Hammond Historical Society. Councilman Woerpel- It’s pointed out to me just now this is a re-appointment. The reason this NFL thing is happening in Hammond. When Hammond had the Hammond Pros, they actually had a player on the Pros named George Halas. He played the championship game in 1918, and it drew 10,000 people and it was in Hammond, in fact, it was right where we are sitting. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R09 ADOPTED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 8, 2019 RESOLUTIONS cont. 19R-10 A Resolution Appropriating Money from the Clerk Perpetuation Fund Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for adoption. Councilwoman Venecz- Clerk Golec is requesting a $ 90,000 from the Clerks Perpetuation Account into the Clerks Salary Account. The money collected into the Clerks Perpetuation Fund is a fee for all civil, criminal, and ordinance violations and copying fees. No tax dollars are being used on this Resolution. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) AYES: Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Higgs, Emerson, Woerpel, Rakos, Markovich NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. R10 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Torres- I would like to congratulate 18th Street Brewery on Douglas St. and Oakley. Here’s an article I would like to read, “USA Today named 18th Street Brewery in Hammond the best brewpub in the country in its annual 10 Best Awards, which also conferred honors like Best Beer Scene, Best Beer Label and Best Brewery Tour. It's a major distinction that could help bring more craft beer tourism to the Region.” So I would like to congratulate 18th Street Brewery. Councilman Higgs- I guess I can address this question to Councilman Torres, Fayette to Sohl, down to the 18Th Street Brewery, and the railroad tracks, there is a field of high weeds, that’s a part of the 2nd District, when can this area be cleaned up? You don’t have to answer this tonight but please have this looked at. Councilman Higgs- I submitted a letter to Dean Button about the 6200 Block of Lee Street, and also the 2300 Block of Sherman Street, I would like to see it overlaid. And what ever needs to be done I am more than ready to get that done. PUBLIC EXPRESSION George Stoya- I would like to speak to the Council about this memo from Attorney Berger. I am really surprised someone would ask the Council Attorney to do some research about Freedom of Speech. Linda Anguiano- I volunteer for the “Self Injury Support Group” and I am seeking donations for our upcoming fundraiser. Mrs Harris- To Councilman Woerpel, one of my favorite poems is from St Francis of Assisi, I just want to know that my elected politicians in this city are getting along. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. APRIL 8, 2019 PUBLIC EXPRESSION cont. Councilman Higgs, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Robert A. Markovich, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: Robert J. Golec, City Clerk Time: 6:45p.m. dw Minutes approved at the Common Council meeting of April 22, 2019. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6