City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 24, 2020 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on February 24, 2020 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Dave Woerpel presided. City Clerk Robert J. Golec facilitated. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. • Invocation by Councilwoman Alexander. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Kalwinski, moved to accept the minutes of February 10, 2020 and place on file. A YES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to accept the claims from February 5th , 2020 through February 19th , 2020. Claim #792 through Claim #1059, inclusive. ROLL CALL A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS 20-02 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds from the Operating Balance for the Hammond Park Dept. 20-03 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel InnKeepers Tax Fund for the Hammond Park Dept. 20-04 An Ordinance Appropriating the Proceeds of the Annual Action Plan and Dealing with other Matters Pertaining to the Expenditure of Plan Proceeds for the Program Year 2020. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 PUBLIC HEARINGS cont. 20-05 An Ordinance Amending Ord. 7685, 8200, 8564, 8630, 8645, 8718, 8754, 8755, 8854,8930, 9017, 9061, 9194, 9252, 9359, 9375 also known as Section 36.005 (B) (1) of the Hammond Municipal Code as it Pertains to Approved uses for Public Safety No one spoke. COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Tyler- I would like to announce that the Hammond City Council is providing fifteen (15) $1,000.00 scholarships to Hammond, Indiana high school seniors graduating in May or June of 2020. Applications can be picked up now and need to be completed by March 31si,2020. Also would like to announce that the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame Induction, will be taking place on March 10th , 2020 for tickets you can contact the Hammond Civic Center. I also would like to announce that the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce is having there annual evening of awards. That will be Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Venue at Horseshoe Casino. On Thursday, March 26, the Mayor is hosting his 34th annual Disability Awards Breakfast at Dynasty Banquets, you can nominate individuals for this award, February 28th is the deadline. Councilman Rakos- 3rd Annual St. Patrick day parade will be March 14, 2020. If you want to get in the Parade the deadline for an application is March 2nd and you can find out all the information on HC3 Hessville internet page. COMMITTEE REPORTS Community & Crime Watch Committee-: Councilwoman Venecz - Announced upcoming meetings: Pulaski Park Neighborhood Assoc.; Tues., Feb. 25; American Legion; 6:30 p.m. Harrison Park Crime Watch; Tues., Mar 3; VFW; 6:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 4; Edison Community Watch; Edison School; 6:30p.m. Fri., Mar. 6; Irving Community Watch; Irving School; 9:15 a.m: Council as a Whole Committee- Councilwoman Venecz - Brought out 20-05. ORDINANCE 3RDREADING- FINAL PASSAGE 20-05 An Ordinance Amending Ord. 7685, 8200, 8564, 8630, 8645, 8718, 8754, 8755, 8854,8930, 9017, 9061, 9194, 9252, 9359, 9375 also known as Section 36.005 (B) (1) of the Hammond Municipal Code as it Pertains to Approved uses for Public Safety Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilman Rakos- This is commonly known as Medic Bound. It's complementary, similar, to the one we have for Police, only it's for Fire, what it does it allows for residents that live in the City, at least 3 years, to apply for funds to take the 'EMT School so they can be eligible to get on the Fire Dept. It also helps to pay for any training, tum out gear, uniforms, as such. And it's coming out of the Public Safety Revenue from the River Boat gammg. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 ORDINANCE 3RDREADING- FINAL PAS SAGE cont. Councilman Tyler - Just wanted to add, what Councilman Rakos stated, but this is also an effort to increase the diversity of our Fire Department, in terms of recruiting more individuals that live in the City, and are from the City of Hammond, and also more minorities to be a part of our Fire Department. So that our Fire and Police Department will continue to further represent the full demographics of our good City. Mayor McDermott - I agree with Councilman Tyler and Councilman Rakos whole heartedly. We do this program in the Police Dept, Academy Bound, it's allowed us to increase the representation of Hispanics and African Americans on the force. It has enabled us to increase the number of women on the force. It has also enabled us to increase the number of Hammond residents on our force, and we've been having trouble doing the same with the Hammond Fire Department, and that's why we want this program. We want to be able to do the same types of things for the Hammond Fire Department. So I really believe in this type of program. I want to commend Chief Smith for coming up with this idea, like Chief Doughty did in the Police Department, and it's worked. I think a program like this in the Fire Department, after a few years, we will definitely notice the difference so. I appreciate you guys considering it. ROLL CALL (passage) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: Kalwinski ABSENT: None Motion carried 8/1/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9462 PASSED Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to bring out 20-02, 20-03, and 20-04. AYES: ALL 20-02 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds from the Operating Balance for the Hammond Park Dept. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz- This will appropriate$ 327,000 from the operating balance to Special Events $ 55,000.00 Key & Clean-up Refunds $ 7,000.00 Holiday Parade $ 11,000.00 Veteran Parade $10,000.00 Region Riot ' $ 10,000.00 219 Day $ 55,000.00 Dowling Park $60,000.00 Riverside Park $20,000.00 Optimist Park $60,000.00 Special Events $20,000.00 PT Concessions $ 15,000.00 FICA/MED $ 2,000.00 Employer's Share $ 2,000.00 Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 ORDINANCE 3RDREADING- FINAL PASSAGE cont. ROLL CALL (passage) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9463 PASSED 20-03 An Ordinance to Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel Innkeepers Tax Fund for the Hammond Park Dept. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz- This is to appropriate$ 16,444.65 from the Innkeepers tax operating balance to the Hotel/Motel fund in the same amount, and that funding is used for advertising for our Special Events. ROLL CALL (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9464 PASSED 20-04 An Ordinance Appropriating the Proceeds of the Annual Action Plan and Dealing with other Matters Pertaining to the Expenditure of Plan Proceeds for the Program Year 2020. Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for passage. Councilman Spitale- This Ordinance is for CBDG, HOME and ESG Program, for their budget Community Development Block Grant, Emergency-Shelter Grant, and Home Bound Program. ROLL CALL (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO.' 9465 PASSED INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 RESOLUTIONS 20R-07 A Resolution Authorizing the Hammond Police Department to Apply for a 2020 SAVE Pedestrian Safety Grant Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for adoption. Councilman Spitale- Hammond must apply to be awarded for these Grants. This Grant is for $24,000, we've seen a lot of things on TV for the kids, it's a Safety Grant, they call it Stop Arm Violation Enforcement Program. It's for the kids when you see the bus with the stop arm on each side. This program is for protecting the kids. ROLL CALL (adoption) A YES: Alexarider, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried RESOLUTION NO. R07 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilwoman Alexander, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to suspend the rules to consider Resolution 20R-08. ROLL CALL (suspend rules) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RULES SUSPENDED Councilwoman Alexander, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for adoption. 20R-08 Resolution to Honor the Nine Fraternities and Sororities known as "The Divine Nine" for service to the Community Councilwoman Alexander - We would like to recognize Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity It was founded on December 4~ 1906. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc founded January 15, 1908. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, founded on January 5, 1911. Oinega Psi Phi Fraternity, founded on November 17, 1911. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, founded on January 13, 1913. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, founded on January 9, 1914.Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, founded on November 12, 1922. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, September 19, 1963. This is in recognition of the services to our community, and the Nation abroad. So, we want to thank them for their service. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond, City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Tyler - Just like to note that Councilwoman Alexander and myself are members of these organizations and we have several members in the audience today, and I welcome them to come to the podium and speak on their involvement in these organizations and what you bring to the community. Representatives of "The Divine Nine" came forward. Councilwoman Alexander- Once again, I just want to thank The Divine Nine for coming out. And of course my Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Inc., and I just wanted to ... like myself and Councilman Tyler, we just wanted to bring awareness to the organization and what they can do for our City, and what they do in the region abroad. Councilman Torres- I just want to congratulate all the members deserving of this honor, and thank you for the service to Hammond and all the Communities you serve. ROLL CALL (adoption) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. ROSADOPTED Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to return to the regular order of business. ROLL CALL (motion carried) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MOTION CARRIED Mayor McDermott - I want to say thank you to the Council, for suspending the rules, that was really nice. I don't know if peop'ie recognize that, but you guys suspended the rules to interrupt the meeting so that we can have that. I just want to say thank you. PUBLIC EXPRESSION Laurie Czulno- I've been coming here since 2008 and if you guys move the agenda review to another evening, can we have it posted online, the Agenda and what ever new Ordinances and Resolutions? Sameko Coxaum- So, at the last Meeting the Mayor spoke about diversity, and I wonder why there isn't any diversity in the 1stDistrict. I'm here to help the Community, trying to open a bakery and cafe. So, I'm asking for the second time if I can get an inspection done on the building so that I can open by March 18, 2020? Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 PUBLIC EXPRESSION cont. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilwoman Alexander, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Hammond Common Council ATTEST: $/-/~ cfolec,City Robert J. Clerk Time: 6:45 p.m. dw Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 7