City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 28. 2020 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on December 28, 2020 in the Hammond City Council Chambers. Council President Dave W oerpel 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 Councilwoman Venecz, moved to accept the minutes of December 14, 2020 and placed on file. A YES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to approve the claims from December 17, 2020 through December 21, 2020. Claim #5975 through claim #6258, inclusive. ROLL CALL VOTE (claims) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS 20-33 To Appropriate Funds in the Hotel/Motel Innkeepers Tax Fund for Economic Development purposes in 2020 Sponsored by Dan Spitale No one spoke. COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Tyler - I just want to thank everybody who had a hand in pulling off the drive free toy give away last week. You know, Leroy Howard and the Eastside Community Council, they do this humongous event every single year. And of course, things had to look a bit differently this year because of COVID and so we all pulled together and were able to get 160 families registered, so well over 500 toys were distributed. So I want to thank Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER 28. 2020 COMMUNICATIONS cont. Councilman Tyler cont. - everybody from the City Council who contributed. I know Councilwoman Alexander was there on hand helping package the gifts and distribute them, so a special thanks to her. The Hammond Fire Department collected gifts leading up to the event from residents who donated throughout the city, there were a ton of other businesses that contributed and individuals who also gave money as well. And then, of course, the Hammond Police Department were there to help control the traffic. The event, I wasn't able to attend because I was in the NICU with my twins, but it seems like the event went great. I know Councilwoman Katrina had some other people, actually the day afterward, were driving around delivering some of the toys to families who could not make the event, so thank you for doing that as well. It's just a great example of what we all can do when we all come together and try to look out for the residents for our city who are in most need. So, I just want to thank everybody for their help in pulling this off, it was great to see. Thank you. Councilwoman Alexander - Just echoing Councilman Tyler. Yes, the event was a success, even in the rain and the cold we were able to make sure the residents got those packages. Emergency Management did a great job controlling the traffic and keeping it down for us, that was kudos to them because without them I really don't think we could have pulled it all off. So, I have to go ahead and publically thank them, outside of thanking Leroy and Cherie for, you know, making sure this all can happen. But, on the side note, as usual, I want to give the COVID numbers, because I keep those records for us. From last meeting to this meeting, today is December 281\ so for 46320 - 160 new cases, for 46327 - 174 new cases, for 46323 - 314 new cases, 46324 - 323 new cases and for 46394 - 158 new cases. That gives us 1,129 new cases from last meeting to this meeting. As we continue to say, continue to stay masked up, we know we are in holiday season, try to social distance as much as possible. When you wear a mask you're actually helping to protect someone else, wearing a mask for you is just helping to protect them. So when you wear a mask you're helping to protect someone else and when they're wearing a mask they are protecting you. So, I encourage all residents to continue to wear masks, continue to social distance, meet virtually if you can. The weather is getting bad and it's cold, so we don't know if it's going to be, if you get sick if it's COVID or if it's the flu or if it's a cold. Make sure you're taking your vitamins and staying healthy as much as possible through this time as we continue to batter through this pandemic. I did want to give those words of encouragement to our residents. We are holding steady, but at the same time the numbers are still high and I want them to continue to be aware of what's going on. Outside of that, Happy Holidays to everyone, we're getting ready to enter into a new year and it has been a blast, so far, in this first year working with you guys and this council. COMMITTEE REPORTS Council as a Whole Committee - Councilman Spitale - We'll be bringing out 20-31, 20-32, 20-33, 20-34 and 20-35. Council President Woerpel - Thank you, Council as a Whole is bringing out 20-31, 33, 34 and 35. And we are also bringing out 20-32 that didn't have a committee assignment, right Councilman Rakos? Councilman Rakos - That's correct. Council President W oerpel - Thank you. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER 28. 2020 COMMITTEE REPORTS cont. Capital Improvement Board - Councilwoman Venecz - We did meet on December 21st,it was a work study session only, there was not a public meeting. The next meeting will be January 4, 2021 and we will go over our full agenda then. But in the work study session it was primarily a review for those who serve on the board. Thank you, Mr. President, I usually like to give an update on the upcoming Community and Crime Watch meetings and there are none scheduled at this point in time. As usual, we ask that everyone look out for their neighborhood. Please call 911 if you see something that just does not seem right and take special care of the seniors who are in your neighborhood, particularly with this pandemic situation that we are all involved in. Please be very careful.and as Councilwoman Alexander states at every meeting, please wear your mask, be sure to wash your hands and socially distance. It's only through our combined efforts that we can all protect one another. Because community is not just about me, it's about us. Thank you Mr. President. ORDINANCE 3rd READING - FINAL PASSAGE 20-31 AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES FOR ELECTED CITY OFFICIALS FOR THE CITY OF HAMMOND, INDIANA COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2021 Councilman Spitale - We are adopting 2021 salaries for 2% increase. Thank you. Councilwoman Venecz - Is that ordinance 20-31 and not 20-21? Councilman Spitale - 31. Councilwoman Venecz - Okay, thank you. Council President Woerpel - I need a motion made to, for final passage and adoption. Councilwoman Venecz - I'll second that. Council President W oerpel - I need the motion to be made first. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9487 PASSED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER 28, 2020 ORDINANCE 3rd READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. 20-32 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY CONTROLLER TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM ONE LINE ITEM TO ANOTHER WITHIN VARIOUS CITY 2020 BUDGETS Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None - ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9488 PASSED 20-33 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN THE HOTEL/MOTEL INNKEEPERS TAX FUND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES IN 2020 Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for passage. Councilman Kalwinski - Can you refresh me, when was the public hearing for that? Council President Woerpel - We did, nobody spoke. Councilman Kalwinski - Was there a public hearing? Council President Woerpel - Yes, at the beginning of this meeting. That was what the public hearing was for. Councilman Kalwinski - Got it, thank you. Councilman Spitale - The money for the Innkeepers was $23,691.13. The money is used for promotion of local events and advertizing. Thank you. • ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9489 PASSED 20-34 AN ORDINANCE CREATING NEW FUNDS (FUNDS #229, #238, #280, #281) FOR JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM FUNDS AW ARDED TO CITY OF HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for passage. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER 28. 2020 ORDINANCE 3rd READING - FINAL PASSAGE cont. Councilman Spitale- The funds from the Justice Assistance Grant, the money goes for personnel equipment supplies and training. Thank you. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9490 PASSED 20-35 Creating a New Fund (Fund #150) for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Cares Act Provider Relief Funds for the City of Hammond Ambulance Services During Covid-19 Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved for passage. Councilwoman Venecz-These are funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Cares Act to get relief for the expenses occurred by ambulance services during COVID-19. Thank you. ROLL CALL VOTE (passage) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 ORDINANCE NO. 9491 PASSED INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 20-37 An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 9481, being an Ordinance fixing the salaries wages of all Policemen and Firemen of the City of Hammond, Indiana, other than those fixed by Statute or by Ordinance heretofore enacted, and fixing the effective date thereof Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Rakos, moved the proposed ordinance to 1st and 2nd reading by title and referred it to the Council as a Whole Committee with a Committee meeting on January 11, 2021at 5:15 p.m. AYES: ALL RESOLUTIONS None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER 28. 2020 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilwoman Venecz- I would like to extend my congratulations to Councilman Tyler a1:1dhis wife Erin on the birth of their twins, congratulations, Councilman, God's blessing and ... it may not seem like a blessing at the beginning but trust me children are just very rewarding, so congratulations. Thank you Councilman Tyler- Thank you. Council President Woerpel- I like to extend my congratulations to Councilman Tyler and his wife as well. Councilwoman Alexander- The library recently lost one of their employees, Porfirio, they called him Billy. He worked for them for 17 years. And I wanted to give a condolence to them, the family of him, and also the library staff as they continue to miss him during this time, but like I said he was employed with our Hammond Public Library for 17 years and they will truly miss him. So I wanted to send my condolences to that family. Councilman Spitale- Congratulations to you, again, Barry Councilman Tyler- Thank you. Councilman Emerson- Congratulations, Barry. Councilman Tyler- Thank you, everybody I appreciate it. PUBLIC EXPRESSION LaYetta Sparks-Wade- Executive Director of United Neighborhoods, Inc. - I would like to, again, appeal to this body. I've sent to all of you correspondence in regards to two board positions that are open for the United Neighborhood Inc. What we do is we assist and improve Hammond's housing market. We have two positions open at this time and I would implore you to ask your residents if they would like to serve on this board. Council President Woerpel- These appointments that you're talking about are these Council appointments? LaYetta Sparks-Wade-They are not. They are just regular, any type ofrecommendation, anybody who is 80% of the median income or less and has a desire to improve the neighborhood. Council President Woerpel- So, for guidance from my colleagues and myself, how do we go about making a nomination, by contacting you? LaYetta Sparks-Wade- Just 219-937-0200. I've left letters with each of you and my phone number is there. The office phone number 1s there, or you can email me at LaVetta.unihammond.com. Thank you. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. DECEMBER28. 2020 PUBLIC EXPRESSION cont- Councilman Kalwinski- I didn't catch the address and her full name? LaYetta Sparks-Wade- LaYetta SparksWade, I'm at 5209 Hohman. That's the office address. Councilman Kalwinski- And is your residence in Hammond? LaYetta Sparks-Wade- I'm moving to Hammond really, really, soon. Councilman Kalwinski- Okay. Thank you. LaYetta Sparks-Wade- I'm looking for a house, guys, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Councilman Torres- Just for the information for Councilman Kalwinski, she's the new United Neighborhood Director. I didn't think he was aware of that. Councilman Kalwinski- I got it. Councilwoman Alexander, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL ATTEST: Hammond Common Council Ro(f1(~1/v Time: 6:30 p.m. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 7