City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MAY 10, 2021 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on May 10, 2021 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 MAYORS ADDRESS Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - Mayor is out of town, and obviously wanted to, as he typically does, still update everybody on some events that are happening today. Bear with me, I did bring some notes, there are quite a few, but I'll try and go through as quickly as possible. Real quick, I know Mayor mentioned it previously, the mask mandate is still in effect for the City of Hammond until May 31st,by Executive Order. That includes all buildings including Lost Marsh Club House, Sportsplex, Jean Shepherd Center, etc., of course City Hall. So that is still in effect until May 31st. I just wanted to remind everybody. I'm happy to report that the Water Department credit card fees are now completely being absorbed by Water, Sanitary, and the City. Residents will no longer have to pay any fee if they pay their bills using their credit card. I want to thank Councilman Mark for bringing that to our attention and also thank the Water Department staff and Sanitary staff that worked diligently to get us to a solution that's gonna be happy for all the residents and for the Council people that we're representing people that were concerned about those fees. So they are no longer going to be charged a fee. In regards to the water rate settlement negotiation, we believe Mayor will have an ordinance in front of you at your next meeting, which I believe is May 24th • Some of the customer communities that we've been working with, and I know you guys have had several discussions with Mayor on this, had some concerns with some of the language that we put in. Specifically from the Hammond side, we really wanted to protect ourselves from contracts that we have with other customers and we feel like we have that resolved now. So, coming up on the 24th , the Mayor will submit to everybody the resolution agreement and you'll be able to ask questions and work through that process. But I know it's taken some time but this is a really important negotiation and we go to make sure that we're protecting the city for all future issues and concerns with this process. So, you'll see that on the 24th . The past couple of years the Mayor's Office was getting sporadic complaints about neighborhood traffic issues in the Kenwood area. So through that process, Mayor Tom, working with Councilman Tyler, had decided to use a similar process that we've used in other parts of the City, including Boy Scout Road and on 175th Street that most of you are aware of, where we're gonna put up temporary closures in the neighborhood and then we're gonna send out surveys to the residents in that area. In this specific situations, it happens to be about 250 homes. Then after the closures are up for about a week they will report back to us whether they think this resolves some of the traffic issues in that neighborhood or whether Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS cont. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon cont. - it didn't. We've gone through this process several times and in both instances I don't think any changes were eventually made because the residents weren't overwhelmingly in support. As you know, if it's a 50/50 kind ofresponse, no changes will be made because we really want to see one side over the other approving or saying they don't support. In this situation we're talking about 165th Street to the south; Stateline to the west; Highland Street to the north and Hohman Avenue to the east. So that's the boundaries. I brought with me a copy of the survey and I'll be happy to hand it out to all the Council people just in case you get a question. I know this is only in Councilman Tyler's District and, obviously, the Council at Large, but I'll have a copy for everyone just in case you want to take a look. It shows where the road closures are going to be placed. They're actually gonna go up tomorrow morning starting at 6:00 a.m., in that area. And there will be a sign placed on all the road closures facing inward towards the neighborhood saying that this is a temporary closure and that the surveys that are going to be sent out need to be returned or responded to by June 1st. You can either mail them in or if people they can also respond online. So we're trying to make that as easy as we can. It will be one response per household. So we look forward to getting those results and Mayor, obviously, will report to everybody. I know Councilman Tyler is going to reference this a little later in today's meeting. As most of you are aware, our administration was extremely disappointed that Franciscan Alliance will be downsizing their facility in Downtown Hammond and eliminating many departments, including their OB Department, ICU, Surgery rooms, etc. Even more disappointing is the fact that the leaders of the Franciscan Alliance reached out to us an hour before they were going to make the announcement. We never got an opportunity to sit down with them and have a conversation with them to see ifwe could help resolve the issues. Never got a chance to hear the issues, at all, to this minute. I couldn't tell you exactly, or Mayor Tom, ifhe was here, couldn't tell you exactly what the issue is because we still haven't had that conversation. We're, obviously, extremely disappointed as I know many of you are. You know, I was born at St. Margaret's in Hammond. I would imagine a lot of people in this area were as well. And also, as you know, healthcare isn't a privilege, it's a right. From an administration perspective we believe that having healthcare in the near vicinity for the residents is critical. So this is extremely disappointing, however, we are ready in conversations with several medical groups about filling some of the gaps that will be created through this. And also many of you know that we're very far along with working with Jeff Speck and his plan for Downtown, you know, with the Westlake Corridor Train Project, which is the billion dollar train project that is going to have a couple stops in Hammond and potentially a stop right in the heart of Downtown Hammond. We are still working on several projects and developments that we think will be successful in Downtown and hopefully will be working together with all of you to make a lot of those projects still occur. But I think we needed to mention what had happened and what's going on with the hospital. So I just wanted to bring that up. The Gaming Advisory Board has completed the approvals for this years grants. All in all, we were able to grant almost $310 thousand to organizations that are either in Hammond or serve Hammond. I really want to thank all the Council appointees as well as all the Mayoral appointees. There were eleven ofus all together, I chaired the board. I was concerned that with limited funds this year, because of Covid, that we'd have a lot of folks kind of upset about the amount of money they were gonna get and throughout the entire process we all worked together, understanding that funds were limited and we were able to give the majority of the grant applicants a certain amount and so we're excited that that process worked the way it did. If all goes well, this time next year, when we have the same process, we should have he normal amount of funds for Gaming Advisory Board which is usually, typically, somewhere between $600 and $650 thousand. Obviously that's dependant on a lot of things happening and we're still working through Covid sot Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10,2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS Chief of Staff Phil Taillon cont. - here's no guarantees but that's where hopefully we'll be at this time next year. One quick note on the flag issue. Which I know we've all heard about at this point. Mayor did sit down with the owner, the gentleman that was flying the flag that had, what I consider, very inappropriate content, specifically across from a park. The owner of that property has told the Mayor that he will not fly the flag any longer. Obviously, this is good news for Hammond and specifically people that use that park and even more specifically for the children who go to that park that have no business seeing or reading that word in any way, shape, or form. So, the good news, I guess, after everything that's happened is that the flag should no longer be flying. At least per the resident. Two final things, actually three final things, quick. I want to thank Owana Miller and her team, and all the pastors, and ministers, and religious leaders that worked together to put on another successful prayer breakfast that we had last week. We've heard nothing but overwhelmingly positive information from that event. Always a great, fun, uplifting event for the City of Hammond. So, thank everybody that was part of that and helped put that on and everybody here that participated as well. It was another successful event. The Hard.rock Casino will be opening on May 14th . I know Mayor reported that to all of you. Since the last time he reported this, the Majestic Star is now closed. So we have, basically, three casinos in this area right here which is Ameristar, Hard Rock and obviously the Horseshoe. Were looking forward to getting numbers in July to see how the new casino opening will affect us. I know Mayor will be coming to the Council and giving you the updated numbers so we know exactly how it affected us. Obviously, we would assume early on they would be pretty successful since it will be the new shiny toy in town, if you will. But, we will be reporting to you along the way so you are not surprised if our numbers go dramatically down or just a small percentage down or if we're just as successful as we have been in the past. Lastly, I didn't write this one down but want to thank Representative Mike Andrade for putting together the vaccination event that he had. I believe it was this past Saturday at the Pavillion in Hammond. I know they had over a hundred people respond that were vaccinated. It was open to everybody but I know they were specifically targeting the Hispanic population because sometimes with thelanguage difference, you know there's some lost in translation stuff, so some people don't come out. But because of this event, many more people are vaccinated. They worked very hard on this event. A lot of City of Hammond people worked together, Representative Andrade and his team, to make this event possible and I just want to thank everybody involved. Council President Woerpel - Just for clarification, when you brought up the mask mandate, that's for City buildings, correct? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - That's correct. Council President Woerpel - It doesn't pertain to private businesses and all that. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - It does not pertain to private businesses. In fact, if your experiencing, like I am, a lot of businesses have already removed the mandate for their customers. It seems like a lot of the employees are still wearing masks. They're choosing to do that or they're asking that their employees do that. But you are correct. Businesses make their own decisions on what they are going to require, as far as mask mandates. But in Indiana, at this pint, it's a recommendation. It's not a requirement. But obviously for Mayor Tom, he's requiring that in all City buildings you still wear the mask. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10. 2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS cont. Council President Woerpel - And one other question was asked, and that's either for Atty. Berger or yourself. Do you know, does the Governor's mandate for the Zoom meetings extend til the end of the year or is it the end of this month? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - Last I heard, and I don't know if Atty. Berger is aware, and I don't have the specific information, last I heard though, they had extended the Zoom meeting protocol going forward. I didn't know if it was through the end of this month or through the end of this year. We could follow up on that. Council President Woerpel - And the question was just asked is if at the end of the month if the Zoom mandate goes away and the Council people all have to be in chambers, that's why I asked. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - I don't think that's the case. But let me follow up o that and get you a clear answer so you know 100%. Councilwoman Alexander - Can you give just a little bit more clarity on is it also the online fees, with the water as well, with the credit card payment? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - That is correct, Councilwoman Alexander. So anybody using a credit card, and specifically online, they will no longer get charged that minimal fee, whatever it was. Whether they come to the actual Water Department on Columbia or use it online, they will not be charged that fee. Councilman Kalwinski - I wonder if Phil can give us an update on the Cargill noise issue in the Robertsdale Area of Hammond. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - I'd be happy to, Councilman Kalwinski. So I believe it was last week we had a complaint to the Mayor's Office that the noise was occurring again. We sent our, I don't know what you want to call them, but our noise crew over to the location, and this is one of the first times where our team specifically said that not only could they hear the noise, that it was annoying. It did kind of get deep in your eardrum, if you will. And that they were in somebodies house, or nearby somebodies house, and you could actually see the house was kind of, I don't want to say buzzing or vibrating, but it was having an affect on the home as well. We reached out to the Cargill Plant Manager, his name is Adam Lawson. We told them that we had our team there and they were experiencing this. He did bring reference to a blower that was being started up and that that was the issue. I mentioned to him that in the past he had said that he didn't know what the noise was for sure and I mentioned that to him. What he said is, I think that they realized that this blower is part of the issue but he wanted to make clear to everybody is that there have been complaints about noises in that area and at the time of those complaints the blower was not running. So therefore he did not know what the noise issue was. So now we know specifically there is one piece of equipment, the blower, Councilman Kalwinski, that is affecting that neighborhood. We very politely asked Cargill to replace that piece of equipment. They said it's gonna be approximately a $20 million price tag. We still very politely asked them to replace that piece of equipment. Last conversation, formal conversation, we had with them. They are planning on doing a noise study so they have more specific information, as far as when the noise is affecting the community the most. So it will help them Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS cont. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - come up with a resolution for it. So I would say we still are in that period waiting for them to put together additional information to resolve the issue. But I guess the latest update is our team did hear it. It is loud and annoying in certain situations. They are on notice that the City is expecting them to resolve the issue one way or the other. Councilman Kalwinski -That's great news. Do you happen to know ifwe gave a time line on by when the noise study should happen and the results shared? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - The last conversation I had with them, Councilman, you were actually there at that meeting. So, no, at that time he said he would have a noise study but let me follow up on that as well and I will make sure I will provide that to yourself and any other Councilmen that are interested in that information. Councilman Kalwinski - I'm guessing there's no action plan until the noise study occurs and results are given. Is that how you understand it? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - Yeah, I'd say that's fair. Say that last part again, Councilman Kalwinski. Councilman Kalwinski - I assume that the noise study has to happen first and the results shared before they go with an action plan on how to resolve the issue. Is that correct? Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - That is correct. I think when you are asking a company to take on a $20 million investment into a piece of equipment, I think it's fair to give them a certain amount of time to make sure that they are truly addressing the issue that some residents in Robertsdale are experiencing. But, saying that, and I would think Councilman Kalwinski you should be part of that as we are working together with them. But, I think it's fair to ask them for an updated time line as far as when things are going to happen so that we could share that with our residents and they're comfortable knowing that we are working towards a solution to the problem. Councilman Kalwinski - Thank you. I guess it's fortunate for us, maybe not for them, that they're a billion dollar international corporation and they have the funds. Although it might be difficult to secure them rapidly but they do have a great deal of assets across the globe. So I look forward to updates on that, thank you. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - Certainly a fine line between ..... obviously we want successful businesses in the City that employ a lot of people. So there's a fine line here. We obviously support Cargills operation and want them to be successful however, we first and foremost have to protect our residents from issues and things of this nature. So I think it is a fine line but we'll work our way through this. Councilwoman Alexander - I just wanted to go back and piggy back on the Cargill issue. I did take a ride out there myself and it was about 9:51 p.m. at night that this noise also happened, so that we can put some kind of time range on it. I did take a listen myself. I drove out there, I sat, I waited, I heard it. I drove a couple more blocks up. So I did want to also confirm that it is something coming from there. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS cont. Chief of Staff Phil Taillon - When there was one complaint I drove up there and I couldn't hear anything. So I think it's dependant on what part of the neighborhood you're in when they're apparently starting up this blower that they know is one of the issues. So it's definitely a tough issue but it's good to hear that, Councilwoman Alexander, and know that you heard it as well. Again, several of our team members heard it. So we know there is an issue. Councilwoman Alexander - I can give you the exact location. I was right at Forsythe Park, the homes right there and then continue to drive towards Calumet Avenue. Councilman Kalwinski - Thank you Councilwoman at Large for your dedication to the 1st District. Much appreciated. COMMON COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP DRAWING Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to move this item further along in the agenda under New and Unfinished Business. AYES: ALL READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes from April 26, 2021 and place on file. AYES: ALL APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to approve the claims from April 30, 2021 through May 5, 2021. Claim #1990 through #2189, inclusive. Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to amend claim #2184 written to Brian Mishka & Atty.'s Isaacs and Isaacs be changed and written to Eichorn & Eichorn, LLP Trust Account. Councilman Rakos - The incorrect claimant name was listed on the claim. The correct place to go is Eichorn & Eichorn LLP Trust Account: It's not an additional. It's just that claim #2184 needed to be adjusted to the correct name. Councilman Kalwinski - Do we know what that $95 thousand was related to. Certain work, was it Water, was it something else? Just curious what the fees were or were they just random and they amounted to $95 thousand or was it for one or two certain (unclear)? Councilman Rakos - The claim is for a legal settlement. I really can't get any more into it than there was a legal settlement and it's going to this other attorney. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS cont. ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment to claim #2184) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakes, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIM AMENDED ROLL CALL VOTE (as amended) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS APPROVED (as amended) PUBLIC HEARINGS 21-13 An Ordinance Creating a New Fund (Fund#246) and to Appropriate Funds within the Hammond Police Department Grant Fund For 2021 21-17 An Ordinance Appropriating the Proceeds of the Home Investment Partnership Program And Dealing with Other Matters Pertaining to the Expenditures For- American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) No one spoke. COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Tyler - As Phil Taillon mentioned during his remarks, we are submitting a survey for residents over in the Kenwood neighborhood so that can fill out their thoughts, or share their thoughts, on the potential road closures. I would like to just put a copy of this on file with the minutes for tonight's meeting. I have already shared it with Liz and Carmen. I would just like to place a copy of that on file. Councilman Rakos - I'd like to announce that the HC3 has got their annual, or semi-annual, "Join us for the hessville clean-up May 22 nd at 9 a.m. We're gonna meet at Freddy's Steak House. All residents, students, and businesses are invited to participate. Meet at Freddy's Steak House on Kennedy. A snack and light breakfast and lunch will be provided for volunteers. There will be volunteer forms available at the event. It goes from 9 a.m. til noon on Saturday, May 22nd ." Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 7 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10. 2021 COMMITTEE REPORTS Council as a Whole Committee - Councilman Spitale - Brought out 21-13 and 21-17. Capital Improvement Board- Councilwoman Venecz - Our last meeting was May 3rd . We approved $73 hundred for flagging fees for the Sibley Resurfacing Project. The next meeting will be May 17th . Community & Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz - Upcoming meetings: Thurs., May 13; Whiting-Robertsdale C.W.; Whiting Mascot Hall of Fame; 6:30 p.m. June 9; Mt. Zion Community Watch; Mt. Zion Pleasantview Plaza; 1 p.m. June 17; S. Hohman Avenue N.W.; 6:30 p.m.; Trinity Lutheran Church Irving Community Watch; September Edison Community Watch; September ORDINANCE 3rd READING - FINAL PASSAGE 21-13 An Ordinance Creating a New Fund (Fund#246) and to Appropriate Funds within the Hammond Police Department Grant Fund For 2021 Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, 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 9507 PASSED 21-17 An Ordinance Appropriating the Proceeds of the Home Investment Partnership Program And Dealing with Other Matters Pertaining to the Expenditures For- American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) 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 9508 PASSED INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 8 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 RESOLUTIONS 21R-18 A Resolution Authorizing the Hammond Fire Department to Apply for a 2021 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Grant (FHSUB GRANT 21) Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved for adoption. Councilman Rakos - This grant does not require any matching funds on the part of Hammond. The amount of the grant is $29,717. It comes through the Firehouse Subs Foundation. Allowable uses for this grant are to buy life saving equipment and prevention education tools for first responders and public safety organizations. ROLL CALL VOTE (adoption) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESOLUTION NO. RI 8 ADOPTED NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 21-18 BZA- Z-21-08 Petition of Adrian Pellot for Variance of Use from Zoning Ordinance to Operate a Tattoo Parlor in a C-3 Central Business District Located at 57 Russell Street within the City of Hammond Lake County, Indiana Councilman Torres, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for approval. Councilman Torres, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to suspend the rules to allow the petitioner to speak. ROLL CALL VOTE (suspend rules) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RULES SUSPENDED Building Owner - My wife and I own the building at Russell Street. We have two office buildings in Downtown Hammond and Adrian came to us about leasing the space. He did the complete build out at his own expense and really a great improvement. He has paid his rent every month on time. We've met with him, his wife and children in his home. He is an upstanding citizen. He's going to make a contribution to Downtown Hammond and we support him. There's not much more than I can say except this young man deserves an opportunity and Hammond is going to grow. I think he deserves our support and we will definitely give it to him. Any questions you have, I'll be glad to answer. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 9 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilman Torres - For Mr. Pellot, how many ... This is just a tattoo parlor. What kind of business is it? A tattoo parlor? Adrian Pellot, Petitioner - Yes, sir. Councilman Torres - How many employees? Mr. Pellot - It's just me right now. But I am looking to hire other employees, yes. Councilman Torres - So you're just getting started? Mr. Pellot - Yes, sir. Council President Woerpel - So, Mr. Novak, this has been passed by the BZA and it's just approval tonight by us. Tom Novak, Assistant City Planner- Yes, the BZA voted unanimously to offer, with a favorable recomendation to the Council so you guys are just voting up and down to affirm. Councilman Kalwinski - Curious, how large do you want to grow this? How many staff do you think you'll want to pursue to do this work? Mr. Pellot - Yes, I'm hoping to have a maximum, including myself, of four people. I will be offering tattooing, like permanent make-up, and like micro blading, and stuff like that. But I would say no more than four employees, including myself, total. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilwoman Alexander, moved to return to regular business. ROLL CALL VOTE (regular order) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESUME REGULAR ORDER Councilman Torres - Since this is just a petition and I know they already passed the grueling test of the BZA. Even though I wasn't aware of this and it's usually out of courtesy that you inform the District Councilman. I kind of have been under the weather so I haven't been up to speed. And I'm looking forward to new businesses anywhere in the District and anywhere in the City, actually. So, that's why I'm gonna encourage my colleagues to go ahead and approve this petition for tonight. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 10 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10. 2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. ROLL CALL VOTE (approval) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 BZA Z-21-08 APPROVED 21-19 BZA- Z-21-10 Petition of 1933 Garage LLC. /T.J. Ferrantella for Variance of Use from Zoning Ordinance to Allow the Operation of an Auto Repair Shop in a C-3 Central Business District Located at 475 Fayette Street within the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana Councilman Torres, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved for approval. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to suspend the rules to allow the petitioner to speak. ROLL CALL VOTE (suspend rules) A YES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RULES SUSPENDED T. J. Ferantella of 1933 Garage LLC, Petitioner - The information in front of you explains that this will be an auto repair shop. What's not printed in front of you is this is going to be a very different kind of auto repair shop. It's going to concentrate on classic cars. As a result, I expect this business to be very attractive, very clean, and very well thought. It's not going to be a dirty repair stop. What I expect is it's going to be the kind of business that draws people from a very broad cross section. It doesn't make any difference where you live, what your income level is, or whether or not you own a classic car. What I want is a place were people can gather and exchange ideas. I'm doing this because I think that, one, classic cars are fun. But, two, when I hear the horror stories of what happens when others get their cars restored and they're at the mercy of somebody who tears it apart and leaves a bunch of parts there and you have no choice but to pay whatever he asks. Well, I believe that Northwest Indiana has some of the finest mechanical minds around and ifwe get a bunch of people together we can figure out how to accomplish just about anything under just about any budget. I'm not a stranger to Hammond. For twenty eight years I worked full time as the President of the Engineered Companies. Engineered was the contractor that built the final phase of Lost Marsh Golf Course, the Hammond Bird Sanctuary, the infrastructure for the Millennium Subdivision, foundations for both phases of the casino. We made arrangements for donations (unclear) fire departments combined space training center. Hammond is a place I care about. I had an offer to sell this building several years ago. It would become a contractors yard. I felt that ... well, we turned it down because at the time we were doing a business wind down and couldn't do it quickly enough, but more than that I felt that there was a much better use and as a result I am going to take the risk and develop that better use. There's a half acre of vacant land across the street that's going to be used for parking. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 11 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10,2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Mr. Ferantella cont. - It's a great building. (Unclear) when it was purchased by us in 2013 and it was for Engineered's equipment, repair facility and material storage. The building, frankly, was a mess. We abated the asbestos, we made it structurally sound. We stripped away all of the unattractive additions that were made to it and my concentration is to make this building as original as possible and as interesting as possible. That's a snapshot view. If there are any particular questions you have, I'd love to anser them. Mr. Novak - Well, you know the building was built in 1933 as the Shaver Pontiac Annex. It was used as a Firestone Tire Center prior to this, just a decade ago. So it does have a past history for this kind of use. The BZA did vote unanimously to give a favorable recommendation. I believe I talked to Mr. Ferantella about a year ago. You talked to me and told me you were putting this idea together and I told you the first step, of course, will be through the BZA and if you can get through to them then you'll probably be on your way. Good luck with your project. Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to return to the regular order of business. ROLL CALL VOTE (regular order) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 RESUME REGULAR ORDER Councilman Rakos - I think this sounds like a wonderful program and I thank Mr. Ferantella for bringing that kind of business to Downtown Hammond. COMMON COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP DRAWING Facilitated by Dr. Leslie Yander, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum for School City of Hammond BISHOP NOLL HIGH SCHOOL GAVIT HIGH SCHOOL MORTON HIGH SCHOOL Aiden Companiott - Winner Xzaliya Cervantes - Winner Jamarion Evans - Winner Sam Repay - Winner Luke Miller - Winner Bejamin Chappey - Winner Maya Strong - Winner Nazareth Diaz - Winner HAST HIGH SCHOOL Rebecca Manning - Alternate Tomiha Metcalf- Winner Kealeigh Goreham - Winner Zachary Umar - Alternate Elias Reyes - Alternate HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL Liliana Padilla - Winner CLARK HIGH SCHOOL Tavarianna Picket - Winner Anahi Briseno - Winner Sergio Moreno - Winner Cesar Pineda - Winner Katrina Padilla - Alternate Mauro DeJesus Hurtado - Winner Anthony Burgos - Alternate Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 12 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10. 2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Councilwoman Alexander - I do not have a Covid report as for today due to the web site being down. But I promise I will get those numbers to the residents as soon as it comes up. Of course, as always I want to remind them to continue to mask up, wash their hands and stayed socially distanced as much as possible as we fight through Covid-19. I also had the opportunity to go by Wolf Lake and see the vaccines being given out there with Representative Andrade, and I want to thank him for bringing that out for us to make sure that it could happen for the residents. As well as got a chance to stop through at Pulaski Park and plant a tree. That was an awesome experience. I challenge you all that when we get some tree planting that you will also join and come plant trees somewhere throughout the City in our parks because the Student Conservation Association, they did an amazing job. From what I understand, they will be coming out weekly to water those new trees for the next two to three years. That's something that ... only for the trees that they planted. That is awesome that those young people will continue to make sure those trees remain healthy as they grow. One more thing, I know I'm talking a lot, is that we set a precedent throughout our Council with language. If we were on live tv we would be bleeping out words. That we just set a precedent and a standard of what should be done. Because we do have students that are watching and it is important for them to take part in the legislature body in hearing the things that should happen. So I want to put that on the record that we look out for what we're saying. How we're handling things. Because we are leaders in our city. Councilwoman Venecz - Hammond Lodge No. 51, Fraternal Order of Police, will be hosting their Annual Fallen Officers Memorial Service. That will be on May 19th at 5 p.m. at the Hammond Police Department. If anyone has the opportunity to attend this, please do. It's really quite moving and it's a testament to the job that all of our police officers do to serve and protect all of us. Councilman Tyler - I recently had he opportunity to attend two School City of Hammond events. The first being a meeting to kind of watch a planning committee for Hammond Central. It's open to community members, parents, students, whoever wants to come in and share their ... what they have as a vision for Hammond Central as Hammond High, Gavit and Clark combine. So the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 25 th at 5:30 p.m. and that will take place at Clark High School. I was also able to attend the School City of Hammond Strategic Planning Committee. So we had our first meeting last week and our next one is going to be on Monday the 17th. That one is actually closed to the public. It was by invite only. But I can tell you that we had a great conversation about some of the opportunities that currently exist within our School District and things that we would love to see improved upon. So, excited to continue to meet with that group and hash out the next three to five years of what we want the School City of Hammond look like and different opportunities that we would like for our students to be able to have access to. So I just wanted to give that update and let you know that the School City of Hammond is doing a great job of bringing people together to have these conversations to plan out the future of our students. Councilwoman Alexander - This weekend was the Last Inning Baseball game with the four schools and I want to congratulate them on a job well done. I did get a chance to go out there and see them play. Even as the weather got a little cold. So congratulations to , I believe, Morton won. I had left at the last portion. But they did a great job. Ryan did a great job with putting on the tournament with the schools. I wish we could have done it sooner than now, but hopefully in the future with the two schools they can have almost like a cross town classic between the two like Sox and the Cubs. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 13 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. MAY 10, 2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. Council President Woerpel - When you give your Covid reports is there any way to know how many vaccines have been given out in the city or don't they keep them numbers. Councilwoman Alexander - I will try to see if I could find it but since the site is down I don't know how many more updates they really did. But I will try to inquire to see how many people have been vaccinated within the city and also if it can be broken down by zip code as well as we continue to fight through it. PUBLIC EXPRESSION George Stoya - MLK Park looks great. Sad to hear St. Margaret's is closing. Is Boy Scout Road closing? I enjoy using that road. I think that Zoom has been one of the silver linings in this Covid cloud that's descended over our Nation and City. Why would a time limit on it even be considered? Adrian Pellot - Thanked Council for approving BZA. Lives on 63 Kenwood Street, between Hohman and Stateline. A very family oriented neighborhood. The speeding in that neighborhood is a very big problem. Thanked the Council for closing the road and seeing how it works out. Councilman Emerson, supported by Councilman Torres, moved to adjourn. AYES: ALL Dave Woe 1, President Hammond Common Council ATTEST: Rtltl* Time: 7:25 cb Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 14 { .. ROAD CLOSURESURVEY Response due by June 1, 2021  lrJLw♦• , Dear HammondResident: ,.~□:L Overthe past year I havebeen aware of the ongoing discussionin your neighborhoodregarding ALLEYCLOSED non-residenttraffic usingyour neighborhoodstreets as a cut-through and causingother issuesnear your homes. There havebeen meetingsand I have receivedcomplaints at city hall about this issue. In the past, I ROADCLOSED have alwaysvalued the input and opinions of those that are living in an areabefore taking any measuresto closestreets permanently. ALLEYCLOSED The suggestionhas been made to closeaccessto State LineAvenueat Cleveland,Kenwood,and Detroit Streets (and the alleys near Detroit Street). Wildwood Roadwould remain one-waywestbound. This would leave165th Street, HighlandStreet, and Wildwood Road(westbound)as your only accessto State Line Avenue. Thiswould, howeverwe believe,significantly reduce non-residenttraffic through your neighborhood. "o Therefore, in discussionswith your Councilman,Barry Tyler,Jr.,we have developedthe enclosedsurveyfor your review. We value your input. The survey will let the city know your opinions about permanently I closingaccessto State LineAvenue.Bythe time you receivethis surveyyou have probably noticed I. , temporary closuresof these streets. ROADCLOSED u: Pleasego online to gohammond.com/surveyor mail in the attached postagepre-paidcard sothat your voice can be heard. We do needthe surveysback by June 1, 2021. Eachaddressin the area bordered by 165th St. to the south, HighlandSt. to the north, State Line Ave. to the west, and HohmanAve.to the Eastis receivinga survey.We hope to announcethe results at the June 14, 2021City CouncilMeeting. ROAD CLOSED -·~'I l LY: Thankyou for participating in your city government. VeryTruly Yours, * KENWOOD - - ~:::.. .LI~--­ r--- ThomasM. McDermott, Jr., Mayor PROPOSED STREET AND ALLEY CLOSURES  NO POSTAGE NECESSARY 1111 IF MAILED INTHE UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO 47 HAMMOND IN POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE CITY OF HAMMOND 5925 CALUMET AVE STE 115 HAMMOND IN 46320-9900 Pleasecompletethis surveyonline at gohammond.com/survey or fill out the attachedprepaidpostcard on the other side 111l11 11111•1 1•••1111 1 11••11 1•1ll11 1•••1111 llh•• 11•11•11111•11• 1. Whatbestdescribes your useof StateLine 5.HowoftendoyouutilizeStateLineAvenue Avenuefrom either Cleveland,Kenwood, Wildwood, fromCleveland,Kenwood, Wildwood, TheCityof Hammond PRESORTED STANDARD •5925CalumetAve or DetroitStreet:(Check allthatApply} orDetroitStreet? Hammond, IN46320 U.S. POSTAGE PAID • MJSS PRINT 0 I Don't AccessStateLineAvenuefrom those streets 0 Never ·-- •lnhell.ffU'I 0 To/FromWork 0 Oncea Month 0 VisitFamily 0 1-3TimesPerWeek 0 As a Cut-Through/Short-Cut 0 Oncea Day □ Recreation(bike,run, etc.) 0 More ThanOncea Day 0 Shopping/Visitinga Business 6.Howdoyoufeelaboutclosing accessto □ Other____________ _ StateLineAvenuefromyourneighborhood? 2.Areotherlocalroutes(165thSt.,Hohman Ave.,Highland St.) 0 StronglyAgreewith the Closure acceptable alternate routesif access to StateLineAvenue 0 SomewhatAgreewith the Closure isclosedfrom yourneighborhood? YES NO 0 Neutral/NoOpinionon the Closure 3. Doyoubelievedosingaccess to StateLineAvenuefrom 0 SomewhatDisagreewith the Closure Cleveland, Kenwood,andDetroitwill makethe neighborhood 0 StronglyDisagreewith the Closure Name quieter? YES NO 7. If youwouldliketo provide your Or Current Resident 4. Doyoubelieveclosingaccess to StateLineAvenuefrom address pleasedosohere:(Optional} Address Cleveland, Kenwood, andDetroitstreetswill makethe neighborhoodsafer? YES NO thissurveyonlineat Pleasecomplete City, State Zip gohammond.com/survey usingthe codebelowor fill outandmailthe attachedprepaidpostcard Response duebyJune1, 2021 ANONYMOUSCODE:541784