City Council

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL JULY 26, 2021 The regular meeting of the Hammond Common Council of the City of Hammond, Lake County, Indiana was held on July 26, 2021 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 Katrina Alexander ROLL CALL PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel ELECTRONICALLY PRESENT: None ABSENT: None TOTAL: 9 MAYOR'S ADDRESS Mayor McDermott- Nice to see you all after the Festival. It's good to see everybody back. I don't have a lot to report today so I imagine it should be rather quick. If you have any questions, obviously, I'm available. As you all know, after the last report, we were going right into the Festival of Lakes and we have gross revenues that I could report, record-setting gross revenues. We sold over seven ... well, first off, total gross revenue in the entire festival was over 2 million dollar~ for the first time ever, which is pretty incredible. $715,000 in VIP experience ticket sales alone, over $500,000 in alcohol sales on 6 nights. $125,000 on Sunday alone, Los Tucanes De Tijuana. I think it's the biggest show I've ever seen out there. I don't know if we've ever had more people than that in any event we've ever held. $315,000 in parking fees, $310,000 in sponsorship monies, over $150,000 in carnival proceeds, other miscellaneous revenues of course, but it's pretty incredible. Obviously, it's expensive to put that on. I don't have that information available at this time. I can tell you that the most parking fees, the night of the most parking fees was Sunday, Los Tucanes De Tijuana. The most alcohol sales on one night was also on Sunday, which is was Los Tucanes De Tijuana. The most VIP experience sales was Saturday night, Sammy Hagar, and the most total revenue that we made in one evening was Saturday night. We had a really big ticket sale for Saturday night and a big crowd. Whereas Sunday was a massive crowd, not a lot of presale tickets, but a lot of game day show ups. It was incredible. We had relatively minor, you know, incidents, nothing major at all. I know after the first night we had some parking issues in the neighborhoods and we talked ...the crew together, and we talked and made a promise to Councilman Mark a long time ago that we're going to minimize the effects on the neighborhoods. I got a lot of complaints after Tuesday night and then we realized a lot of the times we are protecting the neighborhoods with Hammond College Bound kids and we changed that and made it uniformed police officers and I think that sort of went away. Obviously, Councilman Mark would probably be able to shed light on that. During the Festival we did a ribbon cutting for UniFii:st in North Hammond. It's a multi-million dollar project. It's a relocation from Hammond's 2nd District. Not because of anything in the 2nd District, it's because they outgrew their space. They were literally landlocked between the railroad tracks on Calumet Avenue. They moved to a piece of land that's been vacant as long as I can remember, Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 1 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26, 2021 MAYOR'S ADDRESS cont. Mayor McDermott cont- and retained 100% of their employees and they even picked up a couple dozen new full-time hires. It's state of the art,brand-new. It's like a dry cleaner but like massive scale. They do the Steel Mill, Cleveland Cliffs. They do just big customers and it's like assembly line. It's really incredible. I did the tour afterwards. So anyway, that's good news. And we did another, obviously a very big ribbon cutting across the street last week on the hundred brand new 100 million dollar Hammond Central High School and as you all know there's tours after that as well. It's a massive labyrinth. I was getting lost just trying to find my way out of there. The old Hammond High is in the process of being demolished across the street. I'm sure you're all aware of that. I'm saying it more for the people that are at home watching right now. The building is currently coming down as we speak. I know the students are set to start in a couple of weeks at Hammond Central which is great. I think they're very lucky. It's a beautiful school. They did a great job. Updates on previously covered topics, water ligation. I don't know if you guys have been paying attention to the paper but all the cities that sued us initially are all coming around and signing the settlement agreement at this point. We have Highland has already signed on to th~ settlement agreement. Griffith already signed on to settlement agreement. Munster already signed on to the settlement agreement. Whiting already signed on to the settlement agreement. Obviously, Hammond Council by passing the wholesale Ordinance made that all possible. Dyer is the only hold out right now and they're not holding out. It's a complicated relationship, because Dyer gets their water through Highland and they needed Highland to approve it before Dyer could approve it. So we expect Dyer to soon approve it as well and then the process of trueing up begins immediately. So, all the communities that have been buying water at .46 per thousand gallons all year have to true up going back to January 1si_And basically, they doubled their rate. So, the Hammond Water Company is in for, you know, a couple of million dollars extra then they're probably anticipating which is a good problem for them to have, they have a lot of work to do. Speaking of the Hammond Water Department, you'll notice the water tower on Columbia and 165th is very close to being done. It's completely painted. It's already been primed. I've been watching every step of the way, along with a lot of other people paying attention. It's beautiful, almost done, so I'm looking forward to that. Special events committee, we're pretty much wrapping up for the summer after the fest. You know, we're all pretty spent. A lot of people are on vacation right now but we do have the WHAM coming up August 7th and 8th . Which is also the same weekend as Beatles Fest Downtown. Beatles Fest isn't a city event, it's a private event, But it is going on Downtown Hammond this year, so that's the same weekend as WHAM. So that's my report. I don't know if anybody has any questions for me? Councilman Emerson- Is the final color going to be blue on the new water tower? Mayor McDermott"' Yes, sir. It's going to be blue like the other with the College Bound Logo on the outside of it. You'll see the College Bound Logo go on next, but if you seen the ones in the 4th or in Hessville, they will all look the same. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 2 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26. 2021 READING OF THE MINUTES Councilman Spitale, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to accept the minutes from July 12, 2021 and place on file. ROLL CALL VOTE (approve minutes) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS: None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MINUTES APPROVED APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Councilman Rakos, supported by Councilwoman Venecz, moved to approve the claims from July 7, 2021 through July 21 , 2021. Claim #3404 through #3641, inclusive. Councilman Kalwanski, supported by Councilman Emerson, moved to amend in claim: #3642 Knights Of Columbus Common Council $100.00 ROLL CALL VOTE (amendment) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 CLAIMS 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) Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 3 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26, 2021 PUBLIC HEARINGS None COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Tyler- I just want to go on record to announce that the Hammond City Council is sponsoring a Back-to-School Giveaway in partnership with family and friends of Northwest Indiana and the First Tee of Lake County, that will be on Sunday, August 15th from 1-4 at the Hammond Sportsplex. All our children are welcome to attend. We'll also be giving out free haircuts and we're also in the process of securing either back to school physicals or sports physicals to be given, more information on that. But once again, that Back-to-School Giveaway is Sunday, August 15th at the Hammond Sportsplex from 1-4 p.m. Councilman Tyler- I want to just give thoughts and prayers to the family of Antoine McGee, his funeral is Thursday at the Sportsplex at 10 a.m. He was a former football player of mine. Product of the School City of Hammond, a product of Hammond, and lost his life tragically last weekend. So I just want to express that sentiment for the family. I know he was related to a lot of people in the City of Hammond. A lot of people are feeling this. He was just an overall good man. So said to hear that news, but just want to encourage his family. COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Improvement Board - Councilwoman Venecz-There was no meeting on July 19th due to no pending business. The next meeting will be August 2nd here in the Council Chambers. Community and Crime Watch Committee - Councilwoman Venecz- Wed., August 111\ Community Watch at Mt. Zion Pleasant View Plaza; 2:00p.m. Edison Community Watch; September Irving Community Watch; September Thur., August 191\ Hessville C.W; Jean Shepherd Center; 6 p.m. Thurs., August 12; Whiting-Robertsdale C.W.; Whiting Mascot Hall of Fame; 6:30 p.m. Councilwoman Venecz- I'm assuming, because I haven't heard anything differently, that Whiting-Robertsdale will resume their meetings at Calumet College in September once they get the go ahead. Coming up on August 3rd, National Night Out in Hammond will be celebrated from 7 to 9pm. This year, we're doing something a little bit different given the events of the past year and a half and the uncertainty of the future, we didn't want to plan a big event. So, what we decided to do was go back to where National Night started 37 years ago and asking that everyone turn on your porch light between 7 and 9 p.m. Sit on your front porch, visit with neighbors, and watch for the Hammond Police to drive up and down street. I talked to Chief Short and he's agreed to put some extra patrols on the street that night. So they can make contact with the residents in the neighborhoods. And the residents will get to know the police officers patrolling their neighborhoods. So, that is Tuesday, August 3rd 7-9 p.m. You don't have to go to very far, it's right on your front porch. And when you see the police officers, please stop them and say hello and thank them for their service. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 4 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26, 2021 ORDINANCE 3RDREADING- FINAL PAS SAGE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 21-25 Reclassifying Certain Lands in the City of Hammond for Zoning purposes and Amending Ordinance No. 8514 for Property commonly known as 5047 Columbia Avenue Sponsored by Pete Torres & Petitioned by Nau Property, LLC Councilman Torres, 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 Committee Meeting on August 9th, 2021 at 5:15p.m. and an Intent to Consider on August 91\ 2021. Councilman Torres- This Ordinance is to add an addition at Machine Works at 5047 Columbia Avenue. They've been there awhile. They've been in existence for 113 years, since 1908, and t]:ley've been at that location for 60 years. They do railroad car parts. This addition will give them an optic laser steel machine. So that the can comply with new regulations and making their parts. They've been trying to get this passed for two and a half years and they would like to break ground as quickly as they can. ROLL CALL VOTE (1st & 2nd) A YES: Alexander, Spitale; Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MOTION CARRIED RESOLUTIONS None NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Rakos-I would like to make a motion as follows, Common Council expresses it's appreciation to Ron Lu bas and Jorge Bautista for their service for many years as appointees of the Council to the Hammond Electrical Contractors Board and the Council's confidence that they will continue to serve as members of the Board. And two, that there appears to be a typographical error in the documents showing the last re-appointment of Jorge Bautista to the board, although it was clearly intended by the council that the appointment was for the full two-year term, was written that his term expires in the year 2021, rather than 2023. The Council orders that such document be corrected to show the correct date of the expiration of the two-year term, April 25, 2022. Three, that Jorge Bautista is hereby re-appointed to the Hammond Electrical Contractors Board for a two-year term which terminates April 25, 2023. Councilman Tyler second the motion. Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 5 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26, 2021 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS cont. ROLL CALL VOTE (re-appointment) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MOTION CARRIED Councilwoman Alexander- I have the updated COVID numbers and vaccine numbers from last meeting for our COVID numbers. For 46320 we have additional 4 cases; 46327, we have an additional Ocases; 46323, we have an additional 4 cases; 46324, we have an additional 9 cases; 46394, we have an additional 3 cases; that's an additional 20 cases from our last meeting. Truly hope that this is a sign that people are taking the vaccinations and things like that. Just looking at our vaccine numbers for 46320 we have 282, new fully vaccinated residents in that area which gives us up to 39.3% which is an increase of 2.5%. For 46327, an additional 328 are fully vaccinated taking us to 37.7% which is an increase of 3.4%. For 46323, 649 residents are fully vaccinated taking it to 41.5% which is a 2.1 % increase. For 46324, 345 new fully vaccinated residents taking us to 42% increase making of 3.3%. And for 46394, 231 are now fully vaccinated making it a total of 45.2 % which is a 2.1 % increase of fully vaccinated residents. We're getting to a new mark. I'm looking forward to peop"legetting more vaccinated, especially with school approaching, especially with the new Delta variant out there. Make sure people are continuing to be safe and we'll look at what the numbers are going to be in the next 2 weeks. Councilman Tyler- I believe I misspoke earlier under Communications. The funeral for Antwon McGee is at the Civic Center not the Sportsplex. PUBLIC EXPRESSION No one spoke Councilwoman Venecz, supported by Councilman Spitale, moved to adjourn. ROLL CALL VOTE (adjourn meeting) AYES: Alexander, Spitale, Venecz, Kalwinski, Torres, Tyler, Emerson, Rakos, Woerpel NAYS:None ABSENT: None Motion carried 9/0/0 MEETING ADJOURNED Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 6 MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL cont. JULY 26. 2021 2021 HAMMOND COMMON COUNCIL ATTENDANCE RECORD OF ELECTRONIC AND PHYSICAL PRESENCE May June uly Aug 5ept Oct Nov Dec 24 14 28 12 26 9 23 13 27 25 8 22 13 27 Katrina Alexander p p p p p )an Spitale p p p p p a net Venecz p p p p p Mark Kalwinski E p p p p Pete Torres p p p p p Barry Tyler E p E p p Bill Emerson p p p p p Scott Rakos p p p p p )ave Woerpel p p p p p Initials RJG tt.Sff eJt RJG ~ pJrw E===ELECTRONIC PRESENT P===PHYSICALLY A===ABSENT If the member qualifies for an exemption from the "Consecutive - SO" requirements, draw a circle around the E for that meeting/ member. Dave Woe i, President Hammond Common Council ~~~ RobertJ.Golc,Cit Clerk Time: 6:25 dw Prepared by Robert J. Golec Hammond City Clerk 7