Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

[Music] Hallelujah. [Music] It is truly honored and a blessed to be here today to celebrate a friend, to recognize someone that has given so much of themselves for a number of years, not just to the city of Gary, but specifically to the Gary Community School Corporation and especially Westside Theater Guild. Um this just all you know a host of of emotions myriad of ideas and memories in this beautiful facility has been transformative and I'm grateful. So may this auditorium continue to be a place where creativity is born where voices are heard where the light of inspiration never dims. is written in Matthew 5:6, let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

I thank you all for this extraordinary honor. May God bless you. Did you know the city of Gary has a 311 app? You can report any non-emergency request right from your smartphone. Need help dealing with unfair landlords? Use the app. Girl, I just don't understand. I'm paying rent and my landlord isn't fixing any of the issues in this apartment. What should I do?

You know, you can report it on the Gary 311 app. Do you have it? What's that? Let me show you. Just go to your app store. Or maybe you need to request the birth certificate. Yeah, I can't find my birth certificate. Oh, it probably just got misplaced during the move. Actually, we can request the new one through the Gary 311 app. Okay, new technology. I'm in. Let me show you. And guess what? You can even report illegal dumping. Look at him. That's dumping his garbage on private property. Well, called him in 4K. You know, we can report them on the Gary 311 app and to GPD's text tip. That's good.

Never feel frustrated again about an issue. Use the Gary 311 app to report all your non-emergency needs. It's a free application that allows users to report community issues, pinpoint the location with GPS, attach photos, and more, all right from your smartphone. Download the Gary 311 app today. available on iOS and Android.

This is a very special day for the city of Gary to have this opportunity. Here is a historic city and it's truly a unique opportunity for us to be here. Almost 70 years ago on April 22nd, 1959, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was here to accept the key to the city from then mayor George Teres. Today, as mayor, I'm excited to welcome his daughter, Dr. Bernice King, to our city. She is a global thought leader, a peace advocate, and the CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolence, Social Change, the King Center, which was founded by her mother and is a legacy to her late father.

And nonviolence is first transformative for the self. So for all those who ever told you or if you believe that it doesn't work, if it doesn't work, it means that you didn't allow it to work on you first. As you change, you begin to become infectuous. I think that's what happened in the movement that my father led and why he was effective um in very challenging and difficult times. He immersed himself in nonviolence, not just something that he picked up as a tactic to be utilized in various campaigns and demonstration, but for him it was a way of life. Um, starting with the way you think. Um, and then it goes out into the way you speak, act, and engage. Uh, and so that's the work that we are doing at the King Center. It's very hard work and heart work, which means it takes much longer. um for people to get it and and um but I'm I'm committed um to carrying forth that part of his legacy.

What's up everybody? This is Mayor Eddie Melson of the great city of Gary, Indiana. And I have a brief message. Listen, the health and safety of Gary residents is and always will be my highest priority. That's why the city of Gary through the health department along with code enforcement, the building department and the fire department has taken firm and swift action against several food establishments and grocery stores have violated some very important safety standards. These temporary closures are part of a coordinated effort to raise expectations and hold businesses accountable. But let me be clear, none of these establishments have been permanently closed. None of them. Our goal is to not shut down businesses, but to ensure they correct violations and meet the standards our residents deserve. In some cases, temporary closure has been the only effective enforcement tool after repeated repeated wars. Our residents deserve to trust the businesses serving their food. That's something that's extremely passionate to myself and this administration. We will no longer tolerate establishments that cut corners or compromise the public health of this community. Fresh quality food and safe conditions are not optional. They are the standard. At the same time, we recognize that many of these establishments are vital shopping options for our residents in the great city of Gary, Indiana. That's why we're working hard every single day to ensure residents have access to food while these corrective actions are underway. The city has partner with GPTC, our public transportation system, to coordinate transportation to other grocery options across the city for free for Gary residents. We've also joined forces with Dr. Ellen Zaretta of Indiana University Northwest Center for Urban and Regional Excellence to study food deserts across

52 square miles and to develop a long-term solution to address this issue. That's something that we've been doing and working on for over a year. In addition, the city has funded the Gary Food Collective led by Linus, which is already providing fresh foods and resources to residents throughout the entire city. Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. We encourage residents to report health violations to the G health department and 9825565 or any building fire or code violations at 20981400. The city of Gary will not stop holding business accountable and we will work with them. I commend our hard staff working together collectively to protect the residents with stronger oversight and enforcement. We are making sure every establishment in our city meets the standards and the safety of cleanness and quality that our community rightly deserves and expects. So, as your mayor, I'm honored to come before you as we talk about some very critical issues and this is something that's going to be a priority in years to come. Thank you. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music]

[Music] It is truly honor and a blessing for you today to celebrate a friend, to recognize someone that has given much of themselves for a number of years, not just to the city of Gary, but specifically to Gary Community School Corporation and especially the Westside Theater Guild. Um, this just a host of of emotions, myriad of ideas and memories in this beautiful facility. It's been transformative and I'm grateful. So, may this auditorium continue to be a place where creativity is born, where voices are heard, where the light of inspiration never dims. And as is written in Matthew 5:6, let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

I thank you all for this extraordinary honor. May God bless you. Did you know the city of Gary has a 311 app? You can report any non-emergency request right from your smartphone. Need help dealing with unfair landlords? Use the app. Girl, I just don't understand. I'm paying rent and my landlord isn't fixing any of the issues in this apartment. What should I do?

You know, you can report it on the Gary 311 app. Do you have it? What's that? Let me show you. Just go to your app store. Or maybe you need to request the birth certificate.

Yeah, I can't find my birth certificate. one. Good morning. Uh, you wanting to run it? No, it's you.

It's me. Okay. They asked me to do this. So, good morning. Uh, welcome. You're doing it. You're presiding today. I'm I was asked to presside today. I thought we followed the protocol of the officers as we went down. I don't know. I don't know. Yeah, you can provide. Yes. Yeah, we're present. That's fine. Secretary, go ahead. Uh the G uh Board of Zoning Appeals is now in session. The first thing I think we need to do is have roll call. Uh Terrell Bonds, Florel Hawkins, uh Reverend Jones here, Tom Sarah here, David Faucet

here. So we'll show with three members present, we do have a quorum to conduct business. I think the next thing on the agenda is to have the approval of our minutes. the last meeting. I move to approve the minutes from August 14th, second for September, whatever it

has been moved and second that the minutes from our last session stands approve. Uh we have the next thing on the agenda. Let's take the vote on that to to approve because we got this the first and the second. What's the pleasure of the body? We need a vote, a second a motion. Yeah, we can do a roll call. All right. Uh, okay. Roll call for uh those in support of pass approving the minutes from last meeting. Uh, Reverend Jones. Yes. Uh, Mr. Sarah, yes. Mr. Faucet, yes. All right, we'll show the meeting minutes approved uh with the three to zero.

Let the record show that the minutes of the last meeting has been approved. The first item on the agenda is old business. There um I have it. Um there is um currently um no old business. We did have a continuation, but we're going to hear that under um the new business because we have new information.

Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the new business for public hearing petitions BCA 203531 special use for petition to allow for shortterm rental 8716 Pine Avenue. So do you do you want him to say about their choice? I'll say that. Okay. Go ahead.

So we just want to make it clear and public for the record that we have a quorum. However, the quorum is three of the total five members, which means in order for your petition to succeed and or fail, all of them have to agree entirely. So you have to have yes, yes, yes, or no, no, no. Um, and so that I want to open the floor to allow you to make the decision as to if you want to wait for a fourth or all five to be here or you can have the choice to move forward. It's up to you. I'm sorry. I don't understand the impact of that. So, I'd have to Everybody has to say yes or it fails. Yes.

Okay. Versus if there were five people here then Yeah. because three wins. Yeah. Okay. Uh, I'd like to go ahead. Okay. So, seeing as though we have um agreement from our petitioners to move forward, I will move into BZA 2025-31. This is a short-term rental from Emily uh Mariana

Moreno I I'm um and she's requesting a short-term rental at 8716 Pine Avenue. Um, so I would like to call her up and have her give us a brief understanding of what her project is. Thank you. Um, so if you can stand in front of the um, chair so that there we go. Oh, right.

Um, I'm the owner of this property which I p purchased and fully renovated as my primary residence in 20 in 2020. Uh, I live there full-time except for periods when I had to move out um, during the gut rehab. While the major improvements were completed, um unfortunately due to the CO 19 pandemic and involving work requirements, I was unable to continue occupying the property as planned. Um although my position is remote at my job, they would not let me move to Gary. They needed my presence in Chicago after CO. So because of that and because I had renovated this house is my primary residence. My goal was to be living here. um my um I was looking for a way to maintain the property so I could come back. My goal is actually to come back in um I'm hoping to leave the company in about two years and so when I leave then I can come here and so I needed a bridge to get from the requirement that I stay in Chicago right now to when I could come back to Miller to Gary pardon me. So, I'm seeking a special use permit to continue um a short-term rental lawfully until I'm able to return occupying the property as my primary residence within the next two to three years. Um I do believe that I um have responsible operation and of the property now and have considerable neighborhood consideration. Um I do put in things like you can't um I only rent to people who are renting three nights. They can't automatically book. I have to talk to them first because again I built this as my primary residence. I didn't build it as a rental. So I screen everybody who um is interested in the property and I think it actually hurts my rentals because I actually need to talk to them before they can come into my house. Right? So I do that not only for the preservation of the property but also the preservation of the neighborhood and my and um out of respect for my neighbors. Um, also I think that it's important to note that um it's not like I'm making money on this

property. I'm still paying for everything because it's only renting a few months in the summer, right? It's not renting the rest of the year and I'm actually here whenever I can be um balancing out my my um job responsibilities in Chicago. So my main goal is to maintain a safe and peaceful environment contestic with a characteristic of the neighborhood and I want to remain it to remain in excellent condition for when I return which is why I take all these safeguards. So, the hardships necessitating this request, the disruption of COVID uh 19 and the work requirements that I had to go back, financial assess uh necessity because if I didn't rent it out, I would have to sell the property and I don't want to do that and the intention to return to it as my primary residence because my long-term plans are here in Gary. So with these reasons, I respectfully request the approval of the special use permit so I may continue operating the property on an interim basis while maintaining while minimizing impacts on the neighborhood and complying with all the city regulations. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Moreno. Thank you. You can have a seat. Um, so Miss um Mareno has Yeah, we're going to open this.

Miss Mareno has um a few letters that were sent in. Um she has one from uh Miss Emily Liz Schultz. Um she said, "I live at 8733 across from 8716 Pine Avenue. While I'm not specific specifically objective to the application, I'm deeply concerned by the pro proliferary of short-term rentals on this block of Pine Avenue and Pine Alley. A new Airbnb on Pine Alley is in the works. Absentee owners and the church of shortterm rentals contributes to the loss of our close-knit community and our sense of neighborhood. There are qualities that attract us to our home on Pine Avenue. Renters come and go like ghosts after brief stays. Absentee owners lose control of activities at the rentals resulting in overcrowding party and noises. Stress on the city services like increased garbage parking and traffic affecting our quality of life. Pine Avenue and Pine Alley are damaged and deeply enroed. The careless behavior by short-term renters and their lack of preserving our beach and dunes environment has a negative impact on our community. With two existing short-term rentals and another one planned for this short block of Pine Avenue, I hope the BCA will take these issues into account when granting rentals in special use now and in the future. Um, this was dated for two days ago. That's why it's not in your uh packet.

We have heard uh the petitioner. We've heard staff. He's got We have more. Huh? We have more. There are more. Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry.

That's all right. Um then she has another one. It's uh to the zoning and this is from Nancy Conan. Um, she says, "I am not against Emily getting her petition for a variance from the zoning ordinance. She should be granted her special use to operate a short-term rental." Thank you. So for our recommendation um based upon the evidence presented and the findings of facts the zoning um administrator I recommend a favorable recommendation for the special use to allow short-term rentals at St. Joseph Street contingent. Oh, sorry. Pine Street

8716

8716 Pine Street for the record. Um, contingent upon the following conditions. Um, she shall the short-term rental must conform to all dimensional parking use standards for the R2 zone. The short-term rental shall operate strictly within the scope of approved use. Occupancy is limited to two persons per legal bedroom or otherwise determined by our regulations which is a two person off streetet parking spaces which she does have uh quiet hours which is also a um uh in our regulations. The property may not be used for events, parties or large gatherings without approval. Um the approval is subjected to an annual review and inspection just of any other type of business um for the city. Um and no exterior signage or advertising is permitted. The property must retain a residential appearance and non-compliance with any condition may result in suspension or revok the special use permit.

You finished? Thank you. We have uh heard uh staff's recommendation. I'm going to now open the public portion. Are there anyone speaking on behalf of BCA 25

20 2531. If there's any here, you may approach the mic and make your pleasures be known. See none and hear none. Positive for are there any that's against the proposal? Are there any against the proposal? Seeing none and hearing none, we will now close the public portion. Uh what is are there any questions from any of the commissioners?

Yes, I have one. Um how long is this uh usage for? How I mean how many is it going to be? Two months, three months. How long? Are you talking about the how long do I plan on keeping it rent as a rental? Yes, I think until two years. Um, two years is what I'm looking for because that's when I can I feel like I can leave my company every year. So, this will be two year. Yes. And to clarify, it's only rented during the summer and for the rest of the year. It's mostly me there. Um, so it's uh not as if I appreciate my neighbors commentary of the coming and going, but the coming and going happens in July. So, it's only you're going to rent for the summer. Yeah, it's when it rents

and then winter time. It's me there. I'm sorry. You're only going to rent for the summer and then the winter time you're going to be there. To clarify, it's available. You're going to have different renters each summer.

To clarify, it's a short-term rental. It's available all year round. However, the market only is interested in renting in the summer. So, the short-term rentals, meaning like with Airbnb and VBO, uh there's a minimum of a three night stay. Um I think Gary allows single night stay. Um, but I have elongated it to three nights to make sure that um, well to screen and make sure that there are people who aren't throwing a party and who are respecting my home and the neighborhood.

Okay, we have heard the petition. Uh, now I want to ask for the pleasure of the board to approve or disapprove. Thank you, Miss Mareno. I move to uh approve the request. Second. It has been moved and second for the approval. A roll call council. Uh point of clarification. Uh the uh administrator had said she recommended approval with conditions. Are we just doing an approval of recommend a favorable recommendation or a favorable recommendation with conditions?

Let me speak. I actually Sorry. Um I already have posted one of the things that you had mentioned was quiet hours. Um my tenants have to agree to quiet hours. It's already posted and it's something that I communicate with them before they come. Um another thing that she was talking about was parking, off streetet parking. I have that as well. I think there was a third thing. Um favorable with approval. That's okay. Um I you know I'm going to modify my motion to say I just for clarification the crazy the unique part about it is miss uh Marino

Mareno actually presented this these regulations by the state that she follows that are aligned in shortterm rentals that we should utilize too and I thought it was very unique because that's why I added those as conditions. and that was a part of her summary. So she this was her thing. Good. So then I'll I'll modify it to uh uh approve the appeal uh the request uh with the staff restrictions. Recommendations. Recommendations. You've heard the motion.

Uh we moved and second and modified. Uh we roll. Roll call. Roll call council. Right. Uh, Reverend Jones, yes. Uh, Mr. Sarah, yes. Mr. Faucet, yes. So, we'll show by vote of three to zero. Uh, this recommend this will receive favorable recommendation with conditions. Thank you. Next item on the agenda.

So, next we have uh petition BZA-2 2025-32. Um, it's by James and Angela Smith, and they too are requesting a a special use for a short-term rental. Um, I would like to bring uh the petitioner to give us a synopsis of our project. Thank you for having me. Um, I'm Andre Smith. I'm here for approval of a special unit specialized variance for my short-term rental. I lived in the Miller section of Gary my entire life, which is about 40 years, 47 years. Uh, my family and I currently live at the house that I actually grew up in. And about 10 years ago, my husband and I bought the vacant land across the street from the house that I live in right now.

Um, and we actually bought him from the family of the late Dr. Alfonso holiday, hence a holiday house.

Um, in 22, I was wanting to be, you know, have a more flexible schedule, be home with the kids. So, we had built a house that I could manage as a short-term rental um as my full-time job. Uh, with this business, I focus on being a very respectful, responsible host. Um, along with being a respectful neighbor. Um, I do this care by carefully screening my guests and making sure they follow house rules like where to park, no parking on the street, the quiet hours, um, and the max number of guests allowed at the house. All of my surrounding neighbors, if they don't know me, like as a being a little kid, um, they know who I am and they know how to get a hold of me if, you know, they need me. I am also one of those neighbors because I live across the street from my own rental. Um, I also meticulously care for the interior and exterior exterior of this house. My husband can probably say I'm more over that house, you know, than my normal house. Um, let's see. This house um has given a people a place to stay if they're in town visiting family that live in the area. they attend weddings and have weddings in the area and if they're going to visit the national park um eating and shopping locally in the area and then of course experiencing the beautiful beaches. Um I've enjoyed being able to help some of our community organizations um as well like donating stays for the fundraisers um put on by the Northwest Indiana Meals on Wheels and the Aquatorium as well. also the Miller Mill Miller Theater Group and also for Gary Political Candidate. Um they have had events there.

I've also supported the arts district and the Frisbee golf course that is there in Marquette Park. Now I believe you know my STR along with the others can have um positive effects um for this welcoming and very diverse community but as long as they're managed properly. Um, and that's why I appreciate the city putting these ordinances in place. Um, and everyone at zoning going through this whole process has been very helpful to me and my husband and I appreciate that. Thanks. Thank you, Mis.

You're welcome. You can have a seat. Thank you so much. Um, Miss Smith has some um letters that came in for her. Um, first she has the one from Stacy New House. New House.

Thank you. To whom it may concern, my name is Stacy New House. I live at 8237 Lakes Shore. I live across the street from Angie and Jim's beautiful short-term rental. I am in full support of their special use variance. The construction of this home has been a great addition to the community. It is incredibly maintained and have I have witnessed great in guests enjoy both the beach and the businesses here in Gary. Thank you. Next we have one from Jim. Oh Joshua Jim off I am Joshua. Stop. Yeah.

Say it again. Stoper again. Stuffer again. Okay.

I am writing this letter in support of Angie and Jim's special use permit. The house was used to the house used to be my mother's and father's when the connection of the Gary Maine sanitary line was being repaired. My father was disabled and needed access to running water for health reasons. They are longtime Gary residents. At 11:37 St. Joseph Street in Gary, Indiana. Please use this letter as support for approval for the special use variant for Angie and Jim's Holiday House. Next, we have Jen Akamora to whom it may concern. The purpose of this note, it expressed that I am in support of the special use variance for the holiday house located on St. Joseph Lakesure Drive in Gary. As a lifelong resident, I ha I have known the owner Angie. Smith for many years. From my experience, Miss Smith has always been a responsible citizen, a good neighbor, maintaining her personal property, well care, and respect. I also serve as a director of development of Meals on Wheels, which operates 10 routes in the city of Gary, feeding hundreds of our most vulnerable Gary residents. This past spring, Angie generously donated a weekend stay at the holiday house to be used as a live auction item at our annual fundraiser. As a result, $2,500 was raised for the Meals on Wheels mission. Thank you for your time and consideration. Lastly, we have Renee Martin. We are writing in support of application by James and Angela Smith for a variance for short-term rental. We live at 8307 Lakeshore Drive, two houses to the east of the Smith residence and diagonal from the subjected rental house at 1164 St.

Joseph Street. The rental house was beautiful, beautifully built and is professionally operated by the Smiths. The rental house has caused no adverse situations in the neighborhood. It adds value to the Miller Beach community and allow outsiders to experience the beautiful Lake Michigan. So, as you can see from your packet, um, Miss uh, Mr. and Mrs. Smith had some um, errors for with repairs as far as their inspection. However, all of those pairs repairs have been remediated. Um, however, they were mediated before, well, they remediated after you got your petition packets. Um, so just for clarification, the plan the zoning department does recommend um, favorable as she has um, gone the mile to complete every single infraction that um, is shown up in your um, packet. Um, we also would like to extend those same conditions. Um, short-term rental must conform to all dimensional parking and use standards. The short-term rental operates strictly within the scope of approved special use. Any changes in use ex expansion requires a review. Um, and all occupancy is limited to two persons per legal bedroom or otherwise determined by the bill department. Off streetet parking per per renter room or unit must be provided. Quiet hours um and daily communication to guests is in advance. Um the property may not be used for events, parties or large gatherings. Um number eight is a local 24-hour emergency contact must be given which was in her own recommendation. Um, the approval is subjected to annual review and or all inspections by the building

zone department and no exterior commercial signage or advertising is permitted. The property must retain a residential appearance. Non-compliance with any of these conditions may result in suspension or revoke of the special use permit. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, we've heard staff's recommendation. We are now going to open the public portion. Are there any that wish to speak for or against this petition? Are there any that wishes to speak for or against this petition? Last time. Seeing none, hear none, we will now. Are there any questions? No questions.

Public post is closed. No questions from the commissioners. The chair will entertain a motion. I'll be happy to move to approve this request uh with the staff conditions. Second or move. It has been moved and second. Roll call. Council. Reverend Jones. Yes. Mr. Sarah. Yes. Mr. Faucet. Yes. So by vote of three to zero. Uh this receives a favorable recommendation with conditions. Okay. Thank you. God bless you. The uh motion is carried. And do we have anything else on the agenda? Favorable.

We do have director's comment next. If you want the agenda next director's comment. the director's right at the bottom. Director's comment. Thank you, Miss Sharp.

You're welcome. Good morning, board members. Uh, thank you for being here this morning. I just wanted to provide a couple updates for you um, regarding comprehensive plan and new zoning code. The comprehensive plan was presented to the city council on Tuesday and it was sent to the uh planning and development committee. They are meeting in the evening 5:30 next Wednesday. Uh and then if it comes out of committee, it will make its way for final approval to the city council uh at their second meeting in October. And then uh as um we have been working through the comprehensive plan, our team including attorney Marco Molina and Salona here have uh we've all been working on rewriting the zoning code. So a brand new zoning code book. Um our plan commission is going to meet October 23rd at 3M. This is

3:30.

3:30. Thank you. It is it is a revised date from our normal uh meeting time. Normally we would have met next Thursday but we are changing that to the 23rd so that we can make a full presentation of the new draft zoning code. Our intentions is to use that meeting as a conversation and an introduction of the zoning code. We will then take the next month to um take feedback casually uh and then in November we'll make a formal presentation to the plan commission again uh for the zoning code with a public hearing assigned to that. So those are our plans going forward. That doesn't mean that we're done because um Dr. Martin here has been working on our new zoning map that will align with the new code and then she's also been working on a new address management system that will tie together with the zoning map. So, we'll still have a series of of approvals to go after this. I encourage you to attend our plan commission meeting if you're available so that you can also be a part of the of the process. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Sharp. Thank you. Also, uh, your name is serious. Uh, Dr. Martin. Uh, is there anything else on the Oh, let me I stopped by your office and I picked up the comprehensive plan and uh I think Mike brought it down to me. You was at lunch. You're tied up in a meeting, but I really appreciate that. I appreciate reading over it. One thing that struck me was that any new construction will have to sort of blend in with the surrounding standing constructions and I think that's a good idea. Uh, someone purchased some land across in front of my house. Neighborhood chatter says she want to put a small house or tiny house or whatever you call them, but those are standard homes that we live in. And I will wondering what is the next step to go to to find out about that.

Uh the comprehensive plan is a land use vision. It's very high level. Um what you're referring to is uh the actual development standards which is written into our zoning code. Currently our zoning code has a minimum square footage of 1,200 square ft for the house. Uh and so uh the any tiny home today is not allow not permitted in in the standards. Thank you. You're welcome.

That's good. Thank you, Miss Sharp. So if there is nothing else on our agenda today, the chair would call for adjoinment. I'll second that adjournment. I can't make the motion, but we'll call that move. I'll make a motion. I'll second it. So we are joined for today. Thank you. Thank you.

Congratul [Music] [Music] [Music] It's truly honored and a blessing to be here today to celebrate a friend, to recognize someone that has given so much of themselves for a number of years, not just to the city of Gary, but specifically to Gary Community Corporation and especially the Westside Theater Hill.

Um this there's just all a host of of emotions, myriad of ideas and memories in this beautiful facility. It's been transformative and I'm grateful. So may this auditorium continue to be a place where creativity is born, where voices are heard, where the light of inspiration never dims. And as written in Matthew 5:6, let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

I thank you all for this extraordinary honor. May God bless you. Did you know the city of Gary has a 311 app? You can report any non-emergency request right from your smartphone. Need help dealing with unfair landlords? Use the app. Girl, I just don't understand. I'm paying rent and my landlord isn't fixing any of the issues in this apartment. What should I do? You know, you can report it on the Gary 311 app.

Do you have it? What's that? Let me show you. Just go to your app store. Or maybe you need to request the birth certificate. Yeah, I can't find my birth certificate. Oh, it probably just got misplaced during the move. Actually, we can request a new one through the Gary 311 app. Okay, new technology. I'm in. Let me show you. And guess what? You can even report illegal dumping. Look at him just dumping his garbage on private property. Well, call him in 4K. You know, we can report them on the Gary 311 app and to GPD's text tip. That's good.

Never feel frustrated again about an issue. Use the Gary 311 app to report all your non-emergency needs. It's a free application that allows users to report community issues, pinpoint the location with GPS, attach photos, and more, all right from your smartphone. Download the Gary 311 app today. available on iOS and Android.

This is a very special day for the city of Gary to have this opportunity. Here he is a historic city and it's truly a unique opportunity for us to be here. Almost 70 years ago on April 22nd, 1959, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was here to accept the key to the city from then mayor George Tacher. Today, as mayor, I'm excited to welcome his daughter, Dr.