City Council - Regular Meeting

Americal God, our father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for um getting us into a new year. Continue to cover and keep each and one of our residents. Continue to cover our police and our fire. And we thank you on all these things. Continue to guide us as we continue to do your will in Jesus name. Amen. Clerk Golic roll call. Alexander. Spatelli here. Venez here. Gowinski here. Selenus here. Tyler here. Emerson

here. Rake here. Warpel here. Let the record show nine present, zero absent. Item number three, mayor's address.

All right. Thanks, Councilman Warp. Happy New Year, everybody. Welcome back after a long break. Uh it's good to see you all. Um I just have basically a summary of my schedule over the past couple weeks. It's been dominated by one story that's been going throughout the media. I obviously I've been bouncing as a result of that. So you'll notice a certain theme, but attended Northshore Health C Center's Winter Wonderland employee dinner in Portage. That was right after Christmas. Uh as you all know, we have a Northshore Health Center located in Hammond's third district adjacent to the Hammond Sportslex. It's a great option for people that have health issues. They don't want to go to a hospital. Uh they do have doctors, great location for dental work and things of that nature. So, it was nice to see them, be invited there. Um I had to drive out to Portage. So, lunch with Mayor Speedbar from the city of Wining talking about ongoing issues between our cities. Meeting with personnel and code enforcement leadership regarding employee situation. I've uh talked to some of the council members about this situation. It's pretty pretty bad situation, but uh we're handling it the right way as you all imagine. Um I wasn't able to attend this, but I did want to recognize publicly that Andrea Edwards had a retirement party. I wasn't able to be there, but I just wanted to say thank you to Andrea for spending her career with the city of Hammond most of her career, if not all of her career, right in this building. Uh she was the office manager of the inspections department and is retiring after spending her career working for us. So congratulations, Andrea, on your announcement. We're going to miss you. Met with Milin and Jeff from the Hammond Sanitary District. Talk about open operator positions within the Hammond Sanitary District. I'm noticing these jobs are harder to fill. And it's amazing to me because they're great jobs. Uh they're shift work, so that makes them harder to fill internally. So, I'm asking the council people if you have anybody that wants to work some shift work. When you get qualified in these positions, you can make six figures uh with little with just a little bit of overtime. You will work

shifts though, but it's a great career. Usually people that go there stay there their whole career. So we do have operator positions that are open in the Hammond water department, the Hammond sanitary district. We're filling them, but it seems like those jobs don't fill as easily as other jobs that we have. So if you have anybody in mind that is willing to work at one of our utilities working, uh please get their names to us. We have to get them certified. So, um, interviewing, oh, interviewed by journalist Brian Howey in regards to the possibility of the Bears moving to Hammond, Indiana. Met with Mr. Amit Patel. He's a developer that wants to put a RV and boat storage park on the 3500 block of Sheffield. Uh, you guys probably I think this issue came before you or you've been briefed about it. It's fell off track a little bit. I know Councilman Mark's been talking a lot with Mr. Patel. Uh, I think the city and Mr. and Patel are back on the same page and I anticipate this project to start moving again. It's a really cool project. Uh located just south of Wolf Lake before it was cool to locate there. So, um he's uh if all this other stuff goes down that's being talked about in the newspaper, he's going to be in a really good position and he was out there before any of this talk started. So, congratulations to Mr. Prattel. Hopefully, we have new neighbors for you. But uh you guys will see that uh that development coming before you soon. So uh met with Cody Detaltimore. He's a developer from Crownpoint with CD Development about the possibility of opening two new restaurants in Hammond's third district adjacent to the Hammond Sportslex. I think if this goes forward the way we anticipate, everybody will be very happy. But it's probably too early to talk about it. if the council person wants to talk to me off the record. I'm willing to talk about this, but I don't want to say it publicly because when you do that, these deals fall apart. So, I'm just going to keep it quiet and we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that this heads in the right direction.

Met with the managing editor of the Northwest Indiana Times. Actually, he's the managing editor of dozens and dozens of newspapers, but he's stationed out of Northwest Indiana, Mark Chase. Caught up with him. It's always nice to talk. met with chancellor of Purdue Northwest to get an update on the newest dorm project and the f future growth plans of PNW's Hammond campus. They're building a new dorm. It's coming up right there uh really close to where I live. They are their dorms are full. This new one they're building is going to be full and they anticipate building two more dorms, which is excellent news. They're growing like crazy at Purdue Northwest. Obviously, that's great for our city. So, it's good to hear from Chancellor Holford. seems like their sports programs are going really well. They got big plans and it's exciting to hear about what's going on in that part of our city. So interviewed by ABC reporter John Garcia from ABC Channel 7 News in Swingers Bar at the Hammond Sportslex in regards to the possibility of the Bears moving to Hammond. Attended our Hammond Police Department monthly captain's meeting where we discussed crime stats, emerging trends, and personnel matters. Uh, as you all know, we recently had not really a change of command ceremony. Uh, Chief Andy Short is the co-chief along with Chief Jeff Long, who's the co-chief. We also had another retirement in the uh, CD division, which is uh, the detectives bureau. Um, that's uh, Captain Chris God is captain of C. And we also have at the same time as Captain Zeke Kohosa who's transitioning out. Uh Zeke and Andy have only a few months left. So they're going to be turning over in the meantime. And I didn't want to demote either of them because I thought that was disrespectful. So Jeff Long is co-chief along with Captain God in the inspections in the uh detectives bureau until about April. So congratulations everybody. A lot going on in the police department. attended

Northwest Indiana Forum's legislative reception in Indianapolis. Went there with the chief of staff Scott Miller. I know Ann and Juan were there from economic development. I have to say the only thing that people are talking to us about is the Chicago Bears. It's it's unbelievable. Um Ann didn't make matters any easier because she was wearing Bears pants to the event. So, but everybody was talking to us about it. It's a buzz across the region right now and uh it's exciting down in Indianapolis to hear legislators come up and ask us if this is true. You know, it seems like a lot of people are on board with this downstate. Um held a meeting in the mayor's office with a developer that's planning to open a dairy bell in the Robertdale section of Hammond and also uh adjacent to a laundromat. Uh that's pretty awesome proposal. I love Dairbell. Uh I love it. expanding its presence in our city. Councilman Mark, I'm not sure if you know, but Derryville is pretty popular in the fourth district. So, I imagine it's going to take over in the first as well. So, uh I don't I don't think that's 100% of solid yet, but it's really interesting to hear about the proposal. I think it's a really nice one. Interview by Gary Dick of the Inside Indiana Business in Indianapolis studio in regards to the possibility of the Bears moving to Hammond, Indiana. Received an update from the Hammond city engineer regarding quiet zones in the city. This is something that interests quite a few of you. We were quoted numbers predicting the cost for each quiet zone we seek across the city of Hammond. It's uh going to be expensive, but that's not going to stop us. But to give you an idea uh what we're quoting the IHB line in downtown Hammond affects mostly the residents of the Renaissance Towers. We're looking at the IHB right there uh right by Renaissance. So I guess that's Seoul and Willow Court. All right. the Norfolk Southern line in downtown. Also, the Norfolk Southern line at Sibi is a problem because of the

way the line crosses the street goes diagonally, which is going to cost us more money. So, we got that issue and we got Norfolk Southern Line in Hesville as well as where it crosses at Kennedy, 169th, Arizona, and Parish. Uh, no, excuse me, and 173rd and Grand. Parish is going to be closed under Governor's Parkway Bridge once that's completed. um that is going to be expensive, but that's what we're looking at right now for quality of life issues. Okay. Norfolk southern line downtown is uh annoying, wakes up people, especially through Husville. The IHB line in downtown is reres havoc on the residents of Renaissance. It's happening way too long. We have so many crossings, it's going to be expensive, but this is something the capital improvements is looking at to try to get going across the city of Hammond. I think it's a good project. It's just an expensive project. Uh, last but not least, met with Councilman Selenus and a gentleman named Rago Carrera, who's a developer in our city in regards to a proposal to open an event space on 1400 Michigan Avenue. I think it was a very productive meeting. I imagine you guys will be seeing this project come before you soon. That's all I have unless you all have any questions.

Hi, Councilman Kinsky. Hi, Councilman. Any new data center?

No, but I thank you for the question. As you all remember, last time we all got together, we extended the data center development agreement between us and Dennial uh another two months. Um Dennial was extremely pleased and they feel like they're real close. That's the last I heard. Councilman Mark, uh in the meantime, uh Amazon just closed a mega deal in Hobert. They secured their NIPCO and I think city of Hobert over the next couple years is going to get over hundred million dollars from Amazon because they made that deal. But all the elected officials may lose their job. So it's interesting because Hbert doesn't it's a very controversial topic in Hbert. In Hammond it's much easier because we're located our data center on a plot that was once occupied by a coal plant. So, it's a lot easier when replacing a coal plant with a data center than it is replacing farmland with a data center. But I think Mayor Josh and his team did a great job. But I'm still waiting to hear good news, Councilman Mark. And when I when I do, I promise you I'll I'll include you all in that. Any other questions? In regards to the topic I keep bringing up, I think it makes tons of sense for the Bears to locate to Indiana. They'll save 30 $40 million every year building a3 billion dollar stadium in Indiana. Obviously, I'm I'm partial to Hammond. We're close. We have the room. Um I think it's a great opportunity for Hammond to completely redefine who we are as a city. So, any talk like this has got to be taken seriously. I hear a lot of people tell me how stupid I am. You're so stupid. You're dumb. I can't believe you're falling for this. What am I supposed to do as mayor? If you got an opportunity to bring $3 billion of development into your city, it could be a long shot. But what if it's not? And what if I just was as jaded as half the people that live in our region are and I just didn't go after opportunities like this. So any mayor worth their salt

would be doing everything they can right now to close this deal. And I promise you I am also. So and I have a great team and I think we're doing a great job for our city. So does anybody else have any questions? Mayor. Um, oh, the next item on our agenda, we're gonna elect a new president and a new vice president. And I just wanted to say that I think the first time I did this was 2020. It was.

And I'll never forget that day in January or was it February where you called me and said, "We're shutting down the city." And he asked that night if you could speak in front of the council. and we've done it ever since then. And I get all kinds of people saying that it's one of their favorite things we do nowadays. So, I want to thank you for your reports every every meeting and I hope they continue because the pe the residents love them and I just want

thank you for doing them. I'm one of the only mayors of class two city that does this and I'm doing it because I was asked to by you originally and it still went on and I do think it's a good forces me to gather my thoughts once every two weeks and put it all on paper and and actually it sort of keeps a good record because all of it's saved in here. So if I want to look at what I was doing five years ago on this day and I could pull it up real easy because it's all located here. But I appreciate you guys and I you know I do say this a lot. There's a lot going on in the city of Hammond right now and you I can't do it without a good council worker with me. That's a fact. So, I know that sometimes we all get fired up and we're hating on each other, but the bottom line is I think we're very functional and we get stuff done and I appreciate you guys. So, welcome back. Not only is it informative to the residents, but it gets you see the even the council people get to ask questions and there's a good back and forth and I I just I think that's one of the proudest things that I'm proud of as far as the Hammond Council goes is it's almost like a state of the city every two weeks.

I know takes a lot of work, but I appreciate it, Councilman. So, thanks. Nice to see you all. Have a nice day. Uh, with that, I'll entertain nomination for president of the Hammond City Council. I make a motion for Jenna Vanz to become president of the Hammond City Council.

Is there anybody else that would like to be nomin or would like to make a nomination? Is there anybody any other nominations? Hearing no nominations, um I'll take a voice voice vote on Janet Bernz for council president. All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. The eyes have it. But since that's a final decision, does that need to be a roll call? Dave byation. By acclamation. Okay. Thanks. Congrats, Janet.

Thank you. Hi guys, welcome back.

Thank you everyone. Um, now I'd like to open up nominations for vice president. I'd like to nominate Scott Reikos for vice president. Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Um, all those in favor? I I I opposed. Congratulations, Scott. Alrighty, so we're moving on to approval of minutes.

I'll make a motion that we uh accept the minutes from the December 22nd, 2025 meeting and place them on file. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Minutes pass. Uh, next is claims. Madame President, Councilman Warpole,

make a motion that we accept the claims dated December 17th, 2025 to January 7th, 2026. Um claims u where's it at? Okay. Beginning with claims dated got that part. Okay. Um claim number one through claim 198 inclusive in the amount of 8,14,6410. I so move.

Second. Uh motion by Councilman Warp, second by Councilman Reikos. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Clerk Olic, roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Gowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Reikos, yes. Warpel, yes. Venez.

Yes. Claims pass. Uh, nine in favor, zero opposed. Moving on to public hearings. There are none. Communications. Any communications?

Uh, any communications? Any communications? Communications is now closed. Committee reports. Are there any committee reports? Uh, madame president, the um, council. Yes. The capital improvement board did not meet last week, last Monday. So, there's no report.

Thank you. Um, and as usual, I will read the uh upcoming community and crime watch meetings. Uh, on Tuesday, January 13th, Jefferson Crime Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. at Jefferson School. Community Watch at Mount Zion Pleasant View Plaza will meet Wednesday, January 14th, 100 p.m. Edison Community Watch will meet Wednesday, February 4th, 6:30 p.m. at Edison School. Harrison Park Crime Watch will meet Tuesday, February 3rd, 6:00 p. p.m. at the VFW on Homeman Avenue across from Harrison Park. ESville Crime Watch will meet Thursday, January 15th, 6 p.m. at the HC3 Community Center. Irving Community Watch will meet Tuesday, February 10th, 9:30 a.m. at Irving School and the Whiting Roberts Dale Crime Watch will meet Thursday, February 12th, 6:30 p.m. at Calat College. Um when we passed out the uh doorbells for uh everyone who qualified and came to pick up their doorbell. We gave them a list of crime watch meetings and encouraged everyone to uh come to a crime watch meeting. Um I extend that invitation to everyone. Uh find out what's going on in your neighborhood. find out uh some safety tips for you, your family, and your property, and uh

get to meet some of your neighbors because community is not just about me. It's about us. Committee reports is now closed. Uh ordinance, third reading, final passage. There are none. Introduction of ordinances. Item A, ordinance 26-01, sponsored by Councilman Tyler and ordinance amending ordinance numbers 9378 and 9572, which are amendments amendments to ordinance 8514 to amend the Hammond Sports Facilities Plan Unit development district PUD supplement for and TS S 30.09 for property at 6532-6630 Indianapolis Boulevard and 1918- 1940 165th Street.

Madame President, Councilman Tyler, I move for passage of ordinance 26-01. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Tyler, second by Councilman Warple, I believe that was correct. Okay, thank you. Um, uh, no discussion. Cleric, no. No, you got to ask for discuss. Discussion. Oh. Uh, okay. Any discussion, Madam President? Councilman Tyler.

Yep. This ordinance is an update to the plan unit development district which includes the Hammond Sportslex and the YMCA. Uh the amendments we are making tonight will allow for expansion of the YMCA to include the water park uh which I believe should be built and open within the next couple of years, year and a half or so. Um thank you. Any other discussion? Madam President,

Councilman Warpel. I know we've been asked in the past why I know some people that watch us on social media have asked why do they put everything off to the next meeting and we've been asked in the past on why we do that and that's because we pass stuff on first and second reading. This ordinance is a yes or no vote on a recommendation from the planning commission and it's basically a yes or no vote on whether we agree with the recommendation in ordinance form and that's why we're doing it in one meeting on these type of ordinances. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Any other discussion?

I I wanted to say you know I was a little bit confused at first because I'd never read the statute, but the statute explicitly provides that at the first meeting after uh you get the ordinance, you have the right to either adopt it, reject it, or amend it. So, I I agree that the council should or can do that tonight. But but there was this other discussion about how you cannot receive any evidence and I I don't know that I have any opinion on that at all and this should not be you know a precedent to say that you cannot do that because the the statute I've got has nothing to do with whether you can do that or not. But I I would think that you you clearly have the authority to adopt it this meeting.

Thank you. Thank you, Attorney Burgger. Uh given the discussion in uh caucus, I think it would be prudent for us to move forward. Clerk, roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Rikos, yes. Warpo, yes. Venez favor, zero against. President Venez, that concludes introduction of ordinances.

Thank you, Clerk Olic. Moving on to resolutions. Item A, resolution 26R-01, sponsored by Councilman Kowinsky, a resolution to reappoint Melissa Pharaoh to the Gaming Advisory Committee of the City of Haven. Madame President, Councilman Kellwinsky, I move for passage of 26R-01. Second. Motion by Councilman Kellwinsky, second by Councilman Spatelli. Any discussion, Madame President? M.

Councilman Kowwinsky, Mrs. Frell has uh faithfully served as a volunteer on this board for approximately the last 15 years and has attended and been a very vital member of that group. Thank you. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Cleric, roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Yes. Gowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Rikos, yes.

Oral, yes.

Yes. Uh uh uh 26R-01 passes, nine in favor, zero against. President DZ, that concludes the reading of the resolutions. Thank you. Moving on to new and unfinished business. Madame President, Councilman Warple, make a motion that we accept the council appointments from the volunteer sheets that were placed in the office to the capital improvements board and the gaming advisory committee. Motion by Councilman Warple. Second.

Second by Councilwoman Alexander. Any discussion? Can you read the names on the sheet? Yes, I certainly will. uh for the gaming advisory committee uh Councilman Selenus, Councilwoman Vanz, Councilwoman Alexander, Councilman Reikos, and uh Melissa Frell, who we just uh approved on the Capital Improvement Board, Councilman Selenus, Councilman Reikos, and Councilman Warple. Any discussion? I throw a challenge flag on me, but that's beside the point. Pardon me. Never mind.

Okay. I do it under protest. Any discussion? Any discussion? Madam President. Yes. Congressman Tyler, just for clarification, uh, we still have one more appointment to the gaming advisory committee, right? We get five, right? Two, three, four. We have five. Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but there because right now there's no representative from the third district. Okay. Um, which tonight I was planning on under new and finished business reappointing person from last year.

Okay. Um, anybody else from the sixth district? No. We have second uh fourth, third, first and six. I'll reset my name. Okay. So, uh the name What's the name? Pardon me.

Okay. Nobody made you do that. Okay, thank you. Okay, so uh all the names have been read. Do I have a motion for approval? I make the motion that we approve the names as amended. We have to say first of all that we're going to move for the names that were on there originally and then amend it.

Okay. I make a motion that we resend the whatever and Okay. I'm looking for a motion to approve the names that were originally read for the gaming advisory committee and the capital improvement committee. And I'm making a motion to amend that list and take off Councilman Rikos's name and put on Brendan Dorsy. Okay. Is there a second on that amendment? Second. Okay. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Cler go roll call vote. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kellwinsky, yes.

Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Rakels, yes. Warpel, yes. Venez favor, zero opposed. Madame President, I now make a motion that we accept the names as amended. No, I don't think you need to. Is there a second? Yes. Second.

Okay. Motion by Councilman Warple to amend the original names and second by Councilwoman Alexander. Uh, any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Clerk Olic, roll call vote on the amendment. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Again. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Rikos, yes. Warpole, yes. Vanz,

yes. Motion carries. Nine in favor, zero opposed. Uh, we're still under new and unfinished business. I would like to uh take just a moment to wish our controller a happy birthday. Happy birthday, Megan. Any other new and unfinished business, Madam President? Yes, Councilwoman Alexander.

Um, just in my absence of last week, I wanted to thank you all for your donations to the toy drive. We were able to bless over 200 kids this um Christmas and um all the families were extremely excited um as always and I'm really truly hoping that we can double that number next year. So, thank you. Thank you for your efforts. Any other new and unfinished business? Madame President, Councilman Tyler,

just want to remind everyone that our annual MLK Candlelight March and program is Monday, January 19th. Lineup begins at 6:30 a.m. at MLK Freedom Plaza. Uh, and march begins at 6:45 over to the Civic Center. I believe the program should start about 7:15, 7:30. There'll be vendors, refreshments, uh, and a short program. Thank you. Sorry, Madam President. Councilwoman Alexander.

Um, even though that the other two have not said anything, I'm going to say it. Um, myself, Councilman Tyler, and Councilman Sel Selenus will be um playing on the region region rebounders against the Harlem Wizards on January 22nd um at the Civic Center um thanks to the Hammond PTA. So, looking forward to a great time. Prayfully we do not get hurt but looking for a great time. Um tickets are on sale if you're looking forward to that. You can find all the information on social media um at the Hammond PTA to come out and support the event. We're looking forward forward to it. Thanks.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new and unfinished business? New and unfinished business is uh closed. Moving on to public expression. First is Mary Jones. You'll have three minutes and uh please state your uh address. I have a question about that. Why why do I need to state my address for the record?

Okay. Um, I just I don't I don't in entirely feel comfortable uh stating my address on something that's going to be um that's posted out. I mean, espec particularly since you have my address on the sheet, right? I do have it, but it would be nice if you would just say the street. You don't have to give your specific address. Okay. I'm in the first district. I'm on Wabash Avenue. Okay, there we go. I mean, if you want to come to my house, you're welcome. just, you know, call me, let me know when you're coming over. Put the coffee.

Okay. Right. All right. Okay. So, I I want to talk about uh like budget priorities. And so, this I keep um coming back to this if if how do how does the city have so the governor's well, I don't want to call it the governor's parkway because it sounds too fancy. It's the mayor's condo scheme, right? He wants to wipe out Old Growth Forest and Brier East Woods to make way for for condos for housing development. And the pretext of all of that is that we are going to this is all about safety. And and I think that's what really gets me is the hypocrisy of that is kids. The the fact is that kids uh sometimes are stopped by trains. So our proposal is to spend $8 million to put a pedestrian bridge a mile from where it's needed. And then overall that we're going to wipe out Brier East Woods in order to get speedier access to a hospital that no longer exists. So, we're talking about over $24 million of taxpayer money, my money, your money, your money to spend on something that does not address the core problem is that if we are con if we are really concerned about safety, then we will address the safety issue. So, I have something uh for you uh Councilman Reagos. Okay. Since we uh Brier East Woods is soaks up the water. These are ancient

trees. They're much stronger than than um well, it's just like saplings. A sapling cannot soak up as much water as an old growth tree. And we are proposing uh getting rid of acres of old old growth trees to make. So this we're getting rid of our natural sponge in the area and we are subjecting the area to further flooding. If we if if if you succeed in doing this, you will spend $24 million of taxpayer money to put a pedestrian bridge where it's not needed to get speedier access to a hospital that no longer exists. So, I have a sponge for you, Councilman Reikos. Would you like it? Okay. Well, I'll hold on to this for you. So, if you all s if you succeed, you and the mayor succeed in doing this, then you're gonna need it. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, next is Darl Rogers. Thank you very much. If you would please state your address. You'll have three minutes, sir.

Uh, I'm not going to need that much. My address is 6702 Tennessee. I'm a resident of the sixth district. I was just wondering if there has been any discussion or is there any concerns about these new 5G towers that are coming up? I I wonder has the city of Hammond or the city council given those any thought consideration or is there any concern? That's all I have. Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Public expression is now closed. Motion to adjurnn. I make a motion to adjurnn.

Second. Motion by Councilwoman Alexander, second by Councilman Selenus. All those in favor? All those.