City Council - Regular Meeting

Pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you would remain standing for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Cleric roll call please. Alexander present. Spatelli here. Kowinski here. Selenus here. Tyler here. Emerson

here. Warpole here. Reikos here. Danz here. Eight present. uh one virtually for total in nine. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Hi, thanks Councilwoman Venez. Good to see you all in the council. This is my report for March 23rd. I went through I have something for every district in this. Uh starting off at the port district, visited and toured Hammond's very own Corellus roofing. uh met with the new CEO, went there with my leadership team and took a tour of the place, looked at the corporate headquarters, got briefed on the kind of work Carellis does. You know, I thought that was mostly a local company and quite frankly, it's not a local I mean, it is a local company, but it's also a national company. So, it was great. I appreciate everybody for lining that up. met with the managing editor of the local newspaper, Mark Chase, uh, in regards to we him and I have check-in lunches every few months. So, it's nice to get get in touch with Mark, talk to him about some things going on in our city. Uh, in the fourth district, met two things in the fourth district right off the bat. Met with a developer that's interested in a large parcel in Hammond's fourth district. Very interested and he was talking about the area of 165th and Cayat. So, it's good to see that there's still interest in that site over there. And this is a gentleman that could get going right away, which is nice. Uh, second district, met with CEO of North Lake Auto Recycling, Marty Holland Head. Always good to check in on Marty. His business has been located in Hammond for 45 years. So, uh, right there in downtown Hammond, so it was good to get in, talk to him. Met with a student from Ball State University. Wanted to interview me about being mayor. She's a political science student. Her name is Lette Arriza. A r i Z. Lette Arriza. who told me she wants my job one day. So, I didn't realize that until I was halfway through the interview, or else I would have never I would have never lined it up. So, it's great. I appreciate Lette. She's a Ball State student. She's very smart. It was a nice interview. So, it's nice to meet her and I'm looking forward to her taking over one day. So, um sixth district, we've been talking a lot lately about the foreign local brewery. I know Councilman Scott's been appraised of it's going to be eventually it's the

old hose connections on Kennedy across the street from the fire from the old movie theater there. Uh the gentleman that owns it, Mike Lawake, uh wants to open a brewery there. He's been having issues with our inspections department. So I pulled him in, his attorney. I pulled in my inspections department and tried to act as a mediator. So we all want to see this development move forward. Obviously, he has to satisfy the local building codes and state building codes, and we're making sure that he's going to be successful with that. So, I hope that I acted like a good mediator, Councilman Scott, because I know you want to see that developed. So, uh hopefully that moves forward. I'll remind you all, we got sued a couple years back by the town of Monster. Uh we didn't get sued. It was the Hammond Sanitary District that got sued. Uh we hired a firm to represent us, Fagree Baker Daniels. I met with attorneys from Fagree Baker Baker Daniels in regards to litigation with the town of Monster over the Hammond sanitary district. I don't really want to talk about it in this setting, but I'm willing to talk to you all, you know, if you want to give me a call up after and I could update you. Uh that process is moving forward very slowly. Um seems to me like I think the best resolution to the whole thing would be for town of Monster and town in the city of Hammond to get divorced. Quite frankly, I don't think we need to be business partners anymore. That's how I feel. I don't I think if you had a business partner and you were 80% owner of a business and your business partner of 20% sued you and alleged a bunch of bad things, I think the 80% person would be like, "You know what? It's time for us to move on and go our own direction." I do feel that way and I think the attorneys representing the Hammond Sanitary District feel the same way as well. So, I'm willing to keep you all in the loop about the details, but overall, I think it's time for us to head in our own direction. and Monster obviously has a lot of uh bad feelings towards us and maybe Monster should go and find another place to send their their storm water and we'll go off and we'll represent ourselves. So, but I'm willing to talk to you if you all want to set up an

executive session or something. I can give you an update on that. It's not us directly, but it's the Hammond Sanitary District. I know we all care about that. Uh met with members of the United Auto Workers Local 551. This is an unprecedented meeting. These are the auto workers that represent the Chicago Ford plant. So, a lot of times we don't have communication with these members because they're representing a plant that's in Illinois. But, they reminded me that even though they're a Chicago business, thousands of their members in local 551 live in Hammond and in Northwest Indiana in general. So, I thought it was a real good meeting. It was nice to meet with them all. Hopefully, they'll get more involved in our local community. Met with the Hamilton Police Department and the Festival of Lakes organizers in regard to Saturday night's proposed act. I said proposed because festival of lakes is a partnership and a important part of the festival of lakes is the Hammond Police Department. If the Hammond Police Department's concerned about one of our acts, I have to be concerned as the mayor and we agreed with the Hammond Police Department and we took a different route than we were planning on taking. So, I'm glad that the police department feels comfortable enough to step up and and say, "Hey, we're concerned about this and we're going to move forward and try to find an act that makes everybody feel a little bit better." Uh, fifth district met with Raquel Sterszik's first grade class at Jefferson Elementary School. That was always nice. They told me they wanted to take my job as well. So, there's a lot of people out there that are gunning for me. Just letting you know, election the year is coming next year. So, I'm keeping an eye on everybody. Uh, third district, played chess with multiple Hammond residents at the McDonald's on 165th in Colombia. Wow. I met the owner of that McDonald's. I met the managers of the McDonald's and I saw literally 25 people playing chess in McDonald's. They hang out there all day long. This was organized by Billy Shelton. I love Billy Shelton. He's a famous Hammond resident. He's a Gary resident originally. Uh,

played in a famous doo-W band back in the days. He lives in Hammond now. Just a great guy. And I didn't realize it. He's a chess aficionado. I played him three times. He wiped me out three times. And I think I'm decent, too. But every time I play with somebody, I lose. So, I might not be that good after all. But anyway, Billy Shelton, I want to say thanks. Thanks to the owners of that McDonald's for allowing that. It's really cool. I don't know if you ever got a chance to stop there, Councilman, but it's pretty cool scene. It's like every day of the week in the morning, they just sit there and play chess, drink coffee. So, um, interviewed multiple candidates for the vacant assistant chief position at the Hammond Police Department. We should be done with interviews by next week. The goal is to have this position chosen by April 13th. Uh, I think there was over 10 Hammond Police officers that put in to be assistant chief. We're interviewing all of them. It's something I started with the fire department's deputy chief position and we kept doing it and we're still doing it. In fact, I have a battalion chief open and we posted it and these things don't need to be posted, but we posted it. We're going to go through interviews as well. Um, I think it's good for morale. It's hard on me, but it's good for morale. And I want to thank the chiefs for being in the meetings with me. So, if you want to talk to me about who you'd like to see in that position, I'd re I'd appreciate your recommendation. Just give me a call, would you? Uh, there's a number of people up for it. I know a lot of people are talking about it and I'm interested in your opinions. So, it's interesting to just feel people out and see where they are on an issue. And last but not least, this is about the first district. I met with my economic development team in regards to an incentive request for the developer at 3518 Sheffield Drive. I know Councilman Mark's been monitoring this. We're all excited about this project, but we all need to get on the same page. They're asking for incentives. Uh it's a $20 million project, and we're trying to give them something that's great, but it also leaves something on the plate for us because we have to pay our bills, too. So, we're we're going through that process right now. I'm sure we'll work something out soon and we'll be back before the council. So, um I know

there's a number of things on the agenda tonight, but that's all I had unless you all have any questions. Councilwoman, mayor, I think it's wonderful that there are young people out there looking uh to take your job. Must mean that you make the job look pretty easy, I think. I think. Yeah. No, it was really cool. I do there's a lot of interviews that come in the mayor's office especially during the school year and I do end up granting a lot of them especially for the students. I do like talking to students. So I think it's great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Any other questions? Mr. Mayor. Um any updates on the uh from the school city of Hammond regarding Clark David. Thanks for the question. Uh we gave him till March 31st. Councilman

I'm aware of I haven't heard anything. Okay. I'm skeptical that I will hear anything, but we did give them till March 31st, but I appreciate the question. Um, we'll see what see what we hear. We So, as a reminder, Councilman, I was asking about when with the status of Clark High School and the status of Gabit High School and the fact that the water's been turned off and the power's turned off and they're clearly not in use anymore. We're asking the school city what the plans are with these buildings because we don't have any interest in watching them waste away in our community. So, but we did give them until the 31st hour. Councilman out. So, if I can follow that up next meeting. One other question I had for you. Thank you for that. Um,

you made mention uh in your last uh address to the council, our last meeting that police and fire were in need of some additional equipment and gear. Yes, sir. Um, I'm not sure what direction we're looking at, but myself, the second district would like to um help support in the efforts in any way we can. U give you a little preview. We're going to be coming, I'm sure, next meeting. Hopefully by the next meeting, our police and fire departments are in bad need of uh radios, right?

Okay. They're over 10 years old. I think they're closer to 12 years old. Um and they're badly in need of replacement. These aren't cheap for all of our police officers and firefighters. Uh that in itself is few million dollars and they're also in bad need of another fire engine. So, we're going to ask the council and we have a plan to pay for it that won't cost any additional money than we're paying right now. And we're going to approach you guys with the details of that once we work it out. It'll be completely limited to public safety. Police fire, police radios, and one fire engine. We didn't want to mess it up with putting other requests in there because we felt that if it was purely for the first responders, it'd be stronger to pass. Sure. So that we're not ready to present that, Councilman, but we will be. I'd like to sponsor that. Please put me down for that. Thank you.

Okay. I'll talk to Councilman Dave about that. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Any other questions? What's that? Okay. Well, I appreciate you guys sponsoring it cuz it's needed. You know, it's been 12 years with the radios and that's their lifeline. In a fire, that's their lifeline. If they're chasing a suspect, that's our lifeline. And if those things go out, we're endangering our officers. We're endangering our firefighters. So, I know we're all interested in that, Councilman, which is why we didn't want to put other things in there because if we leave it public safety, I think it's 90. If we start adding other stuff to it, that's where we start losing votes. So,

thank you for bringing that up. Any other questions? Appreciate you guys. Have a nice meeting. Thank you, mayor. Moving on to approval of minutes. I'll make a motion that we um approve the March 9th meeting minutes and place them on file. Please second. Motion by Councilman Selena, second by Councilman Emerson. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor? I

oppose. Motion carries. Moving on to claims. Approval of claims. Councilman Reikos. I move for approval of claims dated 3426. And ending with claims dated 318 to 206. Claim number 2012 through claim 2481 inclusive the amount of 8,687,424 55. Second

motion by Councilman Reiko, second by Councilman Tyler uh to approve the claims. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Clerk Olic, roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Yawinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Warp, yes. Reikos, yes.

Venez favor, zero opposed. And one of those votes is virtual. Thank you. Moving on to public hearings. There are none communications. Anyone have any communications? Any communications? I do have one. Um, I'd like to announce that the Hammond Police Department is once again sponsoring their Hammond Police Academy. It begins uh April 14th, goes through June 2nd. Uh it's every Tuesday. Um uh I know a couple of the council people have uh gone through the citizens police academy and it is really an eyeopening experience. It really gives us an idea of exactly what our men and women do when they are out on the street protecting us. The coolest part of it was going to I see you back there grinning. Um uh going to Valareerezo. They have a virtual scenario set up and and you get to work through this scenario as a police officer. So, it's it's really cool. Um, it's very informative and um uh you're welcome to join. Uh register by March 30th. The phone number is 2198522917. Any other communications?

Madam President. Yes, Councilman. HC3 wanted to thank all of us that were able to make it to the St. Patrick's Day parade. another very successful parade and a nice little brisk walk like it almost always is. So, they wanted to thank us for participating. Well, thank them for uh doing that. It's great for the community. Any other communications? Any other communications? Any other communications? Communications are now closed. Moving on to committee reports. Madam President, yes, Councilman,

finance committee will be reporting out 2607. Thank you. Uh and uh 2608 as well since you're on the finance committee. 2608 wasn't in committee, but okay. Uh I thought it was didn't have a committee, but yeah. Okay. My fault. Uh, any other committee reports? Yes, Madam President. Yes, Councilman.

The Hammond Capital Improvement Board met on March 16th, and there were five funding allocations that I'd like to share with everyone. The first funding allocation number 310 is uh, I'm sorry, was to establish a railroad quiet zone in downtown Hammond. This was for the design and railroad coordination. It was awarded to first group engineering in the amount of $18,000. Second funding allocation number 311 was another railroad quiet zone um supplemental agreement for design and railroad coordination in our Hesville area also awarded to first group engineering in the amount of $23,000. The third funding allocation number 312 is a preliminary engineering fee at our Hammond Marina. This is for a district, I'm sorry, this is for at a screen wall along the Norfolk Southern Railroad. This was in the amount of 27,739 that was actually um covered by the marina. That fee was actually covered by the marina themselves. uh funding allocation number 313. It's our downtown Hammond train station contract engineering to Nice Engineering in the amount of $198,500. The fifth and final funding allocation number 314 is at the Dan Raven Plaza. This is a lighting and electrical improvement contract for construction services to Hawk Enterprises in the amount of $135,000350 I'm sorry 135,353.32 that includes all five funding allocations. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilman. Um any other committee reports? Councilman Spatali, uh, does the, uh, plan commission have anything to report? Sure. Do on.

Uh, we have a final passage for 2607. Uh, no. And as far as the meeting that we had, we had one nothing as last month. Okay. Thank you. You got it. And Councilman Tyler, do you have anything for economic development? Just that uh we hope to meet after the next economic development meeting, which is the first week of April, but we should have a report at the next meeting. All righty. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And uh as usual, I'll read off a list of the upcoming community and crime watch uh meetings. Um, Wednesday, April 8th, 6:00 p.m. at Jefferson School is the Jefferson Crime Watch. Uh, Tuesday, April 7th, 6:00 p. p.m. is the Harrison Park Crime Watch at the VFW on Homeman Avenue. Hesville Crime Watch will meet Thursday, April 16th, 6:00 p. a.m. at the HC3 Community Center. Irving Community Watch will meet Tuesday, April 14th, 9:30 a.m. at Irving School. The Whiting Roberts Dale Crime Watch will meet Thursday, April 9th, 6:30 p.m. at Calat College. Uh Edison Community Watch will not meet this month. Um uh they they happen to be on spring break, so the school is closed when our regularly scheduled meeting occurs. Uh the next meeting of Edison Community Watch will be May 6th. Um for the Edison folks, even if uh we're not having a meeting this month, uh please feel free to come out to any of the other meetings. You'll find them very informative because community is not just about me, it's about us. That concludes committee reports. Ordinance third reading, final passage. Ordinance 26-07 sponsored by Councilman Spatelli and

ordinance establishing electric vehicle charging rates for EV charging stations owned and operated by the city of Hammond. President Councilman Spatali passes 2607. Motion by Councilman Spatali for final passage of 2607. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Warple. Any discussion? President. Yes, Councilman.

The city of Hammond owns and maintains the charge stations within the LIT amendments. Um, you've got two different levels in here for the charging stations are for 25 cents per minute for charging. And level number three, charging stations, fast charging, are for 40 cents per minute. Thank you. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Clerk Olic, roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler,

yes. Emerson, yes. Warpel, yes. Reikos, yes. Vanz, yes. Um 2607 passes. Uh nine in favor, one virtual. Um, yes, it is coming up. Yes.

Ordinance 26-08 sponsored by Councilwoman Vanz and ordinance amending ordinance number 45008 and amending ordinance 7023 otherwise known as section 30.25 25 of the Hammond Municipal Code regarding common council order of business. Madame President, Councilman Warple, move for final passage and adoption of 2608. Motion by Councilman Warp, second by Councilman Reikos. Any discussion? Madam President.

Yes, Councilman. I make a motion that we amend ordinance 2608 in its entirety with ordinance 2608A. Motion by Councilman Warple, second by Councilman. Is there a second? Second. Councilman Reikos. Any discussion? Any discussion? Madame President. Yes, Councilman. It's just left. It's an amendment that corrects one line that was left off of this ordinance. Thank you. So,

and it's procedural as far as the agend ordinance about the agenda and how it has to be developed. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Clerk, I have to um take a vote on the original one first. Correct. No. The amendment then the original the amended. Okay. Uh roll call vote please count uh cl on the amendment. Alexander yes. Spatelli. Yes. Kwinsky. Yes. Selenus. Yes. Tyler. Yes. Emerson. Yes. Warpel. Yes. Rake.

Yes. Vanz. Yes. Uh 2608. Now I go to a No, just go to as amended. Okay. Uh so uh uh clerk, roll call on the amended 2608A. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinsky, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Warpole, yes. Reikos, yes.

Venezment passes. Uh, nine in favor, zero opposed. One of those votes is virtual. President DZ, that concludes the ordinances for final. Madam President, Councilman Warple, just as a technical thing, the ordinance passed as amended. Correct. Yes, it did. Thank you. Thank you. I heard some. Moving on to introduction of ordinances.

Item A, ordinance 26-09 sponsored by Councilman Fatali. An ordinance appropriating the proceeds of the annual action plan and dealing with other matters pertaining to the expenditure of plan proceeds for for program year 2026. President Councilman Spectali,

I would like to have to do first and second reading public hearing on the council also meeting on being held on April 13th, 2026 at 5:15. Thank you. Any discussion? Did Did I get a second? No. No. Okay. Second. Thank you. Uh motion by Councilman Spatali, second by Councilman Warp. Mr. President, I did I say public hearing, didn't I? Uh yes, you did for April 13th. Yes.

Okay. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Cleric roll call vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinsky, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Warpel, yes. Reikos, yes. Vanz, yes. Uh, motion passes. Nine in favor, zero opposed. One of those votes is virtual. President Venez, that concludes the introduction of ordinances.

Moving on to resolutions. Item A, resolution 26R-05, sponsored by Councilman's Fatali, resolution of the city council of the city of Hammond authorizing the filing of an annual action plan application and designating signitories for payment vouchure and letters of credit for the 2026 annual action plan programs. Mr. President. Yes, Councilman for final passage of 26R5. Motion by Councilman Spatali. Is there a second? Second.

Second. Second by Councilman Reikos. Uh any discussion? President. Yes, Councilman. Author authors to submit applications for CDBG home ESG related to the annual action plan. Thank you. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Any other discussion? Cleric, roll call. Vote, please. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Warpel, yes. Reikos, yes.

Lanz, yes. Motion passes. Nine in favor, zero opposed. One of those is uh virtual. President Venez concludes the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Clerk. Olic and unfinished business. Madame President.

Yes, Councilman Warp. I uh had a problem property on in this fifth district that uh for over a year a guy would um collect from scrapping different lawnmower parts and it flooded his yard and several neighbors complained about it. And last year I contacted code enforcement and they went through the proper channels with citing him and getting him in court. And a couple of weeks ago we got a court order to have the property cleaned up um by bid through code enforcement. And I was notified the day that that not only was it cleaned up in its entirety, but the homeowner came in and paid the bill for it being cleaned up. So, I know people get frustrated as I do when properties aren't clean right away when they complain. And I got to commend the code enforcement department for doing it the proper way and getting the guy to pay the bill. So, thank you.

They are outstanding, aren't they? And that goes to, you know, what we talk about at the crime watch meetings all the time. If you see something, say something. That's how things get done. Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new unfinished business? Uh, yes, Councilwoman. Um, I just want to publicly thank you for um reaching out to me um during my stay in the hospital. I do appreciate it. No, thank you so much. I appreciate you. You're very welcome. I hope you're on the mend. I am. Thank you.

Wonderful. Thank you. Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new and unfinished business? Any other new and unfinished business? New and unfinished business is now closed. Uh there is nothing for uh special zoning action. So we'll move on to public expression. I see someone on the screen. Uh is that George? That looks like Father George. George. Yes. Hi.

Hi. Can you hear me? Okay. Yes, we can hear you just fine.

Okay. I just wanted to renew my request and my query about getting uh proposed legislation or any other action uh sought by the council here online. And I firmly believe that it it's come to the point, if it hasn't already, maybe I should have brought it up earlier, that it infringes, I think, on our First Amendment right. It bridges it certainly because we don't know what we're talking about when we come up there and you guys got all the information. We have nothing and to say that oh it's hanging there on the wall there in in the city hall or you got to pay for it uh through the clerk's office is unduly and burdensome. So, I really think there's a First Amendment issue here potentially if man, maybe actually too. Uh that, you know, you guys have made noises about getting that stuff published and it's not going to cost you that much to put it online because you got it online anyway. And uh if you can put the agenda up there, you can add a few more uh uh spaces there and include uh proposed legislation so that we when we do come up during public uh uh comment, we have something to say that's not absurd or irrelevant. And uh you know, democracies don't die in the darkness. They die in the daylight just like this when you're not when you're not putting that stuff through. Now, there were some expectations created by uh Councilman Kowwinsky. Uh you know, I look back at that stuff that I brought up at last meeting that was back in October that you guys ran by that budget uh legislation where you talked about public input and you proposed it all at the same time, which I thought was highly highly irregular, if not illegal. Now, I know you're a lawyer there, Mr. Burgger will say that it's all it's okay and kosher, but I doubt it. I don't have the money to contest it, but you know, keep pushing it. I'll contest it someday. And uh but it should be we

should know what's going on. None of this slight of hand BS that's been been happening over the years. Enough is enough. Thank you very much. Thank you, George. Uh anyone else online? All righty. In chambers, Mary Jones. Hi, good evening. Hi, Mary.

Hello. I I wanted to I wanted to ask about budget priorities again. I wanted to go back to the February 26th memo from from the city uh from the city that says Hammond suspends the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge project. And in it, it says that the um the lo, you know, we're hoping for a local match uh from from North Norfick Southern and they declined that. So without the uh without the funds of $3 million, uh then the Grand Avenue bridge won't pedestrian bridge won't be built. But then at the very at the very last part of it um it says that but we do have a money for the governor's parkway bridge. So maybe uh I I will stay afterwards after the meeting is over. Can somebody explain to me why we don't have $3 million to put a pedestrian bridge where the kids need it to cross school safely, but we have twice as much money to put the pedestrian bridge in the wrong location and to clearcut Brier East Woods in order to do so. Brier East Woods is also an important flood retention flood barrier for the city of H for the neighborhood of Hville. So, how do we have how do we have money? How do we have money for that? How do we have money to put the pedestrian bridge in the wrong location? And I will stay afterwards. If anyone can explain that to me, I would be happy to hear it. Thank you.

Thank you. Um, before we adjourn, uh, I would like to wish a happy birthday to mayor's chief of staff, Scott Miller, and our attorney, Bob Burgger. Happy birthday to both of you. Happy birthday, I'd sing, but you know, uh, that's not part of public expression. Okay. All righty. Uh, public expression is now closed. Is there a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. All those in favor?