City Council - Regular Meeting

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. Eternal God, our father, we thank you for this day that we are gathered here today. Lord, we thank you for this city. We thank you for continue to lead us and guide us as we continue to do your will. We thank you for our police and fire. Continue to keep them safe. continue to cover our residents each and every day in Jesus name. Amen. Clerk gull rooff Alexander present here. Vanz here. Kowinsky here. Selenus

here. Tyler here. Emerson here. Rap here. Warpel here. Let the record show nine present, zero absent. Mayor,

thanks Council President Warple. Good to see you all. Happy holidays. Thanks to everybody watching at home and it came out for the meeting. Uh this is my report for December 8th. Um press release we issued about the Hammond Police Department. I know most of you are aware of this already. I hope you'll indulge me so I could read it off. After decades of extraordinary service to the city of Hammond, we are preparing to honor and thank several remarkable leaders in the Hammond Police Department as they head into retirement. Chief William Andy Short is concluding an incredible 38year career 38-year career that began in 1988. In 2021, Andy made history as Hammond's first African-American chief of police. Over nearly four decades, Andy served in patrol, K9, SWAT, internal affairs, and ultimately as chief of police. His dedication to leadership, professionalism, and community engagement, especially with our youth, our youth, has left a lasting mark on this city. Also, Captain Ezekiel Zeke Hinosa is retiring after 47 years of service, most of them with the Criminal Investigation Division. That's the detective bureau. Zeke's commitment to solving crimes and protecting Hammond residents spans nearly a half a century of extraordinary an extraordinary record of service. Also, congratulations to Assistant Chief Jeffrey Long, who will step into the role of acting chief of police on January 1st, 2026. Chief Design Long is a US Army veteran and a lifelong Hammond resident who has served this department since 1989 in patrol, SWAT, and as assistant chief of police. We are proud to have Jeff's experience and steady leadership going forward in the H police department. Last but not least, congratulation as well to Captain Christopher God who has been promoted to captain of the criminal investig investigations division. Captain God joined the department in 2005 and has served in multiple specialized roles, bringing deep knowledge and professionalism to this critical assignment. Congratulations to all four of those Hammond police officers. Um, I wanted to summarize my schedule

over the last couple weeks. Obviously, we had a holiday in the middle of it, so it's not as long as normal. uh met with potential developers who are interested in the old Franciscan hospital site and served in multiple specializing echo

uh met with potential developers who are interested in the old Franciscan hospital site. I can't discuss the nature of the meeting other than if it happens we would be very lucky as a city. This could greatly ease the blow we suffered when we lost the hospital in the first place. It's one of those projects the more I talk about it the less likely it is to happen but it's spectacular. I want to thank economic development, a lot of people that are making these talks possible. Obviously, when I can talk more, I will be the first to talk to you all. Met internally with my economic development staff to go over submissions to the redevelopment commission's RFP for the city Hammond spare liquor license. We had five submissions for this RFP. Um liquor license, we just had a liquor license sold in the city of Hammond for $40,000. Okay. So, we put out RFP, minimum bid, $35,000, $5,000 below the last RFP, liquor license bought in the city of Hammond. We got five submissions. Two of them right off the bat were deemed invalid. They just didn't work. One of them was a package liquor. The other is going to be a brewery. So, they have different types of licenses they need. So, two out of the five right off the bat were eliminated, so to speak. They have to comply with the RFP. They didn't. So, we had three submissions left. I'm not going to get into details. So, I'm going to tell you one was for $70,000 over 5 years, which is above the last sale price of 40,000. One was for 50,000 and one was for 5,000. Okay. I think anybody in this room, if they had that spare liquor license as an asset, would do everything they can to make as much money as possible when they sell it. I'm taking that same approach as the city's mayor. Okay. Um, more will come out soon about who was ultimately chosen, but I'm going to make the best deal for the city of Hammond. Okay. Um, if you have any questions, I'm willing to talk. Please call me so we don't have to do it on the record. I know there's a number of councilmen interested in this issue. I'm willing to share with you all the details. I just don't think it's appropriate to do it in an open meeting.

I did want you to know the big picture details. And if you were in possession of that liquor license and it was your asset, I think I know what almost everybody would do. they try to get the most money possible for it. So, and with us facing statemandated cuts next year with SB1, we got to make the best deals we can when we have assets. So, uh we welcome the Shrine uh circus, the excuse me, the Cardan Circus once again in 2025 to the Hammond Civic Center. This is a partnership that's been going strong for decades in Hammond and has entertained our residents and visiting neighbors from Illinois and did so successfully again this past Thanksgiving weekend. We had seven shows beginning on Black Friday. And although the snow hit us big on Saturday, residents came for all shows during the weekend. We will be hosting this tradition again in 2026 on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I want to thank Juan, Jim, and everybody in parks department that worked so hard over holiday weekend to make that. It was spectacular. I I know that a number of you got out to see the shows or I just drove around the parking lots. It's pretty cool to see a lot of cars like that coming to shows we're hosting. So, congratulations to the Civic Center staff. um had a meeting with Governor Mike Bronn. He came to Hammond, went to meets by Linds. I had a meeting with them. We talked about projects that are going on in the city of Hammond right now. He got to see us, one of our great projects, meets by lens. He got to see another great project, the bank. He had an event there that night if you guys didn't know about it. But it was nice to see the governor in the city, Hammond. We had an opportunity to talk for about 15 minutes. It was productive. So, I want to thank him for coming to Hammond. It was good to see the governor here. Uh, attended a groundbreaking for Cal College's inter mural sports facility located on New York Avenue. Councilman and Mark were in attendance for the coldest groundbreaking in the history of the city. It was so cold that day. It was outdoors. And it's great though. Cal College uh got the Lily Grant and they're doing a lot of work on their campus. They're doing a lot of work in

their sports facilities. in in Hammond we host their inter mural a lot of their inter mural sports and that's what that field is going to be used for so congratulations chancellor Amy and Dal college on a great project attended a meeting to discuss potential grievance filed against the city Hammond by the Hammond FOP over changes to the healthc care policy that city Hammond was forced to enact more about this if you give me a call off the record as well but it's annoying I'll be honest with you as a reminder the Hammond Police Department in their last contracts got over 20% pay raises, far more than every other city employee in the city of Hammond. And every employee in the city of Hammond, including the mayor, including you all, that gets health insurance has the same um increases. And last year's over the last couple years, city Hammond's been shouldering 98% of all healthcare costs. We're trying to rebalance that to where it should be. And I don't appreciate the Hammond FOP and their grievance. I think we got to go into this budget cutting session, which is what we're facing in the next year, united, and it seems like our biggest department is out in left field. I don't think they know what the hell they're doing to be honest with you. So, not very thrilled about that. Hopefully, wiser head will prevail and they'll withdraw that grievance. Tended the annion annual Hammond holiday parade on Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond. Seems like each year this event gets bigger and bigger. It was a great day. I saw just about every council person out I think there was every council person out there. That's a cool parade. I want to congratulate everybody involved and I want to thank all the council people and all the elected officials that attended. Uh last but not least, attended the Southshore event in the city held by the Southshore Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown Chicago with the contingent of Hammond personnel. It's a great opportunity to mingle mingle with the leaders of Northwest Indiana in downtown Chicago at this event. There was a lot of government, a lot of education, a lot of business all in one room. I think it's a real valuable event and I want to thank everybody that

helped out with that as well. That's all I have unless you all have questions. Councilman, thank you for letting me speak and merry Christmas to everybody that celebrates. So, anybody have any questions for the mayor? Thanks, mayor. Thank you. Item number four, approval of minutes. Yes. I uh make a motion that we approve the from the November 14th meeting in place. Second.

Motion's been made by Councilman Selenus, seconded by Councilman Emerson. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. The eyes have it. Item number five, approval of claims. Mr. President, Councilwoman Benz. Yes. I move for approval of claims beginning with claims dated November 19th, 2025 and ending with claims dated December 3rd, 2025. Claim number 10574 through claim number 11027 inclusive in the amount of 19,14,33653.

Pardon me. Is there a second? What did I say? Motion's been made by Councilwoman Vanz, seconded by Councilman Spatali. Is there any discussion? Mr. President, Councilwoman Benz, I was told that I said 19 million. Uh, the amount is 9,14,33653.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. Clerk Golic, roll call. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Venez Yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Reikos, yes. Warpole, yes. The what the record show? The motion carries. Nine in favor, zero opposed.

Item number six, public hearings, there are none. Item number seven, communications. Are there any communications? Does anybody have anything under communications? Hearing none. Communications are now closed. Item number eight, committee reports. Mr. President, Councilwoman Banz.

Yes. I'd like to announce the upcoming community and crime watch group uh meetings. Um, thank you. Oops. Um, Irving Community Watch will meet Tuesday, December 9th, 9:30 a.m. at Irving School. Whiting Robertsdale Crime Watch will meet Thursday, December 11th, 6:30 p.m. at Calamet College. and uh most of the other crime watch groups take uh January off with the exception of Jefferson Crime Watch. Uh we'll meet Tuesday, January 13th, 6:00 p.m. at Jefferson School. Uh and from all of us related to uh crime watch and the community watch groups, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday because community is not just about me. It's about us. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Does anybody else have anything under uh committee reports? Yes, Mr. President. Councilman Menelus,

the capital improvement board met on December 1st and in that meeting we had three funding allocations that I will go over now. Funding allocation number 295, general geotechnical engineering service services to advanced engineering services in the amount of $50,000. Running allocation number 296, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon on 169th at Woodmar to Hawk Enterprises in the amount of $26,000. The third funding allocation number 297 is to replace an a pole masked arm and foundation traffic signal pole on the southwest corner of Columbia Avenue at Summer Street to Midwestern Electric in the amount of 26,764. That's all, Mr. President. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else have anything on the committee reports? Does anybody else have anything on the committee reports? Committee reports are now closed. Item number nine, ordinance third and final passage. There are none. Item number 10, introduction of ordinances. Item A, ordinance 25-23, sponsored by Mayor McDermott. An ordinance fixing the salaries for elected officials for the city of Hammond, Indiana, commencing January 1, 2026, be it ordained by the common council of the city of Hammond, Indiana. Mr. President, Councilwoman Venez,

I move for first and second reading of 2533. Um, did we agree with a committee meeting on uh Okay, we'll have a committee meeting on Janu uh December 22nd at 5:15 p.m. I so move. Second. Motion's been made by Councilwoman Vanz, seconded by Councilman Reikos. Is there any discussion, Mr. President? Councilwoman Venez.

Uh, yes. This uh uh ordinance outlines uh 2% pay increases for the mayor, the clerk, and uh the council people. Thank you. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed. The eyes have it. Item B, ordinance 25-34 sponsored by Councilwoman Vanz and ordinance to appropriate monies into the 2025 gaming fund. Mr. President,

Councilwoman Vanz, I move for first and second reading of 2534 with the committee meeting uh at 5:15 p.m. on December 22nd. Second. Motion's been made by Councilwoman Venez, seconded by Councilman Spatali. Is there any discussion, Mr. President? Councilwoman Vanz. Uh, yes. There will be a public hearing on this ordinance uh on December 22nd.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. How's the eyes have it? Item C, ordinance 25-35, sponsored by Councilwoman Vanz, an ordinance authorizing the city controller to transfer funds from one line item to another within various city 2025 budgets. Mr. President, Councilwoman Venez,

yes. I move for first and second reading of 2535 with the committee meeting on December 22nd at 5:15 p.m. Second. Motion's been made by Councilwoman Banez, seconded by Councilman Spatali. Is there any discussion? Mr. President, Councilwoman BZ. Yes. Uh this is an annual cleanup ordinance uh moving line items from uh one line item to another at the end of the year.

Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I oppos the eyes have it. Item D, ordinance 25-36, sponsored by Councilman Rakeos, an ordinance respecting and ratifying the actions of the city of Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety related to traffic regulation for 2025. Mr. President, Councilman Reos, motion pass on first and second reading 25-36. Second.

Motion's been made by Councilman Reikos, second in by Councilwoman Venez. Is there any discussion, Mr. President? Councilman Rikos.

Yeah, this is uh last year or beginning of this year, we passed the ordinance regarding a board of public works um being responsible for making the changes in our traffic patterns and and uh basically our safety. Um And and the council is going to ratify these actions so the traffic schedules within the city records can be pulled and officially recognize the actions of the board taken during 2025. There any further discussion? There any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. The eyes have it. President Warpole, that concludes the introduction of ordinances.

Thank you, Clerk GIC. Item number 11, resolutions. Resolution number A 24, excuse me, 25R-24, sponsored by Councilman Emerson. A resolution confirming the reappoint of Christristen Hill as a commissioner of the Hammond Human Relations Commission of the City of Hammond, Indiana. Mr. President, Councilman Emerson,

uh, I move for the attorney for the Hammond Human Ra relations commission and active and many groups in the city of Hammond. Thank you from the city of H She has been on for 11 years and uh thank you for for her. Thank you. Second.

The motion's been made by Councilman Emerson, seconded by Councilman Spatali. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk go. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Venez, yes. Kowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes. Emerson, yes. Reikos, yes. Warpel,

yes. Let the record show. Nine in favor, zero opposed. Item B, resolution 25R-25, a resol sponsored by Councilman Selenus, a resolution confirming the reappoint of Ivon Roa as a commissioner of the Hammond Human Relations Commission of the City of Hammond, Indiana. I make a motion that we uh move for reappoint of Ivon Roachcha to the Hammond Human Relations Commission board. Second.

Motion's been made by Councilman Selena, seconded by Councilman Emerson. Is there any discussion? Yes, Mr. President. Um, Miss Roachcha has been a member since 2018. She's a photographer who owns her own business, the Mayor Photographia and Video in Hammond, Indiana. She's also very involved with HHCC. Uh the human relations commission is required to have someone from the business community and bond meets that requirement. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Is there any other discussion? Clerk gull Alexander. Yes, Spatelli. Yes,

Venez. Yes, Kellwinsky. Yes, Selenus. Yes, Tyler. Yes, Emerson. Yes, Rikos. Yes. Warpole. Yes. Let the record show. The motion carries. Nine in favor, zero opposed. President Warp. That concludes the reading of the resolutions. Thank you. Item number 12. Wait a minute. Yeah. Yeah. Item number 12, new and unfinished business. Mr. President, Councilman Tyler, I'd like to uh make a motion to reappoint Mr. Greg Myrix to the redevelopment commission for one-year term expiring on December 31st, 2026.

Second. Motion's been made by Councilman Tyler, seconded by Councilman's Pati. Is there any discussion? Mr. President, Councilman Tyler,

I talked to Mr. Meyer. Uh I think he is trying to wind down. So, uh probably next year we'll be looking for somebody else to take his spot potentially. Um I know we have some other interesting people who have reached out. Uh so we'll probably be planning to have those conversations sometime throughout 2026. Um but just want to thank Mr. Mrick for his work on the redevelopment commission. I do believe he's been there on there for close to 10 years or so. Um, I know he enjoys it. The commission enjoys having him on there. He contributes a lot of information, a lot of time, a lot of energy. So, thanks again and congratulations on your reappoint. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion, Mr. President?

Councilwoman Alexander. Um, I would like to um publicly thank um Barry U. Councilman Tyler um for writing a letter to my family this past weekend. We um memorialized my niece and I want to thank a couple of the other council members for This is pertaining to his motion. Are we still on that? Yes, he made You made the motion and it was seconded. Correct. We were under discussion on that. I'm sorry. Is there any further discussion on the motion for Greg Myrix? Is there any further discussion on the motion for Greg Myrix? Clerk, roll call. Alexander, yes. Spatelli, yes. Venez, yes. Gowinski, yes. Selenus, yes. Tyler, yes.

Emerson, yes. Rikos, yes. Warpole, yes. Let the record show the motion carries. Nine in favor, zero opposed. Councilwoman Alexander, sorry, I jumped the gun. Um, but yes, I wanted to um thank Councilman Tyler for writing a resolution to my family this past weekend as we memorialized my niece. Um, and thank you to my fellow colleagues for sending condolences. Um, we do appreciate it and just continue to keep us in your prayers as we go through this time. Thanks.

Thank you. Anybody else have anything under new and unfinished business? Anybody else have anything under new and unfinished business? I did receive a message from our friend Gary and Sylvester and he wants to wish everybody a merry Christmas as he said from Florida. Yes, exactly. I guess Sylvester's laying out on the beach. Does anybody else have anything under new and unfinished business? New and unfinished business is closed. Item number 13, public expression. Our first speaker is Mary Shunes. Shown

That's right. I'm close.

Hi. Question for Councilman Reikos. Is the What is the status of the Grand Avenue overpass? Ma'am, can you complete your This is your turn to speak. He can't answer the qu He might answer the question after the meeting, but Okay. So, you can't you can't speak. Not during public expression. This is your time, ma'am. Okay. But this is my public expression time and I am inviting Councilman Reikos to speak. He doesn't want to speak. Okay. So, you don't know the No, it's a ma'am, if you have something to say, please say it. This isn't a debate.

No, this is actually I this is my three minutes and with my three minutes I want to ask Councilman Reikos a question. So is are you done speaking? No, I'm not done speaking and continue what you're saying. Yes. Okay. So my question is what is the status of the Grand Avenue overpass?

Are you done speaking? No, I'm not done speaking. So there is no Grand Avenue overpass. I think that was something that was No, this is just childish really. It really I'm just asking you a question. Ma'am, you know the rules and you're being childish about it. So you have three minutes to make your point on anything we discussed. Other than that, if he wants to answer your questions, he will do it after the meeting. So if you have something else to say, continue, please.

All right. So I hope I get some of my time back from after your rant. So there is So we have a proposition in our city um a raising of the Brier Eastwoods that will cost about $11 million and a pedestrian bridge that is about a mile from uh where the kids are seen to be crossing uh with the stop trains. I've never seen a child or an adult that for that matter walk a mile out of their way to do something. If the point is to cross a something safely, then why don't we put the crossing where the people are crossing? We also have um we're going to have a huge budget shortfall next year. Uh this uh Brier Eastwoods um project is scheduled to cost about $19 million in 2019 money. So we have a solution where the overpass is nowhere near where the kids are crossing to get to a hospital that doesn't exist. I mean we have what hospital do we have here in Hammond? What east west kind of orientation do for the for the it is important for our emergency services to get somewhere but if there is no hospital in Hammond to get to them why do we need to have an east west route when the h the closest hospitals are in or in St. Catherine East Chicago or there's community hospital in Franciscan in monster. So we have north and south hospitals which are access already accessible

by Klein Avenue and by Kennedy Avenue. So we have a proposition that solves gets a a speedy access to no hospital in Hammond and we have a pro and we have a pedestrian bridge that is nowhere near where the where people are actually crossing and that's going to cost $19 million and you know what I pay taxes here and I think that's a poor use of resources. I gave you an extra 45 seconds. Thank you,

George. George Stoellale, I don't want to get all Glenn Beck about it, but I was very disturbed that you guys gave yourself two 2% raise. I mean, it's 2%. Okay, you know, in abstract doesn't sound like much, but you're being paid considerably well for part-time work. And to give yourself another two 2% for part-time work, and I I just really find it objectionable. Like I said, I'm not going to get all Glenn Beck about it because a hell of a lot of it's going to happen anyway. But I it just doesn't sit right. I don't think it's justified at all.

Thank you, George. Have a merry Christmas. Um, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. So, make a motion to adjurnn. Motion's been made. Seconded. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.