[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458432,"mediaKeyId","5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06","parentId",5817553,"title","Votes at a glance: Hammond City Council meeting, Sept. 22, 2025","audioSeconds",60,"startMs",695000,"endMs",755000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06&start=695&end=755","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06/thumbnail_695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458432/Hammond-City/Lake-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Hammond-City-Council-meeting-Sept-22-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458432-246a0214e4534f44cbbcffef7442d8ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423820&Signature=h0aQXkcyeUF2ShKEBFS5RnvqU8j9SG6hH9Jvz2IEdWcbA3xfxVlXFukdcf57RHRBppNMXSmDER8e3i-gqPx3GHcOgfYbHQy-Nc78CoXPiFHNIV21MFLOH1FNFCo4rmWz9G42SeUtaaDjGLJ6PBVqYUzc7grtGHPvXHuv~dVn5GNjaqgr8N1NpXLegmZKpNAPSajv0I3ZXsr4oC9wbs8qORU-bftG6IgouKj3Idc5EPG0L8jtaLjgWe~lwUjvpDaYI1ppUSyHYxPeTgBPyVCc-cfNGVVRTyYCZGGgCTx8Gaa42524t~nqrdLuNDq2zZYGDJD6H5eBLIPgd8Ada~7Jyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hammond, Indiana","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Hammond City Council recorded the following formal actions on Sept. 22, 2025. Tally and mover/second details are taken from the meeting record and clerk roll calls as recorded in the transcript.

• Approval of minutes (09/08/2025): Motion to accept minutes and place on file. Motion recorded as made and seconded; outcome recorded as passed (ayes). Mover/second: recorded in minutes as motion made by Councilman Salinas and seconded by Councilman Emerson. No tally numbers were included in the spoken roll call for this item in the transcript excerpt.

• Approval of claims (claim nos. 8082–8571): Motion by Councilwoman Venez, seconded by Councilman Spatali. Amount: $28,853,620.91. Roll call recorded 9 in favor, 0 opposed.

• Ordinance readings (first and second readings advanced): Ordinances 25-18 (create funds for municipal food-and-beverage tax), 25-19 (create funds for municipal wheel tax) and 25-20 (create line items for FY2026 CHRP grant) were moved for first and second reading and the ayes were recorded; motions advanced.

• Variances / zoning (Foreign Local Holdings LLC): Ordinance 25-21 (variance of use) and ordinance 25-22 (variance/zoning change for 6716–6718 Kennedy Ave, BZA case Z2515) were each approved by recorded roll call: 9 in favor, 0 opposed.

Notes on record quality: The transcript contains multiple inconsistent spellings of some council members’ names across roll calls (the clerk’s spoken roll-call names appear in the record). Where the transcript did not provide a clear spelled name for a roll-call line, this summary records the formal outcome and vote tally rather than attributing individual yes/no votes to potentially mis-transcribed names.

Ending: The council closed public business and adjourned; the next regular meeting was noted for Oct. 14, 2025, when the budget will be introduced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hammond City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions, votes and key outcomes recorded at the Hammond City Council meeting on Sept. 22, 2025.","taxTitle","Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana","taxId",4586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458438,"Council introduces new tax funds and accepts $51,750 CHRP grant for traffic safety",133,1603000,1736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06&start=1603&end=1736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06/thumbnail_1603000.jpg","/articles/6458438/Hammond-City/Lake-County/Indiana/Council-introduces-new-tax-funds-and-accepts-51750-CHRP-grant-for-traffic-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458438-9a09c4d43da70fb8fc74bf2ec11cb4de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423820&Signature=iCvvKcX2jFkzi40KzbkT16DDE5~mUYR~O2vtxUPksO5F905IltpN-ZOpwIjS7CxkZfS4l6bIPrtOg9x94Rd5hUDe7pJIovUZAihoD8bVbzcUp~XK2lMRcQ5UIa5do8jXMPnYTI0MTnXkpMON2y6we6m53BsnDwjmzqmaAcu6-bZ1vjqkxpZ8jsYYgUtm8L1~LhPgYYYF9hcJUqQhFfcVn4cW2~8k8HTE1R3lPxQx2ayR~4L4is6HVtJc6waOsu3ziDopz8iAFRHpFZsTzII3GNcPWMIjZjS~1-bt1KnAE6YtvnJWTVLc3~9GcVii~uuXtF2wR8cgpztY64VIbxEmxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hammond City Council on Sept. 22 introduced multiple ordinances establishing new municipal fund numbers and approved acceptance of a $51,750 FY2026 Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHRP) grant to pay for enforcement and safety efforts, the council said.

Councilwoman Venez moved for first and second reading of ordinance 25-18 to create new funds tied to the municipal food-and-beverage tax and ordinance 25-19 to create funds tied to the municipal wheel tax; both motions passed with the ayes. She also moved for first and second reading of ordinance 25-20, which establishes three grant fund line items (recorded in the meeting as fund numbers 2493, 2494 and 2495) for the CHRP grant in the amount of $51,750.

Venez said the CHRP grant funds will support overtime for enforcement (speed, seat belt and impaired-driving enforcement), related employer taxes and retirement contributions, and federal grant-line tracking. She described separate line items targeting seat-belt and speed enforcement, safe stop-arm enforcement, and pedestrian/bicycle safety focused on reducing injuries and fatalities.

The council recorded the motions as passing with the ayes. No opposition was announced during the council session; the ordinances were advanced for formal adoption in subsequent proceedings as required by city rules.

Ending: Council members were reminded that the budget will be introduced at the Oct. 14 meeting and that members must be present in person (or by permitted electronic means with live video) to vote on the budget.","Council gave first and second readings to ordinances creating new municipal fund numbers for food-and-beverage and wheel-tax receipts and approved a $51,750 comprehensive highway injury reduction program (CHRP) grant to fund enforcement and safety work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458441,"Capital Improvement Board allocates funds for quiet zones, EV chargers and Summer Street work",138,1110000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06&start=1110&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","/articles/6458441/Hammond-City/Lake-County/Indiana/Capital-Improvement-Board-allocates-funds-for-quiet-zones-EV-chargers-and-Summer-Street-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458441-7e6b0da6813f2ae7876213e41fdc97d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423820&Signature=lZBzQjxBTBcUDe96qhmbs7LPVbdMq~~23tWk6LV~ubGURNkqylOU5p5NVHrjr3kriVvGdFxg88vCB3sgUKC0MrI9SOtIH70LOfmk8nDdkMcXhXEuLOb9KOfrd4PP71LN~HIkotIS9-ldskSUep7VasMQzsVBbUiR6FPmS~cLxgEpWwlp40y5RlZL5wYroQGNdl0KDlImN3ExVTBp1uzp96q4pDMWHMvmu4owt0E5YkFhgmLuNesB8vdhP~2UYre~-C7PyOMAUH2-GJ4SEPeEy~O0OvxziGODO6~pFcKA~0p3YcXLay8-~81-cK5gsN7Olij7LqM0ikLsyBz~0U4s-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the Sept. 22 council meeting, Councilman Salinas reported on the Sept. 15 Capital Improvement Board meeting, which approved three funding allocations: an administrative fee for quiet-zone evaluation, a contract to install electric vehicle charging stations, and change orders for Summer Street reconstruction.

The board allocated $26,500 to Norfolk Southern Railway to cover the administrative fee for quiet-zone evaluation covering nine crossings across Hammond, including locations near Downtown Hammond and in Hessville. Salinas said the fee is to support evaluation of quiet zones at those crossings.

The board also accepted a $106,300 quote from Midwestern Electric to install four electric-vehicle chargers — two at City Hall and two at the Hammond Sportsplex — with one rapid charger at each location. Council members noted the charging equipment cost was covered by a grant and this allocation covers installation.

Finally, the board approved change orders for Summer Street reconstruction (items 8 and 13–17) to Reath and Riley Construction in the amount of $15,567.94; Salinas said this project is part of an 80/20 funding split.

Salinas said the EV chargers were tied to a grant that covered equipment costs while the city’s allocation covered installation. No formal council vote was recorded on these committee-level funding allocations during the meeting; they were reported as committee action.

Ending: City staff will proceed with contracting and project coordination; council members were briefed and asked questions about grants and project scope.","The Hammond Capital Improvement Board approved three allocations including a $26,500 quiet-zone administrative fee, $106,300 to install four EV chargers, and $15,567.94 in change orders for Summer Street reconstruction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458444,"Council approves variances for Foreign Local Brewery on Kennedy Avenue, 9-0",1814,127000,1941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06&start=127&end=1941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817553-800b8450e8d2646fe8a4a920f717de06/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6458444/Hammond-City/Lake-County/Indiana/Council-approves-variances-for-Foreign-Local-Brewery-on-Kennedy-Avenue-9-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458444-780c8d83c8a8bdb336443287dc4ff362/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423820&Signature=P5R1nf9XKiaLBBXa6Cz10JxyIZ4KVhrPFUCBfh9X6gSBgcezlz7Iu8ltkRAyes2WcjSigBrtUzh9r6J8NsBn8HvfXn0r0tJ1erOtAVvbqmcYaMNEOPUGafAvIbT2bqB9NdkZdtlZXN5tXkNUCVzxKELXqQtNwP~FcRZJi58tEibhPWuMaGLliwB4xYiQ~0WUbup8o1A78XfDTNY9yOYb6qT0MJ3FwLAAWEV-aJV76lcOPwJvObmRYW7fu72CrbvsHVriuHMXUBu5YAIlyLYZk5iI7H7PrbbVgpxAfEVaHdepMBFBPthaPmXr9wVkpGhqjBdQJ~~WUfmUvyTFdGtZKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hammond City Council on Sept. 22 unanimously approved two zoning actions to allow Foreign Local Brewery to operate in Hessville, votes that city leaders said will create local jobs and reuse an underused commercial property.

Councilman Rakos moved to pass ordinance 25-21, a variance of use for Foreign Local Holdings LLC, and the motion passed 9-0 following a roll call. The council then approved a related variance (25-22) and a zoning change tied to BZA case Z2515 for property at 6716–6718 Kennedy Avenue, also by a 9-0 vote.

The measures originated from the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals and were presented as implementing the BZA recommendations. Mayor Tom McDermott described the site as the old Host Connection building on the 6700 block of Kennedy Avenue and said the new business plans to open by the end of the year, create about 10 to 15 jobs and represent roughly a $1 million investment in Downtown Hessville. “It’s the perfect type of business the city’s been striving for in Downtown Hessville,” McDermott said.

Councilman Salinas spoke in support: “I met Mike personally. He’s a responsible business owner,” Salinas said, referring to the brewery’s proprietor, who was present at the meeting. The owner, identified in the meeting as Mike Kolacki, answered questions during caucus and told council members he expects to brew a beer they discussed — referenced in the meeting as the “ghost chant” — hopefully before the end of the year.

Council members asked whether there had been public comment at the BZA hearing and were told there were some questions from nearby residents; the clerk’s office provided draft BZA minutes to the council as part of the record. No council member registered opposition during the council votes.

The council’s approvals clear the way for the brewery to move forward with permitting and any remaining inspections or administrative steps required by city departments.

Provenance: The council’s initial description of the proposed brewery and its location was given in the mayor’s report (see transcript excerpt). The motions, roll calls and final 9-0 outcomes appear in the meeting minutes and roll call recorded later in the meeting.

Ending: With the variances approved, city staff and the business will proceed with local permitting and inspections; council members signaled support for the project as a downtown revitalization step.","The Hammond City Council voted unanimously to approve two zoning variances allowing Foreign Local Brewery to open in Hessville, with council members citing local jobs and downtown revitalization.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Hammond City Council meeting, Sept. 22, 2025

Council introduces new tax funds and accepts $51,750 CHRP grant for traffic safety

Capital Improvement Board allocates funds for quiet zones, EV chargers and Summer Street work

Council approves variances for Foreign Local Brewery on Kennedy Avenue, 9-0