Calumet City council approves routine measures; resident raises water-billing complaint; police to send recruits to academy

Calumet City Council on April 10, 2025, approved minutes and multiple administrative items, heard a resident who said the city’s water department had not credited a payment, and received a public-safety staffing update that included three lateral hires and plans to send eight officers to the police academy on May 5.

The meeting, led by the Mayor Pro Tem, opened with roll call and a public comment period during which resident Sharon Carney said the city had not recorded a payment she says she made. “I have my receipt from downstairs from the clerk's office. They have not put this on here. I paid it on the 20 seventh of last month,” Carney said, adding that her account earlier had a balance of $674.09 and that “I took another thousand on my bill, but it does not reflect on my bill.” The Mayor Pro Tem told Carney that staff would get her information after the meeting and try to resolve the issue.

The council approved routine items by roll call, including minutes from the March 27, 2025, meeting; three new-business action items; three building-permit items listed under agenda item 8; and financial matters numbered 1 through 21. Motions to approve the minutes and the grouped packages were made by Alderman Smith and seconded by Aldermen Tillman or Gardner as recorded on the roll calls. Recorded affirmative votes during the roll calls included Wilson, Tillman, Williams, Gardner, Patton and Smith; each motion was approved. A motion to adjourn by Alderman Patton, seconded by Alderman Tillman, closed the meeting at 6:24 p.m.

Public-safety staff provided a brief staffing update. The Police Chief reported, “We had 3 lateral hire candidates that started with us on Monday. We have, fourth 1 that will be starting next couple of weeks, and we are sending 8 to the, police academy on May 5.” The chief’s remarks came during the council’s public-safety report and were the substantive part of that agenda item.

Council members also observed a moment of silence for Deputy Fire Chief Pete Bendinelli, who was remembered during the meeting and whose funeral events were referenced by multiple aldermen. Alderman comments included condolences to Bendinelli’s family and recognition of his service to the department.

Other brief council business included committee reports with no substantive ordinances or resolutions presented, announcements of ward town halls (one council member said a Fourth Ward town hall was held recently and another reminded residents of a May 5 town hall at Downey Park, 300 Jeffrey), and reminders to submit routine requests for traffic-calming items such as speed bumps and sidewalks to the incoming Sixth Ward alderwoman.

The council did not take action on any new ordinances during the meeting; the recorded votes were approvals of minutes and grouped administrative packages. Several council members and staff offered condolences to the family and colleagues of the deputy fire chief during remarks.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:24 p.m.