Hammond Capital Improvement Board approves sign replacements, EV chargers and Columbia Avenue resurfacing; budget shows $2.9M balance

The Hammond Capital Improvement Board on March 3 approved three funding allocations for traffic sign replacements, electric-vehicle chargers and a Columbia Avenue resurfacing contract while the board’s controller reported an available balance of about $2,900,000.

The board’s controller, Commissioner Moore, said the board has “a balance of about $2,900,000” after allocating remaining 2024 budgets and the first quarter of 2025; Moore said additional receivables remain outstanding and will be credited when received.

Board members voted unanimously on every motion. The board approved a $45,000 funding allocation for citywide sign replacement design and procurement with First Group Engineering, a $144,465 purchase of electric-vehicle charging hardware from Carbon Day Electric Vehicle Charging, and a $1,494,585 contract award to Milestone Contractors LP for the Community Crossings matching grant project on Columbia Avenue from Summer Street to 160th/167th (transcript language: “A Hundred And 60 Seventh”).

On the sign project (funding allocation 232), Councilman Salinas moved to approve the $45,000 contract with First Group Engineering and Councilman Wuerpel seconded. The board chair explained the project is a like‑for‑like replacement of noncompliant signs to meet the Indiana Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices’ requirements for…