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Hammond Redevelopment Commission approves intergovernmental landscaping agreement, property management contract and multiple real-estate actions
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Hammond Redevelopment Commission approved an intergovernmental agreement for landscaping and plow services, renewed a downtown property management contract, authorized two RFP advertisements, approved claims and finalized a home‑lot assignment; an emergency sewer loan recipient thanked the commission.
The Hammond Redevelopment Commission on Feb. 4 approved a resolution allowing the City of Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety to provide landscaping and plow services for property owned by the redevelopment commission, renewed a one‑year management agreement with the Hammond Development Corporation for three downtown properties, authorized advertising two requests for proposals for commercially zoned parcels, approved its register of claims and approved the assignment of a Clark Field lot purchase agreement.
The commission approved Resolution No. 2025-02, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement that will let the city pay for landscaping and snow‑plow services on properties owned by the redevelopment commission rather than the commission paying from its tax‑increment finance (TIF) fund. The agreement was presented to the commission by Attorney Westland and passed on a 5-0 roll call vote.
The resolution matters because the commission previously used TIF funds for those services; Attorney Westland said the city controller indicated that paying from the commission's TIF fund was no longer approved by the Department of Intergovernmental Finance, so the city will pay the costs if the commission approves the agreement.
The commission also approved a one‑year management agreement with the Hammond Development Corporation to manage three downtown properties at 5209 Homan Avenue, 5233 Homan Avenue and 5246 Homan Avenue. The agreement continues HDC’s role in building maintenance, general management and lease oversight and passed on a 5-0 roll call vote.
The commission authorized staff to advertise requests for proposals to sell two commercially zoned parcels, 5341 Seoul Avenue and 609 Kane Street, after a prospective buyer expressed interest in expanding an existing local business. The commission also opened and reported that no proposals were received in response to an earlier request for proposals for the parcel commonly described as 1149‑11 State Street; no action was taken on that parcel.
On financial business the commission approved the register of claims dated Jan. 10, 2025, through Jan. 30, 2025, covering claim numbers R66671 through R66742 inclusive; the motion passed 5-0.
During new and unfinished business the commission approved an assignment of a purchase agreement for Lot 27 of Clark Field, transferring the buyer’s deposit and the buyer’s interest from James Talon to Fernando Villasenor Jr.; Villasenor was present in the audience and the motion passed 5-0. Commissioners noted the assignment carries the original agreement's terms, including required plans and covenant review.
At the start of the meeting the commission recorded an emergency program commission notification and approved it for the record: resident Valeria Portoso Gonzales reported she had received an emergency loan to repair a sanitary sewer in front of her home at 4849 Pine Avenue and told commissioners she was satisfied. "Thank you," Gonzales said after commissioners recorded the notification; the motion to approve the notification passed 5-0.
Reports to the commission included a community‑events announcement by Ann Taylor that the city’s annual Black History Month celebration will be held Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center (no tickets required). Taylor also recognized Nancy Hopper for her work coordinating the annual point‑in‑time homeless count and thanked volunteers.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes for Jan. 7, 2025 — motion passed 5-0. - Emergency program notification (Valeria Portoso Gonzales, 4849 Pine Ave.) — approved 5-0. - Resolution 2025-02: intergovernmental agreement with City Board of Public Works & Safety for landscaping/plow services — approved 5-0. - Management agreement with Hammond Development Corporation (5209, 5233, 5246 Homan Ave.) — approved 5-0. - Authorization to advertise RFPs for 5341 Seoul Ave. and 609 Kane St. — approved 5-0. - Acceptance of RFPs for 1149-11 State Street — none received; no action taken. - Register of claims (01/10/2025–01/30/2025; R66671–R66742) — approved 5-0. - Assignment of purchase agreement for Lot 27, Clark Field (James Talon → Fernando Villasenor Jr.) — approved 5-0.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by the commission president, and all five commissioners recorded present for the roll call. The commission adjourned following the listed business.
