Votes at a glance: Hammond council approves fair alcohol waiver, computer purchase and introduces rezonings and other measures

Here are the formal actions and recorded outcomes from the Hammond City Council meeting on Sept. 23, 2025. This summary lists each formal item and its outcome as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Resolutions and final actions (votes recorded): - Resolution 1: Authorized Holy Ghost Parish Fair Committee to serve alcohol on specified dates and times within a defined boundary (Oct. 24, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Oct. 26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.). Motion approved; roll call recorded. Vote (recorded): Wells — Aye; Divitario/De Vaterio — Aye; Gonzales — Aye; Leon — Aye; Andrews — Abstain. Outcome: Approved.

- Resolution 2: Waiver of the open-container law for the same Holy Ghost Parish Fair dates/times and boundary. Motion approved. Vote (recorded): Leon — Aye; Andrews — Abstain; Wells — Aye; Divitario — Aye; Gonzales — Aye. Outcome: Approved (with one recorded abstention).

- Resolution 3: Authorize purchase of computers and peripherals under state contract 4400028252 for $101,416.14 (to replace aging Windows 10 machines). Motion to approve carried by roll call. Outcome: Approved.

- Resolution 4: Appointment of Judah Richardson to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a term ending 06/15/2029. Motion approved by roll call. Outcome: Approved.

Introductions (public notice; scheduled for Oct. 14 hearing unless otherwise noted): - Ordinance introductions related to the Unified Development Code: general definition amendments; guest house, home occupation and restaurant definitions (and new guest house section); appeals procedure unification; removal/amendment of outdated definitions and billboard requirements. Votes to introduce were recorded and the items were set for the Oct. 14 public hearing.

- Introduction of an ordinance to rezone 806 Mooney Avenue from RS-3 to RM-2 (District 3) for construction of a duplex. The item was introduced; council members expressed that access and right-of-way should be verified prior to final approvals.

- Introduction of an ordinance to rezone 610 West Morrison Avenue from RM-2 to MXN (District 2) to convert an existing building to office use. Item introduced for public hearing; a map was not attached to the packet per staff note.

- Introduction to revoke city right-of-way for 703 South Cypress Street (Iowa Addition Overlay District) conditioned on payment of survey and recording costs by applicant Mark Nettles; Planning & Zoning recommended approval. Item introduced.

- Introductions declaring moveable property as surplus and providing for donations: 2011 Tahoe K-9 unit proposed for donation to the Town of Independence and a 2016 Tahoe (K-9 unit) proposed for donation to St. Helena Parish. Items were introduced; staff committed to provide mileage and service records prior to final action.

Other recorded items: - Several planning-related introductions were recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission (votes recorded in the transcript as part of the introductions).

Notes on recorded votes and abstentions: The transcript records several roll-call votes; when an abstention was recorded it is noted above. Where a roll-call recorded a single name saying "Aye" multiple times, the clerk's tally indicates the motion carried; all introductions were moved and seconded and the recorded tallies show majority support for introduction.

What to expect next: Items introduced for public hearing will return to a future meeting (Oct. 14) with attachments and staff clarification. Resolutions that were approved (computer purchase, fair waivers, appointment) are effective as administered or per contract/procedural requirements.