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Hammond approves personnel actions, permits, plat and sets status dates for several rehab projects
Summary
The city approved a correctional officer resignation, disciplinary action, license renewals, block‑party and street‑closure requests, waivers of late fees for rental registrations and a late business‑license waiver, and set status or follow‑up dates for multiple rehab and demolition matters including scheduling Popeyes reconstruction status.
At the Aug. 7 Hammond City meeting the council approved a range of routine personnel and permit items, signed a plat for a commercial outlot at the Hammond Mercantile/Bridal Shopping Center, and set status dates for several property rehabilitation matters.
Correspondence from Police Chief William Short requesting acceptance of the resignation of correctional officer Marissa Chavez, effective close of business Aug. 13, 2025, was approved by motion. The board also approved a disciplinary action requested by Assistant Chief Jeffrey Long (personnel details were recorded as a departmental disciplinary matter). An amusement‑device license renewal for American Legion Post 232 was approved as submitted.
Street‑use and public‑event requests were approved, including a street closure request from the Most Worshipful King Solomon Universal Grand Lodge for a friends‑and‑family cookout on Aug. 16, 2025, and a block party permit requested by a resident on Roosevelt for Aug. 16, 2025. A resident request for a “do not block driveway” sign was handled administratively (public works to offer curb painting rather than a posted sign). The council approved a handicap parking space and yellow curb paint at 637 Cane Street after staff confirmed the applicant met accessible‑space requirements.
The council granted a one‑time waiver of late fees for Raptors Tree Service owner Alvaro Orozco for license periods covering 2023–25 as a courtesy; staff emphasized the waiver was a one‑time accommodation. The board also waived late registration fees for landlords who converted units to rentals during 2025 (examples in the record include Marshall Crick at 521/519 Vine and Yolanda Medron at 908 Cherry Street); fees were reduced or waived as the owners corrected their filings.
Planning and engineering business included signature approval of a plat for Ham & Mercantile Plaza (outlot at 3514–160 Ninth Street) where the applicant said a Dollar Tree and an unnamed restaurant with a drive‑through are proposed, and the board approved re‑subdivision recordation to permit the project to record with Lake County. The board also accepted developer updates and set or confirmed status dates for multiple rehab or demolition matters: the council rescinded the demolition order for 6333 Garfield after inspectors confirmed exterior work (no further action needed while owners continue finishing work); a status date of Aug. 21, 2025 was set for work at 5217 Homan Avenue and for the removal of loose exterior panels at a multi‑story property previously discussed (owners were ordered to secure a licensed contractor and start removing panels by the Aug. 21 status date). The council set Oct. 9, 2025 as a status date for reconstruction progress at the former Popeye’s (6740 Indianapolis Blvd.) after the contractor reported demolition, interior remediation and an exterior structure timeline and cited a switch‑gear supply delay that likely delays energization until September–October.
Contractors and owners were advised to coordinate with city inspectors and legal staff for documentation and inspections before the city moves to solicit demolition bids or take further enforcement steps.
