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Hammond council approves alcohol permit, board appointments and building contracts; tables vehicle purchase
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Hammond City Council approved an alcohol permit for a new convenience store, confirmed several board appointments and awarded multiple building and park contracts. The council tabled a planned vehicle purchase for the purchasing department pending more information.
The Hammond City Council approved a slate of resolutions including an alcohol permit for a convenience store at 310 East University Avenue, reappointed and appointed members to city boards, and awarded multiple contracts for municipal building and park work. Council members tabled a proposed purchase of a Ford Explorer for the purchasing department pending additional information.
The most immediate action was approval of an application from Banny Food Mart LLC (the Yellow Store) at 310 East University Avenue to obtain an alcohol and tobacco permit. Applicant Sam Motani told the council he owns other local stations and that employees are trained; Council members voted to approve the permit, with Councilman Andrews recorded as abstaining.
Council members filled two seats on the Hammond Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board after hearing statements from nominees. Stanley Campbell and Charles Deliberto were appointed after nominations and council votes. The council also confirmed three Planning and Zoning Commission members: Ronald (Ron) Matthews, Monica Perez and Trey Tyser for four-year terms.
On facilities and parks work, the council accepted a $10,000 Louisiana Main Street Restoration grant and approved a $10,000 cash match for repairs to the Levy Building (Hammond Regional Arts Center). The council rejected all bids for Mooney Avenue Park picnic pavilions as over budget, then authorized staff to purchase a gazebo separately after receiving quotes (the lowest quote, $55,890, was from Superior Recreational Products). The council awarded exterior renovation work for Miller Memorial Library and the Levy Building (Hammond Regional Arts Center) to local contractors after reviewing competing quotes.
A planned purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for the purchasing department at a state contract price of $40,159 was discussed at length; council members pressed staff for additional details about current vehicle condition, usage patterns, repair history and alternatives. The council voted to table that item for a subsequent meeting and requested further information.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Resolution 1 — Alcohol permit for Yellow Store, 310 E. University Ave (Banny Food Mart LLC): Approved. Recorded votes: Councilman Leon: Aye; Councilman Andrews: Abstain; Councilman Wells: Aye; Councilman DeVitario: Aye; Councilwoman Gonzales: Aye. - Resolution 2 — Appointments to Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board (three-year terms): Appointed Charles Deliberto and Stanley Campbell. Recorded votes for Deliberto: Andrews Aye; Wells Aye; Leon Aye; Gonzales Aye; DeVitario Aye. Recorded votes for Campbell: Gonzales No; Wales Yes; Andrews Aye; Deliberto Aye; Leon Aye. - Resolution 3 — Reappointment of Ronald Matthews to Planning & Zoning Commission (06/16/2025–06/15/2029): Approved. Recorded votes: Divisario Aye; Gonzales Aye; Leon Aye; Wells Yes; Andrews Aye. - Resolution 4 — Appointment/confirmation of Monica Perez to Planning & Zoning Commission (06/15/2025–06/14/2029): Approved. Recorded votes: Wells Aye; Andrews Aye; Leon Aye; Divitario Aye; Gonzales Aye. - Resolution 5 — Reappointment of Trey Tyser to Planning & Zoning Commission (four-year term starting 06/15/2025): Approved. Recorded votes: Divitaria Aye; Gonzales Aye; Andrews Aye; Leon Aye; Wales Aye. - Resolution 6 — Accept $10,000 Louisiana Main Street Restoration grant for Levy Building and approve $10,000 cash match: Approved. (Staff reported match comes from previously approved funds.) - Resolution 7 — Ratify and reject all bids for Mooney Avenue Park picnic pavilions because bids were over budget: Approved (rejection). Recorded votes: Leon Aye; Wells Aye; Andrews Aye; DeViterio Aye; Gonzales Aye. - Resolution 8 — Ratify quotes and authorize purchase of Mooney Ave Park gazebo (Superior Recreational Products) for $55,890 pending state concurrence: Approved. Recorded votes: Andrews Aye; Leon Aye; Wells Aye; Gonzales Aye; Divatirio Aye. - Resolution 9 — Ratify quotes and award contract for Miller Memorial Library exterior renovations (MRP Contractors LLC, local preference) at $31,500: Approved. Recorded votes: Divatario Aye; Gonzales Aye; Andrews Aye; Wells Aye; Leon Aye. - Resolution 10 — Ratify quotes and award contract for exterior renovations at the Levy Building (Staub Window Restoration) for $49,300: Approved. Recorded votes: Leon Aye; Wells Aye; Andrews Aye; (other ayes recorded during roll call). - Resolution 11 — Authorize purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for the Purchasing Department from Bill Hood Ford ($40,159), state contract 4400023793: TABLED so staff can provide more information. Motion to table passed with recorded ayes. - Resolution 12 — Purchase three runway identification lights for $40,844.19 from Allen Enterprises Inc.: Approved. Recorded votes: Leon Aye; Wells Abstain; Andrews Aye; Divuterio Aye; Gonzales Aye.
The council’s approvals included multiple awards to contractors that had submitted quotes; in several cases council members debated whether to give preference to local vendors even when their bids were modestly higher. Staff repeatedly said funds for some items were previously approved or come from external grants; where grant deadlines were imminent, staff urged quicker procurement to meet those deadlines.
Looking ahead, council members asked for follow-up reports on the Ford Explorer request (vehicle condition, usage frequency, repair history, number of employees authorized to use it and alternative vehicle types) before taking further action.
