Votes at a glance: Hammond council approves event alcohol permits, appointments, equipment purchases and accepts grants

The Hammond City Council on Jan. 28 approved a package of routine resolutions and introductions, including event alcohol permits and open‑container waivers, downtown board appointments, equipment purchases for the police department, and acceptance of a residual donation from a dissolved mortgage authority.

Key actions approved or introduced:

• Planet in the Park — Benny’s Place: The council approved a resolution authorizing Benny’s Place to serve alcohol at the Planet in the Park event on Feb. 8, 2025, at K Square Park (200 West Charles Street). The council also approved a waiver of the city’s open container law for the same event. Alec Griffith of We Didn’t Planet, LLC spoke in support of the request. The motions passed by recorded voice votes.

• Downtown Development District board appointments: The council approved several volunteer appointments to the Downtown Development District (DDD) board for two‑year terms through Dec. 31, 2026. Appointees approved included Kayla Morgan (Regions Bank), John Exnisios (Hancock Whitney Bank), Justin Cash (First Guaranty Bank), and Hillary Raczek (Westside business/property owners seat). Michelle Kendall presented the nominations and the appointees addressed the council.

• Hammond Tangipahoa Home Mortgage Authority: The council approved a resolution accepting the termination and dissolution of the Hammond Tangipahoa Home Mortgage Authority. Stan Dammeron, who said he served as chairman, presented a check for the residual funds from the authority totaling $273,518.52 and said the entity dissolved on Dec. 31, 2024.

• Grants and equipment for police: The council accepted a $15,080 grant from the Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to purchase portable radios for the Hammond Police Department; no local match was required. Separately, the council approved a purchase of five dashboard cameras for the police fleet totaling $48,423 under state contract number 4400‑028‑582; the equipment is bundled with a five‑year service agreement to lock in pricing.

• Hammond BBQ / downtown events: The council approved two separate resolutions authorizing Hammond BBQ Inc. to sell or serve alcohol on city property for downtown event dates (March 28–29, 2025, and May 28–29, 2025) and granted corresponding waivers of the open container ordinance for the event boundaries described in the resolutions. Brian Chiry (Hammond BBQ Inc.) outlined the events and said proceeds support local charities.

• Introduction — Hammond North Shore Regional Airport fees: City staff introduced an ordinance to increase fees for leases and services at Hammond North Shore Regional Airport; the introduction provides public notice and schedules a public hearing at the next council meeting. Staff said the airport authority board approved the rates and an appraisal showed rates consistent with appraised values; an effective date of July 1 was noted in the introduction.

All listed resolutions and introductions passed or were introduced by recorded voice votes with council members recorded as “Aye.” Specific vote tallies were recorded on the meeting record as unanimous “Aye” votes among council members present.