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Votes at a glance: Hammond council approves park alcohol rules, annexation, equipment purchases and several resolutions
Summary
The Hammond City Council completed a series of votes on Aug. 12, adopting park alcohol rules, calling a millage renewal election, approving annexation and several capital and operational resolutions while tabling a contentious group‑living zoning rewrite.
The Hamilton (Hammond) City Council completed a series of votes on Aug. 12. Below is a concise roundup of formal actions, recorded tallies and next steps.
Final adoption: Alcohol‑in‑parks ordinance Motion/measure: Final adoption of an ordinance to amend the code of ordinances regarding alcoholic beverages in city parks (amended language clarifies it covers the sale of alcohol only). Vote: Recorded unanimous adoption (majority ayes). Outcome: Approved. Notes: Staff and downtown organizers said special events will continue to request an open‑container waiver through administration and, where required, the council.
Final adoption: UDC definitions cleanup Motion/measure: Ordinance removing unused definitions from the Unified Development Code (staff said this removes roughly 18 pages of unused text). Vote: Recorded adoption by the council. Outcome: Approved.
Final adoption: Call special election for public works millage Motion/measure: Ordinance to call a special election to renew the public works millage (revenue estimated at about $596,000 annually). Vote: 4 yes, 1 no (Councilman Quayles recorded dissent). Outcome: Approved; will appear on the November ballot; staff will run a voter information campaign.
Motion: Table group living UDC amendment Motion/measure: Motion to table the ordinance establishing specific use standards for group living and care facilities. Vote: Motion to table passed (recorded ayes). Outcome: Tabled for further revision and public input.
Final adoption: Annexation of 35 acres (High Park Blvd) Motion/measure: Ordinance annexing 35 acres (Lot 1‑D‑1B) on High Park Boulevard, zoned I‑L and located in District 3. Vote: Unanimous recorded approval. Outcome: Approved; applicant will tie development into city sewer and water infrastructure.
Resolutions and other votes (summary) - Resolution accepting the annual municipal water pollution prevention report (LD EQ required): Approved by council vote. - Resolution to table an alcohol permit for Yellow Store (310 E. University Ave.): Tabled (applicant not present). - Reappointments to Hammond Housing Authority Board: Elliot Sanders and Gregory Vernon appointed; votes included multiple abstentions and several ayes (both approved). Notes: Jennifer Brunei (executive director) said five‑year staggered terms are standard per HUD practice; council asked for confirmation of statutory requirements. - Bruce Arts Festival (Bruce Arts Festival) alcohol permit and open‑container waiver for Oct. 25, 2025: Both resolutions approved (one abstention on each vote); organizers said timely approval was needed for planning. - Resolution to apply for a $24,000 Edward Byrne JAG grant for license‑plate readers: Approved. - Resolution to purchase Kubota excavator (KX040‑5R3) for $68,945.60 (Star Equipment, state contract): Approved; council discussed GPS tracking of city equipment. - Resolution to extend the moratorium on off‑premise signs and billboards for 90 days: Approved (divided vote). - Resolution to purchase 70 Dell rugged laptops for Hammond PD for $84,316.40 (state contract): Approved (one abstention).
Actions recorded in the transcript are summarized above; council staff will provide follow‑up details and timelines for the millage informational campaign, permit timestamps for contested sign applications, and revised group‑living language following the tabling vote.
