At a meeting of the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety, members approved a series of routine infrastructure and administrative items, including a change order with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) for curb-and-gutter repairs on the Kennedy Avenue road-diet project, continuation of the city’s sidewalk replacement contract with J.J. Newell, and a service agreement with Kavanaugh McDonald Consulting LLC for actuarial and pension consulting.

Why it matters: The approvals keep multiple city projects and administrative processes moving forward. The INDOT change order addresses failed curb and gutter joints discovered during construction and is eligible for reimbursement, the sidewalk contract continuation preserves contractor pricing and project continuity, and the actuarial agreement secures pension consulting for the city controller’s office.

What the board approved: Board members approved the INDOT change order after staff reported the curb-and-gutter joints had opened and failed during construction and that INDOT agreed the repairs were eligible for reimbursement. Dean Button requested the change order and said the project remained under budget; the board approved the request by motion and voice vote.

On the sidewalk program, staff said they were satisfied with contractor J.J. Newell’s work and that the contractor offered to continue prior pricing for 2026. "We'd like to continue our relationship with J. G. Newell," a staff speaker said; the board approved the continuation of the sidewalk replacement agreement by motion.

The board also approved a service agreement with Kavanaugh McDonald Consulting LLC for actuarial and pension consulting, right-of-way permits (including work by NIPSCO and Comcast), and a lane-closure request from FH Passion for 165th Street to allow flasher adjustments on an overhead gantry. A ClickFix request to install 'no dumping' signage near Round Alley at 6261 Delaware was referred to public works and inspections for installation and enforcement following the required seven-day council notification. The board set a rental-registration and late business-license hearing for Jan. 22, 2026.

All motions recorded in the transcript were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the meeting was opened for public comment but no members of the public spoke. The board then adjourned.

Key quotes from the meeting include a seasonal greeting and concise staff summaries: "Happy New Year to the Board," an attendee said at the start of the meeting. On the sidewalk contract, a staff speaker said the contractor "has offered to continue the pricing."

Next steps: Engineering will follow up on the residential-parking request for the 5400 block of White Oak and prepare recommendations; inspections was asked to coordinate enforcement for the no-dumping signage. The rental-registration hearing will occur on Jan. 22, 2026 as set by the board.