The Hammond City Council voted unanimously at its Jan. 13 meeting to approve several routine but consequential items, including payment claims, an ordinance updating the planned-unit development for the Sportsplex and committee appointments.

Council approved claims dated Dec. 17, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026 (claim numbers 1–198) totaling $8,104,604.10 after a motion from Councilman Wuerpel and a second. Clerk Golic conducted a roll-call vote; the clerk read the membership roster and all members recorded "Yes." The motion carried 9–0.

Council then considered Ordinance 26-01, an amendment to previously adopted ordinances affecting the Hammond Sportsplex and YMCA planned-unit development. Councilman Tyler moved for passage, saying the amendment implements the planning commission’s recommendation and would permit expansion of the YMCA campus to include a water park. After brief procedural discussion about statutory authority for adopting on first reading, the council voted by roll call; the ordinance passed 9–0.

On resolutions and appointments, Councilman Kalowinski moved passage of Resolution 26R-01 to reappoint Melissa Farrell to the city’s Gaming Advisory Committee. Council members praised Farrell’s roughly 15 years of volunteer service to the committee; the resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The council also read and approved volunteer appointment lists for the Gaming Advisory Committee and the Capital Improvements Board and adopted a council amendment to substitute Brandon Dorsey for a previously listed appointee; those motions passed on roll-call votes recorded as 9–0.

Procedural business completed included approval of the meeting minutes from Dec. 22, 2025, and an announced set of neighborhood crime-watch meetings. The meeting adjourned following public comment.

Votes at a glance: claims (passed 9–0); Ordinance 26-01 (passed 9–0); Resolution 26R-01 (passed 9–0); appointments/amendments (passed 9–0).