Hammond council approves $20.5 million in claims, advances riverfront district and redevelopment plans
Loading...
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the Hammond Common Council approved $20,512,960.89 in registered claims, passed multiple ordinances on first/second reading, and adopted redevelopment resolutions expanding North Hammond and establishing the Jacob Square residential program.
The Hammond Common Council on Jan. 21 approved registered claims totaling $20,512,960.89 and advanced a package of ordinances and redevelopment resolutions shaping downtown and North Hammond redevelopment.
Councilman Rakos moved approval of registered claims from Jan. 7 through Jan. 21 covering claim numbers 199–788 in the amount of $20,512,960.89; the measure passed on a roll call vote, 9–0. Council members also approved the Jan. 12 meeting minutes by voice/roll call, 9–0.
On ordinances, Councilman Rakos introduced ordinance 26-02, establishing fees for non-emergency “lift assist” calls by the Hammond Fire Department; the council passed the item on first and second reading and referred detailed scope and implementation questions to committee. “Non emergency lift assist is described as no reported observed medical emergency, no immediate threat to life, limb, or property, and no medical treatment, transport or emergency intervention is required or provided,” Councilman Rakos said.
Councilman Salinas moved and the council approved ordinance 26-03 to create a municipal riverfront district that would let the redevelopment commission manage restaurant liquor licenses within a specified downtown boundary; the ordinance passed on first and second reading. Salinas said the district is meant to ease the cost and competition for restaurant applicants by allowing an application process within the district before seeking state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission approval.
The council adopted resolution 26R02 to expand the North Hammond development area and approved the 2025 amendment to the North Hammond redevelopment plan by roll call, 9–0. The council also adopted resolution 26R03, establishing the Jacob Square residential housing development program (a residential tax-increment financing strategy) to capture new assessed value within Jacob Square for capital improvements.
Procedural votes were recorded throughout the meeting by roll call; where roll-call tallies were recorded the outcomes were unanimous (9–0) in favor.
