Hammond council elects leadership, approves $8.10M in claims and confirms advisory appointments
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Summary
The Hammond City Common Council elected its president and vice president by acclamation/voice vote, approved $8,104,604.10 in claims, and confirmed appointments to the Gaming Advisory Committee and Capital Improvement Board with an amendment to the volunteer list.
The Hammond City Common Council on Jan. 12 elected its leadership, approved more than $8.1 million in claims and confirmed a slate of volunteer appointments.
Council members declared a new president by acclamation and selected Scott Rakos as vice president by voice vote. The council then moved to accept claims dated Dec. 17, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026, covering claim numbers 1 through 198 inclusive for a total of $8,104,604.10; Clerk Golic conducted a roll-call vote and the claims passed, recorded as nine in favor and none opposed.
The council also considered appointments to the Gaming Advisory Committee and the Capital Improvement Board. After the clerk read a list of volunteers, Councilman Wuerpel moved to amend the list to remove Councilman Rakos and add a person identified in the meeting as 'Bridal Dorsey.' The amendment was seconded, called to roll call and recorded as passing (nine in favor, zero opposed); the amended slate was then accepted.
Separately, the body unanimously approved Resolution 26R-01 to reappoint Melissa Farrell to the Gaming Advisory Committee; Councilman Kawinski noted Farrell had served as a volunteer on the board for roughly 15 years.
The meeting concluded with routine announcements and a series of community-calendar reminders.
The council adjourned the meeting after public comment.