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Hammond council approves claims, refers EV-charger rates and amends order of business
Summary
The council approved minutes and $7,954,604.22 in claims, referred an EV-charging-rate ordinance (26‑07) to the finance committee, and approved ordinance 26‑08 (amending order of business) on first and second reading; committee reports included three small capital improvement allocations.
At its regular meeting the Hammond Common Council completed routine business: it approved the minutes from the February 23 meeting and approved the register of claims for the period 02/27/26–03/04/26, claim numbers 1655–2011, totaling $7,954,604.22.
Councilman Rakos moved to approve the claims and the motion passed after roll-call vote (recorded in the meeting as 9 in favor, 0 opposed). The presiding officer announced the claims had passed.
On ordinances, Councilman Spitali introduced ordinance 26‑07, proposing electric vehicle charging rates for a city‑owned EV station. The council moved for first and second reading and referred 26‑07 to the finance committee; a committee meeting was scheduled for March 23 at 5:15 p.m. Separately, ordinance 26‑08 (an amendment to section 30.25 of the Hammond Municipal Code regarding the council order of business) was advanced on first and second reading without a committee hearing; council members said the change allows flexibility in agenda order and makes the mayor's address part of the regular ordinance structure.
Committee reports: Councilman Salinas summarized three capital improvement board allocations — $18,567 for benches and trash receptacles on Homan Avenue; $16,425 for JF Mahoney ditch improvements (engineering); and $1,985.55 to restore street lighting on Sibley supplemental to Homan.
Why it matters: The claims approval is the recorded disbursement authorization for the period listed; the EV ordinance referral begins the rate-setting process for a municipal charging station, and the order-of-business ordinance changes how agenda items may be arranged at future meetings.
What’s next: The finance committee will meet March 23 to consider ordinance 26‑07; staff will implement the capital improvement work as approved by the board. The council recorded no votes against these routine items at the meeting.
