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Council approves local permits and grants, renews insurance and authorizes FAA flight inspection at Hammond airport
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Summary
In regular session the council approved an alcohol‑sale permit for Fuel Market 1, accepted multiple grants for license‑plate readers and public art, authorized renewal of city insurance, and approved an FAA flight inspection agreement for the Hammond North Shore Regional Airport.
The Hammond City Council handled several administrative and budget‑adjacent items on April 14.
Permit and business matter: The council approved a resolution to allow Fuel Market 1 LLC at 285 South Morrison Boulevard to apply for a permit to sell packaged alcohol. Owner Rajinder Sharma attended and said the store carries liquor, tobacco and fuel; council members moved and seconded approval.
Insurance: Don Steele presented the city's proposed insurance renewal package covering general liability, automobile, law enforcement, workers' compensation and other lines. Steele described a $3,000,000 aggregate limit for general liability with a $1,000,000 per‑occurrence limit and a $150,000 self‑insured retention, and said the city's premium this year is $2,528,000 versus $2,410,000 last year. Steele told the council the city should receive a dividend of $198,000 this year from the risk pool.
Grants and equipment: Council approved acceptance of a $10,000 grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts with a $5,000 city match for public art in Morrison Alley. The council also supported applying for a federal Justice Assistance Grant allocation of $19,197 to purchase an additional license‑plate reader for the Hammond Police Department (no local match required) and accepted a state Edward Vaughn Memorial JAG grant of $13,512 for the same purpose.
Airport inspection: The council authorized the mayor to enter an agreement with the FAA for a flight inspection of approach lighting and runway lights at Hammond North Shore Regional Airport, estimated at $37,648.51 and to be funded from airport funds. An airport tenant and supporter, Christopher Goodman, spoke in favor, describing safety and economic benefits.
All resolutions and the insurance renewal were moved and approved during the meeting. The record shows the council discussed timing and consistency of event hours (Cinco de Mayo street closure) and confirmed grant requirements and match amounts when relevant.
