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Votes at a glance: Hammond council approves rezonings, demolitions, grants, airport projects; budget adoption tabled
Summary
At the June 9 meeting the council approved final adoption of three ordinance items (rezoning for a massage business, a major subdivision, and an expanded conditional use for a mobile home), authorized several demolitions, accepted multiple grants (bulletproof vests, Keep Louisiana Beautiful), ratified FAA/DOTD airport funding and awarded runway and pedestrian bridge contracts, and tabled the FY2026–27 budget for further revision.
The Hammond City Council recorded a series of formal actions on June 9, 2026, including zoning approvals, demolition authorizations, grant acceptances, and airport construction contracts. Key outcomes:
- Rezoning approved (final adoption): 1605 West Church Street (RM‑2 to MX‑N) to allow a licensed massage business (applicant Tama Dylan). Council recorded affirmative votes and approved the ordinance.
- Major subdivision approved (final adoption): Application by Sergio Messa for a reconfiguration of multiple downtown lots (East Thomas / S. Chestnut / E. Morris); planning & zoning recommended adoption (3–0); council approved.
- Expanded conditional use approved (final adoption): Allow a mobile home at 110 Alexander Road (applicant Lquetta Hills); planning & zoning recommended adoption (3–0); council approved.
- FY2026–27 budget (ordinance to adopt) was introduced but TABLED to the next meeting to allow additional district‑level meetings and to incorporate pending amendments.
- Demolition resolutions: The council authorized demolition proceedings for multiple properties (for example, 201 Mississippi St., 2808 Garner St., 608 Campo St.). Staff explained the 30‑day owner remediation window and the administrative process; council recorded approvals where listed on the agenda.
- Grants accepted: • Bulletproof vest partnership grant (Patrick Leahy program): award amount listed on the agenda; one‑for‑one match required from Hammond Police Department; staff said the award will fund about 13–14 replacement vests and the council approved acceptance and match. • Keep Louisiana Beautiful affiliate grant: $5,000 award to support litter prevention and recycling education; council approved acceptance and in‑kind volunteer match.
- Airport runway rehabilitation (Runway 13‑31 North): Council accepted FAA (~$1.94M) and DOTD (approx. $12,194) grants; ratified the low bid and awarded the construction contract to R.J. Dagel and Sons (approx. $1,937,597.50); authorized a work authorization with airport engineer Michael Baker International for construction‑phase engineering. Staff said the projects are fully funded by FAA/DOTD and require no city match.
- Pedestrian bridges (North Cherry Street project 420‑12629): Spangler Engineering reported five responsive bids; Sage Construction was the low responsive bidder within budget and the council approved awarding the contract.
- Miscellaneous: Council tabled selection of the city’s official journal (Tangi Times vs. Daily Star) pending legal review about statutory requirements and print frequency; it also amended the holiday schedule to add Election Day (Nov. 3, 2026).
Votes and procedure: For recorded votes that were read aloud the minutes record each member’s position (e.g., Councilwoman Gonzalez, Councilmen Dvaterio/Devario, Andrews, Wales, Leon read as affirmative in multiple items). Where roll‑call tallies were read, those votes are reflected in the minutes; where the agenda item lacked a public question or comment, the council proceeded to motion/second and vote. All formal actions taken that night were recorded in the meeting minutes and in the agenda packet.
