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Hammond board ratifies grants and promotions, approves two mobile ice-cream vendors
Summary
The board ratified several grant and sponsorship agreements, approved police and corrections promotions, and granted mobile vendor licenses to two ice-cream truck operators who said they will operate around Hammond City and keep moving between stops.
At its July 2026 meeting, the Hammond City Board ratified multiple municipal agreements, approved several personnel promotions, and granted two mobile-vendor licenses.
Staff presented grant and sponsorship documents: ratification requests from the Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation, a ready grant connected to downtown work, and a memorandum of sponsorship with the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. Staff explained that some contracts are signed in the city's name and that departments will manage invoicing and project oversight; the board ratified the agreements by voice vote.
The board also approved promotional recommendations submitted in a letter from Chief Jeffrey Long: Officers Kristen Alameao and Zachary Anderson to first-class patrolman (effective July 10, 2026); Corporals Benjamin Stamba and Ryan Zurick to sergeant (effective July 21, 2026); and probationary correctional officers Tyler Mock and Haley Wise to correctional officer (effective July 21, 2026).
Two mobile-vendor applicants described their operations and received licenses. Olga Cruz said, "I have a mobile mobile truck. It's a ice cream truck. ... It's around 2:00 to 7:00." She told the board she would keep moving between stops; staff advised her to check in with the controller's office to complete paperwork after the meeting. The board approved her license.
Irwin Cervantes Cruz said he planned to operate an ice-cream truck "from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ... until sunset, weather permitting, every day" and that he would travel throughout Hammond City. The board approved his mobile vendor license.
Other routine approvals included a Diligent community-platform agreement and disposal authorizations submitted by the Hammond Police Department. Several items were approved by voice vote; staff will proceed with department-level implementation and invoicing as appropriate.
