The Hammond City Council has authorized the creation of a Charter Review Committee. The Hammond City Charter is the governing document of the city, essentially the city’s “Constitution”. The committee members were appointed by council members and the mayor to determine if any provisions of the charter need simplification, clarification, amendment, addition, or deletion and to make recommendations for revisions.
The committee consists of Arlene Knighten (District 1), Chris Broadwater (District 2), Tracy Wells (District 3), Frank DiVittorio (District 4), Lesli Bolner (District 5), and Doug Johnson (Mayor). The committee met on December 14, 2020 and elected officers, developed a general procedure for its first meetings, and adopted the public participation rules used by the city council. Their intent is to deliver a report to the council by June 30, 2021 so that the propositions could be placed on the fall 2021 ballot.
At the upcoming public meetings, the committee is asking for feedback from current and former elected officials, current and former city attorneys, and former charter review committee members. The next meeting is on January 11, 2021, at 5:30 pm in the Hammond Council Chambers at 312 East Charles Street. Two meetings are scheduled later in the month, on January 25 at 5:30 pm and January 30 at 10:00 am. The locations of these meetings have yet to be determined. Each meeting will also include time for public comment and will be recorded and available on the city’s YouTube channel.
