The Hammond Capital Improvement Board on Jan. 21 approved meeting minutes and four funding allocations for public-safety, road and stormwater projects.

Board members voted unanimously present to approve the Dec. 2, 2024 meeting minutes at the start of the session. The board then approved four allocations: $9,700 to relocate the Robertsdale emergency siren, $252,500 for Fifth and State Line improvements, $17,700 for a Clark Field storm sewer redesign and $480,250 to design a downtown station approach.

The approvals were routine and passed by roll call votes, with the board recording six votes in favor and one member absent on each roll call where a tally was recorded.

On the siren relocation, a staff member said the existing siren sits next to the current Fire Station 2, which will be demolished once crews move into a new Station 2. "During the course of that demolition, we'll need to relocate the existing emergency siren to the new Station 2," the staff member said. The board approved $9,700 for the relocation, citing less electrical work was needed than on a similar relocation done last year. The motion to approve was moved by Commissioner Muda and seconded by Councilman Salinas and carried 6–0 with 1 absent.

The board awarded a $252,500 contract to Gary Up Construction for Fifth and State Line improvements. Staff told the board the Board of Public Works and Safety opened bids in December and Gary Up was the low responsive, responsible bidder; the amount was below the engineer's estimate after the project was rebid with some items changed. Staff described the intersection—between the Third and Fourth districts where eastbound traffic on River Oaks Drive meets the intersection—as having a "kink" that has led to crashes and vehicles departing the roadway; the approved work includes warnings for motorists and rumble strips. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Prieto and carried 6–0 with 1 absent.

The board approved $17,700 to Neiss Engineering for a storm sewer redesign at Clark Field. Staff said the original designer placed storm sewer pipe on private property in two locations and that the $17,700 pays for nominal engineering to put the pipe in the correct location; staff also said the city will pursue action later to recover costs from the original designer. Commissioner Meade seconded the motion; it passed 6–0 with 1 absent.

Finally, the board approved $480,250 to Lochmuller Group to design the eastern approach to the future downtown Hammond station. Staff said the funds cover NEPA work, survey and road design for a construction project estimated at $2.4 million. The speaker noted the original grant application contemplated design being 100% locally funded, and that future project designs at the regional level may be funded on an 80/20 federal/local split, which can change consultant selection processes. Councilman Rakos moved the motion and Councilman Salinas seconded; it passed 6–0 with 1 absent.

The board then heard a brief new-business item and adjourned. There was no public comment during the public-expression portion of the meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Approve meeting minutes (Dec. 2, 2024): Moved by Commissioner Prieto; seconded by Councilman Salinas. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded 6 in favor, 1 absent.
- Funding Allocation 02/26 — Robertsdale siren relocation: $9,700. Moved by Commissioner Muda; seconded by Councilman Salinas. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded 6 in favor, 1 absent.
- Funding Allocation 02/27 — Fifth and State Line improvements (Gary Up Construction): $252,500. Moved by Councilman Rakos; seconded by Commissioner Prieto. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded 6 in favor, 1 absent.
- Funding Allocation 02/28 — Clark Field storm sewer redesign (Neiss Engineering): $17,700. Moved by (motion recorded); seconded by Commissioner Meade. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded 6 in favor, 1 absent.
- Funding Allocation 02/29 — Downtown Hammond Kiss And Bridal design (Lochmuller Group): $480,250. Moved by Councilman Rakos; seconded by Councilman Salinas. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded 6 in favor, 1 absent.

The board scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 3.