Gary’s officials are holding eight public meetings this month that residents should know about, attend in person or watch online. Every month Capital B attends three meetings in person: Gary Common Council, Board of Public Works and Safety, and Gary Redevelopment Commission. We hope to see you there. Email us if you are coming. We’d love to connect at the meeting and chat. Add the meetings to your calendar.
The Gary Common Council is Gary’s legislative and fiscal body. The council has the exclusive responsibility for passing or changing local laws (known as ordinances) and resolutions, with their chief responsibility being the adoption of the city budget each year.
Dates: Oct. 6 and Oct. 20
Location: Public Safety Facility (Community Room)
Time: 6 p.m.
Contact: (219) 881-1315
Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
The Board of Parks Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the city’s parks, recreation centers and programs including park maintenance, seasonal programming and facility rentals.
Dates: Oct. 13 and Oct. 27
Location: Hudson-Campbell Sports and Fitness Center, 455 Massachusetts St.
Time: 10 a.m.
Contact: (219) 886-7099 ext. 36900
Meets on second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
Board of Public Works and Safety
This board handles much of the city’s day-to-day business. It approves contracts, purchases, change orders, and public works projects while also overseeing certain police and fire personnel matters.
Dates: Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, and Oct. 28
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway, Cleo Wesson Lounge, second floor
Time: 2 p.m.
Contact: (219) 881-1310
Meets weekly on Wednesdays
This board hears requests to make changes to zoning codes, such as variances and special exceptions. When a property owner wants to use land in a way it is not currently zoned for, appeals are made to this body.
Date: Oct. 8
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m.
Contact: (219) 881-1300
Meets on the second Thursday of the month
This commission manages economic development and blight removal. It controls the city’s tax increment financing and has the ability to buy, sell, and assemble land for development projects.
Dates: Oct. 14 and Oct. 28
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 4 p.m.
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month
This commission handles land-use planning. It reviews rezoning requests, subdivisions and site plans, maintains the city’s comprehensive plan, and sends zoning recommendations to the council for final approval or disapproval.
Date: Oct. 15
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Meets on the third Thursday of the month
The board oversees the city’s federally funded public housing and Section 8 voucher programs. While it is not a branch of city government, its commissioners are appointed locally.
Date: Oct. 15
Location: Gary Housing Authority Central Office, second floor, 578 Broadway
Time: 6 p.m.
Contact: (219) 881-6400
Meets on the third Thursday of the month
Gary Sanitary District/Stormwater Management Meeting
This body runs the city’s wastewater treatment plant and sewer system, sets sewer and stormwater fees, and manages flood and drainage infrastructure.
Dates: Oct. 2 and Oct. 16
Location: 3600 W. Third Ave.
Time: Noon
Contact: (219) 944-0595, ext. 1816
Meets on the first and third Fridays of the month
