City Council

4 TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 20, 2014 At 7:00 PM Call To Order: President Dennis Schrumpf called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Foster gave the prayer. President Schrumpf called for the roll call and the members of the Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Dennis Schrumpf Absent: Jerry Cook Brett Foster Kay Hartley Eric Hayden President Schrumpf declared a quorum present. Others Present: Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer Charlie Cambre, Park Superintendent Pat Comer, Street & Utilities Director Dave Hildebrand, Police Chief Steve Peachey, Fire Chief Paul Munoz, Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director John Culp, Town Attorney Kelleigh Fagan, Attorney Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Paul Utterback, President Storm Water Management Board Approval of Agenda: Mr. Cook made a motion to approve agenda moving the Opening of Solid Waste bids to the first item. Mr. Foster seconded, motion passed Council To Open Bids For Solid Waste, Recycling Collection and Disposal. The Council received three bids: Ms. Hartley opened the bid from Rays Trash. Rays stated that they have a no bid but would like to be considered in the future bid request proposals. Mr. Cook opened the bid from Waste Management. Waste Management stated that they have a no bid but would like to be considered in the future bid request proposals. Mr. Foster opened the bid from Republic Services. The bid from Republic was $285,438.72 annually. This was calculated at $11.48 per household for 2072 households. Mr. Cook made a motion to table for consideration. Mr. Foster seconded, motion passed. Council To Have Discussion On Water And Sewer Wastewater Study. Mr. Rogers addressed the Council considering the Utility Rate Study. Mr. Rogers first addressed the Wastewater study. He reviewed pages 3 through 7 in the Rate Study Document. Mr. Rogers gave two alternatives: 1) shows a deficit of $38,600 1  over a three year period which would result in a minimum bill of $42.72; 2) shows a deficit of $70,100 over the same three year period if the Council chooses to go with a payment in lieu of taxes. In both cases Cicero’s water rates are low for other towns our size. Mr. Rogers then reviewed the Water Rate Study. He reviewed pages 3 through 7 in the study. Mr. Rogers again gave two alternatives: 1) shows a deficit of $45,900 over a three year period; 2) shows a deficit $73,500 over the same three years if the Council chooses to go with a payment in lieu of taxes. In both cases Cicero is still at the low end of rates charged for a minimum bill compared to other towns our size. Ms. Unger added that including water and sewer increases on a minimum bill the increase for option 1 would be an annual increase of $9.36; option 2 would be an annual increase of $15.84 on a minimum bill. Mr. Foster made a motion to take under advisement. Ms. Hartley seconded, motion passed. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, May 6, 2014, 7:00 PM – Ms. Hartley stated that the date for the next meeting was incorrect. Ms. Unger said she would correct. Ms. Hartley made motion to approve with the date change. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims: Mr. Cook made a motion to approve the claims as presented. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion passed. Petitions by Citizens: Mr. Chuck Cunningham addressed the Council concerning the amount of dust being kicked up on the Causeway construction which has caused a problem in the condos during high winds. The Council said they would have Mr. Bryant and Mr. Comer address the issue with the contractor. Carol Raines – Wants to talk to the Town Council about the Drainage issue around 269 N. Broadway Street. Ms. Raines introduced her husband and neighbors Joe and Loretta Cox. Ms. Raines then distributed photographs taken during the last five inch rain event showing the water standing on their property, Cox’s property and Story’s property. Ms. Raines said that she has spoken with Mr. Paul Utterback and he gave her a good understanding of what was going on. She has also spoken with Andy Conover at the Surveyors office and he doesn’t really have anything in that area. Ms. Raines discussed the soil erosion in her years and thanked Mr. Comer for bringing in some dirt which she said has helped. Mr. Bryant distributed results from their study of the area which shows where an extension of pipe could run to an existing storm inlet. Mr. Bryant stated that this line would not have very much elevation but by using some perforated pipe it should help eliminate the water backup in a reasonable amount of time. There was a discussion about cleaning out some existing lines and it was stated that they probably could not be cleaned since they do not know where the lines go. The lines most likely go into the field across the street which could have broken tiles. It was decided that the issue should go the Storm Water Management Board. They will study the material and schedule a meeting. 2 President’s Report: President Schrumpf reported that this past Thursday's Staff Meeting was dedicated to the Town's Budget and as a result of that discussion the following directives are being provided to our Department Heads. Effective immediately, each department must cut their 2014 budget by 5% through the balance of the year. We are also directing that the 2015 Budget, which you are now beginning to work on, be cut by 10% from the original budget that was submitted and approved for 2014. To that end, there are to be no salary increases and no promotions budgeted for 2015. Any anticipated increases in Health Insurance costs and longevity must be covered by adjustments in other areas of your budget. Mr. Schrumpf stated that the Council recognizes that these actions are painful, but they must be taken at this time in order to stem a further eroding of the Town's financial foundation. While there is no guarantee that further eroding will not occur, especially given actions of our State Legislature in past years, failing to act now will require even more severe actions in the future. These are not easy decisions to make, but we cannot spend more than the revenue that is available to our town. Mr. Schrumpf asked for Council motion on this issue. Mr. Hayden made a motion that these adjustments be made to the current and 2015 Budgets. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hayden went on to state that in 2011 the Town lost $77,759 in the cash balance from the previous years. In 2012 there was an additional loss of $90,427 and 2013 another loss in the amount of $147,279. Mr. Hayden stated that this is an alarming trend and something has to be done. Mr. Comer inquired if this applied to Utilities and Mr. Cook stated that not at this time but the rate increase could cause an effect. Mr. Schrumpf stated that the DLGF will approve a budget that is funded but there may be no money to pay due to the fact that Property Tax money only comes in twice a year and that is in June and December. Additionally it appears that the legislators are going to push hard again to do away with the business personal property tax. Ms. Hartley stated that the Council does not want to do away with departments the way some other municipalities are doing. Mr. Jim Schneider inquired about where the loss is coming from. It was stated that it comes from increased insurance costs, salary increases, and circuit breaker losses, and a loss of a contract with the township. Mr. Foster stated that right now there just isn’t enough money to fund the budget. Council Committee Reports: There were none. Legal Counsel Report-Aaron Culp: Mr. Culp stated he didn’t have anything. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report-Mr. Munoz Mr. Munoz stated he would e-mail a report to the Council. Additionally, he inquired if the Council was interested in doing a ribbon cutting with the Hamilton North Chamber of Commerce on June 21st for the opening of the Jackson Street Pedestrian Walkway. After a discussion the Council stated they would like to make sure it is open first. Town Engineer Report-Mr. Keith Bryant – Mr. Bryant addressed the following: 1. Jackson Street Pedestrian Walkway – Mr. Bryant informed the Council that he has sent an e-mail to the contractor about the dust on the causeway. Mr. Bryant 3  distributed the April inspection report on the walkway. He stated everything is moving along and that they hope to have the handrail installed in the next two weeks. Mr. Bryant stated that the walkway would be open prior to July 4th. a. Mr. Bryant stated that they are planning to have the road open by June 7th for the Triathlon. b. Chief Hildebrand stated that for Memorial Day the Legion is planning to cross the bridge and do their ceremony over the water and the band will meet them at the cemetery. c. Mr. Cook inquired if the area around the Lazy Frog could be cleaned up? There was not comment. d. Mr. Cambre informed the Council that they have started work today on the seawall at Red Bridge Park. This will be a nice addition to the park and is being completed by the Walkway Contractor Anlaan. 2. Sewer I & I Project – Mr. Bryant distributed a map of the project showing what areas are complete and stated that they plan to have all of the areas completed before they start on SR 19. Mr. Bryant stated that there are some other areas that have been found that need repair but he will talk about that at a later date. Old Business: Council To Award Bid For 2014 Paving Project. Mr. Hayden made a motion to untable. Mr. Foster seconded, motion passed. Mr. Comer stated that Midwest Paving LLC out of Noblesville was the lowest bidder and Mr. Culp stated that all of the documents were present. Mr. Comer was asked if we had used them before and he informed the Council that they were a new company but an employee from a company that was no longer in the area was working for them. Mr. Cook made a motion to approve Midwest Paving LLC for the 2014 Paving Project. Ms. Hartley seconded, motion passed. New Business Council To Consider Advertising For Additional Appropriation For CCD Fund. Ms. Unger asked the Council for permission to approving advertising for an Additional Appropriation for CCD in the amount of $310,000. Ms. Unger stated that is was for a couple of approved projects and the majority was for the reimbursable to pay for the Walkway Project. She stated that INDOT is now requiring that the Town pay the full bill and then they would reimburse after the check cleared. Ms. Hartley made a motion to approve advertising for the CCD Additional Appropriation. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. Mr. Hayden stated that the reimbursables would go back into the fund. Ms. Unger stated that was correct and that in the fall we may want to do a reduction of appropriations so the money would be available next year. Council To Consider Auction of Excess Property. There was a discussion about where the property came from. Chief Hildebrand stated that part of it came from the property room and part of it came from unusable or outdated 4  equipment in other departments. Mr. Foster made a motion to approve the disposal of the excess property. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. Miscellaneous 1. Mr. Schrumpf asked the Council to declare an emergency and allow Mr. Munoz and Ms. Unger to arrange to have the roof, windows and doors repaired over the plan commission office. Mr. Schrumpf stated that the last rain caused plaster damage in both the plan commission office and the storage room above. Mr. Hayden made a motion to declare an emergency and have the repairs made immediately. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. 2. Mr. Culp stated to the Council that he has reviewed the Republic Services bid and that all documents were present and in order. Comments from the Public There were none. Signatures on Official Documents! Ms. Hartley made a motion to adjourn the Town Council Meeting. Mr. Foster seconded. Motion to adjourn passed. __________________________ Dennis D. Schrumpf – President __________________________ Sylvia Kay Hartley- Vice-President __________________________ Jerry G. Cook __________________________ Brett S. Foster _______________________ Eric C. Hayden Attested:__________________________ Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer Note: The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 @ 7:00 PM at the Cicero Town Hall. 5