City Council

4 TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 15, 2016 At 7:00 PM Call To Order: President Brett Foster called the meeting to order. Mr. Foster led the Pledge of Allegiance and said the prayer. Mr. Foster called for the roll call and the members of the Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Brett Foster Absent: Chad Amos Chris Lutz Craig Penwell Rusty Miller Mr. Foster declared a quorum present. Others Present: Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer Charlie Cambre, Park Superintendent Pat Comer, Street & Utilities Director Dave Hildebrand, Police Chief Lance Overholser, Fire Chief Paul Munoz, Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director Aaron Culp, Town Attorney Approval of Agenda: Mr. Foster added under New Business a Declaration of Emergency for a sewer line on Main Street and a Discussion for replacing a Firefighter/Paramedic. Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. Presentation: My Community My Vision With Ball State, Hamilton Heights Youth Vision For What They Would Like To See In Their Community. The Lieutenant Governor’s office offers a program to high school students where the students put together a plan as to what they would like to see in the future for their community. Hamilton Heights high school students presented to the Council what their vision is for their community. 1. They would like to see the NRG property fixed up. Their ideas were for the building to be torn down and shops built, possibly a maker’s district where small businesses could work, or quality affordable housing. 2. They would like to see a community bike trail connecting Cicero, Arcadia, and Atlanta to the schools. They stated that they understand that another entity has taken on this project. They were glad to see that was happening. 3. The last item they would like to see is a drive in movie at one of the parks. They surveyed students and teachers and all were in favor of this idea. It was stated that they would continue to work towards this goal with the Town. Their advisor, Chelsea Fenimore from Ball State, asked each student to introduce themselves. The Hamilton Heights students included Sam Reitenour, Ashley Klopfenstein, Ben Hiatt, and Riley Tindal. Mr. Foster thanked them for a good job and stated that they are right on track with what the Council is thinking. Ms. Fenimore informed the Council they the students would be presenting their findings to the 1  Lieutenant Governor’s office on April 12th. Hamilton Heights was chosen as one of six schools in the state to participate in this program. Ms. Fenimore informed the Council that the students conferred with Shea Kmicikewycz Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Special Meeting Minutes, March 1, 2016 – Mr. Lutz noted that the time of the meeting should be 6:00 PM not 7:00 PM. Mr. Lutz then made a motion to approve the Town Council Special Meeting for March 1, 2016 with that correction. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. Town Council Meeting Minutes, March 1, 2016, 7:00 PM – Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the Town Council Meeting Minutes for March 1, 2016. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims: Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the Claims as presented. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Petitions by Citizens: There were none. President’s Report: 1. President Foster stated that he had nothing this evening. Council Committee Reports: 1. Events Committee – There was nothing. Legal Counsel Report- Aaron Culp: Mr. Culp informed the Council that the Cicero Auto business had a fire this morning and the facility was totaled. The Town has a judgment against this business for $1,000 that is still owed. Mr. Culp stated that the Town would need to make sure this site was cleaned up as it is currently a health and safety hazard. Fire Chief Overholser stated that INDOT and the State Fire Marshal are at the site now to determine the cause and effect of the fire. INDOT is concerned with contamination to the ground. No one was hurt in the fire. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report-Mr. Munoz: 1. Mr. Munoz stated that he had nothing. Town Engineer Report-Mr. Keith Bryant: Mr. Bryant was not available. Old Business: Council To Consider Approving Moving Forward With Place Based Investment Fund Grant For Pier. Mr. Munoz distributed a packet of information to the Council which included a letter of support to be signed by the Council President. The Council reviewed the packet. It was clarified that Phase II would include participation by the school and students as addressed in the My Community My Vision group above. The entertainment portion in Phase II would be addressed in 2017. Mr. Cambre stated that he had approval from the Marina and Citizens for the project. When Mr. Lutz inquired about the funding Ms. Kmicikewycz stated that OCRA and the Office of Tourism Development partner with the Place Based Investment Fund. Mr. Lutz inquired about the probability of the Town receiving this money. Ms. Kmicikewycz stated that she has spoken with them and they thought the project was unique and were very excited about it. They award about 8-10 each year. The applications are in the spring and fall and if you receive the award you 2  are not eligible again for four years. Depending on the election outcomes, this could stay or be done away with next year. There is $300,000 available, each entity can apply for up to $50,000 and there is no fee to apply. Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the application and give Mr. Foster permission to sign. Mr. Lutz’s seconded, motion passed. Council To Approve Purchase Of LED Bulb Replacements For Fire, Police, Utilities Office, and Water/Wastewater/Street Facilities From CCD. Chief Hildebrand stated that he was not ready to move forward with this as he has scheduled another vendor to come in and give an estimate. Mr. Lutz made a motion to table. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. Council To Approve Purchase Of Police Vehicle From CCD. Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve up to $25,000 for the purchase of a third police vehicle this year. This will get rid of all of the Impalas. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. New Business: Council To Consider Resolution 03-15-2015-1 Transfer Of Funds For CT, Plan, Fire, Police, Park, CCD, Trash, Water, and MVH. Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve Resolution 03-15-2015-1 Transfer of Funds. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. Council To Declare An Emergency Repair Of A Sewer Line. Mr. Comer stated that the transmission line for wastewater on Main Street between Neal and Buckeye has had numerous repairs over the last few years. Last week there were two more breaks which were repaired but they are not going to last. In order to stay in compliance with the Agreed Order with IDEM this line needs to be replaced immediately. Mr. Comer stated that when the line is replaced, they are increasing the size of the pipe to allow a larger amount to be pumped up the hill to get to the gravity flow line. Mr. Miller made a motion to declare an emergency and proceed with the repair and replacement of the sewer line on Main Street. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Council To Consider Filling Position Vacant Firefighter/Paramedic Position. Fire Chief Overholser reviewed the options he presented to the Council via e-mail: 1. Do nothing and attempt to fill the position with a part-time person. 2. Set-up our own process for hiring. This requires funding for exams, merit interviews, overtime for interview boards, and physical exams. Estimated cost is $5000 to $10,000. Time frame: 3 to 6 months. 3. Buy into the county process. However, as of last week, there are no medics on this list and the new list will not be done until later this year. 4. Attempt to hire a current FF/medic who is already in the 1977 PERF fund. This “lateral transfer” would allow us to hire without a hiring process as discussed above. The merit board would have final approval of the hire after interviews by a board made up of staff here at the station. The time frame for doing this is approximately 1 month. Chief Overholser was asked if he had any current fill-in or volunteers that might apply. Chief Overholser said that he would probably have a couple. Mr. Lutz made a motion to proceed with attempting to hire a current FF/medic that is already in 1977 PERF fund. Mr. Miller seconded, motion passed. 3 Miscellaneous 1. Mr. Cambre inquired about the Town’s commitment to the $25,000 for their share of the Place Based Investment Fund Grant. Mr. Culp stated that the commitment was in the letter that Mr. Foster will be signing. Comments By Citizens There were none. Signatures on Official Documents! Motion To Adjourn: Mr. Miller made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. __________________________ Brett S. Foster, President __________________________ Chad B. Amos, Vice-president __________________________ Christopher J. Lutz __________________________ Robert J. Miller _______________________ Craig S. Penwell Attested: __________________________ Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer The next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on April 5, 2016, at 7:00 PM at the Cicero Town Hall. 4