City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Strong called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Taylor gave the prayer. Present: Chad Amos Absent: Jerry Cook Chris Lutz Jack Russell Dan Strong Declare a quorum present. Others Present: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer Charlie Cambre, Park Superintendent Terry Cooper, Street & Utilities Director Jim Hunter, Police Chief Lance Overholser, Fire Chief C.J. Taylor, Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director Aaron Culp, Town Attorney Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Bruce Freeman, Storm Water Management Board President Approval of Agenda: Mr. Russell made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Amos seconded, motion passed. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting, January 7, 2020, 7:00 PM – Mr. Russell made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims: Add to claims: Morse Landing Section 1 and Hidden Bay Lift Station claim Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 3 as prepared by Watson Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $162,745.00. This pay application is for work completed from November 30, 2019 to December 27, 2019. Also included, Contractor’s Application for Payment No.2 as prepared by 3D Company, Inc in the amount of $62,749.67. This pay application is for work completed from December 20, 2019 to January 13, 2020. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the claims for 1/21/2020 as well as Application No. 3 to Watson Excavating and Application No. 2 to 3D Company. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Mr. Russell said that Taste of Chocolate will be February 10th from 5-8 p.m. at 10 West. 2. EDC Report – Nothing 1  3. SWU Management Board Report – Nothing Legal Counsel Report- Aaron Culp: Nothing Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report-C.J. Taylor – Mr. Taylor reported that Lennar Homes, M/I Homes, and Mr. Widows will be in attendance at the 2/4/2020 council meeting for rezoning approval. Town Engineer Report-Mr. Keith Bryant – 1. Update on E. Jackson Street Project – Mr. Bryant submitted an email concerning mailbox quotes that was distributed in addition to a revised schedule for E. Jackson Street. According to the schedule, everything with the exception of paving should be completed by February. He’s hoping to have the paving completed in April. Mr. Bryant also discussed the revised pay application (#7) from Schutt-Lookabill Co, and he would like to have that approved at the next council meeting. The concern over the bump outs was discussed at length. Mr. Amos inquired if it was an engineering flaw. Mr. Strong asked about Mr. Lutz’ idea of shaving them back from a previous meeting. Mr. Lutz added that since the project is not finished maybe the bump outs could be removed. Mr. Bryant will take a look at them and get back with the council. 2. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant said that Section 2 is moving slowly. There’s a lot of ground water standing. Mr. Bryant is hoping to have the Hidden Bay lift station switched over tomorrow and have that project wrapped up sometime next week. 3. I & I Project – Mr. Bryant distributed a handout for the I&I Reduction Project. He talked about saving the current lines via open cut instead of replacing the lines on Bayshore and Lakeview which would be a significant savings to the town. Mr. Lutz inquired if it would change/affect the flow. In short, the answer was no. Mr. Strong asked if the town could apply the savings to our upcoming study. Mr. Bryant didn’t think so. Mr. Amos made a motion to allow the change to lining instead of open cut. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. Old Business: 1. Animal Ordinance – Mr. Amos made a motion to approve Ordinance 01-21-2020-1 An Ordinance Approving Amendments to Chapter 90 of Title IX of the Town of Cicero’s Municipal Code. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed 4-1. 2. Council to Consider Agreement with Aaron Culp to Serve as Town Attorney for 2020 – Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the Agreement with Aaron Culp to Serve as Town Attorney. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. New Business 1. E911 Interlocal Agreement – Mr. Amos made a motion to approve E911 Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. 2. EAP for Town Employees – Mr. Overholser gave a brief summary of the EAP that he an Mr. Hunter have been working to finalize for all full-time employees. The plan that was selected covers up to 50 employees. The council was good with the idea. Mr. Hunter inquired if permanent part time employees could be included as well. Mr. Lutz asked if that would increase the cost. Ms. Gary said that currently we only have 34 full time employees, so the cost would remain the same. Mr. Amos asked Ms. 2  Gary where the town would get the funds for this. Ms. Gary said that each department would pay for it out of their respective insurance fund. The council was good with that. Mr. Amos asked Ms. Gary to include the EAP in the town’s employee handbook. Mr. Culp stated that he has forwarded e-verify information to Mr. Overholser. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the EAP contingent on e-verify approval. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 3. 2020 Ambulance Fee Schedule – Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the 2020 Ambulance Fee Schedule. Mr. Amos seconded, motion passed. 4. Parks Superintendent Hiring Process – Mr. Russell distributed a job description for the Parks Superintendent position. Discussion concerning timeframe and places to post job opening ensued. Mr. Strong would like to have the posting in the paper the first week of February, allow two weeks for interviews and fill the position around the beginning of March. Mr. Russell will continue to work with Mr. Cambre to learn more about Mr. Cambre’s duties, contacts and vendors for future use. Miscellaneous 1. Ms. Gary asked permission to cancel outstanding checks from 2017. Mr. Lutz inquired if the money from the uncashed checks needs to be sent to Indiana Unclaimed. Mr. Culp said that he was unsure, but he would get back with the council with that information. 2. Baseball Fields – Mr. Lutz met with Ultimate Tournament Series (UTS) on 1/19/2020. There was a lengthy discussion about field usage, infrastructure, concession stand, etc. It was said that the concession stand is functional; however, the sub floor is rotting out. Mr. Cambre will get specs for a new concession stand with an expansion for rest rooms. Long term a new concession stand would be nice, but the town is not in a position now to do that. It was asked if the league might pay for infrastructure. Mr. Cook stated that the current concession stand was built in the ‘60s. Mr. Amos would prefer to invest in something more permanent. Mr. Russell agreed. Mr. Strong thought that Mr. Cambre had a proposal which was more than $20,000.00. It was suggested that the town pay the stormwater fees for the ballfields in the future. Mr. Lutz asked Ms. Gary an approximate total for the year which was thought to be a little over $2,000.00 and asked Ms. Gary to see if we have some funds to pay the stormwater utility bills for UTS. Comments By Citizens 1. On behalf of the Cicero American Legion, Mr. Joe Robbins asked for a donation from the town to purchase new flags. Mr. Robbins told of the various times the flags are put out on the causeway and the sidewalks in town. He said how beautiful it looks when you come into town with the flags flying. Mr. Amos made a motion to donate $1,000.00 to the American Legion. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. 2. Mr. Chad Bleuher from the Cicero American Legion Post 341 distributed a flyer and asked permission to attach “Veteran Friendly Community” signs below the Cicero signs at entrances to the town on SR 19 and Stringtown Pike. He explained his vision. The council was in favor of the idea, but would like for Mr. Bleuher to bring back his design for the council to review. Chief Hunter said that he was ok with it. Mr. Russell offered to assist with the design. Mr. Bleuher will move forward and return with a design for the council’s approval. 3 Signatures on Official Documents! Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Russell made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Signatures of Cicero Town Council __________________________ Dan Strong, President __________________________ Chad B. Amos __________________________ Jerry Cook __________________________ Christopher J. Lutz _______________________ Richard J. Russell Attested: __________________________ Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on February 4, 2020, at 7:00 PM at the Cicero Town Hall. 4