City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Strong called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Taylor gave the prayer. President Strong continued with roll call. Members were present or absent as follows: Present: Chad Amos Absent: Jerry Cook Chris Lutz Jack Russell Dan Strong President Strong declared 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 Approval of Agenda: Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Retreat Memorandum, February 29, 2020, 8:00 AM Town Council Meeting, March 3, 2020, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Meeting Memorandum, March 12, 2020, 6:15 PM Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, March 12, 2020, 7:00 PM Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the minutes listed above as presented. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims: Mr. Russell made a motion to approve 3/17/2020 claims as presented. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Mr. Russell had nothing to report. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Lutz reported that they had met and discussed the rolling mermaid theme that EDC is considering. Ms. Sarah Buckner was present. She is interested in joining the EDC. Mr. Strong asked if they would bring a proposal to the council. 3. SWU Management Board Report – Ms. Gary reported that Mr. Freeman had called in earlier to say that he would not be present this evening, but had nothing to report. 1 Legal Counsel Report- Aaron Culp: 1. Mr. Culp had prepared a Declaration of Local Emergency. This prompted a discussion about how the town should move forward with the threat of the COVID-19 lingering. Conversation with each department head about their capabilities and recommendations. In addition, the council addressed plans for the safety of the town employees and citizens. Conversation continued about the best way to inform the public of the actions the town is taking to keep them aware and safe in light of the recent events concerning seriousness of COVID-19. 2. Mr. Culp had prepared a Resolution for the council’s approval. – This gave the fiscal officer authority to pay the bills if the council is not able to meet to approve the claims. Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 3. Mr. Culp addressed a handout that he provided from Tom Pitman. – Mr. Culp explained that the importance of having an attorney with insurance background for representation . He and council members agreed that it is money well spent. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve, not to exceed, up to $2,000.00 for legal counsel. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report-C.J. Taylor – Mr. Taylor had nothing. Town Engineer Report-Mr. Keith Bryant – 1. Update on E. Jackson Street Project – Mr. Bryant submitted via email options for the town to consider for rectifying the bump outs on East Jackson Street. Mr. Amos made a motion to allow up to $10,000.00 for the project including, signage and flowerpots. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 2. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant was not present. 3. I & I Project – Mr. Bryant was not present. Old Business: 1. Wellworth Drive – Mr. Lutz recused himself as he is a resident of Stillwater Cove. Ms. Griffey updated the council concerning the Wellworth Drive situation. In the end, the council, minus Mr. Lutz, asked Ms. Griffey to work with Mr. Cooper to come up with a plan to move forward. Mr. Amos is willing to move forward provided the pending legal issues are resolved, the road is up to the town’s standards and the town’s insurance will cover the road although it is outside the town’s boundaries. Mr. Russell agreed with Mr. Amos as did Mr. Strong. New Business: 1. Baker Tilly to present Water/Wastewater Study and Audit Findings – Via video conference, Mr. Rogers and his staff presented their Water and Wastewater findings, made proposals and offered some guidance for future projects. 2. Dump Truck – Mr. Amos made a motion to approved Mr. Cooper’s request to purchase a dump truck, up to $164,000.00, having secured bids through Sourcewell. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 3. Salary Ordinance Amendment – Chief Overholser presented an amendment to the 2020 Salary Ordinance to include an Advanced EMT position. Mr. Amos made the motion to approve the amendment. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 4. OTC – Bricks for Pocket Park – Consensus from the council was that OTC could use the sesquicentennial bricks the for the pocket park. 5. Red Bridge Parking Lot Bids – The council opened sealed bids from three contractors for the Red Bridge parking lot project. Results were: 2  a) Baumgartner – $16,289 b) Midwest Paving – $18,084 (base), $765 (alternate with parking bumpers) c) Young and Sons - $12,335 Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the bid from Young and Sons contingent on Mr. Culp’s review. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. Miscellaneous: 1. Ms. Gary asked the council to approve an invoice from United Consulting. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve Invoice #1990401-11 for payment. Mr. Russell seconded, motion passed. 2. Mr. Russell informed the council of his selection and recommendation to the Park Superintendent position after conducting several interviews. The council thanked Mr. Russell for his efforts in spearheading that process. Mr. Russell made a motion to hire Mr. Samuel Haymaker in the position. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. 3. Chief Overholser reported that the Hamilton County Health Department (HCHD) would like to use the Jersey Style Barriers that belong to the town. HCHD will be responsible for picking them up as well as returning them. The council didn’t have a problem with that. Comments By Citizens: There were none. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Amos made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Signatures on Official Documents! 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 (tentative) Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on April 7, 2020, at 7:00 PM at the Cicero Town Hall. 3