City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Strong called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Gary gave the prayer. Mr. Strong called for roll call. Members of the Cicero Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Chad Amos Absent: Chad Blueher Jerry Cook Chris Lutz Dan Strong Declare a Quorum Present: President Strong declared a quorum present. Others Present: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer Jeff Rednour, Police Chief Lance Overholser, Fire Chief Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director Terry Cooper, Street & Utilities Director Jim Hunter, Parks Superintendent Aaron Culp, Town Attorney Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Award Presentation – Mr. Cook presented Mr. “DJ” Bennett, Cicero Utility Employee, with a Lifesaving Award for his efforts with a mutual aid rescue. Mr. Bennett gave a description of the events that took place and his involvement. The council thanked Mr. Bennett for his service. 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 Executive Session Memorandum, July 15, 2021, 6:00 PM Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, July 15, 2021, 7:00 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, July 20, 2021, 7:00 PM Mr. Blueher made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims: Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the claims dated 8/3/21. Mr. Blueher seconded, motion passed. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Mr. Blueher gave an update on the gathering place (unofficial name). He also thanked Mr. Cooper for his efforts in moving the utility pole. Ms. Holt distributed a handout and talked about the fall festival on 9/18/21. At the previous meeting, she asked 1  to close Jackson Street for the fall festival from 4:00-8:00 which was approved by council. After rethinking, OTC is requesting to close Jackson Street at Cicero Pool and Spa (leaving Washington Street open) to State Road 19 at 2:00 instead of 4:00. In addition, Ms. Holt is requesting to close Byron Street (north and south) as well as Short Street. Council’s consensus was yes. Finally, Mr. Blueher made a motion for the town to pay $395.12 of the $995.12 material costs which is shared by OTC for moving the utility pole. OTC’s share is $600.00. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Amos reported that EDC will meet tomorrow evening at 6:00 at Town Hall. 3. SWU Management Board Report – President Freeman was not in attendance. Legal Counsel Report: 1. Mr. Culp stated that he has received the annexation petition from Lennar and asked Mr. Bryant to review the legal description for accuracy. He hopes to introduce that at the next meeting. 2. After consideration, Mr. Culp advised the council to accept the settlement from First Chicago Insurance in the amount of $166.29 for the damaged stop sign. Mr. Amos made a motion to accept the settlement. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – President Strong distributed a handout. Permit Revenue: July 2021 = $14,440 YTD: $95,523 July 2020 = $ 7,034 YTD: $46,326 Difference: Month = $ 7,406 YTD: $49,197 A total of 28 building permits were issued for July 2021. Twenty-seven of those were inside the corporate limits (of which 14 were new homes). One permit was issued for Jackson Township (which was an accessory structure). Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant – 1. Tamarack – Sections 1 and 2 – Developer has been sent a punch list, but has not replied with a status update. Section 3 has been inspected and the developer has been given a preliminary punch list. Sanitary sewers have been installed in section 4 and, storm and drainage facility installation continue. Section 4 water system installation has not begun. 2. Wastewater/Water Treatment Plant – Wastewater – Mr. Bryant said that they are working on a design agreement. The project scope has been sent to Mr. Cooper and Mr. Dotson for review to ensure we are all in agreement. The demo for sludge screw press equipment arrived today. The equipment offers more flexibility, dries quicker and less odor. Town Council members are welcome to stop by to see it work. Mr. Bryant met with Mr. McGoff via Zoom today regarding the SWIF Grant. They originally hoped to issue notice of grant award in early August. Now, Mr. McGoff believes that due to the large number of applicants the awards will be late August. Water Treatment Plant – The town is pursuing access to a second possible well field for testing. President Strong stated that the agreement for access to the property is being mailed tomorrow. 3. Auburn Estates – Sanitary sewers are finished, and Mr. Bryant hopes to start testing those tomorrow. The contractor is also moving ahead with the storm sewers. Water system installation has not begun. 2 Old Business: 1. Pool – After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that due to the age of the pool and the amount of money needed to repair or build a new pool council’s consensus is not in favor of a pool. However, they are not opposed to a splashpad. The council discussed different funding sources, other options to include pickleball and baseball courts, etc. In the end, Mr. Lutz made a motion to continue to move forward with plans for a new pool. Mr. Amos seconded, motion did not pass 1-4. Mr. Cook, Mr. Amos, Mr. Strong and Mr. Blueher voting nay. 2. Insurance Claim – Mr. Culp addressed this earlier. New Business: 1. Future Meeting Location – President Strong asked council their thoughts on moving the meetings back to town hall. With the increase of COVID cases and the Delta Variant, it was decided that they would continue to hold the meetings at Red Bridge Community Building. President Strong will look into pricing for a microphone system to amplify the meetings. 2. Fire Department Fiscal Study – President Strong stated that the council is looking into the benefits of a fire territory and said that another department will share the cost (approximately $7500.00) of a fiscal study which is part of that process. Mr. Cook made a motion to approve spending $3750.00 for the fiscal study. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Miscellaneous: President Strong stated that Pumpkin Express would like to use the platform at the baseball fields for loading/unloading. Mr. Hunter stated that they do not have a conflict with the baseball fields. Consensus was yes. Comments by Citizens: Mr. Kelso was unsure about the council’s decision concerning the pool. President Strong reiterated that the pool is closed permanently and that the council is looking at other options. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Lutz made the motion. Mr. Amos seconded, motion passed. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council __________________________ Dan Strong, President __________________________ Chad B. Amos __________________________ Chad M. Blueher 3 __________________________ Jerry G. Cook __________________________ Christopher J. Lutz Attested: __________________________ Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on August 17, 2021, at 7:00 PM at Red Bridge Community Building. 4