City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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. President 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 Frank Zawadzki, Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director Terry Cooper, Street & Utilities Director Jim Hunter, Parks Superintendent Aaron Culp, Town Attorney Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Approval of Agenda: Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Cook seconded, motion carried. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, December 7, 2021, 6:15 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, December 7, 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 12/7/21. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion passed. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Mr. Blueher stated that OTC has nothing for the rest of the year. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Amos stated that he has nothing new at this time, but will have information at the next staff meeting. 3. SWU Management Board Report – Mr. Freeman was not present. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp touched on the Barnes and Thornburg agreement and asked for council’s approval. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve the terms of engagement from Barnes and Thornburg. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Lutz voting nay. 1 Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Mr. Zawadzki reiterated the November 2021 planning statistics. Town Engineer Report – 1. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant stated that Section 4 infrastructure has been successfully installed and the water system has been tested. He said that weather permitting they are moving toward the end shortly. 2. Auburn Estates – Mr. Bryant reported that Tamarack’s successful water system testing allows Auburn Estates to now connect and complete their water system. He said that their water system will soon be ready to be tested and inspected. 3. Water – Mr. Bryant stated that they are waiting for a response on the well field. President Strong believes that there is another potential site also being investigated. 4. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mr. Bryant asked that the council approve the Professional Service Agreement that was provided at the last meeting. After a brief discussion, Mr. Cook made a motion to approve the Professional Service Agreement. Mr. Amos seconded, motion carried 5-0. Old Business: 1. Additional Appropriation Resolution No. 12-21-2021-2 – Mr. Cook made a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-21-2021-2 for an additional appropriation to the town’s trash contract. Mr. Blueher seconded, motion passed. New Business: 1. Annexation Ordinance No. 12-21-2021-1- Mr. Amos made a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. There was no public discussion for or against the annexation. Mr. Amos made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Blueher seconded, motion carried. Mr. Culp then explained that there is a 14-day waiting period before the Annexation Ordinance can be adopted. Mr. Amos made a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-21-2021-5 (Annexation Fiscal Plan) and Resolution No. 12-21-2021-6 (Annexation Policy) and allow President Strong to sign both. Mr. Cook seconded, motion carried. 2. Ordinance No. 12-21-2021-3 Premium Pay – Mr. Amos made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 12-21-2021-3. Mr. Cook seconded, motion carried. 3. Transfer of Funds 12-21-2021-4 – Mr. Blueher made a motion to approve Resolution 12-21-2021-4. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. 4. Body Cameras – Chief Rednour asked the council’s blessing to move forward with the potential grant for body cameras for the police department. After discussion, Mr. Amos made a motion to approve Ms. Kmicikewycz to move forward contingent on Mr. Culp’s approval. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. 5. Fire Department Personnel – Mr. Lutz made a motion to allow Chief Overholser to begin the process of hiring two additional firefighters. Mr. Cook seconded, motion passed. 6. End of year council meeting – Council agreed to a meeting on 12/29/21 to approve claims and transfers for 2021. Ms. Gary will advertise the meeting. 2 Miscellaneous: 1. President Strong stated that he, Mr. Lutz and Chief Overholser spoke with FSG reps via telephone concerning the budget overview. In fact, he said that there will be continued discussion concerning the budget. 2. President Strong stated that January 2022 will bring a new president to the town council. He said that he appreciated the department heads and the other council members. He looks forward to continuing serving as a council member but in a different capacity. Mr. Lutz thanked President Strong for his leadership. He continued to say that President Strong set the bar high for others and his keen ability to interact with the public. It’s been a pleasure. Comments by Citizens: Ms. Jones, Cicero resident, addressed the council concerning a fence that she had installed on her property. Apparently, Ms. Jones did not procure the proper paperwork from the Cicero Plan Commission prior to installing the fence. This came to light as Cicero Plan Commissioner, Mr. Zawadzki, informed Ms. Jones that the fence is in an easement and will need to be moved. Ms. Jones distributed several items to include a letter to the council, a letter from Tamarack Homeowners Association, a letter from Hamilton County Plan Commission as well as other supporting documents. She also didn’t feel that her fence placement is an issue because of the location of the sewer lines. She felt that she did her due diligence prior to installing the fence and asked the council for a reasonable resolve to her issue. Ms. Jones suggested resurveying her property or the town could possibly issue a waiver. After more discussion, Mr. Cook stated that he is not favor of allowing the fence to remain in place as the town has not allowed this in the past and will open the door for others to follow suit. President Strong stated that he too is not in favor of Ms. Jones request as it opens the town to other homeowners making the same request. Mr. Amos was not in favor of leaving the fence. Mr. Lutz sympathized with Ms. Jones but was not in favor of leaving the fence. Mr. Blueher spoke about his own account at Greystone Village. And he hates that Ms. Jones did not receive correct information prior to installing the fence. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Amos made the motion. Mr. Blueher seconded, motion carried. 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 January 4, 2022, at 7:00 PM at Red Bridge Community Building. 4