City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Blueher called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Gary gave the prayer. President Blueher called for roll call. Members of the Cicero Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Chad Blueher Absent: Joseph Cox Eric Hayden Dennis Johnson Christopher Lutz Declare a Quorum Present: President Blueher declared a quorum with all members 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 Bruce Freeman, Storm Water Management Board President Dan Strong, Project Coordinator Approval of Agenda: Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Executive Meeting Memorandum, August 15, 2023, 5:45 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, August 15, 2023, 7:00 PM Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. Approval of Claims: Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the claims dated 9/5/23. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. Public Hearing – Wastewater Treatment Plant – BOT – Mr. Lutz made a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Mr. Bryant gave a brief explanation of BOT, the committee members and how the selection/scoring process was done. He went on to say that Reynolds Construction was awarded the contract. There were no questions from the council or public. Mr. Hayden made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. Mr. Hayden made a motion to allow Mr. Culp to move forward with a resolution. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. Council Committee Reports: 1  1. OTC Report – Council thanked the department heads for their efforts during the street festival. Mr. Hayden thanked OTC for a successful street dance. President Blueher stated that it was well attended and looks forward to next year. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox said that EDC hasn’t been able to meet the last couple of months, but plan to meet 9/6/23. He also stated that they plan to donate $200.00 for the mural. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman had no new information. However, the board met on 9/1/23 to approve payment up to $2,500.00 for an access road off Stringtown Pike. Legal Counsel Report – Aaron Culp: a. Taft Agreement – Mr. Cox made a motion to approve and allow President Blueher to sign the agreement. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. b. Farmers Agreement – Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve and allow President Blueher to sign the agreement. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission – Director's Report – August 2023 • Permit Revenue: August 2023 = $5,135 YTD: $66,900 • August 2022 = $6,621 YTD: $143,426 • Difference: Month = -$1,486 YTD: -$76,526 • A total of 28 building permits were issued in August 2023. • Nineteen were within the corporate limits (of which, 0 were for new homes). • Nine permits were issued for Jackson Township (of which, 0 were for new homes). *Estimated Cost of projects permitted: $832,680 Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant 1. Tamarack and Auburn Estates – Mr. Bryant stated that they are close to proposing that the town accept the infrastructure. They have talked to MI Homes Lennar and they are working on some final punch list items. 2. Water – Mr. Bryant reported that they and town personnel met with Peerless Midwest and they are looking at new sites. Mr. Strong indicated that they are considering and contacting property owners. 3. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant relayed that since the BOT public hearing was completed tonight, they will move ahead to the next process. Mr. Bryant also relayed that he will send a letter to IDEM this week with updated progress. 4. Tollgate Road – Mr. Bryant said that they are having a preconstruction meeting next week and will have a better idea of a schedule then. Contractor material shop drawings have been reviewed. 5. Brinton Street Storm Water Rehab Project – Mr. Bryant briefly discussed Change Order No. 1 which was previously emailed. The Stormwater Utility Board reviewed, and Mr. Freeman indicated that they were in favor. In the end, Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve and allow President Blueher to sign the change order. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. Old Business: Community Building Roof – Mr. Lutz made a motion to untable from the last meeting. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Parks Superintendent Hunter reviewed the 2 quotes from the three companies who submitted bids for a new roof at Red Bridge Community Building. In the end, Mr. Cox made a motion to accept the bid from Harber Exteriors. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. New Business: a. Excess Levy Appeal – Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the excess levy appeal. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. b. Transfer Resolution No. 09-05-2023-01 – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. Miscellaneous: OTC Aesthetic Review – Plan Commission will take this under advisement. EDC will review with Mr. Culp. Comments by Citizens: Ms. Wilson, a Cicero resident, is concerned about the closing of 256th Street i.e., safety being the main concern. She would like to know how we are going to prepare for it. Conversation ensued. In the end, the council would like to think on it and address it at the next meeting. Ms. Gary will add it to the 9/19/23 agenda. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Cox made the motion. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council AYE NAY Chad M Blueher Joseph R Cox Eric C Hayden Dennis D Johnson Christopher J Lutz Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on September 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3