City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 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 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. Johnson seconded, motion carried. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Special Meeting Minutes, November 7, 2023, 6:30 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, November 8, 2023, 7:00 PM Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, November 14, 2023, 7:00 PM Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the minutes listed above as presented. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Approval of 11/21/23 Claims: Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the claims dated 11/21/23. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – President Blueher stated that OTC is ready to go with the Christmas tree lighting on 11/25/23. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox had nothing to report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman reported that they have nothing going on right now. However, Mr. Bryant will comment on the Brinton Street Stormwater Rehab Project under the town engineer report. 1 Legal Counsel Report – a. Mr. Culp reported that he has received the report from Taft concerning the PFAS settlement. He will follow up after he has had a chance to review it. b. Mr. Culp will be sending a memo to the council that he received regarding ARPA funds. Mr. Culp will also send a draft response to the memo for council review. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Commissioner Zawadzki informed the council that the next plan commission meeting regarding Lennar Homes will be held at Red Bridge Park on 12/13/23 @ 7:00 pm. The discussion was tabled. Town Engineer Report – 1. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant stated that the developer has again notified United that they have completed the punch list items on Sections 1-3. United will inspect and if all checks out, they will request the 3-year maintenance bond from the developer. Mr. Johnson inquired about the dead trees and shrubs. Mr. Bryant said that they are in Section 4 and on his list of things to address prior to acceptance of that Section. 2. Auburn Estates – Mr. Bryant said that Section 1 infrastructure was accepted by the town at the last meeting. The 3-year maintenance bond has been provided to the Town by the Developer. 3. Water – Mr. Bryant reported that different sources for water are still being pursued by the Town with the assistance of Peerless Midwest. 4. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant relayed that options are still being reviewed as well as financing opportunities. An update to IDEM Enforcement Section is required by the end of the month. Mr. Bryant will prepare a response. 5. Tollgate Road – Mr. Bryant stated that paving will not be done this year, but it will not affect the town’s availability for the 2024 CCMG opportunity. He stated that the contractor will do ditch work, culverts, etc. as weather allows as well as widen and pave in the spring of 2024. Council inquired about the town’s placement on the schedule in the spring. Mr. Bryant believes the paving will be at the top of the list. Mr. Hayden then made a motion to approve Task Order 2023-02 as requested for Tollgate Road walk path easement legal description preparation. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried. 6. Brinton Street Storm Water Rehab Project – Mr. Bryant reported that Insituform is basically done with the current contract work. They are now trying to use the additional grant funds. United requested costs for these added options in early August and are still working through details with Insituform. They hope to have this information for the Stormwater Board and Town Council consideration soon. Mr. Hayden then made a motion to approve Pay Application #2. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. Old Business: There was none. New Business: a. 2024 Budget – Following a brief conversation, Mr. Lutz made a motion to increase the 3% employee pay increase to 7% for 2024. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. b. Food & Beverage Tax – Mr. Lutz inquired if Mr. Culp had information concerning the food and beverage tax. Mr. Culp did not but, will have a draft for the next 2  meeting. Council went on to discuss the options for the use of those dollars should the town move forward. There is a broad spectrum of uses to include trails and sidewalks, community building updates, public safety, stress on infrastructure, etc. c. Dock Fees – Mr. Lutz made a motion to accept and approve the 2024 dock fees proposed by Parks Superintendent Hunter. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. d. Dog Park – Following a brief discussion, President Blueher made a motion to relocate and expand the dog park at Community Park. The new location would require removal of the volleyball court. There was not a second. e. December 19 location – Mr. Lutz has concerns about the location of the December 19 Town Council Meeting. He believes that the meeting concerning municipal reorganization, will be well attended and asked that the meeting be moved to Red Bridge Community Building. Mr. Hayden agreed. Ms. Gary will take care of that. f. Generator Permit & R5 Modification Ordinance 11-21-2023-01 – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Ordinance 11-21-2023-01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. g. Indiana On Tap – Mr. Cox was not asking for a decision tonight, introduced the council to Indiana On Tap. They would like to do a tasting event sometime in June 2024 and will request a $10,000.00 sponsorship from the town. The town had some questions about recouping some of the sponsorship fee. There seemed to be little opportunity for that. In addition, there are other events happening in Cicero during that time. Due to the fee and other events, council did not have much interest. Mr. Cox will do further research and get back to the council with additional information. Miscellaneous: President Blueher stated that he will distribute gift cards for the town employees to the department heads once the meeting adjourns. Comments by Citizens: Cicero resident, Mr. Hahn, addressed the council with his concerns related to the new subdivision that Lennar Homes has presented to the plan commission. He specifically addressed concerns for the traffic, public safety and the cost to the town for additional salaries. The council thanked Mr. Hahn for his input. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Johnson 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 3  Christopher J Lutz Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on December 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4