City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 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 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 Meeting Minutes, November 21, 2023, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, November 29, 2023, 6:30 PM Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the minutes listed above as presented. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Approval of 12/05/23 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the claims dated 12/05/23. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – President Blueher stated that he had no updates. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox said that there will not be a meeting tomorrow evening. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman stated that the SWU Board will meet on 12/27/23 at 9:00 am to review claims. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. 1 Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report - November 2023 • Permit Revenue: = $6,614 YTD: $92,079 • November 2022 = $7,826 YTD: $170,050 • Difference: Month =-$1,212 YTD: -$77,971 • A total of 28 building permits were issued for November of 2023. • Eleven were within the corporate limits (of which 0 was for a new home). • A total of 17 permits were issued in Jackson Township (of which, 2 were for new homes). • Estimated Cost of projects permitted: $3,757,015. Town Engineer Report – Mr. Bryant was not present, but submitted the following via email. 1. Tamarack – Town infrastructure is complete for the most part. The developer has indicated again that the final punch lists for Sections 1-3 are complete. UNITED has inspected and verified completion. We are awaiting submittal of the maintenance bonds from the developer. 2. Auburn Estates – Town infrastructure is complete. 3-year maintenance bonds have been submitted. The Town has accepted the infrastructure. 3. Water – Waiting for additional well site test well access and work by Peerless Midwest. 4. Wastewater – We have BOT guaranteed maximum numbers from Reynolds for the current base bid. We also have budget numbers for various value engineering alternatives and options for consideration as reviewed on November 7. Review and evaluation are in process. IDEM has been informed of progress. We will need to report progress again to the IDEM Enforcement Section before January 5, 2024. 5. Tollgate Road – The Contractor, Midstates Paving, has cleared at the south end and performed test holes for utilities. The contractor has recognized that the weather will not allow them to properly complete the paving and has asked to be able to install culverts, etc. and wait for final milling and paving in the spring of 2024. 6. Brinton Street Storm Water Rehab Project – The contractor, Insituform, has completed all of the contract lining and the base bid work. We are awaiting responses to our questions and comments with their last proposal for additional work. Once we have the proper information, we will make a recommendation to the Stormwater Board and Town Council and proceed with submittal by the grant administrator to OCRA upon acceptance. Any additional work requiring paving restoration will likely wait until the spring of 2024 at this point. Old Business: a. Transfer Resolution 12-05-2023-01 – Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve the transfer resolution. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. b. Salary Ordinance 12-05-2023-02 – Ms. Gary asked for clarification on whether the council would receive the 7% pay increase for 2024. Council’s consensus was that the council would not receive the 7% pay increase for 2024. Mr. Lutz then made a motion to approve Salary Ordinance 12-05-2023-02 which did not include an increase for the council in 2024. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. 2  c. Food and Beverage Tax – Mr. Culp gave some background information concerning the tax as well as uses for the tax. He went on to explain the process and that if it was approved there must be a special meeting to adopt an ordinance. He also stated that there is an expiration date which will be 2045 if the town were to implement it at the earliest possible date. Council asked that questions be directed to Mr. Strong who will initiate the process. d. Dog Park – After a brief conversation, Mr. Johnson made a motion to move forward with the dog expansion with the caveat that the volleyball court(s) would be restored if needed. Mr. Lutz seconded. Motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Hayden voting nay. New Business: a. Republic Agreement – After a brief discussion, Mr. Lutz made a motion to allow President Blueher to sign the agreement with Republic Services. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried. b. Park Grant – Parks Superintendent Hunter asked council’s blessing to submit a grant application to replace the pumps at the marina as they are 30+ years old. Superintendent Hunter said that it is a first come first serve and he is not asking for a financial commitment tonight, he would just like to apply for the grant. Council’s consensus was yes. Miscellaneous: There was nothing. Comments by Citizens: Cicero resident, Mr. Rainwater, was present to inquire about the alley beside his residence. Nobody was sure if the alley had ever been vacated. After discussion, it was decided that Mr. Zawadzki would issue a stop work order on the adjacent property until specifics could be figured out. Council requested that Ms. Gary add this discussion to the next staff meeting 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 3 Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on December 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Red Bridge Community Building. 4