City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Lutz called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Gary gave the prayer. Mr. Lutz called for roll call. Members of the Cicero Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Joseph Cox Absent: Eric Hayden Dennis Johnson Christopher Lutz Emily Pearson Declare a Quorum Present: President Lutz 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. Hayden made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, April 2, 2024, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, April 2, 2024, 7:45 PM Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the minutes listed above as presented. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 4/16/2024 Claims: Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the claims dated 4/16/2024 as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson reported that she has no update for the club’s 501c3 status. Ms. Pearson will send the letter that she received to Mr. Culp for clarification and review. She did go on to say that they are looking forward to Christmas in the Park this year. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox reported that he has no current update. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman stated that all is quiet. 1 Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Mr. Zawadzki had nothing to report. Town Engineer Report – 1. Tamarack – Mr. Byrant reported that MI is working on punch list items that were missed. Once that is completed he will inspect. 2. Water – Mr. Bryant stated Peerless Midwest plans to move ahead with the test wells this week. 3. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant relayed that the PER (Preliminary Engineering Report) has been submitted. He stated that the project is moving forward and Reynolds is ordering equipment. 4. Tollgate Road – Mr. Bryant said that Midwest Paving is mobilizing on 4/29/24. Mr. Bryant figures that Tollgate will be finished in about three weeks. 5. Brinton Street Storm Water Rehab Project – Mr. Bryant stated that the subcontractor will start excavating at Pearl and Britton although he doesn’t know their schedule yet. Old Business: There was none. New Business: a. Park Board MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) – Mr. Culp gave a brief explanation of need for the Park Board. Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve and to allow President Lutz to sign the MOU. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. b. Park Board Ordinance 04-16-2024-02 – Mr. Culp asked that the council approve the Park Board Ordinance tonight. Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the ordinance. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Ms. Gary will add this to the next town council agenda. c. Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant relayed that Cicero received the CCMG. He presented Task Order No. 2024-02A for the initial scope of work to be done and asked council’s approval. Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Task Order No. 2024-02A. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. d. Mr. Hayden requested to amend the agenda to include the Wastewater BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) Ordinance No. 04-16-2024-03. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. Mr. Cox made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 04-16-2024-03. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Miscellaneous: a. Baker Tilly – Mr. Hadler was present to discuss a preliminary rate study. After discussion, council consensus was to have Baker Tilly to move forward with a rate study. b. County ARPA – President Lutz inquired from Mr. Hall if there has been a meeting date to discuss ARPA with the county. The county had initially and unofficially approved a $1,000,000.00 contribution to the town for the wastewater treatment plant project. Mr. Hall did not have a date. Mr. Culp believes they are waiting for the drainage board to meet. 2  c. Sick Time Policy – removed from the agenda/add to staff meeting agenda. d. Annexation – Mr. Johnson stated that all departments have submitted their estimates and they were higher than he anticipated. Mr. Johnson stated that the fiscal study was included in the quote from Baker Tilly and he is moving forward with that. It was suggested that Mr. Johnson inquire if the county is willing to share some of the TIF dollars. He will follow up with the county. e. Annexation Ordinance 04-16-2024-01 – Mr. Culp went through the timeline for the voluntary annexation of one parcel on Tollgate Road and then requested a first reading. He will work with Ms. Gary on advertising. f. Foley & Lardner Letter – Mr. Cox made a motion to allow President Lutz to sign the letter from Baker Tilly. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. g. Assignment of Lease – Mr. Cox made a motion to allow President Lutz to sign the Assignment of Lease for 158 & 160 W. Jackson Street. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Comments by Citizens: There were none. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Cox made the motion. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council AYE NAY Christopher J Lutz Joseph R Cox Eric C Hayden Dennis D Johnson Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3