City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 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 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 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, October 1, 2024, 7:00 PM Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 1, 2024. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 10/15/2024 Claims: Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the claims dated 10/15/24 as presented. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson reported that OTC and Friends of the Park (FOP) have merged and are planning the Christmas Parade, dinner and tree lighting on November 30, 2024. The tree lighting will be held at Cicero Community Park this year. Ms. Pearson would like to donate a wreath on behalf of the council. Council was ok with that. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox had no update, but said that they are scheduled to meet the first Wednesday in November. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman had nothing to report. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp advised the council that the BAN is tentatively scheduled to close on 10/31/24. 1 Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission – Mr. Zawadzki was not present. Town Engineer Report – Mr. Bryant was not present, but emailed the following: 1. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant reported that they are waiting for M/I Homes to complete the punch list items for Section 4. M/I Homes has completed a portion of the work and are now addressing the utility and landscaping items. Upon completion and reinspection, a recommendation for council infrastructure acceptance will be made. 2. Water – Mr. Bryant reported that two additional test wells were drilled by Peerless Midwest. One believed to be positive. Aquifer pumping / stressing to determine capacity planned over the next couple of weeks. 3. Wastewater – Reynolds continues construction. They are forming and pouring walls for the new oxidation ditch and continue work on the headworks and site piping as well as other miscellaneous work. Equipment and material submittal review and coordination efforts continue. Pay Application No. 3 has been submitted to our office and is under review. We are awaiting notice of the BAN closing and will need to notify the IDEM enforcement section of such before October 31, 2024. 4. Tollgate Road – The contractor, Midwest Paving, has completed the project. They walked the project, developed the substantial completion form and final quantity change order (overall deduct). Midwest Paving has reviewed and signed. The Substantial Completion (SC) form, Change Order and final Pay Application #7 was emailed to the town on 10/3/24. Mr. Bryant asked that council review and if in agreement approve, sign (SC for and Change Order) and return the signed copy to him. He will work with Ms. Gary for the CCMG closeout paperwork. 5. Jackson Street CCMG – Mr. Bryant reported that a review of shop drawings from the contractor, Midwest Paving, continues. They have requested a proposed schedule to review prior to setting a preconstruction meeting. Mr. Bryant will advise once there is a schedule to discuss. Old Business: a. Approval of Salary Ordinance 10-15-2024-01 -Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve Salary Ordinance 10-15-2024-01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. b. Fire Truck – Mr. Cox made a motion to allow Chief Overholser to purchase a used fire truck not to exceed $695,000.00 and allow President Lutz to sign the sales agreement. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. There were a few questions from the public concerning selling the old truck to help offset the cost. Chief Overholser stated that the old truck is a 1999 model and not worth very much. c. Catherine Street – Mr. Widows was present to follow up in reference to his concerns about widening or making Catherine Street a one-way with the increase in recent traffic flow. Mr. Cox presented a quote from Midwest Paving in the amount of $73,648.05 to widen Catherine Street. After discussion, council believes it’s best for timing purposes to pursue making Catherine a one-way going north from Jackson Street. Mr. Culp will add this to the schedule of one-way streets and draft an ordinance. Chief Rednour and Superintendent Cooper will look into information signage to make the public aware of the change in the traffic pattern. 2  d. Morse Landing (MLD) Entrance – Mr. Cox’s quote from Midwest Paving also included a bid to repair the entrance to MLD as it deteriorating. After a brief discussion, council asked Mr. Strong to look into the next round of CCMG which will open in January 2025. New Business: a. 2025 Holiday Schedule – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the 2025 Holiday Schedule. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. b. Lights Over Morse Lake (LOML) Sponsorship – Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the LOML Sponsorship not to exceed $2500.00 and allow President Lutz to sign. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) Agreement – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the 2024 Sewerworks Bond Anticipation Note Local Counsel Agreement. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. Miscellaneous: a. Executive Session – President Lutz would like to schedule an executive session prior to the next council meeting. Mr. Cox stated that the next meeting will be on 11/6/24 which is a Wednesday due to the election. Council was good with meeting at 6:00 PM. Ms. Gary will advertise. b. Mr. Freeman inquired about 236th Street. He asked if 236th Street will be open for the fall and winter months. Mr. Hayden replied that they are meeting next Friday and he’ll ask. More information to follow. Comments by Citizens: Cicero resident, Ms. Bianchi, addressed the council. She would like to move her fence on her property. President Lutz stated that he usually frowns on easement intrusion. However, he was not sure what all is involved. Mr. Culp suggested that Mr. Cooper and Mr. Bryant, who were not present tonight, weigh in on this situation. President Lutz stated that his preference was to follow up and discuss at the next council meeting. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Cox made the motion. Mr. Johnson 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 3  Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on November 6, 2024 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4