City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 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 Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Dan Strong, Project Coordinator Approval of Agenda: Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, November 14, 2024, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, November 19, 2024, 6:00 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, November 19, 2024, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 12/3/2024 Claims: Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the claims dated 12/3/24. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Public Hearing – Additional Appropriation – Mr. Cox made a motion to open the public hearing. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-01. President Lutz asked for comments from the public. There was one question from Cicero Resident, Mr. Hanh, as to why it was needed. Mr. Hayden responded that the council had taken advantage of some opportunities that were presented which resulted in overspending of the 2024 budget. There were no other questions. Mr. Hayden made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Cox seconded, motion carried 5-0. Additional Appropriation – Ordinance No. 12-03-2024-01 – Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 12-03-2024-01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 1 Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson reported that OTC has received a termination letter for insurance coverage of the Gathering Place Patio Area. Ms. Gary stated that it is now included in the town’s insurance coverage. Friends of the Park and OTC had a successful Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival. She stated that the wreath she donated on behalf of the town received top bid. She thanked Superintendent Hunter for his team’s hard work stating that they went above and beyond resulting in a successful tree lighting and parade. President Lutz thanked Ms. Pearson for her donation and the department heads for their support. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Cox had no report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman was not present. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp was not present. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission - Director's Report - November 2024 Permit Revenue: November 2024 = $5,491, YTD: $58,861 November 2023 = $6,614 YTD: $92,079 Difference: Month = -$1,123 YTD: -$33,218 A total of 26 building permits for November 2024. Fourteen were within the corporate limits (of which 0 were for new homes). Twelve were issued in Jackson Township (of which, 0 was for a new home). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $960,013. Town Engineer Report – 1. Tamarack – Mr. Bryant stated that he received an email from Mr. Howard at MI Homes. He said that they are 100% complete with the Section 4 punch list. Mr. Bryant will find a good day to verify and wrap up Section 4. 2. Water – Mr. Bryant is still waiting for test and report information from Peerless Midwest. 3. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that Reynolds Construction continues to work on the wastewater treatment plant. They are scheduled to meet on 12/4/24 for the weekly progress meeting. He believes that winter work will not go as fast. He submitted Pay Application No. 5. Ms. Gary stated that it was included in the claims that were approved earlier and would be paid on 12/5/24. 4. Jackson Street Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) – Mr. Bryant said that he received an email from Midwest Paving with some dates for a preconstruction meeting. The meeting has not been confirmed; however, he doesn’t believe they will start this project until spring. He will confirm the proposed schedule as well as continue to coordinate the preconstruction meeting with Midwest. 5. 2025 (CCMG) – Mr. Bryant distributed handouts for the 2025 CCMG. After discussion, council consensus was to move forward with Mr. Bryant’s proposals for Morse Landing Drive and Catherine/Flannigan 2” Mill and Resurface. Director Cooper will review the project endpoint on Morse Landing Drive. Ms. Gary will verify matching funds to finalize the scope to be submitted to INDOT for the grant opportunity in January 2025. It was discussed that having direction by the end of the month would be helpful for the application process. 2 Old Business: There was none. New Business: a. Recording Meetings – Mr. Strong gave a brief intro to the plan that he, Chief Overholser and Superintendent Hunter put together. Chief Overholser then distributed a handout detailing their Implementation Plan. After discussion, Mr. Hayden made a motion to move forward with the plan not to exceed $15,000.00. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Mr. Strong thanked Chief Overholser and Superintendent Hunter for all their work and effort on this. He went on to say that the town has a great group of department heads. Council concurred. Miscellaneous: a. Executive Session – President Lutz would like to schedule an executive session on 12/17/24 at 6:00 PM. Ms. Gary will advertise. b. Gift Cards – President Lutz distributed employee gift cards to the department heads and thanked them and their teams for the work they do for the Town of Cicero. Comments by Citizens: There were none. 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 Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on December 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3