City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM Call to Order: President Cox called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Gary gave the prayer. Mr. Cox 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 Cox 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. Lutz made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Open Bids – Police Vehicle - There were two bids. a. Mr. Lutz opened and read the first bid aloud in the amount of $6,500.00 from Mr. Eads. b. Mr. Hayden opened and read the second bid aloud in the amount of $7,001.00 from Mr. Mize. Ms. Pearson made a motion to accept Mr. Mize’s bid. Mr. Johnsons seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, January 7, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Hayden made a motion to table the approval of the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 1/21/25 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the claims dated 1/21/25 as presented. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson relayed that Ms. Hayden met with the accountant and was informed that OTC cannot dissolve until the taxes are done. 1  2. EDC Report – Mr. Hayden made a motion to allow the EDC to sponsor the Haunted Trail in the amount of $500.00. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman had nothing to report. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp asked council’s approval for the agreement with Church, Church, Hittle and Antrim associate Ms. Roberts for legal services to the Town in the representation of the Police Merit Board. Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the agreement and allow President Cox to sign. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Mr. Zawadzki had nothing to report. Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant was not present. 1. Tamarack – There was no update. 2. Water – There was no update. 3. Wastewater – Mr. Hayden made a motion to allow President Cox to sign Pay Application #6 for Reynolds Construction in the amount of $1,539,127.82. Mr. Johonson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 4. West Jackson Street – a. Mr. Zawadzki presented sketches of proposed outdoor seating. After discussion, Mr. Hayden suggested that Mr. Bryant work up the design for council review. b. Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve Pay Application #1 and allow President Cox to sign. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 5. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) – Mr. Strong informed the council that the grant for Morse Landing Drive is almost ready to submit; however, he has run into a snag with the Catherine Street Grant. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to allow President Cox to sign the CCMG Financial Commitment Letters. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Old Business: Cicero Town Council will hold their annual retreat on February 8, 2025 at 8:00 am at the Cicero Police Station. Ms. Gary will advertise. New Business: a. Legal Fees Agreement – Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the agreement for legal services between the Town of Cicero and Mr. Culp. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. b. Extrication Tools – Chief Overholser asked council’s blessing to purchase extrication tools in the amount of $15,458.00 for the new fire truck. He will use non-reverting funds. Ms. Pearson made the motion to allow the purchase. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. Ordinance No. 01-21-2025-01 US 31 Jackson Township Overlay District – After a brief explanation, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 01-21-2025- 01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. d. Ordinance No. 01-21-2025-02 Amendment Chapter 3 R5 Residential – President Cox gave a brief explanation. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 01-21-2025-02. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 2  e. Ordinance No. 01-21-2025-03 Rezone 2 Parcels from R5 to NC (Neighborhood Commercial – Mr. Culp gave a brief explanation after which Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 01-21-2025-03. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. f. MS4 Training – Mr. Zawadzki stated that funds for this training was discussed at the staff meeting last week. However, he would like to withdraw his request. g. Cancellation of Warrants – Ms. Gary informed the council that she prepared the cancellation of warrants; however, it was just for informational purposes. h. Training – Chief Rednour informed the council that he has an employee who will be attending training in New Mexico with their blessing. He does not believe it will exceed $2,000.00 and he is looking for a grant to help with the cost. Council consensus was yes. Miscellaneous: There was nothing. Comments by Citizens: Stormwater Utility WU President Freeman informed the council that the SWU Board will pay for town employees who will attend the MS4 training on March 11, 2025. Motion to Adjourn: Ms. Pearson made the motion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council AYE NAY Joseph R Cox Dennis D Johnson Eric C Hayden Christopher J Lutz Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on February 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3