City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 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: Christopher Lutz Eric Hayden Dennis Johnson Christopher Lutz Emily Pearson Declare a Quorum Present: President Cox declared a quorum with four 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. Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, February 4, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes, February 4, 2025 Town Council Retreat Memorandum, February 8, 2025 Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the approval of the minutes listed above. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of 2/18/25 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the claims dated 2/18/25 as presented. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson had no report. 2. EDC Report – President Cox stated that they did not have a meeting as they had no quorum; however, they did review the comprehensive plan draft. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Feeman had nothing to report. 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. Bryant stated that they didn’t finish inspection but plan to after the snow is gone. Upon successful completion, MI Homes will be ready to request acceptance of the infrastructure by the town. 2. Water – Mr. Bryant had nothing new to report. 3. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that Reynolds Construction continues to work on piping, concrete pours at the new oxidation ditch, sludge building work, UV system upgrades and other miscellaneous activities. The January progress report by Reynolds was emailed to the Council earlier. 4. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant relayed that he received a schedule from Midwest Paving. They have a targeted start date of 3/17/25. They plan to meet with business owners prior to that. Their substantial completion date is sometime in September. Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Pay Application #2. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Mr. Hayden also brought up the need to coordinate with the July 4 activities. Mr. Bryant will discuss with Midwest Paving. 5. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) – Mr. Bryant said that applications have been filed. He and Mr. Strong believe we should know if Cicero will be awarded the grant at the end of March or beginning of April. A possible second round 2025 application was to be considered. Old Business: There was none. New Business: a. Right of Way Permit Ordinance 02-18-2025-01 – Mr. Culp gave some background and a brief explanation of the ordinance. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the Right of Way Permit Ordinance 02-18-2025-01. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. b. Lights Over Morse Lake (LOML) Letter – Mr. Hayden made a motion to allow President Cox to sign the annual letter for LOML to use Cicero’s public dock for an event in August. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. c. Parks Board Replacement – Superintendent Hunter stated that he has a replacement to the vacant Parks Board seat. He introduced Mr. Bell. Council thanked Mr. Bell for getting involved in the community. Mr. Bell said that he appreciates the opportunity. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to appoint Mr. Bell to the Parks Board. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. d. Ball Park Cement Work – Ms. Pearson made a motion to allow Superintendent Hunter to proceed with the concrete work at the ball parks, not to exceed $30,000.00. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Ms. Gary added that the funds will be from Cumulative Capital Development (CCD). e. Park Board Member – Superintendent Hunter asked council’s blessing to increase the number of parks board members from four to five. He added that the additional member will be from the library board; however, he has no one in mind at this point. After a brief 2  discussion, Ms. Pearson made the motion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Mr. Culp added that the ordinance will need to be updated and he will look into that. Miscellaneous: There was nothing. Comments by Citizens: Ms. Chance inquired if additional information could be posted to the town’s website or some means in which residents would be able to view information that was discussed by the council i.e. ordinances. Ms. Gary will take care of that. Motion to Adjourn: Ms. Pearson made the motion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. 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 March 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3