City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 20, 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. President 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 five members present. Others Present: 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. Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, May 7, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 5/20/25 Claims: Mr. Lutz made a motion to approve claims dated 5/20/25 as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Open Bids – 2025 CCMG (Catherine Street and Morse Landing Drive) – Bid were opened at 7:10. Totals were as follows: Bumgartner & Co Asphalt - $256,401.50 DC Construction Services, Inc - $219,879.10 E&B Paving, LLC - $292,830.00 Howard Companies - $247,022.00 Midwest Paving - $271,323.69 Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion to move forward with DC Construction Services, the lowest bid, pending Mr. Byrant’s review. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 1 Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson had nothing to report. 2. EDC Report – President Cox had nothing to report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman reported that the SWU Board is meeting on 5/28/25 to formally approve the funds for the stormwater pipe installation in the amount of $78,570.00. They gave verbal approval at the last council meeting to pay for the installation from stormwater funds. 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 – Mr. Bryant was not present, but emailed the following: 1. Water – Nothing new to report. United Consulting Task Order for well permitting has been presented. (see new business). 2. Wastewater – Reynolds continues construction. Concrete pours, sludge building/drying bed work, pipe work and many other tasks continue. Flow transition to the new oxidation ditch and clarifiers is anticipated in September. Reynolds plan to attend the June 3rd council meeting to discuss project status, contingencies and change orders. They reportedly are shuffling their baseline budget numbers to avoid or reduce contingency impacts. 3. West Jackson Street – Construction continues. Electrical conduits, light pole bases, concrete demolition and replacement on the sought side of Jackson Street continues. Sidewalks have been replaced along the south side from Peru Street to south Byron Street. Storm pipe from Byron Street eastward is scheduled for next week. 4. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Bids received will be opened and read aloud tonight (after 7:10 pm). The predesign total project estimate amount is $394,270.00. Mr. Bryant requested that the council make a motion to award the project to the lowest, most responsive and responsible bidder subject to review for compliance with the bid documents and state statute. A staff member will pick up the original bids to scan and review from the clerk treasurer’s office the following morning. Old Business: Employee Picnic – Ms. Pearson inquired from the departments about any input from their staff about the employee picnic. New Business: a. Jackson Township Trustee – Ms. Cook was present to discuss reorganization and concerns for townships being dissolved or merged in the future. She began by saying that Jackson Township’s fate is in the hands of Cicero. She went on to say that the township will be in the hands of the County Commissioners and we need to protect our zoning, development and identity. She asked what Cicero wants. Ms. Cook also said that there would be a bonus to a merger. She has concerns with SB1 and if townships went away agreements would be null and void as the township will be gone. She asked the council their thoughts: Mr. Lutz – Thinks that Ms. Cook’s concerns are reasonable but there are too many unknowns. Cicero is still exploring annexation and reorganization, and we don’t 2  want to hold up annexation to go after reorganization. One concern is that we’re not sure if there are enough votes to support reorganization or a viable path forward to spending the money on a financial study at this point. Council should be proactive in speaking to legislators, county commissioners and giving Ms. Cook assistance. We should propose what we would like to see in township mergers and drive what this should look like. President Cox – Is open to conversation and he would not shut the door on it. One doesn’t shut the door on reorganization moving forward, they can move forward in unison. Mr. Johnson – Is not against a merger but pushing annexation with the objective of controlling our own destiny of township and Cicero. Ms. Pearson – Believes the trustee job is important. She will withhold comment until she sees the impact on taxpayers. Mr. Hayden – Annexation and reorganization are two different activities. He is open to discussions/meetings and willing to listen to any and all options to control our destiny. Mr. DeVaney, Sheridan Councilman – Was present and answered questions from the Mr. DeVaney spoke regarding how things have been going in Sheridan since their reorganization with Adams Township. He was very positive about how things were going and believes that it was the best move for Sheridan. Ms. Cook added that nobody knows what a reorganization will look like; however, there are many questions and concerns. Ms. Cook believes there is a benefit for Cicero to consider reorganization. She plans to move forward with public meetings. b. Easement Encroachment – Mr. Zawadzki stated that he had a request for an easement encroachment from Mr. and Ms. Etchison who were present. Mr. Zawadzki then turned the floor over to them. They would like the council to consider the encroachment as they would like to install a pool at their home. Nobody was sure of the location of the infrastructure i.e. sewer line, lateral, etc. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that Mr. Cooper and Mr. Zawadzki would go to the property, mark it and bring their findings to the next council meeting. Mr. Culp added that if the council approves the encroachment, Mr. and Ms. Etchison would be required to sign an agreement with the town that would allow the town to access the infrastructure if needed at their cost. They agreed. Mr. Lutz then made a motion to table this discussion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. First Due – Deputy Smith requested that President Cox sign an agreement to allow the fire department to be reimbursed by the county for the software which was previously discussed at the staff meeting. Mr. Lutz stated that he has requested the 2024 budget from the E-911 Board. Ms. Pearson made the motion allow President Cox to sign the agreement. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. d. Water Agreement – Mr. Lutz made a motion to allow President Cox to sign Task Order 2025-02. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. e. BOT Agreement Review – Removed from the agenda. f. Byron Street Downspouts – Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the change order and allow President Cox to sign the request from Midwest Paving to repair the 3  downspouts. The cost will be split 50/50 with the business owner and the town. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Miscellaneous: a. GO Bond – Mr. Lutz stated that Mr. Culp has prepared a resolution for a GO Bond. He touched on Cicero’s tax rate as well as an excess levy appeal and asked Ms. Gary to reach out to Baker Tilly for some information. More information to follow. b. Ms. Pearson gave a shout out for clean up after the storm to the fire, parks and street departments. Comments by Citizens: a. Mr. Freeman inquired about the completion of 236th Street. President Cox believes that the completion is sometime in September or October. b. Wheel Tax – As a requirement of CCMG, it was inquired if Cicero is considering a wheel tax. Mr. Culp stated that this was pulled from legislation, but he will check into it. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Lutz made the motion. Ms. Pearson 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 June 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4