City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 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: 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 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, May15, 2025, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, May 20, 2025, 6:15 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 6/3/25 Claims: Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve claims dated 6/3/25 as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson had no report. 2. EDC Report – President Cox had nothing at this time. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman reported that he has been working with Mr. Bryant and Mr. Cooper regarding the CCMG Projects on Morse 1  Landing Drive and Catherine Street. The letter and questionnaire will be sent out soon. President Cox thanked all involved in making this grant opportunity happen. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report - May 2025 - Permit Revenue: May 2025 = $4,629 YTD: $17,906 May 2024 = $5,086 YTD: $19,738 Difference: Month = -$457 YTD: $-1,832 We have issued a total of 22 building permits for May 2025. Thirteen were inside the corporate limits (of which 0 was for a new home). Nine permits were in Jackson Township (of which, 0 was for a new home). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $1,209,335. The Planning Commission next scheduled meeting is June 11thth at Red Bridge Community Building. The BZA will meet June 19th at Cicero Town Hall. Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant 1. Water – Mr. Bryant had nothing new to report. 2. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that the project is moving along well with the new oxidation ditch concrete pours complete, clarifier #3 wall pours complete, masonry walls complete on the sludge dewatering building, miscellaneous piping, etc. He has spoken with Reynolds and they plan to use contingency funds, so he advised them that they will need to come to a council meeting to address this. Mr. Bryant informed the council that Reynolds is preparing to transfer from the old tanks to the new tanks which will trigger digester work and then rehab work for the existing oxidation ditch and clarifiers. Mr. Hayden inquired about the sludge. Mr. Bryant stated that Reynolds has reported that the sludge press manufacturer will provide a temporary unit that will allow dewatering of the digested sludge and reduce disposal costs. 3. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant stated that the project continues and it’s a mess with the unforeseen storm sewer work in front of Sullivans, but making progress. The contractor understands the need to have the site cleaned up and any demolished walks accessible for the July 4th events. Mr. Bryant touched on the northeast Byron Street seating area – coordination with Duke will allow removal of the two poles that would otherwise be in the seating area. A new meter/distribution panel will be necessary. Mr. Bryant discussed the location and the appearance and distributed information for review. It was agreed to place the panel as recommended following discussion. 4. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Mr. Bryant has reviewed the bids. They were good competitive bids. He has checked the lowest bidder references and met with DC Construction to review the project scope and schedule. Based upon the review, Mr. Bryant recommended that the council accept the DC Construction bid as the lowest most responsive and responsible bid. He requested a motion to sign the documents. Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve DC Construction Services, Inc for the project and allow President Cox to sign the CCMG and construction agreement documents that Mr. Bryant provided (and future Notice to Proceed). Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 2 Old Business: a. Easement Encroachment (untable) – Mr. Hayden made a motion to untable. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. After discussion, Mr. and Mrs. Etchison decided to not pursue the encroachment and move the pool back to the allowable area. b. GO Bond – Mr. Lutz stated that he would like to move forward with a GO Bond in the amount of $2,550,000.00. There was a discussion concerning requirements, public hearing and the impact after 7/1/25. Mr. Lutz then made a motion to approve Resolution No. 06-03-2025-01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion for a public hearing for the GO Bond subject to Mr. Culp’s findings and conditions. Mr. Lutz seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. Excess Levy Appeal – Mr. Lutz inquired about an excess levy appeal for the General and Park Funds and had additional questions. Mr. Johnson was not sure what will happen after 7/1/25. Ms. Gary will look into it. New Business: CCMG – Mr. Strong inquired if the council has a project for the next round of CCMG. After a brief discussion, they will consider projects and discuss at the next meeting. Miscellaneous: a. Park Master Plan – Superintendent Hunter stated that the Parks Board will have a meeting on 6/12/25 to hear a presentation from J2 Design Studio on designs for the Parks Master Plan options. Superintendent Hunter would like the council to consider having a special meeting for J2 Design Studio to present the Park Master Plan options to the town council. It was decided to advertise a special meeting for 6:15 on 6/12/25 prior to the staff meeting. b. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) – Mr. Lutz inquired about a grant opportunity for the Main/Jackson Street project. He stated that the town has applied twice but rejected both times. He also stated that the town did receive a grant that helped pay for the causeway. Comments by Citizens: a. Ms. Hall with the Feeding Team was present to talk about the new partnership with Gleaners Food Bank. Ms. Hall stated that this had opened up many new opportunities. One of those being the availability of the Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry at Hamilton Heights High School the second Saturday of each month and Harbour Shores Church on the fourth Tuesday of each month. She also added the availability of food pickup including perishables every Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm at the pantry. b. Ms. Chance was present to address the council. Ms. Chance began with a compliment to the council for their hard work. She then shared questions and concerns with an interlocal agreement. Her first concern had this agreement been signed and why did one commissioner not vote to approve the agreement. President Cox replied that no agreement has been signed, and it would still need county council approval. He could only guess as to why one commissioner voted no to the agreement. The agreement was only for the county to maintain the roads in the annexation area if the town was able to annex areas into Jackson Township. Ms. Chance stated that there is a lot of fear out there and asked if the public would be able to see the agreement. Mr. Culp replied that it is a public document once the commissioners approve the agreement and it could be sent out. 3  President Cox noted that the town approached the commissioners as this was a way to help the town with annexation and the county could keep road funds. Mr. Culp stated that the agreement showed the area of annexation that Ms. Chance has seen before and the portions of the roads that would be in the annexation area that the county is asked to maintain as part of the agreement. After further discussion, Ms. Chance thanked the council and asked for a copy of the agreement be supplied to her. c. Ms. Mayer, Cicero resident, thanked Ms. Chance and the council for all they do. She is concerned after Ms. Cook’s presentation at the last council meeting. She wants to preserve Cicero and is not sure what will happen if the state takes over townships. She inquired if Cicero has any plans to reorganize with the township. After a brief conversation, Mr. Lutz suggested that Ms. Mayer knock on doors and talk to people. Mr. Culp added that reorganization is one of many possibilities. An interlocal agreement will help with annexation and doesn’t stop reorganization. Ms. Mayer stated that she knows how the Hamilton County Commissioners are and they only care about themselves. Cicero resident, Mr. Hahn added that he has attended the council meetings and the council is working on options. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Johnson 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 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4