City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 1, 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 Emily Pearson Declare a Quorum Present: President Cox declared a quorum with all 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 Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Bruce Freeman, Storm Water Management Board President Dan Strong, Project Coordinator Approval of Agenda: Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, June 12, 2025, 7:00 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of 7/1/25 Claims: Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve claims dated 7/1/25 as presented. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion carried 4-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson had no report. 2. EDC Report – President Cox had no report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman informed the council that the SWU Board held a public meeting on 6/25/25 to inform the residents of the upcoming project on Morse Landing Drive and to obtain information related to stormwater drains and sump pumps from their homes. The turnout was not good. He believes they will solicit bids soon and hopes to have the project completed in six months. 1 Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp was not present. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Director's Report – June 2025 Permit Revenue: June 2025 = $5,470 YTD: $23,376 June 2024 = $10,496 YTD: $25,057 Difference: Month = -$5,026 YTD: -$1,681 A total of 19 building permits in June 2025. Thirteen were inside the corporate limits (of which 0 was for new homes). Six permits were issued for Jackson Township (of which, 1 was for a new home). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $1,105,955. The Planning Commission next scheduled meeting is July 9th at Town Hall. The BZA will meet on July 17th at the Town Hall. In addition, Mr. Strong addressed the council in regard to Estridge Homes request to remove them from the 7/15/25 council meeting agenda. They requested to attend the 8/5/25 council meeting to have all five council members present. After discussion, President Cox would not be present for the 8/5/25 council meeting and suggested they consider the 8/19/25 council meeting. Once Mr. Strong hears back from Estridge Homes, notifications will be sent out to the public. Council agreed to move the 7/15/25 council meeting back to town hall. Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant 1. Water – Mr. Bryant had nothing to report. 2. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that construction continues, and Reynolds is about 57% complete. There was a brief conversation concerning plates and other items included in Reynolds invoice and who is responsible for those line items. Reynolds has replied to the plate questions but not the remainder of the questions as of yet. Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Pay Application #12. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. 3. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant stated that Jackson Street is cleaned up as promised for the July 4th festivities. The contractors will be back at it next week. He believes they will be done pouring concrete in late July and then they will work on the lights. Council inquired about a change order for the light pads on the north side of Jackson Street to increase from 20” to 24” diameter. Mr. Bryant will look into it and discuss with the contractor. 4. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Mr. Bryant said that the Notice to Proceed was signed and sent to the contractor, DC Construction Services, Inc, after the funds were received. He will schedule a preconstruction meeting in the near future based upon the contractor’s anticipated schedule. Old Business: There was nothing. New Business: a. GO Bond – Ms. Gary received the list of projects from the council. She plans to discuss associated costs with Mr. Hayden which is necessary to apply for a GO Bond. 2  b. Resolution 07-01-2025-01 to Purchase Real Estate – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Resolution 07-01-2025-01. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. c. Purchase of Real Estate Agreement – Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve and allow President Cox to sign the agreement. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. d. Baker Tilly Agreement – Ms. Gary would like for council to approve the agreement from Baker Tilly to move forward with the GO Bond contingent upon Mr. Culp’s approval. Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the agreement and allow President Cox to sign contingent on Mr. Culp’s approval. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Miscellaneous: Executive Session – Ms. Pearson would like to schedule an executive session for council to interview candidates for the Cicero Fire Chief position. Council decided to meet on 7/15/25 @ 5:00 pm. Council will also hold an executive session on 7/10/25 @ 6:00 pm to discuss litigation and land acquisition. Ms. Gary will advertise. Comments by Citizens: a. Mr. Hunt, Cicero resident, asked assistance from the council concerning the bamboo overgrowth on Stringtown Pike. Council was not aware of this but will check it out and discuss it at the next council meeting. Mr. Hunt was good with that. b. Ms. Mayer, Cicero resident, first thanked the council for keeping Reynolds on track. She went on to discuss her position on reorganization for Jackson Township and Cicero. She believes it’s time to move forward with reorganization. Ms. Mayer is concerned that Hamilton County Commissioners will get control of Jackson Township. c. Ms. Chance, Jackson Township resident, also supportive of reorganization asked the council to commit funds up to $40,000 to determine if reorganization would be a viable option. Council would not commit to that at this point. She talked about reorganization vs annexation and why she feels reorganization is a better route for the council to pursue. She asked the council to support no growth in Jackson Township until the annexation process is completed should that be the route the council takes. President Cox wouldn’t commit to that as there are too many unknowns at this point. d. Ms. Cook, Jackson Township Trustee, wanted to clear up a few things. She stated that she never did a fiscal study. She believes that reorganization would create one community and that would be better for all of us and that we would have the ability to control our destiny. She also stated that she will be sending out a mailer to all Jackson Township residents. She would like to have another meeting to discuss reorganization in the future. e. Mr. Dunmire, Jackson Township resident, discussed the success of Sheridan’s reorganization. He stated that we should all learn from the challenges they faced and what they’ve accomplished. He asked the council to consider reorganization and use that information to make the decision. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Hayden made the motion. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council 3  AYE NAY Joseph R Cox Dennis D Johnson Eric C Hayden Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on July 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4