City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 15, 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: Jacob Everett Eric Hayden Dennis Johnson Emily Pearson Declare a Quorum Present: President Cox declared a quorum with all five members present. He also welcomed new Councilman Jacob Everett. 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 Meeting Minutes, July 1, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Mr. Everett abstained as he was not present. Approval of 7/15/25 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve claims dated 7/15/25 as presented. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson reported that the Friends of the Park will host the annual fundraiser, the Boat Poker Run, on August 2, 2025. 2. EDC Report – President Cox stated that there is a seat open on the EDC with Mr. Everett’s move to the council. 1  3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman advised that there will be an update on the Byron Street Storm Sewer Lining at a later time. Mr. Bryant will address the council concerning the project. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Mr. Zawadzki had no update nor did Mr. Strong. Town Engineer Report – 1. Water – Mr. Bryant had nothing new to report. 2. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that construction continues at the WWTP with progress on the piping, sludge press building, concrete pours, etc. They are still working toward switching over to the new oxidation ditch and clarifier to allow rehabilitation of the existing tanks. The contingency use request letters from Reynolds, emailed previously, were reviewed. The first one was to replace the sluice gate in the headworks. This was included in the original project scope but removed with the cost reduction efforts. During construction, the existing gate was found to be in poor condition. It would be much more expensive to replace it later. The cost is $26,452. The second Reynolds request was for filters for the oxidation ditch VFDs. During the submittal process, these were recommended by the supplier to protect the VFDs. The cost for this item was $14,559.99 . Mr. Cooper agreed with the proposed work. Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the contingency requests. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 3. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant stated that construction continues with the concrete work and streetlights. Mr. Hayden informed the Council that after the last meeting he discussed the light foundation with Mr. Bryant again and the use of 20” foundations was agreed upon. The 24” foundations would be large for the smaller green spaces. The contractor agreed to be more careful with the anchor bolt placement and to minimize the chamfer at the top to better fit the light bases. At the previous meeting, there was concern that they were too small. Mr. Bryant also stated that the new light globes do not match the lights at both ends of Jackson Street as they are frosted. The frosted could be better long term for dirt and UV degradation but the light could be different. The contractor plans to leave the globe off of a light and energize a bank so they can be inspected, and a final decision could be made. 4. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Mr. Bryant relayed that they continue to put documents together and hope to have a bid schedule at the next council meeting. 5. Morse Landing Drive Underdrain Project – Mr. Bryant noted that they are still receiving property owner questionnaires. They will incorporate this information, finalize bid documents and schedule a bid date with the Stormwater Utility Board. Old Business: a. General Obligation (GO) Bond – Mr. Culp informed the council that he has sent the list of projects and is waiting for a letter of engagement and timeline from Mr. Pittman. He hopes to have that letter this week. 2  b. Gas Pumps – Ms. Gary informed the council that they have not dedicated any funds to this project, but believes we are awaiting a General Obligation (GO) Bond funding. Council agreed. c. Trees (E Jackson Street) – Mr. Zawadzki stated that he and Superintendent Hunter have drafted a letter of interest to send to residents for their input as to the location of the trees. d. Bamboo on Stringtown Pike (from 7/1/25 meeting) – Mr. Hayden didn’t think that the bamboo was prohibiting. After further discussion and input, Council agreed that something needs to be done and asked Director Cooper to take a look at it and advise. New Business: a. Byron Street Storm Sewer Lining – Mr. Strong informed the council that there is an issue with cracking and some spalling. He has spoken with SWU President Freeman and they are willing to pay for the repair from SWU funds. Mr. Strong believes the project will cost $40,000.00 - $50,000.00. Director Cooper will solicit three quotes for the project. b. Streetlights – Director Cooper informed council that there are 42 streetlights that have been removed from Jackson Street. Superintendent Hunter would like 28 of them. Director Cooper has been in touch with an HOA who would like the remaining lights. Council asked Director Cooper to ensure that there is no useful life on the remaining lights. c. FLOCK Cameras – Chief Rednour asked council’s blessing to move forward with ordering the cameras which were included in his budget. Council didn’t have an issue with it. d. Wheel Tax/Excise Tax – Mr. Strong advised the council that future Community Crossings Matching Grants (CCMG) require municipalities to adopt, implement and impose a wheel tax as well as a vehicle excise tax. Mr. Strong informed the council that the town has received over $3M in CCMG funds for the town. He also informed the council of the minimum and maximum tax rate ranges that could be adopted. Mr. Strong also touched on the timeline for completing the taxes and how that affects distribution of grant funds. After a brief discussion, Mr. Culp and Mr. Strong will continue to work on this. Council and Mr. Strong would like it to be known that they are not in favor of raising taxes, but we would not want to lose this source of funding for the town. Miscellaneous: There was nothing. Comments by Citizens: a. Mr. Green, Cicero resident, informed the council that the dog tag wall was well received and visited at the community park over the July 4th weekend. He thanked Superintendent Hunter for his help in making that happen. Council thanked Mr. Green for bringing the wall to Cicero. b. Mr. Maue, Jackson Township resident, addressed the council concerning the development in the Deming area. He is concerned that the area in question is currently zoned for agriculture use not residential and the comprehensive plan was not being followed. Mr. Strong added that a comprehensive plan can be amended. Mr. Hayden told Mr. Maue that he has a valid point and thanked Mr. Maue for his comments. 3 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 Jacob T Everett Eric C Hayden Dennis D Johnson Emily K Pearson Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on August 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4