City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 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 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 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, August14, 2025, 7:00 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, August 19, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 9/2/25 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve claims dated 9/2/25 as presented. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Public Hearing/Adoption of Ordinance 08-05-2025-02 – Mr. Semler from Baker Tilly was in attendance to answer questions concerning rates, the process and any other questions. Mr. Hayden made a motion open the public hearing. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Mr. Culp gave a brief background introduction and read aloud the list of possible projects. Ms. Hahn and Ms. Mayer inquired about the list. Ms. Mayer also inquired about citizens purchasing bonds to support the town. Mr. Semler addressed that issue by explaining the process and how the bonds work. There was no more discussion. Mr. Hayden made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to 1 suspend the third reading of the ordinance and adopt Ordinance 08-05-2025-02. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – Ms. Pearson stated that OTC is no longer recognized as they have been absorbed by Friends of the Park (FOP). Ms. Pearson went on to say that the car show at Red Bridge Park was a huge success over the holiday weekend and gave a shout out to Superintendent Hunter and Mr. Green for their efforts. Lastly, Ms. Pearson extended an invitation to all for the FOP annual spaghetti dinner on 9/14/25. All proceeds will be split between the police and fire department. 2. EDC Report – Mr. Everett had no report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman had nothing new to report. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report - Director's Report – August 2025 Permit Revenue: August 2025 = $4,619 YTD: $34,546 August 2024 = $8,394 YTD: $40,782 Difference: Month = -$3,775 YTD: -$6,236 A total of 21 building permits were issued in August 2025. Fourteen were within the corporate limits (of which 0 was for a new home). Seven building permits were issued in Jackson Township (of which, 0 was for a new home). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $349,861. The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 10th at Cicero Town Hall. The BZA will meet on September 18, 2025, at Cicero Town Hall. Both committees have items on the agenda. First significant Encroachment permit was processed for an additional $7,179.11. This is for an internet upgrade by Frontier. Town Engineer Report – Keith Bryant 1. Water – Mr. Bryant had nothing new to report. 2. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant relayed Reynolds continues construction. Concrete pours, sludge building, pipe work, clarifier equipment installation, electrical work and man other tasks continue. Flow transition to the new oxidation ditch and clarifiers is anticipated in September. Pay application #14 was reviewed and emailed with recommendations for approval and payment last week. Mr. Bryan asked that council consider and approve for payment if acceptable. There was a brief discussion concerning terms of the pay application. Mr. Culp stated that the terms are net 30. Council opted to review the pay application and consider approval at the next council meeting. 3. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant reported that last Thursday, Duke’s contractor (ARC) and our electrical contractor made the electrical service change on N. Byron Street. He has requested a schedule update from Midwest Paving for final concrete work, sod replacement and roadway mill and paving placement. 4. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Mr. Bryant reported that a preconstruction meeting has been scheduled with DC Services on 9/10/25 at 1:00. He has requested a construction schedule from them to complete the project in 2025. 2  5. Morse Landing Drive Project – Mr. Bryant has coordinated with the Stormwater Utility Board to receive bids for this project in January 2026. The specific date has not yet been confirmed. Old Business: There was none. New Business: a. Festival Fund – Superintendent Hunter asked council’s blessing to spend $6,000.00 of the Non-Reverting Festival Fund for electrical upgrades and towards a possible PA system for the parks. Ms. Pearson made a motion to allow up to $6,000.00 from the Festival Fund. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. b. Legal Fees – Mr. Everett made a motion to approve Mr. Culp’s fee for legal services in relation to the GO Bond. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for First Due – Mr. Culp gave a brief introduction to the MOU for First Due, which is a dispatch for public safety. Ms. Pearson then made a motion to approve the MOU. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. d. August Mack – Mr. Culp gave a brief introduction to the August Mack Phase I Proposal. The proposal is for an environmental assessment. Depending on the results there could possibly be a Phase II. Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the proposal. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Miscellaneous: a. Ms. Gary stated that the town had just finished the audit process with Indiana State Board of Accounts, and it went very well. There were no noted discrepancies. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Pearson were very complimentary of how well things went and all the work that was done prior to the audit which saved the town additional dollars. b. Street Fair – Superintendent Hunter stated that changing the location to community park was a success and he plans to hold it there again next year. Comments by Citizens: a. Mr. Maue addressed the council in regard to the reorganization that was discussed at the previous town council meeting. Mr. Maue also had some additional comments and suggestions for the board to consider. b. Ms. Mayer also addressed the council in regard to the to the reorganization that was discussed at the previous town council meeting. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Hayden made the motion. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Signatures on Official Documents! Signatures of Cicero Town Council AYE NAY Joseph R Cox 3  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 September 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4