City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 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 Dennis Johnson Eric Hayden Emily Pearson Declare a Quorum Present: President Cox declared a quorum with three 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 3-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, September 11, 2025, 7:00 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, September 16, 2025, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 3-0. Approval of 10/7/25 Claims: Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the claims dated 10/7/25. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 3-0. Budget Public Hearing/Excess Levy Appeal – Mr. Johnson made a motion open the public hearing. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 3-0. Ms. Gary presented the 2026 budget and entertained questions from the public. She added that the budget is funded and includes an excess levy appeal in the amount of $322,000.00. There was a question concerning the excess levy appeal, but no other questions. Seeing that there were no additional questions, Mr. Johnson made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 3-0. Ms. Gary then asked that council approve the excess levy appeal. Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the excess levy appeal. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried. 1 Council Committee Reports: 1. EDC Report – President Cox stated that EDC is not currently meeting. 2. Our Town Cicero/Friends of the Park/Lights Over Morse Lake (OTC/FOP/LOML) – Ms. Pearson gave a shout out to FOP/LOML to all who made touch a truck a success. She added that it is a great community event. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman inquired about a SWU ordinance update. Mr. Culp briefly explained that it is merely an update. 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 = $4619 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 for August 2025, 14 were within the corporate limits (0 new homes). A total of seven permits were issued for Jackson Township (0 new homes). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $349,861. The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 10th at Town Hall. The BZA will meet on September 18, 2025 at 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 – 1. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that construction continues. Reynolds is working hard on the sludge dewatering system installation to allow digester cleaning around October 20th and transfer into the new oxidation ditch and clarifier by the end of the month. Afterwards, Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve Pay Application #15. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 3-0. 2. West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant relayed that the paving is finished and commented that it looks nice. The lights, striping, railing, sod, etc. will be all that is needed to finish the project; however; he is waiting for a schedule from Midwest Paving that is heavily dependent on their subcontractors. Mr. Johnson inquired about the frosted globes. Mr. Bryant responded that they have been directed to do so. 3. 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant – Mr. Bryant said that the contractor, DCS Services, plans to mobilize 10/20/25. He believes this project will take less than two weeks if weather cooperates. 4. Morse Landing Drive Project – Mr. Bryant stated that the project will be advertised in December for bids in January 2026. This has been coordinated with the Stormwater Utility Board. More information to follow. 5. Mr. Bryant noted that he had met with Mr. Strong, Director Cooper and Mr. Wilson today to walk the east Jackson project to allow final scoping and estimate preparation for the proposed 2026 CCMG grant application. Old Business: There was none. 2 New Business: a. Grant Writer Discussion – Superintendent Hunter asked to move this item to the next agenda. b. Stormwater Ordinance Update – Removed from the agenda. Miscellaneous: There was nothing. Comments by Citizens: Mr. Hahn inquired about additional growth in Jackson Township. President Cox replied that there is nothing on the docket. Motion to Adjourn: Ms. Pearson made the motion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 3-0. 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 October 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 3