City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 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 Jacob Everett 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 Chris Frazier, 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. Hayden made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, January 6, 2026, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Approval of 1/20/26 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve claims dated 1/20/26. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. OTC Report – No report. 2. EDC Report – No report. 3. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman stated that bid packets are out and will be received until 1/26/26. The next SWU Board meeting is 1/26/26 at 10:00 am. at Cicero Town Hall to open the bids. 1 Legal Counsel Report – a. Barnes & Thornburg Engagement Letter – Mr. Culp touched on a few specifics of the letter which led into a discussion concerning the AYPA Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) proposal. It was suggested that the council extend an invitation to an AYPA representative to the next council meeting to address questions and concerns. Ms. Gary will add the approval of the engagement letter to the next council meeting agenda on 2/3/26. b. Waiver of Conflict – Mr. Culp distributed and briefly discussed the Waiver of Conflict with Dinsmore. He asked that council approve the waiver and allow President Cox to sign the document. Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve and allow President Cox to sign the waiver. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission - Mr. Zawadzki informed the council that the new permitting software is up and running. He also stated that they have redacted personal information from the form/application because of the potential scam opportunity it proposes. Town Engineer Report – Mr. Bryant was not present, but emailed the following: 1. Water – Nothing new to report 2. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant relayed that Reynolds continues construction. Concrete pours and demolition for the existing oxidation ditch and sludge dewatering area, clarifier rehabilitation, pipe work, electrical work and other tasks continue. The anticipated schedule for bringing the ditch and clarifiers online is now late March, weather depending. The sludge dewatering press and new sludge pumps are to be energized next week. Pay application #18 was reviewed and emailed with recommendations for approval and payment on 1/16/26. Mr. Bryant asked that council consider and approve for payment if acceptable. Afterwards, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve and pay Application #18. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 3. 2024 Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) West Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant relayed that Midwest Paving’s subcontractor has recently installed the remaining ADA parking signs, pipe bollards and replaced the lights/globes. Mr. Bryant will schedule a substantial completion inspection to finalize this project. 4. 2025 CCMG Closeout – The project construction is complete. Mr. Bryant is finalizing close-out paperwork for the grant. 5. 2026 CCMG – The project is out to bid with bids to be received at the 2/3/26 Cicero Town Council Meeting. There are currently seven potential bidders holding bid documents. 6. Morse Landing Drive Underdrain Project – The Stormwater Utility Board will accept bids for this project until Monday 1/26/26 (10:00 am). There are currently 15 potential bidders holding bid documents. Old Business: a. Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve Salary Ordinance Amendment 01-20-2026-01 which is an increase in rates for Fire PRN. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. 2  b. Grant Letter of Agreement – Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the grant letter with Ms. Shankland (Green Avenue). The agreement is to pursue grant opportunities for the Town of Cicero and is six months in duration. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. c. IT Contract – Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve the contract for IT Services with Mr. Overholser for the town video and online system that he set up. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 5-0. d. EMT Rates – Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve newly proposed EMT rates. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 5-0. New Business: There was none. Miscellaneous: Mr. Hayden asked that the council meet on 1/31/26 at 9:00 AM as opposed to 2/3/26 for Director Cooper’s retreat session. Director Cooper will need additional time to present his items as he has water, sewer, stormwater. MVH and LRS. Council was good with that. Ms. Gary will advertise. Comments by Citizens: 1. Mr. Maue addressed the council to discuss town council and plan commission procedures. 2. Ms. Irvin informed the council of her findings concerning the ongoing Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) concerns. 3. Mr. Freeman inquired about the findings from the BESS Overdorf site. Mr. Culp clarified that it was a land use variance and elaborated on that and the differences. 4. Mr. Herrera addressed the council in support of their work on the council and the decisions that they make. He noted that while he may not always agree with every decision, he believes each council member is acting in what they genuinely feel is the best interest of the town. 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 3 Attested: Rhonda Gary, Clerk Treasurer The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on February 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Red Bridge Community Building. 4