City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 7, 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 four 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 Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Bruce Freeman, Storm Water Management Board President Dan Strong, Project Coordinator Approval of Agenda: Ms. Pearson made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Staff Meeting Minutes, June 11, 2026, 7:00 PM Town Council Executive Session Memorandum, June 16, 2026, 6:15 PM Town Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of 7/7/26 Claims: Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve claims. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. EDC Report – President Cox said there was nothing as the EDC is currently inactive. 2. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Freeman reported that the MLD Project is basically done. He also reported that the rain on July 4th exposed some issues that the SWU Board will be addressing. 1 Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report - Director's Report - June 2026 Permit Revenue: June 2026 = $5,615 YTD: $53,323 June 2025 = $5,470 YTD: $25,057 Difference: Month = -$145 YTD: $28,266 A total of 33 building permits were issued for June 2026. Twenty-five were inside the corporate limits (of which 0 were for new homes). Eight permits were issued in Jackson Township (of which, 0 were for new homes). Estimated Cost of projects permitted $901,236. The Planning Commission scheduled for July 8th has been cancelled due to no business. The next BZA meeting will be on July 16th at Town Hall. Town Engineer Report – 1. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that Reynolds continues to move ahead with the final work concentrating on final restoration and miscellaneous punch list completion. Mr. Bryant said that Reynold’s hope to be finished by the end of the month. 2. 2026 CCMG – Mr. Bryant stated that East Jackson Street is primarily done. They are working on miscellaneous things i.e. striping, punch list items, curb repair and drainage improvements on north Catherine. Note that additional deeper HMA patches were necessary due to poor subgrades in some areas. 3. Morse Landing Drive Underdrain Project – Mr. Bryant stated that the project is basically complete. Substantial Completion (with punch list) and final quantity / pay application paperwork is being prepared. Afterwards, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve Pay Application No. 1. Mr. Everett seconded, motion carried 4-0. 4. 2027 CCMG – (W. Jackson) Mr. Bryant relayed that he is working on the task order for this project and will submit prior to the next council meeting for consideration. Will need to move forward to meet INDOT CCMG timelines, should we obtain the grant. 5. Water – Mr. Bryant informed the Council that they have started the survey and aerial survey was flown before crop growth created an issue as included in the Task Order approved at the last council meeting. It was noted that the proposed overall design, bid and construction administration services for the overall project that included 5 large projects was emailed the prior week to allow review. The Council elected to table further discussion on this until the next council meeting and Mr. Hayden returned. Mr. Bryant offered to answer any questions in advance as needed. He hopes to obtain approval to avoid project delays at the next council meeting. President Cox asked Ms. Gary to add this to the next council meeting agenda. Afterwards, Ms. Pearson made a motion to approve exercising the option to acquire land. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Old Business: Ambulance Resolution No. 07-07-2026-01 – Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the ambulance resolution. Ms. Gary informed the Council that the funds for the ambulance came from the Ambulance Fund ($181,000.00) and CCD ($200,000.00). Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. 2 New Business: a. Hidden Bay (HB) HOA/Citizens Dredging Agreement – Mr. Zawadzki started off by stating that Citizens intention is to move their dredging site from its current location (7th Day Adventist Church) to HB area, Block H. Afterwards, Cicero resident, Mr. Blickendorf, 47 Legend Ct, HB, and POA President introduced Roger Goings director with Morse Waterways Association who is the liaison for this project with Citizens Water. Mr. Blickendorf then went on to say that the dredging access road at the 7th Day Adventist Church location will stay and is not being replaced, but a new access road is needed. He went on to talk about the specifics of the project. Mr. Culp added that the town’s concern is the wear and tear as the streets in HB are not designed for those heavy trucks. Mr. Blickendorf stated that there is a section in the agreement about restoration and repair. Specifically, the agreement says that the grantee (Citizens) would construct the access easement. It is Mr. Blickendorf’s belief that it is not Citizen’s intent to cause or leave behind damage to the streets. Citizens will work with Mr. Culp and Director Cooper to address the town’s concerns. Mr. Blickendorf also stated that HB POA will not sign any documents until the town has reviewed and approved. In the end, Mr. Blickendorf was not looking for approval tonight. Mr. Culp added that tonight was for informational purposes. President Cox thanked Mr. Blickendorf for bringing this forward tonight. b. Awards – Ms. Pearson presented proclamations to the LOML team which was made up of Brian Bear, Lisa Stokes-Bear, Jackie Hayden and Amy Wolfe for their hard work on the July 4th festivities as well as their dedication to the Town of Cicero . c. LWCF Grant – Superintendent Hunter gave some specifics of the grant. Afterwards, Mr. Everett made a motion to approve the grant application and allow Ms. Gary to sign and submit the commitment letter. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Miscellaneous: a. Ms. Pearson thanked Officer Smith for her e-bike presentation, which was well attended. b. Ms. Gary stated that a Cicero Resident (Mr. Sheese) called her office to compliment Director Cooper’s staff, in particular Mr. Wilson, Mr. Fiddler and Mr. Bennet for their assistance. He was grateful and thought they went above and beyond to help with the mess that contractors made. c. Ms. Gary reminded the council that the staff meeting next week is on Tuesday and she will not be present. She will be attending a clerk’s conference. Mr. Strong will sit in for her. d. Ms. Pearson acknowledged Parks Superintendent Hunter as he received the Sagamore of the Wabash award. Doug Carter presented it to him during the July 4th festivities. Comments by Citizens: There were none. Motion to Adjourn: Ms. Pearson made the motion. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Signatures on Official Documents! 3 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 July 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4