City Council

TOWN OF CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 21, 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: Jacob Everett Eric Hayden Dennis Johnson 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 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. Hayden made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes, July 7, 2026, 7:00 PM Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes listed above. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Approval of 7/21/26 Claims: Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve claims dated 7/21/26. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Council Committee Reports: 1. EDC Report – There was nothing. 2. SWU Management Board Report – SWU President Feeman had nothing new to report. Legal Counsel Report – Mr. Culp had nothing at this time. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report – Mr. Zawadzki had no updates, nor did Mr. Strong under special projects. Town Engineer Report 1. Wastewater – Mr. Bryant reported that Reynolds continues restoration and punch list items. He touched on rolling the BAN (bond anticipation note) into long term financing, 1  possibly a SRF (state revolving fund), but noted that the Town has a few years to do this. Mr. Bryant stated that the plant is operational, but they have had some issues with a paving subcontractor so that set them back a week or two. Ultimately, they will probably not be finished at the end of the month as previously reported. Mr. Bryant provided a summary of the history of the Town’s expenditures for sewer improvements and I & I (inflow and infiltration). Mr. Hayden touched on it. 2. 2026 CCMG (Community Crossings Matching Grant) East Jackson Street – Mr. Bryant stated that the paving is done, striping is not as well as other miscellaneous items as well as adjustments of other structures. There is a substantial completion walkthrough scheduled for 7/30/26. There are some manhole castings that will need adjustment. 3. Morse Landing Drive Underdrain Project – Mr. Bryant relayed that there was a substantial completion inspection done on 7/16/26. He has put together a punch list and substantial completion form for SLB Piping. Once received back, Mr. Bryant will send it to the SWU Board for review and signatures. SLB has some miscellaneous items to address, but it’s almost complete and looks good. Mr. Hayden addressed large holes left. Mr. Bryant said that they are supposed to come and fix those settlement areas and will reseed in September. 4. 2027 CCMG – Mr. Bryant referred to Task Orders 3A and 3B. After discussion, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Task Order 2606-3A in the amount of $195,200. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. The work includes the optional Task Order 3B would not be included in the project. 5. Water – Mr. Bryant went over the agreement that he submitted and the scope of work for the waterworks projects the $2,708,500 entailed. Mr. Hayden asked for clarification on the modifications if needed. Mr. Bryant is not anticipating any, but they don’t know the unforeseen. President Cox and Mr. Hayden noted researching typical engineering fees for such projects and felt that the fees were reasonable and lower than normal. After further discussion, Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the Waterworks Agreement with United that Mr. Bryant submitted. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Old Business: Weight Restrictions Ordinance – After discussion, Council consensus was to raise the originally agreed upon weight restriction of 11,000 lbs. to 26,001. Mr. Culp will revise the ordinance and bring it back to the Council for signatures. New Business: a. Mr. Cook (250 S Peru St) – Mr. Cook was present to voice his concern and inquire about the SWU and Wastewater trouble at his residence when his sewer backed up into his basement. Mr. Hayden reviewed ‘Historical Improvements and I&I Reduction Efforts’ that Mr. Bryant provided. After more discussion, Mr. Hayden stated that we will take a look at it and see what we can do. b. Utility Office Parking Resurface – Removed from the agenda. c. Grant Writer – Superintended Hunter inquired if the Council would like to continue with Ms. Shankland for grant writing. After discussion, it was decided to move forward with Mr. Shankland for three more months. d. Wheel Excise Tax – Mr. Culp introduced Municipal Wheel and Excise Surtax Ordinance 07-21-2026-01. He stated that a large pot of money is only going to be available for road work to communities who have adopted a wheel and excise tax and went on to give specifics concerning the requirements. Mr. Culp is introducing the ordinance but does not want a vote on it tonight as we must first have a public hearing which is scheduled for 2  the 8/4/26 Town Council Meeting. President Cox added that this is the Town’s primary source of road funding. Mr. Hayden added that no one wants to raise taxes. After discussion, Council consensus is to set the Wheel Tax at $5.00 and Excise Tax of $7.50 which are the minimum for each. e. LWCF Engineering – Superintendent Hunter informed the Council that the LCWF Grant application is due 7/31/26 and asked if Council is in favor of moving forward with engineering fees and studies. Council supports moving forward. f. Boat License Agreement – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the license agreement. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. g. Resolution 07-21-2026-02 – Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve Resolution 7-21- 2026-02 for Ms. Gary to sign closing documents for TNT Farms. Mr. Johnson seconded, motion carried 4-0. Miscellaneous: Parks Superintendent Hunter inquired about using funds from the 7/4 vendor fees. He would like to utilize $10,000.00 to install a PA system in the park. Total cost is approximately $21,000.00. He has a $5,000.00 commitment from Lights Over Morse Lake and $5,000.00 from Friends of the Park. Council was ok with that. Comments by Citizens: a. Ms. Mayer, Cicero resident, inquired about the utility flags that are left in her yard. In the end, Mr. Zawadzki advised that she can remove the flags after three weeks. b. Mr. Freeman, Cicero resident, inquired if the Town has building standards for maintaining retention ponds. In particular, he addressed the aquatic plants. He inquired if he could cut them. In the end, it was decided that he could not as it is not his property. Chief Rednour said that he would look into this also. Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Johnson made the motion. Ms. Pearson seconded, motion carried 4-0. 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 August 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Cicero Town Hall. 4