Town of Cedar Lake Board of Safety Public Meeting Minutes

Date: December 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Board Members

• Norman Stick, Chairman - Present
• Lester Kaper, Vice-Chairman - Present
• Barbara Littles, Member - Present
• Larry Nagy, Member - Present
• David Villalobos, Member - Present

Department Heads and Staff

• John Gruszka, Police Chief - Present
• Carl Brittingham, Deputy Police Chief - Absent
• Nick Mager, Fire Chief - Present
• David Austgen, Town Attorney - Absent
• Ben Eldridge, Town Manager - Absent
• Cheryl Hajduk, Recording Secretary - Present

Town Council Liaisons

• Robert Carnahan, Town Council Liaison - Present
• Chuck Becker, Town Council Liaison - Present

Public Comment

Kaper called for Public Comment. None was had.

Approval of Public Meeting Minutes

Meeting: November 26, 2025 Regular Public Meeting

A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Larry Nagy, to approve the November 26, 2025 Regular Meeting.

Roll call vote: Littles – Yes, Nagy – Yes, Kaper – Yes, Villalobos – Yes, Stick – Yes. Vote: 5-0.

VIPS November 2025 Report

Lieutenant Jack Yauger reported we had two callouts, one accident, six details, 11 miscellaneous hours with a total of 47 hours for the month.

Police Department

Communications

Police Chief Gruszka commented communications highlighted two significant arrests: a cocaine bust by Officer Tomko and K9 Johnny, and a theft case tied to the Boy Scouts, both reinforcing investigative effectiveness.

• Public reminders about vehicle registration compliance for new residents were reposted on social media, supporting legal adherence and community awareness.
• Officers participated in community events like student remission celebrations, enhancing public relations.

Finances

Police Chief Gruszka commented financial reporting and new equipment acquisitions reflect prudent budget use and modernization efforts.

• The department utilized approximately 92% of its budget by November, with final figures pending, indicating controlled spending within approved limits.
• Budget approval for the next fiscal year is expected by mid-January, allowing for informed financial planning.
• Fuel budget cuts align with realistic usage, mitigating overspending risks without operational impact.
• A purchase order not to exceed $21,000 was placed for Gen 6 Glock 9mm Model 45 firearms, marking a significant upgrade in officer equipment.
• Trade-in and buyback options for older firearms are offered to officers at equivalent value, promoting cost recovery.
• Vehicle fleet updates include engagement with financial advisors to determine CCD fund reimbursements, expected to cover at least two of three Durango vehicles traded in, estimated around $170,000 in value.
• The department applied for a $4,000 Mac Canine Grant aimed at funding K9 training and equipment organization, pending award, which would enhance the K9 unit's operational readiness.

Staffing

Police Chief Gruszka commented Officer Lukasik is in the final phase of training, expected to finish next month, bolstering staffing capacity.

Training

Police Chief Gruszka commented we had a makeup for Defensive Tactics training.

Equipment

Police Chief Gruszka commented a $66,000 grant covering two Tesla vehicles was awarded, providing $33,280 per car toward the purchase of extended-range Model 3s priced around $47,000 each, leaving about $16,000 to be locally funded per vehicle.

• Total upfitting costs for code enforcement use are estimated at $20,000, keeping unreimbursed expenses near $36,000 per vehicle, with a final figure expected soon after consulting the Chief.
• Outfitting as a police vehicle instead of code enforcement would increase costs by approximately $3,000 to $5,000 due to added equipment and camera systems.
• A wall-mounted charger will be installed at the police station with installation costs near $3,000, supported by a donated charger valued at $500, ensuring operational readiness for electric vehicles.
• Tesla vehicles provide an estimated range of 350 to 370 miles per charge, with conservative estimates of 300 miles, and charging times around 30 to 45 minutes, supporting typical patrol needs.
• Regenerative braking extends brake life and battery charge, reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
• Local and regional agencies like Bargersville PD have successfully used Teslas for six years, converting most of their fleet and reporting significant cost savings and reliability.
• The electric vehicles perform well in winter and hilly terrain due to low-center battery weight, though cold weather doubles charging time, requiring consistent plug-in routines.
• Resale value remains strong, with used vehicles selling for about $19,000 at 90,000 miles, improving overall lifecycle ROI.
• Projected savings from electric fleet conversion include monthly fuel cost reductions from $432 to $58 per vehicle, with potential labor cost savings that could fund two additional officers over three years in larger fleets.
• The board unanimously approved the motion to purchase the Tesla Model 3 as the Chief's vehicle, marking a strategic step toward sustainable fleet modernization.

Motion for Electric Vehicle Purchase

A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Charlie Kaper to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to proceed with purchase of one EV vehicle for 2026 and to be for the Police Chief.

Roll call vote: Littles – Nay, Nagy – Yes, Kaper – Yes, Villalobos – Yes, Stick – Yes. Vote: 5-0.

Monthly Activity Report

Police Chief Gruszka reported for November, included 784 calls for service, 258 traffic stops with 221 warnings, 107 citations, 502 law incident reports, and 23 arrests covering 26 charges.

• Ordinance enforcement yielded 33 warnings and 35 citations, reflecting active local code compliance efforts.
• Staffing includes two new hires currently in medical exams and pending final approval, with a formal recommendation to advertise for one more position approved by the board to maintain workforce levels.

Other

Police Chief Gruszka commented:

• The department continues active community involvement through events and initiatives enhancing public trust.
• Officers participated in local school celebrations, SWAT fundraisers, and the "Shop with a Cop" program, which assisted 27 children with holiday gifts, reinforcing positive community relations.
• Deputy Chief Brittingham and leadership represented the department at District 1 meetings and Chamber of Commerce luncheons, sharing the department's vision and strengthening partnerships.
• Numerous communities thank-you cards were received, reflecting public appreciation for emergency services during the holiday season.

Fire Department

Communications

Fire Chief Mager commented they received a letter from Homeland Security and Fire Chief Mager read the letter out loud.

Finances: Purchase Orders, Expenditure Reports and Grants

Fire Chief Mager commented purchase orders for the month of November were $8,762.43. For the expenditure report, 92% of the fiscal year is complete as of today and 82% of the budget has been utilized.

Motion to Approve Purchase Requisitions

A motion was made by Charlie Kaper, seconded by Larry Nagy, to approve the November 2025 Purchase Requisitions.

Roll call vote: Littles – Yes, Nagy – Yes, Kaper – Yes, Villalobos – Yes, Stick – Yes. Vote: 5-0.

Staffing

Fire Chief Mager commented: Staffing includes two new hires currently in medical exams and pending final approval, with a formal recommendation to advertise for one more position approved by the board to maintain workforce levels.

Training

Fire Chief Mager commented the total training hours for the month for the month of November were 99 hours of training conducted.

Equipment

Fire Chief Mager commented Final inspection of a new fire engine is underway, with full outfitting expected by mid to late January, supporting fire response capabilities.

Monthly Activity

Fire Chief Mager commented for the month of November saw 209 fire-related incidents, maintaining a 16% increase over the previous year, indicating growing demand for fire services.

Lexipol Updates

Fire Chief Mager commented we will begin Lexipol policy update implementation by July/August deadline.

Town Council Liaison Report

Mr. Becker and Fire Chief Mager discussed:

• EMS operations have adjusted billing policies to manage repeat service calls and improve revenue collection.
• EMS billing rates changed on December 1, charging for lift assists starting at the fourth occurrence within a 30-day period, aiming to reduce frequent, non-emergency calls.
• EMS staff manually review incidents monthly to identify billable cases, ensuring accurate and consistent billing practices.
• An increase in lift assists from 208 last year to 563 this year was noted, prompting ongoing collaboration with Adult Protective Services and other agencies to address chronic cases.

Further case reviews and new referrals are planned for early next year to help manage persistent service demand from individuals with complex needs.

New Firehouse Discussion

Mr. Villalobos asked about staffing the new firehouse. Fire Chief Mager commented they will not be staffing it anytime soon and we will start utilizing the space for training and physical agility testing preparation.

Written Communications

None was had.

Public Comment

None was had.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.

Board Signatures

• Norman Stick, Chairman
• Lester Kaper, Vice-Chairman
• Larry Nagy, Member
• David Villalobos, Member
• Barbara Littles, Member
• Cheryl Hajduk, Recording Secretary