Town of Cedar Lake Building Corporation
Special Public Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence

Ms. Sandberg called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence.

Roll Call

Members Present: Nick Canete; Tracy Haskell; Margaret Jehle; Cheryl Parker.

Members Absent: Jeremy McNamer.

Staff Present: Jennifer Sandberg, Clerk-Treasurer; Jeff Bunge, Town Manager; David Austgen, Town Attorney.

Staff Absent: Cheryl Hajduk, Recording Secretary.

Election of Officers

President

Ms. Sandberg called for nominations for President. Ms. Parker nominated Ms. Haskell. Ms. Jehle seconded. No further nominations were received.

Motion to elect Tracy Haskell as President made by Ms. Parker; seconded by Ms. Jehle.

Motion carries, 4–0. Ms. Sandberg turned the meeting over to President Haskell.

Vice President

President Haskell called for nominations for Vice President. Ms. Haskell nominated Mr. Canete. Ms. Parker seconded. No further nominations were received.

Motion to elect Nick Canete as Vice President made by Ms. Haskell; seconded by Ms. Parker.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Secretary

President Haskell called for nominations for Secretary. Ms. Jehle nominated Ms. Parker. Ms. Haskell seconded. No further nominations were received.

Motion to elect Cheryl Parker as Secretary made by Ms. Jehle; seconded by Ms. Haskell.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the February 16, 2023 special meeting were presented for approval.

Motion to approve the February 16, 2023 special meeting minutes made by Ms. Jehle; seconded by Ms. Haskell.

Motion carries, 4–0.

New Business

1. Utility Easement Agreement – New Public Safety Facility Project

Mr. Austgen presented the utility easement agreement. Background: the Town is constructing new public safety facilities (police station and fire station) on Town-owned property at the municipal complex. No subdivision platting was required at the time the project commenced. After construction began, it was determined that a utility easement was required by NIPSCO for the area on the north portion of the fire station lot, where NIPSCO will install underground infrastructure to service both buildings. NIPSCO informed Town consultants that it will not commence its work until a formal easement is in place. The easement grant before the Corporation is a 15-foot wide strip, identified by legal description in the packet materials.

Ms. Jehle asked why only the north portion required an easement when gas and electric lines already exist elsewhere on the property. Mr. Austgen explained that the existing lines are not in NIPSCO’s scope for this project; NIPSCO is requesting this easement specifically for the new underground infrastructure it will install to service both buildings. Ms. Jehle confirmed that the work is fully underground and asked whether it would interfere with events or activities on the town grounds. Mr. Bunge responded that the installation will be underground and any surface disturbance will be restored by NIPSCO at their expense. A pad-mounted transformer, approximately table-sized, may remain above ground. NIPSCO will fence around equipment as needed per their safety standards.

Ms. Haskell asked about the proximity of the easement area to the buildings. Mr. Bunge indicated the easement runs perpendicular to Morris Street to the north of the fire station building but did not have a precise dimension from the building available at the meeting, as site plans were not present. Mr. Austgen confirmed that the legal description in the easement document covers both the police and fire station project parcel as a whole; while the agenda references the fire department project, the legal description encompasses the entire project area.

The project’s tentative completion date at the time of the meeting was approximately July 5, 2024, with the police station progressing slightly ahead of the fire station due to weather delays on the fire station portion. Mr. Austgen confirmed the easement approval by the Building Corporation will need to go to the Town Council as well, as the Building Corporation holds the property.

Motion to approve the Utility Easement Agreement for the new public safety facility project made by Ms. Parker; seconded by Ms. Jehle.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Public Comment

President Haskell called for public comment. No public comment was received.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m.