Town of Cedar Lake
Redevelopment Commission
Special Public Meeting Minutes

Cedar Lake Town Hall Meeting Room · 7408 Constitution Avenue, Cedar Lake, Indiana 46303

Meeting Called to Order: 6:35 PM · Meeting Adjourned: 6:41 PM

Note: This was a Special Public Meeting called for the specific purpose of acting on two TIF allocation area resolutions with a June 15, 2026 statutory deadline.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Thiel called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Redevelopment Commission Roll Call, May 19, 2026
StatusMemberTitle
Present
PresentRichard ThielPresident
PresentRobert CarnahanMember
PresentJulie RiveraMember
PresentNicholas RecupitoMember
PresentChuck BeckerMember
PresentGreg ParkerVice President
PresentMary Joan DicksonMember
PresentJennifer SandbergClerk-Treasurer
PresentJohn GruszkaPolice Chief
PresentTim KubiakDirector of Operations
PresentNick MagerFire Chief
PresentMindi RayParks Superintendent
PresentDavid AustgenTown Attorney
Absent
AbsentBenjamin EldridgeTown Manager

New Business

1. Resolution No. RDC 2026-01 — 2027 Budget Year Assessed Valuation — Consolidated Cedar Lake 133rd Avenue Economic Development Area Allocation Area

Mr. Parker read Resolution No. RDC 2026-01 by title: a resolution of the Cedar Lake Redevelopment Commission concerning the 2027 Budget Year Determination for the need to capture incremental assessed valuation within the Consolidated Cedar Lake 133rd Avenue Economic Development Area Allocation Area and all matters related thereto.

No discussion.

Motion to approve Resolution No. RDC 2026-01 made by Mr. Recupito; seconded by Mr. Becker.

Vote on Resolution No. RDC 2026-01
MemberVote
CarnahanYes
RiveraYes
RecupitoYes
DicksonYes
ParkerYes
BeckerYes
ThielYes

Motion carries, 7–0.

2. Resolution No. RDC 2026-02 — 2027 Budget Year Assessed Valuation — Route 41 South TIF District Allocation Area

Mr. Parker read Resolution No. RDC 2026-02 by title: a resolution of the Cedar Lake Redevelopment Commission concerning the 2027 Budget Year Determination for the need to capture incremental assessed valuation within the Route 41 South TIF District Allocation Area and all matters related thereto.

No discussion.

Motion to approve Resolution No. RDC 2026-02 made by Mr. Recupito; seconded by Ms. Rivera.

Vote on Resolution No. RDC 2026-02
MemberVote
CarnahanYes
RiveraYes
RecupitoYes
DicksonYes
ParkerYes
BeckerYes
ThielYes

Motion carries, 7–0.

Reports

Town Council Report

Mr. Carnahan announced that Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal Marian Buchko is retiring. A public retirement reception will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the school; all are welcome. Mr. Carnahan also noted he sent a newsletter to Commission members on May 8.

Mr. Thiel noted for the record that Town Council school liaisons were not included in the notice for this special meeting, as it was called solely to address the two TIF resolutions ahead of the June 15 statutory deadline, rather than waiting for the regular June 2 meeting. Monica Horta did send the agenda to school representatives as notification.

Town Attorney Report

No report.

Clerk-Treasurer Report

No report.

Town Manager Report

Mr. Eldridge was absent. No report.

Written Communication

No written communication.

Public Comment

Mr. Thiel called for public comment three times. No one was present online.

No public comment was received.

Adjournment

Mr. Thiel adjourned the meeting at 6:41 PM.

 
Richard Thiel, President

ATTEST:

 
Cheryl Hajduk, Recording Secretary

Date Approved:

Prepared with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by Town staff.