Note: This meeting was conducted in hybrid format; Ms. Dickson participated remotely and lost connection prior to the roll call vote.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Thiel called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Meeting Called to Order: 6:46 p.m.
Roll Call
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Thiel | President | Present |
| Greg Parker | Vice President | Present |
| Robert Carnahan | Member | Present |
| Julie Rivera | Member | Present |
| Nicholas Recupito | Member | Present |
| Chuck Becker | Member | Present |
| Mary Joan Dickson | Member | Present (remote; connection lost prior to vote) |
| Staff Present | ||
| Jennifer Sandberg | Clerk-Treasurer | Present |
| David Austgen | Town Attorney | Present |
| School Board Liaisons | ||
| Tracey Haskell | Hanover Community School Corporation | Present (confirmed present) |
| David Warne | Crown Point School Corporation | Did not respond to roll call |
Consent Agenda
Mr. Carnahan asked what the Fund #804 claim represented, specifically regarding the sidewalk project. Staff confirmed the charge relates to work still under the design contract phase. Mr. Carnahan noted the overall project timeline — beginning fall 2026 with Phase 4 construction not anticipated until 2034 — and expressed reservations about the length of that timeline. Mr. Thiel and staff explained the extended timeline is tied to pursuit of federal funding; the project phasing was structured to maximize the funded percentage for each phase (these being 80/20 matching grant projects) rather than necessarily achieving full funding, and that some schedule flexibility may exist depending on each grant application cycle.
Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Mr. Recupito; seconded by Mr. Parker.
| Member | Vote |
|---|---|
| Carnahan | Yes |
| Rivera | Yes |
| Recupito | Yes |
| Parker | Yes |
| Becker | Yes |
| Thiel | Yes |
Motion carries, 6–0.
Ms. Dickson had lost connection prior to the vote and is not recorded.
School Board Liaison Comment
Neither school board liaison delivered a formal report. Mr. Carnahan provided an informal update regarding Douglas MacArthur Elementary School: the first PTO meeting of the year will be held August 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria; the following PTO meeting will be held September 9, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. in the library.
Written Communication
Mr. Thiel and Ms. Sandberg both confirmed no written communication was received.
Public Comment
Mr. Thiel called for public comment three times. No one was present online. No public comment was received.
Closing Remarks
Mr. Thiel noted that at the September 1, 2026 meeting, the Commission will select a recipient for the Explore Cedar Lake recognition program. He noted Mr. Carnahan already has a candidate in mind and that an email nomination has also been received; selection will occur at the September meeting, with formal presentation to follow at the subsequent meeting.
Mr. Carnahan corrected information he previously shared regarding a nomination for Sammy's Hair Salon: after speaking with the owner directly, he confirmed the business has been in Cedar Lake for 11 years, not 12 as previously stated.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Thiel adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m. The Town Council meeting convened immediately following.
Signatures
ATTEST:
Date Approved:
Prepared with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by Town staff.
Statutory Notice: These minutes are transcribed pursuant to IC 5-14-1.5-4(b), which requires memoranda or minutes of all meetings to show:
(1) The date, time, and place of the meeting.
(2) The members of the governing body recorded as either present or absent.
(3) The general substance of all matters proposed, discussed, or decided.
(4) A record of all votes taken by individual members if there is a roll call.
(5) Any additional information required under section 3.5 or 3.6 of this chapter or any other statute that authorizes a governing body to conduct a meeting using an electronic means of communication.