Town of Cedar Lake, Lake County, Indiana
Minutes of the Town Council

Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence.

Roll Call

Proclamation

Nicholas Recupito read the proclamation for Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Chief Mager reported within the month of January they will be distributing training and safety bulletins related to the fire service and cancer as well as how to prevent it.

Election of Officers

1. Town Council President

Mary Joan Dickson nominated Nicholas Recupito. A second was made by Julie Rivera. No other nominations were made.

2. Town Council Vice-President

Mary Joan Dickson nominated Richard Thiel. A second was made by Julie Rivera. No other nominations were made.

Public Comment

None.

Consent Agenda

1. Claims

• All Town Funds: $66,998.94
• Wastewater: $462,751.19
• Water Utility: $9,864.94
• Storm Water: $9,674.09
• Payroll (12/18/25, 12/31/25, & 01/02/26): $765,575.20

A motion to accept the consent agenda as listed was made by Greg Parker with second by Chuck Becker. Mr. Carnahan discussed the claim for Gatlin for $405,100.80. He stated it was for the wastewater west side interceptor project two.

Ordinances & Resolutions

1. Resolution No. 1384 – Y2026 Farmer’s Market Agreement

Mr. Thiel read Resolution No. 1384 by title only. Mrs. Kelly Dykstra from Region Social was present. She stated the only change they will see is the addition of Saturdays. It should be part of the information they have. Mr. Recupito asked if those were vetted with departments. Mrs. Dykstra stated it would be between soccer seasons. After spring and before the fall season begins. Mr. Eldridge stated they also would be eliminating using October as a rain date. Mrs. Dykstra stated they would eliminate it from the schedule and keep it as a rain date only.

Mr. Austgen stated he has not reviewed it. It is an in-house document. Mrs. Dickson stated with the cost of everything going up she would like to increase the fee. She stated they may want to increase it. She also stated she would like to see the creation of a form for the funds and the number of booths. She discussed making it available for anyone who would want to review it. Ensuring it matches the amount they receive. She stated she thinks it would be good for accountability. Mrs. Sandberg asked if this was an internal form. Mrs. Dickson stated yes. She discussed with Mr. Eldridge the importance of having the paperwork available on how many booths were actually there. She stated when she requested it, she did not receive it for the year.

Mrs. Rivera asked about the fee increase. She asked what it was costing the Town. Mrs. Dickson stated the electricity. She asked if they pay for toilet paper. Mrs. Dykstra stated they bring their own but it is always stocked. If it runs out, they replenish. She stated they are happy to do whatever needs to be done. Mr. Eldridge asked if they pay for the police officers. Mrs. Dykstra stated yes. They pay the officers $50 an hour. Mr. Eldridge asked if they pay for a cleaning service for after. Mrs. Dykstra stated yes. They started that last year for the bathrooms.

Mrs. Rivera asked Chief Gruszka if they were required to have a certain number of officers. Chief Gruszka stated the agreement was for one. Mrs. Dickson discussed the large crowds and wanting security there. Mr. Thiel discussed parking at the Lighthouse. He asked if there were any issues with Lighthouse. Mrs. Dykstra stated she goes in and talks with them about the parking. They have stated it is fine. They like the Farmers Market on Wednesdays as it draws more people in. Mr. Carnahan asked if she talked with the new owner. Mrs. Dykstra stated not yet.

Mr. Recupito stated they have been offering entertainment and a value to the Town. It is a relationship they have. Maybe they look at the fees but they are at the 11th hour now. Mrs. Dykstra asked for a comparison to other events happening. She asked if there was a way to look at that. Mr. Recupito stated the nature of events are different. He stated he has enjoyed the relationship with her and the product. It is not something they would want to run. Mrs. Rivera discussed wanting to offer an in-kind donation because of the event brought. Mrs. Dykstra stated they used to apply for the Tourism funds but no longer do. A brief discussion continued on the matter.

A motion to approve the agreement contingent on legal review was made by Julie Rivera with second by Greg Parker.

Agenda Amendment – Fire Department Job Listing

Mr. Thiel made a motion to amend the agenda to add a job listing for the Fire Department for one individual. A second was made by Chuck Becker.

New Business

1. Fire Department Hiring/Job Listing Procedures

Mr. Austgen explained this is to ratify the verbal action of the Board of Safety Chairman at the last meeting regarding the personnel notifications. Mr. Carnahan asked if this was to allow the hiring of another. Chief Mager stated they had an eligibility list of three individuals. One turned down the offer. No other eligible candidates were on the list and they will have to start the hiring process.

A motion was made by Greg Parker with second by Chuck Becker.

2. Town Council Appointees

Mr. Recupito read off the list of appointments as follows:

A motion to approve was made by Chuck Becker with second by Greg Parker.

3. CBBEL Y2026 Professional Services Agreement

Mr. Recupito stated this is the annual agreement for professional services. They were proposing a 5% increase for Town charges as well as outside charges. Mr. Recupito and Mr. Parker had a call with Thomas Burke recently. They were able to negotiate an increase of 2.5% on the Town charges. The 5% increase on outside charges will remain.

A motion to approve was made by Greg Parker with second by Richard Thiel.

4. Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee List Approval

A motion to defer for two weeks was made by Greg Parker with second by Mary Joan Dickson.

5. Consideration of EV Vehicle for the Cedar Lake Police Department

Chief Gruszka stated they are looking for approval to go ahead and explore the options to get the electric vehicle through a grant. They are looking at a total cost of approximately $23,482.45. The vehicle would be his car. That would be after reimbursement. Mr. Parker asked if it was still a Tesla. Chief Gruszka stated yes. Mr. Carnahan stated at the Public Safety meeting it was Doug Machalk working on the grant. The return of the vehicle would be $19,000. Chief Gruszka stated that was a number thrown out but it varies.

Mr. Recupito asked Ms. Sandberg about funding and if anything would have to come back. Ms. Sandberg stated it may come before them as she would like to see updated numbers. It is a reimbursement grant. They would have to pay all costs upfront. It may impact the purchase of the Durango’s that were already approved. A brief discussion continued on the matter.

A motion to approve was made by Greg Parker with second by Robert Carnahan.

Reports

1. Town Council

Mr. Carnahan reported he would try and forward the new Chamber of Commerce newsletter. They have a new executive secretary. Mrs. Dickson gave a shout out to two Town employees that helped a resident who uses a motorized vehicle and was using it on 133rd. Doug Machalk and Tim King took the time to find out why the individual was not using the sidewalks. They were able to talk with him and fix the problem on 133rd. She appreciated them finding a solution to the problem.

2. Town Attorney

No report.

3. Clerk-Treasurer

Clerk-Treasurer Sandberg reported it is annual reporting time. Many State reports due over the next two months. She’ll be working on them with staff.

4. Town Manager

Mr. Eldridge stated the new businesses in Town for the month are Ideal Design Group, Give & Gather Thrift, and Leedsma Medical Clinic. All three have received their certificates of occupancy.

Written Communication

None.

Public Comment

Michael Willman, 10909 W. 128th Avenue, asked about the water situation and how the aquifer is doing. He wants to hear it from them. Mr. Eldridge stated the current water production is sufficient for the needs of the Town. The aquifer is in good condition. They have good, clean water. They are pursuing another production well. They have one test well drilled. They received good results back so far. As far as the water it can produce. There are treatment issues they will have to work through if they go with that well. He stated they are looking at other locations for test wells. They are actively pursuing the addition of production. Mr. Carnahan stated they have two different systems, an east and west side. Mr. Eldridge stated they actually have three. The west side, WPM, and Robin’s Nest.

Mr. Willman stated he heard there was supposed to be a big data center going in somewhere in Cedar Lake. Mr. Carnahan stated that was unincorporated Cedar Lake. He thinks St. John was trying to annex it. It is his understanding that they shot that down. Mr. Eldridge stated he thinks Hobart is moving forward with a data center. The last conversation with the county was South Lake County was being looked at for a location probably within the next five years.

Kathleen Broomhead, 14351 W. 135th Avenue, stated they have a problem with the sound system. She stated it is hard to hear when they are watching online. She asked where are the light at the welcome signs on US 41. She stated they cannot see the sign anymore. She stated it has been out for a while. Mrs. Broomhead discussed the Farmers Market. She stated everything is going up in prices. She voiced concerns about parking at the Lighthouse. She stated she does need to ask about the parking. She stated they have to ask for Summerfest. Mr. Recupito stated they upgraded the microphones last year.

Barb Orze, 10290 W. 138th Place, asked about the meeting schedule. She stated it is an election year. Mr. Recupito stated they talked about it before the meeting. They will probably not have a meeting on those dates. They will get it updated by the next meeting.

Adjournment

President Recupito called the meeting to adjournment at approximately 7:39 PM.