Town of Cedar Lake
Town Council
Regular Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence

President Recupito led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence.

Roll Call

Agenda Amendment

President Recupito solicited a motion to amend the agenda to include Ordinance No. 1523.

Motion to amend the agenda to include Ordinance No. 1523 made by Mr. Thiel; seconded by Mr. Carnahan.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Oath of Office

Firefighter/EMT Julian Childress received the Oath of Office from Chief Deputy Clerk Margo Nagy.

Public Comment

No public comment was received.

Consent Agenda

1. Claims: All Town Funds: $2,244,664.69; Wastewater: $73,395.21; Water Utility: $85,140.75; Storm Water: $171,986.02; Payroll (1/15/26): $303,341.68; December Remittances: $282,230.52
2. Donations: Head Games Salon — In-Kind Donation of 2,300 Dum Dum Lollipops to Police Department; Marilyn Dema — $100 to K9; Barbara Selenik — $200 to K9
3. Manual Journal Entries: December 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
4. Clerk-Treasurer’s Year End Report:
   1. Cancellation of Old Outstanding Warrants
   2. Forwarding Encumbrances
   3. EMS Collections Transfer from General Fund — $85,939.94
5. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Tim Kubiak
6. Tag Days:
   1. Cedar Lake Youth Baseball — April 18, 2026
   2. Amvets Post 15 — May 2, 2026
   3. Cedar Lake Lions Club — August 15, 2026

A motion to accept the consent agenda was made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mrs. Rivera. Mr. Carnahan asked about a claim for VS Engineering for $61,460.39, inquiring whether that was for the sidewalk project. Mr. Eldridge confirmed it was. Mr. Carnahan asked whether the project was officially approved. He did not recollect. Mrs. Rivera stated they did approve it. Discussion continued on the number of phases for the project. Mr. Carnahan asked for an update from the sidewalk committee meeting. Mr. Eldridge agreed to provide the update under the Town Manager Report.

Motion to accept the consent agenda as listed made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mrs. Rivera.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Ordinances & Resolutions

1. Ordinance No. 1523 — Escrow Non-Reverting Fund

Mr. Thiel read Ordinance No. 1523 by title only. Mrs. Haase explained this was previously discussed in multiple meetings. The Town is in disagreement with Lowell on the calculation of the estimated ongoing operations and maintenance expenses. The Town is not going to provide payment to Lowell but is setting the funds aside to show good faith, as they expect to owe the money for treatment. There has not been any discussion on what the monthly amount should be. Now that Lowell has started not invoicing, the Town needs to validate the transfer of funds in the same amount in question into the fund set aside for future dispensation. Mr. Austgen stated everything she said is accurate. This is intended to show good faith and that the Town is honoring the agreement. The funds are not being used for Cedar Lake needs but for purposes of paying for sewage that is treated in Lowell. Mr. Carnahan stated they are going to put $105,550 into the escrow account. Mr. Austgen stated that is the current number. The ordinance is intended to be flexible if revenues change or there is a calculation adjustment. The Clerk-Treasurer must keep it in a special account for debt obligation responsibilities to Lowell. Mr. Carnahan asked at what point the funds would be released. Mr. Austgen stated when there is an agreement. Mr. Thiel added the outstanding balance of $94,451.97 is also going into this fund as a one-time transfer. The $105,550 is a monthly amount.

Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1523 made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mrs. Rivera.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Motion to suspend the rules and allow a second reading made by Mr. Thiel; seconded by Mrs. Rivera.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Mr. Thiel read Ordinance No. 1523 by title only.

Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1523 made by Mr. Thiel; seconded by Mr. Parker.

Motion carries, 6–0.

2. Resolution No. 1385 — Temporary Loan, 2017 ABC Bonds

Mr. Thiel read Resolution No. 1385 by title only. Mrs. Haase reported this matter is corrected. As of the end of 2026, it will not recur. Until the June and December tax distributions are received, these resolutions are still required. The approval at the initial budget did not provide enough money through tax receipts to make the bond payment. The outstanding amount from 2025 was paid back but placed them in the same position this time. The amounts appear large now but will decrease because typically in June, slightly over 50% of tax revenues are collected. The catch-up payment through tax revenue will significantly reduce the borrowing in July. When the December distribution is received, it should be on track.

Motion to approve Resolution No. 1385 made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

3. Resolution No. 1386 — Temporary Loan, 2022 A&B Bonds

Mr. Thiel read Resolution No. 1386 by title only. Mrs. Haase stated it is the same situation as the prior item. The DLGF and budget process timing is off. This is a loan that will be repaid with the June proceeds. In July there will still be a loan needed but it will be significantly less.

Motion to approve Resolution No. 1386 made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

New Business

1. Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic Training Reimbursement Agreement — Julian Childress

Chief Mager noted this is related to the oath of office administered earlier in the evening.

Motion to approve the Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic Training Reimbursement Agreement for Julian Childress made by Mr. Thiel; seconded by Mr. Parker.

Motion carries, 6–0.

2. Shades AA-AB Pay Request #2 — Final

Mr. Recupito stated Christopher B. Burke Engineering has reviewed the final pay request and is recommending payment in the amount of $56,343.85.

Motion to approve Shades AA-AB Pay Request #2 — Final, in the amount of $56,343.85, made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mr. Parker.

Motion carries, 6–0.

3. Y2026 Town Attorney Agreement

Attorney Austgen stated this is the same contract as the last five years in the same amount, with no changes except the dates.

Motion to approve the Y2026 Town Attorney Agreement made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

4. Y2026 NIES Engineering Agreement — Deferred

Motion to defer the Y2026 NIES Engineering Agreement to the next public meeting made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

5. Appoint Liaison for Community Heart and Soul

Mr. Thiel noted the previous liaison was Mr. Bunge. Mr. Recupito asked if Mr. Bunge still wished to serve. Mr. Thiel stated he understood Mr. Bunge previously held the role because he was Town Manager, and asked whether Ben Eldridge, as current Town Manager, should be appointed. A brief discussion followed.

Motion to appoint Ben Eldridge, Town Manager, as the Community Heart and Soul liaison made by Mr. Thiel; seconded by Mrs. Dickson.

Motion carries, 6–0.

6. Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee List Approval

Mr. Recupito stated this item was previously deferred. He stated they are looking for a motion to appoint the following individuals to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee:

• Karen Petyko
• Nick Recupito
• Pete Swick
• Mindi Ray
• Tim King
• Julie Zasada
• Benjamin Eldridge
• Jimmy Nelson
• Kelly Dykstra
• Teresita & Armando Barajas
• Mary Joan Dickson
• Jerry Wilkening
• Meg Jehle
• Nick Mager
• Mercedes Austgen
• Sydney Jostes
• Madison Jostes
• Eric Lindemulder
• Jeff Sawaska
• Tim Brown
• Kevin Toth
• Aaron Csikos
• Linda Coupe
• Sarah Goers
• Heather Dessauer

Motion to approve the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee list as submitted made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

7. Revised Dates for the Town of Cedar Lake 2026 Meeting Schedule (RDC, Town Council, and Board of Safety)

Mr. Recupito stated the packet contains revised meeting dates for the RDC and Town Council for the first meeting in May and the first meeting in November, as well as Board of Safety meetings moved for the entire year. In the past, the RDC and Town Council simply did not hold those meetings, with the workload shifted to a future meeting. Mrs. Dickson stated that unless something pressing occurs, the meeting could be moved to the second Tuesday. Mr. Eldridge stated the first meetings in May and November will be omitted from the schedule due to elections. A brief discussion continued.

Motion to approve the revised 2026 Meeting Schedule made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

8. Park Board Request for Consideration to Expand the Community Garden on Town Grounds

Mrs. Ray submitted a memo on this matter. This is for expansion of the community garden. Last year they installed the wheelchair accessible community garden. They saw the need to expand it. The Park Board agreed to purchase another kit. It will be placed next to the existing garden.

Motion to approve the Park Board request to expand the Community Garden on Town Grounds made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mrs. Rivera.

Motion carries, 6–0.

9. Knights of Columbus Request for Y2026 Tourism Funds

Mrs. Dickson made a motion to approve but not assign a specific amount, as the tourism fund balance is unknown until June. She is willing to make a commitment but wants to wait to assign a dollar amount. Mrs. Nagy stated normally they wait to award requests after all requests come in. Mr. Parker asked about deferring. Mr. Austgen asked if the motion was for purposes of commitment. Mrs. Dickson stated yes. Discussion continued on the tourism funds and the award process. Mrs. Rivera noted the Knights of Columbus put on a haunted forest every year, which is clearly a tourism-eligible event.

Motion to approve tourism funds for the Knights of Columbus, with the dollar amount to be determined later, made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Reports

1. Town Council

Mr. Carnahan reported that Project Love Food Pantry will meet the following day. He thanked Mr. Parker for directing a large amount of food to the food pantry.

Mr. Thiel stated he was contacted by a resident at the most recent Storm Board meeting and asked for the individual to be heard. Mr. Thiel asked Aaron Csikos to come to the podium and asked Cliff to play the video of the issues.

Stormwater Drainage Issue — 13650 Muir Street (Muir Woods Subdivision)

Aaron Csikos, 13660 Muir Street, addressed the Council while a video was displayed on screen. He stated he initially came to the Storm Board in 2016. In 2026, similar issues persist. The difference now is a home is being built on the adjacent parcel, located between the two affected lots.

Larry Goff, 11500 W. 135th Place, stated Aaron is his stepson. He provided background: Watt Holdings and Muir Woods were two projects that ran parallel. When completed, a catch basin was supposed to be installed to alleviate the drainage problem. Mr. Csikos has lost approximately thirty to forty feet of property. There is a thirteen-foot ditch with impalement stakes — bales of straw with rods — located not in an easement but on his property. The bales and stakes are in poor condition, posing a safety hazard.

Mr. Goff distributed two packets: a “cliff notes” version of Town meeting history and copies of actual meeting minutes with highlights. He stated that at the end of 2017, two projects were running side by side and became confused. A catch basin was supposed to be installed but never was. Mr. Goff stated that there was not supposed to be any backfill placed until the drainage problem was resolved. The approved drawings from 2016 specified the catch basin. The original backfill permit was not supposed to be issued until the issue was addressed.

Mr. Csikos stated the lot the home is being built on was deemed unbuildable. The improvements required to make it buildable were never made. He noted the property underwent an appeal process to get the lot deemed buildable; approvals for the storm water drainage correction were supposed to be part of that process, but he has never received follow-up. Mr. Goff stated this is an MS4 violation, that four of the five bales are on Mr. Csikos’ property, and that rebar stakes have no protective caps on them. He voiced concerns with children in the area.

Mr. Parker stated the lot should have never been sold. Discussion continued on the final plat and whether disclosures were made to the current owner, Steiner, about prior issues. Mr. Goff stated all commitments to correct the problem are recorded in prior meeting minutes. Mr. Recupito asked whether Plan Commission approval was ever given to build on the property. Mr. Csikos confirmed an appeal process was undertaken. Mr. Parker noted that when a subdivision is approved and platted, outlots are not buildable lots. Mr. Austgen explained the totality of the plat situation and noted this is not the first case where a developer has tried to change a plat.

Mr. Kubiak stated he provided a packet containing four submittals from Steiner for the fix of the property. All approvals are based on revision four, which was signed off by the stormwater engineer. The plan is approved. The builder has been told no occupancy permit will be issued until the drainage situation is corrected. He noted the January rain event caused significant erosion. The straw bales were placed to address MS4 requirements. He stated lot six of Muir Woods is not an outlot; it was placed in the system as “unbuildable” so that anyone who inquired would be told a variance was required before a permit could be issued. That is what generated the four submittals from Steiner.

Mr. Thiel asked whether placing a stop work order would compel Steiner to complete revision four sooner. He stated in his view it would, because it makes them fix the problem before proceeding. Mr. Austgen recommended a review meeting with the Town’s engineers and a report on where things stand. He stated it starts with engineering. Mr. Csikos stated he believes a stop work order needs to be issued. A lengthy discussion continued on disclosure of previous issues prior to Steiner’s purchase, responsibility for correction, and the possibility of the owners hiring a contractor themselves and seeking reimbursement.

Motion to amend the agenda for action on the stormwater issue at 13650 Muir Street made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Mr. Austgen suggested a motion to direct staff to review all of the engineering for the project and to locate the Town’s file in addition to his.

Motion to issue a stop work order for 13650 Muir Street made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mrs. Dickson.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Motion to direct Town staff to review engineering records and all records related to the 13650 Muir Street stormwater drainage matter made by Mrs. Dickson; seconded by Mr. Thiel.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Mr. Carnahan asked whether there is a plan to get the builder to correct the issue. Mr. Parker stated the plan has been there for years. Mr. Recupito asked about holding them to the original plan. Mr. Kubiak stated the storm water engineer signed off on revision four. Discussion continued on the matter, including removal of the bales and rebar stakes and the MS4 violations.

East Side Fire Station — Subdivision Plat

Mr. Thiel stated he received communication from Mr. Austgen’s office regarding the east side fire station parcel and subdivision plat project. It was briefly on the Plan Commission agenda in the summer of 2025. Nothing happened. Both parcels for the fire stations remain metes-and-bounds parcels and have not been subdivided. Mr. Thiel read and discussed the letter, which addressed the subdivision control ordinance. He stated the Plan Commission needs to continue the process with proper legal postings and public hearings before ground is broken at that location. Mrs. Dickson asked Mr. Austgen about the salary ordinance and whether it would appear on the next agenda.

2. Town Attorney

No report.

3. Clerk-Treasurer

No report.

4. Town Manager

Mr. Eldridge discussed the sidewalk committee meeting held the prior week. He, Mrs. Rivera, Mrs. Dickson, and Mr. Kubiak met with VS Engineering. The sidewalk project is broken into four phases. Phase 1 is currently underway, running from the roundabout to the east property line of the Chamber property. Phase 2 runs from the east side of the Chamber property to Hilltop. Phase 3 runs from Hilltop to the shopping plaza. Phase 4 runs from the shopping plaza to the Town Grounds. These phases are fluid and may change depending on funding. Realistically, looking at approximately ten years until completion, dependent on funding. Mr. Parker noted they have had fifteen-year projects before. A brief discussion continued.

5. Director of Operations

Mr. Kubiak stated he reached out to get prices on stoplights for crosswalks. There are some solar-powered flashing lights available that could be placed on the poles. He is getting a cost estimate for one crosswalk as a baseline. He also asked for prayers for Eddie, who was injured after slipping and falling in a basement and just had surgery. Mr. Thiel noted he continued his inspection after being injured.

6. Police Department

Chief Gruszka reported that officers did good work that morning. They received a call regarding a troubled young man. Officer Meyer was able to talk to him and get him to put the weapon down. Everything unfolded peacefully. He thanked the Fire Department for transporting the individual. Chief Gruszka reported on the monthly calls and stated the year-end report is in the packet. He stated the Department was awarded the MAAC Grant in the amount of $2,500, to go toward K9 training. He thanked residents for their support during December.

7. Fire Department

Chief Mager reported on the monthly training and operations report. The hiring process has been advertised. The annual report is in the packet. He stated they were able to close out the year at 90% of the budget utilized and were able to streamline some items.

8. Parks Department

Mrs. Ray reported the annual report was submitted to administration but was not included in the packet; it will be included in the next one. She expressed pride in the Parks Department and its growth, which the Park Board has supported.

Written Communication

1. Building Department Report

Included in the packet. The year finished with 102 permits issued.

2. Christopher B. Burke Engineering Report

Included in the packet. Mr. Carnahan noted the 133rd Avenue project is scheduled to kick off in July. Mr. Recupito asked Mr. Eldridge if that was correct. Mr. Eldridge confirmed it was.

Public Comment

Kathy Broomhead — 14351 W. 135th Avenue

Mrs. Broomhead stated she likes the reports from the Police and Fire Departments and would like to see more of that from other reports. She asked about the solar lights and how long they last. Mr. Recupito stated he could not answer that. Mrs. Broomhead noted that a lot of them appear to be out. Mr. Kubiak stated the quality is getting better but the on/off function is dependent on available lighting; he also noted the lack of available electricity as a factor. She asked how K9 Johnny was doing. Chief Gruszka stated he is doing well.

Gayle Brannon — 7014 W. 139th Place

Mrs. Brannon stated she noticed rumble strips along Lake Shore Drive past the Eagles and Hunley’s but noted there are no reflective strips near Hunley’s, and discussed concerns with pedestrian crossings. She asked whether reflective strips could be installed when weather breaks. Mr. Recupito stated the Town had applied for striping grants and asked whether any of those covered that vicinity. Mr. Kubiak stated no. He explained that when the grant requirements were reviewed, they determined they would spend more on environmental studies than the grant was worth. A brief discussion continued on looking into signage and rumble strips for uniform crosswalks.

Kathy Csikos — 11500 W. 135th Place

Mrs. Csikos stated she appreciated the stop work order but asked about the actual process going forward, specifically whether a change to the approved plans would be allowed and how they would be notified. Mr. Austgen stated residents are always notified through public meetings. Everything is dependent on the engineering review. Mrs. Csikos stated the permits were not supposed to be issued initially. She was trying to get clarification. Mr. Austgen stated the Council heard it all tonight and there is a spotlight on the property.

Terry Broadhurst — 631 N. State Street, Lockport, IL (Property at 14513 Morse Street)

Mr. Broadhurst asked about the plan for the siding situation on the fire station. He stated he watched siding being applied using what appeared to be an inferior product, and a portion blew off in the last storm. He asked how the product was approved, why questions were not asked, and how the problem would be fixed. He voiced concerns about bubbling, stress cracks, and the ongoing siding issues. Mr. Recupito asked Mr. Eldridge for an update. Mr. Eldridge stated they are working out the details of a permanent fix. In the short term, they will be on site that week to repair what is currently damaged. Mr. Wroe stated they are ready to proceed, waiting for slightly warmer weather. Mr. Eldridge stated CORE has been in contact with the siding manufacturer to develop a game plan for a permanent fix.

Adjournment

President Recupito called the meeting to adjournment at approximately 8:44 P.M.