Town of Cedar Lake
Town Council
Public Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence

Roll Call

Consent Agenda

1. Minutes: December 16, 2025
2. Claims: All Town Funds: $361,670.11; Wastewater: $711,269.87; Water Utility: $74,958.96; Storm Water: $21,023.83; Payroll (3/26/26 and 4/1/26): $311,036.85
3. Tag Day: American Legion Post 261 Poppy Day – 05/23/2026

A motion to waive the reading of the minutes and accept the consent agenda as listed was made by Robert Carnahan with second by Greg Parker. Mr. Parker stated they should probably get the date verified for the tag day request. Mr. Recupito stated their application has the first choice as May 16, 2026 and the second choice as May 23, 2026. Mr. Carnahan stated to let the record reflect that in his motion. Mr. Parker concurred.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Ordinances/Resolutions

1. Ordinance No. 1527 – Franciscan Friary Farms PUD

Mr. Parker read Ordinance No. 1527 by title only. Mr. Austgen explained the project approval hit the finish line tonight. Mr. Recupito asked if it meets all PUD guidelines. Mr. Austgen stated it does. As described, they have worked awfully hard for many months. They know that the Plan Commission checks off with favorable recommendation. The instrument before them is not only the ordinance, but the legal descriptions, site plan, PUD guidelines, and the development agreement. It is clean and ready to go. Mr. Parker stated there are no contingencies. Everything carries from Plan Commission. Mr. Austgen stated it does. Those conditions were inserted into the document they received. Mr. Recupito asked the petitioners and Mr. Vis for comments. Mr. Vis stated he appreciates the work done and they have a great, clean document. His folks are excited to move the project forward. Mr. Carnahan noted he has had community members tell him they are excited to see this thing come online.

A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1527 was made by Chuck Becker; seconded by Robert Carnahan.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Mr. Austgen noted the ordinance requires recording.

BZA/Plan

1. Acceptance of Cash Bond in the Amount of $75,223.50 for CWK in Cedar Lake LLC (Jet's Pizza and Wingstop)

Mr. Recupito stated his understanding is this is for any damages that may occur on public property or Town owned property. Mr. Eldridge stated he has not been included in this. Mr. Recupito stated he knows the administrative assistant ways. Mr. Recupito asked Mr. Austgen about communicating with the Town Manager's Office. Mr. Austgen stated none. Mr. Recupito stated he knows signatures were obtained for a representative for CWK in Cedar Lake. They decided to put this on the agenda for full transparency before he signed or Ms. Sandberg. Mr. Carnahan stated he thinks it is similar to Surf Internet with cash instead of a bond. Mr. Recupito asked if it is not ready and if they should act on it. Mr. Austgen asked if they are holding onto cash of $75,000. Ms. Sandberg said yes. Her understanding is the Town received a check back in December. Mr. Austgen asked for it to be bumped two weeks to look at everything that has transpired.

A motion to defer was made by Greg Parker; seconded by Mary Joan Dickson.

Motion carries, 6–0.

New Business

1. Shades Subdivision Section BC Improvements Project Bid Notice of Award

Mr. Eldridge explained this project was applied for last year for CCMG. At first, they were not awarded funds but then the State was given additional funds to award projects to communities originally turned down. Mr. Carnahan stated $75 million. Mr. Eldridge stated they resubmitted the project. They were awarded $244,490.82. The lowest bid came in from Site Services in Highland, Indiana. INDOT gave the approval to award the project but they need the Town Council to officially award the project. Mr. Carnahan asked him to repeat the figure. Mr. Eldridge stated the total project cost is $488,981.64. The Town was awarded $244,490.82.

A motion to award the Shades Subdivision Section BC project to Site Services was made by Chuck Becker; seconded by Greg Parker.

Motion carries, 6–0.

2. Consideration of Approval for Hosting the Parade of Lights at the New Public Safety Building

A motion to approve was made by Robert Carnahan with second by Greg Parker. Mrs. Rivera stated there were concerns with how the building was left. She asked for input from the Chief's. Chief Mager stated some of the issues were out of their control. Mr. Eldridge stated he had discussion with Chief Mager after the event last year. There was inappropriate behavior, dancing on the fire pole, dirty diapers left in the bathrooms, cigarette butts put out on the bathroom floors. It was requested to move the event back to Town Hall. Mr. Eldridge stated he can reach out to the Chamber of Commerce and try to work something out with them. Mr. Recupito asked if anyone reached out to the Chamber after last year's event about the issues. Mr. Eldridge stated he did not. Chief Mager stated Mr. Kaper approached him about a week ago and wanted to know what his concerns were with not having it there. Chief Mager stated he advised him of his concerns. Mr. Recupito stated hopefully something they can work out. Mrs. Rivera stated maybe having a police officer there on site. Chief Mager stated himself, Police Chief, and Deputy Police Chief were there. They witnessed some of that.

Motion carries, 6–0.

Reports

Town Council

Mr. Carnahan reported Project Love Food Pantry would be tomorrow from 9 to 11:30. Last week 35 families came through. Strack and Van Til contributed ham dinners with all the fixings and pies. Mrs. Dickson reported the Chamber Expo will be Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10AM to 2PM. She stated they are collecting purple eggs for Relay for Life. All have been touched in some way by cancer. They would like to support. There is a box in the hallway. She stated a program was provided by the Crown Point Foundation. It was called the million-dollar challenge. She attended alongside Maria Sumara, a representative from the little league, and Gayle Brannon. It is for a project in South Lake County. An additional $650,000 for a couple projects. Some of the money might be split up. Someone might get the whole amount. There is a strict schedule and no steps can be missed. They are asked to get partners. She stated this community is starving for athletic fields for kids. They would like to look at the property on Parrish Avenue to see about getting athletic fields done. She would eventually like to get their blessing. She discussed parking issues at the softball fields and soccer outgrowing its location. She discussed the comprehensive plan from 2012. She stated important meetings are coming up. A brief discussion continued. Mr. Becker discussed getting with the other Council Members on the road committee. They can get some more projects done. Hopefully get some kind of money and get some more projects done. Mr. Carnahan asked if he was referring to 141st and Robin's Nest. Mr. Becker stated that and there is also off of 134th. That subdivision back there as well as Birch Street on the west side. Mrs. Rivera asked about Lindberg and the area behind Holy Name. Those roads are pretty bad. Mr. Carnahan asked if he talked to Sue Haase about bonding. Mr. Becker stated yes. He talked about getting with Luke and Tim sometime soon. Mr. Parker asked about the subdivision at the end of 144th. Mr. Becker stated Riskin Road. Mrs. Dickson asked if Riskin Road included those three tiny streets with no blacktop. A brief discussion continued. Mr. Carnahan asked Sue if she had a recommendation on bonding capacity. Mrs. Haase stated she has not touched base with Jennifer on this one. They will have capacity in the current tax rate for some bond issues. They need to know the dollar amount so they can run preliminary numbers. This way they know whether to have the municipal advisor run more solid numbers to estimate impact. Mr. Carnahan asked if she had an estimate on how much bonding capacity they have. Mrs. Haase stated it depends on how much of what they are freeing up because of the right sizing of the debt service that rolls off this year. She needs to know if they want to use it all or keep the tax rate where it is at this year. Or choose so many of those. Mr. Carnahan stated keep it where it is at and do as much as they can. Mr. Parker stated they want to spend it on the taxpayers. Mr. Recupito asked if they would be meeting in the next couple of weeks. It was stated yes. Mrs. Dickson stated at the last meeting they discussed the ordinance for a quorum. She would like to see it on the next agenda. Mrs. Rivera stated they are working on a chicken ordinance. The roosters are bothering neighbors. She stated you are not supposed to have them. Encouraged people to be good neighbors and get rid of the roosters.

Town Attorney

No report.

Clerk-Treasurer

No report.

Town Manager

Mr. Eldridge stated there were three occupancy permits issued in March. New businesses in Town are Hydro-Safe Brake, EPS, and Dewey's Concrete. All three are located on Alexander Street. Mr. Recupito asked put those on the agenda as a new business item. Mr. Eldridge stated yes.

Written Communication

None.

Public Comment

Carol Kerr, 9900 W 129th Place, stated she is glad the people that spent $3.8 million for the friary got something done today. She stated she feels Greg Parker has been hard on them. In 12 years, this is the worst plan he has ever seen. She stated if she were them, she would have probably given up. Mr. Parker stated he did not say the worst plan but a unique plan. Unusual. Mrs. Kerr stated she feels like whatever they tried to do it did not please him. She stated others do not go unscathed by Mr. Parker. She stated she watched a Plan Commission meeting. She discussed an order given to Mr. Eldridge to tag places in Town. Mr. Parker stated he knew what she spoke of. Mrs. Kerr voiced concerns with Mr. Parker's treatment of Mr. Eldridge in that meeting. Mr. Parker stated the Yacht Club was given a citation and they have been there from before the Town was a Town doing the same thing. Mrs. Kerr asked if he told him hands off. Mr. Parker stated no. Mrs. Kerr stated he owed Mr. Eldridge an apology. Mr. Parker stated he did the stupidest thing he has ever seen a Town Manager do. Mrs. Kerr continued to voice concerns with the action. She stated Mr. Parker went crazy. She wants an explanation. He was wrong and needs to apologize. Mrs. Kerr continued to voice concerns with the actions that occurred at the meeting discussed. Mr. Parker stated he is supposed to manage the employees, including code enforcement, and they are supposed to do that on the stuff that is enforceable. A heated discussion continued. Mrs. Kerr continued to voice concerns. Mr. Parker stated she does not know what she is talking about. Mr. Recupito asked Mrs. Kerr if she had anything else.

Jeff Biel, 10240 W 134th Avenue, asked about Chuck's comments on the roads and if there was a committee. Mr. Becker stated it is the Streets Committee. Mr. Biel asked if it would be public, the streets that need to be worked on. Mr. Becker stated they have an engineer that does the Paser Report that rates them. The ones in red are really bad. Mr. Recupito stated it is on the Town website. Mr. Biel continued to voice concerns with roads in Town. Mr. Becker stated they have the Paser list. This is why they need to get together with engineer and get prices. Mr. Carnahan stated they need to let Public Works know about potholes. Mr. Recupito stated Mr. Wroe pulled up the website with the rating schedule on the website. Ms. Sandberg added on the website it is under the Community tab and it is the open data portal. You can find all kinds of stuff.

Joyce Ivey, 13874 Hatteras, stated this is concerning the March 18th Plan Commission meeting. During public comment she asked about the Friary Farms planned unit development. After she finished, another resident asked a question about the Friary Farms. At that point, the Plan Commission President stated there would be no further comments or discussion on Friary Farms because the petitioner was not present. Mrs. Ivey stated she has been attending Town meetings for approximately a year. Many issues have been brought up in public comment whether a petitioner was there or not. She asked if there was a rule of some kind that requires petitioners to be present to listen to public comment. Mr. Austgen stated the answer is no. The mixture of different authority sources for how meetings are conducted. He discussed Mr. Recupito's authority as chairman. It is kind of gray. Mr. Recupito discussed his time on the Board of Zoning Appeals. He discussed petitioners not being present and comments and questions start to snowball. It can cross the line at times. It is up to the person holding the gavel. Mr. Austgen stated it is. Mrs. Ivey stated it is a gray area. She understands if people are being obnoxious. She stated she simply asked a question. She believes the Cedar Lake appointed officials encourage residents to attend meetings and be informed. She believes officials welcome questions and comments. She believes the appointed officials represent all residents for the common good of the Town.

Emily Spitzig, 6841 W 142nd Lane, stated one of her best friends is handicapped. She uses a walker or wheelchair. She is unable to meet up with her at the park across from Dragobob's. There is no pathway to go to the pavilion or any of the benches. She has difficulty walking. She stated she feels like a lot of the parks do not have a pathway for those who are handicapped to be able to get to the attractions. She discussed making the parks more accepting and accessible. Mrs. Dickson asked Gayle to address that. Mrs. Gayle Brannon stated there is an ADA compliant path to the pavilion being planned. The center path will be ADA compliant and to the waterfront. It will also go to the benches at the park. A brief discussion continued on ADA compliance for the sidewalk. Mr. Parker stated anything they are building new should be constructed ADA compliant. Mr. Recupito recommended they attend Park Board meetings to discuss the parks. Mrs. Dickson stated Kiwanis Park is ADA accessible. A brief discussion continued on parks.

Terry Broadhurst, 631 N State Street, representing 14513 Morse, discussed Mrs. Dickson's idea for the athletic fields. He asked if that would call for removing the dewatering facility or would it just be the land in front of. Mrs. Dickson stated she has a call into the engineer for that question. She does not have the answer tonight. Mr. Broadhurst asked if removing it is a great idea or if they want it for the future. That is something they want to discuss before they take it down.

Mr. Eldridge commented that Mr. Parker has insulted him twice in six months in a public meeting. He stated he deserves better than this. The staff deserves better than this. The public deserves better than that from a Council Member. Mr. Parker stated he is sorry he feels that way but he stands by his statement. Mr. Eldridge stated so did he.

Adjournment

President Recupito called the meeting to adjournment at approximately 7:42 PM.