Town of Cedar Lake
Town Council
Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence

Roll Call

Public Comment

None.

Consent Agenda

1. Minutes: February 3, 2026 & May 6, 2026
2. Claims: All Town Funds: $236,687.67; Wastewater: $766,320.60; Water Utility: $324,262.86; Storm Water: $13,569.52; Payroll (5/21/26 & 6/1/26): $304,319.77

A motion to waive the reading of the minutes and accept the consent agenda as listed was made by Chuck Becker with second by Greg Parker. Mr. Carnahan discussed the claim for the shelter at Lynnsway Park in the amount of $32,385.57. He asked Ms. Sandberg if she had seen it. Ms. Sandberg stated she has not had a chance to drive by.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Ordinances/Resolutions

1. Ordinance No. 1523 — Amendment to Power and Authority of the Board of Safety

A motion to defer was made by Greg Parker. He stated this was to give them time to review Senate Bill 284 and changes to occur July 1, 2026, to make sure it does not interfere with any legislation. A second was made by Mary Joan Dickson.

Motion carries, 6–1.

2. Resolution No. 1398 — Disposal of Town Owned Property — 7403 W. 136th Lane

Mr. Thiel read Resolution No. 1398 by title only. Mr. Recupito asked Ms. Sandberg if she had anything to add. Ms. Sandberg stated the Hickory POA reached out regarding the parcel. They asked if the Town would consider disposing of it. Mr. Recupito asked Mr. Austgen what the next steps would be if they vote for this. Mr. Austgen stated they would by deed instrument to the HOA. He noted it is an infinitesimally small property; the Town does not have a use for it, and Title 36 permits the disposal. Language in the resolution directs the conveyance, transfer, and payment of expenses. Mr. Recupito asked if, instead of deeding it over to the HOA, they are able to put it up for sale/bid. Mr. Austgen stated they could, while emphasizing how small the property is and noting he does not know if this is the piece to start doing that again — it is completely up to them.

Mr. Parker stated he would not want someone to purchase this and then come in to request a variance to build a house four-foot wide and twenty-five feet long. Mr. Becker stated it is not about building a house but for parking over there. Mr. Parker voiced his concerns, stating it is not buildable but he would not be surprised if someone came in seeking a variance; he agreed with the HOA use. A brief discussion continued on the parcel. Mr. Recupito asked Mr. Austgen about the process for opening this up for people to bid on. Mr. Austgen stated appraisals, legal description, notice in the newspapers, and notice to adjacent property owners. Mr. Parker stated notice to the HOA too. Discussion continued on the cost of the process and potential sale.

Motion to approve Resolution No. 1398 and to instruct the attorney to undertake all due process requirements for the sale of the property was made by Greg Parker; seconded by Chuck Becker.

Motion carries, 7–0.

BZA/Plan

1. Acceptance of Performance Letter of Credit Renewal for Railside Business Park in the Amount of $1,165,934.83 to Expire on June 16, 2027

Motion to approve was made by Greg Parker; seconded by Richard Thiel.

Motion carries, 7–0.

New Business

1. Pay Request #2 for Shades Phase 2 Project

Mr. Recupito stated they have a letter from Christopher B. Burke giving the details of the pay request, in the amount of $251,493.57.

Motion to approve was made by Chuck Becker; seconded by Richard Thiel.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Discussion

1. Food Truck License

Mr. Recupito asked if there have been any updates. Mrs. Dickson stated Monica made quite a few changes. One noted today was the responsibility for liquids; Mrs. Dickson stated she thinks that needs to include liquids and grease, voicing concerns with grease going into drains. She also discussed assignments of who would be responsible for these over the weekend, and voiced concerns with checks and balances that would have to be created. Mr. Recupito asked if that is something that needs to be spelled out in the license. Mr. Austgen stated the more information the better. A brief discussion continued.

Reports

1. Town Council

Mr. Carnahan reported Project Love Food Pantry would be open tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cedar Lake United Methodist Church will be hosting the worship service on July 5, 2026 at Cedar Lake Summerfest; Gloria Rivera-Welch will be leading the music. Mr. Carnahan stated he will not be present at tomorrow night's Plan Commission meeting.

Mrs. Rivera thanked Mindi Ray for her service as Parks Superintendent, noting she will be moving on elsewhere. She thanked Ben Eldridge for his time in Cedar Lake and wished him well.

Mrs. Dickson stated the Chamber will be sponsoring their annual free fishing derby this Saturday.

Mr. Thiel stated last meeting a resident voiced concerns with the retention pond in the Industrial Park behind Summer Winds. Last week he saw Mr. Kubiak there; he stated he observed the pond was approximately two feet lower. Just to the north there is a structure that was found and always looked dry; just before the rim was a six-inch pipe that was plugged, which they jetted out. They have not scoped it yet. The pond did drain down and is staying at that level. They will be putting the camera in to review the issue.

2. Town Attorney

No report.

3. Clerk-Treasurer

Ms. Sandberg reported the Annual Operations Report was submitted and approved by LTAP by the June 1st deadline. Charles Bradsky with NIRPC reached out and asked if they wanted a road safety audit conducted for west Lake Shore Drive and Cline Avenue; that location showed an increased ICC (index of crash cost severity) and ICF (index of crash frequency). There is no cost for the audit; Ms. Sandberg stated she agreed to the audit. She reached out to Chief Gruszka regarding other potential locations, which were submitted in the application, though there is no guarantee they will be selected. Once the audit is concluded, a report will be shared.

Mr. Thiel asked about budget. Ms. Sandberg stated it is budget time; she is waiting to get the engagement proposal from Crowe. She spoke with Tim Berry to discuss the request to help with revenue estimates and navigating income tax changes as well as the MUST meetings. Mr. Thiel stated with the absence of a Town Manager, and knowing that budget was part of that job description, they do not have Council Affairs anymore; he asked if it was something they need to reconsider. Mr. Recupito stated he believes so. Mr. Thiel stated mainly communication, and asked how they start that process again. Mr. Austgen stated they all need to decide between themselves about the Council Affairs Committee; it is in the Town Code for a subgroup. Mr. Thiel asked if they could have it for the next agenda. Mr. Recupito stated yes. Mr. Thiel asked when the budget stuff is starting. Ms. Sandberg stated she is waiting for the proposal from Crowe but has started little stuff; it won't really kick into gear for at least another month.

Written Communication

None.

Public Comment

Carol Kerr — 9900 W. 129th Avenue

Mrs. Kerr asked about the Shades 2 Project and whether the Town had to hire Christopher Burke for that observation. Mr. Recupito stated there was construction observation required and Christopher B. Burke has been doing it for quite a few years. Mrs. Kerr asked if the Town could have done it themselves. Multiple Council Members stated they are not engineers; Mr. Parker stated they do not have anyone qualified.

Mrs. Kerr stated that from January 2026 to May 31, 2026, there were 96 invoices from Christopher Burke totaling $250,274, and that the Shades project was $198,000 for observation. She stated that from January 2025 to December 2025 there was $711,717 in similar costs. She asked about a Town Manager and potentially hiring a CPA, continuing to discuss Christopher B. Burke Engineering and the hourly rates, and voiced concerns with money spent on professional services. She discussed the potential to hire someone with the ability to perform professional services, such as a CPA, and the potential to save money, asking the Council and Clerk-Treasurer if they agreed that they would save money. Mr. Recupito stated he was not sure. Ms. Sandberg stated she is not an engineer and cannot speak to the tasks they do or the laws of the State requiring a certified engineer; she stated she is also not a CPA and there are certain things she is not qualified to do.

Mrs. Kerr stated she is elected and the people want her, again discussing hiring a Town Manager who is also a CPA and asking if it would be hard. She voiced concerns with the lack of a human resources department and stated she thinks it would save a lot of money. She continued to discuss the rate for the engineer and asked what they do. Mr. Parker stated they ensure it is built to specifications, and said before they had engineering requirements in town, they had people making mess after mess. Mrs. Dickson voiced concerns with 133rd Avenue and the length of the project. Mrs. Kerr asked if they have to have someone; Mr. Parker stated some of it is statutory and required. Mrs. Kerr asked by whom. Mr. Austgen stated it is law. Mrs. Kerr asked if he is sure about that. Mr. Austgen stated absolutely — public works projects in Indiana cannot proceed without sealed engineering design. Mr. Parker discussed concerns with costs but stated it is State law. Mrs. Kerr continued to voice concerns, discussing having their own engineers. Mr. Parker stated he doubts they could hire an engineer that could construct and design a project. Mrs. Kerr continued to speak on the concerns she brought forward.

Jeff Biel — 10240 W. 134th Avenue

Mr. Biel asked about Mindi's absence and Julie's comments, asking for an explanation on what happened to Mindi and Ben. Mr. Recupito stated he thinks Julie explained Mindi's situation really well. On the Town Manager, Mr. Recupito stated the Town decided to part ways with the Town Manager and he no longer works for the Town. Mr. Biel asked as of when; Mr. Thiel stated as of 3:30 the previous day. Mr. Recupito stated it just happened. Mr. Biel stated it would be nice if they knew what is going on too.

Adjournment

President Recupito called the meeting to adjournment at approximately 7:22 p.m.