January 25, Town Board Meeting Recap
Cicero Town President, Larry Dominick (center), during a Town Board meeting held July 13th, 2021 at Cicero Town Hall (Photo by Jesus J. Montero).
By Michael Izquierdo
The Cicero Town Board gathered on January 25 for their biweekly meeting to discuss matters from issuing grant funding for the Cicero District 99, obtaining additional COVID-19 testing kits and equipment and swearing in new firefighters and paramedics.
A summary of the approved items include:
Approval of Agreements and Invoices
The town board approved a payment to Abbott Rapid Dx North America, LLC for 1,104 ID Now COVID-19 tests for the Town’s Health Department for a price of $45,264. Additionally, Abbott will lease the town an ID NOW instrument, ID NOW printer and a Universal Barcode scanner at no additional cost.
The Town of Cicero board approved contracting with the Roosevelt Group to provide lobbying services with the Illinois General Assembly, Office of the Governor and other State of Illinois boards, along with consulting services on governmental matters for the Town.
The monthly flat fee for these services amount to $9,000.
Clear View Plumbing & Sewer Inc. submitted an invoice for the Town to approve for recent services. There was a water main break at 3714 S 61st Court in early December which cost the town $10,109. The costs break down as follows:
Truck Charge: $704
Labor: $2,565
Plumbing: $2,880
Additional plumbing: $2,880
Labor: $1,080
Approval of Grant Funding
The town of Cicero approved an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for $2,996,025 in grant funding for a project that will cost an estimated $10,341,525. Additionally the Town of Cicero expects to receive $42,882,464 in ARPA grant funding water and sewer utility improvements associated with this project.
The project will focus on replacing street lighting, paving and streetscape, and water and sewage utility improvements to Cermak Road, between Lombard Avenue to Central Avenue. The project is estimated to begin in April of this year and have a completion date by July 2023.
Through the Community Block Grant Program the town of Cicero awarded $50,000 to Cicero district 99 for the 2020 summer food program. According to the application, 1,500 families were served during the summer. The board re-approved the breakdown of salaries and benefits for summer workers that carried out the district’s Healthy Community Food and Connectivity Program. This program assists in providing nutritious food and local resources to families in the Cicero area.
The grant funding will be distributed until September of this year, with the total amount coming out to $49,758.99. Salaries for summer tech staff to support the HCFC program totaled $26,000 and additional summer workers to support food distribution amount to $20,222.94. Benefits, including Medicare and FICA, for all staff amounted to $3,536.
Appointment to Fire Department
The Police & Fire Commission and Fire Chief Michael Pierkarski had recommended Anthony Chico to be one of Cicero Fire Department’s new engineers due to the resignation of Joseph Matthews.
Michael Izquierdo is a local freelance journalist and a contributing reporter for Cicero Independiente.
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