City of Neoga Council met April 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Tony Kepp. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were: Commissioners Hartke, Lindley, Stokes, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp, Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Tom Helm, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Richard Russell, Wes Chambers, Billie Chambers, Debra Embry, Kamyl Kersey, Heather Kistner, Nathan Ward, Addison St. John, Kelly Owens, Victoria Alumbaugh, Lindsey Alumbaugh, and Ian Pygott.
Minutes
Commissioner Hartke made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from March 27th as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stokes. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, Edwards and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp
Cleaning Bids
City Clerk Evans said that the cleaning bids were opened on April 10th at 6:45. The bids came in as follows:
Shari Morrison. $375.00 / month Dana Young. $400.00 / month After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the bid from Shari Morrison at $375 / month. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stokes. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Purchase Of Squad Car
Police Chief Schabbing presented to the council prices for two different vehicles for purchase. The first vehicle was a Dodge Durango with a final price of $29,237.83 which included the lighting in the front and back of the car and the equipment. The second vehicle was a Ford Interceptor Utility, with lighting and equipment with a price of $33,802.83. Commissioner Edwards asked how many miles were on the oldest car, which Schabbing said was just over 80,000. Edwards said that he felt as long as the car was maintained properlyit should last for another year or so. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Hartke asked Chief Schabbing to quote a sedan as well.
Oak Avenue Property
City Clerk Evans said that she would like to know how the Council wanted to proceed with the property located on Oak Avenue. Evans said that the property needed to be cleaned up and maintained. Commissioner Hartke made a motion to get bids to have the property demolisted according to the city ordinance. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Finance, Commissioner Hartke
Treasurer’s Report
After viewing the treasurer’s report, Mayor Kepp ordered the financial report to be placed into the files of the City Clerk.
Ordinance # 893-04-17
An Ordinance Setting Forth an Amended Budget of Estimated Receipts and Disbursements and Making Appropriations for City Purposes of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year 2017 Commencing on May 1, 2016 and Ending on April 30, 2017
After reviewing the revised ordinance, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to accept the proposed ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Public Property, Commissioner Stokes
Sewer Repairs At 255 W. 11TH Property owner Kevin Jansen explained to the Council that he started to have problems at his house back in the fall. He contacted a roto rooter company to fix his slow draining problems. He had to contact another plumber in December and again in February. In February, the plumber had to replace his entire sewer line from the house to the main. Once the plumber got to the city sewer, they noticed a sink hole which lead them to discover that the private line was disconnected from the city sewer main and broke a piece off the main. Jansen asked if the city would pay for the multiple repairs to the sewer line since it was the city sewer that was damaged. Superintendent Helm explained to the Council what had happened. In his opinion, as well as the other city employees and Todd Schmidt (Mr. Jansen’s plumber), the reason his sewer was damaged was due to the incorrect way it was installed. Helm explained that his sewer line was attached to the main with concrete and did not have a
“boot” to hold it in place and once it started to deteriorate his line broke off a piece of the city sewer main as well. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to deny paying for the repairs. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Stokes, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, Commissioner Lindley. Motion carried. 4-1.
Ej Water Cooperative Inc. Proposal
The Council reviewed the proposal that EJ Water proposed regarding the purchase of finished water. Commissioner Hartke explained to the council that IEPA has already mentioned that in the very near future, the City of Neoga would need to have an emergency connect with someone. Hartke also told the Council that the current water treatment plant is over 70 years old, and major upgrades are expected in the next five (5) to ten (10) years. After the discussion, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to proceed with contract negotiations with EJ Water Cooperative. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stokes. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Neoga Memorial Cemetery Mowing Bids
City Clerk Evans informed the Council that the bids for the cemetery mowing were opened shortly before the meeting, and the bids were as follows:
M & E.$500.00/mow GoMow.$475.00/mow St. Johns.$450.00/mow
After briefly reviewing the bids, Commissioner Edwards stated that the council has given the mowing to different people in the past couple years and each time there were problems. After speaking to M & E, they have always came back to take over mowing the cemetery, and they have done an excellent job. Commissioner Edwards also stated that although they were not the low bidder, Edwards made a motion to accept the bid from M & E for $500 / mowing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Lawn Care Service Bids
City Clerk Evans told the Council that these bids were open prior to the council meeting as well. There were no bids for section #1, however, section #2 bids are as follows:
M & E.$720/mow GoMow Lawn.$370/mow
After a brief discussion, Mayor Kepp said that he felt it would be less expensive over time, to have the city employees mow the property, even if a part time person needs to be hired. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to continue having the city employees mow section #2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stokes. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Stokes, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Streets And Alleys, Commissioner Edwards
Purchase Of Mower Superintendent Helm said that he is getting additional information regarding replacing the Gravely mower. Currently, Mowers and More has quoted a trade-in value of $3,124 for the old Gravely and priced a new one at $13,499 which would leave a different of $10,375.00. It was the consensus of the Council to table this until additional information is received.
Health And Safety, Commissioner Lindley
Commissioner Lindley stated that he has noticed more people out walking at night and some of them are walking in the streets. His concern is that they are wearing dark clothing and they are hard to see. Lindley asked if the City could put something in the papers or on the water bills to advice walkers to stay on the sidewalks and carry flashing lights or wear reflective clothing.
Public Comments None Were Given.
Executive Session
Commissioner Edwards made a motion at 8:21 pm to move into executive session for Sale or Lease of Real Estate – Section 2 (c) (6) – limited to actual setting of price for sale or lease of public property and Personnel - Section 2 (c) (1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stokes. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Stokes, Lindley and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Reconvened And Roll Call
The meeting was reconvened at 9:04 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Stokes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Stokes, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp.
Adjournment
Commissioner Stokes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Stokes, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried 5-0.
http://www.neoga.org/content_files/April_10__2017.pdf
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