City of Neoga City Council met June 12.
Here is the minutes as 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 Lindley, Hartke, and Mayor
Kepp. Commissioners Edwards and Stokes were absent. Others present were City Clerk
Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Tom Helm, Police Chief Andy
Schabbing, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Coles County Regional Planning
Representatives Kevin McReynolds and Cliff Shaw, Bob Short, and Neoga News Editor
Billie Chambers.
Minutes
After reviewing the minutes, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to approve the regular
session minutes from May 22, 2017. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion
carried. 3-0.
Commissioner Lindley made a motion to approve the public hearing minutes from May
22, 2017 as presented. Commissioner Hartke seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner
Lindley, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
The Council reviewed the executive session minutes from May 22, 2017, and after no
comments Commissioner Hartke made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley,
and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp
CDBG Procurement Policy
The council reviewed the Procurement policy, and after a brief discussion, Commissioner
Hartke made a motion to accept the policy as presented. Commissioner Lindley
seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays,
none. Motion carried. 3-0.
Neoga History Addition
Bob Short, a representative from the Neoga History Committee, gave the council two
proposed room addition plans for the history room at the Municipal Building. Short
explained that option B would be too expensive for the committee to finance due to the
fact that additional bathrooms would be needed and new drywall installed for fire
protection. Short further explained that with option A the committee might be able to
fund it better, and he asked if he could get their permission to proceed with dollar figures
for Option A. After a brief discussion on how important it was to preserve our
community’s history, it was the consensus of the Council to proceed with cost estimates
for the renovation.
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.
Police Reserve
City Treasurer Foor told the council that after the purchase of the new squad car, the
reserve account will have little money left in it. Foor suggested that the city replenish the
account by using the DUI, vehicle, and warrant funds that the city receives from
Cumberland County each month. Commissioner Hartke asked approximately how much
that was, and Foor said it would be approximately $5,000 per year. After little
discussion, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to use the DUI, vehicle, and warrant
funds to replenish the police reserves until further notice. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays,
none. Motion carried. 3-0.
NPP Account
City Treasurer Foor explained to the Council that the Neoga Veterans’ Memorial
committee has completed the project other than a couple items. Foor said that the
Veterans’ account has been under the city’s tax number, and it should be under the NPP
(Neoga Partnership for Progress) number. After a very brief discussion, Commissioner
Hartke made a motion to close the Veterans’ Memorial account and open a new account
under the NPP tax id number. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley.
Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
Public Property, Commissioner Stokes
Demo Bids for 756 & 796 Oak Avenue
Mayor Kepp opened the bids for the demo of the buildings at 756 & 796 Oak Avenue and
read the following:
Maulding Excavating…………………….$16,980
Tim Strohl…………………………….$ 6,000
After a brief conversation, it was the consensus of the council to table this until
clarification was received as to why there was such a difference in price.
EJ Water Cooperative, Inc.
City Clerk Evans explained to the council that the agreement with EJ Water was just for
their review. Evans recommended that once it was reviewed, the Council should hold at
least two public hearings to hear from the general public. It was the consensus of the
Council to discuss the agreement at the next meeting.
Ordinance #895-06-17 Appointment Ordinance for The City Of
Neoga, Illinois
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to accept it as
presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner
Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Legal Service Agreement
After reviewing the agreement, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to accept the
agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes,
Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
Streets and Alleys, Commissioner Edwards
Tin Horn at 11th & Oak Avenue
Superintendent Helm told the Council that the tin horn at 11th Street and Oak Avenue has
disintegrated in the bottom and needs to be replaced. Helm said that he has checked
around, and the cost to replace the 50’ horn would be $3,036. Mayor Kepp
recommended that the city contact Greg Jameson at IDOT to see if they would help with
the replacement of the culvert. After discussing options, Commissioner Hartke made a
motion to purchase a 50’ horn in the amount of $3,036. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays,
none. Motion carried. 3-0.
Health and Safety, Commissioner Lindley
Housing Grant
Kevin McReynolds, Coles County Regional Planning Commission, updated the council
on the $400,000 housing grant that Neoga received. McReynolds explained that the grant
should be able to rehab approximately 8 homes on the east side of town. McReynolds
said that the application process should start in the month of July.
Mosquito Control – Skeeter Slayers
Tom Helm approached the Council as owner of Skeeter Slayers, and made a proposal to
the City of Neoga to spray for the City at a cost of $800 per month for larviciding and
fogging. Helm explained that he would use the larvicide and spray that the city has
received in a grant through Cumberland County Health Department. Mr. Helm also
stated that if the council decided to go with his company, he would also like to buy the
mosquito sprayer from the city for $5,000. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus
of the council to wait until the remaining council was in attendance.
Public Comments
Chief Schabbing told the council that he ordered the new squad car and saved over $700
on the equipment. However, he may have to upgrade the camera system at a cost of
$300-$500.
Building Inspector Morrison said the Osborn property is safer and is being repaired.
Public Works Superintendent Helm said that they have scheduled the 4th & Chestnut tin
horn to be replaced next Monday or Tuesday.
Adjournment
Commissioner Lindley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Lindley, Hartke, and
Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.
http://www.neoga.org/content_files/June_12__2017.pdf
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