City of Neoga Council met March 12.
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 Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Tom Helm, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers, Nathan Ward, Michael Tappendorf, Gene Creek, and Tom Strohl.
Minutes:
After reviewing the minutes, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the regular and executive session minutes from February 26, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp:
Gene Creek-
Gene Creek, owner of the property at 1012 Locust Avenue, discussed with the Council the issues with his non-compliant storage shed. Mr. Creek explained that he received a letter last fall explaining that he could request an appeal, which he did. Mr. Creek said that he and his wife met with Building Inspector Jeff Morrison and City Clerk Brenda Evans in November and he stated that they would agree to move the shed to an area behind their house and put concert under it to make it a garage. At that time, Morrison and Evans said that moving the shed would make the building compliant. After that meeting, Evans contacted the Creeks and explained that the Council agreed to allow them to move the shed, but felt they should pay a fine of $5400, which the Creeks were not willing to do.
Mr. Creek presented to the Council a number of pictures of other properties that had storage sheds that may be non-compliant. Commissioner Edwards asked Mr. Creek if he said that if the variance was not granted, he would move the shed out to the lake property that he owned. Mr. Creek admitted that he did state that but he has sold that, property to his son and no longer has property outside the corporate limits. Mayor Kepp told Mr. Creek that if it was him, he would not have proceeded with moving the shed onto the property without the approval of the Zoning Board. Commissioner Lindley told the Council that he felt they should work with the Council to make this right. Commissioner Groves told the Council that they took an oath to uphold the ordinances and regulations of the city.
After additional discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to proceed with the shed to be moved and asking for fines totaling $5400. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, Commissioner Lindley. Motion carried. 4-1. Mr. Creek stated that that was unacceptable, and would not move his building until the City corrected all the other violations that he has pointed out.
RLF Projects-
Milano & Grunloh Engineer Representative Michael Tappendorf explained to the Council that the City’s RLF funds will have to be sent back to the state due to the end of the program, which had been discussed before. The State will allow each community an opportunity to apply those funds to two (2) approved public projects. Tappendorf presented a streetscape project with an estimated $301,875.00. The second project would be a water and sanitary sewer improvement with an estimate totaling $886,885.50. Commissioner Hartke stated that he is a concerned about spending over $300,000 on the streetscape project when there are so many other places to spend the money. City Clerk Evans reminded the Council that these projects will have to be approved before any funds can be spent and they only have two (2) years to spend the money. After a lengthy conversation, it was the consensus of the Council to table the projects.
Alice Training Institute-
Chief Schabbing informed the Council that the Alice training class is scheduled for 2 days in Champaign on March 21st & 22nd. Schabbing said the cost will be $595. Commissioner Hartke stated that he feels this would be a great training for our community, and it would allow Schabbing to train other non-profit organizations and / or businesses in Neoga, so he made a motion to allow Chief Schabbing to attend the training. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
CCDC Annual Dues-
CCDC President Billie Chambers told the Council that the primary purpose for CCDC is to promote economic development in Cumberland County. Chambers said that during the past year, CCDC has worked with a solar company and is working with Cumberland County regarding the upcoming census. President Chambers said that CCDC should have a 16 member board, but it is hard to find people to fill the positions. After little discussion, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to pay the dues in the amount of $1,000 and to appoint City Clerk Evans to the CCDC board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Motion carried. 5-0.
Ordinance #908-03-18 An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance #907-02-18, an Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Contract for Private Development Pursuant to the City of Neoga, Illinois, Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Area (Neoga Illinois 1076, LLC)
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Ordinance #909-03-18 An Ordinance Authorizing Purchase of Real Estate (862 Oak Avenue)
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Finance, Commissioner Hartke:
Treasurer’s Report-
After reviewing the treasurer’s report, Mayor Kepp ordered the financial report to be placed into the files of the City Clerk.
City Liabilites-
City Treasurer Diana Foor gave the Council a breakdown of the city’s sewer bond liability for their information, and explained to them that she did move $50,000 from the regular water fund to the water reserve account.
Public Property, Commissioner Groves:
Tree Removal Bids-
Superintendent Helm informed the Council that there are three (3) trees on city boulevards that need to be removed, but they are too large for his department to do. Helm said that he received bids for the tree and stump removal. After a brief discussion, it was decided to table this until after the Commissioners can look at the trees.
Streets And Alleys, Commissioner Edwards:
Commissioner Edwards told the Council that he has received a report from Superintendent Helm regarding the streets and alleys. Edwards said that the public works department will continue to work on the ditches throughout Neoga, and Superintendent Helm did meet with the micro seal company to get quotes for repaving some streets. Edwards said that he is hoping to have an oil and chip program ready before the next meeting.
Health And Safety, Commissioner Lindley:
Mosquito Spraying Bid-
Tom Helm, owner of Skeeter Slayers, explained to the Council that he would like to bid on the mosquito spraying for the city. Helm said that he can larvicide and fog for $800 per month which is a savings of approximately $228 per month. Commissioner Edwards stated that each of our public works employees has a license to spray for the city, and we currently have very good equipment to do it. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to continue to have our public works employees do the mosquito spraying again this year. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, Commissioner Lindley. Motion carried. 4-1.
Public Comments:
Chief Schabbing told the Council that Officer Martina is at training for two (2) weeks and he will be filling in on those shifts.
Treasurer Foor said that she is getting quotes for the sign out in front of the city building as per Commissioner Edward’s request. Foor hopes to have something back very soon.
Tom Strohl addressed the Council with questions regarding the waterline replacement on east 6th Street. Strohl wanted to know why nothing was being replaced from 6th & Shaffer to 7th & Wilson. Mayor Kepp explained that the funds could only go so far, and the City did the waterlines that were the smallest or where the reported water main breaks were. Mr. Strohl asked questions on a number of other items and / or concerns in the area regarding fire hydrants and drainage.
Executive Session:
Commissioner Edwards made a motion at 8:24 pm to move into executive session for Personnel - Section 2 (c) (1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Reconvened And Roll Call:
The meeting was reconvened at 9:38 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Edwards. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
http://neoga.sdsaccess.net/sites/neoga.sdsaccess.net/files/meetingminutes/March%2012%2C%202018.pdf
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