City of Neoga Council met April 9.
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, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Engineer Narendra Patel, Kevin Haarman, Grady Haarman, Shawn Durbin, Scott Shumard, Tom Strohl, Nathan Ward, Chris White, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers.
Minutes:
After reviewing the minutes, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from March 26, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp:
Ordinance #911-04-18 An Ordinance Defining Meeting and Adopting Procedures for Public Participation
Mayor Kepp explained to those present that the ordinance is a policy for public participation at council meetings or other city formed committee meetings. Commissioner Lindley said that he didn’t feel like the ordinance was necessary, and the Council shouldn’t limit the amount of time speakers can address the Council. Lindley also said that the council currently limits public speaking to 3 minutes. City Clerk Evans explained that she could not find an ordinance allowing for public participation. With this ordinance it would allow someone to speak for 5 minutes instead of 3, and allow the Council to grant additional time if they chose to. Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented, and Commissioner Hartke seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, Commissioner Lindley. Motion carried. 3-1.
Donation To Cumberland County CEO-
High School Principal Kevin Haarman informed the Council that Cumberland School District along with the Neoga School District has formed a steering committee to start an entrepreneurship program for both school districts at no cost to either school. The program will be called the Cumberland County CEO program and will follow the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship. The mission is to teach approved students to be learners, doers, owners, communicators, and connectors. Haarman explained that the program will be a privately funded program for the 2019-2020 school year. Currently, the organization is looking for investors to help fund the program. The program will be available for junior and senior high students. They will have class from 7:30-9am every day. The student will learn to start and run a class and personal business, complete two business plans, visit 30-50 businesses, host 30- 40 guest speakers, each student will be matched with a business mentor, and they will host an annual trade show. Haarman said that the community must have an active and engaged CEO board of 9 to 11 people, provide funding through the investors, practice a blind student application process, offer high school credit and meet in area businesses. Mr. Haarman said that the program will have to facilitator, and the steering committee is looking for 25-30 investors. Commissioner Groves said that he has worked with another CEO, and was very pleased with it. Commissioner Hartke stated that he is currently on the steering committee, and has felt this would be a great opportunity for students in the school districts. Jeff Morrison also commented that he has worked with a student that has been through the program and thought that the knowledge has been unbelievable. After little discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to donate $1,000 per year for the next 4 years to the Cumberland County CEO program. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Pay Request #1 For 6th Street Water Line Project-
City Clerk Evans gave to the Council the first pay request for the 6th Street water line replacement project in the amount of $154,844.91. After reviewing the request, it was the consensus to proceed with a draw down from the grant to pay for the request.
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.
Public Property, Commissioner Groves:
CMOM ANNUAL UPDATE Engineer Narendra Patel presented a finished copy of the CMOM for 2018. Patel stated that a quick snapshot of the report was just a review of last years report, but included three manholes that had surcharged in the past year. Patel recommended that the public works employees and the city office continue to keep records on how often these manholes surcharged. Patel also reminded the Council that if IEPA audited the city, they would ask to see the reports as well.
Water Operator Contract-
Tabled until next meeting
Waste Water Operator Contract-
Tabled until next meeting.
Streets And Alleys, Commissioner Edwards:
2018 MFT Project-
Tabled until next meeting
Health And Safety, Commissioner Lindley:
Commissioner Lindley told the Council that he met with Tom Strohl regarding concerns that he had. Lindley said that Strohl pointed out areas that had drainage issues, and sidewalk problems. Lindley also said that the bridge at Jennings Park needs to be looked at as well as the ditch south of the 6th Street bridge needs to be cleaned out.
Public Comments:
Public works employee Shawn Durbin told the Council that since Helm has resigned, the department has been ditching on Locust Avenue between 10th and 11th Street, jetting and ditching multiple areas to help with the massive amount of rain, worked on sewer mains that have backed up, ditched around the Grove Avenue area, and picked up leaves to keep from backing up ditches. Durbin also said that the drainage around 5th & Maple Avenue needs to be reviewed for repairs.
Nathan Ward dropped off a mowing bid packet.
Tom Strohl wanted to discuss the mowing bid packets. Some of the issues that he had were: the insurance limits will drive up the cost for the mowing by over $2,000 / year; prevailing wage would be expensive as well; what does it mean on the bids as far as lump sum – per mowing (did the city want it per mowing or per year); how high does the council want the grass to be mowed at; mowing signs will add over $500, which would also be handed down to the city’s cost; and the lots along RT #45 can’t be mowed at this time due to the brick and large blocks still on the property.
Executive Session:
Commissioner Hartke made a motion at 7:55 pm to move into executive session for Personnel - Section 2 (c) (1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance and Sale or Lease of Real Estate Section 2 (c)(6) – Limited to actual setting of price for sale or lease of public property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Reconvened And Roll Call:
The meeting was reconvened at 8:25 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Groves. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Edwards, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Lindley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Lindley, Hartke, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
http://neoga.sdsaccess.net/sites/neoga.sdsaccess.net/files/meetingminutes/April%209%2C%202018.pdf
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