City of Neoga Council met May 14.
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, Chief of Police Andy Schabbing, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers, Jim Whitaker, Tom Strohl, Scott Tucker, Shawn Durbin, Brian Kidd, and Austin Jabbs.
Minutes:
After reviewing the minutes, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from April 23, 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
Purchase Of New Computer For Office:
City Clerk Evans requested the Council give permission to purchase a new computer for the city office. Evans said that the computer that City Treasurer Foor uses is extremely slow and is well over eight (8) years old. Evans said that they have been pricing computers but sometimes they go off sale before a meeting can be held. If they would approve up to $1800 that would allow the purchase of a computer and the needed software. After a brief discussion, Commission Groves made a motion to approve up to $1800 for the purchase. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Donation To Cumberland County Life Center:
City Clerk Evans told the Council that the Cumberland County Life Center sent a request for a donation. Evans said that they did receive a donation from the Neoga Township of $1,000. After little discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to donate $1,000 to the Cumberland County Life Center. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Appointment Of Zoning Board Members-
Mayor Kepp explained that the zoning board members need to be reappointed, as well as appoint two (2) new members due to the resignation of two (2) members. Building Inspector Jeff Morrison told the Council that three people have agree to serve on the zoning board; Austin Jabbs, Brian Kidd, and Dean Shaw. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to appoint Rex Lindley, Rodney Williamson, Brad Thomas, Dave Reynolds, Dustin Hakman, Austin Jabbs, and Brian Kidd to the Zoning Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Purchase Of Fire Proof Filing Cabinets-
City Clerk Evans said that they currently have two (2) very old cabinets that store ordinances, resolutions, and minutes. Evans said that due to the age of these cabinets she is concerned about the ability to keep the items safe in a fire. Evans said that the old cabinets will be used in the Superintendent of Public Works Department to hold some valuable files as well. After a very lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to purchase the two (2) file cabinets at a cost of $4900. 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.
Ordinance #912-05-12 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 2018 Commencing on May 1, 2017 and Ending on April 30, 2018
City Clerk Evans read the updated amounts that were amended in the ordinance. With no discussion, 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.
Hiring Of Auditors-
Commissioner Hartke explained that the council needed to hire an auditing firm for the fiscal year ending April 2018. Commissioner Hartke made the motion to hire Gilbert, Metzger & Madigan from Charleston. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Public Property, Commissioner Groves:
No report was given.
Streets And Alleys, Commissioner Edwards:
Purchase Of Sign For Municipal Building-
Commissioner Edwards asked City Treasurer Foor if she had received any quotes for replacing the sign in front of the Municipal Building. Foor said that she is still working with the company and should have them by the next meeting.
Health And Safety, Commissioner Lindley:
Commissioner Lindley said that the City has set the date for the Citywide Cleanup. The cleanup will be on Saturday, June 9th from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot along Chestnut Avenue between 6th & 7th Street. Lindley said the items not acceptable are paint, tires, car parts, hazardous waste, liquor waste, yard waste and fluorescent bulbs. Lindley said there will be electronic recycling as well that will accept computers, screens, printers, and TVs.
Public Comments:
Tom Strohl thanked Commissioner Hartke and Commissioner Edwards for taking the time to meet with him regarding his property located on East 7th Street. Strohl said that the contractor contacted him, and they will be down there in the next couple days to fix the grass.
Jim Whitaker asked the Council if they could tell him what steps he needed to take to build a building located just north of his house on Hickory Avenue. Whitaker said that he has purchased the 17 acres north of him, and he would like to access it from his house and to build a large building to hold his tractor and boat. Mayor Kepp told Whitaker to get in touch with the city Building Inspector Jeff Morrison to clarify what needs to be done.
Building Inspector Jeff Morrison thanked the Council for their service.
Executive Session:
Commissioner Edwards made a motion at 7:26 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 Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Reconvened And Roll Call:
The meeting was reconvened at 9:20 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Groves. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp.
Executive Session Minutes-
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the executive session minutes from March 12 & 26, 2018, and April 9 & 23, 2018 as presented in executive session. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Hiring Of Employees-
Commissioner Groves made a motion to hire Shawn Durbin as the Public Works Superintendent at a salary of $42,500 retroactive from April 1st, with a 90 probation period and an evaluation every 30 days. After probation, Durbin will receive a pay raise up to $45,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to hire Travis Hasket for the public works department at $15/hour with a 6 month probation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Appointment Of Supervisors-
Commissioner Groves made a motion to appoint the following employees to the following offices:
Brenda Evans - City Clerk and City Administrator
Diana Foor – City Treasurer
Shawn Durbin – Public Works Superintendent
Andy Schabbing – Chief of Police
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. 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/May%2014%2C%202018_0.pdf
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