City of Neoga Council met Aug. 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
ALL 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, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Engineer Lee Beckman, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers.
MINUTES
After reviewing the regular and executive session minutes, Commissioner Lindley made a motion to approve the minutes from August 13, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Lindley, Groves, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Commissioners Edwards and Hartke abstained. Motion carried. 3-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KEPP
ORDINANCE #921-08-18 An ordinance Amending the City of Neoga Personnel Policy and Procedures (Vacation Leave and Overtime Compensation During the Normal Work Week (40 Hours)
Commissioner Groves asked City Clerk Evans why this ordinance was being presented to the Council, and Evans explained that there has been questions about clarifying the vacation and overtime sections of the personnel policy. Groves commented that he felt it was a waste of taxpayer’s dollars to have the city attorney review the personnel policy when the council can do it. Commissioner Groves said that a section of the policy should be reviewed at one meeting per month from now on. No one else commented on the ordinance, so it died due to lack of a motion.
TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT
Mayor Kepp told the Council that they needed to set the date for trick or treat night early enough for everyone to prepare activities for the night. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to hold trick or treat in Neoga from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 27th. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
FINANCE, COMMISSIONER HARTKE
MONTHLY BILLS
After reviewing the bill list, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to pay the monthly bills as presented in the amount of $79,312.45. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
TREASURER’S INSTITUTE
City Treasurer Diana Foor explained to the Council that the Treasurer’s Institute will give her continuing education points that she needs to keep her certification. Commissioner Edwards said it was very important to keep her certification current and made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Institute for Treasurer Foor to attend. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioners Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER GROVES
TRANE CONTRACTS
Commissioner Groves said that he has reviewed the contracts that were presented to the Council, and they are typical contracts. City Clerk Evans said that she would like for the Council to hold off on the contracts, because she is still waiting on one more quote. It was the consensus of the Council to wait for another quote; however, if it was not here by the next meeting, they will proceed with Trane.
STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
ORDINANCE #920-08-18 An Ordinance Amending Article VIII of Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Neoga, Illinois, and Authorizing the Operation of Non- Highway Vehicles on Streets under the Jurisdiction of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois
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.
PROJECT UPDATES
Engineer Lee Beckman updated the Council on the current projects as follows:
1. Sewer Plant – The preliminary engineering report was sent to the EPA on May 11, 2017. The IEPA still has not approved the concept for the sewer plant. The last correspondence was on August 22, 2017. Once approved, the plan will be to bid the project in early 2019 with construction completed by the end of 2019.
2. Safe Routes to School – We met with IDOT Representatives Greg Palmer and Sherry Phillips on October 18, 2017 to discuss the project. We are still waiting on Springfield to modify the route. New applications are being accepted.
3. Brighton Cabinets- The plans to improve the drainage were sent to IDOT in September of 2016. This has movement and will hopefully be done this year.
4. CDAP Water Grant – The $450,000 grant was awarded. All of the watermains and water meters are installed. Bids were low and all the grant money will not be spent.
5. State Grant ($100,000) – They have now extended the grant until June 2019. Quarterly reports continue to be completed.
6. ITEP – The City applied for a $1,014,960 grant with $253,740 in leverage. Grant applications were submitted on December 1, 2017, and the project received partial (small) funding in the amount of $26,400 for design work.
7. RLF Project – Neoga has sent the money in to DCEO as required and DCEO is now accepting applications for projects. Neoga’s application will be sent in September or October.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER LINDLEY
NUISANCE REGULATIONS
City Clerk Evans asked the Council to review the nuisance ordinance recommendations from the City Attorney for the next meeting. Commissioner Lindley stated that he did not feel that these changes were needed; however, other members of the Council felt that the nuisance regulations should be reviewed and discussed at great length. It was the consensus to table it until the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments were heard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to go into executive session for Personnel – Section 2 (c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance at 7:37 p.m. 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 8:21 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Groves. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Those present for roll call were: Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp.
PAY RAISE
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to give Superintendent Durbin a pay raise of $2500 after completing his probation period. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 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.org/sites/neoga.org/files/meetingminutes/August%2027%2C%202018_0.pdf
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