City of Neoga Council met September 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Hartke. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were: Commissioners Lindley, Edwards, Groves, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Public Works Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Engineer Lee Beckman, Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers, Deb Embry, Rob Wielt from Affordable Gas & Electric, and Jessica D’Anna from Trane.
Minutes:
After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Groves made a motion to approve the minutes from September 10, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards and Mayor Pro- tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp:
Neoga Memorial Cemetery-
Deb Embry, the contractor for maintenance at the cemetery, discussed with the council an ongoing problem with items being placed on the ground instead of on the monument. Embry said that they have to have the cemetery mowed within 48 hours once they start and if they moved each item to weed eat around everything they would be out there every day. Embry said that the grass grows between the items and makes the grave look bad. Embry asked if the city would consider having a third clean up in the middle of the summer to eliminate the talk grass. Mayor Pro-tem asked City Clerk Evans to contact other cemeteries to see their policies and bring it back to the council.
Neoga Booster Club Membership-
The Council discussed the Neoga Booster Club membership for either $20 per year or $150 lifetime membership. Commissioner Groves said he felt it was a great opportunity to support the school and made a motion to pay the lifetime membership for $150. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Ordinance #924-09-18 An Ordinance Regulating Health and Abating Noise Nuisances within the City of Neoga, Illinois
City Clerk Evans reminded the Council at the last meeting, two residents attending the meeting asked if the City could pass an ordinance regarding noise. After further investigating, those state statutes MIGHT not hold up in court due to our neighborhood vehicle ordinance. This ordinance would allow the police department to enforce any noise complaint if it is needed. After little discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
Affordable Gas And Electric
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.
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:
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.
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/September%2010%2C%202018%23%20.pdf
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