City of Neoga City Council met October 22.
Here is the minutes as 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, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Engineer Lee Beckman, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Matt Romack, Randy Mendenhall, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers.
Minutes
After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from October 9, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp.
Nays, none. Commissioners Hartke and Groves abstained. Motion carried. 3-0.
Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp
Presentation from Advanced Disposal
Mayor Kepp explained that Advanced Disposal asked to reschedule at a later date.
Water & Sewer Policy – Matt Romack
Matt Romack told the Council that he recently sold his property located at 744 Pine Avenue, and during the closing discovered that there was a past due water bill left by a previous tenant. Romack explained that he was not aware of the bill and felt that he shouldn’t be responsible for the past due amount or the water that the tenant stole. Mayor Kepp explained to the council that the ordinance currently reads that the water and sewer charges are the responsibility of both the homeowner and the tenant. Kepp also explained that even though the tenant had charges filed against him for theft of services, the homeowner is required to pay the past due amount, as per our attorney. City Clerk Evans explained that once the tenant pays restitution or the amount due the homeowner will be refunded. Police Chief Schabbing said that he had checked with the County and the tenant currently has bond money that COULD be applied to the restitution, which mean the property owner could get refunded sooner than expected. After a lengthy conversation, it was the consensus of the Council that it is the property owner’s responsibility to pay the bill, and they asked that the office keep Mr. Romack updated.
Employee Health Insurance
City Clerk Evans presented to the council a spreadsheet for three different health insurance policies. Evans explained that Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, which is the current health insurance company, increased only $78.15 and is quoted at $5,058.46 per month. The next policy, Blue Choice Preferred PPO, was quoted at $4,230.62, but the employees MIGHT lose Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic in Neoga. The last insurance quoted was Health Alliance HMO at a cost of $4,576.75, which would require all the employees to switch to different doctors, they wouldn’t have any benefits out of network, and there are no doctors in Neoga. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to keep the current policy which will allow employees to use local facilities and doctors. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, 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 $54,600.22. 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
Neoga Memorial Cemetery Rules
City Clerk Evans shared a picture of all the rules currently posted at the Neoga Memorial Cemetery. After the Council reviewed all the posted rules, it was the consensus of the Council to keep the same rules and enforce them.
Plumbing Repairs at the Neoga Community Center
City Clerk Evans presented a quote for the plumbing work that needed to be done at the Neoga Community Center. Sudkamp Plumbing-Heating-Electric Inc., presented two options for repairs. Option #1 was to replace 4 toilets in the boys and girls restrooms for an amount of $1,893. Option #2 was to replace the kitchen, men’s and women’s lounge toilets in the amount of $1,288. After a brief discussion regarding the repairs, Commissioner Groves made a motion to have the work done as per the quote for option #1 in the amount of $1,893 and verify the cost for option #2 for the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Mr. Sudkamp also noted other work that needs to be done: repair the kitchen drain sink, install flush valve in boys restroom, repair/replace lavatory faucets, repair/replace grid strainers on lavatories, replace grid strainer on women’s lounge lavatory.
Cleaning Services at The Neoga Community Center
City Clerk Evans explained to the council that Shari Morrison has agreed to clean the Neoga Community Center every week for a total of $600 per month. Evans said that the current tenant is required to pay $300 per month in his contact, making the city’s out of pocket portion $300 per month. Commissioner Groves made a motion to pay Shari Morrison $600 per month to clean the Community Center on a weekly basis. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Error in Mattoon Water Bills
According to City Clerk Evans, the City of Neoga is billed each month for raw water by the City of Mattoon. During the past audit, there was a question regarding the water rates. After further investigating it was discovered that an error occurred, and the City was charged an extra $60 each month. Evans explained that the City of Mattoon doesn’t know how it happened. Mattoon Water Department told Evans that they can give the city a credit for the past 3 years but, they can’t go back to 2006 when their records show it started. Commissioner Groves said that he understands that mistakes happen, but it shouldn’t be the citizens of Neoga who have to pay for that mistake. Groves made a motion to request a credit from 2006 until current for the overcharged account. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Replacement of Fan at Wastewater Treatment Plant
City Clerk Evans told the Council that a fan locked up at the Wastewater treatment plant, and she expected to have a quote before the meeting from D & M Electric; however it has not been received. It was the consensus of the Council to get multiple quotes for the fan and see if the public works employees can replace the fan.
Streets and Alleys, Commissioner Edwards
Safe Routes to School Grant
Engineer Lee Beckman told the council that the Safe Routes to School Grant states that they would be placing an 8 to 10 foot shared path, however there is a good chance it could be a 5 foot sidewalk instead. According to Beckman, the biggest issue is IDOT is only funding a portion of the preliminary engineering which would be $26,400 and the city would have to commit no more than $74,000. Once the engineering is complete, the City can apply for a construction grant, and if it is awarded it would be funded at 100%. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the Safe Routes to School grant, and to hold a public hearing at 6:30 to close out the RLF projects and another public hearing at 6:45 to close out the water grant project. Both public hearings will be on Tuesday, November 13th.
Health and Safety, Commissioner Lindley
Nothing to report
Public Comments
Building Inspector Jeff Morrison told the Council that the zoning board is still waiting on the City Attorney to return from maternity leave to review changes to the zoning ordinance.
Randy Mendenhall, Commander from the Neoga American Legion, told the Council that he is working with City Clerk Evans on the TIF application for some needed repairs at the Legion. Mendenhall explained that they are currently holding dinners thoughout the month and they are buying most of the food locally. They also pay over 9 taxes to the community. They are in need of the repairs to keep the Legion open. Mendenhall asked for the Council’s support. Mr. Mendenhall also stated that some members of the Legion would like be at the next meeting. Mayor Kepp explained that all Council meetings are open to the public, and the members are very welcome to attend. Kepp also thanked Mr. Mendenhall for help getting the American Legion back up and open to the public.
Adjournment
Commissioner Groves made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
http://neoga.org/sites/neoga.org/files/meetingminutes/October%2022%2C%202018_0.pdf
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